If Nancy Pelosi and Donald Trump can't strike an infrastructure deal, key Democrats say they should push their own partisan bill through the House ahead of the 2020 elections. That strategy, backers argue, would demonstrate to voters that they're making good on the campaign promises that won them the lower chamber last year - and remain focused on those bread-and-butter issues looking ahead. It would also allow Democrats to shift the conversation away from the intense focus on the many investigations into President Trump, including special counsel Robert Mueller's report, which they fear could alienate voters in crucial swing districts. "Why doesn't the House just pass a $2 trillion infrastructure bill with our pay-fors and then put the ball in the Senate and Trump's court?" asked Rep. Ro Khanna, a San Francisco Bay-area Democrat and a leading progressive in Congress. "I think we have to pass something that's really going to convince people the problem isn't politicians. The problem isn't broken Washington. The problem is this president and the Senate...," Khanna added. "If we don't do that, if it's just rhetorical, then I feel that [voters] are just going to increase the cynicism and most people will blame the entire Congress." Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), chairman of the House Infrastructure and Transportation Committee, said he still intends to move a sweeping infrastructure package through his committee this year - even if talks with the White House break down. Whether it gets a floor vote, he emphasized, is up to leadership. But he was quick to note that Democrats ran their successful 2018 campaign on a bare-bones message that featured just three line items: clean government, health care and infrastructure. "One of the three key issues in us winning back the House was infrastructure," said DeFazio, who attended the first new White House meeting on the issue on April 30. "I would certainly write a transportation bill." Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), another member of the Transportation panel, is endorsing that idea enthusiastically. "I have always thought we should simply be full speed ahead. Waiting for the goalposts to stop moving with this administration, I think, is a recipe for paralysis and inaction," Huffman said. The price tag - and the difficult task of finding money to offset those costs - should not discourage Democratic leaders from forging ahead, Huffman said. DeFazio backs a gas tax hike, while progressives are pushing for corporations that now pay zero taxes to fork over money for infrastructure. "Having promised to do infrastructure, we can't be afraid of the pay-for and let that be an excuse for inaction," Huffman said, advocating a plan of "at least" $2 trillion. "We've got a lot of need out there." DeFazio, however, questioned why Democrats would stick their necks out to come up with offsets for a package that was sure to go nowhere in the GOP-controlled Senate. Some of those pay-fors would likely be unpopular, and could prove politically perilous to centrists who face tough elections next year. "Probably the Republicans wouldn't be very supportive," he said, "If it's just going to be a one-house bill, I don't think there's a great desire to walk the plank on funding." The debate comes as many Republicans, particularly those in control of the Senate, are balking at the enormous $2 trillion price tag for infrastructure that Trump agreed to in talks with Democratic leaders earlier in the month. The GOP grumbling has led to widespread doubts about the fate of the negotiations. Still, many Democrats are still holding out hope that Trump, Speaker Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) can reach a bipartisan agreement to address the nation's aging roads, bridges, waterways and other projects. The two sides shook hands on that $2 trillion figure a couple weeks ago at the White House, and are aiming to meet again during the week of May 20 to negotiate the hard part: how exactly to pay for it all. That's why Pelosi isn't tipping her hand about her next move if negotiations with Trump collapse. Other Democrats want to give Pelosi and Schumer space to get a deal rather than turn quickly to what Republicans would surely deride as a 2020 Democratic messaging bill. "I think we should wait and see if a deal is made, and see what the executive branch proposes and have a thoughtful negotiation," said freshman Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who's planning to hold an infrastructure hearing in his swing district in the Minneapolis suburbs. "I don't think disrupting the process right now would be beneficial." Democratic negotiators are also urging patience. "I want to not just pass a bill out of the House, but I think it's important to get it through the Senate and to the president for his signature," Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), who attended the infrastructure meeting with Trump, told The Hill. "But if our Republican colleagues don't want to find a way to work together, we should show the American people the package that we would offer as Democrats." If Democrats do decide to go it alone, progressive leaders say this should be the approach: Go big and go bold. "I think we should take a vote on an infrastructure package that the whole caucus can support, and we should make that as broad as possible and as generous as possible, because I don't think we should wait for the administration if it looks like they're not going to support it," Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, told The Hill while walking into the Speaker's office. "Is that $2 trillion? Is it $1.5 trillion? I don't know, but my intent would be to make it as big as possible because that's what we need to get the caucus to support it, something that shows we are united as a caucus and that infrastructure investment into jobs is absolutely critical." Khanna, the other progressive leader, actually wants leadership to be even more aggressive and bring an infrastructure bill to the floor "as soon as possible" to stake out a negotiating position with Trump and also show voters that Democrats are not obsessed with probing the president and his administration. "It shows we're not just focused on investigations," Khanna said. "Let's put forward something we can pass. ... I'm for $2 trillion. If it's a trillion, it's a trillion."


And it's a sight to behold in Monaco. Sweden born professional freeskier and alpine ski racer, Jon Olsson , is back again with yet another wild new project. This time around, it's not a brand new vehicle but a new modification for his heavily tuned Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4² nicknamed Lord Hans . If the name sounds familiar, it's because this is the very same G-Class that Olsson turned into a convertible in June last year in order to fit the off-roader into the parking garages in Monaco and Marabella. Now, the G500 4×4² has received a custom fabric roof that allows the skier to drive it on rainy days. As you can see from the video above, there's also a new exterior white color matching Olsson's personal clothing brand. The Story So Far: Mercedes G500 4×4² Transformed Into A Convertible Because Why Not Jon Olsson Turns His G-Class Into 780-HP, Teak-Covered Convertible In its previous version, Lord Hans had its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 heavily upgraded to deliver 780 horsepower (582 kilowatts). Further hardware improvements, including a new exhaust system (yes, yet again), boost that figure to 850 hp (634 kW). Unfortunately, Olsson doesn't speak about one of the coolest features this car had - an iPhone app that adjusts an internal valve in the exhaust pipes to alter the sound. In the video, Janni, Olsson's wife, who is a fashion and lifestyle blogger, also enjoys the freshly modified G. At the end of the 15-minute clip, the couple goes out for a quick tour around Monaco. And it's a sight to behold. Some Of Olsson's Previous Projects: You Can Buy Jon Olsson's Bonkers 810-HP Rolls-Royce Wraith Jon Olsson's New 725-HP Audi RS6 Avant Is A Two-Faced Super Wagon After so many tweaks, this car deserves a new name. Source: Jon Olsson on YouTube


Lille winger Nicolas Pepe is expected to seal his £72m move to Arsenal on either Tuesday or Wednesday, as long as French moneybags Paris Saint-Germain do not involve themselves in negotiations. The Gunners seemingly moved to the front of the queue for Pepe's signature with a shock £72m bid , although the move is far from complete as a number of European giants are considering late appeals to the Ivorian. However, La Voix du Nord state that Pepe's move to Arsenal will go through in the coming days, barring a late approach from PSG. The Gunners have already agreed terms with both Lille and Pepe, and he is said to have 'practically made his choice' to head to the Emirates Stadium. The report notes that a late bid from PSG is unlikely but, with the Ligue 1 champions thought to hold a longstanding interest in Pepe, it cannot be completely ruled out at this stage. Lille have already accepted his departure. A deal for Charleroi winger Victor Osimhen is nearing completion, whilst Napoli 's Adam Ounas and Watford 's Dodi Lukebakio are both believed to high on Lille's wish list. They are expecting Pepe to join Arsenal, and the Gunners also believe the deal is effectively closed, but the threat of PSG will certainly give them cause for concern until Pepe puts pen to paper. The 24-year-old is seen as somewhat of a coup for Arsenal, who were believed to be operating with a small budget of just £45m. However, by offering to pay in significant instalments, Arsenal have been able to lodge a satisfactory bid for Pepe. 22+11 - Nicolas #Pepe is one of the two players with 20+ goals and 10+ assists in the top-5 European Leagues 2018/19 (22 goals and 11 assists), alongside Lionel Messi. Devasting. pic.twitter.com/8TVoaYtPAR   OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) July 26, 2019 After racking up 23 goals and 12 assists last season, the Ivorian propelled himself to superstardom and attracted interest from some of Europe's biggest sides. Manchester United , Liverpool and Inter were all  believed to have agreed on a fee with Lille president Gerard Lopez, but it is Arsenal and Napoli who emerged as most likely landing spots for Pepe. The Gunners edged ahead after offering superior wages, but a late PSG bid could spoil the fun.


By Simon Evans LYON, France (Reuters) - In a team noted for their power, speed and strength along with tactical discipline, midfielder Rose Lavelle provides the United States women's side with a refreshing touch of creativity. Sunday's World Cup final opponents the Netherlands may be preparing themselves for a bruising game but they will also be well aware of the need to neutralize the attacking verve of the 24-year-old from Ohio. At five foot four inches (1.63 meters) tall, Lavelle is the smallest member of the American side and her slight frame looks somewhat out of place in a team packed with powerful players. But the level of worry over the hamstring strain she picked up in Tuesday's semi-final win over England, when she was replaced in the 65th minute, indicates her importance to Jill Ellis's team. Lavelle has had trouble with her hamstrings before but she was quick to brush aside question marks over her fitness. "I'm good, I'm ready to go. I just didn't want to be a liability on the field because I do know with muscles anything can happen," she told reporters on Friday. "So it was a little bit more precautionary." That is good news for Ellis who recently described Lavelle as "a joy". "You can see what she is capable of doing in terms of the final pass, in terms of being dangerous with the shot, the pass, the separation she can create," Ellis said after the 2-0 group stage win over Sweden. Lavelle was outstanding against England, her nutmeg of Millie Bright in the opening minutes, followed by a swift cut inside and fierce shot, instilled fear in the Lionesses defense. She also led the high pressing as the Americans unleashed their now trademark early blitz but was a constant threat until she was forced out of the game, buzzing around the midfield and quickly stepping up the tempo while also having the poise to deliver precise passes. STREET FOOTBALLERS Lavelle's individuality is a throw-back to the era of street footballers rather than over-coached academy products and she acknowledges that much of her skill set was honed in her backyard in Cincinnati. "It was never anything really scripted, just me in the back yard with a net, playing around and having fun. I feel like those hours in the back yard kind of helped me," she said. It is to the credit of Lavelle's coaches that in a country that can sometimes prioritize team-play at the expense of individual brilliance, her ability to quickly lose a marker and plot a way forward was never knocked out of her. "It was something that I have always been a smaller player. Growing up I had to figure out a way for them not to be able to touch me or bump me off the ball, so I think it has always been a part of my game and I don't think there was ever a coach that didn't approve of that," she said. What she had to learn was how to make sure she didn't take unnecessary risks in dangerous positions. "Sometimes I would have a conversation with my college coach and she would be like, why are you doing that there? And I would say, that's part of my game   and the reply would be   but not in our own defensive third." While the defending champions are clear favorites in the final, the knockout games have been close and the Dutch are capable of closing down space effectively. Lavelle says there is no question of the Americans under-estimating their opponents. "Netherlands is a great team and they are at the top of their game right now," Lavelle said. "We don't take them lightly at all. I think it's going to be tooth-and-nail." (Reporting by Simon Evans, editing by Ed Osmond)


ORANGEBURG   Leitrim, a women's team from the Bronx, was dominating early, even if it had little to show for it. On a warm July night at the Rockland Gaelic Athletic Association, Gaelic football was center stage. Leitrim, which missed three one-point kick attempts before finally splitting the uprights six minutes into the match, held a one-point lead when Rockland's most veteran presence became a game-changer. Mary O'Rourke-Ryan is only 38. But she talks as if her heyday is distant memory. Defying that, she booted a hard shot past the Leitrim keeper and into the net below the crossbar for a three-point score. Rockland, which had dropped a preseason match to Leitrim in the spring, never trailed after that. Mary Kate Henry's perfect kick-pass to Shannon Horan for a backdoor three-pointer and a game-sealing three-pointer off the foot of a sprawling Theresa McGovern highlighted its offensive attack. GOLF: James Nicholas is preparing to go pro WHELAN ALL-SPORTS AWARDS: Katelyn Tuohy repeats; John Jay, Ardsley, others honored NYC TRIATHLON: Westchester residents, 65 and 53, overcome challenges to compete Not Irish? No problem About 700 people   400 males and 300 females   play Gaelic football at Rockland GAA, a club of roughly 3,000 that was founded in 1972 and which also offers hurling for males and hurling's cousin, camogie, for females. Most members are either of Irish descent or are from Ireland, but the club's new games development officer, Tadhg Branagan, 23, who moved from Dublin to Orangeburg less than two months ago, noted there's no ancestry requirement. "Everyone is welcome   loads of Americans (here) with no Irish in them," said Branagan, who all but teethed on a Gaelic football (it resembles a volleyball but is heavier), starting to play at age 3. Unique rules, scoring, non-stop action At first glance, the game   and its scoring   can be confusing. O'Rourke-Ryan's goal had given Rockland GAA a 4-2 lead   or, in Gaelic football terminology, it led 1-1 to 0-2, meaning one three-point goal and one, one-point kick through the uprights to no goals and two one-point kicks. Game rules are identical for men and women, save for the fact guys must toe loose balls up to their hands but females may simply pick the ball up. Players (there are 15 per side on the field at once) must either dribble or kick the ball up to themselves every four steps when hand-carrying it. There's no tackling and no grabbing a ball from an opponent but defenders may slap a ball away and also block kicks. Besides kick passes, players may hand-pass via a quasi-volleyball underhand punch or by underhand slap. Action during two 30-minute halves is almost non-stop. That holds great appeal. "You see it and think it's five sports in one. There's so much going on and so much speed," said Maryanne Coleman, 22, of Pearl River. Coleman once ran track and played tennis for Pearl River High (Class of 2014). She started playing Gaelic football at age 11. Her uncle played at Rockland GAA in the '90s. Her dad and brother also played a bit. But that's all past tense. "I'm the one still here," she said with a smile. There's no age cap, but O'Rourke-Ryan, a Pearl River resident and mom to a 3-year-old son and a nearly-2-year-old daughter, is the eldest player on the women's 55-player roster. Girls as young as 15 are eligible to play on the women's team and do. The men's team includes 17-to-35-year-olds. The youth program starts with 4-year-olds learning basics. Competition begins with under-8 teams and goes through U16. Spring to fall with all-star games in Ireland The adult teams and the kids' teams play in metropolitan leagues whose games run spring into fall. Many kids and adults also travel to Ireland to play for regional all-star squads that also draw players from New York City teams, the majority based in the Bronx. This summer, a girls U14 Feile team won its division in Ireland. The boys Feile team finished second in its division there, as did a local girls U16 all-star team. Kyra Reilly, 16, who'll be a senior at Tappan Zee High in the fall, played in Ireland three years ago. Her squad fell in the semifinals but she said the experience was one of the best in her life. Catherine Tracey, 23, of Orangeburg, a Tappan Zee High 2014 grad and recent Manhattan College grad, played twice in Ireland on the regional girls U14 Feile team. Players stay with host families and she and some teammates bunked with a family in her dad's old hometown. "It was really a cultural thing," she said of the trip. She coaches more than plays now but the sport remains special. "There's a lot of different personalities on this team," said Tracey, who met four of her closest friends through Gaelic football. Two years ago, Meghan Treanor, a current Ithaca College student, was kicking field goals and extra points for Clarkstown South High School's football team   American football, of course. But the 2018 South grad has played the Gaelic game for a decade and was on the 2014 area Feile team that won its Division 3 girls championship. Players from the metropolitan area   normally rivals   bonded during the tournament, while also improving their skills through international play, she said. Four locals play in World Games Treanor will return to Ireland later this month for the over-18/post-high school Renault GAA World Games. She, Coleman, Henry and fellow teammate Courtney Traynor of West Nyack, who'll serve as captain, are part of a New York regional team that will be among squads from Asia, the Middle East, China, South America, Africa, Europe and more. Irish teams play in a separate division. Players must have been born in the country they're representing, noted Coleman, who has played three previous times in Ireland. The championship game, which is televised in Ireland, will be played in Croke Park, which Coleman characterized as the Yankee Stadium of Ireland. "Honestly, walking on the field was incredible," said Coleman, whose team edged Canada for the 2016 World title. "I'm so excited," she said about playing at Worlds again, although noting she's also nervous returning as a defending champion. But there may be many World Games ahead of her. "I want to keep going. I don't want to stop (playing)," Coleman said. Her future in Gaelic football will probably be longer than that of O'Rourke-Ryan, who coached some of her current teammates when they were U14 Feile players. But O'Rourke-Ryan, who's looking forward to watching her own children play, isn't ready to put her cleats away just yet. "I'm an old lady. It gets me out of the house and keeps me in good shape," she said. "(If I weren't here,) I'd be sitting home watching the Mickey Mouse Fun House," she added with a laugh. Twitter: @HaggertyNancy This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Men, women embrace Gaelic football with moms, dads and kids playing


The same car did 213 mph in a top-speed test back in March. About a month ago, we watched a 2017 Ford GT make a top-speed run at Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds in Florida. In fact, it was the same car featured here, and that run took place on the same day as the video we're featuring below. What's the difference between the two clips, you ask? Today's action isn't a top speed run down the full 2.7-mile stretch of concrete. This is a standing mile, and the GT makes very short work of it. More From Johnny Bohmer: McLaren Senna's First Top Speed Run Produces Surprising Result Watch This Porsche 911 GT2 RS Obliterate Its Published Top Speed For the record, the video lists this car as a stock 2017 Ford GT. That means a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 generating 647 horsepower (482 kilowatts), sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The video also says the weather conditions for the run were excellent, with an overlay revealing temperatures in the 70-degree range Fahrenheit and modest humidity. To recap the full 2.7-mile run, the GT pulled hard to around 180 mph then started to plateau, though the speedo ultimately clicked off an impressive 213 mph before hitting the shut down area. For the standing mile, launch control helped the GT pull no less than 0.8G on launch. 60 mph arrives in around 3 seconds and 100 mph comes in 7 seconds, not unlike the top speed run. Even at 130 mph, the GT is still pulling 0.4G, though by the time the mile-long run is completed, the accelerative forces are nearly back to normal. The time for sprinting from 0 to 182 mph is approximately 26 seconds. It's not the fastest supercar on the market, but anything that can reach airliner velocities in less time than it takes to microwave a hot dog is damn fast. We can't wait to see what's in store for future runs down the lengthy runway. Follow MSN Autos on Facebook and Twitter


The Dallas Cowboys have suffered some injuries through camp, but none that seem to have a definite concern about regular season availability. That all changed on Tuesday as the club's prize veteran acquisition of the offseason came off the field in Oxnard. Per Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins, executive VP Stephen Jones has confirmed that defensive end Robert Quinn has fractured his hand and is set to undergo surgery, with an eye on returning for the Cowboys Week 1 matchup with the Giants. Robert Quinn has a fracture of his hand. Stephen Jones said he expects Quinn to undergo surgery. Jones expects him to be ready for Week 1. - Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) August 7, 2019 Quinn exited with the injury after taking part in one-on-one pass rush drills with LT Tyron Smith, where he appeared to injury his hand while swatting at Smith. It is not known if this is the particular play that the injury occurred on, but Quinn appears to immediately check his left hand after the rush was over. Tyron stymies Robert Quinn pic.twitter.com/oYziTZd4rp - John Owning (@JohnOwning) August 6, 2019 Quinn is expected to be the starting right defensive end opposite All-Pro DeMarcus Lawrence on the left side. Behind Quinn, third-year man Taco Charlton has shown little progress in training camp as he faces tough competition from Kerry Hyder. Dorance Armstrong has been the star of the second-line edge guys, but has player primarily on the left side behind DeMarcus Lawrence. The club also has rookie Joe Jackson vying for playing time. You can follow Burke at @BurkeDowner. MORE: ESPN's Molly Qerim walked off set after Max Kellerman said Kobe's on his 'all-NBA worst team' Raiders Hard Knocks: Winners and Losers from Episode 1 Quick hits, observations from Packers' second joint practice with Texans Eagles' release unofficial depth chart for preseason opener vs. Titans Roundup: SpaceX Launches Falcon 9; Toni Morrison Passes Away; Barneys Files for Bankruptcy


A new beer garden and New American restaurant has opened in the neighborhood. Located at 79 Potomac Ave. SE at the Capitol Riverfront, the fresh addition is called Dacha Navy Yard . The beer garden, sister to the Dacha Beer Garden in Shaw, is steps away from Nationals Park and has 26 German and Belgian beers on tap. The restaurant's menu options include lobster linguine, cauliflower steak, crown of Muscovy duck, ribeye steak and honey-glazed chicken. It also serves craft cocktails. Dacha Navy Yard has made a good impression thus far, with a four-star rating out of four reviews on Yelp. Austin G., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on May 11, wrote, "The outdoor space is where it's at. It's a large beer garden close to the Anacostia River with an Airstream in the middle selling all kinds of drinks." And Marc L. wrote , "This place is amazing. It's not just a beer garden, it's way more impressive than that. It's a really nice restaurant inside with incredible food. The honey chicken was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented and the appetizers we shared were awesome." Swing on by to take a peek for yourself: The restaurant is open 5-10 p.m. on Sunday-Thursday and 5-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The bar is open 4 p.m.-midnight on Sunday-Thursday and 4 p.m.-1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The beer garden is open 4-10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-11:30 p.m. Friday, 1-11:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1-9 p.m. on Sunday. Better dentistry does exist Not all dentists in San Francisco provide you with the same experience, which is why we make your life easier by rewarding you with a $50 gift card for visiting one of the top rated dentists in your area on Opencare. Don't believe us? Opencare is also proud to offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee™, so if your new dentist doesn't live up to the hype, we'll also reimburse you up to $100 to cover your appointment costs! Click here to book an appointment and claim your $50 reward → This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


It's been a busy few weeks for the Titleist iron team. First the company brought out its U-500 and U-510 utility irons (as well as TS hybrids) at the Memorial Tournament. Then at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. it debuted its T100, 620 CB and 620 MB irons , with Rafa Cabrera Bellow using a set of 620 MB irons, Cameron Smith putting a one-of-a-kind black finish T100 set in the bag and Charles Howell III using a split set of T100 and 620 CB irons. Now, as the tour heads to TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., Titleist has yet another iron unveiling the T200 and T300 irons at this week's Travelers Championship. The irons, which appear to possibly be replacements for the company's AP1 and AP3 (The T100's look closer to the AP2 model) are being shown to tour staff as part of the company's tour seeding and validating process. Looking at photos, both are cavity-back irons, however the T200 has what appears to be a weight screw in the cavity that says "max impact" on it. As usual, the company is mum on details, however it appears the AP line is set for a complete overhaul when these irons are finally released to market. See the video.


The Texas Senate on Sunday approved a bill that would allow any Texan who can legally own a firearm to be able to carry it either open or concealed for seven days after the state declares a natural disaster, The Dallas Morning News reported. The bill, which was narrowly passed 16-15, has been hotly contested. Three Republicans voted against the measure, including Sen. Joan Huffman, R- Houston. The paper reported that she questioned House Bill 1177 's effect on policing after a powerful storm. "It's really, really poor public policy that is not well thought out," she said, according to the paper. The bill has to be accepted by the House and will then be sent to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's desk, The Texas Tribune reported. The bill would take effect in September 2019. GET THE FOX NEWS APP The bill's sponsor, Rep. Dade Phelan, a Republican, said earlier that he doesn't "want someone to feel like they have to leave their firearms back in an unsecured home for a week or longer, and we all know how looting occurs in storms. Entire neighborhoods are empty and these people can just go shopping, and one of the things they're looking for is firearms." Fox News' Elizabeth Llorente contributed to this report


WINNERS Joe Gibbs Racing   Scores its second 1-2-3 finish fo the season . The other 1-2-3 finish the team had this year was in the Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin won both of those races. Erik Jones was second at Pocono for this third consecutive top-three finish. Martin Truex Jr. placed third. Kyle Larson   Weekend started poorly when he wrecked in practice on Friday and ended with him placing fifth in a backup car. It is his third top-five finish in the last five races . Daniel Hemric   His seventh-place finish was best result since placing a career-best fifth at Talladega in April. Chase Briscoe   He scored his first Xfinity win of the season this past weekend at Iowa. LOSERS Chase Elliott   You wonder if it can get worse and it can. Elliott crashed and finished last at Pocono. He has finished 20th or worse in four of the last six races. He has not had a top-10 finish in the last seven races. David Ragan   It has been a rough month for Ragan, who has finished no better than 29th in the last four races. Frustrating end to a solid weekend. Had good speed all race and the 21 wrecked us racing hard for position. That's just racing and life will go on. Look forward to getting focused on @WGI Monday.   David Ragan (@DavidRagan) July 28, 2019 Stewart Friesen   Crash on the first lap of the Truck race at Pocono left him with a last-place finish. He holds the final playoff spot with two races to go. He leads Harrison Burton by 13 points.


MADISON, Wis.   Jerry Kelly shot a 7-under 65 on Friday to take the first-round lead in his hometown American Family Insurance Championship. Kelly played the back nine at University Ridge in 5-under 31. ''I didn't really get into a rhythm early,'' Kelly said. ''I didn't play the par 5s particularly well. I topped a shot as well on 6. To get this golf course at 7 without getting the par 5s, that gives me promise. It lets me know that there's still more in there. I've just got to settle myself into every round and let things come to me, because I'm playing good now.'' He has three PGA Tour Champions victories after winning three times on the PGA Tour. David Frost was a stroke back. Full-field scores from the American Family Insurance Championship ''For me, it was nice getting some roll on the ball. Didn't drive it very well, but managed to make some long putts,'' Frost said. ''If I could strike it better tomorrow and the putter still stays warm, that would be great.'' Tournament host Steve Stricker was at 67 with Kirk Triplett, David Toms, Duffy Waldorf, Corey Pavin and Tom Gillis. ''I hit a lot of greens. I gave myself some opportunities, but nothing really close,'' Stricker said. ''I had a couple 10- or 15-footers, but I was always kind of in that 20- to 25-foot range it seemed like. Playing a little defensive at times.'' John Daly topped the group at 68. Defending champion Scott McCarron shot 71. Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz opened with a 76 in his third tour start. The former Atlanta Braves star got into the field on a sponsor exemption.


On Sunday we gave our super-early projections for the Jacksonville Jaguars' 53-man roster on offense , and now it's time to do the same for their defense and special teams. Of course, with the addition of several rookies through the draft, there will be some additions and also some subtractions with several veterans/young players being on the bubble. That said, without seeing the team take the field yet, here is an early guess of how we could see the roster shaking out for now: Defensive line (8) Yannick Ngakoue, Marcell Dareus, Taven Bryan, Calais Campbell, *Josh Allen, Abry Jones, Dawuane Smoot, *Dontavius Russell Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Ngakoue and rookie first-round pick Josh Allen, of course, will solely stick to pass rushing duties on the edge for the Jags this season. Campbell will see some time there, too, while kicking in on late downs to keep offenses on their toes. Dareus will undoubtedly be the team's starting nose tackle, while Jones, who can play some three-technique, too, will be his backup at the position. If he isn't starting to some capacity, Bryan will see an increased role in the interior after getting some experience during his rookie season. Lastly, Smoot and Russell could fill out the last spots in the Jags' rotation. Linebacker (6) Telvin Smith, Myles Jack, Jake Ryan, *Quincy Willams, Leon Jacobs, Blair Brown, Lerentee McCray Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports It's possible the Jags may look to move to a hybrid 3-4, however, they should still predominantly be a 4-3 team, which means they could go light at the linebacker position. Although Smith has yet to contact the Jags, I believe he'll be on the team in 2019 with Jack and one more player like Jacobs starting with the two. Ryan could also see time as a starter in the middle as he'd allow Jack to play on the strongside in a 4-3 alignment, and would give the Jags a second interior linebacker in a 3-4 alignment. As for Williams, Brown, and McCray, all would be solid special teams contributors who could enter the defensive lineup as temporary starters if needed. Safety (4) Jarrod Wilson, Ronnie Harrison, *Zedrick Woods, Cody Davis Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports The Jags brought back Wilson this January as he was scheduled to be a restricted free agent, and it appears they wanted him to be a starter all along. He's a favorite of the staff and will take Tashaun Gipson's spot in the lineup, while Ronnie Harrison will fill the role of Barry Church. Woods, who signed with the Jags as an undrafted rookie this month, offers the defense a speedy backup with 4.2 speed who could also help out on special teams. Davis, the most experienced safety in the group, should also be back after seeing time on defense and special teams over the past two seasons. Cornerback (5) Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, D.J. Hayden, Quenton Meeks, Tre Hendon Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports Simply put, Bouye and Ramsey are regarded as the best cornerback tandem in football and will look to bounce back from a 2019 campaign that wasn't as good as their 2018 run. Hayden was a pleasant surprise at the nickelback position last season as he balled out after receiving a big contract in free-agency. Lastly, Meeks and Herndon, who both were undrafted rookies in 2018, flashed throughout the season. With a year of experience under their belts now and great upside, I believe they could emerge as the No. 4 and No. 5 cornerbacks despite the position being crowded on the back end. Specialist teams (3) (LS) Matt Overton, (K) Josh Lambo and (P) Logan Cooke Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports The Jags brought back Matt Overton to replace Carson Tinker, who had been the team's longtime long snapper, but had trouble staying healthy over the past few years. They also gave Lambo a new contract that guarantees $6.5 million, so it's a given he'll make the team, too, as he's established himself as a reliable kicker in the league. As for Cooke, he had a decent rookie season in 2018 and will look to continue his growth in 2019. MORE: Magic Johnson is thrilled that he's finally allowed to tweet about Kawhi Leonard Roundup: Adam Sandler SNL Tribute to Chris Farley, $5 Gas in California, Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Honeymoon How to tell if a coach is interested in you as a recruit Report: Packers sign rookie tryout WR Darrius Shepherd Did Steelers make life easier on Bengals by jumping in front of them for Devin Bush?


Newcastle United host Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday night, with nothing but pride at stake for the Magpies. After a nervy first half of the season, Rafael Benitez's side kicked on to secure their safety for another year with a few games remaining, but they could still have a big impact on the destiny of the title this weekend. Jamaal Lascelles should return to the starting lineup after missing last weekend's draw with Brighton , while Ayoze Perez looks to recover from a knock picked up at the Amex Stadium. Here's how the Magpies could line up for Saturday's clash at St James' Park. Goalkeeper and Defenders Martin Dubravka (GK) - Last month, Dubravka reached double figures for clean sheets in the Premier League this season. Javier Manquillo (RWB) - Manquillo has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot this season but the Spaniard should make his fourth consecutive start against his former club on Saturday. Fabian Schar (RCB) - The Swiss international has enjoyed a strong debut season at St James' Park, making 20 starts and scoring three goals. Jamaal Lascelles (CB) - Lascelles missed last weekend's draw with Brighton with a stomach problem but the captain should be fit for Liverpool's visit. Paul Dummett (LCB) - The Welshman conceded a penalty in December's reverse fixture, when he was judged to have brought down Mohamed Salah at Anfield. Matt Ritchie (LWB) - Ritchie has been used in several positions this season, with Benitez deploying him as a wing-back for the most part. Midfielders Ayoze Perez (RW) - No player has scored more goals in the Premier League since the start of March than Perez, who has five goals in his last three appearances. Jonjo Shelvey (CM) - Shelvey made his first start since November against Brighton and even wore the captain's armband in Lascelles' absence. Isaac Hayden (CM) - The 24-year-old has started every game since Christmas for the Magpies. Christian Atsu (LW) - Atsu is still yet to register a goal or assist this season across all competitions. That is bad. Forwards Salomon Rondon (ST) - Rondon is one goal away from reaching double figures in the Premier League for the first time.


Neymar has added more fuel to the rumours linking him with a return to Barcelona by claiming that La Blaugrana's 6-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 is his best footballing memory. Two years on from his record move to PSG, Neymar appears to be unsettled and has been heavily linked with a return to his former employers this summer - despite having already secured the signing of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid. Following on from the recent controversy which involved his failure to return to pre-season training, Neymar was asked to reveal his best football memory in an interview with Oh My Goal and he was sure to aim a thinly-veiled dig at PSG. "My best memory as a footballer? When we won against PSG with Barcelona ," he said (via The Mirror ). "What we felt when we scored the sixth goal I never felt something like this, it was incredible." He then added: "Best memory in the locker room? Ah, I don't know. "Well, when we won against PSG with Barcelona it was completely… we all went crazy afterwards! I believe it was the best possible feeling for all of us." Neymar has also gone on the offensive on social media, as he recently posted a video of himself on his Instagram story where he is clearly seen wearing a Barcelona shirt. The video is also accompanied by a passage from the Bible's Book of Isaiah, which appears to hit out at the Brazilian's numerous critics. In full, the passage reads: "No weapon formed against you shall prosper. And every tongue which rises against you in judgement. You shall condemn."


The Cubs placed catcher Willson Contreras on the injured list Tuesday, which Cubs Insider reports is a "precautionary" measure. The move is retroactive to Sunday, and Contreras, who is dealing with a right foot sprain, is expected to resume baseball activities by Friday and return to the lineup after the minimum 10-day stay. The #Cubs today placed catcher Willson Contreras on the 10-day IL (retroactive to July 14) with a right foot strain, added catcher Martín Maldonado to the 25-man roster and recalled RHP Alec Mills from @IowaCubs . pic.twitter.com/0T9DtzaMoa   Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 16, 2019 According to the report, Contreras, who hasn't played since July 13, told manager Joe Maddon he could have played Monday against the Reds, but the decision was made to rest him. He's seen a specialist, who diagnosed him with a "fairly innocuous" bruise. It's obviously good news for the Cubs that Contreras will only be out a brief period. With 19 home runs, 55 RBIs and a slash line of .286/.382/.565, the 27-year-old catcher is on pace for career highs in all those categories. The Cubs acquired veteran catcher Martin Maldonado from the Royals on Monday night in exchange for left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery. MORE : MLB trade rumors: Cubs looking to add leadoff hitter, reliever before deadline | MLB trade news: Cubs send Mike Montgomery to Royals, receive Martin Maldonado in return | MLB trade rumors: Royals focused on moving Billy Hamilton, Ian Kennedy, other veterans Maldonado is slashing .224/.288/.359 this season.


Celtic have turned down Arsenal's initial offer of £15m for their 22-year-old left back Kieran Tierney, as they are seeking £25m for the defender. The Gunners are on the look out for defenders after conceding 51 league goals last season, with Tierney viewed as the ideal replacement for 33-year-old Nacho Monreal, who is out of contract this summer. Despite reportedly only having a spending budget in the region of £45m, Arsenal are likely to return with a better offer in the coming days. The Sun have claimed that full-back Carl Jenkinson was offered as part of the deal, with youngsters Jordi Osei-Tutu, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah also presented as options for Celtic to consider to push the move through. However, with Tierney still having four years remaining on his current contract, Celtic are in a strong bargaining position, and would prefer the extra money in order to allow their highly-regarded full back to leave. Tierney has been a regular in the first team at Celtic for the past four seasons, becoming an integral part of the side that has won the domestic treble in each of the last three years. However, he did have an interrupted campaign last season, struggling with a hip problem between December and February, before undergoing a double hernia operation at the end of the season - which he is currently recovering from. Still, he has shown his importance to the Scottish champions in recent years, so it is understandable that Celtic are keen to keep hold of him and will not allow him to move to London cheaply. As Arsenal work to a tight budget, removing high earners from the wage list is important in allowing them to assess who their realistic transfer targets are. Big-money earners such as Aaron Ramsey , Danny Welbeck and Petr Cech have departed, which could allow Unai Emery sufficient funds to finalise the Tierney deal.


Things are changing in the NCAA, and as per usual, not for the better. In an announcement today, the collegiate organization put forth new rules for the agents potential NBA prospects can sign with as they "test the waters" for the draft. At their core, these rules appear to be ones aimed at removing guys like Rich Paul from being in the early running to represent NBA players. It's… not a great look for the NCAA. Via Twitter: Sources: The NCAA has officially added criteria for agents who wish to represent student athletes testing the waters for the NBA Draft. Criteria:   Bachelor's Degree   Certified with NBPA for a minimum of three years   Take an in-person exam at the NCAA Office in Indianapolis   Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) August 6, 2019 Here is the memo that was sent to agents yesterday regarding the new rules for representing clients that are "testing the waters for the NBA Draft." The NCAA refers to it as "protecting the eligibility of their client athletes." Yeah, this is a bad look for the NCAA. pic.twitter.com/JhzN1c6NyJ   Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) August 6, 2019 In the new NCAA agent application, agents are required to "agree to cooperate with the NCAA in connection with its investigation and analysis of possible rules violations, even if the alleged violations are unrelated to [their] NCAA-agent certification," sources told ESPN. Wow.   Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) August 6, 2019 There's thoughts that the NCAA could be mad at Paul for what he did with Darius Bazley . The former Syracuse commit decided to forego college and the G-League for an internship with New Balance, one that pays him $1 million. The internship is also a shoe contract. Via Marc Stein: The internship, to be precise, is folded into a handsome shoe contract Bazley, 18, has landed with New Balance on the lure of his pro potential. According to Paul, Bazley's multiyear deal will pay him $1 million "no matter what happens" with his N.B.A. career   and can pay up to $14 million if he reaches all performance incentives. Of course, the NCAA doesn't like it when they aren't able to extract outsized value from the bodies of young athletes without giving them proper compensation. That Bazley and Paul did as much   cutting the NCAA out of making money off Bazley   apparently angered them. These rules are ridiculous, and a bald-faced attempt at putting a stop to other players Los Angeles Lakers Star LeBron James wasn't impressed, and voiced as much on Twitter: #TheRichPaulRule   LeBron James (@KingJames) August 6, 2019 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Can't Stop, Won't Stop! They BIG MAD 😡 and Scared 😱. Nothing will stop this movement and culture over here. Sorry! Not sorry. 😁✌🏾   LeBron James (@KingJames) August 6, 2019 The NCAA is a ridiculous farce.


HARBOR CITY (CBSLA)   Los Angeles police shot and wounded a man carrying a rifle in a Harbor City neighborhood late Monday night where a second man was discovered shot to death a few blocks away. It's still unclear if the two incidents are related. At 9:23 p.m., Los Angeles police officers were called to reports of shots fired in the area of 254th Street and Marigold Avenue. As they were responding they came upon a man armed with a rifle walking down 253rd Street towards Petroleum Avenue. They ordered him to drop the rifle and he refused, which prompted at least one officer to open fire on him. The suspect tried to run away but was quickly caught, police said, and had sustained a gunshot wound from the officer's gun. He was rushed to a hospital where he underwent surgery and is expected to survive, police said. His rifle was recovered at the scene. Meanwhile, a second man was found shot to death in the 1000 block of 254th Street, police said. His name was not released. Investigators could not immediately confirm if that death was connected to the suspect with the rifle. No names or a motive in the killing have been released. Numerous streets are sealed off in #HarborCity   with two possibly connected investigations underway. Officers responding to reports of gunfire shot a man walking with a rifle. Nearby, they discovered a person had been shot and killed. @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/BtKmsYHwEX   Kara Finnstrom (@KaraFinnstrom) May 28, 2019


Any competitive football league that counts Hugo Rodallega (who is still somehow only 33 years old?) among its top scorers in the year 2019 really needs to get its head checked. The Turkish Super Lig is nuts. And nuts in the most wonderful way. It's what you get if you give the big teams in an otherwise average league £100m to spend in Football Manager, and just let it run to see what happens. From a footballing perspective, it can be quite fun to watch. Yes, it might be a purgatory from which seasoned, past-their-best journeymen such as Robinho and Roberto Soldado never seem to return, but it brings a fair amount of heads-gone entertainment value to the table. Here, we've had a look at a few Premier League players who could be heading to Turkey next. Yannick Bolasie In many ways, Yannick Bolasie, who is somehow still an Everton player, is the exact blueprint of the sort of player who typically swaps the Premier League for Turkey. Once a highly rated big-money signing for a middling English club, now approaching his 30s and well past his best having peaked too early, the 29-year-old looks well placed to somehow pop up in Group F of the Champions League alongside Emmanuel Adebayor and Demba Ba for Istanbul Basaksehir (that's not a joke, they both actually play there) next season. Javier Hernandez Still floating around the periphery at West Ham , Hernandez pops up every now and then with a reminder of the fact he is actually one of the best natural strikers of his generation but just doesn't work hard enough or stay fit enough to justify his surely stratospheric wage. He seems likely to head out to Turkey or some other disproportionately financed retirement home league and score 25 goals a season for the rest of his life. He already has the suitable mid-life crisis outlandish hairstyle, so may as well go all in. Kenedy A pacey winger who actually isn't all that good, but gets by based on the fact he is Brazilian, and so really it's just a year-long dip in form before he finally realises his potential. In a few years, he'll be one of these guys that still gets touted by the English media as an up-and-coming prospect despite the fact he's 27 and sitting on the Besiktas bench. Steve Mounie Huddersfield have a squad full of wildcard players who look quite good on paper, but in practise end up relegated with 14 points if they're not surrounded by professionals who actually know what they are doing. 24-year-old Benin international Mounie, who scored twice in 32 appearances this season and took 60 games to get into double figures after his £11m move from Montpellier, is one such player. His career could go one of two ways from here, but if you were to bet on it, you'd say all roads lead to Trabzonspor in 2020. Vincent Janssen The Spurs striker flirted with re-introduction to the team after an 18-month absence towards the end of the season, but with Harry Kane returning and his side probably adding some depth to their squad in the summer, his number looks well and truly up. An average, high-earning striker, past the point in his career where you could see him pressing on to take his game to a new level, he seems like exactly the sort of player a Turkish side would blow £13m and £70k per week on. Especially since he already had a reasonable spell on loan at Fenerbahce last season. Oumar Niasse Another player who previously enjoyed a fair bit of success in Turkey, but hasn't really done anything of note in England in recent memory. The Senegal international, once a decent looking striker, managed to not score a single goal in 18 appearances on a loan spell with relegated Cardiff in the second half of the season, and now looks set to leave Everton to see out the remainder of his career in Anatolian exile. Eliaquim Mangala Nope, I've got no idea what the picture is about either, and have more questions about it than could possibly fit within an acceptable word count, but let's get to the point: Mangala, shockingly, still plays for Manchester City, and even more shockingly, is only 28 years old. He hasn't featured for City since February 2018, due to a combination of injuries and not being very good. Let's be honest, he may as well have 'Fenerbahce' printed on his forehead. Christian Benteke Ever since leaving Liverpool back in 2016 (well, since signing for them a year previously, really) things haven't really gone to plan for Christian Benteke. Once one of the Premier League's most feared target men, he is now more likely to strike fear into the hearts of Crystal Palace fans when they see his name on the team sheet. Not for long, however. He is running out of options fast, which poises him perfectly for a two-year loan stint at a Turkish side few can correctly pronounce. Alberto Moreno Out of contract at Liverpool in the summer and with no hope whatsoever of extending his deal (through his own choice, he lies) Moreno is a relic of a forgotten era at Liverpool; one in which the signings they made were generally guff. Long gone are the days in which the Spaniard kept a fledgeling Andy Robertson out of the team, and forthcoming are the days of him lining up alongside his former keeper Loris Karius, in the bomb-scare defence to end all bomb-scare defences. Antonio Valencia Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia is another who will be leaving on a free this summer, and given the incredible wages he is on, he'll either have to take a massive cut to remain in the Premier League or head abroad to someone who seriously overestimates his worth. Approaching his mid-30s, I know what my money is on...


It is the plainest of wooden tables, the kind you probably wouldn't examine closely unless you spilled something on it. And yet, it seems the only fitting place to start Patty Wudel's story. The first time she sat at that table was on a Sunday in 1990. She had met a young black man named Ron at church, and after they talked for a bit, he asked her, "Would you like to meet my family?" She told him she would, figuring they would walk to a nearby McDonald's and he would introduce her   this white woman he barely knew   to his partner and kids. Subscribe to the Post Most newsletter: Today's most popular stories on The Washington Post He led her instead to a house in Northwest Washington, where the door was unlocked and the smell of eggs, ham and coffee pulled them toward the dining room. There, she saw the table topped with food and the chairs around it filled with mostly African American men. Some looked healthy. Some did not. Wudel joined them for breakfast, and while they talked and laughed, she watched a strong-looking man feed a frail-looking man in a wheelchair. "I've never forgotten that," she said recently. "In feeding him, that man in the wheelchair had his place at the table. He held his place for him. It matters that we hold each other's places when a person can't hold their own." After breakfast, she said, Ron told her more about those men and himself. "I don't know if you know where you are," she recalled him saying. "It's Joseph's House. It's a house for homeless men with AIDS. I live here." "The way he said it with ease and pride and welcome, no hiding, no shame, no fear, I just fell in love with Joseph's House," Wudel said. "Ron died shortly after that, as people did in those days. But by that time, I had thought of a reason practically every day to come back, so I kind of had a sense of my own place at the table. I wanted to belong to these people, with these people. I wanted these people at the table to be my people." At the time, Wudel had only lived in D.C. for a few years, but she had noticed how the AIDS epidemic had divided people, and she had asked herself, "Whose side are you on?" "For me, it was a part of justice," she said. "It still is." At the time, much remained unknown about HIV and AIDS. The red ribbon hadn't yet become an international symbol of awareness. People living with the virus were banned from entering the country. And in D.C., those dying from it saw friends and relatives hesitate to touch them. "I wish I could tell you about Peewee in his hugeness. He had so much integrity," Wudel said. "I remember him telling me how his mother would send one of the kids in the neighborhood around to the abandoned car where Peewee was sleeping to hand him a hamburger through the window. She couldn't get any closer to her son than that." Ron. Peewee. Wudel's memories are crowded with the first names of people who are no longer alive. In the 29 years she has spent at Joseph's House, she has witnessed hundreds of D.C. residents who have not always had a bed get one toward the end of their lives. She has shared meals with them, held their hands when they could barely move and mourned them once they were gone. She has also witnessed the population at Joseph's House change. It used to be the house where the homeless went to die. It is still that for many, but is also now a place where some get better. Some move out and get apartments. One woman had a baby. Many of the people who now go to Joseph's House have HIV, but they are there because they also have cancer. I first visited Joseph's House 10 years ago. I spent weeks there, observing interactions and talking to people, for an article. During that time, a resident named Robert Wylie died on the living room sofa in the arms of a volunteer. I remember not feeling surprised at all that he went so gently. The house fosters a sense of community. Framed photos of residents, past and present, cover the walls downstairs, and the staff focuses on helping people live as much as die. In that first article , I described the atmosphere in this way: "Here in Joseph's House, it is not unusual for death to play out in one room while life defiantly goes on in another. At the dining room table, the healthy pass biscuits to the unhealthy, and frail, slow hands clear place mats so that young, able ones won't have to. People die and then cookies are baked." I went back recently to talk to Wudel, knowing I soon wouldn't have that chance. On July 31, she will hand over her title as executive director to Kowshara Thomas, a nurse at the house, and drive toward Western Canada to take care of her 95-year-old mother. "It's so hard," Wudel said of leaving. There is loss at the house, but there is also so much more, she said. "There is also great love and joy and honesty and grown-upness. There's intimacy." She described one moment as life-changing for her. She was still just a visitor at the house, working for an international telecommunications organization, when a nurse asked if she wanted to move in and help with the night shift. She did, and soon after, fell into a routine with a resident named Hugh, who was afraid to fall asleep. Wudel would make two bowls of ice cream and they would spend their evenings sitting on his bed, eating and watching Westerns. Then one night, she started to nod off and he suggested she lay down. She put her head on his pillow. "The next thing I know, I woke up to his deep breathing, his snoring," she said. "He was asleep. He was asleep because I was there. I'm nobody special. I'm not a psychologist. I'm not a nurse. And I could make that difference for him. We don't have to be so special to make a difference in a way that really matters to someone." On the recent afternoon I visited her, one former resident and a man who hopes to move into the house stood in the dining room, their arms around Wudel. "I'm Patty's child she don't know about," Curtis Harrison, 56, joked. "But I'm her first born," KC Lee Lang Sr., 60, said. Lang told Wudel he was going to miss her "100 percent." He lived in the house in 2016. "I was in a place I didn't want to be, and I was saved by this lady," he said. "This is my family. We're family here." A few feet away stood the same table Wudel sat at nearly 30 years earlier. She eats breakfast and dinner there with the residents most days. In recent years, it has also become a meeting place for two groups to discuss race on the second Saturday of each month. That grew out of a moment six years earlier, when Wudel expressed surprise that the death of Trayvon Martin ended with an acquittal. She said a black nurse named Blossom Williams stood next to her and, with tears on her face, whispered, "I always knew it would." "The difference between her response and mine went so deeply into my consciousness," Wudel said. "I was just so struck by how unaware I was of race and racism in America all those years here at Joseph's House." That day, the table held 10 place settings and large bowls filled with vegetables and stir-fried noodles. Music played as people filled plates and passed pitchers of bright colored drinks. Wudel took a seat in the middle, and shared one more meal with her family. theresa.vargas@washpost.com Read more by Theresa Vargas: 'I'm tired of feeling weak': A powerful collection of children's essays about violence now sits in the Library of Congress 'This is my do-over': She used to sleep on the streets. Now, she helps others who do. Making up for birthday parties that were never had, group gives older foster kids a chance to celebrate


Every week we round up some of the major events and happenings from a week in history. Follow this series to see the timeline of the most important past moments. Aug. 12, 1941: Daylight bombing raids on Germany In a bid to pressurize the Luftwaffe, the Royal Air Force of Britain employed about 78 bombers and 485 fighters in the raid. The operation targeted the two main power stations in Cologne   Goldenburg and Quadrath Fortuna. Aug. 12, 1977: Space Shuttle Enterprise flies on its own Manned by astronauts Fred Haise and Gordon Fullerton, the shuttle orbiter was launched on the back of a modified 747 jet from the Edwards Air Force Base in California, U.S. They separated at an altitude of 24,000 feet (7.3 kilometers), and Enterprise landed safely after gliding for five minutes and 22 seconds. Aug. 12, 1985: Japan Airlines Flight 123 crashes In one of the deadliest single-aircraft crashes, 520 people were killed and four injured when Japan Airlines  Boeing 747 veered off course and crashed. The hour-long domestic flight from Tokyo to Osaka crashed into a mountain ridge following an explosive decompression. Aug. 12, 1990: Largest-ever T. Rex fossil is discovered On this day, fossil hunter Sue Hendrickson discovered three huge bones outside a cliff near Faith in South Dakota, U.S., which turned out to be the largest Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur. Nicknamed Sue, the 65-million-year-old skeleton was over 90 percent complete and well-preserved. It is now on display at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Aug. 12, 2000: Russian Kursk submarine sinks The entire 118-man crew of the Russian Navy's Oscar-class nuclear-powered submarine was killed when it sank during a maritime exercise in the Barents Sea, off Russia's northern coast. A dummy torpedo was being prepared for firing when it exploded, triggering more warheads and starting a fire that resulted in an explosion. Aug. 12, 2016: Katie Ledecky breaks 48-year-old Olympic record The American swimmer won her third individual event, the 800m freestyle, at the Rio Olympics. She had previously won golds at the 200m and 400m events (and a silver in the 4x100 freestyle) at the Games. She became only the second female in history after Debbie Meyer of the U.S. to win three individual freestyle events, who had achieved the same feat at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. Aug. 13, 1926: Fidel Castro is born The communist revolutionary-politician was born near Birán, Cuba. An orchestrator of the Cuban Revolution, Castro served as the prime minister of the Republic of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and then as president from 1976 to 2008. Aug. 13, 1961: Berlin is divided To stop people from trying to leave the communist East Berlin for the democratic West, East German authorities decided to close the border and put up a wall. They installed barbed wire fences overnight and dug up the streets along the border to prevent vehicular movement. In the coming weeks, the concrete and brick wall was also set up. Aug. 13, 1969: Apollo 11 celebrations begin After a successful moon landing, astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong rode in ticker-tape parades held in their honor in the U.S. cities of New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. This also marked the beginning of their 45-day  Giant Leap  tour where they traveled to 25 countries. Aug. 13, 1995: Mickey Mantle dies The National Baseball Hall of Famer and legendary Yankees switch hitter died of liver cancer, aged 63. Mantle had been diagnosed with cirrhosis and hepatitis C, and received a liver transplant in June 1995, but the cancer was inoperable and had spread to his lungs. Aug. 13, 2016: Michael Phelps retires The American swimmer bid adieu to his career at the Rio Olympics after winning his record 23rd gold medal. With a total of 28 medals in his career, he is the most decorated Olympian of all time. Aug. 14, 1935: Social Security Act is signed U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Bill in Washington, D.C. The historic bill provided federal assistance to those who were unemployed or had retired. Aug. 14, 1941: Atlantic Charter is issued The Atlantic Charter was a joint declaration, signed between the U.S. and Great Britain during World War II. It was aimed at Allied goals for the post-war world. In January 1942, a total of 26 Allied nations, including the Soviet Union, China, Australia, Belgium and Canada, supported the declaration, which is considered one of the first steps towards the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. Aug. 14, 1980: Labor strike hits Poland Thousands of workers in Gdansk seized the Lenin Shipyard to protest rising food prices among other issues. Led by former shipyard worker Lech Wałęsa, the massive protest aimed at gaining political freedom, better economic conditions for the labor force and the right to form independent trade unions. Aug. 14, 2003: US experiences major blackout A major power outage hit parts of Northeastern and Midwestern U.S. and some parts of Canada. It was caused due to old electrical lines, outdated equipment and a few overgrown trees. In some parts power was restored in two hours, but it was out for more than a day in other places. The outage affected over 50 million people, including residents of New York, Cleveland, Detroit, Toronto and Ottawa. Aug. 14, 2016: Usain Bolt makes Olympic history By beating American sprinter Justin Gatlin to gold, the Jamaican athlete became the first person to win three consecutive 100m titles in Olympic history. Achieving the feat at the Rio Games, he finished the race in a stunning 9.81 seconds. Aug. 15, 1769: Napoleon Bonaparte is born The French leader was born in Ajaccio, on the French island of Corsica. He was the first emperor of France who conquered most of Europe in the 19th century and was known for his military efforts during the French Revolution. Aug. 15, 1914: Panama Canal opens officially Built by the U.S., the 51-mile-long (82 kilometer) waterway connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific. It was formally opened with the passage of the cargo and passenger ship   SS Ancon. Aug. 15, 1944: Allies invade Southern France Conducted during the Second World War, Operation Dragoon (earlier named Operation Anvil) was aimed at the invasion of the south of France. The operation s goal was to capture vital ports on the French Mediterranean coast and build pressure on German forces. Four weeks into the operation, the Allies successfully liberated most of southern France by capturing the French ports of Marseille and Toulon. Aug. 15, 1947: India gains independence The British House of Commons passed the Indian Independence Act, bringing an end to nearly 200 years of British rule in the country. Jawaharlal Nehru became the first prime minister of India. The bill also divided the country into two regions   India and Pakistan   which led to violent riots, mass casualties and the displacement of millions of people due to religious conflict. Aug. 15, 1961: Conrad Schumann leaps to freedom During the third day of construction of the Berlin Wall, East German soldier Conrad Schumann jumped over the fence and quickly drove away in a West Berlin police car. His  Leap of Freedom  was captured by 19-year-old photographer Peter Leibing, which became an iconic image of the Cold War era. Aug. 15, 1998: Apple Launches iMac Apple launched iMac, one of the most influential personal computers of the 1990s. It was noted for its innovative design with the use of translucent and brightly colored plastics. The iMac G3 had 32MB memory and 4GB disk space. Aug. 16, 1777: Battle of Bennington takes place Considered a turning point in the American Revolutionary War, the battle took place between a British raiding party and colonialist militiamen in Walloomsac, New York, U.S., near Bennington, Vermont. Led by Brigadier General John Stark, the militiamen attacked the enemy, killing over 200 and capturing nearly 700 British men. Aug. 16, 1896: Gold is discovered in the Yukon In a discovery that led to the great American gold rush, prospector George Carmack spotted nuggets of gold in a creek bed while fishing near the Klondike River in the Canadian territory of Yukon. Within just two years, nearly 50,000 mining prospectors arrived in the region in search for a fortune. Aug. 16, 1948: Babe Ruth dies The legendary baseball player died of cancer in New York City, New York, U.S., aged 53. Ruth had an incredible career in Major League Baseball that spanned over 20 years, when he became a two-time All-Star and seven-time World Series champion. Aug. 16, 1954: Sports Illustrated magazine is published On this day, Sports Illustrated published its first-ever magazine. The leading article was titled  The Golden Age is Now,  and the cover photo was of Eddie Mathews at Milwaukee s County Stadium, photographed by Mark Kauffman. Aug. 16, 1987: Northwest Airlines crashes Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed after taking off from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing 156 people. A failure on the part of the pilot and co-pilot to conduct the pre-flight checks ended in the disaster. The sole survivor of this accident was Cecelia Cichan, a four-year-old. Aug. 16, 2012: Ecuador identifies Julian Assange as a refugee Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño accepted WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's application for political asylum. Patino said in a statement, "The response from the United States has been that it cannot offer any guarantees. With these precedents in mind the Ecuadorian government, loyal to its tradition to protect those who seek refuge with us and in our diplomatic mission, have decided to grant diplomatic asylum to Mr. Assange." Aug. 17, 1978: First successful trans-Atlantic balloon flight takes place Piloted by Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman, the Double Eagle II became the first balloon to cross the Atlantic Ocean after it successfully landed in Miserey near Paris, France. It took off from Presque Isle, Maine, U.S., and completed its journey in a little over 137 hours. Aug. 17, 1998: Clinton admits to Lewinsky affair U.S. President Bill Clinton admitted in taped testimony that he had an "improper physical relationship" with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. On the same day, he announced in a televised address before the nation that he "misled people" about the relationship, after denying for months about the same. Aug. 17, 1999: Massive earthquake strikes Turkey A magnitude-7.4 earthquake struck northwestern Turkey, killing over 17,000 people and damaging property worth $6.5 billion. With its epicenter in İzmit, the tremor struck at night while people were sleeping in their homes, leading to the massive loss of life. Aug. 18, 1587: First English child born in the Americas Virginia Dare became the first child of English parents to be born on American soil. She was born in Roanoke Island, Colony of Virginia, which is now North Carolina, U.S. Aug. 18, 1920: Women's suffrage amendment ratified The state of Tennessee ratified the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on this day, getting it the necessary two-thirds majority. The amendment gave women the right to vote. One of the sections in the amendment read:  The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." Aug. 18, 1963: First African American graduate from University of Mississippi With a degree in political science, James Meredith became the first African American to graduate from the university. A former serviceman of the U.S. Air Force, Meredith's enrollment in the institution a year earlier witnessed severe riots and he had to attend classes under the protection of armed guards. Aug. 18, 1991: Mikhail Gorbachev is placed under house arrest Members of the Soviet government, military and police staged a coup against President Mikhail Gorbachev on this day. He was placed under house arrest at his villa in Crimea and was asked to resign from the post. When Gorbachev refused, the coup leaders   led by Vice President Gennady Yanayev   declared a state of emergency and tried to gain control of the government. However, a few days later, the coup collapsed, and Gorbachev was freed and restored to power. Aug. 18, 2008: Pervez Musharraf resigns The president of Pakistan resigned in the face of possible impeachment proceedings. The key U.S. ally, who seized power in a 1999 coup, announced the move in a lengthy televised address, rejecting the corruption charges against him but saying he wanted to spare Pakistan a damaging battle with the ruling coalition.


Video by Yahoo Sports LYON, France (AP) -- With Alex Morgan's cheeky tea-sipping celebration and a postgame mobbing of goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, the United States has moved a step closer to successfully defending its latest Women's World Cup title. Morgan scored the go-ahead goal and Naeher preserved the 2-1 semifinal victory over England by smothering a late penalty kick Tuesday night. The top-ranked United States will now face the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between the Netherlands and Sweden in the Americans' third straight appearance in the World Cup title match. Christen Press -- who started with Megan Rapinoe out with a hamstring injury -- put the United States up early but Ellen White's goal tied it before 20 minutes had passed. Morgan's sixth goal of the tournament came before the break, and on her 30th birthday. She hadn't had a goal since she scored five in the team's 13-0 rout of Thailand to open the tournament. After her goal, Morgan pantomimed a sip of tea on the field. "I feel like this team just has had so much thrown at us, and I felt that we didn't take the easy route to the final this tournament, and that's the tea," she said. White's goal was also her sixth but Morgan has the edge for the tournament's Golden Boot with three assists. White appeared to score her seventh in the 69th minute but video review determined she was offside -- and the Americans in the crowd of 53,512 at Stade de Lyon roared. Another video review went against the United States late in the game when it determined Becky Sauerbrunn had fouled White in the penalty area. England captain Steph Houghton's penalty shot was stopped by a diving Naeher in the 84th minute. It was the first penalty kick saved by a U.S. goalkeeper in regular time at the World Cup. At the final whistle, the team mobbed Naeher in front of the goal in celebration. Rapinoe gave her a bear hug. The mild-mannered goalkeeper was asked afterward if it was the biggest save of her life. "Probably up there, yeah," she said smiling. "It's a special team and everybody fought hard tonight for all 90 minutes. Players on the field, players on the bench, ready to come in and make differences," Naeher said. "Obviously Christen coming in and starting tonight and scoring a great goal was huge for us. And I think it's just a testament to the team." The Americans have been to the semifinals of all eight World Cups, and they've won the trophy three times, more than any nation. The U.S. team's lone loss in a World Cup title match came to Japan in 2011. Third-ranked England went through to the semifinals in 2015 but fell to Japan before beating Germany in the third-place match for the Lionesses' best finish in the tournament. "No words that I can say tonight will make them feel any better," said England coach Phil Neville. England will play in the third-place match on Saturday in Nice against the loser of the other semifinal. Moments after Tuesday's loss, Neville was already looking ahead -- even to next year. "My first thought was, `How do we win on Saturday,' and my second thought was, `How do we win the Olympics?'" he said. The United States has won 11 straight World Cup matches and is undefeated in its last 16. With the quarterfinal victory in France, the Americans tied Norway's record winning streak set over the 1995 and 1999 tournaments. The Americans have exuded confidence since arriving in France. After pouncing on Thailand 13-0 in the opener and celebrating each goal in the rout, they beat nemesis Sweden, the team that ousted the United States in the quarterfinals at the 2016 Olympics. And Rapinoe struck a victorious pose in a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over France on Friday night in Paris. Rapinoe suffered a minor hamstring injury late in the second half against France, which she said she didn't expect would keep her out of the final. Coach Jill Ellis said there was an outside chance that she could have taken a penalty if the match against England had come to that. England started Carly Telford in goal instead of Karen Bardsley, who was out with a hamstring injury. Bardsley had shutouts in both of the team's knockout round matches. Telford started in the team's group stage match against Argentina. England had shut out its last four opponents but the United States attacked early as expected -- the Americans have scored within the first 15 minutes of all of their games in France. Press delivered first, scoring on a header off a long cross from Kelley O'Hara that sailed over Telford's outstretched arm. It was Press' first goal in France, and her second World Cup goal overall. Shortly thereafter, Beth Mead served the ball to White, who got between the U.S. center backs for the finish to pull England even. White raised her hands to her face for her customary "glasses" celebration. The United States pulled ahead when Lindsey Horan found Morgan in front of the net for the header. It was Morgan's 107th international goal, moving her into a tie for fifth on the U.S. career list with Michelle Akers. "We had to make changes this game, but we have such a deep team and we have people who are able to get the job done, no matter what," O'Hara said. "That's one of the coolest parts about this team. We really do top to bottom have such a strong team." ------ More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP--Sports Related slideshow: Best Photos of the Women's World Cup (Provided by imagn)


Runners actually crossed home plate in this game. It was not a good day in Mets land leading up to Monday night's game. Having been swept by the last-place Marlins , Mickey Callaway's seat had never been hotter. The players held a meeting to support their manager, which Brodie Van Wagenen addressed in a press conference before the game. During that press conference, it was also revealed that Seth Lugo was going on the injured list and Yoenis Cespedes broke his ankle on his ranch. It was quite an eventful hour, and there was still a game to be played against the Nationals . Drew Gagnon was originally rumored to start this game, but with Seth Lugo going on the IL, the Mets' plans changed and they gave Wilmer Font the start instead. Last week, when Patrick Corbin and Font squared off it got ugly quick. In the first in this game it seemed like more of the same. Trea Turner doubled to lead off the game, and then Anthony Rendon walked with one out to put two runners on. But in a nice change of pace, Font settled in and got out of the inning. It was the Mets who actually struck first. After not scoring at all in the final two games against Miami, they wasted no time in getting on the board. Amed Rosario blasted a home run to center with one out, and then Pete Alonso followed his lead two batters later with a blast of his own. The Mets even doubled their lead against Corbin when both Todd Frazier and Carlos Gomez picked up RBI hits in the third. Frazier had been slumping mightily but he had a pretty good day overall at the plate. The team desperately needs him to start producing if they are to pull themselves out of the spiral they were in. Given a 4-0 lead, Font did pretty well for himself. Walks eventually did him in, as well as Anthony Rendon who continues to torch the Mets. Rendon put the Nationals on the board with a solo home run in the fourth, and after walks to Gerardo Parra and Victor Robles , Yan Gomes drove in Washington's second run with a single. Font completed the inning and his night was done. He pitched four innings and gave up two runs. He struck out three and walked four. Not the prettiest of stat lines but it got the job done. The real standout was Drew Gagnon, who eventually picked up the win. He didn't allow a hit in two innings of work, and he struck out two. Keeping the Nationals off the board came at a crucial time in the game since Corbin also settled in and kept the Mets' offense in check. Neither side scored again until the eighth. Jeurys Familia pitched a solid seventh, but trying to push him in the eighth was too much. Rendon doubled, and Juan Soto brought him home against Daniel Zamora. That cut the lead to one single run, but the Nationals gave it right back. Two errors allowed Carlos Gomez to reach base and then move to second. Dominic Smith provided the insurance with a single to give the Mets a two-run lead. Since things are never easy for this team right now, Edwin Diaz allowed the first two runners he faced to reach base. That turned the lineup over so he had to face Trea Turner and Adam Eaton , but he worked around his mistakes and stopped the bleeding for himself and the team. This team still has a lot of work to do, but after the events of the past 48 hours, just getting back in the win column seemed like a monumental feat, accomplished just in the nick of time. SB Nation GameThreads Amazin' Avenue Federal Baseball Box scores ESPN MLB.com Win Probability Added What's WPA? Big winners: Amed Rosario +12.0%, Robert Gsellman +12.0%, Drew Gagnon +11.3% Big losers: None Total pitcher WPA: +27.6% Total batter WPA: +22.4% Teh aw3s0mest play: Amed Rosario home run in first Teh sux0rest play: Yan Gomes single in ninth


Check out what Beyonce, Scarlett Johansson, Gisele Bundchen and more celebs wore to their very first Met Gala! The theme of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala isn't the only thing that changes from year to year! As the event chairperson, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour also handpicks a new group of elite celebrities to invite to the New York City soiree. With no guarantee of making the coveted guest list twice, those lucky enough to score a ticket to fashion's biggest night dress to impress. Beyonce , for example, chose a timeless blush Armani Privé gown for her debut at the "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy"-themed Met Gala in 2008. Ahead of the annual benefit on May 6, 2019, Wonderwall.com went digging through the archives to uncover more big stars at their very first Met Galas. Get clicking! Scarlett Johansson was the belle of the ball at her first Met Gala. The theme at the 2004 bash was "Dangerous Liaisons." The "Avengers" actress dazzled in a yellow silk Calvin Klein Collection gown that beautifully covered her curves. Jennifer Lawrence scored her first invite to the Met Gala in 2013 . The "Hunger Games" actress honored her duty to fashion in a black tea-length Dior dress with beaded leather floral embellishments for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture"-themed soiree. For Gisele Bundchen 's first Met Gala in 1999 -- where the theme was "Rock Style" -- the supermodel turned heads in a beaded coral Versace slip dress. She's since attended the fashion fundraiser on 12 other occasions with the addition of her arm-candy husband, Tom Brady. Taylor Swift first stepped out onto the Met Gala scene looking like the rising star that she was back in 2008. The "ME!" singer shined bright in a sequined gold ombre Badgley Mischka gown at that year's "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy"-themed event. Gwyneth Paltrow made her Met Gala debut at the 1995 "Haute Couture"-themed benefit in a classic white Calvin Klein dress. The actress-turned-Goop mogul later renounced the annual event, calling it "un-fun" and "too crowded." But she eventually changed her tune and returned for the 2017 Met Gala . Lupita Nyong'o made her debut at the 2014 Met Gala , which celebrated the theme "Charles James: Beyond Fashion." The "Us" actress looked magnificent in a custom brown and green-feathered flapper-influenced look by Prada. Victoria Beckham was a fashion force to be reckoned with long before she launched a designer clothing brand. The former Spice Girl made her first Met Gala appearance in 2003 wearing a slinky, ethereal Dolce & Gabbana slip dress that was perfectly in line with the night's theme: "Goddess: the Classical Mode." Kim Kardashian West -- and daughter North West -- made their Met Gala debuts in 2013 when the reality TV star was eight months pregnant with her oldest child. Accompanied by Kanye West, Kim donned a fully floral Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci gown for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture"-themed party that year. Critics bashed Kim's long-sleeved look for resembling a grandmother's old couch, but it still had everyone talking. Rihanna has continued to up her fashion game for each of the nine Met Galas she's attended so far, but her very first appearance still stands out. The pop star donned a dreamy white Georges Chakra gown with an embellished halter neckline for the 2007 ball, which had a "Poiret: King of Fashion" theme. Katy Perry was put on the Met Gala guest list for the first time in 2009 when the theme was "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion." The pop star inspired in a futuristic electric blue Tommy Hilfiger number featuring a metal halter neckline and coordinating arm cuff. Just a few years before Sarah Jessica Parker 's fame exploded as fashionista Carrie Bradshaw on "Sex and the City," she showcased a simple side of her style at her very first Met Gala in 1995. SJP chose an uncomplicated black velvet silhouette for her debut at the "Haute Couture"-themed benefit that year. Reese Witherspoon was a Met Gala late bloomer -- she attended the soiree for the first time in 2014 . The Oscar winner wowed in a bold pink Stella McCartney gown with a cat-eye-shaped strapless neckline for the "Charles James: Beyond Fashion"-themed benefit. Kate Hudson played into the "Goddess: the Classical Mode" theme for her first Met Gala in 2003. She donned a white toga-style Stella McCartney number suited for the gods. Miley Cyrus nailed her first appearance at a Met Gala. The "Malibu" singer paired short, spiky hair with a glittering black mesh Marc Jacobs gown over a nude slip to celebrate the "PUNK: Chaos To Couture" theme in 2013 . Jennifer Lopez took her first trip down the Met Gala red carpet with then-boyfriend Diddy back in 1999 when the theme was "Rock Style." J.Lo looked glam in a satin blush halter gown and matching fur coat while her rapper beau had tons of swag in a white three-piece suit. These days, Jenny has fiancé Alex Rodriguez on her arm. A lot has changed since Blake Lively was first invited to the Met Gala (she's attended a total of eight times to date)! The "Gossip Girl" actress made her first appearance in 2008 at the "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy"-themed benefit in an elegant black Ralph Lauren gown featuring a flared feather bottom. Blake's then-boyfriend, co-star Penn Badgley, was on hand for her debut, but she and hubby Ryan Reynolds have since become a Met Gala power couple. The focus of the 2005 Met Gala was "The House of Chanel," so it only made sense that Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen wore dresses by the design house for their debut at the bash. The twins chose an off-white boho maxidress and a gold embroidered high-low midi-length dress, both with floral accents. Surprisingly, Drew Barrymore has only been to the Met Gala once! She chose an unforgettable black lace Oscar de la Renta gown for the 2006 "Anglomania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion"-themed event. We can only hope she'll be asked back again. Lady Gaga was asked to perform at the 2010 Met Gala but didn't actually stroll up the red-carpet-lined steps until she was officially invited as a guest in 2015 . Loving a good costume, Mother Monster didn't disappoint in a custom Balenciaga by Alexander Wang creation for the "China: Through the Looking Glass"-themed event. She wore a feathered kimono-style cape atop a black rhinestone jumpsuit with an extravagant coordinating headpiece. Go big or go home! Everything about Anne Hathaway 's first Met Gala look in 2006 was larger than life. The "Devil Wears Prada" actress sported a voluminous bouffant hairdo and a puffed-up purple Marc Jacobs minidress gathered at the waist for the "Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion"-themed party that year. Madonna came down to earth for her Met Gala debut, which happened in 1997 at the "Gianni Versace"-themed bash. The "Like a Prayer" icon chose an intergalactic-print gown and wrap by the designer of the evening. For Gwen Stefani 's first Met Gala -- 2010's "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity"-themed night -- the pop star-turned-designer showcased one of her own L.A.M.B. creations on the red carpet. She wore a champagne gown with sheer tulle wrapped around the bodice, allowing a black undergarment to peer through. Jessica Simpson 's first Met Gala look is what unicorn tears must be made from! The theme in 2001 was "Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years," so while pretty, her strapless watercolor-inspired gown in pastel shades of blue, pink and purple didn't make a lot of sense. Diane Kruger made capes cool way before they were all the rage. For her first Met Gala -- the 2004 event had a "Dangerous Liaisons" theme -- she wowed in a champagne silk number by Balenciaga that was adorned with a flowy cape wrap tied around her neck.


Timing is everything. Devontae Booker arrived in Denver in 2016, right after legendary quarterback Peyton Manning retired. From 2016-2018, Booker played with four different starting quarterbacks: Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, Brock Osweiler and Case Keenum. Those QBs posted combined win-loss records of 20-28. For comparison, consider that Manning went 50-14 during his four years with the Broncos. It's no surprise that Booker apparently wasn't a big fan of Denver's previous QBs and he's excited about the arrival of Joe Flacco. "He's such a cool guy," Booker said of Flacco after practice on May 31. "He talks to everybody in the locker room. Previous quarterback didn't really do that so much. They'd just be in there on the field, get the job done and we see each other walking through the halls or something - wouldn't even acknowledge us. "Flacco, I'd say, is a pretty cool guy. He just brings that leadership ability to all of us out there on the field. He's won a Super Bowl. He's just a good guy." Booker is about to become a free agent in 2020 so this year may mark his final season with the Broncos. Perhaps Flacco can help him reach the playoffs for the first time in his career, something Denver's last four quarterbacks weren't able to accomplish. MORE: Why James Holzhauer's small Final Jeopardy! bet made total sense Did Nike accidentally reveal that Kevin Durant is staying with the Warriors? Roundup: iTunes Done; Chipotle Prices; North Carolina Shark Attack; Billionaire Jay-Z Report: Suns, Bulls offering lottery picks for Lonzo Ball Should Bills fans worry about Roger Goodell's comments?


Pittsburgh should be fairly dry this coming week, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . The highest chance of rain is forecast on Wednesday at 67 percent, with the potential for light rainfall of 0.38 inches. The next few days will also see warm temperatures, due to stick around through Wednesday. The weather will reach a high temperature of 82 degrees on Saturday. Skies will be partly cloudy for the next few days and clear on Sunday. Winds will remain somewhat calm over the course of the week, with the highest speeds on Sunday at just 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.


Though it isn't an R/T model, this Coronet Convertible has all the looks of one. For a decade, Dodge produced the Coronet sedan, with the 1959 model year being its final one. However, the company brought back the Coronet for a fifth generation, which lasted from 1965 to 1970. This 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T Tribute began its life as a Coronet 500, but you would never know that by looking at it. Ellingson Motorcars in Rogers, Minnesota offers this Dodge for sale. The 1970 model year was the final year for the 5th generation Coronet and the 500 trim was one step below the range-topping R/T, making this replica quite a fine example of this Coronet. The exterior features an attractive red paint color known as "Bronze Glow," and all of the R/T emblems, scoops, and stripes are present with this tribute. Both the outside and underside of the vehicle are extremely clean; despite being prone to rust, this Coronet is completely free of it. Inside the cabin, you'll find a black interior that is simplistic, but very comfortable looking and in good shape. Except for some newer protective rubber floormats and gauges for the water temperature, oil pressure, and battery voltage, everything appears all original. There's a 400 cubic-inch V8 with some modifications under the hood, and it pairs to an automatic transmission to drive the rear wheels. This crate engine may not be the original unit, but it runs great and rides smoothly in conjunction with the automatic transmission while also providing a nice performance-oriented feel. Last but not least, the 5-digit odometer displays 31,995 miles, which may be an original figure based on the condition of this car. Every aspect of this tribute Coronet R/T is stunning, from the beautiful paint color to the spotless undercarriage. This classy convertible will surely be welcome at any car shows, and it will turn plenty of heads while cruising around. Read More... B5 Blue 1970 Dodge Coronet Super Bee Is Bee-A-Utiful 500+ HP Wagon: 1966 Dodge Coronet Deluxe Station Wagon This 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T In Plum Crazy Is Royally Beautiful 1965 Dodge Coronet Hits And Rips With A 440


Washington coach Jay Gruden got to see both Case Keenum and Dwayne Haskins in action on Thursday night in Cleveland. He's no closer to knowing who his starting quarterback will be. "I don't want to make any   come to any conclusions right now," Gruden told reporters on Saturday. "It's silly to, so there's still a lot of ball left to be played, lot of passes, lot of things, lot of situational work we still have to do, a couple more games left, three games left. There's more work to be had." The assembled reporters then came at it a different way, asking Gruden if he feels like he has a better idea as to who the starter will be now versus during the offseason program. "I feel the same," Gruden said. "I'm hoping that somebody takes it over. That's what we're hoping for, but all three of these guys are good players and they're going to make their share of great throws and great plays. We just have to continue to monitor them and figure out who gives us the best chance at winning against Philly." Gruden offered praise for both of the primary contenders who played against the Browns. "He came in there second quarter and put a couple back-to-back passes that were really nice out there," Gruden said regarding rookie Dwayne Haskins. "He had a couple of turnovers, which hurt him. The big thing is we're trying to really get corrected is just everything   his fundamentals, protectionsm and all that stuff which will come. But, for his first game I thought he handled the pressure, the noise, the cadence, the huddle, the tempo I thought was really good, so there is a lot to build on. Obviously, some correctable things with everybody on offense. We'll just go back to work." Case Keenum received a positive review as well. "I was impressed," Gruden said. "He had a big third-down scramble for first down, which was good. He kept the drive going against their [first-string] defense. We were first-and-10 at midfield and we had that unfortunate holding call which was or wasn't a holding call. But I thought he moved the ball pretty well, had a big third-down-and-15 touchdown pass, saw the field, stepped up and threw a nice touchdown. Good things by Case as well." Eventually, it will be Colt McCoy , Keenum, or Haskins starting the opening game against the Eagles. It's hard not to think that, eventually, more than one of them will be playing. If not all three.


Missed the the most recent top news in Washington? Read on for everything you need to know. Rolling Thunder veterans group makes final ride through Washington The Rolling Thunder motorcycles that descend on Washington, D.C. every Memorial Day weekend made their final ride on Sunday, ending a three decades-old tradition that was initially meant to serve to pay tribute to fallen and missing-in-action soldiers. Read the full story on Yahoo News . Sully, George H.W. Bush's former service dog, visits WWII Memorial Sully, former President George H.W. Bush's former service dog, is doing his part on Memorial Day. Read the full story on Fox 11 Los Angeles . European bus giant to launch in NYC this week with $5 rides to Washington, D.C. One of Europe's largest private bus networks is setting up shop in New York.Germany-based FlixBus, which operates in 28 European countries, is launching a route between Manhattan and Washington, D.C., Thursday. The service will make up to 11 runs a day, and will make stops in Baltimore, Richmond, Va. and Rockville, Md. Read the full story on New York Daily News . Miami Marlins drop third straight game in loss to Washington Nationals Even at age 35 and with a history of hamstring injuries, Howie Kendrick keeps making it tough for his manager to keep him out of the lineup. Read the full story on CBS Miami . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.