String your bow, sip some acorn gin, and capture the spirit of legendary outlaw Robin Hood in and around England's Sherwood Forest. Begin in Birmingham Contemporary architecture mixes with historic buildings in post-industrial Birmingham . The central location makes it a good starting point for a Robin Hood adventure. There is excellent shopping in the Bullring complex opposite the busy train station. Luxury retailer Selfridges & Co., with its wavy skin of shiny aluminum discs, is a local landmark. Half-a-dozen chic cocktail bars are located in former bank buildings in the city center, including The Lost & Found , which makes the most of soaring ceilings to play with lavish décor. The multi-colored Library of Birmingham , its wedding cake shape encircled with interlocking metal hoops, is a modernist gem. Into the Woods You'll find a mini version of Burning Man-meets-Glastonbury, with a side of TED Conferences at Timber International Forest Festival , held in July on the Leicestershire/Derbyshire border. The fest celebrates all things woodland and the ambitious transformation of a onetime bleak mining landscape into the National Forest. The fest gets to the heart of forest culture with camping, music, eclectic performance art, campfire stories, bathing under the sky in outdoor hot tubs music, woodcrafts, torchlight parade, food and drink and speakers on a range of outdoor topics, all coming together for a happening weekend in the trees. Rooting for Your Lunch Robin Hood and the gang probably had to forage for their meals. Expert guides from Totally Wild Foraging in Derbyshire lead small-group tours through meadows and woods to source edibles to be incorporated into a three-course forager's lunch at nearby Fischer's Baslow Hall heritage inn. Pick water mint from beside a rushing stream, nibble edible flowers, taste fruit cordials and sloe gin made from foraged fruits and nettles and learn what's deadly as well as delicious in the woods. Hedgewood celery, anyone? Following in Russell Crowe's Footsteps Located in the heart of the peaceful and picturesque Peak District National Park , the stepping stones at Lindale cross a narrow spot in the fast-flowing River Dove. Tucked between dramatic limestone hills, the flattish, square stones were placed there in the 19th-century and had their brush with fame when they appeared in the final scenes of Robin Hood , starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. Anglers will love that Izaak Walton, author of The Compleat Angler in 1653, fished in the Dove. No Matches, No Problem The Merry Men and company lived by their wits and did things by hand. A forest survival session with Red Oak Bushcraft teaches wilderness skills that would have come in handy in the Middle Ages, like making surprisingly strong cord from bulrushes and nettles and building a fire by using a piece of wood and a handmade bow drill. It only took a few minutes before we were able to nurse a spark into a flame. Riding Through the Glen Robin Hood, Maid Marian, and the crew were always on horseback onscreen and in stories. Sherwood Forest was a huge area of woods and meadows in the Middle Ages, defined as the king's royal as hunting grounds. With the help of your trusty steed, join a guided group on a horseback tour of fields and forests at Matlock Farm in the Peak District. Robin didn't need someone leading his mount, but as a novice rider, you may feel better having someone hold your dobbin's halter if you like. Sleep in Sherwood Forest Sherwood Forest had plenty of places for a weary outlaw and his posse to bed down. But why rough it? Upscale cabins at Forest Holidays have decks with hot tubs and barbecues, fireplaces and comfy beds. You can even book a chef to prepare and serve an excellent three-course meal in your cabin. Pick up a bottle of wine at the camp café and store or start the day with a full English breakfast, including a vegetarian option. There's thick tree cover on the property and the cabins are surrounded by the forest, making them feel beautifully isolated. Think Iron Man and Wonder Woman are superheroes? Try firing arrows from horseback, living by skill and wits in the woods, and robbing from the rich to give to the poor. A new Robin Hood hit screens November 21, starring Taron Egerton of the Kingsman franchise. Whether your Robin Hood is Kevin Costner, Russell Crowe, or a Disney animation fox, Sherwood Forest inspires thoughts of dodging the Sheriff of Nottingham on horseback and bedding down near an ancient oak. Easy to get to by train, England's midlands are places of rugged beauty and history, including legends about a crafty and generous outlaw who was handy with both bow and sword. Dig up Some History The Sherwood Forest Archeology Project welcomes volunteers. Who knows what you'll find on a dig behind the medieval church? The Vikings were here, too. And King John's palace was nearby. It's not just digging and sifting dirt: anybody who helps is contributing to long-term local research and the on-site archaeologists and historians have plenty of stories to share. They're also on board the Robin Hood Express , a double-decker London bus that tours various sites associated with Robin and the Merry Men around Sherwood and nearby Nottingham. Aged in Oak The 1,300-year-old Major Oak near the village of Edwinstowe in Nottinghamshire was said to be where Robin Hood made his forest home. Locals call it Robin Hood's Tree, although it looks like it would be a wonky stay today, with spread-out limbs propped up by a timber supports. Legend has it 13 or 14 men could fit in its hollow heart at one time. Read all about Robin Hood in displays next to the tree, one of thousand ancient oak giants in this area of Sherwood Forest that's accessible by easy walking paths from the new visitors center , which introduces you to all things Robin. Flying Arrows You can't be Robin Hood without picking up a bow. Take an archery class in a Sherwood Forest clearing with Adrenalin Jungle . Classes explain safety and the mechanics of the sport and after a few practice rounds, you're competing with the group to determine who is the finest archer in Sherwood Forest. How Robin Hood can you get? Yes, There's a Sheriff of Nottingham Nottingham does indeed have a sheriff, but she's a city politician and hardly Hollywood's scowling, Christmas-canceling movie bully. The real surprise in Nottingham is its Northern-cool vibe, including a busy central market and cool hidden bars, some within caves. Nottingham is built over more than 800 limestone caves, using some for tours and tippling. Lost Property , tucked down a hallway and behind a faux front of piled vintage luggage, has a cave bar. A door off the main room in the 13th-century Ye Olde Salutation Inn opens on winding stairs to a series of well-lit caves below to explore, while Nottingham Underground Festival goes deep to celebrate all things below ground. Meet Robin Hood There's no evidence Robin Hood existed. But why wouldn't you want to go on a tour of Nottingham with a guy in green with a bow slung over his shoulder? Actor Ade Andrews is a charmingly convincing version of the man in tights. Hear stories about the famous outlaw and how he got his name and fame. Was he really Robin of Loxley, brave Crusader and defender of Richard the Lionheart ? Stop at St. Mary's church where the pious Robin Hood went to pray in the 15th-century ballad Robin Hood and the Monk and finish up with a pint in Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem . Claiming to be England's oldest pub, it was built in rock at the base of Nottingham Castle in 1189, a place for knights to share a farewell cup before departing for the Crusades. What Would Robin Hood Drink? Newly released Castle Gate Gin is made in with acorns gathered in Sherwood Forest, including some foraged from below the Major Oak. Made in small batches and hard to find outside Nottingham, Robin Hood appears on the label of Gin No. 1, which gets creamy notes from roasted acorns. Brilliant pink Gin No. 17 gets its color and bright flavor from strawberries, mellowed with a hint of lavender. Maid Marian is on the label and the distiller recommends elderflower tonic for a G&T, Maid Marion style. Queen Victoria Slept Here Relax with some pampering in a modern waters spa at Ye Olde Bell Hotel , which began as a carriage stop in the late 1600s along the Great North Road on the edge of Nottinghamshire. Queen Victoria and various movie stars have slept there but the hotel has its eye on more modern pursuits, opening a spa building in 2017 that's filled with a range of experiences. Hit the steam room, then cool off in what's billed as "the only snowstorm experience in the U.K." The glass-walled indoor corridor has sound and light effects and a push-button choice of gentle snowfall or amped up mini-blizzard. Three different saunas have picture windows facing onto a courtyard with Nordic-inspired relaxation huts, heated lounge chairs, and firepits. Relax in the salt inhalation room then sip a juice in the indoor-outdoor thermal pool. Robin Romance The Church of St. Mary, Edwinstowe in this pretty village in the heart of Sherwood Forest is said to be the place where Robin Hood and Maid Marian were wed. It's just down the road from the Major Oak, so you could say it's close to home. The church was built in 1175 on the site of the original church building, which dates to 633. And if you fulfill some requirements, you could get married there, too. It's across the road from Launay's Restaurant , an excellent dining room that specializes in English and French cuisine with a local and seasonal focus, including veggies from the back gardens and greenhouse. Or have a pint at The Royal Oak next door.


DETROIT, MI   Heads up motorists, I-94 in Detroit will close this weekend. Weather permitting, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) contract crews will be working on pavement repair and bridge work on I-94 in Detroit and this work will require closing eastbound I-94 from I-96 to Conner Road starting at 9 p.m. Friday, July 26. All lanes of the freeway are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, July 29. During the closure, eastbound traffic will use eastbound I-96 to northbound I-75, then eastbound M-102 (Eight Mile Road) back to eastbound I-94. The closure is needed to safely allow crews to resurface eastbound I-94 from I-96 to Second Avenue and to set bridge beams at the French Road overpass. The bridge beam setting is expected to wrap up by 4 p.m. Saturday, July 27. This will allow crews to open the section of eastbound I-94 from I-75 to Conner Road. The multi-course resurfacing will require eastbound I-94 to remain closed from I-96 to I-75 until 5 a.m. Monday. Westbound I-94 traffic will not be detoured; however, only one lane will be open from M-1 (Woodward Avenue) to US-12 (Michigan Avenue) during the same time frame. The westbound lane restrictions are needed to prep pavement for resurfacing in August.


Every Friday, a dozen or so people strap on virtual reality headsets, log on to the Internet and do something that would normally require driving to a local multiplex: watch a movie with a bunch of strangers. Their avatars all sit in the seats of a virtual movie theater, staring at a screen playing a movie from Netflix. The sound from the theater is so accurate that if participants munch potato chips into their microphones, it sounds as though it is emanating from their avatars. "When all of a sudden 10 avatars turn around and look at you, you know you should be quiet," said Eric Romo, the chief executive of AltspaceVR , a Silicon Valley start-up that organizes the virtual movie gatherings and other virtual reality events. The ability of virtual reality to transport people to locales both exotic and ordinary, is well known. Yet how the medium will fit into people's online and offline lives is a new frontier. The best known of a new league of virtual reality headsets, HTC's Vive by Valve, will start going on sale by the end of the year, and the devices will be a hot topic this week at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, one of the largest annual gatherings for the video game industry. That makes the thousands of developers and early adopters, who already have prototype virtual reality headsets, effectively lab rats for these devices. They're the ones figuring out how to navigate their real-life surroundings when their vision of the real world is shut out. They're learning which virtual reality experiences are fun, which are creepy and which might make people nauseated from motion sickness. Etiquette around social forms of virtual reality is already taking shape since this technology has the potential to turn some of the more noxious forms of online behavior into something far more menacing. "We're kind of at the Pong level of working with this," said Chet Faliszek, who works on virtual reality at Valve, a game developer in Bellevue, Wash., referring to one of the earliest arcade video games to help popularize video gaming. "There's so much more we're discovering." Virtual reality has flopped in popularity before and could again. But its proponents, speaking in awe-struck terms about the coming wave of headsets, promise the technology has finally caught up to the hype. Facebook paid $2 billion to acquire Oculus VR, a start-up that last week showed the final design of the virtual reality headset that it plans to begin selling in the first quarter of 2016. Sony is expected to reveal more this week at E3 about its own virtual reality headset, called Project Morpheus , for the PlayStation 4. None of these companies has announced prices yet. "We feel very strongly that virtual reality is going to be the next big thing for entertainment," said Kim Libreri, chief technology officer at Epic Games, a game developer investing in virtual reality projects. One question about virtual reality is what will happen to people in the real world when they are transfixed by virtual space. All of the screens in consumers' lives   whether on televisions, smartphones and computers   can be absorbing. They do not, however, completely occlude what's happening around someone the way virtual reality headsets do. People immersed in a virtual reality game can easily lose track of where furniture, windows and humans are around them. At Valve, developers plan to minimize unwanted collisions with a feature that it calls a "chaperone" system. The technology maps the terrain of a room: furniture, walls and all. When someone wearing a headset gets close to an object, a wireframe model of the room materializes in the virtual space in front of their eyes, fading as they move away. More than a half-dozen virtual reality developers at Valve are crammed into a room, and they often have their headsets on at the same time, playing games on their own. "Rule No. 1 is if someone has a headset on and you don't, it's your fault if you get punched," said Mr. Faliszek. Mobile virtual reality involves other hazards. There are headsets already on the market that cradle smartphones in front of peoples' eyes, using lenses and the screens on the devices to create 3-D images. No wires dangle between the mobile headsets and a computer or console, as they do with other systems, so users are free to tune out in virtual space while sitting in a restaurant or park. In fact, this year, the Australian airline Qantas started testing mobile virtual reality headsets, made by Samsung, in some airport lounges and first-class cabins on some flights. But wearing a virtual reality headset in public could make someone a target for derision and, more seriously, theft. Patrick O'Luanaigh, the chief executive of nDreams, a British developer of virtual reality software, put on a mobile headset earlier this year on a train ride from Reading to Bristol. He turned on an nDreams app called Perfect Beach that simulated the experience of lying in the sand as waves gently lapped at his virtual feet. "You forget where you are other than the vibrations and bouncing," said Mr. O'Luanaigh, who did not forget to stuff his bag between his actual feet. The protocol for interrupting someone's virtual reality session isn't clear   a light tap on the shoulder, developers say, is the best way to avoid startling someone. Researchers who have spent years studying virtual reality believe it will be less socially awkward than it may seem to encounter someone who's wearing a headset. "When you're in a room with somebody and you have a mobile device in front of you, they think they have your presence," said Mark Bolas, an associate professor of interactive media at the University of Southern California. "In a virtual environment, they know they don't have your presence. You almost want to leave that person alone." A trickier challenge could be policing virtual reality games that are social in nature. Developers are buzzing over the possibilities of immersive virtual worlds in which people connect with each other. The potential for harassment, though, which is bad enough in conventional online video games, and other forms of abuse   especially in online settings that permit anonymity   are very real for virtual reality. "It creates these lifelike experiences in a space pretty abstracted from the real world," said Matt McIlwain, managing director of Madrona Venture Group, a venture capital firm in Seattle that is pursuing virtual reality investments. "That has the opportunity to amplify both the positives and negatives of human nature." When players in a virtual reality game are inhabiting the perspective of an avatar, other players who get too close to them can feel like they are inappropriately violating their personal space. Mr. Bolas believes social virtual reality games will come up with "bounding boxes"   essentially, force fields that players can place around their avatars to keep others away. "We are going to have new conventions that deal with that," Mr. Bolas said.


The Panthers inquired on free agent defensive tackle Gerald McCoy , according to Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter ). No visit has been scheduled just yet, but he's squarely on Carolina's radar. For those keeping score at home, that makes eight known teams with interest in the former Bucs standout: Browns Ravens Patriots Falcons Saints Colts Bengals Panthers The Bucs chose to release McCoy this week rather than pay him $13M for 2019 or attempt to negotiate a pay cut. Even though Tampa preferred Suh (on a cheaper deal), McCoy was still quite productive in 2018 as he posted six sacks and brought his career total to 54.5. The Panthers may struggle to find cap space for McCoy, but a lack of funding isn't stopping contenders like the Saints, Patriots or Falcons from pursuing him.


Water polo changed Nathan Allen's life for the better. The Palatine High School junior wasn't much of an athlete when he was younger, but he found a place in a sport that, to the spectator, looks like a cross between a water ballet and a mugging. The physicality and competitiveness transformed him, and he now plans to join the Marine Corps after high school. It has been a great experience, save for one issue: He keeps getting hit in the head. Allen, an 18-year-old goalie, had one diagnosed concussion his freshman year and suffered two other significant blows. Since then, he has taken numerous other painful shots. "If the ball ricochets off the back of the (goalpost), it can hit me in the back of the head," he said. "That's the main problem." Water polo is increasingly popular in Illinois, which fields more high school teams than any state other than California. As with many other sports , though, athletes, coaches and parents are increasingly wary of head injuries caused both by the ball and contact with other players. James Hicks, director of the University of California at Irvine's Center for Exercise Medicine and Sports Sciences, has found that just over a third of water polo players say they've suffered a concussion during their careers. For goalies, it's close to half. In another study, published just this month, Hicks used sensors inside players' caps to find that they routinely suffer head impacts during games and practices. Players at the center positions, who batter each other trying to get possession of the ball, appeared the most vulnerable. Hicks said he can't compare water polo's concussion risk with better known sports because he has no data on the rate   how many injuries occur per 1,000 games or practices. Nor can he say how the head impacts he measured, none of which resulted in a diagnosed concussion, affected the athlete's brain functions. But he said he's doing more research into how the brain works following head impacts, hoping to one day develop an early warning system that will allow coaches to sit players before serious problems begin. Youth football participation declines as worries mount about concussions, CTE » "Our goal is not to stop the sport," he said. "I'm a huge fan of water polo. I think it's a great game. We're just trying to find out what's going on in the game, what the risks are and how we manage those risks." Though water polo sport has always been known for its roughness   its most famous game, played between the Soviet Union and Hungary at the 1956 Olympics, is known as the "Blood in the Water" match   an ongoing lawsuit claims that precautions have been insufficient. The mother of a teenage player says her daughter received a concussion while playing goalie during a 2014 tournament, only to be sent back out for more punishment. The teen soon showed signs of post-concussion syndrome, according to the lawsuit. Her symptoms, which included dizziness, nausea and headaches, were so bad that she had to stay out of school for the rest of the year, the lawsuit says. The girl's mother claims USA Water Polo, the sport's governing body, had no concussion management policy for youth players despite having one for the national team. The case is still being litigated. USA Water Polo declined comment, but its website now includes a "concussion action plan" that advises coaches to remove athletes from play until they are cleared by a health care professional. Studies shine harsh light on wrestling's concussion rate, impact on athletes » Illinois high schools are governed by a similar protocol. Athletes suspected of sustaining a concussion must be pulled from a game or practice immediately for evaluation by a doctor or trainer. They are not allowed to return until they've passed their school's return-to-play protocol, which typically includes passing a computerized test that checks reaction time, memory and other brain functions. Liam Rorison, 17, a Barrington senior, was concussed during a game last year when a competitor kicked him in the head as he swam. He was out for two weeks with headaches, light sensitivity and other symptoms. His father, Glen, said he did not hesitate to allow his son to return to the sport after his recovery, and fresh off a Barrington victory in the sectional playoffs Thursday night, Liam had no regrets. "It's all worth it," he said. "I don't think (the concussion risk) is that bad." Other injuries have been more severe. Jack Wagner, who coaches Fenwick's girls team, said one of his goalies took an elbow to the head while swimming for a ball on the first day of practice, causing her third concussion in four years. It kept her out almost the entire season. "She just recently got in the water," he said. "We're hoping she can go three or four days without a headache. If the doctors clear her, she'll be ready to play." Hicks' concussion survey found that a higher proportion of females than males said they had suffered the injury. Kendra Will, coach of Lincoln-Way East girls team, said concussions appear to have become more common   her team has suffered three this season   which she attributes to the evolving caliber of player. "Athletes have gotten stronger," she said. "We've got girls shooting really hard, and they're playing throughout the year now. They're not just swimmers who play during the season." Those rifle-armed players can fire shots that bounce off the water, bang off a goalpost and smack an unprepared opponent in the head. Hicks said goalies appear to be in particular jeopardy during shooting practice. Ryan Lodes, coach of Lincoln-Way East's boys team, said he tries to set up drills so the goalie always knows where shots are coming from. "If it's really disorganized, I can see where the goalie can take one in the face," he said. "We have structured shooting time; that's when the goalies are most aware." Some athletes and parents said referees seem to be stricter this season, blowing the whistle at the merest hint of rough play. But Beth Sauser of the Illinois High School Association said officials haven't been given any new instructions about how to call a game. "We haven't changed our methods or any rules," she said. "Safety has always been the No. 1 concern." A few coaches are seeking help through new equipment. Padded caps are becoming more common   "We're moving to ones that are like a boxing helmet," said Stevenson boys coach Sean Wimer   though by IHSA rule, they can be used only in practice, not competition. Companies that make the caps say they do not eliminate the threat of concussions. But Allen, the Palatine goalie, said the gear still serves a purpose. He started wearing one a few weeks ago. The snug silicone cap is covered with padded dimples and fits under his regular water polo cap. He said it has softened the force of a few ricochets that struck the back of his head. "They're very helpful, in my opinion   if not for the players, for the parents," he said. "My mom has told me if I get another concussion she might not let me play next year, so this helps soothe her mind." jkeilman@chicagotribune.com Twitter @JohnKeilman


The Red Sox have acquired righty Andrew Cashner and cash considerations from the Orioles and in turn are sending prospects Elio Prado and Noelberth Romero , Baltimore has announced . Cashner, 32, was famously swapped straight-up for Anthony Rizzo in a 2011 trade between the Cubs and Padres. After a breakout 2013 campaign, in which the hard-throwing righty posted a 3.09 ERA/3.35 FIP (2.6 fWAR) in 26 starts, it's been mostly unfilled promise for the former first-rounder. The TCU product was smashed in the first season of a two-year, $16M deal he signed with Baltimore prior to the 2018 campaign, with a near-league-low 5.82 K/9 against 3.82 BB/9 en route to a 0.6 fWAR season in 28 starts. He's been better this year, though his K rate remains among the league's lowest and peripheral markers (4.25 FIP, 4.88 xFIP) are non-believers in the sustainability of his 3.83 ERA. Cashner's average fastball velocity, once an eye-popping 98.8 mph in predominant relief for the 2012 Padres, now sits at 94.0, which is barely above league average. He's mostly scrapped the bread-and-butter sinker he featured so prominently from 2013-18, overhauling his repertoire back to the four-seam/changeup/slider mix with which he began his career. Returns have been positive: his 8.7 percent swinging-strike rate is his highest since transitioning full-time to a big-league rotation, and his chase rate's bettered the standard he established from 2016-18. Cashner's grounder-heavy repertoire should play well in Fenway Park, with any opposite-side power somewhat neutralized by the ballpark's spacious right-field dimensions. Our own Steve Adams offered ample justification for transitioning the righty back to a late-inning role, but it appears such a move won't be in the short-term cards for the Bo Sox. Cashner will apparently start Tuesday's game for Boston , with GM Dave Dombrowski noting that the move eases the undue stress the club's bullpen has endured thus far. Cashner's two-year deal includes a $10M vesting option for 2020 if the righty eclipses the 187-inning mark this year, a fact of which his acquiring club is surely aware. Boston's rotation has been solid this season, though it's true that the fifth spot has been a sore one. Hector Velazquez , Brian Johnson , Ryan Weber , Josh A. Smith and Darwinzon Hernandez have each tried their hands, to less than stellar results, and the club had no clear fill-in at the minors' upper levels. Nathan Eovaldi is set to return soon, but the team expects to plug him straight in to its beleaguered closer's role. Both Prado and Romero, 17, will transition from the Red Sox Dominican Summer League affiliate to that of the Orioles. They are not big-time bonus babies, and reports are scarce, but Orioles GM Mike Elias does have ample experience scouting Latin America in his time with the Cardinals and Astros organizations.


Murray State guard Ja Morant isn't worried about the haters ahead of the NBA draft. While asked how he feels about people who criticize his size or skills, Morant told reporters on Wednesday that he thrives when people doubt him. "I really like the negative energy, the 'he hasn't played against nobody, he's too small, he can't shoot.' I love negative energy. It motivates me," he said. "It really doesn't bother me because my dad was my first hater, so if I can take it from him, I can take it from anybody." Ja Morant: "I love negative energy, it motivates me. My dad was my first hater." pic.twitter.com/OtleId7DEZ   Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) June 19, 2019 The Grizzlies have the second pick in the draft and are expected to select Morant, who is the projected No. 2 prospect in this year's class. SI's draft expert Jeremy Woo calls Morant a " remarkably natural and instinctive playmaker " who shouldn't need to change his style to succeed in the NBA. Morant rose to national prominence as the Racers advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament this spring. He became the first player in NCAA history to average at least 20 points and 10 assists per game in a single season, dunking and dishing his way to Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year honors. Ahead of the draft, Morant has already signed an endorsement deal with Nike . The 2019 NBA draft will be held on Thursday at Barclays Center at 7 p.m. ET. Related slideshow: Ranking the top 50 NBA draft prospects (Provided by Yardbarker)


CHICAGO   The grisly act is rare, yet it's common enough to have a name: fetal abduction. The latest case out of Chicago   in which 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez was strangled and her baby cut from her womb   has similarities to many of the roughly 30 similar crimes carried out over the last three decades across the U.S., an expert said. Of the roughly 30 documented fetal abduction cases between 1987 and 2015, most of the mothers were slain and it's typical for them to have been stalked or lured somewhere under false pretenses   including for free supplies, according to Kenna Quinet, an associate criminal justice professor at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. In Ochoa-Lopez's case, police and family members say she was killed after responding to a Facebook offer of free baby clothes. Her infant son is hospitalized in grave condition and is not expected to survive. Quinet, who co-authored the homicide textbook "The Will to Kill: Making Sense of Senseless Murder," said it's as illogical as it is horrific: She's unaware of any case of "murder by C-section," as she describes it, in which the baby wasn't found and the crime wasn't discovered. "Clearly, you're not getting away with this," she said. "These women are clearly delusional." Authorities charged a Chicago woman on Thursday with murder for allegedly strangling 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez with a cord and cutting an infant from her womb. Clarisa Figueroa, 46, apparently wanted to raise another child two years after her adult son died of natural causes, investigators said. Figueroa's 24-year-old daughter, Desiree Figueroa, also was charged with murder. Clarisa Figueroa's boyfriend, 40-year-old Piotr Bobak, was charged with concealment of a homicide. Quinet said it's most often a case of a perpetrator making "an extremely dysfunctional, controlling, psychotic attempt to keep a man in a relationship," or they're suffering from what Quinet calls "motherhood by proxy." That's also the name of a section in her book and a play on Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a form of abuse where the person supposed to care for the individual makes up or causes the condition. The cases come along an average of once a year, with some gaps. It's even occurred before in Chicago, in 1995. That nearly full-term baby survived, but the mother, Debra Evans, and two of her other children were killed . Three people were convicted. Quinet's research shows that most babies survive, but far fewer of their mothers do. She found eight women who did, including one who escaped and killed the woman trying to kill her and take the baby. Quinet said she can't find a definitive case before 1987. She said that correlates to a time in which hospitals boosted their security, significantly decreasing the number of newborns stolen from maternity wards or neo-natal units. While fetal abduction endures, she said it's important to note that it remains infrequent and shows no sign of increasing. "If you consider an extremely rare event of the millions of women a year who are pregnant, there would be no way as individual people that we could take this risk to zero," she said. "I think it's as low as we can hope for it to be."


Andy Dalton 's getting used to a new coach for the first time in his career, but more importantly, he's getting used to a new way of doing business. It's natural that the Bengals' offense is changing under new boss Zac Taylor, and that requires a new set of instructional techniques. Via Albert Breer of SI.com, the Bengals have been installing their new system as a group   rather than particular positions   as Taylor tries to instill the concepts he's bringing after his stint with the Rams under Sean McVay. "A lot of times the quarterbacks get all that information, you know why you're calling it, you know what you want it in," Dalton said. "But now everyone's getting that information . It makes it easier for guys to be on the same page, because they know why [a play] is called. That's why it's been really good. . . . "The easiest way to play your best is to not have to think out there, know exactly what you're doing, and just react and play. I think with this system   that's how you want to play in general   but how we have this thing established is very much like Sean was saying. You make easier on all the guys to make sure that you can play fast. But the way you do it makes it look different for the defense." This is an important season for Dalton, as he can no longer depend on inertia providing job security. He has two years left on his contract, but no guarantees, so it will be on him to impress the new boss. "Marvin [Lewis] had a great 16 years here," Dalton said. "I think if you talk to any coach, and you say you could have 16 years in one place, anyone would sign up for that. So we lot of success with Marvin. But with Zac, obviously, he's younger, and you can feel the energy level in the building. It's been a lot of fun, from the meetings to the practice field, to everything. "That's not to say it wasn't fun before, but that's just the vibe we have right now. It's been good. Guys are competing." And that includes the quarterback, who prepped for the competition by watching every snap the Rams ran last year, so he has a better sense of what Taylor is looking for.


Sure, it's summer, but we're really looking forward to September. Fall/winter has a way of sneaking up, just as you're enjoying those last beach days and poolside chill sessions. Suddenly, the frantic search for a cute winter jacket or pair of snow boots leads to some regrettable last-minute purchases. All that ends today. Snap out of summer mode for a brief minute and brush up on the fall 2019 fashion trends. Start adding these pieces to your wishlist and you'll be ahead of the game come September. Moody Florals Retire your yellow daisy printed tops in favor of darker, moodier florals for fall/winter. As seen at Paco Rabanne (left), Prada, and Marc Jacobs' fall '19 runway shows , rich floral hues decorated dresses, tops, and skirts, proving this print is more alive than ever for the autumn season. Floral Print Crepe Shirt Maje $88.50 SHOP IT Give your white button-down a break and try this two-tone blossom printed top for next season. It tucks wonderfully into a pair of high-waisted jeans and looks great with either flats or ankle boots. Adelle Floral Tie Detail Dress LA VIE REBECCA TAYLOR $224.98 SHOP IT This dress has all the bells and whistles, from a bodice decked out with bows to the midriff cutouts and pink florals. For that reason, it's a good special-occasion dress, so wear it to that fall bridal shower or barnyard wedding. Leather on Leather Leather goes beyond just jackets this fall. Take a cue from the Alexander McQueen runway (left) and slip into an opulent leather dress. If that's not your style, you might want to try a pair of faux leather pants or a blouse in the material for that pop that won't overwhelm. Jane Front Slit Leather Pants Áeron $1900.00 SHOP IT These tapered leather pants are perfect for someone who wants a tailored look. You can easily wear this with a chiffon top tucked in or dress it up for work with an oversized blazer. The slit at the hem adds a unique detail you won't find anywhere else. Naum Top Nanushka $385.00 SHOP IT Nanushka's faux leather pieces are buttery soft, which is why I love this shirt. The top is a wearable way to rock the leather trend without feeling out of your element. It's basically a button-down, but more sleek and fashion-forward. Smart Suits Power suits are always in and if you're already a fan, or eager to try out the style, good news: They'll be in abundance come fall/winter. Designers like Joseph Altuzarra (left) debuted smart suiting options for women in the pre-fall 2019 collection and he isn't the only one. You'll find tailored sets from the likes of Proenza Schouler and Givenchy. Elongated Racer Blazer Argent $338.00 SHOP IT Everyone from Amy Poehler to Hillary Clinton has worn Argent's suits for their tailored fit and multiple hidden pockets (leave your purse at home). Once you slip this on, you'll definitely feel like a power woman. Modal-Blend Suit Blazer Mango $99.99 SHOP IT Dip your toes into the suiting world by trying out a neutral-colored set like this one from Mango. You'll get the most wear out of the two-piece look because the trousers can be mixed and matched with summer tops while the blazer will pair nicely with denim for fall. Jewel Tones You may remember this iconic runway image of three models in the most fabulous jewel-toned coats for Max Mara's fall 2019 runway show. No one does the monochromatic outfit better and you can bet these must-have pieces will inspire other fashion houses to follow suit. Whether you go for a teal coat or a fuchsia-colored silk top, get ready to brighten up your all-black fall wardrobe. Faux Fur Jacket Sally LaPointe $1950.00 SHOP IT This faux fur coat comes in a rich blue tone that's both runway-worthy and wearable. It's designed with a relaxed fit for those who like their outerwear a little loose and boxy. Wear with a turtleneck sweater and skirt underneath. Silk Jacquard Wrap Top Art Dealer $315.00 SHOP IT If you only have room in your closet for one jewel-toned piece (#apartmentproblems), invest in this silky wrap top-it'll brighten up all your looks. We love that it has both a feminine and vintage feel. PSA: The brand is also beloved by celebs like Elsa Hosk and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Plaid Madness Every season I tell myself I need a plaid blazer and every season I fail to buy one. However, hopefully for this fall that all changes because the plaid options are absurdly good. (Just look at this option from Veronica Beard's pre-fall 2019 collection.) Both Buberry and MSGM served up plaid pieces in their runway shows, so prepare to wear the print with a cool-girl twist-like with biker shorts. Single Button Linen Blazer CHELSEA28 $109.00 SHOP IT At the top of my wishlist for fall is a plaid blazer. Though I love the bigger, bolder print, I'll probably end up buying something like this. The design is less in your face, making it suitable for the office. The light gray coloring also works well for both summer and fall ensembles. Roccia Suede Wool Ankle Boots Diemme $66.66 SHOP IT Give your flowy maxis and jeans a more rugged look by wearing this plaid hiker-esque ankle boot. The rubber-soled shoes are supportive enough for walking around the city or for a brisk walk through the woods as you admire the fall foliage. Cozy Outerwear The best thing about winter is snuggling right into your furry parka or lightweight-but very warm-puffer jacket. As the runways like Burberry (left) have shown, puffy outerwear is still trendier as ever. You can go for something grand like this piece or take it down a notch with a wearable cropped puffer from Alexander Wang ahead. Alexander Wang Puffer Jacket Alexander Wang $695.00 SHOP IT If you're not looking for a regular ol' puffer, let me introduce you to this one from Alexander Wang. The cool blue color and logo patch on the sleeve are trendy must-have details for your outerwear collection. The Duvet Coat Wilfred $398.00 SHOP IT Aritzia's long puffer coat is like a safe cocoon for your body when the weather is dreadful. With this on, you'll pay no mind to the wind or snow on your commute to work. Spots Spots Spots Spotted clothes run the gamut for fall/winter. Expect to see your usual leopard print on new outerwear styles and spots on everything from slip dresses to skirts. If you haven't found that perfect leopard print faux fur coat yet, this season is your chance. Leopard Jacket No. 21 $1320.00 SHOP IT Combine two trends in one with this faux leather and faux fur jacket. It's the type of statement outerwear that draws in compliments from friends and strangers alike. Jungle Cat Printed Skirt Whistles $195.00 SHOP IT When you're ready to take the next step in your quest for wearing spots, go for color like this deep green Whistles skirt. You can wear it with any neutral-hued sweater for fall/winter. Ladylike Lace This might be a personal preference, but one can never have enough lace tops and dresses. Fashion houses from Prada (left) to Marc Jacobs and McQueen appear to agree, as they all incorporated beautiful lacy pieces into their fall 2019 runway collections. Try a lace top with a matching lace skirt for the ultimate ladylike outfit. Ark Lace Tee WAYF $78.00 SHOP IT This lace top is the kind of vintage-like piece you expect to find at your local thrift shop, but never can. For $78, however, you can pick one up in your size from WAYF to wear with your jeans or summer skirts. Lace Slip Dress Marques'Almeida $425.61 SHOP IT This slip dress is a rare piece that works for both summer and fall. When the weather is warm, you can wear it sans jacket and t-shirt. Once the temperature dips, style a turtleneck or long-sleeve henley underneath. ... For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter. SUBSCRIBE HERE


When Liz Clark moved to Enumclaw 16 years ago, there hadn't been a farmers' market in several years. At the time, she only had a horse. Now, she's a goat farmer. Recently, Clark and her peers decided the area needed a place for local farmers to sell their goods directly to consumers. That's how the Enumclaw Plateau Farmers' Market launched in June. It now has 37 vendors. "We have two fiber farmers that are sheep and alpaca. We have local pork, beef, eggs, milk," explained Clark, the farmers' market manager. "All of our farms here, with the exception of one, are within 10 miles of downtown Enumclaw. They are all mostly on the Enumclaw plateau." For new farmers, it offers the option to have a consumer market readily available, while avoiding the lost profit that comes with selling to grocery stores. "That is why a lot of farmers are going out of business. They can't sustain the cost of raising organically raised meat, milk, and eggs and non-GMO products. You can't sustain that cost without an outlet to be able to sell those things," said new farmer Sally Mildren, who recently started Polka Dot Farmer . The average age of farmers in King County is 58. The county has made it a goal to add 25 new farmers every year to maintain a regular source of local food. But that's not an easy task as development and population growth increase the cost of land and push farmers farther away. "The rural side of King County is getting smaller. By incorporating more farmers' market in King County, we are allowing more farmers to actually potentially make a living through farming," said Board President Lisa Smith. The Enumclaw Plateau Farmers' Market is located at 1600 1st Street in Enumclaw. It is open every Thursday from 3   7 p.m. from June through September. Click here for more information.


This doesn't come as a huge surprise. The Vikings and tight end Kyle Rudolph were hoping for a contract extension that would reduce Rudolph's $7.625 million salary for the 2019 season. Instead, it appears as if Rudolph will play elsewhere. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that the Vikings and Rudolph have broke off extension talks. The #Vikings had held active extension talks with veteran TE Kyle Rudolph, but those broke off this morning, sources say. With Minnesota drafting TE Irv Smith and Rudolph due $7.5M, this development could lead to a trade elsewhere. There is interest around the NFL. - Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 10, 2019 The Vikings have just $1.2 million in cap space and have yet to sign first-round pick Garrett Bradbury. With the team drafting Irv Smith Jr. in the second round, Rudolph's days in Minnesota were likely numbered, but it wasn't thought to be this quick. The fact that there is interest among other teams is a good thing for the Vikings. How much could the Vikings get for a 29-year-old tight end in the final year of his contract? That will be for GM Rick Spielman to figure out. Rudolph, 29, has always been a solid tight end, but he hasn't been the dynamic tight end the Vikings were hoping he'd be when they drafted him in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. But that's not to say Rudolph hasn't been one of the more productive tight ends in the league. Rudolph has made two Pro Bowls in his career and is coming off a 2018 season in which he caught 64 passes for 634 yards, both rank second as far as career highs are concerned. He's also a fantastic leader for this team and absolutely wonderful in the community. MORE: The full story from the guy who got Danica Patrick a drink at the Bucks-Celtics game NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Rumor: LeBron made a visit to Kawhi Leonard during Raptors-Sixers series 3 Raiders players who could have breakout seasons in 2019 Instant analysis of Pats signing Dontrelle Inman Related slideshow: Ranking top 20 NFL draft classes (provided by imagn)


A small two-engine plane went down in a fiery crash on Sunday morning, killing all 10 people on board. The aircraft had just taken off from the Addison Airport, north of Dallas, when it crashed into an unoccupied hangar at around 9 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Beechcraft BE-350 King Air aircraft was destroyed by fire and there were no survivors. The plane lifted into the air before it veered to the left and rolled over, the left wing hitting the hanger, according to witnesses. The flight was headed to St. Petersburg, Florida. "It was really thick. You could tell there was some type of burning chemicals, gas or oil," one witness told ABC affiliate WFAA , referring to the smoke from the crash. "It definitely looked black enough for it to be serious." The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the crash, declined to disclose the names of victims, but said there were two flight crew members and eight passengers aboard at the time of the crash. "The FAA will release the tail number after investigators verify it. Neither the FAA nor the NTSB release the names of aircraft occupants," the NTSB said in a statement. "We defer to local officials to make that information available at the appropriate time." The crash, which took place in Addison, Texas, was the deadliest in the state since 1991, when a commuter plane crashed into a cornfield near Eagle Lake, Texas, killing all 14 people on board, according to the NTSB's aviation accident database. ABC News' Darren Reynolds and Mina Kaji contributed to this report.


Guys pic.twitter.com/0VYIxfsoLK - John Sigler (@john_siglerr) July 8, 2019 New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan has earned the right to wear just about any hairstyle he wants. Between his 71.5 career sacks and new contract extension keeping him in New Orleans until at least 2023, he has plenty of pull in regards to his personal styling. The Saints defensive captain is known for changing up his look every season, beginning with a classic high-top fade in his early days with the Saints and lately rocking a full mane of locks, sometimes dyed in streaks of black and gold. He must have gotten bored with that, though, because Jordan's latest look is a work of art. Claiming inspiration from Disney's Captain Hook , Jordan unveiled a carefully-sculpted beard and goatee, paired with an impressive mustache greased into a villain's curls. He leaned into the bit for his official headshot for the 2019 NFL season, which will be shown prominently on game broadcasts and league media, staring intently into the camera. You've gotta applaud his commitment to the part. Jordan is rapidly climbing the Saints' all-time record books, making every game he takes the field must-see TV. If he keeps up his recent pace (25 sacks in the last two years), his total will trail only Pro Football Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson for the title of most sacks in Saints history. Now, whether Jordan will continue to wax his mustache on gamedays or defer to a more-casual handlebar style remains to be seen. MORE: UFC fighter Ben Askren had an excellent response to getting knocked out in 5 seconds Expected starting lineup for Lakers with LeBron James at point guard Three Potential Trade Destinations for Russell Westbrook Honor thy father: Quinn Cook signed with Lakers for good reason Former Steeler DeAngelo Williams throws shade at WR Ryan Switzer


Real Madrid have lost only two of their last 23 LaLiga matches against Real Sociedad (W18 D3), one of them at Anoeta (4-2 in August 2014). Real Sociedad are looking to complete the league double against Real Madrid for the third time and the first since 2003-04. Real Sociedad have won their last two LaLiga games and they are looking to win three consecutive games in the competition for the first time this season. Real Madrid are winless in their last four LaLiga away games (D2 L2), failing to score in the last two. The last time they went five or more without a win on the road in the competition was in April 2006 (D4 L1). Real Madrid's Gareth Bale has scored more goals at Anoeta in LaLiga than any other away player in the competition (6, since August 1993). 📝 Our starting XI 🆚 @RealSociedadEN ! #RMLiga pic.twitter.com/6shIonkjX3   Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 12, 2019 Real Madrid striker Gareth Bale has scored in each of his five visits at Anoeta in LaLiga (six goals). Real Sociedad's Willian Jose both scored and assisted against Real Madrid in the reverse fixture this season in his side's 2-0 win. Mikel Oyarzabal has been involved in five of Real Sociedad's last nine home goals in LaLiga (four goals and one assist). Against Villarreal last time out, Real Madrid's Mariano Diaz scored two goals, as many as he netted in his previous 20 appearances in the competition. Real Sociedad's Imanol Alguacil has only lost one of his seven LaLiga managerial games against Madrilean opposition (W5 D1), 0-2 against Atletico de Madrid at Anoeta in March.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Baltimore? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental site Zumper to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to finding housing in Baltimore if you don't want to spend more than $1,700/month on rent. Take a peek at what rentals the city has to offer, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 23 Pierside Drive, #427 (Inner Harbor) Listed at $1,700/month, this 720-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is located at 23 Pierside Drive, #427. The unit boasts air conditioning, a balcony and natural light. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is car-dependent, is fairly bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 513 Park Ave., #100 (Mount Vernon) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment situated at 513 Park Ave., #100. It's also listed for $1,700/month. In the furnished unit, expect hardwood floors, a dishwasher, air conditioning and high ceilings. The building offers assigned parking and on-site laundry. Hairball alert: cats are allowed. This rental does not require a leasing fee. According to Walk Score, the area around this address has excellent walkability, is very bikeable and is a haven for transit riders. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 1406 Park Ave., #3R (Bolton Hill) Here's a 730-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 1406 Park Ave., #3R that's going for $1,700/month. In the furnished unit, you'll get hardwood floors, air conditioning and a balcony. The building has assigned parking, storage and secured entry. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are allowed. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is friendly for those on foot, is very bikeable and boasts excellent transit options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 111 W. Heath St. (SBIC) Next, check out this 878-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom that's located at 111 W. Heath St. It's listed for $1,696/month. The unit offers natural light. The building features assigned parking and an elevator. Pets are not welcome. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address is very walkable, is convenient for biking and offers many nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here .) 1000 Fell St., #524 (Fells Point) Listed at $1,650/month, this 764-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is located at 1000 Fell St., #524. It's available June 1. In the condo, you can expect hardwood floors, water views, air conditioning and exposed brick. When it comes to building amenities, anticipate assigned parking and a fitness center. Animals are not permitted. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee, but there is a $500 move-in fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location has excellent walkability, is very bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


High-tech entrepreneur Elon Musk's SpaceX company launches a Falcon 9 rocket on a mission to carry the first batch of small satellites into low-Earth orbit for his new Starlink internet service. Ryan Brooks reports.


Halibut is it an excellent source of protein and omega-3s and it's extremely versatile in the kitchen. Here, eight grilled halibut recipes to get you started. Grilled Halibut with Tomato Avocado Salsa Coterie member Heidi Larsen's brilliant dinner idea: grill the halibut simply, then showcase the flavors with a tangy and flavorful tomato avocado salsa. (Best of all, it's ready and on the table in 25 minutes.) Get the recipe Moroccan Grilled Halibut and Bulgur Bowl Fact: Everything's tastier when it's served in a bowl. And the kick of harissa makes this halibut and bulgur meal really pop. Get the recipe Summer Niçoise Salad with Grilled Fish and Marinated Beans Who says that a niçoise has to include tuna? Sub in halibut for a refreshing take on the classic French salad. Get the recipe Citrus Alaskan Halibut If you're short on time, try this ten-minute grilled halibut dinner. Just squeeze on lime and drizzle in olive oil and you're good to go. Get the recipe Paleo Fish Taco Bowl with Mango Salsa This bowl has everything you love about tacos with one important improvement: There's no mushy tortilla getting in the way of the tasty fillings. Get the recipe Halibut with Pineapple Soy Ginger Sauce Prediction: You're going to want to drizzle this sweet and tangy sauce on everything . Get the recipe Pan-Roasted Chipotle Halibut with Avocado Salsa Chipotle peppers and cumin spice add a major kick to this pan-roasted halibut. (And that's before you top it with avocado and jalapeño salsa.) Get the recipe Grilled Halibut with Strawberry Guacamole and Coconut Cauliflower Rice Look up "refreshing" in the dictionary and you'll find a picture of this beauty. Eating dinner out on the back patio tonight is optional, but encouraged. Get the recipe RELATED: 15 Quick Sheet-Pan Seafood Recipes to Try for Dinner


After hitting wall and losing a lap early in the Coca-Cola 600, Chris Buescher rebounded for his best finish of the season. or his No. 37 Chevrolet and he proved that Sunday in the longest race of the season. . It's Buescher's second consecutive top-10 finish - the first time he's done that in his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series career. "I end up sixth; what a great night for us," said Buescher. "Our Kroger Thrill of the Grill Camaro ZL1 had great speed from the drop of the green. The second stage we just tried to get it up a little too high and I got up in the fence. "I cut a tire down later and lost a lap. We knew we had speed still, but this group did a terrific job of repairing it." Buescher qualified 22nd in the 40-car field and credited his team with making adjustments to his car throughout the weekend to find more speed. "We worked really hard after practice making a lot of changes," he said. "It was just a great effort all around; the pit crew did a terrific job. We were able to come out there at the end and get an awesome finish." What makes the finish even sweeter was Buescher thought after his accident there was no way he would be able to secure a good finish. "We hit pretty hard," said Buescher on his Lap 128 cut tire and contact with the outside wall. "I thought it was going to hurt us for sure. Felt like it knocked a lot of camber into. After we repaired it, we kept digging." He was happy to have fun in the 600 and survive the wild final restart. "I got run into three times, run into the fence and nobody lifted, " said Buescher describing those final five laps of the race. "Honestly it's kind of what we expected in a lot of these races this year and it was hot and slick enough for that to happen. Wild racing that makes it frustrating at times but you had options to move around. "We had speed in the car and were able to make up that lap We have to keep improving a little bit, but it was a pretty awesome night." From the editor, also read: Coke 600: Martin Truex Jr. wins after wild four-wide pass


Philadelphia will see a return of last week's light rainfall today and tomorrow, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Today should see the most rain, with a projected accumulation of 0.22 inches. The coming days will also bring warm temperatures, forecast to last through Saturday. Temperatures will reach a high of 82 degrees on Saturday. Skies will be mostly cloudy on Saturday and clear on Tuesday. Winds will continue to be somewhat calm throughout the week, with the highest speeds on Tuesday at only 12 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The Philadelphia Eagles have a different bounce to them this year, one that comes with knowing that you have an unbelievable team that can accomplish some amazing things. Bravado and confidence from a team come when you have polarizing players and guys that can be explosive at the drop of a dime. The Eagles have that in Carson Wentz, DeSean Jackson and Miles Sanders and the Philadelphia offense has the opportunity to accomplish some special things this season. Brandon Brooks can feel the vibe and after the Eagles practice on Tuesday, the Birds star right guard says this team has a different swag to it. Brandon Brooks hanging with the guys live at Eagles training camp pic.twitter.com/q8IOQlizux - 94WIP Midday Show (@WIPMiddayShow) August 6, 2019 Brandon Brooks: "The swag is different [this year], especially having D-Jac back. Obviously his speed is unreal. He's probably the fastest player I've played with. Carson is playing lights out. I'm really excited." #Eagles | #On94WIP  - SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) August 6, 2019 MORE: 'Bachelor in Paradise' 2019 cast guide: Meet all 37 contestants Roundup: Dow Plunges; Lindsay Lohan; Hannah Brown Speaks Out; Ryen Russillo Leaving ESPN Quick hits, observations from Packers' first joint practice with Texans Browns release their initial preseason depth chart 5 takeaways from the Raiders' first depth chart of 2019 season


Mick Mulvaney's battles with Alexander Acosta began almost immediately. Weeks after he was named acting White House chief of staff, Mulvaney summoned the labor secretary for a tense January encounter that became known inside the West Wing as "the woodshed meeting." Mulvaney told Acosta in blunt terms that the White House believed he was dragging his feet on regulation rollbacks desired by business interests and that he was on thin ice as a result, according to advisers and a person close to the White House. Soon after, Acosta proposed a spate of business-friendly rules on overtime pay and other policies. Subscribe to the Post Most newsletter: Today's most popular stories on The Washington Post But it wasn't enough to save Acosta from Mulvaney's ire   and helps explain why the former federal prosecutor had such tepid administration support last week as he resigned over his handling of a high-profile sex-crimes case more than a decade ago. The episode illustrates the growing influence wielded by Mulvaney, a former tea-party lawmaker who has built what one senior administration official called "his own fiefdom" centered on pushing conservative policies   while mostly steering clear of the Trump-related pitfalls that tripped up his predecessors by employing a "Let Trump be Trump" ethos. This account of Mulvaney's rising power is based on interviews with 32 White House aides, current and former administration officials, lawmakers and legislative staffers, some of whom requested anonymity to speak candidly. Mulvaney and the White House declined to make him available for an interview. Mulvaney   who is technically on leave from his first administration job as budget director   spends considerably less time with Trump than the two previous chiefs of staff, Reince Priebus and John F. Kelly. And the president has sometimes kept him out of the loop when making contentious foreign policy decisions, advisers say. At a recent donor retreat in Chicago, Mulvaney told attendees that he does not seek to control the president's tweeting, time or family, one attendee said. Priebus and Kelly had clashed with the president over his Twitter statements and the influence of his eldest daughter and her husband, who are senior advisers. Instead, Mulvaney has focused much of his energy on creating a new White House power center revolving around the long-dormant Domestic Policy Council and encompassing broad swaths of the administration. One White House official described Mulvaney as "building an empire for the right wing." He has helped install more than a dozen ideologically aligned advisers in the West Wing since his December hiring. Cabinet members are pressed weekly on what regulations they can strip from the books and have been told their performance will be judged on how many they remove. Policy and spending decisions are now made by the White House and dictated to Cabinet agencies, instead of vice versa. When Mulvaney cannot be in the Oval Office for a policy meeting, one of his allies is usually there. "You have a chief of staff with a professional commitment to ensuring that a real policy agenda gets enacted," said Charmaine Yoest, who served in senior roles in the Trump White House and at Health and Human Services before moving to the Heritage Foundation. "You've got to dig in, chart a path forward and stay committed to it, and we welcome his serious approach to policymaking." But Mulvaney also faces significant obstacles on Capitol Hill, where he made enemies on both sides of the aisle during his three terms as a bomb-throwing House conservative. Democrats openly disdain him as a saboteur, while many key Republicans distrust his willingness to compromise, particularly on fiscal policy. Some GOP senators freely signal they would rather deal with any other administration official than him. Mulvaney spends more time in his office than his predecessors, feeling no need to sit in on all of Trump's meetings. He regularly huddles with Joe Grogan, a hard-liner who now leads the domestic council, and Russell T. Vought, a conservative ally who runs the Office of Management and Budget in Mulvaney's absence. Advisers say a whiteboard in Mulvaney's office has two items with stars beside them: immigration and health care. Immigration, however, is largely left to top White House adviser Stephen Miller and, to a lesser extent, presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner, with dim prospects for significant legislation on Capitol Hill. Passing any kind of health-care bill before the 2020 election is also unlikely, aides say, while budget cuts sought by Vought have died quickly in Congress. Mulvany's biggest successes so far have come in deregulation efforts, where he prods agencies to move faster in case Trump loses or Democrats win the Senate in 2020, advisers say. Aside from the domestic policy shop, Mulvaney has also tapped allies to fill roles in the White House's legislative affairs operation, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, and his old haunts at OMB. He regularly suggests ideas to all of them. "What I am seeing is that Mulvaney cares about the domestic agencies much more than the prior chiefs of staff did," said Tammy McCutchen, a former Labor Department official in the George W. Bush administration who is now a partner at the Littler Mendelson law firm. "They're holding the agencies accountable to move forward on regulations." In the past two months, he has forced out the chiefs of staff at Health and Human Services and the Labor Department amid policy disputes with them and their respective secretaries. Mulvaney and Grogan have repeatedly clashed with HHS Secretary Alex Azar, overruling him, for example, on ending the funding of medical research by government scientists using fetal tissue . Emma Doyle, Mulvaney's deputy, has sought to control all presidential events and the president's schedule   asking officials to submit formal proposals for why they should be in the room and controlling who is usually in the room. She also leads a weekly meeting on presidential events. Doyle was recently in charge of a review of the president's immigration agencies and led a months-long hunt earlier this year for who was leaking the president's internal schedules. "Everything is controlled. The only people not under his thumb are Kudlow and Bolton," said one senior administration official, referring to economic adviser Larry Kudlow and national security adviser John Bolton. Where Priebus and Kelly were more deferential to Cabinet members, Mulvaney has told them they are being judged on how much they can deregulate, with the policy council monitoring them daily. He is pushing for faster rollbacks of rules enacted by former president Barack Obama before Trump's first term ends, such as restricting what falls under the Clean Water Act and halting implementation of higher fuel-economy standards, according to administration officials. The president has blessed Mulvaney's operation, White House aides said, and Trump considers his chief of staff an emissary to movement conservatives who have been vital to his presidency. But some Trump advisers say the president has no idea what Mulvaney and his aides do all day. Mulvaney and Vought, among others, have sought to convince Trump to care more about cutting spending and the deficit. But Trump has rebuffed many of their proposed cuts as deficits soar. Trump recently told West Wing aides that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told him no politician had ever lost office for spending more money. Two people with direct knowledge confirmed that McConnell delivered that message in a June phone call about budget sequestration. Although pleasing to businesses, Mulvaney's efforts are also heartening to social conservatives, who say they are finding a more open reception than before. For instance, a new rule released in May gives health-care providers, insurers and employers greater latitude to refuse coverage for medical services they say violate their religious or moral beliefs. That policy is facing legal challenges. The same month, the White House proposed a rollback of Obama-era rules that banned discrimination against transgender medical patients. Another rule, also being challenged in the courts, bans taxpayer-funded clinics from making abortion referrals. "We're just taking the president's challenge seriously to look everywhere and come up with options for deregulation that spurs economic growth," Vought said in an interview. "You have an administration that's in sync and everyone is talking to each other. Mulvaney   who has acknowledged to other advisers he knows little about foreign policy   has installed a deputy for national security, Rob Blair, who regularly battles with Bolton and his allies. Mulvaney and Bolton are barely on speaking terms, and Blair has regularly challenged Bolton's subordinates, according to people familiar with the relationship. Mulvaney has also been a key backer internally of Halil Suleyman Ozerden, whom Trump nominated for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals last month despite misgivings from conservatives, according to people familiar with the matter. Ozerden and Mulvaney have known each other for years and Mulvaney was a groomsman in Ozerden's wedding. Mulvaney vouched for him in a private conversation with Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), who chairs the committee that will take up Ozerden's nomination. The former House Freedom Caucus member's sway in Congress is clearly limited, however. GOP aides routinely trash Mulvaney in private and say he has done little to improve his image from his House days, when he was a leading antagonist in forcing government shutdowns and other hardball tactics. McConnell has told others on Capitol Hill that he would prefer to deal with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. In a recent interview, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.) paused for 10 seconds when asked whether Mulvaney was a productive force, particularly during a meeting with key principals in the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in June. Shelby finally responded that Mulvaney was "engaged" before pointing out that Mnuchin was the lead negotiator on behalf of the administration in the fiscal talks. The bad blood between Mulvaney and Democrats is even more obvious. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) recalled being pleasantly surprised when the White House reached out to a half-dozen deal-minded Democratic senators in April, wanting to discuss the influx of migrant children at the border. But he said there was no follow-up from the White House. Later, Tester saw Mulvaney on television complaining that the administration had met with Democrats on the border problems but that they weren't working to address them. "I think it was about Mulvaney being able to get on national TV and say, 'We met with the Democrats,' " Tester said. "It was apparent to me that that was the political agenda behind it. It wasn't about getting anything done. It was about laying blame." Mulvaney appears fully aware of his shortcomings with lawmakers, joking to others in the White House about his unpopularity on Capitol Hill. "I know they'd rather deal with Mnuchin," Mulvaney has said, according to two White House officials. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), who served in the House with Mulvaney, praised his performance but noted that senators are also able to talk to the president directly about any concerns. "He's not there to be a clerk. He's there to lead," Cramer said. "But I think it's also clear that when the president says this is the position, that Mick's more than capable of carrying out the president's position. And I suspect in some cases they're far apart   but in most cases they're pretty well in line." Mulvaney's relationship with Trump has had its rocky moments. During a recent ABC News interview, the president berated Mulvaney on camera for coughing. But the two men are unlikely to part ways, advisers say, partially because Mulvaney knows when to leave Trump alone   and is a good golfer. "He takes the phrase chief of staff in the literal way. He's the chief of the staff. He's not chief of the president," said Jonathan Slemrod, who led congressional outreach for Mulvaney at OMB until November. "He thinks Trump is a political genius and doesn't second-guess a lot of his decisions." For his part, Mulvaney has joked about being an acting chief of staff, arguing there is no practical difference. "You could make me the permanent chief of staff tomorrow and he could fire me on Thursday," Mulvaney said of Trump at a June 11 fiscal summit sponsored by the Peterson Foundation. "Or you could leave me as the acting chief of staff and I could stay to the second term. It doesn't make any difference." He added, "I'll stay as long as I feel like he values my opinion and I like working for him, and both those things are happening right now." seung-min.kim@washpost.com lisa.rein@washpost.com josh.dawsey@washpost.com erica.werner@washpost.com Robert Costa contributed to this report.


An Iowa couple were sentenced to probation Thursday for neglect of a dependent person after their then-3-month-old child tested positive for cocaine. Stazia Kirk, 20, and Zak Herman, 21, pleaded guilty in May to felony neglect of a dependent person. Child endangerment charges were dismissed. Kirk and Herman also received 10-year prison sentences that were suspended. Kirk and Herman lived in Pella after the baby was born in October. In December, the child was seen at a Cedar Rapids emergency room; the girl had lost weight since birth. The baby girl was removed from the couple's care shortly after the charges were brought. A doctor told investigators that the child was "at significant risk of death" without medical intervention and that the dehydrated baby's kidneys and liver were under intense stress, court records show. Marion County Attorney Ed Bull said in May that the girl was thriving in her new placement. A Pella detective began an investigation in the winter. He said that when he interviewed the young parents, they offered conflicting reports on when the baby would sleep and how much she was fed. Kirk's parents told police the infant's ribs were protruding to the point where a person could feel bones and her skin was "hanging" off of her body, according to the criminal complaint. The baby also tested positive for cocaine and the parents at the time admitted to using the drug recently, court records show. A social worker told the detective the girl was so dehydrated that she was in emotional distress but could not produce tears. Herman and Kirk told police their daughter had not seen a doctor since October 2018, missing regularly scheduled appointments for newborns, court records show. The child was born September 2018 weighing 7 pounds, 4 ounces. By Dec. 16, when the baby was taken to the Cedar Rapids emergency room, she weighed just 6 pounds, 13 ounces, police said. The baby was transferred to the University of Iowa Hospitals the next day. By the time the girl was discharged   about 10 days later   she had returned to her birth weight. She has since been taken out of her parents' care and her weight was up to 13 pounds, 4 ounces as of Feb. 8, according to a criminal complaint. Charles Isaacson, Herman's attorney, did not wish to comment on the case. Blake Lubinus, Kirk's attorney, was not immediately available for comment Friday afternoon. Follow the Register on Facebook and Twitter for more news. Tyler Davis can be contacted at 515-284-8378, tjdavis@dmreg.com or on Twitter @TDavisDMR . Danielle Gehr can be reached by email at dgehr@dmreg.com, by phone at 515-284-8367 or on Twitter at @Dani_Gehr . This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa child abuse: Couple given probation after baby tests positive for cocaine


Even an automotive novice knows that neglecting to change a car's oil can lead to serious trouble. Perhaps the most basic of all basic maintenance items, the humble oil change has spawned many a question. How many quarts does my car take? How often should I change its oil? Should I change the oil by a certain date or by mileage since the last oil change? Is the change interval different for synthetic oil ? What's the worst that could happen if I put it off? And then there's the key question being asked here: How much does an oil change cost? The price you will pay for an oil change depends on a number of factors. If you haven't cracked open your owner's manual in a while (or ever), this is the perfect opportunity. It'll tell you exactly what the automaker recommends for oil changes. It lists the required oil viscosity (the thickness of the oil), the engine's oil capacity, whether your vehicle takes conventional or synthetic oil , and exactly how often to change your oil based on how and in what conditions you drive. These are the key factors that affect the cost of an oil change, and they vary from vehicle to vehicle. When to Change Your Oil Thanks to modern petroleum engineering, some automakers recommend 10,000 miles or more between oil changes. Regardless of what the Peppy Lube Guys' mechanic and their literature says, it's always wisest to go by the book and trust the automaker. Remember, they did engineer your vehicle in the first place, and it's in their interest for the vehicle to run as well as possible for as long as possible. After all, their name is on it. Why Change Your Oil What you don't want to do is ignore the need for oil and filter changes. If you do that, your oil could slowly turn into petroleum sludge, fail to flow through the engine, and cause the engine to fail. That could virtually total your automobile. What's more likely is that the oil lubricating your engine will lose some of its all-important lubricity and accelerate wear on the engine's internals. Clean, fresh oil minimizes friction, avoids wear-accelerating metal-on-metal contact between the mechanical bits spinning around inside, and can even help your fuel economy. And even good-running vehicles can burn off slight amounts of oil over time. Avoid oil changes long enough, and you may run your oil level dangerously low, imperiling the engine. Don't Change Your Oil Too Often That being said, as important as clean oil can be for the life of an engine, do not allow yourself to be tricked into changing your oil more frequently than necessary. The little sticker Valvo Jiff 'n' Pep stuck in the corner of your windshield saying you need an oil change in 3000 miles? In most cases, that 3000-mile interval is unnecessary and downright wasteful. Most vehicles driven in normal conditions can go 7500 to 10,000 miles between oil changes-which also includes changing the oil filter. Why the Cost of an Oil Change Varies As for cost, as with most auto maintenance and repairs, it depends. Synthetic oil is more expensive than conventional oil, and some engines hold a lot more oil than others. For example, a first-generation Mazda Miata's little inline-four will need about 3.4 quarts, while the 3.0-liter diesel in a W123 Mercedes-Benz 300D demands more than double that: between seven and eight. Along with the cost of the golden slippery stuff, you'll need to fork over enough cash for an oil filter and whatever the shop charges for labor. You might assume you'll pay a little more for all of the above at a dealer, but we found that's not always true. Top-quality synthetic oil alone can cost between $20 and $30 for a five-quart bottle, so don't be surprised if an oil-change place charges $50 to $75 for oil and a filter replacement. To confirm that price range, we checked three locations that do oil changes-one of them a dealer-near our Ann Arbor, Michigan, office. Using a fictitious 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata, which uses synthetic oil, as our price tester, we found that the cost of an oil and filter change varied from $69 at the dealer all the way to $95 at the more expensive of the two oil-change locations; the middle location came in at $75. DIY and Save Of course, if you're even modestly mechanically inclined and have the tools and time, lay down some cardboard, drop the drain plug, and get greasy! Changing your own oil might be the least intimidating way to start learning how to work on a car, and in most cases shouldn't take more than an hour. Plus, you'll save on labor! We found the appropriate oil and filter for our imaginary Miata on Amazon for a total of $33, so the savings can be significant if you're doing it yourself. Either way, now you know how much an oil change can cost.


NEA PLAGIA, Greece, July 11 (Reuters) - At least seven people, including six tourists, were killed and more than 100 others injured when a violent, short-lived storm lashed northern Greece overnight, felling trees and ripping off rooftops. Witnesses said the storm had come and gone in a matter of minutes. Winds of over 100 kph (60 mph) were reported on the Halkidiki peninsula, popular with tourists in the summer. Two elderly Czech tourists were killed when strong winds and water overturned their travel trailer, police said. A woman and an eight-year-old boy from Romania were killed when a roof collapsed on a restaurant in the beach resort of Nea Plagia. And a man and a young boy, both Russians, died when a tree fell near their hotel in the seaside town of Potidea, authorities said. A seventh, unidentified victim's body was found in the sea. "It was so windy ...it is really disastrous," said a Serbian tourist who gave his name as Bratislav. The storm was a "supercell", Theodoros Karakostas, a professor of metereology and climatology at Aristotelion University, told the state Athens News Agency. "It's a rare phenomenon," he said. Supercells are the least common kind of thunderstorm, but the most violent. Nefeli Minovgidou, a Greek tourist, described the scene as chaotic. "Chairs were flying everywhere, trees were falling .. everyone inside was screaming, it was chaos," she told Reuters. Streets in the area were dotted with uprooted pine trees and overturned motorcycles. Wooden rooftops were torn off and dumped on beaches. A Reuters correspondent saw sun loungers strewn in mangled heaps with other debris across Nea Plagia's beaches. "ABRUPT AND SUDDEN" Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, whose government was sworn in this week after winning elections on July 7, cancelled his schedule and was being continually briefed, a government official said. Civil Protection Minister Mihalis Chrisochoidis, at the scene, said Greece was mourning the loss of life, adding: "In coming days all damage will be repaired." Such severe storms are unusual in Greece, where summers are usually hot and dry. But the tragedy had echoes of a wildfire almost a year ago that raced through the resort of Mati with little warning. Fanned by hot winds, it trapped many inhabitants before they could flee and killed 100 people. "It is the first time in my 25-year career that I have lived through something like this," Athansios Kaltsas, director of the Nea Moudania Medical Centre, where many of the injured were treated for fractures, told Greek television. "It was so abrupt, and so sudden." Kaltsas said patients taken to the clinic ranged in age from eight months to over 70. Some had head injuries from trees and other falling objects. Authorities said around 100 people, mostly tourists, had been injured, and 23 had been admitted to hospital. There were widespread power cuts. "Here we dealing with a new situation," geology and natural disasters expert Efthymios Lekkas told Skai TV. "Climate change is an accelerated and self-sustaining cycle that creates new hazards, with increased duration and intensity." (Additional reporting by Karolina Tagaris, Reuters TV, Angeliki Koutantou and Renee Maltezou; writing by Michele Kambas; editing by Kevin Liffey, Larry King)


LOS ANGELES - The Boston Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the 1966 NBA Finals, the same year David Stern began working with the league as outside counsel. In 1984, the year David Stern took over as commissioner, the Celtics again beat the Lakers in seven games to win the championship. There were eight eventual Hall of Famers battling for the title in 1966. There were nine in 1984. Strangely enough, there weren't any "super teams" present and no one player did it by themselves. Stern is credited with building the NBA into the economic and cultural behemoth it is today. In the late 1970s and into the early '80s, the league didn't have much of a national audience, in large part because it was saddled with a lackluster TV deal and an image problem stemming from substance abuse by some players. Stern managed to turn things around by orchestrating the marketing shift from team-driven rivalries to star player/personality storylines. Less Lakers versus Celtics and more Magic versus Bird. Isiah Thomas and the Pistons. The Chicago Bulls playing The Supremes to Michael Jordan's Diana Ross. The change not only made for great TV, it made for compelling media coverage. Unfortunately, it also paved the way to today's halfwit notions that superstar players win championships by themselves and "super teams" cheapen the game. This is what happens when fans and the media give a marketable player such as Jordan all of the credit for wins and his teammates all of the blame for losses. Or when Hall of Fame players who were flanked by other Hall of Fame players rewrite their own history while mocking LeBron James for going to Miami. As with most things in life, the truth is nestled in the bosom of nuance. While shades of gray may be great for a book title, most Americans find it useless in the realm of public discourse. It's Democrat or Republican; gay or straight; Star Wars or Star Trek. This is particularly true with sports debates, which admittedly is a topic saturated with quantitative arguing points but should still be ran through the filter of context for accurate portrayal. For example, my buddy Ric Bucher was on Fox Sports' "Speak for Yourself" recently and, in regards to the possibility at the time of Kawhi Leonard joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers, said "he loses very valuable space for himself because, right now, he's being portrayed as the one guy who says, 'I don't need anybody, I can do this on my own.' " I don't fault Bucher for pointing out what some folks are thinking. I do fault the thinking. For starters, Kyle Lowry has been named an All-Star the past five seasons. Pascal Siakam was named this season's most improved player. Midseason acquisition Marc Gasol was All-NBA first team in 2015 and an All-Star in 2017. No bench player hit more 3 pointers in NBA Finals history than Fred VanVleet. Leonard is one of the best three players in the league, but to suggest he didn't have a significant amount of help this season is not only ignoring the contributions of the other Raptors - many of whom were part of last year's 59-win team - but is categorically wrong. Nevertheless, for the purposes of debate, he did it alone. Why? Because he's the star. But Leonard's not stupid. He knows how talented the Raptors were. He knows the talent of the Miami Heat squad that beat his Spurs in the 2013 NBA Finals. He remembers the talent of the 2014 Spurs that won the rematch. He made phone calls to Kevin Durant and Paul George because he knows, regardless of what the folks at the local barbershop say, no one does it alone. Stern saved the league by making it individual driven, but the pendulum has swung so far over that perhaps this free-agency period will mark the beginning of a much-needed correction in the narrative. Are the Philadelphia 76ers a "super team"? When Kevin Durant is healthy, what about the Brooklyn Nets? The Golden State Warriors will start the season with two All-Stars and a third recovering from a knee injury, are they no longer a "super team"? The old-look Houston Rockets or the new-look Lakers and Clippers? It feels as if the basketball community has begun to recognize that all of this chatter of talented teams "ruining" the league and superstars winning on their own is just a bunch of mumbo jumbo that ignores history. When Stern started working with the NBA and later became the commissioner, the best teams were stacked with talent. The same was true when Adam Silver took over. Despite the narrative, this season's champion was stacked with talent. The upcoming season will likely be the same. The branding of the league has changed over the years, how a team is constructed has changed a bit, but ultimately the recipe to a championship has not. You need talent. A lot of it, including superstars. But the idea of a "super team" has its roots in a savvy marketing shift and is so blatantly steeped in intellectual laziness it should be banned from repeating. Consider this: When Red Auerbach put Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish together, he was dubbed a genius. When LeBron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh put themselves together, they were chided for trying to win "the easy way," as if Run TMC won multiple championships or Curt Flood's fight for free agency was meant to behold professional athletes to a collection of unwritten rules. From my vantage point, the only thing "super" about that Miami team was the empowerment of the key players involved. For just as Stern is credited with saving the NBA, the players should be credited - not ridiculed - for taking more ownership of it. It's always been a player's league; now they're acting like it. Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com


Things were looking up for Chargers tight end Hunter Henry after his remarkable 2017 campaign. That was until he tore his ACL last May on the first day of OTA's. Henry missed the entire 2018 regular season and Wild Card win over the Ravens. The former Arkansas product was able to get back to the active roster for the team's playoff loss to the Patriots, but it wasn't anything productive. Henry played just 13 snaps and didn't post a catch. Henry, who is healthy, is ready for the start of the season and he should be among the top candidates to win Comeback Player of the Year. That's the way Pro Football Focus sees it, ranking him among the top 10 players that will likely be up for the award. Before the 2018 season, the Chargers' young tight end was considered to be one of the league's most dangerous players at the position after he earned an 87.2 overall grade in 2017 that ranked second among his peers. As a significant part of the Los Angeles passing attack since his arrival in the NFL in 2016, Henry has averaged 2.00 yards per route run that ranks fourth among all qualifying tight ends since 2016, and together with Philip Rivers , the pair have generated the best passer rating of any qualifying quarterback to receiver tandem over the last 13 seasons. Now almost a season removed from his injury, Henry has the chance to return to the top tier of tight ends and help a Chargers team that just seems to get better and better with each passing year. Henry should retain his No. 1 status with Virgil Green backing him up. The 25-year old tight end will get his fair share of targets in the passing game, particularly in the red zone, in hopes that he's able to match or even top his eight-touchdown two seasons ago. MORE: Video confirms reports of Chris Paul's attempt to sabotage Steph Curry Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Ex-GM: Giants got it right with Daniel Jones at No. 6 VIDEO: Agitated Kristaps Porzingis Seen With Cut Above Eye After Apparent Altercation


Colin Kaepernick was at the center of a Nike ad spot that became extremely popular after airing at the start of the NFL season last year, and the commercial has been nominated to win a 2019 Emmy. The 2019 Emmy nominations were announced on Tuesday, and Nike's "Dream Crazy" ad has an opportunity to take home the award for Outstanding Commercial. The Nike ad, which is narrated by Kaepernick, also features sports icons Serena Williams, LeBron James and Shaquem Griffin. You can see it below: Nike to air new "Dream Crazy" commercial with Colin Kaepernick during tonight's NFL season opener between Eagles and Falcons. pic.twitter.com/toLVB57shL   LeadingNFL (@LeadingNFL) September 6, 2018 Nike received plenty of backlash last year for using Kaepernick to commemorate the 30th anniversary of its "Just Do It" slogan, but the social media numbers indicated it was a smart move . An Emmy nomination doesn't hurt, either. Related slideshow: 2019 NFL draft: The top picks (Provided by imagn)


BOSTON   Winter is bearing down anew, and Harvard University students have been engineering new ways to deal with it. Eighteen juniors representing several engineering disciplines in professor David Mooney's problem-solving and design class spent the fall semester inventing a robotic remote-control rooftop snowblower, a superheated icicle cutter and a freeze-resistant doormat. The projects grew out of meetings with the university's Facilities Maintenance Operations department, which is responsible for clearing snow from the 5,000-acre campus and was particularly challenged last winter when the Boston area got more than 9 feet of snow. Harvard shut down several times, the first time campus closed since the infamous Blizzard of '78. "Don't get me wrong, FMO did an impressive job last winter," electrical engineering major Peyton Fine said. "But we wanted to somehow improve their operations. We wanted to make it easier to get around campus safely and keep workers safe." A major problem is clearing snow off Harvard's many old and flat-roofed buildings. The main Cambridge/Boston campus has about 500 buildings. The students retrofitted a commercial snowblower that can be controlled using a modified video game control pad and can be operated remotely, even from inside a nice, warm office. It eliminates the need for workers to spend time on slippery rooftops where they risk falling. Another potential hazard for workers is clearing icicles off eaves. The students' research found that about 150 people a year are killed in the U.S. trying to clear snow and icicles off rooftops. For that problem, the students came up with a device resembling a roof rake, with a long handle topped with a Y-shaped head that holds a super-heated wire that can quickly slice through the thickest of icicles while the operator stands on firm ground. The students also developed a durable freeze-resistant hydrogel mat to keep doorways and steps ice free. The class was one of the most practical junior bioengineering major Cassie Lowell has taken. "It's a unique class in the sense is that we're given a lot of freedom," she said. "It was a really hands-on, real-world experience." The students and Mooney stress that all their inventions are prototypes and won't be deployed on campus this winter. But some of the students plan to keep working on them, with the goal of one day making them commercially available. Fine said he'd love to walk into a hardware store in the future and see the items for sale. "Just like someone has a leaf blower in their garage, we'd love to see someone have an icicle cutter in the garage one day," he said.