One key is to happiness is to compare yourself with yourself. Sometimes comparisons are useful -- but not where feelings of happiness and fulfillment are concerned. Look hard enough and you can always find someone who seems happier, especially if your yardstick is other people's carefully curated social media lives . That's the problem with comparisons. No matter how happy you might feel, there will be someone who seems happier. There will always be someone who seems more fulfilled, more satisfied, more content ... So stop comparing. Just focus on you. Then look for these signs that you are happier than you might think -- and that you can leverage to be even happier : 1. You often get to do what you do best. You know the old cliché regarding the starving, yet happy, artist? Turns out it's true: Artists are considerably more satisfied with their work than non-artists , even though the pay tends to be considerably lower than in other skilled fields. Which means the more you enjoy what you do, and the more fulfilled you feel by what you do, the happier you will be. In The Happiness Advantage , Shawn Achor writes that when volunteers picked "one of their signature strengths and used it in a new way each day for a week, they became significantly happier and less depressed." Of course it's unreasonable to think you can chuck it all and simply do what you love. But you can find ways to do more of what you excel at. Delegate. Outsource. Start to shift the products and services you provide into areas that allow you to bring more of your strengths to bear. If you're a great trainer, find ways to train more people. If you're a great salesperson, find ways to streamline your administrative tasks and get in front of more customers. Everyone has at least a few things they do incredibly well. Find ways to do those things more often. You'll be a lot happier. And probably a lot more successful. 2. You have a few really good friends. It's easy to focus on building a professional network of partners, customers, employees, and connections, because there is (hopefully) a payoff. But there's a definite payoff to making real (not just professional or social media) friends. Increasing your number of friends correlates to higher subjective well-being. In fact, doubling your number of friends is like increasing your income by 50 percent in terms of how happy you feel . And if that's not enough, people who don't have strong social relationships are 50 percent more likely to die at any given time than those who do. (For relative loners like me, that's a scary thought.) Make friends outside of work. Make friends at work. Make friends everywhere. Above all, make real friends. You'll live a longer and happier life. 3. You consistently express gratitude. In one study, couples who expressed gratitude in their interactions with each other experienced increased relationship connection and satisfaction the next day -- and that applied both to the person expressing thankfulness and (no big surprise) the person receiving it. (In fact, the study's authors say gratitude is like a "booster shot" for relationships.) Of course, the same is true at work. Express gratitude for an employee's hard work and both of you will feel better about yourselves. Another easy method of fostering thankfulness is to write down a few things you are grateful for every night. This study shows people who wrote down five things they were thankful for once a week were 25 percent happier after 10 weeks . Happy people focus on what they have, not on what they don't have. It's motivating to want more in your career, relationships, bank account, etc., but thinking about what you already have, and expressing gratitude for it, will make you a lot happier. It will also remind you that even if you still have huge dreams, you have already accomplished a lot -- and should feel genuinely proud. 4. You actively pursue your goals. Goals you don't pursue aren't goals, they're dreams, and dreams make you happy only when you're dreaming. (Yep: That was definitely Fleetwood Mac-ish.) Pursuing goals, though, does make you happy. David Niven, author of 100 Simple Secrets of the Best Half of Life , writes, "People who could identify a goal they were pursuing were 19 percent more likely to feel satisfied with their lives and 26 percent more likely to feel positive about themselves." So be grateful for what you have, and then actively try to achieve more. If you're pursuing a huge goal, make sure that every time you take a small step closer to achieving it, you pat yourself on the back. But don't compare where you are now with where you someday hope to be. Compare where you are now to where you were a few days ago. Then you'll get dozens of bite-size chunks of fulfillment--and a never-ending supply of things to be thankful for. 5. You help other people. While giving is usually considered unselfish, providing social support may be more beneficial than receiving it . Intuitively, I think we all know that because it feels awesome to help someone who needs it. Helping those in need is not only fulfilling, but also a reminder of how comparatively fortunate we are--which is a nice reminder of how thankful we should be for what we already have. Plus, receiving is something you cannot control. If you need help--or simply want help--you can't make others help you. But you can always control whether you offer and provide help. And that means you can always control, at least to a degree, how happy you are, because giving makes you happier. 6. You make money, but you also make memories. Money is important. Money does a lot of things. (One of the most crucial being that it creates options.) But beyond a certain point, money doesn't make people happier. After about $75,000 a year, money doesn't buy more (or less) happiness. "Beyond $75,000 ... higher income is neither the road to experience happiness nor the road to relief of unhappiness or stress," say the authors of one study. They go on to say: "Perhaps $75,000 is the threshold beyond which further increases in income no longer improve individuals' ability to do what matters most to their emotional well-being, such as spending time with people they like, avoiding pain and disease, and enjoying leisure." And if you don't buy that, here's another take: " The materialistic drive and satisfaction with life are negatively related ." Or, in layman's terms, "Chasing possessions tends to make you less happy." Think of it as the bigger house syndrome. You want a bigger house. You need a bigger house. (Not really, but it sure feels like you do.) So you buy it. Life is good--until a couple months later when your bigger house is now just your house. New always becomes the new normal. "Things" provide only momentary bursts of happiness. To be happier, don't chase as many things. Chase a few experiences instead. 7. You don't care (too much) what other people think. Bronnie Ware was a palliative care worker who spent time with patients who had only a few months to live. Their most common regret they expressed was "I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me." What other people think -- especially people you don't even know -- doesn't matter. What other people want you to do doesn't matter. Your hopes, your dreams, your goals--live your life your way. Surround yourself with people who support and care not for the "you" they want you to be but for the real you. Make choices that are right for you. Say things you really want to say to the people who most need to hear them. Express your feelings. Stop and smell a few roses. Make friends, and stay in touch with them. Related video: Christie Brinkley believes success comes from happiness, not a busy schedule (provided by AOL Build)


In search of a new favorite performing arts spot? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top performing arts spots around Milwaukee, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to venture next time you're looking to catch a play or live music. 1. Pabst Theater Topping the list is Pabst Theater . Located at 144 E. Wells St. in Juneau Town, the music venue, event space and performing arts spot is the highest-rated performing arts spot in Milwaukee, boasting 4.5 stars out of 118 reviews on Yelp. 2. Milwaukee Repertory Theater Next up is the Milwaukee Repertory Theater , situated at 108 E. Wells St. With 4.5 stars out of 43 reviews on Yelp, the cinema and performing arts spot has proven to be a local favorite. 3. Miller High Life Theatre Westown's Miller High Life Theatre , located at 500 W. Kilbourn Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the music venue, civic center and performing arts spot four stars out of 20 reviews. 4. Riverside Theater Riverside Theater , a music venue and performing arts spot Downtown, is another go-to, with four stars out of 95 Yelp reviews. Head over to 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. to see for yourself. 5. Marcus Center For the Performing Arts Finally, heck out Marcus Center For the Performing Arts , which has earned four stars out of 46 reviews on Yelp. You can find the performing arts spot at 929 N. Water St. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Saints receiver Michael Thomas was due to make $1.1 million in 2019, the last year of his rookie contract. Instead, he'll make $20 million merely by signing his name to his second contract. Per a source with knowledge of the deal, Thomas gets a $20 million signing bonus as part of his new, six-year contract. Yes, it's a five-year extension. But that makes it a six-year contract, with a total value of $101.1 million. Over six years, the average payout is $16.85 million. Still, he got his five-year, $100 million contract now, shifting the injury risk to the Saints without having to play out the last year of his contract at only $1.1 million. The deal ended up at the new-money value that Thomas wanted: $100 million. So he'll be happy for now. The question is whether he'll be happy come 2022, when he has three years left and the salary cap has spiked due to the new CBA, the new TV deals, and the new gambling revenue streams. Of course, if he's not happy in 2022, he can try to renegotiate. And he can holdout again, if need be. He did it in 2019, and it worked. Maybe it will work again.


The Reds have claimed right-hander Kevin Gausman off outright waivers from the Braves, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. Right-hander Kevin Gausman is headed to the Cincinnati Reds, sources tell ESPN. He was claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. The 28-year-old has one more season remaining until he hits free agency following 2020 though could be a non-tender candidate this winter.   Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 5, 2019 That's not to be mistaken with the now-defunct revocable August trade waivers. By claiming him, the Reds agree to take on the remainder of the right-hander's $9.35M salary   a sum of about $2.815M between now and season's end. Atlanta also announced that Mike Foltynewicz is up from Triple-A Gwinnett, taking Gausman's spot in the rotation. Cincinnati is obviously banking on a return to form following a change of scenery, as Gausman is mired in the worst season of his big league career. The former No. 4 overall draft pick (Orioles, 2012) joined Atlanta last season in a deadline trade that saw Atlanta take on the remainder of Darren O'Day 's salary while also shipping out international bonus allotments and minor leaguers Brett Cumberland , JC Encarnacion , Bruce Zimmermann and Evan Phillips . Gausman performed admirably down the stretch in 2018 and was a big part of the Braves' rotation (2.87 ERA in 59 2/3 innings), but he's been among the league's least effective pitchers in 2019. Through 80 innings, he's pitched to a 6.19 earned run average with 9.6 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 1.35 HR/9 and a career-low 37 percent ground-ball rate. There's little denying that Gausman has had his share of poor fortune in 2019. His .345 average on balls in play is well north of both his career mark (.313) and the league average (.299), and his 59.3 percent strand rate appears fluky and due for some positive regression toward his lifetime mark of 74.1 percent. Fielding-independent metrics peg him as a candidate for considerable improvement (4.20 FIP, 4.40 SIERA, 4.47 xFIP). Gausman's average fastball velocity (93.8 mph) is down from its 95 mph peak, however, and he's allowing line drives at a career-worst 24.7 percent clip. Opposing hitters are barreling up Gausman's offerings at a higher rate than ever before, per Statcast, and the increased number of hard-hit balls in the air has come back to bite him. The Reds don't appear to have an immediate need for starting pitching, with Luis Castillo , Trevor Bauer , Sonny Gray , Anthony DeSclafani and Alex Wood all in the rotation at the moment. It's possible that Cincinnati could utilize Gausman out of the bullpen or deploy a six-man rotation to keep their arms fresh down the stretch. The move could very well have been made with an eye toward 2020 as well   as was the case with their acquisition of Bauer. Gausman is controllable via arbitration for the third and final time this winter, although at present he looks like a potential non-tender candidate. Still, perhaps a strong showing to the season will convince the Cincinnati front office that Gausman is deserving of the $10M+ salary he'd command in arbitration this offseason. If he is able to return to form, Gausman would slot in fourth behind the formidable trio of Bauer, Castillo and Gray.


The Xfinity Series races today at Watkins Glen International and Cup teams will practice and qualify in a busy day at the New York road course. The wunderground.com site calls for a high of 85 degrees and a 30% chance of isolated thunderstorms. Here is today's schedule: (All times are Eastern) 7:30 a.m.   8 p.m.   Cup garage open 9:30 a.m.   Xfinity garage open 10:35 a.m.   11:25 p.m.   Cup practice (NBCSN, MRN) 11:40 a.m.   Xfinity qualifying; multi-car/two rounds (NBCSN) 1:05   1:55 p.m.   Final Cup practice (NBCSN, MRN) 2:30 p.m.   Xfinity driver introductions 3 p.m.   Zippo 200; 82 laps/200.9 miles (NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) 6:40 p.m.   Cup qualifying/impound; multi-car/two rounds (NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)


BOGOTA   The South Bergen Shootout 7-on-7 passing tournament and lineman challenge took place Wednesday at Feigel Field, with 10 teams competing. Hillside (4-0) won Division B over Northern Highlands (3-1), Emerson (2-2), Saddle Brook (1-3) and Dumont (0-4), then captured the passing title against Cedar Grove, 21-8. Cedar Grove (4-0) won Division A over Bogota (3-1), Morris Catholic (2-2), Pompton Lakes (1-3) and Fort Lee (0-4). Here are the top takeaways from the action. Strong Man winners Northern Highlands outscored Dumont, 50-47, in the lineman competition, which showcases agility drills, sled drills, tire flipping and more. The Highlanders have four offensive linemen returning from a North 1, Group 4 playoff team led by new coach Greg Russo. "For me, I see it as a chance to bond with teammates," rising senior Decklon Blache said. "It's just a nice experience to see everybody as a team [participating]." The 6-foot-3, 330-pound Blache plays offensive guard and defensive tackle. Defense, too? In its first three round-robin contests, Northern Highlands did not allow a point. "That's hard to do in a 7-on-7," Russo said. "We came here a couple years ago, it was my first year as the offensive coordinator, and I didn't like the way we competed. "Here, win or lose, they were getting after it. And they have a little bit of an edge, which I like." Offensively, receiver Zack Saturn and tight end Nick Holle impressed the coach, among others. The Highlanders then scored late against Hillside but missed the two-point conversion and fell short, 14-13. That left them as the No. 3 seed for the tournament round, where they fell to Emerson, 12-6. Comeback Cavos 2.0 Emerson quarterback Frank Savino, who had the game-winning hit in the Group 1 state baseball final , led yet another rally. The Cavos started the day 0-2 and did not score a point in 20-minute, three-down play. But they rebounded to make the playoffs with wins over Saddle Brook and Dumont. "It took us a little bit to get on the same page, to get warmed up a little," Emerson coach Nick Calandrino said. "We were facing some bigger schools, and some guys really got their first varsity looks here. "Once we got going, we started playing really well." Savino threw touchdowns to Michael Pressimone and Joey Lacorazza to lift the Cavos past Bogota in the third-place game, 12-6. Bogota's big prospect In finishing fourth, the Bucs notched a pair of last-second wins over Morris Catholic, winning with a buzzer-beating two-point conversion in pool play. In a scoreless tournament game against the Crusaders, tight end Ashanti Caviness hauled in a touchdown as time expired to send Bogota into the semifinals, where it fell to Cedar Grove. The 6-5, 200-pound Caviness is a rising junior who has started to attract recruiting attention. "He's been to Rutgers a few times; we took him to the Monmouth prospect camp, and that went very well," Bucs coach Brian Appleton said. "He's starting to get a little bit of exposure. He walks on the field, and you know right away who he is." Hillside climbs to top The victors from Union County were playing in their second tournament of the summer after bowing to DePaul in the New York Jets 7-on-7 two weekends ago. "The kids were able to persevere through the weather and play better than they did at the Jets shootout," Hillside coach Barris Grant said. Receiver Nahree Biggins, who recently de-committed from Temple, was the Comets' big playmaker with nine touchdowns on the day. Don't miss a thing Download our app and get alerts for breaking news, football scores and more. Be in the know: Sign up for the newsletter Get the app: iPhone app | Android app Find us on social media: Twitter | Facebook This article originally appeared on North Jersey Record: NJ football: Takeaways from South Bergen Shootout 7-on-7 tournament


Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver made his case to be drafted third overall during a workout today with the Knicks, relays Brian Lewis of The New York Post . Calling himself "an elite two-way player," Culver told reporters his defensive abilities separate him from other top prospects. "Nowadays, it's hard to find people who take pride in defense. But I'm one of them," he said. "I take pride in defense. Being at Texas Tech taught me a lot, so I feel like on the defensive side I'm elite." Most mock drafts have Duke's R.J. Barrett headed to New York, following Duke's Zion Williamson and Murray State's Ja Morant off the board. Culver said he's confident in what he has to offer and doesn't compare himself to Barrett. "I feel like we're great players, both of us," Culver said. "He has a lot of talent, I have a lot of talent. And at the end of the day it's not our choice where we go, it's for everybody else to choose. So we just put in the work. I know he's working hard, I'm working hard. So it is what it is." Culver already had a workout with the Lakers, who hold the No. 4 selection, and he has sessions scheduled with the next three teams in the draft, the Cavaliers, Suns and Bulls. There's more draft news tonight: Central Florida's Tacko Fall wasn't able to participate in shooting drills with the Pacers today after rolling his ankle earlier in the workout, writes Wheat Hotchkiss of NBA.com . The injury doesn't sound serious and the 7'7″ center made an impression by towering over his workout partners. "Whenever people see me, it's like, 'Oh yeah, he's tall, but can he play?,'" Fall said. "It's something that I had to work on. I have worked really hard. I have great people around me that have helped me become the player I am today. I just have to keep working." Others at the session included Indiana's Juwan Morgan , Florida State's Mfiondu Kabengele and Clemson's Elijah Thomas . Purdue's Carsen Edwards , who worked out for the Sixers today, has also been through sessions with the Pacers, Jazz and Nets, tweets Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. He has upcoming workouts set with the Bucks, Celtics and Thunder. Gonzaga's Brandon Clarke has worked out for several teams already and has sessions scheduled with the Celtics, Nets, Bulls, Pistons and Timberwolves, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic ( Twitter link ).


ASHEVILLE - If you've noticed the serviceberries are nice and ripe across the mountains, well, the black bears have, too. And, they have noticed there are more people picnicking, camping and backpacking in their native habitat, bringing all sorts of goodies, from grilled burgers and corn on the cob to granola bars and peanut M&Ms. While there have been no reports of human injuries, U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service rangers are advising visitors to be vigilant in avoiding interactions with bears and following proper outdoor protocols in bear country. Last week, the Forest Service issued a warning to visitors to Panthertown in Nantahala National Forest after reports of increased bear encounters, including bears "stealing" backpacks and riffling through camping supplies and gear. When bears find a good food source, they will often stay in the area of the incident for hours. The start of summer is time of the year when black bears are opportunistically looking for food that campers and trail users bring on their trips, said Nantahala District Ranger Mike Wilkins. "Bears become used to people due to the close proximity of residential neighborhoods and the regular use of the same camping spots. Once there is more natural food available across the forest, the bears should be less aggressive," Wilkins said. The Blue Ridge Parkway is another popular place this time of year for black bears and catching glimpses of them, said park spokeswoman Caitlin Worth. The key, though, is just to catch a glimpse and not try to lure them with leftover picnic food. RELATED : Great Smoky Mountains get help with bear food storage cables "We typically see increased bear activity for two reasons. The yearlings have separated from their mothers. Free from mom, they don't yet know their place in the world. They're independent and getting in trouble," Worth said. "The other thing is females coming out of the den with cubs. Her last meal was in the fall, and now she's teaching her young how to forage and find food. Our forests can support these animals. They eat roots and leaves in early spring, now serviceberries, then other berries and nuts in the later portion of season." A recent post on the parkway's Facebook page reads: "Many more visitors unintentionally lure bears to campgrounds and picnic areas by improperly storing their food or not disposing of garbage properly in trash cans and dumpsters. "Unfortunately, bears are creatures of habit. Once a bear receives human food, it learns that if it approaches people, it will get fed. A bear can quickly lose its natural fear of people when we crowd them or observe them too closely. … Bears that frequent high visitor use areas are more likely to be hit by cars, consume non-food items that make them ill or approach visitors for food." "It's important to remember feeding wildlife directly or indirectly is prohibited," Worth said. RELATED : Sneak peek at Asheville Urban Bear Study results While black bear attacks on people are rare, such attacks have resulted in human fatalities. In March 2015, a teenage boy from Ohio was badly mauled by a black bear in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The boy was camping in the Hazel Creek backcountry area with his father. The two had properly stowed their food. Last September, a 75-year-old Swannanoa woman suffered serious injuries after she was bitten and scratched by a female black bear near her home while she was walking her dog on a leash at night. The woman and her husband were following all the right rules, but a neighbor had put out the garbage the night before, attracting the bear, wildlife officials said. RELATED : Man punches bear: 'She grabbed me like a rag doll' In November, a 78-year-old man got into a fistfight with a mama bear in his Haywood County driveway, as she was moving through with her cubs. In both instances the people sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Justin McVey, mountain region wildlife biologist for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, said North Carolina has a healthy black bear population, with roughly 7,000-9,000 in the mountains of Western North Carolina and another 11,000-13,000 on the coast, for a total of some 18,000-21,000. RELATED : Bridges for bears? I-40 wildlife corridors considered in Pigeon River Gorge RELATED : Glamping comes to Pisgah National Forest He said following the six BearWise principles is the smart way to avoid human-bear conflicts, at home and in the woods. The BearWise principles were developed by bear experts across the Southeast, and are a major component of phase 2 of the Asheville Urban Bear Study being conducted by the Wildlife Commission and N.C. State University. They are: Never feed or approach bears. Secure food, garbage and recycling. Remove bird feeders when bears are active. Never leave pet food outdoors. Clean and store grills. Alert neighbors to bear activity. Adrianne Rubiaco with the U.S. Forest Service in Asheville said that no campsites in Panthertown have been closed, but overnight camping is banned in the Graveyard Fields area of Pisgah National Forest due to bear activity. Bear canisters for storing food are required in the Shining Rock Wilderness in the Pisgah National Forest. Since this requirement has been in place, the number of successful black bear attempts to get campers' food has significantly decreased, she said. Visitors are encouraged to prevent bear interactions by practicing the following: Do not store food in tents. Properly store food and scented items like toothpaste by using a bear-proof container. Clean up food or garbage around fire rings, grills, or other areas of your campsite. Do not leave food unattended. Never run away from a bear; back away slowly and make lots of noise. More bear safety tips: Keep your dog on a leash in areas where bears are reported. If you notice a bear nearby, pack up your food and trash immediately and vacate the area as soon as possible. If a bear approaches, move away slowly; do not run. Get into a vehicle or a secure building. If necessary, attempt to scare the animal away with loud shouts, by banging pans together, or throwing rocks and sticks at it. If you are attacked by a black bear, try to fight back using any object available. Act aggressively and intimidate the bear by yelling and waving your arms. Playing dead is not appropriate. For more tips, visit the Forest Service bear safety page . Help the Asheville Citizen Times continue to provide in-depth reporting like this. Find our latest subscription options and special offers here. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Black bear activity on the increase in Pisgah and Nantahala forests, parkway


In a vacuum, the Vancouver Canucks signing brawny-yet-reasonably-skilled forward Micheal Ferland is perfectly sensible, as TSN's Darren Dreger reports that the four-year deal carries a $3.5 million cap hit (so it would total $14M). As with most free agent signings, Ferland carries risks, but those worries are soothed by a manageable price and term. Unfortunately, when you examine the overall contents of this Canucks' roster and offseason, it looks like GM Jim Benning is making a real mess. Will Ferland be enough to freshen this group up for a truly credible playoff run? The bigger picture is fuzzy, at best. *** When you consider some of the worst gambles in NHL free agency, it's crucial to realize that the people making the moves aren't thinking about how those contracts will look in a few years. The teams they're running are probably lucky if they're even thinking about tomorrow. So far, this offseason continues the Canucks' baffling pattern of mostly-shrewd work in drafts, followed by reckless free agent spending sprees that light a lot of that draft-weekend goodwill on fire. During the 2018 offseason, Jim Benning spent as if the Canucks were a team on the cusp of a playoff push, and even then, it was tough to defend a combined $6M cap hit for marginal veterans Jay Beagle and Antoine Roussel . If you saw even a portion of the Canucks' 2018-19 season, you'll recall that they were quite far from the cusp, let alone a Stanley Cup. And, while Ferland's a respectable (if imperfect) investment, the bigger picture of the 2019 offseason is that Benning isn't really learning lessons. Or, perhaps even worse, Benning just doesn't care, because he's panicking with his job on the line. The Canucks' buddies in Edmonton can tell them all about how difficult it is to clean up after a GM who's just sort of throwing money at everything, sometimes seemingly blindfolded. The Tyler Myers contract smells so much like the defensive version of the Loui Eriksson debacle, it even shares the same frightening $6M AAV. It's questionable enough handing a $6M cap hit to Alex Edler for a mere two years, but Myers received five. If the Canucks are wrong in rolling their eyes at the many people warning that Myers simply isn't very good, then they're stuck with another Eriksson-type contract. [ ProHockeyTalk's 2019 NHL free agency tracker ] Benning's strange calls mean that the Canucks are stuck with Myers, Beagle, and Roussel for a combined $12M, and for a troubling stretch of time. Again, those contracts don't just look bad down the line; it's doubtful that trio is worth anywhere near $12M in 2019-20 alone. Not good. To reiterate: the Ferland bet is one of the most reasonable risks Benning's taken in free agency, but there is some risk involved. Injuries were an issue for him during the Carolina Hurricanes' push through the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and may have factored in him lingering on the free agent market until July 10. It's also fair to bring up just how great his linemates have been, likely inflating his value: Micheal Ferland is a fine top-nine forward who can play well with skill, but his numbers away from Aho and Gaudreau are concerning, to say the least. pic.twitter.com/a6Fz5cBuJo   Dave (@baltimoredavey) July 10, 2019 But that affordable $3.5M cap hit does lower the stakes quite a bit. If you must add "heavy hockey" to your mix, at least Ferland fits that bill while actually possessing some skill. Ferland is coming off of consecutive 40-point seasons, and hit 21 goals in 2017-18. There are certain analytics markers that indicate that he can at least keep up somewhat well in the modern game, despite being a big body, such as CJ Turtoro's visualizations of Corey Sznajder's zone entry and exit data : Personally, I'd rather target quicker players to keep up with the increasingly speedy modern game, or perhaps even see if Jake Gardiner could be had at a cheaper rate, but there are far worse bets than Ferland. Sadly for Canucks fans, Benning has made plenty of bad bets, and with Boeser still in need of a new contract as an RFA, Benning still has some crucial calls to make during this summer. Here's a sobering question: when you scan the Canucks' Cap Friendly page and other roster outlooks, do the Canucks strike you as a playoff team? Were they really a Ferland away from giving themselves a strong chance to make it into the postseason, and have a credible opportunity to make waves if they got that far? From Benning's perspective, the goal seems to be to survive. If enough of these moves go sideways, the Canucks might not have the greatest odds to thrive , though.   James O'Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports . Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins .


Whether you need an oil change or an engine rebuild, once you decide to fix your car instead of buying a new one , the worst part is the hassle of dropping it off and finding another way to get around, followed closely by the opacity of the cost and duration of the procedure. Much of that can be solved by having your car serviced at home for a price that's fixed up front. New mobile repair networks like YourMechanic and Wrench (formerly known as Otobots) are trying to making automotive house calls the new normal. You book the service you want and the exact time you want it (no loose windows like the cable guy) and are given a firm price quote up front. If the job is harder than estimated, they eat the cost as long as it's not due to complications introduced by your car. An experienced mechanic, not someone who just picked up a toolkit at Harbor Freight, is matched to your job so you know who's coming to do the work, not unlike an Uber booking. When the job's done, the tech cleans up and leaves; your card is billed automatically, also like an Uber ride. We tried it We booked YourMechanic for an oil change, air filter replacement and tire rotation on our '06 Chevy van. Probably not what you drive, and a basic service, but our tech was an ASE-certified master who handled the job adroitly and left no oil stains or grease spots on the driveway. The price was $134, which is very good in the San Francisco area. YourMechanic says techs make $40 to $60 an hour under its service, well ahead of a $21 statewide average according to their data. Things to consider Even with mobile service, someone needs to be around to hand over the keys. While Amazon has recruited several carmakers to allow in-trunk deliveries , such technology is not yet in the offing from either YourMechanic or Wrench to allow a technician access to your car and its ignition. In fact, you are encouraged to be there when the job is done to get a report of what the technician did and what they found. Your car needs to be on a fairly flat surface. Not a problem for most of us, but in hilly communities or homes with steep driveways there may not be a place for the technician to safely jack up the car or do accurate fluid fills on it. Having your car serviced in the parking lot at work seems like the most efficient plan, but your company or its landlord may not allow that sort of thing. Even the CEO of YourMechanic was scolded by building management for having his car serviced by one of their techs in his office parking lot. No matter how well its done, auto repair still brings along oil, grease, tools and a slightly unseemly appearance. As with most shop repairs, mobile service parts may be factory, aftermarket or reconditioned. Look for a detailed parts list in your quote when you book; It should describe the nature and source of each part being procured for your job. Many drivers won't know or care about part sourcing or fluid brands, but the car buff may wish for more control. Uber, UPS and an airline walk into bar Anyone mechanic can throw their tools in the back of their truck, post to Craigslist, and call themselves mobile auto repair. But what these services are doing is the hard part: Data. They match your work and desired time with a tech who has the right skills, and make sure he or she has the parts they need without doing a bunch of research or chasing all over town. That harmonization is what makes this new era of mobile auto service work for you, the technician, and the service company.


The Longhorns' right-hander is likely to head to the next level after hearing his name called. For the second time in the last four years, Texas Longhorns pitcher Blair Henley heard his name called in the MLB Draft , this time in the seventh round by the Houston Astros. Off the board! Congratulations on your selection in this year's @MLBDraft , @blairhenley17 ! #HookEm pic.twitter.com/Mci7cK7Xdg   Texas Baseball (@TexasBaseball) June 4, 2019 As a high school senior, Henley heard his name called in Round 22 by the New York Yankees, but decided to head to the Forty Acres to play for coach David Pierce. Once he arrived, he immediately made his way into the starting lineup, making 17 appearances and 10 starts. Throughout his junior season, Henly stepped in as Texas's Saturday starter, finishing the season 6-4 in 13 starts with a 3.54 ERA. The right hander from Fort Worth had his ups and downs as a junior, but managed to strike out 62 batters on the year, including a career-high eight against both the Stanford Cardinal and Oklahoma State Cowboys . He was also the only Longhorn pitcher to turn in a complete game this season, doing so against the Kansas Jayhawks . The eight-inning, one-run, seven-strikeout pitcher's duel would have been good enough to win any of his other starts, but the Texas bats couldn't do anything against Kansas and lost 1-0. The same things that caught scouts' eyes in 2016 are the same reasons Henley heard his name called and will take his talents to the next level. A high-80s/low-90s fastball and great command of his curve will serve him well as he makes an attempt to climb the ranks and continue his baseball career. BON's Evan Kirschner further detailed Henley's outlook as an MLB prospect: "Despite three productive years at Texas , pro scouts are lukewarm on Henley because his stuff hasn't really gotten better since he started his career as a Longhorn. In high school, he had a monster senior year at Fort Worth's Arlington Heights High, including back-to-back-to-back no-hitters at one point. After going in the 2016 draft as a 22nd-round pick to the Yankees, Henley was a well-rounded right-hander out of high school with an 88-92 mph fastball. And three years later, he's a well-rounded right-hander with an 88-92 mph fastball. He's a solid strike-thrower with a fringe fastball and changeup, but an excellent curve ball will get him some positive reviews. He's a mid 300's rank due to his inability to improve over his time at Texas, but a team will take a chance on his results and untapped potential."


PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) The Denver Nuggets have been good at bouncing back all season. Not even a draining four-overtime defeat could keep this team down. Nikola Jokic had 21 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his second straight triple-double and fourth of the playoffs, and the Nuggets evened their Western Conference semifinal series against the Portland Trail Blazers at 2-2 with a 116-112 victory Sunday. It was less than 48 hours after Portland's epic 140-137 quadruple-overtime victory to take a 2-1 lead in the series. It was only the second game in playoff history that went to four OTs. The other was in 1953. ''I think it's not quitting. We have a lot of competitive guys who don't want to lose. I think we don't want to lose more than we like to win - which is weird,'' Jokic said. ''We just didn't want to have the excuse that we lost because of four overtimes, because we were tired.'' Jamal Murray led all scorers with 34 points and made all 11 free throws for the Nuggets, who handed Portland its first postseason loss at home this season. The series now heads back to Denver for Game 5. CJ McCollum had 29 points and Damian Lillard added 28 for the Blazers, who missed out on taking a 3-1 lead in a conference semifinals for the first time since 2000. ''Our guys are tough. We're resilient,'' Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. ''I mean, to come in here and win this game 36 hours after losing in four overtimes, speaks to just how tough we are.'' Malone cited regular-season statistics to back up his claims: Denver was 12-1 in the second game of back-to-backs, best in the NBA. The Nuggets were good in close games, too: 13-3 in games decided by three points or less, he said. ''We just said to ourselves, `If we win today then the last game doesn't really matter that much,''' Jokic said. ''Yes we played a four-overtime game, it was exhausting, but we won tonight so the last game doesn't really matter.'' Denver outscored the Blazers 27-14 in the third quarter to take an 84-77 lead into the fourth. Malik Beasley kicked off the final period with a 3-pointer for the Nuggets. Rodney Hood's 3-pointer got the Blazers within 110-107 with 52 seconds left and Lillard's layup got the Blazers even closer at 112-110 with 7.7 seconds to go. But Murray's free throws gave Denver a four-point lead. McCollum hit a long jumper that after a video replay was ruled a 2 and Denver prevailed. ''It is disappointing. You go up 3-1 and you have a lot of momentum and obviously that would be a great position to be in. But they're a good team, they came out and played well,'' Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. ''We had a bad third quarter and that kind of made the difference. We made a good comeback, but now it's a three-game series.'' Jokic played 65 minutes in the quadruple-overtime loss, the fourth-most minutes in NBA playoff history and just two short of the record. McCollum led the Blazers with 60 minutes. Fatigue was more of a concern for the second-seeded Nuggets, who had just one day off after their seven-game, first-round series against San Antonio. The Blazers dispatched of first-round opponent Oklahoma City in five games, clinching their first trip to the conference semifinals since 2016 on Lillard's buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Enes Kanter started for Portland despite ongoing concerns about his left shoulder, which he injured in Game 5 against the Thunder. He and Jokic have been physical adversaries through the first three games, and Kanter said after Friday's game that the shoulder separation was worse and wasn't sure he could play. Seth Curry made three straight 3-pointers - all in the space of a minute - to put Portland up 53-46 in the second quarter. Curry added a 3 at the buzzer to send Portland into halftime with a 63-57 lead. Curry had 14 of his 16 points in the second quarter. The Nuggets opened the second half with an inspired 10-2 run to go up 67-65. Paul Millsap's 3-pointer gave Denver a 78-72 lead, and after a couple of calls that went against Portland and drew the ire of the Moda Center fans, Jokic added a bank shot. TIP-INS Nuggets: Torrey Craig, who got a bloody nose in Game 2 and wore a mask in Game 3, didn't wear it on Sunday. ... The Nuggets finished 3-1 in the regular-season series against the Blazers. ... The two teams have met twice in the playoffs before, with each team winning once. Trail Blazers: Jusuf Nurkic, who broke his leg late in the season, was at the game and got an ovation when he showed up courtside late in the opening quarter. Kanter, who signed with the Blazers just before the All-Star break after he was waived by the Knicks, replaced Nurkic in the starting lineup. Nurkic was awarded with the Maurice Lucas Award for the player that best represents Lucas' indomitable spirit both on the court and in the community. MURRAY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE Malone praised Murray, who also had 34 points in the 4OT loss. Murray has been tasked with guarding Lillard. ''You think about how young we are and what we are doing, going on the road and winning a tough game in a hostile environment, and for Jamal to be the centerpiece of that has been phenomenal,'' Malone said. SCARE Jokic went to the bench late in the game holding his right knee, but later came back and appeared fine. Asked about it later, he said it was a bit numb. ''I just got hit on the side of the knee but it's OK,'' he said. UP NEXT The series moves to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday. --- More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


Atletico Madrid have seemingly confirmed the departure of wantaway Spain international Rodri, by giving away his squad number at the unveiling of their new signing, Marcos Llorente. Atletico's decision to remove Rodri's number 14 jersey from him may well be the final nail in his Wanda Metropolitano coffin, with manager Diego Simeone now seemingly resigned to losing the 22-year-old. ⚪| #WelcomeMarcosLlorente  @MarcosLlorente with his new shirt! It looks good on you, mate! #AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/Zbtzkwxp8N   Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) June 28, 2019 The arrival of Llorente further increases the likelihood of his departure, with the former Real Madrid being viewed by many as a direct replacement for Rodri himself. Rodri has been linked with a string of top sides over the past month, but Manchester City appear to be the favourites to secure his signature at this stage . Though City may be favourites, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have retained a keen interest in Rodri's availability. All three of these sides will be forced to pay a £62m release clause, should they desire the services of the 23-year-old centre midfielder, but this has not deterred any of the sides from continuing their pursuits. Pep Guardiola presumably views Rodri as the long-term replacement for the talismanic Fernandinho, who has just celebrated his 34th birthday. The Citizens' were hit hard by holding midfielder Fernandinho's periods of absence last campaign, and the addition of further reinforcements in this area would be well received. If Rodri does arrive at the Etihad this summer, he will likely become the Premier League Champions' record signing. The £62m fee required to secure the Spaniard would overtake the £60m fee paid to Leicester for winger Riyad Mahrez last summer.


The Rangers welcomed back All-Star slugger Hunter Pence from the injured list Tuesday. Pence's return forced the Rangers to option someone else from their 25-man roster to Triple-A Round Rock. They chose outfielder Willie Calhoun , which left him "speechless." Demoting Calhoun was not a slam-dunk decision on Texas' part, though. The club also considered optioning two regulars   right fielder Nomar Mazara and first baseman Ronald Guzman   Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Mazara was billed as a potential superstar coming up through the minors with the Rangers, so sending him back would have been especially notable on their part. To this point, however, Mazara hasn't matched the hype since his initial promotion to the majors in 2016. The Rangers realize it. "We want him to be better," manager Chris Woodward told Wilson of Mazara. General manager Jon Daniels believes Mazara has "been a solid contributor," but "he's got another step he can get to." Daniels may be right   Mazara's just 24 years old, after all. Still, it's difficult to regard Mazara's career .259/.319/.428 line (91 wRC+) and 1.7 fWAR across 2,077 plate appearances as anything but a disappointment. Likewise, his 2019 has been a letdown. As has typically been the case during his time in the majors, southpaw pitchers have handled the lefty-swinging Mazara. He hasn't been great against righties either, though. In all, Mazara has hit a personal-worst .258/.310/.433 (86 wRC+) with 12 home runs and a replacement-level fWAR (0.1) over 361 trips to the plate. While Mazara's on pace for his fourth straight 20-home run season, the HR-heavy nature of today's game means that accomplishment doesn't carry as much weight as it once did. As for Guzman, it seems his position helped spare him of a demotion. Sending him down would've left the club with too many outfielders, Wilson notes. Also 24, Guzman has been a decidedly below-average offensive player (83 wRC+) since his 2018 debut. So far this season, Guzman has hit a punchless .201/.286/.413 (73 wRC+) with eight HRs and minus-0.4 fWAR in 217 PA. Like Mazara, lefties have stymied Guzman this year   he has batted .111/.203/.296 against them   which has led the Rangers to use righties Danny Santana and Logan Forsythe against them. Barring in-season turnarounds from Mazara and Guzman, one wonders how much longer the Rangers will rely on them as key parts of their lineup. Mazara's team control is running out   next year will be his penultimate season of arbitration eligibility   meaning he's not guaranteed to stick in Texas for much longer as it is. Guzman won't be eligible for arbitration until after 2020, so he could be with the organization for a while longer. However, a team with designs on contending can't keep turning to an offensive albatross at a bat-first position.


The Golden State Warriors fell to the Toronto Raptors in Game 4 on Friday night at home, 105-92. They now face the daunting task of coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. Klay Thompson returned after missing Game 3 and scored 28 points, while Stephen Curry had 27. Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, who also returned after missing Game 3, scored 10 points each. That's not going to cut it against a deep and supremely talented Raptors team, especially with Kevin Durant still out with the calf strain. On top of that, it would help the Warriors if the other guys could make their open three-pointers. Curry and Thompson combined to shoot 8-for-19 from deep in Game 4 while the rest of the team shot 0-for-8. Klay/Curry were 8-for-19 from 3. Rest of the Warriors were 0-for-8. - Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) June 8, 2019 This team's motto has always been "strength in numbers" and now is the time to call on that motto. Guys like Andre Iguodala and Quinn Cook, big contributors in the Game 2 win, need to dig deep and help Curry and Thompson begin a comeback. The Warriors have proven their championship mettle in the past. They have even done it in this series after losing Game 1 and bouncing back to win Game 2. Durant or no Durant, it's time to call on that experience again and come to play in Game 5. The Warriors will have their chance on Monday from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. MORE: NHL fans weren't impressed with Mike Milbury's questions for Pam from 'The Office' Roundup: Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger Get Married, Chicago Poop Vandal, Johnny Manziel Talks XFL Brian Gaine's failure in Houston has a lesson for the Lions and Bob Quinn WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling impressing staff going into Packers minicamp Bears believe Clinton-Dix is an upgrade over Amos


TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius played five innings of defense and went 2 for 4 with a walk Monday at extended spring training in his first game action since Tommy John surgery on Oct. 17. "It was good," Gregorius said. Playing against Detroit Tigers minor leaguers and in front of Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, Gregorius singled twice and cleanly fielded three grounders but had an error for an errant throw to first base. Gregorius is coming back from surgery to a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He appears on track to soon start a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment with Class A Tampa and rejoin the Yankees in mid-to-late June. "He got a lot of at-bats, got a couple balls. He threw a ball away, so his arm was feeling a little too good, I guess," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before New York faced the Orioles in Baltimore. "But he got through it. A hot day down there. A couple more days down there and then, hopefully, get transferred over to the Tarpons. But a big step, obviously, in the return for Didi." Gregorius had an eventful first inning. He charged to field a one-hopper and then make an accurate throw to first to retire the second batter After fouling a ball off his foot and breaking a bat on a pop foul, Gregorius drew a walk in the bottom half. He slid feet first into second base on grounder, then slid headfirst into third on an infield single. Gregorius hit .268 with a career-high 27 homers and 86 RBIs last season. He injured the elbow while making a throw from left field after a ball bounced off Fenway Park's Green Monster during Game 2 of the AL Division Series at Boston last Oct. Outfielder Giancarlo Stanton was scheduled to start an injury rehab assignment for Class A Tampa on Monday night. He has not played since March 31 because of a strained left biceps and then a strained left shoulder. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, sidelined since April 3 by a strained left calf, resumed on-field batting practice Monday and continued taking grounders at shortstop and third base. ------ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn)


Whether you parted on good terms or went through an ugly divorce, these are some of the most common lies you might've told your ex-spouse. 15 Lies We Tell Our Ex-Spouses Healthy relationships are all about honesty and trust. Without these two things, even the most passionate of partners are bound to drift apart eventually. But when they do, are those two qualities out the window? What we mean is, once your partner becomes your ex, is it OK to lie to them every now and then? Whether you find a few fibs morally acceptable or not is personal, but the fact of the matter is that there are few people out there who don't lie to their exes every now and again. About what, you ask? Keep reading to discover some of the most common lies people tell their ex-spouses. And if you want to avoid another breakup, then read up on The 10 Most Common Mistakes Couples Make, According to Marriage Counselors . 1. "No, there's nobody else." Though you might think that this lie is protecting your ex-spouse from even more pain, it's only going to hurt you later on when they inevitably find out the truth. If the reality is that the cause of your separation was somebody else, it's better to let your partner know than to have them find out via social media or a third party, effectively ruining whatever relationship between the two of you remains. And for more lies we're all guilty of, here are The 40 Lies Everyone Tells on a Daily Basis . 2. "I never thought about other people when we were together." Even in the happiest of relationships, it's only natural for people to fantasize about celebrities, coworkers , or cute strangers from the bar. But is this something that your ex-spouse needs to know about in the midst of your divorce? Probably not. If you want to end things on amicable terms, then this fib is probably for the best. 3. "No, I'm not seeing anyone new." If you and your spouse did part on good terms, then the last thing you want to do is upset them with the news that you're dating again . When things get serious, you'll inform them of your new relationship status but until then, there's no reason why you should have to divulge private information about your personal life to your ex-spouse. 4. "I'm really happy you're doing well!" What are you supposed to say? That you wish your ex was as lonely and miserable as you feel sometimes? This is a lose-lose situation, honestly. And if a breakup has you feeling down in the dumps, check out the 20 Top Tricks from Therapists on Finding Happiness . 5. "I'm fine." When your ex asks how you're doing, you fake a smile and inform them that things are "fine," because 1. It's none of their business and 2. It'll only make you feel worse knowing that your ex knows that they still have control over your emotions. Watching your former spouse move on with someone else while you replay memories of good times in your head likely has you feeling anything but "fine." But that's the kind of information that you save for your friends and your therapist . 6. "I still want to be friends." Remaining friends with an ex-spouse is difficult, especially if you still harbor feelings for them and they've moved on, or vice versa. However, sometimes it's easiest to go along with whatever your ex-spouse suggests especially if there are kids involved. Of course, you can always make a different decision down the line. And if you want to live your best life after a separation, make sure you avoid the 40 Worst Things You Can Do After Getting Divorced . 7. "I never actually loved you." Not every separation is civilized. Rather, some divorces can get pretty nasty and when they do, it's not uncommon for people to lie to their ex-spouses about the fact that they never even loved them in the first place. It's a low blow that cuts deep and it's usually just a defense mechanism but it's a common lie nonetheless. And if you're going through a separation, check out these 23 Ways Divorce Impacts Your Life That No One Tells You . 8. "I'll never love someone as much as I loved you." On the other hand, this might be something you tell your ex just to appease them. Heck, in the moment, you might've even felt like you meant it! However, one 2014 report from the Pew Research Center found that 67 percent of people between the ages of 55 to 64 got remarried, so suffice it to say that you're quite likely to fall in love again after you get divorced. And when you're ready to find love, check out the 50 Best Tips for Dating Over 50 . 9. "No one will ever love you like I love you." Though this is more of a manipulation than a lie, it is nonetheless something that exes say to one another that is both untrue and meant to cause pain. The fact of the matter is, odds are that someone will love you (and someone will likely love them, too). Yes, it might be different, but that doesn't necessarily mean worse. And for more on fibs, here are 45 Lies Everyone Over 40 Tells . 10. "Of course I put the kids to bed before 9 p.m." When a divorce involves children, it often becomes the case that each parent develops their own parenting style . And if you're the more relaxed parent, then you know that sometimes it's better to fib whenever your ex asks whether the kids were in bed at a reasonable hour or how much TV they watched. What they don't know won't hurt them! 11. "No, I don't mind taking the kids again next weekend." Do you want to rearrange your entire weekend yet again just so your ex can go on a last-minute getaway with their new partner? Of course not. But you say yes anyway, because the kids are just as much yours as they are theirs and you'll eventually inevitably need your ex to return the favor. 12. "Don't worry, my girlfriend/boyfriend wasn't over when the kids were here." With your schedule as busy as it is, you hardly have time to balance time with the kids and time with your new beau, and so sometimes it just makes sense to hang out with everyone at once. Of course, you're not going to willingly tell your ex that (and you're going to hope the kids don't either). 13. "I was only pretending to like that thing you love." When breakups start to get ugly, former spouses will say anything they can think of just to get under their ex's skin. In the heat of the moment, you might even pretend that you secretly hated the TV show the two of you once bonded over if only to make them feel like your entire relationship was a lie. Ouch. 14. "Yes, it's fine that you're dating my friends now." More than 7 billion people in the world and you just had to start dating one of my friends? No, really, it's fine. 15. "It's not you, it's me." Sorry, but it s probably you. And if you re on the fence about splitting up with your spouse, make sure you check out The 15 Worst Reasons to Delay a Breakup .


The Day in Sports: Thursday, July 25, 2019 NFL: New York Jets-Training Camp New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass during Jets training camp at Atlantic Health Center. NFL: Houston Texans-Training Camp Houston Texans running back D'Onta Foreman (27) runs drills during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. NFL: Green Bay Packers-Training Camp Green Bay Packers linebacker Curtis Bolton (40) rides a bicycle to the first day of training camp at Ray Nitschke Field. NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars-Training Camp Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) plays with his daughter Breelyn on her first birthday after training camp at Dream Finders Home Practice Complex. NFL: Arizona Cardinals-Training Camp Arizona Cardinals cornerback Nate Brooks (left), safety Deionte Thompson (center) and safety Jalen Thompson run drills during training camp practice at State Farm Stadium. NFL: Arizona Cardinals-Training Camp Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray during training camp practice at State Farm Stadium. MLB: Colorado Rockies at Washington Nationals Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) is congratulated by shortstop Trea Turner (7) after hitting a three-run home run against the Colorado Rockies during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. MLB: Baltimore Orioles at Los Angeles Angels Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) reaches third on a passed ball by Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Jimmy Yacabonis (31) during the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. MLB: Detroit Tigers at Seattle Mariners Seattle Mariners second baseman Tim Lopes (10) is hit in the head by a pitch during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park. MLB: Cleveland Indians at Kansas City Royals Kansas City Royals catcher Meibrys Viloria (72) is tagged out by Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium.


"Operation H.O.P.E." Covering El Paso Funeral Expenses


The play on the field was ugly at times, but Liverpool emerged victorious from a highly anticipated, all-Premier League Champions League final with a 2-0 victory. With the completion of the full 90 minutes comes the beginning of postgame analysis, and with that we bring you our instant reaction. First up is the player ratings, as we run through every player who stepped on the pitch for both sides. Who do you think played well and who didn't? Liverpool Alisson   8 A Man of the Match candidate for the Reds, Alisson made a whopping eight saves throughout the match, standing strong through the final 15 minutes as Heung-Min Son and Lucas Moura both made solid efforts on net. Easily the difference from last year's final defeat to this year, with ghosts of Loris Karius 's mistakes officially vanquished. Trent Alexander-Arnold   7 His distribution was woeful   finishing a dismal 8-28 passing   but he was a beast at the back, leading the match with 10 ball recoveries and tackling well on the left. Virgil Van Dijk   8 Probably the best player on the pitch, van Dijk put his stamp on the game with a blistering recovery to stop a late chance for Son down the left edge of the penalty area. His five headed clearances led anyone on either side in the match. Spurs attack had nothing to offer the game, and van Dijk was a big reason why. Joel Matip   8 Doesn't get the plaudits that van Dijk does, but deserves them for his performance today. Collected a whopping 14 clearances   eight more than anyone else on the field   and assisted Origi's goal. Was a monster along the back line. Andrew Robertson   7.5 Along with Alexander-Arnold, Robertson picked up a game-high 10 ball recoveries, and his distribution was far better at alleviating pressure than his right-back counterpart. Kept Spurs centrally located for the center-backs to do their thing. Fabinho   6 The Brazilian barely had a touch of the ball all match, and his distribution was quite mistake-prone, but he was able to funnel the Spurs attackers down the middle and pinch them into tight areas. Overall, did enough to win the game. Jordan Henderson   7 The captain deserved to lift the trophy, moving back to tackle strongly   3-for-4 in the game, including a 3-for-3 mark in the defensive half   and helped carry the ball forward. Ran his tail off. Georginio Wijnaldum   5 Hardly influential on the match, Wijnaldum had a 100% passing rate   a rarity in the game   but it came on just 12 attempts. Needed more from the Dutchman for Liverpool to really put its stamp on the match. Mohamed Salah   5 Kept his cool on the early goal, but otherwise was completely invisible. He hardly touched the ball outside the Tottenham box, and when he did it often flowed backwards. Was not a factor in the game after his powerful 2nd minute spot-kick. Sadio Mane   6 Looked Liverpool's most dangerous attacker, which isn't saying much. He was dangerous when he had the ball, but never truly threatened on net. Earned the Liverpool penalty with a smart chip that looked halfway intentional, and came close to creating some innovative chances, but nothing else came to fruition for Mane after the handball 21 seconds in. Roberto Firmino   3 Usually a smart player who uses his pace and spacial awareness to trouble back lines, Firmino was utterly invisible. Whether that's down to a lack of fitness or simply a poor performance, it's hard to truly say, but he was useless and came off for eventual goalscorer Divock Origi . Substitutes: James Milner   5 Didn't have much to do but defend, which he did well with three clearances in his half-hour of play. Divock Origi   5.5 His goal was spectacular, a perfectly placed effort through the legs of a defender, past the goalkeeper's outstretched hand, and tucked into the far corner. Otherwise, he had a heavy touch and struggled to influence the game, but he came up big when it mattered most. Joe Gomez   n/a Tottenham Hotspur Hugo Lloris   5.5 The Frenchman made one key stop, tipping Andy Robertson 's long-range effort over the bar acrobatically, but that was the only save he would make. Guessed right on Salah's penalty, but couldn't get to the strong effort. Organized his back line well. Danny Rose   8 Tottenham's best player in the match. Defended well to keep Mo Salah a non-factor and was powerful going forward. Completed four take-ons down the left and was 35-of-40 passing, quite a number for a match that featured such sloppiness. Created three chances as well in truly a two-way performance. Jan Vertonghen   7.5 A gutsy performance from Vertonghen who was injured midway through the match but stayed on through the final whistle. Distributed forward well and defended strongly, blocking two shots as well. Toby Alderweireld   6 Struggled with his long balls, but collected six clearances and kept Firmino and Salah locked down. Was nutmegged on Origi's goal, never a good look for a defender. Kieran Trippier   6.5 He struggled down the stretch with a hamstring problem, gutting it out to the final whistle but clearly hampered. Created two chances in the final few minutes, and overall defended quite well, but wasn't truly able to make the match his own like Rose. Moussa Sissoko   4 Penalized for the handball early on, an unlucky and harsh moment with his hand raised looking to organize his teammates behind him. Still, the switched-off moment defined the rest of the game. Passing was decent, but wasn't truly able to take control of the midfield, and his marauding runs forward were nowhere to be found. Came off with 16 minutes to go struggling with injury. Harry Winks   6 Unlucky to be sacrificed for Lucas Moura after 66 minutes, as he put in a good shift coming in after missing nearly two months with an injury. Didn't look completely fit, but was a controlling factor in the middle of the pitch where the game seemed to otherwise devolve. Dele Alli   5 Was all over the field, able to flow freely, but did not have the final product as Spurs struggled mightily in the final third. Seemed to fade as the match went on, and wasn't ever truly on the same page with his teammates. Christian Eriksen   4 If this was his Real Madrid audition, he failed miserably. Spurs' most important player had nothing to offer the match, and while he was able to contribute a bit in desperation time, it was too little too late. His characteristic creativity was missing entirely, and teammates like Harry Kane suffered greatly as a result. Heung-Min Son   5 Gave it his usual 110% effort, but just didn't have close to his best on the biggest match of the season. Was just 1/5 on one-on-one take-ons, where Son is usually one of the best in the game. He had three of Spurs' eight shots on target, but none of them truly troubled Alisson until the end of the game when the Liverpool goalkeeper came up big. A forgettable performance from the Spurs attack as a whole. Harry Kane   4 Invisible the entire match, many blamed it on a lack of fitness after missing the last two months, but the poor play from Eriksen and Son contributed just as much   if not more   to his inability to find the ball. Kane had just 11 touches in the first half, less than anyone else on the pitch, and nothing changed after the break. Kane finished with just one shot on the match, and Spurs failed to find the back of the net. Substitutes: Lucas Moura   5 Did his best to be the hero again, but his two chances on net were thwarted. Wasn't able to get on the ball and be a creative influence with Eriksen and Son struggling. Eric Dier   5 Played the final 16 minutes in place of the injured Sissoko and helped secure the middle of the pitch as Spurs pushed forward in desperation. Fernando Llorente   n/a Eight minutes of time wasn't enough to find any heroics. Follow @the_bonnfire


Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers aim to collect a bit of silverware on the second Premier League Asia Trophy match day of the summer. But first, a pair of Uniteds look to get off the map after beatdowns in their tournament openers. Newcastle United and West Ham United were both walloped in Nanjing, and old hands Steve Bruce and Manuel Pellegrini would be happy to massage a victory out of their men. Then Pep Guardiola and PL champions City get a taste of Wolves before their Oct. 5 meeting in league play. Below is the full schedule for Saturday's games in Shanghai's Hongkou Stadium. Newcastle United v. West Ham United   5 a.m. ET   STREAM LIVE Man City v. Wolves   7:30 a.m. ET   STREAM LIVE Follow @NicholasMendola


Nothing beats coffee and if you're in the mood to enjoy a cup of joe in Los Angeles, we've found a lineup of places that will excite your appetite. Here are the newest places to check out the next time you're in the mood for some coffee. Pret A Manger 380 World Way, Tom Bradly International Terminal, Westchester Pret A Manger is a fast-casual breakfast and brunch restaurant, offering organic coffee, sandwiches and more. The fast-growing international chain   with locations from New York to London   features espresso favorites such as americanos, mochas, flat whites and lattes. (You can check out the full selection here .) Pret A Manger's current Yelp rating of 4.5 stars out of three reviews indicates positive attention from users. Yelper Vivienne R., who reviewed the new addition on July 11, wrote , "This place is absolutely amazing. I ordered a croissant, tomato soup and a vanilla latte. It was so good and I promise its greater than any coffee shop." Pret A Manger is open from 6 a.m. midnight daily. Starbucks 10601 Washington Blvd., Suite 104, Palms Starbucks is a national coffeehouse chain offering a variety of espresso beverages, from cinnamon dolce lattes and iced caramel macchiatos to white chocolate mochas and cappuccinos. (You can view the full assortment here .) The new addition's current Yelp rating of 3.5 stars out of seven reviews indicates the newcomer is finding its way, but it's still early days. Yelper Gavin B., who reviewed Starbucks on May 30, wrote , "Probably the nicest Starbucks I've been too. Three stars because you know it's still just a Starbucks. But a cool looking one at least." "The parking is great here which I love," added Yelper El S. "You just go underground to the attached building. Some people seem to linger for a long time here, which is a little weird. But most days it's clean and the employees are kind." Starbucks is open from 5 a.m. 9 p.m. weekdays and 5 a.m. 8:30 p.m. on weekends. CUTE PAN 21150 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills CUTE PAN is a New American breakfast and brunch spot, offering coffee, tea and more. On the menu, look for premium coffees like organic French roast Intelligentsia and dark roast Lavazza. A variety of teas are on offer as well, along with fresh juices and a full breakfast menu. (See the full assortment here .) Yelp users are generally positive about CUTE PAN, which currently holds four stars out of 41 reviews on the site. Yelper J P., who was one of the first users to visit CUTE PAN on July 9, wrote , "The restaurant has a cool vibe all on its own. I'd call the decor a cross between modern and industrial. The employees were all very nice. ... All that we ate was very delicious. Iced coffee was good as well." CUTE PAN is open from 7 a.m. 8 p.m. on Tuesday-Sunday. (It's closed on Monday.) This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland   Since winning last month's U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, Gary Woodland has kept the trophy close. On his nightstand next to his bed to be precise. The U.S. Open trophy will be a constant reminder to Woodland's wife, Gabby, who is at home in South Florida awaiting the birth of twin girls, who are due in two weeks. Gabby Woodland is on "semi-bedrest" at the moment. Full-field tee times from the 148th Open Championship Full coverage of the 148th Open Championship "[The U.S. Open trophy] is at home. It's right next to Gabby, she's on bedrest. She is looking at it all the time," he said. "I don't know if she's excited about that." Woodland admitted Tuesday at The Open that it's difficult being away from home so close to Gabby's due date. The couple were also expecting twins, a boy and a girl, in 2017 but the girl was lost in a miscarriage and the boy, Jaxson, was born 10 weeks premature. "It was a tough decision [to play The Open in Northern Ireland], we sat down and we talked about it. She was the one pushing me to come," Woodland said. "We're pretty confident they're not going to come this week, but you never know. I'm hoping that's the case." Woodland is also scheduled to play next week's WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational which is in Memphis and much closer to home if Gabby were to go into labor.


The French national anthem was enthusiastically sung by many in the crowd at Wembley on Tuesday in honour of the victims of Friday's Paris attacks. English fans joined their French counterparts and a loud band to sing an emotional rendition of 'La Marsaillaise' as the lyrics were beamed across giant screens in the stadium. Before the national anthems ahead of the London friendly, Prince William laid a wreath in memory of the Paris victims, while there was a minute's silence just before the game began.


Are you going to drop the boat in a lake or river this holiday weekend? Plan on talking to someone about aquatic invasives. Weekends around Independence Day are year's busiest for boating, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be taking advantage of that fact by leading a targeted campaign from June 28 to July 7 to inform boaters and others about aquatic invasive species. Volunteer and paid inspectors will be stationed at hundreds of boat launches to provide information about aquatic invasive species prevention, identification, reporting, and local laws and regulations. Similar events have been hosted by individual states and provinces in previous years, but this is the first year that all of the Great Lakes states and provinces are involved and coordinating efforts to maximize the event's impact. "This is the first time that these valuable educational events will be held simultaneously across the entire Great Lakes region," said DNR Watercraft Inspection Program Coordinator Adam Doll. "It's a chance to work directly with boaters and deliver a coordinated, regional message about the importance of AIS prevention during the busiest boating weekends of the year." Working with local communities and volunteers will be key to the success of the event, Doll said. "Boaters will have the opportunity to engage directly with volunteers in their community. Seeing community members taking time out of their day reinforces that it takes all of our efforts to help protect our lakes and rivers from the unwanted impacts of invasive species." Whether or not a lake is listed as infested, Minnesota law requires boaters to do a number of things at the launch. Clean watercraft and trailers of aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species Drain all water by removing drain plugs and keeping them out during transport Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash Some invasive species are small and difficult to see at the access. To remove or kill them, take one or more of the following precautions before moving to another lake or body of water. Spray with high-pressure water Rinse with very hot water (120 degrees for at least two minutes or 140 degrees for at least 10 seconds) Dry for at least five days More information on invasive species and laws that impact Minnesota boaters log on to the DNR website.


Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien connected with wide receiver Juwann Winfree for a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Hall of Fame Game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday evening. The score gave Denver a 14-7 lead late in the contest. Check out the score below, courtesy of the NFL: YOU GET A TOUCHDOWN! Juwann Winfree comes down with an unreal TD grab! @OnlyOne_JW #PFHOF19 : @ProFootballHOF Game on NBC Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/gjdN954aVr pic.twitter.com/7LMhxCoAlQ - NFL (@NFL) August 2, 2019 Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 8. View Denver's complete preseason schedule here . MORE: Hiker stalked by cougar says Metallica song helped her escape Steven Jackson gets random drug test from NFL after signing 1-day contract Biggest winners from the first week of Packers training camp Winners and losers from first week of Raiders training camp 3 standouts from Thursday's Lions practice


The first of 152 new light rail vehicles has arrived at Sound Transit's Link Operations and Maintenance Facility in Seattle. Each of the new vehicles seat 74 people. They also have more bike racks, larger windows and more seats with space to stow luggage. The new vehicles are manufactured in Sacramento, CA and will more than triple Sound Transit's current fleet size of 62 vehicles in service. The arrival of the first vehicle marks the start of regular deliveries of one to three vehicles per month through 2024. Sound Transit assures riders that the new cars will undergo extensive testing and commissioning before entering revenue service. The first of the new cars is expected to enter service early next year. "The new vehicles are a reminder that we're about to enter a period of major system expansion," said Redmond Mayor and Sound Transit Board Chair John Marchione. "Between 2021 and 2024, Link will grow from 22 miles of light rail lines to more than 50 miles, allowing people an option to get to their destinations without sitting in traffic congestion." All 152 cars are expected to be delivered by 2024.


By now, Chiefs fans have studied the 2019 schedule up and down, many having already purchased tickets to the most anticipated games of the season. Not to be overlooked, however, are the dreaded "trap games." These are games against teams deemed beatable on paper. These games typically take place the week prior to a big game against a team considered a tougher opponent. The Chiefs did a nice job of taking care of business against inferior competition last season, with their four losses all coming against playoff teams. They will need to do the same in 2019 if they wish to be the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the second consecutive season. We've located a few potential trap games on Kansas City's 2019 schedule. Let's take a look. Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports Week 2 at Oakland Raiders This matchup is wedged between the season opener in Jacksonville against the Jaguars and the Chiefs' home opener in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens. The Chiefs will be preparing all offseason for the season opener and will be itching to play in front of the home crowd after back-to-back road games. Could K.C. overlook the Raiders? Last season, the Raiders were the type of team you could probably take a bit lightly and still beat, but that won't be the case in 2019. They have undoubtedly improved their roster this offseason, but the Chiefs are still the superior team. A letdown in Oakland before the home opener against a good Ravens team would put the Chiefs in hot water early in the season. Continue… Photo by Peter Aiken-Getty Images Week 6 vs. Houston Texans This will be your typical midseason noon game, but could be a trap game for K.C. The week prior, the Chiefs will have faced the Indianapolis Colts in a big Sunday Night Football matchup. After they're through with Houston, the Chiefs will face the Broncos in Denver four days later for Thursday Night Football. The Texans should be a formidable team in 2019, so the Chiefs will need to play well against them. K.C. could be reeling after battling the Colts and could get caught looking ahead to Denver. Perhaps safety Tyrann Mathieu will find some extra motivation to come up big against his former team. Continue… Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports Week 15 vs. Denver Broncos The Broncos could be an improved team in 2019, but they aren't scaring anybody. A letdown to Denver late in the season could be catastrophic for the Chiefs. They will be coming off a vital matchup against the New England Patriots, which could very well decide the No. 1 seed in the AFC. After the game against Denver, the Chiefs will travel to Chicago to take on the Bears in a big Sunday Night Football clash. A letdown against the Broncos could make the Bears matchup a must-win for K.C. After facing the Bears, the Chiefs will close the season at home against the Los Angeles Chargers, which could potentially decide the winner of the AFC West. Go back… MORE: Draymond Green to LeBron James' 14-Year-Old Son: "I'm at Your F--king Neck This Summer" Kyle Busch was so frustrated during Coke 600 that he told Joe Gibbs he quit Four potential Khris Middleton landing spots in free agency Report: The Celtics are no longer the favorites to sign Kyrie Irving Richie Incognito signing points to more power football for Raiders


Detroiters have always known about the Michigan Theatre and its unique parking deck. Now national publications are catching on, too. In a list compiled by architecture magazine Architizer and Looking4.com, the Michigan Theatre was recognized as one of " 10 amazing parking structures across the U.S. " The post calls for readers to vote with a winner being announced later in the summer. Here's what the article says of the former theater. Once a 4,000-seat concert hall and movie house the site of black-tie events for the world's most prominent musical figures Detroit's Michigan theatre now serves primarily as a parking garage. The striking Renaissance Revival building was constructed in 1926 and became renowned for its decadence, embellished with 10-foot crystal chandeliers. In 1977, it was gutted to make room for a 160-space parking deck to service employees at the adjoining Michigan Building, which would have confronted structural complications if the theatre had been demolished. It's joined by other structures in Miami, Kansas City, and Chicago. But the Michigan Theatre is the only building on the list to have been adapted into a parking structure the other nine were all built for parking. Historic Detroit also notes another interesting fact about the deck. "In a twist that is as sad as it is ironic, the theater was built on the site of the small garage where Henry Ford built his first automobile, the quadricycle. (The garage was disassembled by Henry Ford and moved to his museum in Dearborn, Mich.)


Attorney General William Barr's decision to tap a U.S attorney to dig into the origins of the Russia probe is throwing a curveball into investigative plans on Capitol Hill. Barr has appointed a U.S. attorney in Connecticut with the responsibility of examining the origins of the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign, a move long clamored for by President Trump and his conservative allies. But the decision comes as a trio of high-profile Senate Republicans are planning their own investigations into "spying" on the Trump campaign during the 2016 election and the FBI's handling of the Clinton email probe. GOP senators stressed they back Barr's decision, though they warned that it could hamper their own plans in Congress, where prior committee probes have been thrown into limbo as they've tried to get access to the same witnesses and documents being swept up in a Justice Department investigation. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) stopped short of saying he would end his investigative plans when asked about the impact John Durham's appointment will have on his panel, but said that lawmakers "need to be cautious" and "make sure we don't get in his way." "I don't want to impede his ability. I don't want to jeopardize somebody subject to an investigation," Graham told The Hill. "I want to make sure that oversight doesn't get in the way of the prosecutor. ... We'll have to be cautious and find our way forward." Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said he supports Barr's move but signaled concern that a Justice Department investigation could add roadblocks to their ability to force individuals to respond to the GOP investigations on Capitol Hill. "I hope it doesn't hamper it. I'm supportive of the fact that the attorney general is looking into all potential problems, potential crimes," he said. "But I just want to make sure it does not hamper congressional investigations because our purpose is about ... public policy and informing the public." Asked about his previous concerns that a criminal investigation negatively impacts congressional probes, he added: "It does. It absolutely does. It prevents us from getting access ... because they'll say we can't release that because it will affect our criminal investigation." The U.S. attorney's office in Connecticut declined to comment on Durham's appointment to oversee the Justice Department investigation, which was first reported by The New York Times. During an appearance last month before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Barr suggested he was concerned about "spying" on the Trump campaign during the 2016 election and that the Justice Department was going to review the issue "I am not saying that improper surveillance occurred. I am saying I am concerned about it and looking into it, that's all," he said April 10. He subsequently appeared to tip his hand during his appearance before the Judiciary Committee earlier this month that he had tapped someone to look into the matter, telling senators: "Yes, I do have people in the department helping me review the activities over the summer of 2016." Republicans have long clamored to investigate the origins of the FBI's probe into election meddling and the Trump campaign, which the president has repeatedly blasted as a "witch hunt." Graham, Johnson and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and a member of the Judiciary Committee, have also joined forces to "investigate the investigators" now that special counsel Robert Mueller's probe has wrapped up. Grassley previously said that trying to probe the origins of the Russia probe during the previous Congress would have sparked accusations of trying to interfere in Mueller's investigation. But he argued on Tuesday that there is room for both Congress and the Justice Department investigation, characterizing Barr's decision as "very, very good news." "Of course we will," he said, asked if senators would keep investigating amid the Justice Department investigation. "He's going to investigate and if he finds something he can prosecute. We investigate, we can't prosecute." Durham isn't the only individual investigating the 2016 election. Republicans are also closely awaiting the results of Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz's investigation into whether the FBI followed protocols in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act process, which is expected to touch on the Carter Page warrant application. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) noted Horowitz's investigation during a recent interview with Fox News's Martha MacCallum, adding that "if he indicates that there was some suspicion around the opening of the investigation, Senator Graham might well decide that he wants to take a look at that." Graham told The Hill, ahead of reports of Durham's appointment, that the inspector general would come testify before the Judiciary Committee about his findings, which he expected would be wrapped up by the end of the month. "I'm going to let him do his thing first because he's sort of the road map," Graham said about Horowitz's role. "That's why I didn't want to do anything to get in his way." It's not the first time congressional committees have had to compete with a Justice Department probe. The FBI, then headed by Director James Comey, was running its probe into election interference and the Trump campaign while the Intelligence Committee was investigating the same issue and the Judiciary Committee flirted with an investigation of its own. Congressional investigations often cede jurisdiction to any concurrent federal investigations - a coordinating process called "deconfliction." Johnson said on Tuesday that while the Justice Department would likely focus on "prosecutable crimes," congressional oversight has "different purposes" and could include "wrongdoing that doesn't meet the level of prosecutorial crimes," leaks or improper influence into a campaign that could be prime areas for congressional oversight. "We just did this backwards. We should have started with congressional investigations unimpeded by criminal proceedings. Once we issued our reports then we could refer that to the criminal justice system," Johnson said about the initial report on Russia's election interference. Asked if they were about to do it "backwards" again, he added, "Yes, but now we're two years into this and the attorney general is going to have to hop on this. I wish the special counsel would have looked into all of the issues." Graham on Tuesday appeared to outline potential areas where his focus could differ from the Justice Department, including addressing what if any legislation is needed in the wake of the 2016 election. But he added that when "you've got oversight and prosecutions going on at the same time, that could be a very dangerous combination."


USWNT star Alex Morgan has hit out at Spain's 'reckless' tackling against her and her teammates in Monday night's Women's World Cup round of 16 tie in Reims, which the US won 2-1. Both of the American goals came from the penalty spot   one in the first five minutes, and the other 15 minutes from time when the game was getting tight after Jennifer Hermoso's equaliser and Spain's intense pressing. Morgan and her attacking teammates bore the brunt of the physical nature of the Spanish gameplan, the tournament's top scorer saying after the game: "I think that they wanted to be more aggressive, which they showed. "We got a lot of free kicks out of it and could've capitalised more than we did, and at the end of the day the penalties showed their physicality, and at times they were quite reckless." She added: "I don't remember them being this physical [when we played them in January], this aggressive, this reckless in challenges. That was different, I wasn't expecting that but we were able to capitalise on that with penalties." The player who came out of the came with the nastiest battle wound, though, was Spain midfielder Vicky Losada   who was barrelled into by Sam Mewis immediately after the US kicked off following Spain's equaliser. Wishing you a speedy recovery, @losada_vicky ! #ESPUSA  pic.twitter.com/P0rYG6lmVi   FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 24, 2019 Mewis caught Losada in the face with her knee as the former Arsenal player fell, leaving her with a prominent black eye which forced her to be substituted off just half an hour into the match. "It was a physical game," Losada admitted after the match, "but we showed can also play that kind of game and I'm very proud of the team. We've played a really good game, a really serious game. I think we deserved more, but sometimes football ends like this." The US will play France in the quarter-finals in Paris on Friday.


There's a new way to make Amazon returns without waiting in line at the post office or packing up the unwanted item. Just in time for Prime Day shopping sprees and back-to-school shopping, Kohl's announced Monday that its more than 1,100 stores nationwide now accept Amazon returns. Kohl's CEO Michelle Gass called the nationwide rollout of the Amazon Returns program the Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based retailer's "single biggest initiative of the year." "We're thrilled to offer this first-of-its-kind service to Amazon and Kohl's customers," Gass said in a statement to USA TODAY. "We believe customers will appreciate this easy and convenient new service, bringing them to our stores more often and deepening customer loyalty for both Amazon and Kohl's." Kohl's announced in April the returns program would expand this summer after piloting it in 100 stores in Chicago, Los Angeles and Milwaukee markets. Gass said the priority is to drive customer traffic and millions are expected to benefit from the new service. New York-based Earnest Research found Chicago stores in the pilot appeared to benefit significantly from the partnership with Seattle-based Amazon. For all of 2018, the Chicago stores posted year-over-year revenue gains totaling 8%, compared with 2% for the other Kohl's stores, the research firm reported. The Chicago stores also saw a 9% increase in new customers compared with 1% in other Kohl's locations, according to Earnest Research. Amazon said in a blog post its goal is to make buying online and returning "as easy as possible and we are expanding free, convenient returns on millions of items for our customers." In addition to Kohl's stores, no-box returns also are available at Amazon physical stores, select Whole Foods Market stores and nearly 4,800 UPS Store locations, according to the blog post. How to do Amazon returns at Kohl's Here's the five-step process: Begin your return with Amazon's Online Return Center . Select the Kohl's Drop-off option. Amazon will email you a QR code. Bring the items you're returning to a participating Kohl's store and show the QR code on your smartphone to a Kohl's associate in the customer service department. Kohl's will pack, label and ship your return for free. Follow Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Have an Amazon return to send back? Kohl's stores are now accepting Amazon returns


The Chargers have a couple of key players named Melvin and neither one is lacking for confidence about the 2019 season. Running back Melvin Gordon called the Chargers " the team to beat " this year and defensive end Melvin Ingram shares that belief. He said last week that the team is " definitely going to win the Super Bowl" before echoing his teammate's read on the team's spot in the league. "We're the team to beat in the NFL, not just the AFC West, it's the NFL," Ingram said, via the Los Angeles Times . "We feel like when we're going against our offense that we need to beat them because they're the best. They need to beat us because we're the best. That's how we're going to get better." Head coach Anthony Lynn said that "most players feel that way" about their teams, but he's not fond of doing so and added that he considers the Patriots the team to beat because they won the Super Bowl in February. The Chargers couldn't do that last January and the last two decades of data suggest they'll probably have to do it this time around to prove Ingram correct.


LOS ANGELES   Officials are warning California residents to be wary of scammers trying to take advantage of their earthquake anxiety. The state is on high alert after two major earthquakes rocked Southern California last week with enough force to rupture Highway 178 between Ridgecrest and Trona. Plus, there's the possibility of more large earthquakes on the way. While lingering aftershocks continue to rattle the Ridgecrest area, Orange County officials are warning residents of schemes aimed at convincing residents to leave their homes in what could be a prank or a ruse in an attempt to commit burglary. The city of Aliso Viejo said in a Facebook post Monday that officials have been made aware of a scam in which residents are phoned by an unknown caller who claims to predict earthquakes and tells them to leave their homes for safety. A spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff's Department said four calls were reported by Aliso Viejo residents Sunday evening who said they had received a phone call telling them there would be an 8.4 magnitude earthquake and that they should evacuate their homes immediately. "Dispatchers provided the callers with information that Orange County does not have an alert system that would contact them prior to an earthquake, and that it may have been a scam," said Carrie Braun, a public information officer for the department, in an email. Braun said it's unclear why the calls were made and her office hasn't received reports of similar calls since. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the sheriff's office in Kern County, which is home to Ridgecrest, said they had received no reports of suspicious calls as of Tuesday afternoon. Earthquake scams have come around before. In 2015, Beverly Hills police warned residents about a phone scam in which a caller claiming to be a city official asks to inspect property for earthquake damage. In Japan, soon after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands, authorities issued warnings that scammers were fraudulently seeking donations for victims. Orange County officials said anyone who receives a suspicious call should report it to their local law enforcement agency via non-emergency numbers. In its Facebook post, the city of Aliso Viejo also asked residents to verify the source of the call because local authorities may only use certain communication methods in case of emergencies, which may not include direct phone calls to residents. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department advises residents to be on guard for phone scams by letting unknown callers to go to voicemail. If someone does pick up a suspicious call and shares personal information, the department encourages them to report the incident to local law enforcement.     ©2019 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.