Endless inspiration to craft the outdoor oasis of your dreams. They're perfect for entertaining guests , and one of the best ways to increase your home's curb appeal . Porches never fail to add a dose of luxury to a home. If you're lucky enough to have this outdoor space, you probably haven't given it the attention it deserves. Regardless of your design aesthetic, this collection of 40 charming porch decorating ideas are all the inspiration you need to while away the sunny season in style. A Well-Designed Amagansett Porch Layers of texture and strategic pops of color inject personality into Bobby Flay's Hamptons home . The space is furnished with a pair of iron daybeds covered in an outdoor fabric by Holly Hunt, a Pottery Barn cocktail table, a Design Within Reach teak stool, and an outdoor rug by Fab Habitat. An East Hampton Porch An East Hampton porch by John Kureck and Doug Jones is fit for spending evenings outdoors. A white rocking chair and rustic wire-frame ceiling light fixture add character to the space. A Charming Palm Beach Porch The porch of a Palm Beach home designed by Tom Scheerer is a lesson in decorating with patterns. The rattan sofa and armchairs are from Harbinger, the slipper chairs are by Walters, the porcelain stool is by Tucker Robbins, and the cocktail table is custom. A sconce by Scheerer for the Urban Electric Co. hangs between staghorn ferns on plaques. The ceiling is paneled in pecky cypress. A Lake Tahoe Retreat Tucked away in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is a laid-back retreat designed by Palmer Weiss. The screened-in porch exudes an old-world aesthetic, thanks to a custom table from the LaLune Collection, a sofa and pillows by Lee Industries that are covered in a Claremont fabric, and a 1950's oushak rug. A Hamptons Farmhouse Porch Designer Steven Gambrel was enlisted to refresh a Bridgehampton farmhouse , including a screened-in porch that was added during the remodel. The space boasts cozy areas for lounging and dining. And its pale wood furnishings, lantern lights, and stone flooring play up its "old Hamptons" vibe. Screened-In Porch A mint green picnic-style table with matching benches and a candelabra-style light fixture enhance this spacious outdoor oasis. A Stylish and Shady Patio The built-in stucco sectional in the outdoor lounge of designer Kathryn M. Ireland's Santa Monica home is topped with cushions in a custom Kathryn M. Ireland outdoor fabric. The table is from her French Finds collection, and the chairs are by Consort . An Urban Sanctuary On this New York City terrace , a cedar slat screen and planters of boxwood, English ivy, and magnolia provide shade and privacy. The aluminum table and bench are by Harbour Outdoor , and the lanterns are Restoration Hardware . Dining Al Fresco In the open-air dining room of Rela and Don Gleason's home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico , a table and armoire designed by Rela and made by local artisans work as statement pieces. The Wisteria chairs have custom leather slipcovers, and the goatskin-and-iron ceiling fixture was inspired by lighting at the Leon Trotsky museum in Mexico City. A Secluded Beachside Porch A shaded patio at this home in Alys Beach, Florida , features a custom-made seating area with cushions encased in a dark gray Perennials fabric . The teak lounge chairs are by Henry Hall Designs and the Spanish hanging lanterns were found in Belgium. Trellis-Topped Outdoor Dining Actress Reese Witherspoon 's secluded seven-acre family retreat in Ojai, California , features a vine-surrounded terrace with a wood-topped dining table, vintage iron and wicker chairs, and an antique lantern. An Elegant Outdoor Area On the arched back porch of this traditional stone house in Bel Air , the custom-made iron chairs and a white-oak table form an elegant dining area. The stone console is from Jean de Merry, the lanterns are by Charles Edwards, and the floor is tiled with limestone and terra-cotta. A Cozy Cocktail Space The covered patio of this Massachusetts home is transformed into a cozy cocktail area, courtesy of the cocktail table, chairs and sectional by Munder-Skiles . The cushions are covered in a Perennials fabric . A Glamorous Lounge Deck At this classic Hollywood home , patterned chaise lounges in a Pindler & Pindler fabric , pillows in a Janus et Cie fabric , Moroccan lanterns, and antique English wicker chairs give a small space lots of texture. A Stucco-Walled Retreat The stucco-walled patio of furniture designer Kelly Behun 's Southampton, New York, beach house was designed by the architecture firm Sawyer Berson . A low teak table and chairs by Bonetti Kozerski Studio set off a wall adorned with staghorn ferns and baskets made in Zambia. The floor is limestone, and the rug is from Morocco. Metropolitan Seclusion The exterior space of a West Village townhouse is shielded from neighbors by a boxwood hedge. The cushions on teak furniture by David Sutherland are covered in a Perennials fabric . A Breezy Beach Getaway For his small patio for model Eugenia Silva's Portugal home , Argentine designer Luis Galliussi included a banquette covered in African textiles found in Ibiza, an urn found in a nearby village, floor cushions that are covered in remnants of antique Moroccan kilims and a Moroccan rug. A Glitzy Garden Custom designed marble-and-brass tables and blue sofas , which were reupholstered in a Perennials fabric , add a sophisticated touch to this backyard patio in London . A Relaxed Patio One of the four yes, four back patios of this Uruguayan country home features iron chairs that came from a castle in the south of France and a table by Ghesquière. The hammock makes the most of the limited space, creating the perfect place to nap and read while enjoying the scenery. A Leafy Veranda On the veranda of this rustic Long Island home, the teak table is by Barlow Tyrie , the wicker chairs are by Restoration Hardware , and the antique wood chairs are from Ruby Beets . The pergola supports a wisteria vine and is surrounded by boxwood topiaries. Indoor-Outdoor LA Living A dog lounges on the porch of a bucolic retreat in the middle of Los Angeles, designed by Jeffrey Alan Marks. The sleek home brings country pleasures to a whole new level of sophistication. All Organic Materials The Buenos Aires-based architecture firm Mazzinghi-Sanchez designed a weekend home in Argentina with a large covered porch and simple wood furnishings. A rustic awning of eucalyptus logs shelters the Brazilian lapacho-wood floor. A Peaceful Outdoor Oasis Rows of carved pillars are original to the veranda of interior architect Gunther Maria Norrenberg's 17th-century terraced house in Udaipur, India. The antique silver peacock chair and bronze sigdi , a type of stove, were local finds; an 18th-century bronze statuette of Krishna from Rajasthan sits on a black iron table. Country Hideaway At their weekend retreat, a 17th-century Dutch bluestone house in Ulster County, New York, fashion photographer Diego Uchitel and his wife, April, a fashion executive, filled the porch with Adirondack chairs they found at a flea market. The pillows are by Archipelago, and the light fixture is from Circa Lighting. An Idyllic Beach Lounge The sandstone arcade of brothers Antonio and Ignacio Saorin's vacation villa on the island of Ibiza incorporates mattresses of straw and canvas, a Moroccan table, and iron lanterns they found at a shop in Madrid. Cozy Country Home Designer Dale Saylor and stylist Joe Williamson furnished the porch of their 1928 Craftsman cottage in Columbia County, New York, with a 1950s Czech rope-and-wood folding chair found on eBay and industrial metal stools . The 19th-century folding bench is topped with pillows made from grain sacks. The throw is by Hermès, and the rug is from a Manhattan flea market. A Pop Of Purple At their apartment in an 1880 building in Jaipur, India, fashion designer Liza Bruce and her husband, Nicholas Alvis Vega, painted the walls of the veranda a vibrant shade of purple. A carved-wood table and bench mix with white-painted polyhedrons and mercury-glass balls. Minimalist Sanctuary Architect Bill Ryall and his partner, professor and museum curator Barry Bergdoll, were inspired by Le Corbusier when designing their home on New York's Long Island. The spacious screened porch, which has sweeping views of Gardiners Bay, includes a 1950s butterfly chair and a table made from plywood planks with industrial folding legs. Farmhouse On The Vineyard Vintage bistro chairs surround a reclaimed-wood dining table on the front porch of the Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts , farmhouse that Manhattan-based restaurateur Keith McNally shares with his family. The lanterns are from Pearl River Mart . A Chic Patio Armchairs and a table by Gervasoni grace the patio in an international couple's Isle of Capri home, where they transformed a 19 th -century villa high in the hills into an easygoing, contemporary retreat for their family. Charming Outdoor Retreat At the Normandy retreat of the family behind venerated French fabric firm Pierre Frey , the patio's antique garden chairs are from Provence and the tablecloth is by Pierre Frey. A Relaxing Terrace In this Marrakech riad, the rooftop terrace holds canvas-covered poufs by maisonLAB , a wing chair by IKEA , and dining chairs by Fermob . A Terrace with Character When a Manhattan couple stumbled upon an abandoned 19th century summer camp in Northern California, they never dreamed they would succumb to its charms and make it their full-time family home. The terrace of the master bedroom painted in Farrow & Ball's Off-Black  holds wicker seating from Beall & Bell . The pillows are covered in a fabric by Jennifer Shorto , the folding chairs and painting were found at a Paris flea market, and the antique chandelier is from Ruby Beets . An Inviting Country Escape An urban sophisticate with a transatlantic life in Manhattan and London, designer Philip Gorrivan calls this Connecticut country house home. The porch ceiling is painted in Benjamin Moore's Glacier Blue , and a Dash & Albert rug tops a floor painted in California Paints' Bauhaus . Neutral Terrace It's not easy to mix the relaxed California lifestyle with Art Deco glamour, but in her family's Pacific Palisades home, designer Alsion Palevsky pulls it off with panache. On the terrace, the sofas and cocktail table are by Link Outdoor , and the light fixture is from the 1950s. A Retreat in the Woods For a Silicon Valley family that wanted a retreat in the woods but had no intention of going rustic, architect Cynthia Wang and designer Jamie Bush conjured a completely new take on the country cabin. A marble-topped dining table and teak benches by California Living on the covered terrace; the side chair by Lawson-Fenning is upholstered in a Perennials fabric, the ceiling is clad in western red cedar, and the floor tiles are sandstone. Luxurious Landmark Designer Ken Fulk revived a faded 19th century landmark, transforming it into this multifunctional 21st century house without losing any of its period drama for a San Francisco family. French garden chairs surround an antique Belgian oak table on the terrace; the lanterns are by Bevolo , and the lead planters are custom designs. A Classic London Townhouse In this London townhouse, the terrace features a marble fireplace that was salvaged from the original drawing room, the lamps are by José Ignacio Ballester, and the flooring is Belgian bluestone. Outdoor Dining with a View TV producer Jamie Tarses' Hollywood Hills home features an outdoor space with a dining table and chairs that are custom designs. The tiles are by Granada Tile . A Utah Patio In Ralph Lauren executive Buffy Birrittella's Utah home, the patio showcases locally-made chairs, with denim cushions by Ralph Lauren Home , and the table is covered with a Mali sarong and a Mexican serape. The bench is vintage. Rustic California Style In her midcentury house in Los Angeles's Laurel Canyon, fashion designer Rozae Nichols carefully preserves the laid-back vibe and rustic sophistication of the original California cool. Pillows by Gregory Parkinson and a Turkish towel top a daybed by Van Keppel-Green in the outdoor space.


Brooks Koepka picked up a cool $3 million on Sunday without even touching his golf clubs. By virtue of finishing first in the FedEx Cup standings and thanks to the Wyndham Rewards top 10 bonus cash, Koepka gets to add a bunch of zeroes to his bank account. His first-place finish there was good for $2 million. Koepka pocketed another $1 million for winning the season-long Aon Risk Reward Challenge . Alex Noren was the only one who could've gotten in Koepka's way, but he was a real long shot because he needed two double-eagles in four days on the 15th hole. Alas, he did not. But Koepka is not the only one who cashed in without playing. Eight others who finish in the regular-season top 10 skipped the Wyndham Championship. Webb Simpson, meanwhile, had himself a nice week. He finished second in the Wyndham and that was good for $669,600. That finish also vaulted him into to the top 10 in the Wyndham points standings, which means he nabbed another $550,000. Wyndham Rewards top 10 bonus structure Brooks Koepka, $2 million Rory McIlroy, $1.5 million Matt Kuchar, $1.2 million Xander Schauffele, $1.1 million Gary Woodland, $1 million Patrick Cantlay, $850,000 Dustin Johnson, $700,000 Paul Casey, $600,000 Webb Simpson, $550,000 Jon Rahm, $500,000 https://compass.pressekompass.net/compasses/golfweek/can-anyone-beat-brooks-koepka-and-win-th MORE: Did Tom Brady troll the Falcons with his new contract extension? 40 Under 40: Sports Media Talents 2019 Raiders stadium in Las Vegas to be called 'Allegiant Stadium' 2020 aggregate mock draft 1.0: Here are the top NBA prospects to know How Andre Iguodala could still be attainable for Houston


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Jamaica Plain? According to Walk Score, this Boston neighborhood is very walkable, is very bikeable and has excellent transit. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Jamaica Plain is currently hovering around $2,000. So, what might you expect to find if you've got a budget of $3,400/month? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental offerings, via Zumper and Apartment Guide . (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 3200 Washington St. Listed at $3,315/month, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit is located at 3200 Washington St. In the residence, which comes furnished, the listing promises a balcony, in-unit laundry and a dishwasher. If you've got a pet, you'll be happy to learn that cats and dogs are allowed. (See the complete listing here .) 9 Copenger St. Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment situated at 9 Copenger St. It's listed for $3,318/month. When it comes to building amenities, expect a swimming pool and a fitness center. The apartment also comes with in-unit laundry and a fireplace. Neither cats nor dogs are welcome. (See the complete listing here .) 60 Woodlawn St. Located at 60 Woodlawn St., here's a 1,000-square-foot three-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom unit that's listed for $3,399/month. In the unit, expect to find a dishwasher, hardwood flooring, in-unit laundry and an eat-in kitchen. Animals are not allowed. Be prepared for a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. (See the complete listing here .) 24 Tower St. Listed at $3,400/month, this studio apartment is located at 24 Tower St. Look for hardwood flooring, a dishwasher, a balcony and central air conditioning in the apartment. Feline companions are welcome. Be prepared for a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. (Check out the complete listing here .) 7 Bynner St. Next, there's this three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment over at 7 Bynner St. It's also listed for $3,400/month. The unit comes with hardwood flooring, in-unit laundry, a dishwasher and a deck. Neither cats nor dogs are allowed. The listing specifies a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Washington? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to finding an apartment in Washington if you've got $2,100/month earmarked for your rent. Take a peek at what rentals the city has to offer, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 2727 29th St. NW (Woodley Park) First up, here's an 800-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit at 2727 29th St. NW that's going for $1,941/month. The unit features a deck, a dishwasher and a walk-in closet. The building boasts a fitness center. Pet owners, take heed: Cats and dogs are permitted. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is moderately walkable, is bikeable and has good transit options. (See the full listing here .) 601 L St. SE (Capitol Hill) Next, located at 601 L St. SE, here's a 416-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom residence that's listed for $1,955/month. Expect to find a balcony in the unit. A roof deck is listed as a building amenity. Both cats and dogs are welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address is a "walker's paradise," is very bikeable and has excellent transit. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 800 New Jersey Ave. SE (Capitol Hill) Then there's this studio apartment over at 800 New Jersey Ave. SE. It's listed for $2,000/month for its 378 square feet. The building boasts a swimming pool. In the residence, you'll find in-unit laundry, a dishwasher and a fireplace. Both cats and dogs are permitted. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address is very walkable, is very bikeable and has excellent transit. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 1445 P St. NW (Logan Circle) Finally, there's this studio apartment located at 1445 P St. NW. It's listed for $2,020/month for its 413 square feet. In the residence, expect to see in-unit laundry, a dishwasher and a balcony. Good news for animal lovers: Both dogs and cats are welcome here. According to Walk Score, the area around this address is a "walker's paradise," is easy to get around on a bicycle and is a haven for transit riders. (See the complete listing here .) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Washington . This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


While the layoffs at Ford Motor Co. are the latest to grab headlines, the automaker isn't alone in trimming its payrolls. Retailers, snack foods companies, manufacturers and others are cutting costs across the country, too. This year, Michigan has seen or is expected to see layoffs at General Motors, the Detroit Medical Center, Concerto of Michigan, as well as job cuts when a variety of retailers, including the Dressbarn, eventually shut their doors. Many times employees are caught totally off guard. "When it's unexpected, there tends to be a panic," said Kelley Long, a certified public accountant and a financial education advocate for the American Institute of CPAs. Jobs relating to the auto industry may be particularly vulnerable in the future, too. Bank of America Merrill Lynch analyst John Murphy said in a speech in May: "The industry is right now staring down the barrel of what we think is going to be a significant downturn." Even though the U.S. unemployment rate hit 3.6% in April   the lowest point in nearly 50 years   the reality is that there can be big job cuts at specific companies. Here are financial tips to consider if looking at a job loss. Figure out how to stretch your dollars "I always tell people you've got to hoard cash until you have a little bit more certainty in the next 90 days," Long said. "Paying a little interest for a couple months is better than not being able to pay the mortgage if things don't look up quickly." She even recommends contacting your credit card issuers and finding out your options. You don't have to exercise them, but knowing can provide comfort. Is it possible to get approval in advance to skip a payment for a month due to a financial hardship? "You don't have to say 'I lost my job,' " she said. Or would you be willing to pay only the minimum for a month or two, if you always pay off the bill in full, in order to hold onto some cash? It's thought to consider. Put spending on hold Stop spending money on things that you really can live without   take-out meals, premium cable, rounds of golf. Now is not the time to use your extra time to remodel the bathroom. Review options for tuition and student loans "If you've been laid off and have a child in college, you should appeal for more financial aid," said Mark Kantrowitz, publisher and vice president of research for Savingforcollege.com. "Provide the college financial aid office with a copy of the layoff notice or a letter showing the receipt of unemployment benefits within the last 90 days," he said. "Most colleges will make an adjustment to the financial aid package corresponding to the change in income." If you're paying off student loans, he said, look into submitting a request to your loan servicer for a forbearance to temporarily stop or reduce payments. "Interest continues to accrue and will be capitalized at the end of the forbearance period," he said. Parents are eligible for forbearances and deferments on Federal Parent PLUS loans, just as students are eligible on federal student loans. Forbearances can be up to one year for private student loans and up to three years for federal education loans. "Some private lenders offer a partial forbearance as an option, where the borrower makes interest-only payments," Kantrowitz said. With federal loans, an income-driven repayment plan or extended repayment plan might be a better option for many, as well. Try not to touch that 401(k) "Lots of Americans cash out according to the National Retirement Savings Cash Out Clock ," said Leon LaBrecque, a certified public accountant and chief growth officer for the Sequoia Financial Group in Troy. The total retirement savings cashed out through May 28 was $27.46 billion, according to that clock, which puts Americans on pace to prematurely cash out $68 billion in 2019. Neal Ringquist, executive vice president for the Retirement Clearinghouse, said many times people aren't even using money from cashing out of a 401(k) for emergencies. Instead, many may use it to pay down debt or even take a vacation. While it may sound harsh, he said it may be better to take on a bit more low-cost credit card debt if needed to get through an emergency. "You can't borrow for retirement once you retire," Ringquist said. Experts say to avoid raiding tax-deferred accounts, such as a 401(k) plan or traditional IRA, which could drive up your tax bill. Withdrawals are typically taxable. Also, you could face some penalties if you withdraw money from a traditional IRA or 401(k) if you take out money before hitting age 59½. You're subject to ordinary income tax rates on the withdrawal. "They paid taxes and likely penalties as well on their withdrawal," LaBrecque said. "Add up federal taxes, any penalty and Michigan tax, and you could can have 36% or more in taxes and penalties." More: Laid-off GM white-collar workers: Don't make these financial mistakes Consider lump sum or regular pension check Think hard about whether it makes sense to trade in steady pension checks that offer income for life for a one-time, lump sum payment. If you're laid off or taking a buyout from Ford, for example, you'd typically have to make a decision requesting a lump sum pension distribution within 180 days of leaving that job, said David Kudla, the CEO of Mainstay Capital Management. Do nothing, and you'd receive your monthly pension check when you decide to retire. There is one caveat: If you've not started taking a pension check before age 65, he said, the window opens up again to make that lump sum decision when you're 65. You must have 30 years of service or be at least 55 with 10 years of service to qualify. More: Laid-off GM white-collar workers: Don't make these financial mistakes More: Trump's threat to raise tariffs could bring bumpy ride for stocks, 401(k) Rules vary by company. So double check with your company if you want a lump sump. A lump sum distribution could make sense if someone is in poor health and would like to leave a lump sum to their children. But proceed cautiously, as you're taking on more risk and possibly extra costs. It may not make sense to buy a high-cost annuity, which offers a stream of payments but may include high surrender charges for cashing out too early and other fees. If you need to take out more money than expected in some years, you might face much higher fees. You need to dig deep into the details. While a lump sum can make sense in certain situations, be aware that some financial advisers may have an inherent conflict of interest in suggesting that you take a lump sum, said Sam G. Huszczo, a chartered financial analyst in Southfield. "Taking the lump sum carries the serious risk of outliving your assets," he said, given that people have been living longer and stock market returns are not guaranteed. Long said she's concerned that many people in their late 40s or 50s may be tempted to take a lump sum to pay ongoing bills. But that's the wrong move. "Don't just use it to maintain that current lifestyle," she said. Be careful before rolling a 401(k) over into an Individual Retirement Account, too. If you leave the company between the ages of 55 and 59½, for example, you can avoid the 10% penalty if you take money of your current company's 401(k) and follow the requirements under the IRS Rule of 55. The Rule of 55 does not apply to IRAs. Find a way to grab a little more cash Move quickly to do what you can to plug any gaps in your crisis budget. Many times, Long said, people don't realize how quickly they can run through their savings when there is a job loss. Could you pick up extra money by signing up to be a part-time Shipt Shopper   who shops and delivers groceries and household essentials? Job requirements include having a driver's license; your own reliable vehicle (defined as a 1997 model or newer); owning a smartphone, and being able to lift 40 pounds. An average order takes Shipt Shoppers one hour to complete (accept, shop, deliver), and Shipt Shoppers select the areas they wish to cover, according to a company spokesperson. Or could you pet sit, sell used books or other items? Remember, it can take longer than expected for someone who held a top-paying middle management job to find a job with comparable compensation. Yet some don't want to take a temporary low-paying job because they fear gossipy neighbors or they worry that they won't have time to job search if they're working retail. Long has talked with laid-off workers who find jobs like driving for Uber Eats or Shipt to be a good middle ground, compared to working as a barista in the neighborhood coffee shop where all the soccer moms go before work. Contact Susan Tompor at 313-222-8876 or stompor@freepress.com . Follow her on Twitter @ tompor . Read more on business and sign up for our business newsletter . This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Laid off? Here are financial moves to make now


Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams again claimed she won the state's 2018 gubernatorial race on Friday, despite losing to now-Gov. Brian Kemp -- telling supporters, "I'm not a good sport." "I'm here to tell you a secret that makes Breitbart and [Fox News host] Tucker Carlson go crazy: We won," Abrams said, according to The Houston Chronicle . "I am not delusional. I know I am not the governor of Georgia -- possibly yet." DEMOCRATS ABRAMS, GILLUM QUESTION OUTCOMES OF 2018 GUBERNATORIAL RACES She made the remarks an a Houston fundraiser hosted by Annie's List, a group that seeks to elect progressive women into office. Abrams justified her refusal to accept the result of the election by calling Kemp "an architect of voter suppression that spent the last eight years knitting together a system of voter suppression that is unparalleled in America." According to Texas Tribune reporter Patrick Svitek, she said in her remarks that "we don't have to concede elections anymore, because when we concede, we are condoning systems that are used to oppress us." Abrams has considered both a Senate and presidential run and has been floated as a possible vice presidential candidate. She delivered the formal State of the Union response to President Trump in January. STACEY ABRAMS WON'T RUN FOR SENATE IN 2020 She announced this week that she will not run for the Senate in 2020 and that she was "going to continue to watch how the national conversation around the presidency unfolds." Yet she has repeatedly questioned the outcome of the 2018 race and refused to concede, saying in March , "I did win my election. I just didn't get to have the job." It is unclear if Democratic Party leadership will be put off by her refusal to accept the election result, less than four years after many Democrats expressed horror at then-candidate Donald Trump's statements that he may not accept the results of the presidential election. "I will look at it at the time," Trump said in 2016 when asked in a presidential debate if he would accept the result of the election. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "That's horrifying," then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton responded. "This is how Donald thinks, and it's funny but it's also really troubling. This is now how our democracy works. Abrams on Friday, in video captured by The Texas Signal, indicated that any future run will not be preceded by a concession. She said that "usually candidates feel like they have to concede if they want to run for office again to show that they're a good sport." "I am not a good sport," she said to applause.


The Arizona Cardinals selected receiver Larry Fitzgerald with the third overall pick in the 2004 draft. With the career he has had, no one regrets making that selection. However, some lament how the Cardinals ended up with the third overall pick instead of the first overall pick and wonder what might have happened differently. With a last-second win in Week 17 over the Minnesota Vikings, the Cardinals did not get the No. 1 overall pick. The No. 1 pick ended up being quarterback Eli Manning. Many have wondered how things would have been different had they had the top pick. Would they have had their franchise quarterback already? It would appear nothing would have changed. On the latest episode of Cardinals Flight Plan , general manager Steve Keim reflected on the 2004 draft class that landed them Fitzgerald, Karlos Dansby and Darnell Dockett. He compared it to the team's current draft class because they landed three players in the top 25 of their board. The revelation was about Fitz. He was "of course" their No. 1 player in that draft class. If they were to hold true to their board and had they possessed the No. 1 pick, Fitzgerald would simply have been the top pick in the draft instead of the third pick. He has joked in the past about how that touchdown pass from Josh McCown to Nate Poole kept him from being the top pick. So the win didn't change anything. They still would have had their quarterback struggles and they still would have enjoyed the Hall of Fame career of one of the best to ever play the game and arguably the greatest Cardinal ever. Listen to the latest from Cards Wire's Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio . View embedded content MORE: Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade Roundup: Major Floods Hit Houston; New Ed Sheeran-Justin Bieber Jam; Howard Stern's Cancer Scare NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Packers rookie DL Kingsley Keke draws praise for pass-rushing potential Rumor: LeBron made a visit to Kawhi Leonard during Raptors-Sixers series


NBA free-agency has arrived, with a tornado of deals and talk of new "Superteams" from Barclays Center in Brooklyn to the Staple Center in Los Angeles. Golf's individuality means talk of "team play" is often limited to biennial events like the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, Walker Cup and Solheim Cup. Fans of the Brooklyn Nets have gotten their "Superteam" in the form of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and DeAndre Jordan. They may even play together someday. Meanwhile, the Lakers are looking to add one more piece to their duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. (Kawhi Leonard, perhaps?) Odds are your favorite NBA team looks very different on Monday than it did Saturday. Golf's original "Superteam" was not the result of max contracts or sign-and-trade deals. Rather, it was the result of considerable build-up, some great timing, the archaic PGA of America rules and the confluence of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus playing together in the Ryder Cup for the first time in 1971. Arnie and Jack had been part of sports marketing's original "Superteam" for nearly a decade as part of Mark McCormack's burgeoning IMG empire. They paired to win three PGA Tour team events from 1966-71 and were successful teammates in World/Canada Cup play. But they had to wait until 1971 to be co-joined on Team American in the Ryder Cup. Nicklaus achieved his career Grand Slam in 1966, but he was not eligible to play on the the 1967 Ryder Cup team. At that time, eligibility required a minimum five-year PGA Tour membership before player points could be counted for team qualification. Ben Hogan's speech to his Ryder Cup team 1967. pic.twitter.com/5ciKL5vThx - Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) October 5, 2018 That 1967 American squad featured Palmer, was captained by Ben Hogan and defeated its British counterparts 23.5 to 8.5 at Champions Golf Club in Houston. It remains the most lopsided defeat in Ryder Cup history. Nicklaus was 29 when he first played in the Ryder Cup 50 years ago. However, Palmer failed to qualify. The 1969 Ryder Cup has its own chapter in golf's New Testament thanks to " The Concession " by Nicklaus to Tony Jacklin in their anchor singles match and simmering hatred between many of the combatants at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. With the Ryder Cup score tied at 13 and Nicklaus 1 up on No. 17, Jacklin made a 35-foot eagle putt to square the match. Nicklaus would make a five-footer for par putt on 18 before surprising all on hand and watching by conceding Jacklin's par putt, ensuring their game, and the Ryder Cup, would end in a tie. It is widely considered one of the great acts of sportsmanship in golf. "I very quickly thought about Tony Jacklin and what he had meant to British golf. Here he was, the Open champion, the new hero, and all of a sudden it felt like if he missed this putt he would be criticized forever," Nicklaus said . "I just made up my mind, I said, 'I'm not going to give Tony Jacklin the opportunity to miss it. I think we walk off of here, shake hands and have a better relationship between the two golfing organizations is the right way to do it'." That meant the U.S. retained the Cup despite the blemish of a tie. And the stage was set for 1971. The 1971 U.S. Ryder Cup team had plenty of reason for confidence, especially since they would be playing at Old Warson Country Club in St. Louis. More importantly, it featured the long-awaited Ryder Cup pairing of Nicklaus and Palmer, who had been one-upping each other in majors and elsewhere for a decade, despite their 11-year difference in age. Palmer's greatness had ebbed but Nicklaus was at his zenith as a golf superpower. The combination of the two - playing on the same team at the same time on an international stage - would prove too much for any British team to counter. Things weren't always smooth between Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. The two clashed often. During the 1971 U.S. Open at Merion, Nicklaus ripped the course layout and Palmer smugly said the course was fine and Nicklaus was playing too slowly. (Associated Press) "I think we were a little imposing who we were playing to start with," Nicklaus told Ian O'Connor in his book " Arnie & Jack: Palmer and Nicklaus, Golf's Greatest Rivalry. " "I mean, they said, 'We may be able to handle Arnold Palmer. We may be able to handle Jack Nicklaus. But the two of them together, we're not going to be able to handle.' I don't think we ever got beat at much of anything." They would be joined by 1971 PGA Tour Player of the Year and Ryder Cup rookie Lee Trevino, whose pro success had just begun manifest itself. And Billy Casper, who would amass 51 PGA Tour victories and had won the Masters 18 months earlier. Palmer. Nicklaus. Trevino. Casper. Take that, Kyrie. The rest of the American team consisted of captain Jay Hebert, Miller Barber, Frank Beard, Charles Coody, Gardner Dickinson, Gene Littler, Mason Rudolph, J.C. Snead, and Dave Stockton. The British Team featured rookies Harry Bannerman, John Garner and Peter Oosterhuis. Setting a pattern that today's NBA powerhouses try to follow, the 1971 U.S Ryder Cup team joined two legends with one of the game's greats (Casper) and a rising star (Trevino) to win a championship. Palmer, Nicklaus and Trevino nearly outpointed the entire British team by themselves. The trio combined for 13 points as the Americans beat their Great Britain opponents 18.5 - 13.5. Trevino would go 4-1 despite recent a recent appendectomy. Palmer, then 42, played six 18-hole-rounds in the span of three days from Sept. 16-18 and only lose on the final day after the Cup had already been clinched. He went 4-1-1 during that span. American Lee Trevino waves to crowd after his birdie putt on No. 12 that would leave the U.S. one point away from the 1971 Ryder Cup on Day 3. (Associated Press) Nicklaus was a force all his own. He played in seven matches, won five and tied another. The Americans upped their overall Ryder Cup record to 15-3-1. But it did not come without trial or turbulence. During a second-day foursomes match, Bernard Gallacher's caddie was so smitten by a Palmer tee shot on the par-3 seventh hole that he asked Palmer which club he had used. Palmer replied, " a 5-iron ." A match referee overheard the exchange, which was a deemed a violation of Rule 9a, the giving of advice. Palmer and Dickinson would be awarded the hole to go 2-up in their match and eventually win it by one hole. On that second day, the Americans earned 6.5 out of a possible 8 points and had turned a 1-point deficit ended as a 4-point advantage. Hebert would partner Nicklaus and Palmer in an afternoon four-ball match. Nicklaus and Palmer defeated Peter Townsend and Bannerman 1-up. It was a "closely contested match," Palmer would recall . "Dickinson and I proved even more formidable as a team that year, however, winning three of our team matches to give me a record of four wins against one loss and one tie." The average age of the European team was under 30. And on the final day, the upstart Euros led in six of the eight matches in the morning. Then Trevino stunned Brian Huggett 7&6 in the first match of the afternoon. That left the U.S. one point away from clinching. Snead, the nephew of Sam Snead, would capture the decisive point with a clutch putt and 1-up win over veteran Jacklin on 18. Palmer would go undefeated in his seven Ryder Cup tries and make his final appearance in 1973 at Muirfield, Scotland. He always recognized and appreciated the importance of playing for his nation. "I loved the Ryder Cup, because it simply wasn't about playing for money. It was about playing for something far grander and more personal," he said . MORE: NBA free agency Day 1: Winners and losers It looks like the Patriots won't be doing a Super Bowl champion visit to the White House Lakers Rumors: Kawhi Leonard Rumblings; Danny Green, Seth Curry and Andre Iguodala are all Targets NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Ex-Giants QB Jared Lorenzen in ICU, 'fighting with everything he has'


Jake Dolegala was the odd man out for most of OTAs and minicamp with the Cincinanti Bengals. Most of the work there went to Andy Dalton and Ryan Finley, though the latter struggled mightily . But on Day 3 of minicamp, starters got some rest and Dolegala was suddenly thrust into the spotlight - where he shined. Zac Taylor had nothing but praise, per John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer: "He had a great college career. We saw some good things on tape. That's why we brought him in. He's stayed focused. It's not easy when you don't get any reps, and you have to come out and compete with the guys. I thought Jake did a great job. That's why he's here. It's always good to see those guys who don't get a ton of reps get out there and show why they're in the NFL." Joe Mixon was right there too: Joe Mixon on undrafted QB Jake Dolegala: "That boy looked good. I like him. He's nice. He's nice." Dolegala looked really good in today practice, in which the second and third teamers got all the reps. #bengals - John Fay (@johnfayman) June 13, 2019 Dolegala has a long way to go before he's making a final roster given the competition with Finley and holdover Jeff Driskel. But he did something important to close minicamp, showing coaches he'd be 100 percent ready whenever asked. And for an undrafted free agent and one of only two quarterbacks the Bengals brought to Paul Brown Stadium on a pre-draft visit, that's the best thing Dolegala could have done. MORE: NBA world reacts to news that Klay Thompson tore his ACL in Game 6 loss Roundup: Sarah Huckabee Sanders Leaving; Taylor Swift's New Song; Darren Rovell Hit Piece Top of Packers WR depth chart takes shape following minicamp News: Cowboys minicamp closes with bang, injury update, Hardy a menace NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players


When it comes to your car insurance, you'd better know what you're signing up for. However, all that legalese in your policy can be confusing. We've pulled 10 of the most common auto insurance terms you need to know to help you make the smartest decision to protect one of your most expensive investments: your car. Collision coverage This kind of coverage pays for damages to your vehicle, no matter who is at fault. If you drive a new car, a classic or just something near and dear to your heart, collision coverage is a good buy -- in fact, if you're financing your vehicle, it's likely a mandatory expense. However, if you bought your 20-year old ride for $1,500 and a case of Diet Dr Pepper, it's probably not worth it. Comprehensive coverage This pays for damage to your car or truck not caused by a collision with another vehicle. Ex-lover took a baseball bat to the quarter panel? Covered. Hit a deer? Covered. Car stolen from the mall parking lot, caught fire during a riot, floated away during a hurricane? Covered, covered and covered. As with collision coverage, comprehensive is worth the price if you drive a new or otherwise valuable car (and it, too, could be mandatory if you're still financing your ride). Comprehensive coverage is a good idea if you have a nice Porsche that may be involved in a mudslide. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Deductible This is the amount you pay out of pocket for repairs when making a claim before your insurance kicks in. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly payments. Declarations page No, this isn't where you declare your undying love for your Miata . It's essentially a summary of your coverage, including kind of coverage you have, the limit and cost for each and what vehicle is covered. Full coverage Don't be fooled! "Full coverage" auto insurance doesn't truly exist. However, it can imply that a policy includes more than liability coverage. For example, a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and the like could be considered "full coverage." Gap insurance This term is best explained by example. You may have heard that a car's value begins depreciating as soon as you drive it out of the dealership, so your $80,000 car has a value of $70,000 after, let's say, three months. You've been paying $1,000 per month, so you now owe $77,000 on a car that is only worth $70,000. As you're lamenting this fact, some distracted driver comes along, slams into you and totals your car. Guess what? Your policy is only going to pay out the $70,000, leaving you on the hook for $7,000 for a car that you can't even drive any more. Gap insurance is worth considering for folks leasing or making payments on a car, but if you own your car outright or owe less on it than the car is worth, you can leave gap insurance on the table. Liability insurance This is the minimum amount of insurance you need to carry. It pays for damages and injuries to the other party in an accident of your fault, but does not pay for any damages/injuries to you or your vehicle. There are two kinds of liability insurance. Bodily injury liability covers you if you are at fault for another person's injury or death. It will pay for medical expenses, lost wages and the somewhat intangible "pain and suffering." If you are sued, bodily injury liability will pay for your defense and court costs. Usually it will be written as two numbers, for example $25,000/$50,000. The first number refers to the limit of payment per person, the second to the limit of payment per accident. So if you do bodily injury to four people in an SUV, your policy will only pay out $50,000. You're on the hook for the rest. With liability insurance, if you're at fault insurance will pay out only for the person you hit. Robert Nickelsberg / Getty Images Meanwhile, property damage liability pays for damage done to property, including the other party's car or anything damaged during the accident -- like the fence you hit when you accidentally put the car in reverse instead of drive. It's usually written in conjunction with bodily injury limits, so you might see $25,000/$50,000/$40,000. The first two numbers are your bodily injury limits, the third represents the amount the policy will pay out for property damage. No-fault insurance No-fault insurance keeps blame out of the insurance game. Each party's insurance will pay injury benefits to the policy owner regardless of who was at fault in an accident. So, even if you are injured by a drunk driver, your insurance pays out the benefit. It does not cover property damage. No-fault was devised as a way to cut back on motorists suing each other for minor injuries. Each state determines the limit of coverage and you are responsible for paying the difference unless injuries pass a threshold of severity. If the injuries are severe, as is likely in our drunk driver example, it is possible to collect from the at-fault party. However, each state sets its own threshold. How mad would you be if someone spray painted your car? Josh Edelson / AFP/Getty Images According to Allstate , as of June 2017 the following states have no-fault insurance: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Utah. No-fault insurance is optional in District of Columbia, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. However, laws can change, so be sure to inquire with your agent as to what your state requires. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) This is the basic coverage required in no-fault states. Your state will determine specific details, but in general, PIP will cover medical expenses, lost wages, funeral costs and essential services you may not be able to perform due to injuries. SR-22 Also known as a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR), this is essentially proof of insurance for folks who have had a suspended driver's license. If you've been convicted of driving under the influence, driving without insurance, or if you've got a bad driving record with an injury-causing accident to your name, you'll more than likely need an SR-22. The DMV will inform you of the need to file an SR-22. You'll have to contact your insurance provider and have them file the paperwork with the DMV. This may result in your being reclassified as a high-risk driver, so be prepared to have your rates go up or your policy cancelled altogether. Requirements vary by state, but in general, you'll have to carry an SR-22 for three years. Follow MSN Autos on Facebook and Twitter


Hungry for something new? If you love to eat and drink, the weekend ahead offers a great chance to explore the world of Washington food and beverage. From a kids ice cream-making class to a beer fest, here's what to do on the local food scene. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Bottomless Brunch From the event description: Join us for D.C.'s newest bottomless brunch to kick off our 1-year birthday weekend. When: Saturday, July 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Capitol Cider House, 3930 Georgia Ave. NW Admission: Free entry; food and beverage prices vary. Click here for more details, and to get your tickets America's Best Brewfest From the event description: The best beers are brought in from all across the country, plus amazing wines and ciders, music, arts, food and more. When: Saturday, July 20, 12:30-8 p.m. Where: The Bullpen, 1201 Half St. SE Admission: $29.95, early bird sessions. More ticket options available. Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Rosé All Day From the event description: Join us for tastings and learn about this under-appreciated wine. When: Saturday, July 20, 1-4 p.m. Where: Ris, 2275 L St. NW Admission: $69 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Parking in DC can be tough, especially during popular events. To find free or cheap parking and to book parking in advance, see this map of DC parking from SpotAngels. And to get there by public transportation, check the Metro website for nearby stations and schedules. This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Samuel Little, the California inmate who claims to be one of the most prolific serial killers in US history, has been linked to 60 deaths, a Texas prosecutor said Friday. Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland said investigators have confirmed Little is connected to deaths in 14 states. Little claims to have killed people between 1970 and 2005 in 14 states from Florida to California. Authorities had previously confirmed he was linked to 34 killings. Little, 79, is in a California state prison, according to corrections department spokeswoman Vicky Waters. He is serving life sentences for three murders. He has been cooperating with investigators from different states and is in bad health, Bland said. In November, Little was charged in Ector County for a 1994 killing. Little was indicted a week ago in Ohio, accused of killing two Cleveland women decades ago, according to a statement from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office. Prosecutor Michael O'Malley said Little has confessed to five killings in Ohio, including three in the Cleveland area. Cuyahoga County's cold case unit was able to identify two of the three victims, O'Malley said. Little is charged with four counts of aggravated murder and six counts of kidnapping in the deaths of 21-year-old Mary Jo Peyton in 1984 and 32-year-old Rose Evans in 1991, O'Malley said. LIttle was indicted Friday in Hamilton County, Ohio, for two killings in the Cincinnati area in the 1980s. Little has told investigators he killed more than 90 people across the United States, the FBI has said. A map on the FBI's website says Little told investigators he killed women in these states   Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas   but the killings have not been confirmed. The FBI is hopeful that portraits of women drawn by Little will help authorities to identify them and solve some cold cases. According to the FBI, Little chose to kill marginalized and vulnerable women who were often involved in prostitution or suffered from drug addiction. Their bodies sometimes went unidentified and their deaths uninvestigated. Gary Leon Ridgway, dubbed the Green River Killer, pleaded guilty in 2003 to killing 48 women and was later charged with a 49th murder. The 49 guilty pleas gave Ridgway more murder convictions   though not necessarily more slayings   than any other serial killer in US history. He reportedly confessed to 71 killings.


After receiving a one year suspension from the NFL, does troubled wide receiver Josh Gordon have a future in the league? The guys weigh in.


LONDON   Manchester City beat Liverpool 5-4 on penalty kicks to win the Community Shield, after an intense game between the Premier League's top two teams from last season. [ MORE: 3 things we learned ] How did the players get on, out of 10? Below we reveal our ratings from Wembley. Liverpool Alisson : 5   Could have done better with Sterling's goal and looked a little shaky. Trent Alexander-Arnold : 6   Rattled into some challenges but far from his usual marauding display. Joe Gomez : 5   Caught in possession a few times at center back and them moved out to right back. Virgil Van Dijk : 7   Stood tall and set up the equalizer. Classy player who grew into the game. Andrew Robertson : 6   Given a tough time by Bernardo Silva, but stood up to the challenge. Jordan Henderson : 5   Struggled to get going and took a knock in the second half. Fabinho : 5   Couldn't stop City gliding through Liverpool's defense. Georginio Wijnaldum : 5   Really struggled. Few loose touches and only player to miss a penalty. Mohamed Salah : 7   Could have scored three in the second half alone. Dangerous but didn't score. Roberto Firmino : 6   One superb effort in the first half and decent movement, as always. Divock Origi : 4   His teammates couldn't find his runs out wide. Ineffective. Subs Joel Matip on for Trent Alexander-Arnold (67′): 7   Headed home the equalizer. Naby Keita on for Fabinho (67′): 6   Provided some surging runs. Good shot saved. Adam Lallana on for Jordan Henderson (79′): N/A Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on for Divock Origi (79′): N/A Xherdan Shaqiri on for Roberto Firmino (79′): N/A Man City Claudio Bravo : 7   A few dodgy moments in the second half but saved the crucial spot kick. A very good back-up goalkeeper. Kyle Walker : 6   Dug deep defensively but rarely threatened going forward. John Stones : 7   Calm on the ball and did his best to hold City's defense together. Nicolas Otamendi : 6   Dragged out of position quite a lot but made some great last-ditch interventions. Oleksandr Zinchenko : 6   Tough outing against Salah but kept plugging away. Scored his pen. Rodri : 5   Caught on the ball so many times. Has to get use to the pace of the game in England. Fast. David Silva : 7   Proper magician. Glides around the pitch with ease and set up Sterling's goal. Kevin De Bruyne : 8   Constant threat, even though his final pass or shot was a little off. Leroy Sane : 4   Injured early on, which is a big shame. Last minutes in a Man City shirt? Raheem Sterling : 8   Scored one, but should have scored a few more. Superb pace, but poor finishing. Bernando Silva : 7   Another classy and tireless display. Criminally underrated. Subs Gabriel Jesus on for Leroy Sane (14′): 6   Scored the winning penalty kick and put himself about. Ilkay Gundogan on for David Silva (61′): 3   One of the worst sub displays ever. Gave the ball away countless times. Scored his penalty kick though. Phil Foden on for Kevin de Bruyne (89′): N/A Follow @JPW_NBCSports


Planes, trains and automobiles? For Swedish climate activists, only the trains will do. Swedish activist, and 16-year-old student, Greta Thunberg , just finished a European tour to raise awareness about climate change   a nearly two-week trip completed mostly by train. And while Thunberg is among the most well-known of Swedish climate activists, she is just one of many Swedes who regularly opt for train travel instead of often quicker plane flights. Now awaits two days of train travel. Next stop London! pic.twitter.com/bzyx2EPdMK   Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) April 20, 2019 The Swedish movement of flygskam , or "flight shame," has brought awareness to the toll air travel has on the environment. According to a 2013 study , air travel has the "biggest climate impact per distance travelled," while carpooling, bus rides and train travel are greener alternatives. In Sweden, flygskam has also given way to tagskryt , or "train bragging." But the ability to make eco-conscious travel choices may be a luxury that does not apply easily across countries. For example, the US Federal Railroad Administration only brought train standards closer to those used in Europe last November. And while Swedes earn at least 25 government-mandated days of paid vacation each year for full-time employment (plus holidays), the US Fair Labor Standards Act requires no paid vacation at all. This means even for Americans with access, many simply do not have time for lengthy train travel. Related: How European kids are schooling politicians on climate change Tågsemester.nu , which gives out travel advice and tips for people trying to cut back on plane travel, is behind the movement to promote rail-only travel in Sweden. "I started this Facebook group because I wanted to make it easier to go by train to other countries," said Susanna Elfors, who heads up the site. Elfors spoke with The World's Carol Hills about turning to trains to combat climate change. Elfors says that a no-fly commitment picked up in Sweden after Greta Thunberg's mother, Malena Ernman, a well-known opera singer, announced that she would stop flying. "And when she said, 'No, I am not flying anymore,' people thought, "Oh, if she can do that, I can also stop flying,"" Elfors said. "Some famous people after her also told her that, 'I am not going to fly.' And then the people started to change the travel habits, and it became shameful to go by plane because it's so devastating for the environment and for the climate." Carol Hills: I understand there's another Swedish word that's being used a lot lately tagskryt. Susanna Elfors: Yeah, that's the opposite of flygskam. Tagskryt is train bragging. Do you engage in tagskryt yourself? Yeah, I think so, and especially people in the group do because they show pictures from their train trips and so on and then they got a lot of likes. Your Facebook page for Tågsemester is quite active, about 80,000 users. What kinds of rail-only travel advice and tips get shared on that? Everything. But it's much like: How do I go to Barcelona? How do I go to Greece? And so on. But there are also other kinds of questions. How can I change trains in a certain city? What kind of restaurants do they have at the station? How could I bring a dog on a train? How do I bring my wheeling chair? Vegan food? Etc. So, there are so many different questions. Are you involved in sort of encouraging more high-speed rail and linking up trains and making long trips more possible? Yeah, kind of. We have changed the situation. In Sweden, the government has decided to put their foot on the night train lines to Europe, and they say it's because of the Facebook group. It was not our intention, but the politicians are now listening and they're very interested to discuss with us. There's literally been a spike in rail travel in Sweden since these various efforts, including yours. Yes. So, it has increased; so, they have been putting in new departures because the interest has increased here in Sweden, and also the domestic flying has decreased. So, it's really changing. What about the serious issue behind all this, which is climate change and combating climate change? How serious are you about helping in that effort? Quite serious. I worked with the sustainability and environment issues for all my adult life. But I am mostly working with housing and how to make the residential areas more sustainable. So now changed focus a bit to traveling, and I think it's a good opportunity because it's very easy for a person to really reduce their climate impact by changing their travel habits. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Brandi Fullwood and Indra Ekmanis contributed reporting.


More than a quarter of the 40-car field failed inspection once and will start at the rear in Saturday night's Cup race at Kansas Speedway. Eleven cars failed inspection . Aric Almirola was to have started second but his car failed inspection. Clint Bowyer moves up to second and will start next to Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Kevin Harvick , who is starting on the pole. Click here for updated starting lineup


The Jets' decision to fire GM Mike Maccagnan on May 15 - after he spent $121 million in guaranteed money in free agency and ran a draft - was universally mocked around the league. The timing was off, the optics looked bad and reports of in-fighting between him and Adam Gase furthered the dysfunctional narrative that has followed the Jets for decades. But after hiring Joe Douglas 23 days later, firing Maccagnan looks like a brilliant idea. The hire was universally praised around the league. Douglas' accolades as a talent evaluator and roster builder erupted out of the woodwork once the Jets announced his arrival. He was a GM candidate on the rise and would have been a hot commodity next offseason when more jobs opened. From an NFL exec: "The Jets may have made a mess of things, but they actually came out of this in a better place. Lots of teams were going to want Joe Douglas next year. He's a star." https://t.co/qGhJlvMZpx - Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) June 8, 2019 Now that Douglas is with the Jets, the future of the organization seems much brighter than it did with Maccagnan running the show. Douglas will be a very different GM than Maccagnan. Both worked their way up the league as scouts, but Douglas' background with the Ravens and Eagles gives him a better background considering his connection to two incredibly successful organizations. Where Maccagnan appeared indecisive at times, Douglas appears steadfast in his decision-making. Douglas has been a part of three Super Bowl championships, the most recent in 2017 during his second year as the Eagles VP of player personnel. Douglas played a big role in bringing in some of the biggest contributors to that Eagles Super Bowl, including Nick Foles, Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith. Douglas also helped the Ravens find franchise stars like Joe Flacco, C.J. Mosley and Marshal Yanda. What are the #Jets getting in Joe Douglas? The most prized evaluator available for a GM job outside of Ed Dodds. Someone with a highly respected team and staff building philosophy. A CEO who will be able to build an excellent scouting staff both pro and CFB. - Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) June 8, 2019 Not to be discounted is Douglas' previous relationship and comfortability with Gase. Even if the reports of the rift between Maccagnan and Gase were exaggerated, those two were still in an arranged marriage. Their personalities were different and they had contrasting ideas when it came to roster construction. That marriage obviously didn't work, but the one between Douglas and Gase can. Coach and GM need to be on the same page, especially since the two will report directly to ownership under the Jets' power structure. Douglas and Gase appear to be aligned when it comes to how a team should be built, and that should make for a swift progression of a team seeking its first playoff berth in almost a decade. The Jets' record with scouting under Maccagnan wasn't pretty. Top-10 picks notwithstanding, the Jets don't have many homegrown stars. Douglas alone won't fix that, but he'll be able to bring in a staff capable of finding the right players to build the Jets from within. Douglas is well-liked among NFL circles and should be able to build a staff capable of revitalizing a Jets team lacking in talent. If the Jets learn to draft better, they won't need to spend so lavishly in free agency like they did this offseason. There's no guarantee he'll be the perfect general manager, but Douglas certainly inspires more hope for the future than Maccagnan did. Firing a general manager in May looked awful at the time, but the Jets have completely flipped the narrative of their team by bringing in a talented and well-respected individual like Douglas. Now, he'll just need to prove that narrative right. MORE: NHL fans weren't impressed with Mike Milbury's questions for Pam from 'The Office' Sleeping on Patriots WR Demaryius Thomas would be a huge mistake Bears believe Clinton-Dix is an upgrade over Amos Brian Gaine's failure in Houston has a lesson for the Lions and Bob Quinn Questions your athlete should ask college coaches


Attack-minded Italy and Belgium won in style while Germany made it two wins from two games in 2020 European Championship qualifiers on Saturday. But Saturday was not an entirely good night for European powerhouses. In the biggest upset, Turkey contained France's offensive power to hand the world champion a shock 2-0 defeat. World Cup finalist Croatia put its campaign back on track with a 2-1 victory over Wales, and Northern Ireland rallied late for its third straight victory. Russia thrashed San Marino 9-0 for its biggest win since the Soviet era. That surpassed the previous post-Soviet marks of 7-0 against Liechtenstein and San Marino. FRANCE UPSET Star-studded France scored four goals in each of its first two wins in Group H, with its intimidating forward line of Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe grabbing a goal each in both games. It didn't work against Turkey. The three started in Konya but finished empty-handed in the first victory for Turkey against France after four losses. France coach Didier Deschamps was scathing about his side's performance. "When you play like that on a collective level there's nothing positive to take from the game," he told broadcaster TF1. "We didn't play the way we should have against a team which played the way it likes to." The Turkish side proved highly effective, converting the first chance in the 30th. Kaan Ayhan headed in the first goal and, 10 minutes later, Cengiz Under stunned France with the second. With three wins in three games, Turkey leads Group H with nine points. France is three points behind in second, along with Iceland which beat Albania 1-0. Moldova beat Andorra 1-0 for its first win in this group. BELGIUM CRUISES Led by captain Eden Hazard a day after he completed a highly anticipated transfer from Chelsea to Real Madrid, Belgium applied pressure against Kazakhstan in Brussels from the start which quickly paid off in a 3-0 win. Dries Mertens put the hosts ahead with a deflected shot 11 minutes into the game with Hazard providing a key pass. Four minutes later, Mertens turned into a supplier with a cross for Timothy Castagne to make it 2-0. Five minutes into the second half, forward Romelu Lukaku was in the right place for an easy tap in after Mertens' shot bounced off the post. "If you lead 2-0 after 15 minutes, then that is excellent," said Belgium coach Roberto Martinez. "In the second half we also started well, so the mentality of this team was very good." Artyom Dzyuba led the Russians with four goals in Saransk. Belgium stays perfect, leading Group I with nine points. Russia and Scotland, which beat Cyprus 2-1, have six points. ITALY ATTACKS Italy's new attack-minded approach under coach Roberto Mancini is looking like an effective remedy after the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Facing unbeaten Greece in Athens, Italy needed just over half an hour to put the result beyond doubt with the goals coming in a 10-minute span for a 3-0 win. Nicolo Barella opened the scoring in the 23rd with Andrea Belotti setting the goal up in his first game for Italy since September 2018. Lorenzo Insigne made it two in the 30th and Leonardo Bonucci headed home the third in the 33rd. Mancini wasn't entirely happy. "No, it wasn't our best performance but we were good at controlling the match from the first minute," Mancini said. "But we should have pushed more, we sat back too much ... in the second half we should have scored more goals. That needs to be improved." Italy tops Group J with nine points from three games. It hosts Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday. Finland grabbed a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina and is three points behind Italy in second. Armenia got the first three points in the same group after beating Liechtenstein 3-0. CROATIA REBOUNDS James Lawrence scored an own-goal to give Croatia an early boost after diverting a cross from Ivan Perisic in the 17th minute in Osijek. Croatia looked to be the better side anyway as it moved on from recent inconsistent results. Perisic doubled the advantage early in the second half for Croatia to rebound from a 2-1 loss to Hungary in Budapest. Substitute David Brooks cut the deficit for Wales with a deflected shot in the 77th. Hungary kept momentum with a 3-1 win in Azerbaijan to share the Group E lead with Croatia on six points, with Wales and Slovakia trailing by three points but with a game in hand. NORTHERN IRELAND LEADS Northern Ireland beat Estonia 2-1 and is a surprising early leader of Group C that includes Germany and the Netherlands. Substitutes Conor Washington and Josh Magennis scored in the 77th and 80th minutes respectively to overturn Estonia's early lead from a free kick by veteran Konstantin Vassiljev. After a confidence boosting 3-2 victory over the Netherlands, it was only a question of time for a dominant German side to score against Belarus in a 2-0 win. Leroy Sane fooled a marker inside the area before a curling finish for the opening goal early in the first half. Marco Reus half-volleyed the second goal in the second half as Germany looked confident as a team that is putting a disastrous World Cup campaign behind it. Germany next plays Estonia on Tuesday. Northern Ireland has nine points, three more than Germany which has a game in hand. ___ More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


Dmitry Koltsov spent most of his life with two feet planted on a board. His ability to pull off precise tricks and flips while vaulting through the air on a snowboard earned him a place on the podium at Russian championship meets and international competitions. Friends said his daredevil nature also made him a hero at skate parks in Southern California. He'd even taken his talents to the ocean, working as a surf instructor in Bali and later Los Angeles. Friends said Koltsov was hopping off a board in downtown Los Angeles on June 10 with a group of other skaters when a Kia Sorrento drove toward them. Neither Koltsov nor his friends knew the man approaching them. Koltsov didn't know the skate session he'd just completed would be his last. Prosecutors say the man in the car, Rhett Nelson of Utah, shot Koltsov in the head without provocation. It was the latest in a string of senseless, violent crimes that authorities say culminated an hour later when Nelson walked into a Jack in the Box restaurant in Alhambra and fatally shot veteran Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Joseph Solano. Nelson has been charged with two counts of murder and other crimes. Scores of police vehicles escorted Solano's body to a Whittier cemetery on June 15. Friends of Koltsov, meanwhile, have been scrambling to raise money to send his remains back to his family in Moscow, hoping his story will not get lost in the larger nexus of violence Nelson is accused of committing across Southern California in a days-long rampage. Related video: No Bail Set For Utah Man Charged In Deputy's Death (CBS Los Angeles) Koltsov "always wore the hugest smile and brought a smile to everyone around him," his friend Stephen Carballo, owner of the L.A. River Tattoo Co., wrote on Instagram. "He was an unbelievable ripper on every type of board, and it brings tears to my eyes thinking we won't be shredding laps at [Big Bear] this year or running into each other in the water." Koltsov first rode a skateboard in his native Russia at the age of 14 and quickly became integral to Moscow's fledgling skate scene, according to a statement provided to The Times from his sister, Marfa Koltsova. He worked with some friends to create Limited Skate Division, a do-it-yourself skate park in Moscow modeled after a similar venue in Portland, Ore., she said. Years later, Koltsov found his skills easily transferred from concrete to powder. He began competing in internationally recognized snowboarding competitions in 2006, according to the International Ski Federation. He placed third in the big air snowboarding competition, which focuses on a competitor's ability to pull off tricks and twists in midair after vaulting from a long downhill ramp, at the 2010 Russian National Championships. Two years later, he earned a silver medal during a halfpipe competition in Switzerland, his best recorded competitive finish, according to the federation. Koltsov's competitive career would come to a close in 2013, when he placed seventh at the European Cup in his native Russia, records show. In 2015, he moved to Southern California hoping to stay involved in the skate and snowboarding scenes without the pressures of trying to compete on a world stage, friends said. "If you look at it from a skateboarding perspective, there's the guy who hits halfpipes and tries to win the Olympics, and he used to be that guy in Russia," Carballo said. "And then there's the guy who tries to be more creative ... that's the kind of rider that he was in the U.S.   more of just a free rider … a soul surfer. Not taking it seriously, enjoying it." Since coming to Los Angeles, Koltsov had become something of an ambassador to other well-known Russian skaters and snowboarders visiting the area, said Kalil Hammouri, who lived with Koltsov for several years. "He was almost like an unofficial coach to all the Russian competitive skateboarders. They would come here for competitions and he would house them, feed them and make sure they got where they needed to go," said Hammouri, 28. Hammouri said Koltsov possessed a "freakish energy," whether he was teaching friends to surf, repairing ramps and painting skateboard decks at their Mar Vista residence or "singing and dancing and doing crazy stuff" while someone held up a cellphone camera. He rarely drank coffee, Hammouri said, and was even less likely to sit still. Others described him as selfless, always willing to pick up a tab or make a long drives to a surf spot or skate park so his friends didn't have to pay for gas. Koltsov often sent money back to his parents in Russia, and it wasn't out of the ordinary for him to show up at a friend's front door with groceries. Koltsov had little interest in money, friends said, but took construction work and other part-time gigs to cover a simple lifestyle. His expenses didn't go far beyond rent and skating, friends said. "He'd always come to my house when I was broke and just fill up my fridge with food ... we were just kind of broke snowboarders trying to live our passion," said Keyan Dale, 28, of Los Angeles, who often filmed Koltsov performing tricks while snowboarding. "He was kind of like an extended family member that you didn't ask for." The only time Koltsov's ever-present smile faded was at the mention of his family. The 31-year-old skater had not been back to Russia since moving to the U.S., and had not seen his parents or sister for at least four years, said Sylvia Mena, 26, who is married to Hammouri and had also lived with Koltsov since 2017. Mena said she understood the weight of Koltsov's decision to leave home better than most. Both of them had to make a difficult choice between family and passion, as there were few opportunities to climb as a skateboarder or snowboarder in Russia or her native Costa Rica. "That was like the one thing I think nobody was able to talk to him about," she said. "It's always a survivor mode. I came here for skateboarding. He came here for snowboarding. You always have to try to find your way." Koltsov's friends here are now trying to scrape together enough money to reunite him with his family, even in death. A GoFundMe page was set up in his honor last week, hoping to raise the roughly $15,000 needed to return his remains to Moscow and cover funeral expenses. Little is known about Koltsov's final moments. Last week, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore said only that the 31-year-old was shot after a "brief exchange" with Nelson, who was inside a car in the 1900 block of East 7th Place near downtown. Hammouri, relaying what he was told by another skater who witnessed the shooting, said Koltsov and a few friends were putting their boards away when Nelson drove up "screaming and waving a gun." Several of the skaters ran, but Koltsov stayed behind. He was shot in the head about 4:50 p.m., according to police and coroner's records. He died less than 20 minutes later. Nelson, 30, has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with Solano's and Koltsov's deaths, and one count of attempted murder on suspicion of shooting at another skater, who was not injured, court records show. He was also charged with a pair of gunpoint robberies in Long Beach, and is a suspect in at least five recent robberies in the San Diego area, police said. Nelson fled his family's home in southern Utah in late May armed with a gun. He was reported missing, and relatives feared he may have been in mental distress, though he did not have a diagnosed history of mental illness, according to police in St. George, Utah. His attorney, Jenn Bartick, declined to comment. Nelson has yet to enter a plea and is due back in court on July 22. Given Koltsov's selfless nature, Dale wondered if the skater stayed behind to try and calm Nelson. "Knowing him, he was probably thinking 'I could talk to this guy," he said. "'Maybe I could try to help him.'" Times staff writer Nathan Fenno in Los Angeles and special correspondent Sabra Ayres in Moscow contributed to this report. james.queally@latimes.com Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.


The draft is done, free agency is less than a week away, and teams' off-season plans are crystallizing. There are myriad options for teams and players alike in this summer of abundant salary cap space. Sunday may be a wild evening in the NBA, a virtual Whack-A-Mole game of free agents, where the mallets are maximum contracts. Instead of trying to predict who goes where in this ever-shifting landscape, let's look at the biggest question for Western Conference teams as they wait for the free-agent feeding frenzy to begin. DALLAS MAVERICKS: Whom will they settle for in free agency? Luka Doncic is the future of the franchise in Dallas, and restricted free agent Kristaps Porzingis is probably the sidekick of the future. Aside from that, they have Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jr. (and their bloated contracts) on the wings, and quality backups Dwight Powell, Jaylen Brunson and Maxi Kleber, who are overmatched as starters. The Mavs would love to get an all-star talent with their $30 million in cap space, but what top free agent is choosing Dallas over the flashier cities with better teams? It's more likely they'll get multiple lower-tier free agents rather than a Kemba Walker or Jimmy Butler. DENVER NUGGETS: Do they pay up for Paul Millsap? In 2017-18, the Nuggets were 25th in the NBA in defensive rating. Last season, they improved to 10th. The biggest reason for that was having Paul Millsap for 70 games, instead of just 38 the previous year. (With no Millsap at all in 2016-17, they were 29th in defense.) Denver has a team option for Millsap next season at $30.5 million, which is a lot for a 34-year-old who averaged 12.6 points last season. But do they want to mess with team chemistry, after their first playoff appearance in six years, just to save money? GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: How are they going to replace Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant? Even with the probable re-signing of Klay Thompson, and an improbable return from Kevin Durant, the Warriors wouldn't see either of their all-stars on the floor until March, if at all. If the rumored "delayed sign-and-trade" happens with Durant, the Warriors could recoup some assets, but not until January 15. They could also use Shaun Livingston's non-guaranteed contract to trade for a veteran, bring back prodigal small forward Harrison Barnes, or they could punt the year entirely, send Steph Curry off to Italy, and save millions on luxury tax while they wait for reinforcements in 2020. HOUSTON ROCKETS: Can the Chris Paul-James Harden marriage be saved? Up until the moment Chris Paul strained his hamstring in the 2017-18 conference finals, he and James Harden looked like the perfect couple. The Rockets won 65 games, Harden and Paul traded off running the offense, and Harden was convinced to try things he'd never done before, like play defense. Now they're going months without speaking and the GM says he'll trade anyone on the roster , but the capped-out Rockets still look like a likely Finals team. Paul's borderline-untradeable contract means the two will almost certainly give it another shot next season, no matter how much they hate each other. Maybe they can use the mid-level exception to sign a couples counselor. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: Are they getting Kawhi Leonard? In the past two seasons, the Clippers turned over their Lob City roster, they and now sit with three promising rookie guards, the best bench scoring combo in the NBA with Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell, and enough cap space for two star free agents. The Clippers want Leonard so badly they tried to buy his personal logo from Nike, and if he wants to come home to LA, they may pair him with Al Horford. But if the Board Man stays in Canada, Plan B could involve anything from Kevin Durant to a Danilo Gallinari trade. LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Who is going to come play with The Brow and LeBron? And are they going to be better than Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson? This may change after free agency starts, but right now, the Los Angeles Lakers have the best one-two punch in the Western Conference, if not the entire league. And outside of that duo, they have Kyle Kuzma, and that's it. (Well, besides the imminently traded Mo Wagner and Isaac Bonga.) The Lakers should be able to add quality veterans and ring chasers with their cap space and various exceptions. Everyone thought so last summer, too, and they ended up with the Island Of Misfit Veterans . They must add a lot of players, and we'd feel more optimistic if GM Rob Pelinka at least knew the salary cap rules . MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Who is going to be a part of the next playoff team? The Mike Conley trade marks the end of the Grit n' Grind era in Memphis, and the beginning of what they hope will be the era of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson, Jr. There's no way they'll be a playoff team this season, so it's all about finding out who might be alongside their young stars long term. Does Delon Wright have a role in that backcourt? Will Brandon Clarke live up to his gaudy college stats ? Of course, their best teammates might come from draft picks Memphis gets when they use their cap space to take on bad contracts this summer. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: Will they clear one of their bad contracts? Minnesota's path to adding a big free agent this summer requires dumping one or more of their bad long-term deals: Jeff Teague's $19 million (tough to move), Gorgui Dieng's two years and $33.5 million (nearly impossible to move), or Andrew Wiggins' four years and $122 million (not going anywhere anytime soon). It might not be worth the picks they'd have to attach to dump the deals, unless they have an extremely strong indication that Karl-Anthony Towns' good friend D'Angelo Russell wants to team up with him . NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: How soon will Zion be great? Zion Williamson is going to become a star in the NBA. But how good will 19-year-old Zion Williamson be in his rookie season? That will affect how aggressive New Orleans acts when it comes to its cap space and trades. If he's an immediate contributor, look for veteran help, especially at center (Brook Lopez, perhaps?). If it looks like Zion may take awhile to adjust, then rent out the cap space, and start looking at Jrue Holiday deals. Regardless, the Pelicans should do their best to give Zion what he didn't have at Duke: three-point shooters. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Will the Thunder really get rid of Steven Adams? Adams is a wonderful defender, an effective pick-and-roll man, and has more than a passing resemblance to Aquaman, Jason Momoa. But he makes more than $53 million for the next two years, and the Thunder just paid a record amount in luxury tax for a team that has won four playoff games in the past three years combined. Still, getting rid of your starting center isn't a great way to win more playoff games, so perhaps OKC can dump Andre Roberson or Dennis Schroder instead. Whatever the Thunder does, it better involve adding more outside shooting, because Paul George and Jerami Grant were OKC's only perimeter threats. PHOENIX SUNS: Will they finally get a point guard? In 2015, the Suns had three good point guards before trading Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas within minutes of each other. Since then, Brandon Knight hurt his knee, Eric Bledsoe didn't want to be there , and the position has essentially been vacant for two seasons. The premium point guards (Kemba Walker and Kyrie Irving) are probably out of their reach, but even Ricky Rubio or Patrick Beverley would still be a dramatic upgrade. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Are they stuck with this group? Plenty of teams would be happy to be "stuck" at the conference finals, and Portland should be proud of their season. But it also feels like the Damian Lillard-C.J. McCollum backcourt is not quite a championship contender, and to truly upgrade, the Trail Blazers probably must trade McCollum. They can keep one, maybe two of the free-agent group of Al-Farouq Aminu, Enes Kanter, Rodney Hood, and Seth Curry, and after that, their only upgrades are minimum contracts and Jusuf Nurkic's return to health. If only you got extra cap space for battle rapping . SACRAMENTO KINGS: What do they do about Willie Cauley-Stein? The Sacramento Kings have two major free agents this summer: Harrison Barnes, who opted out of the last year of his deal, and Willie Cauley-Stein, whose agent made it clear he wants out . Normally submitting a qualifying offer is a no-brainer, but Cauley-Stein's cap hold is over $14 million, and the franchise doesn't seem enthusiastic about him, so it should really just let him go. Meanwhile, the Kings ought to reach a long-term deal with Barnes, a three-and-D wing who can play both forward spots, and is far better than any of their other small-forward options in the near future. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Can they clear the log jam at guard? After losing their starting point guard in the pre-season, San Antonio still made the playoffs and pushed Denver to a seventh game before bowing out. Now Dejounte Murray is returning, along with first-rounders Derrick White and Lonnie Walker. Throw in Patty Mills, Marco Belinelli, and Bryn Forbes, and you have too many guards in the rotation. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Belinelli or Forbes go, but if a team with cap space misses out on a superstar in free agency, DeMar DeRozan could be a fallback option through trade. After all, the Spurs have too many guards and not enough three-point shots: Dealing DeRozan solves both those problems. UTAH JAZZ: Does the Mike Conley trade make Utah a title contender? For two years in a row, the Jazz has been fifth in the Western Conference, second in the NBA in defensive rating, and a victim of the Houston Rockets in the playoffs. But with the addition of guard Mike Conley, Utah has upgraded its weakest position, adding a legitimate star to the duo of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Utah only has the room exception left to improve the rest of the roster and restore some of the depth it lost. If Utah can get its offense to an above-average level, the defense is good enough that it can beat anyone. Well, maybe not the Rockets. Related slideshow: Top picks of 2019 NBA Draft (provided by imagn)


Twitter (TWTR) has been granted a patent that could lead to drone selfies. The new patent filed by Twitter describes unmanned aerial vehicle that could take photos and post them to the social media website. When asked about the patented device, a TWTR spokesperson responded by saying "drone selfies," reports NBC News. The patent for the Twitter drone also describe how it could be controlled in different ways. It talks about the drone being moved in different directions depending on how many Likes, Retweets and Replies the post got. However, the drone has to exist before anyone can be sure that it will work this way, The Verge notes. It's possible that the new Twitter device could be used for more than just taking drone selfies. The social media company may allow it to post live video on users' profiles via Periscope, reports NBC News. TWTR shares were up 1% as of Tuesday morning. More From InvestorPlace: Is the Under Armour Stock Split a Raw Deal for UA Owners? The post Twitter Drone Selfies May Be on the Way appeared first on InvestorPlace .


UTEP quarterback Kai Locksley, the son of Maryland coach Mike Locksley, has been suspended from the team following his Saturday morning arrest. Kai Locksley was arrested on DWI and marijuana possession charges, as well as a charge of making a threat. An off-duty officer wrote in the charging affidavit that he heard Locksley say that he had a loaded handgun while threatening a group of people. The threat allegedly happened when Locksley was in an argument with the group of people. He then allegedly got into a vehicle and put it into reverse. From the Baltimore Sun: Charging documents obtained Monday state that an off-duty officer heard Locksley yell at a group of people that he "had a handgun with a full magazine and would empty it on the individuals." Officers wrote that when they pulled over Locksley, they found a Smith and Wesson SD40 firearm in the vehicle. Locksley "seemed impaired and had unstable balance, slurred speech and blood shot eyes," charging documents state, and refused to submit to a Breathalyzer test. Per KTSM in El Paso , defensive lineman Tiano Tialavea was also arrested with Locksley. Tialavea was arrested on charges of suspicion of disorderly conduct and public intoxication. Locksley started eight games for UTEP in 2018 after he transferred in from a community college. He threw for over 900 yards and rushed for over 300 as UTEP went 1-11 in coach Dana Dimel's first season with the team.               Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports. More from Yahoo Sports: Warriors stars trash 'classless' Toronto fans after KD's injury Did Raptors coach doom his team with ill-fated timeout? Red Sox honor 'adopted son' Ortiz with moment of silence Winslow found guilty of rape, indecent exposure, lewd conduct


Video by GeoBeats Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) said Border Patrol agents were telling migrants in U.S. Customs and Border Patrol facilities to drink out of toilets. During a Monday visit to CBP facilities in Southern Texas, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, "Just left the 1st CBP facility. I see why CBP officers were being so physically &sexually threatening towards me. Officers were keeping women in cells w/ no water & had told them to drink out of the toilets. This was them on their GOOD behavior in front of members of Congress." Just left the 1st CBP facility. I see why CBP officers were being so physically &sexually threatening towards me. Officers were keeping women in cells w/ no water & had told them to drink out of the toilets. This was them on their GOOD behavior in front of members of Congress. - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 1, 2019 The freshman lawmaker was on a trip to visit migrant detention centers with more than a dozen other House members Monday, The Washington Post reported. The trip was organized by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and it includes stops in El Paso and Clint, Texas. Ocasio-Cortez also shared that CBP officials said "officers are under stress & act out sometimes." Now I've seen the inside of these facilities. It's not just the kids. It's everyone. People drinking out of toilets, officers laughing in front of members Congress. I brought it up to their superiors. They said "officers are under stress & act out sometimes." No accountability. - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 1, 2019 She added, "After I forced myself into a cell w/ women&began speaking to them, one of them described their treatment at the hands of officers as "psychological warfare" - waking them at odd hours for no reason, calling them wh*res, etc. Tell me what about that is due to a "lack of funding?" After I forced myself into a cell w/ women&began speaking to them, one of them described their treatment at the hands of officers as "psychological warfare" - waking them at odd hours for no reason, calling them wh*res, etc. Tell me what about that is due to a "lack of funding?" - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 1, 2019 Ocasio-Cortez said she was on the way to Clint on Monday afternoon after visiting facilities in El Paso, which she called "horrifying so far." "It is hard to understate the enormity of the problem. We're talking systemic cruelty w/ a dehumanizing culture that treats them like animals." Now I'm on my way to Clint, where the Trump admin was denying children toothpaste and soap. This has been horrifying so far. It is hard to understate the enormity of the problem. We're talking systemic cruelty w/ a dehumanizing culture that treats them like animals. - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 1, 2019 CBP has been under fire for months for the conditions of migrant detention facilities, including not giving children basic sanitary necessities, leaving out rotting food and providing standing room only conditions for migrants in some facilities. The Hill has reached out to CBP and Ocasio-Cortez's office for comment.