In the aftermath of World War II, children were often left without parents to help them bear the fallout of conflict. This was true for children of East Prussia who were separated from their families during the final stages of war. Likened to wandering hungry wolves, many of the children, isolated from humanity, were left to roam through unforgiving forests in order to survive. They became known as the "wolf children." Dr. Michelle Mouton , a professor of History at the University of Wisconsin, when describing geopolitical decision making at the end of the World War referenced a 1944 statement made by the British Labor Party. In the statement, the party expressed its anticipation of an impending "depth of hatred against Germans in occupied countries in the early Post-war periods" and a belief that Germans may have to face the choice between "migration and massacre." Mouton says that, at least officially, "the Allies didn't want massacre so they agreed with migration." The chaos created by both legislated and unofficial expulsions of Germans made it difficult for families to reunite and had a heavy impact on the fates of children of East Prussia . Some were sent to Soviet children's homes, others fled to Lithuania and some to a new and divided Germany. In countless cases, the remainder of childhood and adolescence would be marked by pressures to assimilate to unfamiliar and often times unaccepting environments. Many of the German wolf children who went to Lithuania share similar life stories in which language, family, and home some of strongest shapers of identity, were stripped away at ages in which they were most impressionable. What they received instead was a life working under harsh conditions, often with minimal education, and in hiding. Any assistance they would get from Lithuanian neighbors could end abruptly at any moment; they were living in a USSR-occupied Lithuania that subscribed to Soviet policies of removing Nazi influence in politics and society and of reprisal for shared German guilt after all. Ultimately, they became children who were greatly affected by the collapse of a system that was designed to favor them. Though photographer Lukas Kreibig cannot recall exactly where he first read about the experiences of the wolf children, their shrouded stories stayed with him. As a student at the Danish School of Media and Journalism he sought to better understand what happened to the children of East Prussia through work on a photography project he began in 2017. In his research, he came across the work of Claudia Heinermann who published a book on wolf children. They would work with the same woman, Luise, herself a former wolf child, who introduced them to those they photographed for their separate projects. When speaking on the two projects, Kreibig says "it is good that [the stories of wolf children] come out in many ways" so that their lives and histories are more visible. Motivated by the importance of documenting some of the last eyewitnesses to a brutal war, Kreibig sought to create intimate portraits that illuminate the aging faces of those who were left in the shadows of history. ( How children fleeing in the European migration crisis face lasting psychological trauma. ) In an idyllic remote southern Lithuanian town, Kreibig first met Gisela who at fourteen escaped a Soviet death march after witnessing her grandmother succumb to starvation in 1945. After a brief return to Königsberg, Gisela journeyed to Lithuania following the promise of greater opportunity. She would learn Lithuanian and end up on a Soviet kolkhoz , or collective farm, where she met her husband and had a daughter and a son. Working and living on the land, she recounted, was very difficult. She explained in Lithuanian how she "wants to forget [that time], but she can't forget, it stays with you like a scar." There were brighter periods, of course, such as when Gisela was notified by the German Red Cross that her mother and brother were still alive nearly twenty years since she had last seen them. In a letter sent to her in 1961, her mother writes to her in German, "Gislechen, I am so happy that I know you are still alive and that I have your address to write you. We haven't heard from each other in a long time. Your brother Dieter and I are healthy." Still, the fear of being reported to the government incessantly loomed over her and she could reveal her German heritage only to those closest in her life. Kreibig also provides glimpses into the lives of Erna, Reinhard, and Elfriede, other children of the former East Prussia, through images of archival and contemporary family photos and documents that trace stages of their lives showing who they were and who they are today. Most of those he met with felt they had couldn't fully separate their German and Lithuanian identities as neither place ever completely recognized their presence in society until relatively recently . Lithuania now provides a small pension for wolf children and Germany, though the country makes it much more difficult to acquire, provides some government assistance and political representation. The tendency when writing history to disregard the testimonies of children when they are children can elucidate why those like Gisela and numerous more were not included in the historical record for so long. An examination of the changing politics of memory in Germany and its influence on former USSR territories can further explain why the children were neglected from post-war discourse and how they eventually came to be more embedded in the historical narrative of modern Europe. Immediately after the war, some in Germany worked to absolve themselves of responsibility for war atrocities and construct the notion of German victimhood or the power of the Soviet state in defeating fascism. Memory and remembrance at this time were incredibly selective. It's difficult to imagine a time in which the harrowing memories of World War II, like those of the Holocaust, were seldom, if at all, discussed. Dr. Jenny Wüstenberg, DAAD Visiting Professor at York University, notes that in Soviet occupied East Germany "you wouldn't really talk about the atrocities of the Soviet forces because they were depicted as liberators." In West Germany, in contrast, general discussions of German suffering, she says, were "a very central part of how war was remembered." But the rise of student activism and easing state control over memory later enabled more people to more outwardly promote new paradigms of remembrance across Europe. Particularly in West Germany, it was previously widely understood that to speak in detail of what happened to Germans after the war would be to minimize the actions of the Nazi regime and establish false equivalences of suffering. Discussions of wolf children, thus, were mainly relegated to far right-wing revisionist domains where children were used as pawns to justify Nazism and support the notion that Germans, too, suffered greatly during the Second World War. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the subsequent breakdown of the Soviet Union, as Wüstenberg notes, allowed communities to more openly and more effusively reckon with their pasts as there was even more freedom of communication. Kreibig, substantiating this history, says that in his native Germany, the stories of the children of East Prussia, are more known now. The trauma of war lies deep within societies and transcends generations but as with all painful legacies, the passage of time allows for a confrontation with historical erasure. Lukas Kreibig found it important to remember "the stories and death and pain this war caused." His project on the war children of East Prussia offers an opportunity to reflect on the significant lessons of the effects of war on children and the complex and extensive processes from which identity and history are constructed. The project is yet another testament to the power of imagery to add to the historical record, to generate and alter opinions, and to push us to reflect more critically on collective pasts. Lukas Kreibig is a German photographer based in Hamburg. See more of his work on his website or by following him on Instagram .


The NBA offseason really never disappoints. It's been less than a week since the Toronto Raptors knocked off the Golden State Warriors to claim the NBA title and the league is already shrouded in drama. And some of the latest drama comes at the hand of the Houston Rockets, who are still dealing with the fallout from their loss to the Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals. There have rumors after rumors about what the team is going to do this offseason after failing yet again to get past Golden State, and that has reportedly means putting everyone not named James Harden on the trading block. Some have said Chris Paul should be the first to go, despite his growing age, decreasing productivity and massive contract (he's still owed $124 million over the remaining three years). Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said Monday that Paul is safe from being traded, as he has not requested one despite a recent report from ESPN's Stephen A. Smith. But a new story from ESPN's Tim MacMahon on Monday raises questions on if Paul could be shipped out, as he and Harden reportedly have a decently sized rift between them. "Chris wants to coach James," says a source familiar with the stars' dynamic. "James looks at him like, 'You can't even beat your man. Just shut up and watch me.'" According to sources, Paul was also frustrated by what he perceived as Harden's tendency to ignore unglamorous details that impact winning - such as moving when he gives up the ball to help spacing - and wasn't shy about expressing those concerns. "It's always a little contentious when you have two alpha dogs," a team source says. "Ask the Golden State Warriors if they've ever had problems between their stars. "There is contention there, but they know they're tied at the hip, and they want to win. They're smart. They won't let it affect the team. … That is not the reason Golden State beat us." It has reached a point, team sources say, where Paul cherishes the chance to play without Harden on the floor. On several occasions, according to team sources, Paul barked at D'Antoni to keep Harden on the bench while he was running the second unit. Harden simultaneously would lobby - or demand - to check back into the game. MacMahon notes though however that the Rockets were at their best when Harden and Paul played together during the playoffs, posting a plus-6.4 net rating compared to minus-1.5 with only Harden and minus-4.6 with only Paul. Harden, by nature, tends to avoid conflict but was pushed hard enough to snap back at Paul from time to time. That's what happened during the Rockets' elimination loss, when, team sources said, Harden told Paul he didn't always know best and had talked too much. "Chris has a personality where he just doesn't let anything go," a team source says. "He just keeps pestering and pestering and pestering and pestering. Sometimes James has had enough - and not just him. That's what makes [Paul] a winner and also what keeps him from being a big-time winner. He's got to temper that." But Morey downplayed the rift. "We have two high-level competitors, Chris and James, who their only goal in life at this point is to win the title. They've accomplished everything else, they are both going to be first-ballot Hall of Famers. Two competitive superstars at that level, there's going to be times when they are extremely competitive, extremely focused on how do we get to that next level, and when we don't there's going to be frustration," Morey said . "I'm frustrated, our top players are frustrated, Mike D'Antoni is frustrated. We want to take the last step and be the champion and I think it's good that there is tension in the sense that we all want to win." What do you think? Is there actually a rift? And is it bad enough to cause Paul to be put on the chopping block? MORE: This brilliant photo of Kawhi Leonard at the parade had fans in awe... and making jokes NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Adding context to audible issue between Aaron Rodgers, Matt LaFleur 3 players the Raiders could trade for before the 2019 season An early preview of the Warriors 2019-20 offseason


Remember when New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was a colossal waste of the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft because of his weak arm and inaccurate throws? Pepperidge Farm remembers. My oh my, has the tune changed. It seems like a distant memory now, but Jones was the worst No. 6 pick in draft history - or at least that's what you'd believe if you saw the overall reaction to it at the time. Now things are quieting down and the hype train is officially on the tracks, ready to chug along to 2019 and beyond. From everything we've heard and seen so far, there is reason to be excited for Jones' future. That perception of a lack of arm strength and accuracy (particularly downfield) that led to the much-maligned 59.9 percent completion rate at Duke? Daniel Jones' arm strength is certainly not lacking, and this week we got a chance to see just how accurate he is downfield. If minicamp is any indication, he's really, really good. https://t.co/pViQtx86xj - Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) June 6, 2019 Yeah, definitely couldn't have been the lack of talent around him that produced zero NFL players. It certainly wasn't due to the receivers who ran poor routes and dropped a ton of passes or the poor protection by offensive linemen who forced Jones to run for his life during his three years as a starter. . @Giants @Daniel_Jones10 #GiantsQB had to endure most Saturdays full of wrong routes, poor protection, and the drops. Did I mention the DROPS? Just once, I wish Coach K would let Zion put on the pads. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/oHXwIWdYQc - Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 30, 2019 More on Jones' arm strength from the New York Post's Paul Schwartz . Does it look like Jones possesses an arm that widens the eyes of coaches, teammates and opponents? No, not really. But it is not an arm lacking in strength. The Giants fell in love with Jones based on the total package - they seem him as expertly handling the demands and pressures inherent in the life of a quarterback in the New York area. They also are in disagreement with those who rate Jones' arm as a minus. Here's the New York Daily News' Pat Leonard on how Jones has looked in minicamp. Jones' arm looked strong this week, he threw some impressive deep passes, and it didn't look too big for him. It looked like he was making a lot of the right reads as he surveyed the field. Ralph Vacchiano of SNY believes there is the potential that Jones could cause a quarterback controversy between he and Eli Manning prior to the start of the season. That makes it all a situation that bears watching since, for the first time since Manning arrived in 2004, the Giants do have the makings of a quarterback competition. Jones, the sixth overall pick in the draft, still has a long way to go to be any kind of a threat to Manning's job. But he's been impressive so far. He's picked the offense up faster than the Giants ever anticipated. His throws look strong, he seems confident, he's wowed the Giants with his speed and athletic ability. Despite absolutely detesting the pick, SNY's Adam Schein is already convinced that Jones should be the starter come Week 1. Daniel Jones is the best QB on the NY Giants. Not Eli Manning. Jones has some talent and he's better than Eli. What bold statements after the powers that be told us he'd probably sit for three years and be a total bust. What is going on here? CBS Sports' Pete Prisco thinks people who automatically assumed Jones would be a bust might want to reconsider their immediate jump to conclusions about the Duke product. By now, you are probably one of the many who consider New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman to be a football idiot. You are also probably one of the many who think rookie quarterback Daniel Jones will be a bust, making a blood sport out of besmirching the kid's name. But anybody who watched the Giants' minicamp practice Wednesday might be swayed to think differently. True, it's only one practice in June without pads, but Jones was truly impressive throwing the football. Yes, things have changed drastically since all the knee-jerk hate surrounding the Giants' pick. I mean, general manager Dave Gettleman was harshly criticized for making a pick people didn't agree with, and Jones, who has handled all the negativity perfectly, was dragged through the mud with him. It was all based on ignorantly-spewed statistics and generalizations that now look misleading when re-examined with our own eyes. And don't think Gettleman's against-the-grain offseason decisions like the trade of Odell Beckham Jr. and letting Landon Collins walk didn't have at least something to do with the hate. Gettleman didn't do what he was "supposed" to do, and both he and Jones were punished for it. Nobody is saying an impressive spring proves Daniel Jones is the next great star or even worth the No. 6 pick, but it does show just how ridiculous and over-the-top the reaction was. The Giants saw all the positives of a total package - positives that also include his ability to pick up the offense and make plays with his legs. If Jones becomes even a good starter for the next 15 years at perhaps the most difficult position in sports and the Giants turn things around, wouldn't he be worth more than a pass rusher? The biggest detractors of Gettleman and Jones didn't even let the dust begin to settle before making their judgement, and now that it has started to settle, we're seeing a very different picture of Jones. So far, it's a picture of hope that seemed utterly impossible six weeks ago. MORE: Giants' Daniel Jones quickly destroying critical narratives Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade Report: New Orleans likely to trade Anthony Davis to Celtics These five upcoming NBA free agents hurt themselves in the playoffs Cowboys News: Michael Gallup leg injury dampens final OTA session


MIAMI (CBSMiami)   A South Florida bound plane from the Bahamas went down 20 miles east of Bimini. The Piper PA-34 departed Great Harbour Cay Airport in The Bahamas and was flying to Miami Executive Airport when it went crashed into the ocean, according to the FAA's Kathleen Bergen. The US Coast Guard said a fishing vessel rescue the three occupants of the plane. They were taken to Bahamian authorities in Cat Cay.


LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) Onetime Kansas prospect Jayden Russell says he has been granted a release from his letter of intent and is ''exploring different options.'' The 6-foot-3, 190-pound defensive back made the announcement Tuesday on Twitter. He wrote that Kansas told him there was a chance that his score on the ACT could get flagged because of a 10-point jump between the second and third time he took the college entrance exam. If he arrived on campus during the flagging process, he said, he would have to leave and potentially give back everything he received. He says the school wanted him to report in January. But he didn't want to wait and decided instead to look for options to compete this fall. As a senior, Russell helped lead St. Thomas Aquinas in Overland Park to its first state football title. --- More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25


Atlanta is predicted to see light rainfall over the next few days, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . Today's forecast shows the highest chance of rain at 88%, while the most rainfall is predicted on Friday at 0.29 inches. Also expect warm temperatures through Tuesday. Temperatures will get even hotter on Wednesday, with a high of 92 degrees. Winds will continue to be fairly calm over the course of the week, with a light breeze of only 5 mph on Wednesday. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The Los Angeles Rams and Chargers stadium will be one of the best stadiums in the NFL when it's completed. The new outdoor stadium that is covered with host the Rams, Chargers, a Super Bowl, and probably NCAA games - both basketball and football - concerts and many other events. The exposure is a sponsor's dream. Now we know who the sponsor will be as SoFi has come to a deal to be the naming rights partner of the new stadium in SoCal. There's always an argument if naming rights are worth it, but it's some pretty good marketing. The name is mentioned on television constantly. Branding and signage are shown whenever a game is played there. Tens of thousands of people interact with the stadium and will associate the brand with the team. It will also help if the Rams and Chargers continue on their upward trajectories. We haven't even talked about this: The Los Angeles Stadium naming rights deal should be record-setting when you consider it's the home of two NFL teams, an Olympic Games, multiple Super Bowls, CFP national championship games AND directly below the flight path of hundreds of domestic and international flights. https://t.co/MNGUN99c4p - Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) May 29, 2019 So this should be a good deal for SoFi, no matter what the price tag lands at. MORE: Five potential Chris Paul trade destinations Kyle Busch was so frustrated during Coke 600 that he told Joe Gibbs he quit NBA Wants Drake To Tone Down Sideline Antics Report: The Celtics are no longer the favorites to sign Kyrie Irving Geronimo Allison looks like favorite to be Packers slot WR


Houston police officers are investigating a deadly auto-pedestrian collision in Houston's River Oaks neighborhood Monday involving a cement truck. The crash was reported around 1:30 p.m. in the 1700 block of S. Shepherd Drive. It is unclear what caused the collision, but Houston police say at least one person is dead. South Shepherd Drive is closed between Vermont and Peden streets as officers investigate. Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site , Chron.com , and our subscriber site , HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message


Novak Djokovic , Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are all into the French Open semifinals. They were last in the final four, together, at a Grand Slam at this tournament seven years ago. No. 1 Djokovic and No. 4 Dominic Thiem swept quarterfinals Thursday to join No. 3 Federer and No. 2 Nadal in Friday's semifinals. Federer plays Nadal at 6:50 a.m. ET on Tennis Channel. Djokovic gets Thiem after that. NBC, NBCSN, NBCSports.com/live and NBC Sports app coverage starts at 11 a.m. across all time zones. Djokovic, trying to hold all four majors at once for the second time in his career, dominated young No. 5 Alexander Zverev 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in the quarters. Thiem had it even easier, dusting No. 10 Karen Khachanov of Russia 6-2, 6-4, 6-2. Djokovic, Federer and Nadal own a combined 52 Grand Slam singles titles. Thiem, much younger at 25, is the best player on the men's tour without a major. It's the first time the top four men's seeds at a Grand Slam made the semifinals since the 2013 Australian Open. Since then, tennis' Big Three traded turns at No. 1 and missed Slams due to injuries. Federer went four and a half years between major titles from to 2012 to 2017. He's playing the French for the first time since 2015, on the 10th anniversary of his lone Roland Garros title. It could be, at age 37, his last French Open. Nadal didn't make a Grand Slam semifinal in 2015 or 2016, ending the latter season early with a wrist injury. He overcame his latest series of knee problems to make the Australian Open final in January and arrived in Paris favored for his record-extending 12th French Open crown. Djokovic held all four Slam titles after taking the 2016 French Open. But he, too, declined and then underwent elbow surgery in January 2018, falling out of the top 20 before a comeback Wimbledon title in July. Djokovic then won the U.S. Open and Australian Open, retaking the No. 1 ranking and, with 15 majors, closing in on Nadal (17) and Federer (20). Men's Quarterfinals (1) Novak Djokovic def. (5) Alexander Zverev 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 (4) Dominic Thiem def. (10) Karen Khachanov 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 (3) Roger Federer def. (24) Stan Wawrinka 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 (2) Rafael Nadal def. (7) Kei Nishikori, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 Women's Quarterfinals (8) Ashleigh Barty def. (14) Madison Keys, 6-3, 7-5 Amanda Anisimova def. (3) Simona Halep 6-2, 6-4 (26) Jo Konta def. (7) Sloane Stephens, 6-1, 6-4 Marketa Vondrousova def. (31) Petra Martic, 7-6 (1), 7-5 FRENCH OPEN: TV Schedule | Scores | Men's Draw | Women's Draw OlympicTalk is on Apple News . Favorite us! Follow @nbcolympictalk Related slideshow: Best of the French Open (Provided by imagn)


Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo on Thursday explained how President Donald Trump's plan to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to raid homes of undocumented immigrants is "creating havoc in our community." Acevedo told CNN's Don Lemon that the U.S.-born children of immigrants had approached him at forums saying, "I'm afraid to go to school, I'm afraid to leave the house, I'm afraid to come home and find my parents are gone." "Those fears are real," the chief said. Raids by ICE agents are slated to start on Sunday, The New York Times reported . Trump had initially planned to launch them last month, but paused the operation in a bid to come up with a "solution to the Asylum and Loophole problems at the Southern Border" with Democrats, he tweeted. Acevedo said pronouncements like "we're gonna go round up a million people" also pushed people "further into the dark and further outside of the realm of society, which means we have a harder time investigating crime." "I think we should be chasing crooks, not cooks," he added. Acevedo acknowledged that his department does work with ICE "as it relates to Homeland Security investigations, going after real hardcore criminals." "There's a lot of them out there and we're just hopeful that we don't create greater problems for society by separating families," Acevedo added. "Families belong together, they certainly don't belong apart." Check out the clip here: "There's a lot of fear across our immigrant community," says Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo about ICE raids planned for Sunday. "When we make pronouncements that we're going to go round up a million people, all that does is create havoc." https://t.co/BhhlQj0wd1 pic.twitter.com/gtpakPuJHi   CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) July 12, 2019 This article originally appeared on HuffPost .


BROOKLYN, Mich.   Former Cup champion Kurt Busch will use the upcoming off weekend to start to look at what his future could be. He'll begin by attending next weekend's 24 Hours of Le Mans with car owner Chip Ganassi, whose organization will be fielding Ford GTs in that race. Busch's contract expires with Chip Ganassi Racing after this season. What could be next for Busch? "My first step is next week to go with Chip Ganassi to Le Mans and check out the GT program that he has and to experience Le Mans as a fan and also can I get a ride for next year and see how that plays out and does the schedule work out next year," Busch said Friday at Michigan International Speedway. Cup will not have an off weekend in June next year, so if Busch remains in NASCAR's premier series, running Le Mans would not be an option. Busch also said another factor will be what sponsor Monster Energy wants to do next year. Busch enters Sunday's race at Michigan International Speedway eighth in the points. He finished a season-best second at Bristol. He has 30 career Cup victories. Busch's last Cup victory came at Bristol in August 2018.


A couple of bears started jumping in water excitedly when they saw two kids outside their exhibit in the zoo. The toddlers too looked thrilled at seeing the bears do this cute jump dance.


Paris Saint-Germain defender Thomas Meunier has revealed that he wants to remain at the club next season amid speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal. The 27-year-old's contract expires in a year and isn't likely to be extended by his club. However, the Belgium international has now expressed his desire to remain at the Parc de Princes next season despite reported interest from Arsenal and Manchester United, among other clubs. "I will repeat myself again. My ambition is to stay in Paris," he told Belgian radio station RTBF (as quoted by The Daily Express ). "If they want me that will be even better - we will be hand in hand. "If they do not want me, then we will find a solution." Meunier played under current Arsenal manager Unai Emery when the 47-year-old was at the helm at PSG and the Spaniard is reportedly keen on bringing the defender to north London. Arsenal are currently lacking depth at right-back as Stephan Lichtsteiner was released after one season at the club, leaving Hector Bellerin, who is currently recovering from a ruptured cruciate and Ainsley Maitland-Niles (who is conventionally a midfielder) as the only senior options in this position. ✔ 100ème match avec @psg ✔ Victoire 3-0 et retour sur le terrain après des semaines d'arrêt. ✔ Une magnifique fête pour l'ensemble de la famille Paris Saint-Germain! FÉLICITATIONS A TOUS POUR CETTE BELLE SAISON! #ICICESTPARIS #TÔTOUTARD  pic.twitter.com/E1G3uy52YC   Thomas Meunier (@ThomMills) 19 May 2019 The Belgium international signed for PSG from Club Brugge in 2016 and quickly established himself into the first-team. He has appeared in at least 20 league games in each of his three seasons at the club and has been part of a PSG side who have dominated domestically in recent years. Meunier's impressive form for PSG has meant that he has become Belgium's first-choice right wing-back under Roberto Martinez. He helped guide Belgium to the best-ever World Cup finish in 2018, making five appearances as the Red Devils finished in third place. Meunier has made 99 appearances for PSG, scoring 12 goals.


Officials in Italy are sick of slow-moving tourists looking for a place to sit on public monuments. This week, Rome announced that visitors can now be fined €400 ($450) for sitting on the city's historic Spanish Steps , which for decades have served as a crowded picnic, drinking, and resting spot for hordes of travelers looking for a free place to lounge after sightseeing. Officials also approved an even greater fine of $500 for anyone who attempts to swim in the Trevi Fountain. How will Rome enforce the new no-sit rule amid the throngs of tourists at the Spanish Steps? According to reports from the area this week, police will sharply blow whistles two times in the direction of anyone who attempts to sit down and shoo them away. As one city official told the New York Times : "You couldn't walk around the Metropolitan Museum snacking on food and slurping a Coke," he said. "We expect the same for the center of Rome." Rome's announcement follows last month's news that officials in Venice had expelled two tourists from the city (and fined them more than $1,000) for brewing coffee near the Rialto Bridge. Even with Rome's new policies, the capital has a long way to go to match Venice's strictures. Currently, visitors to the floating city face fines for everything from standing still on bridges to buying from street traders, and dipping their toes in the canal. And it's not just Italy's cities that are cracking down. German supermodel Heidi Klum is currently facing a fine of more than $6,000 for swimming in Capri's famous Blue Grotto underwater cave on her honeymoon this summer. Ever since they served as the backdrop for Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck's whirlwind romance in Roman Holiday , the Spanish Steps have been a must-see destination for travelers to Rome. If anything, this week's law means the steps will now look more like they did in the movie and less like an outdoor airport terminal. If you're traveling to Rome and find you need to rest your legs, check out our list of the city's greatest eateries instead.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Greater Uptown? According to Walk Score, this Houston neighborhood is very walkable, is fairly bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one-bedroom in Greater Uptown is currently hovering around $1,200. So, what might you expect to find with a budget of $2,300/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. 5740 San Felipe St. Listed at $2,205/month, this 1,349-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit is located at 5740 San Felipe St. The unit offers hardwood floors and in-unit laundry. The building boasts a swimming pool and on-site laundry. If you've got a pet, you'll be happy to learn that cats and dogs are permitted. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 2525 McCue Road Next, there's this three-bedroom, two-bathroom unit over at 2525 McCue Road. It's listed for $2,228/month for its 1,350 square feet. The residence offers a ceiling fan, in-unit laundry and a balcony. Pet owners, take heed: Cats and dogs are permitted. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (See the complete listing here .) 3100 Post Oak Blvd. Next, check out this two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that's located at 3100 Post Oak Blvd. It's listed for $2,275/month. The building features secured entry and garage parking. In the apartment, the listing promises in-unit laundry, hardwood floors and a walk-in closet. Animals are permitted. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 6464 San Felipe St. Located at 6464 San Felipe St., here's a 1,613-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit that's listed for $2,297/month. In the unit, expect to see in-unit laundry, a balcony and hardwood floors. Luckily for pet owners, both dogs and cats are welcome. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 5600 Westheimer Road Listed at $2,300/month, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is located at 5600 Westheimer Road. You can expect in-unit laundry in the apartment. Good news for animal lovers: Both dogs and cats are allowed here. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. (Take a look 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.


Your cruise fare most likely includes meals, lodging, and entertainment, but you'll probably encounter some hidden fees and unexpected charges, too. On an all-inclusive cruise , your fare will include meals, accommodations, and some entertainment options. But that doesn't even begin to cover all the money you'll actually spend on your vacation. While all-inclusive cruises can offer passengers great value, there are some hidden and unexpected fees that can catch cruisers off-guard and quickly make a dent in their wallets, including surprise gratuity fees and drink packages that come with a catch. Whether you're a new cruiser or have sailed for years, be on the lookout for these fees which may surprise you at the end of your trip. Here are some fees that you may not realize you'll have to pay on your next cruise. Gratuities For US travelers, gratuities at land-based hotels and restaurants is often discretionary - expected, but your responsibility to add yourself. That isn't the case on every cruise ship. "On a cruise ship, because of the many people to have a part in making your trip extraordinary, gratuities are automatically added to your final bill at the conclusion of your trip, with the exception of select luxury lines that often include them in the base fare," Colleen McDaniel, editor in chief of Cruise Critic , told Business Insider. For the most part, McDaniel says, you can expect a mainstream cruise line to add around $14 to $15 in gratuities per person every day. For a family of four taking a week-long cruise, that can add more than $400 to the cost of your base fare. That surprising fee can catch you by surprise at the end of a seven-day voyage. "Prior to booking, be sure to familiarize yourself with your cruise line's gratuity policy so you can more accurately budget your total costs," McDaniel said. You can see a list of the gratuity policies of several major cruise lines here . Bottled water Many cruisers are aware that soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are not included and incur an extra fee, but many don't realize that bottled water is an upcharge. "On many ships, this is true even if you have purchased a beverage package," Mia Burwell, co-owner and senior travel curator with Genesis Travel Group , told Business Insider. "Bottled water is often not included and can cost you $3 to $10 if purchased onboard." If you want a bottled water package, see if you can take advantage of a pre-cruise discount to save. Drink packages with sneaky fees One fee that will surely catch some passengers by surprise comes up when buying drink packages. A typical drink package will allow passengers to drink their fill for a fixed price per day. However, most cruise lines make every adult in the cabin buy the package, even if they don't drink. "This is to keep passengers from sharing the package, but it often means there's an extra fee of an additional drink package for many couples traveling together," Tanner Callais, founder and editor of Cruzely.com , told Business Insider. "The good news is that cruise lines will sometimes work with you on the extra package, especially if there is some circumstance like being pregnant or a health issue that means the other person can't or won't drink alcohol." There are also unexpected gratuity fees, even on free food or drink by the cruise line. For instance, some cruise lines offer perks where if you book the cruise, you can select perks like free drinks or free specialty restaurants. "What's in the fine print is that even if you aren't charged for these items, you will be charged the gratuity of their original cost," Callais said. Take a drink package that costs $100 per day. A 20% automatic gratuity is still charged, even if the package is free. In other words, on a week-long cruise those free drinks would cost the passenger $140. "Be sure to read the fine print on any free perk offer from the cruise lines," Callais recommends. "If you don't like the overall deal, you can often skip the perks altogether and save the extra cash." Taxes, port charges, and customs fees You're on the cruise line's website pricing your cruise and that super low fare is enticing. But don't forget to tack on port charges and taxes and fees. "In addition to your cruise fare, there are costs that include things like customs fees, government taxes and port charges - and can sometimes add up to hundreds per person," McDaniel said. "When shopping, keep in mind that you'll certainly be paying these fees." There's really no way to avoid paying these fees, so just be aware they exist and be prepared to include the fees in your vacation budget. Amusement activities Cruising is no longer just for subdued travelers whose idea of excitement is a night at the piano bar. Many modern ships are essentially floating amusement parks, with roller coasters, go-karts, laser tag, and more. "Cruising has lots of entertainment included, but many of the newer, more exciting activities do come with a fee," Burwell said. "Many cruise lines do offer pre-booking discounts, or package pricing. For example, if you love laser tag, you may want to take advantage of the deep discounts that you get for booking multiple laser tag sessions." Transfer costs Keep in mind that if you're flying into a departure port, you'll need to account for the cost of traveling from the airport to your cruise port - including hotels if you're staying overnight prior to your departure, McDaniel said. "Cruise lines often offer transfers, but be sure to compare with other transportation options to see if there's any room to save a bit on the cost of traveling to your cruise port," she said. Some ports are considerable distances from the nearest major airport. Florida's Port Canaveral, for example, is about an hour's drive from Orlando International Airport, so getting there is going to cost more than a 15-minute Uber ride from Miami International Airport to the Miami Cruise Terminal. Room service and specialty dining restaurants Burwell said fees for room service and specialty dining restaurants throw many passengers for a loop. "Everybody knows that cruises are where you go to eat 24/7 with no extra cost. That is, in fact, 100% true - on almost every cruise ship, there is somewhere onboard that you can find food without paying an extra dime," Burwell said. "However, cruise lines have found another way to earn ancillary income with their specialty restaurants and room service delivery fees," she said. "Many specialty restaurants are a la carte, with passengers paying just a few dollars for some items. Others can be $100 or more for some amazing meals, paired with wines and an opportunity to meet the chef." Burwell said guests can have a wonderful cruise without the extra expense of specialty dining, but she highly recommends giving the specialty options a try. "The quality of the meals is amazing, and the value far exceeds that of a fine dining experience at home," she said. As for room service, many cruise lines have opted to charge a delivery fee, and some have expanded their room service menus to include free items, as well as items with a fee. "I recommend just being aware of what you're ordering, but ultimately, live a little," she said.


Shiny, durable, chip-resistant and ideal for masking nail imperfections, gel manicures have become a regular part of many women's beauty routines. But gel nail polish needs ultraviolet light to harden, raising concern about the risk of skin cancer when hands, cuticles and nails are regularly exposed to UV rays that can be more powerful than the sun. LED lamps still emit UV rays Some salons use UV nail lamps to cure the polish; others use LED lamps. Women may think the LED devices skip or minimize the ultraviolet light, but that's a big misnomer, said Dr. Chris Adigun, a dermatologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, who specializes in nail disorders and who contributed expert advice on the safety of gel manicures for the American Academy of Dermatology. "Gels are massively popular nationally. They have catapulted the nail salon industry into a whole other stratosphere of revenue," Adigun told TODAY. "Gels, by definition, need a UVA exposure to polymerize. So if there's no UVA, there is no gel manicure." Here's the worry: UVA rays are the most mutagenic wave length range of the UV spectrum, penetrating the skin more deeply than UVB rays and playing a role in skin cancer development and premature skin aging such as wrinkles and sun spots. To harden gel nail polish, a woman places her hand under a lamp that emits UVA rays for anywhere from 30 seconds to a few minutes, depending on the type of the device. LED lamps have much shorter curing times, but that's because the UVA rays they emit are much more intense than regular UV lamps or even the sun, Adigun said. They're so powerful that she didn't know how they would compare to the UV exposure people get by being outdoors. When TODAY recently profiled a 21-year-old woman who received regular gel manicures and discovered she had nail melanoma , one dermatologist called the lamps "like tanning beds for your hands," though Adigun said they're a bit different since tanning beds use both UVB and UVA rays. Can a few minutes under a nail lamp increase skin cancer risk? "Theoretically yes, because we know that UVA ray exposure increases your risk of skin cancer , and you have to have UVA exposure to cure a gel manicure," Adigun noted, adding there's particular concern about the gel manicure exposure adding up over time. Some women go every two weeks. "But have we actually proven that link? Do we have that cause and effect proven? We don't." Another concern is that there is no standard for how long hands should be kept under the lamp. The devices are not regulated and each proprietary gel polish has its own lamp and own recommended curing time, Adigun said. A salon may or may not follow the recommendations or have the right kind of lamp. There's also incentive to keep the hands under the light longer. "You can imagine a nail salon customer is less likely to complain about a well-cured   potentially over-cured   gel polish manicure than they would an under-cured manicure," Adigun noted. Research continues in this area, but since gel manicures are fairly new and it can take decades for skin cancer to develop, the full picture may not be clear for a while. Long-term exposure to UV nail lamps may have the potential to increase both cancer risk and UV-induced skin aging, a 2013 study found . A 2014 paper warned longer exposure times led to increased potential for skin damage, but concluded the risk for developing cancer was small. Another paper profiled two women who had regular exposure to UV nail lights and developed squamous cell carcinoma on their fingers and hands. As for nail melanoma, it's been thought UV exposure isn't an important risk factor since the nail matrix is underneath the skin. But a 2017 study discovered some nail melanomas contained mutations with a UV signature, surprising experts in the field. "What this says is that we just don't know, and that we can't really conclude for sure that nail melanoma has nothing to do with UV exposure," Adigun said. How to protect yourself: Adigun emphasized she's not "anti-gel," and that you can still get gel manicures as long as you protect your skin. The best way is to cover your hands and fingers with a garment that has a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) rating, whether it's a glove with the tips cut off, a shirt or a scarf, she said. TODAY style editor Bobbie Thomas demonstrated gloves especially designed for this purpose that you can buy. The American Academy of Dermatology also recommends applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands before getting a gel manicure. Adigun still preferred a physical cover rather than sunscreen because it's not clear how effective sunscreen is in blocking the intense UVA rays emitted by some of the lamps. Be aware there are many medications that can increase your sensitivity to UV light, such as doxycycline, an oral antibiotic. People taking these drugs must be extra careful to protect their skin during a gel manicure to avoid blistering or burns on their hands. Video: Skin cancer signs and symptoms: Melanoma patients share stories


Rollo, the dog was caught by their owner after they followed the trail of cushion stuffing up the stairs. They were sitting on the bed with a ball in their mouth. When they saw their owner, they looked guilty at creating the mess and dropped the ball from their mouth.


Missouri police are investigating the death of a homeless transgender woman in Kansas City as a homicide, marking an eleventh possible murder of a black trans woman this year. Brooklyn Lindsey, 32, was found dead on the front porch of a vacant home in the Lykins neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, at about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, NBC-affiliate station KSHB reported . Neighbors told KSHB they heard an argument followed by four gunshots around 2:30 a.m. Gunshot wounds were found during a preliminary examination of Lindsey's body and her death is currently being looked at as a homicide, the Kansas City Police Department told NBC News Thursday. Detectives are conducting a canvas of the area in an attempt to find any potential witnesses or surveillance footage. Kris Wade, executive director of the Justice Project of Kansas City, told NBC News Thursday that Lindsey had been in fear for her life for a few weeks. The non-profit organization was attempting to find her a place to stay in the last week but was "bone dry" on money, Wade said. Wade has known Lindsey for about 11 years and described her relationship with her family as estranged. The family "loved her from afar," according to Wade. "The thought of Brooklyn being a gay man was enough to give them an apoplexy, let alone being a trans woman," Wade said. Lindsey was homeless, but loved to read books and was interested in going to school. She was also well loved in the community, Wade said. "She just really was very intelligent. You don't see that many people out in the streets reading a paperback," Wade said. "She hadn't lost her humanity out in the streets and that's rare. Everyone is brokenhearted." It's unclear whether Lindsey's death was a hate crime. All of the 10 known incidents of fatal violence against the transgender community in 2019 has been against black transgender woman, according the Human Rights Campaign . New Jersey Senator Cory Booker brought up violence against transgender woman while on stage during the Democratic presidential debate Wednesday night. "We do not talk enough about trans Americans, especially African American trans Americans, and the incredibly high rates of murder right now," Booker said. Record levels of violence against transgender women took place in 2017 and 2018, according to a Human Rights Campaign publication on anti-transgender violence. The report found that anti-transgender violence victims are mostly young, mostly female-identified and mostly black. Of those killed, 82 percent of the victims were transgender women of color, and 64 percent were younger than 35, the report said.


MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO)   One year after a deadly crash, a Minnesota State trooper says he's proof that seat belts save lives. Last spring, a car suddenly veered off Interstate 35 in Lakeville , crashed through a frontage road fence, and hit Sgt. Mike Krukowski's squad head-on. The 29-year-old driver of the other car died. "Everything changed in a blink of an eye," Krukowski said. "It was an unpredictable crash that occurred, something I didn't expect. And the road to recovery began that day." Krukowski said it's been a long recovery from his broken leg, arm and foot. But he believes his seat belt saved his life. The State Patrol says nearly 90 unbelted drivers and passengers died on Minnesota roads last year.


Scottie Pippen thinks Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers was right to draw comparisons between Kawhi Leonard and Michael Jordan. Rivers heaped praise upon Leonard during an appearance on ESPN on Tuesday, saying the Toronto Raptors star is the closest player to Jordan that the NBA has seen. "Kawhi is the most like Jordan we've seen." Doc Rivers has some high praise for Kawhi Leonard. pic.twitter.com/i1R2gR1VrT   NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 29, 2019 Pippen also sees the similarities between his former Chicago Bulls teammate and Leonard. "I would say Kawhi," Pippen told TMZ Sports when asked who he thinks is most like Jordan. Pippen believes Kobe Bryant is up there as well but said he couldn't decide which player is more similar to Jordan. Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license. Related slideshow: Best of 2019 NBA playoffs (Provided by imagn)


The 101st PGA Championship begins at 6:45 a.m. on Thursday at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, on Long Island. The event was moved to May this year from August and was set to feature the top 100 players in the world until Justin Thomas withdrew. Tiger Woods will begin his run at major No. 16 at 8:24 a.m. Thursday from tee No. 10 along with Francesco Molinari and defending PGA Championship winner and Masters co-runner-up Brooks Koepka. There are multiple options to follow the action live, whether it be on TV or live stream. RELATED PGA Championship : Round 1 & 2 tee times, pairings PGA Championship : Betting odds, prop bets PGA Championship : Tiger Woods ready to roar PGA Championship : 10 players to watch PGA Championship : 5 storylines to watch The live action from Bethpage will be airing on CBS and TNT, while the PGA of America, TNT and CBS will also offer live content online. Golf Channel will offer live PGA Championship-themed programming throughout the week. The PGA of America also has a free 2019 PGA Championship app available for download via the App Store or Google Play. It will offer live-streaming coverage of the event. All times listed in Eastern Standard Time. PGA Championship week on TV Tuesday Golf Channel Morning Drive: 7-9 a.m. Golf Central Live: From the PGA Championship: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Golf Central Live: From the PGA Championship: 7-9 p.m. Wednesday Golf Channel Morning Drive: 7-9 a.m. Golf Central Live: From the PGA Championship: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Golf Central Live: From the PGA Championship: 7-9 p.m. Round 1 - Thursday Golf Channel Morning Drive: 6-8 a.m. Golf Central Live: From the PGA Championship: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Golf Central Live: From the PGA Championship: 7-9 p.m. TNT Round 1 Live Action: 1-7 p.m. WatchTNT.com Simulcast: 1-7 p.m. PGA.com Featured Group No. 1: 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Featured Group No. 2: 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Featured Holes 16, 17, & 18 : 1-7 p.m. Round 2 - Friday Golf Channel Morning Drive: 6-8 a.m. Golf Central Live: From the PGA Championship: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Golf Central Live: From the PGA Championship: 7:30-9 p.m. TNT Round 2 Live Action: 1-7 :30 p.m. WatchTNT.com Simulcast: 1-7:30 p.m. PGA.com Featured Group No. 1: 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Featured Group No. 2: 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Featured Holes 16, 17, & 18 : 1-7:30 p.m. Round 3 - Saturday Golf Channel Morning Drive: 6-8 a.m. Golf Central Live: From the PGA Championship: 8-11 a.m. Golf Central Live: From the PGA Championship: 7-9 p.m. TNT Round 3 Live Action: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. WatchTNT.com Simulcast: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. CBS Round 3 Live Action: 2-7 p.m. CBSSports.com Simulcast: 2-7 p.m. PGA.com Featured Group No. 1: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Featured Group No. 2: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Featured Holes 16, 17, & 18: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Final Round - Sunday Golf Channel Morning Drive: 6-8 a.m. Golf Central Live: From the PGA Championship: 8-11 a.m. Golf Central Live: From the PGA Championship: 7-9 p.m. TNT Final Round Live Action: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. WatchTNT.com Simulcast: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. CBS Final Round Live Action: 2-7 p.m. CBSSports.com Simulcast: 2-7 p.m. PGA.com Featured Group No. 1: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Featured Group No. 2: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Featured Holes 16, 17, & 18: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. View embedded content MORE: What time does the NBA Draft Lottery start? NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Report: Chicago Bulls could offer top-6 pick for Lonzo Ball in trade Giants' Daniel Jones opens voluntary workouts as QB3 VIDEO: ESPN NBA Draft Lottery Rehearsal Footage Leaks And Knicks Fans Aren't Going to Be Happy


Looking for wallet-free ways to spend your time? If you're on the hunt for events and activities that won't break the bank, we've got four solid options that won't cost you a dime, from an outdoor fitness class to trivia night. 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. Fit + Fabulous Outdoor Series From the event description: Join us for a one-hour outdoor Barre & Soul fitness class this Wednesday night. Registration kicks off 5:30 p.m. The class begins promptly at 6 p.m. When: Wednesday, July 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: CambridgeSide, 100 CambridgeSide Place Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Takeover with Cakewalk From the event description: Check out a bash with DJ Cakewalk this Thursday night with an opening set by Ryan M. Taylor. This 21-and-over event will feature nu-disco and tech-house hits. When: Thursday, Aug. 1, 12:10 p.m.- Friday, Aug. 2, 2 a.m. Where: Zuzu, 474 Massachusetts Ave. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Sing Out Strong: Immigrant Voices From the event description: Immigrant Voices is a free concert of new songs based on the stories and experiences of Boston-area immigrants. Presented by White Snake Projects in partnership with the Multicultural Arts Center, Sing Out Strong features composers and writers from Peru, Brazil, China, Mexico and more. When: Thursday, Aug. 1, 6-7 p.m. Where: Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Quiz of Dunshire: 'Parks and Rec' trivia From the event description: Join us on Thursday night in Cambridge for a round of "Parks and Recreation" trivia that Gameplay Magazine called "punishingly intricate." Costumes are encouraged. All proceeds benefit the Charles River Watershed Association, a local organization which protects the river, leads clean-up efforts and promotes watershed management practices. When: Thursday, Aug. 1, 7-10 p.m. Where: Wit's End, 1248 Cambridge St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets 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.


The NASCAR betting odds have been released for Sunday's race at Sonoma Raceway. Scroll through the favorites and values. Martin Truex Jr. took the sweetest sips from Victory Lane last year at Sonoma with his road-course win. Kyle Busch was not the favorite in the opening lines, and neither was Truex, but let's see how the numbers moved leading up to race day. Scroll through these lines from Westgate. The following drivers are not among the favorites, but may present good value. Daniel Hemric: 100-1 (Opened: 60-1) Alex Bowman: 18-1 (Opened: 100-1) Michael McDowell: 60-1 (Opened: 100-1) Erik Jones Post-qualifying odds: 60-1 Opening Sonoma odds: 40-1 2018 Sonoma finish: 7th Best Sonoma finish: 7th (2018) Daniel Suarez Post-qualifying odds: 30-1Opening Sonoma odds: 25-1 2018 Sonoma finish: 15th Best Sonoma finish: 15th (2018) Jimmie Johnson Post-qualifying odds: 30-1 Opening Sonoma odds: 25-1 2018 Sonoma finish: 11th Best Sonoma finish: 1st (2010) Ryan Blaney Post-qualifying odds: 25-1 Opening Sonoma odds: 25-1 2018 Sonoma finish: 34th Best Sonoma finish: 9th (2017) Kyle Larson Post-qualifying odds: 20-1 Opening Sonoma odds: 40-1 2018 Sonoma finish: 14th Best Sonoma finish: 12th (2016) Brad Keselowski Post-qualifying odds: 16-1 Opening Sonoma odds: 18-1 2018 Sonoma finish: 13th Best Sonoma finish: 3rd (2017) Denny Hamlin Post-qualifying odds: 12-1 Opening Sonoma odds: 14-1 2018 Sonoma finish: 10th Best Sonoma finish: 2nd (2016) Joey Logano Post-qualifying odds: 12-1 Opening Sonoma odds: 10-1 2018 Sonoma finish: 19th Best Sonoma finish: 3rd (2016) Kurt Busch Post-qualifying odds: 12-1 Opening Sonoma odds: 10-1 2018 Sonoma finish: 6th Best Sonoma finish: 1st (2011) Kevin Harvick Post-qualifying odds: 12-1 Opening Sonoma odds: 7-2 2018 Sonoma finish: 2nd Best Sonoma finish: 1st (2017) Chase Elliott Post-qualifying odds: 7-1 Opening Sonoma odds: 6-1 2018 Sonoma finish: 4th Best Sonoma finish: 4th (2018) Clint Bowyer Post-qualifying odds: 6-1 Opening Sonoma odds: 6-1 2018 Sonoma finish: 3rd Best Sonoma finish: 1st (2012) Kyle Busch Post-qualifying odds: 9-2 Opening Sonoma odds: 6-1 2018 Sonoma finish: 5th Best Sonoma finish: 1st (2008, 2015) Martin Truex Jr. Post-qualifying odds: 7-2 Opening Sonoma odds: 9-2 2018 Sonoma finish: 1st Best Sonoma finish: 1st (2013, 2018)


The New England Patriots and Cameron Meredith agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $2.02 million with no money guaranteed, according to multiple reports . The Athletic's Nick Underhill reported a year-by-year breakdown of the deal. Here's what he wrote. Here's how Cam Meredith's contract breaks down: 2019 Base: $720K Cap number: $720K 2020 Base: $820K Roster bonus: Up to $400K ($25K per game on the 53) Workout bonus: $80K Cap number: $1.3 million Zero guaranteed money - Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) August 7, 2019 What it means for Meredith He's guaranteed nothing. He isn't guaranteed a roster spot in 2019, let alone in 2020. His base salary is his only way to earn in 2019, and he won't get any bonuses unless he makes the roster next season. The Patriots brought in him as competition and depth - they're interested to see what he can do in their offense. He had one strong NFL season with the Chicago Bears in 2016 when he had 66 catches for 888 yards and four touchdowns. Injuries derailed his once-promising career. The Saints signed him during the 2017 season - he has played just six games with one start over the last two years. He's surely hoping that Bill Belichick, Josh McDaniels and Tom Brady can use some magic to bring momentum back to his career. What it means for the Patriots They're still trying to get deeper at receiver. Even with surprise standout Jakobi Meyers, an undrafted rookie out of NC State, the Patriots want more competition. N'Keal Harry has been good, but inconsistent. The same is true of receivers Phillip Dorsett, Maurice Harris and Braxton Berrios. And the Patriots are still awaiting the return of Julian Edelman (thumb), Demaryius Thomas (Achilles) and Josh Gordon (suspension). ( Though, they're not counting on Gordon's return. ) The Patriots are also still trying to get bigger at receiver. Meredith is 6-foot-3, 2010 pounds. He joining a group that includes Harry (6-foot-3), Thomas (6-foot-3), Gordon (6-foot-3), Maurice Harris (6-foot-3) and Jakobi Meyers (6-foot-2). It seems like an effort to compensate for the lack of talent at tight end, where Rob Gronkowski retired in 2019. Chance of making the team: 10 percent MORE: ESPN's Molly Qerim walked off set after Max Kellerman said Kobe's on his 'all-NBA worst team' Packers' decision to cut OT Jason Spriggs places spotlight on second-year UDFA Alex Light Roundup: SpaceX Launches Falcon 9; Toni Morrison Passes Away; Barneys Files for Bankruptcy Eagles' release unofficial depth chart for preseason opener vs. Titans Mike Francesa declines Giants' invite to host from camp, gets ripped


The Grizzlies recently interviewed Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin for their open head coaching position, league sources tell ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Memphis Grizzlies recently interviewed Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin for the franchise's head coaching job, league sources tell ESPN.   Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 21, 2019 A former NBA player, Griffin became an assistant coach immediately after his retirement in 2008, spending time with the Bucks, Bulls, Magic and Thunder before joining Nick Nurse's staff in Toronto as the Raptors' lead assistant last summer. He has long been considered a candidate to be a future NBA head coach. While Memphis has played its cards close to the vest throughout the team's head coaching search process, more names of potential targets have leaked as of late. Over the weekend, we learned that the Grizzlies had met with former Suns coach Igor Kokoskov, and a Monday report indicated that Trail Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts would also interview for the job. Previously, interviews with Jazz assistant Alex Jensen and Warriors assistant Jarron Collins were reported . The Grizzlies were also said to have interest in Zalgiris Kaunas head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius. The Grizzlies are the last NBA team still seeking a new head coach, so they can afford to take their time. Still, they'll likely announce J.B. Bickerstaff's replacement well before the offseason gets underway in earnest with the draft and free agency period.


The first meaningful game of the 2019 college football season  Florida versus Miami on Aug. 24 is less than three weeks away. Let that sink in for a second. Dorm rooms are getting fumigated, kegs filled, and faces painted. ESPN has expanded its annual preseason drool-a-thon to include Swinney as well as Saban while programs across the country engage in one of unpaid intern football's finest traditions: The new uniform unveil . Usually a cause for celebration and excitement, this year's annual college football catwalk has begun on a sour note, however, thanks to Michigan State (shocker, I know), which just dropped what is already being hailed as the worst college football uniform of all time. Viewer discretion is strongly advised: https://twitter.com/colton_pouncy/status/1158429797036568576 Take it away, Mr. Costanza... Originally teased back in April, the CFB world initially gave Sparty the benefit of the doubt (a bad decision, history would suggest). The uniforms couldn't possibly be as bad as they looked on paper, after all. Fast-forward three months, however, and the reality, as it turns out, is far grimmer than anyone could have imagined. The numbers and STATE emblazoned across the chest look like the text size on your grandpa's iPhone. The splash of sea-sick granny apple is bad enough on the torso, but when paired with the toxic chemical spill that are the pants, induces something akin to a pre-frontal lobotomy on unlucky onlookers. The Spartans are predicted to kind of suck this year, but thanks to this atrocity/monstrosity, they will now look terrible while doing so, which is the fastest way to ol' yeller your recruiting hopes short of coach taking the 49ers job before Christmas. https://twitter.com/MSU_Football/status/1117062628461953025 RELATED: The best Team USA uniforms in Team USA history The intent seems to be to mimic the success the Oregon Ducks have had super-imposing Chernobyl neons over dulcet evergreens, so the premise dysfunctional cold-weather school just outside Detroit gives West Coast chic a try was doomed from the start. But still, someone has to take some accountability (lol lol lol) for these failures. If 18-year-old kids can get expelled for selling autographs, then surely the brains, or lack thereof, behind these abominations deserve life without parole.


After signing second-round draft picks Dalton Risner and Drew Lock, the Denver Broncos are down to $3,814,792 in remaining salary cap space, according to records from the NFL Players Association accessed Tuesday. The roster is currently full with 90 players. Lock's four-year deal is worth $7,010,820, according to KUSA-TV's Mike Klis . The quarterback's 2019 salary cap hit will be approximately $1,274,694 (his $495,000 salary plus a prorated portion of his signing bonus). Risner's four-year deal is worth $7,141,282, per Klis . The offensive lineman's cap hit this season will be approximately $1,298,597. Risner was taken one slot before Lock (No. 41 overall) in April's draft. Denver will likely want to save some of its salary cap space for once the regular season begins. If a player goes down and the team needs to sign a veteran with experience, the Broncos will need to have some cap space available. If Denver does not use all of its cap this season, the remaining balance will roll over into 2020. Earlier this year, the Broncos carried over about $8 million worth of unused 2018 salary cap space for this season. MORE: The Twins pulled off a beautiful triple play against the Yankees and fans loved it NBA trade rumor rankings: What's up with CP3? The 21 dumbest ideas in NFL history VIDEO: Steve Austin Cut a Killer Promo at WWE Raw Reunion Terry Bradshaw: Odell Beckham's criticism of Giants is 'crazy'


Cleveland Cavaliers backup point guard Matthew Dellavedova knows his role. Play tough defense, take care of the ball on offense, and hit open spot-up shots. Oh, and tick off the opponent to the brink of violence. Check, check, check, and check for Dellavedova in Game 5. The victim of the Australian's annoyances? Taj Gibson.


NEWPORT NEWS, Va.   A man was arrested on Thursday after allegedly eluding police on a stolen motorcycle and then fleeing the scene. Around 12:29 p.m., an officer who was in the 11800 block of Jefferson Avenue saw a motorcycle that they say was speeding. The officer attempted to make a traffic stop, but the motorcyclist failed to comply. The motorcyclist continued southbound The officer approached the intersection Other officers responded to assist Officers learned that the Rice is charged with ___ (c)2019 WTKR-TV, Norfolk Visit WTKR-TV, Norfolk at www.wtkr.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Many have criticized the Golden State Warriors for an apparent mishandling of Kevin Durant 's calf injury. A lower leg issue kept Durant out of much of these 2019 NBA playoffs, and his return in the NBA Finals resulted in a torn Achilles and likely an entire missed year next season. Speculation quickly surrounded the team and whether they had done right by Durant. Many posited that the Warriors had pushed Durant too far, and that perhaps the staff did not do their due diligence. Even further, it was suggested that the Warriors were not fully forthcoming with Durant about the extent of his injury. According to Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, that's not the case. Speaking to Tim Kawakami this week, Kerr said that both the Warriors staff and Durant's own medical team were fully involved in the process. Via Bleacher Report : Kerr told The Athletic's Tim Kawakami on The TK Show neither Durant nor his representatives have indicated they were unhappy with how the medical process played out as he received clearance and returned to the court. "We had not only our staff but Kevin's own personal specialist and then a third independent specialist all clear him to play," Kerr said. "All three after the fact were shocked at what proceeded with the Achilles. They all said it was the first time they had ever seen this." It doesn't seem like this affects Durant's future contract. He has already declined his final year with the Warriors, and several teams have been rumored to still be in the hunt to give him a max contract. Golden State might be one of those options as well. Even with an injury as devastating as an Achilles tear, Durant is one of the top 15 players of all-time and still in his prime. Even if he came back at some percentage of his old self, he would still be a max-level player. We may never know the full story of what happened with Durant, but according to Kerr everything was on the up-and-up.


New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will continue his streak of not playing games on an expiring contract, having agreed to a long-rumored extension Sunday, according to reports. Details and fallout are still emerging from New England. Here is the latest on the 42-year-old Brady: If viewed strictly through and AAV lens, Brady's deal is on par with Russell Wilson 's. Brady contract is, on the surface, a two-year pact worth $70M, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets . Brady will earn $23M in 2019, $30M in 2020 and $32M in 2021   what would be his age-44 season. However, guarantees are murky here. And this deal may well be redone. Brady and the Patriots are amenable to adjusting this contract, Rapoport adds, creating a year-to-year scenario for the passer pushing the limits of quarterback longevity. Brady's agreement creates $5.5M in additional Pats cap space, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets . This would push the Pats north of $14M in available funds. It would help make room for a possible left tackle trade, with some around the league believing Trent Williams is on the Pats' radar. A Rob Gronkowski midseason return is also being rumored. Or, the Patriots could simply carry over this space to help with Brady's 2020 cost. But much like Drew Brees in the mid- and late-2000s, it is likely we will hear about Brady's contract each offseason. This deal does not ensure Brady will retire a Patriot, Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston writes . The sides being amenable to renegotiating this accord will almost certainly mean the Patriots will attempt to do that in March, to avoid a $30M cap hit next year, Curran adds. This merely allowed the Pats to save face by giving Brady a deserved 2019 raise and avoid a franchise tag impasse with one of the greatest players in NFL history, with Curran adding the Pats can still back out of this next year.


The Arizona Cardinals play a real football game Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. It is a preseason game - the team's first of the year - so it will mostly be played by backups and players battling to even make the Arizona and L.A. rosters. Who are the Cardinals to watch in this game? RB Chase Edmonds (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) David Johnson might not even play in the preseason opener, so Edmonds will get the carries at running back with the starters. While it will likely be a dumbed-down version of the offense against the Chargers, Edmonds has been the talk of the team's coaches and front office for two seasons. Getting to see him in an offense that should make him look good, he should flash a little bit. View embedded content WR Hakeem Butler Cardinals Training Camp Butler has had an up-and-down training camp and he is not expected to be a big-time contributor as a rookie, but playing against second- and third-team defenses, he should be able to make some plays and stand out. View embedded content CB Chris Jones Jones has been praised many times for his work and practice in the offseason and in training camp. With the starters not expected to go long in the game against the Chargers, Jones should get a lot of playing time. See how he covers players he hasn't seen every day for weeks. View embedded content Pete Robertson (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Robertson has had a great camp and has gotten first-team reps at outside linebacker. Hopefully his play carries over to the game and that he shows he can be counted on as a pass rusher, run defender and special teams player. View embedded content Vonatrrius Dora Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Dora made many plays in last year's preseason. He got consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He finds himself on the roster bubble and will need to show up when the lights go on. View embedded content Deionte and Jalen Thompson Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports This will be the first extended look at the two safeties the Cardinals drafted this year. How will they look at the back end of the defense? View embedded content Zane Gonzalez Cardinals Training Camp 2019 Gonzalez has been good all offseason but had some hiccups last weekend, missing three field goals in practice. However, the team has confidence in him at the moment. Keep an eye to see how the ball comes off his foot in games. Should the team maintain that level of confidence? 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: Breaking down everything the Duke Johnson trade means for the Browns A furious Chris Davis had to be held back from Orioles manager Brandon Hyde Deadline passes as Elliott loses accrued season, fines reach $500K 6 quick takeaways from Packers' joint practices with Texans Bears Training Camp: Matt Nagy and Cordarrelle Patterson are a perfect match


LANSING, Mich.   Republican businessman John James of Michigan announced Thursday that he will challenge first-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters in 2020 in a key state for President Donald Trump's re-election chances. James, a 37-year-old African American combat veteran and CEO of an automotive logistics company in Detroit, lost to longtime Sen. Debbie Stabenow last year . But he did better than expected, considering he was a political unknown initially and the race was never prioritized as a battleground by the national GOP in what was a successful year for Michigan Democrats. "There's so much work to be done to heal our nation and to unify our state. I just want to help people," James told The Associated Press in a phone interview. He called himself a "compassionate conservative, a conscientious capitalist" who "has better ideas, has more energy and has a greater ability to bring us together than what we're seeing out of Washington." James said he chose to file on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion that helped change the course of World War II because it is a reminder of what Americans can do when they put their differences aside. He committed to donating a nickel from every campaign dollar he raises to charitable causes. The West Point graduate and Iraq War helicopter pilot said he got the idea from what is known in the military as the "nickel ride," in which first-time pilots give a nickel from the year they were born to their flight instructors. "It's the right thing to do," James said. "I've always been taught that we have to use our blessings to be a blessing to others. When you take a look at how much money is going to be spent in this 2020 election cycle, I personally feel like someone should stand up and say that we can both raise enough money to win and have enough to give to people who are need." Peters, 60, won election to an open seat in 2014 after serving three terms in the House. He previously was a state senator and lottery commissioner, served in the Navy Reserve   volunteering to serve again after Sept. 11   and worked as an investment adviser. He is one of two Democratic incumbents up for re-election in a state won by Trump, who has called James a "star" and considered nominating him as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. In a written statement, Peters said he is focused on delivering results for Michigan. "I'll keep working with anyone to improve life for Michiganders, whether it's to expand training programs so everyone has the skills needed to find good-paying jobs, protect our Great Lakes or lower the cost of health care and prescription drugs," he said. Peters' campaign manager circulated a memo this week pointing to the "battle-tested" senator's tough victories across four very different election cycles and his strong fundraising. Dan Farough also criticized James for standing by Trump's agenda "2,000%" and questioned his positions on health care and abortion. The Peters campaign had $3 million as of March 31. James had $508,000. James secured Trump's endorsement over a self-funding millionaire in the 2018 GOP primary, advancing to face Stabenow and losing by 6.5 percentage points. She had won past elections by much more in a state where Democrats have long carried Senate races. While James faced criticism as a Trump cheerleader , he never was bloodied with a negative, multimillion-dollar barrage of TV ads   which could change in 2020. "I can agree with the president without worshipping him, and I can disagree with him without attacking him," James said. "I'm going to run on my own record of accomplishment. This race is about Michigan." House Republicans were hoping he would run for a suburban Detroit seat in 2020. James said he decided on a Senate run because, if he believes he could have the most positive impact statewide as a senator. ___ Follow Eggert on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00


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The Houston Texans stunned everyone by firing GM Brian Gaine on Friday. Gaine had been in the position for just 17 months, but owner Cal McNair had seen enough to know that Gaine just wasn't the right man for the job. There is a lesson for the Lions in what happened in Houston, another team replete with descendants of the New England Patriots and the "Patriot Way" like Detroit. While Gaine never worked for the Patriots, head coach Bill O'Brien was once New England's offensive coordinator. He served on the same staff as Lions coach Matt Patricia from 2007-11, and the two are cut from the same no-nonsense cloth. O'Brien wields considerable power in the Texans chain of command. The defensive coordinator is Romeo Crennel, a longtime Bill Belichick consigliere who held that position with the Patriots before Patricia. One of the big reasons why McNair axed Gaine was his inability to pull the trigger on key free agent deals, both internal and on the open market. Franchise cornerstone Jadeveon Clowney has been actively seeking a new deal, but Gaine chose to use the franchise tag. The two sides are "far apart" per Bleacher Report and Clowney's camp has openly complained about any significant discussion. The Texans have ample salary cap room. They can easily accommodate Clowney's demands, whatever they might be. But Gaine was paralyzed by inaction. The same criticism was leveled when DB Tyrann Mathieu bolted in free agency after a year despite indicating a strong desire to stay. That sort of reluctance to pay for good talent has not been an issue for Quinn in Detroit. But he's now facing a similar situation with Damon Harrison, and to a lesser extent Darius Slay. Harrison is now where Clowney was when Gaine took over, an irreplaceable talent who has earned a new, lucrative contract. The ages and tenures are obviously different, but the core issue is a familiar one for Lions fans. Important players are important for good reason. Gaine didn't seem to grasp that concept. Will Quinn? There is a longer view here, too. Cal McNair took over as the owner after the passing of his father, Bob. Cal had been in increasing control as his father's health declined, but Bob still called the shots - including Gaine's hiring back to Houston after a year away in Buffalo. The ownership change, while staying in the family, cut out any grace period or sense of loyalty to Gaine. We hope it's not going to happen anytime soon in Detroit, but Lions owner Martha Ford is in her 90s. She's been great for the fans since taking over for her late husband. Will her successor show the same dedication to improving the team? Will that person (or people) have the openness and appreciation for what Quinn and his handpicked coach in Patricia have done and are trying to do? What happened to Gaine is a cautionary tale for what happens when a team with playoff-winning potential stagnates. You can bet Quinn and Patricia noted what happened in Houston. Oh, by the way, the Texans appear quite interested in continuing the Patriot Way; longtime Patriots personnel man Nick Caserio is a front-runner to succeed Gaine. Building a team in the specific way the Texans and the Lions have means a high potential for a catastrophic plummet with a radical regime change. MORE: NHL fans weren't impressed with Mike Milbury's questions for Pam from 'The Office' Bears believe Clinton-Dix is an upgrade over Amos Sleeping on Patriots WR Demaryius Thomas would be a huge mistake Could Titans CB Malcolm Butler join the Rams? Questions your athlete should ask college coaches


If you're visiting Paris, be prepared to be 15 minutes early to everything. PARIS, France   I used to have a problem with punctuality. Everything was always a race to be on time, usually ending with me at the entrance of my destination covered in sweat from sprinting the last five minutes. At some point I decided I couldn't go on that way, so now I aim to get everywhere about 15 minutes early. When combined with the multitudinous inefficiencies in Boston's public transit system, this attitude usually puts me right on time. It's a hard habit to break, and I carried it over to my travels in Paris. My first few trips on the Metro, I added an extra 15 minutes to my transit app's estimated travel time. I ended up everywhere half an hour early. Okay, so the app is more accurate than I thought. I tried to adjust, and began leaving at the time recommended by the app. I ended up everywhere 15 minutes early. Irrationally, this made me feel stupid, like some tourist rube who was afraid of the Metro and therefore overcompensating. I began playing it closer and closer to the vest. Sunday morning, I left after the recommended time on my app for brunch, convinced I'd have to make the old 5-minute dash to my destination. I was there 10 minutes early. Admittedly, it was Sunday, and much of Paris is borderline deserted on Sunday morning. Friends, it's time for a spicy take about the capital city of our very hospitable World Cup host: the Paris Metro might be too good. I feel, at this point, that it is going to lure me into a cushion of comfort and then there will be some kind of stoppage, as there inevitably is in any transit system the size of Paris', and I will be 30 minutes late for a press event or a dinner and everyone is going to think that I'm that woman who is always late. I don't ever want to go back to the time when I was showing up to meet people I respect looking like I just played 90 minutes, asking for a moment and a glass of water before I could speak. I really didn't think the trains in the City of Love would spur an existential crisis about the bad habits I overcame in my twenties. I'm the person who believes in punctuality, not the person who risks it all on the assumption the trains will continue to be excellent. Have I gotten too comfortable? Is this just the haze of living in Paris and becoming some kind of cosmopolitan European transit-taker against my will? They say it takes three weeks to establish a new habit, and I will be in Paris for longer than that. What if I return to Boston and this kind of louche behavior continues? Really, I think I'm just afraid to go back to the loud, dirty hole in the ground that is the MBTA. Sometimes I catch myself thinking, I could live here, mostly just after I've managed to successfully conduct a conversation with a shopkeeper at least 90 percent in French. Well, 80 percent. Okay 70%. But at least I can take the Metro really well.


Let's take a look at the latest injury news from around the game … Dodgers lefty Tony Cingrani has undergone surgery on his left shoulder labrum, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports on Twitter . The recovery will cost him the rest of the season. This news doesn't come as a surprise, but it does represent confirmation that Cingrani will hit the open market without throwing another pitch in Los Angeles. Phillies reliever Seranthony Dominguez is "hoping for a miracle" when it comes to his own potential surgery, as he tells reporters including Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer ( via Twitter ). He'll receive a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, but all indications are that Tommy John surgery will ultimately be performed. The Braves haven't yet seen much progress for outfielder Ender Inciarte , skipper Brian Snitker told David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other reporters. ( Twitter link .) The veteran center fielder has yet to engage in any significant baseball activities, Snitker indicates, as Atlanta has exercised ample care with his lumbar strain. "Still no timetable," says Snitker. "… It's kind of two steps forward and one back, it seems, in the whole process. It's a back; you've got to be careful." There's quite a bit of talent still bouncing around the injured list for the Yankees, with outfielder Aaron Judge the most notable of several stars. He's making some measurable progress, having now advanced to taking cuts against high-velo pitching machines, manager Aaron Boone told reporters, including Coley Harvey of ESPN ( via Twitter ). It's even possible that Judge will be ready for some live action this weekend. There's still no real timeline, but it certainly seems the slugger's left oblique is feeling better. A pair of Yankees righties have health events of some note Tuesday, Boone also announced. (MLB.com's Bryan Hoch covered the news; Twitter links .) Reliever Dellin Betances (shoulder) is "still a little bit sore" after a recent setback , so he's headed in for another MRI. Meanwhile, the Bombers will see if a cortisone shot will help Domingo German deal with a hip flexor strain. He's already on the IL but is hoping for a brief stay.


Kansas City, Kan.   Stewart-Haas Racing is the team to beat Saturday night at Kansas Speedway. Kevin Harvick took the pole during Friday's qualifying session ahead of teammates Aric Almirola, Clint Bowyer, and Daniel Suarez. It's the team's first top-four sweep since Talladega in the fall when Kurt Busch was the first of the four SHR cars in the top four spots. Friday's qualifying was the first single-car qualifying session at an intermediate track since NASCAR ditched its group qualifying format for a return to single-car qualifying. With NASCAR's new rules for 2019, drivers aren't having to get off the throttle at all when there aren't any other cars around. Because of that, numerous drivers compared qualifying on Friday to qualifying at Daytona or Talladega. Raw speed isn't necessarily a good thing either any longer at a track like Kansas because a driver needs a car that drives well in traffic and turbulent air. And a car that works well in traffic isn't necessarily going to post the fastest lap by itself. So many teams were balancing a potentially mediocre starting position with a car that races well Saturday night. That balance looks like it could be easier for SHR. While the team hasn't posted a win yet in 2019, its cars have been fast and all four drivers are in the top 12 in the points standings. The team's first win could very well come on Saturday. Starting lineup 1. Kevin Harvick 2. Aric Almirola 3. Clint Bowyer 4. Daniel Suarez 5. Chase Elliott 6. Martin Truex Jr. 7. William Byron 8. Kyle Larson 9. Brad Keselowski 10. Alex Bowman 11. Erik Jones 12. Bubba Wallace 13. Kyle Busch 14. Kurt Busch 15. Ty Dillon 16. Paul Menard 17. Denny Hamlin 18. Jimmie Johnson 19. Ryan Blaney 20. Joey Logano 21. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 22. Austin Dillon 23. Michael McDowell 24. Corey LaJoie 25. Landon Cassill 26. Daniel Hemric 27. Chris Buescher 28. Ryan Newman 29. Matt DiBenedetto 30. Tyler Reddick 31. Ryan Preece 32. Bayley Currey 33. David Ragan 34. Quin Houff 35. Matt Tifft 36. Ross Chastain 37. Cody Ware 38. Joey Gase 39. Timmy Hill 40. Reed Sorenson               Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports. More from Yahoo Sports: Keyser: Red Sox shouldn't have gone to White House David Beckham banned from driving for 6 months Troubling events clouding Cubs' red-hot start Lakers' offer to Lue was 'pitiful,' says Billups


BOSTON (CBS)   An American Airlines flight headed to Boston from Chicago was forced to make an emergency landing at Logan Airport early Thursday morning. The airline told WBZ-TV that the pilot declared an emergency after an indicator light in the cockpit warned of a possible mechanical issue. Twitter video from a passenger on board the flight shows several emergency vehicles waiting for the plane with lights flashing. Just landed in @AmericanAir flight AA1172 to emergency vehicles. We were told wing flaps weren't working. This was after other mechanical issues in Chicago. Landed at high speeds, and just, yikes all around. Retire this plane? pic.twitter.com/0cExoMnIUG   Nicholas Kania (@Emmett24) July 4, 2019 The flight landed safely and the plane was taken out of service to be evaluated.


(WWJ) Family and police are searching for a young Ohio woman who disappeared after traveling to visit family in metro Detroit. Heavenly Sloan, 18, was reported missing by her parents on Saturday, July 6. She was last seen early that morning at her best friend's home in the Van Buren Township, and said on the phone with family that she planned to head home to Middletown, Ohio. While the friend reported Sloan left at around 3 a.m., she never made to her mother's house and has not been seen or heard from since. Mother, Lacrisha Crawford pleads for information on her missing daughter, 18-yr-old Heavenly Sloan. Sloan frm Middletown OH went missing on Sat, July 6th from her BF's home in the Van Buren Twp area where she was visiting. The BF says Heavenly left that day around 3 AM @WWJ950 pic.twitter.com/OLVulnfMoD -- Stephanie Davis (@sdaviswwj) July 11, 2019 Sloan is described as 5'8' tall and around 140 lbs, with short hair and glasses. She may be driving a silver Pontiac G6 with tinted back windows and Ohio license plate HNK 2019. She honor roll student, just graduated from high school was was set to attend Bowling Green State University this fall to study nursing. Sloan's parents, grandparents and several aunts attended a Crime Stoppers news conference Thursday in Detroit, to plead for tips from the public. "If ya'll see something, say something. Somebody call," her mother, LaCrisha Crawford said, surrounded by other family members at a Crime Stoppers news conference Thursday in Detroit. "We just want you home. Everybody, we love you," she added through tears, addressing her daughter directly. "You're not in no trouble. We don't care what the circumstances were. Let's just put an end to this and come home." A cash reward of up to $1,000 is available for the tipster whose information leads to Sloan's location. Anyone who has seen this missing woman or who knows of her whereabouts is asked to call Middleton Ohio police at 513-425-7700 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 1-800-SPEAK-UP (1-800-773-2587). Tips may also be submitted by texting CSM and the tip to CRIMES (2746370). As always, those calling Crime Stoppers may stay 100 percent anonymous, will not be asked their names, to speak to police or to testify in court.


Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris skipped the first two weeks of the team's organized team activities in protest of his contract situation. Harris was set to earn less than newly signed defensive back Kareem Jackson, who has never made it to a Pro Bowl (Harris has four All-Star nods). The Broncos and Harris weren't able to reach an agreement on a multi-year extension but they were able to come to terms on a pay increase for 2019. Judging from general manager John Elway's comments, it sounds like the team would like to extend Harris in 2020. "We have a lot of respect for Chris as a player and for everything he's meant to our organization," Elway said in a statement. "This contract adjustment recognizes his value to our team and the high expectations we have for Chris as a Bronco this season and hopefully for years to come." Denver increased Harris' pay from $8.9 million to $12.05 million. The cornerback took to Twitter on Tuesday to thank Elway. Thanks @johnelway @Broncos Ima put on a show this year . Let's get it #StrapHarris - Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) May 29, 2019 Harris, 29, has totaled 456 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 19 interceptions since joining the team as a college free agent out of Kansas in 2011. MORE: Draymond Green to LeBron James' 14-Year-Old Son: "I'm at Your F--king Neck This Summer" Tim Tebow's horrible season is extremely impressive and MLB is not out for him yet Packers should have one of NFL's most improved secondaries in 2019 Raiders LG Richie Incognito signing points to more power football in Oakland Four potential Khris Middleton landing spots in free agency


Aurora will see a return of last week's light rainfall today and tomorrow, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Today's forecast shows the highest chance of rain at 96 percent, with expected rainfall of 0.25 inches. Also, look for increased winds today and tomorrow. Winds are forecast to rise up to 24 mph tomorrow but will grow calmer starting on Thursday. Temperatures will be cool today and tomorrow, making way for warmer weather Sunday and Monday, with a high of 76 degrees on Sunday. Skies will be cloudy on Thursday and mostly cloudy Friday and Saturday. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley is one of several key players from the team who has been absent from the team's voluntary offseason workouts, but he confirmed that his absence won't stretch into the mandatory portion of the schedule. The Falcons will wrap up the offseason program with a three-day minicamp that starts on June 12. Beasley told Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com that he will " definitely " be in attendance. Beasley declined to provide a reason why he opted to work out on his own this offseason. He's entering the final year of his contract after the Falcons exercised their option on his contract for this season. He'll make $12.81 million and will be in line for a bigger deal should he post strong numbers off the edge this season. Beasley had 15.5 sacks in 2016, but has dropped to five sacks in each of the last two seasons. Head coach Dan Quinn said early in OTAs that there were "specific exercises and techniques that I wanted [Beasley] to work through " this offseason, but that work will have to be done at minicamp or training camp instead.


Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday is expected to sign into law the Reproductive Health Act, which he said would make his state the most progressive on the issue. (MORE: Missouri, Maine, Vermont have abortion rights victories) The measure, which lawmakers said codifies existing practices, removes restrictions on abortions later in one's pregnancy and any criminal penalties for physicians who perform them, according to ABC Chicago station WLS . The new law also repeals Illinois' partial birth ban and the state's 1975 abortion act, in addition to expanding insurance coverage for procedures and for contraception. (MORE: Vermont joins states increasing abortion rights in 2019) States including Alabama recently have done the exact opposite, passing draconian laws to restrict abortion, primarily in an effort to get the issue before the Supreme Court and potentially overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case that legalized the procedure at the federal level. (MORE: Ad against abortion bans signed by dozens of businesses including MAC, Bloomberg, Yelp) Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, on Monday signed into law a measure that declares abortion "a fundamental right," adding in a statement: "This legislation affirms what is already allowable in Vermont -- protecting reproductive rights and ensuring those decisions remain between a woman and her health care provider."