The city adopted a $15 minimum wage four years ago. Here's what happened. The policy: $15 minimum wage Where: Seattle, Washington In place since: 2015 The problem: A Taco Bell in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle shut down a couple hours early in the spring of 2013. All three employees and one off-shift worker walked off the job to protest low wages and work conditions. One of them was Caroline Durocher, a 21-year-old Taco Bell employee, who said the decision was "easy." "What we're getting right now isn't fair and not right," she told the Stranger , in reference to her wage of $9.19 an hour, then the city-wide minimum wage. "It's easy to not think about the person serving you your food." The very next day, a Burger King, two Subways, and a Chipotle all shut down after employees continued to walk out . Durocher was part of a nationwide wave of labor activism among the traditionally scattered and disorganized fast-food workforce, made up of largely low-wage workers at the mercy of fast-food franchise owners who set their schedules and pay. The walkouts would eventually help lead to Seattle passing a historic policy that continues to serve as an example to politicians and researchers to this day. Seattle's minimum wage hike, which would jack up wages to $15 an hour by 2017 for companies with more than 500 employees, was passed five years ago by the City Council. By 2021, at which time the $15 wage would be phased in for all employers, it would be the highest minimum wage in the country, well north of Washington's already relatively high wage of just over $9. "Worker voices and folks taking to the street shifted the conversation about it and made the policy feasible," Rachel Lauter, the executive director of Working Washington, an activist group that helped organize the protests, said. Today, Seattle's wage is at $16 for large employers, and $15 for all other employers (unless they provide a certain level of medical benefits or employee tips, which allows them to knock it down to $12 an hour). It remains one of the highest in the country, and a useful case study as we head into a presidential election where a higher minimum wage has become the standard policy position for Democratic candidates. At the time the Seattle bill was passed, the federal minimum wage had stagnated at $7.25 since 2009, where it still is today. While minimum wage increases are generally popular with voters, they also tend to kick up extreme opposition from business owners, who warn of massive job losses and killing off new businesses. It's one reason why the minimum wage has stayed so low nationally. Related video: What a $15 minimum wage would mean for different states (provided by Newsy) Seattle was a natural place for this progressive policy to pass. It is both a very wealthy city with fairly liberal politics   ranging from socially liberal businesspeople to a democratic socialist on the city council   and a high level of union penetration and a history of disruptive labor activism that goes back to its 1919 general strike . But the bill faced a fair share of opposition. Employers, like restaurant owners, raised the alarm that the new wage would force them to close businesses, raise prices, fire workers, or move their businesses outside of the city limits. When the policy went into effect in 2015, Seattle's minimum wage became not only the highest in the nation, but likely the most studied. A group of researchers at the University of Washington, with support from philanthropic groups, have been examining the effects of the wage increase on workers' hours and take-home pay as well as business closures and the price of some goods like groceries . What the researchers have found over the last few years is quite a mixed story. How it worked: Policymakers are still looking at Seattle as a case study in how a high minimum wage could actually work in practice. The results are complex. But here's what happened. Generally, those business owners who threatened to leave Seattle to evade the new wage haven't been following through. "The restaurant industry moans and groans about minimum wage increase, but the Seattle newspaper every month has a story about 40 new restaurants opening," said Jennifer Romich, a University of Washington social policy researcher. (According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs in restaurants and bars in the Seattle area has grown from 134,000 to 158,000 since 2015.) Surveying employers, Romich and other researchers found the most common response to the wage increase was to raise prices or fiddle with workers' hours , and a "very small percentage were thinking about withdrawing or leaving the city." The story for employees is much more varied. The minimum wage for some large employers jumped from $11 to $13 from 2015 to 2016. The economists observed the impact of the hike in 2017 and found it had dramatic effects on the low-wage workforce and employment. Not all of them were good. They found that the policy "reduced hours worked in low-wage jobs by 6-7 percent, while hourly wages in such jobs increased by 3 percent ... consequently, total payroll for such jobs decreased." That means the total amount that employers paid to workers was less with the new minimum wage in place than projected payroll if the policy hadn't gone into effect. The data, researcher Mark C. Long explained, suggested a "tipping point" between $11 and $13 "when it becomes less tenable to keep work in the city." (Critics were quick to point out that this likely wasn't solely due to the minimum wage policy   Seattle's labor market continued to heat up during that period, reducing the number of low-wage jobs compared to high-wage jobs overall.) But a year later, the team published another paper that complicated their findings. They looked at the same time period and same wage increase, but this time broke down the actual take-home pay of workers. They found that workers who were already employed at the low end of the wage scale in Seattle "enjoyed significantly more rapid hourly wage growth," following wage increases in 2015 and 2016. Those who were already working more hours before the wage increase saw "essentially all of the earnings increases," while the workers who had fewer hours saw their hours go down, but wages go up enough so that their overall earnings didn't really change. They theorized that a slowdown in new hiring for low-wage jobs could explain their earlier findings that overall payroll had gone down. Ultimately, workers already employed either saw their take-home pay go up or stay roughly the same while working fewer hours. Critics of the UW researchers have seized on Seattle's uniqueness to discount the UW findings. Ben Zipperer of the liberal Economic Policy Institute wrote that the UW research is based on a "flawed comparison" between Seattle and the rest of the state. He argued that the decline in low wage jobs was due to a hot economy boosting low-wage jobs into high-wage jobs, not the new minimum wage. The data did show, Zipperer argued, that all of the workers they studied were "better off after the minimum wage increase"   higher-hour workers earned more with a higher wage while the low-hour workers got the same pay for less work. There are still questions about the policy's impact that are harder to observe, such as new employees who may or may not have been hired had the minimum wage been lower. And of course, the question of whether this would work in any other city remains. "I take this research as a cautionary tale for other cities like Seattle," Long said, noting that Seattle's booming labor market, especially at the high end and in technology, "is a very particular thing." What all sides would agree on is that the people advocating for a higher minimum wage   those among the already employed like Caroline Durocher who went on strike six years ago   were right to do so. Matthew Zeitlin is a journalist in New York City.


With China's hog inventory depleted due to African swine fever, the demand for imported pork is up, which would be a good thing for U.S. meat companies except the U.S.-China trade war is getting in the way, says CFRA. U.S. meat company executives estimate that China has lost somewhere in the range of 150 million and 200 million hogs to the disease since the first reports of the outbreak back in August 2018, about the equivalent of all U.S. pork production. CFRA analyst Arun Sundaram cites expert reports showing it could take eight years for China's pork supply to rebound from the African swine fever outbreak. It's suspected that the outbreak has spread to other nearby countries like Vietnam and Cambodia, and even as far as Eastern Europe. Chinese pork imports are expected to rise 41% from 2018 to 2019 even as consumption in the country dips about 9% for the period. "We believe this dramatic shift in supply and demand will continue through at least 2020, which could be a tremendous opportunity for other large export markets to fill China's shortfall," the CFRA report said. CFRA expects companies including Tyson Foods (TSN), Sanderson Farms (SAFM), Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM), and Pilgrim's Pride (PPC) to benefit from the disease, which Sundaram said could "change global protein production and trade patterns like never before." But tariffs are having a stifling effect. "U.S. pork exports to world markets in 1Q19 were down 5% compared to 1Q18, largely due to retaliatory tariffs (from Mexico and China) or trade agreements to which the U.S. is not a party (i.e. the E.U.-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement)," the report said. "U.S. pork exports to China and Hong Kong were down a staggering 24% in 1Q19." The U.S. will likely beef up pork exports to other markets like Japan, Canada and Mexico now that the trade patterns have shifted, with pork exports expected to grow "a stunning" 20% in the fourth quarter, said CFRA. And the demand for beef and chicken is expected to increase, including in China where poultry imports have been halted since 2015 because of an avian influenza outbreak. But Chinese consumers will opt for the most-affordable alternative to pork, which could tear down that barrier. Also: Beyond Meat has hit the 'short-squeeze trifecta' as borrow feels keep soaring "As a result of African swine fever, we should expect higher pork processing around the globe as producers gradually ramp up production to meet demand," wrote CFRA, which expects a 10% climb in pork prices in 2020 as China's cold-storage inventory is eaten. Tyson has already said that its business would benefit from African swine fever, it just didn't know when exactly it would happen. The company said it believes it could happen in late 2019 or after. And Sanderson Farms, which produces, markets and processes chicken, addressed some of the what-ifs on its most recent earnings call on May 30. "If an accord is reached with China, then I do believe the United States becomes the supplier of choice to fill the protein deficit in China," said Joe Sanderson Jr., chief executive of the company, according to a FactSet transcript. "That would benefit us more directly, and, I believe, more significantly." Hormel Foods (HRL) , makers of Spam and Applegate brand hot dogs, sausages and more, has raised prices, which should go into effect in the third quarter, said Chief Executive James Snee on the second-quarter earnings call late last month. "Pricing discussions with customers are never easy, but finding the right solutions for our customers truly differentiates our company," he said, according to FactSet. Restaurants will also feel the pinch, with BMO Research downgrading Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) in late May due to the African swine fever outbreak. "We believe the potential magnitude and duration of African swine fever impacts to margins is underappreciated and [Chipotle] is among the restaurants most at risk," the note said. Tyson shares have soared 54.1% for the year to date and Sanderson Farms stock is up 45.5%, but Hormel has slumped 2% for the period. The S&P 500 index (SPX) has rallied 15.1% for 2019 so far.


Jul. 7--As the balloons continue to fall upon the most joyous party in Clippers history, it is time to acknowledge the purple-faced elephant in the room. How on earth did the Lakers blow this? The Clippers pulled off an incredible Friday night heist in reaching an agreement to sign Kawhi Leonard and trading for Paul George, they've earned every bit of the awe that's being showered upon them, but above the buzzing local basketball landscape looms an aching question. How could the Lakers have let this happen? How could the NBA's most glamorous franchise fail to acquire either of the two Southern California kids when, in the previous two years, both Leonard and George had professed their Lakers love and wanted to come home? And how could they have lost them both to the Clippers? Two years ago, George wanted to be traded to the Lakers. They couldn't pull it off. Last year they wanted to sign him as a free agent. He wouldn't even give them a meeting. Last year, Leonard wanted to be traded to the Lakers. They couldn't pull it off. Then last week the stage was set for him to join them as a free agent, and at least this time they got a meeting, but they couldn't close the deal. The Clippers moved smartly and strongly to grab both, even at great cost, because that's what focused and unified organizations do. Their triumph Friday night stands in stark contrast to the Lakers' disjointed failure, obvious with George last year and repeated with Leonard now. The Lakers still will be a great team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but they missed an opportunity to become a potential championship dynasty. They again stumbled when everything was set up for them to succeed. Think about it. It isn't like the Lakers lost Leonard to another country, or a defending NBA champion, or a team that could pay him more money. They didn't lose him to the Toronto Raptors. They lost him to a team that will pay him essentially the same amount of money, a team that never even has advanced as far as the conference finals, and a team that dresses right down the hall. In the traditional way of thinking that has dominated this town's basketball mindset forever, it was an outcome that, at first glance, would appear to make absolutely no sense. Leonard clearly was intent on coming back to his Southern California roots. The Lakers checked that box. Leonard evidently wanted to play with another superstar. The Lakers checked that box with two superstars. Leonard plainly wanted a chance at winning at least his third NBA championship. The Lakers checked that box with a team that, if it included Leonard, would have waltzed to the championship and perhaps been one of the greatest teams ever. Leonard already told people he wanted to be a Laker; this could have been the easiest big-name signing in franchise history. Yet it wasn't, they didn't, they couldn't, and what occurred next is best described with a new verb that illustrates what happens when style submits to substance. The Lakers got Clippered. The Lakers lost to an owner who was more determined, a front office that was better prepared, a coaching staff with more credibility, and a culture that was all basketball. While the Lakers were fussing and feuding and finger-pointing during recent months, they were losing ground to a Clippers franchise that spent the last couple of years slowly and quietly building solid credibility while creating a championship mission that led the team to that Friday night moment when it shocked the world. Yet, really, it shouldn't have surprised anybody. The difference in the current state of the franchises' leadership was epitomized by where and how Leonard was wooed. While he met with Clippers officials at Coach Doc Rivers' house in Malibu, he met the Lakers at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village, according to the Times' Tania Ganguli. In one setting, the Clippers displayed a showcase front office with deep roots. In the other setting, the Lakers presented Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka in a hotel. The Lakers' leadership already was being questioned by Leonard's camp, according to the Times' Broderick Turner. These meetings apparently only cemented the perception that the Clippers were a more stable place to play basketball. The Clippers brought out proactive owner Steve Ballmer, who spends money smartly and pushes the envelope daily. The Lakers could counter only with the reactive and lately distracted Buss. The Clippers brought out Jerry West, who surely cemented his reputation as the greatest executive in basketball history now that he's been involved in the recruiting of Shaquille O'Neal to the Lakers, Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors, and Leonard to the Clippers. The Lakers countered with, well, they couldn't counter West with anybody. They once had West, but he quit a long time ago and they never asked him back. They could have utilized Magic Johnson as their in-house icon, but he recently quit too, and actually didn't help the Lakers much as a recruiter. Reportedly the news leaks of his discussions with the famously private Leonard and his camp were a factor in the Lakers' loss. Throw in Johnson's refusal to give up some since-traded young assets for George a couple of years ago, and his fingerprints were all over Friday's transactions. Then there was the appearance of the smart and savvy basketball junkie Lawrence Frank, who led the Clippers negotiations. The Lakers countered with Pelinka, who is such a maligned figure that Leonard's camp initially didn't even want to meet with. Finally, the Clippers closed the deal with the irrepressible Rivers, whom the Lakers tried to hire a couple of months ago, but Ballmer wouldn't let him leave. The Lakers, who botched a couple of negotiations before settling on Frank Vogel, did not bring their new coach to the meeting. While everyone is comparing the two great lineups of today's Clippers and Lakers, let's compare the two front offices as perhaps an outsider like Leonard would view them. Ballmer, West, Frank and Rivers ...versus ... Buss and Pelinka? That's a mismatch. That's a knockout. That's getting Clippered. In the wake of Friday's news, one recalls a March story by The Times' Nathan Fenno in which several email exchanges between Lakers officials involving the Clippers' proposed new Inglewood arena are revealed. In one from 2017, Jeanie Buss refers to Ballmer as "Ballz," vows to squash his arena hopes, and sarcastically cites her opinion of his team. "Didn't Ballz see what we did to my brother?? He will have nothing but Clippers basketball. Whoopee." On a day when the Clippers' front office has turned them into Southern California's premier pro basketball destination, her rivals actually would agree with her. The Lakers owner is right, Clippers basketball, whoopee! ___ (c)2019 the Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Rockland County health officials on Thursday announced new measles exposure sites in Nanuet and Monsey. Anyone who visited the following locations or used these taxis at these times last week may have been exposed to measles. Measles stays in the air up to two hours after the person with measles has left. Home Depot in Nanuet , 43 Hutton Ave., on May 3 between 4 and 5:45 p.m., with a risk of exposure until 7:45 p.m. Maple Pharmacy in Monsey , 59 Route 59, on April 28 from 7 to 8 p.m, with a risk of exposure until 10 p.m. Evergreen Kosher Market in Monsey , 59 Route 59, on April 28 from 7 to 8 p.m, with a risk of exposure until 10 p.m. Rockland Kosher Supermarket in the Shoppers Haven Mall in Monsey , 27 Orchard St. on April 30, May 1 and May 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. all days with a risk of exposure until 9 p.m. Satmar Synagogue in Monsey , 13 Monsey Blvd. on April 30 and May 1 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. with a risk of exposure until 11:30 a.m. Congregation Ohel Yakov in Monsey , 1 Challenger Court on April 30, May 1 and May 2 between 8:30 and 10 p.m. with a risk of exposure until midnight. La Familia Taxi on May 2 between 4:40 and 5 p.m., 6 and 6:20 p.m. and May 6 from 8:40 to 9 a.m. All three times have a risk of exposure two hours after the person or persons left the taxi. A historic measles outbreak that started in October has 224 total reported cases as of Wednesday. The county health website erroneously stated there were 225 cases on Wednesday. The health department only shares the total number of confirmed cases since the outbreak began. Health investigators said the number of cases they track changes daily and they do not count "active" cases due to how the virus spreads. Measles is a highly contagious virus that can stay in the air up to two hours after an infected person left and a person is contagious four days before the rash appears. About 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will get infected. Jewish religious and political leaders, including the mayor of New Square, have supported vaccinations. The outbreak began in New Square and has primarily affected the Orthodox Jewish community in Spring Valley and Monsey. The county, private physicians and health centers have administered more than 20,000 vaccinations since the outbreak began. Health officials recommend anyone 6 months old and above get vaccinated. One dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 93% effective and two doses are 97% effective. The county is offering a free vaccination clinic on May 17 in Suffern. Free MMRs are also available by calling the county health department at 845-364-2497 or 845-364-2520. Measles: Rockland cases up to 225; hospitals' new defenses; vaccination clinic added Measles outbreak: New York doctors urge lawmakers to end religious exemptions to vaccine Local hospitals have taken measures to protect patients, including having first responders communicate to the hospital via an app that there is a potential measles case and screening or restricting visitors. Anyone with measles symptoms   rash, fever or red, watery eyes   is asked to call the emergency department or physician before going in to limit exposure. Target areas Rockland County Executive Ed Day has declared a state of emergency due to the outbreak. It is the second declaration after the first, banning unvaccinated minors countywide from indoor public spaces, was struck down by the courts. The current declaration targets those with measles or exposed to the virus in the affected areas and does not affect those with religious or medical exemptions. State lawmakers are looking to end religious exemptions to vaccinations for school-aged children. There are an additional 466 reported measles cases in Brooklyn as of Monday, and more than 22,000 vaccinations were administered there. These outbreaks were traced to Israel, where an outbreak has made more than 3,900 people sick and resulted in at least two deaths. As of May 3, there were 764 cases in 23 states in the U.S. in the largest outbreak since 1994, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but outbreaks can occur when travelers bring measles from other countries. If you go What: Free measles vaccination clinic Where: Christ Episcopal Church, 65 Washington Ave., Suffern When: 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, May 17 This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rockland measles: New exposure sites in Nanuet and Monsey


The Carolina Panthers came out winners in the Gerald McCoy sweepstakes, after the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer decided to stay in the NFC South after being cut by the Bucs. Perhaps the opportunity to face his former team twice a year was just too good a chance for McCoy to pass up. And while some Bucs fans may be lamenting his choice in team, it seems McCoy is already happily embracing his new home in Carolina. "I'M HOME BABY" - @Geraldini93 pic.twitter.com/D4h34XRR71 - Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) June 4, 2019 See the vision pic.twitter.com/jnrEXWDucW - Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) June 4, 2019 As happy as McCoy appears to be with his new team, however, someone might want to tell him his Twitter bio needs a little update. As of today, it still says he's a defensive tackle for the Buccaneers. All right, so maybe McCoy gets a pass because he's had a bit of a hectic week. Still, in this digital age, not updating your social media profile immediately is just unconscionable. Maybe the Panthers social media squad can give him a friendly reminder. Although, I'm sure some Buccaneers fans are in no hurry to see it change. MORE: Warriors injury report: The latest on Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant Report: New Orleans likely to trade Anthony Davis to Celtics Packers could have 6 or more new starters on defense in Week 1 4 free agents Saints should consider before training camp These five upcoming NBA free agents hurt themselves in the playoffs


LYON, France   Get over it. The U.S. women cannot take a few days to revel in their epic victory over France . They can't spend any more time savoring being part of a raucous, electric atmosphere so rarely seen in the women's game. Not if they want to win this World Cup, anyway. As momentous as Friday night's game against France was   most-watched quarterfinal in the United States, more than half of French viewers tuned in   it wasn't THE game. Have a letdown Tuesday against England , and that win over France becomes, maybe not meaningless, but pretty darn close to it. They don't give trophies for quarterfinal wins and, for the U.S. women, nothing less than a trophy will do. "It started in the huddle at the end," coach Jill Ellis said after the 2-1 win over France. "As much as we were celebrating this win, I reminded them, we're just getting warmed up. We're on a mission." Despite it "only" being a quarterfinal, the U.S.-France matchup had been widely anticipated since the draw was done in December. It was the world's best team vs. the World Cup host, a country that lives and dies for its men's team and is just now starting to do the same for its women's squad. The match became even more intriguing when France beat the Americans in a January exhibition. It's the U.S. women's only loss in their last 43 games, and it snapped a 28-game unbeaten streak. The hype only grew throughout the tournament, and 24 hours before the game, tickets were going for as much as $1,900. A soccer apparel store near Parc des Princes that only had Paris Saint-Germain goods three weeks ago was now selling "Allez Les Bleues!" T-shirts and scarves commemorating the match. And when the French fans, who made up probably two-thirds of the crowd of almost 46,000, belted out "La Marsellaise," It was impossible not to feel chills. "Ce'st magnifique, ce soir," Megan Rapinoe, who capped off a week in which she was the subject of one of President Donald Trump's Twitter rants by scoring two goals, said afterward. "It's everything you want." MOVING ON! 🇺🇸 The U.S. Women's National Team eliminated the hosts to reach their record 8th straight #FIFAWWC semifinals. All the highlights in our 90' in 90" ⬇ #BelieveWithUS pic.twitter.com/WiQRHjb7yb   FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 28, 2019 Except it's not what the Americans really want. The U.S. women are trying to win consecutive World Cup titles for the first time in the illustrious program's history. It also would give them four titles, tying them with Germany and Italy's men's teams and leaving them one shy of Brazil's men's team. The men have had 60 more years to gather the hardware, by the way, playing their first World Cup in 1930. The women's tournament didn't begin until 1991. But getting past France by no means assures the Americans of the title. Or even the chance to play for it. ADVANCING: Netherlands, Sweden complete World Cup semifinals England is the No. 3 team in the world, one spot ahead of France. And unlike the U.S., which struggled against Spain and needed a stellar performance from goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and its defense in the second half against France, England has looked stronger with every game it plays. It has conceded only one goal, that came back in the opener. It was ruthlessly efficient in its quarterfinal victory over Norway , a 3-0 win that wasn't even as close as the score indicated. Ellen White has scored four goals in the last three games, and Lucy Bronze is having as good a World Cup as anyone. Lose any focus, or come out with any less fire, and England will make the Americans pay. England also has an extra day of rest, having played its quarterfinal Thursday. That's no small thing with France in the midst of a heat wave that sends temperatures soaring into the 90s each day. "It is really mentally, emotionally and physically draining, this tournament," said Ali Krieger, who is playing in her third World Cup. "You have to take a step back, take a break. Put your phones away. Say hi to your families quick and then get back to refreshing and recovering and getting your body back to 100 percent for three days from now. "It's tough, but luckily we're immune to that," she added. "We're very, very good at that." They're going to have to be. Celebrate the France win too much, and the U.S. women won't be celebrating any others at this World Cup. Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour . This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Opinion: Quarterfinal victory over France can't be U.S. women's high point at World Cup Related slideshow: Best photos of the 2019 Women's World Cup (provided by imagn)


PHILADELPHIA (AP)   Venus Williams was just a kid at a World TeamTennis clinic the first time she tried to impress Billie Jean King. Years before she hit No. 1 in the world, Williams tried to show off in front of her tennis idol. "When it was my turn to hit, I was just like confident and strong," Williams said, laughing. "Bam! I was like, 'Yeah, she saw that.'" King, a six-time Wimbledon champion, was instantly struck by Williams' power and bravado. "It was adorable," she said. Williams once just wanted to play tennis and win tournaments, and she became one of the greats along the way. She soon pined to follow King in more ways than the record book. The 39-year-old Williams was inspired by King's legacy of championing equal rights and equal pay for women in the sport. A day before playing in the 2005 Wimbledon final, Williams addressed a meeting of the Grand Slam Board, urging Wimbledon and the French Open to offer equal pay to male and female players. All four majors have eliminated the pay gap. "Sometimes you start somewhere and you end somewhere else you hadn't planned on," Williams said. King and Williams sat on a panel of women in sports Friday night that included representatives from the Philadelphia Flyers and Sacramento Kings. Williams was in Philadelphia to play for WTT franchise the Washington Kastles and packed a crowd of about 2,000 fans into Saint Joseph's Hagan Fieldhouse. She had an easy time in the breezy world of team tennis, winning her singles match 5-2 against Taylor Townsend of the Philadelphia Freedoms . In her last match that counted, Williams was upset at Wimbledon by 15-year-old Coco Gauff . Williams declined through representatives to answer questions about the loss, wanting instead to keep the focus on team tennis. Little sister Serena Williams reached the Wimbledon final and lost in straight sets to Simona Halep. King had said she would like to see what Williams could do on the court if she were to put "everything else aside" and "focus on what's necessary" for her tennis. While some reports sensationalized a spat between them, King said all was cool with Williams and they had texted after Wimbledon. "She said, 'Billie, I know (a reporter) misinterpreted you. I love you. I appreciate you,'" King said. "She's always been great. She brings up my name all the time." King's connection to Philadelphia stretches to her teenage years when she won the 1960 Philadelphia and District Grass Court Championships, and her WTT career in Philadelphia inspired the title to Elton John's hit " Philadelphia Freedom." King said she was 13 when she knew "she wanted to change things" in the world and is proud to see a star player in Venus help get women equal prize money in the majors. King just isn't the type to recruit the next generation of stars   like a Gauff   to join in the fight for causes close to her heart. "I'm shy in some ways, I am," King said. "I don't want to go up to them that much. I don't want to get in their space. I don't know them." Perhaps, but it's impossible to imagine a girl that picks up a racket who doesn't know about King. "I have a job because of this woman," Williams said. The 75-year-old King looks at the Williams sisters as among those who can carry on the work she started decades ago. "You never know how you're going to touch another person's life or how they're going to touch yours," King said. ___ More AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


When it comes to food and drink, there's plenty to do in Detroit this week. From a vodka bartending class to a burger competition, here's how to add some flavor to your social calendar. 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. 'Mixology 101: Ciroc' by Detroit Mixology Professional Bartending School From the event description: As seen on FOX2 and WDIV Detroit, this two-hour "Mixology 101" course will unlock your inner bartender. Enjoy fun new cocktails while learning the skill to make them at home for parties and events. Hosted by Detroit Mixology Professional Bartending School, the premiere bartending school in Detroit, our topic for this course will be vodka, and we will explore the most popular drinks made with Ciroc. Join us for a fun-filled evening of bartending with vodka. When: Saturday, June 22, 6:30-8 p.m. Where: Detroit Mixology Professional Bartending School, 11000 W. McNichols Road, #120 Price: $35 (mixology t-shirt ticket). Click here for more details, and to get your tickets The World's Largest Food Truck Rally at River Days Detroit From the event description: Coming back for a second year bigger and better, the World's Largest Food Truck Rally is partnering up with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy to take the 13th annual River Days Festival to new heights. The River Days Festival will be held from June 21-23 at West Riverfront Park. In addition to over 120 food trucks, there will be four stages of music, a zip-line, games and entertainment to last all day and night! When: Friday, June 21, 11 a.m. - Sunday, June 23, 10 p.m. Where: 1801 W. Jefferson St., Detroit, MI 48216 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Burger Battle Detroit 2019 by Dine Drink Detroit at Eastern Market From the event description: Metro Detroit's best chefs will battle it out for the title of "Best Burger" at this special culinary event. Each will be given a chance to grind their own special meat blend on-site, grill up their creations and face a panel of judges, who will determine the winner. Guests are invited to watch Detroit's best chefs throw down, eat burgers and enjoy Historic Eastern Market. When: Sunday, June 23, 1 p.m. Where: 2934 Russell St., Detroit, MI 48207 Price: $25 (general admission) 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.


TORONTO (AP) Jozy Altidore scored for the fourth straight game and Toronto FC beat expansion FC Cincinnati 2-1 on Saturday night. Altidore made it 2-0 in the 50th minute, curling a shot from outside the penalty box past a diving Przemyslaw Tyton. Altidore has nine goals in 13 games this season for Toronto (9-9-5). Emmanuel Ledesma scored for Cincinnati (5-16-2) in the 58th minute. Nick DeLeon opened the scoring for Toronto in the 16th minute.


A 43-year-old Utah man tragically fell to his death near the peak of Squaw Mountain. At around 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, the Provo Police Department received an alarming call about a hiker being stuck on a rock face. The call had come from the man's friend, Provo Police said in a statement shared on Twitter. Utah County Search and Rescue responded to the incident and found that the man's GPS coordinates showed he was in Rock Canyon, police said. They promptly began emergency rescue efforts and found the hiker, but it was too late. "Utilizing the UHP helicopter, the remains of the hiker were located," Provo Police said on Twitter. "Preliminary investigations showed the male fell from a significant height." "He was alone just up in the canyon hiking," Sgt. Nisha King with Provo police told Fox 13 Salt Lake City . "I don't have the specific height that he fell from, but I do know it was a very significant height," King told the outlet. "Originally we received a report that he was just below the flag, which as you can see is extremely treacherous." RELATED: Missing Hawaiian Hiker Found Dead 5 Days After Yoga Teacher Located Alive: 'He Is Our Sunshine' Our Search and Rescue responded. Utilizing the UHP helicopter, the remains of the hiker were located. Preliminary investigations showed the male fell from a significant height. The hiker was identified as a 43 year old Provo resident.   Provo Police (@ProvoPolice) July 30, 2019 After locating the man's body, emergency responders were able to remove his remains thanks to the Utah Highway Patrol, Fox 13 reported. "It was actually very helpful that we had the UHP helicopter to come and assist us. That's actually how the remains of this gentleman were removed from the mountain," King said. RELATED: Arizona Woman, 69, Missing for 5 Days in the Mojave Desert After Going Hiking with Husband In wake of the man's horrifying death, King is warning the public to be cautious of taking on the excursion. "Total round trip, you're looking at a five-hour hike," King said to Fox 13 of Rock Canyon. "It's beautiful, but you want to be prepared. Know what your skill level is. Wear the appropriate footwear." The hiker's name has not yet been revealed to the public.


Before the Buccaneers released defensive tackle Gerald McCoy this week, there were reports that the Browns had shown interest in bringing him to Cleveland. That interest has not waned since McCoy hit the open market. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that the team has "inquired" about McCoy's interest in joining the team for the 2019 season. Cabot notes that Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham responded to a social media posting about McCoy's release by calling for the 2010 first-round pick to come to Cleveland. He's likely not the only one around the team to feel that way, although McCoy will likely have other suitors for his services. If McCoy does come to Cleveland, he'd join Olivier Vernon and Sheldon Richardson in new additions to a defensive line that already featured Myles Garrett .


Three members of a now-defunct white supremacist group that was based in Southern California have been sentenced to prison for their roles in provoking violence at a deadly far-right rally in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017. Benjamin Daley, a founder of the now-defunct Rise Above Movement, was sentenced Friday to 37 months in prison. Thomas Gillen, a Redondo Beach resident, was sentenced to 33 months and Michael Miselis, a member who worked as an aerospace engineer for Northrop Grumman, was sentenced to 27 months. A fourth defendant, Cole White, will be sentenced later. All four previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to riot. "These defendants, motivated by hateful ideology, incited and committed acts of violence in Charlottesville, as well at other purported political rallies in California," Thomas Cullen, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia, said in a statement. "They were not interested in peaceful protest or lawful First Amendment expression; instead, they intended to provoke and engage in street battles with those that they perceived as their enemies." Daley, Miselis and several others had traveled from California on behalf of the relatively small militant white power group that cast itself as an alt-right fight club, according to court records. Its members would meet regularly in public parks to practice boxing and other street-fighting techniques to unleash on political foes, court records said. Federal authorities said the group was founded in late 2016 or early 2017 by Daley and Robert Rundo, originally branded as "DIY Division." The group grew in numbers through the use of social media, on which they coordinated combat training before political events and bragged about the violence to recruit members. At a political rally in Huntington Beach in March 2017, several members pursued and assaulted groups of protesters and other individuals, according to authorities. In a rally in Berkeley the following month, group members again violently clashed with attendees. After group members arrived in Charlottesville in August 2017, they taped their fists and made their way through a group of people protesting against discrimination. Together, prosecutors said, the white supremacists pushed, punched, kicked and head-butted several people, resulting in a riot. The U.S. attorney's office said that as part of their pleas, the defendants admitted the acts of violence were not carried out in self-defense. "Every one of their sentences should stand as evidence that Virginia has zero tolerance for such criminal activity," Col. Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police superintendent, said in a statement.


Jul. 30--When Jermar Jefferson gave his mom the news, she began to cry. It was a week before last year 's signing day and Jefferson, a senior running back and three- star recruit at Narbonne High in Harbor City, finally had received a scholarship offer from USC. It was the school he grew up idolizing, the Pac- 12 's biggest program and predominant recruiting giant in the Southland, his mother Tracy's alma mater. Only, she wasn 't shedding tears of Trojan joy. The offer had come too late. Weeks earlier, Jefferson had committed to Oregon State. USC 's late push was tempting, but he became a Beaver anyway. "No! Why?" Jefferson remembers his mom asking him. "I was like, I just feel like I need to get out of L.A." Jefferson recalled the story during Pac- 12 media day last week. After a breakout freshman season in Corvallis, he can smile at the memory now. While USC coach Clay Helton was hurled hot- seat questions and UCLA coach Chip Kelly was grilled on the Bruins ' rebuild, local products such as Jefferson -- prospects who were overlooked, under- pursued or unpersuaded by the L.A. schools and have flourished as program- builders elsewhere in the conference -- surrounded them. Between 2010 and 2015, USC and UCLA combined to sign an average of five top- 20 California recruits per year, according to 247Sports ' composite rankings. But in the last four classes, that average has dropped to 3.75. Jefferson 's recruiting process unfolded slowly after a senior year transfer from Redondo Union, and "it definitely motivated me to work harder and grind, " he said. "It made me have that grit to go harder and be the best." In addition to Jefferson, who racked up 1, 380 yards (third most in the conference ), 12 touchdowns (tied for second ) and the Pac- 12 freshman offensive player of the year award last season, several other Southern California players took the podium at the Hollywood & Highland Center, donning the colors of the conference 's other schools. Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello, a Rancho Santa Margarita native, and Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate, a Gardena native, have become two of the league 's top signal callers after spurning offers from USC and UCLA. California cornerback Camryn Bynum, a former three- star prospect from Corona Centennial who wasn't offered by either L.A. school, has become an anchor of a Golden Bears secondary that led the conference in pass defense last season. Washington center Nick Harris, a preseason all- conference first- team selection from Gardena, and Arizona State center Cohl Cabral, a preseason all- conference second- team selection and Rancho Cucamonga product, also opted to leave the state. Both are expected to become NFL draft picks next spring. "Guys are going everywhere, " Cabral said. "They can stay at home, but if they feel more comfortable somewhere else, they can go somewhere else and be comfortable." Washington cornerback Myles Bryant, a graduate of Loyola High in Los Angeles, was another example. The 5- foot- 9 prospect received little attention from the Trojans and Bruins. But he found a home with Washington, one of several programs that have reinforced their Southern California pipeline in recent years. "Growing up, USC and UCLA, those were the top- tier programs, " said Bryant, a preseason first- team all- conference selection. "They 're still at the top, but I think a lot of guys are seeing what you can do in other places. They 're understanding that they 're trying to get outside of the bubble and get experiences. They 're trying to see what other parts of the country have to offer." These stories aren 't new. Generations of L.A. players have found success after leaving home. In an area with such rich recruiting reserves, USC and UCLA can only mine so much of the talent for themselves. But rarely have both programs been mired in such malaise -- USC is 15 years past its last national title and coming off a 5- 7 season, while UCLA hasn 't claimed a conference championship in more than 20 years and won just three games last fall. At the same time, many of their rivals have successfully recruited their backyard. This year 's signing class saw the conference 's other 10 schools combine to sign more top- 20 California recruits (10 ) than the Trojans and Bruins combined (four ) for the first time this decade. "The world has gotten smaller in general, but certainly in the recruiting world, " Washington coach Chris Petersen said. "It 's not just here, it 's everywhere. You 've got kids all over the West going different places with the social media and the access." It has leveled the league 's playing field. For the first time since the Pac- 12 split into divisions in 2011, neither USC nor UCLA was picked to win the South Division in the preseason media poll. "The two local schools are still going to get really good players out of here, " Petersen said. "But it 'll be interesting to see how this thing all plays out in the long run, because... just depending on the kid, it can be great to get out of their comfort zone and go to a different part of the country. They love it." ___ (c)2019 the Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Magomed Magomedkerimov seized the welterweight championship and the $1 million prize that came with it during the inaugural Professional Fighters League season last year. Now, the Russian mixed martial arts fighter is in position to deposit another cool million into his bank account, but he'll have to recover from a costly injury to do so. Magomedkerimov scored a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) over Chris Curtis in the main event of PFL 4 at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J., on Thursday night and live on ESPN2 to earn three points and clinch the second seed in the welterweight playoffs. Magomedkerimov made the win look easy but it was anything but that, because he had to work through a broken hand he suffered early in the fight. Join DAZN and watch Bellator 228 plus more than 100 fight nights a year "In the first minute of the first round I broke my hand," Magomedkerimov revealed in the cage during his postfight interview. "I couldn't throw it or grip with it anymore. That's the only reason [Curtis] made it to the end of the fight. Hopefully it isn't too serious and I will be able to heal up in time for the playoffs, so I can end him next time we fight." He'll have time to recover, considering that the welterweight quarterfinals will be held Oct. 11 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Magomedkerimov will face Curtis in that opening round of the playoffs in a rematch. Magomedkerimov thoroughly dominated the fight despite the injury. He put Curtis on notice early with a display of power, taking down the American fighter and peppering him with punches. He only encountered trouble in the third round, when Curtis was swinging and managed to trap Magomedkerimov in a guillotine. Magomedkerimov kept his cool and escaped the submission attempt before kneeing Curtis to the body, taking his back and connecting with more punches. Magomed Magomedkerimov full steam ahead to the PFL Playoffs, winning a unanimous decision and 3 points! #PFL4 pic.twitter.com/OWExgGdo3j   #PFLmma (@ProFightLeague) July 12, 2019 If the regular season was a preview of what's to come in the playoffs, then Magomedkerimov fully delivered the message that he's sitting on his throne until someone dares to knock him off. In addition to second-seeded Magomedkerimov facing No. 7 Curtis, the rest of the welterweight playoff quarterfinal matches have been set: (1) Glaico Franca vs. Andre Fialho (8) (4) John Howard vs. David Michaud (5) (3) Sadibou Sy vs. Ray Cooper III (6) Kayla Harrison makes quick work of Morgan Frier with first-round submission (key lock) to collect six points and clinch playoff spot Harrison seized her first PFL playoff berth by pounding Frier's head on the ground and cinching in the key lock. OVERWHELMING once again! @judo_kayla earns the 1st round submission win, 6 points, and is heading to the PFL Playoffs this October. #PFL4 pic.twitter.com/DM0NQMVnlY   #PFLmma (@ProFightLeague) July 12, 2019 "The submission was probably there earlier in the round, but I really like hitting people since I was never allowed to in judo," Harrison said in the cage after the win. "I'm going to be the best, I'm going to be even better than Khabib (Nurmagomedov) when I am done." That's a statement and a half. With the victory, the two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo clinched the women's lightweight second seed, setting the table for a possible championship final between herself and No. 1 seed Sarah Kaufman. Before PFL 4 even kicked off, Kaufman took to her Twitter account Wednesday to explain that she wouldn't be featured on the PFL 4 card because her scheduled opponent, Roberta Samad, failed to make weight. Samad's blunder gave Kaufman three points and a playoff berth as the top seed, not to mention an unexpected night off and an opportunity to see Harrison up close and personal. Harrison and Kaufman can meet in the championship match for the lightweight title and $1 million if Harrison defeats Genah Fabian and Kaufman can get past Larissa Pacheco in the semifinals at the Mandalay Bay on Oct. 11. Our 2019 Women's Lightweight semifinalists. These ladies are all headed to Las Vegas for the playoffs! @Judo_Kayla vs. @pachecolarissa_ @mmasarah vs. @GenahFabian pic.twitter.com/B1RbtaB1ns   #PFLmma (@ProFightLeague) July 12, 2019 Joao Zeferino def. Bojan Velickovic by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) to earn three points Zeferino took Velickovic's back with less than a minute remaining in the fight but failed to get the finish he needed to secure a spot in the playoffs. . @zeferinomma gets it done! He scores a unanimous decision win and earns 3 points. #PFL4 pic.twitter.com/KOdYhXp8ac   #PFLmma (@ProFightLeague) July 12, 2019 Despite the bittersweet ending, Zeferino did take pleasure in dedicating his win to his dad, who was in attendance. "I am glad I was able to fight through all the hardships to get to this point," Zeferino said in the cage. "This week is my father's birthday and he flew all the way from Brazil to watch me fight. If you want to know what's real? Who is real? That guy (pointing to his father) is the real deal." John Howard demolishes Ray Cooper III with first-round KO (punches) to bag six points; welterweights Howard uncorked a huge left hook to crumple Cooper to the canvas. The 2018 welterweight runner-up got up but was wobbly and never the same. Howard unleashed another blistering left hook to end Cooper's night in brutal fashion. DOOMSDAY! @johndoomsday with a monster 1st round knockout, earning 6 points! #PFL4 . pic.twitter.com/qGT5mHRbI6   #PFLmma (@ProFightLeague) July 12, 2019 "First off, I have nothing but respect for Ray Cooper. He is a tough fighter and I knew he was trying to hit me hard; I just had to hit him harder first," Howard said in the cage after he had clinched a postseason berth. "I feel a certain way about how things went down in the playoffs last year and I'm looking for a different outcome this year." Earlier action on ESPN+ Glacio Franca def. Sadibou Sy by third-round TKO (punches) to snatch four points and clinch a spot in the playoffs; welterweights David Michaud def. Handesson Ferreira by first-round TKO (punches) to garner six points and clinch a spot in the playoffs; welterweights Larissa Pacheco def. Bobbi Jo Dalziel by first-round submission (armbar) to gain six points and clinch a spot in the playoffs; lightweights Genah Fabian def. Moriel Charneski by first-round TKO (punches) to earn six points and clinch a playoff spot; lightweights


Looking to find out about the newest restaurants to open in Borough Park? From Sichuan to Malaysian food, read on for a list of the newest eateries to make their debut in this area of New York City. Chuan Yue 842 64th St. Chuan Yue is a Sichuan spot, offering traditional meat, seafood and noodle dishes. On the menu, diners will find Sichuan favorites like dan dan noodles, spicy chicken and more. Try the pork belly with garlic, the fried crab cake or the cold chicken with a chili sauce. Yelp users are still warming up to Chuan Yue, which currently holds 3.5 stars out of four reviews on the site. Fer H. added , "Great service and great ambience. However, the food is not as authentic as other places." Chuan Yue is open from noon 2 a.m. daily. Xiang Hotpot 5816 Fort Hamilton Parkway Xiang Hotpot is a Chinese hot pot spot. This is Xiang Hotpot's second location, with the original in Flushing. Choose from a variety of soup bases and proteins like ox tripe, spicy beef and tofu. The staff also puts on a traditional Chinese performance while you dine. With a four-star rating out of 68 reviews on Yelp, Xiang Hotpot has been getting positive attention from visitors. Yelper Natalie H., who reviewed Xiang Hotpot-Brooklyn on July 6, wrote , "If you're looking for authentic, this is the definition of it. The hot pot experience is entertaining and fun to do. Cook it however you like and then enjoy. They are incredibly informative and will help you every step of the way to make sure you get the best taste and experience." Xiang Hotpot-Brooklyn is open from noon 2 a.m. daily. Langkawi 5323 Eighth Ave. Langkawi is a Malaysian and Thai spot. Stop in for favorites like chicken satay, tom yum soup, stir-fried noodles, beef curry and more. Lunch specials are available daily. Langkawi's current rating of 3.5 stars out of 29 reviews on Yelp indicates the newcomer is finding its way, but it's still early days. Yelper Kenny C., who reviewed Langkawi on May 24, wrote , "All very delicious. We ordered all our favorite Malaysian dishes for takeout, including the Langkawi chicken, chicken/shrimp taro nest, ladyfingers with shrimp paste and the sizzling tofu." Langkawi is open from 11 a.m. 11 p.m. daily. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


MIn his first Drew League game, LaMelo Ball looked right at home on Saturday, scoring 25 points and hooking up with former Chino Hills teammate Onyeka Okongwu, who had 24 points himself, as the two lead No Shnaks to a 90-71 win. Ball hardly struggled in his debut, going 6-of-12 from the field and 3-of-9 from beyond the arc while hitting 10 of his 11 free throws. The point guard topped off his performance with six assists, five rebounds and three steals. Ball and No Shnacks started slow, leading just 38-33 in the first half. However, as Ball heated up in the second half, his side quickly began pulling away, winning the second half 52-38. Individually, Ball's best moments came in the second half as he knocked down a stepback three after a series of crossovers and also found Okongwu for the highlight of the game with an in-bounds alley-oop from the baseline. Ball also had a breakaway dunk of his own in the second half. Late in the game, Ball turned to willing facilitator with a handful of flashy passes, most of which did not lead to an assist. Ball is slated to play next Sunday for No Shnaks against Prodigy at 3:45 p.m. PST. MORE: Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade Steelers CB Justin Layne checks all the boxes for a shutdown cornerback WATCH: Lonzo Ball pulls up to watch LaMelo make Drew League debut 6 things we learned from Browns mandatory minicamp Shaun O'Hara: Everyone in Giants organization 'feels the heat'


Irvine will continue to see warm weather over the coming week, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Temperatures will reach a high of 81 degrees on Wednesday. The immediate forecast also has mostly cloudy skies in store for today. Skies will partially clear on Friday, remaining partly cloudy through Saturday. Winds will remain light through the week, with the highest speeds today at just 8 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


To say the situation surrounding Cincinanti Bengals guard Clint Boling has taken a sudden turn would be a gross understatement. Boling has been one of the Bengals' better offensive linemen for a few years and running now, even moonlighting at left tackle randomly because things were so bad for the unit. But fast forward to 2019, Boling has watched a new coaching staff shift Cordy Glenn to guard, sign free agent John Miller to start at right guard, draft Michael Jordan and then sign free agent John Jerry. Boling, meanwhile, was on the sidelines of OTAs and minicamp with an unknown problem, as ESPN's Katherine Terrell pointed out: "It's unclear what's going on with Boling, who has worked off to the side during OTAs and minicamp, but with Cordy Glenn's move to left guard, and the signing of John Miller to play right guard, Boling has suddenly become expendable. If first-round pick Jonah Williams is hurt for any length of time and Glenn moves back to tackle, that could keep Boling in the starting lineup, but for now, it wouldn't be a total surprise if the team decided to eventually part ways with him." Considering the Bengals have high hopes for the rookie Jordan and the late-arrival Jerry was already getting first-team reps because the coaches like his versatility, Boling could be in some trouble. Keep in mind Boling enters a contract year dramatically overshadowed by other guys in need of extensions starting with A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd. With Boling, the writing appears to be on the wall. It looked like the Bengals had one solid foundational piece to build around in the coming years not too long ago, but he's quickly been jettisoned to a backup at best, pending another dramatic change over the course of training camp. MORE: Kyle Kuzma is already trash-talking his former Lakers teammate NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players LaVar Ball says Lakers are 'crashing down' after Anthony Davis trade The story of the Steelers helmet logo Tiki Barber urges Giants fans to stop booing Daniel Jones


Mercedes Schlapp, a Trump campaign aide, defended President Donald Trump amid ongoing and escalating attacks aimed at four freshman congresswomen on Sunday. "I have worked with President Trump for two years and he is not a racist," Schlapp, who left the White House in June to join the campaign told ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "This Week." (MORE: Trump says he disagrees with 'send her back' chants, despite fanning flames for days) Schlapp's comments follow the president's shifting response to the backlash that erupted after thousands of rally goers at his Greenville, North Carolina, rally chanted "send her back" about a sitting congresswomen last week. The chants themselves came only days after the president launched an attack on four progressive congresswomen of color, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass, telling them to "go back" to the countries they came from. Three of the representatives were born in the U.S., while as a child Omar came to the U.S. as a refugee. All four are duly elected members of Congress. But while the Trump campaign initially defended the rally chant, the president on Thursday told reporters in the Oval Office that he "was not happy with it" and "I disagree with it." However, Trump appeared to walked back his disavowal of the chant the next day, telling reporters when asked about the chant: "No, you know what I'm unhappy with -- the fact that a congresswoman can hate our country," the president said. "I'm unhappy with the fact that a congresswoman can say anti-Semitic things. I'm unhappy with the fact that a congresswoman, in this case a different congresswoman, can call our country and our people 'garbage.' That's what I'm unhappy with," Trump said. The president also argued last week that he "very quickly" started talking once the "send her back" chants started, despite letting the chant go on for about 13 seconds without saying a word. When pushed by ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl on why he didn't begin speaking sooner, the president he did. "If you would have heard, there was a tremendous amount of noise and action and everything else," he said. "I started very quickly. And I think you know that." The president later tweeted that he "did nothing to lead people on, nor was I particularly happy with their chant." President Trump also continued to praise rally goers as "a very big and patriotic crowd. They love the USA!" This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.


We asked the USA TODAY NFL staff the following question: "Is Chip Kelly done in Philadelphia, either by his choice or the team's choice?" Their responses: CHRIS D'AMICO I think it could come down to whether owner Jeffrey Lurie takes away the GM title. But that is not his style. People forget Kelly went 10-6 his first two seasons, so it has not been a complete disaster in Philly during his time there. So I say he gives it at least one more season, and we will see what he has learned about being a GM. Note to Chip: Don't ignore the offensive line again. MICHAEL MIDDLEHURST-SCHWARTZ It's too soon to say Kelly's time in Philadelphia is already wrapped up, but it sure doesn't look good. He created his own mess with an overhauled roster that has glaring holes and has yet to jell. Even if he has the opportunity to return, would he want to attempt another offseason reboot to restore his standing? With plenty of colleges and potentially other NFL opportunities, Kelly would be better off getting a fresh start elsewhere. TOM PELISSERO Still too soon to say. Chip can leave anytime he wants and there will be a top-flight college job waiting. But does he want to give up now and have that disappointment on his resume? He's as tight-lipped as anyone in football, so nobody truly knows what he's thinking. The Eagles' viewpoint surely will have a lot to do with how the season ends up. Bad as it looks now, they're still just a game back of the division lead. LORENZO REYES It's just a touch too early for me to say he's done. A loss to the Lions, though, might change that. The Eagles, as bad as they have been the last two weeks, are still just one game back in the NFC East. There may be plenty of angst in Philly   deservedly so   but it will be hard to dump your head coach and the man with final say in personnel matters, if he wins the division and takes the franchise to the playoffs. What is clear, however, is that some changes are necessary for the Eagles to compete in the future.


Suspect was 18-year-old student


The two Marines pulled over on an exit ramp along a desolate desert highway in Southern California this month, and opened a back door of their black BMW just long enough for three people to rush from the thorny scrub into the back seat. They were about a mile from the southern border, where thousands of troops have deployed this year to try to stem the flow of migrants   but the authorities say the Marines in the BMW had the opposite aim. According to a federal criminal complaint , they planned to make some easy money by taking their passengers, migrants from Mexico, to the next stop on their smuggling route north. Sign up for the Morning Briefing newsletter Instead, they were pulled over minutes later and arrested by Border Patrol agents. That stop on July 3 led this week to the arrest of 16 other Marines suspected of human smuggling and drug violations, pointing to a much broader operation that reached deep into the enlisted ranks. Those Marines   from Camp Pendleton, near Oceanside, Calif.   have not yet been charged. But their arrests are a glaring indication that stepped-up enforcement at the border by both troops and Border Patrol agents has done little to stop migrants, and has instead had an unintended effect: pushing up smuggling fees and attracting atypical players to the trade. Surging prices for sneaking past heavily patrolled areas north of the border have brought bigger payoffs that can be difficult to resist, even for the military. The two Marines caught by the Border Patrol, Lance Cpl. Byron Darnell Law II and Lance Cpl. David Javier Salazar-Quintero, were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton. They told the authorities they had been recruited by another man, unnamed in the complaint, who would often meet with them in a parking lot next to a Whole Foods supermarket. Smugglers of migrants are often not cartel kingpins but small players directing a web of independent contractors: foot guides, drivers and operators of stash houses where migrants are held until friends or family members pay an installment for the next leg of their trip. The smugglers often recruit through Facebook, Craigslist and WhatsApp groups, or through word-of-mouth. Alex Mensing, a project coordinator for Pueblo Sin Fronteras, a group that helps organize and support migrant caravans, said that as pressure on border crossers builds, and as prices rise, new groups of Americans will inevitably try to capitalize on the demand. "At the end of the day, everybody has their price," he said. "And when you put people in charge of a system that enough people are trying to game, it's just bound to happen." The three Mexicans in the BMW told the authorities that they had paid $8,000 to be smuggled north. For the hourlong drive to San Diego, the Marines would get a small cut. Lance Corporal Salazar-Quintero called Lance Corporal Law late on July 2, asking if he wanted to make $1,000 to "pick up an illegal alien," the complaint said. Lance corporals earn about $2,000 a month in base pay. The men drove in Lance Corporal Law's car about an hour east of San Diego on the interstate, through the craggy desert mountains to a faded resort town called Jacumba Hot Springs. Migrants who try to cross through the mountains typically begin their journeys in cities like Tijuana, Mexico, and are driven by smugglers into remote parts of the California high desert where they then set out on foot. They can sometimes hike for hours through terrain studded with boulders and thick brush, with no access to water. For years the remote valley around Jacumba Hot Springs has drawn a steady stream of smugglers of both drugs and humans. In 2018, authorities discovered a 627-foot tunnel under the border there, complete with a rail line and solar-powered ventilation. Lance Corporal Law drove while Lance Corporal Salazar-Quintero, who speaks Spanish, got directions through his phone from a smuggler with a Mexican phone number. They were told to pull over at the exit to Jacumba Hot Springs, and a single Spanish-speaking man quickly got in. The Marines drove to a McDonald's parking lot in Del Mar and delivered the man to someone the complaint described as their recruiter, and then went home. The next morning they got another call from the recruiter, according to the complaint, and drove toward Jacumba Hot Springs again. Smugglers will pay anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars to drivers who pick up migrants near the border and drive them through the 100-mile-zone north of the frontier that is closely monitored by Border Patrol agents. For migrants, a journey that a decade ago cost between $1,000 and $3,000 costs upward of $10,000 today, in part to pay American drivers for risking federal prison sentences. Last year, four soldiers from Fort Hood, in Killeen, Tex., were convicted of hiding unauthorized migrants under military gear , and two soldiers from Fort Bliss, near El Paso, pleaded guilty to smuggling a pair of migrants in the back of their vehicle . When the two Marines drove east to Jacumba Hot Springs on July 3, the smuggler told them to go past the exit and make a U-turn in an emergency pull-off. They stopped at the exit ramp on the westbound side. Within seconds, according to the complaint, the three Mexicans waiting in the brush bounded into the car, but they caught the attention of Border Patrol agents, who pulled the car over a few miles away. The leaders at Camp Pendleton sent a strong message this week as the investigation widened, ordering the 16 Marines to the front of an early morning battalion formation on Thursday, and arresting them in front of 800 of their peers. The Marine Corps has not released the names of the 16 Marines arrested this week. The commanding officer of the battalion, the Corps said in a statement, "would act within his authority to hold the Marines accountable at the appropriate level, should they be charged." Nicholas Kulish and Caitlin Dickerson contributed reporting.


Round Trip Brewing is apparently seeking to acquire property along Seaboard industrial Boulevard on the edge of the northwest Atlanta neighborhood of Underwood Hills, according to Atlanta Business Chronicle . The brewery's Instagram accounts states they hope to open sometime early next year. Round Trip is located between Atlanta Brewing Company and Second Self Beer in the neighborhood, which will also include a second location of Scofflaw Brewing at the Chattahoochee Food Works. Celebrity restaurateur and host of Bizarre Foods Andrew Zimmern is the food hall's "culinary advisor" . [ABC] Caravaca Market in midtown closes International restaurant and food market Caravaca Market closed on Tuesday on Peachtree Street at the Trace near Tech Square, What Now Atlanta reports. Owner by chef Harry Pagancoss says the two-year-old market "simply did not resonate" with Atlantans despite the restaurant-market model working well in cities like New York and Miami. [WNA] All-male strip club Swinging Richards adding female dancers The all-male strip club Swinging Richards on Northside Drive in the northwest Atlanta neighborhood of Berkeley Park plans to add 20 daytime-only female dancers to the lineup by the end of the month, Project Q report. It's meant to increase revenue at the club, which owes over $1.65 million to creditors and to several former dancers who sued Swinging Richards for unpaid wages. [ProjectQ]


FORT WORTH, Texas   The fungus that kills bats showed up in Texas only two years ago, but now it is marching across the state So far, no cases of white-nose syndrome have been discovered in Texas. But it usually takes two to four years before the fungus starts causing white-nose syndrome, said Jonah Evans, a Texas Parks and Wildlife mammalogist. Texas Parks and Wildlife announced this week that the fungus was found in 22 sites in 16 counties in 2019. Eleven of those counties are new and it has now been found in 21 Texas counties. The fungus' spread across the U.S. has led some scientists to warn that it could lead to a regional extinction of some bat species. The syndrome gets its name from the white fuzz found on the noses of infected bats as they overwinter in caves. Last year, National Geographic went so far as to warn that a bat apocalypse is unfolding. The syndrome disrupts bats during hibernation. "It causes them to wake up multiple times while they are hibernating," Evans said. "It depletes reserves and the bats die off from starvation or go in search of food and then they die." Will the same thing happen in Texas? Another warm weather state, Mississippi, has had the fungus longer than Texas but hasn't seen white-nose syndrome develop. "There's a lot we still don't know about," Evans said. Texas has 33 species of bats and officials estimate white-nose syndrome could harm eight of them. In Texas, the fungus has been detected on 43 cave myotis, 13 Mexican free-tailed bats and four tri-colored bats. "Based on their track record in other states, we're certainly worried," Evans said, referring to tri-colored bats. It's uncertain how Mexican free-tailed bats, the most common in Texas, will fare. "Since the free-tailed bat doesn't hibernate, it may not impact them," Evans said. "The downside is they may be a vector for spreading the fungus since free-tailed bats are found as far south as Chile and Argentina and along the Eastern seaboard of the U.S." Arlington resident Kate Rugroden is chairwoman of the White-nose Syndrome Stakeholders Committee and vice president/treasurer at Bat World Sanctuary in Weatherford. She said bats are vitally important to the ecosystem and the economy. One brown bat, which is about the size of a human thumb, can eat 4 to 8 grams of insects per night, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. A 2011 Science magazine report estimated the value of bats to agriculture could be between $3.7 billion and $53 billion per year. "Bats are essential to life," Rugroden said. "They are a keystone species. They have a huge job to do."     ©2019 Fort Worth Star-Telegram Visit the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at www.star-telegram.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Somewhat lost in the hype of the NBA Finals and the myriad of injuries that the Golden State Warriors are dealing with is the fact that Kevin Durant becomes an unrestricted free agent once again this summer and is free to go wherever he so pleases. The prevailing theory all season long has been that Durant will leave the Warriors this summer for the New York Knicks to play with his good friend Kyrie Irving. The Knicks added fuel to those flames by trading away Kristaps Porzingis to create two max-level slots for free agents this summer. Durant has let us know all season long that his mind has been on winning another title, but that hasn't stopped any speculation. All of that talk this season could have been for nothing. Durant has said more than once that he wants to maximize his earning potential, and no team can pay him more than the Warriors with a supermax deal. While he can't officially make a decision until July, Nike may have hinted at where he's going to play next season. Nike has this @KDTrey5 shirt on the site that has all the Teams/Cities KD has played for. The last 2 are Oakland & San Francisco. GSW last season in Oakland is this season. Next season they are in SF. Did @Nike confirm KD back to Warriors? #NBAFinals #Warriors #NBA pic.twitter.com/SsdX2iTlKd - Audel Del Toro (@AudelDelToro) June 2, 2019 Twitter user Audel Del Toro found a shirt for sale on Nike's website that has a list of every city that Durant has played in since high school. At the end of the list, Oakland, CA followed by San Francisco, CA. The Warriors are playing their final season in Oakland and will play in a new San Francisco arena next year. It's hard to imagine why Nike would add both cities unless Durant has let his shoe brand in on a decision that the rest of us shouldn't be privy to yet. Of course, this literally means nothing as of yet, but as more things start to come out about Durant and the decision he has to make this summer, it's hard not to read between the lines to figure out where his mind is. MORE: Did Nike accidentally reveal that Kevin Durant is staying with the Warriors? 'Jeopardy' star James Holzhauer shoots down one of so many wild conspiracy theories after loss Report: Suns, Bulls offering lottery picks for Lonzo Ball Report: Ravens offered Gerald McCoy more guaranteed money than Panthers Redrafting the entire NFL heading into the 2019 season and beyond


Eccentric choices go unnoticed Even when they do weird stuff   sing loudly in the shower, come home with tattoos, decide to eat only foods that start with the letter "t," others barely bat an eye. Middle children who are trying to get attention hate that. They remember their last day as the baby Middle children never forget the day they found out a new baby would be pushing them out of the coveted "youngest child" spot. They can tell you what they were wearing   what the baby was wearing   when it came home and started its 20-year-long attention-grabbing nonsense. They never get their own room Middle children who never had their own bedrooms are particularly bitter. Either they had to share with the oldest, because they were both girls, or with the youngest, because that wouldn't be fair to the oldest. Wait, since when did "fair" matter? The fighting Middle children get painted as skilled negotiators and peacemakers   and for good reason. The other two, perched atop the oldest child/sweet baby pedestals, constantly fight, and the only one with enough sense has to step in before someone really gets hurt. The forced independence Sure, independence is a great quality to have. But it's not as if middle children have a choice in the matter. While parents and the oldest wring their hands over every new situation, and the baby might hurt himself or grow up and leave mom and dad childless, the middle child is busy just getting things done. No fear. No roadblocks. Just one foot in front of the other, not bothering to even ask for help. (Because the answer would be, "Wait just a minute.") They don't get to decide anything Which flavor of ice cream, where to go on vacation, who gets to go first on the swings? Middle children never get to answer these questions, which are either pitched at the experienced eldest or the needy littlest. For the record, the answer is chocolate swirl, Disneyland, and me. They always have to wear hand-me-downs The eldest gets new clothes because she's growing. The youngest gets new clothes because everything else is in shreds. The middle kid? She gets the hand-me-downs that are "still too nice to throw out" or "perfectly fine to wear even with the big chocolate swirl ice cream stain." They're accused of seeming selfish First, they're left on their own to figure everything out. But then, everyone wants to understand why they're so stubborn, or break the rules, or hoard the Doritos. Middle children are tired of being left to their own devices but also criticized for, you know, stepping up and taking care of things themselves! They never get asked their age Aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, camp counselors, random people at stores always want to know how old the oldest is, how old the youngest is, and then whether everyone gets along. No one ever asks the middle child's age, just assuming they're about half-way between the oldest and the youngest. There are no surprises The older sibling gets to do everything first, and parents assume that would be the perfect age for the middle one, too. "We didn't let your sister do that at your age, why would we let you?" But then a few years later, the youngest gets to do everything you never could. "Well, you wanted to do that at his age!" Life in the middle is completely unfair. They don't have as much alone time with their parents Middle children, while as sweet and cuddly as the others, haven't had as much alone time with their parents. They never had them to themselves, as the oldest did. They aren't the darling last baby. They've had to find their space on laps and couches and in the lives of their parents in different ways. Everyone feels bad for you "Ah, the middle child!" they say. "Poor thing." Because even though it's an unfair, often miserable and rather invisible existence, it's your existence. And it's been pathologized! Middle children don't want the pity they receive. They don't want all these assumptions made about their lives. They're middle children!


Libyan authorities buried the bodies of 46 migrants Sunday after they were plucked from the sea following one of deadliest shipwrecks in the Mediterranean so far this year. Rescue workers said Friday they had recovered the bodies of 62 migrants from waters off Libya after the overloaded boat went down off the city of Khoms, east of the capital. Authorities said the bodies of the remaining 16 would be buried later. Seven migrants rescued from the wreck helped lay their companions to rest. "We were saved and here we are today to bury 46 of our brothers, children and women," Anwar, a young Eritrean survivor, told AFP. It is unknown exactly how many were on the boat when it went down around 90 minutes after setting off from Libyan shores on Wednesday evening in a desperate bid to reach Europe. Survivors said some 400 people were aboard the vessel when it sank, according to global charity Doctors Without Borders. UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi called the wreck "the worst Mediterranean tragedy of this year". Some 145 people were rescued, according to International Organization for Migration, which reported more than 110 missing after the sinking. Libya, which has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 uprising that killed president Moamer Kadhafi, has long been a major transit route for migrants, especially from sub-Saharan Africa, hoping to reach Europe. Authorities on Saturday attempted to transport the bodies to a cemetery in the Tripoli suburb of Tajoura, but fighting in the area forced them to turn back. They succeeded a day later, finally reaching the small plot of land surrounded by rocks and trees reserved for the bodies of those that have perished in bids to reach Europe by sea. Many of the graves bear numbers instead of names. Before the latest shipwreck, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the IOM said 426 migrants had perished in the Mediterranean this year.


Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)   one of the top 10 classes of prescribed medications in the United States   may be an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD), finds two new papers published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology . Researchers are set to present their findings Nov. 3-8 for this year's ASN Kidney Week 2015 in San Diego. While PPIs are commonly prescribed to treat acid reflux , they've also been associated with an increased risk of both CKD and other acid-related gastrointestinal conditions like acute interstitial nephritis. The latter is frequently undiagnosed, which may then present itself as CKD. So to better understand this incidence rate, possibly even mortality, the first study followed 10,482 participants from the The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC). The ARIC study is a prospective study conducted in four U.S. communities designed to investigate the etiology and history of atherosclerosis, or the process in which arteries thicken and harden. The participants were all adults with normal kidney function from 1996 to 2011. And researchers found that PPI users were between 20 and 50 percent more likely to develop CKD than non PPI-users. These users were also more often white, obese , and taking antihypertensive medication. When researchers replicated their study, this time using patient data collected from 240,000 participants during 1997 to 2014, they had the same result. Lead study author Dr. Benjamin Lazarus, of Johns Hopkins University, people who used a different prescribed class of medications to suppress stomach acid   also known as an H2 blocker   did not have a higher risk of developing CKD in both studies. He and his team concluded that "PPI use is an independent factor for CKD." The second study arrived at similar conclusions. Led by Dr. Pradeep Arora of SUNY-Buffalo, researchers analyzed data from 99,351 patients who were seen in primary care clinics from April 2001 to April 2008; 27,835 patients with baseline CKD were excluded. The data included patient's PPI use, as well as their respective ages, gender, race, and comorbidity variables, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Excluding more than 20,000 patients brought the total number of patients down to 71,516. And of this sample, 24,149 patients developed CKD   25.7 percent were treated with PPIs. Patients being treating with PPI were also less likely to have vascular disease , COPD, cancer, and hypertension. There's more: When researchers analyzed the original sample size for mortality outcome, 36,290 had died. These analyses showed people taking PPIs had higher odds for developing CKD and mortality compared to patients not taking PPIs. Researchers concluded that use of PPIs is associated with increased risk of developing CKD. As Tech Times pointed out , these studies merely show a link between PPIs and CKD   they do not prove a causal relationship. Lead author of the second study Dr. Pradeep Arora, of SUNY-Buffalo, suggested these links may stem from two things: One, repeated bouts of acute interstitial nephritis damage kidneys and/or two, PPIs reduce the levels of magnesium in the blood, which may also damage kidneys. "As a large number of patients are being treated with PPIs, health care providers need to be better educated about the potential side effects of these drugs, such as CKD," Arora said in a press release . "PPIs are often prescribed outside of their approved uses, and it has been estimated that up to two-thirds of all people on PPIs do not have a verified indication for the drug." Source: Lazarus B, et al. Proton Pump Inhibitor Use Is Associated with Incident Chronic Kidney Disease. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. 2015. Arora P, et al. Proton Pump Inhibitors Are Associated with Increased Risk of Development of Chronic Kidney Disease. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. 2015.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Orlando? We've rounded up the latest rental listings via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to hunting down a rental in Orlando if you don't want to spend more than $1,800/month on rent. Take a look at the listings, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 6168 Raleigh St. Listed at $1,701/month, this 1,739-square-foot four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is located at 6168 Raleigh St. In the apartment, you can expect hardwood flooring and a renovated kitchen. The building boasts on-site laundry. Both cats and dogs are welcome. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is moderately walkable, is relatively bikeable and has some transit options. (See the complete listing here .) 6350 Vineland Road (Florida Center) Here's a 1,091-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at 6350 Vineland Road that's going for $1,730/month. In the unit, you'll find hardwood flooring and a walk-in closet. The building offers a fitness center. Pet owners, take heed: Cats and dogs are allowed. Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address isn't very walkable, is very bikeable and has some transit options. (Take a look at the full listing here .) 10207 Dwell Court Listed at $1,760/month, this 1,206-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is located at 10207 Dwell Court. The building boasts an elevator, a fitness center and a swimming pool. The listing also promises hardwood flooring and in-unit laundry in the apartment. Cats and dogs are not welcome. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is car-dependent and is somewhat bikeable. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 733 Main Lane (South Orange) Finally, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment located at 733 Main Lane. It's listed for $1,725/month for its 750 square feet. Expect to find air conditioning and granite countertops in the apartment. When it comes to building amenities, anticipate an elevator, garage parking, secured entry and a swimming pool. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: This spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is very walkable, is quite bikeable and has good transit options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Orlando . This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


VATICAN CITY   Less than 10 days after Vatican officials said they found no evidence that the daughter of an employee who disappeared 36 years ago had been buried in a cemetery inside Vatican City, a new foray there unearthed two ossuaries Saturday that contained unidentified human bones. Whether any of them belonged to the girl, Emanuela Orlandi, who disappeared at age 15 in 1983, was not possible to say immediately. Laura Sgro, the Orlandi family lawyer who was present during Saturday's examination, said that the two ossuaries were underground, in a building adjacent to the cemetery, and that they contained "very many bones." Sign Up For the Morning Briefing Newsletter "Certainly some are historic, older, but at first sight it's not possible to do an accurate dating," she told reporters. Ossuaries are repositories for skeletal remains and are common throughout Europe, used mostly when cemeteries become overcrowded. In the case of the Teutonic cemetery, the ossuaries were underground cavities. "They found thousands of bones," said Giorgio Portera, the Orlandi family's forensic expert, who hypothesized that they belonged to "dozens of persons." He said the bones had not been catalogued or kept in an orderly manner, but were "piled up in a cavity." On Saturday, all the bones were gathered into 24 bags and sealed, Ms. Sgro said. Without quantifying the number of skeletal remains that had been found, Vatican officials said in a statement that it was not possible "at the moment to predict how long it will take to complete a morphological analysis of the remains found in the ossuaries." For centuries, the Teutonic cemetery, where the search for Emanuela went on this month, was the final resting place for people of Germanic origin. When officials entered it on July 11 and opened two tombs identified as the possible repositories of Emanuela's remains they found nothing, not even the bones of the two princesses who were supposed to have been buried there in 1836 and 1840. Seeking an explanation for the missing skeletal remains, the Vatican dug further into its records and found that renovations had been carried out in the area in the 1960s and '70s. The bones from the empty tombs may have been moved at that time. Then, a week ago, Vatican officials said they had found the two ossuaries under a trapdoor inside the Pontifical Teutonic College, next to the cemetery. It was just the newest twist in one of Italy's most enduring mysteries. Emanuela vanished on June 22, 1983, on her way home from a music lesson. Investigations into her disappearance have taken numerous, sometimes improbable, turns, and conspiracy theories have flourished. Her disappearance has been linked to the Sicilian Mafia, to a notorious Rome crime gang, to Bulgarian agents and to a 1981 plot to assassinate Pope John Paul II. Speculation has tied the case to the K.G.B., the C.I.A. and an American archbishop who was linked to a major Vatican banking scandal in the 1980s. Some said Emanuela had moved to London, where she lived under a different name. None of those theories have been borne out. The search turned to the Teutonic cemetery's tombs after people working in the Vatican suggested to Pietro Orlandi, Emanuela's brother, that she could have been buried there. Last month, the Vatican approved the opening of both tombs in what Mr. Orlandi said was a concrete sign of cooperation. In an article in Osservatore Romano , the Vatican newspaper, the Vatican's communication director, Andrea Tornielli, said that the tombs had been opened as a sign of "human and Christian closeness" to the Orlandi family. He added that it was "certainly not, as has been said, an admission on the part of the Vatican of a possible involvement in hiding a corpse." Mr. Portera said that the bones appeared to belong to people of various ages, and that craniums belonging to adults, but also children, had been found. Using carbon-14 dating methods, the bones could be accurately dated, he said. "Not down to one year, but we can test them to understand whether they are a few decades old or hundreds," he said. He said the fact the bones had been stored in an underground ossuary "complicated the situation." Ms. Sgro said she would ask the Vatican to turn over what documentation they had on whose remains might have been placed in the ossuaries. "We want to understand how these bones ended up there," she said. Federica Orlandi, Emanuela's sister, who was also present Saturday, said the family had little to say, "until we have the scientific results of the bones."


Start your day off right with some pictures of furry felines! There are dozens of cats up for adoption right here in Chicago. Hoodline partnered with Petfinder , an online adoption site that lists "more than 315,000 adoptable pets from nearly 14,000 animal shelters and rescue groups" to bring you this roundup of cats near you. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Reggie, domestic shorthair mix Reggie is a male domestic shorthair mix staying at Friends of Chicago Animal Care & Control . Reggie will get along great with your dogs and cats. Reggie would prefer a home without small children. He already has all of his shots, and he's neutered. Have no fear: He's already house-trained. From Reggie's current caretaker: If you're looking for an all-white, beautiful male cat, Reggie is the one. Like a loyal dog, he will follow you all over the house and greet you at the door when you arrive home. He is very playful and a great eater, too! Read more about Reggie on Petfinder . Ko, domestic shorthair Ko is a female domestic shorthair cat in the care of Feline Friends Chicago . Ko is a social animal   she loves other cats. Have no fear: She is already house-trained. She is also spayed and vaccinated. Here's what Ko's friends at Feline Friends Chicago think of her: This fun gal loves to be the center of attention! She's a little bit of a diva, but in a good way. She prefers to hide under covers all day, avoiding water/baths at all costs, waiting for you to come home so she can curl up on your lap. Read more about how to adopt Ko on Petfinder . Grey Cashmere, domestic shorthair and Russian blue mix Grey Cashmere is a sweet male domestic shorthair and Russian blue mix currently housed at Feline Friends Chicago . Grey Cashmere is looking for a home without small children. He's mastered his house-training etiquette. He already has all of his shots, and he's neutered. Notes from Grey Cashmere's caretakers: Grey Cashmere just arrived! She is friendly, curious and adorable. She may be OK with a male cat. Grey Cashmere has been declawed on her front paws and was born around February 16, 2017. Read more about Grey Cashmere on Petfinder . Biggs, Maine coon and domestic longhair mix Biggs is a male Maine coon and domestic longhair mix currently residing at Feline Friends Chicago . Biggs gets along well with dogs and cats. Biggs would prefer a home without small children. He has mastered his house-training etiquette. Biggs is neutered and vaccinated. Here's what Biggs' friends at Feline Friends Chicago think of him: Mellow, curious and affectionate, there's a lot to love about Biggs. He warms up pretty quickly to new people and once he does, that purr is loud, y'all. It's like his personal stamp of approval. He'll sit in your lap and just let it loose on the whole room, and you'll just giggle because he's so sweet. Read more about Biggs on Petfinder . Thomas, domestic shorthair Thomas is a darling male domestic shorthair cat in the care of Hi Kitty Kitty . He has mastered his house-training etiquette. He already has all of his shots, and he is neutered. Notes from Thomas' caretakers: When you meet Thomas, you are going to fall in love with him. Apply to adopt Thomas today at Petfinder . Desi, Maine coon mix Desi is a female Maine coon mix staying at Hi Kitty Kitty . She has all of her shots, and she is spayed. She's mastered her house-training etiquette. Read more about how to adopt Desi on Petfinder . This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.