The Oscars may be Hollywood's biggest night, but they're also a very important evening for designers. Tom Ford even relocated his runway show and dictated many a fashion editor's ( including Anna Wintour 's) travel schedule around the event. Just like the Academy Awards themselves are the most prestigious and coveted by the industry professionals that are up for them, the red carpet is the most pivotal for a brand -- it's where we expect to see the best of the best when it comes to celebrities and dresses. Designers and stylists saved their best dresses for Sunday night and celebrity placements were carefully planned by brands, whether they were paid for or prayed for. This was an especially big night for four brands -- Oscar de la Renta, Maison Margiela, Azzedine Alaïa and Rosetta Getty -- each of which used the Oscars as a stage to make a significant debut. For Oscar de la Renta, it was the first red carpet appearance by a dress designed by Peter Copping. Sienna Miller stunned in a dress from Copping's debut collection for the house, which walked the runway less than a week ago . It was not only an important moment for Oscar de la Renta, the brand, which likely carefully considered which actress it would dress on this night; but it was also a big moment for Miller, who has recently successfully emerged as a more polished version of the style star she's always been. Of course, Copping wasn't the only recently-appointed creative director to make his red carpet debut: Presenter Cate Blanchett looked lovely in an unfussy John Galliano for Maison Margiela gown. Margiela has never been seen as a typical red carpet label, but Galliano has long been a red carpet designer; thus, it was a big moment and a signal of change for the evolving fashion house. Then there was Azzedine Alaïa. The brand, which eschews many fashion industry traditions like holding a runway show during fashion week, has literally never dressed anyone for the Oscars, until Lady Gaga. The designer chose this night and this performer to create three custom gowns. According to Vogue , Lady Gaga and her stylist Brandon Maxwell had spent a lot of time at Alaïa's home and wanted to share their Oscars moment with a designer they were close to. We wonder if this means Alaïa will be making a bigger red carpet push going forward -- it would certainly get people talking about his masterful designs more than they have been, and there's nothing wrong with that. But Sunday night might have been the biggest deal for Rosetta Getty, who launched her namesake line just last year, and dressed Oscar winner Patricia Arquette, a childhood friend of hers. Not only did Arquette win, but she also he had one of the night's most memorable and talked-about speeches and thus, most visible dresses. While physical appearance may not have been Arquette's preferred talking point on Sunday , she looked great in this gown. This article was written by Dhani Mau from Fashionista and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.


Welcome to Day 9 of Denver Broncos training camp! The Broncos will hold a training camp scrimmage at Broncos Stadium at Mile High (1701 Bryant St.) on Saturday, July 27 from 2:15-4:15 p.m. Free mobile tickets can be downloaded via Ticketmaster ( direct link here ). Fans will have to pay $10 for parking at the team's stadium. Parking lots will open at 10:15 a.m. and gates to the stadium will open at 12:15 p.m. Follow along below for live updates from the scrimmage: Tweets from https://twitter.com/TheBroncosWire/lists/denver-broncos To view information about attending practice, click here . To view the team's complete training camp schedule, click here . MORE: Behind the scenes with new-look Nets: 'We got stars without mortgaging everything'' Bear bites woman in tent at Yellowstone, prompts action Sherra Wright pleads guilty in killing of LeBron's former teammate Lorenzen Wright Theo Riddick release means it's Ty Johnson time Greg Robinson's technical progress evident in Browns camp


Dallas will see a return of last week's warm temperatures in the coming days, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Temperatures will reach a high of 89 degrees on Saturday. Also look for light rainfall later in the week. The greatest chance of rain is expected on Tuesday at 60%, with the possibility of light rainfall of 0.18 inches. Skies will be cloudy today and mostly cloudy Saturday through Sunday. Winds will remain fairly calm over the course of the week, with the highest speeds on Tuesday at just 12 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Kevin Ollie could well be the appetizer. Is the main course coming next? If the NCAA is intent upon devouring head coaches who sit atop rule-breaking programs   holding accountable the richest and most powerful and often most protected people within a program   it may have been signaled Tuesday. That's when the former University of Connecticut basketball coach was hit much harder than any other element of the school's men's basketball program as the NCAA Committee on Infractions announced its sanctions against the Huskies. Some games were vacated from disappointing seasons, a scholarship was docked, and some recruiting restrictions were imposed. Garden-variety NCAA justice for violations few would deem egregious. But Ollie was hit with a charge of failure to monitor his program, and a subsequent three-year show-cause order. Ollie's tenure ended poorly at UConn in 2018, but it's not hard to envision a national championship-winning coach getting another shot in the college ranks if he wants one. With this ruling, though, Ollie would basically be untouchable in the hiring market until 2022. RELATED: NCAA says Ollie violated responsibility rules That's a stout penalty for what the NCAA characterized as primarily Level II violations (Level I is the most serious). Ollie was found to have lied to investigators and then declined a follow-up interview with the enforcement staff, so that was an aggravating factor. Still, there is a palpable sentiment within the NCAA membership to apply significant penalties where they would have the highest impact   and that means head coaches. "We do note the emphasis we've been asked to put on head coach responsibility since it was put in place," said NCAA Committee on Infractions chair Joel Maturi on a conference call Tuesday to discuss the UConn sanctions. "And we do think it's important." Now here's what to extrapolate from this ruling: If you're a head coach whose program is under investigation, in a sport everyone believes is in dire need of a stout fumigation, there could be a pesticide with your name on it. Even if your name is a big name. Lo and behold, there are some highly accomplished head coaches whose programs are in the enforcement crosshairs right now: Kansas and national champion coach Bill Self; Auburn and Final Four coach Bruce Pearl; Arizona and three-time Pac-12 coach of the year Sean Miller; North Carolina State and former coach Mark Gottfried, a 400-game winner, now at Cal State Northridge; Louisville and Hall of Fame former coach Rick Pitino, whose college coaching future could hang in the balance; USC and Andy Enfield; LSU and 2019 SEC champion coach Will Wade. Among the 2018 charging guidelines at the NCAA's disposal if Level I head coach responsibility violations are found to have occurred: a full-season suspension. Level II violations can result in a half-season suspension. If significant charges are leveled against some or all of those men, followed by significant penalties, all the Cleveland State jokes that have been foisted off at the NCAA's expense would have to be put in storage. It would not be the action of an NCAA enforcement staff that was timid about disrupting the sport at a high level. This is also worth noting, and factoring into the current climate: The above coaches are all white men, and only one of them (Pitino) has lost his job in relation to the corruption scandal. The assistant coaches who were nailed by the FBI, fired from their jobs and are facing jail time are all African-American men. Don't think for a minute that dynamic is lost on the coaching community, or on the NCAA itself. "If rules are being broken, then those universities should be accountable for their actions," Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin, an African-American, said last month. "Not to make it black or white, but it appears that when you have four coaches with the FBI get involved in that stuff happen to be black Americans but the head coach is still OK … "Not to say as a head coach I see everything. I don't. But … I just think there has to be a level of accountability." Thus the expectation is that head coach accountability is arriving. And arriving quickly. We know from NCAA vice president Stan Wilcox spilling the particulars last month that notices of allegation are coming soon in the wake of the federal investigation of corruption college basketball. "Soon" is an evasive target with the NCAA, but July makes sense for the first notices to drop. When they do, look for "head coach responsibility" within the allegations. Kevin Ollie may be the first of several head basketball coaches to find themselves on a silver serving platter of sanctions in 2019 and 2020. More from Yahoo Sports: Nike pulls shoe after Kaepernick raises racial concerns Angels pitcher, family man Skaggs gone too soon Yankees' Stanton posts heartfelt message after Skaggs' death Broncos preview: Replacing Manning has been tough


Microsoft Corp beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly profit and revenue on Wednesday, powered by a surprise boost in Windows revenue and as growth in its cloud business stayed on track. Shares rose 3.2% after the bell, pushing the Redmond, Washington-based company's market capitalization to nearly $1 trillion. The rally added to the stock's roughly 23% gain so far this year, after it hit a record high of $125.85 during regular trading hours. Under Chief Executive Satya Nadella, the company has spent the past five years shifting from reliance on its once-dominant Windows operating system to selling cloud-based services. Azure, Microsoft's flagship cloud product, competes with market leader Amazon.com's Amazon Web Services (AWS) to provide computing power to businesses. Growth in that unit slowed to 73% from 76% in the fiscal second quarter. Mike Spencer, Microsoft's head of investor relations, said the decline was roughly in line with the company's estimate as its cloud business begins to mature after several years of fast growth. Christopher Eberle, a senior equity analyst with Nomura, said that with Azure, "one should assume a slower rate of growth as we move forward, simply due to the law of large numbers." Still, Azure will bring in $13.5 billion in sales in fiscal 2019 with an overall growth rate of 75%, he estimated. "I can't name another company of that scale growing at these rates." Microsoft's earnings per share of $1.14 beat expectations of $1 according to IBES data from Refinitiv. Windows licensing revenue from computer makers grew 9% year over year, beating expectations after a 5% decline in the previous quarter. Spencer said a shortage of Intel Corp processor chips for PCs that many analysts expected to last into this summer had been resolved earlier than expected, allowing PC makers to ship more machines. Microsoft's "commercial cloud" revenue - which includes business use Azure, Office 365 and LinkedIn - was $9.6 billion this quarter, up 41% from the previous year but down slightly from the 48% growth rate the previous quarter. Microsoft's so-called "intelligent cloud" unit, which contains its Azure services, posted revenue of $9.65 billion, above Wall Street estimates of $9.28 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. The "productivity and business process" unit that includes both Office as well as social network LinkedIn had $10.2 billion revenue versus expectations of $10.05 billion. Microsoft's results on Thursday contained two weak spots. Its gaming revenue was up only 5% versus 8% the quarter before, which Spencer attributed to less revenue from third-party game developers and the fact that many gamers are delaying purchases of the xBox because a new model is expected soon. Sales of the company's Surface hardware also grew only 21% versus 39% the quarter before, again driven by customers holding out for updated hardware they expect will be released soon. Total revenue rose 14% to $30.57 billion in the third quarter ended March 31, beating analysts' average estimate of $29.84 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. Net income rose to $8.81 billion, or $1.15 per share, from $7.42 billion, or 96 cents per share, a year earlier.


HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)   Jerry Sandusky won't get a fresh chance to argue in state court he should get a new trial, seven years after the former Penn State assistant football coach was convicted of molesting 10 boys. Pennsylvania's Supreme Court on Wednesday turned down Sandusky's request that it review a Superior Court decision earlier this year rejecting most of his arguments. His lawyer says he was surprised and disappointed by the justices' decision. "We're very disappointed. We were very hopeful the Supreme Court would hear our appeal, because it's a very strong appeal," Sandusky defense attorney Al Lindsay said. He said it is likely Sandusky will seek help from the federal courts, and he expects to meet with Sandusky later this week at the State Correction Institution at Laurel Highlands. Jacklin Rhoads, spokeswoman for the state attorney general's office, said prosecutors were pleased with the high court's decision. Superior Court had also ordered Sandusky be resentenced because mandatory minimum guidelines were improperly applied. Rhoads said the resentencing, on hold pending the high court decision about the appeal, can now proceed. Sandusky's November 2011 arrest led to the firing of his longtime boss, head football coach Joe Paterno, and the forcing out of then-university president Graham Spanier. Paterno died in 2012, months before Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of child sexual abuse. Sandusky had filed a multifaceted appeal that argued the investigation, trial and sentencing were replete with errors, but the three-judge Superior Court panel was largely unswayed in February, followed by the one-page order issued Wednesday. Sandusky had argued his own lawyers should have kept him from giving a TV interview after his arrest, that his failure to testify was improperly cited by a prosecutor and that he should have been given information about changes to victims' stories before trial. Sandusky, 75, was sentenced in 2012 to 30 to 60 years. Spanier and two retired Penn State administrators, vice president Gary Schultz and athletic director Tim Curley, were convicted in 2017 of child endangerment for failing to notify authorities in 2001 of a complaint about Sandusky and a boy in a team shower. A federal judge in April threw out Spanier's misdemeanor conviction, less than a day before Spanier had been due to turn himself in to begin serving a jail sentence. The attorney general's office is appealing the Spanier ruling.


Spending time in South Tuxedo Park? Get to know this Atlanta neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a French bakery to a Victorian era cocktail lounge. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in South Tuxedo Park, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Henri's Bakery & Café Topping the list is bakery and deli Henri's Bakery & Café , which offers desserts and more. Located at 56 E. Andrews Drive NW, it's the highest-rated business in the neighborhood, boasting four stars out of 192 reviews on Yelp. The bakery offers French pastries, pies and cakes as well as cookies, brownies and cupcakes. On the deli menu , look for po' boys, specialty sandwiches, soups and salads. 2. Portofino Italian and New American spot Portofino is another top choice. Yelpers give the chic restaurant and bar, located at 3199 Paces Ferry Place NW, four stars out of 137 reviews. Serving dinner, drinks and dessert, the menu features Italian cuisine with dishes like veal and ricotta meatballs, grilled octopus, wild boar ragu and zucchini pesto. 3. Yebo Beach Haus Yebo Beach Haus , a New American and South African restaurant and cocktail bar, is another neighborhood go-to, with four stars out of 111 Yelp reviews. Small plates and entrees, like oysters, ceviche, tacos, fried chicken and seared tuna, as well as creative cocktails are served all year. From December through February, the spot transforms into a "ski lodge" and offers an appropriately winterized menu. Head over to 111 W. Paces Ferry Road NW to see it for yourself. 4. The Blind Pig Parlour Bar Check out The Blind Pig Parlour Bar , which has earned four stars out of 22 reviews on Yelp. The intimate, Victorian era space serves hand-crafted cocktails and small plates, such as marinated olives, charcuterie, brisket sliders and lobster mac and cheese. You can find the lounge and cocktail bar at 128 E. Andrews Drive NW. 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.


Darren Sproles has officially returned to the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday, signing his contract just minutes after reporting to training camp. Year 15 #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/2zAWAxR1wy - Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 24, 2019 The numbers are out, and according to Ian Rapoport, Sproles new deal is for one final year, at $1 million, with a $300k signing bonus. The #Eagles are giving veteran RB Darren Sproles a 1-year deal with a base value of $1.03M with a $300K signing bonus and $600K of his base guaranteed. A nice likely final payday. - Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 24, 2019 Sproles finished the 2018 regular season with 29 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown, along with 15 receptions for 160 yards and two scores after missing the bulk of the season with a hamstring injury. He also returned 10 punts for 83 yards. Sproles leads all active players with 19,520 all-purpose yards, which ranks sixth in NFL history. With 162 more yards, he would tie former Oakland Raiders wide receiver/punt returner, Tim Brown. MORE: Mike Trout's perfect 98.6 MPH throw to home plate had everyone in awe Packers GM explains reasoning for releasing DL Mike Daniels Why Mike Daniels should be on every potential playoff team's radar What might Kostas Antetokounmpo bring to the Lakers on offense? Jalen Rose: Don't Be Surprised if Anthony Davis Winds Up With the Bulls


Homicide detectives were investigating Wednesday morning after a man was shot and killed near Seattle 's Green Lake. The call came in just after 12:30 a.m. Multiple shots were reported fired in the 8400 block of Aurora Avenue North. When responding officers arrived at the scene, they found a 59-year-old man sitting on a bench with a gunshot wound in his chest. RELATED: 2 days after a man was released from jail for raping a woman in Seattle, he allegedly attacked her He was transported to Harborview Medical Center, where he later died. Anyone with additional information about the incident was asked to call 206-233-5000.


Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is in talks with Turkish side Trabzonspor over a potential move this summer, as his search for a new employer goes on. The 29-year-old is without a club after leaving Anfield this summer and is yet to agree terms with a new team, despite plenty of interest in the forward. The latest club keen, according to ESPN , is Trabzonspor, who have offered Sturridge a two-year contract with the option for a third season with the club, as well as an 'attractive' signing-on fee. As of yet, nothing is decided, but negotiations are believed to be progressing well, with intermediaries working on behalf of Sturridge in Turkey to discuss a potential move. Trabzonspor are expected to face competition for Sturridge's signature from Fenerbahce, although the latter's interest is yet to be officially confirmed. The striker is expected to have plenty of clubs to choose from this summer, with a spokesman for Sturridge confirming (via The Mirror ) that teams from all over the world have expressed an interest in the striker. "Numerous football teams across the world have been in contact looking for an opportunity to bring him to their club," the statement read. "Teams in many countries including America, China, Italy, Spain and France, as well as clubs closer to home in the Premier League are continuously enquiring about his availability and putting their case forward for why Daniel should choose them." A return to boyhood side Aston Villa has been suggested, whilst the likes of Leicester City and Newcastle United have also been linked with a move for the 29-year-old, who managed 68 goals in 160 appearances for Liverpool. He featured 27 times for Jurgen Klopp last season, but started just four Premier League games as he found himself stuck behind Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi in the pecking order at Anfield. He left the club this summer after his previous contract expired, but is expected to announce his next move in the near future.


WASHINGTON   A temporary gig isn't necessarily temporary in President Donald Trump's administration. Staff departures or internal shakeups have left more than a dozen federal departments or agencies operating with temporary, or "acting," heads instead of a permanent leader. Two of the acting heads have been in their role for more than a year. The latest addition to Trump's band of temporary leaders is Pat Pizzella, whom Trump named as acting Labor Secretary on Friday after Alex Acosta announced his resignation. Trump seems in no hurry to replace some of his "acting" leaders. "I like acting," he told reporters in January, saying the temporary positions give him more flexibility. Here's a closer look at the departments and agencies that currently are operating without a permanent leader: White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney is officially acting chief of staff even though he has been in the job since January. Labor secretary Trump named Pat Pizzella as acting secretary on Friday after Acosta announced his resignation. Acosta stepped down amid the furor over a plea deal he made more than a decade ago with wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein , a sex offender charged with human trafficking girls as young as 14. Acosta was the top federal prosecutor for the Southern District of Florida at the time. Defense secretary The department has been operating with an acting secretary since Jim Mattis stepped down at the end of December over differences with Trump. Patrick Shanahan served as acting secretary and was Trump's pick to assume the position full time. But Shanahan withdrew from consideration in June after USA TODAY published a story that detailed an FBI examination of a violent domestic dispute in 2010 between Shanahan and his then-wife. The current acting secretary is Mark Esper . Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought became acting director of the agency after Mulvaney moved into his current position as White House acting chief of staff. Mulvaney still holds the title of director, but the White House refers to Vought as acting director. Homeland Security secretary Kevin K. McAleenan has been serving as acting secretary since April, when Kirstjen Nielsen resigned amid tensions with Trump and others in the White House who felt she hadn't done enough to stem border crossings. Nominees no more: Trump's picks for administration jobs keep dropping out U.N. ambassador Jonathan Cohen has been serving as acting ambassador since Nikki Haley 's departure at the end of December. Trump has nominated Kelly Craft, who currently is serving as U.S. ambassador to Canada, to fill the position, but she is awaiting confirmation by the Senate. Federal Emergency Management Agency Pete T. Gaynor has been serving as acting FEMA administrator since March 8, following the resignation of Brock Long amid questions over his use of government vehicles and resources to travel back to his North Carolina home. Gaynor had served as Long's deputy. Federal Aviation Administration Dan Elwell has been serving as acting administrator since Michael Huerta's five-year term ended on Jan. 6, 2018. Food and Drug Administration Norman Sharpless has been acting administrator since April 5, replacing Scott Gottlieb , who resigned after two years as head of the agency. Occupational Safety and Health Administration The agency has been headed for the past two years by Loren Sweatt, who is acting assistant secretary of labor. Consumer Product Safety Commission Ann Marie Buerkle has been serving as acting chairwoman since Feb. 9, 2017. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Former Virginia attorney general Ken Cuccinelli has been serving as acting director since June 10. Customs and Border Protection Mark Morgan, Trump's former head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, officially became acting commissioner in July, replacing John Sanders, who resigned amid a public outcry over how migrant children have been treated at the border. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Matthew Albence became acting director in July following Morgan's departure for his new role as acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. Migrant raids: Immigration advocates brace for ICE roundups across country: 'The goal is to terrorize' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Acosta's resignation means Labor secretary added to list of Trump posts with 'acting' leaders


Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. For those who think their skin color exempts them from having to worry about sun protection , dermatologists have a message: Damaging UV rays can penetrate all types of skin, regardless of your ethnicity, so even people with dark skin need sunscreen . And while skin cancer rates are significantly lower in African Americans and Hispanics than in Caucasians, low risk doesn't mean no risk. The annual incidence of melanoma is 5 in 100,000 for Hispanics and 1 in 100,000 for African Americans (compared with 26 in 100,000 for Caucasians), according to the American Cancer Society. Some of the facts about your risk for sun damage might surprise you, but knowing the truth will help you stay safer in the sun. UV Rays Damage Everyone's Skin "Dark skin does have built-in SPF," says Amy Wechsler, M.D., a dermatologist based in New York City and assistant clinical professor of dermatology, SUNY Downstate Medical College. That's because darker people naturally produce more melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color, and the more melanin you have, the fewer UV rays penetrate your skin. For example, a National Cancer Institute study noted that medium dark skin filters out about twice as much UV (ultraviolet) radiation as white skin. Melanin increases in response to sun exposure and skin gets darker, but that "tan" isn't protecting your skin ; it's a sign of sun damage. "UV exposure causes cell damage, and the body produces more melanin as a protective mechanism," says David Bank, M.D., director of The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery in Westchester County, N.Y. Although people of color might not burn as quickly as people with light skin, they can and do get sunburned . In a 2014 study, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute reported that 13 percent of African Americans and 31 percent of Hispanics surveyed said they had experienced at least one sunburn in the past year. Redness, the telltale sign of sun damage, might not be as evident on darker skin, but skin can still feel hot, tight, and painful. Time in the Sun Will Age Your Skin The damage caused by UV exposure will also make your skin look older. "Photodamage in people of color will lead to sagging of the skin, loss of volume from the face, and hyperpigmentation," says Jeanine Downie, M.D., a dermatologist in private practice in Montclair, N.J. "While people with lighter skin tones tend to see fine lines and wrinkles show up first, people of color will see changes in pigmentation that lead to dark patches and uneven skin tone." You Can Find a Sunscreen to Suit You Regardless of the color of your skin, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying a sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher and reapplying it every 2 hours or immediately after swimming or heavy sweating. CDC researchers surveyed more than 4,000 Americans asking how often they used sunscreen on their faces or exposed skin on their bodies when they were outside in the sun for longer than an hour. Among men, 4 percent of blacks and 16 percent of Hispanics used it on their faces, and 7 percent of blacks and 12 percent of Hispanics used sunscreen on their bodies. Women had a higher rate of regular sunscreen use, with 15 percent of black women and 36 percent of Hispanic women using it on their faces and 10 percent and 26 percent, respectively, using it on their bodies. It's true that some sunscreens are thick, pasty, and white none of which is ideal for darker skin tones. "You don't want to end up looking ashy," says Wechsler. "It may require some trial and error, but looking for formulas that are more liquid and sheer will be your best options." Several of the sunscreens in Consumer Reports' tests did not leave a white cast on dark skin. See the list of products below. Any Unusual Skin Changes Could Be a Sign of Trouble Even though skin cancer occurs less frequently in people with dark skin than in Caucasians, Africans Americans and Hispanics both have high mortality rates if they do develop the disease. In part, that's because skin cancer often isn't diagnosed in people of color until a later stage, when the disease is more advanced. In a 2006 study published in the Archives of Dermatology, researchers analyzed 1,690 melanoma cases. They found that 26 percent of those diagnosed in Hispanics and 52 percent of those in African Americans were advanced (compared with 16 percent in Caucasians). One reason people of color aren't diagnosed with skin cancer until the disease has advanced is that the early warning signs often go unnoticed. "Skin cancer can look different in different skin types," says Downie. "And often doctors don't think about skin cancer when they're treating people of color." But Downie warns that any skin changes such as a new mole or one that grows or changes, a patch of skin that changes color, a scab that won't heal, or a dark spot under your nail are worth getting looked at by a dermatologist. Skin Cancer Can Occur Even in Spots That Rarely See the Sun While Caucasians typically develop skin cancer in areas that get the most UV exposure, African Americans often experience the opposite. Common sites for skin cancer to occur in people of color include the bottoms of the feet, palms of the hands, and underneath fingernails and toenails (the singer Bob Marley died from melanoma that began under his toenail). Existing Scars Can Be Skin Cancer Danger Zones If you have any scars especially those that resulted from a thermal or chemical burn keep a close eye on them (and protect them carefully from the sun). People of color are more likely to develop nonmelanoma skin cancer in an area that's scarred or inflamed. And it can be life-threatening if left unchecked. According to a National Cancer Institute study, when squamous cell cancer develops in a person of color at the site of a long-standing scar, there is a 20 to 40 percent risk of spreading. If you notice a scar suddenly changing, becoming inflamed or otherwise altered, see your dermatologist. Check out these sunscreens that performed well in Consumer Reports' tests and do not leave a white cast on skin. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2019, Consumer Reports, Inc.


BEIRUT - As the perennial jousting between the U.S. and Iran focuses on drones, nuclear enrichment and safe passage of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, Washington is struggling on a lesser watched front in the region: northeastern Syria. That's where the U.S. led a coalition of European and regional nations in support of a Kurdish-dominated group of militias against Islamic State extremists, lavishing the Kurds with weapons, training, air cover and the assistance of thousands of U.S. soldiers and contractors. With Islamic State having been ousted from all the territory it held, the Kurdish-led fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, now control one-third of Syria. Washington wants to solidify that control, promote the SDF as a viable government and deny the resource-rich region to Syrian President Bashar Assad and his backers in Iran and Russia - even as President Donald Trump has pushed to withdraw all U.S. personnel. But such ongoing Kurdish-led control clashes with competing local and international rivalries, and faces strong pushback from allies and enemies alike. Just across the Euphrates River from the SDF lie Syrian government troops, Russian contractors, Iranian-backed paramilitaries and advisers from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. They wait for the opportunity to fulfill Damascus' long-stated vow to take back every inch of Syria's territory, including the SDF enclave. If they succeed, Syria's borders would form part of what many believe is Tehran's grand design to forge a land bridge connecting Iran to Lebanon. That, they say, would allow it to more easily transport weapons to its proxies and to build a network to circumvent U.S. economic sanctions. Beyond the SDF enclave's northern border lies Turkey, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally that has grown increasingly angry at the U.S. for its support of the People's Protection Units, the dominant Kurdish militia within the SDF. Turkey insists the group is a proxy for the separatist Kurdish movement it has fought for decades at home; it has threatened to overrun the group's bastion and install its own Syrian rebel factions in power. The U.S. has sought to placate Turkey with talk of a so-called safe or buffer zone, which would see the gradual withdrawal of the Kurdish force from the border and the destruction of its military fortifications. The evacuated areas would be patrolled by Turkish soldiers along with the U.S. and other coalition service members. But European allies remain unconvinced. Last month, James Jeffrey, the U.S. special representative for Syria, said that initial plans for Europe's participation in the safe zone had gone nowhere. Meanwhile, the Trump administration's hopes for a so-called Arab NATO appear to be crumbling. Saudi Arabia has so far failed to entice its allies in the region to join and Egypt has reportedly withdrawn. Discussions are continuing, said one diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, but losing Cairo's support would deal a death blow to a coalition that presumably would have contributed troops to a safe zone. The SDF, meanwhile, has little interest in giving up territories it clawed back from the Islamist extremists, especially to Turkish-backed Syrian rebels who view the Kurds as atheist separatists and the Arabs allied with them as traitors to the anti-Assad cause. There are also fractures within the SDF's enclave. The deserts of eastern Syria are home to Arab tribes whose members extend across the borders of Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Some, such as the Shaitat tribe, were among the first victims of Islamic State's rise in eastern Syria; hundreds were slaughtered when they rallied against Islamic State. Their kin later joined the Kurds to dislodge the intruders. The tribal people make up the majority population of eastern Syria, and though they were allies with the Kurds in combat, many have come to resent them in governance. There has been a persistent wave of demonstrations since April in areas of eastern Syria against Kurdish domination. Many say that Kurdish security officers have imprisoned people wrongly accused of links to Islamic State, said Abdul Rahman Khadher, a Dair Alzour-based activist and member of the Shaitat tribe. "At the same time, you see Daesh leaders paying money and being set free within 10 days, and even working with the SDF," he said in a phone interview, referring to Islamic State by its Arabic acronym. "They also employ incompetent people as administrators, people with a bad history who are implicated of being part of Daesh." In recent months, Russia has sent emissaries to cajole the tribe members back to Assad's fold. Last month, Thamer Sabhan, Saudi Arabia's minister for Gulf affairs, joined a delegation of U.S. officials to eastern Syria to mollify tribal representatives from the eastern Syrian province of Dair Alzour frustrated with the SDF. (His visit further angered Turkey, which is engaged in a duel over regional influence with Saudi Arabia.) Then there is Islamic State. Surviving members and their sympathizers have scattered across the eastern Syrian desert. They have burned crops, planted bombs and conducted targeted assassinations as part of a campaign to terrorize the tribes into collaboration, while also targeting Kurdish fighters. In mid-June, Islamic State claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack in the Kurdish-controlled city of Qamishli in which six people, including civilians, were wounded, activists said. Islamic State also acknowledged engaging in several shootings and attacks with improvised explosive devices on SDF militias across eastern Syria. Hanging over any discussion of the enclave is the question of whether the U.S. will withdraw its remaining troops from the area, and just what its policy will be moving forward. Under the Obama administration, U.S. officials had pushed the Kurds to negotiate a deal with Damascus over the land. But the Kurds, said Dareen Khalifa, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, now have tens of thousands of fighters and a bureaucracy of 140,000 civil servants serving a population of roughly 2 million - and the Kurds control most of Syria's oil, gas and water resources. "Damascus didn't negotiate, and the Kurds now had a taste of what autonomy looks like and they liked that, so they also want to negotiate from a much higher position than they had originally envisioned," Khalifa said. Negotiations broke off after Trump took office and began issuing statements inconsistent with those of leading officials in his administration. Though Trump has consistently said he wanted out of Syria ("Our boys, our young women, our men - they're all coming back, and they're coming back now," Trump tweeted in December), military and foreign affairs officials promised the U.S. was staying put. "They're very anti-regime, very anti-Iran, and they started sending the Kurds a different message, that they'll enforce a no-fly zone, everything they want," Khalifa said. "Even in December when he tweeted that we're leaving very soon and that was the end of it, Trump's senior advisers were telling the Kurds not to rush to Moscow or sign off on a deal with Damascus." Now the U.S. strategy appears to have morphed into one that would pressure Assad into kicking out Iran and committing to a series of concessions that would either make his rule acceptable to the U.S. or lead to a transition away from it, said Nicholas Heras, a fellow at the Center for a New American Security. The SDF's success would be part of that pressure. "Essentially, the U.S. is calling for a regime-change strategy without calling it a regime-change strategy," Heras said. At the same time, it is trying to build "a plane in flight, trying to create enduring resilience, governance, administrative, security and economic recovery structures for the SDF." At a March briefing, Jeffrey, the special representative, said the U.S. policy for Syria is threefold: to "ensure the enduring defeat" of Islamic State, to "ensure a political process that will give us a different kind of government" and "thirdly, the removal of all Iranian-commanded forces from the entirety of Syria." Yet Assad has shown little appetite for negotiations, even though he faces a sanctions siege that has hobbled any chance of recovery from the devastating eight-year civil war he has weathered. With Russia and Iran behind him, it may take years until he submits. With Assad remaining in Damascus, a successful SDF enclave would lead to a "looming handover problem," Heras said. If the Trump team or successor administrations decide to invest in the stabilization of northeast Syria, Assad could eventually control a region that is "rebuilt, rehabilitated and secured for free." "Can the U.S. swallow the poison pill of handing over its presence in Syria to a government still led by Assad or by successors of his?" Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com


Two former Grand Canyon University students are suing the school, alleging that recruiters committed fraud by misrepresenting whether the school's degrees would work properly in their home states. The lawsuit was filed Thursday by attorney E. Adam Webb in Fulton County, Georgia. The students live in Georgia and West Virginia and attended GCU online. Webb is seeking class-action status for the suit, claiming thousands of GCU students could similarly have been misled. The lawsuit includes online reviews that mention similar accreditation issues. This is the third lawsuit against GCU brought by Webb's firm. One alleges GCU failed to refund tuition for people who drop classes, and the other alleges doctoral students were made to take excessive dissertation continuation classes. Both of those suits, also filed in Georgia, are ongoing. GCU spokesman Bob Romantic said the school did not have enough time to "properly investigate" the new claims, but that a "cursory review" showed the lawsuit "appears to be blatantly false and defamatory." "GCU has a robust state-by-state compliance program and it appears it was followed in both of these circumstances," Romantic said. "Given sufficient time to review the complaint in detail, we expect to find further false and defamatory allegations." For more stories that matter, subscribe to azcentral.com . GCU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, but certain courses of study have additional program-specific accreditations that some state licensing and certifying agencies require. GCU, a private Christian university, converted back to nonprofit status in July 2018 after operating as a for-profit school for more than a decade. A for-profit venture affiliated with the university is still around, Grand Canyon Education Inc., provides services like marketing, accounting and human resources to GCU. The school enrolls about 97,000 students in both online and in-person programs. About 20,000 of those students attend classes on campus. Student: Pursuing degree was 'worthless' Debra Austin attended GCU as an online doctoral student in educational leadership for more than three years, she said. She teaches elementary school in Georgia but wanted to get a higher degree so she could become a superintendent. She said she learned from another student that her state may not recognize the degree as valid to upgrade her pay and certification, so she reached out to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. In 2017, the commission confirmed Austin's fear: Her degree wouldn't count because GCU's program didn't have the proper accreditation needed for Georgia's standards. A copy of a letter from the commission was shared with The Republic. "By the time I had found out, I had spent all this money and all this time for something that was worthless," Austin told The Republic. She took out about $65,000 in federal student loans pursuing the degree, the lawsuit states. But the bigger loss was the time she missed with her family while working away on her classes, Austin said. "I can't get back the time I spent away from my family, all the late nights," Austin said. She looked into transferring credits to other institutions, but the most any other program would take was one class, she said. She said her dream of becoming a superintendent is "dead in the water." "I can't go through that again. It was too much," Austin said. Austin previously told her story about her issues with GCU to the Phoenix New Times in 2017. Romantic sent the same response the university provided to the publication at the time. In that response, GCU said, "every student from Georgia is advised that this particular program does not meet the salary upgrade certification requirements under the Georgia Professional Standards Commission." The school's enrollment agreement for Georgia students also includes that information, GCU said. Claim: Degree wouldn't work in Ohio The second student, Tammy Baker, was pursuing a master's in mental health counseling to become a licensed professional counselor in Ohio, the lawsuit states. Baker lives in West Virginia, near the state's border with Ohio, according to the lawsuit. She spent more than $14,000 in federal loans for GCU online classes before a coworker who got a degree from GCU informed her the program didn't have the proper accreditation in Ohio, according to the lawsuit. After several attempts to get GCU representatives to admit the lack of program accreditation, Baker finally got an answer, the lawsuit alleges. In Ohio, professional counselors are required to have a graduate degree from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, the lawsuit states. GCU's program is not accredited by the group. "Mrs. Baker would never have enrolled at GCU if Defendants had not informed her that the program would meet all of her needs toward becoming a professional counselor," the lawsuit states. "GCU should never have pushed her to enroll   or even allowed her to enroll   in a program that failed to meet any of her needs. GCU's conduct was unethical, immoral and illegal." Students who have degrees from other programs can still apply to be a licensed professional counselor, the website of the oversight board for Ohio counselors says. In an email, Romantic said GCU has had "several graduates" of the master's in professional counseling program who "have met the educational requirements required by Ohio to obtain professional license in that state." Baker attempted to transfer credits to other institutions but was unable to do so, according to the court filing. Instead, she returned to Marshall University, where she got her bachelor's, to pursue a master's in social work, according to the lawsuit. Both students claim they attempted to get answers multiple times about accreditation from the advisers who recruited them to GCU but came up short. The school "aggressively" markets its programs to students, often calling them many times to discuss potential enrollment, according to the lawsuit. "They would never have enrolled at GCU if they had known the programs they were entering were not accredited," the lawsuit states. "GCU knew Plaintiffs were being enrolled in programs that were worthless to them, but it proceeded to sign them up purely based on greed." Reach reporter Rachel Leingang by email at rachel.leingang@gannett.com or by phone at 602-444-8157, or find her on Twitter and Facebook . Support local journalism . Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Grand Canyon University recruiters committed fraud, lawsuit alleges


For six years, Amy Shanler knew the milestones she needed to hit to make it from Sudbury to Boston University for her Principles and Practices of Public Relations course, which starts at 10:10 a.m., promptly. If she left home at 8:38, made the right onto Trapelo Road in Lincoln by 9, hit Watertown Square by 9:25, merged onto Storrow Drive by 9:30, got off at Kenmore by 9:35, crossed Commonwealth Avenue and pulled into the parking garage by 9:40, she'd be in such good shape she'd have time to get a Diet Dr Pepper. But lately that schedule hasn't been working, and on a recent morning, a truck on the side of Storrow caused such a slowdown Shanler had to call the department secretary from her car to make sure her students didn't take off. "I'm already allowing 90 minutes for a 25-mile trip," she said. "How much of a cushion do I need to leave?" The "cushion question" is gaining urgency as congestion and construction and Uber and Lyft combine to make the only predictable thing about Boston traffic its unpredictability. Of the many ways Boston traffic tortures its motorists, variability is perhaps the cruelest. It plants the seeds of uncertainty before any drive: is a 15-minute cushion enough? Maybe 30's better. But what if a truck has overturned? I'm already doomed. Unpredictability pits spouses and parents and teens against each other, as they bicker over how early is too early to leave for the airport. Cue the eye rolling when dad insists on a two-hour cushion, and the trip to Logan turns out to be traffic-free. It forces young parents into a daily daycare gamble: leave work when there's still work to be done, or risk a late fee? So real is the fear of unexpected traffic that being able to leave a cushion   namely, having a flexible job or life   is a new signifier of status. At Massachusetts General Hospital, traffic has started making about 20 percent of his patients late, said psychiatrist Timothy Wilens, chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and co-director of the Center for Addiction Medicine. About six months ago, the situation became so disruptive that it prompted him to change the way he operates. Now, if the 9 a.m. patient is running 10 or 15 minutes late, and the 9:30 is already there, he will see the 9:30 person first, lest the entire day run behind. "You could say the patients should be more mindful of the traffic," Wilens said, "but it's not such a simple issue. You can't expect someone to budget in an extra 45 minutes''   on top of the predicted traffic   "to accommodate extreme traffic issues." Wilens is understanding, but he is, after all, in a helping profession. Airlines, employers, and day care centers aren't typically so forgiving, and that's ramping up stress, as people already on tight schedules don't necessarily have an extra 45 "just in case" minutes to spare. Or even 15. In East Boston, Blythe Berents is already awakening her 14-year-old daughter at 5:30 a.m. so they can leave at 6, which should be plenty of time to make it to Boston Latin Academy by the start of her first class at 7:20. But in April, twice in one week, massive traffic jams   one triggered by an overturned cement truck, the other an accident in the tunnel   made Giselle and a fellow carpooler late anyway. The school takes tardies very seriously   unexcused, they can lead to a lack of credit   but with sleep crucial for teenagers, Berents says her options are limited. "I'm not going to get her up at 5," she said. At this point, no one in Boston is surprised that there is a lot of traffic, particularly during rush hour. Earlier this year, yet another study confirmed we're in trouble. "The worst gridlock in the US is right here in Boston," the Globe headline read. But here's something less discussed. When the roads are at or near "capacity"   a traffic engineering term to describe the maximum number of motor vehicles a road can handle in an hour under normal conditions   even the smallest thing (or non-thing) can congeal traffic, said Sam Schwartz, a former New York traffic commissioner, and the man who coined the term "gridlock." Schwartz, now a consultant, described a common scenario: The road is full but traffic is moving, when a driver almost spills his cup of coffee, and in the process of grabbing it, taps the brakes, triggering a chain reaction that slows the traffic from, say, 45 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour, and causes a slowdown that can last for an entire morning commute. "People sometimes refer to that as a phantom traffic jam because they don't know what caused it," Schwartz said. "There was no crash. No broken down car." Another issue: Boston's famed schools and ridiculously winning professional sports teams are doing us in. Postseason games, victory parades, move-in and move-out days, and graduations all spawn congestion, and can come as a surprise to drivers not focused on Northeastern or Harvard's calendars, say, or the Bruins' playoff schedule. "There are so many events outside the norm," said Scott Peterson, acting executive director of Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization's Central Transportation planning staff. "Any one in isolation is not a big deal, but they add up." How will we tell when unexpected traffic becomes so common it's no longer, technically, unexpected? Urban transportation consultant Bruce Schaller offered what might be called a facial-expression metric: "If I get to a meeting late and I say, 'the traffic was messed up,' do people say, 'I'm sorry to hear that,'" he said, "or do you see in their faces, 'You should have planned for this kind of thing.'" Beth Teitell can be reached at beth.teitell@globe.com . Follow her on Twitter @bethteitell .


When I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, something amazing happened. 6 Ways to KonMari Your Dating Life, Straight From the Experts When I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up , something amazing happened. I applied the principles, I eliminated everything that didn't spark joy , and my life changed miraculously. I rid myself of belongings that were no longer serving me, and I realized how manageable the things in my life were. What had felt too overwhelming to tackle - like my complicated long-term relationship - suddenly seemed so simple. I realized so clearly that my stuff and I did not belong with someone who didn't spark joy, so I left. I know this sounds crazy, but once I let go of my negative relationship , I felt like my aura changed. For the first time in a long time, I was truly happy, and it opened so many doors for me. And now that the KonMari method is gaining popularity thanks to her hit Netflix show, it got me thinking about what would happen if we applied these principles to our dating lives. I asked a couple of experts to weigh in, and if you're feeling at all stuck with your current situation, you're going to want to read this. Before You Start, Visualize Your Destination Marie Kondo begins her book by reminding us all that tidying up isn't something to start, stop, and never pick up again. You need to fully commit to the process, and she doesn't recommend beginning until after reading the entire book. Simple enough, right? Well, when it comes to our dating lives, this commitment takes on a new challenge: being open. It's about making yourself available for someone to come into your life and spark joy, while simultaneously making yourself unavailable for those who don't. "Whether it's your closet or your love life, examining what you have with intention and making sense of it is a very intense process," Ashley Campana, matchmaker at Lisa Clampitt Matchmaking , told POPSUGAR. "As you attempt to pare down your romantic relationships, think about the value of scarcity. If you have this abundance of potential prospects, there's a tendency to get stuck in the paradox of choice and keep people around who serve one or two of your needs, but aren't necessarily the whole package you're looking for. Instead, when you have a bit of scarcity, you have room to truly look at people for who they are and explore what you could love about them." Don't Dismiss Certain Attributes When you're tackling your belongings, Kondo recommends doing this in the morning when you have a clear head. This isn't an activity for a Saturday night in your bathrobe with a bottle of wine, but instead with a fresh cup of coffee with your intentions at the forefront. Lisa Clampitt, president and founder of her matchmaking service, echoes this same idea when it comes to dating, telling POPSUGAR, "Don't drop a guy because he watches football. These arbitrary attributes aren't going to get in the way of you having a great life with someone. They're merely excuses for you to break up with him before he breaks up with you. When we feel fear, we act irrationally, and being afraid of how much you like someone is a common feeling. Breathe, give it a second, and ask yourself not what someone's pros and cons are, but how they make you feel." Tidy Up by Category In her book, Kondo says, "The fact that you possess a surplus of things that you can't bring yourself to discard doesn't mean you're taking good care of them. In fact, it's quite the opposite." When it comes to dating, this means you should clear the roster of folks you're only keeping around for a rainy day. When you're benching a great catch, you're potentially robbing them (and you) of finding something real. Set them free. If you're thinking you don't have much of a roster, I challenge you to reconsider. Most of us singles aren't entirely without potentials out there. Write down everyone in your radius, including the person from Bumble, the bartender where nothing happened, and your office crush who clearly likes you back. Put them all in one place (like on individual Post-its), hold them in your hand one by one, and decide how their name and thoughts of them make you feel. And the ones who don't spark joy? Let them go. Follow Your Intuition Clampitt urges to be aware of the narcissist, saying, "Narcissists are tricky because what they spark at the beginning can feel like joy." They can make you feel incredible - just as long as you're making them feel incredible. But the second they feel at all threatened, things take a drastic turn. What you need to do is dig deeper and question the feelings, where they come from, and if they're sustainable. If you're with a narcissist, on some level you know; it just might be hard to confront. At the end of the day, Clampitt has a helpful differentiator: "You don't want James Bond, you want the guy who spills his martini because he's so nervous to be talking to you." Let Go With Compassion "Help them leave that deserted isle to which you have exiled them. Let them go with gratitude. Not only you, but your things as well, will feel clear and refreshed when you are done tidying." It's hard to believe Kondo is talking about concert t-shirts and old Tupperware here, but she has a point. When we hang onto something or someone that isn't serving us, we're not just wasting space, we're dragging down their energy, too. Letting someone go is the ultimate act of kindness because it releases them of the burden of ambiguity. If you're unsure of what to say to not hurt someone's feelings, Clampitt has the following prompt to help: "I think you're an incredible person but I don't feel like we're the right match. If I have someone you might be a fit for, are you open to me introducing you?" While that might be easier said than done for some of us, it almost doesn't matter if that introduction never comes to fruition. It's an incredibly validating thing to tell someone that you see them as a catch and makes it a lot easier to explain that they're simply not your catch. Appreciate Those Who Do Spark Joy Kondo spends a lot of time explaining how much you can treasure and appreciate your belongings by saying things like "thank you for keeping me warm" when you take off your coat. Silly as they may sound, it's lovely to appreciate your possessions in this way, and it works the same way with dates. Everyone loves to feel appreciated, and once you've whittled down the folks you're actually interested in, you'll find yourself noticing your appreciation more. With less clutter in your dating atmosphere, it's easier to remember that someone recommended a great book to you and send them a friendly text saying how much you enjoyed reading it. Perhaps that relationship fizzled a bit, but your appreciation resparks something that could be really great. Don't be afraid to throw some gratitude out there.


Two people died in a helicopter crash Friday in a mountainous area of north-central Utah, authorities said. The helicopter went down north of Alpine, a community about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City, the Utah County Sheriff's Office said. Both people aboard were killed; their names were not immediately released. Authorities began searching Friday afternoon after a relative of someone aboard reported the helicopter overdue. It had taken off from eastern Utah's Uintah County, the sheriff's office said. Searchers found the wreckage shortly before 6:30 p.m. MT, the sheriff's office said. "We don't know what happened there," Sgt. Spencer Cannon told CNN affiliate KTVX . "There was some heavy weather in this area earlier today. Whether that played a role in the crash today, we don't know." An airport roughly 35 miles east of Alpine reported light rain over parts of Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. The sheriff's office and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the incident, the Utah Department of Public Safety said.


For all the talk about revenge games and jersey numbers and chemistry, in the end, Gerald McCoy chose the team he thinks will give him the best chance to win. The highly sought after free agent defensive tackle has signed with the Carolina Panthers, instantly giving them one of the league's most intimidating defensive lines. In his introductory press conference with his new team, McCoy said every ounce of him feels like Carolina is a contender, per Field Yates at ESPN. Gerald McCoy on choosing the Panthers: "The reason I'm here is I'm quoted as saying I want to play for a contender. Every ounce of me feels this is a contender." - Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 4, 2019 McCoy spent the first nine seasons of his career playing for the antithesis of a contender. Tampa never made the playoffs once and finished in the NFC South's cellar all but two of those years. The Panthers still have an uphill battle to catch up with the Saints, who have won the division the last two years. Adding McCoy certainly brings them one large step closer, though. MORE: WATCH: Did Nike just reveal Kevin Durant's free agency destination? Did Nike accidentally reveal that Kevin Durant is staying with the Warriors? Report: Suns, Bulls offering lottery picks for Lonzo Ball Return of NASCAR: Packers planning ways to get 4 OLBs on the field together PFF projects Raiders DE Maxx Crosby to beat out Arden Key for starting role


MIAMI (CBSMiami)   A Miami-Dade police officer was involved in a crash overnight. It happened at NW 25th Avenue and 62nd Street. A Miami-Dade police cruiser collided with another car in the intersection. Two officers, who sustained minor injuries, were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. The road was closed to traffic for several hours for the investigation but has since reopened.


Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his girlfriend, racing legend Danica Patrick, appeared to have quite a week in Lake Tahoe. Aaron posted on Instagram: " Another incredible week in Lake Tahoe at the @acchampionship #accgolf every year gets a little better thanks to the planning of @danicapatrick @lhawk34 @misssarahmarie13 and the great caddying of @eblofer Had 3 great groups to play with, and it's always fun spending time with our Tahoe family and the great fans we see every year, especially Carol! Can't wait to run it back next year. " He posted various pictures of them throughout the week, including one where they appear to be dressed for an '80's themed party. Aaron also thanked Danica for helping plan his annual golf outing. Aaron and Danica are seemingly all over the world. On Valentine's Day, Aaron posted pictures of the couple in New Zealand. They also met up with Justin Timberlake at a concert back in March. READ MORE: Aaron Rodgers & Danica Patrick dress up for '80's theme party CHECK OUT WISN: Get the top Milwaukee news weather and sports. With the day's biggest stories and ones you may have missed, our Wisconsin news team has you covered.


Looking for a mouthwatering Latin American meal near you? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Latin American restaurants around Miami, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to venture when cravings strike. 1. Fritanga Cana Brava Topping the list is Fritanga Cana Brava . Located at 2795 N.W. Seventh St. in Flagami, the Latin American and Nicaraguan spot is the highest-rated inexpensive Latin American restaurant in Miami, boasting 4.5 stars out of 140 reviews on Yelp. Popular menu options include the Pechuga Asada complete with grilled chicken breast, red rice, beans and a side of fried plantains, Carne Desmenuzada (shredded meat with rice or red beans) served with tortillas and tacos de pollo. Check out the menu here . 2. El Palacio De Los Jugos Next up is Flagami's El Palacio De Los Jugos , situated at 5721 W. Flagler St. With four stars out of 458 reviews on Yelp, the Latin American spot, which offers fruits and veggies and more, has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for an affordable option. This small chain serving the greater Miami area specializes in Cuban sandwiches, soups, hot pastries and exotic juices. Score a Cuban hamburger, an omelet sandwich, Cuban fried rice, mashed green plantains or a guava pastry. Check out the website here for more menu options and for more information. 3. Pastelmania Little Havana's Pastelmania , located at 2015 W. Flagler St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the inexpensive Latin American breakfast and brunch spot five stars out of 44 reviews. Stop by and get a plate of eggs, ham and toast for breakfast, or satisfy your sweet tooth with a fruit pastry, sugary donut or cookie. Thirsty? Grab one of the numerous caffeinated beverages on offer or a freshly squeezed juice. 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.


Women will now make up half of South Africa's new cabinet for the first time in the country's history. President Cyril Ramaphosa who announced the move on Wednesday said the decision was to create a line of leaders that would advance the country's future. "For the first time in the history of our country, half of all the ministers are women," Ramaphosa said in a televised press conference. Patricia de Lille, former Mayor of Cape Town and leader of the Good political party has been appointed the minister of public works. The women are due to be sworn in Thursday when newly appointed ministers take their oath of office. Ramaphosa said he was downsizing the number of cabinet ministers from 36 to 28 is an effort to "downscale" the "bloated government." While many South Africans have applauded the announcement, critics say Ramaphosa has only recycled the same crop of leaders. Xolani Dube, a political analyst from the Xubera Institute of Research and Development based in Durban said while it is commendable for governments to strive for gender balance, political appointments should based on merit and performance. "Many of the women the president announced have been there for many decades. We need to ask ourselves what kind of paradigm shift are we looking for in this country," Dube told CNN. "We need to introduce young women who have a different outlook on how South Africa is supposed to be governed in this particular age," he added. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, 70 is one of South Africa's most powerful politicians and has held ministerial posts in different governments since 1994. She returns as the minister of co-operative governance and traditional affairs. Thoko Didiza who returns as minister of agriculture held the same post for eight years under former President Thabo Mbeki. Ramaphosa was re-elected for a second term after his party, The African National Congress (ANC), won the majority of the vote in the May General elections. Opposition party leader, Mmusi Maimane claimed the appointments were to satisfy Ramaphosa's political interests. "South Africa at this point deserves a diverse, competent cabinet that is not a negotiated settlement between factions, but instead a team of committed individuals who are ready to take South Africa forward," Maimane said in a statement. Maimane said he would appoint a "shadow Cabinet" that would hold the government accountable.


For Disney fanatics, there's no better way to celebrate your love than with an official Disney wedding at the parks. The backdrop! The venues! And maybe a Mickey appearance! But what about those who may just want some amazing wedding pictures inside the parks, like one in front of the castle or inside the haunted mansion? Can that be done? Yes! The good news is that you're allowed to have wedding photos taken in Walt Disney World even if you aren't getting married there. The potentially bad news (depending on your budget and timing) is that the only way you can is by setting up a session through Disney Fine Art Photography . They offer a few different packages that range in price from $240 all the way up to $2,600. The cheaper ones, or " Mini Portrait Sessions ," include a 15- or 20-minute session in either the Magic Kingdom or any of the Disney resort locations, and can accommodate larger groups of people (aka your wedding party). But since you don't want to be sprinting around in your dress (and the Florida heat) trying to squeeze in a few photos, the " Premiere Portraits " are probably your best bet. These packages, which are for two people only and last one hour, offer specific locations - Magic Kingdom, Disney resorts, and parks (Epcot World Showcase, Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Disney's Animal Kingdom). In the Magic Kingdom-specific premiere package, you can choose from three different routes to follow when taking photos, each hitting different park landmarks and rides (ex: route three hits Rapunzel Tower, Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean). So, if you're tying the knot sometime soon and want those perfect Disney photos, know that you have options! It just depends on budget, time, and, well, your Disney dedication. Related video: These Walt Disney World treats will make you drool [via USA Today]


Which channels have NASCAR programming this week? We answer that and give you the weekly NASCAR television listings here in the NASCAR TV schedule. Note: All times are ET. MORE: Get the NBC Sports App | How to find FS1 | Get FOX Sports App | How to find NBCSN Monday, June 24 5 p.m., NASCAR America Monday, NBCSN/NBC Sports App6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1/FOX Sports App Tuesday, June 25 2:30 p.m., Glory Road: Modified Mastery (re-air), NBCSN/NBC Sports App 5 p.m., Dale Jr. Download, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1/FOX Sports App 8:30 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 (re-air), FS2/FOX Sports App Wednesday, June 26 5 p.m., NASCAR America: "Motormouths," NBCSN/NBC Sports App 6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1/FOX Sports App On MRN noon: NASCAR Coast to Coast Thursday, June 27 5 p.m., NASCAR America: "The Motorsports Hour," NBCSN/NBC Sports App 6 p.m., NASCAR K&N Series: Carneros 200, NBCSN/NBC Sports App On MRN 1 p.m.:MRN Classic Races Friday, June 28 2 p.m., NASCAR Decades   The 1980s (re-air), NBCSN/NBC Sports App 3 p.m., NASCAR Decades   The 1990s (re-air), NBCSN/NBC Sports App 3:30 p.m., NASCAR Decades   The 1990s (re-air), NBCSN/NBC Sports App 4 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series First Practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 5 p.m., NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Qualifying, FS2/FOX Sports App 6 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 7 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series Final Practice, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 8 p.m, NASCAR Presents: Davey Lives On (re-air), FS1/FOX Sports App 8:30 p.m., NASCAR RaceDay, FS1/FOX Sports App 9 p.m., NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Camping World 225, FS1/FOX Sports App On MRN: 9 p.m., NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Camping World 225 Saturday, June 29 10 a.m., NASCAR Decades   The 1990s (re-air), NBCSN/NBC Sports App 10:30 p.m., NASCAR Decades   The 1990s (re-air), NBCSN/NBC Sports App 11 a.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series First Practice at Chicagoland Speedway, NBCSN/NBC Sports App noon, NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying at Chicagoland Speedway, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 1 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 2 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Final Practice at Chicagoland Speedway, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 3 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series Countdown to Green-Chicagoland, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 3:30 p.m. NASCAR Xfinity Series Camping World 300, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 6 p.m. NASCAR Xfinity Series Camping World 300 Post-Race Show, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 6:30 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying at Chicagoland Speedway, NBCSN/NBC Sports App On MRN: 11 a.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series First Practice 2 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Final Practice 3 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series Camping World 300 6:30 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying Sunday, June 30 8:30 a.m. NASCAR Xfinity Series Camping World 300 (re-air), NBCSN/NBC Sports App 11 a.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Final Practice at Chicagoland Speedway (re-air), NBCSN/NBC Sports App 11:30 a.m., NASCAR RaceDay, FS1/FOX Sports App noon, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying at Chicagoland Speedway (re-air), NBCSN/NBC Sports App 1 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 2:30 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Countdown to Green   Chicagoland, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 3 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camping World 400, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 6 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camping World 400 Post-Race Show NBCSN/NBC Sports App On MRN: 2 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Camping World 400 ]]>


Volvo just announced an awesome new service today called Complimentary Tow for Life. It means exactly what it says. If you own a Volvo, roadside towing is now available free of charge. The coolest part? It doesn't matter how old your Volvo is, the service applies to every Volvo ever sold in the U.S. This means that 1958 Volvo P-121 sitting in your garage gets a free tow. Same goes for the 1966 P1800 . That 1980s Volvo station wagon you still daily drive? Yep, that one, too. Of course, most folks don't drive around vintage Volvos on the daily, but now those cars and Volvo's new vehicles are covered under this towing program. Previously, Volvo only extended the complimentary tow to Volvos still under warranty as part of its roadside assistance services. Those who take advantage of the program can expect to be towed to the nearest Volvo retailer covered under the program. Volvo's head of customer service, Scott Doering said, "Tow for Life ensures that in the event of a breakdown, help is on hand no matter the age of the vehicle. It's a commitment to all our customers that cars will be taken to experts who use genuine Volvo parts and repair methods." To use the towing service, Volvo owners should call for help using Volvo On-Call in new cars , or call 1-800-550-5658 to get through to Volvo Customer Care. Volvos   any and all of them   now get free towing for life originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jun 2019


ESPN came out with a list today, ranking the most and least improved NFL teams after an offseason filled with changes. On top of the list were teams like the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, all of whom had huge offseasons, from coaching changes to bringing in new talent. The Browns, especially, jumped to the top of the list thanks to their acquisition of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. So, how did the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fare on the list? Well, not as great as fans would hope. Even though they managed to bring Bruce Arians out of retirement and get Todd Bowles to be their new defensive coordinator, the Buccaneers still found themselves 25th on this list. Their key additions were listed as DT Ndamukong Suh, LB Devin White and LB Deone Bucannon, while their key losses were DT Gerald McCoy, LB Kwon Alexander and WR Adam Humphries. So, why the low ranking? Here's Dan Graziano's explanation: "Suh-for-McCoy was a financially driven decision, so it remains to be seen whether it's an upgrade. Rookie first-rounder White could be the key here on a defense that's reconstructing under new coordinator Todd Bowles. On offense, it's tough to lose Humphries, who played a key role, but they have depth at receiver and are counting on more from second-year running back Ronald Jones as new head coach Bruce Arians works to get the most out of Jameis Winston's critical fifth season." Jones is going to surprise a lot of people this year, I believe, but again, it all comes down to Jameis Winston and how he performs in 2019. MORE: Is Tacko Fall an NBA player? Here is the case for why... and why not Dan Le Batard delivers impassioned rebuke of racist 'send her back' chant despite ESPN rules Dan Le Batard Rips Trump and 'Send Her Back' Chants Ranking the Packers' position groups from weakest to strongest What made Bills hiring of Ken Dorsey a crucial hiring


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Walking into Bethany Christian Services I'm introduced to Devetta Clayton. The bubbly Grand Rapids native is playing with her biological grand-daughter, and her now legal daughter, Nia. The adorable Nia came under Devetta's parental care when Devetta's biological daughter and Nia's biological mother fell into a rut, struggling with drug addiction. Devetta shares, "So it was really up to me. Family members tried to step in, but couldn't. So I stepped up, and that's how I started the foster care process." Devetta recalls when she first started caring for actually three of her daughter's children, "It wasn't easy," and sadly, it also isn't unique. Cheri Williams, Vice President of Regional Operations at Bethany Christian Services, has been working in the child welfare system for 21 years. Williams tells us, " We are currently in a state of crisis in the foster care system across America." The number one reason for this crisis? Opioids. "Addiction is a big challenge in our community," says Williams. Largely due to the rise in opioid addiction, there are over 400,000 children in foster care in the U.S. today, and over 800 right here in Kent County. As of 2017 one out of every three of those children came into the system because their guardian has a substance abuse problem. Williams expands on these facts, "So more and more children are just facing abuse and neglect in homes where substance abuse is prevalent, and therefore they're having to be placed into the foster care system." However what happens when a kid can't find a foster home? Williams tells us, "When we don't have enough foster homes however, kids tend to go into group care, or more institutional settings. Bethany just strongly believes that kids belong in families." That's where you come in West Michigan. "We need people who can open their homes temporarily to these children," says Williams. "Provide a loving, safe space for them." Now Cheri is well aware that the idea of becoming a foster parent is daunting to say the least. So to those who say they're interested, but nervous, "I'll say, 'Welcome to the club,'" laughs Williams. "Really every foster parent who starts this journey is not quite sure." There are resources to learn more about the process, and if you're not able to take a child into your home everyone has something to offer. "Whether that's coming around other foster parents by helping prepare meals, helping provide child care, or being a mentor to a child who is in foster care, there are so many opportunities for everyone to get involved," explains Williams. If you feel called click here to learn more about those opportunities on the Bethany Christian Services website. As Devetta explained to us at the beginning of this story, being a foster parent isn't easy, but since when has parenting ever been? "Sometimes I ask myself `What have I gotten myself into?'," chuckles Devetta. "But then I look and say, 'It's all worth it, if I had to do it again I would.'"     ©2019 WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids Visit WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids at www.fox17online.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


One of the most intriguing prospects in Thursday's upcoming NBA draft is the one scouts have seen the least. Despite playing just five games at Vanderbilt before suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee , Darius Garland has one of the highest upsides in the draft. He may not have the track record of Murray State's Ja Morant, but Garland draws comparison to the last great point guard to go high in a draft after missing most of his freshman year: Kyrie Irving. And it's not just the injury parallel that makes the comparison easy too. Among other things, Garland has the confidence to know he can be great. "I humbly say this, I think I'm the best (guard) in the draft," Garland said on Sunday, via ESPN . "I mean, I think I can do everything that an NBA team wants me to do." Like Kyrie Irving, Garland can score with ease Even forgetting the injury connection, comparisons between Garland and Irving are simple because of their easy scoring ability. Scouts got just a taste of his abilities at Memorial Gymnasium, but Garland averaged 16.2 points per game on 53.7 percent shooting, including 47.8 percent from beyond the arc. It can be easy to write off numbers in any small sample, but Garland has been known as a strong shooter, going back to when he was a five-star recruit out of high school . But despite Garland's upside, most analysts agree that Murray State's Ja Morant is the top guard prospect in the draft. Having become the first player in college history to ever average 20 points and 10 assists per game, Morant uses his athleticism to score at will and is a much better distributor than Garland. Where Morant is lacking is in his shooting; he improved from 30.7 percent three-point shooting as a freshman to 36.3 percent as a sophomore but still has a low release. Garland believes that will give him a leg up in a league that doesn't lean on traditional point guards anymore. "I think 10 years ago, everything was pass-first point guards, and now it's evolved into more scoring guards," Garland said. "I also distribute the ball, as well. So, I think I came around at the right time." The one other place Garland shares similarities with Irving is on the defensive end, where his slender 6-foot-3 frame and recent injury history leaves him limited. He'll need to depend upon that scoring power even more. Where is Garland likely to go in the draft? The top of the draft seems fairly predictable with the New Orleans Pelicans really bleeping excited to land Zion Williamson and the Memphis Grizzlies reportedly " locked in " on Morant. The New York Knicks seem likely to grab former No. 1 recruit R.J. Barrett at three, but then it gets wide open. After the Anthony Davis trade , the Pelicans control the No. 4 pick, but they seem unlikely to take Garland with Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball around. However, they've been shopping that pick   and even potentially Ball   so he's not out of the question to go off the board there. The Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 5 just invested a lottery pick in point guard Collin Sexton and seem more likely to take a wing like Jarrett Culver or DeAndre Hunter. But it's hard to imagine him falling past No. 6, where the Phoenix Suns have long searched for a point guard of the future. The good news is that Garland should have the tools to succeed no matter where he lands. With a quick trigger and ability to play off the ball, he could be a devastating scorer in any system. Damian Lillard going bonkers should only strengthen Darius Garland's standing as a top-5 pick. Obviously not identical players but Garland's ability to shoot off the dribble with range in a variety of ways should be more coveted than ever. https://t.co/WxtN4yS8sJ pic.twitter.com/IbVurnS5ZP   Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 24, 2019 "The game is going towards a pick-and-roll and a scoring point guard situation," Garland said. "So, I think I can do both of those really well. Just choose my spots on the floor and be able to show off the dribble." Even if Garland is more Jamal Murray than Kyrie Irving, he can be a versatile scorer who has already demonstrated range from the NBA three. He doesn't have the volume of tape of Morant or anyone else, but Garland knows he has the tools to come out looking like the steal of the draft. More from Yahoo Sports: LeBron, Lakers put NBA on notice with Anthony Davis trade Report: L.A. will target Kemba Walker in free agency LaVar Ball on Davis deal: 'Worst move the Lakers ever did' Statue of Swedish defender, equal rights advocate defaced


The Los Angeles Lakers already have three players on their currently very thin roster that play the power forward position in LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Kyle Kuzma. But that apparently isn't stopping the team from potentially having interest in another one: Washington Wizards forward Bobby Portis, according to Chase Hughes of NBA Sports Washington D.C. Portis is expected to draw interest from the Lakers, Clippers, Jazz, Bucks, Magic and Knicks among others, NBC Sports Washington has learned. Portis would help the Lakers in one area where they struggled last season: rebounding. Last season Portis posted a career-best 17.8% rebound rate and grabbed over 25% of available defensive rebounds on the season he spent between Chicago and Washington. Portis has developed into a pretty good 3-point shooter at his position as well, shooting over 37.5% in each of the last three seasons. He was excellent to finish the season for the Wizards, shooting over 40% from 3. Portis could be a good choice to fill out the backup forward spots, likely at a lower cost than either of the Morris twins. But the question about Portis is that he may overlap a little bit too much for a Lakers team that currently lacks a true center or a starting point guard. It will be interesting to see how the Lakers roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis ultimately comes together. MORE: Four potential Kawhi Leonard landing spots in free agency Suspended NASCAR driver still found a way to race this weekend Three Potential Trade Destinations for Chris Paul Raiders DE Clelin Ferrell signs contract, offers message to fans Rams trading Tyler Higbee to Patriots would make sense for both teams


It can be challenging to find a bargain when apartment hunting. So what does the low-end pricing on a rental in South Boston look like these days   and what might you get for your money? Per Walk Score ratings, the neighborhood has excellent walkability, is very bikeable and has good transit options. It also features median rents for a one-bedroom that hover around $3,235, compared to a $2,475 one-bedroom median for Boston as a whole. A look at local listings for studios and one-bedroom apartments in South Boston via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide offers an overview of what price-conscious apartment seekers can expect to find in this Boston neighborhood. Take a look at the cheapest listings available right now, 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. 114 W. Eighth St. Listed at $1,750/month, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, located at 114 W. Eighth St., is 45.9% less than the $3,235/month median rent for a one-bedroom in South Boston. The building features assigned parking. You'll also find an eat-in kitchen in the unit. Pets are not welcome. (See the complete listing here .) 1 Grimes St. Then there's this 700-square-foot apartment with one bedroom and one bathroom at 1 Grimes St., listed at $2,350/month. The listing promises a walk-in closet, hardwood flooring and a dishwasher in the apartment. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are allowed. The building offers on-site laundry. Be prepared for a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. (See the listing here .) 829 E. Second St. Check out this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 829 E. Second St., listed at $2,350/month. You can expect a deck in the apartment. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. (Here's the listing .) 1410 Columbia Road This one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, situated at 1410 Columbia Road, is listed for $2,390/month for its 625 square feet. Expect to see a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting and a dishwasher in the apartment. Pets are welcome. The building offers on-site laundry and assigned parking. (See the listing here .) 30 Woodward St. Over at 30 Woodward St., there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, going for $2,500/month. The apartment has stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and hardwood flooring. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. The building features assigned parking and additional storage space. (View the listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


SANTA ANA (CBSLA)   A paraplegic man Thursday filed a lawsuit against his former attorney, the embattled Michael Avenatti, claiming that Avenatti embezzled a $4 million settlement from him which had been secured against Los Angeles County back in 2015. In April, a Santa Ana federal grand jury brought 36 counts of embezzlement, bank fraud and theft against Avenatti, with one of those counts alleging that the 48-year-old Century City attorney had stolen $4 million from Geoffrey Johnson, a paraplegic man with mental health issues. "Unfortunately, he defrauded Mr. Johnson, and he took that $4 million without disclosing that to Mr. Johnson," Johnson's attorney Daniel Callahan told reporters at a Santa Ana news conference Thursday. "And he then engaged in a four-year cover up." According to Callahan, the ordeal began when Johnson was arrested in April 2011. While in L.A. County jail he attempted suicide twice. On the second attempt, according to Callahan, he fell from a second floor and became paraplegic. Johnson was eventually released from jail several months later without being charged with a crime. In October 2012, Avenatti filed a lawsuit against L.A. County on behalf of Johnson. In January 2015, the case was settled for $4 million. However, Avenatti allegedly never told Johnson about the settlement. "Rather, he (Avenatti) told him there was an agreement to settle," Callahan said. "However, (Avenatti said) 'it's confidential, payments will be made over a 10-year period quarterly, and there has to be a special needs trust acceptable by the county to be entered by Mr. Johnson.' None of that was true. The money was already paid out to Mr. Avenatti…this was all a fabrication and a lie." When Johnson lost his Social Security benefits, Avenatti made 65 payments to Johnson ranging from $900 to $1,900 a month to the tune of $124,000. According to prosecutors, Avenatti took the rest of the money and put it towards financing a coffee business. "On a one-to-100 scale, the despicability of his conduct ranks a thousand," Callahan said. "It is unheard of. I have never personally never of such atrocious breaches of fiduciary duty in my entire 40-year career as an attorney. It is off the charts bad. It is hideous." On March 22, 2019, Avenatti made statements under oath in a judgement debtor exam in which he said that he had paid Johnson. That same day, he rushed to Johnson's home and told Johnson that the county had finally approved the settlement, Callahan says. The following day, March 23, had Johnson sign documents and a confidentiality agreement. On March 24, he also had him sign a client testimonial. On March 25, Avenatti was arrested in two separate federal cases out of Santa Ana and New York. The Santa Ana case alleges that he stole more than $12 million in settlement money from five of his clients, including Johnson, failed to file income tax returns, failed to pay millions in taxes, submitted fraudulent loan applications and concealing assets from bankruptcy court. The New York case alleges that Avenatti attempting to extort more than $20 million from athletic equipment giant Nike over claims he had evidence that Nike employees funneled illegal payments to top high school basketball prospects and their families. "I hope we can send a message to lawyers like Mr. Avenatti and his firm that they won't get away with victimizing people like me," Callahan said in a statement. In a statement released to CBSLA, Avenatti denied any wrongdoing in either case: "This is old news and was first reported on almost two months ago. Mr. Johnson's claims are categorically false and frivolous, and his case will be thrown out of court. He previously agreed on numerous occasions, including in multiple detailed writings which he reviewed, initialed and signed (after a different lawyer reviewed), that I conducted myself ethically at all times, he was kept informed about all aspects of his case, he was provided all monies when due, he had been advanced huge sums for his living and medical expenses, he had received a proper accounting, and he was extremely thankful for my assistance, which was provided after no other lawyer would take his case. "Any claim that Mr. Johnson was 'tricked' into signing documents that he fully read and understood is absurd. But for my assistance, Mr. Johnson would have been convicted of the multiple crimes he was charged with relating to his alleged assault of a nurse and would have been destitute six years ago. We paid his medical expenses and living expenses for years prior to any settlement. And we provided him with settlement monies after we deducted our contingency fee and the huge costs associated with his case as we were entitled to. He clearly is disturbed and it is unfortunate that he is being used by his Republican Trump supporter lawyer and others as part of a 'pile on' publicity stunt to smear me." Avenatti remains free on $300,000 bond.


Alex Bars knows that he has a long way to go to earn a roster spot with the Chicago Bears. Bars returned to practice for the first time last week after tearing his ACL and MCL Sept. 29 at Notre Dame. Bars was able to participate in veteran minicamp to get back in the swing of things before training camp kicks off in late July. Before the knee injury, Bars was projected by some to be a mid-round pick. Instead, he went undrafted. Now the mountain is even steeper for the guard to earn a roster spot. But a need for depth on the interior of the offensive line provides an opportunity for Bars to do just that. "He'll have the chance because he's smart, he understands the technique, he knows what to do," offensive line coach Harry Hiestand told reporters during OTAs. "He's learning the offense even though he's not doing it. But when we put the pads on that's when you make or don't make the team." Hiestand should know. He was the offensive line coach at Notre Dame when Bars was there from 2014-2017, so he knows him well. That familiarity is something that should help greatly. "He knows me very well, I understand his technique very well," Bars told NBC Sports Chicago's JJ Stankevitz . "So having that connection, that player-coach connection all four years through college is huge." While the battle for offensive line reserves won't exactly draw heads at training camp, finding depth on the interior will prove to be significant. Especially since guard Kyle Long hasn't played a full season since 2015. If Bars can develop into a solid guard under Hiestand, perhaps he can find himself a more permanent fixture on the offensive line. But first, he has to go out and prove it. "I'm excited to be here, thrilled for this opportunity and it's all about productivity," Bars said. "Just need to be productive and prove you belong on this team." MORE: NBA fans honored Drake's 'make a meme out of this' request, and the results are hilarious NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Four Most Overrated NBA Free Agents Report indicates Matthew Stafford played with a broken back in 2018 What does new TE Michael Roberts bring to Packers?


Take a look at this year's host for the 2019 PGA Championship, Bethpage Black.