VACAVILLE, Calif.   California inmates are dying of drug overdoses at nearly triple the national rate and it's unclear whether the tough steps state officials took this year to stop illicit drugs from getting into prisons are having any effect, though they are prompting criticism from civil rights advocates. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is spending $8 million this year on drug-detecting scanners and a new breed of drug-sniffing dogs while also employing strip searches on visitors suspected of carrying drugs. Corrections officials believe the stepped-up efforts are discouraging smuggling, but the data that's available so far doesn't support that   more than 6,000 scans have been done on visitors and employees at 11 prisons since December without finding anyone with drugs. The state doesn't track if anyone has been arrested because of the dog searches and waited until mid-May to begin tracking the number of arrests made using any of the new procedures. Meantime, criticism is mounting about false-positive results by the scanners and dogs that can lead to strip searches. Concerned lawmakers who oversee state prisons included language in the California budget plan passed this week that would end the searches and require an evaluation of the department's other efforts. "It's a humiliating process, can be easily used to humiliate and demean people, and was only for visitors, often women," Democratic Sen. Loni Hancock, said of the strip searches. "There are many concerns about the dogs, which have historically been emblematic of intimidation of many communities of color, most notably during the civil rights movement." But no one wants to see drug deaths, and she said the evaluation will show which of the new programs are effective. More than 150 California inmates have died of drug overdoses since 2006, with a high of 24 in 2013. Moreover, the sharing of intravenous needles often spreads hepatitis C infections, which killed 69 inmates in 2013 alone. Corrections Secretary Jeffrey Beard recently told lawmakers that drugs are "rampant in the prisons." "What we are trying to do is send a message to people to not try to smuggle drugs in to the institution," he said in an interview. "If we don't do this, we're going to have people keep dying, we're going to have continued violence in the prisons." Beard is modeling California's new procedures on those used successfully in the Pennsylvania corrections department he led for a decade. While California has a long-term annual rate of eight drug- or alcohol-related deaths per 100,000 inmates, Pennsylvania's is one. Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio and Texas also each averaged one death a year per 100,000 inmates from 2001-2012, according to the most recent national figures. Maryland had the nation's worst rate, at 17 deaths per 100,000 inmates. Beard said California's program would have more rapid success if lawmakers had given him more money, and he may seek funds to expand the program as early as this fall. He believes the ion scanners   similar to those used to screen airport travelers   are deterring smugglers. The lack of results may be because only about 5 percent of visitors and employees are being scanned, he said, though the eventual goal is 30 percent. By contrast, Pennsylvania scanned 68 percent of visitors last year and at least 20 percent of employees. Pennsylvania officials could not say how much contraband was found by using the scanners. Records show the German shepherd and similar looking dogs long used in California prisons have been effective at rooting out hidden drugs. But to search visitors, employees and inmates the department is turning to less aggressive dogs including Labrador retrievers   "fluffy, friendly dogs," Northern California canine program coordinator Sgt. Brian Pyle said. The decision to use dogs to search humans, instead of unoccupied spaces as was previously the policy, prompted the resignation last fall of Wayne Conrad, the department's statewide canine program coordinator. He criticized the expense of sending California dog handlers to Pennsylvania for training, the use of breeds that he said are less reliable, and what he said was a supervisor's effort to stifle concerns about the program because it was championed by Beard. "The dogs are going to start alerting on people whose kids are smoking dope or something," and that false positive could prompt an unnecessary strip search, Conrad said. "The next thing that's going to come is the lawsuits." Beard said he is seeking alternatives to strip searches, and downplayed the possibility that false-positive alerts unfairly implicate innocent visitors and employees. But that's what happened to Tania Gamboa of Riverside when she went to see her brother at Kern Valley State Prison. She initially laughed when the ion machine tested positive for exposure to heroin, saying she doesn't even drink alcohol. But she was crying after she was required to strip naked in front of two female correctional officers and squat to demonstrate that she was not concealing drugs. "It doesn't make sense for me, knowing that I don't do all that and I got detected for it," she said. Mohamed Shehk, an Oakland-based spokesman for Critical Resistance, which advocates for better conditions for inmates, said the policies are turning visitors into suspects. "The statistics   $8 million, 6,000 scans and nothing to show for it   show that these are intended to intimidate and criminalize people who are going to see their loved ones inside," he said.


The move that drew the most questions this offseason was the Chargers using their third-round selection on former Sioux Falls offensive tackle Trey Pipkins. The draft pick wasn't bad in terms of the player itself, but it had quite a bit of head-scratchers since there was hardly any information or tape available on the Division 2 standout to make a final judgement on. With Los Angeles needing an upgrade at the right tackle position over Sam Tevi, the selection of Pipkins didn't give any clarification whether or not the team sees him as the solution this upcoming season. General manager Tom Telesco has stated that the team sees Pipkins as a developmental player at the moment with the vision of him being the long-term answer at left tackle when Russell Okung either moves on from the team, or decides to retire. But is their a chance that the former Sioux Falls product could actually outperform Tevi in training camp, earn the coaching staff's trust and go into Week 1 against the Colts as the team's starting right tackle? NFL Media's Gregg Rosenthal projected the Bolts' starters, along with the rest of the teams in the AFC West in 2019. And among the starters was Pipkins penciled in at right tackle. QB: Philip Rivers RB: Melvin Gordon WR: Keenan Allen WR: Mike Williams WR: Travis Benjamin TE: Hunter Henry LT: Russell Okung LG: Dan Feeney C: Mike Pouncey RG: Michael Schofield RT: Trey Pipkins DE: Joey Bosa DT: Brandon Mebane DT: Jerry Tillery DE: Melvin Ingram OLB: Thomas Davis MLB: Denzel Perryman CB: Casey Hayward CB: Trevor Williams CB: Desmond King S: Derwin James S: Nasir Adderley Here is what Rosenthal had to say about slotting Pipkins in as the starting right tackle over Tevi. Projecting a third-round rookie tackle from Sioux Falls as a starter is a show of faith and hope, but that's how desperately the team needed an upgrade at the position late last season. As the Chargers learned with Dan Feeney and Forrest Lamp, drafting linemen early doesn't guarantee success. Overall, the offensive line has the potential to short-circuit this team, as it did down the stretch last season. Like most people, Rosenthal noted how desperately the Chargers need to find Tevi's replacement. The former Utah product's sophomore slump was evident, as he earned a poor pass-blocking grade of 40.1 and finished with a 53.7 overall ranking, according to Pro Football Focus . Pipkins has yet to see NFL edge rushers, but the lack of competition is what is shying him away from being an instant starter. Along with that, Pipkins will have to get stronger and develop his body by adding more mass to his frame. Another possibility is allowing former second-round selection Forrest Lamp to compete for the right tackle starting job. Lamp, one of the more highly anticipated players, was held out of the 2018 season after suffering a torn ACL in his rookie campaign. This was a mystery, but the coaching staff appeared to comfortable with the starters throughout the season, leaving Lamp as frequent inactive. The former Western Kentucky product offers the versatility to play either guard or tackle and coach Anthony Lynn has stated that he will get the opportunity to earn a starting job. The bottom line is that we believe Tevi will be the starting right tackle Week 1. But don't count out either Lamp or Pipkins, who can emerge over Tevi with a strong showing during OTA's, training camp and preseason action. This will certainly be one of the bigger positional battles to watch. MORE: Video confirms reports of Chris Paul's attempt to sabotage Steph Curry Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Daniel Jones has been accepted, embraced inside of Giants' locker room Quandre Diggs: The next formidable leader for the Lions


Welcome to the "2-Minute Money Manager," a short video feature answering money questions submitted by readers and viewers. Today's question is one I've gotten dozens of times. It's about whether there's any way to find legitimate opportunities to work online from home. Watch the following video, and you'll pick up some valuable info. Or, if you prefer, scroll down to read the full transcript and find out what I said. You also can learn how to send in a question of your own below. For more information on this topic, check out " The Top 25 Companies Hiring for Work-From-Home Jobs Right Now " and " 9 Signs That You Should Be Working From Home . " You can also go to the search at the top of this page, put in the words "work from home" and find plenty of information on just about everything relating to this topic. Got a question of your own to ask? Scroll down past the transcript. Don't want to watch? Here's what I said in the video Hello, everyone, and welcome to your "2-Minute Money Manager." I'm your host, Stacy Johnson, and this question is brought to you by Money Talks News , serving up the best in personal finance news and advice since 1991. Today's question comes from Curtis: "What is the absolutely best and easiest way to make money online?" This is a topic I should know something about, since I've been working at home for about 30 years and I've been making money online since there's been an internet. Over the years, Money Talks News has also covered nearly everything from starting a new online career to getting back a little money every time you shop online. It's not the usual blah, blah, blah. Click here to sign up for our free newsletter. There is no 'best and easiest' If all Curtis wants to know is the quickest and easiest way to make a buck or two, the answer's simple: Cash-back portals like Rakuten , formerly known as Ebates. It takes less than 10 seconds to sign up, and it enables you to get rebates of 1% to 40% when you shop online. But I suspect that's not what Curtis really wants to know. I'm guessing he wants to consistently make money with an online job, not just save a buck or two with shopping apps. So, that's how I'll answer his question. Curtis, when it comes to a "best and easiest" way to make a living online, there's no such thing. What I'm doing right now   creating this video   is the best and easiest way for me to make money online, but it may be a terrible idea for you. Likewise, you undoubtedly have skills and interests I don't. In short, since we're all unique, so is what's easy and best. That being said, let's see if we can narrow it down. Related: The Shortest Path to an Amazing Retirement Employee or owner? If you're looking to make money online, the first question you'll need to address is whether you want to work for someone else or own your own business. Either is fine. It just depends on your personality, knowledge, background and resources. If you want to be self-employed, the best thing you can do is read lots of articles or maybe a book or two to generate some ideas. (I happen to have written one: " 108 Easy Ways to Earn Extra Cash: Easy Ways to Make Money Fast, Both Online and Off .") Check out some resources and see if anything strikes your fancy. Retail arbitrage ? Crafts ? Writing ? There are a lot of ideas floating around out there. Do some reading, and maybe you'll find a business you can copy. Or even better, think of something new and unique you can try. But before you go down the self-employment road, let me give you my three golden rules. First rule: Starting and running a business invariably takes more money than you think it will. Second rule: Becoming successful takes more time than you think it will. I've operated several successful businesses, including this one, and I've never succeeded in any meaningful way in less than five years. But that's me: Hopefully, you're either luckier or smarter. Final golden rule: When you own your own business, marketing isn't the main thing, it's the only thing. So, if you're the shy type, beware. You know the expression, "Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door?" B.S. Even the best mousetraps have to be marketed. So, there's some general advice for owning your own online business. Now, let's talk about working for someone else. How not to find work When looking for work-from-home or online opportunities, don't start by putting "work from home" into an internet search engine. If you do, you're going to get a steady stream of horribleness. A lot of the stuff advertised online is designed for one purpose only: to separate you from your money. And that cash likely will end up in the pocket of a crook   one who's probably working from home. So how do you find legitimate opportunities? Read articles, not ads. For example, we have an article called " The Top 25 Companies Hiring for Work-From-Home Jobs Right Now ." Search for that sort of thing. But only read articles from trusted sources, like websites you've heard of. When you're approaching a work-from-home company, avoid paying money upfront. That's a glaring sign of a rip-off. While there are legitimate businesses that may require a small up-front investment for things like a background check, you should seek opportunities without paying for the privilege. Another idea is to check out job-search engines. Go to any legitimate employment site and do a search for "work from home" or "online work." One site I can vouch for is a site we work with called FlexJobs . But remember, you're searching a jobs site, not the internet. I hope that answers your question, Curtis. Hope you have a profitable day, and I'll meet you right here next time! Got a question you'd like answered? You can ask a question simply by hitting "reply" to our email newsletter, just as you would any email in your inbox. If you're not subscribed, fix that right now by clicking here . It's free, only takes a few seconds, and will get you valuable information every day! The questions I'm likeliest to answer are those that will interest other readers. In other words, don't ask for super-specific advice that applies only to you. And if I don't get to your question, promise not to hate me. I do my best, but I get a lot more questions than I have time to answer. About me I founded Money Talks News in 1991. I'm a CPA, and have also earned licenses in stocks, commodities, options principal, mutual funds, life insurance, securities supervisor and real estate. Got any words of wisdom you can offer on today's question? Share your knowledge and experiences on our Facebook page . And if you find this information useful, please share it!


Looking for a trending new city to explore? Consider Austin, Texas, one of the fastest growing large cities in the country and U.S. News & World Report's #1 place to live in the U.S. for the past two years running. The self-proclaimed "Live Music Capital of the World" is home to many students, artists and musicians, along with a booming tech industry and a classic Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex food scene. Despite its growth, Austin seeks to maintain its eccentric local vibe, with plenty of independent businesses and a strong commitment to the local environment. Austin hosts numerous festivals throughout the year and boasts more music venues per capita than any other city in the U.S. The list of local attractions also includes extensive theaters, museums and outdoor spaces like parks, lakes and waterways. Fortunately, there are plenty of relatively inexpensive flights between Detroit and Austin, at least according to travel site Skyscanner . Here's a list of flights, hotels, restaurants and local attractions in Austin to get you started. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Cheapest Austin flights Currently, the cheapest flights between Detroit and Austin are if you leave on Sept. 21 and return from Texas on Sept. 23. Frontier Airlines currently has tickets for $77, roundtrip. Frontier Airlines also has tickets at that price point in August. If you fly out of Detroit on Aug. 21 and return from Austin on Aug. 23, Frontier Airlines can get you there and back for $77 roundtrip. Top Austin hotels To plan your stay, here are two of Austin's top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do and customer satisfaction. The Driskill   in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt (604 Brazos St.) For an all-around top recommendation, consider The Driskill - in the Unbound Collection by Hyatt . The hotel has a 4.5-star rating on Skyscanner. Built in 1886 as the showplace for cattle baron Jesse Lincoln Driskill the hotel has convenient access to the Texas State Capitol, Austin Convention Center and the city's world-famous Sixth Street nightlife scene. Hotel Saint Cecilia (112 Academy Drive) Another option is Hotel Saint Cecilia . With a five-star rating on Skyscanner, the hotel is one of the most luxurious in the city. Each of the five distinct suites, six poolside bungalows and three studios that span this private wooded property have been designed and furnished to stir the poet and artist in each guest. Top picks for dining and drinking Austin has plenty of top-notch dining options. Here are a few of the most popular, according to Skyscanner. Uchi (801 S. Lamar Blvd.) If you're looking for a local favorite, head to Uchi , which has an average of 4.9 stars out of 104 reviews on Skyscanner. Uchi pairs traditional Japanese offerings with new and refreshing flavors and textures. "Amazing sushi," wrote visitor Katie. "It's up there against anything you'll have in San Francisco, New York City or elsewhere." Hopdoddy Burger Bar (1400 S. Congress Ave.) Another popular dining destination is Hopdoddy Burger Bar , with 4.7 stars from 127 reviews. "Ahi tuna burger. Handmade buns," wrote Wendy. "This place is popular, so there may be a line but it moves pretty fast and is totally worth it." Home Slice Pizza (1415 S. Congress Ave.) Finally, there's Home Slice Pizza , an independent neighborhood pizza joint serving authentic New York-style pizza   by the pie or by the slice. "Whether you're into spinach pizza or the traditional cheese this place is funky and fun," wrote Tiffany. What to see and do in Austin To round out your trip, Austin offers plenty of popular attractions worth visiting. Here are some top recommendations, based on Skyscanner's descriptions and reviews. Barton Springs Pool (2201 Barton Springs Road) First up is Barton Springs Pool , which is the perfect outing for those hot Texas days   or even the cool ones. Maintaining a comfortable 68 degrees Fahrenheit year round, you will enjoy a 100-percent natural swimming experience with no chlorine. "A must-visit within Austin, especially in the summer," wrote visitor Nici. "You can swim laps, jump off a diving board, bring a float and just relax in the always cool water." Zilker Metropolitan Park (2100 Barton Springs Road) Zilker Metropolitan Park is another popular destination. Patrons can check out the hike and bike trails, picnic facilities, Zilker Botanical Garden, canoe rentals, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, riverboat rides on Town Lake, concerts, festivals and even a miniature train. "It's a great place to take a break from the bustling downtown," wrote visitor Tyson. Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail Finally, spend some time at Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail . "Paddleboarding and kayak/canoeing are the most popular activities around Lady Bird Lake and I do suggest trying them at least once," wrote visitor Nici. "However, if you don't feel like being in the water, didn't pack a suit or the weather isn't right, then I highly suggest biking around Lady Bird Lake." This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The Phillies were one of several teams linked to Rangers left-hander Mike Minor during offseason trade talks, and with the deadline approaching, "the Phillies continue to maintain interest in" Minor's services, NBC Sports Philadelphia's Corey Seidman writes. Needless to say, Minor has only elevated his stock in the eyes of any interested parties in the wake of his strong 2019 season. Minor ranked 31st on MLBTR's recent list of the top 60 trade deadline candidates , though the southpaw would rocket up the standings if the Rangers were to give a clearer indication that they were shopping Minor rather than retaining him for their own (perhaps fading) postseason push. A four-game losing streak has dropped Texas to 9.5 games behind the Astros in the AL West and five games out of a wild-card berth. The Rangers are still a solid 50-46 overall, and they begin a three-game series against Houston on Friday. Plus, the Rangers also play the last-place Mariners four times before the July 31 trade deadline, so there's even more of an opportunity to make up ground. Rangers GM Jon Daniels has reportedly remained open to the idea of dealing Minor even with Texas on the outskirts of the race, since Minor represents such a major trade chip for a team that, realistically, is still closer to a roster reload (if not an outright rebuild) than it is to being legitimate a contender. Minor is under contract through the 2020 season and owed roughly $13.46M between now and the end of his deal. Between that extra year of control, the very reasonable salary and Minor's impressive performance, he should net a substantial haul in a trade. With this in mind, the Phils would have to further deplete a minor league system that was already thinned out by some big offseason trades. Speculatively, Seidman writes that the Phillies might have to give up something like right-hander Spencer Howard , a young outfield piece (like Adam Haseley or former first overall pick Mickey Moniak ) and probably a third prospect as well (if one of a lesser caliber) for Minor. Philadelphia has already received trade interest in Howard, its second-round pick from the 2017 draft who has thus far posted big strikeout numbers in his young career, though Seidman notes that the Phillies "have been uninterested in moving" Howard in response to these prior offers. The Phillies are known to be looking at adding both starting and relief pitching at the deadline, with such names as Robbie Ray and Mychal Givens connected to the team in recent reports . Like Minor, these pitchers are all controlled beyond the 2019 season, which makes sense given the recent insinuation from president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail that the Phillies weren't likely to give up their top prospects for rental players.


A suspension for Richie Incognito is looking more and more likely. As it turns out, Incognito faced not one but two criminal cases last August. In addition to an incident at a funeral home that resulted in a guilty plea to disorderly conduct charges, Incognito engaged in misconduct at his grandmother's house two days earlier. Via ESPN, Incognito pleaded guilty to to misdemeanor charges of criminal damage and disorderly conduct in April, in connection with an August 2018 incident. While arguing with his grandmother, Incognito put his fist through the wall in the living room and ripped a security system control unit from the wall at her Peoria, Arizona home. An "enraged" Incognito (according to the police report) blamed his 90-year-old grandmother for his father's death. The Raiders had no comment regarding the incident involving Incognito's grandmother, which prior to today was not publicly known. Given an extensive history of misconduct for which Incognito has never faced league-level scrutiny, these two incidents could (and arguably should) put Incognito in line for a significant suspension. And if he hadn't disclosed the run-in with his 90-year-old grandmother to the Raiders, that could be enough to get the Raiders to pull the plug quickly on the Incognito experiment.


The squad depth that exists in the Manchester City squad borders on ridiculous, with brilliant players like Leroy Sane frequently having to sit and watch games from the bench. However, there was one area that appeared to show some weakness last season, but such is the quality of City's scouting network, it was sorted almost immediately. The arrival of Rodri from Atletico Madrid is undoubtedly the bargain of the summer, and the 23-year-old may prove to be the final piece of the puzzle to help City win an unprecedented quadruple. How many transfer success stories have City had in recent years? Raheem Sterling, Aymeric Laporte, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane, the list goes on. And now, Rodri. Atletico Madrid certainly know how to produce a central midfielder and Rodri is another success story for Los Rojiblancos. The Spaniard was released from their academy before returning in a dream move. The midfield general has been nicknamed 'the fire extinguisher', but City's new £62.6m signing is much, much more than that. Rodri is seen as the heir to Fernandinho 's throne, with the Brazilian reaching the twilight years of his career. The 34-year-old was an irreplaceable cog in the City machine last season - and has been for many seasons. To give you an idea - in 2018/19, Fernandinho missed six Premier League games, and City lost two of those. However, in the 29 games he did play, City lost the same amount. Influential. Enter Rodri. The 23-year-old is just the man to break up play whilst also playing the intricate Pep Guardiola way. The Spaniard was the only midfielder to make more than 100 tackles in La Liga last season. That's astonishing, considering the roles of players like Casemiro and Sergio Busquets. But it doesn't end there. He also  recovered the ball on 600 occasions over the course of the past two seasons. Yikes. One of the best traits about the 23-year-old is his mental toughness. He was released by Atletico at the age of 16 for being too small. However, he showed faith in his ability and after a spell with Villarreal, he returned to Madrid - and absolutely shone. He now stands at 6'2 and commands a real presence. Rodri in @LaLiga for @Atleti last season: 280 ball recoveries 磊 103 tackles attempted 磊 2,372 touches 賂 1,927 passes 賂 pic.twitter.com/dCvrShjhHV   Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) July 3, 2019 One of the many things he developed on his turbulent journey to the top were his leadership skills. The ability to lead by example is something that will bring the Citizens even greater success over the coming months and years.  When speaking upon his arrival at the Shangri-La hotel with City for pre-season, he reiterated that he intends to be the leader in the team. At that point, he had only recently signed - the player exudes confidence and will not shy away from responsibility. Former captain Vincent Kompany has left the club, meaning the next leader must step up. The obvious candidate is David Silva, but he lacks a commanding presence on the pitch to rally the team when needed. Instead, City have gone out and bought themselves an incredible talent, and a leader for many years to come. Perhaps the scariest thought if you're not a City fan is that Rodri will improve upon Fernandinho's work. The difference between the two is Rodri is constantly looking to play forward. The movement of City's wingers in behind as well as in-field will become even more dangerous because the Spaniard has the ability to play an eye of a needle pass. Sane (if he stays), Sterling, Bernardo and Riyad Mahrez will undoubtedly benefit from his impeccable precision. Similarly, it will bring the best out of the more creative midfielders. Kevin De Bruyne had one of his best games in a while against Yokohama in pre-season, and this was certainly aided by the role Rodri played in supporting him. In today's market, there really aren't too many better deals to be found. City will be getting a young, intelligent and extremely intricate leader, who will bring the best out of those around him. £62.6m may seem like a hefty chunk, but considering the sheer volume of quality he will bring, and we shouldn't even dare consider this anything other than a bargain. The club have made some extremely shrewd signings over the years, but this may very well be the move that sends the Sky Blues into an era of utter domination.


The Texans have a chance to secure a playoff berth on Sunday with a win over Jaguars, and one fan is so excited about the team's play this season that he got J.J. Watt shaved into his head. Texas-based barber/artist Rob The Original etched the likeness of Watt into the side of the head of one Texans superfan. • A Rams player does not believe dinosaurs ever existed The star defensive end even took notice of the cut, thanking the fan and wondering how the look is even possible. This is crazy!! Fans never cease to amaze me. And how does a barber even do that?!? pic.twitter.com/8kDAKaFgtr   JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 31, 2015 The barber has previously featured athletes like Tony Romo and Tim Duncan on his clients heads. [ For The Win ]   Brendan Maloy


Minneapolis Police are investigating a fatal shooting that happened in an alley near the MPD precinct between 1st Ave. and Hennepin Ave. Officers were patrolling the area when they heard shots fired just after 2 a.m., and received 911 calls about the shooting while on their way to the scene, according to an official with MPD. Multiple officers chased the suspected shooter, who was identified by witnesses in the area. He was eventually taken into custody. Police say two adult men were shot. One died from his injuries, and another was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center in critical condition. According to Minneapolis Police, this is the 13th homicide in the city so far this year. Police are still working to determine where the men were before the shooting, and if the incident is gang related.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Aurora? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to scoring an apartment in Aurora if you're on a budget of $1,700/month. Take a peek at what rentals the city has to offer, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 17036 E. Ohio Drive (Tollgate Overlook) Listed at $1,653/month, this 1,066-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is located at 17036 E. Ohio Drive. In the unit, you can anticipate a dishwasher, hardwood flooring, a walk-in closet, granite countertops and large windows. Cats and dogs are not permitted. According to Walk Score, the area around this address is moderately walkable, is somewhat bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 13711 E. Richthofen Circle (Jewell Heights - Hoffman Heights) Next, there's this two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment located at 13711 E. Richthofen Circle. It's listed for $1,637/month for its 880 square feet. In the unit, the listing promises a walk-in closet and stainless steel appliances. For those with furry friends in tow, know that cats and dogs are allowed on this property. According to Walk Score, the surrounding area is moderately walkable, is fairly bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 13222 E. Iliff Ave. (East Ridge - Ptarmigan Park) Next, check out this 1,400-square-foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that's located at 13222 E. Iliff Ave. It's listed for $1,650/month. Building amenities include an elevator, on-site laundry and additional storage space. Good news for animal lovers: Both dogs and cats are permitted here. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is quite walkable, has some bike infrastructure and offers many nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here .) 1250 S. Dayton Court (Dayton Triangle) Located at 1250 S. Dayton Court, here's a 1,093-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that's listed for $1,665/month. The listing promises hardwood flooring and in-unit laundry in the apartment. The building offers a fitness center. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are allowed. Expect a $400 non-refundable pet fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is car-dependent, is relatively bikeable and has some transit options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 3499 S. Uravan Way (Aurora Knolls - Hutchinson Heights) Here's a 960-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at 3499 S. Uravan Way that's going for $1,696/month. The unit has hardwood flooring, in-unit laundry and an eat-in kitchen. Good news for animal lovers: Both dogs and cats are welcome here. Look out for a $250-300 pet fee. Walk Score indicates that this location is moderately walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Take a look at the full listing here .) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Aurora . This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


While Trevone Boykin 's chances of reviving his NFL career were already slim, it looks like they took another hit. Darrin Gantt of ProFootballTalk.com reports that the former Seahawks quarterback was arrested Friday night on charges of aggravated assault against a family member and tampering with a witness, according to police records . The Seahawks released Boykin in March of 2018 following accusations of domestic abuse from his girlfriend. While he denied the allegations, Boykin was arrested on charges of aggravated assault with serious bodily injury. It's uncertain if this most recent arrest was connected to that incident. Following the first arrest, the NFL suspended Boykin for one game, a suspension that would presumably be enforced should he ever get another NFL gig. Off-field conduct aside, Boykin hasn't done a lot to prove he deserves a spot on an NFL roster. He had standout junior and senior seasons at TCU but went undrafted in 2016. He caught on with the Seahawks, where he appeared in five games as a rookie. That season, Boykin completed 13 of 18 passes for 145 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He didn't make an appearance during the 2017 season. We heard in early June that Boykin had auditioned for Vince McMahon's XFL, so it's unclear how this latest arrest with figure in his future.


With new hotels, restaurants and special event popping up all over Los Angeles , it can sometimes be hard to keep track of everything. To make things easier, here's a rundown on some of the highlights appearing throughout the city over the next couple of months. Where to Stay Looking for somewhere new to stay on your next trip to LA? You're in luck   eleven new hotels are queued to open over the next two years. Starting with the Soho Warehouse in the Arts District of Downtown in August 2019 with a rooftop pool and plenty of spaces for entertaining. The following month the boutique-style Silver Lake Pool and Inn is opening in the Silver Lake District along with the hotel's restaurant, Marco Polo, where guests can enjoy coastal Italian cuisine. The Hoxton, LA is set to open in the Fashion District of Downtown also in September. This hotel will feature three restaurants   including one on the roof   as well as bars and a rooftop pool. Be on the lookout for more hotels opening in the area like the W Los Angeles Downtown set to arrive on the Downtown scene sometime next year. What to Do There's always something going on in this city of glitz and glam. Check out the PetPOP in the Arts District of Downtown from now until August 11th. This pop-up includes art, an amusement park and an area where guests will get to see through a dog or cat's perspective. Animal adoptions will be available and a portion of all tickets purchased will go to help animal rescues. Warner Bros. Studio Tour has now opened the sets for the Big Bang Theory and Universal Studios Hollywood is set to open their newest ride "Jurassic World   The Ride" this month. Feeling a little overwhelmed on how to plan your next trip? Discover L.A. Exclusives is a tourism company that helps make the most of your trip and giving a unique perspective to the city. They even include Michelin-inspired culinary offers in some of their tours. Special Events Outfest Los Angeles will be taking place citywide July 18   28th. This distinguished LGBTQ film festival includes more than 150 feature and short films at iconic sites like The Orpheum and Ford Theatres. The DTLA Proud Festival will be taking place at Pershing Square in Downtown August 23-25th. With music, vendors, interactive exhibits and even a pop-up water park the fourth year of this event promises to be more fun than ever. Miss the classic drive-in movies ? Now through September 25, The Grove has joined Petersen Automotive Museum and O'Gara Coach to bring back the classic   only in style. Guests will have park-and-dine ordering options while enjoying favorites like The Great Gatsby , Back to the Future and Ironman . Foodies will rejoice as 2019 Summer dineL.A. Restaurant Week returns Jul 12   26. Always wanted to try that special restaurant that was just out of your price range? The event showcases menus from over 400 restaurants around the city at a great value for lunch or dinner. And don't forget to catch a Dodgers baseball game now through September 22nd. Where to Eat LA travelers rejoice as the Michelin guide returns to the city after a 10-year hiatus. And with the state being home to 90 Michelin-starred eateries, there's sure to be something for everyone at one of these exquisite restaurants. Also, be on the lookout for Alamo Drafthouse Cinema which is opening in the Financial District of Downtown later this month. In East Hollywood, Chef Jessica Koslow is planning on opening a takeaway version of the restaurant Sqirl later this year. The new establishment will be called Sqirl Away and feature all the menu favorites the original has to offer. Have you been trying to get one of Chef's Daniel Son's famous Japanese sandwiches on Sundays from Smorgasburg LA? Well, you're in luck because the chef is opening his own brick and mortar restaurant, Katsu Sando , later this year in Chinatown. LAX Flying in or out of the famed   or infamous   airport? Be sure to catch the two new murals now on display   "Intentions" by Tofer Chin is on display in Terminal 7 and "Songs of Freedom: Renee Fox +WriteGirl" is along the corridor connecting Terminals 7 and 8. In a hurry but still need to grab a bite to eat? Select locations are now offering a pre-order option through customer mobile phones or through LAX's website . LAX is still undergoing their Modernization Program , so if you're feeling a little more stressed than normal from the confusion be sure to stop by the PUP program where visitors can relax by petting therapy dogs. Dogs and handlers are located at each terminal.


After experiencing both highs and lows in the first Roval race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Bubba Wallace is ready to return. After helping Granite Contracting from Cornelius, N.C., move some dirt in preparing the newly redesigned backstretch chicane for the Roval on Tuesday, Wallace talked about getting a chance to race the unique layout again this fall. Last year the backstretch chicane was 32 feet wide at its widest point and this year the width will increase to 54 feet at its widest point with three additional runoff areas. "It's going to give us a better option to go through there and attack a little bit harder," Wallace said. "We're definitely going to be slowing down a bit more than what we were last year. I think the biggest thing we have is that we'll have runoff room now. "We didn't have runoff room last year until I made runoff room (by crashing in practice). I led by example, unfortunately." The upgraded backstretch chicane debuts with qualifying on Sept. 27. "Some drivers, like Bubba, tried to widen it on their own but after taking some consideration, we've decided to widen it on our own," said Greg Walter, Charlotte Motor Speedway's executive vice president and general manager. "It's a great passing zone and a great area for side-by-side racing. Bubba's a great sport. He understands that we're doing what we can to make the racing better for them." For Wallace, he hopes to improve on his performance on the only race on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series that incorporates elements of the oval track and infield road course in a points event. "We'll definitely be slowing down from the speeds we ran last year but the biggest thing is we'll have runoff room," said Wallace. "We didn't have that (last year) until I made room." Wallace was making reference to heavy contact with the tire barrier at the exit of the backstretch chicane last year that forced him to go to a backup car for the race. Despite his tough luck prior to the race, he felt the new event brought a new level of interest and excitement to the sport and its fans. "I think it was an exciting race for the fans and something new," Wallace said. "What (Charlotte Motor Speedway President) Marcus (Smith) and his staff have done here for the sport of NASCAR giving them something new. "The infield part is very treacherous and there is not much runoff room for that and it gave a new insight for the fans and a thrilling finish. Fans were excited and we didn't know what to expect and I put myself in a bad spot multiple times but I thought I did alright in the race. "We'll see what we got when we come back."


The area surrounding Chernobyl - the site of the world's worst nuclear accident - is to be turned into a tourist site, Ukraine's president says. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Wednesday that set out plans for new walking trails and enhanced mobile phone reception. "Chernobyl has been a negative part of Ukraine's brand," Mr Zelensky said. "The time has come to change this." A reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power station exploded in April 1986. It sent a radioactive plume across Europe and, according to the UN, nearly 50,000 square kilometres of land were contaminated. At least 31 people were killed in the immediate aftermath and the effects of the explosion continue to be felt to this day. More on Chernobyl: The end of a three-decade experiment Survivors assess fact and fiction in TV series 'I didn't know the truth' The people who moved there The secret lives of Chernobyl's wildlife "We will create a green corridor for tourists," Mr Zelensky said on Wednesday. "Chernobyl is a unique place on the planet where nature [has been] reborn after a huge man-made disaster." "We have to show this place to the world: to scientists, ecologists, historians [and] tourists," the president added. Despite the radiation levels being higher than normal, thousands of tourists already take the trip to Chernobyl every year. The new decree outlined plans for waterways and checkpoints in the area. It also revealed that restrictions on filming the site would be lifted. The government will also crack down on corruption by introducing an electronic ticket system for visitors. "The exclusion zone is also a symbol of corruption," Mr Zelensky said. "This includes bribes that law enforcers collect from tourists. We will stop all of this very soon." President Zelensky, who was elected earlier this year , was speaking at an official inauguration ceremony for a new metal dome that encases the destroyed reactor. The shield - which cost $1.7bn (£1.35bn) to build - was moved into place in 2016 and is designed to prevent further radioactive material leaking out over the next century. It measures 275m (900ft) wide and 108m (354ft) tall - high enough to cover the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. The number of people killed by the Chernobyl disaster remains disputed. It is known that around 5,000 cases of thyroid cancer - most of which were treated and cured - were caused by the contamination. Many suspect that the radiation has or will cause other cancers, but the evidence is patchy. Amid reports of other health problems - including birth defects - it still is not clear if any can be attributed to radiation.


Dudley the Scottish Highland Bull was sitting on the farm when he had an itch he just had to scratch. Adorably, he rubbed his head against a brush post.


Orioles general manager Mike Elias suggested in late June it would be difficult for the starter-starved club to part with either Dylan Bundy or Andrew Cashner prior to the July 31 trade deadline. However, at least in Cashner's case, Baltimore "certainly would" part with the right-hander, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com . Elias has been "checking the Cashner market for quite a while," Kubatko adds. The Orioles obviously haven't found a taker for Cashner yet, though he has upped his value with a resurgent year. After Cashner's disastrous 2018, his first season as an Oriole, it would have been difficult to envision him emerging as a trade chip this summer. But the 32-year-old has come out of the gates this season with a 3.83 ERA/4.26 FIP, 6.17 K/9 against 2.71 BB/9, and a 49.2 percent groundball rate in 96 1/3 innings. Cashner turned in his fifth consecutive quality start Saturday, throwing seven innings of one-run ball in Toronto. Cashner's success in 2019 has come thanks in part to an ability to stymie opposite-handed hitters, whom he has limited to a paltry .229 weighted on-base average. At the same time, Cashner has held enemy lineups to a .273 wOBA the first time through the order, a .311 mark the second time and a .312 figure the third time. Cashner's better output has come with an increase in velocity. He averaged 92.4 mph on his fastball a year ago, but the number has revisited its 93.5 mph mean from 2017   a season in which he defied uninspiring peripherals to post a 3.40 ERA with the Rangers. He landed a two-year, $16M deal from the O's the next winter as a result. Cashner's on track to reach free agency again during the upcoming offseason, and he is owed approximately $3.7M of his current $8M salary in the meantime. Considering Cashner is not a major difference-maker at this stage of his career, Baltimore might have to eat some of his remaining money to augment his trade value in the next few weeks. If Cashner keeps pitching well until then, though, he may indeed end the season with a playoff contender.


JERSEY CITY, N.J. - Webb Simpson doesn't pretend to know all the rules in golf. There's simply too many, and they change with too much regularity to truly master them all. So when he hit a "funny" drive on the third hole, looked down at his club's head and saw it was cracked, Simpson figured he could ask the rules official about grabbing his backup driver. As it turns out, that rule has since changed, too. Simpson had to finish out the rest of his second round at the Northern Trust with a cracked driver, sometimes hitting a 3-wood instead. Other times, he hit the faulty club anyway. He managed a 2-over 73, making the cut at 4 under overall. But the ruling left him perplexed after his round. "There's a lot of rules that I don't know. Honestly a lot of players are still really confused," Simpson said. "What harm is done by letting me switch heads? So I don't know the answer to that. I don't know why they changed it. I'd love to know. So, glad it didn't cost me a missed the cut, but it's unfortunate. I feel like it cost me a few shots." Simpson said the crack was about an inch and a half long. And while he used it four more times during the round, his drives hung low and swung to the left. In April, the USGA and R&A clarified a rule regarding damaged clubs. According to the clarification, you can replace your club if the shaft breaks into pieces, splinters or is bent but not if it is only dented. If the clubface's impact area is visibly deformed, detached or loose from the shaft or if the grip is loose, you can replace it. However, a player is still not allowed to replace a club because there is a crack in the clubface or clubhead. NORTHERN TRUST : Scores | Photos | Tiger WDs The driver issue wasn't the only time Simpson required a rules official. On the fifth green, the 34-year-old's ball moved in the wind. He waited to hear from the official before finishing his putt, sending his partners Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson ahead. Brooks Koepka, an ardent opponent of slow play , walked up to the green to see what the holdup was. "Nobody knew what to do," Simpson said. "And everybody's going to say, 'Well, you guys should know the rules.' Well, there's hundreds of rules to know." As Simpson wrapped up his press conference, he said the rule needs to be changed. Rahm, who was waiting for his turn with the media, said "I agree," before saying he offered to lean on the driver in the hopes of breaking it more. Instead, Simpson made do with what he had. "No fault of our rules official," Simpson said. "He made a good call. But I think the way the rule is written should be edited." https://compass.pressekompass.net/compasses/golfweek/how-long-until-tiger-woods-earns-pga-tou MORE: Browns mob touchdown scorer who slept outside a gym during tryouts Preseason opener offered 'taste' of what Jets offense can look like under Adam Gase Packers LT David Bakhtiari pokes fun at Texans CB Lonnie Johnson Antonio Brown is Up to His Old Tricks Again in Oakland [UPDATE] 4 Takeaways from the Steelers 30-28 win over the Bucs


MILWAUKEE   Milwaukee police are investigating three separate shooting incidents that occurred Monday night, July 29. Three people were injured as a result of the shootings. The first shooting happened around 6:15 p.m. near 35th and Juneau. Police say a 30-year-old man suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound. The victim stated two subjects attempted to rob him on the street when he was shot. The investigation is continuing into the circumstances of the incident. At approximately 6:30 p.m. in the area of Fond du Lac Avenue and Capitol Drive, a 34-year-old man suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds while inside of a vehicle. The investigation revealed this was a drug transaction. The victim is in custody and police are searching for the suspect involved. Around 9:45 p.m. a 33-year-old man was dropped off at a local hospital suffering from a graze wound after an attempt robbery. The victim stated this occurred in the area of 53rd and Chambers. Shooting near 53rd and Chambers in Milwaukee This investigation is ongoing and police are searching for suspects involved.     ©2019 WITI-TV, Milwaukee Visit WITI-TV, Milwaukee at www.fox6now.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Craig Kimbrel , for nearly a decade among baseball's elite closers, reportedly agreed to terms with the Chicago Cubs, a source said Wednesday, concluding his seven-month free agency. The deal was first reported by The Athletic. A victim of the slow market, the chill of a qualifying offer and, perhaps, the more recent sight of him struggling in the postseason, Kimbrel seemed intent on challenging the market to come to him. He made $13 million last season, his third for the Boston Red Sox, then sat on the market into June. The largest free agent contract for a reliever this winter was $39 million over three seasons for Zack Britton, by the New York Yankees. Others free agent relievers -- among them Adam Ottavino, Andrew Miller, Jeurys Familia and David Robertson -- drew average annual salaries between $9-$12.5 million. With the season a third gone, more than a handful of teams contending or hoping to contend had clear holes at or near the back ends of their bullpens. The Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays, among others, had reason to sign Kimbrel, whose preference, according to sources, was to close rather than serve as a setup man. Kimbrel, 30, saved 42 games last season for the Red Sox, his third in Boston. He blew five opportunities. He wobbled some in the postseason, when in 10 2/3 innings over nine games he allowed nine hits, eight walks and seven runs. He also hit two batters. The resulting 5.91 ERA was three times his career ERA. The prevailing theory was that Kimbrel was tipping his pitches   he throws two, a 98-mph fastball and a curveball, an observation passed along by former Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagne just prior to the World Series. Kimbrel made four appearances against the Los Angeles Dodgers in that series and allowed runs in one of them. He saved six games in October. In eight full seasons, Kimbrel led his league in saves four times and finished in the top four seven times. His 333 saves lead active pitchers. He is 14th all time, eight behind Rollie Fingers for 13th. On the career list, he is alone in the top 32 to have pitched fewer than 10 seasons. He is the fastest ever to 300 saves. Remarkably consistent, Kimbrel made at least 47 appearances in each of those eight seasons and only once had an ERA above 3.00. His career ERA is 1.91. Kimbrel was not as effective across 2018 as in previous seasons. He missed a portion of spring training to be with his infant daughter, Lydia, who was born with a heart defect and required numerous surgeries. She turned 1 in early November. On the field following the Red Sox's Game 5 win over the Dodgers, Kimbrel held Lydia in his arms and said, "It's been a long year, but, wow, it's definitely made it worth it. She's made it worth it. So much emotion. So happy right now. Couldn't get much better than this moment right now." He leaned over and kissed the top of Lydia's head. Then he added, "This is the best Red Sox team that's ever been. … I can't be more proud to say I was a part of it." While the game seems to be wavering in its reliance on single closers, the best teams generally have them, and rely on them particularly in October. The largest contract for a closer belongs to Aroldis Chapman, who after the 2016 season signed with the New York Yankees for $86 million over five years. A month later, Kenley Jansen signed with the Dodgers for $80 million over five. Drafted by the Braves in 2008, Kimbrel was traded to the San Diego Padres at the start of the 2015 season. When it became clear their rebuild would require more time and a better plan, the Padres traded Kimbrel to Boston seven months later. More from Yahoo Sports: Report: Big changes coming for NCAA football bowls Barkley: Durant doesn't have 'mental makeup' for NY Canelo, ESPN's Stephen A. trade verbal barbs Ex-NFL star faces life in prison as jury deliberates


There was some doubt about whether tight end Kyle Rudolph would return to the Vikings this season, but he ultimately signed a four-year contract extension that keeps him in Minnesota for the near future. With Rudolph's return secured, the next order of business was for the tight end to build a stronger bon with quarterback Kirk Cousins . Cousins said recently that " I don't think I did enough " to develop that bond during his first year with the Vikings, but that he was getting more comfortable throwing to Rudolph even when the tight end was covered. Rudolph feels that the chemistry between the two players is growing as well. "Kirk's never played with a tight end of the body type that I have," Rudolph said during an appearance on NFL Network. "Kirk played with smaller guys that are quicker than I am, run routes differently. We didn't really have an offseason together last year, I was coming off ankle surgery, spent most of the spring rehabbing. Now we've had a full season together, a full offseason. And it's just being on the same page. He knows that I can make catches that some of the other guys that he played with in the past couldn't. And also I have more vertical separation than he's used to having." That separation and ability to make catches while covered should be useful traits for the Vikings to make use of in the red zone. Finding success there would help push them back toward playoff contention, which would be a welcome development after a disappointing 2018 season.


In the late 1990s and in 2003 the year between his head coaching gigs with the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics Doc Rivers was a highly-respected TV commentator for Turner Sports and ABC Sports. He was praised for his candor and insightfulness when discussing NBA players. Rivers displayed that same commanding style while appearing on ESPN on Tuesday. Rivers joined Magic Johnson, Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon in a panel discussion on the NBA finals. During the discussion, the conversation turned to Toronto Raptors star swingman Kawhi Leonard. The 27-year-old former San Antonio Spurs star has taken his game to another level in the 2019 playoffs. He is also set to become a free agent on June 30. "Kawhi is the most like Jordan we've seen." Doc Rivers has some high praise for Kawhi Leonard. pic.twitter.com/i1R2gR1VrT   NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 29, 2019 As shown in the video above, Smith asks Johnson whether Leonard is currently the best player in the NBA. Johnson opined that if Leonard leads the Raptors to a title, Leonard would have to be considered one of the NBA's top three, along with LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Johnson went to explain how Leonard excels at both offense and defense. He then remarked, "What we really love, Doc, is that he plays both ends of the court and he always makes the right read." Johnson, in other words, prompted Rivers to comment about Leonard right after Johnson had offered high praise. Rivers, as a commentator, didn't disappoint. He went so far as to compare Leonard to the greatest player in NBA history, Michael Jordan. "Kawhi is the most like Jordan we've seen," Rivers opined. "There are a lot of great players LeBron is phenomenal, KD is phenomenal but, not that he is Jordan or anything like that, but he is the most like him. Big hands, post-game, can finish, great leaper, great defender, in between game, if he beats you to the spot bump you off and then you add his three-point shooting." The conversation made for great TV. It was as if Rivers had once again become a TV commentator and had once again shared with viewers his unique and engaging perspectives. But there was a problem. Rivers isn't a commentator. He's the coach of the Los Angeles Clippers and under NBA rules, coaches can't comment about players who are under contract to other NBA teams. Such comments can be perceived as impermissible overtures or unsanctioned inducements. Article 35A of the league constitution makes this point explicitly clear. It applies to coaches, general managers and owners, among others. Article 35A defines tampering as any attempt to entice, induce or persuade a person who is under contract with another team to join the tampering team. It's long been said that "flattery will get you everywhere" and, conversely, that "flattery will get you nowhere." In the NBA, flattery will get a coach in trouble. Adulation counts as tampering since it can influence a player's employment decision. In a league with a collectively-bargained salary cap and max salaries and thus one where teams sometimes can't outbid each other a coach offering the highest praise to star players can be particularly swaying. Magic Johnson seemed to set Doc Rivers up for a problematic response Johnson, of all people, should have known better than to guide Rivers into commenting so favorably about Leonard. While appearing on ESPN last year in his capacity of president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, Johnson's effusive comments about Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo led the NBA to fine the Lakers $50,000 for tampering . Johnson, one of the greatest players in NBA history and a Lakers star during the 1980s and 1990s, compared Antetokounmpo to how Johnson used to play. Johnson detected similar traits with respect to Antetokounmpo's "understanding of the game, his basketball IQ, his creativity of shots for his teammates." "That's where," Johnson observed, "we [have the] same thing. Can bring it down, make a pass, make a play. I'm just happy he's starting in the All-Star game because he deserves that. And he's going to be like an MVP, a champion, this dude he's going to put Milwaukee on the map." A year earlier, Johnson attracted the NBA's attention when, on Jimmy Kimmel Live, he acknowledged that he wanted his Lakers to sign Paul George . The Oklahoma City Thunder employed George at that time. It's possible that Johnson only directed Rivers to comment about Leonard upon command from an ESPN producer. Johnson, then, might not be responsible for prompting Rivers to discuss Leonard. Regardless, the question put Rivers in a tough spot during a TV interview. To be sure, it would have been awkward for Rivers to say something along the lines of, "I appreciate the question, Magic, but I can't comment since as you know Leonard is under contract to another team." Still, that type of response would have been a better one than to gushingly link Leonard to Michael Jordan. NBA coaches should avoid situations where they are asked to publicly comment about other teams' players A more fundamental issue from the Rivers interview on ESPN is why Rivers would agree to go on a TV show to discuss other teams' players. Rivers, 57, is hardly a rookie when it comes to the business of NBA basketball. He fully knows about league rules and the league's longstanding concerns about tampering. As a player, broadcaster or coach, Rivers has been affiliated with the NBA since the Atlanta Hawks drafted him in the second round of the 1983 NBA draft. He went on to play 14 seasons in the NBA and has coached three different teams in the course of 20 seasons. He's also the father to an NBA player, Austin Rivers. Put simply, Doc Rivers knew better. Rivers should have also been particularly cautious when commenting about Leonard. The Los Angeles native is set to become a free agent on June 30. The Clippers, along with the Raptors, Lakers, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are considered to have a legitimate chance to sign him. Rivers favorably comparing core aspects of Leonard's game to those of Jordan could influence Leonard's decision. This point is especially concerning for NBA commissioner Adam Silver as well as for executives of the Raptors, Lakers, Knicks and Nets since Leonard will undoubtedly sign a "max" contract with whichever team he picks. The Raptors, as Leonard's current team, can offer him a 5-year deal worth $190 million while other teams can offer him a 4-year deal worth $141 million. In other words, the Raptors have a contract advantage and but for differences in state income taxes and perhaps endorsement opportunities, Leonard's decision won't be driven by money. He would get paid the same amount whether he signs with the Clippers, Lakers, Knicks or Nets. So, the "little things," such as the coach of one of those teams comparing Leonard to the greatest player in NBA history, might make a difference in Leonard's decision. Also, given much-discussed concerns about possible tampering in teams' plans to acquire New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis, Silver and other league officials are especially sensitive to tampering. If a team uses tampering to recruit a star player, that team gains an unfair advantage over teams that play by the rules. It's not surprising, then, to hear Silver's comments about his decision to fine Rivers. In remarks on Friday to The Boston Globe 's Gary Washburn, Silver noted that "Doc's been at this a long time." Silver also acknowledged that he "understands the competing interests of the media in hearing a coach's view about a current NBA player." But Silver stressed that Rivers "crossed a bright line" and that a coach in that situation needs to say that he or she "is not permitted by the league to respond to that question." As to the punishment imposed on Rivers, a $50,000 fine is obviously a lot money. But it is a relatively small amount of Rivers's salary. Prior to signing an extension last month for undisclosed terms, Rivers had reportedly earned in the ballpark of $10 million to $11 million a year. Assuming he earns $10 million, a $50,000 fine would reflect one half of 1% of his salary. Again, $50,000 is not pocket change, but for Rivers, it's likely an expense that he can afford. Plus, if the Clippers sign Leonard this summer, Rivers might privately regard it as money well spent. Rivers and the Clippers are fortunate that the NBA's punishment is not more severe. Under the league's constitution, the maximum fine for tampering is $5 million. In addition, Silver could have suspended Rivers as well as strip the Clippers of draft picks and transfer those picks to the Raptors. The worst possible punishment, though, would have been to prohibit the Clippers from signing the target of tampering: Leonard. Michael McCann is SI's Legal Analyst. He is also an attorney and Associate Dean of UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law. Related slideshow: Best of 2019 NBA playoffs (Provided by imagn)


Tesla CEO Elon Musk told employees in a companywide email Thursday that $2 billion in new funds raised this month is enough to get through only 10 months if Tesla keeps spending as it did in the first quarter of 2019. He requested that everyone at the company take "hardcore" measures to pull back on spending. Musk wrote in the email to employees, which was obtained by CNBC, that he will take extreme action to control spending. He said Tesla's CFO will review and sign every expense going forward. Musk said he personally will sign off on every tenth page of expenses. "It is important to bear in mind that we lost $700 million in the first quarter this year, which is over $200 million per month," Musk wrote. "Investors nonetheless were supportive of our efforts and agreed to give us $2.4 billion (our net proceeds) to show that we can be financially sustainable." Tesla stock sank 7.6% Friday after safety regulators determined that its Autopilot (driver-assist systems) were engaged at the time of a fatal Model 3 crash in Florida in March 2019. That deadly crash was at least the third in which federal investigators concluded Autopilot was engaged before impact. Their findings raised questions about the safety and integrity of Tesla cars and semi-autonomous systems. In recent weeks, Musk touted the company's future as a self-driving technology business that would be operating robotaxis, commercially, taking on not just other electric-car makers but also money-losing ride hailing platforms like Uber and Lyft. Related video: We went inside Tesla's first Gigafactory Autonomous tech should grow the company into a $500 billion market cap business, Musk said on a recent investor call. Those promises helped Tesla raise more than $2 billion to support its next stage of growth. A Tesla spokesperson was not immediately available to comment. Here's the full email Musk sent to Tesla employees: From: Elon Musk To: Everybody Date: May 16, 2019 As mentioned at the company talk, it is extremely important that we examine every expenditure at Tesla no matter how small, and be sure that it is critical. When making hundreds of thousands of cars, battery packs and solar systems, even a ten cent savings could be worth over $50,000 a year. There are over 10,000 unique parts and processes at Tesla, so making small improvements across the board has a giant cumulative impact. At the same time, we must also continue to make our products subtly better in thousands of small ways. It is important to bear in mind that we lost $700 million in the first quarter this year, which is over $200 million per month. Investors nonetheless were supportive of our efforts and agreed to give us $2.4 billion (our net proceeds) to show that we can be financially sustainable. That is a lot of money, but actually only gives us approximately ten months at the first-quarter burn rate to achieve breakeven. It's vital that we respect the faith investors have shown in Tesla, but it will require great effort to do so. That is why, going forward, all expenses of any kind anywhere in the world, including parts, salary, travel expenses, rent, literally every payment that leaves our bank account must be reviewed, confirmed as critical and the top of every page of outgoing payments signed by our CFO. I will personally review and sign every 10th page. Please examine closely every expense where responsibility is, or probably should be, assigned to your group. If in doubt, assume it is on your plate, so that we don't have anything slip through the cracks. This will take at least a few weeks to get right. Please don't worry if it isn't correct at first. This is hardcore, but it is the only way for Tesla to become financially sustainable and succeed in our goal of helping make the world environmentally sustainable. Thanks again for your excellent work, Elon


A US F-35 stealth bomber suffered millions of dollars in damage after colliding with a bird during take-off from an air base in Japan, the US Marine Corp said in a statement Wednesday. "On May 7, 2019 an F-35B with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing aborted take-off due to a bird strike at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and safely taxied off the runway," the statement said. The pilot was not hurt in the incident, it said. Photographs circulating on social media showed what appeared to a kind of falcon stuck beneath the plane. A damage assessment report has not yet been completed but the Marine Corps classified the incident as category "A," meaning the damage is expected to exceed $2 million. The F-35 program was launched in the 1990s and has cost almost $400 billion, making it the most expensive weapons system ever developed by the Pentagon. The defense department plans to build some 2,500 of the warplanes in the decades to come. The F-35B is a short take-off and landing variant of the plane, developed for the Marine Corps. Each plane costs $115 million to build.


Cubs win, CarGo came and perhaps hasn't hit the wall yet, Kimbrel speculation, and other bullets Cubs win! Final: #Cubs 8, Angels 1. #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/7obR4SNJ9w   Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 3, 2019 CarGo came. 33 isn't too old to help some. Who knows? Ideally, he's the next Jim Edmonds /Gary Gaetti. Clearly he retains his defensive skills. His bat looked plenty quick Monday but SSS. Perhaps he can climb to his previous heights and the plateau isn't so lost. Man, I'm glad I called that guy. #EverybodyIn ( @CarGo5 ) pic.twitter.com/3D2t0yok7t   Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 3, 2019 He sounded plenty happy to be in Chicago in the postgame interviews. I like it. We can build a couple of runways for the CarGo cult but I dunno if we wanna go full-out tiki yet. Here's today's Cubs News and Notes . As always, * means autoplay on , or annoying ads , or both ( directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome ) . {$} means paywall. {$] means limited views. The #Cubs tonight selected RHP Ryan Jensen out of Fresno State University with the 27th pick in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft. #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/lSqmVbijzS   Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 4, 2019 More on Jensen from MLB Pipeline... pic.twitter.com/0ejlIb1umF   Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) June 4, 2019 Before we get started tonight, a big congratulation to hurler Ryan Jensen on being selected in the first round of the 2019 @MLBDraft by the @Cubs ‼ #GoDogs #BulldogBornBulldogBred pic.twitter.com/kC1U5KHxad   FS Bulldog Baseball (@FresnoStateBSB) June 4, 2019 Carlos Gonzalez said his Cubs debut went better than he expected. pic.twitter.com/5SSxGGYl5A   Madeline Kenney (@madkenney) June 4, 2019 "Right now, the Christmas gift is gonna be Pedro Strop very soon. The moment we get Stroppy back, that lengthens the whole bullpen again. "Just let it play out, man. I don't worry about stuff like that. I like the group that we have when Pedro comes back   [Steve] Cishek fills a different role, they all become different in a good way. You just can become thicker in the bullpen. Once Pedro's arrived, I think you'll see a difference with that. And then regarding any free agents or whatever, that's not up to me   it's up to the front office."   Joe Maddon Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): The Cubs have a weird June schedule . "In total, the Cubs have just three days off from May 3 through July 4, a stretch of 63 days." Russell Dorsey (MLB.com*): Cubs surge behind Jon Lester 's splendid 7 in win. Lester picked up his first victory since May 12 vs. the Brewers . Jon Tayler (Sports Illustrated*): Ranking the best fits for Craig Kimbrel . "In all likelihood, these are his last days as an unwanted man." Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): What signing Craig Kimbrel would mean for the 2019 Cubs . "Kimbrel isn't any sort of savior... but if the money's right ... signing the closer would be a no-brainer upgrade for a team with World Series aspirations." Brett Taylor pitches in . And further in . Sahadev Sharma closes the deal . Madeleine Kenney (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Tommy La Stella part of larger story with his 12 HRs this season . "La Stella's surge in home runs this season shines light on a larger phenomenon in Major League Baseball." Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): ' How about that new guy ?' Carlos Gonzalez makes impression as Cubs beat Angels . ''It's a new chapter in my career,'' he said. "... I'm positive that there's a lot of baseball ahead of me.'' Cam Ellis sends one up the middle . Russell Dorsey moves the runners over . Cubs birthdays: Orlie Weaver , Lee Magee , Arnold Earley , Rick Wilkins , Scott Servais , Chang-Yong Lim . Food for thought: The temperature matches Stephen Hawking's prediction. https://t.co/lqWoOGxJfo   Science News (@ScienceNews) June 3, 2019 Megapixels: The ancient rock offers a glimpse of how this freshwater species behaved in unison. https://t.co/TCBxAX9psh   Popular Science (@PopSci) June 4, 2019 Crescent Earth as seen from ESA's Rosetta satellite, 75 000 km away on November 2007. ☄ The image was taken a little before Rosetta used Earth's gravity to sling shot into its 10 year journey to Comet 67P. : ESA/MPS/OSIRIS/UPD/LAM/IAA/RSSD/INTA/ UPM/DASP/IDA pic.twitter.com/RlnvkxiVFo   ScienceAlert (@ScienceAlert) June 2, 2019


Roku shares were surging Thursday morning, up more than 22% to $79.55 apiece, after the company reported better-than-expected first-quarter results and raised its guidance. The video-streaming service lost $0.09 a share as net revenue surged 51% versus a year ago to $206.7 million. Those numbers were better than the $0.24 loss and $189.9 million that analysts surveyed by Bloomberg were expecting. Roku said the number of active accounts increased by 2 million during the quarter to 29.1 million, and that streaming hours jumped by 1.6 billion to 8.9 billion. Average revenue per user spiked 27% year-over-year to $19.06 on a trailing 12-month basis. "Roku continues to execute well in a rapidly evolving marketplace that offers new opportunities to fuel our growth," the company said in its shareholder letter . "As leading content companies continue to shift their focus to streaming, Roku's purpose-built TV streaming OS is uniquely positioned to help them build, engage, retain and monetize OTT audiences. Our large and rapidly growing audience, rich proprietary data and powerful OS allow us to deliver more effective, targeted and measurable viewing and advertising along with unduplicated incremental reach." Looking ahead, Roku sees revenue climbing 42% YoY in Q2 - to almost $223 million at the midpoint. Wall Street analysts surveyed by Bloomberg were hoping for $218.5 milion. The company also raised its full-year 2019 gross profit outlook to $470 million, up from $453 million. Wednesday's results sparked a wave of positive commentary from analysts on Wall Street. "ROKU has surged 112% YTD, but we still see more upside," RBC analyst Mark Mahaney said in a note, while raising his price target from $70 to $90 a share. "Long term, we view ROKU as one of the best plays on ad-supported OTT. Roku is attacking a very large $70B TV Ad spend opportunity and as this spend migrates to over-the-top, we believe Roku can sustain robust growth in both Active Accounts and Total Hours Streamed, while improving monetization to drive material ARPU and, of course, Revenue growth. Near-term, 2019 and 2020 should be the years of new OTT launches (Disney, Apple, AT&T, etc…), and ROKU should be very well positioned against these launches. Both Disney and Apple have called out ROKU as a launch partner."


Manchester United have had a €110m bid for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly rejected by the Serie A side, with I Partenopei reiterating that the centre back is not for sale. United have been enamoured with Koulibaly for some time, and are widely understood to have submitted a €100m bid for the Senegalese international last summer, which was also rejected. And, according to reports in La Gazzetta dello Sport , as relayed by Football Italia , the Red Devils have gone back in for the Napoli man once more this summer, with the same result. It is understood that, just like his predecessor Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sees Koulibaly as the best possible rearguard reinforcement the Red Devils could make this summer. However, the Italian side's club president Aurelio de Laurentiis, having admitted to rejecting the €100m bid from an unnamed Premier League team understood to be United last summer, is once again having none of it. He considers the €110m figure (which roughly translates to £96.4m) far too low for his star centre half, and looks set to force Solskjaer and co to wait a further year until the summer of 2020, whereby the defender's release clause of €150m will become active.  A standout performer in an incredible team... Where will Hakim Ziyech be playing next season? https://t.co/lRB4GuM9M8   90min (@90min_Football) May 21, 2019 Koulibaly was recently named the Serie A Defensive Player of the Year for the 2018/19 season, after helping his side to 13 league clean sheets in 37 games. One man whose release clause United might have more immediate success with is Thomas Partey, with the Atletico Madrid midfielder, as per Football Ghana , apparently available for £43.5m this summer and the English club more than willing to pay for it.


Skylar Nobles' mother and sisters were killed inside a Bexar County home three months ago . For the first time, Nobles is sharing his story about his mom Nichol Olsen, and his sisters, 16-year-old Alexa Montez and 10-year-old London Bribiescas. "It honestly has been really hard," he said. "I wake up every day thinking I am going to see them. And I am still not able to." Nobles still doesn't have all the answers about how they died. "I just really want to know what happened that night," he said. His family was found shot to death inside an Anaqua Springs home. Olsen's boyfriend at the time found them. "It is honestly just devastating," he said. "I just want some more closure. All I need is some closure." The medical examiner ruled his mother's death a suicide and his two sisters' deaths homicides. The 22-year-old has not spoken publicly about the case until now. "I feel like it was my time," he said. "I feel like I need to put out my statement, what I have been feeling what I have been going through. It is tough. But I have to keep going and do it for them." What has helped Olsen's son move forward is the support of family and friends. Close friend and music artist Jr.K just released a song titled 'Finally Home.' He also recorded a music video as a tribute to the three. Here is a link to download the song. "I love it," Nobles said. "I listen to it three or four times a day. It touches my heart every single time I hear it." A portion of the proceeds from the song will go to the family. The words 'Finally Home' really speak to Nobles. "It just makes me know that they are in a better place," he said. "Home is heaven to me, and that is where they are." While, the medical examiner ruled the deaths murder-suicide, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said his team is still investigating. Nobles has this message to law enforcement. "Just keep searching," he said. "Please!" According to deputies, Olsen's boyfriend Charlie Wheeler is still a person of interest. The FBI is still helping out investigators. Salazar said its findings will be independent from the medical examiner's. PREVIOUSLY IN THIS STORY: BCSO report details how Anaqua Springs victims were found by deputies Funeral arrangements made for three Anaqua Springs victims FBI to assist in Anaqua Springs triple-shooting case Boyfriend of teen shooting victim, Alexa Montez, shares heart-wrenching tribute video BCSO looking for clues in murder investigation inside gated community


Federal officials have given Maryland the green light on REAL ID requirements. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has given the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration its stamp of approval for its compliance with federal REAL ID requirements. The agency on Wednesday recertified MDOT MVA's REAL ID process, making Maryland the first state to achieve that designation. The recertification affirms that Maryland has all documentation and security procedures in place that are required to make the state's REAL ID driver's licenses and identification cards compliant with federal law. In 2011, Maryland became one of the first states in the nation to have its REAL ID process certified. The REAL ID Act requires all states to recertify periodically, on a timetable determined by DHS. "With about 14 months to go until the October 1, 2020, deadline for REAL ID, more than half of Marylanders are REAL ID compliant," MDOT MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer said. "I want to thank our customers for taking the time to collect their documents and come to our branches. With this recertification, Marylanders can feel confident their REAL ID driver's license or identification card is one of the most secure in the country." RELATED: Could your Maryland driver's license be recalled? The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and creates standards for secure driver's licenses and identification cards nationwide. By the October 2020 deadline, all Marylanders must have documents on file and be REAL ID compliant to use a state-issued driver's license or identification card to board an airplane or enter federal government facilities. Documents required include: a birth certificate or passport, proof of social security and two documents proving Maryland residence. RELATED: VERIFY: Yes, if your Maryland license is recalled, your current driver's license card is invalid "This recertification acknowledges all the hard work our MDOT MVA team has done to make it easier for customers to comply with REAL ID," said Administrator Nizer. MDOT MVA launched a secure online REAL ID Look Up tool, at realid.mva.maryland.gov, that allows customers to determine if they are REAL ID compliant or if action is needed. Customers can also access the Online Document Guide and make an appointment. RELATED: 43,000 Maryland drivers have until July 3 to show documents for Real ID RELATED: How to customize the stories and alerts you get from WUSA9 Download the brand new WUSA9 app here . Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter : Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.


Houston is predicted to turn hot over the next few days, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . The weather today will bring a high temperature of 93 degrees, with 95 expected on Tuesday. The immediate forecast also includes a chance of rain. The greatest chance of rain is forecast today at 60 percent. Skies will be partly cloudy starting on Tuesday. Winds will stay fairly calm over the course of the week, with the highest speeds on Friday at only 11 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.


MIAMI (AP)   Two additional deputies have been fired as a result of an internal affairs investigation into the agency's response to the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that killed 17 people, the Broward County sheriff said Wednesday. At a brief news conference, Sheriff Gregory Tony said deputies Edward Eason and Josh Stambaugh were fired Tuesday for their inaction following the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting. "In essence, it was neglect of duty. We lost 17 people," Tony said. A state investigative commission found that Stambaugh was working an off-duty shift at a nearby school when he responded to reports of shots fired at the school. He got out of his truck, put on his bulletproof vest and took cover for about five minutes after hearing the shots, according to body camera footage. He then drove to a nearby highway instead of going toward the school. Eason ran the other way as gunfire continued, then spent time putting on his bulletproof vest and body camera while the carnage continued, investigators said. Eason was also faulted for not writing an official report after receiving a tip in February 2016 that the shooting suspect, Nikolas Cruz, was making threats on social media to shoot up a school. Tips to the FBI about Cruz also were not followed up, a separate investigation has found. Two other deputies were fired earlier this month for neglect of duty. One of those was school resource officer Scot Peterson, who was also arrested on charges of child neglect, culpable negligence and perjury. Peterson's lawyer has said he will fight the charges. The sheriff said no action was taken on three other deputies who were involved in the investigation. Scott Israel, the sheriff at the time, was removed from office by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for similar reasons. He is appealing that decision before the state Senate. Cruz, 20, faces the death penalty if convicted in the shootings. His lawyers have said he will plead guilty in return for a life prison sentence but prosecutors have rejected that offer.


WASHINGTON (AP) The Washington Nationals survived a dramatic ninth inning to secure their first series win in a month. Gerardo Parra hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the fifth and Sean Doolittle stopped the New York Mets' late rally by striking out Keon Broxton with the bases loaded for the final out of the Nationals' 7-6 win Thursday. ''You want the ball in his hand,'' Washington manager Dave Martinez said of Doolittle. ''He goes out there, it's his to win or lose. He knows that. He battled through it and got a big out for us.'' Brandon Nimmo walked leading off, pinch-hitter Todd Frazier doubled, and pinch-hitter Wilson Ramos and Juan Lagares hit run-scoring singles with one out. Dominic Smith hit an infield popup and Robinson Cano reached on an infield hit that loaded the bases. Broxton swung through a 2-2 fastball, dropping his average to .143. ''It worked out as well as it could for those guys to come off the bench and get hits and keep us going like that and give us a chance with two outs bases loaded down one,'' Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. Doolittle got his seventh save in eight chances. ''They weren't really hitting balls hard, just kind of finding some holes,'' catcher Kurt Suzuki said. ''He's going to come right at you, guys know it. One of those days where he gave up some runs, which is unusual, but we found a way to win.'' Michael Conforto hit a tying, three-run homer off Erick Fedde in the third inning but left with a concussion in the fifth after colliding with second baseman Cano's shoulder while chasing Howie Kendrick's popup down the right-field line. Rather than fly with the Mets to Miami, Conforto planned to take a train back to New York. ''I called it right away. He called it really late,'' Cano said. ''It could have been something worse. Hopefully, he's good tomorrow.'' Mets left fielder Jeff McNeil left in the third because of abdominal tightness. Washington won two of three against the Mets for its first series win since April 16-18 against San Francisco. The Nationals, just 18-25, lost six straight series before splitting four games with the Los Angeles Dodgers last weekend. New York dropped to 20-22 and is 0-5 in the finales of three-game series after splitting the first two games. Mets starter Zack Wheeler (3-3) allowed six runs and a career-high 11 hits in six innings, raising his ERA to 4.85. Washington had five hits and two walks - one intentional - in a four-run first that included RBI doubles by Parra and Suzuki. Parra was a triple short of the cycle and his home run put Washington ahead 6-4. Suzuki added an RBI single in the seventh off Robert Gsellman that drove in Parra, who had walked against Daniel Zamora and stolen second. Dan Jennings (1-2) struck out two in a perfect fifth to win in relief of Anibal Sanchez, who left after 1 1/3 innings because of a strained left hamstring and will be placed on the injured list. Conforto homered off Erick Fedde. Wheeler had not allowed a home run in his previous 32 1/3 innings. PARRA POWER In five games since joining the Nationals on May 9, Parra is batting .294 (5 for 17) with two doubles, two home runs, seven RBIs and four runs. TRAINER'S ROOM Mets: LHP Jason Vargas (left hamstring tightness) is to make an injury rehabilitation start on Sunday for Double-A Binghamton. ... LHP Steven Matz (forearm irritation) said he felt good after a 45-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday and is ready to return. Nationals: SS Trea Turner, out since April 3 with a broken right index finger, worked out at Nationals Park after playing all nine innings of rehab games Tuesday and Wednesday at Class A Potomac. He could be activated as early as Friday UP NEXT Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (3-4, 3.26) starts the opener of a three-game series at Miami. He is 6-6 with a 3.24 ERA in 18 starts versus the Marlins. Nationals: RHP Max Scherzer (2-4, 3.64) opens a three-game series against the visiting Chicago Cubs. He has struck out 11 in three of his last four starts against the Cubs. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


PARIS   After a tantrum in Italy last week, Nick Kyrgios withdrew from the French Open on Friday. The reason for the Australian player's withdrawal was not immediately clear. Last week at the Italian Open, the 36th-ranked Kyrgios was defaulted and fined during his second-round match after an outburst of rage. Trailing against Norwegian qualifier Casper Ruud, Kyrgios slammed his racket to the clay and kicked a water bottle. Then he picked up a white chair and flung it onto the court. Kyrgios was fined and lost ATP points but escaped suspension and was expected to play in Paris. His withdrawal came only days after Kyrgios posted a video online in which he said the French Open "sucks" when compared to Wimbledon, where he trained recently. In 2015, Kyrgios insulted Stan Wawrinka with crude remarks during a match in Montreal. He was fined $12,500 and given a suspended 28-day ban. He also attracted criticism for deciding not to play at the Olympics because of a spat with an Australian team official, and for firing back at retired players who have offered advice. Kyrgios was due to start his Roland Garros campaign against Cameron Norrie of Britain in the first round. ___ More AP tennis coverage: https://www.apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


From Madrid - James Milner has insisted Liverpool's performance in the Champions League final has shown just how far they've come as a team under Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0 in Madrid on Saturday night thanks for goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi, but Milner - who came on as a substitute - held his hands up in the mixed zone afterwards and admitted his side didn't play well on the night. The crucial thing for him, however, is that Liverpool have shown they can still win even when they're not at their best. That was the story in Madrid. Reflecting on perhaps the greatest night of his career, the former England international said: "After last year, and getting 97 points in the league and not getting over the line, great heart from the boys. "You know we didn't play well but it was all about getting the result. It shows how much we've come on as a team and the experience of getting to those finals [ones they had lost previously under Jurgen Klopp] and those disappointments that we managed to see the job through. "The first trophy is always the hardest one to win as a group of players and hopefully that'll help us. You can see the improvement over the last few years since the manager's come in, and when we haven't played well this year we've still got the results." Liverpool always seemed to keep Spurs at arm's length but for a few moments in the second half, and Milner pointed out that while man of the match Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson shone on the pitch, the solidity in defence was down to the team as a whole. Champions of Europe 🏆🔴 #6times #hellobigears #enjoytonight #goingoffinliverpooltomorrow pic.twitter.com/ItjqdPiG2E   James Milner (@JamesMilner) June 1, 2019 He added: "Ali [Alisson Becker] has been unbelievable, what a signing he's been. Virgil, and obviously the whole back four. I'm sure they'll be the first to say though that they couldn't defend as well as they could without the boys in front as well. "It's down to the full squad of players but also the manager and the coaching staff as well, in drilling us, defending how we do and it goes back to games when we had players missing - Barcelona, we had two key players missing and still put in that performance and the way we did."