It should go without saying but we'll say it anyway: Losing point guard Dejounte Murray to a season-ending knee injury in their third preseason game last year dealt the Spurs a blow that pretty much relegated them to the second tier of the Western Conference. Already a team in transition after losing All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili last summer, the Silver and Black struggled without Murray, their top playmaker and best perimeter defender. Despite starting the season with eight new faces on their roster, the Spurs made the playoffs for an NBA-record-tying 22nd consecutive year. San Antonio, which finished 48-34 and advanced to the postseason as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, took No. 2 Denver to seven games before falling in the first round for the second straight year. With Murray well on his way to being ready for the start of training camp in late September, the Spurs will become a much better team the moment he steps back on the court. Long and athletic, Murray has the skill set to develop into one of the top point guards in the league with time. Besides being a dynamic playmaker on offense, Murray was San Antonio's best perimeter defender before he went down a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last October. Murray, who was the Spurs' first-round draft pick in 2016 and is only 22, replaced Parker as the team's starting point guard in January 2018 and went on to become the youngest player in league history to earn a spot on the NBA All-Defensive team. "Everybody forgets that, I think," Popovich said. "That's where the defense begins and ends, with him at point guard or two guard, wherever he ends up playing. I'm sure he'll do both." Murray and Derrick White, who started most of the season at point guard, will give San Antonio one of the best defensive tandems in the league next season. With White likely sliding to the second guard spot, his natural position, he and Murray will spend a lot of time on the court together during games. Understandably, Murray is eager to make up for lost time. Talking with the local media Wednesday for the first time since sustaining his injury last October, Murray spoke about how tough it was to watch games from the bench . "I was around my teammates every day," he said. "There were times the media didn't see me on the bench for certain games, but I never missed a practice or a film session this year. It was good because I've seen this thing started off slow, and I've seen dudes frustrated. "You know, people trying to figure this thing out. But one thing about Gregg Popovich, he finds out your strengths and weaknesses and he puts you in position to be successful. I think that's what he did, and we started figuring each other out and it just showed." Murray said he was frustrated with every game he missed, regardless of who the Spurs were playing. "We started off slow, but I know it's a process," he said. "You know, it was a new team. End of an era, Hall of Famers and it was everything, the trade, everything, so we all knew it wasn't going to be all cookies and cream to start off. But, you know, every single game (he felt frustration) because I love basketball." The Spurs lost a big chunk of their team when Leonard and Green were traded to Toronto, Parker signed with Charlotte and Ginobili retired. Murray had good things to say about White and Bryn Forbes, two of the youngest players on the Spurs' 2018-19 roster. Forbes made the team as an undrafted free agent in 2016, and White was the franchise's first-round draft pick in 2017. One of two San Antonio players to start all but one game this past season, Forbes averaged 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 28 minutes in 82 regular-season games. Aldridge was the only other San Antonio player who missed only one start, but Forbes was the only Spur who played in all 82 games. Forbes also led the team in three-point field goals made (176). "I'm more happy for Derrick, happy for Bryn," Murray said. "I already knew that, though. We put in work. We go in every day. Every young guy that comes through here, it's called daily vitamins. We put in the work." There had been speculation before Thursday's NBA Draft that the Spurs would package their two first-round draft picks to make a trade for a veteran forward. But they stood pat and took Croatian power forward Luka Samanic with the No. 19 pick and Kentucky guard/wing Keldon Johnson with the No. 29 selection . They also drafted Mississippi State guard Quinndary Weatherspoon in the second round, taking him with the 49th overall pick. It's doubtful that any of those players will be able to contribute much next season. So, the Spurs will return the core of their 2018-19 team and bring Murray back into the mix. Free agency starts at 5 p.m. June 30, but deals can't officially be signed until noon on July 6. Deep in the backcourt but lean up front, the Spurs are in the market for a forward who can rebound, shoot the three-pointer and help shore up the team's defense, which was spotty throughout the 2018-19 season. San Antonio's depth and talent at the forward position took a precipitous dip after it traded Leonard last July. Stay tuned. MORE SPURS NEWS: The NBA offseason starts with a bang - The Big Fundamental Podcast Spurs have tough decisions to make entering NBA offseason Forbes says 'sky's the limit' for next season's Spurs team


Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Jonathan Fanene has been charged with eight felonies and five misdemeanors in the district court of American Samoa. Fili Sagapolutele of the Associated Press reported on the filed court documents: Fanene has been charged in the district court of American Samoa with eight felonies, including kidnapping and assault, and five misdemeanors. He has been released on $100,000 bail and will appear in court next week. Fanene allegedly assaulted his wife and sister with a golf club and broom handle and has lost his job as the director of the American Samoa Department of Youth and Women's Affairs. Court documents indicate allegations of abuse dating back to 2009, including the use of a revolver. Fanene was a seventh-round pick by the Bengals in 2005 and played there through 2011. MORE: Giants' Daniel Jones quickly destroying critical narratives Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade Roundup: National Donut Day; Netherlands Defeats England in UEFA Semis; Flooding in Oklahoma City 3 takeaways from Raiders' OTAs More targets could give Packers WR Davante Adams a chance at historic season Related slideshow: 2019 NFL draft: The top picks (Provided by imagn)


The Falcons will be making a change in their front office this season. Assistant General Manager Scott Pioli is stepping down from the position. In a statement released via the team, Pioli said that he expected to be working with General Manager Thomas Dimitroff for two or three years and is looking for "other potential opportunities" after five years in the organization. "After careful consideration and ongoing dialogue with Thomas over the past year I have decided to step away from my position as the assistant general manager of the Atlanta Falcons to pursue other potential opportunities," Pioli said. "I want to thank both [Falcons owner] Arthur [Blank] and Thomas for bringing my family and I here in 2014." Pioli was the General Manager of the Chiefs from 2009 until he was fired in January 2013. He joined the Falcons the next year. He spent nine years with the Patriots and four years with the Jets before heading to Kansas City.


Dutch LMP2 outfit Racing Team Nederland will switch from Dallara to Oreca for the 2019/20 FIA World Endurance Championship season. For its second WEC campaign, RTN has decided to swap its Dallara P217 chassis for the Oreca 07, and has also forged a technical partnership with French Oreca specialists TDS Racing. Since the introduction of the 2017 LMP2 regulations, Oreca chassis have dominated the WEC and Le Mans 24 Hours, prompting all but two full-time entrants in the current 2018/19 superseason to use the French chassis. "We have been racing with the Dallara since our debut in 2017, first in ELMS and then in WEC," said RTN owner-driver Frits van Eerd. "The Dayvtec crew has been working night and day for two years to improve the car. I am super-grateful, because they gave it their all and we finished 14 races out of 14 [since the start of the 2017 European Le Mans Series season]. "However, the Oreca has proved to be the dominant LMP2 car. That's why we will compete in the 2019/20 world championship with an Oreca. "That means we also needed to choose a new technical team that has experience with that car. With TDS we have linked up with one of the best Oreca teams. "First we are fully focusing on the coming Le Mans 24 Hours. We want to achieve the maximum results and end our partnership with Dallara and Dayvtec on a high." In the past TDS has run cars in the ELMS under the 'Thiriet by TDS Racing' banner, and since 2017 it has also run G-Drive Racing's LMP2 entry alongside its own. RTN's driver line-up for the WEC will remain unchanged in 2019/20, with Van Eerd being joined by ex-Formula 1 racer Giedo van der Garde and F2 frontrunner Nyck De Vries. At Le Mans, the Dutch outfit is giving the Dallara a send-off with a black-and-yellow livery instead of its usual all-yellow paint scheme (pictured top). The livery is a tribute to the legendary Minardi F1 team, the favourite team of van Eerd. Christian Fittipaldi, Minardi M192 Lamborghini Photo by: Sutton Images


Browns offensive tackle Greg Robinson was a major disappointment as the second overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. But he's still just 26 years old and trying to turn himself into a productive NFL player, and he says another high pick is helping him get there. Robinson says lining up every day against Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett , the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft, is making him better. "Honestly, I could not ask for a better situation [facing Garrett]. I feel like it is only going to prepare me for real game, live situations," Robinson said, via Cleveland.com. "I do not feel like I will get that work anywhere else." Robinson was moved into the starting lineup halfway through last year, after head coach Hue Jackson was fired and Freddie Kitchens took over the offense. Kitchens, now the head coach, appears to believe in Robinson. And if Robinson can have success in practice against Garrett, it will be easy for the coaching staff to have faith in him.


NITEROI, Brazil   Paul Fernando Schreiner paces around a sparsely furnished room, swatting mosquitoes from his arms and neck as he wonders if today will be any different from all the others. The heavy, dense air of this city across the bay from Rio de Janeiro feels insufferable, nothing like the dry heat of Phoenix, where the 36-year-old had been living when he was deported by the U.S. last year. Conversations are rare for Schreiner as he speaks no Portuguese and few people here speak anything but Portuguese. But language is only one issue: The food and even the sports Brazilians follow   Schreiner likes American football more than soccer   don't feel right. Inside his head, every day is a fight against boredom, loneliness and desperation. "I am anything but Brazilian," said Schreiner, who was adopted from Brazil by a U.S. family three decades ago. "I am an American." The U.S. government disagrees, underscoring the increasingly hard line the Trump administration is taking with legal residents deemed deportable. U.S. immigration authorities went to such lengths to remove Schreiner that they may have broken Brazilian law and have made it virtually impossible for him to exercise his supposed Brazilian citizenship. "He shouldn't have to suffer a second time," his mother, Rosanna Schreiner, said through tears from her home outside Seward, Nebraska. Schreiner was never naturalized a U.S. citizen but lived as an American for 30 years. He was legally adopted at age 5, had a Nebraska birth certificate, a Social Security number and paid taxes. U.S. adoption groups estimate that between 35,000 and 75,000 adoptees in the United States could be in such a situation today, many incorrectly believing they are already citizens. The Child Citizenship Act of 2000, signed by President Bill Clinton, aimed at streamlining the process by making citizenship automatic for children adopted from overseas. But there was an exception: For children already in America, only those under 18 when the law went into effect qualified. Six weeks too old, the law didn't apply to Schreiner. Applying for citizenship based on eligibility as a green-card holder was also out: When he was 21, Schreiner was convicted of statutory rape for having sex with a 14-year-old. After spending nearly eight years in prison in Nebraska, Schreiner got his life together. He moved to Arizona and started pool-cleaning and carpenter businesses. "He was working, getting acclimated to life after prison," said Jason Young, a pastor at Heritage Baptist Church in a Phoenix suburb, with whom Schreiner developed a close relationship. IMMIGRANT DETENTION Then at 5 a.m. on Oct. 23, 2017, agents surrounded Schreiner's truck as he left for work. Schreiner wasn't totally surprised. Soon after his legal troubles began, in 2004 he had been notified there was a deportation order against him. But that didn't always lead to removal during the administrations of Presidents George Bush and Barack Obama. Schreiner also had the backing of Brazil. "The official position of the Brazilian Government   stated in the Brazilian Law of the Child and Adolescent   is that adoption is an irrevocable act, which confers to the adopted child the same rights as those living with his or her biological parents," Alexandre Addor Neto, Brazil's then-consul general in Chicago, wrote to Homeland Security in 2004 in response to a U.S. request that Brazil issue travel documents for Schreiner's deportation. In 2017, Brazilian authorities again denied the U.S. government's request for documents to deport him. 'WANTED FELON' Nevertheless, on June 12, 2018, Schreiner was awakened in detention and told he was being deported. "Brazil is a corrupt government and will let you in," Schreiner said an agent told him about the fact that he didn't have a passport. In a statement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said only that Schreiner had been deported and declined to comment further. In handcuffs and accompanied by two agents, Schreiner said he was flown on a commercial flight from Phoenix to New York, where American Airlines officials didn't want to let him on the flight to Rio de Janeiro. The only documentation ICE agents had for Schreiner was a "certificate of nationality" issued by the Brazilian Consulate in Los Angeles that gave only one name, "Fernando," and the arbitrary birth date Schreiner was given upon adoption. "'He is a wanted felon in Brazil,'" Schreiner said the agents told airline officials, who relented and let him on the flight. Once in Rio de Janeiro, there were more questions. For several hours, Schreiner said U.S. agents and Brazilian federal police argued about whether to let him in. After a series of phone calls and heated conversations, Schreiner was brought to the front of the airport. He was uncuffed and the agents left. The federal police did not respond to multiple requests from The Associated Press seeking comment. In a statement, Brazil's foreign ministry said only that the Los Angeles consulate was "instructed to formally confirm, before U.S. authorities, the Brazilian nationality of Mr. Schreiner, who had a final deportation order against him." UNCERTAIN FUTURE Nearly a year since being deported, Schreiner remains in limbo. He has been unable to get a Brazilian birth certificate, an identification card or a tax ID number needed to work. Coming into the country through the backdoor with a certificate of citizenship referring to him only as "Fernando" has been one obstacle with civil registry officials. Another is that there is no original record of his birth, a common situation of adoptees and other poor people in Brazil. Schreiner says his best hope, if he can ever get a Brazilian passport, is to try to immigrate to Canada, where he speaks the language and would be closer to family. "Deportation is for illegal immigrants," Schreiner said. "I didn't request to come to the U.S., and I didn't cross a border." ____ AP Photographer Nati Harnik contributed to this report from Seward, Nebraska. ____ Follow Peter Prengaman: twitter.com/peterprengaman


No one denies that the NBA's allure is intoxicating. No one faults a college basketball star for being tempted by it, no matter how many cautionary tales exist about players who weren't quite ready for the big leagues. Yogi Ferrell thought about declaring for the draft. The Indiana point guard heard he had a shot to make his dream come true by playing in the NBA. "Early on, I was leaning toward leaving and declaring," Ferrell says. "But as time went on, talking to my family, talking to the coaches and just seeing where I wanted to be as a person, and for the development of my game, I felt like it was the best option for me to stay." He looked at what he had accomplished at Indiana   and what he hadn't. He looked at his teammates and the amount of talent that would be coming back for the Hoosiers this season. He looked in the metaphorical mirror. "I wanted to leave a legacy, being a guy who graduated from college and stayed all four years, one of the top players in the country," he says. Indiana coach Tom Crean says Ferrell handled his decision with class and thoughtfulness. "Certainly, he would have liked to been a guy who knew his future was set this last year, but at the same time was realistic and mature enough to know that it wasn't, that there was more risk than potential reward," Crean says. "When you look at the potential of what he can do as far as leaving a legacy as somebody that was a huge winner (at Indiana). "I think that's a big pride point for him, to be absolutely known for a lot more than games, statistics, three-point shooting, but to be really known for winning and to have his name and his team be recognized as being a great winner in the end. I think that drives him, too." Indiana's roller-coaster 2014-15 season resulted in a Round of 64 exit in the NCAA tournament, a loss to No. 7 seed Wichita State. The Hoosiers finished the season 20-14, an improvement from 17-15 (and no postseason) the year before. Still, the fan base has grown restless since Indiana's Sweet 16 run in 2013 (during Ferrell's freshman year). The last two years have featured frustrating losses and off-the-court incidents. This season, though, expectations are high, as the Hoosiers bring back more talent than anyone else in the Big Ten. They could enter the season ranked in the top 15, thanks to their offense, led by guards Ferrell, James Blackmon Jr. and Robert Johnson and forward Troy Williams. Freshman center Thomas Bryant, a top-10 recruit, should provide a big boost to the frontcourt, particularly on the glass and defensively. But the key will be Ferrell, the 6-0 guard who averaged 16.3 points and 4.9 assists a game last season. He'll be relied upon to run the team and be one of its leaders. "He's really taken ownership of his own actions and his skills, but more importantly he's been able to lead us," teammate and close friend Nick Zeisloft says. "At the gym every day, he gets every guy on the same page on this team. "That's just what sets Yogi apart. He's talented, but it's not just his skill and talent that he really uses all the time. It's his leadership skills. It's his ability to affect the team in a positive way." Beyond improving as a leader, Ferrell hopes to take the lessons learned from his decision to forgo the draft and apply them when he puts in his name next spring. He can't make himself any taller, but he can try to make himself a small scoring guard at the next level. "The feedback I got was to mix up my game," Ferrell says. "Basically, showing them that I could switch guys up really up really well for them to be able to shoot their best shot. With that, it's knowing where everybody's got to be, just going out there and trying to make my teammates better, and when the opportunity comes for me to knock down a shot, I have to be able to do that." Crean says the feedback from NBA folks will help Ferrell work on becoming a more complete point guard. Less dribbling. More attacking. Quicker passing. Even better shooting. Lockdown, full-court defense. "Really showing point guard skills and at the same time being able to mix up the many different ways he can score," Crean says, "he's attacked that."


Twenty-two years have passed since the Port of San Francisco released its last land use plan, a period that saw large portions of the waterfront revived . But stubborn challenges remain. Where the vision a generation ago was how to bring a moribund but sumptuous shoreline to life, the task ahead includes responding to high public expectations and the likelihood of sea level rise. Because of this, the new waterfront plan takes a more holistic approach   even going so far as to drop the phrase "land use" from its title. "We're expressing multiple goals for a vibrant and accessible urban waterfront," said Elaine Forbes, the port's executive director. "It goes above and beyond 'land use.'" The 222-page plan released Wednesday takes in 7.5 miles of port-owned property that extends from Fisherman's Wharf to Heron's Head Park in the Bayview. Along the way are such popular destinations as the Ferry Building and the Giants' ballpark along the Embarcadero, but also the dormant ship repair dry dock at Pier 70 and a large recycling plant at Pier 96. Among the specific recommendations: • The paved area behind the Ferry Building, which sits largely empty except for the Saturday farmers' market, should be converted into "a true piazza ... that welcomes residents and visitors from around the world." Funding would need to come from private sources or a future park bond. • The quest to restore historic pier buildings along the Embarcadero should include leases of as little as 11 years. This would allow developers to invest in improvements but not require a full structural renovation, as is the expectation with the current 66-year leases. • Piers 30-32, the vast but dilapidated 13-acre platform where the Golden State Warriors first sought to build their arena, should be offered to private developers. The goal is to attract enough investment to bring the space back to life while also maintaining it as a deepwater berth. • The port will continue to seek a ship repair firm to reopen the facilities at Pier 70, which provided high-paying jobs for as many as 800 workers at a time until it closed abruptly in 2017. But the plan also concedes that the port may "broaden its marketing efforts to consider other maritime uses," given the shipping industry's trend toward ever-larger dry docks. "We want to be realistic about what's out there in the market," Forbes said, though she stressed that this portion of the waterfront would remain an industrial zone. The plan accentuates the positive, such as the boast in the introduction that "more than ever, San Francisco is united with its waterfront." But it is rooted in debates that have welled up since the state transferred the port to the city in 1968. The 1997 plan was required by a 1990 voter initiative that also banned hotels from being built on piers. The update, similarly, follows neighborhood resistance to a condominium complex on the inland side of the Embarcadero that was approved by the Port Commission and the Board of Supervisors, but defeated in 2013 at the ballot box. There's a hint of the past strife in that one of the nine official goals of the new plan is "Partnering for Success." That goal includes an acknowledgment that "it is essential that all members of the community are regularly represented at the planning table and have a voice." The bulky plan follows three years of meetings with a 34-member working group that included several longtime port critics. Last year, the group endorsed 161 recommendations that are reflected in the plan. To Forbes, the message heard by port staff is that people want to see activities in which they can take part. "The attitude is 'give us more,'" Forbes suggested. "Give us more amenities, more destinations like the Ferry Building and the Exploratorium." That said, the costs involved in adding shoreline parks or restoring historic piers is daunting. The Exploratorium, for instance, moved to Pier 15 in 2013. It now attracts more than 800,000 visitors annually   but the cost of the move was $200 million. That's a particularly expensive project, given the needs of a science museum. But any large restoration effort triggers seismic upgrades, as well as structural standards far more exacting than when the piers were constructed in the early 20th century. This is one reason for allowing shorter-term leases at piers now used for little except parking or storage. It also acknowledges the reality that the port and city need to rebuild much of the seawall along the Embarcadero in the coming decades. That century-old structure is near the end of its life, and portions might need to be raised because of projections that the bay's average tidal levels could climb several feet by 2100 . "Finding a way to allow interim uses is a big part of the plan," Forbes said. "We may not be able to fully rehabilitate every historic piece, but this is a way to bring in activities," such as cafes or commercial spaces along the Embarcadero. The updated plan also seeks, discreetly, to tweak aspects of the original plan that, though implemented, haven't lived up to expectations. One goal in 1997 was to add green spaces along the bay   the result of which can be seen at the end of Bryant Street in South Beach or alongside the cruise terminal at Pier 27 that opened in 2014. But "many of the port waterfront parks are underused," according to the new plan. Meanwhile, "there is growing public desire for a broader offering of recreational uses, events, and activities in port parks." This can be as simple as scheduling more events within existing spaces, suggested one planner at the port. "Major parks and open spaces every five to 10 minutes (walk) have been created," said Kari Kilstrom, project manager for the updated plan. "It becomes a matter of enhancing what's there." The port will seek public comments on the new plan this summer, followed by an environmental impact study. Also, the state's Bay Conservation and Development Commission must review the proposed changes. The target date to put a new plan in place is early in 2021. John King is The San Francisco Chronicle's urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron


You couldn't have been more thrilled when he popped the question and you squealed, "yes!" But in the days, weeks, or months that followed, perhaps another thought has crept into your mind: Am I making the right decision? While you may feel like you're the only engaged woman who has freaked out over forever, the truth is many brides have second thoughts before they say "I do." Here, three women reveal when those worries crept in and how they go over them. "I wasn't worried until a married friend had a few too many glasses of wine and told me how unhappy she was in her own marriage," says one woman. "It took me by complete surprise because she had seemed so happy. And I remember thinking, if that wasn't real, what shot do we have? But I had to let go of that fear and just say to myself, 'we're not them. We are actually happy.'" "What gave me pause were the price tags. I mean, it's one thing to think that a wedding will inevitably be expensive and quite another to be surrounded by $10,000 dresses in a bridal salon ," says another. "So for me, it was never second-guessing our commitment or my desire to get married. It was more like, do we really need a wedding? In the end, we really pared things down and did the whole backyard thing. And seeing our final budget made me calm, not panicked." "At first, my fiancé wasn't especially active when it came to wedding planning, and it really got under my skin," says one woman. "I kind of let my mind run wild with it. I thought that if he was this hands-off about our wedding, he'd be a nightmare when it came to buying a house or raising kids. When I finally asked him what was up, he explained he thought I didn't want his opinion. It was a total miscommunication on both our parts, and everything worked out just fine once we expressed what we were thinking."


WASHINGTON   President Donald Trump says that Jerry West, the pro basketball great, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. "The Great Jerry West will be receiving our Nation's highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, for his outstanding career, both on and off the court," according to the Trump Saturday night tweet. West, a member of the basketball Hall of Fame who played guard for the Los Angeles Lakers and played college basketball at West Virginia University. No date was announced for the award for the 81-year-old West, who has also worked as a basketball executive. Trump recently gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to golfing great Tiger Woods and plans to give one later this month to Arthur Laffer, the economist known as a leading proponent of supply-side economics. Related slideshow: The 2019 NBA Finals (Provided by imagn)


CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)   Be careful where you park in Colorado, or you could end up with a new hood ornament. The people inside this SUV had a real interactive wildlife experience on Mount Evans on Wednesday   a mountain goat climbed right onto the hood. Today on Mt. Evans… Caption this: pic.twitter.com/CZnJz4112l   CO Parks & Wildlife (@COParksWildlife) July 3, 2019 The animal hung out there for a few minutes before moving on. Mount Evans is one of the best places in Colorado to see mountain goats   which were first brought to our state in the 1940s. "Thanks to decades of conservation programs, the goats are now thriving and abundant throughout the state," Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials tweeted Wednesday.


Video by CBS News Update: Elizabeth Warren got a warm welcome from South Carolina Democrats as she argued that her campaign for "big ideas" can appeal across the political spectrum. The Massachusetts senator said she can "draw in Democrats and Republicans" who want to "make government work for everyone." California Sen. Kamala Harris took a prosecutor's case straight at President Donald Trump as she campaigned in South Carolina on Saturday. The former local district attorney and state attorney general told thousands at the South Carolina Democratic Party convention on Saturday that Trump has a long "rap sheet" that the Democrats' 2020 nominee must be able to use against him in a general election. She hammered Trump for everything from tax policy benefiting the rich and trade policies hurting farmers to a lack of civil rights protections for marginalized Americans. She never mentioned Democratic front-runner Joe Biden, but her spirited speech seemed to attack the former vice president's argument that he's the Democrat with the best shot to defeat the president. Also, Mayor Pete Buttigieg told South Carolina Democrats that his city will recover from the racial wounds exposed after a South Bend police officer shot and killed a black man last week. Buttigieg told a large crowd, including hundreds of black voters, that South Bend, Indiana, "is full of people who believe in safety and justice." He said an independent investigation of the incident will help the city "become stronger in the broken places." The mayor spoke at the South Carolina Democratic Convention a day after being jeered and protested in his home city. Previous report COLUMBIA, S.C.   Almost the entire sprawling Democratic presidential field of more than 20 candidates took the same stage Friday in the South's first primary state, looking to make connections in a primary battleground that has helped propel the party's last two nominees. Former Vice President Joe Biden reintroduced himself to South Carolina voters at gatherings he's attended many times before. His rivals tried to convince a boisterous throng to consider a new path. "I think I've been in every one of your counties over the years," Biden said at House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn's annual fish fry, a longstanding event that this year has blossomed into a centerpiece ahead of the 2020 election. The 76-year-old Biden touted his friendship with Clyburn and other South Carolina politicians, including former Sen. Fritz Hollings, whom the Democratic front-runner eulogized earlier this year. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, meanwhile, made her usual detailed policy pitch. Sen. Kamala Harris of California, one of two major black candidates, called attention to civil rights heroes in a state where black voters typically make up a majority of Democratic primary electorates. And lesser known candidates tried to capitalize on the spotlight, with the likes of entrepreneur Andrew Yang getting a boisterous welcome despite barely registering in national polls. The fish fry is a highlight of a big political weekend in South Carolina. Candidates also attended the state party's annual fundraising gala Friday evening ahead of the Clyburn party. The state party convention and a Planned Parenthood forum on abortion rights follows Saturday. For South Carolina Democrats, it's the culmination of several decades of work raising the state's profile to compete with the attention afforded to Iowa and New Hampshire, the two states that for decades have led off presidential voting. The itinerary gives candidates a key opportunity to court the black voters who are crucial in South Carolina politics, while also reaching a sometimes underappreciated block of moderate whites. The electorate here reflects those in other Southern states that follow quickly on the nominating calendar, offering candidates a proving ground to test their message. Biden leads most national and early nominating state polls, with notable strength among South Carolina's older black voters and moderate whites that dominate the Democratic primary here. But locals point to this weekend as a way for candidates to help reset the race ahead of the first debates next week in Miami. "People see Vice President Biden as one of us, but most people are wide open," said former state party Chairwoman Carol Fowler, who is uncommitted in the primary. "They just want to be part of the process of defeating Donald Trump." Neither Warren nor Harris   two of Biden's top rivals  mentioned the front-runner, but both drew a contrast in style. "We need big, structural change in this country, in this economy. And big structural change starts with big ideas," Warren said, offering a list of ways she'd spend new revenue from her proposed tax on the wealthiest American fortunes. Harris, one of two top candidates who is black, called attention to the recent fourth anniversary of a white supremacist massacre of nine black men and women at a Charleston, South Carolina, church. And she mentioned generations of civil rights activists who preceded her candidacy. Both groups, she said, were "heroes who fought and died for equality." Most candidates Friday stuck to praising Clyburn, the highest-ranking black member of Congress, and promised to focus on marginalized Americans and the middle class. "If we bring everyone's story into the story of this country, it is only then that we will achieve the great things we want to do," said former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, mentioning that he's already campaigned in economically struggling areas of the state that don't often see presidential candidates. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio touted "a simple message: working people first." Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar emphasized her desire to enact again provisions of the Voting Rights Act struck down by the Supreme Court. The evening also carried a jovial air. Clyburn introduced Cory Booker as "the selfie man of the United States of America," a nod to the New Jersey senator's endless appetite for cell phone pictures with supporters. The famously loquacious Biden joked with Clyburn at the conclusion of his remarks: "I did it in a minute." Some of the lagging candidates encountered the realities of such a large field. When Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet greeted one dinner patron, the man asked politely, "Are you one of the candidates?" Clyburn himself got some details wrong as emcee, mispronouncing names and saying John Hickenlooper, the former governor of Colorado, is from California. Introducing Harris, Clyburn bragged that he pronounces her oft-mangled first name correctly. The scenes were a triumph for longtime South Carolina Democratic players. "This is chaos," beamed Dick Harpootlian, a state senator and former state party chairman as he awaited the fundraising dinner. Standing nearby, Fowler called it "the biggest crowd we've ever had," referring both to donors and candidates. She and her husband, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Don Fowler, were political celebrities in their own right Friday, with well-wishers thanking the couple for helping to secure South Carolina's place as an early nominating state. Clyburn, meanwhile, is enjoying a bump in his already considerable influence. He's the third-ranking Democrat in the House and the most senior black lawmaker on Capitol Hill. His fish fry began in 1992 in a parking deck near the South Carolina Statehouse as a way to thank volunteers who helped him secure his first congressional victory. It was also an alternative for activists who couldn't afford to attend the party fundraiser. On Friday, thousands filled a downtown Columbia plaza. "It's kind of like a family reunion for those of us in South Carolina," said Rep. Russell Ott, a Democrat in the state legislature, "the pep rally before the big game."


ORLANDO, Fla. - Maybe it just needed a deep conditioning. An alligator gave staff and patrons of a Florida hair salon a scare Tuesday when it showed up on the sidewalk outside the strip-mall business. Officers from the Port Richey Police Department arrived and herded the gator to a nearby retention pond. "Nobody, including the gator was injured!" the department posted on its Facebook page. Maria Richards, who has owned Hair Obsessions for 14 years this month, was working alongside two employees that busy afternoon and had no idea about the scaly visitor until she got a phone call from a woman who sounded frantic. "There's an alligator out your door!" the caller said in a panicked voice. Richards and her employees rushed over to the window just in time to see the caller sitting in a red SUV. "I look outside and I see the lady driving away and there's the alligator!" Richards said. The small gator was a few feet away from their door, so they went outside to get a closer look. That's when the creature started making its way toward the salon employees with its mouth open. Richards shouted: "Girls, get inside and lock the door!" On Friday, recalling the incident, the New Jersey native explained: "I'm a little scared. I've never even had a dog; I'm not an animal person." As they waited for police to arrive, they saw the alligator run under cars as people were going right up to it taking photos. The salon borders a heavily wooded area that includes a few ponds. It's just south of Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park on Florida's Gulf Coast. The encounter was Richards' first with Florida's unofficial mascot. "It was tiny, but it looked big in person. Big enough." Visit The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.) at www.OrlandoSentinel.com


NEW YORK   Small business owners' optimism is showing more signs of ebbing. That's one of the findings of a semiannual survey of owners released Monday by Bank of America. Forty-eight percent of the 1,504 owners surveyed predicted that the national economy will improve over the next year, down from 55% in the survey taken last fall. The drop in optimism extends to owners' view of their local economies   51% expect an improvement versus 54% in the previous survey. The latest survey, conducted in February, is in line with surveys taken earlier this year by Capital One, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and MetLife and Wells Fargo that showed small business optimism slipping along with expectations for the economy. The creeping pessimism was also reflected in owners' modestly scaled-back plans to expand. Sixty-seven percent of the owners Bank of America surveyed said they planned to expand their companies in the year ahead, down from 69% in a survey taken a year earlier. And 56% said they planned to expand over the next five years, down from 60% a year earlier. The number of owners who plan to hire increased to 24% from 22% a year earlier. However, the number of owners surveyed by Bank of America who plan to create jobs is smaller than in other surveys. Owners' pessimism may be fueled by concerns about the nation's political environment. It was cited by nearly two-thirds of the owners as one of their top economic concerns, surpassed only by health care costs. Rising interest rates, the stock market's recent volatility and consumer spending were all cited as economic concerns by nearly half the owners. Owners may also be a little less optimistic because the new tax law hasn't given their companies the boost they expected. Twenty-eight percent said the government's new tax policy has been positive for their companies, compared to 45% who had a positive outlook about tax policy a year earlier. Half said tax policy was neutral for their businesses, up from 39% who a year ago forecast a neutral impact, and 21% said tax policy has had a negative impact on their companies, up from last year's 15%. _____ Follow Joyce Rosenberg at www.twitter.com/JoyceMRosenberg . Her work can be found here: https://apnews.com


The remainder of the 2019 racing season for Jeffrey Earnhardt is unclear after the grandson of seven-time NASCAR champion and Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt tweeted this morning that he has "parted ways" with sponsor IK9. IK9 had sponsored Earnhardt in five of his seven Xfinity Series starts this season. Those five races were in the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Earnhardt's other two Xfinity starts were for XCI Racing. IK9 also sponsored Earnhardt's sole Cup start for XCI Racing this season at Talladega. Earnhardt tweeted: " Just wanted to let ya'll know that iK9 and I have parted ways and wanted to thank them for the opportunity to race with @JoeGibbsRacing & @ToyotaRacing. Wish them the best in their future." Just wanted to let ya'll know that iK9 and I have parted ways and wanted to thank them for the opportunity to race with @JoeGibbsRacing & @ToyotaRacing . Wish them the best in their future.   Jeffrey Earnhardt (@JEarnhardt1) August 7, 2019 As recently as Aug. 5, Joe Gibbs Racing tweeted Earnhardt would be competing in this weekend's Xfinity race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He's back this weekend @Mid_Ohio ! @JEarnhardt1 | @iK9_Global | #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/UKp9xAc0gK   Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) August 5, 2019 According to a JGR team statement, " IK9 remains a sponsor with us and will be on the car this weekend as scheduled. He (Earnhardt) is parting ways with IK9 as he indicated in his tweet. We will announce the driver for this weekend for the No. 18 IK9 Supra soon." The son of former racer Kerry Earnhardt and nephew of Dale Earnhardt Jr. , Jeffrey Earnhardt has one top-five (a career-best third at Charlotte) and two other top-10 finishes (sixth at Atlanta, eighth at Texas) in his seven Xfinity starts this season. All three of those finishes were with JGR. "Jeffrey has a great relationship with JGR and Toyota and that has not changed," a Jeffrey Earnhardt Inc. spokesman said in an email to NBC Sports. It's unclear whether Wednesday's news will impact the 30-year-old Earnhardt's tenure with XCI Racing. Earnhardt has 76 career Cup starts, 73 Xfinity starts, 10 Truck Series starts and has also competed on the Pinty's (Canada), K&N East and Whelen Euro series. IK9 issued this tweet Wednesday afternoon: Jeffrey cancelled his contract with us. We've always been supportive of our drivers and sponsor some of the best in the sport.   iK9 (@iK9_Global) August 7, 2019 Perfect example of how @JEarnhardt1 treated our partnership from day one   humbly, respectfully, graciously and appreciative. Wish you nothing but the best Jeffrey. #TeamToyota https://t.co/IXjtahk3tG   David Wilson (@DavidWilsonTRD) August 8, 2019


BRUSSELS (AP)   Just two days into the Tour de France, Geraint Thomas is already putting daylight between himself and some of the riders dreaming of dethroning the reigning champion. Thomas, who claimed his first Tour win last summer, answered questions surrounding his form and fitness in a dominant fashion during Sunday's short team time trial around the streets of Brussels. His Ineos team did not win the stage but the 33-year-old Welshman gained precious seconds on rivals, including French duo Romain Bardet and Thibaut Pinot, former Tour champion Vincenzo Nibali, climber Nairo Quintana, Adam Yates and Jakob Fuglsang. Thomas arrived at the Tour on the back of a rather mundane season and no victory to his name. Even worse, he crashed out of his final preparation race last month, and endured another setback, though minor, when he was caught in a pile-up near the finish of Saturday's opening stage. With the No. 1 bib on his back, Thomas, a former track specialist, showed no signs of weakness following his spill. He took solid turns at the front and led his teammates across the finish line close to the Atomium, the iconic Brussels monument built for the 1958 World Fair. The only team riding faster than Ineos on Sunday was the Dutch outfit Jumbo-Visma, which covered the 27.6-kilometer course (17.1-mile) in 28 minutes, 58 seconds, keeping the yellow jersey on Mike Teunissen's shoulders. They were 20 seconds faster than Thomas and his teammates, with Deceuninck Quick-Step completing the podium, 21 seconds off the pace. "Looking at GC (general classification), it's a good performance," said Thomas. "It was a positive day for sure." Teunissen's teammate Steven Kruijswijk is now the best placed overall contender, who sits third overall with a 20-second lead over Thomas and Egan Bernal, the co-leader at Ineos this summer in the absence of four-time champion Chris Froome. Even without Froome   the dominant Grand Tour rider in recent years and an expert in the race against the clock   Ineos was still able to replicate its result from last year's team time trial. Dylan van Baarle, who replaced Froome in the team, was up to the task and there was no weak link on the road. "We took some time on some good GC riders today, so it was perfect for us," Bernal said. Before the race leaves Belgium on Monday, Thomas and Bernal gained 12 seconds on Pinot, 16 seconds on Nibali, and 21 seconds on Yates and Fuglsang. They opened more significant gaps with Quintana (45 seconds) and Bardet, the day's big loser who conceded 59 seconds. After rolling down first from the start ramp near Brussels' Royal Palace, Ineos riders stayed in the lead for two hours until Jumbo-Visma, the last team to set off, bettered their time in an impressive performance. Putting on a well-choreographed display, the Dutch team's riders covered the route at an average speed of 57.2 kph (35.5 mph), close to the record of 57.8 set by Orica-GreenEdge when they won the 2013 team time trial on a similar distance. "We went hard from the start. We heard we were the fastest ... We were flying," Teunissen said. The first Dutch rider to wear the race leader's jersey in 30 years, Teunissen was a surprise winner of Saturday's opening leg. Surrounded by teammates best-suited for the flat terrain, including former time trial world champion Tony Martin, Teunissen did not play second-fiddle in his aerodynamic skinsuit and helmet. "Yesterday it was a dream come true, and it's the case today again," he said. "It's not that I'm getting used to winning stages at the Tour de France but it's two out of two now and it's really, really nice." Teunissen now leads teammate Wout Van Aert by 10 seconds in the general classification. Jumbo-Visma riders monopolize the five top spots, with Kruijswijk in third place. After two days in Belgium, the peloton will enter France during Monday's Stage 3 which leads riders from the Belgian town of Binche to Epernay in the Champagne region. ___ More Tour de France coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/TourdeFrance


Look: we respect your intelligence. Since it's a long holiday weekend, you already know there will be lots of traffic heading to and from the mountains. It's kind of a no-brainer, but we still write the same article every year because it does impact a lot of people. The moral of the story? Anticipate traffic. It will happen. You're not more entitled to the road than anyone else. Chill out. Listen to music. Catch up with your friends and family. Enjoy the fact you have a couple of days off instead of getting angry you have to spend a couple of extra hours getting to your destination. COLORADO WEATHER: Check the weather conditions before you hit the road Some good news? Even though a lot of the state's roads are under construction this summer, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) said it is suspending road work by noon on Wednesday to help limit some of the impacts on holiday travel. THINGS TO DO: 9Things to do in Colorado this 4th of July weekend Nevertheless, even if all the lanes are open, cone zones can snarl traffic. CDOT has an interactive map showing projects throughout the state. In addition to seeing where those are, it also explains what crews are doing   meaning you can educate your family and friends with information about state construction projects during long hours in the car! Check out that map here. For what it's worth, CDOT said the construction projects will resume on Monday, so keep that in mind if you're taking a long(er) weekend. With plenty of people on the road, things like wrecks or stalled vehicles will inevitably happen this weekend. FIREWORKS: Where to watch 4th of July firework shows in Colorado The good news is that we live in the future, and now have interactive maps that show where those are and the delays that ensue. Check out the 9NEWS interactive traffic maps either by downloading the app or by clicking here. WHERE TO DOWNLOAD: iPhone Android iPad CDOT said it expects traffic to peak heading into the mountains on Wednesday evening, and then again in the opposite direction on Sunday as folks head west. If you're looking for some stats (because why not?), CDOT said 43,455 vehicles passed through the Eisenhower Tunnel the day before the 4th of July last year, and 46,421 passed through the day after the holiday. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Where fireworks are and are not legal in Colorado For context, that's roughly the population of Littleton. A total of 220,598 cars went through the tunnel during the entire holiday weekend, according to CDOT. That's more than the population of Fort Collins (but way less than Aurora, if that means anything to you). Below are CDOT's tips for summer driving -- hopefully you already know this but hey, you can never complain about too much useful information, right? 1. Stay Alert . Plan enough time to stop along the way to stretch, get something to eat and drink, return any calls or text messages, and change drivers if you're feeling tired or drowsy 2. Avoid Distracted Driving . The focus always should be on driving. Avoid using cellphones, texting, eating, and using in-vehicle technologies. 3. Don't drive impaired . Increased DUI enforcement from July 3 to July 8 4. Watch for more pedestrians and bikes . Warm temperatures mean more people are outside walking or bicycling. Slow down and pay extra attention at crosswalks and along roadways. 5. Share the road with motorcycles . Motorcycles may quickly come in and out of your blind spots due to their speed and size. Always take a second look with more motorcycles out on the road. 6. Obey all posted speed limits . Or drive slower, if necessary, based on weather or traffic conditions. 7. Maintain proper tire air pressure . Warmer temperatures can cause tires to be overinflated. 8. Turn your lights on . Especially during twilight hours, making it easier for other drivers to see you. 9. Semi-trucks and other large vehicles tend to drive at slower speeds . Be prepared to slow down, stay out of their blind spots, pay close attention to turn signals and give them extra space to maneuver. SUGGESTED VIDEOS | Local stories from 9NEWS


The New England Patriots are set to begin their official training camp on Thursday after rookies reported on Sunday, but it does not sound like Julian Edelman will be able to do much until well into preseason play. Edelman hosted his youth football camp over the weekend, and he was spotted with a small brace on his left thumb. ESPN's Adam Schefter and Field Yates report that the veteran receiver is expected to be sidelined for about three weeks with the injury. Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman, spotted at his youth camp over the weekend with a small brace over his left thumb (see below photo), is expected to be sidelined about three weeks due to the injury, league sources tell @FieldYates and me. pic.twitter.com/P5KT0hvRmz   Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 22, 2019 That gives Edelman more than enough time to be ready for the regular season, so the Patriots are likely just playing it safe. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media said the thumb injury was described to him as " mild trauma ." Edelman, 33, is expected to be leaned on as heavily as ever this season. The Patriots lost Rob Gronkowski to retirement and chose not to bring back Chris Hogan, so they will be relying predominantly on Edelman and first-round pick N'Keal Harry. Their flashy addition at the position seems unlikely to make the final roster, and it's unclear when Josh Gordon might have his latest suspension lifted . Edelman's health will be critical to the Patriots' success in 2019.


When Steelers coach Mike Tomlin got an extension, G.M. Kevin Colbert didn't. He confirmed to a group of reporters on Saturday that he doesn't want one. Via Mark Kaboly of TheAhtletic.com, the 62-year-old Colbert made it clear that, after his current contract expires in April 2020, he wants to proceed one year at a time. "When I did the last extension it was under the understanding that the end of this one that I would like to do year-to-year ," said Colbert, who is entering his twentieth year as the team's G.M. That doesn't mean he'll be exiting the job any time soon. "I still love what I do and as long as I still love what I do I can see myself continuing to do it," Colbert added. The arrangement gives both sides plenty of flexibility, allowing the Steelers to move on whenever they want and allowing Colbert to exit whenever he chooses. And if Colbert is in play for a job elsewhere, why wouldn't another team be thinking about making a run at him? To the extent that the Steelers are one of the most talented teams in the league, Colbert is the one most responsible for finding those players.


Hornets center Cody Zeller had some fun with Kemba Walker 's impending free agency by jokingly setting up a lemonade stand to raise the necessary $221M for his teammate's new supermax contract, as Roderick Boone of The Athletic details in an entertaining story. While Zeller's fundraising efforts were obviously in jest, he recognizes the importance of Kemba's upcoming decision, acknowledging that it's a "pretty serious situation" for the franchise. "I mean, our careers and a lot of the organization, to be honest with you, depends on what Kemba decides this summer, whether he stays or goes," Zeller said. "I think it really depends on his choice. But our team and our future can go two very different ways depending on what he decides. So I was kind of trying to make light of a serious situation. "I think he likes Charlotte," Zeller said of his All-Star teammate. "I think he's a good fit here. But the reality of it is we haven't been able to make deep runs in the playoffs. So hopefully that will still come in the future. But at the end of the day, Kemba has to do what's best for him. And I'm going to support him, whatever decision he makes." Here's more on the Hornets: Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer doesn't believe the Hornets should give Walker a supermax deal. As good as Walker has been as a Hornet, the team hasn't won a playoff series during his time in Charlotte, and Fowler doesn't envision that changing anytime soon if the club has to commit 35% of is cap space to him. In his latest mailbag, Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer discusses the Hornets' strategy if Walker returns, the possibility of waiving and stretching Bismack Biyombo 's contract, and much more. The Hornets continue to scout this year's draft prospects, announcing in a press release that they worked out Ty Jerome (Virginia), Christ Koumadje (Florida State), Jalen Lecque (Brewster Academy), Greg Malinowski (Georgetown), Joshua Obiesie (Germany), and Trayvon Reed (Texas Southern) on Wednesday. Another group of six prospects is auditioning for the Hornets today, according to the team . That group is made up of Jordan Caroline (Nevada), Torin Dorn (N.C. State), Robert Franks (Washington State), William McDowell-White (Germany), Travis Munnings (Louisiana-Monroe), and Justin Wright-Foreman (Hofstra).


It's not only about avocados and auto parts. Imports from Mexico can be found in almost every part of the US economy. In the first three months of the year, Mexico has moved past Canada and China to become the United States' largest trading partner, in terms of the value of goods moving back and forth over the border, with about $50 billion a month in imports and exports so far this year. The tariffs President Donald Trump has threatened against Mexico would be broad, covering basically everything coming north across the border. They aren't targeted, the way tariffs are typically levied. The impact on business, consumers and the economy could be similarly widespread. "This is going to be felt by every sector and it's going to be felt by consumers. Not just by businesses. Not just the auto industry. It's going to be felt more widely and deeply than previous tariffs were felt," said Neil Bradley, chief policy officer for the US Chamber of Commerce. Economists, stunned by the Trump administration's recent action against Mexico, were not prepared to make predictions about how much prices will increase for Americans, because they never considered such an action would take place. Blindsided businesses haven't had time to determine how to replace existing supply chains with other sources, adding stress to American companies. But some industries could be particularly hard-hit by tariffs on Mexican goods. Autos The United States imported $59 billion of auto parts from Mexico last year and an additional $52 billion in completed cars. Deutsche Bank estimates that if the tariffs reach 25%, it will add an average of $1,300 to the price of US cars . Demand for American-made cars could plunge 18% if the tariffs are enacted, according to that estimate. That would be the biggest drop in car sales since the auto industry teetered on ruin ten years ago during the Great Recession. Electronics A fifth of computer and electronic equipment imports come from Mexico, according to Goldman Sachs. That's about $44 billion a year in electronics. Mexican televisions, monitor displays and equipment came to more than $9 billion, or more than 35% of those imports. The United States is also set to raise tariffs on imports from China, which is another huge source of electronics. Businesses in that sector probably won't be able to escape increased costs. Oil America's oil industry is booming, but Mexico has become an more important source of oil for the United States, because of the cutback in production by Saudi Arabia and other OPEC nations, as well as the virtual halt of oil coming in from Venezuela . Mexico sent about $1 billion worth of oil a month north across the border so far this year. That accounted for about 10% of all US oil imports so far this year -- nearly as much as Saudi Arabia exported to the United States. Gas prices have been stubbornly high this year because of the OPEC and Venezuelan cutbacks, and tariffs on such a significant source of oil could boost prices even further. Wires, cables and conductors The United States imports $12 billion worth of Mexican wires, cables and conductors: about 50% of America's imports in the market. Although it's not the type of product that many consumers think about, American manufacturers use the components to make all types of goods. The the low-cost supply from Mexico makes the American goods they go into competitive. Food products Eating healthy is going to get more expensive with a 25% tariff on the $15 billion worth of vegetables imported from Mexico. About 35% of all vegetable imports to the United States come from Mexico. Add in beverages, meats and cereal and Mexican food imports top $24 billion, or about 26% of all imported food to the Untied States, according to Goldman Sachs' figures. A 25% tariff on avocados would raises costs in the United States by $575 million each year, said Johan Gott, principal at consulting firm AT Kearney. Tomatoes would cost $300 million more. Cucumbers prices would rise by $116 million, and asparagus would cost Americans $107 million each year. If the tariff remains at 25%, the cost to the beer industry will be $984 million per year, according to the Beer Institute, a trade association for the brewing industry. Air conditioners, refrigerators, furnaces and ovens Mexico exported $8.4 billion worth of appliances to the United States last year, which amounted to 44% of American imports in that sector, according to Goldman Sachs. Dishwashers, laundry machines and other household appliances added another $1.1 billion worth of imports from Mexico. A potentially bigger threat The tariffs won't apply to the goods that American farmers and manufacturers send to Mexico. But Mexico could quickly levy their own tariffs on US goods. "What we've seen in the last year, when one country raises tariffs, retaliation is not far behind," said John Murphy, senior vice president, international affairs, for the US Chamber of Commerce, one of the groups opposing the tariffs. "Tariffs are sand in the gears of the economy," he said. "They reduce our competitiveness." -- CNN Business' Nathaniel Meyersohn contributed to this report


In addition to landing No. 1 free agent Kawhi Leonard , the Clippers have reached a stunning trade agreement to acquire All-NBA forward Paul George from the Thunder, reports ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski . According to Wojnarowski , Oklahoma City will receive Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , Danilo Gallinari and a "massive" haul of future draft picks in exchange for George. That haul features four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-rounder and two pick swaps, Woj reports . The Clippers held the Heat's unprotected 2021 first-round pick and will acquire Miami's 2023 lottery-protected first-rounder as part of the Heat's four-team Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade deal. That will allow them to send out five total first-rounders while satisfying both the Stepien rule (which prohibits teams from leaving themselves without a first-round pick in consecutive future seasons) and the "Seven Year Rule" (which doesn't allow teams to trade first-rounders more than seven years in advance). Those extra picks from the Heat pave the way the Clippers to make the biggest one-two punch of the free agent period, with their acquisition of George coming after Leonard had pushed PG13 to find a way to the Clippers, per Wojnarowski ( Twitter links ). As Woj details, George approached the Thunder and requested a trade amid Leonard's recruiting efforts, leaving Oklahoma City to try to make the best out of a difficult situation. The Thunder did just that, as their haul from the Clippers will land them a veteran on an expiring $22M contract who was a borderline All-Star in 2019 (Gallinari), one of the most impressive rookies of the 2018 class (Gilgeous-Alexander) and a bounty of future draft picks. Still, the Thunder may not be out of the weeds quite yet. Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that rival teams have been aware in recent days not just of George's discontent, but of Russell Westbrook 's as well. It remains to be seen how Westbrook will feel about the departure of the All-Star teammate he succeeded in keeping in OKC as a free agent a year ago, but with potential long-term cornerstone Gilgeous-Alexander in the mix at point guard, it wouldn't be surprising if the former MVP ends up on the trade block as well. It's an abrupt change of direction for the Thunder, who expected as recently as last week to be building around Westbrook and George, according to Brett Dawson of The Athletic. As Dawson observes, even this week's free agent agreements with veterans like Alec Burks and Mike Muscala suggest that Oklahoma City was looking to fortify its current core rather than blow it up. It will be fascinating to see what the team's next move is. For now, though, the Clippers will steal the headlines, having delivered an incredible counter-punch to their Staples Center co-habitants after the Lakers reached a deal last month to acquire Anthony Davis . In George, the Clippers will add a 29-year-old who is coming off his best season as a pro, averaging 28.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and a league-best 2.2 steals in 77 games (36.9 MPG) for the Thunder. The six-time All-Star, who is recovering from undergoing procedures on his shoulders at season's end, finished third in MVP voting in 2019. It'll be a homecoming for George, a Southern California native who grew up as a Clippers fan , as Fred Katz of The Athletic notes.


A few more reasonably solid outings, and it's likely teams will come calling. Trevor Rosenthal 's time in Detroit hasn't even extended long enough for us to have a picture of him in a Tigers uniform [Ed.: We got one on Tuesday!] . However, his acquisition may be on track to pay off already. An opportunity dropped in the Tigers' laps when Rosenthal was released by the Washington Nationals back in June, and now Detroit may have themselves a bit of a trade chip to dangle with a week left until the July 31 trade deadline. For anyone who watches much St. Louis Cardinals baseball, it's still odd to see the 29-year-old flamethrower without a red bird on his chest. From 2012 to 2017, Rosenthal was one of the most consistently dominant relievers in baseball. He owns a 30 percent strikeout rate for his career against an 11 percent walk rate. He's always had stretches where he devolves into a true wild thing, and Tigers fans have already seen a number of balls behind hitters or over the home plate umpire's head, but his stuff remains elite when he's on. Rosenthal missed the entire 2018 season to UCL reconstruction surgery, but his medicals were convincing enough in the offseason that Washington Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo committed to a one-year deal worth $7M with an option for 2020. Unfortunately, Rosenthal was a complete debacle for the Nats. The medicals were accurate. Rosenthal certainly seems healthy. However his 30.9 percent walk rate this season is as poor a mark as you'll ever see. 98-99 mph fastballs were largely confined within the vicinity of home plate, but he had no idea where the ball was going much of the time. The Nationals tried to give him a breather in May to work on things in the minor leagues, but ultimately had to bring him back up with no visible improvement. On June 23rd, the Nationals decided to cut bait and released him. Less than a week later he was in Toledo pitching for the Tigers' Triple-A affiliate on a minor league deal. The wildness continued to show up, but Rosenthal started to get a handle of things, sprinkling stretches of improved control and overpowering stuff with appearances where he was all over the place. But the strikeouts started to pile up as well, and when the terms of his deal decreed that the Tigers had to call him up, he looked better than expected. In four scoreless innings of work, he's walked three batters, but has only allowed one hit while punching out five. Despite the ever growing success rate of Tommy John surgery, rehabilitation and success upon return to action vary widely from player to player. It's not at all uncommon for a pitcher to require months or even years, long after he's physically back to 100 percent, to fully recapture their pre-injury mechanics and command. Rosenthal had a lot of high velocity mileage on his arm, but he's still in his 20's, and a good bet to eventually get it back. In his time in Washington, he looked a lot like he was struggling to let the ball go without the instinct to protect his arm creeping into his motion. Things have been much better recently despite the occasional rocket to the backstop. He's located a lot of quality fastballs on the edges of the strikezone, and has seemed able to correct course during an outing when things do go temporarily sideways. The quality of his pitches also seems like a sign that there are brighter days ahead for him. His velocity is all the way back, and so far we've seen him comfortably sitting 98 mph, with a slider in pretty good order as well. The Nationals felt they didn't have time to be patient with Rosenthal, as he was costing them games in a tough NL East. The Tigers had all the roster space in the world for a pitcher who probably packs better stuff than any reliever in their system, and that ability to take a chance on Rosenthal may pay off. If he can keep it together for another two or three outings with the Tigers, a few eagle-eyed GM's may low-key covet this player. What could the Tigers get in return? Before we get too excited, let's remember than even a couple solid outings aren't going to mitigate the risk involved for a contender. After three months with the Nationals where he looked to have the baseball equivalent of the yips, putting him in a contender's bullpen is going to require a little faith. Time is short for Rosenthal to convince teams that he's starting to put it together. Anyone interested is going to be betting on a coin flip. However, imagine you are Andrew Friedman, or Jeff Luhnow, general managers of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros , respectively. Or the general manager of any contender. They'd all love to steal a low-cost reliever who just happens to feature one of the more overpowering fastballs in the game. It would take a lot to trust him in the postseason, but it would cost relatively little for the chance to roster him for a month or two, rest a younger pitcher a bit with an eye to the postseason, and see how it goes. The opportunity to pay Rosenthal major league minimum for a couple of months, give the Tigers a modest prospect, and possibly win big seems reasonably tantalizing for teams that don't really want to dip into their farm system too deeply for upgrades. The Tigers have two basic choices They can hope that Rosenthal pitches reasonably well the rest of the season, and agrees to stick around for the 2020 season. Unless there is a hidden option involved, he'll be headed to free agency this offseason as he is close to having six years of service time under his belt. However, as much as a rejuvenated Rosenthal might become a fiercely sought trade piece at the 2020 trade deadline with another year's work under his belt, there's a lot of risk to that approach. If he pitches too well over the rest of the 2019 season and looks like his old self, he's going to be too rich for the Tigers' blood based on their recent spending. Rather than playing for the lowly Tigers, the odds are that he would seek greener pastures. If the Tigers don't feel he's worth anything in trade right now, they would be well advised to try and offer him a contract though next season immediately. However, Rosenthal is under no pressure to sign, and may simply have no interest in accepting a reasonable offer, hoping to pitch well and rebuild his value the rest of the season. Or, the Tigers can just try to flip him sometime in the next seven days, hoping that a few more controlled outings will sway a team to take a chance on a low-risk, high-reward play. No, the Tigers aren't likely to get anyone particularly notable in return. And it's possible that Rosenthal had a few rough outings, teams decide to pass, and he gets two months working things out in the Tigers bullpen while sitting on the millions the Nationals owe him. Then he goes right back on the free agent market in the fall. But while Matt Boyd, Shane Greene, and Nick Castellanos were the featured attractions for scouts as they played the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night, you can be sure Rosenthal drew plenty of attention as well. We're not going to be wowed by a return, but there is an opportunity here for the Tigers to pick up a decent prospect. Perhaps a young infielder or pitcher that a club with a deep farm won't miss can be acquired. In return, a contender gets to try Rosenthal out with the chance to get a low-cost jump on the rest of their competition as the major league season turns toward the stretch drive. It's also possible that a team in need of weapons in their bullpen, who is balking at the Tigers' price for closer Shane Greene , can be swayed with a wild card like Rosenthal as a kicker. The acquisition of Trevor Rosenthal isn't going to pay off big for the Tigers, but it's small moves like this that can help bolster your system depth if you can identify the right player. Right now, he is an uncomfortable at-bat for any hitter in the game. If he can hold it together for a couple of outings, the Tigers are going to find themselves holding a modest trade chip, and every little bit can help.


James Ennis III will join Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris and JJ Redick as members of the Philadelphia 76ers who will hit the open market on July 1. Ennis, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic , will decline his contract option and leave the $1.8 million due to him on the table in an effort to secure a new multiyear contract. This past season, Ennis emerged as a fairly reliable member of Brett Brown's rotation. In his fifth year, the 28-year-old swingman played 15.6 minutes per game off Brett Brown's bench after being acquired in a deal with the Houston Rockets back in February. Ennis averaged 5.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per contest. With the Sixers in need of additional depth, it's uncertain whether the club will bring Ennis back or not, but he will test the market. Philadelphia 76ers swingman James Ennis ( @JamesDa_Truth ) will decline his $1.8M player option for next season and become a free agent, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium . - Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 20, 2019 Aside from Butler, Harris, Redick and Ennis, Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott - two other rotation pieces - will also hit the market. Keeping the core intact might cost Philadelphia a pretty penny. MORE: This photo of Kyler Murray led to more speculation about his height VIDEO: Magic Johnson Calls Out Rob Pelinka for Backstabbing on First Take Magic Johnson respects LeBron's feelings on his sudden departure Patriots will prove Super Bowl LIII shutdown defense was no fluke Kyle Rudolph could be a late offseason acquisition Cowboys need


China is set to demand that President Trump remove a ban on Huawei and lift punitive tariffs to reach a trade agreement, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. Chinese President Xi Jinping will reportedly present those terms to Trump when the two leaders meet at the Group of 20 summit in Osaka, Japan. Chinese officials told the Journal that Beijing is insisting the U.S. remove telecommunications giant Huawei from its "entity list," which virtually bars the company from buying components from American firms without U.S. government approval. U.S. officials have said Huawei's products pose a national security risk. Beijing also wants the U.S. to lift all punitive tariffs and drop efforts to demand China buy even more U.S. exports, according to the Journal. Trade negotiations between the two countries collapsed last month, prompting Trump to increase tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese products while threatening tariffs on an additional $300 billion in goods if Xi does not meet with him at the summit. China responded by increasing tariffs on $60 billion in U.S. imports.


Check out this cat meow on cue every single time the harmonica breaks. Hysterical!


Looking to mix things up this week? From an outreach forum by the U.S. Dept. of Labor to music from a country and blues band, here's a roundup of options to help you get social around town. 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. U.S. Dept. of Labor San Antonio Educational and Outreach Forum From the event description: The U.S. Department of Labor is hosting a free informational and outreach forum on Tuesday at St. Philip's College. Participating agencies include: Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), and Wage and Hour Division (WHD). ... The event will start with a welcome and forum overview followed by three 60-minute workshops sessions. When: Tuesday, May 21, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: St. Philip's College, 1801 Martin Luther King Drive, Sutton Learning Center (SLG #10 on campus map) Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Multimedia Artist Alex Turco to Hold Meet and Greet From the event description: Meet multimedia artist Alex Turco, learn about his process and inspiration and see examples of his beautiful, custom pieces on Wednesday at Materials Marketing. When: Wednesday, May 22, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: Materials Marketing, 120 W. Josephine St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets San Antonio College Signing Day From the event description: The Second Annual San Antonio College Signing Day invites newly admitted San Antonio College students, as well as their family and friends, to celebrate their acceptance. Expect live music at the event. When: Thursday, May 23, 6-8 p.m. Where: San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Ave., Candler Center Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band From the event description: The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band returns to Sam's Burger Joint on Thursday for a rockin good time. After 12 years of playing as many as 300 shows each year, Rev. Peyton, the world's foremost country blues finger-style picker, along with the biggest little band in the country has pieced together one of the most dedicated followings. The group is touring to support its latest album, "Poor Until payday." When: Thursday, May 23, 8:30-11:30 p.m. Where: Sam's Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St. Admission: $12 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake swayed buildings and cracked foundations in Southern California on Friday night, sending terrified residents sleeping on the streets a day after another temblor hit. The latest earthquake Friday struck 11 miles northeast of Ridgecrest, according to the US Geological Survey. It was five times bigger than Thursday's 6.4 -magnitude earthquake, also centered near Ridgecrest, CNN Meteorologist Brandon Miller said. In Ridgecrest, multiple fires broke out Friday and several injuries were reported, according to Kern County spokeswoman Megan Person. The county has activated an emergency operations center, and nearly 2,000 people are without power, officials said. The San Bernardino County Fire Department said it received multiple reports of damage as well from northwest communities. "Homes shifted, foundation cracks, retaining walls down," the department said. "One injury (minor) with firefighters treating patient." It lasted longer than Thursday's earthquake Bakersfield resident Giovanna Gomez was at home with her family when their house swayed and the water in her pool overflowed. They ran outside. "It was about a minute long," she said. "Far larger than the one that (happened) yesterday. It was a smooth roll going back and forth." Bakersfield is in Kern County about 110 miles from Ridgecrest. Donald Castle, who lives in Porterville west of Ridgecrest, said his house shook for nearly 25 seconds. "It was more of a shake than what we had on the Fourth. It lasted longer and was more rolling," he said. Slideshow by photo services Calls for medical help While there are no reports of major gas leaks or fatalities, there have been a lot of ambulance calls and medical aid calls, Kern County Fire Department Chief David Witt said. In Los Angeles, about 150 miles away from Ridgecrest, residents felt the earth shake, but there were no reports of serious damage, Mayor Eric Garcetti said. There were some wires down and localized power outages, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said. It said there was no major infrastructure damage, no deaths and no serious injuries reported. Shaking felt in Mexico and Las Vegas The shaking was felt as far away as Mexico and Las Vegas, according to the USGS. The NBA Summer League game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the New York Knicks in Las Vegas was postponed Friday following reports of the quake. Scoreboards and speakers near the ceiling of the arena shook when the earthquake hit. Quakes are part of an ongoing system CalTech seismologist Lucy Jones said Friday both earthquakes are part of an ongoing sequence, of a "very energetic system." The latest 7.1-magnitude earthquake was the mainshock, while Thursday's 6.4-magnitude quake was a foreshock, according to Jones. In addition to being bigger, Miller said it released more than 11 times the amount of energy than the 6.4 one. Officials are not ruling out the possibilities of more earthquakes. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he's activated the state emergency operation center to its highest level. "The state is coordinating mutual aid to local first responders," he tweeted Friday night.


Trigger Warning: This article contains information and details about sexual assault and/or violence, which may be upsetting to survivors. Shortly after Ghislaine Maxwell arrived in New York from England in the early 1990s, she was looking for a new start. She had just lost her father, a British media mogul, along with much of her family fortune and her social standing. Soon she was on the rise with the help of her new boyfriend, Jeffrey Epstein, a rich financier. It was the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship. With Mr. Epstein, Ms. Maxwell was able to resurrect the lifestyle she coveted. She flew on his private jet, she settled into his mansions in New York and Florida and she eventually landed her own five-story townhouse in Manhattan. For Mr. Epstein, who had grown up in Coney Island and was a college dropout, the gregarious Ms. Maxwell provided new social pathways. Her friends in high places included Britain's Prince Andrew, who became a frequent guest in Mr. Epstein's homes. Sign Up For the Morning Briefing Newsletter Now, with Mr. Epstein under federal indictment on charges of sexually trafficking and abusing girls, there are mounting questions about what else happened in his close relationship with Ms. Maxwell. He has pleaded not guilty, and she has denied any wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged. But in recent years, Ms. Maxwell has struck confidential settlements in civil court with two women who say she participated in Mr. Epstein's sexual exploitation of them. Thousands of sealed records from one of those cases are expected to be released in coming weeks, potentially revealing more about Mr. Epstein's alleged predation and what Ms. Maxwell may have known about it. What is clear is that their partnership was deep , entangled and continued even after their romance ended. Over more than a decade, Ms. Maxwell, now 57, helped manage Mr. Epstein's homes, facilitate his social relationships and recruit masseuses to help satisfy his seemingly insatiable appetite for massages, according to his former employees. Some of Mr. Epstein's accusers allege that in their experiences the massages were just a pretext for sexual abuse by Mr. Epstein, according to court records. One former employee of Mr. Epstein's mansion in Palm Beach, Fla., referred to her as the "lady of the house." Euan Rellie, an investment banker who attended the University of Oxford with Ms. Maxwell and was a guest at dinner parties that she and Mr. Epstein hosted in New York, said she "seemed to be half ex-girlfriend, half employee, half best friend, and fixer." One of Mr. Epstein's accusers, in court papers, used another word: madam. After Mr. Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to Florida state charges of soliciting prostitution and served 13 months in the Palm Beach County jail, Ms. Maxwell moved on, cultivating other high-profile associations and seeming largely unscathed by her long ties to Mr. Epstein. She took up environmental causes and founded a nonprofit intended to save the oceans. She gave a talk at a TED event. And she continued to work the social circuit: attending Chelsea Clinton's wedding, being photographed with Arianna Huffington and Martha Stewart, smiling next to Elon Musk at Vanity Fair's Oscar party. But there were also signs of trouble. In 2015, a lawsuit accusing Ms. Maxwell of complicity in Mr. Epstein's abuses drew news media attention. In 2016, the Upper East Side townhouse where she had resided was sold and she disappeared from New York's party circuit. The next year, her lawyers claimed she was in London but said they did not know her address, angering a judge overseeing another lawsuit against her. Last weekend   just a week after the new charges brought by New York federal prosecutors against Mr. Epstein became public   Ms. Maxwell's nonprofit, the TerraMar Project, shut down. The website posted a message saying it was "sad to announce that it will cease all operations." An old friend, Christopher Mason, drew a connection between the scandals that Ms. Maxwell has been caught up in   the first involving her father, whose life ended in disgrace, and the second that of Mr. Epstein, the most defining male figure in her adult life. "Her father was a swashbuckling rogue," Mr. Mason said in an interview. "Jeffrey had a less social persona, but he was in his way swashbuckling, too." A Financial Resurrection She grew up in a 53-room mansion in Buckinghamshire, where childhood activities included sailing on a family yacht named the Lady Ghislaine and rubbing shoulders with aristocrats and royals. Her father, Robert Maxwell, was a Czech-born World War II hero who founded Pergamon Press, an extremely successful publishing house for science and medical books. After that, he bought British tabloids, including The Mirror, as well as a stake in MTV Europe and the American publishing giant Macmillan. Ms. Maxwell was the youngest of his nine children and, if the name of his yacht is any indication, a favorite. She attended Oxford and moved to New York in 1991, around the time her father bought The Daily News. But later that year, her father tumbled off his boat and died in the midst of mounting debt, and it was shortly revealed that he had pillaged his employees' pensions. With much of her family's publishing empire gone, Ms. Maxwell moved into a modest Upper East Side apartment. But once she and Mr. Epstein were dating, she was back in the type of grand residences she desired. Juan Alessi, who helped manage Mr. Epstein's Palm Beach mansion for a decade, described Ms. Maxwell as essentially his supervisor, according to a deposition in a civil case brought by some of Mr. Epstein's alleged victims. "She would tell me, I am going to take care of the house," he recalled. Once Ms. Maxwell began spending a lot of time at the Florida house in the late 1990s, the visitors began coming. Young women, from the Palm Beach area and Europe. Celebrities, such as David Copperfield and Donald J. Trump. A new guest corridor of the house was constructed; Prince Andrew was among the regulars, Mr. Alessi said. Mr. Rellie, the Oxford friend, said he found Mr. Epstein elusive to the point of imperiousness. At a party the financier and Ms. Maxwell hosted in New York during the late 1990s, Mr. Epstein did not appear until all the guests had taken their seats. The real draw was Ms. Maxwell, the "charming, likable front person," said Mr. Rellie. "A big part of the reason people talked to him was because of Ghislaine." Mr. Mason, a journalist and an author who writes about the rich, described her as "saucy"   she talked openly about sex   "fantastically entertaining" and funny, but also vulnerable. She was striking, with short black hair, dangly earrings, and fitted trousers or dresses and stiletto heels. In 1994, Ms. Maxwell selected Mr. Mason to perform a ribald song at Mr. Epstein's birthday party that referred to the couple's sexual relationship. Mr. Rellie knew that Ms. Maxwell, whose lawyers did not respond to requests for comment, came from a family that had been engulfed in scandal, but said that it gave her a kind of frisson. "That was part of the mystique," he said. "New York people enjoy salacious stories. Having somebody who has a colorful past, including a dad who was controversial, made her interesting." In 2000, she moved into a 7,000-square-foot townhouse at 116 East 65th Street   less than 10 blocks from Mr. Epstein's mansion   that was purchased for $4.95 million by an anonymous limited liability company, with an address that matches the office of J. Epstein & Co. Representing the buyer was Darren Indyke, Mr. Epstein's longtime lawyer. Ms. Maxwell began entertaining Park Avenue types who noted its Downton Abbey meets Art Deco vibe, with brightly colored rooms and mirrored surfaces. ("A mix of heavy and heavy," as one society friend put it.) In a 2003 Vanity Fair article, Mr. Epstein described Ms. Maxwell as his "best friend." He said that she was not on his payroll, though the story noted that she seemed to organize much of his life. An advertisement that appeared in Yoga Journal 10 years earlier sought a yoga instructor for "a private individual" with "fantastic perks such as extensive travel." The number listed was for Mr. Epstein's office. Interested parties were to call "Miss Maxwell." She continued to reside at least part-time in Mr. Epstein's homes in New York and Florida. "Ms. Maxwell was like the lady of the house," said Alfredo Rodriguez, who worked in the Palm Beach mansion in 2005, explaining that household expenses were paid out of a bank account in Ms. Maxwell's name, according to a deposition in a court case. More Than Massages Mr. Epstein sought a steady stream of beautiful young women, including models, who were expected to look attractive as they hung out at his homes or rode on his private jet. The houses had massage tables in multiple rooms and masseuses to serve Mr. Epstein, Ms. Maxwell and guests who stayed there. Mr. Alessi counted upward of 200 people coming to the Palm Beach home to provide massages over the course of several years, and said Mr. Epstein would request as many as three masseuses a day. Ms. Maxwell helped with the recruiting, according to former employees. "I remember one occasion or two occasions she would say to me, 'Juan, give me a list of all the spas in Palm Beach County,'" Mr. Alessi said. "And I will drive her from one to the other one." During some massage sessions, Mr. Epstein also engaged in sexual exploitation and abuse of girls, according to criminal charges and numerous civil cases that have been filed against him. Two accusers have said Ms. Maxwell participated in the abuse. In a 2009 lawsuit against Mr. Epstein, Virginia Giuffre alleged that Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell sexually abused her starting when she was 16. She said she had been working as a changing room assistant at the Mar-a-Lago Club when Ms. Maxwell invited her to Mr. Epstein's home with promises that she could learn massage therapy and earn a lot of money. Once there, she said, Ms. Maxwell helped Mr. Epstein force her into sexual activity with him, and then paid her $200 that day. She said it was the beginning of an arrangement that lasted several years. She also claimed that Ms. Maxwell took sexually explicit photos of her. Ms. Maxwell denied the claims. In an affidavit in a separate civil case, Maria Farmer has alleged that Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell sexually assaulted her in 1996 when she was a graduate student and that they also flew her 15-year-old sister to his ranch in New Mexico, ordered her to take off her clothes and improperly touched her. Another woman, Sarah Ransome, also submitted an affidavit in that case, saying that when she was 22, she accepted invitations from Mr. Epstein to the United States Virgin Islands, where she had "sexual relations" with him and other guests, according to court records. She said Ms. Maxwell had recruited others for Mr. Epstein, some of them young teenagers, and said "she appeared to be in charge of their activities, including what they did, who they did it with and how they were supposed to stay in line." Ms. Maxwell and Mr. Epstein have not publicly responded to Ms. Farmer's or Ms. Ransome's claims. In another lawsuit, Ms. Ransome alleged that Mr. Epstein, Ms. Maxwell and three other associates engaged in a sex trafficking venture that targeted young women. They denied the allegations, and the case resulted in a confidential settlement. Fading From View After Mr. Epstein returned from jail, his public appearances with Ms. Maxwell came to an end, said Peggy Siegal, a prominent professional hostess, who included Mr. Epstein in movie screenings and other social events. "She was no longer in the picture," Ms. Siegal said. But Ms. Maxwell was still very visible on the social circuit. She popped up at benefits for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and book parties for Ms. Huffington. "I didn't get the sense she was being shunned," said the author Jay McInerney. When Ms. Maxwell received a subpoena in the lawsuit filed by Ms. Giuffre, she was leaving a session of the Clinton Global Initiative at the Sheraton Hotel, prompting coverage in The New York Post. The next year she attended Chelsea Clinton's wedding, apparently still in the good graces of Bill Clinton, with whom she had socialized and sometimes traveled on Mr. Epstein's private plane. In April 2013, she stood with Lloyd C. Blankfein , then the chief executive of Goldman Sachs, at an event supporting marriage equality. In October of that year, she was pictured alongside Michael R. Bloomberg , then the mayor of New York, at a book party for Tamara Mellon, the Jimmy Choo matriarch. But Ms. Maxwell disappeared from the social scene after 2015, the year that Ms. Giuffre filed the defamation suit against her. By 2016, Ms. Maxwell was no longer being photographed at events. That April, the New York townhome where she had lived was sold for $15 million. By 2017, her lawyers were saying that she was in London but that they did not believe she had a permanent residence. Mr. Rellie was not surprised she was no longer mingling in New York amid the rich and connected. "I think I'll be seeing less of her in the future," he said. Resources to help survivors of sexual assault include the National Sex Assault Hotline (800-656-4673), and The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) online hotline. Reporting was contributed by Mike McIntire, Sarah Maslin Nir, Katie Rosman and Jodi Kantor.


We have signed S Ronald Martin and have released DB Rashard Causey. - Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 2, 2019 The Falcons have confirmed the news of rookie cornerback Rashard Causey's release . The team also announced that they have signed former Jets safety Ronald Martin. Like linebackers Deion Jones and Duke Riley, Martin is another product of LSU, a program with a reputation for producing excellent NFL defensive backs. Martin went undrafted after college and first signed with the Seahawks in May of 2015. He was waived not long after though and got picked up by the Jets. Martin was on and off New York's practice squad through the end of the 2016 season. From there, Martin signed with the Colts prior to the start of the 2017 season. He also had a brief stint with the Ravens, but he spent last season with Indianapolis on their injured reserve list. Martin has played in 13 career NFL games, mostly as a backup with the Jets. Whether or not he makes the team will likely be decided by how well he plays during the preseason. MORE: How Kawhi Leonard broke the news to Raptors coach Nick Nurse that he was leaving Five potential Jeremy Lin landing spots in free agency Biggest winners from the first week of Packers training camp Steven Jackson gets random drug test from NFL after signing 1-day contract Tom Brady's Evolution Across 17 Years of Madden is Fascinating


An adorable puppy named Timmy fell down a well casing. Luckily, Fresno firefighters were able to pull him out unharmed.


Help resurrect the 'Wrecking Crew' and you shall be richly rewarded by Texas A&M. Very richly. The school handed out a new contract to defensive coordinator Mike Elko this offseason and, the Dallas Morning News reports , that new three-year deal will pay him some $2.1 million per season. That puts the Aggies DC in elite company, joining LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, Auburn's Kevin Steele and Clemson's Brent Venables as the members of the $2+ million college football assistant club . And given that A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher publicly went after Aranda after first being hired in College Station to net him that big raise to stay in Baton Rouge, the Aggies are therefore responsible for half of the above list in a direct and indirect way. Elko's raise from the $1.8 million he made last season after coming over from the same position at Notre Dame comes after helping guide Texas A&M to a 9-3 campaign in 2018 that included finishing third in the country in rush defense. Provisions of the deal are also interesting given that the school can extend the contract another year each December and Elko owes no buyout to become a college head coach or an assistant in the NFL. However, the DMN notes that he would owe a minimum of $1.05 million if he were to leave for another assistant gig in the SEC.