From legal woes and weddings to splits, deaths and cheating scandals, get caught up on the biggest celeb news of the year! College admissions scam They're rolling the dice! On April 15, Lori Loughlin and her husband, designer Mossimo Giannulli, pleaded not guilty to two conspiracy charges in a college admissions cheating scandal . Prosecutors allege that the "Full House" actress and Mossimo, who've also been hit with conspiring to launder bribes charges, paid $500,000 to get their two daughters accepted into the University of Southern California after falsely designating them as crew team recruits. "[Lori and her husband] claim they were under the impression they might be breaking rules, but not laws," a source told "Entertainment Tonight." "They feel they were manipulated by those involved and are planning that as part of their defense…They realize how serious the charges are, but feel that once the judge hears their story, he will see they had no bad intentions." Experts aren't so sure... But Lori wasn't the only Hollywood star implicated in the scandal... Guilty plea Felicity Huffman took a different approach after she was named in a college admissions cheating scam. On May 13, the "Desperate Housewives" alum pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud, admitting that she was in on a scheme to boost her daughter's SAT scores to help her get into a good college. Felicity, who broke down in tears as she apologized in court, said that her child, who has a learning disability, didn't know the actress paid $15,000 to have a shady proctor correct test answers. Prosecutors have recommended that the actress pay a $20,000 fine and be given four months in jail when she's sentenced on Sept. 13. A month before Felicity made her plea, she said in a statement, "I am ashamed of the pain I have caused my daughter, my family, my friends, my colleagues and the educational community." Felicity's husband, William H. Macy, was not indicted . Cancer diagnosis "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek announced on March 6 that he'd been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer . "Normally, the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I'm going to fight this, and I'm going to keep working," he told fans in a video. "And with the love and support of my family and friends and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease." In a late May People magazine cover story, Alex revealed that he was responding well to treatment for the disease, which has a 9 percent survival rate. "It's kind of mind-boggling," he said. "The doctors said they hadn't seen this kind of positive result in their memory... some of the tumors have already shrunk by more than 50 percent." Royal baby Britain's royal family got a little bigger this year! On May 6, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan welcomed a little prince into the world , though they have decided their son will not use a royal title and will instead be known simply as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor , they revealed two days later. Archie is seventh in line for the throne . "This little baby is absolutely to die for," the Duke of Sussex said hours after his son's arrival. "I'm just over the moon. It's been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined. How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension." Gone too soon Luke Perry passed away on March 4 after suffering a massive stroke a few days earlier. The actor -- who rose to fame on the original "Beverly Hills, 90210" and had been starring on The CW's "Riverdale" at the time of his death -- was 52. The news stunned fans and the entertainment world , and many celebs took to social media to share their feelings. Former "90210" costar Shannen Doherty said she was "struggling with this loss and am having a hard time with my thoughts." Tori Spelling was in "utter shock." The tributes poured in, including from his two adult kids and his fiancée, actress-turned-therapist Wendy Madison Bauer . On March 11, Luke was buried in Tennessee, where he owned a farm. The rebooted "BH90210" series due in 2019 will honor the man who played Dylan McKay , cast members confirmed. Nasty split Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson's relationship did not end well. Yes, the details involved infidelity , but no one saw this twist coming! In a bombshell report published on Feb. 19, The Hollywood Unlocked claimed that Tristan and Kylie Jenner 's best friend Jordyn Woods "were all over each other" at a house party in Los Angeles on Feb. 17. E! News reported that the basketball star tweeted and later deleted, "FAKE NEWS." It wasn't. It also wasn't the first time Tristan was accused of cheating on Khloe (that happened days before she gave birth to their daughter in 2018). The Kardashian-Jenner clan confirmed the infidelity and was not having it when Jordyn -- who had to move out of Kylie's guest house in the wake of the betrayal -- attempted to apologize. On March 1, Jordyn sat down with family friend Jada Pinkett Smith on the actress's "Red Table Talk" show and insisted there was "never anything intimate... It was an innocent time," though she admitted the NBA star kissed her on the lips . But there was "no passion" during the kiss, she claimed. After the interview , Khloe sounded off. "Why are you lying @jordynwoods ??" Khloe tweeted. "If you're going to try and save yourself by going public, INSTEAD OF CALLING ME PRIVATELY TO APOLOGIZE FIRST, at least be HONEST about your story. BTW, You ARE the reason my family broke up!" After the dust settled, Khloe tweeted that Tristan was to blame, not Jordyn. Engagement Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez got engaged on March 9 in the Bahamas. They shared their magical moment with their social media followers a few days later, posting proposal pictures and gushing remarks about one another. A few days after she said "yes," A-Rod revealed that he knew very early on that he would eventually pop the question to J.Lo, and that he was very meticulous when it came to choosing her 16-carat diamond ring . A source told Page Six that the former baseball star spent seven months looking for the perfect ring. "He wanted to get it right. The proposal has been a long time coming. Alex knew she was the one and has been painstakingly planning everything," a source said. The ring is reportedly valued at $1.8 million. In June, J.Lo revealed that they're planning to wed in the next year and that for her fourth marriage, she wants to exchange vows in a church for the first time. Trouble with the law It's been a rough 2019 for R. Kelly. Just three days into the New Year, Lifetime started airing the docu-series "Surviving R. Kelly." It caught the attention of authorities in Georgia who investigated the R&B star for alleged sexual misconduct with girls and young women, something that was explored in the scathing six-part documentary. As the revelations made headlines -- it was also alleged that the Grammy winner kept women as sex slaves -- music stars including Lady Gaga and Chance the Rapper pulled their collaborations with the singer from streaming services. In February, the "I Believe I Can Fly" hitmaker was indicted on 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse in Chicago . Those charges date back to multiple incidents as far back as 1998 and involve girls as young as 13, prosecutors revealed. In March, the star got incredibly emotional during an interview with Gayle King on "CBS This Morning" and ranted that the women accusing him of physical and sexual abuse were lying. The same day that part of the interview was released, he was jailed in Chicago for failing to pay more than $161,000 in child support to his ex-wife, which he later made good on. As if that weren't enough, in late May, 11 new charges were filed against him for more alleged sex crimes. He pleaded not guilty. Surprise wedding Surprise, Miranda Lambert got married! The country superstar took to Instagram on Feb. 16 to share the news that she'd secretly wed New York City police officer Brendan McLoughlin. Media outlets soon dug up details on the unexpected romance: The two exchanged vows in Tennessee in January after reportedly meeting less than three months earlier while Miranda was in the Big Apple to perform at the "Good Morning America" studios, which are next to Brendan's beat. They've been doing the long-distance thing since she's based in Nashville and he's based in New York, where an ex lives with his son, Landon, who arrived the same month Brendan and Miranda got together. The couple made their red carpet debut at the Academy of Country Music Awards in April. Messy divorce It's over for Wendy Williams and her husband of 22 years, Kevin Hunter. On April 11, Wendy's attorney confirmed that the talk show host had filed for divorce following widely reported claims that Kevin, who managed Wendy and served as her show's executive producer, had fathered a child with another woman with whom he'd allegedly had a years-long affair. Kevin -- whom Wendy also fired -- later said in a statement, "I am not proud of my recent actions and take full accountability and apologize to my wife, my family and her amazing fans. I am going through a time of self-reflection and am trying to right some wrongs." Not long before the divorce news broke, Wendy tried to fend off reports of marital turmoil and also spoke openly about how she was struggling with addiction issues and was temporarily living in a sober house. In June, she was linked to a new man -- fashion designer Marc Tomblin, who made headlines for not only being 27 years Wendy's junior but for being a convicted felon -- though Wendy told TMZ she was simply having some "no-strings-attached fun" following her heartbreaking split. Law life Kim Kardashian West wants to become a lawyer , and in the spring of 2019, she revealed that she was nearly a year through a four-year apprenticeship with a San Francisco law firm. Her plan hasn't come without sacrifices in her personal life, she explained. In an April 15 Instagram post, Kim -- who along with husband Kanye West welcomed her four child, son Psalm , via surrogate -- said she had to "disconnect" with many people in her orbit . "For anyone assuming this is the easy way out, it's not. My weekends are spent away from my kids while I read and study. I work all day, put my kids to bed and spend my nights studying," she wrote. "There are times I feel overwhelmed and when I feel like I can't do it but I get the pep talks I need from the people around me supporting me. I changed my number last year and disconnected from everyone because I have made this strict commitment to follow a dream of mine -- It's never too late to follow your dreams." Kim, by the way, already has a standing job offer from famed attorney Robert Shapiro and a nickname among inmates -- "The Princess of Prison Reform" -- because of her work that helped free 17 inmates (and counting). It's over Adele is no longer sending her love to husband Simon Konecki -- the couple is divorcing . They were a couple for seven years and had one son, Angelo, together. "Adele and her partner have separated," the singer's rep said on April 19. "They are committed to raising their son together lovingly. As always they ask for privacy." According to reports, the couple did not sign a prenuptial agreement when they married. A source told People magazine at the time that there would be no drama -- and so far, that's proven true. "I just can't see her divorce getting messy because she's so careful when it comes to her son," the source said. "She's always five steps ahead in terms of how a decision will affect him." Shortly after the breakup announcement, Adele partied at her huge 31st birthday bash . Billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, you've got company! On March 5, Forbes magazine declared that reality TV star and cosmetics mogul Kylie Jenner had become the world's youngest self-made billionaire . Kylie was 21 when she did it, whereas the Facebook founder was 23 when he hit the milestone. Yes, there is still a rabid debate over whether Kylie is "self-made," as Forbes calls her. "I didn't expect anything. I did not foresee the future," Kylie told Forbes. "But [the recognition] feels really good. That's a nice pat on the back." During the same week the Forbes story came out, a report emerged claiming that Kylie suspected rapper boyfriend Travis Scott of cheating on her. He denied any infidelity and they are still together. In fact, multiple outlets were soon reporting that the couple, who share 1-year-old daughter Stormi, were ready to have a second baby. Hate crime victim? Where to begin?! In January, "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett claimed he was the victim of a hate crime when he was attacked by two men on a Chicago street in the middle of the night. After launching an investigation, however, police started to feel that something wasn't adding up. Then on Feb. 21, Jussie was arrested for allegedly staging the attack against himself with the help of two men whom he paid. But Jussie, who was facing 16 felonies, soon caught a heck of a break: On March 26, the criminal case against him was dropped by prosecutors. The decision was highly controversial , with Chicago's mayor and police superintendent, among others, slamming it. The mayor hinted at corruption in the State's Attorney's Office, calling the decision to drop the charges a "whitewash of justice." The city of Chicago also sued the actor for six figures for the cost of its police work as they investigated his alleged racial and homophobic attack. The fallout affected Jussie's career: "Empire" creator Lee Daniels announced on June 4 that Jussie would not be returning to the FOX show for its final season. Roller coaster Britney Spears has had a doozy of a year. In January, she revealed that she was calling off her planned Las Vegas residency due to her father's ill health. In the spring, she checked into a mental health facility but insisted to fans that "all is well." Then her longtime manager said she might never perform again (though he later clarified his comments to explain that Britney had no plans to perform in the near future as she worked on her mental health). In May, TMZ reported that Britney told a judge she wanted to break free of the conservatorship (or at least gain some new freedoms) that's controlled and guided her life for the last 11 years. She also allegedly told the judge that dad Jamie Spears, who controls the conservatorship, committed her to a mental health facility against her will and forced her to take drugs. (A lawyer for Britney's mother, Lynne Spears, reportedly made the same allegation.) The judge ordered an independent investigation into Britney's health and well-being and set a new court date for the pop star -- who's since publicly spent a lot of time with trainer boyfriend Sam Asghari -- for September. Ready to wed Jennifer Lawrence got engaged to art gallery director Cooke Maroney early in the year. Page Six broke the news on Feb. 5 after J-Law was seen out to dinner wearing a massive ring. Jen and Cooke, who started dating in the summer of 2018, threw an engagement party in New York City for family and friends in May and on a June episode of the "Naked With Catt Sadler" podcast, the Oscar winner opened up about Cooke publicly for the first time, saying, "He's the greatest human being I've ever met. He really is, and he gets better... I feel very honored to become a Maroney." Gunned down Rapper Nipsey Hussle was murdered in broad daylight outside his Marathon Clothing store in the Hyde Park section of Los Angeles on March 31. He was 33. On April 2, police arrested Eric Holder, who's since pleaded not guilty to murder. Police said the suspect and Nipsey (real name: Ermias Asghedom) had a personal dispute. Candlelight vigils were held around the world and many celebrities and athletes paid tribute to the Grammy-nominated artist. More than a week after his death, thousands of people gathered at L.A.'s Staples Center to honor the slain rapper. The emotional service, which was attended by stars including Beyonce and JAY-Z, featured a video tribute by Snoop Dogg and a performance by Stevie Wonder. Former President Obama also sent a letter honoring the well-liked music star, who left behind two children . Married Say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Pratt. On June 8, Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger got married at the ritzy San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California. One day after the nuptials, Katherine posted a photo from the wedding to Instagram. "Yesterday was the best day of our lives! We became husband and wife in front of God, our families and those we love," she wrote. "It was intimate, moving and emotional. We feel so blessed to begin this new chapter of our lives, she said in part. The wedding came about five months after the couple announced their engagement on Instagram. This is the first marriage for Katherine, whose parents are Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, and Chris's second. The actor's ex-wife, Anna Faris, publicly supported the engagement . Splitsville Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk have split after four years together, People magazine reported on June 6. The breakup news followed reports that there was trouble, with a source telling Us Weekly that the pair had not "been getting along for a while." People reported that the actor and the model were working out a custody arrangement for their 2-year-old daughter, Lea. "Entertainment Tonight" reported that Irina thought about breaking things off with Bradley while he was promoting his Oscar-nominated film "A Star is Born" with Lady Gaga . "They talked things through a great deal and seemed to hold off and keep up appearances for the time being," a source told the outlet. "It was recommended they delay a split at what seemed to be the peak of his career because the negative attention would take away from the excitement of the release." Engagement off Lady Gaga and fiancé Christian Carino called off their engagement and split up in February after two years together. After her steamy performance with Bradley Cooper at the Oscars , many on social media speculated that the "A Star is Born" co-stars were secretly in love with one another -- which Gaga was quick to deny. A source told E! News the pop singer's romance with her agent "just didn't work out. Relationships sometimes end." The source added, "It's not a long dramatic story." During a June performance in Las Vegas, where she has two residency shows , Gaga publicly referenced her split for the first time, telling the audience, "Last time I sang this song, I had a ring on my finger, so it'll be different this time." R.I.P. On Feb. 3, "The Young and the Restless" star Kristoff St. John was found dead of heart failure. He was 52. The death was ruled accidental, but alcohol consumption was also a factor. The soap opera star's fiancé, Kseniya Mikhaleva, took to Instagram to mourn . "How did it happen ??? How ??? Why did you leave so early ???? and left me alone ... I can't believe," the heartbroken model captioned a since-deleted photo of herself and Kristoff. "You were everything to me ... you were a loving father, a loving man... how love?? we should doing a lot of things in future..." About a week after his death, "Y&R" put together a special tribute to the actor and in April, the soap aired a special episode dedicated to him. Ring thing Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are headed to the altar. The singer and the actor got engaged on Valentine's Day and soon posted an Instagram photo of the pop star's flower-shaped ring featuring a pink jewel in the center. "Full bloom," Katy captioned the snapshot. Orlando shared the same image, captioning his, "Lifetimes." Katy later shared the sweet and humorous story of the actor's helicopter proposal during an episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live." The stars began dating in early 2016. They split after a year but reconciled in early 2018. Court hearing Kevin Spacey appeared in a Massachusetts courthouse on Jan. 7 and pleaded not guilty to charges that he groped an 18 year old at a bar in 2016. It marked one of the first times the once-celebrated actor has appeared in public since he was accused of sexual assault and harassment in late 2017. According to the criminal complaint, the teen said he lied about his age while at a bar (he told Kevin he was 23). After that, Kevin allegedly bought the man drinks and then groped him, the complaint explained. Kevin was arraigned on a charge of indecent assault and battery, which is a felony. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. On Jan. 8, Kevin's team argued that the teen was the pursuer and was flirting with Kevin. In June, the court released some of the texts exchanged between the accuser and his girlfriend on the night in question. Kevin's legal team is seeking the man's iPhone as teh defense believes the complete text exchange will clear the actor. Over already Actress Michelle Williams ' marriage of less than a year is over. "Michelle and Phil separated at the beginning of the year. It was an amicable split and they remain friends," a source told People magazine on April 19. The actress and indie rocker Phil Elverum secretly married in the summer of 2018 in the Adirondacks following a brief romance. Sex cult case Former "Smallville" star Allison Mack pleaded guilty on April 8 to charges pertaining to her involvement in an alleged sex cult that's an offshoot of the group NXIVM, which had publicly presented itself as a self-help organization. Prosecutors said she was in on a scheme to turn women into sex slaves for NXIVM leader Keith Raniere -- who in June was found guilty in federal court of racketeering, sex trafficking and possession of child pornography and now faces life in prison. Allison will be sentenced in September on two racketeering charges. "I believed Keith Raniere's intentions were to help people, and I was wrong," she said in court. "I know I can and will be a better person." Allison faces up to 20 years in prison for each charge, though it's expected she'll get far less than that. Farewell Legendary director John Singleton passed away on April 29 after his family took him off life support. He was 51 . The director had been in the hospital since suffering a stroke on April 17. Afterward, many of Hollywood's biggest names took to social media to honor the "Boyz in the Hood" and "Poetic Justice" director. Regina King said he was "one of the greatest to ever do it." Samuel L. Jackson called him a "true friend." Angela Bassett said, "He gave a voice and an opportunity to many. Count me in that grateful number." Following John's death, reports indicated that his family was gearing up for a battle over his estimated $35 million estate . Custody issues Let's just say 2019 has been a trying year for Jenelle Evans and her husband, David Eason. The former "Teen Mom 2" stars became public enemy No. 1 in late April after David shot and killed the family dog after it nipped at but didn't injure their 2-year-old daughter, Ensley. This set off a chain reaction, leading to the couple losing custody of their children. Jenelle has publicly said she's standing by her man. In order to get back Ensley and her sons from other relationships, Jace, 9, and Kaiser, 4, a judge said the couple has to undergo marriage counseling and parenting classes. David -- whose daughter Maryssa (from a previous relationship) was allegedly removed from his home too -- was reportedly ordered to have a psychological evaluation for his "anger issues." In the wake of the dog incident, MTV dropped Jenelle from "Teen Mom 2." (David was fired in 2018 after he posted homophobic missives on social media.) Prison inmate Mike " The Situation " Sorrentino is paying his debt to society... behind bars. The "Jersey Shore" star surrendered to authorities on Jan. 15 to begin an eight-month federal prison sentence. While en route to lockup, he recorded an Instagram Live video in which he proclaimed, "The comeback is always greater than the setback." For the majority of the year, Mike's home has been the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, New York. The MTV star pleaded guilty to tax evasion in 2018. Controversial comments Liam Neeson was backpedaling in early February after telling a story in an interview about how 40 years ago, he wanted to kill a "black bastard" after learning that a black man had raped his friend. The backlash against the actor built all month. On Feb. 5, Liam went on "Good Morning America" to attempt to explain. "I thought I was defending her honor," he said while being adamant that he isn't a racist or bigot today. He told Robin Roberts that back then in the moment, he didn't think about the fact that he could have killed a totally innocent person. Liam added that he knows he was wrong and that he realized that a few days later when his "primal hatred" subsided. On Feb. 5, just a few hours after his "GMA" interview, the red carpet for Liam's film "Cold Pursuit" was canceled. The comments were akin to kryptonite. Co-star Michelle Rodriguez tried to support Liam, but she had to apologize after public outcry. Legal woes Cuba Gooding Jr. was arrested on June 13 and charged with one count of misdemeanor forcible touching and one count of sexual abuse in the third degree after a woman claimed the Oscar winner groped her breast in a New York bar on June 9. The alleged victim reportedly told police that Cuba, who was released, was "extremely intoxicated" when he touched her at the Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and Lounge. According to the New York Post, security had to intervene after the woman and the actor got into an argument. Cuba and his attorneys have insisted he's innocent and that they have faith in the legal system. Another woman has since come forward to claim that the actor groped her at a club a decade ago. His attorney has denied that allegation too.


The Philadelphia Eagles soft tissue issues continue, as safety Blake Countess is the latest defensive back to miss time with an injury. According to Zach Berman of The Athletic, Countess will be out multiple weeks with a hamstring. Other new injuries, in addition to Johnson, Goedert and Sudfeld: Blake Countess (hamstring), multiple weeks. Shelton Gibson (ankle), week to week Daeshon Hall (shoulder), day to day. Hassan Ridgeway (concussion) DeAndre Thompkins (shoulder), day-to-day - Zach Berman (@ZBerm) August 10, 2019 With Rodney McLeod still recovering from last season's torn ACL, the Eagles safety depth is starting to thin out some. Andrew Sendejo has been solid, but still could be cut, while Tre Sullivan struggled in coverage against the Titans on Thursday night. MORE: Four potential Carmelo Anthony landing spots in free agency Yankees' Brett Gardner gets ejected while sitting quietly, erupts on umpire Studs and duds from Saints preseason opener vs. Vikings Studs and duds from Packers' 28-26 win over Texans in preseason opener Cris Carter: Daniel Jones' first TD pass was ugly, should have been intercepted


Just about everyone believes that the NBA's one-and-done policy is bad for the league. Fans hate it, as it keeps players from earning a living despite their clear ability to do so. Players hate it for the same reason. Seemly the only folks holding on to the one-and-done were the NBA and the NCAA. The Association liked the rule because it allowed teams to get a look at players in a more organized fashion before using draft picks on them. The NBA also liked to say this helped protect players who might flame out and could use a year boosting their draft stock and growing their basketball abilities, a point that is debatable. The NCAA wants to keep the restriction in place because it profits off universities' ability to unfairly compensate athletes with regard to their market value. Keeping the most exciting players   NBA players   in that cadre is an added benefit. Now it seems like we are moving toward a point where the one-and-done rule will be gone once again. Speaking on Thursday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that he believes the 2022 NBA Draft will be the best place for high school entrants to jump to the league. Via Washington Post : NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has made clear he thinks the controversial one-and-done rule is no longer good policy, and he said Thursday at an event in Washington that the 2022 draft likely will allow the best high school players to jump straight into the NBA rather than playing a single season of college before turning pro. "There are a bunch of issues that need to be worked through between us and the players association, so it's something we're in active discussions about," Silver said. "It's a few years away, I think." … "So if the rule were to change, we and our players association, USA Basketball, other groups would be working much more directly with those young players to prepare them for the NBA," he said. Silver also said that he felt criminal proceedings, as well as his own understanding surrounding the recruiting of college basketball players, has swayed his opinion on whether the one-and-done rule should be abolished. It doesn't seem as though Silver would set a public date in this fashion without it being something that had a likely chance of becoming a reality. But time will tell, and all sides need to come together and make sure it's beneficial for players and the NBA. Related slideshow: Best of 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs (provided by imagn)


Sacramento will see a return of last week's warm temperatures in the coming days, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Temperatures will reach a high of 75 degrees on Wednesday, then turn cooler from Sunday to Monday. Rain is also in store tomorrow. Tomorrow's forecast shows the greatest possibility of rain at 74 percent. Skies will be mostly cloudy today and partly cloudy on Friday. Winds are forecast to reach a modest high of 14 mph today, with daily top speeds in the single digits the rest of the week. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


NASCAR.com's Pat DeCola ranks the top 20 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers following the race at Kansas Speedway and ahead of the race All-Star Race. NASCAR.com's Pat DeCola ranks the top 20 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers following the race at Kansas Speedway and ahead of the race All-Star Race. Driver: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Rank: 20 Change: (Not ranked last week) Comment: Stenhouse Jr. came alive at Kansas, leading for 11 laps and nearly completing his first top 10 since Vegas. Perhaps he'll stand out during the All-Star Race, too, though he's yet to notch a top 10 there in three starts. Driver: William Byron Rank: 19 Change: -2 Comment: The Charlotte native would certainly love to be a part of his first All-Star Race this year after coming in seventh in last year's Open. Byron has greatly improved his finishing position overall in 2019 and could surprise. Driver: Ryan Newman Rank: 18 Change: -2 Comment: Newman tends to do well in the All-Star Race, with one win and seven top 10s in 17 starts. That said, out of his three 2019 top 10s, none of them came on 1.5-mile tracks. Driver: Austin Dillon Rank: 17 Change: +2 Comment: Dillon has a Charlotte win under his belt (2017 Coca-Cola 600) and finished P2 in the Open that year, as well. He's kept the car clean this year with no DNFs and a career-best 15.2 average finish. Driver: Jimmie Johnson Rank: 16 Change: +2 Comment: Johnson's four All-Star Race wins are most in the series, though he hasn't landed in Victory Lane since back-to-back victories in 2012 and '13. Still, he almost always does well, with nine top fives in 17 starts. Driver: Kyle Larson Rank: 15 Change: -1 Comment: Larson led 40 laps in the 2017 running of the event, settling for a runner-up finish. He won the Open in 2016, as well, but it's hard -- though not impossible -- to see him performing well on Saturday night based on his '19 season. Driver: Daniel Suarez Rank: 14 Change: -1 Comment: The 2017 Open winner was also last year's All-Star Race runner-up. Amidst his best career season to date, Suarez could make some noise under the lights. Driver: Erik Jones Rank: 13 Change: +2 Comment: Jones was P2 in last year's Open, and has been a factor in each of the past two 2019 races. A summer breakout looks likely for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver, and Saturday night could be the start of something special. Driver: Ryan Blaney Rank: 12 Change: -3 Comment: Blaney has yet to earn a top 10 in his two All-Star Race starts and appears to be less likely to break through for a win this weekend than his Team Penske counterparts. That said, he did win the most recent Charlotte race -- though on a layout that has just about nothing in common with Saturday night except for the venue. Driver: Aric Almirola Rank: 11 Change: -- Comment: Almirola has just one All-Star Race under his belt, but his 8.0 average finish (again, one start) would be third-best in the series. Still, an improvement on that number looks likely this weekend. Driver: Alex Bowman Rank: 10 Change:+2 Comment: The best consolation for Bowman's three straight heartbreaking/encouraging runner-up finishes would be the $1 million prize handed to the All-Star Race winner. That feels like a distinct possibility for him this weekend. Driver: Clint Bowyer Rank: 9 Change: +1 Comment: Bowyer has won the Open twice, but has arguably the worst stats in the actual All-Star Race. The SHR driver owns just one top 10 (2014) in nine tries. Driver: Kurt Busch Rank: 8 Change: -- Comment: Busch won the All-Star Race from the pole in 2010 and has exceeded just about every expecation set for him in 2019. He'll be a contender this weekend. Driver: Denny Hamlin Rank: 7 Change: -- Comment: After a blazing start to the season, Hamlin has cooled over the past three. Perhaps the 2015 All-Star Race winner will use Saturday night as turning point. Driver: Martin Truex Jr. Rank: 6 Change: -3 Comment: Truex has just two top 10s in eight All-Star Race appearances and led his first laps (16) last year before crashing out. Still, one of the sport's top drivers (particularly at the track lately) will be a favorite for the win. Driver: Chase Elliott Rank: 5 Change: -- Comment: Elliott has no Charlotte wins of any kind under his belt yet, but does own a top 10 in all three All-Star Race starts -- along with the best average finish (6.0) in the series. Driver: Kevin Harvick Rank: 4 Change: -- Comment: The defending All-Star Race winner (36 laps led last year) is one of just two drivers in the field with multiple victories in the exhibition. He had the dominant car at Kansas and is among the favorites on Saturday. Driver: Brad Keselowski Rank: 3 Change: +3 Comment: All of a sudden Keselowski is tied for the series lead in wins and looks primed to be a championship contender for the long haul. He'll likely compete for the win on Saturday night, though he's yet to break through in 10 tries. Driver: Joey Logano Rank: 2 Change: -- Comment: Logano has been pretty sensational in the All-Star Race, winning in 2016 and having finishing worse than eighth just once in 10 tries (P22, 2014). Somewhat bafflingly, though, the Team Penske driver has led just 16 career laps in the event. Driver: Kyle Busch Rank: 1 Change: -- Comment: As he does in most races these days, Busch enters the weekend as the driver most likely to win. The 2017 race winner also has three poles for the race and his 256 laps led are most in the series.


The most painful forms of small talk are awkward attempts to fill silence, as when you find yourself next to a stranger in a waiting room or you run into a mentor you haven't spoken with in a while. After a few moments, however, these types of conversations usually dwindle down to nothing. Why? Because nobody's saying anything important or stimulating. Granted, in situations with random strangers you'll likely never see again, these meaningless exchanges probably don't matter as much   but when you depend on networking to help you secure a better job and a brighter financial future, your small talk skills definitely matter. The good news is that making the most of small talk is a relatively easy fix. According to a series of conversation experiments conducted by Harvard researchers, you can elevate your small talk skills and be instantly more likable if you ask the person you're speaking with more meaningful follow-up questions after your initial greeting. In learning how to make small talk, instead of saying, "How are you?" after your initial greeting, try asking questions that will encourage an engaging rapport. Using this strategy will make you more memorable, more likable and, hopefully, closer to getting what you want. 1. Avoid Standard Conversation Starters When you run into a mentor you haven't seen recently, it's easy to fall back onto questions such as "What do you think about this weather we've been having?" or "How was the traffic on your way here?" The problem with these standard small talk topics is that they quickly lead to nowhere, and you might lose the opportunity to ask the question that can ultimately help you climb the career ladder. Instead, make an effort to start the conversation in a more stimulating fashion, maybe by asking about a project you know the person has been involved in or inquiring about a recent trip or major life events you're aware of, such as a new baby, a promotion or a recent move. As your mentor answers your questions, ask more follow-up questions, such as, "Are you able to get a good night's rest or is the little one keeping you up at night?" or "How much shorter is your commute now that you've moved closer to work?" 2. Make Eye Contact When you're speaking with someone, it's important to keep eye contact. If you're scanning the crowd or looking off into the distance, you're sending the message that you're distracted and not fully invested in the conversation. Holding eye contact for a few seconds at a time before nodding, tilting your head or briefly breaking eye contact by naturally glancing away and looking back again are all appropriate. 3. Mention Positive, Personal News Share your own news as a way to bring your mentor up to speed on what's been going on in your life. Any successes you've had or interesting happenings are good conversation topics. Bringing up something you recently did that made you think of your mentor or mentioning a way you were able to use your mentor's advice are also engaging ways to keep the conversation going. 4. Don't Be Afraid to Be Animated Your delivery is important. Even if you're telling what could be considered an interesting story, people can quickly lose interest if you deliver it in a low-key fashion with a monotone voice. Smile, raise your eyebrows and use hand gestures. All of these actions can draw people in and keep them interested in engaging with you. 5. Switch Gears Once you've initiated a comfortable rapport, you can switch gears and talk about something more meaningful. For example, if you want to gauge how your mentor feels about serving as a future reference for you, say something like, "I have a few different places I'm planning to apply within the next few months, and I'd love it if you would be willing to speak on my behalf as a reference." As long as you make a commitment to be an engaging, interesting speaker who refuses to fall back on cliche talking points, your networking skills will be golden. Related video: Not having these 5 networking skills can cost you money (provided by GoBankingRates)


As Tesla Inc. As Tesla Inc. co-founder Elon Musk would be happy to tell you, building a successful car company from scratch is one of the most challenging and complicated entrepreneurial endeavors -- and despite its success, the electric car company is still bleeding massive amounts of cash. If Tesla succeeds in becoming a profitable mass producer of cars, it will stand out among a graveyard of failed ventures -- brands that were successful for years in some cases but eventually disappeared . Nearly every aspect of the business is a complicated, expensive task. A common industry estimate is that it costs about $1 billion to develop a new vehicle and up to $6 billion if all parts of the vehicle   the platform, the engine, the transmission, the body style   are also brand new. And that assumes a company already has a factory, which itself can cost at least $1 billion to construct from scratch. Even then, the most well-made and stylish vehicle is not guaranteed a commercial success. With so many factors at play, starting a car company today without any support from an existing major auto industry player is almost impossible. Yet, this is exactly what many tinkerers did over a century ago when all it took to build and sell a car was a blacksmith shop and a modest amount of seed capital. Those days are gone, and with them most of the car manufacturers that kicked off the automotive revolution of the early 1900s. The gallery above is a list of famous auto brands that have been lost to history. Many of these brands were manufacturers which used their own nameplate on cars, and others were popular brands that were eventually phased out when Americans no longer wanted to buy them . 24/7 Wall St. researched the history of well-known but defunct U.S. automobile brands to identify the years they were active. We reviewed manufacturing figures and past media reports to identify popular models these companies produced. In some cases, the automakers were founded as standalone companies but later spent years as divisions of the Big Three automakers, General Motors, Ford Motor, and FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles). The years active figures are meant to represent the years cars were produced with the brand name, and not necessarily when the company started or went bankrupt. 1. AMC > Years active: 1954-1987 > Notable models: Pacer, Concord, AMX AMC, or American Motors Corporation, is a good example of how U.S. automakers consolidated in the decades after World War II. Born out of a merger between two other automakers on this list -- Hudson Motor Car and Nash-Kelvinator -- AMC never became a huge success. AMC is known mainly for being the steward of the Jeep brand from 1970, when it acquired Kaiser-Jeep, until Chrysler bought and absorbed it in 1987. It also sold several models under the AMC nameplate, including the Pacer, Concord, and AMX. 2. Checker > Years active: 1923-1982 > Notable models: Checker, Marathon, Superba Many people still associate the heavy, big yellow Checker taxi car with New York City of the '60s and '70s, but are likely not aware the car was actually produced in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A Russian immigrant founded the Checker Cab Manufacturing Company. One estimate from 1963 concluded that 35,000 of the nation's 135,000 taxis were Checkers, used primarily in Chicago and New York but also in smaller cities. The company went defunct 13 years after the death of founder Morris Markin due to greater demand for fuel economy in the taxi business. ALSO READ: Cars Americans Don t Want to Buy 3. Continental > Years active: 1956-1957 > Notable models: Mark II Often confused with Ford's Lincoln Continental, the Continental Mark II was actually the sole product of a separate Ford division and an expensive pet project of the company's namesake family. Elegant but overpriced, the Mark II resembled some of the finer European luxury sedans of the time. Celebrities and politicians alike, including Barry Goldwater and Elvis, forked out twice the price of a Cadillac to be seen in a Mark II. 4. Delorean > Years active: 1979-1982 > Notable models: DMC-12 Widely viewed as the car with the quirkiest back story, the DMC-12 will be forever seared into 1980s pop culture for its role in the 1985 Robert Zemeckis feel-good sci-fi film "Back to the Future." Founded by auto industry bohemian renegade John DeLorean, DeLorean Motor Company produced only 9,000 of these sporty, stainless steel-bodied lemons with gullwing doors. As flawed as it was iconic, the DMC-12 was the only car ever built by Delorean before it went under in 1982. ALSO READ: Cars So Hot They re Out of Stock 5. DeSoto > Years active: 1928-1960 > Notable models: Deluxe, Fireflite, Adventurer Chrysler's DeSoto division plowed through the Great Depression, selling its low-priced Airflow cars that featured what at the time would have been considered futuristic, a distinct fastback rear profile. By the '50s, DeSoto was well entrenched in the Atomic Age aesthetic, with large fins and rocket-like body styles. But a combination of spotty quality control, an industry pivot towards smaller cars, and two lengthy recessions in the '50s compelled Chrysler to shut down the DeSoto operations. 6. Hudson > Years active: 1909-1957 > Notable models: Super Six, Commodore, Hornet Backed primarily by Detroit department store owner Joseph L. Hudson, a group of Detroit businessmen created Hudson Motor Car to make a sub-$1,000 sedan. The low-price Essex introduced in 1919 helped the company become (briefly) the third largest U.S. automaker by 1925, behind Ford and Chevrolet. Hudson was the first to introduce engine warning lights to the dashboard. Consolidation in the industry led to a merger between Hudson and Nash-Kelvinator in 1954, creating AMC. AMC stopped using the Hudson nameplate in 1957. ALSO READ: America s Most Eco-Friendly Vehicles 7. Hummer > Years active: 1992-2010 > Notable models: H1, H2, H3 The Hummer origins are in a contract AM General was awarded to develop high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles, or HMMWV, for the U.S. ground forces. AM General briefly made a civilian version, the M998, which General Motors took over and renamed the H1 by 1998. The M998 and H1 were the only two Hummers that actually closely resembled the military version. Ensuing models looked more like typical SUVs. Rising gasoline prices, changing consumer tastes, and the Great Recession of 2008 put an end to the Humvee era. 8. Kaiser > Years active: 1945-1953 > Notable models: Dragon, Henry J, Manhattan Born out of an alliance between renowned entrepreneur Henry J. Kaiser and Joseph Frazer, an experienced automotive executive, the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation (later Kaiser Motors) built about 750,000 cars in eight years, a staggering feat for an automotive startup. The company focused on small, stylish, well-built, low-cost, no frills sedans and even briefly sold cars to American GIs in post-war Japan. But like other indie automakers, Kaiser could not compete with Detroit's Big Three. ALSO READ: Top-Selling Cars of 2018 9. Mercury > Years active: 1939-2010 > Notable models: Comet Cyclone, Cougar, Turnpike Cruiser Conceived by Ford Motor as a premium brand, Mercury deftly evolved technologically and aesthetically along with consumer tastes from the '40s to the '60s. The 1955 classic film "Rebel Without A Cause" starring James Dean enshrined the 1949 Mercury, while the 1957 Turnpike Cruiser was for its time an edgy two-door hardtop with a roll down rear window. The Cougar was Mercury's answer to the Ford Mustang. In later years, the brand ran low on gas and was junked by Ford amid the Great Recession. 10. Nash > Years active: 1916-1957 > Notable models: 600, Airflyte, Metropolitan Nash Motors Company rolled its first car off a Wisconsin assembly line in 1917, a year after it was founded by former General Motors President Charles W. Nash. The Model 671 was built as a low-cost, no frills sedan for working-class customers. The company went on an acquisitions spree in the 1920s, and in 1937 it became Nash-Kelvinator following a merger. Unable to compete with Detroit's Big Three, Nash-Kelvinator merged with Hudson Motor Car in 1954, giving birth to AMC. The last models bearing the Nash brand produced in 1957. ALSO READ: Brands That Will Disappear in 2019 11. Oldsmobile > Years active: 1897-2004 > Notable models: Cutlass, Starfire, 442 The last Oldsmobile, a dark cherry Alero sedan, rolled out of a General Motors plant in Lansing, Michigan, in April 2004, capping an end to America's then-oldest auto brand. Founded by Ransom E. Olds, the son of a machinist, the first Oldsmobiles were motorized carriages. By 1908, Oldsmobile became the second brand after Buick to be part of General Motors; it became a top brand for GM. After the Cutlass was a bestseller in the '70s and '80s, Oldsmobile sales began to decline until GM shuttered the brand in 2004. 12. Packard > Years active: 1899-1956 > Notable models: Super Eight, Clipper, Caribbean The Packard brothers, James Ward and William Dowd, built their first buggy-style vehicle in 1899 -- and the Packard Motor Car Company was born. Before and after World War II, Packard focused on smaller, lower-priced cars, ceding the market for luxury cars to Cadillac in the popular post-war luxury market. Costly production decisions and the leadership of a chief executive with no automotive experience ended Packard's automotive business in the '50s. ALSO READ: 30 Safest Cars in America 13. Plymouth > Years active: 1928-2001 > Notable models: Fury, Barracuda, Road Runner The last Plymouth, a Neon LX, rolled out of an Illinois Chrysler factory in 2001, ending more than seven decades of production. Walter P. Chrysler created Plymouth to attract young, first-time buyers with affordable cars. Sales peaked in the early '70s following a string of popular models, but Plymouth eventually lost steam, failing to compete with rivals in the market for smaller economy cars. 14. Pontiac > Years active: 1926-2010 > Notable models: Bonneville, GTO, Trans Am General Motors first introduced the Pontiac at a New York auto show in 1926. GM had bought the Pontiac, Michigan-based car company, founded by Edward Murphy and Alanson Brush, a designer of early Cadillacs. Demand for the stylish Pontiac sedans flourished in the ensuing decades, but the brand gradually lost its appeal in the '90s. A brief attempt at reviving Pontiac failed as the Great Recession sent GM into a taxpayer-funded bailout and aggressive restructuring. ALSO READ: America s Best Cars 15. Saturn > Years active: 1990-2009 > Notable models: Ion, Aura, Vue General Motors established the Saturn automaker in an attempt to compete with the growing popularity of Japanese auto brands, which were offering more reliable cars for the same price as U.S.-made cars. Saturn's first car, the S-Series, was a mold-breaker for GM and was well received, as were other '90s-era models. But difficulties the early 2000s and the Great Recession killed three GM brands: Saturn, Hummer, and Pontiac. 16. Studebaker > Years active: 1913-1966 > Notable models: Wagonaire, Golden Hawk, Avanti A South Bend, Indiana, buggy and carriage maker made the began making electrically powered cars in 1902. In 1913, the company began selling branded gas-powered cars under the Studebaker name. After barely surviving the Depression, Studebaker produced popular concisely stylish models. Packard bought Studebaker in 1954, and its accountants quickly realized the company's production costs were higher than its competitors. The company eventually collapsed under its own weight despite producing quality products. ALSO READ: Best and Worst Car Brands of 2018 17. Tucker > Years active: 1947-1948 > Notable models: Tucker '48 The Tucker '48 is one of the most striking examples of how producing an innovative, attractive product does not guarantee success. Preston Tucker was a visionary automobile entrepreneur, whose eponymous sedan was the first to include features like disc brakes and a center headlight that swivels during cornering. But Tucker's financial troubles and accusations of stock fraud (for which Tucker was later found innocent) put an end to the Tucker brand almost before it started. Only 51 Tuckers were actually made. 18. Willys > Years active: 1908-1963 > Notable models: Civilian Jeep, Jeep Station Wagon, Jeepster Thanks to the popularity of his Willys-Knight sedan, automotive pioneer John North Willys grew Willys-Overland Motor Company into the second largest U.S. carmaker after Ford from 1912 to 1916. Willys is best known for building military Jeeps in World War II and the CJ, or Civilian Jeep, after the war. In 1953, Kaiser Motors bought Willys, and in 1963 the Willys name was retired when the company was renamed Kaiser-Jeep. Kaiser-Jeep was later bought by AMC in 1970. ALSO READ: Cars Americans Don't Want to Buy


It seems all but certain that Al Horford, like Kyrie Irving, will leave the Boston Celtics once free agency opens. But could the Celtics find a way to keep Horford around? The Celtics reportedly are serious about pursuing Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker, a deal that absolutely would soften the blow of an Irving departure. Such news has prompted some to wonder if landing Walker would help Boston, in a last ditch effort, convince Horford to re-sign. One fan offered that question to Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler, who had a pretty simple response. Indeed, it seems that Horford re-signing at this point is a longshot. And though his loss won't be easy for the Celtics to swallow, parting ways would help them move the franchise in a different, younger direction.


Legendary Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith appeared on NFL Network last week to talk about his favorite memories of late owner Pat Bowlen. Bowlen will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. MORE: Kyle Kuzma is already trash-talking his former Lakers teammate NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players News: Elliott holdout concern re-emerges from Bristol, Cowboys new DE impresses Packers DL Tyler Lancaster working on pass-rushing in Year 2 Kurt Warner clashes with fan that calls Brady a system QB


The Raiders were the talk of the NFL Tuesday after it was announced they'd appear on HBO's Hard Knocks. But there's more. The team is close to finalizing a deal with the Rams to hold joint practices at Raiders training camp in Napa, according to The Las Vegas Review Journal's Michael Gehlken. Raiders and Rams are in "final stage" of discussions to hold joint practices during training camp in Napa before their Aug. 10 exhibition in Oakland, Jon Gruden said. - Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) June 11, 2019 With a preseason game following the joint practices, these two teams will certainly get to know one another. The head coaches, Jon Gruden of the Raiders and Sean McVay of the Rams, have known each other professionally since 2008 when Gruden hired McVay to his first NFL coaching job in Tampa Bay. McVay has had success in Los Angeles, taking his Rams to the Super Bowl last season but losing to the Patriots. The Rams' NFC Championship campaign started last season with a win in Oakland on Monday Night Football. The teams also played in the preseason, with each coach refusing to show any cards leading up to their Week 1 game. This time around, the Raiders get to compete against one of the best teams in the NFL and play them in the preseason, with no regular season implications. The practices promise to be spirited, with Gruden and McVay battling for bragging rights, not to mention the usual intense competition of camp. Which adds up to must-watch programming for HBO and Hard Knocks. That, and the plentiful other reasons, such as wide receiver Antonio Brown, linebacker Vontaze Burfict, general manager Mike Mayock and this being the franchise's last training camp as Oakland Raiders. MORE: Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade Packers rookie CB Ka'dar Hollman impressing early with press coverage Roundup: David Ortiz Shooting Suspect in Custody; Frozen 2; Alabama Chemical Castration Law 2019 aggregate mock draft 9.0: First look after withdrawal deadline Watch as judge declares mistrial on remaining 8 charges against Kellen Winslow Jr.


SeaWorld plans to end the long-running but increasingly controversial orca show at its San Diego amusement park next year, according to a report by the San Diego Union-Tribune. The show that made Shamu famous would be replaced with one with more of a "conservation message inspiring people to act," according to documents obtained by the paper in advance of a company webcast . The move comes after backlash from animal rights activists and the general public drained the value of SeaWorld Entertainment in recent years , and spurred state and federal efforts to ban the captive breeding of orca whales . Sea World was not immediately available for comment.


There's a bit of a debate swirling around NFL draft circles about the next running back in line at Alabama. Following the drafting of Josh Jacobs in Round 1 to the Oakland Raiders and Damien Harris in Round 3 to the New England Patriots, the stage is now set for Najee Harris to take over in the lead role this season for the Crimson Tide. And history suggests that Harris, a junior, has a great chance of being a Day 1 or 2 draft pick whenever he ends up declaring for the NFL draft. Certainly it's not any secret that the Crimson Tide are a factory for pro prospects. They've produced by far the most NFL draft picks (93) and first-round picks (31) over the past 10 drafts. And running back has been one of the program's most fruitful offerings. The Tide have had 10 running backs drafted in the past 10 years, with only two falling outside the top 100 selections. One was a fullback (Jalston Fowler, a fourth-rounder of the Tennessee Titans in 2015) and the other was Bo Scarbrough, a seventh-rounder of the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. In fact, you have to go back to 2007 college season for the last time Bama's leading rusher wasn't someone who would go on to be drafted in the first three rounds of the NFL draft. That's simply incredible. Damien Harris, Derrick Henry, T.J. Yeldon, Eddie Lacy, Trent Richardson, Mark Ingram and Glen Coffee all were Bama's leading rushers from the 2008 college season until now, and they all ended up being taken in Rounds 1, 2 or 3. Even their backups and understudies tend to get drafted   Jacobs, Scarbrough, Kenyan Drake and Fowler never led the Tide in rushing in college but all were picked. That suggests that Najee Harris will get a very considerable chance in the league whenever it's his time. But not everyone is convinced that he's a high-level NFL prospect. Is Najee Harris a top-shelf NFL draft prospect now? A tweet from The Athletic's draft analyst, Dane Brugler, got our minds stirring on this topic. Brugler's point seems to be that Harris doesn't exactly fit what the modern NFL back looks like, and there's some real validity to this argument. He was No. 11 among underclassmen for me. I just don't think his style is a great fit in today's NFL and I preferred the guys in front of him. He'll have a chance to sway me this year as the lead dog. We'll see.   Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) July 16, 2019 Behind Damien Harris and Jacobs in 2017, Najee Harris ran for 370 yards and three touchdowns on 70 carries, upping his rushing workload to 783 yards and four TDs on 117 carries. On the surface, it's hard not to like an SEC back averaging 6.1 and 6.7 yards per carry, respectively, in his first two seasons. It's even more impressive when you consider that Harris battled a foot injury early in the 2018 season and an ankle injury last November. Harris is a sturdy 230 pounds, built almost like a smaller Henry or Scarbrough. In his first two seasons, Harris has impressed with his power running and his patented hurdle maneuver to launch over would-be-tacklers. He was the former No. 1-rated recruit in the country by many services, including Rivals, out of high school. Harris' tackle-breaking ability is also impressive. Last season, he averaged 4.38 yards after contact, which is a good number, and his 0.32 missed tackles per carry was third-most among returning backs with 100 carries or more. Sure, he'll appeal to the run-game fetishists who love a back that can plow his way through or past a defender. There's something to be said for that ability, even throwback as it is. But Harris' lack of receiving prowess and lateral quickness are big worries in the NFL community. The league has shifted away from power/pounder backs who are not light on their feet and who cannot make significant contributions to the passing game. Harris has a total of 10 catches (on 14 targets) for a mere 52 yards. Certainly, the pass-game contribution could improve over time. But Scarbrough is a good example of a Nick Saban-coached back who was more of a power-based unitasker who never made big strides in the passing game. That was a big reason why he slipped so far in the draft despite being a bull on the ground at times. Alabama also adds true freshman Trey Sanders   one of the best recruits in the SEC   to the mix this season and returns junior Brian Robinson at the position. Sanders comes into the program with sky-high goals and immense confidence right out of the chute. "My freshman year at Alabama I will win the Heisman, I will be a finalist. I'm looking forward to going to New York." - Trey Sanders ( @6sixGod_ ) on his Alabama commitment   AJ Spurr (@SpurrWVUA) December 19, 2018 At this point, it would not be a stretch to say that Sanders is by far the better receiving threat of the top two backs. His open-field ability at 6-foot and 200-plus pounds is something to behold, we've heard. Sanders' high-school tape is tremendous. How Harris can improve his draft stock So it's notable that Najee Harris was able to carve out such a strong share of the run game last season   only three fewer carries than Jacobs and 33 fewer than Damien Harris. But some around the program felt that part of that workload was dished to Najee Harris after he hinted at transferring after his freshman season. It's not that the Bama coaches dislike Harris at all, of course, but it's clear that he has some limitations and would be best served in more of a complementary role. How that translates to his NFL profile remains to be seen. Harris could keep Sanders' role limited with a strong 2019 season and become the next Bama back to keep the top-100 pick streak alive. That's certainly in the realm of possibility, and declaring after this season would make a lot of sense from a tread and value perspective. In other words, sticking around for his senior season   barring an injury or something unforeseen   wouldn't make a lot of sense. But we would not be stunned to see Harris end up as more of a Day 2 or early Day 3 prospect than as a Day 1 pick. He doesn't have the versatility of their first-rounders such as Jacobs or Ingram or even Richardson, who was considered a far more explosive prospect when he ended up the third overall pick before busting out of the NFL. Harris ran a 4.66 40-yard dash in high school and might not test vastly better at the NFL scouting combine. His college tape also shows a player who might not register all that high in the agility drills, such as the 3-cone drill or the 20-yard shuttle. And those measurements (along with the 10-yard split on the 40) are metrics that a lot of NFL teams lean on when scaling RB prospects. It's Bama, of course, so we're talking about an explosive offense   especially through the air now   with grade-A talent at almost every position. No longer can opponents gang up on the Alabama run game the way they used to. Harris appears poised for a strong statistical season as the 1A run-game option, and he has the frame to withstand the beating of an elongated season   one that could see Bama in the SEC title game and college football playoffs once more. The schedule is also quite friendly prior to that with the Tide dodging Georgia and Florida in the regular season and having a non-conference slate of Duke, New Mexico State, Southern Miss and Western Carolina. Like QB Tua Tagovailoa last season, Harris might be wearing a baseball cap for most fourth quarters, too. But as an NFL darling? We're not convinced Najee Harris is yet that player, and he might never be. More from Yahoo Sports: Cowboys preview: Success is back, and so is the circus Is this the year Fromm, Georgia take down Alabama? Perkins warns Zion to watch diet: 'It's FOOD everywhere' Ensan wins $10M World Series of Poker title


This year's top-performing cryptocurrency is up more than threefold and you've likely never heard of it. Litecoin, which has gained more than 330% since the beginning of the year, is outpacing all its crypto peers, including Ether and XRP, as well as the best-known and largest token Bitcoin. It has a market cap of about $8.4 billion, making it the seventh-largest digital asset, according to data compiled by Mosaic Research Ltd. The rally can partly be attributed to Litecoin's upcoming halving (also known as halvening), whereby the number of coins awarded to so-called miners is slashed by 50%. The idea is that a cut in supply will not only drive up its price but will also prevent an erosion of value. Miners currently receive 25 new Litecoins per block, but following the halving -- which is expected to fall on Aug. 6 -- they will receive 12.5. Halving typically happens roughly every four years and the run-up to it has, in the past, coincided with a rally in the underlying tokens. Four years ago, when the last Litecoin halving occurred, the coin gained about 60% in the three months beforehand, according to data from CoinMarketCap.com . And the phenomenon isn't isolated to Litecoin, either -- Bitcoin is set to undergo its next halving in May 2020 and its biggest proponents are already seizing on the drop in supply as a catalyst for further gains. "Every time we've seen a halving event in Bitcoin or Litecoin, the price has risen astronomically," said Mati Greenspan, senior market analyst at trading platform eToro, in a phone interview. "So if that pattern continues, what we've seen so far is small potatoes in comparison," he said. "This is quite normal for the crypto market." Cryptocurrencies are undergoing a renaissance this year on the back of wider acceptance from mainstream institutions and increased attention from Wall Street. E*Trade Financial Corp. is said to be readying cryptocurrency trades on its platform, as is Fidelity Investments. AT&T Inc. now lets customers pay their bills using digital tokens, the first U.S. carrier to do so. And among the most anticipated developments is an upcoming announcement from Facebook Inc., which is reportedly set to release more details on the basics of its own digital token. These developments, among others, have pushed up the price of Bitcoin by 120% since the beginning of the year. Ether, too, has gained close to 100%. Litecoin, which was trading below $30 at the end of last year, is now worth $130. The elements behind the rally "are justifiable and real and factual," said David Tawil, president of crypto hedge fund ProChain Capital. "It's just a question by how much does it gain?," he said. "Is it reasonable to think that this halving, this catalyst, should allow the Litecoin to reach its previous highs? I think so. I think it could." But the recent resurgence in digital assets is masking an unwelcome reality : relatively few are using Bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, for anything other than speculation. Merchant transactions account for only about 1.3% of economic activity, according to data from Chainalysis Inc., a number that's stayed little changed even over the boom and bust cycles of the prior two years. Huge upswings or downswings in prices from day to day -- which isn't uncommon in the crypto world -- make it difficult to utilize for things like bill paying or even to purchase a cup of coffee. R elated video: Blockchain ... what it is, why it matters and whether it will change everything (provided by NBC News) That begs the question: if hardly anyone is using the world's largest cryptocurrency, then who's using Litecoin? After peaking in January 2018, Litecoin transactions are down dramatically, falling about 84% since the peak. They are up since the beginning of this year, however. And transaction fees in Litecoin have been unpredictable, jumping 10-fold in late May before dropping again, according to BitInfoCharts.com . Such volatility can make developers hesitate to create apps for this blockchain, as a jump in fees can impact usage. Litecoin "only thrives if Bitcoin is valuable," said Aaron Brown, an investor who writes for Bloomberg Opinion. "It's an established, convenient transaction currency well suited to a world in which Bitcoin is the store of value. I don't think it has much value in a world in which Bitcoin prices are low." Litecoin's founder, Charlie Lee, cashed out of all of his holdings at the height of the digital asset bubble in 2017 when the token was trading for about $375. It was a prescient decision -- Litecoin lost almost 90% of its value the following year. Lee, who founded the coin in 2011, said at the time that he sold or donated all of his holdings and that the liquidation was aimed at preventing a "conflict of interest." Critics accused Lee of recognizing the frenzy around digital assets and cashing out ahead of a severe decline. Lee told Bloomberg News at the time that he was turning his focus to increasing use by merchants. Representatives for Litecoin didn't comment. But now, with 53 days to go, Litecoin fans will continue to count down until the halving. "It's a good potential trading opportunity," said Tawil. "I don't think it's important in the broader fundamental development of crypto. To us, that's much more important."


You're already applying sunscreen to your arms, legs, and face at least every two hours ... right ? But chances are, you're likely skipping one really important spot: your lips. Just like the rest of your skin, your lips can get damaged by the sun, leading to sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and one in five Americans will develop it in their lifetimes, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Developing skin cancer on the lips is especially risky because it's a mucosal surface, says Melanie Palm, MD , a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego. "The blood vessels and lymphatics are more intimately related," she says. "By the simple anatomy and structure of mucosal surfaces, we get very concerned that cancers [on the lips] can be more aggressive in nature because they can spread more easily through these conduits to other areas of the body." The good news: You can protect your lips from UV damage. Here's what you need to know about preventing sunburned lips and how to heal them in the advent of too much sun exposure - just in time for Skin Cancer Awareness Month this May. Can your lips get sunburned? Yes, the sun can damage and burn your lips just like the rest of your skin. "UV radiation from the sun can lead to DNA damage," says Deanne Robinson, MD , a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut. "The lips can develop precancerous or actinic keratosis, basal or squamous cell skin cancers, and even the most deadliest of skin cancers, melanomas ." The lower lip usually gets more sun damage than the upper lip, Dr. Palm adds. "If the sun is overhead, it's going to hit the lower lip and the upper lip is relatively spared in terms of sun exposure," she says. Water (at the beach or pool) and snow (like when you're skiing) can reflect the rays back on that top lip though, so comprehensive protection is key. Not only can you get a (temporary) red, painful, and flakey sunburn on the lips, but over time too much UV exposure can lead to a rough or leathery appearance, collagen breakdown, dilation of blood vessels, and precancerous spots, Dr. Palm says. An actinic keratosis (as it's technically called) can present as a rough, red, scaly patch or a distinct area of dry skin that never seems to rid itself. What's the best sunscreen for lips? For most people, lip balms with physical sunscreens are a great way to go, Dr. Palm and Dr. Robinson agree. These incorporate the active mineral ingredients titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide and function differently than chemical sunscreens. "The physical-based sunscreens work almost like mirrors; they reflect light back into the environment," Dr. Palm explains. "Chemical sunscreens function like little heat absorbers. They actually convert UV light energy into heat, but heat can cause inflammation on the skin." The FDA is currently reviewing chemical sunscreens for efficacy and safety, so titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the only ones with an official thumbs-up right now until the new federal recommendations come out in the fall. Physical sunscreens don't necessarily leave a white tint on your lips, either. Both Dr. Palm and Dr. Robinson recommended Coola Tinted Mineral Lip Balm with SPF 30, which comes in a range of shades. EltaMD UV Lip Balm and Sun Bum Lip Balm also incorporate mineral ingredients if you'd prefer an untinted formula. Pick one with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply every 90 to 120 minutes or after eating or drinking , Dr. Robinson recommends. Staying in the shade, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and avoiding the sun during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. can also help protect your skin and lips. How do you heal sunburned lips fast? While it's always best to prevent a sunburn before it happens, we know that it's easier said than done. Here's what you can do to speed up the healing process if you've accidentally overdone it on the sun, according to Dr. Palm and Dr. Robinson. Apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to reduce redness and swelling. (It's okay to put on your lips in small amounts - just try not to lick it off!) Take ibuprofen or Advil to help with pain and discomfort. Try a bland emollient like Aquaphor or Vaseline to help injured skin heal faster. Rehydrate by drinking lots of water . Make a mini mask with oatmeal to soothe the skin. Use a green tea -soaked washcloth as cool compress. The polyphenols in the tea can promote healthy cell turnover. Put some cucumber slices on your lips for a hydrating and cooling effect. Reach for the aloe , which has healing and hydrating properties . Gently exfoliate flakey dryness with a gommage product like Sakura Silk at the end of the healing process. The new skin after a sunburn is very delicate, so you'll want to avoid anything that may slow or counteract the progress made: Don't peel or bite off peeling skin. Leave any blisters alone. Skip harsh, granular exfoliators. Avoid hot or spicy foods and beverages. Prevent any further damage from sun exposure. How long does a burnt lip take to heal? Sunburned lips will heal a little more quickly - a day or two sooner - than other areas of the skin because they're a mucosal surface, Dr. Palm says. That timeline can range from a couple day to a week or more depending on the severity of the burn. Just like skin, your lips can get very dry after the initial inflammation and redness go away. Using moisturizers can help combat this, but generally, just let your lips do their own thing: "Our body has a pretty amazing way of healing itself on its own time," Dr. Palm says. (video courtesy Health.com)


The summer transfer window is kaput, at least when it comes to English incomings, meaning that the Premier League squads you see know are the ones the club are set with, save for cast-offs, until January 1st. Which begs the question, when it comes to the best business of summer #2k19, whodunnit? Well, beg no further. Here's every Premier League side's grading for the #2k19. AFC Bournemouth Bournemouth have signed four players on permanent deals, only one of which I had genuinely heard of before this summer, and he's Philip Billing, so...yeah. Having said that, Harry Wilson is a canny signing, Danjuma looks a unit and Lloyd Kelly looks promising. Grade: C+ Arsenal ⚡ Those #FridayFeeling vibes are strong today!  #BemvindoDavid  #TimeForTierney gbsct pic.twitter.com/h81k3mFoPr   Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 9, 2019 Who knows how they did it ('actually it's quite normal to spread transfer fees over numerous seasons, Clive'), but Arsenal finally broke the bank, and they broke it for some proper talent. Nicolas Pepe is a quality prospect, though how much of a gamechanger he is remains to be seen, but David Luiz and Kieran Tierney are relative bargains and undoubtedly improve a shaky defence. Looks great on paper as it stands, but the question remains whether they would've been better off spending £8m on a winger and £72m on a centre-back. Grade: A- Aston Villa And breathe.  A reminder of our summer acquisitions ahead of the 2019/20 #PL campaign. #AVFC pic.twitter.com/HfAQ2eg3pT   Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 8, 2019 Villa have undoubtedly signed some good players, Wesley Moraes chief among them, but this B grade (for Big Spenders) could just as easily turn into an 'F' for Fulham if the football gods so wish. Grade: B Brighton  You love to see it, @AARONMOOY !  #AnnounceMooy #BHAFC ⚪ pic.twitter.com/iAAPwcdtWe   Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽ (@OfficialBHAFC) August 8, 2019 Amid all the deadline day shuffling, it was nice to see Aaron Mooy return to the Premier League, and he could do a decent job at the Amex. Neal Maupay can score goals, too, which will help to alleviate some of the pressure on 64-year-old Glen Murray's shoulders. As for Adam Webster and Leandro Trossard, they seem like (educated, presumably) risks. Still, keeping Lewis Dunk was probably their best bit of biniz. Grade: C- Burnley Drinkwater: I'm Raring To Go https://t.co/xkH48krwZx   Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) August 8, 2019 It's 'nice' to see Jay Rodriguez back at Burnley and Danny Drinkwater is 'raring to go'. Err, that's about it at Turf Moor. Grade: C- Chelsea . @Mateo_Kova23 is here to stay!    Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 1, 2019 That must be the lowest key transfer announcement we've had all summer, and it was the only one Chelsea had. If you want to sum this move up, you would say that Mateo Kovacic is both best and worst bit of business the club have done this summer. He's just that kind of player. Still, #netspend champions #2k19, baby. Grade: D- Crystal Palace  James McCarthy and Víctor Camarasa have met the lads for the first time! Presented by @eToro #CPFC pic.twitter.com/ib5cO59KKN   Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 9, 2019 Wilfried Zaha (albeit with his head turned) kept = good. James McCarthy, Gary Cahill, Stephen Hendersdon, Jordan Ayew and Victor Camarasa (£6m total) brought in = eeeerrrrrm, bad. Grade: D+ Everton ✅ | Another target captured! The boss has his say on summer signing #7⃣ ! #EFC pic.twitter.com/f8IKdwRGSD   Everton (@Everton) August 8, 2019 What a remarkable window for the Toffees. They managed to secure both the best value deal of the summer (Moise Kean) and the worst (Alex Iwobi) and, inexplicably, they basically play in the same position. Go figure. Fabian Delph is a decent pick up I guess, but Idrissa Gueye may be missed more than anticipated. Grade: B+ Leicester Things you love to see: pic.twitter.com/PD8fgor8zD   Leicester City (@LCFC) August 9, 2019 Youri Tielemans is an excellent capture, no doubt about it. Dennis Praet could be similarly impactful, while Ayoze Perez could go either way. The biggest puzzle is the lack of defensive reinforcements following the Harry Maguire windfall. Are they aware of the collective age of Wes Morgan and Johnny Evans? Grade: C+ Liverpool  @AdriSanMiguel  #LFC pic.twitter.com/tkUajCDLga   Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 5, 2019 Contrary to most of their other recent successful seasons, the Champions League winners kept all of their best players. However, they signed just two teenagers and a West Ham reject. 'No ambition' . Grade: D Manchester City PEP  Cancelo will not start, he only arrived two days ago. Everyday I'm more convinced this deal (Rodri signing) will be one of the best this Club has done in the last few years. He'll be an incredible midfielder.   Manchester City (@ManCity) August 9, 2019 Unsurprisingly, City once again strengthened admirably, with Pep Guardiola publicly calling the Rodri signing 'one of the best this club has done in the last few years'. Yikes. Don't sleep on Joao Cancelo, either. If we're picking holes in the champions-elect, though, you'd say the refusal to buy an out and out left back was a bit...strange? No Vinnie Kompany replacement, either. Grade: B+ Manchester United 5⃣❤ #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Goj5Digty1   Harry Maguire (@HarryMaguire93) August 7, 2019 Don't get me wrong, Harry Maguire is a good and much-needed (if slightly expensive) signing, the same goes for Aaron Wan-Bissaka. But opting to not replace Romelu Lukaku, and stringing out every other link they had into oblivion? That was bad bad, not good. Another summer in which they got schooled by the rest. Grade: C- Newcastle Expectation  Reality Newcastle United's transfer window summed up... pic.twitter.com/aMBzIffnlM   90min (@90min_Football) August 9, 2019 Couldn't put it better myself, really. The jury is definitely still out on Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton, but I will freely admit I have the latter in my FPL team. Andy Carroll probably has one ecstatic moment in him, amid all the massages. Grade: C- Norwich Happy birthday to our Swiss international striker, Josip Drmic! ✌ Josip turns 27 today!  #ncfc pic.twitter.com/CQ5rF2t69r   Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) August 8, 2019 Patrick Roberts is exciting, Ralf Fahrmann is...experienced, and I am aware of Josip Drmic as a footballer, ditto Sam Byram. Grade: D- Sheffield United ✍ 3rd July - Luke Freeman. ✍ 4th July - Phil Jagielka. ✍ 12th July - Callum Robinson. ✍16th July - Ravel Morrison. ✍ 21st July - Lys Mousset. ✍ 26th July - Ben Osborn. ✍ 26th July - Dean Henderson. ✍ 2nd Aug - Oli McBurnie. ✍ 8th Aug - Besic & Verrips. CW:  pic.twitter.com/VE4XS9rMYN   Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) August 8, 2019 Luke Freeman is a tricky player, mark my words. Jagielka is another 'nice' story. Ravel Morrison is a wildcard. Mo Besic is feisty. Oli McBurnie is untested. Credit where it's due, the Blades have left nothing on the table here. Go hard or go home. It's good to see. Not sure it'll work, but good to see. Grade: B- Southampton The third player aboard the Ralph Express this summer!  #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/rm907uP9C7   Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 9, 2019 The bane of the journalistic world with that last-gasp announcement of Kevin Danso, Saints have had a middling window. Danny Ings is decent, but £20m is hefty. Comparatively, £15m for Che Adams could be a bargain. Well, we'll see, won't we. The Ralph Express animations can thoroughly do one, though. Grade: C+ Tottenham Welcoming the new lads  #HolaLoCelso ⚪ #SessegnonSigns pic.twitter.com/Ainxwsxhzx   Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 9, 2019 Sure, Paulo Dybala would've been great too, but you can't really ask for much more from Spurs this summer, especially considering what's gone before. Tanguy Ndombele is special, Giovani Lo Celso is ethereal and Ryan Sessegnon is ready. Grade: A Watford Sarr. Announced. #AnnounceSarr pic.twitter.com/bjDa5MHpiG   Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) August 8, 2019 Unpopular opinion: Ismaila Sarr was the best piece of transfer deadline day business. Danny Welbeck was also a piece of transfer deadline day business. Grade: B- West Ham Introducing our new striker... #WelcomeAjeti pic.twitter.com/h6T0fL1Tuu   West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) August 8, 2019 Sebastien Haller is the best striker West Ham have since the Great Carlton Cole in his pomp. That is a compliment, trust me. Pablo Fornals will either be a world-beater or on loan by January 4th, and Albian Ajeti is a Swiss international who played for FC Basel. Oh, and Andy Carroll, Samir Nasri and Marko Arnautovic have been taken off the wage bill/physio schedule. Grade: B+ Wolves What did you think of the new boy's cameo last night?  pic.twitter.com/z668FkxMu5   Wolves (@Wolves) August 9, 2019 This summer was mainly about tying down prominent loanees to permanent deals, but Pedro Neto could be a coup and Patrick Cutrone will either be an industrious success or a toiling failure. Under Nuno Espirito Santo, I fancy the former. Still, the squad looks a bit light for the famed Europa League campaign. Grade: B-


Drak e was everywhere during Eastern Conference finals games in Toronto   heckling Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, rubbing Raptors coach Nick Nurse's shoulders and generally just putting on a show for the cameras. Will it continue in the NBA Finals? Michele Steele of ESPN : The NBA spoke to the Toronto Raptors during the Eastern Conference finals about Drake's activity and presence on the sideline, a league spokesman told ESPN. How many warnings does Drake get? Drake isn't just a fan (though the Raptors have a responsibility to control overstepping fans, anyway). He's officially the team's Global Brand Ambassador   a title official enough to get Toronto fined for tampering . If the Raptors want to allow Drake allowance to touch them, that's their choice. If the NBA is OK with Drake arguing with referees in a way other fans can't, that's the league's prerogative. But the Warriors deserve to have normal boundaries enforced if Drake encroaches on them.


Arlington is set to turn hot over the next few days, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . Your weather today includes a high temperature of 99 degrees and the high Saturday and Sunday will be 100. The forecast also shows rain is on the way. Tuesday's forecast shows the highest chance of rain at 73 percent, with expected rainfall of 0.14 inches. Skies will be mostly cloudy today and partly cloudy Saturday through Monday. Winds are forecast to reach a modest high of 14 mph on Tuesday, while today will be quieter. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Missed the the most recent top news in Phoenix? Read on for everything you need to know. Amid drought, Phoenix plans for a future with less water As the Colorado River's flow declines mostly due to overuse and climate change, water supplies in seven states are imperiled by potential shortages. That includes Arizona, which recently passed legislation outlining steps it would take if water from the river continues to decrease. Read the full story on PBS . Woman killed, baby injured 6-vehicle crash in Phoenix According to Phoenix FD, the crash happened near 19th Avenue and Pima Street. Read the full story on 12NEWS . Where in Phoenix is your car most likely to be broken into? Data shows there have been 773 vehicle break-ins so far in 2019. Do you live near a hot spot? Read the full story on 12NEWS . Man accused of defrauding comic book icon appears in court PHOENIX (AP)  A former business manager of the late comic book legend Stan Lee has had his initial court appearance in Arizona, where he was arrested after fleeing California charges of fiduciary elder abuse. Read the full story on 7News - WHDH Boston . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


A new Indian and New American spot has opened up shop in the neighborhood. Called Superkhana International , the newcomer is located at 3059 W. Diversey Ave. in Logan Square. Superkhana International offers a menu with small plates featuring modern-day Indian cuisine. Chef Yoshi Yamada told Eater Chicago that the menu represents a "natural merging of culture and culinary pleasures." The newcomer has gotten an enthusiastic response thus far, with a 4.5-star rating out of eight reviews on Yelp. Brad F., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on July 22, wrote, "After watching this place come together for the last few months, we couldn't wait to check it out as soon as they opened. Walking in, the Charles Vinz-designed space is definitely right at home on this stretch of trendy Diversey Ave. The space is beautiful. " And A S. wrote , "Incredible restaurant! Everything we ate was full of flavor, delicious, creative and filing. A highly unique and crave-worthy special place. I can't wait to go back and try everything on the menu." Swing on by to take a peek for yourself: Superkhana International is open from 5 11 p.m. on Tuesday-Saturday. (It's closed on Monday and Sunday.) Want to keep your finger on the pulse of new businesses in Chicago? Here's what else opened recently near you . This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Irvine will see a return of last week's warm weather over the next few days, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . The weather today and Friday includes forecast highs of 79 degrees. There's no rain in the forecast for the coming week. Skies will be mostly cloudy today and partly cloudy Friday through Sunday. Winds will stay somewhat calm in the course of the week, with the highest speeds on Saturday at only 9 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


1 Unless you're happy to hitchhike and sleep on people's floors, vacations generally aren't dirt cheap. Having a good time will cost you, even at the most inexpensive destinations . But don't ever fall into the trap of paying too much. That's easy to do, because needless expenses are as much a part of travel as painful airline seating and paper-thin hotel walls. With that in mind, I've put together my top 10 pet-peeve travel costs   and, more importantly, ways of getting around them. Eds note: Graham Hughes holds the Guinness World Record for visiting every country on Earth without flying. He hosts the Travel Channel's "Lonely Planet: Odyssey with Graham Hughes" and is the author of Man of the World. 1. Roaming charges Few things in life are as maddening as coming back off your vacays to discover you've been charged up to hundreds of dollars for data, a few texts and even fewer phone calls. It's even worse when you discover that the dastardly phone company has charged you for receiving calls   even those infernal robo-calls that you didn't even want. No. Just no. So, unlock your phone and buy a local SIM card as soon as you arrive at your destination. It'll cost you a few bucks and save you a small fortune. By the way, if you get a SIM card in any of the 28 European Union countries, it'll work in all of them. 2. Foreign transaction fees As we dive headfirst into a cashless society, it's worth remembering that some credit cards ding you with fees when you spend or withdraw money abroad. A 2018 study from LendingTree's CompareCards found that nearly half of all credit cards have foreign transaction fees. You're typically charged an extra 3% each time you make a purchase outside the U.S., and the fees can apply to ATM withdrawals, too. Spend $3,500 during your travels, and you'll pay more than $100 in fees. What to do? That's easy: Just shop around and find one of the many credit cards without foreign transaction charges . 3. Wi-Fi If you ever want to see steam coming from my ears, put me in a hotel and then charge me for the freakin' Wi-Fi . Why are you making me pay for this? I mean, come on   it's free at McDonald's, it's free at Starbucks, it's free in $5 backpacker dorms. This is another good reason to buy yourself a local SIM card (make yourself a hotspot if you're using a laptop), and a good reason not to stay at hotels. Oh and if, for whatever reason, you can't use a local SIM, be sure to download any Google Maps you might need before you leave home, so you can use them offline during your trip. 4. Visas I find myself almost feeling sorry for the national tourist boards that make it a requirement to pay for the privilege of visiting their country (And it's always the "best" ones, like North Korea .) I say I almost feel sorry. But I don't   because of the cost and all of the bother: filling out forms, scheduling appointments, often having to send your passport through the mail and arrange for its return to you, and so on. Seriously, there are dozens of countries you can visit that do not require you to get a visa, so go to one of those instead. 5. Hotel room minibars I know, I know   it's so very convenient. But the moment you open that nice cold bottle of Perrier, your hotel bill is about to skyrocket. My advice? Find the local 7-Eleven (or equivalent), get your beverages there, and make some space for them in the minibar fridge. If you're desperate, you could try raiding the minibar, hanging the "do not disturb" sign on your door, then going out and picking up replacement items. However, some hotels have gotten wise to this workaround and electronically scan anything taken out of the fridge. In that case, maybe stay in a cheaper hotel? You can save up to 45% off hotel bookings with code SAVE5JUL19. Book by 7/28, and travel by 9/1. 6. Baggage fees I recently took a trans-Atlantic flight that wanted me to pay an extra $250 for a single checked bag, which would have increased the cost of my ticket by almost a third. Airlines are increasingly using fees to pull dirty tricks like this , in pursuit of the lowest "headline" price on Google Flights or Skyscanner, even on long-haul journeys. Beat the system by traveling light (hand-luggage only), wearing as much of your clothing as you can (I have a friend who wore seven T-shirts and two pairs of trousers on a flight) and ensuring that all of your liquids are distilled into 3.4-ounce bottles. 7. Water in airports You get to the security checkpoint, they take your water bottle, and once you're airside the cheapest bottle of water you can purchase costs a small fortune. This common rip-off is not just infuriating, but it's actually dangerous: Dehydration increases your chances of suffering deep vein thrombosis, the blood clots that can develop in your legs during air travel. Bear in mind that you're allowed to take an empty bottle through security   so get one, and fill it up at a water fountain on the other side. 8. Unmetered taxis The humble taxi meter was invented in 1892, five years before the internal combustion engine. Yet this cutting-edge technology still hasn't made it to every corner of the world, including places where you also don't find ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. That being the case, whenever you find yourself somewhere new, make sure before you get into a taxi that it has a meter. If you see one, ask if it's working. If no meter is present, ask how much it will be to go to your destination, and be prepared to walk away if the price is more than you're willing to pay. 9. Souvenirs If you're thinking of picking up souvenirs and you're not pressed for time, it's definitely worth scoping out your options and finding the best prices. The most outrageous markups I've ever seen were in Egypt and India, but it's the kind of thing that happens everywhere that tourists congregate. Remember, even if an item is tagged with a price, what you pay is at the vendor's discretion. So haggle. And be prepared to walk away. 10. Airport drop-off charges A good rule of thumb is to never just turn up at the airport without doing your research first, so that you won't be surprised by new and unwelcome hits to your wallet. Most major airports in the U.K. now charge motorists the equivalent of $5 or more just to drop off a friend at the terminal. In the U.S., a few airports have introduced surcharges for Lyft and Uber riders. But there's usually a free (and often remote) drop-off area with a courtesy bus that'll take you to a main airport entrance. A bit of an inconvenience to be sure, but it beats shelling out a few dollars for no good reason. Join the MoneyWise mailing list. You'll get the latest financial tips and news, straight to your inbox.


Eric Remedi scored a goal and helped set up Emerson Hyndman for another as Atlanta United clinched a spot in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final with a 2-0 defeat of Orlando City SC in Florida on Tuesday. The marker for Hyndman, the American midfielder on loan from Premier League side Bournemouth, was his first for the Five Stripes. [ MORE: Bournemouth season preview ] Remedi had one assist in nearly 1600 MLS season minutes heading into the match. Minnesota United and Portland Timbers stage the other semifinal on Tuesday in Minnesota, and the winner with meet Atlanta on Aug. 27 or 28. Remedi ➡ Escobar ➡ Hyndman @ATLUTD have one foot in the #USOC2019 final as Emerson Hyndman gets his first goal for the Five Stripes to make it 2-0! pic.twitter.com/iFyCwH5XUA   U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) August 7, 2019 Follow @NicholasMendola


Michigan basketball's head coaching vacancy may soon be filled. Providence coach Ed Cooley has emerged as a candidate for the open position, ESPN reported , citing unidentified sources. The report noted Cooley was expected to interview with Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel on Monday, adding that Heat assistant and former Michigan star Juwan Howard is also expected to interview for the job Tuesday. Cooley, who was in Florida on Monday for the Big East's annual meetings, has been the head coach of the Friars for eight seasons but was called "a perfect fit for Michigan" by one MLive.com source. However, the Providence Journal, citing unidentified sources, later reported Cooley is staying in Providence. Howard has the support of two of his former teammates and NBA analysts in Jalen Rose and Chris Webber. Both have supported him publicly for the job within the last week. "I need for this to happen, OK?" Rose said on his show "Jalen and Jacoby". "This ain't just some nostalgic, 'Oh, he was a member of the Fab Five, so let's give him the job.' He was a terrific high school player, a McDonald's All-American. He was a terrific performer at Michigan, a member of the Fab Five." He continued: "He was an All-Star in the NBA, he was a champion. He's not only learned under some of the best to do it, Erik Spoelstra, Pat Riley. He also has the blessing of John Beilein, who he spent a lot of time with. Of Steve Fisher, who he spent a lot of time with. … This is such a layup." Former Michigan coach John Beilein unexpectedly left for the NBA earlier this month when he agreed to a multi-year contract to become the next head coach of the Cavaliers. MORE : Cavaliers hire Michigan's John Beilein as head coach The 66-year-old led Michigan to two Final Four appearances and four Big Ten titles in his 12-year stint with the Wolverines. His overall record as a college coach is 754-425 and he leaves the school as the winningest coach in Michigan basketball history. Related slideshow: Best photos of NCAA Championship (Provided by imagn)