On Monday, I wrote an article detailing various scenarios involving the Denver Nuggets acquiring a draft pick in the 2019 NBA Draft . From sending another team cash considerations to add a later second round selection, to trading current players and/or future picks to possibly add a first round selection, there are a variety of ways for the Nuggets to get involved if that is the desire. For that to happen though, the Nuggets have to really like the player they select. Last offseason, the Nuggets traded their 2019 first round pick knowing they didn't have a second round pick to utilize either. Is it possible that the Nuggets don't believe they need to add any new pieces to the puzzle given Michael Porter Jr. and Jarred Vanderbilt didn't play during the 2018-19 season? Absolutely. Could it also be that the Nuggets don't place a high value on the 2019 draft class and the possible selections they could have made? Sure. The narrative surrounding the 2019 draft class is that it's a pretty weak class overall. There's Duke power forward Zion Williamson, and then there's everyone else. Many will group Murray State point guard Ja Morant and Duke wing RJ Barrett in with Williamson, but they have a number of questions, and many smart people have some doubts about their skill sets and continued ability to grow. Even beyond that, the depth in this class is very weak. There are starting caliber players to be sure, but very few players stand out as guys that teams can be sure will still be in the league in 2030, having had a long career. But there are some gems scattered throughout the class, players who project as role players that could excel if they find the correct situation. I liken this draft to the 2012 and 2016 draft classes. There were clear studs at the top ( Anthony Davis , Ben Simmons , Zion Williamson) and some projectable starters with star potential ( Bradley Beal , Damian Lillard , Brandon Ingram , Jamal Murray , Ja Morant, RJ Barrett), but the bulk of the class will be made up of role players. In 2012, Tomas Satoransky , Jae Crowder , Draymond Green , Khris Middleton , and Will Barton were all drafted in the early second round. In 2016, Malik Beasley , Caris LeVert , Pascal Siakam , and Dejounte Murray were all drafted in the late first round. Malcolm Brogdon was selected 36th overall. If you know who to pick in the 2019 draft class, you can find a gem at almost any part of the draft, at least where it's currently projected. Before getting into the draft though, the Nuggets must identify what they need. It wouldn't make sense to trade an asset or a player or spend money on a draft pick and selecting somebody that they don't need on the roster. Here are the four primary needs I have outlined for Denver heading into the offseason: A tall wing player with defensive skills that can either space the floor offensively or offer playmaking for others A versatile power forward with defensive skills who could replace Paul Millsap in the future A third center that can space the floor and offer length defensively A third point guard that can offer length and versatility defensively to go with some playmaking skills Role players selected late in the draft must offer something the current roster doesn't have in order to provide true value. Having the option to play a number of different ways, from adding more capable shooting to adding an extra passer to loading up on competent defenders, helps teams go from good to great. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are the foundation in Denver, but the pieces around them could vary from season to season or even game to game based on how best to maximize the team. I have compiled a list of players that would fit Denver reasonably well and potentially offer a real boost. These players possess a skill set that the current roster doesn't have or may not have in the future. Without further ado: 1. Brandon Clarke, PF - Gonzaga Kicking off the list is Brandon Clarke, quite possibly the best defensive player in the entire draft class with excellent shot blocking instincts from the power forward position. He led the entire NCAA with 117 blocks, averaging 3.2 per game and showcasing elite movement on the perimeter as well. His Player Efficiency Rating of 37.2 was second behind only Zion Williamson, and his effective field goal percentage of 69.3% trailed only Zion as well. He's not just a defender. Clarke is quite possibly the best fit with Nikola Jokic in the last three draft classes. On top of strong defensive instincts and above the rim athleticism, Clarke possesses a developing offensive skill set and basketball intelligence enough to operate around the paint while Jokic stays at the top of the key. His ability to play from the short corner and even dribble out of a closeout on occasion would generate numerous A+ shot attempts offensively. And like I said, the best defender in the draft. If there's a player the Nuggets should draft with the hope of replacing Paul Millsap as the starting power forward in the next couple of seasons, Clarke is the guy. He led the NCAA in offensive rating AND defensive rating. Every draft expert at The Ringer grades Clarke as a top 10 player in this class , yet the ESPN mock draft projects Clarke to be selected 14th overall by the Boston Celtics . 2. Grant Williams, PF - Tennessee Williams has become one of my favorite prospects. He just does a little bit of everything a little bit smarter than everyone else. After averaging 18.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists for a strong Tennessee squad, Williams won his second SEC Player of the Year trophy, doing it all. The Ringer staff pegged Williams as more of a PJ Tucker type, but I see him as closer to Paul Millsap than Brandon Clarke (who was also compared to Millsap). Still, Williams has the smarts, the know-how, and the skill to stick as a starting power forward in the NBA. ESPN projects Williams to go 32nd this year, which is bizarre for a smart, versatile, and skilled player of his caliber. 3. Cameron Johnson, SF - North Carolina Johnson is perhaps the prototype of a player who can help the Nuggets for 10 to 20 minutes per game off the bench as a pure shooter. At 6'9, Johnson shot 46% from three-point range, extending far beyond the college three to take advantage of his high release. While shooting is his best skill, Johnson is also a smart cutter and can drive to the rim with the ball in his hands. With a 64.8 True Shooting % against ACC play, Johnson was one of the only guards/wings in a major conference to display such a high level of efficiency. He's a smart player, and the Nuggets could use as many smart players that are in between 6'6 and 6'10 as they can get. 4. Matisse Thybulle, SG - Washington Meet the best perimeter defender in college basketball. Thybulle is a straight up bully, averaging 3.2 steals per game and earning two Pac 12 Defensive Player of the Year trophies over the last two seasons. Oh, and he averaged 2.3 blocks per game this past season too. The offense is a work in progress, and at 6'6 and 200 pounds, he may not be the perfect size to defend the top wings and forwards in the NBA. Still, he's a hard worker, has elite defensive instincts, and would improve Denver's defense in almost any situation. He can switch onto point guards and would willingly defend any opposing perimeter player. He has Torrey Craig 's mentality with potentially more athleticism and a higher ceiling for offensive contributions. 5. Chuma Okeke, SF/PF - Auburn At 6'8 and 230 pounds, Okeke is the prototype size to play at the forward position in between Jamal Murray, Gary Harris , and Nikola Jokic. In addition, his skill set blends perfectly around those three. With a 7'0 wingspan and willingness to do the hard things defensively, Okeke has the potential to develop into a rare breed of 3&D forward. Guys like Robert Covington , Otto Porter, and Jaylen Brown are extremely rare, but Okeke is as solid of an option to replicate that skill set as anyone in the draft. While shooting 39.1% in college during his two years at Auburn, Okeke added some defensive versatility and playmaking to his game. The result was an improved performance at the SEC and NCAA tournaments, averaging 2.6 steals per game, helping Auburn advance before tearing his ACL against North Carolina. The Nuggets have experience letting players recover from injuries before hoping they can contribute in the future. If they have confidence in Michael Porter Jr., Jarred Vanderbilt, and Juancho Hernangomez holding down the fort while he recovers, then they can let Okeke rehab his injury slowly and potentially mine a diamond in the rough. 6. PJ Washington, PF - Kentucky Washington contributed well to a Kentucky team in his sophomore season, filling a similar role as Okeke and Williams this year. He's a talented player and skilled at finishing around the rim with either hand. Washington's good at everything, but he doesn't have a true elite skill out of college. He's reasonably efficient and shot the ball well, but the free throw percentage is a solid indicator that he isn't a 42% three-point shooter in reality. His defense is solid, but not game changing. He can be a playmaker, but not an elite one. Still, a blend of skills with the possibility to exceed expectations is not a bad place to start. 7. Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF/PF - Iowa State Horton-Tucker is an enigma of sorts, but one of the most unique players in the entire draft. At 6'4 and 235 pounds, THT is built like a tank, except this tank can really pass. He's like Zion Williamson if Zion was three inches shorter and had average athleticism. Late in the draft, this could be a steal though. Finding players with positional versatility that can switch on defense is extremely difficult. THT's shot was a mess at Iowa State, but he can develop that part of his game while showcasing the skills necessary to come off the bench in the NBA. He doesn't have the right build that scouts look for, but that's caused him to drop further than his skills should warrant. 8. Keldon Johnson, SF/PF - Kentucky At 6'6 and 216 pounds, Johnson is slightly undersized to be able to switch onto some power forwards in the NBA. Don't let that fool you though, since he has the tenacity and toughness to prevent easy baskets around the rim. He doesn't generate a ton of blocks, but he played at small forward for most of the season at Kentucky. This allowed him to work on his perimeter game, which is solid for a player of his size. He's a good shooter with clean mechanics and can shoot off the catch or off pull-up jumpers. 9. Eric Paschall, PF - Villanova Villanova cranks out capable role players every year. Josh Hart , Jalen Brunson , and Mikal Bridges all came from the school that was the 2018 NCAA National Champions, and Paschall started at power forward on that squad. He's a capable offensive player, and when his role increased in his senior season, he didn't disappoint. The efficiency dropped moderately, without the spacing and elite point guard play, but don't that fool you. Paschall is skilled and has displayed great touch around the basket in past seasons. Playing off of Nikola Jokic and Denver's scoring guards would allow him more freedom to hit shots he's comfortable taking. 10. Jontay Porter, PF/C - Missouri The younger brother of current Nuggets player Michael Porter Jr. may be just as talented. With Michael attending to Missouri, Jontay decided to reclassify to the 2018 class in order to play with his brother. That didn't happen, but Jontay displayed many of the skills of a playmaking big man in the mold of Nikola Jokic. Unfortunately, Porter tore his ACL and re-aggravated the injury while rehabbing, so the NBA world never got to see him in his sophomore season. He will drop in this draft though. He's currently pegged at 42nd overall in the ESPN mock. Like with Chuma Okeke, the Nuggets have experience allowing players time to rehab and get healthy before seeing what they can do. With Mason Plumlee under contract for one more year, the Nuggets could let Porter learn from both Jokic and Plumlee before letting him compete for the backup center spot in 2020. 11. Dylan Windler, SF - Belmont Windler is another older shooting forward in the same mold as Cameron Johnson. Measuring at nearly 6'8 at the draft combine, Windler projects to be a role player in the right situation. He's a 40.6% three-point shooter across four seasons at Belmont, and his 76.1% career free throw shooting would imply that he's at least close to that level of shooter in the NBA. He displays solid rebounding and passing instincts, but the shooting will be key at the NBA level. If the Nuggets need a long term replacement for Juancho Hernangomez , or Porter isn't ready to contribute, or they just want another wing shooter, Windler could be their guy in the second round. 12. Charles Matthews, PG/SG - Michigan Matthews recently made the news last week for unfortunately suffering a torn ACL during a pre-draft workout with the Boston Celtics. He's not a strong enough prospect to be guaranteed a spot in the first round despite this, but he has his positives for sure. At 6'6 with a 6'9.5 wingspan, Matthews showcased elite defensive potential at the guard and wing positions. He was a strong rebounder for his position, played a great team defense concept, and started on a Michigan team that went to the Sweet 16. The offense is a work in progress, but the Nuggets have the depth and talent to let him develop on his own pace. Jamal Murray and Monte Morris aren't going anywhere for awhile, but having a 6'6 guard off the bench to blitz opposing teams and give those two guys some rest during the regular season isn't a bad thing. 13. Nicolas Claxton, C - Georgia The Ringer describes Nic Claxton as possessing shades of Al Horford and Mason Plumlee, and they aren't off base at all. At Georgia, The nearly 7'0 tall Claxton took turns running point guard for an undermanned Georgia squad. When he wasn't surprising opposing defenses by driving with the ball in his hands, he was showcasing a skill set that features a three-point shot that's a work in progress and an interior offensive game with the wingspan to score in the paint over anybody. This would definitely be a developmental pick. Claxton isn't ready now, as he has to work on strengthening his legs and developing the jump shot, but the defense is there as a help side defender, and he's a surprisingly good rebounder for his lack of strength. The passing tailed off in conference play, but give him a season or two to figure things out, and he's quite literally a sleeping giant. 14. Luguentz Dort, SG - Arizona State One of the best defenders in college basketball as a freshman, Dort started nearly every game he played in for Arizona State, showcasing a bull dog mentality that helped Gary Harris transition to becoming an NBA defender. He's physical and agile at the point of attack like Marcus Smart with a similar willingness to do the little things defensively. He has work to do offensively to be clear, but if the Nuggets don't think they can pay Malik Beasley long term, then adding someone like Dort to the long term rotation could bode well when the Nuggets need another guard defender on the floor. 15. Darius Bazley, SF/PF - New Balance One of the biggest unknowns in the entire draft, Bazley decided to forgo college and take an internship from New Balance with a salary of $1 million. Coming from a recent college grad, this is highly appealing. While interning, Bazley worked on his game and came back to the NBA combine with some high level skills. At 6'9, Bazley's main appeal is his scoring off the dribble and ability to handle the basketball at the forward position. When optimized, this is very rare, and he showed some of the playmaking and scoring skills to excel in that role. Still, he's as much of an unknown as anybody. Bazley would most certainly be an upside play. The Nuggets, likely in need of a role player that can contribute sooner rather than later, would be playing a dangerous game taking a chance on his potential after pulling similar moves with Porter and Vanderbilt last draft. Still, the Nuggets like to shoot for the moon when they can, rarely going with the safe play in the draft. They take chances, and Bazley could certainly be a hit. Bonus: Enjoy these Zion Williamson highlights


President Donald Trump has made clear in public statements that he does not seek war with Iran . But with conflicting signals from his advisers and military movements in the region , the question is whether he may stumble into one anyway. Members of Congress warned Tuesday that the president needs to clearly articulate a strategy and address the country to explain a path forward as Iran threatens to increase its nuclear fuel stockpiles and lashes out under intense U.S. economic pressure. Visiting U.S. military chiefs for the Middle East, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the administration was seeking to deter Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons or acting out in the region. But some analysts say it's precisely because of Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign on the country that Iran's government is behaving this way. (MORE: US to send 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East as tensions escalate with Iran) "Iran is keen to show that bullying tactics will not work. Tehran has met maximum pressure with maximum resistance, first refusing to leave the nuclear deal and then threatening to restart its nuclear program," according to Vali Nasr , dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. In May 2018, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal and began reimposing sanctions -- now to an extent greater and more intensely enforced than ever before. The administration says it is seeking to change Iran's behavior, but under that economic pressure, Iran has threatened to also violate the nuclear deal by raising its uranium enrichment levels while conducting sabotage attacks on oil vessels and supporting proxy groups throughout the region -- charges from the U.S. that Iran denies. (MORE: US, Iran both say they're willing to talk, on their own terms, amid tensions) By making its own show of force, Iran is seeking leverage with the U.S., according to analysts, especially by threatening oil supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz or by warning it will break the nuclear accord known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. In response, the U.S. has boosted its own military posture by speeding up the deployment to the region of an aircraft carrier strike group, along with B-52 bombers and an additional 2,500 U.S. service members since May. "We are there to deter aggression. President Trump does not want war," said Pompeo, adding that his department is working with the Pentagon in "making sure that we have the capability to respond if Iran makes a bad decision." (MORE: Iran seen as unwavering despite sanctions, US exit from nuclear deal) But the risk now is that both sides, in seeking to deter the other, will ratchet up tensions that they force the other to make a bad decision or make a mistake that leads to one. The Pentagon's second highest-ranking military officer acknowledged that grim possibility. "The risks of miscalculation are real," Gen. Paul Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Tuesday. Selva said that the U.S. "will respond" if Iran or any of its "surrogates" "directly engage U.S. forces or they directly engage U.S. interests or citizens in the region." (MORE: State Department calls on Iran to abide by nuclear deal, despite U.S. withdrawal) That's a broad scope, with Pompeo tying Iran to a Taliban attack on U.S. troops in Kabul and holding the government responsible for attacks by affiliated groups, like the Houthi rebels in Yemen who are fighting the Saudi-backed government and a coalition of the Saudis, Emiratis, and other Arab countries. The administration refuses to say what their "red line" is, and instead, the mixed signals from officials have made it difficult for Iran to know. Pompeo said last Thursday that attacks on two oil vessels that day were a "clear threat to international peace and security," but Trump said Monday that they were "very minor." Similarly, Trump said -- while in Japan last month -- that he would like to talk to Iran, but Pompeo added that would happen only after Tehran shows it is willing to meet the 12 steps he laid out in a speech, including abandoning ballistic missile development and ending support for its proxy groups like Hezbollah -- things Iran is very unlikely to do. Even the threat of U.S. force seems to have come into doubt. While Pompeo said on Sunday that "all options" are on the table, "of course" including military strikes, Trump told TIME Magazine on Monday, "I wouldn't say that. I can't say that at all." There does seem to be one area of agreement, however. In that interview, Trump also seemed to indicate that the U.S. is not as invested in defending commercial oil and shipping routes, "Other places get such vast amounts of oil there. We get very little. We have made tremendous progress in the last two and a half years in energy." Instead, top officials, including Pompeo, have called on China, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia and others who are more dependent on those resources to step up and condemn Iran's reported attacks on oil vessels. (MORE: Lawmakers criticize senior Trump officials after Iran intelligence briefing) "None of those countries have actually shown any real predilection to press the Iranians to stop what they're doing," said Selva. "We as the international community shouldn't tolerate (it)." But many countries are hesitant to join the U.S. in loudly blaming Iran because they're concerned about increasing tensions or further backing Iran into a corner. European countries, especially the three still in the JCPOA -- France, Germany and the United Kingdom -- instead want to do what they can to keep Iran in the nuclear deal, which Iran says will only happen if they can get the economic benefits they were promised under the deal. To do that, countries will have to defy U.S. sanctions. The only off-ramp seems to be negotiations, but so far, both leaders -- Trump and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei of Iran -- have ruled out any talks. Both sides, instead, appear intent on trying to increase their leverage until then.


Looking for a yummy Colombian meal near you? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Colombian spots around Chicago, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to satisfy your cravings. 1. Las Tablas Colombian Steakhouse Topping the list is Las Tablas Colombian Steakhouse . Located at 2942 N. Lincoln Ave. (between Southport Avenue and George Street) in Lakeview, the steakhouse and Colombian spot, which offers seafood and more, is the highest rated Colombian restaurant in Chicago, boasting four stars out of 923 reviews on Yelp. 2. La Parrilla Colombian Steakhouse Next up is Dunning's La Parrilla Colombian Steakhouse , situated at 6427 W. Irving Park Road (between Narragansett and Natchez avenues). With four stars out of 241 reviews on Yelp, the steakhouse and Colombian spot has proven to be a local favorite. 3. Pizza y Pan Pa' Ya Albany Park's Pizza y Pan Pa' Ya , located at 3125 W. Montrose (between Albany Avenue and Troy Street), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the Colombian and breakfast and brunch spot, which offers pizza and more, 4.5 stars out of 65 reviews. 4. ArePA George Over in Humboldt Park, check out ArePA George , which has earned 4.5 stars out of 57 reviews on Yelp. You can find the Colombian and vegan spot, which offers empanadas and more, at 1552 N. Kedzie Ave. (between Pierce and North avenues). 5. Luna Empanada Shop And then there's Luna Empanada Shop , a Portage Park favorite with 4.5 stars out of 51 reviews. Stop by 6011 W. Irving Park Road (between Mc Vicker and Austin avenues) to hit up the Colombian spot, which offers sandwiches and empanadas, next time you're looking to satisfy your cravings. 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.


It is very hard when the holidays roll around to feel good about your divorce for a number of reasons, whether it's the financial stress of the holidays or the emotional stress and feelings around sharing your children and/or not having the same family as you once did. No one would deny the stress and sadness that can exist around the holidays for a divorced parent. I myself started to feel a sense of dread once we hit mid-October, worried about who I will spend the holidays with and how I will feel, until I finally told myself: enough already! Yes, as a divorced, single mom you will probably have tough emotions at the holidays, and this is absolutely acceptable, but I did not want to resign myself to the idea that the holidays are going to "stink" or be horrible. I didn't want to chain myself to negative thinking that could make what might be a wonderful holiday season a bad one, simply because of my attitude. So here are a few reasons I'm feeling grateful for my divorce this Thanksgiving - and so should you! Embrace the positive in the situation, as it will help as you cope with divorce this holiday season and try to make it work for you. You deserve happiness in this life after divorce! Not Stuck With Misery Be grateful for your divorce, because now you're not stuck with someone who didn't make you happy. Even if you were happy and your ex wasn't, now you don't have to be with someone who doesn't love you, and that is a gift! Being single means you are able to find someone who would love the opportunity to be in your life. Being divorced means I can meet someone who appreciates me and makes me feel good rather than be with someone who doesn't see the good in me. And until I meet someone - and until you meet someone - we get the opportunity to be on our own and invest in ourselves, growing stronger each day instead of being in the wrong marriage in which our growth and happiness are stunted. Your Kids Don't Have to Be Involved in Misery, Unhappiness, or Toxicity Be thankful for your divorce and your new life after divorce simply by knowing that now your children won't have to be surrounded by two unhappy people! Again, even if you wanted your marriage to work, all it takes is one unhappy member to make the atmosphere stressful and toxic for young kids. I petitioned my ex to do marriage counseling many times and stayed longer than I should have, which was no help to him, my kid, or me. As hard as it is being divorced, find joy and blessings in the fact that now your children have two more peaceful households to live in, even if it is hard for them to miss their parents. Two peaceful households are better than one toxic home. Would it have been nice if things could have worked out? Yes. Divorce affects children in many ways, but growing up in a home with either a toxic or depressive environment is no way to spend your childhood. Everyone gets a fresh start with divorce - be thankful! Your Future Is Not Decided There is a lot of fear surrounding divorce: What happens next? Will my children be OK? Will I be OK? Will I ever meet the right one? It's scary not knowing what will happen next, and as a woman who has suffered anxiety , I understand feeling afraid about life after divorce. I myself wonder, "What is in store for me?" Yet there is also newness and wonder to not knowing what the future will bring! This means you, as a single mom and boss of your family, get to decide where you will go with your life! This means you get to call the shots and pick your happy ending! Forget fairy tales in which random handsome strangers come to your rescue; be thankful this holiday season that you are coming to your own rescue! You are making things happen for yourself and your kids, even if it is stressful. Even if it feels like a thankless and tireless job, you are doing it! So when you are sharing your kids over the holidays and missing your little ones like crazy, remember that as hard as divorce is, it gets better and your life after divorce can be amazing if you want it to be! You chose to divorce not only for the sake of your children but also for yourself. Your happy ending may not be as you expected it to be, but perhaps this is a wonderful thing and it may be even better than you had planned! Happy Thanksgiving!


Derion Vence remains locked up at the Harris County Jail held on a $1 million bond in connection to the disappearance of his stepdaughter Maleah Davis. Meanwhile new court documents are putting together a disturbing puzzle of what may have happened to Maleah. "I can guarantee you there will be a murder indictment on this man," said community activist Quanell X. "Evidence from inside the apartment being analyzed right now will help us all learn the truth of what he did with her body." Quanell X said Maleah's mother Brittany Bowens is devastated. Houston police revealed that last Sunday they found drops of blood in the hallway leading to the bathroom. They also sprayed a chemical in the bathroom that helped detect more blood not visible to the naked eye. Investigators said the reaction happens when someone's "attempted to clean up blood." That blood has been linked to DNA on Maleah's toothbrush. "He did this to hurt the mother in a way she would never recover," said Quanell X. Investigators also have surveillance video of Vence leaving the apartment with a laundry basket and a large garbage bag. Detectives say it appears whatever he was carrying in it was "heavy due to his stance when he was walking." Vence is also seen carrying in bleach. On Thursday police found the car Vence had reported stolen. The same laundry basket from the surveillance image and this gas can were in the trunk. HPD cadaver dogs reacted to a scent in the trunk when it was further examined. The dogs are trained to detect human decomposition. All of it was enough evidence to charge Vence with tampering with evidence, namely a corpse. Still no one knows where Maleah is. "We know she's still missing," said Tim Miller, director of Texas Equusearch. "The second fact we know is he's not telling the truth. We got to keep searching." Miller was up in a Fort Bend County helicopter surveying new search areas looking specifically for signs of unusual burnt ground. "He did not buy that gas can to just have the gas can," said Miller. Miller wants to further narrow down the search area. The investigation continues, but now more than ever, Maleah's mother fully expects the worst. "We've spoken several times today, and I can tell you Brittany is totally devastated by the loss of her daughter," said Quanell X. "She's beating herself up and some of it is deserved." Vence is due back in court Monday morning. Have a news tip? Email us or message us on our Facebook page or Twitter feed .


Forty years ago today, when Dan Petry was a rookie pitcher for the Detroit Tigers , his second road trip took him to Chicago's Comiskey Park for a scheduled two-night doubleheader against the White Sox on Disco Demolition Night. He didn't expect the explosion of vinyl disco records, the fire in center field, the fans storming the field, the clouds of marijuana smoke, the cops with billy clubs or the forfeit of the second game. "I was still a young kid and I was like, 'Really?' " said Petry, now a TV broadcaster for Fox Sports Detroit. " 'This is what happens in the big leagues? They blow stuff up in-between games, and fans charge the field and police have to come out?' " Petry   perhaps with tongue in cheek   recalled how naïve he was when a youthful, partying crowd, far larger than capacity, chanted oaths against a form of dance music they regarded as inferior to rock 'n' roll and offensive to their sensibilities. "I thought these fans in Chicago were the best because they're saying `Let's go Sox! Let's go Sox!' " Petry recalled last weekend at Comerica Park. "They were really chanting `Disco sucks! Disco sucks! Disco sucks!' " Disco Demolition Night   perhaps the most infamous promotion in sports history   occurred on July 12, 1979. Today's 40th anniversary elicits not only bemused memories from some eyewitnesses but also a retrospective sociocultural analysis that Disco Demo was   at least in part   a bigoted backlash against gay, black and Latino people who loved the music, the fashion and the lifestyle surrounding it. At the very least, the milestone evokes memories of a night and an era now fading from fuzzy, color videotape. Then, as now, the culture wars that spilled over into sports and music meant much to the foot soldiers. 'I don't know how people are not getting hurt' The promotion was dreamed up by radio personality Steve Dahl, a former Detroit shock jock who was fired by a Chicago station when it changed its format to disco from rock. At least 60,000 fans brought vinyl disco records to Comiskey for Dahl to blow up between games. Many of the 47,000 who got in legitimately were charged only 98 cents to reflect the station's position on the FM dial. The late Rusty Staub   player representative for the Tigers then   recalled for me 10 years ago how fans climbed into the stadium on ladders, shimmied up and down the foul poles, burned the batting cage and flipped sharp-edged vinyl "albums" from the upper deck like weaponized Frisbees. "They would slice around you and stick in the ground," Staub said. "It wasn't just one, it was many. Oh, God almighty, I've never seen anything so dangerous in my life. I begged the guys to put on their batting helmets." And that was just during the first game, a 4-1 Detroit victory. Then came the explosion, and all h--- broke loose. Amid smoke and clouds of dust, spectators ran the bases and pantomimed baseball players pitching, batting and sliding. Some entered the dugouts and tried to get into the Tigers' clubhouse, Petry said. "It wasn't to do any harm or anything," Petry said. "But just basically, they took over the whole ballpark." Onto the field, amid the chaos, strode White Sox owner Bill Veeck, a man with a wooden leg and a craggy face. He argued with the umpires that the second game should be played. Veeck had checked himself out of a hospital that day because he feared the promotion   authorized by his son, Mike   "could be catastrophic." Arguing against Veeck with the umpires for the Tigers was Sparky Anderson, named manager only the month before. Tigers TV announcers George Kell and Al Kaline reported as if witnessing the Hindenburg or the apocalypse. "I don't know how people are not getting hurt," Kaline said. "They must be getting hurt. ... I'm just so happy it's not happening in Detroit. ... No fights, George. People are just having fun." In the other TV booth stood Harry Caray, a White Sox announcer between his more famous gigs with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. Over the stadium speaker system, Caray and Veeck sang a duet of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" in an effort to soothe fans with neutral music that was neither disco nor rock. Caray also told his Chicago TV audience: "From what I just smelled downstairs, I think there must be a master load of pot in the ball park." Anderson later said, "Beer and baseball go together. But I think those kids were doing things other than beer." Celebrate or apologize for that night? Even at the time, undercurrents suggested that the demonstration represented more than just young stoners spoofing a disco culture they deemed superficial and inauthentic. Dave Marsh of Rolling Stone   a noted rock critic   wrote at the time that Disco Demo was "your most paranoid fantasy about where the ethnic cleansing of rock radio could ultimately lead. ... White males, 18 to 34, are the most likely to see disco as the product of homosexuals, blacks and Latins." Others compared the destruction of the 33 rpm and 45 rpm records to the book burnings in Nazi Germany in the 1930s. In 2007, the scholar Gillian Frank of Brown published "Discophobia: Antigay Prejudice and the 1979 Backlash Against Disco" in the Journal of the History of Sexuality . Last month, to celebrate the anniversary, the White Sox gave out commemorative Disco Demolition T-shirts to 10,000 fans, and even that echo promotion scraped a scab from an old wound. On the Chicago-based LGBT website NewNowNext , the writer Lester Fabian Brathwaite wrote: "The White Sox wanted to pay tribute to what was basically a riot with racist and homophobic overtones   right in the middle of Pride Month." Corbin Reiff, a senior music writer for the entertainment and pop culture website "Uproxx," attended this season's retro event in Chicago and bashed it under a headline that called it "an Exceptionally Misguided Exercise." "Disco Demolition Night was something far more deserving of an apology than a celebration," Reiff wrote. The White Sox reacted to the backlash by saying in a news release that the shirt giveaway was merely to "recognize the anniversary of a historic off-the-field moment" (although, literally, the moment was very much on the field). Alluding to the LGBTQ reaction, the Sox said: "We remain proud of our franchise's long-standing record on advocating for inclusion and diversity." The disco era probably peaked with the film "Saturday Night Fever" in 1977 with music by the Bee Gees. It showed a nightclub world of twirling lights illuminating carefully coiffed, handsome men dancing in three-piece suits with large, open collars. The eclectic rocker Frank Zappa mocked this dancing culture and its wardrobe obsession with songs like "Disco Boy" and "Dancin' Fool," the latter including lyrics like: "Yowza, Yowza, Yowza "I got it all together now "With my very own disco clothes "My shirt's half open to show you my chains "And the spoon for up my nose." The spoon reference suggests cocaine, said to be part of the disco scene of the 1970s, along with promiscuous sex, although neither of these human activities have been limited to disco or to any decade. To further understand the overlap of baseball and disco in 1979, consider that "We Are Family"   a disco anthem by Sister Sledge   was the theme song of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who won the World Series that year and drew only 1.4 million customers at home. (The Pirates ranked 18th in attendance in '79.) That ended a decade in which the baseball business slumped. Teams tried all sorts of gimmicks to attract fans, like "Ten Cent Beer Night" in Cleveland in 1974. That got called off after drunken fans threw debris at bat-wielding players. The Indians forfeited to Texas. Some observers in the '70s compared Disco Demolition Night in Chicago to Ten Cent Beer Night in Cleveland and concluded that too much alcohol makes people mean, and too much pot makes them goofy. Comiskey was made for Demo night With baby boomers in their teens and 20s during this decade, the ballparks   many were old then   were relatively cheaper and certainly rowdier than the gentrified palaces of the 21st Century. In some ways, Comiskey was the perfect place for Disco Demo night. Despite being a charter member of the American League, the Sox have sometimes been a renegade club. Eight of Chicago's "Black Sox" players fixed the 1919 World Series and threw it to the Cincinnati Reds (100 years ago)! The ballpark opened in 1910, built for team owner Charley Comiskey, nicknamed "The Old Roman." The park had distinctive Romanesque arches on the back of the lower grandstands. Through them, fans could see trees swaying in the breezes off Lake Michigan. On Disco Demo night, however, fans brought ladders, leaned them up against the bottom of the arches and poured into the already packed ballpark as if they were Visigoths sacking Rome. Twenty years before, when Veeck first owned the team, his "Go-Go White Sox" won the American League pennant in 1959, and he invented the exploding scoreboard   radical and gauche back then, standard now. Even then, Veeck made things go boom. In the early 1970s   just before Veeck re-acquired the team   Comiskey Park featured artificial turf on the infield and natural grass in the outfield. In the corridors, the Sox sold hard booze from portable bars. Veeck allowed his field to be used for rock concerts later in the 1979 season, and visiting players often complained. Despite Disco Demo's damage to the field and to Veeck's reputation, there was only one serious injury (a vendor's broken hip), and only 37 fans were arrested on minor charges. Petry, coincidentally, pitched the very next night and beat the White Sox 3-1 for the first of his 125 major league victories in a 13-year career. He said that when he took the mound that night, Comiskey still rocked from Disco Demolition's aftershocks. "The following night, they were still throwing stuff," Petry recalled. "M-80s   and 45s and albums. Ron LeFlore had to wear a helmet in center field even on the second night. That was a pretty scary time." Asked about the music of the era, Petry shrugged and said, "Disco was all right. It certainly wasn't anything I hated." Joe Lapointe is a former Detroit Free Press and New York Times sports reporter. Now retired, contact him at joenytimes@yahoo.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press Re lated slideshow: Disco Demolition Night (provided by imagn)


While not bare, the farm system is no longer the strength it once was. Just a few short years ago, the Yankees' farm system was brimming with talent in the upper minors. Even just last April, in fact, the Yankees had a top-five prospect in baseball in Gleyber Torres. Trenton and Scranton are no longer filled with these types of prospects, and for good reason   they have graduated off of prospect lists and have become integral parts of the major league roster. That does not mean, however, that the farm system has become barren. Far from it, as Freeni noted yesterday . What it does mean, however, is that the system does not brim with talent the same way that it once did. The Yankees' farm system is loaded with pitching, particularly right-handers; depending on whether you are looking at MLB.com or FanGraphs, they make up one-half to two-thirds of the team's top thirty prospects. This means that, to some extent, pretty much everything else can be classified as a "weakness" in relation to their pitching prospects. Not all "weaknesses", however, are created equal. When it comes to outfield depth in the minor leagues, the Yankees still have a sizable amount, albeit most are years away from making the majors. Antonio Cabello, Everson Pereira, and Anthony Garcia are just three of the numerous outfielders that found themselves listed among the top 30 or so in the system. Unfortunately, their average age is about 18 years old and they have not yet to play in organized games, so they cannot be expected to contribute for several years. Whereas the Yankees once had such an overabundance of catching prospects that they had to move Greg Bird off the position, the Yankees' minor league system lacks any quality catchers beyond last year's first round pick Anthony Seigler and second round pick Josh Breaux. While Seigler is an intriguing prospect he was a switch-pitching two-way player in high school and Breaux's bat has a lot of pop, neither figure to be in any of the team's immediate plans. They will likely not see the Bronx until 2021 or 2022 at the earliest. If you had to pick one area that would be the farm system's number one weakness, however, it would have to be the infield. Prospects at the lower levels like Alexander Vargas, Roberto Chirinos, and Oswald Peraza tend to fall out of the farm's top 30 and have Future Values of 35-40 on the 20-80 scale. That is not to say that there may not be some diamonds in the rough among the team's infielders. Nonetheless, this is where the farm has its biggest question marks. Last, and most importantly, the biggest weakness in the Yankees' farm system is the lack of a top prospect. There is no "blue chip" prospect that headlines the system. Estevan Florial is the closest thing, and while he could be a veritable five-tool player, he has high bust potential due to an apparent difficulty in distinguishing pitch types . While obviously this is not exactly something that the organization has complete control over the easiest way to get these types of prospects is to lose a lot of games and pick at the top of the draft it does give us a glimpse of the Yankees' organizational philosophy: gain as many high-risk, high-reward players as possible. FanGraphs notes that the Yankees have more mid-tier, high-risk prospects who fall just outside their top 100 than any other system. As most of these are pitchers, this stacks the odds in the Yankees' favor that they could get at least one player to rise above the rest and emerge as a top prospect. These potential top prospects, however, don't help in immediate future, whether as trade chip they can use at the deadline or reinforcements that the team can call up right away. Of course, when it comes down to it, the best way for the Yankees to solve all of these weaknesses is to pick the best player available when their turn to pick happens, and then see how things develop. After all, Mike Trout , arguably the best player of all time, was drafted 25th overall.


Some may look at the reality TV show "Pawn Stars" as meaningless entertainment, but former Washington Redskins lineman Mark May sees them as a helping hand on the case. According to Sports Illustrated , two Super Bowl rings - from XVII and XXII - were stolen from May at a charity event in Arizona on April 29. Authorities say that a man identified as Marcel Behnert tried to sell the two Super Bowl rings, which May won with the Redskins after the 1982 and 1987 seasons, at a pawn shop that was featured on "Pawn Stars." Sports Illustrated writes: May received a call in July from Pawn Stars' sports memorabilia collector Diamond Don asking if the Super Bowl rings were for sale. Gold & Silver Pawn in Las Vegas then called police and said that Behnert was the man who tried to sell the Super Bowl rings for $12,000, according to ABC 15. Behnert now faces charges of theft and trafficking stolen property, and May has been reunited with his coveted rings. MORE: Is Tacko Fall an NBA player? Here is the case for why... and why not Angler defies odds, lands truly enormous halibut Dan Le Batard Rips Trump and 'Send Her Back' Chants Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes comments on Tyreek Hill's return to the team Texans 53-man roster prediction: Cornerbacks


Nothing beats sandwiches   and if you're in the mood to enjoy them in Philadelphia, we've found a lineup of places that will excite your appetite. Here are the newest places to check out. Tankie's Tavern 1720 W. Moyamensing Ave., Girard Estates Tankie's Tavern is a pizza spot, offering sandwiches and salads. The menu features starters, like wings and thick-cut bacon with a house-made dipping sauce. On the sandwich side, look for grilled salmon, chicken parm and roast pork. Try the Good Morning Burger, with egg, bacon and cheese. With a five-star Yelp rating out four reviews so far, Tankie's Tavern has been getting positive attention. John L. wrote , "The crispy rice balls were full of risotto, peas and cheese. The mozzarella sticks were tasty and the white pizza was very simple. The menu here has a lot of staples, but definitely a few nice alternatives you don't find at every grill or bar." Yelper John L. added , "I ordered a caprese sandwich, which had grilled eggplant, tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil. It was a nice portion and on a flat bread. Some of the guys in our group ordered the Good Morning Burger and that looked fantastic, with a sunny-side-up egg on the top. Tankie's Tavern is open from 11 a.m. 2 a.m. daily. Wawa 901 S St., Washington Square Wawa is a well-known coffee and tea spot, offering sandwiches and more. Boasting more than 800 convenience stores across the country, it offers made-to-order hoagies in three sizes: Junior, Shorti and Classic. Choose from options, such as meatball and cheesesteak, or Italian or oven-roasted turkey on the cold side. Sourdough melts and club sandwiches are also on offer. With a 3.5-star rating out of three reviews on Yelp, the new location is still finding its way, but it's early days. Yelper Lindsay F., who reviewed the business on April 11, wrote , "When walking in, I was impressed with how clean the location was. The vanilla coffee was already available, so I got that. Also, everyone working was very friendly." Yelper Allie A. added , "This new Wawa is spacious and clean. Like all other Wawas, you can order a quick meal using their touch screens." Wawa is open 24 hours a day. Alrayyan Food Market 121 S. 43rd St., Spruce Hill Alrayyan Food Market is a halal spot, offering desserts and sandwiches. The business specializes in Middle Eastern food, grocery staples and home décor. On the sandwich menu, look for burgers, falafel and chicken cheesesteak. Alrayyan Food Market currently holds four stars out of eight reviews on Yelp, indicating good reviews. Yelper YangHwa P., who was one of the first users to visit the business on March 7, wrote , "This place is clean, nice to browse and has a lot of inventory. I tried the chicken shawarma platter. The flavor was so fresh and not greasy. It's definitely more pricey than the food truck, but for this quality and flavor, I will happily pay the extra." Camar S. added , "Large booths were available for dining. They've got pretty much everything you can think of for Middle Eastern cooking. Desserts were available, too. " Alrayyan Food Market is open from 6 a.m. midnight daily. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


With a new round of ICE raids set to begin Sunday, hundreds protested in Southern California and immigrants targeted by the Trump crackdown braced for the federal action. Many elements of the raid still remain unclear , including exactly how many are being targeted and how much the new action will different from regular ICE activities. "We are receiving calls from migrants that are very scared," said Hugo Castro with Border Angels, a migrant rights group. "They are canceling their plans for the weekend. For example, we talked to one family who was planning to move this weekend and now they are afraid to move with this going on." On Friday, President Trump confirmed to White House reporters what he called a "major operation" starting Sunday. "Nothing to be secret about," Trump said before leaving for a fundraising trip. "It starts on Sunday, and they're going to take people out, and they're going to bring them back to their countries. Or they're going to take criminals out, put them in prison, or put them in prison in the countries they came from." Trump didn't comment on how many people might be affected. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman wouldn't give many details. "Due to law-enforcement sensitivities and the safety and security of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, the agency will not offer specific details related to enforcement operations," a statement read. The raids, which could roll out over an extended period, are expected to take place in at least 10 cities. While the operation will target a couple thousand people with court removal orders, it will also include "collateral" deportations in which agents may detain immigrants without legal status who are not intended targets but happen to be in the area. The raids are expected to target not only families but also children who arrived at the border without adults, were released to parents or other sponsors and ordered deported, said Greg Chen, director of government relations at the Washington-based American Immigration Lawyers Assn. ICE officials in New Orleans have announced that they were suspending immigration enforcement this weekend in areas of southern Louisiana and coastal Mississippi where Tropical Storm Barry was expected to make landfall early Saturday. But migrant advocates called on ICE to suspend the raids in surrounding states so that migrants felt safe evacuating. Some migrant families directly in the storm's path said they were too scared to evacuate. Balbina, 34, a Mexican immigrant who asked to be identified only by first name, has been living south of New Orleans illegally for 12 years. She and her husband, a boat builder, have three children, ages 14, 10 and 5. The two youngest are U.S. citizens. A voluntary evacuation was issued for their town, Houma, but Balbina's family is staying in their mobile home, and she knows about 35 other immigrants who are also afraid to leave because of the ICE raids. "I worry for my kids. I can try to protect them, but it's a risk. If we go, we don't know if we can return," she said by phone from her home.There's a 10 p.m. curfew in Houma, she said, but for migrants, "It's like a curfew all the time." Matthew Albence, the ICE acting director, told the Associated Press the targets were on an "accelerated docket" of immigration court cases for predominantly Central Americans. "This family operation is nothing new," Albence said. "It's part of our day-to-day operations. We're trying to surge some additional resources to deal with this glut of cases that came out of the accelerated docket, but after this operation is over, these cases are still going to be viable cases that we'll be out there investigating and pursuing." Setback for L.A.: Police agencies may receive federal grants for helping nab immigrants, court rules » The threat of raids has had a dramatic impact. In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Police Chief Michel Moore, Sheriff Alex Villanueva and other leaders have denounced the tactic. Across the country, some immigrants reportedly are skipping work and hiding out, a team of immigration lawyers is descending on a detention facility in Texas, activists are manning tip hotlines that are ringing off the hook in Tennessee, and a group of advocates launched a preemptive lawsuit in New York. While some immigration apprehensions may be the immediate mission, there are broader political goals that are accomplished with the specter of widespread immigration raids. Some immigration analysts said the Trump administration is likely hoping to distract the president's base from what he has failed to accomplish: the expansion of a southern border "wall" and getting a citizenship question on the U.S. census . Despite his aggressive rhetoric, Trump's overall removal numbers during his first two years in office pale in comparison with those of the previous administration. Trump's administration is on track to remove only about 8% more foreigners in fiscal year 2019 than President Obama's last year in office, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement data. During the height of deportations under Obama, in 2012, immigration officials removed 409,849 foreigners. By comparison, peak removals under Trump came last year, with 256,085. This week's threats came less than a month after Trump announced in a June 17 tweet that ICE would start deporting "millions" of migrants. Days later, that operation was put on hold. This time, some experts and activists said they believe the raids will move forward. The threat of raids brought out protesters Friday night in downtown L.A., West Hollywood and other locations. Los Angeles County government officials on Friday held a news conference in advance of the possible ICE raids, urging immigrant families to exercise their rights and prepare for any family disruption. "We're here to say that we are well aware of the fear that's going on in our community," said Supervisor Hilda Solis at the conference at the Hall of Administration downtown. "There's no doubt there is going to be lasting repercussions, in terms of the trauma that's going to be faced by our families." Solis and other officials from several county departments said they would be operating telephone hotlines Friday and over the weekend in an effort to help immigrant families by connecting them to legal and youth services. The group urged residents whose lives might be disrupted by the raids to plan ahead, especially if they have children   and to know their rights, including access to an attorney and the right to avoid immigration agents who don't have warrants seeking their detention. "If you or your family have concerns about federal immigration enforcement, if you witness a child in need as a result of immigration activity, or if you need assistance connecting to services like health care, mental treatment or those kinds of services, our staff is available," said Joseph Nicchitta, who heads the county's Consumer and Business Affairs office, which includes staff devoted to assisting immigrants.


A former Chiefs defensive end wants to go to Washington. According to the Associated Press , former Chiefs player and businessman Dave Lindstrom is running for the U.S. Senate. Lindstrom is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat vacated by Sen. Pat Roberts, who is not seeking re-election after four terms. It's expected to be a crowded primary field, with at least 15 candidates expressing interest in the position. The 64-year-old Lindstrom has worked as a real estate developer, and owns and operates four Burger King franchises in the Kansas City area. He also served on the Johnson County Commission and several other boards. He ran for lieutenant governor in 2002. He played eight seasons for the Chiefs, retiring in 1986.


The Cowboys have most of their draft signings out of the way. Everyone in Dallas' draft class has agreed to, or signed, their rookie deals, according to David Moore of The Dallas Morning News (on Twitter ), save for third-round guard Connor McGovern . The following Cowboys rookies are now in the fold: 2-58: Trysten Hill , DT (Central Florida) 4-128: Tony Pollard , RB (Memphis) 5-158: Michael Jackson , CB (Miami) 5-165: Joe Jackson , DE (Miami) 6-213: Donovan Wilson , S (Texas A&M) 7-218: Mike Weber , RB (Ohio State) 7-241: Jalen Jelks , DE (Oregon) Hill, a 6-foot-2, 315-pound defensive tackle, left UCF on a sour note and openly complained about his lack of playing time in the team's Fiesta Bowl loss to LSU. Throughout the year, Hill clashed with coaches and started only once in the team's 11 regular-season games. Still, the Cowboys see big potential in this supersized lineman. Pollard, meanwhile, offers upside as a runner and as a receiver. Last year, he saw 78 carries out of the backfield and averaged 7.1 yards per try. He also caught 39 passes for 458 yards, showing that he is a multi-talented threat.


Start your day off right by browsing through cuddly kittens! There are dozens of kittens up for adoption right here in Houston. Hoodline partnered with Petfinder , an online adoption site that lists "more than 315,000 adoptable pets from nearly 14,000 animal shelters and rescue groups" to bring you this roundup of kittens near you. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Sherlock, tabby and domestic shorthair mix Sherlock is a male tabby and domestic shorthair kitten staying at Save A Purrfect Cat Rescue . Sherlock likes to socialize   he gets along well with other cats. No need to worry: He has already house-trained. He is vaccinated. Here's what Sherlock's friends at Save A Purrfect Cat Rescue think of him: I was born to a mom who lived outside, but a nice lady took me and my siblings inside, and has been caring for me since. I have a certain caution to my nature. I started out shy of humans, but since moving to the indoor-only life I have come out of my shell, and enjoy chewing the feathers off the feather toys and perching on people's shoulders like a parrot. I like to bop noses and rub cheeks with humans. Apply to adopt Sherlock today at Petfinder . Spot, tuxedo and domestic shorthair mix Spot is a female tuxedo and domestic shorthair kitten currently residing at Save A Purrfect Cat Rescue . Spot is ready to make friends   she'll get along great with your other cats. She's vaccinated. Fear not: She has already house-trained. Spot's current caretakers say: My foster mom took my real mom, Luna, in not knowing she was pregnant. A month later, I was born. My foster mom describes me as very sweet lap cat in the making. (I'm a kitten, so there's lots of running and playing between nap time.) I like to be petted and love attention and affection. When I'm in the mood, I also enjoy playing with my siblings. Come visit and see if you can put me in the mood to play with you. Apply to adopt Spot today at Petfinder . Rome, domestic shorthair Rome is a female domestic shorthair kitten currently housed at Save A Purrfect Cat Rescue . Rome loves to socialize, and she'll get along great with your other cats. She has mastered her house-training etiquette. She is vaccinated. Here's what Rome's friends at Save A Purrfect Cat Rescue think of her: My foster mom took my real mom, Luna, in not knowing she was pregnant. Of the siblings, I am the most shy. But get me to come out of my shell, and I'm a sweetie. I enjoy the sun on the balcony of my foster mom's apartment and wrestling with my sisters and brother. Apply to adopt Rome today at Petfinder . Stryper, tuxedo and domestic shorthair mix Stryper is a male tuxedo and domestic shorthair kitten currently residing at Save A Purrfect Cat Rescue . Stryperis happy to keep company with other cats. He has all his shots. He's already house-trained. Stryper's current caretakers say: I was the only boy in my litter, but one of three Tuxedos. My foster mom says I am definitely going to be a lap cat, since I love to nap on the couch when she's sitting with me. I am a cuddle bug! Come visit and we can cuddle together. Read more about Stryper on Petfinder . Ollie, domestic shorthair Ollie is a handsome male domestic shorthair kitten staying at Loving Arms Pet Placement . Ollie is eager to make friends   he'll get along great with your other cats, dogs and kids. His vaccinations are up to date. He's already house-trained. Notes from Ollie's caretakers: Ollie is a sweet kitten who is a bit shy of people. He is learning how to snuggle and cuddle at his foster home. Ollie plays hard with other kittens and has no problems with dogs. Read more about Ollie on Petfinder . Sasha, domestic shorthair Sasha is a darling female domestic shorthair kitten currently residing at Animal Justice League . Sasha likes to socialize   she gets along well with other cats. She is vaccinated. She is already house-trained. Notes from Sasha's caretakers: Sasha is the sweetest tortie girl who loves to run around and play, but is just as content to climb in your lap and purr. She is a thoughtful girl who likes to look around before she throws herself into playtime and will nudge you with her nose to tell you she wants to be loved on. She has been immediately affectionate from the moment she was rescued from the streets of Houston and will make the most wonderful companion! Apply to adopt Sasha today at Petfinder . Boots, domestic Boots is a male domestic kitten being cared for at E-Rescue-Houston Inc. Boots loves other cats and dogs. He's mastered his house-training etiquette. Boots is vaccinated. Notes from Boots' caretakers: This gorgeous baby was trapped as a feral kitten a few weeks back and he has come a long way since. He is playful and loving, but a bit cautious at first when you meet him, but warms up quickly. He is in a home with other cats/kittens and a dog. Read more about how to adopt Boots on Petfinder . This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Video by NBC Sports RALEIGH   The record book will show the Bruins punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final here Thursday night with their easy 4-0 slapdown of the Canes, a thrashing so complete that it had Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour apologizing to the club's reborn fan base at the end of the night. "I hate that we went out on that game," noted Brind'Amour, his club outscored in the Eastern Conference finals, 17-5, and outhustled all night long. "It was a dud game." But pay no attention to the record book. The series effectively ended two nights earlier, when the Canes came racing out, piled up 20 shots in the first 20 minutes, and didn't once put a puck behind Bruins tender Tuukka Rask. Once surviving that push, the Bruins scored six times in the next five periods and allowed the upstart Canes but a lone goal by defenseman Calvin de Haan. Their fast, young forwards were blanked. Their spiritual leader, Justin Williams, couldn't produce a thing. Brind'Amour couldn't find an answer. The series, billed as Carolina's youthful speed vs. Boston's broad-based scoring and veteran leadership, ended up an easy sweep that should allow the Bruins upward of a week's respite before returning to the Cup Final for a third time in nine seasons. Beyond the Canes' inability to improv, the series turned on special teams, with the Bruins scoring seven times on 15 power-play advantages, while also gutting the Canes power play, the Boston PK units allowing them only one goal on the man-up in 14 chances. "That was a key part of the series," acknowledged Brind'Amour, his power play equally impotent in earlier series wins over the Caps and Islanders. "We knew it going in, and unfortunately it bit us." The win was the seventh straight for the Bruins, their best postseason run since the glory days of Bobby Orr and the Big Bad Bruins. It was '72 when they last strung seven W's, a season that ended with John Bucyk highstepping the big trophy around the inside of Madison Square Garden. "This," bellowed 98.5's Judd Sirott in the broadcast booth, "is a Black-and-Gold freight train!" On the clinching night, when the Canes couldn't put one of their 24 shots by Rask, the Bruins were able to rely on the oldest of playoff standards: Their best players were their best players. Specifically, top-liners Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak rolled up 11 shots and, more important, four goals, four assists, and eight points. The Canes' best players were duds. Pastrnak was not aboard in 2011 or 2013, the club's last two appearances in the SCF, but Marchand and Bergeron were key parts, particularly to the Cup win over Vancouver in '11. They are central to the success of a team that has been better from round to round the last 6-7 weeks, with Rask   the club's No. 1 tender in the '13 SCF loss to Chicago   playing the best playoff hockey of his career. The biggest difference in the team that next will face San Jose or St. Louis is the surrounding cast of young players, particularly on defense. That unit turned in shutout work Thursday even while team captain and defensive stalwart Zdeno Chara had to sit out for only the second time in the club's last 132 playoff games. Youngsters Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Connor Clifton, and Matt Grzelcyk stepped up and kept the Canes from mounting a serious threat on Rask, or even the slightest hint that Canes could get back in the series. The Storm Surge was swamped. "I think we just competed hard for every puck," said a beaming McAvoy, the former BU standout in his third playoff season with the Black and Gold. "We had the mindset that we were going to win all those battles   we were just going to stick with what's been giving us success. Breaking pucks out. Just a selfless effort. Guys jumping in lanes to block shots (23 in total). "I mean, what a game . . . a series clinching game. It's just crazy to think about that were going to the Stanley Cup Final. Just a dream come true." The Canes, who fell behind on Pastrnak's goal with 4:46 gone in the second period, managed but a total of 13:08 lead time for the series. The Bruins led in every game for a total of 136:24, an overwhelming 10:1 ratio. The most telling part of the night came in the minutes after Pastrnak's strike. In foray after foray into the Boston end, the Canes couldn't muster a shot on net. In need of a push, they could barely manage a nudge, needing 12 minutes and 12 seconds to come up with their first shot since falling into the 1-0 hole. They cobbled together but eight more for the rest of the night, none of them forcing Rask out of his calm, composed posture. Rask, 12-5 in the post-season, picked up his second shutout, lowered his goals-against mark to 1.84, and lifted his save percentage to .942. "He just looks like he's having fun out there," said McAvoy. "We are reaping the benefits from it." Now it's the Blues or Sharks, with two more dates (TBA) penciled in to the Causeway Street calendar. Four more wins for a Cup. "I mean, just crazy to think that we closed this thing out," said McAvoy. "And were going to the Stanley Cup Final! I'm just trying to take a step back and soak it all up." Kevin Paul Dupont can be reached at kevin.dupont@globe.com . Follow him on Twitter @GlobeKPD . Related slideshow: Best of the 2019 NHL playoffs (Provided by imagn)


President Trump vowed Saturday to "immediately" appeal a judge's ruling blocking funding for his border wall , while reviving threats to proceed with stalled deportation raids as soon as a week from now. The president discussed his immigration plans as part of a wide-ranging press conference following the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan . HOUSE OKS BORDER BILL AFTER PELOSI REVERSES COURSE His administration, just after notching a win with the passage of a $4.6 billion bill to address the humanitarian crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border, was dealt a blow Friday when a California judge barred Trump from tapping $2.5 billion in military funding to build high-priority segments of the border wall in California, Arizona and New Mexico. Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. in Oakland acted in two lawsuits filed by California and by activists who contended the money transfer was unlawful and construction would pose environmental threats. "We're immediately appealing it and we think we'll win the appeal," Trump said at his press conference, calling the decision a disgrace. "There was no reason that that should have happened." Meanwhile, the president made clear that despite the passage of the aid package in Congress, he plans to move forward with controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids absent a deal on reforming the asylum process, which he described as unlikely. "We will be removing large numbers of people … starting in a week after, you know, sometime after July 4th," Trump said. Those planned raids have been the subject of intense debate and a source of immense turmoil inside the Department of Homeland Security. Before last weekend, The Washington Post reported on the closely held plan to target families in up to 10 cities across the U.S. for deportation raids. The plans prompted outrage from Democrats and, last Saturday, Trump said he would agree to their requests to delay the operation "for two weeks" to see if they can strike a deal on "asylum and loophole problems at the southern border." But the past week was consumed by negotiations over the humanitarian aid bill, which Congress passed right before the start of the holiday break. While Trump expressed gratitude to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for helping pass that package   she steamrolled the liberal wing of her party in order to move a bipartisan package that did not include restrictions on enforcement sought by that wing   the president suggested that bill does not make ICE raids less likely. The raid plan, as well as national controversy over poor conditions at certain migrant detention centers, has been the backdrop to a major reshuffling at the top levels of the Department of Homeland Security. New leaders were installed this past week at ICE and Customs and Border Protection   as the DHS secretary himself faces questions about his future. Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan has been accused of leaking those planned raids. But during an appearance on Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle," he again denied it. "I would not, have not, ever leaked details of a sensitive law enforcement operation," he said. One senior administration official told Fox News on Thursday that after the alleged leak, "He's lost the confidence and trust of both the workforce and his superiors, with no viable path to proceed with any confidence and credibility." The official lamented the state of morale at the department, saying: "DHS has devolved into chaos and employee morale is abysmal." NEW LEADERS INSTALLED AT DHS AMID QUESTIONS OVER SECRETARY'S FUTURE McAleenan, though, touted at a press conference on Friday that the flow at the border is reducing, saying he expects as much as a 25 percent reduction in border apprehensions in June   from soaring levels so far this year. The California judge's wall ruling on Friday created yet another front in the ever-expanding legal, political and physical battle over immigration. "All President Trump has succeeded in building is a constitutional crisis, threatening immediate harm to our state," said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who led a 20-state coalition of attorneys general in one lawsuit. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to take up the same issue of using military money next week. At issue is Trump's February declaration of a national emergency so that he could divert $6.7 billion from military and other sources to begin construction of the wall, which could have begun as early as Monday. Trump declared the emergency after losing a fight with the Democratic-led House that led to a 35-day government shutdown. The president identified $3.6 billion from military construction funds, $2.5 billion from Defense Department counterdrug activities and $600 million from the Treasury Department's asset forfeiture fund. The judge Friday didn't rule on funding from the military construction and Treasury budgets. In the second suit, brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Sierra Club and the Southern Border Communities Coalition, the judge determined that the use of the $2.5 billion for two sectors of the wall was unlawful, although he rejected environmental arguments that wall construction would threaten species such as bighorn sheep. Fox News' Brooke Singman and Jake Gibson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.


Michael Caruso will make a second consecutive Supercars outing with Garry Rogers Motorsport at Queensland later this month, with team's regular driver Richie Stanaway still not fully fit from a recurring neck injury. . , who missed out on a full-time drive for this season, has now been called in again for the Queensland round scheduled for July 27-28. , who secured the team's best result of the season in seventh. "We wanted to have some consistency, rather than be chopping and changing again," team boss Garry Rogers told Supercars.com. "Chris was an obvious option, but we think he's well and truly ready for the enduros, and we didn't want to get into the process of applying for special consideration to do more events. "From a performance point of view, we need to find something, and having the consistency from Townsville should be a good thing for us. "Michael impressed us with his leadership and his attitude in Townsville, he was focused not on achieving something for himself, but assisting us as much as he could. "I'd like to think that with another week in the car we could find some performance gains there, with the car and driver as a combination."


The NFL and Nike have partnered together to give fans around the league another opportunity to rep the gear of their favorite teams with a new alternative look. The inverted jerseys are a play on the team's secondary colors, and Nike used silver for the Eagles to help highlight that fact. Fans are still clamoring for the Kelly Green to make a return, but for $79.99 you can impress all of your friends with the Eagles newest style of jersey. MORE: Does Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey want to team up with DeAndre Hopkins in Houston? Three Potential Landing Spots for Chris Paul NASCAR driver falls off car while celebrating too hard Report: Broncos ready to draft Devin Bush before trade with the Steelers Trysten Hill may be crowning point on Cowboys star-studded defense


Another NHL season is in the books and for the second year in a row it resulted in a long-suffering franchise and fan-base getting its first taste of the Stanley Cup. This time it was the St. Louis Blues completing one of the most incredible in-season turnarounds we have ever seen, going from the bottom of the NHL standings in early January to the top of the NHL mountain in June. Now that the newest champion has been crowned it is time to begin my favorite offseason activity: Dissecting how they won and figuring out how the rest of the teams in the league can attempt to model their success. As always there are some valuable and meaningful lessons that can be taken from this particular champion. There are also a few that lessons that teams should avoid getting lost in. We need to talk about both types of lessons. Your last place team next January is NOT going to win the Stanley Cup By now you have no doubt heard the story. In the first week of January the St. Louis Blues had the worst record in the NHL and fought all the way back to not only make the playoffs, but also nearly win the Central Division and then went on to win the Stanley Cup once they made the playoffs. It sounds amazing, because it is amazing, and an incredible turnaround that is worthy of praise and celebration. Here is what you should not do: Take this as a "all you have to do is get in" lesson, or that your team that is in last place at the halfway point of the NHL season is going to be capable of turning its season around in this same way. Chances are, it is not. Of the bottom 14 teams in the league standings on January 1 this season only two of them ended up making the playoffs   the Blues, and the Carolina Hurricanes, who were in 22nd place overall in the league standings on that same date. If you go back to the start of the 2005-06 season when the NHL introduced the three-point game there have only been three teams in the bottom-five of the league standings on January 1 that came back to make the playoffs in that season. Those teams were the 2019 Blues, the 2008-09 Blues, and the 2007-08 Washington Capitals. While this year's Blues team won it all, the other two were eliminated in the first round winning just three total games between them in the playoffs. There is also this when it comes to the Blues: They were not your run of the mill bad team at that point in the season. They were one of the NHL's best defensive teams a year ago, had that same defensive core in place, and spent heavily over the summer to address its offense by acquiring Ryan O'Reilly , David Perron , Patrick Maroon , and Tyler Bozak , a series of transactions that added nearly $19 million to their cap, sending them close to the upper limits of the league's salary cap. This team was built to compete and win this season . They were also not a team that just simply got hot and flipped a switch at the start of April. Their early season record was a mirage that saw an otherwise good team get absolutely sabotaged by horrific goaltending. From January 1 on, especially after they found a competent goalie, they played at a championship level in every meaningful metric that we have to project future performance (and this isn't 20/20 hindsight knowing the results … it is why I picked them to come out the Western Conference at the start of the playoffs. Yes, I also picked Tampa Bay in the East, but, hey, you win some and you lose some). If your team is in the bottom-five of the standings next January it is probably there because it deserves to be there, and if your GM or coach starts talking about looking to the Blues for inspiration it is probably a sign something bad is about to happen in the form of a roster transaction. The Blues winning the Stanley Cup is not the fluke here. Their record in January was the fluke. Goaltending will crush you … and also save you This is kind of related to the previous point, and it is not just good goaltending that matters. Bad goaltending matters, too, in the sense that it significantly alters what happens to a team. This is the biggest reason why the Blues were in the position they were in at the start of the season to set the stage for this storybook ending. From opening night through Jan. 1 the Blues' goaltending duo of Jake Allen and Chad Johnson combined for an all-situations save percentage of .892 save percentage, a mark that was the third-worst in the NHL at that point. Goaltending that bad is nearly impossible to overcome (at that point only other team in the bottom-10 in save percentage   the San Jose Sharks   occupied a playoff spot). It was crushing what was, for the most part, still a very good defensive team and made everyone think they were worse than they actually were. At this point the jury is still very much out on Jordan Binnington because he still has such a small sampling of work to go on. Maybe he will be good, and maybe his career peaked this season. No matter what direction his career takes from here he gave the Blues what they needed in the second half to at least give them a chance to compete. Maybe he did not steal many games for them, but he did the next best thing   he did not lose many games. If you think your team that is built to win is not winning, do not assume you are worse than you thought you would be. You should start by looking at the performance of your goalies before you make more changes than you need to make. At the same time, if your team is performing better than you thought it would do not automatically assume it is better than you thought it would be. Just assume your goalie is bailing it out. Yes, big money stars still matter Take a quick look at this Blues roster and name the biggest superstar. Or the slam-dunk Hall of Famer. Is there one of either? Vladimir Tarasenko is probably the closest one in either category, and while I would definitely consider him a star player he is probably far from a slam-dunk Hall of Famer, if he even is one at all. This is a team whose whole was far greater than the sum of its parts, and while general manager Doug Armstrong did a fabulous job building a well-rounded, deep team, this is a roster construction that is going to be nearly impossible to duplicate on a championship level. Earlier in the playoffs when all of the big-name teams were eliminated there was a narrative starting to surface about big-money players and how teams that were winning didn't have a lot of them. This postseason was very much an anomaly in that regard, but the Blues' success is still probably going to push somebody out there in hockey-land to argue that their team is better off shedding its big-money player to build a more well-rounded team. If (or when) it happens, it is going to be a mistake. Here's the thing about this Blues team: Even though it lacked a traditional "superstar" or a $10 million per year player it was still a team that carried some big contracts at the top of its lineup. Their top-five cap hits this season totaled $33 million, or 42 percent of the league's cap ceiling. While recent Stanley Cup winners in Washington and Pittsburgh had slightly higher percentages (46 percent in Washington in 2017-18; around 50 percent for the Penguins in 2016 and 2017) it is still roughly in the same ballpark. You still need stars to win. The Blues may not be overflowing with household name superstars, but they still have their share of big-money, impact players on their roster. If you get the best player in the trade you will almost always win the trade This also relates to the previous point where quality is better than quantity. One impact player is better than two decent players. The biggest move the Blues made before this season was to acquire Ryan O'Reilly from the Buffalo Sabres, and while O'Reilly isn't a superstar he is still an excellent No. 1 center. He is a 60-70 point player offensively, he is a shutdown player defensively, and he plays big minutes against top players and does not take penalties. He can be a force on the ice. When the Blues traded Vladimir Sobotka , Patrik Berglund, Tage Thompson, and a first-round draft pick for him it was viewed in some places as being a lot to give up and a solid return for the Sabres. But it wasn't. The Blues were still getting what was by far the best player in the trade, and a player that even before this season carried more value individually than all four assets going the other way did combined. For the Sabres to come out ahead in this trade in the future Thompson and the first-round pick are probably both going to need to become top-line players, and the chances of that happening are just laughably small. Thompson is an okay prospect, but did not really take a step forward this season, and the historical track record of players taken with the No. 31 overall pick (or in that general vicinity) is not exactly a promising one. The Blues feasted on a team that seemed almost desperate to get rid of an impact player and got him for what amounted to a pile of spare parts. Is it really a surprise to see the direction both teams took on the ice this season? Play! To! Your! Strengths! Every word needs emphasized because the Blues' championship is going to result in a bunch of think-tank discussions about the future of the NHL, the way the game is played, and the way teams should be built. The only logical conclusion that anyone should come to is that there is more than one way to win and more than one style that can work. It just depends on what your team is good at and if your team is getting the right players to fit that style. Some teams, like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Chicago Blackhawks, have found success with speed and skill over the past few years. Some teams, like this year's Blues, found success with a bigger, more physical roster that played better defensively. The 2017-18 Washington Capitals were kind of a blend of both, as were this year's Bruins (though they are not anywhere near as big or physical as the Big Bad Bruins moniker will have you believe). The key is finding your identity and sticking to it. If your team is built around speed and skill, don't deviate away from that just because you think you have to get bigger and stronger ( See: Penguins, Pittsburgh ). It will not work. If your team is bigger and better defensively, don't just find a bunch of lightning quick speedsters that have frying pans for hands and can't defend. It will not work. The Penguins and Blackhawks styles worked because their skilled players could score and defend. They were not fast for the sake of being fast. They were fast and good. The Blues' style worked because their big, heavy players could also score and play. They were not big and physical just for the sake of being big and physical. They were big and good. This should be obvious and common sense, but I have watched, followed, and covered enough NHL hockey over the years to know there is a team out there (or two … or three … or even more) that is already sitting in its scouting meetings as I write this and wondering how they can get bigger because they feel they need to get bigger, whether it makes sense for them or not. If you are a team like Pittsburgh, Toronto, Carolina, or Colorado don't think you need to get bigger just because the Blues won playing this particular way. The 2018-19 St. Louis Blues were a unique team in a lot of ways, and there are definitely some lessons that we should take away from their season that can be applied to other teams. They just may not be the lessons most teams will attempt to take away. MORE BLUES STANLEY CUP COVERAGE: • Jay Bouwmeester finally gets his Stanley Cup • Blues fan Laila Anderson gets moment with Stanley Cup • Ryan O'Reilly wins Conn Smythe Trophy • Berube helped Blues find identity after early-season struggle • Blues latest team erased from Stanley Cup drought list   Adam Gretz is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports . Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @AGretz .


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Boston? We've rounded up the latest rental listings via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to finding an apartment in Boston if you've got $3,000/month earmarked for your rent. Read on for the listings. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 414 D St. (South Boston) Listed at $2,902/month, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is located at 414 D St. In the unit, you can expect hardwood flooring. Neither cats nor dogs are permitted. Look out for a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is friendly for those on foot, is convenient for biking and boasts excellent transit options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 28 Haviland St. (Fenway) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment located at 28 Haviland St. It's listed for $2,905/month. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is a "walker's paradise," is easy to get around on a bicycle and boasts excellent transit options. (See the complete listing here .) 417 Charles St. (West End) Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 417 Charles St. that's going for $2,910/month. In the unit, expect to see a dishwasher, quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances. Building amenities include on-site laundry. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. Walk Score indicates that this location is extremely walkable, is convenient for biking and is a haven for transit riders. (See the full listing here .) 207 Massachusetts Ave. (Fenway) Located at 207 Massachusetts Ave., here's a studio apartment that's listed for $2,915/month. The unit features in-unit laundry. The building has a door person, a fitness center and a roof deck. Neither cats nor dogs are permitted. According to Walk Score, the area around this address has excellent walkability, is easy to get around on a bicycle and is a haven for transit riders. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 770 Boylston St. (Back Bay) Listed at $2,915/month, this 543-square-foot studio apartment is located at 770 Boylston St. The residence has in-unit laundry and a walk-in closet. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is extremely walkable, is very bikeable and boasts excellent transit options. (Check out the complete listing here .) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Boston . This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


FOXBORO -- The biggest story with the Patriots this offseason besides the retirement of Rob Gronkowski was the turnover on the coaching staff, especially on defense. The only positional coach returning is safeties coach Steve Belichick, but with the exception of inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, all the new positional coaches were on the staff in some capacity last season. Speaking to Duron Harmon on the matter following Thursday's OTA session, the veteran safety said the narrative has been made into something more than it really is. "I think so because at the end of the day Bill [Belichick] is going to do whatever he can to put together a good staff and get people who work hard -- not just players, but coaches," he said. "At the end of the day, you just have to trust it, whatever that is. We don't let anything become bigger than the team. It's always the team first and he always ensures each and every year it's no bigger. You trust him and you do everything you can to bring the proper attitude and effort to the team each and every day." Harmon also brought up how players like to see coaches working their way up the ladder just like they do. "For sure, because it is the same thing as a player," he said. "You try and work as hard as you can to keep elevating through the ranks. Maybe you are a special teams player, a rotational player, a starter, and then a leader. It's the same thing for the coaches. They work had at their craft as well too and find ways to connect to players and get the most out of them, and also find ways to move up through the ranks as a coach. Quality control, assistant, position coach, defensive coordinator and eventually for some guys they want to be head coaches as well." The new coaches on defense include Bret Bielema (defensive line), Mayo (inside linebackers), DeMarcus Covington (outside linebackers) and Mike Pellegrino (defensive backs). As of now, there's no defensive coordinator.


(Bloomberg) -- Boris Johnson will launch his campaign to become U.K. prime minister Wednesday morning with a promise to get Britain out of the European Union on Oct. 31, come what may. The former foreign secretary is the favorite of the 10 candidates to succeed Theresa May, and the one who has said by far the least about how he would tackle the biggest problem that the nation faces. His launch event will be the first time he has faced public questioning in months. That silence has allowed him to pick up the support of both members of Parliament who want to leave the EU with a deal and those who are content to -- or would even prefer to -- leave without one. His stated strategy is to talk tough with the Europeans, threatening to withhold the 39 billion-pound ($49 billion) settlement that the U.K. has agreed it owes the bloc unless he's granted concessions. "We must leave the EU on Oct. 31," Johnson will say, according to his office. "We simply will not get a result if we give the slightest hint that we want to go on kicking the can down the road with yet more delay. Delay means defeat." Political Star Johnson's pitch is simple: He is easily the party's best-known figure , a political star known to the public by his first name. At a time when MPs fear a general election, he will tell them that he knows how to win it. That argument was helped Tuesday evening by a ComRes Ltd poll for the Telegraph newspaper -- where Johnson is a star columnist -- that found voters saying they were more likely to vote Conservative if he were leader. Johnson's critics are equally straightforward. He was sacked as a journalist for making up a quote and as a Conservative spokesman for lying about an affair. His role as a cheerleader for Brexit in the 2016 referendum , though quite possibly decisive, also alienated him from many liberal voters. Conservative polling expert Rob Hayward last week told journalists that most of the public had made up their minds about Johnson, and many don't trust him. Home Secretary Sajid Javid, also launching his campaign on Wednesday, will argue that Johnson is the wrong choice. "I believe now more than ever that this is a moment for a new kind of leadership and a new kind of leader," he'll say, according to his office. "A leader is not just for Christmas, or just for Brexit. So we can't risk going with someone who feels like the short-term, comfort zone choice. We need tomorrow's leader, today." Sajid Javid 'Too Personal,' Brexit Meanwhile rival candidate Rory Stewart, at his own launch on Tuesday evening, took aim at the front-runner. "I don't want to make this too personal," he said, without naming Johnson, "but do you really feel that this is the person that you want engaging with the detail of the future of your health and education system? Is this the person that you want writing the instruction to the nuclear submarines? That you want embodying your nation on the world stage and guiding it through the most difficult choice that Britain has faced for 50 years?" Whoever succeeds May, they could find their freedom of action curtailed by the same forces she faced. The opposition Labour Party will try once again to seize control of the Parliamentary agenda Wednesday, part of an effort to stop the next prime minister from taking the country out of the EU without a deal. One candidate, Dominic Raab, has floated the idea of stopping Parliament from sitting, so that members wouldn't be able to block this. Others are arguing that Parliament doesn't have the power to force a prime minister to change course. Parliamentary Options If Labour wins the Wednesday afternoon vote, at least an hour will be set aside on June 25 for further debate on a motion to be selected by House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, who has repeatedly worked with MPs trying to soften Brexit. As with similar moves at the start of the year, that could be used to set in train a process that takes control of the agenda from the government. At that point, the identity of the next prime minister won't be known, but the Conservative Party will have narrowed down its list of candidates considerably , and the direction that the party is moving in may be clearer. "The debate on Brexit in the Tory leadership contest has descended into the disturbing, the ludicrous and the reckless," Labour Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said in an emailed statement. "MPs cannot be bystanders while the next Tory prime minister tries to crash the UK out of the European Union without a deal and without the consent of the British people." Keir Starmer The motion will only pass if sufficient Conservatives rebel and support it. One, the former minister Oliver Letwin, has already put his name to it. Even one leadership candidate, Stewart, briefly looked like he might back it, telling his launch event that "my instinct is I would be wholly supportive." He quickly moved away from that position, saying he'd read the motion and wouldn't support it. To contact the reporter on this story: Robert Hutton in London at rhutton1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tim Ross at tross54@bloomberg.net, Robert Jameson For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com ©2019 Bloomberg L.P.