The New York Giants entered the 2019 offseason with a plethora of issues and a number of holes to patch, but one area of little concern to the team was the tight end position. With Evan Engram leading the pack, Rhett Ellison serving as the primary backup/blocking tight end and Garrett Dickerson providing some youth, the Giants had little reason to address the position. Yet that's the very first thing they did by re-signing Scott Simonson. The Giants and Simonson agreed to a one-year, $895,000 deal in February - three full weeks before the start of the free agent period. Simonson could have tested the market after making his presence felt down the stretch a year ago, but he thought better of it and instead decided to return to New York and a crowded tight end depth chart. "It was kind of a no-brainer for me, growing up a Jersey guy and a Giants fan," Simonson told NJ Advance Media . "We discussed (testing the market), but then it's that thing where you have to go to a new place and re-establish yourself. I've seen guys try to do that and then it backfires. It wasn't broke, so I didn't want to fix it. "I ended last season with some good games and built on the role I had within the offense. Getting opportunities and showing I was able to handle them, I feel good going forward." The Giants also feel good about Simonson going forward. "He made tremendous strides in the right direction last year," tight ends coach Lunda Wells said. "He earned it by his hard work, his diligence and relishing in the role that he had. Those are the guys you root for." Simonson, who was considered a long-shot to make the team's 53-man roster, went on to appear in all 16 games a season ago, including four starts. He hauled in nine receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown - all career highs. Simonson expects more in 2019. "Any time you get a full season under your belt to learn a playbook, it just helps guys play so much faster," Simonson said. "Playing faster and with more confidence are keys to executing better. We've hit the ground running this spring." The Giants clearly thought Simonson could be and should be a part of their future, but he's still going to have to earn a spot on the 53-man roster here in 2019. He'll have to beat out the aforementioned Dickerson and undrafted rookie free agent C.J. Conrad. MORE: Clint Bowyer furiously punched Ryan Newman after NASCAR's All-Star Race Tracy Walker is set up to be the next Lions' breakout star Did the Raiders steal the best fullback in the 2019 NFL draft? Kyle Rudolph could be a late offseason acquisition Cowboys need Jermaine Whitehead getting 1st team reps, could play a role in Wilks' defense


May 28--CHICAGO   Police say a teenage mother and her infant daughter are missing from Chicago's Northwest Side. Mayra Osorio, 16, and Samara, 5 months, were last seen around 4 p.m. Saturday in the 5500 block of West School in the city's Cragin neighborhood. Mayra is described as Hispanic, black hair, brown eyes, 5 feet 2 inches tall and 110 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black, long-sleeve jacket and black pants. Police said Osorio has depression. Samara has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a red shirt and pink pants. Anyone with information is urged to call Area North SVU at 312-744-8266. ___ (c)2019 WGN-TV, Chicago Visit WGN-TV, Chicago at www.wgntv.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Tax season is often met with heavy sighs as Americans gather the necessary paperwork and prepare for the annual deep dive on their finances. While it can be a tedious process (and painful if you have to pay additional taxes), tax season is also a good time to give yourself a financial checkup   particularly if you are approaching retirement age . As you work through 2018 taxes, take a step back, reassess your overall financial goals, review your current investment strategy, and more specifically, make any necessary changes to stay on track for your retirement plan. Here are a few things to think about as you review your taxes and prepare for retirement in the next few years: Maximize account contributions. Tapping retirement funds. Review investment risk. Max Out Your Retirement Account Contributions While you are reporting on your contributions to various retirement accounts in 2018, check to see if you're really contributing the maximum amounts possible. For both Roth and traditional individual retirement accounts (IRAs), the 2019 contribution limit is $6,000, up from $5,500 in 2018. What's more, all of us in the 50-plus crowd can add another $1,000 as a catch-up contribution. There are, however, income limits on making contributions to a Roth IRA. The maximum contribution for 401(k) accounts is also higher in 2019. For those under 50, the maximum is now $19,000 ($18,500 in 2018). If you're 50 or older, the contribution limit is now $25,000, up from $24,500 in 2018. Another benefit of contributing to traditional IRAs and 401(k) accounts is that you can save money on taxes now, though you will still have to pay income tax when you start to draw down the accounts in retirement. For Roth IRAs, you've already paid taxes on the money going in, so those contributions and earnings coming out in retirement are generally income tax free. The easiest way to boost your contributions to these accounts is to make them automatic. If you don't see the money in the first place, you won't miss it. That can make it a little easier to increase your monthly contributions and make the most of catch-up contributions. Additionally, if your employer offers a match to employee 401(k) accounts, be sure to max that out   otherwise you're turning down free money. If you're getting a tax refund this year, consider putting that toward a retirement account to help easily boost your contributions. Discuss How You Will Begin to Take Your Retirement Income A key consideration as you prepare for retirement is knowing exactly how much you will need each month, how you will receive income and from which accounts the money will come. Keep in mind that you will still have to pay taxes on the income from many of these accounts and that Social Security income can be taxed as well, depending on how much overall retirement income you receive. If you're married, how you file taxes also plays a role. Be sure to check with your tax professional on how to navigate this. A retirement income strategy is critical. Work with your financial professional and a qualified tax advisor or attorney to help answer some key questions. Should you defer Social Security payments and start to draw down your IRAs right away? If you have an annuity, how will payouts impact your income and tax strategies? How much can you safely withdraw from your stock and bond portfolios without risking your long-term retirement plans? Remember that if you're turning 70½ this year, you are required by the government to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from most qualified retirement accounts. This means you must start to draw down your traditional IRAs. These RMDs then become part of your taxable income. Other qualified retirement plans, including 401(k)s, also require RMDs. Be sure to check with your plan administrator and tax professional for help navigating RMDs. Review Risk and Make Sure You Are Protected As people get closer to retirement, they become more risk adverse in order to preserve their hard-earned funds as much as possible. Pulling back from exposure to the stock market and seeking out financial products that offer a level of protection from downside risk are two steps to consider. Work with your financial professional to assess your current risk exposure and determine if it makes sense to increase investment diversification in your portfolio, particularly if you are approaching your target retirement age. Keep in mind diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against loss. Tax season offers a chance to confront your finances head-on whether you like it or not   but that doesn't have to be a bad thing. Use this time when you are already neck-deep in financial matters to consider your retirement goals and ensure you're taking the appropriate steps now to create a comfortable retirement in the future. Disclosures: This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide fiduciary, tax, or legal advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties; nor is it intended to market, promote, or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America, its affiliates, and their employees and representatives do not give legal or tax advice. Clients are encouraged to consult with their own legal, tax, and financial professionals for specific advice or product recommendations. Distributions are subject to ordinary income tax and, if taken prior to age 59½, a 10 percent federal additional tax. Purchasing an annuity within a retirement plan that provides tax deferral under sections of the Internal Revenue Code results in no additional tax benefit. An annuity should be used to fund a qualified plan based upon the annuity's features other than tax deferral. All annuity features, risks, limitations, and costs should be considered prior to purchasing an annuity within a tax-qualified retirement plan. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing company. Variable annuity guarantees do not apply to the performance of the variable subaccounts, which will fluctuate with market conditions. Products are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America. Variable products are distributed by its affiliate, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, member FINRA, 5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416-1297. Product and feature availability may vary by state and broker/dealer. Copyright 2019 U.S. News & World Report


Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson has never been shy about standing up for quarterback Carson Wentz , bashing Donovan McNabb this offseason for questioning Wentz. Now Johnson is talking up Wentz again. Johnson said Wentz, who has been rehabbing a back injury this offseason, is working hard to be ready to go for, hopefully, a full healthy season. "I love it, every day when I go in the building, all I see is him in there before everybody else , rehabbing, doing whatever it takes." Johnson said on NFL Network. "I just think he's really on a different mental state than he's ever been as far as training and ignoring distractions and really trying to be the best player he is. So, I just see that worker and a guy who is about to do some big things this season." For two straight years Wentz has been hurt and Nick Foles has been leading the Eagles in the playoffs. But the Eagles showed by signing Wentz to a contract extension that they believe he is the future of the franchise. Johnson believes that too.


If you're hitting the road this Fourth of July holiday, be prepared to hit some traffic. According to AAA, a record-breaking 48.9 million Americans plan to travel on the Fourth of July. With more travelers, experts say drivers could face delays up to four times longer than a normal commute. "This holiday builds on the strong travel demand seen for Memorial Day, and with schools now out of session across the country, families coast to coast are eager to travel," said Paula Twidale, vice president of AAA Travel. In Boston, the worst day for travel is expected to be Friday. The worst time to travel is between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. with delays more than three times longer than a normal day, according to AAA. With gas prices at a national average of $2.66, experts expect the lower-than-usual price will motivate travelers to take road trips. "Gas prices are, on average, 17 cents cheaper than Memorial Day weekend, which is welcome news for motorists hitting the roads to celebrate the July Fourth holiday," AAA gas price expert Jeanette Casselano said. "More so, summer gas prices are poised to continue dropping even lower in coming weeks." The holiday may also bring in travelers by plane and train. Boston is the 7th most popular destination for American travelers on Independence Day, based on AAA Travel bookings. AAA officials said they expect to rescue more than 350,000 drivers on the roads this holiday. They recommend having your car maintenance before heading out on a road trip and to pack a car charger, flashlight with extra batteries, first-aid kit, toolkit, water and snacks.


If you've got Chinese on the mind, a recent opening is need-to-know. Located at 7800 Windrose Ave., this fresh arrival is called Beijing Brothers . The new business specializes in authentic traditional cuisines that originate from the various regions of China, incorporating seasonal ingredients on its menu . You can try classic Chinese delicacies like the bistro's whole (or half) roasted Peking duck and hand-pulled noodles. With a 4.5-star rating out of four reviews on Yelp so far, Beijing Brothers has so far been warmly received by patrons. Jaime V., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new establishment on June 15, wrote, "Beijing Bros? More like BAE-jing Bros! If this restaurant was a person I would ask for its hand in marriage. ... I cannot recommend this place enough. Eat, Pray, Love your way through this menu; you won't be disappointed." And Jade D. wrote , "This is the best place in Legacy Hall! The hand-pulled noodles, steamed wontons in chili oil and scallion pancakes were all delicious. We were so impressed with how fresh and authentic everything was. Can't wait to come back and try more." Head on over to check it out: Beijing Brothers is open from 11 a.m. 9 p.m. on Monday-Thursday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Want to keep your finger on the pulse of new businesses in Plano? Here's what else opened recently near you . This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Last Night's Look: The Red Carpet Outfits You Have to See 5/13/19 Katy Perry in a Dolce & Gabbana floral set featuring a bralette top and high waisted pants with a chunky black belt and strappy sandals as she arrives at ABC's American Idol live show in Los Angeles. Gabrielle Union in a black shimmering gown with strong shoulder tulle panel wrapping and pumps at the premiere Of Spectrum's Originals L.A.'s Finest in West Hollywood. Kris Jenner wears a high ruffled neck dress with sheer bellowed sleeves with a gold polka dot design and metallic pumps at the 26th Annual Race to Erase MS Gala Ciara wears an all white ensemble featuring a long blazer, high neck top and wide-legged trousers in New York City. Sarah Michelle Gellar in a plunging black blazer style dress with silver sparkling heels at the 26th Annual Race to Erase MS Gala in Beverly Hills. Jessica Alba wears a long red cut-out dress with gold bead detailing and shiny sandals at the premiere Of Spectrum's Originals L.A.'s Finest in West Hollywood. Tyra Banks in a high neck black cut-out dress with clear sandals at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit celebrates their 2019 issue launch in Miami. Olivia Culpo in a one shoulder bright red latex dress with draped detail on the side and matching pumps at the SI Swimsuit On Location after party in Miami. Selma Blair in a black wide-legged blazer style jumpsuit with sheen blue accents and pumps at the 26th Annual Race to Erase MS Gala in Beverly Hills. Winnie Harlow in a strappy baby pink mini dress with a jewel detail at the top and strappy silver sandals at the SI Swimsuit On Location after party in Miami.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Baltimore? We've rounded up the latest places for rent via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to hunting down affordable apartments in Baltimore if you've got a budget of $1,500/month. 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. 3014 B Fallstaff Road (Cheswolde) Here's a 1,315-square-foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom abode at 3014 B Fallstaff Road that's going for $1,410/month. You can expect a balcony and in-unit laundry in the unit. Cats are welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address isn't very walkable, is relatively bikeable and has some transit options. (Check out the complete listing here .) North Wolfe Street (Washington Hill) Next, check out this 657-square-foot studio apartment that's located at North Wolfe Street. It's listed for $1,415/month. Look for a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting, in-unit laundry and a dishwasher in the residence. Pet lovers are in luck: Cats and dogs are allowed. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is very walkable, is quite bikeable and boasts excellent transit options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 1111 Park Ave. (Bolton Hill) Listed at $1,415/month, this 928-square-foot two-bedroom, one-bathroom residence is located at 1111 Park Ave. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address is very walkable, is convenient for biking and is a haven for transit riders. (See the complete listing here .) 511 W. Pratt St. (Inner Harbor) Finally, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom abode over at 511 W. Pratt St. It's listed for $1,556/month for its 829 square feet. The residence includes a walk-in closet, both air conditioning and central heating and in-unit laundry. Luckily for pet owners, both dogs and cats are welcome. Walk Score indicates that this location is extremely walkable, is quite bikeable and boasts excellent transit options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Baltimore . 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.


There are certain cars that you just expect to be loud. AMG Mercedes and 600 horsepower V8 Alpinas are among them, and yet, both Alpina and AMG now have no choice but to pipe fake exhaust sounds into their cabins. And you can thank a new European noise regulation for it. "The death knell has officially sounded for noisy performance cars," begins Australian car website Motoring 's article on how the new Mercedes-AMG A45 S and CLA 45 S are now quieter than their predecessors due to strict European regulations. The article quotes the head of product planning for compact AMGs, Bastian Bogenschutz, who describes how new laws have forced automakers to resort to sound augmentation: "It's coming from the European regulations," he explained. "We can [design specific exhausts] but it's too expensive for every market to do it, it's pretty difficult." [...] "The regulations were getting pretty difficult for the sound to just come from the exhaust system," he said. "So we added the AMG pure performance sound, there we take the real sound from the exhaust system, the pulsation of the real sound and move it inside the car. It works together with the exhaust system." I heard similar sentiments when I spoke with representatives from BMW's right-hand tuning partner, Alpina, in Munich back in June . Those reps told me that the B7 that I was driving in Europe had a quieter exhaust than the U.S. spec model due to new, stricter European noise regulations. A BMW representative told me that the Alpina I drove in Germany had "enhanced engine sound for the interior" coming from the speakers, and that this sound had been engineered by Alpina. So it seems like, at least in Europe, loud sports cars are more and more becoming things of the past, and Motoring notes that using a valve with a quiet and loud setting isn't a valid workaround, since the vehicles will apparently be tested in their loudest modes. I will admit that I'm not sure exactly which regulation is driving these stricter exhaust requirements, but a cursory search leads me to a European Union regulatory document with an enormous title: " Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on the sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems, and amending Directive 2007/46/EC and repealing Directive 70/157/EEC (Text with EEA relevance) ." This document lays out a new method for testing exhaust noise to ensure that "sound emission of a vehicle under street-driving conditions does not differ significantly from what can be expected from the [existing] type-approval test result for the specific vehicle" and also to "cover driving conditions of the vehicle in real traffic outside the type-approval driving cycle and to prevent cycle beating." In addition, Regulation No 540/2014 actually drops sound level limits. This, the document spells out, is all in an effort to minimize noise-related stress, potential for high blood pressure, and other health-related effects of loud automobiles. Reg 540 specifically breaks down the obligations of the manufacturers, basically stating that they're on the hook for making quiet cars, and ensuring that they remain quiet over time. From the document: 1. Manufacturers shall ensure that vehicles, their engine and their silencing system are designed, constructed and assembled so as to enable such vehicles, when in normal use, to comply with this Regulation, despite the vibration to which such vehicles are inherently subjected. 2. Manufacturers shall ensure that silencing systems are designed, constructed and assembled so as to be able to reasonably resist the corrosive phenomena to which they are exposed having regard to the conditions of use of vehicles, including regional climate differences. 3. The manufacturer shall be responsible to the approval authority for all aspects of the approval process and for ensuring conformity of production, whether or not the manufacturer is directly involved in all stages of the construction of a vehicle, system, component or separate technical unit. Plus, the EU also says that it wants manufacturers to provide consumers with sound emission data: Accordingly, manufacturers should provide information on sound levels of vehicles at the point of sale and in technical promotional material. A label, comparable to the labels used for information on CO2 emissions, fuel-consumption and tyre-noise, should inform consumers about the sound emissions of a vehicle. Digging deeper into the paper, the regulation lays out requirements for tires used in the test (since tire noise is a significant part of the vehicle's sound output), and states that engines should be brought to "normal operating conditions," and that certain exhaust systems should be "conditioned" prior to measurement. Plus, the document lays out acceleration targets for the test (targets that vary based on vehicle power to mass ratios), discusses whether vehicles should be tested in two or four-wheel drive and whether electric fans should be on or off, and even gets into how gears should be selected. Plus, it mentions specifically that cars are to be tested in their loudest settings: Exhaust or silencing systems with multiple, manually adjustable operating modes shall meet all requirements in all operating modes. The reported sound levels shall be those resulting from the mode with the highest sound levels. There are also some examples of how the microphones used to read the sound are to be placed relative to various types of exhaust systems: This table at the bottom of Regulation No 540 lays out decibel requirements based on power to mass ratios (a separate table exists for vehicles meant for "Carriage of goods"): As shown, things get stricter over time, with 2020 and 2024 apparently being the key dates for the initiation of stricter noise limit phases. Is any of this this terrible of a thing? To sports car diehards, yes fake exhaust noise isn't cool. That said, exhaust noise is mostly there for cabin occupants to enjoy, and not to impress folks outside of the vehicles. So, in a way, exhaust/augmented engine noise is logical, especially in the dense cities of Europe. That said, I myself enjoy living in a place where car fans can straight-pipe their compact beaters to make them louder than Lamborghinis. But that's just me.


CINCINNATI (AP) -- Lauren Hill was remembered on Monday with her own music and words -- and more smiles and tears -- in the basketball arena where she had one of her greatest moments. Only this time, the crowd celebrated not a layup, but a life. A brief life, fully lived. The 19-year-old college basketball player died Friday from a brain tumor that had been growing inside of her for more than a year. The Mount St. Joseph freshman devoted her final year to playing basketball, raising money for cancer research, and inspiring others. "She made you think: What am I doing with my life?" said Lexy Saraswate, 19, a Xavier student who volunteered to work at the memorial service. "How can I be a better person?" Hill's gray, metal casket was brought by a hearse to Xavier's 10,000-seat Cintas Center, where she made a left-handed layup to open a Division III game on Nov. 2. There was no more appropriate place to say goodbye. And to draw one more bit of inspiration. For the memorial service, her casket would rest on the spot where she scored her first basket five months earlier. The backboard and basket were off to the side, with the shot clock above it set to 22 -- her number. First, the public was invited to file past the closed casket in an upstairs conference room. A spray of white, pink and purple roses rested atop it. Family photos flanked the casket, along with a photo of her in a cape inscribed with a quote from actor Christopher Reeve: "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere in spite of overwhelming obstacles." All along, Hill insisted that it wasn't about only the one layup. Or one game. Or one life, even. She tried to make her final year about everyone else. "Just her courage," said Saraswate, who attended the game in November. "I felt that was the thing: What do you do when you're staring death in the face? She set a goal for herself and accomplished it, even surpassed it. She's an inspiration." Hill's family decided to play music from her iPod to start the memorial, which would include video of her layup only 17 seconds into Mount St. Joseph's 66-55 win over Hiram College in the season-opening game that was moved up because of her declining condition. One of her favorites -- Katy Perry's "Roar" -- was chosen to end the hour-long memorial in front of family, teammates, coaches and the Hiram College team as well. And her motto would be repeated: "Never give up." Already, Hill had been honored during a brief on-campus memorial, on restaurant promotional signs, and with a moment of silence before a Cincinnati Reds game on Friday. "She was a hero," Mount St. Joseph President Tony Aretz said. "We need heroes." Hill tried to make the last months of her life about helping and inspiring other people. Through a nonprofit foundation, she helped to raise roughly $1.5 million for research into pediatric cancer. Shortly before she died, she set a goal of raising $2.2 million -- matching her uniform number. The fundraising campaign will continue through the school and the foundation. Hill was a high school senior in nearby Lawrenceburg, Indiana, when she started having dizzy spells. Tests found the inoperable brain tumor. She decided to attend college anyway, hoping to live long enough to get into a game. The NCAA recognized her condition and allowed the school to move up the opener. The great interest in the game prompted Xavier to host it. The arena was packed for the game, which started with a set play to get her a left-handed layup. She also made a right-handed layup late in the game. Each time, there was another roar followed by more goose bumps and tears. She played in four games overall, scoring 10 points, before she was too weak to continue. Before the season started, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association voted her the Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award, which is normally awarded at the Final Four. The honor was noted again at the women's Final Four a week ago. She did a satellite interview for "The View" a few weeks ago to talk about her condition. In an interview with the WCPO crew that set up the remote for that interview, Hill was asked how she'd like people to remember her when she's gone. "She was a hero and she showed cancer who's boss," Hill said.


One of the Philly-area's most prolific modern builders, Robert McElroy designed a lot of homes around the city that feature high, pitched ceilings, walls of windows, and plenty of hardwood. And one of the places that best exemplifies McElroy's style is this Bryn Mawr home, which recently listed for $710,000. The four-bed, 2.5-bath spot offers 2,500 square feet of space with impressive views of the trees and greenery that fill the 1.3-acre property. The interior features modern touches throughout, especially in the light fixtures and the large black fireplace that accents the living room. However, for many people, the biggest draw will be the windows, which stretch from floor to ceiling and take up entire walls in the home. The home is being shown by Marion Dinofa of BHHS Fox and Roach.


Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph is about to enter his 14th season in the NFL at the spritely age of 35. However, the two-time Pro Bowler is yet to give retirement a second thought. After 186 appearances in the league, you would think that most players would at least consider hanging up their cleats to spend more time at home, but not Joseph. A stalwart in the Texans secondary since moving from Cincinnati in 2011, Joseph has recently been handed a pay raise by the organization as he enters yet another one-year deal. "Honestly, this is like my third or fourth deal," Joseph said Wednesday. "I get these questions a lot. So, same answer as always. I never think about it. The only thing I think about is going out there and playing this year out. At the end of the year, however my body feels, my mindset, and just talking to my family." One of the few players to have retained their spot in the revolving door that has been the Texans secondary the last couple of years, Joseph remains a consummate professional and the best cornerback on the roster. And as far as he is concerned, he has no plans on leaving the game any time soon. "But if I had to answer that question today, no chance, because I'm obviously enjoying being out here," said Joseph. "I'm running around fine, my body feels good. So, and it hasn't even crossed my mind or even thought about it." Given how many changes this cornerback group, in particular, has gone through the past couple of years, some sense of continuity with Joseph provides at least the illusion of stability within that part of the roster. Don't expect this to change any time soon. MORE: Steven Jackson gets random drug test from NFL after signing 1-day contract Jordan Crawford says Nike still owes him $500 for his legendary dunk on LeBron Winners and losers from first week of Raiders training camp Biggest winners from the first week of Packers training camp Observations from Lions training camp, Day 7: Amani Oruwariye gets 1st team reps


MOORESVILLE, NC   Commuters on Interstate 77 could see some relief soon from traffic jams with the approval of a $47 million plan to convert the shoulders of the busy highway into traffic lanes during rush hour, according to media reports. The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) passed a plan this week to allow motorists to drive on I-77's shoulders from Interstate 485 up to Mooresville when traffic is congested, WSOC-TV Channel 9 reported. "Crews would harden parts of the shoulder between Exit 19 in Charlotte and Exit 35 in Mooresville," WSOC reported. Motorists would not have to pay a toll to use the extra lane. However, the company that's building toll lanes on I-77 is objecting to the shoulder plan, WSOC reported. Cintra USA is constructing I-77 Express, which includes two toll lanes in each direction between Charlotte and Exit 28 in Cornelius, and one toll lane in each direction from Exit 28 to Exit 36 in Mooresville, according to the company's website. The northern section of the 26-mile project opened last month. A company spokesperson told WSOC that Cintra is "very disappointed" with the CRTPO's decision to open the shoulders of I-77. Cintra says the move is unnecessary, since the new express lanes are helping to increase traffic speeds and reduce travel times on I-77. But an official who represents the city of Cornelius on the CRTPO said that language in North Carolina's contract with Cintra allows the state to harden the shoulders of I-77 for use as traffic lanes at certain times, WSOC reported.


Henry Muñoz, the longtime national finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is stepping down from the position after more than six years in the role, he told POLITICO. Muñoz, 59, was the first openly gay person and first Latino to hold the party's top finance role. The party committee raised more than $600 million while he was finance chair and he hosted or co-hosted more than 100 fundraisers nationwide. The DNC has named Chris Korge, a Florida attorney who was a top fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, as Muñoz's interim replacement until the full DNC can elect him permanently at the committee's summer meeting in San Francisco in August. Korge is stepping into the middle of a fierce battle for dollars with the Republican National Committee with the 2020 presidential election looming. Boosted by President Donald Trump, the RNC has outraised the DNC by $173 million since January 2017, though the deficit did not prevent the Democratic Party from enjoying positive results in the 2018 midterm election, when the House of Representatives changed hands. The DNC declined to comment on how much it is aiming to raise for the 2020 election cycle. Although most Democratic presidential candidates aren't accepting corporate PAC money, the Democratic National Convention's host committee has been talking to corporate sponsors in order to fund the July 2020 convention in Milwaukee, Wis., according to a person familiar with the matter. Muñoz co-founded the Latino Victory Project with actress Eva Longoria in 2014 to promote more Latino candidates for office, and he said he will continue to work on engaging Latinos and raising money for 2020   but from a less formal role within the party. "2020 will be one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime, and I'm energized as ever to keep working with the DNC and Latinx advocates across the country to ensure we soundly defeat Donald Trump and take back state houses from coast to coast," Muñoz said in a statement. DNC Chairman Tom Perez said in a statement that he was grateful for Muñoz's work, and that under his leadership, "we have revitalized our party, rebuilt Democratic infrastructure, and made historic gains in the 2018 midterm elections. ... While we are sad to see him step down from the position of Finance Chair, we are thrilled his dedication to the Democratic Party will continue." Perez named Muñoz a DNC member-at-large and finance chairman emeritus in response to his retirement agreement. Longoria also praised Muñoz in a statement. "As my own political mentor, I have watched him organize and create paths for the next generation of Latinos," Longoria said in a statement. "I have no doubt, as he moves on to his next endeavor, he will continue to help this Latino mobilization movement he has created." Korge, who lives in Miami, most recently was the finance chairman for Andrew Gillum's unsuccessful Florida gubernatorial campaign. Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a veteran party fundraiser who previously chaired the DNC and has known Korge for more than 30 years, praised the move, saying "Democrats on all levels across the country will benefit from his leadership." Gillum, who came from behind to win the Democratic gubernatorial primary last year before losing narrowly in the November general election, added that Korge's appointment would put the DNC's finances in "excellent hands." "My team and I are beyond pleased with this news," Gillum said in a statement. "Chris Korge's support was instrumental during our 2018 campaign."


House Republicans say they're eager for special counsel Robert Mueller to testify about the findings of his investigation into links between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia   despite Trump's Sunday declaration that "Mueller should not testify." Though Republicans have largely sided with Trump's claim that Mueller's 448-page report absolved the president of wrongdoing   despite laying out vivid details of Trump's repeated efforts to thwart Mueller's probe   the president's GOP House allies say they want to hear from the former FBI director. "I think Mueller should testify," Rep. Doug Collins, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said in an interview on Monday. "There was no collusion, no obstruction, and that's what Bob Mueller will tell everyone." Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), another member of the House Judiciary Committee, said he has "a lot of questions" for Mueller. "So I hope that happens." Both House Republicans say their interest is less in Mueller's report than in whether he has any insight into how the FBI launched an investigation of the Trump campaign in 2016. Trump has amplified those concerns, claiming he was targeted by Trump-hating FBI officials rather than the numerous contacts between Trump associates and Russia-linked figures. "I think the president is just frustrated here, and I get that," Collins added. "I've wanted Mueller to come before the committee all along. Then I can ask [Mueller] about how this investigation got started in the first place, what he was told about how it all began." Collins had previously urged Democrats to quickly call Mueller to the Capitol, even suggesting last month that they cut short a two-week recess to hear from the special counsel about his findings. "I think we can agree this business is too important to wait, and Members of the Committee will surely return to Washington at such a critical moment in our country's history," Collins wrote at the time, a plea that was rejected by the committee's chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) as premature. In private, several top House Republicans believe it would be a mistake for Trump to prevent Mueller from appearing before the Judiciary Committee. To these GOP lawmakers and aides, that would allow Democrats to focus on the issue of Mueller's non-appearance rather than the findings in his report. "Then the issue becomes 'Trump is stonewalling,' rather than 'Mueller didn't find anything,'" said an aide to one senior Republican. "This will be a bad move." If Mueller testifies, however, Democrats will surely ask the special counsel about issues that could greatly damage the president and his administration, including evidence that Trump tried to stymie the Russia probe or letters Mueller wrote to Attorney General William Barr disputing Barr's four-page summary of his findings. But House Republicans' efforts to secure Mueller testimony stands in contrast with their counterparts in the Senate. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham has said he has no interest in a full hearing with Mueller, but is willing to hear testimony on the narrow issue of whether Mueller disputes Barr's characterization of his findings. Graham, though, is brushing aside demands from Democrats that Mueller be given a platform to discuss the findings of the report itself. "Enough already," Graham told reporters last week. "It's over." Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) similarly said he's satisfied without a hearing from Mueller. "It really would probably be healthy for the country to move on," Cornyn told reporters on Monday. "Otherwise the charade is just going to continue, people are going to try and parse and pick apart every sentence and punctuation mark of that. And it's not going to change the outcome." Barr released a redacted version of Mueller's report last month which indicated the special counsel lacked sufficient evidence to establish that any Americans conspired with the Russian effort to interfere in the 2016 election. Mueller's report also described numerous episodes in which Trump attempted to thwart the probe or affect witnesses' testimony, but Mueller stopped short alleging the president obstructed justice, in part because he said Justice Department guidelines prohibit the indictment of a sitting president. Barr, who received Mueller's report in late March, rejected several of the special counsel's legal theories and determined that the evidence failed to show the president committed obstruction, absolving him in a four-page letter to Congress several days later. Barr then spent several weeks reviewing the report and making redactions based on several categories of sensitive information before releasing a version on April 18. Democrats have ripped Barr for what they said was attempted to spin Mueller's findings before the public had a chance to view the report. Nadler has been working with the Justice Department, to little avail, to arrange public testimony for Mueller. Burgess Everett contributed reporting.


Didn't catch the local high school baseball scores last week? Stay up to date with our roundup of recent boys varsity baseball results in and around Milwaukee, powered by data from high school sports source MaxPreps . (Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Details like game dates, times, scores and team records are based on data provided by MaxPreps and may be subject to change; the latest up-to-date information is available at the links below.) New Berlin Eisenhower bests Wisconsin Lutheran On Wednesday, May 1, Wisconsin Lutheran Vikings traveled to New Berlin to face off against the New Berlin Eisenhower Lions . They drove home disappointed: the team fell to the Lions in a frustrating 1-3 loss . The win brought New Berlin Eisenhower's record to 8-5, while Wisconsin Lutheran's record fell to 6-4. Racine LutheranPrairie yields to Milwaukee King Friday saw the Milwaukee King Generals topple Racine LutheranPrairie Crusaders by a score of 12-2. The Milwaukee King Generals had 11 hits, while Racine LutheranPrairie Crusaders had four. The win brought Milwaukee King's record to 5-5, while Racine LutheranPrairie's record fell to 8-5. Whitefish Bay overthrows Milwaukee Reagan The Whitefish Bay Blue Dukes triumphed over the Milwaukee Reagan Huskies 9-2 on Friday. The win brought Whitefish Bay's record to 13-2, while Milwaukee Reagan's record fell to 3-7. Pulaski flounders against Bay Port Friday also saw the Pulaski Rams face off against the Green Bay Bay Port Pirates at home. The Bay Port Pirates out-maneuvered the Pulaski Rams in a decisive 3-0 victory . The loss brought Pulaski's record to 2-8, while Bay Port's record rose to 10-4. Brookfield East clobbers Marquette University On Friday, May 3, the Marquette University Hilltoppers and clashed with the Brookfield Brookfield East Spartans at home. The Brookfield East Spartans walked away with a victory , beating the Hilltoppers soundly, 7-1. This continued a five-game losing streak for the Marquette University Hilltoppers, whose record fell again on Friday to 0-5. Brookfield East's record is now 4-4. Pewaukee trounces Milwaukee Lutheran Also on Friday, the Pewaukee Pirates toppled Milwaukee Lutheran Red Knights by a score of 6-1. The win brought Pewaukee's record to 9-5, while Milwaukee Lutheran's record fell to 4-7. Milwaukee Reagan, Racine LutheranPrairie clash ends in tie On Monday, the Milwaukee Reagan Huskies clashed with the Racine Lutheran/Prairie Crusaders at home. The Huskies and Racine LutheranPrairie Crusaders finished in a tie . The tie brought Milwaukee Reagan's record to 3-7-1, while Racine LutheranPrairie's record became 8-5-1. Milwaukee Lutheran flounders against Living Word Lutheran Milwaukee Lutheran team traveled to Jackson this week to face off against Living Word Lutheran Timberwolves on Monday. Living Word Lutheran's home turf advantage paid off: they walked away with a 15-5 victory . Living Word Lutheran Timberwolves scored one home run, bringing their season total to six home runs. The win brought Living Word Lutheran's record to 11-1, while Milwaukee Lutheran's record fell to 4-8. Milwaukee Bradley Tech scores 15 runs, trounces Milwaukee Vincent Tuesday saw the Milwaukee Bradley Tech Trojans topple the Milwaukee Vincent Vikings by a score of 15-1. The Trojans hit two home runs, adding to their total of three this year. Following this success, Milwaukee Bradley Tech remained undefeated with a conference record of 6-0, while Milwaukee Vincent's record fell to 3-2. This story was created automatically using local sports data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


If it feels like you have more single socks than matching pairs, you're in good company. According to a 2016 report from Samsung , the average person loses approximately 15 socks per year that's 1.3 socks per month, or 1,264 over a lifetime. And yet, where those missing socks end up is a complete mystery until now, that is. Cathy Hinz , who's a property manager with her husband in California, recently made a crack in the curious case of the suspiciously vanishing socks. In an article published on Bored Panda , Hinz revealed that her husband made a surprising discovery after removing the bottom front panel on a dryer: dozens of socks, pairs of underwear , and even a credit card. (When he took out the machine's water pump, he also found nearly $7 in change  cha-ching !) But this still doesn't answer everyone's most pressing question: How are single socks slipping through the cracks and winding up where they don't belong? Well, according to Ed Christie , owner of New York-based Christie's Appliance Repair, you can thank overloading your machine for all those mate-less socks. "When I see socks outside the dryer drum , that's usually the result of overloading, and it's forcing socks into areas where they're not supposed to be," says Christie. They tend to wind up in the lint filter area, between the dryer's drum and cabinet, or in the exhaust duct at the back of the dryer. "The dryer drum is a cylinder and it has a felt seal on the rear and a felt seal on the front," Christie explains. "The socks are making their way past the felt seal and that's how they get out." Mystery solved! But there is some bad news: Christie says that "there's nothing you can do to correct that problem" on a mechanical level in a relatively new machine with its parts intact. That's because minute gaps in the machine are necessary to maintain the drum's mobility. However, you can have a professional check your machine's bearings and change its seals if they're worn out. "But if they're not worn out, it's overloading that's the problem," and there's unfortunately nothing you can do to your machine , he says. That doesn't mean you have to settle for a lifetime of mismatched footwear , however. There's still an inexpensive solution to your wandering sock woes that may be relatively obvious. "Use a garment bag so that small items, like socks, don't get separated outside the drum," notes Christie. It's as simple as that! And for more solutions to your washing woes, check out these 15 Life-Changing Laundry Folding Tips . Related Video: 5 Easy Laundry Tricks for Longer-Lasting Clothes (Provided by: Real Simple)


Odell Beckham Jr. remains away from the Cleveland Browns' voluntary OTA sessions. He was not in Berea for today's session, marking the eighth practice in a row the star wideout has missed. While the sessions are voluntary, it's clear Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens would prefer Beckham was in attendance and learning his new team and teammates. Kitchens turned unusually frosty toward Beckham and his absence in a media session on Thursday. When asked what Beckham was missing by not being at any of the OTA sessions and just one voluntary offseason workout, a bemused Kitchens quipped, "A lot - the offense." Kitchens is expecting Beckham to be in attendance for the next phase of the offseason, a mandatory minicamp that begins next week. This week Beckham showed off his new customized Rolls-Royce after spending the weekend in Monaco. "It'll be nice to have everybody here and get them some work and get everybody ready to compete during training camp, when we're going to start forming the Cleveland Browns," Kitchens said of the minicamp. He added, "I just want to see (Beckham)." Beckham has given no indication he plans to sit out any of the mandatory practices. MORE: NBA fans had so many memes for Steph Curry's exchange with Drake Five potential Chris Paul trade destinations Roundup: Spelling Bee Ends in 8-Way Tie; Kim Jong Un Executing People Again; Kids Go Nuts for 'Old Town Road' Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti shocked by C.J. Mosley's contract with Jets Report: Darren Sproles reconsidering retirement, eyeing Saints reunion


More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies of one kind or another   making this the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These include environmental allergies like dust mites indoors or pet allergies that persist year-round, as well as seasonal allergies , like pollen. Many people have hay fever , or allergic rhinitis, which is set off by all sorts of allergens inside and outside, from pet dander to pollen from grass, weeds and trees, plus other irritants like perfume. What's more, food allergies affect around 8%, or 5.6 million, of kids, and more than 10%, or over 26 million, of adults, according to research published in Pediatrics and JAMA Open Network . The incidence of allergies, including food allergies, seems to be increasing. While it's difficult to tease out exactly how much of that is because of increased awareness and diagnosis, experts say it appears there's been a real rise. It's not precisely clear what might account for that, though theories abound, like the so-called hygiene hypothesis. That posits that our modern obsession with cleanliness has left children less exposed to germs that equip their immune systems to tackle real threats. And so, as it relates to allergies, "our bodies are looking for something to basically attack," explains Dr. Joseph T. Inglefield III, an allergist in Hickory, North Carolina, and a fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Generally speaking, all allergies have in common the immune system's overreaction to things, such as grass, pollen or various edibles that are generally harmless and don't threaten the body as a disease   or for that matter an invasive bug or worm   would. "But our body starts to perceive because of repeated exposures that it is a parasite," Inglefield says. "So the body turns on the arm of the immune system that's been developed to protect us from parasites." As the body tries to rid itself of the perceived threat, a person develops symptoms that can range from mild to severe and dangerous. Those may include: Itchy, watery eyes. Runny, stuffy nose. Sneezing. Hives, or red bumps that can itch on the skin. Stomach cramps. Vomiting. Wheezing or difficulty breathing. Feeling faint or light-headed. In the most dire scenario, a person may experience anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, a severe life-threatening allergic reaction, for example to foods like nuts, eggs or shellfish, an insect sting, medication or latex. In the most serious cases, anaphylaxis can result in swelling of the airways that prohibits breathing or a dangerous drop in blood pressure, which can be fatal. Causes and Prevention Antibodies, or blood proteins, are produced to counteract antigens   diseases and other foreign substances that induce an immune response. And the antibody immunoglobulin, or IgE, causes allergic reactions. Along those lines, certain people are more likely than others to have this so-called IgE-mediated reaction to one or more allergens, whether that be a mold spore or a medication, pet dander or pollen. Factors that increase the risk for developing allergies include being a child   although many adults also develop new allergies   and race, where minorities including African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians are at higher risk than whites. Most strongly influencing one's chances of developing allergies is genetics, or a family history of allergies. While you can't change who you're related to, there are some things families can do that may lower a child's risks of developing allergies. Breastfeeding is promoted to bolster overall health and immunity, and when foods are introduced, it's recommended that kids get a wide variety. Food avoidance was once encouraged as a strategy, but in healthy children without present allergies that's not advised today. That's because the latest data indicates that introducing some potentially allergenic foods, like peanuts, early could be protective. In particular, research on infants at high risk for developing a peanut allergy shows that when they were given peanut butter products when they were at least four months old and less than 11 months, they were far less likely to develop a peanut allergy. "This was a really big breakthrough," says Dr. Ruchi Gupta, a professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a pediatrician at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago , who has led separate research on food allergy prevalence, including the studies published in Pediatrics and JAMA Open Network. In other cases, it's still thought that limiting certain exposures may help, like with dust mites that might trigger allergy or asthma symptoms. "If your child is at high risk of developing allergies, there are steps you can take to control dust mites," the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology notes. "Use zippered, 'allergen-impermeable' covers on pillows and mattresses and wash bedding in hot water weekly. Indoor humidity should be kept below 50%. If possible, carpets and upholstered furniture should be removed from your infant's bedroom." What's more, secondhand smoke exposure may increase children's risk for asthma and potentially allergies as well, even possibly food allergies . The evidence is mixed on the latter though, as other research supports a link between tobacco smoke exposure and rhinitis or nasal symptoms, like runny nose and stuffiness, but not development of allergies. Diagnosis For all those who have a doctor-diagnosed allergy, many more report that they think they have allergies   but have never confirmed it. Researchers find, for example, that a significant proportion of people who think they're allergic to food aren't   and may be avoiding it unnecessarily. What's more, some people may have a food intolerance, or another distinct issue like celiac disease , in which wheat causes an immune response   rather than, say, a wheat allergy. (In that case, problems attributed to celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity often aren't , so sorting that out can be important too.) "There are so many food-related conditions," Gupta says. "So getting into an allergist and getting tested is really critical to truly determine if it is a real food allergy, and then to learn how to manage it." In addition to going over a person's family history and discussing symptoms, allergy testing is frequently done to home in on what precisely is causing the allergic reaction. "The most accurate method is skin testing   where we take a little bit of the allergen and we expose the person's skin to that and see if they develop an allergic reaction on the skin," says Dr. Thomas Luft an internist at UnityPoint Health practicing in Pekin, Illinois. "We look for a little welt that kind of looks like a mosquito bite   it turns red, and kind of itchy   that tells us they're allergic to that particular or specific thing." Allergy blood tests are also sometimes used. In that case, instead of taking the allergen to the patient and testing it on their skin to see if they're allergic, blood is drawn and taken to the lab to test for allergy-specific antibodies. But this type of testing is less sensitive and accurate than skin testing, Luft says. Allergy Management Some people who have an allergy to a specific food, for example, develop a natural tolerance to that food with age, so that they essentially "grow out" of their allergy. But there's no cure, per se, for allergies. Even so, there are a number of things that can be done to reduce or even essentially eliminate ongoing symptoms, the most powerful of which is to avoid the allergen. In some of the most dramatic examples, people who move to a different area where certain pollens or grasses that triggered allergic reactions aren't prevalent, report experiencing dramatic improvement. And in a simpler more confined scenario, a person who is allergic to cat dander, who doesn't keep a cat in the home and avoids encountering cats elsewhere can also avoid uncomfortable allergic reactions (until, that is, unexpectedly encountering a feline). Avoiding the allergen is first and foremost key and by far the most successful strategy, Luft says. However, he and other experts note that to do this 100% of the time, in all scenarios, is often impossible. So medications like antihistamines and steroids that are available over-the-counter as well as some prescription medications are sometimes recommended to reduce symptoms, like those that may occur with seasonal allergies. In some cases where symptoms are more severe and persistent and to avoid long-term medication use, allergy shots, or immunotherapy, may be recommended. "That's exposing them to just very tiny amounts of the allergen incrementally," Luft explains, so that the person's immune system adjusts. "Then they have less allergic response when they're exposed to an allergen." This involves getting regular injections of increasing amounts of allergens initially about once or twice a week during a build-up phase usually lasting from three to six months. Then during the maintenance phase injections are given with longer periods of time in between, ranging from two to four weeks, according to AAAAI. It can take a year to see improvement, and shots are generally continued for three to five years. After that, a wait-and-see approach is typically taken   where some patients do well after the shots are stopped, and others see symptoms return that require additional treatment. With any medications   even those obtained over the counter   it's important to discuss side effects, and that's especially true for drugs taken on an ongoing basis. Side effects vary by the drug but can include drowsiness, and even in some cases an allergic reaction to an allergy medicine. The primary risk with allergy shots is having a severe allergic reaction to the allergen up to anaphylaxis. Given that, it's always important that allergy shots are administered in a doctor's office where swift action could be taken if a severe reaction occurs to prevent serious problems from occurring, Luft says. In addition, epinephrine auto-injectors are prescribed; these can be self-administered if a person is in the throes of a severe allergic reaction. While it's a simple injection, experts emphasize it's still critical to be educated by a health provider in advance and trained on how to use the auto-injector. That's key to avoid hesitancy when the medication, which relaxes airway muscles and tightens blood vessels, is needed ASAP to reverse effects like wheezing or difficulty breathing and dangerous drop in blood pressure.


Manchester City still believe they can tie Leroy Sane down to a new contract as they are unconvinced that he truly wants to leave the cub and join Bayern Munich. Bayern president Uli Hoeness has spoken openly of his desire to sign Sane, although he recently suggested that the deal was unlikely to go through as a result of City's "insane" demands. Training vibes 🔥⚽🔥 #inSané #LS19 @DFB_Team pic.twitter.com/95PI5jTsgK   Leroy Sané (@LeroySane19) June 4, 2019 City are reluctant to part ways with the German, and the Evening Standard claim that they do not believe he truly wants a move to Bayern , so they are not worried about him trying to force an exit from the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola believes that Sane, who has rejected offers of a new contract in recent months, remains happy at the club, so much so that City officials feel he could sign a new contract to end all the speculation. This uncertainty is clearly echoed by Bayern executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who told Sport Bild that the Bundesliga champions are yet to submit an offer for the winger. "We haven't made an offer for Leroy Sané. It hasn't come that far yet. At first, the player has to decide whether he can imagine coming to Bayern. If that's the case, then we'll go into concrete negotiations with Manchester City," he added. "The player is the most important factor. Apparently, Leroy hasn't decided yet. I think the player is exciting. Both in terms of footballing quality and as a person." After losing his place in the City lineup to the likes of Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez , Sane's future at the club came into question, and the fact that he has just two years remaining on his contract led many to believe that he may be sold this summer. The Evening Standard state City value Sane at around £80m, which is higher than Bayern are willing to pay. Hoeness has suggested that the Bundesliga giants are reluctant to spend more than £70m on a single player, which appears to be why talks are yet to progress. City do not want to lose him, especially not for free at the end of his contract, so they intend to continue contract negotiations in the hope of securing Sane's long-term future.


Ready to find out about the newest businesses to open in Atlanta? From a burger joint to a spot for salads, read on for a rundown of the newest businesses to open near you. Cold Beer Cold Beer is a bar and traditional American spot, that recently opened at 670 Dekalb Ave. NE, Suite #101. This spot has a rooftop bar and plans on adding a beer garden space soon. Its menu includes cobia, lamb ribs, barbecued beef belly and more . There's also, as the name suggests, plenty of cold beer. Look for the Orion lager among the top options here. With four stars from 17 reviews on Yelp, the newcomer is receiving positive attention. Yelper Jennifer K. wrote , "If you're looking for a fresh, trendy spot with amazing tapas and creative cocktails, look no further than Cold Beer. Cold Beer is a fantastic addition to the Beltline as there is the option to dine inside, have a drink at the bar or sit outside on the rooftop patio." Farm Burger Craving burgers? You're in luck: a new business has opened its doors in the neighborhood. Located at 22 14th St. NW, Suite D, the fresh addition is called Farm Burger . This new spot is located in the Whole Foods Market in Midtown. In addition to its signature beef farm burger, you'll also find a vegan burger and pork burger available. Take a gander at the full list of burgers here . With a 4.5-star rating out of three reviews on Yelp so far, Farm Burger is on its way to developing a local fan base. Cassandra T. wrote , "My family and I enjoyed ourselves so much. The fries were crispy and seasoned to perfection. I had a chicken burger that was the best I've ever had." Chopt A new addition to Piedmont Heights, Chopt is a spot to score salads and more that's located at 1544 Piedmont Ave. NE. This chain spot has several other outposts across the country. Look for the Key West Jerk Chicken Salad and Georgia Summer Cobb salad among the many healthy options here. You'll also find warm options including the Korean barbecue bowl. Take a gander at the full menu here . With 4.5 stars from four reviews on Yelp, the fresh arrival is off to a strong start. Yelper Kennedi L. wrote , "I tried the Georgia Summer Cobb (destination) salad. It was fabulous with sweet and spicy chicken, bleu cheese, peaches, spinach and romaine lettuce with honey dijon dressing." 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.


Santa Ana should see warm temperatures through Friday, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . Temperatures will rise even more Saturday, with a high of 91 degrees. The immediate forecast has mostly cloudy skies in store for today. Skies will partly clear up on Tuesday, remaining partly cloudy through Thursday. Winds will remain somewhat calm over the course of the week, with the highest speeds on Thursday at just 9 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


NEW YORK, June 28 (Reuters) - A lawyer for former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli on Friday urged a federal appeals court to overturn Shkreli's criminal conviction for defrauding investors in hedge funds he founded. The lawyer, Mark Baker, argued that the jury that convicted Shkreli was given incorrect instructions about securities fraud. Baker faced a barrage of skeptical questions from a three-judge panel during a brief proceeding in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan. Shkreli, 36, gained notoriety as the "Pharma Bro" after founding Turing Pharmaceuticals, buying the anti-parasitic drug Daraprim and raising its price by 5,000 percent, to $750 per pill in 2015. He was charged with securities fraud and conspiracy in December 2015, convicted by a federal jury in Brooklyn in August 2017 and sentenced to seven years in prison last year. He was also ordered to forfeit more than $7 million. His criminal case stemmed from two hedge funds and a drug company he had founded years before Turing. The jury found that he defrauded investors in the funds, MSMB Capital and MSMB Healthcare, by sending them fake account statements and concealing huge losses, and schemed to prop up the stock price of the drug company, Retrophin Inc. The jury acquitted him of related wire fraud conspiracy charges, for which it received slightly different instructions. Baker argued on Friday that the split verdict showed the instructions had made the difference. "The split verdict in this case speaks volumes as to the care the jury took," he said. Circuit Judge Joseph Bianco, however, said the jury instructions appeared necessary after Shkreli's lawyer at trial suggested that Shkreli could not be guilty because he eventually paid his investors back. Circuit Judge Debra Ann Livingston pressed Baker on that point: "A belief that ultimately no one will be harmed is not a defense to a securities fraud case, correct?" Baker conceded that it was not. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alixandra Smith, arguing for the prosecution, said the different instructions for securities fraud and wire fraud reflected a difference in the laws on those crimes. In a brief rebuttal, Baker said that even if Shkreli's conviction stands, the fact that he eventually paid back investors should "wipe out" his obligation to forfeit cash. The Brooklyn-born Shkreli, the son of Albanian immigrants, is scheduled to be released from prison in October 2023 if he fails to get his conviction tossed out. (Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Matthew Lewis)


Houston Texans receiver Keke Coutee is one of the most intriguing names in fantasy football for 2019. The former Texas Tech Raider has all the potential to be a dangerous slot wide receiver in the NFL. Standing at 5-11 and 180 pounds, the quick route runner had a great combine in 2018. Running the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, Coutee no doubt has the speed to be a weapon in the Texans offense. While the Texans already have two dangerous wide receivers in fantasy football, one being DeAndre Hopkins and the other being often injured deep threat speed demon Will Fuller, Coutee should still be able to carve out a nice niche with Houston. This fantasy football offseason, however, there have been many folks hyping Coutee. Seeing Coutee's talent makes this easier to understand, but we have to think about what the Texans already have at the wideout group and what fantasy football drafters expectations are of Coutee. As the chart below shows from Pro Football Focus that Coutee is no doubt the slot WR the Texans have long coveted. Averaging only 4.66 yards for Houston means Coutee is running quick in and out routes for franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson to get rid of the football fast. Expectations should be tempered this fantasy football season and Coutee should be someone that folks only in dynasty fantasy football leagues should be targeting. One of @danieltkelley 's takeaways from the PFF Fantasy Playbook focuses on why Will Fuller and Keke Coutee won't cut into each other's stats in 2019. https://t.co/2fWIy4hu5c pic.twitter.com/Ay674Zduf9 - PFF HOU Texans (@PFF_Texans) July 11, 2019 Drafting Coutee for insurance for the oft injured Fuller is totally understandable, but Coutee is nothing more than a high upside bench player for dynasty footballers this season. Coutee himself still needs to show that he can even remain healthy for a full season as he himself has been hampered with hamstring issues since being drafted by the Texans. The outlook for Coutee is great and will be a great value pick if that person drafting Keke understands what they have in Coutee. The average draft position currently for Coutee per Fantasy Football Calculator is 10.05 , which puts him around wide receivers to the likes of New York Giants WR Golden Tate and Carolina Panthers WR Curtis Samuel. This ADP (average draft postion) is a fair value for Coutee. With folks looking for value and high upside players that could be the difference in winning a fantasy football championship, drafting Coutee in or after the 10th rounds in fantasy football is a good value. MORE: Poker player loses brutal 31 million chip hand with pocket aces at 2019 WSOP Main Event Three Potential Landing Spots for Chris Paul News: Indefinite suspensions rule day for Cowboys, 18-game seasons The perfect storm: Andre Iguodala a possible return to the Warriors Michael Cooper Q&A: 'Los Angeles will always be about the Lakers'


Editor's note: The opinions in this article are the author's, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft. In an alternative universe   let's call it Earth 2   the Singapore summit in June 2018 between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was swiftly followed by a full and complete accounting of North Korea's weapons of mass destruction. Teams of lower-level U.S. and North Korean negotiators then spent the next seven months hammering out the details of "complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization"   the goal set by the Trump administration. At every turn, the North Korean side proved more accommodating than expected. Clearly Kim was a different ruler from his father and grandfather. So determined was he to kick-start North Korea's economic development that he was willing to give up the nuclear weapons that his regime had spent decades and countless billions of dollars developing. Only a few final issues remained to be negotiated when Kim and Trump met again in Hanoi in February . But after several days of arduous, painstaking negotiations, the two leaders reached a breakthrough. And then, on June 30, 2019, Trump traveled to the demilitarized zone separating North Korea and South Korea to sign a denuclearization treaty with Kim. Shortly thereafter, teams of international inspectors began swarming all over North Korea to begin dismantling and carting away its nuclear, chemical, biological and missile facilities. Trump won the Nobel Peace Prize and claimed vindication for writing , after the Singapore summit, "There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea." Subscribe to the Post Most newsletter: Today's most popular stories on The Washington Post Back on Earth 1, needless to say, events have followed a different path. More than a year after the Singapore summit, North Korea still has not delivered an accounting of its weapons of mass destruction programs   the prerequisite for real progress on dismantlement. North Korea has continued to build nuclear weapons and missiles; it is now more dangerous than it was a year ago. The only concrete concession from North Korea was to allow the repatriation of some remains of U.S. service members killed during the Korean War. But despite Trump's efforts to pretend otherwise , North Korea has stopped cooperating with the Pentagon's human-remains recovery teams. Trump touts the fact that North Korea is no longer testing nuclear weapons or long-range missiles   a test moratorium that began before, not after, the Singapore meeting   but it has continued testing shorter-range missiles. In return for North Korea's forbearance from more provocative tests, the United States has discontinued major exercises with South Korea, degrading the allies' military readiness. The Hanoi summit was not the prelude to an agreement but was instead an embarrassing bust. Trump left early after Kim demanded the lifting of sanctions in return for the shuttering of only one of North Korea's many nuclear plants. There have been no substantive talks in the months since, amid reports that some of North Korea's negotiators had been purged and possibly killed. The only contact between the two sides was an exchange of what Trump called "beautiful" letters between him and Kim. What, then, is the meaning of the surprise meeting between Trump and Kim on Sunday at the DMZ   and of Trump's brief walk into North Korea? "Big moment, big moment," Trump told Kim , adding, "Stepping across that line was a great honor. A lot of progress has been made, a lot of friendships have been made, and this has been in particular a great friendship." In truth, the "historic" meeting at the DMZ was symbolism utterly devoid of substance. It was a photo op. That's it. The only agreement was to resume lower-level talks   you know, the ones that should have been going on for the past year. But those negotiations are likely to prove a road to nowhere. If Kim has made anything clear in the past year, it is that he has no interest in denuclearizing   and why should he? He has seen what happened to leaders such as Saddam Hussein and Moammar Gaddafi, who gave up their weapons of mass destruction, and he has no desire to emulate their sorry examples. What he wants is a relaxation of sanctions in return for shutting down a facility or two without in any way impairing his nuclear capabilities. Trump hasn't given in; if he is desperate enough for a foreign policy achievement before the election, he may yet do so. But "complete, verifiable, irreversible denuclearization" is no longer on the table   and that phrase is no longer heard from any administration official. Instead, North Korea is achieving its goal of being accepted as a nuclear-weapons power. Ironically, the three meetings between Trump and Kim have proved to be an impediment, not a lubricant, for negotiations, because Kim has realized that Trump is far more pliable   and gullible   than any of his aides. Trump's subordinates complain about North Korean missiles tests and general intransigence; Trump does not. He is all too happy to enhance Kim's legitimacy in return for, essentially, nothing. So the lesson for Kim is to ignore Trump's subordinates and go straight to the big man himself. Which he just did again. This makes for a great reality show but lousy diplomacy. Read more: Jennifer Rubin: Now is the time for Democrats to engage on foreign policy Erik Wemple: Trump press secretary fights for media in land of real 'fake news' Josh Rogin: Trump's North Korea diplomacy isn't dead. But it's on life support. The Post's View: Trump dreams of 'waterfront property' in North Korea. Its people are desperate for food. Isaac Stone Fish: North Koreans are starving. Shouldn't we do something?


MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO)   Four Seasons has unveiled plans to open a five-star hotel in a skyscraper in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. The company released Wednesday renderings of RBC Gateway, a 34-story building to be located at the north end of Nicollet Mall in the city's booming North Loop neighborhood. The building, which will reshape the city's skyline, was proposed to the city by developer United Properties, and construction is expected to start soon, with the goal for completion being 2022. According to Four Seasons, the coming hotel will feature 222 rooms, a restaurant and bar, a spa complex, and a pool deck overlooking downtown Minneapolis. "This new property sits on the best location in the city," said Bill Katter, the president of United Properties Development, in a press release about the building. RBC Gateway, as the name suggests, will be the new headquarters of RBC Wealth Management. Along with office space, the building will also have event space as well as private residences on its uppermost floors. The location of the project was once the home of the historic Nicollet Hotel, which was demolished in 1991. Since then, the area has been a surface parking lot, but in 2014 the city began soliciting developers for ideas to remake the area. According to the Star Tribune, the Four Seasons at RBC Gateway will be the city's first five-star hotel.


HOUSTON   Astros' outfielder Jake Marisnick has appealed his two-game suspension for a violent home plate collision that injured Los Angeles catcher Jonathan Lucroy. Because of that appeal, Marisnick is eligible to play in tonight's game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. The suspension came after a hit that happened as Marisnick began to slide into home plate on July 7. That's when he crashed into Lucroy. Lucroy laid still on his back near home plate after the collision. Lucroy suffered a concussion and a broken nose. "After thoroughly reviewing the play from all angles, I have concluded that Jake's actions warrant discipline," MLB's Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre told MLB.com. "While I do not believe that Jake intended to injure Jonathan, the contact he initiated in his attempt to score violated Official Baseball Rule 6.01(i), which is designed to protect catchers from precisely this type of collision." After the game, Marisnick tweeted out: "Through my eyes I thought the play was going to end up on the outside of the plate. I made a split second decision at full speed to slide head first on the inside part of the plate. That decision got another player hurt and I feel awful. I hope nothing but the best for @JLucroy20." Astros' third baseman Alex Bregman defended his teammate in a tweet: "First off our thoughts are with @JLucroy20 .. praying for a speedy recovery. In no way shape or form is Jake a dirty player. Jake was trying to score and they colided because they both decided to go inside and it was to late. The decision on where to slide is so last second..." Marisnick was also fined an undisclosed amount of money.


Serie A finds itself in a rather unusual predicament at present. While managers tend to find themselves victims of the dreaded sack at an alarming rate in Italy, very rarely do we see so many vacancies occur all at once. The division's top side have seen their leading man leave his post in favour of pastures new, while the other giants of Italian football also head into the summer period without a permanent face in the dugout. Interesting times await for fans of a whole host of Serie A sides, with names linked to unquestionably lucrative positions, although none are as of yet confirmed. Thus, let us take a look at who might be in charge of some of the league's biggest sides when the 2019/20 season kicks off again on August 24. Juventus Prediction: Maurizio Sarri Many felt it had been coming for a while, but Massimiliano Allegri finally called time on a magnificent Juventus career that included five Serie A titles, four Coppa Italia, two Supercoppa Italiana and two runner-up Champions League medals. Who can beat that? Well, Maurizio Sarri's name has been flung about quite vigorously among various reports as the primary candidate to take on the challenge. The Italian knows the division inside out and a season of constant unrest at Chelsea had fans at one point calling for his head halfway through the campaign. Nevertheless, he has guided Chelsea to a third place finish in the Premier League and a Europa League triumph. He may very well look to rid himself of the constant scrutiny of the English press and seek the relative comfort of managing the best side in Italy. Other candidates: Antonio Conte, Didier Deschamps, Simone Inzaghi, Pep Guardiola. Inter Prediction: Antonio Conte You have to feel for Luciano Spalletti. The Italian, who had a contract until 2021, led Inter into the Champions League for the first time in six years in his first season in charge. Granted, a group stage exit wouldn't have pleased the club's hierarchy, but he successfully guided them back into the competition with a fourth place finish this term. Then he gets sacked. Such has been the immense speculation surrounding Antonio Conte's proposed immediate appointment this summer, you feel anything Spalletti did wouldn't have sufficed. Now, it would take a monumental turn around for anyone other than the former Chelsea boss to take the reins. Somebody well versed in the intricacies of Italian football, Conte will have the task of taming the indecisive Mauro Icardi and steering the club back to the upper echelons of European football. His track record in Serie A will surely put him in good stead to do just that. Other Candidates: Jose Mourinho, Diego Simeone, Esteban Cambiasso. AC Milan Prediction: Simone Inzaghi Gennaro Gattuso resigned from his role in charge of Milan after missing out on Champions League qualification by a single point at the beginning of the week. What he left was a club itching to return to their former glory, but in need of someone to steer them on their way there. Inzaghi has now completed his third season in charge of Lazio, during which time he has secured two fifth-place finishes as well as a Super Coppa and a Coppa Italia title. A poor finish to the campaign saw the club finish eighth, yet the brother of former Milan striker Filippo has seen his stock continue to rise as a manager. The Italian favours a pressing game, unlike the more defensive-minded approach of Gattuso, and could see those fans who returned to the San Siro since one of their heroes was in charge keep coming back in favour of a more eye-pleasing style of play. Other Candidates: Leonardo Jardim, Eusebio di Francesco, Mark van Bommel. Napoli Prediction: Carlo Ancelotti With the Serie A title secured, Juventus went on a torrid run of results at the end of the season to make the gap to Napoli in second seem slightly less colossal. Three points from the remaining five games meant Ancelotti's side finished 11 points adrift, but nevertheless it doesn't hide the fact that the Partenopei are so far off the Old Lady that something might need to be done to freshen things up. Does that mean the former Real Madrid boss will get sacked? No. You would struggle to find a better man to lead the club forward than the 59-year-old who, for all intents and purposes, can't do much more at present - such is Juventus' class. Other Candidates: Maurizio Sarri, Santiago Solari, Julen Lopetegui. Roma Prediction: Marco Giampaolo Claudio Ranieri took temporary charge of the club following the Giallorossi's decision to sack Eusebio Di Francesco in March, although he is now set to leave the club. One candidate in the frame in Sampdoria boss Marco Giampaolo, who is supposedly growing frustrated with the club's lack of ambition. He is seeking more than the annual mid-table finishes and would suit the capital club due to their shared aspirations. He adopts a 4-3-1-2 formation that has proved successful with a side that so often sell their best assets, yet has still maintained commendable Serie A finishes. Given the finances and structures in place at Roma, Giampaolo could be the key to returning to the Champions League. Other Candidates: Gennaro Gattuso, Roberto Di Zerbi. Lazio Prediction: Sinisa Mihajlovic Sentiment may take over here as there are a few mid-table sides who may have their managers pinched if Inzaghi is leave the club as expected. What puts Mihajlovic as the frontrunner is his six-year spell with the club as a player - during which time he won the Serie A and the Coppa Italia. In terms of management ability, he led Bologna to a tenth-place finish this season on a shoe-string budget with his preferred 4-2-3-1 set up, which allows for plenty of flexibility depending on the squad at his disposal. As someone who knows the Biancocelesti, and the city, he may be chosen ahead of rival candidates, much in the way Inzaghi was promoted from coaching the youth side due to his personal attachment to the club. Other Candidates: Roberto De Zerbi, Fabio Liverani.


The United States can't fully trust China until Beijing starts playing by the rules. That was the overarching message delivered by acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan at Asia's premier defense forum Saturday morning in Singapore. Speaking to hundreds of delegates at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Shanahan avoided calling China out by name, but criticized "some in our region" for using what he called a "toolkit of coercion" in the Indo-Pacific, which includes the controversial South China Sea . That toolkit included island-building, deploying advanced weapons systems to disputed areas, engaging in predatory economics and the alleged state-sponsored theft of military and civilian technology -- all activities the US has previously accused China of undertaking. Beijing claims almost the entire 1.3 million square mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory and aggressively asserts its stake, with President Xi Jinping saying it will never give up "any inch of territory." US military officials, meanwhile, have vowed to continue enforcing a free and open Indo-Pacific. Shanahan said that the Indo-Pacific region was the US's most important theater from a security perspective. "We can't ... continue to look the other way as countries use friendly rhetoric to distract from unfriendly acts," he said, adding that Washginton had a "deeper and broader" network of allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific than China. Later, Shanahan did directly reference Beijing, saying that it had once been a partner with the US in the region's prosperity, but would have to change the way it operated to be that positive partner again. "Behavior that erodes other nations' sovereignty and sows distrust of China's intentions must end," Shanahan said. While taking questions from the floor after his speech, he added: "We're not going to ignore Chinese behavior. In the past, people have kind of tip-toed around that." The US defense secretary said Washington and Beijing had a host of trust issues that needed to be addressed, including over 5G communications networks -- an issue where Washington has been at odds with China's industry leader Huawei . 'I don't see a trade war' On one front, at least, Shanahan played down US-China tensions. "I don't see a trade war. I see trade negotiations that are ongoing," he said. Shanahan also said US-China trust levels could be improved by cooperating on issues where there should be coming ground, such as enforcing sanctions on North Korea. On Friday evening, the acting US defense chief met with his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Wei Fenghe, and gave him a "beautiful book" about "ship-to-ship transfers of oil," suggesting that the US and China could jointly crack down on North Korea's ship-to-ship smuggling that skirted UN Security Council resolutions. Shanahan also said he discussed 5G technology with Wei. He said: "Huawei is too close to the government. The integration of civilian businesses with the military is too close. That's too much risk for the (defense) department. We can't trust that those networks will be safe." At the conclusion of his Saturday appearance at the defense conference, Shanahan took a question from a major general from China's People's Liberation Army. The Chinese general asked how Shanahan's former experience as an executive with Boeing could contribute to improving US-Chinese relations. "My experience working at Boeing carries over," Shanahan said. "China was our biggest customer and biggest competitor. You have to understand how to live in that duality. Competition means playing by the rules."


The St. Louis Blues won Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, but might lose a forward in the process. The Department of Player Safety has announced that Ivan Barbashev will have a hearing regarding an illegal check to the head of Boston Bruins forward Marcus Johansson . Barbashev came at Johansson as he was trying to take a shot and made clear high contact, spinning the Boston player into the ice. There was no penalty on the play, but fans were immediately up in arms about the hit that seemed to snap Johansson's head backwards. That sight is not a good one for a player that has dealt with concussion issues in the past, including one caused by Brad Marchand , now a teammate. The Blues have been increasing the physicality of the series in each game, and there were several other incidents in Thursday night's affair that could have been considered by the league. Boston, who often find themselves playing the aggressor, will have to overcome this latest challenge and win on the road if they want to have a chance in the series. They'll at least be able to avoid Barbashev, as the play will likely cause a suspension of at least one game.