LONDON (Reuters) - Brexit-supporting rebels in British Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party said on Wednesday they would vote down her European Union divorce deal when she brings it back to parliament next month. Britain had been due to leave the EU on March 29 but parliament has three times rejected the withdrawal agreement May struck with Brussels. The United Kingdom is now scheduled to leave, with or without a deal to smooth the exit, by Oct. 31. Defeat in the vote would likely spell the end of May's divorce deal and probably her premiership. May will bring a Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB), which implements the departure terms, to parliament for a vote in the week beginning June 3, Brexit Secretary Steven Barclay said, just as U.S. President Donald Trump begins a divisive state visit to Britain. "I have talked to colleagues, some of whom voted for it last time, and they think it is dead and they will vote against it this time," Peter Bone, a Conservative lawmaker and Brexit supporter, told Talk Radio. "It seems absurd to bring it back. It is the same thing again, again and again." May, who became prime minister in the chaos that followed the 2016 referendum in which Britons voted 52% to 48% to leave the EU, is under pressure from some of her own lawmakers to set a date for her departure. As well as the Brexit deadlock, the Conservative Party suffered major losses in local elections this month and is trailing in opinion polls ahead of the May 23 European Parliament elections. Her spokesman declined to say on Wednesday whether May would resign if she failed again to win parliamentary support for her Brexit deal. Asked by a committee of lawmakers from the upper house of parliament if this was "the last chance saloon" for May's divorce deal, Barclay said: "If the House of Commons does not approve the WAB, then the Barnier deal is dead in that form." He was referring to the EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. Barclay said that would leave parliament with the choice of revoking the decision to leave the EU or exiting without a deal, the default position if no divorce agreement can be reached. "If the House (of Commons) has not passed the Withdrawal Agreement Bill then there are growing voices in Europe, not least the French, who want to move on to other issues," he said. "WHAT HAS CHANGED?" Nearly three years after the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU, politicians still disagree about when, how or even if the divorce will take place. Brexit supporters fear May's deal will keep the United Kingdom trapped within the EU's orbit for years and that it could ultimately pull the British province of Northern Ireland toward the bloc. Before her deal was defeated the last time, by 344 votes to 286 on March 29, May had promised to resign if it was passed. It was voted down first in January and again in mid-March. A sticking point has been the Irish backstop, an insurance policy aimed at avoiding post-Brexit controls on the border between Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland. "If the prime minister brings the withdrawal bill to the Commons for a vote, the question will be 'what has changed'?" asked Nigel Dodds, parliamentary leader of the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up May's minority government. "Unless she can demonstrate something new that addresses the problem of the backstop then it is highly likely her deal will go down to defeat once again," Dodds said. A majority of members of the European Research Group, a large Brexit-supporting faction in the Conservative Party, will vote against May's deal, said Owen Paterson, a former minister. As positions harden in parliament, with many wanting to either leave the EU without a deal or to stop Brexit altogether, May has turned to the opposition Labour Party, led by veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn, to negotiate a way out of the impasse. But after more than four weeks of talks, the two party leaders appear no closer to agreeing a common position, with Labour saying May had not shifted her position and warning a future Conservative leader could rip up any deal they struck. "We have serious concerns about negotiating with a government that is in the process of disintegration and what has been said about what might happen if a new Tory (Conservative) leadership is in charge," a Labour spokesman said. However, the spokesman said while the party could not back May's deal as it stood, he did not rule out abstaining in the vote, which might allow it to muster enough support to pass. (Writing by Guy Faulconbridge and Michael Holden; Editing by Janet Lawrence)


With the Astros planning to designate Tony Kemp for assignment on Friday , the team has likely seen the end of the fan favorite dugout celebration that became known as "Hugs for Homers." Kemp brought the celebration with him from Class AAA Fresno when he was called up to the big leagues in May of last year. ASTROS INSIDER AT TEXAS SPORTS NATION: Rising to the occasion against A's It all started when the 5-foot-6, 165-pound Kemp gave a bear hug to the much larger Evan Gattis in 2018 , and now the dugout hug is an anticipated moment for fans   and people behind the TV cameras - after every home run. It's such a routine after home runs, when Josh Reddick homered in Boston in May and Kemp was missing from the dugout because he was putting in work in the batting cage, Reddick memorably leapt and gave the air a big hug in Kemp's absence . "Hugs for Homers" also helped contribute to charity with T-shirts being made and the proceeds going to the Houston Astros Youth Academy. Designating Kemp for assignment means the Astros have seven days to either trade him or pass him through outright waivers. The 27-year-old utility man is likely to be included in a trade before the July 31 trade deadline. Kemp played parts of four seasons with the Astros, batting .240 in 239 games. His best season was in 2018 when he hit .263 with 30 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 97 games. Kemp was hitting .227 this season and being squeezed out of playing time by Jake Marisnick and Myles Straw. Browse through the photos at the top of the page to relive some of Tony Kemp's Hugs for Homers moments with the Astros.


Talks between the Vikings and tight end Kyle Rudolph regarding a contract extension don't seem to be going anywhere. But regardless, Rudolph is expected to take part in the team's OTAs starting on Tuesday per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. While talks about his future simmer, Kyle Rudolph tells me he plans to practice at the #Vikings ' first OTA tomorrow. Rudolph and his wife Jordan are in New York receiving a leadership in the community award from Brian Kelly's foundation, then taking early flight back. Pro's pro. - Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 20, 2019 This doesn't really come as much of a surprise. The best thing for both sides is to figure out a way to keep Rudolph in Minnesota. But Rudolph isn't willing to take a pay cut and the Vikings just selected his likely replacement in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. We'll see if anything progresses in Rudolph contract talks, or on the possibility of a trade. Rudolph is in the last year of his contract and is set to make $7.6 million in 2019, which makes him the fifth-highest-paid tight end in the league. MORE: 7 reasons the Warriors are winning another title no matter who they play in the Finals Lions OTA notebook: First impressions from the first open day Magic Johnson confirms rumor that Lakers want to sign Kyrie Irving 5 reasons Saints should be favorites to sign Gerald McCoy Packers starting offensive line takes shape to open OTAs


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Atlanta? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental site Zumper to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to scoring an apartment in Atlanta if you're on a budget of $1,000/month. Take a look at the listings, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 1751 Marietta Road NW (Hills Park) Listed at $1,000/month, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom is located at 1751 Marietta Road NW. In the unit, you can expect hardwood floors, a dishwasher and a ceiling fan. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: This spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address is car-dependent, isn't particularly bikeable and has some transit options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 100 Peyton Place SW (Harland Terrace) Next, check out this 803-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom that's located at 100 Peyton Place SW. It's listed for $995/month. In the apartment, you'll find in-unit laundry, carpeted floors, a ceiling fan and high ceilings. Amenities offered in the building include a swimming pool, a fitness center and a roof deck. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. According to Walk Score's assessment, the area around this address isn't very walkable, has minimal bike infrastructure and boasts excellent transit options. (See the complete listing here .) 675 Mayland Ave. SW (Adair Park) Listed at $980/month, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is located at 675 Mayland Ave. SW. Animals are not allowed. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is somewhat walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has good transit options. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 930 Lynhurst Drive SW (Cascade Heights) Here's a one-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at 930 Lynhurst Drive SW that's going for $930/month. The apartment has in-unit laundry, a fireplace and a balcony. Outdoor space is listed as a building amenity. Cats and dogs are not permitted. According to Walk Score, the surrounding area isn't very walkable, isn't particularly bikeable and has some transit options. (Take a look at the full listing here .) 1365 Monroe Drive NE, #B03 (Morningside - Lenox Park) Finally, check out this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment that's located at 1365 Monroe Drive NE, #B03. It's listed for $930/month. In the unit, you can anticipate a dishwasher, a balcony, air conditioning and carpeted floors. When it comes to building amenities, anticipate on-site laundry, a swimming pool and a roof deck. Pet owners, take heed: Cats and dogs are welcome. According to Walk Score, the surrounding area is somewhat walkable, is fairly bikeable and has some transit options. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Three people are hospitalized after a serious head-on crash in Gainesville. According to Gainesville Police, it happened on Thompson Bridge Road Monday afternoon. Police said 32-year-old Rianne Rider was driving her Cadillac Escalade north on Thompson Bridge when she crossed into the southbound lanes. Police said she hit a Ford Expedition head-on. The crash left the driver of the Expedition, 53-year-old Gabriel Orozco Suarez with serious, but not life-threatening injuries. Suarez's passengers were also hurt - one left with serious injuries, the other with minor injuries. All were taken to Northeast Georgia Medial Center for treatment. Rider, meanwhile, was arrested for failure to maintain lane and driving under the influence, but police say more charges are pending.


The Kent Police Department on Thursday announced the death of one of its beloved K-9s, Aiko. According to the department's Facebook page , Aiko had an eight-year career with the department before his retirement in January 2018. Aiko died Tuesday. The department says Aiko, teamed with Sgt. Jim Ennemoser, was deployed 472 times for 299 narcotics calls, 54 building searches and 62 tracks. "The team had many successes in finds, sniffs and seizures," the department's Facebook page says. After his retirement, Aiko remained with Ennemoser as the family pet. "Thank you Aiko for your years of service & dedication to the City of Kent," the department Facebook page says. "You will always be a hero & a Top Dog to us. Sending love & prayers to the Ennemoser family during this time. We will miss you greatly, Aiko!"


Evan Mobley, the top prospect in the Class of 2020, announced on Monday afternoon that he has committed to USC to play his college ball. This decision should surprise no one. Mobley's brother, Isaiah, is a former five-star recruit and currently a freshman on USC's team. His father, Eric, is heading into his second season as an assistant coach on Andy Enfield's staff. At 6-foot-11 and 200 pounds, Mobley is everything that you look for in a big man in modern basketball. He's long and athletic, he is mobile on the perimeter, he's skilled with a stroke out to about 17 feet and he has a high basketball IQ. There's a very real chance that he will end up being the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Mobley is the first commitment for Enfield in the class.


The New York Giants, the Bills' Week 2 opponent, have had a circus of news surrounding former Buffalo wide receivers in the past few days. Corey Coleman, who spent a cup of coffee with the Bills last offseason during training camp, went from Buffalo, to the Patriots briefly, to the Giants since last October. Coleman, 25, was on their practice squad and vying for a roster spot this offseason during training camp, but now he's not. The team announced on Thursday that Coleman had tore his ACL. His season is over. To replace him, the Giants then reportedly invited another former Bills wideout to a workout. Kelvin Benjamin. Since being released by Benjamin, 28, had briefly spent time on the Chiefs but is since in search of a home. Dave Gettleman, the Giants general manager, was part of the Panthers from office that drafted Benjamin in the first round. However, Giants Wire now reports on Saturday that Benjamin didn't show up to the workout. Perhaps Benjamin will another day or perhaps another former Bills wide receiver is out there for the Giants to become involved with. MORE: Bear bites woman in tent at Yellowstone, prompts action Sherra Wright pleads guilty in killing of LeBron's former teammate Lorenzen Wright Giants' Saquon Barkley rips Daniel Jones critics: You don't know football Report: Mike Daniels turned down more money to play for Matt Patricia Report: Lonzo Ball sells original Big Baller Brand warehouse for $4.26 million


HONOLULU   Twenty-six former students alleged in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that they were repeatedly sexually abused by a now-deceased psychiatrist at a private school for Native Hawaiians. The plaintiffs are suing Kamehameha Schools and the estate of psychiatrist Robert Browne, who they say molested them during therapy sessions between 1958 and 1985. Kamehameha Schools required each student to undergo therapy, took them to Browne's office and paid for the services, according to the lawsuit. Kamehameha Schools has known about the allegations for the last 25 years but failed to respond or investigate them, the lawsuit said. "Kamehameha School has to take responsibility on this one," Honolulu attorney Michael Green said at a news conference Tuesday. "They're not going to run from this case." Green said he thinks there are many other students who were abused by Browne that haven't come forward. Kamehameha Schools was established in 1883 by the will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Kamehameha Schools gives admission preference to students of Native Hawaiian ancestry and enrolls nearly 7,000 at three campuses statewide. The lawsuit also names as a defendant St. Francis Medical Center, where Browne served as director of psychiatry until he lost his credentials. He then continued practicing at Kuakini Medical Center, now known as Kuakini Health System, which is another defendant. Browne died in 1991. Kamehameha Schools, St. Francis Medical Center and Kuakini Health System didn't immediately comment. Honolulu attorney Richard Gronna, who represents the estate of Robert Browne, refused to comment. Twenty-four of the 26 former students in the lawsuit are graduates of Kamehameha Schools. The other two were from other schools that were referred to Browne. All of the plaintiffs were boys younger than 16 when they were abused, according to the lawsuit. The suit alleges that Browne told the students his so-called therapy session were a required part of therapy to ensure their bodies were functioning properly. The abuse took place in Browne's office and home, as well as the residential apartment of the principal, the suit said. The lawsuit claims that if students refused to attend Browne's therapy sessions, they would be threatened, sometimes even with expulsion. Blake Conant, a plaintiff, said his younger brother, Christopher, was abused by Browne from 1968 to 1969. Browne prescribed Canton valium, according to the lawsuit. Christopher Conant struggled with drugs and alcohol for the rest of his life until he died of an overdose in 2011, his older brother said. "How could this have happened?" said Blake Conant, who is representing Christopher. "My mom and dad entrusted Kamehameha to watch over us." The lawsuit is possible now because Hawaii is among the states that recently extended the statute of limitations for adults who suffered sexual abuse as children. Hawaii's extension on the statute of limitations expires in April. Some of the plaintiffs filed a similar suit in 2014 but needed to go before the state Medical Inquiry Conciliation Panel before the case could move forward. The lawsuit comes a month after abuse allegations surfaced at a prestigious Rhode Island boarding school against an athletic trainer and other school employees in the 1970s and 80s. Lawyers for the victims say they've identified at least 40 former students who were molested or raped. Rhode Island state police are also investigating. The $56,000-a-year Middletown school has educated many famous names including Prescott Bush, a senator and the father and grandfather of the former presidents Bush.


Per The Athletic's Shams Charania , Boston Celtics forward Marcus Morris has drawn interest from at least five teams - the New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls ahead of the 2019 free agency period. Charania also adds that Morris remains open to a return to the Celtics, as he eloquated after Boston was eliminated from the 2019 NBA Playoffs. Celtics free agent Marcus Morris will have strong interest as a second-tier free agent, with teams such as the Knicks, Kings, Lakers, Clippers and Bulls expected to be in pursuit, league sources said. Morris, 29, had arguably his best all-around season, averaging 13.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game and serving as a versatile scorer and defender either as a starter or reserve. League sources say Morris remains open-minded about returning to Boston, which wants to bring Morris back but has several summer priorities such as Kyrie Irving. Morris, a gritty veteran combo forward, just completed the best season of his career for the Celtics and was a stable force throughout 2018-19. Averaging 13.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, he also shot a career-high 44.7 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three while starting 53 games for Boston. Defensively, Morris was impressive as well, using his unique blend of size, strength and speed to take the challenge of guarding the better forwards that Boston would face. Thanks to his age, experience and fatherhood, Morris is also a mature and fiery player whose intangibles hold an important value for the team that signs him as well. Those traits may be the biggest reason why teams with a bevy of young players, like the Knicks, Kings, Lakers, Clippers and Bulls, have an interest in his services; if they don't already have a culture that rewards players with his toughness, they want to have that type of culture-changing presence in their locker room. MORE: WATCH: Did Nike just reveal Kevin Durant's free agency destination? Did Nike accidentally reveal that Kevin Durant is staying with the Warriors? Report: Suns, Bulls offering lottery picks for Lonzo Ball Return of NASCAR: Packers planning ways to get 4 OLBs on the field together PFF projects Raiders DE Maxx Crosby to beat out Arden Key for starting role


If colleges awarded bachelor's degrees in Arrogance and Self-Delusion, NCAA bigwigs would have an easy double major, and then they would be qualified to advise the players they claim to love so deeply. The ancient monolith is letting basketball players who test the NBA draft talk to agents. But not just any agents. According to ESPN , those agents must have a bachelor's degree, National Basketball Players' Association certification for at least three consecutive years, professional liability insurance and completion of an in-person exam taken at the NCAA office in Indianapolis in early November. All the agents should really need is NBPA certification; if the players' union trusts an agent, the NCAA should, to. But the bachelor's degree requirement is what stops you. It is already becoming known as the " Rich Paul rule " because Paul, who represents LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons and other high-profile players, does not own a bachelor's degree. If this looks like a ridiculous decision directed at Paul, guess what? It's much worse than that. It's just part of the NCAA's ongoing sham that all of college sports is really about getting an education, and getting an education means getting a degree. Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett were never going to graduate from Duke at least, not in four years. They knew this. Mike Krzyzewski knew this. Everybody at Duke knew it. You might like it and you might not, but you know what? Spending a year on a college campus, playing ball for a Hall of Famer, and then making millions of dollars to do what you love is really not so terrible. We have bigger problems as a society than that. You may have noticed. But the NCAA is uncomfortable with that. The NCAA needs to keep selling the idea that its highest-profile teams and coaches are really in this racket to educate. The NCAA is doing this mostly for business reasons at this point. It fears the financial ramifications of society treating its business like a business. So: Art Briles? Educator. Hugh Freeze? Educator. Those assistant coaches who allegedly funneled money to agents so they could sign players and win games and keep their jobs? The coaches who took bribes to get rich kids into school? They were supposed to be educators! And now agents are supposed to value education, too. And if they don't have a degree, then they aren't worthy of mentoring these student-athletes. It is nonsense, all of it. Players hire Paul because they think he will operate in their best interests. They don't care if he got four credits for The Role of Oil Painting in 16th Century Politics, and they don't care because it doesn't matter. The NCAA can't take that. The NCAA clings to the idea that the universities that comprise it are the only conduit toward a successful, fruitful life. The NCAA desperately wants you to believe that even its most famous teams are only helping the cause of education. If the coaches stray from that cause, they are corrupt. And now, if agents don't have bachelor's degrees, they must keep their distance, because they might be corrupt, too. The truth, which is so blindingly obvious by now that it's amazing it even needs to be said, is that coaches do not get paid millions of dollars to educate. They are far more likely to get fired for losing games than for terrible graduation rates. All most all the pressure they feel from the schools that employ them is to win. That is the world the NCAA has created. That is the world the schools are scared to change. And as long as they operate like this valuing wins and dollars over everything else that's how their employees will operate, too. Rich Paul is a loud, opinionated bug in their system. He is conducting business more honestly than the NCAA , because he makes it very clear to everybody: his job is helping players get what they want. He does not accept on faith that going to college for a year is better than working out and preparing for the draft. He does not insist that players should spend their late teens in a classroom or their 20s trying to make one city happy. That may be best for some. Paul does not pretend it is best for everybody. There is a long list of agents who have hoodwinked their own clients who have stolen, directly or indirectly, or cashed in on side deals, or ignored their own conflicts of interests. A lot of them had college degrees. If the NBPA thinks Rich Paul (who doesn't have a college degree) can represent Anthony Davis (who was never going to stay at Kentucky long enough to graduate), then he can represent other players, too. The NCAA has made more damaging decisions than this, but it's hard to remember one so self-defeating. Remember: this all stems from the organization letting players have professional advisors in the first place. That is progress, or it should be. But the NCAA did what the NCAA so often does: it took one step forward, then two steps back.


Gareth Bale's future at Real Madrid is still undecided after another twist in the saga suggests the winger has no intention of leaving the club, despite being frozen out of the La Liga side in recent weeks. Speculation surrounding the Welshman's future has all leaned towards a summer exit from the Bernabeu, with Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane opting to leave the forward out of the squad entirely for recent games. The former Tottenham player was eager to say goodbye to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, in what he had hoped would be his final home appearance, but instead Zidane chose to keep Bale on the bench against Real Betis. Moves such as that from the manager have only heightened exit talk this summer, although AS have been told by a source close to the 29-year-old that he is 'not going anywhere'. His fractured relationship with both the club and its fans has left an unfortunate blotch on his Madrid career, despite netting over 100 times since moving to La Liga back in 2013. While matters for Bale on the pitch are beginning to arise, it appears issues exist off it too. Speaking on the upcoming BT Sport Film entitled 'State of Play', Bale discussed the tribulations of life as a modern footballer, insisting their are made to live a robotic existence, with little 'freedom' remaining in their structured lives. A source close to the Welshman has told AS: "Bale is not going anywhere" https://t.co/WqUBQB2H7W via @As_MarcoRuiz pic.twitter.com/pL24GCg0Rn   AS English (@English_AS) May 22, 2019 "It's like we're basically just robots. We're told where to be, when to be there, what time we have to eat, what time we have to report for the coach. It's as though you lose your freedom in a way," he said, via AS . "When you become a professional there are all types of pressure, of expectation, of people saying negative things about you all the time, and you lose that feeling you had as a kid."


LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's government held out the possibility of compromise on Sunday with the opposition Labour Party to try to win support in parliament for leaving the European Union with a deal, just days before the latest Brexit date. Prime Minister Theresa May, weaker than ever after her Brexit deal was rejected by parliament three times, has been forced to turn to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn after giving up on winning over eurosceptics in her Conservative Party, whose opposition has hardened. With Britain's departure now set for April 12, May's government is running out of time to get a deal through Britain's divided parliament, and must come up with a new plan to secure a new delay from EU leaders at a summit on Wednesday. Britain's biggest shift in foreign and trade policy in more than 40 years is mired in uncertainty, with ministers saying Brexit may never happen, businesses worried the country could leave without a deal, and others just wanting to reverse it. In a last-ditch bid to get her deal through parliament, May opened talks with Corbyn last week to try to strike a deal on Britain's future ties with the EU in exchange for his support for her divorce deal, the Withdrawal Agreement. So far those talks have failed to yield any kind of accord, with Labour policy chiefs saying the government has yet to move from its "red lines", above all over a customs union, which sets tariffs for goods imported into the EU. "Specifically provided we are leaving the European Union then it is important that we compromise, that's what this is about and it is through gritted teeth," said Andrea Leadsom, the Brexit-supporting leader of the House of Commons (lower house of parliament). "But nevertheless the most important thing is to actually leave the EU," she told the BBC's Andrew Marr show, adding that May's proposal for a customs arrangement after Brexit was not too far from Labour's desire for a customs union. But, while describing the talks so far as positive, Labour's business policy chief Rebecca Long-Bailey said there had as yet been no "real changes" to the deal. "I think both sides are committed to working quite rigorously to compromise as much as possible so that we can provide that compromise Brexit deal that I think parliament desperately needs at the moment," she told the BBC. Shami Chakrabarti, Labour's legal policy chief, was more blunt. "It's hard to imagine that we are going to make real progress now without either a general election or a second referendum on any deal she can get over the line in parliament," she told Sky News. RUNNING OUT OF TIME Britain voted by 52 to 48 percent in 2016 to leave the EU, and parliament, May's cabinet and the country at large remain deeply polarized over the terms of Brexit and even whether to depart at all. Despite the lack of convergence between the two major parties over a deal, there was one thing they did agree on - time is running out for Brexit to be secured. May, who has been verbally mauled by members of her own party for turning to Labour, herself warned Brexit-supporting lawmakers that "the longer this takes, the greater the risk of the UK never leaving at all". In an attempt to avoid falling out of the EU without a deal, she again heads to Brussels this week to ask for a further delay until June 30 - something EU leaders have said requires her setting out an alternative path to getting her deal approved. Any extension would require unanimous approval from the other EU countries, all weary of Britain's Brexit indecision, and could come with conditions. EU summit chair Donald Tusk plans to propose an extension of a year, which could be shortened if Britain's parliament eventually ratifies the deal. But even the threat of losing Brexit has so far failed to change the minds of hardline eurosceptic Conservative lawmakers, and some are now suggesting that Britain make the EU's life a misery if Britain is forced to accept a long delay. "If we are forced to remain in we must be the most difficult member possible," Jacob Rees-Mogg, leader of the European Research Group, a Conservative eurosceptic group, told Sky News. "When the multi-annual financial framework comes forward, if we're still in, this is our one in seven year opportunity to veto the budget and to be really very difficult." (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper and Raissa Kasolowsky; Editing by Mark Heinrich)


A 64-year-old woman died a month after a driver struck her as she crossed a St. Paul street, police said Wednesday. Investigators were notified this week that Lia Lor, of St. Paul, died from her injuries at Regions Hospital on Friday, according to Sgt. Mike Ernster, a St. Paul police spokesman. She was hospitalized in critical condition after the crash . A witness reported that Lor appeared to walk in front of a moving sedan in the Payne-Phalen area on May 20 about 5:45 p.m., police said last month. The driver, Johnnie Mckay III, and others tried to help Lor after she was injured at Edgerton Street and Jenks Avenue, according to police. Mckay, 23, was cooperative with police, and neither drugs nor alcohol appeared to be factors in the crash, Ernster said. Police cited Mckay, of St. Paul, at the time for not having a driver's license or proof of insurance. Now that Lor has died, the police investigation continues and Mckay could face additional charges, Ernster said. Related Articles A Minneapolis motorcyclist was shot in the chest on a rural ride. Turns out it was a stray bullet. UTV driver dead after hit-and-run crash in northwestern Minnesota Parents of boy attacked at Mall of America bare anguish over extent of injuries, uncertainty of recovery Body found in western Wisconsin state park campground Suspect, now 18, charged in 2015 slaying of North Minneapolis artist, activist


State health officials have confirmed that two people have come down with viral meningitis at Bob Jones University in Greenville. The state Department of Health and Environmental Control was notified by the school about the illness there and conducted an investigation, DHEC spokesman Tommy Crosby said. "Two cases of viral meningitis were identified, but are not part of a larger outbreak," he said. Individual cases of viral meningitis are not reportable to DHEC, he said. Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord, according to DHEC. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, the agency reports, and the viruses that cause it are commonly found in the environment. It spreads by close contact with an infected person or by touching surfaces infected with the virus. Bacterial meningitis is the more serious form of the disease. Most of those infected will experience only mild illness, but symptoms can include headache, fever, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, confusion, sleepiness or trouble waking up, and light sensitivity, according to DHEC. To reduce the chances of getting meningitis, DHEC advises frequent hand washing. GET YOUR ANSWERS Through local journalism, we help get you answers to questions about issues, big and small. Please consider becoming a subscriber. Here's our special offer . This article originally appeared on The Greenville News: Two cases of viral meningitis reported at BJU; not part of larger outbreak


MAHWAH   Council members introduced an ordinance that proposes raises for themselves and the mayor during Thursday's regular meeting. A second reading, public hearing and vote are scheduled for June 13. Ordinance 1866, to be introduced and voted on by the council, proposes: Mayor's salary to increase from $15,000 to $20,000, or 33.3 percent; Council president salary to increase from $8,000 to $11,000, or 37.5 percent; Council member salaries to increase from $7,000 to $10,000, or 42.9 percent. The last mayor pay increase was in 2007 and the last council increase was in 1998, according to Mayor John Roth. Compensation does not include benefits or overtime. "Fairness is not a criteria in considering compensation here," Roth said. "It is a matter of positively recognizing and reinforcing the extraordinary contribution of those in our local government." The raises were proposed last fall by outgoing Council President Robert Hermansen. However, Township Council passed a salary ordinance at its reorganization session in January with no increases for mayor and council, and the topic appeared to be tabled. The ordinance also includes a proposed hourly increase for a Department of Human Services part-time van driver from $8.25-$14.50 per hour to $14.50-$16.50 per hour. Salaries for seasonal workers at the municipal pool and for recreation counselors are also included. Roth estimates he works about 40 or more hours per week in his capacity as mayor plus evening meetings for three committees. "The council, like me, are on call 24/7 and then called upon to contribute financially to most local nonprofit organizations," Roth said. DISCUSSION: Mahwah discusses pay raises for mayor, council PATERSON HIKE: Passaic council members give themselves a 2 percent raise No state guidelines No state guidelines are in place for elected municipal officials concerning salaries and salary raises, according to the New Jersey League of Municipalities. Mahwah is the largest municipality in Bergen County with 26.19 square miles, more than double that of Paramus. However, the city of Hackensack has the largest population with 43,010 residents. Hackensack pays its mayor $13,000, its council members $10,400, according to its clerk. Teterboro, the smallest municipality with 67 residents, pays its mayor $7,500-$13,500 and its council members $6,000 to $11,500. Mahwah ranks ninth in population with 25,890 residents, between Paramus and Ridgewood. Paramus pays its mayor $10,000 annually, its council members $7,000, according to borough officials. Ridgewood pays its mayor $5,000, its council members $3,000. "I don't think that's changed since the 1980s," said Ridgewood Councilman Michael Sedon. This article originally appeared on North Jersey Record: Mahwah NJ proposes pay hikes for mayor, council


Mercedes reserve driver Esteban Ocon had "a different picture" of Lewis Hamilton before being able to see how the five-time Formula 1 world champion operates up close this season. Ex-Force India/Racing Point driver Ocon's role includes working on the simulator and spending race weekends trackside. Former Mercedes junior George Russell, who held that role last season, said that having an inside vantage point of how the team and the likes of Hamilton operate was extremely beneficial as a driver. Having worked closely with the Mercedes team behind the scenes this season, Ocon told Motorsport.com there were elements he was being inspired by and would be "useful" for his future, even though he "won't copy exactly" what he sees. "You see why Lewis is always so successful and why he has so many titles," said Ocon. "It's no coincidence at all. "When he's on track he works hard and he asks the right questions and he is someone who is quick in his mind. If there is something interesting, straight away he will pick it up and talk about it. "I didn't know him as well as I do now and, I had a different picture of him before. But now I know how he is and know how he works. "If you are successful there are reasons behind it and he is on the top of his game at the moment. I think that's going to continue for quite a long time." Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have won the first seven races of the season between them, eclipsing Mercedes' previous best start to the season of six wins in a row. Mercedes has also scored more points after seven races than ever before, and 89 more than it had at this stage last season. That has fuelled critics who believes Hamilton's success   now up to 78 wins and 85 pole positions   is skewed by his team's dominance, and claim Mercedes has it too easy against a muted Ferrari/Red Bull challenge. Ocon said: "From the inside it's a lot more challenging [than it looks]. We look always in control of everything and it looks like it's robotic, but it's not at all. "There is a lot of thought going on and a lot of debate from the inside. It's never easy to win, as a team or as a driver. It's never easy to achieve what you want in life and that's the same here." Read Also: Ocon hopes his F1 future is sorted "very soon"


Slideshow by photo services LONDON Roads were closed . Flags were raised . Three days of pomp and circumstance were meticulously planned. By the time Air Force One prepared to touch down in London's Stansted Airport Monday morning, it appeared that everything surrounding President Donald Trump's state visit to Britain was going to plan. Then came the tweets. "Sadiq Khan, who by all accounts has done a terrible job as Mayor of London, has been foolishly 'nasty' to the visiting President of the United States," Trump wrote of the London mayor, with whom he has shared a years-long feud , just minutes before his aircraft was due to land. He went on to compare Khan, whom he called a "stone cold loser," to New York City Mayor and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Bill de Blasio albeit "only half his height." The American president's comments offer a heated start to what was supposed to be (at least aspirationally) an otherwise uncontroversial gathering. For Britain, this state visit is a celebration of, as Prime Minister Theresa May put it , "the strong and enduring ties between our countries." It's meant to reinforce the fact that, despite the recent divisions between the two long-standing allies, the "special relationship" that binds them continues to endure. [ Kim Darroch: The 'special relationship' is built on more than personal ties ] Such, at least, was the plan for the state visit the highest honor Britain can extend to a foreign leader. Trump relishes ceremonial events that make him the centerpiece, and he got one on Monday. The three-day event began with a ceremonial welcome at Buckingham Palace, which included an 82-gun salute and a guard-of-honor march. Trump and Melania Trump, the first lady, were greeted at Marine One by Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla. The two couples then walked across the lawn toward the entrance, where they were met by Queen Elizabeth II. They went inside and emerged minutes after the helicopters took flight, and an honor guard lined up on the lawn. Trump and the first lady put their hands over their hearts while a military band played the U.S. national anthem. Trump and Prince Charles then inspected the honor guard together, with Trump seen making small talk with members of the guard. The queen, Melania Trump, and Camilla watched from the palace steps, while Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, both senior White House aides, watched from a balcony overhead. Despite the pomp and pageantry surrounding the state visit, a break in diplomatic niceties was seemingly inevitable. After all, this is a president who hasn't shied away from goading his British hosts about their health-care system , their response to terrorism , and, more recently, their Brexit strategy . He is also a leader who doesn't respond well to criticism. Though Trump's feud with Khan dates back as far as 2016 , his latest broadside against the London mayor appeared to be in response to a weekend editorial Khan had written calling Trump a "divisive" figure who does not deserve the "red carpet" Britain is unfurling. A spokesman for Khan said that "childish insults … should be beneath the president of the United States." Others, such as the Conservative Party lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg, defended Trump's comments, arguing that, contrary to Khan's argument against inviting Trump, Britain "should be rolling out the red carpet of the deepest red and finest hue" for him. Whatever comes of Trump's feud with Khan, it's unlikely to be the last political controversy that occurs this visit. After all, the president has already prefaced his trip by repeating criticisms of May's Brexit strategy and reviving a story in which he appeared to insult Meghan Markle, the American Duchess of Sussex, and he even waded into the ruling Conservative Party's impending leadership contest, which will determine May's successor and Britain's next prime minister. Any number of provocations could cause the visit to sour. Street protests, which are anticipated to attract thousands of participants , have already been planned. A large yellow blimp depicting the American president as a baby, which was flown in protest of Trump's first visit to Britain last year , is also expected to make a comeback. The British "will work pretty hard to ensure it's smooth. The problem is that by opining on something, [Trump] may totally put his foot in it," said Thomas Wright, the director of the Center on the United States and Europe at the Brookings Institution. [ Read: The U.S.-U.K. alliance has seen better days ] As far as some are concerned, though, any controversy from Trump is par for the course. "He is a very controversial president, and we've all got used to that over the last two years," Jeremy Hunt, the British foreign secretary, told Sky News after welcoming the president at Stansted Airport. "There are no visits from President Trump that don't have unexpected moments."


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. REIMS, France   Take the pearl clutching and righteous indignation somewhere else. This is the World Cup, not a rec league tournament. There are some who seem to think the U.S. women's 13-0 thrashing of Thailand on Tuesday night was piling on, that their celebrating of every goal was unseemly. Tough. You want the Americans to impose the slaughter rule or patronize their opponents by pretending they didn't just tack another goal onto the scoreline? Go join the 6-year-olds in the park. Maybe you'll get a participation trophy and an orange slice while you're at it. This is high-level competition, and the Americans have no reason to apologize for treating it as such. "You don't want to take your foot off the pedal because you want to respect the game and play through and play them as we would play anyone else," Kelley O'Hara said. "It is a tournament. Goal differential matters. "At the end of the day, you can't feel bad for scoring as many goals as possible." Nor should they. The U.S. women have been waiting almost three years to avenge the most humiliating loss in the program's storied history at the Rio Olympics. For months now, they've heard the whispers and the rumbles about how maybe they're vulnerable and the dynasty might be coming to an end. Since Friday they've heard how brilliant and devastating France looked in its World Cup opener. They were ready and eager to make a statement, and they did. It's what their job demands and their respect for their sport commands. Besides, what level of lopsidedness would have been appropriate? Should they have throttled it back after the seventh goal? Or the eighth? After halftime even, when it was 3-0? Why not just call the game after the U.S. scored its first goal, given that was all that was needed. Because goal differential matters. The top two teams from each group advance and while it's pretty much a given the United States will be one of them, it cannot assume that Sweden won't have a goalapalooza of its own. But it's more than that. It's the spirit with which you play the game. These are not exhibitions or warm-ups. This is the World Cup, the biggest event of these players' careers and one that only comes around every four years. To not treat it as such is to disrespect the game and everyone who's playing it. The keyboard warriors might not realize that, but the folks on the field do. "We accept the score today," Thailand coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian said. "We haven't done enough. We accept that they are very strong and they were excellent all around. We accept our mistakes and we are going to improve." As for the U.S. celebrations, is Mallory Pugh not supposed to celebrate her first goal at a World Cup? Is Alex Morgan not supposed to be excited that she matched a record Michelle Akers set 28 years ago? The U.S. women have a title to defend and a message to send, and they're not about to apologize for the aggressive   and enthusiastic   manner in which they do it. "For these players, four years now some of them have been working, some of them even longer," U.S. coach Jill Ellis said. "I don't find it my job to go and harness my players and rein them in. This is a world championship." Ellis then asked, rightly, if we'd be having this same discussion about a 10-0 thrashing if it was the men's World Cup. And we all know the answer to that because we see it every weekend in September, when Alabama, Clemson and every other football powerhouse bulldozes a Football Subdivision patsy, and no one bats an eye. it would have been far more offensive if the Americans had taken their foot off the gas, the ultimate sign of condescension from a powerhouse team. The Americans see everyone's best game, and they ought to give as good as they get. To go easy on Thailand, even later in the game, would have been a cop-out, and could come back to haunt the U.S. later in the tournament. Getting players confidence, getting momentum, those are the names of the game at the World Cup and that's what the United States did. "It's how you want to start a tournament. You want to have this feeling," Ellis said. "It's having players feeling good about their game." If this was the best Thailand could do, so be it. That's that team's problem, not the U.S. women's. The U.S. women play Chile next, on Sunday in Paris, and the score is not likely to be a whole lot closer. The Americans are chasing a trophy. If you don't like that, tough. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Opinion: US women did what was necessary in 13-0 blowout of Thailand Related slideshow: Best of the Women's World Cup (Provided by imagn)


Yes, you can pack on pounds during the warmer months. Here are the summer fat traps to watch out for. Why you get fat in the summer We typically blame the winter holidays and rich comfort foods for winter weight gain. But summer foods can do just as much damage. Refreshing beverages and cold salads often contain surprisingly high amounts of fat and calories. "To stay in shape or even lose weight during the warm season, you need to follow two simple guidelines," says Brian Quebbemann, MD, a bariatric surgeon in Newport Beach, Calif. "First, there's always a healthy option for the type of food you want. Second, it's not only what you choose to eat but how you prepare it that makes the big difference." To keep you on track to fit into that new bathing suit, experts chime in on the biggest caloric danger zones. RELATED: How to Get a Flat Stomach at Any Age Go easy on the sweet tea and lemonade When you're thirsty, and water doesn't sound appealing, a cold glass of lemonade or sweetened ice tea seems like the perfect solution. But these drinks can be major sugar bombs, says Dr. Quebbemann. "Commercially sweetened iced tea has 80 calories per glass, lemonade has 99 calories, and most commercial fruit juices are about 80 calories per 8 ounces, which is roughly the same amount of calories as a regular cola." When you want to drink something sweet, dilute 100% fruit juice with equal parts water, suggests Dr. Quebbemann. RELATED: 35 Summer Foods Under 90 Calories Keep the fresh in fruit salad Surprise! Fruit may seem like a good choice and it is  but not your salad is filled with canned fruit soaked in syrup, loaded with whipped cream, and garnished with mini marshmallows, as it often is at summer picnics, says Dr. Quebbeman. "This is an incredibly heavy, high-calorie treat, and it's about as devastating to your weight control, and your health, as you can get." Cut calories by using fresh fruit rather than canned, light whipped cream or substitute plain yogurt, which provides added protein. Replace the marshmallows with banana or melon slices to add more sweetness. RELATED: 12 Delicious Fruit Salad and Salsa Recipes Beware of barbecue burgers A beef burger topped with cheese contains saturated fat along with high levels of calories and sodium, says Saba Sassouni, RD, a New York City-based dietitian. "Hold the cheese, top the burger with a fresh tomato slice, and have a piece of corn on the cob instead of a processed bun for starch," Sassouni suggests. And since most barbecue sauces are packed with sugar and run up to 50 calories a tablespoon, Dr. Quebbemann recommends making your own (we love this blueberry balsamic barbecue sauce recipe. Better yet? Nix the sauce altogether for a spice mix rub to add flavor without any additional calories. Try this recipe: Blueberry-Balsamic Barbecue Sauce RELATED: The Summer Shape-Up Meal Plan Remember that calories count at carnivals Hot dogs and funnel cakes can also make fairs and festivals a high-calorie bust. "Hot dogs are high in saturated fat, calories, preservatives, and loaded with sodium," says Sassouni. "If you desire a savory meal, go for the chicken or turkey gyro or chicken kebab options." Skip the beef and lamb versions and swap out the white sauce for hot sauce or eat it plain. Chick on a stick is also a healthier option. To settle a sweet tooth, ditch fried, sugar-topped funnel cakes and snack on kettle corn samples, instead, says Sassouni. (Just one sample, though.) RELATED: 12 Swimsuit Season Diet Secrets Limit fruity alcoholic adult beverages Beware the umbrella drinks. "On average, a piña colada or Long Island iced tea can clock in at 600 to 800 calories," says Amy Goodson, RD, sports nutritionist for the Dallas Cowboys. "Plus, when you drink alcohol you typically care less about what you're eating. So add two, 600-calorie drinks to your happy hour chips and guacamole and you're close to 2,000 calories while the night is still young!" For lower-calorie alternatives, Goodson recommends mixing clear liquor with a calorie-free beverage. RELATED: 6 Warm-Weather Low-Calorie Cocktails Watch for beach food truck traps When a food truck is your only lunch option when lying on the beach, you'll need to choose wisely to avoid the most fattening items. "Stay away from the pre-cooked, reheated, frozen, processed, and dried out fried foods that they offer. This includes pizza, nachos, cheese fries, and chicken fingers," says Sassouni. Many trucks have grills, so ask if they can make grilled chicken, and add a salad with vinaigrette. "Choosing these options could save you over 200 calories and over 20 grams of saturated fat." RELATED: 9 Mouthwatering Barbecue Recipes Keep happy hour bar food healthy Skip the fries, burgers, nachos, and wings and other "finger foods" at the bar. "Most bars now have salads that you can add lean protein to such as grilled chicken, shrimp, and fish," says Sassouni. "Or go with a grilled chicken sandwich without mayonnaise. Ask for pickles or a side salad on the side instead of fries." Portobello mushroom or fish burgers, seared tuna salads and even sushi can often be found on bar menus. "You won"t avoid sodium but choosing these options will cut overall calories and fat," Sassouni adds. RELATED: This Grapefruit Gin + Tonic Is the Cocktail You Need for Spring Don't be fooled by frozen yogurt Frozen yogurt has many people fooled into thinking it's a healthy food, says Dr. Quebbmann. "You may think that somehow yogurt is yogurt, but you'd be wrong," he explains. "Frozen yogurt typically has tons of added sugar and can even have more calories than ice cream." While frozen yogurt contains some protein, it's often over 400 calories per cup and can contain as much as 26 grams of fat. "Furthermore, the probiotic benefit from natural yogurt with active cultures is essentially missing," Dr. Quebbmann says. If you indulge, have just a small scoop same as you would with ice cream. RELATED: 8 Frozen Treats Under 80 Calories Go easy on the toppings Ending the day with a dish of ice cream can put your daily calorie intake far over the top, especially if you choose a variety with added mix-ins. A small size of Cold Stone Creamery's Mud Pie Mojo, for example, contains coffee ice cream with bits of Oreo cookie, peanut butter, roasted almonds and fudge, and adds up to more than 600 calories and 45 grams of fat. Swap it for Cold Stone's Raspberry sorbet at 150 calories for the small version. "Get a cone, the lowest calorie option," says Dr. Quebbmann. "Moderation is key." RELATED: The 5 Healthiest Salad Dressings, According to a Nutritionist Mind your chips and dip It's easy to lose track of how many chips you've eaten, and the fat and calories add up quickly especially when you dunk them into creamy dip, says Michele Dudash, RD, author of Clean Eating for Busy Families . "An ounce of potato chips contains 150 calories, and it's easy to mindlessly eat two to three times this amount." Add a dip such as a creamy French onion at 60 calories per two tablespoons, and you're also adding a few grams of saturated fat with really no beneficial nutrients, says Dudash. Stick with crudité and hummus or a yogurt-based dip instead. RELATED: 6 'Ultra-Processed' Foods to Throw Out Right Now Portion pulled pork and ribs These popular barbecue meats wreck your bathing suit body with saturated fat from the ribs and additional sugar from the sauce. "One country-style rib with 3 ounces of meat (a large one) racks up 235 calories and 5 grams of saturated fat," says Dudash. Barbecue sauce on 3/4 cup of pulled pork adds up to 315 calories and 28 grams of sugar. "Add a bun and this sandwich alone totals around 500 calories," Dudash notes. A skinless chicken breast, on the other hand, offers up 27 grams of protein at only 142 calories and three fat grams. Add a small amount of barbecue sauce and you still come out ahead. RELATED: How to Grill Ribs Keep summer salads light Salads can be a great, low-calorie food choice or a major calorie bomb. Cold, creamy pasta salads may be one of the worst calorie offenders. Sbarro's pasta primavera salad, for example, clocks in at 666 calories per serving and 17 grams of fat. "Plus, they're typically made with refined (white) flour pasta, which lacks fiber," says Dudash. Green salads can also ruin your bathing suit body if you overdo the toppings and dressing. "Many people load up on salad greens and then pile on the dressing," says Dr. Quebbmann. Four tablespoons of dressing can have nearly 400 calories, mostly fat. Buy low-fat dressing or, if you make your own, substitute Greek yogurt for the mayo, he suggests. RELATED: 5 Biggest Salad Mistakes You're Making To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter


Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) has euthanized a bear it says has repeatedly gotten into garbage, and in recent weeks, exhibited aggressive behavior toward residents in Boulder. Wildlife officers responded Tuesday to Oak Avenue in north Boulder after receiving multiple calls regarding an aggressive bear in the area. CPW said the bear had a history over the past three years of repeatedly getting into garbage, and was previously relocated out of east Boulder in 2015. CPW said the bear had bluff charged (a false charge made by an animal as a threat) City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park rangers and wildlife officers after they responded to the area. A short time later, the bear was tranquilized from the tree he was in, removed from the area and euthanized at a CPW shop. On June 11, wildlife officers believe the same bear lunged at a man on Hapgood Street. CPW said it also has documented reports of the bear charging people in 2016 and 2017. It's the first bear in Boulder County to be put down this year, according to CPW. "The City of Boulder is not a good place for bears to live and forage," said Area Wildlife Manager Kristin Cannon. "CPW tries many different things to prevent bears from living in the city and a vast majority of the time these do not result in the death of a bear. Unfortunately, in this instance it did. A necropsy conducted Tuesday showed that the male bear weighed 243 pounds, and based on tooth-wear, was an estimated 8-10 years old. A photo from CPW shows that the bear's stomach was full of trash and wrappers, with no normal bear food found in his stomach. CPW said it's received 102 bear incident reports in Boulder County since April. "Removing this bear will not solve any of the issues Boulder has with bears and it is still up to its residents to take responsibility for securing garbage, fruit, bee hives, chickens, compost, grills and bird feeders from bears," Cannon said, adding that there are currently four to six bears utilizing Boulder on a somewhat frequent basis. On Monday, wildlife officers relocated a bear out of Loveland to the wilderness that had spent the last two weeks within city limits near Lake Loveland, CPW said. SUGGESTED VIDEOS | Local stories from 9NEWS


ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork)   Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the so-called "Green Light Bill" into law overnight, giving undocumented immigrants the right to a New York driver's license. New York is now the 13 th state to authorize drivers' licenses for immigrants who entered the United States illegally. Take Our Poll Cheers filled the New York State Senate chambers as the Driver's License Access and Privacy Act, also known as the "Green Light Bill," got the green light. "Today's vote helps support the promise of the American Dream," said State Sen. Luis Sepulveda. Web Extra: Read The Driver's License Access and Privacy Act The vote on the controversial bill followed hours of debate. "How would a county clerk know if a foreign document is real?" asked State Sen. Daphne Jordan. "They're already being trained, already receiving funding," Sepulveda rebutted. "So this is nothing new to the DMV or county clerks." Supporters say the bill would lower the number of uninsured people and improve safety on the roads while boosting the economy. Critics, however, say it would circumvent federal law and encourage illegal immigration. MORE: Bill Giving Undocumented Immigrants The Right To A Driver's License Passes In NY Senate A recent poll released by Siena College showed more than 50 percent of New Yorkers surveyed were against allowing undocumented immigrants to get drivers' licenses. "If we pass a bill that winds up targeted the undocumented, then shame on all of us," Cuomo said. The governor said he would only sign the bill into law if the state solicitor general found there were sufficient safeguards to prevent federal authorities from accessing the DMV database. The law would go into effect in 180 days, meaning undocumented immigrants could get licenses beginning in December. Legislators say they will have to follow the same requirements as other licensed drivers in New York, which includes having auto insurance.


After two seasons bouncing around North America, defenseman Jakub Jerabek has decided to return to the KHL. Jerabeck is still under contract with the St. Louis Blues, but that didn't stop the KHL from tweeting out that he has signed a one-year contract with Podolsk Vityaz, his former team. Jerabek had been playing with the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL, but their season ended without a playoff berth. He was not part of the Blues' "Black Aces" recall, likely meaning the team has let him leave without issue. Jerabek, 27, signed with the Montreal Canadiens in 2017 after an impressive KHL debut but failed to really catch on in the NHL. After 25 games for the Canadiens and 17 more for their AHL affiliate, he was traded to the Washington Capitals at the deadline to provide some defensive depth. Jerabek got into two games with the Capitals during their Stanley Cup playoff run, but mostly sat on the sideline and watched his team celebrate. In the offseason, Jerabek signed a one-year, $1M deal with the Edmonton Oilers but failed to find a place on their blue line and was traded to St. Louis just before the season began. After playing a single game with the Blues, Jerabek was placed on waivers and sent down to San Antonio. He ended up hitting the ice 52 times for the AHL club, recording 15 points and a minus-22 rating.


Shots broke out while a group was shooting a music video early Friday in the 8200 block of Edgewood in Detroit, according to Detroit police. Police say two men, a 25-year-old and a 30-year-old, were both shot during the incident, which happened about 12:45 a.m. The 25-year-old told police he was with "several other people" and they were filming a music video when someone started firing shots and he was wounded. He didn't see the shooter, but police say he was transported to an area hospital, where he is in stable condition. A 30-year-old man was also shot and transported to an area hospital, and police say he is in critical condition. An active investigation into this incident is ongoing. Read more: Police: Passengers may have escaped Lake Michigan plane wreckage Father of 5 killed when ATV hits curb, crashes into Detroit building Contact Aleanna Siacon: ASiacon@freepresss.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AleannaSiacon. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2 shot in Detroit during music video filming


Before Hedi Slimane took over as creative director of Saint Laurent, there was one man who started it all. Yves Saint Laurent got his start winning a design contest when he was a teenager, and from there, he built a fashion empire.


The United States women's national team defeated England on Tuesday to make its third straight World Cup final, and now we know its opponent. The Americans will face off against the Netherlands as they try to repeat as World Cup champions. When is the World Cup final and where can I watch it? You can watch the USWNT take on the Netherlands on Sunday, July 7. The game kicks off at 11 am ET from Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon, France , and can be seen on FOX and Telemundo in the United States. The USWNT is battling injury problems Star winger Megan Rapinoe, who has five goals so far in the World Cup, sat out the semifinal against England with a hamstring strain. Rapinoe says that her injury is minor and that she'll be ready to play on Sunday, but USWNT manager Jill Ellis has been handed a tough selection dilemma. Christen Press played well in Rapinoe's place, scoring a goal and turning in an excellent defensive performance. Rose Lavelle has also picked up a minor hamstring injury, and like Rapinoe, says she will suit up for the final. However, Lavelle has a long history of hamstring injuries, so expect Ellis to turn to Sam Mewis to replace Lavelle. Alex Morgan will need to be the star, and has a chance to cement her legacy There's nothing Alex Morgan hasn't won in her career. She's a World Cup champion, an Olympic gold medalist, a Champions League winner, a WPS champion and an NWSL champion. She's scored 107 goals for the national team, been named the best player in North America four times, and made the FIFPro World XI. But with tournament-leading 6 goals, she's on track to add another accolade to that list   a World Cup golden boot. That golden boot, and perhaps a golden ball to go along with it, would eliminate any doubts about her place among the best players of all time. She's been as important to her teams as Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach were to theirs. On Sunday, she could get the individual hardware to prove it. Julie Ertz vs. Danielle van de Donk is the matchup to watch Rapinoe, Morgan and the American back line have gotten most of the publicity during this World Cup, but Ertz has been doing some serious work on the DL. Usually an all-action wrecking ball of a defensive midfielder, Ertz has been playing a more disciplined role during the knockout stage, and it's paying off. England's first-half touches, or...guess where Julie Ertz plays... pic.twitter.com/Ia04RU8w8H   Paul Carr (@PaulCarr) July 2, 2019 In the final, she'll be matched up directly against Danielle van de Donk, the playmaker who set up the Netherlands' goal in their 1-0 victory over Sweden in the semifinal. With former FIFA world player of the year Lieke Martens picking up a knock on Wednesday and Shanice van de Sanden struggling for form on the other wing, the Netherlands will be heavily reliant on van de Donk to create their scoring chances. It'll be up to Ertz to stop her from getting the ball in dangerous spots. It doesn't get better than the defending champs vs. the European champs If the USWNT wins on Sunday, they will have gone through the most difficult stretch of opponents that anyone has had to go through to win a World Cup. It had to, successively, defeat: Sweden, who went on to make the semifinals on the other side of the bracket Spain , considered the world's best up-and-coming women's soccer nations after regularly outperforming the United States at youth World Cups France, the hosts, who have the core of the team that has won six of the last nine Champions League titles England, the No. 3 ranked team in the world and winners of the SheBelieves Cup in March The Netherlands, who are the reigning European champions France and England were considered to be tougher opponents than the Netherlands coming into the tournament, and the Oranje's struggles to score in the semifinal don't inspire confidence that they can pull off an upset. But they are, nonetheless, the reigning champions of Europe, and beating them would be another feather in the USWNT's now very bird-like cap. Related slideshow: Best of Women's World Cup (Provided by imagn)


WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - A Florida man has been charged in an alleged backpack bomb plot he planned to carry out on a public beach in Key West to show his support for the Islamic State militant group, the Department of Justice said on Tuesday. Harlem Suarez, also known as Almlak Benitez, 23, of Key West, was arrested on Monday as part of an FBI sting operation and charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, the department said. According to the criminal complaint, the FBI was alerted to Facebook posts made by Suarez in April of this year in which he expressed his support for Islamic State. An FBI informant then made contact with Suarez, who told the informant that he wanted to carry out an attack in the United States. Suarez also posted a request on Facebook asking how to make a bomb, saying "send me a video or something, and what do I need to make it." In discussion with the informant, Suarez planned to make a bomb that would be detonated remotely by a cellphone, the complaint said. The bomb, to contain galvanized nails, would have been hidden in a backpack, prosecutors allege. Suarez was arrested when he received an inert bomb that had been prepared by FBI undercover agents. It was not immediately possible to find out whether Suarez had retained a lawyer.


Arsenal are said to be nearing the signing of Algerian winger Yacine Brahimi, who is available for free after his contract with Porto expired. Brahimi failed to agree fresh terms to remain with Porto and has long been linked with a move elsewhere, with clubs across Europe thought to be keen on striking a deal. According to Algerian outlet La Gazette du Fennec , Arsenal could be set to win the race for his signature, with Brahimi said to be in "very advanced negotiations" over a move to the Emirates Stadium. He has plenty of other offers, but it is claimed that Brahimi would prefer to test himself in the Premier League , whilst he is also eager to earn himself a huge contract in England. With Arsenal looking to rejuvenate their squad on a tight budget, free transfers could be key for Unai Emery. Signing a player with Brahimi's top-flight experience is thought to be high on their wish list, and doing so for free would allow funds to be spent elsewhere. Last season, Brahimi racked up 13 goals and nine assists for Porto, attracting interest from the likes of Everton and West Ham United . However, with the Gunners playing in the Europa League and pushing for Champions League football next season, it is believed that Brahimi would prefer a switch to the Emirates. If he does join, he could be one of many new faces through the door at the club. Arsenal have been linked with a number of new signings, including Wilfried Zaha , Kieran Tierney and Armando Izzo, but they will likely need to sell some players to finance the deals. The club are thought to be working with a transfer budget of just £45m which, in today's market, will certainly not be enough to afford multiple top players. As such, Arsenal may look to a number of free agents in an attempt to bolster their squad. Players of Brahimi's quality are rarely available for free and, with Arsenal on the lookout for attacking reinforcements, this could be a smart piece of business for the Gunners.


A family in the US needs an annual income of at least $421,926 to be in the top 1% of earners, according to Economic Policy Institute data. The income it takes to be part of the 1 percent in each state A family in the United States needs an annual income of at least $421,926 to be in the top 1% of earners, according to Economic Policy Institute data . The minimum income needed to be in the top 1% in every state ranges from $255,000 in Arkansas to more than $700,000 in Connecticut. In 19 states, the annual income required to be in the 1% tops $400,000. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The feeling of being wealthy is largely relative. One man's "rich" may be another man's "broke." Economically, however, the delineation is clear. A family in the United States needs a minimum annual income of $421,926 to be in the top 1% of earners, according to data adapted from an Economic Policy Institute report originally published in July 2018. The average income for families in the top 1%? $1,316,985. "In 2015, a family in the top 1 percent nationally received, on average, 26.3 times as much income as a family in the bottom 99 percent," the researchers, Estelle Sommelier and Mark Price, wrote . In this data, the term family is used to represent one tax unit - either a single adult or married couple who files taxes and may or may not have dependents - and all figures are from 2015. The minimum income needed to be in the top 1% in every state ranges from $255,000 in Arkansas to more than $700,000 in Connecticut. Below, find out how much annual income it takes to be part of the 1% in every state, plus the average annual income of families in the 1%. The states and Washington, DC, are ranked in ascending order by annual income. 51. Arkansas Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $255,050 Average income in the top 1%: $864,772 50. Mississippi Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $254,362 Average income in the top 1%: $580,461 49. New Mexico Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $255,429 Average income in the top 1%: $615,082 48. West Virginia Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $258,078 Average income in the top 1%: $535,648 47. Kentucky Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $274,818 Average income in the top 1%: $719.012 46. Alabama Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $297,564 Average income in the top 1%: $743,644 45. Maine Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $303,897 Average income in the top 1%: $655,870 44. Hawaii Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $310,566 Average income in the top 1%: $797,001 43. Idaho Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $314,532 Average income in the top 1%: $829,268 42. Indiana Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $316,756 Average income in the top 1%: $804,275 41. Louisiana Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $318,393 Average income in the top 1%: $814,386 40. South Carolina Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $318,463 Average income in the top 1%: $761,185 39. Montana Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $321,849 Average income in the top 1%: $855,976 38. Vermont Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $321,969 Average income in the top 1%: $816,579 37. Missouri Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $326,839 Average income in the top 1%: $944,804 36. Michigan Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $328,649 Average income in the top 1%: $917,701 35. Arizona Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $331,074 Average income in the top 1%: $882,657 34. Iowa Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $331,572 Average income in the top 1%: $788,419 33. Tennessee Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $332,913 Average income in the top 1%: $947,021 32. Oklahoma Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $333,139 Average income in the top 1%: $932,520 31. Ohio Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $334,979 Average income in the top 1%: $858,965 30. Delaware Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $340,770 Average income in the top 1%: $869,461 29. Nevada Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $341,335 Average income in the top 1%: $1,354,780 28. North Carolina Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $343,066 Average income in the top 1%: $902,972 27. Rhode Island Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $346,657 Average income in the top 1%: $928,204 26. Wisconsin Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $349,905 Average income in the top 1%: $964,358 25. Oregon Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $358,937 Average income in the top 1%: $908,898 24. Nebraska Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $363,310 Average income in the top 1%: $945,869 23. Georgia Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $371,811 Average income in the top 1%: $995,576 22. Utah Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $374,467 Average income in the top 1%: $1,057,066 21. Kansas Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $375,344 Average income in the top 1%: $1,034,676 20. Pennsylvania Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $388,593 Average income in the top 1%: $1,100,962 19. Alaska Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $400,017 Average income in the top 1%: $910,059 18. New Hampshire Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $405,286 Average income in the top 1%: $1,134,101 17. Wyoming Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $405,596 Average income in the top 1%: $1,900,659 16. South Dakota Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $407,406 Average income in the top 1%: $1,130,048 15. Texas Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $440,758 Average income in the top 1%: $1,343,897 14. North Dakota Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $445,415 Average income in the top 1%: $1,080,845 13. Florida Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $417,587 Average income in the top 1%: $1,543,124 12. Virginia Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $425,144 Average income in the top 1%: $1,109,984 11. Minnesota Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $443,118 Average income in the top 1%: $1,185,581 10. Maryland Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $445,783 Average income in the top 1%: $1,135,718 9. Washington Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $451,395 Average income in the top 1%: $1,383,223 8. Illinois Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $456,377 Average income in the top 1%: $1,412,024 7. Colorado Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $458,576 Average income in the top 1%: $1,261,053 6. California Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $514,694 Average income in the top 1%: $1,693,094 5. New York Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $550,174 Average income in the top 1%: $2,202,480 4. Massachusetts Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $582,774 Average income in the top 1%: $1,904,805 3. New Jersey Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $588,575 Average income in the top 1%: $1,581,829 2. Washington, DC Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $598,155 Average income in the top 1%: $1,858,878 1. Connecticut Minimum income to be in the top 1%: $700,800 Average income in the top 1%: $2,522,806


The Los Angeles Lakers are an absolute mess. LeBron James helms a team which Magic Johnson didn't want to be a part of despite his long history with the organization. There have been rumors of infighting between Johnson and Rob Pelinka, and heading into a crucial free agent summer, it's not clear if players are looking at the Lakers seriously. LeBron has already started to do some recruiting, apparently with Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard on his call list. For the front office staff left over after Johnson's departure, there is still some belief that the glitter and glitz of the Lakers hold appeal for young free agents. Speaking to reporters this week, Pelinka said that he thinks Los Angeles is still a top destination for players and that the Lakers are contenders to sign big names. Via Silver Screen and Roll and Spectrum Sportsnet: "I think the most important thing is that players look to who we really are and not what the impression is of what others are trying to create us to be. I think all of us know when we come to work every day that there is stability and strength and togetherness here. "I think for any of us, we know who we are and ourselves, we know the characteristics and qualities we stand for. And we know as a staff and feel very strongly that if people judge and evaluate us for who we are as an organization and the vision and path we have going forward, we feel there'll be a very, very strong appeal for the great players to come here." There are so many people and reporters surrounding the Lakers, with so much of the information pointing in one direction, it's hard to understand how folks inside the organization could be so delusional about what's happened. Then again, Los Angeles is not exactly the capital for publicly owning up to mistakes, and expecting Pelinka to say anything derogatory toward his own team (or his involvement in what's gone on) would be a stretch. Until this team shows it can make the types of decisions that multibillion dollar enterprises make   because that's exactly what the Lakers are   it's going to be hard to believe they can return to prominence. Pelinka might have the belief that free agents want to come to L.A., but I'll believe it when I see it.


FARMINGDALE, N.Y.   There is a lot to play for Sunday in the final round of the 101st PGA Championship even if your name is not Brooks Koepka. After maintaining his seven-stroke lead on Saturday at Bethpage Black with an even-par 70 and 198 total, Koepka remains the heavy favorite to win his second straight PGA title, not to mention successfully defend his second straight in a major played in Long Island after his victory last June in the 118th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. Can anyone catch him? "It would take something special," said Dustin Johnson, who is one of four players tied for second at five-under 205. "Obviously, Brooks is playing tremendous golf, and who knows what could happen," said Luke List, who also is at 205 and joins Johnson as the only two players with three rounds under par. "Some majors in history show some big leads, guys come back from. Hopefully this is one of them." Johnson and List at least feel like they have an outside chance. England's Matt Wallace, who is eight back, wasn't fully conceding either. "If I can get to double figures [under par] tomorrow, I mean, a playoff would be nice," he said. Xander Schauffele, who trails Koepka by nine, was having a harder time getting fired up about taking on Bethpage without a realistic chance of grasping the Wanamaker Trophy. "I don't know if the tournament is just less fun because I'm 15 shots back or what it is. But it's very melancholic after today I'd say, just because every time I look up, I'm 10 to 12 back. So no one likes to play for second, but that's sort of what he's doing to us." RELATED: Harold Varner III looks forward to his date with Brooks Koepka at Bethpage on Sunday Regardless, it's a big day for a number of players. And it's an important day no matter where a player sits on the leader board. "There's never a wasted round or a wasted shot," said five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, who careened out of contention with a six-over 76 on Saturday. "You can learn on every single one of them." At 48, the left-hander was considering what an early start in the final round could do for him. It's more than you would think. "There's a lot of things that you can take out in the small moments, and obviously I'm not going to win this tournament, but the greens are very similar, this grass is Pebble Beach," said Mickelson, who was looking ahead to next month's U.S. Open at that iconic venue. "The setup, the rough is very similar, the grasses in the fairway are similar. So you use that as preparation to … see how the ball is coming out of the rough, how balls shoot out of the fairway. All the little details, and you try to build on it and take it into the future tournaments." Likewise, the future benefits of a decent final round were important to a less-established player like Wallace, 29, making just his second start in the PGA. "I've got to do some work tomorrow and try and get as many World Ranking points as I can, and that will give me confidence going into the rest of the years, and also majors in the coming years," he said. "That's important to me, and there's a lot of drive for me to go out there and prove myself, and try and put a good show on for the crowd." Playing in just his ninth major championship, List, 34, of Augusta, Ga., is looking to improve on his previous best showing in a major, his T-33 in the 2005 Masters when he competed as an amateur. At first he insisted that, "we have a lot to play for every week on Sunday, so it's no exception." But majors carry more world ranking points, offer bigger purses, and for American players there are also Ryder Cup points to accumulate. Plus, the top four finishers earn an invite to the Masters, which would be significant achievements for players like List or Harold Varner III. "I've got a lot to play for," he said, noting that he would try to approach the final round like a regular tournament and not worry about how the leader is faring. "If I start worrying about what he's doing, I've got no chance. For me it's just trying to get through and give myself as many opportunities to get on the green as possible. I'm just going to go out and try to shoot under par tomorrow." Patrick Cantlay, sitting T-8 at three-under 207, planned to be more assertive about his fortunes. "I'm going to really try and get hot early, because I think those six seven holes are gettable before the course toughens up," he said of his strategy for Sunday. "I'd like to make some birdies early and just see how low I can go. I'll come out firing. I'm always better being aggressive." For some of the top players, elites like Mickelson, motivation was a little harder to find, but they found it nevertheless. "If you look at my back nine yesterday [Friday] and my front nine today I was seven under par, so I want to see if I can carry some of that momentum to the final day," said two-time PGA winner Rory McIlroy, ranked No. 4 in the world, who completed 54 holes in two-over 212. "This was the best I've hit it in a while, so that's what we'll be trying to carry over." RELATED: The golf world belongs to Brooks Koepka, so you might want to get used to it Rickie Fowler, No. 10 in the world rankings, had more specific goals a backdoor top-five with a Hail-Mary try at runner-up from his position of one-under 209. "I'd love to go play a solid round of golf, first of all, because I haven't done that this week," said Fowler, who has been battling a cold. "I haven't felt good with any part of my game, so I'm going to go work on it, and, yeah, I think I can go out there and shoot 66 or lower. It would take a good round to do it, but I think I can make a pretty good jump [up the leaderboard] with that kind of score." "Some of it [motivation] depends on what the guys are doing in front of me today," added 2015 PGA champion Jason Day, who, like McIlroy, stands at 212. "I'm a fair bit behind. How far can I sneak up the leader board with a good round? That's a start. "But it's more about building some good confidence going forward and get things rolling in the right direction," Day, No. 14 in the world, continued. "I want to see some better golf with Memorial and then the U.S. Open right after that. We've still got a couple of majors yet. There's still a big chunk of the schedule to prepare for, and I know I have a few things that I can improve on and gain some confidence. You try to take something out of every day." Right. There's never a wasted round. Explore Golf Digest All Access, with more than 30 video series to improve your game WATCH: GOLF DIGEST VIDEOS See the video. Five Defining Major Championship Moments That Happened in New York Related slideshow: Best of PGA Championship (Provided by imagn)


In this cooling housing market, give your home's sale the best chance by highlighting these 11 most-popular features. 11 Features That Will Sell Your Home The formerly hot housing market is showing signs of cooling off. Sales of existing homes in March 2019 were down 4.9% from the previous month, and all home sales were down 5.4% from a year ago, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. While parts of the Midwest and California still have plenty of strong real estate markets , it's a different story in much of the Southeast. So how do you make your house stand out in a crowd? You could start by making sure your property has all the features homebuyers want most. For its 2019 What Home Buyers Really Want report , the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) surveyed recent and prospective homebuyers to pinpoint features they deemed essential or desirable. Based upon their report, here are the top 11 features that many homebuyers want to see at your open house, from good features to those most desirable of all. Click or swipe through to see them all. 11. Energy Star certification Buyers who want it: 81% The Energy Star Residential New Construction Program certifies that a home or an apartment meets updated energy efficiency standards. Homebuyers are willing to pay an extra $8,728, on average, for a home that saves them $1,000 a year in utility bills, according to the NAHB report . In fact, more than a third of those surveyed said they'd spend more than $10,000 for those energy savings. If you have an older home to sell, making it more energy efficient, even without certification, may help encourage a faster sale. Most (69%) of the 6,000 real estate agents surveyed recently by the National Association of Realtors said that promoting a home's energy efficiency features in its listing is very or somewhat valuable. 10. Double kitchen sink Buyers who want it: 81% If you think dishwashers have made double kitchen sinks a thing of the past, think again. There are plenty of benefits to a double sink , including easier meal prep, better access to garbage disposals and convenient hand washing of items that don't go into a dishwasher. Related: 10 Overlooked Homeowner Expenses   and How to Save on Them Those may be some of the reasons why 81% of homebuyers told the NAHB researchers that a double kitchen sink was either "essential" or "desirable." 9. Hardwood floors Buyers who want it: 83% Plenty of vinyl and laminate flooring options replicate hardwood, but most homebuyers want the real thing. Hardwood flooring has a reputation for being durable and environmentally friendly as well as for maintaining value. Other surveys underscore the desirability of hardwood flooring in a home purchase: Real estate agents say homes with wood floors sell faster and for up to 10% more, according to the National Wood Flooring Association . Realtors believe homeowners who refinish hardwood floors recoup 100% of the cost when they sell and those who install new wood flooring recover 91% of the expense, says the 2017 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of Realtors . 8. Walk-in pantry Buyers who want it: 83% A solid majority of homebuyers say a walk-in pantry is either "desirable" or a "must-have" feature. If you can swing the cost, find space to build one into your home before listing it. Buyers may reward you. 7. Exterior lighting Buyers who want it : 85% Good exterior lighting is high on homebuyers' lists of desires. It serves many functions . For example, it can: Enhance the landscaping around a home. Create an inviting atmosphere. Promote safety. Not only does exterior lighting deter would-be criminals but, when done well, it also helps residents and guests avoid potential tripping hazards at night. 6. Garage storage Buyers who want it : 85% If you don't already have a storage system installed in your garage, you may want to give it some thought before placing the home on the market. Nearly half of homebuyers surveyed by the NAHB called garage storage "desirable," and 36% declared it "essential." In 2017, American households installed about 1.4 million garage wall storage systems and some 381,000 garage ceiling storage systems, says the Home Innovation Research Labs Annual Consumer Practices Survey . 5. Ceiling fan Buyers who want it: 85% One inexpensive way to improve your home's appeal is to install a few ceiling fans. The vast majority of homebuyers are looking for them. In addition to adding character and interest to a room, a ceiling fan can be an energy-saver. According to the U.S. Department of Energy , having ceiling fans lets you set your air conditioning 4 degrees higher in summer while staying just as comfortable. 4. Energy Star rated appliances Buyers who want it: 86% Energy Star rated appliances should add to a home's attractiveness in the market, the NAHB survey findings suggest. By installing these highly efficient appliances, not only would you enjoy energy savings now, but the investment may help a home sell faster when listed. Energy Star appliances are the most cited must-have green feature on the list, with 40% of survey respondents telling the NAHB that Energy Star rated appliances are "essential" and 46% of respondents calling them "desirable." 3. Patio Buyers who want it: 87% A patio can extend a home's living space. It also may add curb appeal and possibly increase a home's value. The NAHB found that buyers were looking for patio living space. The National Association of Realtors' 2018 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features also did, listing patios among top features for buyer appeal. The NAR, noting that a patio addition can return 69% of an investment at resale, ranks it fourth among outdoor projects that add value. 2. Energy Star rated windows Buyers who want it: 89% Energy Star rated windows are the top green feature sought by homebuyers, according to the NAHB survey. Nearly 9 in 10 buyers want these highly efficient windows, with 38% of survey respondents saying they are "essential" and 51% classifying them as "desirable." That's not surprising. Energy Star windows can save up to $465 a year compared with single-pane windows, according to the U.S. Department of Energy . 1. Laundry room Buyers who want it: 91% If you don't have a laundry room in a home you intend to sell, it's a good idea to figure out how to create one. A laundry room is the number one feature sought by homebuyers, with 91% calling it "essential" or "desirable." You can't blame them. Who wants laundry spread across the couch or kitchen table when tending to those piles of clothes could be neatly contained in one room? Did your must-have feature make this list? Tell us what feature you crave in a home by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page . It's not the usual blah, blah, blah. Click here to sign up for our free newsletter.


Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to bring up election security legislation after the GOP leader lashed out at critics who targeted him for blocking two bills last week. "There's an easy way for Leader McConnell to silence the critics who accuse him of blocking election security: stop blocking it. Leader McConnell doesn't have to put the bills that we have proposed ... or the bill the House has passed, there are bipartisan bills-and we can debate the issue," Schumer said Monday from the Senate floor. Schumer's comments came after McConnell hit back at high-profile critics, accusing them of "lying" and "modern-day McCarthyism" after they targeted the GOP leader late last week when he blocked two election security bills that are largely supported by Democrats. Schumer asked for consent to pass a House bill, supported by one Republican, that would require paper ballots, while Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) wanted to pass legislation that would require candidates, campaign officials and their family members to notify the FBI of assistance offers. McConnell blocked both of the bills. "These pundits are lying, lying when they dismiss the work that has been done. They're lying when they insist I have personally blocked actions which, in fact, I have championed and the Senate has passed. They are lying when they suggest that either party is against defending our democracy," McConnell said from the floor. McConnell added that Democrats knew their bills would get blocked from passing the Senate without a formal vote, calling the objections "routine." Republicans argue that they've done plenty to help secure elections including passing two related bills and including $380 billion in funding in last year's spending bills. They also credit with the administration with working to bolster the 2018 elections. But Democrats contend that falls short in the wake of warnings from multiple current and former officials that Russia and other foreign governments will try to meddle in the 2020 election. "If Leader McConnell doesn't like being criticized on election security, I challenge him: let's debate it on the floor with amendments. I challenge him: support additional appropriations for states to harden their election systems. In both cases, Leader McConnell has not done that," Schumer said. He added that if McConnell "takes such umbrage at his election security critics, I challenge him: prove them wrong."