Yusef Salaam. Antron McCray. Raymond Santana. Korey Wise. Kevin Richardson. Five men connected in a way few of us could ever imagine. Santana said there is never a time when he doesn't think about the episode that brought them together: "It's every day. Constantly." Salaam said that every day it's "probably my second or third thought." "Probably, like, my fourth thought," said McCray. "Even our conversations is different. It's not normal. Our conversations would be about prison, how we had to survive in prison." They are known as the Central Park Five, a name they came to share 30 years ago, after a young white woman named Trisha Meili went for a jog in New York's Central Park. The 28-year-old woman was found by two passers-by, viciously battered and unconscious. She had been dragged into the bushes near an area called the Loch, beaten, and sexually assaulted. In a city traumatized by crime, the attack was an outrage, and became a media sensation. Investigators quickly focused on a group of black and Hispanic boys who were in the park that night. Media reports described them as a "wolf pack," who had committed muggings. Police arrested five teenagers, charging them with attempted murder, rape and assault. Salaam, McCray, Richardson, Wise and Santana were tried, convicted and imprisoned for the crime they maintained they did not do. The story of how the boys were charged and, years later, cleared of that notorious crime is the subject of a new Netflix miniseries by the Oscar-nominated writer-director Ava DuVernay, called "When They See Us." "My goal was to humanize boys, and now men, who are widely regarded as criminals," said DuVernay. "And in doing that, to invite the audience to re-interrogate everyone that they define as a criminal." DuVernay contends that what is seen all too often in criminal cases is race. "I'm asking the question to everyone, 'What do you see when you see black boys?' And that's a painful answer, because I know what the answer is for many people. It's exactly what these boys were called: wolf pack, animals, criminals, so much so that they could be tossed aside on a case that was made from a complete lie." In the series, as in life, only two of the five teenagers even knew each other, but during interrogation, they say police coerced them to create stories implicating one another. The men who lived through it say the reality was even worse. Salaam said, "Soon as we get in, they separate us and they start working on us. And I'm hearing Korey being physically beaten in the next room. And I'm immediately beyond afraid." Richardson said, "At the time, my mom, she suffered from a stroke, she had diabetes and she left. And that was their time to get on me." "And what happened?" asked correspondent Maurice DuBois. "What didn't happen?" "We're 14-, 15- and 16-year-old kids," said Santana. "Never been in trouble with the law. Never had no police contact. These are seasoned veterans. This fight was fixed." McCray said he was interrogated for more than 10 hours: "I just kept telling the truth at first. They asked to speak to my father. My father left the room with them. Came back in the room, he just changed. Cursing, yelling at me. And he said, 'Tell these people what they wanna hear so you go home.' I'm like, 'Dad, but I didn't do anything.' The police is yelling at me. My father yelling at me. And I just like, 'All right. I did it.' And I looked up to my father. He is my hero. But he gave up on me. You know, I was telling the truth and he just told me to lie." DuBois asked, "Did you ever make peace with your father?" "No. Didn't want to. My life was ruined. Why should I? He's a coward." None of the five ever admitted to committing the rape, but they did confess to being there. They blamed each other - damning admissions, even in the absence of physical evidence. As "CBS Evening News" reported at the time, there was no blood on their clothing; there was no match for semen; the DNA tests came back negative. Nothing linked the boys to the crime. At trial, all were found guilty. Four of the five served about seven-year sentences as juveniles, refusing early parole because it required admitting guilt. But the oldest of the group, Korey Wise, served time as an adult. In his 13th year in prison, Wise had a chance encounter with another inmate that would change the lives of all the men convicted of the rape of Trisha Meili. "The resolution of this whole tragedy came from something that I don't believe was happenstance," said DuVarney. "It's a coincidence that borders on miracle." Matias Reyes spotted Wise in a prison yard, and the two began talking. "'Wow, you still here after all these years,'" Wise recalled being told. "'I guess so.'" The two had met years before, and Reyes began to feel guilty that Wise was still in prison for a crime he himself had committed. Said Salaam, "He saw Korey and was like, 'He's still here? I gotta tell the truth.'" Reyes confessed that he alone had committed the rape, offering details about the crime that only the assailant would know. His DNA was a match, and the Central Park Five were exonerated. The City of New York eventually agreed to a $41 million settlement   about a million dollars for each year of imprisonment. DuBois asked, "Did the money make it better?" "We were able to relocate, put our children in better situations," said Santana. "But besides that, no." Salaam added, "No amount of money could have given us our time back." With the release of "When They See Us," the men who were the Central Park Five embrace the attention and dialogue they hope their case will bring, to crime, punishment and race. DuBois asked, "Is there a life lesson for what you've been through?" "Truth," McCray replied. "I preach to my kids, 'Just tell the truth. Be true to who you are.' Honestly, the last time I lied, got me seven-and-a-half years for something I didn't do."


New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario did not start on Sunday, but the player and his manager can't seem to agree on the reasoning. Rosario failed to run out a dropped pop-up in Saturday's game, and when his name didn't appear in Sunday's lineup, the safe guess was that was the reason why. Mets manager Mickey Callaway told the media before the game, however, that Rosario was simply scheduled to have the day off. The team's radio and TV broadcasts, however, called it disciplinary on the air. SNY broadcast just said that Rosario has been benched today for not running out that ball last night. 1. Mickey did not say that to print media during his session ("Scheduled off day.") 2. This is different than how Mickey handled Cano.   Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) July 14, 2019 Even after the Mets' 6-2 win over the Miami Marlins, the discrepancy continued. Callaway said the Mets had spoken to Rosario about his lack of hustle but refused to call the benching disciplinary. Rosario, on the other hand, said he'd been told that it was a result of not running out the fly ball. Was Rosario's benching today a punishment for not running last night? Callaway: "I wouldn't call it disciplinary. It was a night game/day game. There's opportunity there for another play to get in there." Rosario: "It was the consequences of me not running out that fly ball."   Tim Healey (@timbhealey) July 14, 2019 It's another chapter in Callaway's baffling handling of in-house issues. It doesn't make a lot of sense to tell Rosario one thing and the public another, and Mets fans probably would understand the reasoning behind the benching if it were disciplinary. The wrinkle, however, is Callaway's handling of Robinson Cano. The veteran infielder failed to run out ground balls twice in three games in May, and instead of pulling him, Callaway publicly defended him . Perhaps Callaway wanted to make a point to the younger Rosario while not having to publicly answer for a perceived double standard in his handling of hustle plays, but that was never going to work.


The 49ers worked out cornerback Kayvon Webster on Tuesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter ). Webster stands as one of the best remaining free agents left on the board at this stage of the offseason. Webster also met with the Bears earlier this month , but left Chicago without a deal. Despite his recent injury troubles, he profiles as a potential difference-maker for the Niners who could be had on a cheap deal. Webster joined the Texans late last offseason but played in just two games thanks to multiple injuries and two separate IR stints. Webster, who was lauded for his talent while buried behind big name corners in Denver, has failed to take the next leap forward in his career. Many expected big things when he reunited with Wade Phillips as a member of the Rams in 2017, but he failed to make a major impact in 11 games before suffering a season-ending Achilles tear. The 49ers recently lost Jimmie Ward to a broken collarbone , so this would be an opportune time to see what Webster can do before Ward returns for training camp. The Niners also fortified their CB group by drafting Tim Harris in the sixth round, but there's no guarantee that the rookie will make the final cut.


Watch Jimmy Graham's Hail Mary grab in the Saints loss to the 49ers.


The baseball season is not yet half over, but for those of us who view the shift as a stain on the game, or perhaps even a scourge, the play of the year has already happened. It came last Monday when Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter, a left-hander, faced a Marlins infield that was packed to the right side. The count was 1-1 when Carpenter bunted down the third-base line and was standing on second before a Marlin could get to the ball. We anti-shifters took particular glee at watching pitcher Elieser Hernandez's body language as he chased down the ball. Hernandez looked this way and that for a teammate, any teammate, to track down the ball until he realized he was going to have to do it by himself. Hernandez had to run all the way to the outfield. "I do it every time," Carpenter told reporters after the game. "It's nothing new. Every time they shift me with less than two strikes, I bunt. I'm surprised that they did it because it's in the books." Matt Carpenter just bunted for a double... yes, you read that correctly! pic.twitter.com/mtJUNpG4ji   St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 18, 2019 The shift took over baseball years ago. Teams have employed a defense shift on nearly 25 percent of pitches thrown this season, according to Fangraphs.com. Major League Baseball realizes it might have a problem and reportedly is considering restricting defensive shifts. Carpenter's bunt begs the obvious question: Why don't more players do it? That would be a preferable way to combat the shift rather than having league officials craft rules restricting where fielders can play, or how often they can shift. "You have to find a way to compete, and if it's there, I feel like guys should take it," said Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly, a former teammate of Carpenter's with the Cardinals. "I've seen him do it a couple of times." To many of us, bunting seems like an easy solution to the problem. But apparently bunting a big league fastball or slider is not as easy as we imagine. "Guy's throwing 95 miles per hour and you have to able to watch it hit your bat and put it in a specific spot," Kelly said. "It's definitely a tough thing to do but if guys master it, they might stop shifting." Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta saw the highlight of Carpenter's bunt and enjoyed it as much as the rest of us. But he doesn't see the tactic catching on in a significant way. "I remember the last time I tried, I almost smashed these two fingers," Peralta said, holding up his left hand. "It looks easy, but I'm telling you it's not easy. Being at home plate, having a pitcher on the mound throwing all this kind of nasty stuff and think, 'Oh, I'm just going to hit the ball through that hole.' "I wish it could happen so everybody could hit .300 in the big leagues. If it was that easy, everybody would be in the Hall of Fame." Not every major league player is adept at bunting, as we saw earlier this week when Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer fouled a practice bunt off his nose. And managers employing a shift would love to see a power hitter try to bunt rather than swing away. That's a victory for the defense. Still, it's interesting that we don't see more players try it. "We do have some good bunters but the game is trending in a totally different direction when it comes to giving up outs," Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo said. "If you're comfortable enough to make that type of play, I endorse that 100% because anytime you get on base you have a chance to score some runs." Certain Diamondbacks have the freedom to bunt on their own, but clearly Lovullo doesn't think anyone is going to make a good living do it. But bunting can be a tool against the shift, as can learning how to hit to the opposite field while coming up through developmental leagues. The more players who can do that, the less we're going to see the shift. Carpenter's bunt double was just the 10th since 2008, per Fangraphs, so we anti-shifters can't count on that play resulting in sweeping changes to the way the game is played these days. It didn't even change the way the Marlins played last Monday. They employed the same shift on Carpenter in his next at bat. He swung away and beat out a dribbler for a single. Follow Kent Somers on twitter @kentsomers . Explaining the shift This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Oh, shift! Why don't baseball players bunt to combat defensive strategy? Related slideshow: The 2019 MLB season (Provided by imagn)


Khloé Kardashian wants Lamar Odom "to go away." The 30-year-old beauty, who is waiting for a judge to finalize her divorce from the former NBA star, reportedly believes he is "trying to ruin her new happiness" with boyfriend James Harden. A source close to the 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' star told E! News: "Khloé just doesn't communicate with him and wants it to go away. "The divorce was really hard on her and she finally let go and it took her two years. He's trying to ruin her new happiness and trying to make her feel guilty." The former couple split in December 2013 after four years of marriage amid allegations Lamar, 35, was addicted to cocaine and cheating with multiple other women, and while they recently signed their divorce papers, Lamar claims they are still in regular contact and Khloé is his "soulmate." The basketball player was accused of ambushing his estranged wife and shouting abuse at her outside her gym in Beverly Hills last week, but he told the new issue of InTouch magazine: "A misunderstanding between me and my wife became public. It's hurtful. That woman is my wife. Without the ring on my finger. [Even] with her picture being taken with another man, that woman is my wife. "She's [my] soulmate. I can't control it. We'll never part. I would never consider myself serious with another woman. To sum it up, if a man is attempting to court Khloé, he's probably wasting his time." A source previously claimed the reality TV star's family has urged her to secure a restraining order against the athlete.


The forecast shows Pittsburgh will continue to experience warm temperatures, due to last through Monday, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . The high today will be 76 degrees and Wednesday's will be 75. The immediate forecast also has mostly cloudy skies in store for today. Skies will partly clear up on Wednesday, remaining partly cloudy through Sunday. Winds will remain fairly calm through the week, with only a light breeze of 7 mph today. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Chinese gooseberry, anyone? The idea of eating any type of fruit named after a mean bird that poops a lot is certainly off-putting, which is why you'd be unsurprised to learn that the "Chinese Gooseberry" is actually what we now call a kiwi . The fuzzy fruit is not the first to fall victim to (or be saved by) a name change via public relations or marketing teams for major food producers as a way to sell more product. In fact, many of your favorite foods, especially fish and seafood , have gone through name changes and are really just ugly-named animals hiding behind fancy upgrades. Related Reading: The Origins of Odd Food Names We've rounded up nine of the most interesting renamed foods we could find. The "Bob Dylans" or "Marilyn Monroes" of the food world (both of whom changed their name for fame). Scroll down to check em' out. Shutterstock Original Name: Dolphinfish New Name: Mahi Mahi Why? Flipper is a national treasure and the act of slaughtering uber-intelligent dolphins has been a source of controversy for many years now. Despite mahi-mahi looking and tasting nothing like your favorite animal at Sea World, consumers get confused so it's no wonder this tasty taco fish had its name changed. Plus, mahi-mahi is really fun to say. Try it. Related Reading: How to Make Perfect Fish Tacos Shutterstock Original Name : Rapeseed Oil New Name: Canola Oil Why? This one's self-explanatory. We'd rather not conjure something so terrible when trying to recreate grandma's famous Christmas cookie recipe. Good move, seed-derived oil companies in changing the name of this food. Related Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Oils Omaha Steaks Original Name: Patagonian Toothfish New Name: Chilean Sea Bass Why? Frankly, it's terrifying to think that any fish (other than a shark) has teeth. Chilean sea bass makes the toothfish sound exotic and less like something you'd see mounted on the wall at your dentist's office or grinning at you from across a pub in London. A name change we can all agree on. Original Name: Prunes New Name: Dried Plums Why? If the idea of living in a nursing home tickles your fancy, you probably eat prunes and enjoy their name on the reg. If you're only interested in dried fruit with an incredible amount of belly-busting fiber, the idea of eating grandpa's favorite snack can be very unappealing. In defense of California, one of the world's biggest exporters, prunes really are dried plums. It's not that much of a stretch to call them what they are. Remember to just be yourself and people (of all ages) will love you. Related Reading: The Ultimate Summer Stone Fruit Guide Shutterstock Original Name: Slimehead New Name: Orange Roughy Why? Yeah, we'd like to avoid any fish that sounds like it's covered in slime. We especially don't want to be reminded that slimeheads, aka orange roughy, are actually named after the mucus-filled canals on their ugly faces. It may not be perfect but orange roughy is certainly a name change upgrade for this fishy food. Chowhound Original Name: Mud Bugs New Name: Crayfish Why? The idea of eating dirt-covered insects isn't the most appetizing, you have to admit, and this food desperately needed a new identity. Crayfish implies that the animal actually comes from the sea, which certainly helps matters at your next big boil. Insect dishes, however, have become increasingly popular in the U.S. For now, we'll just stick to mini lobsters. Original Name: Rockfish New Name: Red Snapper Why? Red snapper is a luxury. The Pacific version is called "rockfish," but can technically be marketed as uber-expensive and Atlantic-derived red snapper because, well, red snapper is still t echnically what it is. The former obviously has a different taste and feel, which means fish companies are sneaky when it comes to tricking consumers into thinking they're getting the version with better quality. Tsk, tsk. Getty Images Original Name: Whore's Eggs New Name: Sea Urchin or Uni Why? I truly don't have to go into too much detail as to why this seafood got a name reinvention. Having been consumed for centuries in Japan, uni is a popular delicacy in Japanese cuisine but only recently did it shed the politically incorrect title. Not meant as a slight to sex workers either, but just one look at the spiny creatures and it's clear this was no tribute to the trade. Related Reading: Bizarre Fruit Hybrids We Can't Stop Staring At Getty Images Original Name: Chinese Gooseberry New Name : Kiwi Why? As we mentioned, geese aren't the most affable of creatures, plus they're famous for their droppings and "gooseberry" just kind of sounds like that. Kiwi, this tangy fruit's new name, is more exotic-sounding and linguistically related to the Japanese word kawaii which means cute. Related video: Cool and healthy kiwi fruit {Provided by Cover Video)


Honda MotoGP test rider Stefan Bradl says Cal Crutchlow's outspoken nature is generally "not productive" in aiding development of the bike. spent three years with LCR Honda in MotoGP, though hasn't raced in the series full-time since losing his ride with Aprilia at the end of '16. Taking up a role as Honda's official test rider last year, Bradl has been a key figure in the RC213V's recent development. During the Czech Grand Prix weekend praised Bradl's work as a test rider, but added that he wasn't good enough to have a full-time ride in MotoGP. "I think Stefan's doing a good job, I think the riding he's doing with the bike is fast, he's able to test well and give the information," Crutchlow said at Brno. "He's also a special rider as well. When asked if he should have a race ride, he added: "No. He's not that good. He's good as a test rider. If he was good enough to be a race rider he'd be in a full-time job." Bradl   who finished 15th at Brno deputising for the injured   responded to Crutchlow's comments, blasting them as unhelpful. "He says a lot of things and it's not always productive, for himself even," said Bradl. "I don't care much about this. I work with Marc [Marquez] mainly, and our relationship is very good." Read Also: Petrucci "can't afford" more bad races like Brno Dovizioso: Marquez form has left MotoGP rivals "in crisis" Bradl had "too much" to test at Brno Bradl came to Brno for his third MotoGP appearance of the year straight from taking part in the Suzuka 8 Hours, in which he helped Honda to a third-place finish . He admits adapting from the Honda Superbike to the RC213V at Brno felt "really strange". Bradl was due to race at Brno with the HRC test team before being drafted in by the factory squad to fill in for Lorenzo, and had a test programme to carry out during the weekend. However, he believes the amount he had to test was too much, and is looking to formulate a better plan for the Austrian race in a bid to produce better results. He said: "In FP1 I was a bit lost, it took me a bit to get the feeling back, and all these test items we had to work on   in my opinion   it was a bit too much [to do] to be ready for the race. "In any case, in HRC they know the work I have to do and they were happy with my performance. "I know I can do better and my performance is faster than I could show. But the circumstances were tricky for me to show my potential. "I need to speak to the guys to have a proper plan for the [Austria] race weekend. We had a bit too much to do [at Brno] in my opinion. "It's the point of a test rider, but when you race for this team you want to get some results and it's good for them to have a test rider with a lot of motivation and fighting spirit." Additional reporting by Jamie Klein and Gerald Dirnbeck Read Also: Quartararo leads Yamaha trio in Brno MotoGP test Mir airlifted to hospital after 300km/h test crash Stefan Bradl, Repsol Honda Team Photo by: Gold and Goose / LAT Images


The Kansas City Chiefs have given us our first look at the starting offense during Dwayne Bowe's retirement ceremony. On Thursday, Bowe signed a one-day contract in order to officially retire with the Chiefs. It's the third of these types of retirements for the Chiefs during the 2019 offseason, and each of the players has received a ceremonious sendoff from the current Chiefs' team. Jamaal Charles had a final carry, Derrick Johnson broke the defensive huddle, and Bowe lined up and caught a touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs released a cool little video hyping up the moment, and with it they gave us our first peak at the offensive starters lined up. Check out the video below: "Right on the money, to Dwayne Bowe!" pic.twitter.com/ZRhtadEErT - Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) May 16, 2019 There are three important depth chart related observations in this video. First up is the starter at the left guard position. Currently it's Andrew Wylie, who started at right guard in place of Laurent Duvernay-Tardif in 2018. Last season the starter at left guard was Cameron Erving, who the Chiefs signed to a contract extension. It's not clear why Wylie is lining up with the starters, but this is something to monitor during OTAs. Additionally, Austin Reiter is the Chiefs' starting center, which is expected after he signed a contract extension. The question here is whether he's earned that role as a starter or if he'll receive competition for the job from seventh-round draft pick Nick Allegretti. OTAs will be a good time to monitor this situation. Finally, the starter at tight end is Deon Yelder and not Blake Bell. Travis Kelce is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery, but it appears that the Chiefs have tabbed Yelder as the guy for the No. 2 job over Bell who they signed in free agency. Chiefs fans haven't seen much at all out of Yelder. He was signed to the practice squad late in the 2018 season. The team elevated and stashed him on the roster as the No. 3 behind Demetrius Harris after just a few weeks on the practice squad. The most important aspect of the video, of course, is that Bowe still has his signature swag. He looks pretty good catching passes from Mahomes, don't you think Chiefs Kingdom? MORE: Jimmy Butler's vague Instagram post had Sixers fans freaking out Five potential Jimmy Butler landing spots in free agency Report: Browns rookie RB LJ Scott decides to quit NFL after just 2 days Lane Kiffin: The Bears got a 'steal' in RB Kerrith Whyte Austin Droogsma could be a rare find for Giants


Brad Keselowski was involved in a six-car incident during Stage 2 of Sunday's Coke Zero Sugar 400, ending the Team Penske driver's day after the No. 2 Ford took extensive damage. Kevin Harvick got into the back of Keselowski's No. 2 as cars were coming out of Turn 4 on Lap 81. Also involved in the wreck were Daniel Hemric, Joey Logano, David Ragan and Daniel Suarez. RELATED: Race leaderboard Keselowski " drew a line in the sand " when he did not lift and ran into the back of William Byron during Monster Energy Series practice earlier in the week. In the incident that ended Keselowski's day, it appeared as though Harvick did not lift when Keselowski came in front of him. The afternoon also ended early for Ragan and Suarez, whose respective rides incurred significant damage. This story will be updated. ]]>


A man tells the story of his grandfather's Ferrari 250 GTO. The Ferrari 250 GTO needs little to no introduction to most car enthusiasts. There are entire books written about the GTO and its racing achievements. Today, it is not unusual to see these vehicles with eight-figure asking prices. That just goes to show how much the value of a Ferrari 250 GTO has skyrocketed. Nevertheless, there is still some uncertainty about how many GTOs were actually built. The number falls between 36 and 39, depending on if you count the four-liter versions. Regardless, the figure is still few and far in between, which is what makes the Ferrari 250 GTO one of the world's most significant, legendary, and desirable motor cars. This video, posted by VINwiki, features John Temerian from Curated TV as he reminisces about his grandfather's Ferrari 250 GTO s/n 3647GT. At the beginning of the eight-minute clip, John introduces the 250 GTO by explaining that it is probably the most expensive car to ever sell at a public auction. A 1962 model hit a record $38 million sale at Bonhams' Monterey Auction back in August of 2014. Another 1962 250 GTO sold for more than $48 million through RM Sotheby's in 2018. The most recent is a 1963 version that sold privately for $70 million just last month. John goes on to refer to the Ferrari 250 GTO as "the pinnacle of the automotive world in terms of value." John Temerian backtracks to 1967/1968 when his grandfather had the opportunity to purchase a former racing 250 GTO. It was a rare right-hand-drive and an ex-Surtees car with an incredible history. His grandfather bought it for $6,800 and was excited to share it with John's father. His dad actually didn't like the car as much as a Lamborghini Miura or the Jaguar E-types that the grandfather also bought and sold. So, John's grandfather decided to sell the 250 GTO to Robert (Bob) Sowers, a very well-known Ferrari collector. Sowers had some really unique cars that his grandfather had worked on. John's grandfather ultimately sold the 250 GTO for about $9,500 to make a profit so he could eventually buy his son a Lamborghini Miura. In the late '60s, he was pretty proud of the sale and $3,000 profit. Now, however, the values have exploded and risen to the millions. Watch the full video to see John Temerian explain his family story and to find out where the car ended up. Was it a mistake? It's a cool story regardless and John delves into that when he defines what collecting means to him. Source: VINwiki


Brooks Koepka has established himself as a golfer who puts his full focus on winning major championships. Part of that reputation was shattered Sunday with his victory in the inaugural WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational at TPC Southwind in Memphis. Of course, WGC events are not your typical weekly PGA Tour stops. This victory came with a $1.745 million first-place check and 550 FedEx Cup points. At Koepka's side in Memphis, as she has been before his run of major championships going back to the 2017 U.S. Open, was his long-time girlfriend Jena Sims. Here are 10 things you might want to know about Sims: 1. Sims is a major Instagrammer Sims is no secret. She has more than 183,000 followers on Instagram and is never apologetic for her what she chooses to share. 2. Sims is devoted to her own charity She's also a founder of Pageant of Hope , which is there "to empower, celebrate and advocate for children facing challenges, celebrating inner beauty and self confidence." The organization sponsors pageants for children with cancer and who face other medical challenges. 3. Sims has the same birthday as Tiger Woods This has to be a little awkward for Koepka. Sims was born on Dec. 30, 1988 in Winder, Ga., and shares the same birthday as Tiger Woods. Sims was born 13 years after than Woods, a 15-time major champion. Koepka has four majors to his credit. 4. Sims was once Miss Teen Georgia USA Simms won 2007 Miss Teen Georgia USA pageant and went on to represent Georgia in the Miss Teen USA pageant. 5. Sims is an actress Sims attended Belmont University in Nashville but did not graduate before heading to Hollywood. She has nearly 40 TV and movie credits, according to IMDB . 6. Sims was in a "Sharknado" movie Among her many TV and film roles: " Sharknado 5 - Global Swarming ", the lead in " Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader " and in "Last Vegas," a film that featured Robert DeNiro, Michael Douglas and Morgan Freeman. 7. She takes her relationship with Kopeka very seriously Sims is both a supporter and defender of Koepka on and off the course. When Koepka brushed her off before the final round of the PGA Championship, that moment went viral among those foolish enough to believe their relationship was somehow on the rocks. She share this image later just two weeks ago at the British Open, no doubt a jab at those who thought her and Koepka were somehow in trouble as a couple. 8. She made a big splash at the ESPYs During the 2019 ESPYs , Sims turned a few million heads with her outfit. Koepka, meanwhile, was named "Best Male Golfer." She then tweaked her critics ( via Instagram ) with a tongue-in-cheek post of her and Koepka featuring the caption "Rare footage of Brooks and myself fully clothed! Well, almost… ⏯ #espys @gilbertfloresphoto." 9. They met at a major tournament The couple met at the 2015. Masters. 10. Sims loves golf She an unapologetic fan of golf - even when Koepka is not playing - and grew up watching the game. "He'll say to me all the time: 'It must be so boring walking around in the crowd watching me play,' Sims once said . "And I'm like, no way. I actually really enjoy it. I grew up around golf; my dad is a huge golfer. So I really enjoy watching him and being around there. Everyone's so nice." https://compass.pressekompass.net/compasses/golfweek/the-pga-tour-season-ends-aug-25%2033 MORE: Freddie Kitchens stopped practice to punish the Browns for a training camp fight Packers impressed with Rashan Gary's effort early at training camp Tom Brady disobeys Bill Belichick at practice, and suffers the consequences WATCH: David Montgomery flashes balance, vision at Bears training camp Enes Kanter Q&A: 'I'm trying to be the voice for all of those innocent people who don't have one'


HOPE MILLS, N.C. (AP)   A single-engine plane crashed into a North Carolina home, killing the pilot and someone inside the house, authorities said. Another person in the house was seriously hurt. The civilian plane went down shortly before midnight Thursday in Hope Mills, according to the State Highway Patrol. The pilot and one occupant of the house died on the scene, while the injured person was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Their identities weren't immediately released. Aerial images from news helicopters show a home surrounded by yellow police tape with nearly half its roof smashed in and debris scattered around the residential lot. The home is in the vicinity of U.S. Highway 301, less than 5 miles (8 kilometers) southwest of the Fayetteville Regional Airport. Nearby are several businesses along with homes on other residential streets. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Troopers and Cumberland County deputies were awaiting federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration as of early Friday. Neighbors told WTVD-TV they heard the plane's engine making sputtering noises. Jennifer Kelton's family was having dinner when they heard the plane pass, followed by an explosion. "I never heard anything that loud," she told the station. "It really did buzz over the roof."


There's a link between appendicitis and Parkinson's disease, according to a study published this week. The new research, set to be presented at a conference next weekend, says a person is nearly three times as likely to develop Parkinson's disease if they've had their appendix removed. Appendicitis, or inflammation of the appendix, is a common condition that causes abdominal pain. It's usually treated with an appendectomy surgical removal of the appendix, which isn't a vital organ. About 7% of the population have appendicitis at some point, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. That's what makes the new research pretty scary. Parkinson's is a disorder of the nervous system that affects the ability to control movements. It's not known for sure what causes Parkinson's disease. However, researchers believe rare genetic mutations and environmental triggers, such as certain toxins, can increase your chances of having Parkinson's . The new research points to the gut as a potential culprit. Why? Because of a protein found in the GI tract. "Recent research into the cause of Parkinson's has centered around alpha synuclein, a protein found in the gastrointestinal tract early in the onset of Parkinson's. This is why scientists around the world have been looking into the gastrointestinal tract, including the appendix, for evidence about the development of Parkinson's," Mohammed Z. Sheriff, MD, the lead author of the new study, said in a statement . RELATED: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Appendicitis To be clear, though, your chances of getting Parkinson's disease are slim to begin with. Having an appendectomy makes them only slightly higher, according to the new research. Dr. Sheriff's team analyzed the health records of more than 62 million people in the US. They looked at how many of the 488,190 patients who had received an appendectomy went on to develop Parkinson's at least six months after the procedure. The answer to that question was 4,470. In other words, 0.92% of the patients who had received an appendectomy went on to develop Parkinson's at least six months later. The number of patients who did not undergo an appendectomy totaled 61.7 million. Only about 0.29% of those patients developed Parkinson's. This means the increase in your chances of developing Parkinson's if you've had your appendix removed is slight, jumping only from 0.29% to 0.92%. But the new study might give doctors a better understanding of how Parkinson's develops. "This research shows a clear relationship between the appendix, or appendix removal, and Parkinson's disease, but it is only an association," Dr. Sheriff said. He added that additional research is essential in order to confirm the relationship between appendicitis and Parkinson's. Parkinson's is expected to affect 930,000 people in the US by 2020, according to the Parkinson's Foundation . (VIDEO) 6 weird things that can mess with your memory (Provided by Health.com) RELATED: 9 Symptoms of Appendicitis


The Los Angeles Rams have yet to announce their full 2019 training camp schedule, but we officially know they'll be practicing against two teams this summer. In addition to two practices with the Chargers, the Rams will also hold joint sessions with the Raiders in August. The Raiders announced they will host the Rams on Aug. 7 and 8 in Napa for practices before the two teams square off in their preseason opener on Aug. 10. We're hosting the @RamsNFL for joint practices this Training Camp. More: https://t.co/sFc3PjDCLC pic.twitter.com/bzrO0aHpbB - Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) June 24, 2019 The Rams could not be selected for HBO's "Hard Knocks" because they made the playoffs last season, but it seems they'll make at least a brief appearance on the show. The Raiders were selected to be on "Hard Knocks" this year and when the Rams come to town, the cameras will be rolling. The Rams didn't practice against the Raiders last year, but they did face them in the preseason and Week 1 of the regular season, so there's plenty of familiarity between the two teams. MORE: This perfect Shaq impersonation at the NBA Awards show had fans in tears How the Nets can sign Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Deandre Jordan Roundup: Donald Trump on Iran; Bernie Sanders' Proposal; Jussie Smollett; Coffee and Fat Loss Play speed fuels standout offseason for Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling Los Angeles Lakers 'think they have a strong shot' at signing Kawhi Leonard according to report


Now that the Falcons have agreed to an extension with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett , negotiations with wide receiver Julio Jones and linebacker Deion Jones stand to pick up. The franchise will continue to talk with its extension-seeking Joneses. Deion Jones' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, will meet with Falcons brass on Wednesday in Atlanta, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets . Jones and the Falcons have been discussing an extension since early March . Although there is less clarity on the Julio Jones front, Ian Rapoport tweets the All-Pro wide receiver is now the Falcons' top contract priority. However, a Deion Jones deal may beat this process to the finish line. Julio Jones and the Falcons still appear to have a ways to go before finalizing a deal. Both Joneses reported to Falcons mini-camp in June, and Julio expressed optimism he and the Falcons would have a new deal in place soon. Owner Arthur Blank has said he wants both players, along with Jarrett, to be "Falcons for life." Deion Jones has one season (at just more than $1M) remaining on his rookie deal, while Julio Jones is signed through 2020 on his second Falcons contract. Julio's third contract, whenever it is completed, stands to have a major impact on other extension-seeking wideouts across the NFL.


I can't do everything I want or have everything I want in early retirement. But that's OK. Every significant accomplishment in life requires trade-offs. It's the law of cause and effect. If you want to be an Olympic athlete, you'll be training while others are relaxing. If you want to be a doctor, you'll be grinding through medical school and long hours of residency while others are sleeping. If you want to be an entrepreneur, you'll be working for years to implement the details and realize your vision, while others are spending more time with family. It's the same with financial independence and early retirement. Achieving those goals will require doing some things very differently from the rest of the population. To some, those differences will appear to be "sacrifices." Occasionally, I hear people express jealousy of my lifestyle. It is true that I enjoy enormous freedom now, thanks to the financial flexibility I achieved via saving aggressively and investing wisely throughout my career. But it's not true that I can do anything I want. And it's not true that I have everything I could want in life. I gave up significant items that many of those who are still working take for granted. The important point is that those things weren't as important to me as financial freedom. To find out what I lost, and whether I have any regrets, read on…. Power/influence There was a time when I had fancy executive titles at a growing software company, dominant in its field. The company looked to me for technical direction, and my views on the future significantly impacted our products and services. I had a half-dozen engineers reporting to me, and many more people looking my way for guidance. I made hiring/firing and technology decisions that determined whether we would succeed or fail. Our company became known as an innovator, a progressive source of new ideas. I wrote articles for trade publications and presented at conferences. We were well-known in the business. That kind of corporate status and power are no more in my life. My impact on the software world is ancient history, held in dusty technical journals and occasional recollections by former colleagues. Many of those colleagues went on to senior positions in the corporation. I'm proud of them. As the company was acquired, expanded into new markets, and grew vastly in scope, they've exercised more power than I ever did. Related video: Here are signs that you are on track for early retirement (provided by CNBC) I occasionally wonder what would have happened had I stayed. But holding an executive title in the corporate hierarchy of a mature company wasn't my path. I thrived in a flexible, creative, entrepreneurial environment on the bleeding edge of new technology. The staid corporate world of hierarchies and policies, annual plans and endless meetings was not for me. And I left it as soon as I could afford to. It's been more than a decade since I controlled significant business resources. Personally, that's not a problem. As a textbook introvert, not only don't I crave that kind of worldly power, but in most cases in my life I've run away from exercising it. Yet there is at least one purpose for which I miss power: the ability to make positive changes in the world. It's harder to do that if you have little say over how groups of people spend their time and money. We are facing many problems as a society that would benefit from the wise use of power and leadership. Fortunately, my blog and books have had some impact on the world. More than a half-million visitors encounter these pages every year. And my books have sold thousands of copies. That gives me some small say in worldly matters, even in retirement, and for that I'm grateful. I hope I've been a positive voice for reducing consumption, investing wisely, and pursuing your highest calling in life instead of a paycheck, once that has become optional. And I don't want to downplay the importance of achieving power over yourself and your own life. That kind of personal freedom is where positive change in the world can start. Big beautiful house What's the largest single purchase that the average person ever makes? Their home, of course. Since a key component in the financial plan of anybody focused on becoming financially independent and retiring early is controlling expenses, it stands to reason that you'll get a lot of bang for your buck by economizing on your dwelling. Some will argue that a house is an "investment" that can actually serve your long-term wealth-building plans. And that can be true for some people, in some markets. In particular, if you have the skill set and interest for cost-effective do-it-yourself home improvements, you can add significant equity to your ownership. And if you are fortunate enough to live in an appreciating area during a rising real-estate market, that can add wind to your financial sails. But those conditions are far from being the slam dunk they were in generations past. And if you require a fancy house to be happy, the wealth it represents won't do much to build your financial independence. There is no question that having modest taste in houses is a major asset on the path to financial independence. Fortunately, my wife and I are of that mindset. Only once in our married life of over 30 years now have we lived in a house that cost above the median or would be perceived as "fancy" by most people. We rented that house for a year in tony Connecticut. I remember the initial buzz of moving into the beautiful new construction on a large lot in the country. Enormous rooms, hardwood floors, stone fireplace, high-end kitchen appliances and bath fixtures, beautiful trim everywhere. But as the year progressed, I grew disenchanted. The large rooms were impersonal. The location was inconvenient. And with work pressures mounting and the desire for financial independence dawning in my mind, the high rent looked like a drag on our eventual freedom. If my wife and I could wave a magic wand and suddenly be transported to an upscale, perfectly decorated, three-bedroom green home with no maintenance, we would. But our daily priorities prove that we really don't care that much. We are happy enough in our pleasantly worn two-bedroom townhome rental. We don't miss managing renovations or fixing toilets, and we don't have time for it. Over the years, we've found that house remodeling and maintenance are stressful and expensive for us. It's questionable whether our quality of life would be improved by engaging in any more of it. I know there are plenty of people out there who can easily drop $10,000 on furniture or $40,000 on a bathroom or kitchen remodel. Not me. I couldn't possibly get enough enjoyment out of those things to justify the life energy (working hours) I would have to trade for them. I'd rather put some of that money into free time for camping and traveling . But everybody is different. It just happens that our quality of life does not revolve around our house. A functional, comfortable and low-maintenance dwelling is good enough. International travel At age 50, when I first let it be known among family and friends that I would be retiring early, an older relative chastised me. I couldn't possibly have enough money saved yet. Health care was expensive, and had I budgeted for international travel? A few package tours overseas every year for a couple could easily run up bills over $20,000, after all. And doesn't everybody dream of overseas travel in retirement? I chuckled to myself. The health-care concerns were real . Though, almost a decade later, we're doing fine paying for our health needs. But the "need" for international travel was laughable. Though I realize it's not the hip attitude, even among many early retirees, I actively dislike getting on airplanes and being a tourist in a foreign culture. You'd have to pay me $20,000 to do anything like that on a regular basis! So not only can't I afford prepackaged international travel in retirement, but I don't miss it one bit! To be honest, this is not true of my wife. She has a modest bucket list of international locations that she'd truly love to visit. That she will probably not reach all of these is a non-trivial sacrifice she's had to make for our early retirement. But it's part of the price she's paid for all the other benefits of partnering with me and pursuing our lifestyle. If she'd wanted more money to spend, she could have chosen to work longer. But she, too, elected to retire early from her schoolteacher job at age 55. And it's not like we have no travel options. I've done dozens of camping and backpacking trips in spectacular regions of this country , and have many more planned. We've been all over the American west in our small RV, and will likely make treks to Canada and possibly Alaska eventually. With careful planning, even the occasional international trip is not out of the question. Just last year Caroline engineered a budget trip to China organized by our local Chamber of Commerce. It had always been one of her dreams to visit that immense and immensely important country. She signed up to go, and had a great experience seeing a number of the highlights in China for only a few thousand dollars. Most likely, she will orchestrate another budget trip or two overseas in the coming years. I will happily sit out those excursions. Though, perhaps, if we have some more good stock market years, we'll fit in a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan or New Zealand. But my life will be complete and happy whether or not I ever make it. After listening to the stories about China   good and bad   from my wife and other friends who were there last year, I am perfectly content to remain an armchair traveler to most of the far-flung regions of the world. Guaranteed long-term security Up to this point, the "sacrifices" I've discussed   worldly power, big house, international travel   have a certain opulent, expendable feel. If I fussed too much about missing those, you'd rightly call me an elitist crybaby. But there is one area of sacrifice that gets to fundamental, everyday concerns. It's a domain where people who worked longer and harder than me, and put away substantially more money could well turn out to be better off. And that's long-term security, especially long-term health care. As I explore in my articles on long-term care insurance , there are not-impossible scenarios that could bankrupt us. Though I believe the odds for those are far less likely than the fear-mongers touting long-term-care insurance would like me to believe. The possibility that we would need more than a year or two of very expensive daily care is very low. The average duration of care for men and women in one set of studies was less than 9 months. Most long-term-care policies are expensive and defray only a portion of your expenses, and only for a few years. In the end, we've chosen to forgo long-term care insurance, feeling the premiums are a bad value for the financial benefit. But we don't have an extra million or two to throw at the problem. If one of us needs a decade of $80,000 care annually on top of other expenses, then frankly, we'll just run out of money. Yes that's scary. But I long ago decided not to let the fear of low-probability scenarios dictate how I live my life. Yes, I'm aware of them. Yes, I prepare for them, as best I can. We care for our health assiduously, and continue to live as frugally as possible in early retirement. But I refused to sacrifice years of freedom to cover an eventuality that is statistically unlikely to happen. If it does, we'll make adjustments, muddle through as best we can, and, yes, it might be hard. What I got for retiring early At this point, understand that what I gave up to retire early isn't necessarily what you or others would have to give up. Some will retire early thanks to extreme frugality and give up far more. Others, relatively wealthy, will own multiple retirement homes and jet around the world, making minimal sacrifices. Still others will find alternative trade-offs to make. You can achieve the same goals I did, but optimize differently. You can tilt your financial life to allow for a large house, or international travel, by cutting back in other areas. (For example, we own three vehicles now, counting our camper van . Perhaps you're an urban dweller who can get by with one or none.) But you can't optimize everything. The vast majority of people who manage to leave the workforce early will do so at some cost. This post discussed mine. Yet, as you might surmise, it's not like I didn't get anything in return: • Since retiring, I've enjoyed unprecedented personal freedom. I get up every morning and do precisely what I want all day. The wealthiest people on the planet don't have much more personal latitude than I do. Many have much less. • We buy all the gear and clothing we can use. And we eat very well, both at home and dining out when we wish. • I've traveled throughout the American West and Southwest   riveting areas of the country, if you love nature and history. That includes dozens of road and backpacking trips and hundreds of hikes. • I've enjoyed an encore career, creating and growing this blog , which, as I've said, has reached millions of people. I've published two books , a lifelong dream of mine. • I've enjoyed less stress and measurably better health. I've had more time to spend with family and friends. And I've made many more of the latter, thanks again to this blog. Yes, I paid a price for my financial freedom. For some, the cost would be too high. But, nearly a decade in, though I understand more clearly what I gave up, I still don't regret it. Darrow Kirkpatrick retired at 50 after a career as a software engineer. He writes on his blog, Can I Retire Yet , where this first appeared.


ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) - Three teenagers from the St. Louis area who are living with diabetes will join more than 160 kids from across the country for the JDRF Children's Congress . They are 14-year old Isaac Carey, 13-year old Jaden Hilleman and 10-year-old Morgan Steckel. "The most important thing is that I talk to Congress and tell them about funding for diabetes research," said Isaac. Isaac was diagnosed with diabetes when he was in kindergarten. He's been involved with JDRF for several year, both as an ambassador and as member of a family team that raises money for the JDRF One Walk in October. Children's Congress participants will meet with members of the Missouri Congressional delegation to advocate for continued funding for research to improve treatment and find a cure. His mother, Kathy Carey, will accompany him. "I just want them to keep funding the research so that we get to the cure sooner," said Carey. The JDRF Children's Congress runs July 8-10.


As we ponder here at The Falcoholic what the burning questions are for the 2019 season, our attention squares right in on the Falcons' highest-paid pass rusher, Vic Beasley . Indeed, though he's not been the team's best rusher since 2016 and is coming off a widely disappointing 2018, Beasley's fifth-year option nets him roughly $12 million for a 2019 salary and ensures he'll be a prominent member of the team's front four. Though, what are the scenarios for Beasley's 2019, his future with the team and what happens if he does or does not answer the call to regain at least somewhat of his 2016 form? First, you must look at Beasley's potential for production. In 2018, he had five sacks, which matches his 2017 total. You can't always look at sacks as an indicator of a pass rusher's overall impact, but pairing those the numbers with the amount of snaps we know Beasley took last year does tell a good story for what the eye test showed. It hints to sporadic production; occasional pressure with laps of anonymity. It tells of a player who can get to the quarterback on occasion, but is too inconsistent to really justify a starting spot on the roster. Though, his youth, sky-high potential and 15.5-sack season three years ago keep him in Atlanta's plans right now. Let's say he turns it around. It's possible he could have a 10-11 sack year and show much more consistent pressure and versatility with Dan Quinn calling the plays on defense now and taking an added focus to Beasley's development. We'll assume he shows more prowess in his pass rush moves and gives the defensive line the impact it needs from a starter. In this case, do the Falcons extend him? Part of me wonders if they'll just be happy with getting their money's worth out of Beasley for 2019 and let him move on to a lucrative contract elsewhere. But GM Thomas Dimitroff loves keeping his draft picks, and it's possible Atlanta pays him to be a starter for the years to come. That'd be a risk, but it'd also be a commitment to Quinn, since he'd be partly to credit for the turnaround. If Beasley makes the right adjustments, it bodes well for the team's general improvements. Let's say he remains static. The impact still isn't consistent, his pass rush moves remain focused on pure speed with no counter and he fizzled with a 4-6 sack season. It'd make it mighty hard for Atlanta to justify keeping him, and in this scenario, it's possible he's demoted for other options on the roster or a potential mid-season addition, a la Bruce Irvin in 2018. In this world, the Falcons' defensive line would need Takkarist McKinley to turn on the jets and play to his potential, giving Atlanta a definitive good pass rushing option to pair with Adrian Clayborn. Though, it'd sink really hard into the team's 2019 offseason decision making, knowing they gave Beasley that money when it could've been allocated elsewhere for a better free agent pass rusher ( Justin Houston , anyone?). Beasley would assuredly be gone in 2020 if he disappoints, though he could hypothetically stick around on a smaller deal as a rotational rusher if Dimitroff is bent on keeping him. Really, Beasley's 2019 is crucial. If he is successful, it shows the team's decision to pay him was worth it and proves Quinn's more hands-on approach to the defense paid off, at least somewhat. If he really is better, extending him would make more sense if it happened. Though, if he doesn't turn it around, it's a bad investment on the team's part at a time when they really can't afford a ton of those, and gives them an uphill battle for 2019 on the defensive line. It also puts more pressure on McKinley to have a major role in getting after the quarterback. It's imperative Beasley do his best to live up to the faith and funds put into him. Whether he does or doesn't will very much decide his future with the Falcons, and will have a direct impact on 2019's prospects and the way we look at how Dimitroff and Quinn ran 2019's offseason.


UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash.   The brown, lumpy patches that dotted nearly every putting surface at Chambers Bay and became the story of the 2015 U.S. Open are now lush, smooth and a Northwest-appropriate shade of green. Four years removed from a championship that was largely derided because of its putting green problems, Chambers Bay may have salvaged its future hopes of being part of golf's championship rotation with a massive effort to replace every green on the course. "I wouldn't overstate this but it did kind of exceed my expectations," said USGA senior managing director John Bodenhamer, who got a tour of the changes in late March. "I expected to see a few more seams and things but I think it grew in beautifully. I guess I shouldn't be surprised but I kind of was." Rather than continuing to try to fight off the invasive poa annua grass that caused so many problems on the greens during the U.S. Open, the course took the drastic step of closing down for six months to replace 15 of 18 greens; three had already been replaced in 2017. The fescue grass was torn out and replaced with new poa annua greens. Some of the grass had been grown onsite for about six months, while another batch was delivered from a sod farm in British Columbia. Chambers Bay reopened in April. "It's going to be better for Chambers Bay long term, for their clientele and their everyday play," USGA director of championship agronomy Darin Bevard said. "They're going to have better conditions and I think ultimately that is probably the most important thing." When Chambers Bay originally decided to change the greens, the intent was to let the poa annua take over in an environment where it thrives. The Pacific Northwest is fertile ground for the grass and many golf courses in the region eventually morph into having poa annua greens. Chambers Bay was trying to buck the trend with all fescue greens, but the problems at the U.S. Open amplified the need to make changes. "There is a certain number of things we could do to encourage the poa coming on, taking over faster. That was ungraceful to put it mildly," KemperSports Vice President Matt Allen said. "The question was how long would you have to hold your nose and some greens would get there faster than others. You would sort of be plagued with this undetermined and frankly unpalatably long amount of time of inconsistency green to green." The process started in 2017 when Chambers Bay did a full replacement of three greens   Nos. 7, 10 and 13  in order to keep the surfaces from dying. Allen and his staff then decided the best move would be to fully replace every putting surface on the golf course with brand new greens rather than slowly let the poa annua take over naturally. A change this drastic brings into question what the championship future will be for Chambers Bay. The USGA Four-Ball championship was moved to 2021 after the decision to change the greens. Those associated with the course don't expect future opportunities until it becomes clear how the course plays during the four-ball. Chambers Bay has made it known it would like to host a U.S. Women's Open, which could be the next step before potentially landing another U.S. Open. But the earliest Chambers Bay could find itself again in the championship rotation would be around 2030. Bodenhamer is admittedly a bit biased since he went to high school just a few miles from the course. "It's a special place to me. It was my stomping grounds growing up. I want to see it succeed on every front," he said. "I would love to see nothing more than Chambers continue to host championships as well as other courses in the Puget Sound region."


While some items may maintain vintage appeal, technological advances are phasing out some of these common household items. Cable Hundreds of channels? Turns out, people aren't as interested anymore with streaming services like Netflix. 'Those channels are not getting the viewership,' says Sonia Chernova , director of the Robot Autonomy and Interactive Learning Lab at Georgia Tech. Bundles don't make sense, but companies may start offering more a la carte options, she says. Although, find out the smart home device people trust the least . Alarm clocks That old clock radio that used to blare on your bedside stand? Likely already gone. 'There's so much more flexibility with your phone,' Chernova says. Plus: Here are 10 things people don't know how to do around the house anymore. Home phones While landlines still make sense in some workplaces, with the wide use of cellphones, 'the home phone is very much in danger of extinction at this point,' Chernova says. Just about 42.8 percent of American households still used a landline as of December 2017, according to the CDC. Checkbooks Americans pay more than half their bills online, according to a 2017 survey . They're also buying products through services like Paypal and Venmo. 'Checkbooks are definitely on the decline,' says Chernova, 'due to worries about security as well as practical reasons.' Stereos Dedicated music players such as stereos are becoming more of a rarity in homes. 'Everyone's using other devices, such as cellphones with Bluetooth speakers at this point,' Chernova says. DVD player Even if you wanted to watch some older movies, you can't get a new Mac with a DVD player anymore. While there's a lot to be said for the selection of films that may never make it to Netflix, you can't beat the convenience. Find out the coolest tech products to get . Streaming boxes The Roku and FireStick were intermediate solutions for people who didn't have smart TVs. But the market for them is going away. 'The smart TVs come with the technology built into them already,' Chernova says. Photo albums With cell phones, people are taking more photos than ever. But they're storing them in the cloud and using digital picture services such as Aura Frames to organize and display their family photos. 'Photo albums don't even cross our kids' mind,' Chernova says. MP3 players While some people still like the idea of keeping a music player separate from their phone, products such as iPods became less popular once cell phones became capable of the same functionality as MP3 players, according to Chernova. Next, check out 50 home tech products we love.


WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.   A local community in so much pain. People in Winston-Salem gathered to remember a 5-year-old killed in a drive-by shooting on Saturday. Police say all of the suspects involved in the shooting are teens. Three of them are in custody, but Wednesday police identified a fourth suspect. He is 17-year-old Santiago Rodgriguez-Marcial. The message at Wednesday night's peace gathering was to stop the violence. People say that change starts with the future generation. "You have to be in the field in these neighborhoods, in this community, at the parks. You have to interact with these children so they see he believes in me enough to come to my neighborhood," said Frankie Gist, who organized the peace gathering. A push for peace as the community tries to cope with the murder of a child as a result of teen gun violence. "These young people running around here like you kill it today and it's back tomorrow. It don't work like that. Only Christ came back like that and we're not Christ," said Lenora Davis, who attended the peace gathering. Those in the community say the violence won't be solved overnight, but you have to start somewhere. "Peace, love and unity are the only way our world or our community will be a great and a safe place to live," said Gist.     ©2019 WGHP-TV, Greensboro Visit WGHP-TV, Greensboro at www.myfox8.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


The Houston Texans turned an 0-3 start into an 11-5 finish with an AFC South title. What greatness can the team achieve in 2019? According to ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum, the Texans have two big reasons to be optimistic about their AFC South title defense. The first reason relates to quarterback Deshaun Watson, who threw for 4,165 yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2018 while starting every game following recovery from a torn ACL. "That is a great stat line for any QB, let alone a 23-year-old QB who is coming back from an ACL tear," Tannenbaum wrote on Twitter. "After a full and healthy offseason to prepare I'm expecting Watson to take a big step in 2019." Texans fans have two big reasons to be optimistic going into the 2019 season: @JJWatt and @Deshaunwatson . With Watt leading the Defense and Watson leading the Offense (supported by an elite WR group), the @HoustonTexans should be explosive on both sides of the ball pic.twitter.com/iFMAKANuCF - Mike Tannenbaum (@RealTannenbaum) July 1, 2019 The other big reason is defensive end J.J. Watt, who produced 16.0 sacks in 16 games after playing in just eight combined over the past two seasons. "J.J. Watt is one of the best defensive players of this generation," the former New York Jets general manager wrote. "He had a tough two-year stretch with injuries but put together a 16-game season last year. With a healthy offseason we can expect J.J. to return to [Defensive Player of the Year] contention if he can have a second healthy season." While Tannenbaum did not list it as a "big reason" in his tweet, he did mention the Texans' receiving corps featuring All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins as a reason. Why it probably wasn't a big reason for optimism is due to the fact receivers Will Fuller and Keke Coutee have to be healthy in order to make it impactful. Through both of their NFL careers to this point neither receiver has demonstrated the availability necessary to make a meaningful impact through the course of a season. If the Texans can get consistent production from Fuller and Coutee, as evidenced in Week 4's win at the Indianapolis Colts last season, Houston will be able to go toe-to-toe with anyone. MORE: Stephen A. Smith: 'Andre Iguodala is planning on joining the Lakers' Klay Thompson celebrates new deal with Warriors with hilarious 'Wolf of Wall Street' video Projected depth chart for the 76ers with Al Horford, Josh Richardson Do Cowboys have horses to absorb another Ezekiel Elliott suspension? Kawhi Leonard Rumors: No Decision Yet, Lakers Not Ahead of Clippers or Raptors


It's okay, we get it. When your only free day to mow the lawn is on a Saturday but the lawn is wet, it's extremely tempting to get the job done (especially when using these tips to efficiently mow the lawn ). But warning: It can be dangerous to mow the lawn when the grass is wet! Before you rev up the lawnmower and throw on those water-proof boots, here are a few things to keep in mind. The risk of danger is heightened Even if your boots are sturdy, there's still a risk of slipping on the grass while you mow. Doing this with a lawn mower running really can be dangerous. Especially if you're trying to mow the lawn quickly. Lawnmowers run on electricity, which doesn't do well with water. We all know it's not smart to hang out in a pool during a lightning storm, right? So why would you put a large piece of electrical equipment on a wet lawn? There's the risk of an electrical shock when exposed to moisture, causing damage to the machine and, of course, potential damage to the person using the mower. It's difficult to mow a wet lawn in general It's satisfying to look at an evenly mowed lawn, right? Well if you mow the lawn wet, you may not get that result. Wet blades are tougher to slice evenly, causing an uneven cut as you push the mower down your yard. If you care about the look of your manicured lawn, it's worth waiting for the grass to completely dry. Wet grass can clog up the mower Wet grass is sticky! It sticks to your tires, and of course, sticks to the mower's equipment. It can block up the blade, the vacuum, and other parts of the mower. This will make mowing the end of the lawn difficult, and could even cause damage to your mower in general. It can actually damage your lawn That's right, it can even damage the look of your lawn. The grass isn't the only part of the lawn that is wet the soil is moist as well. Running a lawn mower through it could cause damage to the soil and foundation of your lawn, causing uneven bumps and divots throughout the lawn. Between the dangerous aspects and the damage it can cause to the look of your lawn, it may be smart to keep the mower off the grass when it's wet. If you're still dealing with damage, here's how to repair a damaged lawn . Related: 8 products for the ultimate backyard [Provided by INSIDER]


MONTGOMERY, Ala.   The six people sitting on the porch have just returned from a protest supporting women's reproductive rights outside the state capitol and are already planning their next one. This boisterous group of activists calls its rainbow flag-flanked antebellum home the POWER (People Organizing for Women's Empowerment and Rights) House. In between planning rallies, organizing resources and holding meetings, the groups's volunteers escort women who are seeking services at the clinic next door. The clinic, Reproductive Health Services, is one of three abortion clinics left in the state of Alabama. "In the late 90s, we had over 20 clinics in the state. And now, in 2019, we have three for the whole state," Mia Raven, founder and director of POWER House, said. Raven and other POWER House members stood on the steps of the Alabama State House on Thursday morning to protest HB314, a bill that amounts to a near total ban on abortions. As lawmakers showed up to vote, the women held up signs that read, "Abortion Is A Human Right." The fight became so heated among lawmakers during Thursday's Senate Judiciary Committee that the vote was postponed until Tuesday. "If you get rid of abortions, essentially, it's not going to go away, it's just going to get more dangerous," said Bianca Cameron-Schwiesow, a clinic escort for POWER House. The volunteers at POWER House say Reproductive Health Services is the only clinic between Tampa, Florida, and Jackson, Mississippi. "That's why we have so many women from Louisiana, Florida, Georgia," Raven said, describing how difficult it is for women to access trained physicians. Alabama is one of more than a dozen states with laws requiring women to make two trips to an abortion clinic. Raven said this is particularly difficult for low-income women who "can't afford child care or a place to stay or gas, even, just to come here and back." Raven and volunteers at POWER House help the women who are seeking services at the clinic next door. "Protesters screaming and yelling at them, calling them 'murderers,' calling them all sorts of names," she said. The volunteers meet women at their cars, hold their hands, help them to the clinic front doors so they aren't accosted by any of the protesters. If women bring their children to the clinic, volunteers help babysit or offer their own homes for women to stay if they are coming from out of town and don't have enough money for a hotel. Cameron-Schwiesow and two other women dressed as handmaids for Thursday's protest at the Alabama State House. "We're here to shame. Shame on them for doing this to women, shame on them for their war on women and trying to eliminate health care that women need here in this state, desperately," she said. Under the Alabama legislation, doctors could face up to 99 years in prison for performing an abortion procedure. In the version passed by the state House, the only exception would be regarding the mother's health. A Senate committee added an exception for rape, but the Senate suddenly tabled the exemptions for rape and incest Thursday. One Alabama couple, Rex and Wanda Ponder, who said they are expecting their first grandson in the next few months, believe abortion should be illegal throughout the entire country. "The body is created by God and he created women with the ability to have a child," Rex Ponder said. "We have a responsibility to what God gave us." The Alabama bill is sponsored by Republican State Rep. Terri Collins who said in a statement, "passage of this bill will reflect the conservative beliefs, principles, and desires of the citizens of Alabama." If it passes, the legislation is expected to face legal challenges. In the statement issued before the bill's turbulent appearance on the Senate floor, the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama warned, "If the full Senate and governor insist on passing this bill, they will see us in court." But for many lawmakers, the bill isn't about a change in Alabama as much as it is about overturning Roe v. Wade nationwide. For Collins, the bill is "providing a vehicle to revisit the constitutionally-flawed Roe v. Wade decision," her statement noted. Nearly one in four women in the United States will have an abortion by age 45, according to a 2017 study from the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research organization. "Everyone loves someone who's had an abortion," Raven said. Raven admitted the bill passing wouldn't be a shock to her, but she never expected it to pass so quickly. "Extremists are starting here in the south to prevent women from having abortions, and they're working their way outward," Cameron-Schwiesow said. "These blue states need to come pay attention, fund us, help fight us," she warned, "because otherwise, their rights are gonna go away too and they won't be enjoying that either. They're next."


It's a big week in regional high school softball. Here's a sneak peek of 3 girls varsity softball games to catch this week in and around Newark, selected using data from high school sports source MaxPreps . (Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Details like game dates/times and team records are based on data provided by MaxPreps and may be subject to change; the latest up-to-date information is available at the links below.) Arts vs. Golda Och Acadmey On Tuesday, May 28, the Arts varsity Jaguars (5-3) have a home conference game against Golda Och Acadmey (0-0). The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at 550 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Orange vs. University On Tuesday, May 28, the Orange Tornadoes (1-3) face off against the University Phoenix (1-11) in a home conference game. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at 400 Lincoln Ave. in Orange. Orange has a 1-1 conference record, and the University girls have yet to win a conference game this season. Barringer vs. Irvington On Wednesday, May 29, the Barringer varsity Blue Bears (6-7) have a home nonconference game against the Irvington Blue Knights (1-12). The first pitch is set at 90 Parker St. This story was created automatically using local sports data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Milwaukee will see a return of last week's hot temperatures today, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Today's high will be 90 degrees. Thursday's high will be only 76 before temperatures rise the rest of the week. The immediate forecast also includes light rainfall. Today's forecast shows the greatest possibility of rain at 92%, while the most rainfall is expected on Saturday at 0.51 inches. Skies will be mostly cloudy on Thursday, and clear on Friday. Winds are forecast to reach a modest high of 13 mph today, but will get calmer beginning on Thursday. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


If you're looking for a trending international destination for your next getaway, consider Tbilisi, Georgia. According to Condé Nast Traveler, Tbilisi was one of the best places to visit in 2018. The city lies on the banks of the Kura River, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Tbilisi is full of historic architecture, museums, theaters and universities, along with a growing nightlife and a delectable food scene. It's more doable than you think. According to travel site Skyscanner , there are plenty of flights from Orlando to Tbilisi in the next few months, and the prices aren't too shabby. So if you're looking for a change of scenery, here are some deals to put on your to-do list. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Cheapest Tbilisi flights Currently, the cheapest flights between Orlando and Tbilisi are if you leave on Oct. 16 and return from Georgia on Oct. 22. Ukraine International currently has tickets for $877, roundtrip. There are also deals to be had in August. If you fly out of Orlando on Aug. 9 and return from Tbilisi on Aug. 11, Turkish Airlines can get you there and back for $1,033 roundtrip. Top Tbilisi hotels To plan your accommodations, here are a couple of Tbilisi's top-rated hotels that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction. The Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel (Rose Revolution Square 1) For an all-around top recommendation, consider The Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel . The hotel has a 4.5-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $239. Set in the heart of Tbilisi, this hotel is close to the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Kashveti Church. Additional attractions include Freedom Square. The Tbilisi Marriott Hotel (Rustaveli Avenue 13) There's also the 4.3-star rated The Tbilisi Marriott Hotel , which has rooms for $250/night. "Historic hotel in the center of Tbilisi," wrote reviewer George. "Great restaurant and terrace in the summer, nice gym and great service." Local restaurant picks If you're looking to snag a bite at one of Tbilisi's many quality eateries, here are two popular culinary destinations from Skyscanner's listings that will help keep you satiated. Machakhela (23 Tumaniani St.) One of the city's most popular restaurants is Machakhela , which has an average of 4.7 stars out of 19 reviews on Skyscanner. "Was crowded when we got there, but definitely worth the wait for food. The khachapuri and khinkali were out of this world! Authentic Georgian cuisine and great saperavi wine by the glass," wrote visitor Mitchell. Coffeesta (Rustaveli Avenue) Don't forget the essentials: where to get your coffee fix. For a popular option, check out Coffeesta , with 4.4 stars from five reviews. "The coffee here is great, but what I really love is the location right on Rustaveli Avenue," wrote reviewer Robert. "Try to grab a seat outside if you can and enjoy the amazing people-watching." What to see and do in Tbilisi Not sure what to do in Tbilisi, besides eat and drink? Here are a few recommendations, provided by Skyscanner. Clock Tower (13 Ioane Shavteli St.) The top-rated visitor attraction in Tbilisi, according to Skyscanner, is the Clock Tower . "This unique structure near the entrance of Tbilisi's old city sets the tone for the artsy and cute little world of the city's old town," wrote visitor Jenny. National Botanical Garden of Georgia (12 Bambis Rigi St.) Then, there's the National Botanical Garden of Georgia . "Small but pretty botanical garden in the heart of the old town," wrote visitor Maria. "You can access it either from the upper cable car station or from a street near the old mosque. There is a nice waterfall inside." The Sioni Cathedral (3 Sioni St.) Finally, consider checking out The Sioni Cathedral . "Amazingly grand cathedral, beautifully built with a very nice staircase leading to it," wrote visitor Mitchell. This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Mini isn't taking its crossover lineup anywhere but forward these days, and a facelift for the tall Countryman appears to be next in line. We got details for the hot JCW version of the Countryman a couple months back, but a mid-cycle refresh in on the docket for the regular version now. Spy photos of the refreshed Countryman show all the exterior changes will be coming to the front and rear portions of the car. Everything else about the long and wide Mini is staying the same, but we could see some interior improvements in the name of technology. As for what's visible through the camouflage, the Countryman doesn't appear to be going through anything radical in the front or back. The grille looks like it's taking on the same shape as the current Countryman. However, a few minor changes to the lower front bumper are noticeable. Mini looks to be changing up the vents/intake design down there. We don't mind the car's current design, but this doesn't seem to be changing much anyway. Research the Mini Countryman on MSN Autos | Find a Mini Countryman near you The most obvious change out back is the car's taillight design. It's a different pattern on the curvy red light element, but it's not a Union Jack flag. Perhaps Mini will ultimately tack the Union Jack on it, but this prototype doesn't wear the British pride on its hindquarters. Perhaps the big takeaway here is more about the lack of changes Mini appears to have in store. We'll be hoping the upgrade is heavy on tech and new features rather than actual design changes. The Countryman went through a radical (large) rebirth for the 2017 model year, but hasn't exactly lit the world on fire with sales since. Last year was the model's best year since 2014, but it's still behind the model's all-time best-selling years. We'll expect this light refresh to hit us for the 2021 Countryman, so a reveal sometime next year is likely. 2021 Mini Countryman spied wearing a subtle change of clothes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jul 2019


DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM)   Part of Commerce Street, directly in front of the Dallas County Jail, has been shut down after reports of a road rage shooting. Early Monday nearly a dozen Dallas Police Department squad cars could be seen in the westbound lanes of Commerce, just before Riverside Drive. Investigators tell CBS 11 News they were initially informed about a shooting on a nearby freeway involving 4 people. So far no word from police on if there is an active search for a shooter. As of 6:15 a.m., CBS 11 wasn't aware of any officers having been injured. * This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available .


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. The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, was recently asked if Congress sees itself as the equal of the presidency in sharp conflicts between the legislative and executive branches. "I think we're a superior branch," Ms. Pelosi answered . This drew rebukes from, among others, Rudy Giuliani, who tweeted , "Thank you for the help in convincing a court that your four investigations trying to redo Mueller is a violation of our constitutional system of coequal branches." Ms. Pelosi had the better of the argument   though not in quite the way she suggested. Congress is clearly the pre-eminent branch of our government, but not because of its oversight powers. It is foremost in our constitutional scheme because of its capacity to make the laws. To reassert itself, Congress will need to restore its atrophied legislative muscles. Sign up for the Morning Briefing Newsletter. Mr. Giuliani is hardly the first to suggest our system has "coequal" branches. But the structure of the Constitution and the words of its framers contradict that view. "In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates," James Madison wrote in Federalist 51. Congress has broad leeway to make the laws, within its enumerated powers, while the president has to enforce those laws and the courts have to interpret them. That means the second and third branches are meant to operate within the frameworks created by the first. The veto and judicial review can trim this power at the margins, but they are far from making the other branches equal to a Congress eager to assert itself. As the historian Garry Wills once put it, "No matter what the sequence of action among the three departments, if the process is played out to the end, Congress always gets the last say (if it wants it)." But that final point   "if it wants it"   gets at the problem that now confronts our constitutional system: Congress doesn't want its power. Both executive agencies and courts have become more powerful in recent decades, and both now effectively make laws. But though critics of both trends tend to attribute them to excessive ambitions among judges, presidents, or regulators, more important has been the lack of constitutional ambition among members of Congress. Whether driven by partisanship, misguided by perverse media and political incentives, or simply put off by the burdens of responsibility, members of both houses are now reluctant to really legislate. When they do enact statutes, they are frequently broad and vague, setting general goals and then letting the executive branch figure out how to pursue them and letting judges clean up the ensuing mess (as seen in health care, environmental policy, education and beyond). Meanwhile, the budget process is dysfunctional, and most members are rarely involved in significant legislative work. Instead, they often operate as commentators   criticizing or defending the president like everybody else. This current Congress, like the last one, seems largely to be an arena for debating President Trump. Our constitutional system cannot function this way. To repair it, Congress will have to reclaim its place. This certainly means taking oversight seriously, and the assorted misbehaviors of the Trump administration must surely be on the agenda. But it is crucial that the reassertion of congressional power be at its core a reassertion of legislative power, not just of oversight. Fighting the president is not what Congress is for. And the fact that Congress has forgotten what it is for is bad news for our constitutional system. What might a recovery of Congress's sense of purpose look like? It would have to begin with a recognition that Congress has become too consolidated in an effort to compete with the president's executive capacities rather than exercising its own legislative capacities. The budget process most fully embodies this deformation, and a revival of the Congress would need to begin with some deconsolidation of that process   for instance, by eliminating the distinction between authorization and appropriation, Congress could set spending levels on programs when it defines those programs rather than leaving all budget decisions for one big up or down vote as a shutdown nears. Breaking up budgeting into smaller portions would create more opportunities for real legislative work. Similarly, some of the consolidated power of party leaders in Congress should be distributed again through the congressional committees, enabling more members to be more involved taking the lead in legislating and letting some unpredictable coalitions take shape. When committees' work matters, members of those committees gain meaningful expertise and invest their ambition in bargaining rather than posturing. The centralization of leadership authority has had everything to do with presidential power. As Representative Justin Amash, Republican of Michigan, put it to his constituents at a recent town hall, "Right now, under our current system, the president only has to work with a few people; all he has to do is work things out with a few leaders," and this gives him much more leverage than he should have over Congress. If Congress is going to reassert its legislative power, it will need to strengthen the committees that are its foremost legislative instruments. In both cases, and in related changes to floor procedures and other rules, reformers of Congress must remember that the institution exists to compel coalitions into being. Congress is not a European parliament, aimed at enabling the majority party to have its way until it gets voted out. The Madisonian view of legislative power is all about inducing compromise in a divided society. Pure majoritarian reforms, like eliminating the filibuster in the Senate, appeal to the ideal of centralized power that has driven Congress into a ditch, not to the constitutional vision that will get it out. Congress needs to recover its own best instincts so that it can help our larger political culture escape the poisonous polarization that has overtaken it. No other institution in our system could do it. Combating the misbegotten notion that the branches of our government are "coequal" could help start that revival. But ultimately, Congress will need to take responsibility and legislate, and to grasp that its dysfunctions are largely self-imposed   and so solutions must be, too. Yuval Levin is director of social, cultural and constitutional studies at the American Enterprise Institute and editor of National Affairs. 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Speedway Motorsports Inc. and Sonic Financial have entered into a merger agreement that should be completed later this year. SMI announced Wednesday that it and Sonic Financial Corp., along with a subsidiary of Sonic Financial, have entered into a definitive merger agreement for Sonic's subsidiary to acquire all of the outstanding shares of SMI's common stock for $19.75 per share. On April 24, SMI announced it had received a non-binding offer from Sonic Financial, a company owned by Bruton Smith and his family, to acquire all outstanding shares of SMI's common stock. Read Also: Sonic Financial Group proposes to acquire Speedway Motorsports SMI shares closed up 0.96% at $18.95 on Tuesday. The stock has a 52-week high of $19.04 and a 52-week low of $13.47. SMI's stock was at $13.94 on April 23, the day before the announcement of Sonic's offer. SMI operates eight tracks that host races in NASCAR's Monster Energy Cup races   Charlotte Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Kentucky Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Smith, his family and related entities own, directly or indirectly, approximately 29 million shares of SMI, and control over 71% of the voting power. The merger agreement was unanimously approved by the SMI's board of directors upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee comprised of independent and disinterested members of SMI's board of directors. Wednesday's announcement puts SMI on a parallel course with NASCAR and International Speedway Corp. On May 22, ISC it had agreed to a $2 billion merger with NASCAR in a deal that should also be completed by the end of the year. ISC currently owns 13 tracks which collectively hold 19 of the 36 events on the schedule of NASCAR's premier Cup Series. Once both deals are finalized, Dover (Del.) International Speedway would be the only track hosting Cup series events still held by a publicly-owned corporation.


The Raiders have made their fair share of mistakes this decade when it comes to free agency, the draft, etc. However, their biggest blunder since 2010 was actually via trade. In a recent article by Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report , he named the biggest mistake of every team in the past decade. For Oakland, he called the Carson Palmer trade of 2011 as the team's biggest whiff. Here is what Davenport had to say about the trade: In early October, starting quarterback Jason Campbell broke his collarbone after leading the team to a 4-2 record to start the season. With team owner Al Davis recently having died, the Raiders were left with no general manager and a massive power vacuum at the top. First-year head coach Hue Jackson stepped into that vacuum and decided to address the Campbell injury by swinging a trade. That worked out about as well as everything else has for Jackson in the NFL. Palmer started just 24 games for the Raiders, throwing only 35 touchdowns to 30 interceptions. He finished his Oakland career with a passer rating of 83.5 and an 8-16 record. He was later traded to the Arizona Cardinals, where he was able to revitalize his career. In fact, he played so well for Arizona that the team will put him in their "Ring of Honor" in 2019. While Palmer was clearly talented enough to still play in the NFL, it just didn't work out for Oakland. They paid a hefty price to take a chance on the former No. 1 pick and decided to quickly move on after the trade didn't pan out. But considering the cost of the trade, it's fair to say this was the worst move of the decade for Oakland. MORE: NHL fans weren't impressed with Mike Milbury's questions for Pam from 'The Office' Roundup: Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger Get Married, Chicago Poop Vandal, Johnny Manziel Talks XFL Bears believe Clinton-Dix is an upgrade over Amos Brian Gaine's failure in Houston has a lesson for the Lions and Bob Quinn WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling impressing staff going into Packers minicamp