Kurt Busch won Saturday's Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway in an overtime finish, beating his brother Kyle Busch to the checkered flag after they made contact and both fishtailed exiting Turn 4. It is Kurt Busch's first win of the season and his first win with Chip Ganassi Racing, which snapped a 64-race winless streak. It is also Chevrolet's first win at Kentucky Speedway in nine attempts. The final restart came on Lap 268 with Kurt Busch in the second row on the outside behind race leader Joey Logano . But thanks to bad restart by Logano and drafting help from his teammate Kyle Larson , Kurt Busch was able to sweep to the outside of Logano and challenge Kyle Busch over the final two laps. "Hell yeah! Hell yeah!" Kurt Busch yelled to fans on the frontstretch before speaking to NBCSN at the start-finish line. "You know, racing your little brother every week and watching him win a lot, I'm proud of him, but I'm proud of him he gave me a little bit of room on that outside. He could have clobbered us against the wall, and third place probably would have got it. What an awesome run." The win for the No. 1 team comes a week after it missed out on a trip to victory lane at Daytona International Speedway. The team elected to pit from the lead under caution right before a lightning strike halted the race and NASCAR eventually called the event official. "Well, we got a yellow at the end that put us back in position," Kurt Busch said. "Whatever last week was, it's this week right now, and we've got the trophy." It is the third time the Busch brothers have finished first and second in a Cup race and the second time this season (Bristol). It is the first time Kurt Busch has been the winning brother. His younger brother finished second after leading 72 laps. "I'm glad it was a thriller," Kyle Busch to NBCSN. "Unfortunately we were on the wrong end of the deal … Obviously great to put on great races and great finishes. Been part of a lot of them, but none with my brother like that. So that was a first. No hard feelings." The top five was completed by Erik Jones , Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin . The overtime restart was setup by a Bubba Wallace spin with six laps left in the scheduled distance. STAGE 1 WINNER : Kurt Busch, first stage win of the season STAGE 2 WINNER: Kyle Busch WHO HAD A GOOD RACE: Denny Hamlin earned his second top five in the last 10 races … Clint Bowyer finished sixth after placing 34th or worse in three of the previous four races … Pole-sitter Daniel Suarez finished eighth, fighting back from going multiple laps down after a speeding penalty in the middle of the race. WHO HAD A BAD RACE: Jimmie Johnson got loose and wrecked in Turn 2 on Lap 178 while running seventh. He finished 30th …. Austin Dillon lost a gear on the Stage 2 restart and went to the garage. He finished 35th. NOTABLE: Chip Ganassi Racing is only the fifth different team to win a Cup race this season. It is the fourth different team to win at Kentucky … Crew chief Matt McCall earned his first Cup win in 164 starts. QUOTE OF THE NIGHT : "Today things went right, and my little brother gave me just enough room. It was like, 'You gonna lift? I ain't gonna lift. You gonna lift? I ain't gonna lift.' And we had a duel. We had a duel going down through (Turns) 3 and 4, and I didn't know who was going to come out on top."   Kurt Busch WHAT'S NEXT: Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway at 3 p.m. ET July 21 on NBCSN Check back for more. BOOM!!!!! @KurtBusch Wins!!! @MonsterEnergy @TeamChevy @CGRTeams #ilikewinners   Chip Ganassi (@GanassiChip) July 14, 2019


I was unhappily scrolling through Facebook the other day and saw that one of my smart friends had posted a dumb article about the excellent Toronto Raptors basketball player who, despite making nearly a hundred million dollars, still drives a 20-year-old beater SUV. He said of the car: "It runs ... and it's paid off." The second part of that statement is crucial. There is nothing better than a paid-off car. There is no monthly payment, and most of the depreciation has already occurred. You are driving for free. I have to say that even I am not as disciplined as Kawhi Leonard. I had my last car for seven years and about 135,000 miles when I started getting a hankering for new-car smell. Anyway, Leonard's level of frugality is seldom seen in the NBA   or anywhere in professional sports, for that matter. I had a friend of a friend who played college hoops and made it to the NBA. He said that the players would buy a new suit for every day they were on the road. Forty-one road games, 41 suits. They would wear them once, and never wear them again. Given the size of the basketball players, these were bespoke suits and not off the rack. Conservatively, that's about $100,000 worth of suits. A year. And so it goes. In my personal-finance stories, I'm trying to give people a pretty big dose of perspective . Three dollars on coffee every day is a luxury you can afford, and people seem to have an easier time giving up large luxuries than small luxuries. Most people would rather drive a piece-of-cr*p car than give up the morning coffee. Tell people to give up coffee (as Suze Orman does) and you will alienate the people you are trying to help. So for starters, don't buy 41 suits a year. But don't buy a $10 juice every day, either. And don't go out to eat three times a week. And don't stay in $300-$400 hotels when you travel. All basic stuff. But the easiest way to save money, hands down, is to drive a piece-of-cr*p car. Related video: Don't ever buy a new car, David Bach says (provided by CNBC) Gravedigger Unless you are driving a Ferrari, a car is not an investment. A car is basically a huge waste of money . Where else can you take $40,000 and set it on fire in seven years? And pay a bunch of interest to the bank in the process? What a disaster. Funny thing about cars   people's egos are really tied up in the brand of the car. People like to say they drive a "Benz" or a "Beamer." Puke. I drive a Toyota. They never break down, and they last forever. They're a great car to own that is paid for. I saw something the other day that I never thought I would see. A green Lambo   parked outside the Social Security office in Myrtle Beach. My analyst and I staked it out to see who the owner was. A 90-year-old man came out of the Social Security office, got in the car, and revved the engine while people took pictures. I suppose if you are 90, you can have a green Lambo. This makes sense for nobody else in Myrtle Beach. I also spend a lot of time in Miami Beach, a town where having a Porsche is like having a Honda. I get the sense that a lot of people who own those cars literally have no other possessions. It is all about priorities. This is how you win The takeaway here is that your financial well-being is the product not of a million small decisions but two or three big decisions. A car can bankrupt you. Or you may get to watch helplessly as it gets towed out of your driveway. And don't get me started on leasing, the extended warranty of auto finance. I have had conversations with car salesmen. They all say the same thing: "I can get you in that car." They are pretty creative, financially speaking, and will find some way to make the sale, even if it puts you in a perilous financial position. That is not their concern. Their concern is selling cars. The ideal scenario: Get a gently used Toyota, pay cash, drive it forever. You win the personal-finance game. You should have $1 million before you buy a new Beamer or a Benz. Jared Dillian is an investment strategist at Mauldin Economics and a former head of ETF trading at Lehman Brothers. Subscribe to his weekly investment newsletter The 10th Man .


NFL teams are preparing for training camp month, but that doesn't mean teams aren't doing their due diligence when it comes to the remaining free-agent market. Several solid veterans remain unsigned. From a former Pro Bowler in Kansas City to a couple well-known receivers, here's a look at the eight-best remaining free agents and their possible landing spots. Nick Perry, outside linebacker Prior to an injury plagued 2018 season that saw him miss six games with the Packers, this former first-round pick was on an upward trajectory. The USC alum recorded 30 quarterback hits and 18 sacks over the previous two years. There's going to be a late-summer market for his services. Among teams that seem to be a fit, the Oakland Raiders still need pass-rush help. Head coach Jon Gruden has not been afraid to take on injury risks and castoffs . We're expecting that to ring true with Perry. Michael Crabtree, wide receiver Given the Ravens' lack of proven talent, it was a surprise to see them move on from Crabtree during the spring. Even at 31 years old and boasting a regressing skill-set, Crabtree can still be a valuable possession receiver. He recorded 54 receptions for 607 yards in Baltimore last season. Some contending team will surely come calling here soon. We're going to boldly predict Crabtree lands on the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers after they traded away malcontent Antonio Brown. He could slot in as the No. 3 behind JuJu Smith-Schuster and Donte Moncrief. Muhammad Wilkerson, defensive line Wilkerson's recent injury history and off-field issues could be forcing teams to ignore the former Pro Bowler. A first-round pick of the New York Jets in 2010, Wilkerson missed all but three games with the Packers last season due to injury. He was also arrested earlier this offseason on DUI charges . Despite this, there's going to be a market for a five-time Pro Bowler. Based on Wilkerson playing end in 3-4 defenses throughout his career, his market is going to be limited to teams that run that scheme. That's why the Chicago Bears could make sense. Morris Claiborne, cornerback It's surprising to see Claiborne still on the market after two healthy seasons with the New York Jets. Sure, the former first-round pick has not lived up to that billing, but his problems have been primarily about injuries. Claiborne started 30 games over the past two seasons, recording 22 passes defended and three interceptions. Some team will come calling. We're expecting that to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . The Bucs need help at cornerback, with the likes of Vernon Hargreaves, Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart failing to prove themselves. Donald Penn, offensive tackle Even at 36 years old and coming off an injury-plagued 2018 campaign , there should be a late-summer market for this three-time Pro Bowler. Prior to last season, Penn was still playing at a high level. Some team will look to recapture that flame. We're expecting it to be the New England Patriots . They whiffed on signing fellow veteran Jared Veldheer after he retired days into his Patriots career. Penn would be an obvious option to start at either tackle position. Tre Boston, safety It's astonishing that a guy who has posted 24 passes defended and 10 interceptions over the past three seasons is still available. Even more ridiculous is that fact that Boston is about to turn 27. He's in the prime of his career. Following another injury to Jimmie Ward and with safety now being a major question mark, the San Francisco 49ers seem to make the most sense here. They've punted on the idea of adding a veteran safety this offseason. But with the injury to Ward, that must change. Dez Bryant, wide receiver There has been no market for the 30-year-old Bryant after he fell out of favor in Dallas and suffered a torn Achilles days into his Saints tenure last year. With that said, multiple teams are in need of an at upgrade wide receiver. Among those, the Washington Redskins make a ton of sense. Bryant has said he'd like to sign in the NFC East as a way to exact revenge on the Cowboys. What better way than to sign with their most-hated rival? Eric Berry, safety Having played in three games over the past two seasons, it's not yet known whether Berry has anything left. He has visited with multiple teams this offseason, but to no avail. Boasting the best track record of any remaining free agent, this five-time Pro Bowler should be on a team by the time training camp starts. We're going with a Dallas Cowboys team that flirted with the idea of adding Earl Thomas and has already visited with Berry . They're obviously desperate for a safety. Berry, 30, makes the most sense. Related slideshow: Top picks of 2019 NFL Draft (provided by imagn)


According to The Crossover's Chris Mannix (h/t NBC Sports Boston's Michael Deprisco ), the Boston Celtics had an opportunity to trade for star forward Kawhi Leonard last summer but opted not to swing for a deal with the San Antonio Spurs in fear that they could lose both Leonard and Kyrie Irving in free agency this offseason. The Celtics had a chance last summer to trade for Leonard. Just like this year, they had the best potential package but didn't end up making a deal with the Spurs . Now, with Irving appearing set to sign with the Brooklyn Nets this summer and Leonard leading the Toronto Raptors to the 2019 NBA Finals, there are those within the Celtics' organization expressing regret that Boston didn't trade for Leonard. "I do know that there is some regret with some people in the Celtics organization about not pulling the trigger on a Kawhi Leonard deal," Mannix said. "They could have made a deal for him involving Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart , or at least with Brown as the centerpiece." Mannix went further to explain that the Celtics didn't want to tie themselves to two players who could leave this summer, being Leonard and Irving. Kyrie later announced his commitment to the Celtics before the regular season began. Per Mannix, the Celtics could have acquired Leonard if they sent San Antonio a trade package with swingman Jaylen Brown as the centerpiece. The Spurs eventually netted DeMar DeRozan, a four-time All-Star in the prime of his career, in exchange for Leonard; and it's difficult to imagine that San Antonio would have preferred the relatively unproven commodity in Brown over DeRozan. However, Brown had just completed a postseason run in which he averaged 18.0 points per game, just a tick behind forward Jayson Tatum's team-high average of 18.5 points per game. Though not a player with the footwork or shooting touch of Tatum, Brown is an athletic wing with a high level of intelligence and the work ethic needed to improve his skill level. He's a player in the mold of the league's favorite archetype. Unfortunately for the Celtics, there's virtually no pathway to acquiring Leonard now, unless the three-time All-Star and former Finals MVP wants to complete a sign-and-trade to land in Boston. That possibility in and of itself seems unlikely, with Leonard clearly fitting snugly in Toronto and looking like one of the top-five players in the league once again. As they say, 'it ain't broke, don't fix it' and there's nothing broken in Jurassic Park except the curse they kept them from reaching the NBA Finals in the DeRozan Era. When Leonard requested a trade from the Spurs , it was obvious that the trust between the two parties was broken, with Leonard believing that San Antonio's medical staff turned on him once he sought a second opinion on his lingering quad injury. Now, the Celtics likely need turn their attention away from both Irving and Leonard, as they fix their gaze on New Orleans Pelicans' uber-talented big man Anthony Davis . MORE: Warriors injury report: The latest on Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant Giants' Daniel Jones quickly destroying critical narratives Report: New Orleans likely to trade Anthony Davis to Celtics Packers could have 6 or more new starters on defense in Week 1 5 Trade Options for Yankees After Missing on Dallas Keuchel


NEW YORK (AP) An aspiring sports business manager and an amateur basketball coach have been convicted of bribery conspiracy at a trial that showed top college coaches were paid off to steer NBA-bound athletes to favored handlers. The verdict Wednesday capped a two-week trial of Christian Dawkins and youth basketball coach Merl Code in a case that forced the NCAA to confront corruption affecting basketball players at elite universities. The pair were convicted on a single conspiracy count, but acquitted of some other charges. Dawkins testified during the trial that he didn't bribe anyone. Prosecutors say video and audio evidence was overwhelming. Four former assistant basketball coaches have pleaded guilty in connection with the scandal and await sentencing.


CHERRY HILL, N.J.   In the year since the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for every state to legalize sports betting , a regional divide has opened as states decide whether to expand their gambling options. By year's end, legalization is possible in a dozen states in the Northeast and Midwest. But most states in the Deep South and far West   SEC and Pac-12 territory in college sports   are staying on the sidelines, at least for now. State lawmakers are weighing the benefits of a slight boost in state revenue and the ability to add consumer protections against concerns about the morality of allowing another form of gambling. Sorting out complex business interests and opposition from some casino-operating tribes also has emerged as thorny challenges. It's not clear whether legalization will happen in all corners of the country over the next few years or if opposition will keep it concentrated in the regions where it's already taken root. With just two exceptions, the Deep South states have been among the most resistant to legalizing sports betting. In Louisiana, a legalization bill passed the Senate earlier this year but died in the House. Republican state Sen. Danny Martiny favors legalization, saying Louisianans already are betting on sports through bookies, offshore websites and casinos in neighboring Mississippi. He said Louisiana should regulate and tax sport bets, with the receipts largely earmarked for early childhood education. "We have all of the ills of gaming," Martiny said during a committee hearing, "but none of the benefits." Opponents such as Rep. Valarie Hodges, also a Republican, said gambling preys on the poor and that the state should find a better way to pay for early education. "What we legalize, we legitimize," she said. Hodges' side prevailed in the legislative debate, aided by a dispute among gambling interests over whether sports betting should be limited to the state's 16 casinos and four racetracks or also available at 2,800 truck stops and other locations with video poker terminals. Before the May 2018 Supreme Court ruling that allowed sportsbooks across the country, full-service ones were running legally only in Nevada. Last year, they opened in seven more states. So far this year, sports books have been legalized but haven't yet begun operating in another five, plus the District of Columbia. Bills are awaiting signatures from the governors in Illinois, Maine and New Hampshire. Colorado voters will decide the matter for that state in November. In Oregon, the state lottery is working on regulations with the plan of launching sports betting under existing law in time for the start of the NFL season. Four more states are considering legalization during their current legislative sessions, but most legislatures have wrapped up their work for the year. Lawmakers in 18 states rejected sports betting legalization bills for 2019, according to a tally of legislation by The Associated Press. There are several other states where lawmakers might have an appetite for legalization, but there isn't agreement in the complicated and tightly regulated gambling industry on how or whether to do it. A common factor in those places, including California and Florida, is the prevalence of casinos operated by Native American tribes. Agreeing to allow sports betting might mean the tribes would face increased competition. Chris Grove, a gambling industry strategist at Eilers & Krejcik, said he expects several states   mostly in the Northeast and upper Midwest   to legalize sports betting in the next year, and then for the spread to slow because the remaining states are reluctant to allow gambling generally or because of tribal influence. "As you move farther west, the more complex the stakeholder picture and the harder it is to get anything done," he said. But Bill Pascrell III, a lobbyist for some gambling companies, expects that even some states that have been traditionally reluctant to legalize gambling will allow sports betting in the future. He points to Tennessee, a state without any casinos, deciding to legalize online sports betting. The absence of sports gambling in California, Texas and Florida, the nation's most populous states, leaves a gaping hole in the industry. They are home to more than a quarter of the teams in the four major professional sports and have about the same combined population as all the states that have adopted legalized sports betting, including those where bills have been sent to governors but not signed into law. Other states, including Utah and South Carolina, are unlikely to welcome sports betting anytime soon because it's difficult to sell any form of gambling there. Over the past year, states with legal sportsbooks have reported about $9 billion in bets being made. But sportsbooks are a relatively low-margin business for their operators, who pay taxes only on how much they win, not how much is gambled. According to their most recent financial reports, three of the states with legal sportsbooks are on pace to bring in far less than they expected in taxes their first fiscal year. Mississippi is bringing in about half of what it needs each month to reach an informal state target. Rhode Island and West Virginia are both on pace to bring in 20% to 30% of their expected revenue, according to an AP analysis. Even in New Jersey, where mobile betting has caught on quickly , sports betting taxes amount to far less than 1% of all state revenue. Washington state Rep. Derek Stanford, the Democratic chairman of a committee overseeing gambling activity, said he thinks the state is not ready for sports betting, and that's a reason none of the three bills to legalize it there gained traction this year. He said the state needs to work through concerns ranging from the effects of legalized sports betting on public health to figuring out how it would affect tribal casinos. "My sense is that we don't want to be the ones breaking new ground here," he said. "If other states are doing this, we can see what experience they have." ___ Associated Press reporters Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Rachel La Corte in Olympia, Washington, and Sarah Zimmerman in Salem, Oregon, contributed to this report. ___ Follow Geoff Mulvhill at https://twitter.com/geoffmulvihill


Check out Dustin Johnson's final round highlights from the 2019 PGA Championship.


It's important to put your best foot forward on a job interview, but before you land that meeting, your resume better speak for you. Buzz60's Sean Dowling has more.


The Chicago Bears have been a staple in the NFL since its founding in 1920. It's why the NFL chose the Bears to host the Green Bay Packers to kickoff the league's - and the Bears' - 100th season on Sept. 5. But according to Peter King , the NFL passed on an opportunity for another historic moment involving the Bears that would've happened in 2020. The Pro Football Hall of Fame was pushing hard for a regular-season game in Canton on Sept. 17, 2020-a Thursday night. The Hall wanted the Bears, one of the two remaining franchises from the 14-team league that was invented in 1920 in Canton, to play on the 100th anniversary day, Sept. 17, of the formation of the league. But it's not to be. Obviously there are logistics that would make this unappealing for the Bears - having to travel to Canton for a home game and the 25,000 seats in Canton instead of 61,500 at Soldier Field. But then there are the historical angles that would've made this game pure gold. The formation of the NFL, with George Halas leading the way. The Chicago Bears (then the Decatur Staleys until 1922) being one of the two remaining original franchises remaining in the league. It would've been a defining moment in the history of the league. Given the fact that the NFL wanted to pay homage to the creation of the league on Sept. 17, 1920, you have to believe it's likely that the Bears could find themselves playing that Thursday Night Football game next season. Even if it isn't in Canton. MORE: Draymond Green to LeBron James' 14-Year-Old Son: "I'm at Your F--king Neck This Summer" 'Jeopardy' star James Holzhauer's SpongeBob knowledge helps him near Ken Jennings' record Louis Riddick: 'Dwayne Haskins is twice the thrower of Robert Griffin III' Carson Wentz, DeSean Jackson are quickly developing a lethal chemistry Packers should have one of NFL's most improved secondaries in 2019


NEW HAVEN   Monday's heavy rains caused several inches of flooding inside the terminal and on the tarmac at Tweed New Haven Regional Airport , which was temporarily closed while crews work to clean it up, according to eyewitness and social media accounts. Workers late Monday were working to manage the already receding water while they waited for a professional flood cleanup crew to arrive at the airport, which straddles the New Haven-East Haven border and is located in both communities. They declined to comment. Tweed New Haven Airport Authority Executive Director Matthew Hoey and Airport Manager Jeremy Nielson did not immediately return calls for comment. WTNH-TV reported in a tweet that the airport will be closed until 5:45 p.m. today. Late Monday, two American Eagle regional jets were parked on a tarmac outside the terminal. which appeared from the outside to still have up to an inch of water in places. A video posted on Facebook showed several inches of water inside the terminal at one point. Tweed, which won a major victory July 9 when a federal appeals court ruled in its favor in a longstanding lawsuit seeking to strike down the state statute limiting Tweed's main runway length to 5,600 feet , is in a low-lying coastal salt marsh area adjoining Morris Creek, Tuttle Brook and tidal wetlands. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals , in a unanimous opinion, ruled that the state statute limiting the length of the runway is preempted by federal law and is therefore invalid. Tweed officals and Mayor Toni Harp want to pave a portion of the 1,000-foot, unpaved runway safety areas to allow commercial airplanes to use a portion of the federally-mandated safety areas for takeoffs, making Tweed more attractive for use by a wider variety of aircraft. But two powerful members of the General Assembly, state Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, and Senate Minority Leader Leonard Fasano, R-North Haven   who both live and/or own property in the neighborhood   have urged Attorney General William Tong to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court . Opponents of airport expansion and environmental advocates have suggested that sea level rise related to climate change is likely to increase the likelihood of flooding in the years to come   and have argued that that is a reason not to seek to expand Tweed or the service it provides. Tweed currently offers three American Eagle flights a day to and from Philadelphia and one each on Saturdays to and from Charlotte, N.C., as well as summertime seasonal service to Nantucket, Mass. on Southern Airways Express. mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com


The Golden State Warriors made a move early Thursday morning to acquire another pick in Thursday's NBA Draft. The team is facing a full season of injuries, from Klay Thompson's torn ACL to Kevin Durant's ruptured Achilles, which will keep both guys out for the majority, if not all of, the 2019-20 season. With the possibility of a transition season upcoming in the Bay, the Warriors are beginning to amass assets in order to acquire more young talent or even flip these assets in the future to set themselves up. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Warriors are acquiring the 41st pick of the NBA Draft from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for $1.3 million and a 2024 second-round pick. ESPN Sources: Golden State has acquired Atlanta's No. 41 pick in tonight's NBA Draft. The cost: $1.3M and a 2024 second-round pick. Atlanta moved No. 44 to Miami yesterday. Hawks have Nos. 8, 10, 17 and 35 tonight. Golden State has Nos. 28, 41 and 58. - Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2019 The Warriors will now have three draft picks on Thursday as they begin to move into the future a little bit. Combine those injuries with the possibility of losing Durant and DeMarcus Cousins in free agency, it's time for general manager Bob Myers and company to figure out what to do in the aftermath of one of the more dominant runs in NBA history. The NBA Draft is Thursday from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. MORE: Everyone had so many LeBron jokes about the reported 'Space Jam 2' cast Rob Pelinka May Not Have Known the Cap Rules for Anthony Davis Trade Five potential Kevin Durant landing spots in free agency Reggie Bush takes shot at Lions, calls them cheap Mike Conley's trade to Utah could have a silver lining, for Boston Related slideshow: Best picks from past 50 NBA drafts (Provided by Yardbarker)


Having recently lost ground in the race for Ajax's starlet Matthijs de Ligt, Barcelona will apparently make one final attempt to lure the 19-year-old to the Nou Camp. The Spanish champions believed they had agreed a deal for the centre-back in March, but have since found their offer topped by rivals for his signature, with Paris Saint-Germain leading a pack of interested clubs. However, ESPN report that Barça have been in contact with De Ligt's agent, Mina Raiola, in a last-gasp bid to bring him to Catalonia. If the  La Liga table-toppers are successful in that regard, the Ajax captain will link up with former teammate Frenkie de Jong at La Blaugrana . Significantly, Barcelona's refusal to offer De Ligt a better contract than the latter is a key factor holding up the transfer. It remains unclear precisely how they will convince him to join their ranks, with further financial incentive seemingly out the question. Nevertheless, if negotiations between player and club are positive then the move should be wrapped up rather smoothly, with Barça already having agreed a fee in the region of €80m for his sale with Ajax. Ernesto Valverde's team may try to tempt De Ligt using the same approach they employed during their pursuit of De Jong. After apparently missing out on the midfielder, president Josep Maria Bartomeu flew to Amsterdam to tell him in no uncertain terms how much the five-time European champions wanted him. However, if their attempts prove fruitless and they fail to win the centre-back over, PSG are poised to snaffle him up, though they face stiff competition. Juventus are keen on the youngster and enlisted talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo to aid their chances of signing him, the Portuguese discussing a move to Italy with De Ligt following the Nations League final between the duo's respective countries. English pair Manchester United and Liverpool are also known admirers of the Dutchman, though they have neither the financial advantage of PSG nor the relational one held by Juve and Barça. Ultimately, this comes down to what's more important to the individual involved; money or glory.


We are now entering Week 5 of the Arena Football League season and we already covered all of the former Cleveland Browns on the opening-day rosters , but there have actually been two more added and they will be facing off against each other this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in Columbus, Ohio. The Columbus Destroyers (0-4) will be taking on the defending Arena Bowl champion Washington Valor (2-2). The battle within the war starts with newly acquired offensive tackle Kevin Bowen, who many are expecting to start his first game as a Destroyer this Saturday. Browns fans may remember Bowen after his brief stint at training camp. Cleveland signed Bowen in July and released him in August, and he landed in Columbus with the local arena team. Bowen will be tasked with blocking another Trenton Thompson, who many Cleveland fans will remember as he was a surprising undrafted addition after he declared early from Georgia. Thompson had a phenomenal career at Georgia but tested extremely poorly and wound up going undrafted. The Browns immediately picked up the defensive tackle but wound up cutting him in July. He rebounded nicely in the Alliance of American Football with the Arizona Hotshots but failed to earn another shot in the NFL. At only 22 years old, it is likely Thompson will get another shot in the NFL if he can dominate in the AFL. MORE: 'Jeopardy' fans ripped James Holzhauer for how he said Dr. Dre's name but here's why he did it Former NFL great Mark Gastineau has a GoFundMe for the fight of his life How the Bulls can help the Lakers facilitate an Anthony Davis trade Spurs' DeMar DeRozan 'possibly could be on the trade block' to Lakers Packers DC Mike Pettine 'very encouraged' by OLB room


Two former state senators were found dead in their homes in Arkansas and Oklahoma within a span of two days this week. In Arkansas, the body of former Republican state Sen. Linda Collins-Smith was found Tuesday in her home in Randolph County. She'd been fatally shot and her death is being investigated as a homicide, CNN affiliate KARK reported. Collins-Smith, who was a Democrat before switching to the Republican Party, was first elected to the state senate in 2014 and lost her party's primary last year, the affiliate said. "She was a passionate voice for her people and a close member of our Republican family. We are praying for her loved ones during this difficult time," the Arkansas GOP tweeted. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said he was stunned by her death and expressed his condolences to her loved ones. "She was a good person who served in the public arena with passion and conviction. The first lady and I extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends during this difficult time," Hutchinson said. In Oklahoma, police found another Republican lawmaker fatally shot after receiving reports of gunfire. Former state Sen. Jonathan Nichols' body was in his home in Norman -- about 20 miles from Oklahoma City. He served as state senator from 2000 to 2012, and later worked at the University of Oklahoma, CNN affiliate KFOR reported. Authorities confirmed his death Thursday. "Investigators are currently working with the Oklahoma medical examiner's office to determine the exact cause and manner of death," the Norman Police Department said. Lawmakers expressed shock over his death. "Senator Jonathan Nichols was the most brilliant political, legal mind in the Oklahoma State Legislature, and worked tirelessly as a senator and for years on staff to help guide our state forward," said Sen. Rob Standridge, who succeeded him in District 15. Authorities have not provided additional details on their deaths. Investigations are under way in both states.


Looking to add a new companion to the family? There are dozens of fluffy felines up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Houston, so you won't have to look far to find the perfect new pal. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of kittens available for adoption near you. Read on to meet some friendly, furry locals. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Emma, Maine coon and domestic longhair mix Emma is a darling female Maine coon and domestic longhair kitten currently housed at Animal Justice League . She's already house-trained. She already has all of her shots. Here's what Emma's friends at Animal Justice League think of her: Emma is a playful kitten to loves cats and people. She is full of love and cuddles waiting for her forever home. She has the pretty Maine Coon mix look with tufts on her ear tips and in her ears. What a beauty and sweety too. Read more about how to adopt Emma on Petfinder . Lizzy, domestic shorthair Lizzy is a female domestic shorthair kitten being cared for at Animal Justice League . Lizzy is happy to keep company with dogs, cats and children. She has been vaccinated. She's already house-trained. Here's what Lizzy's friends at Animal Justice League think of her: Lizzy is a grey tabby kitten found with her siblings Uni and Turtle. She and Turtle are best friends and would be a perfect pair for adoption in the same home. She has the most beautiful eyes! Lizzy is good with kids and dogs! Apply to adopt Lizzy today at Petfinder . Turtle, domestic Turtle is a darling male domestic kitten staying at Animal Justice League . Turtle is a true family cat, and children will love him. Good news: He's already house-trained. He has all of his shots. Turtle's current caretakers say: Turtle is an buff ginger, adorable tabby kitten and was found with his siblings Uni and Lizzy. He and Lizzy are best friends and would be a perfect pair for adoption in the same home. He is the softest and fluffiest of the bunch and is so sweet to cuddle with. He loves to play and loves attention and affection. Apply to adopt Turtle today at Petfinder . Tomlette, domestic shorthair and Abyssinian mix Tomlette is a winsome female domestic shorthair and Abyssinian kitten staying at Animal Justice League . She is already house-trained. She has been vaccinated. From Tomlette's current caretaker: Tomlette (aka Tommi by her foster mom) is the sweetest little girl! She is very social and just likes to be close to her person! She is inquisitive and playful, but her favorite activity is cuddling and being loved by her human. She will be ready for her forever home soon! Read more about how to adopt Tomlette on Petfinder . Cole, domestic shorthair Cole is a darling male domestic shorthair kitten being cared for at Animal Justice League . Cole will get along great with other cats and dogs. He's been vaccinated. He is already house-trained. From Cole's current caretaker: Little Cole is a fun, cuddly little 2-month-old boy who loves to play with people, cats and dogs. He loves to climb, play with toys and then relax on your lap for nap time. He would do better if placed in a home with other pets, as he loves to have friends around him to play and cuddle all day long! Read more about Cole on Petfinder . Chili The Warrior, tabby Chili The Warrior is a male tabby kitten being cared for at E-Rescue-Houston Inc. He has mastered his house-training etiquette. He's been vaccinated. Notes from Chili The Warrior's caretakers: Chili The Warrior is the sweetest little boy. He loves to be held and petted. He's mild mannered. Just a love. Read more about how to adopt Chili The Warrior on Petfinder . Misty, Turkish van mix Misty is a lovable female Turkish van kitten staying at E-Rescue-Houston Inc. She is already house-trained. She's vaccinated. Notes from Misty's caretakers: Introducing Misty, the last kitten we trapped at the mall. She is looking for her forever home and she's a sweet little thing. She loves to play but also enjoys cuddle time with her foster mom. Read more about how to adopt Misty on Petfinder . This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


PARIS (AP) Former UEFA president Michel Platini was released from custody in the early hours of Wednesday after being questioned as part of a corruption investigation into the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. His communication team said that Platini's detention ended at 12:30 a.m. local time. Platini had denied any wrongdoing and French authorities did not announce any charges against the former France and Juventus player. ''It was long, but given the number of questions it could not be different,'' Platini said after his release. ''They asked me questions about the 2016 Euro, the World Cup in Russia, the World Cup in Qatar, the Paris Saint-Germain, FIFA.''� Also questioned Tuesday were Sophie Dion, a sports adviser in former French president Nicolas Sarkozy's administration, and Claude Gueant, the former secretary general of the Elysee presidential palace under Sarkozy. Ahead of the FIFA vote, Sarkozy hosted a meeting in November 2010 that brought Platini together with Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, then the crown prince of Qatar and now its ruling emir. Al-Thani also owns the French soccer club Paris Saint-Germain, and Sarkozy frequently attends its games. Qatar beat the long-favored United States 14 to 8 when FIFA selected the host country for the 2022 World Cup As head of European soccer's governing body UEFA, Platini was the continent's top representative on the FIFA committee that picked Qatar. French prosecutors are known to be investigating an array of winning bids for major sports events, including the 2018 World Cup, awarded to Russia, the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and track and field world championships. --- More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


The Boston Celtics have officially signed former DePaul guard Max Strus to a Two-Way contract, according to Yahoo Sports' Keith Smith. Strus, a three-and-D specialist, joins rookie point guard Tremont Waters as Two-Way signings. Waters would reportedly agree to sign a Two-Way contract with the Celtics on July 9 . The Boston Celtics have officially signed Max Strus to a Two-Way contract, per league sources. - Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 19, 2019 23-years-old, Strus averaged 20.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.9 steals per game in his second and final season with the DePaul Blue Demons. The signing, which is no surprise given Strus and Boston came to a verbal agreement in the latter half of June but how things shake out at training camp may ultimately secure the spot for the undrafted wing. According to the Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach, Strus could even feasibly earn a spot on the 15-man roster with a good enough showing in training camp. Javonte Green is planning to sign a 2-year deal with the Celtics, with a partial guarantee in year 1 and non-guaranteed year 2, per source. I've been told by multiple sources that the Cs plan to have several players, likely partial & two-way contract guys, vie for the last spot. - Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) July 18, 2019 In the Las Vegas Summer League, Strus averaged 9.8 points per game while hitting 45.0 percent from deep (on 5.0 attempts per game). MORE: Angler defies odds, lands truly enormous halibut Is Tacko Fall an NBA player? Here is the case for why... and why not VIDEO: Aaron Boone's 'Savages' Ejection is a Must-Watch What made Bills hiring of Ken Dorsey a crucial hiring The Jaden Springer Blog: Breaking down his top five


NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- USAA is well known for serving veterans through its insurance business. Not as well known is its growing fund business, which now holds $68 billion under management. Keith Sloane, head of third-party distribution with USAA Investment Management, said the company is on a mission to raise its mutual fund profile. "The mutual fund business for the USAA has been around a long time," nearly 45 years, said Sloane. It began in the early 1970s because "our members asked. They wanted us to be able to manage their money just like we'd been managing our own money well before that. So we've had consistent, sustainable, deliberate growth for many, many years." Sloane added that USAA is one of the top 50 of asset managers and "it's a quiet, successful, meaningful business for USAA that we're now starting to make better known." USAA's fixed income management has traditionally been the firm's biggest strength because it sub-advises most of its equity business. Sloane calls the company a "bottom-up credit manager" and "income oriented" in a low-yield environment. "We've won Fixed Income Manager of the Year twice by Lipper in the last decade and then you blend that with a largely sub-advised equity story, it's been a very effective asset management organization," said Sloane. Sloane admitted that USAA was one of the last shops to sell its funds directly to consumers. In the last few years, however, the company began jumping into the intermediary space. "We're on all the major channels, we're embedded on the large supermarkets and custodial platforms. And the reason is because our customers ask," said Sloane. "They've been asking for years, 'make your funds available through my primary channel of choice, through my adviser.' And so we accomplished that and we're moving forward from here." Finally, when it comes to the hottest new area in the mutual fund space, exchange-traded funds, Sloane said the company has big plans and has been in discussions with Vanguard. "We feel that ETFs are an important part of the future of our investment management business and we're very excited about potentially getting there in the beginning of next year," said Sloane.


Interested in adopting a pet   or just gazing at some furry felines near you? There are dozens of great cats up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Boston. Animal shelters work hard to care for unhoused pets and connect them to loving homes. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of cats currently available for adoption. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Ziva, domestic Ziva is a female domestic cat in the care of Ellen M. Gifford Sheltering Home . Ziva is spayed, and she has all her shots. From Ziva's current caretaker: Ziva is a sweet and mellow older lady who loves attention. She would probably be happiest as the only cat in her forever home. Read more about how to adopt Ziva on Petfinder . Kori, domestic shorthair Kori is a lovable female domestic shorthair cat currently residing at Ellen M. Gifford Sheltering Home . She has all of her shots, and she is spayed. Notes from Kori's caretakers: Kori is a timid but gentle little lady looking for a forever home where she can settle in at her own pace. Kori is a bit of a door dasher, so she'd do best in a home where she doesn't have easy access to the outdoors. Apply to adopt Kori today at Petfinder . Cecile, domestic shorthair Cecile is a winsome female domestic shorthair cat being cared for at Ellen M. Gifford Sheltering Home . Cecile is spayed and vaccinated. Read more about Cecile on Petfinder . This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Kayla Thornton had 18 points and 11 rebounds, Theresa Plaisance added 12 points and 11 rebounds and the Dallas Wings beat the Phoenix Mercury 69-54 on Thursday night. Dallas led by nine points entering the fourth quarter, but Phoenix made four 3-pointers in the first three minutes to pull to 53-52. The Wings scored the next 12 points to seal it as the Mercury went scoreless for nearly six minutes. Arike Ogunbowale and Allisha Gray each added nine points for Dallas (2-5), which has won two straight. Thornton had eight points and seven rebounds in the first half to help Dallas build a 33-27 lead. Leilani Mitchell led Phoenix (2-5) with 12 points and four 3-pointers. Brittney Griner added 11 points and blocked four shots to move into a tie with Lauren Jackson for third on the WNBA career list with 586. DeWanna Bonner, the WNBA's scoring leader at 23.8 points, and Griner combined to make just two of their first 15 shots as Phoenix trailed 43-31. Bonner finished with nine points.


New Barcelona forward Antoine Griezmann believes he has nothing to apologise for following his divisive €120m move from Atletico Madrid. Los Rojiblancos have accused Barça of opening talks with the Frenchman before they were allowed to do so, whilst his former fans feel betrayed after the 28-year-old made a documentary in which he stated his intention to stay in the Spanish capital. However, Griezmann has since spoken of his disappointment at the Atleti reaction after providing them with five superb seasons. The World Cup winner was the star man at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, collecting 133 goals in 257 appearances for the side, though his only major trophy with Atletico came via a 3-0 defeat of Marseille in the 2018 Europa League final. Speaking at a press conference following his unveiling as a Barcelona player, Griezmann stated (as quoted by Marca ): "If I have to say sorry, I'll do it on the pitch. It's [the place] where I best do the talking." However, it was not all about the growing tension with Atleti, Griezmann revealing his gratitude for their support during his time in Madrid. The striker also took the time to pay tribute to Real Sociedad, from whom he joined Los Colchoneros for €30m in 2014. Griezmann continued: "I would like to thank Real Sociedad, who gave me my first professional contract. I would like to thank Enrique Cerezo, Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid and all my teammates that helped me become the player I've become for my club and country. Ready. Set. Go pic.twitter.com/pb493ObnFf   FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 14, 2019 "It's always hard to leave a place, a home, where you feel comfortable, and where you have family, friends and colleagues. I only have admiration and respect or that club. I gave everything on the field from beginning to the end." Griezmann is looking to add to his surprisingly bare trophy cabinet and win everything at the Camp Nou, with La Blaugrana arguably the club best suited to help him win silverware.


There are three major reasons the Oklahoma City Thunder can't make a big splash in NBA free agency like the Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics or the Miami Heat: Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Steven Adams. All three have large contracts, though the Thunder have no reason to part with the face of the franchise in Westbrook or George, a 2019 MVP and Defensive Player of the Year candidate - both of which are talents any team in the league could benefit from adding. Adams is a different story. Although the forceful big man has a commanding presence in the paint and partners up well with Westbrook off the pick and roll, multiple reports have indicated the Thunder are looking to shop the traditionally-styled center . The Celtics and Sacramento Kings reportedly had interest in Adams at one point, though the rumors have not manifested into a deal. And it looks like one team has been taken off the list of potential suitors. According to Mike Fisher of CBS 247 Sports and 105.3 The Fan, the Dallas Mavericks will not attempt to make a move at acquiring Oklahoma City's center. NBA sources tell me they do not expect a match between #Mavs and idea of a salary-dumped Steven Adams of OKC. Will monitor … pic.twitter.com/T1rsGASVr7 - mike fisher ✭ (@fishsports) July 3, 2019 The Mavericks were among the teams who could afford to take on Adams' contract ($25.8 million in 2019-20 and $27.5 in 2020-21) entering NBA free agency, according to calculations from RealGM cap expert Keith Smith . MORE: Jalen Rose's latest Kawhi Leonard update is bad news for Lakers, Clippers fans 'You don't know me like that': Kevin Durant, the Warriors and a toxic locker room Kawhi Leonard Joining the Lakers According to Stephen A. Smith's Sources Stephen A. Smith: 'Andre Iguodala is planning on joining the Lakers' NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players


Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Kendrick Norton will be released from the hospital today, according to his agent . Norton has undergone six surgeries since a car accident in the early morning of July 4th led to the amputation of his left arm. He was originally listed as being in critical condition upon arriving to the hospital, but his life was never considered in danger from the accident. Norton , who was cited for an improper lane change leading to the accident, was on the Dolphin Expressway heading to the Palmetto Expressway at 1:18am on July 4 when he struck the side of a Maserati. The impact then sent Norton's Ford F150 into a barrier on the side of the ramp, ultimately causing the truck to rollover. Neither drugs nor alcohol were involved in the accident, though neither Norton or his passenger, Shakir Williams, were wearing seatbelts. The Maserati driver and her passenger were not injured in the crash. Williams was taken to the hospital with Norton, but is not believed to have had any serious injuries. " I realize that I will not be able to play for anyone ," Norton said in a television appearance with Miami's CBS4 last week. "We are working past that you know. That reality is sinking in. I am alive and I am grateful. "I am ok," Norton said. "I am as comfortable as I can be with the situation. I am doing fine and the best I can." The Dolphins and NFL have said their insurance will cover all of Norton's hospital bills. Norton, 22, was a seventh-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2018, spending most of his rookie year on their practice squad before Miami poached him near the end of the year. He did not appear in any games last year, but was expected to compete for a roster spot as a depth defensive lineman this year. The Dolphins could add Norton to the Non-Football Injury list this year, effectively removing him from a roster position but keeping him with the team and covered by insurance. The Dolphins would also have the option of paying Norton's $495,000 salary this year with that move.


Which channels have NASCAR programming this week? We answer that and give you the weekly NASCAR television listings here in the NASCAR TV schedule. Note: All times are ET. MORE: Get the NBC Sports App | How to find FS1 | Get FOX Sports App | How to find NBCSN Monday, June 3 3 a.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Pocono 400 (re-air), FS1/FOX Sports App 5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1/FOX Sports App 7 p.m., Classic NASCAR 1994 Coca-Cola 600, FS1/FOX Sports App Tuesday, June 4 5 p.m., Dale Jr. Download, NBCSN/NBC Sports App6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1/FOX Sports App 7 p.m., NASCAR Presents Davey Lives On (re-air), FS1/FOX Sports App Wednesday, June 5 5 p.m., NASCAR America: "Motormouths," NBCSN/NBC Sports App6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1/FOX Sports App 6 p.m., NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, East Memphis 150, NBCSN/NBC Sports App 7 p.m., NASCAR Whelen Series, Jersey Shore 150, NBCSN/NBC Sports App On MRN Noon: NASCAR Coast to Coast Thursday, June 6 5 p.m., NASCAR America: "The Motorsports Hour," NBCSN/NBC Sports App6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1/FOX Sports App Friday, June 7 5 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Final Practice at Michigan International Speedway, FS1/FOX Sports App 8 p.m., RaceDay: NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, FS1/FOX Sports App 9 p.m., NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Speedycash.com 400 at Texas Motor Speedway, FS1/FOX Sports App On MRN 12:30 p.m., Off Axis Podcast 1 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series first practice 2 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series first practice at Michigan International Speedway 4 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series final practice at Michigan International Speedway 5:30 p.m., NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series qualifying at Texas Motor Speedway 8:30 p.m., NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series Speedycash.com 400 at Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, June 8 3:30 a.m., NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series Speedycash.com 400 at Texas Motor Speedway (re-air) FS1/FOX Sports App Noon: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Michigan International Speedway, FS1/FOX Sports App 1 p.m., NASCAR RaceDay: Xfinity, FS1/FOXSports App 1:30 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series LTI Printing 250 at Michigan International Speedway, FS1/FOX Sports App On MRN Noon: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Michigan International Speedway 1:30 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series LTI Printing250 at Michigan International Speedway Sunday June 9, 1 p.m., NASCAR RaceDay, FS1/FOX Sports App 2 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers CASINO 400, FS1/FOX Sports App On MRN 1 p.m., Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers CASINO 400 ]]>


Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion are close to appointing Swansea City's Graham Potter as their new manager ahead of the 2019/20 season. The 43-year-old has only spent this past year in South Wales after making a name for himself with Swedish side Östersunds, and Potter helped guide the club into a comfortable mid-table finish in the Championship this season. But The Guardian reports that Potter is now on the brink of being poached by Premier League side Brighton following their decision to part ways with manager Chris Hughton. It's understood that the Seagulls will be forced to pay £2m in compensation to Swansea City this summer to land Potter, who will be looking to take three members of his backroom staff to the south coast. Swansea had offered Potter a new contract at the Liberty Stadium in the hopes that he'd be convinced of snubbing a move to the Premier League. But the Solihull-born manager has instead turned down the chance to become one of the highest-paid managers in the Championship in favour of taking over at Brighton. The club's decision to part with Hughton came as a shock for many fans but both parties felt that they needed to go into a new direction. The 60-year-old isn't short of potential new clubs either, with West Brom most notably linked with Hughton following his departure from the American Express Community Stadium. Few people in football with more integrity, dignity, humility and kindness than Chris Hughton. Outstanding coach who developed into a good manager, who got #bhafc up, kept them up. Some recruitment/style issues, ok. But sacked? Football's a magical sport but a merciless business.   Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 13, 2019 During his almost five years in charge of Brighton & Hove Albion, the Seagulls have been transformed from a bottom half of the table side in England's second tier to a stable Premier League club.


The war in Eastern Ukraine features crowdfunded robots. Labeled the "People's Project," a website is collecting donations for people to buy Ukraine's government weapons for war. In March, they were raising money for a remotely controlled tank and gun turret , which is now 84 percent funded. Now, they're raising money for a 50-pound drone . Dubbed "The People's Drone," the craft they are raising money for looks a lot like an RQ-7 Shadow . With a cruising speed of 55 mph, a top speed of 80 mph, and flight endurance of up to 5 hours, the People's Drone is worse in all categories than the real Shadow except for cost. Each Shadow runs the U.S. government about $750,000 ; the People's Project hopes to fund its drone for just $35,000. With onboard cameras that can transmit encrypted video up to 25 miles away, the People's Drone is a scout, like the Shadow--not an assassin. If it's used the same way, and military camera drones tend to be, it will look for enemies hidden over hills or behind buildings. The United States tends to operate its pricier drones in environments where there's not a ton of risk of getting shot down, but the People's Drone's low cost is designed to account for lost planes. Motherboard's Emiko Jozuka corresponded with People's Drone project head Jacob Cereteli about the project: Yet according to Cereteli, given a drone's short lifespan, they'll need more in the future. "My personal opinion is that planes stay alive for around five missions, before either failing mechanically, getting crashed by the pilot, or shot down," he said. So the group are also working on smaller quadcopters, which have a five km flying radius, and which can be sold to the army for around $3,000 to $4,000 dollars in the interim. The American Air Force is also looking into low-cost drones it can lose after a few missions. As much as the current fighting in Ukraine hearkens back to the Cold War , cheap drones built from crowdfunding campaigns are very much an indication of the future of war , not the past. Here's video the People's Drone recorded in a flight: [ Motherboard ]


Hillary Clinton has extended her lead nationally over Bernie Sanders to 25 points in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to a new Bloomberg Politics poll. Clinton leads Sanders 55 percent to 30 percent among Democrats in the poll released Friday. She led Sanders 33 percent to 24 percent in a September poll that also included Vice President Biden. The latest survey was conducted in the days after the second Democratic debate last weekend, which came in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris. Clinton holds strong leads over Sanders on issues of who can best combat Islamic terrorism, who has the better temperament to be president and who would work most effectively with Congress. Sanders runs more closely with the former secretary of State on questions such as "who cares the most about people like you" and who will fight the hardest for the middle class. Clinton's favorability rating has risen to 42 percent, up from 38 percent in September. The survey of 1,002 voters was conducted Nov. 15-17 via landlines and cellphones with a margin of error of 5 points.


The rebuilt Notre Dame could feature a futuristic glass design, solar power, and an urban farm that supports vulnerable and homeless Parisians, if one architecture firm's vision is realized. In April, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced an international competition for architects to redesign the cathedral's 19th century spire, which collapsed after a fire devastated the 850-year-old Gothic landmark. Paris firm Vincent Callebaut Architectures responded to the call with an innovative, eco-friendly design that supports the local population and produces more energy than it uses. The Vincent Callebaut project is titled "Palingenesis," a Greek concept of rebirth or recreation. The firm proposes a new roof made of glass, oak and carbon fiber, which connects "in one single curved stroke of pencil" to the sloping spire. The rooster which topped the original spire, retrieved from the rubble after the fire, will resume its watch from the new glass design, while the cathedral's choir will be "bathed in natural light." Beneath the spire, the roof will host a fruit and vegetable farm run by charities and volunteers, in order to produce free food for vulnerable local people. "Up to 21 tons of fruits and vegetables could be harvested and directly redistributed for free each year," the firm said in a press release. "To that end, a farmers' market would be held every week on the forecourt of Notre Dame." The roof and spire will also produce electricity, heat and ventilation for the cathedral: an "organic active layer" within the glass will provide solar power, while the roof's diamond-shaped "scales" will open to offer natural ventilation -- a design inspired by termite mounds. The spire will act as a "thermal buffer space" in which hot air accumulates in winter. "How can we write the contemporary history of our country, but also that of science, art and spirituality together?" the firm said in a press release. "We seek to present a transcendent project, a symbol of a resilient and ecological future." If the Vincent Callebaut design is selected, the firm said, the reborn Notre Dame will define "the new face of the Church in the 21st century," presenting "a fairer symbiotic relationship between humans and nature."


It should be no surprise that Kentucky's John Calipari is doing big things in the late period   but that doesn't make it any less impressive. According to 247Sports Crystal Ball Predictions , the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame coach is now expected to eventually secure a commitment from 5-star forward Jaden McDaniels . And when he's combined with the rest of Kentucky's incoming freshmen, what the Wildcats will have is the nation's top-ranked recruiting class to pair with Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards and a roster that'll be among the best in the sport. It's why UK is No. 3 in the CBS Sports 2019-20 Top 25 And 1. As always, I've updated these rankings to reflect where 247Sports Crystal Ball Predictions currently have any relevant uncommitted Class of 2019 prospects projected to enroll. That's why McDaniels is now on Kentucky's roster, why 5-star guard RJ Hampton is now on Kansas' roster, and why 5-star forward Precious Achiuwa and 4-star guard Boogie Ellis are now on Memphis' roster. If and when those Crystal Ball Predictions change, these rankings will change again. Then I'll simply rinse and repeat, as much as necessary, until the season begins in November. Top 25 And 1 1 Coach: Tom Izzo 2018-19 record: 32-7 Notable players definitely gone: Nick Ward, Matt McQuaid, Kenny Goins Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Cassius Winston, Joshua Langford, Xavier Tillman, Aaron Henry, Kyle Ahrens, Gabe Brown, Foster Loyer, Thomas Kithier, Marcus Bingham Expected additions: Malik Hall, Rocket Watts, Julius Marble 2 Coach: Mike Krzyzewski 2018-19 record: 32-6 Notable players definitely gone: Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Tre Jones, Marques Bolden, Alex O'Connell, Jack White, Javin DeLaurier, Jordan Goldwire, Joey Baker Expected additions: Vernon Carey, Wendell Moore, Matthew Hurt, Cassius Stanley 3 Coach: John Calipari 2018-19 record: 30-7 Notable players definitely gone: Reid Travis, PJ Washington, Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson, Jemarl Baker Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards, EJ Montgomery Expected additions: Jaden McDaniels, Nate Sestina, Kahlil Whitney, Tyrese Maxey, Johnny Juzang, Keion Brooks, Dontaie Allen, Brennan Canada 4 Coach: Chris Mack 2018-19 record: 20-14 Notable players definitely gone: Christen Cunningham, Khwan Fore Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Jordan Nwora, Dwayne Sutton, Steven Enoch, Malik Williams, Ryan McMahon, Darius Perry, V.J. King Expected additions: Lamarr Kimble, Samuell Williamson, Aidan Igheion, David Johnson, Josh Nickelberry, Jaelyn Withers, Quinn Slazinski 5 Coach: Bill Self 2018-19 record: 26-10 Notable players definitely gone: Dedric Lawson, Lagerald Vick, KJ Lawson, Charlie Moore, Quintin Grimes Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Udoka Azubuike, Devon Dotson, Ochai Agbaji, Marcus Garrett, David McCormack, Mitch Lightfoot Expected additions: R.J. Hampton, Isaac McBride, Christian Braun, Tristan Enaruna 6 Coach: Penny Hardaway 2018-19 record: 22-14 Notable players definitely gone: Jeremiah Martin, Kyvon Davenport, Kareem Brewton, Raynere Thornton, Mike Parks, Antwann Jones Other expected departures: Victor Enoh Notable players expected to return: Tyler Harris, Isaiah Maurice, Alex Lomax Expected additions: James Wiseman, Precious Achiuwa, Boogie Ellis, D.J. Jeffries, Lester Quinones, Malcolm Dandridge, Damion Baugh, Lance Thomas, Ryan Boyce 7 Coach: Mark Turgeon 2018-19 record: 23-11 Notable players definitely gone: Bruno Fernando, Ivan Bender Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Anthony Cowan, Jalen Smith, Darryl Morsell, Aaron Wiggins, Serrel Smith, Eric Ayala, Ricky Lindo Expected additions: Makhi Mitchel, Makhel Mitchell, Donta Scott, Chol Marial, Hakim Hart 8 Coach: Roy Williams 2018-19 record: 29-7 Notable players definitely gone: Coby White, Cameron Johnson, Luke Maye, Kenny Williams, Nassir Little, Seventh Woods Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Garrison Brooks, Sterling Manley, Brandon Robinson, Leaky Black Expected additions: Cole Anthony, Armando Bacot, Anthony Harris, Jeremiah Francis, Christian Keeling, Justin Pierce 9 Coach: Tony Bennett 2018-19 record: 35-3 Notable players definitely gone: De'Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome, Kyle Guy, Jack Salt Other expected departures: Marco Anthony Notable players expected to return: Mamadi Diakite, Braxton Key, Jay Huff, Kihei Clark Expected additions: Kadin Shedrick, Casey Morsell, Justin McKoy, Tomas Woldetensae 10 Coach: Mark Few 2018-19 record: 33-4 Notable players definitely gone: Brandon Clarke, Rui Hachimura, Zach Norvell, Josh Perkins, Geno Crandall, Jeremy Jones Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Corey Kispert, Killian Tillie, Filip Petrusev, Joel Ayayi Expected additions: Admon Gilder, Drew Timme, Anton Watson, Pavel Zakharov, Oumar Ballo, Martynas Arlauskas, Brock Ravet 11 Coach: Kevin Willard 2018-19 record: 20-14 Notable players definitely gone: Michael Nzei Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Darnell Brodie, Myles Powell, Myles Cale, Romaro Gill, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quincy McKnight, Anthony Nelson, Taurean Thompson Expected additions: Ikey Obiagu (transfer), Tyrese Samuel, Dashawn Davis 12 Coach: Jay Wright 2018-19 record: 26-10 Notable players definitely gone: Phil Booth, Eric Paschall, Joe Cremo, Jahvon Quinerly Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Collin Gillispie, Saddiq Bey, Jermaine Samuels, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Cole Swider, Brandon Slater, Tim Delaney Expected additions: Bryan Antoine, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Justin Moore, Eric Dixon 13 Coach: Bruce Pearl 2018-19 record: 30-10 Notable players definitely gone: Bryce Brown, Jared Harper, Malik Dunbar, Horace Spencer Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Chuma Okeke, Samir Doughty, Austin Wiley, Anfernee McLemore, J'Von McCormick, Danjel Purifoy Expected additions: Isaac Okoro, Tyrell Jones, Jaylin Williams, Babatunde Akingbola, Allen Flanigan, Jamal Johnson 14 Coach: Dana Altman 2018-19 record: 25-13 Notable players definitely gone: Bol Bol, Louis King, Paul White, Ehab Amin Other expected departures: Miles Norris Notable players expected to return: Payton Pritchard, Victor Bailey, Kenny Wooten, Will Richardson, Francis Okoro Expected additions: CJ Walker, Isaac Johnson, Chandler Lawson, Chris Duarte 15 Coach: Sean Miller 2018-19 record: 17-15 Notable players definitely gone: Justin Coleman, Ryan Luther Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Brandon Randolph, Brandon Williams, Chase Jeter, Dylan Smith, Ira Lee, Devonaire Doutrive, Alex Barcello Expected additions: Max Hazzard, Nico Mannion, Josh Green, Zeke Nnaji, Terry Armstrong, Christian Koloko, Stone Gettings 16 Coach: John Beilein 2018-19 record: 30-7 Notable players definitely gone: Charles Matthews, Jordan Poole Other expected departures: Ignas Brazdeikis Notable players expected to return: Jon Teske, Zavier Simpson, Isaiah Livers, Eli Brooks, Austin Davis, David DeJulius, Brandon Johns Expected additions: Jalen Wilson, Cole Bajema 17 Coach: Fran McCaffery 2018-19 record: 23-12 Notable players definitely gone: Nicolas Baer, Isaiah Moss, Maishe Dailey Other expected departures: Tyler Cook Notable players expected to return: Jordan Bohannon, Luka Garza, Ryan Kriener, Connor McCaffery, Joe Wieskamp, Jack Nunge, Cordell Pemsl Expected additions: Patrick McCaffery, Joe Toussaint 18 Coach: Kelvin Sampson 2018-19 record: 33-4 Notable players definitely gone: Corey Davis, Breaon Brady, Galen Robinson Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Dejon Jarreau, Cedrick Alley, Armoni Brooks, Brison Gresham, Fabian White, Chris Harris, Nate Hinton Expected additions: Caleb Mills, Justin Gorham 19 Coach: Matt Painter 2018-19 record: 25-8 Notable players definitely gone: Carsen Edwards, Ryan Cline, Grady Eifert Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Nojel Eastern, Eric Hunter Jr., Aaron Wheeler, Matt Haarms, Trevion Williams, Evan Boudreaux, Sasha Stefanovic Expected additions: Brandon Newman, Isaiah Thompson, Mason Gillis, Jahaad Proctor 20 Coach: Mike Rhoades 2018-19 record: 25-8 Notable players definitely gone: Michael Gilmore Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Marcus Evans, Isaac Vann, Deriante Jenkins, Marcus Santos-Silva, Sean Mobley, Vince Williams, Mike'L Simms, P.J. Byrd, Malik Crowfield Expected additions: Jarren McAlister 21 Coach: Rick Barnes 2018-19 record: 31-6 Notable players definitely gone: Admiral Schofield, Kyle Alexander Other expected departures: Grant Williams, Jordan Bone Notable players expected to return: Lamonte Turner, Jordan Bowden, John Fulkerson, Yves Pons, Jalen Johnson, Derrick Walker Expected additions: Josiah-Jordan James, Drew Pember, Davonte Gaines 22 Coach: Chris Beard 2018-19 record: 31-7 Notable players definitely gone: Jarrett Culver, Matt Mooney, Tariq Owens, Brandone Francis, Norense Odiase Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Davide Moretti, Kyler Edwards, Deshawn Corprew, Khavon Moore, Andrei Savrasov Expected additions: Jahmius Ramsey, Kevin McCullar, Russel Tchewa, Terrence Shannon, Clarence Nadolny 23 Coach: Scott Drew 2018-19 record: 20-14 Notable players definitely gone: Makai Mason, King McClure Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Devonte Bandoo, Jared Butler, Tristan Clark, Freddie Gillespie, Mario Kegler, Matthew Mayer, Flo Thamba, Mark Vital Expected additions: Davion Mitchell, Macio Teague, Jordan Turner 24 Coach: Greg McDermott 2018-19 record: 20-15 Notable players definitely gone: Kaleb Joseph, Connor Cashaw, Samson Froling Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Martin Krampelj, Ty-Shon Alexander, Mitch Ballock, Marcus Zegarowski, Davion Mintz, Damien Jefferson, Christian Bishop Expected additions: Tristan Enaruna, Sedrick Hammonds 25 Coach: Chris Holtmann 2018-19 record: 20-15 Notable players definitely gone: CJ Jackson, Keyshawn Woods Other expected departures: N/A Notable players expected to return: Kaleb Wesson, Andre Wesson, Luther Muhammad, Duane Washington, Kyle Young, Justin Aherns, Musa Jallow, Jaedon LeDee Expected additions: DJ Carton, Alonzo Gaffney, EJ Liddel, Ibrahima Diallo, CJ Walker 26 Coach: Bob McKillop 2018-19 record: 24-10 Notable players definitely gone: Nathan Ekwu Other expected departures: Dusan Kovacevic Notable players expected to return: Kellan Grady, Jon Axel Gudmundson, Luka Brajkovic, Luke Frampton, Kishawn Pritchett, Carter Collins, David Czerapowics, Bates Jones Expected additions: N/A Top 25 And 1 analysis Biggest Movers 3 Kansas 1 Memphis Rk Teams Chg Rcrd 1 Michigan St. Cassius Winston's decision to return to Michigan State for his senior season was enough to keep Tom Izzo's team No. 1 in the Top 25 And 1. The Spartans are returning three of the top four scorers from a 32-win team that won the Big Ten regular-season title and Big Ten Tournament title before advancing to the Final Four. -- 32-7 2 Duke The Blue Devils are enrolling a top-three recruiting class for the six consecutive season - one that's highlighted by 5-star prospects Vernon Carey and Matthew Hurt. The return of Tre Jones will give Mike Krzyzewski the type of experience in the backcourt most great teams possess. -- 32-6 3 Kentucky The return of Ashtan Hagans for his sophomore year is massive for Kentucky. He'll combine with the nation's top-ranked recruiting class to create what should be the SEC's best team. -- 30-7 4 Louisville Jordan Nwora has declared for the NBA Draft but left open the option of returning to Louisville. If he does, he'll be the leading returning scorer for a program set to enroll a top-10 recruiting class - not to mention graduate transfer Lamarr Kimble, who averaged 15.6 points per game at Saint Joseph's this season. -- 20-14 5 Kansas This ranking is contingent on the Jayhawks securing a commitment from 5-star guard RJ Hampton. If they do, they'll be the clear favorite in the Big 12 once again. 3 26-10 6 Memphis This ranking is based on Memphis securing commitments from 5-star forward Precious Achiuwa and 4-star guard Boogie Ellis. If Penny Hardaway pulls it off, and pairs them with 5-star center James Wiseman, the Tigers will have one of the nation's most talented rosters and be the obvious favorites in the American Athletic Conference. 1 22-14 7 Maryland The early loss of Bruno Fernando should mostly be offset by the return of Jalen Smith and addition of former 5-star prospect Chol Marial. The Terrapins will be talented, experienced and a real threat to Michigan State at the top of the Big Ten. 1 23-11 8 N. Carolina The loss of Coby White after one season stings a little considering he didn't project as a one-and-done prospect coming out of high school. But the enrollment of 5-star guard Cole Anthony should fill any hole UNC might otherwise have in the backcourt. 1 29-7 9 Virginia The Cavaliers are losing the top three scorers from their national championship team, all of whom are entering the NBA Draft early. But Tony Bennett still has enough to keep Virginia nationally relevant. 1 35-3 10 Gonzaga Zach Norvell's decision to remain in the NBA Draft means Gonzaga is losing the top four scorers from last season's team. That's among the reasons why it was crucial for Mark Few to secure a top-10 recruiting class and enroll a heralded graduate transfer like Admon Gilder. 1 33-4 11 Seton Hall Kevin Willard spoke with Virginia Tech about its opening but ultimately remained at Seton Hall. He has a roster good enough to take the Pirates to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight year. -- 20-14 12 Villanova In a bit of a twist, Villanova will not be the favorite to win the Big East. But the Wildcats, thanks to a top-five recruiting class, should still operate near the top of the sport. -- 26-10 13 Auburn Jared Harper's decision to withdraw from school and enter the NBA Draft means Auburn is losing its top two scorers from a Final Four team. Bryce Brown, whose eligibility is exhausted, combined with Harper this season to average 31.2 points and 7.7 assists that must now be replaced. -- 30-10 14 Oregon Louis King's decision to enter and remain in the NBA Draft was a blow to Oregon. But four of the top six scorers are still expected back -- and they'll pair with a top-15 recruiting class that should make the Ducks the Pac-12 favorites. -- 25-13 15 Arizona Sean Miller, even with an NCAA cloud hovering over his program, has secured a top-five recruiting class that should return the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament. The addition of grad-transfer Max Hazzard was a nice late development. -- 17-15 16 Michigan It appears the Wolverines are losing their top three scorers - most notably Ignas Brazdeikis. But, remember, they lost three of their top four scorers the year before and still managed to earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. -- 30-7 17 Iowa Tyler Cook is determined to remain in the NBA Draft, which isn't ideal for Iowa. But the Hawkeyes are still returning four of their top-five scorers - most notably Luka Garza. -- 23-12 18 Houston Houston reaching a deal on a contract extension for Kelvin Sampson was a massive development for the AAC program. The Cougars will be capable of winning back-to-back league titles. -- 33-4 19 Purdue The loss of Carsen Edwards is obviously a big deal. But Matt Painter has proven capable of running a competent program even when he loses key pieces. -- 26-10 20 VCU Every relevant piece from a VCU team that won the Atlantic 10 by two games should be back. That includes four players who averaged double-digits in points this season. -- 25-8 21 Tennessee If Grant Williams and/or Jordan Bone return, Tennessee will be significantly higher in the Top 25 And 1. But if they both remain in the NBA Draft, as expected, the Vols will have to replace the top three scorers from a team that lost in the Sweet 16. -- 31-6 22 Texas Tech The Red Raiders are expected to lose four of their top five scorers - most notably Jarrett Culver early to the NBA Draft. But, remember, they lost five of their top seven scorers from last season's team, and that didn't stop Chris Beard from getting Texas Tech to this season's national title game. -- 31-7 23 Baylor The Bears are losing Makai Mason and King McClure. But they'll get Tristan Clark back and likely make the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in a seven-year span. -- 20-14 24 Creighton The Bluejays are returning all five starters from a team that closed the season by winning seven of their final nine games. That should be enough to help Creighton advance in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. -- 20-15 25 Ohio St. Five of the top seven scorers from a team that spent part of last season ranked are expected back - including Kaleb Wesson, who averaged 14.6 points and 6.9 rebounds as a sophomore. Those returnees, combined with a top-15 recruiting class, should have Chris Holtmann in the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight year. -- 20-15 26 Davidson The top six scorers from a Davidson team that finished 14-4 in the Atlantic 10 are expected back - including A-10 Player of the Year Jon Axel Gudmundson. As long as Kellan Grady stays healthy, the Wildcats will be good enough to advance in the NCAA Tournament. -- 24-10


Virtual reality, drones, 3D printing, robotic telepresence and self-driving cars. A nice selection for tech buzzword bingo, but also just some of the things that Samsung's new product innovation team is already tackling in a bid to come up with the next (big-selling) thing -- its next Galaxy. "Samsung's previous success was mostly due to releasing products that are competitive in pricing. This is an old business formula...": said one official, unsurprisingly not named in the Korea Times report . And while, barring an initial foray into VR , these could all be very new business avenues for Samsung. It all sounds a little bit Google, in the good kind of way, and at least a more interesting approach than wave after wave of iterative smartphones, tablets... and wearables . The company is looking to make up for the severe dip in smartphone sales it's experienced recently -- another successful product line could pick up that slack, especially if it ties into its profitable component business. While this new innovation team will apparently have no direct links from the corporate beast that is Samsung Electronics, however it'll still be headed up by the company's head of mobile, JK Shin , so read into that what you will. "The main purpose of the team isn't to develop single devices for any imminent results, but to develop solutions to go with Samsung's manufacturing capabilities," said another Samsung spokesperson, adding that the team would pull technicians, strategists and product managers in from the company. Korea Times


Austin Hill survived for an overtime victory in Saturday's NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series regular-season finale at Michigan International Speedway as Matt Crafton locked up the final berth in the eight-driver playoffs. Hill led 25 of 105 laps in the Corrigan Oil 200, pushing the Hattori Racing Enterprises No. 16 Toyota to a 0.125-second margin of victory over runner-up Sheldon Creed. Hill's second win of the season was his first at the 2-mile Michigan track and the second of his Gander Trucks career. RELATED: Race results Creed led nine laps and finished second for the second consecutive week. Tyler Dippel took third as Brett Moffitt and Austin Wayne Self closed out the top five. Crafton's clinching drive to a 10th-place finish left several hopefuls just outside of the grid for the seven-race postseason, slated to kick off next week. Ben Rhodes had one of the strongest bids, leading four times for 15 laps, but the Kentucky native cut a tire in close-quarters racing and faded to an 23rd-place finish. A grinding, multi-truck crash off a restart with four laps left in regulation thinned the field of contenders. Crafton's push of race leader Tyler Ankrum went awry, spinning Ankrum's No. 17 Toyota in front of the pack. Trucks driven by Todd Gilliland, Sheldon Creed, Johnny Sauter, Natalie Decker, Anthony Alfredo, Jordan Anderson and Joe Nemechek were also involved. The caution laps required for clean-up pushed the event past its scheduled 100-lap length. WATCH: Ankrum sparks "Big One" at Michigan Pole-starter Ross Chastain led the opening 23 laps in a sweeping Stage 1 win, but his Niece Motorsports No. 45 Chevrolet was damaged in a three-truck collision on pit road during the stage intermission. The trucks of Codie Rohrbaugh and Johnny Sauter made contact, and Rohrbaugh's No. 9 slid into the side of Chastain's entry. RELATED: Chastain involved in multi-truck wreck Chastain exited after 26 laps, saddled with a 30th-place finish. Grant Enfinger locked up the regular-season championship by starting the race and gathering points in the opening stage. He wound up sixth in the ThorSport No. 98 Ford. MORE: Enfinger seals regular-season title The postseason begins with the series' next race, scheduled for Thursday (8:30 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM) at Bristol Motor Speedway. This story will be updated. ]]>


CHARLOTTE, NC   The Federal Bureau of Investigation is asking for help locating the "Big Box Bandit"   a man they say is a suspect behind a string of bank robberies and a carjacking in Tennessee, Indiana and North Carolina. In May, the suspect robbed banks inside Walmarts in Clinton, Tennessee and Kingsport, Tennessee. According to the FBI, in both robberies he was carrying a manila envelope, and demanded bank tellers put money inside it. Based upon clues from those robberies, FBI agents connected him to a robbery of a bank inside a Walmart in Shelbyville, Indiana, as well as a bank in Candler, North Carolina. Last week, On June 21, the suspect is believed to have carjacked a vehicle in West Knoxville and used it during the robbery of a check cashing business inside a Walmart in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the FBI said. The FBI said the Big Box Bandit has been known to drive an older blue Ford Taurus and a gold-colored Chevrolet Trailblazer, which were both stolen in Tennessee during robberies. He is described as 5-foot, 8-inches tall and weighing about 180 -190 pounds. He also has been seen with a beard or goatee during many of the incidents, the FBI said. The FBI said that anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call FBI's Knoxville, Tennessee Field Office at 865-544-0751, submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov , or contact your local law enforcement agency. Help the #FBI identify the "Big Box Bandit." He's suspected of robbing 5 banks in 3 states including 1 in North Carolina. https://t.co/c4iO4brMim pic.twitter.com/WvJ32izQaP   FBI Charlotte (@FBICharlotte) June 25, 2019


Three o'clock hits and your stomach is making weird noises. Yes, you're hungry. To squash the midday hunger strike, fuel up on low-calorie foods, which will curb your appetite and boost energy levels. Warning: Mindless snacking will lead to turning those calories into a meal. That said, snacking doesn't have to be a caloric bottomless pit; simply keep the snacks around 100 to 200 calories. Three o'clock hits and your stomach is making weird noises. Yes, you're hungry. To squash the midday hunger strike, fuel up on low-calorie foods, which will curb your appetite and boost energy levels. Warning: Mindless snacking will lead to turning those calories into a meal. That said, snacking doesn't have to be a caloric bottomless pit; simply keep the snacks around 100 to 200 calories. Popcorn To satisfy any salty and crunchy cravings, popcorn does the trick. And since it s filled with air, you ll think you re eating more. Unknown to many, popcorn is heart-friendly due to its high polyphenol content, and it counts as a whole grain. And the best part: just 2.5 cups contain 110 calories, two grams of fat, and only 200 milligrams of sodium. Edamame This veggie takes the cake for an impeccable nutrition profile because it's low-fat, low-cholesterol, and high in protein. Adding to the nutrition list, edamame is loaded with essential fatty acids, fiber, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. You can either buy edamame fresh or find it in the frozen section of the grocery store. One cup of edamame contains 189 calories, eight grams of fat, 15 grams of carbs, and 17 grams of protein. Grilled Pineapple If you have time the night before work, grill up some pineapple. This fresh fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, all working to prevent cancer, lower blood pressure, and promote heart health. Fun fact: Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain, which has been seen to reduce inflammation post-workout. Pair one cup of pineapple with cottage cheese to up the protein. Sweet Potato Chips Chips are another salty but crunchy snack, but they don't have to destroy your macros. Instead, keep it healthy by making your own sweet potato chips. For sweet potato chips, peel two sweet potatoes and thinly slice them. Then take a paper towel and pat the slices dry, followed by placing each slice on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over the slices, and sprinkle sea salt. Bake them in the oven at 350 for 25 minutes. Celery with Peanut Butter Time to be a kid again and snack on celery with peanut butter. Around 75 percent of celery is water with the remaining 25 percent being fiber, making you feel fuller longer. Top each celery stick with peanut butter to help fill up your protein macro. Frozen Grapes Do you need a small sugar kick? Throw back a few frozen red grapes. Simply rinse the grapes in cold water, and throw them into a plastic bag   freezing them until they re solid. Red grapes are higher in antioxidants, specifically resveratrol, which has been linked to decreasing the risk for heart disease. Walnuts Among all the nuts, walnuts contain the most alpha-linoleic acid, which are plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. They also contain more polyunsaturated than monounsaturated fats. One ounce of walnuts contains 190 calories, four grams of protein, and 18 grams of fat (13 grams of which are polyunsaturated). The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee has suggested that for the population to move toward a more plant-based diet that increases consumption in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, there needs to be more emphasis on replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat, specifically polyunsaturated fat.


Robert Quinn 's initial Cowboys preseason slate will be nullified because of an injury he suffered at practice Tuesday. The trade acquisition will undergo surgery in Dallas after breaking his left hand, Todd Archer of ESPN.com notes (on Twitter) . Quinn's fracture, however, might not shelve him for any regular-season time. Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones expects the ninth-year defensive end to be ready by the time the Cowboys face the Giants in Week 1. So, the Cowboys' August lineup graphics will not feature either of the team's projected D-end starters, with DeMarcus Lawrence also out for the preseason slate. Moving first (perhaps predictably) to the Cowboys' glut of extension candidates, here is the latest from around the NFC: Jones said earlier today the Cowboys are offering deals that would, at the moment, make Dak Prescott , Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper among the five highest-paid players at their respective positions . That represents a low bar for Elliott, but Jones revealed one Cowboys stance: that Le'Veon Bell 's Jets deal slightly lowered the running back market compared to where it was when Todd Gurley signed his lucrative pact. As for the status of Dallas' deals, Jones does not expect them to be done during the team's training camp stay in Oxnard, Calif. " To set all expectations, I'd be floored if anything got done before we got (back) to Dallas, with any of the three ," Jones said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic ( on Twitter ). " I'm not concerned. I don't feel any momentum. I don't see anything happening ." The Cowboys will be in Oxnard until August 15. Solomon Thomas has not lived up to his lofty draft status thus far, but the 49ers will try and capitalize on the former No. 2 overall pick's interior-rushing talent. With Dee Ford and Nick Bosa now on the edge, Thomas has been rotating with defensive tackles DeForest Buckner at Arik Armstead , Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area notes . Thomas saw the majority of his 644 49ers snaps last season on the edge. The Stanford product has just four sacks in two seasons. Going into their preseason slate, the Vikings have leaned toward Sean Mannion being Kirk Cousins ' primary backup. That is not surprising, given Mannion's status as the Rams' QB2 recently. Mannion and 2017 UDFA Kyle Sloter were rotating No. 2 reps recently, but Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press points out Sloter is now rotating with rookie UDFA Jake Browning with Minnesota's third-team offense. Both backups are playing for league-minimum money. Rams rookie linebacker Justin Lawler underwent foot surgery Tuesday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com tweets . The Rams drafted Lawler in the seventh round out of SMU. He profiles as a full-season IR candidate. Teams must carry players through to the 53-man roster for them to be eligible for IR-return status during the season.


Earlier this season, the Pacers made Kelly Krauskopf the NBA's first female assistant general manager . Comparing jobs across teams can be tricky. Krauskopf reports to Kevin Pritchard, who runs Indiana's front office with the title of President of Basketball Operations. As Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, David Griffin runs the Pelicans' front office. But it sounds as if New Orleans will give Swin Cash a position with similar stature to Krauskopf's. Zach Lowe of ESPN : The New Orleans Pelicans are hiring former UConn and WNBA star Swin Cash for a senior front-office position, league sources told ESPN. The team will name Cash vice president of basketball operations and team development, sources say. She will scout, help guide player development on and off the floor, and assume other roles within the organization. Cash played 15 years in the WNBA then worked in the New York Liberty's front office. Based on her work as a TV analyst, she'll bring plenty of basketball expertise and thoughtfulness to New Orleans. Beyond assessing Cash's individual merits, teams will generally make better hires when considering the widest-possible pool of candidates   including women. Historically, the NBA hasn't done that. That's why it's still so noteworthy when a team hires a female executive, especially to such a prominent position. Hopefully, that will change. But it hasn't yet, and that's why there's an additional spotlight on pioneers like Cash.