You know how I know we are inching closer to the start of the 2019 college football season? The first of a handful of irrelevant and ultimately meaningless preseason polls has been released. Yippie? Very late Thursday morning, USA Today released its annual preseason coaches' poll. Sitting at the apex of the initial Top 25 of the 2019 college football season is defending College Football Playoff champion Clemson, with the Tigers receiving 59 of the 65 first-place votes. The other six first-place nods went to the team Clemson beat for the 2018 national championship, Alabama. No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Oklahoma and No. 5 Ohio State round out the Top Five, while No. 6 LSU, No. 7 Michigan, No. 8 Florida, No. 9 Notre Dame and No. 10 Texas finish off the Top Ten. The aforementioned schools represent four of the five Power Five conferences; the highest-ranked of the fifth, the Pac-12, is Washington at No. 12. Still, there are five total schools from the Pac-12 in the first Top 25, which trails only the Big Ten's seven and the SEC's six. Among the other two Power Five conferences, the Big 12 placed three and the ACC two. The Big Ten, incidentally, nearly added an eighth as Nebraska finished tops in the "others receiving votes" category. The highest-ranked Group of Five school   in fact, the only G5 squad on the list   is UCF, which comes in tied for 17th with Wisconsin. This poll marks the first time since 2015 that Alabama will head into a season as something other than the top-ranked team according to the coaches. Additionally, this will be the first time since 20108, and just the second time since 1990, that Florida State will start a campaign unranked. Conversely, Iowa State, at No. 24, is a preseason Top 25 school for the first time in the program's history. 1. Clemson (1,619 points) 2. Alabama (1,566) 3. Georgia (1447) 4. Oklahoma (1415) 5. Ohio State (1368) 6. LSU (1,218) 7. Michigan (1,155) 8. Florida (1,103) 9. Notre Dame (1,100) 10. Texas (1,038) 11. Texas A&M (893) 12. Washington (834) 13. Oregon (787) 14. Penn State (699) 15. Utah (642) 16. Auburn (606) 17. Wisconsin (436) 17. Central Florida (436) 19. Iowa (343) 20. Michigan State (313) 21. Washington State (274) 22. Syracuse (227) 23. Stanford (200) 24. Iowa State (169) 25. Northwestern (161) OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES Nebraska 152; Boise State 118; Mississippi State 111; Miami 94; Army 91; Kentucky 79; Virginia Tech 64; Texas Christian 63; Southern California 47; Utah State 32; Fresno State 32; Virginia 30; Cincinnati 25; West Virginia 24; Memphis 24; Oklahoma State 20; South Carolina 15; NC State 12; Duke 10; Boston College 5; Florida State 4; Baylor 4; Appalachian State 4; North Texas 3; Houston 3; UCLA 2; Temple 2; Arizona State 2; Troy 1; Tennessee 1; Mississippi 1; Minnesota 1. And, for those who are curious, here is the list of 65 support staffers head coaches who will vote for the Top 25 this season: Chris Ash, Rutgers Dino Babers, Syracuse Craig Bohl, Wyoming Jeff Brohm, Purdue Neal Brown, West Virginia Troy Calhoun, Air Force Steve Campbell, South Alabama Rod Carey, Temple Jamey Chadwell, Coastal Carolina Geoff Collins, Georgia Tech David Cutcliffe, Duke Mark Dantonio, Michigan State Butch Davis, Florida International Ryan Day, Ohio State Manny Diaz, Miami (Fla.) Dana Dimel, UTEP; Dave Doeren, NC State Sonny Dykes, SMU Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern James Franklin, Penn State Hugh Freeze, Liberty Willie Fritz, Tulane Scott Frost, Nebraska Justin Fuente, Virginia Tech Thomas Hammock, Northern Illinois Bryan Harsin, Boise State Clay Helton, USC Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky Tom Herman, Texas Doc Holliday, Marshall Jay Hopson, Southern Miss Mike Houston, East Carolina Mike Leach, Washington State Lance Leipold, Buffalo Tim Lester, Western Michigan Chip Lindsey, Troy Seth Littrell, North Texas Scot Loeffler, Bowling Green Rocky Long, San Diego State Chad Lunsford, Georgia Southern Gus Malzahn, Auburn Chuck Martin, Miami (Ohio) Doug Martin, New Mexico State Jeff Monken, Army Phillip Montgomery, Tulsa Dan Mullen, Florida Ken Niumatalolo, Navy Ed Orgeron, LSU Gary Patterson, TCU Chris Petersen, Washington Jeremy Pruitt, Tennessee Matt Rhule, Baylor Nick Saban, Alabama Tony Sanchez, UNLV Kirby Smart, Georgia Jonathan Smith Oregon State Frank Solich, Ohio Jake Spavital, Texas State Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee Kevin Sumlin, Arizona Dabo Swinney, Clemson Jeff Tedford, Fresno State Matt Wells, Texas Tech Kyle Whittingham, Utah.


CLEVELAND   We don't want to go there, please not again. We don't want to believe it's more than the balls that are juiced in Major League Baseball. Come on, the dizzying number of home runs being hit this season isn't just because of the baseball or launch angles and other analytics, right? MLB is on pace for 6,657, nearly 1,100 more than a year ago, and 600 more than the record of 6,105 in 2017. Teams are averaging a 2.74 homers a game , with 16 teams on pace to break franchise records. The Minnesota Twins hit more home runs in the first half than any team in history, eclipsing their total from all of last season. They're on pace to hit 307 homers   82 more than their franchise record. Everybody in MLB has accepted that the baseball is juiced , or as Commissioner Rob Manfred has said, there is less drag on the ball causing it to go farther. This is the narrative everyone wants to believe. But what if there is more to it? What if it's as though we've gone back to the 1990s, and we're being naive? What if doping is back in a big way? After all, it was only six years ago when MLB and its stringent drug-testing program was rocked with the revelation that Biogenesis, a South Florida laboratory, was distributing performance-enhancing drugs to players. Thirteen of them were suspended, including Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun, but not one failed a drug test. Given that recent history, and the so-called steroid era that preceded it, which resulted in the game's hallowed home run records falling, it's impossible to be certain that players are no longer taking performance-enhancing drugs. "You can't help but wonder," said Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black. "You don't want to, but I think we all have our suspicions.'' ARE THEY BACK?: Decades later, we're wondering about steroids in baseball   again From BALCO to Biogenesis Before Biogenesis, there was BALCO, or the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative. Among the players implicated more than 15 years ago were Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi. Victor Conte was the founder and president and spent four months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute steroids and money laundering. He is convinced players are beating the system by using testosterone. "There are guys using these drugs, really as many or more than ever before,'' Conte told USA TODAY Sports. "The difference is these guys not only understand how and when to take it, but what dosage and delivery level, and not test positive. Hey, good news travels fast, right? "Guys can't take the large dosages they used to, but they've figured out how to circumvent the system rather easily, and are flying under the radar. That's why you have so many guys (on pace for) 40 homers, but nobody is hitting 80.'' MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association point to the league's drug testing policy, which barely existed 20 years ago and is now among the most comprehensive in sports. "We have the most stringent, sophisticated program in the world,'' said MLB deputy commissioner Dan Halem, "and more than ever, it's very hard to beat the system. We're confident that home-run rate relates to two things: players trying to hit home runs with the launch angle and analytics helping them, and that the ball is carrying better than it has last year, more similar to two years ago. "We're pretty confident the increase of home runs does not involve PEDs." The players union, which agreed to enhance the testing program after the Biogenesis scandal, also points to juiced baseballs. "I don't know any professional sport where guys are tested more than ours,'' union executive director Tony Clark said. "It puts us in position if there are things going on that light would be shown at some point of time. "What appears to be common knowledge now   that there have been changes to the baseball   should be the focus more than the other." But therein lies the problem for baseball. Since the sport, as well as many in the news media and fans, turned a blind eye to doping in the 1990s, today's leaders can't simply shrug off suggestions that players are juicing again. And there is talk in clubhouses that some of these home-run outbursts are less than genuine. Some players are rocketing past their career high in home runs. Some who struggled to hit the ball to the warning track are now launching balls 450 feet the opposite field. "You like to think the game is clean,'' St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dexter Fowler said, "but you really don't know who's doing what.'' Oakland A's right-hander Frankie Montas tested positive last month for Ostarine, a PED, and was suspended 80 games. While it showed the drug-testing program at work, it also was a reminder that it's impossible to know what players are doing behind closed doors. "You saw (with Montas) that it's not completely out of the game,'' said Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, "but I think for the most part people believe there's a level playing field out there. The goal of the testing program is to catch guys if they cheat, obviously, but more than anything, to deter guys so that it doesn't get to that. "Everybody wants a clean game and level playing field, and we're doing everything to make that possible.'' David Segui played in the majors from 1990 to 2004 and admitted to using steroids during his career and now while in retirement. He has said for many years that he knows of active players who are doping, and says he believes it continues to this day. "I would say 60% of the guys today, easily, are doing stuff,'' Segui told USA TODAY Sports. "It reminds me of our era when everybody talked about the balls being juiced. The balls weren't juiced, the players were juiced. Just like now. "You're seeing balls hit now in upper decks where not even the most juiced-up guys were hitting balls back in the day. You're seeing scrawny little guys hitting balls 460 feet. Guys are hitting balls where Barry (Bonds) and (Mark) McGwire never hit them. You're seeing these little guys with terrible swings go opposite field. "The ball is hot, but come on, you think these home runs are just because of the balls?'' More than 11,000 tests Conte, who now works as a trainer and nutritionist for boxers, says players can easily beat drug tests with various substances that leave their system by the time they are tested at the ballpark. "There are PEDs that are simply undetectable, and there are other ways that you can use PEDs and circumvent the testing,'' Conte said. "In the old days, before testing, you can load up on testosterone and it will keep your levels high 24 hours a day. Now, they use a fast-acting testosterone. You can take a little (lozenge), take a cream, and after four hours, it peaks, and comes down six or eight hours later. So, by the time you get to the ballpark, it'll be less than the 4/1 ratio, so you come back clean. "If baseball really wanted to bust their ass, you'd go to their house in the middle or the night or the first thing in the morning." MLB administered more than 11,526 drug tests last year, including 2,244 blood samples for human growth hormone. MLB instituted a new protocol after the Biogenesis scandal in which every player's testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E ratio) is tracked so that spikes can be easily caught. If there is an irregularity in a player's T/E ratio, the player's urine test can be subjected to a more in-depth analysis that can trigger a positive test. "The testing for testosterone is much more sophisticated now,'' Halem said, "and if you're using a testosterone-based steroid, our labs are going to detect it. "If you're doing PEDs, it's like Russian roulette, your number is going to come eventually.'' While MLB can test players at anytime during the offseason, it is limited to testing only at the ballpark, before or after games. "We are tested all of the time when we get to the ballpark,'' Miami Marlins veteran outfielder Curtis Granderson said. "But we were the ones who asked for it, right? We kept saying, 'We need more. We need more.' So now that we got it, we can't be mad. "At the same time, with Biogenesis, nobody failed a test. They wouldn't have got caught except for the paper trail. So just because there's more tests, it doesn't mean everything has stopped." Follow Nightengale on Twitter @Bnightengale This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'You can't help but wonder': As home runs fly at a record pace, MLB's doping question is back Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (Provided by imagn)


BMW on Tuesday agreed to pay $1.6 million and rehire 70 black employees settling a 2-year-old racial discrimination lawsuit. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity sued BMW in 2013 alleging the company's criminal background check procedures to employ candidates for its Greer manufacturing facility in South Carolina unequally affected blacks. According to BMW's guidelines, no one with a criminal background within the past seven years could be hired. However, after a new contractor came on board, the company began a fresh round of background checks and dismissed anyone with a criminal record from any year, the Associated Press reported. The federal agency said 88 workers were fired, of whom 70 were black and some had worked for the company for over 10 years. BMW denied the allegations Tuesday saying that it does not discriminate by race "as evidenced by its large and highly diverse workforce," according to USA Today. "We are pleased with BMW's agreement to resolve this disputed matter by providing both monetary relief and employment opportunities to the logistic workers who lost their jobs at the facility," Lynette Barnes, regional attorney for the Charlotte District Office, where the lawsuit was filed, reportedly said. "We commend BMW for re-evaluating its criminal conviction records guidelines that resulted in the discharge of these workers." BMW, along with nine of the world's largest automakers, is involved in another lawsuit that alleges the companies kept customers in dark about the risk of keyless ignitions, which have been available in the U.S. since at least 2003. The lawsuit filed late August alleged that many users believed that after taking their electronic key fobs with them, the engine would shut down automatically, but the vehicle kept running. This harmed the lives of people who inhaled the "deadly" carbon monoxide, the plaintiffs reportedly said, adding that the defect had claimed the lives of 13 people and injured several others. The complainants also alleged that the defect reduced the resale value of their cars. The suit, which seeks a class-action status, calls for compensatory and punitive damages, and an injunction requiring companies to install automatic shut-off features on current and future vehicles with keyless ignitions.


WASHINGTON   Not every Republican agrees with President Trump that foreigners have a role to play in American elections. In fact, some GOP senators have joined with Democrats to co-sponsor legislation designed to shore up voting machines and make it harder for foreign intelligence operatives to hack, leak and manipulate social media the way the Russians did in 2016. But those bills are going nowhere   because Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has not allowed a vote on any of them. "At this point, I don't see any likelihood that those bills would get to the floor if we mark them up," Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who serves under McConnell in the Senate leadership, said last month. McConnell himself has avoided commenting directly on the bills. He declined to respond to questions about them at his weekly news conference this week, although he announced that senators would get a briefing on election security. The election security and foreign interference legislation is garnering renewed attention in the wake of Trump's comments Wednesday to ABC News that he saw nothing wrong with accepting incriminating information about a political opponent from Russia or other foreign governments. "It's not an interference. They have information," Trump said. "I think I'd take it." Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, immediately tweeted in response to Trump's comments that "if the president and his campaign can't be trusted to do the right thing," Congress should pass his bill, which would require political campaigns to report to the FBI and federal election authorities any attempt of contact by foreign nationals offering services or information. On Thursday, in the wake of Trump's comments, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and Warner made a request to pass the measure; Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., objected. That measure doesn't have any Republican co-sponsors. But Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., a Trump ally, has joined with Democrats in co-sponsoring the "Defending the Integrity of Voting Systems Act," which would make it a federal crime to hack any voting systems used in a federal election. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., meanwhile, has co-sponsored the "Deter Act," which would require the U.S. director of National Intelligence to determine, within 30 days of any federal election, whether Russia or other foreign government had engaged in election interference. If interference was discovered, the act would require that mandatory sanctions be imposed within 10 days on Russian banks and energy companies, among other targets. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., has sponsored a bill that would craft voluntary security guidelines for voting systems   a measure that does not go far enough for most Democrats. On the social media front, a bill by Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, a Democratic candidate for president, would require that political ads placed on platforms such as Facebook and YouTube be subject to the same disclosure requirements as television spots. That would allow the public to learn who was paying for the ads and how much was spent. The Democratic-controlled House has passed several election security and foreign interference measures, but few if any of them have a chance of becoming law. The Democrats did insert $600 million for election security in a must-pass spending bill, but that will have to be negotiated. According to published reports, McConnell refused in September 2016 to sign on to a bipartisan warning about Russian election interference when the Obama administration requested one from Congress. McConnell's office has pushed back by pointing to a September 2016 letter, signed by congressional leaders from both parties, and sent to the president of the National Association of State Election Directors that warned state officials about possible hacking efforts, but did not mention Russia. For his part, even before he decreed it morally acceptable to make use of opposition research from foreign intelligence operatives, Trump has displayed little interest in the issue of how to protect American elections from outside interference. While individual agencies such as the FBI have stepped up efforts to combat foreign influence, there is no evidence of a coordinated policy response out of the White House   something experts say is badly needed to grapple with difficult issues surrounding social media and free speech   and the local control afforded to America's county-by-county voting system. FBI Director Christopher Wray and top intelligence officials have said they expect Russia and other nations to attempt to meddle in the 2020 presidential election, building on the successful playbook that Russia employed in 2016.


Looking to check out the newest restaurant and retail additions to Aurora? From a Cajun/Creole spot to a cafe and pastry shop, read on for a rundown of the newest hot spots to make their debut near you. The Juicy Seafood The Juicy Seafood is a Cajun/Creole spot, offering seafood and more that's located at 2727 S. Parker Road. The menu features black mussels, snow crab legs, crawfish, shrimp and live lobster and Dungeness crab, served with corn on the cob and potato, as well as Cajun/garlic butter or other sauces. Cajun fries, oysters and hush puppies are also offered. Nepali Mountain Kitchen New to 10180 E. Colfax Ave. is Nepali Mountain Kitchen , a Himalayan/Nepalese restaurant. On the menu, expect to find authentic cuisine from Nepal, plus curried chicken, samosas and lentil soup. HiRa Cafe & Patisserie HiRa Cafe & Patisserie is a cafe that recently opened at 10782 E. Iliff Ave. in East Ridge - Ptarmigan Park. The cafe features cakes, croissants and pastries, including strawberry cream danish, and cookies. It also serves cappucino, lattes and other coffees and teas. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Lots of brands have introduced wellness shots to the market, claiming they'll improve sleep, boost immunity , and more. But do they actually work? That's the question I posed to dietitians after experiencing their magic - or what I thought was magic - for myself. It's a tough sell, the idea that you can buy health in a (teeny, tiny) bottle, but when my whole family fell under the weather , I decided to throw back Suja's Immunity Shots , hoping the turmeric and probiotics would help me fend off whatever was plaguing our house. To my surprise, I still felt that familiar tickle in my throat, but it passed without developing into a full-blown cold. Feeling empowered, I took Medlie's Digestion Veggie Shot - which contains tomatoes and apple cider vinegar - every morning for a week to see if it would soothe my stomach. Even after some questionable late-night movie snacks one evening and a couple of beers on Sunday to calm my Game of Thrones -induced nerves, I woke up without feeling bloated or rumbly. Health is complicated and complex, though, and I really didn't know if it was all in my head or if these wellness shots were the real deal. Turns out, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. How Can You Tell If Wellness Shots Are Working? You're more likely to see long-term results than immediate ones. "If you see improved lasting energy, decrease in overall sickness throughout the year, and improved mood, these are signs wellness shots might be working for you," Laura Ligos , a registered dietitian in Albany, NY, told POPSUGAR. Tracey Grant , RD, agreed: "I recommend watching for patterns over time. If you find that you usually get the sniffles after traveling, but that stops when you start to incorporate a wellness shot before heading to the airport, that's a great sign!" When it comes to energy-boosting shots , "take a look at your performance after using it," Tracey suggested. "Did you feel more energetic? Did your afternoon slump disappear?" If so, both experts recommend taking a "holiday" from these wellness shots (the same could be done with any supplement) to see if you notice significant changes in your health, sleep, or energy when you aren't taking them. If you notice a consistent difference when you stop taking them, that would be a good indicator that they're helping and you can safely add them back in. How Should You Take Wellness Shots? Because they're mostly made up of fruits, veggies, probiotics, or other supplements you would take on a regular basis, there's no harm in taking them every day. You may not need to, though, depending on why you're taking them in the first place. If you're just looking for an energy boost, Tracey recommends that you take them as needed. For something like immune support, you may choose to take them all Winter (when literally everybody is sick) or just on travel days. Just remember, "any opportunity to increase the produce and phytochemical content of your diet is going to be beneficial, but wellness shots aren't meant to replace the produce on your plate," Tracey said. Laura pointed out that "wellness shots aren't cure-alls that can heal all of your health woes, but they can definitely be a part of a healthy lifestyle." A big reason for this may simply be that healthy habits beget healthy habits. "If you are someone who is taking wellness shots, you're probably doing other things to work on your health as well, like getting more sleep, drinking more water, eating healthier foods, and working out more often," Laura told POPSUGAR. Simply put, consider wellness shots a health insurance policy to supplement an equally healthy lifestyle. Video: Study: An earlier dinner can lower your risk of cancer (Courtesy: Veuer)


Over the past month nearly 15 million people have driven a car within an hour of using marijuana, according to a survey released recently by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Effects from marijuana can be experienced anywhere from one to four hours after usage. Those under the influence of the drug are twice as likely to be in car crash, the survey said. Yet, 70% of Americans believe they're unlikely to get caught by law enforcement while driving high, the survey found. Tom Woodward, coordinator of Maryland's drug recognition expert program, said it's just as dangerous to drive under the influence of marijuana as alcohol or other drugs, such as opioids, even though the impairments are not the same. "We do know that marijuana certainly does cause impairment," Woodward said. "But because it's different than alcohol, people don't view it as being bad." The AAA survey found 7% of Americans said they approved of driving under the influence of marijuana more than other drugs such as alcohol or prescription drugs. More than any other age group, millennials are most likely to drive under the influence of marijuana at 14%, followed by Generation Z at 10%. Men are more likely than women to drive after using the drug. But the idea that most Americans find it acceptable to drive while high on marijuana did not surprise Woodward. He related it back to educating people about the dangers of driving drunk, which began nearly 40 years ago. He hopes it won't take as long this time. "People used to think they couldn't get caught for driving under the influence of alcohol either until public information campaigns," Woodward said. "But that perception has changed. And I think it can change with marijuana, too." Maryland has seen a steady climb since 2012 in the number of drivers found under the influence of cannabis, another name for marijuana, and the number of related crashes, according to state data. From 2017 to 2018, marijuana-related crashes nearly doubled from 34 to 60. That means cannabis accounted for 32% of all drug-related crashes last year. Woodward said he is working with the Maryland Highway Safety Office to create campaigns around marijuana and the dangers of driving after using the drug. Additionally, he said his office and law enforcement statewide have increased training for officers to detect those behind the wheel who are under the influence. Officers use clues such as the inability to cross eyes, swaying or having a driver touch their finger to their nose to try to determine whether they are under the influence of marijuana. It's different from tests that might be used when alcohol is involved because someone's balance won't change as much with marijuana, Woodward said. A survey from AAA-Mid Atlantic earlier this year revealed that nearly half of Marylanders, 48%, support legalizing recreational marijuana usage. The state decriminalized marijuana possession of up to 10 grams in 2014. Medical marijuana usage was legalized more than four years ago in Maryland but became accessible to residents only last year. Mike Gimbel, former Baltimore County drug czar, said the survey results and prospect of the drug becoming legalized for recreational use is alarming. "I think we are really going down the wrong road here because we're trying to pretend like its 1969 and it's just not," he said. "This is not your daddy's marijuana." Gimbel said the drug has become increasingly stronger over the past several years with a predominantly higher THC content than before. The former drug addict now does advocacy work across the state and said he has visited more schools this year than ever before. He said he feels like parents are sending a message to their children that it's better to smoke marijauna than to drink. "I have kids who told me they have hallucinated on wax, a type of marijuana before," Gimbel said. "And we're just blowing it off like it's no big deal. It scares me, it should scare everyone and it should especially scare parents."     ©2019 The Baltimore Sun Visit The Baltimore Sun at www.baltimoresun.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


MIAMI (AP) A Boston Celtics assistant coach has been sentenced to probation and ordered to pay a fine for accepting $300,000 in bribes to get a wealthy Florida businessman's son into the University of Pennsylvania. Court records show a federal judge imposed the sentence Monday on Jerome Allen, the former head basketball coach at Penn. In addition to four years' probation, the 47-year-old Allen must pay a $202,000 fine and forfeit another $18,000. Allen received a lenient sentence after testifying for prosecutors against Philip Esformes in a $1 billion Medicare fraud trial. Esformes was convicted in April of 20 counts including money laundering and obstruction of justice and awaits sentencing. Allen testified that he accepted Esformes' money to help the businessman's son, Morris, gain acceptance as a ''recruited'' basketball player at Penn.


(Reuters) - A look at the top women's contenders at Wimbledon 2019 (prefix denotes seeding): 1-ASH BARTY (Australia) The diminutive Australian arrives at Wimbledon fresh off her maiden Grand Slam triumph at the French Open and having replaced Naomi Osaka at the top of the world rankings. Barty walked away from tennis to play cricket in her native Queensland a few years ago but has barely missed a beat since returning in 2016, winning plaudits and titles with her indomitable spirit, precision serve and devastating forehand. She is the first Australian to top the women's rankings since Evonne Goolagong Cawley 43 years ago, but her chances at Wimbledon depend on how she recovers from the arm injury that forced her out of the Eastbourne warm-up earlier this week. 2-NAOMI OSAKA (Japan) Not much has gone right for Osaka since she parted company with coach Sascha Bajin a month after she clinched the Australian Open. Injuries and poor form have prevented the Japanese from reaching another final in the eight tournaments she has played since her Melbourne triumph and she relinquished her grip on the number one ranking after an early exit in Birmingham. Despite her struggles, Osaka is still among the favorites at the All England Club this year due to her ability to bring out her best tennis on the game's grandest stages. 3-KAROLINA PLISKOVA (Czech Republic) Pliskova's immense potential has not yet translated into success on the biggest stage but her big serve and blistering forehand keep her among the top contenders on grass. At 27, she is at the peak of her powers but needs to show more consistency in the second week if she is to progress beyond the last 16 at Wimbledon for the first time. 5-ANGELIQUE KERBER (Germany) Holder Kerber will hope that a return to the scene of her latest Grand Slam triumph can revive her form and world ranking which has dipped due to illness and injuries in the last year. A shock first round exit at Roland Garros was put down to an ankle injury but she has since gathered steam with a semi-final run at Mallorca. 6-PETRA KVITOVA (Czech Republic) Kvitova thrives on the Wimbledon lawns, having won the title in 2011 and 2014, and has the weapons to beat any of the top-ranked players on her day. The left-hander's career was interrupted by a knife attack in December 2016 but she is back to her best, finishing runner-up at the Australian Open and winning titles in Sydney and Stuttgart. The Czech was hampered by a left calf injury during the claycourt tournament in Rome and also pulled out of the French Open with a forearm problem. 7-SIMONA HALEP (Romania) Halep started the season on top of the world rankings but a trophy-less 2019 has seen her plummet to seventh -- her lowest ranking since April 2016. The 27-year-old claycourt specialist is a counter-puncher who prefers to stay behind the baseline and use her shot selection and court coverage to grind down opponents. Grass is far from the Romanian's favorite surface, however, and reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2014 is still her best result at the All England Club. 11-SERENA WILLIAMS (United States) Williams' hunt for a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam following maternity leave has twice ended in heartbreak but the American is still a force to be reckoned with at Wimbledon, where she will look to improve on last year's runner-up finish. The seven-times winner has not enjoyed the best preparation in a season hampered by a knee injury and comes into the tournament after a third-round exit at the French Open. 25-AMANDA ANISIMOVA (United States) Born to Russian parents and trained in Florida, teenager Anisimova has plenty in common with former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova. Anisimova became the first player born in this millennium to reach a Grand Slam semi-final with her run at Roland Garros and will hope to carry that momentum into Wimbledon. Sharapova announced herself by winning the Wimbledon title at the age of 17, and although Anisimova who turns 18 in August still has a lot to prove, her raw potential makes her one of the most exciting prospects on the tour. (Compiled by Rohith Nair and Hardik Vyas; Editing by Christian Radnedge)


While on the stand Tuesday, Aubrey Trail said the story he told to investigators and to his attorneys was a lie. Shackled in handcuffs and with a visible scar on the right side of his neck, Trail appeared in court for the first time since he slashed at his throat June 24. "You will be restrained for the balance of this trial. If you are disruptive you will be removed from the courtroom," judge Vicky Johnson said. Later, against his attorney's advice, Trail took the stand, explaining his absence during the trial, according to KETV. "I chose not to hear the prosecution because I agree with 85 percent of what they said," Trail said. Prosecutors believe Trail and Bailey Boswell lured Sydney Loofe, 24, on a Tinder date in 2017, killed her and disposed of her dismembered body in fields in Clay County. On the stand, Trail said the story he told investigators and his attorneys was a lie. "It was only me Bailey and Sydney there the night Sydney died. I'll get into how it happened I guess, but no, there was two other girls there. There was no sexual fantasy. There was no $15,000 paid for a sexual fantasy," Trail added. He said they knew Loofe months before, had a previous relationship and were trying to get her back into their group by offering to help her out financially. Trail still maintains Loofe died accidentally during rough sex. "Bailey and Loofe were having sex. I was strangling Loofe," Trail said. When an attorney asked if it was consensual, Trail responded saying that it was. Trail said he panicked and dismembered Loofe's body so he could remove it undetected. Earlier, two employees of the Grand Weaver Hotel in Falls City testified they saw Loofe with Trail and Boswell in the late spring or summer of 2017. READ MORE: Aubrey Trail recants original story while on the stand CHECK OUT KCCI: Get the latest Des Moines news and weather. The KCCI news team brings you the best in local coverage and all the top stories from across the state.


Looking for a fresh activity to keep you busy this weekend? You don't have to be in the market for a $3 million luxury listing to foster an interest in real estate, and open houses can give anyone an in-person peek at what Miami Beach homes are currently on the market, from pricey to cozy. Whether you're looking to buy a home in the competitive Miami Beach market, curious how far your money might get you, or just interested in checking out the interior of a neighbor's home, we've got a roundup of the open house options coming up this weekend. 234 Washington Ave Unit B   $3,395,000 3 beds, 3.5 baths, 2,658 sq. ft. This luxury townhome is located two blocks from the beach, and features floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with an eight-foot deep balcony, private elevator, white oak flooring, and Italian marble in the bathrooms. The master bathroom boasts a soaking tub and frameless glass rain shower, and there's a large rooftop terrace with 21-foot lap pool. The open house will be held on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ( Check out the full listing here .) 234 Washington Ave Unit A   2,845,250 3 beds, 2.5 baths, 2,463 sq. ft. Unit B a bit too pricey? The slightly smaller Unit A is an adaptive reuse of a historic bungalow with new construction that spans three levels of living area plus a rooftop deck. Expect a private elevator, more white oak flooring, and an open floor plan with formal dining room and living room on the first floor. The rooftop terrace doesn't have its own pool, but it does include a large jacuzzi. The open house will be held on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ( Here's the full listing .) 1020 Stillwater Dr.   $1,799,000 4 beds, 3.5 baths, 2,115 sq. ft. Listed as "the best deal waterfront home in Miami Beach," this "peaceful, exclusive" gated property has an open floor plan, and its 8,000-square-foot lot with pool may entice those who love to entertain. Check it out at the open house on Sunday, May 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ( Here's the full listing .) 100 Lincoln Rd Ph 9   $1,750,000 2 beds, 2.5 baths. 1,490 sq. ft. You'll get "the absolute best of the South Beach lifestyle" here, according to the listing, with a Lincoln Road location that boasts ocean and city views. It comes fully furnished, and the building features a new pool, new gym and new lobby. See it for yourself on Saturday, May 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ( Here's the complete listing .) 1735 Michigan Ave.   $1,390,000 2 beds, 2 baths, 1,703 sq. ft. This "quaint alcove offers a tranquil, private setting in the heart of South Beach," according to the listing, which includes an open living room area, upgraded kitchen, and poolside outdoor covered deck that "provides the perfect setting for outdoor entertaining and dining." Fully automated climate control, a camera system and complete soundproofing can be found here, too. This weekend's open house will be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ( More details on this listing can be found right here .) 1344 Euclid Ave Apt 4   $425,000 2 beds, 2 baths, 900 sq. ft. Not in the market for a million-dollar home? Check out this cozy charmer that's walking distance to shops, Lincoln Road, Flamingo Park and the beach. A "tranquil and bright historic home," it's got a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, deco fireplace, granite countertops and updated appliances in the kitchen, a washer/dryer and a private garage. Scope it out at the open house on Saturday, May 11, starting at noon. ( Here's the full listing .)


A-LIGN, which works with businesses on cybersecurity and compliance around the world, has chosen Denver as its second location in the U.S. A-LIGN , based in Tampa, Fla., opened its new office in the Industry Denver building in the River North Art District. The office, which opened last week, is home to 30 of the company's 250 employees. Scott Price, CEO of A-LIGN, called Denver "one of the fastest growing technology hubs" in the country. "As we continue to grow at a rapid pace, the need for in-person interaction to assist our more than 2,200 clients is a top priority. With 50 of our clients located in Denver and a majority on the West Coast, establishing an office in Denver's Silicon Mountain will help us meet their needs during their business hours and provide more opportunities to meet one-on-one," Price said in a statement. Some of the world's largest and most innovative tech brands, including Amazon and T-Mobile, are investing in the Denver area, Price said. The area's highly educated workforce provides companies like A-LIGN access "to a pipeline of smart and capable employees who are attracted to Denver's thriving culture and innovative tech scene," he added. Other tech companies that have recently opened or expanded operations in the area have cited the talent pool and geographic location as reasons for choosing Denver. Amazon recently expanded what it calls its "Denver tech hub." A-LIGN was founded in 2009 and has clients and employees around the world, including in Central America and Europe. Price said the company plans to increase its workforce to 315 by the end of the year. Related Articles Amazon opening new office in downtown Denver to make room for 400 more workers Xactly is the latest West Coast high-tech company to open, expand operations in Denver area Facebook "likes" Denver, opens new office in Lower Downtown


The Lakers have contacted the representatives for free agent guard Patrick Beverley , tweets Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times. The team has been rumored as a possible destination for Beverley, who has spent the past two seasons with the crosstown Clippers. Beverley could be a fall-back option for the Lakers if they can't land a third star to join LeBron James and Anthony Davis . L.A. has about $32 million in cap room, which it plans to split among several players if the search for another star comes up short. Beverley is reportedly seeking a three-year deal worth about $40 million. After being limited to 11 games because of injuries in 2017-18, Beverley turned in a solid season this year, averaging 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per night and playing the super-aggressive defense that has defined his career. The Kings, Mavericks and Bulls are also believed to be interested in Beverley, while the Clippers would like to bring him back.


Everton manager Marco Silva has pointed to transfer fees spiralling out of control as the reason the Toffees missed out on a number of their transfer targets this summer. With Kurt Zouma returning to Chelsea following his successful loan spell with the Toffees last season and veteran defender Phil Jagielka moving back to Sheffield United, Everton were seeking a centre-back throughout the window. They were unable to bring in a suitable replacement though, whilst they also failed in their attempt to sign Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace. When reflecting on Everton's transfer window, Silva admitted that he had been hampered by other clubs demanding excessive amounts of money in order to allow their players to leave. Quoted by The Mirror after his pre-match press conference, Silva said: "It is really tough now to buy a player   everyone is asking millions and millions and millions ." Despite not attracting all the players that they wanted, Everton still bought seven players this summer, including the deadline day arrival of Alex Iwobi from Arsenal. In response to those who felt that Everton spent big in recent weeks, Silva argued that when factoring in player departures such as Idrissa Gueye and Ademola Lookman , Everton's net spend was well-managed, claiming that his team are in a better position now than they were a year ago. "I don't like to speak about those numbers but I know people will say again Everton spent this and this. But in the end, if you put the balance [of players leaving], we spent £28m. I can tell you we are more able to compete tomorrow than when we were in the first match of last season. I don't have doubts about that."


Though there have been many changes since Ken Holland took over as Edmonton Oilers GM, one won't be happening behind the minor league bench. The organization announced Wednesday that Jay Woodcroft has signed a three-year extension to remain head coach of the Bakersfield Condors. Woodcroft took the Condors to a level that they had never seen before, setting a franchise record with 42 wins and getting to the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time. The group also completed an incredible 17-game winning streak in early 2019, tying the second longest streak in AHL history. Despite a long career as an assistant in the NHL, this was Woodcroft's first head coaching job at the professional level. Holland is familiar with Woodcroft from his days in Detroit, where he started his coaching career as a video assistant after retiring as a player in 2005. Todd McLellan was on that staff, and is someone Woodcroft has basically followed around the league since, spending more than a decade as his assistant in San Jose and Edmonton. That led to some speculation that he might be heading to Los Angeles to rejoin him, but after experiencing so much success with the Condors and being a positive influence on the development of Edmonton's young players, it makes sense for Holland and the Oilers to keep him around.


COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)   The sea of shifting soybean kernels had risen to Jay Butterfield's knees inside a tall grain bin on his Ohio farm. "I knew I was in trouble then," the 70-year-old said. "Because it's just like being in quicksand or cement." Sometimes a job becomes so routine and familiar that carelessness creeps in. That's the way it happened on Butterfield's 116-acre (47-hectare) farm north of Cincinnati. Soybeans that came out of the field last November were damp, didn't dry well and weren't flowing smoothly out of an opening in the bottom of the 30-foot- (9-meter-) tall, corrugated steel bin. Just before 4 p.m. on May 30, Butterfield scaled the ladder on the outside and climbed down into the shadowy bin with a length of plastic pipe to break up the damp clumps. He wore no harness or safety equipment. He had done the same thing without incident the previous day and on other days. "You think it's not going to happen to you," said the second-generation farmer. Butterfield climbed down and stood on top of the hard legumes, poking and breaking them up to better facilitate the flow. He was near the bottom of the bin when he got stuck. Then the crop that was piled up around the sides started to shift. "The beans went out from under my feet and sucked them down that fast," he said. "Then they started rolling on top of me." Butterfield had multiple problems. He was close enough to the bin's bottom to put his foot on the rotating auger, which helps sweep out the beans and threatened to suck him down into it. The machinery stripped the leather off one of his steel-toed boots and ripped the lace out. He hollered to his brother-in-law Eddie Demaree for help. By the time the first rescue squad arrived, Butterfield was buried up to his chest with his arms in the air. Within about 10 minutes, he was covered up to his chin. Despite the warnings, a couple dozen people, give or take, die from being buried in grain every year in the U.S. Butterfield's friend Charlie Groh died in a corn bin in 2013 in a neighboring township. Butterfield readily acknowledges he should have known better. Such accidents are so common that "grain entrapment" has a lengthy Wikipedia page. A study from Purdue University noted that 2010 was a particularly hazardous year for grain bin accidents, with 59 entrapments and 26 deaths. Last year, 30 grain entrapments were documented, with half the victims dying. Males under 18 are especially susceptible. It happens so often, in fact, that fire departments in farming regions undergo special training and acquire equipment just for these situations. One such crew, comprised of members of the Reily Township volunteer fire department, was near Butterfield's farm. "We got them on the road immediately," said Steve Miller, the Ross Township fire chief who headed the overall rescue effort. Before long there were no fewer than 52 rescue personnel from a dozen agencies on the scene. Ross Township firefighter-paramedic Ron Stenger is a technical rescue specialist trained in helping get people out of enclosed spaces. He was the first one in. A rope was dropped that then was tied around Butterfield's arms. He was given oxygen. Rescuers sprinkled water inside to keep the dust down and lessen the risk of combustion. Butterfield started wondering about the squad having to pull him out by his arms and how that would probably hurt a great deal. His chest was being squeezed, and he was breathing the dust generated by the crop. Loved ones were trying to keep his wife Genevra, who has had some health problems, up at the house, so she would stay calm. But she saw the hubbub and came down anyway. The yard filled with others who arrived to watch. Reily Township brought the key materials for rescue: panels to create a tube inside the bin. Rescuers lowered the panels inside and assembled the tube around Butterfield to keep him from being squeezed any more or buried by the beans. Once that was put together, getting the still wet soybeans out was slow going. A rescue auger kept clogging. A vacuum truck, which arrived with a police escort, came to suck them out. Two holes were cut in the side of the bin and people grabbed shovels and went to work. "I knew as soon as I got that wall around me that I had a chance," Butterfield said. "For two hours I thought I was a dead man." At about 7 p.m., three hours after the effort began, Butterfield was brought out through one of the holes in the side. He was helicoptered to a Cincinnati hospital as a precaution but was released the next day without any serious complaints. That evening some of his farmer friends worked until midnight shoveling his soybeans into a truck to get them to market. "I'm a very lucky man," he said.


Derrius Guice waited a long time for Thursday's practice. The Washington running back tore his ACL during last year's first preseason game and missed his entire rookie season while recovering from the injury. The expectation was that he'd be fully participating in camp this summer, although a hamstring injury created some concern that things might not play out that way. Guice downplayed the significance of that injury earlier this month and his dismissal was affirmed on Thursday when he was a full participant in Washington's first training camp practice. "I am ready for football , man," Guice said, via NBCSportsWashington.com. "It's been a long year for me, literally, the longest year ever. Being back out here with the guys, I couldn't be out there for OTAs and that killed me, but now it's training camp and we are getting in full pads soon. I am out here ready to go. It's exciting man, it's been a long year." There were high hopes about what Guice could do for the offense at this time last year and now the 2018 second-round pick will have a chance to turn those hopes into reality.


Losing faith in a higher power can be one of the most profound and formative experiences in your life. Depending on how strong that faith was originally, or how central it was to your sense of self or community, the drift to atheism can shatter the convictions and social systems that give your life meaning and security. (The exact level of these psychological and social effects varies greatly from person to person.) But a growing body of research suggests a loss of faith in higher powers may have very tangible effects, as well-on our brains, the way they work, and our physical health. In general, every researcher I spoke to for this story was quick to point out that there don't appear to be any differences in the structure of the brains of those who believe in a higher power and those who do not. Neurologically, the faithful and atheists, explains University of Utah neuroscientist Jeff Anderson , "have the same architecture, and process information in very similar ways." A number of studies, however, have suggested that faith in a higher power, and the experience of transcendental states , are associated with less activity in areas of the brain associated with analytic thought and more in areas associated with intuitive, empathic thought. Coaxing people into using more of their analytic brain and thought processes seems to lead to decreased belief in a higher power, and vice versa. (Damage to analytic parts of the brain also seems linked to a boosted sense of mysticism.) Researchers also find that juicing the brain with dopamine , a neurochemical that helps regulate everything from emotional responses to movement, seems to goose up our sense of spirituality and belief; disorders that reduce dopamine levels seem, conversely, to tank faith. "It's not clear if being more or less critical-analytic is a better or worse thing," cautions Andrew Newberg , a Thomas Jefferson University Hospital neuroscientist and pioneer in neurotheology , the study of the links between religious experiences and the brain. "As with all things in life, these are differences that work better for different types of people," and in different types of situations. These are just the effects of believing in a higher power in general -independent of other aspects of religious experience, like rituals and worship, says Anthony Jack of Case Western Reserve University's Brain, Mind, and Consciousness Lab. Some religious practices may boost our empathetic minds in some cases, while others may actually boost our analytic minds . And some species of religious belief, like textual literalism and fundamentalism, adds Jack, "are not really emotionally intelligent at all, and not very empathetic." So the effects of faith writ large, as opposed to just the abstract belief in a higher power, on our brains and thought processes are messy and complex. There is also probably still a lot we don't know about how faith in a higher power affects our minds and bodies because research into the subject is young and limited. "We have thousands of times more research on our sense of smell, or how zebrafish swim," says Anderson, than we do on why people believe what they do and how that belief influences their actions and behaviors. "There is no public funding for this type of research," he adds. "Most of the rigorous, objective research into religion and spirituality is funded by a small number of private foundations with their own agendas, or performed as passion projects on shoestring budgets." "In general," Jack argues, "if you wake up an atheist, the story would probably be that you're tuning out a very valuable part of your brain function," reducing your level of empathetic and intuitive brain activity in favor of an elevated level of analytic and naturalistic brain activity. But this is hard to know for sure, says Northwestern University neuroscientist Jordan Grafman , because "it's hard to find and track people during the conversion" process to actually see how their brains change-if at all. Some atheists may, for example, have stopped believing as a result of a neurological shift rather than initiated a neurological shift by their changes in belief. Or they may have verbally espoused a belief they never actually felt, and then slowly permitted themselves over time to stop paying lip service to beliefs at odds with their already analytic-leaning minds. "We don't really know the causal direction" between analytic thought and non-belief, says Jack, only that the two are associated-and that some people espouse beliefs based on their cultural context. Even pinning down atheists who used to believe in a higher power to study post-conversion is hard enough. Many Americans who lose or give up on their faith actually still believe in a higher power outside of an organized religious system-even some of those who call themselves atheists. And a many who espouse atheism never believed at any point in their lives in a higher power. Even if losing faith in a spiritual higher power can lead to a decrease in activity in the intuitive and empathic parts of our brains, that doesn't mean it necessarily will . Some people may just repurpose those brain circuits to focus on belief in a less spiritual but still abstract higher power. "Thinking of a higher purpose, of the concept of justice falls, broadly speaking, in the spiritual for me," says Jack. "There's also a very broad association between empathy and interest in justice." Devout nationalism likewise, notes Anderson, can lead to less analytic and more intuitive thought processes, as well as to strong senses of empathetic interpersonal bonds with relevant in-groups. And even if you truly do give up faith in a higher power, replace it with nothing, and experience some decrease in activity in parts of your brain associated with intuitive thought and empathy, it's not as if those parts of your brain would shut down entirely. Our brains are vastly complex and, as Anderson points out, many of the circuits we use for processing belief in a higher power are tied up in other activities as well. We might be able to light up the same parts of our brains by, say, forcing ourselves to think on abstractions-to reinforce intuitive, empathic thought by many other means. Regardless of the exact effect that a lack of belief has on our neurological activity and resultant thought processes, plenty of evidence suggests, Jack says, that "having some kind of spiritual belief is associated with being more psychologically adjusted, and with being more physically healthy because of that psychological adjustment." Some studies suggest , for instance, that devout churchgoers have lower blood pressure on average than their non-religious peers, have better outcomes when struck by cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or even depression, and may even live up to seven years longer. Believers also report less anxiety, depression, and stress. Some benefits of religion likely come down to the benefits of the supportive and broad social network organized faiths offer-regardless of the actuality, or depth, of their belief in the higher powers they center on. Some may come down to the benefits of the rituals, like prayer and meditation, associated with organized faiths. People can find these health-boosting communities and practices outside of the context of belief in a higher power, or lack them despite their beliefs. But some of the health benefits, Jack suggests, likely stem from the power of belief in a higher power on its own to give a sense of meaning to your world, and purpose to your life. Entirely naturalistic, analytic thought, he argues, "is ill-suited to finding meaning or purpose, or finding things that motivate us or connect us to people" in the same ways abstract, spiritual thought can. We know, Jack stresses, that "people have spiritual awakenings" to some kind of belief in a higher power, "and that's generally associated with massive improvements in mental wellbeing, stability, and resilience." ( Some research, though, suggests that "born again" believers have greater atrophy on average in one part of the brain-damage linked to depression, dementia and depression-than atheists. Some argue this damage is caused by the mental stress of shifting towards faith, but the actual causal mechanism is unclear .) It stands to reason, then, that losing faith in a higher power completely, even if you still have community and ritual in your life, can lead to some negative psychological and physical results, even if the exact contours of those effects remain a but murky. Even if there is evidence that believing in a higher power is good for your health overall, and can help with intuitive and empathic thought, Jack stresses that this is not a clear cut case for belief. Nothing about the science of faith's effects on us is clear cut at this point, really. It is just interesting evidence-and something to be aware of and ready to cope with if one does begin to lose faith in a higher power, finds nothing to replace it with, and starts to experience life changes.


They have pledged to help fix U.S. recycling, but for decades the companies have fought against "bottle bills," which result in more bottles and cans being recycled but are costly for the industry. Recycling is struggling in much of the United States, and companies like Coca-Cola say they are committed to fixing it. The beverage industry helps pay for pizza parties celebrating top elementary school recyclers and lends money to companies that process used plastic. Coca-Cola and Pepsi, along with Dow, the plastics producer, support nonprofit groups like Keep America Beautiful, which organize events like litter cleanups. A recent video funded partly by Keep America Beautiful featured models dancing through a recycling facility in Brooklyn, which one advertising writer said makes "recycling sexy." By 2030, Coca-Cola wants all of its packaging to be made from at least 50 percent recycled content. But one approach to recycling that many of these companies do not support has proved to actually work: container deposit laws, more commonly known as bottle bills, which cost them lots of money. In the 10 states where consumers can collect a few cents when they return an empty bottle or can, recycling rates for those containers are often significantly higher. In some cases, they are more than twice as high as in states without such deposits. Sign Up For the Morning Briefing Newsletter For decades, beverage companies, retailers and many of the nonprofit groups they control have fought to kill bottle bill proposals across the country   with great success. Since 1987, only one state, Hawaii, has passed a bottle bill. This year, such measures have been proposed in at least eight states. Nearly all have been rejected or failed to gain traction. The result? Recycling in much of the country still depends almost entirely on the good will of consumers to place their used containers in a bin for pickup. The process is convenient, but means millions of bottles and cans head straight to a dump instead. [ As costs skyrocket, more cities in the United States are stopping recycling . ] The financial reason for such opposition is clear. If the other 40 states were to adopt expansive bottle bills, it could ultimately cost the industries billions more. The beverage industry says the bills function like a tax and allow governments to collect millions in unclaimed deposits. Beverage distributors, in many cases, also pay a handling fee for the processing of empty containers. "I am confident that the industry's true rationale for opposing deposit laws is that they cost them money and they don't want the expense," said Susan Collins, president of the Container Recycling Institute, a research and advocacy group that supports bottle bills. Most recently, in Connecticut last month, the industry helped to soundly defeat a bill that would have expanded deposits to juice and energy drink bottles, along with soda and beer. "It's like Groundhog Day all over again," Chris Phelps, state director of the advocacy group Environment Connecticut, told a local newspaper shortly after the measure was defeated in the state legislature. "Every year when it comes to the bottle bill, every year, no progress is made, despite a lot of effort, a lot of work, a lot of recognition of the need to make progress." Related video: A reuse-heavy circular economy could help lower plastic pollution (provided by Newsy) Facing public pressure over its contribution to plastic pollution in the ocean and the problems with many municipal recycling systems, the beverage industry has released broad statements in recent weeks suggesting a new openness to bottle bills. In response to questions from The New York Times about the industry's lobbying efforts, the American Beverage Association said in an email that while it had opposed bottle bills "in the past," it was "open to any ideas" that would create more recycled plastic. "This includes a deposit or fee on our containers," the trade group said. The industry argues that bottle bills address only one source of plastic waste   soda and water bottles. Beverage companies and retailers say they want to increase recycling rates for all types of plastic, including yogurt containers and food pouches that would be excluded from deposit laws. Bottle bill supporters acknowledge that the systems have flaws, but blame retailers and bottlers for opposing attempts to modernize them. "It gets to the larger question about recycling as a whole," said Darryl Young, a former board member of the National Recycling Coalition. "Is it really just a way for manufacturers to avoid responsibility for their waste?" Years ago, the National Recycling Coalition considered merging with Keep America Beautiful. Mr. Young said he voted down the deal partly because of concerns about the agenda of the group's corporate donors. "They want to help," Mr. Young said, "but on their own terms." 'Let That Dog Lie' Laura Turner Seydel, an environmental advocate and daughter of the media mogul Ted Turner, started a group called Atlanta Recycles in 2005 after learning about what seemed like an absurd conundrum. Recycling rates in Georgia were so low that local carpet manufacturers, a large user of recycled plastic, were forced to import the material from outside the state, even though Atlanta is home to the headquarters of Coca-Cola, one of the world's largest producers of plastic bottles. This winter, Ms. Seydel said, she witnessed why, 14 years after she founded Atlanta Recycles, little has changed. "It exemplified why the wheels are coming off recycling," she said. In January, some members of the group   made up of business leaders, government officials and environmentalists   were briefed on a $4 million investment that the Coca-Cola Foundation was making in the city. Coca-Cola, the group learned, had chosen Atlanta to showcase its "World Without Waste" campaign, which centered on increasing collection rates of bottles and cans. The company, through a group called the Recycling Partnership, would pay for city workers to comb through residential recycling bins and leave behind "inspirational scorecards" marking which items could be recycled and which belonged in the trash. The program had been tested successfully on a smaller scale. Someone in the meeting floated another idea: Why not explore the idea of a bottle bill in Georgia? The proposal was quickly shot down. Several members of the group expressed concern that pushing for a bottle bill could jeopardize the funding from Coca-Cola. The message, Ms. Seydel recalled, was "you better let that dog lie." The discussion at the meeting grew heated. Ms. Seydel and others argued that bottle bills were proven methods to increase collection rates of used plastic. Kanika Greenlee, the city's environmental programs director, had come prepared with a statement from Coca-Cola, making clear its opposition to deposits. Bottle bills were inconvenient and costly, the company said. Ms. Greenlee, who through a spokeswoman declined to comment, holds several roles related to recycling in Atlanta. She works in the city's public works department, but she also serves on the national board of directors of Keep America Beautiful alongside executives from Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper, Pepsi and the American Chemistry Council, a trade group for chemical and plastics companies. A spokesman for Keep America Beautiful, which the packaging industry helped create in 1953 to combat litter, said the group had a "neutral" position on bottle bills and that "all options at this point need to be on the table" to improve recycling. In a statement, Coca-Cola said company policy positions were independent of its foundation's donations, adding that the grant had already been awarded when the Atlanta Recycles meeting took place. "We are open to exploring a variety of strategies to achieve our goal of recovering and recycling the equivalent of a bottle or can for every one we sell by 2030," Coca-Cola said, adding that it found curbside recycling was "one of the most effective and convenient recycling solutions for consumers." 'A Superior Strategy' Empty bottles have vexed the beverage industry for more than a century. They are "the monstrous evil that saps the life from an otherwise prosperous trade," The National Bottlers Gazette wrote in 1882. Back then, beverage companies desperately wanted their bottles back because the glass containers were so expensive to make. The companies even conducted raids on homes to retrieve their used containers from housewives who used them to store ketchup and medicine. By the 1980s, however, mass-produced plastic made bottles inexpensive   and people rarely reused them. They often ended up being tossed on the side of the road, and the beverage companies simply made more of them. Bottle bills were passed partly in an effort to reduce this kind of litter. But states like Tennessee, New Jersey and Washington settled on an alternative. In Tennessee, beverage companies agreed to pay a small tax in order to fund litter pickup efforts, education programs and handouts promoting recycling. There was another bonus. In many parts of the state, inmates would perform the daily litter cleanup, keeping costs low and rewarding good behavior in the county jails. The tax revenue pays for salaries and other expenses of county sheriffs overseeing the litter crews, like lunch from McDonald's for the inmates. "It makes the time go easier," one inmate, Miko Coleman, 29, said as he picked up trash along a quiet country road this spring. But the money   and the cleanup crews   would go away if Tennessee enacted a bottle bill, according to a provision in the law. That has made it difficult for bottle bills to gain traction politically. "I have to hand it to the industry, they have a superior strategy," said Marge Davis, a writer and conservationist, who has been proposing a bottle bill in Tennessee nearly every year since 2004. Ms. Davis says the litter pickup helps to beautify roads, but does not get at the core issue of recycling more bottles and cans. And even though her bottle bill proposal would find a new funding source for roadside cleanups, she has had a hard time convincing lawmakers. At times, Ms. Davis' efforts faced another opponent   the group Keep Tennessee Beautiful. Like the work crews, Keep Tennessee Beautiful derives much of its funding from the tax money. Keep Tennessee Beautiful's organizational values, according to its website, include "personal responsibility" and "policy based on fact." For several years, the group circulated research and spoke out against bottle bills. Their argument, presented in a two-page white paper in 2002, mirrored the beverage industry's position closely. Stopping litter and encouraging recycling are best done through education, it said, not through 5-cent deposits. "Funds should go for prevention education," the white paper states. "Teach the child and retrain the adult." Missy Marshall, who has been executive director of Keep Tennessee Beautiful since 2013, said her group does not currently have an official position on deposits, but she worries about upending funding for a system that is successfully reducing litter. "What we don't think is a positive step is to undo what we are doing," she said. Lobbying Power Unleashed One of the industry's chief criticisms of bottle bills is that they deprive municipal recycling programs of valuable scrap material like aluminum cans. Selling this material helps offset the cost of processing items that are less valuable. This argument has gained particular credence among environmental groups and municipalities after China put strict limits on the amount of plastic scraps that it imports from the United States. The policy shift in China led to a glut of used plastic and paper around the country, forcing some communities to burn or bury material they cannot offload. In Washington State, Sen. Christine Rolfes thought she had come up with a comprehensive solution. This winter, Ms. Rolfes introduced a bill that she said was intended to hold all plastic packaging manufacturers responsible for the recycling of not just plastic soda and water bottles, but also harder-to-process plastics like takeout containers and packaging wrap. Representatives of roughly 20 companies and trade groups testified against the bill, including a group called the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment, whose members, according to its website, include ExxonMobil's chemical division and Pepsico. "They pretty much represented the entire economy," Ms. Rolfes said of the bill's many opponents. "It was insidious." After several revisions, the current version of the bill no longer holds plastic manufacturers responsible for recycling. The bill, which has been signed into law, now directs a state agency to study different approaches to recycling plastic packaging. The report is due by October 2020.


Tiger Woods could not have picked a worse way to finish Round 2 at the U.S. Open. After scoring an early birdie on the 11th hole, Tiger hit 14 consecutive pars, barely missing additional birdies on Holes 1, 2, 4 and 6. He just couldn't hit them. Then, he ended the day with two straight bogeys on Holes 8 and 9 to go 1-over for the day and par through two rounds. MORE: Watch the U.S. Open live with fuboTV (7-day free trial) Tiger's game plan was sound: He was excellent off the tee and left himself in manageable situations with his approach. His short killed him, however, and it cost him. Tiger finished the day par for the course, tied for 40th overall. The good news is that he made the cut. The bad news? It's looking like he won't challenge for the U.S. Open title, seven shots behind leader Justin Rose. Sporting News tracked scoring updates and highlights from Tiger Woods' second round at the 2019 U.S. Open. Follow along below. Tiger Woods' score: Updates, highlights from Round 2 Hole (Par) Round 2 score (Overall) Place 10 (4) Even (-1) T-29 11 (4) 1-under (-2) T-14 12 (3) 1-under (-2) T-14 13 (4) 1-under (-2) T-14 14 (5) 1-under (-2) T-14 15 (4) 1-under (-2) T-15 16 (4) 1-under (-2) T-16 17 (3) 1-under (-2) T-16 18 (5) 1-under (-2) T-15 1 (4) 1-under (-2) T-15 2 (4) 1-under (-2) T-15 3 (4) 1-under (-2) T-15 4 (4) 1-under (-2) T-15 5 (3) 1-under (-2) T-18 6 (5) 1-under (-2) T-18 7 (3) 1-under (-2) T-18 8 (4) Even (-1) T-32 9 (4) 1-over (par) T-40 Hole 9: Par 4, 529 yards Shot 1: Tiger didn't like that from the get-go. Hung his head as his ball sailed for the bunker. Shot 2: Tiger lays it up in the rough 54 yards short of the green. Shot 3: Great layup gets Tiger on the green a few feet from par. Shot 4: He missed it. Worst possible finish here assuming he cleans up bogey. Shot 5: Bogey. Bogey. Bogey. Absolutely terrible. Hole 8: Par 4, 418 yards Shot 1: Another fairway found. Tiger's only got two more chances to find another birdie this round. Shot 2: Tiger's approach is short   just past the cliffs and right before the bunker. Might have to scramble for par. Shot 3: Cleared the green and is in the back fringe. Needs 20 feet to avoid a bogey. Shot 4: Another near miss, but this time it costs him. So tough considering how many times he nearly hit birdie. Shot 5: Bogey. Hole 7: Par, 114 yards Shot 1: GIR, but it rolls back to about 20 feet from the pin. Shots 2, 3: Another two-putt ... par. Hole 6: Par 5, 531 yards Shot 1: Fairway again. Don't know if Tiger will attempt a GIR on the second shot or set up an up-and-down birdie attempt. Shot 2: Nice approach lands Tiger just short of the green, in pretty good position for a layup. Shot 3: Decent chip, but Tiger could have got a smidge closer. Looking at maybe 8, 9 feet for birdie, which he has not hit today. Shot 4: Tiger's short game is killing him. Just missed again. Shot 5: You already know: par. Hole 5: Par 4, 184 yards Shot 1: Tiger's on the green, his 10th GIR of the day. Looking at 15-plus feet for birdie. Shot 2: Too much break on the ball. It lands about a half-foot away. Shot 3: Par. Hole 4: Par 4, 337 yards Shot 1: And Tiger's on the fairway again. Moving on. Shot 2: Excellent approach lands Tiger a GIR   looks like it'll roll off the green, but it stops and rolls back down the slope toward the hole. Looking at an 8- or 9-footer for birdie. Shot 3: Oh, man. Tiger just can't hit it. He misses it by an inch pro side. Shot 4: Don't want to call par disappointing, but that's a disappointing par. Hole 3: Par 4, 381 yards Shot 1: Tiger hits a nice booming shot that overshoots the fairway by just a few yards. Still in great position. Shot 2: Tiger's not quite on the green, landing in the fringe short of the hole. He has a good look at an up-and-down par. Shot 3: Was right on line but didn't have enough on it. Stops about a foot short. Shot 4: Guess what? Par. Hole 2: Par 4, 516 yards Shot 1 : Tiger uses his 3-wood to safely hit his ninth fairway of the round. Solid shot. Shot 2 : Beautiful shot. Tiger reaches the front of the green with his 6-iron, and the ball rolls toward the hole to set up a makeable birdie putt. Shot 3 : Another near-miss by Tiger. Two-putt par upcoming. Shot 4: Par it is. Hole 1: Par 4, 369 yards Shot 1 : Tiger uses an iron to slap it down the middle of the fairway. That'll do nicely. Shot 2 : With a 9-iron, Tiger pitches it onto the right edge of the green. He'll have a long birdie putt. Shot 3 : Too much on it, and too far right. Tiger misses his 20-foot birdie putt to set up a 3-footer for par. Shot 4 : Got it. Another par. Hole 18: Par 5, 522 yards Shot 1 : It's on the fairway, but a bit shorter than Tiger wanted. Shot 2 : Tiger lays it up short of the green, about 125 yards away from the hole. He'll still have a chance at a birdie. Shot 3 : A pretty pitch onto the green to set up a tough-but-makeable, 25-foot birdie putt. Shot 4 : Just left. The ball misses the edge of the cup by about an inch. Shot 5 : A tap-in for par. Hole 17: Par 3, 179 yards Shot 1: Tiger's on the green about 10 feet from birdie. Masterful. Shot 2: Looked to be right on line for a birdie but it slips past not even an inch off the mark. It'll scoot by a few feet, and that's what Tiger will have for par. Shot 3: No doubt on that. Par. Hole 16: Par 4, 407 yards Shot 1: Tiger hits the fairway again. He's feeling it off the tee today. Shot 2: Tiger's bounces off the green into the rough pin-high. Shots 3, 4: Wow, very impressive up-and-down for Tiger to keep par. Onto Hole 17. Hole 15: Par 4, 403 yards Shot 1: And Tiger hits a nice stinger down the left-central side of the fairway. Shot 2: Tiger breaks out the 9-iron and lands a GIR, some 20-plus feet away from the hole. Shot 3: Tough break there. Tiger just misses the long birdie attempt by an inch to the left. He'll settle for the walk-in par. Shot 4: Par. Hole 14: Par 5, 583 yards Shot 1: Tiger's on the fairway but still looks about 300 yards out. Not really in a position for a GIR attempt. Shot 2: Approach lands him about 123 yards to the hole. Shot 3: Uh-oh. Tiger hits the green but it rolls back down in the rough, probably 40 yards away. He'll need an up-and-down for par. Shot 4: Nice chip gets Tiger back on the green, roughly 5 feet from a very salvageable par. Shot 5: And he saves par. Not ideal considering the par, but better than getting back to even for the round. Hole 13: Par 4, 456 yards Shot 1: Another drive to the left side of the fairway. Looking pretty good. Shot 2: And another nice iron shot lands Tiger about 20 feet downhill from the pin. Shot 3: Looks like Tiger's on the low side with his birdie attempt. Two-putt par coming up. Shot 4: Par. Hole 12: Par 3, 206 yards Shot 1: Tiger's on the green somewhere in the 20-foot range for birdie on the par-3. Shot 2: Ah, he came up just short on the lag putt. Tough, but a good look from him. Par upcoming. Shot 3: Par. Hole 11: Par 4, 400 yards Shot 1: Tiger drives down the left side of the fairway. Been hitting that pretty well so far here at Pebble Beach. Shot 2: More good iron for Tiger. Looks to be within 10 feet of another birdie. Shot 3: And there it is. Birdie. Solid, solid start for Tiger. Put it in reverse, @TigerWoods . First of the day. pic.twitter.com/jGaJNdo1r1   PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 14, 2019 Hole 10: Par 4, 479 yards Shot 1: And we're off. Tiger smokes it down the fairway to get the day started. Shot 2: Tiger's already within 10 feet of the hole, looks like, with just his second shot. Birdie upcoming? Shot 3: Not much going there. Missed it on the amateur side. Par to start off. Shot 4: Par


Melvin Gordon remains out of training camp, wanting a new deal that pays him more than the $10 million the Chargers are offering or a trade . Meanwhile, training camp goes on without him. Gordon's backups Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson are taking advantage of Gordon's absence. "Definitely, [a good opportunity] for all of us," Jackson said Thursday after a joint practice with the Rams, via NFL.com. "Obviously when [Gordon's] here, he gets the majority of the first-team reps. Just for us to be able to mesh with the offensive line and all those guys. The more reps you get, the more comfortable you are playing with the guys around you." Jackson and Ekeler took over the running back duties in the four games Gordon missed for injury last season, and the Chargers went 4-0. Ekeler had 958 total yards and six touchdowns last season in his second season, while Jackson had 341 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie a year ago. "They're working hard," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. "[Jackson] is doing a good job, and Austin had a couple of nice runs today. I'm really happy with the development of some of these young guys." The Chargers have six running backs on their 90-player roster, with Gordon on the did not report list. Gordon's absence has given the backs who are in camp "Even if [Gordon] was here, we'd have the same mentality," Ekeler said. "We wish he was here. Shoot, he would help our team. He's a Pro Bowl running back. But even if he was here, we'd still have to move forward, and even if he's not here we still have to move forward."


A 20-year-old Castle Rock man was sentenced to eight years in prison for driving while impaired by marijuana and killing a woman in a four-car crash. Amanda Hill, 24, died in the June 2018 crash. A judge sentenced Francisco Sanchez, 20, last week after he pleading guilty to one count each of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault and driving while ability impaired (DWAI). Numerous family and friends of Hill attended the sentencing, and several addressed the court. "We have to live the rest of our lives without our beautiful daughter. This senseless act will cause us pain and suffering for the rest of our lives," said her father, Ed Hill. "Those who did wrong must take responsibility for their actions. The message must be sent to those who do drugs and drive. The choice was made and there are consequences." On June 5, 2018, Hill was driving her Toyota Rav4 southbound on Crowfoot Valley Road, just north of Castle Rock. Sanchez was head north when he crossed a double yellow line and hit a Hyundai Santa Fe that was in the southbound lane. He then hit Amanda's car head-on. The Hyundai that had been hit crashed into a Chevy Equinox. Hill was airlifted to a hospital but died from her injuries. Her mother, Denise Hill, described living in a "black hole of grief." "The loss of our daughter was absolutely 100 percent preventable," she said. "The defendant made reckless choices that fateful day. There must be consequences. We have to send a message." Even though Sanchez told investigators he had not been drinking or doing drugs, he tested positive for low levels of THC. Sanchez was sentenced to six years in the Department of Corrections on the vehicular homicide count; two years in prison on the vehicular assault count; and 180 days in jail on the DWAI. The time will be served consecutively. The judge suspended the 180-day jail sentence and one year for each of the DOC sentences upon successful completion of specified community service, substance abuse treatment, participation in victim impact panels and monitored sobriety. The means he could serve six years instead of eight. SUGGESTED VIDEOS | Local stories from 9NEWS


Amarin shares surged 15% in early afternoon trading Wednesday after the biopharmaceutical company said the Food and Drug Administration agreed to an expedited review of its prescription-strength fish oil pill for patients at risk of heart attack or strokes. The FDA will grant priority review for Amarin's heart drug derived from fish oil, Vascepa, which is already being used to treat patients with very high triglycerides, a certain type of fat in the blood that can often be a sign of other conditions that increase the risk of heart disease. The FDA plans to review Vascep within six months instead of the usual 10, with a decision on approval expected sometime in late September, the company said. "We expect earlier approval of an expanded indication for Vascepa to lead to faster improvements in care for millions of patients with residual cardiovascular risk after statin therapy," Amarin President and CEO John Thero said in a statement. Amarin would like to use the drug to reduce residual cardiovascular risk in patients with statin-managed LDL-C cholesterol. More than 600,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. every year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The company's stock has surged more than 56% since it announced in late September of 2018 that Vascepa significantly reduced the risk of serious cardiovascular events over a placebo in a clinical trial involving 8,179 statin-treated adults with elevated cardiovascular risk. The stock fell in mid-November after investors became concerned with the results after it was shown that the placebo group was given mineral oil, which could have made the treatment group's data appear better. Thero said at the time that, "as people begin to understand our data better, they will appreciate that this drug does much more than lipid modification."


You can't go from intern to CEO overnight, but these 10 tips will point you to success city. The post 10 Things Wildly Successful People Do Every Single Day appeared first on Reader's Digest. Focus on 24 There are countless things you can do in a day wash your car, hike a mountain, watch a movie. Each of those things may or may not help you succeed tomorrow, but what matters is that you did them on that day. " The 24 hours you are currently living in determine your level of success. You have the ability right now to make choices to curate and drive your goals. That opportunity does not exist in yesterday or in tomorrow," said Randi Levin, a transitional life strategist. Today is the only time to gain traction and take necessary steps to achieve what you desire, Levin said. Start by asking yourself what you can do now. Make success a habit You can change your behavior in just 66 days, according to a study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology. If 66 days seems like a long stretch for you, consider taking it week by week. "Every week, take a second on Sunday to focus on what went well over the course of the past week. As humans, we tend to highlight what did not go right, so flipping the script to document what did reprogram your thoughts to think in terms of achievement no matter how small," Levin said. That achievement can be anything from getting a promotion to mastering your mother's sweet potato recipe. It just matters that you thought of it in a positive light, and that thinking will soon become contagious. Put themselves first You can't solve world hunger or become the world's youngest CEO without first knowing who you are. To-do lists aren't exclusively for work tasks. They can be fun, too, as Levin points out. "Make sure that your to-do list contains a clear time to thrive. Schedule yourself in first, creating a meeting time for the gym, friends, hobbies, or to do nothing at all," he said. "This will help you to balance your relationship to yourself and to your job." Extra time away from work may help your relationships, too. A study looking at hours worked by romantic partners found that long hours affect romantic relationships. So do yourself, your job, and your relationships a favor and tap out once and a while. Create a power list When Marie Oats started her first legal job, she was partnered with a supervising attorney. She quickly noticed that he was always on top of his game without ever seeming stressed or rushed, she recalled. It seems like he knew these 7 sneaky reasons you never finish your to-do list. "When I asked him how, he told me about his 'power list.' It's similar to a to-do list, but it was more focused. He listed out the three to five things that needed to get done that day to help move his day along," Oats said. "Completing that power list was how he identified the day as a win." The idea is that those three to five things are the 20 percent that matters and the 80 percent left is basically busy work or simply won't move the needle like the other 20 percent will, Oats said. Never stop being curious Curiosity is what drove all great inventions. If Amelia Earhart wasn't curious about what it would feel like to defy gravity, would we have planes? Well, maybe yes. But not as soon. This insatiable desire for learning propels societies out of old traditions. Being constantly curious is on the list of 10 signs you're smarter than you realized . "Never stop being curious about people, ideas, and new innovations," said Grant Schreiber, founding editor at Real Leaders . Read widely Reading the daily news for even just five minutes every day means you know that much more than the average Joe. Reading is the easiest way to stay informed and have insightful conversations that help you succeed. Anything from news, a romance novel, an academic article, or even your child's English paper will let you in on a secret you didn't know before. "Reading widely, even on topics unrelated to your business, can spark fresh ideas for the company you run," Schreiber said. Sharing knowledge is just as exciting as learning it. View a problem as a solution That issue that's always haunted your business say, the inability to sell enough advertisements is just another avenue for success. The existential question of how to define success might be determined by a feeling. "Seeing a problem as something that will deliver a new solution is another psychological approach I have to business," Schreiber said. "I found that embrac[ing] problems are part of the creative process." Problems can pile up in a leader's mind and make it seem impossible to move past them. It's important to see problems as a window for opportunity. Look in so you can go out A concept that Radha Agrawal talks about in her book Belong is to look within so you can go out. What does she mean by this, exactly? In order to live the successful life that you want, you must first do some introspective thinking on your goals. The people who identify their goals and create a roadmap end up where they desired. "Be aware of who you are and intentional about what you want so that you can go out and build your dream community," Agrawal writes. This advice can be translated into whatever your definition of success is. But first, you must define that for yourself. Overcome fear Everyone has a fear that grips some part of their life, but managing that could be the thing that sets their success in motion. " Overcoming fear is a major strategy to achieving success. All CEOs have it, even if they won't admit it. Approaching that person, memo, phone call or email that you fear each day will make you stronger and make you realize that many fears are only in your mind," Schreiber said. Don't multitask We'll let you in on a secret: one of the winning attributes of super successful people is having a single-minded focus. Every time we try to do two or more things at once, we're simply dividing up our focus and dumbing down all the outcomes in the process, said Michelle Gamble, CEO of 3L Publishing and PR. "Today, give every task your full and undivided attention. Put your personal signature on that task and don't move on to the next task until the first one is done with excellence and integrity. It's a very simple strategy but it works," Gamble said. "Multi-tasking is like an octopus on roller skates: Lots of moving parts but going nowhere." Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.


WIth the USA Basketball roster depleted ahead of the FIBA World Cup, Team USA has extended an invitation to JJ Redick, a player not originally included on the roster heading into this summer. Redick, who signed with the Pelicans this summer on a two-year, $26.5 million deal, is interested in joining the team but will weigh his choices, according to ESPN . "I'm thrilled beyond belief to be considered but also trying to work through our family's transition to New Orleans." Training camp for the FIBA World Cup is set to start on Aug. 5 with USA's first game on Sep. 1 against the Czech Republic. Over the course of the summer, USA Basketball has struggled to gain commitments from a number of players with stars backing out left and right. A host of younger players are on the preliminary roster right now highlighted by Donovan Mitchell, De'Aaron Fox, Jayson Tatum, Kyle Kuzma and Myles Turner. A handful of veterans in Kyle Lowry, PJ Tucker and Thad Young have also remained committed to the team. Redick would be one of the few reliable shooters from deep on the team if he committed. He would also serve as a great mentor for younger players on the roster, a role he recently admitted to accepting in the past. Overall, on a USA Team that will lack stars, Redick could provide some stability and consistency to a young guard rotation. MORE: Mike Trout's perfect 98.6 MPH throw to home plate had everyone in awe Packers GM explains reasoning for releasing DL Mike Daniels Ranking the NBA's Top 10 Big Threes News: Elliott expected in Oxnard, Cowboys great bet to win it all Chiefs rookie RB Darwin Thompson calls Patrick Mahomes: 'A real-life jug machine'