The number of Americans without health insurance increased again in 2018, the second consecutive year that figure has risen after several years of declines under Obamacare, a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey shows. An estimated 30.4 million Americans did not have health insurance in 2018 , up from 29.3 million in 2017, according to the CDC's National Health Interview Survey. That means about 1.1 million more Americans lost insurance coverage last year. Trump administration and congressional efforts to challenge and loosen requirements of the Affordable Care Act likely played a role in some going without coverage, analysts say. "I don't think it's too shocking with efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," said Daniel Derksen, a University of Arizona professor and health policy expert. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated the health law's individual mandate that required people get health insurance or pay a penalty. It also formed the legal basis for a coalition of Republican-led states to argue in federal court that the entire health law should be tossed out   a court challenge that the Trump administration now supports . More: Fear and health care: Gallup survey finds Americans skipped treatment, borrowed $88B to pay for costs Derksen said a strong economy means more low-income people likely moved from Medicaid coverage to health insurance through a job. That won't necessarily make health care more affordable for those whose health plans shift costs to them through higher deductibles and co-payments. The CDC survey said the number of Americans in a high-deductible plans reached an all-time high, covering 45.8% of people with private health insurance in 2018. In 2010, 25% of people with private coverage had high-deductible plans. A Gallup survey found that Americans borrowed $88 billion to pay health care last year and one in four people skipped care because of cost. More: The end for Obamacare? Trump administration says it will ask a court to throw out entire health law High-deductible plans are popular among companies seeking to defray the spiraling cost of health care, but a recent survey by Kaiser Family Foundation and the Los Angeles Times found that many employees in high-deductible plans have postponed care or cut spending on household expenses such as food and clothing. "Employers are taking on more and more of the burden of health care costs," says Cynthia Cox, Kaiser Family Foundation's director of health reform and private insurance. "We might be reaching a breaking point. At some point, employers won't be able to raise deductibles higher and higher." The CDC survey was based on data from 72,762 people who were asked whether they were insured at the the time. More: Struggling to stay alive: Rising insulin prices cause diabetics to go to extremes The uninsured rate among U.S. working-age adults was 13.3% in 2018, up from 12.8% in 2017. Among all ages, the uninsured rate was 9.4 percent, but that figure includes seniors on Medicare and children with Children's Health Insurance Program coverage. Among 17 states with figures reported in the survey, Texas had the highest uninsured rate among working-age adults, 25%, and Massachusetts the lowest, 4.9%. The CDC survey followed a Congressional Budget Office report issued last month last month that found a similar decline in health coverage after years of gains under the Affordable Care Act. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CDC: 1.1 million more Americans lost health insurance coverage in 2018


To mark the ninth (and most holy) month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims around the world observe Ramadan. Often compared to Lent in Christianity and Yom Kippur in Judaism, Ramadan is all about restraint. For one month, Muslims observing Ramadan fast during the day and then feast at night. By abstaining from food and water (as well as sex, smoking, fighting, etc.) during daylight, Muslims strive to practice discipline, instill gratitude for what they have, and draw closer to Allah. To be respectful and not annoy observers, here are nine things you should never say or do to someone observing Ramadan. 1. DON'T JOKE ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS. Although it might be tempting to joke about Ramadan being a good excuse to lose weight, it is a time for spiritual reflection and is a serious matter. Observers undertake the challenge of fasting for religious and spiritual reasons rather than aesthetic ones. And, once the sun sets each night, many Muslims prepare a hearty iftar (the meal that breaks the fast) of dates, curries, rice dishes, and other delicious foods. The suhoor (the pre-dawn meal) is often fresh fruit, bread, cheese, and dishes that are high in fiber and complex carbohydrates. So the idea of a cleanse is pretty far from their minds. 2. DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS. There are approximately 1.8 billion Muslims around the world, but not all of them observe Ramadan the same way. Although most observant Muslims fast for Ramadan, don't assume that every Muslim you meet has the same methods, traditions, and attitudes towards fasting. For some, Ramadan is more about prayer, reading the Qur'an, and performing acts of charity than merely about forgoing food and drink. And for those who may be exempted from the daily fasting, such as pregnant or nursing women, the elderly, or those with various health conditions, they might not appreciate the reminder from nosey busy-bodies that they aren't participating in the traditional way. 3. SAY "RAMADAN MUBARAK" INSTEAD OF "HAPPY RAMADAN." Rather than wishing someone a happy Ramadan, being more thoughtful with your choice of words can show that you understand and respect the sanctity of their holy month. Saying "Ramadan Mubarak" or " Ramadan Kareem " are the traditional ways to impart warm wishes they both convey the generosity and blessings associated with the month. The actual party comes after Ramadan, when Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr , an up to three-day festival that involves plenty of food, time with family, and gifts. 4. DON'T BE A FOOD PUSHER. Even if the idea of not eating or drinking all day might be unfathomable to you, don't push food onto anyone observing Ramadan. While fasting all day for a month can cause mild fatigue, dehydration, and dizziness, don't try to convince participating Muslims to eat or drink something they are fully aware of any side effects they may feel throughout the day. Instead, be respectful of their decision to fast and offer to lend a hand with something like chores, errands, or anything unrelated to food. 5. ACCEPT THAT WATER ISN'T ON THE MENU. Muslims who observe Ramadan don't sip any liquids during daytime. No water, coffee, tea, or juice. Zilch. Going without water is even harder than going without food, so be aware of the struggle and accept it. It's all part of the sacrifice and self-discipline inherent in Ramadan. 6. RESPECT PEOPLE'S PRIVACY. Some Muslims choose not to fast during Ramadan for medical or other personal reasons, and they may not appreciate being badgered with questions about why they may be eating or drinking rather than fasting. Children and the elderly generally don't fast all day, and people who are sick are exempt from fasting. Other conditions that preclude fasting during Ramadan are pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menstruation (although, if possible, people generally make up the days later). 7. BE MINDFUL OF ENERGY LEVELS. Eschewing food and drink for hours at a time can cause lethargy , so be aware that Muslims observing Ramadan may be more tired than usual. Your Muslim friends and coworkers don't stop working for an entire month, but they may tweak their schedules to allow for more rest. They may also stay indoors more (to prevent overheating) and avoid unnecessary physical activity to conserve energy. So, don't be offended if they aren't down for a pick-up game of basketball or soccer. We can't all be elite athletes . 8. DON'T OBSESS OVER FOOD AND HUNGER. One of the worst things you can do to someone on a new diet is to obsess over all the cheeseburgers, pizza, and cupcakes they can't have. Similarly, most Muslims observing Ramadan don't want to have in-depth conversations about all the food and beverages they're avoiding. So, be mindful that you don't become the constant reminder of how many hours are left until sundown just as you shouldn't joke about weight loss, you shouldn't call attention to any hunger pangs. 9. DON'T BE AFRAID TO EAT YOUR OWN FOOD. Although it's nice to avoid talking about food in front of a fasting Muslim, don't be afraid to eat your own food as you normally would. Seeing other people eating and drinking isn't offensive Muslims believe that Ramadan is all about sacrifice and self-discipline, and they're aware that not everyone participates. However, perhaps try to avoid scheduling lunch meetings or afternoon barbecues with your Muslim colleagues and friends. Any of those can surely wait until after Ramadan ends.


CHICAGO (CBS)   Bond was set at $500,000 on Tuesday for 42-year-old Brain Quartuccio, the man accused of hitting a 7-year-old girl with his pickup truck and fleeing the scene on Mother's Day, after a judge ruled his disturbing driving record proves he's a danger to society. Quartuccio turned himself in Monday, after he was identified as the driver who hit 7-year-old Lexi Hanson at Geneva and Courier avenues in west suburban St. Charles as she was on her way to play with a friend Sunday afternoon. Lexi survived the impact, but her family said she has multiple broken bones and a spinal injury. Quartuccio allegedly fled the scene, and ditched his truck about a mile and a half away from the scene. He's now charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury, driving on a revoked license, driving an uninsured motor vehicle and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The first two alleged offenses are felonies. Kane County State's Attorney Joseph McMahon said the truck Quartuccio was driving was registered to someone else, possibly a relative. "Providing a vehicle to someone else who you know has a revoked license, that's a crime, and if we have evidence that somebody provided that vehicle knowingly to him we'll look at that aspect of the case as well," he said. UPDATE: Bail for man accused of hitting young girl with pickup truck and fleeing the scene set at $500K. He must pay 10% or $50K to get out on bail. Next court date set for May 23rd. @cbschicago https://t.co/u3voIICV9S   Mugo Odigwe (@MugoOdigwe) May 14, 2019 At his first court appearance in the hit-and-run, prosecutors noted Quartuccio was still on probation for driving on a revoked license when he hit Lexi. Records show Quartuccio's license was revoked in 2012. He has three drunk-driving arrests and has been cited three times for driving with a revoked license. He has also been cited five times for driving without insurance and has been given at least seven speeding tickets. "The laws are in place. The suspensions and revocations occur and we do all we can through traffic enforcement to try and get them off the roadway, but at the end of the day it's a choice by a person to get behind the wheel when they're not supposed to and he made that choice," Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain said. A Kane County judge set Quartuccio's bond at $500,000, meaning he must pay $50,000 to be released from custody. Quartuccio is due back in court on May 23. Meantime, Lexi's family said she is expected to make a full recovery, and has been stabilized at Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge. "She's in great hands, and she will pull through stronger than ever," said her mother, Jess Hanson. "We are so humbled and blessed with all the love and support for our beautiful angel, Lexi," she added. "In times of tragedy, Valley View and Saint Charles always pull together, and we're so grateful to be part of such a loving community." The Hanson family has set up a GoFundMe account to help raise money to cover the medical expenses.


Much has been made lately of Zion Williamson's weight and playing shape, with Kendrick Perkins the latest to get in on the action. The New Orleans Pelicans star rookie saw his summer league debut cut short when he left in the first half of a July 7 game against the New York Knicks with a bruised knee . He did not return to summer league as a matter of caution. Coach K questioned Zion's conditioning His playing shape had nothing to do with the injury that occurred during a knee-to-knee collision. But that didn't stop his former coach at Duke Mike Krzyzewski from questioning his conditioning . "I thought really he never should've played just because he's been on this circuit of awards, the ESPYs, everything," Krzyzewski told Forbes last week. "I don't think he's in the playing shape or the mental shape to play." Seth Greenberg had a harsher take Krzyzewski's concern echoed those of ESPN analyst and former coach Seth Greenberg, who was a little more blunt with his assessment of Williamson's playing shape in a prior appearance on the network's morning show "Get Up." "My concern isn't about his game," Greenberg said. "My concern is about his body. You can't improve unless you're in shape, and he is not in shape ... Whatever his weight is, it's significantly overweight. "When [Charles] Barkley was at his very best, he got in world-class shape," Greenberg said. "And it's nothing to do with his weight to me. It has to do with his conditioning. And right now, he's in condition to get hurt, not to be a great player." Perkins piles on On Monday Perkins got in on the action. Perkins, a 14-year veteran who spent one of his final seasons with the Pelicans, suggested on Twitter that the bevy of tasty, unhealthy food options in New Orleans could prove a hindrance for Williamson. Pelicans better lock Zion in the House because I can hear those good people in New Orleans saying "Hey Baby you want some Fried Gator Baby" I'm telling y'all I played for the Pelicans and it's FOOD everywhere!   Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) July 15, 2019 Perkins has a point Perkins is right about the food. New Orleans is arguably America's finest food city, and very few, if any of the most popular offerings resemble anything close to healthy. From fried shrimp po'boys to fried beignets, the options are abundant, delicious and calorie-laden. Temptation abounds. For someone intent on watching their weight, New Orleans can prove challenging. Williamson's size a long-term concern This isn't the first time Williamson's perceived penchant for packing on pounds has come up. He told GQ that he gained 100 pounds over the course of two years in high school. Williamson, listed at 6-7 and 285 pounds, was able to harness his size and remarkable athleticism to dominate smaller, slower college competition. His physical prowess combined with his basketball skill led to him being the most-anticipated NBA prospect since LeBron James. There's never been a player like Williamson in the NBA, and his size presents concerns about his long-term viability. This works great at 19 years old. Will he be able to maintain his athleticism and playing shape over the grind of an NBA career carrying weight like he does now? How likely is he to gain unwanted weight as his career progresses? It's the biggest flag for an unprecedented player who has the physical tools to potentially dominate NBA competition. For now, all this noise seems likely to further fuel Williamson to start his NBA career in prime playing condition. Here's guessing nobody will be worried about his weight in the fall. More from Yahoo Sports: Koepka explains why he snubbed Tiger USWNT goalie calls ex-teammate 'homophobic' Robinson: Zeke's frustration puts pressure on Cowboys West says Clippers are best team he's been around


PITTSBURGH (KDKA)   A man was arrested after he allegedly followed a woman on the riverfront trail, held a knife to her neck and indecently assaulted her. The police report the victim said she was walking along the riverfront trail near Station Square when Robert Williamson ran up behind her an held a knife to her neck. The victim told police he continued to walk behind her, making threats and inappropriately touching her. He then allegedly threw her to the ground and assaulted her. The victim said he put the knife down after she begged him to, at which point she said she threw the knife, punched Williamson in the back of the head and broke free. Police say they recovered a knife from the scene. They also say surveillance footage allowed them to identify Williamson. According to police, Williamson was previously charged and convicted of criminal attempted homicide, criminal attempted rape and other charges. He was also charged with, but found not guilty, of failure to register as a sex offender. They say Williamson will be transported to the Allegheny County Jail and charged with several charges, including aggravated assault, terroristic threats and indecent assault. The victim was transported to Mercy hospital by medics for her injuries.


The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Chicago's food truck regulations are constitutional and that the city can protect restaurants from their wheeled competitors. The court affirmed the ruling of the appellate court and the circuit court before it, which also had decided in favor of the city in a lawsuit that claimed Chicago's food truck restrictions suppress competition. The lawsuit, filed in 2012 by food truck owner Laura Pekarik, who runs Cupcakes for Courage, claimed a city rule prohibiting food trucks from parking within 200 feet of any establishment that serves food   a category that includes convenience stores with hot dog rollers   forces food trucks to make concessions to help their bricks-and-mortar competitors succeed. Another part of the law that mandates food trucks carry GPS devices so that the city can track their whereabouts constitutes a "warrantless search" and violates privacy protections, the suit claimed. Chicago food truck operators say the city's restrictions have driven entrepreneurs out of business and stunted the local scene even as it has thrived elsewhere in the nation. About 65 food trucks currently operate in Chicago, half the number that roamed the streets before the city ordinance was adopted in 2012, estimates Gabriel Wiesen, president of the Illinois Food Truck Association and owner of Beavers Donuts, which operates three food trucks and a store in the French Market. More to come. aelejalderuiz@chicagotribune.com Twitter @alexiaer


Joe Douglas wasted no time taking advantage of New York's No. 3 spot on the waiver wire as he said he would during his introductory press conference , claiming former Oakland Raiders cornerback Montrel Meander on Wednesday. Meander is Douglas' first acquisition as Jets general manager and the first of what figures to be many waiver wire pickups. An undrafted free agent out of Grambling State, where he recorded 49 tackles, two interceptions and two pass defenses as a senior in 2017, Meander spent the majority of his first season in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. In Cleveland, Meander worked with Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and spent 12 weeks on the team's practice squad before finishing the season with the Raiders. Meander is not the established cornerback New York needs heading into 2019, but he brings potential to the table. At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Meander has an impressive frame and uses his length to his advantage. He is also familiar with Williams' defensive scheme, which gives him a leg up on the other corners fighting for a spot on the Jets' 53-man roster. Regardless of whether or not Meander makes the team, expect Douglas to take a chance on various other waiving claims moving forward. Meander was the first and he will certainly not be the last. MORE: NHL fans sure enjoyed seeing Brad Marchand cry after Bruins' Game 7 loss NBA trade rumor rankings: Rockets on the move? 4 observations from Day 2 of Bills minicamp Nate Burleson thinks Patriots RBs are most electrifying position group in NFL Davante Adams on Packers rookie S Darnell Savage: 'We got a steal'


ST. LOUIS (AP) Stanley Jackson and buddy Steven Crow can be excused if they tend to watch their beloved St. Louis Blues with their hands over their eyes, just waiting for the next thing to go wrong. So when the Blues beat the San Jose Sharks in Game 7 to earn their first berth in the Stanley Cup Final since 1970, a rematch with the Boston Bruins 49 years in the making, the two old friends couldn't hold back. ''We were like two 9-year-olds,'' Jackson, 52, said. ''We were hugging and jumping. We were crying like babies.'' There's a lot of that going around in St. Louis. After all, few sports fans anywhere have suffered like Blues fans. The franchise has shown a remarkable ability to tease but ultimately disappoint - missing the playoffs just nine times but never winning the Cup. Management lost three coaches who went on to win 16 Stanley Cup championships. The Blues would have abandoned St. Louis in the 1980s but the new destination was a Canadian outpost so obscure the NHL wouldn't allow it. It's been a wild ride, and Susan Kelly has had a front-row seat. Kelly, a 55-year-old lawyer, is the daughter of Dan Kelly, the legendary hockey broadcaster who called Blues games until his death in 1989. She inherited his love for the sport and the team, attending every home game with her 82-year-old mom. In fact, Kelly pulled out of an African safari so she won't miss the final that starts Monday in Boston. ''It was a no-brainer,'' Kelly said. ''I bought the trip insurance just for this reason.'' Despite their checkered past, the Blues have a rabid, devoted fan base, even as they share a city with baseball's beloved and storied Cardinals. Devotion to the hockey team only grew in 2016 when the NFL's Rams bolted for Los Angeles. Now, it's not uncommon for Cardinals stars such as Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright to show up at a Blues game. The Blues' best run of success came right off the bat. The NHL doubled in size to 12 teams in 1967 and put all six expansion teams in one division, guaranteeing one of them would reach the Stanley Cup Final. St. Louis loaded the roster with aging veterans, including eventual Hall-of-Fame goaltenders Glenn Hall and Jacques Plante, and it worked - kind of: The Blues made the final their first three seasons but were swept every time - by Montreal in 1968 and 1969 and by the Bruins in 1970, where Bobby Orr's series-winning overtime goal came just after he was tripped by St. Louis' Noel Picard, resulting in the iconic photo of Orr seemingly flying through the air. Maybe that trip was bad karma - until now, the Blues hadn't come close to returning to the final, a fact made even more remarkable because they're almost always in the playoffs, including 25 straight seasons starting in 1979. So star-crossed is the franchise that what is widely considered the greatest game in Blues history was a prelude to disappointment. Dubbed the ''Monday Night Miracle,'' the Blues trailed Calgary 5-2 with 12 minutes to play in Game 6 of the 1986 Western Conference final, tied it with a frantic rally and won it on Doug Wickenheiser's goal 7:30 into overtime. Naturally, they lost Game 7. Adding to the angst for fans is what could have been. The Blues were eliminated from the playoffs one year despite having both Wayne Gretzky and Brett Hull on the team. Hull, Brendan Shanahan and T.J. Oshie are among countless stars who became champions after leaving St. Louis. The Blues also gave up too soon on some of the best coaches in NHL history. Scotty Bowman won a combined nine Stanley Cup titles with Montreal, Pittsburgh and Detroit after he left St. Louis in a dispute with management in 1971. Al Arbour began his coaching career in St. Louis before winning four straight titles with the New York Islanders. Joel Quenneville won three championships with the rival Chicago Blackhawks after he was fired by the Blues. Then again, St. Louis is lucky to have a team at all. The Blues have rarely turned a profit and in 1983 were all but sold to an ownership group that would have moved them to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The NHL Board of Governors rejected the sale and had to briefly take control of the franchise until finding a buyer. Bowman, who was the Blues' coach when they went to the Cup Final in 1968, 1969 and 1970, met his wife in St. Louis when she was working as a nurse there. He coached current Blues assistant Larry Robinson and feels a connection to the team to this day. This season started out to be just another in a long line of disappointments. Despite several offseason acquisitions, the Blues were awful. Players fought in practice. Coach Mike Yeo was fired and replaced by assistant Craig Berube. By Jan. 3, St. Louis had the worst record in the NHL. Two days later, the Blues called up an unheralded goalie, 25-year-old Jordan Binnington. He won in a shutout in his first start and the turnaround was on. St. Louis won a franchise-record 11 straight games and the Blues went from a team considering trading stars like Vladimir Tarasenko to a contender. Kelly said she ran into Hull after the clinching game against San Jose. He hugged her and began to cry, she recalled. She understood. ''I, along with this city, have been waiting our whole lives for this,'' Kelly said. --- More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports Related slideshow: Best of 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs (provided by imagn)


It's no fun playing catchup. In the fall Under Armour overtook Adidas for the first time in sportswear sales, but the athletic apparel and gear company is still far behind Nike. Under Armour is now trying to get up to speed in the digital space, accelerated by its recent acquisitions of the fitness and nutrition-tracking tools MyFitnessPal and Endomondo. In 2013, the sportswear maker also acquired MapMyFitness. The 100 million new users 80 million from MyFitnessPal and 20 million from Endomondo and the startups' respective engineering teams make the case for Under Armour to be considered a tech brand. With these gains, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank says, the company can better engage with customers after they leave the store, and get insights into the health and fitness interests of its customers. "I mean, in one fell swoop we created the world's largest connected health and fitness community with 120 million unique members [including MapMyFitness] and the largest by a factor of two and arguably three," Plank said on the company's earnings call. "At the end of the day, the math is pretty simple. The more active someone is, the more likely they are to buy athletic apparel and footwear." Now more than ever, lifestyle brands are paying attention to the digital space, but they're also learning how hard it is to build new technologies from the ground up. The nutrition-logging aspect of MyFitnessPal was one of the major reasons Under Armour was interested in the startup. It's "something that we thought would be much easier for us to buy than to try to build," Plank told investors. Indeed, the company's two fitness-tracking apps built in-house have had limited success: Under Armour Record and Armour39 are ranked 78 and 689 in the fitness category, according to the app-tracking website App Annie. But perhaps more telling, Google Play notes that the Android version of Under Armour Record has only been installed 10,000 to 50,000 times. (Armour39 is only available on iOS.) By contrast, Nike's running app one of about a dozen apps from the company has been installed 10 million to 50 million times on Android devices. To be fair, Nike had a head start in the digital race, having released its Fuelband activity tracker back in 2012 (though that gadget's development has since been discontinued), and the company is also working closely with Apple on wearables. Under Armour's reasoning is the same the Italian eyewear maker Luxottica used when it decided to team up with Intel to develop hi-tech smart glasses. It's why fashion company Opening Ceremony also tapped Intel for its snakeskin-wrapped notification bracelet. And it's why the luxury watchmaker Tag Heuer is striking up partnerships and looking to acquire tech firms to power its upcoming smartwatch. For these monied lifestyle brands, it's simply easier to buy a solution than develop the technologies they want in-house.


The 2020 Democratic presidential candidates agree on a few goals: expand access to health care and education, address climate change, beat President Trump. But how to do all that is where this primary starts to gets messy. The following questions have created friction within the Democratic primary, and Wednesday's and Thursday's Democratic debates could get confrontational if they come up. Should Democrats play nice with Republicans or be antagonistic to them? Former vice president Joe Biden has argued that civility is what America needs after four years of Trump. "Some say Democrats don't want to hear about unity. That they are angry, and the angrier you are, the better," Biden said at his campaign kickoff rally. "Well, I don't believe it. I really don't. I believe Democrats want to unify this nation." Subscribe to the Post Most newsletter: Today's most popular stories on The Washington Post Don't be so naive, some of his opponents argue. Republicans have blown up previous political norms   holding up Obama's Supreme Court pick for a year, refusing to take the allegations against Trump in the Mueller report seriously. So let's play hardball right back. "We're done with two sets of rules, one for the Republicans and one for the Democrats," Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has said , suggesting getting rid of the filibuster rule that requires 60 votes to pass legislation in the Senate. Should Democrats champion socialism? Americans want and deserve more from their government than they're getting under Trump, so let's lean into bold socialist-style programs, like getting rid of most private insurance in favor of putting everyone on Medicare, some of the 2020 Democrats argue. "If there was ever a moment when we needed a new vision to bring our people together in the fight for justice, decency and human dignity, this is that time," Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a speech recently. He's the only candidate directly championing socialism, but a lot of his 2020 opponents have signed onto legislation like Medicare-for-all . No way, say other candidates. "Socialism is not the answer," former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper has said. "If we're not careful, we're going to end up reelecting the worst president in American history." Notable: Hickenlooper will be on the debate stage with Sanders. Is Joe Biden out of touch with today's Democratic Party? If it sounds like we are singling out Biden from all the other candidates, it's because we expect his opponents to do the same. He's been leading in all major polling since he got into the race, and the quickest way for candidates to get noticed in these unruly debates will be to throw punches at him. Some of them have already started. Over the past few weeks, Biden has been on the defensive about his support for the Hyde Amendment prohibiting federal funding for abortion, for his role in passing a 1994 tough-on-crime bill and for talking about how he was close with segregationist senators in the '70s. On much of this, Biden has quickly tried to adjust to be more in line with the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. But he's bristled at some characterizations from his opponents, like from Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), that Biden should apologize for his friendliness with segregationist senators. "Apologize for what?" he said. Expect his opponents to continue to make the case that Biden is too out of touch with the values of today's Democratic voters. Who's most electable against Trump? This question is a major and vexing one for the Democratic primary. The problem is that "electability" is a subjective term that Democratic voters haven't quite settled on a meaning for. This debate is rife with gender and racial bias , like: Should Democratic voters nominate a man after seeing Hillary Clinton lose to Trump? Is it too risky to nominate a person of color, given that Trump's election appeared to be, in part, a backlash against President Barack Obama? The "electability" question also encompasses a candidate's political strategy. Biden has argued that he's most electable because he can talk to middle-class voters in states Trump won, such as Pennsylvania. Sanders has argued that he's most electable because he's leading a grass-roots movement to take on the billionaire class. "We defeat Trump by running a campaign of energy and enthusiasm that substantially grows voter turnout," he's said. Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), a former prosecutor, says she can win because she can call Trump like she sees it: "We need somebody on our stage when it comes for that general election, who knows how to recognize a rap sheet when they see it and prosecute the case," she said recently. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) says she can win because she's won tough races before: "I know how to win." What's the best way to take on Trump? Looks like Bernie Sanders is history. Sleepy Joe Biden is pulling ahead and think about it, I'm only here because of Sleepy Joe and the man who took him off the 1% trash heap, President O! China wants Sleepy Joe BADLY!   Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2019 Just like there's no consensus on how to build a political coalition to beat Trump, there's no consensus on how to engage with Trump. Democrats know that Trump is going to call them names and say false things. Do they call him names right back? Ignore him? Try to fact check him like Hillary Clinton did in one of her debates? Keep their heads down and focus on their policy ideas? This point of contention is likely to be more subtle than the others, but the Democratic candidates onstage are going to want to show voters how they'd handle Trump if they end up on a debate stage with him next year.


ACROSS MINNESOTA   Employment in the computer and information technology fields is projected to grow 13 percent by 2026, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are numerous IT job openings in the Twin Cities area alone. If you have skills in this field, then one of the jobs below may be a good fit for you. Check out the information technology job openings in the Twin Cities metro area below: Service Desk Analyst - IDC Technologies, Saint Paul, MN IT Systems Developer - Hennepin County, Minneapolis, MN Java Microservices Developer - HonorVet Technologies, Eden Prairie, MN Data Architect - Concord Technology, Minneapolis, MN Manager of Software Engineering - GlobalTranz Enterprises Inc., Minneapolis, MN Spanish Help Desk - Collaborative LLC, Saint Paul, MN Patient Care Integration Developer - Genesis10, Richfield, MN Lead Application Security Specialist - Request Technology LLC, Minneapolis, MN Fairview Printer Install - Advantage Resourcing, Burnsville, MN UX Project Manager - Horizontal Integration, Eagan, MN


The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Miles Sanders with the idea that he'd bring a dynamic three-down skill set comparable to his former Penn State teammate, Saquon Barkley. No, Sanders isn't Barkley per se, but the second-round pick is extremely shifty and intense with his change of direction. Even with Jordan Howard in the fold, Sanders is getting a lot of fantasy football love, and recently ESPN.com rated Sanders a running back to watch in fantasy football, with the ceiling to become a second running back for a prospective team. Fantasy Ceiling: During the draft process, I tagged Sanders as a potential three-down back at the pro level. The traits are there to develop as a receiver and as a reliable pass-blocker for Wentz. If we see Sanders display a quick learning curve here, then his ceiling is going to rise. Even with the rookie sharing carries in the backfield, adding targets can boost him into the lower-tier RB2 range for PPR managers. And he is a really good fit for the Eagles' run schemes. There's a lot of upside with Sanders if the volume is right. The Eagles operate by committee at running back and with Darren Sproles returning, Sanders could lose some work on third down's if he's not proficient in pass protection. MORE: UFC's Thiago Santos shares brutal update on injuries suffered in loss to Jon Jones Packers training camp practice roundup: July 26 Stidham quickly making progress in Patriots' system Observations from Lions training camp, Day 2: Welcome to the T.J. Hockenson show Lonzo Ball earns lowest NBA 2K rating since rookie season


When Bryce Harper was still a teenage baseball star at Las Vegas (Nev.) High School, he used a wooden bat. He didn't have to use a wooden bat, but doing so aligned him with professional baseball and allowed him to showcase his talent to professional scouts at a younger age while also streamlining his eventual transition to the professional game. Now one of the bats from his two high school seasons is up for auction, and it's not going to be cheap. Robert Edwards Auctions is selling the Harper bat in question , with an intial bid price of $2,500. It will sell for at least that much because someone has already placed the $2,500 entry bid. There are nine days remaining in the auction, barring Robert Edwards pulling it off the block prematurely. As laid out in the Robert Edwards Auction listing, the bat being auctioned was custom made for Harper by M Powered Baseball , a wooden bat manufacturer from California. His particular bat features his name, the bat model number and length stamped on it in white, with a length of 34 inches and a weight of just more than 30 ounces. The barrel of Bryce Harper's high school baseball bat (Photo: Robert Edwards Auction) The item has been authenticated by an expert. The fact that Harper always used a wooden bat is one of the more Paul Bunyan-like aspects of his personal baseball story. A powerful slugger throughout his career, his two years of high school ball were no exception. Yet despite his performance, it's the fact that he earned his GED after two years to speed up his transition to professional baseball that always stood out the most. Now one notable piece of that journey is for sale for the first time. It will be fascinating to see how the public values the bat as a unique piece of memorabilia. MORE: Browns mob touchdown scorer who slept outside a gym during tryouts Good, bad and ugly from Packers' preseason-opening win over Texans Matt Nagy can't stop gushing about Bears RB David Montgomery Duke Johnson trade: what they're saying around the NFL D'Angelo Russell Q&A: Warriors' new backcourt is 'like a video game' Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn)


VANCOUVER   When asked by the Chicago Blackhawks during a pre-NHL Draft meeting how he would sell himself to the team to be selected with the third overall pick, Cole Caufield replied, "You'll regret it if you don't." Well, it won't just be Chicago regretting passing on the 18-year-old if Caufield does indeed have a great NHL career. Fourteen teams passed over the 5-foot-7, 163 lbs. winger before the Montreal Canadiens pounced to take him at No. 15. Coming out a talented class from the United States National Team Development Program, which saw a record eight players selected in Round 1 Friday night, Caufield lit up scoreboards during the 2018-19 season scoring 72 goals in 64 games this season, breaking the USNTDP single-season record. Over the course of his career, the Wisconsin native broke Phil Kessel 's goal scoring record with 126 in 123 games. "I've never seen purer hands coming through the NTDP," said U.S. U18 head coach John Wroblewski. "When he catches a puck, it lays flat. Every pass or shot explodes off his stick. It's not the flashy dangles, it's pure, it's clean… His shot is so accurate. He hits so many crossbars and elbows in practice it's insane. He loves the game. He's got a smile on his face all the time. Our goalies love stopping him, but they can't do it." [ Devils take Jack Hughes with No. 1 overall pick ] Caufield's shot is the best asset in his toolbox. He showed he can fire the puck from anywhere, sporting a team-high 282 shots in 64 games this season, and do it at a successful rate. "I'd just put down a bucket of pucks and start shooting from anywhere," said Caufield, who's committed to the University of Wisconsin next season. "I think I just developed a love for shooting the puck. I think some people don't do it enough. I've always been a kid that just loved to shoot the puck and I'm going to continue to work at it because the goalies are only going to get better from here." Caufield likens his game to Alex DeBrincat , a friend who also boasts a small frame at 5-foot-7. The Chicago Blackhawks forward has shown that size doesn't matter during his young productive NHL career. Those questions about being a smaller player likely won't stop anytime soon, but Caufield is eager to continue showing that it doesn't affect his game. "Now I kind of just laugh it off," Caufield said. "Nobody's going to stop asking me about it. I'm just going to have to continue to prove people wrong because I've been dealing with it my whole life. At this point, it doesn't really matter to me. It's not really a risk factor in my game and how I play, so I'm not too worried about it." As Caufield met with the media following his selection, Wroblewski came over and the two embraced while wearing big smiles. It was an historic night for the USNTDP and the progress of the 22-year-old program has only grown every year as the draft rolls around. "It really didn't hit me until these past two years," Caufield said about his NHL dreams becoming a reality. "Just making that [USNTDP] team was something special to me. I took it right by the horns and said this is my chance, this is my opportunity. I think I proved a lot of people wrong pretty fast, so I think I'm just going to continue to do that. I can't credit enough of my success to that program and all the guys that helped me there." MORE: 2019 NHL Draft tracker   Round 1      Sean Leahy is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports . Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @Sean_Leahy . Related slideshow: Top picks in the NHL Draft (Provided by imagn)


SARASOTA, FL   If a citizenship question is added to the Census, nearly 601,803 Hispanics in Florida would be undercounted in 2020, according to an analysis by The Washington Post. The Post's analysis was done in collaboration with the Harvard Shorestein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy. A study published by the center found that adding the question could lead to an undercount of 12 percent of the Hispanic population or 6 million people, the Post writes. After the Trump administration announced plans in March 2018 to add the question to the 2020 Census, the American Civil Liberties Union sued the government. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case in late April and the justices are expected to hand down their decision later this month. The New York Times recently reported that Tom Hofeller , a man known for his role in gerrymandering efforts that have helped Republicans win elections in recent years, played a crucial role in the decision to add the question to the Census, based on hard drives his daughter found in his home. Hofeller died in 2018. A 2015 study by Hofeller said the question would allow Republicans to draw even more gerrymandered maps, according to the Times. He also wrote a portion of a draft DOJ letter that said the question was better needed to enforce the Voting Rights Act, according to the Times. When the Department of Commerce announced that the citizenship question would be added to the 2020 Census, it said it was to help enforce the 1965 law. The ACLU took the new evidence to court and a judge agreed that the allegations were serious but did not immediately decide on whether to sanction Trump officials as the plaintiffs had asked the court to consider, according to The Washington Post. Here are the states where an undercount would have the biggest impact, according to the Post: Arizona (362,496 or 4.9 percent of the population) California (1,843,035 or 4.6 percent of the population) Texas (1,147,650 or 3.9 percent of the population) New Mexico (76,333 or 3.6 percent of the population) Colorado (201,467 or 3.4 percent of the population) Nevada (85,698 or 2.7 percent of the population) Florida (601,803 or 2.7 percent of the population) New York (454,095 or 2.3 percent of the population) New Jersey (182,101 or 2 percent of the population) In their legal complaint, the ACLU said the plan "is a naked act of intentional discrimination directed at immigrant communities of color that is intended to punish their presence, avoid their recognition, stunt their growing political power, and deprive them and the communities in which they live of economic benefits." The ACLU said that the Trump administration's policies towards immigrants have discouraged these communities from interacting with the government. The group also argued that adding the question would result in an inaccurate Census that fails to achieve its constitutional objective of counting the total number of "persons" living in the United States. An undercount could lead to communities losing government funding and political representation, the ACLU argues. While the government has argued that the question is needed for better data to enforce the Voting Rights Act, the ACLU notes in the legal complaint that the act has been enforced for more than 50 years with no citizenship question.


Hours after telling the Courier Journal she would have voted to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Amy McGrath reversed course to say she would, in fact, not have voted for Kavanaugh. The reversal came after liberals and conservatives alike slammed McGrath's comments on social media, with some saying they would not donate to the Kentucky Democrat's campaign to unseat Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "I was asked earlier today about Judge Brett Kavanaugh and I answered based upon his qualifications to be on the Supreme Court. But upon further reflection and further understanding of his record, I would have voted no," McGrath tweeted about four hours after the Courier Journal reported her comments . I was asked earlier today about Judge Brett Kavanaugh and I answered based upon his qualifications to be on the Supreme Court. But upon further reflection and further understanding of his record, I would have voted no.   Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) July 10, 2019 "I know I disappointed many today with my initial answer on how I would have voted on Brett Kavanaugh. I will make mistakes and always own up to them. The priority is defeating Mitch McConnell," she added. I know I disappointed many today with my initial answer on how I would have voted on Brett Kavanaugh. I will make mistakes and always own up to them. The priority is defeating Mitch McConnell.   Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) July 11, 2019 Last year, when McGrath was running for the U.S. House in a Central Kentucky swing district, she criticized Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's second Supreme Court nominee, for being too conservative. "I echo so many of the concerns that others have articulated over the nomination of Judge (Brett) Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court," McGrath said in a July 2018 Facebook post . "He has shown himself to be against women's reproductive rights, workers' rights, consumer protections and will be among the most partisan people ever considered for the court." Q&A with McGrath: 'If President Trump has good ideas, I'll be for them' In a tweet that same month, McGrath said Kavanaugh would be a "hardcore partisan" who has opposed women's reproductive rights, workers' rights and consumer protections. I echo the concerns over the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh. He's been against women's reproductive rights, workers' rights, consumer protections, and is a hardcore partisan. But we are reminded, again, that elections have consequences, and this will be with us for a generation. https://t.co/FNMOVeRSQm   Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) July 10, 2018 Two months later, she said Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault, had the more compelling testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee because she had called for federal investigators to question additional witnesses. "That really stands out for me, not to mention the vast disparity in their temperaments and demeanors while testifying," McGrath said in a September 2018 Facebook post . "Dr. Ford's testimony was quite compelling." But during the Wednesday afternoon interview, the former Marine fighter pilot running against McConnell   who fought vigorously to get Kavanaugh confirmed   expressed a different view on the nomination. "You know, I think that with Judge Kavanaugh, yeah, I probably would have voted for him," McGrath said, a day after she announced her 2020 candidacy. Kavanaugh's appointment became a yardstick of the country's political divide last year, and a litmus test for Senate Democrats who are now running for president. The hearings also became a focal point of the #MeToo movement as Kavanaugh was hit with accusations of sexual assault when he was a teenager. McGrath said in the Wednesday interview that she still thinks Ford's testimony was credible, but that it didn't disqualify Kavanaugh from being confirmed. "Well, I mean I think again, I think it's credible but given the amount of time that lapsed in between and from a judicial standpoint, I don't think it would really disqualify him," she said. Kentucky makeover: McGrath challenges McConnell as a pro-Trump Democrat Ford told the Senate Judiciary Committee in an emotional testimony last year that during a party in the early 1980s, Kavanaugh and his friend, Mark Judge, both intoxicated, locked her in a bedroom at the home of a friend whose parents weren't home. She said Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed, ground himself against her and tore at her clothes. She said the music had been turned up, and Kavanaugh put his hand over her mouth to silence her screams for help. "I believed he was going to rape me," Ford said. Kavanaugh vehemently denied the accusation to the committee, at times blasting the hearings for turning into an attack on his personal life. "I never committed sexual assault," he said. Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court by a 50-48 vote with one Democrat, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, supporting his nomination. During the time of the hearings, McGrath was running against Rep. Andy Barr, a Republican, for Kentucky's 6th Congressional District seat. House members don't vote on Supreme Court nominees. She was among the many Democrats riding the "blue wave," which eventually gave House Democrats their majority. At the time, McGrath said Republican Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Jeff Flake should insist on additional FBI questioning, "or they vote against confirmation." "The fact that the Judiciary Committee plans to vote on this right away makes this day even more sad," she said. "I understand the emotional anger that this has caused given the extremely partisan nature of our politics today ... but this type of allegation did not happen to the last Republican nominee to the Court. It needs to be investigated. Considering that there was no rush to even give a hearing to the last Democratic nominee, why are we rushing this given the enormous magnitude of the position?" Related: 5 things to know about McGrath vs. McConnell in the 2020 Senate race McConnell is expected to lean heavily in 2020 on his role in reshaping the federal courts, including the Kavanaugh confirmation, as part of his argument for reelection. McGrath said Wednesday that she was very concerned about Kavanaugh's "far-right stances" but emphasized to the Courier Journal, "there was nothing in his record that I think would disqualify him in any way." "And the fact is when you have the president and the Senate, this is our system and so I don't think there was anything that would have disqualified him in my mind," she added. Reporter Phillip M. Bailey can be reached at 502-582-4475 or pbailey@courierjournal.com. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/philb . This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Amy McGrath flips on whether she would have voted 'yes' on Kavanaugh


A lot is riding on the 49ers defense undergoing a dramatic turnaround in 2019. Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee and Kyle Madson take a look at the 49ers' defensive roster heading into training camp. The guys break down some of the key camp battles, how new faces should make an immediate impact, and the way alignment changes will affect how the defense looks and performs. View embedded content MORE: Mike Trout's perfect 98.6 MPH throw to home plate had everyone in awe Roundup: A-Rod Buys J-Lo a Porsche, PBR Hard Coffee, MLB Trade Deadline Bold Predictions Ranking the NBA's Top 10 Big Threes Packers GM explains reasoning for releasing DL Mike Daniels Amani Toomer: Giants QB Eli Manning still has it


Authorities in Cyprus said Thursday they may drain a lake in efforts to find the body of a six-year-old Filipina girl, believed to be the youngest victim of a serial killer. A Greek Cypriot army officer is in custody after reportedly confessing to murdering seven foreign women and girls in a string of killings that have rocked the Mediterranean island. The police have so far recovered five bodies, including remains dumped inside suitcases in another lake. Despite weeks of searching with the help of Israeli experts the police and fire department have failed to locate the body of the six-year-old, whose mother's corpse has already been discovered in a disused mine. Fire services chief Markos Trangolas told state radio that authorities are examining whether to partially drain the lake to bring the water level down by around five metres as they search the area where local media say the suspect confessed to dumping the body. There were no plans to pump all two million tonnes of water out of the 60-metre deep lake, he said. Elsewhere a search for another suspected victim from the Philippines has been put on hold to give divers a rest. The killings came to light when tourists spotted a body brought to the surface of a mine shaft by unusually heavy rains. That triggered a murder investigation which led to the army captain's arrest on April 18. The failure by the authorities to follow up on reports that the women were missing has sparked ire and led to the dismissal of the police chief.


Looking to sample the best burgers around town? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top burger outlets in Stockton, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to satisfy your cravings. 1. Smitty's Wings & Things Topping the list is Smitty's Wings & Things , located at 946 N. Yosemite St. in Midtown West. The spot to score chicken wings, pizza and burgers is the highest-rated burger spot in Stockton, boasting 4.5 stars out of 513 reviews on Yelp. 2. Midnight At Burnies Drive-up Next up is Colonial Heights's Midnight At Burnies Drive-up , situated at 3221 W. Hammer Lane, Suite D. With four stars out of 274 reviews on Yelp, the spot to score burgers, ice cream and smoothies has proven to be a local favorite. 3. Tommy's Cafe Tommy's Cafe , a breakfast and brunch spot that offers burgers and more in Waterloo, is another go-to spot. With four stars out of 55 Yelp reviews, head over to 678 N. Wilson Way to see for yourself. 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.


CHICAGO   Singer R. Kelly is facing more legal woes after being arrested Thursday night in Chicago on federal sex crime charges. The Chicago native was reportedly arrested by Homeland Security agents and New York Police Department public safety officers, and is expected to be brought to New York to face the new charges. Kelly is already facing a legal battle after being charged in February with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse . Eleven additional charges were filed against the singer on May 30 in Chicago. U.S. attorney spokesman Joseph Fitzpatrick told the Associated Press that the new 13-count indictment includes charges of child pornography , enticement of a minor and obstruction of justice. Allegations first surfaced against the singer this year after the release of the Lifetime docu-series "Surviving R. Kelly." February's 10-count indictment involved four victims, three of whom were minors, and incidents that took place between 1998 and 2010. Kelly's arrest came a month after the Illinois Department of Agriculture denied his application to perform in Springfield , citing sexual misconduct allegations and security concerns. Kelly was released from jail in March, only to be arrested again at the end of May on new charges including four class X felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault , two felony counts of criminal sexual assault by force and five felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Kelly has spent years denying sex crime allegations. In 2008, the singer was acquitted of child pornography charges. Officials were expected to release more information on the federal charges on Friday.


At 2 years old, Amelia Bubenik is taking the internet by storm this Independence Day with her passionately-performed rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner." "She loves to sing," said her mother, Amy Bubenik. The young girl's natural talent for singing and affinity for the anthem have been unmistakable, Bubenik said. "She had been singing it all the time," Bubenik told ABC News on Thursday. "She would sing it any time a sporting event would take place. She would stop anything she was doing and sing it." Both Amelia's father and grandfather are Navy veterans . "We want to instill the values of being an American into our children," Bubenik said. "Some have sacrificed their lives and we want our children to honor that." A few months ago, Amelia's grandmother suggested that the toddler, from Granite Bay, California, learn all the words to the entire song. "We decided to give her a little challenge and started singing the national anthem," Bubenik said. "We gave her two lines a day and about two weeks later she knew the whole thing." Bubenik captured Amelia's debut concert on video and posted it to Facebook on Memorial Day . Standing on top of a rock, wearing a patriotic red, white and blue dress, with a microphone in hand, the 2-year-old could be heard belting out each word with gusto, delivering a flawless solo performance from memory. "She sang it on the first try. I had chills the second I saw she sang the whole thing," her mother said. Since it was posted, the video has been viewed by nearly 17 million people and has become a viral sensation. "It's amazing -- the comments, the love of the song itself and Amelia's ability to sing it," Bubenik said. "Really positive and heartwarming to see so many people touched by the song and a tiny little girl like her singing it."


It's always smart to run through the finish line ... but what if you forget where the finish line actually is? Well, Ethiopian long-distance runner Hagos Gebrhiwet encountered this very problem to start the Fourth of July weekend, and it cost him a 5,000-meter victory at the IAAF Diamond League. As seen on NBC Sports, Gebrhiwet strode right past the bell for the final lap at a meet in Switzerland on Friday, then proceeded to strut with his hands up in celebration of a would-be first-place finish -- all while his competition passed him by. The race continued, and World Indoor Championships star Yomif Kejelcha easily coasted his way to the actual finish line and the victory. Gebrhiwet is no slouch in the long-distance running community. The 25-year-old earned a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the same event, and he came into the Diamond League events just over a year after winning the 3,000-meter run at the 2018 IAAF World Indoor Tour. He also has two World Championships medals under his belt. But none of those accomplishments could save him from the embarrassment of misjudging the finish line in Lausanne, where he sprinted through the second-to-last lap before veering out of his lane toward the crowd. Gebrhiwet attempted to make up ground after watching Kejelcha blaze by him, but ultimately finished 10th in the event.


By the looks of it, the dashboard design will echo the Phantom and Cullinan. The smaller of the two Rolls-Royce sedans will be transitioning to the next generation sometime next year after its bigger brother redefined opulence in 2017 with the Phantom VIII's release. With Bentley planning to push the all-new Flying Spur upmarket, the folks from Goodwood want to make sure their revamped Ghost will rise to the challenge. Today, we are able to take a first look inside the second-gen Ghost set to feature a dashboard design largely inherited from the Phantom and the Cullinan SUV . The current Ghost has been around for almost 10 years, but it's not that type of car to show its age since it boasts a timeless design inside and out. Nevertheless, Rolls-Royce is about to cram in a lot more technology while keeping the retro theme alive. The black dials of the instrument cluster denote the 2021 Ghost will switch to a fully digital driver's display accompanied by a wide screen for the infotainment system. It'll be interesting to see whether the big display on the center console will be of the touchscreen variety like on the Cullinan or you'll have to use the rotary controller as it's the case with the Phantom. To the right of the two displays is the analog clock you'd come to expect from a Rolls, while below on the center console are vents and controls looking oh-so-familiar. To better see how the Ghost's dashboard stacks up against the Phantom's and the Cullinan's, here are all three for comparison (2021 Rolls-Royce Ghosts, 2019 Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan): Stepping outside of the prototype, the camouflage appears to be hiding an evolutionary design featuring a taller grille flanked by reshaped and slightly narrower full-LED headlights. Those round cutouts in the front bumper's camo are likely there to partially expose the strip of daytime running lights akin to what the outgoing Ghost features. The side profile shows a gently sloped roofline making the new Ghost look a bit sportier towards the rear compared to the model it will replace. At the back, the prototype still had the provisional taillights judging by those simple rounded clusters, while right on the trunk lid, above the license plate, Rolls-Royce decided to slap on an extra layer of camouflage for unknown reasons. See The Previous Spy Images: Next-Gen Rolls-Royce Ghost Spied In Snowy Weather [UPDATE] 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Spied For The First Time Riding on a completely new aluminum spaceframe platform, the new Ghost is expected to shave off some weight, unless the added tech and possibly more sound-deadening materials will put the weight right back in. As evidenced by the spy shots , the suicide doors will make the transition to the new generation, which should offer increased body rigidity thanks to the switch from steel to aluminum. At the heart of the 2021 Ghost should be the familiar twin-turbo 6.75-liter V12 engine expect to offer somewhere in the region of 563 horsepower like in the Phantom and Cullinan. One major change compared to the current car is the adoption of four-wheel drive, which corroborated with a quicker eight-speed automatic transmission, should translate into better acceleration. Other significant changes include a 48V electrical architecture and four-wheel steering   if the rumor mill is to be believed. The wraps should come off next year. Photos: CarPix


LeBron James is notoriously cheap and the player who goes by 'The Fresh Prince,' apparently follows in the King's footsteps when it comes to being frugal, even after cashing in on a major contract extension. LeBron James joked with Ben Simmons on Monday after Simmons reportedly agreed to a 5-year, $170 million maximum extension with the Philadelphia 76ers. Once the deal was reported, James jokingly lamented that Simmons wouldn't let him borrow any money. Ben Simmons isn't lending LeBron any money after his $170M contract extension (via @KingJames ) pic.twitter.com/UFY9mztXe5 - NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 15, 2019 James is as generous as they come when it comes to philanthropy and he's always found creative ways to give back to the community through his LeBron James Family Foundation and I Promise School, while leveraging his commercial partners to also aid in philanthropies he's passionate about. But James is also well-known for not wasting money and being cheap enough not to pay for the streaming services without commercials. Nevertheless, James' joking is more of a sign of how proud he is of his protege and fellow Klutch Sports client. MORE: Poker player argues over dealer chip counting error during crucial all-in hand at WSOP Main Event Future looks bright for the Steelers according to ESPN Colts ranked No. 1 in NFL future power rankings Roundup: Lindsey Graham's Comment; Lunar Moon; NASA Sets Sights on Mars; Austin Butler Trysten Hill may be crowning point on Cowboys star-studded defense


China's defense minister on Sunday issued a stern rebuke to the United States amid the ongoing trade war and tension over the South China Sea and Taiwan , saying his country would "not let others prey on or divide us." Gen. Wei Fenghe told delegates at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that Beijing would not yield an inch of territory -- and any foreign interference was doomed to failure. He specifically called out the US and its Taiwan Relations Act, the 1979 law which permits Washington to provide defense weapons to the Taipei government and help defend the island from invasion. China considers Taiwan a renegade province . The two separated at the end of a bloody civil war in 1949 and the US only has official diplomatic relations with Beijing. "How can the US enact a law to interfere in China's internal affairs? Is there any sense in that?" Wei asked. Wei cited Abraham Lincoln fighting to keep the US united during the Civil War, adding: "Not a single country in the world would tolerate secession. The US is indivisible and so is China." Wei spoke at the conference a day after acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, who challenged Beijing to adhere to a "rules-based order" so it could fully gain the trust of the international community. But Wei said China was just taking measures to ensure prosperity and a better life for all involved. "China has never provoked a war or conflict, taken land or invaded another country," said Wei, the highest-ranking Chinese official to attend Asia's top defense summit in eight years. "China has never preyed on others. We shall not let others prey on or divide us either." Beijing claims almost the entire 1.3 million square mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory and aggressively asserts its stake . US military officials, meanwhile, have vowed to continue enforcing a free and open Indo-Pacific. Wei portrayed the South China Sea situation as largely a stand-off between Washington and Beijing. "Who is threatening security and stability in the South China Sea?" he asked, answering countries outside the region "who come to flex muscles" who would then "walk away and leave a mess behind." Those countries forced China to build up military facilities on the disputed islands, Wei said. "In the face of heavily armed ships and military aircraft, how can we not build defense facilities," he said. Wei defended China's detention of hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs in Xinjiang province for economic and security reasons. "The policy of China in Xinjiang is absolutely right. Because over the past more than two years there is no single terrorist attack in Xinjiang. The living standard of the local people has improved," he said Wei also blamed Washington for the ongoing trade war . "As for the recent trade friction started by the US, if the US wants to talk we will keep the door open. If they want to fight, we will fight until the end," he said. "Bully us? No way," he added. CNN's Mark Phillips contributed to this report.


Researchers tell us that most people would be better off waiting to claim Social Security benefits. Yet most people file early. More than half apply for Social Security before they reach full retirement age, which is currently 66 and rising to 67 for people born in 1960 and later. More than 30% apply as soon as they can   at age 62. Only about one in 25 applicants waits until age 70, when monthly benefits max out. Some people have little choice, of course. They may have no savings and no job. Others have better options than applying early, but don't realize it. That's due in part to the many, many myths surrounding Social Security   and people's tendency to think they know more about this program than they actually do. A 2013 survey by Financial Engines found that 77% of pre-retirees felt confident about their Social Security knowledge, but 95% could not correctly answer eight questions about how the program works. Here are the myths most likely to cost you money: 'It doesn't matter when I take Social Security' Social Security benefits increase by about 7% each year between 62 and your full retirement age , and by 8% each year between full retirement age and 70. This actuarial adjustment aims to ensure that people who opt for larger checks for a shorter period don't get less than those who get smaller checks for longer periods. But longer life expectancies, current low interest rates and rules regarding survivor benefits mean that most people are better off delaying, says researcher Sita Slavov, a professor of public policy at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia, and a faculty research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Social Security also provides insurance against longevity. People who live longer than expected can run out of savings and wind up depending mostly or even entirely on Social Security. That alone is a good reason for most people to delay their applications. Related video: 4 strategies to boost your Social Security checks (provided by CNBC) 'If I have a shorter-than-average life expectancy, I should claim benefits early' Most people underestimate how long they are likely to live, according to the Stanford Center on Longevity. A 65-year-old man today can expect to live to 84, according to the Social Security Administration. A 65-year-old woman can expect to live to 86.5. Couples who are 65 today stand a 50% chance of having one spouse live to 92, according to the Society of Actuaries. Life expectancies are even longer for those now in their mid-50s. One in two women and one in three men will live past 90, the actuaries say. Even if you're right about having a shorter life expectancy, though, claiming early could shortchange your mate. Married couples will lose one of their checks when the first spouse dies, which can cause a serious drop in income. The survivor will get the larger of the two checks the couple was receiving. That gives the higher earner in a couple   the one whose check will be the largest   a strong incentive to delay so that the survivor's benefit is larger. 'If I claim benefits early and invest them, I'll come out ahead' No investment offers a guaranteed return as high as what you can get from delaying your Social Security application. To match that return, you'd have to take a lot of risk. Even the most prudent investor can get shellacked by a bear market or real estate downturn. 'I have to claim Social Security as soon as I quit working' You don't have to start Social Security when you stop working, or vice versa. Financial planners often suggest people tap their retirement funds or other savings if that allows them to delay their applications. Also, you don't have to wait until 70 to get substantial returns. Delaying four years, from 62 to 66, can translate into a 33% sustainable, annual increase in your standard of living, Slavov says. 'I need to apply before Social Security goes bankrupt' Social Security is not "going bankrupt." If Congress doesn't act, in 2035 the system will be able to pay only about 80% of promised benefits   and 80% clearly is not the same as zero. If and when Congress does get around to fixing Social Security, the changes are likely to affect people further from retirement. "Locking in" your benefit early just means settling for smaller checks for life. This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press. More From NerdWallet What Will Long-Term Care Cost You? What You Need to Know About Working in Retirement How to Extend Your (Working) Life Liz Weston is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston. The article Don't Believe These Social Security Myths originally appeared on NerdWallet.


A weekend cart crash on an Ohio golf course resulted in one person being hospitalized and another injured. Dennis Larkins was one of the two golfers injured when the cart they were in flipped and pinned them beneath it at Shaker Run Golf Club Saturday, the Warren County Sheriff's Office said . Larkins had surgery at Miami Valley Hospital Sunday but his condition was not released, reports the Journal-News . A cart containing Robert Schaffner and Larkins was traveling down a "steep path" near the fifth hole at Shaker Run when it accelerated and the driver (who was not named) of the cart lost control, a police report said. Both Schaffner and Larkins were air-lifted to the hospital after the crash. Emergency crews were forced to cut apart the cart to remove the golfers. They were then loaded them into an ATV and transported to a putting green near the pro shop, where they were then loaded into a medical helicopter, the Journal-News reported. https://compass.pressekompass.net/compasses/golfweek/is-being-disqualified-a-too-harsh-a-pena MORE: NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players LaVar Ball offers explanation for his inappropriate remark to ESPN's Molly Qerim D'Angelo Russell open to Lakers return with Magic Johnson gone Dez Bryant tweets in support of LaVar Ball after ESPN ban Robert Quinn explains why he picked Cowboys over Saints


Running back Sony Michel didn't take part in the Patriots' mandatory minicamp last week and there's now a report regarding the reason for his absence. Jeff Howe of TheAthletic.com reports that Michel sat out after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee. The expectation is that Michel will be ready for training camp this summer. Michel has a history of knee issues, so the team will likely monitor his workload upon his return to the field in order to have him in good health for the start of the regular season. Michel ran 209 times for 931 yards and six touchdowns last regular season and added six more touchdowns in the playoffs. Brandon Bolden , Rex Burkhead , Damien Harris and James White round out the running back group in New England.


A Latina college senior's tribute to her immigrant farm worker parents is going viral this week just days before she's set to graduate from the University of California, Merced. In a post shared to Twitter earlier this month, Anna Ocegueda can be seen donning her graduation robes alongside her parents, who are wearing their work attire. Her parents, from Mexico, are farm workers, according to NBC News . Ocegueda, a 22-year old psychology major, captioned the post, "Por ustedes y para ustedes," which translates to "because of you, and for you." NBC News reported that Ocegueda will be the first person in her family to graduate from a four-year university. POR USTEDES Y PARA USTEDES #HijaDeInmigrantes #2MoreWeeks pic.twitter.com/gTcdwOysTX - Crybaby (@fuhckenanna) May 6, 2019 Anna Ocegueda is the daughter of migrant farm workers from Mexico and as 1 of 5 children, is the first in her family to graduate from a four-year university. This weekend, she receives her bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in Spanish. https://t.co/MJvnaZu5vo #firstgen pic.twitter.com/CmILaJclA9 - UC Merced (@ucmerced) May 15, 2019 The post has racked up more than 16,000 likes and over 4,000 retweets since it was first shared on Twitter nine days ago. Ocegueda told NBC News that she came up with the idea to take the photo as part of a school assignment that required students to use art as a means to address a political issue. "My parents came here for a better future and a better life for their children," Ocegueda told The Fresno Bee. "The educational opportunities weren't great. My parents encouraged me to better my education so I wouldn't have to work in the fields like them." She said she was shocked by how the post resonated widely across social media users. "I think people relate to it because they know what it's like to have parents who are working difficult jobs to support us," she told NBC News. "They know that going to school will be a way to build a better life not only for themselves but for their parents as well," she continued. Ocegueda will be graduating from the University of California, Merced, on Sunday. She told the outlet that she plans to relocate to nearby San Francisco for work after graduating.


LONDON (AP)   A street in Wales has been designated the steepest in the world after a successful campaign by residents. The title comes at the expense of a street in New Zealand, which has apparently been eclipsed in the steepness sweepstakes. Guinness World Records said Tuesday that the street of Ffordd Pen Llech in the seafront town of Harlech, 245 miles (395 kilometers) northwest of London, has a gradient of 37.45%, two percentage points steeper than the former title holder in Dunedin on New Zealand's South Island. The Welsh campaign was led by businessman and architectural historian Gwyn Headley. He says he feels "jubilation" now that the street has been recognized. He says he feels sorry for New Zealand, but that "steeper is steeper."


Customs and Border Protection officials announced Monday that the agency has opened investigations into 70 individuals, including 62 current and eight former employees, as a result of media reports that exposed a secret Facebook group in which some current or former Border Patrol employees shared racist, sexist and misogynistic posts about immigrants and members of Congress. During a conference call that was scant on details, Matthew Klein, the assistant commissioner for the CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility, said his office had completed two investigations so far and had forwarded its findings to the agency's employee relations division for review and any decisions about potential discipline. He declined to say whether his office had substantiated the allegations in those cases. ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom based in New York. Sign up for ProPublica's Big Story newsletter to receive articles and investigations like this one as soon as they're published. Klein also would not identify any of the 70 people under investigation, what types of jobs they hold or held or whether any senior Border Patrol officials were among those under scrutiny. Klein and his deputy, Michele James, also declined to indicate whether any employees had been suspended from duty as a result of their activity in the Facebook group, saying that doing so would violate the employees' rights to due process. And Klein refused to confirm a report by The Intercept , which had archived some of the posts from the secret group, that Carla Provost, the chief of the Border Patrol, had once been a member of the group, called "I'm 10-15," or say whether she was under investigation. Provost has not commented. Klein would only say that his investigation is "comprehensive" and is being conducted without regard to rank. Klein said that the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General had declined to start an investigation of its own but had remanded the case to his office. The Border Patrol has come under intense scrutiny since ProPublica first exposed the offensive posts by some current and former employees, including at least one supervisor. That report, on July 1, was followed by other media organizations, including The Intercept, which shared even more posts and identified Provost as a member. The posts raised questions about whether they were a reflection of dangerous attitudes by a small number of individuals or a reflection of the agency's culture. Klein said that in addition to the "I'm 10-15" group, his office is investigating two other secret Facebook groups for Border Patrol employees. And he said his office was seeking to identify not only those responsible for offensive posts, but also those who were aware of them. Agents who are aware of any kind of misconduct, Klein said, are obligated to report it. Klein said his office has signaled to all CBP employees that "expectations of professional conduct don't end at the end of a shift." Klein also noted that, dating back to January 2016, his office had investigated at least 80 individuals participating in at least three other secret social media groups for posting inappropriate comments. He did not say how those cases were resolved.


SAN DIEGO   Benjamin Prado finished his patrol of Southeast San Diego just before 7 a.m. Thursday, as early-morning shoppers stocked up on hot dogs and carne asada at the Northgate Market for the Fourth of July holiday. Prado wasn't on the lookout for gangs, drugs or crime. He and three other volunteers were on the lookout for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Over the past several months we've seen a higher presence of ICE in this area," said Prado, a member of Unión del Barrio, a volunteer immigrant rights group. "Residents, neighbors and friends have called to let us know that ICE is here." Prado and a group of about a dozen volunteers have patrolled the streets of City Heights, Linda Vista, Sherman Heights, Shelltown, and Logan Heights twice a week for nearly a year. Volunteers have gone on 97 patrols, made contact with ICE seven times and driven more than 2,300 miles since the patrols began, Prado said. This is an example of how some immigrant communities in San Diego have responded to the Trump administration's threats of increased deportations. Unión del Barrio say these patrols are a direct response to the administration's crackdown on illegal immigration and the volunteers view themselves as the community's first line of defense. Unión del Barrio was founded in 1981 by a group of activists in Logan Heights. They speak out against police violence, support political causes, and build community through educational workshops and events throughout Southern California. The group now has headquarters in Los Angeles and San Diego. The goal of these patrols is to look for federal immigration agents and alert communities of their presence. The volunteers want to stop immigration raids or arrests. For Armando Abundiz, who rode in the front passenger seat, ready to hit record on a camera in case they found anyone, the predawn patrol was a fitting way to start Independence Day. "Being watchful of your government is as American as apple pie," he said. The volunteers don't confront or engage with immigration agents. They simply observe and report, Abundiz noted. Abundiz and Prado want to stop the raids and arrests because sometimes they result in family separation and collateral arrests   meaning undocumented immigrants without a criminal background who were not the targets of the raid. "We have to defend our families because the nucleus of our society is being destroyed systematically by a state policy," Prado said. A normal patrol consists of a lot of driving   with gas paid for by the volunteers. Teams of two drive around certain neighborhoods to look for ICE vehicles. Specifically, they look for telltale signs like parked cars with tinted windows, usually clean, mostly American-made, and always with someone sitting in the driver's seat. If you look through the front windshield, which is also tinted, you can sometimes see a steel mesh cage in the backseat, Abundiz noted. If they find a car, and verify that it belongs to an immigration agent, the volunteers will livestream a feed on social media and alert locals about their presence. The goal is to keep undocumented immigrants whom ICE may be targeting away from the area. Abundiz said it is important to verify before posting anything online because false reports of raids that spread on social media often create a panic throughout immigrant communities. Thursday's patrol was uneventful. Prado and Abundiz drove by apartment complexes where ICE agents have arrested undocumented immigrants, parks, schools, businesses. But the streets were quiet on the national holiday. Still, Prado said, it's good to show the community that they are out there. Before Unión del Barrio initiates patrols in a neighborhood, it holds meetings and workshops with local residents. This includes hosting know-your-rights workshops to teach people tactics like opening the door for ICE agents only if they have a warrant signed by a judge. The patrols are going so well, that in April, Prado and other volunteers went to Los Angeles to teach Unión del Barrio members how to conduct their own ICE-watch patrols. Here in San Diego, Unión del Barrio is considering expanding to more neighborhoods or increasing the frequency of the biweekly patrols in response to threats from President Donald Trump to deport, "millions of illegal aliens." The president made slowing down the flow of illegal immigration one of his central campaign promise in 2016 and has increased immigration enforcement during his first term. The administration maintains that tougher laws and enforcement, including a border wall, could help deter migrants from entering the United States without proper documentation. On June 17 Trump tweeted, "Next week ICE will begin the process of removing millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States. They will be removed as fast as they come in." The enforcement action specifically targeted 2,000 people who had missed immigration court dates or had already been served deportation orders. San Diego's local ICE office issued this statement Friday: "ICE conducts targeted enforcement operations with the safety of the community it conducts them in at the forefront. Targeted enforcement operations are a necessity for ICE to ensure the integrity of the immigration system. Law enforcement operations are sensitive, any interaction with the public by ICE is done in a professional and courteous manner to ensure both the safety of the officer and the community." When asked about the planned raids by ABC News, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Mark Morgan said their purpose was to comply with the rule of law. "This is not about fear," Morgan told ABC. "No one is instilling fear in anyone. This is about the rule of law and maintaining integrity of the system." However, the day before the date of the raid, Trump said he'd delay it by two weeks to give lawmakers a chance to pass legislation that will solve the, "Asylum and Loophole problems at the Southern Border." Via tweet, the president warned that if legislators didn't get it done, "Deportations start!" Even if the raids don't materialize, Pardo said, the damage is already done. People are scared, which is why he and the other volunteers will continue to patrol the streets at 5 a.m. before heading to their day jobs and pay for the gas money out of their own pockets. "It's just part of the sacrifice that we do because at the end of the day we care about our neighbors," Prado said.     ©2019 The San Diego Union-Tribune Visit The San Diego Union-Tribune at www.sandiegouniontribune.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in Los Angeles. Rick Schroder arrested for punching girlfriend in Los Angeles As a child, Rick Schroder landed a leading role in the '80s series "Silver Spoons." Read the full story on New York Post . Woman fights to continue investigation into husband's mysterious death at bottom of LA River How did a Los Angeles actor go from a Metro station in North Hollywood after a screening and after party to face down and dead at the bottom of the LA River? Read the full story on CBS Los Angeles . Health officials confirm 6th case of measles in Los Angeles County A person who returned to California from overseas was infected with measles, health officials said Tuesday, emphasizing the traveler was not connected to other cases that prompted quarantines involving hundreds of people at two Los Angeles universities. Read the full story on KTLA 5 News . Dramatic video shows crash involving Inglewood mayor, LAPD motor officer Eyewitness News on Wednesday obtained dramatic new video of a violent crash near USC involving the mayor of Inglewood and a Los Angeles Police Department motor officer. Read the full story on ABC7 . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


LE CASTELLET, France -- Valtteri Bottas topped the leaderboard ahead of Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton in the second practice for the French Grand Prix on Friday. Bottas was .424 seconds quicker than Hamilton, reversing their positions from the first practice, while Charles Leclerc was third fastest ahead of his Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel. Championship leader Hamilton made a rare mistake in the second session when his left rear tire slid going into a turn and he clipped one of the bollards, sending him momentarily off track. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was just behind him and briefly slid off. ''I had a big snap into Turn 3 which I thought was a good catch (recovery),'' Hamilton said. ''It's been a bit difficult with the balance of the car; maybe that's to do with the new tarmac they have here and the high temperatures. In general, the car pace is really good.'' Although Verstappen did not appear to be impeded by Hamilton, stewards investigated the incident before deciding to take no action against either driver. ''Both drivers agreed that the limited rear visibility and the angle of Car 44 (Hamilton's) made it difficult for Hamilton to see the approaching car (Verstappen's) and agreed that Hamilton rejoined slowly,'' the stewards concluded in a statement. ''The stewards could observe from the on-board video that Hamilton looked in his mirrors at least twice before attempting to rejoin the circuit.'' Mercedes has won all seven races this season - five wins for Hamilton and two for Bottas - and again looked stronger than Ferrari. ''All the tires are gone,'' Leclerc moaned over the team radio near the end of the session as he struggled on the soft tire compound. Hamilton also expressed some concern at the start, saying his front tires were not balanced properly. Mid-afternoon temperatures hit 55 degree Celsius (131 Fahrenheit) on the Circuit Paul Ricard in southeastern France, and despite a bone-dry track several drivers still struggled with tire grip. ''It will only get warmer so tires are going to be on the limit, especially on Sunday,'' Bottas said. ''We still struggle with the balance over the course of the entire lap.'' Vettel also had a moment in P2 when he went too wide but regained control of his car, while French driver Romain Grosjean's Haas car kept slipping around the 5.8-kilometer (3.6-mile) track. ''I can't have a car that's (only) good over the first five corners,'' lamented Grosjean, who has scored only two points. There is a final practice on Saturday ahead of qualifying. Earlier Friday, Hamilton was .069 seconds quicker than Bottas. Ferrari again struggled with their tire set ups in P1, but Leclerc found some form toward the end to clock the third-fastest time. Vettel, who has not won in 15 races dating to the Belgian GP last August, was fifth behind Verstappen on a frustrating day. Vettel already trails Hamilton by 62 points and has two second-place finishes so far. Hamilton, who is chasing a sixth world title, has won the last three races and leads Bottas by 29 points overall. The French GP is the eighth of 21 races this season. --- More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


The Reds are welcoming one of their best hitters back to the lineup, as they announced Friday that second baseman Scooter Gennett has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list. Cincinnati already had an open spot on its 40-man roster, so the only corresponding roster move came in the form of placing catcher Tucker Barnhart on the 10-day injured list due to a strained right oblique muscle. Gennett, 29, has proved to be one of the best waiver claims in recent history. Designated for assignment by the division-rival Brewers in spring training 2017, Gennett has broken out as an everyday player and an All-Star since being claimed by his hometown team. In 295 games and 1,135 plate appearances with the Reds, he's mashed at a .303/.351/.508 clip while teeing off on 50 homers, 52 doubles and six triples. One of the main knocks on Gennett in Milwaukee was a perceived inability to hit left-handed pitching, but he's earned more at-bats against southpaws as his tenure with the Reds has progressed. In 202 plate appearances against lefties in 2018, Gennett batted .294/.335/.439. That breakout led to a $9.75M salary for Gennett in his final trip through arbitration this past offseason. A severe groin strain incurred toward the tail end of spring training ultimately cost Gennett half of the 2019 season   a crushing loss both for the Reds and for Gennett himself, who is slated to become a free agent at season's end. His absence has undeniably been felt by a Reds lineup that somewhat surprisingly is tied for the fifth-fewest runs scored in all of Major League Baseball. Cincinnati hitters rank as a bottom-six team in terms of batting average and on-base percentage as well. Gennett's return could push another surprise slugger, Derek Dietrich , the outfield with more regularity. He's batted .222/.350/.567 with a career-best 18 home runs and seen regular work at second base thanks to his power surge. Dietrich has experience in the outfield corners, at first base and at third base, so he could bounce around the diamond a bit more now that Gennett is back in the fold. As for Barnhart, he'll hit the injured list with an oblique issue, leaving Curt Casali as the primary backstop and Kyle Farmer as the reserve. The 28-year-old Barnhart is in the midst of his worst season at the plate, batting just .191/.290/.315 in 187 plate appearances. That downturn in production comes on the heels of a combined .257/.331/.374 batting line over his previous four seasons.