Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to unveil a six-year, $41.5 billion plan to repair Illinois' crumbling roads, bridges, public schools and university buildings in a massive proposal that calls for nearly $1.8 billion in new taxes and tax increases, according to documents provided to lawmakers at a Friday briefing. Dubbed Rebuild Illinois, it would be the state's first large-scale infrastructure improvement program in a decade and would result in higher costs for everything from ride-sharing to cable and streaming services, as well as a significant hike at the gas pump. The long-awaited proposal, which comes as lawmakers are working to finalize the state budget before their schedule May 31 adjournment, received a lukewarm response from some of the governor's fellow Democrats and pushback from some Republicans. The preliminary drafts distributed Friday follow behind-the-scenes negotiations with a bipartisan group of lawmakers. Changes are expected even before Pritzker makes a formal announcement next week. "We've been eagerly awaiting a framework from the Pritzker administration," said Democratic state Sen. Martin Sandoval of Chicago, who has led a series of statewide hearings this spring on infrastructure needs. "As the Senate has gone around the state and led this bipartisan effort, there have been many changes, and I expect many more to come. What you have here is an early draft of what a framework could look like." Republican Sen. Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods said he was "shocked" at the administration's capital proposal, which he said doesn't reflect what he's heard in hearings and closed-door meetings. "I'm not sure of anybody in my party that could support a package of this size with those taxes that are laid out there like that," he said. Pritzker's outline includes doubling the state gas tax to 38 cents per gallon from 19 cents; tiered increases in vehicle registration fees based on the vehicle's age; a $250 annual registration fee for electric vehicles; a $1-per-ride tax on ride sharing; and a 7% state tax on cable, satellite and streaming service. Other taxes being discussed include a new 6% tax on daily and hourly garage parking, a 9% tax on monthly and annual garage parking, and an increase in taxes on manufacturers and importing distributors of beer, wine and spirits. Sandoval earlier this month introduced his own revenue proposal that included a steeper gas tax increase of 25-cents-per-gallon and a $1,000 electric vehicle registration fee , which he said would generate $2.4 billion in annual revenue. Illinois might start charging $1,000 per year to own an electric vehicle: 'It's outrageous' » "The administration looks forward to continuing to engage in productive conversations before the proposal is finalized," Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said in a statement. Of the proposed $41.5 billion in spending, $28.6 billion would be devoted to transportation projects, including $23 billion for roads and bridges and $3.4 billion for mass transit. The plan also calls for spending $5.9 billion on repair and building projects at schools, universities and community colleges. Another $4.4 billion would go to state facilities. The largest share of the program, $17.8 billion, would be funded through state bonds, while more than $7 billion would come from regular revenue. The plan counts on more than $10 billion in federal funding and $6.6 billion from local governments and private sources. Among the big-ticket items on the list is a $1 billion reconstruction project on Interstate 80 from Ridge Road to Lincoln Highway in Will County, including the replacement of bridges over the Des Plaines River. Highlighting the problems on that stretch of road, two eastbound lanes of I-80 at Illinois 53 were closed for about three hours one Friday due to a hole forming in the bridge deck, snarling traffic. The Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees the CTA, the Metra commuter rail system and the Pace suburban bus system, would receive nearly $2.9 billion. Another $225 million would be used to help restore passenger train service from Chicago to the Quad Cities. In Chicago, $350 million would be devoted to the completion of the 75th Street corridor improvement project and adjacent corridors to reduce rail congestion. The plan also calls for building improvements and construction projects at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago State University, Northeastern Illinois University and Governors State University in south suburban University Park. The draft includes $230 million for reconstruction of the Quincy Veterans Home, where 14 people have died since 2015 in a series of Legionnaires' disease outbreaks. With two weeks left in the spring legislative session, a capital bill could prove to be a key element in winning support for other parts of Pritzker's ambitious agenda, which includes legalizing and taxing sports betting and recreational marijuana and advancing an overhaul of the state's income tax structure for voter approval. McConchie questioned whether talks over a capital bill should be part of the end-of-session scramble to produce a state budget. "While we have a deadline at the end of the month for the legislative session, this is something that, if we're going to do it in a bipartisan way, could be done taking the next few months to get it done right," he said. "That's what I think should be the priority, not to try to rush and jam something together just to try to get it done before the end of May." Democratic Rep. Marty Moylan of Des Plaines, who chairs the House Transportation Committee, did not immediately endorse the proposal, which he said he is still reviewing. "I'm going to need to look at each one and consider the district and how they could help," he said. Public transit officials will be pushing for more money as negotiations continue. The small share devoted to trains and buses compared with roads is "not Illinois' best return on investment," said RTA Chairman Kirk Dillard, who called on incoming Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to join him in fighting for additional funds. "We hope she will realize that these percentages are problematic for the CTA, Metra and Pace, then weigh in the Springfield negotiations," Dillard said in an email. The state's last major infrastructure plan, then-Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now program, was approved in 2009 and paid for with revenue from video gambling, online sales of lottery tickets, sales taxes on candy and alcohol, and increased vehicle fees. Quinn's successor, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, talked about then need for a capital bill throughout his one term but never made a proposal as he battled the Democratic-controlled legislature over the state budget and his pro-business, union-weakening agenda. Tribune reporter Mary Wisniewski contributed. dpetrella@chicagotribune.com jmunks@chicagotribune.com Twitter @PetrellaReports Twitter @by_jamiemunks


The U.S. government has dishonored "the basic humanity of migrants and refugees" because it has failed to pass immigration reform, according to a letter issued Wednesday by the Catholic bishops of Connecticut . Blaming both political parties for a lack of action, the bishops urged action on "a complete overhaul of existing immigration policies," according to the letter. "Those responsible in government need to undertake an examination of conscience as to what they have done and have failed to do when it comes to respect for human persons and the enactment of fair and balanced legislation," the bishops wrote. According to the New York Times , Customs and Border Protection officials counted 104,344 migrants at the U.S.-Mexican border in June, down from a 13-year high of 144,278 in May. The bishops wrote that "most recently we were confronted with the tragic images of the drowning deaths of Óscar Martinez and his 23-month-old daughter, Angie Valeria , who were fleeing the dangers of El Salvador for the safety of the United States." They added that immigrants "have been captured and are now detained in overcrowded conditions" because of "political gridlock" and that an average of 357 immigrants die each year on the Southwest border. This bishops said other nations "need to be encouraged and aided" to "remedy the conditions that force people to flee their homeland." The letter was signed by Archbishop Leonard P. Blair and Auxiliary Bishop Juan Miguel Betancourt of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Bishop Michael R. Cote of the Diocese of Norwich, all Roman Catholics, and Bishop P. Paul Chomnycky of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Stamford. All four dioceses are members of the Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference.


Ahead of a social media summit at the White House, Twitter experienced a technical difficulty and users couldn't access the site. On Thursday afternoon shortly before 3:00 p.m. EST, Twitter's website gave users a blue screen that said, "Something is technically wrong." The website, Down Detector, which tracks website outages, initially had over 1,500 reports of problems, including from users in Virginia, Georgia and even the Netherlands complaining of errors. Within minutes, the number of reports climbed to more than 40,000. "Thanks for noticing we're going to fix it up and have things back to normal soon," the Twitter website said. Twitter confirmed on its status website that there was an active incident, which was described as a service disruption. Twitter informed users that the organization was investigating the issue people were having with accessing the website and promised to keep people updated on the situation. Earlier on Thursday, users complained that Reddit, a internet search and forum site, had issues as well. When attempting to access the website from a desktop, users saw the "Ow!" error message and were informed that their "CDN" was unable to reach servers. However, it seemed the problem didn't carry over to the mobile version of the website because users were still able to access it and browse its sub reddits on mobile devices. President Donald Trump regularly uses Twitter to communicate messages to both his supporters and critics but when it came to the social media summit, Twitter and Facebook were not invited. Sign up to our newsletter and get Newsweek stories delivered to your e-mail


Before Colts tight end Eric Ebron can make a run at setting a new single-season record for touchdown catches by a tight end, he'll need to get back to full health. Colts General Manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday, via multiple reporters, that Ebron recently had groin surgery. There's no word on how long it will be before the Colts anticipate he'll be back in action, but it does not appear to be a long-term concern. Ebron will have some company on the rehab trail as Ballard also announced that linebacker Darius Leonard is on the mend after ankle surgery. Ballard said Leonard played through the injury during his All-Pro rookie season and that it should be about six weeks before he'll be ready to resume football work. That likely means he'll be off the field until training camp, but that should leave plenty of time for him to round into form ahead of the regular season.


Hungry for something new? If you love to eat and drink, this week offers a great chance to explore the world of Los Angeles food and beverage. From a doughnut festival to a beer tasting, here's what to do on the local food scene this week. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. DTLA Donut Festival From the event description: The original "rush-hour" confection is having a renaissance, and Union Station is taking guests into the center of the movement with a one-day edible exploration of L.A.'s favorite pastry at the 2nd Annual DTLA Donut Festival. The momentously mouth-watering event will showcase the doughnut in all its many guises: plain, glazed, filled, traditional and new wave. Guests can stroll through the Hole Donut Marketplace with a dozen doughnut vendors from L.A.'s old-school cult favorites to trendy "fashion-forward" pastries. When: Saturday, June 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Union Station LA, 800 N. Alameda St. Price: $5 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Rosé Day L.A. Summer Kickoff Party From the event description: Celebrate National Rosé Day this year by tasting your way through seven different rosés. We've assembled a collection of unique, small production rosés from boutique wineries in Southern California, all made from different varietals, in different styles and from different regions. Attendees will receive a flight of all seven wines, with the winemakers and winery owners on hand to walk you through each one. All of these amazing wines will also be available by the glass and by the bottle, so stock up on your favorite blush to kick off the summer right. Food will also be available for purchase on site. When: Saturday, June 8, 1-8 p.m. Where: Angeleno Wine Company, 1646 N. Spring St. Price: $10 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Vegan Chinese Cuisine Cooking Class From the event description: Chef Ron Russell's classes are presented in a lively and fun demonstration format designed to guide, inform and inspire you to a healthier, tastier lifestyle. Each class finishes with a tasting of the day's creations and a Q&A. When: Saturday, June 8, 9-10:30 a.m. Where: SunCafe Organic, 10820 Ventura Blvd. Price: $40 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Up to 55% Off Beer Tasting at Hand-Brewed Beer From the Hand-Brewed Beer deal description: Beer lovers can enjoy a wide choice of locally-brewed craft beers in small serving glasses. Where: Hand-Brewed Beer, 9771 Variel Ave. Price: $15 for two people (53% discount off regular price); $29 for four people (55% discount off regular price) Click here for more details, and to nab this deal This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


BALTIMORE - The last time Manny Machado was at Camden Yards, he cried. The place was empty, and it would no longer be the only baseball home he had known. "I already knew it was coming," Machado recalled Sunday in Pittsburgh. "But once it happened, you know it's reality. Now you're gone. You're going somewhere else. It's tough. At that point, I had been there my entire life, and now I get traded somewhere I don't know. Have to meet new people. I'm leaving friends. It was tough." When speaking publicly, at least when it's not to disagree with Bill Welke, Machado doesn't get too worked up. It's inherently understood he won't be providing much insight without the use of pliers. But even so, it is clear this week means a lot, as one of the key pieces of the Padres' future visits his past. Machado on Sunday night returned to the Inner Harbor area where he worked and which is very near to where he lived most of the span of seven seasons he was with the Orioles. For two games, Tuesday and Wednesday, he will face his former team at Camden Yards. His wife, Yainee, is here. She actually travels for most of her husband's trips. She certainly wasn't missing this one. "A lot of old friends, lot of restaurant owners, people we know," Machado said. "... It's going to be fun to go back." Machado often says the young Padres keep him young now that he's just a couple weeks away from being 27. For a team that often starts at least three position players with fewer than a year of service time, he is most certainly a veteran. He several times in a conversation talked about spending his "whole life" in Baltimore. "I was a baby when I came up," he said. "Six years." Machado on Friday played his 1,000th major league game. He hit his 190th homer that night and his 191st on Saturday. He is one of 22 players in history to have that many homers before turning 27. He's done a lot in the majors. He played 860 of those games and hit 162 of those home runs for the Orioles. "We had a lot of good memories there," Machado said. The Orioles made Machado the third overall pick in the 2010 draft. He debuted in the major leagues on Aug. 9, 2012. (At 20 years, 34 days old, he was 51 days younger than Fernando Tatis Jr. was when the latter made his debut for the Padres in March.) Machado got two hits in his first game and hit his first two home runs the next night. Eric Hosmer was there at Camden Yards with the Royals. They were compiling highlight reels of Machado wearing orange a long time ago - back when Padres fans were debating whether Chase Headley was the third baseman of the future. Machado won two Gold Gloves in Baltimore. Consider that in this town they say he played third base like Brooks Robinson. That's something akin to Padres fans talking about a player handling a bat like Tony Gwynn. The Orioles went to the playoffs three times in Machado's time with them, though he missed the 2014 postseason due to a knee injury. Machado's final game at Camden Yards was last July 15. He hit a home run in the first inning. During a rain delay that began in the fourth inning, he was told a trade was essentially completed. When play resumed, Jace Peterson replaced him in the lineup. Machado's final time wearing an Orioles uniform was two days later, in his fourth All-Star game. His trade to the Dodgers, for five minor leaguers, became official the next day. That's when he cleaned out his locker, alone in the home clubhouse. Now he has returned for a couple days. It won't be to the same dugout or clubhouse. And there are just five position players and two pitchers on the Baltimore roster with whom Machado spent more than a part of one season. But he smiled affectionately when talking about the ballpark. "Ah, man," he said. "It's the best." Machado has been careful to lavish praise on Petco Park and to not disparage the way the ballpark by the bay can suppress power on many nights. But he acknowledges that on occasion a well-struck ball falling short of the wall in his new home park makes him nostalgic. "A few I've hit, I've been like, 'Damn. I wish I was still playing in Baltimore,' " he said with a laugh. "You've got to hit them. You've got to hit anywhere. Baltimore just gave you a lot of cheap ones. Petco isn't that friendly." Speaking of which, maybe Machado won't even be booed here, which would make Camden Yards unique among places the Padres visit these days. Boos from fans of the visiting team can sometimes even be heard among the cheers at Petco Park. "Honestly, I don't know," Machado said. "I hope not. It was home for a long time. There was a lot of special things I've done in that city. You really don't expect anything. I'm going to enjoy it. I'm going to enjoy seeing a lot of fans that have been there since my first day until my last. I know them from seeing them every day. It's going to be fun to see the fans that supported me throughout everything." Visit The San Diego Union-Tribune at www.sandiegouniontribune.com Related slideshow: Best of the 2019 MLB season (Provided by imagn)


Editor's note: The above video is about how to stay safe when using fireworks. The Valley has plenty to offer on the Fourth of July. From outdoor games to live concerts and, of course, fireworks shows there are plenty of events to check out in and around the Phoenix area. Fabulous Phoenix 4th   Phoenix 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. One of the largest fireworks displays in the Southwest takes place at Steele Indian School Park as part of a free family-friendly event. There will be festival-style food available for purchase. However, be aware there is no alcohol at this event. This year, there will be two stages with musical acts and other entertainers, interactive exhibits and a classic car show. For the kids, there will be rides and inflatables and a water spray zone. The fireworks start around 9:30 p.m. All-American Festival   Peoria 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. You can celebrate freedom for free at the Peoria Sports Complex on Independence Day. There will be live music by a Beach Boys tribute band, a cornhole tournament, eating contests and some water zones. You'll also be able to buy food and beer at the event. Fireworks start around 9:15 p.m. 4th of July Celebration   Tolleson 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This event at Veterans Park is free and features giant waterslides, music, eating contests and food and craft vendors. The fireworks show will happen at dusk. There will also be free shuttles available. Red, White and Boom - Fort McDowell 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. You can celebrate Independence Day at a free outdoor concert that ends with a fireworks display at the Fort McDowell Casino. An Eagles tribute band will be playing from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free Fourth of July T-shirts will be available at the Fortune Club while supplies last. After the fireworks, the Thaddeus Rose will play in the Lucky 7 Saloon from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Arizona Celebration of Freedom   Mesa 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. This celebration at the Mesa Convention Center really goes all out. There's a stunt show featuring professional BMX stunt riders on customized ramps, a trackless train offering free rides to children and adults, a Revolutionary War reenactment and a replica of the U.S.S. Arizona. This year, there will also be three 20-minute laser light shows set to patriotic music at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Of course, there's also live music, food trucks and fireworks. And, like the U.S.A., this event is free. Calming the Canines   Maricopa County Animal Care and Control shelters Maricopa County Animal Care and Control will be holding its third Calming the Canines event starting at 8 p.m. If you want to participate, you do not have to register anywhere, just show up at either the county shelter in Phoenix or the one in Mesa by the start time. Once you've gotten your safety briefing, you can sit with the animals and distract them from the noise outside with music or reading. RELATED: You can help keep shelter dogs calm during 4th of July fireworks July 4 Fireworks Spectacular   Chandler 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. If you're headed to the festivities at Tumbleweed Park, bring a chair or blanket and some cash if you want to buy food. The event is free, but parking at or near the park is $5. Do not bring alcohol or grilling supplies. Families can enjoy interactive activities like a photo booth or coloring station at the Arizona State Fair Booth. You can also bring your own fun kites, bikes, Frisbees, balls and more. The fireworks display starts at 9 p.m. July 4 Tempe Town Lake Festival   Tempe 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. There will be plenty to do at Tempe Beach Park on the Fourth of July. The festivities include face painters, relay races, live entertainment and a free inflatable village. The main event, the fireworks spectacular, launches from the Mill Avenue Bridge at 9:20 p.m. General admission is $10 at the gate, $7 in advance at City of Tempe outlets, $8 at Fry's Food Stores and $8 online. Entry is free for anyone with an active military ID. There is a clear bag policy in place for the event. Westgate Firework Fest   Glendale 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. You'll want to bring your blankets or lawn chairs to this event at Glendale's Westgate Entertainment District. Families can cool off on the splash pad, enjoy live music from two different stages or grab food from more than 20 restaurants as they wait for the fireworks show to start at 9 p.m. Parking at the lots surrounding entertainment district is free. Scottsdale 4th   Scottsdale 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. If you're planning on going to the Fourth of July celebration at WestWorld, get your tickets online, as prices will increase the day of the event. Online, general tickets are $15 each and get you access to the fireworks show, a Fortnite 4th Experience, a dog stunt show, pony rides, a petting zoo, a bull riding show and more. You can also get a $15 activity wristband for more rides and attractions for children 6 and up. If you spend $35 per person for the backyard barbecue, you also get access to an area with unlimited food and drinks, backyard games and reserved seating for firework viewing. Parking is an additional $5 (cash only). If you only want to watch the fireworks show, gates will open at 7 p.m. for the Polo Field viewing area. It costs $20 per car. Fourth at the Fountain   Fountain Hills 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission to this Fourth of July event is free. The celebration at Fountain Park includes music, bounce houses and a rock-climbing wall. Make sure to bring your chairs and blankets to set up before the fireworks show at 9 p.m. You can bring your own food, but there will also be food vendors at the event. Leave glass containers, alcohol, personal fireworks, sparklers and pets at home. Bag It For Bucks - Salt River Tubing Another way to express your American pride is to keep the Salt River clean and beautiful. Tubers will get free patriotic leis and litter bags to collect picnic trash along their tubing adventure. They can trade in full litter bags at the end of the ride for a $7 tube rental discount coupon. Tube rental is $17. The latest tube rental is 2 p.m., and the last shuttle bus pickup is 6:30 p.m. Independence Day Celebration   Buckeye 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Pack up your blankets and chairs and join the party at Youngker High School. There will be live entertainment, food, drinks and family-friendly activities. The fireworks start at 9 p.m. 4th of July Fireworks Celebration   Apache Junction 6 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. The celebration kicks off with games, races and other activities at 10 a.m. at the Superstition Shadows Aquatics Center. Spectators who want to swim will need to pay $1.50 per child and $2.50 per adult. Starting at 6 p.m., there will be free watermelon, game booths, bounce houses, water slides, games and more at the Apache Junction High School Track and Field. The fireworks start at 8:30 p.m. Bags and coolers brought into the facility will be checked for consumer fireworks, alcohol, tobacco, glass containers and weapons. Pets are also not allowed at the event or in the nearby parking and viewing areas. 36th Annual 4th of July Celebration   Surprise 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. You can enjoy live music, yard games, contests and more at Mark Coronado Park on July 4 in Surprise. Event admission is free, but you'll probably still want to bring money for the food trucks. The fireworks display starts at 8:40 p.m. Casa Grande Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks   Casa Grande 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There will be food, relay races, bounce houses and games at the Paul Mason Sports Complex for July 4. And the best part is, it's a free event. The fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. Great American 4th   Maricopa 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The fun at Copper Sky Regional Park starts at 1 p.m. with a tailgate. To get a tailgate ticket, call 520-316-4600 or contact becky.spires@maricopa-az.gov. Starting at 5 p.m., there will be inflatables and water slides along with other family activities and games. At 7:45 p.m., there will be a freestyle motocross show with Maricopa's own Vince Morgan of Brigade FMX. The fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. Fifth of July   Chase Field If the Fourth of July celebrations weren't enough, you can celebrate Fifth of July with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. There will be a fireworks spectacular after their game against the Rockies, which starts after 6 p.m.


Stockton will see a return of last week's hot temperatures through Tuesday, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . Your weather today includes a high temperature of 94 degrees, with a weekly high of 97 degrees on Tuesday. The immediate forecast also has mostly cloudy skies in store for today. Skies will partially clear on Tuesday. Winds will continue to be somewhat calm through the week, with the highest speeds on Thursday at only 12 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Washington linebacker Reuben Foster has reportedly been lost for the season with an injury suffered just minutes into his first practice at Organized Team Activities. Foster, who was carted off the field today, suffered a torn ACL and additional damage beyond that, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. An ACL tear is almost always a season-ending injury. Washington claimed Foster on waivers last season when he was cut by the 49ers after a domestic violence arrest. Charges in that case were dropped and he was not suspended, and Washington was hoping to see Foster earn a starting job on the defense. Instead, Foster will likely not play at all this season. He will remain under contract to Washington in 2020, which may be the next time we see him on the field.


DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit police have launched an investigation after a body was found in a vacant home on the city's east side. Investigators say a man's body was found early Friday morning on Coventry Street near 7 Mile Road and John R. A cause of death wasn't immediately clear. The man is said to be between 30- and 40-years-old. His identity is unknown at this time. Police say this case is not part of the ongoing investigation into a suspected serial killer in the city .


ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) The Big Ten has hired Minnesota Vikings executive Kevin Warren as its new commissioner. Warren is a former college basketball player and sports agent with a law degree from Notre Dame. He will become the first black commissioner of a Power Five conference. The Big Ten introduced the 55-year-old Warren at a news conference Tuesday. He has been the chief operating officer for the Vikings since 2015, the first African-American to hold that position for an NFL franchise. He will start Sept. 16 and work alongside Jim Delany, the current commissioner who announced his retirement earlier this year and will step down Jan. 1.


ST. LOUIS (AP) In his first two starts, Jordan Yamamoto has done things that have been accomplished once, or not at all, in the past century. It's been a dream debut for the 23-year-old rookie, who was acquired by the Marlins in the Christian Yelich trade and summoned from Double-A to the majors earlier this month. Yamamoto dazzled again on Tuesday night, matching his first career start by pitching seven scoreless innings against St. Louis, and Miami beat the Cardinals 6-0. Yamamoto (2-0) allowed two hits, struck out seven and walked two. He gave up three hits in seven innings in his major league debut, on June 12 in Miami against the Cardinals. ''Definitely, I haven't imagined this,'' Yamamoto said. ''It's one of those things a kid can only dream of and it just worked out perfectly in my favor.'' Yamamoto became only the second starting pitcher since 1893 to hold the same team scoreless in his first two outings, joining Atlanta's Larry McWilliams, who did it in 1978 against the Mets. He's also the first pitcher since Pittsburgh's Nick Maddox in 1907 to beat the Cardinals twice in a seven-day span when the first game was his debut. ''No, I have not heard of him,'' Yamomoto said. ''I'm happy to be in his company.'' Relievers Tayron Guerrero and Sergio Romo completed the two-hitter. The Cardinals were shut out for the fifth time this season and second time by Miami. ''Obviously seeing a team twice is a battle (against) an older club like that that's got some experience,'' Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. ''It's good to see him ... do that both times.'' Brian Anderson and Starlin Castro homered for the Marlins. Jack Flaherty (4-4) pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out eight, and had St. Louis' first hit off Yamamoto, a ground-rule double in the third. It was the first extra-base hit of his career. His seven innings of tied a career high. ''I loved Jack tonight,'' St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said. ''He was really good. Lots of quality pitches. I thought he was tremendous.'' Dexter Fowler singled with two outs in the seventh for the other St. Louis hit. Yamamoto concluded his strong night by striking out Yadier Molina. ''They're a great hitting team,'' Yamamoto said. ''I'm just taking it pitch by pitch.'' Flaherty gave credit to his opponent. ''He got guys out and he executed. I'm not trying to take anything away from him,'' Flaherty said. ''He's got two starts against us and he did some things that keep guys off balance. Nothing flashy. Nothing that's going to make you jump out of your seat and go, `Wow.' ''He was effective. He did a really good job two times in a row against us. Hat's off to him.'' Castro broke a scoreless tie leading off the fifth when he homered to left. After Garrett Cooper led off the seventh with a double, Anderson smacked a slider from Flaherty into the left-field seats. Flaherty has allowed 15 homers in 15 starts this season, including six in his last four starts. Miami added three runs in the eighth on two doubles, two singles and an error. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hall of Famer Lou Brock attended the game on his 80th birthday. The Cardinals' mascot, Fredbird, presented Brock with a cake in the third inning, and the crowd serenaded him with ''Happy Birthday.'' GREAT GRAB Marlins first baseman Cooper made a long run, stretched out and landed on a tarp as he caught a foul pop by Molina to end the second inning. TRAINER'S ROOM Marlins: RHP Caleb Smith (left hip inflammation) threw a bullpen Tuesday. ''He's just got to go through his progression,'' Mattingly said. ''We're talking about him going out (on rehab assignment) if everything keeps going good.'' Cardinals: 3B Jedd Gyorko (lower back strain) remains on the injured list after a setback in his rehab. ... RHP Adam Wainwright (left hamstring strain) likely will come off the IL and start Thursday, Shildt said. UP NEXT Marlins: Trevor Richards (3-7, 3.68 ERA) will make his third career start against St. Louis. In his last start, he snapped a streak of four straight outings in which he allowed no more than one run, giving up five runs in a loss to Pittsburgh. Cardinals: RHP Daniel Ponce de Leon (0-0, 2.00) will be making his first career start against Miami. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


An 85-year-old woman is missing in the Carolinas, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. SLED said Jaxie Rogers was last seen Friday afternoon leaving the IGA grocery store in Latta, South Carolina. She might have been spotted in North Carolina at 3:30 p.m. Friday. Rogers is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and has white hair, SLED said; she was last seen wearing a purple blouse, light blue pants and pink and purple shoes. SLED said she drives a 2008 white Buick Lacrosse with South Carolina license plate DYY232. Any information about where Rogers might be can be given to the Latta Police Department at 843-841-3707. READ MORE: Help needed in finding endangered missing person, SLED says CHECK OUT WYFF: Get the latest Greenville news and weather. For live, local, late-breaking Greenville, SC, news coverage, WYFF is the place to be.


Bad news for chocoholics: More worldwide demand and a West African drought impacting cacao crops could raise the price on your favorite sweet treat next year. "Manufacturers have been warning us of a cocoa shortage," says DealNews.com spokesman Mark LoCastro. "Chocolate prices have been rising, particularly small artisanal chocolates that use more cacao for dark chocolate." But he doesn't expect that to diminish our cravings. "I think people will always buy chocolate," LoCastro says. "It's such a delicacy for some and an addiction for others." Paying a few extra cents for a chocolate bar may not cause much sticker shock, but here's a look at other goods and services that will cost more in 2015. 1. Coffee and bourbon. The cost of two favorite beverages is likely to increase in the coming year due to supply and demand. Coffee prices were forecast to drop in 2014, but a severe drought in Brazil had the opposite effect, according to LoCastro. Starbucks raised prices last summer, as did several other coffee makers. Meanwhile, the rising popularity of bourbon has caused some distilleries to ration bottles and raise their prices. "Bourbon is just increasing in popularity, and because of the aging process, you can't just whip up another batch," LoCastro explains. 2. Food. Droughts in California are likely to drive up not only the cost of agricultural products like avocados, but also beef and pork products. "Producers with both beef and hogs have thinned their herds in response to drought conditions," says Michael Levin, associate professor of marketing at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. "As the price of the hog has gone up, people have started to switch their consumption towards chicken, which relies on corn." (Corn may be also subject to higher prices). Olive oil imported from Italy and Spain is also expected to cost more next year due to drought, LoCastro adds. 3. Health care. Medical costs will rise 6.8 percent next year, compared to a projected 6.5 percent for 2014, according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers Health Research Institute. "Pharmaceutical expenses are going to continue to go up," says Chip Manning, director of the Babson Center for Global Commerce at Sewanee   University of the South. "There's still some administrative cost issues in compliance obligations [with the Affordable Care Act]." Increasing life expectancies are also expected to drive up overall health care costs. To cope with rising health insurance costs, many employers are now considering shifting a greater share of these costs to their employees or switching to high-deductible health plans . 4. Debt. The past few years have seen ultra-low interest rates ( good news for homebuyers , not so good news for savers). However, that may change in 2015. "The Fed has eliminated quantitative easing [where a central bank purchases securities to lower interest rates and increase the supply of money], and is expected to let interest rates start to rise, so the cost of debt will go up," Levin says. 5. Shipping. The U.S. Postal Service has chosen not to raise postage rates this January, but UPS and FedEx have announced shipping price increases for 2015. "People are going to have to absorb a good bit of that for those products that must be shipped that way," Manning says. Of course, shipping costs have been gradually rising in recent years, with several price increases in stamps and retailers like Amazon raising their minimum threshold for free shipping from $25 to $35. Amazon also raised the cost of Amazon Prime (which includes free two-day shipping on most items) from $79 to $99 last spring. 6. Travel. Planning a trip in 2015? Consider budgeting a little more money for airfare and hotel stays. Despite lower fuel costs for airlines, carriers may raise prices (and certainly haven't been shy about adding new fees ) because of increased demand. "There is an improving economy, and airlines are operating at full capacity, so there are fewer flight bargains to be found," LoCastro says. "Flight bargains happen when there are empty seats." A recent report by the Global Business Travel Association and Carlson Wagonlit Travel predicts a 2.4 percent increase on domestic hotel room rates, and 2.2 percent price growth on airfare globally (although some transatlantic flights may be cheaper due to increased capacity). But it's not all bad news. "We've seen a nice downward trend in gas prices, which is important to a lot of us," Manning points out. A few other items, including cloud storage, smartphones, cranberries and butter may also be cheaper in 2015, LoCastro notes. Copyright 2014 U.S. News & World Report


Facebook will launch new consumer-focused apps under the developer name "NPE Team, from Facebook," to set expectations that the the apps will change quickly and be shut down if the tech giant finds they're not useful, the company said in a post on its website. NPE stands for "New Product Experimentation." "NPE Team apps will be aligned with Facebook's mission of giving people the power to build community but will focus on shipping entirely new experiences," Facebook said. Facebook has launched several standalone apps over the years, but most were failures. The company also has a history of launching apps that mimic features of popular social apps. Most recently, it launched Lasso, a video app that's similar to TikTok. Related Slideshow - Facebook: Highs and lows of the social networking giant (Provided by Photo Services) Facebook said apps from the NPE team will be governed by Facebook's terms of service and data policy. "This is a way for Facebook to develop new types of experiences for people and to try different ideas by creating small, focused apps in order to see whether people find certain features useful or engaging," the company said. "We may use what we learn to help inform our thinking and product strategy moving forward." The company said some apps may allow users to connect their Facebook account to the app, which will be available in Apple's app store, the Google Play Store and on the web.


Quick-thinking firefighters in Centennial, Colorado, used the audio from a YouTube video to help coax baby ducks out of a storm drain. Eight little ducklings were separated from their mom in the drain, and firefighters managed to pull four out. But the other four were hiding in a pipe, too afraid to come out. With their mom too far away to call for them, the firefighters thought fast and whipped out a smartphone with a YouTube video of a mama duck to lure them out instead.


In 2013, before Melissa Alcantara became Kim Kardashian West's trainer, she was an "unfit, super broke" waitress living in Brooklyn, New York. "I was literally living month-to-month," Alcantara, who also goes by the name of "Fitgurlmel," tells CNBC Make it . "I was never into working out or sports. I was an avid smoker and also gained 70 pounds after giving birth to my daughter." But one day, Alcantara woke up and thought, I've got to do something with myself. I can't stay like this . Determined to change her lifestyle, she decided to try out a workout program called Insanity. After 60 days of commitment, Alcantara saw a positive transformation in her health and body. It eventually inspired her to become a competitive bodybuilder. Her Instagram profile later caught the attention of Kardashian West , who asked Alcantara if she wanted to come out to Los Angeles and be a full-time fitness trainer for her and her husband, Kanye West. Alcantara took the offer and packed up her belongings. To this very day, Alcantara still commits the daily routine that she says changed her life. Here's what it looks like: She wakes up at 4 a.m. Alcantara says she usually starts her day at 4 a.m. The first thing she does after getting out of bed is enjoy a cup of pour-over coffee. She'll also read a passage from her favorite book, "Living a Life of Awareness: Daily Meditation on the Toltec Path," by Don Miguel Ruiz. Alcantara says that the positive messages from the book help her "start the day off right." She skips breakfast Alcantara practices intermittent fasting, a diet where one skips meals for up to eight hours. Her eating schedule isn't "super structured," she says, but her first meal of the day is usually around noon, after her workout. "I like to fast during the day because I tend to eat more late at night, when I get especially hungry," says Alcantara. Intermittent fasting has been an increasingly popular trend over the past few years, but researchers have noted that while the diet can benefit weight loss, the potential long-term risks are still unclear. Alcantara says she believes that as long as you're eating "healthy foods from nature, it doesn't really matter whether you fast or not." She heads to the gym Around 8 a.m., after a two-hour training session with Kim and Kayne, Alcantara heads to the gym. She typically lifts weights for about an hour. "I usually do legs twice a week or every three days," she says, "but it's usually the same thing every week." The one exercise Alcantara says she avoids is cardio: "I try to walk 10,000 steps a day. That's pretty much my cardio." She drinks a gallon of water Alcantara says she drinks about a gallon of water   without fail   every day. "It sounds like a lot, and you'll likely spend more time in the bathroom than anywhere else, but you eventually get used to it," she says. "Drinking lots of water is one of the best things you can do for your body." She works on her startup After working out, Alcantara heads home to work on building her website, FitGurlMel.com , where she sells her nutrition guides and training programs. She'll also work on finishing up her first book, which is about her fitness journey. It's set to come out this fall, she says. She goes grocery shopping To stay on track with her diet, Alcantara says she has to make sure her fridge is always stocked. Her daytime meals include toast with eggs or chicken with rice and beans. For dinner, it's usually fish with vegetables and rice. "I'm Dominican, so I like to keep my culture going," she says. She tries to get five to six hours of sleep On average, Alcantara says she gets around five to six hours of sleep, which she acknowledges is below the recommended seven to nine hours . That's because on top of balancing her career and fitness routine, she's also caring for her 8-year-old daughter. "It's not like I get 10 hours of sleep a night," she says. "My nighttime routine could use some improvement. I'm working on it." Alcantara says she often reminds her fans that change doesn't happen overnight. It took her years and years of commitment and hard work to see a big difference in her body and her life.


Sometimes, journalism and social media work together in the most interesting way. After Serena Williams' shocking loss in Saturday's Wimbledon final, a reporter had an equally surprising question for Serena: "There have been a few comments made in the last couple of weeks from people like Billie Jean King that maybe you should stop being a celebrity for a year and stop fighting for equality and just focus on tennis. How do you respond to that?" Without questioning the role of King, a renowned women's rights advocate, in the premise of the question, Serena produced her best shot of the day : "Well, the day I stop fighting for equality and for people that look like you and me will be the day I'm in my grave." Serena's all-world answer quickly worked its way around social media, even finding its way to the Twitter account of one of the top Democratic presidential candidates when Sen. Kamala Harris, D.-Calif., retweeted a video of the question and answer, saying, "@serenawilliams is right. We must never stop fighting for equality." While Serena's answer was receiving universal praise, the question that triggered it started coming under some scrutiny. How was it possible that King, who has made equality for women and girls in sports the centerpiece of her remarkable life, would say that Serena should stop fighting for equality for women and girls in sports? I've known King for years and co-authored a book with her, "Pressure is a Privilege," in 2008. She is the last person on earth who would tell anyone to stop fighting for any cause near and dear to them, especially women's equality. To me, it sounded like King was talking about how hard it is to take on all kinds of issues and causes while still playing at the top of your game at age 37, but there's no way she ever would have told anyone to specifically "stop fighting for equality." Sure enough, she did not. In an interview with the British website Metro, after mentioning a list of Serena's commitments, including her business, her daughter, "trying to help gender equity, particularly for women of color," King said it makes trying to win another Grand Slam event "much harder." "I would like to see her put everything else aside from that. She's got people working on these things. This is just a wish I have, it's not fair to her, but I wish she would just make a commitment for the next year-and-a-half to two years and just say, 'I'm going to absolutely devote what's necessary for my tennis so when I look in the mirror when I'm older, that I can go back in my mind and know I gave everything I had and be happy.' "But if she's happy doing it this way, it's fine. It's not about us." Once King became aware that she was in the middle of this confusing story, she herself took to Twitter to set the record straight: "I would never ask anyone to stop fighting for equality. In everything she does, Serena shines a light on what all of us must fight for in order to achieve equality for all." Whatever controversy there was ended right there. In many ways, it was the perfect ending to a week in which 23 American soccer players found time to both fight for equality and win the 2019 World Cup. I would never ask anyone to stop fighting for equality. In everything she does, Serena shines a light on what all of us must fight for in order to achieve equality for all.   Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) July 13, 2019 This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Opinion: Serena Williams will never stop equality fight. Billie Jean King would have it no other way Related Slideshow: Best of 2019 Wimbledon Championships (Provided by imagn)


If International Cat Day has inspired you to add a feline friend to your life, the Dumb Friends League has you covered   to celebrate the grand opening of its new animal shelter, adoption fees for all pets are 50% off this weekend. The Dumb Friends League shelter in Denver is re-opening as the Leslie A. Malone Center after a significant renovation project updating its facilities. The project added 25,000 square feet and expanded kennel space for cats and dogs, according to a news release from the Dumb Friends League. It also added a new dog adoption area, a pet admissions area, a garage and a rooftop play yard. "In 1974, a state-of-the-art shelter was built on this site and animal welfare was very different," Dumb Friends League President and CEO Dr. Apryl Steele said in the release. "From extensive surgeries to behavior training, the needs of shelter animals have changed, and we are doing so much more for pets than we ever could have imagined back in 1974." The renovation was financed by Leslie and John Malone and the Malone Family Foundation, which matched $20 million in donations for the $40 million construction project. A private grand opening was held for supporters on Tuesday, and was attended by Gov. Polis (no word is confirmed animal lover Marlon Reis was there as well). Related Articles What happened when we took our cats on a beach vacation Dogs have a ruff time at altitude, too Doe who had just given birth found with two arrows in her body in Morrison neighborhood Bear killed by electric shock while climbing utility pole in Steamboat Springs Two arrested after pot grow raid yields 300 illegal plants, firearms and 9 emaciated puppies, sheriff says A public grand opening will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. Visitors can tour the shelter, get free treats for their pets and, of course, adopt. The adoption discount also is good for the League's Buddy Center in Castle Rock. The Malone Center renovation is part of a five-phase construction project for the Dumb Friends League. The next steps will involve updating the shelter's veterinary services.


Using Niche's 2019 Best Colleges in America list, Stacker sorted out the best 50 schools in the Midwest. Niche's rankings use data from the U.S. Department of Education on academics, admissions, and student life, along with reviews from current students and alumni. 50 best colleges in the Midwest Some of the best Midwestern colleges and universities can thank the Morrill Act of 1862 for their existence. This law gave states 30,000 acres of federal land to establish institutions that offered practical and agricultural educations to a wider public. Today, many of these land-grant colleges have a history of being powerhouse research institutions, boasting developments like the first internet browser and performance of the first successful open-heart surgery. After the 2008 recession, many colleges in the Midwest faced problems of disinvestment; higher education is generally an easy target for budget cuts from state governments looking to save money. Some states are making up ground, however; Illinois, for example, recently passed a new budget with significant increases in funding for their many colleges and universities across the state. Many schools across the region are fighting to attract students away from the coasts and into America's heartland, focusing resources on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education as the "Silicon Prairie" develops . Of course, many of the schools on this list also have a rich tradition of college sports, especially football, which contributes to the rah-rah campus culture. America's heartland claims several well-respected institutions of higher education, including famed public research universities and renowned small liberal arts colleges. Using Niche's 2019 Best Colleges in America list, Stacker sorted out the best 50 schools in the Midwest. Niche's rankings use data from the U.S. Department of Education on academics, admissions, and student life, along with reviews from current students and alumni. Only colleges located in Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) were included. Click through our list to find which colleges made the cut, and if the top spot went to a big name football school, a land-grant, or a bucolic liberal arts campus. You may also like : 50 best colleges on the East Coast #50. Creighton University - Location: Omaha, NE - Acceptance rate: 72% - Net price: $31,481 - SAT range: 1070-1290 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $59,700 - Overall rank: #212 #49. St. Louis College of Pharmacy - Location: Saint Louis, MO - Acceptance rate: 72% - Net price: $29,836 - SAT range: 1120-1300 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $124,100 - Overall rank: #207 #48. DePauw University - Location: Greencastle, IN - Acceptance rate: 58% - Net price: $29,318 - SAT range: 1180-1360 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $54,000 - Overall rank: #205 #47. Augustana University - Location: Sioux Falls, SD - Acceptance rate: 68% - Net price: $18,937 - SAT range: 1070-1290 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $43,700 - Overall rank: #203 #46. College of Wooster - Location: Wooster, OH - Acceptance rate: 56% - Net price: $28,928 - SAT range: 1150-1380 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $46,300 - Overall rank: #200 #45. Calvin College - Location: Grand Rapids, MI - Acceptance rate: 83% - Net price: $26,306 - SAT range: 1100-1330 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $44,800 - Overall rank: #197 #44. Milwaukee School of Engineering - Location: Milwaukee, WI - Acceptance rate: 63% - Net price: $23,793 - SAT range: 1150-1360 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $71,300 - Overall rank: #196 #43. Illinois Institute of Technology - Location: Chicago, IL - Acceptance rate: 54% - Net price: $26,324 - SAT range: 1230-1410 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $69,100 - Overall rank: #193 #42. University of Cincinnati - Location: Cincinnati, OH - Acceptance rate: 76% - Net price: $21,050 - SAT range: 1120-1340 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $42,300 - Overall rank: #188 #41. Ohio Northern University - Location: Ada, OH - Acceptance rate: 66% - Net price: $23,932 - SAT range: 1130-1310 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $63,500 - Overall rank: #186 #40. Illinois Wesleyan University - Location: Bloomington, IL - Acceptance rate: 61% - Net price: $30,147 - SAT range: 1200-1400 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $59,100 - Overall rank: #183 #39. Drake University - Location: Des Moines, IA - Acceptance rate: 69% - Net price: $28,277 - SAT range: 1100-1350 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $58,300 - Overall rank: #180 #38. University of St. Thomas - Minnesota - Location: Saint Paul, MN - Acceptance rate: 84% - Net price: $31,470 - SAT range: 1090-1330 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $56,800 - Overall rank: #178 #37. University of Nebraska - Lincoln - Location: Lincoln, NE - Acceptance rate: 64% - Net price: $16,813 - SAT range: 1100-1380 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $46,400 - Overall rank: #175 #36. Luther College - Location: Decorah, IA - Acceptance rate: 65% - Net price: $26,013 - SAT range: 1020-1300 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $47,400 - Overall rank: #174 #35. Missouri University of Science & Technology - Location: Rolla, MO - Acceptance rate: 84% - Net price: $14,133 - SAT range: 1100-1340 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $71,200 - Overall rank: #169 #34. University of Missouri - Location: Columbia, MO - Acceptance rate: 78% - Net price: $17,762 - SAT range: 1120-1350 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $48,300 - Overall rank: #168 #33. Kansas State University - Location: Manhattan, KS - Acceptance rate: 94% - Net price: $17,465 - SAT range:   - Median earnings six years after graduation: $45,600 - Overall rank: #162 #32. University of Kansas - Location: Lawrence, KS - Acceptance rate: 93% - Net price: $18,365 - SAT range:   - Median earnings six years after graduation: $48,800 - Overall rank: #159 #31. Miami University - Location: Oxford, OH - Acceptance rate: 68% - Net price: $20,316 - SAT range: 1190-1380 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $47,100 - Overall rank: #156 #30. University of Dayton - Location: Dayton, OH - Acceptance rate: 72% - Net price: $35,077 - SAT range: 1100-1310 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $55,100 - Overall rank: #154 #29. Saint Louis University - Location: St. Louis, MO - Acceptance rate: 64% - Net price: $31,718 - SAT range: 1170-1390 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $56,500 - Overall rank: #145 #28. Oberlin College - Location: Oberlin, OH - Acceptance rate: 34% - Net price: $39,794 - SAT range: 1280-1450 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $40,800 - Overall rank: #141 #27. Gustavus Adolphus College - Location: Saint Peter, MN - Acceptance rate: 68% - Net price: $29,894 - SAT range: 1080-1340 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $51,700 - Overall rank: #138 #26. Denison University - Location: Granville, OH - Acceptance rate: 37% - Net price: $32,290 - SAT range: 1200-1380 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $48,800 - Overall rank: #137 #25. Wabash College - Location: Crawfordsville, IN - Acceptance rate: 63% - Net price: $24,603 - SAT range: 1070-1280 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $56,300 - Overall rank: #136 #24. Lawrence University - Location: Appleton, WI - Acceptance rate: 61% - Net price: $28,180 - SAT range: 1220-1460 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $44,100 - Overall rank: #129 #23. Iowa State University - Location: Ames, IA - Acceptance rate: 89% - Net price: $13,949 - SAT range: 1160-1410 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $50,700 - Overall rank: #128 #22. University of Iowa - Location: Iowa City, IA - Acceptance rate: 86% - Net price: $14,845 - SAT range: 1140-1370 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $51,900 - Overall rank: #123 #21. Indiana University - Bloomington - Location: Bloomington, IN - Acceptance rate: 76% - Net price: $12,488 - SAT range: 1140-1350 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $47,700 - Overall rank: #119 #20. Michigan Technological University - Location: Houghton, MI - Acceptance rate: 74% - Net price: $17,139 - SAT range: 1160-1340 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $66,400 - Overall rank: #117 #19. St. Olaf College - Location: Northfield, MN - Acceptance rate: 43% - Net price: $27,587 - SAT range: 1150-1400 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $50,400 - Overall rank: #116 #18. Wheaton College - Illinois - Location: Wheaton, IL - Acceptance rate: 85% - Net price: $30,021 - SAT range: 1230-1410 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $48,400 - Overall rank: #107 #17. Michigan State University - Location: East Lansing, MI - Acceptance rate: 72% - Net price: $16,684 - SAT range: 1100-1320 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $53,600 - Overall rank: #103 #16. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology - Location: Terre Haute, IN - Acceptance rate: 61% - Net price: $41,536 - SAT range: 1260-1450 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $80,900 - Overall rank: #99 #15. The Ohio State University - Location: Columbus, OH - Acceptance rate: 48% - Net price: $18,042 - SAT range: 1260-1450 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $46,100 - Overall rank: #91 #14. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities - Location: Minneapolis, MN - Acceptance rate: 50% - Net price: $16,808 - SAT range: 1270-1480 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $51,900 - Overall rank: #88 #13. Macalester College - Location: Saint Paul, MN - Acceptance rate: 41% - Net price: $30,672 - SAT range: 1300-1480 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $47,600 - Overall rank: #85 #12. Purdue University - Location: West Lafayette, IN - Acceptance rate: 57% - Net price: $12,117 - SAT range: 1150-1380 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $55,100 - Overall rank: #80 #11. Case Western Reserve University - Location: Cleveland, OH - Acceptance rate: 33% - Net price: $34,973 - SAT range: 1340-1520 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $74,600 - Overall rank: #76 #10. Kenyon College - Location: Gambier, OH - Acceptance rate: 34% - Net price: $31,704 - SAT range: 1260-1460 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $48,700 - Overall rank: #73 #9. Grinnell College - Location: Grinnell, IA - Acceptance rate: 29% - Net price: $29,492 - SAT range: 1310-1510 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $49,100 - Overall rank: #68 #8. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Location: Champaign, IL - Acceptance rate: 62% - Net price: $16,638 - SAT range: 1340-1500 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $61,500 - Overall rank: #64 #7. University of Wisconsin - Location: Madison, WI - Acceptance rate: 54% - Net price: $15,910 - SAT range: 1280-1450 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $56,200 - Overall rank: #60 #6. Carleton College - Location: Northfield, MN - Acceptance rate: 21% - Net price: $28,148 - SAT range: 1360-1530 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $54,200 - Overall rank: #35 #5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Acceptance rate: 27% - Net price: $16,408 - SAT range: 1330-1500 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $63,400 - Overall rank: #23 #4. University of Chicago - Location: Chicago, IL - Acceptance rate: 8% - Net price: $34,834 - SAT range: 1480-1580 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $68,100 - Overall rank: #15 #3. Northwestern University - Location: Evanston, IL - Acceptance rate: 9% - Net price: $26,099 - SAT range: 1420-1560 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $69,000 - Overall rank: #14 #2. University of Notre Dame - Location: Notre Dame, IN - Acceptance rate: 19% - Net price: $27,453 - SAT range: 1370-1520 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $78,400 - Overall rank: #13 #1. Washington University in St. Louis - Location: Saint Louis, MO - Acceptance rate: 16% - Net price: $27,777 - SAT range: 1470-1570 - Median earnings six years after graduation: $70,100 - Overall rank: #11


Presidential candidates frequently boast of the endorsements they receive, but Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) may be the first to promote an "anti-endorsement" list. Sanders, who is making a second run for the Democratic presidential nomination, rolled out a webpage on Wednesday that lists a number of prominent figures ― all of them white men, and nearly all of them major corporate executives ― and the stark terms in which they have attacked him. The idea behind the list is one that Sanders has repeatedly emphasized on the campaign trail as he seeks to distinguish himself from rivals who have adopted some of his progressive policy ideas ― namely, that decades of battle with corporate America make him a uniquely trustworthy gladiator for the interests of American workers. Sanders' implicit pitch to voters is that the hatred and fear he elicits from corporate America are a sign of his integrity and effectiveness as a populist fighter. On the webpage and in a statement to HuffPost, Sanders quoted former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who asked voters to "judge me by the enemies I have made." "We understand that nothing will fundamentally change for working Americans unless we have the guts to take on the most powerful corporate interests in this country," Sanders said in a statement. "Therefore, it should come as no surprise that corporate CEOs and billionaires have united against our movement. These people have a vested interest in preserving the status quo so they can keep their grip on power and continue to exploit working people across America. We welcome their hatred." This article originally appeared on HuffPost .


AC/DC shook the Grammys stage on Sunday, performing a string of songs which included "Highway to Hell." Lady Gaga, rock star at heart and Tony Bennett's BFF, could not contain her excitement. Neither could Jamie Foxx. The rockers are currently gearing up for a summer tour to promote last year's "Rock or Bust," which debuted at no. 3 on the Billboard 200 in November. The group, a seven-time nominee, was not up for awards this year, as the album was released after the eligibility period ended. AC/DC had an eventful end to 2014, as the group's long-time drummer, Phil Rudd, was accused of "attempting to procure a murder" in November. The charge was dropped, but in an interview with HuffPost Entertainment, AC/DC guitarist Angus Young said the band had issues with Rudd before the legal trouble . "When we were recording, it was quite difficult to just get him in the studio," Young said. "When we were in London when we were starting up to do the video shoot and stuff and it was the same then. He didn't show, you know? That's something we've got to resolve. Phil's got to sort himself out."


A South African man who was expected to become the first black African in space was killed when his motorcycle was struck by a car on Saturday. Mandla Maseko beat out a million people in 2013 to win a sub-orbital trip sponsored by the Axe Apollo Space Academy. The 30-year-old Maseko, popularly known as "Spaceboy" and "Afronaut," was one of 23 people who won a seat on the trip to space. "It is with deep sadness that the Maseko family confirms that Mandla Maseko tragically passed away in a bike accident last night, July 6 2019," his business manager and close friend Sthembile Shabangu said in a media release. "Maseko will be sorely missed." Shabangu said. "May Mandla Maseko's kind and beautiful soul rest in eternal peace." The space flight was scheduled to be an hour-long sub-orbital trip on the Lynx Mark II spaceship. However it had not yet happened at the time of Maseko's passing -- and it's possible that it never will, as Space.com reported that the company organizing the flight, XCOR Aerospace, went bankrupt two years ago . Maseko's death was met with an outpouring of grief on social media. NEWS: Mandla Maseko, who beat a million people to win a sub-orbital trip that could have seen him become the first black African in space, has reportedly been killed in a motorcycle crash. #RIPMandlaMaseko pic.twitter.com/ou2bPRoNrI   Phil Mphela (@PhilMphela) July 7, 2019 Just heard that legendary Mandla "Spaceboy" Maseko, our very astronaut has passed on. @MandlaMaseko1 May your soul fly with the angels, RIP sir! #RIPMandlaMaseko pic.twitter.com/e6yy20cSrU   Mandla Nhleko ✊ (@Mgilija5) July 7, 2019 If the news of his death are true are true, may his soul rest in eternal peace. Mandla Maseko's life is said to have been cut short after an accident last night. pic.twitter.com/AgrtKhCU4G   Thato Mahlangu (@YoungAchieverSA) July 7, 2019 Shabangu said that even though Maseko did not end up going into space, he would have wanted his hope to spread. "There were still rocket tests happening before they could go up," Shabangu said. "He really thought that if he went up to space he could inspire young African children that they could do anything. He used to always say that the sky was no longer the limit." A memorial service for Maseko will be held on Wednesday.


From a wine tasting to a Jane Austen garden party, there's plenty to enjoy in Washington this week. Read on for a rundown of ideas for how to fill your calendar. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Art AfterWords: A Book Discussion - A Surprised Queenhood in the New Black Sun for Gwendolyn Brooks From the event description: Join staff from the National Portrait Gallery and the D.C. Public Library for a monthly discussion of portraits and prose. Each month, a Portrait Gallery educator will discuss a portrait from the collection. Following the portrait exploration, a DCPL librarian will lead a discussion of a book related to the image. When: Tuesday, July 16, 5:30-7 p.m. Where: National Portrait Gallery, 8th Street NW Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Ward 5 Night at the Shakespeare Theatre Company From the event description: Each summer the Shakespeare Theatre Company presents a series of free Shakespeare performances that are open to the public, known as "Free for All." Again this year, Ward 5 residents are invited to the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Free for All production of Hamlet on Wednesday, July 17. When: Wednesday, July 17, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Where: Sydney Harmon Hall, 610 F St. NW Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Dumbarton at Dusk: Jane Austen Garden Party & Free Admission From the event description: Visit one of our favorite historic homes for Dumbarton at Dusk - Jane Austen Garden Party! Come see Dumbarton House in a whole new light. As we celebrate the works of Jane Austen with our annual Jane Austen Film Festival, we invite you to enjoy a Jane Austen Garden Party featuring period lawn games and Austen inspired crafts. This happy hour includes a cash bar, light refreshments by Geppetto Catering, free museum admission and the music of the local string trio Toccata Players. When: Thursday, July 18, 5:30-8 p.m. Where: Dumbarton House, 2715 Q St. NW Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets BLT Steak Wines Over Washington with Penfolds Wines From the event description: Join us as we host Penfolds Wines for an evening full of great wine and spectacular rooftop views of D.C.! During the event on Thursday, July 18 from 6-8 p.m., enjoy world-class wines from iconic Penfolds Wines paired with grilled BLT classics and Australian-inspired canapes from chef de cuisine Michael Bonk. Admire the sunset, take in one-of-a-kind views of the D.C. skyline and sit back and relax with friends and fine wine. When: Thursday, July 18, 6-8 p.m. Where: BLT Steak, 1625 I St. NW Admission: $85 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Park Inventory: Folger Park From the event description: Cooped up in an office all day? Want to take in some fresh air while you finesse your tree species knowledge? Come spend an evening outside, cataloging trees and taking in this lovely park in Capitol Hill. We will be surveying for health, size and species. Participants will receive a short, hands-on training on-site. After learning the tools and techniques, participants will split into groups and begin measuring trees. When: Thursday, July 18, 6-8 p.m. Where: Folger Park, 2nd St. and D Street SE Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Parking in DC can be tough, especially during popular events. To find free or cheap parking and to book parking in advance, see this map of DC parking from SpotAngels. And to get there by public transportation, check the Metro website for nearby stations and schedules. This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The 2018/19 season reaches its climax on Sunday afternoon and *still* we don't know whether it will be Manchester City or Liverpool who lifts the Premier League trophy. With both title chasers putting together unstoppable winning runs, this title race will go right down to the wire and give the season the ending it deserves. Any drama on Sunday will require Brighton to keep City at bay for as long as possible, and although it may seem a long shot, but stranger things have happened in Premier League season finales. Despite all the drama of seasons gone by, there have only been seven other occasions where the Premier League title was decided on the final day. Let's take a look at them. 1994/95 In the defining season finale of the early Premier League years, Blackburn had West Ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko to thank. With Rovers going down 2-1 in injury time away at Liverpool, their fans had thought they'd blown it. However, Miklosko made approximately 300 saves to keep Manchester United at bay, as the Red Devils could only muster a draw at the Boleyn Ground. News slowly filtered through to Anfield, sparking jubilant scenes, as Blackburn discovered they were Premier League champions. 1995/96 Kevin Keegan's 'I would love it if we beat them' outburst became the stand-out moment of this season and perhaps of the Premier League altogether. Despite holding a 12 point lead at one stage, Newcastle entered the final day two points behind United needing the Red Devils to repeat their previous season's final day disappointment. It wasn't to be however, as Alex Ferguson's men ran out 3-0 winners at Middlesbrough to seal their third Premier League title. 1998/99 The famous treble winning season for Man United in 1999 may not have been, were it not for their victory on the final day of the league season. Going head to head with Arsenal for the whole campaign, the Gunners found themselves top of the table on the final day for a brief moment at least, after United went 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur . Ferguson's boys turned it around however, with a goal either side of half time to complete the first step of their incredible treble. 2007/08 Despite leading for most of the season, Arsenal's implosion left it to Chelsea and Man United to battle it out for top spot. The Blues beat the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge late in the season to tee up a scintillating finish. United showed their mettle though, and wrapped up the title with two wins out of two in their final couple of games. A fairly comfortable 2-0 victory at Wigan on the final day was not the dramatic finish some fans were hoping for. 2009/10 Not quite the drama fans were hoping for on the final day, as Chelsea sealed the title with an 8-0 win over Wigan. The victory did see them end Manchester United's run of three straight titles and also saw the Blues score 103 goals for the season - which was a Premier League record at the time. The final day thumping was entirely on-form for Ancelotti's team, making it the fourth time that season they had scored seven or more in a game. 2011/12 Quite possibly the single most dramatic finish to a season in the history of the English game, Manchester City's 'Agueroooooo!' moment will live long in the memory. City knew that victory at home to struggling QPR would seal their first ever Premier League title. However, 10-man Rangers found themselves 2-1 up on 60 mins and subjecting the Cityzens to one of the biggest embarrassments in Premier League history. But up stepped Edin Dzeko and most of all, Sergio Aguero to grab two injury time goals to win the title just as United thought they'd snatched it. 2013/14 The 2013/14 season was remembered less for its final day and more for one of the most infamous Premier League moments that led up to it. After an incredible run, Liverpool looked set to win their first league title in 24 years. That was until Steven Gerrard's slip allowed Demba Ba to race through and set Chelsea on their way to a 2-0 victory. The Reds could have gone into the final day joint top, were it not for their 3-3 draw at Selhurst Park, having been 3-0 up. Although the title was not mathematically decided, the Merseysiders were needing an on-the-beach West Ham to cause an unlikely upset at the Etihad. Needless to say, that didn't happen and City coasted to a 2-0 victory to break Liverpool hearts.


If you love to take advantage of the music offerings near you, this weekend offers several great reasons to leave the house. From a live band performing for a cause to an all-white rollerskating party, read on for a local music to-do list to fill your calendar this week. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Live Band RocKarake From the event description: Attend a concert event for a good cause this Saturday. Live band Sushi For Breakfast will be performing. The concert benefits Bottom Line, a non-profit organization that helps students from low income families. When: Saturday, July 20, 9 p.m.- Sunday, July 21, 12 a.m. Where: O'Brien's Pub, 3 Harvard Ave. Admission: $10 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Royale Saturdays: Summer Camp From the event description: Join Royale Boston's biggest dance party this weekend. Dj Rico Suave will be spinning Top 40, mashups and dance hits. When: Saturday, July 20, 10 p.m.- Sunday, July 21, 2 a.m. Where: Royale Boston, 279 Tremont St. Admission: Free-$15 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets TwoStep's All White Glow Party From the event description: Celebrate Cancer season with glow accessories and rollerskating at an all-white party this Sunday and Monday. Cancers will gain free entry to the event, providing ID proof. When: Sunday, July 21, 8 p.m.- Monday, July 22 12 a.m. Where: Chez Vous Roller Skating Rink, 11 Rhoades St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Parking in Boston can be tough, especially during popular events. To find free or cheap parking and to book parking in advance, see this map of Boston parking from SpotAngels. And to get there by public transportation, check the MTBA's website for nearby stations and schedules. This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The Bills are often written off by the national narrative. That's not something running back LeSean McCoy is used to, but that's the same treatment he's received this offseason. McCoy, 31, still thinks he has enough left in the tank. The ever-confident runner said during spring practices he expects to be Buffalo's "workhorse" runner once again, despite the number additions around him. The Bills added long-time NFLer Frank Gore and veteran TJ Yeldon during free agency. The 2019 NFL draft saw Buffalo snag Devin Singletary in the third round. While McCoy and the Bills running game overall had a bad 2018, we're still unsure how the team feels about him. The slew of roster moves suggests that General Manager Brandon Beane is being cautious. Perhaps that's the case on paper, but behind the microphone, Beane's supporting McCoy. "I'm not concerned. I think LeSean still can play. If not, we would have made the decision to move on," Beane said speaking to a select group of reporters last month. "He's very confident, when you talk to him, that he still sees himself up here, and I don't think you're changing that. And I wouldn't want him to think any different. But we're focused on this year. That's what we have him under contract for, and I definitely think he's got enough left in the tank to help us in 2019." McCoy might have competition around him, but there's reason to believe Beane's right. McCoy did have a career-worst 3.2 yards per carry last season. The Bills leading rusher wasn't even him or a running back, it was quarterback Josh Allen. But while the Bills running backs struggled week-after-week last year, Buffalo did in another area as well. While there's no solid numbers like touchdowns or interceptions to grade an offensive line on, there is Pro Football Focus. The analytics folks breaking down Bills' 2018 season graded out Buffalo's offensive line every week, and for a large chunk of the year, the team's offensive line graded the team as the second-worst run blockers in the NFL. McCoy is a dynamic runner and could be headed to the Hall of Fame one day, however, he cannot do it all alone. He needs help, and Beane provided a fresh new offensive line in front of McCoy this season, highlighted by center Mitch Morse. While 31 heading into the season, there's reason to believe McCoy can be better next season. MORE: Dan Le Batard delivers impassioned rebuke of racist 'send her back' chant despite ESPN rules Roundup: Tiger Woods is Struggling; Alex Morgan's New Project; Area 51 is Big Business Is Tacko Fall an NBA player? Here is the case for why... and why not Baker Mayfield believed the Patriots would trade up to draft him Ron Adams, rest of Warriors coaching staff to have reduced roles


Ovarian cancer is an especially scary disease. Unlike many other cancers, the symptoms of ovarian cancer among them pelvic pain, frequent urination, and bloating tend to be vague. By the time a woman suspects something is wrong and visits her doctor, the cancer is often in a late, less curable stage. In fact, only 20% of ovarian cancers are discovered in the earliest stages. This year, the National Cancer Institute predicts that 22,530 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed. Yet only 47.6% of women with the disease are alive five years after diagnosis; 13,980 are expected to die of the disease by the end of 2019. No wonder ovarian cancer has been dubbed the "silent killer." Ovarian cancer isn't just one disease, however. There are more than 30 subtypes, and those subtypes are grouped under three main ovarian cancer types. "Ovaries are composed of many different types of cells, each which can transform and become cancerous," Jack Jacoub, MD , medical oncologist and medical director of MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, tells Health . Here's what all women need to know about the three main types of ovarian cancer and what makes them different from one another. Epithelial ovarian cancer Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common type of ovarian cancer, comprising up to 90% of all ovarian cancer cases, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). It starts in the epithelial cells that line the outer surface of the ovaries. The cells here turn over and regenerate so frequently, and "that can lead to a higher rate of error in the way they divide, which adds to the propensity for something to go wrong and potentially form a cancer," Sarah Taylor, MD , gynecological oncologist with Hillman Cancer Center/Magee-Womens Hospital of UMPC in Pittsburgh, tells Health . Epithelial ovarian cancer also includes cancers that arise from the fallopian tubes and the lining of the abdomen and pelvis, known as the peritoneum. The most common subtype of this type of ovarian cancer is high-grade serious carcinoma, and is believed to start in one of the fallopian tubes. Germ cell ovarian cancer Germ cell ovarian cancer cases make up less than 2% of all ovarian cancer diagnoses, according to the ACS. In the simplest of terms, "germ cells are the cells that form eggs," Dr. Taylor explains. This type of ovarian cancer often affects just one ovary. It primarily strikes women under 30. More than 9 out of 10 women diagnosed with this form survive at least 5 years after being diagnosed. The most common subtype of germ cell ovarian cancer is a dysgerminoma , which tends to grow slowly. Another type is called a grade 1 immature teratoma , which is mostly benign with just a few spots of cancer. Stromal ovarian cancer Stromal cells are "support cells," says Dr. Taylor. These cells form the connective tissue that hold each ovary together. Stromal cells also produce estrogen and progesterone. Like germ cell tumors, stromal tumors (also known as sex cord-stromal tumors) are rare. Just 1% of all ovarian cancer cases are stromal ovarian cancer, and more than half of all cases are discovered in women in age 50. Still, about 5% of cases are found in young girls. Some stromal cell tumors, such as fibromas, are usually benign. Others, like a subtype called granulosa cell tumors, are more likely to be malignant. Because stromal tumors are hormonally active, abnormal vaginal bleeding is often a symptom. Symptoms of each type of ovarian cancer For the most part, the symptoms are the same for all three main types of ovarian cancer, and they can be frustratingly hard to detect early on. "They can be so non-specific that women overlook them," Dr. Jacoub notes. According to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition , the most common symptoms include bloating, belly or abdominal pain, trouble eating or feeling full quickly, an urgent need to pee, exhaustion, back pain, pain during sex, nausea, heartburn, constipation, and changes in your period. If you have any of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks, have them checked out by your primary care doctor. If she suspects there's a possibility you might have ovarian cancer, you'll be referred to a gynecological oncologist. How to lower your ovarian cancer risk Despite all this scary-sounding info, "ovarian cancer is quite rare, effecting only about 1% of the population," points out Dr. Taylor. Your genes are a risk factor, so take a look at your family's medical history. Finding out if any first-degree relatives (like your mom and siblings) have a history of cancer is a good start, but don't stop there. "Your entire family history is important," says Dr. Jacoub. "Sometimes there's a scenario where a generation is skipped." If you do have a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer, talk to your doctor. She may recommend that you see a genetic counselor. Endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome may also put you at risk for ovarian cancer, Dr. Jacoub says. Another thing you can do to stay healthy? Stop putting off your yearly check-up. While you may dread pelvic exams, it's a good way for your doctor to check the health of your ovaries. In the meantime, lead a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise, suggests Dr. Taylor.


BALTIMORE (AP) -- Zipping through the Baltimore Orioles' lineup with incredible ease, Ryan Yarbrough was blissfully unaware of his role in a potentially historic performance until the Tampa Bay Rays left-hander was deep into the finest outing of his baseball career. After taking over for Ryne Stanek in the third inning Sunday, Yarbrough was poised to be part of the major leagues' first combined perfect game. BOX SCORE: RAYS 4, ORIOLES 1 "I was so locked in, not until I went out there in the eighth to warm up and I heard a kid yell, `Don't blow it,' did I realize what the situation was," Yarbrough said. Hanser Alberto beat the shift with a leadoff opposite-field single in the ninth inning, wrecking history in the making and taking some of the edge off Tampa Bay's 4-1 victory. Mixing a cut fastball with a sinker and a deceptive changeup, Yarbrough was literally unhittable -- until the ninth. "Man, that would have been cool, but I can't get upset about the hit against the shift," Yarbrough said. "It has helped me so much in the past." Tampa Bay's try for the combo perfecto came two days after a pair of Los Angeles Angels pitchers teamed up for a no-hitter while wearing the jerseys of late teammate Tyler Skaggs. Though they've only got a total of 26 wins between them, Stanek and Yarbrough sure looked like All-Stars on this day. "Both of them were really impressive," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Stanek was in the zone and established pitches, and Yarbrough came in and picked right up. A fun game to be part of." The bid for perfection ended when the right-handed hitting Alberto -- batting around .400 against lefties -- pushed a grounder to the right side , precisely where the second baseman usually stands. "Finally, we get it," Alberto said. "We were trying to get the whole game. He was pitching really good, a really good performance, pitching in and out." Stevie Wilkerson followed with a single, and an RBI single by Anthony Santander off Oliver Drake enabled Baltimore to break up the shutout. Emilio Pagan struck out Trey Mancini for his sixth save, and the Rays followed with an obligatory celebration that could have been far more enthusiastic had the team completed the perfect game. "See if we can do it again next time," Cash said with a grin. The franchise's only no-hitter was on July 26, 2010, by Matt Garza against Detroit. Recalled from Triple-A Durham before the game, Yarbrough had already had three stints with Tampa Bay this season while shuffling between the minors and big leagues. In his last outing before this one, the lefty yielded six runs in five innings for Durham against Gwinnett. Yes, Gwinnett. This time, Yarbrough (8-3) was nearly perfect . Baltimore hit only five balls out of the infield against the 6-foot-5 southpaw, all of them becoming routine outs. The only hard-hit balls against Stanek came in succession in the second inning. Pedro Severino hit a liner to second baseman Joey Wendle, who was standing behind the base as part of a shift to the left side of the infield Chris Davis followed with a line drive to third baseman Michael Brosseau. "Stanek was just dominating," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. "Yarbrough, that was the best I've ever seen him." Brosseau and Austin Meadows homered off Tom Eshelman (0-2) as the Rays won three of four from the Orioles, who own the worst record in the majors. It's been a tough season for Baltimore, but on this day the struggling team at least avoided making 27 outs without getting a man on base. "I saw a little frustration from our guys, which is OK. They're showing some emotion about being embarrassed," Hyde said. "You're just hoping and wishing somebody is going to get a hit." COLD IN JULY Mancini went 0 for 4 and is hitless in his last 24 at-bats, the longest drought of his career. He's 3 for 33 in July after batting .308 in June. ROTATION ISSUES With Alex Cobb and Dylan Bundy on the injured list, the trade of Andrew Cashner has intensified a problem Hyde has faced all season: filling out the rotation. The Orioles have used 15 different starters this season, and the shuffling probably won't stop any time soon. "I've never had to deal with the rotation stuff we've had this year," Hyde said. "That's been challenging, piecing together a rotation instead of rolling out five guys. We've had just a mixed bag of, who can do this now?" TRAINER'S ROOM Rays: Cash offered no update on RHP Tyler Glasnow, who has been out since May 11 with a strained right forearm. He was eligible to come off the 60-day IL on July 10. Orioles: Bundy (right knee tendinitis) should be ready to return on July 23 after spending the minimum time on the 10-day IL, Hyde said. UP NEXT Rays: Blake Snell (5-7, 4.70 ERA) starts Monday night in the opener of a four-game series at Yankee Stadium. The lefty is 3-6 with a 4.62 ERA in 15 career starts against New York. Orioles: After taking Monday off, the Orioles begin a two-game series with the neighboring Washington Nationals on Tuesday night. ------ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP--Sports Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn)


More people moved to Maricopa County than any other county in the nation last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau population estimates released Thursday. This is the second year in a row that the county led in growth. Maricopa County added 81,244 people between July 2017 and July 2018. That's up from 74,000 people during that same time period the year before. Maricopa County's growth helped it maintain its rank as the fourth most populous county in the country with 4,410,824 residents. Clark County in Nevada was second in growth, adding 48,337 people. All of the top-10, largest-gaining counties were in the West or South. MORE: How did Maricopa County get so big? Valley 101 digs in The Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metropolitan area was the second highest among metropolitan areas in numeric growth, with 96,268 people moving to the area. That's up from 89,000 people last year. That puts the metropolitan area at a population of 4,857,962. The metro area includes part of Pinal County, which is why the population is larger than the county's. The only metropolitan area that added more people last year was the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area in Texas, which added 131,767 people. Although Maricopa County led in numeric growth, it didn't even crack the top 10 in population percentage growth. Williams County in North Dakota led in percentage growth, followed by Comal and Kaufman counties in Texas. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County is fast growing county in the U.S. for second year


Craving pizza? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable pizza spots in Pittsburgh, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture next time you're on the hunt. 1. Fiori's Pizzaria Topping the list is Fiori's Pizzaria . Located at 103 Capital Ave. in Brookline, the Italian spot, which offers pizza and more, is the highest rated low-priced pizza spot in Pittsburgh, boasting 4.5 stars out of 328 reviews on Yelp. This spot, which boasts another location in McMurray , was named the 12th best place to eat in Pennsylvania by Patch . On the menu, look for traditional or white pizza pies, along with calzones, pasta and wings. 2. Benny Fierro's Southside Flats's Benny Fierro's , located at 1906 E. Carson St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the cheap spot to score pizza and more 4.5 stars out of 114 reviews. This spot, which opened its original location in Blacksburg, Virginia in 2011, boasts 28-inch pies, according to Next Pittsburgh . Look for its spicy sausage or garlic and mushroom pizza. 4. V3 Flatbread Pizza V3 Flatbread Pizza , a spot to score pizza and more in Central Lawrenceville, is another budget-friendly go-to, with 3.5 stars out of 47 Yelp reviews. Head over to 4500 Butler St. to see for yourself. This pizzeria, which debuted its first location in downtown Fifth Avenue in 2015, offers specialty flatbread pizzas like buttermilk chicken or the vegetarian Tuscan Garden loaded with veggies like cherry tomatoes and artichoke hearts. 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.