Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George was named to the 2018-19 NBA All-Defensive First Team, the league announced in a press release on Wednesday. The award is the fourth time George has been named to an All-Defensive Team, including the second time placing on the All-Defensive First Team (2014). He did not place on a defensive team last season. George received 195 points (96 First Team votes) for his second First Team selection, finishing just one point shy of Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert as the top vote-getter. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo finished third in voting behind George and Gobert. The trio of players are all finalists for the Defensive Player of the Year award. The NBA has released the 2018-19 All-Defensive Teams: pic.twitter.com/E6wMH474jO - Cody Taylor (@CodyTaylorNBA) May 22, 2019 The All-Defensive Teams were selected by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Players were awarded two points for each First Team vote and one point for each Second Team vote. Voters selected two guards, two forwards and one center for each team, choosing players at the position they play regularly. George finished first in steals with a career-high 2.2 per game and is viewed as one of the best two-way players in the NBA. He led the NBA in deflections (3.8) and loose-balls recovered (2.1) while he finished 14th in defensive rating. The All-Defensive First Team honor figures to be the first award for George this season. Many believe George is a virtual lock to earn a place on the All-NBA First Team after turning in his best season to date. As previously mentioned, he is also a finalist for MVP and DPOY. Russell Westbrook also received votes for the Second Team. MORE: NBA fans are delighted by Kawhi Leonard's interview with an international reporter Packers rookie Darnell Savage impresses with intelligence early at OTAs Jon Gruden 'excited' to see Raiders DT Eddie Vanderdoes this offseason Drew Brees: 'Of course' I want Gerald McCoy on my team Stephen Carlson: What the Browns are getting in their new WR


As we continue with our training camp previews on the defensive side of the Indianapolis Colts roster, we take a look at the interior of the defensive line. Name: Denico Autry Position: DT Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 285 Age: 28 Year Drafted: 2014 (UDFA-OAK) Background An undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders following the 2014 NFL draft, Autry was a rotational piece in the front. He appeared in 56 games while making 18 starts working all over the defensive line. In his four seasons with the Raiders, Autry recorded 100 tackles (74 solo), 24.0 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits and 10.5 sacks. He signed a three-year deal with the Colts following the 2017 season. In his first season with the Colts, Autry became a starter at the three-technique position and recorded a career-high 9.0 sacks-which led the team. 2019 Outlook Autry is expected to enter training camp as the starting three-technique in the even front for the Colts. Despite only playing 12 games in 2018, Autry led the team in sacks while showing he benefitted greatly from the attacking scheme brought along by Matt Eberflus. The 28-year-old is likely the starter to begin the season, but the Colts are going to give second-year pass rusher Tyquan Lewis a shot at competing with Autry for the prominent role on the defensive line. Regardless, Autry should have a significant role on the front as long as he avoids injury. Bottom Line There will be plenty of competition on that side of the ball to keep an eye on and while Auty will be competing with the aforementioned Lewis, he's likely to retain a starting role as long as he stays healthy. MORE: 'You don't know me like that': Kevin Durant, the Warriors and a toxic locker room The Warriors' offseason proves the dynasty isn't quite dead yet Stephen A. Smith: 'Andre Iguodala is planning on joining the Lakers' Roundup: Pence Abruptly Cancels NH Trip; U.S. Advances to World Cup Final; Betsy Ross Flag Controversy NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players


GOLDEN, CO   A teenager has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to kidnapping a woman from outside a Target and sexually assaulting her, the Jefferson County district attorney's office said. Dominic Gabriel Barrios was 16 when he got into the back seat of a woman's car at the Target near 50th and Kipling streets in Arvada, prosecutors said. When she sat down in the front seat, he put his arm around her neck, pulled out a knife and told her to drive. Over the next two hours, Barrios drove her around, threatening her with the knife and sexually assaulting her, the district attorney's office said. He also forced her to withdraw money from her ATM card. (Stay up-to-date on Golden news with Patch! There are many ways for you to connect and stay in touch: Free Newsletters and Email Alerts | Facebook ) When concerned family members phoned her, Barrios forced her to put the phone on speaker mode so he could monitor her conversation, according to an affidavit. He then removed the battery from her phone and left her in an industrial area, the district attorney's office said. She was then able to find her way home and called 911. The Arvada Police Department began investigating and identified Barrios within a day. Barrios, now 18 years old, pleaded guilty in March to charges of kidnapping, aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit sexual assault.


Change does not come cheap. The popularity with the general public, the star turns after big tournaments, the inspiration they're providing for younger generations   those are all well and good for the U.S. women's team and other high-profile female athletes. But to fill the gaps left from decades of disparity, to achieve true equality, it's going to take money. Significant amounts of it. From federations, leagues and corporations . As the U.S. women prepare for the World Cup, which begins Friday in Paris, there has been a marked shift in their quest for equity   in athletics and otherwise. Setting an example and hoping others follow is no longer enough. They're pushing for money, from stakeholders and others with the power to change the narrative. "I would like to see a major paradigm shift, a major overhaul," Megan Rapinoe said last week. "Realizing that there's been such a lack of investment all of these years and such a lack of care and attention that doubling, tripling or quadrupling investment, care, attention to the women's game would be appropriate. "To make incremental change obviously leaves the game wanting more, and is not nearly enough at this time." Rapinoe was talking about FIFA, but the criticism is applicable across the board. It's why the national team has sued U.S. Soccer for gender discrimination, accusing the federation of short-changing the women's program in favor of the men's team despite the women having considerably more success and, in some years, superior earnings. OPINION: Jill Ellis puts lot of weight in experience in choosing roster for World Cup The lawsuit is the long game, likely to take months if not years to wind its way through the courts. In the meantime, corporate sponsors are waking up to the idea that equality is not only the right thing to do, it's good business. Luna Bars said earlier this year it would make up the difference between World Cup bonuses for the U.S. women and men, a sum of almost $720,000. Adidas has said it will award the same bonuses to its female athletes as it did its male athletes in the men's World Cup last summer. And on Thursday, Visa announced a five-year sponsorship deal with U.S. Soccer that requires at least 50 percent of the money go toward the women's national team and other programming initiatives to benefit the women's game. It refused to put a dollar figure on its investment. Visa will be the title sponsor for the She Believes Cup, a multi-confederation tournament the United States hosts each spring, and also will sponsor the player of the match award at the World Cup. It has personal endorsement deals with Rapinoe and 16 other female soccer players. "It's time for us to be helping to take a stand and empower women of all ages to pursue their passion, whether it be on the field or in the boardroom," Mary Ann Reilly, Visa's senior vice president of North American marketing, told USA TODAY Sports. "Women are underrepresented, and we look at the U.S. as an example," Reilly continued. "The women's team is the best team in the world. It's only right that they should be getting more of the support from sponsors and promotions. We want to make sure we're helping to do our part to close that gap." This isn't simply a money grab   though it is not lost on the women that men who've achieved comparable success are often financially secure for life whereas they're contemplating second careers. This World Cup is proof that when you invest, growth follows. Change happens. Following the 2012 Olympics, England launched a five-year plan to grow women's soccer, including creation of an Elite Performance Unit and splitting off commercial and television rights from the men's team. Three years later, England won the bronze medal at the World Cup in Canada. Now it's considered among the favorites in France. La Liga took over the Spanish women's league in 2015. Three years later, Spain's under-17 team won its World Cup while the under-20 team reached the final. In March, a league match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid drew more than 60,000 people. "The women's game is on a steady climb and I would like to see it exponentially rise," said Becky Sauerbrunn of the U.S. team. "I would like to see a lot more countries invest in their women's programs. I'd like to see more domestic leagues. "We've taken a lot of steps, but I think there are a lot of steps left to go." The women aren't asking for anything extra. After generations of being short-changed, they just want what they're owed. Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Opinion: Why this World Cup will show how investing in women pays off


ASHEVILLE   Asheville's foreign-born workers contribute almost $1 billion to the area's gross domestic product and paid more than $113 million in taxes in 2016, a new report compiled by New American Economy shows. The coalition made up of business leaders and government officials found that immigrants in Asheville play vital roles in industries such as construction and tourism, representing at least 11% of the workforce in both fields. That report, which tracked all workers born outside the U.S. regardless of their immigration status, was highlighted during a May 21 policy event at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber officials have argued for the economic benefits of immigration in Asheville and elsewhere in Western North Carolina at a time when the topic tends to be politically polarizing. Kate Brick, director of state and local initiatives at New American Economy, said immigrants make up a "relatively low" share of Asheville's metropolitan population at 5.3% but accounted for almost one-quarter of local population growth from 2011-16. She said that's important as population increases are tied to economic growth as well as expanding tax bases, boosting consumer spending and filling in gaps in the workforce. "There's a very real and tangible economic imprint that comes with this relatively small population," Brick said. MORE: ► After NC raids, Asheville organizers join call for Day Without Immigrants walkout ► Following massive NC raid, ICE arrests in Henderson stir familiar fear for some in WNC ► Fact check on Quentin Miller: He's right. ICE detainers are not valid warrants Asheville's metropolitan area includes Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson and Madison counties. The report found foreign-born households in the region earned $489 million in the period it studied. Of that total, more than $72 million went to federal taxes and another $41 million paid into state and local taxes. That leaves those households with some $375 million in spending power, which Brick called "a really, really significant number." A fact sheet provided to the press which highlights the report's findings is posted below. Their contributions also are being felt by local employers. Representatives from several including parachute manufacturer Mills Manufacturing, commercial construction firm Wayne Brothers Companies and the Omni Grove Park Inn called for federal immigration reform to maximize the value they see immigrants bringing to communities. Wayne Brothers President and CEO Keith Wayne said the immigrant workforce "has always and continues to" make contributions to the local construction industry. Wayne employs about 550 employees across the southeastern U.S., many of whom are skilled tradesmen that have contributed to large regional developments such as the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. facility in Fletcher. He said the conversation about those benefits must be shared on the national stage, and in ways he says are more positive than some discussions taking place. "You only hear the negative aspects of immigration and not the positive aspects," Wayne said. John Oswald, president and CEO of Mills, which relocated to Asheville in the early 1950s, said the company's workforce has evolved considerably over time. Demographics of Mills employees are roughly split between native-born workers, those of eastern European descent and Hispanics. Oswald said without the immigrant population being a large slice of the local workforce, "it affects our ability to grow." "The training and skill development that's involved takes a lot of time, and not everybody has the aptitude or ability to do that," he said. "We need to pull from a large group of folks to be able to have the best selection of people that have the opportunity to be successful." Immigration is one of the central policy directives of President Donald Trump, who ran on building a more than 1,900-mile barrier on the U.S.-Mexico border . He also canceled the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , stripping away protections from 1.3 million Dreamers, or immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. Under Trump, arrests for illegally crossing the Mexican border and undetected illegal border crossings are down, both trends that predate his presidency, the former dropping for much of the past two decades, federal immigration data shows. (Asylum claims, however, have risen, something the president wants to change .) Trump last week rolled out a proposal to overhaul U.S. immigration policies , offering a point-based merit standard for applications, scaling back family-based immigration and arguing the country must limit asylum seekers. "If adopted, our plan will transform America's immigration system into the pride of our nation and the envy of the modern world," he said in a May 16 address in the White House Rose Garden. But it's a policy that could be troublesome in cities like Asheville, which has touted the state's lowest employment rate for about four years, spelling a worker shortage for some local employers. Corie Hackney, employment manager at the Omni Grove Park Inn, said some immigration change must come. "We need to make it easier for people to find a pathway to citizenship, maybe if they're undocumented," Hackney said. "It's very expensive. People don't always have the means to take that pathway. To change, maybe not make it easy easy, but maybe take out some of the barriers people see in place." Want to stay informed about news from around Asheville? Do that, plus support local journalists, by subscribing to the Asheville Citizen Times. Click here to sign up for a digital subscription. The discussion also can be hampered by the demographics in Asheville. U.S. Census data shows the city of some 83,000 people is about 83% white, 12% black and only about 6% Hispanic or Latino. Black and Latino population totals in Asheville chart several percentage points lower than they do overall in North Carolina. Asked about that disparity, Asheville Chamber President and CEO Kit Cramer said, "It's a journey," both in terms of communicating immigration issues and addressing them. "There are a variety of issues we're working on in little pieces, and it's very frustrating how long it takes and how hard it is to communicate," she said, adding a recent community visioning survey issued by the chamber "saw very little return." Cramer said it takes community collaboration to generate the type of progress the chamber wants to see. But on Trump's recent immigration proposal, Wayne said he views what constitutes "merit" very differently than the president. "It's not doctors and lawyers and engineers," he said. "It's laborers and carpenters and the folks that do the hard work. I would say to Mr. Trump: read the inscription on the Statue of Liberty. "It's the huddled masses, the people of will that want to work, and that's what they do." New Americans in Asheville, a report by New American Economy by Dillon Davis on Scribd This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville immigrants have 'very real and tangible' economic impact


Tesla investors cheered the electric car maker's delivery numbers, but Wall Street analysts weren't as impressed, as some analysts expressed concern that today's gain came at the expense of profitability and demand down the road. The stock jumped 6% toward a two-month high in morning trading Wednesday, but pared earlier gains of as much as 7.6%. That follows the announcement late Tuesday that 95,200 cars were delivered in the second quarter, more than what analysts were expecting, and well above the previous record of 91,000. The shares have rocketed 33% since closing at a more than 3-year low of $178.97 on June 3, but were still down 29% year to date, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has rallied 15% this year. The worry, analysts say, is that deliveries may have been boosted by price cuts, a pull-forward of demand given the expiring Federal tax credit, while the higher mix of lower-priced Model 3 deliveries could pressure margins and increase losses. Model 3 deliveries totaled 77,550 during the quarter, or 81.5% of the total, compared with 80.8% of the total in the first quarter and 69.6% of the total in the fourth quarter . "While 2Q19 units were better, we still caution...that mix of vehicles (and discounting to move units) could weigh on profitability and hence 2Q19 likely sacrificed margins for units," analyst Joseph Spak at RBC Capital wrote in a note to clients. And J.P. Morgan analyst Ryan Brinkman wrote: "The debate will also likely turn to sustainability of demand given that 2Q was, like 4Q18, a pre-buy quarter in the U.S. ahead of another step-down in availability of federal tax credits on July 1." As of July 1, the federal tax credit on Tesla vehicles was lowered to $1,875 from $3,750 , which was lowered on Jan. 1 from $7,500. Brinkman said the magnitude of the second-quarter loss and amount of free cash flow generated should now be a key focus of investors, especially since Tesla "may have undertaken extra costs to meet delivery targets." Analyst Rajvindra Gill at Needham said his concerns about pulled-in demand were also reinforced by Tesla not affirming its full-year 2019 delivery guidance of 360,000 to 400,000 vehicles, considering that guidance was reiterated after the first-quarter report with "far less impressive numbers." Don't miss : Tesla's second-quarter sales are as good as it gets, Goldman Sachs says . Gill reiterated the underperform rating he's had on the stock since July 2018, while J.P. Morgan's Brinkman maintained the underweight rating he's had for at least the past three years, and his $200 stock price target, which is about 15% below current levels. RBC's Spak also reiterated his underperform rating. Despite their bearish stances, the average rating of the 34 analysts surveyed by FactSet remained the equivalent of a neutral, or hold, rating. Bernstein's Toni Sacconaghi is one of the analysts who is neutral on the stock. He kept his rating at market perform, and but held his price target up at $325, saying Tesla's decision to stop disclosing the number of customer vehicles in transit will make it "more difficult for investors to monitor true underlying demand in a given quarter. "On net, we see Q2 deliveries as likely to mitigate bears' near-term cash/liquidity concerns, but suspect that until investors have a better read on steady state Model 3 demand and its margin profile, and/or Model Y's launch is imminent, the stock is unlikely to break out from current levels," Sacconaghi wrote. Read more about the Model Y . Meanwhile, some analysts joined in with investors to cheer the deliveries data, with Baird analyst Ben Kallo saying the results set the stage for a strong second-quarter earnings report. "The release is a positive step in the recovery process for the [Tesla] narrative, and we think Q2 earnings will be the next catalyst to restore confidence and reattract investors to the name," Kallo wrote. Tesla is expected to report second-quarter results on our around Aug. 5. The FactSet consensus for losses per share has narrowed to 48 cents a share on Wednesday from 55 cents on Friday, while the revenue consensus has increased to $6.23 billion from $6.11 billion. Kallo reiterated the outperform rating he's had on the stock for at least two years, and kept his price target at $355, which was nearly 50% above current levels.


If you think wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has a screw loose in the aftermath of his many criticisms of the New York Giants, you're not alone. Pittsburgh Steelers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Terry Bradshaw, isn't feeling Beckham's emotional outbursts either, going as far as to call them "crazy." "Really?" Bradshaw told TMZ Sports , shaking his head after being made aware of Beckham's latest episode. "Totally disagree. Yeah, that's crazy! "He ought to be happy he's in Cleveland making a nice dollar and they want him there." Beckham, of course, insists he's happy in Cleveland - just not happy enough to stop taking aim at his former team, which he did again in a GQ Magazine interview earlier this week. "I felt disrespected [after the trade]," Beckham told GQ . "Like, after everything I've done for them. This is me being honest: This team has not been good for the last six years. Period. Even the year we went to the playoffs and everyone was talking about this and that. And we went there, and I didn't have a great playoff game. Don't get me wrong, I had a terrible game. But I left the game with seven targets, and I'm supposed to be your number one receiver. I left the game with seven targets. We lost. They scored 40 points. It's just all bad. "I felt disrespected, because I felt like I was a main reason at keeping that brand alive. They were getting prime-time games, still, as a 5-and-11 team. Why? Because people want to see the show. You want to see me play. That's just real rap. I'm not sitting here like, 'It's because of me.' But let's just be real. That's why we're still getting prime-time games. I felt disrespected they weren't even man enough to even sit me down to my face and tell me what's going on." Many rushed to Beckham's defense - common enabling that has surrounded him for years - following the GQ interview, but there's no denying these sorts of immature outbursts absolutely led to Beckham being traded in the first place. And yes, as Bradshaw said, they've gotten increasingly crazy. MORE: NBA trade rumor rankings: What's up with CP3? The Twins pulled off a beautiful triple play against the Yankees and fans loved it The 21 dumbest ideas in NFL history Stephen A. Smith Is Hearing a Potential Uncle Dennis-Kawhi Leonard Bombshell Could Drop Terry Bradshaw: Odell Beckham's criticism of Giants is 'crazy'


Williams Formula 1 chief technical officer Paddy Lowe's departure has finally been confirmed after a leave of absence that began before the start of the 2019 season. Lowe has been on leave for "personal reasons" since March 5, with his last appearance coming in pre-season testing at Barcelona. Williams has now announced that he will be leaving the team and step down from the board of directors with immediate effect. In a statement from Williams, Lowe said he had made the decision to leave. "After a period of careful reflection I have reached the decision that I will not return to work at Williams," said Lowe. "I wish all my previous colleagues the very best to meet the challenges ahead, which I am sure they will do. "I would especially like to thank the Williams fans who are so supportive." More F1 news: Latest Honda F1 upgrade inspired by jet engine tech The magic bullet Mercedes might have found F1 race director Masi open to racing rules change for 2020 Deputy team principal Claire Williams added: "We understand and respect the decision Paddy has reached and wish him well for the future". Lowe's absence at Williams followed a dismal 2018 season, its 2019 car being late to testing and then showing even worse performance than last year's design. Williams's FW42 subsequently required design changes to ensure its legality for the season opener in Australia, but Lowe's leave of absence had begun by this point. The ex- technical chief was a high-profile recruitment for Williams in 2017 and the 2018/19 cars were the first to be conceived under his leadership. However, the team slumped to the back of the field in 2018 and finished last in the constructors' championship. It has so far failed to score any points in 2019 with drivers qualifying several seconds off the pace. In Lowe's absence, leading aerodynamicist Doug McKiernan has taken on the most senior technical responsibility within the team. Williams has also drafted in co-founder and former technical head Patrick Head on a consultancy basis as well. Speaking in France last weekend, Claire Williams said: "He [Head] comes in one or two days a week. "If he can't do that, he dials in and he joins the technical management team in their meetings. He is literally just acting as a guide, as a sounding board and really helping everybody out. "So it's really nice to have him back around the place." Read Also: Kubica: Lowe not solely responsible for Williams crisis


Longtime shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has announced his retirement after 13 Major League seasons. His full statement, as per a Yankees media release: "I wanted to take this opportunity to announce my retirement as a Major League Baseball player. For as long as I can remember, my dream was to compete at the highest level as a Major League Baseball Player … to wear a big league uniform and play hard for my teammates and the fans. I will forever be grateful for every day that I've had to live out my dream. It has been an absolute honor. I will always look back with tremendous gratitude for having the privilege of playing as long as I did. There is no way to truly express my gratitude to the fans of Colorado, Toronto and New York. They always made my family and I feel so welcome. I want to thank the Yankees organization and Brian Cashman for giving me the opportunity to wear the Yankees uniform and live out another childhood dream. I wish that my health had allowed for a different ending to that chapter. To the coaches, training staff and baseball executives who helped me in my career … I am incredibly grateful to all of you. To my teammates throughout the years, thank you for grinding with me. I truly value all the relationships that were built through this game. None of this would have been possible without the love and support of my family and friends. To my wife, my son and my parents … you helped make my dreams come true. To my agent Paul Cohen and TWC Sports Management … thank you for taking care of everything. You all allowed me to play the game I love without distractions. While this chapter is now over, I look forward to continuing my involvement in the game that I love … instructing and helping young players to achieve their goals and dreams. I'm saying goodbye to Major League Baseball, but I will never say goodbye 2 the game I love. Thanks again 2 all of you!" Tulowitzki's final season consisted of only five games, as he was sidelined by a calf strain early in his tenure with the Yankees. It seems like his latest injury might have well been the last straw after a long series of ailments that have limited Tulowitzki for more or less his entire career, but particularly over the last few years. Tulowitzki missed all of 2018 after undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs from his heels, and after the Blue Jays released him in Spring Training, he caught on with the Yankees on a minor league deal in the hopes of following in the footsteps of his childhood hero Derek Jeter as New York's shortstop. One can't discuss Tulowitzki's career without mentioning his injury history, as he played more than 130 games just three times over his 13 seasons. It's quite possible that a healthy Tulowitzki could have potentially garnered himself some consideration as a Hall-of-Famer. On the other hand, a more optimistic view is that given all of his health issues, the fact that Tulowitzki was still able to perform as well as he did is extraordinary. Selected by the Rockies seventh overall in the 2005 draft, Tulowitzki will long be remembered for his glory days in Colorado. "Tulo" racked up five All-Star appearances, two Silver Slugger Awards, two Gold Gloves and a pair of fifth-place NL MVP finishes over his 10 seasons and 1048 games in Rockies purple. He was also a second-place finisher in NL Rookie Of The Year voting in 2007, as Tulowitzki's emergence was a major factor in the vaunted "Rocktober" team that virtually ran the table down the stretch and through the postseason en route to a surprise NL pennant and the only World Series appearance in Colorado's franchise history. After signing a pair of long-term contract extensions with the Rockies, Tulowitzki seemed like a Rox lifer before a blockbuster trade deadline deal that sent him to the Blue Jays in July 2015. Though Tulowitzki was openly surprised and even dismayed to be leaving his longtime team, Tulowitzki nevertheless helped stabilize Toronto's shortstop situation as the Jays reached the ALCS in both 2015 and 2016. Over his entire career, Tulowitzki will finish with a .290/.361/.495 slash line and 225 career home runs. Like most hitters, Tulowitzki enjoyed a boost from playing the bulk of his home games at Coors Field, though his career 118 OPS+ and 119 wRC+ indicate that he was certainly an above-average offensive player full stop. Tulowitzki earned slightly less than $164M over the course of his career, as per Baseball Reference. This includes the remainder of his current contract, which runs through the end of the 2020 season and the bulk of which is being covered by the Blue Jays after their release of the shortstop. We at MLB Trade Rumors wish Tulowitzki our congratulations on an outstanding playing career, and we wish him the best in his future role teaching the next generations of players.


Bad news hit Bills fans this week as the New England Patriots signed quarterback Tom Brady to an extension even though he's 42 years old. But there's good news for the Bills here as well? Brady's extension, described by The Patriots Wire, is as follows: "Brady signed an extension that didn't actually extend his contract." Huh? Brady's two-year extension puts the QB as a potential free agent after the 2019 season, just as his previous deal did, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport . In the new deal, it does not allow the Pats to put the franchise tag on Brady. It also has two void years tacked onto the end of the deal, so once the 2019 season ends, he will be a free agent. This doesn't mean the Patriots can't strike a new a deal when the current contract voids. But it means that Brady is slated to be a free agent. "There's a lot of guys who have one year left on their contracts," Brady said on Monday. "I've got one year to go, and we'll see what happens." "It's really the reality for most guys in the NFL," Brady added. "I don't want to think I'm any different than anyone else. Football is a tough business. It's a production business. I'm ready to go this year, and that's really what matters. That's where my focus is. It's a unique situation I'm in. I'm in my 20th year with the same team. I'm 42 years old, so pretty much uncharted territory I think for everybody. I'm going to go out there and do the best I can this year and see what happens." Per the Patriots Wire, the new deal helped the Pats create $5.5 million in cap space. The six-time Super Bowl Champ has done that favor for the team numerous times in his career. The new deal also tosses him $8 million more via signing bonuses. The deal essentially gave the allusion that Brady would stick around longer, but instead just tosses him a few more bucks and the team gets some more cap space. Brady becoming a free agent after 2019 could be a hot button topic, but if he wants to play past 2019, c'mon, he won't go anywhere else. MORE: 'Bachelor in Paradise' 2019 cast guide: Meet all 37 contestants 5 takeaways from the Raiders' first depth chart of 2019 season Quick hits, observations from Packers' first joint practice with Texans Rookie runner Devine Ozigbo seizing opportunity with Saints Giants' Pat Shurmur: Odell Beckham trade bolstered our roster


An Iranian who became the first woman from her country to contest an official boxing match says she has cancelled her return home from France after a warrant was issued for her arrest. Sadaf Khadem beat the French boxer Anne Chauvin in an amateur bout on Saturday. She had planned to fly to Tehran with her French-Iranian trainer this week. Khadem was quoted by a sports newspaper as saying she believed she was accused of violating Iran's compulsory dress code by boxing in a vest and shorts. Iranian officials have so far not confirmed the existence of a warrant. Iran headscarf protest lawyer jailed 'I wore a hijab and head-banged to Nirvana' The Girls of Revolution Street Khadem fought in a green vest and red shorts with a white waistband - the colours of Iran's national flag - in Saturday's bout in the western French town of Royan. The 24-year-old had to fight abroad as, despite having the blessing of Iranian sporting authorities, it proved too complicated to fulfil their requirement that the bout be refereed and judged by women. Khadem had been expecting a hero's welcome when she returned to Iran. But while she travelled to Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport with her trainer Mahyar Monshipour - an Iranian-born former World Boxing Association champion who also serves as an adviser to the French sports minister - she said they learnt that warrants had been issued for their arrest. "I was fighting in a legally approved match, in France. But as I was wearing shorts and a T-shirt, which is completely normal in the eyes of the entire world, I confounded the rules of my country," she told the L'Equipe newspaper. "I wasn't wearing a hijab, I was coached by a man - some people take a dim view of this." A spokesman for the Iranian embassy in Paris told Reuters news agency that he could not comment on whether Khadem faced arrest in Iran or on her decision not to return to Iran. On Monday, Iran's boxing federation said it had not organised any bouts for women and was not responsible for individual boxers. But it stressed that sportswomen should comply with Iran's hijab laws. Under Iranian law, women and girls as young as nine years old who are seen in public without a headscarf can be punished with a prison sentence of between 10 days and two months, or a cash fine. Iranian sportswomen are required to cover their hair, neck, arms and legs when competing. Until recently, Khadem would not have been permitted to take part in an official boxing match wearing a hijab or a full body form fitting uniform for religious regions. But the International Boxing Association (AIBA), amateur boxing's governing body, changed its uniform rules at the end of February.


Indianapolis will host the American round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge next year. The eight-hour event is moving from Laguna Seca to the 2.61-mile road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway used for the United States Grand Prix in 2000-07 and by IndyCar since 2014. It will take place on October 4 and will slot in between the rounds at Suzuka and Kyalami respectively in the five-event IGTC schedule, which also incorporates the long-established Spa 24 Hours and Bathurst 12 Hours GT3 enduros. IGTC boss Stephane Ratel said: "We have three very successful events as part of the IGTC and are very hopeful for our revival of the historic Kyalami 9 Hours in November. "Our only problem has been America and this year at Laguna Seca [in March] we had a poor grid and a poor crowd. "The championship is known for visiting historical events and iconic circuits, and with Indianapolis we are undoubtedly dealing with the latter." He stated that Greg Gill, president of his organisation's North America arm, had been "shopping around for a venue where IMSA doesn't go".


Training camp is upon us! The Cleveland Browns enter Berea shouldering the hopes and dreams of the city and its many fans. The team comes together with plenty of hype and expectations. This is the beginning of a huge year for multiple individuals. Baker Mayfield will lead an offense brimming with talent and Myles Garrett will be the most-watched player on the defensive side of the ball. Aside from the known commodities such as Nick Chubb, Odell Beckham Jr, and Denzel Ward, training camp provides opportunities for other players to break out and make a name for themselves. The Browns are looking for the stars to shine, but they should be expecting a few dark horses to emerge. Dontrell Hilliard is a guy who I expect to have a breakout camp. Hilliard could cement his role in the RB room and that could be higher up the depth chart than people suspect. With Kareem Hunt currently on the NFI list and also suspended for eight games, and Duke Johnson attempting to get out of Cleveland, there's a slot available in the No. 2 RB position that is prime for the taking. I wouldn't expect Johnson to be on the team come this fall and Hunt will have to earn his touches coming off the suspension. If Hilliard does have a breakout summer, he could be your number two running back and it could be his job to lose when Hunt returns from suspension. Also to his credit, Hilliard turned heads early this spring when new RB coach Stump Mitchell stated , "[Hilliard] is having one heck of a spring training camp." Mitchell believes in Hilliard and he said that Hilliard has to act and feel like he belongs. That type of confidence can go a long way for a player and you could see him carry that momentum and confidence with him into training camp. Personally, I see Hilliard as the number two running back when the season starts. Barring injury, Hilliard could not only have a breakout camp, but a breakout year. The Browns could certainly use it. The team is currently staring down the pipe at the potential of only having one reliable ball carrier in Nick Chubb. They brought in former Giants RB Orleans Darkwa in a move that states Cleveland is worried about their RB depth. Looking at how the front office has handled the RB room, it may not be optional for Hilliard to breakout. It may be a necessity. MORE: Mike Trout's perfect 98.6 MPH throw to home plate had everyone in awe Packers GM explains reasoning for releasing DL Mike Daniels Ranking the NBA's Top 10 Big Threes News: Elliott expected in Oxnard, Cowboys great bet to win it all Chiefs rookie RB Darwin Thompson calls Patrick Mahomes: 'A real-life jug machine'


The Indianapolis Colts are using training camp practices as a way to see which players should emerge as significant contributors at several positions all over the field. This has created a multitude of position battles to keep an eye on as training camp progresses and when the preseason games begin Thursday, Aug. 8. There is still a long way to go before these battles are through, but there have been some notes to keep up with. Here's an update on the position battles going on in training camp: AP Photo/Michael Conroy MIKE LB: Anthony Walker vs. Bobby Okereke When Okereke was selected in the third round of the draft, there were many-including us-who believed Walker would have a tougher time seeing as much playing time as he did in 2018. While that's still possible, it hasn't been that way at all through the first week or so of training camp. Walker is dominating the first-team snaps alongside Darius Leonard, and it doesn't look like he's giving way anytime soon. Leader: Walker AP Photo/Michael Conroy Wide Receiver There are too many names in this competition to say that simply one player is competing against another. Everyone outside of T.Y. Hilton is battling for a role in the room, but there has been some clarity in the competition through the early part of camp. It appears that Devin Funchess is the clear WR2 opposite Hilton with Chester Rogers spending the most time as the WR3. Parris Campbell has made some splash plays but is dealing with a hamstring injury. Same goes for Deon Cain, who isn't injured but is limited as he works his way back. Other names to keep an eye on that are likely leading the race for the final spots include Zach Pascal, Krishawn Hogan and Jordan Veasy. Daurice Fountain has made some plays but not consistently enough to say his roster spot is safe right now. Leaders: Funchess, Rogers, Campbell, Cain, Pascal AP Photo/Michael Conroy Nickel CB: Quincy Wilson vs. Rock Ya-Sin Like the wide receiver room, the cornerback room is mostly up for grabs. However, there has been a constant first-team defensive unit. With Pierre Desir and Kenny Moore leading the way, there has been a battle brewing for the nickel cornerback spot between Wilson and Ya-Sin. While both have started training camp extremely strong, Wilson has been the one to work with the first-team defense in nickel packages. Ya-Sin has come on strong the last few days and should be fun to watch as camp progresses. Leader: Wilson AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith DE: Al-Quadin Muhammad vs. Kemoko Turay vs. Ben Banogu No one above is in danger of being cut if they don't win the third defensive end role on the depth chart, but the winner will see significant time on the line-especially with Jabaal Sheard currently nursing a knee injury. Right now, it appears that Muhammad has the leg up on Turay and Banogu. Turay has dealt with a shoulder injury that forced him to miss almost a week of practice while Banogu has flashed some in pass-rushing drills. Muhammad's ability to set a strong edge gives him the advantage to be the backup to Sheard. Leader: Muhammad AP Photo/Michael Conroy Backup LT: Le'Raven Clark vs. Antonio Garcia Both former third-round picks are battling for the role to be the backup left tackle to Anthony Castonzo. While it hasn't been as clear who has the lead, it appears to be leaning toward Garcia. Despite his impending four-game suspension, Garcia has been working behind Castonzo when the latter is practicing. During the day off that Castonzo had, though, Clark was the one to step in at starting left tackle. It seems the Colts are still working through this one, but Garcia gets the nod because he's seen the most time behind Castonzo throughout camp. Leader: Garcia MORE: This Patrick Mahomes throw from Chiefs practice can't be real Five potential Jeremy Lin landing spots in free agency Every position's biggest winner at the halfway point of Lions training camp Packers WRs Jake Kumerow, Trevor Davis shine at Family Night Scrimmage Dez Bryant: Saints will get first opportunity to sign me


The baby of Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson appeared to be under the influence of marijuana after spending time at Jackson's home, according to court filings from the infant's mother. Jackson is accused of using marijuana near his 5-month-old girl, according to records in Maricopa County Family Court. This comes a month after he was arrested in Florida , accused of resisting an officer arrest at a music festival. Marijuana is a prohibited substance in the NBA and is illegal for recreational use in Arizona. The court records do not mention Jackson being a medical marijuana patient. Medical marijuana use is legal in the state with a valid card. For more stories that matter, subscribe to azcentral.com . Since January, Jackson, 22, and the child's mother, Lorena Villela, 41, have been in Family Court addressing paternity, child support and other issues involving the baby, who was born in January. Villela claimed she smelled marijuana multiple times when picking up her child from Jackson's home. The parents have repeatedly tried to seal the case from the public. A judge ruled in March that the parents have not demonstrated why the proceedings should be closed or the records should be sealed. Villela, a property manager, served one month in county jail and successfully completed three years of probation after a child-abuse conviction in 2008. Villela accused Jackson of drug use several times in a motion filed June 4 requesting drug testing. Jackson asked the court to seal her request for the drug test. Villela objected. The judge hasn't yet ruled on the drug test request. According to court records, she claims she is not trying to hurt his public image or ability to make an income with her desire for a drug test. "If father was truly concerned for the best interest of the minor child and how his public image may impact the minor child, he would not be getting arrested for attempting to flee police custody," Ryan Reppucci, Villela's attorney, said in a court filing in the case. Monica Kim, Jackson's attorney, said in a statement: "Josh Jackson categorically denies these defamatory and deeply upsetting allegations. He would never endanger the well-being of his daughter or any other child. Period. We look forward to clearing Josh's name as swiftly as possible and continuing to pursue justice for his daughter. " Drug-use allegations A paternity test proving Jackson was the child's father was completed in April by LabCorp. Jackson then filed for parenting time. On May 16, he arrived with his aunt to meet her. "Father had a heavy odor of and appeared to be under the influence of marijuana," Villela's filing said. She stated she smelled marijuana once again May 20 when she arrived at Jackson's house with the child's nanny for a two-hour visit. "While sitting in the living room, the child's nanny noticed a large marijuana blunt on the coffee table, in plain sight," the filing said. Villela claimed after the baby spent time with Jackson May 22, Villela noticed she was "very lethargic." According to court records, Jackson told Villela "the child had a busy day." The mother tried to wake up the baby throughout the night. "Mother believing that the child may have just been kept very active throughout the day, just continued to monitor the child's breathing," the filing said. Villela said she forced the baby to wake up after she did not move for a long time. She claimed the baby "appeared to be high and could only lift her eyelids to midway point," she stated in court records. Villela accused Jackson of using drugs while taking care of the child June 2. At the time, she dropped off the infant at Jackson's house a week after he had surgery. According to court records, he had told her earlier that he was taking pain medication. She said when picking up their child from Jackson's home, she again smelled marijuana. A court filing stated Villela texted Jackson and he replied, "Lol the people in this house will tell you I don't do that when she's around or before I see her so say what you want." In a response to the court, Villela reiterated that her wanting Jackson to submit to a drug test was done in good faith. "Father disingenuously attempts to shift blame to mother, claiming that mother's allegations of marijuana use may damage father's public image and his ability to earn an income," the response said. Arrest at Miami music festival In May, Jackson was arrested after trying to enter the VIP area without a proper pass at the Rolling Loud music festival in Miami Gardens, Florida. According to the police report, he was told multiple times that he could not enter. After refusing to leave, an officer escorted him from the club. Jackson eventually was handcuffed because he tried to pull away from an officer, according to the police report. Jackson was instructed to sit in a golf cart, but he walked away when the officer left, police said. The officer told him once again to stay in the golf cart, but Jackson ran away, police said. He was caught and taken into the corrections office at Hard Rock Stadium. Monty Williams, the new head coach for the Suns, declined to comment on the arrest at his introductory news conference. He did talk about wanting to help Jackson. "All of us could make better decisions off the floor, and I'm the head of that line. I just didn't get caught, and that's a reality. So I'm not going to comment on his off-the-court stuff. I want to be a part of the solution if I can, and I think that's where I've made an impact on young men." Recently, trade rumors have surrounded Jackson, but NBA insiders told The Arizona Republic he wasn't on the trading block. Off-the-court issues Phoenix selected Jackson, a 6-foot-8 small forward, fourth overall in the 2017 NBA draft. He became a collegiate star in his one season at Kansas, but he had off-court issues. Kansas coach Bill Self suspended him for one game in the 2017 Big 12 Tournament after he was cited for "duty upon striking an unattended vehicle, inattentive driving and improper backing" on campus. He was also charged with criminal property damage in 2016 when a Kansas women's basketball player told police Jackson yelled at her and did more than $3,000 worth of damage to her car at a party. The NBA fined him $35,000 for making a "menacing gesture" and directing "inappropriate language" at a fan during a Oct. 21 game in Los Angeles against the Clippers. The Phoenix Suns fined him $20,000 for missing an autograph session at a Fry's grocery store in February. He apologized and said he had "family issues," but the team said he violated team rules. "Honestly, it shouldn't have never been public knowledge," Jackson said at the time. "We have team rules. We've been fined in the past before and you've never known about it. That shouldn't be public information." Mother's legal issues According to Maricopa County Superior Court records, Villela was convicted of child abuse and domestic violence charges resulting from an incident in 2007. Police were called to the Scottsdale Family Advocacy Center after a child said he was hit with a belt on his legs and back by Villela. The child and his sibling told the officer they were spanked repeatedly by Villela. One of them claimed it was up to 30 times. A nurse documented injuries and bruising on the children on the legs, thighs, buttocks and back. According to the police report, Villela stated she spanked the children for discipline reasons. She said the younger one did not have any significant bruises before or after the spanking. She was not able to explain the cause of his injuries, according to the police report. An officer located a wool belt in the home and asked Villela if it was the one that was used. Villela said it was, but that she spanked one of the children with the wool part of the belt until he laughed and then used the metal buckle to hit him. Republic reporter Duane Rankin contributed to this article. Have thoughts about Arizona's legal system? Reach criminal justice reporter Lauren Castle at Lauren.Castle@gannett.com . Follow her on Twitter: @Lauren_Castle . Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today . See 154,000 government salaries: We've assembled the largest database of employees' salaries in the state, including: STATE EMPLOYEES ASU, NAU and UA EMPLOYEES PHOENIX, MESA, TEMPE WORKERS MORE THAN 20 AGENCIES Start exploring at data.azcentral.com Listen to The Republic's political podcast LATEST EPISODE: How Phoenix City Council's two newest members could affect your neighborhood SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Stitcher This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Josh Jackson of Phoenix Suns accused of getting infant high


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Matt Chapman knows how close he came to scoring the winning run in the 10th inning. Instead, the Minnesota Twins triumphed in the 12th when Mitch Garver hit a go-ahead single with one out to send his team past the Oakland Athletics 4-3 on Wednesday night. In the 10th, the A's challenged whether catcher Garver tagged Chapman at home trying for the would-be winning run on Mark Canha's slow chopper that third baseman Miguel Sano charged and fired home. The out call was upheld, though manager Bob Melvin said after the game, ''he looked safe to me.'' ''It's one of those plays that's just bang-bang, it could go either way. I don't know if video was conclusive enough to overturn something, especially when it's going to end the game like that,'' Chapman said. ''Obviously looking back on it now it's a huge play and we'd love to have that go our way. That would have been huge. We had other opportunities to win the game, too.'' A's closer Blake Treinen (2-3) issued consecutive one-out walks and Byron Buxton hustled home as the Twins won for just the second time in their last six games. Late lineup addition Jorge Polanco hit a tying solo homer in the eighth for the Twins. That marked Minnesota's 161st homer through 85 games, tying the pre-All-Star break record set by the Yankees last year. Treinen returned from the 10-day injured list and though Melvin planned to use him at least once in a non-pressure situation initially, that wasn't how it worked out in his first appearance since a shaky outing June 20, when he surrendered three earned runs to Tampa Bay without retiring a batter. Oakland needed him. ''We just want to make sure he's healthy,'' Melvin said. Both teams missed chances in the 11th and the A's in the 12th when Jurickson Profar was tagged out at second. Blake Parker (1-2) worked out of trouble in each of his two innings for the win, striking out three. Taylor Rogers finished the 4-hour, 40-minute game for his 11th save. ''It took a lot. We've played a handful of games already this year similar to this one where it takes a mental fortitude from everybody involved to maintain your composure and continue to play,'' Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. ''Our guys did that again. We've been tested in some pretty unique ways this year. For our guys to go out there again and grind this win out, it's extremely satisfying.'' A's second baseman Franklin Barreto committed consecutive errors on one play in the seventh - a fielding error when he didn't step on the bag then a wild throw to first - and Minnesota got a run back. Initially Barreto was credited with making a putout at second against Ehire Adrianza but Twins challenged Adrianza was safe the call was overturned on review, then Adrianza was caught in a rundown going for home when Byron Buxton a squeeze. Ramon Laureano hit a three-run homer off Twins starter Kyle Gibson in the second to give Mike Fiers an early cushion. Oakland has homered in eight straight games. Fiers retired the first 14 Twins batters in order before Sano's two-out double in the fifth. The Oakland right-hander, 6-0 over his last 11 starts, settled for a no-decision after allowing two runs on five hits over six innings. He struck out four and didn't walk a batter for the sixth time this year. Oakland dropped to 9-2 against the AL Central this season and 61-21 dating to Aug. 23, 2016. ALL-STAR AGAIN Right-hander Jose Berrios is headed to a second straight AL All-Star game after being added for next week's Midsummer Classic in Cleveland when teammate Jake Odorizzi had to pull out because of a blister. Baldelli called after Berrios had finished breakfast Wednesday at the team hotel. ''I'll be honest with you, I've been waiting for that call all week,'' said Berrios, whose own blister on his pitching hand has completely healed. ''I've been throwing the ball pretty well,'' he said. TRAINER'S ROOM Twins: DH Marwin Gonzalez was a late scratch because of a bruised right big toe he hurt fouling a ball off the foot Tuesday night. Gonzalez was going to have the toe examined to make sure it's nothing serios, manager Rocco Baldelli said. Gonzalez was banged up in general needing a break and was listed as day-to-day. Polanco started in his place, batting third. ... RHP Odorizzi went on the 10-day injured list with the blister on his right middle finger that he hurt during Tuesday's losing start. Minnesota recalled RHP Zack Littell from Triple-A Rochester to fill the roster spot. Athletics: Top prospect LHP Jesus Luzardo has had another setback. He came out of his start for Triple-A Las Vegas after four innings Tuesday and an MRI exam revealed a Grade 2 lat strain on the left side. There is no timetable for his return, the A's said. ... LHP Sean Manaea will follow up his 30-pitch bullpen session from Tuesday with another in the coming days before the A's determine when to have him start a rehab assignment. Manaea had shoulder surgery in September then last month dealt with a sore muscle in his right side. ... RHP Jharel Cotton, who had surgery last month on his strained right hamstring that he injured working back from Tommy John surgery, is set to throw live batting practice Thursday at Class-A Stockton. UP NEXT Berrios (8-4, 2.89 ERA) starts the afternoon series finale looking to bounce back from a loss his last time out and is trying to beat the A's for the first time in four career starts. Oakland counters with RHP Tanner Anderson (0-3, 7.13) in his fifth career start. -- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/tag/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


The Angels has designated starting pitcher Matt Harvey for assignment, the team announced Friday. The #Angels have made the following transactions: RHP Jake Jewell was optioned to Salt Lake following last night's game. RHP Jaime Barria   Recalled from Salt Lake 1B/LHP Jared Walsh   Recalled from Salt Lake RHP Matt Harvey   Designated for Assignment   Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) July 19, 2019 Harvey is 3-5 on the season with a career-worst 7.09 ERA over 59 2/3 innings across 12 starts. His ERA is the highest in the American League among pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched this season. Only Rockies lefthander Kyle Freeland has a worse ERA (7.39 entering play Friday) than Harvey this season. Harvey last took the mound Thursday in a 6-2 loss to the Astros . He surrendered six runs over six innings and allowed two home runs and gave up five walks in the outing. It was the sixth time this season Harvey allowed at least four runs in a contest. Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn) Harvey, 30, went 7-7 with the Reds last season with a 4.50 ERA over 24 starts after being traded by the Mets .


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Downtown? According to Walk Score, this Cleveland neighborhood has excellent walkability, is fairly bikeable and is a haven for transit riders. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Downtown is currently hovering around $1,068. So, what might you expect to find with a budget of $1,100/month? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental listings, via Zumper and Apartment Guide . (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) 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. 740 W. Superior Ave. Listed at $1,099/month, this 670-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom is located at 740 W. Superior Ave. In the unit, you can anticipate hardwood floors. The building offers on-site laundry. Cats and dogs are not welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 1300 W. Ninth St. Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom over at 1300 W. Ninth St. It's listed for $1,085/month for its 630 square feet of space. The building has on-site laundry, assigned parking and a fitness center. In the unit, there is a dishwasher, a walk-in closet and a balcony. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. (See the complete listing here .) 1717 E. Ninth St. Finally, check out this 785-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom that's located at 1717 E. Ninth St. It's listed for $1,038/month. In the furnished unit, you'll have a dishwasher, in-unit laundry and a balcony. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are welcome here. Building amenities include a fitness center, garage parking and outdoor space. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


In search of a new favorite Mexican spot? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Mexican restaurants around Mesa, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to venture next time you're on the hunt. 1. Rubio's Topping the list is Rubio's . Located at 937 N. Dobson Road in Mesa Grande, it's the highest rated budget-friendly Mexican restaurant in Mesa, boasting four stars out of 114 reviews on Yelp. 2. Backyard Taco Next up is Backyard Taco , situated at 1524 E. University. With 4.5 stars out of 1,296 reviews on Yelp, the Mexican spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for an inexpensive option. 3. Adrian's Finally, there's Adrian's , a local favorite with 4.5 stars out of 247 reviews. Stop by 1011 W. Main St. to check it out next time you're looking to satisfy your cravings for Mexican food on a budget. 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.


The death toll from a major cyclone that hit eastern India and Bangladesh in early May rose to 77 on Monday as anger grew over millions of people still without power and water. Cyclone Fani, the first summer cyclone to hit India's Bay of Bengal coast in 43 years, made landfall in Odisha state on May 3 packing winds up to 200 kilometres (125 miles) per hour. The winds damaged half a million houses, uprooted hundreds of thousands of trees and knocked out power, telecommunications and water for millions of people in one of India's poorest states. The Indian death toll, which earlier stood at 41, shot up with fresh casualties reported from Puri and Khurda districts on Sunday. Thirteen people also perished in Bangladesh after Fani barrelled northwards. "The toll has gone up to 64 with maximum deaths (39) reported from Puri," an official at the State Emergency Operation Centre told AFP. India initially won praise, including from the United Nations, for moving some 1.2 million people to safety before the storm arrived, in what Odisha's chief minister called the "biggest human evacuation in history". But this praise has turned to anger for many local people at what they see as the slow pace of reconstruction and apathy from the authorities. "I have lost my thatched house in the cyclone. No one from the government has come to see my damaged house," Shantilata Mishra, a resident in the Puri district, was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency. "I do not know when they will assess the damage and give me assistance to construct my house," she said. Angry survivors have even been taking to the streets to protest the slow pace of relief as well as high prices of essential food items and water. On Sunday, demonstrators blocking roads in Odisha's state capital Bhubaneswar said a lack of coordination among various government agencies was compounding their misery. "There is a limit to our patience. We are being made to spend sleepless nights. We have to purchase drinking water at exorbitant prices," a protester told PTI. Another protester said the government had failed to provide "basic necessities such as water and power despite having promised to restore power supply by Sunday". Odisha's Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has said the assessment of damaged houses would begin on May 15 and promised financial help to affected families. Senior officers will supervise the assessment process and "all efforts will be made to ensure that not a single beneficiary is left out", his office tweeted Sunday. On Sunday a nine-member team from Delhi arrived to take stock of the damage. Normally the storms hit around October and November and Fani was only the third cyclone to come off the Bay of Bengal in the summer months in 150 years. In 1999 the same state was hit by a super-cyclone that left nearly 10,000 dead.


Former Bears running back Jordan Howard once looked like a player capable of finishing his career in Chicago as one of the most productive players at his position in franchise history. He exploded onto the scene with a franchise record 1,313 rushing yards as a rookie and finished that season (2016) second in the NFL in rushing. He came back the following year to eclipse 1,100 yards in what many considered a down season, but in 2018, his Bears career came apart at the seams. One of the first questions asked after Matt Nagy was named head coach was whether Howard would be a fit in the offense. And while Nagy did his best that offseason to be politically correct and touted Howard as the team's lead back, it was obvious by year's end that a change was needed. Howard finished 2018 with just 935 yards and a career-worst 3.7 yards per carry. He was traded in late-March to the Eagles for a 2020 sixth-round pick. It was quite the fall for a one-time fan-favorite. But it may have been the best thing for Howard, who's being used in Philadelphia a lot more like he was during his productive rookie season. "I feel like they're allowing me to do more, show my game off more instead of just being one-dimensional like Chicago had me," Howard said via the Philadelphia Inquirer . According to Howard, the Eagles' offense is even more expansive than what Nagy brought to the Bears. "I thought it was going to be similar to Chicago, but it's a lot more diverse. We do a lot more than Chicago does. So I'd definitely say it's a lot different." Howard will jockey for carries in 2019 with rookie second-round pick Miles Sanders (Penn State), but he's a safe bet to at least begin the season as the primary ball carrier. It will be a difficult task to hold off Sanders all season, but if Howard has truly regained his 2016 form, the Eagles will have no reason to take him off the field. View embedded content MORE: Did Nike accidentally reveal that Kevin Durant is staying with the Warriors? Why James Holzhauer's small Final Jeopardy! bet made total sense Should Bills fans worry about Roger Goodell's comments? Roundup: iTunes Done; Chipotle Prices; North Carolina Shark Attack; Billionaire Jay-Z Joe Thomas defends Odell Beckham Jr. vs. the negative media


Editor's note: The opinions in this article are the author's, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft. P resident Trump evidently knows something about the art of the tariff threat. His unorthodox Twitter diplomacy has gotten Mexico to make potentially important public commitments on immigration enforcement. Trump said he was going to slap steadily escalating tariffs on Mexico unless it did more to help with the border crisis, a threat with huge downside risks. If implemented, the tariffs would have been disruptive at a time when U.S. growth is perhaps slowing, been an economic gut-punch to an allied country whose stability is important to us, and probably precipitated a congressional revolt against the policy. Instead, Trump has a win that is likely more than a mere PR victory. Mexico is devoting 6,000 troops to attempting to better police its own border with Guatemala. It's unclear what this will produce, although it can't hurt. More important is the extension of the Migration Protection Protocols (MPP), or the "remain in Mexico" policy. Under this arrangement, we can return asylum-seekers to Mexico while their claims   almost always ultimately rejected   are adjudicated. This avoids one of the biggest problems of our current policy, which allows asylum-seekers into the country, never to be removed, even if their claims are rejected and they are ordered deported. Mexico wasn't particularly enthusiastic about MPP and limited the number of asylum-seekers it would accept to a trickle. Now it is saying it will accept them with no restrictions. That's a big deal, although our capacity to process the migrants for return is limited, and it remains to be seen how much Mexico will do to follow through on its commitment. The deal at least makes it possible, though, for us to prevent Central American family units from automatically gaining entry into the country, and thus it significantly reduces the incentive for a future flow of migrants. The New York Times had a report over the weekend throwing cold water on the deal, saying its component parts had already been agreed to months ago. It's no secret that the U.S. has been pushing Mexico in this direction for a while (indeed, prior talks that the Times calls "secret" were publicly announced). It's still an accomplishment to get Mexico to commit openly to fuller, more urgent cooperation with the U.S. In addition, there is an understanding that if the deal doesn't work, the U.S. and Mexico will discuss a broader accord on asylum policy   perhaps on a regional basis   to require migrants to seek asylum in the first country they enter. This would have the same effect as "safe third country" agreements, keeping migrants from traveling through countries where they could seek asylum if they weren't desperate to get to the United States for economic reasons. It would have a transformative effect at the border, although whether such a regional agreement could really be reached is an open question. In our editorial last week, we said, "If Trump's tariff threat gets Mexico to sign such [a safe-third-country] agreement, we will be the first to congratulate him on his successful brinkmanship. But it is more likely that Mexico will make some assurances that will be enough to get Trump to relent, while not changing anything fundamental on immigration." It looks to be something in between. Mexico hasn't signed a safe-third-country agreement, but its assurances could be more than symbolic. As we've repeatedly said before, it's shameful that the U.S. Congress doesn't make the policy changes that could alleviate the border crisis immediately. Instead, Trump has to look to Mexico, and given the blunderbuss weapon he was wielding, the deal that was announced over the weekend is welcome, and better than could reasonably have been expected.


Outside the entrance to the Chicago Ale Fest, attendees were determined to make the most of what was left of an afternoon spent on Chicago's front yard, sampling as much craft beer as possible before another cloudburst turned their necklaces made of pretzels into a soggy mess. The white tents at Butler Field last weekend signaled that Grant Park festival season is about to hit its stride. But at a handful of smaller fests like Ale Fest that see up to 10,000 visitors, attendees may not notice some behind-the-scenes changes. In February, the Chicago Park District's top watchdog released a report accusing the president of a Grant Park nonprofit of lining up steep discounts on permits and reselling them to promoters for additional "donations" of as much as $25,000. The report found the Grant Park Conservancy raised about $1 million in the names of the Park District and Grant Park over the years without donating the funds to the Park District. The nonprofit, the Grant Park Conservancy, is no longer involved in sponsoring festivals for the park, and the president, Bob O'Neill, is no longer negotiating permits. Park District let nonprofit president raise funds that mostly paid his salary, didn't help Grant Park, watchdog find » Some festivals are down to a single day. Promoters' rental fees have doubled from a few years ago, and at least one entrance fee went up - but all the money now is going to the Park District . A nearly 15-year-old festival - the Windy City Wine Festival - was canceled entirely. Outside the entrance to the summer edition of the Ale Fest, hours before everyone would be evacuated because of the storm, Brittany Erker said she and family members were return visitors. They enjoy the wide selection of breweries and, usually, nice weather. She was glad the festival was back. But Erker, 29, said her mother was also a fan of the wine festival, and "she was wondering why it wasn't happening this year." Peter D'Amico, 48, of Woodridge, worked with a vendor for a few years at the Windy City Wine Festival and attended in recent years as a customer. "It was mostly a festival that was meant to be fun and was," D'Amico said. "People would come and they'd stand in line and get their drinks. They didn't really treat it like a wine tasting. It really was more like a festival." But last year, attendance appeared to significantly drop, D'Amico said. "It seemed like they would struggle to fill the place." The Park District said it hasn't seen a decline in applications or interest, and new festival applications remain market-driven. In a Thursday interview, O'Neill said outdoor events are difficult to produce. "If it's so lucrative to be in Grant Park, other than something like Lollapalooza, something massive with a lot of money behind it, why is the Windy City Wine Festival canceled?" he said. "Why is the Ale Fest down to one day? It's because it's cost-prohibitive. We at least threw those festivals and raised money for the Park District." 'Never sold permits' Emails, contracts and permits obtained by the Tribune show that O'Neill acted as the go-between for promoters and the Park District for years, negotiating multiyear contracts with the Park District's revenue department, encouraging it to sign off on discounted rates and applying for discounted liquor licenses. The Park District approved nonprofit discounts even though the fests included profiting vendors. O'Neill then collected additional donations of $10,000 and $25,000 from promoters, according to the inspector general's report. In 2017, about 80 percent of the conservancy's revenue went toward O'Neill's salary. The conservancy reported $64,734 in total revenue in 2017, and O'Neill received $51,582 in compensation and benefits. Promoters told the inspector general they did not know most of the money raised paid O'Neill's salary and that they could negotiate directly with the Park District. The inspector general determined that O'Neill's leadership roles in the conservancy as well as the Grant Park Advisory Council, a volunteer group dedicated to the park, presented conflicts of interest as he was raising money through the conservancy. O'Neill was suspended as president of the advisory council in 2017, according to the Park District. But O'Neill says he is still president of the conservancy. After the release of the report, O'Neill denied all allegations of wrongdoing and called the report a "witch hunt." The Park District signed off on every permit and contract for years, the donations were built into contracts with longtime promoters and the conservancy worked tirelessly to improve the park, he said. O'Neill said he plans to release a report refuting the claims in the inspector general's report. "The Park District asked us to have the events," O'Neill said. "We never sold permits." The Park District denied asking O'Neill to organize festivals. In a January 2016 email about working out a partnership with a vegan food fest, O'Neill explained his role. "We spend a lot of time and work hard balancing all the Grant Park events with the Grant Park neighbors and general public and have done so for years because we believe that these events are a great way to activate Grant Park and draw more people to the park," O'Neill wrote. "They also make the park more interesting. They also create funds to improve the park. These events bring in much-needed revenue not only directly but for the city in general in economic development. As you know, it is not easy dealing with many people who want to protest activating Grant Park or protesting private sponsorship and revenue sources." Windy City Wine Festival The Windy City Wine Festival was the first festival partnership that involved O'Neill and the conservancy. As a three-year contract was wrapping up, promoters paid $28,521 to the Park District and donated an additional $21,596 to the conservancy in 2016. O'Neill emailed the district's revenue department in the months leading up to the 2017 fest about negotiating another three-year contract. He said the fest was at risk of leaving the park for Wrigley Field and replied to quoted prices from the Park District - $30,000 for rental, $15,000 for loading days and about $2,000 in additional fees - saying the numbers didn't reflect what the conservancy and advisory council had done to raise money and improve the park. In 2017, wine fest promoters paid $35,007 for a two-day fest with two loading days, and a $15,010 donation was made to the conservancy. The Park District began rejecting nonprofit permit or partnership applications on a temporary basis in March 2018. That summer, the Grant Park Conservancy was no longer a sponsor of the fest. Ticket prices went up $10; promoters were charged $41,141 for the two-day festival, and there were no additional donations to the conservancy. The fest was part of a festival business purchase, promoter KemperLesnik said in a statement, and after "evaluating the results of that business for a few years, it was determined that they did not fit our strategic or financial objectives, and so we made the decision to discontinue the entire festival business, including the Windy City Wine Festival, following the 2018 season." Chicago Ale Fest O'Neill also negotiated on behalf of the ale fest , which kicked off in 2015. In 2016, promoters paid $16,397 for a two-day day festival plus loading days at Buckingham Fountain North Plaza. A donation of $10,000 went to the conservancy, according to the inspector general's report. In an email about securing dates for the following year, O'Neill said the fest could be lost to Navy Pier. For the ale fest in 2017, promoters were charged $40,530 for a two-day fest plus setup and teardown, with a move to Butler Field. But they ended up paying $16,500 after $24,030 in discounts were applied. In 2018, after conservancy sponsorships were being rejected , promoters of the two-day Chicago Ale Fest paid $36,050. This year, the Ale Fest was down to a single day and paid $42,800. Promoter Lou Dog Events declined to comment on matters involving the festival and the conservancy. Vegan Food and Drink Festival In 2016 and 2017, the Vegan Food and Drink Festival , produced by the nonprofit Ecorazzi but negotiated by O'Neill, was charged about $31,000. For a single-day fest at Butler Field, plus setup and teardown, promoters paid $18,703.50 in 2016 and 18,176.20 in 2017 after discounts, according to Park District permits. In 2018, promoters paid $35,800 for a one-day fest. This summer, the festival is scheduled to take place June 22 at Butler Field. Promoters were charged $37,600. A promoter for Ecorazzi did not return requests for comment. For smaller events, O'Neill sometimes requested in emails that the Park District waive rental fees entirely. The VIBEUP Yoga and Health Festival, associated with the conservancy, paid $500 in 2016 to rent the Logan Monument area after receiving $14,920 in discounts off an original $15,420 charge, according to permits. Promoters paid nothing in 2017 on a $13,510 charge. Moving ahead The inspector general's report recommended the Park District consider having the Internal Revenue Service as well as city and state taxing authorities review the conservancy's operations, among other oversight. The Park District said it has responded to the report by implementing procedures with its revenue department to confirm nonprofit status. The nonprofit section of the special event permit application has been changed, with an addition that says that in requesting the discount, "the applicant attests that 100% net proceeds shall inure exclusively to the benefit of the sponsoring organization and not to any private shareholder or person." Multiple board members listed on the conservancy's website told the Tribune they have not been involved with the organization for years. One member listed died in 2018. But the nonprofit is still active and in good standing, according to the Illinois secretary of state's office. O'Neill said about a dozen board members are still active and that he's moving ahead with projects like the Chopin Garden. Mary Zavett, a longtime board member who lives near Grant Park, said she watched as the park went from shabby to "pretty fabulous." "And Bob is responsible for that," she said. "He subsists on the least amount of money that any grown person can live on." Zavett said her block's streetlights have been broken for almost a month. "I have called 311 five times to get those lights fixed. And guess what, if Bob were in charge, it would be fixed," she said. At a February board meeting for the Grant Park Advisory Council, O'Neill was present and vocal as an election for new leadership was held. Meanwhile, another advisory council is moving ahead with monthly meetings and the task of aiding the park. Leslie Recht, president of the new Grant Park Advisory Council, said her council has set up a committee for the skate park and cultural affairs and is committed to transparency. The next meeting is June 19 at the Maggie Daley Fieldhouse. "I'm very excited," Recht said. "This is not a one-person operation and it shouldn't be. There's too much to do in Grant Park." Chicago Tribune's Madeline Buckley contributed. mgreene@chicagotribune.com Read more local breaking news »


A year ago, Brook Lopez settled for the room exception from the Bucks. He turned into Giannis Antetokounmpo 's most important teammate. Lopez's 3-point shooting and rim protection proved awesome complements to Milwaukee's superstar. The Bucks won 60 games and reached the conference finals with Lopez playing an important role. Now, as expected , Lopez will get rewarded. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN: Once free agency opens at 6 PM ET, Brook Lopez is planning to sign a four-year, $52M deal to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks, league sources tell ESPN.   Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019 With those terms, Lopez's lowest-possible starting salary is $12,093,023. The Bucks have enough cap space to pay that and keep cap holds for Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon . After signing Lopez, Milwaukee can use Middleton's and Brogdon's Bird Rights to exceed the cap. That could get expensive and push Milwaukee into the luxury tax. It's unclear how much tax ownership will pay. But retaining the team's core is at least now allowable under salary-cap rules.


Oakland Here's what you need to know about what's happening in Oakland. Update: About 7,400 reportedly without power in Berkeley, Oakland About 2,000 customers have reportedly lost power south of the UC Berkeley campus and into the Elmwood neighborhood, according to PG&E's outage map. Read the full story on Berkeleyside . Oakland's budget battle heats up | East Bay Express The city's current budget season has become a veritable kabuki of familiar players and conflicts. Read the full story on East Bay Express . Oakland Raiders to be featured on HBO show 'Hard Knocks' this summer HARD KNOCKS: Oakland Raiders training camp will be featured on the hit HBO show this summer. Read the full story on ABC Bay Area, KGO . NBA Finals: Warriors keep their season alive with win over Raptors The Golden State Warriors kept their season alive with a 106-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors in Game 5 the NBA Finals on Monday. Read the full story on Los Angeles Times . Ghost Ship trial: A weary dad sits in court every day, missing his daughter David Gregory, whose 20-year-old daughter Michela died in the Ghost Ship fire, sits in court every day, wearing her ashes around his neck. Read the full story on Los Angeles Times . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.