Because this fruit makes every recipe better. Summer is officially here, which means strawberries are ripe and ready to be picked. Whether you're looking to sweeten up snack time or are on the hunt for the perfect post-dinner treat , these desserts will more will hit the spot. No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake This cheesecake - without the topping - can be prepared up to three days before you plan on serving this treat. Get the recipe for No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake. Rhubarb Twists with Rhubarb Compote Don't forget to accompany this low-cost recipe with a delicious ricotta dip. Get the recipe for Rhubarb Twists with Rhubarb Compote. Strawberry and Snickers Sticks Not only do these dessert sticks combine the crowd-favorite combo, strawberries and snickers, but it's also drizzled with dulce de leche. Get the recipe for Strawberry and Snickers Sticks. No-Churn Banana Split Ice Cream You can refrigerate this homemade ice cream for up to two weeks. Get the recipe for No-Churn Banana Split Ice Cream. Summer Fruit Tarts You can make each tart to fit your family's taste. Get the recipe for Summer Fruit Tarts. Meringue Wreath This recipe calls for edible flowers, but you can switch them out with even more strawberries! Get the recipe for Meringue Wreath. Strawberry Short Cupcakes These cupcakes are filled with whipped cream, strawberry jam, orange zest, and strawberries for a delicious dessert. Get the recipe for Strawberry Short-Cupcakes. Hidden Surprise Cupcakes The surprise? Strawberry jam on the inside! Get the recipe for Hidden Surprise Cupcakes. Red-White-and-Blue Berry Pizza Aside from the pieces of strawberry, this recipe calls for your favorite strawberry jam. Get the recipe for Red-White-and-Blue Berry Pizza. Fresh Berry Ice Cream Piewiches These mixed berry ice cream sandwiches - complete with pie crust ends - get an extra touch of sweetness thanks to strawberry jam. Get the recipe for Fresh Berry Ice Cream Piewiches. Strawberry Pizza Pizza doesn't always call for tomatoes . Swap out the vegetable for summer fruit and you've got a sweet take on pizza. Get the recipe for Strawberry Pizza. Strawberry Tamales Instead of hot tamales, serve yours sweet. Family and friends will love this strawberry twist on the traditional Mesoamerican dish. Get the recipe for Strawberry Tamales. Pavlovas with Strawberries and Cream These elegant meringue treats will satisfy every sweet tooth. Get the recipe for Pavlovas with Strawberries and Cream. Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumbles Rhubarb and juicy berries combine for the perfect summery treat. Get the recipe for Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumbles . Pound Cake and Strawberry Kabobs Pound cake is playful on a skewer, but it's also fabulous cut into slices and grilled whole-either way, place in a bowl and pile it high with ice cream for a mouthwatering summer treat. Get the recipe for Pound Cake and Strawberry Kabobs . Strawberry Rhubarb Layer Cake Move over, strawberry rhubarb pie! This luscious vanilla cake, layered with fresh compote and frosted with sweet, cream cheese icing, is sure to become a family favorite. Get the recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Layer Cake . Strawberry Ice Cream Cheesecake For an especially hot day, try a no-bake , frozen cheesecake full of fresh, ripe strawberries. Get the recipe for Strawberry Ice Cream Cheesecake . Berry Shortcakes This juicy, decadent summer dessert combines two classic seasonal favorites - berry shortcake and rich ice cream. Get the recipe for Berry Shortcakes. Strawberry Tart This tart is as tasty as it is beautiful. Get the recipe for Strawberry Tart. Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Strawberries Guests will love the alternating layers of cake, fresh strawberries, and jam in this fresh cake recipe. Throw edible flowers on top for decoration. Get the recipe for Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Strawberries. Strawberry Sundae Bites Why use a bowl for ice cream sundaes when you can have bite-sized portions? Get the recipe from Delish . Strawberry Champagne Trifle Not only does this cake taste like champagne, it also has champagne-infused whipped cream! Get the recipe from Delish . Strawberry Milkshake Pie Jell-o meets pie meets milkshakes. And it's all about strawberries. Get the recipe from Delish . Cherry-Berry Jumble Fruit Pie All the berries come together to compliment this cherry fruit pie. Get the recipe from Country Living . Chocolate-Strawberry Cheesecakes These bite-sized cheesecakes are even better with the chocolate-covered strawberries on top. Get the recipe from Delish . Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Cake Although the total baking time for this cake is over six hours, the flavor is worth the wait. Get the recipe from Delish . PB&J Cupcakes Use your favorite strawberry jam to make the frosting for these cupcakes. Get the recipe from Good Housekeeping . Banana Split Kebabs It only takes bananas, pineapples, strawberries, and chocolate to make these fruit kebabs. Get the recipe from Delish . Pink Lemonade Cupcakes These pink lemonade cupcakes take just 35 minutes to prep and bake. Get the recipe from Delish . Homemade Strawberry Cake It's not just the frosting that has strawberries, but the cake is also infused with strawberry compote. Get the recipe from Delish . Strawberry Shortcake Cookies These shortcake cookies are filled with strawberry chunks and cream filling. Get the recipe from Delish .


In a huge shock in Lyon, Megan Rapinoe has been left out of the USA's starting lineup for their World Cup semifinal against England. The first question on you mind is quite simply, why? [ WATCH: England v. USWNT live on NBCSN ] Rapinoe, 33, has scored all four of the USWNT's goals in the knockout rounds so far with two goals in the last two games against Spain and France, but her overall play hasn't matched her output in terms of goals. Even so, this is a huge call in a World Cup semifinal from U.S. head coach Jill Ellis, as Rapinoe is one of the leaders and veterans of this team. Christen Press has been brought in to replace Rapinoe in the starting lineup, and that suggests this is probably a tactical switch as Press can pin back Lucy Bronze, England's right back and best player. Rapinoe has looked shattered at the end of recent games and Press can work the flank better against the power and pace of Bronze. [ WATCH: Every Women's World Cup game ] Still, some of the scenes before the game in Lyon were peculiar as Rapinoe stood to one side of the pitch while her teammates warmed up and she didn't participate in the warm-up at all despite being changed into her kit. That could suggest she isn't fit to play any part in the game. Several reporters at the stadium also said that no reason would be given for Rapinoe's absence, but that a spokesperson for the team said it was not for disciplinary reasons following her recent comments about President Donald Trump. Rapinoe's girlfriend Sue Bird released an article on Tuesday hitting out at Trump's treatment of Rapinoe. Intriguing… Way down there is Megan Rapinoe, who has played no part in the warm-up. Which would suggest a knock rather than tactical reasons. pic.twitter.com/V5oRCNUuJ1   Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) July 2, 2019 Follow @JPW_NBCSports


NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes suffered multiple fractures to his right ankle following an accident Saturday at his ranch in Port St. Lucie, Florida, team general manager Brodie Van Wagenen announced Monday. "He had a violent fall in which he stepped in a hole and put his leg and foot in a difficult position," Van Wagenen said at a press conference. Cespedes is currently in NYC being evaluated at the Hospital for Special Surgery. It is unknown what impact the injuries will have on him playing for the remainder of this year and beyond. Cespedes, 33, has yet to play this season after undergoing surgery on both heels. He hasn't played since last July. He is in the third season of a four-year, $110 million contract. Like 1010 WINS on Facebook and follow @1010WINS on Twitter to get breaking news, traffic, and weather for New York City.


Miami will see a return of last week's warm temperatures over the next few days, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Temperatures will reach a high of 86 degrees on Thursday. Also expect partly cloudy skies today and tomorrow. Skies will start to clear up on Sunday. Winds will continue to be light through the week, with the highest speeds today at only 9 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.


According to a report by The Guardian , Manchester City has turned down a sizable $89 million bid from German champions Bayern Munich for winger Leroy Sane. Guardian journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that he expects Bayern to seriously consider coming back with a larger bid as the club looks to pry Sane from the back-to-back Premier League champions. Sane's contract expires in the summer of 2021, meaning with two years left on his deal, this would be the time for City to sell at top dollar. [ MORE: Thursday Transfer Rumor Roundup ] The 23-year-old has struggled for playing time at Manchester City over the past season, a fact which could work in Bayern's favor. While he has racked up 63 Premier League appearances over the two championship seasons, Sane saw his minutes drop from over 2,400 last season to just 1,867 this past campaign, often used as a substitute late in games. He was especially under-utilized towards the end of the season as the team fought with Liverpool for the title, left as an unused substitute just as often as he made the starting lineup after January   five times. Still, according to the report, Manchester City desperately wants to keep Sane at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola confirmed after the FA Cup final that the club has offered Sane a contract extension recently, saying, "We offered to extend his contract. We want him to stay. What proof is more than for six, seven months we want to extend his contract? If we don't want him, we don't extend his contract." Should Sane depart, Manchester City still sports outstanding depth on the wing, with Raheem Sterling , Riyad Mahrez , Bernardo Silva , Fabian Delph , and David Silva all capable of playing out wide. Bayern Munich is hoping to replace the departing duo of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, both of whom are leaving the club at the expiration of their contracts. Kingsley Coman is a good bet to earn more playing time on the left and Serge Gnabry has impressed on the right, with both players under the age of 24, but Coman has struggled with injury problems in the past and Gnabry has a small sample size of success at the highest level. Sane has experience in the Bundesliga, arriving at Manchester City in the summer of 2016 from German side Schalke, making 47 German top-flight appearances for the club before his departure. Follow @the_bonnfire


SALT LAKE CITY   A new proposal could mean bigger crowds at one of the most exclusive hiking spots in the southwestern United States. The federal Bureau of Land Management proposed changes Wednesday that would increase daily visitor limits from 20 people to 96 people per day at The Wave, a popular rock formation near the Utah-Arizona border. Permits to hike The Wave have drastically increased over the past five years as the trail gained notoriety for its colorful, contoured landscape. Agency official Mike Herder says the move is aimed at giving more people an opportunity to do the hike. Visitors compete for permits in a monthly online lottery and daily walk-in drawings near the site. Federal data shows more 7,300 people hiked the trail last year out of 150,000 who requested permits.


Want to get out and about this week, without breaking the bank? Here are five ideas for what to do in Detroit for $20 or less. 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. Sweet Crystal & Friends At Aretha's Jazz Cafe From the event description: Join 20-time Detroit Music Award winning band, Sweet Crystal as they take the stage of the Aretha Jazz Cafe in Detroit's Music Hall. A night filled with the music, message, mission and ministry that has kept this rock powerhouse going, decade after decade. Joining them onstage will be two singer/songwriters Noah Tatum and Jill Fitzgerald. When: Wednesday, July 10, 6-9:30 p.m. Where: Aretha's Jazz Cafe, 350 Madison St. Admission: $10 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets DFH x Empty Bowls x Handlebar Detroit From the event description: We have had such an overwhelming request for another bowl painting workshop so, we decided to do it all again! This is an exciting opportunity to gather with friends both new and old and to paint a bowl to benefit Empty Bowls Detroit. The bowl will be used in The Apparatus Room when any customer orders soup from the menu. (Each time an order is placed from the menu, $1 goes towards the Empty Bowls Detroit.) Bring your friends, co-workers, relatives or simply meet other fantastic supports of Empty Bowls Detroit, in the process. The tour will leave at 8:15 p.m., upon the completion of the bowl painting workshop and will return to the hotel at 9:00 p.m. When: Wednesday, July 10, 7-9:30 p.m. Where: Detroit Foundation Hotel, 250 W. Larned St. Admission: $20 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Hip Hop Yoga Detroit x LWY Collective From the event description: Don't miss this dope hip-hop yoga collaboration between Yoganic Flow founder, Kerrie T. and Living Waters Yoga(LWY) owner, Lindsay HustleHard Holder. Yoganic Flow and LWY Collective are bringing the beats and moves to the Living Waters Downtown Detroit Studio. Some of the best hip-hop songs of all time will be played to sweat and move to. Expect to flow to DaBaby, Drake, YG and more. Proceeds will support Yoganic Flow's efforts to continue to provide community yoga classes in the inner city. When: Friday, July 12, 7-8:30 p.m. Where: Living Waters Yoga Detroit, 110 Michigan Ave. Admission: $20 (General admission) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Fleetwood Mac vs ABBA (Dance Party) From the event description: Enjoy a full night dedicated to Fleetwood Mac and ABBA hits. Plus there will be songs by Donna Summer, Queen, Cher, Bee Gees, Boney M, KC & The Sunshine Band and many more. When: Friday, July 12, 10:30 p.m.- Saturday, July 13 11:59 a.m. Where: El Club, 4114 Vernor Highway Admission: $10 (General admission) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets 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.


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. President Trump's lawyers now generate a nonstop stream of frivolous defenses in his all-out assault on Congress. On Monday, they made the ludicrous claim that former White House counsel Donald McGahn, who provided evidence to special counsel Robert S. Mueller III that wound up in the redacted Mueller report, cannot come tell Congress and the American people what he told Mueller. The Post reports on the decision to assert "immunity" to prevent McGahn's testimony: The 15-page legal opinion written by Assistant Attorney General Steven A. Engel argues McGahn cannot be compelled to testify before the committee, based on past Justice Department legal opinions regarding the president's close advisers. The memo says McGahn's immunity from congressional testimony is separate and broader than a claim of executive privilege. Former federal prosecutor Mimi Rocah tells me, "This is a political move, not a real legal one and I don't believe it would be upheld by a court." She explains, "None of the rationales cited for this immunity, which is far broader than Executive Privilege, apply here. But they needed to give McGahn cover to say no." The White House argument is especially weak given that in a case involving Joshua Bolten and Harriet Miers, a federal court in the District of Columbia previously rejected the assertion of an absolute privilege for presidential advisers. Moreover, another D.C. court has held that executive privilege can be waived when the administration "already publicly revealed the sum and substance of the very material it is now seeking to withhold." Constitutional scholar Laurence Tribe tells me, "[The White House's] efforts are totally groundless, as the Harriet Miers case made clear. There simply is no textual, structural, or historical basis for a sitting president to gag his former White House Counsel in response to a House subpoena seeking testimony about possible criminal and potentially impeachable conduct by that president. " He adds, "The place of Congress as a coequal branch would be obliterated if the efforts to silence McGahn could succeed. And all power to hold the president accountable would be destroyed unless those efforts were swiftly repudiated." McGahn is not obligated to respect an entirely fraudulent assertion of immunity. His obligation is to respond to a legally authorized subpoena or face the consequences, including contempt. Beyond his legal peril, any pretensions he had to rescue his reputation, following in the footsteps of John Dean, evaporated with his decision to knuckle under to the White House. As Rocah puts it, "He can still testify and he absolutely should both because it's the right thing to do and because Trump has impugned his integrity and accused him of lying to Mueller." Likewise, former Justice Department spokesman Matthew Miller observes, "McGahn should do his patriotic duty and show up." However, he noted that McGahn has been all too willing to leak stories that make himself sound heroic, but "when it comes time to put his country first, he's falling into line just like the rest of the acolytes around the president." Meanwhile, a federal court in a 41-page opinion rejected Trump's attempt to block a subpoena for his financial documents from the Mazars accounting firm, emphatically rejecting the notion that Congress lacks oversight authority: So long as Congress investigates on a subject matter on which "legislation could be had," Congress acts as contemplated by Article I of the Constitution. Applying those principles here compels the conclusion that President Trump cannot block the subpoena to Mazars. According to the Oversight Committee, it believes that the requested records will aid its consideration of strengthening ethics and disclosure laws, as well as amending the penalties for violating such laws. The Committee also says that the records will assist in monitoring the President's compliance with the Foreign Emoluments Clauses. These are facially valid legislative purposes, and it is not for the court to question whether the Committee's actions are truly motivated by political considerations The court observed, "Congress reasonably might consider those documents in connection with deciding whether to legislate on federal ethics laws and regulations. ... Investigating whether the President is abiding by the Foreign Emoluments Clause is likewise a subject on which legislation, or similar congressional action, could be had." And Congress, of course, has the impeachment power. "It is simply not fathomable that a Constitution that grants Congress the power to remove a President for reasons including criminal behavior would deny Congress the power to investigate him for unlawful conduct past or present even without formally opening an impeachment inquiry," the court found. In rejecting Trump's blanket denial of Congress's oversight power, the court handed the House its first significant victory in Trump's ongoing war against the legislative branch. If Trump attempts to block production of documents, he would then be in contempt of court, a new assault on constitutional government. The ruling should hearten the House on two grounds. First, when dealing with subpoenas and witnesses, the House can turn to the courts to end Trump's stonewalling. Second, the speed with which the court acted should throw doubt on Trump's attempts to delay and run out the clock before the 2020 election. For House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), under increasing pressure to initiate impeachment hearings, the rule might give her some breathing space. Now, however, it will be up to the House to enlist the judicial branch in compelling witnesses such as McGahn to testify. We see a crack opening in Trump's unconstitutional stonewall strategy. It's the courts that might have the will and the ability to defuse a constitutional standoff. Read more: Jonathan Capehart: Two moments that show why Democrats should do a Fox News town hall Henry Olsen: Don't go wobbly on E-Verify, Mr. President Brian Klaas: Why no one should be surprised by the latest Trump corruption mess Greg Sargent: A top Democrat warns: If we don't confront Trump, he'll grow more lawless Catherine Rampell: We don't know what Trump's tax returns are hiding. But the hints are troubling.


Leukemia, or cancer of the blood cells, causes subtle and surprising symptoms throughout the body. These are clear signs you need to get checked. What is leukemia? Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, a malignancy that causes an abnormal production of certain blood cells. As the unhealthy blood cells crowd out healthy ones, blood function begins to falter and you may notice physical symptoms. The disease may get worse quickly if you have a type known as acute leukemia; the disease may progress slowly and get worse over time if you have chronic leukemia, according to the National Institute of Health. Regardless of which type you have, if you notice a collection of these subtle leukemia symptoms, see your health care provider for an evaluation. Make sure you know the other symptoms of cancer that women commonly ignore . Fatigue and weakness Fatigue and weakness are the most common leukemia symptoms, according to Mark Levis, MD, PhD, the director of the leukemia program at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. These signs are often caused by anemia (a deficiency of red blood cells), which only compounds the physical exhaustion. In both chronic and acute cases, you may experience a range from slight fatigue to extreme physical weakness, but in all cases, the symptoms only worsen over time. 'It creeps up on people, that's the problem,' says Dr. Levis. Here are some of the 50 cancer myths you need to stop believing . Shortness of breath As patients grow weaker and more fatigued, they may also experience shortness of breath that stems from anemia or, in much rarer cases, masses in the chest. 'They're panting, they're out of breath,' says Dr. Levis. 'Walking across the room might be difficult.' Shortness of breath also makes the list of lung cancer symptoms . Excessive or spontaneous bruising Unexplained bruises without any physical trauma may be one of many leukemia symptoms, according to Pamela Crilley, DO, chair of the department of medical oncology at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America and chief of medical oncology at the Eastern Regional Medical Center. Unusual bruising is a result of a low platelet count or clotting issues, explains Dr. Levis. 'You will bruise spontaneously, seemingly doing nothing,' he says. 'It can be anywhere, but typically they ll be on the extremities legs and arms.' Try starting one of these 30 simple habits to prevent cancer . Unusual bleeding Similar to bruising, unusual nosebleeds or bleeding in the gums, bowels, lungs, or the head may be a sign of platelet deficiency and clotting problems, which can indicate acute forms of leukemia, says Dr. Crilley. Petechiae (small red spots under the skin caused by bleeding) Dr. Crilley describes petechiae as 'like someone painted little red dots with a pen.' The spots, which you might not notice because of their size, painlessness, and placement in the lower extremities, indicate a low platelet count and are one of the symptoms of leukemia. According to Dr. Levis, petechiae are typically found around the ankles because gravity results in the accumulation of bodily fluids in the lower legs throughout the day. Scientists wish you knew these 21 reassuring things about cancer . Swollen and enlarged gums Although an increase in the size of the gums, also known as gingival hyperplasia, is usually only found in a small portion of acute leukemia patients, it's one of the most obvious leukemia symptoms. 'If you have a patient with leukemia, you always look in their mouth to see if the gingiva has gotten bigger,' says Dr. Crilley. The gum may look swollen, says Dr. Levis, and you nearly always feel a strange tightness in your mouth. Check out these other surprising diseases dentists find first . Feeling full or bloated One sign of chronic and sometimes acute types of leukemia is an enlarged spleen, which may result in a loss of appetite. You might have what's called 'early satiety,' according to Dr. Crilley. 'Patients eat a little bit of food, they feel full quickly because the spleen is pushing up on the stomach,' she says. Discomfort or pain in the upper left abdomen An enlarged spleen caused by leukemia sometimes results in abdominal discomfort or even sharp pain. 'A patient that presented to me with chronic leukemia a few weeks ago, part of his spleen had died off from spleen enlargement,' says Dr. Levis. 'It hurt like heck. It was a sharp pain in his abdomen.' Because the spleen is located in the upper-left quadrant of the abdomen, the discomfort usually occurs there. Don't miss the 29 things you think cause cancer but actually don't . Fever or chills Feverishness or chills are not the most common symptoms, typically only occurring in a quarter of acute leukemia cases and almost never in chronic leukemia cases, according to Dr. Levis. More often, frequent low-grade fevers indicate an infection and a weakened immune system, which may also be related to leukemia. Night sweats Night sweats are often caused by infections that may be linked to leukemia. 'You're just drenched, and the sheets are drenched,' says Dr. Crilley. 'Something like that needs to be investigated.' Pounding headaches Although not common, frequent pounding headaches may be a sign of leukemia-related anemia or even a life-threatening case of bleeding in the head. These are the signs of cancer men are most likely to ignore . Extreme pallor Like headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath, unusual paleness may be a sign of anemia in acute and some chronic leukemia patients. 'If they're looking pretty pale, they're already pretty advanced and pretty sick,' says Dr. Levis. 'They're almost always extremely fatigued. If your red blood cell level is low enough to be pale, you're panting when you go across the room.' Bone pain Achiness in the bones is a relatively uncommon but often clear sign of both chronic and acute types of leukemia, according to Dr. Levis. Leukemic cells are made inside the bone marrow, so if you feel anything from mild achiness to extreme pain in your bones, it's best for you to seek medical attention. Start eating these 30 foods proven to prevent cancer . Swollen lymph nodes Check your neck, armpit, and groin areas for noticeable but painless swelling in your lymph nodes. It's normal for the glands to go up and down in size during periods of infection, but if they stay enlarged or keep growing, that may be one of the symptoms of leukemia or lymphoma, says Dr. Crilley. A skin rash Approximately one in 20 leukemia patients may have a skin rash that falls into one of two categories: a leukemia of the skin, or a rash caused by Sweet's syndrome, which is commonly associated with leukemia, according to Dr. Levis. 'Leukemia of the skin almost always looks like your skin has a lump inserted inside it,' he says. 'A little mound starts growing. Occasionally it can be a plaque-like thing.' Sweet's syndrome rashes, on the other hand, appear red and angry, similar to an allergic reaction. But although skin rashes come in all shapes and sizes, leukemia-related rashes have one thing in common: they will continue to grow and spread. Follow these 15 things that oncologists do to avoid cancer . Frequent or recurring infections If you have that one small infection that just won't go away, no matter how many antibiotics your physician prescribes, it may be time to get a complete blood count to check for abnormalities in your white blood cell, hemoglobin, and platelet levels. Abnormal white blood cell levels lead to an impaired immune system, which could explain frequent infections and the feeling of always being on the verge of the flu or infection. That, coupled with other signs such as fatigue or bruising, should be enough to send you to the doctor. 'Leukemia is always a surprise; it sneaks up on you,' says Dr. Levis. Because leukemia patients can be asymptomatic or display symptoms that are common to other illnesses, it's important to get a physical examination, blood count, and bone marrow biopsy, which will characterize the exact type of leukemia and dictate the necessary treatment. Regardless of the outcome of these tests, take heart in these hopeful cancer statistics everyone should know .


We continue our training camp preview by looking at the Indianapolis Colts' safety position and one of its newcomers who could play quite a bit this season. Name: Khari Willis Position: S Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 213 Age: 23 Year Drafted: 2019 (fourth round) Background In a way, you can say Willis was always meant to be a Colt. Between his uncle being Colts Ring of Honor inductee Bill Brooks and a mix of play-making and versatility that fits this team's defense to a tee, Willis has landed in a situation which is non-biasedly better than other rookies in his class. And when discussing his skills, it's obvious to understand why general manager Chris Ballard chose to trade up 20 spots in order to draft him. Not only did the Michigan State product thrive in pass coverage via his 13 pass breakups and four interceptions between 2017-18, but Willis was always there to make a tackle. During that same stretch, the two-time All Big-Ten honorable mention selection produced 155 total tackles and four sacks. 2019 Outlook Willis will certainly have his chances to impress the Colts' coaching staff, but he's facing an uphill battle. Between the three-headed monster in Malik Hooker, Clayton Geathers and Matthias Farley leading the way at safety and another newcomer in Marvell Tell joining the action, Willis probably won't see much playing time if it isn't on special teams. But that doesn't mean, he shouldn't stay prepared. The Colts' main three options at safety (as said above) all have their share of injury problems and if it, unfortunately, occurs again, then that certainly opens the door for Willis to come in and make an impact. Keep in mind, all three veteran safeties have suffered season-ending injuries before. Bottom Line Anybody associated with the Colts should manage their expectations for Willis in the very beginning. This season could end up in any way possible for him but if he somehow gets some playing time and plays decently at least, then we should all be excited about Willis and his future with the Colts. It's just a matter of having patience and knowing what's happening ahead of him. MORE: The Twins pulled off a beautiful triple play against the Yankees and fans loved it Stephen A. Smith Is Hearing a Potential Uncle Dennis-Kawhi Leonard Bombshell Could Drop Tim Duncan is returning to the NBA, Warriors coach Steve Kerr is here for the jokes NBA trade rumor rankings: What's up with CP3? PFF views Aaron Jones as one of NFL's top 10 running backs


COLLEGE PARK, Md.   The first black woman to serve as American University's student government president is seeking more than $1.5 million in court-ordered damages against a neo-Nazi website operator who orchestrated an online harassment campaign against her. In a court filing Monday, Taylor Dumpson's attorneys asked a federal judge in Washington for a default judgment against The Daily Stormer founder Andrew Anglin and a follower accused of racially harassing Dumpson on Twitter. Dumpson sued Anglin and the internet troll last April, but neither responded. Dumpson seeks a total of more than $1.8 million in damages, fees and costs, including $1.5 million in punitive damages against Anglin and his company, Moonbase Holdings LLC. Anglin didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Dumpson's request. Anglin's website takes its name from Der Stürmer, a newspaper that published Nazi propaganda in Nazi-era Germany, and includes sections called "Jewish Problem" and "Race War." For months, the site struggled to stay online after Anglin published a post mocking the woman killed by a man who plowed his car into a crowd of counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017. Anglin also faces possible default judgments in two separate lawsuits filed by other targets of his online trolling campaigns, a Muslim-American radio host and a Jewish real estate agent in Montana. In February, attorneys for SiriusXM Radio show host Dean Obeidallah asked a federal court in Ohio to award him more than $1 million in damages for his claims that Anglin falsely accused him of terrorism. Anglin hasn't responded to Obeidallah's suit, but he hired attorneys to defend him against a federal lawsuit that Tanya Gersh filed against him over a "troll storm" he unleashed against her family. A federal magistrate ruled Anglin must be present in the U.S. for a deposition by Gersh's attorneys from the Southern Poverty Law Center. Anglin says he lives abroad and claims it's too dangerous for him to travel to the U.S. In an order last week, the magistrate warned Anglin that he faces a default judgment against him if he fails to appear for a deposition. Anglin did not show up at his scheduled deposition at a New York City law office Tuesday morning, prompting the U.S. magistrate judge hearing the case to rule that Anglin is in default. "It is the first step," said Gersh's attorney, David Dinielli of the Southern Poverty Law Center. "The court still will have to determine the amount of compensatory and punitive damages." Anglin's attorneys asked the court to be allowed to drop him as a client after he didn't appear to testify. In December, Dumpson reached a settlement with a third person she sued, Oregon resident Evan James McCarty. He posted on Twitter under the pseudonym "Byron de la Vandal," an apparent reference to Byron De La Beckwith, who assassinated civil rights leader Medgar Evers in 1963. The settlement agreement required McCarty to get "anti-hate training," apologize in writing and on video and publicly renounce white supremacy. Anglin and the other remaining defendant, Brian Andrew Ade, weren't involved in the settlement. A day after Dumpson's May 2017 inauguration as student government president, someone hung bananas with hateful messages from nooses on the university's campus. Authorities investigated but didn't identify any suspects. Anglin posted an article about the incident, including links to Dumpson's Facebook page and the American University Student Government's Twitter page. "In the article, Anglin targeted Ms. Dumpson using racist language and directed his followers to 'troll storm' Ms. Dumpson by harassing her via social media," her lawyers wrote in Monday's filing. Dumpson says Anglin's article led to a barrage of threatening and harassing messages that caused her severe mental and physical trauma and left her fearing for her safety. "Some days she was unable to carry on a conversation without having an anxiety attack, get out of bed and eat a proper meal, or do anything other than stare at the ceiling," her attorney wrote. Dumpson, now a law school student, is represented by attorneys from the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Her suit accuses the defendants of violating the District of Columbia Human Rights Act of 1977 and the D.C. Bias-Related Crimes Act of 1989. Her lawyers are asking the court to award $124,022 in attorneys' fees and costs. They're also seeking $100,000 in punitive damages against Ade and $101,429 in compensatory damages against Ade, Anglin and his company. Kristen Clarke, the Washington-based civil rights group's president and executive director, said these judgments can serve as a deterrent and send a message to other white supremacists that they will be held accountable for their actions. "We see no reason to tread lightly here," Clarke said Tuesday. "We have a client who suffered immensely due to the defendant's conduct."


The Baltimore Ravens are betting a lot on second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson this season. Now, you too can bet on Jackson as Westgate Las Vegas has released their updated odds for the 2019 NFL MVP award. Jackson finds himself with 100/1 odds, which actually isn't that terrible when you look at the other players with similar odds. NFL MVP up @SuperBookUSA @WestgateVegas thanks to our great NFL trade team spearheaded by NFL aficionado @llased . Enjoy. pic.twitter.com/w8nwY6NGQM - John Murray (@vegasmurray) June 26, 2019 I found it surprising Jackson had the exact same odds as some of the bigger defensive stars in the league. Chicago Bears pass rusher Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt are all at 100/1 odds to win the 2019 NFL MVP award as well. Then again, the last time a defensive player has won the award goes all the way back to 1986 when linebacker Lawrence Taylor won it, so that might say quite a bit about where Jackson's odds actually lay. Since 2000, a quarterback has won the award 16 times while running backs have won it the other four times. When looking at Westgate's odds, Jackson actually finds himself near the bottom of the barrel for quarterbacks. Rank Quarterback Odds 1 Patrick Mahomes 4/1 2 Aaron Rodgers 8/1 2 Andrew Luck 8/1 4 Carson Wentz 10/1 4 Drew Brees 10/1 6 Tom Brady 12/1 7 Philip Rivers 14/1 7 Russell Wilson 14/1 9 Ben Roethlisberger 25/1 9 Matt Ryan 25/1 9 Baker Mayfield 25/1 12 Jared Goff 60/1 12 Cam Newton 60/1 12 Deshaun Watson 60/1 15 Matthew Stafford 80/1 15 Jimmy Garoppolo 80/1 15 Kirk Cousins 80/1 18 Lamar Jackson 100/1 Jackson actually finds himself tied with Arizona Cardinals rookie Kyler Murray, Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Jameis Winston, Tennessee Titans' Marcus Mariota, Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott and New York Jets' Sam Darnold. Not exactly a whos-who list of quarterbacks in the greatest situations. It puts him tied at No. 18 among the league's 32 starting quarterbacks. But many are sleeping on Jackson at this point. Though Jackson had an impressive rookie season that saw him break records with his legs , he wasn't the most consistent or accurate quarterback last year. But he's spent the offseason focusing on his mechanics and the Ravens have surrounded him with intriguing young weapons . Though it's a stretch to put Jackson in the same category as guys like Brees and Brady, Jackson has a unique ability few other quarterbacks have. Thanks to his impressive athletic ability when running the football and hopefully improved accuracy, Jackson could put up significantly more total yards than last year and find himself in the running. If you're a Jackson supporter and like what Baltimore has going on around him, the 100/1 odds might be tempting enough to place some money down on him. MORE: Four potential DeMarcus Cousins landing spots in free agency Mystery of fish caught with wedding ring attached solved Raven Greene looks like a top player to watch at Packers training camp Report: Nets likely to sign Kyrie Irving to 4-year, $141 million deal Roundup: Illinois Legalizes Recreational Marijuana; Trump Threatens Iran; San Francisco Bans E-Cigarettes


Now that the Gerald McCoy drama is over, it's time for the Browns to focus on the players who are actually on the roster along the defensive line. Good news: the Browns still sport a formidable defensive line even without McCoy, who opted to sign with the Carolina Panthers on a 1-year deal worth a reported $8 million . The ends have a chance to be truly special. Myles Garrett is a Pro Bowler and has quickly established himself as one of the most disruptive forces in the league in his first two seasons. Newcomer Olivier Vernon is a massive upgrade over Emmanuel Ogbah on the other side, a better scheme fit with his ability to play standing up and attack inside or outside. McCoy would have made the interior spots stronger, no doubt. But what's still in Cleveland is nothing to sneer at. In fact, the Browns already landed a preeminent tackle in free agency in Sheldon Richardson. Richardson has bounced around lately, but he's three years younger than McCoy and coming off a better season (49 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 6 TFLs in 16 games) to boot. He'll start next to young Larry Ogunjobi, who was even more productive in just his second NFL season: 52 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 10 TFLs. That's a formidable combination on the inside, one many teams would covet. There is even an experienced starter in Trevon Coley as the top reserve, and he can fill in for either starter for a couple of series per game. Brian Price and Carl Davis will get another shot to prove they can step up; Price in particular has flashed some legit ability when given a chance. Adding McCoy would have been very nice. He's made 6 Pro Bowls for good reason, and the Panthers just got better. But McCoy's decision doesn't leave the Browns wandering in a field of despair along the defensive line. It's still (or rather should be ) one of the best defensive fronts in the league. MORE: Why James Holzhauer's small Final Jeopardy! bet made total sense Did Nike accidentally reveal that Kevin Durant is staying with the Warriors? Darnell Savage, Josh Jackson could unlock full potential of Packers secondary Report: Suns, Bulls offering lottery picks for Lonzo Ball Should Bills fans worry about Roger Goodell's comments?


West Ham right back Pablo Zabaleta has announced the upcoming 2019/20 season will be his last as a professional footballer in English football. However, despite now being 34 years of age, the former Argentina international is undecided on whether he will retire from the game entirely. Having signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at the London club for what will be his third season, Zabaleta discussed his future during a press conference in China. When asked about what he will do beyond next season, he replied as quoted by FourFourTwo : "I don't know, honestly. "The reason I am here is because I'm still enjoying my football and, of course, the manager was one of the reasons I chose to extend my contract. "It's always good to work with a manager you know very well from previous years working together, and also because I think I can still give 100 per cent for the team and use my experience. The full back spent nine years with current Premier League champions Manchester City , earning two top flight titles during his time there, and was reunited with former manager Manuel Pellegrini when the Argentine took charge at the London Stadium. Zabaleta added: "I know I am 34 and getting a bit old and coming to the end of my career, but I am honest with myself and I am still a good professional and I will try to give everything for the team." But despite confidence in his own fitness, Zabaleta understands he can only play at the top level for so long. "This will definitely be my last season in England, for sure," he said. "This is something I know, but I don't know in football, and I don't think this is the right time to be thinking (about it) when we have a long season ahead." Nonetheless, West Ham 's recent transfer business - particularly the sale of outcast defender Sam Byram to Norwich City - seems to suggest Zabaleta could still play a key part for his current side, with Ryan Fredericks being his only obvious competition for the right back spot. But the 34-year-old hasn't been looking too far ahead, discussing the prospect of facing former club Manchester City this pre-season. He added: "It's good to play against my former team and to see some of the City players I worked with before. "Of course, I've got such great memories from my time at Manchester City and it's a very good test for us to play against the champions of England." Like Zabaleta, Jack Wilshere will too be looking to make an impact since making the move from Arsenal , with Pellegrini also touching on the matter. Speaking on Wilshere, Zabaleta said: "Unfortunately for us, last season he couldn't play too often because he had different injuries, but now he is working with no problem every day. "With his quality, of course the team will change. He's a technical player who will provide a lot of important passes for forwards in and around the opposition box, so I hope for him and for the team that he can play a full season."


Perhaps no other NFL player can match Cam Newton's athletic profile. His extremely rare set of physical gifts make him one of the league's most unique quarterbacks of all time. Critics of Newton have long pointed to his relatively low completion percentage (who cares?) or his throwing mechanics. Last season, Newton posted a career-best 67.9 percent completion rate, suggesting scheme had more to do with his career rate of 59.7 percent. At the very least, it should have forever silenced the silly/overblown idea that Newton is somehow inherently far more inaccurate than other elite QBs around the league. That means if he ever perfects his throwing mechanics, they'll have nowhere left to hide. Well, it sounds like the final refuge for Newton's haters may soon be eliminated. According to Kevin Patra at NFL.com , Ian Rapoport is reporting that Newton is set to unveil a "massive change" in his throwing mechanics when minicamp kicks off this week. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the rumblings coming out of the organization suggest that Newton is set to "unveil" a massive change to his throwing mechanics. "From what I'm told this is going to be more of an unveiling than anything else. I've talked to several people who've watched Cam Newton throw and they are pretty giddy," he said. "One of them even telling me, 'You've got to see this. You can not wait to see this.'" This is, as the kids call it, kind of a big deal. To date, Newton's cannon of a right arm and sheer overall upper body strength have helped mask the deficiencies in his throwing motion, but it's also put a lot of stress on his shoulder - perhaps too much. Rapoport says Cam's new motion should be more compact and efficient. From Up to the Minute Live: The #Panthers are giddy about QB Cam Newton's overhauled mechanics that should feature a more compact and more efficient throwing motion. It was a full commitment to it. pic.twitter.com/p8rSgsopzi - Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 10, 2019 It seems fate may be finally forcing Newton's hand. While only Cam could really tell you exactly what's going on inside his body, our best guess is his shoulder simply can't continue performing with his current mechanics given how hard he can throw the ball. Just watch this absolutely ridiculous laser back shoulder pass to tight end Greg Olsen in the end zone. watching the bucs defense (they were bad!) for gerald mccoy #content and got stuck on this throw/catch by cam newton and greg olsen pic.twitter.com/LZkuZOHlo8 - charles mcdonald (#1 uzi's extendo verse fan) (@FourVerts) June 4, 2019 No matter how he does it, Newton could stand to step into his throws a little more. However, when he's 100 percent healthy, Newton's arm talent has no equal in this era, with the possible exception of Patrick Mahomes . If Newton has truly engineered a healthier throwing motion that will put less stress on his shoulder and extend his career, that is the best news Panthers fans are going to hear all offseason, Gerald McCoy included. Update: Those fans won't have to wait long to see it. The team will be live-streaming Newton's throws from tomorrow morning's opening minicamp practice. Per an email advertisement from the team sent out this afternoon, the Panthers will be live-streaming Cam Newton throwing at veteran minicamp tomorrow morning via all of their social channels and the team site: pic.twitter.com/oZ4Fg2P9p0 - Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) June 10, 2019 Cool. MORE: NBA fans can't forget about the time Kevin Durant called Kawhi Leonard a 'system' player Bears believe Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is a better player than Adrian Amos 4 Realistic Anthony Davis Trade Scenarios Former Steeler calls Mike Tomlin the best leader he ever had Brian Gaine's failure in Houston has a lesson for the Lions and Bob Quinn


Gallery by photo services Not one, two, but eight dictionary experts claimed the 92nd Scripps National Spelling Bee championship title Thursday, after surviving 20 total rounds on a historic night. The voice of the Scripps Bee, Jacques Bailly , announced three hours into the final competition that everyone who nailed their 12th word of the night would share the honor, marking the first time more than two contestants won. The winners were : Rishik Gandhasri, 13; Erin Howard, 14; Saketh Sundar, 13; Shruthika Padhy, 13; Sohum Sukhatankar, 13; Abhijay Kodali, 12; Christopher Serrao, 13; and Rohan Raja, 13. Many brought veteran experience, as more than half of the 16 finalists competed in prime time in Maryland's Gaylord National Harbor Convention Center last year . Bailey said Scripps ran out of words to challenge them. Skills test: Can you spell these 12 challenging words? Scripps National Spelling Bee finalists could The competitors will each receive $50,000 in cash, a Scripps trophy, reference books and trips to New York and Hollywood to appear on talk shows. Scripps named two winners as recently as 2016, but the competition hasn't recognized more than a two-way tie since it began in 1925. The finalists, ages 12 to 14, beat out more than 546 other competitors . A couple qualified through the return of an invitational program started in 2018, the RSVBee, which gave spellers a chance if they won their school bee or previously competed on the national stage. The championship hopefuls started strong, as first round words from "Stakhanovite" to "marmennill" didn't stump a single speller. Example sentences referencing "Avengers" to Mindy Kaling helped the dictionary experts put the challenges in context. Aisha Randhawa, 13, of Corona, Calif., who finished seventh last year, bowed out after misspelling "cuirassier. " A confident 14 spellers remained after the second prime time round, but after the seventh only eight kept their seats on stage. Other spellers heard the elimination bell after "ischiocerite," "Rassenkreis," and "tettigoniid" among other terms. Dr. Bailly just announced we're in uncharted territory. We won't run out of words but may run out of words to challenge our most storied spellers in Bee history. At Rd 20, 3 away, all remaining spellers will be named Co-Champions of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. #spellingbee   Scripps National Spelling Bee (@ScrippsBee) May 31, 2019 Three hours in, Bailly announced the competition would only last another three rounds. After, everyone remaining would win because Scripps would run out of challenging words. The eight co-champions won their titles by correctly spelling auslaut, erysipelas, bougainvillea, aiguillette, pendeloque, palama, cernuous and odylic. They ended the night spelling the final 47 words correctly, acing five consecutive perfect rounds. They hail from the states of Alabama, California, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas. 2018 final: Karthik Nemmani, 14, named Scripps Bee champion Voice of the Spelling Bee: He's read every word since 2003 until this year The onstage spelling rounds began Tuesday after preliminary multiple choice tests on Monday. Pressure from the limelight and obscure terminology whittled down the 562 contestants, ages 7 to 15, before the final. It took 5½ hours to narrow the field from 50 spellers to 16, Bee executive director Paige Kimble said, prompting organizers to come up with the plan to name co-champions. The eight winners are scheduled to appear on "Live with Kelly and Ryan" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in the coming months. Contributing: Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Spelling bee 2019: Eight share Scripps Bee championship title in historic first


Visiting East Ridge - Ptarmigan Park, or just looking to better appreciate what it has to offer? Get to know this Aurora neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a Korean barbecue restaurant to a liquor store. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in East Ridge - Ptarmigan Park, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Golden Saigon Topping the list is Vietnamese spot Golden Saigon . Located at 2648 S. Parker Road, it's the highest-rated business in the neighborhood, boasting 4.5 stars out of 498 reviews on Yelp. 2. Legends Of Aurora Sports Grill Next up is Legends of Aurora Sports Grill , which offers pizza and more, situated at 13690 E. Iliff Ave. With four stars out of 152 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. 3. New York Bakery Bakery New York Bakery is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 10720 E. Iliff Ave., 4.5 stars out of 24 reviews. 4. Dae Bak Korean Bar & Grill Dae Bak Korean Bar & Grill , which offers barbecue and more, is another neighborhood go-to, with four stars out of 45 Yelp reviews. Head over to 2648 S. Parker Road, Unit 11, to see for yourself. 5. Havana Park Liquors Check out Havana Park Liquors , which has earned 4.5 stars out of 13 reviews on Yelp. You can find the spot to score beer, wine and spirits and more at 10772 E. Lliff Ave. 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.


According to the NFL's transaction report today, the Kansas City Chiefs placed linebacker Martrell Spaight on the reserve/retired list. This means that Spaight has officially retired. Spaight entered the league as fifth-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins out of Arkansas in 2015. Concussion issues ended Spaight's time with Washington, and he bounced around a few different teams during the 2018 season. Spaight signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs in early January, ahead of the Chiefs' two playoff games. It was also ahead of their decision to part ways with defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, so it's unclear how much of a fit Spaight would have been in the new 4-3 defensive scheme under Steve Spagnuolo. With the addition of Darron Lee via trade, it was becoming increasingly likely that Spaight wouldn't have a true chance to compete for a roster spot in Kansas City. Between the concussion issues and a strong likelihood of having to find another job after some time on the Chiefs' roster, it appears that Spaight decided to pursue other things. Were Spaight to change his mind about playing in the NFL, the Chiefs would still hold on to his rights, given his addition to the reserve/retired list. The offseason roster sits at 89 players following the retirement of Spaight. Who do you think the Chiefs will add to fill that final roster spot? MORE: Kevin Durant fired back on Twitter after Chris Broussard questioned his Warriors titles Injury to Reuben Foster could help Chiefs, Redskins strike a deal Magic Johnson confirms rumor that Lakers want to sign Kyrie Irving Kyle Rudolph could be a late offseason acquisition Cowboys need 5 undrafted free agents who could make the Raiders roster in 2019


A man wearing a football jersey walks into a living room and asks: "Hey, remember the game when I set the rookie passing record?" Another asks, while straightening his bow tie: "How about when I had three events in one night?" A third, wearing a cape, says: "I've been working on my new superhero move all day." All three are Cam Newton, and the "Triple Cam" TV ad for Greek yogurt that ran during Sunday's NFC Championship game is a perfect response to the fun police who take issue with his celebrations. Why double-down against your grumpy critics when you can triple-down? The ad works so well because it plays on the perception that Newton is too brash. When Cam the football player says there is "zero holding me back," another Cam fires a couch pillow at him. Mounted above the couch are four framed No. 1 Carolina Panthers jerseys. I think of them as four middle fingers directed at people who resent his touchdown celebrations, his signature dab. Look, I wasn't always in the Cam camp. I reluctantly gave him my 2010 Heisman Trophy vote because I viewed him as something of a con man, his college services going to the highest bidder. But I'm all-in now. A con man would not inspire those around him, guiding an otherwise mediocre offense to the Super Bowl. The guy wasn't even considered a top-10 fantasy quarterback after Kelvin Benjamin was lost to a season-ending knee surgery. Newton is the real thing, and I love a guy who brings that level of joy to his craft. The only thing better than one Cam Newton is three. tgreenstein@tribpub.com


It was a catch three decades in the making, and when the Japanese whalers brought ashore one of their first minke after the resumption of commercial hunting, the moment was marked with ceremony. The whale arrived on Monday in the northern Japanese town of Kushiro, where hours earlier five ships had set out on the hunt. "Today is the best day," Yoshifumi Kai, head of the Japan Small-Type Whaling Association, said as he watched the whalers quietly bring the 8.3-metre (27-feet) long giant ashore. "We were able to catch a good whale. It's going to be delicious." The minke was among the first caught in a commercial hunt since Japan resumed the practice after withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission. "It was worth waiting for 31 years," Kai said with a smile. A strong smell emanted from the gaping mouth of the creature, which was hoisted inside a net from the boat to a truck. Its stomach had been cut open at sea, mostly draining the blood from the whale, a technique to keep the meat fresh. Still once on land, a pool of the blood oozed from the carcass and was swiftly washed away by the attentive workers. The creature was hosed down, then whalers in blue outfits, white boots and helmets, lined up to pour ceremonial cups of the Japanese liquor sake over the animal. The ritual is a tradition among Japanese fisherman, both celebrating and purifying the catch. The resumption of whaling has been controversial outside Japan, drawing criticism from activists and anti- whaling countries, and whaling communities are sensitive to the optics of the hunt. While reporters were allowed to see the animal brought ashore, they were ushered away before work began to break it down. The whale, caught 42 kilometres southwest off Kushiro, was driven to a warehouse where a chain was attached to its tail so it could be dragged inside. Workers shouted at photographers to step back as they pulled. "Move back! It would be bad if there's an accident," said one. Meat from the whale, one of two minkes caught by boats from Kushiro on Monday, will be sold mostly at auctions in local markets later in the week, officials said. "I myself want to eat (whale meat) as soon as possible," said Kai. Conservationists have slammed Japan for withdrawing from the IWC and resuming the commercial hunts, which they view as inhumane and outdated. But Japan contends the practice is a longstanding tradition that should not be subject to outside interference. Asked about the criticism, Kai said whalers were "not doing anything wrong." Japan's fisheries agencies has set a quota for commercial whale hunting through December of 227 whales -- 52 minke, 150 Bryde's and 25 sei whales. "We have nothing to be ashamed of," said Kai.


GEORGETOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) New coach Fred Hoiberg and the Nebraska Cornhuskers headline the field for next season's Cayman Islands Classic. Hoiberg, the former Iowa State and Chicago Bulls coach who took over for Tim Miles this spring, will bring his first Huskers team to Georgetown as one of just two Power Five squads in the field. Washington State also will make the trip. The Huskers and Cougars will be joined by New Mexico State and Old Dominion, NCAA Tournament teams this past spring. Loyola-Chicago, South Florida, Colorado State and George Mason round out the eight-team field. Creighton beat Clemson 87-82 to capture last year's title.


The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce has backed just one incumbent in the wide open city council races. The Civic Alliance for a Sound Economy (CASE) which serves as the political arm of the chamber, made its endorsements Wednesday morning. Debora Juarez of District 5 was backed by CASE. Notably, CASE did not endorse Lisa Herbold or Kshama Sawant , who were both strong proponents of the failed head tax on big businesses. Herbold helped craft the legislation which the Chamber opposed. CASE endorsed Phil Tavel for District 1. Mark Solomon was endorsed for District 2. The political organization backed Egan Orion , who heads the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce in Sawant's District 3. Alex Pedersen , an early leader in fundraising, got the endorsement for District 4 in North Seattle. CASE split its endorsements for District 6 and District 7. In District 6, CASE endorsed Jay Fathi and former councilmember Heidi Wills . Wills was voted out of office in 2003 following the infamous 'Strippergate' Scandal. Michael George and former Seattle Police Chief Jim Pugel received the nods in District 7. "Seattle needs elected leaders who are trustworthy and effective," said Chamber President and CEO Marilyn Strickland in a prepared statement. "As a former mayor, I know that serving elected office requires engaging in constructive dialogue and making tough decisions. It's not about ideological purity or echo chamber politics. It's about delivering effective results for the city and neighborhoods you serve." The Chamber of Commerce says recent polling shows 52% of Seattle voters disapprove of the job the council is doing and 56% distrust the council overall. "This is a change election," said CASE Executive Director Markham McIntyre. The Downtown Seattle Association released candidates scorecards this week. Wills scored the highest of any at 98%.


Looking to add a new companion to the family? There are dozens of lovable pups up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Stockton, so you won't have to look far to find the perfect new pal. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of dogs available for adoption near you. Read on to meet some friendly, furry locals. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Rocky, pit bull terrier Rocky is a male pit bull terrier dog being kept at Finding A Best Friend Rescue . Rocky loves cats, dogs and kids. He already has all of his shots and is neutered. He's mastered his house-training etiquette. More about Rocky: Rocky is a beautiful blue 10 year old pittie and very healthy for his age. His favorite thing is to sit on your lap while you scratch his butt. Rocky really loves car rides and it's one of his favorite things. He is a full, friendly and energetic package. Read more about how to adopt Rocky on Petfinder . Shea, Staffordshire bull terrier Shea is a female Staffordshire bull terrier dog currently residing at Finding A Best Friend Rescue . Shea loves other dogs. Her ideal forever home would be a cat-free environment. She is spayed, vaccinated and has mastered her house-training etiquette. About Shea: Shea Is approximately 1 1/2 -2 years old and weighs approximately 53 lbs. She is sweet, loving, playful, smart and eager to please. Does great with dogs of all ages and size and is crate trained. Shea is a very happy dog and with proper training and a secure loving home and family she will thrive. Read more about Shea on Petfinder . Socket, pit bull terrier Socket is a lovable male pit bull terrier dog being kept at Finding A Best Friend Rescue . Socket loves other dogs. He is already house-trained, his vaccinations are up to date and he's neutered. More about Socket: Socket is a gorgeous 10 year old pitbull mix. He is amazingly sweet, docile, submissive and a love bug. Socket is looking for his forever home, preferably with a quiet family that will give him lots of love and quiet time. He does great with other dogs and kids. Cats are unsure and yet to be determined. Read more about Socket on Petfinder . Mama Coco, American Staffordshire terrier mix Mama Coco is a sweet female American Staffordshire terrier mix being cared for at Finding A Best Friend Rescue . Mama Coco loves other dogs. Finding A Best Friend Rescue, however, recommends she be placed in a home without small children. She already has all of her shots, she's spayed and house-trained. More about Mama Coco: Mama Coco Is approximately 2 years old. She is an American Stafford Shire Terrier and her weight is approximately 50-60 lbs. Mama Coco is a full figured sweet, loving, mellow, smart dog and is eager to please. She does great with dogs of all ages and sizes. Mama Coco is a great baby looking for a great family. Apply to adopt Mama Coco today at Petfinder . Cheese, beagle and terrier mix Cheese is a charming female beagle and terrier mix being cared for at Finding A Best Friend Rescue . Cheese is friendly as can be and she's happy to keep company with other dogs. She's already house-trained, spayed, and has all her shots. About Cheese: Cheese Is approximately 1 1/2 -2 years old and is a Terrier/Beagle mix. She weighs approximately 30 lbs. Cheese is a sweet, loving, mellow and smart dog. She does great with dogs of all ages and size. Read more about Cheese on Petfinder . Patches, Parson russell terrier Patches is a male Parson russell terrier dog in the care of Russell Rescue (North Carolina) . Patches is happy to keep company with other dogs. He is vaccinated, neutered and has mastered his house-training etiquette. More about Patches: Patches is a 7 year old male. He is very sweet, a little shorty low rider who is super smart. Patches is extremely happy and gets along with all dogs. He is treat motivated, loves his toys and also enjoys taking a little walk. Read more about how to adopt Patches on Petfinder . This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


With the initial NBA Free Agency frenzy already over, the entire sports world is focused on one man. Kawhi Leonard is the last domino to fall, and his decision will have an immeasurable effect on the future of the league. By waiting to sign a contract until after all the big free agents chose their destinations, the Finals MVP now has all the power in the world. Kawhi Leonard will not take any meetings with teams today, as he'll ramp up the process over next couple days, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.   Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2019 With every team who can afford Leonard clamoring to attain his talents, Kawhi can choose whatever path he wants. If he chooses to remain with the Toronto Raptors , they become the instant favorite to repeat as Eastern Conference champions. If he joins his hometown Lakers , they will become a super-team with even more star power than Lebron's original Big 3 in Miami. If he instead decides to play for Doc Rivers and the Clippers , it will make the Staples Center rivalry as fun and competitive as it's ever been. Regardless of what Kawhi chooses to do, it will have a massive ripple effect on the NBA landscape, especially in a year where the league is as wide open as it's been in recent memory. What if Kawhi Leonard is just quietly sitting in a room somewhere, slowly eating a bowl of cereal, no phone, unaware that NBA free agency has begun   NBA InsideHoops.com (@InsideHoops) June 30, 2019 This is exactly what makes NBA free agency so fun. With the constant movement of superstars, the league can be completely reshaped in a matter of days. No one has more power in their hands then Leonard does right now, and his decision will shake up the league for years to come.


Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos (29-11) has accomplished a great deal over his nearly 15 years as a professional MMA fighter. What makes him special to his coach Jason Parillo, however, is something much quieter. "What makes him a special fighter and a special athlete? His resilience. The way he stays hungry and trains the way he does," Parillo told Yahoo Sports. "He comes to the gym like a 20-year-old. Obviously, he has much more maturity and experience than a 20-year-old, but what I mean is how he stays hungry. He knows that fighting is his main means of feeding his family. Fighting is only so long, 10, 15 years if you're lucky, and then you have the rest of your life to live. He has a great understanding that life is not going to stop after fighting, so you've got to keep plugging away and earn as much as you can. He also has goals. He wants to leave a mark on this sport. When he ends up getting the welterweight title, he'll become one of the few people to have ever won championships at two weight classes." On Saturday RDA takes his next big step toward getting back into title contention when he faces Leon Edwards (17-3) at UFC San Antonio (9 p.m. ET, ESPN) Edwards is seven years younger than the Brazilian, and riding a seven-fight win-streak, but Parillo knows that his charge is as hungry as anyone in the world, despite being a veteran of 40 professional fights. Dos Anjos' work ethic is rare, according to the coach. "I think you see it more in champions," he explained. "Champions have a lil' special quality. He's a champion. They realize it's what got him the title, that work ethic, that understanding of what they've got to put into it. They work so hard to get to the titles and they know that if they go any less than that, it won't work. You can't not put 100% into it if you want to be the best in the world." With that said, every champion stops, eventually. Parillo sees no signs of stopping in the 24-year-old. "It's hard to not get burnt out," he continued. "But Rafa doesn't live like a rockstar, and I really do think that does play a part. He lives a clean life, lives a good life. When people have drinking habits, drug habits, they put their social life to the forefront. You see those types of guys get more burnt out. Rafa's life is just about his family and being the best he's got to be." More from Yahoo Sports: Koepka explains why he snubbed Tiger USWNT goalie calls ex-teammate 'homophobic' Robinson: Zeke's frustration puts pressure on Cowboys West says Clippers are best team he's been around


The Jacksonville Jaguars' rookies reported to training camp Monday, but undrafted safety from Ole Miss, Zedrick Woods, wasn't amongst that group. Instead, the Lake City native submitted his paperwork to retire, which now puts the Jags at a total of 89 players. Whoa: #Jaguars rookie S Zedrick Woods submitted retirement paperwork and has been placed on the team's reserve/retired list. Roster is now at 89 players. - Phillip Heilman (@phillip_heilman) July 22, 2019 Woods, 21, was one of the many undrafted players to join the Jags after April's draft, and with the Jags having questionable depth at safety, we thought he had a chance to make the final roster . He went to high school 60 miles away from the Jags facility at Columbia High of Lake City, Fla., almost making him a hometown player. Woods was a player who had a great deal of buzz behind him after the draft as he ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.29) at the combine . While attending Ole Miss, Woods participated in 49 games and started in 37 and ended his college career there with 133 total tackles and six interceptions. MORE: Stephen A. Smith Is Hearing a Potential Uncle Dennis-Kawhi Leonard Bombshell Could Drop Overeager MLB umpire falls down hard while sprinting onto field Lakers' Quinn Cook Q&A: 'It feels like this team has been together a while' Tim Duncan is returning to the NBA, Warriors coach Steve Kerr is here for the jokes What Thunder fans need to know about trading Andre Roberson


The Tampa Bay Rays have recalled right-hander Jake Faria from Triple-A Durham and demoted infielder Daniel Robertson , the team announced . Faria makes his second appearance with the Rays this season, the first resulting in a scoreless two-inning outing against the Red Sox on April 20. He has otherwise notched solid strikeout rates in Triple A this season (11.6 K/9) along with a 4-1 record and 5.41 ERA across 15 games (six starts). Faria gave the Rays 86 2/3 strong innings in 2017, with 3.43 ERA across 14 starts, but an abdominal strain cost him some time and limited Faria to just three appearances in August and September. He started 10 games with a 5.48 ERA to start 2018, but a left oblique strain landed him on the 60-day injured list. He has since fallen down the pecking order amidst a loaded Rays pitching staff, but he'll have an opportunity here to serve as one of manager Kevin Cash's many long men out of the pen. For Robertson, the demotion is a disappointing turn for the one-time Oakland farmhand. After accruing a 2.4 fWAR and a well-above-average 127 wRC+ in 2018, Robertson slumped in 2019 while concentrating more on his defensive time at third base. Robertson's .205/.310/.284 is a far cry from his 2018 output. His approach has remained relatively stable (10.8 BB percent, 24.6 K percent), but his power has all but evaporated (.080 ISO). While power hardly figures to be a prominent part of his game, a sub-.300 slugging percentage does not help Robertson's cause. In injury news, Tyler Glasnow 's comeback trail kicks off today as the Rays plan to have him throw off a mound closer than the traditional 60 feet 6 inches, tweets MLB.com's Juan Toribio . Glasnow could throw a bullpen session as early as Wednesday, but nothing has changed as of yet regarding his recovery timetable. Given his placement on the 60-day injured list with a forearm injury, Glasnow's earliest date of reinstatement is July 12.


The 2019 WNBA season tips off Friday, and Louisville legend and second all-time leading scorer Asia Durr headlines former Cardinals in the league's 23rd season. Thursday was the deadline for WNBA teams to submit their final rosters, which contain a maximum of 12 players. The scant availability of roster spots means that even some of the 36 players selected in April's draft were told to pack their bags after training camp. Also: Jeff Walz believes next year's Louisville team can be 'special' even without Durr So what does the future hold for Durr, Arica Carter and Sam Fuehring   the members of Louisville's most recent draft class? Here's an update: Asia Durr Durr, the No. 2 pick to the New York Liberty in this year's draft, will make her regular season debut 8 p.m. Friday against the Indiana Fever in White Plains, New York. Durr played in all four of the Liberty's preseason games with two starts, averaging 23.3 minutes, 6.3 points, 1.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds. Her best performance was a 16-point effort (7-13 FG) off the bench in a May 19 loss to Connecticut. New York coach Katie Smith has tested Durr out at the lead guard spot but seems to prefer her as a shooting guard, the position she played at Louisville. The Liberty will count on Durr to add a scoring punch particularly on the perimeter. You can watch Durr in the Liberty's season opener on NBA TV. Rewind: Behind the scenes with Asia Durr at the WNBA Draft Arica Carter Carter, this year's 32nd overall pick, is one of four draft picks to make the cut for the Phoenix Mercury's final roster. Carter featured in both of the Mercury's preseason games, coming off the bench to average 12.5 minutes, 5.5 points, 2.0 assists and 1.0 rebounds. The guard notably shot 4 of 6 from the field overall (2 of 3 from beyond and the arc). "We're competing against great players, but it's exciting to be able to get a chance and show them I belong here," Carter told the Arizona Republic at the Mercury's media day Monday. Phoenix cut veteran point guard Leilani Mitchell and is without star guard Diana Taurasi for the first couple of months of the season as she recovers from back surgery. The team will look to veterans Briann January and Essence Carson, as well as to Carter, to anchor the backcourt. The Mercury open the season Saturday at the Seattle Storm. The game will be broadcast at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. Background: Louisville's Arica Carter, Sam Fuehring drafted in WNBA third round Support local journalism Support stories like this one by becoming a subscriber today! Get unlimited digital access here! Sam Fuehring Fuehring was drafted 34th overall by the Washington Mystics but was waived by the team after two and a half weeks of training camp. The forward told the Courier Journal her experience in D.C. was fun but stressful, and said the pressure combined with a new environment made it difficult to play her best basketball. "I was counting, and I'm like, there's like seven post players, how many post players do they even need on a team?" Fuehring said. "I knew I wasn't going to make the team. It wasn't that I didn't believe in myself; it's me being realistic." That didn't make it any less emotional when Mystics coach Mike Thibault called Fuehring to his office to tell her she had been cut. "Everyone kept telling me to 'control what you can control,'" Fuehring said. "It sucks though because I want to control it so bad; I want to control it all. It's all about timing, too, when it comes to training camps because they have certain girls that they want and need. It could be next year someone retires and then you have a spot." Fuehring said her agent is exploring options for her to play basketball overseas in the fall, perhaps in Korea or Germany. In the meantime, she will undergo nose surgery next week (she broke her nose in Louisville's game against NC State this season) and then take some time to heal back home in New Jersey. Louisville basketball recruiting: Cards planning for the long term Danielle Lerner: 502-582-4042; dlerner@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @Danielle_Lerner . Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/daniellel. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: WNBA tipoff: Which Louisville players made final 2019 rosters


Detroit will see a return of last week's light rainfall as early as tomorrow, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . The highest chance of rain is expected tomorrow at 67 percent, with the potential for light rainfall of 0.26 inches. The immediate forecast also has cool temperatures in store for today with a high of 64 degrees. Temperatures will turn warmer from tomorrow to Sunday, with a high of 79 degrees on Wednesday. Skies will be mostly cloudy today and cloudy on Saturday. Winds are expected to reach a modest high of 16 mph tomorrow, while today will be quieter with a top speed of just 8 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.


TAPACHULA, Mexico - Long lines of migrants, mostly Central Americans, line up daily outside the Tapachula offices of the refugee agencies of Mexico and the United Nations. Meanwhile, a polyglot throng including people from Africa, Asia and the Caribbean regularly gathers at the local headquarters of the National Institute of Immigration, Mexico's agency for migrant affairs. Almost all those seeking help have a common destination - the United States - but they find themselves caught in an expanding Mexican immigration crackdown prompted by U.S. pressure and marooned in this sweltering city in southern Mexico. They cannot proceed north without risking arrest, so they remain in Tapachula seeking documentation allowing legal travel to the U.S.-Mexico border, more than 1,000 miles away. They say they are fleeing poverty and violence in their homelands. Maribel Amador and her family were among those gathered on a recent afternoon outside the offices of the Mexican Refugee Assistance Commission. "There is nothing we can do but wait," said Amador, 36, a Honduran national seeking refugee status in Mexico along with her husband and four children, aged 5 to 14, though the family hopes to make it to the United States. "We can't move forward without papers." A surge this year in migrants from Central America to the United States to levels not seen in at least a decade generated a threat by President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on imports of Mexican goods if Mexico did not move to stem the flow of U.S.-bound migrants traversing the country. In recent weeks, Mexican authorities have set up immigration checkpoints along the main northbound highway and have been aggressively detaining and deporting thousands of migrants. The law enforcement squeeze seems destined to tighten with Mexico's vow to deploy some 6,000 National Guard forces to its southern border as part of a deal reached last week with the Trump administration to avert U.S. tariffs. Mexico has 45 days to demonstrate that the northbound flows of migrants are declining, or the two sides go back to the negotiating table, with Mexico in a weakened position, Marcelo Ebrard, the country's foreign minister, said Tuesday. A key question is whether Mexican authorities can overcome long-entrenched corruption that has seen police and immigration agents historically working in cahoots with smugglers, allowing vehicles packed with migrants to continue their journeys. "You can stop a couple of thousand people in Tapachula, but if (immigration) officers are still letting people go through in buses, because they have deals with the smugglers, it won't make much of a difference," said Stephanie Leutert, director of the Mexican Security Initiative at the University of Texas, Austin. "It will require a lot of political will." The Mexican strategy is a familiar one: Position checkpoints on the limited number of roads radiating north from the notoriously porous Guatemalan border, which stretches for some 600 miles along jungle, mountain and river terrain. The idea is to bottle up and detain migrants in the south. Mexico also appears to have stepped up enforcement against northbound freight trains, another popular mode of migrant travel. In March, the Mexican interior minister, Olga Sanchez Cordero, said Mexico planned to create an enforcement containment belt along the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico's narrowest point, about 125 miles across from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico, to keep the migrant flow from advancing north. The current scenario in the southern state of Chiapas is far removed from the atmosphere of months past, when tens of thousands of Central Americans - both in organized caravans and in small groups - moved freely through the corridor. Many were quickly granted humanitarian visas as part of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's vow to assist migrants. The welcome mat has now been yanked. Mexican officials reported deporting more than 30,000 foreigners during April and May, almost 70% more than during the same period a year earlier. Police also broke up the two most recent northbound migrant caravans, arresting hundreds. The enhanced enforcement, however, is unfolding amid what Mexico calls a massive flow of U.S.-bound migrants. The number could reach 900,000 this year - including what Mexican officials say are unprecedented numbers of women and children, mostly from Honduras and Guatemala. Mexico says the numbers represent about double the figures in recent years. On the main northbound thoroughfare, the Coastal Highway, which parallels the nearby Pacific, immigration agents, federal police and military officers stop northbound buses, cars and minivans, demanding that passengers produce documents. Those lacking papers showing legal status are escorted away to immigration vans. "We are here to provide some order," said a Mexican military policeman helping to staff a checkpoint south of Tapachula. "We can't have an uncontrolled movement into our country," said the officer, who declined to give his name because he was not authorized to speak publicly. Migrants who make it to Tapachula, some 20 miles north of the Guatemalan border, say they have little choice but to remain and apply for immigration paperwork - visas, temporary visitor permits, refugee status or departure documents that give recipients 30 days to get out of Mexico. But it has become a tortuous waiting game. The escalating demand has overwhelmed the understaffed Mexican immigration bureaucracy, which has also suffered budget cuts. The country's refugee agency expects that applications will more than double this year to more than 80,000, up from 29,000 last year. While Central Americans represent the majority of migrants converging in the shadow of the Tacana volcano, huge numbers of so-called extracontinentales from across the globe also have made the trek. "I am here now, free today, but I may be arrested today or tomorrow and deported," said Nesly Simeon, 28, a Haitian national who was among those gathered recently outside the immigration agency in Tapachula, known as Siglo XXI, or 21st Century. "We are here waiting and waiting." Also in line was Oru Samuel Arrah, 38, among a group of more than two dozen nationals from the African nation of Cameroon. "We want to go to America, we don't want to be here," said Arrah, who added that he was a technical engineer in his homeland but faced political repression there. "Why doesn't Mexico allow us to go?" Many migrants cross illegally into Mexico on rafts crafted of wooden planks and inner tubes across the Suchiate River, which marks the Guatemalan-Mexican frontier. "We mostly see Cubans, Haitians, Africans now," said Rigoberto Vasquez, known as el conejito, the little rabbit, who has worked the raft enterprise for 35 years, moving both merchandise and people from his muddy riverfront depot, across from a lively outdoor bar-restaurant. The Mexican clampdown, and the planned National Guard deployment, has yielded protests against a U.S.-style militarization of Mexico's southern frontier, which critics liken to Trump's attempts to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. "If we as Mexicans have rejected the construction of a wall, we cannot turn ourselves into that wall," the Catholic Conference of the Mexican Episcopate wrote in a statement Monday. Hundreds of detainees - many of them Cuban - have staged jailbreaks from the Mexican immigration lockup at Siglo XXI. "We are fleeing a dictatorship," said Marwin Delgado, 35, an athletic trainer from Cuba, who, with his partner, Yurima Fernandez, 27, a physician, were among those waiting on a recent afternoon outside the Mexican refugee agency as a steady beat of cumbia emanated from a dance studio across the street. "We have families in the United States. But the Mexicans don't want to help us." Those with access to cash can turn to smugglers, or coyotes, skilled at circumventing checkpoints - and known for paying off Mexican officials. But smuggling fees can run to $5,000 or more per person for passage to the border, with clients often jammed dangerously into the rear of crowded trucks navigating back roads. Many people lacking such funds take temporary jobs in Tapachula as laborers, cooks and in other menial positions to help buy food and rent cheap housing. A dozen or more people are often crammed into single rooms, sleeping on mats and blankets. Migrants gather daily beneath shade trees in Tapachula's central plaza, waiting for food handouts. Down the street from the Siglo XXI immigration facility, a shantytown of mostly Haitians and Africans awaiting departure papers has sprouted, giving the zone a distinct Afro-Caribbean vibe. Many of the migrants began their journeys in South America. Many Haitians previously worked in Brazil and Chile, making the overland odyssey through mountains, jungles and rivers. "There were no more jobs in Brazil, so we went to Chile," said Simeon, the Haitian migrant. "Then the Chileans didn't want us anymore." Some frustrated migrants try to sneak north in stages, taking public minibuses to points just before immigration checkpoints, then hiking around the barriers, before jumping on other northbound transport. But thieves and kidnappers sometimes lurk in the bush. "They attacked us, but we managed to fight them off and escape," said Teresa Mayadal, 46, a chemical technician from Havana who, along with her husband, made it to the Mexican city of Arriaga, a freight train terminus about 150 miles north of Tapachula. Her feet were heavily bandaged, the result of blisters from days of walking north from the Guatemalan border. For good luck, she cradled a blue-and-white doll of Santeria, a popular folk religion of African origins, as she and her husband rested on cardboard sheets and blankets outside a migrant shelter in Arriaga. Sitting next to her was a Honduran woman, 21, with tears in her eyes. She said - her voice breaking - she had been sexually assaulted while walking around a checkpoint. The assailants also stole her cellphone and her purse. She asked some visitors if she could borrow a phone to call her boyfriend in the United States, and sought the equivalent of $1 to pay for a shower at a private home. Her name was Larisa, she said, declining to provide a surname. "I never thought this would happen," she said, holding back tears. The lucky ones, like Jose Mario Barralaga, 28, from the Honduran city of La Ceiba, obtained humanitarian visas allowing them unfettered travel through Mexico. But Barralaga - who says he was shot by gang members in La Ceiba and left for dead because he refused extortion threats - plans to wait in Tapachula several more weeks with his wife and two children while saving a few hundred dollars for the trip to the U.S. border. "In the United States, we have heard there is a chance of improvement for our families," said Barralaga, who earns a living hawking homemade baleadas, a Honduran staple of flour tortillas stuffed with beans and cheese, to fellow migrants outside the Mexican refugee office. "That chance for improvement is what we all hope for." ___ (Cecilia Sanchez of the Los Angeles Times' Mexico City bureau and special correspondent Liliana Nieto del Rio in Arriaga, Mexico, contributed to this report.) Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com


In the past year the Jeffrey Epstein case was catapulted onto the national news radar by one newspaper, the Miami Herald, and by one reporter in particular, Julie K. Brown . The paper's " Perversion of Justice " series came out last November, and Brown has stayed on the story ever since. As soon as The Daily Beast broke the news that Epstein had been arrested on Saturday evening , fellow journalists and other observers credited Brown and thanked her for the tenacious investigation. Law enforcement officials are also giving credit to the reporting. "We were assisted" by "some excellent investigative journalism," Manhattan US Attorney Geoffrey Berman said at a Monday morning press conference. William Sweeney, the assistant director-in-charge of the FBI's New York office, added, "We work with facts. When the facts presented themselves, as Mr. Berman hinted at, through investigative journalists' work, we moved on it." While they didn't cite Brown or the newspaper by name, Berman said in response to a question about the Herald, "we are certainly aware of that reporting." Brown was in the room for the press conference. She was actually scheduled to interview another one of Epstein's accusers on Monday. But after he was arrested, she cancelled that flight and booked a ticket to New York. True to form, she sought to shift the spotlight, away from her own work and toward her subjects. "The REAL HEROES HERE were the courageous victims that faced their fears and told their stories," she tweeted Sunday. On Sunday's "Reliable Sources," Brown said she hopes more women choose to come forward. "It takes a lot of courage, understandably," Brown said. "This happened to them a long time ago, and many of them feel ashamed." She also discussed her reporting process. "What I tried to do, since the story ran and got all that attention, was to keep hounding away at the story. I didn't give up on it," she said. "You know, it's sometimes easy to walk away and just let things happen. But I just felt that I had to keep pursuing it, and not let the powers-that-be, so to speak, the law enforcement people, the people in government, forget that these women were out there. And they're talking and they want to tell their story and they want justice." In summary: "I think the hardest part sometimes of an investigation is to keep going at it, keep pecking away at it." Executives at the Herald and its parent company, McClatchy, have been pointing to the Epstein investigation as evidence about local journalism's importance and vitality. Aminda Marqués González, the Herald's top editor, said in an email message, "Julie's investigative series continues a tradition of award-winning journalism at the Herald that holds the powerful to account and demonstrates the phenomenal power of local journalism." Last November's three-part report revealed that when Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta was a US attorney in Florida, he gave Epstein the "deal of a lifetime." In a sweeping review of the case, the Herald explained how Acosta had made an agreement with Epstein to avoid major repercussions for the hedge fund manager, even though a federal investigation had identified 36 underage victims. Brown was also able to interview some of the women on the record, and she has followed up with others since. The Herald and Brown "took on immense risk in reporting this story," Poynter Institute vice president Kelly McBride wrote on Twitter on Monday. "When journalists expose the wrong-doing of the rich/powerful, they invite a libel suit. Many rich/ powerful people would like to make it easier to win those cases, to discourage such reporting."


Mesa will see a return of last week's cloudy skies today, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . The clouds will part just a bit on Friday, remaining mostly cloudy through Saturday. There's no rain in the cards this week, with the possibility of showers remaining below 10 percent for the next seven days. Temperatures will be hot today, with a high of 90 degrees, then drop slightly beginning on Friday. Winds should reach a modest high of 16 mph today, but will calm somewhat starting on Friday. 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.