In the loosest geographic terms, the Hill Country is where South Texas, Central Texas, and West Texas meet. It's where enormous live oaks and Ashe junipers flirt with dusty scrubland, where granite karsts rise like hunchbacks from the plains, where bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush festoon the landscape in a watercolorist's daydream. Bound in by the Balcones Escarpment, the southeastern edge of the Hill Country starts just above San Antonio. After spending a day exploring Texas's second most populous city, cut northwest toward Bandera and Uvalde counties, where you can sleep in a TV-famous tree house, explore the unspoilt Sabinal and Frio rivers by inner tube, and stuff yourself silly on tacos and country-fried steak. Suggested itinerary: This five-day excursion begins in San Antonio, home to the efficiently run San Antonio International Airport . The first night is spent in the city; the next three in the countryside. Can you hear the cicadas yet? Day one: Shopping and taquerias Grab a rental car and get thee to Carnitas Lonja . Chef-owner Alex Paredes's southside taqueria always sells out of its crispy-delicious pork, sometimes as early as 1:30 p.m. For two diners, order a pound of meat with six homemade corn tortillas and beans on the side. If you're there on a weekend, try a seafood tostada and Clamato-spiked beer from Fish Lonja , Paredes's brand-new sister kitchen, run out of Carnitas Lonja's backyard. Take refuge from the Texas heat in a cute, air-conditioned boutique like Nativa. In the hottest part of the afternoon, make like a Texan and seek out shops with air-conditioning. Fiesta On Main sells a broad array of colorful San Pablito and Otomo quilts, painted tin signs, and Día de los Muertos figurines. Fair-trade Mexican boutique Nativa has some of the city's cutest clothing and home goods, including palm earrings, carved gourd bowls, and flowing caftans. Cheever Books is loaded with rare first editions and autographed tomes, heavy on the Texana. In tony Alamo Heights, sloan/hall is good for Turkish floor pillows and couture dresses, while Temple of Offering caters to an earthier, neo New Age crowd with its Ojai-esque ceramics and smudge sticks. Making the museum rounds is another smart way to avoid the blistering heat: The San Antonio Museum of Art has a remarkable collection of ancient Greek, Roman, Etruscan, and Egyptian sculptures, plus creative traveling shows. (On view now: Men of Steel, Women of Wonder , featuring works inspired by Superman and Wonder Woman.) The Briscoe Western Art Museum , meanwhile, covers five centuries of the American West, from the Spanish conquistadors to present day. Look for Apache-woven baskets, bronze sculptures by John Coleman, and a full-size replica of a Wells Fargo & Co. stagecoach. After 3 p.m., drop your bags at the 146-room Hotel Emma , located in the heart of San Antonio's revitalized Pearl District . The Roman and Williams  designed inn was named after Emma Koehler, the CEO who ran the former brewery during Prohibition. Boutique touches include luxurious Frette linens, lavender bath salts from Los Poblanos, supple leather sofas contrasted with vintage kilim rugs, and mini-larders stocked with Topo Chico and Mexican Cokes. Head down to the hotel library to indulge in a free welcome cocktail and canapés or go for a stroll along the Pearl's handsomely manicured section of the ever-expanding River Walk . As the sun starts to set, drive over to the Japanese Tea Garden , a rock quarry turned green space with stone arch bridges, a lily pond, and a 60-foot-tall cascading waterfall. You'll see turtles, ducks, koi, and wedding parties snapping photos. Dinner has got to be at Ray's Drive Inn , originator of the puffy taco. The beef or carne guisada , enveloped in a fresh-from-the-fryer crackly taco shell, is the way to go. For dessert, loop north to El Paraiso , San Antonio's first paletería . José Flores' real-fruit pops take their inspiration from his Mexican home state of Zacatecas, as well as Guadalajara and Aguascalientes. The neon green pickle pop is sour and tangy, with bits of pickle skin floating in its frozen orbit. Sweeter teeth might prefer horchata, coconut, or pineapple. Day two: More Mexican bites and a Treehouse Utopia After checking out of Hotel Emma, kick things off with a leisurely meal at Cascabel Mexican Patio . The daily brunch service starts with a complimentary bowl of fideo : thin noodles submerged in a restorative chicken broth. The machacado is a Nuevo León dish made with dried beef, diced jalapeños, onions, and tomatoes, served in warm tortillas. The enmoladas , or chicken enchiladas in mole poblano, are equally tempting. If you're anxious to hit the road faster, swing by the downtown location of La Panadería , an upscale Mexican bakery where the decadent tequila almond croissant deserves write-in nominations on election ballots and the vanilla conchas are so light and airy, you'd think they were filled with helium. From here, you're heading to Utopia (population: 227) via a scenic two-hour route through Bandera. There are two reasons for this. One, to meet Billy Howard, owner of Flashback Funtiques in Boerne. Howard started collecting gumball machines at age 11 and now sells beautifully refurbished soda dispensers from the 1950s, mint-con Mobil gas signs, and larger-than-life Big Boy statues. Two, to hang out with Kymberli Word, one of the hilarious, down-to-earth owners of Hill Country Cellars Winery in Bandera. She and her husband, Rhett, set up this tasting room three years ago but have been making wine two whites (chardonnay and symphony), three reds (cabernet sauvignon, malbec, and lenoir), a rosé, and a dessert wine for almost a decade. Word doesn't take kindly to snobs from California telling her Texans don't know how to make wine, and she's determined to prove it one mind-changing flight at a time. From Bandera, it's another 40 minutes to Utopia, where you'll be checking into your home base for the next three nights: Treehouse Utopia . The extraordinary property, which overlooks the lazy Sabinal River, turned a year old in June. Texas-born chef and entrepreneur Laurel Waters teamed up with "tree whisperer" Pete Nelson of Treehouse Masters , a popular TV show about arboreal living that ran on Animal Planet from 2013 to 2018, to construct this quartet of luxury tree houses. Inspired by Waters's love of antiquing and her extensive travels throughout France, the Chapelle has a 25-foot steeple, stained glass, and a decor rife with French ecclesiastical artifacts. The two-story Chateau has an expansive deck, fairy tale like spiral staircase, and a grand clawfoot bathtub. The Carousel features a hidden porch and a vintage merry-go-round horse as its centerpiece. And the Biblioteque is jammed wall-to-wall with books, plus two cozy leather armchairs that invite guests to linger. The grounds are blessedly remote (even Google Maps doesn't have the address, which is how Waters likes it), yet centrally located to everything you'll want to see and do in Uvalde and Bandera counties in the coming days, starting with a no-fuss dinner at Neals Dining Room in Concan. The family-owned café has been serving up country-fried steak, lima beans, buttered rolls, and yes-ma'am/no-ma'am hospitality since 1929. Day three: A cowboy storyteller, trail riding, and a Twisted Sister Start with breakfast at Lost Maples Cafe in Utopia, where the Redden family makes buttermilk pancakes the size of hubcaps and the building is notable, too: Dating to 1904, it has served as a Masonic lodge, a drugstore, a classroom, and a doctor's office. Next, join "cowboy storyteller" Lee Haile for a guided nature tour to some of the Hill Country's mightiest trees, including a 96-foot-tall, 438-inch-round Bald Cypress next to Buffalo Creek. The trees are located on private land, so you need permission to access them. Besides, Haile is good company entertaining his troops with campfire songs and an impressive knowledge of the local ecology. After bidding Haile adieu, drive to Elm Creek Stables in Concan, a quarter mile north of Garner State Park, to go trail riding. Beverly and George Streib have run the Frio Canyon Horse Refuge for nearly a quarter of a century. Of the 30+ horses in their stable, only a dozen or so people-loving equines lead tours; the rest of the seniors are free to simply enjoy their retirement. The horses are gentle and the terrain is easy to navigate, dotted with dainty wildflowers and strapping oaks. The low trails are particularly novice-friendly; experienced riders may request a steeper amble along higher paths. Ten minutes north of Elm Creek, turn right onto Ranch Road 337 . This is one of the Twisted Sisters, three routes widely considered the best motorcycle drives in the Hill Country. But even in a car, it's a blast of a roller-coaster ride, winding past shallow creeks and under towering limestone bluffs. Thirsty yet? Cool off under a shade tree, sipping chilled Polvadeau Vin Symphonique. Order a glass of this smooth white wine at Lost Maples Winery and Polvadeau Vineyards in Vanderpool, or request a flight with 10 generous pours. (The winery's best seller, Polvadeau Vin Elegante, is a velvety Hill Country cab with hints of plum and currant.) Dinner tonight is at The Laurel Tree , back in Utopia, the restaurant where Treehouse Utopia co-owner Laurel Waters really shows off her Le Cordon Bleu training. The antiques-stuffed hideaway is open just one day a week, on Saturdays, and reservations are essential. Waters grows many of her own vegetables and herbs, and her five-course menu is seasonally inspired. (Count your blessings if she's making her tangy lemon-artichoke soup or signature brisket Wellington.) In the backyard, you'll notice yet another stunning tree house: this one perched in a 450-year-old live oak. This tree house was Waters's first collaboration with Nelson , before they cofounded Treehouse Utopia. The tiny lofted abode seats two to six people and may be reserved for private dinners. Alas, nabbing a reservation in the tree house dining room requires considerable planning because seatings book out six months in advance. Day four: Floating on the rio Rise and shine and put on your finest swimming costume: Today you're floating the Rio Frio, a spring-fed river that winds conveniently through Leakey and Concan. Many locals bring their own floats, but you can rent yours from Andy's on the River , a Concan-based outfitter that provides shuttles to pick-up and drop-off points. Tubing is like one big river party. Coolers with built-in radios blast country and western and reggaeton songs. Folks are drinking and singing and flipping out of their floats for maximum Instagram laughs. You'll bump tubes with strangers at least half a dozen times in the slower patches and that's OK: Everyone is out here to have a good time. The length of the trip depends on the water levels, but bank on three to six hours. For food, you can gulp down a Texas-sized cinnamon bun from Bonnie's Bakery at Crider's on the Frio in Concan before hitting the water; pack a picnic lunch with provisions from Concan General Store , stopping to eat it on a deep rock ledge about halfway down the river; or save your appetite for a late lunch at Bear's Den in Leakey. Tucked behind Bear's Market & Specialty Meats , the warehouse-like space with comfy couches and stadium TVs welcomes folks in all their messy post-float glory. Order a basket of brisket quesadillas and fried green beans with jalapeno-ranch dressing and life is good. Back on the road, heading south toward Concan, look for the rainbow-striped bus parked in front of The Inn Between , a clutch of rental cottages just off Highway 83. Married co-owners Jake and Leah Guerrero make a mean mangonada inside the cheerfully painted bus. The icy Mexican fruit treat tastes great in the wicked Texas heat. Stick with the classic combo (chamoy, mango, lime juice, and chili powder) or go wild with pickle sauce, gummy worms, an ice pop, a Tootsie Pop, and a chewy tamarind-coated straw. Around 7:30 p.m., meet at the first gate south of the Frio River in Concan, about a third of a mile down FM 2690. This is where you and probably two dozen other folks will find a real-life batman. Bain Walker has been leading the Frio Bat Flight tours for 20 years and knows everything there is to know about bats, guano, and the poor souls whose job it is to collect bat guano for our fertilizers and toothpaste. After paying for your tour (advance reservations recommended) and trailing Walker down a dusty gravel road through a 10,000-acre private ranch, you'll schlep up a small hill, listen to his spiel about bats, and then wait. And wait. And wait. Finally, after the sun sinks over the distant hills, they'll appear 10 to 12 million of them, mostly ladies racing like madness out of the cave and turning the pink sky above into a ribbon of black. After the Bracken Cave Preserve in Comal County, this is the second largest colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in the world. Their en masse flight is spectacular to witness. The night is still young though, so jump back in the car and drive 20 minutes north to Garner State Park . This 1,774-acre green space is great for day hikes (Old Baldy is a popular summit), but it gets extra busy after dark thanks to its family-friendly jukebox dances . Folks of all ages have been gathering at this open-air pavilion on summer nights since the 1940s, with country and western shindigs held nightly (8 to 11 p.m.) until August 17. After Labor Day, check the calendar for special events. Day five: More tacos and back to San Antone Bid adieu to the tree house of your dreams and hop onto scenic Ranch Road 187 toward Sabinal. Your final breakfast in Hill Country will no doubt be your best: Nora's Tacos . The unimpeachable egg, potato, bacon, and cheese combo is the top choice if you're craving a classic breakfast taco, although owner Nora Gomez has a huge blackboard menu of other options  queso flamenco, machacado , nopalitos  all of them absurdly tasty. From Sabinal, pick up U.S. 90 East back to San Antonio. This leg takes about an hour without traffic, leaving you enough time to pack in more sightseeing. Visit San Antonio Missions National Historical Park , which encompasses four historic missions spaced about 2.5 miles apart. There are 10 miles of pedestrian-only trails connecting the missions, should you feel a burning desire to walk or rent a bike, or you can park for free. And don't you dare board your plane home without sampling San Antonio's absolute best barbecue: 2M Smokehouse . A pro order goes something like this: half a pound of brisket ("moist"), a quarter pound of juicy pulled pork, two big honkin' pork ribs, a sausage spiked with Oaxaca cheese and Serrano chilies, and sides of soupy borracho beans, chicharrón -topped macaroni and cheese, and pickled nopales. Arrive by 11:30 a.m. to avoid a crazy line and the crushing disappointment of seeing the words Sold Out . What to bring Summers in Texas are no joke. Pack light, breathable clothing, sunblock, bug spray, a good hat, sweat rags, and a reusable water bottle. If you plan to float the Frio, bring a swimsuit, rashguard or coverup, water shoes, waterproof camera casing, and a good length of rope. That last one is so you can tether your inner tube to your fellow travelers' tubes or your floating beer cooler (no judgment). Should you forget any of these items, Frio's Dry Fifty in Concan sells all this and more. Additional tips Besides the Alamo, the Pearl District is one of the greatest tourist draws in San Antonio. If you're struggling to find parking, check the multilevel Ace parking garage at Isleta Street and Emma Koehler. It's free and almost always available. One can only eat so much jerky on a road trip. Stop by the Pearl Farmers' Market to pick up fresh fruits and veggies for your drive. It's Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Treehouse Utopia is blissfully out of range for anyone who doesn't have cell service with AT&T. Though the Wi-Fi is fast, why not log off and read a book? The Gates of the Alamo , by Stephen Harrigan, is considered one of the best novels ever written about this neck of the world. Related video: Behold The World's Most Scenic Road Trip (Provided by GeoBeats)


Dak Prescott came up short in landing on the rundown of the NFL's top 100 players after ranking No. 14 in 2017 and missing out altogether in 2018. Speaking to Fox 4's Mike Doocy on Thursday, Prescott indicated the fraternal nature of how the rankings are compiled   which consists of votes from only NFL players with 1,098 ballots collected   makes the omission sting a bit more. Dak Prescott tells @MikeDoocyFOX4 being left off NFL Network Top 100 players list is motivating. "One of the biggest compliments is from a peer. So I guess you can take that the other way as if when you're not getting it. It should motivate you." #FOXNARD https://t.co/Gu1GnTUd7O pic.twitter.com/MffxwVEL8i   FOX 4 Sports (@KDFWsports) August 1, 2019 "One of the biggest compliments is from a peer. So I guess you can take that the other way when you're not getting it," Prescott said, as transcribed by the Dallas Morning News . "It should motivate you. "When you see that list and there's 100 guys   yeah, it lights a fire." The annual rankings as always create some semblance of controversy, whether it be related to players expressing consternation over their rankings   or outright omission, as is the case with Prescott   or pundits and the like parsing how the players are slotted. That said, the rankings are arbitrary and arguably more of a popularity contest than anything else as opposed to a legitimate representation of who exactly are the top 100 players in the league. Still, for Prescott to be omitted entirely is something of a surprise given his overall status in the league. While he certainly has far better things to worry about heading into the 2019 season, whenever a player can internalize outside issues to fuel motivation, it has to be seen as a positive thing. Related slideshow: Best photos from NFL training camps (Provided by imagn)


Scott Agness of The Athletic reported that the Indiana Pacers traded the No. 50 pick in tonight's draft to the Jazz in exchange for a 2021 second-round pick and cash from the Jazz. Pacers received a 2021 second-round pick and cash considerations from the Jazz in exchange for the 50th pick. Already, they own the Bucks' 2021 second-rounder.   Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) June 21, 2019 The trade is now official, according to an NBA press release . With the No. 50 selection, the Pacers selected Charleston forward Jarrell Brantley on behalf of the Jazz.


Dylan O'Keeffe took a clinical 0.7s win in the second TCR Australia race at Queensland Raceway. With yesterday's winner Jean-Karl Vernay sidelined for today's races , O'Keeffe was promoted to pole for the second 30-minute hit-out. The Ash Seward Motorsport Alfa driver then gapped the field in the opening phase of the race, his lead growing to as much as 3s as the likes of Tony D'Alberto and Russell Ingall scrapped over second. There was a brief charge from Ingall in the closing stages, the Melbourne Performance Centre Audi driver closing the gap across the last five laps. However the veteran didn't have enough to run down O'Keeffe, who secured a well-crafted 0.7s lights-to-flag win. "The car was great, I just tried to do a consistent lap time, nothing too silly," he said. "Yesterday we had quite a lot of brake knock-off and brake wear, so I tried to be really careful on the brakes and front tyres. "I saw these other two coming at me at the end, they were quite quick. Hopefully in the next race we can stay out front and build a gap." As was the case yesterday, it was D'Alberto that run second for more than half of the race. However the Wall Honda driver ran out of steam as the race wore on, Ingall passing him on Lap 13, before Aaron Cameron (MPC VW) demoted D'Alberto to fourth a lap later. Cameron kept the pressure on Ingall throughout the closing stages of the race, the two MPC cars separated by less than a second at the finish. D'Alberto hung on to fourth ahead of Garry Rogers Motorsport Alfa driver Jordan Cox. Nathan Morcom was the best of the HMO Hyundais in sixth, followed by John Martin (Wall Honda) and James Moffat (GRM Renault). Leanne Tander was ninth in the MPC Audi, with points leader Will Brown (HMO Hyundai) recovering to 10th after finishing yesterday's race near the back . The final TCR Australia race from Queensland Raceway can be streamed live and free from anywhere in the world via Motorsport.TV.


Apollo 11 blasted off from Kennedy Space Center on July 16, 1969. Here is our Orlando Sentinel newspaper coverage from launch day, previewing the historic mission. Also included are pages from our afternoon newspaper, the Orlando Evening Star, from launch day with the first published reports after Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins soared into space on the Saturn V rocket. NOTE: If the images of the newspaper pages below appear too small on your screen, click here for a larger view.


A man has been arrested in connection with the beating death of an elderly Dauphin County man over the weekend, according to an affidavit. Richard Hudgins, 30, was taken into custody and charged following the death of 77-year-old Larry Buffenmeyer Sr. Buffenmeyer was found at his East Hanover Township residence by his nephew, who called police, on June 29. Buffenmeyer had numerous injuries including a laceration to the head. He later died at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center with blunt force trauma to the head listed as the cause of death. Police could not find any sign of another person inside the home, but Buffenmeyer's cell phone held another lead. Police found a thread of "contentious" text messages exchanged between Hudgins and Buffenmeyer from before the assault. According to an affidavit, Buffenmeyer was selling prescription drugs to Hudgins and became upset when he stopped paying. During the investigation, Buffenmeyer's 2013 Chevrolet Equinox was reported as missing from his property. It was later found in the 200 block of Campmeeting Road in Lebanon County with a note that read "Car broke down, will be back to get it soon, thanks". Blood transfer was found on the exterior of the car, the rear hatch, both the driver's side and passenger side doors, and the driver's side rear wheel. On June 2, Hudgins was taken into custody by Pennsylvania State Police. He initially lied about knowing anything about the a, but eventually told police that he had gotten into a physical altercation with Buffenmeyer. Hudgins said he tried to steal Buffenmeyer's car and struck him with a long cylinder object. Before Hudgins fled with the car, the front end of the car struck Buffenmeyer's head. Hudgins faces both a homicide charge and a robbery charge. More: Eastern Hanover Township homicide victim's car found in Lebanon County More: These police officers' tattoos share personal meaning, help connect with community This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Dauphin County homicide: Man charged in 77-year-old's beating death


The family of the late Pat Bowlen invited the public to Broncos Stadium at Mile High to remember the longtime Broncos owner on Tuesday and thousands of people showed up to pay their respects. Those who attended the service were greeted by Broncos president Joe Ellis, moved through a room with memorabilia from Bowlen's time as the Broncos owner on display and were then met by members of the Bowlen family. "It's been very comforting ," Beth Bowlen Wallace said, via Mike Klis of KUSA. "It's been an overwhelming time emotionally for all of us, but to see the fans and to see the players and the staff that have come through has brought great comfort because we realize, which we already did, it just solidifies how much my father meant to this community. It's mirrored back to them how much this community meant to my father." Past and present Broncos were also on hand, including former wide receiver Rod Smith . Smith said that he didn't think Bowlen would have cared for "all this fanfare about him," but the days since his death have made it clear that Bowlen is well remembered all around the football world.


The Buffalo Bills were supposed to hit the field for their third and final day of mandatory minicamp on Thursday. Head Coach Sean McDermott cancelled to the delight of his players, probably. The Bills announced at approximately 9:30 a.m. that the session had been cancelled and the players would go through "team building." Bounce houses were included. Buffalo's seventh-round pick at the 2019 NFL draft. defensive end Darryl Johnson, posted this insight into the team activities on his Instagram account. Video comes via The Bills Wire's Bradley Gelber: Per Rookie Darryl Johnson's Instagram, looks like the #Bills team building activity today includes games and bounce house obstacles inside the team's field house. pic.twitter.com/JJBtoFbI62 - Bradley Gelber (@BradleyGelber) June 13, 2019 And another peep inside via Buffalo Rumblings: Dion Dawkins, Jordan Poyer and Mike Love having fun at the #Bills team building activities today. pic.twitter.com/tbth5ZnXTb - Buffalo Rumblings (@BuffRumblings) June 13, 2019 MORE: Drake's reaction to Kevin Durant's injury is now an NBA Twitter meme David Bakhtiari excited to see more from Packers rookie Rashan Gary NBA trade rumor rankings: Rockets on the move? Michael Roberts trade completes Lions' much-needed overhaul at TE Roundup: Latest David Ortiz Shooting Investigation Details, Elin Nordegren Expecting Third Kid


President Trump has summoned Republican lawmakers, political strategists and social media stars to the White House on Thursday to discuss the "opportunities and challenges" of the Web   but his upcoming summit, critics say, could end up empowering online provocateurs who have adopted controversial political tactics entering the 2020 election campaign. The high-profile gathering follows months of attacks from Trump claiming that Facebook, Google and Twitter   all services the president taps to talk to supporters   secretly censor right-leaning users, websites and other content online, a charge of political bias that the tech giants strongly deny. "I'm concerned there are people who work at the major technology platforms who want to put their thumb on the scale," said Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who plans to attend the White House summit. Subscribe to the Post Most newsletter: Today's most popular stories on The Washington Post But Trump hasn't invited any of the major tech companies, people familiar with the White House plans say, opting instead to grant a powerful stage to people who have a track record of sending inflammatory tweets and videos and posting other troubling content that social media sites increasingly are under pressure to remove. Among the expected attendees are James O'Keefe, the founder of Project Veritas, which has released secretly recorded videos of subjects, including a Google executive, in an attempt to paint them as politically biased. Another invitee, Ben Garrison, has published cartoons that have drawn sharp rebukes from the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center for including hateful text and imagery. O'Keefe confirmed his attendance and defended his tactics this week. Garrison, who tweeted a copy of his invitation , did not respond to a request for comment. Announced in June , the president's summit comes the same week that a federal judge ruled that Trump is prohibited by the First Amendment from blocking critics from his Twitter feed. Last month, Twitter said it would begin labeling tweets from Trump that violate its policies but are allowed to stay on the site because he is a national political figure. In a statement, White House spokesman Judd Deere said the administration opted to convene the event after hearing from "thousands" of Americans across the political spectrum that they had been affected by bias online. He said Trump "wants to engage directly with these digital leaders in a discussion on the power of social media," but he declined to provide a full list of attendees. In recent months, Trump has intensified his attacks on Facebook, Google and Twitter for allegedly limiting his online reach, often citing disputed evidence in making his claims about bias. During a recent interview on Fox Business, the president even charged that Google seeks to rig the upcoming election. Twitter said any variation in Trump's follower count is the result of the company's efforts to delete automated accounts known as bots. Despite the threats, though, Trump remains one of social media's most prolific users. He has purchased millions of dollars in ads on Facebook and Google, which owns YouTube, while broadcasting his political views to an audience of more than 61 million followers on Twitter each day, a strategy that helped catapult Trump to the White House in the first place. Trump's Silicon Valley broadsides have resonated among fellow conservatives, who say they've been unfairly targeted by social media giants headquartered near liberal-leaning San Francisco. The broadsides have also sparked GOP-led hearings on Capitol Hill , where Facebook, Google and Twitter have maintained they are politically neutral. Some of those congressional critics will join the White House summit Thursday along with conservative activists and right-leaning social media figures. The regulatory risks are high for the industry: Federal law shields tech giants from lawsuits and other liability for the content their users post or the decisions companies make about the content they leave up or take down. But some conservatives have called for an end to that legal shield, even proposing that the government use antitrust laws to penalize Facebook, Google and Twitter for their actions. "The president is taking the lead here. He's really standing up for all Americans and making sure that conservatives aren't silenced," said Christian Ziegler, the vice chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, who is slated to attend. A digital director for various Republican campaigns since 2006, he said he's long suspected his clients' reach has been limited by social media platforms. Facebook, Google and Twitter declined to comment for this article. The White House summit is part of a broader offensive by Trump and his staff to encourage pro-Trump influencers online. Several Web activists even claimed last week to have gotten tickets from the Trump administration to watch the president's Fourth of July event on the Mall before being invited to the White House to discuss social media. The beneficiaries included Ali Alexander, who recently tweeted that Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) is not an "American black" after her appearance at the party's first 2020 presidential debate, a remark given greater reach after the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., retweeted it. Alexander did not respond to requests for comment. Two meme creators who have been favored by Trump and his staff, who use the online handles @mad_liberals and @CarpeDonktum, had a 20-minute Oval Office meeting with the president July 3. The user @CarpeDonktum previously won a $10,000 anti-mainstream media meme contest sponsored by the conspiracy-theory website Infowars, which has been barred on major social media sites. He recently created a fake animated cover of Time magazine that suggested Trump would stay in office forever. Trump retweeted the video, getting more than 25 million views on Twitter. "Where is the genius? I want to meet the genius," Trump said to @CarpeDonktum as the men entered the Oval Office, according to the recollection of @mad_liberals. Both men spoke to The Washington Post about their experience with the president on the condition their full names not be used because they fear online or in-person harassment. The two have complained of unfair treatment by social media companies. @CarpeDonktum's account on Twitter was suspended for eight days, he said, after he posted an altered spaghetti western video that showed Trump slapping and shooting a gun at CNN reporter Jim Acosta . @Mad_liberals said Instagram shut down his account for reasons that are not clear to him. In seeking to rally his online troops, though, Trump has controversial conservatives who have clashed with Facebook, Google and Twitter for posting content that violates their rules. O'Keefe's Project Veritas, for example, is known for its deceptive tactics: A woman working with the organization once tried to deceive Post reporters into thinking she had been impregnated by Roy Moore, who unsuccessfully ran to represent Alabama in the U.S. Senate. The woman's false tale, which she told over two weeks in interviews with Post reporters, was an apparent effort to discredit Post stories about Moore's involvement with underage girls. The woman's story did not check out, however, and The Post reporters eventually saw her enter the New York offices of Project Veritas. More recently, Project Veritas published secretly recorded video of Google executive Jen Gennai, a clip that appears to depict her saying Google wants to prevent Trump's reelection. Gennai has said Project Veritas took her comments out of context, and YouTube has removed the video on grounds it violated the privacy rights of a "third party." In a statement Tuesday, O'Keefe defended Project Veritas and its methods   "nobody has been able to name one factually misleading edit in any of our hundred plus investigations," he said. But that ignored the results of investigations of O'Keefe's work dating to 2009 when his organization first came to wide public attention after it published a video that claimed to show two workers for the anti-poverty organization ACORN plotting to commit fraud. The video was later proved false by investigators for the California attorney general's office and the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and O'Keefe settled a lawsuit from one of the workers. Critics expressed early unease with the White House's decision to invite such participants at a moment when the risks of disinformation remain high, three years after Russian agents spread falsehoods on social media during the 2016 presidential election. Experts have pointed to recent examples   including a fabricated video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), edited to make her look inebriated   that went viral on Facebook and Twitter despite their heightened vigilance ahead of the 2020 race. "They're advocating for a particular kind of social media system where they are allowed to harass, defame [and] post indecent content, and not be censured for it, and not be moderated in any way," said Joan Donovan, the director of the Technology and Social Change Research Project at Harvard University. "They want the benefits of social media with none of the civility." Trump's social media habits have triggered controversy, too: On Monday, he retweeted a 2017 meme that featured a quote falsely attributed to President Ronald Reagan. The tweet, which praised Trump, received more than 40,000 likes. Facebook previously had flagged it as false, and Twitter suspended the account. The company declined to comment on the specific reason for the suspension. White House officials announced their social media summit last month, on the same day that Trump assailed Silicon Valley for being "against me"   and threatened to regulate it in response. It capped off a roughly month-long period during which the White House solicited stories from the public about instances of censorship online , along with their contact information. Since disabled, a new Web page in place of the original survey says the White House received "thousands" of submissions in response. The campaign, developed then tweeted by the White House, drew sharp rebukes from lawmakers, free-speech advocates and open-government experts, who saw it as a misuse of federal resources. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) blasted the White House at the time for a campaign to "pressure tech companies ahead of the 2020 elections and score political points." Some Republicans, however, defended Trump's summit this week. "All we want is a fair fight," said Gaetz, who has accused Twitter of limiting access to conservatives' accounts in the past. "I guess in a sense if highlighting experiences and instances of bias will result in fewer moderations that present as bias, all the better."


A federal judge ruled Friday that the FBI must release some of the redacted sections of former FBI Director James Comey's memos of his conversations with President Trump. James E. Boasberg of the District Court for the District of Columbia ruled the redactions must be released in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit brought against the FBI by CNN, saying that the agency's publication of redacted memos on its website and the conclusion of special counsel Robert Mueller's report led him to his decision. Boasberg ruled in 2018 that the memos would remain redacted amid Mueller's probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. CNN's request surrounds memos Comey wrote following several conversations with the president. The former FBI director said he wrote the notes down out of fear that the president would try to mischaracterize their meetings. Friday's ruling deals with a batch of several redactions from the memos, choosing to order the release of some and allowing the government to keep secret some others. One batch, which Boasberg ruled would be partially unredacted, concerns a conversation Trump had with former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn. The discussion appears to regard which world leader called Trump first to congratulate him after his inauguration. The FBI had argued that relationships with different countries could be damaged if the exchange was unredacted. Comey's memos regarding Flynn have been significant in the past, as they revealed that Trump asked Comey to halt the FBI's investigation into the then-national security adviser, a move several observers have said could have obstructed justice. Boasberg also ordered that an exchange between Comey and Trump regarding Egypt's president be partially redacted. He allowed a redaction containing "a reference about the President's observation about responding to a question he was asked about Russian President Putin" would be allowed to remain secret.


MICHIGAN   Meijer pharmacies marked a major milestone this week in helping customers lower their healthcare costs, company officials announced. The Michigan-based retailer's Free Prescription Drug program reached 50 million prescriptions filled since its launch in 2006, saving customers more than $650 million. Meijer established the Free Prescription Drug Program to help lower healthcare costs for families by focusing on antibiotic medications most often filled for children. Through the years, as high costs of prescription drugs continued to rise, the program added other medications as well. "This program allows us to provide families necessary medications that best manage their health," said Jason Beauch, Vice President of Meijer Pharmacy. "We believe you can't put a price on wellness, so it's important for us to support local communities and do our part to help customers save on necessary medications and improve on their overall quality of life." Customers can participate in the program simply by bringing in a doctor's prescription for the select medications that are currently part of the program. The prescriptions are then free, regardless of insurance or co-pay. In 2018, the Meijer free prescription program saved Meijer customers more than $50 million. For more information about the Meijer Pharmacy or its Free Prescription program, please click here .


Whether you're trying to reach a goal weight or just cut out some mindless grazing, there are plenty of reasons to cut unnecessary calories out of your eating routine. That's because when you switch to more whole foods ( and fewer processed ones ) not only is your waist size likely to shrink, but your risk of all sorts of illness, from cancer to heart disease, drops dramatically. However, most of us know that's often easier said than done. Between busy schedules, families with varying palates, and let's face it plenty of cravings, it can be tough to eat healthy when surrounded by convenient and delicious options. Fortunately, swapping some of those empty calories with healthy ones can be easier and tastier than you'd think. Opting for foods rich in nutrients like protein , fiber , unsaturated fats, and yes, unrefined carbs , can help you lose weight and keep it off, as well as boost your overall health. Here are some of our favorite tips for slashing empty calories: Switch to Seltzer Beverages are one of the sneakiest sources of extra calories and added sugars in fact, sugary beverages like soda, tea, and sports drinks are the largest contributor to added sugar intake in the U.S. and studies have shown that "people who drink two or more servings of sugar-sweetened drinks a day have a 31% higher risk of dying early from cardiovascular disease." Even low or zero-calorie drinks made with artificial sweeteners may not be good for your health  and cause you to crave sugar even more ! If you need to mix up your water intake during the day or can't imaging cutting off soda cold turkey, try seltzer like LaCroix, Waterloo, or Spindrift to curb that craving without consuming extra sugar or chemical additives. They also make a perfect empty calorie-slashing ingredient in our easy and light strawberry daiquiri. Cook More Meals A whopping 90 percent of Americans don't like to cook, but cooking most meals at home is a crucial part of any successful weight loss. A 2014 study from John Hopkins University found those who ate at home more often than not consumed fewer calories, sugar, and carbs and they ultimately had lower weights than those who mostly ate out or only cooked one night a week. The average restaurant meal contains approximately 1,200 calories and is higher in sodium and fat than if you'd made the same meal at home. Why? Restaurants are competing with each other to make food as tasty as possible, so you'll continue to dine there. Making the food healthy will always be a smaller concern. Knowing how much salt, sugar, and fat is going into your food, controlling portion sizes, and ensuring you consume a variety of healthy foods is just that much easier when you're the chef behind the dish. Plus, you can experiment with lighter versions of your favorite comfort foods you try to avoid when dining out. If you're part of the majority that doesn't enjoy cooking, give some of our favorite 20-minute mains or clean eating weeknight recipes a whirl for stress-free time in the kitchen. Read Nutrition Labels The front of food and beverage packaging can be deceiving. The FDA has pretty low restrictions for what the food industry can label as "healthy." But the back of the package is another matter. That's where you can get the actual health status of a product and it's important to know how to digest nutrition facts labels and ingredients lists. The first rule of thumb is to look at the serving size it may not bear any relation to the amount you actually eat! From there, you can calculate how many calories and how much of other nutrients you'll actually consume. It's also important to check the ingredients list for hidden sweeteners and chemical additives. For a step-by-step guide to understanding nutrition labels, check out this article. Go Mediterranean If you're a regular Cooking Light reader, you know we're big fans of the Mediterranean Diet  and rightfully so! Health experts voted it the "best diet" for 2019  and the easiest to follow. Following the Mediterranean Diet has incredible health benefits, such as extending lives , improving heart health , and more. It has even shown to help stave off binge eating , as consuming more nutrient-dense, fiber-rich foods helps fill you up and keep you full. By consuming a mostly plant-based diet , full of whole grains, legumes, fresh produce, lean protein, and heart-healthy fats , you don't have to stress as much about occasional indulgences. In fact, they are a welcome part of the Mediterranean Diet, as it's more about maintaining a balanced lifestyle rather than obeying restrictive diet rules. Plus, more plant-forward diets are typically lower in calories, giving you a little wiggle room for the occasional treat! Practice Mindful Eating We love when a wellness trend is actually research-backed, and mindful eating is a proven tool for weight loss, curbing cravings, and even treating eating disorders. Putting down the phone, turning off the TV, or saving your breakfast for after the morning commute to focus on your meal allows you to dwell on how it is nourishing your body, enjoy the flavors of each bite, and better listen to your hunger cues and avoid overeating. Related: I Stopped Trying to "Eat Healthy" for 2 Weeks And I've Never Felt Better Ditching the "diet" mentality and choosing to practice mindful eating has also shown to help combat emotional eating when we are extremely vulnerable to consuming processed, empty calories. Enjoying a meal with a loved one instead of a screen has also shown to improve mental health. Make a home-cooked Mediterranean meal served with seltzer instead of soda, and you've just hit the jackpot!


CHICAGO   A gun linked to two unsolved murders in Rogers Park has been linked to two more shootings on Chicago's West Side, a source told Chicago's ABC 7. Last fall, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said shell casings from a pair of murders just a day apart showed that the same weapon was used in both killings. A suspect, wearing a black coat, black hat and a black mask over his face, was caught on surveillance camera after both murders. On the morning of Sept. 30, Douglass Watts, 73, was walking his dogs in the 1400 block of West Sherwin when someone shot him in the head in what police described as an "execution-style" shooting. Surveillance footage showed the masked suspect walking down a sidewalk after the killing wearing a hat and face mask despite the mild weather. The suspect was also seen on camera jogging down an alley after Watts' murder. The next night, at around 10:20 p.m., Eliyahu Moscowitz, 24 , was also shot in the head in the 1100 block of West Lunt Avenue on the Loyola Park path. A source told ABC Chicago that the murder weapon, which was never recovered, has since been used in two additional shooting s on the West Side. In October, the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago announced it was offering a more than $20,000 reward for information leading to the murder suspect's arrest in the Rogers Park killings. Last fall, police said they believed the suspect lived in the neighborhood, and some residents of the area were terrified to leave their homes in the wake of the crimes. Because Watts was gay and Moscowitz was an observant Jew, some residents expressed concern that the killings were hate crimes, but police had not found a motive in the attacks. "These murderous attacks are reverberating throughout the Jewish, LGBTQ and the broader communities," JUF/Federation President Steven Nasatir said in a statement last fall. "...we are determined to do whatever we can to aid the community as well as law enforcement's efforts to apprehend whoever is responsible."


Interested in adopting a pet   or just taking a peek at some cute kitties? There are dozens of deserving cats up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Miami. Animal shelters and pet rescue groups work hard to care for unhoused pets and connect them to loving homes. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of cats currently available for adoption. (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.) Livio, domestic shorthair mix Livio is a handsome male domestic shorthair mix currently residing at The Cat Network Inc. Livio is neutered, and he has all his shots. He is already house-trained. Livio's current caretakers say: Livio is a very purrsonable kitty. If you're interested in adopting him, please see complete listing to contact his foster mom Megan. Apply to adopt Livio today at Petfinder . Tommy, domestic shorthair mix Tommy is a male domestic shorthair mix being kept at The Cat Network Inc. His vaccinations are already up to date, and he's neutered. Have no fear: He is already house-trained. Notes from Tommy's caretakers: Tommy is shy but sweet. If you are interested in taking him home, please see complete listing for details and contact his foster mom Megan. Read more about how to adopt Tommy on Petfinder . Royal, domestic shorthair mix Royal is a lovable male domestic shorthair mix being cared for at The Cat Network Inc. Royal is already neutered, and he has all his shots. He has mastered his house-training etiquette. Royal is a special needs pet, so please inquire about his specific care requirements. From Royal's current caretaker: Meet Royal. This handsome cat has very striking markings, and he is super lovable. Contact us to learn more about him. Read more about Royal on Petfinder . Babette, domestic shorthair mix Babette is a charming female domestic shorthair mix being cared for at Operation PAW . She's mastered her house-training etiquette. She's already spayed, and she has all her shots. Here's what Babette's friends at Operation PAW think of her: Babette came to us in a box, unable to properly stand. She was rushed to the vet and treated for vitamin D deficiency rickets. Months have passed and thanks to the love and care of her foster Mom and foster fur siblings, she has grown strong and brave. She is ready to go to her new forever home. Apply to adopt Babette today at 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.


John Daly played his way into the mix in the final round of the American Family Insurance Championship, but he knew he was going to have to do something special over the last couple of holes to snatch a win on the PGA Tour Champions for the first time in over two years. When he hit his approach shot into 18 green at University Ridge Golf Club it was going dead right … like, way right. That's until he got the bounce of his life after his ball hit in the grandstands, ricocheted around, bounced down on the green and 10 feet away from the hole. Almost like he called 'backboard.' Off the grandstands! @PGA_JohnDaly called bank and stuck it close on No. 18 at the @AmFamChamp . 👏 pic.twitter.com/wNOnzMYHK7   PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) June 23, 2019 Daly missed his birdie putt but still carded a 6-under 66, which was good enough for a tie for fifth, his best finish of the season on tour. He finished two shots behind the three players who ended up in a playoff for the title, Jerry Kelly, Retief Goosen and Steve Stricker. Jerry Kelly won the playoff and the event with a birdie on the third playoff hole.


Tiger Woods and his girlfriend are named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed Monday in Florida alleging that an employee at the golfer's Jupiter restaurant and bar was over-served alcohol before the employee's death in a single-car crash in December. The lawsuit against Woods, girlfriend Erica Herman and the corporate entity for The Woods restaurant was filed by the parents of Nicholas F. Immesberger, who died at the scene of a Dec. 10 single-car rollover accident in southern Martin County, Florida, some 20 miles from Jupiter, after he lost control of his 1999 Chevrolet Corvette, the Palm Beach Post reported . He was 24. The Immesbergers' lawsuit, on the behalf of their son's estate, was filed only days before Woods is scheduled to play in the 2019 PGA Championship, the year's second major tournament and his first competitive golf since winning his 15th Grand Slam title at the Masters last month. Asked Tuesday at his pre-tournament media availability about the lawsuit, Woods said: "We are all very sad that Nick passed away. We feel bad for him and his entire family." Immesberger reportedly completed a shift at 3 p.m. ET on Dec. 10 and remained at The Woods Jupiter bar until beginning his drive home. The fatal crash happened at approximately 6:10 p.m. ET. His blood-alcohol level was .256, more than three times the legal limit of .08 in Florida, according to the lawsuit, which seeks $15,000 in damages. The suit also claims Immesberger was "personally known" to Herman in her role as the restaurant's general manager, and further alleges that employees, management and owners of The Woods Jupiter bar and restaurant at Harbourside over-served Immesberger despite having knowledge that he suffered from alcoholism. Per the Post: "(The lawsuit) alleges that a few days prior to the fatal crash, Immesberger drank alcoholic beverages at the restaurant's bar in the company of both Woods and Herman. The lawsuit states that 'Tiger is individually liable in this action because he individually participated in the serving of alcohol to Immesberger.'" Woods himself was arrested on suspicion of DUI in October 2017 but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving. MORE : PGA Championship 2019: Tiger Woods practices in cold, rain at Bethpage Black Prior to his one comment at the PGA Championship, neither Woods nor his representatives had said anything about the lawsuit. CNN attempted to reach Herman as well, but was unsuccessful. Immesberger's parents are scheduled to speak to the media Tuesday morning about the lawsuit.


PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland   Lee Westwood wasn't wishing Brooks Koepka any ill will, but he certainly wasn't sad when Koepka bogeyed the par-4 17 th on Sunday at the 148 th Open Championship. That bogey dropped Koepka into a tie for fourth place, with Westwood. Fourth place, fifth place, what's the difference if you don't win, right? The difference is a trip to Augusta National. With the top four finishers at Royal Portrush earning an invitation to the Masters Tournament, Koepka's bogey was just what Westwood needed to get a return trip to the season's first major. "Augusta is a very special place. And I played great in the past, I had a chance to win it. Augusta is another one I don't strictly think it's a bomber's paradise, although I think it helps. If you've played it a lot and you play it well, there's a lot of repeat winners," Westwood said. Full-field scores from the 148th Open Championship Full coverage of the 148th Open Championship "I feel like I can get it around there. I've had a couple of close calls, second a couple of times and third a couple of times." Westwood made those statements while Koepka was still on the course. Westwood had just finished off a 2-over 73, in which he climbed to 10 under par through 10 holes, but settled at 6 under, nine shots back of eventual winner Shane Lowry. Koepka stood at 7 under through 15 holes on Sunday, but dropped a shot at the 16 th . He then parred in to finish knotted with Westwood. At 46 years old, Westwood is still seeking his first major title. And as he mentioned, Augusta   despite the importance of putting   has given him his best opportunities over the years. Westwood has six career top-10 finishes at the Masters, more than at any other major. That includes two runner-up showings (2010, '16). Westwood didn't qualify for the tournament the last two years. By finishing inside the top 10, he will also get a return trip to The Open next year at Royal St. George's.


A new pub has opened its doors in the neighborhood. The newcomer to NoDa, called The Chamber - Wooden Robot , is located at 416 E. 36th St., Suite #100. This spot serves up IPAs, lagers and more. Look for the Johnny Cab, a Vienna lager, among the offerings . The Chamber - Wooden Robot also hosts regular events such as trivia nights and more . With a 3.5-star rating out of three reviews on Yelp so far, the new pub is getting solid feedback from clientele. Jeff S., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on June 22, wrote, "Right now, the taps only include Wooden Robot's regular beers. You have to go downstairs and inside for the sours and funk. This is an absolutely amazing space with great beer, too." Yelper Andrea S. added , "This spot has a rooftop beer garden. The view is amazing. There are plenty of taps and food trucks were available yesterday." Swing on by to take a peek for yourself: The Chamber - Wooden Robot is open from 4 p.m. 10 p.m. on Tuesday-Thursday, 3 p.m. midnight on Friday, noon midnight on Saturday and noon 9 p.m. on Sunday. (It's closed on Monday.) Want to keep your finger on the pulse of new businesses in Charlotte? Here's what else opened recently near you . 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.


All you need is a cowboy hat and a killer 'stache! While there are plenty of black Trans Ams out there that look like the lead car from Smokey and The Bandit , what you see here is a genuine 1979 Pontiac Trans Am Bandit equipped with the Y-84 Special Edition   aka, the Bandit Edition. Volo Cars has this amazing example of a Trans Am listed for sale at $41,998. Adding the Bandit look, the Special Edition comes in Starlight Black with a black interior and plenty of gold accents. On the outside, these accents include the iconic snow flake wheels, screaming chicken hood decal and all of the other stripes and accents. Inside, the dash gets a gold bezel around the cluster, and the three-spoke Formula steering wheel is trimmed in gold as well. Since Frog can't hop inside The Bandit's ride without them, the Bandit Edition also includes the t-top roof. The overall condition of this 1979 Pontiac Trans Am Bandit is remarkable. All of the spoilers are in place and the plastic bumpers are free of cracks and splits. The interior and undercarriage are in equally impressive shape making this Trans Am look as good as it did back in 1979. And speaking of '79, this car also comes with the original window sticker to prove that this look wasn't achieved after the fact with readily accessible paint and stickers. About the only thing not original on this car are the newer BFGoodrich tires and the 455 CID V-8 under the hood. At some point in this car's life, the original 403 CID V-8 was swapped out in favor of the bigger engine, but this conversion left the car and the shaker hood in otherwise original condition. For even better performance and handling, this car has the optional WS-6 package that delivers factory four-wheel power disc brakes and other suspension upgrades. Get your ears on and put the hammer down!


Phoenix will see a return of last week's mostly cloudy skies today and tomorrow, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Skies will start to clear up on Wednesday, remaining clear through Friday. The coming days will also see hot temperatures, due to stick around through Sunday. Temperatures will reach a high of 106 degrees on Thursday. Winds will continue to be somewhat calm over the course of the week, with the highest speeds on Friday at only 12 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Video by NFL.com TOUCHDOWN @Willie_Snead4G . pic.twitter.com/dbjeKTJEa9 - Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 9, 2019 The Baltimore Ravens started off a little slow, notching a field goal and punt in their first two drives. But the Ravens finally put it into the end zone on their third, when quarterback Lamar Jackson found wide receiver Willie Snead. Jackson hit Snead in the flat as Seth Roberts picked off the cornerback. Snead then made a man miss as he tumbled into the end zone for the score. That type of short throw is exactly what many expected from Baltimore's offense this season. It got the ball out of Jackson's hand quickly and let the receiver pick up the needed yards. It's quick, smart offensive football that utilizes high-percentage throws to march down the field. While it's only preseason, Jackson and the Ravens' offense struggled in the red zone late last season. It's nice to see new offensive coordinator Greg Roman dial up something to punch the ball into the end zone and not have to settle on kicker Justin Tucker to put up points. Let's hope Baltimore can build off of this momentum en route to a strong preseason statement win. MORE: Packers vs. Texans: Time, TV schedule, streaming, how to watch A furious Chris Davis had to be held back from Orioles manager Brandon Hyde How to watch Patriots vs. Lions Colts vs. Bills: Time, TV, radio, streaming for preseason opener Deadline passes as Elliott loses accrued season, fines reach $500K


After getting selected No. 3 in tonight's NBA draft by the Knicks, R.J. Barrett sobbed on his father's shoulder. It was a touching moment for the Barretts   Rowan, a former professional player who's now general manager of Canada Basketball, and R.J., who built himself into an elite prospect. "We're just scratching the surface of who he's going to be," Rowan Barrett said, "and hopefully who he'll be for New York." RELATED: 2019 NBA draft order, results That's the catch. R.J. Barrett is the Knicks' new franchise player. For now. It could change in a couple years if New York, once again, moves in another direction. It could change in a couple weeks if Kevin Durant signs. But history suggests it'll change relatively soon. David Lee (No. 30 pick in 2005) was the last player to spend his first five full seasons with the Knicks. Charlie Ward (No. 26 pick in 1994), was the last player to spend his first six seasons with the Knicks. Even Kristaps Porzingis , New York's last franchise player, got traded in just his fourth season . The Knicks just haven't shown aptitude in identifying good young players then patience in building around them. Since Mark Jackson made the 1989 All-Star game, David Lee and Kristaps Porzingis are the only players to get drafted by the Knicks and became an All-Star with the team. Both Lee and Porzingis were off the team within a year. Maybe Barrett will be different. He immediately raises New York's ceiling after six straight losing seasons. There's absolutely value in that. Will he eventually become a good player on a good team? That's more questionable . But his physical driving and playmaking will be immediately welcomed. Knicks fans at the draft in Brooklyn certainly didn't share Barrett's tears. They were overjoyed with the selection. No New York fans cried in misery, as one infamously did upon Porzingis getting selected a few years ago. But, as that Porzingis examples showed, everything can change quickly with the Knicks. Related slideshow: 2019 NBA Draft top picks (Provided by imagn)


The star has subsisted on a lemon water concoction, preached a common sense plant-based approach, and dabbled in plenty of eating patterns in between. A tour of Beyonce's dieting history, from the Master Cleanse to her latest 22-day plan Beyoncé recently launched a nutritional plan for her fans, based on her intense pre-Coachella diet , which nutritionists have said could be "dangerous." This isn't the first time the star has made headlines for her eating habits. She's previously marketed a vegan diet app and promoted fads like the Master Cleanse. Here's Queen Bey's dieting history. Visit INSIDER's homepage for more . From her start as part of a hip-hop trio to her rise to solo megastardom, Beyoncé Giselle Knowles is one of those powerhouses who needs only one name. In more words, she's a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, and actress, and regularly on lists of influential people. She's also become a nutritional icon, perhaps tracing back to her profile in Rolling Stone, in which she's eating Cool Ranch Doritos. Here's a history of Beyonce's eating habits, from common sense to downright risky. Beyonce reportedly ate 1,200 calories a day while filming "Austin Powers." One of the first reports of Beyonce's eating habits noted she ate only 1,200 calories during filming for 2002's "Austin Powers in Goldmember." In the movie, she plays the sly and slender Foxxy Cleopatra, a 1970s funk fantasy that pays tribute to classic strong Black female characters like Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones. "I like to eat and that's a problem in this industry," she said of the pressure to be thin for music and movies alike. It's also a potential health problem: Most active women need at least 2,000 calories a day, according to dietary guidelines . Beyonce told the Daily Mail in 2003 she ate tomatoes and cucumbers for lunch. While still active in Destiny's Child, Beyoncé told several news outlets about her "lunches" of six slices of tomato and four slices of cucumber - nothing else. Beyoncé also discussed back then the pressure of the media industry to stay thin. "I am a natural fat person, just dying to get out. I go through agonies to keep my stomach as flat as possible - though it is never flat enough for me," she has said . While tomatoes are good for you, full of lycopene, vitamin C, and tomatoes, and cucumbers are high in vitamin K, they're not enough on their own for a nutritional lunch. A generous estimate puts Beyoncé's "lunches" at around 28 calories. Sentiments, too, about never being satisfied with your body can indicate disordered eating habits . The Master Cleanse is an extreme weight loss crash diet that can hurt your metabolism. The Master Cleanse is a 10-day juice cleanse that requires dieters to eat nothing and drink only a lemon, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper concoction . Restricting calories to just a lemon drink means you won't get all of your essential nutrients. The lack of fiber, protein, and healthy fats will also likely lead to a Master Cleanse dieter feeling sluggish and hungry for the entirety of the diet. Doing the Master Cleanse regularly could lead to heart and kidney problems, as well as long-term weight gain, according to US News & World Report. Beyoncé and her husband Jay Z have been power-couple advocates of plant-based eating for years. In 2013, both Beyoncé and her partner, rapper Jay Z, decided to go vegan for nearly a month as part of a 22-day-challenge. They also encouraged their fans to do the same, although they prefer to use the term "plant-based" instead of "vegan." Since then, both have gone back to eating meat but tried to stick to more plant-based foods and incorporated things like Meatless Mondays into their routines, Beyonce's trainer told the New York Times . Beyoncé went on a crash diet to prepare for Coachella in 2018. Beyoncé kept a strict diet for 44 days to prepare for Coachella in 2018. She said in a video she was motivated to do it after she stepped on the scale ("every woman's nightmare") to find her weight had "a long way to go." She had recently given birth to twins. That announcement alone was enough to invoke criticism. "She is irresponsibly stoking an evil diet culture - but is also a victim of it," wrote one columnist for The Guardian. The diet itself raises red flags for health professionals: It cut out all bread, carbs, sugar, dairy, meat, fish, and alcohol, according to a clip from her behind-the-scenes documentary. Too much restriction can be harmful , according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Beyoncé and her trainer Marco Borges announced the "Beyoncé's Kitchen" feature of their meal-planning app so fans can mimic her diet. On July 24, Beyoncé posted clips of her preparation for Coachella, and her rigorous diet, to generate hype for the 22 Days Nutrition meal planner, a collaboration with her trainer Marco Borges. For $14 a month ($99 annually), users get customized meal plans provided by an app , wherein users can select their portion sizes and peruse menus by prep time, cooking skill, and ingredients. While the plan is slightly less extreme than Beyoncé's crash prep for Coachella, it doesn't provide enough calories for most people to stay healthy - the BBC reported that a typical day on the plan is just 1,400 calories, compared to the 2,000 to 2,5000 recommended by most dietary guidelines. Dietitian Dana Hunnes told VICE it's "overly aggressive" in cutting calories, even for weight loss. She added that the plant-based recipes themselves are "nothing special."


ATLANTA (AP) Elizabeth Williams scored 17 points, Alex Bentley added 10, including a late 3-pointer, and the Atlanta Dream beat the Minnesota Lynx 60-53 on Friday night to spoil Sylvia Fowles' history-making game. Fowles had 12 points and 12 rebounds, giving her 157 career double-doubles to tie the WNBA record set by Lisa Leslie (1997-2009). The Dream (5-10) never trailed and Williams scored six points during a 10-2 run that gave Atlanta a 19-8 lead with three minutes left in the first quarter. Fowles made a driving layup to trim Minnesota's deficit to 55-51 with 2:30 remaining but Bentley's 3 and two free throws by Monique Billings pushed the lead to nine with 44.3 seconds to play. Williams was 6-of-9 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds. The rest of the Atlanta players shot just 18 of 62 from the field. Atlanta snapped Minnesota's streak of road wins when holding an opponent below 40% shooting, dating to 2014, at 27. Danielle Robinson led the Lynx (9-7) with 14 points.


PEBBLE BEACH, Calif.   A potentially scary situation took on a more light-hearted turn for Henrik Stenson Saturday on the 16 th hole at Pebble Beach. Stenson was playing alongside fellow major champ Adam Scott during the third round of the U.S. Open when his approach to No. 16 sailed well right into the crowd, slamming into the forehead of an unsuspecting spectator. "It was going to be a chippy 8-iron, but it was sitting up in the first cut," Stenson said. "And I hit one of those famous like rockets, almost. It was a semi-shank, it wasn't a full one. That would have been better, because then it would probably have hit the trees." When Stenson arrived to the scene, he found the male spectator still being attended to on the ground short and right of the green. Before too long, the Swede found himself lying in the same grass, snapping a picture alongside the injured fan to document the moment. Henrik Stenson nailed a guy in the crowd with his second shot on 16. Guy was on the ground, down for the count. Henrik laid down for a photo this bloke will never forget. Henrik Stenson - absolute character 👏 pic.twitter.com/1YIE6pJUW4   Evin Priest (@EvinPriest) June 16, 2019 "I walk up to him and I said, 'I'm sorry.' What else can you say?" Stenson said. "And he says, 'Can you do me one favor? Can I take a picture with you?' So next thing I'm down on the ground as well, taking a picture, a selfie, laying down with him and his girlfriend. It feels like he's had maybe one or two refreshments that might have eased the pain before the strike." @henrikstenson thanks for posing for this beauty photo after striking a spectator square in the head #USOPEN2019 #usga happy everyone was ok pic.twitter.com/V8EfptLJZy   Matt (@tour_fade) June 16, 2019 Stenson went on to bogey the hole en route to an even-par 70, and at 4 under he'll head into the final round at Pebble in a tie for ninth place, seven shots behind Gary Woodland. Stenson shared that he wasn't sure if the fan had suffered a concussion, but he had asked for contact information and plans to follow up with him at a later date. "I might send him more than just one golf ball next time," Stenson said. "I might send him a couple dozen or something to try to make up for my poor shot."


Boston is set to turn warm over the next few days, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Temperatures are forecast to reach highs of 80 degrees both today and Tuesday. Rain could arrive in a few days. Thursday's forecast shows the highest likelihood of rain at 77 percent, with expected rainfall of 0.17 inches. Skies will be partly cloudy today and Tuesday and cloudy on Wednesday. Winds will remain light over the course of the week, with the highest speeds on Tuesday at just 10 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.


The Heat won Jimmy Butler over in their free agent meeting by emphasizing a commitment to conditioning, toughness and winning, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald . Team president Pat Riley made a "strong impression" during the four-hour presentation on June 30 and was focused on getting a definitive answer before it was over. Butler had more meetings scheduled but canceled them and committed to Miami. He was being sought by other teams in better position to contend right away, such as the Clippers, Lakers and Rockets, or he could have stayed with the Sixers, but he liked the idea of being the first star for the Heat to build around. He also remembered the words of former Bulls teammate Dwyane Wade . "He would always say, 'It would be a place for you," Butler recalled. "The type of guy you are, the mentality you have, the Heat culture, it just fits.' We laugh about it now, but looking back it's like: Damn, he kind of called how it could happen and how this would be a place that just fits me to a T." Here's more from South Florida: Bam Adebayo tells Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel that he expects a different atmosphere this season with Wade and Josh Richardson both gone and Butler now serving as the team leader. "Instead of J-Rich and the goofiness, it's kind of Jimmy Butler," the 22-year-old Adebayo said. "So it's kind of more serious. He's older than us." Kendrick Nunn 's outstanding Summer League performance may not translate into more playing time once the season starts, Winderman observes in a separate piece . Nunn averaged 21.0 points in four games and ranked third in assists in Las Vegas at 6.3 per night. However, Winderman notes that his breakthrough wasn't as dramatic as Derrick Jones Jr. 's last summer, and Jones didn't have a significant role during the regular season while the roster was at full strength. Winderman forecasts more playing time for first-round pick Tyler Herro . Bradley Beal 's situation in Washington could affect the Heat's willingness to trade for Chris Paul , Winderman suggests in another story . Beal will become a free agent in 2021 if he turns down a three-year, $111M extension offer that the Wizards can make starting Friday. Miami wouldn't have enough cap space to pursue Beal if it takes on Paul's sizable contract. A source tells Winderman that the Heat would demand multiple first-round picks to accept Paul.


NEW YORK   Now watching from the sidelines, Serena Williams' retired contemporaries are as fascinated by her continuing dominance as everyone else. But unlike the rest of us, they know from experience what she does well and see clearly what she now does even better. They've moved on to other things, but they have a lot to say about Williams, who can become the first player to complete the calendar year Grand Slam since 1988 with a win in the U.S. Open final on Sept. 12. Williams plays Madison Keys in the fourth round Sunday. "For me she's like a hero," says former No. 1 Dinara Safina. "She's the best player on tour, and she proved it day by day and year by year." Safina, 29, officially retired in 2014 after not playing for three years due to a back injury. But she's now again involved with the sport she desperately missed, working with the Russian Tennis Federation as an advisor to four Russian juniors. She is here at the U.S. Open working with them. Safina, who's nearly five years younger than Williams, says she's surprised, pleasantly so, that Williams is still playing and at this level. "Because of the motivation," Safina says. "Sometimes when you win so much and reach all your goals, you can lose the motivation." Former player Alina Jidkova, who was 1-1 against Williams during her career, says it's incredible that Williams is still on top. Like Safina, she believes Williams has managed to prolong her career by avoiding career-ending injuries. Adds Jidkova, with a quick laugh, "If she has no babies in the works or any marriages, why not? She's No. 1 in the world   why not continue playing? I would continue if I [were] No. 1." Jidkova, 38, retired in 2010 and went on to coach for a few years. Today she spends most of her time caring for her 20-month-old son and consults young players. Retired French player Tatiana Golovin, 27, is also full of respect for Williams. "It's impressive she was able to go through all these generations. ... It was always super difficult and even super scary to play her. And it seems like she's even better now than she was before." In 2008 lower back inflammation forced Golovin to retire, and she soon became a tennis commentator. She's taking time off after giving birth to a baby girl in July. Golovin will return to work in October for the Shanghai Masters. "I'm actually looking forward to going back and having a social life again," she says. When Golovin and others describe areas where Williams has improved, they mention consistency, variety, fitness, movement and motivation. "She's unbeatable," marvels Safina. "Every year she loses less and less. She's like wine   she's getting better with each year." Former Wimbledon winner Marion Bartoli, 30, who retired in 2013, raves about Williams as well. These days Bartoli stays busy with a jewelry line she launched earlier this year and also does EuroSport tennis commentary. Currently at the U.S. Open, Bartoli is based in Dubai but travels often to India and England for her jewelry. "I think she has been so smart in hiring Patrick Mouratoglou as a coach, because he got her some extra shots," Bartoli says. She says he's helped Williams become a more complete player and that this key improvement helped Williams win Roland Garros this year when she was "definitely not at her best." Is there anything Williams, who turns 34 next month, hasn't gotten better at as she's aged? "She's very emotional on the court, and sometimes it helps but sometimes it does hurt her," Golovin says. "Sharapova, maybe her tennis isn't as impressive but mentally she just never has a day off, while Serena has a little bit more of that or she shows it more. "It's also impressive to see such a big champion with so much experience also can be so human at the same time, so sensitive on the court," Golovin says. Watching Williams reach new heights evokes admiration, but they're not plotting comebacks. Elena Dementieva, 33, says motherhood keeps her busy after having a baby girl a year ago. After retiring in 2010, Dementieva, who boasted a 5-7 head-to-head record against Williams, married Russian hockey player Maxim Afinogenov. She also graduated from college after studying journalism and worked in Russian sports television. Dementieva is one of Serena's former opponents who say she can win the calendar Grand Slam. "Without question Serena can win the Grand Slam," Dementieva says. "But even if it does not happen ... she's still the best of all time for me."


The signs of summer have arrived in the northern Chinese resort town of Beidaihe: The umbrellas are out, the traffic controls are in place and the regional Communist Party chief has stopped by to make sure everything's set for the most important of visitors. China's so-called summer capital -- located on the Yellow Sea, more than 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Beijing -- each year plays host to a conclave of party luminaries including President Xi Jinping, his top aides, as well as retired leaders. While the meeting's agenda, guest list and exact dates are shrouded in secrecy, there are indications that events are already underway, such as the traffic restrictions that took effect Saturday and last until Aug. 18. This year's gathering, which likely won't be joined by Xi and other sitting state leaders until early next month, may bear even closer watching than usual as China faces growing risks at home and abroad. Beidaihe's mid-August conclusion has in the past heralded policy moves, with leaders this year likely to discuss the slowing economy, the simmering U.S. trade war and plans to mark seven decades of party rule over the People's Republic of China. "The unrest in Hong Kong, the trade talks with the U.S., and the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the PRC will likely dominate the discussions in Beidaihe this year," said Minxin Pei, author of the 2016 book "China's Crony Capitalism: The Dynamics of Regime Decay" and a professor of government at Claremont McKenna College in California. "On a specific issue such as the trade talks, Beidaihe could have a decisive impact." The Beidaihe meeting comes amid doubts about China's ability to forge a lasting truce with President Donald Trump, who continues to raise the prospect of expanded tariffs on Chinese goods even after agreeing with Xi last month to resume trade talks. The world's second-largest economy had the weakest quarterly growth since at least 1992 and a record 8.3 million graduates are entering a softer job market. Long-Running Tradition Moreover, weeks of protests in Hong Kong over an attempt to allow the transfer of criminal suspects to the mainland have left the local legislature ransacked and exposed widespread criticism of the city's leadership. Taiwan's China-skeptic president, Tsai Ing-wen, has resuscitated her hopes of winning a second term by seizing on the Hong Kong anxiety and running against Beijing. Chinese officials in charge of Hong Kong were working on a "comprehensive strategy" to address the city's political crisis and planned to present it to the nation's top leadership soon, the South China Morning Post newspaper reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the discussions. The Beidaihe tradition dates to the earliest days of Mao Zedong's reign, when party patriarchs used to swim in the sea with their bodyguards. For instance, the decisions that led to Mao's Great Leap Forward -- an aggressive push to develop industrial power that resulted in widespread famine -- were made there in 1958. The event has endured as an opportunity for sitting leaders to build consensus ahead of more formal annual party meetings held in the autumn back in the marble halls of Beijing. State media reports show attendees discussed the party leadership lineup in the resort area in 1997, and economic development after hosting the Olympic Games in 2008. The nation's top leaders usually fall out of public view during their own meetings in Beidaihe, adding to the mystery around the event. Since coming to power in 2012, Xi has largely disappeared from the front page of the party's flagship People's Daily newspaper for a 15-day window stretching from July 31 at the earliest to Aug. 17 at the latest. There are exceptions for natural disasters and other major events, such as when Xi was featured on the front page of the People's Daily on Aug. 12, 2017, in an article about his phone call with Trump. Still, the need for top policy officials to be near the leaders in Beidaihe creates a two-week block of time when scheduling high-level meetings, such as planned U.S.-China trade talks, is more difficult. Critical Decisions More recently, the party has announced several critical decisions in the weeks after Beidaihe meetings, including the move to prosecute former Politburo member Bo Xilai in 2012 and Xi's sweeping restructuring of the People's Liberation Army in 2015. Events have also included more academic discussions, such as a gathering last year of 62 scientists from fields including semiconductors, aerospace, railways and poverty alleviation. Security is paramount during such sensitive discussions and local party leaders institute traffic controls and conduct inspection tours. Wang Dongfeng, party secretary of the surrounding Hebei province, paid a personal visit to Beidaihe ahead of the "tourist season" on July 7 and 8, according to a local newspaper report that made no mention of the leadership gathering. Xi's consolidation of party power, including writing his status as China's "core" leader into the constitution last year, has raised questions about the need for the summer meetings. The Liaowang Institute, a think tank affiliated with the official Xinhua News Agency, wrote in 2015 that Beidaihe was "gradually losing its political color and returning to its original role as a health resort in the northern China." Still, it may provide a useful forum to manage intraparty debate, such the unusually public discussion last year over whether Xi's decision to shift from former leader Deng Xiaoping's "hide your strength, bide your time" foreign policy had prompted a premature showdown with the U.S. On Aug. 9, People's Daily confronted critics in an editorial, saying "such a heavyweight cannot be hidden by taking a 'low key' approach, just like an elephant cannot conceal its body behind a small tree." "Last year's gathering at Beidaihe appeared to have strengthened Xi politically," said Pei of Claremont College. "I would say it is even more important these days because a strongman leader such as Xi actually needs to cultivate and build support among his senior colleagues whenever he can." To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Dandan Li in Beijing at dli395@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Brendan Scott at bscott66@bloomberg.net, Sharon Chen For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com ©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


Chelsea came back to earn a draw in their final pre-season game, finishing at 2-2 against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday. Gladbach struck first inside the opening 12 minutes thanks to Alassane Plea's excellent finish   Kepa Arrizabalaga's pass intercepted, allowing Plea burst forward and strick low past the Spaniard to give the hosts the advantage. Our final pre-season game ends in a draw. Another good test for the Blues, with just over a week to go until our Premier League campaign begins... #BMGCHE pic.twitter.com/DnMfIiQslc   Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 3, 2019 The Foals doubled their lead just before half-time, as Jonas Hofmann got his name on the scoresheet. Played through by Plea, the German coolly passed it through Arrizabalaga's legs to help Gladbach entered the break with a 2-0 lead. After a string of excellent saves from Yann Sommer, Chelsea finally got past the Swiss through two successful penalties. First, Tammy Abraham stepped up and rolled the ball past Sommer, before Ross Barkley sent him the wrong way with a well-hit penalty to level it up. BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH Player Ratings Starting XI: Sommer (9*); Wendt (6), Elvedi (6), Ginter (5), Lainer (6); Neuhaus (6), Strobl (6), Zakaria (7); Plea (7), Thuram (6), Hofmann (7). Substitutes: Hermann (6), Benes (6), Bennetts (6), Embolo (6), Beyer (6), Raffael (6), Johnson (6), Cuisance (6). Exceptional from our rock between the sticks, @YannSommer1  #DieFohlen #BMGCHE 2-0 (56') pic.twitter.com/5PKqiRCOJd   Gladbach (@borussia_en) August 3, 2019 STAR MAN - In a rather sloppy defensive performance, Gladbach would've conceded far more goals if they didn't have Yann Sommer in goal. The Swiss shot-stopper has been at the top of his game for years, as he picked up where he left off last season in an outstanding display. Sommer made some crucial saves throughout the game, with a few absolute stunners mixed in. His positioning and distribution were excellent as always, as the Swiss number one showed that he is ready for the new season in an excellent performance. CHELSEA Key Talking Point  @tammyabraham #BMGCHE pic.twitter.com/BCZ0vnqTwz   Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 3, 2019 Chelsea produced a wonderful display in their previous pre-season game, beating RB Salzburg 5-3 on Wednesday. However, things couldn't have begun any worse at the Borussia-Park as they went behind early, with poor mistakes and sloppy defending summing up the first half. While the defending was poor and the attacking was wasteful, the Blues somehow found their way back into the game through two penalties. Abraham and Barkley did well to keep their cool and convert, but you have to ask whether Chelsea really deserved to draw. It wasn't the most inspiring performance from Frank Lampard's side, but they showed good character to fight their way back into the game. There is concern regarding the defence going into the game, but it is now time to see whether Lampard is ready for the challenge ahead. Player Ratings Starting XI: Arrizabalaga (5); Emerson (6), Christensen (5), Zouma (5), Azpilicueta (6); Kovacic (6), Jorginho (6); Pulisic (6), Mount (7*), Pedro (6); Abraham (5). Substitutes: Barkley (7), Alonso (6), Giroud (6), Kenedy (6), Kante (6). STAR MAN - Truthfully, no one was very good for Chelsea. However, Mason Mount did put in a reasonable performance, carrying the attack well and creating a string of good chances for the forwards as he put in a decent display in Germany. Looking Ahead Monchengladbach get their season underway next Friday, playing SV Sandhausen in the DFB Cup first round. The Foals then kick off the Bundesliga season on 17 August, as they welcome Schalke to the Borussia-Park.  Chelsea begin their campaign at Old Trafford, as they face Manchester United on 11 August. The Blues then make the 1,800 mile journey to Istanbul, as they meet Liverpool in the Super Cup on 14 August.


The Braves and Giants have struck an intriguing pact that'll send veteran reliever Mark Melancon to Atlanta, according to Jeff Passan and Buster Olney of ESPN.com ( via Twitter ). There are sure to be other parts to this swap, but the details aren't yet known. Melancon has full no-trade rights, so either will have to agree or already has consented to the swap. Melancon is owed a hefty $14M this year and next. Needless to say, it's hard to imagine the Atlanta organization taking on all of that. Melancon originally joined the San Francisco organization on a four-year, $62M pact in advance of the 2017 campaign. That contract really hasn't worked out for the Giants, as Melancon has dealt with injuries and hasn't been nearly as effective as he was heading into free agency. That said, he has been a solid pen piece over the past two years. Through 85 1/3 innings since the start of 2018, he carries a 3.38 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9. Importantly, Melancon has held opposing hitters to just five home runs in that span; whether that suppression can be maintained will tell on his future. He owns a monster 61.4% groundball rate this year. With Melancon and Shane Greene joining the Atlanta relief unit, the club is obviously betting on worm-burners over strikeouts. Both have ample experience closing out games, but neither really profiles as a high-end game finisher for a prime contender. Just how the late innings will be handled remains to be seen. Related slideshow: The 2019 MLB season (Provided by imagn)


DAYTONA BEACH   Oversized tires and heavy-duty suspensions will rule the roads this weekend, as the Daytona Truck Meet returns on Friday for its third consecutive year. Organizers estimate that the three-day meet will attract at 25,000 monster-style truck fans for events through Sunday, based at Daytona International Speedway. The same event generated complaints from beachside hoteliers about rude, rowdy behavior in 2017 and thousands of traffic citations for area law enforcement in 2018. READ: Public didn't know Daytona Truck Meet was coming, but police, tourism officials did Organizers and law enforcement officials say that they have worked together throughout the year to ensure that this year's edition isn't a repeat performance. "We have had loads more time to plan this year and have coordinated with Daytona Beach Police Department to make sure everything runs smoothly," said Jordan Muhlbauer, owner of Truck Fever, LLC, the Ponte Vedra company that presents the Truck Meet. "We are very excited for Daytona Truck Meet this year and expecting even more numbers this year." One change designed partly to lessen the event's impact on residents is the addition of a slate of night-time truck-related activities from 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday at One Daytona, the entertainment, dining and retail complex across the street from the Speedway. "We added a night time show to take people off the beachside and help with traffic," Muhlbauer said. "We think it will really help with the nighttime traffic by giving everyone a place to go. "Everyone we have dealt with so far has been super helpful and offered plenty of extra ideas to help with growing and maintaining a good show,' Muhlbauer said. "We've worked with (Daytona Beach Police) Chief (Craig) Capri and made him aware of everything going on, to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible." At One Daytona, the Victory Circle area will host a truck show both nights, with the stretch of Daytona Boulevard in front of the International Motorsports Center designated as a pedestrian-friendly zone without vehicular traffic, said Gentry Baumline-Robinson, One Daytona spokeswoman. Other weekend activities include bikini, burn-out and train horn contests at the Speedway. Speedway spokesman Andrew Booth said that Speedway officials reached out to both city and county leaders in planning the event, but the Speedway's involvement was solely in renting its facility for the meet. Chief Capri, meanwhile, offered praise for Muhlbauer's interest in keeping the event from disrupting the community and said that complaints out of last year's event were overblown. "Jordan has been great communicating with us throughout the year," said Capri, a 30-year veteran who recalls Daytona Beach's long-ago spring break frenzy. "I was here when we had 150,000 kids for 10 weeks and we had traffic jams and fights. This, to me, is nothing compared to that. "I look at this as a manageable event with a promoter who wants to work with law enforcement to have a safe, fun event." At the same time, Capri said his officers will be ready to cite motorists for moving or equipment violations that could potentially be a public safety hazard. "We try to set the tone so that people won't drive recklessly, but the goal is not to give any tickets out," Capri said. "We'll be firm, but fair. We won't be targeting or hassling people. If a truck doing something, where they could lose control and go into crowd and potentially injure or fatally hurt someone, they can't do that." At last year's event, 2,151 citations were issued, a 381 percent jump from the 447 tickets given out over the three-day event in 2017. Daytona Beach police also made 77 arrests and dealt with 23 crashes throughout the city, according to police. In 2017, the event was hosted by the county-run Ocean Center, but Volusia County leaders later vowed never to host such a group there again after residents complained of rude behavior including public drinking, urination and littering. Bob Davis, president and CEO of the Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County, stressed that the truck meet was not an event booked by the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau or the Ocean Center. Although encouraged that the activities would be centered at the Speedway, he was still wary of potential disruptions it might present to hoteliers and other visitors. "They are going to control it the best they can," Davis said, "but I'm concerned, I've got to tell you."     ©2019 The News-Journal, Daytona Beach, Fla. Visit The News-Journal, Daytona Beach, Fla. at www.news-journalonline.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.