Listen up: This advice could save your life. How You're Ruining Your Hearing Without Even Realizing It If you're like most of us, you take your hearing for granted. Your auditory system shows up ready for business each morning, and you think that as long as you don't abuse it too badly, it'll keep doing what it's meant to do: Processing sounds and allowing you to be fully functional and vital. But the reality is quite different. The truth is, dozens of everyday situations and activities can gradually erode our hearing, and you've probably found yourself in several of them today. The Remedy consulted top doctors around the country who see this all the time. Here's their advice on how you can take easy steps to protect your hearing and ensure that well into your golden years, you'll never miss a beat. 1. You're Using Cotton Swabs In Your Ears "A lot of people will use objects like cotton swabs to try to remove wax from their ears. While they think they may be removing all the wax, usually a little will come out on the cotton swab (or other object) and the rest gets pushed deeper into the ear canal," says Jordan Glicksman, MD , an otolaryngologist at Harvard Medical School. "If enough builds up, it can block off sound conduction to the ear like an earplug." He adds: "I've also seen patients with all sorts of other problems from using these devices to remove wax, ranging from ear infections caused by small cuts in the ear canal skin to perforated tympanic membranes (ruptured ear drums) and worse." The Remedy Rx: Never put anything into your ear canal that's sharper than your elbow. "I generally recommend against my patients sticking objects in their ears because of these and other potential complications," says Glicksman. To safely clean your ears, realize that ear wax is designed to flow out naturally. Just wash your ears with soap and water in the shower, when you're shampooing. If you have impacted wax, see a medical professional to have it removed. 2. You're Diving Without Proper Equipment A warm-weather vacation or Southern relocation comes with the promise of deep-water adventuring. Scuba and cave diving are booming in popularity, but both can cause hearing loss if best practices aren't followed. "Scuba diving without being able to clear pressure in the ears properly can lead to pressure buildup and hearing loss," says Ariel B. Grobman, MD , an otolaryngologist based in South Florida. The Remedy Rx: "Scuba divers must never descend without carefully equalizing pressure in the ears," says Grobman. "Divers should use decongestants or avoid diving on days when they are having nasal issues. If pressure issues are encountered while under water, they should safely and carefully make their way to the surface with the help of a partner." 3. You're Smoking, Or Otherwise Raising Your Diabetes Risk Smoking is a major risk for cardiovascular disease. Tobacco smoke contains hundreds of toxins which weaken the walls of blood vessels throughout the body, which can lead to catastrophic results including stroke, heart attack and hearing loss. High blood sugar, a.k.a. diabetes, similarly weakens those vessels. "Vascular disease from poor lifestyle choices can predispose you to early hearing loss," says Grobman. "Healthy life choices make a difference   even in your hearing." Anthony Kouri, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Toledo Medical Center, concurs: "Nicotine causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels all over the body. This also applies to the inner ear. The more you smoke, the more restricted the blood flow, and the greater the hearing loss." The Remedy Rx: Reduce your risk of blood vessel damage by quitting smoking, not drinking alcohol in excess, and warding off diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, see your doctor regularly and comply with their recommendations, including any medication regimen. 4. You Don't See a Doctor For Sudden Hearing Loss Losing your hearing isn't always gradual, and sometimes quick intervention can make all the difference. "Hearing loss may be sudden in nature, often for unknown reasons," says Grobman. "Receiving urgent care from a qualified otolaryngologist (ENT) is of utmost importance to measure the hearing loss and to intervene with medication to recover hearing or prevent further loss." The Remedy Rx: If you're experiencing hearing loss, don't go into denial; that can worsen the condition. See a doctor ASAP. "The most important symptom that should cause you to see a physician immediately is any form of sudden hearing loss," says Tim Trine, PhD, an audiologist and CTO of Eargo . "A sudden sensorineural hearing loss is usually idiopathic (or of unknown cause), but should be evaluated and treated by a physician as a medical emergency. There is a critical window where treatment to restore hearing is the most effective." 5. You're Not Wearing a Helmet Taking a header off your bike might not scramble your brain, but it could fracture bones near your ear, leading to hearing loss. "Motorcycle crashes can lead to trauma and temporal bone fractures, especially in Florida, where drivers don't need to be wearing a helmet by law," says Grobman. The Remedy Rx: Whether you get around town on greased lightning or a Giant BMX, "Wear a helmet, even in states where it is not the law," says Grobman. 6. You're Not Wearing Ear Protection on Airplanes Airplane noise might be the most damaging of dull roars. "While it depends on a number of factors including the size of the aircraft, planes can be loud enough to potentially damage your hearing," says Christina Callahan, Au.D, an audiologist and head of clinical audiology at Lively . In the air, ambient sound can reach 85 to 100 decibels, as loud as a lawnmower or noisy room; levels above 85 decibels are considered harmful. The Remedy Rx: You can help preserve your hearing with seat selection and noise protection. "Some areas of the plane may be quieter than others, typically the front if the engines are on the wings. But the best bet to avoid potential damage is to wear protection on your ears such as noise-cancelling headphones," says Callahan. "Another thing to think about is when the jet engines are loud, the natural reaction may be to raise the level of your headphones when listening to music or watching a movie. But the risk is raising the volume to a dangerously high level, which could also damage your hearing." Pop in earplugs instead. 7. You Work With Loud Machines "Research indicates that prolonged exposure to noises above 85 decibels can damage hearing permanently," says Kouri. "This is the level of noise from heavy traffic. If you work in a factory or in construction around loud tools, chances are you're doing permanent hearing damage   close proximity to a jackhammer is 120 decibels, and the noise from a semi truck is 90 decibels." How loud is 85 decibels, anyway? You can measure the noise around you with a smartphone app like the well-reviewed Decibel X . The Remedy Rx: "Protect yourself by wearing earplugs while working in loud environments," says Kouri. 8. You're Taking These Medications "Certain drugs are considered ototoxic, or damaging to the ears," says Kouri. "Medications including some antibiotics, blood pressure medications, chemotherapy drugs, and high doses of aspirin can all be ototoxic. Older patients who take multiple medications are at greater risk for experiencing hearing difficulties." The Remedy Rx: Talk with your doctor about whether any of the medications you've been prescribed come with the risk of hearing loss. "There are often alternative medications, and this should be discussed with your doctor," says Kouri. 9. You're Not Eating a Balanced Diet "Diet impacts our health in more ways than we realize," says Lisa Richards, a nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet. "The Journal of Nutrition published a study in 2018 looking at the impact of three different diets on hearing health. The findings suggest that women who eat a healthy balanced diet have lower risks of hearing loss. While nutrition can be protective of hearing, it can also impact hearing in a negative way. Malnutrition affects every organ in the body, including the inner ear." The Remedy Rx: Eat a balanced diet that emphasizes protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates and a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. 10. You're Abusing Headphones "One of the reasons hearing loss due to noise exposure is largely on the rise is due to headphone use," says Meryl Miller, Au.D, an audiologist with Audiological Consultants of Atlanta . "If the music in your headphones can be heard by someone in the same room as you, it is too loud." The Remedy Rx: "Turn down the volume, and if you can't control the volume, use hearing protection," she adds. "Hearing damage that results from loud sounds is all about, 'How loud and how long?' Ask yourself, how loud is the music or other noise, and what is the duration of exposure? Go ahead and turn up the volume for your favorite song and rock out   just remember to turn it back down when the song ends." 11. Your Ears Are Ringing, But You're Not Answering That ringing in your ears is an alarm that's warning you to see a doctor and get it checked out. "If you're occasionally exposed to high-level noise and notice tinnitus   ringing, buzzing or other sounds in the ear   or changes in your hearing in the days following the noise exposure, it's time to make an appointment with an audiologist," says Miller. 12. You're Not Getting Enough Potassium "Potassium has been found to play a vital role in hearing," says Richards. "It works to aid the middle ear in converting sound to signals for the brain." The Remedy Rx: As part of your balanced diet, include foods that are rich in potassium, such as bananas, beans, potatoes, oranges, avocados, beets and spinach. 13. You're Mowing the Lawn Without Earplugs "Occupational and recreational noise exposure is a great risk to hearing," says Tim Trine, PhD, an audiologist and CTO of Eargo. "Protecting your hearing while mowing the lawn, riding motorcycles or snowmobiles, or attending a concert is essential." The Remedy Rx: "Inexpensive foam earplugs are extremely effective form of hearing protection when combating occupational and recreational noise. Be sure to wear them properly." 14. You're Not Using This Kind of Headphone Trine agrees that turning down the volume while on your headphones is crucial to protecting your hearing. "People damage their hearing without realizing it by turning up the volume to combat background noise," he says. The Remedy Rx: "Switching from 'open' ear buds to occluding style earbuds or circumaural headphones can help you turn down the volume," he says. "They block the competing background noise that causes a lot of people to turn up the volume so they can hear their music above the din of the subway or the crowded street they're walking on." 15. You're Waiting Too Long to Get Your Hearing Checked You know you should get your teeth checked every year and your colon every ten. Add your hearing to your list of necessary exams   especially if you're noticing any changes. "Be sure to get your hearing checked from an audiologist if you notice that you are suffering from hearing loss," says Trine. "The average person waits seven years before seeking help due to the cost and stigma associated with hearing aids." The Remedy Rx: According to Trine, telltale signs that your hearing might be starting to decline are: constantly turning up the volume on the TV or radio, asking people to repeat themselves often, having trouble hearing in noisy environments like parties, restaurants, cars or planes, difficulty hearing on the phone, signs of tinnitus (ringing, hissing, or roaring sounds in the ears), and having to see a person's face when they're speaking in order to understand better. "Hearing loss also comes naturally with age," he notes. "Forty-eight million Americans   a shocking 14 percent of those between the ages of 45-64   suffer from disabling hearing loss." 16. You Underestimate Recreational Noise Blaring music into your ears via headphones is the most infamous cause of hearing loss. But several of the doctors we spoke with emphasized that many other sources of everyday noise exposure can add up, causing hearing loss   from video-game headphones to power tools. "The most common cause of hearing loss is occupational noise exposure. However, recreational causes are on the rise, mostly fueled by consumer electronics," says Oliver Adunka, MD , director of otology, neurotology and cranial base surgery at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. "Also, mowing the lawn, visiting rock concerts, and other relatively benign-appearing activities are often the cause for hearing loss." The Remedy Rx: Realize that you can seriously damage your hearing while having fun (or distinctly not, during household chores)   and when in doubt, pop in those earplugs. "Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible   and preventable," says Adunka. "Cumulative noise exposure can slowly progress with repeated exposures. Audiologists and otolaryngologists recommend limitations on volume and exposure times, since both have been associated with hearing loss. Equally important is the use of protective gear including ear muffs or plugs. These can typically reduce noise levels so that no permanent damage can be done." 17. You Underestimate Ambient Noise Not to make you paranoid, but the world around you is conspiring to ruin your hearing. "Hearing damage is a common issue for many of my patients. In fact, people are often surprised to learn that it's not uncommon to develop hearing loss from simple daily activities, whether you're at home, out in the yard, at the office, or just out and about," says Christopher Dietz, MD, area medical director for MedExpress Urgent Care in Charlottesville, Virginia. "Remember that any noise over 85 decibels warrants the use of protection. A noisy restaurant or heavy traffic, for example, is usually about 85 decibels and can cause hearing problems if you're exposed to it for long periods of time." The Remedy Rx: "Limiting the amount of time spent in noisy environments is an easy way to take a proactive approach to prevent hearing loss," says Dietz. "If you're in an environment that's about 85 decibels, for example, you should limit your exposure time to that noise to about eight hours. For every three decibels over 85, you should reduce your time spent by one-half. So if you're in a space that's at about 91 decibels, you should limit your time there to two hours." 18. You Work in an Open Office The open office trend was launched by companies to save money. But that's come at the expense of their employees' productivity   and hearing. "While there are many benefits to open-office environments, they come with unique challenges, like uncontrolled chatter, impromptu conversations, decreased productivity due to constant distractions, and even potential hearing damage," says Dietz. "A large office often has a noise level of about 50 decibels, which not only is more than enough to cause significant distraction but also may result in workers plugging in their headphones and turning up their music. This can cause hearing problems if the volume is loud enough to drown out office noise." The Remedy Rx: "I encourage my patients to set a volume limit on their phone or computer, which can help prevent their hearing loss and allows them to maintain a safe listening level," says Dietz. "Unoccupied conference or meeting rooms can also provide privacy and quiet away from a noisy cubicle to avoid popping in those headphones and turning up the music." 19. You're Afraid of Looking Like An Old Fogey At Concerts "Concerts typically have noise levels between 100 and 115 decibels   well over the recommended 85 decibels," says Dietz. "While performers typically use earplugs or similar forms of protection onstage, audience members often expose themselves to loud levels of noise by choice." The Remedy Rx: "Using a quality pair of earplugs can help protect you from temporary hearing loss without compromising on sound, as well as standing away from the front of the stage and speakers where noise levels are typically the loudest," he says. 20. You Power Through Your Noisy Gym "Many gyms play overhead music or have their TV volume at loud levels, which means your own music needs to be even louder if you want to hear it," says Dietz. The Remedy Rx: "I encourage my patients to bring a pair of earplugs along if their gym or fitness class plays loud music, to help prevent hearing loss," he adds. "Trying to tune it out with other music may actually cause more damage." 21. You Haven't Bought Earplugs Yet "Using hearing protection and removing yourself from a potentially damaging source of sound when no protection or ill-fitted protection is available are the best ways to avoid a noise-induced hearing loss," says Gayla Guignard, a certified speech language pathologist, audiologist and chief strategy officer for AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language . "Hearing protection, in the form of earplugs, is readily available at a local pharmacy and is inexpensive. Custom hearing protection is an additional option, and in some cases provides better protection than earplugs." The Remedy Rx: We've tested Mack's Earplugs against New York City early-morning jackhammers and construction noises and can vouch for their effectiveness. And to live your happiest and healthiest life, don't miss these essential 50 Unhealthiest Habits on the Planet .


In just two years in the NFL, John Johnson has already established himself as one of the best safeties in the league. The Los Angeles Rams star is looking like one of Les Snead's best draft picks, and many observers are picking him to break out in 2019 . Johnson loves playing in Southern California, and he put that on full display in a recent video short the team produced. Johnson hit the road in a bus the Rams rented for a tour of Hollywood and hit some tourist attractions. Scenes right out of the movie. Foods from all over the world. Los Angeles has it all! We Love LA: @iamjohnthethird | @AmericanAir pic.twitter.com/cj7coSmdRj - Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 3, 2019 Among the stops they hit were the Freddy Krueger house from "A Nightmare on Elm Street." There, we learned that not only does Johnson have a tattoo of Krueger, he also has one of fellow horror movie icon Jason Voorhees from the "Friday the 13th" series. They then went to a Korean BBQ place in Koreatown, where Johnson talked about how much he liked living in the area. "I like being here, there's just a lot to do. Every day there's something to do," he explained. Johnson and the host also talked about how he can blend in easier than professional athletes in smaller cities might be able to, with Johnson saying he feels just like a "regular guy" whenever he's out and about. Johnson had a very promising 2018 season, starting all 16 games while recording four interceptions and 11 passes defended. With Eric Weddle now in the fold, the Rams should have one of the best safety duos in the league in 2019. MORE: Why the Lakers need Kawhi Leonard to make a decision quickly News: Cowboys who could be traded, triple-threat WRs, Eric Berry talk 2019 NBA Summer League Rosters Za'Darius Smith could make Packers defense nasty on third down Three Teams That Should Take a Chance on DeMarcus Cousins


Here's the most recent top news you may have missed in Boston. 2 young sisters walking on sidewalk struck by dirt bike in Dorchester BOSTON (WHDH) - Two young sisters were run over by a dirt bike moments after they got off a school bus in Dorchester on Monday. Read the full story on 7News - WHDH Boston . TSA officers catch 2 travelers with loaded handguns at Logan Airport BOSTON (WHDH) - Transportation Security Administration officers caught two people with loaded handguns at Boston Logan International Airport Sunday. Read the full story on 7News - WHDH Boston . Madonna Coming To Boston's Wang Theatre For 3 Shows This Fall She's promising an intimate experience for fans. Read the full story on WBZ | CBS Boston . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Collecting interest on your hard-earned savings is one of the easiest ways to make extra money. But most Americans are missing out. Almost two thirds of Americans have savings accounts that pay less than 2% APY, according to a recent survey by financial website Bankrate . One in five people polled by Bankrate earn less than 1% APY, and nearly one in four aren't earning any interest at all. That means most bank customers are missing out on what could amount to hundreds of dollars in income each year. "It doesn't matter how little you've saved or where you live, you can and should be earning a competitive return on your savings," says Greg McBride, chief financial analyst for Bankrate.com . The top online savings accounts today pay up to 2.5% APY. One big reason is that consumers may be overlooking digital banks that operate with less overhead, allowing them to offer higher-yielding savings accounts. Digital banks also tend to adjust rates more frequently in response to business and market conditions. As a result, over the past several years, they've quickly ratcheted up payouts as the Federal Reserve hiked short-term interest rates. Meanwhile, many brick-and-mortar banks still only offer an average rate of below 0.1%. When Savings Pile Up The average savings account balance in America is $8,863, according to the Federal Reserve . With an account paying 0.03% interest   a rate offered by some of the nation's biggest banks, the most you could earn over five years is roughly $13, according to Bankrate's calculations . In contrast, at a digital bank paying 2.5% APY, you could earn up to $1,180 in the same five-year time period. Millennials are the age group most likely to be earning interest from an online savings account, the survey found. But of course, they also tend to have less saved than older Boomers or Gen Xers. The typical millennial has only about $2,500 saved up . Over two thirds of Americans told Bankrate they were comfortable with their current bank or prefer having access to a local branch. But the good news is that you don't have to switch banks to open an online savings account   just link it to the account at your primary bank to get the best of both worlds. "There is no excuse for not putting your hard-earned savings into a better-yielding account," says McBride.


(UPDATE: Sundqvist has been suspended for Game 3 .) Oskar Sundqvist may have only received a minor penalty for a crushing hit from behind that forced Matt Grzelcyk from Game 2, but he'll now have to answer to the NHL's Department of Player Safety . Sundqvist's first-period transgression has earned him a hearing on Thursday with George Parros and Co. You can watch the video above, but essentially Sundqvist caught Grzelcyk from behind, and what appeared to be in the head, behind the Boston net late in the opening frame. The debate will rage over the awkwardness of the hit and whether Sundqvist could have done much when Grzelcyk appeared to move right before the check occurred. Grzelcyk didn't return to the game as the Bruins played the final two periods and overtime with five defensemen. Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said Grzelcyk was taken to hospital to get further tests and that he was still waiting for an update regarding his defenseman. Sundqvist no-commented on the play following the game. Other's didn't hold back. Bruins forward and former Blues captain made no bones about what he thought the hit deserved after the game. "I don't think that's a hit we want in our game," Backes said. "It's from behind, elevated, into his head, into the glass. If that's a two-minute penalty, I think there's going to be a shortage of defensemen in this series by the end of it. "That's in somebody else's hands. That's something I think if I'm making that hit, I'm probably watching from the bleachers for a few, but we'll see what happens with their player." Cassidy lamented the loss of Grzelcyk. "Losing the 16 minutes of [Grzelcyk's] time, good puck mover, guy that can break down a forecheck when he's on, that was clearly a strength of theirs tonight and a weakness of ours, breaking the pucks out," Cassidy said. "That's where we missed him the most, I felt like. Getting back on pucks. He's pretty good at a quick-escape move, a pretty clean pass, get our forwards moving through the neutral zone, which is a strength of our game. We lost some of that element and I think it showed." The Bruins could turn to John Moore , who came in for Zdeno Chara in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final, or Steven Kampfer . Cassidy said he's not worried about replacements if they do have to come in. "They've played in the playoffs, helped us win games," he said. Take Our Poll Blues-Bruins Game 3 is Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET from Enterprise Center on NBCSN and the NBC Sports app . Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports . Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck


The number of crime incidents in Atlanta saw an overall decrease last week, for the second week in a row, according to data from SpotCrime , which collects data from police agencies and validated sources. Incidents fell to 503 for the week of May 27, down from 515 the week before. The offenses that decreased the most were theft and assault. Theft fell to 238 incidents last week, from 258 the week before. Assault went from 71 to 64. Reports of theft have continued to fall for the last two weeks. Among the few types of offenses that saw an uptick last week, reports of robbery went from 37 to 53, and burglary rose from 140 to 144. There were four reports of "other" crimes, a decrease of five from the previous week. SpotCrime's broad "other" category includes a variety of offenses like fraud, trespassing, public disturbance and traffic violations. Considering the concentration of crime across the city, Downtown, Midtown and Old Fourth Ward continued to have the most reported incidents last week. Crime in Lindridge - Martin Manor decreased the most. Crime reports in Home Park also fell, after increasing the week before, and incidents in Adamsville are down considerably as well. Regarding when most crimes are committed, Wednesday, Tuesday and Thursday saw the most reported crimes last week. The largest decrease from the previous week occurred on Monday, Sunday and Saturday, while incidents on Friday, Tuesday and Thursday went up. Comparing times of day, after midnight, early morning and late night saw the most crime last week. Want a longer-term view of crime in Atlanta? Here's our latest monthly crime report . To report a crime in progress or life-threatening emergency, call 911. To report a non-urgent crime or complaint, contact your local police department. Head to SpotCrime to get free local crime alerts in your area. This story was created automatically using local crime data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about our data sources and local crime methodology. Got thoughts about what we're doing? Go here to share your feedback.


According to rental site Zumper , median rents for a one-bedroom in Mount Vernon Square are hovering around $2,518, compared to a $2,025 one-bedroom median for Washington as a whole. So how does the low-end pricing on a Mount Vernon Square rental look these days   and what might you get for your money? We took a look at local listings for studios and one-bedroom apartments from Zumper and Apartment Guide to find out what budget-minded apartment seekers can expect to find in the neighborhood, which, according to Walk Score ratings , is extremely walkable, is great for biking and is a haven for transit riders. Take a look at the cheapest listings available right now, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 300 Massachusetts Ave. NW This studio apartment, situated at 300 Massachusetts Ave. NW, is listed for $1,755/month for its 524 square feet. The studio features a dishwasher. When it comes to building amenities, expect secured entry. Cats and dogs are allowed. (See the complete listing here .) 425 Massachusetts Ave. NW Then there's this 638-square-foot dwelling with one bedroom and one bathroom at 425 Massachusetts Ave. NW, listed at $2,453/month. You can expect to see in-unit laundry, a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting and a walk-in closet in the residence. Pet owners, take heed: Cats and dogs are permitted. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (See the listing here .) 460 L St. NW Check out this 792-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 460 L St. NW, listed at $2,450/month. The building offers on-site laundry, a fitness center and an elevator. The unit also comes with hardwood flooring. If you've got a pet, you'll be happy to learn that cats and dogs are welcome. (Here's the listing .) 425 L St. NW And here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom address at 425 L St. NW, which, with 766 square feet, is going for $2,470/month. In the unit, the listing promises a dishwasher, in-unit laundry, a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting and a walk-in closet. Pets are welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (Check out the listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Max Verstappen chose to fight for Monaco Grand Prix victory instead of playing it safe and targeting the fastest lap bonus point because was "fired up" by his time penalty. Verstappen ran third early on but moved into second place when Red Bull beat Mercedes in the pitstops and released him a nose ahead of Valtteri Bottas, who he made contact with in the pitlane. That unsafe release and collision earned Verstappen a five-second time penalty, which he said spurred him on to pressure race leader Lewis Hamilton relentlessly in an attempt to overtake and establish a big enough gap to win the race. Though he was unsuccessful and thus fell to fourth, Verstappen said he was not demotivated by the penalty. "No, it fired me up," he said. "As soon as I heard about the penalty I was just pushing Lewis hard because initially he was driving so slow. "I just kept pushing him and then he had to push otherwise I would attack him, and then he destroyed his tyres. That was my only way of trying to get by." Verstappen added: "I enjoyed it. Of course it's a shame to finish fourth but I had a fun race." Given how difficult it is to overtake in Monaco, an alternative strategy for Verstappen and Red Bull would have been to abort challenging Hamilton and going for the fastest lap instead. Had he taken a new set of tyres and earned fastest lap he would still have finished in fourth place but would have left Monte Carlo with 13 points instead of 12. However, Verstappen was happier to fight for the win instead of playing it safe. "We had that discussion but I had a fair chance of maybe getting by and then you win the race," he pointed out. "At the end of the day that's one point. So be it. "I had a more fun face being in second than trying to go for the fastest lap." Verstappen was restricted to just one chance to try to pass Hamilton, which resulted in minor contact at the chicane with a couple of laps remaining. He said "no one was to blame" for the incident, adding: "It was all fair, a fair chance of trying to get him. "I was just trying to put the pressure on and that was my only chance of maybe trying to get by." Additional reporting by Stuart Codling


Given two key factors   the date on the calendar and how far apart the two sides appear to be in their respective valuations   it's looking increasingly likely that Romelu Lukaku will still be a Manchester United player when the upcoming Premier League season starts, despite numerous bids by Inter Milan this summer. [ MORE: Borussia Dortmund tops Liverpool 3-2 at Notre Dame ] According to reports out of the UK, Man United have rejected Inter's latest bid, said to be for $67.5 million. The Red Devils paid $96 million for the big Belgian forward just two summers ago and appear hellbent on recouping most, if not all, of their investment. Antonio Conte called Lukaku "an important player for us" this week in an attempt to further unsettle the 26-year-old, but that doesn't appear to have shaken United's resolve in holding out for the fee they desire. [ MORE: Wolves top Man City on penalties in PL Asia Trophy final ] Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is growing tired of answering questions about the saga, especially since there has been little to no progress made in recent days and weeks. When pressed on the topic again this week, he said he had "no more updates." Follow @AndyEdMLS


President Barack Obama claimed that "states with the most gun laws tend to have the fewest gun deaths." Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, meanwhile, has made nearly the opposite claim, saying states with stringent gun control laws have "the highest gun crime rates in the nation." In looking solely at the numbers of gun deaths and gun crimes, the data back up Obama, not Fiorina. But both politicians imply a causation that's impossible to prove   that gun control laws lead to fewer or greater gun crimes or gun deaths. Obama talked about gun deaths, while Fiorina said "gun crime rates," which could include aggravated assault and robberies. Let's start with gun deaths. Obama's Argument The president made his comments on Oct. 1 after a mass shooting that day at a community college in Roseburg, Oregon, left 10 people dead , including the shooter. Obama, Oct. 1: We know that states with the most gun laws tend to have the fewest gun deaths. So the notion that gun laws don't work, or just will make it harder for law-abiding citizens and criminals [to] still get their guns is not borne out by the evidence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publishes statistics on firearm deaths and the death rate , which would be a fairer measure in comparing states of various populations. The death rate is the number of deaths per 100,000 people. The CDC also gives age-adjusted death rates, since such rates are influenced by the age of the population. This levels the comparison between different groups. For 2013, the 10 states with the highest firearm age-adjusted death rates were: Alaska (19.8), Louisiana (19.3), Mississippi (17.8), Alabama (17.6), Arkansas (16.8), Wyoming (16.7), Montana (16.7), Oklahoma (16.5), New Mexico (15.5) and Tennessee (15.4). The 10 states with the lowest firearm age-adjusted death rates were, starting with the lowest: Hawaii (2.6), Massachusetts (3.1), New York (4.2), Connecticut (4.4), Rhode Island (5.3), New Jersey (5.7), New Hampshire (6.4), Minnesota (7.6), California (7.7) and Iowa (8.0). Firearm deaths, however, include suicides, and there are a lot of them. In 2013, there were a total of 33,636 firearm deaths, and 21,175, or 63 percent, were suicides, according to the CDC . Homicides made up 11,208, or 33 percent, of those firearm deaths. The rest were unintentional discharges (505), legal intervention/war (467) and undetermined (281). Homicide data for 2013 don't give us a clear picture of homicides only by firearm; however, 70 percent of homicides for the year were by firearm. The 10 states with the highest homicide rates were: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland, Oklahoma, South Carolina, New Mexico, Missouri and Michigan. That lists includes six states that also have the highest firearm death rates. The 10 states with the lowest homicide rates are: North Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Utah, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts and Oregon. The number of homicides that occurred in the first three states were so low that their death rates were zero. Wyoming is an interesting case, because it has one of the highest firearm death rates but a homicide rate of zero. What role do gun control laws play in these statistics? It's difficult to say. One news report that compiled these same CDC numbers on firearm death rates, by 24/7 Wall Street and published by USA Today , listed several reasons besides gun laws that these states might have high rates of gun deaths (suicides included). Many of the states also have higher rates of poverty, lower educational attainment and perhaps more rural areas that make getting to a hospital in time to save someone's life difficult. But that report also noted weaker gun laws were common among the states with higher gun death rates: "In fact, none of the states with the most gun violence require permits to purchase rifles, shotguns, or handguns. Gun owners are also not required to register their weapons in any of these states. Meanwhile, many of the states with the least gun violence require a permit or other form of identification to buy a gun," reporter Thomas C. Frohlich wrote. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, both groups that advocate for strong gun laws, published a scorecard on state gun laws in 2013, giving higher letter grades to states with stronger gun laws. Nine of the 10 states with the highest firearm death rates , according to the CDC, got an "F" for their gun laws, and one of them got a "D-." (Note that most states   26 of them   received an "F.") Seven of the states with the lowest firearm death rates got a "B" or higher; two received a "C" or "C-"; and one   New Hampshire   got a "D-." But again, that's a correlation, not a causation. And the homicide rate statistics don't show the same pattern. Eight of the 10 states with the highest homicide rates and eight of the 10 states with the lowest homicide rates all got "D" or "F" grades from the Brady Campaign analysis. We have written before about gun control issues, and the inability to determine causation between gun laws and gun violence. As Susan B. Sorenson, a professor of social policy at the University of Pennsylvania, told us in 2012, "We really don't have answers to a lot of the questions that we should have answers to." And that's partly because a scientific random study   in which one group of people had guns or permissive gun laws, and another group didn't   isn't possible. When we asked the White House about Obama's claim, a spokesman sent us links to other studies that found states with more gun restrictions had fewer gun deaths, backing up Obama's claim that "states with the most gun laws tend to have the fewest gun deaths." But it doesn't back up his claim that "the evidence" shows there is a link between the gun deaths and gun laws. Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital and the Harvard School of Public Health looked at gun laws and gun deaths in all 50 states from 2007 to 2010, concluding that: "A higher number of firearm laws in a state are associated with a lower rate of firearm fatalities in the state, overall and for suicides and homicides individually." Their research was published in JAMA Internal Medicine in May 2013 . But the study said that it couldn't determine cause-and-effect. One of the authors, Dr. Eric Fleegler, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Boston Children's Hospital, told the Boston Globe that "[i]n states with the most laws, we found a dramatic decreased rate in firearm fatalities, though we can't say for certain that these laws have led to fewer deaths." Fiorina's Claim Fiorina made her claim on Sept. 24 in a speech in Greenville, South Carolina, when asked about her views on guns (see the 43:40 mark). She said that the gun laws currently on the books aren't enforced. "That is why you see in state after state after state with some of the most stringent gun control laws in the nation also having the highest gun crime rates in the nation. Chicago would be an example," she said. We asked the Fiorina campaign for support for that claim, and to clarify whether she meant states or cities, since she mentioned Chicago. We have not received a response, but we will update this article if we do. Fiorina said "gun crime rates," not just "gun deaths," as the president claimed. The FBI has statistics on violent crimes committed with a firearm, including murder, robbery and aggravated assault, though its data come from voluntary reporting from law enforcement agencies. When we last researched firearm deaths, experts advised us to use the CDC data, since it came from required death-certificate reporting. But what about robberies with a firearm, or aggravated assaults? We calculated firearm robbery rates for the states, using the FBI data for 2014 , and the states with the highest rates are Nevada, Mississippi, Georgia, Maryland and Louisiana. Four out of five of those states received an "F" from the groups that advocate tougher gun laws. (We discounted Illinois, which reported limited data to the FBI.) We then did the same rate calculation for aggravated assaults with a firearm in 2014. The top five states: Tennessee, South Carolina, Arkansas, Louisiana and Delaware. The last state was the only one not to receive an "F." As for Chicago, the Pew Research Center published a report in 2014 that found that while Chicago had seen a lot of murders in raw numbers, smaller cities had a higher rate, adjusted for population. Using FBI data   with the caveat that it is reported by local police agencies and not always consistently   the Pew Research Center determined that the top cities in 2012 for the murder rate were Flint, Michigan; Detroit; New Orleans; and Jackson, Mississippi. Chicago came in 21st. An August 2013 CDC report looked at rates for gun homicides in the 50 most populous metropolitan areas. It found that for 2009-2010, the top gun murder rate areas were, in order: New Orleans, Memphis, Detroit, Birmingham, St. Louis, Baltimore, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Philadelphia and Chicago. Six of those cities are in states with poor scores for their gun laws, while the other four get a "C" or better. Chicago, which placed last in the top 10, had a ban on handguns at the time. There's no discernible pattern among those cities, nor clear or convincing evidence in these statistics that shows more gun laws lead to more or less gun crime.   Lori Robertson


Newark's forecast shows unusual light rainfall in store today and tomorrow, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Tuesday should see the most rain, with a predicted accumulation of 0.66 inches. The coming days will also bring warm temperatures, due to persist through Tuesday. Temperatures will reach a high of 84 degrees today. Skies will partially clear on Friday. Winds will continue to be light throughout the week, with the highest speeds today 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.


Video by Today Show WASHINGTON President Trump denied knowing about a White House request to move "out of sight" the warship USS John S. McCain during his visit to Japan, but said whoever issued the directive was "well meaning." Speaking to reporters Thursday as he left Washington for Colorado, Mr. Trump said of the White House request, which was issued earlier this month: "I didn't know a thing about it. I would never have done that." Get news and analysis on politics, policy, national security and more, delivered right to your inbox The president repeated his previous criticisms of the late senator and didn't apologize for the White House directive, saying instead that the official who directed the warship to be concealed "did it because they thought I didn't like him." "They thought they were doing me a favor because they know I am not a fan of John McCain," he said. "I was very angry with John McCain because he killed health care," he said, referring to a critical vote Mr. McCain cast in 2017 that blocked the GOP effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. "I was not a big fan of John McCain in any way shape or form." Mr. McCain died in August at 81 years old from a brain tumor. The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that in a May 15 email to U.S. Navy and Air Force officials, a U.S. Indo-Pacific Command official outlined plans for the president's arrival that he said had resulted from conversations between the White House Military Office and the Seventh Fleet of the U.S. Navy. In addition to instructions for the proper landing areas for helicopters and preparation for the USS Wasp where the president was scheduled to speak the official issued a third directive: "USS John McCain needs to be out of sight." "Please confirm #3 will be satisfied," the official wrote. Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan was aware of the concern about the presence of the USS John McCain in Japan and approved measures to avoid what officials believed might be a disruption to the president's visit, a U.S. official said. While traveling in Indonesia on Thursday, Mr. Shanahan said of the concerns: "What I read this morning was the first I heard about it," he said. Another U.S. official said that following the White House request for the ship to be moved, senior Navy officials in Hawaii and Japan determined last week that "the ships should remain in their normal configuration." Meghan McCain, Mr. McCain's daughter, wrote on Twitter: "Nine months since he passed, Trump won't let him RIP. So I have to stand up for him. It makes my grief unbearable." Mr. Trump has repeatedly attacked the senator, both before and since his death. In addition to criticizing his health-care vote, Mr. Trump has called Mr. McCain who was a prisoner of war for 5 1/2 years in Vietnam "not a war hero" and complained that he wasn't thanked for giving the late senator "the kind of funeral that he wanted." The USS John McCain which was stationed at the same naval base where Mr. Trump spoke on Tuesday aboard the USS Wasp is being repaired after a 2017 collision that killed 10 sailors and tore a hole in the left rear side of the destroyer. As a prisoner of war in Vietnam, Mr. McCain endured beatings and solitary confinement, while refusing to accept Vietnamese offers of early release on the ground that it would undermine the morale of others who lacked Mr. McCain's connections. Mr. McCain was the son and grandson of admirals, and his father had been promoted to the position of commander of all U.S. forces in the Pacific theater. In July 2018, a month before Mr. McCain's death, Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer formally added Mr. McCain as a namesake of the USS John McCain, which had been named for his father and grandfather after it launched in 1994. Mr. McCain said at the time that he was "deeply honored."


The final doldrums of the offseason between the break of minicamp and the start of training camp present over a month's span for players to unwind and get away from football. Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is using that time to tour Israel with his trainer, Quincy Avery. "I have been blessed to visit many countries around the world, but the chance to visit the Holy Land, see the sites and meet the people of this special place, truly is a special blessing and an amazing opportunity," Watson said. Watson arrived Tuesday for a week-long tour arranged and co-sponsored by America's Voices in Israel, a non-profit organization whose mission is, "to foster greater understanding of Israel in the United States, by reaching out to high-profile personalities and opinion leader," according to a statement from the group. The Pro Bowl signal caller will swim in the Dead Sea, visit Shiloh and Masada, and taste the various food at Jerusalem's Machane Yehuda Market. "This is a part of the world which gets a lot of attention internationally, and this is a chance for me to look beyond the headlines and learn more about the history and culture of this land," Watson said. Watson's experience will also be filmed as part of a documentary on his triumphs both on and off the field. MORE: Shaq got so frustrated with Ryan Hollins' basketball takes on ESPN Fierce, fiesty WR competition for Cowboys behind Top 3 roster locks Rams trading Tyler Higbee to Patriots would make sense for both teams NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players 7 non-star free agents the Lakers could pursue with their cap space


One of the worst statistical pass defenses in the nation this past season will be without its most talented young defensive back thanks to classroom issues. Earlier this week, Randy Edsall confirmed that both cornerback Ryan Carroll and running back Khyon Gillespie will not play for the Huskies at all in 2019. Per the head coach, academics are at the root of the players' unavailability this coming season. Of the two, Carroll's absence will likely be the most noteworthy even given their historical ineptness in the secondary. As a true freshman this past season, Carroll started eight of 12 games for a UConn defense that was 126th (out of 130 FBS) in passing yards per game (282.4); 128th in completion percentage allowed (71.6); tied for last in touchdown passes allowed (33); dead last in yards per attempt (10.7; next worse was Georgia State's 9.5); and dead last in pass efficiency rating (192.6; next worse was Georgia State's 177.1). As for Gillespie, a two-star 2018 signee, he carried the ball once as a true freshman and ended up taking a redshirt for the season.


Ever wish you could ice skate across a winter sky, catching crumbs of gingerbread, like flakes of snow, on your tongue? How about conquering a monster in a nightmare, bouncing between mountain peaks, walking through walls, or reading minds? Have you ever longed to hold the hand of someone you loved and lost? If you want to fulfill your fantasies, or even face your fears, you might want to try taking some control of your dreams ( try being the operative). People practiced in lucid dreaming-the phenomenon of being aware that you are dreaming while you are asleep-claim that the experience allows adventure, self-discovery, and euphoric joy. Dr. Barrett, a psychologist who teaches at Harvard Medical School and specializes in dream research, explains that "most people can learn to lucid dream, but it comes much more easily for some people than others." "It's always a continuum," says Dr. Barrett, author of The Committee of Sleep: How Artists, Scientists, and Athletes Use Their Dreams for Creative Problem Solving-And How You Can Too , and "it varies for every individual." $19.99 SHOP NOW Some lucid dreamers recognize they're dreaming but gain no control. Others can control their emotional reactions, but not their surroundings. Still others may "script it completely, as if creating a computer-generated animated film with a program." Despite the striking differences between people, Dr. Barrett says that the majority of people who can recall their dreams most nights, can also increase their chances of lucid dreaming by adhering to certain techniques. First, a brief history on the research behind lucid dreaming. According to Dr. Barrett, two studies conducted in the 1970s, one by English psychologist Keith Hearne in 1975, and another by Stanford University researcher, Stephen LaBerge, scientifically validated lucid dreaming. Dr. Barrett recounts that "they both dreamed up this concept, that everything is paralyzed in your body during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, except your eyes. So, they came up with the idea of people doing eye signals out of a dream to indicate that they were lucid, and they both succeeded." The act of lucid dreaming had been described for centuries, but before those studies, many dismissed self-reports. Barrett says Hearne and LaBerge proved that people "saying they were aware in their dreams, could indeed eye signal out of what was dreaming sleep," which was evidence of their lucidity. Robert Waggoner, the former president of the International Association for the Study of Dreams , states that lucid dreams are not only scientifically proven, but also more common than people think: "half the population naturally has an occasional lucid dream, and when it comes to college students in the United States, surveys show up to 71% have had lucid dreams ." The last decade has seen a variety of studies on lucid dreaming. One concedes that there are limitations in lucid dreaming research: "As occurs in the context of psychiatric interviews, external observers cannot access the content of subjective experiences directly, but only attempt to reconstruct them on the basis of a narrative." Another study demonstrates with brain scans that lucid dreaming constitutes a hybrid state of consciousness with "definable and measurable differences from waking and from REM sleep, particularly in frontal areas." Yet another study , conducted in 2019, reviews some of the most recent techniques of research into lucid dreaming, particularly methods of artificially stimulating lucid dreams in sleep labs. Dr. Barrett clarifies that "we have about as much brain activity during REM sleep as we do when we are awake, but it's more and less in different areas. The secondary visual cortex, which is involved in producing imagery is by far the most active…emotional areas are a little more active. But one of the areas that is greatly damped down is what's called the prefrontal cortex, and it's associated with abstract reasoning and reality testing." The relative inactivity of the prefrontal cortex during sleep is why you might see a 20-foot tall lady-bug in a dream and not think it's impossible. During lucid dreams, the prefrontal cortex is partially activated, leading lucid dreamers to notice the strangeness of a dreamscape and use that knowledge to confirm that they are indeed, dreaming. Okay, so how do you control your dreams? Start by keeping a dream journal. Waggoner, who wrote Lucid Dreaming: Gateway to the Inner Self , says "good dream recall is essential." When you wake up, whether in the middle of the night, or in the morning, it is best to stay in the same position, and note whatever you remember from your dreams. In the morning, before you check your phone or start your day, review those notes, and write down anything else you remember from your dreams. Then, reality check. Kristian Marlow, the associate director of the University of Miami's Neuroscience Department's Brogaard Lab for Multisensory Research, and co-author of The Superhuman Mind: Free the Genius in Your Brain , describes patterns in dreams that may clue people into the fact that they are dreaming. Keep a dream journal. He notes that "numbers," "lights," and "text" are especially prone to distortion. He explains, "What happens very often is you'll look at a clock, and it'll either have some nonsense number, or it'll have one time on it, and if you look away, and glance back again, it'll have a totally different time." One way to become aware of these incongruities (muddled text in a book, malfunctioning light switches, flashes of color, etc.) is to do reality checks when you are awake. Marlow adds, "It's as simple as when you look at the time, you look twice. When you look at the temperature on an oven, you check it twice…If you notice the lights flickering on and off all of a sudden, that's another signal that you're dreaming." The practice of checking, and re-checking aspects of reality in waking life (your environment, the objects you handle, and figures you see) will carry over into your dreams. And when you reality-check in a dream, the reality-check typically fails, which can lead to lucidity. Dr. Barrett illuminates why this technique works: "Dreams seem at least to be in part about memory and consolidating new learning…any task that you do awake a lot is likely to show up in your dream, but new ones that you're learning and practicing are even more likely to." Recite mantras before bed. Another way to control your dreams: embrace the power of suggestion. Dr. Barrett marvels that "lucid dreams are a fascinating state of consciousness," but she warns against the misconception that "you have to do that or should do that to try to influence dream content." Dr. Barrett explains that it might be more effective to do "dream incubation," which is essentially telling yourself what you want to dream just before you fall asleep. As you are falling asleep, you are in a "hypnagogic state," one that Dr. Barrett notes makes you very suggestible. She recommends picking a simple statement or phrase to repeat to yourself and attaching some mental image to it as you are drifting into sleep. Dr. Barrett conducted a study in 1993 where subjects told themselves during incubation that their dreams would address problems of their choosing (ranging from interpersonal challenges to homework questions), and within just one week, about 50% of the subjects recalled a dream which they judged to be related to their problem. Dr. Barrett believes that her study yielded higher results than other similar studies exploring problem-solving in dreams, because the subjects chose the problems themselves. Consequently, they were capable of solving the problems, as well as intrinsically motivated. Before you go to sleep, repeat to yourself, tonight, I will be able to control my dreams . If you do want to try to achieve lucidity in order to influence your dream content through intentional mantras, before you go to sleep, repeat to yourself, tonight, I will be able to control my dreams . Waggoner, who has logged over 1,000 lucid dreams, shares his personal experience: "the way that I taught myself, each night before I'd go to sleep, I'd look at my hands while telling myself, tonight in my dreams I'll see my hands and realize I'm dreaming ...I'd look at the palms of my hands for about five minutes while repeating that to myself, and on the third night of doing this, I'm walking through my high school, and suddenly my hands pop up in front of my face, and I thought, oh my hands, I must be dreaming ." Believe you can. Kristian Marlow says that if you're dreaming yourself at the edge of a cliff, and you want to fly, believe you can fly, and you will (okay, you might). If you know you're dreaming and want to fly, but in your dream think you will fall, you will. If you think the fall will hurt, it will. Marlow underscores that "you really have to believe what your wanting to happen is going to happen." His refrain: "it all comes down to belief." Waggoner echoes this sentiment, declaring, "if you believe something to be true, it will be true." How to stay lucid in a dream It's important not to get too excited. Marlow explains that "just like the sounds in your environment-an alarm clock, or lights that wake your brain up-an extreme stimulus in a dream will tend to wake you up also." So, if you realize you're dreaming, stay calm. Waggoner suggests you "rub your hands together…touch a nearby table, or the wall," to achieve a "kinesthetic sensation of being there more solidly in the dream." Waggoner says it's helpful to repeat to yourself in your dream, this is a dream , because you always run the risk of slipping back into a non-lucid dream state. In sum, Waggoner prescribes three techniques for having a long lucid dream: reduce your emotions, enhance your awareness, and maintain your focus. Is lucid dreaming good for you? In terms of health benefits, a 2014 study , suggests that lucid dreamers tend to be more effective abstract problem-solvers. But Dr. Barrett admonishes against an illogical leap from correlation to causation: "It's much more likely that people who have a propensity for more activity in their pre-frontal cortex all the time, are also a more likely to have lucid dreams." A possible health benefit according to Marlow is to prevent nightmares, especially in patients struggling with PTSD. More generally, lucid dreaming can allow people to confront their phobias with exposure therapy. Marlow explains, "Phobias tend to be immune to conscious deliberation. So, if you start exposing yourself, even in a dream, it can start to desensitize your brain to that kind of stimulus." Some lucid dreamers also report other emotional and cognitive benefits. Waggoner says that lucid dreams tend to be more positive. Marlow proposes "using lucid dreams to revisit times with a loved one that you wish had gone differently. You get to make your peace. Of course, you know that it's not real." Lucid dreaming is an art, not a science. While the study of lucid dreaming is a science, some argue that the practice of lucid dreaming is an art. Waggoner points out that while you may be able to control your own actions in your dreams, that does not mean that you have control over all aspects of the dream. Waggoner's metaphor: "The sailor does not control the sea, neither does the lucid dreamer completely control the dream." Sailors have to relate to the weather, the waves, the wind, their own skills, and the boat. So must lucid dreamers relate to the dream situation with more awareness in order to exercise control. Waggoner insists that lucid dreaming is a process of learning how to harness "the power of belief and expectations." He contends that "scientists can explore some of the outer features, but the actual experience truly is an art." Lucid dreaming is a creative act, not unlike the interpretation of dreams themselves. As we try to better understand why we dream, and why the content of our dreams is what it is, becoming lucid while we sleep may provide a window into parts of our mind that we cannot access in waking life. Marlow describes one artist, who would say in a lucid dream, "when I walk into the room, the painting I see will be my next painting." The artist would study the painting in his dream, and then reproduce it in real life. Waggoner mentions a novelist who had a lucid dream in which he asked his own fictional characters to tell him how their story should end. They did, and he revised his manuscript accordingly. Remember, not everyone will be able to control their dreams. As Dr. Barrett explains, levels of lucidity and control vary wildly between individuals. And while that may be disheartening to those committed to controlling the content of their dreams, one may derive value from lucidity, and not masterful control, or even from no control at all. Waggoner says, "If you learn how to relate to your unconscious mind, you can access the creative wisdom of it but if you go around like an egomaniac trying to control everything…you'll never learn about the beauty and the mystery of your unconscious mind." Rubén Gallo, a professor at Princeton University, and author of Freud's Mexico: Into the Wilds of Psychoanalysis , articulates the importance of embracing a lack of control over our dreams. He reflects on our desire to direct them, saying that in an era "when we think we have control over everything, there are still areas we don't have control over. Love is one of them, art is another, and dreams, to me, are part of that package." This collection of subjects, for Gallo are "the very mysterious productions of human life." In his view, "dreams escape our volition, and escape our control, and can teach us something about ourselves, precisely because they make us lose control." Perhaps in the effort to dictate the content of our dreams, in a more nuanced, and artistic approach to lucid dreaming, we come closer to understanding ourselves. Perhaps dreams are compelling because they are in many ways, still unknown to us. Even if you can influence your dream, every element of the dream environment is not intentionally constructed. In a lucid dream, you might swing open a door on a freezing day, say, I will go somewhere warm , and find yourself on the beach, but you probably did not deliberately produce all aspects of that dreamscape: each unique, tiny grain of sand, the distinct shades of blue and green in the distant billow of waves, the smell of salty air, your unconscious mind is still operational." Gallery: Signs your bad dreams could mean something worse (Best Life)


The Westfield Citrus Park mall opened its doors early for a very special event: The Dress for Success Tampa Bay nonprofit their 8th annual 5K power walk to raise money for their programs. Former beneficiaries volunteered at the walk. "They gave me job training skills that I did not have to get back into the workforce, because I wasn't really computer literate," Frankie Anderson said. "So they taught me how to do that. And help me build my resume to fit the market, for today -- and I've been going strong ever since." Anderson lost her job in 2012. With two children to care for, she turned to Dress for Success to turn her life around. When asked what role they played in her success, "Major role, man. They helped me, literally, reinvent myself. They taught me how to do things," Anderson said. "They gave me skills I didn't have, and they just empowered me. "They let me know I'm not alone. And I'm with so many other women." Dress for Success gives women the physical and emotional tools they need to re-enter the workforce. The group hosts resume workshops, mock interviews and provides women with interview attire. Vicky Ridenour has participated in the Dress for Success power walk two years in a row. "I love what I do here, I volunteer as well. So I've worked in their boutique, I've helped people get ready for interviews," Ridenour said. "And I'll tell you, when I do it. I get more out of it then they do. "They'll start crying and hug me, and it's just so amazing to see what I can do for these women." All of the money raised from the 5K goes directly back to Dress for Success Tampa Bay. Last year, the nonprofit helped 2,000 people. This year, they hope to help at least 2,500 more. A lot of the clothing is donated, but certain items need to be purchased. "We purchase large size clothing, large size shoes and bras. We now give every woman who walks through our door a brand new bra, because we had so many women without a bra and that is so important," said Katie McGill, Executive Director of Dress for Success Tampa Bay. The organization provides both physical and emotional tools for a better future. "We make sure that we are not just giving them a suit. We are giving them hope and that could be a mock interview, someone might need resume help," McGill. "We do dress rehearsal and we send them out to a company and they interview them for us before we get them ready. They have to do an elevator pitch. We are giving them all the tools they need in order to be successful." Around 60 percent of the women Dress for Success works with are single mothers getting back into the workforce. What other people are reading right now: Florida trooper, 23, accused of having a sexual relationship with an underage teen Police search for 2-year-old Oregon boy after parents died in apparent murder-suicide in Montana Ex-lawyer of accused Clearwater parking lot shooter has law license stripped 25 arrests made during online predator, human trafficking sting in Sarasota Florida mother, son win lottery, then go to jail ► Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10News app now . Have a news tip? Email desk@wtsp.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed .


CHICAGO (AP) Victor Caratini and Chicago Cubs rallied from an early deficit and extended their mastery over the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Pinch-hitting for starting pitcher Jon Lester, Caratini hit a tiebreaking bases-loaded double in Chicago's four-run sixth inning and the Cubs beat St. Louis 9-4 Saturday night. Caratini lined the first pitch from John Gant to left field. Marcell Ozuna attempted a sliding catch, but the ball dropped and rolled to the wall, allowing three runs to score. ''Acting as if it's your third or fourth at-bat of the day and just being aggressive is the key, at least for me,'' Caratini said through a translator. ''Honestly, I was just really happy I was able to contribute to us getting a win.'' Lester was in the on-deck circle before manager Joe Maddon sent out Caratini with no outs and game tied at 4. ''You've got to do something with that at-bat and Jon ended up with the win because of the way we straightened things out,'' Maddon said. Kyle Schwarber followed with a double to drive in Caratini, and the Cubs won for the fifth time in six games since being swept in a three-game series at St. Louis last weekend. Chicago improved to 5-0 against the Cardinals at home this season. Schwarber's 12th homer tied it at 4 in the fourth. Javier Baez had a triple and two RBIs as Chicago remained percentage points ahead of Milwaukee in first place in the NL Central. Lester (5-4) was hit hard early, allowing all four St. Louis runs in the first inning on long homers by Ozuna and Harrison Bader. The 35-year-old left-hander settled down and retired the last 11 hitters he faced in five-hit, six-inning outing. It was Lester's second straight win following a three-game slump in which he was 0-3 with a 10.29 ERA. ''That first inning for me, for whatever reason, mentally just got away from me,'' Lester said. ''Unfortunately I gave up four runs, but I was able to make the adjustment and get through six and give our guys a chance.'' Three Cubs relievers combined to set down the next eight St. Louis hitters in order before Kolten Wong struck out swinging, but reached on a passed ball in the ninth against Tyler Chatwood. John Brebbia (1-3), the first of five St. Louis relievers, allowed two runs in 1 1/3 innings and took the loss. Cardinals starter Jack Flaherty labored in a 3 2/3-inning no-decision, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks. ''We appreciate the start for sure,'' St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said. ''We had him (Lester) on the ropes again, 70-something pitches in the third and then he settled in. ''We have to play better. We have to figure out a way to get quality pitches, get the ball in play.'' The Cardinals jumped ahead 4-0 in the first. With two runners on, Ozuna crushed a 3-0 pitch through a steady wind and off the metal roof of an enclosed viewing area deep in the center field batter's eye. The ball landed with a thud that could be heard throughout Wrigley Field. Jose Martinez flew out to the wall in left, then Bader launched the first pitch he faced over the left-field bleachers and onto Waveland Avenue. The Cubs cut it to 4-2 in the bottom of the inning. Chicago loaded the bases with none out, then picked up runs on Baez's force out and a single by Willson Contreras. Baez tripled home Anthony Rizzo from first with none out in the third, cutting the score to 4-3. Schwarber capped an 11-pitch at-bat by lining his 12th homer to right in the fourth to tie it 4-all. KIMBREL WATCH New Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel threw a bullpen session at Wrigley Field on Saturday before leaving for the team's training facility in Mesa, Arizona. On Friday, Chicago finalized a three-year contract with the right-hander that guarantees him $43 million. Manager Joe Maddon had no details on Kimbrel's session. The 31-year-old Kimbrel turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the Red Sox in November, then sat out. Theo Epstein, the Cubs president of baseball operations, hasn't set an exact timetable for Kimbrel's return to the majors. DFA The Cardinals designated RHP Merandy Gonzalez for assignment. TRAINERS ROOM Cardinals: INF Jedd Gyorko was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained lower back before Saturday's game and St. Louis purchased the contract of infielder Tommy Edman from Triple-A Memphis. The 30-year-old Gyorko said he first felt his back spasm in the third inning of Friday's 3-1 loss to the Cubs when he fielded Anthony Rizzo's grounder at third base. Edman made his major league debut as pinch hitter in the ninth and struck out swinging. Cubs: INF Addison Russell was held out of the starting lineup for the fourth straight game with a bruised right (throwing) hand, but delivered a pinch-hit sac fly in the seventh to make it 9-4 and remained in the game at second. Maddon said Russell was injured sliding against Colorado on Tuesday. UP NEXT: Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright (5-5, 4.34) faces Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (6-4, 3.16) in the series finale on Sunday night. Wainwright tossed eight shutout innings in a 2-1 win over the Cubs at St. Louis last Sunday when he allowed two hits, but walked a season-high seven. Hendricks has won five straight decisions over his last seven starts with a 2.09 ERA during that span. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


Corporate America has been, shall we say, evolving on the minimum wage in recent years. Last month, McDonalds   the most recognizable name in America's lowest-paying industry   announced it would no longer lobby against minimum wage hikes. A few months before that, Amazon proclaimed that it would fully meet activists' demands for a $15-per-hour baseline and that it would throw its considerable lobbying weight behind an increase in the federal floor. Then, just last week, Bank of America outdid them both, setting its own minimum at $20. Who is left fighting the case against a higher minimum wage? American small businesses. As a bill that would raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2024 nationwide awaits a vote on the House floor with 205 Democratic co-sponsors, life in the opposition is getting lonelier for the National Federation of Independent Business, the nation's largest advocacy group for small companies. "We're playing defense on this one, to state the obvious," said Jon Kurrle, vice president of federal government relations at the NFIB, which has about 300,000 members. "A larger company can absorb costs in a way that a smaller business can't, and also make technology investments in a way that not all small businesses can." Although the wage premium for working at a large company has decreased over time, big businesses still achieve economies of scale through centralized HR and benefits departments. They also have the upfront capital needed to invest in automation, such as the purchasing kiosks now in place at McDonalds, that will make businesses less subject to labor costs in the future. Of course, plenty of small enterprises can sustain higher wages if they build those costs into their business model. But the shock of an initial wage hike can be too much for many. A study released in 2018 found that fast food restaurants were more likely to go out of business following a minimum wage hike   and new ones were more likely to start up, creating a negligible long-term change in employment but difficult experiences for many individual business owners. Also, in recent years, the minimum wage has been the least of big business' labor problems. A tight job market has already propelled companies like Walmart and Target to announce several wage hikes, as well as better benefits, for their rank-and-file workers. So far, productivity has improved enough across the US economy to sustain those cost increases without eating into profits. That said, a higher minimum wage could start to compress margins this year, Oxford Economics analyst Lydia Boussour predicts. Congress hasn't raised the federal minimum wage, which currently sits at $7.25 an hour, since 2009. More than half of registered voters support a hike to $15, according to a Hill-HarrisX poll released in January. Related video: Why Walmart wants robots, not workers, stocking shelves For large companies, opposing a hike comes along with bad publicity, which lately just doesn't seem to be worth it for corporate America   especially for those with a consumer-facing brand reputation to maintain. "A number of our members that have substantial retail operations are very concerned about image," said Roger King, senior labor and employment counsel with the HR Policy Association, a trade group of large employers. "They're very concerned about marketability of their product, and they don't want to be a poster child for poor working conditions." And if a big business has to pay higher wages, it helps them if smaller competitors are forced to do the same. "You level the playing field," King said. That may have been part of the reason behind Amazon's big move to $15 last fall. The company had already started to become a target of labor activists and politicians like Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator who is running for president. That kind of criticism tarnished Amazon's progressive tech-forward sheen at a time when it was also conducting a high-profile auction for its second headquarters. Amazon has already reaped more concrete rewards from the investment in better pay, including a bumper crop of applicants for its jobs. Recent editions of the Federal Reserve's Beige Book, an anecdotal economic survey published every few months, have contained several references to other businesses having trouble recruiting in the face of well-publicized wage hikes by large employers. Last week, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos flaunted the decision in his annual letter to shareholders . "Today I challenge our top retail competitors (you know who you are!) to match our employee benefits and our $15 minimum wage," he wrote. "Do it! Better yet, go to $16 and throw the gauntlet back at us." Amazon has also made its presence felt on Capitol Hill, holding meetings with lawmakers in support of the Raise the Wage Act. It's perhaps a prudent choice, since for the biggest and most profitable businesses, it's becoming clear that $15 isn't enough. That's what JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon learned at a Congressional hearing with big bank chiefs last week, where freshman Rep. Katie Porter walked him through the finances of a hypothetical single mother making $16.50 an hour at one of his Chase branches in California. Every month, the worker would end up in the red, even as the bank recorded a profit of $9.18 billion for the quarter. "She's short $567, what would you suggest she do?" asked Porter, a Democrat. "I don't know, I'd have to think about that," Dimon replied. Now, that doesn't mean that all big businesses are pleased with the increasing likelihood of a higher minimum wage   especially franchisees of those big businesses, who might own a handful of storefronts. After McDonalds' announcement, former McDonalds CEO Ed Rensi wrote in Forbes about how the company's choice "aggravates" its franchisees, who formed their first-ever national association last fall in order to negotiate over issues like menu pricing with corporate headquarters. The National Restaurant Association, one of the most powerful lobbying groups in Washington, remains officially opposed to the $15 minimum wage bill. Another, the US Chamber of Commerce, declined to comment on the issue. But national chains have more important issues to deal with at the moment. In particular, they've put most of their lobbying firepower into changing the rules around who qualifies as a "joint employer," which threatens to make franchisors and general contractors legally liable for the labor violations of their franchisees and subcontractors, as well as open them up to union-organizing campaigns. After years of fighting the Obama administration, the business lobby has welcomed new rules proposed by the National Labor Relations Board and the Department of Labor Republican appointees that would mostly close off that possibility. As local minimum wage legislation has cropped up around the country, franchisees have demanded that they be treated like small businesses, rather than large businesses that are sometimes required to raise their wages on an accelerated timeline. They're now pushing Congress to pre-empt such differential treatment in the future. "We know where the conversation is going, we also know where the economy is going," said Matt Haller, senior vice president for government relations and public affairs at the International Franchise Association. "I would say our position has shifted more toward making sure that businesses are treated equally." A nationwide $15 minimum wage is still far from inevitable, however. Democratic House leadership has yet to set a firm timeline for voting on the bill, which would still face a tough fight in the Senate. A sizable band of moderate Democrats has backed an alternative measure that would adjust the federal minimum to fit the cost of living in different parts of the country and set cheaper places on a slower course upward. While employers in high-cost cities like New York would have to pay $15 by 2024   even though under New York state law, employers already have to pay that now   places like Tuscaloosa, Alabama wouldn't get there until 2033. And despite the public pronouncements of a few public-facing businesses, as well as mounting evidence showing that higher minimum wages have little effect on employment , the idea that they're bad for business is hard to shake. "$15 is not far left. It's not radical. It's not excessive. It's the bare minimum of what an individual in the lowest cost-of-living parts of this country is going to need in 2024," said Judy Conti, director of government affairs for the left-leaning National Employment Law Project. "Part of the problem is that the Chamber and the NFIB and the National Restaurant Association have screamed for so hard and so long about the fictitious job loss that comes from the minimum wage that people continue to believe it."


The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has shut down a sprawling illegal marijuana growing operation discovered on its own property near Sacramento. More than 15,000 plants were destroyed during a July 12 eradication effort that was supported by several agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Justice, and National Guard. Marijuana plants seized during the bust. Photo: CDFW In a news release issued Monday, the CDFW stated that it had arrested 11 suspects and confiscated 3,000 pounds of processed marijuana and three loaded firearms. Before the arrests, wildlife officers observed the suspects trying to deliver more than 400 pounds of processed marijuana from the grow area in a U-Haul truck, which also was seized. Water-filtration device used by the growers. Photo: CDFW The growing operation occurred on dense wilderness parcels owned by the CDFW and The Nature Conservancy, within the 50,000-acre Consumnes River Preserve . "Discovering thousands of illegal marijuana plants on CDFW property and just 25 miles from the State Capitol demonstrates the brazen actions of those involved in the black market marijuana trade," David Bess, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of the Law Enforcement Division, stated in the news release. "There's no question that operations of this nature prevent the legal cannabis market from thriving." More than 15,000 marijuana plants were destroyed. Photo: CDFW The Consumnes River Preserve is home to an abundance of wildlife and seasonal home to state-listed threatened species, such as the greater sandhill crane, Swainson's hawk, and steelhead trout. CDFW officers documented several environmental violations by the growers, including habitat destruction, illegal water diversion, placing pesticides near waterways, and littering. The suspects' court dates are pending. -Images showing the illegal growing area are courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife


The 2020 election is 500 days away, but it looked a lot sooner on Saturday in Sharonville. Campaign signs for President Donald Trump and local Republicans lined the entrance of the Sharonville Convention Center for the GOP 500 rally. The Hamilton County Republican Party staged the rally to muster enthusiasm in a county the Democrats have taken over in recent years. It was clear at the rally that even though she represents New York City, Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez represents the enemy for Republicans in Ohio. Speakers invoked Ocasio-Cortez, socialism and the issue of illegal immigration to fuel the ire of the approximately 200 Republicans' in attendance. A sign outside the rally read "Socialism sucks!" "We cannot underestimate the fight that we have ahead," said Kayleigh McEnany, Trump's 2020 campaign national press secretary and keynote speaker for the GOP 500 Rally. "And the name I'm about to say immediately provokes laughter, but she should also strike a little fear in our hearts, and that's Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez." Since she won election last year, Ocasio-Cortez has risen rapidly from obscurity to garner a large following of fans and detractors. McEnany singled out Ocasio-Cortez's comments about a system that allows billionaires to exist alongside extreme poverty is immoral . She then railed against socialism as having more extreme income disparities, using Venezuela and Angola as examples. McEnany wasn't the only speaker to take aim at Ocasio-Cortez. U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Westwood, decried Ocasio-Cortez's comparison of the detention camps at the borders to concentration camps. "It's the same old blame America-first crowd, and that's what these people are all about," said Chabot said. "They're socialist." He didn't explain the connection between Ocasio-Cortez's concentration camp comment and socialism. Why do so many Republicans in Ohio fear a freshman member of Congress from New York? "AOC literally frightens me," Maineville resident Don Ludlow as he walked out of the Sharonville Convention Center Saturday, "starting off with the New Green Deal. That is an ill-conceived project that those folks are taking advantage of people's emotions without looking at the exact cost and implications of those programs." What makes Ocasio-Cortez particularly disturbing for Ludlow is her influence on millennials. "They're listening to her because they have an ignorance to what socialism really is," Ludlow said. The rally on Saturday was a preview of what voters can expect next year. Republicans acknowledged on Saturday Hamilton County will be tough for them to win. Like other urban areas of the country, it's turned a dark blue. "We have a great fight on our hands in Hamilton County" said Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters at the rally. He's one of four Republican office holders left in a countywide administrative office in Hamilton County. That would have been unthinkable 20 years ago when all but one countywide office was held by a Republican. "The only thing that makes a difference is the volunteers that bring out our voters. Because the Democrats are doing the same thing, and it's going to be a bloodbath if we don't do it." Hamilton County GOP chairman Alex Triantafilou told The Enquirer before the rally he wants a more diverse ticket in 2020 with more African-Americans and more women. Hamilton County Democratic Chairwoman Gwen McFarlin said it'll take more than a rally to beat the Democrats in Hamilton County. "They can have the biggest rally that they want, but they don't know Hamilton County" McFarlin told The Enquirer. "So they can bring all of the Trump people, but they don't respect diversity as a whole from my perspective, because there's little respect for women. They disrespect all people." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hamilton GOP rally invokes AOC to spur base


Californians are paying the highest gas prices in the nation at more than $4 per gallon, according to the latest AAA survey. The statewide average for regular unleaded gasoline came in at $4.02 on Wednesday. It's the first time Californians have seen the average top $4 since 2014. Bay Area drivers are paying some of the the highest prices in Northern California at $4.09 per gallon, while drivers in the Sacramento-Stockton-Lodi area are paying an average $3.92 per gallon. On the Central Coast, San Luis Obispo drivers are paying an average of $4.18 per gallon. At some gas stations in Tahoe City, drivers paid $4.59 per gallon on Tuesday, according to Gas Buddy. AAA analysts said routine spring maintenance and some unplanned maintenance at West Coast refineries has cut gasoline supplies at a time when demand is going up, fueling the higher prices. | MORE | Gas prices on the rise: 3 things you need to know The national average for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.83 per gallon, with Alabama checking in at the lowest average of $2.50 per gallon. READ MORE: California gas prices highest in five years CHECK OUT KCRA: Stay informed. Get the latest Modesto, Stockton and Sacramento news and weather from the KCRA news team.


WINDSOR, Colo. (CBS4)   Windsor Lake Reservoir opened on Thursday after being closed for over a week . Park officials closed the popular swim beach and dog park after the water tested positive for cyanobacteria   a blue-green algae that can be harmful to children, older adults and animals. Windsor Parks resumed normal operations of all recreational activities offered at the lake. Staff will continue to monitor and test the water in order to ensure that it is safe. The lake had been closed since July 23.


In the moments when it has seemed as if the Sox had finally put themselves in position to find the stride they'd been seeking all season, forward progress has been fleeting. They came off a 5-1 road trip through Baltimore and Minnesota last week looking to carry confidence back with them to Fenway Park. Instead, they dropped two of three games to a Toronto Blue Jays team currently sitting next to last in the AL East and 20½ games out of first place. The Red Sox' 6-1 loss in the series finale on Sunday left them with the same questions they've been facing all season. "As I was saying in Minnesota, we still have to get better," Cora said. "I know everybody was excited about that, but as a team, there's a lot of things that we need to keep improving. And when you look at this weekend it showed." BOX SCORE: BLUE JAYS 6, RED SOX 1 The Sox salvaged an extra-innings win on Friday by rallying late, their 23rd come-from-behind victory of the season. But in back-to-back losses, they dealt with the same inconsistency that has troubled them throughout the year. "We stole one on Friday, we had a lead on Saturday and they stole the game and today we didn't show up," Cora said. "It's disappointing. We expect better things out of the group and I think today all around it wasn't a good game." The Sox cobbled together just seven hits. Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman   who's never been much for suppressing emotions   cruised over six shutout innings. He gave up five hits and one walk and racked up six strikeouts. When he blazed a 92 mile-per-hour cutter by Eduardo Nunez in the sixth inning, he froze for a second and let out a roar from the mound. There was nothing Nunez could do except fling his bat in disgust as he walked back to the dugout. Nunez's frustration spoke volumes for the state of the Red Sox. "Stroman's good," said Brock Holt, who left the game after the third inning with left hamstring tightness. "He throws pretty much everything, both sides of the plate and today he had his stuff working. So tip your cap to him. He had a good game." The Jays offense gave him all the runs he needed early on. Brandon Drury went 1 for 3 with an RBI single in the second. Cavan Biggio went 1 for 4 with a run-scoring double in the third. Sox starter Rick Porcello gave up five runs on eight hits and four walks with just two strikeouts as he fell to 5-7. Day games have haunted him so far this season. He's gone 2-4 with an 8.31 ERA. He was able to keep the Sox in striking distance until the sixth inning unraveled on him for three runs. It started when he walked Biggio to lead off the inning and then gave up a ground-rule double to Freddy Galvis over the short fence in the right-field corner, sending Biggio to third. With Randal Grichuk at the plate, Porcello misinterpreted hand signals from catcher Christian Vazquez. He thought time was called, but it wasn't. So when he stepped off the mound with the wrong foot, home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi called him for a balk that allowed Biggio to score. "It was entirely my fault," Porcello said. "I saw hands go up and kind of just stepped off the mound with the wrong foot. I thought time was out, but time hadn't been given. I just kind of saw Vazky's hands go up and we didn't have time yet. So it was another inexcusable error on my part letting a run get across." At that point, with the Sox offense struggling, Porcello knew he had essentially put them out of reach. "Definitely had a chance," Porcello said. "The game was relatively under control going into the sixth inning. I've got to be better. I walked two guys, big double to Galvis that put ourselves in a tough hole especially when Stroman was throwing the ball so well and runs and hits were coming so hard to come by. "You can't give up extra tack-on runs and that inning ended up blowing up. It wasn't just one or two, they ended up putting up three. So I've got to be better. That's the bottom line." The Jays added another in the eighth when Eric Sogard hit a solo homer to right field, his eighth of the season. Meanwhile, the Red Sox offense went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position and left eight runners on base. Mookie Betts went 2 for 4, Andrew Benintendi 1 for 3. Christian Vazquez went 1 for 4. Their only run of the day came in the ninth when Nunez led off the inning with a double and scored on a throwing error by reliever Joe Biagini. Instead of gaining ground, the Sox are still eight games behind the Yankees in the division, staring down the same questions they've dealt with all year. "I'm not saying that we didn't show up because we had runners, but it seems like they were just better than us," Cora said. "That's the bottom line. They made pitches, they made plays, they put together good at-bats and we were the opposite. That's what I mean. Effort-wise, we always show up, it's just kind of the game all-around, they were better than us tonight." Julian Benbow can be reached at jbenbow@globe.com .


STOCKTON   There's a reason, Stockton Ports manager Webster Garrison said, why even the most durable professional baseball catchers need a day off every now and then. It's a brutal position physically and one that puts a pounding on the knees   not to mention the rest of the body   of those who undertake the craft. So to have a big league catcher such as Nick Hundley, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, around the young Ports, is a blessing for Garrison, his coaching staff and his roster. "It is awesome for the kids in the clubhouse just to be around an experienced major league ballplayer like that," Garrison said of the 35-year-old Oakland A's catcher. "That's what I was telling them right before our (pregame) stretch. "This guy is the ultimate professional." Hundley began a rehab stint with Stockton by batting second and catching during Wednesday's Cal League game against the Lancaster JetHawks at Stockton Ballpark. The 12th-year big league player struck out in his first two at-bats and flew out to center field in the fifth. He was scheduled to play seven innings Wednesday. The game finished after press time, and Hundley was not available for an interview pregame. Stockton took a 3-1 lead through five innings after a two-run triple from Jeremy Eierman broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the fifth. "He has tricks up his sleeve that no one else has," said Ports catcher Jordan Devencenzi, a former West High and Delta College standout. "It's going to be really exciting to see what he does down here with his tools and his experience, and it's ultimately all for the good." Devencenzi   as Hundley strolled past nearby with a large green-and-gold Oakland A's bag   said he hadn't found time yet to sit down with the longtime pro as of Wednesday evening. Devencenzi, 26, is one of two catchers on the regular Ports roster, along with 23-year-old Robert Mullen. "Before the day ends, maybe I'll get a chance to one of these times when we're sitting down in the locker room," Devencenzi said. "The amount of years he's had, and the amount of success is unbelievable. It's nice to. ...watch his routine and see what he does to warm up. It's phenomenal just to watch." Hundley has dealt with both his surgery and back spasms this season, and is batting .233 with two homers and five RBI. He broke into the big leagues with the San Diego Padres in 2006 and is a .247 lifetime hitter with 93 homers and one playoff appearance (as a member of the 2014 Baltimore Orioles). Hundley is making his first Cal League appearance in 13 years   the last time was with the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2006. "I met him in the past; I saw him come through the minors. We know a lot of guys in the same circle of baseball. He's a good baseball guy and a great person overall," said Garrison, who's in his first season as Ports manager. "He's here to help these kids in any way, fashion or form. I'm just happy he's still playing baseball." Hundley will be joined by fellow Oakland A's left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea in today's game at Stockton Ballpark. The Ports had won two in a row entering Wednesday's matchup and were 46-48 this season. "There's a reason he's been in the major leagues for 10 years," Garrison said of Hundley, who is approaching 1,000 big league games played. "On top of everything, he's a great guy." And Garrison knows just how valuable it is to show young catchers how much care has to be taken to preserve their bodies. Garrison and Hundley both know how that can change   especially when a player reaches their mid-30s and beyond. Said Garrison: "It's not as easy as it used to be."     ©2019 The Record (Stockton, Calif.) Visit The Record (Stockton, Calif.) at www.recordnet.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Chicago is forecast to see light rainfall this week, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Tomorrow's forecast shows the greatest likelihood of rain at 90 percent, with rain possible through Friday and again into next week. Also, look for warmer temperatures today and tomorrow. Temperatures will reach a high of 77 degrees on Thursday, then turn milder from Friday to Tuesday. Skies will be partly cloudy today, turning mostly cloudy on Saturday. Winds will reach a modest high of 16 mph tomorrow, while today will be quieter with a top speed of just 7 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.