There's another NFL draft most fans have completely forgotten about: The NFL's supplemental draft. The supplemental draft is a chance for players who were ineligible to participate in the first draft to still reach the NFL. Either due to violations of NCAA rules or academic suspension, some of the prospects in the supplemental draft are incredibly talented but were ultimately going to miss the 2019 season and have decided to enter the NFL instead. The 2019 NFL supplemental draft is set to take place on Wednesday. Here are the rules and the players the Baltimore Ravens could be interested in selecting: NFL supplemental draft rules: Unlike the league's other, more standard NFL draft, the supplemental draft works via a blind bid system that takes place over email. The teams are arranged in three tiers based on last year's record. Those franchises with six or fewer wins in 2018 are in the first tier. Teams that didn't reach the postseason but did have more than six wins are in tier two. The final 12 teams that made the playoffs are in the third tier - The Ravens, as a playoff team last year, are in the final tier. Within each tier, there's a lottery to determine the final order. Each team writes down which prospect they'd like and in which round, if they want anyone at all. The team with the highest round wins and loses the respective round selection in the next true NFL draft. For example, if Baltimore selects a player in the third round of the supplemental draft, they would lose their third-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft next April. In the case of ties, the team in the earliest tier wins and the lottery helps break any in-tier ties. Any supplemental draft prospects that aren't picked immediately become undrafted free agents that can sign with any team, much like following the standard NFL draft. So who are the prospects? NFL supplemental draft prospects: While there are five prospects eligible for selection in the NFL supplemental draft, it's unlikely we'll see anywhere close to that number actually be picked. Last year, only two prospects were selected in the 2018 supplemental draft with the last players selected being in 2015. Realistically, there are just two prospects that have a legitimate shot at being drafted: Washington State safety Jalen Thompson and West Virginia wide receiver Marcus Simms. Let's do a quick scouting report on each prospect to see if they're worthy of selecting and what round they should be picked in: Jalen Thompson, S, Washington State James Snook-USA TODAY Sports Thompson lost his eligibility due to an NCAA violation, choosing to enter the 2019 supplemental draft instead. Thompson is perhaps the most intriguing prospect available in the supplemental draft. He's started all 39 games over three years for Washington State, earning an All-Pac-12 honorable mention last year. While a little undersized for a safety, Thompson makes up for that in coverage skills. Thompson has great agility, patience, vision and play recognition to be adept in coverage. Over the last two seasons, Thompson hauled in six interceptions and 10 passes defensed. It all added up to Thompson being one of the most effective slot defenders in coverage, according to PFF. Jalen Thompson had the lowest passer rating into his coverage from the slot last season, among Pac-12 DBs pic.twitter.com/aZWZ1CCebI - PFF College (@PFF_College) July 17, 2018 Though Thompson's tackling is often considered his weak point, he's shown a good-enough ability in crunch time. Thompson was at the top of the Pac-12 in defensive stops, according to PFF, showing he's capable of bringing down ball carriers when he needs to. Jalen Thompson was all over the field for Washington State and will return to bolster the Cougars defense. pic.twitter.com/ch7Buirfa6 - PFF College (@PFF_College) May 24, 2019 Given Thompson's all-around ability as a defensive back, he could find his draft value going up. Regardless of what type of defensive scheme a team runs, they can always find room for a defensive back that is all over the field and makes big plays. The Ravens are no exception to that as we saw with them signing safety Earl Thomas this offseason. Projected draft round: Barring Thompson's NCAA violation being for something truly heinous, his red flag isn't nearly as bad as other supplemental draft prospects we've seen. Thompson is a player that should see the field as a rookie, even if it's in a rotational role at safety or as a slot cornerback until he develops a little further. Considering that value to play multiple spots on defense, it makes him a really intriguing prospect here. Normally, I'd project Thompson as a second or third-round prospect in the NFL draft. However, being in the supplemental draft dings that value a little bit, pushing him down into the third round pretty firmly in my book. Sadly, I don't think Baltimore will be in the market for Thompson unless he falls a great deal further than where I'm projecting - perhaps putting a flier fifth-round pick in for him. They simply don't have the room on the roster for him with Thomas, Tony Jefferson, DeShon Elliott, Chuck Clark and Tavon Young already on the team filling the roles I'd expect Thompson to be asked to fill as a rookie. Marcus Simms, WR, West Virginia Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images Simms was originally expected to transfer after a violation of the school's code of conduct, according to Alex Hickey of WVU Sports . Simms also had two DUI arrests in 2017, according to Allan Taylor of WVU Sports . However, his off-field issues could be ignored if a team thinks they can rein him in with a tough locker room and coaching staff. Simms has been impressive on the field at West Virginia. Over the last two seasons, Simms has caught 81 passes for 1,362 yards and seven touchdowns over 23 games. Perhaps more important is Simms' special-teams ability. As a return specialist, Simms has returned 41 kickoffs for 992 yards - a 24.2 yard-per-return average. He's also returned 23 punts for 157 yards as well. Even after adding talent at wide receiver over the last two NFL drafts, the Ravens could still use more of it heading into training camp. Baltimore was in attendance for Simms' workout prior to the supplemental draft, showing at least a basic level of interest in the prospect. With further questions around who will return kicks and punts this season, Simms could be an intriguing prospect for the Ravens. At 6-foot-0 and 195 pounds, Simms has good size but is a little thin. However, Simms has deep speed (4.4-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, according to Hickey ), solid hands, good ball-tracking skills and an ability to make defenders miss with the ball in his hands. Those are all things Baltimore clearly coveted in the 2019 NFL draft, meaning Simms should be an asset on offense as well as his special-teams prowess. Supplemental Draft option Marcus Simms at the top of the screen - ball tracking and acceleration. He's worthy of a pick, folks pic.twitter.com/oNlccpBMOi - Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) July 1, 2019 pic.twitter.com/M7TH2Qus4Q - NFL Draft Videos (@NFLDraftVideos) July 1, 2019 Projected draft round: In a way, it's easy to think of Simms as a discount version of Marquise Brown. It wouldn't be shocking to see Simms go in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL supplemental draft. Whether the Ravens are the ones to invest a mid-round pick for a prospect that has had routine off-field issues is one they've surely talked extensively about. But with the investment at wide receiver already, I'm not too sure Simms is worth the potential trouble at that high of a draft pick. Though he projects to be a great deep threat, Baltimore was able to find a similar talent level in the later rounds and in undrafted prospects over the last two years. A fifth or sixth-round pick might be worth the high-risk/high-reward scenario Simms presents but anything more for a player that might not even make the final 53-man roster seems sketchy at best. MORE: UFC fighter Ben Askren had an excellent response to getting knocked out in 5 seconds Expected starting lineup for Lakers with LeBron James at point guard Honor thy father: Quinn Cook signed with Lakers for good reason Three Potential Trade Destinations for Russell Westbrook Mesmerizing speed could force Jon'Vea Johnson onto Cowboys roster


WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.   About a week after the Fourth of July, Michelle Wietbrock pulled over the family vehicle and her sons, Jack and Teddy, helped a tiny turtle find its way from the middle of Cherry Lane to the side of the road. Michelle Wietbrock said not all the turtles they saw on their daily drives on Cherry Lane were as lucky, judging by the occasional carnage of one that didn't make to the other side. That fact wasn't lost on Jack, an 8-year-old heading into second grade at West Lafayette Elementary. "We were able to save that baby, but we had a couple of times that were some not-so-great moments of seeing turtles on the side of the road," Michelle Wietbrock said. "I was trying to think of something productive to say as a parent. And Jack said, 'Maybe we should send a letter to the mayor.' I was like, OK, we'll send him one." That night, Jack wrote a letter, in clear, handwritten block letters: "Dear Mayor Dennis, "There are turtles crossing the road and they need our help. "Can you please put up a turtle crossing sign? "Thank you, Jack Wietbrock, 2nd grade." On a second page of loose leaf paper, Jack drew a picture of a car stopped and someone carrying a turtle. He captioned it: "We saved a baby turtle." On Tuesday morning, Dennis summoned Jack and his family to West Lafayette's weekly board of works meeting. "The great thing about West Lafayette is we embrace the unique and, in some cases, the odd," Dennis said, after inviting Jack to the podium. (Jack ran full speed to the mayor's side.) "So, we felt, you know what," Dennis said, "there's something we can do here that's going to be kind of cool and celebrates Jack's initiative on making us aware of a problem." The result: The city's first "Turtle Xing" signs. Dennis said he had the street department   which has its own sign-making machine   make the warnings "to help our turtle population." The signs were installed along Cherry Lane by that afternoon. Dennis said another set will go up later on Cumberland Avenue. Jack and his brother, Teddy, posed by the signs shortly after they went up. On Tuesday morning, Dennis asked Jack to say a few words, as his family   including his dad, Matt Wietbrock, formerly of the Purdue University Police Department   and the city's administration looked on. "I just want to say I care about the whole Earth and everyone on it," Jack said. "That's all." A few weeks ago, my son wrote a letter to our awesome @MayorJohnDennis @WestLafayetteIN about the need for a turtle crossing after finding a few ☠ and saving a baby 🐢. This happened today and I couldn't be more proud! #makeadifference 🐢 🚙 pic.twitter.com/pg3vRwQKnM   Michelle Wietbrock (@MichelleWietbrk) August 6, 2019 Michelle Wietbrock said she hoped Jack's suggestion would make a difference. "That road, people are zipping right by all the time," Michelle Wietbrock said. "It was great for the mayor to take Jack seriously." Dennis the letter just made sense. "Jack was so awesome about it," Dennis said. "He is our Ninja Turtle hero." Reach Dave Bangert at 765-420-5258 or at dbangert@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @davebangert. Support our journalism Please support the work of IndyStar reporters and visual journalists by becoming a subscriber today. Get unlimited digital access here! This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: 'Turtle Xing' signs go up in West Lafayette after 2nd-grader's plea to mayor


The Warriors will do everything in their power to re-sign Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson in free agency despite their injuries during the Finals, GM Bob Myers told ESPN's Nick Friedell and other media members on Friday. The Warriors' brass made it known throughout the season they would try to retain Durant and Thompson despite the record luxury-tax penalties they'd encounter. Golden State can offer Durant a max of $221 million over five years while Thompson can receive approximately $190 million over the same period. Durant is expected to miss all of next season as he rehabs from a ruptured Achilles tendon, while Thompson will miss most, if not all, of next season due to a torn left ACL. "We value those guys at the highest level," Myers said. "I wouldn't be a very good GM if I didn't understand how valuable they are to our own team. It sometimes gets lost. But I think when Kevin plays in the NBA Finals, we've gone 9-1. So I don't know what else matters. And Klay   they're both fantastic. Those are guys that you do everything you can to keep within your organization." Teams with significant cap space are expected to pursue Durant despite the injury, with both New York and Los Angeles teams providing the competition for his services. Durant holds a $31.5 million player option. Thompson is likely to remain with the organization that drafted him in 2011, which his father Mychal Thompson reiterated on Friday. "All I'll say is that those guys are highly important to us," Myers said. "And deserving of being rewarded in the right manner. … It's hard to find high-quality people, and both of them are that. And so you just   try to keep those guys within these walls the best you can."


Welcome to the 2019 Holdout Watch. These players haven't reported to camp and as usual, the reason is money . . . well except maybe one player, but we will get to that. Let's start with the most obvious holdout. Jadeveon Clowney, DL, Houston Texans (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports) Clowney is playing on the franchise tag this year. He can't sign a new deal even if he wanted to. There's really no reason for him to show up. Who wants to practice anyway? Practice is hard and boring. It has no payoff. Clowney's payoff should come next year, so holding out keeps training camp miles off his legs. Clowney has earned Pro-Bowl honors the past three years. He has 29 sacks and 64 tackles for loss in his career which essentially includes a redshirt year his first season. Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports) Gordon is holding out and the Chargers are digging in. Like many other NFL teams, they are apparently only placing a high value on cheap or young running backs. Gordon wants a new deal because of his past performance. He'll be just as good when he does get back on the field, but right now, it might be a long time until we see him in any lighting-bolt helmet. Gordon is a two-time pro-bowler who has averaged nine touchdowns over the past three seasons. The Chargers seem to be fine with the idea of using Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson as fill-ins until Gordon returns. The one thing the Chargers need to consider is that the Los Angeles market loves stars and Gordon is a more marketable name than the other two options on the roster. Speaking of running backs . . . Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Dallas Cowboys (Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports) Jerry Jones loves Ezekiel Elliott, now his dedication will be tested. Elliott is holding out with two years left on his current deal. Of course, Elliott is the engine of the Cowboys offense and he's about to maybe see contracts go to Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper. Neither of those players is as important to Dallas' chances of success this season as Elliott is. It's just poor timing. Plus, Elliott isn't technically underpaid for a running back since he was drafted highly. He already has the fifth highest-cap hit for running backs in the NFL according to Spotrac. Trent Williams, OT, Washington Redskins (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) Reportedly, one of the reasons Williams is holding out is because he didn't like how Washington handled his health scare in the offseason. That makes this personal. Of course, some big money may smooth things over. If it is personal, maybe there is no amount of money in the world that will get Williams back to D.C.. The Redskins seem to be looking into back-up plans. If Williams is serious about not returning to the nation's capital, a lot of teams could be interested in his service. He could fetch a pretty big return in the trade market. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints (Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports) The Saints probably need to pay Thomas seeing that he is the Saints receiving corps. New Orleans has done a great job making receivers stars. Marques Colston comes to mind. Thomas is big, talented, but not as flashy as some other big-name wide receivers. He still deserves a fat deal. The numbers speak for themselves. Thomas has averaged 107 catches in his three years in the NFL. He has 23 touchdowns in his short career. He is now being spoken about in the same breath as Julio Jones, DeAndre Hopkins, and Odell Beckham Jr.. Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) No defender selected in the 2016 draft has more sacks than Ngakoue, with 29.5. He was drafted in the third round, which means his entire contract was worth $3.8 million. That's a bit less than other top-tier defensive ends. The problem is the Jaguars may have low-balled him. He should've walked at 19M. As good or better and cleaner than Lawrence and Clarke. Both got much more. He should walk and be furious. Jags aren't fooling anyone with that low ball offer https://t.co/SL0ldvdD40 - Joe Banner (@JoeBanner13) July 24, 2019 Ngakoue may not get paid for a bit. If he plays out his rookie contract this year, he will probably get hit with the franchise tag next year. The franchise number for defensive ends came in at $17.1 million this year. MORE: Bear bites woman in tent at Yellowstone, prompts action Behind the scenes with new-look Nets: 'We got stars without mortgaging everything'' Sherra Wright pleads guilty in killing of LeBron's former teammate Lorenzen Wright Theo Riddick release means it's Ty Johnson time Greg Robinson's technical progress evident in Browns camp


Once something is said, it can't be unsaid. From ultimatums to underlying messages, here are the things you should never say in a spousal argument. 20 Things You Should Never Say In an Argument With Your Spouse When you're angry, it's all too easy to say something you'll regret. That goes triply for arguments with your spouse; years of shared history provide enough material for you to craft a remark that cuts like a knife. And once something is said, it can't be unsaid, which is essential to keep in mind. Just one off-hand suggestion of divorce can corrode even the strongest bonds. So, it's best to fight fair, ensuring that your spousal arguments are honest and constructive, rather than petty and spiteful. To help you learn how to master those skills, we spoke to couples counselors and relationship experts to find out the exact words and phrases you should never, ever drop on the emotional battleground. And for more sayings you should banish (for good), check out these 60 Things No Spouse Ever Wants to Hear . 1. "I should have never married you." As far as emotionally charged comments go, few are worse than this. "This scathing remark is incredibly toxic and hurtful," says Adina Mahalli , a relationship expert and mental health consultant at Maple Holistics . "Moreover, it negates the good times you've shared together in the past purely based on the troubles of the present. If you find yourself arguing with your spouse, keep the argument on topic so that it's a productive disagreement and not a war of words." And for more ways to be a thoughtful partner, check out these 60 Ways to Be a Better Spouse After 40 . 2. "You never help out around the house." Using absolutes during an argument with your spouse can quickly turn any phrase into a character assassination, says Heather Z. Lyons , PhD, a psychologist and couples counselor with the Baltimore Therapy Group . "When you use absolutes … you turn what could have been a legitimate complaint into a character assault," she says. "There is little motivating about hearing that you're defective in an absolute way. However, when you hear that your partner needs your help or that they want a connection from you, that's something you can respond to." 3. "You're always on my back." "By stating 'always' and 'never,' this doesn't give your spouse credit for anything they've done well in the relationship," notes Charese L. Josie , a counselor specializing in relationships and women's issues in Portsmouth, Virginia. "It also doesn't acknowledge their efforts. Usually, stating 'always' or 'never' is untrue and will often derail the topic of discussion." And for more lines your should purge from your lexicon, check out these 25 Words and Phrases You Should Never Say for the Sake of Your Body . 4. "I hate you." Even if you get to the point where you want to hurl this phrase out, you probably don't mean it. According to Shelley Meche'tte , a certified life purpose coach and author of 70 Days of Happy: Life is Better When You Smile , if you "hate" something, you want it gone from your life. "Things we 'hate' we find no value in," she says. "Are you angry with your spouse when you are arguing? Of course, you are. Do spouses ever fight 'unfair' at times … with the intent to verbally slice the other? Sometimes. But ask yourself: Do you really 'hate' the person you are currently at odds with? Are you filled with disdain? Is your desire to 'throw them away' without a second thought? Probably not. But words like 'I hate you' send this very message." 5. "This is your fault." "More often than not, fault in a relationship is bidirectional," says Lyons. What she means is, "our spouse did something that triggered a reaction in us, that then triggered a reaction in our spouse." Instead of being overly defensive during arguments, Lyons suggests accepting responsibility to ensure that things don't escalate any further. And for more ways to be the best spouse that you can be, check out these 22 Questions to Ask Your Spouse Once a Year . 6. "I shouldn't have listened to you…" Dropping this line in an argument can instill a long-lasting, even permanent, doubt. "Hearing regretful words like these creates doubt to your love for each other. It can also lower your partner's self-esteem," says Celia Schweyer , a dating and relationship expert at DatingScout.com . "You will only end up in a cycle of blame, instead of actually fixing the problem. In the long run, your partner might hesitate to be as open and frank with you once you've said this to them." 7. "This was just like the last time! How come you never change?" When you resurface dirt from a previous fight, you're not being fair to your partner. In fact, you could be causing them unnecessary hurt. "After an issue has been talked about and resolved, it should be put in your mind's trash bin, never to be dug out again," says Schweyer. "When you attack your partner about how he or she never changes after the past argument, that can seem unfair as they might really be trying to change their ways." Again, keep your fights on topic. 8. "I could find someone better than you in an instant." You don't need us to tell you that this phrase should be off limits. Ask any relationship expert, and they'll tell you that bringing third parties into the fray (even in the form of off-hand mentions) is the type of thing most couples don't recover from. Even after the dust settles, your partner will always be thinking in the back of their head: " Is there someone else? " Since trust is the foundation for all solid relationships, this sentence is a recipe for emotional disaster. And if you're dealing with the worst-case scenario version of this phrase, here are The 17 Worst Things You Can Do If You Catch Your Partner Cheating . 9. "You're just like your mother/father/sister/brother/friend." Not only does this phrase insult your partner, but it also insults those who are closest to them, making it a total lose-lose. "Never say this to your partner no matter how upset you get; you'll definitely hit a nerve," says Schweyer. "Keep a clear head when you are in an argument with your partner, because it's almost impossible to take hurtful words back after they are said." 10. "I don't need you." In any spousal argument, pride is going to play a role. For the sake of your bond, though, try to table yours. "Telling your partner that you don't need them would drive a wedge between the two of you," says Schweyer. "Such a strong statement is not something that can easily be forgotten. It will be something that will pop into your partner's mind even after the argument has been settled. As a partner, it's your responsibility to make each other feel needed and validated." 11. "You're so stupid." "Never insult the other person's educational level or intelligence," says Stacey Greene , a relationship coach and author of Stronger Than Broken , a book about her personal journey to reconstruct her marriage after an affair . "That's simply a low blow and shows no character on your part." 12. "You don't feel that way." No matter how much your spouse has gotten under your skin, dismissing their feelings is belittling at best. " You might not feel that way or have the same reaction to a situation, but it is very disrespectful to dismiss someone else's feelings or experiences," says Lesli Doares , a couples consultant and coach, and the author of Blueprint for a Lasting Marriage: How to Create Your Happily Ever After With More Intention, Less Work . Instead of assuming how your partner feels, ask them to tell you how they feel. You'll have a far more honest, empathetic conversation that way. 13. "This conversation is over." When you attempt to slam the breaks on a conversation in a totalitarian way, you're sending signals to your partner that they've lost your attention and don't have permission to speak with you anymore. "Unilaterally shutting down a conversation, even if it's an argument, conveys to your partner that they can't access you," says Lyons. "We're social beings, hard-wired to be connected to others. This way of cutting off contact will heighten emotion or disconnection. Over time, both of these reactions can erode the bond in a relationship." 14. "Forget it, you'll never understand." If you dismiss your partner, saying they won't "understand," you're essentially communicating that you feel like they don't know you anymore. "The message you're really saying is 'I don't even want to talk to you, I feel that I'm a stranger to you,'" says April Kirkwood , a professional counselor and author of Working My Way Back to Me: A Frank Memoir of Self-Discovery . 15. "Sure. Good luck with that." Sarcasm has no place in an honest conversation, particularly in an argument where snark like this just comes off as petty and mean. Though it might seem like a mere sarcastic quip, the underlying tone says "'You can't do it,' 'What are you thinking?,' 'Go ahead and try,'" explains Kirkwood. Instead, she suggests practicing patience. 16. "If I knew then what I know now…" According to Kirkwood, the translation of this phrase is simple: "I wish I never laid eyes on you." Even if you're in the middle of some super-charged emotional warfare, do you really regret the time you've spent with your partner? Chances are, the answer is a resounding no. So, unless you're comfortable erasing your shared history, keep this phrase out of your mouth. 17. "If you don't do this/stop doing that, I'm going to leave you." No matter how serious the fight is, you should never resort to ultimatums. "It's healthier to start with how you feel so the person knows the pain you are in," says Joelle Brant , a Virginia Beach-based professional life coach. "The pain is the reason for the boundary/ultimatum. If you omit the pain … it comes across as a command or criticism and the other person will be on the defensive." 18. "I'm sorry that I'm not good enough for you." First of all, you know that what you're saying here is simply not true. If you weren't good enough for your partner, they never would've gotten hitched to you in the first place, notes Swati Mittal Jagetia , a relationship and mental health expert and the founder of Purpose Squared , a boutique provider of mental health counseling and executive coaching in New York City. "This phrase turns the conversation from being about how things can be changed or improved into one where … you're convincing your partner they're enough," she says. "When a partner uses this phrase regularly, it inhibits any real conversation about change, while dismissing their partner's needs or struggle. It's possible to have wonderful marriages and still disagree." 19. "It's fine." Oh, it most certainly is not. 20. "I want a divorce." If there's one word you should never, ever use in an argument with your spouse, it's "divorce." Why? Bringing up this word, or others like it even if you don't really mean it can fast track your relationship to splitsville. "The top phrases to avoid in an argument are 'I wish I never would have married you,' 'I want a divorce,' and 'I don't think this is going to work anymore,'" says Dr. Wyatt Fisher , a clinical psychologist, marriage counselor, and host of the marriage podcast Marriage Steps . "Any of these comments put the security of the relationship at risk and should not be said in a heated argument." And to know when it actually is the end, here are 30 Subtle Signs Your Marriage Is Over And You Don't Want to Admit It .


Here's what you need to know about what's happening in Seattle. Thieves caught on video stealing mini steam train in West Seattle Thieves stole a mini steam locomotive from a garage in West Seattle - and the entire crime was caught on surveillance video. At least two people broke into the building early Sunday morning. Read the full story on KOMO News . Fire at homeless camp blocks Dearborn Street in Seattle A fire at a homeless encampment is blocking a section of South Dearborn Street in Seattle. Firefighters responded to the scene, near South Dearborn and 12th Avenue South, at around 2 p. m. after receiving reports of flames and smoke at the encampment. Read the full story on KOMO News . Woman, children wounded by gunfire in Southeast Seattle At least three people were shot Sunday evening at Pritchard Island Beach in Southeast Seattle, including a woman, an 11-year-old girl and a younger child, according to an officer at the scene. Read the full story on The Seattle Times . Future of Seattle's Memorial Stadium in limbo after 70 years The future of Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center remains in limbo, despite years of promises. Read the full story on KING5 . The Seattle School Board votes on a hotly debated science curriculum this week. Here's how it works. It's been decades since the Seattle School Board last adopted a new science curriculum. Here's what we know about the district's controversial pick for elementary and middle schools. Read the full story on The Seattle Times . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The Saints have placed Sheldon Rankins on the physically unable to perform list, according to the NFL's official transactions report Tuesday. The move comes as no surprise givens Rankins tore his Achilles on Jan. 13. With a normal prognosis of 10 months, Rankins could miss the start of the season as he continues his rehab. Rankins, 25, made 40 tackles and eight sacks last season. In three seasons, he has 86 tackles, 14 sacks and an interception.


Walmart Inc. ended a seven-year investigation by the U.S. government over payments made to fast-track store openings in several countries by agreeing to pay more than $282 million in penalties. Its Brazilian unit admitted to violating a federal anti-bribery law. In parallel announcements on Thursday, the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission faulted the country's largest retailer for not having controls in place to vet third-party companies it worked with to open stores in Mexico, China, Brazil and India. Walmart will pay about $138 million in criminal penalties and $144 million in disgorgement to resolve the SEC's allegations. WMT Brasilia pleaded guilty Thursday to failing to keep accurate records, while the U.S. parent reached a non-prosecution agreement with the Justice Department over violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The company will have a compliance monitor for two years as part of that accord. "Walmart is committed to doing business the right way, and that means acting ethically everywhere we operate," Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon said in a statement. "We've enhanced our policies, procedures and systems and invested tremendous resources globally into ethics and compliance, and now have a strong Global Anti-Corruption Compliance Program." The resolution, disclosed in court filings in Virginia and press releases, was a muted end to what was once seen as one of the largest foreign bribery cases launched by the U.S. While the penalty is about one-sixth of the $1.78 billion levied against Petroleo Brasileiro SA last fall in one of South America's biggest corruption scandals , Walmart wound up spending about $1 billion in legal fees and other costs related to the investigation. DOJ and SEC officials said Walmart didn't take necessary steps to avoid corruption. "Walmart valued international growth and cost-cutting over compliance," said Charles Cain, chief of the SEC's FCPA unit. "The company could have avoided many of these problems, but instead Walmart repeatedly failed to take red flags seriously and delayed the implementation of appropriate internal accounting controls." Walmart disclosed possible violations in Mexico to the Justice Department and SEC in November 2011. The following year, the New York Times outlined details of allegations that the retailer paid some $24 million to Mexican officials to win quick zoning changes, sidestep licenses and environmental permits and deflect opposition to open stores, turning Walmart into that country's largest private-sector employer. Related video: Walmart wants to deliver groceries straight to your fridge (provided by Money) The Times article set off a resurgence of foreign bribery investigations, which had begun to accumulate court losses and gain corporate enemies who were pushing Congress to rein in prosecutors. But the Walmart case posed challenges for investigators. Much of the conduct uncovered in Mexico, for example, couldn't be used as evidence because it was too old, according to the people familiar with the matter. So the government sought to build stronger cases in other countries. In Brazil and India, investigators found more recent examples of what they believed were improper payments, yet struggled to find examples of rampant misconduct in China, the people said. In the closing days of the Obama administration, Walmart balked at demands to pay more than $600 million in penalties, leading prosecutors to go back to gather more evidence from witnesses, people familiar with matter told Bloomberg at the time. In 2017, the company set aside almost $300 million for a possible settlement, after which the sides deadlocked over what misconduct the retail giant would admit to, a person familiar with the matter previously said. On Thursday, Walmart's Brazilian unit admitted that $527,000 in improper payments to an intermediary were inaccurately recorded on financial records. Walmart Brazil employees logged those payments as going to construction companies when they knew the money was going to a former Brazilian government official, according to the plea agreement filed in Virginia. The former official helped Walmart win a construction permit. Walmart earned more than $3.6 million in profit from stores built by these construction companies. --With assistance from Andrew Harris and Matt Robinson.


The way free agency played out came as no surprise to newly acquired Knicks big man Bobby Portis , relays Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic . Portis said he was certain in February that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were planning to team up in Brooklyn for the Nets. "We all knew that. Everybody knew that," he said. "I just don't think the media knew that. Us basketball players, we all knew that. … I'm not going to leak my source. But we all know where they were going." That decision eliminated one possibility for Portis, who wanted to play in New York. He said the Bucks, Wizards, Clippers and Lakers were among the teams that expressed interest, but his first choice was the Knicks, who needed help in their frontcourt. Portis was primarily a power forward in Chicago and a center in Washington and feels comfortable at either position. "I'm (gonna) be playing in a beautiful city for the New York Knicks," he said. "That's a dream come true. … Being able to have a chance to play in Madison Square Garden for 41-plus nights, it's a thrill. It's what everybody dreams of as a kid. I'm ecstatic." There's more today from New York City: A "dream come true" is also how Julius Randle described his opportunity with the Knicks to Marc Berman of The New York Post . With a three-year, $61M deal, Randle is the only one of New York's six free agent additions to get a contract guaranteed beyond one season. "I had a lot of options," Randle said. "I felt this opportunity for me was the greatest opportunity. The whole fan base that's starving and hungry to win more than (any team) in the NBA." The Knicks are coming off a 17-win season and didn't make the splash in free agency that fans were hoping for, but Dennis Smith Jr. expressed confidence to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News that they can be a playoff team. He cites not only an upgraded roster, but his own improved jump shot. Bondy notes that Smith is going to be challenged for the starting point guard role by the newly signed Elfrid Payton , who was drafted in Orlando by Knicks GM Scott Perry. Russell Westbrook 's age, salary and lack of efficiency make him too much of a risk for the Knicks, argues Tommy Beer of Forbes . New York has been among the teams rumored to have interest in Westbrook since news of the Paul George trade broke, but its free agents signings will make it difficult to put together a deal until they're all eligible to be traded on December 15.


It's all about championships now for Anthony Davis. Davis, after a rocky 2018-19 season that featured a messy public trade request from the New Orleans Pelicans, got his wish: a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. The trade won't become official until Saturday, but Davis is already in Los Angeles getting used to life as LeBron James' teammate. Davis made his first public comments since the trade to the Los Angeles Times over the weekend. He wouldn't get into specifics about the move until the transaction is made official by the league, but he made it clear what his mindset is moving forward. "My goal is to win a championship," Davis told the Times . "I expect to win every time I step on the court, every game. I want to win a title. That's what it's about   winning titles. That's the only thing on my mind." As part of the trade, Davis agreed to waive a $4 million trade bonus to create the salary cap space necessary for the Lakers to add another max contract to the roster. That's another signal that, above all, Davis wants to win. "Money comes and goes; your legacy is forever," Davis said. "Anthony Davis is not going to be a great basketball player because of the amount of money he makes, it's going to be about what he achieved on the court and also off the court. That's all part of my legacy, and I think that's way more valuable than any monetary value." As a way to welcome Davis to Los Angeles with open arms, James is going back to the No. 6 he wore with the Miami Heat to allow Davis to continue wearing the No. 23 he has worn since high school. Davis told the Times that Michael Jordan and James have always been his two favorite players, so wearing No. 23 is something he appreciates. "Obviously, Jordan wore it and me being younger, watching LeBron, that number just stuck with me. It was definitely exciting to know I had that number to follow Jordan and LeBron, who wore that number as well," Davis said. Lakers looking to add another star The Lakers were noticeably quiet as free agency opened with a frenzy on Sunday. And it will likely stay that way while the Lakers position themselves as a destination for Kawhi Leonard, who just won a championship with the Toronto Raptors. The addition of Leonard would undoubtedly make the Lakers the championship favorites for 2019-20, but if they strike out the front office will scramble to fill out the roster around Davis, James and third-year forward Kyle Kuzma. For now, those three and rookie Talen Horton-Tucker are the only players under contract for the Lakers. Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reported Sunday that Leonard will "ramp up" his free agency process in the next few days. Leonard has visits scheduled with the Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and the Raptors, per Haynes. With Kevin Durant signing with the Brooklyn Nets , Leonard is the top free agent remaining. More from Yahoo Sports: Winners and losers from opening night of NBA free agency Nets won free agency with KD, Kyrie, but now real work starts Dolan, Knicks are same old laughingstock after Sunday Ellis is coaching USWNT vs. country that wouldn't let her play


REIMS, France   The rest of the world is catching up to the U.S. women's soccer national team. That progress hasn't shown up on the scoreboard yet, where the Americans have lost one game in the last 23 months. But with domestic leagues growing around the globe and national federations increasing their investments in women's soccer, the level of play in the Women's World Cup has never been better. "The quality of every team, top to bottom, continues to get better," said U.S. forward Megan Rapinoe. "All these teams that maybe in the past haven't been so formidable are getting so much stronger." The U.S. faces one of those teams Monday when it meets Spain in a round-of-16 game in Reims, where the Americans opened their World Cup with a 13-0 victory over Thailand. The winner will play France in the quarterfinals Friday in Paris. Few teams have improved more than Spain since the last world championship. Playing in the tournament for the first time four years ago, Spain went quietly, scoring two goals and earning only a tie to finish last in its group. Since then, the women's game has grown tremendously. Barcelona, which finished second in the country's domestic league, last month became the first Spanish team to reach the Champions League final and in 2018 the U-17 national team won its World Cup and the U-20s finished second in that tournament. "There's less distance between the top teams," midfielder Alexia Putellas said in Spanish. "When we play them, we can see what that level is like. And we know the work we have to do to get there." U.S. coach Jill Ellis says Spain's experience is reflected in a major expansion of women's soccer throughout Europe. Of the nine European teams that qualified for this World Cup, five won their groups and eight advanced to the second round, making up half the field of 16. Half of those teams are already in the quarterfinals. "There are a lot of programs, a lot of teams now that have the backing of federations," said Ellis, who will coach her 124th game with the national team Monday, tying April Heinrichs' U.S. record. "To have a professional league is critical. And then to be in a culture that just embraces football, you see this with Holland, you see this with Italy. "It's a natural progression in terms of the development in these countries. Because they eat, sleep and breathe soccer. You see the sophistication tactically. You see the technical capacity." Spain wasn't on the U.S. radar until January, when the teams played for the first time, with Christen Press' goal in the 54th minute the difference on a cold, windy night in Alicante, Spain. The conditions will be different Monday, with forecasts calling for temperatures in the mid-80s. "It was critical that we played Spain," Ellis said. "We don't have a history with them. To know a team, to get out on the field with them, I actually pushed hard to get that game because I thought it was important for us." But that game also gave Spain confidence heading into Monday's rematch. Sixteen of the 17 players Ellis used in that friendly are on the team she brought to France, and Spain held its own then, outpossessing and outpassing the U.S. Through the first round at the World Cup, only the U.S. has had more time of possession or taken more shots than Spain, which finished second to Germany in its group. "They're extremely technical. Really good on the ball. Very dangerous," U.S. defender Kelley O'Hara said. "We're going to have to keep really tight lines and make sure that we don't let them get a rhythm." While Spain will be looking for rhythm after failing to score in its final two group-play games   two of its three goals in the first game came on penalty kicks   the U.S. is on a roll. The Americans' 18 goals in their three group-stage games are a World Cup record and for the first time in U.S. history they didn't concede any, running their shutout streak to seven games and 630 minutes dating to an April friendly with Australia. In World Cup play the U.S. has pitched shutouts in seven of its last nine games. All those numbers put the pressure firmly on the backs of the top-ranked Americans. For Spain, a goal would be great and a win would be historic. But even with a loss the team goes home having done something no Spanish women's team has done: advance to the knockout phase of the World Cup. The U.S. not only must win, but do it convincingly. Given the rise of Europe, it may not be that way forever. "It's a matter of time," Ellis said.     ©2019 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Related slideshow: Best of the Women's World Cup (Provided by imagn)


For the third consecutive year, Houston Texans defensive Jadeveon Clowney hits the NFL Top 100 list; a group of the leagues best players voted and listed by their peers. Clowney finished at No. 63 for 2019 rendition of the list. He placed 32nd last year, and 49th the year before. His third consecutive appearance on the list co-aligns with his three-straight Pro Bowls, in which he's tallied 24.5 sacks, 53 tackles for loss, 59 quarterback hits, and 4 forced fumbles. The defensive end played 14 games and compiled 9 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble. But, his game isn't one that reflects boxscore statistics. An atypical defensive weapon in every sense, Clowney plays all over the line of scrimmage; in turn, making an impact on a play-to-play basis, even if when he isn't credited with a sack or tackle. Clowney's NFL Top 100 montage reflects his game-wrecking ability, then reaffirms it with big hits, explosive plays, a tone-setting soundtrack, and a break-down of his effectiveness despite the lack of statistical star status. In typical fashion, his long-time rival and starting Tennessee Titan left tackle Taylor Lewan lauds his college and NFL foe. "He's 6-4, 270-pounds, runs a 4.5 [40-time]," Lewan said. "In the Outback Bowl, he had a really cool play that everyone blames me for. We play each other twice a year, play against each other. Fun times ." In the best way to praise Clowney, the NFL put together a group of offensive lineman that have played him. Here are some tidbits from what some of the NFL's best had to say about the defensive end: "I've never seen anything like him. - He's so versatile that you can use him in all different places. You can line him up over center, you can line him up over either tackle, he can line up over the guards." - Ja'Waun James, Denver Broncos RT "He's always just that guy that you gotta watch out for. He's powerful, he's strong, he's got really long arms." - Garett Bolles, Denver Broncos LT "Clowney is more flexible. So, he can bend, which is scary because he can get underneith you faster and get to that quarterback." - Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills LT Clowney's fellow NFL peers conclude that he's a scary force - and according to Lewan, doesn't like to Tweet them back. The Texans, including head coach Bill O'Brien, are awaiting his arrival and signing of his franchise tag amid long-term contract disputes. However, all indications point to him wearing Houston's blue and red come 2019, despite a stalemate in discussions. In now a contract year, Clowney may be looking to top the performance that got him voted as the 63rd best player in the NFL. Considering that he hasn't yet celebrated his 27th birthday, is healthy, motivated, and practicing with all-time great pass-rushers, that may very well happen. The hope around the 713 is that he continues to represent Texans Nation for the long haul and keep making NFL Top 100 lists. MORE: UFC's Thiago Santos shares brutal update on injuries suffered in loss to Jon Jones Latest MLB Trade Rumors: Noah Syndergaard, Trevor Bauer, Shane Greene on the Move? Report: Giants will work out Flynn Nagel, other receivers Instant observations from Day 2 of Patriots training camp Chiefs FB Anthony Sherman drove Clint Bowyer's NASCAR stock car to training camp


Liverpool could be set for a huge cash boost worth up to a potential £96m ahead of the summer transfer window following the club's exploits in this season's Champions League. Jurgen Klopp has guided his side to the semi final stage for the second year running, although their hopes of reaching a successive final hangs by a thread following a crushing 3-0 first leg defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday night. Jürgen Klopp reflects on the details of tonight's game, where the result leaves his side's chances of reaching the final, and more... https://t.co/R2buPeZjBG   Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 1, 2019 However, regardless of whether they can turn their tie around, Liverpool could be set for a major injection of cash for the coming summer window after n otable football finance writer SwissRamble b roke down the earnings that this season's Champions League is offering on Twitter - and exactly how much the Reds could be set to pocket. Last season, Liverpool earned £69.8m from the competition. It was broken down into £33.8m worth prize money, £25.1m coming from TV money with a further £10.9m coming from the base participation rate. Thread on the finances of the Champions League and Europa League semi-finalists #FCBarcelona #LFC #THFC #Ajax #AFC #CFC #AmuntValencia #SGE https://t.co/YWkoZUCNtu   Swiss Ramble (@SwissRamble) April 30, 2019 UEFA have made changes this year however, altering the way the Champions League money is split, with Klopp's side already earning more this season than they did from the previous campaign. T he total prize money on offer from this year's tournament is up by staggering 54% from £1.090 billion to £1.675 billion. Furthermore, UEFA are also now using their own coefficient as a distribution method for the first time, which ranks clubs based on their performances in UEFA tournaments over the past decade and provides them with earnings accordingly . Interestingly, that has meant both Manchester United and Manchester City have scooped more money than Liverpool this season, despite being eliminated in the quarter finals. With the £75m signing of Virgil van Dijk and near-£70m acquisition of Alisson in recent windows, it offers the club the opportunity to continue bringing in some of the most sought after talents in football, and equally allowing them to shell out cash on big transfer fees and wages.


The Rays reportedly have a $1,722,500 deal with supplemental first-round selection Seth Johnson. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times first reported the signing on Twitter ; MLB.com's Jim Callis ( via Twitter ) had the dollars. That amount comes in just shy of the $1,856,700 slot value for the 40th overall pick. The selection used on Johnson was the competitive balance round A choice acquired from the A's in a three-team swap over the winter. Tampa Bay already agreed to a number with its top pick, Greg Jones. Entering the draft, Callis and co. graded Johnson the 31st player on the board; Baseball America was even more bullish with a No. 28 ranking . The right-handed hurler shot up draft boards despite an exceptionally thin track record on the mound. Other outlets were a bit more skeptical of Johnson, who is said to have shown remarkable natural ability and early progress but remains a bit of a project. ESPN.com's Keith Law ranked him 37th, noting that the "secondary stuff lags" his heater, while Fangraphs had Johnson well down the board at No. 59.


WASHINGTON   Democrats in the House approved sweeping anti-discrimination legislation Friday that would extend civil rights protections to LGBT people by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The protections would extend to employment, housing, loan applications, education, public accommodations and other areas. Called the Equality Act, the bill is a top priority of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said it will bring the nation "closer to equal liberty and justice for all." Sexual orientation and gender identity "deserve full civil rights protections - in the workplace and in every place, education, housing, credit, jury service, public accommodations," Pelosi said. The vote was 236-173. The legislation's chief sponsor, Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., said it affirms fairness and equality as core American values "and ensures members of the LGBTQ community can live their lives free from the fear of legal discrimination of any kind." Cicilline, who is gay, called equal treatment under the law a founding principle of the United States, adding "It's absurd that, in 2019, members of the LGBTQ community can be fired from their jobs, denied service in a restaurant or get thrown out of their apartment because of their sexual orientation or gender identify." Most Republicans oppose the bill and call it another example of government overreach. Several GOP lawmakers spoke against it Friday on the House floor. President Donald Trump is widely expected to veto the legislation if it reaches his desk. At a news conference Thursday, the Republicans said the bill would jeopardize religious freedom by requiring acceptance of a particular ideology about sexuality and sexual identity. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., called the legislation "grossly misnamed" and said it is "anything but equalizing." The bill "hijacks" the 1964 Civil Rights Act to create "a brave new world of 'discrimination' based on undefined terms of sexual orientation and gender identity," Hartzler said. The legislation threatens women's sports, shelters and schools, and could silence female athletes, domestic abuse survivors and other women, she said. A similar bill in the Senate has been co-sponsored by all but one Senate Democrat, but faces long odds in the Republican-controlled chamber. A Trump administration official who asked not be identified, because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the president's intentions, said the White House "opposes discrimination of any kind and supports the equal treatment of all. However, this bill in its current form is filled with poison pills that threaten to undermine parental and conscience rights." Some critics also said the bill could jeopardize Title IX, the law prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. Former tennis star Martina Navratilova co-wrote an opinion piece in The Washington Post urging lawmakers not to "make the unnecessary and ironic mistake of sacrificing the enormously valuable social good that is female sports in their effort to secure the rights of transgender women and girls." Ahead of the vote, Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., called the House bill "horrifying" and said it could cause Catholic schools to lose federal grants for school lunches or require faith-based adoption agencies to place children with same-sex couples. Neena Chaudhry, a lawyer for the National Women's Law Center, said the bill does not undermine Title IX, because courts have already found that Title IX protects against gender-identity discrimination. "It is way past time to fully open the doors of opportunity for every American," said Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., one of the Senate bill's lead sponsors. "Let's pass the Equality Act, and let us rejoice in the bells of freedom ringing for every American." In the Senate, Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine also supports the bill, while Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia is the sole Democrat who is not a co-sponsor.


Monday Morning Quarterback's Andy Benoit published an All-25-and-under team and Detroit Lions MIKE linebacker Jarrad Davis and defensive end Trey Flowers were recognized on the list. After compiling the All-Over-30 team, it's time to assemble a squad of their younger counterparts. @Andy_Benoit presents the All-25-and-Under team https://t.co/vwSswD2pLW - The MMQB (@theMMQB) June 23, 2019 Flowers was listed as a starter on Benoit's team, lining up next to the Packers Kenny Clark (Packers) and they were joined by Chris Jones of the Chiefs and DeForest Buckner 49ers rounding out the defensive line. "What's most to love is these guys' versatility," Benoit said. "Clark, who has one of football's best combinations of size and athleticism, is the truest nose-shade tackle of the bunch, though Flowers and especially the explosive, long-armed Buckner can align there, too. Those two can also penetrate, though neither quite as well as Chris Jones, who dominated down the stretch last year." Davis was listed as a reserve behind starters Darius Leonard of the Colts and Leighton Vander Esch of the Cowboys, with Roquan Smith of the Bears (also a reserve) completing the linebacker group. Benoit gave the following explanation for his choices, "This group offers speed, athleticism and the oft-overlooked length, which can separate good and great linebackers - The longer your arms, the more leeway there is for how you take on blocks." There's an argument that could be made to have considered Kerryon Johnson (21) or Kenny Golladay (25) with the skill players, while Da'Shawn Hand (23) had a much tougher path and was probably rightfully excluded this year. Johnson and Hand should be in contention for next (two) years team, but Golladay will have missed the cut. The one surprise exclusion in Benoit's roster construction was that it didn't include any special teams players. If it had made this addition, it surely could've used a returner like Jamal Agnew (24) on his roster. MORE: NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Pelicans coach gets last laugh over Anthony Davis' 'That's All Folks' shirt Report: Celtics interested in signing French center Vincent Poirier With all eyes on Browns' receiving group, Nick Chubb brings necessary balance Colts feel Ben Banogu's best starting point is at DE


These people aren't horsing around! Grab a mint julep and get excited for the most talked about two-minute race of the year with these over-the-top Kentucky Derby hats - because we all know your hat is half of the experience. The bird's-eye view. This Derby fan was wise and opted for an extra set of eyes on the prize at the 142nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. The cotton candy. Where not sure if there is even a hat under this cloud of cotton-candy-colored tulle worn at the 2016 race, but when it comes to the Derby, anything goes! The feather crown. This madame's hat almost took flight with all of those festive feathers flying high at the Kentucky Oaks in 2015. The flower power. This young woman shows that the bigger your Derby hat, the better at the 2017 event. The Derby doll. Bratz dolls are here to stay! It looks like this Derby darling raided her kid's doll box to fashion this bold statement piece for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby. The taco. Yes, that's a taco with flower garnish - a rare delicacy that was not to be missed at the 140th Kentucky Derby in 2014. The paper mache. There is no doubt this race enthusiast was the life of the party . We're not positive if the hat was filled with candy, but we hope so! The everything, but the kitchen sink. When in doubt, scour through your children's arts and crafts bin and turn a plain jane wide-brim hat into something extraordinary. The wild thing. The bigger the brim, the better! Go big or go home is a common motto of the Kentucky Derby, and this lovely lady was a testament to that at the 140th Kentucky Derby. The pretty maiden. This ma'am turned a maiden into a show-stopping sight in 1990. If you're new to Derby talk, a maiden is a horse that has never won a race. The "in the green." Even if her betting wasn't in the green, at least her hat was! This fan used turf to create a wild horse pasture atop her head for the 141st Kentucky Derby. The perfect replica. This gentleman took his Derby look to the next level with a sky-high Churchill Downs replica placed on top of his cap. The psychedelic. Just because you wear a modest dress , doesn't mean you have to shy away from an ostentatious hat! The fancy as a flock. Reality television star Kate Gosselin rocked an eye-catching feather-adorned hat at the 137th Kentucky Derby in May of 2011. The ribbons and roses. Whether this woman bet big or not, with that big of a spectacle, she is a winner in our book. The horsin' around. Not into the classic fedora look? No harm no foal . Take cue from this gent who may or may not have stolen this look from his son's toy room for the 2017 Kentucky Derby day. The polka dot play. You can't help but smile at this fun and festive polka dot hat featuring an oversized pink bow worn at the 140th Kentucky Derby. The rollin' the dice. There's no time like the Derby to take a fashion gamble. This fan had no fear in 2015 with a flower, feather, and ribbon hat combo topped off with a hanging pair of foam dice. The power couple. Now that's what I like to call horse power! These two Derby goers put their heads together for two stable hats at the 137th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. The "on your mark." This 2016 race fan knew he had a cheeky hat straight out of the gate! The tutu topper. This Derby pair had a balanced style at the 2015 race of simple Southern charm and over-the-top style with a tutu-inspired hat. The merry-go-mare. We're not quite sure if this horse hat actually spins, but regardless, this was a head turner worn. The steward. This attendee shows off her Derby pride at the 141st Kentucky Derby in 2015 with an award-ribbon-adorned hat. The plaid pony. You're never to old to bring your stuffed animal along! This man rocked a plaid hat in 2017 with a cheeky stuffed horse wrapped around it. The tassel. This fan wore this flirty tassel and vibrant hot pink floral hat to the Kentucky Derby of 2003. The Mardi-Gras-meets-Derby. Turn your junk drawer into a masterpiece like this woman did in 2017. She created a spunky hat out of a crown, feathers, Derby-inspired toys, and so much more. The stuffed stallion. Who knew your toddler's toy could be such a fashion hit! This Southern sweetheart turned a basic cowboy hat into a rose-covered horse podium for the 140th Kentucky Derby in 2014. The run for the roses. Roses aren't the only thing that are red at the Derby. This festive Derby guest of the 2017 Kentucky Derby dyed his beard red to show off his pride. The trendsetter. This guest was spotted at Kim Zolciak's Kentucky Derby hat contest at Empire City Casino in May 2017, but we'll let it slide because her energy is off the charts! The triple crown. This Derby enthusiast also came from Kim Zolciak's Kentucky Derby hat party in 2016, but we are a sucker for flowers so couldn't help but share!


Giorgio Piola and Sutton Images bring you the Formula 1 technical updates on show in the Paul Ricard pitlane at the French Grand Prix, giving insight into the relentless development undertaken by the teams in pursuit of more performance. Click through the images below... McLaren MCL34 front brake detail Giorgio Piola McLaren will test a more aggressive 'pushrod-on-upright' solution on Carlos Sainz's car during Free Practice. The bulbous cover is a giveaway for what's concealed beneath, and is a similar solution to the one we've seen Mercedes use since the start of the season. Ferrari SF90 front wing detail Giorgio Piola Ferrari has a new front wing available in France, which as we can see in this picture features a new shorter endplate design with rearward cutout. Meanwhile, an additional triangular fence sits astride the footplate to help divert flow outboard and a small vertical Gurney on the trailing edge of the footplate will have its own aerodynamic benefits. Front wing of Ferrari SF90 Mark Sutton / Sutton Images The wing elements have also had their shape and chord altered to take advantage of these alterations and better align the wings downforce and flow conditioning goals. Front brake disk of Ferrari SF90 Mark Sutton / Sutton Images This is a great shot of the Ferrari SF90's front brake assembly without the drum installed, as it allows us to see how the inlet feeds the various areas of the assembly with the cool airflow it collects. Front wing of Ferrari SF90 Mark Sutton / Sutton Images This side-on view of Ferrari's new endplate shows us the height of the new triangular flow diverter, the Gurney and the shape of the cutout. Front wing of Mercedes AMG F1 W10 Mark Sutton / Sutton Images A good view of the inner tips of Mercedes front wing flaps. It has split the secondary flap into two sections at this inboard end in order to influence the Y250 vortex that's shed beneath. Front wing of Mercedes AMG F1 W10 Mark Sutton / Sutton Images This is also a good close-up of the outboard end of the Mercedes W10's front wing, which shows us how much of the wing is proportioned off for flow conditioning and cannot be effected by wing angle changes, with the wing adjuster in the top of the shot. Ferrari SF90 front wing detail Giorgio Piola This shot of the new Ferrari front wing gives us an idea of just how sculpted the endplate is and perhaps gives us more of an understanding of how much outwash the designers are looking to generate with it and the new add-ons. Mercedes AMG F1 W10 rear detail Giorgio Piola A close-up of Mercedes rear wing endplate and the three rearward hanging vanes, along with the recently-added upwash strikes. Toro Rosso STR14 side detail Giorgio Piola Toro Rosso's bare mirror housing and enveloping fin helps to improve flow around the mirror. Renault R.S. 19 front wing detail Giorgio Piola Renault has made changes to its nose for the French GP, incorporating a cape solution like the one first seen at Mercedes and subsequently copied by Williams, McLaren and Racing Point. Renault R.S. 19 front wing detail Giorgio Piola As a comparison here's the old nose design without the cape. Red Bull Racing RB15 front brake detail Giorgio Piola A close up of the Red Bull RB15's front brake duct assembly without the drum reveals the various channels that the airflow is passed through from the inlet to the discs, calipers and out through the wheel face for aerodynamic assistance. Red Bull Racing RB15 front detail Giorgio Piola Red Bull has a new wheel rim for the French GP which sees the inner ring removed, slimline spokes employed and a much smaller stub axle and retaining nut. Sidepods detail on the car of Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB15 Giorgio Piola Red Bull has also made further refinements to their mirror housings, easing away more of the bodywork from the actual mirror body to improve airflow around the entire structure. Front detail of the car of Carlos Sainz Jr., McLaren MCL34 Giorgio Piola Another view of the pushrod-on-upright solution that McLaren will test on Sainz Jnr's car during Free Practice. Mercedes AMG F1 W10 rear bodywork detail Giorgio Piola The shot of the Mercedes W10 from behind shows us the cooling panels that the team is looking to deploy for this race, with the open-ended transition panels from the halo in use, along with the louvred panels, both of which release heat generated within the sidepod. Bargeboard on Mercedes AMG F1 W10 Mark Sutton / Sutton Images The extremely intricate and complex region between the front wheels and sidepods on the Mercedes W10, with the various aerodynamic appendages that have grown out of what we consider a traditional bargeboard. Front wing of Racing Point RP19 Mark Sutton / Sutton Images Two front wing/nose solutions are available to Racing Point in France, with the lower of the two being the latest specification and the one that features smaller 'nostrils' and a cape solution mounted under it. Mercedes AMG W10 diffuser detail Giorgio Piola A glorious shot of the Mercedes W10's rear end shows us how well defined and shaped all of the suspension components are, including the housing of the driveshafts within the lower wishbones. Meanwhile, notice the lower T-Wing that the team have perched beneath the rear leg of the upper wishbone, further improving the cars aerodynamic output. Red Bull Racing RB15 front wheel detail Giorgio Piola Another view of Red Bull's front brake duct, this time when assembled and showing off the curvaceous cooling inlet, which has been split into various channels in order to feed cool air to the various components. More F1 insights: French GP: All the winners since 1950 Honda's latest F1 upgrade shifts the focus onto Red Bull Ricciardo says Renault's recent form has "ignited a fire" Coy Vettel doubles down on Canadian GP incident Magnussen: Steiner did well to "shut me up" in Canada


All highlights courtesy of FOX Sports Florida The Marlins went 1-5 during their road trip against the rival Nationals and Braves. But there were bright spots! Last week's Marlins games: July 2  lost to the Nationals, 3-2 July 3  lost to the Nationals, 3-1 July 4  lost to the Nationals, 5-2 July 5  lost to the Braves, 1-0 July 6  beat the Braves, 5-4 July 7  lost to the Braves, 4-3 Featured highlights include another Jordan Yamamoto scoreless outing, rare home runs from Miguel Rojas and Harold Ramírez , plus very productive all-around play from trade chip Starlin Castro . Miami Marlins Highlights of the Week: July 2-7, 20 19


For two years, she said she was kept in a single room with blacked-out windows. She had only one set of clothes, which she wore for weeks at a time without washing. And she barely had any contact with the outside world. The story of forced isolation came from a woman, identified by prosecutors only as "Daniela," who testified last week in the trial against Keith Raniere, the founder of Nxivm, the Albany, New York-based company that sold pricey classes claiming to help people achieve success. Raniere faces federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, sexual exploitation of a child and human trafficking, among others. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison. Daniela described how she went from being a bright and promising high school student in Mexico with dreams of becoming a scientist to being pulled into the self-help curriculum of Nxivm, and eventually kept in isolation in a room for nearly two years at the direction of members of the cult-like group. "Was the door locked?" prosecutor Moira Penza asked. "No," Daniela testified. "Did you feel like you could leave the room?" Penza asked. "No." Daniela testified that Raniere and other Nxivm members convinced her own family that she had done something horrible enough to warrant being held in a room in isolation, and that they enlisted her family's help to keep her there. She went years without seeing her family. How did she get there? Nearly a decade earlier, Daniela was one of the top students in Mexico. She'd gained admission to an elite high school in Switzerland and her father, Hector, gave her Nxivm classes as a farewell present in 2002, before she was set to leave for Europe. Through the course of the lessons, Daniela testified, Nxivm members discouraged her from completing high school, and they encouraged her to help the group's mission and move to Albany -- which she did that fall. She did not learn computer programming, as she was promised, but did work organizing Raniere's library and writing summaries of books for him. She also testified that, at Raniere's direction, she was instructed to hack into the computers of perceived Nxivm enemies, mostly former members of the group. She was not paid for much of her work, she said. While a minor, Daniela testified, she was groomed for a sexual relationship by Raniere, who she said had sex with her days after her 18th birthday. By 2005, Daniela's entire family -- her father and mother and three siblings -- had followed in her footsteps to join the Nxivm community in Clifton Park, just outside Albany. Daniela said her parents were fans of Raniere's classes, and the entire family took part in Nxivm community activities. Daniela's parents were unaware that she was having a sexual relationship with Raniere, whom most Nxivm members believed to be celibate. If you had a relationship with Raniere, Daniela testified, you committed to be with only him for life. But she said Raniere himself had sexual relationships with multiple women simultaneously. Daniela said she later found out Raniere was also having sex with both her sisters. All three of the sisters had gotten pregnant by Raniere at different times and had abortions at his urging, Daniela said. Daniela said she was disturbed knowing that Raniere was having a relationship with her sisters and many other women in the Nxivm community, and their relationship slowly began to unravel. It finally deteriorated over what was known in the Nxivm community as "an ethical breach." She said she had feelings for another Nxivm member -- the pair had kissed and he'd touched her under her clothes a few times in 2007. Daniela decided to tell Raniere about the relationship that year. "In my mind, it was simple: I was going to talk to Keith and almost negotiate." But after she told Raniere about her interaction with the other member, Daniela said, he blew up. Their relationship and Daniela's life were never the same. "It was an immediate isolation, like a shunning of sorts." She said she and Raniere began to correspond by email only. He would incessantly ask her for details about her interaction with the other man. She said her freedom and possessions slowly started being taken away from her: her iPod, phone, computer, and even her immigration and identification papers -- her only way of getting on a plane or leaving the country. Daniela testified that Raniere and other Nxivm members enlisted the help of her own family to "work on her." They were told, "Your daughter is prideful and destructive.'" Her family didn't know that the basis of Daniela's "ethical breach" was that she had developed feelings for another man. Instead, Raniere told her family about an incident years earlier in which she had stolen and promptly returned money. Raniere encouraged her family to be strict with Daniela. "It was a tightly controlled environment around me," she testified. She said she had to ask permission to sleep, eat or go out. Daniela said she was determined to leave in 2009. "I really was sick of this life." But other Nxivm members would intimidate her into staying, she said, with one even telling her, "You can't leave. You destroyed so much. We brought you here. You owe us." She felt that she couldn't go to the authorities because she had been in the country without legal immigration status for several years by that point. She had last crossed the border illegally in 2004 with the help of Kathy Russell, a co-defendant who has pleaded guilty in the case to one count of visa fraud. In March 2009, Daniela said, she had had enough. She emailed Raniere to tell him she wanted nothing to do with him and that their time together had been "half dream, half nightmare." She said Raniere told her: "You need to not only make me a part of your life, I need to be your WHOLE life." "I want to go to school," Daniela said she told Raniere in her email. "I want to do something with my life. I want to work. I want to make money, be self-sufficient." According to Daniela's testimony, Raniere responded: "You should reject this thinking at all costs," and "this is the biggest mistake of your life." Every waking hour of her life was focused on how to repair her so-called ethical breach, Daniela testified. She said her parents and high-ranking members told her the only way to fix things would be to stay in isolation in a room in her family's home indefinitely. "I said, 'No way.' There's no way I was going in that room," she recalls. But it was her once tight-knit family that made her change her mind, she testified. In a recorded conversation between Raniere and Daniela's mother, played in court, Raniere is heard telling Daniela's mother she needs to be more strict with her daughter, and mentions vaguely that Daniela has done something bad -- saying what she had done was equivalent to having "killed a child," according to the audio played in court. "If I were (Daniela's) parents and she were going back to Mexico, I would make her choose between staying here and doing the right thing, or losing communication with me," Raniere is overheard saying in the recording. "Sometimes it has to be that strict." In the recording, Raniere repeatedly compares what Daniela did to the killing of a child, and Daniela's sister is faintly overheard interpreting the conversation for her mother. It is unclear whether the translation is accurate. Penza, the prosecutor, asked Daniela whether she had actually killed a child. "No," Daniela testified. "What had you done?" Penza asked. Daniela responded by testifying she had kissed another man. On March 9, 2010, Daniela entered the room, which was simply a bedroom in her family's home, where she would stay in isolation for an unspecified amount of time. "It was really clear that my parents were on board and I was going to lose my family. It was the only thing that I had." 'I want to come out of this room' Daniela, who remained unemotional throughout much of her testimony, began to cry as she described the years she spent in the room, alone, with nothing to do except write letters to Raniere. She would reread the backs of shampoo bottles in French and English. She made a newsletter for each of her family members, calling it "The Wilton Times" -- the name of the street on which the house was located. She cut her hair. "It was something I could control," she testified. "It was something I could do." Daniela said she was told that cutting her hair was another "ethical breach" and that she would not be let out of the room until it grew back. "That would be years," Daniela testified. For the entire time she was in the room, the only person she says she saw was Lauren Salzman, who would visit her occasionally for "coaching" -- to see whether she had fixed her "ethical breach." Salzman is another co-defendant in the case and has pleaded guilty to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy charges. Daniela said she asked to leave the room multiple times over the years, but it was only Raniere who could determine whether she had fixed her "ethical breach." She wrote to him every day, as instructed. "I think I've made myself very clear," Daniela wrote to Raniere on October 30, 2010. "I want to come out of this room." She said she was so starved for human interaction that she would lean against the wall of her room to try to listen to any noises that came through the air vents. She once snuck out of the room when no one else was at home, figured out her father's Facebook password and logged in -- just so she could see pictures of her family. "I just wanted to see them -- and it was great seeing them," she testified. The time she spent in the room quickly took its toll on her psyche, and she testified that she began having suicidal thoughts. On the day she decided to try to kill herself, she caught a glimpse of a bird outside her window with a nest of baby birds and changed her mind. "F--k everybody," she said firmly in court. "F--k you, Mom. F--k you, Dad. Go f--k yourselves -- but I'm going to live." She said she immediately gained the strength to walk out of the house. Raniere's defense attorney Marc Agnifilo has argued that his sexual relationships with Nxivm followers were consensual. During Daniela's cross examination, Agnifilo asked her why she didn't just walk out of the room. Daniela testified that she feared her family would no longer speak to her, and that she would have no place to go, since her legal documents had been taken away by her family, at the urging of Nxivm members including Raniere. Raniere's attorneys did not respond for a request for comment on the specific allegations Daniela made in her testimony. Building a new life It was February 2012 when Daniela walked out of the room. She said she was quickly ushered out of the community, escorted to the US-Mexico border by her father and another Nxivm member. She had less than $80. She moved to what she determined through an internet search to be the "safest city" in Mexico and slowly began to rebuild her life. She found a temporary job, a place to live and made contacts -- and was able to get a copy of her birth certificate, a necessary piece of paper for her to be able to start a new life, get a bank account and a good job. Daniela said she stayed in touch with Nxivm members after she left, even continuing to do work for the group, because they still held her identification papers. But once she was able to get her papers on her own, she started distancing herself from them. "As I built a world, it was only after that I was able to look back at the world I was in and realized the monstrosity that it had been," Daniela said. She hadn't spoken to her family in years by that point, but she testified she has since reconciled and reconnected with some of them -- including her brother and younger sister. As media coverage surrounding Nxivm grew in 2017, Daniela worked with her brother to get her younger sister out of the group and down to Mexico. But the sister eventually returned to work at a Nxivm company in Guadalajara, where she remains today, according to Daniela's testimony. Daniela's interactions with her older sister and her father continue to be limited, but she eventually forgave her mother for her role in keeping her in the room. CNN is unable to reach out to Daniela's family members for comment. "A mother is a mother," Daniela said. "She's human, just like me."


Video by Reuters WASHINGTON   The House Judiciary Committee on Friday asked a federal judge to unseal grand jury secrets related to Robert S. Mueller III's investigation, using the court filing to declare that lawmakers have already in effect launched an impeachment investigation of President Trump. In a legal maneuver that carries significant political overtones, the committee told a judge that it needs access to the grand jury evidence collected by Mr. Mueller as special counsel   such as witness testimony   because it is "investigating whether to recommend articles of impeachment" against the president. "Because Department of Justice policies will not allow prosecution of a sitting president, the United States House of Representatives is the only institution of the federal government that can now hold President Trump accountable for these actions," the filing told the judge, Beryl A. Howell, who supervised Mr. Mueller's grand jury. Referring to the part of the Constitution that gives Congress the power to impeach and remove a president, the filing continued: "To do so, the House must have access to all the relevant facts and consider whether to exercise all its full Article I powers, including a constitutional power of the utmost gravity   approval of articles of impeachment." [ Read the Judiciary Committee's application . ] With the filing, the committee's chairman, Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York, was attempting to sidestep the debate raging inside the Democratic Party over whether the full House should hold a vote to formally declare that it is opening an impeachment inquiry. By declaring that his committee was in effect conducting such an inquiry, he was heading off a politically difficult vote in the committee or the full house to pursue impeachment. "Too much has been made of the phrase 'an impeachment inquiry,'" Mr. Nadler said at a news conference. "We are doing what our court filing says we are doing, what I said we are doing, and that is we are using our full Article I powers to investigate the conduct of the president and to consider what remedies there are. Among other things we will consider, obviously, is whether to recommend articles of impeachment." Other members of the committee were more forward. "We're now crossing a threshold with this filing, and we are now officially entering into an examination of whether or not to recommend articles of impeachment," Representative Veronica Escobar, Democrat of Texas, declared. Democrats hope that Judge Howell will agree that their request for the grand jury material falls into the same legal category as a Nixon-era precedent under which the committee gained access to Watergate evidence. But there is a difference that could matter: In 1974, the full House had voted to declare an impeachment inquiry opened. The new filing comes two days after Mr. Mueller testified before Congress for the first time about the findings of his 22-month investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible obstruction of justice by Mr. Trump. Republicans   and some Democrats   said Mr. Mueller's lackluster appearance had all but ended the impeachment threat, and they were not convinced the committee's actions on Friday had changed that. "Democrats want to convince their base they're still wedded to impeachment even after this week's hearing, but a baseless legal claim is an odd way to show that," said Representative Doug Collins of Georgia, the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee. He predicted that the legal maneuver would fail. But Democrats who control the panel called Mr. Mueller's testimony an "inflection point" and are now seeking to add more evidence about what they believe to be serious wrongdoing by Mr. Trump. Mr. Nadler said the committee would continue the investigation during the House's six-week summer recess, calling additional witnesses and filing a lawsuit as soon as next week to force Donald F. McGahn II, the former White House counsel, to testify unless he agrees to come voluntarily. Mr. McGahn's account of presidential behavior sits at the center of Mr. Mueller's report. The 448-page document showed that the Trump campaign welcomed illegal assistance from the Russians in 2016 and expected to benefit from it, but investigators did not establish that Mr. Trump had conspired with them in the illegal hacking and dumping of Democratic emails. It also explored several episodes in which Mr. Trump tried to impede the investigatio n. But the special counsel decided not to render judgment about whether Mr. Trump should be charged with obstruction of justice, citing a Justice Department view that sitting presidents are temporarily immune from indictment while they are in office. Aside from the coming court case, it is unclear whether the Judiciary Committee's assertion that an impeachment investigation is effectively already underway will resolve a fight that has divided the Democratic Party. Around 100 House Democrats have said they support opening impeachment proceedings   including several more Friday morning   leaving about 135 who have not come out in support of such an inquiry or who outright oppose it. Some Democrats see impeaching Mr. Trump as a moral imperative that would leave a black mark on his historical record, even if Senate Republicans are unlikely to remove him from office. Others fear it could provoke a backlash, firing up Mr. Trump's supporters and endangering newly elected Democrats who won moderate districts in the 2018 midterm. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has chosen caution. She signed off on using the impeachment investigation language in the lawsuit, according to a person familiar with its drafting. And it would appear to provide a middle course for Democrats, allowing them to continue to build a case without forcing members from moderate districts to vote on whether to formally declare impeachment proceedings to be underway. "We will proceed when we have what we need to proceed," the speaker told reporters on Friday. "Not one day sooner." Democratic staff members and lawmakers had begun arguing in recent weeks that it was unnecessary to gain the full chamber's approval to launch an inquiry . A primary legal effect of previous presidential impeachment resolutions was to grant the Judiciary Committee special powers to issue subpoenas and take depositions, but since the last one   against Bill Clinton in 1999   rules changes have enhanced the panel chairman's powers, making that redundant. The Judiciary Committee has been flirting with the topic of impeachment for months, subpoenaing witnesses and holding hearings designed to better understand Mr. Trump's behavior in order to potentially develop charges. In a hearing earlier this month, for example, Mr. Nadler said that "articles of impeachment are under consideration as part of the committee's investigation." The application filed on Friday cited such moments as evidence that the investigation had been underway for some time. The sources of information at issue in the court filing are the portions of the Mueller report that were redacted because the information fell under a federal rule of criminal procedure that makes information presented to a grand jury secret. That rule has only limited exceptions allowing such grand jury information to be shared with outsiders. In 1974, the Watergate prosecutor, Leon Jaworski, and his grand jury obtained a judge's permission to send the evidence they had gathered to the House Judiciary Committee , which was already formally conducting an impeachment inquiry into Nixon. In that case, the Nixon Justice Department did not object to letting lawmakers see the materials. In the current case, the committee is trying to get the material on its own. Attorney General William P. Barr has declined requests by Mr. Nadler to join the committee in petitioning the court. The department did not respond to a request for comment on Friday, including on the question of whether it would sit on the sidelines or go to court to actively oppose the committee's request for evidence. One complication is that the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit recently issued a ruling with a narrow view of when courts may let outsiders see grand jury information. It limited the criteria to an explicit list of exceptions that does not say anything about sharing such material with Congress. But in making the ruling, the appeals court judges addressed the fact that their predecessors had permitted the Nixon-era Judiciary Committee to see such material. The court decided that the Watergate-era step had been lawful because it could be interpreted as falling under an exception authorizing disclosure of grand jury material "in connection with a judicial proceeding." The idea was that impeachment, which culminates with a trial in the Senate, is effectively a judicial proceeding. For that reason, whether Judge Howell agrees that the Judiciary Committee is conducting an impeachment investigation could determine whether it gets the material. The application acknowledged that the House has not passed a formal resolution telling the committee to open impeachment proceedings, but it insisted that such a step was unnecessary and noted that it has carried out impeachment proceedings against federal judges without taking that step. "Where, as here, a member has introduced articles of impeachment and those articles have been referred to the committee, the committee is fully empowered to conduct an investigation and exercise any other of its standing authorities," the filing said.


Looking to mix things up this week? From a pop-up shop for African print fabrics to a karaoke fundraiser, here's a roundup of options to help you get out and about in the days ahead. 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. Mae Otti Pop-Up Shop From the event description: Shop bold African print fabrics, ranging from varying styles of dresses, jackets, tops, jumpsuits, head wraps and more. When: Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m.-Sunday, July 14, 7 p.m. Where: Holiday Inn Express Baltimore at The Stadiums, 1701 Russell St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets DMV HBCU Connect From the event description: The event is aimed at those who attended historically black colleges and universities. Presented by: DJ Jay Vibez. When: Saturday, July 13, 1-9 p.m. Where: Gwynn Falls Park, 1973 Eagle Drive, Gwyn Oak, MD Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Bey & The Beat: Beyoncé karaoke fundraiser From the event description: Come drink, dance and sing through all of Beyoncé's spectacular discography in solidarity with our favorite independent journalism platform. When: Saturday, July 13, 6-10 p.m. Where: Baltimore Center Stage, 700 N. Calvert St. Admission: $10 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland   Jordan Spieth says the conditions he played in growing up are why he enjoys playing links golf so much as he left himself well in contention after his second round at the British Open. The 2017 champion went around Royal Portrush in 67 on Friday and is 5 under for the tournament, which was four back of the leading score. Spieth also tied for fourth in 2015 and was co-leading heading into the final round at Carnoustie a year ago before falling away and finishing in a tie for ninth. "It's pretty much the style of golf," Spieth replied when asked about his performances in The Open. "I always get pumped up for major championships, clearly I try to peak for majors and then this style of golf I've always found to fit my game pretty well. "I just grew up in the wind, having to play a lot of different shots and using imagination around the greens on the course I grew up at. So, it's different but it feeds well into this style of golf and then we don't see it very often. I wish we were able to see it more. I love links golf." He's walking them in. @JordanSpieth continues to climb the board. pic.twitter.com/8EuNNeVmms   PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 19, 2019 Spieth's American compatriot Brooks Koepka   who has gone 2-1-2 in the majors in 2019   also made it back to the clubhouse at 5 under. The four-time major winner feels he would be higher on the leaderboard had he been hotter with the putter over the opening two days. "I didn't make a putt all week. I just need to figure that out. If I can make some putts I could very easily be 10 under and really maybe more," he said. "I haven't made anything. On the front nine I didn't hit it as good as I'd like. I didn't pitch it as good. It's tough to really score if you're going to do that. MORE : British Open 2019: Tommy Fleetwood sets clubhouse target at Royal Portrush | Tommy Fleetwood's jazzy Portrush shirt divides opinion on social media "It's frustrating. You've just got to stay patient and just wait your turn, just like I did on 12 and 13 [where he made back-to-back birdies]. I haven't really hit anything too close yet, either. "I feel like some of my good shots have just been a little too far away from the hole. So, if I can just clean it up just the slightest little bit I could be off and running."


Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Tuesday said the U.S. central bank is "insulated from short-term political pressures," as policymakers wrestle with whether to cut rates as President Donald Trump has demanded. "The Fed is insulated from short-term political pressures -what is often referred to as our 'independence,'" Powell said in a speech he delivered at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. "Congress chose to insulate the Fed this way because it had seen the damage that often arises when policy bends to short-term political interests. Central banks in major democracies around the world have similar independence." Powell's remarks come as the central bank, which paused rate hikes this year and has suggested it could cut them in the face of concerns including the White House's conflicts with trading partners, faces increasing anger from Trump. The president, who has said as recently as this weekend that he has the power to demote Powell, on Monday said on Twitter that the Fed "doesn't know what it is doing," adding that it "raised rates far to fast" given low inflation and slowing global growth. "Think of what it could have been if the Fed had gotten it right," Trump said. "Thousands of points higher on the Dow, and GDP in the 4's or even 5's. Now they stick, like a stubborn child, when we need rates cuts, & easing, to make up for what other countries are doing against us. Blew it!" Few economists agree with Trump's estimates of how high U.S. growth can climb and some legal experts think it would be difficult or impossible for Trump to remove Powell. At its latest meeting last Wednesday the central bank's policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee signaled rate cuts beginning as early as July and said it is ready to battle growing global and domestic economic risks as it took stock of rising trade tensions and growing concerns about weak inflation. Investors have long been anticipating rate cuts this year even as Fed policymakers had suggested such a move would have been premature. Even as the U.S. central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged for now, the shift in sentiment since its prior policy meeting was marked. Powell on Tuesday reiterated that the central bank still sees U.S. growth prospects as strong, with unemployment low and inflation near the Fed's 2% annual target, but that he and his colleagues are wrestling with whether uncertainty over trade and other issues support a case for lowering rates. "The question my colleagues and I are grappling with is whether these uncertainties will continue to weigh on the outlook and thus call for additional policy accommodation," Powell said. "Many FOMC participants judge that the case for somewhat more accommodative policy has strengthened. But we are also mindful that monetary policy should not overreact to any individual data point or short-term swing in sentiment. Doing so would risk adding even more uncertainty to the outlook. We will closely monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook and will act as appropriate to sustain the expansion." U.S. stock indexes dropped after Powell's remarks, while yields on U.S. Treasury bonds ticked higher. The dollar got a brief boost against a basket of other currencies.