There have been a variety of reasons why the 49ers have gone 10-22 over the last two seasons, but none of them are likely to elicit much sympathy for General Manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan if the team doesn't take a big step forward in their third year with the team. Linebacker Fred Warner told Tyler Dunne of Bleacher Report that "you have to win football games in this league or everyone's going to lose their job" and he said that the sense of urgency for the 49ers to do that this year is at an "all-time high." Warner isn't the only player who feels that way. "There's a fire in peoples' stomachs of, 'No more bulls t. We need to do this now,'" fullback Kyle Juszczyk said. If the 49ers are going to post their first winning season since 2013, they're almost certainly going to need Jimmy Garoppolo to go from giving glimpses of being a high-level quarterback to doing it for a full season. Warner believes Garoppolo "has everything to be one of the top quarterbacks" and plenty of others around the team have shared similar sentiments in the recent past. The confidence level is high, but cornerback Richard Sherman notes that "you have to watch him do it" before they'll know exactly what kind of player Garoppolo will be. The same could be said of a team that's spent the last couple of years building their talent base without having anything to show for it in the standings.


KENT, Ohio   A Kent man faces charges after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman and holding her against her will. According to a press release, Joseph C. Swaney, 30, faces charges of rape and kidnapping in the case. It happened in the early morning hours of July 17. A 29-year-old woman reported she was with a man whom she knew, when he attacked her and held her against her will. The victim reported she was sexually assaulted and fled after the attack. Kent police immediately responded and located the suspect. The victim was treated at a local hospital. Swaney is to appear in court Thursday.     ©2019 WJW-TV, Cleveland Visit WJW-TV, Cleveland at www.fox8.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


The Toronto Raptors entered halftime with a five-point lead, in position to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over Golden State in their first-ever NBA Finals . But the Warriors saved their season with a trademark third-quarter surge, starting the second half on an 18-0 run. It turned the tide in a momentum-shifting 109-104 victory that sends the reigning champions back home for Games 3 and 4, two games that could decide the series if the Warriors maintain control of the matchup. "The third quarter," Kyle Lowry said postgame. "We lost the game there." Beginning of third quarter: Raptors 59, Warriors 54 Klay Thompson was able to draw two defenders into the paint, freeing Andre Iguodala for an open mid-range jump shot. Next, Stephen Curry was able to get by Kyle Lowry to finish a floater on the left side of the rim. Here's where things begin to get out of control   the "here we go again" moment in a basketball world that had seen this play in each of the past few seasons. DeMarcus Cousins takes a rebound all the way up the floor, then hits Iguodala in the corner for a wide-open three. This play gave Golden State its first lead since early in the second quarter. When you were watching this game, you got the feeling this run wasn't ending any time soon. How does Draymond Green get this wide open, in the middle of a critical third-quarter stretch? One of Curry's most underrated skills is as a screen-setter, and you can see him pick Green to freedom on this play. What a pass here from Cousins. Yes, he's one of the best scoring big men in then league, but he really sets himself apart with his court vision, especially the low block. Iguodala ➡ Cousins ➡ Thompson! @warriors run extends to 14-0! #StrengthInNumbers 68 #WeTheNorth 59 : ABC : TSN pic.twitter.com/KGqcrwQHvS   NBA (@NBA) June 3, 2019 The icing on the cake was this open look from Klay Thompson , who sent Pascal Siakam into the spin cycle with a beautiful v-cut to the corner. Hats go off to Cousins and Thompson, for combining for six assists during Golden State's stretch. The Warriors had 34 assists on 38 made field goals in Game 2. That just doesn't make sense. It's also championship basketball. The @warriors go on top with a 18-0 burst to open the 2nd half! #StrengthInNumbers 78 #WeTheNorth 67 : ABC : TSN pic.twitter.com/2Ja1RN2RvY   NBA (@NBA) June 3, 2019 Without Kevin Durant, Golden State flexed its biggest muscle in Game 2: the ability to get stops on one end, leading to easy opportunity on the other. The other part of their championship DNA is overcoming early adversity, like a 12-point second-quarter deficit the Warriors turned into a 13-point advantage in the third. Game 3 won't be the same as Game 2, just as Game 2 was a total 180 from Game 1. The Raptors missed a ridiculous number of shots during this critical stretch. An 18-0 run won't happen again; it'd be an atrocity if it did. Toronto also shot 37 percent as a team with only 31 points coming from the bench. The Raptors will only be as good as the players not-named Kawhi Leonard can take them. But if we learned anything about this Warriors' team, short-handed and all, it's that they bounce back better than any team in the NBA. Their ridiculous third-quarter run was a reminder of something the world knew already. Now, they hold control of the NBA Finals, heading back to Oakland. The Raptors had better get it together. They could be down 1-3 before they know what happened. Related slideshow: 2019 NBA Finals (provided by imagn)


As BMW gets ready to launch the sixth-gen M3, here's a look back at this car's history. Introduced in 1986, the BMW M3 has become known as one of the most driver-friendly sports cars of all time. Up until now, there have been five generations of the M3 with each offering a distinct take on performance, and each generation has been graced with an even more special, peak-performance model. Carfection created a six-part series to give us a history lesson on the BMW M3 as well as a closer look M3 masterpieces . The final episode from the M3 masterpieces collection is a wrap up of the series, and it breaks down which of the M3 models is best when it comes to engine, looks, brakes, chassis balance and overall top pick among the five generations. These are all important aspects when it comes to any performance vehicle, but comparing the original E30 M3 to today's F30 M3 seems like a difficult task. The final episode from the M3 masterpieces collection is a wrap up of the series, and it breaks down which of the M3 models is best when it comes to engine, looks, brakes, chassis balance and overall top pick among the five generations. These are all important aspects when it comes to any performance vehicle, but comparing the original E30 M3 to today's F30 M3 seems like a difficult task. Making this choice even more difficult is the fact that Carfection used the ultimate version of each generation of the M3 for this comparison   these include the E30 Sport Evo, E36 GT, E46 CSL, E92 GTS and the F30 CS. These are some of the best of the best when it comes to compact performance cars. As much fun as this final video is to watch, be sure to check out the full six-part series to watch each of the incredibly fun M3 generation get tossed around a race track as the car gods intended. Read More... Genesis Of The Legendary BMW M3 Bloodline 2002-2007 BMW M3 E46 Buying Guide


Despite not having a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft thanks to the Odell Beckham trade, the Cleveland Browns still landed a first-round talent in LSU CB Greedy Williams. On Tuesday morning, the Browns announced that Williams has signed his rookie contract with the team. With Williams signing, the Browns have now signed six of the seven-man 2019 Draft class, leaving just BYU LB Sione Takitaki as the lone pick unsigned by the team. Pen to paper @Greedy has signed his rookie deal! pic.twitter.com/vOHOwpqsRn - Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 21, 2019 In Williams, the Browns are looking to have their complement to second-year CB Denzel Ward. Williams provides length (6-foot-2) and ball-hawking abilities (eight INTs, 21 pass deflections) on the boundary that should help new Browns defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Browns Wire's Josh Keatley had this to say about Williams: Williams has fallen and he may not be the answer as a number one corner, but he certainly checks all of the physical boxes to become that. In Cleveland, he doesn't have to worry about the high expectations of shutting down the opposing team's number one as Ward will be taking those duties. Williams is perfectly suited to take over the number two role and should surpass his second-round selection with ease. The Browns and Williams seem to be a perfect marriage on all accounts. Now that he's signed, all that's left is to see him perform on the field. MORE: 7 reasons the Warriors are winning another title no matter who they play in the Finals Lions OTA notebook: First impressions from the first open day Magic Johnson confirms rumor that Lakers want to sign Kyrie Irving 5 reasons Saints should be favorites to sign Gerald McCoy Packers starting offensive line takes shape to open OTAs


PHILADELPHIA (CBS)   There are no reports of injuries or evacuations after an early morning fire broke out at a 150-year-old refinery complex in Philadelphia. Firefighters have contained the blaze at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining Complex, which erupted before 4 a.m. Friday. Neighbors near scene at Passyunk Ave says the whole sky lit up orange and yellow when explosion happened in Southwest Philly @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/PwHQJCgADj   Chantee Lans CBS Philadelphia (@ChanteeLans) June 21, 2019 Residents heard and felt explosions and flames shot into the sky, turning night into day. The cause of the fire is still unclear. It's the second fire at the refinery in one month, following a June 10 fire in which no injuries were reported. According to its website, the complex produces 335,000 barrels of crude oil daily. Philadelphia Energy Solutions says the oil refining complex is the largest on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Some commuter buses are being detoured.


Opt for nearly any of today's entry-luxury vehicles and you're in for a four-cylinder engine. Sure, most players in this space offer a more powerful six-cylinder option, but BMW's 3-series, Audi's A4, and Mercedes-Benz's C-class all come standard with a turbocharged inline-four. Most of these "base" powerplants deliver surprisingly hot performance, though that wasn't quite the case with the Benz at least it wasn't until this year . Research the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe on MSN Autos | Find a Mercedes-Benz C-Class near you For 2019, Mercedes has replaced its laggard-for-the-class engine in the entry-level C300 sedan, convertible, and coupe with an all-new 2.0-liter turbo four. Horsepower is up 14 ponies, to 255, while peak torque remains at a stout 273 lb-ft. This change, along with a swap from a seven-speed automatic transmission to Benz's latest nine-speed unit, which happened for the 2018 model year, are the primary contributors to the latest C300's improved performance. An Effective Upgrade In this vehicle class, such base-model four-cylinder engines exist at least partially to provide buyers (and automakers seeking to please regulators) a more fuel-efficient option, and the new engine has massively upped the C300 coupe's fuel-economy game. In our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, the rear-wheel-drive C300 delivered an astonishing 37 mpg 6 mpg better than the EPA's highway estimate. If you want maximum efficiency in your compact Mercedes, skip the available 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. The only 2017 C300 coupe we tested came with that feature, and between it and the older engine, that model scored a so-so 29 mpg on our highway test loop. A rear-drive 2017 C300 convertible returned 32 mpg in the same test, and an all-wheel-drive 2019 C300 sedan with the new engine that we tested separately notched a decent 33-mpg score. Performance also gets a welcome bump, with the fresh turbo engine helping the 2019 C300 to post a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.6 seconds, 0.6 second quicker than before. The quarter-mile time is similarly improved by half a second. Those times still trail those of the Benz's key competitors, the Audi A5 2.0T and the BMW 430i, but the gaps have narrowed. The A5, for example, remains a hot rod among four-cylinder entry-luxury coupes, reaching 60 mph in 5.0 seconds flat . Subjective scrutiny of the new engine is a mixed bag. The four-cylinder feels more eager to rev than before, and it suffers less turbo lag (wherein the driver presses the gas pedal but the turbocharger hasn't yet spun up and begun helping the engine produce extra power, which registers as flaccid initial response). Mercedes's nine-speed automatic transmission also lends the engine a perkier character, thanks to the additional choice of ratios and shorter gearing in first through seventh gears relative to the old seven-speed unit. Sadly, the new engine still belts out a flat, blender-like sound when being worked hard. Still Sexy Our favorite part of the C300 coupe, its looks, are unaffected for 2019. Freshened headlights and taillights are the only external changes for this fetching two-door, which has a pert appearance and elegant lines. Every Mercedes-Benz coupe looks essentially the same no matter its size, excepting only the AMG GT sports car, meaning the C-class has much the same visual punch as the larger and much pricier E- and S-class coupes. Mercedes also has retuned the C300's over-the-road behavior to be closer to those larger coupes' comfortable, luxurious comportments. Where the previous C coupe's ride quality was firm bordering on harsh, particularly at the rear end, there now is a greater sense of cushioned refinement. Wheel impacts over road imperfections are quieter, and jolts to the body are softer. None of these changes seem to have had any effect on the C300's agility or sense of control. Our summer-tire-equipped test car recorded the same 0.91 g around the skidpad as a 2017 model we tested. (The 19-inch high-performance tires are a no-cost option, but the AMG-style wheels they're mounted on cost $500.) The 2019 coupe's braking distance from 70 mph is a minor six feet longer than the 2017's, though it stopped in a still-good 163 feet. Similarly, the rest of the C-class's classy package remains the same. The glamorous interior will wow your friends, especially if you option up your C300 with $16,415 in extras like those on our test car. Of that sum, $2250 was attributable to the enhanced-for-2019 Driver Assistance package. An upgraded electronics architecture helps the C-class support improved active-safety features, including an automatic lane-change feature and a smarter radar-based cruise control system. A digital gauge cluster (a $750 option) also is new. And speaking of prices, the 2019 C300 coupe starts at $44,795 only $600 more than the 2018 version. For the new engine's extra pep and efficiency, that's as eye-popping as the C-class coupe's design. Research the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe on MSN Autos | Find a Mercedes-Benz C-Class near you


Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has elevated himself to elite status among quarterbacks over the past few years. The seven-year veteran is now in the prime of his career and surrounded with a plethora of talent at almost every offensive position. He is now set up to lead the Seahawks back to the postseason if he stays healthy. Wilson just had the best season of his career and got paid handsomely for it . He threw 35 touchdown passes while compiling a 110.9 passer rating, both career and franchise highs. In addition, he tied his career-low in interceptions with seven and broke the Seahawks' all-time record for regular-season quarterback wins, now possessing 75. As it stands, Seattle's offense is well-equipped to succeed in 2019 with Wilson coming off his best season yet. Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny look to be a solid one-two punch at running back for years to come, and the offensive line has done a much better job at blocking for them under coach Mike Solari than in years past with Tom Cable. Tyler Lockett has filled Doug Baldwin's shoes as the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver following the latter's retirement and DK Metcalf possesses qualities that could make him a frequent target of Wilson, even in his rookie season . At tight end, Will Dissly showed tremendous promise as both a receiver and blocker before he suffered a season-ending injury, and Ed Dickson and Nick Vannett made solid contributions down the stretch despite their limitations. Of course, health can never be counted on in the NFL. There is no guarantee that the Seahawks will avoid crucial injuries and these players may have flaws as well as strengths, but fans have a significant reason for optimism regarding Seattle's offense in the 2019 season. MORE: Roundup: A$AP Rocky Pleads Not Guilty; Katy Perry Owes Damages for 'Dark Horse'; Pound Plummets as Boris Johnson Preps for Brexit Angler lands 946-pound marlin by himself for 'historic catch' Jon Gruden has high expectations for Raiders' safeties, Karl Joseph and Johnathan Abram Dez Bryant has 'no interest in playing football right now' Michael Irvin begged Jerry Jones to draft Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster


Your partner, siblings or friends have been waking you up in the middle of the night to tell you to change your position since you have been cutting down trees in bed. Snoring can be disturbing for people around you. The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that 90 million people in the U.S. are "snorers." Imagine the noise if they all slept in one place. But snoring is not a choice. There are health conditions and habits that cause noisy breathing during sleep. What Makes People Snore? Nasal Obstruction Snoring may happen when the nasal passageway is blocked. Nasal obstruction commonly occurs in people with allergies. Luckily, nasal sprays are available to help improve the passageway's flow. The product works by reducing soft tissue swelling caused by inflammation or environmental sensitivities. The Mouth's Shape How your mouth looks like surprisingly can cause snoring. The people with a lower, thicker or softer palate may have narrow airways that contributes to noisy breathing. But you can use night guards to stay quiet while dreaming. Being Overweight The people with extra weight are likely to have poor muscle tone and more tissue around the throat and neck. These factors can cause snoring. Evening Drink Drinking alcohol before sleep could make you snore at night. It causes airway muscles to relax that leads to excessive snoring, according to Jagdeep Bijwadia, an expert in internal, sleep and pulmonary diseases medicine, told Huffpost . Alcohol has the same effect on people who are not regular snorers. Sleeping On Your Back This is the reason why people wake you up at night. Sleeping on your back contributes to snoring by allowing the jaw and tongue to move into the back of the throat "Sleeping on your side helps to reduce snoring," Bijwadia said. "It can increase your nightly oxygen intake and protects the airway from collapsing." Aging As people get older, the risk of snoring also increases. It is because of the degrading tissue in the body. Experts suggest voice exercises, like singing and nasal dilators to reduce age-related snoring. Thyroid Problem A poor-functioning thyroid can cause difficulty in breathing during sleep. It affects the upper airway that then triggers snoring during sleep. Previous research suggested hormonal stabilization can treat snoring in people with hypothyroid condition. Sex Yes, being male or female affects how you sleep. And the award for the most number of snorers goes to men. One study showed that men commonly have narrower air passages than women. In addition, high consumption of alcohol also causes inflammation-induced snoring in men. Gallery: 15 things that happen to your body when you get enough sleep (The Active Times)


Governor Ralph Northam on Friday announced the launch of the James River Buffer Program, a partnership between the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) and the James River Association (JRA) to establish over 900 acres of "riparian forested buffers" in the Middle James region of the river. This program, once in place, will help to restore the river and streamside forest buffers spring from the Virginia Environmental Endowment's (VEE) James River Water Quality Improvement Program grant awarded to VDOF ($750,000) and the JRA ($1.45 million). "The James River is one of Virginia's most significant natural resources and an integral part of our economy, and this new partnership will ensure that the Commonwealth is able to address its needs effectively," said Governor Northam. "With this program, we have the opportunity to work with Virginia farmers and landowners to advance our restoration and clean water goals and make the strategic investments that will enhance the health of the river and the wellbeing of our people." Riparian forested buffers, or forested stream banks, are the trees, shrubs, grasses, and other vegetation that grow alongside our local waterways. Along with providing valuable habitat for wildlife, these streamside forests are one of the most cost-effective mechanisms for capturing pollution from the land and improving the water quality of a river like the James. "The funding from VEE enables VDOF to implement innovative practices that combine sustainable forest management and water quality protection," said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring. "This partnership brings together engaged partners who are passionate about improving our Commonwealth's shared quality of life."


Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert suffered a stroke in the hospital Sunday and had a catheter-based procedure immediately, the company confirmed late Monday. Following the procedure, the billionaire businessman was moved to the intensive-care unit to recover, Quicken CEO Jay Farner said in a statement, which revealed further details about what had sent the 57-year-old to seek medical treatment. Also read: Dan Gilbert's stroke: Why it can happen at any age Dan Gilbert bows out of Mackinac conference after health crisis "Dan is awake, responsive and resting comfortably," Farner said. "Dan and his family are immensely grateful to the doctors and nurses whose early intervention is already paying dividends toward his recovery." Farner said Gilbert, who is responsible for much of downtown Detroit's recent growth and also owns the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, had not been feeling well Sunday morning and a family friend took him to the hospital, reported previously as Royal Oak Beaumont. "While under care at the hospital, he suffered a stroke," Farner said. "Dan Gilbert and his family are grateful for the outpouring of support," he said. "We appreciate the community's concern." Farner said more updates will come as additional details are learned. He added that Gilbert's companies will continue to operate normally. Gilbert had been expected to deliver a keynote speech on Wednesday at the annual Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island. Bill Emerson, vice chairman of Quicken, will take his place. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dan Gilbert gets catheter-based procedure after stroke at hospital


When it comes to the best way to work out, chances are you're on the right track after all, there are trainers around the gym to give you tips, and no shortage of instructional YouTube videos for the at-home fitness enthusiast. But what about after your session? Are you still operating under the assumption that the same post-workout myths your dad believed are actually true? Here are several widely believed and not-quite truths about what to do when you're done exercising, debunked. Having a beer after a workout will dehydrate you. Should the bar be your first stop after you leave the gym? Probably not, but according to the latest research, knocking back a pint post-workout isn't as counterproductive as you might think: A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that subjects who drank both water and beer after an hour-long run were equally as rehydrated as those who drank just water, suggesting that beer isn't quite as dehydrating as previously thought (probably due in part to the drink's, well, high water content). That said, if you're trying to lose weight, water is still the better option, says Joe Debaun, training manager at DavidBartonGym Uptown in New York City. "Depending on what type of a workout you're doing, beer is basically going to put back the calories you just spent an hour trying to expend," he says. "If you're exercising just to burn calories, it's like working for minimum wage," he adds. "You're never gonna get ahead." Sports drinks are better than water for rehydration. If you're one of the millions of people who reach for a neon-colored beverage with ade in the name after working up a sweat, you're not alone (as of 2013, Americans spend more than $5.4 billion on sports drinks per year). Unfortunately, you're also not necessarily making the right choice: Research shows that sports drinks aren't any more effective than water at preventing dehydration, and most varieties are also high in calories and sugar (some contain the equivalent of 10 teaspoons!). Here are the 7 best things to eat and drink after a workout . "You definitely want to avoid processed sugar and sugar substitutes as much as possible," says Debaun. "Stick with water." You should stretch before your workout, not after. Guess your high-school track coach was wrong about a thing or two: Turns out stretching before a workout won't keep you from pulling a muscle after all; in fact, one 2004 study found that stretching before activities such as cycling, jogging, and swimming actually did nothing to prevent injuries. And, as Debaun points out, getting loose before you get active won't exactly make for the most powerful session. "Stretching before a workout stimulates muscles to relax," he says. "So if you're gonna stretch, it's better to do at the end of a session." You should eat something with protein within an hour after working out.** Myths regarding the "magic window" for protein timing abound, but research shows the opportunity for maximum protein synthesis following a workout doesn't narrow quite as quickly as many people think; according to one 2012 study by McMaster University, muscle protein synthesis may continue for 24 to 48 hours after exercising (as opposed to one hour, as commonly believed). So there's no need to slam a protein shake on your way out the gym door, though as Debaun points out, you don't want to wait too long after working out to eat, as this will cause your body to go into starvation mode. "Your body will hoard energy and calories, and in the long term, your metabolism will slow down." Instead, Debaun recommends a post-workout meal involving "real" food: Complex carbs, lean protein, and vegetables. "There is a little bit more opportunity to digest carbs after a workout, so that's probably the best time of the day to eat them," he says. And if you're in a pinch, there's nothing wrong with resorting to the aforementioned protein shake (or bar), he says, just be mindful of the calories you're consuming. More from MSN The 5 Most Popular Restaurants in America, and What to Order 8 Foods You Should Stop Eating Right Now Just remember, "it's all about efficiency."


Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts laid into White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on Twitter after Conway made remarks about her and her progressive colleagues . "Major Meow Mashup with [House Speaker Nancy Pelosi] brushing back anti-humanitarian border aid fresh-women [Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib]," Conway said on Twitter. Pressley responded with a negative nickname for Conway and made note of the Trump administration's previous policy of separating undocumented migrants' children from their parents "[Conway], oh hi Distraction Becky," Pressley tweeted. "Remember that time your boss tore babies from their mothers' arms and threw them in cages? Yeah take a seat and keep my name out of your lying mouth." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories . Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts laid into White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on Twitter after Conway made remarks about an opinion column scrutinizing several high-profile, progressive lawmakers. Conway shared a New York Times opinion column written by Maureen Dowd on Tuesday with captions that tagged the Twitter accounts of several lawmakers who were newly elected to Congress. "Major Meow Mashup with [House Speaker Nancy Pelosi] brushing back anti-humanitarian border aid fresh-women [Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib]," Conway said on Twitter. Pressley responded with a negative nickname for Conway and made note of the Trump administration's previous policy of separating undocumented migrants' children from their parents. "[Conway], oh hi Distraction Becky," Pressley responded. "Remember that time your boss tore babies from their mothers' arms and threw them in cages? Yeah take a seat and keep my name out of your lying mouth." Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pressley, and Tlaib are all members of the House Progressive Caucus and have risen to prominence since assuming office. The column referred to the lawmakers as "the Squad" and featured an interview with Pelosi, who noted their opposition against a $4.6 billion emergency border bill that was voted in favor by most Democrats. "All these people have their public whatever and their Twitter world," Pelosi said in the column, apparently referring to their significant following on social media channels. "But they didn't have any following. They're four people and that's how many votes they got." The progressive lawmakers viewed Pelosi's comments as being dismissive , and other Democrats rallied to their defense. "Do not dismiss [Ocasio-Cortez ] for casting lonely votes," Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California tweeted, adding that he was "glad the body has voices of moral dissent." "History proves that dissent provokes reflection & change," Khanna tweeted. In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Conway described the dissent as "a major meow moment'" and "a huge catfight" between Pelosi and the progressive lawmakers. Ocasio-Cortez responded to the comment and described it as "sexist." "'Catfight' is the sexist term Republicans use when two adult women happen to disagree with each other," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. "The reason they find it so novel [and] exciting is [because] the GOP haven't elected enough women themselves to see that it can, in fact, be a normal occurrence in a functioning democracy."


With a fee of just $10,000, Chick-fil-A franchises are cheap to open compared with other fast-food restaurants . But the odds of becoming a Chick-fil-A franchise operator are stacked against you. About 60,000 people apply for a franchise each year and only about 80 are selected, according to a company spokesperson, giving applicants about a 0.13% chance of success -- only slightly better than the odds of a high school basketball player getting drafted into the NBA (about 0.03%). If you're eager to take the helm of one of the 120 stores Chick-fil-A that open each year, you can expect an arduous vetting process. It begins when you officially apply to become a candidate. To decide if being a franchisee is right for you, Chick-fil-A offers informational sessions around the country which you can attend to learn more and get your questions answered, but it's not mandatory and you can apply without attending. When you're ready to throw your hat into the ring, the process begins with simply entering your email address on the Chick-fil-A franchise information page . From there, you'll receive an application and take part in a series of interviews -- reportedly a dozen or more . Some of the interviews are conducted via phone, but franchisees have reported being interviewed by video chat and in person as well. You can be dropped from the candidate program at any time, even after undergoing multiple rounds of interviews. Related video: How Much Money Chick-Fil-A Is Missing By Not Opening On Sundays (provided by Veuer) The Chick-fil-A team's interview process is lengthy. Franchisees told Forbes that the process takes many months, and sometimes as long as a year. It's designed to review you holistically, considering factors that measure not just your professional competency, but also factors like character and chemistry. Part of the reason for this thoroughness is that the company isn't looking for an absentee store manager. As the company's corporate materials indicate, they expect franchise operators to give an enormous amount of personal attention to their franchise. "Being a franchised Chick-fil-A Operator is anything but a passive investment," Chick-fil-A says on its website . And the company wants franchisees to consider it their primary business - not an investment or one of several locations in a fast food empire. Though there are exceptions, franchise operators generally only get to run one store at a time. Read more: It costs nearly nothing to open a Chick-fil-A -- but there's a catch At the same time, Chick-fil-A famously tries to hire operators who represent the core values of the company, so it looks for signals that you are active in the community where the store will be located, and it evaluates your personal character. On the other hand, you may have read that Chick-fil-A insists that you have prior food service experience, have managed a restaurant, or even have worked at a Chick-fil-A in particular. None of those things are true, according to the company, and in fact, some franchise operators have little or no experience with operating a fast food restaurant. Chick-fil-A touts Jim Toth, a franchise operator in Temecula, California, who is a retired Marine with no prior food service experience. Even so, more than half of the candidates who eventually are offered franchises have some prior job experience with Chick-fil-A, the company says. The good news is that if you are selected for a franchise, your personal financial stake in the franchise is low. You're only asked to invest $10,000, and the company pays all startup costs associated with building the store and getting it off the ground. In exchange, you are an "operator," not an "owner." You don't actually own the store -- you can't sell it when you want to retire, nor can you make it part of an inheritance. Chick-fil-A owns the local business, the physical property, and the intellectual property. If you're lucky enough to be one of the 0.13% of candidates who get selected and offered a store, the last phase of your franchise prep is an extensive multiweek training program . This training, which lasts about six weeks, is designed to teach the mechanics of running a fast food restaurant - food preparation, accounting, customer relations, communications, maintenance, purchasing, planning, management skills, marketing, and more. And when you emerge from the training, you are the newest operator - not owner - of a Chick-fil-A location.


While Japan and South Korea may not agree on who owns a cluster of tiny, rocky islands off their coastlines, they do agree that Russian bombers shouldn't be flying above them. The remote Pacific outcrop, called the Dokdo Islands in South Korea and the Takeshima Islands in Japan , made headlines Tuesday following an alleged violation of the airspace above them by a Russian jet. South Korea said its fighter jets fired hundreds of warning shots at the Russian A-50 radar and intelligence plane after officials in Seoul say it twice entered the 12-nautical-mile limit that South Korea considers its Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) around the islands. Moscow has furiously denied Seoul's account of the encounter, claiming that South Korean military jets recklessly intercepted two of its bombers during a first-of-its-kind military exercise with China over neutral waters. Two Chinese long-range bombers were flying with the Russians as part of a joint exercise, which Beijing said complied with international law. A Russian general denied that any warning shots were fired. The islands may be just the wedge Moscow needs to further splinter the United States' most important security relationship in Asia, and distract Washington from other parts of the world currently higher on Russia's agenda. Like South Korea, Japan also scrambled fighter jets to intercept the Russian and Chinese warplanes. And like South Korea, Japan agreed the Russian A-50 airborne warning and control jet (AWACS) had violated airspace. But that's where the similarities end. As far as Japan is concerned, the islands belong to Japan. Therefore, according to Japanese officials, Russian jets had entered Japanese airspace -- and what's more, South Korean fighter jets had no business firing aircraft cannons over Japanese territory. The highly contentious incident comes as Washington is trying to bring together South Korea and Japan -- its two closest Asian allies -- as partners to push back against increasing Chinese influence in Asia, the Pacific and beyond. It also comes as Japan and South Korea are embroiled in a series of disputes , including a widening trade row over materials to make memory chips for cell phones and a spat stemming from colonial-era reparations. Which takes us back to the islands -- and a dispute which dates back centuries. A dispute dating to the 17th century A Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs primer on the islands claims they have been part of Japan since the 1600s, when ships were sent there to hunt sea lions and harvest abalone. Formal incorporation into Japan came in 1905, when the Japanese Cabinet, seeing a burgeoning business in sea lions, made the islands part of Shimane prefecture to license and tax the hunt. Additionally, according to the primer, Washington recognized the islands as Japanese in the 1952 Treaty of San Francisco, which established the post-World War II order in Asia. The US specifically excluded the islands from other territories it said Japan, which occupied the Korean Peninsula in World War II, should return to Seoul, the primer says. South Korea says its claims go back hundreds of years before Japan's. The Dokdo Research Institute in Seoul quotes texts from the 15th century that refer to the islands as Korean. The Dokdo website adds that Japanese Navy maps from the late 1800s show the islands as Korean. And in 1906, Korea formally made the islands part of Gyeongsangnam-do province, it says. South Korea cemented its claim for control over the islands in the 1950s, when it stationed a rotating contingent of semi-permanent armed guards there. The islands, which are largely barren and uninhabited, have continued to divide the two countries throughout the postwar period. A tool for Russia Japan and South Korea have not been able to resolve the Dokdo-Takeshima dispute via any international legal forum, the basis of what Washington calls "the rules-based order" that governs how the US approaches conflicts, for instance in the South China Sea or Crimea. If they can't work out their own dispute, can they really help Washington make the case for the "rules-based order" elsewhere? And analysts say that's a wedge that Russia could exploit. "The Russian intention may have been to discourage America's Asian allies from working closely with the United States in other parts of the world that could affect Russian interests," said Timothy Heath, a senior analyst in Washington with the Rand Corp. think tank. One such example is North Korea, which on Thursday launched two missiles toward the East Sea, also called the Sea of Japan . The first flew approximately 430 kilometers (265 miles), while the second flew 690 kilometers (428 miles), South Korean officials said. Thursday's launches came as US national security adviser John Bolton -- a noted hawk on North Korea -- visited South Korea to discuss bilateral strategic issues. "Bolton was scheduled to talk mainly about including the Asian allies in efforts to monitor and pressure Iran, something Russia opposes," Heath said. Conflict between Japan and South Korea could complicate those discussions and force the US to spend more time mediating between the Asian allies and preparing responses to the incident, said Heath. Big Russian intelligence haul The incident could also have provided an intelligence bonanza for Russia, another analyst said. The Russian A-50 that flew into disputed airspace is equipped with an array of radars and monitoring instruments which could potentially detect key details of how South Korea could deploy and communicate with its forces in a full-blown combat situation. "The A-50 will have been collecting electronic signals intelligence from the radio communications, the radars on the intercepting aircraft, the ground-based air surveillance radars and the command and control network," said Peter Layton, a former Royal Australian Air Force pilot and fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute. "This mission will have given (Russia) a comprehensive map of the ROK national air defense system," he said. Other analysts point to another message to Washington from Tuesday's incident. "The most significant strategic aspect of this incident is it highlights a new and higher level of Sino-Russian military cooperation," said Carl Schuster, a former US Navy captain and former director of operations at the US Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Center. Artyom Lukin, an international relations scholar at Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, said Moscow and Beijing have been steadily ramping up what he described as a "quasi-alliance." He described the incident as one designed to showcase their shared power, "sending a message to Tokyo, Seoul and Washington." Lukin called the Russia-China mission "bold and provocative." Something Washington has been dreading The analyses of Schuster and Lukin point to something that Washington has long feared -- or even predicted -- a closer alliance between two allies traditionally at odds with the US. "China and Russia are more aligned than at any point since the mid-1950s, and the relationship is likely to strengthen in the coming year," Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told a US Senate committee in January. "As China and Russia seek to expand their global influence, they are eroding once well-established security norms and increasing the risk of regional conflicts, particularly in the Middle East and East Asia," Coats told the senators. That's what the world saw Tuesday morning over some tiny islands that few people outside of South Korea and Japan had even heard of.


NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)   A shooting at a Brooklyn playground left one person dead and 11 others injured Saturday night . It happened just before 11 p.m. inside the playground area of the Brownsville Recreational Center at the intersection of Christopher and Hegeman avenues. About 2,000 people were in the area for the neighborhood's annual "OldTimers" event. The event was coming to a close when the shooting occurred. According to NYPD Assistant Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, a total of seven men and five women were struck by gunfire. The victims ranged in age from 21 to 55. Web Extra: Mayor Bill De Blasio, Police Officials Address Brooklyn Shooting : Deniesa Murdaugh was one of the victims. She told of her ordeal to CBS2's Tara Jakeway. "When we turned around to run I heard two shots go off and I was hit in my back," Murdaugh said. "I was on the floor panicking. I couldn't breathe. Everyone was surrounding me. My heart was racing. I was feeling faint. I couldn't stand up." The 21-year-old said she was dancing with friends at the celebration when chaos ensued. "Why? What was that day that you had to put others' lives in danger? Babies, pregnant people, old people, Murdaugh said. Murdaugh's mother said she could have been killed, if it wasn't for her clothes. "The thickness of the bra line, the bullet was caught there, so when the EMS unsnapped her bra the bullet fell off," she said. One victim, a 38-year-old man, was pronounced dead at Brookdale Hospital. His identity has not yet been released. Maddrey said Sunday that another victim is in very critical condition and is "fighting for his life." No arrests have been made in the case at this time. Michael Kemper, the NYPD deputy chief, said evidence has been collected and is being processed. One weapon was recovered. Authorities said based on witness statements and ballistic evidence, they believe there were "no less than two shooters and two guns." Police commissioner James O'Neill said they are looking into the possibility that the shooting may have been gang-related, saying that has been the motive for about half of past recorded shootings and incidents of violence in that precinct. He also asked the public for its assistance in the investigation. "If anyone has any video before the event, during the event before the shooting, during the shooting or maybe after the shooting, please turn that over to us," O'Neill said. Brownsville's Old Timer's event takes place during the last week of July every year. It includes live performances, music and entertainment. Maddrey said about 5,000 people attended the event on Friday night and there were no incidents. "I want to make really clear this tragedy does not define Brownsville, does not define the people of Brownsville, does not define what's happening on the ground in a community that has worked so hard and come so far," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "It was a tragic ending to a wonderful weekend. We're going to continue on. This event will be held next year, and we always learn," O'Neill added. Community activists and leaders spoke out about the shooting Sunday afternoon. Web Extra: Community Leaders Address Brooklyn Shooting : Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams issued the following statement: "Last night, a beloved Brooklyn community celebration was devastated by horrific gun violence, and this morning, the city stands and grieves with the community. I offer my prayers for peace and comfort to the family of the man killed in last night's shooting, and to all those wounded- that they may recover quickly and fully. "The plague of gun violence that infects our city and our nation is devastating and pervasive. Our country experiences a mass shooting nearly every day, although it doesn't always make the headlines. And the acts of gun violence occurring daily on the streets are themselves one continuous mass shooting. "Every act of violence is a tragedy, each loss heartbreaking. We cannot become numb to that pain or to the incidents that cause it, we must meet each with strength, resolve, and action toward preventing the next. These shootings may be frequent, but they can never be normal." Officials said there were about 100 police officers present at the event when the shooting happened. None of them were harmed. "We all thought it was firecrackers because, you know, you felt so safe with police presence here. Who's going to think this is gunfire at an event like this? And then when you start seeing the crowd running and screaming, then that's when everything clicked on that, you know, that this is gunfire, so the first thing you're looking for is cover," community activist Michael Thomas said. Anyone with photos or videos taken before, during or after the shooting is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477 or for Spanish, 1-888-577-4782 . Tips can also be sent to the NYPDTips Twitter account or submitted online at NYPDCrimeStoppers.com.


If you thought Antonio Brown's entrances to training camp over the years were flashy and over the top, then check out how outspoken cornerback Jalen Ramsey arrived at Jacksonville Jaguars camp. A giant Brinks truck showed up, and a uniformed "guard" used a bullhorn to announce Ramsey had arrived, and the defensive star popped out of the back surrounded by money bags. It's absurd, but it's also a statement about wanting to get paid by the Jags as he continues to play under his rookie contract. As the "guard" said, "It's time to get that money money!" Watch the whole thing here: @JalenRamsey is back #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/vZgQ9yH6Qo - #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) July 24, 2019 MORE: Mike Trout's perfect 98.6 MPH throw to home plate had everyone in awe What might Kostas Antetokounmpo bring to the Lakers on offense? Roundup: Boris Johnson Named UK PM; Tay-K Sentenced to 55 Years; Tornado in Cape Cod The 21 dumbest ideas in NFL history Why are the Jets picking this fight with Quinnen Williams?


Democratic presidential candidate and Washington Governor Jay Inslee on Thursday announced a $9 trillion plan aimed at creating millions of green jobs. Inslee's "Evergreen Economy Plan," his second major policy announcement focused on addressing climate change, aims to make major investments in transportation infrastructure and clean energy research. "This plan will produce not only 8 million jobs, but good-paying union jobs," Inslee said in an interview with CBS News. "We have no other choice but to have a full mobilization of an evergreen economy." Coming two weeks after his first proposal, which would put the U.S. on a path to 100 percent clean energy by 2030, Inslee's green jobs plan calls for a $3 trillion federal investment over 10 years, which the campaign says would leverage an additional $6 trillion private and public investment during the same time frame. This would include at least $300 billion in average annual federal spending in "American industries and manufacturing, infrastructure, skilled labor and new technology." Inslee also wants to prioritize investments in low-income communities that his campaign says are most vulnerable to disasters thought to be related to climate change, in part because their infrastructure wasn't built to withstand weather extremes. During a tour of areas that saw heavy damage from massive Midwest flooding in Davenport, Iowa, Inslee announced a plan   in tandem with the "Evergreen Economy Plan," that included $7.8 billion for inland waterway infrastructure improvements. Inslee's campaign estimates this investment would create over 147,000 jobs. The plan includes a "G.I. Bill" for displaced workers in the fossil fuel industry. This provision would make employees and contractors of fossil fuel companies eligible for income support and educational training stipends. In an effort to strengthen unions, the plan calls for ending right-to-work laws in states and amending the National Labor Relations Act to "expand opportunities for industry-wide collective bargaining."


It is not news that the death of the manual transmission is as certain as yours and mine. Outside of a few cheap cars, the "standard" gearbox hasn't been standard for years. But I thought BMW would be the last carmaker to drop it entirely, with the 3 Series representing the final stand for that most sacred of enthusiast cows. Turns out, no. BMW will still sell you a manual in the old 2 Series or 4 Series for now. However, the new, seventh-generation 3 Series , which went on sale in March, comes only with an automatic in the States, and a manual is only available with the lowly diesels in Europe. Research the BMW 3 Series on MSN Autos | Find a BMW 3 Series near you But why? Start with the sixth-generation, F30-platform 3 Series and the mechanically identical 4 Series coupe which grew bigger and softer, more mainstream. The gambit worked at first, but sales have been on a steep slide for the last four years, and last year F30 sales were about half of their peak. A 3 or 4 Series accounted for nearly four out of every 10 cars BMW sold here in 2014. Last year, that number was just two in 10. The venerable entry-luxury icon is clearly no longer the car the rest of the company revolves around. The manual take rate for the F30 3 Series during its entire run was in the single digits. So it stands to reason that amidst slipping demand, BMW has little incentive to devote money or engineering to manual transmissions in the new 3 Series or elsewhere. While we might hope corporate pride would dictate otherwise, the bottom line is the bottom line. BMW Group sales in the U.S. have been stagnant for the last three years. Considering the larger state of affairs in the auto industry and its money-devouring push toward electrification and autonomy, financial and engineering resources are more finite than ever. But if the decision to axe the manual does indeed come down to the almighty spreadsheet, there's more to discuss about BMW's plight. Principally, that Mini has not been pulling its weight. The BMW sub-brand was supposed to broaden its parent company's market beyond traditional luxury buyers, adding volume in order to drive down costs and improve overall profitability. Instead, it has backed BMW into a corner in the U.S. Mini sales have been on the decline for about as long as those of the 3 Series, and unlike at BMW, Mini can't turn to SUVs and crossovers to bail it out. Indeed, BMW keeps selling ever more X models, those crossovers and SUV's numbered 1 through 7. Through the first half of 2019, the X3 is BMW's bestselling nameplate by far. Combined sales of the X3 and X4 and their M versions  are a sure bet to surpass sales of the 3 and 4 Series for the first time this year. Meanwhile, Mini is stuck, trapped by its own name, unable to produce anything larger than the Countryman. At least not without knocking over the house of cards that is its brand image, which is where Mini derives most of its ability to charge its premium prices. Sure, there's nothing actually stopping BMW from building a supersize, three-row, Mini-badged SUV except that the company also knows it can sell that vehicle for more money if it has a roundel on its nose rather than a Union Jack on the roof. Read More BMW X7 Review: The 7 Series of Huge-UVs Report: Next M3 to Offer Manual "Pure" Model More Evidence the 2020 Supra Could Get Manual Now imagine for a minute that Mini wasn't the cartoonish, quasi-retro, niche brand that it is. What if it were more generic? What if BMW had launched something more akin to Toyota's Scion back in 2001, a brand that could build cheeky small cars and SUVs and crossovers. And whatever else the market wanted. Maybe today that brand would still be growing. Maybe BMW wouldn't have had to spend the last decade mining every market niche to grow volume on its own products, diverting resources to create "coupe" versions of SUVs and four-door versions of coupes . Maybe, just maybe, had BMW created a more worthy junior brand, it might still be invested in manual transmissions. Research the BMW 3 Series on MSN Autos | Find a BMW 3 Series near you


Looking to sample the best pizza around town? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable pizza outlets in Santa Ana, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to fill the bill. 1. Bari Pasta & Pizza Topping the list is Bari Pasta & Pizza . Located at 1640 E. First St., Suite A in Lyon Street, the Italian spot and pasta shop, which offers pizza and more, is the highest-rated affordable pizza spot in Santa Ana, boasting four stars out of 325 reviews on Yelp. This family-owned restaurant opened in 2002. On the menu , look for specialty gourmet pizzas like the White Knight with ricotta, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh garlic or the Meat Eater with pepperoni, sausage, ham, ground beef and Canadian bacon. Not in the mood for pizza? Try the calzones, pizza pockets, salads, sandwiches and pastas. 2. Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza Next up is Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza , situated at Westfield Mainplace, 2800 North Main Street. With four stars out of 288 reviews on Yelp, the spot to score pizza and salads has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a budget-friendly option. This international pizza chain specializes in build-your-own pizza with a wide variety of toppings. It offers a gluten-free crust and high-rise dough options. 3. La Pizza Pizza French Court's La Pizza Pizza , located at 122E 17th St., Unit 104, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the affordable Italian spot, which offers pizza and more, four stars out of 281 reviews. Choose from specialty pizzas such as the Greek pizza with mozzarella, red onions, tomatoes, sliced kalamata olives, pepperoncini, feta and oregano or the barbecue chicken pizza with a hickory smoke barbecue sauce base, grilled seasoned chicken breast, pineapple and red onions. 4. The Pizza Press The Pizza Press , a spot to score pizza and salads located downtown, is another much-loved, inexpensive go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 58 Yelp reviews. Head over to 117 W. Fourth St., Unit 101-102 to see for yourself. This pizza chain features signature pizzas named after well-known newspapers. Try the Chronicle with extra virgin olive oil, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, grape tomatoes, onions, crimini mushrooms, goat cheese and roasted red bell peppers or The Sun with red sauce, mozzarella, honey smoked ham, bourbon bacon, aged sharp cheddar, pineapple, grape tomatoes and scallions. 5. Pizza Trio Last but not least, over in Madison Park, check out Pizza Trio , which has earned 4.5 stars out of 48 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the spot to score pizza and chicken wings by heading over to 1473 S. Main St. Customers can enjoy specialty pizzas like the Hawaiian with pineapple and ham and the Chorizo with chorizo, bacon, jalapeño, onions and corn. Have your own favorite pizza? Choose three toppings for the build-your own pizza option. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Another day, another Gerald McCoy update. The biggest name left available has been taking his time, taking several visits, but it sounds like he could be nearing a decision. So far, the veteran defensive tackle has visited the Browns, Ravens, and Panthers. Although McCoy left Cleveland without a contract, a source tells Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the Browns are still very "much in the running" for McCoy's services (Twitter link ). What suggests he should be signing imminently is that Kay Cabot also writes that he wants to attend his new team's voluntary minicamp. As she points out, the Browns' camp starts June 4th, which is in just a few days. To that end, she writes that McCoy could sign on Monday or Tuesday. It sounds like we'll still be on McCoy-watch this weekend. Here's more from around the league: Richie Incognito has become more well known for things not related to football than for what he's done on the field. The Raiders raised a lot of eyebrows when they signed the veteran guard to a deal earlier this week. Incognito spent the entire 2018 season out of football before retiring and then quickly reversing his decision. His retirement came at a tumultuous time for him, and a source told Josh Dubow of the Associated Press that "security was stepped up at the Bills headquarters around the time Incognito announced his retirement," and that "security personnel were placed on alert if Incognito arrived." Clearly Buffalo was concerned about him, which isn't too shocking. Raiders GM Mike Mayock recently said while defending the signing, that "at the end of the day, you can't have all Boy Scouts." Speaking of Incognito, he's had some run-ins with the law that were heavily publicized, but one slipped under the radar. According to documents obtained by ESPN , Incognito plead guilty to "charges of criminal damage and disorderly conduct," last month, stemming from an August argument at his grandmother's house. Incognito reportedly blamed his grandmother for his father's death, which had happened just prior to the argument. The Packers' 90-man roster just got trimmed by one. Tight end Davis Koppenhaver , an undrafted rookie from Duke, "has decided to step away from the game and pursue a career outside of football," a source told Michael Cohen of The Athletic (Twitter link ). Koppenhaver never topped 157 yards during his time at Duke, so this isn't too big of a loss for Green Bay. Charges against former Texans tight end Ryan Griffin were dismissed earlier today, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link ). Griffin was arrested last month at the NFL Draft in Nashville, and charged with misdemeanor vandalism and public intoxication. A few weeks later, Houston released him . The 2013 sixth-round pick has spent his entire six-year career with the Texans, and has never played a huge role on offense. After a relatively strong 2016 season where he had 442 yards and two touchdowns, the Texan gave him a three-year, $9MM deal. The charges against him never seemed too serious, and he should resurface soon.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Speer? According to Walk Score, this Denver neighborhood has excellent walkability, is a "biker's paradise" and offers many nearby public transportation options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Speer is currently hovering around $1,295. So, what might you expect to find with a budget of $1,400/month? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental listings, via Zumper and Apartment Guide . (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 550 Logan St. Listed at $1,395/month, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is located at 550 Logan St. In the apartment, expect to find a dishwasher, central air conditioning and a mix of hardwood flooring and carpeting. Building amenities include a fitness center, outdoor space and secured entry. Luckily for pet owners, both dogs and cats are welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (See the complete listing here .) 59 N. Ogden St. Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment situated at 59 N. Ogden St. It's listed for $1,375/month. The building offers on-site laundry. Also expect to see a dishwasher, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops in the unit. Animals are not welcome. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. (See the complete listing here .) 619 Logan St. Here's a studio apartment at 619 Logan St. that's going for $1,335/month. You can expect in-unit laundry, stainless steel appliances and a dishwasher in the apartment. Building amenities include a fitness center, garage parking, outdoor space and a residents lounge. Animals are welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. (Take a look at the full listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


PITTSBURGH (AP) Christin Stewart's sped his thinking up and slowed down his feet, helping the Detroit Tigers end a four-game losing streak in the process. Stewart was on first with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning of a tie game on Tuesday night when Brandon Dixon hit a sharp grounder to Pittsburgh second baseman Adam Frazier. Rather than keep on sprinting to second, Stewart hesitated as he neared Frazier. Frazier tried futilely to tag Stewart before throwing to first. Nicholas Castellanos scored from third on the play to give Detroit a 5-4 lead it would hold on to - barely - to win for just fourth time this month. ''Frazier, I tried to pull him toward first base, and when he didn't turn around and throw to second, I was like, `All right, you're gonna have to tag me,''' Stewart said. ''I just broke down so that he wouldn't tag me. He was running toward me, so I knew that is what he wanted to do.'' Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle thought Frazier had time to flip the ball to shortstop Kevin Newman in hopes of turning a conventional double play. ''There's a play to be made there and I don't think (the tag) is the one,'' Hurdle said. ''Sometimes things happen. You change your mind in the middle of a play.'' Buck Farmer (4-4) earned the win despite giving up Newman's tying RBI triple in the seventh. Joe Jimenez survived a bases-loaded jam in the eighth. Shane Greene earned his American League-leading 21st save by getting Josh Bell to hit into a game-ending double play as the Tigers snapped a four-game losing streak. ''We have been fighting our tails off all season, and we've had some games lately that have been a little bit embarrassing for us,'' Greene said. ''To come out tonight and fight to the end like that and come out with a W is big time.'' Miguel Cabrera had two hits in his first start at first base since May 31 as Detroit beat the Pirates for just the second time in their last 10 meetings. Detroit's Daniel Norris put together his best start in nearly a month, giving up only Bell's home run to center in the second and Jung Ho Kang's RBI triple in the sixth. Norris struck out four and walked one and was in line to pick up his first victory since May 12 before the bullpen let the lead slip away. Bell hit his 20th home run for Pittsburgh. Jung Ho Kang hit an RBI triple - his first three-base hit since 2015 - and Colin Moran picked up Pittsburgh's major-league leading 33rd pinch hit of the season with an RBI single in the seventh, but the Pirates couldn't overcome a series of miscues while falling to 4-12 in June. Pittsburgh committed three errors, a number that didn't include Frazier's indecisiveness in the eighth. The Pirates also left nine men on base and went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. ''You need to play complete games to win at this level,'' Hurdle said. ''Sometimes it's harder when you don't and that's kind of where we're at right now.'' Moran's single and Newman's shot to the right-field corner that extended his hitting streak to 10 games allowed the Pirates to pull even at 4-4 in the seventh, before Crick ran into trouble in the eighth. KELLER IMPROVES Pirates starter Mitch Keller - who'd been lit up for 12 runs across seven innings in his first two career starts - took a modest step forward in his third. The team's top-ranked prospect allowed four runs (two earned) in five innings with two walks and six strikeouts. His outing might have been cleaner if not for a sloppy fourth inning, when his throwing error to first on a sacrifice bunt by Harold Castro and Kang's inability to come up with a sharp grounder by John Hicks allowed the Tigers to take a 4-2 lead. ''Definitely better than the first two,'' Keller said. ''Felt like I had more command of everything tonight. Just mixing well and limiting damage when there were runners on base. That was huge.'' TRAINER'S ROOM Pirates: RHP Jordan Lyles (left-hamstring tightness) threw a four-inning simulated game on Tuesday. ... C Francisco Cervelli (concussion-like symptoms) is with the team and has begun light baseball activities but remains out indefinitely. .. RHP Chris Stratton (right-side discomfort) was activated off the injured list. To make room for Stratton the Pirates sent reliever Yefry Ramirez back to Triple-A Indianapolis. UP NEXT Tigers: Expect Jordan Zimmerman (0-4, 5.93 ERA) to make his first start since April 25 after recovering from a strained right elbow. Pirates: Trevor Williams (2-1, 3.33 ERA) returns from a monthlong stay on the injured list with a strained right side when he makes his 10th start of the season on Wednesday. Williams is 2-0 with a 0.95 ERA in three starts against Detroit. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


The worst kept secret in soccer is out. Mike Phelan has been named as Manchester United's assistant manager on a three-year deal. Phelan, 56, has been Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's assistant since December when the pair were placed in caretaker charge following Jose Mourinho's firing. With Solskjaer appointed as the new head coach on a permanent basis last month following a stunning start to life as a caretaker boss, Phelan has had to wait but his place alongside Solskjaer has now been confirmed. A long-time assistant under Sir Alex Ferguson , Phelan held that role as Fergie's assistant from 2008-13 and was first team coach from 2001 before that. Since leaving United in 2013 he coached at Hull City in the PL and was a sporting director for the Central Coast Mariners in Australia's A-League. "I am thrilled to be back as assistant manager. Manchester United has been a huge part of my life since I joined as a player in 1989 and I am delighted to be able to continue that relationship in this key role," Phelan said. "Since returning in December, I have enjoyed working with Ole, Michael, Kieran, Mark and Emilio and we are all focused on preparing for the new season." Many believe that Phelan's wealth of knowledge in training and on all things United helped Solskjaer slot into the role seamlessly during his incredible first few months in charge. Speaking about the appointment, Solskjaer added that Phelan is a "great person to have around" and "brings a wealth of experience to this role with a long established connection to the club." A daunting task of turning United into perennial title challengers awaits Phelan and Solskjaer, and if they are successful it will hinge on who Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward hires as the sporting director in the coming months. United are currently approaching multiple candidates for the position, and both Phelan and Solskjaer will work closely with them to buy players and create a new identity for the Red Devils after the disappointment of finishing outside of the top four this season. There's no doubt that Phelan and Ole will have Fergie close by to run a few ideas past. Follow @JPW_NBCSports


BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) The International Ice Hockey Federation has picked the Russian city of St. Petersburg to host the 2023 world championships. Russia plans to build a 23,000-seat arena in central St. Petersburg for the event, and also use the city's Ice Palace venue built for the 2000 worlds. The IIHF says it awarded two more editions at its annual congress. The 2024 tournament will be in the Czech Republic, with games in Prague and Ostrava. The 2025 edition goes to Sweden and Denmark, with two host cities yet to be decided. --- More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina)   Greenville County deputies have named three men wanted in connection with a string of burglaries which occurred between April and June. Deputies said the sheriff's office and Greenville City Police Department have been collaborating on the investigation. Lt. Ryan Flood said Thursday investigators have obtained warrants for 28-year-old Aaron Hill, 29-year-old Travis Fair, and 26-year-old Scottie Parham in connection with two burglaries that occurred on April 24 at the Upstate Laundromat and Papa John's Pizza. Flood said deputies also believe Fair and Hill are responsible for the following burglaries: May 6th: La Unica   5010 Wade Hampton Blvd.May 9th: Sr. Salsa   1616 Woodruff Rd.May 10th: Mr. Salsa   Wade Hampton Blvd.May 10th: Cherrydale Dental   105 State Park Rd.June 11th: Yellow Ginger Asian Kitchen   2100 Poinsett HwyJune 12th: Domino's Pizza   616 Poinsett HwyJune 12: Tony's Pizza   Augusta Rd.June 12th: Moonville Liquor/Spirits   Augusta Rd.June 12th: Hong Kong China   Augusta Rd. Deputies said the suspects used a pry bar to break into back doors of the businesses and stole money from safes and cash registers. In total, the suspects are accused of stealing between $15,000 - $20,000 from the businesses. Investigators ask for anyone with information regarding the suspects whereabouts to call Sgt. Hoover at 864-404-7300 or Crime Stoppers of Greenville at 23-CRIME.


Editor's note: The opinions in this article are the author's, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft. Given the recent fight over whether U.S. refugee detention centers are in fact "concentration camps," the Trump administration might want to borrow a page from the Chinese and simply call them "vocational skills education training centers." That way, no one would really care at all. That's what the Chinese call their gulag archipelago of internment and re-education camps in Xinjiang province, where an estimated million ethnic Uighurs and other Turkic people are being held. The Uighurs are a traditionally Muslim minority, and Beijing says they pose a major threat because of Islamic terrorism. The reality is that the Chinese fear separatist movements, Islamic or otherwise, in a resource-rich region three times the size of France. As a result, the Chinese are pursuing the largest attempt at cultural annihilation of the 21st century. Religion is heavily regulated throughout China, but it is brutally policed in Xinjiang. According to an analysis of satellite imagery by Agence France-Presse, "30 religious sites were completely demolished while six had their domes and corner spires removed." Ancient cemeteries are being erased, turned into parking lots. In the southern city of Kashgar, once a jewel of the Silk Road   and closer to Baghdad than to Beijing   morning calls to prayer have been silenced. The evil deeds in Xinjiang are merely the most egregious examples of what the Economist has called "apartheid with Chinese characteristics" and what I think of as a high-tech Asian version of Jim Crow. What is both intriguing and infuriating to me is that American politicians refuse to talk about any of this. After all, we are in the midst of a trade war with China. Whatever the merits of this economic confrontation may or may not be, you would think the nature of the Chinese regime itself would play a larger part in debate. The nature of the South African regime was the entire reason for the sanctions and boycotts pushed by progressives and Democrats in the 1980s. The nature of the Soviet Union was the rhetorical centerpiece of the economic warfare pushed by Republicans during the Cold War. Today, the repression of the mullahs and the export of terrorism aren't the main driver of sanctions against Iran   that would be the country's nuclear program   but they are a major part of the rhetoric accompanying such policies. But among both Democrats and Republicans, Chinese authoritarianism often goes unmentioned, save perhaps as an afterthought. Countless conservatives, particularly of the new nationalist bent, want to take a hard line with China because they make widgets at a lower price than us or because they rip off Hollywood. The fact that the Chinese government has put a million Muslims in re-education camps and persecuted Christians, too, is rarely part of the conversation. Rhetorically, President Trump has been far harsher on Canada and Mexico than he has been on China. He refused to offer even pro-forma support for the protesters in Hong Kong beyond saying the protests were having a "big impact." One needn't be blindly moralistic about all of this. China is big, powerful and dangerous. But so was the Soviet Union, and we still managed to tell the truth about it. China is also more integrated into the global economy than the USSR ever was, and that brings important considerations as well. The ongoing confrontation with China highlights the moral blind spot of economic nationalism   on the right and the left. The new fad of nationalism on the right has brought many conservatives into agreement with the left on non-interventionism and realism. The Trump administration as well as Democratic supporters of a tough trade policy with China (such as Sen. Chuck Schumer) have made it clear that all we expect of Beijing is more cooperation on trade, intellectual property and currency policies. Fix that stuff, our messaging signals, and everything you do to your own people is your business. President Trump's speech in Normandy earlier this month was rightly hailed as one of his best. It was particularly popular among the nationalists because World War II understandably looms large in the romance about American moral and military might. Trump hailed the veterans of D-Day who "threw open the gates of Nazi concentration camps to liberate Jews." Meanwhile, today's nationalists are happy to demonize a China that bootlegs Mickey Mouse but are silent about the very same China that rounds up internal enemies and puts them in concentration camps. (Jonah Goldberg's latest book, "Suicide of the West," is now available wherever books are sold. You can write to him in care of this newspaper or by e-mail at goldbergcolumn@gmail.com , or via Twitter @JonahNRO.)


Last season, Bears coach Matt Nagy preached patience on offense. His system wasn't one that could be mastered in one season. It was going to take some time. That was evident from last season's slow start, as well as toward the end of the season when things finally seemed to be clicking. Now with a full season under their belt, Bears QB Mitch Trubisky says that this offense is now focused on mastering the scheme rather than learning it. And it's made things a lot easier this offseason. "I think 'smooth' is really a good word to describe how things are going," Trubisky said. "Everyone's on the same page. Everyone knows what they're doing in Year 2 in this offense, so it's a lot of fun just getting out there and going through it and just being even more detailed than we were last year within each play." With Trubisky and the offense in their second year of this system, and developing a better understanding of the workings of the scheme, expectations are high heading into the 2019 season. "We're able to take the next step on offense because we know what we're doing on offense," Trubisky said. "Now we can adjust based off what the defense is giving us. We have adjustments within each play and when you see that happen you kind of see eyes open, you see guys getting excited because it's like, 'OK, we know the play. We know when the defense gives this, this is how we're going to adjust to it. This is how we're going to run our routes. This is how I'm going to take my drop. This is how I'm going to manipulate with my eyes to open this up.' "We're just playing football, and it makes it fun. You kind of see why everything happens and everyone's on the same page and you kind of see everything come to fruition." That's what's expected of this Bears offense this season. To finally see the full capability of what this offense can accomplish, with Trubisky and his weapons. Anything less will be a disappointment. View embedded content MORE: Five potential Chris Paul trade destinations Kyle Busch was so frustrated during Coke 600 that he told Joe Gibbs he quit NBA Wants Drake To Tone Down Sideline Antics Report: The Celtics are no longer the favorites to sign Kyrie Irving Geronimo Allison looks like favorite to be Packers slot WR


SEATTLE, WA   Hundreds of dogs and cats who were displaced by the flooding in Arkansas have new temporary homes in Washington. The Seattle Humane Society was on hand at Snohomish Airport to greet them over the weekend. Seattle Humane is accepting 76 of the dogs and cats. "We know you're pumped to give sweeties their forever homes, and we're just as pumped to have as many as possible ready for adoption," the society posted on their Facebook page. "However, availability is determined case by case, based on each individual animal's health and behavior needs." The society says that while the intake process for most of the animals was routine, there was one surprise. "During the standard vet check for incoming animals, we learned the Sherry was actually Shawn," they write. "He took the news fairly well." Seattle Humane Society says to check their website for the latest on adoption and to donate to help care for the animals.


BOGOTA, Colombia   With Julian Assange locked away in a London jail, a new battle has broken out over what may contain some of the WikiLeaks founder's biggest secrets: his computers. On Monday, judicial authorities from Ecuador carried out an inventory of all the belongings and digital devices left behind at the London embassy following his expulsion last month from the diplomatic compound that had been his home the past seven years. It came as Sweden announced it was seeking Assange's arrest on suspicion of rape, setting up a possible future tug-of-war with the United States over any extradition of Assange from Britain. It's not known what devices authorities removed from the embassy or what information they contained. But authorities said they were acting on a request by the U.S. prosecutors, leading Assange's defenders to claim that Ecuador has undermined the most basic principles of asylum while denying the secret-spiller's right to prepare his defense. "It's disgraceful," WikiLeaks' editor in chief, Kristinn Hrafnsson, said in an interview with The Associated Press. "Ecuador granted him asylum because of the threat of extradition to the U.S. and now the same country, under new leadership, is actively collaborating with a criminal investigation against him." Assange, 47, was arrested on April 11 after being handed over to British authorities by Ecuador. He is serving a 50-week sentence in a London prison for skipping bail while the U.S. seeks his extradition for conspiring to hack into military computers and spill secrets about U.S. operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hrafnsson, who has visited the Australian activist in jail, said Assange saw his eviction coming for weeks as relations with President Lenin Moreno's government deteriorated, so he took great care to scrub computers and hard drives of any compromising material, including future planned leaks or internal communications with WikiLeaks collaborators. Still, Hrafnsson said he fully expects Moreno or the Americans to claim revelations that don't exist. He called Monday's proceedings a "horse show" because no legal authority can guarantee Assange's devices haven't been tampered with, or the chain of custody unbroken, in the six weeks since his arrest. "If anything surfaces, I can assure you it would've been planted," he said. "Julian isn't a novice when it comes to security and securing his information. We expected this to happen and protections have been in place for a very long time." A group of Assange's supporters gathered outside Ecuador's Embassy in London to protest the judicial proceeding. Demonstrators put banners on the railings with images of Assange, his mouth covered by an American flag, and chanted "Thieves! Thieves! Thieves! Shame on you!" Ecuadorian authorities said they will hand over any belongings not given to U.S. or Ecuadorian investigators to Assange's lawyers, who weren't invited to Monday's inventory-taking. Hrafnsson said he didn't have a full inventory of Assange's devices Moreno decided to evict Assange from the embassy after accusing him of working with political opponents to hack into his phone and release damaging personal documents and photos, including several that showed him eating lobster in bed and the numbers of bank accounts allegedly used to hide proceeds from corruption. Moreno's actions immediately were celebrated by the Trump administration, which was key in helping Ecuador secure a $4.2 billion credit line from the International Monetary Fund and has provided the tiny South American country with new trade and military deals in recent weeks. "The Americans are the ones pulling the strings, and Moreno their puppet dancing to the tune of money," said Hrafnsson. Separately on Monday, Swedish authorities issued a request for a detention order against Assange. On May 13, Swedish prosecutors reopened a preliminary investigation against Assange, who visited Sweden in 2010, because two Swedish women said they were the victims of sex crimes committed by Assange. While a case of alleged sexual misconduct against Assange in Sweden was dropped in 2017 when the statute of limitations expired, a rape allegation remains. Swedish authorities have had to shelve it because Assange was living at the embassy at the time and there was no prospect of bringing him to Sweden. The statute of limitations in the rape case expires in August next year. Assange has denied wrongdoing, asserting that the allegations were politically motivated and that the sex was consensual. According to the request for a detention order obtained by The Associated Press, Assange is wanted for "intentionally having carried out an intercourse" with an unnamed woman "by unduly exploiting that she was in a helpless state because of sleep." ___ AP writers Gonzalo Solano in Quito, Ecuador, and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report


WASHINGTON   A group of fired-up protesters gathered Tuesday to object to the District of Columbia Council's decision to slash money for the city's only hospital east of the Anacostia River. Earlier this month, council members decided to shut down United Medical Center, the district's only remaining public hospital, within four years, saying that the city could not afford to lose tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer money. But in the meantime, a budget allotment of $15.5 million are expected to force massive layoffs at the Southeast D.C. hospital within 60 days. Hospital officials have said that they need at least $40 million to stay solvent in the coming fiscal year. The millions of dollars less will allow only for its emergency room and psychiatric services. "Time is life," one protester said. "If you do not get it (health care) in a timely manner, then you might as well just buy your ticket for the morgue." Protesters also were out Friday to make their feelings known. District officials are in negotiations with the private George Washington University Hospital to construct a new hospital on the grounds of St. Elizabeths Hospital, the city's public inpatient psychiatric facility. But protesters say the council's budget cuts could close United Medical Center before any new building is ready for patients. Then residents in Wards 7 and 8, both east of the Anacostia River, would be without access to a full-service hospital, they said. Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter : Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.


Georgia Southern topped Appalachian State in dramatic fashion on Monday night, as Eagles guard Mike Hughes converted a four-point play in the final second of the game. Hughes, who scored 19 points in the game, was fouled as he pulled up from near the center-court logo with 0.8 seconds left to play. The three-pointer tied the game at 100 and Hughes went to the line for a chance to take the lead. Here's the shot that tied it pic.twitter.com/x8Dnx8Kyml   Brant Wilkerson-New (@BrantWSJ) January 26, 2016 Hughes buried the free throw, too. Here's the game-winner for Mike Hughes pic.twitter.com/0yWsj3YtBF   Brant Wilkerson-New (@BrantWSJ) January 26, 2016 • Oklahoma remains No. 1, North Carolina No. 2 in AP poll The Mountaineers were unable to get a shot off on their final possession and Georgia Southern improved to 3 5 in Sun Belt play. - Dan Gartland


CLEVELAND (AP) -- Francisco Lindor wasn't thinking about his home run that helped the Cleveland Indians beat Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Sunday. Instead, the All-Star shortstop was only concerned about the young child who was struck by a line drive he hit. In the latest instance this season around the majors of a fan being injured by a foul ball, Lindor said he was told his liner sent a 3-year-old boy to the hospital. BOX SCORE: INDIANS 5, ROYALS 4 "It stinks, man," Lindor said. "You don't want to get nobody hurt. I have heard the kid is doing well. He's in the hospital. He's getting checked and all I know is he's in stable condition and he's doing good." "In a way, that makes me happy, but it stinks, you don't want that to happen to anybody, especially a little kid." The Indians said in an e-mail following the game that they could not disclose any information. An adult holding the child immediately left the seating area after Lindor's drive down the right field line in the sixth inning. Lindor said he stepped out of the box briefly before continuing the at-bat against pitcher Glenn Spellman. "You take that moment to say a little prayer, `God, help him. Hope he's OK,'" he said. The protective netting at Progressive Field runs to the end of each dugout. Lindor's line drive landed several sections beyond the netting and was about 12 to 15 rows into the stands. Lindor echoed the calls of many major leaguers to extend the netting. The Chicago White Sox are set to become the first team in the majors with netting that goes from foul pole to foul pole on Monday. Last month, a 2-year-old girl was sent to the hospital with head injuries by a foul ball in Houston. "I encourage every MLB team to put the nets all the way down," Lindor said. "I know it's all about the fans' experience of interacting with players and I completely get that. You want to have that interaction with the fans, getting autographs and stuff, but at the end of the day, we want to make sure everybody comes out of this game healthy, and we got to do something about it," Lindor said. "Everybody feels bad. And if we can put the nets a little bit further down, I think it would be a lot better," he said. Lindor said he changed his approach when he stepped back in the box against Spellman. "You try to go back to this, focus on the pitcher, focus on the at-bat, focus on your job," Lindor said. "That at-bat, I didn't want to pull the ball at all." "I was just trying to hit it somewhere else, not hit it in that direction, because then what happens is somebody gets hit and then everybody's paying attention to that person and nobody remembers there's a game going on. You don't want to pull the ball again, because then now you hit somebody else. It's not fun," he said. Lindor homered after originally being scheduled to get the day off and Jose Ramirez hit a tiebreaking home run in the sixth. Lindor talked his way into the lineup at designated hitter after manager Terry Francona planned on resting him. His two-run homer in the third tied the game at 2. Ramirez's leadoff homer put Cleveland ahead in the sixth and the Indians went on to their seventh win in eight games. Cleveland has also won 13 of 16. Rookie Zach Plesac (4-3) allowed two runs in six innings. The right-hander gave up a run in the first and allowed Jorge Soler's solo homer in the third. Brad Hand allowed Bubba Starling's first major league home run in the ninth, but struck out the next three hitters for his 27th save in 28 opportunities. Sparkman (4-5) allowed both homers and gave up four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. Soler hit his 27th home run in the third and took a homer away from Jason Kipnis the following inning. Soler leaped at the wall in right field to catch Kipnis' towering drive. Sparkman threw his hands in the air as he looked toward right field. Soler tipped his cap to the pitcher. Kansas City is 7-3 since the All-Star break and snapped Cleveland's six-game winning streak with a 1-0 victory on Saturday. TRAINER'S ROOM Indians: RHP Corey Kluber (broken arm) threw 30 pitches off the mound, his second bullpen since being struck by a line drive May 1. He'll accompany the team on its road trip to Toronto and throw his next bullpen session Wednesday. UP NEXT Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (4-5, 4.52 ERA) on Tuesday in Atlanta will look to build off a positive last outing. He threw six innings in which he allowed just two earned runs while walking none. Indians: RHP Mike Clevinger (3-2, 3.57 ERA) will pitch the opener of a four-game series in Toronto on Monday. He's struck out 27 batters in 17 innings in July. ------ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP--Sports Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn)


Wizards guard Bradley Beal has become the latest Team USA star to withdraw from consideration for the 2019 World Cup, reports Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports ( Twitter link ). According to Haynes, Beal has a new baby on the way in late August or early September, which is when the World Cup is scheduled to take place. Beal is the fifth player from Team USA's initial 20-man training camp roster to remove his name from consideration for this year's event. The squad's backcourt has been hit particularly hard, with James Harden , CJ McCollum , Eric Gordon and Beal all pulling out. Anthony Davis has also withdrawn. Of course, Team USA is only permitted to carry 12 players on its eventual World Cup roster, so there are still more than enough names on the list of camp participants. Still, it wouldn't be a surprise to see some Select Team invitees receive stronger consideration for the final roster   it's possible USA Basketball will also sent out additional invites to other players. Here are the 15 players from the initial 20-man list who are still expected to attend training camp next month and vie for the 12 spots on Team USA's 2019 World Cup roster: Harrison Barnes , F (Kings) Andre Drummond , C (Pistons) Tobias Harris , F (Sixers) Kyle Kuzma , F (Lakers) Damian Lillard , G (Trail Blazers) Brook Lopez , C (Bucks) Kevin Love , F (Cavaliers) Kyle Lowry , G (Raptors) Note: Lowry recently underwent thumb surgery but reportedly intends to be ready for the World Cup. Khris Middleton , G/F (Bucks) Paul Millsap , F/C (Nuggets) Donovan Mitchell , G (Jazz) Jayson Tatum , F (Celtics) Myles Turner , C (Pacers) P.J. Tucker , F (Rockets) Kemba Walker , G (Celtics)


Were it not for the way-too-soon demise of Ye Olde Arrest Ticker, it'd be a football player from West Virginia University triggering a reset back to double zeroes. Late last month, WV MetroNews is reporting, Jovani Haskins was arrested on a trio of misdemeanor charges following a high-speed chase with university police officers. Specifically, the tight end is facing one count each of reckless driving, fleeing from an officer and driving on the left side of the road. From the website: A WVU police officer spotted a white Audi A4 speeding on University Avenue about 3:15 a.m. July 28, according to a criminal complaint. The officer saw the car almost strike another vehicle in the turning lane of University and Campus avenues. The officer activated his emergency lights but the vehicle continued on at a high rate of speed and crossed the center line "multiple times." A second officer saw the same car speed down University Avenue before it passed another car using the turning lane and moved into the oncoming traffic lane. After getting stuck in traffic, the Audi turned down Ensign Avenue and parked in the Metro Towers parking area, the criminal complaint said. The driver got out and ran away. Unfortunately for Haskins, his successful evasion of the police was only short-lived as, one, his vehicle's registration was traced back to parking tickets on the campus and, two, he left his student ID card inside of the vehicle . "We are aware of the situation," first-year head coach Neal Brown said in a statement, "and it will be handled appropriately and in accordance with West Virginia University's policies and procedures surrounding student conduct." This past season, Haskins totaled 148 yards and a touchdown on 16 receptions. With Trevon Wesco off to the NFL, the redshirt junior is expected to take over as the Mountaineers' starting tight end. In that vein, Haskins was one of five dozen FBS players named to the Mackey Award preseason watch list .