The Los Angeles Lakers' season began to fall apart when LeBron James suffered a groin injury on Christmas Day against the Warriors, and the organization's pursuit of Pelicans star Anthony Davis at the trade deadline in February caused major internal strife, according to reports. James had said publicly that it would be "amazing" if Davis were to join the Lakers, and Magic Johnson reportedly offered everything the Lakers had to try and secure a deal. ESPN reported that then-Pelicans GM Dell Demps was stringing the Lakers along and never intended to trade Davis to LA - and Demps was fired soon after the deadline. Months later, Johnson quit the Lakers, but the team may be in an even better position to potentially land Davis after receiving the fourth pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. In an interview with Bleacher Report, Lakers guard Rajon Rondo opened up on what was going on inside the Lakers' locker room around the trade deadline, and it's clear that the speculation over a potential trade had a major impact on a young Lakers team. According to Rondo, young Lakers players felt "rejected" by James, who many Lakers players grew up idolizing. Via Bleacher Report : "Every guy on our team, LeBron was their favorite player growing up," Rondo says. "Everyone had the shoes, his jersey. You're the biggest fan in the world. It's like you're playing with MJ, and then you get there, and it's like your mom and dad, or the person that you looked up to and idolized, doesn't want you. And then to have that sitting in your gut, not knowing." Rondo said that even veteran players were bothered by the rumors, and recalled a time that one teammate was "cussing" about the situation in the middle of a game against the Hawks. "I can't say a name, but I remember me and the guy were on the bench for the Atlanta game right before the [All-Star] break. The guy was cussing and talking bad about the situation during the game. I was like: 'Snap out of it. That s--- is over with. We'll get through it. As vets, we have to move forward and not focus on what the young guys are focusing on." The Lakers lost that game, 117-113, and James seemed to send a message to his teammates with his post-game comments. Via ESPN : "Some guys have never played a playoff game before," James said. "You can't teach them that. It's very important to understand how important every game is, no matter who you're playing or where you are." https://compass.pressekompass.net/compasses/forthewin/will-the-pelicans-trade-anthony-davis-to MORE: Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade Report: New Orleans likely to trade Anthony Davis to Celtics 3 overlooked offensive players that could make Patriots 53-man roster Kevin Durant shows support for teammates after Game 4 loss Dorance Armstrong using strong arm to climb DE depth chart for Cowboys Related slideshow: The 2019 NBA Finals (Provided by imagn)


Kevin Harvick is on the pole for the Gander RV 400 on Sunday at Pocono Raceway (3 p.m. ET, NBCSN/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Does the 2014 champion   who has yet to win at Pocono   merit a spot in your Fantasy Live lineup? We've dissected the numbers to offer a suggested lineup worthy of your Fantasy Live consideration. Remember that inspection on Sunday morning finalizes and makes the starting lineup official. PLAY NOW: Set your lineup | How the game works | Tips to set your lineup RJ Kraft's Fantasy Live lineup for race day at Pocono: 1. Joey Logano 2. Aric Almirola 3. Erik Jones 4. William Byron 5. Martin Truex Jr. Garage: Jimmie Johnson Byron's No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and Johnson's No. 48 were among three cars that failed pre-race inspection , the third being Austin Dillon's No. 3 Chevrolet. Additional lineup options: Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski (specifically if Logano fails), Clint Bowyer, Matt DiBenedetto and Alex Bowman. RELATED: Odds for New Hampshire | 10-lap averages | Weekend preview Analysis: Two of my original lineup   Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson   pulled out backup cars before opening practice was finished on Saturday. With both of those drivers going to the rear, I needed to make some changes. Logano, Jones and Byron stay in the lineup. The reigning series champion has shown speed this weekend, and I wanted to have one Penske car in the lineup. Jones and Byron have solid histories, Byron topped the 10-lap board and I expect both drivers to be in the mix for stage points. Stage points are part of what drove me to the Almirola play. He's in the best spot among drivers without a win, but the 10 camp showed at New Hampshire they are willing to play for a big points day over the race win. Despite wrecking out of three of the last seven races at Pocono, Johnson is the play. He like much of my race-day lineup should be on the hunt for stage points. I am putting Truex in my lineup because I like the lap times he had in practice and I have the uses to take the plunge. For the bonus picks, I am taking Jones to win Stage 1, Keselowski in Stage 2 and Harvick for the race win. Each week in this space, we'll also highlight two Props Challenge items for players. MORE: Need Props help? The Action Network has you covered | Play the Props Challenge today 1. O/U 3.5 drivers will score 10.5 stage points. In the June race, four drivers scored over 10.5 stage points   two drivers that have yet to win and two that already had wins on the season. With a good amount of winless drivers slated to start in the top 10, I expect those drivers to be on the hunt for stage points so I am taking the OVER on this one. 2. Kurt Busch leads all active drivers with 14 top-five finishes at Pocono. Does he finish in the top five on Sunday? Busch had the 12th-best 10-lap average in final practice, but he was second in final practice on the single-lap board. His last top five at Pocono came in the spring race in 2017. Throw in that his lone top five in the past month was the Kentucky win and I believe the trends say he will NOT finish in the top five. ]]>


Having discovered absolutely massive oil reserves around 40 years ago, Norway decided to try something different and use this newfound resource to help all its people, rather than let a fortunate few benefit. So it set up the snappily titled Government Pension Fund Global, which would not only help it meet the needs of its aging population for generations to come, but also boost its economy in times of uncertainty. Today, it's invested in everything from British banks to Parisian properties and is worth more than $1 trillion. This makes it the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world and the envy of pretty much every other nation. That alone is remarkable, but it's how it got here   and how all Norwegians will continue to benefit   that's truly fascinating. How the fund works The fund's origins date back to 1969 when oil was discovered in the North Sea. Ekofisk was the largest oil field found, and would forever change Norway's fortunes. Over the next 20 years, there were discussions as to how this newfound wealth should be used. These resulted in an investment fund being established in 1990. The idea was to leverage the fund's size and long-term investment horizon to generate high returns and secure wealth for future generations. Its diversified investment strategy has been enormously successful. Contrasting fortunes The temptation is to assume things couldn't go wrong for a country backed by oil reserves, but that does a disservice to the forward-thinking of those in charge. It's worth remembering that other nations   including the UK   had access to a similar windfall, yet it's hard to see any meaningful benefits of it today. The UK's missed opportunity also came in the shape of North Sea oil. Back in the glitzy 1980s, this was an extremely lucrative source of revenue   the type of which that comes along very rarely. Between the years 1980/81 and 1898/90, North Sea oil raised $210 billion in taxes, according to a report from the IPPR Commission on Economic Justice. "Had the revenues from North Sea oil been invested in a sovereign wealth fund in the 1980s, as happened in Norway, such a fund would have been worth over £500 billion today," it stated. Unfortunately, the government decided to go down another route, as the IPPR study explained. "Instead of establishing a sovereign wealth fund, increasing investment, reducing national debt, or decreasing liabilities   all which would have increased public wealth   the UK used part of its tax windfall to fund the reduction of non-oil taxes." When you spend windfalls on current expenditure, it makes public finances seem more sustainable than they really are, according to the report. It also deprives future generations of their fair share, whereas establishing a fund can hold and invest those assets, before distributing the returns. "A collectively owned sovereign wealth fund provides a mechanism for all citizens to hold a stake in national wealth, and benefit from increasing returns to capital," it noted. Related video: Norway plans to build a 'floating tunnel' under the sea (provided by Reuters) Norway's strong returns In sharp contrast to the British example, Norway's fund, which is managed by Norges Bank Investment Management on behalf of the country's Ministry of Finance, is still raking in substantial profits. The fund, which invests in a dizzying area of equities, bonds and real estate, continues to target a real return in excess of the global economy's growth. In fact, it delivered an impressive 9.1% return   the equivalent of 738 billion kroner ($84 billion)   during the first quarter of 2019, according to recently released figures. Yngve Slyngstad, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management, says this was the fund's best-ever quarterly return measured in kroner. "As a major equity investor, we must be prepared for large fluctuations in the fund's market value in line with developments in global stock markets," he said. Outspoken investors The fund also prides itself on being a responsible investor and raises corporate governance or sustainability issues with company management teams. Its size, and the fact it has stakes in more 9,000 companies across the world, gives it a significant voice and it's one that's used to good effect. For example, it has excluded companies that it thinks could be harmful to the environment. You might think that's a strange stance for a fund that's backed by oil. However, it's been clear that it expects sell its stakes in oil and gas explorers in a move that it hopes will not only be greener, but also reduce huge impact oil prices can have on Norway's economy. The fund also hasn't shied away from political issues. For example, it shrugged off uncertainties surrounding Brexit with plans to pump more money into Britain's economy. How Norwegians benefit The forward thinking of Norway's politicians has long benefitted Norway's 5.3 million people. They have enjoyed a remarkable period of economic growth thanks to the fund which has given the country an enviably stable backdrop. It has also provided officials with the fund to boost the economy during difficult times when unemployment is high but growth is low. Perhaps most importantly, however, the value of the investments built up in the fund should help safeguard the wealth for future generations. Good times won't last That said, Norway is also realistic. After a long period of favorable conditions, it accepts that the coming decades could provide some challenges. For example, the Government Pension Fund Global is expected to grow more slowly than in the past, according to a white paper from its Royal Ministry of Finance. "Investment returns are anticipated to moderate, and the oil price is not expected to return to previous highs," it states. "At the same time, an ageing population will raise spending on pensions, health, and long-term care." Therefore, the Norwegian economy will need to raise productivity growth and transition to a new economic reality over the coming years. It's also looking at ways of combatting rising protectionism, moving to a greener economy, and ensuring the country has a well-functioning public sector. However, it still has a fantastic financial foundation   and the success it's enjoyed over the years should give Norwegians every reason to feel confident about the future.


KALAMAZOO, Mich.   Firefighters figure some malfunctioning electric meters caused a small apartment fire Thursday evening near the Western Michigan University campus. Everyone got out safely   including a dog. The address was 1515 Lafayette Avenue   that's near Knollwood Park, and a little south of the WMU campus. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety told FOX 17 at the scene smoke started appearing in the apartments. Kalamazoo firefighters take a breather after rescuing a dog during an apartment fire. June 27, 2019 There was no power to the building due to the electrical issue. But smoke detectors were going off, and people were able to evacuate. However, a puppy was still inside. The Kalamazoo Fire Department managed to save the dog. "We were able to go back in and safely   with breathing apparatus   were able to get a little puppy out of here." Although it was a small fire, it took firefighters a relatively long time to put it out because they had to make sure crews were staying hydrated while fighting the fire on a hot day. Lieutenant Hendrick said, ""One of the problems we have, and another reason why we're on scene as long as we are, is this is a serious problem. But it's more so because of the heat. We're concerned for our firefighters…I just can't explain how hot it is in this gear." Firefighters say some meters in the mechanical room of the basement had backfired, and they believe that's what caused the power outage and fire. "It was a tremendous amount of heat. It melted all the plastic for the breakers." However, the electricity itself "worked like it was supposed to. It could happen at any apartment complex. The reason there were no injuries here was because people listened to the fire alarm." ___ (c)2019 WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids Visit WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids at www.fox17online.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Keith Winn says he has always been an entrepreneur at heart, "whether it was in grade school selling the things grade school kids sell, or in junior high conning the local bicycle shop into letting me be a bike mechanic, to starting the ski club and bicycle club in high school." A product development expert with roots in design engineering who has worked at Texas Instruments and Honeywell, Keith designed everything from global positioning systems to circuit boards for military aircraft. Later, he designed the predecessor to the now-iconic Redbox video dispenser, and as a partner with the pioneers of the photo-on-driver's-license business, he invented, patented and sold to 10 states the methods to add significant efficiency in vehicle registrations. After getting serious about photography, Keith, of Clearwater, Fla., submitted a picture in a recognized Orlando art show. His photo sold for a record $2,882. That attracted the attention of Tampa-based Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, whose management requested Keith's assistance in fundraising. After several conversations, Keith realized that photo contests could generate revenue for the museum   and other organizations   more quickly and effectively than standard fundraisers (dinners, car washes, bake sales, coin drops, magazine subscriptions, etc.), which usually bring in hundreds   not thousands   of dollars. Thus, MulaBula was born. Setting the Mission The idea behind MulaBula was to create a turnkey fundraising service for virtually any nonprofit, as small as a little league team and as large as a national charity. There are no upfront fees and no contracts. Clients create and customize their contest on the MulaBula site, following an easy step-by-step process. They name the contest, set a start and end date, choose a theme, upload a logo (if there is one), and use their social networks to publicize the contest. MulaBula handles the credit card processing, provides progress reports and analytics, and transfers the proceeds, less MulaBula's cut, which varies from 6% to 20%, directly into the customer's bank account . Revenue for the contest-holder is generated in two ways. People pay to enter a photo, aiming to win some sort of prize   cash, merchandise or simply recognition. Then, once the entries have been submitted, people pay to vote for the photo(s) they want to win. The MulaBula value proposition is compelling: There is very little legwork involved   no teams of volunteers to recruit, organize and supervise   and, by leveraging the power of social media, the organization can cast a wide net for people who are happy to spend a little or a lot to support friends, family, their community and/or a cause. The other advantage is that there is zero financial risk, because MulaBula gets paid on the back end. Getting Started The idea was to build the MulaBula site to make the customer experience easy and intuitive while keeping startup costs to a minimum . "I leaned on my friends who were prior software vendors and got the equivalent of $10,000 of software for free," Keith said. When his first customer wanted costly customization, he contributed a small amount for development in return for a favorable discount for as long as he remains a MulaBula customer. Most organizations find the contest concept so popular that they repeat it every year, generating more participation each time. In the case of the Humane Society of Pinellas County (Florida), it costs $10 to enter a photo, and $1 for each vote, with a five-vote minimum. The winning photographs get put onto a calendar, which the group then sells to generate even more revenue. Last year the group raised $10,997 with its MulaBula campaign. Growing the Business While the average contest raises $3,000 to $5,000, MulaBula's three most recent customers collectively raised more than $100,000 in their contests. Company revenue has passed the $180,000 mark to date, "with just a handful of clients," Keith said. Growth has been organic so far, with every customer coming back for more contests, but Keith is considering seeking outside investors to help take the company to the next level. "Our goal for 2017 is to have 300 customers per month. At an average of more than $3,000 in revenue, that's almost $1 million that MulaBula can raise for clients per month," he pointed out. The five-year plan is to raise $20 million a year and handle 500 customers at any one time. Currently, operating costs typically run about 25% of the income. By scaling up, Keith believes that number can be brought down significantly, to below 10%. Dealing With the Realities Starting a business with little investment capital has meant that Keith's been building his business as a sideline to his day job. "So far, every bit of profit goes right back into R & D   we haven't been able to pay ourselves anything yet," Keith said. "MulaBula is a part-time job that I can't wait to become a full-time job." If he's successful in raising cash, Keith plans to "do more aggressive, focused marketing," and make two key hires "who could drive sales and marketing while I drive growth and implement new features and products." Here are some of the lessons he learned: You don't want to grow too fast. Make sure you have all the fundamentals down   the client experience, the customer service   before you think about growth. Stand out. There are or will be competitors in every business, so we wanted to make sure that our product is differentiated. For MulaBula, that means a lot of interactivity and user-friendly features. For example, you can enter contests by cellphone. It's one-click voting no need to register first. There are automatic acknowledgements every time anyone enters or votes, with a little call to action that encourages people to post their entry or their favorite photos on Facebook, or send those favorites to family and friends. For organizers, reporting features allow them to see results that will help them refine their campaign. Audit reports and participant reports are emailed however often the customer wants, whether daily, weekly or monthly, so they know who entered, how much they spent and what photo they voted for. That information can then be used to send targeted emails to build up more excitement. Know your customer. You really have to get in the heads of the users and figure out what features and functions they want in a product. No matter how smart the inventor is, or how great the entrepreneur's idea is, if the consumer doesn't understand it or like your product, you won't be successful. This article originally appeared on Credit.com .


Cleveland will see a return of last week's light rainfall over the next few days, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Friday should see the most rain, with a projected accumulation of 0.59 inches. The next few days will also bring mild temperatures, persisting through Thursday as well. Temperatures will reach a high of 67 degrees on Monday. Winds are forecast to climb as high as 19 miles per hour tomorrow, while today will be quieter with a top speed of just 18 mph. . This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Palm Bay retired Deputy Chief Lynne Nungesser always hated being asked about her status as the first female executive commander in Brevard County. She'd reply by saying she just wanted to do a good job. Mission accomplished. The 63-year-old mother of three, who in 1995 made history by being promoted to major and later deputy chief in 2002, died on Mother's Day after a lengthy battle with cancer. "Lynne set an example for everyone to follow when it came to the human factor," said former Deputy Chief John Blackledge. "She was accomplished in many ways, as a mother of three successful sons, a fellow officer and in her leadership role." More: Palm Bay Police Chief Jim Rogers retires after 30 years at department Nungesser began with the department in 1973 out of high school as a records clerk and dispatcher. She attended the police academy in 1975 and worked for Palm Bay before moving to work briefly for the Homestead Police Department. Afterward, she returned to Palm Bay. She served on the road patrol until 1978, when she became an investigator. She was promoted to sergeant in 1984, assigned to the training section, and promoted to lieutenant in 1986 in charge of the administrative bureau. Brandy Hall detective, Vietnam veteran Sid LaDow dies at 79 In 1989, she was named captain, and in 1994, was re-classified as a major. That year, she started the Bureau of Standards and Training. "She was a true champion for everything positive in law enforcement," said former Chief Doug Muldoon. "Lynne was a pioneer in many ways. She started as one of the very few females in uniformed law enforcement the 1970s in Brevard County." Retired Palm Bay detective Jorge Santiago described Nungesser as a "no-nonsense commander." When it comes to justice, John Torres knows his stuff "When she was in charge of all of the detectives, she would say 'just get it done, never let money run the investigation.' She sent me to New York, Las Vegas, Oklahoma, California and Michigan to follow up leads on our homicides." Nungesser was born in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on June 28, 1955. She graduated from Melbourne High School in 1973. Her father was a colonel in the U.S. Army. He passed away just a few days before his daughter. She was one of the pioneers of the Crisis Intervention Stress Management Team , the first in Brevard, after William Cruse gunned down two Palm Bay police officers during a shooting rampage in 1987. "Lynne led the team of officers to create a work culture that it was OK to effectively deal with the trauma many officers face in this business," said Chief Jim Rogers, one of the original CISM team members. "It is one of the legacies of her many contributions to law enforcement." More: Palm Bay memorializes officers 32 years after mass shooting Nungesser retired from sworn duty in November 2006 and returned shortly thereafter as the executive assistant to the chief of pPolice, managing most of the administrative and budgetary programs for the agency until her full retirement in 2014. She leaves behind three sons, one of whom is currently a police officer at Palm Bay Police Department, three brothers, two sisters and three grandchildren. Services will be held Friday at Calvary Chapel on Minton Road at 1 p.m. Contact Torres at 321-242-3684 or jtorres@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @johnalbertorres Facebook: /FTjohntorres Support local journalism: New subscribers, visit floridatoday.com/subscribe. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Lynne Nungesser, first female police commander in Brevard, loses battle with cancer


Something unusual is happening in financial markets and it could mean more gains lie ahead for stocks, if history is any indication. The S&P 500 and long-term bonds are both up more than 5% to start off 2019, marking just the 10 th time since 1980 that stocks and bonds kicked off a year on such a strong note, according to data from Bespoke Investment Group. The data also shows the S&P 500 averages a gain of 11.3% when stocks and bonds get off to such a hot start. Sharp gains in both equities and fixed income are unusual since rising bond prices   or declining yields   are usually seen as a signal that an economic slowdown looms ahead. Bonds are seen as a safe haven in times of economic turmoil. Stocks, meanwhile, usually produce much higher returns than bonds when the economy runs smoothly. That's why they usually don't trade together. "While the relationship between the performance of equities and US treasuries has changed over time … positive equity performance has coincided with weaker performance in treasuries and vice versa," Bespoke said in a note Monday. "This year has bucked that trend." Hopes for Fed rate cut But this year is now all about the Federal Reserve. Investors have been plowing money into both stocks and bonds in bets the Federal Reserve will reverse on monetary policy, bringing rates down to boost the economy. The Fed came into 2019 expecting to raise rates twice before bringing that forecast to zero. Now, investors are expecting the Fed to start cutting rates as early as next month after the Fed said last week it is ready to "act as appropriate" to sustain the current economic expansion. Bonds have risen all year "despite a stock market which continues to trend higher. The stock market appears optimistic about the future of this recovery, whereas the bond market is acting increasingly nervous," said Jim Paulsen, chief investment strategist at The Leuthold Group, in a note. Determining which market is right "is a tough call, but for equity investors we continue to lean toward the view that what doesn't kill you will likely make 'the stock market' stronger." The trade war could also be influencing the correlation between the two markets. Stocks are still holding out hope there will be a trade deal, while bonds are reflecting the damage already wrought by the tariffs in place, and perhaps a greater fear an agreement may take longer to hatch. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled to meet at this week's G-20 in Osaka, Japan. Investors expect the two leaders to signal progress is being made on the U.S.-China trade talks that stalled last month amid tariff hikes from both countries. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC's Hadley Gamble there is a " path " for the two sides to complete a trade deal. Recession risk Neither a Fed rate cut nor progress on the U.S.-China trade front are a sure thing, however. The Fed could reverse course on cutting rates if U.S. economic data improves between now and its July 10 meeting. Recent economic data has been lackluster at best. If it's just a soft patch that can be fixed by slightly lower rates, then the run in both markets at the same time will be justified. But if the economy turns into a recession, bonds may keep going higher while stocks fall. U.S. consumer confidence dropped to its lowest level in nearly two years in June , The Conference Board said Tuesday. IHS Markit reported last week that U.S. manufacturing growth slowed down to its slowest pace in nearly a decade. U.S. jobs grew by just 75,000 in May, widely missing expectations. Data sets like these, along with lingering trade tensions, forced the Fed to pivot away from its two rate-hike forecast. But John Davi, chief investment officer at Astoria Portfolio Advisors, notes there is a lot of time for economic data to improve before the Fed's next meeting. "I don't think it's a done deal that the Fed is going to cut rates in July," Davi said. "If you get a resolution between Trump and China and the data is OK and the market keeps rallying, why would the Fed need to cut? The whole point of cutting is the data is weakening. If we get a resolution at the G-20 meeting and positive data, then the Fed doesn't cut. Then, the market sells off." There is also, however, the possibility that talks between Trump and Xi at the G-20 fall through, heightening trade war fears once more. Trump said on Wednesday that a deal with china was possible, but noted he is " very happy with where we are now ." Trump has also said before he is willing to slap tariffs on $300 billion worth of Chinese goods. The U.S. has already imposed tariffs on more than $250 billion worth of Chinese imports. Art Hogan, chief market strategist at National Securities, said stocks and bonds can continue to rise in tandem "barring any disastrous news on trade." "But what could be different is, if this administration contends that being tough on China is one of the best cards to play in the 2020 election, that will drag on longer and we'll get an additional tranche of tariffs."


Austin Cindric has won the pole for today's Xfinity Series race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (3 p.m. ET on NBCSN). Cindric claimed the pole, his second of the year, with a speed of 96.506 mph. The pole comes a week after he earned his first career Xfinity Series win at Watkins Glen International. Cindric sat on the pole for this race last year. He led 59 laps and finished second. Team Penske has won the pole for four of the last five Mid-Ohio races, including the last three. Cindric will be joined on the front row by Jack Hawksworth (96.169 mph), the former IndyCar driver who is making his first NASCAR start driving Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 18 Toyota. The top five is completed by Christopher Bell , Cole Custer and Chase Briscoe . NASCAR on NBC analyst AJ Allmendinger will start sixth. Regan Smith , who is making his first start of the year, advanced to the final round but was unable to complete a lap due to a brake issue. Both Tyler Reddick and Justin Haley went off course during the first round but were able to continue. Click here for the results.


The Panthers selected Florida State's Brian Burns in the first round of this year's draft with the hope that he'll develop into a standout pass rusher for them in the years to come. That plan didn't work out for them in 2009. That's when the Panthers drafted Everette Brown out of Florida State, but Brown was cut after recording six sacks in two seasons in Carolina. Brown bounced around the league until 2015 and now finds himself back with the Panthers trying to make sure things go better for Burns. Brown was hired as the team's assistant linebackers coach earlier this year and getting Burns ready for his rookie season has been one of his chief tasks in his first months on the job. Brown, who interned with the Panthers last year and coached at a Charlotte high school, said it has been enjoyable to be back with his former team. "I wouldn't say unfinished business with me personally," Brown said, via Joseph Person of TheAthletic.com. "I was OK with where I was at in life, and I'm OK with how my career went and very thankful for the opportunities that I had. But when it comes to coaching, I do find joy. I find a lot of joy. And the biggest joy that I find is being able to take the experiences I had and my testimony and being able to help guys that are in the path now   a go in the NFL fulfilling their dreams." Brown and Burns had met before the draft because of their shared Florida State ties and the rookie said it's been helpful to have a "familiar face" helping him with the transition. If that leads to better results than Brown got on the field, his second NFL act should be an extended one.


The Cleveland Browns tweeted out a hype video for running back Nick Chubb. That's perfectly normal, and those things tend to draw Dawg Pound loyalists in the comments. This time, a Dawg of a different breed chimed in. Chubb's Georgia Bulldog backfield mate, Sony Michel, retweeted the post and added his own comment, "Favorite player in the NFL". Chubb and Michel each rushed for over 1,200 yards in 2017, their final season together at Georgia. Taken less than 10 spots apart in the 2018 NFL Draft, each posted over 900 yards rushing as rookies. Much to the chagrin of Patriots fans, who quickly flooded the responses with pleas for Tom Brady, Michel proved that college ties bind hard. Favorite player in the NFL - Sony Michel (@Flyguy2stackz) July 7, 2019 MORE: UFC 239: Fighters were in awe of Jorge Masvidal's insane, record-breaking KO WATCH: Jorge Masvidal Knocks Out Ben Askren in Five Seconds Check out Kenny Golladay's amazing Lions tattoo 3 reasons why the the NFL will never have an NBA-like offseason Flexibility ties together Packers' new-look pass-rushing group


Beware the Bay Ridge bank bandit. He may look disarming in his wool cap and striped dress shirt, but the unidentified robber is considered armed and dangerous, according to the FBI. The gunman probably spent a little too much time Saturday afternoon inside the TD Bank on Fifth Ave. in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, chatting with a bank employee at a service desk. A desktop surveillance camera snapped a closeup of the perp before he walked to the teller's window and displayed what appeared to be the handle of a firearm in the waistband of his jeans. The robber fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at (212) 384-5000.


If desserts are what you're after, look no further: Beard Papa's has added a new location at 9393 Bellaire Blvd., Suite G, in Sharpstown. Beard Papa's, which has locations in California, Massachusetts, Washington and New York, specializes in cream puffs in a variety of shells and flavored fillings. On the menu, look for flavors like chocolate eclair, dulce de leche or honey butter. The current specialty flavor, only available June and July, is caramel cream. Beard Papa's has made a good impression thus far, with a four-star rating out of 25 reviews on Yelp. Carissa C., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on June 25, wrote, "Could be better? Visited on the evening of the grand opening day and of course, the line was outside the door. Fortunately, the line moved quickly and the staff was friendly. Probably will visit again when opening hype dies down to see if more flavors are available." Yelper Crystal K. added , "I stopped by earlier today and got my hands on a green tea puff with green tea filling. One word, whoa! I was impressed with how every piece of this concoction tasted fresh." Intrigued? Stop in to try it for yourself. Beard Papa's is open from 11 a.m. 10 p.m. on Monday-Thursday and Sunday and 11 a.m. midnight on Friday and Saturday. Want to keep your finger on the pulse of new businesses in Houston? Here's what else opened recently near you . This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The Bills aren't the only team cutting the number of public training camp practices they'll hold this summer. The Eagles will hold one practice open to the public at Lincoln Financial Field this summer. The only other access to training camp practices held at the team's NovaCare Complex will be for invited guests only. Per Tim McManus of ESPN.com. fans interested in attending the open practice will have to pay $5-10 as an entrance fee. The proceeeds from those sales will go to the Eagles' fundraising efforts for autism research. The number of Eagles practices open to the public have dropped steadily since the team switched from holding camp at Lehigh University to their own facility.


The defending-champion Raptors will be a different team in 2019-20, with Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and starting shooting guard Danny Green off to Los Angeles. In the wake of Leonard agreeing to join the Clippers and Green committing to the Lakers, Toronto president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri issued a statement thanking the two former Spurs for their contributions to this year's title team. "We are very thankful for the year that Kawhi and Danny played with us here in Toronto, and I know the city and the entire country of Canada are grateful for everything they did to help us to win our first NBA Championship," Ujiri said. "On behalf of the Raptors, I say a very heartfelt thank you to Kawhi and to Danny, and we send them and their families nothing but good wishes. As an organization, the Raptors will focus on the future and continue our pursuit of a second championship." After losing two All-NBA caliber defenders in Leonard and Green, the Raptors seem to be seeking out a certain archetype as they peruse the free agent market, writes Blake Murphy of The Athletic . As Murphy points out, new additions Stanley Johnson and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson are both versatile forwards with size who should help Toronto maintain its identity as a strong defensive club. Here's more on free agency: It doesn't appear there's anything brewing at the moment for free agent guard Lance Stephenson , tweets Scott Agness of The Athletic. According to Agness, Stephenson continues to seek a new contract and may have to settle for a minimum-salary deal. While we already know that Kawhi Leonard reached out to Kevin Durant and Paul George before making his free agency decision, ESPN's Zach Lowe adds Kyrie Irving to the list of players Leonard explored recruiting. Durant and Irving were set on heading to Brooklyn, so those discussions likely didn't go far. The Jazz haven't completed closed the door on the idea of a reunion with free agent wing Thabo Sefolosha , tweets Tony Jones of The Athletic. Speaking to Mark Medina of The Mercury News about his decision to join the Timberwolves, Jordan Bell said he was looking for a team that would give him playing time, rather than seeking out the most lucrative offer available. " An opportunity just to play," Bell said when asked what he prioritized. "Money wasn't really the issue." The former second-round pick is getting a one-year, minimum-salary deal from Minnesota.


Every summer we see a few of these: free agent signings where it becomes immediately apparent that they're going to hurt the team in the long run. Some teams sign out of desperation. General managers facing increasing pressures to win, be it from not making the playoffs in the previous outing or getting bounced early on if they did, go out and try to find players who will make their teams better in an attempt to prolong their own tenure. Others feel the need to expedite a rebuild or perhaps are getting a nudge from the man sitting in the corner office with the nicest view in the house; owners who are greedy and impatient with the slow, methodical process it takes to build a long-term contender. Whatever the case, some players get signed to seemingly egregious pacts that appear asinine to everyone else. Here are potentially three of those that have been agreed upon so far this summer. 3. Brandon Tanev , Pittsburgh Penguins It's not necessarily the money here that is shocking   it's silly season in the NHL, of course. No. It's the term . Six years (and $21 million) for a player who hits a lot of people and was propped up in a big way by his linemates seems excessive. Sure, Tanev can be an effective player when put in the right situation. He's a pretty good penalty killer. But the running joke in Winnipeg was that you could take away Tanev's stick and you'd probably wouldn't see much drop off in his play. Now, Tanev isn't going to score 14 goals and assist on 15 others without his twig, but the sentiment is he wouldn't have had as good a year as he did without guys like Adam Lowry and Andrew Copp carrying him in the offensive zone. Tanev w/ Lowry, Copp   58.27 CF% Tanev w/ Lowry   52.74 CF% Tanev w/o Lowry, Copp   38.08 CF% Tanev w/o Lowry   41.49 CF% Brandon Tanev (6×3.5m with Pittsburgh) is an offensive black hole with some defensive upside and a decent shot. Look at your life, look at your choices, oh my god. pic.twitter.com/O6VBjDxWhJ   Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) July 1, 2019 Tanev is an exciting player to watch. In of world where gas tanks empty and must be re-filled, he's the self-recharging electric car that laughs at those with fuel caps. He's an Energizer bunny who goes and goes and goes. He'll block shots and hit everything that moves (and sometimes things that don't.) But if the right folks aren't beside him, his effectiveness on the scoresheet (and the data ones, too) will be limited. Six years is a long time. [ ProHockeyTalk's 2019 NHL free agency tracker ] 2. Tyler Myers , Vancouver Canucks At one point, this was looking much, much worse. Some reports suggested that Canucks GM Jim Benning was ready to give Myers eight years and $56 million to wear the blue and green threads sporting a killer whale bursting out of the letter 'C'. That crisis was averted, but they still gave Myers five years and $6 million per season , at least going by the analytics, what appears to be a third-pairing defenseman with offensive upside and defensive deficiencies in his own zone. Myers is a defenseman, so that last bit is concerning, to say the least. Myers is one of those buys at the deadline by a GM feeling the squeeze from upstairs and a squeeze from the fanbase who want a team back in the playoffs. Tyler Myers (5x6m with Vancouver) is very defensively weak, both at 5v5 and at 4v5, doesn't help a power-play to speak of and has a rough penalty differential. He is, however, very tall. pic.twitter.com/DlyVqN0Tw1   Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) July 1, 2019 Again, people with an affinity for math and hockey have painted a not-very-good picture of Myers for that kind of money. A "defensively weak" defenseman is not something teams long for. And the Canucks are in the middle of a rebuild, one where they already traded off a first-round pick for J.T. Miller and where they're spending a lot of money to try and get good now even though they have big contracts to come, including this summer, where they have to figure out how to pay restricted free agent Brock Boeser more money than they have cap room at the moment. You had one job… 1. Sergei Bobrovsky , Florida Panthers The Panthers sometimes seem like the NHL's version of a retirement home. The accommodations are very nice, the weather is great and your breakfast is served by a man wearing a tuxedo. It's all very wealthy and all very relaxing. And goalies seem to like it, good ones in years gone by that come to see out their playing days in the lap of luxury. Ed Belfour, Tim Thomas, Roberto Luongo and now Bob, to name a few. There's no doubt that Vezina-winning, free agent goaltenders command a lot of money in free agency. So it was no surprise when Bobrovsky got $10 million per season for the next seven. He's an effective goalie when he wants to be. Big-name goalies coming close to restricted and/or unrestricted free agency jumped for joy when Dale Tallon signed this monster deal. So did Panthers fans. And they should. At the moment, they have a legitimate goaltender who should lead them to the playoffs. But for how long? Bob is 30. While goalies age well at times, Bob has played a lot of hockey over the past three years (and has a nice .922 save percentage to show for it). But will he be a $10 million goaltender in Year 3 of the deal? What about Year 5? That's a big chunk of change for a team that seems to have drafted well and will need cash for those players down the line. Bob is a great goalie. His new contract, however, comes with an untraversed mountain of risk. MORE: Most long-term contracts will end in trade or buyout   Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports . Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck


If the IIHF World Championship is a last-chance-hotel of sorts for a few lucky youngsters looking to lift their draft stock, Finland's Kaapo Kakko certainly hasn't checked out yet. If anything, he's given the New Jersey Devils brass a headache leading up to the NHL Draft on June 21. A good headache, of course. Jack Hughes, the American prodigy who's set the USA Hockey National Team Development Program ablaze, has been the consensus No. 1 prospect for most of the year, and the year leading up to this draft, and perhaps sometime before that, too. He's a special player who, in 50 games this season with the program's U-18 team, put up 34 goals and 112 points, 20 more at the U-18 world championships and four assists in four games at the world juniors. Thus, Hughes is rated as the top prospect in North America from NHL Central Scouting, and the top prospect in the world by several pundits. When you average 2.24 points per game, these things come pretty naturally. When you put up 228 points in 110 games with the USNTDP   a 2.07 point-per-game clip   you become one of the best, if not the best, to ever emerge from the program. Hughes has earned his stripes heading into Vancouver, but has his reputation warded off Kakko's rise at the Worlds? Kakko hasn't exactly flown under the radar. Not at all, but he's lived in Hughes' shadow. At least, he did. While both are playing at Worlds right now, it's Kakko who's getting the big minutes playing on a Finnish team that isn't nearly as star-studded as the U.S. So while Hughes has a lonely assist in the tournament, and has only really featured in spurts, Kakko has launched a full-on assault on the minds of Devils general manager Ray Shero and his scouting staff. Kakko has six goals and one assist in seven games played now at the tournament. He's shown he can take over games with his hat trick vs. Slovakia, and he's shown his sublime skill. That's two-time Stanley Cup winner Matt Murray between the pipes. Kakko cares little. Just like he didn't when he slotted home the game-winning goal to give Finland a gold medal against Hughes' Americans at the the IIHF World Junior Championship in January. Kakko is another link in the chain that's been Finland's golden years of young prospects who are remarkable. Whatever was in the water 18 to 22 or so years ago should have been bottled. And it has to make the Devils think. At 6-foot-2 and nearly 200 pounds already, Kakko comes ready for the NHL game in size. He's played with men in the Finnish Liiga and is having no issues at all against NHLers at the Worlds either. In his first full season with TPS, Kakko put up 38 points in 45 games, including 22 goals. The recent Finnish lineage has included the likes of Patrik Laine , Sebastian Aho , Arturri Lehkonen, Mikko Rantanen and Miro Heiskanen , among others. Neither of those guys were first overall picks, yet all of them are making massive impacts of the teams they play on. Hughes probably still goes first in June, and that might just be alright for the New York Rangers, who sit in the second hole knowing they get one or the other. MORE: Stanley Cup Final 2019 schedule, TV info   Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports . Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck


A Houston man indicted in the 2016 stabbing death of an 11-year-old boy was escorted down the hallway of the Harris County criminal courthouse in handcuffs on Wednesday, declaring "I'm Grace Jones' son, fox." The meaning of the statement is unclear. Andre Jackson, 29, was in custody at the courthouse but didn't appear in front of state District Judge Amy Martin during his first official court setting since a grand jury handed down a murder indictment Tuesday in the death of the boy, Josue Flores. On May 17, 2016, the Marshall Middle School student was killed while walking home from school in the 1900 block of Fulton in his Near Northside neighborhood. He was reportedly stabbed some 20 times. Jackson was first arrested on June 3, 2016. On July 19, 2017 the Harris County district attorney announced that DNA evidence and blood analysis were inconclusive, and the charges against Jackson were dropped. The indictment handed down Tuesday was the result of improved DNA testing, DA Kim Ogg said.


Elton Julian's DragonSpeed team will not compete in this weekend's Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio as his team has encountered issues with visas. The squad's original schedule for its inaugural crack at the NTT IndyCar Series included St. Petersburg, Barber Motorsports Park, the Indianapolis 500, Mid-Ohio and the finale at Laguna Seca. However, after the team and driver became one of the underdog stars of this year's 103 rd Running of the Indianapolis 500, and following further sportscar outings in Europe, the team has now hit problems in its attempt to re-enter the U.S. The team's official Twitter account announced: "IndyCar Fans! We are still alive!! We've had 3 more Endurance race since our magical outing at IMS. Unfortunately, we have been stung by Visa issues for our crew & driver & are awaiting resolution by .gov. This will NOT discourage us from our eventual planned return." @IndyCar Fans! We are still alive!! We've had 3 more Endurance races since our magical outing at @IMS . Unfortunately, we have been stung by Visa issues for our crew & driver & are awaiting resolution by .gov. This will NOT discourage us from our eventual planned return. pic.twitter.com/Ydt1WKjwEY   DragonSpeed (@DragonSpeedLLC) July 24, 2019 Julian announced mid-May that the team would be ditching LMP1 to focus on IndyCar in 2020 , although he intends for DragonSpeed to continue its LMP2 campaign in select WEC rounds and the European Le Mans Series.


LOS ANGELES   Joe Biden's first visit to Los Angeles as a presidential candidate featured two things this city produces in abundance   campaign cash and tacos. Biden spent most of his visit on Wednesday mingling with high-dollar donors at two private fundraisers. A third fundraising event is scheduled for Thursday morning. Between visits to Los Angeles' swankiest neighborhoods, Biden and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti stopped for a late afternoon snack at King Taco #10 in the Pico-Union neighborhood. Fielding a crush of selfie requests, Biden, wearing a blue blazer and no tie, and Garcetti, in a dress shirt with a tie but no jacket, joined two diners for lunch, chatting about California-specific concerns such as homelessness. Biden pledged to run a positive campaign, promising to "not speak ill of any of the Democratic candidates," and predicting the large field of candidates will be "winnowed out pretty quickly." Garcetti has been courted by a number of presidential hopefuls as they swing through Los Angeles. He toured a water treatment plant with New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker last month and will appear with Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., at a labor event Thursday morning. So far, Garcetti said, he hasn't chosen whom he'll endorse. "Like most folks, I'm looking and listening," Garcetti said. "I'm not personally shopping; I'm standing up for the people of Los Angeles." Still, the two men's affinity for each other was evident, with Biden slinging his arm over Garcetti's shoulder as they ordered. The fare at Biden's midday fundraiser in Los Angeles' Hancock Park section was a bit different   ahi tuna ceviche and avocado, langoustine tail and caviar. In a 20-minute speech to about 250 donors, Biden said he was running to "restore the backbone of this country" and said that while some criticize him for being "Old Joe," he has the experience to unite the nation. The event drew about a dozen protesters from the National Union of Healthcare Workers, which is in a dispute with Kaiser Permanente over resources for mental health care. The union members said they wanted Biden to raise their concerns with the event's host, Dr. Cynthia Telles, who is a Kaiser board member. Stacey Cohen, 50, a licensed clinical therapist who works at Kaiser's Los Angeles Medical Center, said she was "very surprised" that her union had not heard from Biden or his campaign about their concerns. "He's stated … that he's union man and that he supports unions. He's talked about mental health parity and how important it is," Cohen said. "And yet he's refusing to meet with us who are the direct providers." John Nelson, a spokesman for Kaiser Permanente, said the demonstration was a "publicity stunt" and that the company has been in active bargaining with the union for nearly a year. Biden did not interact with the protesters or address the demonstration in his remarks. His second fundraiser of the day was to tap into Hollywood's deep pockets. The event was to be held at the home of James Costos, a former HBO executive, and his husband, Michael Smith, according to the Hollywood Reporter.     ©2019 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


The state of Florida is investigating the group that raised over $20 million online to privately pay for President Donald Trump 's plan for a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Florida's Department of Agriculture confirmed the investigation into the fundraiser, which the agency called a "charity," to National Public Radio's Miami affiliate WLRN . We Build the Wall, founded by Air Force veteran and Purple Heart recipient Brian Kolfage, was incorporated as a nonprofit in the state of Florida, WLRN reported. Complaining that there were "too many illegals" entering the U.S., Kolfage launched the fundraiser in December on GoFundMe with a goal of $1 billion to build the border wall on private land. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon is leading the project on the company's advisory board, along with Kris Kobach, Kansas' former secretary of state, and other high-profile allies of President Donald Trump. Earlier this week, We Build the Wall announced that the group was erecting a wall near a mile-long stretch in Texas and New Mexico using the funds they raised, more than $22.7 million. The group chose the stretch in Texas and New Mexico because it was identified by local authorities as one of the most dangerous parts of the U.S.-Mexico border, Bannon said, according to Yahoo! News . After failing to reach his $1 billion goal in January, Kolfage promised to end the GoFundMe campaign and refund donors. However, he never made good on that promise. The fundraising site remains active, with $23 million raised so far. The group announced the upcoming section of border wall weeks after donors began wondering what happened with the millions of dollars that had been raised. On Monday, the group posted a 58-second video showing excavators and construction equipment erecting a wall. It claims that the section of the wall was built in three days but did not disclose where the video was filmed. This article originally appeared on HuffPost .


The Colts made a couple of changes to their secondary on Friday. The team announced that they have signed safety Isaiah Johnson. Cornerback D.J. Killings was waived in a corresponding move. Johnson was with the Colts for a few months earlier this offseason, but was waived when the team signed running back Spencer Ware . He appeared in two games with the Rams last season and has 12 overall games of regular season experience over the last four years. Killings was in his second stint with the Colts as he spent some time on the active roster last year before landing on injured reserve. He was released from I.R. and signed with the Packers before returning to Indy on a future contract. He's never played in a regular season game.


Video by CBS News Tensions in the Gulf region mounted Friday as Washington said an Iranian drone was destroyed after threatening an American naval vessel at the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. It was believed to be the first US military engagement with Iran following a series of increasingly serious incidents. The USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, "took defensive action" against the Iranian drone on Thursday to "ensure the safety of the ship and its crew," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said. The drone was "immediately destroyed" after it approached within 1,000 yards (914 meters) of the Boxer, US President Donald Trump told reporters. "This is the latest of many provocative and hostile actions by Iran, against vessels operating in international waters," he added. "The United States reserves the right to defend our personnel, our facilities and interests and calls upon all nations to condemn Iran's attempts to disrupt freedom of navigation and global commerce." But Iran denied losing any drones. Armed forces spokesman Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi described Trump's statement as "baseless and delusional claims," according to the Tasnim news agency. "There have been no reports of a confrontation with the American USS Boxer," he was quoted as saying by Tasnim. Deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi tweeted: "I am worried that USS Boxer has shot down their own (drone) by mistake!" The apparent confrontation came as Iran defended its detention Sunday of a "foreign tanker" believed to be the Panamanian-flagged vessel Riah and its 12 crew for allegedly smuggling fuel. "The vessel was en route to deliver contraband fuel received from Iranian boats to foreign ships in farther regions when it was intercepted," Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on its Sepah News website. Slideshow by photo services - First US military action - The incident comes after a series of low-level attacks in the region blamed on Tehran's forces, including placing limpet mines on several tankers and actions by what Washington calls Iranian proxies in Syria and Yemen. In May, the Pentagon announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force to waters near Iran in response to "indications of a credible threat by Iranian regime forces." Tehran downed an American surveillance drone in June, prompting Trump to order air strikes against Iran. But he called them off at the last minute, saying the plan was not "proportionate" and casualties would have been too high. On July 4, Britain seized a fully loaded Iranian oil tanker near Gibraltar, allegedly headed for Syria in violation of sanctions. Iran furiously branded the seizure "piracy, and one week later, armed Iranian boats menaced a British tanker in the Gulf before they were driven off by a Royal Navy frigate. That led to US calls for an international flotilla to escort hydrocarbon-laden vessels from Gulf oil fields through the Hormuz Strait. US Central Command chief Kenneth McKenzie pledged Thursday to work "aggressively" with partners to ensure freedom of navigation in Gulf waters. - Broader conflict feared - The incidents have raised fears of a regional conflict involving the US and its allies in the Gulf region, through which nearly a third of the world's oil is transported. It comes amid a threatened breakdown of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, with Washington steadily ratcheting up economically debilitating sanctions on Tehran a year after unilaterally quitting the deal. Earlier this month, Tehran purposely surpassed the deal's caps on uranium enrichment, aiming to pressure the other parties -- France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia -- to break with the US sanctions escalation and defend the economic benefits Iran was promised for agreeing to drastic limitations on its nuclear program. On Wednesday at the United Nations in New York, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif accused Washington of waging "economic terrorism." Washington nevertheless announced fresh sanctions Thursday on what it called a "network" of companies in Iran, Belgium and China supplying crucial materials to Tehran's enrichment program. - Door open for negotiations? - Yet both sides kept open the possibility of talks. The Guardian reported Thursday that Zarif said he had offered a new deal for enhanced inspections of Iran's nuclear program if Washington agrees to remove sanctions. Trump appeared to be receptive as well to negotiations. He told reporters that the pressure on Iran had forced the country to reduce regional activities and suggested that could lead to negotiations. "You look at them pulling back, and they're not pulling back because they love us. They're pulling back because they don't have money," Trump said. "All we want to do is have a fair deal. The deal that was made was a bad deal... We can do something quickly or we can take our time. I'm in no rush."


While stately and immaculate, this luxury convertible has a bite to it. There are many ways to enjoy a nice day. Driving this 1969 Plymouth Satellite is one of the better options. A rare classic, this car is in fantastic shape and could be yours. After going through a full rotisserie restoration , you can literally go over it carefully and see no detail was skipped over. The Hemi Orange paint is of showroom quality, contrasting beautifully with the black rally stripes on the hood. A power white convertible top is also in top condition, providing shelter for those days when the sun isn't shining. Read More 1932 Plymouth Model PB Sedan Delivery Will Let You Bust Some Chops This Plymouth Barracuda Will Have Onlookers Green With Envy Are You Brave Enough For This 1959 'Christine' Plymouth Fury? 1954 Plymouth Savoy Heading To Auction With GAA Speaking of the hood, when you pop it everyone will be impressed. The engine compartment has been fully detailed and there's a fun Wile E. Coyote decal, so you can show off the 440ci V8 with true pride. Turn the key in the ignition and just hear the rumble under the hood and through the dual exhaust system, then feel all that power as you glide down the street. An automatic transmission takes the stress out of driving a classic, so you get to just enjoy the experience. As a top-of-the-line model, the Plymouth Satellite also has power steering and power brakes, so you don't have to wrangle this beast just to navigate city streets. Because this is a genuine luxury ride, the interior comes loaded with all kinds of amenities from the factory. First off, the white vinyl makes it clear this isn't a vehicle for the kids to sit inside and eat chocolate ice cream cones, but instead it's a sophisticated machine for grownups to cruise around. There are bucket seats to literally couch you in comfort. You also get a nice center console, so there's no lack of storage options. To preserve the original look and feel of the car, the factory gauges, controls, and radio are all intact. The cream of the crop, the Plymouth Satellite was an expensive and exclusive car that launched for the 1965 model year and ran for 10 years. That means you won't see many of these cruising around today, making Motor City Classic Cars is offering the ideal set of wheels to add to your collection.


D.C. United hasn't added too many tick marks to the win column of late, but they got back to victory lane with a 4-1 victory over FC Cincinnati that featured a fantastic second half. The win is just the club's second since May 13, and that should give Ben Olsen and company a huge boost as they jump into second place in the East past Atlanta United and move four clear of the fourth-placed New York Red Bulls. With Philadelphia just a single point on top, it's all to play for despite the nine-match run that saw just one win, now ended by the victory at Cincinnati. Luis Rodriguez bagged a brace while Wayne Rooney and Paul Arriola added one each to complete the scoreline. The visitors to Nippert Stadium went ahead on the first of Rodriguez's pair, a curling effort with his right foot that put D.C. United up before halftime. There's no saving that! Lucas Rodriguez with the curler. 😍 #CINvDC pic.twitter.com/UtI42dvYu1   Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 19, 2019 The home side struck back with a penalty by Emmanuel Ledesma nine minutes after the break, but it took D.C. just two minutes to restore the lead as Rodriguez again came through, this time via a deflection that took the ball into the top-left corner. Rooney and Arriola were then on hand to put the game away, with the former England international latching onto an exquisite long ball from Leonardo Jara that was presented on a platter for Rooney to split the center-backs and finish cooly for a 3-1 lead. Arriola finished it off with 17 minutes to go, again on the breakaway as the American international burst down the left and finished it himself from a tight angle. Playing with the lead for most of the second half, D.C. United was happy to let FC Cincinnati hold much of the possession, 57% to be exact. They were deadly on the counter, leading the shot count 17-11 despite the possessional deficit, including 8-3 on target. Up next for D.C. United is a critical date with Atlanta United on Sunday as the two duke it out near the top of the Eastern Conference. Follow @the_bonnfire


The Twins have placed outfielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list, per a club announcement. He is still recovering from a right wrist contusion that was suffered recently on a hit-by-pitch. It had been hoped that the injury would not require a trip to the IL, but Buxton evidently needs a bit more time off. The placement is retroactive to June 15, as he has not appeared since being struck. He'll be eligible to return as soon as Tuesday the 25th. While this seems unlikely to be more than a blip, it's still unfortunate to see even a brief pause in the season for the 25-year-old Buxton. The long-hyped youngster has come into his own thus far in 2019, turning in a cumulative .266/.324/.527 slash with nine home runs and 10 steals over 227 plate appearances. Jake Cave will get another look at the majors in Buxton's absence. He was demoted after a weak start to the season but has been on a tear at Triple-A (.321/.373/.552).


Even after the Oklahoma City Thunder allowed Mike Muscala to reconsider the commitment he made to the team on the first day of NBA free agency, the big man decided to join the organization - which looks much different than the one was initially set to sign with. Maybe it had to do with Thunder general manager Sam Presti making the trip to Muscala's home in Minnesota. Perhaps Muscala didn't have much of a market beyond Oklahoma City. Or, where he once saw an opportunity to play for a winning team, maybe now he sees a chance to improve his stock for his next run in free agency - which could be in the summer of 2020. According to Michael Scotto of The Athletic , Muscala agreed to play for the Thunder for two seasons to the tune of $4.31 million. However, the big man has the chance to move on after his first year in Oklahoma City, with his deal including a player option. MORE: Is Tacko Fall an NBA player? Here is the case for why... and why not Dan Le Batard delivers impassioned rebuke of racist 'send her back' chant despite ESPN rules Dan Le Batard Rips Trump and 'Send Her Back' Chants Can Rashaan Melvin be the Lions' new Rashean Mathis? What made Bills hiring of Ken Dorsey a crucial hiring


Citywide Curious just how far your dollar goes in San Francisco? We've rounded up the latest rental listings via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to scoring housing in San Francisco if you don't want to spend more than $2,300/month on rent. Read on for the listings. (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. 839 Leavenworth St. (Lower Nob Hill) Listed at $2,225/month, this studio apartment is located at 839 Leavenworth St. The apartment offers hardwood flooring. The building offers on-site laundry. Pet owners, take heed: cats and dogs are welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address is extremely walkable, is relatively bikeable and has excellent transit. (See the complete listing here .) 790 20th Ave. (Outer Richmond) Here's a studio apartment at 790 20th Ave. that's going for $2,250/month. The apartment features carpeted flooring, a walk-in closet and central heating. Cats and dogs are not allowed. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is very walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has excellent transit. (See the full listing here .) 4534 Mission St. (Mission Terrace) Next, check out this 600-square-foot studio apartment that's located at 4534 Mission St. It's listed for $2,288/month. The building features assigned parking and an elevator. The unit also comes with hardwood flooring and a walk-in closet. Pets are not welcome. Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address has excellent walkability, is convenient for biking and boasts excellent transit options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 1455 Filbert St. (Russian Hill) Listed at $2,295/month, this studio apartment is located at 1455 Filbert St. When it comes to building amenities, expect assigned parking, on-site laundry and additional storage space. The unit also has central heating and a renovated kitchen. Neither cats nor dogs are welcome. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area has excellent walkability, has some bike infrastructure and boasts excellent transit options. (See the complete listing here .) 890 Bush St. (Nob Hill) Finally, there's this studio apartment over at 890 Bush St. It's also listed for $2,295/month. Expect to find hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances and a walk-in closet in the residence. The building has an elevator and on-site laundry. Hairball alert: cats are permitted. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is extremely walkable, is bikeable and boasts excellent transit options. (See the complete listing here .) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in San Francisco . This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


SAN DIEGO The Honduran cattle herder rubbed his hands nervously, perched on the edge of his seat in the baggage claim area of San Diego International Airport, scanning the crowd. Suddenly, a curly-haired teenager caught his eye. "That's my son," he said, his mouth widening into a grin as he launched himself toward an embrace that had been nearly a year in the making. "Don't cry," he whispered as he hugged the boy, who had surpassed him in height since the two were apprehended last May by U.S. immigration agents. Redin, 39, and his 16-year-old son, also named Redin, were split up that same night. A month later, the father was deported back to Honduras and the boy was shuttled to a youth detention facility in Texas. Last week, Redin was among the first of 17 Central American parents to be reunited with their children, the result of a humanitarian intervention by immigrant rights groups, propelled by a national class-action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of migrant parents separated from their families. The lawsuit argues that the government's actions violate the Constitution's due process clause, federal law protecting asylum seekers, and the government's own stated directive to keep families intact. Since the Trump administration's family separation policy began last spring, hundreds of parents were deported while their children remained in the United States. Government documents have shown that officials began separating families months before the policy was announced, which could result in potentially thousands more separations than previously known. Although a U.S. District Court judge in San Diego blocked the policy last June and ordered the Trump administration to reunite all separated families, migrant advocates say that the administration has continued to quietly separate hundreds more families. Last month, lawyers with the nonprofit Al Otro Lado ("On the Other Side") helped nearly 30 parents from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala travel to the Mexicali border, across from Calexico, Calif., to demand entry to pursue asylum claims and reunite with their children. Redin and other parents who spoke with the Los Angeles Times did so on the condition that their last names not be published. All the parents   who arrived at the border March 2   previously had entered the U.S. and been detained, then deported, while their children were placed in U.S. shelters and foster homes or with stateside relatives. Twelve parents who came with minor children and other family members were processed and released within a week. But the 17 others who arrived alone were held in the detention facility, without explanation, until last week. Slideshow by photo services Al Otro Lado received close to $1 million from the nonprofit Together Rising, which established fundraising campaigns during the height of the separation crisis. After lawyers found the parents, they secured legal permission for them to enter Mexico; the parents then presented themselves to officials at the U.S. border. They all passed credible fear interviews, the first step toward establishing claims for asylum. Erika Pinheiro, Al Otro Lado's litigation and policy director, calls her strategy the "self-help option" for deported parents. She said it became necessary because the federal government wasn't moving quickly enough. "The U.S. government isn't providing a clear path for every deported parent," she said. "We can't be waiting around." The first parents were released Monday night from the detention facility and dropped off a block from the border in Calexico, where advocates with Border Kindness greeted them. Founder Kelly Overton started the organization after learning about the migrant caravans in late 2017 and realizing there were few resources for those in the Mexicali, Mexico, area. When Al Otro Lado put out a call for help last month, he jumped at the chance. "If these were white kids taken from their parents and put somewhere, people would be outraged," Overton said. Many parents decided it was best for their children to stay in the U.S., fearing that they would be killed if they returned. But that decision isn't without consequences. Children not placed in long-term foster care had to adapt to multiple shelters while being shuttled around the country. "The kids are super-traumatized," said Pinheiro. "Reunification is not the end of the story." Pinheiro and her team talked to nearly 100 parents deported without their children. Some didn't have asylum claims, didn't want to come back to the U.S., or said the first trip crippled them economically and they couldn't afford the risk again. Other parents, desperate to get their kids back, paid smugglers or otherwise somehow made their way back up through Mexico to attempt reunification on their own. Additional parents have been referred to Al Otro Lado through other advocates. Pinheiro said she's exploring how to help a second group of parents get to the U.S. legally to reclaim their children. Among the thousands of separated families who haven't been identified, many won't be so lucky. For the 29 parents Al Otro Lado helped return, lawyers advocated to delay their children's legal cases until they could find out whether the parents would be allowed back in to seek asylum. But other children separated before the policy went into effect have deportation orders. Some, including 52-year-old Lorenza's son, have already been removed from the country. Her son, Jose, was 17 when they were separated by the Border Patrol. He spent a year in a youth facility, where he had a case manager who called Lorenza regularly after she was deported back to Guatemala. But when he turned 18, he was moved to a detention center for adults. Jose had no money to call his mother. He didn't know she'd been in contact with lawyers and was on her way back to the U.S. to reunite with him. With the other parents in Tijuana, days before they reached Mexicali, she got a call from Guatemala. It was Jose. Pinheiro submitted a motion to reopen Jose's case. Still, she said: "For a lot of parents, it's going to be too late." For Lorenza and the parents released from Calexico, last week was just the beginning of a likely years-long asylum process. Next they'll show up for appointments with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, apply for work permits and prepare for their first court hearings. Pinheiro will find new lawyers for those who will be living outside of Southern California and connect them with mental health services. One is Nelvi, 36, who fled El Salvador with her then-14-year-old daughter, Ingris, after gang members attempted to rape the girl and threatened to kill them both. They were detained by Border Patrol after entering Texas in April 2018. Two days later, an officer asked if Nelvi ever had been arrested in El Salvador. She told the officer that once, years ago, she'd been handcuffed briefly after a hair-pulling fight with her former husband's sister, but she'd never been to jail or charged with a crime. The officer cut off her explanation, and said they were taking her daughter because Nelvi was a criminal. Two months later, getting desperate, Nelvi signed for her deportation, while Ingris stayed in a Texas youth detention facility. The weight of her suffering grew to be too much for Ingris, who tried twice to kill herself, the second time spending 10 days hospitalized. "Mama, I need you more than ever," she told Nelvi. In San Diego, two days before their reunion, Nelvi showed a reporter the black chiffon dress and matching sequined wedge sandals that she'd brought for her daughter. Ingris missed her mother's cooking and had requested a reunion meal of fried fish with bean-and-cheese pupusas. "I'm going to buy the ingredients and make it for you," a beaming Nelvi told her. Redin, the cattle herder, said he never was offered the option of taking his son with him back to Honduras. But even if he had, he wouldn't have wanted to: It was too dangerous. His lawyers say that Redin escaped human trafficking in Honduras. Worried that his son also could be targeted, Redin borrowed money from his brother in the U.S. and paid a smuggler nearly $4,500 to get them into Texas. He didn't want to leave his wife and five other children, but felt he had no choice. Three hours after crossing the Rio Grande last May, the two were discovered by Border Patrol and taken to a nearby detention facility where they were placed in a hielera, or icebox   the nickname given by migrants to the frigid holding cells inside Customs and Border Protection facilities. Redin began to sob when officials informed him that he was being deported while his son would stay in the U.S. Eventually he was brought some papers and told to sign. He can't read and didn't know what they were for but, feeling scared, did as he was told. He had agreed to be deported. Eleven months later, when Redin arrived at the border last week, Border Kindness advocacy director Yolanda Brown drove him to Walmart to buy clothes and snacks. He stayed up late on his first night out of detention, listening to local Spanish radio on his phone. Three days afterward, in the car leaving the airport en route to a new life with a California sponsor, Redin put his arm around his son. "When they took away my son, I never lost hope," he said. "I prayed to God that someday I'd be with my son again. One night I dreamed that I was hugging him." Finally, he was.     ©2019 Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Looking to sample the best sandwiches around town? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable sandwich hot spots in Anaheim, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to fulfill your urges. 1. Campitelli Cookies & Sandwiches Topping the list is Campitelli Cookies & Sandwiches . Located at 5557 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Suite 102 in Anaheim Hills, the bakery and restaurant, which offers sandwiches, cookies and more, is the highest-rated cheap sandwich spot in Anaheim, boasting 4.5 stars out of 211 reviews on Yelp. In addition to baking fresh cookies and serving up made-to-order fresh deli sandwiches, Campitelli's also offers stromboli, soups and salads. Dine in with the hot pastrami on sourdough bread or order a dozen chocolate chip cookies to go. 2. Board & Brew Anaheim Hills' Board & Brew , located at 5701 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Suite P, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the budget-friendly beer bar and cafe, which offers sandwiches and more, 4.5 stars out of 514 reviews. Board & Brew is a California-based chain that partners with local farmers and vendors "to source the highest quality hormone free, organic when possible, sustainably farmed meats, dairy and produce," according to its website . Stop in to sample the veggie supreme sandwich with cheddar and jack cheese, cucumber, mayo, onion, lettuce, tomato and sprouts, topped with avocado on squaw bread. 3. OC Tasty Chicken & Banh Mi OC Tasty Chicken & Banh Mi , a Vietnamese spot and grocery store that offers sandwiches and more in Southeast Anaheim, is another much-loved, cheap go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 519 Yelp reviews. Head over to 2117 E. Ball Road to see for yourself. This spot serves both Vietnamese sandwiches and entrees, in addition to sides like spring rolls, sticky rice and vegetarian noodles soup. Order the chicken meatball bánh mì with tomato sauce, pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, cilantro and jalapeño. 4. U-Doggee Catering Over in Anaheim Hills, check out U-Doggee Catering , which has earned five stars out of 95 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the spot to score sandwiches and hot dogs by heading over to 1095 N. Pullman St. Established in 1986, this restaurant offers a selection of fresh-made sandwiches, gourmet hot dogs, sausages and hamburgers. Hungry for a sandwich? Choose from pastrami, grilled chicken, roast beef, Chicago Italian beef, Philly cheese steak or turkey and ham. 5. Grow Coffee + Tea Finally, there's Grow Coffee + Tea , a local favorite with 4.5 stars out of 420 reviews. Stop by 1035 N. Tustin Ave. to hit up the breakfast and lunch spot, which offers sandwiches, coffee and more, next time you're looking to satisfy your cravings on a budget. Grow Coffee + Tea's menu features sandwiches, breakfast burritos, pastries and both hot and cold coffee and tea selections   try the siracha chicken sandwich with an iced dirty chai latte. 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.


MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)   A former Ku Klux Klan leader who pleaded guilty to burning a cross in an African-American neighborhood was ordered Wednesday to return to prison for violating terms of his probation. U.S. District Judge W. Keith Watkins ordered Steven Joshua Dinkle, 30, back to prison for 10 months. Last year Dinkle pleaded guilty for his role in burning a cross outside a predominantly African-American neighborhood in Ozark, Alabama, in 2009 to intimidate its residents. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate housing rights and obstruction of justice. A judge last year sentenced Dinkle to two years in prison. He was freed in May and placed on three years of supervised release. Federal probation officers said Dinkle failed to comply with his release terms. They said he failed to show up for a mental evaluation, moved out of his residence without telling them and fled the city. Deputy U.S. marshals arrested Dinkle in August when he was found in a mobile home in Tuscaloosa, outside the Middle District of Alabama. Dinkle admitting breaking the terms of his supervised release and his defense lawyer and a prosecutor agreed to the 10-month incarceration. He will not be on supervised release when he finishes the 10 months. Investigators said Dinkle was the exalted Cyclops of the Ozark chapter of the KKK. Ozark, a town of about 15,000 people, is 85 miles south of Montgomery


Editor's note: The opinions in this article are the author's, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft. President Trump struck a patriotic, nonpartisan and unifying note during his address at Fourth of July celebrations in Washington, D.C., as the massive crowd of attendees avoided clashes despite provocations from protesters. The event defied the critics who said the celebration on Thursday would be a partisan political spectacle that would not even attract a significant crowd. CBS, ABC, NBC and MSNBC snubbed the celebration and didn't air it live, save for their online streaming platforms. Yet a massive crowd gathered on the Lincoln Memorial despite the rain, with Trump later tweeting an aerial photo showing an audience that filled both sides of the memorial's Reflecting Pool and stretched to the Washington Monument. The president used the speech to call on Americans to "stay true to our cause" and praised American heroes including the Armed Forces and civil rights leaders. "Our nation is stronger today than it ever was before. It is its strongest now," Trump said. "We celebrate our history, our people, and the heroes who proudly defend our flag: the brave men and women of the United States military." "For over 65 years, no enemy Air Force has managed to kill a single American soldier. Because the skies belong to the United States of America," he added. He went on to pay tribute to the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and hailed Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, African-Americans who campaigned to abolish slavery over 100 years ago, as great Americans. The visuals -- flyovers by every branch of the military, a display of tanks and other military hardware, the president rallying Americans before the Lincoln Memorial -- drew complaints from critics that Trump was politicizing the holiday while flexing U.S. military might to an uncomfortable degree. The tenor of the address, however, still marked a contrast with the predictions made by 2020 Democratic presidential candidates who said that Trump would focus on his presidency rather than American ideals. Instead, he strictly stuck to history as he cited numerous tales of valor to weave a story of the American spirit. "I wonder what Donald Trump will say this evening, when he speaks to the nation at an event designed more to stroke his ego than celebrate American ideals," former Vice President Joe Biden, the 2020 Democratic primary front-runner, said during an event in Iowa. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York also fired away at Trump, telling reporters that the event was "a waste of money, you know he's having a parade for himself, putting tanks out there for himself, and if he really cares about the men and women of our nation he would be investing in higher pay, better housing, better health care." Rep. Tulsi Gabbard seconded, saying the event "dishonors our troops, dishonors our service members and veterans." She added: "Because it's really all about Trump. It's not about our service members, it's not about their sacrifices it's not about my brothers and sisters who lost their lives in service to this country and that's the most unfortunate thing." Before the event and around the nation's capital, rowdy agitators linked to the Revolutionary Communist Party and other groups gathered to protest the event, chanting "America was never great." But the streets of Washington remained generally peaceful, with only some minimal clashes between the fringes of the far-left and far-right. The agitators burned at least two American flags in front of the White House, prompting the Secret Service to intervene to put out the fire. The Secret Service said one person was arrested for felony assault on a police officer and malicious burning. The other was arrested for hindering a police investigation and resisting arrest. Neither individual was identified. One of the individuals arrested and two Secret Service officers were being treated for minor injuries. Still, this was a far cry from the fears that the day could resemble Trump's inauguration ceremony in 2017, when black-clad activists created havoc and the city saw violent clashes between them and die-hard supporters of the president, or the deadly Charlottesville rally that attracted neo-Nazis and white supremacists. Instead, ordinary Americans came to watch the event that Trump called "one of the biggest celebrations in the history of our Country." "Even though everybody has different opinions, everybody's getting along," Kevin Malton, a Trump supporter from Kentucky, told the Associated Press. Trump's fervent critics, meanwhile, resorted to erecting a "Trump baby" balloon to protest what activists saw as his intrusion in Independence Day and a focus on military might that they associate with martial regimes. "We think that he is making this about himself and it's really a campaign rally," said Medea Benjamin, Code Pink's co-director. "We think that he's a big baby. ... He's erratic, he's prone to tantrums, he doesn't understand the consequences of his actions. And so this is a great symbol of how we feel about our president."


MIAMI (AP)   Florida felons will have to pay court-ordered financial obligations if they want their voting rights restored under a bill signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday. During the spring legislative session, Democrats argued that forcing felons who've completed their prison sentences and probation to also pay court fees and fines goes against the spirit of the constitutional amendment voters passed in November. The amendment to restore voting rights for felons other than convicted murderers and sex offenders was approved with 64.5% of the vote. But the language said felons must complete their sentences, and Republicans interpreted that to include restitution, court costs, fines and fees imposed by a judge at sentencing. DeSantis echoed that interpretation in a memo that accompanied the new law. "Senate Bill 7066 enumerates a uniform list of crimes that fall into the excluded categories and confirms that the amendment does not apply to a felon who has failed to complete all the terms of his sentence," DeSantis wrote. Democrats said that creates a hurdle that voters didn't intend when they approved the amendment. They also argued that the original intent of the felon voting ban was to repress the minority vote, because minorities historically have been disproportionately convicted of felonies. The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups that have supported the restoration of voting rights for felons filed a federal lawsuit Friday challenging the new state law. "Over a million Floridians were supposed to reclaim their place in the democratic process, but some politicians clearly feel threatened by greater voter participation. They cannot legally affix a price tag to someone's right to vote," said ACLU senior staff attorney Julie Ebenstein. The lawsuit cites what it called violations of the First, 14th and 15th Amendments and argues that the new law constitutes a poll tax. "The ability to vote should not be based on the size of one's bank account," said Daniel Tilley, legal director of the ACLU of Florida. Ebenstein said that it is difficult for former felons to know the amount they owe to courts, because Florida has no centralized system. "People are being left out in the dark whether they are eligible to register, and it will chill someone to register because they are running the risk of registering erroneously," Ebenstein said. The bill does allow other pathways for felons to have financial obligations forgiven beyond simply paying them. Among the options would be to have a victim forgive the repayment of restitution or to have a judge convert financial obligations to community service.


In front of a green screen in his dorm room, University of North Texas freshman Michael Mairs is raising money for kids fighting cancer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Mairs is part of St. Jude PLAY LIVE. One of hundreds of gamers raising money for St. Jude, and he got to visit and tells all of his followers the experience for him was life-changing. "I got to walk the hallways and see the smiles on the kids' faces," said Mairs. "When you think of hospitals, people think of it as just kind of like sad, gloomy. But St. Jude was like a family, it really was. And people were happy and laughing and smiling even though there were so many hardships happening in that facility." He learned that St. Jude needs $2.8 million a day to operate, so Mairs is putting the fun in fundraising. "Even a small donation can make a difference," said Mairs, who is majoring in communication studies. "$3 can pay for a surgical face mask for the hospital, and $25 allows St. Jude to throw a "No More Chemo" party for kids who've finished treatment." "If someone donates a hundred dollars and does this, I will pie myself in the face," said Mairs. "So if you guys want to see me get pied in the face, that's an option." His goal is to raise at least $10,000. Online: Video Gaming For Charity


TORONTO   It had been two years since Ryan Weber last started a major league game. But the Red Sox needed somebody to face the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon and didn't want to risk Hector Velazquez being unable to get out of the first inning again. Manager Alex Cora set modest goals before the game, saying he hoped Weber would last four or five innings. BOX SCORE: RED SOX 8, BLUE JAYS 2 The 28-year-old righthander did much better than that. He allowed one run over six innings in a game the Sox won, 8-2. Weber gave up three hits and struck out four without a walk. Of his 93 pitches, one reached 90 miles per hour but he worked the sides of the strike zone effectively with four pitches. "He was amazing," Cora said. Weber didn't learn until Wednesday that he was starting, not that it really mattered. He signed a minor league contract with the Sox in December knowing that his role would be undefined. "I told them I would start, relieve, whatever they needed," he said. "It's the Red Sox, so I was happy to get the chance. It was a no-brainer." Weber grew up in Florida but his mother, Mary, is from Boston and the Sox were one of the teams he followed as a kid. Weber was invited to spring training but reassigned to minor league camp on March 18. He pitched well for Triple-A Pawtucket and was called up on May 6 when David Price went on the injured list. He has since pitched in four games for them and allowed two runs over 14 innings. "This has all been great," Weber said. In an era where many pitchers rely on velocity and work the strike zone vertically against hitters trying to get the ball in the air, Weber goes east and west and changes speeds. "It's different," Cora said. "A little bit of old school. We're very pleased with the way he went about it." That was part of what attracted the Sox to sign Weber despite a 1-5 record and 5.01 ERA in 24 games with the Braves, Mariners and Rays. As Cora said, he's a pitcher in the best sense of the word. The radar gun doesn't matter to him. Weber's biggest challenge was in the second inning. With a run in and runners on second and third, he retired Billy McKinney on a fly ball to right field, Dan Jansen on a popup to second base and Jonathan Davis on a grounder to third. With Mookie Betts in the lineup as the DH, Cora played Jackie Bradley Jr. in right field and the Jays did not challenge his arm on McKinney's fly ball. "It could have gone either way there," Weber said. It wasn't until after the game that Weber realized his previous big league start, on May 13, 2017, also was at Rogers Centre. But he left that game in the fourth inning with nerve damage in his arm and didn't pitch again the rest of the season. "My nerve got stretched out and my whole arm went numb," Weber said. "It was a freak accident, a freak injury. I threw a pitch and I felt it. It felt like I got shot. A total freak thing." Weber's performance should resonate for several days. The Sox had used their bullpen for 26⅓ innings in the previous five games and Weber's six innings were needed. It allowed Cora to give Matt Barnes and Brandon Workman a day off ahead of Friday night's game at Houston. Now the Sox have won four of five and have Chris Sale, Price and Eduardo Rodriguez lined up for the Astros. Over the course of a long season, games that are successfully pieced together are what lead to long-term success. Weber will probably be up and down the minors over the next few months, but what he did Thursday mattered. "We're going to have days like that," Cora said. "We knew coming into the game we needed to score some runs. It didn't look pretty for a while there. But then at the end we were able to add on. "These are the games that set you up for the rest of the week." The Sox don't have another day off until June 3, so Weber could remain in the rotation for another few starts. Maybe he'll get more than a day to prepare next time. "It's fine, whatever they want," he said. "I'm glad to be on this team." Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com . Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe . Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn)


Braves hurler Kevin Gausman has been slapped with a five-game suspension and undisclosed fine, per a league announcement. The punitive measure relates to a recent incident on the mound. It was determined that Gausman intentionally threw a pitch at Marlins hurler Jose Urena on Friday night. That assessment was based upon this pitch , which was obviously interpreted as retribution for an incident last season for which Urena himself received a six-game ban . Gausman is appealing the suspension. That will leave him eligible to make his scheduled start tonight. Whether he'll ultimately drop the appeal isn't known, but it shouldn't be terribly difficult for the Braves and him to minimize the intrusion. Atlanta does have an off day upcoming on Tuesday the 13th to work with as well.