Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settled what it called a first-of-its-kind deceptive advertising case against a Washington, D.C.-area car dealership group for allegedly sending recall warnings that were intended to boost the firm's repair business. To settle the FTC's complaint, Passport Automotive agreed it wouldn't mislead consumers with communications meant to resemble safety recalls. The company has dealerships in Maryland and Virginia. The dealership didn't admit to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. Passport told CR it settled the case to avoid "the considerable expense and disruption of defending ourselves in court." The customer communications were sent to 7,000 Toyota owners in 2015 and 14,000 Nissan owners in 2017. The postcards were meant to resemble official federal recall notices about safety defects, with the phrase "Urgent Recall Notice" prominently displayed in red (see picture below). They didn't refer to specific models or safety defects, and consumers had to call to get additional information. The dealerships sent the mailers to increase business at their service departments, not to alert consumers about actual recalls, the FTC contended. Consumers who called were usually told that they had to visit the dealership to learn more about the recalls, and many then paid for service that was unrelated to any recall, according to the FTC. Such marketing is fraudulent, the agency said, and it has the potential to confuse consumers and makes it less likely that they'll pay attention when they get a letter about an actual safety defect. The settlement did not include any compensation for consumers. Passport said in a written statement to CR that it sent the letters to its customers because it was having difficulty identifying and fixing cars with unrepaired safety defects. Manufacturer lists of unrepaired vehicles with open recalls aren't always available to dealers, it said. "Open manufacturer recalls are a huge problem for our industry, and this advertisement actually did allow us to reach many owners and repair many vehicles with open recalls at no cost to the owners," Passport Automotive said in a written statement. "Many of those who responded to the advertisement did in fact have unrepaired recalls." The colors and lettering on the envelope, set against a bright red background, mimicked the format of actual recall notices required by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the FTC said. NHTSA's format is intended to help protect consumers from misleading sales and marketing materials that could lead to the purchase of "costly products and services" unrelated to a safety recall, the agency said. "Deceptive fake recall notices may not only trick consumers into visiting a dealership, but also may cause them to ignore legitimate recall notices in the future, risking their safety," said Andrew Smith, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. If the company violates the agreement by sending out similar letters in the future, it would be liable for substantial civil penalties as much as $41,000 per violation, per day, according to the FTC. In the case of actual recalls, consumers receive letters that include a specific description of the defect, the needed repairs, and a schedule for when parts will be available. Under federal law, recall repairs must be made free of charge to consumers. Consumers can check their vehicles for open recalls by entering a vehicle-identification number at the NHTSA website. There is no need to visit a dealership in person to get this information. Consumer Reports members can also use the Car Recall Tracker function on our website. "Safety recalls are serious, and auto dealers should never mislead consumers about them to lure in new business," said William Wallace, senior policy analyst for Consumers Union, the advocacy division of Consumer Reports. "This kind of marketing can waste consumers' time and money, and potentially even make them pay less attention in the future to warnings about dangerous safety defects." Passport Automotive runs nine dealerships in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs around Washington, selling BMW, Infiniti, Mazda, Mini, Nissan, and Toyota vehicles. The FTC complaint referred to communications that were sent out to nearby Toyota and Nissan owners. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2018, Consumer Reports, Inc.


Looking to chow down on some seafood fare? A new spot has you covered. The fresh addition to River Oaks area, called Loch Bar , is located at 4444 Westheimer Road, Suite G110. The restaurant bills itself as a "classic seafood tavern featuring one of the area's largest raw bar and seafood menus." Loch Bar offers menu items ranging from raw oysters to caviar to shellfish towers featuring shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab. The spot also has live music every night. ( Here's the full menu.) With a 4.5-star rating out of seven reviews on Yelp so far, the fresh addition is on its way to developing a local fan base. Rob R., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on June 24, wrote, "We were fortunate to try this restaurant over the weekend and it did not disappoint! A very knowledgeable server, and a manager who stopped by to check in all with smiles on their faces." Yelper Esther M. added , "The ambiance and service were on point and the food was cooked to perfection, not to mention their amazing cocktails. I can't wait to bring my husband. I definitely will be back." Swing on by to take a peek for yourself: Loch Bar is open from 11 a.m. 2 a.m. daily. 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.


For more than 10 years, Spanish guard Sergio Llull had resisted the temptation to move to the NBA. But even at 31 years old, he's still not ready to rule it out as an option. The Rockets first acquired Llull's NBA rights during the 2009 NBA Draft. They nearly lured him to Houston in July 2015 , but Spaniard opted to stay home and play for Real Madrid, where he's considered by many to be the best international player not in the NBA. This month, Llull is focused on leading Spain's national team to the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which takes place from August 31 through September 15 in China. In a new interview with Diario AS , Llull addressed the subject of a potential move to the NBA. Llull said (as translated by Eurohoops.net ): I am not closing the door. I actually appreciate [the] Houston Rockets' interest every year and also the fact they respect my decision, because they have never pressured me. They are always nice to me, accepting my wishes. Right now, I am focused on the national team. Houston GM Daryl Morey has previously compared Llull to other international players who moved to the NBA after age 30 and still made an impact, such as Arvydas Sabonis . At the moment, there's no roster incentive for Llull to join the Rockets. With James Harden and Russell Westbrook as the starting backcourt and Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers in the second unit, virtually all of the guard minutes in head coach Mike D'Antoni's system are accounted for already. Both Gordon and Rivers, however, can become free agents next summer - which could create an opening for Llull, should he want it. His current contract with Real Madrid expires in 2021, though reports have said the buyout figure isn't too significant . Morey on Sergio Llull: "A lot of the great international players came over at Sergio's age or later. We're here with open arms when he wants to do it. He's got a lot to accomplish there and here, so we'll see." #Rockets @23Llull @dmorey @BimaThug https://t.co/frO0laa3PD - Chris A. White (@fyrebear) April 11, 2019 Llull averaged 10.6 points and 3.7 assists in 21.4 minutes per game for Real Madrid in the 2018-19 season . In March, Morey scouted at least one of Llull's games in person. Besides watching Spain in the upcoming World Cup, fans can see how Llull fares against NBA competition during next week's exhibition between Spain and the United States on Friday, August 16 . Spain is the world's second-ranked team in FIBA's international rankings, trailing only the Americans. MORE: Breaking down everything the Duke Johnson trade means for the Browns A furious Chris Davis had to be held back from Orioles manager Brandon Hyde Deadline passes as Elliott loses accrued season, fines reach $500K Packers rookie Darrius Shepherd standing out to Matt LaFleur, Aaron Rodgers Where did Jakobi Meyers come from?


Chicago will continue to see unusual light rainfall in the coming days, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Today's forecast shows the greatest likelihood of rain at 96%, while the most rainfall is predicted on Wednesday at 0.69 inches. The immediate forecast also has mild temperatures in store for today. Temperatures will reach a high of 67 degrees this afternoon, then turn cooler on Tuesday. Winds should reach a modest high of 13 mph on Wednesday, while today and tomorrow will continue to be calmer. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that breast cancer is considered as one of the common forms of cancer. Doctors and medical practitioners would typically diagnose women with this condition from all corners of the world. The good news is that it is also one of the most treatable forms of cancer. Studies claim that it has a five-year relative survival rate of 78 percent in black women and 91 percent among white women. These numbers are on the rise this year. The bad news is that studies have shown how these women who underwent breast cancer treatment tend to face numerous health risks after their therapy is done. There are late side effects that include premature menopause symptoms, bone damage, poor heart health and more. In one of the studies conducted by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), which was published in Menopause , women who experienced breast cancer were found to be more at risk of incurring heart disease. Dr. Joann Pinkerton, the executive director of NAMS, shared that in addition to radiation therapy and chemotherapy, these women also use antiestrogen if they possess an estrogen-sensitive breast cancer. Do note that the loss of estrogen is a primary cause for an increased risk of heart disease. "About one in eight women, which is about 12 percent, in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lives. In 2019, an estimated 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 62,930 new cases of noninvasive (in situ) breast cancer," Pinkerton shared, according to Medical News Today . This year, there are now a total of 3.1 million women who undergo breast cancer treatment in the U.S. This number includes those who are currently receiving treatment. Considering the fact that there are so many women who are likely to develop a high risk in incurring various kinds of heart diseases, it is crucial that patients talk to their doctor about this possibility. By scheduling a consultation session, they are better able to understand their current situation. Furthermore, they can ask advice from medical experts as to the adequate measures needed to prevent these risks. Related video: Low-fat diet can reduce risk of breast cancer, new study finds [via Today]


WASHINGTON (AP) Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin will go to China as part of the NHL's continued outreach in that country. Ovechkin will visit Beijing in early August as a league ambassador. He's expected to take part in youth hockey clinics, interviews and business development meetings. The Russian star says it's ''very important to spend time to help make people all over the world see how great a game hockey is.'' Ovechkin was outspoken prior to the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, at one point saying he'd like to go even if the NHL doesn't because of how much he values representing his country. The NHL decided not to send players, and Ovechkin did not leave the Capitals to participate. The NHL has not committed to going to the Beijing Games in 2022. The league staged exhibition games in China each of the past two seasons, and the Boston Bruins are making their fifth trip this summer. --- More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports Related slideshow: 2019 Stanley Cup Final (provided by imagn)


The 49ers are adding some tight end depth from a veteran. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the 49ers are set to sign former Falcons tight end Levin Toilolo today. A former fourth-round pick in Atlanta, Toilolo was up and down there, with one season of 31 catches and no others with more than 13. He signed with Detroit last offseason and had 21 catches for 263 yards for the Lions. He's a decent depth addition behind George Kittle , and adds to their collection of former Falcons who worked with coach Kyle Shanahan.


While the first two picks of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft are considered simple enough for the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers, who have to claim the top two players in the draft in Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko , the real draft gets started at No. 3, where the Chicago Blackhawks must wade through a bevy of prospects and decide who is the best of the rest. Many scouts have suggested the next obvious player to be taken could be defenseman Bowen Byram , whom Chicago head scout Mark Kelley compared to Paul Coffey . However, would the Blackhawks take a defenseman in the first round after selecting Adam Boqvist and Nicolas Beaudin in the first round last year and Henri Jokiharju in the first round in 2017 (plus taking Ian Mitchell in the second round that year as well). Even if Chicago is willing to take the plunge to draft another defenseman in the first round, The Athletic's Mark Lazerus (subscription required) writes that the Blackhawks are banking on success as quickly as possible while Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are on top of their game, leaving little time to sit around and develop their first-rounders. Lazerus writes that Chicago needs the most NHL-ready player to take over, and defensemen rarely fit that bill as forwards develop much more quickly and produce more quickly than defensemen. Ryan S. Clark of The Athletic (subscription required) writes that the Colorado Avalanche will find themselves watching what the Blackhawks will do at the draft. The Avalanche, who own the No. 4 pick, also would be interested in drafting Byram, but could have more pressing needs as well. Colorado has a number of top defensemen in Tyson Barrie , Cale Makar , Samuel Girard and Connor Timmins , which would make Byram a luxury, especially considering the Avalanche could have a bigger need on offense. While the team has a number of young NHL players in Tyson Jost , J.T. Compher and Alexander Kerfoot who could fill Colorado's second line, none of them has taken that next step in his development. All have done well, but none looks like a top-six player yet. That could still happen, but Colorado also has interest in Alex Turcotte, who could help the Rockies out quickly as well. With a need to bring in a future franchise goaltender and the top goaltending prospect, Spencer Knight , likely to be available when the Vegas Golden Knights pick at No. 17, it would look to be a great fit -- even his last name fits perfectly in Vegas. However, Sinbin.vegas' Ken Boehlke writes that while Marc-Andre Fleury was a major success when he was drafted in the first round back in 2003, there have been 18 goaltenders selected in the first round and few of those have been successful as only five of them have made more than 10 starts in the NHL with only two of them having become franchise goalies for the teams that drafted them in Carey Price and Andrei Vasilevskiy , suggesting the Knights would be better off going after a skater than taking a major risk with their first-round pick.


Free agent center Willie Cauley-Stein has decided to join the Warriors, according to Marcus Thompson of The Athletic ( Twitter link ). Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports confirms ( via Twitter ) that the two sides are in agreement on a deal. Although Cauley-Stein opened the free agent period as a restricted free agent, he didn't stay restricted for long   the Kings rescinded his qualifying offer in order to create the necessary cap room to sign their other targets, including Cory Joseph . As a result, Cauley-Stein is free to sign outright with any team. The sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft, Cauley-Stein spent the first four years of his NBA career in Sacramento, though it became increasingly clear as the Kings were linked to free agent centers in recent weeks that he probably wasn't part of the club's plan going forward. The Kings ultimately struck deals with Dewayne Dedmon and Richaun Holmes to address the five spot. Cauley-Stein will head to another Pacific team in the Warriors, which is a little surprising, given the lack of cap flexibility for Golden State. The team is expected to fill out its roster with mostly minimum-salary players after hard-capping itself at the tax apron by acquiring D'Angelo Russell via sign-and-trade. However, Cauley-Stein will get a salary slightly above the minimum, tweets ESPN's Zach Lowe. In 81 games (27.3 MPG) for the Kings in 2018-19, Cauley-Stein averaged 11.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG and 2.4 APG. He'll join a new-look Warriors roster that will no longer feature Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala in 2019-20. In the wake of the team's agreement with Cauley-Stein, it also seems increasingly unlikely that DeMarcus Cousins will return.


The Vikings lost some key free agents this offseason, but they'll likely get compensated somewhat for that in the 2020 NFL Draft. Per NFL.com , the Vikings are projected to receive three compensatory picks in the draft: A third-round pick thanks to Sheldon Richardson's departure, a sixth-round pick from Nick Easton and a seventh-round pick from Latavius Murray. There's also an outside chance the team could get a pick from guard Tom Compton. This is where signing veterans for short-term deals can pay off for teams. We've seen teams like the Ravens and Patriots benefit from the compensatory draft in the past. The Vikings are joining that group, at least for 2020. The Vikings have all of their picks for next year's draft, and these three compensatory picks would put the Vikings at 10 total picks, which just happens to be Rick Spielman's magic draft number. MORE: Video confirms reports of Chris Paul's attempt to sabotage Steph Curry Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Daniel Jones has been accepted, embraced inside of Giants' locker room Familiar faces return among participants at Lions rookie camp


The forecast shows Long Beach will see a return of last week's hot temperatures today, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Weather today includes temperatures that will reach 90 degrees, with 85 expected on Wednesday. Also expect mostly cloudy skies through Wednesday. Skies will partially clear on Thursday, remaining partly cloudy through Saturday. Winds will continue to be fairly calm in the course of the week, with the highest speeds today at only 9 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.


Will you end up counting on Social Security to pay the bills in retirement? Chances are, those monthly benefits will constitute a significant chunk of your senior income, so it's important to know how Social Security works. Here are a few key rules to commit to memory. 1. Your benefits will be slashed if you file before full retirement age The amount you collect in Social Security each month will be calculated based on how much you earned during your 35 highest-paid years of wages, after indexing for inflation. The age at which you claim those benefits, however, will impact that number as well. If you file at full retirement age , or FRA, you'll get the precise monthly benefit your earnings history entitles you to. FRA isn't the same set number for everyone; rather, it's a function of your year of birth. You can consult the following table to see what your FRA looks like: If You Were Born In: Your Full Retirement Age Is: 1943-1954 66 1955 66 and 2 months 1956 66 and 4 months 1957 66 and 6 months 1958 66 and 8 months 1959 66 and 10 months 1960 or later 67 DATA SOURCE: SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION. That said, you don't have to wait until FRA to file for Social Security. You're allowed to claim your benefits once you turn 62, but filing before FRA will result in a reduction in benefits, the extent of which will depend on how early you file. Specifically, you'll lose 6.67% of your benefits per year for the first 36 months you file ahead of FRA, and then 5% of your benefits for each year you file early after that. That formula might seem confusing, but all it means is that if you file for Social Security three years before FRA, you'll lose 20% of your benefits. File five years early, and you'll lose 30%. Also note that in most cases, that reduction will remain in effect for the rest of your life. The only exception is if you manage to withdraw your benefits application and repay all of the money you collected in benefits within a year of having filed. Related video: How to plan for a Social Security shortfall (provided by CNBC) 2. Your retirement benefits will increase if you file after full retirement age Just as your retirement benefits will be reduced if you file for Social Security before FRA, so too do you get the option to grow those benefits by claiming them after FRA. For each year you hold off past that point, you'll accrue delayed retirement credits that boost your benefits by 8% a year. That increase will then remain in effect for the rest of your life. 3. There's no sense in delaying benefits past age 70 Holding off on filing for benefits past FRA is a good way to increase your Social Security payments. But once you reach age 70, there's no point in delaying benefits any longer. The credits you get to accrue by waiting to file stop accumulating at age 70, regardless of your FRA, so if you don't claim benefits by the time you turn 70, you risk losing out on Social Security income. Now one thing you should know is that if you forget to file by age 70, you may not be completely out of luck. Social Security will pay up to six months of retroactive benefits so that if you remember to file by 70-1/2, you won't lose out on income. Still, it's a good idea to mark your calendar with a reminder to claim benefits by your 70 th birthday -- especially since at that point, you'll have waited long enough to file. The more you educate yourself on Social Security, the better those benefits will serve you down the line. If you're nearing retirement with little money in savings, it's especially crucial that you understand how the program works so that you're able to make the most of it. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy . SPONSORED: The $16,728 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $16,728 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies .


BERLIN (AP)   A former nurse who liked putting patients into cardiac arrest because he enjoyed the feeling of being able to resuscitate them was convicted Thursday of 85 counts of murder, making him what is believed to be the worst serial killer in modern German history. Oldenburg court judge Sebastian Buehrmann sentenced 42-year-old Niels Hoegel to life in prison and noted the "particular seriousness of the crimes" in his verdict. Hoegel worked at a hospital in the northwestern city of Oldenburg between 1999 and 2002 and another hospital in nearby Delmenhorst from 2003 to 2005, and the killings took place between 2000 and 2005, the dpa news agency reported. Hoegel's victims ranged in age between 34 and 96. Hoegel was convicted in 2015 of two murders and two attempted murders and is already currently serving a life sentence. There are no consecutive sentences in the German system, but the court's ruling on the seriousness of the crimes all but ensures he will remain incarcerated after the standard 15-year term is up. During his first trial, Hoegel said he intentionally brought about cardiac crises in some 90 patients in Delmenhorst because he enjoyed the feeling of being able to resuscitate them. He later told investigators that he also killed patients in Oldenburg. Authorities subsequently investigated hundreds of deaths, exhuming bodies of former patients. In all Hoegel was tried in Oldenburg on 100 counts of murder, but the court found him not guilty on 15 counts for lack of evidence. Pleas are not entered in the German system and during the seven-month trial, Hoegel admitted to 43 of the killings, disputed five and said he couldn't remember the other 52. Video by The Washington Post Hoegel testified that he had a "protected" childhood, free of violence. He said his grandmother and his father, who were both nurses, had been his role models for going into the profession. "Now I sit here fully convinced that I want to give every relative an answer," Hoegel said during the trial. "I am really sorry." In his closing statement to the court on Wednesday, Hoegel reiterated the apology, expressing shame and remorse, and saying he realized how much pain and suffering he had caused with his "terrible deeds." "To each and every one of you I sincerely apologize for all that I have done," he said.


If there's one thing that we learned from Saturday's Philadelphia Phillies-New York Mets game, it's that Jake Arrieta wants Todd Frazier's fade. The two players had a dust-up during the fifth inning of the contest when Arrieta plunked Frazier with a changeup. The third baseman responded by chirping at Arrieta and was ejected as a result. Tension rising in New York. Todd Frazier was hit by a Jake Arrieta pitch, and then ejected a few seconds later after he exchanged some words with Arrieta and umpires. pic.twitter.com/6ht8SLYk2r   FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 7, 2019 Arrieta then hit Amed Rosario with a pitch two batters later as well, but was not ejected despite both benches getting warned after the Frazier plunking. Mets manager Mickey Callaway was ejected. however, when he came roaring out of the dugout following the Rosario HBP. The Mets would go on to win the game 6-5 though, and Arrieta took the loss with five earned runs allowed in 4.1 innings of work. Afterwards, the former Cy Young winner was not pleased and threatened to "put a dent in [Frazier's] skull," per Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Jake Arrieta was frustrated. He hinted at a physical issue but would not elaborate. He was mad at Todd Frazier, too. "He can come see me," he said. "I'll put a dent in his skull."   Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) July 7, 2019 The next series that the NL East rivals will play against each other comes at the end of August. Arrieta has had similar beef with other teams in the past , so we will see what exactly comes of his threat here. Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (Provided by imagn)


Stewart Friesen has escaped any additional NASCAR penalties following the confiscation of his primary truck last weekend at Kentucky. when NASCAR officials deemed it "unacceptable" with an issue with the firewall in the driver cockpit area. Read Also: NASCAR confiscates Stewart Friesen truck before first practice . NASCAR this week announced Friesen would receive no additional penalties after the truck was examined at the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord, N.C. A NASCAR spokesman said that while confiscating a truck is a unique situation, it's not all that rare for NASCAR officials to have a team fix something that is in violation of the rule book. NASCAR officials saw something on the No. 52 that didn't conform to the rule book, and the team had the opportunity to fix the issue. However, the team could not fix the problem at the track, so NASCAR confiscated the truck and its parts and forced to the team to use a backup vehicle. Friesen remains second in the Truck series standings but is still looking for his first series victory.


The father of a 25-year-old woman, who is accused of ramming her vehicle into a crowd at the Oklahoma State University homecoming parade killing four people Saturday morning, said his daughter is not an alcoholic. Adacia Chambers, a Stillwater resident, was arrested on a DUI charge after the crash and remained jailed Sunday. Stillwater police Capt. Kyle Gibbs said Chambers' Hyundai Elantra struck an unoccupied motorcycle of an officer who was working security at the parade, then went into the crowd. Floyd Cambers, Adacia's father, told The Oklahoman he couldn't believe his daughter was involved in the deadly wreck. He described her as "timid" and said she had attended homecoming festivities Friday night with family but that her boyfriend had told him she was home by 10 p.m. "This is just not who she is. They're going to paint her into a horrible person but this is not (her)," Floyd Chambers told the paper. Floyd Chambers said his daughter wasn't a student at Oklahoma State but thought her boyfriend was or is a student at the school. "I know that she didn't do this on purpose," he said. "This is just a bad accident." Four people were killed and 44 others were injured in the crash that happened at around 10:30 a.m. Saturday. One of the four killed included a 2-year-old child. Eight of the injured were airlifted to hospitals with critical injuries. Police early Sunday released the identities of the three adult victims. Gibbs said in a news release that the crash killed Nakita Prabhakar, 23, of Edmond; and 65-year-olds Bonnie Jean Stone and Marvin Lyle Stone, both of Stillwater. The child was not identified. Witnesses told KOTV the car slammed into parade watchers at a high rate of speed. Dave Kapple of Houston told the Stillwater News Press that he and his son were about 10 feet away when they saw the vehicle barreling into the crowd. "We heard somebody scream, `Look out!.' (The driver) plowed through a police motorcycle, and then a crowd of people," Kapple said. "People were flying everywhere." Another witness, Konda Walker, an Alaska resident and 1991 OSU alum, told the paper, "At first we thought it was part of the show. People were flying 30 feet into the air like rag dolls." Larry Smith told the paper he could see the driver was a woman. "I was sitting right here and she came plowing through," he said. "All I saw was bodies flying, kids flying. It was horrible." The victims of the accident were remembered with a moment of silence before Oklahoma State's football game against Kansas University. Most of the OSU players knelt on the sideline in prayer. "We are heartbroken at this tragedy," Stillwater Mayor Gina Noble told reporters at the news conference. Oklahoma State President Burns Hargis said there had been discussion about canceling the football game, but it went on as scheduled. Hundreds of fans wearing the school's bright orange and black colors had to walk by the intersection, less than three blocks from the stadium, as they headed to the afternoon game. National Guard troops kept watch as officials with the Red Cross and state medical examiner's office continued their work. By Saturday evening, the bodies that had been at the scene encircled by orange cones for most of the day had been carried away. The car and motorcycle had been loaded onto tow trucks. Clothes, water bottles and pieces of the car had been hauled away in large plastic bags. It's not the first tragedy to strike events connected to Oklahoma State sports programs. Ten people, including two OSU men's basketball players, were killed in a 2001 plane crash while returning from a game in Colorado. And Oklahoma State women's basketball coach Kurt Budke and assistant Miranda Serna were among four killed in a plane crash in Arkansas in 2011 while on a recruiting trip. "The families, I know, and these victims will never be able to understand this, nor will we," Hargis said. "But the Cowboy family pulls together. Unfortunately we've had to do it before and we're going to do it again." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Click for more from The Oklahoman. Click for more from the Stillwater News Press.


The holidays are right around the corner. Planning who to shop for and what to get now can work to your wallet's advantage and reduce the stress of frantically running around later to get the perfect gift. Shoppers can stay within their budgets and pick out something for everyone on their list using the following tips. 1. Make it a habit to shop at the bulk store. Take the stress out of finding the perfect gift by going with a theme. Maybe this is the year that many of the recipients on your list receive a bottle of wine, a bag of their favorite gourmet coffee beans or a batch of biscotti. You can cross a bunch of people off of your list in one fell swoop by batch purchasing. This approach can potentially save you time and money while getting your shopping done. Compare prices to get the best deals. You can always personalize a gift by adding some sort of gift topper to whatever you end up buying to make it more personal. 2. Buy in bulk at any store. Buying multiples doesn't only have to happen at a bulk warehouse store . I have found some useful generic gifts at craft stores. Stationery, fancy pens, festive-scented soaps, ornaments and more can serve as wonderful, economical gifts. Search around for other stores where you can buy multiple items for less. You can even personalize them. One year I found a bunch of decorative wooden shovels that were nicely painted with winter scenes on them at a craft store. I purchased metallic markers and wrote the recipient's last name in fancy letters. This can also be done for magnets that have a flat surface and enough space to write on them with a permanent marker. 3. Light up your purchases. Candles are another useful item to stock up on. They are practical and festive. Try to find out the favorite candle scent of the people on your list. This way you can hit a sale and get a bunch of shopping done at once while spending less. You might even be able to support a local school that often has candle fundraisers. You won't even necessarily need to leave your home to order or receive your purchases. Get your shopping done while boosting the school's budget for much needed supplies, school field trips or playground-improvement plan. 4. Give easy to make, edible gifts. People enjoy gifts that are a labor of love even if you didn't technically spend hours in the kitchen. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy chocolate bark, brownies, simple cookies and even trail mix. These are all relatively easy to make and you don't have to purchase too many ingredients. Also, many baking items go on sale near the holidays so stock up when they do. 5. Be a repeat offender. Traditions are really just repeated behaviors wrapped in meaning. Make it a habit to give the same gift every year as a tradition. My family members would always look forward to their chocolate-covered popcorn that I made and put in cellophane bags with a pretty tag and ribbon. It was always a usual suspect in the line-up of gifts I would give them. People looked forward to it and it helped cut back on the decision-making process. 6. Set spending limits. There's nothing worse than exchanging gifts when you have drastically different ideas about spending limits. It can be embarrassing on both ends. Consider making a rule when exchanging gifts year after year. Have everyone agree to a certain amount to prevent future gift giving awkwardness. 7. Pull names out of a hat. If you have a big family, give gifts at work or run with the same circle of friends, buying for everyone can get costly. Don't drain your bank account or wrack your brain to come up with answers. Pull names out of a hat every year so everyone buys for one person. Set a limit for how much to spend. This way you can focus your attention on fewer people and take the time to get them something they'll really like. It takes the stress out of buying for so many people. If it's still too costly to give gifts outside of immediate family, decide to set a rule to exchange gifts on birthdays or another time of year. You could even have a potluck holiday party just to see each other. That can trim costs and allow you to still see people you care about outside of family. The holidays will be here before you know it. Be strategic about how you shop. Set up guidelines for yourself to establishing smart spending habits. They can serve as a default plan to help you spend less, stay on budget and help you get more gift-giving bang for your buck. Copyright 2015 U.S. News & World Report


The Lincoln County woman killed when a gas pipeline near her home exploded is being remembered as a loving mother and "good woman." Lisa Denise Derringer, 58, died early Thursday morning, and five other people were taken to the hospital for their injuries. Derringer's daughter, Candy Ellis, posted on Facebook about her loss , writing, "really are no words right now for what we are going through." Last August, Derringer's 27-year-old son, Cody Ross Weesner of Indianapolis, died in a motorcycle crash. Weesner had four children   two sons and two daughters. Just a few days before he died, Weesner had pawned his Fender guitar in order to help support his family, according to a news report from WTHR Channel 13, the NBC affiliate in Indianapolis. "We had just found out we were having twins and he was starting to panic a little bit because suddenly not only do we have one baby but we have two," his fiance, Jennifer Gust, told the station. In her Facebook post, Ellis asks her mother to, "make sure Cody knows how much I miss him" and asks them to keep watch over the family, together. What we know: What happened with the gas pipeline explosion? "She called me but couldn't speak this morning," Ellis said in her post. "I have to believe that her heart was at peace when I was calling her name, Momma. I love you so much momma!" A neighbor, Jodie Coulter, said Derringer was a truck driver and also raised donkeys. "She was a real good woman," Coulter said. Kentucky State Police Trooper Robert Purdy said the investigation so far indicates that Derringer may have seen or heard the explosion and tried to flee. Purdy said Derringer may have been outside. "But as you could imagine based upon the deputy's statement about how hot it was, the heat could very easily overtake someone," Purdy said. Related: Deputy rescues an elderly couple at site of deadly gas line explosion A coroner's finding indicated she died of "thermal exposure." Purdy noted that Derringer's home on Mitchell Lane was "one of the closer residences" to the explosion. Aerial photos of the scene show the explosion site near the bend in Mitchell Lane where Derringer's home was located. Reach Tessa Duvall at tduvall@courier-journal.com and 502-582-4059. Twitter: @TessaDuvall . Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/subscribe . This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Woman killed in Kentucky gas explosion remembered as a 'good woman'


MIAMI (AP) Ozzie Albies tied a career high with five RBIs. Ronald Acuna Jr. tied a career high with four hits. Mike Soroka watched his already-tiny ERA plummet. Against the Miami Marlins, Atlanta's young stars were plenty. Albies' sixth-inning grand slam put Atlanta up for good, Soroka was dominant in a career-best seven innings and the result was a second easy win for the Braves in as many nights. They rolled past the Marlins 9-2, getting back over the .500 mark at 17-16. ''We've been kind of waiting for that,'' Braves manager Brian Snitker said of the offensive display. ''I still think it's an untapped resource for us right now.'' Brian McCann drove in three runs for Atlanta, which trailed 2-0 after five innings before breaking out against Miami's bullpen. Even Soroka got in on the offense, collecting his first career RBI with a seventh-inning single - his first hit of 2019 and the second of his brief big league career. It was Albies' second five-RBI game. The other: May 10, 2018, also at Marlins Park - where he's obviously comfortable. ''Seems like it, right?'' Albies said. Soroka (3-1) lowered his ERA from 1.62 to 1.14 after seven very sharp innings. He allowed three hits, struck out six, walked only two and the two runs Miami scratched out with him on the mound were unearned. ''If you execute your pitch more often than not, things are going to go your way,'' Soroka said. Peter O'Brien, brought back from Triple-A earlier in the day, drove in the two Marlins runs in the second inning. The Marlins' major league-worst record fell to 9-23, the third-worst in franchise history through 32 games. Only the 1995 and 1999 Marlins - both 8-24 - started worse. The Marlins have been outscored by 71 runs this season, and have been held to two runs or less in exactly half of their games - 16 of 32. They're 0-16 in those games, compared with 9-7 when they scratch out at least three runs. ''A game like this feels terrible,'' Marlins manager Don Mattingly said after his team committed three errors and was held to three hits. ''We get a lead and it gets away from us. We kicked the ball around a little bit. It's one of those games that doesn't feel good.'' Marlins starter Trevor Richards gave up two hits and three walks while striking out three in 4 1/3 shutout innings. Nick Anderson (0-1) gave up five runs in 1 1/3 innings, including the grand slam by Albies. ''I just didn't execute my pitch,'' Anderson said. ''That's really all there is to be said.'' Atlanta's five-run sixth began with a successful challenge of an out call at first to start the inning, with Acuna safe on the play after review. McCann's double cut the Miami lead to 2-1 and the Marlins were one strike away from getting out of the inning - but Anderson grooved one to Albies, who posed for a second to admire the ball's flight over the wall in right for his third career slam and seventh homer of the year. Atlanta tacked on four more in the seventh. TRAINER'S ROOM Braves: Acuna was grimacing as he jogged to first in the seventh after aggravating something in his back while getting his fourth hit. After a brief conference, he stayed in the game but was replaced in the field for the bottom of the seventh by Charlie Culbertson. He said he expects to be good to go Sunday. ''Of course, always, tomorrow and every day from here on out,'' Acuna said through a translator. Marlins: O'Brien was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on Saturday because the Marlins placed OF Garrett Cooper on the 10-day injured list with a left hand contusion. The move with Cooper is retroactive to Wednesday. BRAVES MOVE Atlanta recalled LHP Sean Newcomb from Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday, and optioned RHP Touki Toussaint to Gwinnett. Toussaint threw 76 pitches and got the win for Atlanta on Friday over the Marlins. COOLER HEADS Soroka hit O'Brien with a pitch with two outs and the bases empty in the sixth inning, though no hysterics ensued. Tensions ran high between the teams on Friday when Atlanta starter Kevin Gausman was ejected for throwing a fastball behind Miami RHP Jose Urena - who was at the center of a storm last season when he hit Acuna and got suspended for six games. UP NEXT Atlanta RHP Julio Teheran (2-4, 5.35) has lost each of his last three starts. He'll face Miami RHP Pablo Lopez (2-4, 4.78) in the series finale Sunday. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


The bulk of free agency is over, and the Chargers might earn a single 2020 NFL draft pick of compensation to show for some of their losses this offseason. Tuesday marked the end of the compensatory free agent period for next year's draft. The departure of wide receiver Tyrell Williams, who signed with the Raiders in free agency, could net Los Angeles a compensatory pick, according to NFL Media's Lance Zierlein . Here's a close look at Zierlein's projection. The Chargers lost three qualifying free agents (Tyrell Williams, Jason Verrett, Darius Philon) and gained two (Tyrod Taylor and Thomas Davis), so they are expected to receive a comp pick, and it's likely to be a fourth-rounder. However, depending on Williams' playing time and performance, there appears to be a chance for the receiver to push that pick from the fourth round into the third round. While this might be hard to hear, Chargers fans, you may want to cheer for Williams to have a great season - except for when he's playing against your team. The league gives out 32 compensatory picks from the third through seventh rounds of the draft each year based on a selected pool of free agents lost. Among that, the largest 32 contracts signed by free agents based on average per-year value will net a team compensation. A formula takes salary, playing time and postseason accolades into consideration to value players and determine whether teams should be compensated for those players leaving in free agency. But the compensated-for players are also determined by a formula dictated by individual teams' gains and losses of unrestricted free agents each year. Williams' four-year deal worth $44 million ($11 million per year) with Oakland likely netted Los Angeles the fourth-round compensatory selection. But depending on his 2019 season, they could upgrade that to a third rounder if Williams performs very well in 2020. The picks won't be determined until after the 2020 season, but here's to hoping that L.A. is able to acquire an eighth draft pick next year, and an additional Day 2 selection for that matter. MORE: Joel Embiid left the court in tears after Kawhi Leonard's astonishing buzzer-beater NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Video confirms reports of Chris Paul's attempt to sabotage Steph Curry Ex-GM: Giants got it right with Daniel Jones at No. 6 Unique Tony Pollard would be lucky to have Marion Barber-like impact


In the NFL, matchups are everything. Pro offensive schemes are largely homogenous, so personnel really matters and creating the right matchups is even more important. That's where the best play-callers separate themselves from their peers. Having a deep, versatile group of skill players to mix and match obviously helps, which got us thinking: What are the most dangerous personnel groupings in the NFL heading into the 2019 season? On Tuesday, we went over the most commonly used personnel packages ; now we're going to rank the best 10 in the league. Before we do that, a quick refresher on the numbering system NFL teams use to identify different personnel groups. It's a two-digit system with the first digit representing the number of running backs on the field. The second digit represents how many tight ends are on the field. From there, you can deduce how many receivers are involved in the play (the number adds up to five): 11 personnel = 1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR 12 personnel = 1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR 21 personnel = 2 RB, 1 TE, 2 WR 22 personnel = 2 RB, 2 TE, 1 WR 10 personnel = 1 RB, 0 TE, 4 WR With that out of the way, let's get to the rankings … I'm not sure if there's a coach in the league better at utilizing tight ends than Frank Reich. After helping lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl title with the three-headed set of Zach Ertz, Brent Celek and Trey Burton, he turned the Colts' tight end group into a dominant force in 2018. Andrew Luck threw 21 touchdowns to tight ends in 2018. That led the league by a wide margin. Patrick Mahomes finished second with 13 touchdowns. Eric Ebron finally realized his potential as a dominant red zone player, hauling in 13 touchdowns last season. Jack Doyle had trouble staying healthy but rocket boosted Indy's 12 personnel package when he was able to play. 12 vs 11 personnel grouping splits to consider when studying the Colts from 2018 when passing: Weeks Jack Doyle was healthy: • 12: 30%, #3 (65% success) • 11: 61%, #30 (55% success) Weeks Doyle was injured: • 12: 10%, #23 (51% success) • 11: 80%, #5 (50% success) - Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 30, 2019 The Colts could be even better in 2019 after bringing in Devin Funchess. The former Panthers receiver may not have the surest hands but he knows how to get open. T.Y. Hilton remains one of the most under-appreciated stars in the league. If everyone stays healthy, including Andrew Luck, this unit will rack up a lot of yards. I cannot wait to see this Buccaneers offense run with Bruce Arians calling the shots. Tampa Bay doesn't really have a running back, but, as Arians points out , they don't need one because the passing game is king and the Bucs are loaded at tight end and receiver. If Tampa Bay wants to get its most talented pass catchers on the field, 12 personnel is the way to go. It starts with the tight ends. O.J. Howard is fast becoming one of those rare game-changing tight ends thanks to his athleticism as a route-runner and physicality as a blocker. TE2 Cameron Brate would start on most teams. The receivers are equally impressive. Mike Evans is elite, and it would not be surprising if Chris Godwin inserts himself into the elite conversation after this season. Jameis Winston is the key to all of this, but based on how he ended the 2018 season, that's not necessarily a bad thing . As long as Philip Rivers is behind center, the Chargers will have a good offense. But now that Hunter Henry is back from injury ( CC: Stephen A. Smith ) and Mike Williams has developed into the contested catch monster he was projected to be coming out of Clemson, this offense has a chance to lead the league in several categories. Los Angeles' 11 personnel grouping is its best, with Melvin Gordon in the backfield and four capable receivers - Henry, Williams, Keenan Allen and Travis Benjamin - threatening defenses vertically. The big concern is the offensive line, but Rivers might be the best in the league at setting protections and mitigating pressure in the pocket. Over the last two offseasons, Kansas City has lost two good No. 3 receivers - Chris Conley and Albert Wilson - to free agency and parted ways with Kareem Hunt after video of him pushing and kicking a woman surfaced on the internet. But even with those departures, the Chiefs are still fairly loaded on offense. They've been difficult to defend with three receivers on the field, and that won't change in 2019 with rookie speedster Mecole Hardman added to the depth chart. Now, we have no idea what will happen with Tyreek Hill, but you have to imagine that he'll play at some point this season, giving Kansas City two players with game-breaking speed to put on the field at once. Those two will complement Sammy Watkins, who's pretty fast himself, and Travis Kelce, who's a unicorn at the tight end position because of his run-after-catch ability. Both of those guys are special route-runners who know how to get open. On top of that, the Chiefs have some quarterback named Patrick Mahomes. His arm puts no limits on the concepts Andy Reid can draw up. The 49ers are the one team that has the coach and personnel to run this set at a high level, which is why a team that hasn't won a whole lot of games - or scored a lot of points - over the last few years lands on this list. Kyle Jusczcyk's versatility out of the backfield allows Kyle Shanahan to get creative with his play fakes and play sequences. The addition of Tevin Coleman - who can do damage as a runner or pass catcher - should make the unit even more dangerous. If a defense loads up against the run, Marquise Goodwin will exploit the secondary deep. And don't sleep on smooth route-runner Dante Pettis, a trendy breakout pick heading into his sophomore campaign. If this list were based solely on production, this personnel grouping would go straight to the top. New Orleans' 11 personnel destroyed defenses in 2018 and could be even more dangerous thanks to the addition of TE Jared Cook. He may not be much of a blocker, but Cook is a matchup nightmare for defenses. He's a big tight end who can move like a receiver. Alvin Kamara will also give defensive coaches fits because of his ability to line up out wide and beat linebackers and safeties. A healthy Ted Ginn will boost New Orleans' downfield passing game and take attention away from Michael Thomas, who is unguardable with just one defender. With Ginn out, Thomas was seeing a lot of bracket coverages down the stretch of 2018. That's harder to do with a deep threat on the other side. We still haven't mentioned Drew Brees, who remains the NFL's most precise passer. With Calvin Ridley emerging as another dangerous target for Matt Ryan, it's getting awfully hard for defenses to defend Atlanta. After the front offense addressed the offensive line this offseason, the running game should be better - especially if Devonta Freeman can stay on the field for a full season. In Mohamed Sanu, the Falcons have a big slot who can do damage after the catch. There's also a Pro Bowl tight end in Austin Hooper. And, oh yeah, Julio Jones is still terrorizing secondaries all over the field. The only question is if Dirk Koetter is creative enough to get the most out of this group. It feels a little blasphemous to not have the Rams as the top 11 personnel team in the league. No team uses the grouping more often and no team uses it more effectively. But questions about Todd Gurley's knee and the lack of a true mismatch nightmare at tight end dragged Los Angeles' ranking down a bit. That doesn't make this unit any less scary - especially if Gurley is healthy. With a road-grading offensive line and a deep, versatile receiving corps, there's no limit to what Sean McVay can do out of this set. Defensive coaches across the league better hope Antonio Callaway doesn't put it together in Year 2, because, even without the talented sophomore receiver, this group is going to be difficult to stop. If Callaway takes the next step, I don't know how you defend Cleveland's 11 personnel. Give extra attention to Odell Beckham, and Jarvis Landry and David Njoku will capitalize on the space over the middle. Play two safeties deep to guard against Baker Mayfield throwing strikes downfield, and Nick Chubb will run over an undermanned run box. Freddie Kitchens couldn't ask for a more talented group. I don't know if there's a deeper offense in the league. Really the Eagles can trot out multiple personnel groupings that would give opponents fits, but Philly is at its best when both Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert are on the field. Along with Alshon Jeffery, the Eagles have three targets who can take advantage of undersized defensive backs or slow-footed linebackers. If the defense does match with a nickel defense, the tight ends can stay in to block for the newly acquired Jordan Howard. Defenses will be hesitant to bring a safety down into the box now that DeSean Jackson is lurking on the outside. MORE: Patriots veteran Julian Edelman does a hilarious Bill Belichick impression Four potential DeMarcus Cousins landing spots in free agency Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: D'Angelo Russell and Kawhi Leonard Are Top Targets Heading into training camp: Which rookie OL have best chance at the 53-man roster Report: Nets likely to sign Kyrie Irving to 4-year, $141 million deal Related slideshow: 2019 NFL draft: The top picks (Provided by imagn)


The Royals announced that they have requested unconditional release waivers on right-hander Wily Peralta . He'd been designated for assignment over the weekend. Peralta, 30, has pitched to an ugly 5.80 ERA with a similarly unsightly 24-to-19 K/BB ratio in 40 1/3 innings this season. He's been tagged for seven home runs on the year and seen his fastball velocity drop from an average of 96.2 mph in 2018 to 94.4 mph in 2019. Peralta did post a 3.67 ERA through 34 1/3 innings in his first season with Kansas City in 2018. However, the former Brewers hurler also averaged an untenable 6.0 walks per nine innings pitched with unfavorable ratings from fielding-independent metrics (4.73 FIP, 4.66 xFIP, 4.67 SIERA). That didn't deter the Royals from bringing him back for a second season at a guarantee of $3.25M. He's still owed just under $847K of this year's $2.25M base salary in addition to a $1M buyout on a 2020 mutual option. That salary obligation and this year's poor results make him a sure thing to clear release waivers and become a free agent on Wednesday. At that point, he'll be free to sign with any club and will only be owed the prorated portion of the league minimum for any time spent in the Majors. The Royals will remain on the hook for the rest of his salary and the option buyout.


South Congress has changed a lot, but these iconic locally owned stores, restaurants, bars and music venues are still keeping Austin weird.More than 20 million visitors roll into the Texas state capital every year, whether for SXSW , ACL, a bachelor(ette) party, or a football game. Their visit to Austin inevitably brings them to South Congress Ave: where else can you sip margaritas on a shady patio, pull on a brand new pair of cowboy boots, and listen to echoing live music, all within walking distance? With the South Congress bridge providing unparalleled views of the downtown skyline, and the dusky capitol building looming just up the road, the avenue practically serves as a billboard for Austin itself. The South Congress that exists today, the heart of which runs south from Lady Bird Lake to Oltorf St., is a bustling playground for tourists and locals alike. The street is a whirlwind of scootering tourists posing in front of Instagram-famous murals, trendy hotels with tucked-away patios, upscale restaurants with lines snaking around the block, and boutique shops peddling overpriced vintage goods. Looking around, you can't help but wonder where the "weird" in "Keep Austin Weird" might be hiding. South Congress, unsurprisingly, didn't always look and feel this way. Its evolution seems to coincide with the trajectory of Austin as a whole: weirdo culture is introduced , and said weirdo culture is seemingly sanitized. While it's easy to blame tech giants and Madewell stores for driving up rent and forcing creatives to move to San Marcos , a closer look into our city will reveal bedrocks of true Austin DNA that haven't budged. On South Congress, you can still spot a weathered guitarist strumming blues covers for change, or enjoy a stack of gingerbread pancakes at 3am. In the 1940s and '50s, Congress Avenue served as a visual gateway into the city. Travelers would turn off what is now Interstate 35 to take the scenic route into downtown, past dozens of motels (including the still-standing Austin Motel ), restaurants, and gas stations. The now-iconic Continental Club opened in 1955, but went through a few iterations -- a supper club, a burlesque club, and blue collar bar -- before landing as the live music venue it is today. During the civil rights movement in the early '60s, Harry Akin's restaurants -- including the Night Hawk burger joint at Riverside and South Congress (which is now office space) -- became the first in Austin to integrate customers. South Congress saw urban decay in the '70s and '80s as businesses relocated to I-35. Sketchy, run-down motor lodges -- including the now-boutique Hotel San Jose -- attracted drug dealers (and users) and crime. On the corner of Live Oak, Cinema West began operating as an X-rated theater. But cheap rents made the area appealing to a creative class who would come to define our city, and launched what would be one of Austin's most fertile eras for music. In 1970, legendary music venue Armadillo World Headquarters set up shop behind a skating rink on South Congress and Barton Springs Road. The Armadillo saw performances by the likes of The Clash, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Frank Zappa, and even AC/DC before shuttering in 1980; one of the founders, Eddie Wilson, later went on to open Threadgill's . Steve Wertheimer, owner of the Continental Club and C-Boy's Heart & Soul , was introduced to the South Congress scene in 1983. "Until moving down to South Austin, I never realized what I had been missing. The culture, the musicians, and the artists were all right at home south of the river." The Continental Club had morphed into a full-fledged rock venue by this time, attracting artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Ely, and Sonic Youth. "When I took over The Continental in 1987, we were the only place on South Congress other than Fran's and Dan's Cellar that was open after 5pm in the afternoon," Wertheimer continues. "It was a totally different scene; a few mom-and-pop businesses, and absolutely no traffic or parking issues." Just down the street around the same time, Colleen and Gail Johnson opened the iconic karaoke bar Ego's , and its tucked away location and ancient grimy charm have made it one of Austin's most beloved dives. Funky costume shop Lucy in Disguise and beloved diner Magnolia Cafe set up shop soon after. Even more iconic homegrown businesses began to dominate South Congress -- places like Amy's Ice Cream , Uncommon Objects (which relocated in 2017), Güero's Taco Bar , Monkey See! Monkey Do! , and Big Top Candy Shop . The run-down San José was still a haven for drugs and crime when hotelier Liz Lambert purchased it in 1995, and it would remain so for another three years. "I wasn't able to raise the money to do the renovation right away," said Lambert. "It was a pay-by-the-week home for folks who had fallen on hard times in one way or another." Today, the ivy-wrapped hotel is a stunning example of Austin's casual/cool culture, as well as how much the South Congress neighborhood has changed. Austin's growth accelerated from the late '90s into the aughts: the tech boom brought $1 billion in new VC money between 1996 and 1999, and the founding of ACL Music Festival in 2002 meant that Austin's secret coolness wouldn't be secret for much longer. On South Congress (now "SoCo"), that growth not only took the form of renovated classics like the San José, but also trendy shops and upscale eateries backed by monolithic hospitality groups: spots like Perla's , June's All Day , and Joann's Fine Foods were opened by McGuire Moorman Hospitality , who also own and operate other Austin favorites like Clark's , Elizabeth Street Cafe , Jeffrey's , and Pool Burger . The question is whether South Congress' offbeat character (and that of Austin, really) can remain intact when real estate value, property taxes, and the cost of living are all rising at an alarming rate. Wertheimer doesn't mince words when describing his take on the growth: "I really feel the soul of South Congress, and South Austin to a large extent, are being sucked out. At one time, this area was the last vestige of the Austin I and so many others fell in love with long ago." Others, like Brandon Hodge -- the owner of Big Top Candy Shop who contributed to the founding of SoCo's monthly block party, First Thursday -- point out the hyperbole that often accompanies change. "When an iconic business departs, the headlines almost universally proclaim it's the official end of South Congress. And while I feel the loss, the local shop owners here still heavily outweigh the corporate brands. There's a concerted effort by property owners to preserve the vibe that made South Congress a go-to destination in the first place… and so far that's been pretty successful, even if there are some businesses we wish were still here with us." The best way to keep SoCo's spirit alive is to patronize the bars, restaurants, and shops that make it special (while you still can). Here's your cheat sheet to the best South Congress has to offer right now: WHERE TO EAT & DRINK ON SOUTH CONGRESS Magnolia Cafe Austin's original 24-hour cafe, known for hearty anytime breakfast Iconic Magnolia Cafe has been the go-to spot for heaping portions of Tex-Mex and diner fare for 30 years running. Between the walls lined with local art of varying skill levels, tabletops wrapped in kitschy mismatched tablecloths, and a skeletal pterodactyl wearing high tops dangling from the ceiling, the all-day cafe is known as much for its signature funky vibe as for its food. The expansive menu offers breakfast staples, burgers, and Tex-Mex classics, in addition to specific breakfast, lunch, and dinner-only selections, giving you an eye-popping number of options. If you need a little guidance, Magnolia Cafe is famed for its gingerbread pancakes and migas plate (eggs scrambled with tomato, onion, jalapeños, bell pepper, tortilla chips, and cheese). Vespaio Italian fine-dining dinner spot known for making everything in-house Long before farm-to-table, small plates, and our obsession with photographing food, Vespaio was the definition of fine dining in Austin with its made-from-scratch menu, hospitality-focused experience, and elegant atmosphere. Vespaio Ristorante opened in 1998, serving rustic Italian in a cozy space lined with towering shelves of wine. Today, Vespaio is just as beloved; diners rave about the warm service, the enormous lasagna bolognese, and handmade pizzas covered in house-made mozzarella and baked in their woodfire oven. Amy's Ice Creams Classic local ice cream chain with more than 350 rotating flavors Founded way back in 1984, Amy's has become a frozen treat behemoth with 15 stores across Austin, Dallas, and Houston -- and the ice cream's just as good as it was in the beginning. The bafflingly long list of flavors can include anything from Apple Pie to Lemon Cheesecake to Chipotle Chocolate, and you're bound to find at least a few that get your mouth watering. Hopdoddy Austin-based "fancy" burger chain using high-quality ingredients Hopdoddy's creative burgers all start with handmade buns and patties in every imaginable protein and and combination of fixins. Try the South Congress-inspired Continental Club: a turkey patty, sun dried tomato and basil pesto, applewood smoked bacon, provolone, arugula, mayo, basil pesto, tomato, onion on whole wheat. And, the boozy milkshakes alone are worth a trip. If you see a line, you'll know you're in the right place. Otoko Nationally lauded, 12-seat, modern Japanese omakase and cocktails Up a flight of stairs at the South Congress Hotel, Otoko feels more like a speakeasy than a nationally-recognized restaurant from one of Austin's most recognizable chefs. Chef Yoshi Okai and his team prepare and serve a 20-course omakase tasting menu from behind a 12-seat bar, bathed in glowing light from a bizarre art installation that makes diners feel as if they just stepped into 2001: A Space Odyssey . Tattoo- and mohawk-sporting Chef Yoshi adds a Texas-centric flair to his style of Japanese cuisine by including ingredients like Turk's Cap leaves, figs, and Mexican marigold that are abundant to Central Texas. Perla's Modern coastal cooking, and South Congress' best oak tree-shaded patio If you're craving happy hour drinks, ceviche, and oysters, then Perla's is your place. A variety of fresh fish, oysters, and crustaceans are flown in daily from both coasts, and the expansive menu covers all the bases of preparation -- raw, fried, grilled, roasted, baked in mac & cheese, you name it. Don't miss out on the bar's offerings, which include a rotating daily frozen marg, a wine list full of Summer-y patio-sipping wines, and classic cocktails with a twist. Home Slice & More Home Slice Real New York-style pizza served by the enormous slice or enormous pie Founded right here in 2005, Home Slice is one of Austin's best pizza shops , and it's a must-visit for anyone seeking legit NY slices or pies. Hit up the sit-down location for a relaxing meal with friends or family, or opt for the to-go window at More Home Slice next door -- it's open until 3am on Friday and Saturday, making it the perfect capper to a night out on South Congress. The crisp, thin crust is the star of the show, but the toppings also play lead roles; we love the garlicky, ricotta-based white pie with spinach. Jo's Hot Coffee Good Food Coffee shop and home of Austin's most iconic mural Located in the parking lot of the San José, Jo's opened in 1999 as a tiny grab-and-go coffee stand with outdoor seating perfect for people-watching. In 2010, musician Amy Cook spray painted the simple message "i love you so much" to her then-partner, Liz Lambert, founder of Bunkhouse the hospitality group responsible for Jo's Coffee, Hotel San José, Austin Motel, Marfa's El Cosmico, and many more local concepts. Thus, Austin's top tourist attraction was born and serves as a cute backdrop for many kinds of expressions of love. Joann's Fine Foods Retro-inspired all-day diner with sunny patio perfect for people-watching The Austin Motel's Cali-Tex-Mex diner is now open every day from 8am until midnight -- meaning you can start your day with migas in the diner, or meet up with the gang for happy hour on the spacious patio beneath technicolor stained glass. The agave-forward bar program not only has a solid selection of mezcals and tequilas, but three housemade sangritas (a sipping elixir typically made with a combination of citrus juice, tomato juice, and spicy pepper) for sipping alongside your spirit. Torchy's Tacos Retro-styled flagship of the once-local taco chain Torchy's began as a single trailer on South First, and grew into a taco empire now in 18 cities. Torchy's offerings are the epitome of Austin's style, a mash-up of cultures: thick tortillas are filled with classic ingredients like eggs and bacon, as well as not-so-classic stuff like fried chicken, brisket, and chipotle ranch. The flagship location on South Congress -- a playfully retro structure that brings to mind the futuristic Googie architecture of 1960's Southern California -- is located on the same site occupied by Dan's (and later Fran's) Hamburgers from 1973 until 2013. Lounge at Hotel San José Hip patio lounge nestled in the center of the Hotel San Jose The lounge is kind of a hidden gem as it's not visible from Congress; that said, those in the know just slink past the lobby to the courtyard lounge for micheladas, frosé, and Texas beers. In addition to happy hour specials Monday - Thursday from noon to 5 pm, the Lounge also hosts events ranging from tarot readings to DJ sets. WHERE TO CATCH LIVE MUSIC ON SOUTH CONGRESS C-Boy's Heart & Soul Neighborhood juke-joint featuring classic soul and R&B acts Steve Wertheimer (who also owns the Continental Club below) opened C-Boy's Heart & Soul as a tribute to his mentor and close friend C-Boy Parks, who passed in 1991. In the late 1970's, Parks managed the short-lived-but-treasured blues club the Rome Inn, and was a beloved personality in Austin's music scene. C-Boy's Heart & Soul hosts classic soul and R&B acts in a red-hued atmosphere rich in the authenticity you'd expect from a place with this much history; check out the calendar here. Fun fact: A scene from Richard Linklater's cult classic Slacker was shot in front of C-Boys's (although at the time it was the Blue Bayou, and later became Trophy's Bar). The Continental Club Legendary music venue showcasing local and national rock, country, jazz and blues Open since 1955, the Continental Club's stage has seen the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Ely, Social Distortion, and The Replacements. The club was restored to its original '50s glory in 1987, and continues to host some of the best rock, Americana, rockabilly, blues acts -- including the very talented Peterson Brothers Band and iconic Dale Watson & his Lone Stars -- every Monday night. Güero's Taco Bar Popular Mexican food tourist destination known for margaritas and live music You'll find Güero's right in the middle of the action on South Congress. Since 1995, visitors and locals alike have been flocking here for hand-shaken margaritas, tacos, and the famous salsa bar. You'll also want to check out the Oak Garden Stage next door, where you'll find a relaxed, tree-shaded patio with a dedicated bar and free live music almost every night of the week. The Continental Club Gallery Small, second-story venue with a living room concert vibe Get up close and personal at this modern, intimate sister venue to the Continental Club. Climb the steep flight upstairs for an experience not typically found in Austin: one of direct reverence for the performing artists. The more-personal space and the proximity between artists and guests encourage both to get lost in the music -- it also means that if you're busy yapping to your Tinder date or staring at your bright phone screen during a performance, you're probably ruining the experience for everyone. Don't be that person. Ego's Iconic hole-in-the-wall karaoke bar hidden in plain sight Although there's no mistaking the blue-and-yellow sign out front, you'll have to walk through a parking garage to find the entrance to Austin's most notorious karaoke dive. Inside, low ceilings are strewn with Christmas lights and the karaoke stage is backed by a mural of the Austin skyline. Karaoke starts at 9pm every night, but you'll want to show up early if you're actually planning on putting your name down: this place gets bumping by 10pm, with a line that runs out the door once the bar hits capacity (which doesn't take long, as it's not a huge place). Otherwise, sit back and let the often-great-but-pitchy singing wash over you. Watertrade Intimate lounge serving unique cocktails and an extensive list of Japanese spirits Let's just come right out and say it: the most exciting cocktails in Austin are arguably being made at Watertrade. Ricky Cobia and Whitney Hazelmyer are quietly killing it, one elegant concoction at a time in the little lounge adjacent to nationally lauded Otoko. The cocktail menu is a restrained homage to Japanese spirits and flavors, but with a team this talented, we'd recommend going with dealer's choice. Allow them to surprise you. WHERE TO SHOP ON SOUTH CONGRESS Allens Boots Iconic boot shop open since 1977, with over 10,000 boots on display Upon entering Allens, you're immediately hit by the rich smell of leather. Among the rows upon rows of boot, you'll find popular brands like Lucchese, Justin, and Frye, in every color and style (and price) imaginable, plus western apparel and hats, all being browsed by an assortment of characters ranging from grizzled cowboys to wide-eyed tourists. Even if you're not in the market for a new Western wardrobe, you owe it to yourself to stop in and find out your actual boot size. YETI Austin-founded cooler and insulated accessories showroom The YETI flagship store on the corner of South Congress and Barton Springs showcases the brand's line of high-end coolers and accessories, arrayed throughout the store like a color-coordinated rainbow of chillage. Pro tip: this flagship location also has a very Texas-inspired patio bar (aptly named Barrr) out front, so even if you're not in the market for thermal insulation, this is a cool spot to begin (or end) your trek down South Congress. Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds Costume shop in the heart of South Congress with a seemingly infinite inventory This enormous 35-year old outpost offers costumes for purchase as well as a deep, maze-like inventory of elaborate rentals, from a hoop-skirted Marie Antoinette to a full-body Ninja Turtle. You can pick up wigs, masks, vintage clothing, props, accessories, and makeup, but sometimes it's enough to just browse the wares in awe. Experience true zen and/or claustrophobia by standing deep within the very tightly packed racks of costumes in the back of the store. Big Top Candy Shop Colorful, circus-themed store with old-school confections, bulk candy, and a soda fountain Walking into Big Top Candy Shop is to experience sensory overload: candy-themed sideshow posters, tarnished brass instruments, and a lion tamer's uniform are all nestled amongst a kaleidoscope of candy. You'll find everything from rare Pocky flavors and gummies of every shape to throwback wax lips and even scorpion lollipops. There's also ice cream, milkshakes, and old-fashioned hand-jerked sodas. Your teeth won't thank you, but your tongue will. Monkey See, Monkey Do! Colorful novelty shop with a selection of quirky gifts, collectibles and toys for kids and adults Kidrobot, Tokidoki, Sanrio, Pop! Vinyl, blind boxes… if any of these ring a bell then you're probably a toy geek, but even non-collectors can get a kick out of this shop. Drop into Monkey See, Monkey Do! and prepare for sensory overload as you peruse the floor-to-ceiling inventory of designer and collectible toys, gag gifts, and more. Revival Cycles Retail outlet of Eastside motorcycle dealer and repair/restoration shop The massive floor-to-ceiling windows, spiral staircase, and second-story loft are trumped only by the vintage bikes dangling from the ceiling, a sort of life-size mobile. This South Congress shop is the retail extension where enthusiasts can shop the Revival lifestyle via clothing and gear, as well as parts for your hog. (The actual fabrication shop is located on the Eastside, and hosts The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show annually.) Mi Casa Gallery Corner shop selling an expansive selection of Mexican folk art and gifts This showroom and gift shop is home to some truly breathtaking fine and folk art made by hand in Mexico. You'll find papier-mâché catrinas (Day of the Dead figures), museum-quality retablos and santos (oil paintings on metal or wood of Christian icons), and colorful Talavera pottery. South Congress Books Independent bookstore selling used, collectible, vintage, and unique books South Congress Books is a bookworm's delight; the inventory includes a huge selection of vintage and collectible books on many subjects, as well as loose engravings for framing. Suddenly got an urge to pick up a first edition copy of The Right Stuff signed by Tom Wolfe himself? This is the place to do it. Looking to while away a few minutes before your Lyft arrives? Still the place to do it. STAG Provisions for Men Men's clothing, shoes, and accessories with a modern classic vibe For almost 10 years, STAG has been SoCo's go-to men's outfitter for the raw denim, Clubmaster-rocking, slick undercut hairstyle crowd. Stock up on super soft tees, fitted Hawaiian shirts, designer socks, Red Wing's definitely-not-just-a-work-boot collection, high-end skin care products, and everything in between -- or just marvel at the price of some designer socks, and head over to Home Slice next door. Sign up here for our daily Austin email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town.


PEBBLE BEACH, Calif.   In March when the USGA named Jason Gore the association's first senior director of player relations the move was widely applauded. Gore, who spent eight seasons on the PGA Tour and won the 2005 84 Lumber Classic, is not only a contemporary to help bridge the widening gap between Tour players and the USGA, but he's also one of the most approachable and popular players in recent history. The early results have been encouraging with numerous players at this week's U.S. Open embracing Gore as a much-needed sounding board following years of golf course set-up issues with the USGA and growing discontent with this year's changes to the Rules of Golf. "He's been able to let them have a voice," John Bodenhamer, the USGA's senior managing director of championships, told GolfChannel.com. "He's not just window dressing. He's part of our decision-making process. He's part of our senior team." U.S. Open: Full-field tee times | Full coverage Gore's duties as a liaison with Tour players is only part of his job description, however. According to Bodenhamer Gore has also been involved in this week's course set-up at Pebble Beach. "We've wanted his perspective. What does this look like? How would this play? How would you feel about this teeing area?" Bodenhamer said. "Various little things to provide the players perspective. We've had that before with Nick Price, but it's just nice to have Jason right next to us to talk it through." Bodenhamer said the USGA didn't officially advertise for the job, instead the association made informal inquiries within the industry and that Gore, who has been to every Tour event since the Masters this season, emerged as the perfect candidate for the job. "It's just different when you've walked up that last fairway and closed the deal, you have that perspective that we need," Bodenhamer said. "For him to be able to know the players, they can share with him what they think. I don't know that we've always gotten that before."


MIAMI   In his race last year to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz, Beto O'Rourke saw remarkable support from African-Americans in Texas. Statewide 89 percent of black voters   including 94 percent of back women   supported O'Rourke's bid. Now, as he struggles to gain traction for his presidential bid, O'Rourke has brought on board one of the architects of that impressive showing, Ian Wilhite, most recently a spokesperson for the LGBT nonprofit Lambda Legal. Wilhite will serve in dual campaign roles: Deputy National Press Secretary and Director of African American Messaging. Wilhite will be returning to familiar territory, as he held a similar title Communications Director for African American Outreach   for O'Rourke's Senate campaign. "Beto's vision, dedication, and willingness to speak up for all Americans is what drew so many of us to him to him over the years," said Wilhite in an emailed statement. "So proud to once again work for a candidate who has solutions for some of the greatest challenges we face while bringing people together and refusing to let our differences divide us." O'Rourke's relationship with the black community in his home state may be hard to replicate on a national stage crowded with candidates like former Vice President Joe Biden, who has solid support from African-Americans, especially older ones, and Sen. Kamala Harris and Sen. Cory Booker, who, as black candidates themselves, speak to the experiences of African-Americans in ways many other top Democrats can not. Challenging odds are not stopping O'Rourke, who, just concluding a swing through the crucial early primary state of South Carolina, is building his national profile with a handful of staff additions to his policy shop . An augmented team, assembled after criticism that O'Rourke's campaign had more style than substance, will tackle issues such as climate change, reproductive rights, and more, according to Politico. O'Rourke has taken a strong stand on one flagpole issue for black voters: slavery reparations . In a recent visit with the Gullah Geechee Nation, an enclave of descendants of African-American slaves centered on the coast of Georgia and South Carolina, O'Rourke offered that the path to a successful reparations policy "comes through telling, learning and sharing this American story with everyone." Some other candidates, notably frontrunner Joe Biden, have been less forthright on the question, which is likely to play out on the debate stage later this week. "As you saw yesterday in South Carolina, Beto is relentlessly working to reach voters   especially those often written off or taken for granted during election years," said campaign manager Jen O'Malley Dillon in a statement. "And we are so happy to have Ian back on the team to continue the outreach that was started during the Senate campaign."


Different theories and results of previous research have tried to explain the social behavior of dogs. Adding to the list, a team of researchers at Emory University in Atlanta has claimed that dogs can recognize and respond to human faces, too, and the quality of assessing the facial form isn't just restricted to primates. In the study published in the peer-reviewed journal PeerJ, the researchers claim that they have identified a specialized part in the dog brain where all the visual face recognition takes place. The researchers identified the specialized region in the dog temporal cortex using the magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, conducted on six trained dogs. "Our findings show that dogs have an innate way to process faces in their brains, a quality that has previously only been well-documented in humans and other primates," said neurologist Gregory Berns, the senior study author. During the study, the researchers trained six dogs to enter an MRI machine and remain motionless during scanning. The training was such that the dogs did not require any sedation or medication to remain motionless during the study. The dogs were shown two videos of faces and everyday objects and while they looked at it, their brains were scanned. The researchers found that the temporal lobe of the brain of the dogs showed much greater activity while watching the video of human faces, as compared to when they saw a video of objects. The researchers, thus, concluded that the dogs come with an innate response to faces. "Dogs have been cohabiting with humans for longer than any other animal. They are incredibly social, not just with other members of their pack, but across species. Understanding more about canine cognition and perception may tell us more about social cognition and perception in general," explained Daniel Dilks, the first author of the study.


For Arsenal Football Club, this summer transfer window is club-defining. What transpires from now up until August 8 could ultimately set the Gunners en route towards the upper echelons of the Premier League, or begin the spiral towards mid-table mediocrity that looms large in north London. Granted, I did indeed make the claim that the club are already beginning their descent , but one must search deep within themselves to muster up some glimmer of hope - or else what is the point? That said, given the calibre of player Arsenal have been linked with this summer, that may be somewhat short-lived. From the downright ridiculous to the frighteningly plausible, now is the time to assess the strengths of those players Unai Emery is supposedly eyeing up for another year of Thursday nights in Belarus. Samuel Umtiti - Barcelona Might as well start with the blatantly ridiculous. The Story : A World Cup winner, freakishly talented and at one of the biggest clubs in world football - naturally Samuel Umtiti was linked with a move to the Emirates this season. The Frenchman only signed a new five-year-deal with the Blaugrana last summer, yet has allegedly been made available for transfer. Strengths: He's not just good, he's like, really good. Umtiti embodies the modern centre-half, daring in his approach, equally willing to play the ball out from the back or make a surge into midfield as he is content to hit row Z with a clearance, he's got it all. The 25-year-old has no issue putting his body on the line, although often times it isn't required as he reads the game like a children's book, thus eliminating the need for last-ditchness, as it were. Likelihood : While Barcelona's tedious pursuit of Matthijs de Ligt has cast a shadow of uncertainty over Umtiti's future in Catalonia, fat f***ing chance he will be making the move to north London this summer. Since the season ended, reports emerged of Arsenal's interest in the centre-back as a potential replacement for club captain Laurent Koscielny, but there is simply no way in hell that Umtiti would see Europa League football with Arsenal as a viable option. Moreover, thought to cost somewhere in the region of £53m, he already costs more than the entire budget Unai Emery has on his hands. Move on, shut up, stop talking about it. Yannick Carrasco - Dalian Yifang A half-decent winger looking to reignite his career? Intriguing. The Story : Having grown fed up with China and failing to settle in the country, former Atletico Madrid winger Carrasco has made no bones about his desire to return to Europe. One season with Dalian Yifang clearly was enough, with a host of sides looking to offer the Belgian an escape route. One of the said clubs is Arsenal, who are reigniting their interest in the winger after failing to secure his signature in January. Strengths: If you were unaware, Arsenal need wingers. Its an area of the squad painfully lacking, with Emery desperate to find someone to fit the profile of a wide and direct threat who attacks with intensity. Unusually with wingers who played in Spain, he actually tracks back. A trait that would appeal to any Premier League manager . It is, however, going forward where he shines. A keen dribbler with a direct nature to attack in wide areas, he's got a tendency to cut inside on to his favoured right foot, where he actually shoots from outside the box . A facet unheard of for Arsenal fans, Granit Xhaka-s**t aside. Likelihood : While the attempted move to bring him to the Emirates in January was dead before it began, given the club had £0 to spend, there is actually an air of possibility about this one. A few of the necessities for any transfer to take place are already affirmed: the player wants to move, there is a club playing in Europe interested and the fee is not astronomical. A supposed £25m will be whats required, which is more than half the budget, however, player sales should bump that up a bit. Therefore, this one could well materialise. Ryan Fraser - Bournemouth Bournemouth 's Player of the Season, a player to potentially catapult Arsenal's upcoming season? The Story : Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for the Scotsman this summer after he emerged as one of Emery's key transfer targets. Cherries' Supporters' Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year caught the eye with some consistently impressive outings for Eddie Howe's men, courting the interest of Emery, who is on the lookout for wingers. Strengths: Look no further than the stats. With 14 Premier League assists, Fraser ranked only behind the now departed Eden Hazard on the leaderboard, while a further seven league goals is most certainly not to be scoffed at. One of the first words that spring to mind with the 25-year-old is industry. Unquestionably a fighter, Fraser closes down tirelessly and never backs out of a challenge - possessing the kind of work rate that has abandoned so many Gunners players this season. Likelihood: While at the beginning of the window this one appeared to be gaining traction, it has slowly petered out and looks less and less likely by the day. Given Arsenal's current plight of being unable to attract Champions League stars, Fraser posed a more than adequate option who would have added some much-needed creativity from the flanks. This once hot rumour appears to be heading for an early bath. Kieran Tierney - Celtic He's not Nacho Monreal or Sead Kolasinac, therefore an immediate upgrade from....Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac. The Story: Unquestionably a fine servant for the club in his six-and-a-half seasons in north London, unfortunately, few Arsenal fans would like to see 33-year-old Monreal featuring in the starting XI for Emery next season. Similarly, while effective (at times) going forward, Kolasinac is frighteningly suspect at his primary job (defending), thus signing a suitable left-back is an essential this summer. Kieran Tierney of Celtic has attracted admirers, with many making the blatantly obvious link to Liverpool's Andrew Robertson given he's, well, a left-back and, well, Scottish. Nevertheless, the Gunners are interested, with reports claiming a bid is imminent . Strengths: Emery has toyed with both a back four and a back three this season, implementing a an outright left-back as well as wing-backs. Tierney's ability to play in defensive and attacking fullback roles to such a high standard makes him a valuable asset. Lining up as a left-back, supporting his midfield in transition, he excels, while slotting into left wing-back he does with consummate ease. An engine akin to that of, umm, Robertson, he is capable of bombing up and down the left hand side for 90 minutes and beyond, something vital in Emery's set-up. Likelihood: *TOUCHES ALL THE WOOD IN THE HOUSE* Unlike Fraser, links to Tierney are starting to escalate, having been linked with the Gunners for a number of windows now. Its in Arsenal's court, knowing if they pay the right sum of money they'll get their man, its a matter of pulling their respective fingers out and paying Celtic what they ask for. A position in the team desperately in need of reinforcing, fingers are firmly crossed for this to come through. A £15m bid has been knocked back , with the a revised bid in the pipeline. William Saliba - Saint-Etienne Young and promising centre-half who is highly rated in France?? Oh, he'll cost that much? The Story: With Arsenal boasting less money than your local Jamie's Italian, naturally links have been made with a number of lesser known centre-halves across Europe. While Saliba isn't a household name, he'll cost more than all our houses together, at a whopping £25m. The links have been strong throughout the summer, although the suggestion of paying such a sum then loaning him back for the season seems utterly farcical, yet very Arsenal. Strengths: I will not claim to be some French football prodigy, and give you all the ins-and-outs of the 18-year-old's skillset. What I can relay, however, is that the general feeling around the player is that he will be a long-term replacement for Laurent Koscielny, and he's been dubbed the 'new Raphael Varane'. He's supposedly a very skilled technician and a powerful athlete, and slotted easily into Les Verts' first team this season. Likelihood: As previously mentioned, there have been strong links thus far. Arsenal have apparently struck a deal on personal terms with the defender, with just a fee to be agreed. The stumbling block is, of course, that his parent club want him loaned back as part of any agreement. I mean, spend over half your budget on a player you won't see for 12 months? Might as well, I don't know, sign someone you knew had a broken back. Now that would be funny.


From an election discussion to an after-party, there's plenty to enjoy in Charlotte this week. Read on for a rundown of ideas for how to fill your calendar. 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. Talk About It Tuesday: Buy Back the Block From the event description: This month, we look at a different approach to gentrification. Buy Back the Block explores the way black people in their 20s - 40s are actively combatting gentrification by purchasing homes/real estate in historically black neighborhoods. Attendees are asked to share their stories, purchasing tips and plans for continuing to build community. When: Tuesday, July 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, 551 S. Tryon St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets 2019 Charlotte Election Season Kick-Off From the event description: Join friends and neighbors at Heist Brewery in NoDa to meet and hear from the 2019 political candidates for U.S. President, U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress and more. This is a nonpartisan event, and it is free and open to the public. When: Wednesday, July 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Heist Brewery, 2909 N. Davidson St., #200 Admission: Free (General Admission). More ticket options are available. Click here for more details, and to get your tickets QC Social Lounge: DJ Drama & Chewy Concert After-Party From the event description: This is the official concert after-party with Chewy of 92.7 The Block and DJ Drama with friends. DJ Drama is on tour with Playboi Carti, Moneybag Yo, French Montana and Wiz Khalifa for the Decent Exposure Tour! When: Wednesday, July 10, 10 p.m.- Friday, July 12, 2 a.m. Where: QC Social Lounge, 300 N. College St., #105 Admission: $15 (Early VIP) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


(Reuters) - Italian Matteo Berrettini cruised into the Stuttgart Open last four on Friday after making light work of American Denis Kudla with a 6-3 6-3 win in just over an hour. The 23-year-old world number 30, who beat second seed Karen Khachanov in the previous round, looked at ease on the grass court of the Wimbledon warm-up event, despite having won his two tour titles to date on clay. He grabbed his only break chance to win the first set and his big serve never allowed his American any chance to break back. He comfortably held serve throughout, firing 10 aces in total, and broke the American again at 2-2 to cruise to victory a little later with a superb forehand down the line on match point. In his fourth semi-final this year, Berrettini will now face the winner of the quarter-final between Jan-Lennard Struff and Lucas Pouille playing later on Friday. (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Alison Williams)


Stockton is forecast to turn hot over the next week, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Temperatures will reach 97 degrees today, with a weekly high of 103 degrees on Sunday. There's no rain in the forecast for the coming week. Skies will be clear for the next few days, turning partly cloudy Thursday and Friday. Winds will continue to be light through the week, with the highest speeds on Tuesday at only 11 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.