Jess Collins has been photographing weddings professionally since 2011, but shooting weddings on Disney cruises is her favorite. Jess Collins has been photographing weddings professionally since 2011, her main focus being destination weddings . More specifically, Collins has been capturing Disney cruise weddings. " They make dreams come true," Collins told INSIDER of how Disney does weddings . Visit INSIDER.com for more stories. In 2011, Ontario-based photographer Jess Collins took her first professional wedding gig shooting her sister-in-law's wedding in Cambridge, Canada. It was then she realized just how much she loved photographing weddings, soon carving out a niche for herself shooting destination weddings, specifically. Her couples have taken her everywhere from Scotland to Jamaica. A longtime Disney lover, among her favorite destination weddings to shoot are those taking place on Disney cruise ships . Her first Disney cruise wedding was on the Disney Dream in December 2016. She's since photographed two more, with at least four more lined up for 2019, she told INSIDER. "They make dreams come true, let me tell you," Collins told INSIDER about how Disney does weddings. Here are three Disney cruise weddings Collins has shot, proving just how magical they really are. Collins grew up loving the Disney brand herself. "It's a real part of who I am," she told INSIDER. Today, she visits Disney World with her husband and two kids every year, and is even an annual pass holder. Her first Disney cruise wedding as a photographer was Danusia Rogacki and Brendan Riordan's aboard the Disney Dream cruise in December 2016. Collins and Rogacki shared a mutual friend, and when they met and quickly bonded over their mutual love of Disney, Collins was hired. The cruise was four nights altogether, and Collins brought her family. When Collins shoots a destination wedding, the couple covers all of her travel costs (including airfare, room and board, travel insurance, etc.) plus a photo package fee for the wedding itself. Pricing can really range, she told INSIDER, but a basic photo package on her website starts at $3,000 (plus the aforementioned travel expenses). Rogacki and Riordan had their wedding on the second day of the cruise on the island of Castaway Cay. The Disney Dream's four-night cruises include a stop at Castaway Cay and a stop at Nassau , the capital of the Bahamas. "They had their wedding right on the beach overlooking the water," Collins said. Castaway Cay is Disney's 1,000-acre private island in the Bahamas. The couple got married at the Pelican Point overlook. The couple had a morning ceremony with a small reception to follow. "I think they had about 30 or 40 [guests]," Collins told INSIDER. According to Destination Weddings Travel Group , which planned more than 3,000 destination weddings in 2018, the average size of their destination wedding guest list is 28 people. After the reception, Rogacki and Riordan changed for more formal photos taken throughout the ship. The Disney Dream has a crew of nearly 1,458 and a capacity of 4,000 passengers , according to Disney. Naturally, Rogacki and Riordan are huge Disney fans. For the couples who choose to have their wedding on Castaway Cay, reception takes place onboard the ship directly after the ceremony. Generally, the couples who choose to have Disney weddings "live, breathe, or eat Disney" Collins said. "Most couples that I've worked with choose Disney weddings either because that's how they met their significant other, or that's where they had their first date, or maybe that's where they had their proposal," she said. For them, Disney is "definitely a lifestyle choice." "This by far was the most laid back couple I have had," said Collins on her website about Rogacki and Riordan. Collins said that generally speaking couples who choose to wed on Disney cruises are "just very laid back, really looking to enjoy the wedding day and the wedding experience, and OK kind of handing most things off to other people." Collins' second Disney couple was Brittany and Danny Capote, who got married aboard the Disney Wonder in February 2019. The Disney Wonder is smaller than the Disney Dream, with a crew of 950 and a capacity of 2,713 passengers, according to its website . The Capotes met working at Disney themselves, per Collins. Meeting while working at Disney is a common theme among Collins' couples, both those who get married on the cruise ships and those who get married at Disney's land-locked parks. Like Rogacki and Riordan's wedding, the Capotes' was on a four-night cruise. "Most weddings are between three and four nights because they are quite costly," said Collins. "A lot of couples don't want their guests to have to spend too much." The couple had their ceremony in the ship's atrium. The Wonder's atrium is on the third deck of the ship and spans three decks altogether, according to Disney . They had somewhere between 40 and 60 guests, said Collins. Many of the guests who came were Disney cast members themselves. According to a study by the Wedding Wire based on 18,000 couples who got married in 2018, one in four couples considers their wedding to be a destination wedding . Among the many custom elements a couple can choose to include in their Disney wedding package is a visit from the characters themselves. The Capotes had Minnie and Mickey pop in their reception. "The character experiences are fabulous," Collins told INSIDER, "guests absolutely lose their minds." "When Minnie and Mickey come walking into a room, it's so much fun," said Collins. "They danced and they took photos and the kids loved it." After the ceremony, Collins and the Capotes spent time walking around the ship and taking photos. Since the ship was docked, many passengers were off exploring Nassau, giving them ample room to roam around the ship. According to Disney, the company was granted special permission by the US Coast Guard to paint its lifeboats yellow. This was instead of "the traditional regulation color of orange, to preserve the Mickey Mouse color palette of red, yellow, and black," according to Disney's website . Among Collins' favorite parts of shooting Disney weddings is "the element of surprise"   you never know what character will come walking around the corner. "With Disney weddings there's always fresh inspiration. Like, there's Pluto walking down the hallway - let's get a photo with Pluto!" Collins said. The most recent Disney cruise wedding Collins shot was that of Timaira Magnaye and Dennis Garcia, aboard the Disney Dream in March 2019, on a three-night cruise. The two met 11 years ago working in the airline industry, Garcia for Southwest Airlines and Magnaye for American Airlines. As both share a love for Disney, Garcia had proposed at Disney's Hollywood Studios in front of the Once Upon a Time Shop . The two got married in the atrium of the Disney Dream during its stop in Nassau. Disney weddings are pretty quick affairs, said Collins, as they last around three to four hours, including both the ceremony and the reception. Magnaye and Garcia had about 60 guests. The couple currently lives in Arizona with their son. Together with their friends and family, they flew down to Florida for their wedding. They chose a cruise because they wanted to create an experience in which their guests could vacation and relax even as they celebrated their special day. "Cruise weddings are a great option for people who don't want to settle for just one wedding location," said Destination Weddings Travel Group vice president of marketing Jen Avey, "and want to get the best of (the entire) world. Cruise weddings also give couples the option to include those loved ones who can't make it to a traditional destination wedding, by hosting a celebration at port before jetting off to sea." A wedding on a Disney cruise can be a lot cheaper than a regular destination wedding. According to Wedding Wire, the average cost of a destination wedding in 2018 was $32,000 . According to Disney Fairy Tale Weddings and Honeymoons, the most basic wedding cruise package starts at $3,500 (though that's not including the cost of the actual cruise, that is room and board). All Disney cruise line ceremonies include an officiant for the wedding, cake and Champagne following the ceremony, and a solo musician. Depending on the time of year and chosen accommodations, a three-night cruise on the Disney Dream can cost anywhere from $1,500 to over $10,000. According to a 2016 study done by The Knot , travel expenses for guests attending international weddings were as much as $2,623 on average per guest. When it comes to the cake, the basic cruise ship package includes a two-tier, white fondant cake with a selection of fillings and flavors. Basic flavors include chocolate, vanilla, or marble, and basic fillings include lemon cream cheese, strawberries and cream, French vanilla, espresso chocolate, and raspberry chocolate. There's also a wedding coordinator on site to guide the wedding party through the entire process. "It's very well oiled," said Collins, as the coordinator ensures that everyone is in the right place at the right time. Even better, the Disney cruise wedding package includes some perks for the bride and groom. Perks include dinner for two at Palo, an Italian restaurant aboard the ship , a Disney Cruise Line commemorative ceremony certificate, and $100 of onboard stateroom credit that may be used towards merchandise, spa treatments, or other onboard activities and port adventures. "I'm not gonna lie," said Collins, "I cry at every wedding I go to." She remembers one Disney wedding in particular in which, upon seeing his bride walking down the aisle, the groom started crying. His grandmother got up to wipe his tears away. "Thank goodness for autofocus," she said, "my eyes were so watered." "Disney people are just young at heart," she said. "They're playful, they're fun ... they have this zest for life - sometimes my friends will be like, 'aren't you a little old for Disney?' and I'm like, 'man, nobody's too old for Disney.'" Read more: 73 magical photos that show what getting married at Disney parks is really like 17 Disney-inspired wedding ideas that fans will love These Disney princess wedding dresses will turn your big day into an actual fairy-tale


The Buffalo Bills started their 2019 mandatory minicamp on Tuesday in Orchard Park. While early in the season, storylines are still starting to enter their early stages ahead of the summer training camp. With that, here are six observations from the opening day of the team's minicamp practices on Tuesday: Oliver remains down depth chart The Bills made Ed Oliver their first-round pick at the 2019 NFL draft. In the three drafts that head coach Sean McDermott has been part of, the team has gone in one of two directions with their first-round picks. Either the rookie is given the job, or McDermott makes him earn it. Cornerback Tre'Davious White was a Day 1 starter. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds was last year too, but quarterback Josh Allen had to wait for his chance to start. While early in the offseason, Oliver's been in a "earn it" position. Per ESPN during the Bills opening day of minicamp, Oliver was with the second-team defense. Instead, Jordan Phillips started with the first-team defensive line, along with Jerry Hughes, Trent Murphy and Star Lotulelei. Worth noting, Shaq Lawson was also with the second-team unit. Buffalo Bills offensive guard Jon Feliciano. Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports Injury updates During McDermott's lone press conference last week, the final week of OTAs, there was a long list of injuries provided by the coach. The list was long again during the opening day of minicamp, with one prominent addition. Wide receiver Robert Foster is added to the list of offensive playmakers that are out. He has a foot injury. Here's your full injury list from Tuesday: Missed practice: Foster WR Zay Jones TE Tyler Kroft (foot) TE Jason Croom (hamstring) OL Ike Boettger OL Jon Feliciano OL Quinton Spain (thumb) OL Jeremiah Sirles Limited practice: OL Garrett McGhin CB Taron Johnson S Rafael Bush OL Russell Bodine (shoulder) OT Ty Nsekhe WR Cole Beasley (core) On the positive side and most notably, center Mitch Morse, now the NFL's highest-paid center, made his full-practice debut for the Bills. Injuries still hurting OL Morse's return is nice, but the offensive line is still struggling to produce any consistency in their starting unit due to the injuries it has sustained early this offseason. Buffalo signed six veteran free agents to their roster this offseason. Currently there's six listed on the page prior that are injured in some sort of way (Nsekhe, Bodine, Spain, Feliciano, Boettger, Sirles). With these injuries in mind, here's how things shaped out for the first-team offensive line on Tuesday, according to several reports, from left to right: Dion Dawkins, Vlad Ducasse, Mitch Morse, Wyatt Teller, and Cody Ford. Baltimore Ravens wide receiver John Brown. Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports One wideout returns, plenty more out One of Buffalo's free agent signees from this offseason, wide receiver Jogn Brown was one of the top talents to join the Bills and he returned to practice. Last week he was not at practice, but wasn't injured. He missed for the birth of a child, per McDermott. But with Foster, Jones and Beasley out, more playmakers started to see some opportunities, according to reports. Those seeing time with the starting offense along with Brown were Andre Roberts, Duke Williams, Ray-Ray McCloud and Isaiah McKenzie. WKBW-TV reported that Cam Phillips, who was with the starting offense a week prior, moved down to the second team with Da'Mari Scott and Victor Bolden Jr. Tight end Dawson Knox also saw more reps with Kroft and Croom missing time. While early in the offseason, the Bills will want these weapons to start building chemistry with quarterback Josh Allen as soon as possible. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports Josh Allen offense stalls All things considered, not the worst performance from the first-team offense on Tuesday, according to reports. The biggest takeaway was the situational work. Down a field goal with five minutes to go, Allen and the Bills'first-team offense got it down to the goal line and then stalled. En route, Allen found Tommy Sweeney on a fourth-down pass per WKBW to extend the drive, but inside the 10, the QB missed a target and settled for a short throw or two. Stephen Hauschka made a field goal. During another 11-on-11 drill, ESPN reports Allen went 5-for-7, but would have been sacked twice had it been an actual practice or game. Tough to gauge those sequences. Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyree Jackson. Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports Not a lot to say about Tyree Jackson The Bills have an intriguing third-stringquarterback in Tyree Jackson, the former University at Buffalo player. But he didn't reportedly get any team drills during the opening day of minicamp. In fact, WKBW reports that he hasn't much at all , even in OTAs. Matt Barkley did, though. While not too important to note now, it's important to keep in mind for training camp. Many view Jackson as a "project" player. But if he's not getting many reps in practice, will the Bills keep him at all? While undrafted, he was ESPN's top-ranked offensive prospect not drafted after the 2019 draft, so it seems very unlikely Buffalo could hide him on their practice squad. MORE: Canadian analysts wrongly crush USWNT for 'disgraceful' goal celebrations Packers rookie CB Ka'dar Hollman impressing early with press coverage 2019 aggregate mock draft 9.0: First look after withdrawal deadline SS Karl Joseph wants to be a Raider for life Bears, Khalil Mack avoid 'Hard Knocks' show on HBO


So...your partner is suddenly acting like you're the last thought on their mind, huh? Been there, know that feeling. But before you all-out panic, know that there are several reasons men (and women!) pull away and they're not all bad. And there's actually a lot you can do when this annoying (yet often inevitable) situation. But let's back up a second: Space is healthy, and EVERYONE needs it in order to continually check themselves and maintain their individual personalities and lives outside their relationship. Whether that means visiting your family without bringing your S.O. or going out on a Saturday night with just your girls, time apart is necessary for a healthy bond to grow. (Otherwise, you risk an unhealthy codependent relationship .) That said, space feels like the worst thing in the world when your partner is initiating it and you're...well, not. It's a vicious cycle: They pull away, you wondering why try to reel them in closer, then they pull away more...repeat, repeat. (Sound familiar?) You have every right to feel uneasy when someone starts acting weird or different from their usual self. Say, they're suddenly spending more time at the office instead of on the couch with you, taking a long time to respond to texts (and with short answers) when they're usually super talkative, or not reaching out until halfway through the day (if at all) when they're typically a "Good morning, beautiful!" type. But know this: They're not necessarily trying to end your relationship or keep secrets from you, says Ann Rosen Spector , PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist in Philadelphia. They could just need a little room to think... Taking space can sometimes bring you closer together it did for Miley and Liam! RELATED GALLERY: 28 things your partner should never ask you to do (provided by Redbook) What exactly is my partner thinking about if they start pulling away? I wish I could give you a single, straightforward answer. But as with most things in life, it's just not that simple. Sometimes your significant other's sudden distance could be a side effect of things ramping up at work, says Spector. They may not be great at juggling priorities, and since work can often seem like the more urgent demand (hello, they could get fired), they may dedicate more of their time and energy to the office. Other times, though, your partner wants a little distance in order to gain some perspective on the relationship. (Deep breaths...) If a relationship, especially a new or rebound one , is heating up faster (regular sleepovers, talking all day every day) than your partner anticipated, it makes sense for them to take a step back to decide whether the connection is worth pursuing. "It doesn't necessarily mean that they want to break up," Spector assures. They just need a breather to decide whether they're actually truly ready to commit since going all in with someone can be intense. Perhaps they're worried that you're more invested in the relationship already than they are, or that you've already started slotting them into your future before you've gotten to know each other in a deep, 360-degree way. (This can make someone feel like you're less interested in who they are as a person and more interested in having a partner right now.) Or maybe you've recently been on the cusp of taking the next step like meeting each other's families or moving in together  and they're not quite sure they're ready to do that with you. It might sound awful and feel crappy but trust: You want them to take this time earlier rather than later. No one deserves to be in a relationship with someone who isn't totally and 100-percent sure they want to be with them. (Remember that, always.) Of course, people can still pull away even in long-term relationships. For some, "distance is a way to deal with conflict," Spector says. Your partner might withdraw from you and the relationship after an argument, until you've both cooled off. Waiting for the "storm to pass" is, of course, not the ideal way to deal with issues, but sometimes people need space to gain perspective. If their pulling away helps them come back with a level of understanding and self-awareness that helps you both bounce back from disagreements, great. If it's a way for them to avoid confronting issues head on or worse, not acknowledging the parts of your relationship that are on truly shaky ground you may need to have a conversation about healthier ways of handling conflict. P.S. In case you were wondering, men can pull away just as often as women, Spector notes. Since intimacy ebbs and flows, partners are continuously pulled closer together and farther apart regardless of gender identity. Argh! What makes them pull away even more? You may want to whip out the proverbial handcuffs and keep your partner as close to your side as possible, but the more you can try to reel them in, the more you might actually push them away. So first, here's what not to do: Applying pressure or guilting them. "Give your partner some space," says Spector. By overwhelming them with incessant questions, calls, or texts while they're deciding how they feel about the relationship, how to best balance their priorities, or trying to cool off after an argument, you'll likely end up adding to their stresses and making them want to talk to you even less . Remember: If someone wants to be with you as much as you want to be with them, they'll need to decide in their own time. A relationship where someone feels forced to stick around can never be healthy and you shouldn't want someone who doesn't know if they want you. (In the name of self-love, girl!) Waiting around for them. "You had a life before your relationship," Spector says so go out and live it. Call up your friends for a round of drinks or go to a yoga class (or both). Just because your partner needs some time and space doesn't mean your personal life has to come to a screeching halt, and it also doesn't mean you have to wait until your partner makes a decision at all. Keep doing you, and if by the time your partner's gathered their thoughts, you're still invested in the relationship, you can focus on taking the proper steps to getting back on track. If you have a hard time doing so, keep this in mind: There's nothing more attractive to another person than seeing them living and loving life despite the hardships (or just annoying B.S.) they might be dealing with. It proves that you have real potential as a reliable teammate for life. Ah, so what should I be doing when they pull away? Even while respecting your partner's needs, there are things you can do to in order to get some clarity: Asking. There's no harm in checking in with your partner it's only natural that a sudden shift in your relationship would make you feel uneasy, says Spector. If you used to see each other at least four times per week and it's suddenly dropped to one, ask. Try: "Is everything okay? I've noticed you've been withdrawn lately." This doesn't guarantee you'll get a straight answer, but if you do and your partner tells you they've been struggling with how quickly the relationship has been moving or they're not sure they can dedicate as much time to the relationship anymore, tell them it's something you two should discuss when they're ready. Then, until they are, give them the space and time they need. If they say everything is fine and dismiss you, try not to push and prod. Let them come around on their own time...and if they don't or at least not within a timeframe that works for you reconsider if they're someone who deserves the attention and commitment you so selflessly give them. You gotta look out for yourself, too. Communicating in order to compromise. Even if you know why your partner's pulling away, you may not feel any better about their absence. So when you're both ready to talk it out, tell them how the distance made you feel not to guilt them, but to help you both decide on a better way to express when you need alone time. From there, Spector says you'll be able to hash out issues that led to your partner's need for distance. You might discover that you're not on the same page emotionally, you see the relationship going in different places, or you're not willing to devote the same amount of time and energy to the relationship. (All GOOD things to figure out sooner rather than later.) At that point, you'll have to decide where you stand: Are you both willing to address arguments as soon as they happen? Make more of an effort to spend time together during crazy work weeks? Spector's sure to warn, however, that too much compromise might leave one or both of you feeling unfulfilled in the relationship which will most likely lead to a breakup, anyway. (Sorry.) So make sure these sacrifices are ones you're truly willing to make for your relationship's long-term happiness if not, this next tip is for you… Moving on. Again, space is healthy. You might not get what you want out of it, but it allows the two of you to take stock of the relationship and come to terms with the fact that your expectations or desires might not align anymore. Distance, whether you called for it or not, is how you and your partner can best discover whether the two of you are still a good fit. If you find you're not, it's time that you pull away for yourself, for good. You got this. RELATED VIDEO: How to keep your relationship from turning toxic (provided by Buzz60)


After acquiring him from the Raptors in the Marc Gasol trade, the Grizzlies empowered Jonas Valanciunas . Memphis gave him an expanded role with more minutes and touches. The center averaged 20-11-2-2 in 19 games before his season ended with a sprained ankle . "Every single day, we were hyping him to believe that he could do more," then-Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff said in April, "and that there was more there." Apparently, that message took. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN: Sources: Memphis center Jonas Valanciunas plans to decline the $17.6M option on 2019-20 contract, clearing way to become a free agent. His primary intention will be to negotiate a new deal with Memphis, where he averaged 19.9 PPG and 10.7 RPG after February trade from Toronto.   Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 13, 2019 For his sake, I hope Valanciunas knows what he's doing. For that matter, I hope the Grizzlies know what they're doing, too. Valanciunas is a fine center in a league overstocked with quality centers. He scores well inside and is a capable rebounder. He's okay defensively, but limited athletically. A $17,617,976 salary is a lot for a player like that. Even if Memphis plans to re-sign him at a lower starting salary, a long-term contract for the 27-year-old could be a lot for a player like that. Jaren Jackson Jr. looks like the Grizzlies' center of the future. But, given the physicality of the position, he might not be ready for it yet. There's nothing inherently wrong with keeping Valanciunas to allow Jackson more time to develop while splitting his time between power forward and center. It just depends on the price. I wouldn't be surprised if Memphis and Valanciunas have already agreed to terms. Either way, there's plenty of room for this to backfire   for Valanciunas if he must explore the market or for the Grizzlies if they re-sign him. But whoever signs Valanciunas will at least get a good player. Teams often overvalue that while undervaluing opportunity cost.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Milwaukee? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to scoring an apartment in Milwaukee if you've got a budget of $1,900/month. Read on for the listings. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 441 E. Erie St. (Historic Third Ward) Listed at $1,803/month, this 700-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom spot is located at 441 E. Erie St. In the unit, you can anticipate a dishwasher, hardwood flooring, in-unit laundry and a walk-in closet. Both cats and dogs are welcome. Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address is quite walkable, is very bikeable and has good transit options. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 1551 N. Water St. (Lower East Side) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit situated at 1551 N. Water St. It's listed for $1,820/month for its 1,086 square feet. On-site laundry is listed as a building amenity. The listing also promises a dishwasher and hardwood flooring in the residence. Luckily for pet owners, both dogs and cats are allowed. According to Walk Score, the area around this address is very walkable, is convenient for biking and has good transit options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 625 W. Freshwater Way (Walker's Point) Next, check out this 973-square-foot one-bedroom, two-bathroom abode that's located at 625 W. Freshwater Way. It's listed for $1,850/month. The building boasts a fitness center. The residence also includes stainless steel appliances. Neither cats nor dogs are welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is somewhat walkable, is convenient for biking and offers many nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here .) 425 E. Menomonee St. (Historic Third Ward) Listed at $1,855/month, this 1,083-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom residence is located at 425 E. Menomonee St. The unit has a dishwasher, in-unit laundry and a walk-in closet. For those with furry friends in tow, know that cats and dogs are welcome on this property. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is friendly for those on foot, is quite bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Milwaukee . This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Boston will continue to experience unusual light rainfall today and tomorrow, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Tomorrow should see the most rain, with a forecast accumulation of 0.84 inches. The coming days will also see warm temperatures, due to last through Wednesday. Temperatures will reach a high of 74 degrees tomorrow, then turn cooler on Thursday and Friday. Skies will partially clear on Wednesday. Winds are forecast to reach a modest high of 15 mph on Friday, and stay in the teens through Saturday. 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.


A 42-year-old St. Charles man has been charged with felony home invasion and sexual assault after he broke into a home, authorities announced Sunday. Jason Carter was arrested after police responded to a report of a sexual assault shortly before 2 a.m. Friday in the 300 block of Illinois Street in St. Charles. St. Charles police encountered the suspect outside of the victim's home, according to a news release. Carter allegedly sexually assaulted the victim, who was asleep on a coach. Police found Carter in front of the residence. He was identified as the offender on the scene by the victim, according to authorities. The Kane County State's Attorney's Office authorized charges of home invasion, a Class X felony, and criminal sexual assault, a Class 1 felony. Police believe this to be an "isolated incident involving an acquaintance of the victim." However, residents are reminded to lock their doors at night or when they are away, police said. Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.


American Airline's pilots' union is calling Boeing's response to two fatal plane crashes "inexcusable," claiming the crashes might not have happened if the company had listened to pilots. Dennis Tajer, a spokesman for Allied Pilots Association   a union of American Airlines pilots   told CNN Business that Boeing had "a poisoned, diseased philosophy" for a global company. "Shame on you... we're going to call you out on it," Tajer said. Boeing did not comment on the union's position early Thursday morning. In recent weeks, both Boeing's CEO and the acting Federal Aviation Administration administrator have said that the actions of the pilots were in part to blame for the recent Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes. Both planes were Boeing 737 Max 8 planes. Tajer pointed instead to Boeing's software, about which he said American Airlines' pilots had expressed concerns in a November 2017 meeting with the company. The meeting was a few weeks after the Lion Air crash, but months before the Ethiopian Airlines crash. It would be fair to conclude, Tajer said, that if Boeing had taken the suggestions of the pilots, the Ethiopian Airlines crash might have been prevented. On the Ethiopian flight, pilots struggled to right the plane after the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) software, which pushes the nose of the aircraft down if it senses a stall, erroneously activated and as the plane traveled at a high speed, according to a preliminary report. The software pushed the Ethiopian Airlines plane into an aggressive downward angle, according to Tajer. The pilots did what they were instructed to do, he said. "They had wired that thing so that is was irrecoverable," Tajer said. "It just blew us away." In the meeting, American Airlines pilots made suggestions including having a way to turn off MCAS and adding an angle of attack disagree alert on all planes, he said. Tajer said Boeing dismissed the concerns. The changes will be a part of a new software fix, Tajer said, but were not implemented before the Ethiopian crash. Last month, the FAA announced it was grounding all Boeing 737 Max planes because it had identified similarities between the Ethiopian crash and the Lion Air crash six months earlier. Boeing issued a statement at the time saying it would recommend the temporary global suspension of the entire 737 Max fleet. On Thursday, FAA officials are meeting with aviation delegates from eight nations and the European Union in Fort Worth, Texas. Dan Elwell, the FAA's acting administrator, said the United States will be the first to certify the 737 Max for flight, but he did not say when that would be.


Investors who don't want to miss an opportunity need to be careful. Consider the source. As an investor, it's natural to look around for ideas. You want to make sure you find the best deals   and that you're not missing out on an opportunity. It's true there are ideas everywhere. However, that doesn't mean that every idea is a good idea. Or, even if the idea might not be a bad move, not every investment is the right choice for you and your portfolio. Before you act on that hot stock tip, take a step back and consider the source. Is it really a good idea to just willy-nilly commit some of your valuable financial resources? Click through the slideshow to see five people you shouldn't listen to when it comes to investing advice. A random person at a party. You re at a party and someone starts talking about a hot stock tip. It might be tempting to jump on it as soon as you can log into your online brokerage account. Before you start moving money around, though, think about the source. Why is someone you barely know sharing this information at a party? Are they just trying to look good? Do you have evidence they know what they re talking about? An even bigger red flag is if this virtual stranger is actively trying to get others to invest with them. If you re not careful, you could find yourself involved with a scam   and not just a bad stock tip. Your coworker. Watercooler talk can range from the latest show on Amazon Prime to stock investments. While it might seem exciting to do what everyone at work is doing, the reality is you might end up losing right along with them. It s important to consider the credentials of the person giving the advice. Have they just been lucky in a bull market? Everyone feels like a genius when the market is doing well. But if you re taking investing advice from your coworker at a time when the stock market is surging, that could be a sign that, rather than finding a good pick, you re actually buying high and could see losses when the market crashes. An in-law. Is your sister-in-law gushing about her current amazing portfolio performance? Does your brother-in-law have the inside track on the next big thing? Either of these scenarios could spell trouble if you follow through. Watch out for promises of an exclusive  in.  Investment scam red flags include making you feel you have an exclusive opportunity and using others to help you feel the investment is legitimate. Don t trust any unqualified relative to manage your portfolio and don t give them money in the hopes that they will get you  in on the ground floor  of the next Google (ticker: GOOG, GOOGL). Chances are neither of these investment situations is going to end well for you. The rideshare driver. When everybody   including your rideshare driver   seems to be in on something, that s a good sign you ve already missed the window for maximum profits. Many times, people get excited about a stock or other asset when its price is high. Buying when the price is near its peak rarely turns out well. While you might recover some losses if you ride it out after the crash, the reality is general knowledge of an asset is usually a sign that the market is about to correct. Rather than trying to time the market along with your rideshare driver, consider looking into dollar-cost averaging and using index funds to reduce the risks that come with stock picking. Talking heads on TV. While you can get some good ideas by watching the financial media, the reality is, in many cases, the news is infotainment. As a result, sometimes headlines are sensationalized and advice is based on what s likely to bring in an audience   and advertisers. Unfortunately, while you can find good tidbits, you re mostly hearing noise. Remember that while the talking heads on TV might be knowledgeable, they are mostly there to entertain. Before you move forward with their advice, it s a good idea to review your own investing plan and figure out if their recommendations make sense for you. Whom should you listen to? Getting advice from a third-party investment professional who understands your goals might be your best bet. If you want help putting together an investment plan that will take you through the next stock market crash and beyond, a good investment professional can help you build a portfolio that makes sense for your situation.


The Day in Sports: Sunday, July 28, 2019 Tour de France 2019 Team Deceunininck Quick Step's Julian Alaphilippe (centre) cycles past the Arc De Triomphe during stage 21 of the Tour de France. Soccer: International Champions Cup-AC Milan at Benfica SL Benfica goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos (99) makes a save in the second half against AC Milan in the International Champions Cup soccer series at Gillette Stadium. MLB: Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies Atlanta Braves center fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) steals second base while sliding into Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jean Segura (2) during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Miami Marlins Miami Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas (19) slides home safely against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth inning at Marlins Park. MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington Nationals Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Nationals Park. PGA: WGC - FedEx St. Jude Classic - Final Round Brooks Koepka reacts after missing a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic golf tournament at TPC Southwind. PGA: WGC - FedEx St. Jude Classic - Final Round Webb Simpson hits out of a bunker on the 16th hole during the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic golf tournament at TPC Southwind. MLB: Baltimore Orioles at Los Angeles Angels Los Angeles Angels third baseman Matt Thaiss (23) gets a shower as he heads to home plate after hitting a game-winning home run in the 9th inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. It was This second home run of the game. MLB: San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski (5) makes a play on a ball hit by San Diego Padres right fielder Franmil Reyes (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Petco Park. MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Miami Marlins Miami Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas (19) slides home safely against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth inning at Marlins Park. Track & Field: USATF Championships Erica Bougard jumps a wind-aided 21-5 1/4 (6.53m) in the heptathlon long jump during the USATF Championships at Drake Stadium.


(Bloomberg) -- U.S. authorities are preparing to return about $200 million of funds allegedly misappropriated from troubled state fund 1MDB to Malaysia, according to people familiar with the matter. The total includes about $140 million from the sale of a stake in New York's Park Lane Hotel and some $60 million from a settlement paid by the producer of the "Wolf of Wall Street" movie, said two of the people, who asked not to be named as the details are private. The transfer could happen as soon as next week, they said. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has reached out to countries from Switzerland to Singapore for help in tracking and recouping the $4.5 billion believed to have been siphoned from 1MDB. The scandal surrounding the state fund, set up to finance development projects in the Southeast Asian nation, has ensnared people and institutions from Malaysia's former leader Najib Razak to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Representatives of the U.S. Justice Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday after regular business hours. Malaysia pulled in $126 million last month from the sale of a superyacht once owned by Jho Low, the fugitive financier who has been painted as the mastermind behind the scandal. That was the largest amount of money that the country has recovered related to 1MDB, after it received S$15.3 million ($11.1 million) from neighboring Singapore last year. Low has repeatedly denied the allegations against him. Singaporean authorities are preparing to return about S$35 million surrendered by former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng and his family in connection with the 1MDB scandal to Malaysia, people familiar with the matter said separately. The $140 million stake in the Park Lane hotel, which sits on Central Park South, was sold in February after Low agreed to drop his claims on the property. The $60 million was paid by Red Granite Pictures Inc., co-founded by Najib's stepson Riza Aziz, as part of a settlement with the Justice Department over claims that it financed the "Wolf of Wall Street" movie with funds misappropriated from 1MDB. This week, the Justice Department said a set of diamond jewelry worth $1.7 million that Low gave to his mother, allegedly using money from 1MDB, will be returned to the U.S. as part of a forfeiture lawsuit. To contact the reporters on this story: Andrea Tan in Singapore at atan17@bloomberg.net;Edvard Pettersson in Los Angeles at epettersson@bloomberg.net;Anisah Shukry in Kuala Lumpur at ashukry2@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Philip Lagerkranser at lagerkranser@bloomberg.net, Yudith Ho For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com ©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


I've written in the past about the importance of getting screened for colon cancer and for prostate cancer. There's another form of cancer that entails screening without any sort of inserting. I grew up years before parents began coating their kids in SPF 5000. As a result, I had more than a few sunburns, along with annual summer-long tans that didn't fade until Thanksgiving. I've tried to balance that out as an adult by getting so little sun that I actually ended up with a Vitamin D deficiency. Still, I worry that the damage has been done. I'm constantly on the lookout for any suspicious moles or marks or bumps. Eight days ago, I noticed a discoloration on the side of my cheek. It was pink and it was raised and thanks to my smart phone's camera magnification feature it looked like it was ready to body slam Godzilla. I quickly progressed through the "it's nothing" to "maybe it's something" to "it's nothing" to "I bet it's something" to "no, it's nothing" to finally resolving to get it checked. So I texted my dermatologist and set up an appointment for Monday. He instantly told me what it was (all I can remember is "not cancer"), and we agreed that I'll get the thing removed via liquid nitrogen blast during the upcoming PFT Live hiatus. Good. Great. Back to work. But then he said, "While you're here, we should check your back," explaining that "a little paranoia can save lives." So I shrugged and pulled up my shirt, confident that there's nothing back there that would be problematic. He quickly reviewed the scattering of moles and then he paused when he got to the lower right side of my back and said something that made me immediately think, "Great. Here we go." He'd found an abnormal mole   maybe 3 millimeters in diameter   that gave him concern because he couldn't see skin lines in the surface of the thing. He thought it could be melanoma . Within a minute or two, after I successfully avoided having my bladder and/or bowels release right in the middle of his office, he'd stuck a needle in my back (I felt it) to numb the area and then shaved the thing off (I didn't feel it) for testing. I pressed him to be candid because I'd prefer to know as much as possible, as soon as possible. He said he was 80 percent certain that it's nothing. I was hoping for much better odds. He could tell I was going to be out of sorts until the answer came, so he expedited the testing and he said he'd text me with the results on Thursday. I knew it was going to be a long three days. On Monday, I spent way too much time researching melanoma and the treatment of its various stages. I learned a lot about the importance of catching it and removing it before the cells begin their silent journey inward, ending up in all sorts of places that are far removed from the skin and doing far more damage than a mole should be able to do. I felt stupid for not having my back checked more frequently. So Monday became Tuesday and Tuesday became Wednesday and Wednesday became Thursday and after PFT Live on Thursday I checked my phone every three minutes from 9:00 a.m. ET to 4:30 p.m. ET for a text that either said "you're fine" or "you're not fine." Then, after 4:30 p.m. ET, I went through 20 minutes of debating whether to text him, convinced that it was bad news and that he was delaying letting me know. Eventually, I texted. And then I tried not to obsess over how long it would take for him to respond. Not long after I sent the text, he did: No melanoma. Moving forward, my wife will be check my back once per month, and I'll be visiting the dermatologist twice per year for formal screening. Everyone out there should do the same, especially if (like me) you're on the wrong side of 40 or (also like me) on the wrong side of 50. Get checked by a doctor at least once per year, and get your back checked by someone who has the misfortune of living with you once per month. Some of you will say I should #sticktofootball, but If only one person out there decides to get checked and finds an early stage melanoma that is quickly cured, the past three days of worrying about it will have been well worth it.


Stretch your SS benefits with this roundup of the cheapest places to retire. 20 Best Places to Live on Only a Social Security Check Social Security is an essential safety net for many Americans. Even if you haven't saved enough for retirement, you can still count on Social Security benefits in retirement . However, with an average monthly benefit of just over $1,400, America's most expensive cities are far out of reach without another source of income. If you do have to rely on your Social Security benefits alone   and still want to make the most of your golden years   you'll need to live somewhere affordable that won't compromise your quality of life. That's why GOBankingRates compiled a list of the 20 best cities to live off of just Social Security. The study factored in the cost of living, livability and median rent and   after comparing the 143 largest cities in the U.S.   combined the scores to determine where you really can get by on just your Social Security benefit . 20. Jackson, Miss. Cost of Living Score: 73.6 Livability Score: 58 Median Rent: $790 Mississippi has the lowest cost of living in the entire country, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that Jackson had the third-lowest cost of living of any of the cities considered in this study   including a median monthly rent under $800. Read: Why Relocating in Retirement Might Be a Smart Move 19. Toledo, Ohio Cost of Living Score: 76.7 Livability Score: 60 Median Rent: $777 Toledo's cost of living indicates that you can expect to spend almost 25 percent less on your basic expenses than you would in the rest of the country, on average. What's more, Toledo is one of the cities where your money stretches the furthest , according to a separate GOBankingRates study. 18. Evansville, Ind. Cost of Living Score: 83.6 Livability Score: 70 Median Rent: $889 If you're younger and looking to avoid living off your Social Security check alone when you reach retirement, one of the best ways is to start saving early. However, even if it's too late to build the sort of nest egg you would like, a city like Evansville   which combines modest rents and costs of living with a relatively strong livability score   should help you make the most of your Social Security benefits. 17. South Bend, Ind. Cost of Living Score: 77.1 Livability Score: 60 Median Rent: $745 Arguably most notable for being home to Notre Dame, the study reveals that there's plenty of reason to call South Bend home even if you aren't a fan of the golden domers. With a cost of living 22.9 percent below the rest of the country and a median rent under $750, you can really stretch your Social Security benefits further than in most places. 16. Fort Wayne, Ind. Cost of Living Score: 81.2 Livability Score: 74 Median Rent: $1,011 Fort Wayne is a little pricier than many of the other cities on this list, but it also has stronger amenities. That might help explain why the city is among the cheapest places in the U.S. for retirees , found a separate GOBankingRates study. 15. Birmingham, Ala. Cost of Living Score: 72.6 Livability Score: 57 Median Rent: $749 No city considered in this study has a lower cost of living score than Birmingham. Prices there are 27.4 percent lower than the rest of the U.S., on average. Those low costs come at a price; the livability score of 57 is the lowest of the 20 cities on this list. Find Out: The True Cost of Retiring on Social Security 14. Abilene, Texas Cost of Living Score: 87.8 Livability Score: 79 Median Rent: $994 Abilene is the most expensive city on this list, with overall costs just over 10 percent lower than the national level in addition to a median rent of almost $1,000 a month. 13. Waco, Texas Cost of Living Score: 80.9 Livability Score: 74 Median Rent: $974 Waco is another Texas city where slightly higher costs are counter-balanced by a higher livability score. But it's worth noting that it's still significantly cheaper than most of the country while offering seniors plenty of ways to enjoy their retirement. 12. Dayton, Ohio Cost of Living Score: 74.9 Livability Score: 59 Median Rent: $716 The primary appeal of Dayton to retirees is likely going to be pretty similar to most everyone else: It's a very inexpensive place to live. Of all the cities included in this study, Dayton had the fifth-lowest cost of living and the fifth-lowest median monthly rent. In fact, it's one of the best places to live for only $1,000 a month . 11. McAllen, Texas Cost of Living Score: 80.9 Livability Score: 82 Median Rent: $1,146 McAllen has the most expensive rents of any of the cities included on this list, but what's most likely driving those prices up near $1,200 a month for a median-priced apartment is the nearby amenities. The city also has the highest livability score in the study. 10. Erie, Pa. Cost of Living Score: 81.5 Livability Score: 71 Median Rent: $859 Over one in five people in the state are collecting Social Security benefits, making Pennsylvania one of the states that are most dependent on the program . So, while residents of Erie might currently be enjoying the way their checks stretch further due to low costs, they might be eying the future of the Social Security program with trepidation. 9. Lynchburg, Va. Cost of Living Score: 85.8 Livability Score: 79 Median Rent: $949 Lynchburg's relatively high livability score is the primary factor in pushing it higher up this list, but its retiree-friendly costs are another major factor. Another GOBankingRates study found that Lynchburg was one of the best places to live on a fixed income. 8. Killeen, Texas Cost of Living Score: 78.8 Livability Score: 74 Median Rent: $934 Killeen is another city that appears to pair low costs and high levels of access to amenities. So retirees should enjoy their golden years there. After all, they worked hard to earn them. In Texas, it takes 10.5 paychecks to pay for just one month of benefits from Social Security . 7. El Paso, Texas Cost of Living Score: 83.6 Livability Score: 80 Median Rent: $987 For anyone thinking that life in a border town is the way to go   and who aren't interested in the cold winters up north   there's good news: Not only is El Paso very affordable, but it has the fourth-highest livability score of all the cities considered in this study. 6. Akron, Ohio Cost of Living Score: 79 Livability Score: 69 Median Rent: $751 LeBron James might have left Akron for Los Angeles, but had he been living on Social Security, he might have had second thoughts. Akron's cost of living is very reasonable, and even someone earning the average Social Security benefits can even expect to keep saving every month as Akron is one of the best cities to retire on a budget of $1,500 a month . 5. Terre Haute, Ind. Cost of Living Score: 79.4 Livability Score: 72 Median Rent: $711 Terre Haute combines very affordable basic costs with a livability score that would seem to imply a good quality of life there as well. However, the real star here is that median monthly rent, which was the fourth lowest of the 143 cities in the study. 4. Lawton, Okla. Cost of Living Score: 80.5 Livability Score: 73 Median Rent: $694 Of course, one of the three cities with even lower median rental costs than Terre Haute is Lawton, where a median-price apartment costs under $700 a month to let   the second-lowest in the study. That   combined with a low cost of living   is part of why Oklahoma why Oklahoma is one of the states where you're least likely to live paycheck to paycheck . 3. Muncie, Ind. Cost of Living Score: 76.3 Livability Score: 73 Median Rent: $758 Muncie is the fifth and final Indiana city on this list, seeming to indicate that the Hoosier State is an especially friendly place to retirees on a strict budget. Even if you're not, though, Indiana's low costs helped make it the one of the best states to retire rich , as well. 2. Brownsville, Texas Cost of Living Score: 77.5 Livability Score: 80 Median Rent: $896 Brownsville is more than 20 percent cheaper to live in than the rest of the United States, but that's not the biggest draw based on this study's results: The livability score of 80 is good for the third-highest of the 143 largest cities in the country. So, in case you were worried high costs were going to drive you to live overseas in retirement, cities like Brownsville might offer a less drastic option. 1. Wichita Falls, Texas Cost of Living Score: 76.9 Livability Score: 79 Median Rent: $874 One state had even more cities on this list than Indiana, and that was the Longhorn State, with seven different cities ranking in the top 20, including the top city overall: Wichita Falls. It's possible that more people should seriously consider retirement in Texas   it's one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees . Texas Tops the List of Best Cities to Live on Social Security One clear conclusion you can infer from these results would be that there could be state-level policies that help keep costs under control in mid-sized cities. The 20 cities on this list tend to come from the same few places, with just seven states represented in the final ranking. While Texas had the most cities with seven, Indiana was a close second with five while Ohio had another three. It is also notable   if not surprising   that the cities are not among the largest in their respective states. None of Texas' cities with a population of a million or more   Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and almost Austin   made the top 20 despite seven other Lone Star State cities being in there. Click through to see how long $1 million in retirement lasts across America . More on Social Security in Retirement 25 Countries Where Your Social Security Check Goes Furthest 20 Tips to Live Comfortably Off Just a Social Security Check What Is the Social Security Retirement Age? Watch: How to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits in 60 Seconds We make money easy. Get weekly email updates, including expert advice to help you Live Richer™ . Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the best places to live on only a Social Security check based on the (1) average monthly benefit for retired workers, $1,412.14, sourced from Social Security Administration; (2) the overall cost of living in each city, sourced from Sperling's Best Places; (3) median monthly rent, sourced from Zillow, representing the monthly rent for May 2018; (4) and livability scores, sourced from AreaVibes. Cost of living scores from Sterling's Best Places are a comparison to a base score of 100 that represents the national average. So, a score of 80 represents a place where costs are 20 percent lower than the country as a whole, whereas 120 would indicate a locale where it's 20 percent more expensive. Livability scores from AreaVibes are on a scale of one to 100.


Flying domestic should be fairly painless, right? Travel + Leisure readers agree, and they've come to a consensus that the best domestic airports are not only easy to navigate, but a joy to linger in. From aesthetically pleasing design to tasty local restaurants, these 10 airports around the country stand out. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe   to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers cast their votes for their favorite hubs across the world, rating airports on access, check-in/security, restaurants/bars, shopping, and design. Related : The World's Best Awards 2019 You can feel the ambience of the city when you're at Pittsburgh International Airport, according to one fan of the No. 7 spot. Unlike some other airports, where it's tough to establish a sense of place, Pittsburgh's arched windows, open spaces, and public art create a vibrant setting. The place is also easy to navigate, making catching connections a breeze. Various modernization improvements   including a new building for ticketing, a new parking garage, and more   are expected to open by 2023. Another reader praised Indianapolis International Airport's beautiful design. At this No. 2 pick, bright, airy terminals let in plenty of light through windows overhead. "This should be the blueprint for all airports!" a former flight attendant wrote. "Great local restaurants to eat and grab coffee or beer. Always clean. Security line is always friendly and quick," another fan added. New to the list this year is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, a small operation in New Hampshire. Though tiny, No. 9 offers one big plus that nearby Boston Logan Airport does not: virtually no congestion. "Very convenient away from heavy traffic!" a reader noted. This year's World's Best winners, as voted by our readers, scored high marks in all areas, including shopping, food options, layout, and more. Read on for more on the No. 1 airport, and to see how the rest stacked up. 10. Dallas Love Field Score: 73.79 More information: dallas-lovefield.com 9. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport Score: 73.81 More information: flymanchester.com 8. Palm Beach International Airport Score: 74.26 More information: pbia.org 7. Pittsburgh International Airport Score: 74.90 More information: flypittsburgh.com 6. John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana, California Score: 75.90 More information: ocair.com 5. Tampa International Airport Score: 76.34 More information: tampaairport.com 4. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport Score: 76.99 More information: savannahairport.com 3. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Score: 78.44 More information: mspairport.com 2. Indianapolis International Airport Score: 78.55 More information: ind.com 1. Portland International Airport, Oregon Score 80.84 More information: flypdx.com Famed for its teal, geometric-pattern carpet (all hail, #pdxcarpet ), Portland International Airport dazzles in more ways than just the ground beneath your feet. "This is my home airport, and I wish to write a love song to it," one enthusiastic reader wrote. "People are friendly, there are ample local shopping and food options, there are free local short films, prices are normal, there's local art, a local distillery, live music...I could go on and on." And other readers did. Many remarked on the friendliness of Portland's TSA agents. But one fan summed it up best: "Can't think of anything that PDX doesn't do well." See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2019 . RELATED VIDEO: Charleston, SC - T+L's World's Best 2019 Best US City


ELKHART LAKE, Wisc.   Alexander Rossi's greatness was on full display Monday at Road America. He started on the outside of the front row, drafted behind pole sitter Colton Herta at the drop of the green flag, pulled out a perfectly timed move to race side by side with Herta going into Turn 1. By Turn 2 of the first lap, Rossi's No. 27 NAPA Honda was out front and drove away from the field, easily winning the REV Group Grand Prix of Road America by nearly 30 seconds over Team Penske's Will Power. Rossi was so good, it appeared he was running on a different race course than the other 23 competitors. There was some outstanding racing throughout the field with 191 total passes, including 175 for position, but none of those passes were at the front. According to Rossi's engineer, Jeremy Milles, there was just one thing kept Rossi's race from being deemed complete perfection. "It we had stayed out two laps longer on the last pit stop, we would have led every single lap instead of Graham Rahal leading one lap," Milless told NBC Sports.com. "It's good to see when we give him a proper car, he puts it to work. "He's not like a lot of drivers." Rossi led 54 of the 55 laps in the race and defeated Power by 28.4391 seconds   a huge margin of victory by today's standards. Back in 1982, Hector Rebaque defeated Al Unser by a full lap at the 4.014-mile, 14 Road America road course, but those were far different times than today's very deep field in the NTT IndyCar Series. Although it was Rossi's second victory of the season and the seventh of his career, the 27-year-old from Nevada City, California, has been the driver everyone talks about in 2019. The win snapped a four-race streak where he finished second three times and fifth in the other. Simon Pagenaud won the 103 rd Indianapolis 500 on May 26, but the fans and media were talking about Rossi's bold, daring moves, including some wildly aggressive passes down the front straight and to the outside in Turn 1. Rossi had a fantastic car the next week in the first race of the Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle but was burned by the timing of a caution period for a crash as his main challenger, Josef Newgarden, dove into the pit area to make a stop just before pit lane closed because of the caution. Rossi had to wait until the pits were reopened to make his stop, and that put him behind Newgarden and ultimately decided the race. After a fifth-place finish the following day in Race No. 2, Rossi was once again standing up in his seat and on top of the steering wheel in a tremendous battle with Newgarden at Texas Motor Speedway on June 8. Rossi tried his best to make his car stick on the outside lane going into Turn 1, but when he discovered the risk was much higher than the reward, he had to begrudgingly settle for second, finishing 0.816 seconds behind the current NTT IndyCar Series points leader. Rossi left no doubt on his Sunday drive through the Wisconsin woods as he never was challenged. In just three short seasons, Rossi has developed into one of the greatest drivers in a generation in IndyCar. He doesn't even have 10 victories yet, and he already had the makings of a legend. "It's almost like Juan Pablo Montoya, when he arrived as a rookie, he was great immediately," Rossi's team owner Michael Andretti told NBCSports.com after the race. "Juan is one of the greats, and I think as time moves on, Alex will prove to be one of the greats. "He is very aggressive, very calm, very confident, everything you want in a driver. He wasn't racing anybody all day; he was just racing himself not to make any mistakes." For Andretti, this is a very important time in his relationship with Rossi. The driver's contract concludes at the end of this season, and he is the focal point of speculation on where he will race in 2020. Before Pagenaud revived his career with a sweep of the major events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Month of May, Rossi looked like "Penske Material" as the driver that would take over the No. 22 Chevrolet. After Pagenaud won the Indy 500, team owner Roger Penske assured him he would be back on the team in 2020 . Rossi's loyalties lie with Honda. Both he and his father, Pieter, share a close relationship with the engine manufacturer that helped the former Formula One test driver at Manor find a full-time home in the NTT IndyCar Series. Andretti told NBCSports.com on Friday that he was "optimistically confident" that he will re-sign Rossi once a sponsorship agreement with NAPA is completed. Andretti remains confident after Rossi's win on Sunday. "We're getting there," Andretti said. "I think we're getting there. We are feeling pretty good about it." There are others, however, that aren't as optimistic. If Roger Penske wants a driver, who turns down an opportunity like that? After all, Team Penske is far and away the winningest team in IndyCar history, including a record 18 Indy 500 wins. Think of these scenarios. What if McLaren makes a substantial offer to align with Andretti Autosport for a full-time NTT IndyCar Series team in the future after McLaren's debacle in this year's Indy 500? In order for that to happen, though, Andretti would have to switch to Chevrolet, because Honda 's parent company in Japan will no longer do business with McLaren. The last time Andretti considered leaving Honda for Chevy, Rossi was set to leave Andretti to join another Honda team, Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports in 2017. If Andretti Autosports and McLaren joined together, that would also mean the Andretti-aligned Harding Steinbrenner Racing would become a Chevy operation. Honda could keep Rossi as one of its drivers by leading him to Chip Ganassi Racing. Five-time Cup Series champion Scott Dixon remains on top of his game, but it's unlikely he will be racing Indy cars 10 years from now. Barring unforeseen circumstance, Rossi will still be in the cockpit and winning races in a decade, and that would position Ganassi's team for the future. The team's second driver is rookie Felix Rosenqvist, who is currently racing with a one-year contract. Even Rossi knows his situation for next year is complicated, which is why he chooses not to talk about it. He has developed a strong bond with Milless as his engineer and Rob Edwards (white shirt on left) as his race strategist. Do both of those key members end up on a different team with Rossi? Edwards is a key member of management at Andretti Autosport as the Chief Operating Officer. Rossi is as cerebral as he is aggressive. After his victory, when pressed upon his next contract, he concluded the conversation perfectly. "I have no considerations," Rossi said regarding his contract status. "It's in God's hands."


For once, someone came out with a quarterback ranking that seems to place Ben Roethlisberger in a fair spot. If you're a Steelers fan, you no doubt are aware of the constant lack of love for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as it pertains to his ranking on whatever list happens to be published on any particular day of the week. And if you are a die-hard supporter of the black and gold, the continuous slight of No. 7's abilities has to ruffle your feathers just a little, right? I know I was a bit peeved the other day when I heard a couple of local radio talking heads discussing a list published by NFL.com's Elliot Harrison where he ranked the 25 greatest quarterbacks of all-time. Roethlisberger was 19th on said list, and as I listened to this discussion, all I could think about was how low that ranking seemed. "Once again, Big Ben is dissed," I said out-loud to nobody in particular as I sat in traffic on Greentree Road. "This makes me so gosh darn angry!" Here's what Harrison had to say about his ranking of Roethlisberger among the all-time great passers in league history: "Maybe the most difficult guy on this list to rate. Roethlisberger has, at times, played brilliantly. He led the NFL in passing yards in 2018 (5129), his 15th season. He posted a passer rating of 98.1 and went 14-1 as a starter during his first season (including the playoffs). He's won two Super Bowl s, and started a third. On those merits alone, he should probably go higher than 19th here. Then again, has Roethlisberger ever been the best or second best player at his position? Another question: How often has he been the center of a distraction to the team? Roethlisberger is a Hall of Famer right now. How high he climbs on the list of all-time great quarterbacks might depend on the next couple of seasons." Here we go again, with the Ben hate, right? Talk about your lukewarm description of a great career. But after a day or two of thinking about things and, you know, looking at the actual list, my anger dissipated. I mean, it wasn't like Roethlisberger was ranked 19th among current quarterbacks or among passers named Ben. Cracking the top-20 of all-time great NFL quarterbacks is pretty darn special (even if it's on a list compiled by some guy named Elliot no disrespect to people named Elliot). It's especially impressive when five of the six men on the list behind Roethlisberger are named Van Brocklin, Dawson, Tarkenton, Moon and Kelly all Hall of Famers respectively. The more I think about it, this is one list involving Roethlisberger that is actually spot-on. You may object to someone like Russell Wilson being one spot ahead of Roethlisberger on this list. You may even bristle that a Roethlisberger contemporary  Aaron Rodgers  is rated seven spots higher on the list. But I think Roethlisberger is right where he belongs. To Harrison's point, Roethlisberger has never really been the best player at his position during his career probably not even the second best. Furthermore, he's never been named an NFL or Super Bowl MVP. He's just been a really good quarterback, and it would actually be hard to justify putting Roethlisberger higher on the list, ahead of people like Bart Starr, Steve Young or even Troy Aikman. When I look at the list, I'm more amazed that Brett Favre is ranked 12th or two spots behind Rodgers . If a three-time NFL MVP can't even crack the top-10, Roethlisberger is slotted just right at 19th. The top-10 is obviously a who's who of NFL quarterback royalty, and quite frankly, Roethlisberger would look out of place if he were ranked among those folks. My only quibble with Harrison is the part where he said Roethlisberger has "at times, played brilliantly." That's a description that, to the untrained eye, would tell you that No. 7's been wildly inconsistent over the course of a career that's about to reach its 16 season. We're talking about a man that has passed for over 56,000 yards. We're talking about a man who has averaged almost twice as many touchdowns as interceptions. We're talking about a man with a 94.2 career passer-rating. We're talking about a man who, as Harrison noted in his article, has averaged the second-most passing yards in league history after the age of 30 (290.3). ( Drew Brees , ranked sixth on Harrison's list, is number one in that category.) That's not the career of a quarterback who only plays brilliantly on occasion. Harrison implies that Roethlisberger may still have time to move up the ladder depending how the final years of his career play out. He, of course, is referring to Roethlisberger winning another Super Bowl title or two (perhaps with a league or Super Bowl MVP thrown in for good measure). However, if Terry Bradshaw, a four-time Super Bowl winner, two-time Super Bowl MVP and one-time league MVP, is only ranked 17th, it seems unlikely winning more hardware will do much for Roethlisberger's legacy. But that's okay. If you want to say Ben Roethlisberger is the 19th greatest quarterback in NFL history, I will tell say that's more than fair.


ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Pedro Severino took three easy trips around the bases Tuesday night. It was a good thing he saved his energy - he needed those legs on a game-ending play in the ninth. Severino hit a career-high three homers and thwarted Texas' ninth-inning rally with a wild defensive play, lifting the Baltimore Orioles over the Rangers 12-11. Texas scored six runs in the ninth and had the tying run on base with one out when Mychal Givens replaced Richard Bleier on the mound. Givens struck out Delino DeShields and Elvis Andrus, but strike three to Andrus was a wild pitch that went to the backstop. Severino scrambled to retrieve the ball, then delivered a perfect throw to first baseman Chris Davis a step ahead of Andrus for the final out. Severino said Givens couldn't see his sign on the final pitch. ''I didn't know what pitch was coming,'' Severino said. ''I had to throw it really hard to first base to just get the out.'' Dwight Smith Jr. had a career-high six RBIs for Baltimore, including a three-run homer and three-run double. Severino never previously had a multihomer game in five major league seasons. He hit solo homers in the first and ninth innings and a two-run homer in the seventh. As for his power surge, he said, ''I don't want to say I don't have power. When I used to be a young guy, when I hit one homer, I just tried to hit every ball out.'' Dylan Bundy (3-6) earned his first win since May 17, allowing three runs and six hits in five-plus innings. ''We didn't close out the game the way you'd like to close out,'' Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. ''I am going to try to stay positive.'' Givens earned his fifth save, cleaning up a mess created by Josh Lucas and Bleier. Andrus led off the inning by reaching on shortstop Richie Martin's error, and Asdrubal Cabrera and Logan Forsythe each hit two-run doubles during the rally. Cabrera had three hits to match his season high. ''It was good, but we still lost the game,'' Cabrera said of the late rally. ''We have to forget about it and come tomorrow and find a win.'' ''Obviously beforehand, there were a lot of things we could have done better,'' Rangers manager Chris Woodward said, ''especially on the pitching side.'' The five Baltimore home runs equaled the most hit off Rangers pitchers this season. After Smith's first-inning homer, Severino's first homer gave the Orioles a 4-0 lead five batters in against Drew Smyly (1-4). Smyly gave up seven runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings as Texas ended a three-game winning streak. The eight hits included three homers, one short of Smyly's career high. Hanser Alberto had four hits, all singles, to match his career high set May 20. Keon Broxton hit his third home run in nine games with the Orioles and has hits in six games. FIRST THINGS FIRST The Orioles, with the majors' worst record at 19-41, won a series opener for the third straight series to improve to 6-14 those games this season. They haven't won consecutive games since April 23-24. The Rangers dropped to 5-15 in series openers. CHOO ACHIEVES MILESTONE Shin-Soo Choo led off Texas' first with his 200th career home run. It was his third leadoff home run this season and 30th of his career. Choo has reached base in 25 straight home games. ''He's one of the most impressive players I've ever been around,'' Woodward said. SHORT HOPS Davis went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts after being reinstated from the 10-day injured day earlier in the day. . Choo's homer was the major league leading 123rd given up by Orioles pitching this season. ... Texas went 3 for 3 on challenges and is 14 for 17 on challenges this season. Baltimore went 1 for 1 and is 7 for 14. ... RHP David Carpenter, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Nashville last Friday, made his Rangers debut with his first appearance in the majors since July 2015. Carpenter allowed two runs in 2/3 of an inning. TRAINER'S ROOM Orioles: OF Mark Trumbo (knee) went 0 for 3 with a strikeout on Tuesday beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk. Rangers: Texas placed RHP Kyle Dowdy on the 10-day IL with elbow impingement and recalled LHP Brett Martin from Nashville. UP NEXT Orioles: LHP John Means (5-4, 280) has a loss and two no-decisions since winning four of five starts April 18-May 12. Rangers: LHP Mike Minor (5-4, 2.74) is fifth in the American League in earned run average with one of the league's five shutouts. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


COLLEGE PARK, Md.   A Virginia National Guard sergeant is accused of stealing World War II-era dog tags from the National Archives and Records Administration in Maryland, at least the second theft case involving the research facility. Robert Rumsby, 29, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, told investigators he took dog tags that belonged to four U.S. airmen killed in plane crashes in 1944, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court last month. Rumsby's wife is the great-niece of one of the deceased airmen. Rumsby said he gave that airman's dog tags to his wife's grandmother as a Christmas gift and gave another airman's dog tags to a relative of that serviceman. The complaint charges Rumsby with theft of public records. He has an Aug. 14 trial date at the federal courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland. Rumsby told the Stars and Stripes newspaper he took the dog tags from the facility in College Park, Maryland, so he could give them to dead soldiers' families. "I think the intent was there. I think the approach was wrong. Even at the time, I knew the approach was wrong," he said. "I had taken four identification tags from those record groups specifically for families I knew would treasure them." Rumsby declined to be interviewed this week, telling an Associated Press reporter to "go fry someone else if that is your intention." "Feel free to publish a story on how the U.S. Government withheld information from families concerning personal effects being held without their knowledge for 70 plus years," he wrote in an email. Rumsby isn't the first visitor to be accused of stealing from the National Archives facility in College Park. Antonin DeHays, a French historian and author, was sentenced in April 2018 to one year in prison after pleading guilty to stealing at least 291 dog tags and other relics, most of which he sold on eBay and elsewhere for a total of more than $43,000. "Some of these dog tags bore evidence of damage, such as dents and charring due to fire sustained during the crashes," said a court filing in DeHays' case. The College Park facility stores thousands of dog tags that were seized by the German Luftgaukommandos, which prepared reports on Allied aircraft crashes during World War II. In January 2017, National Archives staff were investigating possible thefts of artifacts when they discovered that dog tags belonging to World War II aviator Theodore Ream were missing from a box Rumsby had accessed in October 2016, according to the criminal complaint. Rumsby's wife is the great-niece of Ream, whose sister is the grandmother of Rumsby's wife. Investigators recovered Ream's dog tag from a shadow box at the grandmother's home in Chesapeake, Maryland. In 2015, Rumsby also accessed a box that contained dog tags for three airmen who died in a July 21, 1944, plane crash. When investigators questioned him on April 4, Rumsby retrieved the dog tags for two of those airmen from a shelf in his home and said he had given the third dog tag to a relative of that airman, according to the complaint. Rumsby was quoted in an April 2018 article in the New York Times about civilians volunteering to identify the remains of soldiers in U.S. military cemeteries. The article said Rumsby, a former Army lieutenant, had spent years indexing unknown graves from World War II. Rumsby is assigned to the Virginia National Guard's 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. National Guard spokesman A.A. "Cotton" Puryear said Rumsby's unit leaders are aware of the criminal case. "Once the civilian judicial process is complete, his chain of command will evaluate to see if any military administrative action would be appropriate," Puryear said in an email. Associated Press investigative researcher Randy Herschaft in New York contributed to this report.


Heroin use and overdose deaths are rising fast in the United States, particularly among whites and women, US health authorities said Tuesday. More than 8,200 people died from a heroin-involved overdose in 2013, nearly twice the number of deaths seen just two years earlier, according to the Vital Signs report issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Heroin use has doubled among women since 2002, reaching 1.6 women per 1,000 people by 2013. Heroin use rose 50 percent among men in the same period, to a rate of 3.6 users per 1,000 nationwide in 2013. About 500,000 people are currently addicted to heroin in the United States, CDC chief Tom Frieden told reporters. "Heroin use is increasing rapidly across nearly all demographic groups, and with that increase, we are seeing a dramatic rise in deaths," he said. "Around one in 50 people who are addicted to heroin may die of it in each year of their addiction," Frieden added. "That is a remarkably high proportion, and a reflection of how dangerous it is to have a heroin addiction, to have heroin supply from sources where purity may change rapidly, and to be using it by an intravenous route." The CDC report was based on an analysis of data from the 2002-2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, comparing trends among demographic and substance-using groups. Two key reasons for the mounting toll from heroin include an increasing number of people addicted to prescription painkillers, which contain the same active ingredients as heroin, and the low cost of readily-available the street drug, said Frieden. Heroin-related overdose deaths nearly quadrupled over the decade studied. - Companion drugs - "Alarmingly, nearly all people who used heroin also used at least one other drug on the past year and most used at least three other drugs," Frieden added. The most common companion substances for heroin were alcohol, cocaine and marijuana. Sixty percent of heroin-related overdose deaths involved at least one other drug. Frieden also addressed what he described as misperception by some that addicts are moving on to heroin as a replacement for prescription painkillers. "In general, what we are finding is the higher the rate of prescription opioid use, the higher the rate of heroin use." Since the drugs work in much the same way, those who are addicted to prescription painkillers are "primed" for heroin addiction. Abuse or dependence on opioid painkillers was the strongest risk factor for heroin use or dependence. The low cost of heroin is also a draw for addicts. The drug costs five times less than prescription painkillers.


KALAMAZOO, Mich. - A charitable organization founded by former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is donating about $3.2 million to renovate a baseball and softball complex at his Michigan high school. The Kalamazoo Public Schools district announced the donation Thursday from the Turn 2 Foundation. Planned work includes new fields, seating and dugouts as well as synthetic turf. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports school officials say the project is scheduled to be completed in 2021. Jeter, who is the Miami Marlins CEO, says in a statement he hopes the project "will inspire local youth to work hard to achieve their full potential and accomplish their goals." Jeter graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1992 and the baseball field at the complex was named Derek Jeter Field in his honor in 2012. This July 25, 2019, photo shows Derek Jeter Field at Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo. (Photo: Joel Bissell/Kalamazoo Gazette via Associated Press) MORE: Bear bites woman in tent at Yellowstone, prompts action Theo Riddick release means it's Ty Johnson time Behind the scenes with new-look Nets: 'We got stars without mortgaging everything'' Sherra Wright pleads guilty in killing of LeBron's former teammate Lorenzen Wright Report: Kelvin Benjamin did not attend Giants' WR workouts


I often say that traveling with kids is not a vacation. It's fun, sure, and we make plenty of memories together. But as parents, we are not relaxing or getting a break from our caretaking tasks. Every once in a while, though, a trip hits the sweet spot of being appealing to both children and adults with an unhurried pace and an atmosphere that lets kids be kids without judgment. That was our family's trip to Amelia Island , a 13-mile long barrier island in northeast Florida . Our time there was leisurely and refreshing, and I truly think every family needs an escape (dare I call it a vacation?) to Amelia Island. Where to Stay The Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is one of two luxury resorts on the island, and the perfect spot for families to unwind, whether it's for a weekend getaway or a weeklong holiday. Our family of 5 checked into a Premier Oceanfront Room and we couldn't believe how spacious it felt. Every room in the resort has a private balcony with a stunning ocean view. Thanks to the recent Daylight Savings time change and kids who never sleep in, we found it to be the perfect spot to enjoy watching the sun rise over the sea. Several factors will entice you to stay at the resort during your entire stay on Amelia Island, one of them being the fabulous beachfront pool area. There are two large pools, one of which is an adults-only infinity pool. The kid-friendly pool below is spacious and heated, and only a few steps away from a splash pad. Our kids would have stayed poolside the entire day if we had let them. That wouldn't have been a problem with the casual poolside restaurant Oceanside , which serves Floribbean cuisine straight to your lounge chair. There are plenty of activities to keep families busy, too, including playing on the beach, seashell and shark tooth hunting in the sand and even a kids' craft area. If you're staying at the resort with young kids, have no qualms about dining at the Falcon's Nest restaurant. It was laid-back and family-friendly, and our server even offered to put the kids' meals in at the same time as the drinks so they could eat right away. Definitely try the 12 Hour Beef Brisket Tacos or the Old Skool Burger, which my husband claims was the best burger he's ever had. With amenities like mini golf, an outdoor game area, a nature center, golf carts and bicycles for rent, adventure tours and tennis courts, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is definitely a great place for families. But what made this place really stand out to me was the attentiveness and kindness of the staff toward my children. Each worker stopped to chat with the kids and ask them about their stay. Plus, my kids will never forget their very own turndown service of milk and cookies . This resort doesn't just tolerate families; they welcome them! Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach If you do make it off the resort, make sure to plan an afternoon exploring Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach. You'll enjoy the Victorian feel of the neighborhood and kids will love ducking in and out of ice cream shops and toy stores. Located off Centre Street on 2nd Street, we especially loved the nostalgia at Villa Villekulla Neighborhood Toy Store , which carries hand-selected toys that inspire imaginative play. I found many favorite toys from my own childhood there and enjoyed exploring the shop just as much as my kids. Fort Clinch State Park Fort Clinch State Park is another great spot for families to visit. There are beaches, hiking trails, wildlife and activities like kayaking and canoeing. You can also visit the historic fort that's been around since before the Civil War. Kids will love exploring the barracks, kitchen, laundry room and jail cells as well as walking on top of the wall for a closer look at the cannons that point across the Cumberland Sound. Check the event page on Fort Clinch's website to find out when living history demonstrations take place. Egans Creek Greenway Experience nature up close at Egans Creek Greenway , a 300-acre preserve on the north end of Amelia Island. As you walk the trails, you might even see some wildlife that includes birds, snakes and alligators. If you're more comfortable with an expert, wait for the scheduled free, guided nature walks held on the third Saturday and fourth Tuesday of each month. [HS_EMAILFORM_DT] Across from the Greenway entrance, you'll find Pirate Playground , a nod to Amelia Island's history as a haven for pirates. The park includes a giant sandbox, water table and music area in addition to the traditional playground features. There is plenty of shade and seating where adults can relax while kids get their wiggles out. A Destination for Relaxation There are plenty of destinations where you can spend your whole trip on the go, seeing something new every day. Amelia Island, on the other hand, encourages quiet time in nature, slow days on the beach or by the pool and plenty of quality family time. If your family is in need of a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle of your daily lives, you'll find it on Amelia Island. It's a place where you can truly let your kids run free and maybe, just maybe, let yourself relax and enjoy a vacation.


New York City should be fairly dry this coming week, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . The greatest chance of rain is forecast on Tuesday at 70 percent, with the possibility of rainfall of 1.30 inches. The next few days will also bring warm temperatures, forecast to stick around through Wednesday. The weather will bring a high temperature of 84 degrees on Monday. Skies will be mostly cloudy today and partly cloudy Friday through Saturday. Winds will continue to be somewhat calm in the course of the week, with the highest speeds on Saturday at just 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.


Police in Eden, North Carolina are investigating after an explosive blast destroyed a Kentucky Fried Chicken building early Thursday morning. Police said 911 calls started coming in around 12:30 a.m. about the explosion at the fast-food restaurant on Highway 14. Video taken by a witness shows the explosion caused the restaurant to be reduced to rubble. Eden Mayor Neville Hall said he felt the explosion at 12:34 a.m. "I felt it several miles away and I understand it was felt even further away," Hall said. "It was big explosion for sure," he said. Police said nobody was inside at the time of the blast. Hall said crews with the gas company will evaluate the next steps. "The gas company is digging up the gas line to make sure the gas line to other businesses in the area are safe. As they do that, they'll begin to remove the debris to see if they can go in and find the exact spot of the potential leak to determine the cause. It could take several days to get to the bottom of it." Hall said they are lucky the explosion didn't happen earlier. "It's hard to see that and think you can be lucky about anything. This happens at 12:30 on a night shift and no one inside. If it had been 12 hours earlier, that place would've been packed with people, and this would have been an entirely investigation." Debris still crowded the road surrounding the restaurant as the sun came up, and those roads will remain closed while the investigation and clean up continues, officials said. READ MORE: Explosion at KFC reduces fast-food restaurant to rubble; blast felt miles away CHECK OUT WYFF: Get the latest Greenville news and weather. For live, local, late-breaking Greenville, SC, news coverage, WYFF is the place to be.


President Donald Trump's just-announced nominee to replace Dan Coats as director of national intelligence had already drawn national attention earlier this week, when he delivered an aggressive diatribe against former special counsel Robert Mueller. Rep. John Ratcliffe, a Texas Republican and a member of the House Judiciary Committee, had zeroed in on one of the key lines from Mueller's report on Russian election interference, possible coordination between Trump's campaign and the Kremlin, and possible obstruction of justice by Trump himself. Mueller's 448-page report found insufficient evidence to prove coordination, and declined to make a determination on obstruction despite detailing numerous examples of potential obstruction by Trump. But the report notes: "While this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him." During Mueller's first hearing before the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday , Ratcliffe said he agreed with Mueller's conclusions that Russia's efforts to meddle in the 2016 presidential election were "sweeping and systematic." But he tore into Mueller for including the asterisk in his report that explicitly said Trump was not exonerated. "Can you give me an example other than Donald Trump where the Justice Department determined that an investigated person was not exonerated because their innocence was not conclusively determined?" Ratcliffe asked Mueller. The former special counsel responded, "I cannot, but this is a unique situation." Ratcliffe shot back: "You can't find it, because   I'll tell you why   it doesn't exist." Mueller made no determination about whether Trump obstructed justice, because Mueller followed a Department of Justice legal opinion that states that a sitting president cannot be indicted while in office. But Mueller later told another Republican in the hearing, Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, that Trump could potentially be indicted after leaving office. "It was not the special counsel's job to conclusively determine Donald Trump's innocence or to exonerate him because the bedrock principle of our justice system is a presumption of innocence. It exists for everyone, everyone is entitled to it, including sitting presidents," Ratcliffe said in the hearing. "You managed to violate every principle and the most sacred of traditions about prosecutors not offering extra prosecutorial analysis." Trump shouldn't be above the law, Ratcliffe added, "but he damn sure shouldn't be below the law, which is where volume two of this report puts him." Coats, the current director of national intelligence, will be leaving his post on Aug. 15, Trump announced in a tweet Sunday. "A former U.S. Attorney, John will lead and inspire greatness for the Country he loves," Trump tweeted. Coats, a former Bush-era ambassador and former senator form Indiana, had a tense relationship with Trump during his tenure in the administration, marked by clashes over foreign policy that were on some occasions aired in public .


Kevin Hogan is the only quarterback from the 2018 roster with the Broncos in 2019, but that status probably isn't going to do much for him when it comes to making this year's 53-man roster. Hogan's playing in a new offense for a new head coach and he's doing it alongside two players acquired with eyes on the starting job. Joe Flacco is the No. 1 at the moment and second-round pick Drew Lock was selected with the hope that he'll have the job in the future, so he'll have a spot on the roster come September. For Hogan to be there as well, he'll have to show that he's clearly the better choice to replace Flacco in the short term. His approach to doing that is to think about himself rather than Lock. "I didn't know too much about him " Hogan said, via KUSA. "But since then, I've gotten to know he's an awesome kid. Very talented. He and [undrafted free agent Brett Rypien] are great additions to the QB room. They're going to be great quarterbacks for years to come. I'm happy they're in the room with us. For me, it's not worrying about what other people are doing. It's just worry about myself. Control what I can control and move on from there." Hogan did not play in any games for the Broncos last season. He played in eight games and made one start for the Browns during his first two years in the league.