The Buffalo Bills are back in 2019! Albeit, there's no pads and thus, not much real football. But it's May, people. We'll take what we can get and what we got were some organized team activities. With that, here are four noteworthy takeaways from it: How the OL looked Each and every year during offseason workouts (and during the season if things go to hell), the depth chart on the offensive line is always watched. This offseason, the Bills decided to add near double-digit new faces along the trenches, so the microscope on the unit will be even larger. So on the first organized team activities of the offseason, how did things unfold. Per NYUP.com, veterans took the first-team reps. Worth noting, big-money and presumed starting center Mitch Morse (core) missed the practice session. From left to right on the line, the starting group was as follows: Dion Dawkins, Spencer Long, Jon Feliciano, Quinton Spain, and Ty Nesekhe. On the second squad, things were as follows from left to right: LaAdrian Waddle, Wyatt Teller, Ike Boettger, Jeremiah Sirles, and Cody Ford. Interesting things to consider here are Feliciano playing center instead of Long, who was the Jets' starting center last season. Spain also lined up at right guard after spending his entire career at left guard with the Titans. Ford, Buffalo's second-round pick, was not a starter. This isn't new, defensive tackle Ed Oliver was as well. Typically head coach Sean McDermott makes rookies "earn" their roles. Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Matt Milano. Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports Plenty of players missing Starting with the good news, multiple players showed up for the first time since being hurt. The top one was starting linebacker Matt Milano. The excitement starts and stops there, though. The other two returners were Corey Bojorquez and Cory Carter, both punters (no offense, punters). Defensive backs Taron Johnson and Rafael Bush also returned, but were not a full-go. They wore non-contract jerseys. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there was a laundry list. Here's who missed practice: WR Cole Beasley (core) C Mitch Morse (core) TE Tyler Kroft (foot) RB Frank Gore (foot/ ankle) RB TJ Yeldon (groin) WR John Brown (unknown) C Russell Bodine (shoulder) TE Jason Croom (left during session) It's early… so no reason to worry. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports 2-minute offense good early One thing that's famous in Bills' lore in recent years are some down-right ugly two-minute drills. The team works on them all throughout the offseason and training camp. It's tough to imagine how much more pressure there actually is during an in-game moment, but the team does their best to try and replicate it. The Bills will hope at some point in the 2019 that the offense can replicate the two-minute offense they had on Tuesday. Several reports indicated that the Bills' offense scored on the attempt as the clock clicked near zero. After a deep ball to Robert Foster, the offense eventually scored in the red zone on an Allen pass to Zay Jones per the team's website. The QB was even asked about it following the session. "At the end of the half, you want to make sure that you have the ball last and use as much time as possible. At the same time, you want to be aggressive and try to score. We went down there and tried to take what the defense was giving us. Zay made a play in the back of the end zone and that's kind of how that one went," Allen said, ending it on a kind of, "it's only OTAs" kind of way. Buffalo Bills defensive back Levi Wallace. Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports Levi retains spot There will be a push for the second cornerback spot across from Tre'Davious White this offseason. Buffalo's Levi Wallace had a successful rookie campaign, but the team still brought in notable veteran free agents such as EJ Gaines and Kevin Johnson. But during the OTA session, Wallace took that place across from White, per the team's website . Gaines and Johnson were with the second unit. But also mentioned was an interception Johnson had on backup QB Matt Barkley and eventually Johnson even subbed in for Wallace and then White with the first team. With that, it appears he's the No. 3 with Gaines behind him, for now. As prior mentioned, McDermott likes to make rookies earn starting spots, but the same can be said for new free agents as well. In many cases during OTAs, returners, who have much more experience within the team's schemes, likely get the edge in regard to first-team reps. MORE: This photo of the other contestants in James Holzhauer's latest 'Jeopardy' win sums up his run Stephen Carlson: What the Browns are getting in their new WR Aaron Rodgers excited about new Packers RG Billy Turner Roundup: Stranger Things Returning July 4th; Blues Make Stanley Cup Final; U.S. Intercepts Russian Bombers Off Coast of Alaska VIDEO: Louisiana coach goes viral with 'Daddy Ball' speech on toughness


Much has been written about this week regarding rapper and Toronto Raptors mega-fan Drake's Warriors-themed tattoos . And even though Drake paid tribute to both the Raptors and friend Stephen Curry with his choice of Game 1 jersey , he definitely did one other thing: He covered up his Golden State ink. A photo of Drake walking into Scotiabank Arena before Game 1 of the NBA Finals shows an unusually placed accessory. On his arm, right where his 30 (for Curry) and 35 (for Kevin Durant) tattoos are, he's wearing a black sweatband. When not obscured by an armband, the tattoos are side-by-side on Drake's left arm. Although he's never publicly discussed the origins or reasons for the tattoos, the inspiration is fairly obvious. Curry's tattoo tribute is his jersey number, 30, in NBA uniform font. Beneath it, is the word "gifted" in cursive. Above it   to emphasize Curry's angelic demeanor, we assume   is a small halo. ALSO : Warriors respond to Raptors fan who set off 3 a.m. fireworks KD's is less godly. It's his number, 35, with the word SNIPE below it. For those keeping track at home, easymoneysniper is Durant's preferred social media handle. We can't entirely blame Drake for wanting to celebrate the greatest NBA team of his generation. He's friends with Ayesha and Stephen Curry, as evidenced by their 2015 late-night trip to the Alameda In-N-Out. He's also name-dropped the squad multiple times in songs through the years. For full NBA Finals coverage, visit our Warriors page here . Related slideshow: 2019 NBA Playoffs (Provided by imagn)


Luis G. Alvarez, a former New York City detective who pleaded with Congress this month to extend health benefits to police officers, firefighters and other emergency workers who responded to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, died on Saturday in a hospice in Rockville Centre, N.Y. He was 53. His family announced his death in a post on Facebook. The cause was complications of colorectal cancer, for which Mr. Alvarez received a diagnosis in 2016. The disease was linked to the three months he had spent at the site of the toppled World Trade Center towers in Lower Manhattan, searching for survivors and for remains of his fellow officers on nearby rooftops and in the toxic rubble at ground zero. Sign Up For the Morning Briefing Newsletter Mr. Alvarez, the father of three sons, including two teenagers, delivered a raspy appeal before a House Judiciary subcommittee in Washington on June 11 to replenish the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund . He appeared alongside Jon Stewart, the former host of "The Daily Show," who delivered a passionate call for justice on behalf of the victims. The refunding bill passed the full committee unanimously, and Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican majority leader, agreed to allow the legislation to go to a floor vote in August. "You need to be covered," Mr. Alvarez said in an interview on Fox News a week after his testimony. "I'm lucky to have the health care that I've got, but there are guys out there who don't have it. In terms of going through the stress of fighting cancer, they're also fighting the financial stress of the health care." He added: "I'm no one special, and I did what all the other guys did. Now we are paying the price for it." He continued: "I got sick 16 years after the fact. And there's workers out there who say, 'This isn't going to happen to me. I'm okay. The time has passed.' The time doesn't    is not going to pass." Before the House committee Mr. Alvarez said: "I will not stand by and watch as my friends with cancer from 9/11 like me are valued less than anyone else because of when they get sick. You made me come here the day before my 69th round of chemo. I'm going to make sure that you never forget to take care of the 9/11 responders." The next day, though, he was too disoriented to receive treatment. Tests determined that his liver was failing. Within a week, he was admitted to a hospice in Rockville Centre, on Long Island. Luis Gustavo Alvarez was born in October 1965 in Queens. After graduating in 1983 from Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in the East Elmhurst neighborhood, he served in the Marines and studied at City College of the City University of New York. He joined the New York Police Department in 1990. Initially assigned to the 108th Precinct in Long Island City, Queens, in 1993, he was transferred to the Narcotics Division and promoted to detective two years later. After working undercover as a detective first grade, he sought a less stressful assignment and, in 2004, volunteered for the Bomb Squad. Mr. Alvarez was recognized five times for excellent police work. He retired on a disability in 2010. He later worked for the Department of Homeland Security in a less demanding job, retiring when his illness became too debilitating. His survivors include his mother, Aida; his father, Felipe; his wife, Alaine Parker Alvarez; his sons, David, Tyler and Benjamin; his sister, Aida Lugo; and his brothers, Fernando and Phil. The $7.3 billion September 11th Victim Compensation Fund was opened to emergency responders and their families by the federal government in 2011 to compensate for deaths and illnesses related to toxic exposure from the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of Sept. 11, 2001, and the cleanup during the immediate aftermath. The fund is projected to be depleted at the end of 2020. "We will reach the point soon, most likely this year," Senator Chuck Schumer of New York said this month, "when more will have died from 9/11-related illnesses than on 9/11 itself." So far, about 21,000 claimants have received some $5 billion. An additional 19,000 or so claims are pending. To redeem new claims and prevent reductions in prior ones, the House Judiciary Committee endorsed the bill sponsored by Representatives Peter T. King, Republican of Long Island, and Carolyn Maloney, Democrat of Manhattan, to extend the fund for decades. The full House is expected to do so next month. "I did not want to be anywhere else but ground zero when I was there," Mr. Alvarez told Congress. He added, though: "Now the 9/11 illnesses have taken many of us, and we are all worried about our children, our spouses and our families and what happens if we are not here." On June 26, when emergency medical workers met with Mr. McConnell, one man clasped the senator's hand; when that man, John Feal, a demolition supervisor who lost part of his foot in an accident at ground zero, released his grip, the senator was holding Mr. Alvarez's New York City police badge. "For a New York City police officer to give up his badge, that's like somebody donating an organ," Mr. Feal later told CNN, "and Luis wanted the Senate majority leader to understand the importance of this, and to be reminded that people are sick and dying." Palko Karasz contributed reporting.


About 300 of the 680 people detained in Wednesday's federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid were released the same day, officials said. Approximately 30 people detained Wednesday were released at the same site they were detained on "humanitarian grounds," according to a press release issued Thursday by Mike Hurst, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, and ICE. Another 270 were released after being processed by Homeland Security Investigations on Wednesday. Those 270 were taken back to where they were initially detained, the release stated. Wednesday afternoon, ICE spokesperson Bryan Cox said everyone taken into custody and detained was asked if they had children. Cox said at the time that everyone would be processed but "not everyone is going to be (permanently) detained." "You are going to have persons released," he said. "ICE makes custody determination on a case-by-case basis based on the totality of their circumstances." According to the Thursday release, "all those detained yesterday were asked when they arrived at the processing center whether they had any children who were at school or child care and needed to be picked up." Agents "made cellphones available" so those detained could make child care arrangements, the release stated. If a couple was detained with minor children at home, one of them would be released on "humanitarian grounds." Single parents with minor children at home also were released. "Based on these procedures, it is believed that all children were with at least one of their parents as of last night," the release stated. At no point did ICE contact the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services. The raids happened at seven food processing plants across Mississippi Wednesday, beginning at 7:45 a.m., in Bay Springs, Carthage, Canton, Morton, Pelahatchie and Sebastapol, Cox said. Story continues below gallery. ICE raids in Mississippi: What we know now 'We've been up all night': Child Protection Services couldn't locate children Contact Sarah Fowler at 601-961-7303 or sfowler@gannett.com . Follow her on Facebook and Twitter . LOCAL JOURNALISM MATTERS Our journalists live, work and play in Mississippi. We are striving to make it a better place to live through the stories we tell. Please click here to support quality Mississippi journalism with a digital subscription.  This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS ICE raids: 300 of the 680 detainees released


Until recently, scientists could glean only so much information from what's circulating through your veins. They could grab basics like white- and red-blood-cell counts, vitamin and electrolyte levels, and markers for kidney function. They could measure cholesterol and blood-sugar numbers. Despite Theranos's spectacular fail, top doctors today say your blood still can unlock important details about your health. Previously, markers of disease in the bloodstream were too small, too complex to pick up on. And that was more or less that. But step-by-step advances in technology mean blood can be analyzed and studied faster, cheaper, and more effectively than ever. There's now blood testing for the detection and treatment of cancer (which could take the place of a painful biopsy) and promising tests for heart disease, depression, and even the extent of chronic pain. "Five years ago, this was all science fiction," says John B. Kisiel, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic who's developing a blood test for liver cancer. "Now we're using the blood as a window to understand what's going on in body parts we can't easily touch or scan." Here's what's on the bleeding edge. Testing For: Cancer The promise: Scientists have seen that cancer can shed DNA into your blood. A test called CancerSEEK is able to identify this DNA, as well as cancer protein markers in blood. So far, the test has spotted eight common cancer types more than 70 percent of the time-and five of the cancers it picks up don't currently have screening tests (ovarian, liver, stomach, pancreatic, and esophageal). Researchers hope it will be available within five years. A different blood test is being studied to detect melanoma before a biopsy could-right when your body starts creating antibodies for the cancer. And docs are looking to detect rogue cancer cells "that could multiply to form a mass," says Elizabeth Comen, M.D., an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Right now: A blood test is approved to spot colon cancer, but it's not that accurate for finding precancerous polyps yet. Doctors say it's for people who will not undergo other colon-cancer tests (colonoscopies and fecal immunochemical tests). A lung-cancer blood test-called a "liquid biopsy"-can identify cancer DNA that was shed from tumors and track how well someone is responding to treatment far faster and more accurately than other tests, says Victor Velculescu, M.D., Ph.D., a cancer researcher at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Testing for: Heart Attack Risk The promise: Currently, doctors have to piece together your family history, cholesterol numbers, lifestyle habits, and other factors to estimate your overall risk for a heart attack. But scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston are working on a test that analyzes millions of spots in your genome to determine your inherited risk for heart disease, spitting out a genetic score that may capture a component not measurable through standard assessments. This can identify high-risk people earlier in life, says Krishna Aragam, M.D., a cardiologist who's working on the test. (It should be available clinically in a few years.) That means you can take steps to lower your odds sooner. Right now: Current blood tests still tell you a lot about your heart health, so keep up with cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood-sugar checks. And even if your genes suggest high risk, a healthy lifestyle and/or meds can help bring it down. Testing for: Emotional and Physical Pain The promise: There aren't any objective medical tests for concerns like pain, depression, suicide risk, and psychiatric illness. But the brain and immune system both react to these conditions. Blood tests can notice RNA molecules that reflect how "turned on" genes related to these conditions are, says Alexander Niculescu, M.D., Ph.D., a professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine, whose team is developing blood tests for suicide risk, pain, and stress. "Having a biological basis removes stigma and gives people a handle on measuring risk and treatment," he says. But it's complicated; markers in men may be different from those in women. Right now: You still have to rely on conversation with a good mental-health practitioner or pain specialist, not a blood test. (Dr. Niculescu says the test is still about three years away.) That's not all bad: Having people in your corner and talking about what's going on will always be an important part of treatment. Testing For: Concussion Severity The promise: If you have certain proteins in your blood, you might not need a costly scan to determine how bad your concussion is. Right now: The FDA cleared the first blood test for assessing concussion severity in adults last year. It measures the levels of two proteins that your brain releases into your blood within 12 hours of a head injury. The FDA says that the levels can help predict who has a brain injury that is detectable by a CT scan and who can forgo an expensive and unnecessary test.


Liverpool chairman Tom Werner claims that the club's decision makers are 'still analysing' the possibility of expanding Anfield further, following their previously successful bid to build on the Main Stand. As things stand, Anfield is among the biggest club stadiums in the country thanks to its 53,394 capacity, but there is a growing feeling that Liverpool could easily sell out every week even if their stadium was bigger than Manchester United's Old Trafford at roughly 76,000. Speaking about their plans to continue building, chairman Werner was cautiously optimistic about their hopes of increasing Anfield's capacity, but he insisted that the club are "still analysing" their options. "We are still analysing the opportunity to build on Anfield Road. I think we are trying to figure [it] out," Werner told liverpoolfc.com . "When we went forward with the Main Stand expansion, which I'm very proud about, we obviously wanted to do it right so we were very quiet about it. In a perfect world, we'll be able to figure this out." During his interview with the club, Werner also spoke about Liverpool's recent success in the Champions League, as well as the impact that manager Jurgen Klopp has had following his appointment at Anfield in 2016. Georginio Wijnaldum: One of the most underrated players in the Premier League  https://t.co/D4vuWkljbu   90min (@90min_Football) July 23, 2019 In terms of other stadiums in the top flight, the most recent new-build in the Premier League was opened in April by Tottenham , with their ground now sitting as London's biggest with a capacity of 62,062. Liverpool only ranked sixth for capacity throughout the Premier League during the 2018/19 season.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Neartown-Montrose? According to Walk Score, this Houston neighborhood is very walkable, is convenient for biking and has some transit options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Neartown-Montrose is currently hovering around $1,264. So, what might you expect to find with a budget of $1,400/month? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental offerings, via Zumper and Apartment Guide . (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 4310 Dunlavy St. Listed at $1,305/month, this 609-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit is located at 4310 Dunlavy St. In the residence, expect to find a balcony, air conditioning, a walk-in closet and in-unit laundry. Cats and dogs are not permitted. (Check out the complete listing here .) Waugh Drive and West Dallas Street Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment located at Waugh Drive and West Dallas Street. It's listed for $1,347/month. You can expect in-unit laundry in the apartment. Pet owners, take heed: cats and dogs are welcome. (See the complete listing here .) 1919 Portsmouth St. Here's a 954-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit at 1919 Portsmouth St. that's going for $1,350/month. In the residence, you'll see a balcony, a walk-in closet and a dishwasher. The building offers on-site laundry. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are allowed here. (Check out the complete listing here .) 1324 W. Clay St. Finally, check out this 316-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit that's located at 1324 W. Clay St. It's listed for $1,350/month. Building amenities include assigned parking and a fitness center. You can also expect in-unit laundry and a dishwasher in the unit. Both cats and dogs are allowed. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (See the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Former NFL quarterback Anthony Wright was shot multiple times on Monday, according to the Concord (N.C.) Independent Tribune . Wright was rushed to the hospital and taken into emergency surgery, and he is presently in stable condition. Wright reportedly got into an altercation with his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend, William "Willie" Moses Hooker Jr., and shots were fired. An arrest warrant has been issued for Hooker. Wright, a three-year starter at South Carolina, signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 1999. Pittsburgh was impressed enough by his potential that it kept him as a fourth QB during the 1999 season. He was waived in August 2000 and caught on with the Cowboys, ultimately starting five games for Dallas over the 2000-01 seasons. His most productive stint came with the Ravens in 2003, when he started seven games following an injury to starter Kyle Boller . Wright compiled a 5-2 record en route to an AFC North title, though the club's offense mostly ran through Jamal Lewis , who racked up 2,066 rushing yards that season. Wright started seven games for Baltimore again in the 2005 campaign, but he went just 2-5 and was not re-signed after the season. He captured a Super Bowl ring as the Giants' third-string QB in 2007, but that was the last year he would see any game action.


On Monday, Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer was named NBA Coach of the Year for 2019. On Tuesday night, the last man to win that award for the Bucks, Don Nelson, was profiled on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," profiling his life of retirement farming marijuana in Hawaii . Nelson, who was named coach of the year with the Bucks in 1983 and 1985, helped build the Bucks into one of the powers of the Eastern Conference in the early 1980s and has been hailed by such greats as Pat Riley as one of the greatest innovators the game has ever seen. Nelson, who also put the building blocks in place that turned the Golden State Warriors into today's NBA superpower, has been out of coaching for nine years and has found a chill next chapter living in Maui . Nelson grows his own marijuana, called "Nellie Kush," entirely for personal use. He has permission to use marijuana for medical reasons, and he said in the interview that he smokes every day. "You've got to treat it like a baby," Nelson said with a laugh. "Water them, you've got to have music for them. You've got to bless them. It's a whole process, I'm telling you." The 12-minute featurette explores Nelson's friendship with country music legend Willie Nelson   another notable proponent of marijuana. "With or without weed, Nellie is still Nellie," Willie Nelson said at one point. The two met over poker, and Don Nelson hosts games in his house on a regular basis, including one legendary night when a close friend died at the table, and some of his ashes remain on display in a cigar tube in Don Nelson's home. The segment also explores his relationship with daughter Leigh Anderson, a relation Nelson didn't know existed until her adulthood. Nelson played 14 years in the league and coached the Bucks from 1976-87, leading the Bucks to nine playoff appearances. His teams went to three Eastern Conference Finals and six more conference semifinals. The Bucks have gone to just two conference finals since Nelson left, once in 2001 and again this past season, led by the first-year coach Budenholzer. Nelson still follows the Warriors and caught some national attention in February when he was part of a postgame press conference at a Warriors game and reported he'd been "smoking some pot" as part of his post-coaching career. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former NBA coach Don Nelson, now a marijuana farmer in Maui, profiled in HBO segment Related slideshow: The top picks in the NBA draft (Provided by imagn)


The Met Gala and its flexible theme, "Camp: Notes on Fashion," inspired a glitzy and a varied array of looks at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on Monday night. And those looks, in turn, sparked a few thousand memes. The internet reveled in dissecting and poking fun at the most eye-catching fashion statements -- and no one received the social media treatment more than Lady Gaga. The star's choice was hotly anticipated and she didn't disappoint, making an elaborate entrance that involved not one but four different outfits . It was the final part of the routine -- in which she stripped down to her underwear and posed on the stairs -- that thrilled watchers most. Them: Act casual Me: https://t.co/E939WRwF06 #MetGala pic.twitter.com/IVGczmEmj1   The Cut (@TheCut) May 6, 2019 Me leaving class without learning a damn thing #METGala pic.twitter.com/u9dv7enmlJ   nando (@nando_xcx) May 6, 2019 Other attendees didn't go unnoticed either. Celine Dion wore a 22-pound Oscar de la Renta gown that was created by 52 "master embroiderers and included 3,000 hours worth of hand-beading. (Or, as the internet saw it, a pasta drying rack.) Celine Dion looks like a pasta drying rack and I mean that as the highest compliment pic.twitter.com/bfmjsBWcej   Emilia Petrarca (@EmiliaPetrarca) May 6, 2019 Stage star Billy Porter went for an even more elaborate appearance, being carried onto the red carpet on a chaise by six shirtless men, who wore gold pants and headpieces. His own ancient Egypt-inspired outfit, with wings and a gold crown, added to the spectacle. View this post on Instagram Fabulous. A post shared by Lucy on the Ground with Rocks (@lucyontheground) on May 6, 2019 at 3:21pm PDT 150 points to Billy Porter #MetGala pic.twitter.com/jwJQ4ls8Gj   M A D D Y ✨ (@madeleine_lily_) May 6, 2019 While some admired the sight, others wondered if he had taken a page out of the Harry Potter books. Priyanka Chopra and husband Nick Jonas also inspired a book-based comparison. This time, "Game of Thrones" was the series in question. What's Missandei doing here with Petyr Baelish? 🤔 #PriyankaChopra #MetGala pic.twitter.com/8BSumOmA4u   Mihir Jeshurun (@MihirJeshurun) May 7, 2019 Elsewhere, eight months after a much-publicized fight , Nicki Minaj and Cardi B channeled their animosity into a healthier -- but equally competitive -- new arena. Both wore lengthy, flowing trains to the event -- and the dueling dresses sparked plenty of debate online. Best Train.. Let us settle this Like - Cardi B Retweet - Nicki Minaj #MetGala pic.twitter.com/MsgpMuYkKt   👑Prestige Bolton😌 (@BoltonPrestige) May 7, 2019 Frank Ocean's altogether more subtle look was more "security guard" than "international superstar." Frank Ocean #MetGala pic.twitter.com/NeI24OvoJl   Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) May 6, 2019 frank ocean lookin like he's about to turn away my ID at a bar in boston   hunter harris (@hunteryharris) May 6, 2019 And some noticed the absence of a frequent attendee. 2016 vs 2017 vs 2018 vs 2019. The variety! #Rihanna kills it every year 🔥 #MetGala pic.twitter.com/rSPFsmMmLO   Soccer Mom (@soccermothers) May 7, 2019 But perhaps it was Katy Perry who made the most dazzling costume choice. Dressed as a chandelier, her look was made for the meme-ification. Katy Perry at the #metgala pic.twitter.com/mzafVriUr1   9GAG (@9GAG) May 7, 2019 Plenty of commenters took a step back from the individual outfits to admire the overall theme of the night. Toxic masculinity has left the chat #MetGala pic.twitter.com/3hjQ6TbI7G   👅 (@imseratonin) May 7, 2019 On a red carpet full of stars, however, some were more inspired by an uninvited guest. go off sis #MetGala pic.twitter.com/LjYrNff41D   ziwe (@ziwe) May 6, 2019


Start your day off right by browsing through precious puppies near you! There are dozens of puppies up for adoption right here in Houston. Hoodline partnered with Petfinder , an online adoption site that lists "more than 315,000 adoptable pets from nearly 14,000 animal shelters and rescue groups" to bring you this roundup of puppies near you. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Lubbock, American Staffordshire terrier mix Lubbock is a male American Staffordshire terrier puppy being kept at Brave Bully Rescue . Lubbock loves cats, dogs and children. Fear not: He is already house-trained. His vaccinations are already up to date. More from Lubbock: I was found as a stray a couple of weeks ago. I need to find a forever home soon before I end up at a shelter. I am 4 months old and ready to meet the family that will love me forever. I am super sweet and can learn really quick. The family who found me has kids, dogs and even a cat and so far, I done great with everyone. Read more about Lubbock on Petfinder . Gary, Catahoula leopard dog mix Gary is a handsome male Catahoula leopard dog puppy being kept at Adopt A Rescued Friend . Gary is a social animal, and he'll get along great with your other dogs. He has mastered his house-training etiquette. Gary has all his shots. Apply to adopt Gary today at Petfinder . Pip, Catahoula leopard dog mix Pip is a female Catahoula leopard dog puppy being cared for at Adopt A Rescued Friend . Pip is friendly as can be, and she'll get along great with other dogs. She's already house-trained. She has been vaccinated. Read more about how to adopt Pip on Petfinder . Buffy, Catahoula leopard dog mix Buffy is a female Catahoula leopard dog puppy in the care of Adopt A Rescued Friend . Buffy loves other dogs. She's already house-trained. She has been vaccinated. Read more about how to adopt Buffy on Petfinder . Emma, American Staffordshire terrier and bull terrier mix Emma is a female American Staffordshire terrier and bull terrier puppy staying at Rock-A-Bully and Friends . Emma is the life of the party, and she loves kids, cats or dogs. Good news: She is already house-trained. She already has all of her shots. From Emma's current caretaker: Emma is a 5-month-old Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire mix. She is spayed, microchipped, kennel trained and heartworm negative. Apply to adopt Emma today at Petfinder . This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


15th in a series As the Astros play their 20th season at Minute Maid Park, we are counting down the 20 most memorable games and/or moments in the ballpark's two decades. Today, we look back at No. 6: Jose Altuve's memorable dash around the bases to score the winning run in Game 2 of the 2017 American League championship series. When: Oct. 14, 2017 What: Game 2, ALCS Score: Astros 2, Yankees 1 Last postseason, Jose Altuve was visibly hobbled by a knee injury as he tried to help the Astros defend their World Series crown. The previous year, Altuve's legs sparked the Astros to one of the most pulsating victories in franchise history. After Dallas Keuchel shut out the Yankees for seven innings in a 2-1 win in Game 1, Justin Verlander took the mound for Game 2 and lived up to his Yankee-killer reputation, holding New York to one run in nine innings while striking out 13. However, the Astros only scored one run of their own, on a Carlos Correa homer that came close to fan interference (with a touching backstory of the fan involved). The game headed to the bottom of the ninth inning tied 1-1. With one out, Altuve singled against Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman. Correa then battled the hard-throwing lefthander to a full count before smoking a line drive to the gap in right-center field. Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge hit cutoff man Didi Gregorius at second base, but his relay to the plate was dropped by catcher Gary Sanchez. Altuve, running all the way from first and waved around by third-base coach Gary Pettis, slid in and touched his left hand on the plate for the winning run in one of the most electrifying finishes in team history. The Chronicle's David Barron dubbed it a "Mad Dash at Minute Maid Park," a homage to the Cardinals' Enos Slaughter in the 1946 World Series. "I was running 100 percent to third base," Altuve said. "I wasn't sure if my third base coach was sending me to home plate, but I just run hard until he stops me. He didn't and I was going to home plate." He said it: "I'm looking toward the ball rather than Altuve, because I know he's running hard all the way," Pettis said. "I wouldn't say I was nervous. I knew it was going to be one way or another. The ball was put in play, and we had an opportunity to score a run. It worked out well for us. "I told (Altuve) 'Way to run.' That's what he does. He can run." PREVIOUS No. 20: Jeff Bagwell's cycle No. 19: A historic matchup of aces No. 18: A banner night No. 17: The Joe West game No. 16: Trey for Altuve No. 15: Back home after Harvey No. 14: Outdoor baseball returns to Houston No. 13: Barry Bonds' record-tying 70th homer No. 12: Dallas Keuchel goes unbeaten at home No. 11: Justin Verlander's clinching home debut No. 10: Royal letdown in AL Division Series No. 9: World Series comes to Texas No. 8: Mike Fiers' no-hitter No. 7: Albert Pujols' crushing blow


Need a budget-friendly new spot? Though apartment hunting can be challenging, don't despair just yet there are deals to be had. So what does the low-end rent on a rental in Spring Branch West look like these days   and what might you get for the price? Per Walk Score ratings, the neighborhood is somewhat walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has a few nearby public transportation options. It also features median rents for a one bedroom that hover around $900, compared to a $1,201 one-bedroom median for Houston as a whole. A look at local listings for studios and one-bedroom apartments in Spring Branch West via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide offers an overview of what price-conscious apartment seekers can expect to find in this Houston neighborhood. Read on for the cheapest listings available right now. (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. 1651 Witte Road This studio apartment, situated at 1651 Witte Road, is listed for $639/month for its 630 square feet. Expect to see a dishwasher, air conditioning and a balcony in the unit. Building amenities include on-site management, a swimming pool and on-site laundry. Cats and dogs are not allowed. (See the complete listing here .) 1554 Gessner Road Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom residence at 1554 Gessner Road, which, at 635 square feet, is going for $755/month. Amenities offered in the building include a swimming pool. Both cats and dogs are permitted. (See the full listing here .) 9610 Long Point Road Then there's this dwelling with one bedroom and one-and-a-half bathrooms at 9610 Long Point Road, listed at $855/month. You can expect to see a balcony in the residence. Good news for animal lovers: Both dogs and cats are permitted here. The building features assigned parking, a swimming pool and on-site laundry. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. (See the listing here .) 1111 Blalock Road Check out this 455-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom rental at 1111 Blalock Road, listed at $875/month. The building features a fitness center, outdoor space and a swimming pool. The residence also features a deck, a walk-in closet and stainless steel appliances. (Here's the listing .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Craving Indian food? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Indian spots around Washington, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture when cravings strike. 1. Rasika Topping the list is Rasika . Located at 633 D St. NW (between North Seventh and North Sixth streets) downtown, it is the most popular Indian restaurant in Washington, boasting 4.5 stars out of 2,941 reviews on Yelp. 2. RASA The Navy Yard's RASA , located at 1247 First St. SE, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the Indian spot 4.5 stars out of 298 reviews. 3. Spice 6 Spice 6 , an Indian restaurant in Chinatown, is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 197 Yelp reviews. Head over to 740 Sixth St. NW (between North G Place and North H Street) to see for yourself. 4. Karma Modern Indian Downtown, check out Karma Modern Indian , which has earned 4.5 stars out of 182 reviews on Yelp. You can find the cocktail bar and Indian restaurant, which offers tapas and more, at 611 I St. NW (between North Sixth and North Seventh streets). This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Of course, the Raptors had to wait. The final second of Game 6 of the NBA Finals took nearly seven minutes . This was never going to be easy for Toronto. But when the game finally ended   114-110 with the Raptors as NBA champions   it was oh so satisfying. Toronto was built boldly then played boldly, upsetting the heavily favored Warriors and gaining validation. Masai Ujiri upended a successful team in pursuit of something better. Don't let the payoff totally obscure the risk. Disrupting the best era in franchise history for an injured star was always a real gamble. Validated. Kawhi Leonard requested a trade from the Spurs, who are widely viewed as the NBA's model organization. He couldn't control where they sent him. He just knew he'd be better off elsewhere. Now, Leonard joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Bucks and Lakers) and LeBron James (Heat and Cavaliers) as the only players to win Finals MVP with multiple teams. Validated. Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol have thrown everything into becoming the best players and teammates they could be. But they still toiled for years   Lowry in Toronto, Gasol in Memphis   trying to get over the hump with team success. Now, Lowry (13th season) and Gasol (11th season) join a short list of multi-time All-Stars who waited so long to win their first title but got it while still starting.* Validated. *Jason Kidd (2011 Mavericks, 17th season), Dirk Nowitzki (2011 Mavericks, 13th season), Shawn Marion (2011 Mavericks, 12th season), Kevin Garnett (2008 Celtics, 13th season), Ray Allen (2008 Celtics, 12th season), Michael Finley (2007 Spurs, 12th season), Glen Rice (2000 Lakers, 11th season), Clyde Drexler (1995 Rockets, 12th season), Jerry West (1972 Lakers, 12th season), Oscar Robertson (1971 Bucks, 11th season) Pascal Siakam took to basketball just eight years ago, committing to the sport to honor his late father. He rose from Basketball Without Borders in Africa to New Mexico State to an NBA bench role to likely winning Most Improved Player this season. On the biggest stage, he put his stamp on this series . Validated. Serge Ibaka cares about his standing within the league. Don't get him started on how many times he has been snubbed for a defensive award. But he accepted a reserve role this season and just focused on doing his job well. He still still found multiple times to come up big in the Finals. Validated. As an undrafted free agent, Fred VanVleet chose a team with three point guards   Lowry, Cory Joseph and Delon Wright   with guaranteed salaries. Most teams kept only three points guards at that time. VanVleet believed in himself and gradually earned a role in Toronto. He hit so many big shots in this series and scored 22 in the Game 6 clincher. Validated. Nick Nurse coached at one basketball outpost after another. He shuffled between Great Britain, Belgium, small college, U.S. minor leagues. It wasn't always a glamorous life. Eventually, he got his shot coaching the Raptors and pushed so many right buttons in the Finals. Validated. Twenty-four years ago, the NBA put two expansion franchises in Canada. The Grizzlies left Vancouver just six years later for Memphis. The Raptors remained in Toronto. They remained through losing seasons. They remained as star after star left. They remained as the team got just good enough to get heartbroken annually in the playoffs. They remained for this. Validation.


If you were to ask five friends for cleaning-supply recommendations, you'd more than likely wind up with a list of five products full of toxins and harsh chemicals. Sure, those things get the job done   but at what cost to your health? If you're considering natural products, we don't blame you. Admittedly, though, it's quite a bit harder to blindly trust natural cleaning products. We're trained from an early age to reach for the chemical-heavy when it comes time to tidy up. How do we know that all-natural cleaning products actually work? They certainly seem to have less word of mouth in their favor. They do exist, though   all-natural cleaning supplies that people can't stop talking about   and we tracked them down. So, whenever you're ready to swap your toxic stuff with this natural way of living, go ahead and add the following fantastic all-natural cleaning products to your shopping list. Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you'll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale. Related Video: 3 Popular Cleaning Products You Didn't Realize You Can DIY (Provided by: GoBankingRates)


It's November, which means that the season of companies facing backlash over offensive Halloween costumes has given way to the season of companies facing backlash over offensive Christmas gear. First, Starbucks was criticized for changing the design of its iconic red holiday cups. Now, Target is taking heat for a sweater that bears the text: "OCD. Obsessive Christmas Disorder." Some consumers argued that that the sweater made light of mental illness. Over 2 million adults in the U.S. suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder. For more on OCD and other mental health issues, head over to NIMH. While Target may not have intended to offend anyone, there is real harm in using terms for mental illness metaphorically. As mental health advocate Rebecca Fuoco said, "Making these flippant references (1) trivializes how devastating the illnesses can be and (2) perpetuates myths and misunderstandings." Hey @target ? How about we NOT sell shirts mocking mental illness? https://t.co/QcKWCDs2O4?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000618   Brynna (@brynna42) November 2, 2015 @Target I can't believe you're selling this in your stores. OCD is not something you joke about. pic.twitter.com/8Rz979dSaK   nine volt heart (@skeletondna) November 10, 2015 Boo, @Target . You'll end up on the naughty list if you keep making light of illnesses like #OCD . pic.twitter.com/QERuaFK4OJ   Dani Poole (@DPoolePR) November 8, 2015 As AdWeek pointed out, Target was not the only retailer that used the slogan; Cracker Barrel and Amazon carried similar products. And not everyone was offended by the sweater: Let's not get super offended by the target #OCD sweater. I have actual OCD. OCD is not a joke, but it's just a sweater. Calm down ppl.   Maya McNeal (@mayamaya_papaya) November 11, 2015 in the grand scheme of things, target selling OCD Christmas sweaters is not that big of a deal. it's not a battle worth fighting.   ✾ȶℏℯ ℑ☹ƙℯ℞✾ (@chaosaholic) November 9, 2015 Target reached out to several of the concerned Twitter users, but told Time that it has no plans to pull the sweater.


The Seattle Seahawks began phase three of their offseason workout program this week, which includes 10 days of organized team activities and one mandatory minicamp set for mid-June. A number of Seattle's players will miss the remainder of the workouts due to injuries - defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, defensive tackle Jarran Reed and safeties Delano Hill and Bradley McDougald. Ansah, who underwent shoulder surgery after landing on the injured reserve last season, has a chance to be ready by the start of the regular season, although Carroll said he won't know more until the start of training camp in July . "He won't be back in time for minicamp, but he's moving well and he should be fine, but we just can't rush that," Carroll said of Reed, who also is recovering from surgery. "We have to take our time on that." Hill, who finished the season on the injured reserve with a hip injury, is gaining both weight and strength. "We got word just yesterday that he's stepping up everything he's doing, because he's in a great spot right now," Carroll said. "He won't make it back for the minicamp, but he should be ready to go for camp." As for McDougald, he continues to recover from knee surgery. "He's still rehabbing," Carroll confirmed. "He was in last week. He's going to be a camp guy too." Running back Chris Carson and defensive tackle Nazair Jones sat out Tuesday's workout due to knee injuries but aren't expected to miss significant time. Cornerback Tre Flowers and quarterback Geno Smith were both absent due to personal reasons. MORE: Aaron Rodgers excited about new Packers RG Billy Turner This photo of the other contestants in James Holzhauer's latest 'Jeopardy' win sums up his run Under the offseason spotlight, Freddie Kitchens has shone Roundup: Stranger Things Returning July 4th; Blues Make Stanley Cup Final; U.S. Intercepts Russian Bombers Off Coast of Alaska NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players


In 2006, Nicholas Sparks , the prolific romance writer best known for The Notebook and A Walk to Remember , helped co-found a prep school in New Bern, North Carolina, called the Epiphany School of Global Studies. The idea was to start a small, faith-based academy focused on world issues with an emphasis on language-learning, regular visits to other nations, and a shared understanding that "learning about the world" was an integral part of 21st-century life. In its mission statement, the school of roughly 500 students describes itself as "anchored in the Judeo-Christian commandment to Love God and Your Neighbor as Yourself." But since 2014, members of the Epiphany School's Board of Trustees, including Sparks, have been locked in a legal battle with the academy's former headmaster and CEO, Saul Benjamin, over what the latter describes as a pattern of harassment, racism, and homophobia. "Sparks and members of the Board unapologetically marginalized, bullied, and harassed members of the School community," Benjamin's attorneys wrote in the complaint, "whose religious views and/or identities did not conform to their religiously driven, bigoted preconceptions." Sparks rejected the claims in a 29-page declaration to the court. But emails obtained by The Daily Beast show the romance writer repeatedly taking issue with Benjamin's attempts to make the school inclusive to all faiths, races, and sexualities. (Sparks would not provide The Daily Beast with additional comment for this story.) In one stern message, Sparks chastised the former headmaster for "what some perceive as an agenda that strives to make homosexuality open and accepted." In another, he put forward a motion to ban student protest at the school, an impulse that came directly in response to two lesbian girls planning to announce their orientation during chapel. In a third, while listing complaints against Benjamin, he cites "misplaced priorities at the school level (GLBT, diversity, the beauty of other religions, as opposed to academic/curricular/global issues, Christian traditions, etc.)." Benjamin, whose suit includes claims of defamation, also alleges Sparks spread rumors that he suffered from a mental disorder. The former headmaster told The Daily Beast he has never received any such diagnosis, but in another obtained email, the romance writer laid out a case for diagnosing him, citing forgetfulness and an "obsession" with what he characterizes as "non-relevant" issues. "While I am not a doctor and as scary as this may sound to you I do believe that [Benjamin] is suffering from a mental illness of some sort," Sparks wrote in the message. "What that is Alzheimer's, a variance of bi-polar, something else I have no idea." Sparks, a former pharmaceutical salesman-turned-love-chronicler, has published 20 novels to tremendous commercial success. In the Sparks literary universe, handsome, hard-working, and occasionally brusque men tend to encounter waifish, strong-headed women, fall passionately, chastely in love, only to have some obstacle status, sickness, hidden histories intervene. Tragedies are common, love usually conquers, and Christian values can often be found in between. All of Sparks' books have become New York Times bestsellers, with more than 105 million copies sold internationally, and 75 million in the United States alone; and 11 of them have been adapted to film each a blockbuster hit, grossing a collective three-quarters of a billion dollars . Just this year, the author announced that a musical version of The Notebook  Sparks' most successful novel and a meditation on love outlasting Alzheimer's (the same disease Sparks would later suggest Benjamin had) was slotted for a Broadway run. The conflict dates back to early 2013. At the time, Benjamin, a Jewish-born Quaker, was teaching at the Moroccan university Al Akhawayn, when he got a call from a headhunter about Epiphany. The position seemed interesting the job would come with a huge pay bump, and the school's emphasis on spirituality and world cultures seemed right up his alley. "I've always been an educator, always globally focused, always keenly interested in the ways that different cultures and different religions and different communities try to help young people discover their potential," Benjamin told The Daily Beast. "That's not a speech, that's my faith." In 2013, Benjamin accepted the position, and moved with his family to New Bern, North Carolina, to start at the school that fall. Almost immediately, according to Benjamin and court documents, he began to notice problems in the school's attitude toward diversity. For one, the school was overwhelmingly white and Christian, with just two black students enrolled that year, despite the fact that African-Americans comprise nearly 40 percent of the county's population. When Benjamin brought up his concerns or attempted to remedy them, he claims he encountered resistance and outright racism. In one incident, alleged in Benjamin's complaint, Sparks allegedly attributed the school's dearth of black students to the fact that they are "too poor and can't do the academic work." In another, Tracey Lorentzen, a member of Epiphany's Board of Trustees and a defendant in the case, claimed she often drives 35 miles away to shop at the Wal-Mart in Havelock, North Carolina. "Only black people work at the New Bern Wal-Mart," she allegedly said, rendering the facility "dirty"; the Havelock location better suited her since "white people staff that store." When Benjamin hired the first full-time African-American faculty member, he claimed in his complaint that she was subjected to "unwelcome comments and increased scrutiny." When Benjamin arranged a school trip to Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech, and talked to students about the school's diversity problems, the Board of Trustees allegedly responded with anger, calling his efforts "provocative." When Benjamin appeared at an event with the president of the local NAACP chapter, Sparks allegedly confronted him, claiming the pubic association brought "disrepute to Epiphany." But the real strain supposedly began in October of 2013, when Benjamin began to hear reports that students had been asking teachers questions about sexuality. According to the complaint, the kids had been gathering informally to discuss their own identities and orientations. When word spread of the group, Benjamin said, he began to receive complaints about bullying. Two of the students accused of bullying were sons of Epiphany school administrators; another was the son of an "influential Epiphany parent" and the vice president of the Student Senate. The students, including the Student Senate vice president, allegedly told their classmates they wanted to start "homo-caust." The incident seeded tension among the student body and staff. Rumor spread that Benjamin had formed what Sparks called a "gay club," and the Board of Trustees insisted the club be banned. Two bisexual teachers approached administrators about the group, and were allegedly threatened with termination if they continued to discuss the issue, according to Benjamin's complaint. It further alleges that at a board meeting on Oct. 30, 2013, a Board of Trustees member claimed Benjamin was "promoting a homosexual culture and agenda." Sparks allegedly warned Benjamin against pushing the subject, suggesting it would be "wasting time on a side issue," according to the complaint. By November, resentments were running high. That month, Benjamin states in his complaint that two LGBT students approached Benjamin and informed him of their plan to stage a protest during chapel. They planned to remove their clothes and announce their orientation in body paint. Benjamin says he asked the girls not to protest, claiming it "was a time for healing, not heroics." Instead, in the Friday morning Chapel Talk, a weekly tradition at the school, Benjamin spoke about bullying, and the school's commitment to "loving their neighbors." The talk was received poorly, spawning two weeks of in-fighting and interventions. It was in this period in mid-November that Sparks sent the emails now entered as discovery into the public record. In the first message, sent to Benjamin on November 17, 2013, Sparks told Benjamin he was angry and frustrated about the diversity and tolerance issues. "I told you this would happen… if you didn't follow our advice, which was simply 'don't rock the boat on this particular issue.'" He offered Benjamin a list of recommendations to improve his standing at the school, which ranged from "mak[ing] sure all Christian traditions feel especially Christian, especially as we move into the Christmas season," to refraining from implying the school has problems of tolerance. "It is in fact, the KINDEST school I've ever visited," Sparks wrote. "There has not for instance, been a single fight in 8 years at the school. People accept other people here; our first student here were Jewish [sic]." Later in the letter, Sparks wrote: "Regarding diversity, I've now told you half a dozen times that our lack of diversity has NOTHING to do with the school or anyone at the school. It's not because of what we as a school has or hasn't done. It has nothing to do with racism or vestiges of Jim Crow. It comes down to 1) Money and 2) Culture." In a message sent the following morning, Sparks echoed the same points, defending his decision to ban the LGBT group ("not allowing them to have a club is NOT discrimination"), and denying the school had any problem with gay students. "Remember, we've had gay students before, many of them," Sparks wrote. "[The former headmaster] handled it quietly and wonderfully… I expect you to do the same." Three days later, Sparks called Benjamin into a meeting with the Board of Trustees. In the informal gathering, Benjamin claims in his complaint that the romance writer acted in a "loud, ranting and physically intimidating manner," calling him a "liar" and insisting he resign. After a lengthy meeting which Benjamin described in the complaint as "false imprisonment," citing his claim that he was not allowed to speak to a lawyer or use the bathroom, the headmaster resigned. His term lasted 98 days. Benjamin filed a lawsuit against Sparks and the Board in October of 2014, seeking punitive damages for discrimination, breach of contract, emotional distress and defamation. After five years of hearings and discovery, the case is scheduled for a six-day trial in August. For his part, Sparks denies the allegations. In his declaration, Sparks attributes the deterioration of their working relationship to complaints that the headmaster could be "aloof, even rude, elitist and dismissive of their beliefs or backgrounds." He claimed Benjamin had secretly authorized an "official School LGBT club" against school policy, and that the headmaster was often dishonest in his dealings with the Board. "In other words, he lied," Sparks wrote. Throughout his career, Sparks has often drawn a hard distinction between "romance novels," which he characterizes as trite and fantastic, and "love stories," which he sees as at once more "universal" and realistic. In the FAQ section of his website, the author explains that love stories can differ in theme, while romance novels always have a general theme: "the taming of a man." In the dichotomy of love and romance, Sparks believes his works air on the side of love. "Love stories usually end tragically," Sparks writes, "or, at best, on a bittersweet note."


The Day in Sports: Thursday, June 6, 2019 Horse Racing: Belmont Stakes-Workouts A horse walks onto the Main track in preparation for the 151st running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. MLB: Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) throws dirt while entering the field against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at PNC Park. MLB: Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Cole Tucker (3) slides into second base after hitting a double against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning at PNC Park. MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Detroit Tigers Detroit Tigers left fielder JaCoby Jones (21) makes a jumping catch for an out against Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Yandy Diaz (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Comerica Park. MLB: San Francisco Giants at New York Mets New York Mets third baseman Todd Frazier (21) celebrates with right fielder Michael Conforto (30) after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants in the eighth inning at Citi Field. Tennis: French Open Paris, France: Dominic Them (AUT) in action during his match against Karen Khachanov (RUS) on day 12 of the 2019 French Open at Stade Roland Garros. NHL: Stanley Cup Final-St. Louis Blues at Boston Bruins St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (27) falls after a hit from Boston Bruins center Noel Acciari (55) during the first period in game five of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. MLB: Baltimore Orioles at Texas Rangers General view of the game between the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Park in Arlington. NHL: Stanley Cup Final-St. Louis Blues at Boston Bruins Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) is checked by St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz (17) during the first period in game five of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. NHL: Stanley Cup Final-St. Louis Blues at Boston Bruins St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) and defenseman Carl Gunnarsson (4) collide as defenseman Colton Parayko (55) and Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) watch the puck bounce away during the third period in game five of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. NHL: Stanley Cup Final-St. Louis Blues at Boston Bruins St. Louis Blues left wing David Perron (57) celebrates with center Brayden Schenn (10), center Ryan O'Reilly (90), center Tyler Bozak (21) after scoring against the Boston Bruins during the third period in game five of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden.


Our strengths can also be our greatest liabilities. Fix these five toxic manager habits to increase employee retention. We've all heard it before, "People leave their managers, not their companies." Unfortunately, according to a LinkedIn report, this old colloquialism is still very real today. Having a bad boss is listed as the number one reason people switch jobs --and, its costing organizations big bucks. The average cost to replace an employee is between $45-150,000. This stems from expenses associated with marketing and advertising, recruiting fees, lost productivity, and training. At one point or another, we've all experienced poor management. In fact, a Gallup report found that only one in ten people possess the ability to manage . With odds like these, you're going to have to learn how to work with bad bosses, or you'll be changing jobs constantly. Although everyone's 'bad-boss' story is a little different, there are certain management flaws synonymous with poor management. In a Talent Solutions report , LinkedIn highlighted research that honed in on the top five worst traits in a boss. I've added my personal experience with each and offered some suggestions to help you deal with them. 1. Micromanaging. No one likes to feel like they're being babysat, and that their every move is being closely watched and analyzed--it's suffocating. Although managers may feel like they are just being helpful, the truth is, they have trust issues. The good news is, micromanagement can be dealt with if you're willing to put in the work. Here's the core issue, it's not that micromanagers won't trust you, it just takes time. There's a proving period. Until you reach it, managers will hover and follow up closely to ensure the work is getting done correctly. To beat micromanagement, you can either keep your head down, stay focused on delivering consistent results and power through work until you gain their trust. Or, you can shortcut the process by being upfront and asking what it would take to earn their trust. To play devil's advocate, most managers have no idea that they're micromanaging. It may actually take you saying something until they realize it's an issue. 2. Being overly critical. This is one of the tougher traits to deal with. The key is to remember that it's not personal. Most overly critical managers are just dealing with their own insecurities surrounding risk and errors. They are so fearful of making a mistake, that they project it onto their employees in the form of criticism and judgment. Because they are so risk-averse, they will over-analyze details and rules to ensure that they never miss or break one. This translates into unrealistic expectations and being overly critical. I had a manager like this, and at one point, I was terrified to send them anything because it would always come back with so much red pen that I felt incompetent. Not saying that it's right, but once you get used to their work style and demands, you can anticipate their remarks and address them. 3. Being disorganized. Being disorganized can happen for a couple of reasons. First, some managers need variety and get bored with routine or repetitive work. To keep things new, they take on multiple things at once for the sake of change and can get quickly buried by their large to-do-lists and competing priorities. Second, some managers are naturally more flexible and prefer to delegate details. They choose people-facing, creative and collaborative work over managing specifics. To ensure that they have multiple opportunities to influence, they get involved in numerous projects. Although this more flexible approach is fun to work with, there is a higher risk of details being missed and rules being broken due to their more uninhibited and casual style. To create balance, it's important to come to meetings with an active list of projects/priorities and to real disorganized leaders in with clarifying questions to ensure work stays on track. 4. Being a 'know-it-all.' We all know someone like this. It doesn't matter what the topic of discussion is--they're an expert on everything. In my experience, the "know-it-all" tendency is usually a byproduct of control orientated managers. Sometimes, they just can turn off the need to drive work, control situations, and steer conversations. The ironic thing is that the less a "know-it-all" knows, the more likely they are to interject their opinions. The best way to deal with an assertive manager is to avoid getting into arguments, show appreciation and acknowledge their views to defuse the situation, and don't be afraid to provide feedback. Many "know-it-all's" have no idea how others perceive their behavior. 5. Not having patience. This is one of those cases where our strengths can also be our greatest liabilities. If left unchecked, skills like being proactive, results-oriented, fast-paced, and multitasking can be perceived by others as being intense, high-strung, and intolerant. To survive an impatient manager, the key is to spend extra time establishing expectations and priorities. Impatience typically surfaces during times of deadlines and delays. If you can get ahead of projects and better manage expectations, you will prevent fire-drill situations. This report from LinkedIn is an excellent reminder that management skills matter and that investing in leadership development is a great strategy to increase employee satisfaction and retention. Related video: You'll impress your boss if you have these 5 qualities (provided by Buzz60)


ASHEVILLE   Ben Colvin isn't here to compete with tap handles like his brewer friends in Asheville. He'd rather his new line of canned beverages complement them, all while stealing refrigerator space from more sugary soda brands. "This is where craft beer was 15 years ago," said Colvin, co-founder of Asheville-based Devil's Foot Beverage Co. "It's where people started moving away from the bigger brands of beer because they wanted craft brews. They wanted something that was made a little better and a connection with the brewery. "That's really where we see ourselves." Colvin, a longtime local conservationist, recently with Wild Forests and Fauna , transitioned out of his job in 2017 to launch Devil's Foot with local musician Jacob Baumann and others. The North Asheville-based company brews a half-dozen "farm-to-can" nonalcoholic drinks and sparking waters ranging from its signature Ginger Beer to Future's So Bright Sparkling Lemonade and Lime Aid. Only in its second full year of production, Devil's Foot now can be found at almost 200 vendors in the Carolinas and Virginia, according to Colvin, and last month landed in 21 Earth Fare supermarket stores in the region. RELATED: ► Asheville wellness startup wins NC IDEA grant: See how much they'll get ► Asheville/Buncombe County breweries: The full list, from All Sevens to Zillicoah ► SmartFlower blooms renewable energy ideas in North Asheville It also recently won a $50,000 NC IDEA SEED grant, funding Colvin said that will help it grow even quicker. "(It) really give us that spark, that little bit of jet fuel to grow really fast and get bigger than we should at this moment," he said. "It's a big boost." Devil's Foot is one of only six grant recipients in the cycle   the only one based in Western North Carolina   out of more than 150 applicants for NC IDEA funding which supports entrepreneurs in the state. Of its 142 grants paid out since 2006, Devil's Foot is the ninth to be based in WNC, of which seven remain operational. They include names like No Evil Foods, a plant-based meat company soon to be in 1,000 Kroger locations in the U.S., essential oils company Adoratherapy and Elite HRV, developer of an app to track an individual's heart rate variability . NC IDEA President and CEO Thom Ruhe said in a news release the six grant winning companies embody "the vibrancy of entrepreneurship across the state of North Carolina." "Industries from textiles to technology-enabled services to food and beverage are represented in this eclectic group positioned to quickly grow, create jobs and positively impact the state's economy," Ruhe said. Katie Smith, an Asheville native and a brewer at Highland Brewing, which stocks Devil's Foot products, said she first tasted its drinks at a past Asheville Brewers Alliance meeting. Colvin noted Smith and others   such as Brandi Hillman of Hillman Beer and Billy Pyatt of Catawba Brewing Co.   have lent "big support" to the growth of Devil's Foot. Smith said it was "really cool" when Highland finally brought their products into the Highland tasting room, allowing her to have it more than she already does. It's also become a vacation favorite in Smith's family, she said. "It's great, and especially at Highland," she said. "My mom has had friends here and they have kids. It's like, 'Oh, we do have this lemonade,' and they're like, 'Oh, really?' The kids love it and it's cool to see." She added that Devil's Foot is "very excited for the possibility it can expand beyond Asheville." North Carolina is no stranger to major beverage distributors. Carolina Beverage Corp., which manufactures the cherry-flavored soda Cheerwine, is based in Salisbury and PepsiCo., now based in New York, traces its roots to New Bern. Asheville also consistently is ranked among the top U.S. cities for craft beer drinkers featuring major brands like Asheville Brewing Co., Wicked Weed and New Belgium. Want to stay informed about news from around Asheville? Do that, plus support local journalists, by subscribing to the Asheville Citizen Times. Click here to sign up for a digital subscription. But as bottled water sales outpaced those of carbonated soft drinks in recent years , Colvin said Devil's Foot sees room to grow   and fast. He says much of the grant funding will be spent on "products and people" to expand the market for its products. "We're kettle brewing and heat extracting good stuff and we're not adding bags of syrups and concentrate," he said. "We're pulling that in, but at the same time, it took the craft beer industry a while to slowly, organically grow and we don't have that luxury. "It's grow big and fast, and that's where we're going." This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: North Asheville ginger beer brewer wins grant, wants to grow and grow


CHARLOTTE - As a 20-year-old with unruly hair, Rory McIlroy made the cut on the number and then shot 62 in the final round at Quail Hollow to win the 2010 Wells Fargo Championship and claim his first PGA Tour title. Five years later, with his hair trimmed down and four major championships under his belt, he shot 61 in the third round of the Wells Fargo Championship and cruised to a 7-shot victory, becoming the only player to win twice at Quail Hollow. Now, four years later, a trimmed-down, muscled-up McIlroy put himself in position to become the first to win three times at Quail Hollow. With a 5-under-par 66 on Thursday, his familiar name was at the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship. "It's a fun golf course. It's a golf course that I feel very comfortable on. I've got some great memories here," McIlroy said. "It has gone through different iterations since we started coming here, but every time they tweak something here or there, you know, it's still sort of the same place and it really fits my eye. "Every time I step onto this golf course, I feel like I have a chance to shoot a good score. I didn't play my best today, I sort of managed my game well, scrambled well, but it added up to a good number at the end of the day." Joel Dahmen birdied two of his last four holes to pull even with McIlroy at day's end. The two stood one shot clear of Patrick Reed, Martin Laird, Adam Schenk, Dylan Frittelli and Nick Taylor. Major champions Jason Day and Jason Dufner were in a large group two shots back. But the clear favorite is McIlroy, not only for his play at Quail Hollow - in addition to his two victories, he also lost in a playoff in 2012 - but for his standout season he's posted to this point. He's been out of the top-10 just once in eight previous starts this year - a tie for 21 st in the Masters - and he won The Players Championship against the strongest field of the season. No matter what has been done to the course here in the Queen City, no matter what his form is coming into the tournament, more times than not McIlroy lights up at Quail Hollow. And as he's matured as a player ahead of his 30th birthday on Saturday, another weapon in his bag is his ability to get the most out of his round when things aren't clicking. If one part of his game is letting him down, he turns to another part to steady the ship. Yes, he can overpower most any golf course on the planet, but he's learned to, especially in the past two years, he said, get the best of any golf course as he focuses his mind on using other weapons in his golf bag to get by. In years past, he'd turn 70s into 72s on occasion, 75s into 77s. Now he's turning 70s into 66s, 75s into 71s. "I felt like I hit it like I should have shot sort of a 1- or 2-under par round," McIlroy said. "I felt sort of scrappy today. I made the most of what I have and made some good putts coming down the stretch, managed my game well and ended up being a good score. My short game was pretty good, I holed some good putts and that's what you're going to have to do around here especially as the course gets firmer. "The reason my play's been so consistent this year is those mediocre rounds, I'm still getting in the house under par, not making the big numbers. That's what I think is going to lead to much more consistency for me, which I've started to do. "It started to become a strength of my game over the last couple years, for sure." That's not good news for his colleagues. Especially in the Wells Fargo Championship. View embedded content MORE: Shaq's line after threatening to knock out Charles Barkley had Ernie Johnson in tears Packers weren't interested in bringing back Clay Matthews NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Should the Raiders exercise the fifth-year option on SS Karl Joseph? Non-rookie might be most intriguing player at 49ers rookie minicamp


USA TODAY's predictions are something that's in Bills' lore. Notably in recent seasons, the outlet has predicted that Buffalo would finish near the bottom of the NFL's standings when things were all said and done. Not in 2019, though. Instead, the Bills will at least be "in the hunt." USA TODAY predicted an 8-8 finish for Buffalo this upcoming season. That lands them in second place in the AFC East, behind the 11-5 Patriots. But that 8-8 record won't give Buffalo a Wild Card berth. Instead, the 11-5 Chiefs and 10-6 Jaguars grab those in the AFC. Here's how the outlet's full 2019 predictions for the NFL: MORE: UFC's Thiago Santos shares brutal update on injuries suffered in loss to Jon Jones Instant observations from Day 2 of Patriots training camp Steve Ballmer, Clippers Unveil Renderings of Potential New Arena in Inglewood Packers sign former Wisconsin DL Olive Sagapolu Miles Sanders looking a RB2 in Fantasy Football


Editor's note: The opinions in this article are the author's, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft. It's no secret that the two dozen or so 2020 Democratic presidential candidates are promising a slew of new and expanded government programs that are often "universal" and "free." Americans should be skeptical when they hear these buzzwords, which are code for "rationed" and "expensive" when Democratic presidential candidates talk about "Medicare for all," the so-called Green New Deal, and free college. Democratic presidential candidates will list their new proposals without any pay-for aside from "taxing the 1 percent," then proceed in the same breath to criticize Republicans for growing the deficit by way of tax cuts. That's right, 2020 Democrats have the audacity to blame the federal government's ballooning deficit on the notion of middle-class Americans getting $1,000 on average in tax breaks thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Not only do Democrats have it wrong on the primary drivers of the deficit, but their argument that Republicans have caused the deficit by cutting taxes is made completely in bad faith. This week, the Treasury Department reported that the deficit has increased by 23% during the current fiscal year to a burgeoning $747.1 billion, and the fiscal year isn't even over. But in the same period, federal tax revenue increased 2.7%, while spending grew by 6.6%. That's right, even with tax cuts, federal tax revenue has grown, while spending continues to grow at a startling rate. Clearly, the federal government doesn't have a revenue problem; it has a spending problem. According to the Congressional Budget Office, federal tax revenues will reach nearly 20% of GDP by 2049. However, because spending growth is expected to far outpace revenues, the deficit will grow to nearly 9% of GDP by the end of the 30-year window reviewed by the CBO, which will crowd out private investment and hamper economic growth, and our debt-to-GDP ratio will hit 144%. Greece began experiencing severe economic problems when its debt-to-GDP ratio exceeded 100%. Sadly, the grim outlook heralded by the CBO is a best-case scenario. Should the U.S. economy enter a recession, which is, of course, likely at some point with the natural fluctuation of the economy, the deficit and the debt will grow even higher. But Democrats still think we aren't taxed enough, nor is the government spending enough. Mandatory spending in the form of entitlement programs, as well as interest on the publicly held debt, are the two primary drivers of our ballooning deficit, yet 2020 Democrats want to expand entitlement programs and raise taxes, regardless of the long-term outlook. Just a slight change in interest rates, such as during a recession, would have a severe impact on long-term fiscal sustainability by pushing the deficit and debt even higher. Lower interest rates would also lead to reduced investment as more Americans buy treasury bonds in an attempt to salvage their savings, resulting in economic contraction. At the same time, low economic growth would see tax revenue decline, further increasing the deficit. It's a vicious cycle that is lurking just around the corner so long as entitlement spending and interest on the debt are left unaddressed. But Democrats, and unfortunately many Republicans, don't seem to care. For all the 2020 Democratic candidates' talk of raising corporate and top marginal tax rates, the history of federal tax revenue tells us this would be an exercise in futility. Even during the mid-20th century, when the top marginal income tax rate was 96%, federal tax receipts never eclipsed 20% of GDP. If we're on course for revenue that nears 20% of GDP with low taxes, I don't think Americans see the need for a left-of-Bernie Sanders tax hike. But what if rather than ignoring the deficit crisis, we just came out and said it wasn't a problem altogether? That's what proponents of modern monetary theory are saying when they advocate for controlling our budget by printing more money. Rising stars among House Democrats who suggest something so outlandish as modern monetary theory might want to take a prolonged vacation to Venezuela rather than read a Voxplainer on the issue. Not only are Democrats lying about the current state of the economy, the fact that they are proposing massive increases in spending demonstrates their profound ignorance of why we are saddled with a looming fiscal sustainability crisis. Interest on the debt and out-of-control spending are the primary drivers of a ballooning budget deficit, not widespread tax cuts for hard-working people. There's no remedy for the deficit crisis other than to get our fiscal house in order by addressing the primary source of the problem. This starts with acknowledging what is to blame: spending. So far, none of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates have done just that. Will they? Don't hold your breath. Adam Brandon ( @adam_brandon ) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog. He is president and CEO of FreedomWorks.


It wouldn't be a college football season without some unique uniforms and one can find the latest entry coming from the shores of Lake Michigan. As noted by Action Network reporter Darren Rovell , it looks like Northwestern will once again utilize their "gothic style" uniforms at some point during the upcoming 2019 season: Saw something I probably should not have seen in the Northwestern equipment room. New Gothic style uniforms for @NUFBFamily this season…. pic.twitter.com/b28gERa3GO   Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 3, 2019 The school has utilized the look twice previously, in 2014 against Nebraska and again in 2015 against Minnesota. The uniforms were originally designed as a nod to some of the architecture around the Evanston campus. The Wildcats did acknowledge Rovell's tweet after he posted it but didn't provide many details as to when the, uh, unique look will be broken out. Northwestern has used homecoming as an excuse to wear alternate uniforms in the past and this year that will be a key game against division rival Iowa in Evanston. We'll see if that will indeed be the game NU uses but at least purple-clad fans of the program can be prepared to see these things at some point this fall.


LANSING (WWJ) - A Michigan lawmaker has proposed a plan that would require labels warning women of the dangers of using marijuana while pregnant State Rep. Thomas Albert, a Republican from Kent County's Lowell, says warning labels show appear on recreational and medical marijuana products sold in Michigan that would be similar to those already required for alcohol and tobacco products. Testifying before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, Albert noted the harmful effects marijuana use can have on babies. Preliminary research, he said, indicates marijuana is able to reach babies in the womb, and may result in low birth weight and harm brain development. For this reason, both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advise against marijuana use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. "The use of cigarettes and alcohol is trending down in pregnant women, but the use of marijuana among pregnant women is trending up," Albert said. "A warning label would better inform parents about the dangers of exposing their children to marijuana." According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, marijuana is the most common illicit drug used during pregnancies across the country. Recent studies suggest that roughly half of regular female marijuana users continue to use during pregnancy, and 5 percent of women in the U.S. have reported using pot while pregnant. "With marijuana use becoming more widely accepted, the public's perception of danger has gone down," Albert said. "We must do more to inform the public and protect unborn and newborn babies from exposure to harmful marijuana products." House Bills 4126-27 remain under consideration by the House Judiciary Committee. Under the new Michigan law passed in November, adults age 21 and up can have up to 2.5 ounces (71 grams) of the drug on them and up to 10 ounces (284 grams) at home. It also allows users to grow up to 12 plants in their homes. Once retail sales are in place, the state will collect taxes on marijuana sales to fund road repairs. Medical marijuana has been legal in the state since 2008. MORE: Gibraltar Trade Center To Be Reborn As Medical Marijuana Facility


After trading Robert Quinn and seeing Cameron Wake leave as a free agent, the Dolphins are short on experienced edge rushers on their roster. The remaining group is led by 2017 first-round pick Charles Harris , who has three sacks in 27 career games. That underwhelming production came before Brian Flores was the head coach in Miami, however, and Flores said he's been happy with what he's seen from Harris this offseason. "I can't say enough good things about him," Flores said, via ESPN.com. "He's the kind of guy we want in the building. Honestly, I don't care about his past. I care about right now. That's where I'm at. … He's really doing a good job for us in the classroom, on the field. He's smart. He's hard-working. He's got a lot of ability." Harris spent most of his time with his hand in the dirt the last two years, but said he has been standing up as an outside linebacker more this offseason. He said that is part of an overall approach from the new staff that won't let players "box themselves in" when it comes to the roles they play on defense. Anything less than a breakout year for Harris may lead to his departure from Miami in 2020 and it seems he'll get his chance to show that he can break out after two slow seasons.


WASHINGTON   President Donald Trump spotlighted his environmental record Monday, even as environmental groups ripped his administration for promoting the kinds of pollution generated by oil drilling , natural gas extraction and coal mining. "We want the cleanest air, we want crystal clean water   and that's what we're doing," Trump said during a speech at the White House. As Trump rolled out his presentation, a long list of environmental groups issued indictments of the president's record, from promotion of oil and gas drilling on public lands to deregulation of energy companies. "Donald Trump is resorting to greenhouse gaslighting the public to try and cover up the fact that he is the worst president in history for the environment, climate and public health," said Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club. In his speech, Trump said his administration is pursuing "technologies and processes" to make energy production cleaner and to remove pollutants from natural sources of water. Trump said the U.S. is leading the way in reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, ahead of countries in the Paris climate accord that he walked away from two years ago. In a frequently political speech, Trump said Democrats want to improve the environment by reducing energy production in ways that would cut American jobs. "The United States does not have to sacrifice our own jobs to lead the world on the environment," Trump said, adding that the U.S. can have a strong economy and clean environment at the same time. At another point, Trump ripped the so-called "Green New Deal," a plan promoted by some Democrats to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 10 years. He claimed it would cost the economy nearly $100 trillion dollars, though there is no way to know if that is true. Trump administration officials cited overall air pollution reductions, using a timeline stretching back to the creation of the EPA in 1970. "We have made a lot of advancements, and the environment is getting cleaner under the leadership of President Trump and this administration," said Andrew Wheeler , director of the Environmental Protection Agency. During the ceremony, Trump brought up Wheeler and other aides to praise their environmental stewardship. More: Andrew Wheeler, who's been leading Trump deregulatory charge, confirmed by Senate as EPA chief Trump told a crowd of invited guests at the White House that "a lot of tremendous things are happening," but critics said his environmental agenda is more harmful than helpful. But environmental groups took issue with Trump's self-evaluation. Trump is "the most anti-environmental president in U.S. history. Period," said Tiernan Sittenfeld, the League of Conservation Voters' senior vice president of governmental affairs. "It is beyond absurd that he is giving a speech pretending otherwise." Brett Hartl of the Center for Biological Diversity called it "bizarre that Trump thinks he can slap a happy face sticker over the vast wounds he's inflicting on America's environment." "There's no hiding his massive assault on crucial protections for our air, water and climate," said Hartl, the center's government affairs director. "As Trump gives away our public lands and guts safeguards for endangered wildlife, most Americans see how much damage he's causing to our children's future." Environmentalists said many pollution numbers will turn back up because of the Trump administration's deregulation of polluting industries like oil, gas and coal. The Trump administration has aggressively tried to roll back dozens of Obama-era regulations aimed at improving air and water quality, scaling back energy exploration and protecting animal habitats. Among the regulations targeted for rollback are ones that would strengthen disposal of toxic coal ash, expand the definition of bodies of water protected by the Clean Water Act and limit drilling and mining in wildlife areas. The Trump administration has also sought to relax rules on methane emissions, off-shore oil drilling safety and car emissions. Groups also protested Trump's decision to leave the Paris climate accord. Wheeler said that deal put more burdens on the United States than on other countries, and the U.S. would consider a more equitable agreement. Contributing: Ledyard King and Doyle Rice This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump claims environmental progress; environmentalists disagree


Tennis Australia will not guarantee Lleyton Hewitt the Davis Cup captaincy on his retirement next year and will instead open up the process to a group of applicants, a report said Tuesday. The head body announced in January that the two-time Grand Slam champion would take over from the outgoing Pat Rafter as Davis Cup captain with Wally Masur filling in as interim skipper this year. But two-time Cup winner Pat Cash and former teammate Paul McNamee are also reported to be interested in the job. They were both critical at the time of TA's announcement during this year's Australian Open to install Masur as interim captain in the period between Rafter's elevation to the performance director's role and the end of Hewitt's long playing career. TA president Steve Healy said he expected Masur to be considered as a longer-term captain, although Hewitt has a strong rapport with his young teammates and was still reportedly favoured to take over the role next year. AFP


Louie the Dog makes new friends while going for a swim. Domenica Davis has the details.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Rogers Park? According to Walk Score, this Chicago neighborhood is friendly for those on foot, is very bikeable and is a haven for transit riders. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one-bedroom in Rogers Park is currently hovering around $1,075. So, what might you expect to find if you don't want to spend more than $1,700/month on rent? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental offerings, via Zumper and Apartment Guide . (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 1337 W. Fargo Ave. Listed at $1,625/month, this 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is located at 1337 W. Fargo Ave. You can expect to find hardwood flooring and a dishwasher in the unit. The building has on-site laundry and secured entry. Good news for animal lovers: Both dogs and cats are permitted here. Expect a $250 pet fee. (Check out the complete listing here .) 1418 W. Lunt Ave. Next, there's this two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment located at 1418 W. Lunt Ave. It's listed for $1,630/month. The listing promises quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and a dishwasher in the unit. Pets are not permitted. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 6703 N. Clark St. Here's a three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 6703 N. Clark St. that's going for $1,650/month. In the apartment, expect to see hardwood flooring, a dishwasher and central heating. Building amenities include on-site laundry. Hairball alert: Cats are permitted. (See the full listing here .) 1209 W. Arthur Ave. Finally, check out this 647-square-foot studio apartment that's located at 1209 W. Arthur Ave. It's also listed for $1,650/month. Expect to see a dishwasher, a walk-in closet and hardwood flooring in the unit. Luckily for pet owners, both dogs and cats are permitted. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (Check out the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Robert Mueller appears before Congress The former special counsel who led an investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election will be delivering his long-awaited public testimony to the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees on Wednesday. Robert Mueller's investigation documented a "sweeping and systematic" effort by Moscow aimed in part at helping Donald Trump win the presidency, and a Trump campaign that welcomed the assistance. Investigators found insufficient evidence of a conspiracy between the two, but the political implications of that report have led to Republicans claiming it cleared Trump of wrongdoing and Democrats claiming it showed clear Russian influence and presidential efforts at obstruction. Mueller's only public comments on the case came in late May when he reaffirmed the findings in his final report. Monday, the Justice Department warned that Mueller's testimony should not stray from the written conclusions outlined in the 448-page final report of the two-year investigation. Prefer to listen? Check out the 5 things podcast Boris Johnson steps into role as new UK prime minister Britain's new prime minister, Boris Johnson, officially takes office on Wednesday, a day after winning of the Conservative Party's runoff election . The American-born Johnson, 55, who enjoys a good relationship with President Donald Trump , will have to lead the country through its stalled exit from the European Union, known as Brexit   a seemingly impossible task that brought down Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May. Johnson also faces an escalating crisis with Iran. May will tender her resignation to Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday; Johnson will take office following his own audience with the monarch. USDA rule which would cut food stamp benefits for millions gets published A U.S. Department of Agriculture rule that could affect as many as 3.1 million recipients is expected to be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday for public comment. Under the proposed rule , the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would no longer provide benefits to families solely because they are enrolled in food assistance programs run by the states where they live. The Trump administration said the rule was designed to eliminate "loopholes" and save money, but was immediately assailed by anti-poverty advocates including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who called the proposal an "act of staggering callousness." Agency officials said the proposal could save billions in taxpayer funds. Recipients who lose their benefits could reapply and qualify if they met the federal standards for assistance. Flying pioneer Amelia Earhart was born 122 years ago Wednesday, celebrated as Amelia Earhart Day, marks 122 years to the day since the female flying pioneer was born. Earhart famously sent her last radio call on July 2, 1937 during an attempt to fly around the world. Now July 24 is celebrated as Amelia Earhart Day. After her disappearance, an extensive search effort came up empty-handed. As a result, conspiracy theories have cropped up about Earhart's true fate, involving everything from alien abduction to capture by the Japanese. Read a primer on the top theories surrounding Earhart's disappearance to learn more. Summer Olympics countdown is on! The Opening Ceremony for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo is one year from today . The Summer Games return to the capital of Japan for the first time since 1964; the country last saw Olympic activity in the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano. The XXXII Olympiad brings a number of new sports , including karate, skateboarding, surfing and sport climbing. Additionally, baseball and softball return to the Games for the first time since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Robert Mueller testimony, Boris Johnson takes over as Britain PM: 5 things to know Wednesday