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The dataset generation failed because of a cast error
Error code: DatasetGenerationCastError
Exception: DatasetGenerationCastError
Message: An error occurred while generating the dataset
All the data files must have the same columns, but at some point there are 1 missing columns ({'label'})
This happened while the json dataset builder was generating data using
hf://datasets/shen77/HW5_Headline/test.jsonl (at revision 7717b7349f6b7ab8769843efa73260e0f8f23eda)
Please either edit the data files to have matching columns, or separate them into different configurations (see docs at https://hf.co/docs/hub/datasets-manual-configuration#multiple-configurations)
Traceback: Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/builder.py", line 2011, in _prepare_split_single
writer.write_table(table)
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/arrow_writer.py", line 585, in write_table
pa_table = table_cast(pa_table, self._schema)
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/table.py", line 2302, in table_cast
return cast_table_to_schema(table, schema)
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/table.py", line 2256, in cast_table_to_schema
raise CastError(
datasets.table.CastError: Couldn't cast
text: string
to
{'text': Value(dtype='string', id=None), 'label': Value(dtype='string', id=None)}
because column names don't match
During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/src/services/worker/src/worker/job_runners/config/parquet_and_info.py", line 1321, in compute_config_parquet_and_info_response
parquet_operations = convert_to_parquet(builder)
File "/src/services/worker/src/worker/job_runners/config/parquet_and_info.py", line 935, in convert_to_parquet
builder.download_and_prepare(
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/builder.py", line 1027, in download_and_prepare
self._download_and_prepare(
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/builder.py", line 1122, in _download_and_prepare
self._prepare_split(split_generator, **prepare_split_kwargs)
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/builder.py", line 1882, in _prepare_split
for job_id, done, content in self._prepare_split_single(
File "/src/services/worker/.venv/lib/python3.9/site-packages/datasets/builder.py", line 2013, in _prepare_split_single
raise DatasetGenerationCastError.from_cast_error(
datasets.exceptions.DatasetGenerationCastError: An error occurred while generating the dataset
All the data files must have the same columns, but at some point there are 1 missing columns ({'label'})
This happened while the json dataset builder was generating data using
hf://datasets/shen77/HW5_Headline/test.jsonl (at revision 7717b7349f6b7ab8769843efa73260e0f8f23eda)
Please either edit the data files to have matching columns, or separate them into different configurations (see docs at https://hf.co/docs/hub/datasets-manual-configuration#multiple-configurations)Need help to make the dataset viewer work? Make sure to review how to configure the dataset viewer, and open a discussion for direct support.
text
string | label
string |
|---|---|
Only FIVE internationals allowed, count em, FIVE! So first off we should say, per our usual Atlanta United lineup predictions, this will be wrong. Why will it be wrong? Well, aside from the obvious, we still don't have a ton of data points from Frank de Boer in how he prefers to rotate his team for let's be honest an inferior competition. We've seen how he rotates (or doesn't rotate) in CONCACAF Champions League play, but that's a bit different because CCL was clearly a priority for the club. We got one glimpse of U.S. Open Cup rotation last week when the team played a home game as the visiting team against the Charleston Battery, but will things change on the actual road against an MLS club? Here's my predicted lineup: Let's talk about it: Kann - Seems like he's the Cup keeper. Simples. CBs - I think Leandro Gonzalez Pirez is likely to be a casualty of the 5-international player limit. Miles Robinson is still young and probably isn't in need of much rest, and as far as international players go, you probably want those to be your most indispensable and/or attacking options in case things go awry. Florentin Pogba is still a fitness concern in his ability to go 90 minutes, but considering he started the last match and then was subbed out for tactical reasons before the 90 minutes were up, I think he'll be okay. LB: This could also be Mikey Ambrose instead of Michael Parkhurst. Brek Shea will almost certainly be rested after putting in a major shift last Thursday. RB: Not a ton of other options here, and I'd think de Boer will want to see an improved performance from Escobar. Also, I think he may want to continue to pair Escobar and Pity down the right flank to allow them to continue to build a playing relationship. CM: Eric Remedi could start here for either CM. But based on Frank de Boer's stated preference on not chopping and changing between matches, I'm leaving the CMs consistent from what we saw last week. AM: Again, shooting for consistency here, but I think inserting Meram of Pereira makes sense. Pereira has struggled in his last couple outings relative to some glimpses we've seen. Pereira is also an international, and if de Boer wants to include Ezequiel Barco on the bench, he will need to shed one of his internationals from the last squad. ST: We could very well see Brandon Vazquez here, primarily down to fitness concerns. Romario Williams gutted out 120 minutes last Thursday and finished the game holding his groin, but he trained with the team fully on Monday. Vazquez came on as a sub and scored twice, but part of me thinks de Boer will want to give his backup striker as many opportunities as possible to prove his worth. With three internationals in the starting lineup, I think Eric Remedi and Ezequiel Barco will round out the five maximum allowed. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
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Predicting Atlanta United's lineup against Columbus Crew in the U.S. Open Cup
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WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized the push to grant statehood to Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. in an interview on FOX News with Laura Ingraham. "They plan to make the District of Columbia a state that'd give them two new Democratic senators Puerto Rico a state, that would give them two more new Democratic senators. […] So this is full bore socialism on the march in the House. And yeah, as long as I'm the majority leader of the Senate, none of that stuff is going anywhere." McConnell didn't elaborate on what he meant by that, specifically, nor did he clarify why adding an additional state would constitute socialism. Socialism has become a hot button topic in recent months, with the election of several far-left Democrats who identify as socialists, and with traditional GOP leaders lambasting it. For what it's worth, in 1985, economic theorist Karl Marx labeled socialism with this phrase: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." WUSA9's content partners at the Washington Post did an article explaining more in depth what exactly socialism is, which you can read here . McConnell tweeted he is the "grim reaper when it comes to stopping the Democrats' socialist agenda." For the first time in decades, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform will hold a hearing on D.C. statehood on July 24. RELATED: Representative Steny Hoyer announces support for DC statehood If passed, all eight District wards would turn into the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth. But Republicans believe the addition of two (presumably) Democratic senators would unfairly tip the balance of power. Despite the bill's growing traction among local legislators who previously opposed the notion, like Virginia Senator Mark Warner and Maryland Representative Steny Hoyer, no Republicans signed either the House or Senate versions of the bill. The last states to join the Union were Alaska and Hawaii, both in 1959. At the time, the prevailing thought was that Hawaii would be a Republican stronghold and would match with the admission of Alaska, which was seen as a Democratic stronghold. Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter : Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.
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Mitch McConnell: DC statehood push is 'full bore socialism'
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NORTH HIGHLANDS (CBS13) Fire damaged a home in North Highlands overnight. (credit: Sacramento Metro Fire Dept.) The fire burned at a mobile home on Eureka Lane. Firefighters from Sacramento Metro Fire Department quickly arrived on scene and were able to put the fire out. One resident who lives at the home was able to get out unharmed. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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Home In North Highlands Damaged By Fire
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Meghan McCain is speaking out after a journalist criticized her over controversial T-shirts her husband, Ben Domenech, is selling on the Federalist, the conservative media site he co-founded.
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Meghan McCain blames 'liberal media' and 'third-wave feminism' after getting heat over husband's Kamala Harris T-shirts
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1714: George I becomes King Georg Ludwig, Elector of Hanover becomes George I King of Great Britain and Ireland after the demise of Queen Anne of Britain. 1798: Battle of Nile begins Battle of Nile, also known as the Battle of Aboukir Bay, begins during which The British Royal navy engages and destroys the French Revolutionary naval fleet in a night attack. 1876: Colorado admitted as a state U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant signs a proclamation admitting Colorado to the Union as the 38th state. 1936: 11th Olympic Games begin Three years after the Nazi party came into power, Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler opens the games at the Berlin Olympic Stadium in Germany. 1944: WW II - The Warsaw Uprising An uprising breaks out in Warsaw, Poland, against Nazi occupation. 1957: US and Canada form NORAD The North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) is a pact created by the air forces of the United States and Canada to provide aerospace warning, air sovereignty and protection to North America. 1966: University of Texas shooting Charles Joseph Whitman, 25, goes on an armed rampage at the University of Texas in Austin killing 14 people. 1981: MTV premieres Rock music video channel MTV makes its debut in the United States and airs its first video, "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles. 1996: Michael Johnson sets new record Sprinter Michael Johnson breaks the world record in the 200 meters to win gold at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. 2007: Interstate 35W bridge collapses The eight-lane Interstate 35W bridge, a major Minneapolis artery, collapses into the Mississippi River during evening rush hour, killing 13 people.
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Today in History: Aug 1
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Odell Beckham Jr New Custom Rolls Royce Cullinan designed by dream works Motorsports. What y'all think of the whip comment down below
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Odell Beckham Jr New Custom Rolls Royce Cullinan
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This muscle car has the power to justify its distinctive paint job. The Chevrolet Malibu is an enduring nameplate that has spanned some 55 years, first starting as a trim level on the Chevrolet Chevelle in the 1960s. To day the Malibu is its own standalone model, and is a very different proposition to its ancestors. Its golden era was arguably as part of the second generation Chevelle, most notably in performance oriented SS form such as this example up for auction with Raleigh Classic . If you're looking to stand out from the crowd, look no further! This Chevrolet is finished in a classic red shade with traditional dual black stripes, but also provides the canvas for some distinctive West Coast Flames. Highly polished and wearing just the right amount of chrome, this iconic muscle car is in excellent condition. Details such as hood pins, five-spoke wheels, and white text on the tires complete the muscle car look. This 1970 model was actually amongst of the first updated second generations cars that featured squarer facias. Real die-hard US car fans might spot that some of the new sheetmetal is identical to that found on a Buick Skylark GSX of the same period. The Chevelle is a well established model on the muscle car scene, but its roles in some of the more recent Fast & Furious movies has resulted in a surge of popularity. Worried that this model is all show and no go? Under that distinctive hood is a monstrous 454 Ci V8 motor that promises to deliver on performance. It is supported by Holley carburetors and Hooker headers, in addition to looking fantastic with additional chrome work. A turbo 400 transmission is connected to a hardy 12-bolt rear end. The interior needs a bit of TLC, but is more civilized with black vinyl upholstery and a few added luxuries such as power steering and air conditioning. It's a spacious cabin with a large rear bench, but the Chevelle's lack of B-pillar means that more natural light can enter. This Chevrolet has an estimate of $25,000 - $28,000 for the Raleigh Classic auction. Follow MSN Autos on Facebook and Twitter
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This Attention-Grabbing Chevrolet Malibu Packs A 454 Ci V8
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Three GOP senators this week urged President Trump to reject what they describe as Iran's "nuclear blackmail" in the wake of the rogue nation's violation of the 2015 nuclear agreement and highlighted the use of a mechanism in the U.N. resolution enshrining the deal that allows for a "snapback" of sanctions. "Regime officials have signaled they intend to creep towards a nuclear weapon, while demanding concessions and promising to 'reverse' their violations if their demands are met," Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., wrote in a letter Tuesday. "We urge you to reject their nuclear blackmail." COTTON MOCKS IRAN OFFICIAL'S SANCTIONS COMPLAINT: WON'T BE ABLE TO SPEND IRANIANS' MONEY IN '5-STAR RESTAURANTS' Iran recently began stockpiling low-enriched uranium beyond agreed limits, in violation of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and have warned that more violations could soon be coming. Given that it was United Nations Security Council resolution 2231 that endorsed the Obama-era deal, the Council could be the site of the next stage in deciding the embattled deal's fate. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal last year, having described it as "the worst deal in history," and the administration has since imposed waves of crippling economic sanctions on Tehran. The senators urge Trump to invoke the so-called "snapback mechanism" in resolution 2231 that would restore sanctions on Iran's uranium enrichment and missile development. And while Security Council diplomats seek to work out how the U.S. will re-impose the sanctions given that it quit the deal last year, the letter from the senators notes that the U.N. resolution enables the original parties to the deal to revoke or snapback at any time. "Paragraph 10 of the resolution defines the United States as a participant for the purpose of invoking the mechanism. We urge you to do so," the senators wrote. The lawmakers also call on the president to cease the use of "civil-nuclear waivers" that they say allow Iran to keep a nuclear status quo. While there is another mechanism outside of the Security Council to deal with violations from the parties in the JCPOA, Tehran's threats to enrich uranium mean the process of bringing the snapback mechanism into effect will sooner rather than later be tested. From 2006 onwards the Council passed six resolutions that imposed severe sanctions on Iran in order to halt its nuclear ambitions by banning Iran from conducting nuclear research and developing ballistic missiles. TRUMP VOWS IRAN CANNOT HAVE PATH TO NUKES, SAYS HE HOPES SANCTIONS SENT 'MESSAGE' The senators' letter also claimed that the deal "was built to enable Iranian cheating" and allowed hundreds of billions of dollars to flow into regime coffers, "allowing the Iranians to boost its military and terrorist activities regionally and globally, even as they maintained nuclear weapons infrastructure, periodically exceeded restrictions on nuclear materials." "That's how the deal was always supposed to work, that's how it did work, and that's why it is imperative that the United States now respond forcefully to Iran's systematic violations by ending civil-nuclear waivers and invoking the U.N. snapback," the senators argued. It is unclear how such a move would be received by America's European allies at the Security Council who opposed the U.S. departure from the deal, and who have fought to keep the compact intact. Behnam Ben Taleblu a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, D.C., told Fox News that if the snapback mechanism is used and resolution 2231 is done away with, "it would also mean the Rouhani government's policy of playing both sides of the Atlantic against one another would have failed." A source familiar with the administration's discussions on the use of snapback told Fox News that there are ongoing interagency talks happening now about using the mechanism. An indication of the interagency discussions came earlier in the week from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, whose statement on Iran's violation called on the international community to restore its longstanding requirement of not allowing any uranium enrichment for the regime's nuclear program in light of Iran's latest violation. His statement pulled no punches as he noted that "no nuclear deal should ever allow the Iranian regime to enrich uranium at any level. Starting in 2006, the United Nations Security Council passed six resolutions requiring the regime to suspend all enrichment activity. It was the right standard then; it is the right standard now." A senior GOP congressional staffer told Fox News: "Snapback is quickly becoming the only game in town, now that Iran has violated the deal." The staffer told Fox that, even though the U.S. left the deal, the administration still has every right per the resolution to put the snapback mechanism into play. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "There's no technical reason the Trump administration can't just do it and quickly restore the international sanctions from before the deal," the staffer stated, adding that some officials wanted to hold off while the Europeans negotiated with Iran to stay in bounds. "Now that the Europeans have failed and the Iranians are engaged in nuclear blackmail, there's no reason left to hold off."
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GOP senators urge Trump to reject Iran's 'nuclear blackmail,' seek to 'snapback' sanctions at the UN
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The latest from the Richland Borough Council Meeting. Img 2474 With the opening of Rey Azteca in Palmyra, Lebanon County is starting to amass a nice collection of Mexican restaurants and we're not talking Taco Bell or Chipotle here. Anyone who still tells you there are no good local Mexican places in Lebanon probably doesn't know where to look, so just in case, here's a convenient guide for you. Previously: Learn more about Rey Azteca Img 2485 La Placita de Lebanon is a throwback. It's part Mexican restaurant, part bodega a Hispanic mini-mart but don't let that turn you off. That's how you know it's authentic. Located at 922 Cumberland St., in the heart of downtown, La Placita boasts great enchiladas, burritos and tacos, as you would expect, though there are items here you won't see a lot of other places, like all-day breakfast and traditional Mexican entrees that go beyond the typical handhelds. The prices are very reasonable and the staff is inviting, so there's no reason not to give it a shot. Img 2490 Known for oversized margaritas, guacamole made fresh at your table and authentic Mexican cuisine, Plaza Azteca opened its 41st location in Myerstown in March and it's a huge hit. This place doesn't feel like a chain at all in terms of the quality of the food, and the menu has all the staples of a Mexican restaurant and then some. Portions are large, too, so all but the biggest eaters might be taking some home, especially if you dig into the complimentary chips and salsa. More: Get the scoop on Plaza Azteca opening in Myerstown rotunda-brewing-company-beer-annville-expansion-4 Not strictly a Mexican restaurant by any means, as Batdorf Restaurant does great pub fare and craft beers from its on-site brewery, Rotunda Brewing Co., plus other types of cuisine. However, there's a whole section of the menu dedicated to tacos and burritos, a variety of salsas some you won't find anywhere else and piping hot fajitas with your choice of protein. The Batdorf is a great place to dine on any occasion, but if you're in Annville and craving Mexican cooking, it's a no-brainer. More: What's new at Rotunda Brewing? Img 2480 You would never know it by the name, but Francisco's Pizza has quite possibly the best authentic tacos anywhere in the Lebanon Valley. Choose from steak, chorizo, beef tongue, chicken, a combination, or my personal favorite, the pork adovada, all on soft corn tortillas with onion and cilantro order three and a can of soda for $7.95. Francisco's also quesadillas, tortas (a type of sandwich) and a Mexican pizza. The rest of the menu is mostly Italian fare, as the name suggests, so you would never think this little hole in the wall at 375 N. 10th St. in Lebanon has great Mexican food. It's truly a diamond in the rough. Img 2487 More of a Tex-Mex menu than an authentic Mexican restaurant, Quesa Dee'as at 708 Cumberland St. in downtown Lebanon is still worth highlighting here. There's a nice selection of burritos and quesadillas on the menu, and there are always rotating specials. What makes Quesa Dee'as different is the focus on burgers and sandwiches, many of which are made with ingredients popular in southwestern cooking, but you can grab a taco here too if that's what you're looking for.
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5 great Mexican restaurants in Lebanon County
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The NFL has formalized the language of the rule governing pass interference reviews for the 2019 season, which means the next step will be seeing how the implementation of the rule impacts the game. Officials spoke to coaches and the Competition Committee as the rule was being debated this offseason and they'll have another opportunity to weigh in at an officiating clinic next month. The process has left many questions, however, and how things will play out in the final two minutes of each half when the booth calls for reviews is at the top of that list. The league has said the standard for initiating reviews of pass interference fouls and/or non-calls will be higher than for other reviewable aspects, but NFL Referees Association head Scott Green believes the preseason will see officials erring on the side of stopping the game as everything gets sorted out. "But this thing has sort of been moving pretty quickly, and it's not just the official on the field, it's the replay official in New York as well, and how fast they can pick up a play they want to look at," Green said, via Albert Breer of SI.com. "As everything gets to be more technical, you have to be careful. And as it gets more technical, you start to wonder, 'Where is this leading to?' And there's concern over length of game, how many different things are going to be stopped. I suspect in preseason you'll see a lot more stoppages as they play through it. It obviously has got everybody's attention" We've seen other rules changes lead to a flurry of flags in past preseasons before adjustments were made on or off the field in order to ensure they didn't have an undue impact on games. Whether this is another one of those cases will be a lead storyline for this August's games.
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NFL officials union head expects a lot of preseason PI review stoppages
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Stocks were trading lower again on Thursday morning ahead of the tariff news, with President Trump signaling that China basically broke the deal at the last minute. Investors have seen more than ample reason to "sell in May and go away" with the markets still being so close to all-time highs. It's time for investors to consider how they want their portfolios positioned for the rest of 2019. 24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week. Our goal is to find new trading and investing ideas for our readers. Some of the daily analyst reports cover stocks to buy, but other reports cover stocks to sell or to avoid. Additional commentary and trading data have been added on some of the daily analyst reports. The consensus analyst price targets and other valuation metrics are from the Refinitiv (Thomson Reuters) sell-side research service. These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Thursday, May 9, 2019. American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO) was removed from the Best Ideas List at Wedbush Securities. The firm still favors the stock over the long term, but it is moving to the sidelines as recent market volatility has been a concern and as the current share price seems to have priced in much of the bull-case upside. Also, RBC Capital Markets downgraded it to Sector Perform from Outperform. The stock's $22.92 close compares with a 52-week range of $17.00 to $29.88, and it had a consensus target price of $24.86. Atlassian Corp. PLC (NASDAQ: TEAM) was raised to Buy from Neutral with a $125 price target (versus a $117.17 prior close) at Goldman Sachs. The consensus target price is $116.53, and shares just hit a new all-time high on Wednesday. Laredo Petroleum Inc. (NYSE: LPI) was raised to Outperform from Neutral with a $7 price target (versus a $3.46 close) at Robert W. Baird. It had a consensus target price of $4.38, with a $791 million market cap and a 52-week trading range of $2.80 to $10.43. Match Group Inc. (NASDAQ: MTCH) was raised to Neutral from Sell with a $66 price target (versus a $67.88 close) at Goldman Sachs. This is after the shares closed up 12.4% after strong earnings, but the stock had a $58.24 consensus target price ahead of the move. NextEra Energy Inc. (NYSE: NEE) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform and the price target was raised to $202 from $187 (versus a $187.88 close) at Scotiabank. The consensus target price is $197.37, and the 52-week high is $195.55. Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE: JWN) was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Wedbush. Shares closed up 1.4% at $39.93 on Wednesday and were indicated down by 1.6% at $39.30 on Thursday. The consensus target price is $50.69, and the 52-week trading range is $38.91 to $67.75. This upscale apparel retailer's shares just hit a 52-week low the previous day, and that is now close to challenging five-year lows. Office Depot Inc. (NYSE: ODP) was downgraded to Underperform from Buy in a two-notch downgrade at Merrill Lynch, and the firm halved its price objective to $2 from $4 in the call. The stock closed down 1.3% at $2.21 after earnings, but its shares initially had been higher on potential turnaround ambitions . OraSure Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: OSUR) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Canaccord Genuity. It closed at $9.75 and has a 52-week range of $8.75 to $17.97. Its consensus target price was $12.67. Protagonist Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: PTGX) was raised to a Buy rating from Hold with a $17 price target at Stifel. The closing price (after a 6% gain) on Wednesday was $9.54. ALSO READ: 5 Top Retail Stocks for the Summer Are Priced Right and Rated Buy Ralph Lauren Corp. (NYSE: RL) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform and the target price was raised to $145 from $135 (versus a $124.39 close) at RBC Capital Markets. The consensus target price is $138.93, and the 52-week trading range is $95.63 to $147.79. Regional Management Corp. (NYSE: RM) was raised to Buy from Neutral with a $36 price target (fair value estimate) at Janney. The stock previously closed at $25.54, and Janney sees it at a 61% discount to its closest peer but noted a somewhat weak quarter as management culled credit risk ahead of the next credit cycle. Roku Inc. (NASDAQ: ROKU) was last seen trading up 9% at $71.00 after earnings showed strong revenue growth. Wedbush maintained its Neutral rating with a $65 price target (versus a $64.92 close), and the firm noted that there are still growth opportunities but they are fully priced into the stock at these levels as R&D spending may remain elevated for several years to compete with Amazon and Google for TV licensing and as it spends handsomely to expand internationally. Seaspan Corp. (NYSE: SSW) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies. Its shares closed up 2.3% at $10.02 on Wednesday, and it has a consensus target price of $9.06. Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) was raised to Buy from Neutral with a $70 price target (versus a $58.70 close) at Goldman Sachs. The 52-week range is $38.39 to $61.63, and the consensus target price is $62.00. Stamps.com Inc. (NASDAQ: STMP) already had seen its shares gutted earlier in the year after its USPS arrangement ended. Now it has lowered its guidance again, and after closing at $83.39, its shares were indicated down almost 50% at $43.50. B. Riley downgraded the stock to Neutral from Buy and slashed its price target to $45 from $130. Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. (NYSE: SKT) was downgraded to Sell from an already cautious Neutral rating and the target price was lowered to $15 from $19 (versus an $18.61 close) at Goldman Sachs. Shares were last seen indicated down 3% at $18.05, in a 52-week range of $17.93 to $24.91. The consensus target price is $20.79. United Therapeutics Corp. (NASDAQ: UTHR) was raised to Neutral from Underperform at Credit Suisse after a 3.8% drop to $95.71 on Wednesday. The 52-week range is $95.60 to $130.00, and the consensus target price was $130. Zayo Group Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ZAYO) was downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform at RBC Capital Markets. It closed up 7.7% at $33.00 a share on Wednesday, in a 52-week range of $20.27 to $39.66 and with a prior consensus target price of $34.60. ALSO READ: Tariffs Are Much Worse for China Than US and This Is Why With summer right around the corner, the big U.S. retailers may be poised for big profits, and Merrill Lynch has five of the best rated Buy. A tweet from President Trump sent an electric-battery truck company's stock up over 200% on Wednesday, and the tiny company's shares were even trading up again in early indications on Thursday. Wednesday's top analyst calls included Chipotle Mexican Grill, Hasbro, Inogen, Lending Club, Mosaic, Mylan, Pinterest, U.S. Steel and Walt Disney. Tuesday's top analyst calls were in Alibaba, Anadarko Petroleum, Beyond Meat, Boeing, Ctrip.com, GW Pharmaceuticals, Roku, Texas Instruments, Veeco Instruments and many more.
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Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: American Eagle, Atlassian, Match, NextEra, Nordstom, Office Depot, Roku, Stamps.com, Tanger and More
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With a new Hollywood Vampires album, Rise , out and a tour of his own about to hit the road, a death pact is the furthest thing from Alice Cooper's mind -- despite a report from a British paper to the contrary. The tabloid took some recent Cooper comments about his marriage to his wife Sheryl Goddard to imply the two had made some sort of death pact so that, shades of Harry Potter, one could not survive without the other -- an idea that's more poetic than true according to the shock rocker. "They like to sensationalize everything," the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shock rocker, who's routinely executed at least once during his shows, tells Billboard. "They said, 'What happens if one of you dies?' and I said, 'Oh, that'll never happen. We've always talked about the fact we'll go together, in an airplane or...if I walk down the street and get hit by lightning, she'll die too because of the fact she's right next to me.' The next thing you know the paper comes out and it goes 'Alice's Death Pact With Wife!' "And our Internet just blew up. It was like, 'How far along is she?' and 'Is Alice gonna commit suicide?' and all that stuff, and it got so blown out of proportion it was all laughable. I had to put out a statement going, 'Look nobody's sick, nobody's gonna die. It was a throwaway line that I used that just got blown out of proportion.'" The Coopers met when Goddard joined his Welcome to My Nightmare show in 1975. They married during March of 1976, and she returned to the act after their three children grew up, singing high harmonies offstage and playing a variety of roles in the show. "It's almost hard to do the show without her," Cooper says. "It's almost like Burns and Allen; We're backstage putting makeup on, talking, laughing. She's going, 'OK, when you stab me in the side, wait until my right arm gets way up 'cause it'll read better. And don't come down from the side, come in from the top.' 'OK, we'll try that tonight.' "We've both been in show business all our lives. When we're on stage she's not Sheryl, my wife; She's the character and I'm the character. We don't look at each other as husband and wife on stage. But the great thing is, afterwards, we're on tour. We're never apart. It's great." Cooper's summer tour with Halestorm and Motionless in White kicks off July 17 in Allentown, Pa. and will feature an entirely new stage production. "It's much more of a castle kind of look, like an old castle," Cooper reports. And while he "can't really give too many things away," he does say that the show includes a catapult that will send faux felines into the audience, and that the 14-foot puppet that's part of "Feed My Frankenstein" "gets wiped out by something better." The repertoire will also expand as he lets guitarist Nita Strauss have her way with "a bunch of songs we haven't done. We didn't do a whole lot of things off Constrictor or Raise Your Fist and Yell only because we didn't have a shredder. Now, having Nita, we can do songs like 'Roses on White Lace' or 'The World Needs Guts' or any of those things Kane Roberts used to play, because that's what she does." There's plenty of new Cooper music around, too, though he notes that he and Joe Perry leaned on Johnny Deep for much of the songwriting on Hollywood Vampires' new Rise , which features mostly original material rather than the covers that dominated the band's 2015 self-titled debut. "We kinda let Johnny lead the way," says Cooper, who did write couple of the album's songs. "Joe and I purposely took our fingerprints off the album. I wanted it to be so original that it didn't sound like an Alice album or an Aerosmith album. If we put our trademarks on it, it's not going to sound like the Vampires." Cooper, meanwhile, is still working with Bob Ezrin on a set inspired by the rock n' roll ethos of Cooper's hometown of Detroit. He's worked on material with fellow Motor City rockers such as Grand Funk Railroad alumnus Mark Farner, MC5 co-founder Wayne Kramer and Detroit Wheels/Rockets drummer Johnny "Bee" Badanjek, with original Alice Cooper band bassist Dennis Dunaway also contributing material. Seven songs have been completed, according to Cooper, and more writing and recording is scheduled during a tour break in August. "We work really fast; We don't dilly-dally in the studio," says Cooper, who expects to finish the project in October for release during 2020. "We all knew each other back in the day, but now where we are 40 years later and it seems really natural. We go in the studio with these guys and it just clicks. I think it's because we're all Detroit guys, and we kinda know what we're looking for."
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Alice Cooper Shuts Down Rumor He Has a 'Death Pact' With Wife
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The madness of NBA free agency is almost upon us. Scores of free agents, hundreds of millions in cap space and no clear title favorite means that it should be an energetic evening when free agency officially opens on June 30. But where are the top free agents headed? Only God and Woj know such things, but we'll present our best arguments for the top 30. It's not a prediction of where the players end up but rather a determination of where they deserve to end up when the music stops and the mad dash for chairs is over. The madness of NBA free agency is almost upon us. Scores of free agents, hundreds of millions in cap space and no clear title favorite means that it should be an energetic evening when free agency officially opens on June 30. But where are the top free agents headed? Only God and Woj know such things, but we'll present our best arguments for the top 30. It's not a prediction of where the players end up but rather a determination of where they deserve to end up when the music stops and the mad dash for chairs is over. Kawhi Leonard - Toronto Raptors Kawhi Leonard loves Southern California. He grew up in the Inland Empire, played his college ball at San Diego State and recently bought a huge house in Rancho Santa Fe. That's a fine place for him to go in the offseason, but he owes it to himself and the Raptors to return and defend their first NBA title, even if it's on a short-term deal. It's hard to imagine a more ideal situation than he had in Toronto, unless it were 20 degrees warmer in the winter and Drake wasn't allowed to grope the coaches . Kevin Durant - New York Knicks Kevin Durant was already unlikely to re-sign with the Warriors even before his Achilles injury. But after the team medical staff controversially cleared him to return in the Finals, and Klay Thompson tore his own ACL, the Warriors dynasty is on hiatus, if not canceled entirely. It's the perfect time for KD to get his own team in New York, join up with R.J. Barrett and Mitchell Robinson and let the Knicks use their bounty of cap space and draft picks to build around him. Durant should demand every concession possible from the desperate Knicks agent Rich Kleiman as team president, season tickets for Charles Oakley, a role in Spike Lee's next film and a ban on James Dolan playing guitar on the team plane. Kyrie Irving - Brooklyn Nets Point guard/ philosopher Kyrie Irving reportedly "didn't like living in Boston," and the "worst-kept secret of the summer" is that he's headed for the Brooklyn Nets. It makes sense. Irving grew up a Nets fan. The Nets offensive philosophy involves shooting as many threes as possible, and Kyrie loves that. And considering how Kyrie feels about the curvature of the earth, it's fitting that he'd play at the Barclays Center, at the intersection of Atlantic and FLATbush Avenues. Klay Thompson - Golden State Warriors The Warriors might break up their championship team this summer, but it's hard to imagine they'd break up the Splash Brothers. Expect Klay Thompson to re-up for five more years of toasters , scoring explosions , ridiculous postgame comments , Bergmanesque commercials , and man-on-the-street interviews about scaffolding. Jimmy Butler - Los Angeles Lakers Jimmy Butler wants to be a star, he wants to play for a winner and as shown by his time in Minnesota, he dislikes young players . That's perfect for the Lakers, who are in the process of getting rid of all the young players on their roster, save Kyle Kuzma. And while Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins might stay up all night playing video games , LeBron James is so devoted to rest that he sleeps through his own holiday parties . Kemba Walker - Charlotte Hornets Though it's unlikely that Michael Jordan will pay Kemba Walker the supermax contract he earned by making the All-NBA team, Walker says he's willing to take less to stay in Charlotte. The Hornets can give Walker more dollars and years than any other team, and if they don't bring back their all-time leading scorer, it's not clear who's left for the fans to watch Nic Batum? Marvin Williams? Kemba should get paid and have his jersey retired in the Queen City. Kristaps Porzingis - Dallas Mavericks The Mavericks traded a former lottery pick and two future first round picks to get Kristaps Porzingis from the Knicks and took on the bad contracts of Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway, Jr. in the process. There's no way they aren't matching any and all offers for restricted free agent Porzingis, no matter that he's missed more than a full season and no matter what happens regarding his legal troubles . After all, that fits in seamlessly with the Mavericks' workplace culture . Khris Middleton - Milwaukee Bucks When Milwaukee traded the No. 30 pick in the draft to dump Tony Snell's contract, it was a clear sign they're trying to retain all of their biggest free agents. Middleton's relatively low cap hold means the Bucks can sign other free agents perhaps starting center Brook Lopez before locking up Middleton to what should be close to a max deal. But how could they let Middleton walk when he was Giannis' first pick among the reserves in the All-Star draft? Tobias Harris - Brooklyn Nets Tobias Harris is a good NBA player who's been treated as an afterthought his whole career. He was traded on draft night, after being traded as a future pick twice before, then Orlando and Milwaukee each dumped him for very little. Harris was having the best year of his career for the Clippers last year, at which point they traded him to Philadelphia. If he excelled on the little brother team in Los Angeles, why wouldn't perpetual second choice Tobias Harris also thrive with New York City's junior franchise? Brooklyn has a gaping hole at power forward, and Harris is an ideal stretch four to pair with Jarrett Allen that is, until he's unceremoniously traded again two years into this contract. DeMarcus Cousins - Dallas Mavericks Though Boogie Cousins strongly considered signing with Boston last summer, Bill Simmons' dream of Cousins in Celtics green probably died when a fan allegedly called Boogie a racial epithet last season. Instead, Cousins will end up with the team that openly coveted Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan for years and is likely to strike out with its top free agent targets. Cousins will be a good frontcourt partner to Porzingis and an assist magnet for Luka Doncic, and he can bond with Mark Cuban about arguing with the refs. And it doesn't matter that Cousins may have lost a step because Rick Carlisle doesn't want his team to play fast anyway. D'Angelo Russell - Minnesota Timberwolves The Nets want Kyrie Irving, and Karl-Anthony Towns wants to play with his good friend D'Angelo Russell. And while the Wolves don't have the cap space to sign Russell outright, if they can find a third team to take Jeff Teague (with a pick attached as incentive), they can get Russell on a sign-and-trade. It'll be like Stephon Marbury and Kevin Garnett all over again, only without the resentment or interior defense. Al Horford - Los Angeles Clippers Al Horford clearly has a long-term offer, since he opted out of $30 million for next year and broke off negotiations with Boston. Odds are that team is the Los Angeles Clippers, which can play Horford at either power forward or center, providing much-needed shooting and defense. Plus, although Doc Rivers is no longer the GM, he fits the Doc free agent ideal: a guy who was an Eastern Conference All-Star 10 years ago. Marc Gasol - New Orleans Pelicans Marc Gasol has until June 27 to decide on his 2019-20 option, but for the purposes of this exercise, let's assume he opts out to get a long-term deal. And after so many great years in Memphis, Gasol should go further down the mighty Mississippi and team up with Zion Williamson in New Orleans. He can teach Zion the principles of grit and grind from his Grizzlies days and empathize with Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart about what it's like to get traded away from the Lakers for a star big man. And like New Orleans itself from 1763-1803, Gasol used to belong to Spain. Brook Lopez - Orlando Magic Brook Lopez had an incredible season for the Bucks last year, who provided a showcase for "Splash Mountain" on the national stage during the playoffs. The Bucks can give Lopez up to $14 million next year and a real chance at a title, but they can't give Brook what he truly craves: proximity to theme parks, which is why Orlando is such a perfect fit, given that Brook already has a house on the grounds of Disney World. He's a better fit for Orlando's offense than its incumbent free-agent center, Nikola Vucevic, and he knows way more Disney trivia. Malcolm Brogdon - Phoenix Suns Do the Bucks want to bring back Malcolm Brodgon this summer? Of course. But after signing Eric Bledsoe to a $70 million extension, are they willing to pay two point guards big money? The Suns coveted Brodgon back when they traded Bledsoe to Milwaukee two years ago, and now they can steal him with an offer large enough to make Milwaukee flinch. And as evidenced by its selection of Cameron Johnson, Phoenix loves guys who turn 24 during their rookie year, not to mention point guards who get hurt a lot. Julius Randle - New York Knicks This is the biggest free-agency period for the Knicks since 2010 when they cleared their books to make room to sign LeBron James. When he rejected them, the Knicks spent their money on Amar'e Stoudemire, a dynamic athletic forward with a history of leg injuries who played no defense at all. The closest thing in this free-agent class is Julius Randle, who is at least younger and healthier than Stoudemire was in 2010. Nikola Vucevic - Sacramento Kings Willie Cauley-Stein doesn't want to return to the Kings . While the Kings have solid young big man prospects in Harry Giles and Marvin Bagley III, they could use a veteran presence in the middle, especially one who can shoot like Vucevic. After all, Vucevic is a highly skilled big man from Montenegro, and Kings GM Vlade Divac is a highly skilled big man from neighboring Serbia and Vucevic has spent his entire career in Orlando, which makes Sacramento look like a cultural mecca. Nikola Mirotic - Indiana Pacers Mirotic is a tall white guy who knocks down threes and rebounds. He'd be perfect for the Pacers even if they didn't have four different forwards entering free agency this summer. Three-point shooting is probably Indiana's greatest need, so who better than the Montenegrin Troy Murphy? After all, neither Mirotic or the Pacers could hit a shot in the playoffs this year. Harrison Barnes - Philadelphia 76ers He may not be Philadelphia's top target, but if Harris and/or Butler leave, Harrison Barnes may be the best possible consolation prize for the 76ers. He can play both forward spots and shoots threes better than than both Harris and Butler. With Ben Simmons dating celebrities and Joel Embiid hitting on pop stars on Twitter, the Sixers could use a thoughtful young man like Barnes who married his college sweetheart and has the NBA's dorkiest nickname: "The Black Falcon." Markieff and Marcus Morris - Denver Nuggets The Morris twins once negotiated their contracts together in Phoenix, and they should be allowed to sign as a tandem this summer as well. Why not split a mid-level exception in Denver, serving as an identical pair of backup forwards, intimidating and confusing opponents in equal measure? J. J. Redick - Philadelphia 76ers Yes, Redick will get offers from all over the league, but he's got to make his decision based on what's most important to him: p odcasting . He might have left the 76ers, but leaving his podcast studio, with the microphones set up just the way he likes it, would be too much to bear. Expect another one-year deal in Philly, unless he gets a max offer from NPR. George Hill - Indiana Pacers Milwaukee is expected to waive George Hill and his $19M salary for next year. If so, his old team could use a veteran point guard, in the same city where he played his college ball and he still runs his charitable organization, George Hill Rising Stars . Hill can mentor Aaron Holiday, knock down threes and delight all the IUPUI fans in the crowd. Thaddeus Young - Chicago Bulls The Bulls have a pair of promising young bigs in Wendell Carter and Lauri Markkanen, but behind those two and Otto Porter, they have little in the way of backups. Thaddeus Young is a perfect addition to their bench. He's well-rounded, plays both forward spots, locks down on defense and doesn't need plays called for him. That his signing would weaken division rival Indiana is just an added bonus. Rudy Gay - Golden State Warriors If you lose Kevin Durant and have limited resources to replace him, his old friend Rudy Gay is the best discount KD on the market. He even has his own Achilles tear! The Warriors can use Gay's scoring, especially if he can keep up his hot three-point shooting from last year. Bojan Bogdanovic - Sacramento Kings The Kings have a chance to pair Bojan Bogdanovic and Bogdan Bogdanovic on one roster. It's worth it just to see what the back of their jerseys look like. BOG and BOJ? If he doesn't sign him, Vlade Divac should at least trade Bogdan to wherever Bojan does end up. DeAndre Jordan - Houston Rockets There are rumors that Kevin Durant suitors are trying to sign his friend DeAndre Jordan as a recruitment effort, but there's another superstar friend who needs DeAndre badly. That's Chris Paul with the Rockets. If Clint Capela gets traded , the Rockets need a dunker in the middle, but even if he stays, Chris Paul's feud with James Harden means he needs a new co-star for his State Farm commercials. DeAndre has experience destroying Paul's cursed homes , and this time CP3 won't make him wear a dress . Danny Green - wherever Kawhi goes Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard have been teammates for Kawhi's entire career and most of Green's. Green is a perfect complement to Kawhi on the wing, draining threes, playing hard defense and rebooting his operating system when it freezes. They're not even exactly friends...just perfect co-workers: Danny Green is loquacious; Kawhi is silent. Danny catches and shoots; Kawhi dribbles and drives. Green slaps passes away; Kawhi snatches them in his massive hands. They should both stay in Toronto, but if Kawhi goes he shouldn't leave Danny behind. Ricky Rubio - Orlando Magic D.J. Augustin had his moments, but the Magic could use a reliable point guard who can stop the ball at the point of attack. That's Ricky Rubio, who may not shoot well, but he can run an offense and get the ball to Orlando's army of long-armed bigs. Plus, Rubio, the happiest boy in the NBA , deserves to finally play somewhere sunny and warm. Jonas Valanciunas - Memphis Grizzlies Jonas Valanciunas put up the best numbers of his career after coming to Memphis in the Marc Gasol trade, averaging 19.9 points and 10.7 rebounds. He opted out of his player option to negotiate a longer deal with Memphis, which sounds like a splendid idea for everyone involved. JV is still only 27, so there's not a ton of risk on the back end of his contract, and he'll let Jaren Jackson, Jr. play more power forward minutes until he gets bigger and stronger. Paul Millsap - Denver Nuggets (AKA "Streetball Paul") Paul Millsap has a $30 million team option for next season, but he shouldn't really be on this list because Denver should just pick it up. The only reason to decline the option would be to re-sign Millsap to a longer, cheaper deal. But why mess around? The Nuggets don't have the cap space to sign a significant free agent anyway, and they're still $10 million under the luxury tax line.
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The ideal landing spots for the top 30 NBA free agents
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It used to be that only prestige or luxury makeup brands featured quality products like ultra-pigmented eyeshadow and moisturizing foundation for a variety of skin tones. Add in being vegan and cruelty-free? Forget it. But now there are a ton of drugstore products that are just as good if not better than their luxe counterparts. Many of those affordable brands are sold at Target. So it makes total sense that London-based Makeup Obsession would launch at Target , as well. The brand hawks trend-focused products and colors you actually want to wear all under $15. Hit up your local Target today (or the website, of course) and shop complexion products including primer, foundation, finishing powder and concealer. Or grab a shimmery lip gloss or eyebrow pomade . Makeup Obsession also has amazing eyeshadow palettes in natural, bold and bright shade options. To help narrow down the options, here are the products we'll be picking up this weekend. Image: Target. Makeup Obsession x Belle Jorden Eyeshadow Palette This pretty 16-shade palette is a collaboration between the beauty brand and YouTuber Belle Jorden. $14.99 at Target Image: Target. Makeup Obsession Picture Perfect Pore Blurring Primer Prep skin for foundation and help diminish the look of pores at the same time. $7.99 at Target Image: Target. Makeup Obsession Lipgloss in Hooked This non-sticky gloss comes in 12 totally wearable shades. $5.99 at Target RELATED VIDEO: Sephora stores shut down for diversity training (Provided by: ABC News)
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This Popular UK Makeup Brand Is Finally Coming to Target
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BOSTON Following the Red Line derailment June 11, prompting delays across the MBTA system and raising concern about proposed fare increases set to go into effect July 1, crews focused on repairs to track and power systems in the area of JFK/UMass Station. It was slow going. And all last week commuters had service back, but endured continued delays. Now, the MBTA says it will be speeding up work to repair the signal system. But the line won't be back up to former speeds until Labor Day, according to an annoucement. The MBTA said right after the derailment, which is still under investigation, trains could only run at a rate of approximately one train every 10 minutes, or six trains per hour, during peak travel hours through the Red Line core, which spans from JFK/UMass to Alewife. With both contractor personnel and MBTA forces working around the clock, train speeds could then safely increase to 25 miles per hour through most of the affected area. As a result, the MBTA was able to restore Red Line frequency to one train every six minutes during rush hour, or about 10 trains per hour. In order to safely operate trains at six-minute intervals, while also allowing crews to continue signal-system repairs, the MBTA said Red Line trains are passing through the JFK/UMass area under a carefully controlled manual operation. This complex process involves more than 50 people at a given time to safely coordinate the movement of trains between the Red Line core and the Braintree and Ashmont branches. "While we recognize anything but full service falls short of our customers' expectations, our current recovery schedule reflects the MBTA's urgent approach to the massive task of returning the Red Line to full service," said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak in a statement. "As recovery efforts continue, I want to thank the MBTA workforce for their urgency and professionalism, and I want our customers to know that we deeply appreciate their patience." Red Line recovery work is expected to continue through the summer to gradually restore impacted portions of the Red Line to full service. The goal is to have it back to normal by Labor Day, the MBTA said. Red Line customers are still advised to plan for extra travel times due to manually operated switches that require trains to travel at a slower speed through a certain segment of Red Line track. In the meantime, a number of people are calling for a halt to the fare increase until full service is back. Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu is promoting a protest. C atch up on this story: After Train Derailments In 2019, System Still 'Safe:' MBTA MBTA Fare Increase 'Unfair' Until Red Line Is Fixed: Boston Mayor
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Red Line To Be Back To Speed By Labor Day: MBTA
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In this Sunday edition of the Digest , we're featuring an essay from our CEO, Brian Hunt. It details what's truly important for making big, safe returns in the stock market. Frankly, it's the "king" of all investment ideas. While most people watch the financial news and think they're doing something important. They're actually just wasting time and getting distracted from what makes a real difference when trying to generate long-term investment wealth. In today's essay, Brian tells us what this one investment idea is, then he describes what to look for when adopting this market approach. It's a powerful essay that can make a huge difference in your retirement. I'll let Brian take it from here enjoy. Jeff Remsburg The #1 Way to Invest for Retirement By Brian Hunt, InvestorPlace CEO If you know nothing about the stock market except what I'll explain here today, you'll be a vastly better investor than almost everyone on Wall Street … or any MBA … or anyone on CNBC. What I'm going to share with you is a "secret" in the sense that few people use it. It's really an "open secret." Nobody has it under lock and key. It's hiding under an invisible blanket of common sense. When you start putting this secret to work for you, you'll "graduate" into a higher class of investor. Right now, you've probably got some money in the stock market: You probably have a 401(k), an IRA, or an individual brokerage account. Once you've invested some money, you probably started watching a little financial television. You probably read financial websites or a few investment magazines. While reading and listening to financial media, you're sure to encounter dozens of "gurus" who promote lots of different market strategies … and make lots of big predictions. You're sure to see lots of news stories about the economy and the government. It's a lot to take in. It can all be very confusing. And for 999 out of 1,000 people, it distracts them from what really leads to long-term success in stocks. You see, the news you read in the paper or hear on CNBC is completely meaningless compared to the idea I'll share with you now. Most people watch the financial news and think they're doing something important. They're actually just wasting time and getting distracted from what's truly important for making big, safe returns in the stock market. And what's truly important for growing wealth in stocks is the accumulation of elite, dividend-paying businesses purchased at reasonable prices. That's it. It's the most important idea. It's the "king" of all investment ideas. It's a thousand times more important than knowing what the economy is doing … or what the government is doing … or what's happening in the news. Again … what's truly important for growing wealth in stocks is the accumulation of elite, dividend-paying businesses purchased at reasonable prices. What is an elite business? How can you find them? And how can one safely and surely generate wealth for you? The Traits of Elite Businesses There's no set definition of an "elite business." But most smart people agree that elite businesses share some unique traits. An elite business has a durable competitive advantage over its competitors. For example, Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT ) has a durable competitive advantage because its huge global distribution network allows it to sell goods at unbeatably low prices. It's very, very difficult for smaller firms to compete against it. An elite business usually has an outstanding brand name. Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO ) is a good example. People associate Coke's logo and name with quality soda all over the world. An elite business is often the largest business in its industry. When you run your business better than the competition, you usually can't help but become the biggest. McDonald's (NYSE: MCD ) became America's biggest fast food chain because it ran a better business than its competitors. An elite business often sells "basic" products, like food, oil, soda, cigarettes, beer, mouthwash, razor blades and deodorant. These are things that don't go out of style. And here's something you don't often hear: Most of the truly elite businesses sell habit-forming, or even addictive, products . If you look at the list of the 50 Best Stocks of All Time (July 1926 through December 2016), you'll note many of them sold habit-forming products. It jumps right out at you. For example, Philip Morris, rebranded a few years ago to Altria (NYSE: MO ), is right near the top of the list creating $470.2 billion of wealth in its lifetime. It sells cigarettes, which contain addictive nicotine. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP ) are on the list. They sell soda … which is a sugar and caffeine delivery vehicle. People love a little sugar rush. It's habit forming … even addictive. PepsiCo's business includes Frito-Lay, and salty snacks stay strong even when sugar gets a backlash. Many big drugstore brands are on the list. These names include Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT ) whose products include Ensure nutrition drinks and Similac baby formula Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY ), Merck (NYSE: MRK ) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE ). People get very accustomed to filling a prescription, over and over. Much of the time, those drugs are useful, although sometimes they are not. And the same goes for your favorite brand of beer. I'm not saying these things are good or bad. I'm simply pointing out that people get very accustomed to them. You can make the case that certain fast foods are addictive as well. Fast food companies load their food with fat, sugar and chemicals that make people want more. This is part of the reason McDonald's has been such a corporate success. The businesses I just mentioned produced more than 13% annual gains for over three decades. Those returns are extraordinarily rare in the stock market . You won't find anything better. An investment of $25,000 in a tax-deferred account that grows 13% per year for 30 years grows to nearly one million dollars ($977,897). Most companies can't sustain 13% annual returns for more than five years. The businesses I just mentioned sustained those returns for decades . And the reason why they did so well is simple … Why Habit-Forming Products Are Such a Cash Cow When people form a habit around a product, it goes a long way towards ensuring repeat business. People get used to certain brands, and they grow resistant to switching. Also, when people get used to a product and the brand surrounding it, they are more likely to continue buying the product even if the price increases a little. Both of these help companies sustain long-term sales growth and healthy profit margins. That's good for shareholders. It's also important to know that when these companies hit upon the right recipes or the right mix of whatever it takes to make good products, they don't have to make large, ongoing investments in the business. They don't have to spend tons of money on more research and development. Once Coca-Cola hit upon Coke, it didn't have to change it. The same goes for Budweiser and Hershey (NYSE: HSY ) and Tootsie Roll (NYSE: TR ). When you develop a product that people love and develop habits around, you don't tinker with it. You don't have to spend a lot of money on new research and development. You don't have to buy expensive high-tech equipment. You can instead spend that money on things that will provide a high return on investment, like marketing, distribution or manufacturing. This means a larger percentage of revenues can be sent to shareholders. Owning the world's top sellers of basic (often habit-forming) products is also ideal for investing in high-growth emerging markets like China and India. Combined, China and India have about 10 times the population of the United States. Many of those people are at the level of economic development of 1940s America … and they are getting a little richer every year. It's one of the biggest investment opportunities in history. To invest in this trend, I don't want to try and guess what websites will get the most clicks … or what retailer will become popular. That's a very difficult game to play. Those business landscapes will change rapidly. On the other hand, I'm very confident those folks in China and India who are getting a little richer every year will want to enjoy the same habit-forming products Americans have enjoyed for decades. They'll want to consume more branded soda, cigarettes, beer, liquor and processed foods. Owning elite, global businesses that serve those growing markets makes a lot of sense. By the way … these global sellers of branded, habit-forming consumer goods are the kinds of businesses Warren Buffett, the greatest investor in history, always looks to buy. He's a long-time owner of soda-maker Coca-Cola and candy maker See's Candies. My friend Neil George also owns several big-name, habit-forming brands in his portfolio for Profitable Investing a portfolio that has a long track record of correctly timing (and profiting from) trends ranging from gold and real estate booms to income stocks. You can check out Neil's latest findings at this link. Regards, Brian Compare Brokers
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The #1 Way to Invest for Retirement
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Jun. 13--OAKLAND -- Too fast. Too talented. Too selfless. Too smart. Too good. Kevin Durant confirmed from a hospital bed across the country the news everyone had assumed: That video that showed the rubber band running up the back of his leg snapping in Game 5 was indeed a ruptured Achilles tendon. Surgery has already been performed. Recovery has already begun. There's no doubt we'll see Kevin Durant on the basketball court again. But while that torn tendon robbed us of a story that could've been more triumphant than Willis Reed in 1970, a legend greater than the even Michael Jordan's "flu game" in 1997, it also could be the very end of the modern NBA's most devastating lineup. Some people called them the "Hamptons Five." Others referred to it as the "Death Lineup." Whatever you called it, when Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green and Durant played together, you knew you were seeing a collection of players that would be impossible to replicate. "I don't know how you mimic that kind of talent," Raptors center Marc Gasol said. "Talent isn't something you can mimic, right? How do you mimic KD? Or Steph's talent? You can't mimic that. You can try to run the same actions, but the guys coming off the screens aren't the same. It doesn't matter. It's not Xs and O's." Video by USA TODAY Born out of Steve Kerr's first season with the Warriors, when the team would use Green as a small-ball center, the lineup (with Harrison Barnes, not Durant) outscored opposing teams by a comical 38.6 points per 100 possessions in the Warriors' 73-win season -- 14.2 more than any other non-Golden State lineup in the NBA that played at least 100 minutes together. A year later, with Durant subbed in for Barnes, the lineup outscored teams by 23.3 points per 100 possessions (sixth-best in the league during the regular season), and after a dip during the regular season in 2017, the group tore through the postseason. In 129 minutes together, the Hamptons Death Five outscored teams by a combined 68 points -- most in the playoffs. The second best-lineup, Houston's starters, outscored teams by 49 points -- and needed six more games and 75 more minutes to do so. While the group stretched defenses to their limits, with three knockdown shooters paired with Green's and Iguodala's expert passing and playmaking, their biggest impact might have been on defense. "Their impact on [the game], I think goes back a little bit to all the switching. They just pretty much switch everything," Toronto coach Nick Nurse said. "That really wasn't that common, to be able to come out and just switch every time somebody set a ball screen or a down screen or the [dribble handoff] or whatever screen and just switch, switch, switch, switch, switch. Keep every player in front of you and not really have to ever put two on the ball, because they're all pretty good defenders. "So that's the biggest impact it probably had on the game. I think a lot more teams do a lot more switching since they started doing that." This season, the group didn't slow down on either end, once again leading all five-man lineups in overall efficiency and true shooting percentage, playing at the second-fastest pace, all while still being the Warriors' top defensive grouping. "When we're healthy and we have all those five guys out there, the chemistry is solid because we don't take over each other's spots on the floor. We all bring something different to the table. We work off each other really well. There's a trust factor and just a rhythm to it on both ends of the floor. I think we all just enjoy that pace that we can play with and the speed that we can show," Curry said Wednesday. "It's just one of those things that when you see those five guys out there, something good is about to happen. And really, you don't know where it's going to come from, too. That's the best part about it. We all enjoy each other's successes. Yeah, it's a great lineup, obviously. I don't know the lasting legacy or whatever. "Hopefully there's still more of that to come." But Durant won't be on the court when the Warriors try to extend the NBA Finals. And he'll almost certainly opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer, the injury and some of the surrounding controversy around who to blame adding to speculation that he's out the door already in some ways. In the aftermath of Durant's injury, which came minutes into his return from a monthlong calf strain, the Warriors have come under fire for letting Durant back on the court. "This last month was a cumulative collaborative effort in his rehabilitation. And that collaboration included Kevin and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, our medical staff, his own outside second-opinion doctor, outside of our organization. Kevin checked all the boxes, and he was cleared to play by everybody involved," Kerr said. "Now, would we go back and do it over again? Damn right. But that's easy to say after the results. When we gathered all the information, our feeling was the worst thing that could happen would be a reinjure of the calf. "That was the advice and the information that we had. At that point, once Kevin was cleared to play, he was comfortable with that, we were comfortable with that. So the Achilles came as a complete shock." And even if he does come back to the Warriors, Thompson is a free agent this summer too. Next summer, so are Green and Iguodala. The safe bet is we've seen the last of it, Kerr's ultimate strategic weapon, the Warriors' best five on the court playing beautiful basketball together. The Warriors might try to manipulate rotations to try to find ways to still get Green minutes at center, though they haven't found the right formula for that yet in these NBA Finals without Durant on the court. With everything at stake Thursday in Game 6, including a finale for Oracle Arena and the fans in Oakland, the Warriors can't waste any energy longing for nostalgia -- whether it's a lineup or a building. "You really don't think about it too much. We have been in this thing for five years. We really haven't been able to sit back and just reflect on everything," Iguodala said. "Everything has kind of been hectic. Kind of been like a roller coaster -- a circus more than a roller coaster. We just focus on trying to get the job done and get the win." ___ (c)2019 the Los Angeles Times Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Related Slideshow: Best of the 2019 NBA Finals (provided by imagn)
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Dan Woike: Kevin Durant's ruptured Achilles could signal the end of one of the great NBA lineups
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Pete Buttigieg's campaign jolted its top donors with big news on a conference call last month: The upstart mayor had raised $7 million in the month of April alone, as much as Buttigieg had in his entire eye-catching first quarter in the presidential race. The huge April haul, which was previously unreported, highlights Buttigieg's explosive rise in the Democratic presidential race and Buttigieg hopes to do it again next month by announcing a top-tier second quarter haul that at least doubles his last campaign finance report, putting the 37-year-old among the biggest fundraisers seeking the presidency in 2020 and cementing his leap from long shot status at the beginning this year. Buttigieg has scheduled 21 fundraising events around the country before the end-of-June deadline, according to an event list obtained by POLITICO, with multiple stops in donor-rich locations like Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. To date, the South Bend, Ind., mayor has also brought in over $1 million from 16 "grassroots fundraisers," rallies that charge $25 and up for small-dollar donors. And the campaign has urged its donors to step on the gas on their own, outside of the candidate's fundraisers, to help meet its lofty goals, encouraging contests among bundlers to bring in the most cash and reminding them that hefty fundraising was a key factor that legitimized Barack Obama in the early days of the 2008 presidential campaign. "If you want to show you're growing, if you want to show you've got any shot at this, then you need to be growing," said veteran Democratic fundraiser Julianna Smoot, the finance director on Obama's 2008 campaign and a deputy campaign manager for his reelection in 2012. "And he's clearly showing signs that he's expanding." Buttigieg rode a series of viral moments into the upper echelon of the 2020 Democratic primary field, consistently polling in the top five nationally this spring after he busted out at a CNN town hall in March. The $7 million he raised in the first quarter mostly came in after that performance, shaking a campaign that started out with a bare-bones staff, few fundraisers and no expectations. "Last time, I'd say [his fundraising] put him in the bottom of the top tier now I'd say he's firmly in it," said Connor Farrell, a veteran Democratic fundraiser, comparing the Buttigieg campaign's growth from the end of the first quarter to the end of the second fundraising quarter. But Farrell cautioned that it's still unclear where Buttigieg lands because no one knows how other Democratic candidates have fared raising money in the second quarter by comparison. The top Democratic fundraiser from the first three months of the year, Sen. Bernie Sanders, only got into the race in mid-February and still raised over $18 million; this time, Sanders has had a full three months to push for donations from his millions-strong email list. Former Vice President Joe Biden could also turn in a huge second quarter: He smashed the Democratic field's first-day fundraising mark by bringing in $6.3 million when he joined the race in April, and he has since held a series of lucrative fundraisers around the country. And other contenders from Sen. Kamala Harris to former Rep. Beto O'Rourke have aggressively courted donors in cities around the country while also raising large sums online. Still, Buttigieg's supporters are confident that his growing fundraising network will push him past most of his Democratic rivals. "There doesn't seem to be any slowdown in terms of momentum for fundraising," said one Buttigieg donor, granted anonymity to speak candidly. "It's continuing at a pretty high velocity, [and] the investor's circle" the campaign's term for its national finance team of top bundlers "is getting wider, more inclusive and more diverse." In an email to fundraisers obtained by POLITICO, Josh Kramer, the campaign's mid-Atlantic investment director, stressed that a strong second quarter is essential to the campaign's future. "This is going to be a huge marker and we want to make sure Pete is in the best possible position to post an impressive number," Kramer wrote. "Thanks to you all, we are well on our way to doing just that. If you remember back to 2007. Then Senator Obama outraised Hillary Clinton in the 2nd Quarter. It truly established him as a real competitor to her and elevated him in the mind of the media and the public to a top tier contender. This Quarter has the same potential for Pete." In an effort to turn that potential into reality, Buttigieg's campaign has scheduled 28 events including "grassroots" fundraisers, private receptions and gatherings billed as "coffee and conversations" with the candidate from mid-June to mid-July, including 21 before the end of the current fundraising quarter. After the June 30 quarterly deadline, Buttigieg already has fundraisers in elite locales like Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket lined up to start off the third quarter of the year. The campaign has also capitalized on its social media popularity by organizing "grassroots" fundraising events for supporters across the country, including in Miami, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Boston, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. More than half of the attendees at these events are new supporters of the campaign, Buttigieg aides said. And although they are geared at low-dollar donors, they can still bring in big cash a single San Francisco event raised $140,000. And Buttigieg's husband, Chasten, who gained viral fame of his own on Twitter, has become a major campaign draw himself. By the end of the second fundraising quarter, he will have headlined nine events for the campaign, including a "Conversation and Birthday Celebration with Chasten Buttigieg" in Washington, D.C. on June 20. That aggressive campaign schedule has shown signs of paying off, in everything from polls to staffing levels. "The dollars raised here will help ensure sustained viability and let him get his message out, hire staff, and do all the things that successful campaigns need to do to stay relevant, stay viable, and continue fighting," said Scott Mulhauser, a Democratic strategist and former top adviser for the 2012 Obama reelection campaign. A Des Moines Register/CNN poll earlier in June found Buttigieg in fourth place in Iowa, having gained 13 percentage points since the previous survey, when he barely registered. The Buttigieg team also ballooned over the two months, adding national and early-state staff at a fast clip to catch up with other 2020 presidential campaigns. "We're at a really exciting phase of the campaign right now because the growth that you've all seen has been extraordinary," Buttigieg said at a campaign event in Alexandria, Virginia on Friday. The candidate described the early stages of his campaign, with four people working out of an office building in downtown South Bend that "looked like a detective agency from the '40s." "Now we've quickly grown well past 100 people," Buttigieg continued amid laughter from his upbeat supporters.
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Pete Buttigieg raised staggering $7 million in April alone
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Food and beverage pairing typically involves wine or beer, but Starbucks is bringing a new combo to the table that will wake you up instead of wind you down. The chain's latest at-home innovation is called Starbucks Pairings, a line of three coffee blends carefully crafted to complement your favorite breakfast foods. The Healthiest and Unhealthiest Starbucks Drinks The first variety is called the Sweet Mornings Blend, which is best when enjoyed... Breakfast Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making Some say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And, while the research goes back and forth on whether it's really the most important , one thing is for sure: Breakfast matters. It provides your body with the nutrition and the fuel it needs to function in the morning. But it's also important to do breakfast right. A bad breakfast decision can throw off your energy levels and eating habits for the rest of the day. But what makes a decision at breakfast bad ? You might think you already know the answer. Eat the egg whites, not the doughnut, right? But are those egg whites really your smartest choice ? And if you're choosing foods with only weight management in mind, you might only think about factors like calories and fat. But there's much more to your health than just avoiding weight gain. Breakfast is important for reasons that have to do with how you feel , too. You don't want to end up eating something that leaves you feeling sluggish and sleepy . You also don't want to be hungry again 20 minutes after you've eaten. You want to feel alert before lunchtime, not hungry and irritable . (Speaking of lunchtime, are you making big mistakes with your lunch, too ?) Don't fall into bad habits when it comes to eating breakfast. Many people who think they are making a healthy choice are actually making one of these critical mistakes. Skipping Breakfast Trying to save calories by skipping breakfast? That might not be the best idea . "Eating breakfast can set you up for success by avoiding hunger and low energy levels, which in turn might make you turn to a healthier and more balanced diet throughout the day," says Dana Harrison, the nutritionist behind Eats 2 Know, LLC. She also notes that while some people might feel fine after skipping this meal, the average person might experience low energy levels in the morning, increased cravings, and overconsumption throughout the day. Relying on Caffeine for Energy Sure, caffeine from espresso, soda, or an energy drink can give you a jolt. If you quit caffeine entirely, your body really feels a difference . But, Harrison points out, "This method is unstable and unreliable in the long run. Caffeine is a stimulant, but the body adjusts to caffeine and creates a tolerance level." As that tolerance adapts, you'll need to rely on more and more caffeine for energy. You're also neglecting a really strong source of energy for your body: Food! Load up with energizing and nutritious foods and you might find yourself with higher energy levels and a better mood. Coffee, while still good for you, isn't all you need to get your body moving. "Using food for fuel, staying hydrated , and getting a good night's sleep is the best combo to have energy," Harrison says. Not Drinking Enough Water Do you grab a cup of coffee with breakfast, but nothing else? It's important to drink water all the time, but especially in the morning. Since you've been sleeping for so long, it's been a while since you've rehydrated. Water is also a necessary tool for digestion. Eating food without any water to wash it down isn't going to feel great. Avoid the uncomfortable side effects of dehydration by drinking at least one glass with breakfast. Bonus points if you add a lemon ! Not Adding Healthy Fats Eating a low-fat yogurt or skipping the butter on your toast might sound like healthy choices, but they're really not . Fats are a critical component of a nutritious diet since they provide such a wide range of health benefits ; a meal without enough fat content could leave you hungry and crashing soon after you eat it. "Eating fat is satiating, meaning it's filling because it takes longer to digest," explains Harrison. "Incorporating healthy fats into your breakfast can help keep you fuller and energized longer." You might slice some avocado onto your breakfast sandwich or dollop a spoonful of peanut butter into your smoothie before you blend it. Eating Only Carbohydrates If you get hangry after eating a bowl of cereal or slice of toast with jam, there's a logical reason why. Carbohydrates are a healthy, important source of energy; but they're not the only thing your body needs to function at its best. Protein and fat take longer to use for fuel and keep you satiated for longer after eating. Having a good balance of protein, fat, and carbs can keep your blood sugar from spiking and crashing. A piece of fruit is nutritious and can be great to eat with breakfast just make sure you eat something else, too, or risk being hungry soon after. Cutting Carbs You don't want to rely only on carbs, but you may not want to omit them entirely, either . Carbohydrates are an easily accessible source of energy for your body. If you're feeling sluggish in the morning, some carbohydrates in your breakfast could help give you the fuel you need to start your day. Bagels and toast are carbs, sure, and some mornings you might want them but they're not the only kinds you have to choose from. Fruit has carbs, along with fiber and other nutrients. So do oatmeal, granola, and potatoes! Switch it up to keep yourself from getting bored with the most important meal of the day. Resisting Cravings A crucial (but underrepresented) part of healthy eating is enjoyment. Your body craves foods for a reason let yourself give in to them! There are more purposes to eating than pure nutrition. Health involves enjoyment, experience, and happiness, too. A pastry for breakfast might not be the best choice if you are eating it to provide lasting energy or keep you alert. But if the purpose of the pastry is to satisfy a craving or eat for enjoyment (or the pastry is the only breakfast available), it could actually be the smartest option. Using Egg Whites Only You're cutting calories when you omit the yolks, but what else are you cutting? More than you'd think the yolk of the egg is where most of the nutrition lies. People started omitting egg yolks for fear of cholesterol, but if you're eating two or fewer eggs per day, the science indicates that your cholesterol is probably safe . Keep the yolks in for all their deliciousness (let's be honest, an egg white omelet just does not taste the same) and all their nutrients, including folate, vitamin D, choline, iron, and more. So go ahead and throw the whole egg in to these delicious egg recipes . Forcing Down a Smoothie Remember what we were saying about enjoyment? Choking down a concoction of kale, flax seeds, and raw eggs every morning might not be as healthy as you think unless you're really into that sort of thing . Your body actually absorbs more nutrition from food when you enjoy it. In fact, one study analyzed the difference in nutrient absorption between two groups: one that ate a delicious cooked meal and another that ate the same exact meal, but in the form of a grotesque savory smoothie. The first group actually was able to acquire more nutrients during digestion than the latter! Eating a 'Breakfast Bar' Just because it has "breakfast" in the name doesn't mean it's a complete meal . These bars are often low-calorie, meaning that they probably won't fill you up for very long or give you the energy you need. Additionally, they may not have enough nutritious value from protein and fats. These bars often have more sugar than anything else leaving you hungry again soon after you've eaten one. Eating Plain Cereal and Milk Cereal and milk may be a sufficient breakfast depending on the cereal you choose . Many cereals don't include nutrient-dense mix-ins such as nuts, seeds, or fruit and instead rely mostly on sugar. Sugary cereal won't kill you ; but if you don't want to have an energy crash soon after, you might want to add in something extra. Consider sprinkling in some sliced almonds or granola. And don't hesitate to add real milk even though it took Kylie Jenner nearly her entire life to try it , adding milk to your cereal can add some much-needed calcium and protein! Eating in a Rush You won't always have time to sit down for 30 minutes or more and enjoy a slow meal. But you don't have to scarf your food down mindlessly, either. "Eating in a rush doesn't allow the body to catch up with your mind," says Harrison. "You typically eat more when you're eating in a rush; the satiety cues haven't been reached, and you still think you're hungry, so you are most likely to continue to eat past feeling full." Overeating isn't the end of the world, but you might not feel your best after you're done. "My advice is to take it slow," says Harrison. "Focus on internal cues and mindful eating, allowing your body to be in tune to physiological cues instead of eating based on external cues." Never Cooking Breakfast There are more options for breakfast than premade store-bought items and fast food. While fast food breakfasts menus can actually list some healthy options , you can also keep things interesting with breakfast by cooking something delicious for yourself. No need to eat the same boring bowl of oatmeal every day! These simple breakfast recipes can add some pizzazz to your plate. Not Adding Fruit Fruit has fiber and other important nutrients your body needs ! Adding fruit to breakfast can also be a great way to energize with natural sugars. Eat some sliced banana on the side (which can also help with your blood pressure) or wash some fresh berries to snack on. If you're eating yogurt or a bowl of cereal, mix fresh fruit into your bowl for a delicious twist! Not Taking Advantage of On-the-Go Options Just because you're rushing out the door doesn't mean you have to skip breakfast entirely. There are some great on-the-go options you can make ahead at home ( some can even be kept in your freezer to quickly heat whenever you're in a bind ). Drinking Coffee Before You Eat According to some studies , drinking coffee on an empty stomach stimulates the production of stomach acid. For people with sensitive stomachs, having too much stomach acid can make them feel nauseous or sick. If you find that your stomach is upset before lunch, consider eating before you sip your morning cup of joe. You don't have to omit it entirely, however. Coffee is actually pretty good for you ! More From The Daily Meal: 50 Ways to Cook an Egg 15 Slow-Cooker Breakfasts to Simplify Your Morning Routine The 15 Best Breakfast Foods to Help You Ace a Job Interview How Much Breakfast Cost the Year You Were Born The Healthiest and Unhealthiest Food at Dunkin' Donuts
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Breakfast Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making
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Inspired by the star's British upbringing and love of travel, the offerings include seating, pillows, and more. It's no surprise that British actress Minnie Driver would make her mark in the world of interior design. Driver's mother, Gaynor Churchward, is a successful designer in her own right, and as a child, the star would closely observe her work designing textiles. All those years of shadowing her mother paid off, as Driver finally decided to launch a textiles line, Minnie Driver's English Living, with HSN in 2017. Building upon that success, Driver has extended her brand with a thoughtful furniture collection for One Kings Lane , which she says is reflective of her British heritage and affinity for travel. The sophisticated assortment includes chairs, settees, ottomans, headboards, benches, and pillows. Items boast hand-drawn patterns that Driver believes can make any room more stylish. "It's chic, elegant, laid-back design," Driver told ELLE Decor in an exclusive interview. "The collection is for someone who wants to incorporate more color into their space, who has traveled a little, and has an interest in bringing a more global feel to their design aesthetic." You'll find three distinct patterns in the collection: Agave Stripe, a classic stripe inspired by vintage French paperback book cover prints; Desert Flower, a clever blend of vintage Indian and traditional English floral motifs; and Mariposa, which is a dot pattern that reflects the art of Indian block printing. Price points range from $125 for pillows to $1,195 for a settee, and the items are available on onekingslane.com as well as the brand's two retail locations in Soho and Southampton. See below for our top picks from the collection, including one of Driver's personal favorites. 1) Mariposa Pillow Minnie Driver English Living $125.00 Shop Now This peach-colored throw pillow is the answer to sprucing up a drab sofa. 2) Mariposa Skirted Storage Ottoman Minnie Driver English Living $345.00 Shop Now Put this cobalt-colored ottoman to work as a footrest, side table, or even extra seating. Bonus: it doubles as storage. 3) Agave Stripe Armless Settee Minnie Driver English Living $1195.00 Shop Now What's not to love about this sleek armless settee boasting a floral stripe pattern and pine legs? 4) Agave Stripe Club Chair Minnie Driver English Living $695.00 Shop Now This club chair, featuring English arms and a floral-inspired stripe pattern, is perfect for just about any room. 5) Desert Flower Notched Headboard Minnie Driver English Living $575.00 Shop Now Crafted in collaboration with Cloth & Company, this floral upholstered headboard is sure to steal the show.
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Minnie Driver Just Launched a Chic Furniture Collection with One Kings Lane
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Anne Arundel County budgeted $230,000 this year for ethics oversight. Montgomery County allocated $460,000. Prince George's County approved $854,000. And Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. proposed a rewrite of the county's ethics laws after taking office in December that the county council supported, including creating an Office of Ethics and Accountability. The county's budget for the coming year includes $163,000 for the new office. But in the city of Baltimore, where the mayor resigned in the midst of multiple investigations into her financial dealings, the budget was $0. Coverage of former Mayor Catherine Pugh's 'Healthy Holly' books » No city staff are dedicated to enforcing ethics rules and the word "ethics" appears nowhere in the city's 1,035-page budget proposal for the coming year. Instead, the six-member staff of the Department of Legislative Reference must spend part of their time assisting the city's volunteer ethics board, processing disclosure forms, answering questions from city employees and investigating complaints. The ethics board has subpoena power, but no investigator to make use of the power. Linda "Lu" Pierson, the chairwoman of the board, said she is working to secure dedicated funds, calling the city's current setup "insufficient." "Whenever we ask the staff to do investigations or projects or whatever we ask them to do, we're basically asking people who have other full-time jobs to do this work," Pierson said. In April, the ethics board voted to open an investigation into then-Mayor Catherine Pugh's sales of her self-published "Healthy Holly" children's books, many of which involved entities doing business with the city. Pierson said the legislative reference staff initially did some work on the review only to conclude it likely overlapped with separate investigations by the state and the city's inspector general. "It makes more sense to let trained investigators do this investigation than have department of legislative reference staff do it," she said. Federal authorities, including the FBI and IRS, also are investigating Pugh's dealings after they raided her home and office in late April. She resigned days later . Pierson said the ethics board is considering ways to strengthen the city's rules after Pugh's resignation. But that work would be easier, she said, with a dedicated staff person who could research how other cities seek to avoid conflicts of interest. The City Council also is considering several bills to make changes to the city's ethics oversight operation. One would place the ethics board under the Inspector General's Office, which is the agency with the greatest independence from the rest of city government. Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming said she would take on the responsibility if it came with additional resources she recommended one or two staff members. "Professional focus on this integral part of government could be a future game-changer," Cumming said. iduncan@baltsun.com twitter.com/iduncan
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Baltimore's budget for ethics enforcement: $0
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L.A. Times Today airs Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Spectrum News 1.
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Fruit Museum
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If you've ever made the hike up to the Devil's Head Fire Lookout Tower over the past 35 years, chances are you've met Billy Ellis. Well into his 80s, Ellis, officially retired from the U.S. Forest Service over the weekend. A retirement celebration was held for Ellis and his wife Margaret on Sunday. For 35 summers, Ellis made the commute up the steps to the last remaining fire tower operated by the U.S. Forest Service. The tower is in Pike National Forest about 19 miles southwest of Sedalia. It's a relatively short hike from the trailhead before you reach the steep staircase to the fire lookout. Ellis greeted tens of thousands of visitors to the historic spot every year. "Last year, we got over 27,000 that made it to the top," Ellis told NEXT in 2017. Between all those visits, Ellis picks up the binoculars. He scans the skies for columns of smoke and relies on a tool two decades older than him. "Osborne Fire Finder," Ellis said, pointing to a circular, topographic map mounted on a table in the middle of the fire lookout. "When you see a smoke, you just sight it like you would a rifle," Ellis said, demonstrating how the device worked. Between 2004 and 2017, Ellis spotted 76 fires from the Devils Head Fire Lookout. Ellis admitted he takes pride in being the first to report a fire. RELATED: 85-year-old still running fire lookout after 33 years Each day around noon, Ellis locked up the tower and headed back down 143 steps to the cabin a short walk from the staircase. It's the home he's shared each summer with his wife of more than 50 years, Margaret. SUGGESTED VIDEOS | Next with Kyle Clark
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After more than 3 decades, familiar face at Devil's Head Fire Lookout Tower retires
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As the entire NBA world freaked out about the blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers, LaVar Ball conveniently had to find out about his son's trade while standing in a packed gym. LaVar was just rolling into LaMelo's Drew League game Saturday as news broke of the trade (Lonzo, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and draft picks are heading to New Orleans). There was simply no way that LaVar could play it off as cool - at least initially - because, well, the in-arena commentator announced news of the trade over the loud speakers. From that moment on, fans directed their phones and cameras at LaVar who was taking phone calls and looking visibly upset. LaVar Ball is here at the Drew League, looking very visually upset when the announcer confirmed the Lonzo Ball news. - dylan stewart (@dylanstw__) June 15, 2019 LaVar on the phone moments after LONZO GOT TRADED pic.twitter.com/lsyKzHSDg4 - Overtime (@overtime) June 15, 2019 Live look at Lavar Ball at Drew League after it was announced Lonzo Ball got traded to the Pelicans for Anthony Davis pic.twitter.com/2Eq5cjdwQl - adam (@ClippsMcGee) June 15, 2019 Lavar found out Lonzo got traded at the Drew League pic.twitter.com/xFDsEwgkqL - peter THA GREAT (@phutccch) June 15, 2019 Lonzo himself eventually showed up to the game and took a seat in the stands. Your newest New Orleans Pelican, Lonzo Ball. Zo making a surprising appearance at the Drew League less than an hour after the news broke he will be traded from the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/y9MjPDvWL8 - dylan stewart (@dylanstw__) June 15, 2019 After the game, which LaMelo's team won in a blowout (he had 21 points), LaVar spoke to reporters and said that the Lakers would never win a championship after trading his son . So, yeah, he's taking this news well. MORE: What the Lakers' new roster looks like with Anthony Davis An ode to the Golden State Warriors, the team that ruined the game NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Could the Titans trade TE Jonnu Smith to the Patriots? Packers WR Jake Kumerow senses opportunity behind Davante Adams
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Drew League fans took video of LaVar as he found out about Lonzo's trade
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One of golf's landmark courses will be the site of the 2019 U.S. Open, the third of four majors on the PGA Tour schedule, from Thursday to Sunday. Pebble Beach Golf Links in Northern California is hosting its sixth U.S. Open and seventh major. And with the legendary venue comes the opportunity for a rare historic feat as Brooks Koepka tries to become the second golfer ever to win three consecutive U.S. Open tournaments and the first since Willie Anderson from 1903-1905. Koepka's hot streak in majors is reason to believe he could pull it off. He also won the PGA Championship in May, finished as the runner-up at the Masters in April and won the 2018 PGA Championship last August. MORE: Watch the U.S. Open live with fuboTV (7-day free trial) Repeating at majors is very difficult, however, especially three-peating. The field is as stacked as any event on the PGA Tour calendar and includes three-time U.S. Open winner and 2019 Masters champion Tiger Woods and a bevy of other past champions that likely won't make Koepka's victory route easy. In 2010, the last time Pebble Beach hosted the U.S. Open, Graeme McDowell came out victorious, while Woods registered his first U.S. Open win at the course back in 2000. Here is everything to know about the 2019 U.S. Open, including the TV schedule, round-by-round tee times for Tiger Woods and the field, plus updated betting odds. You can also follow our " Tiger Tracker " and live leaderboard for hole-by-hole updates throughout the tournament. U.S. Open 2019 TV schedule, live stream When: June 13-16 Where: Pebble Beach, California TV channels: Fox, Fox Sports 1 Live stream: Fox Sports Go | USOpen.com | fuboTV Leaderboard: Follow SN's live tracker The Fox family of networks will have full coverage of all four rounds, including 20 combined hours over the weekend. Joe Buck will provide play-by-play for the third consecutive year while Paul Azinger will serve as the lead analyst. You can also live stream Rounds 1-4 by signing up for fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial . Date Time (ET) Channel Thursday, June 13 12:30-7:30 p.m. FS1/ fuboTV Thursday, June 13 7:30-10:30 p.m. Fox/ fuboTV Friday, June 14 12:30-7:30 p.m. FS1/ fuboTV Friday, June 14 7:30-10:30 p.m. Fox/ fuboTV Saturday, June 15 Noon-10 p.m. Fox/ fuboTV Sunday, June 16 Noon-10 p.m. Fox/ fuboTV LIVE: Follow SN's U.S. Open leaderboard Tiger Woods' U.S. Open tee times Woods will be paired with Marc Leishman for the fourth round. The duo will tee off at 2:56 p.m. ET from the first hole on Sunday. Round Tee Time (ET) Hole Pairing 1 5:09 p.m. 1 Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose 2 11:24 a.m. 10 Spieth, Rose 3 2:27 p.m. 1 Byeong Hun An 4 2:56 p.m. 1 Marc Leishman TIGER TRACKER: Follow Tiger Woods' Round 4 at the U.S. Open Who else is in the U.S. Open field? Koepka and Woods are the biggest names, and rightfully so, but the field will also feature each of the last 10 U.S. Open winners, including Dustin Johnson , Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy , who are ranked Nos. 2, 3 and 4 in the world, respectively. Each of the top 33 golfers in the world are participating at Pebble Beach. FedEx cup standings leader Matt Kuchar, previous Players Championship winners Rory Mcilroy, Rickie Fowler and Si Woo Kim and 2019 PGA Tour winners Xander Schauffele, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Francesco Molinari, Patrick Cantlay and Paul Casey, among others, will also be vying for the victory. 2019 U.S. Open tee times, pairings Sunday, Round 4 Tee time (E.T.) Pairing 10:21 a.m. Michael Thorbjornsen (a) 10:32 a.m. Bernd Wiesberger, Justin Walters 10:43 a.m. Cameron Smith, Chip McDaniel 10:54 a.m. Charlie Danielson, Luke Donald 11:05 a.m. Kyle Stanley, Zach Johnson 11:16 a.m. Kevin Kisner, Andy Pope 11:27 a.m. Marcus Kinhult, Brian Stuard 11:38 a.m. Rafa Cabrera Bello, Brandt Snedeker 11:49 a.m. Clement Sordet, Daniel Berger 12:00 p.m. Andrew Putnam, Adri Arnaus 12:11 p.m. Tommy Fleetwood, Aaron Wise 12:22 p.m. Sepp Straka, Harris English 12:33 p.m. Phil Mickelson, Charles Howell III 12:44 p.m. Emiliano Grillo, Rory Sabbatini 12:55 p.m. Billy Hurley III, Bryson DeChambeau 1:06 p.m. Collin Morikawa, Erik Van Rooyen 1:17 p.m. Patrick Reed, Carlos Ortiz 1:28 p.m. Paul Casey, Webb Simpson 1:39 p.m. Chandler Eaton (a), Tom Hoge 1:50 p.m. Martin Kaymer, Rhys Enoch 2:01 p.m. Sergio Garcia, Jordan Spieth 2:12 p.m. Jason Dufner, Billy Horschel 2:23 p.m. Rickie Fowler, Alex Prugh 2:34 p.m. Nick Taylor, Shane Lowry 2:45 p.m. Haotong Li, Viktor Hovland (a) 2:56 p.m. Tiger Woods, Marc Leishman 3:07 p.m. Jason Day, Tyrrell Hatton ( Odds via Bovada ) 3:18 p.m. Jim Furyk, Matt Fitzpatrick 3:29 p.m. Hideki Matsuyama, Patrick Cantlay 3:40 p.m. Scott Piercy, Francesco Molinari 3:51 p.m. Dustin Johnson, Brandon Wu (a) 4:02 p.m. Nate Lashley, Abraham Ancer 4:13 p.m. Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele 4:24 p.m. Byeong Hun An, Matt Wallace 4:35 p.m. Henrik Stenson, Jon Rahm 4:46 p.m. Graeme McDowell, Danny Willett 4:57 p.m. Chesson Hadley, Matt Kuchar 5:08 p.m. Rory McIlroy, Louis Oosthuizen 5:19 p.m. Chez Reavie, Brooks Koepka 5:30 p.m. Justin Rose, Gary Woodland U.S. Open purse, winnings The purse for the U.S. is a cool $12.5 million , with $2,250,000 of that going to the winner. The purse is a step above last year's total, which was an even $12 million. The winner's share was $90,000 fewer in 2018. Odds to win the U.S. Open It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that Koepka (+650) is the U.S. Open favorite, seeing as he's won the last two years. Dustin Johnson (+750), the 2016 champion, and Woods (+1100) are other top contenders. Keep an eye on Patrick Cantlay (+1800), who is coming off a recent victory at the Memorial Tournament. Golfer Odds Brooks Koepka +650 Dustin Johnson +750 Tiger Woods +1100 Rory McIlroy +1200 Jordan Spieth +1600 Patrick Cantlay +1800 Justin Rose +2000 Justin Thomas +2200 Rickie Fowler +2200 Jason Day +2500 Jon Rahm +2500 Xander Schauffele +2500 3:07 p.m. Jason Day, Tyrrell Hatton ( Odds via Bovada ) U.S. Open past winners Year Winner Score 2019 TBD TBD 2018 Brooks Koepka +1 2017 Brooks Koepka -16 2016 Dustin Johnson -4 2015 Jordan Spieth -5 2014 Martin Kaymer -9 2013 Justin Rose +1 2012 Webb Simpson +1 2011 Rory Mcilroy -16 2010 Graeme McDowell E 2009 Lucas Glover -4
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U.S. Open 2019: Tee times for Round 4, Sunday's TV schedule, how to watch live
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When a patient with a gunshot wound to the face came through the Level 1 trauma center at Tampa General Hospital a few months ago, it was up to Dr. Joshua Elston to try to reconstruct what had been shattered. But putting the pieces back together after a traumatic injury can sometimes feel like trying to build a house without blueprints, said Elston, a plastic surgeon. "When the boney landmarks are destroyed by an injury, it can be like guessing," he said. "You're really trying to build from nothing." In this case, though, Elston was able to call on the expertise of a forensic anthropologist, Summer Decker, who also directs the 3-D Anatomical Modeling and Printing Division within the department of radiology at the University of South Florida's USF Health. "Within 36 to 48 hours after I call Decker and her team, I'll have a 3-D print in my hands," Elston said. "I can use it to physically show a patient what I will do during surgery, and I use it as a template for reconstruction, including all the hardware with plates and screws." PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Downtown Tampa needs a 'medical district,' hospital CEO says The use of 3-D printers in medicine is not new, but it's becoming more mainstream. The American Medical Association approved new 3-D printing billing codes that take effect this month, which means the cost of the service soon could be covered by more insurance reimbursements. And thanks to recent advancements in the technology, Decker and her team can print 3-D replicas in record time, making it much more useful in settings like the Tampa General operating room. "Years ago, it was difficult to find doctors who would take the time to use the technology. It was mostly for research," Decker said. "But now the conversation has flipped. What we hear is, 'I won't touch this case until I've got the 3-D print.'" Decker and a biomedical engineer, Jonathan Ford, make up the two-person team at USF. Together they man a unit inside the USF Health building across from Tampa General Hospital that is equipped with six 3-D printers, which are able to print body parts with precision. These aren't the 3-D printers some hobby enthusiasts have their garage. They are sophisticated machines, Decker said. Scans using ultrasound, MRI and computerized tomography technology give physicians a good idea of what's going inside their patients, but the images are often grainy and not overly specific. Decker and Ford are able to plot the exact measurements of a heart, lung or skull, including any injuries or defects, into a computer to create a 3-D animation, and then print it out. "We're training radiologists and lab techs on what kind of scans we need to make an accurate print, which makes all the difference," Decker said. "Once they know what kind of information we need, we can make an accurate model." Some of the printers use multiple materials, which means Decker can print a replica of a spine and use sponge-like, bendable material in between each vertebrae or for each heart valve. That makes it much more lifelike to work with, said Dr. Fadi Matar, a Tampa General cardiologist. Matar is often working on patients with valve problems or holes in their hearts. Using a 3-D printed replica of the organ allows him to practice where he'll fit a valve replacement or go in with catheters or stents, before he goes into surgery to do the real thing. "We're using the replicas for procedures that are so complex," Matar said. "It help us identify dangers or possible problems ahead of time. I can see how a valve may interact with the patient's anatomy before it happens. And if there's a problem, we can modify it." RELATED: How does the human brain age? Scientists look for answers in Lakewood Ranch Physicans are also using 3-D prints to show patients before and after success stories, using prints that show the stages of their recovery. And the cost is pretty cheap. Decker said she printed a replica of her skull, which cost about $9. This doesn't include the initial cost of the printers, which can run into the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars. While Decker is a leader in 3-D printing research internationally, she also worked as an anthropologist and used the technology in forensics cases as well, including cold cases for the FBI, before receiving her doctorate in medicine at USF. As the program has grown, Decker and Ford have worked on unique cases over the years with doctors at Moffitt Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and even with veterinarians at Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium. They've even 3-D printed the skull of a baby sloth and the leg of a penguin. "Sometimes I get a couple of weird looks when I'm walking across the street to the hospital with a 3-D printed heart in my hand," Decker said. USF's program is unique, in that is located on the campus of a major hospital. But it's location makes it available to doctors when in need. "I've used 3-D prints with patients that had severe facial injuries. If it wasn't available, I could guarantee bad outcomes for these patients," Elston, the plastic surgeon, said. "Having the technology is like having a blueprint that wasn't there before." Contact Justine Griffin at jgriffin@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8467. Follow @SunBizGriffin. ©2019 the Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.) Visit the Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.) at www.tampabay.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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At Tampa General Hospital, 3-D printers are removing guesswork for doctors and patients
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BAGHDAD The Iraqi military says three rockets have hit an installation north of Baghdad used by Iraqi troops and where American trainers are also present. There was no immediate word on casualties. The late Monday attack on camp Taji, about 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of Baghdad, is the second on a military post housing U.S. personnel. An attack on an air base, also housing U.S. trainers, north of Baghdad on Saturday caused a small fire. The brief military statement Monday said Katushya rockets were used. Two military officials speaking on condition of anonymity because investigation is still underway said the rockets landed near an Iraqi air defense unit. The attack comes amid rising tension in the Middle East between the United States and Iran.
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Rockets land in an Iraqi military post home to US personnel
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President Donald Trump on Sunday morning stood firm on his decision to delay the deportations of thousands of undocumented families, reaffirming that he is giving Democrats two weeks to work out an asylum deal. "I want to give the Democrats every last chance to quickly negotiate simple changes to Asylum and Loopholes," the president wrote on Twitter. "This will fix the Southern Border, together with the help that Mexico is now giving us. Probably won't happen, but worth a try. Two weeks and big Deportation begins!" Trump set the timeline of two weeks on Saturday. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was set to begin the deportations of up to 2,000 families who have missed a court date or have been served deportation orders starting on Sunday. Those plans sparked an outcry from Democrats and some law enforcement officials around the nation. I want to give the Democrats every last chance to quickly negotiate simple changes to Asylum and Loopholes. This will fix the Southern Border, together with the help that Mexico is now giving us. Probably won't happen, but worth a try. Two weeks and big Deportation begins! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 23, 2019
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Trump: '2 weeks and big Deportation begins!'
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Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee plan to question President Donald Trump's long-time confidante Hope Hicks Wednesday about her knowledge of the hush-money scheme to silence Trump's extramarital affairs in the run-up to the 2016 elections, according to a committee aide. The revelation signals renewed interest on Capitol Hill over the President being implicated in felonies committed by former Trump fixer Michael Cohen, after the panel has been mostly focused until now over the allegations detailed in special counsel Robert Mueller's report on obstruction of justice. At Wednesday's closed hearing, Hicks also will face questions about episodes detailed in the Mueller report that she had knowledge of or had witnessed first-hand, the aide said. Among the topics Democrats plan to ask Hicks: Trump's conduct surrounding his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn; Trump's demands to ask the then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to un-recuse himself from overseeing the Mueller probe; the President's actions surrounding the firing of then-FBI Director James Comey; Trump's efforts to dismiss Mueller from overseeing the probe; and allegations the President sought to curtail the Mueller probe. Moreover, they plan to press Hicks about her involvement in issuing misleading statements in 2017 after the Trump Tower meeting with Russians was revealed in press accounts. Plus, they have questions about then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who is now in jail, according to the aide. Slideshow by photo services While Democrats have a long list of questions for the former White House communications director, it's not clear how many Hicks will answer, particularly involving her time in the White House. After the committee subpoenaed former White House counsel Don McGahn, the White House directed him not to answer questions about his time in the administration, arguing he had immunity from congressional testimony as a close adviser to the President. While a White House official will be in the room during her testimony, Democrats say that they will not accept assertions of executive privilege over her entire time while serving as the White House communications director, arguing it won't hold up in court because she discussed these matters with the special counsel. If executive privilege is invoked, they will engage in an "on-the-spot" negotiation over whether she can answer a particular question. Democrats would not say yet if they would take Hicks to court if she declines to answer certain questions, but said the committee is not afraid to assert its authority to get their questions answered. A transcript of the interview will be released -- potentially within 48 hours -- but Democrats plan to discuss what they learn at a Thursday public hearing about lessons learned from the Mueller report, the aide said.
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Democrats plan to ask Hope Hicks about hush money schemes to silence affair allegations against Trump
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On Wednesday, Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) , the leading provider of e-commerce tools for businesses of all sizes, hosted Shopify Unite, the annual conference that brings together its global partner and developer community. At the yearly event, Shopify provided a laundry list of updates regarding platform additions and enhancements designed to give merchants the tools they need to build and manage an online business. Investors got a boost of confidence from these developments, driving the stock up more than 7% in the wake of the announcements. Let's take a look at some of the most noteworthy revelations and how they're positioning Shopify -- and its merchants -- for the future. 1. Shopify Fulfillment Network Taking a page from Amazon.com , the master of e-commerce, the company debuted the Shopify Fulfillment Network, "a new way to get orders to your customers quickly and easily." Qualifying merchants in the U.S. will be eligible to apply for early access to the program, which offers a dedicated network of fulfillment centers and smart inventory-allocation technology. The system, which is powered by artificial intelligence (AI), helps determine the closest fulfillment center and optimal level of inventory at each location to help ensure both fast and low-cost delivery. By offering a solution that not only lowers delivery costs but accelerates shipments, Shopify is providing services that are typically reserved for larger, more established merchants -- and making its services stickier in the process. 2. Shopify Plus gets a makeover After initially focusing on small- and medium-sized merchants, Shopify realized that some of its more established sellers were outgrowing its services. The company developed its Shopify Plus platform to cater to the unique needs of enterprise level e-commerce merchants, who can operate dozens of stores across a multitude of geographies. Shopify has overhauled its Shopify Plus platform to offer a centralized view that aggregates data from multiple locations. The system also allows enhanced user control and permissions for businesses with multiple users, while allowing them to add new stores to the system quickly and easily. The company also expanded the capability of Shopify Flow, an integration tool that helps simplify workflows by connecting applications and automating repetitive tasks. The more robust Shopify Plus platform will be available later this year. Enterprise is a fast-growing opportunity for the company. In the first quarter , Shopify Plus merchants contributed 26% of the company's monthly recurring revenue, up from 22% in the prior-year quarter, and now accounts for 8% of Shopify's subscription-solutions revenue. 3. Next-gen POS software The merchant of today exists across a variety of sales platforms, selling in both brick-and-mortar and online stores. In order to cater to the needs of both facets of a growing business, Shopify is adding to the existing capabilities of its point-of-sale (POS) software. The latest iteration is designed to simplify the checkout experience by "creating new customer profiles, sorting collection lists, finding top products, and checking out." The system also allows store managers to set individual permissions for store employees, giving each a unique login and level of access that can be accessed from any store during any shift. The system can also be customized to integrate with customer loyalty and rewards programs and promotions. 4. Increasingly global capabilities Merchants that deal with international and cross border sales face a host of unique challenges, including language and currency issues. Shopify has been making significant investments in recent months to localize its platform in a variety of global markets. That trend continued this week, with the addition of 11 new languages to the Shopify platform -- on top of the six that were added last year. The platform also permits international merchants to sell products in multiple currencies while getting paid in the currency of their choosing. The system automatically updates product prices based on current exchange rates so customers get the most up-to-date information. Shopify is also providing a Translations feature that can be used on buyer-facing content, product descriptions, and blog posts. 5. Customer-engagement tools The ability to offer a customized experience to shoppers is one of the hallmarks of e-commerce, and this fact hasn't been lost on Shopify. The company introduced tools that allow merchants to customize the look and feel of any page in their online store quickly and easily, without having to rewrite the computer code. In addition to these improved editing tools, Shopify is adding new, more robust customer-engagement features, like the ability to display products using video, 3D, and augmented reality, all within the Shopify platform. Investor takeaway E-commerce is the wave of the future, and businesses that don't adopt and embrace this reality will surely be left behind. Shopify's bread and butter is providing merchants with the tools they need to succeed. Each of the announcements highlighted above shows the lengths to which Shopify is going to empower their merchants and help them to prosper. In the end, it will be Shopify -- and its investors -- that will reap the rewards. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Danny Vena owns shares of Amazon and Shopify. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon and Shopify. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy . SPONSORED: 10 stocks we like better than Shopify When investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor , has quadrupled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Shopify wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of March 1, 2019
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5 Must-See Announcements From Shopify's Unite Conference
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Value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. After all, who wouldn't want to find stocks that are either flying under the radar and are compelling buys, or offer up tantalizing discounts when compared to fair value? One way to find these companies is by looking at several key metrics and financial ratios, many of which are crucial in the value stock selection process. Let's put Buckeye Partners, L.P. BPL stock into this equation and find out if it is a good choice for value-oriented investors right now, or if investors subscribing to this methodology should look elsewhere for top picks: PE Ratio A key metric that value investors always look at is the Price to Earnings Ratio, or PE for short. This shows us how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings in a given stock, and is easily one of the most popular financial ratios in the world. The best use of the PE ratio is to compare the stock's current PE ratio with: a) where this ratio has been in the past; b) how it compares to the average for the industry/sector; and c) how it compares to the market as a whole. On this front, Buckeye Partners has a trailing twelve months PE ratio of 16.19, as you can see in the chart below: This level actually compares pretty favorably with the market at large, as the PE for the S&P 500 compares in at about 17.75. If we focus on the stock's long-term PE trend, the current level puts Buckeye Partners' current PE ratio slightly below its midpoint (which is 17.27) over the past five years. However, the stock's PE compares unfavorably with the Zacks Oils-Energy sector's trailing twelve months PE ratio, which stands at 14.43. At the very least, this indicates that the stock is relatively overvalued right now, compared to its peers. Further, we should also point out that Buckeye Partners has a forward PE ratio (price relative to this year's earnings) of 17.22, so it is fair to expect an increase in the company's share price in the near future. P/S Ratio Another key metric to note is the Price/Sales ratio. This approach compares a given stock's price to its total sales, where a lower reading is generally considered better. Some people like this metric more than other value-focused ones because it looks at sales, something that is far harder to manipulate with accounting tricks than earnings. Right now, Buckeye Partners has a P/S ratio of about 1.63. This is substantially lower than the S&P 500 average, which comes in at 3.19 right now. Also, as we can see in the chart below, this is somewhat below the highs for this stock in particular over the past few years. If anything, this suggests some level of undervalued trading at least compared to historical norms. Broad Value Outlook In aggregate, Buckeye Partners currently has a Value Style Score of B, putting it into the top 40% of all stocks we cover from this look. This makes BPL a solid choice for value investors, and some of its other key metrics make this pretty clear too. For example, the P/CF ratio (another great indicator of value) comes in at 5.59, which is slightly better than the industry average of 7.84. Clearly, BPL is a solid choice on the value front from multiple angles. What About the Stock Overall? Though Buckeye Partners might be a good choice for value investors, there are plenty of other factors to consider before investing in this name. In particular, it is worth noting that the company has a Growth grade of C and a Momentum score of F. This gives BPL a VGM score or its overarching fundamental grade of C. (You can read more about the Zacks Style Scores here >>) Meanwhile, the company's recent earnings estimates have been disappointing. The current quarter has seen three estimates go lower in the past sixty days compared to none higher, while the full year estimate has seen one upward and two downward revisions in the same time period. This has had a noticeable impact on the consensus estimate, as the current quarter consensus estimate has fallen 5.3% in the past two months, while the full year estimate has declined 6.2%. You can see the consensus estimate trend and recent price action for the stock in the chart below: Buckeye Partners L.P. Price and Consensus Buckeye Partners L.P. price-consensus-chart | Buckeye Partners L.P. Quote This bearish trend is why the stock has just a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and why we are looking for in-line performance from the company in the near term. Bottom Line Buckeye Partners is an inspired choice for value investors, as it is hard to beat its incredible lineup of statistics on this front. Moreover, a strong industry rank (top 33% out of more than 250 industries) further supports the growth potential of the stock. However, with a Zacks Rank #3, it is hard to get too excited about this company overall. In fact, over the past one year, the sector has clearly underperformed the broader market, as you can see below: So, value investors might want to wait for estimates, analyst sentiment and industry trend to turn favorable in this name first, but once that happens, this stock could be a compelling pick. Breakout Biotech Stocks with Triple-Digit Profit Potential The biotech sector is projected to surge beyond $775 billion by 2024 as scientists develop treatments for thousands of diseases. They're also finding ways to edit the human genome to literally erase our vulnerability to these diseases. Zacks has just released Century of Biology: 7 Biotech Stocks to Buy Right Now to help investors profit from 7 stocks poised for outperformance. Our recent biotech recommendations have produced gains of +98% , +119% and +164% in as little as 1 month. The stocks in this report could perform even better. See these 7 breakthrough stocks now>>
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Should Value Investors Pick Buckeye Partners (BPL) Stock?
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The marriage of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry has been captivating the entire world but she's not the first American to marry royalty. Everything that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry do captivates the entire world. She is not the first American " commoner " to marry into royalty. For example, Grace Kelly married the Prince of Monaco in 1956. From Princess Grace to Queen Noor of Jordan, there is a long history of Americans marrying into the royal family of another country. In honor of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry - and their new addition, Archie - here are 15 other Americans who have paved the way to nobility. Grace Kelly married the Prince of Monaco, thus becoming the Princess of Monaco. Grace Kelly is one of the most famous actresses of the 20th century. She met her future husband, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, during a photo shoot . They had three children: Princesses Caroline and Stephanie, and Prince Albert. The two were married from 1956 until Kelly's tragic death in 1982, when she suffered a stroke and crashed her car. Kelly is still part of our cultural zeitgeist. Nicole Kidman portrayed the princess in the biopic "Grace of Monaco" in 2014, and Miranda Kerr's wedding dress in 2017 was inspired by the timeless beauty of Kelly's. Marie-Chantal Miller became the Crown Princess of Greece after marrying the Crown Prince of Greece, despite Greece not having been a monarchy since 1973. Marie-Chantal Miller, also known as the Crown Princess of Greece, is more than just a princess. She is the founder of her own children's clothing brand, called Marie-Chantal , and a mother of five. In fact, her oldest daughter just celebrated her 21st birthday in July. Marie-Chantal has been married to Pavlov, the Crown Prince of Greece, since 1995 after a six-month engagement. Her dress was a pearl-encrusted custom Valentino that allegedly cost $225,000. Wallis Simpson married Edward VIII the king of England until he decided to abdicate the throne for love. Meghan Markle is making news not only for being an American marrying into the royal family, but also for being a divorcée. That said, she's not the first divorced American woman to do so - that distinction goes to Wallis Simpson. Simpson began an affair with the Edward VIII while she was still married to her second husband. When they decided to marry, the Church of England didn't approve , as they wouldn't accept divorcée marriages if the ex-spouse was still alive. Edward VIII, then king, was faced with a choice: the crown or love. He famously chose love and abdicated the throne in December 1936 . He was then made Duke of Windsor by his brother and successor, King George VI. Rita Hayworth married the son of a sultan, but it didn't last. Hayworth was another very famous actress during the 20th century. Before her royal wedding, she was known as the " Love Goddess, " and it is said that this was a reason why Prince Aly Khan pursued her after her divorce from Orson Welles. Khan's royalty stemmed from his father, Aga Khan - a direct descendant of Muhammad - whose role in Islam was similar to the pope's in Catholicism. Their marriage resulted in a daughter, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, but it only lasted two years . Hayworth went on to get married twice more: to singer Dick Haymes, and then movie producer James Hill. Christopher O'Neill married a Swedish princess but he's still Mr. Christopher O'Neill. While O'Neill was born in London, he holds dual-citizenship for the USA and the UK. He married Princess Madeleine in 2013 , and they are expecting baby number three. O'Neill himself has never taken a royal title , and is therefore officially known as Mr. Christopher O'Neill. Lee Radziwill, Jackie Kennedy's younger sister, married a Polish prince. Caroline Lee Radziwill is an American socialite and former actress, known for her impeccable sense of style (she was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1996). She has been married and divorced three times - in 1959, the same year that she divorced her first husband, Michael Temple Manfield, she married Prince Stanislaw Albrecht Radziwill of Poland. They had two children together, Anthony and Tina, and were married for 15 years. She later married Herbert Ross, but divorced in 2001. Lisa Halaby married the King of Jordan, making her Queen Noor. Lisa Halaby was married to King Hussein of Jordan from 1978 until his death in 1999. Formerly an urban planner, the two met at an airport dedication to the King's late wife, Queen Alia. They were engaged after a six-week courtship and had four children together: Prince Hamzah, Prince Hashim, Princess Iman, and Princess Raiyah. Queen Noor became the first American-born queen of an Arab country. She needs constant protection - King Hussein survived over 25 assassination attempts. Ariana Austin married an Ethiopian prince she met at a club, Prince Joel Makonnen, the great-grandson of Emperor Haile Selassie I. The two originally met in a nightclub in DC, but he didn't tell his girlfriend he was a prince until much later. The two got married in September in an over-the-top event that lasted five days and included over 300 guests. She's now known officially as Princess Ariana Makonnen. Alexandra Miller married Prince Alexandre von Fürstenberg, but it isn't her family's first brush with royalty. The Millers are essentially a royal family in their own right: Alexandra is Marie-Chantal of Greece's younger sister , making her brother-in-law the future king of Greece. Her ex mother-in-law is famous fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg. Miller married Prince Alexandre von Fürstenberg in 1995, had two children, and then divorced in 2002. She's now known as a furniture designer , and was the creative director of Diane von Fürstenberg's company DVF. Hope Cooke married the last King of Sikkim, the smallest kingdom in Asia. Hope Cooke married the Crown Prince Palden Thondup Namgyal in 1963 , after meeting him as a college student traveling through India - they married two years later. When the prince was named king of the tiny Himalayan nation, she became Her Highness Hope La, Gyalmo of Sikkim. However, Sikkim was annexed into India in 1975, and the king was put under house arrest. They divorced in 1980, though Cooke had already moved back to the US with her children. The king died from cancer two years later. Kelly Rondestvedt became Her Highness Hereditary Princess Kelly of Saxe-Coburg und Gotha when she married a German prince. Before becoming a German princess, Rondestvedt was an investment banker in NYC, which is where she met her now husband, Prince Hubertus of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. He's the prince of an area in Bavaria called Saxe-Coburg und Gotha, which his family ruled over until 1918. They married in 2009 and just welcomed their third child in February . Fun fact: King George V changed the name of his house from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor in 1917, due to anti-German sentiment caused by WWI. Sarah Butler married the Crown Prince of Iraq, becoming Her Royal Highness Princess Sarah Zeid. Her husband, Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad, is part of the Jordanian House of Hashemite, as well as the Crown Prince of Iraq (though Iraq no longer has a monarchy). That aside, marrying him in 2000 made her Her Royal Highness Princess Sarah Zeid. They have three children and live in New York. Before becoming a princess, she worked for the UN, in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. Kendra Spears married the great-grandson of a Sultan, whom she was introduced to by Naomi Campbell. Spears, now known as Princess Salwa Aga Khan, was allegedly introduced to her husband by Naomi Campbell. She was a very successful model before becoming a princess. While she is an official princess, she's not a royal one. Her husband's family is part of the historical Iranian royal dynasty, but they don't have any role in government and don't rule over a specific geographical area. Her and her husband live in Switzerland and have two children. Olivia Wilde married an Italian prince when she was only 19. Olivia Wilde married Tao Ruspoli , the son of Prince Alessandro Ruspoli, 6 months after she met him in 2003. The two were married until 2011, when Wilde filed for divorce. She has said that getting married so young " stunted her growth ." Now, Wilde has two children with actor Jason Sudeikis: Otis and Daisy. Meghan Markle married Prince Harry of Wales in May 2018. They recently welcomed their first child, Archie. Meghan Markle is one of the most famous examples of an American finding love with a royal. She and Prince Harry celebrated their one-year anniversary in May 2019. While Prince Harry is only sixth in line to the throne, she's still had to make a lot of sacrifices to marry into the British royal family, like her blog , her acting career , and one of her rescue dogs . Markle is not only American and divorced, but also biracial. The royal family's support and acceptance of their relationship has been seen by many as an indicator that the monarchy is open to change and evolving with the times. Markle and Harry announced the birth of their son , Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, on May 6, and revealed his name two days later . German Prince Casimir Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn married American model Alana Camille Bunte in a German castle in June 2019. The couple met four years ago in London , and have been engaged since 2017, according to People. The Prince is descended from James II of England and grew up in Austria. The two were married in a German castle straight out of a fairytale. Read more: The 10 greatest scandals caused by queens throughout history 14 of the biggest royal weddings in history 11 royals who have lived in the US You can become a lady or a lord in Scotland for less than $50 - here's how
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16 American commoners who married into royalty
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Major stock market indices posted their best June performance in decades following a disappointing May. The Federal Reserve elected to keep interest rates unchanged, but left the door open for cuts in the future. What will July entail? The crystal ball gets a little hazy if you're only trying to pick stocks for the next month, so each of the following stocks look like good both mid-term and long-term bets. Here are five of the best stocks to buy for July: Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (ticker: GO) Chewy (CHWY) Del Taco Restaurants (TACO) Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Alibaba Group Holding (BABA) Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (ticker: GO) Three guesses what Grocery Outlet's business model is. If you're thinking discount grocer, you're spot on. But how does that work? Well, sort of similarly to how TJX Companies' (TJX) TJ Maxx business runs things: it purchases overstocked products and sells them at a discount sometimes ranging from 40% to 70%. Through franchising, Grocery Outlet has expanded its store base from 128 stores to more than 320 in 13 years. Same-store sales rose 4.2% last quarter, a solid metric for its industry. As one of the newest 2019 IPOs, GO's track record is brief, but for long-term investors it looks like one of the best stocks to buy for July. Chewy (CHWY) Looking for a way to invest in the pet craze? Well, that's been a savvy play in recent years, with shares of companies like animal health company Zoetis (ZTS) soaring shooting sky-high since their market debuts. Like Grocery Outlet, the $1.5 billion Chewy is also a recent IPO, except Chewy is an e-commerce retailer specializing in pet food, medications and other pet health products. Although it operates at a loss, revenue growth is explosive, soaring 68% in 2018 to $3.53 billion. Meanwhile, losses fell from 2017, and shares trade at just 0.43 times sales a steal for the retail industry. Del Taco Restaurants (TACO) Want to find a clever way to play the plant-based meat craze in the U.S. and on Wall Street right now? Look no further than small-cap Del Taco Restaurants, the third of the best stocks to buy for July worth less than $3 billion. Del Taco is notable for being one of the meaningful clients/distributors of Beyond Meat's (BYND) products, and through mid-June the restaurant chain had sold over 2 million Beyond Meat tacos since April. TACO is by no means a high-growth stock currently, and at $440 million, it's the smallest stock on this list. That said, it trades for under 8 times free cash flow. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Getting away from the whole theme of small stocks, Johnson & Johnson is anything but. Most investors shouldn't construct a portfolio built of strictly small names, which makes a portfolio anchor like JNJ perfect for almost all investors. Famous for its stability and well-diversified revenue streams, JNJ's three major segments are pharmaceuticals, consumer goods and medical devices. JNJ won't double your money over the next few years, but its 2.7% dividend, steady business, growing pharma portfolio and a forward price-earnings ratio of 15 make it an attractive conservative choice. Alibaba Group Holding (BABA) Last but not least is Alibaba, which, along with Johnson & Johnson is not just one of the best stocks to buy for July but was named one of the 10 best stocks to buy for 2019 by U.S. News. This Chinese e-commerce company remains under-appreciated for its extreme growth, which is enormously impressive for its size; sales increased 51% last quarter, as profits more than tripled. BABA is growing revenue faster than even Amazon.com (AMZN) was at a similar revenue base years ago. The $440 billion tech giant trades for just 19 times forward earnings and should be a great stock to hold for years to come. Copyright 2019 U.S. News & World Report
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5 of the Best Stocks to Buy for July
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A drive-by shooting left a 21-year-old man wounded when bullets entered his bedroom overnight, police said. It happened late Sunday in northwest Houston in the 7300 block of Shady Grove Lane , according to officers with the Houston Police Department. Police said two people in a vehicle opened fire on the home before speeding away. The victim told police he was lying down in a bedroom when one of the bullets struck him in the leg. He was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive. Two other adults and multiple teenagers were in the house at the time. No one else was injured, however. Police hope surveillance video from nearby homes will help lead them to the suspects' vehicle. Call Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS if you have any information about this crime. ALSO POPULAR ON KHOU.COM Toddler falls to death from Freedom of the Seas cruise ship in Puerto Rico Gulf of Mexico weather: Disturbance has 80 percent chance of development over 5 days; track uncertain Kelley O'Hara wins over the internet with US flag rescue, post-game kiss, locker room celebration
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Man lying in bed shot during drive-by at northwest Houston home
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With Lamarcus Joyner on his way out in free agency, the Los Angeles Rams sunk major assets into the safety position this offseason. They signed Eric Weddle after he was cut by the Ravens and then drafted both Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott. There's a chance they're not done addressing the position, either. According to Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline , the Rams were among the teams "lining up" to meet with supplemental draft prospect Jalen Thompson at his pro day on Monday. A total of 26 teams attended the defensive back's workout. Thompson entered the supplemental draft after losing his final year of eligibility at Washington State for violating NCAA rules. Had he declared for the 2019 draft, he could have been a Day 2 or 3 pick. Thompson weighed in at 5-foot-10, 186 pounds at his pro day with 31 1/4-inch arms. He's not the biggest safety around, but he has the requisite size and speed to play the position in the NFL. He also clocked 4.47 and 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which is plenty fast. At Washington State, he was a three-year starter. He racked up 190 total tackles, six interceptions and 17 passes defensed, showing off good ball skills in 2017 with four interceptions - good for third in the Pac-12. His fit with the Rams wouldn't be immediately clear, but at the very least he could contribute on special teams. With Weddle and John Johnson in line to start, and Rapp backing them up, Los Angeles is plenty deep at safety. The supplemental draft begins on Wednesday and is conducted over email. Teams submit bids on players using 2020 draft picks, so if someone bids a fourth-round pick on Thompson, that team will lose its fourth-rounder in 2020. MORE: UFC fighter Ben Askren had an excellent response to getting knocked out in 5 seconds Expected starting lineup for Lakers with LeBron James at point guard Former Steeler DeAngelo Williams throws shade at WR Ryan Switzer Honor thy father: Quinn Cook signed with Lakers for good reason Three Potential Trade Destinations for Russell Westbrook
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Report: Rams showing interest in supplemental draft prospect Jalen Thompson
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WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren is proposing creating a $7 billion fund to provide grants to help more minorities start their own businesses, she announced on Friday. "The playing field is tilted against entrepreneurs of color," Warren, a U.S. senator, wrote in a post on Medium.com announcing the proposal. "The small business gap is another example of how the racial wealth gap in America holds back our economy and hurts Black, Latinx, Native American, and other minority families and communities." Warren is scheduled to appear on Saturday at the Black Economic Alliance Forum in South Carolina, where she will campaign along with several other presidential hopefuls. She is one of 24 Democrats competing for the party's nomination to challenge Republican President Donald Trump in the November 2020 election. The fund would provide grants - not loans or loan guarantees - to minority entrepreneurs, Warren is proposing. "Current government policies focus on providing access to credit to entrepreneurs, but loans aren't as good as no-strings-attached equity because they leave businesses with debt when they're trying to grow," Warren wrote. Warren would have the program administered by state and local governments. Those who applied for grants would be required to qualify for the existing Small Business Administration's existing 8(a) program and to have a household income of less than $100,000. Additionally, Warren wants to require the states and local governments administering her program to hire more minority investment managers. Warren said she would pay for the program through her "ultra-millionaire tax" on wealth over $25 million. Reporting by Ginger Gibson; editing by James Dalgleish
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Democrat Warren wants $7 billion fund to give grants to minority entrepreneurs
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TODAY's Dylan Dreyer hits the court at the Cary Leeds Center to learn more about New York Junior Tennis and Learning, the largest grassroots tennis and education nonprofit in the U.S. that offers lessons to underserved children in New York.
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Tennis nonprofit brings lessons to new generation of children
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Ben Legzdins of Estes Park Guided Tours captured video of an elk using a car, which appeared to be a Cadillac, as a step stool to reach for food from a tree in Estes Park, Colorado, on August 8, 2016. Legzdins told Storyful he woke up early one morning and went to drink his coffee outside where he and came across this female elk propping herself up on the Cadillac. Credit: Estes Park Guided Tours via Storyful
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Elk Uses a Car as Step Stool in Estes Park, Colorado
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President Trump is doubling down on his fight to add a question about citizenship on the 2020 census. The White House says the president is now considering an executive order to try and force the issue. Nicole Killion reports.
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President Trump doubles down on his fight to add citizenship question to census
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We owe a debt of gratitude to decades of scientific research and development. Inventions inspired by space exploration Space research and development is useful in many ways here on Earth, influencing everything from health care to selfies. These technologies have long been chronicled in Spinoff, NASA's premier publication. Here are just a few of the nearly 2,000 products that have been profiled. Air purification In the '90s when NASA began studying whether or not astronauts would be able to survive long-term space missions, the research resulted in an air purification technology that is now widely used by consumers today. Athletic shoes A process referred to as "blow rubber molding" used in producing helmets was applied to create hollow shoe soles to be filled with shock-absorbing materials. That's one small step for astronauts, one giant leap for athletes. Artificial limbs NASA's innovations in robotics and shock-absorption enable the private sector to create solutions for animal and human prostheses. Baby formula Over 90 percent of baby formulas now contain a nutritional enrichment ingredient that is the result of NASA-sponsored research that "explored the potential of algae as a recycling agent for long-duration space travel," according to a description in the 1981 edition of Spinoff. Camera phones Back in the 1990s, a team from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory worked to create a camera small enough to fit on a spacecraft. Today, a third of all cameras contain this technology. CT scans and MRIs NASA scientists pioneered digital signal processing to produce computer-improved images of the Moon during various Apollo missions. That breakthrough is the basis for the machinery used for CT scans and MRIs. Cordless vacuums and power tools Your cordless, handheld tools were inspired by a portable drill used to extract core samples from below the surface of the moon. The computer program used to develop that drill for the Apollo and Gemini space missions was designed by none other than Black & Decker, creators of the DustBuster and other cordless tools. Deicing systems The next time your December flight from New York to Chicago arrives on time, you can thank NASA for Thermawing, "a reliable anti-icing and deicing system (that) allows pilots to safely fly through ice encounters and provides pilots of single-engine aircraft the heated wing technology usually reserved for larger, jet-powered craft." Ear thermometers An aural thermometer developed by Diatek Corporation and NASA uses infrared astronomy technology to measure the amount of energy emitted by the eardrum the same way the temperature of stars and planets is measured. GPS navigation According to Spinoff, "NASA monitors the integrity of global GPS data in real time for the U.S. Air Force, which administers the positioning service worldwide." So whether you need directions to your vacation stops or you're a member of the military seeking specific coordinates, precise navigation is available thanks to NASA. Invisible braces NASA partnered with Ceradyne Inc. to create a translucent polycrystalline alumina to protect the infrared antennae of heat-seeking missile trackers. This material became the critical component of the first "invisible" dental braces. Freeze-dried food The technology behind this food preparation created for astronauts is widely used today. Mylar Anyone who has seen a marathon or any other long race has probably noticed the Mylar blankets used to cover the runners once they crossed the finish line. According to PBS, Mylar was invented in the 1950s to protect NASA's spacecraft from the sun's heat and to also keep them insulated. Olympic swimsuits Flying through space and swimming through water can be such a drag, literally. After the 2004 Olympics, SpeedoUSA asked NASA to help design a swimsuit with reduced viscous drag. The resulting LZR Racer provides extra compression in key areas to help a swimmer use less energy to swim faster. Scratch-resistant lenses Work done at Ames Research Center on coatings for astronaut helmet visors inspired some of the earliest research into effective scratch-resistant coatings for prescription and sunglass lenses. Solar panels Solar panels lit up the space exploration scene in the early '80s, and the technology has been further enhanced for both space and commercial use today. Temper foam Originally designed to improve crash protection, the material known as "memory foam" has been incorporated into household products such as mattresses and pillows. It is also being used by NASCAR to provide added safety in racecars.
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Every-day technologies that came from the space program
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(video courtesy US Weekly) Wendy Williams, host of The Wendy Williams Show , returned to her show on Monday after a hiatus due to health concerns. She shared news of her lymphedema diagnosis with viewers. Lymphedema is a chronic disorder due to an impaired lymphatic system and commonly causes swelling in the legs and arms. Wendy Williams returned to The Wendy Williams Show Monday after a long hiatus and had some surprising health news to share with viewers: Wendy, 54, revealed that she was recently diagnosed with lymphedema. The talk show host has suffered from multiple health concerns, including hyperthyroidism and Graves' disease. Wendy has been open about her ongoing health struggles and took time off to focus on her health earlier this year. Wendy explained her swollen ankles visible in paparazzi images are due to the lymphedema. "Lymphedema, by the way, I've been diagnosed," she explained on air, People reported. "It's not going to kill me, but I do have a machine-and how dare you talk about the swelling of it all." Wendy also noted her swollen ankles during a previous show. "My ankles and my feet are swelling as we speak. … This here is embarrassing," she reportedly said according to US Weekly . According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), lymphedema is a type of swelling that typically happens in the arms and legs. This happens, per the NLM, when there is inadequate lymph drainage in the body and lymphatic fluid, which contains white blood cells, builds up under the skin. Some causes of lymphedema include infection, scar tissue pertaining to the lymph nodes, inherited lymph node issues, or cancer. According to the NLM, treatment can help control symptoms and typically includes exercise, compression devices, skin care, and massage therapy. Wendy isn't letting the new diagnosis get her down. She said she's currently dating a doctor and has a treatment plan for her condition. "I've got it under control. If [the swelling] in my feet never goes all the way down, at least I have this machine," she shared with her audience. "I sit for 45 minutes a day. It's the best party entertainer ever. Everybody [that] comes over wants to do it." Here's hoping Wendy keeps up her signature sense of humor during her treatment.
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Wendy Williams Just Revealed She's Been Diagnosed With Lymphedema
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In September last year, Porsche put big smiles on our faces revealing a modern classic. The reborn 935 paid homage to the long-tailed Moby Dick race car from the late 1970s and also celebrated Porsche's 70th anniversary. What better way to mark a significant occasion in the history of the iconic sports car maker? Now, the Stuttgart-based manufacturer displays the 911 GT2 RS -based race car in different liveries because you know "the range of different colors did not make a Porsche faster, but certainly more desirable." The new liveries were created by a design team together with Grant Larson, which developed seven variants, providing "a new interpretation of a bygone motorsport era." "We have reinterpreted the various racing eras of the 935 using computer design programs, initially orientating ourselves geometrically on the design of the Martini racing version," Grant Larson exlains. "However, we had to recreate all graphical data using virtual reality and finally apply it to the outer skin of the 935. That was very exciting in itself." Follow MSN Autos on Facebook and Twitter Gulf livery This is undoubtedly one of the most famous race liveries from Porsche. With the legendary blue-orange color scheme, the automaker in the won the 1970 and 1971 World Sportscar Championship with the 917. Interscope livery In 1981, Porsche won the 24 Hours of Daytona with Bob Garretson and Brian Redman. Their 935 featured a black Insterscope livery. JPS livery This striking black and gold color combination was used by Team Kremer Racing, from Cologne, for their 935 which became famous with its Group 5 results. Momo livery This livery is often referred to Gianpiero Moretti, who drove a red 935 of Momo Racing in several starts, including the races at Spa, Watkins Glen, and Silverstone. Sachs livery One of Porsche s most successful eras in motorsport is connected with Sachs and the respective livery. With it, the German company won the 12 Hours of Sebring race in 1980 with Dick Barbour behind the wheel of a 935. Salzburg livery In 1970, a small private team from Austria won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 917 at the time was so fast it was actually able to exceed 200 mph (322 kph) in four different places of a lap of Le Mans. Vaillant livery In 1977, private motor racing team Kremer claimed victory in a baptism of fire at the Nurburgring. The Green Hell is now known as an apt description for both the legendary race track and this 935.
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Reborn Porsche 935 Shown In Stunning Liveries
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LAS VEGAS - UFC president Dana White believes it's time for Luke Rockhold to retire after the former champion was knocked out in brutal fashion yet again at UFC 239. Rockhold (16-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC), the former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion, had his light heavyweight debut spoiled in a gruesome manner when he was floored by Jan Blachowicz (24-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC) in the second round on Saturday. All six of Rockhold's career defeats have come by knockout, and at 34, White said the time could be right to move on from competition. "I think Luke Rockhold should talk about hanging it up," White said at the UFC 239 post-fight news conference. "He broke his jaw tonight. That's his second broken jaw, he's been knocked out viciously a few times here, his shin is all banged up, he had to have skin graphs and all kinds of stuff. He's had a good career. He's been a great fighter. I'd like to see him hang it up." UFC 239 took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Rockhold vs. Blachowicz was part of the main card, which aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass. Rockhold's appearance marked his return to competition from a career-long 511-day layoff. He had to recover from multiple injuries during that stretch, and leading up to UFC 239 was discussing a title shot after his debut at 205 pounds. White said Rockhold doesn't necessarily need fighting, though. The American has another gig in modeling, and White hinted that he should focus on that going forward. "He's got another career, he's got a second career," White said. "Everyone's a (expletive) model, right? 'I'm a model, I'm a model.' That guy's actually really modeling for Ralph Lauren. So, good for him." For complete coverage of UFC 239 , check out the UFC Results . MORE: Lakers land consolation prizes after missing out on Kawhi Leonard 3 reasons why the the NFL will never have an NBA-like offseason Could Serge Ibaka be a post-Kawhi exit trade target for Boston? NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players WATCH: Jorge Masvidal Knocks Out Ben Askren in Five Seconds
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Dana White says Luke Rockhold broke jaw at UFC 239, urges ex-champ to 'hang it up'
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Washington and Philadelphia start a four-game set at 7:05 PM EDT with Patrick Corbin on the mound for the Nationals against Phillies' righty Jake Arrieta. FOLLOW: MASN; 106.7. Next Game Philadelphia Phillies at Washington Nationals June 17, 2019 7:05 PM EDT Nationals Park Patrick Corbin vs Jake Arrieta WEATHER: Cloudy, 83° • D.C. Starting Lineup: 1. Trea Turner - SS 2. Mighty Mouse - RF 3. #RENDONISREADY - 3B 4. #JuanPursuit - LF 5. Mt. Adams - 1B 6. Brian Dozier - 2B 7. Yan Gomes - C 8. Patrick Corbin - LHP 9. Victor Robles - CF • LINKS : Juan Soto and Victor Robles = THE FUTURE - New Breaking T shirt posted by Patrick Reddington about 12 hours ago 0 comments | 0 recs Nationals thrilled with 2019 1st Round pick posted by Patrick Reddington about 12 hours ago 0 comments | 0 recs How to FBB: A User's Guide to Federal Baseball posted by Patrick Reddington about 12 hours ago 0 comments | 0 recs For a Philadelphia Phillies fan's perspective, check out the SB Nation's Phillies site: The Good Phight Tonight's Lineups: PHILLIES NATIONALS Jean Segura - SS Trea Turner - SS Bryce Harper - RF Adam Eaton - RF Scott Kingery - 3B Anthony Rendon - 3B Rhys Hoskins - 1B Juan Soto - LF Sean Rodriguez - LF Matt Adams - 1B Roman Quinn - CF Brian Dozier - 2B Cesar Hernandez - 2B Yan Gomes - C Andrew Knapp - C Patrick Corbin - LHP Jake Arrieta - RHP Victor Robles - CF CORBIN VS THE PHILLIES: ARRIETA VS THE NATIONALS: • Mr. Wilbon? Way To Go Nats!!! • Mr. Kornheiser? "Don't Hate on the Nats, Baby!"
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Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies: GameThread 72 of 162
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Spencer Turnbull will try to pick up a win for the Tigers on Sunday. The Detroit Tigers aren't supposed to win this game. Their odds of pulling out a victory, according to FiveThirtyEight , stand at just 39 percent. Mind you, this low percentage comes while playing at home they have the second-lowest odds to win of any home team on Sunday and, if you believe FanGraphs' WAR calculations, with the better starting pitcher on the mound. Granted, most of us would pick Trevor Bauer over Spencer Turnbull if given the choice in a winner-take-all situation, but FiveThirtyEight gives Turnbull a 10-point advantage over Bauer in their calculations. Turnbull's 3.16 ERA and 27 percent strikeout rate at home are points in his favor. We know why the Indians are so heavily favored, though. Detroit's offense sits second-to-last in the American League with a 78 wRC+, and they fall to the bottom against right-handed pitchers (75 wRC+). Their bullpen also has the third-highest ERA in the AL, with peripherals to match. Meanwhile, Cleveland's 'pen has the best ERA in the AL, and they top all of Major League Baseball in RE24. So when Spencer Turnbull has another solid outing on Sunday and gets left out to dry yet again? You know why. Cleveland Indians (36-33) at Detroit Tigers (25-42) Time/Place: 1:10 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation site: Let's Go Tribe Media: Fox Sports Detroit, fuboTV , MLB.TV , Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Trevor Bauer (4-6, 3.71 ERA) vs. RHP Spencer Turnbull (3-5, 2.78 ERA) Trevor Bauer has not been the same pitcher in 2019 that he was last season, and it came on rather suddenly. He started off hot in April, producing a 1.99 ERA in his first six starts, and a 2.45 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 47 2 ⁄ 3 innings at the end of the month. He had managed eight strikeouts or more in five of his seven starts, and looked very much like the pitcher that finished fourth in the American League in fWAR last season. Since May 1, it has come crashing down. Bauer has allowed a 37 runs (28 earned) in his last 51 2 ⁄ 3 innings, and four runs or more in six of his eight outings. His strikeout touch is still there he has punched out seven hitters or more in five of those eight starts but so is his penchant for losing his control. He has walked three batters or more in five of those starts (including eight free passes in his last two starts), and his walk rated has climbed back north of 10 percent for the first time since 2015. With Bauer, the "why?" portion of this equation is almost impossible to answer. He tinkers frequently with pitch sequencing, grips, and the like, and the only notable change in his pitch usage from 2018 is a dip in how often he throws his curveball (from 26 percent to 19 percent). The curve was decent for him last year, but far from his best offering, and has been a bit better in 2019. He has been less predictable with it in certain situations (against righties, mostly), but more predictable against lefties, who can't seem to hit it anyway. Don't expect Bauer to be all over the place, though. Most of his struggles have come at home he has a 2.42 ERA and 18.0 percent K-BB% away from Progressive Field and things seemed to click again (sort of) in his last start, a 2-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds . Key matchup: Tigers offense vs. scoring runs As mentioned already, the Tigers have the second-worst offense in the American League, per wRC+, and are a whopping 25 percent below league average against right-handed pitching, worst in baseball. They have three regulars who have produced at an above-average level against righties this year Brandon Dixon , Gordon Beckham , and JaCoby Jones , if you're counting while six others have put up an 80 wRC+ or worse in over 100 plate appearances against righties. Add in that Bauer, struggles be damned, was 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four starts against the Tigers last year, and you have a recipe for yet another long day at the ballpark. Prediction Bauer comes to life and the Indians sweep the Tigers.
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Game 69 Preview: Indians at Tigers
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Donovan Mitchell predicts where NBA free agents will land
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Donovan Mitchell predicts where NBA free agents will land
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The proposed acquisition of Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S) by T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) has been handed some more bad news. As far as regulators looking out for consumers, this may be good news, in that there likely will be a continued cut-throat pricing environment. For investors looking for dividends and safety in the businesses, and for telecom executives who somehow have to aim for growth and profits without sacrificing margins, this is not good news at all. Multiple news reports have noted that as many as 10 state attorneys general will sue to block the proposed merger. While the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initially leaned toward approval, antitrust concerns were voiced by the U.S. Department of Justice. That may spell doom for this proposed deal, and it likely means that no acquirer of the three major U.S. wireless players will dare go after Sprint again any time soon. This move is also bad for AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) shareholders. The logic has been that three major companies trying to undercut each other would be less business pressure than a four-way war. As a reminder, AT&T was blocked back in 2011 from acquiring T-Mobile due to anticompetitive pressure. The lack of a competition killer may be a blessing for the cell tower operators. That's simple enough to see why. Four customers in need are probably more profitable than three more financially solid customers that can apply leverage to suppliers and service providers. American Tower Corp. (NYSE: AMT) and Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE: CCI) both stand to benefit from the news as the leading cell-tower operators in America. Shares of T-Mobile and Sprint were both hit hard on the news. Sprint was down 6.9% at $6.50 just ahead of the noon hour. It has a 52-week range of $5.23 to $7.90 and a consensus target price of $6.24. T-Mobile was down 2.1% at $75.04. The 52-week range is $57.76 to $80.93. The consensus analyst target is $82.53. The larger telecom rivals actually were trading up on the news on last look: AT&T 1.4% higher at $32.38 and Verizon up 2.0% at $57.30. The former has a 52-week range of $26.80 to $34.53 and a consensus target price of $33.81, while the latter has traded between $47.13 and $61.58 in the past year and now has a $59.64 consensus price target. The reaction in the cell-tower providers was mixed but mild. American Tower was down 0.7% at $208.33, in a 52-week range of $136.03 to $214.52 and with a consensus target price of $192.50. Crown Castle was 0.1% higher to $134.87. It has a consensus target price of $127.40 and a 52-week trading range of $99.99 to $136.39. SBA Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: SBAC) was down 0.2% at $221.16, in a 52-week range of $146.13 to $223.31. The consensus analyst target is $204.06. While the reactions are muted compared to some that have been seen, some investors already have prepared for the deal to be blocked. One thing that is not in the cards is whether a stalking horse standalone player would be interested in acquiring Sprint. That could be one of multiple players, from Amazon to Comcast to a whole host of other companies. Whether regulators would want to allow that remains to be seen, but if a stronger acquirer can come in and make a better run at the fourth wireless carrier, then maybe it's just that much better in the eyes of regulators and that much more cutthroat (lower margin) for investors of AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. ALSO READ: Why One Red-Hot Sector Keeps Going Higher Even as Yields Plunge
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More Bad News for Sprint and T-Mobile Merger Ambitions
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The home of Tony Soprano went on the market with a starting price of $3.4 million, The New York Times reported. Despite temperatures in the 80's, the "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" made it look like there was snow on the ground when they filmed on Market St. between Cianci and Mill St. Monday, May 20, 2019 People in Paterson are shown in front of a movie set backdrop as the "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" filmed on Market St. between Cianci and Mill St. The film crew made the area look like a scene from the 1960's. Monday, May 20, 2019 A scene from the "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" is shown on Market St. between Cianci and Mill St. in Paterson. Monday, May 20, 2019 Despite temperatures in the 80's, the "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" made it look like there was snow on the ground when they filmed on Market St. between Cianci and Mill St. Monday, May 20, 2019 A scene from the "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" is shown on Market St. between Cianci and Mill St. in Paterson. Monday, May 20, 2019 A man on Market St. peaks out of a second story window in Paterson. The "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" filmed on Market St. between Cianci and Mill St. in Paterson. Monday, May 20, 2019 Fake snow blows past people on Market St. as the "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" is is filmed in Paterson. Monday, May 20, 2019 A scene from the "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" is filmed on Market St. between Cianci and Mill St. in Paterson. Monday, May 20, 2019 Antique cars could be seen on Market St. in Paterson as the "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" is filmed. Monday, May 20, 2019 A scene from the "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" is filmed on Market St. between Cianci and Mill St. in Paterson. Monday, May 20, 2019 People believed to be involved with the "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" are shown on Market St. between Cianci and Mill St. Monday, May 20, 2019 A scene from the "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" is filmed on Market St. between Cianci and Mill St. in Paterson. Monday, May 20, 2019 Pedestrians took to their cell phones as the "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" filmed on Market St. between Cianci and Mill St. Monday, May 20, 2019 A scene from the "Sopranos" movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark" is filmed on Market St. between Cianci and Mill St. in Paterson. Monday, May 20, 2019
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Sopranos movie prequel, "The Many Saints of Newark"
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NEW YORK Of the countless chances the Astros gave away on Friday, one is all-too-terribly indicative of the rut they're stuck in. In the third inning of a scoreless game, with speedy Myles Straw at third base and two outs, Yankees southpaw starter James Paxton pitched around Jose Altuvé in order to face Yordan Álvarez. Álvarez is still a rookie, sure, but he's been summoned to strike a sort of fear in opponents that Houston currently cannot cultivate. The absence of George Springer and Carlos Correa leaves absent two players who can make pitchers pay for decisions like this with one monstrous swing. Álvarez has shown in a small sample size that he can do that. In this lefty-on-lefty matchup, Paxton proceeded ahead 0-2, putting Álvarez in a precarious situation so early in the plate appearance. He pulled a weak ground ball that Edwin Encarnación smothered on a dive. No one will confuse Encarnación for an elite defender. Here, he made an excellent play and prevented an early Astros lead. Some rough luck, rougher results with runners in scoring position and an aversion to taking an early advantage are killing the Astros. "We can win. We can win," manager A.J. Hinch said. "It just doesn't feel like it when you lose this many games in a row, and it's uncharacteristic for our team, but we can win with anybody." This streak now stretches to six games, obviously spanning 54 innings. The Astros have entered an inning while holding a lead just three times. Fifty-one innings playing either tied or from behind puts an enormous amount of pressure to cash in on opportunities when they arise. In those scenarios, the Astros have combusted. They are 6-for-44 with runners in scoring position and averaging 2.3 runs per game during their last six games. Striking out 8.3 times per game is not helping, either, especially when they're arriving at inopportune times. The Astros finished 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position on Friday. Eight of those at-bats ended with a strikeout. "We're just not hitting with runners in scoring position, just those big hits we can't seem to come across like we have in the past all year," Josh Reddick said. "It just keeps carrying over and carrying over. It's obviously frustrating and upsetting, but we're going to come out of it." Assigning the Astros' anemia its proper perspective is paramount. The team still resides 19 games over .500, holds a seven-game lead in the American League West and is playing without two of its most terrifying offensive players. The excuses do not absolve the abhorrent play, a point Reddick was sure to make clear after Friday's 4-1 loss. But the main culprit of this terrible stretch has been apparent for far longer than this recent road trip. From May 20 through Thursday night, the Astros slashed .264/.316/.433 with runners in scoring position. That's a .749 OPS. In the same timeframe, the Yankees amassed a 1.013 OPS and the Twins tallied a .951 clip. Houston's number ranks 18th of 30 major league teams. Bear in mind, that OPS number doesn't take into account Friday's miserable showing. "We just haven't been putting runs across," Reddick said. "That's one strength about this lineup and this team is we know how to put runs across at a steady pace. And we're just not putting up crooked numbers right now."
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Astros insider: Stuck in a frustrating rut
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A-Rod dishes on what was said at his star-studded table at a rare look inside the Met Gala and part of it was 'how rich' Kylie Jenner is
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Kylie Jenner Talked About 'How Rich She Is' at the Met Gala, Says Alex Rodriguez
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Adrian and Barbara face a cruel realization about a high-profile client. Also, while second chair to Diane on a case, Lucca is in for more than she bargained for thanks to the state attorney's office's golden boy, Colin Morello (Justin Bartha), and Maia visits her father in prison, on The Good Fight, Sunday, at 9/10c. Only CBS
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The Good Fight - The Schtup List (Sneak Peek)
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren is in South Florida ahead of this week's first primary debates. In a ball cap and slacks, Warren, as promised and in the searing heat, showed up Tuesday on the ground in Homestead outside of the controversial facility that houses migrant children. Warren made the impromptu announcement at a town hall the night before; she mingled with ever-present protesters, shook hands, exchanged hugs and held a young girl in front of cameras. "Our government is following a policy of inflicting maximum pain on families that flee trying to build a better life," said Warren amid a crush of reporters. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Homestead facility houses over 2,300 migrant children. Warren described what she could see from the outside; the view from a ladder put up by demonstrators that allows people to peer over the fence beyond the secure gates. "These were children being marched like soldiers, like prisoners from one place to another," said Warren. This is not what we should be doing as a country. These children did not commit a crime, these children pose no threat to people here in the United States of America and yet they are locked up." It was a big day for big names outside the facility. Actress and activist Alyssa Milano made an appearance in the morning, standing watch on the very same ladder. "I'm moved to tears that this is happening in our country, in our name," she said. Neither Milano or Senator Warren ever made the attempt to get into the shelter. Warren said her office put in a request and were told no ahead of time. "We can't get in," she said. "It is a moral stain on the United States of America inflicted by Donald Trump. This is about showing up and saying 'I'm here and she's here and he's here and she's here and as the American people we will not put up with this." Democratic presidential candidate Senator Amy Klobuchar visited the facility Wednesday afternoon. She did not try to enter the facility. Senator Debbie Mucarsel-Powell's office confirmed that Democratic presidential candidates Julian Castro, Senator Kamala Harris, Mayor Pete Buttigeg, Senator Kristen Gillibrand will also visit the site on Friday. They will likely not be allowed to enter the facility due to two week notice policy.
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Democratic Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren Visits Homestead Facility For Migrant Children
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Numerous restrictions will be in place beginning Saturday morning in the Tonto National Forest, where the Woodbury Fire had grown to nearly 26,000 acres and was projected to keep spreading over the next two weeks, forest officials said. The restrictions will impact the entire forest because of high wildfire risk. The forest encompasses parts of Maricopa, Gila, Yavapai and Pinal counties. It includes all lands, roads and trails. It is a major recreational attraction for Phoenix-area residents. "The purpose of this order is to provide for the public's health and safety and to protect National Forest System lands, resources and facilities during the current period of high fire danger,'' Tonto National Forest officials said in a statement issued Friday. For more stories that matter, subscribe to azcentral.com . "An emergency situation exists due to high levels of continuous fine fuel loading, fire danger indices, and extreme weather conditions. These factors have created an environment in which ignitions from human-caused activities can occur at a much higher rate than normal,'' the statement said. The restrictions will place a ban on using any fire, including charcoal and briquettes, outside of a fire structure provided by the Forest Service in a designated area. Blasting, welding or using any type of open-flame torch is prohibited. Discharging firearms is banned, unless lawfully hunting. Smoking also is prohibited, unless inside a vehicle, a structure or an area with at least a 3-foot diameter clearance of brush or shrubs. Using explosives or fireworks are banned year-round in the forest. Stoves or grills fueled by liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum gas are allowed. Major wildfires already have occurred in the Tonto National Forest, including the Woodbury Fire, which had burned nearly 26,000 acres in the Superstition Wilderness area northwest of Superior as of Friday evening, forest officials said. The fire was burning in rugged terrain making it difficult for crews to reach, according to the update provided by officials. The update projected the fire wold continue growing over the next few days and could reach terrain that would support "long duration fire activity'' to the north and northeast, possibly close to SR 88 east of Apache Junction. ADOT shared a photo of the fire near Tortilla Flat along with an advisory that part of SR 88, between Needle Vista and Roosevelt Lake, was closed because of he fire. REMINDER: SR 88 remains closed between Needle Vista and Roosevelt Lake due to the #Woodbury Fire. Here is what ADOT employee Kevin Duby saw near Tortilla Flat about an hour ago. pic.twitter.com/x9FI0b3g4U Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) June 15, 2019 Forest officials projected the fire might not be controlled until July 1. Earlier this month, the Mountain Fire burned nearly 8,000 acres in the forest near Horseshoe Lake north of Cave Creek before it was contained. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tonto National Forest restrictions ordered due to wildfire risk
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Tonto National Forest restrictions ordered due to wildfire risk
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Hungarian artist Gergely Dudás illustrates puzzles of hidden images. In his newest image, there's a penguin hidden among a flock of toucans. Gergely Dudás' viral works of art challenge people to look closely at an image to find something that doesn't quite belong. In past brainteasers, he's hidden a panda among snowmen , a card among gift bags , a heart among elephants , a lollipop among ice cream cones , a bunny among cats , a star among Jack-o'-lanterns , a snowman among snowflakes , and a heart among flowers . He's also released three books of brainteasers: one of holiday puzzles called "Bear's Merry Book of Hidden Things," a Halloween-themed book called " Bear's Spooky Book of Hidden Things ," and his latest, " Bear's Springtime Book of Hidden Things ." In his newest brainteaser, Dudás has hidden a penguin among a flock of toucans. Can you find it? Take a look at the image: Were you able to find the toucan? If not, don't worry. Keep looking. It's there somewhere. If you're still stuck, the answer is revealed below. Keep scrolling if you want to see it. Last chance to turn back! Here it is: The penguin has a grey face with a white belly, while the surrounding toucans have white faces and grey bodies. RELATED VIDEO: Viral debate: Is this a door or a beach? [Provided by Fox News]
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Can you find the penguin among the flock of toucans in this viral brainteaser?
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Working with over 100 outside carriers and brokers, Walmart Inc (NYSE: WMT) is likely to be a shipper of choice for many already. But even one of the U.S. freight industry's largest customers realized it could do better for drivers. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company came in third in a field of 135 shippers for the Shipper of Choice awards presented in partnership with Convoy at Transparency19 . The awards rank shippers on the basis of criteria such as driver friendliness, flexibility, accommodations, efficiency and low detention times. As Jon Dibee, Walmart's Senior Director of Inbound Transportation, explained to FreightWaves, a little over year earlier the company began to collect the same data about how it's perceived by its outside carrier network. Walmart's Executive Vice President of Supply Chain Greg Smith met with the company's carriers at a Retail Industry Leaders Association conference. He asked what their main concerns were and how Walmart can help them do their job better.  The carriers told Smith their main issue, as always, is driver acquisition and retention. "Our carrier partners asked us to just do what we can to support drivers," Dibee said. "We recognize this lifestyle is hard. Greg Smith tasked us with making sure we were taking actions that reduced driver friction in our supply chain." Smith made being a shipper of choice an urgent agenda item for Walmart. In April 2018, he convened a team culled from Walmart's logistics and operations departments to meet monthly on how the goal would be achieved. The first step was a 32-question survey sent out the following month asking carriers and brokers how Walmart ranked on issues of financial and operational terms. But just over half the questions on the survey related to how Walmart performed as a customer in terms of freight delivered to market, driver experience at distribution centers and cross-docks, dwell times and flexibility in delivery windows. While Walmart ranked high on issues such as treatment of drivers, freight volumes and pricing, the survey showed it could improve flexibility for late drivers and delivery windows, detention invoicing and policies, and timeliness of loading at suppliers' docks. In response, Walmart changed policies to better meet the needs of carriers. The window for shipping general merchandise on-time-and-in-full increased from one day to two. It also changed primary tender acceptance rules for low volume lanes, and increased delivery window flexibility at grocery distribution centers. Drivers arriving early were allowed in a yard two hours before an appointment, versus the prior rule of one hour. "If the driver wants to do something like use the restroom or make a phone call, they can get to the yard earlier and do those things," Dibee said. "We made sure those windows were wide enough." Dibee also formed a separate team in Walmart to address issues related to freight payments. The team assembled reports to monitor payables aging and late payments to carriers. Walmart also sought to match pay from transport management system rating versus one-time rate sheets. Carriers also pointed to areas of improvement in detention billing processes. One deficiency in that area was carriers and brokers did not always provide all the necessary information to back up claims for detention billing, Dibee said. Walmart's transportation team made it clearer to vendors about what additional information needs to be added to invoice for driver detention. "We simplified and streamlined the process for a carrier to be able to file a detention claim," Dibee said. "But ultimately our goal is to significantly reduce the occurrences of driver detention in our network." Dibee also said Walmart increased the "cadence" of freight being offered into the market by lumping together bids. So, bids for delivering project freight for new store equipment fixtures would be lumped together with ongoing merchandise freight to help smooth out the number of bids that were put into the market. Walmart's carrier partners also transport a large volume of goods from third-party distribution centers to Walmart's own distribution centers and cross-docks. On that front, many carriers asked, "how to make it easier to do business with those third-party suppliers," Dibee said. To that end, Walmart built a "visibility dashboard" that benchmarks carrier dwell time at its third-party vendors. The dashboard, live since September 2018, uses a carrier's electronic data interchange (EDI) about appointment, arrival and departure time to generate detention data for each facility and each carrier. Dibee said EDI is "not great information" as it can keyed in manually at times. But aggregating multiple sources about when drivers arrive and depart from a facility can provide a view into trends occurring with shippers. He cites the example of a charcoal manufacturer that was suddenly seeing an increase in wait times over two hours at one of its facilities. After setting up a call with the manufacturer, Walmart's operations team learned that orders were coming in faster than their plant could replenish inventory due to a sales promotion. Walmart then worked with the vendor to smooth out orders and reduce driver dwell time. In another instance, Walmart's visibility dashboard picked up that one carrier was experiencing higher-than-normal detention at an apparel vendor. Walmart then had the carrier utilize the vendor's drop trailer program to speed up driver turnaround.  "We see issues that the carriers may not be aware of," Dibee said. "This is about making sure we can be a conduit between our carriers and our vendors when they are having an issue and the ability to share best practices across our network." The visibility dashboard also picks up issues with Walmart's own network. Deliveries of consolidated produce loads from a grocery cross-dock center in Colton, California were sometimes taking up to three or four hours at Walmart's receiving distribution centers. This, despite "the only thing the driver being responsible for is maintaining the temperature and ensuring the seal on the trailer," Dibee said. The operations team found that each item in the palletized shipment was being inspected while the driver waited. Dibee said new policies were then enacted for handling any rejected items without having to detain the driver.    The steps to becoming a Shipper of Choice make Walmart a more efficient company overall. But Dibee said the motivation was not purely out of competitive needs, but also to address the real issues facing the U.S. trucking industry.   "If all of us could be better stewards of our carrier networks, we would all benefit," Dibee said. Image sourced from Google © 2019 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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Inside Walmart's Year-Long Project To Be A Shipper Of Choice
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The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office is holding a news conference Friday morning to address the recent drug overdoses in the county. ************ORIGINAL STORY************* Linda Frost said she never imagined she'd have to plan a funeral for one of her children. "He was a loving person. He was so sweet," Frost said of her son, Ivan. "Everybody knew him. He was so nice." Tuesday morning, Frost was in her Okeechobee home and went to check on Ivan. She thought he was asleep in his bedroom. "I went in the room and I found my son," she said. "I was yelling at him, 'Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!' Three times. And I felt his stomach and his stomach was cold." Frost said Ivan died of a drug overdose. He was 35 years old. She said her son had been an addict for about ten years, frequently trying to get help but always struggling to stay clean. "It's pain. It's hurting. I want to talk to my son," she said. "He always said he loved me. I said I loved him, too. It just hurts." "I just want my brother back," said Ivan's older brother, Andre Frost. "Just a loss of words right now." And police believe Ivan Frost is not an isolated case. The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office confirmed they're investigating at least two overdoses overnight, possibly more. "I want justice for my brother and the other people, the same other people that were dealt some bad drugs from a drug dealer that cared nothing about anybody but making a dollar," said Ivan's sister, Latrisha Byrd. Byrd said her family also hopes to use Ivan's death as a way to help others. She said they always wanted to help Ivan but didn't know how. Shortly after her brother's death, she learned about something called the Marchman Act, which allows loved ones to go to court to force a family member into treatment. "We could have made him go somewhere to get help," Byrd said. "This probably could have been prevented. "He was someone that was loved. We loved him very much." READ MORE: Okeechobee County deputies investigating overdoses CHECK OUT WPBF: Get the latest West Palm Beach news. WPBF gives you online, anytime access to the biggest Florida news and West Palm Beach weather of the day.
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Okeechobee County deputies investigating overdoses
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The Spurs got the stretch big man that they needed, but Samanic could end up being more than just a spot-up shooter. It looks like where there was smoke, there was fire. After being linked to Luka Samanic as early as May 2, the Spurs selected the Croatian forward with the 19th pick of the draft. He's expected to make the transition from Europe to the NBA immediately. The selection might feel like a reach, considering most mock drafts had Samanic as a late first-rounder, but it makes sense since San Antonio needed a stretch big man to complement their young core. Standing at 6'10 and having spent most of his time at power forward in Europe, Samanic has the physical tools and the experience to fill that role off the bench sooner rather than later. He'll need to add some strength to be able to guard post up threats and keep his man off the offensive glass, but his ability to defend in space and his mismatch potential could get him some minutes early on in his career. He might lack the perceived potential of some of the other prospects that were available when the Spurs made their pick, but his fit is so good that it's hard to blame the front office for pouncing at the opportunity to secure his services. How successful Samanic ends up being at the NBA level will likely be determined by his motor and how much he improves as a shooter. He lacks elite length and strength, so he won't be able to coast on his physical attributes on the defense end. Opponents will go at him to test his mettle as soon as he steps onto the court, and he'll have to play all out on every single possession to hold his own, at least until he gets stronger. That's not something he's done consistently in Europe, where he had an edge thanks to his athleticism. Similarly, he needs to develop more consistency as an outside shooter to set up the rest of his offensive game. Samanic has a good-looking shooting form and a quick release, but he only connected on 34 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc last season. If he can improve on that percentage, it will unlock his pump-and-drive game, which would make him much more dangerous. Fortunately, the Spurs will be able to bring him along slowly if he struggles to transition into the NBA. LaMarcus Aldridge will likely start at power forward while Rudy Gay , if he re-signs, and Davis Bertans should get most of the rest of the minutes at that spot. Chimezie Metu , after spending most of last season with the franchise's G-League affiliate, will likely also be ahead of him in the depth chart. San Antonio has done a terrific job of developing young prospects recently, and Samanic, who is just 19 years old, definitely has room to grow into more than just as spot up shooter. He likely won't be forced to produce as a rookie despite already possessing some skills that should translate well. As long as he's able to give the team some quality minutes in the 2020/21 season, when Bertans could be gone after becoming a free agent, the Spurs will likely be happy with his progression. Samanic might not be as well-known to Spurs fan as other prospects, but his youth and modern skill set makes him a perfect fit with the team's young core. San Antonio now has two guards, a wing and three big men under 25 on its roster, and all should be able to play with one another in different types of lineups. The one thing that was missing was a prospect that projected to be a plus outside shooter. Samanic plugs that whole immediately, and that alone makes him an intriguing selection. The Spurs clearly drafted with fit in mind when they picked Samanic, but they didn't do so at the expense of potential. The Croatian power forward should slot nicely next to essentially every big man currently in the roster in a complementary role early on, but he also has upside as both a pump-and-drive threat and perimeter defender to eventually become more than just a spot up shooter something Bertans has yet to show. He won't likely become an impact player as rookie, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him secure a rotation spot early in his career. Samanic might not be the most exciting pick, but he does seem like a smart one, which fits the franchise's modus operandi to a T. The Spurs' young core just got more well-rounded.
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With Luka Samanic, the Spurs get fit without sacrificing potential
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