upi--2020-09-07--Jaylen Brown dominates Raptors, Celtics take 3-2 lead in East semifinals

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- Jaylen Brown scored a game-high 27 points to lead the Boston Celtics to a 111-89 win over the Toronto Raptors in Game 5 an Eastern Conference semifinals series Monday in Orlando , Fla .
The Celtics now lead the series 3-2 .
`` Our guys came out ready to fight tonight and we have to come out ready to fight in the next game , '' Brown told reporters .
The Celtics led by as many as 30 points in the blowout and are now one win away from a spot in the Eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Game 5 and ended the Raptors ' two-game winning streak in the series at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex inside the Walt Disney World Resort .
`` We were really active and trying to play as hard as we could , '' Celtics coach Brad Stevens said .
`` We were playing with great purpose .
You could feel it from the get-go . ''
The Celtics went on a 5-0 run to start Monday 's game .
Boston the used another 8-0 run to earn a 25-11 lead after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine points in the second quarter and helped the Celtics outscore the Raptors 37-24 in the frame to secure a 62-35 lead at halftime .
Boston continued to pour it on in the third frame and pushed the lead to 79-49 with 4:23 remaining in the quarter .
The Raptors outscored the Celtics 26-24 in the fourth quarter , but could not rally to close the large deficit .
Kemba Walker scored 21 points and had seven assists and four rebounds in the win .
Jayson Tatum chipped in 18 points and 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a team-high 18 points for Toronto .
Norman Powell scored 16 points off the bench for the Raptors .
`` You have to give them credit , '' VanVleet said .
`` They outplayed us in pretty much every facet of the game .
They were quicker to the ball , playing with more force and pace and as a result , you saw the [ bad ] start we were able to get out to . ''
The Celtics battle the Raptors in Game 6 at 6:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday in Orlando @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focussed , stay locked in , execute the game plan , come out and play hard and do our jobs and hold each other accountable , '' Brown said .

Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (R) had 27 points and six rebounds in 37 minutes in a playoff win over the Toronto Raptors Monday in Orlando, Fla. Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Jaylen Brown scored a game-high 27 points to lead the Boston Celtics to a 111-89 win over the Toronto Raptors in Game 5 an Eastern Conference semifinals series Monday in Orlando, Fla. The Celtics now lead the series 3-2. "Our guys came out ready to fight tonight and we have to come out ready to fight in the next game," Brown told reporters. Advertisement
The Celtics led by as many as 30 points in the blowout and are now one win away from a spot in the Eastern Conference finals.
Boston never trailed Toronto in Game 5 and ended the Raptors' two-game winning streak in the series at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex inside the Walt Disney World Resort.
"We were really active and trying to play as hard as we could," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "We were playing with great purpose. You could feel it from the get-go."
The Celtics went on a 5-0 run to start Monday's game. Boston the used another 8-0 run to earn a 25-11 lead after the first 12 minutes. Brown scored nine points in the second quarter and helped the Celtics outscore the Raptors 37-24 in the frame to secure a 62-35 lead at halftime.
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Boston continued to pour it on in the third frame and pushed the lead to 79-49 with 4:23 remaining in the quarter. The Raptors outscored the Celtics 26-24 in the fourth quarter, but could not rally to close the large deficit.
Kemba Walker scored 21 points and had seven assists and four rebounds in the win. Jayson Tatum chipped in 18 points and 10 rebounds for Boston. Fred VanVleet scored a team-high 18 points for Toronto. Norman Powell scored 16 points off the bench for the Raptors.
"You have to give them credit," VanVleet said. "They outplayed us in pretty much every facet of the game. They were quicker to the ball, playing with more force and pace and as a result, you saw the [bad] start we were able to get out to."
The Celtics battle the Raptors in Game 6 at 6:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday in Orlando.
"We just have to stay focussed, stay locked in, execute the game plan, come out and play hard and do our jobs and hold each other accountable," Brown said.


upi--2020-09-07--Suicide car bomb kills Somali special forces, injures 1 U.S. officer

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- A car bombing and mortar attack in southern Somalia on Monday killed at least three Somali special forces soldiers and wounded a U.S. officer on Monday in the state of Jubaland , officials said .
The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group claimed responsibility and claimed that 20 Somali soldiers were dead , Al Jazeera reported .
`` A [ suicide ] car bomb blast targeted a military base in Janay Abdalla earlier on Monday , '' Oronjo said .
`` One US service member was injured in an attack by al-Shabab this morning , '' Col. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affairs for the United States Africa Command , said in a statement .
`` U.S. and Somali forces were conducting an advise , assist and accompany mission when al-Shabab attacked using a vehicle employed as an improvised explosive device and mortar fire . ''
Karns said the wounded U.S. soldier was in stable condition after being airlifted to Kismayo along with several wounded Somali troops .
The attack occurred at a military outpost in the Jana Abdalle area in the Lower Juba region of southern Somalia , the New York Times reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had just reclaimed the area , the Times said .
`` After their defeat , we were expecting attacks like this , '' Mohamed Ahmed Sabrie , the director of communications at the office of the regional president of Jubaland , told the Times .
`` But nothing will stop us from freeing more areas from the Shabab and ensuring the safety of our people .
We will do all we can . ''
The Somali government in Mogadishu has been fighting al-Shabab forces since 2008 .
Al-Shabab militants attacked a Mogadishu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 16 people , including at least one police officer .
That attack occurred after a violent jailbreak in Mogadishu by Al-Shabab insurgency prisoners in which 19 guards and inmates were killed .
In January , three U.S. soldiers were killed during an Al-Shabab gun battle attack on a U.S. surveillance aircraft at a Kenya military base airport .

Multiple members of the Somali Defense Forces were killed in southern Somalia and a U.S. officer was injured Monday after a car bombing in the southern part of the country. File Photo by Said Yusuf Warsame/EPA
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- A car bombing and mortar attack in southern Somalia on Monday killed at least three Somali special forces soldiers and wounded a U.S. officer in the state of Jubaland, officials said. The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group claimed responsibility and claimed that 20 Somali soldiers were dead, Al Jazeera reported. Advertisement
Ismail Mukhtar Oronjo, a Somali government spokesman, told Anadolu news agency a suicide car bomb exploded outside the special forces base.
"A [suicide] car bomb blast targeted a military base in Janay Abdalla earlier on Monday," Oronjo said.
"One U.S. service member was injured in an attack by al-Shabab this morning," Col. Chris Karns, the director of public affairs for the United States Africa Command, said in a statement.
"U.S. and Somali forces were conducting an advise, assist and accompany mission when al-Shabab attacked using a vehicle employed as an improvised explosive device and mortar fire."
Karns said the wounded U.S. soldier was in stable condition after being airlifted to Kismayo along with several wounded Somali troops.
The attack occurred at a military outpost in the Jana Abdalle area in the Lower Juba region of southern Somalia, the New York Times reported. Somali forces, with American military support, had just reclaimed the area, the Times said.
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"After their defeat, we were expecting attacks like this," Mohamed Ahmed Sabrie, the director of communications at the office of the regional president of Jubaland, told the Times. "But nothing will stop us from freeing more areas from the Shabab and ensuring the safety of our people. We will do all we can."
The Somali government in Mogadishu has been fighting al-Shabab forces since 2008.
Al-Shabab militants attacked a Mogadishu beachfront hotel in August, killing at least 16 people, including at least one police officer. That attack occurred after a violent jailbreak in Mogadishu by Al-Shabab insurgency prisoners in which 19 guards and inmates were killed.
In January, three U.S. soldiers were killed during an Al-Shabab gun battle attack on a U.S. surveillance aircraft at a Kenya military base airport.


upi--2020-09-07--U.S. Open tennis: Serena, Thiem cruise into quarterfinals

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- Twenty-three time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams avenged an August loss to Greece 's Maria Sakkari with a hard-fought triumph in the U.S. Open round of 16 Monday in Queens , N.Y. Williams , 38 , won three of eight breakpoints and had 38 unforced errors in the two-hour , 38-minute clash .
Sakkari had 43 unforced errors in the loss .
Williams won the three-set match 6-3 , 6-7 ( 6 ) , 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium .
Sakkari beat Williams in three sets in the round of 16 on Aug. 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was played a week before the U.S. Open and also took place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center .
`` I felt like she almost played better today , '' Williams said of Sakkari .
`` She 's such a good competitor so it was a really intense match . ''
Williams will face Bulgaria 's Tsvetana Pironkova in the quarterfinals in her quest for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam .
The winner of that match will play for a spot in the women 's singles final .
Pironkova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win over Alize Cornet Monday in Queens .
Dominic Thiem is the highest-seeded player in the men 's singles circuit .
He dispatched of Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime 7-6 , 6-1 , 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals .
No .
3 Daniil Medvedev also beat American Frances Tiafoe in straight sets to advance .
No .
10 Andrey Rublev beat No .
6 Matteo Berrettini in four sets to make it into the quarterfinals .
Alex de Minaur also beat Canadian Vasek Pospisil in straight sets and will face Thiem in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will face Rublev or Medvedev in the semifinals .
No .
4 Naomi Osaka will face American Shelby Rogers in a quarterfinal clash at 7 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Queens .
Jennifer Brady will take on Yulia Putintseva in Tuesday 's other women 's singles quarterfinal .
No .
5 Alexander Zverev faces Borna Coric at 1:15 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Queens in the first men 's quarterfinal .
Denis Shapovalov battles Pablo Carreno Busta in the other men 's quarterfinal Tuesday in Queens .

Serena Williams will face Tsvetana Pironkova in the U.S. Open quarterfinals Wednesday after she won her round of 16 match in three sets Monday in Queens, N.Y. Photo by Ray Stubblebine/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Twenty-three time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams avenged an August loss to Greece's Maria Sakkari with a hard-fought triumph in the U.S. Open round of 16 Monday in Queens, N.Y. Williams, 38, won three of eight breakpoints and had 38 unforced errors in the two-hour, 38-minute clash. Sakkari had 43 unforced errors in the loss. Williams won the three-set match 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Advertisement
Sakkari beat Williams in three sets in the round of 16 on Aug. 25 at the Western & Southern Open, which was played a week before the U.S. Open and also took place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
"I felt like she almost played better today," Williams said of Sakkari. "She's such a good competitor so it was a really intense match."
Williams will face Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova in the quarterfinals in her quest for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam. The winner of that match will play for a spot in the women's singles final.
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Pironkova advanced to the quarterfinals after a three-set win over Alize Cornet Monday in Queens.
Dominic Thiem is the highest-seeded player in the men's singles circuit. He dispatched of Canadian Felix Auger Aliassime 7-6, 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals. No. 3 Daniil Medvedev also beat American Frances Tiafoe in straight sets to advance. No. 10 Andrey Rublev beat No. 6 Matteo Berrettini in four sets to make it into the quarterfinals.
Alex de Minaur also beat Canadian Vasek Pospisil in straight sets and will face Thiem in the quarterfinals. The winner of that match will face Rublev or Medvedev in the semifinals.
No. 4 Naomi Osaka will face American Shelby Rogers in a quarterfinal clash at 7 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Queens. Jennifer Brady will take on Yulia Putintseva in Tuesday's other women's singles quarterfinal. No. 5 Alexander Zverev faces Borna Coric at 1:15 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Queens in the first men's quarterfinal. Denis Shapovalov battles Pablo Carreno Busta in the other men's quarterfinal Tuesday in Queens.
Serena Williams' tennis career: a look back


upi--2020-09-07--Trump threatens to withhold federal education dollars from states teaching with 1619 Project

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal education funding from schools if they use as curriculum a series of essays published to explain the history of slavery in the United States .
In response to an unverified claim that California schools were using The New York Times ' Pulitzer Prize-winning 1619 Project in class , Trump on Sunday tweeted the U.S. Department of Education would investigate .
`` Department of Education is looking at this , '' Trump wrote .
If so , [ California schools ] will not be funded . ''
Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1619 Project materials as part of a U.S. history curriculum .
The 1619 Project immediately drew criticism when it was published in 2019 , but editors stood behind it , stating that the essays would `` expand the reader 's sense of the American past , '' Jack Silverstein , the Times editor in chief , wrote .
Trump 's administration has attacked so-called racial justice movements across U.S. cities this summer after the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd .
Trump referred to the Black Lives Matter mural on the street in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` symbol of hate . ''
On Friday , Trump directed a ban on federal agencies training on `` racial sensitivity , '' including sessions that addressed the concept of `` White privilege '' and `` critical race theory . ''
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in July cited the 1619 Project as an example of how the American way of life was `` under attack . ''
While unveiling a report by the Commission on Unalienable Rights , Pompeo said the series of essays was `` a disturbed reading of history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a slander of our great people . ''
Also in July , Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton , a Republican , introduced proposed legislation to ban schools from using the project for a curriculum .
Cotton 's bill would have banned federal funds from being used in schools where the curriculum is taught .
On Sunday , Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz called the project `` revisionist history '' and `` filled with serious errors . ''
But Bernice King , the daughter of Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curriculum and teach it at home .
`` We are on the brink of change , family .
The highest office in the land is trying to stop teaching that will bring us closer to eradicating racism , '' King wrote .
`` Millions have aligned themselves and are complicit , '' King added .
`` But it 's been too long .
Justice will win . ''

President Donald Trump speaks at a news conference at the North Portico of the White House in Washington, DC on Monday, September 7, 2020. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal education funding from schools if they use as curriculum a series of essays published to explain the history of slavery in the United States. In response to an unverified claim that California schools were using The New York Times' Pulitzer Prize-winning 1619 Project in class, Trump on Sunday tweeted the U.S. Department of Education would investigate. Advertisement
"Department of Education is looking at this," Trump wrote. If so, [California schools] will not be funded."
The 1619 Project is a series of articles marking the 400th anniversary of the first enslaved Africans arriving on the shores of Virginia, then an English colony.
Chicago Public Schools and other districts use the 1619 Project materials as part of a U.S. history curriculum.
The 1619 Project immediately drew criticism when it was published in 2019, but editors stood behind it, stating that the essays would "expand the reader's sense of the American past," Jack Silverstein, the Times editor in chief, wrote.
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Trump's administration has attacked so-called racial justice movements across U.S. cities this summer after the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd. Trump referred to the Black Lives Matter mural on the street in front of his Manhattan skyscraper as a "symbol of hate."
On Friday, Trump directed a ban on federal agencies training on "racial sensitivity," including sessions that addressed the concept of "White privilege" and "critical race theory."
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in July cited the 1619 Project as an example of how the American way of life was "under attack." While unveiling a report by the Commission on Unalienable Rights, Pompeo said the series of essays was "a disturbed reading of history," that he rejected as "a slander of our great people."
Also in July, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican, introduced proposed legislation to ban schools from using the project for a curriculum. Cotton's bill would have banned federal funds from being used in schools where the curriculum is taught.
On Sunday, Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz called the project "revisionist history" and "filled with serious errors."
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But Bernice King, the daughter of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, called for parents to download the curriculum and teach it at home.
"We are on the brink of change, family. The highest office in the land is trying to stop teaching that will bring us closer to eradicating racism," King wrote.
"Millions have aligned themselves and are complicit," King added. "But it's been too long. Justice will win."


upi--2020-09-07--'A point of reckoning:' New interim police chief named in Louisville, Ky.

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- A new interim police chief was named Monday in Louisville , Ky. , a city that has seen months of unrest following the police-killing in March of Breonna Taylor .
Yvette Gentry , a former deputy chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department , will be the third person serving in the role of police chief since the death of Taylor .
`` I want to make sure this city is restored and rebuilt in a way that is equitable , '' Gentry said , saying that protests for more than 100 days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Derby , had been hard on officers .
Gentry said Sunday she was not vying for the chief 's role , but wanted to serve as a transition so a search for a new chief would not be `` rushed . ''
Unrest erupted in Louisville after Taylor was killed by police while sleeping in her home .
No officers have been charged , although one was fired from the department .
The former police chief , Steve Conrad , was fired in June , along with two officers , after another police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David McAtee in which no body camera footage was available .
At that point , Mayor Greg Fischer appointed Assistant Chief of Police Robert Schroeder as interim chief .
Schroeder will retire and be replaced by Gentry .
`` I think our city is at a point of reckoning that only truth can bring us out of .
Only truth can take away the darkness , '' Gentry said .
`` We got ta ask ourself if Breonna Taylor 's name came across an application in this city , would she get an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black , said her son had the police called and was accused of being a drug dealer when he moved into a new apartment .
`` I served 20-something years willing to die for a city that would n't even make my son feel welcome , '' Gentry said .
Louisville mayor Fischer praised Gentry for her trailblazing and leadership in the community .
`` Yvette brings the unparalleled experience and strong community relationships needed to lead LMPD until a permanent Chief is in place , '' the mayor said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about working to help her city address systemic racism and reimagine public safety .
She has never been shy about offering her advice , and I look forward to having her on the team as we move forward in selecting a permanent chief . ''
Taylor was killed by police serving a `` no-knock '' search warrant at her Louisville apartment on March 13 .
Her boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , who said police did n't announce themselves , at first fired a gun at officers when they entered .
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city naming Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly and detectives Myles Cosgrove and Brett Hankison , along with other officers .
Mattingly , who was struck in the leg by a bullet during the altercation , was fired from the police force .
The FBI and the attorney general of Kentucky are assisting in the investigation of Taylor 's death .

Yvette Gentry, a former Louisville, Ky., deputy police chief was named to the interim chief role Monday amid months of unrest following the police shooting of Breonna Taylor. Photo courtesy of the City of Louisville
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- A new interim police chief was named Monday in Louisville, Ky., a city that has seen months of unrest following the police-killing in March of Breonna Taylor. Yvette Gentry, a former deputy chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department, will be the third person serving in the role of police chief since the death of Taylor. Advertisement
"I want to make sure this city is restored and rebuilt in a way that is equitable," Gentry said, saying that protests for more than 100 days, including Saturday's protests during the Kentucky Derby, had been hard on officers.
Gentry said Sunday she was not vying for the chief's role, but wanted to serve as a transition so a search for a new chief would not be "rushed."
Unrest erupted in Louisville after Taylor was killed by police while sleeping in her home. No officers have been charged, although one was fired from the department.
The former police chief, Steve Conrad, was fired in June, along with two officers, after another police fatal shooting of Louisville barbecue stall owner David McAtee in which no body camera footage was available.
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At that point, Mayor Greg Fischer appointed Assistant Chief of Police Robert Schroeder as interim chief. Schroeder will retire and be replaced by Gentry.
"I think our city is at a point of reckoning that only truth can bring us out of. Only truth can take away the darkness," Gentry said. "We gotta ask ourself if Breonna Taylor's name came across an application in this city, would she get an interview?"
Gentry, who is Black, said her son had the police called and was accused of being a drug dealer when he moved into a new apartment.
"I served 20-something years willing to die for a city that wouldn't even make my son feel welcome," Gentry said.
Louisville mayor Fischer praised Gentry for her trailblazing and leadership in the community.
"Yvette brings the unparalleled experience and strong community relationships needed to lead LMPD until a permanent Chief is in place," the mayor said in a statement. "[Gentry] is passionate about working to help her city address systemic racism and reimagine public safety. She has never been shy about offering her advice, and I look forward to having her on the team as we move forward in selecting a permanent chief."
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Taylor was killed by police serving a "no-knock" search warrant at her Louisville apartment on March 13. Her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, who said police didn't announce themselves, at first fired a gun at officers when they entered.
Last week, Walker sued the Louisville Metro Police and the city naming Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and detectives Myles Cosgrove and Brett Hankison, along with other officers. Mattingly, who was struck in the leg by a bullet during the altercation, was fired from the police force.
The FBI and the attorney general of Kentucky are assisting in the investigation of Taylor's death.


upi--2020-09-07--Navy searches for missing USS Nimitz sailor

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Navy said Monday it 's searching the North Arabian Sea for a @ @ @ @ @ reported missing .
A statement from the 5th Fleet said the sailor , whose name @ @ @ @ @ missing Sunday , when a call of `` man overboard '' was recorded at 6:47 @ @ @ @ @ The sailor was not located upon a search on board , which resulted in a @ @ @ @ @ the activation of the search and rescue , '' Cmdr .
Rebecca Rebarich , a @ @ @ @ @ ABC News .
The sailor was listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown .
The sailor @ @ @ @ @ carrier USS Nimitz .
The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton was assisting in the search a @ @ @ @ @ Fleet said Monday .
`` We hold our shipmate 's family and friends in our @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Capt .
Max Clark , commanding officer of the USS Nimitz .
@ @ @ @ @ Monday night as darkness fell in the region .

The USS Nimitz (pictured) and USS Princeton were searching for a missing sailor. File Photo by Earl S. Cryer/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy said Monday it's searching the North Arabian Sea for a sailor aboard the USS Nimitz reported missing. A statement from the 5th Fleet said the sailor, whose name was withheld, was reported missing Sunday, when a call of "man overboard" was recorded at 6:47 p.m. local time. Advertisement
"The sailor was not located upon a search on board, which resulted in a man overboard being called and the activation of the search and rescue," Cmdr. Rebecca Rebarich, a 5th Fleet spokesperson, told ABC News.
The sailor was listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown.
The sailor is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton was assisting in the search a statement from the U.S. Fifth Fleet said Monday.
"We hold our shipmate's family and friends in our hearts during this difficult time," said Capt. Max Clark, commanding officer of the USS Nimitz.
Searching continued into the evening Monday night as darkness fell in the region.


upi--2020-09-07--Dustin Johnson wins 2020 PGA Tour Championship

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- Tournament favorite Dustin Johnson held onto his third-round lead and shot a 2-under par 68 on Monday to win the 2020 PGA Tour Championship and FedEx Cup title at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta .
`` It 's a very tough trophy to win , '' Johnson told reporters .
`` I controlled my own destiny , but I still had to go out and play well .
I had a lot of great players right behind me .
`` It got close at the end .
I knew it was going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to hit some golf shots . ''
Johnson entered the day with a five-shot lead on the field after a 6-under par 64 on Sunday .
He was either tied for or owned the lead outright throughout the tournament .
He claimed a $ 15 million payday with Monday 's performance and finished 21-under par for the tournament .
Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele each carded 4-under par scores of 66 on Monday and finished tied for second at 18-under par for the tournament .
Jon Rahm was 17-under par and finished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Official World Golf Ranking -- made par on three of his first four holes .
He also had two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine .
Johnson then made par on the first eight holes of the back nine before he birdied No .
18 to secure the victory .
Johnson became the first No .
1 seed at the Tour Championship to claim the FedEx Cup title since Tiger Woods in 2009 .
The four-day tournament used a staggered scoring system , which meant Johnson began play at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points during the regular season .
Rahm began at 8-under par , Thomas at 7-under par , Webb Simpson at 6-under par and Collin Morikawa at 5-under .
Five golfers began play at 4-under par , five at 3-under par , five at 2-under par , five at 1-under par and five at even par .
Johnson , 36 , had two wins , two second-place finishes and six Top 25 finishes in 13 regular-season events .
He finished 29th in the 2019 FedEx Cup standings .
Johnson placed fourth in 2017 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020-2021 PGA Tour season begins with the Safeway Open from Thursday through Sunday at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa , Calif .
The U.S. Open will be the first major championship of the season .
That tournament is from Sept. 17 to 20 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck , N.Y. '' Being a FedEx Cup champion is something I really wanted to do , '' Johnson said .
`` I really wanted to hold that trophy .
It 's something I wanted to accomplish throughout my career and I now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm going to try to get another . ''

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson led the Tour Championship through all four days of the tournament from Friday through Monday at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Tournament favorite Dustin Johnson held onto his third-round lead and shot a 2-under par 68 on Monday to win the 2020 PGA Tour Championship and FedEx Cup title at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. "It's a very tough trophy to win," Johnson told reporters. "I controlled my own destiny, but I still had to go out and play well. I had a lot of great players right behind me. Advertisement
"It got close at the end. I knew it was going to come down the stretch and I'd have to hit some golf shots."
Johnson entered the day with a five-shot lead on the field after a 6-under par 64 on Sunday. He was either tied for or owned the lead outright throughout the tournament. He claimed a $15 million payday with Monday's performance and finished 21-under par for the tournament.
Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele each carded 4-under par scores of 66 on Monday and finished tied for second at 18-under par for the tournament. Jon Rahm was 17-under par and finished fourth.
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Reigning FedEx Cup champion Rory McIlroy finished tied for eighth at 11-under par.
Johnson -- the top player in the Official World Golf Ranking -- made par on three of his first four holes. He also had two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine. Johnson then made par on the first eight holes of the back nine before he birdied No. 18 to secure the victory.
Johnson became the first No. 1 seed at the Tour Championship to claim the FedEx Cup title since Tiger Woods in 2009.
The four-day tournament used a staggered scoring system, which meant Johnson began play at 10-under par because he finished first in points during the regular season. Rahm began at 8-under par, Thomas at 7-under par, Webb Simpson at 6-under par and Collin Morikawa at 5-under. Five golfers began play at 4-under par, five at 3-under par, five at 2-under par, five at 1-under par and five at even par.
Johnson, 36, had two wins, two second-place finishes and six Top 25 finishes in 13 regular-season events. He finished 29th in the 2019 FedEx Cup standings. Johnson placed fourth in 2017 and 2018 and second in 2016.
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The 2020-2021 PGA Tour season begins with the Safeway Open from Thursday through Sunday at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif.
The U.S. Open will be the first major championship of the season. That tournament is from Sept. 17 to 20 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.
"Being a FedEx Cup champion is something I really wanted to do," Johnson said. "I really wanted to hold that trophy. It's something I wanted to accomplish throughout my career and I now have one of them. Now I'm going to try to get another."
Tiger Woods turns 47: a look back


upi--2020-09-07--Tropical Storms Paulette and Rene form in Atlantic

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- Tropical Storms Paulette and Rene were were swirling in the far eastern tropical Atlantic on Monday , the National Hurricane Center reported .
The hurricane center issued a tropical storm warning for Rene in effect for the Cabo Verde Islands , where the storm was expected to make landfall within the next 12 to 24 hours .
Rene 's maximum sustained winds were recorded at 40 knots with gusts up to 60 knots in some areas .
The storm was moving at 10 knots west-northwest , the hurricane center reported .
The strongest winds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 55 mph gusts with a maximumof 65 mph , are expected along and just to the north of Rene 's track , which will put the central and northern islands at the greatest risk for impacts , Accuweather said Monday .
`` The heaviest rain will fall along and just to the north of the [ Rene 's ] 's track where 2-4 inches are expected , with rainfall of 6 inches across the Cabo Verde Islands , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Adam Douty said .
`` Beyond the Cabo Verde Islands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurricane while continuing to the northwest across the open waters of the central Atlantic , '' Douty said .
At 5 p.m. , the hurricane center said Paulette was recording maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and moving very slowly , around 3 mph , about 1,300 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands .
Paulette , the 16th named storm of the 2020 season , set another record for the basin .
This is the earliest on record that a `` P '' named storm has developed , according to Colorado State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record was set by Philippe , which formed on Sept. 17 , 2005 .
The system will track generally to the west-northwest across the Atlantic and should pass just north of the Lesser Antilles late in the week .
`` All residents and interests of the Lesser Antilles , especially the Leeward Islands should closely monitor the progression of this evolving tropical system , '' Accuweather meteorologist Dan Kottlowski said .
Another strong tropical wave is projected to emerge from the African Coast late in the week .
Farther west , a weak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a low chance of development , but could bring an uptick in showers and thunderstorms across southern Hispaniola and Jamaica over the next few days .
Another area being monitored is a bit closer to the United States .
`` An area of low pressure currently to the southeast of Bermuda will track to the west early this week , '' Douty said .
`` Atmospheric conditions are only marginally favorable for development through this time and there is only a low chance for development , '' Douty added .
However , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the wind shear in the area could decrease and allow the storm to become more organized .
Interests along the Southeast coast should pay close attention to this feature , regardless of development , as it could bring an uptick in drenching showers and thunderstorms , as well as rough surf and rip currents , toward the middle and latter part of the week .
The next tropical storm name on the list for 2020 in the Atlantic is Sally .
As was the case with Paulette , there is a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and join Cristobal , Edouard , Fay , Gonzalo , Hanna , Isaias , Josephine , Kyle , Laura , Marco , Nana and Omar as top of the list for early formation for their respective letters .
Before Rene , Rita , which formed on Sept. 18 , 2005 , was the record holder for the earliest `` R '' named storm on record .
Early this summer , AccuWeather meteorologists predicted a hyperactive peak hurricane season , which is now underway .
AccuWeather meteorologists are calling for up to 24 tropical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total this season .
These numbers mean that the Greek alphabet will have to be utilized for tropical storm names , which was only done in one other season : 2005 .

Rene weakened Saturday to a tropical depression in the Central Atlantic and was easy of Hurricane Paulette. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Rene weakened Saturday to a tropical depression in the Central Atlantic, currently posing no threat to land. In its 5 p.m. AST Sunday update, the National Hurricane Center said Rene was about 1,145 miles northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands. It had maximum sustained winds of 30 mph and was moving northwest at 9 mph. Advertisement
The NHC said a slower northwestward motion is expected later Sunday, and a slow westward motion is forecast by Sunday night. On Monday and Tuesday, the system is forecast to move west-southwestward.
The NHC said the storm will degenerate into a trough of low pressure in four or five days.
Rene is a short distance behind Tropical Storm Paulette, which also formed early Monday.
As was the case with Paulette, there is a significant chance more early formation records will fall and join Cristobal, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana and Omar as top of the list for early formation for their respective letters. On Saturday, Sally formed in the Gulf Coast.
Before Rene, Rita, which formed on Sept. 18, 2005, was the record holder for the earliest "R" named storm on record.
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Early this summer, AccuWeather meteorologists predicted a hyperactive peak hurricane season. Meteorologists are calling for up to 24 tropical storms and up to 11 hurricanes in total this season.
These numbers mean that the Greek alphabet will have to be utilized for tropical storm names, which was only done in one other season: 2005.


upi--2020-09-07--COVID-19 cases falling in U.S., officials fear Labor Day spike

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- Cases of coronavirus around the United States are falling , but officials warned that the country could see an increase after Labor Day and going into the fall .
The number of daily positive cases in the United States dropped to 31,395 , with 403 deaths Sunday , the lowest number reported since July , the Johns Hopkins University COVID online tracker showed .
The number of U.S. cases and deaths spiked in mid-August , data shows .
The U.S. has reported almost 6.3 million cases since the outbreak began , and deaths have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus infections in New York , the first U.S. epicenter of the infection , have been below 1 % for an entire month , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Monday .
The state reported 520 new cases with two deaths Sunday .
The total number of cases statewide has been 440,021 with 32,585 deaths .
`` As we close out this Labor Day weekend , I urge everyone to remain smart so we can continue to celebrate our progress in the weeks and months ahead , '' Cuomo said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday that the number of positive cases remained under 10 % for 25 days .
On Saturday , 5.06 % of tested cases turned out positive .
State health officials reported 1,888 new positive COVID-19 cases for Sunday , the lowest since June 15 , when 1,758 cases were reported , and 21 new deaths .
On Saturday , the state reported 3,164 current hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 .
Florida has reported at least 640,000 cases and 11,800 deaths since the start of the pandemic .
At a Labor Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a vaccine for the coronavirus is imminent .
`` So , we 're going to have a vaccine very soon .
Maybe even before a very special date , '' Trump said .
`` You know what date I 'm talking about , '' he added .
But other medical experts have warned that a vaccine may take longer , such as Scott Gottlieb , former chief of the U.S Food and Drug Administration .
`` If there is a vaccine made available , it 's likely to be a very staged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use authorization , '' Gottlieb said Sunday on CBS 's Face the Nation .
`` And it 's just going to be for very select groups of people who are either at very high risk of contracting a coronavirus because of what they do , for example , health care workers or very high risk of a bad outcome .
`` I think the likelihood that we 're going to have a vaccine for widespread use in 2020 is extremely low .
I think we need to think of that as largely a @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Numbers of coronavirus infections are dropping in the United States, but health experts feared a spike after Labor Day. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Cases of coronavirus around the United States are falling, but officials warned that the country could see an increase after Labor Day and going into the fall. The number of daily positive cases in the United States dropped to 31,395, with 403 deaths Sunday, the lowest number reported since July, the Johns Hopkins University COVID online tracker showed. The number of U.S. cases and deaths spiked in mid-August, data shows. Advertisement
The U.S. has reported almost 6.3 million cases since the outbreak began, and deaths have climbed to more than 185,000.
Positive virus infections in New York, the first U.S. epicenter of the infection, have been below 1% for an entire month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday. The state reported 520 new cases with two deaths Sunday. The total number of cases statewide has been 440,021 with 32,585 deaths.
"As we close out this Labor Day weekend, I urge everyone to remain smart so we can continue to celebrate our progress in the weeks and months ahead," Cuomo said in a statement.
In Florida, state health officials reported Monday that the number of positive cases remained under 10% for 25 days. On Saturday, 5.06% of tested cases turned out positive.
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State health officials reported 1,888 new positive COVID-19 cases for Sunday, the lowest since June 15, when 1,758 cases were reported, and 21 new deaths. On Saturday, the state reported 3,164 current hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19.
Florida has reported at least 640,000 cases and 11,800 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
At a Labor Day news conference, President Donald Trump hinted that a vaccine for the coronavirus is imminent.
"So, we're going to have a vaccine very soon. Maybe even before a very special date," Trump said. "You know what date I'm talking about," he added.
But other medical experts have warned that a vaccine may take longer, such as Scott Gottlieb, former chief of the U.S Food and Drug Administration.
"If there is a vaccine made available, it's likely to be a very staged introduction of the vaccine under an emergency use authorization," Gottlieb said Sunday on CBS's Face the Nation."And it's just going to be for very select groups of people who are either at very high risk of contracting a coronavirus because of what they do, for example, health care workers or very high risk of a bad outcome.
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"I think the likelihood that we're going to have a vaccine for widespread use in 2020 is extremely low. I think we need to think of that as largely a 2021 event," Gottlieb added.
World moves to reopen amid COVID-19 pandemic


upi--2020-09-07--Tracee Ellis Ross, Regina King set for 'Golden Girls' table read

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross announced on Instagram that she , Regina King , Alfre Woodard and Sanaa Lathan will read the first episode of the sitcom Golden Girls online Tuesday at 9 p.m. EDT .
`` Join us in the Zoom where it happens , '' Ross ' Sunday post said .
Accompanying the message is a photo of the actresses alternating with an image of the original show 's cast -- Bea Arthur , Betty White , Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty .
The virtual event is free but requires registration to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hosting the reading .
The Secret Life of Bees and The Old Guard filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood is directing it .
`` Join us for an evening that takes a look back to the sitcoms of yesteryear- Before you could pause your screens or binge watch .
We bring to you our rendition of Golden Girls , re-imagined with an all-black cast of your favorite actresses , '' the event 's website said .
`` In an effort to further engage our community and drive change , all you need to do to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive messages about how you can make a change during this election ! ''
it said .
`` This event is in partnership with Zoom , and the first episode is spotlighting and supporting Color of Change -- the nation 's largest online racial justice organization . ''
The original Golden Girls show ran for seven season 1985-92 .

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Traces Ellis Ross is set to take part in a virtual table read of the "Golden Girls" pilot on Tuesday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross announced on Instagram that she, Regina King, Alfre Woodard and Sanaa Lathan will read the first episode of the sitcom Golden Girls online Tuesday at 9 p.m. EDT. "Join us in the Zoom where it happens," Ross' Sunday post said. Advertisement
Accompanying the message is a photo of the actresses alternating with an image of the original show's cast -- Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty.
The virtual event is free but requires registration to view.
The Chi creator Lena Waithe is hosting the reading. The Secret Life of Bees and The Old Guard filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood is directing it.
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"Join us for an evening that takes a look back to the sitcoms of yesteryear- Before you could pause your screens or binge watch. We bring to you our rendition of Golden Girls, re-imagined with an all-black cast of your favorite actresses," the event's website said.
"In an effort to further engage our community and drive change, all you need to do to enjoy this evening is sign up to receive messages about how you can make a change during this election!" it said. "This event is in partnership with Zoom, and the first episode is spotlighting and supporting Color of Change -- the nation's largest online racial justice organization."
The original Golden Girls show ran for seven season 1985-92.


upi--2020-09-07--Former Temptations lead singer Bruce Williamson dead at 49

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- Bruce Williamson , who sang with The Temptations from 2006 through 2015 , has died at age 49 , his family said Monday .
`` There 's no words in the world that can express how I feel right now .
I love you Daddy .
thank you for being awesome .
thank you for being loving .
thank you for being Who You Are .
I pray to God and we will meet again .
I love you Daddy , '' his son , Bruce Williamson Jr. , wrote on Facebook .
TMZ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at his home in Las Vegas after battling COVID-19 .
The Temptations was an R & B group created in 1960 and known for its hits `` My Girl , '' `` The Way You Do the Things You Do , '' `` Just My Imagination , '' `` Papa Was a Rolling Stone , '' `` Cloud 9 , '' `` Ai n't Too Proud to Beg '' and `` Get Ready . ''
Founder Otis Williams was still appearing with The Temptations this year when live performances were shut down throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The rest of the band 's lineup has changed many times over the years .
Bruce Williamson performed with the band in concert and television , as well as recorded with it on the albums Back to the Front and Still Here .
After leaving The Temptations , he collaborated with the Las Vegas Ten Tenors and had a solo career as a gospel singer .
He was booked to headline a Sept. 12 pay-per-view concert online .

Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Bruce Williamson, who sang with The Temptations from 2006 through 2015, has died at age 49, his family said Monday.
"There's no words in the world that can express how I feel right now. I love you Daddy. thank you for being awesome. thank you for being loving. thank you for being Who You Are. I pray to God and we will meet again. I love you Daddy," his son, Bruce Williamson Jr., wrote on Facebook.
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TMZ reported the elder Williamson died Sunday night at his home in Las Vegas after battling COVID-19.
The Temptations was an R&B group created in 1960 and known for its hits "My Girl," "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "Just My Imagination," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," "Cloud 9," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" and "Get Ready."
Founder Otis Williams was still appearing with The Temptations this year when live performances were shut down throughout the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic. The rest of the band's lineup has changed many times over the years.
Bruce Williamson performed with the band in concert and television, as well as recorded with it on the albums Back to the Front and Still Here.
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After leaving The Temptations, he collaborated with the Las Vegas Ten Tenors and had a solo career as a gospel singer.
He was booked to headline a Sept. 12 pay-per-view concert online.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-09-07--Philippines' Duterte pardons U.S. Marine convicted of killing transgender woman

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday pardoned a U.S. Marine convicted in 2015 of killing a woman after he discovered she was transgender .
The pardon came after a court in Olongapo City determined that Lance Cpl .
Joseph Scott Pemberton should receive early release from his 10-year sentence because he 'd exhibited good behavior .
He was convicted of killing Jennifer Laude .
Her family appealed the court 's suggestion for early release , but Duterte granted the absolute pardon .
`` It does not mean his conviction is erased , '' Duterte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But what this means is Pemberton is free now and that there is no more question if he is entitled to good conduct time allowances . ''
An attorney for Laude 's family called the pardon `` revolting . ''
`` We strongly denounce the absolute pardon given by Duterte , '' Virginia Lacsa Suarez said .
`` This is another injustice not only to Jennifer Laude and family , but a grave injustice to the Filipino people .
A Philippine court convicted Pemberton of homicide in the October 2014 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempted to drown her in a hotel toilet bowl after he discovered she was transgender .

A demonstrator holds a placard during a protest against the early release of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton for the death of Jennifer Laude at the Department of Justice in Manila, Philippines, on Thursday. Photo Mark R. Cristino/EPA-EFE/
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday pardoned a U.S. Marine convicted in 2015 of killing a woman after he discovered she was transgender. The pardon came after a court in Olongapo City determined that Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton should receive early release from his 10-year sentence because he'd exhibited good behavior. He was convicted of killing Jennifer Laude. Advertisement
Her family appealed the court's suggestion for early release, but Duterte granted the absolute pardon.
"It does not mean his conviction is erased," Duterte's spokesman, Harry Roque, said. "But what this means is Pemberton is free now and that there is no more question if he is entitled to good conduct time allowances."
An attorney for Laude's family called the pardon "revolting."
"We strongly denounce the absolute pardon given by Duterte," Virginia Lacsa Suarez said. "This is another injustice not only to Jennifer Laude and family, but a grave injustice to the Filipino people.
A Philippine court convicted Pemberton of homicide in the October 2014 of Jennifer Laude. He strangled her and attempted to drown her in a hotel toilet bowl after he discovered she was transgender.


upi--2020-09-07--'Jurassic Park' icons Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum sing together on social media

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- Sam Neill on Monday shared on social media videos showing him singing at a piano with his Jurassic Park co-star Jeff Goldblum .
`` Jammin ' with Jeff .
It 's a day off .
So we 've been singing a bunch of old songs .
Jeff wo n't practice , so it 's first go or nothing .
@ jeffgoldblum makes me laugh immoderately .
He is also a prodigy , '' Neill captioned their duet of `` A Fine Romance . ''
A second Instagram video of the actors singing `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was accompanied by the message : `` Jeff Jammin ' More from the # LoungeGoldblum on this day off .
Next time I will wear my shades too .
I had a cool deficit ... @ jeffgoldblum . ''
Neill , 72 , and Goldblum , 67 , are in Britain filming the sixth chapter in the franchise -- Jurassic World : Dominion .
The dinosaur adventure , which is set for release in 2021 , was shut down for months because of the coronavirus pandemic and became one of the first major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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Sam Neill spent a day off from filming "Jurassic World: Dominion" singing with his co-star Jeff Goldblum. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Sam Neill on Monday shared on social media videos showing him singing at a piano with his Jurassic Park co-star Jeff Goldblum. "Jammin' with Jeff. It's a day off. So we've been singing a bunch of old songs. Jeff won't practice, so it's first go or nothing. @jeffgoldblum makes me laugh immoderately. He is also a prodigy," Neill captioned their duet of "A Fine Romance." Advertisement
A second Instagram video of the actors singing "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" was accompanied by the message: "Jeff Jammin' More from the #LoungeGoldblum on this day off. Next time I will wear my shades too. I had a cool deficit ... @jeffgoldblum."
Neill, 72, and Goldblum, 67, are in Britain filming the sixth chapter in the franchise -- Jurassic World: Dominion.
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The dinosaur adventure, which is set for release in 2021, was shut down for months because of the coronavirus pandemic and became one of the first major Hollywood productions to resume filming this summer.


upi--2020-09-07--Democrats call for probe into Postmaster General Louis DeJoy employee campaign contributions

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- Congressional Democrats have called for an investigation into the legality of U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy 's employee campaign contributions during his oversight of a North Carolina-based logistical company between 2000 and 2014 .
The lawmakers accused DeJoy of campaign finance violations in response to a report Sunday by The Washington Post accusing him of reimbursing employees he pressured to make donations .
`` It now appears that we have a U.S. Postmaster who engaged in campaign money laundering when he was running his logistics company that had and has a contract with USPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a member of the House oversight committee , tweeted Sunday .
`` I think he 's committed two felonies , '' Speier said `` [ DeJoy has ] laundered campaign money and he lied to Congress . ''
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , said : `` These are very serious allegations that must be investigated immediately , independent of Donald Trump 's Justice Department . ''
Former employees of New Breed Logistics told the Post that DeJoy encouraged them to attend fundraisers and donate generously to Republican candidates .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to receive bonuses that matched the donations plus any taxes due .
DeJoy , through a spokesman , denied pressuring employees to make campaign contributions .
Monty Hager said in a statement that DeJoy was `` never notified by New Breed employees of any pressure they might have felt and he regrets if any employee felt uncomfortable for any reason . ''
DeJoy `` believes that he has always followed campaign fundraising laws and regulations , '' Hager added .
New Breed Logistics Human resources Director David Young told the post that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to the Republican Party , `` asked employees for money .
We gave him the money , and then he reciprocated by giving us big bonuses . ''
`` When we got our bonuses , let 's just say they were bigger , they exceeded expectations -- and that covered the tax and everything else , '' he added . ''
Young said he donated around $ 19,000 to GOP fundraising schemes .
The New York Times analysis of state GOP contributions found multiple instances in which 20 `` midlevel and senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identical checks on the same day to campaigns , often for the same maximum personal contribution amount of $ 2,600 .
DeJoy has been one of the top GOP fundraiser in the United States , a May study of campaign contributions by NPR showed .
DeJoy was chief fundraiser for the Republican National Convention , and has donated more than $ 1.2 million to the Trump Victory fund and millions more to other GOP funds and candidates in national and state elections .
Senate Democrats challenged DeJoy earlier in the summer over service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they said might interfere with mail-in voting in November .
More Americans are expected to rely on mail-in voting as the coronavirus pandemic keeps high-risk individuals at home to avoid infection .
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein , a Democrat , tweeted , `` It is against the law to directly or indirectly reimburse someone for a political contribution . ''
DeJoy denied pressuring employees to make campaign contributions at a congressional hearing earlier in the summer when asked about it by Rep. Jim Cooper , D-Tenn. '' That 's an outrageous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , '' DeJoy said .
`` What are you accusing me of ? ''
DeJoy ran New Breed Logistics from the early 1980s until 2014 , when the company was sold to Connecticut-based XPO Logistics .

Congressional Democrats called for an investigation of a report that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy illegally reimbursed employees who donated to Republican campaigns when he ran a North Carolina logistics company. File Photo by Tom Williams/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Congressional Democrats have called for an investigation into the legality of U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's employee campaign contributions during his oversight of a North Carolina-based logistical company between 2000 and 2014. The lawmakers accused DeJoy of campaign finance violations in response to a report Sunday by The Washington Post accusing him of reimbursing employees he pressured to make donations. Advertisement
"It now appears that we have a U.S. Postmaster who engaged in campaign money laundering when he was running his logistics company that had and has a contract with USPS," Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., a member of the House oversight committee, tweeted Sunday.
"I think he's committed two felonies," Speier said "[DeJoy has] laundered campaign money and he lied to Congress."
Adam Schiff, D-Calif., added, "This report demands a full, independent investigation."
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Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said: "These are very serious allegations that must be investigated immediately, independent of Donald Trump's Justice Department."
Former employees of New Breed Logistics told the Post that DeJoy encouraged them to attend fundraisers and donate generously to Republican candidates. Two employees said DeJoy then arranged for them to receive bonuses that matched the donations plus any taxes due.
DeJoy, through a spokesman, denied pressuring employees to make campaign contributions.
Monty Hager said in a statement that DeJoy was "never notified by New Breed employees of any pressure they might have felt and he regrets if any employee felt uncomfortable for any reason."
DeJoy "believes that he has always followed campaign fundraising laws and regulations," Hager added.
New Breed Logistics Human resources Director David Young told the post that DeJoy, considered a "mega donor" to the Republican Party, "asked employees for money. We gave him the money, and then he reciprocated by giving us big bonuses."
"When we got our bonuses, let's just say they were bigger, they exceeded expectations -- and that covered the tax and everything else," he added."
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Young said he donated around $19,000 to GOP fundraising schemes.
The New York Times analysis of state GOP contributions found multiple instances in which 20 "midlevel and senior officials" of New Breed Logistics wrote identical checks on the same day to campaigns, often for the same maximum personal contribution amount of $2,600.
DeJoy has been one of the top GOP fundraiser in the United States, a May study of campaign contributions by NPR showed. DeJoy was chief fundraiser for the Republican National Convention, and has donated more than $1.2 million to the Trump Victory fund and millions more to other GOP funds and candidates in national and state elections.
Senate Democrats challenged DeJoy earlier in the summer over service cuts to the U.S. Postal Service they said might interfere with mail-in voting in November. More Americans are expected to rely on mail-in voting as the coronavirus pandemic keeps high-risk individuals at home to avoid infection.
North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, a Democrat, tweeted, "It is against the law to directly or indirectly reimburse someone for a political contribution."
DeJoy denied pressuring employees to make campaign contributions at a congressional hearing earlier in the summer when asked about it by Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn.
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"That's an outrageous claim, sir, and I resent it," DeJoy said. "What are you accusing me of?"
DeJoy ran New Breed Logistics from the early 1980s until 2014, when the company was sold to Connecticut-based XPO Logistics.


upi--2020-09-07--Police arrest suspect in stabbing spree in Birmingham, England

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- Police in Britain arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with a stabbing spree in the city center of Birmingham .
The arrest came after West Midlands police launched a manhunt for the suspect , whose name was n't released .
He 's accused of one count of murder and seven counts of murder after allegedly carrying out a series of stabbings early Sunday .
`` The events of the weekend have been extraordinary .
These are events quite unlike anything I have seen on our streets before , '' West Midlands police Chief Constable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also been tragic with the awful loss of life and serious injuries we have seen .
My thoughts are very much with the victims and their families . ''
He said the department was continuing its investigation .
Police said a 23-year-old man died during the attack and another man , age 19 , and a 32-year-old woman suffered critical injuries .
Five others between the ages of 23 and 33 were also injured and were treated at a local hospital .
Authorities declared it a `` major incident '' and deployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure the four crime scenes , patrol the streets and aid in the investigation .
Police said they first received a call about the stabbings shortly after 12:30 a.m. concerning a man who received a superficial injury followed by a call 20 minutes later about a man and a woman who sustained critical injures in an attack .
An hour later , police received a third call concerning a man who had died and another man who was injured in another stabbing followed by a fourth call 10 minutes later concerning three more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that the motive was unknown and that the attacks appeared random .
`` The events during the early hours of this morning are tragic , shocking and understandably frightening , '' Graham said a press conference .
`` Please be assured that we are doing absolutely everything we can to find whoever was responsible and try to understand what exactly happened . ''
Earlier in their search , police released CCTV footage of the man they suspected of carrying out the series of stabbings , asking the public for help in identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout Sunday and spoken to witnesses to ensure the best possible footage and image of the man being sought could be released to the public , Graham said .

Police in Britain released video and images Sunday of a man suspected of killing one person and injuring several others in multiple stabbings shortly after midnight in Birmingham. Photo courtesy of West Midlands Police
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Police in Britain arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with a stabbing spree in the city center of Birmingham. The arrest came after West Midlands police launched a manhunt for the suspect, whose name wasn't released. He's accused of one count of murder and seven counts of murder after allegedly carrying out a series of stabbings early Sunday. Advertisement
"The events of the weekend have been extraordinary. These are events quite unlike anything I have seen on our streets before," West Midlands police Chief Constable Dave Thompson said Monday. "They have also been tragic with the awful loss of life and serious injuries we have seen. My thoughts are very much with the victims and their families."
He said the department was continuing its investigation.
Police said a 23-year-old man died during the attack and another man, age 19, and a 32-year-old woman suffered critical injuries. Five others between the ages of 23 and 33 were also injured and were treated at a local hospital.
Authorities declared it a "major incident" and deployed officers to Birmingham's city center to secure the four crime scenes, patrol the streets and aid in the investigation.
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Police said they first received a call about the stabbings shortly after 12:30 a.m. concerning a man who received a superficial injury followed by a call 20 minutes later about a man and a woman who sustained critical injures in an attack.
An hour later, police received a third call concerning a man who had died and another man who was injured in another stabbing followed by a fourth call 10 minutes later concerning three more people suffering from stab wounds.
Graham said that the motive was unknown and that the attacks appeared random.
"The events during the early hours of this morning are tragic, shocking and understandably frightening," Graham said a press conference. "Please be assured that we are doing absolutely everything we can to find whoever was responsible and try to understand what exactly happened."
Earlier in their search, police released CCTV footage of the man they suspected of carrying out the series of stabbings, asking the public for help in identify him.
Officers trawled through CCTV footage throughout Sunday and spoken to witnesses to ensure the best possible footage and image of the man being sought could be released to the public, Graham said.


upi--2020-09-07--Saudi court sentences 8 for Khashoggi murder; overturns death sentences

Sept. 7 ( UPI ) -- A Saudi Arabian court on Monday handed down prison sentences for eight people involved in the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi , and overturned the death penalty for five .
The Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced five people to 20 years in prison for directly participating in Khashoggi 's slaying and dismemberment .
Three others were sentenced for covering up the murder , one to 10 years in prison and two to seven years .
The court declined to identify any of the defendants .
In December , a Saudi court sentenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Khashoggi 's death .
On Monday , those death sentences were overturned .
Khashoggi , a dissident Saudi journalist , died Oct. 2 , 2018 , after he visited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to pick up documents he needed for his pending marriage .
He was never observed leaving the building , nor was his body ever found .
His disappearance sparked a months-long investigation in which officials determined he had been dismembered with a bone saw inside the consulate and .
The CIA and Western governments said Saudi Crown Prince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself , or he had tacit knowledge of the plot .
The crown prince has accepted responsibility for Khashoggi 's death , `` because it happened under my watch , '' but has denied any personal involvement .
U.N. Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard said the Saudi trial was `` the antithesis of justice . ''
She said Khashoggi was `` the victim of a deliberate , premeditated execution/ ''

Protesters with the activist group Code Pink demonstrate outside the White House to call attention to the disappearance of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi on October 19, 2018. On Monday, a Saudi court sentenced eight to prison for his death. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 7 (UPI) -- A Saudi Arabian court on Monday handed down prison sentences for eight people involved in the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, and overturned the death penalty for five. The Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced five people to 20 years in prison for directly participating in Khashoggi's slaying and dismemberment. Three others were sentenced for covering up the murder, one to 10 years in prison and two to seven years. Advertisement
The court declined to identify any of the defendants.
In December, a Saudi court sentenced five people to die for their involvement in Khashoggi's death. On Monday, those death sentences were overturned.
Khashoggi, a dissident Saudi journalist, died Oct. 2, 2018, after he visited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to pick up documents he needed for his pending marriage. He was never observed leaving the building, nor was his body ever found.
His disappearance sparked a months-long investigation in which officials determined he had been dismembered with a bone saw inside the consulate and.
The CIA and Western governments said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman likely ordered the killing himself, or he had tacit knowledge of the plot. The crown prince has accepted responsibility for Khashoggi's death, "because it happened under my watch," but has denied any personal involvement.
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U.N. Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard said the Saudi trial was "the antithesis of justice." She said Khashoggi was "the victim of a deliberate, premeditated execution/"


upi--2020-09-07--Fantasy football: McCaffrey, Elliott lead Top 75 running back rankings

Aug. 21 ( UPI ) -- Christian McCaffrey is one of the most-versatile weapons in the NFL .
The Carolina Panthers playmaker is also my No .
1 rated running back ahead of the 2020 fantasy football season .
McCaffrey edges Dallas Cowboys playmaker Ezekiel Elliott and New York Giants workhorse Saquon Barkley for the No .
1 spot in my Top 75 rankings for the position .
Dalvin Cook and Alvin Kamara also rank inside my Top 5 at the position .
Josh Jacobs , Nick Chubb , Joe Mixon , Derrick Henry and Aaron Jones also are among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production in 2020 .
I split my top targets of the 75 ranked players into five tiers : Hall of Fame , All-Pro , Pro Bowl , Just Napping ( early to mid-round targets ) and Deep Sleepers ( mid- to late-round sleepers ) .
The full rankings are below .
As a personal rule , I prefer players on my fantasy team who are on good teams in real life , but you should make an exception this year for Christian McCaffrey .
The Panthers running back had 2,392 yards from scrimmage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also set the NFL single-season record with 116 receptions , the most ever for a running back .
McCaffrey 's dynamic play results in an abundance of fantasy production .
He is the projected No .
1 pick on most fantasy football websites for good reason .
Do n't look past Ezekiel Elliott if you have a Top 3 pick in your fantasy football draft .
The Cowboys star likely will be a key part of a prolific offense .
The Cowboys also should have a solid season and use Elliott to grind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elliott had 1,777 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns last season , but I expect his numbers to be even better in 2020 .
Elliott should be able to boost his receiving total by at least 100 yards and push his receptions total up by 10 or 15 catches .
I also expect the Cowboys ' improved passing attack to help balance their offense and give Elliott more opportunities .
I have no issue with Elliott as the No .
1 overall selection for your fantasy squad if you prefer his upside and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely compete this year for a division title , while the Panthers are unlikely to do so .
Saquon Barkley always deserves consideration as the No .
1 overall pick in fantasy football drafts , but is another player who has been on a struggling team .
Barkley is still a safe option as your No .
1 pick if you draw a selection in the Top 5 .
The Giants will need to depend on their best player throughout the season , which means Barkley will touch the ball a lot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points .
Like McCaffrey , Barkley also has tremendous upside as a pass catcher .
I expect the Giants Pro Bowler to push McCaffrey and Elliott as the top fantasy football running back in 2020 .
But there is one stat to consider before selecting Barkley early in your draft and it might cause you to get off to a slow start .
The Giants have five matchups in 2020 against teams that ranked inside the Top 10 for allowing the fewest amount of fantasy points to opposing running backs .
Two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three weeks of the season when the Giants take on the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers .
Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is my No .
4 option at the position in 2020 .
Cook has been one of the most-talented running backs in the NFL since he entered the league in 2017 , but has yet to stay healthy for an entire season .
Despite the question of availability , he has a great opportunity to have a monster fantasy football campaign in 2020 .
The Vikings could opt to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year after the team traded wide receiver Stefon Diggs this off-season .
Cook had 1,765 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns in 14 games last season .
He should improve on those numbers if he is able to play at least 14 games again in 2020 .
Minnesota also has five matchups in 13 games against teams that ranked inside the Top 10 for allowing the most fantasy points to running backs .
I would still select Cook in that first group of running backs in the first round before the first wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running back Josh Jacobs is among the players you should still consider taking over a wide receiver in the first round if your league is highly-dependent on running back production .
Jacobs had 1,316 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns as a rookie last season .
He will be the main workhorse once again this season , but the Raiders ' off-season additions of multiple pass catchers should balance their offense .
I expect Jacobs -- my No .
6 running back -- to close in on 1,500 yards from scrimmage and score @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Titans running back Derrick Henry was one of the most-dominant players in the NFL last season , but fantasy team owners should n't draft players based only on last year 's statistics .
Henry remains a safe pick in the first round if you want a workhorse-style running back , but I think his statistics decline in 2020 based on his high usage last season and a less-productive passing game this year .
The Titans also do n't have an easy schedule for fantasy football running backs .
Tennessee has five games against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs in 2019 .
Two of those matchups are in the first four weeks of the season .
Henry is my No .
9 running back , but do n't be afraid to draft a wide receiver in the first round instead of the Titans running back if you are n't confident in the pick .
Fantasy football team owners will see Clyde Edwards-Helaire selected very early this year in drafts , but I would n't overspend on the Kansas City Chiefs rookie .
Edwards-Helaire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrific opportunity to produce fantasy points in the Patrick Mahomes led offense , but he still carries some risk .
I would prefer to select a safer option in the first round and snag Edwards-Helaire in the second round if possible .
Make sure to grab plenty of additional running backs later in your draft to stabilize the position if you do take the chance and draft the rookie in the first round .
The former LSU running back is my No .
15 option at the position .
David Johnson is my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and could be one of the best value picks in your draft if you can get him any time after the second round .
The new Houston Texans running back had a down year in 2019 , but is only a few seasons removed from being considered one of the best running backs in fantasy football .
I would target Johnson in the second round after selecting a wide receiver in the first round or take him in the third round after taking two wide receivers early .
His skillset and opportunity should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he can stay healthy .
The Baltimore Ravens made a splash this off-season when they drafted J.K. Dobbins out of Ohio State , but Mark Ingram is still the main man in the backfield .
I think he will provide plenty of fantasy football value in the offense despite Dobbins ' presence .
Ingram had 1,265 yards from scrimmage and a career-high 15 touchdowns last season .
I see the veteran ball carrier scoring another 10-plus touchdowns in 2020 and posting another season with at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage .
The Ravens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ingram as they attempt to limit quarterback Lamar Jackson 's exposure to injuries during runs .
Ingram is my No .
17 running back and should be picked as an RB2 , but has RB1 upside in good matchups .
The Ravens also have one of the best early-season schedules for fantasy football running backs .
Baltimore 's first five games are all against teams that ranked inside the Top 10 for allowing the most fantasy points to running backs .
Todd Gurley is another running back just a few seasons removed from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football options at the position .
The former Los Angeles Rams star signed with the Atlanta Falcons this off-season and should fit nicely into his new offense .
I would n't be super excited to have Gurley as my RB1 , but he does have the opportunity to produce solid fantasy stats in good matchups .
He is my No .
19 option at running back and should produce at least 10 touchdowns and eclipse 1,200 yards from scrimmage in the Matt Ryan and Julio Jones led attack .

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott ranks No. 2 on my list of the top-75 running backs for the 2020 fantasy football season. File Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Christian McCaffrey is one of the most-versatile weapons in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers playmaker is also my No. 1 rated running back ahead of the 2020 fantasy football season. McCaffrey edges Dallas Cowboys playmaker Ezekiel Elliott and New York Giants workhorse Saquon Barkley for the No. 1 spot in my Top 75 rankings for the position. Advertisement
Dalvin Cook and Alvin Kamara also rank inside my Top 5 at the position. Josh Jacobs, Nick Chubb, Joe Mixon, Derrick Henry and Aaron Jones also are among the players I expect to post RB1 production in 2020.
I split my top targets of the 75 ranked players into five tiers: Hall of Fame, All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Just Napping (early to mid-round targets) and Deep Sleepers (mid- to late-round sleepers). The full rankings are below.
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Hall of Fame
1. Christian McCaffrey, 2. Ezekiel Elliott
As a personal rule, I prefer players on my fantasy team who are on good teams in real life, but you should make an exception this year for Christian McCaffrey. The Panthers running back had 2,392 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns last season. He also set the NFL single-season record with 116 receptions, the most ever for a running back.
McCaffrey's dynamic play results in an abundance of fantasy production. He is the projected No. 1 pick on most fantasy football websites for good reason.
Don't look past Ezekiel Elliott if you have a Top 3 pick in your fantasy football draft. The Cowboys star likely will be a key part of a prolific offense. The Cowboys also should have a solid season and use Elliott to grind out the clock late in games.
Elliott had 1,777 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns last season, but I expect his numbers to be even better in 2020. Elliott should be able to boost his receiving total by at least 100 yards and push his receptions total up by 10 or 15 catches.
I also expect the Cowboys' improved passing attack to help balance their offense and give Elliott more opportunities. I have no issue with Elliott as the No. 1 overall selection for your fantasy squad if you prefer his upside and the safety of knowing his team will likely compete this year for a division title, while the Panthers are unlikely to do so.
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All-Pro
3. Saquon Barkley, 4. Dalvin Cook
Saquon Barkley always deserves consideration as the No. 1 overall pick in fantasy football drafts, but is another player who has been on a struggling team. Barkley is still a safe option as your No. 1 pick if you draw a selection in the Top 5.
The Giants will need to depend on their best player throughout the season, which means Barkley will touch the ball a lot and have plenty of chances to post fantasy points.
Like McCaffrey, Barkley also has tremendous upside as a pass catcher. I expect the Giants Pro Bowler to push McCaffrey and Elliott as the top fantasy football running back in 2020.
But there is one stat to consider before selecting Barkley early in your draft and it might cause you to get off to a slow start.
The Giants have five matchups in 2020 against teams that ranked inside the Top 10 for allowing the fewest amount of fantasy points to opposing running backs. Two of those matchups take place in the first three weeks of the season when the Giants take on the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers.
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Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is my No. 4 option at the position in 2020. Cook has been one of the most-talented running backs in the NFL since he entered the league in 2017, but has yet to stay healthy for an entire season. Despite the question of availability, he has a great opportunity to have a monster fantasy football campaign in 2020.
The Vikings could opt to return to more of a run-based offense this year after the team traded wide receiver Stefon Diggs this off-season. Cook had 1,765 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns in 14 games last season. He should improve on those numbers if he is able to play at least 14 games again in 2020.
Minnesota also has five matchups in 13 games against teams that ranked inside the Top 10 for allowing the most fantasy points to running backs.
I would still select Cook in that first group of running backs in the first round before the first wide receiver is off the board.
Pro Bowl
6. Josh Jacobs, 9. Derrick Henry
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is among the players you should still consider taking over a wide receiver in the first round if your league is highly-dependent on running back production.
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Jacobs had 1,316 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns as a rookie last season. He will be the main workhorse once again this season, but the Raiders' off-season additions of multiple pass catchers should balance their offense.
I expect Jacobs -- my No. 6 running back -- to close in on 1,500 yards from scrimmage and score at least 10 touchdowns in 2020.
Titans running back Derrick Henry was one of the most-dominant players in the NFL last season, but fantasy team owners shouldn't draft players based only on last year's statistics.
Henry remains a safe pick in the first round if you want a workhorse-style running back, but I think his statistics decline in 2020 based on his high usage last season and a less-productive passing game this year.
The Titans also don't have an easy schedule for fantasy football running backs. Tennessee has five games against teams that ranked inside the Top 10 for the fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs in 2019. Two of those matchups are in the first four weeks of the season.
Henry is my No. 9 running back, but don't be afraid to draft a wide receiver in the first round instead of the Titans running back if you aren't confident in the pick.
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Just Napping
15. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, 16. David Johnson
Fantasy football team owners will see Clyde Edwards-Helaire selected very early this year in drafts, but I wouldn't overspend on the Kansas City Chiefs rookie. Edwards-Helaire has a ton of talent and a terrific opportunity to produce fantasy points in the Patrick Mahomes led offense, but he still carries some risk.
I would prefer to select a safer option in the first round and snag Edwards-Helaire in the second round if possible. Make sure to grab plenty of additional running backs later in your draft to stabilize the position if you do take the chance and draft the rookie in the first round. The former LSU running back is my No. 15 option at the position.
David Johnson is my No. 16 running back in 2020 and could be one of the best value picks in your draft if you can get him any time after the second round. The new Houston Texans running back had a down year in 2019, but is only a few seasons removed from being considered one of the best running backs in fantasy football.
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I would target Johnson in the second round after selecting a wide receiver in the first round or take him in the third round after taking two wide receivers early. His skillset and opportunity should provide solid RB1 value all season if he can stay healthy.
Deep Sleepers
17. Mark Ingram, 19. Todd Gurley, 38. Tevin Coleman
The Baltimore Ravens made a splash this off-season when they drafted J.K. Dobbins out of Ohio State, but Mark Ingram is still the main man in the backfield. I think he will provide plenty of fantasy football value in the offense despite Dobbins' presence.
Ingram had 1,265 yards from scrimmage and a career-high 15 touchdowns last season. I see the veteran ball carrier scoring another 10-plus touchdowns in 2020 and posting another season with at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage.
The Ravens should have enough carriers for Dobbins and Ingram as they attempt to limit quarterback Lamar Jackson's exposure to injuries during runs. Ingram is my No. 17 running back and should be picked as an RB2, but has RB1 upside in good matchups.
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The Ravens also have one of the best early-season schedules for fantasy football running backs. Baltimore's first five games are all against teams that ranked inside the Top 10 for allowing the most fantasy points to running backs.
Todd Gurley is another running back just a few seasons removed from being considered one of the elite fantasy football options at the position. The former Los Angeles Rams star signed with the Atlanta Falcons this off-season and should fit nicely into his new offense.
I wouldn't be super excited to have Gurley as my RB1, but he does have the opportunity to produce solid fantasy stats in good matchups. He is my No. 19 option at running back and should produce at least 10 touchdowns and eclipse 1,200 yards from scrimmage in the Matt Ryan and Julio Jones led attack.
Top 75 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for 2020
1. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers, Bye Week 13
2. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 10
3. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants, Bye Week 11
4. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings, Bye Week 7
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5. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints, Bye Week 6
6. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders, Bye Week 6
7. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns, Bye Week 9
8. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals, Bye Week 9
9. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans, Bye Week 7
10. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 5
11. Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 8
12. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks, Bye Week 6
13. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers, Bye Week 10
14. James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye Week 8
15. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 10
16. David Johnson, Houston Texans, Bye Week 8
17. Mark Ingram, Baltimore Ravens, Bye Week 8
18. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles, Bye Week 9
19. Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons Bye Week 10
20. Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers, Bye Week 11
21. Le'Veon Bell, New York Jets, Bye Week 11
22. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns, Bye Week 9
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23. James White, New England Patriots, Bye Week 6
24. Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos, Bye Week 8
25. Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills, Bye Week 11
26. Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions, Bye Week 5
27. Tarik Cohen, Chicago Bears, Bye Week 11
28. J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens, Bye Week 8
29. Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts, Bye Week 7
30. Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 13
31. Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 13
32. Jordan Howard, Miami Dolphins, Bye Week 11
33. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts, Bye Week 7
34. Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos, Bye Week 8
35. Matt Breida, Miami Dolphins, Bye Week 11
36. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears, Bye Week 11
37. Sony Michel, New England Patriots, Bye Week 6
38. Tevin Coleman, San Francisco 49ers, Bye Week 11
39. Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team, Bye Week 8
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40. Latavius Murray, New Orleans Saints, Bye Week 6
41. Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 9
42. Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings, Bye Week 7
43. Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 9
44. D'Andre Swift, Detroit Lions, Bye Week 5
45. Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles, Bye Week 9
46. Chris Thompson, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bye Week 7
47. Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 5
48. Duke Johnson, Houston Texans, Bye Week 8
49. Ryquell Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bye Week 7
50. Bryce Love, Washington Football Team, Bye Week 8
51. Darrel Williams, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 10
52. Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers, Bye Week 10
53. Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 9
54. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 10
55. Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals, Bye Week 9
56. Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 8
57. Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers, Bye Week 10
58. Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons, Bye Week 10
59. Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills, Bye Week 11
60. Darrynton Evans, Tennessee Titans, Bye Week 7
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61. Anthony McFarland, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye Week 8
62. A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 5
63. Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks, Bye Week 6
64. Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts, Bye Week 7
65. Jalen Richard, Las Vegas Raiders, Bye Week 6
66. Benny Snell Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye Week 8
67. Jerick McKinnon, San Francisco 49ers, Bye Week 11
68. Damien Harris, New England Patriots, Bye Week 6
69. Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 13
70. Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots, Bye Week 6
71. Devine Ozigbo, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bye Week 7
72. Adrian Peterson, Detroit Lions, Bye Week 5
73. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bye Week 7
74. Frank Gore, New York Jets, Bye Week 11
75. Royce Freeman, Denver Broncos, Bye Week 8