Daily Archives: July 27, 2023

Liquid biopsies have the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions. Unlike biopsies that require removing tumor tissue, these tests use a simple blood draw to assess the molecular characteristics of cancer. Liquid biopsies can be done repeatedly and quickly, offering researchers a less invasive way to detect cancer earlier, watch how the disease is progressing, or predict which treatment may work best.

Liquid biopsies have been used primarily for lung, breast, and colorectal cancers. Recent research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) suggests these tests could soon be expanded to gynecologic cancers such as endometrial cancer (also called uterine cancer) and cervical cancer.

Our resources and molecular tests for the monitoring of gynecologic cancers remains limited,says MSK physician-scientist Sarah Kim, MD. Given our collective experience in using methods for liquid biopsies in other cancer types, we have a unique opportunity to improve the lives of people with gynecologic cancers.

Liquid biopsies usually involve the analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which are small fragments of DNA circulating throughout the body. The DNA is found in blood plasma as well as other bodily fluids, such as saliva and urine. In people with cancer, cfDNA shed from dying cancer cells can be analyzed to yield valuable information about the disease.

Liquid biopsies are challenging for some gynecologic cancers because the tumors do not shed nearly as much cancer DNA into the blood.

Since 2019, MSK has used its own in-house liquid biopsy test, MSK-ACCESS, to determine the genetic mutations (changes) driving the growth of a patients tumor. Doctors can use MSK-ACCESS results to sort patients into different risk categories or to choose a therapy that targets specific mutations. MSK-ACCESS has already provided important insights into several cancers, especially breast and lung cancers.

MSK scientists have recently made progress in using MSK-ACCESS for endometrial and cervical cancers.

A pilot study led by MSK scientist Britta Weigelt, PhD, and published in Clinical Cancer Researchshowed that detecting mutations in cfDNA in the plasma of people with newly diagnosed endometrial cancer could help with prognosis (predicting outcome) and monitoring of the disease. Another study led by Dr. Weigelt and Dr. Kim is currently assessing the value of cfDNA as a molecular marker for cervical cancer.

Liquid biopsies are challenging for some gynecologic cancers because the tumors do not shed nearly as much cancer DNA into the blood as some other cancers do.

People with early-stage gynecologic cancers often have relatively small tumors, and they are usually confined to the abdomen, Dr. Weigelt says. Some of them also dont spread through the blood as frequently as other cancer types. If they spread, it is often either through the lymphatic system or just directly, rather than traveling through the bloodstream.

This makes detecting cfDNA from cancer cells and distinguishing it from DNA shed into the bloodstream from normal cells a major challenge.

However, in recent years, researchers have refined the tests to become more sensitive and adept at detecting these DNA fragments like a stronger magnet pulling a needle out of a haystack. These advances have made it possible to pinpoint the scarce amounts of cfDNA from gynecologic cancers.

The endometrial cancer study led by Dr. Weigelt examined cfDNA in blood samples from 44 patients newly diagnosed with endometrial cancer. The samples were taken before the tumor was surgically removed and afterward for over two years. MSK-ACCESS showed the more advanced the stage, the higher the cancer cfDNA levels.

In six patients whose cancer returned, changes in cfDNA mirrored disease progression and response to therapy shown by cells in the primary tumor. This provides evidence that the liquid biopsy may supply reliable information about whether the disease was advancing or starting to resist treatment. In two patients, it signaled that the cancer was coming back before the disease could be detected clinically.

Our findings indicate that cfDNA analysis helps understand a patients prognosis as well as enables us to monitor the cancer progression and response to treatment, Dr. Weigelt says. As the next step, we are keen to take this forward to see which patient group would benefit the most from this approach. Wed like to see if it can be a valid test for predicting when endometrial cancer will recur or even occur for the first time.

Drs. Kim and Weigelt are now investigating cfDNA in cervical cancer. Despite advances in prevention, including the human papilloma (HPV) vaccine and the widespread adoption of screening guidelines, cervical cancer takes a major toll. Among gynecologic cancers in the U.S., cervical cancer is the third most diagnosed and the third leading cause of death.

A lot of people think of cervical cancer as a problem of the developing world, but at MSK, we still treat many patients with cervical cancer, Dr. Kim says. And just like with endometrial cancer, we dont have a good molecular marker that would show up in a blood test. More than one-third of women diagnosed with cervical cancer are at an advanced stage, when treatment options are limited.

A new MSK study to assess the value of cfDNA as a cervical cancer biomarker has enrolled more than 50 people receiving treatment for the disease at MSK. In addition to looking at cfDNA levels and cancer-driving mutations, the study offers another avenue to explore. Could the liquid biopsy detect whether the cervical cancer is HPV-related the most common subtype?

A lot of cervical cancers are a direct result of being infected with a high-risk strain of HPV, Dr. Kim says. We want to see if the amount of virus in the cfDNA indicates whether the patient is at higher risk for recurring, or not responding to treatment. Were tackling that question in this study as well.

Drs. Kim and Weigelt say MSK has particular strengths that enable it to advance the research in this field primarily the large number of patients treated with gynecologic cancer and the in-house availability of MSK-ACCESS. Our team at MSK is embedded in a community of specialists who have been working with liquid biopsies for years, and we can capitalize on their expertise, Dr. Weigelt says.

[Chief of the Gynecology Service] Dr. Nadeem Abu-Rustum, MD, is very committed to pushing the research forward in gynecologic cancers, Dr. Kim says. Theres so much more to do to reduce the burden of these diseases on our patients.

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New Progress Using Liquid Biopsies to Analyze cfDNA for ... - On Cancer - Memorial Sloan Kettering

The Greater Pine Island Alliance, which was founded following Hurricane Ian, held its monthly meeting July 18 at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church covering a number of topics.

According to co-founder American Legion Post Commander Aaron Barreda, a $5,000 grant was given to the GPIA organization by Week of Compassion Christian Church as well as $15,000 from the Red Cross. Tammy Sager was introduced as GPIA Disaster Resource Coordinator. Barreda reported a pause on the placing of temporary storage containers.

Pathfinder Mission did end up moving back to Texas, however, in that time, they provided us with all of their information on how to build the sheds so we are looking forward in August to get back up and being able to put these storage containers back out for folks and being able to offer that again, Barreda said.

To date, he said, the GPIA has put together over 51 temporary storage containers and they continue to seek donations. The cost of a temporary container is approximately $750. Earlier in July there was a group of volunteers from Johns Creek Presbyterian Church in Georgia, who donated over 550 hours of labor to Pine Island. Honc Industries was instrumental in obtaining much needed dumpsters, which the Beacon of Hope helped fund.

We love the partners and the great face we have here, between the industry and other non-profits that we can continue to support the community, Barreda said.

GPIA Executive Director Erin Lollar-Lambert reported the Pine Island Water Association has gotten an 8,400-gallon diesel tanker as well as a rental generator for use until December of this year, as a replacement generator is currently on order.

Our water association is one of the better-run, more community focused water organizations ever, Lollar-Lambert said.

Barreda announced the GPIA is currently accepting $10 membership fees in an effort to solidify the role of the organization. Ongoing collaboration with Rebuild Together continues, Barreda said, as the organization is currently seeking office space on Pine Island, as long-term recovery is likely for the next several years. The organization has begun to focus on assisting the Palms Community, he said, as they have dedicated staff to complete projects there.

Whether its your neighbor, your friend or somebody else in the Greater Pine Island area, please go on the website just let us know who needs help and well work with these great partners, like Rebuild and True Blue, to get the help out there that they need, Barreda said.

Continuous partnership in the community, via the Pine Island Water Association and the Matlacha Hookers, has allowed the GPIA to acquire 2 of the 6 Starlink satellites needed for future communication, in the event of another catastrophe, Barreda said.

Regional Director for United Methodist Committee on Relief Simone Monaco reported they have been on Pine Island since December 2022. She has an office, she said, at the Pine Island United Methodist Church, 5701 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia, FL 33922. Anyone in need of help is invited to go and see her there. Any work done on someones home will need to be referenced with a receipt, as all financial requests must be accounted for. However, financial position has no bearing on whether someone qualifies to receive assistance, she said.

Lollar-Lambert emphasized the communication shared between islanders, both individually and those involved with organizations, such as, GPIA, UMCOR, FEMA and Project Hope.

There is a collaboration between everyone on the island. There is no island on this island. We all talk, all the time we all work together, Lollar-Lambert said.

FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison Task Force Lead and Supervisory Emergency Management Specialist Chartonna CeCe Woodley said a lot of people who believed they would be covered by insurance were initially denied assistance. She maintains that there are ways to receive needed funding through FEMA.

For additional information on GPIA membership, donations or to receive updates via newsletter, visit, GPIALLIANCE.org.

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GPIA discusses progress being made on island | News, Sports, Jobs ... - Pine Island Eagle

It may be high priority, but organizations still approach security hygiene and posture management haphazardly in silos, which opens doors for cyber adversaries.

Security hygiene and posture management is the bedrock of cybersecurity. But before thinking about acceptable use policies, security awareness training or an assortment of security technologies, organizations must have a full understanding of the assets they possess, who owns them, what those assets are used for and whether they are configured securely.

Each standards body and security best practice, such as NIST-800 series, CIS Critical Security Controls and ISO 27001, and every security regulation -- including HIPAA, PCI DSS and FISMA -- start with a mandate for strong and continuous security hygiene and posture management.

To put the topic in context, think of security hygiene and posture management as the practice of locking and maintaining the integrity of all your doors and windows to protect your house and family from intruders. But what if you live in a European castle with dozens of family members and hundreds or thousands of doors and windows? Different staff members throughout the castle are responsible for maintaining and locking a designated subset of the total, and your safety depends on all these people getting it right, which is extremely difficult to monitor or verify.

The example above summarizes the state of security hygiene and posture management today -- distributed, siloed and difficult to keep up with. Recent research from TechTarget's Enterprise Strategy Group illustrated the following issues:

CISOs see these problems and realize that things are getting out of hand. The research also pointed to the following steps organizations are taking to address security hygiene and posture management at scale:

Regardless of the category, these tools are designed to provide visibility into blind spots, aggregate and analyze siloed data, and deliver some type of risk-based guidance on which issues to prioritize. Historically, security hygiene and posture management technologies received little venture capital funding, but given the growing attack surface and sophisticated threats the Silicon Valley Sand Hill Road crowd is jumping onboard.

Soon after I joined Enterprise Strategy Group in 2003, I gave a presentation on vulnerability management at a security conference. I talked about best practices, division of labor and tools. When it was time for the Q&A, a few audience members posed the following questions: "How do we know we've discovered all the assets?" and "How do we prioritize which vulnerabilities to patch?"

Twenty years later, our research indicates we haven't adequately answered those questions, while the scale of the problems has increased exponentially. Our windows and doors are fragile and often open when we think they're strong and locked. Without a security hygiene and posture management baseline, cybersecurity protection becomes little more than a roll of the dice.

Enterprise Strategy Group is a division of TechTarget. Its analysts have business relationships with technology vendors.

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Security hygiene and posture management: A work in progress - TechTarget

This season didnt end how Rapid City Post 320 wanted it to.

The Stars weathered plenty of ups and downs in Year 1 of head coach Lane Hovdes tenure. They started the season 0-4 but found ways to win against in-state competition and clinched a home regional against Harrisburg Maroon.

The Tigers got the best of Post 320 in the regional last weekend, but Hovde left the field proud of the way his team pushed through adversity and laid a foundation for the future.

Changing the culture is always hard in Year 1, Hovde said. I appreciate everyone welcoming me and allowing me to try new things that this program hasn't done before. But we're not done.

Post 320 finished the season 26-33 overall and 17-9 in South Dakota.

The Stars regional loss signaled the end of legion careers for five college freshmen.

Mason Mehlhaff, Jett Wetzler, Jace Wetzler, Noah Popken and Ryan Rufledt soaked in their final moments in uniform at Pete Lien Memorial Field after their season finale last Friday.

Post 320's Mason Mehlhaff fields a grounder to short during the first game against Sturgis Post 33 during a doubleheader on July 12 at Pete Lien Memorial Field.

For Mehlhaff, this season may have been his last in competitive baseball. The shortstop played at Dakota Wesleyan this past spring but decided to move back to the area and pursue an education closer to home.

There are a lot of ups and downs in baseball, Mehlhaff said. If you fail seven out of 10 times in this sport, youre a good hitter. I learned to keep a level head and be a leader this yearthere are always other things in life. This isnt everything.

Popken played at Presentation College this spring and suffered an arm injury. Then the college in Aberdeen shut its doors for good.

He wasnt planning on playing legion ball this summer, but the coaching staff convinced him to come out.

Coach convinced me to come play and I dont regret a single thing, the pitcher said. (Lane) is a great guy and theres so much potential for this program under his name. Hes going to do some great things.

Stars pitcher Noah Popken fires a pitch in the first round of the Veterans Classic June 2, 2022 at Pete Lien Field.

Hovde set out to build a new culture in the Stars clubhouse this season and felt like this years team laid a solid foundation for the future.

We're only going to keep building, he said. This place is going to be different and people are gonna see some different things around here.

The Post 320 coach relocated from Colorado to the Black Hills this season after a stint training college student-athletes for the Colorado Rogue.

The transition to coaching high schoolers again taught Hovde some lessons along the way.

Sometimes I come across as a grouch, Hovde said. I just have so much passion and fight for this game and I learned to have patience getting back into the high school game. Its a little different than coaching college students and grown adults.

Mehlhaffs younger brother, Colton Mehlhaff, played for the Post 320 Risers this season. Mason said that hes excited for the future of the entire organization and is looking forward to watching Colton move up the ranks.

Theyre young and there are going to be a lot of learning moments over the next few years, Mason said. But overall I think in a couple years when they mature, this will be a really good program and theyll have a really good team.

Popken also left the field confident about the future of his club because he saw maturity in the younger players at practice this season.

Theres so much potential for the younger kids, he said. This year the older guys tried to coach them up and they listened. As long as they keep listening, theyll be able to grow and be better than any of us could have ever been.

The Stars arent taking much time off before training gets rolling in the fall. The team will be back at Pete Lien for fall ball in a months time.

Well be back at it and back to the drawing board, Hovde said. We dont want to feel like this next year, we want to be fighting for one more week. So its back to building.

Harrisburg Maroon Pop up out to Stars Mason Mehlhaff

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Hovde pleased with Stars' progress in his first season - Rapid City Journal

COLUMBIA, Mo. While Missouris quarterback competition figures to command the most attention when preseason camp begins next week, theres another story that will greatly shape the Tigers offense in 2023 no matter which QB contender takes the opening snap Aug. 31 against South Dakota.

The Tigers better block better.

In the form of penalties, sacks and breakdowns deep in the backfield, Mizzous offensive line surrendered ground throughout last years 6-7 campaign, producing some staggering numbers that defined the Tigers struggles:

Mizzous 101 tackles for loss allowed were the most for any Power Five team and by far far the most MU has allowed in a season since joining the SEC in 2012. Three times under former coach Barry Odom (2016-18), Mizzous offense allowed the fewest tackles for loss in the SEC and routinely kept a clean pocket for quarterback Drew Lock.

Mizzou O-linemen were flagged for 38 penalties, up from 25 in 2021 and 18 in 2020.

The Tigers averaged just 3.97 yards per rushing attempt on first down down from 5.23 in 2022 and worst in the SEC.

A year later, the Tigers hope three additions to Eli Drinkwitzs program help solve the issues that troubled the trenches last fall. Drinkwitz landed two likely starters out of the transfer portal in Eastern Michigans Marcellus Johnson and Houstons CamRon Johnson and hired former Houston and Texas Tech line coach Brandon Jones to take over the position group. Drinkwitz didnt enter the postseason planning for a coaching change, but in March, shortly after the Tigers wrapped up spring practices, O-line coach Marcus Johnson left the staff for Purdue to reunite with new Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters, Mizzous defensive coordinator in 2020.

Without the luxury of a full spring practice schedule, Jones took his new linemen out for dinners to begin building relationships. Needing to prove himself quickly, Jones made a strong first impression on his most decorated lineman.

I love that guy, man, said Tigers left tackle Javon Foster, a second-team preseason All-SEC choice. Hes really showed me a lot in this short amount of time. And he's shown that he's capable of doing the job. I put all my trust in him.

Adding to the urgency, Jones is working with a first-year offensive coordinator, Kirby Moore, who had a three-month head start after arriving in January from Fresno State.

Hes transitioned seamlessly, Drinkwitz said of Jones. Those guys working together, trying to get our best five in the rotation, is going to be critical for us. It's going to take us a couple of weeks. Obviously we're going against a tremendous defense, and that competition every day is only making our guys better. But I love the way our guys are attacking. Offensively there is a sense of purpose, and there's a sense of something to prove for those guys on that side of the ball. I have a lot of confidence in what they're going to do this year.

As for Jones starting five, the next few weeks will solidify the depth. Foster, MUs starter in every game the last two seasons, returns as one of the countrys best edge blockers, posting a 2022 pass-blocking grade of 86.7 by Pro Football Focus, the best among all returning Power Five offensive tackles.

Next to Foster, fellow sixth-year graduate Xavier Delgado returns after starting 28 games over the past three seasons. Hell have to hold off a few contenders, including E.J. Ndoma-Ogar, whos coming off season-ending knee surgery.

At last weeks SEC media days, Foster and defensive lineman Darius Robinson took turns gushing over sophomore Armand Membou, who shifts inside to right guard after mostly playing right tackle last year.

He's gonna be very special, Robinson said. He's gonna be sitting here one day (at media days.) He's really talented and he's a sponge.

Hes different, Foster added. Ive never seen an offensive lineman come in just so ready like that. I know me, I was nowhere near where he is right now (as a sophomore).

In nearly 400 snaps last year, Membou committed just one penalty and allowed only four pressures in the backfield. But what makes the 6-foot-3, 317-pound Membou so unique?

Being the size of an offensive lineman but being able to move like a skilled guy, Foster said. When you have that ability, youre special.

Marcellus Johnson made the transition from left tackle to right tackle during spring practices after playing on the left side for every one of his 2,285 snaps the last four years at Eastern Michigan.

As a redshirt freshman, Connor Tollison endured some growing pains as a first-year starting center last year. Thats where CamRon Johnson comes into play. An All-American Athletic Conference selection at Houston, Johnson played left guard exclusively the last three seasons but came to Mizzou to address needs in the middle. If anyone knows his ability its Jones, who served as his position coach the last three seasons at UH.

He has snapped before, so we're letting him have a shot at the center position as well wherever he fits, Drinkwitz said. It's about getting the five best players on the field. We know we have to run the ball more effectively. Weve got to protect the quarterback. Last year our quarterback was under pressure. You look at our inability to complete balls vertically down the field our quarterback pressure situation was ridiculous.

74 CamRon Johnson, Jr.

55 Connor Tollison, Soph.

69 Drake Heismeyer, Jr.

50 Marcellus Johnson, Gr.

Mizzou does not release a preseason depth chart. The depth listed above is an early projection.

Players lost from 2022 depth

Connor Wood, eligibility expired

Zeke Powell, eligibility expired

Luke Griffin, transferred to Purdue

Bobby Lawrence, transferred to Colorado State

Hyrin White, transferred to SMU

Mizzou's Eli Drinkwitz on why he hired an offensive coordinator during the SEC Football Media Days Press Conference on Monday, July 17, 2023 Nashville. Video courtesy SEC

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Mizzou football hopes offensive line additions pave way for progress ... - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

After a successful offseason program and an extended time away from the team facility, Miami Dolphins players are back together again for the start of the team's 2023 Training Camp. Running back Raheem Mostert and cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey spoke with media members Tuesday ahead of their return to the practice field. Here are some of their top quotes:

(On the growth he's seen this offseason from QB Tua Tagovailoa) "The growth and leadership standpoint, he's natural at that. But now he's starting to take on that role of truly getting everybody in the right position, doing what he has to do. I was throwing with him a couple of weeks ago, with a lot of different guys. He was just on point, just the way he tried to have everybody aligned and made sure that 'Hey, look, Raheem, I know you don't play this position all that much wide out, but you have to be right here at this point so that way, when you break in or have an in-breaking route, then I can throw you the ball right on time.' Just to see the maturity in a guy like Tua man, he knows that he wants to be on point. He knows that he wants to be a great quarterback in this league. And he's doing everything in his in his power to do that and make it happen."

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Top Quotes Mostert, Howard and Ramsey talk offseason progress ... - MiamiDolphins

Goli Ameri, a former assistant secretary of state who grew up in Iran, argued that partisanship in the U.S. is the major impediment to any substantial progress on Iran policy that could truly help the Iranian people.

Ameri, who serves on the board of trustees of Freedom House and on an advisory board of the Rand Corporation, told Jewish Insider in a conversation on the lawns of the Aspen Meadows complex during last weeks Aspen Security Forum that the reasons why things are constantly at a standstill on Iran is because there is such partisanship in Congress.

One congressional staffer said it to me so well: Iran policy is all about virtue signaling. Iran policy is domestic policy, its not foreign policy, Ameri, who served under former President George W. Bush, said. If youre a Republican, you need to be a hawk on Iran. And if youre a Democrat, you need to be all about making nice-nice and negotiations. Theres never been a happy medium. Of course, the people who advise Republican or Democratic administrations are either hawks, or theyre complete peacemakers.

She argued that neither position is conducive to formulating an effective Iran policy, which requires coming together and utilizing all tools of foreign policy, including diplomacy backed by strict enforcement of Iran sanctions, which she argued has not been forthcoming under the Biden administration. She also criticized China and Gulf countries for maintaining and in some cases escalating relations with Iran, undermining sanctions.

Ameri said that the Iranian people are looking for change but have few options for effecting it: Elections are not a viable method of toppling the regime and armed uprising is also infeasible and unattractive. She argued that punishing sanctions that choke off the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are the most effective way to help the Iranian people in their fight against the regime, even if such sanctions also have a negative impact on the Islamic republics civilian population.

Are you going to endure water-drop torture, or are you going to tear off the BandAid and move on the to next stage of civilization and your country? she said, describing the choices the Iranian people face.

Ameri described Irans nuclear program as the lynchpin of the regimes strategy their ticket to longevity. She said Iranian leaders have learned lessons from Libya, North Korea and even Ukraine.

You give up your nuclear warheads in return for security guarantees and economic help, and look what happens, they get invaded, she said. They see what happened to North Koreathe Kim dynasty has been there for 60 years.

Ameri emphasized the need for stronger sanctions enforcement which she said has been an issue across multiple presidential administrations calling specifically for greater funding from Congress for the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Asset Control. She also said that U.S. officials need to be more proactive and aggressive with China and Gulf allies such as the United Arab Emirates, which have been lax in their own sanctions enforcement.

She additionally emphasized the need for more effective soft-power diplomacy, including having U.S. officials speak directly to the Iranian people and offer support.

Ameri pointed to efforts to connect Iranian dissidents to the Starlink satellite communications system last year as one example of the U.S. failure to follow through and fund projects that could help the Iranian people.

OK, its great, youve taken away some of the restrictions. But wheres the funding? she asked. Were talking on a massive scale, there is not enough funding allocated by the U.S. government, or by Congress, that can help this process. And the little funding that exists [for] Iran, those that are responsible for disbursing it are sitting on the sidelines.

Additionally, she said, its time for the Europeans to step up, particularly by taking a harder line toward the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

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U.S. partisanship is killing opportunities for progress on Iran policy ... - Jewish Insider

Bryan Mata last pitched for the Worcester Red Sox on May 9, and injury updates have been few and far between. But the Red Sox prospect gave an encouraging update Wednesday.

The right-hander whos been on the injured list because of a lat injury took to Twitter to share a video of him throwing off a mound.

Almost there, he captioned the video.

Mata left his May 9 start in the third inning before being placed on the injured list the following day.

Mata had a strong spring training and made a push to make the major league roster in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. But after he was sent to Worcester, he struggled with command, walking 27 batters in 25 2/3 innings.

THE RED SOX have signed former Portland Sea Dogs pitcher Franklin German, a source told MassLives Chris Cotillo.

German, a 25-year-old righty, pitched in five games for Boston last September. He struggled, allowing eight runs on seven hits (two homers) and four walks while striking out four in four innings.

Boston designated German for assignment on Jan. 30 to clear a spot for lefty reliever Richard Bleier, then traded him to the White Sox for minor league righty Theo Denlinger on Feb. 8.

German did not pitch in the majors this season for Chicago, who designated him for assignment on May 2. The Reds claimed him off waivers, but he had a 7.78 ERA in 19 2/3 innings for Triple-A Louisville and also spent a month on the injured list before being cut.

German initially was acquired by the Red Sox along with Adam Ottavino from the Yankees in January 2021. The hard-throwing right-hander started the 2022 season in Double-A with the Sea Dogs, where he made 11 appearance before he was promoted to Triple-A. For Worcester, he posted a 2.58 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 38 1/3 innings. Opposing hitters batted just .154 against him.

TO JUSTIN TURNER, Kik Hernndez is more than just a teammate he has played with in two places. Hernndez was the lead recruiter in the efforts to bring Turner to Boston over the winter and was Turners spring training roommate. The two are incredibly close friends.

It makes sense, then, that Tuesdays news that Hernndez had been dealt back to the Dodgers for two right-handed relievers hit Turner harder than most. Though Turner was happy that his friend was returning to a place he loves, it was still tough to see Hernndez go.

It was a tough day today, Turner said. Obviously, Kik is a big part of the reason that Im wearing this uniform right now. Texted me constantly asking me to come over here. Then this happens today.

I think we all understand its a business and things happen. Definitely a little bittersweet, just knowing that hes getting an opportunity to go back to L.A. where he thrived, back there. But I know were definitely gonna miss him.

The Hernndez news wasnt a surprise, as the utilityman had fallen out of a prominent role after struggling all season and was the odd man out in a roster crunch. Still, the trade was somewhat jarring to Turner on a personal level.

Hernndez and Turner became fast friends during their shared time with the Dodgers from 2015 to 2020 and won a World Series together in Hernndezs last season in Los Angeles before he signed a two-year deal with the Red Sox in January 2021. In their final years as teammates there, they were the beneficiaries of multiple aggressive deadline deals by the Dodgers, who acquired Yu Darvish in 2017 and Manny Machado a year later. Living through those experiences has informed the 38-year-old Turner, who has never been traded mid-season, on how to approach this time of year.

This is an exciting time of year because of the trade deadline and the rumors, Turner said. I think one aspect that gets missed by a lot of people is usually when youre bringing someone in or youre making a trade, that also means someones going somewhere else as well. Its a tricky situation, depending on who youre trading for and getting excited, but it always means someone currently on the teams probably going somewhere else. As exciting as it can be, its also hard for a lot of people, a lot of players, a lot of friends, a lot of families when theyre the ones being told theyre getting moved.

I think I probably feel it more every year that goes by. You develop relationships in here, you get to know guys and, obviously Kik is a different situation. Ive known him for a long time. Hes one of my best friends in this game. But with anybody, when they have to pack up their locker and change uniforms, its tough.

Turner hopes that the Red Sox, who improved to 54-47 with Tuesdays win and have played their way back into contention, continue adding pieces before the Aug. 1 trade deadline but acknowledged more subtractions from the big league roster are possible. The team could look to deal from its surplus of outfielders (Adam Duvall is an obvious trade candidate) or even sell high on someone like Nick Pivetta.

Its a weird time of year, Turner said. We know where were at, right in the hunt, not too far back in the wild card and thinking there might be a few additions that could really help us. At the same time, additions mean subtractions. The guys who are in this clubhouse, as exciting as it may be, it always comes at the expense of someone whos already in the room. Its tough. I know fans love it and they want to see us make a big splash and a big move. But the human aspect of it, for the guys in this room, can be tough.

Hernndez was informed about a potential trade well before it became officia. Hernndez didnt get the chance to address the media before leaving Boston, but Turner said his friend was emotional throughout the day.

Hes got enough stuff to fill, probably, four apartments over there, Turner said. I think getting his stuff together and packing and organizing kept him busy. I know he was catching a flight tonight. He was trying to hold back some emotions. Ive actually talked to him since he left, and was just trying to hold it together here.

Hes definitely grateful for his time as a Red Sox. He loved being a Red Sox. He loved playing here. He loved the city, so I know hes sad to have to leave.

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Red Sox notebook: Mata making progress in return from injury - Press Herald

27 July 2023 | in Summer FISU World University Games

Progress reports for next Winter and Summer Games presented at FISU Executive Committee meeting in Chengdu

Meeting shortly before the opening of the Chengdu FISU Games, the FISU Executive Committee listened to presentations by organization committees from Torino 2025, Rhine-Ruhr 2025 and Chungcheong 2027.

After Chengdu, the next stop on the FISU Games road will be Turin. The Piedmont capital will host the winter edition of the Games from 13 to 23 January 2025.

Torino 2025 General Director Francis Cirianni insisted that the presentation of the progress report was a very important moment.

We have a strong delegation here in China to update FISU, exchange valuable information with our colleagues of Rhine-Ruhr 2025 and gain knowledge by experiencing the Chengdu Games, he said.

Another highlight of the EC meeting was the signature of a Memory of Understandings between FISU and the Chengdu Sports University (CDSU) to build the International University Sports Culture Exchange Center. The Center will host various programmes such as sports medicine education, academic and scientific research, as well as promotion of FISU Education and Heathy Campus programmes.

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Progress reports for next Winter and Summer Games presented at ... - FISU

Wednesday, July 26th 2023, 6:20 pm

Progress is being made on two construction projects in Jenks and Bixby.

Osage SkyNews 6 Pilot Dustin Stone gave us a view from above the new Outlet Mall in Jenks and a new fire station in Bixby.

You may not have seen the full extent of the progress from the road, but construction is moving right along on the new Tulsa Premium Outlets in Jenks.

Work started back up on the project earlier this year after it was halted for several years during the pandemic.

The huge project sits just south of the Creek Turnpike near the Oklahoma Aquarium and Arkansas River.

According to developers, the new outlet mall will have almost 100 shops and should be open sometime next year.

Over in Bixby, crews are making headway on a brand-new Fire Station Headquarters.

The new building, near Highway 67 and Sheridan, will be nearly 30,000 square feet and house 14 firefighters in comparison to the old station that only held five.

The headquarters will also house the city's new ambulance service, with some firefighters learning EMT and paramedic skills there.

That project is expected to be finished early next year.

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Progress Being Made On Major Construction Projects In Jenks And ... - News On 6