Daily Archives: February 27, 2020

INDIANAPOLIS Tua Tagovailoa climbed up a couple stairs, then walked to the podium without a hitch Tuesday.

It was a promising start to a critical week.

Eventually, the former Alabama quarterback revealed what NFL scouts eagerly awaited: He should be cleared to resume all football activities March 9 and will hold his pro day workout April 9 exactly two weeks before the NFL draft.

Its been a process, Tagovailoa said. We went to the hospital for medical checks yesterday at 10 in the morning and I was the last person to leave. I got back about 7:49 last night, so right in time for the informal and formal (team) interviews.

Its been a grueling process ever since the man with the multi-million dollar arm injured his hip Nov. 15. Two days later, he had season-ending surgery.

Tagovailoa spent the next three months working his way back, rehearsing answers to all those nagging questions he expected at the leagues annual scouting combine.

Here, in Indianapolis, the 6-foot, 217-pound college star is one of roughly 300 draft prospects getting poked and prodded, measured and tested this week.

But the continual queries about his health are a stark reminder how tough the comeback journey has been.

I think the lowest point was just at that moment when I got hurt, he said. I didnt feel bad for myself when I was on the helicopter going to Birmingham, when I was in the hospital. The lowest point was when I got hurt.

Hes not quite 100 percent yet, but it is clear Tagovailoa feels a lot more like himself these days. Inside the interview room, he stood behind the microphone, smiling repeatedly as he fielded reporters questions for nearly 30 minutes.

At times, he sounded like a polished pro, even brushing aside a question about how uncomfortable he felt talking about himself.

He explained that hed been throwing a little, nothing crazy, and that hes been training with former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer and former NFL head coach and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt to prepare for this week.

PANTHERS: Matt Rhule, Carolinas new coach, made it clear that he wants a healthy quarterback Cam Newton on his roster. He praised Newtons work ethic in his attempt to return to full health for the first time two years and continued to emphasize that the team does not know exactly what the future holds.

Oh yeah, absolutely. I absolutely want Cam here. Theres no doubt about that, Rhule said when asked if he saw Newton on the roster in September. We have to make sure that we continue to get him healthy.

Rhule wouldnt commit to Newton being the Panthers starter in Week 1, but said that philosophy applied to every player on the team not just quarterback; everyone has to earn their place, prioritizing keeping the feeling of competition among all of the players on the roster, regardless of how things stood last year.

He added that Newton has been doing a great job of getting himself ready to return to play: We havent really seen a healthy Cam in two years. I dont really care if hes full speed until September.

GIANTS: Joe Judge said the team is open to trading down from the fourth overall pick, but the Giants rookie head coach said nothing is set in stone this early in the game.

We dont have to do anything, but well listen to anything, Judge said of flipping the No. 4 pick for more draft assets. The Giants are in an advantageous position picking so high in the draft. If a team wants to trade up for Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, the Giants are in a prime spot to trade down with a quarterback-needy team.

LIONS: Detroit released defensive tackle Damon Snacks Harrison, less than a year after signing him to an $11 million, one-year contract extension. He went into the 2019 season with two years left on the $46 million contract he signed with the New York Giants.

Harrison started in 15 games last season, but had a career-low 49 tackles and two sacks for the three-win Lions.

COLTS: Longtime left tackle Anthony Castonzo is expected to return next season after contemplating retirement for more than a month.

Continued here:

NFL notebook: Tagovailoa making progress, expects to be healthy before draft - Press Herald

Obtained FDA approval of Oxbryta (voxelotor), the first treatment that specifically targets the root cause of sickle cell disease (SCD), three months ahead of schedule

Made Oxbryta available to adults and children 12 years of age and older with SCD within days of FDA approval

Conference Call today at 1:30 p.m. PT / 4:30 p.m. ET

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. (GBT) (GBT) today reported recent business progress and financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019.

2019 was a momentous year for both the sickle cell community and GBT as we saw the FDA approval of Oxbryta, the first medicine that directly inhibits sickle hemoglobin polymerization, the root cause of this devastating, lifelong genetic disease, three months ahead of schedule, said Ted W. Love, M.D., president and chief executive officer of GBT. With the early investment we made in building out our commercial infrastructure, we were able to make Oxbryta available to patients and physicians within days of its approval. Patient access to this needed therapy is a top priority for us. We will continue to work closely with payers throughout 2020 to meet our goal of obtaining broad coverage by the end of the year. Most importantly, we are encouraged by the positive feedback we have received to date from physicians and patients who have started Oxbryta therapy. We are optimistic about achieving our vision of making sickle cell disease a well-managed chronic condition by establishing Oxbryta as a standard of care, expanding its approved label and availability around the world, and continuing to research new pathways and develop innovative new therapies.

Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2019Total product sales, net for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $2.1 million, driven by initial sales of Oxbryta. The company did not generate product sales in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Cost of sales for the three months ended December 31, 2019 was $48,000. Manufacturing costs incurred prior to FDA approval of Oxbryta in November 2019 have been recorded as research and development expense in the companys consolidated statement of operations. The company expects that the cost of Oxbryta sales as a percentage of revenue will increase in future periods as product manufactured prior to FDA approval, and therefore fully expensed, is utilized. The company did not incur cost of sales for Oxbryta in 2018 as no product sales were generated.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the three months endedDecember 31, 2019, were$65.0 millioncompared with$36.8 millionfor the same period in 2018. The increase in R&D expenses for this comparative period was primarily attributable to increased costs related to the companys SCD program for Oxbryta, increased employee-related costs, including non-cash stock compensation expense, increased costs related to preclinical research and manufacturing activities for inclacumab, and a $20 million upfront payment incurred in December 2019 related to the companys Syros collaboration agreement. R&D expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019, were $174.6 million compared with $131.3 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in expenses for the full year were largely driven by the same factors as noted above for the fourth quarter. Total R&D non-cash stock compensation expense incurred for the three months ended December 31, 2019, was$5.3 millioncompared with$3.2 millionfor the same period in 2018. Total R&D non-cash stock compensation expense incurred for the year ended December 31, 2019, was $19.1 million compared with $12.7 million for the same period in 2018.

Sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the three months endedDecember 31, 2019, were$44.6 millioncompared with$15.3 millionfor the same period in 2018. SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019, were $117.1 million compared with $51.4 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in SG&A expenses for both comparative periods is primarily attributable to increased employee-related costs, including non-cash stock compensation expense, and increased professional and consulting services associated with the build-out of the company's commercial operations and launch of Oxbryta. Total SG&A non-cash stock compensation expense incurred in the three months endedDecember 31, 2019, was$7.5 million compared with$4.4 millionfor the same period in 2018. Total SG&A non-cash stock compensation expense incurred in the year ended December 31, 2019, was $26.5 million compared with $17.3 million for the same period in 2018.

A non-cash gain on the companys lease modification for the three months ended December 31, 2019, was $8.3 million. This is a non-recurring item related to the upcoming move to the companys new location and related termination of its existing lease.

Net loss for the three months endedDecember 31, 2019, was$96.0 millioncompared with$49.2 millionfor the same period in 2018. Basic and diluted net loss per share for the three months endedDecember 31, 2019, was$1.59compared with$0.93for the same period in 2018. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2019, was $266.8 million compared with $174.2 million for the same period in 2018. Basic and diluted net loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2019, was $4.57 compared with $3.41 for the same period in 2018. The company expects its operating costs to increase during 2020 due to hiring that occurred in the fourth quarter as well as costs associated with commercialization activities.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled$695.0 millionatDecember 31, 2019, compared with$591.8 millionatDecember 31, 2018.

Conference Call DetailsGBT will host a conference call and webcast today,Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT), during which time management will provide a general business update and discuss the financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2019. To participate in the conference call, please dial 877-407-3982 (domestic) or 201-493-6780 (international). A live audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed on GBTs website at http://www.gbt.com under the Investors section. An archived audio webcast will be available for one month following the event.

About Sickle Cell DiseaseSickle cell disease (SCD) affects an estimated 100,000 people in the United States and millions of people throughout the world, particularly among those whose ancestors are from sub-Saharan Africa. It also affects people of Hispanic, South Asian, Southern European and Middle Eastern ancestry.1 SCD is a lifelong inherited blood disorder that impacts hemoglobin, a protein carried by red blood cells that delivers oxygen to tissues and organs throughout the body.2 Due to a genetic mutation, people with SCD form abnormal hemoglobin known as sickle hemoglobin. Through a process called hemoglobin polymerization, red blood cells become sickled deoxygenated, crescent-shaped and rigid.2-4 The sickling process causes hemolytic anemia (low hemoglobin due to red blood cell destruction) and blockages in capillaries and small blood vessels, which impede the flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body. The diminished oxygen delivery to tissues and organs can lead to life-threatening complications, including stroke and irreversible organ damage.4-6

About Oxbryta (voxelotor) tabletsOxbryta (voxelotor), previously called GBT440, is an oral, once-daily therapy for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Oxbryta works by increasing hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. Since oxygenated sickle hemoglobin does not polymerize, GBT believes Oxbryta blocks polymerization and the resultant sickling and destruction of red blood cells. With the potential to improve hemolytic anemia and oxygen delivery, GBT believes that Oxbryta has the potential to modify the course of SCD. On November 25, 2019, Oxbryta received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accelerated approval for the treatment of SCD in adults and children 12 years of age and older.7 As a condition of accelerated approval, GBT will continue to study voxelotor in the HOPE-KIDS 2 Study, a post-approval confirmatory study using transcranial Doppler (TCD) flow velocity to assess the ability of Oxbryta to decrease stroke risk in children 2 to 15 years of age.

In recognition of the critical need for new SCD treatments, the FDA granted Oxbryta Breakthrough Therapy, Fast Track, Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease designations for the treatment of patients with SCD. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has included voxelotor in its Priority Medicines (PRIME) program, and the European Commission (EC) has designated voxelotor as an orphan medicinal product for the treatment of patients with SCD.

IndicationOxbryta is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of sickle cell disease in adults and children 12 years of age and older. It is not known if Oxbryta is safe and effective in children below 12 years of age.

This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on increase in hemoglobin (Hb). Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).

Important Safety InformationOxbryta should not be taken if the patient has had an allergic reaction to voxelotor or any of the ingredients in Oxbryta. See the end of the patient leaflet for a list of the ingredients in Oxbryta.

Oxbryta can cause serious side effects, including serious allergic reactions. Patients should tell their healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if they get rash, hives, shortness of breath or swelling of the face.

Patients receiving exchange transfusions should talk to their healthcare provider about possible difficulties with the interpretation of certain blood tests when taking Oxbryta.

The most common side effects of Oxbryta include headache, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain, nausea, tiredness, rash and fever. These are not all the possible side effects of Oxbryta.

Before taking Oxbryta, patients should tell their healthcare provider about all medical conditions, including if they have liver problems; if they are pregnant or plan to become pregnant as it is not known if Oxbryta can harm an unborn baby; or if they are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed as it is not known if Oxbryta can pass into breastmilk or if it can harm a baby. Patients should not breastfeed during treatment with Oxbryta and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose.

Patients should tell their healthcare provider about all the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Some medicines may affect how Oxbryta works. Oxbryta may also affect how other medicines work.

Patients are advised to call their doctor for medical advice about side effects. Side effects can be reported to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Side effects can also be reported to Global Blood Therapeutics at 1-833-428-4968 (1-833-GBT-4YOU).

Full Prescribing Information for Oxbryta is available at Oxbryta.com.

About Global Blood TherapeuticsGlobal Blood Therapeutics (GBT) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and delivery of life-changing treatments that provide hope to underserved patient communities. Founded in 2011, GBT is delivering on its goal to transform the treatment and care of sickle cell disease (SCD), a lifelong, devastating inherited blood disorder. The company has introduced Oxbryta (voxelotor), the first FDA-approved treatment that directly inhibits sickle hemoglobin polymerization, the root cause of SCD. GBT is also advancing its pipeline program in SCD with inclacumab, a p-selectin inhibitor in development to address pain crises associated with the disease. In addition, GBTs drug discovery teams are working on new targets to develop the next generation of treatments for SCD. To learn more, please visit http://www.gbt.com and follow the company on Twitter @GBT_news.

Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements containing the words will, anticipates, plans, believes, forecast, estimates, expects and intends, or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on GBTs current expectations and actual results could differ materially. Statements in this press release may include statements that are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. GBT intends these forward-looking statements, including statements regarding GBTs priorities, goals and vision, the significance of 2019 for the sickle cell community and GBT, the safety, efficacy and mechanism of action of Oxbryta and other product characteristics, the availability, use, commercialization and commercial and medical potential of Oxbryta, the need for Oxbryta and other SCD treatments, making SCD a well-managed condition, establishing Oxbryta as a standard of care, expanding its approved label and availability around the world, and researching new pathways and developing new therapies, working and meeting with payers and obtaining reimbursement for Oxbryta, transforming the treatment and care of SCD and establishing GBT as a leader in addressing blood disorders, ongoing studies of Oxbryta and related protocols, activities and expectations, GBTs collaboration with Syros and related rights, obligations, activities and expectations, the Pharmakon loan, including its significance, the use of its proceeds, the impact on GBTs use of its financial resources, and the availability of additional funds under the loan, GBTs financial position, outlook and expectations, including its financial runway and potential to achieve positive cash flow while continuing research and development, and advancing GBTs pipeline and discovering, developing and delivering innovative treatments, to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, and GBT makes this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements reflect GBTs current views about its plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to the company and on assumptions the company has made. GBT can give no assurance that the plans, intentions, expectations or strategies will be attained or achieved, and, furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors that are beyond GBTs control including, without limitation, compliance with the funding and other obligations under the Pharmakon loan, the timing and progress of GBTs and Syros research and development activities under their collaboration, the amount and timing of resources devoted by each of such parties to activities under the collaboration, the risks that GBT has only recently established its commercialization capabilities and may not be able to successfully commercialize Oxbryta, risks associated with GBTs dependence on third parties for development, manufacture and commercialization activities related to Oxbryta, government and third-party payor actions, including those relating to reimbursement and pricing, risks and uncertainties relating to competitive products and other changes that may limit demand for Oxbryta, the risks regulatory authorities may require additional studies or data to support continued commercialization of Oxbryta, the risks that drug-related adverse events may be observed during commercialization or clinical development, and data and results may not meet regulatory requirements or otherwise be sufficient for further development, regulatory review or approval, along with those risks set forth in GBTs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, and in GBTs most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties and other important factors in GBTs subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, GBT assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

References

Contact Information:Steven Immergut (media)650-410-3258simmergut@gbt.com

Stephanie Yao (investors)650-741-7730syao@gbt.com

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GBT Reports Recent Business Progress and Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Financial Results - Yahoo Finance

On Feb. 19, Nick Katers, associate vice chancellor for facilities management, took university officials on a tour of Sanford Hall to bring them up to speed on where the project is in its development, and what can be expected when construction is completed.

The Sanford Hall renovation is an $18 million project to take a 1960s-era building and put another 25-40 years of life into it, Katers said. Its a holistic renovation of all floors to include a complete redesign of office spaces and classrooms, all-new utilities and all upgraded HVAC and other systems inside the building.

Student fees funded the project, meaning students are supporting the revamping of the building. Katers says Sanford Hall is an important building for App State, and all students are likely to find themselves in the building at some point.

Most freshmen and sophomores take at least one class in Sanford Hall, so its one of the anchor-point buildings for the university and widely used, Katers said. I dont think there are too many students that go four years without having at least one class here.

Connor DavidsonUniversity officials make their way through Sanford Hall as it currently stands on Feb. 19. Nick Katers, associate vice chancellor for facilities management, said that the building already had a good structure and base and that there was a lot of benefit to renewing this building rather than tearing it down and starting over.

The construction, which began in July, is now in the framing stage. The layout of classrooms and office spaces are now visible from inside the building.

We have another couple of months of framing to do, and then well start putting in conduit, electrical, automation, a new HVAC system and starting to push drywall in, Katers said.

For those walking by, the new elevator system will be the most obvious improvement to the outside. There will be two elevators, which is one more than the building had.

The old elevator had frequent maintenance issues, so I think this will make everyone a lot happier being able to get in and out of the building a lot faster, Katers said.

The classrooms will be ready for use by spring 2021, and faculty will move into the office spaces shortly after.

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Hard hat tour shows progress on construction of Sanford Hall - The Appalachian Online

Cross-examination of Mr. Weinstein accusers sought to tap into what were likely deep-seated suspicions held by some jurors of women who report sexual assault. It is no surprise that age-old tactics were used to discredit the witnesses. At times, they were portrayed as lying for fortune or fame. They were blamed for putting themselves in a vulnerable situation. They were presented as vengeful women who regretted having consensual sex. Now the question is how long those familiar tropes will retain their power in an era when accusers stand a chance, however remote, of being believed.

Throughout the trial and the jurys deliberations, many supporters of the #MeToo movement felt a sense of urgency. If Mr. Weinstein was not held to account, they wondered, what hope was there for ordinary survivors of sexual violence seeking criminal justice?

Over the past six months, as I researched a book on credibility, I spent many hours talking with victims of sexual harassment and assault. Our conversations often turned to the meaning of accountability.

Some survivors told me they wanted nothing to do with the criminal justice system. For others, protecting possible future victims was a main reason to turn to the courts. Still others saw a criminal conviction as recognition of the harm they suffered and that it matters. For these survivors and countless others, Mr. Weinsteins conviction is cause for hope.

To be sure, #MeToo aims to accomplish much more than sending the worst offenders to prison. The movements reach is ambitious it demands that we transform our culture of male sexual entitlement and the misconduct it begets. But legal accountability is part of this evolution.

This shift may also require reforming our sexual assault laws, which continue to fixate on physical force rather than on the absence of consent. In the case of Ms. Haley, the jury believed her testimony that he forced oral sex on her, and conviction for this first-degree criminal sex act carries a maximum penalty of 25 years. But the conviction in the third-degree rape case of Ms. Mann did not require proof of force and carries a maximum penalty of only four years. What the law fails to recognize is another dynamic at work: coercion. The Weinstein accusers described him controlling their professional and personal lives in ways that were not mainly physical. But the law of sexual assault does little to account for that kind of power.

The Weinstein convictions show us that real progress is underway. But the system still mostly fails survivors. Women who are poor, of color, who come forward alone especially these women will continue to be disbelieved and blamed. Even women whose cases never make the headlines deserve more than an elusive promise of criminal justice.

Longstanding biases against accusers will not disappear overnight; not even an extraordinary conviction can remake the world. But the Weinstein verdicts indicate that we are beginning to correct course.

Deborah Tuerkheimer is a professor at Northwesterns Pritzker School of Law and a former assistant Manhattan district attorney.

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I Spent Hours Talking to Victims. These Verdicts Will Give Them Hope. - The New York Times

Severe Weather Awareness Week February 23 29, 2020File Photo / The Lexington Progress

Release-

This week, across our state we have set aside time to educate our citizens and to bring awareness to different topics related to severe weather.Tennessee experiences all modes of weather throughout the year, sometimes we experience them all in a single day! Because of this, we in the emergency management community have recognized the need for educating on a large selection of topics that we hope will help you to better prepare yourselves and your family when faced with these issues.

On Wednesday, February 26th at 9:30 a.m., there will be a statewide tornado drill along with a test of the NOAA Weather Radio. Everyone from schools, businesses, churches, healthcare facilities, and even private citizens are encouraged to participate in this and freshen up on the skills it takes to protect yourself during a tornado. Henderson County EMA Director Drew Cook added, I want to encourage everyone to participate in

For complete coverage, see the February 26th edition of The Lexington Progress.

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Severe Weather Awareness Week- February 23 29, 2020 - lexingtonprogress.com

Give Pitt this much credit as it sinks toward the bottom of the ACC standings:

The Panthers do the tough stuff as well as any team in the conference.

Yes, Pitt has lost seven of nine and no longer is a middle-of-the-pack ACC team, but in the areas of defense, offensive rebounding and forcing turnovers, few teams in the conference are better.

Pitt ranks fourth in the ACC in average points allowed (64.4), and only two conference teams hit the offensive glass as successfully as Pitt (333 offensive rebounds).

Victories and defeats are based on shooting and scoring, however, and that has been a problem. Pitt is 13th in average points (65.5) and 14th in shooting percentage (40.6).

Still, there are reasons to carry hope into the last three games of the regular season.

Lets look at three of them:

1. Pitt is pesky on defense

A good example of that was a steal by Xavier Johnson late in Saturdays 59-56 loss to Virginia.

Seconds after he scored to cut the Virginia lead to four, Johnson rushed Virginia guard Kihei Clark from behind it looked like Clark never saw him made the steal off a dribble, scored on a layup and was fouled.

Those were Pitts last points of the game. Johnson missed the free throw, and Pitt squandered subsequent chances to win or force overtime.

But the Panthers didnt roll over after trailing by 14 with 6 minutes, 24 seconds left.

The last four minutes, they made some plays, Virginia coach Tony Bennett said. They attacked.

The steal by Johnson was Virginias 16th turnover of the game, which shouldnt be a surprise to anyone watching Pitt this season. Pitt opponents commit an average of 15.4 (14.4 in ACC games). Pitt leads the conference in turnover margin (plus-3.6) and is second in turnovers forced (431).

We were the aggressor, Johnson said. Were a good defensive team. Thats where we excel.

That is small progress because it occurred in another defeat, but it is an indicator coach Jeff Capel hasnt lost his team.

2. Can Pitt beat Syracuse?

Pitt has lost six in a row to the Orange, who visit Petersen Events Center on Wednesday in the final home game of the season. That includes three last season by margins of 11, nine and 14 points and this seasons 69-61 defeat at the Carrier Dome.

Syracuse (15-12, 8-8) is 2-5 since the most recent meeting, and Pitt scored 40 points in the second half of that game. The Panthers have done that only five times in 34 halves against ACC teams. Pitt shot 53.6% after halftime. Justin Champagnie and Terrell Brown combined to hit 10 of 12 shots.

Capel found a way to solve the Syracuse 2-3 zone. If he wins the battle of wits with Jim Boeheim, Pitt has a good chance for victory.

3. What about the postseason?

With three games remaining in the regular season, Pitt has fallen to a tie for 12th in the 15-team ACC, ahead of only Wake Forest and last-place North Carolina.

That would mean opening the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, N.C., at noon March 10 against the 13th seed, perhaps one of the 10/11-loss teams (Boston College, Miami or Virginia Tech).

The Syracuse game is important for the Panthers (15-13, 6-11), not only for ACC seeding, but to give them a shot at 17 victories entering the tournament and 19 to present to the NIT committee.

Is that looking too far ahead? Capel would offer a definitive, Yes!

Pitt probably needs to win four more games to even be considered an NIT bubble team. That wont be easy.

How bad does that Nicholls State loss look now?

Get the latest news about Pitt basketball and all things Panthers athletics.

Jerry DiPaola is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jerry by email at jdipaola@tribweb.com or via Twitter .

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Even in losses, Pitt showing signs of progress - TribLIVE

After an at-times tumultuous 2019, Frederick is heading into 2020 at a crossroads of extraordinary progress and evident challenges, Mayor Michael OConnor said in his State of the City speech Monday.

The year will bring new hires to fill two key positions: a new chief of the Frederick Police Department, and a head of the citys new Department of Housing and Human Services.

The new agency will combine the Frederick Community Action Agencys work with human services and the Community Development Block Grant program for housing.

OConnor said after the speech that the change in combining the two departments will provide a chance to re-evaluate the programs the FCAA has run for more than 30 years under the previous director, Mike Spurrier, who was removed from the position in November.

He said he wants the change to be seen as significant, but not to undo the work that the agency has done over the years.

Its a fine line between radical change and a re-tweaking of the status quo, OConnor said.

OConnor said he hopes both positions will be advertised in the next few weeks, and filled in three to four months, although it might take longer.

We want to cast as wide a net as possible, he said.

The police chief opening comes after several high-profile shootings and stabbings in the downtown area over the summer, although overall, serious crime in the city was down.

The citys crime statistics are the lowest theyve been in 20 years, OConnor said in his speech.

Nevertheless, crime statistics do not equate to the feeling of safety, he said.

The city and police department are discussing ways to increase police presence, respond to the constantly shifting nature of crime, and make sure residents and visitors feel safe, especially in the warmer months, he said.

Along with crime, the city also dealt with a controversy over a proposed new logo as part of a rebranding effort, and a long-delayed project to repair a bridge on Monocacy Boulevard, which finally opened in December after more than two years.

The logo was a small part of the larger rebranding effort, which generated a lot of good data for the city, and the Monocacy Boulevard situation featured a lot of things that the city couldnt control, OConnor said.

We have to identify what we can control and what we cant control, he said.

Other things the city will address in 2020 include working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address flooding and the effects of climate change in the citys infrastructure; a registry to help track vacant properties in the city; a study to look at the percentage of qualified minority businesses in the city and the percentage of money the city spends on those services; and working with a variety of partners to bring a hotel to downtown Frederick.

OConnor said the city will be announcing the next step in that process soon.

Because we will be opening a downtown hotel and conference center, he said.

Follow Ryan Marshall on Twitter: @RMarshallFNP.

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O'Connor: City at juncture of progress and challenges - Frederick News Post

The offensive line has to be a point of concern for the Vikings in the offseason.

What are they going to do about Riley Reiff? Will they cut him or restructure his contract due to the salary cap situation, or will they keep him on? Will the Vikings draft an offensive lineman in the first round to shore up depth or will they draft one in the later rounds? They could even hold off on drafting one altogether. And what is the team going to do in free agency when it comes to the offensive line?

Vikings GM Rick Spielman addressed the state of the offensive line at the NFL Combine.

I think its still a work in progress, Spielman told reporters. I think when we went to the outside zone, there were specific guys who have to have specific physical traits that were looking for. I think that will be an area that we will continue to try and improve. But we made tremendous strides from last year.

As previously reported, Pro Football Focus gave just one Vikings offensive lineman above a grade of 70 on a 100-point scale this season.

It will be interesting to see if the salary cap, plus the level of play, leads to the Vikings finding an offensive lineman in the draft.

All the passing and everything thats done in this league, youre going to win in the trenches, both on the offensive and defensive side, Spielman said.

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Vikings GM Rick Spielman on the Vikings offensive line: 'It's still a work in progress' - Vikings Wire