By JAKE OFFENHARTZ (Associated Press)

NEW YORK (AP) — A U.S. Marine veteran who placed a homeless man in a fatal chokehold aboard a New York City subway train last month pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to revised charges.

Daniel Penny, 24, pleaded not guilty to second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in the May 1 death of Jordan Neely, a former Michael Jackson impersonator who was shouting and begging for money on the Manhattan train, according to witnesses.

Penny pinned him to the ground with the help of two other passengers and held him in a chokehold for more than three minutes. Neely, 30, lost consciousness during the struggle.

The chokehold death, which was caught on bystander video, has prompted fierce debate, with some praising Penny as a good Samaritan and others accusing him of racist vigilantism. Penny is white and Neely was Black.

At a brief arraignment on Wednesday, Penny, who is free on bond, uttered only the words “not guilty” before leaving the court room with his lawyers.

Penny was initially arrested on the manslaughter charge in May, but a grand jury earlier this month added the negligent homicide count, potentially giving a trial jury the option of finding him guilty of the lesser charge.

To get a manslaughter conviction, which carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years, prosecutors would have to prove Penny recklessly caused Neely’s death while being aware of the risk of serious harm.

A conviction for criminally negligent homicide would require the jury to find that Penny unjustifiably put Neely at risk of death, but failed to perceive that risk. The maximum penalty would be four years in prison.

Penny, who served in the Marines for four years and was discharged in 2021, has said he acted to protect himself and others from Neely, who allegedly shouted “I’m gonna’ kill you” and said he was “ready to die” or go to jail for life.

Following the arraignment, an attorney for Penny, Steven Raiser, predicted that a Manhattan jury would empathize with the experience of confronting erratic subway behavior while “confined underground.”

“Danny isn’t the only one on trial,” he said. “The rights of people to defend one another will be on a trial too.”

Neely’s family members and their supporters have said Neely, who struggled with mental illness and homelessness, was crying out for help and was met with violence.

Neely’s father, Andre Zachery, was in attendance for the arraignment on Wednesday. At a brief press conference, an attorney for the Neely family, Donte Mills, sought to paint Penny as a vigilante killer who hasn’t taken responsibility for his actions.

“Daniel Penny did not have the courage to look Jordan’s father Andre in the eyes,” Mills said. “But from now on, don’t be shocked when justice happens for Jordan, for you or for anyone.”

Neely’s death aboard an F train in Manhattan quickly became a flashpoint in the nation’s debates over racial justice and crime. Republican politicians like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have hailed Penny as a hero, helping him to raise more than $3 million in legal expenses.

Meanwhile, civil rights leaders, including Rev. Al Sharpton, have compared the killing to the 1984 subway shooting of four Black men by Bernhard Goetz, a white man dubbed the “subway vigilante” who was eventually acquitted of charges in the shooting except for carrying an unlicensed gun.

“A good Samaritan helps those in trouble. They don’t choke him out,” Sharpton said during Neely’ May 19th funeral. “What happened to Jordan was a crime and this family shouldn’t have to stand by themselves.”

By DAVID KOENIG (AP Airlines Writer)

Travelers are getting hit with delays at U.S. airports again Wednesday, an ominous sign heading into the long July 4 holiday weekend, which is shaping up as the biggest test yet for airlines that are struggling to keep up with surging numbers of passengers.

By early afternoon on the East Coast, nearly 3,000 U.S. flights had been delayed and more than 800 canceled, according to FlightAware.

The worst disruptions continued to be along the East Coast, which has been pummeled by thunderstorms this week. The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily grounded flights going to all three major airports in the New York City area Tuesday night after holding up flights heading to Reagan Washington National and Baltimore-Washington airports near the nation’s capital earlier in the day.

Huge crowds, bad weather, inability of some airline crews to reach their scheduling offices — even a Delta jet that made a belly landing in Charlotte, North Carolina — have all contributed to the mess.

And it could be just the storm before the storm: The FAA predicted that Thursday would be the heaviest travel day over the July 4 holiday period. On top of that, some airline planes may be unable to fly in bad weather starting this weekend because of possible interference with 5G wireless service.

United Airlines, which has a major hub operation in Newark, New Jersey, was again faring the worst early Wednesday. It canceled about 400 flights or 13% of its schedule by early afternoon. New York’s JetBlue canceled 9% of its flights.

Travel has picked up steadily every year since bottoming out during the pandemic. For the past week, an average of 2.6 million people a day have been flying in the United States, about on par with pre-pandemic numbers from 2019, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

The number of air travelers could set a pandemic-era record over the holiday weekend. The FAA expects Thursday to be the busiest, with more than 52,500 total flights.

People whose travel plans were disrupted took to social media to vent against the airlines. Some swore they would never fly again on whichever airline had done them wrong.

Tia Hudson was back at Newark Liberty International Airport for the fourth straight day, trying to catch a United Airlines flight home to Louisiana.

“My flight has been canceled like five times now. I slept at the airport two nights, I booked two hotels, I spent over $700 since I’ve been here and they said they’re not going to reimburse me because it’s weather-related,” she said. “It’s not weather-related. It’s a shortage of pilots and attendants.”

Hudson missed her mother’s wedding and caused her mother to skip her own honeymoon to pick up Tia at the airport near Dallas – only for the flight to be canceled.

Also, Hudson’s bags were lost.

“I just want to get away from this airport, but they say nobody is leaving until Saturday,” she said.

At Logan Airport in Boston, pharmaceutical company manager Rui Loureiro had to scrap plans to spend the rest of the week meeting clients on the West Coast when his flight to San Francisco was canceled. United told him the soonest he could get on another flight was Friday, and didn’t offer to pay for a hotel room. He plans to fly home to Portugal instead – or at least give it a try.

“I am a little bit stressed, disappointed,” Loureiro said. “People were waiting for me. We had things arranged to do. Now I have to go back and rebook everything and come again another time.”

If large numbers of passengers are stranded or delayed this weekend, expect federal officials and the airlines to blame each other for the mess.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, whose department includes the FAA, has been beating up on the airlines for more than a year. He has accused them of failing to live up to reasonable standards of customer service and suggested that they are scheduling more flights than they can handle.

The airlines are punching back.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby blamed a shortage of federal air traffic controllers for massive disruptions last weekend at its Newark hub.

“We estimate that over 150,000 customers on United alone were impacted this weekend because of FAA staffing issues and their ability to manage traffic,” Kirby wrote in a memo to employees.

United could be contributing to its struggles, however. The Association of Flight Attendants, which represents the airline’s cabin crews, said it complained about wait times of more than three hours for workers who called a crew scheduling center that had “limited telephone lines and personnel.” The union told flight attendants near the end of their shifts to tell supervisors and find a hotel room.

The FAA has admitted that it is understaffed at key facilities including one in the New York City region. It is training about 3,000 new air traffic controllers, but most of them won’t be ready anytime soon. Last week, the Transportation Department’s inspector general said in a report that the FAA has made only “limited efforts” to adequately staff critical air traffic control centers and lacks a plan to tackle the problem.

Last week, Buttigieg issued a new warning to airlines, telling them that planes that aren’t outfitted with new radio altimeters — devices that measure the height of a plane above the ground — won’t be allowed to operate in limited visibility after Saturday because of potential interference from new 5G wireless service.

American, United, Southwest, Alaska and Frontier say all of their planes have been retrofitted, but Delta Air Lines still has about 190 planes waiting to be updated because its supplier doesn’t have enough altimeters. Delta said it will schedule those planes to avoid landing where the weather might be bad to limit disruptions.

Smaller airlines that operate regional flights could also be affected by the radio interference issue, as could flights operated to the United States by foreign carriers.

___

Robert Bumsted in Newark and Michael Casey in Boston contributed. Koenig reported from Dallas.

OLEG CETINIC ANGELA CHARLTON

NANTERRE, France (AP) — France’s government on Wednesday announced heightened police presence around Paris and other big cities and called for calm after scattered violence erupted over the death of a 17-year-old delivery driver who was shot and killed during a police check.

The killing prompted nationwide concern and widespread messages of indignation and condolences, including from soccer star Kylian Mbappe. French President Emmanuel Macron called the young man’s death “inexplicable and inexcusable.”

It also triggered unrest in multiple towns around Paris. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said 31 people were arrested, 25 police officers injured and 40 cars burned in overnight unrest.

The tensions focused around the Paris suburb of Nanterre, where lawyers say 17-year-old Nael M. was killed Tuesday during a traffic check. The police officer suspected of firing on him was detained and faces potential manslaughter charges, according to the Nanterre prosecutor’s office.

The Nanterre neighborhood where Nael lived remained on edge Wednesday morning, with police on guard around the regional administration, and burned car wreckage and overturned garbage bins still visible in some areas. Bouquets of orange and yellow roses were tied to the post where the car crashed after the shooting, on Nanterre’s Nelson Mandela Square.

Nael’s mother appealed online for a silent march on Thursday in her son’s honor, near the scene of his death.

Videos purported to be of the incident were “extremely shocking,” Darmanin said, pledging a full investigation. The images show two police officers leaning into the driver-side window of a yellow car, before the vehicle pulls away as one officer fires into the window. The car is later seen crashed into a post nearby.

Macron called for calm and for respect for Nael’s loved ones. Asked about police abuses, he said justice should be allowed to run its course.

“Nothing justifies the death of a young person,” he told reporters in Marseille.

Darmanin said 1,200 police were deployed overnight and 2,000 would be out in force Wednesday in the Paris region and around other big cities to “maintain order.”

Deadly use of firearms is less common in France than in the United States. Tuesday’s death unleashed anger in Nanterre and other towns, including around housing projects where many residents struggle with poverty and discrimination and feel police abuse is under-punished.

A lawyer for Nael’s family, Yassine Bouzrou, told The Associated Press they want the police officer pursued for murder instead of manslaughter, and want the investigation handed to a different region because they fear Nanterre investigators won’t be impartial.

The lawyers refuted a reported statement by the police that their lives were in danger because the driver had threatened to run them over.

Mbappe, who grew up in the Paris suburb of Bondy, was among those who were shocked by what happened.

“I hurt for my France. Unacceptable situation. All my thoughts go to the family and loved ones of Nael, this little angel gone much too soon,” he tweeted.

The government will hold a security meeting Wednesday afternoon to discuss next steps, Darmanin said.

The victim was wounded by a gunshot and died at the scene, the prosecutor’s office said in a statement. A passenger in the car was briefly detained and released, and police are searching for another passenger who fled.

Several people have died or sustained injuries at the hands of French police in recent years, prompting demands for more accountability. France also saw protests against racial profiling and other injustice in the wake of George Floyd’s killing by police in Minnesota.

Which six-person tent is best?

Whether it’s in your backyard or the middle of nowhere, spending the night in a tent is a great way to connect to the simple rhythms of nature. But it’s hard to enjoy the experience if your tent is leaky, cramped or uncomfortable. Experienced campers know that this is a critical piece of gear, and choosing the best six-person tent for your household is important.

If you need a safe, sturdy tent that can withstand a variety of inclement weather, the is the best choice for you.

What to know before you buy a six-person tent

When you’ll camp

A six-person tent can provide comfort in the middle of nowhere, but you’ll need to consider when you’ll camp. Some tents are designed to withstand brutal cold and high winds, while others are best for hotter climates. You’ll have a better camping experience if you choose the one that fits the climate you plan to camp in.

Weight

For backpackers and thru-hikers, weight is always a concern. Most people in search of a six-person tent won’t be looking for a lightweight tent, but weight and durability are linked and important to consider. Tent material and the quality of the poles and frame influence both.

• Tent materials: Cotton canvas is arguably the most durable option but is also the heaviest. At the other end of the spectrum is nylon, which has a good ratio of strength-to-weight. Polyester falls in the middle and manages to be both durable and lightweight.
• Poles and frame: Even on a budget, investing in the highest quality poles and frame increases the life span of your tent exponentially. Fiberglass, carbon fiber and alloy frames and poles are the best options. Cheap plastic crumbles quickly, especially in the face of campers with small children.

Size

Not all six-person tents have the same measurements. The range of size is 90-120 square feet, with a footprint that can be anywhere from an 11-foot by 11-foot square to a 12-foot by 8-foot rectangle.

Some also come with a large vestibule that increases your tent’s area. Take a look at who’s camping and choose the best size.

What to look for in a quality six-person tent

Internal pockets

Internal pockets are handy to keep things like flashlights, cellphones and glasses handy. No more searching in the middle of the night for smaller items that can get lost in a large duffel bag.

Included rain fly

No matter how waterproof your tent is, an included rainfly is key to staying dry. These are especially important for tents with mesh ceilings.

Vestibule or porch

A front vestibule or porch improves the quality of life around camp. This is a great place for storing overflow gear. It also offers a sheltered place to remove shoes before entering the tent.

Mesh panels

Mesh panels increase airflow and can help keep a tent cooler during warm weather. They also allow you to fall asleep gazing up at the stars.

How much you can expect to spend on a six-person tent

The price of a six-person tent runs $50-$500. In most cases, this range is due to the quality of the tent and the features that it includes.

Six-person tent FAQ

Do you have to put anything under the tent?

A. Although most tents tout durable, waterproof floors, putting a tarp under the tent is always a good idea. This adds a layer of protection from sharp rocks and sticks. It also prevents dampness from seeping up from the ground.

To prevent puddling under the tent in the case of a sudden downpour, make sure the tarp is a few inches smaller than the tent.

How do you care for a tent?

A. There is no doubt about it: Your tent is going to get dirty. It’s the nature of the activity. However, to preserve the life of your tent, there are a few cleaning tips to keep in mind before storing it for the season.

• Make sure your tent is completely dry inside and out before storing.
• Brush dirt from the outside of the tent and sweep out the inside.
• To remove stubborn dirt, use mild soap and water. Avoid any harsh chemicals that can damage the tent material.
• To remove sticky sap or pitch, use creamy peanut butter to loosen and then scrub with mild soap.
• If you notice that your tent seems less waterproof, use a water repellent spray to re-treat it.
• Seal your tent seams as needed. Clean the seams with rubbing alcohol and allow them to dry before applying more seam sealer. Check with the tent manufacturer to select the best product for this job.

What’s the best six-person tent to buy?

Top six-person tent

What you need to know: North Face is a trusted outdoor brand, and this tent has tons of options for camping in comfort.

What you’ll love: It’s waterproof and strong. Ceiling pockets mean small items stay organized inside the tent. It has a secondary area for keeping other gear handy. It’s available with or without flame-retardant coating for additional safety.

What you should consider: It’s a challenge to get it packed back into its stuff sack.

Where to buy: Sold by

Top six-person tent for the money

Coleman Sundome Six-Person Tent

What you need to know: Set up is fast and easy enough for the youngest members of your camping party to complete.

What you’ll love: A reasonably tall center means that many adults can stand up. It fits two queen beds. Seams are sealed to prevent leaks, and the tent has clips to keep it locked in place even in windy conditions.

What you should consider: The included stakes are too flimsy for rocky ground. Invest in an extra set.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon

Worth checking out

Kelty Freestanding Rumpus

What you need to know: This simple, three-season tent comfortably fits six people.

What you’ll love: It has mesh panels throughout the tent for better airflow, and the rain fly keeps moisture out. There are four internal storage pockets and a sturdy floor that resists sharp rocks and tearing. Two doors open wide, and the vestibule keeps gear dry.

What you should consider: The mesh panels are great for summer camping, but they make for chilly nights in cold weather.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon

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Norfolk State University and Black BRAND have joined forces to help break through the glass ceiling.

The educational institution and nonprofit organization have launched Women Who Lead, a 12-week professional development accelerator. The program is for any person in Hampton Roads who identifies as a minority woman, is gainfully employed and earns less than $60,000 per year.

Aimed to lift up underserved and disadvantaged women in Hampton Roads, Women Who Lead is focused on supporting their careers and eliminating racial, skill and capital gaps.

“During the pandemic, we watched as organizations carried essential supplies, vaccinations, and information about the coronavirus from door to door in nearly every under-resourced community in Hampton Roads,” Blair Durham, Black BRAND co-founder and president, said in a news release. “Those initiatives were very effective. It’s time to do the same thing with opportunity.”

The program will reveal the region’s assets, provide professional mentorship, improve leadership skills, provide access to traditionally male-dominated industries and link participants with certification and other development programs.

One of the goals is to help uncover underdeveloped talent in the region and create a pipeline to career and contract opportunities.

Women Who Lead taps into elements from other programs in the area that have invitation or recommendation-only processes, including Lead Hampton Roads, Civic Leadership Institute and Portsmouth Partnership’s Lefcoe Leadership Fund program, but keeps its focus on those affected by discrimination and institutional bias.

Interested applicants must attend one of four 90-minute info sessions (July 10, 17, 24 or 31). To register, visit nsu.edu.wwl or blackbrand.biz/women-who-lead.

If you’re interested in becoming a Women Who Lead mentor, a three-hour orientation will be held on Aug. 8. The program begins Sept. 8 and runs through Nov. 21.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, [email protected]

JAMES CITY — In May, county and state officials met with over 50 residents of the Grove neighborhood to discuss projects that could bring long-awaited and much-needed improvements to their corner of James City County.

Now, a small group of activists is organizing to rally the community to speed up these undertakings.

“This is what I would like to see happen,” said Ryan Bonnie, a 13-year Grove resident. “You heard your friend just moved to Williamsburg, and they moved to Grove, and their first reaction is, ‘Wow, that’s a cool little community,’ not ‘Where is that?’ or ‘Oh, that’s a food desert.’”

John McGlennon, who represents the Roberts District on the James City County Board of Supervisors, organized the May 18 meeting to give people an opportunity to voice their concerns about road improvements as well as other issues such as trash dumping and standing water on certain roads. Projects such as the widening of Route 60 and a new park and recreational center have been in the works for years.

McGlennon invited state Sen. Monty Mason, D-Williamsburg, and Williamsburg Regional Library Director Betsy Fowler to provide additional context to county and state plans that could affect Grove.

“Anytime you have town halls and listen to citizens in the area, it’s great,” Mason said. “They are rightfully frustrated because we’ve talked about the widening of (Route) 60 for a long time.”

Some Grove residents jokingly refer to their neighborhood as the “armpit” of James City County, considered a food desert because of the lack of fresh and healthy foods generally found in large grocery stores, a type of business Grove lacks. But it is an area with a rich history, former home to Log Cabin Beach, a stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit during the 1960s and ‘70s. Locals also used to enjoy access to a stretch of the James River.

Since then, much of the development in Grove has been industrial. The old site of BASF Corp., a chemical producer, has sat vacant for decades, despite efforts by the county to redevelop the property. The Ball Manufacturing plant, the Anheuser-Busch Williamsburg Brewery and the Walmart distribution center in the area have all led to an increase in truck traffic, raising safety concerns among residents.

Last year, the Virginia Department of Transportation completed the Skiffes Creek Connector, which links routes 60 and 143. However, the widening of Route 60, which twists its way through the community, has not made as much progress.

“The plan originally was to build four lanes, to put an additional lane on each side,” McGlennon said. “But now, because of cost estimates and because the amount of traffic is not as heavy, the plan is to run a dedicated turn lane down the middle all the way from the fire station to the elementary school.”

Back in 2018 when studies for the route improvement started, the estimated cost of expanding the 2-mile stretch was approximately $30 million. Today, the project is now priced at around $73 million.

Timothy Kelley, a senior communications specialist with VDOT, said the segment of Route 60 between the James City County Fire Station 2 and Magruder Avenue is projected to resume as early as 2025, with construction possibly starting in 2028, depending on funding. The rest of the project, he said in an email, could take longer.

“The remaining Route 60 segment from Magruder Avenue to James River Elementary School has more significant engineering challenges related to environmental restrictions associated with the Carter Grove property that is a historic preservation, conservation and open-space easement,” Kelley said.

For some residents, the postponement of the Route 60 project is an example of why they believe Grove is not considered a high priority. Longtime resident Laura Gucwa fondly recalls participating in the county’s Neighborhood Connections program back in the ’90s, when she felt like JCC was more actively engaging with Grove residents.

“We’ve mentioned to John McGlennon and said, ‘Hey, this really worked back then. We need to get it started again, especially in Grove, because we are kind of isolated,’” Gucwa said.

Recent population growth in Grove, including relative newcomer Sherrie Beauford, has brought more diversity and more Spanish-speaking residents. Beauford said she would like to see government officials make more of an effort to include these neighbors in discussions about the future of the area.

Fowler, who spoke at the May meeting about how WRL intends to expand its programming in Grove, said that the library has hosted Spanish storytimes at the Grove Christian Outreach Center once a month, called “Cena con Cuentos.” WRL has also operated out of the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center on Saturdays, giving digital instruction for adults as well as facilitating maker and craft activities.

“We’re very interested in making sure that populations that have been historically marginalized have access to the same resources,” Fowler said.

Gucwa would like to see a separate recreational center (Frink is attached to James River Elementary School) where older children can have a safe space to exercise and play, and other residents have expressed the desire for a park with a pool and other amenities.

“The real challenge there is that there’s not much vacant land in Grove that would accommodate the size of footprint the park would have, somewhere between 7 and 10 acres,” McGlennon said.

Despite the obstacles, Bonnie, Gucwa, Beauford and others are meeting to find ways to bring their community together to advance their goals. Many people outside of Grove associate it with problems it used to have in its past, Beauford said, but they shouldn’t see it that way anymore.

“I don’t live in an armpit of nowhere,” Beauford said. “We are worthy, and we should be treated as well as any other district in James City County.”

J.W. Caterine, [email protected]

NORFOLK — The former student body president of a private Norfolk high school filed a lawsuit this week alleging the institution’s former head of school sexually harassed her when she was a 16-year-old junior.

The lawsuit was filed Monday in Norfolk Circuit Court by Keelin Hogan against Paul Warren, a local attorney who until earlier this year served as the former head of school, provost, chief administrative officer and a teacher at The Hague School.

Hogan, elected student body president during the 2021-22 academic year, graduated in May. The school opened in 2019 and is in a former church building next to the Chrysler Museum of Art. The lawsuit was filed on Hogan’s behalf by Virginia Beach attorney Diane Toscano.

Warren couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday and the academy’s new head of school — Warren’s wife, Jennifer Warren — didn’t respond to a message seeking comment.

The lawsuit alleges that the inappropriate contact began in fall 2021, after Paul Warren asked Hogan to serve as his teaching assistant. The position required her to spend two to three hours with him after school on Tuesdays.

During one of the initial meetings, Warren, then 62, told Hogan he felt they had a “special connection” but she put up an “emotional wall” that prevented her from connecting with people, the lawsuit said. He suggested they share a joint Google document that Hogan could use as a journal to share her thoughts and feelings. Warren said he would offer comments and they could discuss them during their weekly get-togethers.

Warren occasionally talked about Hogan’s appearance during their meetings and message exchanges, calling her “stunning,” the lawsuit said. After a few meetings, Warren began to discuss sexual topics with Hogan, asking whether she was a virgin and if she masturbated, the complaint said.

Warren often put his hand on Hogan’s thigh when he asked such questions, the lawsuit said. He also talked about his own sexual experiences, and encouraged Hogan to read the book “Fifty Shades of Grey,” about a couple who practices sadomasochism, according to the lawsuit. The complaint also alleges Warren hugged Hogan frequently and asked her to call him by his first name.

At the end of a November 2021 meeting, Warren hugged Hogan and leaned in for a kiss, the lawsuit said. Hogan said “no” and quickly left. After that, she began canceling her meetings and avoided being alone with him.

Also around that time, the lawsuit says, Warren reached under a table Hogan was sitting at during class and drew a smiley face on her thigh. He admitted to doing this when confronted by a guidance counselor and Hogan’s father, as well as when he was questioned during a court hearing earlier this year for a protective order Hogan requested.

“Mr. Warren was intentionally grooming Miss Hogan for sexual purposes,” the lawsuit said. “While this grooming activity progressed, Miss Hogan suffered severe emotional distress including depression and anxiety. Due to this distress, Miss Hogan’s grades began to drop, she had emotional outbursts, she no longer had interest in school activities, and no longer maintained organized spaces.”

Hogan’s parents noticed a change in her demeanor and sought counseling for her. During therapy sessions several months later she revealed the inappropriate contact with Warren and it was reported, according to the lawsuit. The school immediately placed Warren on leave and conducted an investigation.

The Hague School’s board voted to fire him in January, the lawsuit said. A written response provided to Hogan in April said the investigation determined “there was a pattern of inappropriate behavior” and that the report she made was “not an isolated incident,” the lawsuit said.

In March, a Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District judge issued a protective order that requires Warren to stay 50 feet from Hogan, and to have no direct or indirect contact with her.

Hogan is seeking $500,000 in damages.

Jane Harper, [email protected]

It takes more than just quality cuts of meat and fresh ingredients to create a delicious barbecue meal. Like any type of cooking, your grilling experience largely depends on the tools at your disposal.

To help you take your barbecue game to the next level, we’ve compiled this roundup of the best grilling tools for every context. Whether you’re searing meats, toasting burger buns, or adding a char to veggie kebabs, these are the right tools to handle every job at your next cookout.

Best grill tool sets

Whether you’re an experienced grill master or you’re just starting out, you need a basic set of grill tools. These sets include essentials to cover common tasks like flipping burgers, plucking hot dogs from the grill, or post-grill cleaning.

New Star Stainless Steel BBQ Tool Set

Those new to grilling benefit from a beginner BBQ tool set like this one. It comes with tongs, a spatula, a cleaning brush, and a fork. With only four pieces in the set, it’s easy to learn how to use each one instead of feeling overwhelmed by larger collections with less familiar pieces.

Best for: Those new to grilling, those on a budget, occasional grillers

Sold by Amazon

Cuisinart 14-Piece Deluxe Grill Set

Experienced grillers benefit from having all the tools they need at their disposal, namely in a top-of-the-line set like this one. In addition to premium pieces like corn holders and extra brush heads, the set comes in an attractive aluminum case for easy storage and portability.

Best for: Experienced grillers, gifts for BBQ lovers

Sold by Amazon

Best grill tools for meat

Meat is often considered the easiest food to grill, and when you have the right tools, things only get better. From searing filet mignon to cooking hamburgers and hot dogs, these tools will turn grilling into a seamless operation.

ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Meat Thermometer

There’s no need to sweat over the grill while you monitor meat temperatures. Invest in this long-range wireless digital meat thermometer so you can mingle with company or take care of other cooking tasks while you wait for your main course.

Best for: Gauging meat temperatures from a distance, tracking oven temperatures for bread baking

Sold by Amazon

Arres Pulled Pork Claws and Meat Shredder

If you’re a fan of textured meat and chicken dishes, like pulled pork or chicken salad, make sure you have a pair of shredders. These have an oversized tooth design, making your work quick and easy whether you need to tear into a small brisket or a whole roasted turkey.

Best for: Making pulled pork or chicken salad, shredding meat for tacos

Sold by Amazon

Best grill tools for vegetables

There are countless ways to cook veggies on the grill, and each one comes with its own set of perks. Round out your grill tool collection with accessories made to cook vegetables to perfection.

Grillaholics Heavy Duty Grill Basket

The easiest way to grill vegetables is in a basket. Simply load it up with your favorite garden variety to enjoy evenly cooked vegetables with a smokey flavor and a picture-perfect char.

Best for: Grilling peppers and onions, grilling par-boiled root vegetables

Sold by Amazon

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Chef’s Skillet

A cast iron skillet offers second-to-none heat retention and even cooking, especially on the grill. This one is pre-seasoned with natural vegetable oil, which means a nonstick grilling experience every time.

Best for: Sauteing vegetables, frying hash browns or breakfast potatoes

Sold by Amazon

Flafster Kitchen 16-Inch Flat BBQ Skewers

Vegetable kebabs are a staple side dish, and if you intend on making them on the regular, invest in extra-long stainless steel skewers. This set includes eight flat skewers with a push-bar mechanism that protects fingers while you transfer vegetables onto plates.

Best for: Making vegetable or meat kebabs, making fruit skewers

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Best grill tools for creative cooking

As you progress, you might feel inclined to try more challenging recipes for the grill. Leverage your creativity with unique grill tools that offer new ways to cook classic barbecue foods.

BBQ Aid 5-in-1 Beer Can Chicken Roaster

Beer can chicken roasters let you set it and forget it, making them a low-maintenance option to roast most types of poultry. This roaster in particular comes with a beer compartment as well as a smoker box and kebab rack, so you can make an entire meal with just one accessory.

Best for: Grilling while camping or tailgating, grilling for craft beer aficionados

Sold by Amazon

Enhance the flavor of any entree, especially fish, by grilling with a Himalayan salt block. Not only does it promote even cooking of fish and meat, but the salt block also doubles as an attractive way to serve food.

Best for: Searing tuna, grilling scallops, making a chilled charcuterie board

Sold by

Hans Grill Pizza Bake Stone

There’s no need to order pizza when you can make your own on the grill with this bake stone and pizza peel set. It cooks dough evenly and creates a flakey golden crust that’s on par with a pie from your favorite pizzeria.

Best for: Baking personal pizzas or flatbreads, baking cookies or breads

Sold by Amazon

Best grilling accessories

Besides essential grilling tools, it’s important to invest in accessories that make your grilling experience more convenient from start to finish. Whether it’s a matter of saving time, keeping you safe, or making cleaning easier, these accessories are must-haves.

Jolly Green Products Ekogrips Premium BBQ Gloves

Sometimes, it’s just easier to use your hands — but in the world of grilling, it’s not the safest option. Pick up a pair of heat-resistant silicone BBQ gloves like these that are detailed with no-slip nubs to ensure safe handling. They’re also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

Best for: Handling cast iron pans, turning kebabs, removing buns

Sold by Amazon

Kona 360 Clean Grill Brush

Cleaning a grill can be an onerous task, but not when you invest in a quality grill brush like this one. Its rigid three-brush design effortlessly scrubs grill plates to quickly remove residue.

Best for: Cleaning grill plates on most grills, cleaning oven racks

Sold by Amazon

First Alert Fire Extinguisher

Fire safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to grilling. Keep a fire extinguisher within reach to help control flare-ups with a targeted spray. In addition to grilling, it’s ideal for kitchen, office, or general household use.

Best for: Indoor/outdoor fire safety

Sold by Amazon

Best grilling cookbooks

Grilling is a unique method of cooking that involves different techniques than indoor cooking. Check out these top-selling cookbooks to pick up tips, tricks, and plenty of new recipes.

Serial Griller: Grillmaster Secrets for Flame-Cooked Perfection

This cookbook features a well-rounded collection of recipes and techniques that cover cooking on all types of grills. In addition to traditional grill recipes, the book includes a variety of regional recipes from around the U.S.

Best for: Beginner grillers, those interested in regional recipes

Sold by Amazon

Salt Block Cooking: 70 Recipes for Grilling, Chilling, Searing, and Serving

Get the most out of your salt block with this dedicated cookbook. It provides an overview of exactly how salt affects flavor in different foods and explains salt block cooking techniques in an easy-to-understand manner.

Best for: Creative grillers, those who enjoy plating

Sold by Amazon

VBQ: The Ultimate Vegan Barbecue Cookbook

This one-of-a-kind vegan cookbook shares over 80 recipes that range from eggplant hot dogs to tandoori tofu skewers. While it’s creative and adventurous, this collection is approachable with high-resolution images, illustrated guides, and a long list of grilling hacks.

Best for: Vegans and vegetarians, those with vegetable gardens

Sold by Amazon

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It takes more than just quality cuts of meat and fresh ingredients to create a delicious barbecue meal. Like any type of cooking, your grilling experience largely depends on the tools at your disposal.

To help you take your barbecue game to the next level, we’ve compiled this roundup of the best grilling tools for every context. Whether you’re searing meats, toasting burger buns, or adding a char to veggie kebabs, these are the right tools to handle every job at your next cookout.

Best grill tool sets

Whether you’re an experienced grill master or you’re just starting out, you need a basic set of grill tools. These sets include essentials to cover common tasks like flipping burgers, plucking hot dogs from the grill, or post-grill cleaning.

New Star Stainless Steel BBQ Tool Set

Those new to grilling benefit from a beginner BBQ tool set like this one. It comes with tongs, a spatula, a cleaning brush, and a fork. With only four pieces in the set, it’s easy to learn how to use each one instead of feeling overwhelmed by larger collections with less familiar pieces.

Best for: Those new to grilling, those on a budget, occasional grillers

Sold by Amazon

Cuisinart 14-Piece Deluxe Grill Set

Experienced grillers benefit from having all the tools they need at their disposal, namely in a top-of-the-line set like this one. In addition to premium pieces like corn holders and extra brush heads, the set comes in an attractive aluminum case for easy storage and portability.

Best for: Experienced grillers, gifts for BBQ lovers

Sold by Amazon

Best grill tools for meat

Meat is often considered the easiest food to grill, and when you have the right tools, things only get better. From searing filet mignon to cooking hamburgers and hot dogs, these tools will turn grilling into a seamless operation.

ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Meat Thermometer

There’s no need to sweat over the grill while you monitor meat temperatures. Invest in this long-range wireless digital meat thermometer so you can mingle with company or take care of other cooking tasks while you wait for your main course.

Best for: Gauging meat temperatures from a distance, tracking oven temperatures for bread baking

Sold by Amazon

Arres Pulled Pork Claws and Meat Shredder

If you’re a fan of textured meat and chicken dishes, like pulled pork or chicken salad, make sure you have a pair of shredders. These have an oversized tooth design, making your work quick and easy whether you need to tear into a small brisket or a whole roasted turkey.

Best for: Making pulled pork or chicken salad, shredding meat for tacos

Sold by Amazon

Best grill tools for vegetables

There are countless ways to cook veggies on the grill, and each one comes with its own set of perks. Round out your grill tool collection with accessories made to cook vegetables to perfection.

Grillaholics Heavy Duty Grill Basket

The easiest way to grill vegetables is in a basket. Simply load it up with your favorite garden variety to enjoy evenly cooked vegetables with a smokey flavor and a picture-perfect char.

Best for: Grilling peppers and onions, grilling par-boiled root vegetables

Sold by Amazon

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Chef’s Skillet

A cast iron skillet offers second-to-none heat retention and even cooking, especially on the grill. This one is pre-seasoned with natural vegetable oil, which means a nonstick grilling experience every time.

Best for: Sauteing vegetables, frying hash browns or breakfast potatoes

Sold by Amazon

Flafster Kitchen 16-Inch Flat BBQ Skewers

Vegetable kebabs are a staple side dish, and if you intend on making them on the regular, invest in extra-long stainless steel skewers. This set includes eight flat skewers with a push-bar mechanism that protects fingers while you transfer vegetables onto plates.

Best for: Making vegetable or meat kebabs, making fruit skewers

Sold by Amazon

Best grill tools for creative cooking

As you progress, you might feel inclined to try more challenging recipes for the grill. Leverage your creativity with unique grill tools that offer new ways to cook classic barbecue foods.

BBQ Aid 5-in-1 Beer Can Chicken Roaster

Beer can chicken roasters let you set it and forget it, making them a low-maintenance option to roast most types of poultry. This roaster in particular comes with a beer compartment as well as a smoker box and kebab rack, so you can make an entire meal with just one accessory.

Best for: Grilling while camping or tailgating, grilling for craft beer aficionados

Sold by Amazon

Enhance the flavor of any entree, especially fish, by grilling with a Himalayan salt block. Not only does it promote even cooking of fish and meat, but the salt block also doubles as an attractive way to serve food.

Best for: Searing tuna, grilling scallops, making a chilled charcuterie board

Sold by

Hans Grill Pizza Bake Stone

There’s no need to order pizza when you can make your own on the grill with this bake stone and pizza peel set. It cooks dough evenly and creates a flakey golden crust that’s on par with a pie from your favorite pizzeria.

Best for: Baking personal pizzas or flatbreads, baking cookies or breads

Sold by Amazon

Best grilling accessories

Besides essential grilling tools, it’s important to invest in accessories that make your grilling experience more convenient from start to finish. Whether it’s a matter of saving time, keeping you safe, or making cleaning easier, these accessories are must-haves.

Jolly Green Products Ekogrips Premium BBQ Gloves

Sometimes, it’s just easier to use your hands — but in the world of grilling, it’s not the safest option. Pick up a pair of heat-resistant silicone BBQ gloves like these that are detailed with no-slip nubs to ensure safe handling. They’re also dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

Best for: Handling cast iron pans, turning kebabs, removing buns

Sold by Amazon

Kona 360 Clean Grill Brush

Cleaning a grill can be an onerous task, but not when you invest in a quality grill brush like this one. Its rigid three-brush design effortlessly scrubs grill plates to quickly remove residue.

Best for: Cleaning grill plates on most grills, cleaning oven racks

Sold by Amazon

First Alert Fire Extinguisher

Fire safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to grilling. Keep a fire extinguisher within reach to help control flare-ups with a targeted spray. In addition to grilling, it’s ideal for kitchen, office, or general household use.

Best for: Indoor/outdoor fire safety

Sold by Amazon

Best grilling cookbooks

Grilling is a unique method of cooking that involves different techniques than indoor cooking. Check out these top-selling cookbooks to pick up tips, tricks, and plenty of new recipes.

Serial Griller: Grillmaster Secrets for Flame-Cooked Perfection

This cookbook features a well-rounded collection of recipes and techniques that cover cooking on all types of grills. In addition to traditional grill recipes, the book includes a variety of regional recipes from around the U.S.

Best for: Beginner grillers, those interested in regional recipes

Sold by Amazon

Salt Block Cooking: 70 Recipes for Grilling, Chilling, Searing, and Serving

Get the most out of your salt block with this dedicated cookbook. It provides an overview of exactly how salt affects flavor in different foods and explains salt block cooking techniques in an easy-to-understand manner.

Best for: Creative grillers, those who enjoy plating

Sold by Amazon

VBQ: The Ultimate Vegan Barbecue Cookbook

This one-of-a-kind vegan cookbook shares over 80 recipes that range from eggplant hot dogs to tandoori tofu skewers. While it’s creative and adventurous, this collection is approachable with high-resolution images, illustrated guides, and a long list of grilling hacks.

Best for: Vegans and vegetarians, those with vegetable gardens

Sold by Amazon

Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.

Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.

Sian Babish writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

© 2023 BestReviews. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Just like planet Earth, water is the main ingredient in your body. According to the USGS, “up to 60% of the human adult body is water,” while the Mayo Clinic states that water “makes up about 50% to 70% of your body weight.” Without water, you would only survive about three days. This makes water, especially clean drinking water, very important.

Unfortunately, it’s easy to get caught up in the day and forget to drink water for hours at a time. To stay healthy, you need to train yourself to drink water, whether or not you are thirsty.

Why is water important to the body?

Without clean drinking water, you wouldn’t survive. This is because nearly everything your body does requires water. Water:

• Lubricates your joints.
• Helps keep your muscles functioning properly.
• Delivers oxygen to your vital organs.
• Helps you maintain a consistent body temperature.
• Protects the brain and other sensitive tissue.
• Helps keep you alert.
• Allows you to think and focus.
• Helps you maintain a safe blood pressure.
• Lets you digest food.
• Transports nutrients to where they are needed.
• Contributes to healthy-looking skin.
• Lets you get rid of harmful toxins and waste.
• Can prevent fatigue and help you get a better night’s sleep.

What happens if I don’t drink enough water?

If you do not drink enough water, any of your body systems that depend on water can begin to fail. Symptoms of dehydration may include dry mouth, inability to shed tears, sunken cheeks, dark urine, extreme thirst, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, irritability, inability to sleep and constipation.

Dehydration can be life-threatening. You may require prompt medical attention. Call your doctor if you are suffering from symptoms of dehydration.

How much water do I need?

Everyone wants a simple answer to this question. Unfortunately, there isn’t one. There are helpful reminders that encourage you to drink water, but they might not apply to your situation. Drinking eight glasses of water per day, for instance, is a good start, but for most of us, that’s not enough — the more body mass you have, the more water you require. The Mayo Clinic recommends 15.5 cups of fluids a day for men and 11.5 cups of fluids a day for women.

Other sources say half an ounce to an ounce of water per pound is the ideal amount. While this is a better approach, it doesn’t work if you are an athlete, you are breastfeeding, you have a virus or you have a condition that requires you to replenish more fluids than the average person.

Your water needs will change based on your activity level, the foods you eat, the temperature and other critical factors. To stay properly hydrated, you need to monitor yourself. There are three ways you can quickly learn if you are drinking enough water:

1. You should rarely (never) feel thirsty. If you are thirsty, it means you are already dehydrated.
2. Your urine should be golden. If it’s brown, you’re not drinking enough water; if it’s clear, you’re drinking too much water.
3. Consult with your doctor. Talk to your doctor to determine what your typical daily water intake should be.

Why do I get thirsty?

The hypothalamus is the part of the brain responsible for homeostasis. In simpler terms, it is the control center for your body. The hypothalamus constantly monitors what is going on inside you to keep things balanced. It regulates body temperature and emotional responses and controls your appetite. When something is amiss, the hypothalamus triggers a reaction that solves the problem or encourages you to solve the problem.

Regarding thirst, the hypothalamus monitors sodium, blood pressure and other substances in your body. When blood volume or blood pressure drops or sodium concentration is too high, the hypothalamus sends out a message and you get thirsty.

The hypothalamus only sends this message out when the body is already in a state of imbalance. It’s like the oil light in your car: It only turns on after the damage has begun. This is why you need to drink water before you get thirsty.

FAQ

Q. Are there any easy strategies to drink more water?

A. Try building the act of frequently drinking water into your daily routine. Helpful habits can include carrying a water bottle with you, drinking a pitcher of water every day or getting something that makes drinking convenient, such as a home water cooler.

Q. Can you drink too much water?

A. While it is rare for a healthy individual to drink too much water, it is possible. When this happens, the sodium content in your blood becomes diluted and your cells swell. The condition is called hyponatremia, and it can be life-threatening.

Q. Can I just drink water when I get thirsty?

A. You get thirsty when you are dehydrated. If you wait until you are thirsty to drink water, the damage to your body has already been done. To stay healthy, you need to condition yourself to drink water before you get thirsty.

Q. Is eight glasses of water a day enough?

A. Eight glasses a day may be enough for a small person with limited activity. It may also be a great goal if you are constantly struggling to drink enough water. However, for most people, it is the bare minimum you should drink. The color of your urine will tell you if it is enough — strive for a golden yellow.

Q. What are the benefits of staying hydrated?

A. The benefits of staying hydrated are many. You can think better, perform better, stay healthier, be happier and have fewer aches and pains. Staying properly hydrated can also help you maintain a healthy weight, get a better night’s sleep and more. There is no reason a healthy individual should not stay hydrated.

What you need to buy to stay hydrated

APEC Water Systems 5-Stage Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System

The easiest way to stay hydrated is to start drinking from the tap again. This under-sink water filtration system makes drinking pure water as simple as turning on the faucet.

Sold by Amazon

Glacier Bay Bottom-Load Water Dispenser

Whether you like your water icy cold or piping hot, Glacier Bay has you covered with its convenient bottom-load water dispenser. The press of a button lets you fill up your glass with pure, sterilized water.

Sold by Amazon

Brita Faucet-Mount Water Filtration System

This convenient, low-cost solution to getting pure drinking water for proper hydration is easy to install. Just click it onto your faucet, and get up to 100 gallons of filtered drinking water on demand.

Sold by Amazon

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid

If you have your water on hand at all times, you’ll be more inclined to drink what you need. This 24-ounce Hydro Flask has a convenient built-in straw, and it will keep your water cold for up to 24 hours.

Sold by Amazon and

Lifestraw Personal Water Filter

If you lead an active lifestyle, it can be cumbersome to carry enough water to stay properly hydrated. Lifestraw solves this problem by letting you drink straight from nature’s freshwater sources, such as streams and ponds, so you never run out of fresh water again.

Sold by Amazon

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Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.

Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

© 2023 BestReviews. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC