You might have childhood memories of sawing through a dry pork chop, but truth be told, it’s probably because it wasn’t cooked or seasoned properly.
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Both Spain and France are powerhouses. Both teams are star-studded. And both teams are absolutely thrilling to watch with rich histories playing each other. With so much talent on each roster, you could build a truly exceptional starting lineup – so we did. Below is our combined best XI for Spain vs. France ahead of their World Cup semifinal match on Tuesday. Formation: 4-2-3-1 Goalkeeper Both goalkeepers have had strong tournaments. Maignan has only conceded two goals, while Simón had not conceded until Belgium scored in the quarterfinals. Simón has been excellent for Spain, but Maignan gets the slight nod as the better all-around goalkeeper. Verdict: Mike Maignan, France Right Back Pedro Porro has come onto the scene in his first major international tournament for Spain, providing real value in attack from the right-back position, including a goal against Austria. But Koundé gives you more stability as a polished defender and converted center back, while still having the capability to join the attack and provide value going forward. Verdict: Jules Koundé Right Center Back Both Pau Cubarsí and Dayot Upamecano are great center backs, and this is a very tight battle between the two. Upamecano has the athletic advantage, while Cubarsí provides more ability to play with the ball at his feet. Upamecano can be an accident waiting to happen at times, but in this tournament, he has hardly put a foot wrong. At his best, he is easily one of the best defenders in the world. Verdict: Dayot Upamecano Left Center Back The Premier League-winning Saliba wins this battle over Aymeric Laporte, who is having a strong tournament and has been a veteran leader alongside the young Cubarsí at the back. Despite Spain’s excellent defensive record, Saliba and Upamecano complete the clean sweep over the Spanish center backs. Verdict: William Saliba Left Back It has been a remarkable comeback story for Lucas Digne, starting at this World Cup after his last World Cup for France came in 2014. He has returned and has not been bad, but if there is a weakness in this France team, it is at left back. Cucurella continues to show in this tournament why he is one of the best left backs in the world, and he is now a Real Madrid player after completing his move from Chelsea. Verdict: Marc Cucurella Right Central Midfielder This is another tight battle, with both players widely recognized as world-class players at their position and important to their national teams. But the slight nod goes to Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who is showing signs of his pre-ACL-injured self at this World Cup. He has been Spain’s composer throughout the tournament, just as he was for Spain at Euro 2024. Verdict: Rodri Left Central Midfielder On paper, this might seem like no conversation, but Rabiot has not laid a foot wrong in this tournament. He has done all the dirty work for France in midfield with his work rate, cleaning up scraps and allowing Michael Olise to roam around and pick up different pockets without having to worry as much about the defensive side. But Pedri is an incredible player on a technical level and gets the nod. Verdict: Pedri Right Winger Both are young star players who will be stars for many years to come. Doué has been important for this France team, splitting time with Bradley Barcola and making an impact off the bench, including winning the penalty that won France the game against Paraguay in the round of 16. But Lamine Yamal is already one of the best players in the world, even at 18 years old. Verdict: Lamine Yamal Central Attacking Midfielder Michael Olise is having as dominant of a tournament as you can possibly have without scoring a goal up to this point. Olise has completely bossed games from the No. 10 position, creating countless opportunities for the front three ahead of him. He already has five assists, which is only one away from tying Pelé’s all-time record at a single World Cup. Every time Olise gets on the ball, magic happens for this France team. Dani Olmo is a pivotal part of this Spanish side, with his intricate line-breaking passing and ability to make late runs into the box and cause havoc. But Olise can make a real case for the Golden Ball at this World Cup. Verdict: Michael Olise Left Winger Despite Yamal playing on the left-hand side, where Dembélé traditionally plays, Dembélé still finds a way into this team. The Ballon d’Or winner was a pivotal piece in a PSG side that won back-to-back Champions League titles, and he is now having his best international tournament ever. He has scored five goals, which in many past international tournaments would put a player firmly in the Golden Boot race. But this tournament has been an anomaly, with three players scoring at least seven goals. Álex Baena has been solid for Spain, but Dembélé is playing at a different level. Verdict: Ousmane Dembélé Striker Mikel Oyarzabal is an underrated piece of this Spanish side. He is not a typical No. 9, but more of a forward who floats around and picks up different pockets. When he does get a crack at goal, he is a very efficient finisher, and he has four goals at this World Cup. But Kylian Mbappé has eight goals and is widely recognized as one of the best players in the world. His total World Cup goal tally has now reached 20, despite being only 27 years old. Verdict: Kylian Mbappé Final Combined XI For France And Spain GK: Mike MaignanRB: Jules KoundéCB: Dayot UpamecanoCB: William SalibaLB: Marc CucurellaCM: RodriCM: PedriRW: Lamine YamalCAM: Michael OliseLW: Ousmane DembéléST: Kylian MbappéLatest Sports News from FOX Sports
For Jamey Johnson, becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry wasn’t just another career milestone, it was a lifelong dream that, at one point in his career, felt so out of reach he considered walking away from the legendary stage altogether.
During a recent conversation with Tracy Lawrence on the TL’s Road House podcast, Johnson reflected on finally being invited to become an Opry member after more than two decades of performing there, admitting there was a time when the lack of an invitation became “a burr in my saddle.”
“To say the least, it’s a humble honor to get to be a member of the Opry. It has the job of representing country music past, present and future all at the same time. And unfortunately for a lot of us years ago, they weren’t interested in bringing in too many new members. For the longest time, that really got to be a burr in my saddle and I was getting to the point where I didn’t want to play it anymore because I wanted it so bad,” Johnson admitted to Lawrence. “I wanted to be a member ever since I moved to town. And I kind of always knew that I was called to be a member.”
The Alabama native went on to explain that he believes artists who genuinely care about preserving country music and its legacy are exactly the kind of people who should become members of the Grand Ole Opry.
“Who else should be a member of the Grand Ole Opry, but somebody that cares whether it lives on or doesn’t live on? And so the ones of us who do care should be filling up that membership.”
Johnson also praised the Grand Ole Opry’s current leadership, saying he believes the organization has taken steps to recognize artists who may have been overlooked during a time when fewer membership invitations were extended.
“I think that’s what they’ve been doing over the past several years. Dan Rogers has been really looking around the… And I’m not talking about just current artists. They know they left a bunch of you guys out back in the ’90s and he wasn’t in charge of it back then and can’t do nothing about it now except try and reach out. But that part is a little weird for me. We just celebrated my fourth year as a member, but I’ve been playing the Opry for over 21 years. And so there has to be some other way of representing your official anniversary and that sort of thing.”
When Lawrence revealed that he made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 1991, Johnson pointed out how strange it would feel for someone with such a long history on the Opry stage to only now begin celebrating their first official year as a member.
Lawrence revealed that his Opry debut took place in 1991, to which Johnson responded, “so we’re talking a long, long time.”
He continued, “And if you were to become a member now, you’d be 2027 celebrating your first year. And there’s just something a little off about that. But I think this current team at the Opry, they’re working real hard to correct some of those overlookings and things like that.”
Johnson then turned to Lawrence with a heartfelt wish for the future.
“And I would just tell you, just as your brother, man, I hope you come play the Opry and I hope they make you a member. And I hope you get to walk out there and have Tracy Lawrence night at the Opry.”
Lawrence appreciated the encouragement, but admitted he isn’t getting his hopes up.
Lawrence admitted, “I’d love to see that, but I ain’t holding my breath…Everything you’re speaking is all the truth, man.”
For more of Tracy Lawrence and Jamey Johnson’s conversation, watch the video below.
The post Jamey Johnson Reflects On Grand Ole Opry Membership, Says Tracy Lawrence And Other Overlooked Artists Deserve Recognition appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Cooking cabbage at the right temperature yields a nicely browned, super-tender dish that serves as a perfect centerpiece or a surprising side.
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Charley Crockett took a stand against Satanism in his statements about why he axed Twin Temple from his tour. But that doesn’t seem to be the half of what’s bothering him right now. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Charley Crockett took a stand against Satanism in his statements about why he axed Twin Temple from his tour. But that doesn’t seem to be the half of what’s bothering him right now. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Some customers have managed to bring their personal sandwich creations to life at Jersey Mike’s, earning unofficial names among those in the know.
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President Donald Trump said Monday he wants South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster to appoint Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve the remainder of the late senator’s term.
One Republican familiar with McMaster’s plans said the governor intends to appoint Nordone to serve in the Senate for the rest of the year. This person was granted anonymity to discuss the decision.
McMaster is expected to announce his decision about who will replace Graham during a press conference later Monday afternoon.
“I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina,” Trump said in a post on social media. “This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!”
Even if she’s appointed, it’s unclear if Nordone would want to run for the full term. A number of South Carolina Republicans have already expressed interest in taking over Graham’s seat since his death Sunday, including Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.).
Trump’s word carries significant weight in deeply conservative South Carolina, and his preference for a caretaker appointment triggers a wide-open primary to take Graham’s place as the Republican nominee for Senate.
In an interview on CNN on Monday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he spoke to both McMaster and Nordone on Sunday, and her appointment would make “a lot of sense.”
“I’ll let the governor make an announcement,” he said, but “I think in many respects it would be a way of extending Lindsey’s legacy here and certainly something that — if that’s what they decide to end up doing — I think there’d be a lot of support for it.”
State law stipulates that Republicans will have to run in a snap primary election on Aug. 11 –– but the significantly truncated runway ahead of the election benefits candidates who have recently run statewide campaigns, including Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Norman who both ran unsuccessfully for governor this cycle.
Cheyanne M. Daniels contributed to this report.
Politics
By: James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
Amid a series of disagreements with lawmakers in the state House and Senate, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has set a record for the most vetoes by an Alaska governor during a single two-year Legislature.
Through Friday morning, Dunleavy had vetoed 29 of the 115 bills passed by the 34th Alaska Legislature.
The previous record, 25 vetoes, was held by Gov. Tony Knowles in the 19th Alaska State Legislature, which ran from 1995 through 1996.
Dunleavy’s record is particularly notable because the number of bills passed by the Legislature has dropped precipitously in recent years.
During the 19th Legislature, Knowles’ vetoes accounted for 8.9% of all bills passed by lawmakers. Dunleavy’s vetoes cover more than 25% — one in four — of all bills passed by the 34th Legislature.
Dunleavy is a Republican. During his first six years in office — the 31st, 32nd and 33rd Legislatures — either the state House or Senate was controlled by a solidly Republican majority. During the 34th, both the House and the Senate have been controlled by coalition majorities where Democrats and independents hold some leadership roles.
The Beacon asked the governor’s office why the governor has vetoed so many bills during the 34th Legislature and whether there is a fundamental disagreement between the Legislature and governor.
“The fact that Governor Dunleavy has vetoed a few more bills in a legislative session than previous governors does not necessarily indicate a fundamental disagreement between the executive and legislative branches,” said Jeff Turner, the governor’s communications director, by email. “Governor Dunleavy has always evaluated legislation on a bill-by-bill basis.”
Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, declined to speak at length about the vetoes issue because legislators are currently negotiating with the governor on perhaps the biggest bill of the 34th Legislature: A multibillion-dollar property tax break benefiting the developer of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline.
Legislators may vote next week on whether to send a revised version of the tax break to the governor for approval.
Dunleavy has said he opposes the current version being discussed by a legislative conference committee. Asked this week whether he would veto the bill, he told Alaska’s News Source that it would be “tough” for him to accept it in its current form.
Eight other bills are awaiting the governor’s consideration. Those include House Bill 14, a comprehensive insurance bill; and House Bill 249, which changes the procedure for turning a car over to an insurance company after a wreck.
The governor has until Monday to act on HB 14 and until July 20 to act on HB 249.
The Legislature has not yet sent six other bills to the governor for action. Under the Alaska Constitution, that means the clock for final action has not begun.
While Dunleavy has the record for the most vetoes in a two-year Legislature, he does not hold the career record.
Gov. Jay Hammond, who served as governor from 1974 through 1982, issued 74 vetoes, the most of any governor during their career. Knowles vetoed 69 bills during his eight years in office. Gov. Bill Egan, who served 12 years in office, vetoed 56 bills. Dunleavy, who will leave office in December, has thus far vetoed 44.
Those figures do not include line-item vetoes in budget bills.
The Pennsylvania Dutch created popular dishes like whoopie pies, but they also gave rise to many lesser-known recipes, like Amish broccoli salad.
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