Latest news with #Turner
Chicago Tribune
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago Bears rookie outlook: Can 2nd-round pick Shemar Turner harness his fire and earn snaps on the D-line?
The Chicago Bears continued their offseason focus on the trenches when they drafted Texas A&M defensive tackle Shemar Turner with a second-round pick (No. 62) in April. The Bears already had signed defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo during free agency. But in Turner, general manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson saw a defensive tackle who plays with a fire they like. Here's what Bears fans need to know about Turner before rookies report for training camp Saturday. Turner was the Bears' third of three second-round picks after wide receiver Luther Burden and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo. Despite adding Jarrett to a defensive tackle rotation that already included Gervon Dexter, Andrew Billings, Zacch Pickens, Chris Williams and Jonathan Ford, the Bears put a high priority on adding depth to the defensive line in the draft. Turner might have his work cut out for him trying to find playing time in the rotation, but the Bears like his upside and this could be more of a long-term play. Just two years ago, Poles drafted Dexter and Pickens in the second and third rounds, respectively. Dexter has become a fixture on the defensive line, but Pickens hasn't produced much in somewhat limited opportunities. He appeared in only nine games last season, missing six because of a preseason groin injury. If Turner is going to compete for snaps, Pickens could be the one in danger of losing his. Turner grew up in the Dallas area and went to DeSoto High School, which has produced two dozen NFL players. He played alongside Seattle Seahawks 2024 first-round pick Byron Murphy on the defensive line and emerged as a top recruit in the Class of 2021. He committed to coach Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M and began his career with the Aggies as a defensive tackle, then switched to defensive end during his sophomore and junior seasons. He remained at Texas A&M after Fisher was fired following the 2023 season. When new coach Mike Elko and his staff arrived, they moved Turner back to tackle. Turner said he gained 30 pounds ahead of the 2024 season in order to make the position switch. In 12 games last season he totaled 36 tackles, 5½ tackles for a loss and two sacks. He suffered a stress fracture before the 2024 season and had surgery to insert a rod into his leg. The injury never healed properly and he played through it for the entire season. Turner did participate in the Bears offseason program and said he is 100% healthy now. Turner plays with an edge. That's what the Bears need on a defensive line that fell off late in 2024. But there's also a fine line. Turner was thrown out of a game against Mississippi in November 2023 for throwing multiple punches. 'Playing with fire like that is always good, but you've got to know how to control it,' he said. 'You can't let it control you. I feel like keeping it at a certain level, like right on the line, I could stay right on the line but just don't cross it and, man, I'll have a great career.' It's unclear how much playing time Turner will see as a rookie with a crowded depth chart at defensive tackle. If he can bring that fire when he does see the field, opposing offensive lines will feel it. For a player who moved back to tackle only last year, there could be a bit of an adjustment period in the NFL. Bears director of player personnel Trey Koziol suggested as much on draft night. 'Being able to be in a room with guys like Grady Jarrett and these veteran players, Andrew Billings and Gervon and these guys that have done it,' Koziol said, 'just to be able to take a little bit of what all those guys do and make it your own — I still think there's a lot of meat on the bone there in terms of that. 'Honestly, (it was) his first year doing it (at defensive tackle). But it'll be really fun. I know the coaches are really excited to work with him.' During the spring practice period, Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen suggested Turner is far from a finished product. 'We'll have to put the saddle on him and break him a little bit, you know?' said Allen, who also grew up in Texas and played at Texas A&M. The analogy might be hokey, but the sentiment makes some sense. With Jarrett, Dexter and Billings all likely to see a heavy volume of snaps, Turner won't have a ton of pressure to produce quickly. That's not always the case for players chosen in the second round. For Allen, Turner's athleticism is the first thing that shows up on the tape. 'You see explosion and power with this player,' he said. 'I think he's got the right temperament for what we're looking for.' On the first day of rookie minicamp in May, the Bears practiced on the outdoor field farthest from their Halas Hall training facility. It's a bit of a walk at the sprawling facility. Players typically will take a short ride in golf carts. But ahead of his first NFL practice, Turner declined the golf cart. 'It was surreal,' he said. 'Instead of taking a cart to the field, I walked and just tried to soak it in, a dream come true. Finally getting to do what I've been wanting to do for my whole life.' Turner will have many more of those welcome-to-the-NFL moments as he goes through his rookie season. Turner needs to show he can harness his aggressive style in a productive manner. With veterans above him on the depth chart, preseason games should be an invaluable opportunity for him to showcase what he can do. Expect him to see a fair amount of playing time in the three exhibitions. His most productive season in college, statistically speaking, came in 2023 when he was playing as an edge rusher. He needs to continue to show growth as a tackle and use his explosiveness to disrupt the quarterback from the middle. Turner might not emerge as a starter right away, and the Bears probably would be OK with that. But if fans can feel his presence when they start showing up for open practices at Halas Hall, that would be a good thing.
CNBC
5 hours ago
- Business
- CNBC
Trump's 'big beautiful bill' caps student loans. Here's what it means for borrowers
President Donald Trump's massive tax and spending package will bring sweeping changes to federal student loans, in part by capping how much money people can borrow from the federal government to pay for college and graduate school. Among other measures, the legislation, which Trump has called the "one big, beautiful bill," sets new limits for students and their families. The following changes go into effect for new borrowers on July 1, 2026: These new limitations "will reshape how students borrow," said Lesley Turner, an associate professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and a research fellow of the National Bureau of Economic Research. "Students are either going to borrow less or make up the difference with private loans, or they will not start or complete a graduate program," Turner said. More from Personal Finance:Trump's 'big beautiful bill' slashes CFPB funding78% say Trump's tariffs will make it harder to deal with debtTax changes under Trump's 'big beautiful bill' — in one chart Aspiring lawyers, doctors and dentists are most likely to be impacted by the new loan limits, Turner said. "It's quite a substantial cut in the loans students have access to." Roughly 9.3% of law students, 27.5% of medical school students and 60% of those in dentistry programs graduated with more debt in 2020 than is allowed under the new loan limits, according to calculations by higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz. In fact, the average cost of medical school already exceeds $200,000. At private institutions, the average cost is closer to $300,000. The new student loan caps "will affect many prospective medical and other health professions students and worsen the nation's persistent doctor shortage," David Skorton, president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges, said in a statement. Other experts say the new loan limits may provide a much-needed check on soaring tuition costs, which have jumped significantly in recent decades — outpacing inflation and other household expenses — leaving some students feeling priced out of higher education. Nearly every year, students and their families borrow more to cover the rising cost of attendance, a trend that has led to a ballooning of total outstanding student debt to more than $1.7 trillion. With new limits on how much people can borrow, high-priced schools might have to lower tuition or increase aid, Turner said. The limits on federal student loans are likely to spur students to find other lenders to bridge the gap. "The new loan limits for Parent PLUS loans and graduate/professional school loans will shift some borrowing from federal loans to private student loans," Kantrowitz said. "This will particularly impact low-income students, who are less likely to qualify for private student loans." Unlike federal loans, private student loan lenders rely on credit scores for the borrower — which could be the student, a parent or even another relative or friend as a cosigner — to determine eligibility and interest rate. "Access is by no means guaranteed," Turner said. As it stands, roughly 90% of student loans come from the federal government, and the remaining 10% are private student loans, according to the College Board. Students often turn to private student loans once they have reached the federal student loan limits and still need additional education financing. Already, private student loan volume is up significantly. Private student loan originations during the 2024-25 academic year jumped 8.63% from a year earlier, according to Enterval Analytics, a student loan data analysis firm. Private loans can also come with fewer safety nets and less flexible repayment options compared to federal loans.
North Wales Live
7 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Drugged-up driver who crashed killing 19-year-old said 'I just killed my friend'
A drugged-up man killed his best friend when he crashed his car as they travelled back from a rave where the driver had been taking ketamine and MDMA. Following his arrest for causing the death of his friend, Tymon Turner told police: "My friend is dead, I just killed my friend." Jac Walters, 19, suffered a severe head injury and was killed after the silver Ford Fiesta driven by Tymon Turner, now 21, collided into a bank and flipped onto its roof. Mr Walters was declared dead at the scene. A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Tuesday heard Jac, Turner and their friend Tom Beswick drove from their homes in Ceredigion on November 11, 2023, in order to attend a rave in the Forest of Dean, reports WalesOnline. All three teenagers were school friends and left at 10pm, arriving at the Forest of Dean between midnight and 12.30am on November 12. The rave started at around 1.30am, with Jac and the defendant drinking rum and coke. They spent the night dancing, with Turner taking at least three lines of ketamine, and MDMA. Mr Beswick said the defendant "felt the effects" of the ketamine, and he was "stumbling around" to keep his balance. The trio waited until around 8am for Tymon to sober up, but he wanted to go back to the rave so they remained there until 10.45am before heading back to the car. They sat in the car for an hour and Jac had taken the defendant's car keys out of concern for his condition. Despite this, Turner wanted the keys back and was "determined to drive". Mr Beswick said he and Jac told Turner he was "being f****** stupid". He added: "I had seen him sober up a bit more but I didn't think he should be driving." Eventually the friend relented and the keys were given back to Turner who wanted to drive to Bristol in order to get food. Shortly before 12pm, the defendant was driving along the A4136 near Monmouth with Mr Beswick in the passenger seat and Jac in the back seat. They were travelling downhill through a series of bends when Turner failed to take a right hand bend as a result of driving too fast and/or a misjudgement. In order to compensate, Turner hit the brake and oversteered to the left which caused the car to hit a left hand bank. As a result, he lost control of the vehicle which ended up on its roof. The speed of the Fiesta at the time of impact was believed to be 26mph. Following the collision, Jac was hanging halfway out of the car. He was not responsive and there was blood surrounding him. An off-duty nurse saw the aftermath of the crash and sought the assistance of a police car and passers-by. Shortly later, police officers and paramedics arrived at the scene and went to Jac's aid. They pulled him out of the car but he was unconscious and had suffered clear head injuries. The police spoke to Turner who smelt of intoxicants, and they tested the defendant for alcohol and drugs. He said he had taken the bend too fast and Jac wasn't wearing his seatbelt. He was also found in possession of a small bag containing 0.45g of cocaine. Jac died at the scene as a result of a severe head injury and Turner was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Following his arrest, the defendant was in shock and told officers: "My friend is dead, I just killed my friend." In custody, Turner provided a blood sample and gave a reading of 116 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of blood, the legal limit being 80 micrograms. He also gave readings of 45 micrograms of ketamine per 100ml of blood and 45 micrograms of MDMA in 100ml of blood, both of these results being over the legal limit. There was extensive damage to the nearside coroner of the Fiesta and scratching and denting on the roof. Both windows and the windscreen had been damaged and there was a severe impact to the offside. Turner, of Prince's Avenue, Aberaeron, told officers he was not guilty of dangerous driving, and said he believed the drugs and alcohol he had taken were "no longer in his system". The defendant later pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving, driving with excess drugs and alcohol and possession of cocaine. The court heard he was of previous good character. In a heart wrenching victim personal statement read to the court by prosecutor James Wilson, Jac's mother Donna said she would cherish the day before her son's death, when she saw him for the last time, for the rest of her life. She said: "We spent a lovely day shopping and Jac spent his birthday gift vouchers early. We had a bite to eat, sat in the car by the seafront, chatted and listened to the music he had produced. We spent that evening with close family." The next day, Donna said Jac had told her he was going to a music event, and she had told him not to go after hearing about issues on the M4. She said Jac reassured her, gave her a kiss and said goodbye. She added: "The following day in work I was approached by a police officer and received the worst news a mother could hear. I not only lost my son, I lost my best friend as well. Every element of my life has changed; physically, emotionally, financially and mentally. "Since the collision I am not able to sleep properly and I am unable to rest. I have dreams and nightmares about what happened to Jac, even though it's been a year since Jac's passing I still have dreams on a daily basis. They are graphic and vivid where he's still alive and we're talking but I wake up with my heart racing and hyperventilating. He is my last thought at night and my first thought in the morning." Donna said she was an "independent and confident woman" before Jac's death but she now suffered panic attacks, anxiety and overwhelming emotions. She said she found it hard going out in public, and feared bumping into people she knew who might not know about Jac's death, and she would have to explain what had happened." The statement continued: "Soon after losing my darling Jac I had to endure my first mother's day and birthday without him. I cannot find the words to describe the pain and anxiety of not being able to share any precious moments or milestones with Jac. "I used to like watching programmes about the emergency services but I can no longer watch them because I think of Jac and what he went through. I have flashbacks of how things may have looked when they attended the scene. It's another reminder of how Jac isn't here anymore." Donna said reliving the trauma of her son's death was "unbearable" and she was now nervous about being in a car herself, for fear of being involved in a collision. As a result of her mental health, she has not been able to return to work and has moved to a one-bedroom flat. She said her lifestyle had changed and she now attended a number of support groups with people who had suffered similar tragedies. She said: "In my darkest moments I contemplated taking steps to be with Jac, I miss him so much and want to be with him but I have a daughter and grandchildren and would never willingly put them through the pain and grief living with.... Jac's death left me asking what I have done to deserve all this hurt and pain. I have always tried to help people and work hard, and think of what ifs and if things could have been different. "We are part of a large family and group of friends, Jac's loss has broken so many hearts. Jac's loss has affected every part of my life and things will never be the same again. I have been left heartbroken and miss him every single day." In mitigation, Owen Williams said Turner was full of "regret, remorse, grief and guilt" as a result of causing his friend's death and had apologised to Jac's family for the immeasurable loss they had suffered. Sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams said: "Jac was the treasured son of Donna, a much loved brother, grandson and friend. His death has devastated Donna and no doubt others close to him. "I am satisfied you (Turner) are remorseful and regret what happened. You are described as a normally level headed young man with good intentions and a sound moral compass. "This is a desperately sad case. You've deprived your friend of his future and consigned his loved ones to a life of unimaginable sadness. Life will never be the same and no sentence this court can pass will reconcile them to their loss." Turner was sentenced to a total of four years and eight months detention in a young offenders' institute. He was also disqualified from driving for five years upon his release from prison. Following the hearing, PS Shane Draper, of Gwent Police, said: "This is a tragic case that has resulted in the needless loss of a life. I would like to thank all those who provided information to assist in our investigation, and offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr Walters. "Driving under the influence of a substance will impair your ability to drive; there is no excuse for it. You may feel fine, you make look fine, but you could be over the limit for drink and drugs. Turner drove carelessly while unfit through both alcohol and illegal drugs and lost control of the vehicle. His failure to pay attention at all times and then drive while unfit has caused devastating consequences. "The importance of driving carefully is never more poignant than in this case. Impaired driving destroys lives. Our message is clear – make the right decision – and never get behind the wheel if you've been drinking alcohol or taking drugs. As this case highlights, driving under the influence can have life-changing, or even life-ending, consequences."
North Wales Chronicle
11 hours ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Anglesey interior designer named finalist in national award
Anglesey-based Mairead Turner, founder of Mairead and Co Interiors, is a finalist in the 2025 British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) Interior Design Awards. She is the only finalist from Wales. Her shortlisted project, The Papered House, is a Georgian property in Beaumaris that has been transformed into a modern holiday home. Her shortlisted project, The Papered House, is a Georgian property in Beaumaris (Image: Supplied) Ms Turner said: "It's such an honour to be recognised by the British Institute of Interior Design. "To be the only Welsh finalist makes it even more special as it really validates all the hard work we've put in, especially as someone who's self-trained. "It's incredibly encouraging as we take on bigger and more exciting projects." Ms Turner's path to interior design began after a career in the performing arts, including 20 years in dance production. She founded Mairead and Co Interiors in 2019. Ms Turner is married to Robin Turner, co-founder of Dylan's Restaurant group, and is a mother to two daughters. One of her most recent projects was the redesign of Caffi Meinir at Nant Gwrtheyrn, a former quarry village on the Llŷn Peninsula. Her interest in interiors began when she renovated her family home in Penmon. Ms Turner said: "When we moved to North Wales, Robin was working non-stop while still running his café in Leeds, and I was home with two little ones and working for The Arts Council. "That's when I decided to pour my energy into revamping the house. "My dad has always been hands-on with property renovations, so it wasn't totally alien to me. "But this time, I had the freedom to really express myself." Ms Turner soon found herself designing a friend's home, which led to further freelance work. Ms Turner's path to interior design began after a career in the performing arts (Image: Supplied) She said: "I didn't set out with a grand plan, I was just following my instincts and people seemed to love the results." Her company's latest project, The Papered House, was completed in partnership with architect Adrian Williamson and a team of local craftspeople. Ms Turner said: "This project was a dream, the clients gave us total trust to deliver a full turnkey service. "We designed and sourced everything from the floors and kitchen fittings right down to the light bulbs. "It was a huge responsibility, but also incredibly rewarding. READ MORE: Solo sailor rescued after yacht runs aground near Newborough What is the Salt Path and the controversy around it as author delays next book She added: "The result is elegant, inviting, and full of character, and to see it now recognised on a national platform still feels surreal – I keep having to pinch myself." She hopes to expand her studio and take on more commercial, residential, and conservation work in the future. The BIID judging panel will visit shortlisted projects over the summer. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at Drapers' Hall in London on October 23.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mumbai, Delhi among world's best in QS student cities rankings
AI image NEW DELHI: Mumbai and Delhi have posted impressive gains in QS Best Student Cities 2026 rankings, reinforcing India's growing profile in global higher education. Mumbai has re-entered the coveted global top 100, climbing 15 places to secure the 98th position, while Delhi advanced seven spots to 104th. Delhi stood out in the affordability category, being ranked as most affordable student city in the world. Mumbai and Bengaluru also performed strongly on this parameter, being placed within the global top 15. The QS ranking report noted that this is an indication of National Education Policy-2020's (NEP) focus on global engagement and student-centric learning. These gains reflect a strengthening momentum in India's education ecosystem, with its metropolises emerging as increasingly attractive destinations for both domestic and international students. Four Indian metro cities - Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai - featured in the rankings and have improved their positions this year. Bengaluru saw the most dramatic leap, soaring 22 places to rank 108th, while Chennai moved up 12 spots to 128th. In the employer activity indicator, Delhi and Mumbai broke into the world's top 50, underscoring the strong employment prospects for graduates from these cities. Bengaluru made a remarkable 41-place leap in this category to 59th, and Chennai advanced 29 spots, reflecting a growing global recognition of Indian graduates' skill set. CEO of QS Jessica Turner said India's ascent in the rankings was "more than a statistical bump" and pointed to a deeper transformation. "As we approach the fifth anniversary of NEP-2020, its focus on global engagement, quality enhancement and student-centric learning is starting to bear fruit on the international stage," she said. "If this momentum continues, backed by reform and rising global visibility, we're likely to witness an even sharper upward trajectory before the decade is out," Turner said. The QS Best Student Cities 2026 ranking assessed 150 cities worldwide. This year's edition highlights a notable shift in the global education landscape - Seoul displaced London to claim the top spot for the first time, while Tokyo held its second position. London, which had dominated the rankings for six consecutive years, slipped to third, largely due to a steep decline in affordability, where it dropped 11 places to rank 137th globally. Where Indian cities scored low was in student mix indicator (number of international students, and how inclusive the city and country is), with Mumbai at the bottom (150), Bengaluru at 148, Chennai at 146 and Delhi at 147. Asia's rise is equally striking in this edition. Alongside Seoul's triumph, Kuala Lumpur entered the global top 15 for the first time at 12th, while Beijing 13th and Taipei 14th achieved their highest-ever positions. Hong Kong also climbed five places to 17th. Over the past decade, India has recorded a 390% increase in number of universities featured in QS World University Rankings. That upward trajectory is now mirrored at the city level, with Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai establishing themselves as globally connected and opportunity-rich destinations for students.
