Is turmeric a super food or is it just super hyped? Ancient spice has healthful qualities, and some studies show it fights cancer

For centuries, turmeric has been a staple spice in Asian cuisine and medicine. In the past two decades, it's also been touted as a great benefit for health. Studies have shown it has cancer-fighting qualities. But is it just an overhyped super food or a real, powerful antidote for bad health? My story for the Health section of the Union-Tribune. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-turmeric-20180625-story.html

Three Raiders among NFL's Top 100 players

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Khalil Mack, Derek Carr and Bruce Irvin voted to NFL's Top 100 players list. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Mack-Carr-and-Irvin-Make-NFLs-Top-100-List-486695881.html

Lynch ranked among NFL's best GMs

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In a very short time, 49ers GM John Lynch has become one of the most lauded NFL executives.https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Lynch-Ranked-Among-NFLs-Top-General-Managers-486692121.html

Raiders showing interest in Miss. St. safety

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Raiders are scouting a safety from Mississippi State who will be eligible for the upcoming supplemental draft. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Show-Interest-in-Cornerback-from-Mississippi-State-486578031.html

Can 49ers be a playoff team in 2018?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Some see many reasons why 49ers could be a playoff team in 2018. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Will-49ers-Grow-into-a-Playoff-Team-in-2018-486569751.html

Tomlinson the likely starter at left guard

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The Niners give Laken Tomlinson a three-year extension, basically handing him the starting job at left guard. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Believe-in-Guard-Laken-Tomlinson-486459721.html

Nelson gets boost from new Raiders defense

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Safety Reggie Nelson had an off year in 2017, but his new defensive coordinator is his old D.C. from his time with the Bengals and believes strongly in his ability. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Guenther-Believes-in-Reggie-Nelson-486463581.html

Trent Taylor was 49ers' Mr. Clutch

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: As a rookie, wide receiver Trent Taylor was one of the NFL's best in the fourth quarter or overtime. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Trent-Taylor-was-Mr-Clutch-for-49ers-Late-in-Games-486262521.html

Report: Raiders' Bryant could face suspension

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Wide receiver Martavis Bryant may be penalized for violating league policy on banned substances, according to reports. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Will-Raiders-Lose-Wide-Receiver-Martavis-Bryant-486267001.html

Foster-Smith linebacker duo could be special

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Head coach Kyle Shanahan is eager to see the Malcolm Smith and Reuben Foster pairing at inside linebacker. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Shanahan-Eager-to-See-Foster-Smith-Duo-at-Linebacker-486157501.html

Raiders running game will get some Smith power

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Cowboys fullback Keith Smith loves to smack defenders, and he'll get his chance playing for Jon Gruden. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Keith-Smith-Eager-to-Open-Holes-for-Raiders-Running-Backs-486164011.html

Was Allen worst move by Raiders in last decade?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Over the past 10 years, the Raiders have made plenty of mistakes. Was hiring Dennis Allen as head coach the worst of them? https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Several-Mistakes-of-Past-Decade-Still-Haunt-Raiders-486036291.html

Pats considered trading Gronk to 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: This offseason, the Patriots were considering trading tight end Rob Gronkowski to the Bay Area. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Report-Pats-Considered-Trading-Gronkowski-to-49ers-486032921.html

Whitewater kayaker Elaine Campbell travels the country (and world) seeking new rivers to tame

Each summer, Elaine Campbell, her husband and pets travel the U.S. to compete in whitewater kayaking events. They also just love to find new rivers to experience and explore. Campbell also has been part of the U.S. kayak teams in international competitions. My story on her for ESPNW.com: http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/23660588/world-class-whitewater-kayaker-elaine-campbell-spends-summer-search-rivers-conquer

So far, 49ers' draft class looks promising

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Mike McGlinchey, Dante Pettis, Fred Ward and Tarvarius Moore will likely play large roles for the 49ers in 2018. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Draft-Class-Looks-Promising-485932711.html

Carr may work more from under center

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB Derek Carr may work less out of the shotgun in 2018 in Jon Gruden's system. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Carr-May-Work-Less-out-of-Shotgun-in-2018-485935801.html

Bourne is rolling through 49ers' offseason program

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Receiver Kendrick Bourne is continuing the momentum from his rookie season. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Bourne-is-Standing-Out-in-a-Crowded-Field-485826011.html

Rookie tackles Miller, Parker making progress

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker are showing the Raiders they are quick learners. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Like-What-They-See-of-Pair-of-Rookie-Tackles-485828911.html

Rookie Warner is showing his football IQ every day

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie linebacker Fred Warner impresses his teammates and coaches every day.https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Rookie-Linebacker-Warner-Making-Rapid-Progress-485571151.html

Conley, healthy again, says, "I'm back"

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Second-year cornerback Gareon Conley is thrilled to be fit and healthy again. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/A-Healthy-Conley-Looks-Good-to-Raiders-485574591.html

Raiders hack Hackenberg from roster

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB Christian Hackenberg is released by the Raiders just weeks after being acquired in a trade. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Say-Goodbye-to-Christian-Hackenberg-485379531.html

Sherman rehab right on target for training camp

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Richard Sherman is back on the field and feeling ready to play again. http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23773361/oakland-raiders-cut-christian-hackenberg

Raiders add two more older defenders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland signs two defensive linemen in their 30s to compete with younger players. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Still-Tinkering-With-Their-Roster-485258631.html

Niners love TE trio of Kittle, Celek and Hikutini

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers will go into this season with a talented trio of tight ends. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Eager-to-See-What-Tight-End-Trio-Can-Do-in-2018-485255061.html

49ers' offseason program will close this week

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers have a three-day mandatory minicamp this week, then will break until July's training camp. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Head-Into-Final-Week-of-Offseason-Program-485138131.html

Guenther eager for Mack to report

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: New defensive coordinator Paul Guenther says Khalil Mack must report soon or he'll have too much to catch up on for training camp. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Guenther-Eager-for-Mack-to-Report-This-Week-485142541.html

Ex-Lion may add teeth to Raiders' defense

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Lions linebacker Tahir Whitehead wants to make the Raiders defense more physical. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Former-Lion-Adds-Teeth-to-Raiders-Defense-484960231.html?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_BAYBrand

College professor Lisa Sheehan-Smith feeds her competitive side by competing in national and international figure skating competititons

Lisa Sheehan-Smith grew up in Canada, but never really learned to skate properly until she moved to Tennessee for college. Now, at 59, the college professor talks about her many years competing across the U.S. and the world in age-group championships. My story for ESPNW.com: http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/23607240/at-59-lisa-sheehan-smith-placing-competitive-figure-skating

Raiders defense must create more turnovers

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Coordinator Paul Guenther is drilling into his players the idea that they must take the ball away from opponents to be successful. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Defense-Hoping-to-Create-More-Turnovers-484855641.html

Pettis gives 49ers an artistic wide receiver

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Second-round pick Dante Pettis is an artist, writer and reader with a passion for the arts. His new coaches with the 49ers say he's also extremely talented and smart. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Love-What-Pettis-Brings-to-the-Wide-Receiving-Corps-484850791.html

Raiders pleasantly surprised by Carradine

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Defensive lineman Tank Carradine, formerly of the 49ers, has been even better than expected, say Oakland Raiders coaches. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Impressed-With-ex-49er-Tank-Carradine-484695511.html

Niners Garoppolo is 'ascending every day'

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: QB Jimmy Garoppolo keeps impressing his new teammates and coaches this offseason. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Garoppolo-is-Ascending-Every-Day-484700191.html

Bolden's suspension may hurt chances

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Victor Bolden Jr. faced tough odds of making the 49ers roster, and a suspension for using banned substances won't help his cause. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Boldens-Odds-to-Make-49ers-Get-a-Bit-Longer-484592071.html

Ex-Chief Johnson has one exceptional talent

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Linebacker Derrick Johnson, 35, will play for the Raiders in 2018, and will help with pass coverage. He was the NFL's best inside linebacker at defending the pass in 2017. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Derrick-Johnson-Should-Benefit-Raiders-Pass-Coverage-484482301.html

At 44, Terrell Owens says he wants to play for 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Terrell Owens burned his bridge to the 49ers years ago, yet now, at 44, he says he'd like to come back and catch passes from Jimmy Garoppolo. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/At-44-Terrell-Owens-Says-He-Wants-to-Play-for-49ers-484479381.html

Elder abuse can come in many forms. One expert details how people can help protect their elderly loved ones

Former deputy district attorney Paul Greenwood prosecuted elder-abuse crimes in San Diego for more than 20 years, and passes on tips to help protect our loved ones. My story for the Union-Tribune: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/caregiver/staying-healthy/their-health-safety/sd-me-caregiver-greenwood-20180604-story.html

Silvia Payan was overwhelmed as a caregiver until she learned to ask for help, educate herself and seek support

After Silvia Payan's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Silvia's life seemed to disappear. A few years later, she's in a much better position. My story on her for the San Diego Union-Tribune: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/caregiver/dementia-care/caregiving-strategies/sd-me-caregiver-profile-20180604-story.html

Change in diet and discovering exercise have given Marina Yanay-Triner a whole new life

Marina Yanay-Triner always had health issues, until she switched to a vegan diet. That, combined with discovering how good exercise feels, has made her healthier and more active than ever before. My story on her for the U-T Health section's Active San Diego series: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/sd-he-active-triner-20180604-story.html

Raiders are feeding off the intensity of Jon Gruden

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: At OTAs this week, many veteran Raiders spoke up about how new head coach Jon Gruden's intensity is making football fun and challenging. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-are-Feeding-off-Jon-Grudens-Intensity-484287871.html

49ers' Cassius Marsh excites coaches

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Cassius Marsh got a two-year deal from the 49ers this offseason, but that hasn't impacted his passion at all. He's still playing hungry. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-See-Big-Potential-in-Cassius-Marsh-484284461.html

Cassie Smith is a true-blue Mountaineer, a mountain biking standout from the peaks and hills of West Virginia

Cassie Smith didn't ride a mountain bike until she was 22, but she fell in love with riding trails the first time she did it. Now Smith is a three-time national champ in her age division and the director of a West Virginia organization that gets kids involved in the sport. My story for ESPNW.com: http://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/article/23607240/three-time-national-mountain-biking-champ-cassie-smith-wants-spread-sport-kids-need