Raiders' rookies will play large role in 2014

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Derek Carr, Khalil Mack and Gabe Jackson are just three of a full rookie class of draftees poised to contribute to Oakland in 2014 season. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Rookie-Class-to-Play-Prominent-Role-273573671.html

Preparing for College 2014/ U-T Special Section

Wrote more than 20 stories for special section published Sept. 1, 2014, on all topics related to preparing for college as a high school student and adapting to college as a freshman. A link to the entire section: http://sandiegouniontribune.ca.newsmemory.com/special.php?date=20140901

49ers have issues heading into 2014 season

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The arrest of Ray McDonald is just one of many concerns the 49ers have with Game 1 of the regular season approaching this week. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Have-Issues-Heading-into-Season-Opener-273457981.html

Raiders' Murray primed for a breakout season

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: No. 3 running back Latavius Murray could be No. 1 for the Raiders by the end of the 2014 season. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Murray-Poised-for-Breakout-Season-273455841.html

Prediction: Osgood over Lloyd for roster spot

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Special teams ace Kassim Osgood appears to have earned a spot on the roster. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/For-49ers-It-Appears-Osgood-is-in-Lloyd-is-Out-273186841.html

Denarius Moore appears to have won a job

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With a solid game Thursday night and a strong training camp, receiver Denarius Moore appears to have won a job with Raiders. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Moore-Has-Earned-a-Spot-273183051.html

Will Carr's big night earn Raiders' QB job?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Rookie QB Derek Carr is terrific in long audition vs. Seahawks, leading four TD drives, and may have earned the starting job for season opener. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Carr-Puts-on-a-Show-273141501.html

Niners' B Team tops Texans' B Team

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With very few starters playing for either side, rookies and free agents for the 49ers beat Houston in the final exhibition game. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/No-Pain-Means-a-Gain-for-49ers-in-Summer-Finale-273130341.html

Grand Canyon will begin interim permit process for some rim-to-rim runners and hikers while master plan is completed

The Grand Canyon has become so popular with ultra runners doing rim-to-rim and rim-to-rim-to-rim runs, and long-distance hikers, that the National Park Service will institute an interim regulation process in September for the first time. The process will coincide with public comment on a new backcountry management plan. My story for ESPN.com Endurance Sports: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/

Winston grateful for opportunity with 49ers

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Running back Glenn Winston, signed late in training camp, had a big day vs. Chargers yet still faces long odds to make the opening-game roster. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Winston-Relishing-Chance-With-49ers-272886641.html

Carrie, Thorpe competing for final Raiders CB job

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With D.J. Hayden lost to injury, rookie T.J. Carrie and former Canadian Football Leaguer Neiko Thorpe are dueling for the final cornerback job. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Carrie-Thorpe-Battling-for-No-3-Cornerback-Spot-272885501.html

Wilhoite shows he's primed to step in for Bowman

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The coaches haven't announced yet that Michael Wilhoite will start the season as NaVorro Bowman's replacement, but it's obvious he'll be the starter. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Wilhoite-Appears-Ready-to-Step-in-For-Bowman-272722561.html

Derek Carr eager for start vs. Seahawks

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With Matt Schaub nursing a sore elbow, rookie QB Derek Carr will start final exhibition vs. Seattle. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Carr-Eager-for-Playing-Time-vs-Seahawks-272717661.html

San Diego newscaster Loren Nancarrow is gone, yet not forgotten by his many viewers, fans and friends

Loren Nancarrow died of brain cancer last December, yet still was voted best local newscaster in a reader poll by U-T San Diego this month. Why did so many San Diegans feel a connection to him? There were many reasons. My story for U-T San Diego: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/aug/24/tp-newscaster-leaves-impression-on-san-diego/

Paralympic rower KateLynne Steinke is proving to be a quick study

KateLynne Steinke grew up on Cape Cod, yet hated watersports. But in March, she gave a ride to a friend to a Paralympic tryout, took her shot on the rowing machine -- and discovered she registered at an elite level. Now Steinke, who lost a leg because of a motor vehicle accident and became paralyzed because of an infection, is rowing in the world championships for Team USA. My story for TeamUSA.org: http://www.teamusa.org/us-paralympics/features/2014/august/25/katelynne-steinke-is-a-natural-with-an-oar

Where is the 49ers' offense?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The 49ers' first team offense has been largely missing in three exhibition games this summer. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Offense-Still-Missing-in-Action-272577531.html

Jones-Drew looks renewed for Raiders

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Maurice Jones-Drew, as he showed vs. the Packers, is revitalized with new team. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Raiders-Jones-Drew-Looks-Renewed-272572811.html

In 3rd exhibition, 49ers have some bright spots

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: In their third exhibition, a win over the Chargers, 49ers' rookies and backup QB Blaine Gabbert take some big steps forward. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Niners-Have-Some-Bright-Spots-in-Victory-Over-Chargers-272503551.html

Raiders' QB Schaub is again shaky

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: In his third exhibition game, Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub turns in another low-quality start. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Schaub-Again-Shaky-in-Raiders-Loss-272389251.html

Can Osgood win numbers game in 49ers camp?

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Kassim Osgood is a difference-maker on special teams, but can he make the 49ers' roster with six wideouts seeming to be locks? http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Osgood-Facing-a-Numbers-Game-With-49ers-272296191.html