The tweet said that the COVID positivity rate increased to 20 percent on Sunday with 2,619 new confirmed cases out of a total 12,831 tests that day. The department on Sunday reported 9,545 positive tests out of 59,139, approximately 16 percent, since Thursday. On Sunday, a news release from the department said 449 people were hospitalized with COVID, twice the number from the previous week. “Another 1,231 people in Louisiana have been reinfected with COVID-19 in the same time frame,” the release said, mentioning that reinfections are not counted on the department’s COVID-19 dashboard....

“The situation we’re in now is largely because we haven’t been able to get the vaccine that we need,” said Brad Hazzard, New South Wales’ state health minister. Surges have been breaking out across Australia, causing nearly half the population to be placed under lockdown last week. Sydney and its surrounding area remain the only part of the country still in lockdown. For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below:...

While lucky Cowboys fans in Los Angeles will get free frozen treats and grooming gear delivered by Murray, he’s also getting revved up for the Cowboys’ upcoming training camp, which kicks off in nearby Oxnard, Calif., on July 24. Murray talked to Sporting News about his summer off the field and his expectations for him and his team this season. MORE: NFL’s dangerous offenses | Cowboy riches | Kyle Orton released Sporting News: How do you feel going into camp and what do you expect for the season?...

The longtime Cowboys tight end shocked everyone when he stepped away from a cushy gig in the “Monday Night Football” booth to strap his helmet back on and rejoin Dallas. Now back at field level, Witten is finding new ways to motivate himself at age 37. He said a recent trip to Duke with a few teammates included a dinner with hall of fame basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. During the meal, Krzyzewski told a story from his USA basketball days that resonated with Witten....

Gregory, who was originally handed a four-game suspension in February for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, had another 10-game suspension tacked on due to an unspecific additional infraction. He has already started his four-game suspension, and adding 10 more games will keep him out through Week 14. It is unclear whether Gregory violated the substance abuse policy by failing or missing a test. Despite being a highly-touted pass rusher out of Nebraska, Gregory, a second-round pick in 2015, recorded just 11 tackles and zero sacks last season in Dallas....

Dallas on Tuesday cut Ryan Williams, who reportedly had another knee surgery after June minicamp. Further, the Cowboys are not interested in signing Ray Rice, according to the Fort Worth-Star Telegram. MORE: NFC East’s hottest camp battles | Why Rice can’t (and shouldn’t) land roster spot That leaves Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar, Joseph Randle and Lache Seastrunk in Dallas’ stable, which could become more crowded during training camp, the Star Telegram reports....

The Dallas Cowboys quarterback has two options: undergo surgery, known as the Mumford procedure, which involves shaving a portion of clavicle, or the more conventional method of having a plate installed. He’s leaning toward the Mumford procedure, according to the Dallas Morning News. MORE: Top 25 NFL free agents for 2016 | Cowboys disappointed by Gregory’s suspension “We don’t have a final (decision),” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told the newspaper....

WARNING: The language in the video is NSFW. MORE: Packers-Cowboys was a wake-up call: Never take good kickers for granted Usually a fan is pretty remorseful after destroying his or her TV in a moment of rage. This fan went back for more, punching at the TV to make sure it was really dead.

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly set to star in the upcoming five-episode “Hard Knocks” season, set to air on Aug. 10: MORE: Who did Dallas take in 2021 NFL Draft? Of course, everything’s bigger in Texas, so expect this upcoming season of HBO’s long-running behind-the-scenes look at NFL training camp should be a real doozy. Dallas is coming off an ugly 6-10 season that saw it start four quarterbacks, so that in and of itself could make for an interesting look at training camp....

Though Smith was easily one of the most talented players in the draft, his playing status was in doubt, not just for this year, but his entire career. Smith suffered nerve damage in his left leg while playing for Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl last year, which had many wondering if he’d ever play again. The first step was getting that pesky nerve to re-activate, then he had to re-gain his form and strength....

Dallas is a three-point favorite in this game and the total is 43.5, but there are more betting options than just the spread and total for this game. Here are some other bets to look at when these teams face off tonight. MORE: Get the latest NFL odds & betting trends from Sports Insider Dak Prescott over/under 277.5 passing yards Prescott has had a sensational season. He is leading the league in passing yards, proving that he was right to bet on himself in a contract year....

In the past, discussing medical issues and getting medical advice over the phone was not reimbursed by insurance or billed to patients. Recently, some private insurance companies have begun to pay for patient-to-provider phone calls, especially when the calls are prolonged and when medical decisions are made. Nevertheless, you may be billed for the whole cost, or you may have to pay a co-pay. While you shouldn’t hesitate to call your doctor, you should familiarize yourself with your doctor’s policy and your insurer’s policy about phone calls and online correspondence....

After Chicago lost for the 10th time in its last 16 games Wednesday to the Braves, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said the seven-time All-Star was “on his way right now” to join the club. Kimbrel was officially recalled from Triple-A Iowa and added to Chicago’s 25-man roster Thursday. He should be available to pitch in the series finale against the Braves. Kimbrel, 31, most recently pitched a clean ninth inning at Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday....

So yes, the rules that are opening up the game of college basketball are giving McDermott an average of 4.6 more points a game than he was averaging a year ago. Granted, this season’s sample size is miniscule, but McDermott can say he’s the highest scorer among major conference players. While the Bluejays have a Sporting News first-team All-American at their disposal for the remainder of the season, one thing that Creighton’s 86-80 loss to San Diego State on Friday exposed is the Bluejays’ lack of size....

Juventus forward Dybala was among the surprise omissions from the Argentina squad for March friendlies against Italy and Spain, with Inter captain Mauro Icardi also missing out. Sampaoli has suggested it is not too late for both strikers to seal a spot on the plane to Russia although there is fierce competition, with Argentina boasting strong forward options including Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Dybala’s Juve team-mate Gonzalo Higuain....

Three points over Antonio Conte’s side moved United back inside the top four, but the result played second fiddle to Ronaldo’s own outrageous record-breaking performance. His first hat trick since returning to United in the summer of 2021 brought his career total up to 807 goals, as the highest-ever goal scorer in recognized FIFA matches. There to watch it all was a GOAT in his own right: NFL legend Tom Brady was at Old Trafford to watch the Portuguese superstar and witnessed a vintage performance....

The 2018 finalists looked sluggish coming into this match, but they put on a masterful performance against Neymar and Brazil. With the game scoreless in regulation, it appeared that the journey was over for Croatia, as Neymar scored in added time of the first extra-time half, but Bruno Petkovic’s 117th-minute equalizer sent the match to penalties. There, Dominik Livakovic, the hero of the penalty shootout against Japan, came up big again, saving Rodrygo’s first effort to put Croatia ahead....

LIVE: Follow Brazil vs. Croatia updates from the World Cup 2018 finalists Croatia battled past Japan in the Round of 16, with Zlatko Dalic’s side needing a penalty shootout to clinch a last eight spot, as the Samba Boys danced their way past South Korea. The stakes are high ahead of this clash, with Croatia looking to banish the ghost of a final defeat in Russia four years ago, and Brazil aiming to reach a first World Cup final in 20 years....

The incident in question occurred during a Serie B encounter on Saturday. Everton 7/2 to beat Southampton A forgettable contest which ended in a 0-0 draw produced few moments of note, but Croce looks set to dominate the post-match headlines. He faced no action from the match officials after clashing with Padella, but could be stung by retrospective punishment. While his actions were not spotted by those in charge of proceedings, they were caught on camera....

The injured estuarine crocodile—which was more than 11 feet long—was found with a steel arrow piercing its body and several stab wounds to its neck and throat in northern Queensland, Australia. The Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DES) said its wildlife officers captured and removed the crocodile from the river after a member of the public spotted it swimming near moored boats in the Johnstone River near Innisfail, on Friday....