The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week ordered Norfolk Southern to continue cleaning up creeks in East Palestine, Ohio, where there are still visible effects of the February derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan visited East Palestine earlier this week, and the agency said 98% of the excavation of the derailment site has been completed.

EPA says as of this month, there has been an estimated 148,662 tons of solid waste and 34.3 million gallons of wastewater hauled out and shipped. Solid waste is being incinerated or placed in specially-designed landfills designed to minimize the chance of releasing hazardous waste into the environment.

Now, EPA says it is ordering “a similarly comprehensive investigation of oil-contaminated sediments in the creeks.”

Norfolk Southern said the order “formalizes the continuation of work that has been ongoing since the derailment,” and that the company “remains cooperative.”

Wall Street’s worst week in a month closes out with more losses

Wall Street closed out its worst week in a month with more losses.

The S&P 500 fell 1.3% Friday. The Dow lost 286 points, and the Nasdaq composite dropped 1.5%. The stock market has been under pressure from the bond market, where the yield on the 10-year Treasury briefly touched 5% Thursday evening for the first time since 2007.

High yields make borrowing more expensive for everyone, and they slow the economy while dragging on investment prices. The 10-year yield eased Friday, but only after hanging near 4.99% in the morning. Crude oil prices fluctuated, and gold’s price rose.

Framingham-based HomeGoods is getting out of the online shopping business after only two years.

Final orders from customers will be taken today, the company said in an email.

The site isn’t going away. HomeGoods.com will continue to provide décor inspiration and trends for customers, said Andrew Mastrangelo, a spokesman for TJX Cos., which also owns TJMaxx, Marshalls and Sierra.

“We’ve made the decision to focus our resources on our more than 900 brick-and-mortar stores across the United States,” he said.

The company boasts 25 locations in Greater Boston. Its online store locator shows four locations in the immediate area including Boston itself, Chelsea, Somerville and Cambridge, and dotting the landscape west toward Northborough; north to Salem, N.H.; and south to Marshfield.

Off-price brands were late to online shopping. The unpredictability of closeout merchandise and the quantities available makes offprice retailing more difficult. Competitor Burlington uses its website to promote discounts but doesn’t sell online.

TJMaxx.com started selling online in 2013 and Homegoods.com launched its e-commerce during the pandemic in 2021.

The retailer, which promotes a treasure hunt experience, with new goods coming in regularly, wants customers to venture to its stores or to shop its other brands, which will maintain their online business, online at tjmaxx.com, marshalls.com and sierra.com, Mastrangelo said.

HomeGoods continues to open new stores. Employees affected by the decision to close the online business are being offered jobs within the company, Mastrangelo said.

A version of this story first appeared in the Dallas Morning News. Herald reporter Flint McColgan contributed to this version.

UPDATE: 2:35 p.m. Saturday

Not a lot of fantasy news this afternoon. The most noteworthy note is that Las Vegas quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will miss tomorrow’s game in Chicago, making the bye week’s depleted pool of adequate QBs even shallower.

Notable players added to the out list include Rams RB Kyren Williams, Detroit WR Marvin Jones and Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth.

Two players will be returning to the field this week: Pittsburgh wideout Diontae Johnson and Miami running back Jeff Wilson have been cleared to play tomorrow..

Seattle WR D.K. Metcalf is said to be a game-time decision for the Seahawks’ late afternoon matchup with Arizona.

As for news of more local interest, the Vikings’ opponent Monday night, San Francisco, is mum today on the status of star RB Christian McCaffrey and WR Deebo Samuel.

ORIGINAL POST: noon Wednesday

There are few moments more painful in fantasy football than when teams employing a one-quarterback strategy watch their quarterback go down.

Such a tragedy struck The Loop last week when our solo QB, Chicago’s Justin Fields, dislocated his thumb against the Vikings.

It was the latest setback of Fields’ hot-cold season, knocking him out for this week and some time beyond. It left our roster QB-free. And if you think there are a bunch of replacement options as we head into Week 7, you’d be mistaken.

This is the biggest bye week of the year, with the Bengals, Cowboys, Titans, Jets, Panthers and Texans idle. So lots of fantasy mavens will be desperate for a quarterback, and the pickings are mighty slim. In our league, this would be the less-than-magnificent seven best options for a quick QB replacement for this week:

Geno Smith (Seahawks vs. Cardinals) – Clearly The Loop’s best option. Though the veteran has only five TD passes in five games, he is averaging about 234 yards per game. And he’s coming off a nice 323-yard effort in Cincinnati.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 15: Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks slides while under pressure by Mike Hilton #21 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers vs. Falcons) – He’s hurt, and he admits “I sucked” last week against Detroit. But the former insurance pitchman is averaging a little over 200 yards, has thrown for seven 7 TDs and has a nice set of receivers.

TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 15: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Raymond James Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Daniel Jones (Giants vs. Commanders) – Tyrod Taylor looked better than him last week in Buffalo when Jones was out with a neck injury. And Jones has many more sacks (28) than touchdown passes (3). But he is, by far, the best runner of this bunch.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 08: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants is tackled against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Joshua Dobbs (Cardinals vs. Seahawks) – He and the Cards have been better than expected, though their 1-5 record is not. Dobbs has averaged about 200 yards and a TD per game, but he’ll be on the road against an improved Seattle defense.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 15: Joshua Dobbs #9 of the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Kenny Pickett (Steelers vs. Rams) – He’s off to a poor start, with barely 200 per game and only 5 TDs in six games. And he’ll be dealing with a decent Los Angeles defense while having his hands tied by Matt Canada’s putrid excuse for an offensive game plan.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 08: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and George Pickens #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate after Pickens’ receiving touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Derek Carr (Saints vs. Jaguars) – The veteran is still.not 100 percent because of a shoulder injury, though he has passed for about 1,300 yards and 5 TDs. But he rarely runs, and he should be doing better with weapons such as Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave and Michael Thomas.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 15: Derek Carr #4 of the New Orleans Saints throws a pass during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Desmond Ridder (Falcons vs. Buccaneers) – His numbers aren’t terrible (1,300 yards, 6 TD passes, 2 TD runs), but he WAS terrible against Washington. His three game-killing interceptions were progressively uglier against a defense not as good as Tampa Bay’s.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 15: Chase Young #99 of the Washington Commanders hits Desmond Ridder #9 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Matchup game

Miami’s run defense is nothing special, so Philly’s D’Andre Swift could thrive in their Sunday night showdown. … Cleveland RB Jerome Ford finished strong and will continue to run free against the Colts. … HIs teammate, WR Amari Cooper, is on a hot streak that will be extended through Indianapolis. … We’ve been waiting for Chiefs WR Rashee Rice to have his breakout game, and it might come against the underwhelming Chargers defense. … We expect rebound weeks from Green Bay QB Jordan Love and WR Christian Watson against the motley Denver defense. … And 49ers injuries make WR Brandon Aiyuk and QB Brock Purdy great starting options against the Vikings.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 15: D’Andre Swift #0 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with Jason Kelce #62 during the first half in the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 15, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

Sitting stars

We’ve been a bit disappointed so far by Saints RB Alvin Kamara, and he might be held in check again by the Jaguars. … The Vikings’ Alexander Mattison will have trouble running for much against the 49ers’ defense. … The Browns’ impressive defense will shut down both Colts RBs, Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss. … Miami RB Raheem Mostert will slow down in Philadelphia against the best defense the Dolphins have faced. … With Justin Fields out, you might want to bench D.J. Moore vs. the Raiders. … They’ve been great so far, but it could be an off week for two rookie standouts: Rams WR Puka Nacua vs. Pittsburgh and Detroit tight end Sam LaPorta against Baltimore. … And as bad as the Patriots’ offense has been, you should start nobody except RB Rhamondre Stevenson against Buffalo.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 08: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)

Injury watch

The biggest Week 6 injury was the oblique injury suffered by this year’s fantasy MVP: San Francisco RB Christian McCaffrey. More on that later. … Niners WR Deebo Samuel also left with injury and could miss more time. … A large number of quarterbacks are nursing ailments of varying degrees (Jacksonville’ Trevor Lawrence Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson, Vegas’ Jimmy Garoppolo) … Detroit RB David Montgomery will be sidelined at least a couple weeks because of a rib injury, while Buffalo RB Damien Harris was carted off the field with a neck injury and will be out longer., … Other prominent players who are questionable include Packers RB Aaron Jones and Detroit RB Jahmyr GIbbs.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 15: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a touchdown after a catch during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The deepest sleepers

If Christian McCaffrey is out Monday night, the two guys who will fill the void against the VIkings are Elijah Mitchell, who is likely already taken in your league, and Jordan Mason, who is not. Mason ran five times for 27 yards and a touchdown after CMC went out. The second-year free agent from Georgia Tech has mostly been a special teamer and has but 64 career carries. But he has averaged nearly six yards per attempt and already has three TDs. … If you want to take a shot on someone with even less of a resume, try Rams RB Zach Evans. He has only four carries this season, but he might be No. 1 this week if Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers are both out.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 15: Jordan Mason #24 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after his fourth quarter touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Thursday pick

Jaguars at Saints (-3½):
Pick: Jaguars by 3

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 15: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars calls a play during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Breaking news

We’ll be updating our column, based on the latest injuries and innuendo, right up until Sunday’s kickoff. Go to TwinCities.com/theloop.

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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