By Linda Gassenheimer, Tribune News Service

I came across bottled sangria at the market and was inspired by its fruity, spiced notes—perfect for pairing with tender pork loin chops. The sangria adds a subtle depth of flavor that complements the savory richness of the meat. To round out this early fall dinner, orzo, a rice-shaped past, is simmered with broccoli florets, making a quick, colorful side dish.

If sangria is not available, here’s a simple substitute that mimics some of the sangria flavor. Mix 1 cup red wine with 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 1/4 cup orange juice.

HELPFUL HINTS:

One tablespoon ground ginger can be used instead of fresh ginger.

COUNTDOWN:

Assemble all ingredients.

Place water for orzo on to boil.

Start the pork chops.

When water comes to a boil add the orzo and, for the last 2 minutes, the broccoli.

Continue cooking the pork while the orzo cooks.

SHOPPING LIST:

To buy: 2 6-ounce boneless pork loin chops, 1 bottle sangria, 1 container cornstarch, 1 bottle honey, 1 container orzo. 1 piece fresh ginger, 1 bunch broccoli florets.

Staples: olive oil, salt, black peppercorns

Sangria Pork Chops

Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer. Yields 2 servings.

INGREDIENTS

2 teaspoons olive oil

2 6-ounce boneless pork loin chops

1 cup sangria

2 teaspoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat and add chops.
Brown chops 4 minutes, turn over, cover the skillet with a lid and continue to brown second side 4 minutes. A meat thermometer should read 145 degrees. Remove chops to a plate.
Mix 1 tablespoon sangria with cornstarch. Set aside.
Pour the remaining sangria into the skillet, increase the heat and deglaze the skillet by scraping up the brown bits on the bottom.
Add honey and ginger. Stir to combine the honey with the sangria.
Add the cornstarch mixture and stir until the sauce thickens for about 2 minutes.
Slice the pork chops and divide in half. Place on two dinner plates. Spoon sauce on top.

Per serving: 406 calories (22 percent from fat), 10.0 g fat (2.0 g saturated, 3.8 g monounsaturated), 96 mg cholesterol, 40.9 g protein, 27.4 g carbohydrates, 0.6 g fiber, 156 mg sodium.

One-Pot Orzo and Broccoli

Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer. Yields 2 servings.

INGREDIENTS

3 ounces orzo, about 1/2 cup

1 1/2- cups broccoli florets

3 teaspoons olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Fill a saucepan with three quarters full of water and bring to a boil.
Add orzo and boil 8 minutes.
Add the broccoli and continue to boil 2 minutes. The orzo should be soft. Boil a minute longer, if needed.
Drain and toss with the oil and salt and pepper to taste.
Place on the dinner plates with the pork chops and sauce.

Per serving: 233 calories (29 percent from fat), 7.6 g fat (1.1 g saturated, 3.3 g monounsaturated), no cholesterol, 7.4 g protein, 34.3 g carbohydrates, 2.6 g fiber, 17 mg sodium.

©2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

A new vaccine against salmonella and typhoid moves closer to approval, according to results of a clinical trial published by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine Oct. 8.

“These results are highly encouraging,” study lead investigator Dr. Wilbur Chen said in a statement announcing the news. “They show that [this treatment] has the potential to protect children in regions where both typhoid and salmonella are endemic and deadly.”

Results were published in the journal Nature Medicine.

Salmonella bacteria — usually from contaminated food — infects about 1.35 million people in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Another species of salmonella causes typhoid fever, a life-threatening illness usually picked up in international travel. Both diseases are major causes of illness and death among children in sub-Saharan Africa.

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The researchers completed a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 1 clinical trial involving 22 healthy adults, each of whom received either a low or high dose of the vaccine or a placebo. They reported only minor pain at the injection site, according to the release, but all participants developed a strong immune response to the ingredients of the vaccine, even at the lower doses.

The vaccine was developed from sugar molecules taken from the outer coating of the salmonella typhi bacteria that cause typhoid and from two common types of salmonella infections that do not cause typhoid. These sugars help the body’s immune system recognize and respond to the bacteria.

The vaccine was developed in collaboration with India-based Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL).

Anthony Edwards was asked early in camp for his impressions of the Timberwolves’ rookies.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Joan Beringer (19) takes a free throw during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)

Of rookie center Joan Beringer he said, “Joan don’t stop playing hard. He just don’t get tired. So, stuff like that. He’s just got a nonstop motor. I think that’s going to push him to the next level.”

That has been a common refrain regarding the No. 17 overall pick in this summer’s NBA draft. Beringer, 18, has only been playing basketball for four years, and was competing professionally in Slovenia last season. But he has already able to contribute defense and, most emphatically, everyday energy in training camp.

Fellow Frenchman Rudy Gobert discussed the challenges that come with transitioning from a different country to the United States as a rookie, and his hopes to help Beringer navigate those waters. But in terms of on-court success, Gobert said, “I think it’s going to be about how hard he’s willing to work and who he thinks he can become as a player.”

“From what I’ve seen,” Gobert said, “I’m not really worried about it.”

The commitment to the craft is evident. You don’t make such a meteoric rise in a sport without it.

“He has opened a lot of our eyes with his strong play this summer and his work ethic,” Wolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said.

“I think he’s a real NBA player. I mean, there’s no doubt about that,” Wolves coach Chris Finch added. “I think he has got an extremely bright future.”

The light just may not shine frequently this season. As excited as Minnesota is about Beringer and his potential as a backline defender, the reality of the current rotation still exists.

“The way we’re constructed, he plays behind three really quality bigs,” Finch said. “So I think patience out of the gate is key.”

Finch added that Beringer could see playing time via “situational opportunities.” Certainly, an injury to any of Minnesota’s three big men — Gobert, Julius Randle or Naz Reid — would open up minutes Beringer could potentially seize.

“You never know,” Finch said. “We’re certainly going to try to find opportunities to play him.”

Youth development is a forte of Finch’s. That doesn’t always come in the form of on-court minutes, which frustrates segments of the fan base. But the coach has a track record of molding young players into valuable assets.

“He’s so good at identifying what players are good at,” Connelly said, “and allowing them to build off that developmental path.”

At their proper pace. Beringer noted the speed and physicality of Minnesota’s preseason games have been eye-openers. He was thrown into the deep end, already combatting opposing centers such as Nikola Jokic, Jonas Valanciunas and Karl-Anthony Towns.

But each outing provides an opportunity to learn and grow. Beringer seems eager to do both.

“Valanciunas was very, very strong, I think it’s a really good experience for me to play against this type of player, because when I was in Slovenia last year, I never played against this type of player,” Beringer said. “I really enjoy. I really, really learn about every game and every player I have in front of me. It’s really, really good for me.”

Finch called Beringer’s IQ and feel “outstanding” for his experience level. He loves that the rookie is too new to the sport to have developed bad habits the team needs to break, and noted that Beringer has sometimes been bogged down by thinking too much. Finch called that “normal rookie stuff.”

“It’ll come back to being instinctual. He has done a great job of picking up everything as fast as it’s coming at him,” the coach added. “We always have to slow down a little bit and check how much English he’s really absorbing in the moment. But we have (assistant coach Kevin Hanson) working with him, and there’s no better coach there. So, we’re pleased.”

Finch said there are things Beringer needs to add to be able to do more within the Timberwolves’ system, but added that time will come. This is a development process, but all parties seem satisfied with its current trajectory.

Connelly said Beringer has “just an amazing story.”

He’s enjoying each chapter, and already knows how he wants it to end.

“I want to be one of the best players in the league, be the best defender,” Beringer said. “This is my goal. Every day, I wake up for it.”

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By Ashlee Valentine, Bankrate.com

Part of the homebuying process involves shopping around with multiple lenders for the best mortgage rate. But without a plan, the very act of shopping around can negatively impact your credit: A higher credit score helps you secure a lower mortgage rate, but a hard credit inquiry like the one lenders perform can decrease your score. Here’s what to know about shopping for a mortgage with minimal harm to your credit.

When exploring mortgage options, your credit score typically takes a hit when you obtain a mortgage preapproval from a lender. That’s because part of getting preapproved includes the lender checking your credit through what’s called a “hard” inquiry. A hard credit inquiry involves a lender pulling your full credit report from a credit bureau, with your permission, which helps them decide whether to lend you money and at what interest rate.

A soft credit inquiry, on the other hand, does not impact your credit score or require your permission. It is typically done for informational purposes and not for lending decisions. A mortgage preapproval with only a soft credit check is hard to come by.

One step down from a preapproval is a mortgage prequalification. Although it does not replace a preapproval, prequalifications involve a only soft credit inquiry. In other words, you can see if you prequalify without hurting your credit score.

Can you get preapproved for a mortgage without a credit check?

No. Hard credit checks are a standard part of the mortgage preapproval process. While you can get a prequalification without a hard credit check, you cannot get preapproved without one.

Even so, you may hear the terms “prequalification” and “preapproval” used interchangeably, even by lenders. So it’s smart to check with lenders that their prequalification process doesn’t require a hard credit check before moving forward.

There are several ways to avoid a negative impact on your credit score when shopping for a mortgage:

Shop within a short timeframe

It’s wise to compare offers from multiple mortgage lenders, but be sure to do it within a 45-day time frame. During that period, all credit inquiries by various lenders only show up as one inquiry on your credit report. One inquiry has a lesser impact on your credit than several inquiries.

Get prequalified for a mortgage

Getting prequalified for a mortgage — some lenders call this a rate check — can be a smart strategy if you’re concerned about damaging your credit score as you comparison-shop. This gives you a soft credit check mortgage exploration option.

Keep in mind: While getting prequalified can help minimize damage to your credit score, it’s no substitute for getting preapproved when the time comes. In a competitive seller’s market, a preapproval is often necessary to prove to sellers you’ll be able to get financing if your offer is accepted.

Hold off on applying for new credit

If possible, wait until you officially close on your mortgage before applying for more credit types, such as a new credit card or a personal loan. Multiple inquiries for different types of credit can negatively impact your credit score, hindering your efforts to get a competitive mortgage rate. Even if applying for a credit card only drops your score by a few points, that could make a difference in your interest rate, especially if you’re on the cusp between “good” and “very good” or “fair” and “good” credit.

In addition, adding new debt can impact the loan amount you can qualify for. The more debt you have, the less mortgage you will qualify for.

Check your credit report

If you check your credit report before comparison shopping for a mortgage, you can take proactive steps to improve your credit score if needed. You’ll also be able to spot and fix any errors. Things to check for include:

The correct personal identity information (names or contact information you don’t recognize could indicate identity theft)
Correct information on all open and closed accounts, including loans you’ve fully paid off
Accurate recording of all payments you’ve made (pay special attention to any payments flagged as missed or late)
Account balances that match your actual balances
Credit score inquiries to confirm they’re ones you approved

If something doesn’t look right, take steps to dispute and correct it.

You can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies each week at AnnualCreditReport.com. Don’t worry — checking your credit report won’t affect your score.

Keep in mind: The credit score you see on free credit reports might differ slightly from the score mortgage lenders see if they use different credit reporting models.

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Pay down debt

If your credit score could use improvement, one of the best ways to raise it is to pay down your debt, like credit card balances. If doable, pay off a credit card balance in full — with bonus points for keeping the balance as low as possible moving forward.

It might make more sense to pay down or pay off another loan instead of putting all of your excess funds toward eliminating credit card debt, even if the credit card debt has a higher interest rate. That’s because mortgage lenders review your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio through the lens of monthly payments.

For example, if your DTI ratio is a bit high and your student loan payment is higher than your minimum credit card payment, it is better to focus your debt payoff strategy on the loan, which would lower your DTI ratio. In cases like this, it’s helpful to consult an experienced loan officer who can advise you on the best ways to qualify for the lowest rates.

How to improve your credit score

The most attractive interest rates are reserved for borrowers with the best credit scores. With a score of 740 or higher, for example, most lenders will offer you a lower interest rate, reducing your monthly payment.

Once you’ve resolved any errors on your credit report, here are some additional ways of how to improve your credit score:

Make all payments on time each month: Payment history is a substantial factor in determining credit scores, and it makes sense that mortgage lenders care about being paid in a timely manner. If you have accounts that are past due, bring them current as soon as possible.
Pay down credit card balances: Paying down credit card balances decreases your credit utilization ratio, which accounts for 30% of your FICO credit score.
Avoid opening or closing accounts: Opening new accounts involves another hard credit check, which dings your credit score. And closing old accounts, even if you never use them, may negatively impact your credit utilization ratio.
Consider becoming an authorized user on a relative’s credit card: Only consider this option if they have an exceptional payment history and manage the card responsibly.

FAQs

How many mortgage lenders can I approach without impacting my credit score?

If you’re only asking questions or requesting prequalification, you can approach as many lenders as you want without hurting your credit. But even if you’re requesting preapproval, there’s no set amount for how many lenders you can approach — as long as you make all your requests within a single 45-day period, you can get preapproved by as many lenders as you want and have it count as only a single inquiry on your credit report.

Can I receive mortgage rate quotes without a credit check?

Yes. You can get a mortgage loan estimate through prequalification, which does not require a hard credit check and will not hurt your credit.

How long do mortgage inquiries stay on my credit report?

A hard inquiry may stay on your credit report for as long as two years. However, the inquiry itself typically only impacts your score for about one year.

©2025 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.