1.   Cope first learned he had cancer late last week when he consulted a doctor because of a persistent pain in his neck.

2.   If I had shorted election-reform stock late last year, I would now be on the beach in St. Thomas.

3.   Pierson had surgery late last week, after his back continued to bother him despite sitting out much of training camp.

4.   Quartey had openings late in the next round to land two right hands but was short with both.

5.   The disk-drive makers started having problems late last year when there was an oversupply of drives and prices starting sliding.