South Florida Local News

General Daily Insight for October 25, 2024

Erratic energy makes way for peace. The emotional Moon squares nervous Mercury at 12:41 am EDT, making it easier for anxiety or distraction to throw us off course. As the Moon harmonizes with sore Chiron, we can settle down, regaining clarity as we work out our nervous tension. Later on, the Moon works with abundant Jupiter to provide us with a dose of luck, in addition to putting a positive lens on how we see the world. Don’t stress — let things work themselves out.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

At present, any tempting risks will probably cause more anxiety than they’re worth. You might feel as if you need to take a chance because you want the reward so bad, but the fact that you’d be going out on that limb while feeling nervous is not a good sign. When your motivation comes from desperation rather than intuition, that means it’s time to slow down and tap into your inner peace in any way you can. Don’t let nerves push you into regrettable actions.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Fear of what other people will think can lead you off the ideal path. You may be moving in a way that’s true to your inner self — until you see public opinion on your actions. While not everyone may be critical, you might perceive more negativity than there truly is, causing you stress. Even if you’re genuinely met with boos instead of cheers, it’s not a good idea to turn around and betray yourself. Allow your audience time to appreciate your long-term impact.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

You might worry that your mindset is “wrong.” Someone may tell you that you’re thinking about life in all the wrong ways, so you now ought to adhere to their “correct” way of thinking. In the moment, it could feel like you’ve somehow been misled all along. Instead of allowing them to make you feel like you never knew what you were doing, slow down and see if you even want to take advice from them. Make sure their instructions make sense before following them.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Security might currently feel more like a prison. Perhaps you feel the need to end relationships, friendships, or agreements — anything to cut your losses and run! Before you burn all your bridges, it would be wise to check in with yourself and lay out exactly what led to today’s circumstances. The answer could genuinely be just a sudden pang of nerves, one that you’d probably regret acting on. Find your center and see what you can mend rather than break.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Your emotions might be clouding your self-image. It’s likely difficult to remember a time when you didn’t feel the weight of this doubt, but keep telling yourself that this is just a temporary emotion. If you didn’t believe that you could make it, why spend so much time dreaming about it and working to make it come true? Sometimes you have to trust the process, even if you feel like you’re not the person for the job. This feeling too shall pass!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

What you don’t know can still distract you! You might be so curious about someone or something that it’s taking up all of your time when other areas of your life genuinely deserve your focus. Whether you’re fascinatedly researching an unsolved mystery on the internet, or you’re trying to get in the head of someone mysterious in your real life, your attention needs to be called back to yourself. You can give these matters some of your attention — just not all!

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Your anxiety might not be your own. Someone around you or even a group of people may be filling your head with their fears, whether they’re purposefully trying to get you on their bandwagon or simply honestly afraid of something. While it’s easy to get sucked in once you hear all the many reasons that they’re worried, you’re likely to be stressing yourself out without a true personal reason. Misery loves company, but you don’t have to join in with them!

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

An authority figure in your life might be causing you stress. You may be receiving a lot of extra tasks or negativity from someone who’s your superior or elder. No matter how much you respect them, there’s a limit to what you can take. Too much work can drive you to exhaustion, while excessive negativity is equally draining. Do your best to steer the conversation in a positive direction, and be honest about what you can handle. It’s not worth your peace of mind!

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Uncertainty may be causing you anxiety. There might be an upcoming trip that you’re going on, but the details haven’t quite been finalized, or you could be studying for a big test, but you’re still struggling to memorize key bits of information. Keep reminding yourself that you’re doing your best, and your best is all you can do. You might not have figured out a solution just yet, but have faith in yourself that you’ll get it squared away in due time.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Keeping your word might be a challenge at the moment. Commitments that you made in the past may be more difficult to follow through on because of circumstances that you couldn’t have foreseen. As storms toss your ship to and fro, staying afloat may be difficult, let alone simultaneously staying true to old ideals. Don’t lose hope! Even if all sorts of stressors complicate your day, you can complete the tasks at hand. Stay strong — the hurricane may end sooner than you’d expect.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

What you hear about yourself from someone else may threaten your focus. Even if you’ve already got a lot going on right now, in the midst of everything you’re juggling, you may hear gossip about yourself that doesn’t quite ring true. Whether or not someone is spreading rumors about you, you have the difficult task of ignoring whatever’s being said so you can concentrate on what the real you is actually doing. Success is the best revenge, so pay them no attention.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Your routine may need revamping. Right now, ambition could be demanding that you do it all, with no breaks and no compromises. While this may seem doable on paper, in practice, it won’t be such an easy feat. Set aside ideas of doing everything and being everyone for everybody in favor of focusing on what’s reasonable to expect from you. In reality, you’re just one person. Once you set up a structure for a healthier everyday lifestyle, you’ll probably feel much better.

By ALLAN KREDA

NEW YORK (AP) — Sergei Bobrovsky made 24 saves for his 400th career win, and the Florida Panthers defeated the New York Rangers 3-1 on Thursday.

Anton Lundell and Carter Verhaeghe scored early first-period goals for Florida. Lundell opened the scoring 44 seconds in, beating Igor Shesterkin alone in the slot. Verhaeghe added to the Panthers’ lead at the 2:42 mark.

Alexis Lafreniere scored 4:44 into the game to halve Florida’s early lead, but it was the only time New York was able to beat Bobrovsky.

Sam Bennett gave the Panthers a two-goal lead 6:59 into the second period.

Florida held on to win in a rematch of last spring’s Eastern Conference Final, which the Panthers won in six games.

Shesterkin finished with 26 saves for the Rangers.

Takeaways

New York: The Rangers lost in regulation for the first time after a 5-0-1 start.

Florida: The Panthers improved to 3-2-0 on the road after finishing with an Eastern Conference-best 26-10-5 away record last season.

Key moment

Bobrovsky denied Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski on a breakaway at 5:47 of the first, then made a pad save on Filip Chytil at 6:35. He also stopped Chris Kreider from in close at 15:20 of the opening period.

Key stats

Bobrovsky became the 14th goaltender in NHL history to reach the 400-win milestone. The 36-year-old netminder, in his sixth season with the Panthers, has a career record of 400-226-56 in 15 seasons. Bobrovsky is the fastest goaltender to win 400 games, reaching the milestone in 707 contests. He needs two wins to pass Chris Osgood for 13th on the all-time wins list.

Rangers forward Artemi Panarin, who leads the team with 13 points including six goals, was held off the scoresheet for the first time this season.

Up next

The Rangers host the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday, while the Panthers will remain in New York to play the Islanders on Saturday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

By FRED GOODALL

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — South Florida coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, who led the Bulls to the American Athletic Conference’s regular-season championship a year ago, has died, the school announced Thursday. He was 43.

The school said he died from complications that presented while he was undergoing a procedure at a Tampa-area hospital.

“He was authentic, driven, and his infectious personality captivated all of Bulls Nation,” USF athletic director Michael Kelly said. “Coach Abdur-Rahim leaves a lasting impact on our student-athletes, the university and the community. We are supporting those closest to him, including his family, team and athletics staff, to ensure they have the resources they need to deal with this tremendous loss.”

Abdur-Rahim was a rising star in the coaching world. He went 19-65 in his first three seasons at Kennesaw State but enjoyed great success over the next two seasons. His 2022-23 team at Kennesaw State went 26-9 and made the NCAA Tournament, earning him the shot to coach at USF.

He was an immediate success with the Bulls. USF went 25-8 last season, won the AAC regular-season title and won a game in the NIT. Abdur-Rahim was the unanimous pick as the AAC’s coach of the year.

“Throughout my time working with coach Abdur-Rahim, I was continually inspired by his leadership, and truly admired his sincere approach to connecting with our entire student body,” USF President Rhea Law said. “His influence on our student-athletes, coaching staff and the university community will live on forever.”

This season’s USF team was picked third in the AAC preseason poll. It is scheduled to play an exhibition game on Oct. 30 against Edward Waters, then opens the season against No. 21 Florida in Jacksonville on Nov. 4.

“This is truly a terrible tragedy,” George Washington coach Chris Caputo posted on social media. “Amir was a good man and an excellent coach. Please pray for him and his family.”

Abdur-Rahim and his wife had three children, USF said. Abdur-Rahim had 12 brothers and sisters; one of his brothers is G League president and former NBA player Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

“I am devastated by the sudden passing of my good friend Amir Abdur-Rahim, an outstanding man, husband, father and leader who brought tremendous positive energy to all he encountered,” USF football coach Alex Golesh said. “My heart breaks for his wife, Arianne, his three children, extended family and many friends.”

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AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this report.

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Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

No. 21 Florida is ranked in the preseason Top 25 for the first time since 2019. Todd Golden’s team has the pieces to be the Gators best squad since the 2016-17 version made an Elite Eight appearance. UF opens the season Nov. 4 in Jacksonville, two days after Florida faces No. 2 Georgia in football at EverBank Stadium. During the latest Swamp Things, Edgar and Mark talk hoops, with a little football mixed in, during the Gators’ bye week.

• Football: Offensive line should not be overlooked (0:00)
• Men’s basketball: Promising team (9:48)
• Olivier Rioux (12:57)
• Returners (18:00)
• Transfers (28:00)
• Schedule (35:40)
• Jeremy Foley’s Corner (38:34)

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Two former Broward Sheriff’s Office Department of Detention deputies were convicted at trial Wednesday of defrauding the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program in 2021, the latest cases to be resolved out of at least 17 deputies charged last fall.

A federal jury convicted Tracy Wade, 51, and Carolyn Denise Wade, 49, of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to make false statements and making false statements to the Small Business Administration for receiving the PPP loans based on falsified documents, federal prosecutors said in a news release Thursday.

The Wades on multiple dates in May 2021 signed forms that falsely indicated that businesses in each of their names earned total gross incomes of more than $100,000, and a third person, Haydee Rivero, submitted falsified IRS forms with their loan applications on the Wades’ behalf, according to the indictment. Federal prosecutors in the news release said the businesses were “phony sole proprietor businesses.”

In early June 2021, Tracy Wade received a loan from the SBA for $20,833, and both Wades received a second loan for the same amount a few days later. They submitted applications in August 2021 to be forgiven for the loans that they falsely indicated were spent on payroll costs, the indictment said.

The indictment said they used the loans for themselves, including by writing checks payable to themselves for “salary” and “payroll.”

The conviction of Carolyn Wade comes after a federal jury earlier this year could not reach a unanimous decision, resulting in a mistrial. The Sheriff’s Office said it did not have information on the Wades’ relationship.

Rivero entered a plea agreement in September. A sentencing hearing is set for Nov. 20, federal court records show.

Most recently, a woman who prepared more than a dozen fraudulent PPP applications, including for three other former BSO deputies, pleaded guilty last week. Her sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 7. The three former deputies who she prepared forms for previously pleaded guilty in their separate cases and were sentenced.

Another former deputy was convicted at trial in June, Alexandra Acosta, who was on the department’s SWAT team. She was sentenced to four months in prison. At least one other has been sentenced, former deputy Stephanie Diane Smith, 53, who received a seven-year sentence.

The at least 17 former deputies who were charged received a combined $495,171 from the loan programs designed to help businesses survive during the pandemic, federal prosecutors said last fall when the charges were announced.

The Florida Supreme Court could decide a legal dispute stemming from a high-profile move by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials in 2022 to target alleged voter fraud by convicted felons.

Defense attorneys filed a notice Wednesday that is a first step in asking the Supreme Court to decide whether charges should proceed against Terry Hubbard, who was one of 20 convicted felons accused of registering and voting when ineligible.

Charges against the convicted felons were announced in August 2022, less than three months before a general election that included DeSantis winning another term. DeSantis and other Republican leaders in recent years have made a major issue of trying to stop what they say is voter fraud.

The dispute in the Hubbard case centers on whether the statewide prosecutor’s office had authority to file charges against him. A Broward County circuit judge dismissed the case because he said the alleged wrongdoing occurred in one judicial circuit and that the statewide prosecutor only had jurisdiction in cases involving multiple circuits.

But a panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal in July overturned that ruling and said charges against Hubbard should move forward.

The appeals court last month declined a request for a rehearing, but it took a step known as certifying a “question of great public importance” to the Supreme Court. It said the question is whether the Florida Constitution and a state law “permit the Office of the Statewide Prosecutor to prosecute crimes relating to registering and/or voting in a statewide election.”

As is common, attorneys for Hubbard did not provide detailed arguments in the notice filed Wednesday.

The state has argued that the alleged voting crimes involved two judicial circuits. That is because Hubbard filled out voter-registration applications in Broward County and the information was transmitted to the Department of State in Leon County.

In its July decision, a majority of the appeals-court panel agreed with the state. Broward County is in the 17th Judicial Circuit, while Leon County is in the 2nd Judicial Circuit.

“Hubbard submitted his voter application in Broward County, with knowledge that the application would be sent to the Department of State in Leon County for verification,” Judge Jeffrey Kuntz wrote in a decision joined by Judge Dorian Damoorgian. “He then voted in Broward County in an election that included candidates for state and federal offices. That vote was submitted to Leon County. Not only did these actions occur in both Broward and Leon County, but voter fraud impacts the public’s confidence in elections throughout the state.”

The majority also cited a 2023 change in state law that allowed the statewide prosecutor to handle such cases and said that change should apply retroactively to Hubbard’s prosecution.

But in a dissent, Judge Melanie May wrote that the statewide prosecutor’s office “seeks to extend its reach into the local discretion afforded the Office of the State Attorney for single judicial circuit crimes.”

“The OSP (Office of the Statewide Prosecutor) is not some Marvel superhero that can magically extend its long arm of the law into a single judicial circuit and steamroll over the local state attorney,” May wrote. “In short, this is a stretch the majority is willing to condone, but I am not.”

Florida voters in 2018 approved a constitutional amendment aimed at restoring the rights of convicted felons who have completed terms of their sentences.

The amendment did not apply to people with convictions for murder or sex offenses. The appeals-court ruling said Hubbard was convicted in 1989 of a sex offense.

By LEA SKENE and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The owner and manager of the cargo ship that caused the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse have agreed to pay more than $102 million in cleanup costs to settle a lawsuit brought by the Justice Department, officials said Thursday.

The settlement does not cover any damages for rebuilding the bridge, officials said in a news release announcing the agreement. That construction project could cost close to $2 billion. The state of Maryland has filed its own claim seeking those damages, among others.

The settlement comes a month after the Justice Department sued the ship’s owner Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and manager Synergy Marine Group, both based in Singapore, seeking to recover funds from the cleanup.

The Justice Department alleged that the electrical and mechanical systems on the ship, the Dali, were improperly maintained, causing it to lose power and veer off course before striking a support column on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March. The ship was leaving Baltimore for Sri Lanka when its steering failed because of the power loss.

Six men on a road crew, who were filling potholes during an overnight shift, fell to their deaths. Cleanup crews worked around the clock searching for bodies and removing thousands of tons of mangled steel and smashed concrete from the bottom of the Patapsco River. The Dali remained stuck amid the wreckage for almost two months, with collapsed steel trusses draped across the ship’s damaged bow.

“This resolution ensures that the costs of the federal government’s cleanup efforts in the Fort McHenry Channel are borne by Grace Ocean and Synergy and not the American taxpayer,” Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer said in a statement.

The collapse snarled commercial shipping traffic through the Port of Baltimore and put many local longshoremen out of work before the channel was fully opened in June. It interrupted East Coast shipping routes as the port is one of the busiest in the country, especially for cars and farm equipment.

Grace Ocean and Synergy filed a court petition just days after the collapse seeking to limit their legal liability in what could become the most expensive marine casualty case in history.

Court records show attorneys for both parties said in a joint filing Thursday that they had reached a settlement agreement and requested dismissal of the Justice Department’s claim, which sought $103 million in cleanup costs.

The claim is one of many filed in an expansive liability case that will ultimately determine how much the ship’s owner and manager will owe for their role in causing the disaster. The other claims are still unresolved. They’ve been filed on behalf of the victims’ families, companies whose business has suffered as a result of the collapse, municipal entities and more.

FBI agents boarded the ship in April amid a criminal investigation into the circumstances leading up to the collapse.

When it was filed last month, the Justice Department civil claim provided the most detailed account yet of the cascading series of failures that left the Dali’s pilots and crew helpless in the face of looming disaster. The complaint pointed to “excessive vibrations” on the ship that attorneys called a “well-known cause of transformer and electrical failure.” Instead of dealing with the source of the excessive vibrations, crew members “jury-rigged” the ship, the complaint alleged.

It also noted cracked equipment in the engine room and pieces of cargo shaken loose. The ship’s electrical equipment was in such bad condition that an independent agency stopped further electrical testing because of safety concerns, according to the lawsuit.

MIAMI GARDENS — It was brought up to Miami Dolphins tight ends coach Jon Embree on Thursday that it was 23 games between touchdowns for his team’s positional group when the drought was finally snapped Sunday at the Indianapolis Colts.

“Twenty-three years,” Embree quipped in exaggeration. “Felt like forever.”

On third-and-goal from the 10-yard line in the first quarter Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley threw a screen to the left to tight end Jonnu Smith. Smith used his run-after-catch abilities behind blocks of left tackle Terron Armstead and center Aaron Brewer to maneuver across the goal line.

It was the Dolphins’ first touchdown from a tight end since Mike Gesicki scored in the 2022 playoff loss at Buffalo in January 2023. Miami went the whole 2023 season without a tight end scoring before it occurred in the team’s sixth game of the 2024 season.

“It was good to finally see the end zone,” Embree continued. “Was going to start warming up in it to finally see what it looked like after a certain point.”

It had to be especially gratifying to have Smith score. The touted free agent addition for the unit only had nine catches for 78 yards in his first four games with the team. In the past two, he has posted 12 receptions for 158 yards and that touchdown.

“It was good to get it,” Embree said. “Jonnu’s always wanted to do more, which is great. It’s just a matter of him getting comfortable with things. I try not to put players out there in a situation where it’s a high likelihood of failure.”

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Said Smith: “For me, in this offense, I’m just getting more comfortable with the timing and kind of expecting the things that (coaches) want — in general and specifically from me. It’s good to be utilized and to showcase my skillset and help us be in the best position.”

And Embree, along with coach Mike McDaniel and offensive coordinator Frank Smith, have been giving Jonnu Smith more each week as he finds his footing in this new offense.

“When you show you can handle certain things, I’ll give you more,” Embree said.

Smith can build off momentum he has picked up with Huntley at quarterback as the return of starter Tua Tagovailoa comes this week.

“To see him have success and help this offense, it’s going to be that much more important for us going forward,” Frank Smith said.

Jonnu Smith is the primary pass-catcher among the three Dolphins tight ends who see regular offensive snaps. Durham Smythe has been Miami’s top in-line blocking tight end for years, but his role has been relegated as second-year undrafted tight end Julian Hill has seen more playing time.

Hill is out-snapping Smythe 201-143 this year and has started five games to Smythe’s two.

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While Hill sees more work, Embree said he hasn’t necessarily supplanted Smythe. Embree said it has to do with which tight end is in which package the team is using.

“He’s very physical. He can move the point against bigger players, guys who are 265, 280,” Embree said of Hill’s strengths. “There’s going to be times where they’re going to be mismatched physically, but he has a unique ability, when he has his pad level right, to really get into guys and really move them.”

Hill and fullback Alec Ingold have boosted Miami’s run game in recent outings against the Colts and the Patriots this month. But Embree will admit penalties are holding his unit back.

Hill leads tight ends and is tied for second in the NFL with his eight. Against Indianapolis, Smythe had a critical holding call wipe away a big Raheem Mostert run.

For Hill, he needs to program himself in the NFL to temper his aggression, which made him an appealing undrafted pickup for this coaching staff in the 2023 offseason.

“It’s not about being all aggressive all the time,” he said. “That’s what got me into my position I’m in now. My rookie year was aggressive, be a head-hunter and we don’t care what it looks like.

“I just got to temper myself down a little bit. It’s not always try to kill the next guy or put him on the ground every play. Sometimes, you got to fit guys up right, correctly, and that’s what I’m working on.

Of Hill’s penalties, Embree said: “Sometimes it’s ticky-tacky. Sometimes, it’s like, ‘Dude, Stevie Wonder can see that one.’ The thing I’m just trying to hammer him about is his technique.”

The Dolphins, who also have tight end Tanner Conner primarily as a special teams contributor on the active roster, released undrafted rookie tight end Hayden Rucci on Wednesday. Embree said he still sees potential in the youngster, although Miami needed his spot to add quarterback C.J. Beathard and wide receiver Tarik Black onto the practice squad.

“I look at it as just a temporary pain for a long-term gain,” Embree said for the young Rucci.

Smith’s score against the Colts also made him the first FIU alum to score a touchdown for the Dolphins.

“Scoring touchdowns for the college and pro programs here in South Florida, it’s a cool stat to claim,” Smith said. “Scoring in Miami.”

By ALMUDENA CALATRAVA

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina’s police raided the Buenos Aires hotel where ex-One Direction singer Liam Payne stayed before dying last week after falling from a third-floor balcony, a government official said Thursday.

A police special investigations unit went to the Casa Sur hotel Wednesday night on orders from the public prosecutors’ office. Officers seized items including computer hard drives and footage from hotel cameras, a government official told The Associated Press, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly.

The singer died Oct. 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony in the up-market, touristy Palermo district. According to the autopsy, Payne died from multiple injuries as well as both internal and external bleeding caused by the fall. His body was found in the hotel’s internal courtyard.

Initial investigations suggest that the musician was alone and experiencing a “breakdown” due to consumption of substances that have not yet been determined. Following Payne’s death, police found substances in his hotel room, as well as several destroyed objects and furniture, according to the public prosecutors’ office.

The British boyband star had cocaine in his system, according to a preliminary toxicology report published by local press Monday and confirmed to the AP by a source familiar. Definitive results aren’t expected to be made public for several weeks.

The Casa Sur hotel has become a place for Payne’s fans to pay their respects. They have left flowers, candles and photos of the singer in a makeshift shrine around a tree at the hotel’s entrance.

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The singer’s father, Geoff Payne, is in Buenos Aires arranging the repatriation of his son’s body, which is expected to be released around Oct. 28.

Payne’s family — which includes his mother Karen Payne and his two sisters Ruth and Nicola — have expressed their devastation over the loss, as have his former bandmates. Artists and celebrities from various countries continue to share their grief.

One Direction was among the most successful boy bands of recent times. It announced an indefinite hiatus in 2016 and Payne — like his former bandmates Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson — pursued a solo career.

The singer had posted on his Snapchat account that he traveled to Argentina to attend Horan’s concert in Buenos Aires on Oct. 2. He shared videos of himself dancing with his girlfriend, American influencer Kate Cassidy, and singing along in the stands. Cassidy had left Argentina after the show, but Payne stayed behind.

By JONEL ALECCIA and DEE-ANN DURBIN

A California grower was the source of fresh onions linked to a deadly E. coli food poisoning outbreak at McDonald’s, officials with the restaurant chain said Thursday. Meanwhile, other fast-food restaurants — including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Burger King — pulled onions from some menus.

McDonald’s officials said that Taylor Farms, of Salinas, California, sent onions to one distribution facility, which led the fast-food chain to remove Quarter Pounder hamburgers from restaurants in several states. McDonald’s didn’t say which facility it was.

An outbreak tied to the burgers has sickened at least 49 people in 10 states, including a person who died, federal health officials have said. Investigators said they were focused on slivered onions as a potential source of the infections.

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U.S. Foods, a major wholesaler to restaurants across the country, said Thursday that Taylor Farms had issued a recall this week for peeled whole and diced yellow onions for potential E. coli contamination. The recalled onions came from a Taylor Farms facility in Colorado, a U.S. Foods spokesperson said. But the wholesaler also noted that it wasn’t a McDonald’s supplier and that its recall didn’t include any products sold at the fast-food chain’s restaurants.

Taylor Farms did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Officials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration did not confirm that the agency is investigating Taylor Farms. A spokesperson said Thursday that the agency is “looking at all sources” of the outbreak.

In the meantime, other national restaurant chains temporarily stopped using fresh onions.

“As we continue to monitor the recently reported E. coli outbreak, and out of an abundance of caution, we have proactively removed fresh onions from select Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC restaurants,” Yum Brands said in a statement.

Louisville, Kentucky-based Yum Brands wouldn’t say where onions were removed or whether the company uses the same supplier as McDonald’s. Yum Brands said it will continue to follow guidance from regulators and its suppliers.

Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King, said Thursday that 5% of its restaurants use onions distributed by Taylor Farms’ Colorado facility. Burger King restaurants get deliveries of whole, fresh onions and its employees wash, peel and slice them.

Even though it wasn’t contacted by health officials and it had no indications of illness, Restaurant Brands said it asked the restaurants that received onions from the Colorado facility to dispose of them two days ago. The company said it’s restocking with onions from other suppliers.

Onions have been implicated in previous outbreaks. In 2015, Taylor Farms recalled a celery and onion mix used in Costco chicken salads after 19 people were sickened with E. coli.

At least 10 people have been hospitalized in the McDonald’s outbreak, including a child who suffered a severe kidney disease complication as a result of the infection. Illnesses were confirmed between Sept. 27 and Oct. 11, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Victims were infected with E. coli 0157:H7, a type of bacteria that produces a dangerous toxin. It causes about 74,000 infections in the U.S. annually, leading to more than 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths each year, according to CDC.

Symptoms occur of E. coli poisoning can occur quickly, within a day or two of eating contaminated food. They typically include fever, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea and signs of dehydration — little or no peeing, increased thirst and dizziness. The infection is especially dangerous for children younger than 5, people who are elderly, pregnant or who have weakened immune systems.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Today is Thursday, Oct. 24, the 298th day of 2024. There are 68 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Oct. 24, 2002, authorities apprehended John Allen Muhammad and teenager Lee Boyd Malvo near Myersville, Maryland, in the Washington-area sniper attacks. (Malvo was later sentenced to life in prison. Muhammad was sentenced to death and executed in 2009.)

Also on this date:

In 1537, Jane Seymour, the third wife of England’s King Henry VIII, died 12 days after giving birth to Prince Edward, later King Edward VI.

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In 1861, the first transcontinental telegraph message was sent by Chief Justice Stephen J. Field of California from San Francisco to President Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C.

In 1929, a massive sell-off at the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange led to chaos as stockbrokers couldn’t keep up with trade requests. Though the market recovered some loses by the end of the day, “Black Thursday” marked the beginning of the Wall Street Crash of 1929.

In 1931, the George Washington Bridge, connecting New York City with New Jersey, was dedicated. It was the world’s longest suspension bridge at that time.

In 1945, the United Nations formally came into existence as the Charter of the United Nations, ratified by 29 nations, took effect. The date is now observed as United Nations Day.

In 1952, Republican presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower vowed to go to Korea as he promised to end the ongoing conflict there. (Eisenhower would indeed visit Korea in December, after winning the election but prior to his inauguration.)

In 2003, a British Airways flight from New York to London marked the final commercial flight of the supersonic Concorde jet.

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy roared across Jamaica and headed toward Cuba on its way to the eastern United States.

In 2021, heavily protected crews in Washington state worked to destroy the first nest of so-called murder hornets discovered in the United States.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Rock musician Bill Wyman is 88.
• Actor F. Murray Abraham is 85.
• Actor Kevin Kline is 77.
• Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., is 70.
• Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, is 68.
• Actor B.D. Wong is 64.
• Singer Monica Arnold is 44.
• Fashion designer Zac Posen is 44.
• Singer-rapper Drake is 38.
• Actor Ashton Sanders is 29.
• NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown is 28.
• Actor Hudson Yang is 21.

I’m amazed that anyone living in Florida still thinks Gov. Ron DeSantis has done a job worth rewarding and should be given credit for the job he has done (Chuck Lehmann, letter to the editor, Oct. 19).

Instead of playing to our better angels, he plays to the dark sides of our nature — fear, prejudice and intolerance. This is worth rewarding?

As for the Sun Sentinel, we stopped getting the Palm Beach Post, even though we live just south of Palm Beach, because we could not stand reporting with a conservative slant any longer. In light of the poor job that almost all Republicans have done in Florida, rewarding them with praise just seems wrong.

Susan Guyaux, Lake Worth Beach

Living with less freedom

Florida’s overly restrictive abortion ban puts women’s lives and health in danger. Why should men make the laws over women’s bodies?

Most Americans support a woman’s right to access abortion care. Besides maintaining bodily autonomy of pregnant people, it is essential health care for women who have unviable pregnancies.

In my own case, due to having cancer earlier in life, I was unable to carry a baby. We found a terrific woman to carry our embryos. At nine weeks, the pregnancy went ectopic and we had to abort the fetus, for the sake of the carrier’s life. Luckily, she got the medical care she needed.

It’s important to remember that six of 10 women who seek abortion care are already mothers. But Gov. Ron DeSantis and radical-right politicians feel they know better than women. Why should my 21-year-old daughter have to live with less freedoms than her mom?

Mara Kurlander, Oakland Park

Mitigating storms’ risks

We made it through monster Milton and were fortunate not to have been in its direct path. We had more tornadoes and warnings than I can count. My mom in Tampa turned out to be in the direct path, so I was relieved that she joined me to ride out the storm.

This craziness is not sustainable — emotionally or financially. The insurance industry is a mess in Florida. Most premiums have doubled and are unaffordable. Once we stabilize from this crisis, perhaps we can have an adult conversation about how to mitigate the risks, moving forward.

For those who suggest that people just leave, many friends have done so, and they got wiped out by Helene in Asheville and other parts of North Carolina. I’ve lived in Florida for almost 25 years. I love it here. Let’s figure this out — but to do so, we must be rooted in science and reality.

Lisa Tilson, Delray Beach

Climate and health

It should not take catastrophic storms like Milton or Helene for people to take action against the rising effects of climate change.

Scientists have warned that hurricanes, tropical storms and even heavy rains are made worse by climate change. These events have taken a devastating toll, claiming many lives and causing billions of dollars in property damage.

Everyone talks about the cost to rebuild homes, businesses and infrastructure, but there’s more to it than money. What about our health?

On Nov. 14 and 15 in Sarasota, the Climate Adaptation Center (CAC) will hold its Fourth Annual Florida Climate Conference on Climate and Human Health. Scientists, health care professionals and community leaders will explore the intricate connection between our changing climate and public health, how climate change affects human health and what we can do to adapt.

Melanie Ringle, Sarasota

The writer is executive assistant to the CEO of the Climate Adaption Center.

Submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the form below. Letters should be less than 150 words and must be signed. Please include your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length. 

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Broward County is adding a prominent player to its portfolio of aviation and aerospace industry firms with the arrival of Ontic, a global maintenance, repair and overhaul company that intends to set up shop in Miramar and employ 88 people.

Ontic provides complex engineered parts and repair services for existing aircraft in the defense and commercial markets. The company maintains operations across North America and plans to spend $10 million reconfiguring a 64,000-square-foot space at the Miramar Centre Business Park, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, the county’s public-private economic development agency.

The company received location assistance from the alliance, which credited Broward College and CareerSource Florida as helping to supply a qualified pool of workers.

Ontic, which is also a leading manufacturer of aerospace parts, is in the process of recruiting workers for the business, and expects to start operating in Miramar early next year, the statement said. The jobs will include positions in operations and sales leadership, sales, supply chain and planning, inspection, engineers who specialize in quality, controls, testing and manufacturing, health and safety, customer service, contracts, facilities, and mechanical, avionics, and electrical technicians.

The items the company repairs include electromechanical components, flight control components, cabin instrumentation, linear and rotary actuators, navigation controls, ground support systems, radars, flight surface controls and fuel measurement systems.

The Miramar facility is the company’s first foray into Florida, and its eighth worldwide.

Relocation from North Carolina

“Florida was the natural choice for our expansion as it is already an MRO hub with ample skilled labor and a business-friendly environment, which also acts as a gateway to South American markets,” said Jack Karapetyan, vice president of Ontic’s global MRO operations. The company says it is planning similar facilities for Europe and Asia.

The company said the Miramar operation is actually a relocation of a maintenance and repair operation in North Carolina, a move that will allow the company’s other businesses more space to grow there.

“Ontic’s decision to bring new high value jobs and investment to Broward County provides opportunities for our residents, building our ongoing competitiveness and economic vitality,” Broward County Mayor Nan Rich said in the statement.

Ontic was assisted by broker Tom Viscount of Avison Young for the company’s lease; the landlord was represented by Larry Dinner of CBRE.

The company is majority owned by CVC Capital Partners plc, a European private equity firm that last month announced it will extend its ownership role for another four to five years, according to Ontic.

A target industry

The alliance has long pegged aviation as one of its major target industries for economic development with the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport as a centerpiece of a multibillion-dollar industry that includes airlines, general aviation, airports, airframe and engine manufacturers, component parts suppliers, and maintenance, repair and overhaul businesses such as Ontic.

The area’s leading aviation companies, according to the alliance website, include:

CDB Aviation (China Development Bank), CTS Jet Engines, Embraer, GA Telesis, GE Aviation, Heico Corp., International Aircraft Associates, JetBlue Airways, Kellstrom Aerospace Group, OSM Aviation, Sintavia, Spirit Airlines, Turbine Controls, Inc., and Wayman Aviation.

It feels like we’ve been experiencing the outer bands of Halloween for at least a week now, but the heavier squalls reach South Florida this weekend. Experienced locals have stocked their preparedness kits — costume, candy, cocktail mixers — to last for what forecasters predict will be a 10-day event through next weekend and the arrival of Day of the Dead, also known as The Big One.

While the atmosphere will be eerie, the weather this weekend is supposed to be perfect if you’re getting out to enjoy, say, the return of the Delray Beach GreenMarket, the Witches of Delray Beach bike ride, Dwyane Wade’s When We Gather Food & Wine Festival or the way-cool LA LOM at the Miami Beach Bandshell. Wear a costume — it’s what we do.

THURSDAY

Sitting on a Parker bench: Martin Barre, the Grammy Award-winning guitarist responsible for one of the best-known solos in rock ‘n’ roll history on Jethro Tull’s iconic hit “Aqualung,” brings his A Brief History of Tull tour to The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Barre has a cult following among the prog-rock faithful in South Florida and his shows typically sell out. Tickets start at $39.50+ at ParkerPlayhouse.com.

Taste of Spain: In Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village, the Small Wine Shop (a relentlessly unpretentious natural wine hub) will be pouring selections from coastal Spain for a tasting event on Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (This is the event originally scheduled for Oct. 9 before Hurricane Milton approached.) The evening will include wine from Andalucia (from winemaker José Miguel Márquez of Marenas Viñedo y Bodega in Córdoba, Spain) and bottles from the resurgent wine region of Valencia (minimalist winemaker Celler Les Foes). Tickets: $35. Visit SmallWineShop.com.

Season of the witch: At the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, Slow Burn Theatre Co. offers the timely musical “The Witches of Eastwick,” a supernatural dark comedy that follows three single women and the sexy mystery man who enters their lives. Weekend performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $72+ at BrowardCenter.org.

FRIDAY

Nu Radiohead: Genre-bending orchestra Nu Deco Ensemble sets up at buzzy restaurant-bar The Citadel in Miami’s Little River neighborhood this weekend to offer the season-opening edition of its Nu Deco Lounge series, two nights of exploring and transforming the music of legendary bands Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Queen and Fleetwood Mac. Performances of these 60-minute concerts will be at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets cost $55 for general-admission standing room. A limited number of VIP seats cost $85 each. Visit Nu-Deco.org.

Mind games: The Hub at Space of Mind, the big-hearted schoolhouse in downtown Delray Beach, will host SOMething Scary, a parking lot carnival taking place on Friday from 6 to 11 p.m.  The evening will feature music by The Resolvers and No Big Deal, a student-created haunted house, a costume contest, full bar, chef-made treats and more. The concert is free, with a cash bar and food available for purchase. Carnival wristbands ($25) include a visit to the haunted house, five carnival tickets and a dinner box with drink. Proceeds benefit The Community Classroom Project‘s student-run record label, SOMe Tunes. Visit Facebook.com/spaceofmindstudio.

Something different: Sunrise-based artists Carlos Aleman and wife Jean (creatively known as Bro and Ching Yi) will host an opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday for “A Touch of Goth,” an exhibition of his paintings (dark, exotic, transfixing) and her whimsical amigurumi (Japanese crochet figures) at the Sunrise Civic Center Theatre and Art Gallery (10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd.). It’s free, there will be food, and costumes are encouraged. Visit Instagram.com/bro_the_painter.

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Ticket window: In case you missed it, pop star Shakira has canceled her Nov. 20-21 concerts at Miami’s Kaseya Center (you should already have your refund), replacing those shows with a single performance at 65,000-seat Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on June 6, 2025. Tickets for the Hard Rock Stadium show will go on sale at noon Friday, Oct. 25, at Shakira.com.

Pearce postpones: Country star Carly Pearce has postponed her concert on Friday at Hard Rock Live Hollywood and her Thursday show at the Hard Rock in Tampa, saying she did not want to interfere with venue resources being allocated to relief efforts for victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa serves as a state-designated shelter. New show dates will be announced, Pearce said in a message to ticket holders, which urged fans to join her in making a donation to the American Red Cross. For information, visit MyHRL.com.

You are not alone: Jump in a time machine in Boca Raton on Friday when The Studio at Mizner Park hosts the ’80s Halloween Party with Tiffany, with throwback hits from the singer best known for “I Think We’re Alone Now.” The night includes a pre-show dance party (doors and bar open at 7 p.m., Tiffany goes on at 8:30 p.m.) and an after-party at 10 p.m. C’mon, you know who you are! Tickets starts at $45+ at TheStudioAtMiznerPark.com.

Take the kids: Las Olas Oceanside Park (The LOOP) on Fort Lauderdale beach will be the setting for a free screening of the original “Beetlejuice” at 8 p.m. Friday. From 5 to 10 p.m., The LOOP’s weekly market will have food and drinks, seasonal shopping, trick-or-treating and visits with characters from the film. Visitors are encouraged to BYO picnic, chairs, blankets and pets. Visit TheLoopFLB.com.

SATURDAY Wade CellarsMiami Heat icon Dwyane Wade will bring selections from his California-based wine company, Wade Cellars, to When We Gather Food & Wine Festival in Miami on Saturday. (Wade Cellars/Courtesy)

GOAT is served: It’s a big weekend for one of South Florida’s favorite sons, Dwyane Wade. On Saturday, he will host the inaugural When We Gather Food & Wine Festival in Overtown, and on Sunday the Miami Heat will unveil a statue outside the Kaseya Center for “the face of this franchise forever,” as the Godfather, Pat Riley, calls Wade. The festival runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Urban (1000 NW Second Ave.) and will feature food and drink (including Wade’s California wine company, Wade Cellars) and a who’s-who lineup of chefs. Along with Wade’s personal chef, Richard Ingraham, the afternoon will feature Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster Overtown); Chef Irie; Eileen Andrade (Amelia’s 1931 & Finka Table & Tap); Giorgio Rapicavoli (Luca Osteria, Eating House, Mayfair Grill); Andrew Gonzalez (Night Owl Cookies); Diego Ng and Alex Kuk (Temple Street Eatery); and Derrick “Chef Teach” Turton (World Famous House of Mac). Tickets for the 21-and-older event cost $125+ at Tickets.DwyaneWade.com.

Market report: Another popular place around here to gather outdoors in this more forgiving season, the 29th annual Delray Beach GreenMarket returns to Old School Square on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Opening day will feature the wares of more than 75 farmers, bakers and small-batch food vendors, plus live music. Continuing every Saturday through May 17, the market is pet-friendly, and there is free parking in the Old School Square garage. Visit Facebook.com/DelrayBeachGreenMarket.

Drink upscale: Whisky Advocate magazine’s touring festival, WhiskyFest, rolls into Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on Saturday, bringing with it a variety of top-shelf whiskies from around the world, poured by distillery experts who will share their insights. This comes not a moment too soon for Miami Dolphins fans in need of some courage. The festival runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., with VIP entry at 5:30 p.m. General-admission tickets cost $275, VIP $375. Visit WhiskyFest.com.

Cool front: The coolest sound of the weekend will come from The Los Angeles League of Musicians, also known as LA LOM, who will perform at the Miami Beach Bandshell on Saturday at 8 p.m., another great show presented by the Rhythm Foundation. LA LOM’s music is at once  exotic and nostalgic, twangy and soulful — or as the Rhythm Foundation describes it, “the sound of favorite songs on the car radio, rocking backyard parties and dance clubs, blended with the guitar-driven twang of Peruvian chicha and Bakersfield County.” Costumes or formalwear are encouraged for this all-ages, Halloween-themed concert. Doors open at 7 p.m., and local band Cortadito will kick things off. Tickets cost $35.54 at MiamiBeachBandshell.com.

Where my witches at? One of the most engaging local events of the fall season, the spirited, costumed Witches of Delray Beach charity bike ride returns to its old Atlantic Avenue route on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall. The ride of 300 “witches” will conclude on Old School Square where there will be contests for best witch costume, best decorated bike, best team theme and best witch cackle. The event, which raises money for the Achievement Centers for Children & Families, still had spots available to participate, when last we checked. Cost is $100 per rider. Register in advance at WitchesOfDelray.org or at the event beginning at 7 a.m.

Night of the living dead: Arguably the most ambitious and audacious Halloween party in South Florida, the Hollyweird Halloween Block Party takes place on Saturday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. in downtown Hollywood. Set up on Hollywood Boulevard between 19th and 20th avenues, the event will include live music on three stages, vendor pop-ups, drink specials and the signature you-won’t-believe-your-eyes costume contest. The competition will award $10,000 in prizes to winners in four categories: funniest, weirdest, best couple/group and best overall. Festival admission is free. Visit HollyweirdFestival.com.

Kaseya Fiesta: Tickets are available for iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina at Miami’s Kaseya Center at 8 p.m. Saturday, with performers including Pembroke Pines-raised heartthrob Sebastian Yatra, Black Eyed Peas, Feid, Wisin, Enrique Santos, Manuel Turizo, Chencho Corleone and Maria Becerra. Tickets start at $29+ at Ticketmaster.com.

CLAUDIO REYES/GettySouth Florida-raised singer Sebastian Yatra is a headliner at iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Saturday. (Claudio Reyes/Getty Images)

Block art: In downtown West Palm Beach on Saturday, the second annual free Kravis Center Block Party has something for all ages from 1 to 8 p.m., with live performances, interactive workshops, ballet, opera, photography, food and drink. Highlights include the Kravis on Broadway Musical Chairs game hosted by Maegan Lahti of WILD 95.5-FM (4:15-5 p.m.), music by revered Miami-based producer and musicologist DJ Le Spam (1-5 p.m.) and local twangers Low Ground (4-4:30 p.m.). A free concert by reggae icons Third World is, alas, sold out. Visit Kravis.org.

Green gobblin’: A roaming evangelist for the plant-based lifestyle at events all over the state, Vegan Street Party will be at Fort Lauderdale brewery LauderAle on Saturday to host a Vegan Halloween Party from 2 to 8 p.m. There will be a DJ, pumpkin painting, games and a costume contest ($100 to the winner). Admission is free. Visit Instagram.com/veganstreetparty.

Your best ‘Nightmare’: The Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday at 8 p.m. will screen a special version of the animated Tim Burton favorite “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” accompanied by a live soundtrack provided by the South Florida Symphony Orchestra. Tickets start at $45. Visit BrowardCenter.org.

SUNDAY

Songs sung blue: Crooner Stephen Sanchez, whose emotive vocals seem to come from another place and time (“Until I Found You” is never going away), will perform at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood on Sunday at 7 p.m. The Paper Kites will open the show. Tickets start at $24+ at MyHRL.com.

Bowie and band: Jim Henson’s 1986 cult-favorite fantasy “Labyrinth,” featuring David Bowie, will be screened on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, with its iconic soundtrack performed by a live band onstage accompanying Bowie’s original vocals. Tickets for the PG-rated film start at $39.50+ at BrowardCenter.org.

Flea has dogs: The Flamingo Flea returns to Tarpon River Brewing in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday for Puppy Brunch, featuring more than two dozen dog-oriented vendors, a four-legged costume contest at 2 p.m. (entry is a $5 suggested donation to Good Karma Pet Rescue) and, of course, some irresistible adoptable dogs. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. Visit Facebook.com/theflamingoflea.

Pumpkins, pies: The LOOP will host its fourth annual Pumpkins and Palm Trees Fall Festival on Sunday with music, vendors, lawn games and children’s activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sales from the pumpkin patch will benefit Feeding South Florida. A highlight of the day will be the Best Pie in Greater Fort Lauderdale competition at 11 a.m., which will include pies from local professionals, home bakers and students in Broward County Public Schools’ culinary programs. Visit TheLoopFLB.com.

Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Instagram @BenCrandell and X @BenCrandell.

In less than two weeks, the American electorate will be formally asked to select Kamala Harris or Donald Trump for president, but that, in my opinion, constitutes a false choice. Regardless of Harris’ merits, the real option in this election is whether to vote for or against Trump. I hope that many of us who voted for him in the last election will now do so for Harris — that is, against Trump, whose victory would be the most serious calamity that could have happened to the United States since the Civil War. Voting against Trump is the honorable decision for anyone who defines him or herself as conservative.

If I vote against Trump, I will not be moved by any ideological change, but, quite contrary, by my loyalty to the conservative ideology that I have maintained throughout my life. My vote will be in appreciation of and respect for established institutions (this is what it means to be a conservative) and in opposition to those who insist on violating and undermining them, and who, brandishing a clumsy and fake nationalism, aspire to split the United States from its global mission.

Vicente Echerri is a Cuban writer who lives between the United States and Spain. (courtesy, Vicente Echerri, photography by Milkos D. Sosa)

Donald Trump is not a conservative; he is an anarcho-populist agitator who has wanted, and even intends, to subvert the institutional order and establish, as far as possible, a one-person regime in imitation of the strongmen he admires — men like Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping — for the sole gratification of his narcissistic ego. Many of his followers who call themselves conservatives, or who are called that way by an equally uneducated press, don’t know what they’re talking about, and if they found out, they would be horrified at their own stupidity.

It never ceases to surprise me that so many exiles from authoritarian regimes persist in passionately supporting Trump without recognizing the relationship between his speech and that of those same leaders who brought them into exile. Although they differ in the theoretical foundation and manifest objectives, the emphasis is the same, just as the demonization and ridicule of the adversary are identical, as is the promise of a better society that does not seem to materialize anywhere while he takes pleasure in attacking the status quo and the establishment, the cornerstones of conservatism.

Someone who wants to dismantle the established order cannot be conservative and cannot be seriously defined as such. He is rather a revolutionary who dares to induce an assault on the seat of Congress — to alter, through violence, a democratic process, instead of approaching that place with the reverential respect that the temple of the laws deserves to true citizens.

The Make America Great Again slogan, which Trump has promoted under the “MAGA” acronym since the 2016 campaign, is a fallacy that many of us overlooked at the time. Although suffering from some signs of decline, as is natural and as has always happened throughout history, the United States was still, at the time of Trump’s arrival to power, at the apex of its international power and peacekeeping ability — which he, driven by an isolationist impulse, proposed to decrease. The result was growing distrust between NATO members and other partners, while the audacity of the enemies of global democracy grew. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the need for committed leadership.

Kamala Harris, despite the leftist background that is attributed to her, responds more to the central interests of the nation, to its establishment; this necessarily makes her — compared to her adversary — a conservative, as she has demonstrated so far, especially in the international arena. Donald Trump, on the other hand, is a disruptive agent, a real criminal, something that many of us did not see clearly in the last election.

May we all see clearer in the election to come.

Vicente Echerri is a Cuban writer who lives between the United States and Spain.

Here are the top stories for Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. Get the weather forecast for today here.

SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get our free Morning Update email. Sign up here.

Hurricane season isn’t over: A tropical cyclone could form in next two weeks, experts say

Second gentleman in Broward lambastes Trump, urges Florida Democrats to round up every possible vote for Harris

Free and fabulous: Fort Lauderdale’s Day of the Dead celebration still reigns

Lionel Messi debuts first-ever superhero toy — here’s how to get your hands on Captain Messi

Palm Beach County sheriff’s race: Bradshaw and Gauger battle over spending, Trump assassination attempt

DeSantis administration pushes back in fight to block abortion rights TV ad

Early voting shows strong enthusiasm. Keep it up | Editorial

Man accused of threatening Broward judge, sending photo to his lawyer to verify ID

To help storm victims, Florida unveils free service that will review signed contracts for fraud

Miss Manners: The plumber billed me for time he was on a personal phone call

Q: How could Jimmy Butler only score three points in the season opener? – Brian.

A: By shooting 1 of 8? And even then, that was an alley-oop score of a transition pass from Tyler Herro. Otherwise, still not sold on the Heat’s space-and-pace system playing to Jimmy Butler’s strengths. He is a deliberate scorer who tends to first measure up an opponent, then doing his best work from the midrange. So if you speed him up, you’re taking him out of his game, and if you take him to the perimeter, you’re further taking him out of his game. It will be interesting to see if this is a one-game anomaly (or undisclosed injury, such as the ankle that acted up during the preseason) or if this becomes a case of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

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• Miami Heat | Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!

Q: Ira, you draft a guy at 15 and you don’t play him? The Magic play all their young players and they’re on the rise. – Steve.

A: What you do as a team with playoff hopes and contention hopes is you play your best players. If the Magic’s best players are their young players (which they are), then you play them (as they did on Wednesday night). That is not the case with the Heat, wth Kel’el Ware, with all due respect, certainly not among the top seven or eight with the Heat based on in-the-moment talent. Even Bam Adebayo had to wait his turn, and even Tyler Herro had to play as a reserve at the outset. But, again, we’re just one game in. There is time for Kel’el and there is time for the Heat. This is just not that time. Thus the minutes for Thomas Bryant with Kevin Love not available against Orlando. It’s not personal. It’s basketball.

Q: If you want your best players starting, why is Haywood Highsmith not starting over Nikola Jovic. He is by far the better corner 3-point shooter, far superior defender and more aggressive rebounder? Jovic may have more potential but right now Highsmith is the better player. – Irwin, Boynton Beach.

A: Because height matters, and it gives the Heat a big man it can play against opposing centers, should Bam Adebayo be needed to defend a wing scorer. That was exactly how it played out at the outset on Wednesday night, with Jovic on Wendell Carter Jr. so Adebayo could guard Paolo Banchero. And Jovic’s ability to run the floor also factored in. But the opening-night is not the game-closing lineup, nor will it necessarily endure. There will be ample permutations in the rotation before everything is necessarily settled.

Q: I recently graduated and landed a good job. I am about to rent my first apartment and want to make sure I don’t make a mistake. What should I look out for? — Christine

A: Renting a home is a significant commitment, not only because of the legal agreements involved but also due to the time and effort it takes to find and settle into a new place. The last thing anyone wants is to end up in a bad situation that could have been avoided with some foresight.

To ensure you make the best decision, conducting thorough research on three key aspects: the neighborhood, the property’s condition, and the landlord’s credibility is crucial.

First and foremost, consider the neighborhood and whether it aligns with your lifestyle preferences. Visit the area multiple times at different hours and on various days. A community that seems peaceful on Wednesday morning might be bustling with noise and have limited parking on a Saturday afternoon. During these visits, pay attention to potential nuisances like loud neighbors or barking dogs that might not have been initially apparent. Research crime rates and community amenities online to get a better understanding of the neighborhood.

Next, evaluate the condition of the property itself. A broken-down home in a great neighborhood will still be a hassle. Inspect structural elements such as walls, ceilings, doors, and windows for any signs of damage or disrepair. Check if the landlord provides regular pest control services and ask about how needed repairs are handled.

Remember, properties are shown in their best condition to potential tenants; if you notice problems during your visit, they will probably worsen over time. Of course, no property is perfect, so set realistic expectations considering your budget. That said, even a relatively inexpensive apartment should be well-maintained.

Finally, verify the legitimacy of your landlord. With abundant information available online, you can check property records through county offices to confirm ownership. This ensures you are dealing with the rightful owner or their authorized agent. Additionally, investigate whether the property is in foreclosure, if there are any pending homeowner association issues, or if they have had to evict prior tenants.

Understanding your landlord’s history with previous tenants can provide insight into their management style and reliability. Do not be afraid to ask about past evictions and their reasons to gauge their attitude towards tenant relations.

By taking these precautions, you can avoid potential pitfalls and make an informed decision about your first rental home.

Remember, knowledge is power — arm yourself with it before signing on the dotted line.

Board-certified real estate lawyer Gary Singer writes about industry legal matters and the housing market. To ask him a question, email him at gary@garysingerlaw.com, or go to SunSentinel.com/askpro. 

General Daily Insight for October 24, 2024

Fortune favors the bold! The emotional Moon enters show-stopping Leo, encouraging our creativity and highlighting our wit and charm. When the Moon snipes at the ego-focused Sun, we can take things a step too far and overdo it. We’re definitely prone to exaggerate or overreact. Still, dynamic Mars sextiles innovative Uranus at 8:13 pm EDT to provide us with fresh energy and ideas that are more than just entertaining. Genuine life improvements will be possible when we rise to the challenge!

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Opportunities for abundance are on the horizon — and closer than you may think. You might be presented with both short- and long-term opportunities to increase your cash flow or bring in other benefits that strengthen your security. While the specifics of today may seem a bit risky, you’ll be able to rise to the occasion with the determination to do what’s right for you, and a good attitude to boot. Let your charm and positivity elevate you to new heights!

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

You can be self-inspirational. You might have been struggling to figure out what to do for a creative event, either for yourself or someone else, but you’re missing a whole range of options to choose from. Being self-referential or letting yourself be inspired by a past version of you can break you out of a creative rut. An old favorite movie, a celebrity you used to idolize, or an important moment in your past are all possible sources of inspiration. Celebrate your style!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Ideas are getting closer to becoming reality. You might not have fully believed in a dream, thinking that it was out of your reach, but take a look around and re-evaluate your current circumstances. Amazing things can happen when you put your heart and soul into everything you do. Fresh, exciting energy could be about to arrive in the form of new opportunities, places, or people. Whatever happens, you can take more steps toward the life you truly want. Don’t forget to dream big!

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Friendship is the name of the game. You may have struggled in the recent past to find time to spend with your pals and really be able to enjoy it, as responsibilities have probably repeatedly called you away. At present, you might be tempted to overindulge or to keep the party going for too long. To avoid regrets tomorrow, avoid letting your impulses take over. There are tons of ways to enjoy the day — just don’t overdo it and ruin the fun.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

You can integrate your intuition into your responsibilities. You may not have utilized your natural way of working with any given task lately, instead letting yourself be guided by advice from others or even solely running on autopilot. That’s probably not getting you far. Today, you’ve got an opening to take a closer look at what you’re working toward and make adjustments to better align yourself with that goal. Don’t just go through the motions! When you pay attention, you can make amazing improvements.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Even the best routines might be getting a little, well, boring. Don’t worry — a quick break with some friends should solve the issue. Consider taking a day trip or simply an afternoon off to hang out with friends, siblings, or cousins. A change of scenery plus the people you love equals memories that last a lifetime. That said, a fun time can become a frustrating one fast if you don’t pay attention to hunger or exhaustion. Make sure that others are paying attention, too!

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Your passion can take you to marvelous places. You may not have intended to create opportunities out of thin air, but the possibilities are endless. One of the best ways to use this energy is to talk about what matters to you, as your emotions will shine through your words and draw people to you. They might see what you have to offer and keep you in mind later on, creating connections that may benefit you in the future. Let your excitement attract blessings!

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Loved ones are a great source of joy at the moment. Whether this is a friend, family member, or a romantic partner, this person probably wants to impress you somehow, either by making you laugh, taking you somewhere fun, or even introducing you to more people that they think you’d get along with. Let the universe’s open-ended energy carry you forward through whatever your companion has planned. The more you allow curiosity to take the wheel, the more fun you can have.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

The hard work from your history may be paying off. You might not have expected anything to come from your past actions, but the benefits that you’re seeing from those efforts could be propelling you to where you want to go next. You could have helped someone out in the past without expecting anything in return, or perhaps you’ve been learning a new trade just for fun. Whatever the specifics are, you’re probably receiving opportunities because of them. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

What’s around the corner, Capricorn? One thing is certain — you’re ready to find out! Adrenaline may be pumping throughout today, whether you or your loved ones are expecting good news. You might be joining in on their glee, or perhaps your whole circle is ready to party. Your insecurities are your biggest enemy currently, as they could be preventing you from getting up on stage and having fun or talking to that person that intrigues you. Don’t get in your own way!

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

The most mundane settings may transform into exciting opportunities at any moment. No matter how much you’re used to something in your life, it’s about to remind you how special it is. Maybe you’ll see a sentimental keepsake listed online as a collector’s item worth a lot more than you expected, or notice beneficial renovations being made to a place that you already love. It might be as simple as a scent sending you down memory lane. Bliss could be right in front of you!

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

You deserve freedom from old patterns! Even if you were once convinced that you’d be stuck in certain negative habits or repetitive connections with the wrong people forever, here and now, you’re rethinking those assumptions and making waves. The winds are changing for the better, and with them, you’re receiving chances to make changes that will improve the course you’re on. No matter how intimidating such shifts sound, making them will be worth it in the end. Don’t be scared to release unnecessary weight.

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 116-97 loss to the Orlando Magic:

– Forget all the bells and whistles.

– The preseason talk of pace and space and 3-pointers.

– For the Miami Heat to be the best version of the Miami Heat, it has to start with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.

– That made this one particularly disconcerting.

– For much of the night, it was as if they weren’t there.

– At halftime the two were a combined 1 of 10 from the field.

– With Tyler Herro the Heat’s best player to that point.

– Nikola Jovic, at least on offense, second best.

– With Terry Rozier also providing energy.

– Which is all well and good.

– But those four preseason appearances by Butler did not lead to a player ready from the outset of the season.

– And while Adebayo got to the foul line, there has to be more there, too.

– The pace and space and threes certainly can fuel the Heat’s greater good.

– But is it a style in the best interest of Adebayo and Butler?

– Because if not, then there just is not much there there.

– As was previewed during the preseason, the Heat opened with a lineup of Adebayo, Jovic, Butler, Herro and Rozier.

– Josh Christopher and Keshad Johnson were inactive on their Heat two-way contracts, with Dru Smith active.

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– But with coach Erik Spoelstra electing to go without a true backup point guard.

– Then, shortly before tipoff, the Heat announced that Kevin Love would not be available due to personal reasons.

– Although sidelined by a heel issue and not in uniform, Josh Richardson was technically active for the game.

– Duncan Robinson addressed the crowd pregame, ending with “Let’s have a great year. Go Heat.”

– The Magic opened with a lineup of Jalen Suggs, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr.

– The Heat opened with Adebayo defensively on Banchero.

– With Jovic on Carter.

–  Jaime Jaquez Jr. played as the Heat’s first substitute, entering midway through the opening period for Butler.

– Haywood Highsmith and Thomas Bryant then followed, Bryant getting the opportunity with Love not available.

– With Robinson making it nine deep.

– Bryant’s first free-throw attempt was the 500th of his career.

– It was the 31st consecutive game scoring in double figures for Herro, seven games from the longest such streak of his six seasons.

– Herro converted a 3-pointer for the 40th consecutive game. His longest career streak is 53 consecutive such games.

– Of the Heat’s new look from a playing-style perspective, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said pregame, “Obviously noticing on film throughout the preseason they’re playing faster. And, so, their ability to run, push the pace.”

– Mosley also spoke of Adebayo shooting 3-pointers during the preseason.

– “It changes a lot,” Mosley said. “His ability to stretch the floor is something we have to be alert for. So there’s a five-out system that we have to make sure we’re focusing on.”

– Only it was not a factor in this one.

– Spoelstra arrived to his pregame media session with a bit of extra pep in his step.

– “Like I said the last couple of days, it was just a really good training camp, preseason, everything we needed to do to get to this point,” Spoelstra said. “Now it’s Wednesday Night Lights.”

– Or not.

– Of the Magic, Spoelstra said pregame, “They were one of the top defensive teams last year. It wasn’t by accident. They have great length, but they also work at it, they make it tough on you.”

– That they did.

– Spoelstra added, “The young players just continue to grow, so you don’t know the growth from one year to the next. But the playoff experience I’m sure helped them.”

– Banchero looked particularly solid.

– Of the Heat honoring Pat Riley at halftime with the naming of the Kaseya Center court, Spoelstra said, “Outside my family, he’s the greatest mentor I’ve ever had.”

– The game was listed by the Heat as their 600th consecutive sellout, not counting the pandemic seasons.

– The game marked the ninth time in their 37 seasons the Heat opened against the Magic, the first time since 2002.

– The Heat entered 20-16 all-time in openers, with victories in nine of their previous 13.

– The game was the first of 16 Wednesday games for the Heat, the day of the week with the most Heat games this season.