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Updated: 12 hours 33 min ago

Panthers, without Barkov, Tkachuk for fourth straight game, fall to Canucks in overtime

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 18:59

By TIM REYNOLDS

SUNRISE — J.T. Miller scored 2:09 into overtime and the Vancouver Canucks got their first win of the season, beating the Florida Panthers 3-2 on Thursday night.

Teddy Blueger and Quinn Hughes had goals for Vancouver (1-1-2), with Kevin Lankinen stopping 26 shots.

Anton Lundell got his fourth goal in the last three games for Florida (3-2-1) and Jesper Boqvist also scored for the Panthers, who got 30 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky.

Florida remained without forwards Aleksander Barkov (lower body) and Matthew Tkachuk (illness) for the fourth consecutive game.

Takeaways

Canucks: Scoring first hasn’t been an issue for Vancouver, which has taken the first lead in three of its four games so far. But Miller’s score saved the night for the Canucks, who improved to 2-8-0 in their last 10 games in the state of Florida.

Panthers: Mackie Samoskevich got an assist on Florida’s first goal, the first career point for the 24th pick in the 2021 draft out of Michigan. It came in his 13th NHL game.

Key moment

Hughes’ goal at 6:30 of the second period for a 2-1 Vancouver lead was one that Florida said shouldn’t have counted. Linesman Michel Cormier dropped the puck for a faceoff, but it never hit the ice and bounced off Vancouver’s Nils Aman. The Panthers thought that should be a hand pass. The NHL disagreed and Aman got an assist on Hughes’ score.

Key stat

Lundell has stepped up in a big way with Barkov out of the lineup. He’s got four goals in a three-game span for the first time and his three-game goals-coring streak ties a career best.

Up next

Both teams are back in action Saturday, Vancouver going to Philadelphia and Florida remaining home to face Vegas in a matchup of the last two Stanley Cup winners.

___

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

Republicans say they’re appealing a Georgia judge’s ruling that invalidates seven election rules

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 16:54

By KATE BRUMBACK and JEFF AMY

ATLANTA (AP) — National and state Republicans on Thursday appealed a judge’s ruling that said seven election rules recently passed by Georgia’s State Election Board are “illegal, unconstitutional and void.”

The Republican National Committee and the Georgia Republican Party are appealing a ruling from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thomas Cox, who ruled Wednesday that the State Election Board did not have the authority to pass the rules and ordered it to immediately inform all state and local election officials that the rules are void and not to be followed.

The rules that Cox invalidated include three that had gotten a lot of attention — one that requires that the number of ballots be hand-counted after the close of polls and two that had to do with the certification of election results.

In a statement Thursday announcing the appeal. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley accused Cox of “the very worst of judicial activism.”

“By overturning the Georgia State Election Board’s commonsense rules passed to safeguard Georgia’s elections, the judge sided with the Democrats in their attacks on transparency, accountability, and the integrity of our elections,” Whatley said. “We have immediately appealed this egregious order to ensure commonsense rules are in place for the election — we will not let this stand.”

The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by Eternal Vigilance Action, an organization founded and led by former state Rep. Scot Turner, a Republican. The suit argued that the State Election Board overstepped its authority in adopting the rules.

The ruling was hailed as a victory by Democrats and voting rights groups, who say rules the State Election Board has passed in recent months could be used by allies of Donald Trump to cast doubt on results if the former president loses the presidential election to Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Recent appointments to the five-member board have put three Trump-endorsed Republicans in the majority. They have passed new rules over the objections of the board’s lone Democrat and the nonpartisan chair.

County election officials from around the state — the people who run the elections — have voiced concerns over the flood of new rules taking effect so close to Election Day.

The other rules Cox said are illegal and unconstitutional are ones that: require someone delivering an absentee ballot in person to provide a signature and photo ID; demand video surveillance and recording of ballot drop boxes after polls close during early voting; expand the mandatory designated areas where partisan poll watchers can stand at tabulation centers; and require daily public updates of the number of votes cast during early voting.

GATORS PODCAST: Florida seeks to end Kentucky’s stranglehold at homecoming (Ep. 249)

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 16:11

Coming off a crushing loss at Tennessee, the Gators look to end the recent dominance of Kentucky. The Wildcats seek their fourth straight win against Florida for the only time since Bear Bryant was their coach from 1948-51. Mark Stoops seems to have Billy Napier’s number. Napier’s days could already be numbered at UF; a homecoming loss could prove the final straw. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar map out the path to a victory the Gators and Napier desperately need.

What Wildcat win would mean (:00)
Reason for optimism (5:58)
Reason for pessimism (7:51)
Matchup on offense (10:24)
Matchup on defense (13:29)
Who has your attention? (16:12)
On the spot (18:18)
Unsubstantiated rumor (20:37)
Final thought: Hall of Fame (23:56)
Who is winning? (30:22)
Jeremy Foley’s Corner (32:02)

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

‘Guy with a gun at the gas station’: 911 calls depict woman’s rescue, suspect’s death in Pompano Beach

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 15:48

For customers at a Pompano Beach gas station, a Sunday afternoon errand turned into a life-threatening situation when a man tried to force his way into a woman’s car and was fatally shot during a confrontation, 911 calls reveal.

Brian Semil, 37, of Pompano Beach was shot just before 5 p.m. at the Racetrac gas station in the 500 block of Atlantic Boulevard, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. He was pronounced dead at Broward Health North.

The Sheriff’s Office said Semil tried to force himself into a car with a woman and her children inside, and three men intervened. During that altercation, one of the men shot Semil.

One of the callers appeared to be the woman, who told officers in Spanish that she was in the car with her mother and children when a man tried to get inside and wouldn’t let her drive away.

“I was pumping gas, and I was here with my mom and kids, and there was a person — I don’t know if he was on drugs or not — who tried to get into the car and he wouldn’t let me go,” the woman told the call-taker. But then a man nearby stepped forward and “saved me because (the assailant) had come toward me, and he wouldn’t even let me close the door.”

As she was speaking, commotion could be heard in the background.

By the time the woman phoned 911, she and her family had gotten away from the suspected attacker, but she was worried about the man who had helped her get away, who still was at the gas station, she said.

“Oh, look, he’s hurting him!” she told the 911 operator.

“They’re fighting?” the operator asked.

The operator asked her for more information, but the woman said she didn’t know more, explaining she had already gotten farther away from the gas station.

“Is there someone hurt on the ground?” the 911 call-taker asked.

“I don’t know,” the woman replied. “I saw him on the ground. I heard a gunshot, and I left from there.”

Several other frantic 911 calls came in from customers at the gas station whose Sunday afternoon had suddenly become life-or-death.

“Guy with a gun at the gas station, Racetrac, running around here and stuff like that,” one caller said. He appeared to think the man had driven off, then realized he was still there.

“Come NOW! Come now!” he yelled. “Come now! I’m at the Racetrac. Send an ambulance! Get the cops over here now, God damn it! Hey don’t come next to me, stay over there man, stay away from me.”

Deputies have not said if Semil was armed, but another caller said she saw “a man with a gun trying to rob a lady.”

“I guess he got shot,” she said.

Another woman said her partner had pointed his own gun at the suspect.

“He’s trying to come up to my man,” she told the operator. “He has his firearm pointed at him. I need someone here right now. There’s another man here too with a firearm pointed at him as well. But I need someone here right now.”

She then appeared to yell at the other man. “Get the f*** away from him!” she yelled, then told the dispatcher, “my man’s gonna shoot him!”

The three men who intervened remained at the scene and cooperated with deputies, the Sheriff’s Office said. After investigating, the Sheriff’s Office will forward its case to the State Attorney’s Office.

Semil had a history of felony arrests, court records show. In 2015, he was charged with stealing a woman’s key fob in Fort Lauderdale and driving off with her car, leading police officers on a chase downtown and at one point ramming the car into one of the police cars, according to a probable cause affidavit. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to three years in prison.

Indian government employee charged in foiled murder-for-hire plot in New York City

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 15:45

By ERIC TUCKER and LARRY NEUMEISTER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department announced criminal charges Thursday against an Indian government employee in connection with a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.

Vikash Yadav, 39, faces murder-for-hire charges in a planned killing that prosecutors first disclosed last year and have said was meant to precede a string of other politically motivated murders in the United States and Canada.

Yadav remains at large, but in adding him to the indictment and releasing his name, the Biden administration sought to publicly call out the Indian government for criminal activity that has emerged as a significant point of tension between India and the West over the last year — culminating this week with a diplomatic flare-up with Canada and the expulsion of diplomats.

“The FBI will not tolerate acts of violence or other efforts to retaliate against those residing in the U.S. for exercising their constitutionally protected rights,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement.

The criminal case was announced the same week as two members of an Indian inquiry committee investigating the plot were in Washington to meet with U.S. officials about the investigation.

“They did inform us that the individual who was named in the Justice Department indictment is no longer an employee of the Indian government,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters before the case against Yadav was unsealed. “We are satisfied with cooperation. It continues to be an ongoing process.

On Monday, Canada said it had identified India’s top diplomat in the country as a person of interest in the assassination of a Sikh activist there and expelled him and five other diplomats.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and police officials went public this week with allegations that Indian diplomats were targeting Sikh separatists in Canada by sharing information about them with their government back home. They said top Indian officials were then passing that information along to Indian organized crime groups who were targeting the activists, who are Canadian citizens, with drive-by shootings, extortions and even murder.

India, for its part, has rejected the accusations as absurd, and its foreign ministry said it was expelling Canada’s acting high commissioner and five other diplomats in response.

The murder-for-hire plot was first disclosed by federal prosecutors last year when they announced charges against a man, Nikhil Gupta, who was recruited by a then-unidentified Indian government employee to orchestrate the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader in New York.

Gupta was extradited to the United States in June from the Czech Republic after his arrest in Prague last year.

The rewritten indictment said Yadav recruited Gupta in May 2023 to arrange the assassination. It said Gupta, an Indian citizen who lived in India, contacted an individual at Yadav’s direction, believing the individual to be a criminal associate. Instead, the indictment said, the individual was a confidential source working with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Authorities said Yadav, a citizen and resident of India, directed the plot from India while he was employed by the Government of India’s Cabinet Secretariat, which houses India’s foreign intelligence service. Yadav has described his position as a “Senior Field Officer” with responsibilities in “Security Management” and “Intelligence,” the Justice Department said.

As the assassination plot was created in June 2023, Yadav gave Gupta personal information about the Sikh separatist leader, including his home address in New York City, his phone numbers and details about his day-to-day movements, which Gupta then passed along to the undercover DEA operative, according to court papers.

Yadav directed Gupta to keep him updated regularly on the progress of the assassination plot, leading Gupta to send him surveillance photographs of the intended victim, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who advocated for the creation of a sovereign Sikh state.

In a statement, Pannun said the indictment means the U.S. government has “reassured its commitment to fundamental constitutional duty to protect the life, liberty and freedom of expression of the U.S. Citizen at home and abroad.”

He added, “The attempt on my life on American Soil is the blatant case of India’s transnational terrorism which has become a challenge to America’s sovereignty and threat to freedom of speech and democracy, which unequivocally proves that India believes in using bullets while pro Khalistan Sikhs believe in ballots.”

Neumeister reported from New York.

Teen smoking and other tobacco use drop to lowest level in 25 years, CDC reports

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 15:06

By MIKE STOBBE

NEW YORK (AP) — Teen smoking hit an all-time low in the U.S. this year, part of a big drop in the youth use of tobacco overall, the government reported Thursday.

There was a 20% drop in the estimated number of middle and high school students who recently used at least one tobacco product, including cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches and hookahs. The number went from 2.8 million last year to 2.25 million this year — the lowest since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s key survey began in 1999.

“Reaching a 25-year low for youth tobacco product use is an extraordinary milestone for public health,” said Deirdre Lawrence Kittner, director of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, in a statement. However, “our mission is far from complete.”

A previously reported drop in vaping largely explains the overall decline in tobacco use from 10% to about 8% of students, health officials said.

The youth e-cigarette rate fell to under 6% this year, down from 7.7% last year — the lowest at any point in the last decade. E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco products among teens, followed by nicotine pouches.

Use of other products has been dropping, too.

Twenty-five years ago, nearly 30% of high school students smoked. This year, it was just 1.7%, down from 2023’s 1.9%. That one-year decline is so small it is not considered statistically significant, but marks the lowest level since the survey began 25 years ago. The middle school rate also is at its lowest mark.

Recent use of hookahs also dropped, from 1.1% to 0.7%.

The results come from an annual CDC survey, which included nearly 30,000 middle and high school students at 283 schools. The response rate this year was about 33%.

Officials attribute the declines to a number of measures, ranging from price increases and public health education campaigns to age restrictions and more aggressive enforcement against retailers and manufacturers selling products to kids.

Among high school students, use of any tobacco product dropped to 10%, from nearly 13% and e-cigarette use dipped under 8%, from 10%. But there was no change reported for middle school students, who less commonly vape or smoke or use other products,

Current use of tobacco fell among girls and Hispanic students, but rose among American Indian or Alaska Native students. And current use of nicotine pouches increased among white kids.

After decades of ill will, hurt feelings ’84 Gators happy to move forward

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 15:00

GAINESVILLE — Former Florida football star John L. Williams had no use for his 1984 SEC championship ring, so he gave it to the one person who cherished it.

Nora Williams tracked her son’s many feats in football and was the longtime keeper of a ring her son rarely wore because the title it represented had been erased.

At her 2013 funeral in Palatka, John L. Williams placed the ring next to Nora during their final goodbye.

“I knew from that point on it would be well taken care of; she guarded it so well,” he told the Orlando Sentinel this week. “Because they took it from us, there’s no need for me to flaunt it around on my finger. So I put it in the casket with her, and she took it with her.”

The bittersweet and symbolic act buried nearly three decades of ill will that until recently would continue to simmer with many members of the 1984 squad.

But Williams, dozens of his teammates, several coaches and others behind the scenes will be honored Saturday night in the Swamp during the Gators’ homecoming game with Kentucky.

For many who’ll attend, a collection expected to be at least 90 people, UF’s recognition is long overdue.

“There’s been a lot of bitterness, a lot of anger,” former offensive lineman Scott Trimble, a standout from Lake Brantley, told the Sentinel. “Not to sound petty or anything, but they kind of ignored us for 40 years. It’ll be cathartic for all of us — kind of, maybe a final, final.”

Former coach Charley Pell assembled the 1984 Gators, who went on to win the SEC title without him. The school fired Pell after three games because of NCAA violations, which later led the SEC to invalidate the championship — at the time the Gators first. (Sentinel file)

Some, especially longtime Florida fans, consider the ‘84 squad perhaps the best in school history.

Those Gators won the school’s first and long-awaited conference title, went 9-1-1 and were named national champions by The New York Times. But NCAA infractions placed coach Charley Pell’s program on three years’ probation, led UF to fire him after three games and the SEC to nullify the championship the following spring.

Collateral damage became a group of players featuring 19 of 22 starters who would go on to NFL careers. Among them were three first-round NFL draft picks in the backfield, including Williams; a line tabbed “The Great Wall” and led by first-round pick Lomas Brown; and a defense with future All-Americans and NFL stalwarts Alonzo Johnson, Jarvis Williams and Tim Newton, who starred at Orlando Jones.

“There was a ton of talent,” former Great Wall member Billy Hinson told the Sentinel. “It was a special team.”

Hinson, the team’s starting left guard, has spearheaded the push for recognition and mended fences.

UF athletic director Scott Stricklin warmed to the idea.

“Forty years is a long time,” Stricklin told the Sentinel. “As hard as everyone works to use Florida athletics to engage and keep people connected to the university, we should find a way to stay engaged with them — to let them know that what they did here there’s a level of appreciation.

“A lot of guys on that team had nothing to do with the stuff that went down. This will be an opportunity to heal some wounds.”

Stricklin recalled his first brush with the ’84 Gators during a trip to Gainesville as a freshman student worker at Mississippi State for the SEC’s ’89 baseball and track and field championships.

“The hotel we were staying at had something about the ‘84 team, first SEC championship,” he said. “I remember knowing that it had been stripped and just how hard that probably was on everybody.

“Coach [Steve] Spurrier will tell you his ‘90 team, with the best record in the SEC, should have been champions. So, we have eight we recognize, and there’s 10 teams that played well enough on the field to deserve being SEC champions.”

Former UF quarterback Kerwin Bell still remembers vividly how fans celebrated the Gators 1984 SEC title, later striped by conference decision-makers because of NCAA violations. (Sun Sentinel file)

The ’84 Gators started 0-1-1, with a last-minute loss to defending national champion Miami and a 21-21 decision to LSU. UF fired Pell following a Week 3 rout of Tulane.

Interim coach Galen Hall then led Florida to eight straight wins and a 5-0-1 SEC record.

On the flight back from a 25-17 win at Kentucky, featuring a school-record 6 field goals by Bobby Raymond, the Gators learned Mississippi State had edged LSU 16-14 in Starkville to deliver Florida the SEC title.

“We’re jubilant. We’re cheering and yelling and screaming on the plane,” Trimble recalled. “As the pilot came into Gainesville, he actually circled Florida Field and did a little bank so that you could see out the window and look down. We saw all these people in the stadium with the lights on, it was incredible.

“Then we land, we get off the plane, there’s probably 5,000 people at the airport — they’re going nuts.”

The ensuing bus ride to Florida Field, where at least 30,000 fans awaited the Gators, was an unforgettable moment during quarterback Kerwin Bell’s football life.

“The streets were packed, filled with people,” Bell, now the head coach at Western Carolina, told the Sentinel. “I saw 60-year-old men crying — they were so emotional — because Florida had never won an SEC championship. That’s a memory. Through all the things I’ve been able to do in football, that one sticks out the most.”

Soon, memories would be all that remained.

To maintain their SEC title, the Gators agreed to sit out the Sugar Bowl, a 28-10 loss by LSU to Nebraska, and miss a shot for the national title won by upstart BYU of the Western Athletic Conference.

“If we’d have gone and showed up in the bowl game against whoever they put us against, we would have had a chance to win it outright,” Bell said.

In April 1985, SEC presidents voted to invalidate the Gators’ title.

The championship trophy disappeared. Some wonder if it’s collecting in the south end zone storage room, under the scoreboard at the Swamp.

“It’s over there somewhere,” Hinson said. “I was told it was never given back.”

Former Florida player Billy Hinson displays his 1984 SEC Championship ring while holding a photo of himself during his playing days as part of the “Great Wall” — an offensive line considered the best in school history. (Courtesy of Billy Hinson)

The school soon painted over a sign on the stadium wall acknowledging the championship.

Hinson, who resides in Jacksonville, and most of his teammates still have their rings. Much more has been lost.

Following Alonzo Johnson’s funeral in February, Hinson decided it was time to save what remained. Johnson’s son will wear his father’s No. 93 jersey Saturday night.

“I was driving back and I said, ‘We got to get this team together,’” he said. “And so I just started calling some guys.”

Then fellow Great Wall member Jeff Zimmerman died March 1. More than 20 people involved with the ‘84 team have passed away.

Hinson said a recent phone call with teammate Scott Armstrong punctuated the importance of reviving relationships that had meant so much 40 years ago.

“It was like we were in the locker room yesterday,” Hinson said. “I told my wife, ‘That is really amazing.’ That’s the connection. Life is very short.

“Heck, we might not be here next year.”

Hinson helped organize a tournament Friday at Gainesville’s Ironwood Golf Course, before the ’84 team is recognized the following night.

Before the game, John L. Williams will serve as Honorary Mr. Two Bits during only his third Florida game since his final season in ’85.

“It’s beginning to mend what has been a bad situation,” he said. “I gave the University of Florida my all when I was there. I feel good about it.”

Yet, Williams, Hinson and their former teammates hope this weekend’s gathering and anniversary celebration is not a culmination, rather a start.

“We need to do something every year,” Hinson said. “The bond we had that was lost for all those years, what we went through … now some of that’s kind of coming back.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Up next …

Kentucky at Florida

When: 7:45 p.m., Saturday, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

TV: SEC Network

Dolphins marvel at Colts QB Anthony Richardson as they get set to defend his dual-threat abilities

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 14:56

MIAMI GARDENS — The Indianapolis Colts appear primed to bring quarterback Anthony Richardson back from his oblique injury, and for the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, that could present some good or some bad.

First, the good: Richardson’s return means the Dolphins don’t face veteran backup Joe Flacco, who has been very effective in relief of Richardson this year, as he was when he was inserted for the Cleveland Browns last year and won NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Flacco is completing 65 percent of passes and has thrown seven touchdowns to one interception. Meanwhile, Richardson, the former Florida Gator and second-year dual-threat quarterback, has completed 50 percent of passes this season while throwing three touchdowns and six interceptions. And who knows if he comes out a bit rusty after he last was seen exiting early on Sept. 29 against the Pittsburgh Steelers?

But Richardson also presents mobility and athleticism that’s virtually unheard of among quarterbacks. A freakish athlete at 6 feet 4, 244 pounds, Richardson also has uncanny arm strength to strike way down the field.

In recent history, the Dolphins have had their share of struggles against running quarterbacks. Take Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills or Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens as examples.

“When he pulls the ball down to run, he looks like John Riggins,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said, likening the passer to the powerful Jets and Washington rusher of the 1970s and 1980s. “He’s enormous, he’s big, he runs through people, and then he has a hose for an arm. … So just his skill set, his physical attributes, he is certainly still maturing as a player, but I think his ceiling is incredibly high.”

While Miami was not really looking at first-round quarterbacks in Richardson’s 2023 draft class, the unicorn from the Gators who was picked fourth by the Colts still stood out to coach Mike McDaniel.

“I was like, ‘Wow, I haven’t seen that,’” McDaniel said. “Really big, fast and has a cannon. He’s a cool player to watch, very confident and a problem for defenses.

“Anytime you have to play team defense to minimize the impact of a player, that speaks to the player. Pass rush has to be connected to coverage, run fits have to be on point and he can do a lot of things if you allow him to.”

Every pass play, the Dolphins will essentially have to be prepared to defend two different plays — the one that’s drawn up for Richardson to throw from the pocket and the play he can make by escaping the pass rush. And in between, beyond running with the ball himself, he can extend plays to give receivers more time to get open.

“He can spread the field, and he makes you defend 11 people,” Miami cornerbacks coach Mathieu Araujo said. “From a coverage standpoint, I think the first thing you see is just the extension of plays. … For a guy who’s big and can run, he’s looking to get the ball out of his hand when he does extend the play.”

Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell, who actually was in the same draft class as Flacco as two of the few remaining NFL players in their upper 30s, has seen all types of quarterbacks in his experience. And he had a rousing endorsement for Richardson.

“Richardson is probably the ultimate athlete and probably, from a pass-rusher standpoint, the biggest challenge we’ll have so far this season,” Campbell said Monday as Miami got the week of preparation started coming off the bye.

But early in his budding career, Richardson appears to be turnover-prone. Miami can look to capitalize on that.

The Dolphins will do it while continuing to move cornerback Jalen Ramsey around on the defense, which could present confusing looks for a young passer.

“I don’t think there’s a position on the football field he hasn’t played,” Weaver said. “You blitz him sometimes like a Sam ‘backer. We’ve put him all over the place. We’ve blitzed him from the corner position. I’m almost ready to put him at inside ‘backer just to try to mess with these offensive guys.”

A big reason the Dolphins can afford to use Ramsey as that “ultimate chess piece” that Weaver famously mentioned when he first took the defensive coordinator position in Miami is fellow cornerback Kader Kohou presenting similar levels of flexibility. When Ramsey goes somewhere new, Kohou, mainly a nickel corner, can fill his usual boundary cornerback role.

“Without Kader being able to do what he can do, it doesn’t allow Jalen to do what he’s done in his career,” Araujo said. “Kader is as big a part of that as Jalen. When you move one guy, someone else has to do another job.”

The Indianapolis ground game can also be minimized if star running back Jonathan Taylor misses another game with his ailing ankle. The Dolphins have struggled in run defense, and Taylor’s absence would shrink the Colts’ ability to throw him and Richardson out there together as a quarterback-tailback rushing duo that could be comparable to the Ravens’ combination of Jackson and Derrick Henry.

“When I watch (Taylor), he reminds me a little bit of (former Jaguars standout) Fred Taylor, in the sense that he has some patience and vision,” Weaver said. “He’s a guy that’s going to dip in and out of holes — Le’Veon Bell type back — and then still has the speed to get away from guys.

“If he doesn’t play, it certainly doesn’t hurt us. If he does play, you always want to play against the best, and I consider him one of those.”

Today in History: October 17, Loma Prieta earthquake strikes California

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 01:00

Today is Thursday, Oct. 17, the 291st day of 2024. There are 75 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Oct. 17, 1989, an earthquake measuring 6.9 in magnitude struck northern California, killing 63 people and causing up to $10 billion worth of damage.

Also on this date:

In 1777, British forces under Gen. John Burgoyne surrendered to American troops in Saratoga, New York, in a turning point of the Revolutionary War.

In 1931, mobster Al Capone was convicted in Chicago of income tax evasion; he would be sentenced to 11 years in prison.

In 1933, Albert Einstein arrived in the United States as a refugee from Nazi Germany.

In 1967, Puyi, the last emperor of China, died in Beijing at age 61.

In 1979, Mother Teresa of India was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1989, Game 3 of the World Series was canceled as the Loma Prieta earthquake struck Northern California just 30 minutes before the game was scheduled to begin at Candlestick Park in San Francisco; the game would eventually be played 10 days later.

In 2018, residents of the Florida Panhandle community of Mexico Beach who had fled Hurricane Michael a week earlier returned to find houses, businesses and campers ripped to shreds; the storm had killed at least 59 people and caused more than $25 billion in damage in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia.

Today’s Birthdays:

Singer Gary Puckett is 82.
Actor-musician Michael McKean is 77.
Actor George Wendt is 76.
Astronaut Mae Jemison is 68.
Country singer Alan Jackson is 66.
Film critic Richard Roeper is 65.
Film director Rob Marshall is 64.
Animator-filmmaker Mike Judge is 62.
Reggae singer Ziggy Marley is 56.
Actor Wood Harris is 55.
Musician Wyclef Jean (zhahn) is 55.
Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els is 55.
Singer Chris Kirkpatrick (’N Sync) is 53.
Rapper Eminem is 52.
Actor Matthew Macfadyen is 50.
Actor Felicity Jones is 41.

Weekend things to do: The Wharf reopening (really), Kevin Hart, Parliament Funkadelic (and, shhh, Taylor Swift)

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 00:30

It may seem like Taylor Swift — pop-culture colossus, role model, spirit guide for millions of girls and women (and the people who love them) — is everywhere. But this weekend she’s in just one place. Here.

Swift’s long-awaited South Florida performances on her record-breaking Eras Tour will take up three days at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are long gone, and she could have sold out a month’s worth of shows here.

According to ticket reseller StubHub, this weekend’s visit to Hard Rock Stadium is the best-selling stop on the tour in 2024, topping No. 2 (Toronto) by 15%. People from 52 countries outside of the United States and Canada have bought StubHub tickets for one of these shows, a number unmatched by any other tour stop this year.

But if you don’t have tickets yet ($1,500 is a cheap seat on StubHub right now) or are otherwise unpersuaded by Swift’s music and aura, there are other things to do this weekend.

For instance, Kevin Hart is at Hard Rock Live; Sting, Men at Work and A Flock of Seagulls are rocking the ’80s; Southport Raw Bar is celebrating 50 years of beer and “nautiness”; The Wharf is reopening (for real); Bark Back Benefit will bring music, dogs and good vibes to Lake Worth Beach; the Witches of Delray Beach are stirring; and Indie Craft Bazaar will debut at Thrive Art District. Read on for more.

THURSDAY

“Nauti” by nature: The quintessential locals spot in Fort Lauderdale for boaters, anglers and anyone looking for a genial crowd and a cold beer, The Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Thursday beginning at 11 a.m. The party will include live music, food and drink specials, and plenty of hyperbolic story swapping. As it has been for nearly 30 of those years, the madness will be presided over by owner Buddy Sherman. Go give Buddy a hug. Visit SouthportRawBar.com.

Shore thing: Free drinks and shopping? Who thought of this? Ladies Night Market, curated by The Flamingo Flea, will add a vendor vibe to your sunset drinking on Thursday at The Shorely, the new floating bar at Marina Village on the Intracoastal in Fort Lauderdale. During this inaugural event (it was postponed on Oct. 10), women get free spirits, wine and bubbles from 7 to 10 p.m. Visit MarinaVillageFTL.com or Instagram.com/theshorely_ftl.

Marxists unite: Actor Frank Ferrante continues his internationally touring production “An Evening With Groucho” at The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton this weekend, a one-man simulation of the genius of Groucho Marx that has earned raves from critics and even Groucho’s kids. A 90-minute comedy in two acts, “Groucho” can be seen at The Wick through Nov. 3, with performances this weekend at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $89+ at TheWick.org.

Shine on: The fall edition of the 16th annual OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival kicks off on Thursday with opening-night festivities and a 7 p.m. screening of the drama “Young Hearts” at Regal Dania Pointe in Dania Beach. The evening will continue around the corner with an after-party at 9:30 p.m. at 14 North Daiquiri Bar, which will feature an open bar, themed drinks, passed appetizers and live music. The festival, which includes more than 65 LGBTQ+ films from around the world, continues with in-person screenings and parties in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and South Beach through Oct. 27 and virtual screenings from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3. Visit OUTshineFilm.com.

The new look of the main bar at The Wharf in Fort Lauderdale, which will debut its renovations when it reopens on Friday. (The Wharf/Courtesy) FRIDAY

New Wharf on New River: This is reopening weekend for popular all-day outdoor riverfront lounge The Wharf in downtown Fort Lauderdale — and they mean it this time! After being closed for nearly six weeks for renovations and having its original return postponed by weather last week, The Wharf is scheduled to debut its “venue refresh” on Friday. You’ll find more Instagrammy visuals, new landscaping, bar tops and tables, a new cocktail menu and a few new food vendors: locals Carlos & Pepe’s; Janken Street, Japanese-Korean food from Portland, Oregon; and Smashies burgers. But the best thing about The Wharf reopening is The Wharf reopening. Visit WharfFTL.com.

Creative visions: The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach will host opening night of the Subtropic Film Festival during Art After Dark events on Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. The evening will include the Filmmakers Happy Hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (open to all), conversations about cinematography and the art of the Florida Highwaymen (6 to 9 p.m.), festival screenings of short films by local filmmakers (7 to 8 p.m.), followed by an under-the-stars dance party with DJ Hunchback spinning vinyl (8 to 9:30 p.m.). Art After Dark tickets cost $10, or $5 for students, and can be purchased at the reception desk or in advance at Norton.org. Parking costs $6. For more on the film festival, visit SubTropicFF.com.

Points unknown: The annual art, technology and cool-music freakout known as III Points returns to Mana Wynwood Convention Center in Miami on Friday and Saturday, with dozens of performers led by George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Raekwon, Rick Ross, Rob Garza, Soulwax, Jamie xx, Kaytranada, Yung Lean and Bladee, as well as locals Palomino Blond, Electric Kif and Donzii. Tickets (including fees) start at $199 each day or $289 for a two-day pass. Hours are 3 p.m. to 4 a.m. each day. Visit IIIPoints.com.

Theo Wargo // Getty ImagesGeorge Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic are scheduled to perform at III Points 2024 in Miami. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Jimi jams: Experience Hendrix comes to the Pompano Beach Amphitheater at 8 p.m. Friday with a parade of top guitarists covering the influential music of Jimi Hendrix. This edition of the touring show will feature Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Eric Johnson, Devon Allman, Dweezil Zappa, Chris Layton (from Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble) and many more. Tickets start at $34.50+ at PompanoBeachArts.org/amp. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Witching hours: A fundraiser for one of South Florida’s most engaging seasonal events, the 10th annual Witches Brew takes place Friday at Tim Finnegans Irish Pub in Delray Beach, with entertainment, food and drink, raffles and contests from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is $65, which includes one drink and a light-bites buffet. Tables start at $130 for two. Visit Facebook.com/TimFinnegansDelray. Proceeds will support the annual Witches of Delray Beach charity bike ride, which raises money for the Achievement Centers for Children & Families. That kooky, costumed ride returns to downtown Delray Beach on Saturday, Oct. 26, leaving City Hall at 8:30 a.m. and culminating in a gathering on Old School Square that will include contests for best witch costume, best decorated bike, best team theme and best witch cackle. Typically a sellout, you can register for a spot in the bike ride in advance at WitchesOfDelray.org or at the event beginning at 7 a.m. Cost is $100 per rider.

A scene from the 2023 Witches of Delray Beach fundraiser as Melanie Von Schimmelmann, left, and Marissa Schear ride their decorated bikes. (Ethan Dangerwing/Courtesy)

Brat autumn: The American German Club of the Palm Beaches in Lake Worth Beach continues the 50th annual edition of its sprawling Oktoberfest celebration, a whirl of food, drink and carnival rides, on Friday (6 to 11 p.m.), Saturday (2 to 11 p.m.) and Sunday (noon to 8 p.m.). Admission costs $7 to $10 in advance, $20 at the gate. Kids age 6 and younger get in free. Parking starts at $20. Visit OktoberfestFlorida.com.

Remember the ’80s: A Flock of Seagulls bring indelible 1980s hits (“I Ran,” “Space Age Love Song,” “Telecommunication”) to the Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale on Friday (doors open at 7:30 p.m.), with general-admission tickets starting at $38.50+ at CultureRoom.net. … Across town at the Broward Center, Men at Work will reprise favorites of the same era (“Who Can It Be Now?,” “Down Under,” “It’s a Mistake,” “Be Good Johnny”) at 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets start at $39.50+ at BrowardCenter.org.

Clothes call: This is closing weekend for the new Pompano Players theater company’s first production, “Love, Loss, and What I Wore,” a collection of monologues and ensemble pieces about women, clothes and memories by Nora and Delia Ephron (based on the book by Ilene Beckerman). Weekend performances at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center are at 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $45+ at PompanoBeachCulturalCenter.com.

SATURDAY

Dog day afternoon: Just in time, the ninth annual Bark Back Benefit is back at Bryant Park Amphitheater in Lake Worth Beach on Saturday to raise money for local pet rescues whose capacity and budgets have been tested by recent hurricanes. Taking place from 2 to 10 p.m., Bark Back includes live bands, food trucks, classic cars and motorcycles, a craft beer garden, and local artists and makers. One of the most popular features is the First Responders Rescue Runway, showcasing Palm Beach County firefighters and sheriff’s deputies walking adoptable dogs on the catwalk. Admission is a $15 suggested donation, $20 after 5 p.m. VIP tickets cost $50 and include two drink tickets, fast-pass bar access and a backstage pass to meet the bands (Spred the Dub, Beauregard & the Downright, Guavatron, Tasty Vibrations and more). Proceeds will support Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League and Barky Pines Animal Rescue & Sanctuary. Visit BarkBa ckBenefit.com.

Kelly Hagen, left, Taylor English and Granger enjoying a laid-back vibe at the 2023 Bark Back Benefit music festival, which returns to Bryant Park Amphitheater in Lake Worth Beach on Saturday. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Classical picnic: The first free Wallcast concert of the season takes place at New World Center on Miami Beach on Saturday night during New World Symphony’s performance of “The Seven Deadly Sins” at 7:30 p.m. Wallcast concerts are picnic-style gatherings in SoundScape Park, outside New World Center, where state-of-the-art audio and video technology combine to present projections of New World Symphony concerts on a 7,000-square-foot wall on the side of the building. Bring a blanket, food and drink, and enjoy the show. “The Seven Deadly Sins” also will be performed at 2 p.m. Sunday. For concert tickets and more information, visit NWS.edu.

Witchy women: Slow Burn Theater Co. on Saturday begins its 13-show, Halloween-season run of the deliciously overheated musical “The Witches of Eastwick” to the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale. The show (based on the John Updike novel) about three modern-day witches conjuring the man of their hell-hot dreams has opening-weekend performances at 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $72+ at BrowardCenter.org.

SUNDAY

Chief of Police: Pop crooner Sting will perform as part of the trio (sounds familiar) when his Sting 3.0 tour stops at the Fillmore Miami Beach on Sunday and Monday at 8 p.m. The former Police frontman will be joined by longtime collaborator and guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas (once a tour drummer for Mumford & Sons). His setlists have been leaning into Police favorites, including “Walking on the Moon,” “So Lonely,” “King of Pain,” “Driven to Tears” and “Every Breath You Take.” Tickets for both shows are essentially sold out, but you can check out resale options listed at FillmoreMB.com.

Sunday laughs: Actor, comedian and ubiquitous pitchman Kevin Hart will bring his Acting My Age Tour to Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood at 7 p.m. Sunday. Last we checked, there were scattered single tickets starting at $138+, and a few pairs for crazy money. Visit MyHRL.com.

A new scene: A longtime local curator of cool stuff, Indie Craft Bazaar will pop up in a new spot at Thrive Art District in Fort Lauderdale from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Set among the warehouses and paved patios of this newly created urban scene, ICB will have more than 65 artists and makers showcasing one-of-a-kind ingenuity, DIY activities, and free swag bags to the first 100 attendees. This event is all ages and dog-friendly. Thrive is centered at 710 NW Fifth Ave. (north of Sistrunk, west of the water tower). Visit Facebook.com/indiecraftbazaar.

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

Morning Update: South Florida’s top stories for Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 00:00

Here are the top stories for Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. Get the weather forecast for today here.

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

Lawsuit seeks to invalidate Florida’s abortion rights ballot measure

King tides return to South Florida, enhanced by a supermoon

Sewage water backing up through floor drains, standing water ‘below customers’ tables’: 2 South Florida restaurants shut

A beachfront home will be built in Boca Raton after all, ending long-running battle

Fort Lauderdale’s Southport Raw Bar is turning 50 and feeling ‘shucking fabulous’

‘Textbook violation’: Florida sued over effort to block abortion rights ad

Three new co-chairs join Republicans for Harris in Florida. One calls Trump ‘a blustering, name-calling bully.’

Appeals court OKs ‘Stand Your Ground’ in South Florida dog case

Halloween 2024: Scare up some fun at haunted houses, bar crawls & block parties in South Florida

Miss Manners: The constant gifts for my terminally ill wife have become a burden

South Florida man pleads guilty to murder-for-hire after paying undercover agent

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 00:00

A Boynton Beach man who thought he was hiring a hitman but instead unknowingly paid an undercover agent has pleaded guilty in federal court to murder-for-hire.

Makram Khashman, 58, was arrested earlier this year, after a confidential informant for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms reported that Khashman was looking for a hitman.

The informant relayed the information to an undercover ATF agent, who posed as the hitman Khashman unknowingly gave $5,000 to in exchange for the murder of a person who he said stole over $1 million from him and a business from him, according to a criminal complaint filed in March.

Khashman admitted that he met with the undercover agent in late February and that he told the undercover agent he did not care how the intended target was killed, federal prosecutors said in a news release Wednesday.

During that first meeting in Plantation, Khashman said “he was in the streets with his family” because the person had stolen $1 million from him and a business worth $3 million, the plea agreement document said. He told the agent to do “whatever had to be done” and suggested the agent use an injection.

He met with the agent again in March in Plantation where he paid the first half of the promised $5,000 and provided the target’s name, car details and work schedule. He planned to pay the second half once Khashman had photos proving that the person was dead, the news release said.

The undercover agent emphasized multiple times to Khashman that the act could not be undone, according to the criminal complaint filed earlier this year. “No s—,” he replied, and said that he was willing to “do it (himself)” and told the agent to stop asking questions.

Khashman pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Fort Lauderdale. He faces up to 10 years in prison, prosecutors said. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2025.

Woman who conspired with Broward deputies in PPP loan scheme pleads guilty

Thu, 10/17/2024 - 00:00

A woman who prepared more than a dozen fraudulent applications, including for three former Broward Sheriff’s deputies, to the federal Paycheck Protection Program has pleaded guilty in federal court.

Lakeisha Black, also known as Lakeisha Pierce, from the summer of 2020 until the summer of 2021 charged people between $2,000 and $6,000 to prepare fraudulent applications to the federal program, which was designed to keep small businesses afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. The applications she submitted for at least 14 people totaled more than $400,000, federal prosecutors said in a news release Wednesday.

Those who paid Black to prepare the fraudulent applications would indicate on check payments that the money was for “payroll” or “backpay,” according to a factual proffer, the facts of the case agreed upon by the defense and prosecutors. Black also submitted false income information in order for her to receive her own PPP loans and conspired with three deputies — George Anthony III, a sergeant in the West Park district; La’Keitha Lawhorn, a 16-year veteran; and Jean Pierre-Toussant, a six-year deputy in the Tamarac district.

The deputies previously pleaded guilty in their separate cases and were sentenced.

Pierre-Toussant was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay about $20,000 in restitution, federal court records show. Anthony III was sentenced to one year of probation ordered to pay about $20,000 in restitution, and has since completed the payment, court records show. Lawhorn was sentenced to time served and was ordered to pay about $62,000 in restitution. She remains on supervised release for three years.

Black’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7. She faces up to a five-year sentence, prosecutors said.

Ask a real estate pro: Who should pay to fix storm damage caused by neighbor’s overgrown tree?

Wed, 10/16/2024 - 23:45

Q: During the recent storm, my neighbor’s overgrown tree was knocked over, destroying our fence and clipping our roof. It will cost quite a bit to repair it, and I think my neighbor should pay for it. I warned him the tree was too large. Also, who should pay to remove the tree from my yard? —Celine

A: Your first step in dealing with this problem is to secure your house. If the tree caused a hole in your roof, make sure to tarp it to prevent further damage. You are responsible to ensure the problem does not get worse.

Next, call your homeowner’s insurance company and make a claim. Even though you feel it is your neighbor’s fault, you could jeopardize your coverage if you do not notify your insurance company and follow their guidelines.

Based on your policy, your insurance company may pay for the repairs and seek reimbursement from your neighbor. This is called “subrogation” and is a right given to insurance companies in most, if not all, of the insurance policies I have reviewed.

Based on your insurance contract, you probably agreed that your insurance company would pay for the repairs and, in turn, they would take over your rights to try to collect from your neighbor for any wrongdoing.

If you do not have coverage for this, you may have to pursue your neighbor directly. Since the tree was on your neighbor’s property, they are responsible for maintaining it at least well enough that it does not become a problem for their neighbors.

If the tree was reasonably maintained and fell because of a storm, the neighbor whose home was damaged, in this case, you, will be responsible for the repairs. While this may seem unfair, it is how the law works in this regard.

However, the law will not protect a tree owner who does not maintain thier tree. If the tree that fell on your property was unhealthy or not properly maintained, your neighbor will be liable to pay for the repairs.

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.

ASK IRA: Will/should the Heat platoon system continue into the season?

Wed, 10/16/2024 - 23:45

Q: I like the idea of two discrete five-man units. It builds chemistry more than incremental substitutions. Do you think this will continue into the regular season? – Ray, Deerfield Beach.

A: I do not. First, it is difficult to go 10 deep while maintaining the type of minutes desired by starters. Second, I would expect Tyler Herro or Terry Rozier to also quarterback the second unit, rather than having to factor in another point guard. Beyond that, I simply don’t see the starting unit standing as the closing unit, at least not with Nikola Jovic opening at power forward. In addition, matchups, foul trouble and injuries also make it difficult to operate with such an approach. Yes, Hubie Brown did it during his time as Grizzlies coach, with his players embracing the approach. But that was a long time ago.

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

Q: Start Jaime Jaquez Jr. He is ready. He attacks. And he is aggressive. – David.

A: And if it was about starting your five best players, you certainly have a case. But this is about balancing the rotation, something Jaime Jaquez Jr. better does with the second unit, instead of offering duplication with Jimmy Butler. That said, when Jimmy does not play (and we’ll see how often that happens), Jaquez is the logical choice to step into the starting lineup, as he did last season. The greater question is whether Jaime will play with the closers or whether that could be Haywood Highsmith for defense or Duncan Robinson for shooting. The options are there for Erik Spoelstra with Jaime.

Q: Why are so many pointing to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo for 3-point shooting. They’re novelty acts. – Sammy.

A: I wouldn’t go that far, but I also would not expect them to contribute much more than 10 or 15 percent, say, of the 40 attempts that Erik Spoelstra would prefer nightly from his team from the 3-point arc. To that degree, they can contribute to the offense with successful conversions, but I wouldn’t expect their presence at the 3-point line to necessarily have a significant impact on spacing.

Why we’re putting country over party and voting for Harris | Opinion

Wed, 10/16/2024 - 23:45

As Donald Trump and his campaign become increasingly extreme, irresponsible and hateful, presenting policies that will only take us backward, Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz are offering something different. They’re presenting a clear vision to save our democracy and finally turn the page on Trump, as we try to move toward a positive direction for all Americans. Many Republicans and independents are paying attention, and they — like us — have heard a vision for this nation that resonates. Some were already disgusted with Trump’s extreme policies and feeling politically homeless. Now, more and more of them are seriously considering supporting a Democrat for president.

Donald Trump is unfit for office — a convicted felon, a serial liar and a narcissist. He admires dangerous dictators and incited an insurrection on our Capitol after losing the 2020 election. He’s running on an extreme set of policies known as Project 2025, an authoritarian blueprint for a second term. This agenda is so dangerous that the Republican presidential candidate is losing favor among true conservatives.

Trump wants more tax cuts for billionaires at the expense of the middle class. His blanket tariffs would raise costs for families by $4,000 per year. Experts warn that Trump’s economic plans would cost America over 3 million jobs, explode the national debt, send inflation skyrocketing, and cost as much as $10.5 trillion over a decade. Economists at Moody’s and the conservative-leaning Tax Foundation both predict that Trump’s Project 2025 agenda could drive America into a recession.

Trump has also shown disdain for our military, calling them “suckers and losers.” And let’s not forget, he intentionally sabotaged a bipartisan border control bill for his own political gain. He would rather campaign on problems than solve problems.

We deserve better. We need to turn the page on doom, despair and division, and work for a brighter future.

Kamala Harris offers that vision. She loves our country and is committed to providing opportunity for all. She’s a capitalist who’s laid out a pragmatic economic agenda that prioritizes lowering costs for families. She will help the middle class, including by providing tax cuts for 100 million Americans, helping small businesses grow and thrive, and working to bring down the cost of housing. Recently, in a show of bipartisan unity, more than 400 economists and policymakers from both sides of the aisle endorsed her.

Vice President Harris stands with our allies abroad, including Israel and Ukraine, and supports strengthening the NATO alliance. She has plans to secure our border, keep our communities safe, and ensure we have the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world.

Most importantly, she is the only candidate who can be counted on to put America’s interests above her own. That simple truth outweighs any policy disagreements we may have.

Don’t just take it from us. Among the high-profile Republicans endorsing Kamala Harris are a range of conservatives like Vice President Dick Cheney, former members of Congress Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, and hundreds of Republican staffers for former conservative administrations. These Republicans recognize Trump as dangerous, authoritarian and contrary to conservative values. They’ve chosen to put country over party — a true act of patriotism.

We can’t count Florida out. Vice President Harris is building a big tent of support, big enough to include all of us trying to fight for democracy. Florida voters are tired of the chaos, division, hate mongering, violence, and attacks on women, immigrants and minority communities. They’re ready for a change.

The first step to solving a problem is admitting there is one. Our party has never faced a problem as toxic, divisive and dangerous as Donald Trump. If we want our GOP back, it starts with defeating him. That’s why we, former lifelong Republicans, are working hard to elect Kamala Harris as the next president of our great country. We hope you will join us in this effort for unity and a brighter future.

Former state Sen. Paula Dockery, former right-wing pundit and Leaving MAGA founder Rich Logis, and former Deputy Assistant Treasury Secretary Greg Wilson are the co-chairs of Florida Republicans for Harris.

Daily Horoscope for October 17, 2024

Wed, 10/16/2024 - 21:00

General Daily Insight for October 17, 2024

Everything is illuminated. The Full Moon rises in Aries at 7:26 am EDT, showing us where to be independent, where to be dynamic, and where we’ve already put in hard work. When perfectionist Venus works with transformative Pluto to activate our magnetism and creativity, opportunities to work with others and manifest abundance arise. As Venus dances into explorative Sagittarius, right before the Moon moves into abundant Taurus, we can broaden our horizons and increase our senses of security. It’ll be the best of both worlds!

Aries

March 21 – April 19

The progress of friendships that you began in the recent past is coming to light. You may have opened your heart to certain people that you weren’t sure about. At last, you’re beginning to understand them on a deeper level — this can also further your understanding of why you’re drawn to each other. Perhaps opposites really do attract, regardless of which one of you is on which end of the dynamic. Either way, when you learn from each other, you can both go far!

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Spiritual practices of yours could be providing results. You might have felt like you were doing internal work that you needed to keep in the dark for a while, but today, you’re in a place to grasp the source of the blessings that you were manifesting. Look where you’ve been putting your consistent efforts for these results — if you haven’t been consistent, then you may notice areas that are calling out for your attention. Listen to whatever is asking for your spiritual attention.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Your dreams may be whispering for you to chase them. You might not have realized that a dream of yours was really progressing toward becoming a reality, especially if you haven’t worked on it in some time. That said, these updates could be happening without your control — perhaps you’ve submitted a resume to your ideal workplace or you put together an entry for an amazing contest. Keep working toward your dreams, even if you can only faintly see what could come of them.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

The spotlight may be moments from alighting on you. While you might not always be comfortable under its gaze, sometimes it’s a good feeling to have the people around you recognize you for what you’ve contributed. There is a strong likelihood of you experiencing this group praise at any moment. Instead of trying to deflect or brushing it off, stay humble while accepting any praise that you’re being given for your efforts. They’re your accomplishments! You earned them, so take a bow.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

New milestones are right around the corner. Whether you’ve recently been traveling, in a class, or just learning for the love of knowledge, you might realize that you’re a little smarter than you used to be. Someone may start up a conversation that you wouldn’t have been able to have with them if you hadn’t known anything about the topic of interest. This shared knowledge could create a connection that otherwise would have slipped by you without you even knowing. Knowledge is power!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

You’re learning to love your intensity. There might be people who have tried to discourage you in the past, but you gave it your best shot anyway — paying attention to your long-term results could do a lot to ward off future naysayers. You’re smart, Virgo, and it isn’t bad to know that! Whether it involves a subject that you’ve thoroughly studied, a project that relies on your vision, or even a team-up that others weren’t sure about, your intuition can be incredibly reliable. Persistence builds wonderful outcomes.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Your bonds are under cosmic review, Libra. Be they links with family members, friends, or significant others, the energy that’s always being shared between you is arriving at an impressive peak. Be aware of how you’re showing up for others versus how they’re showing up for you. Check in on those who may not be reaching out — if it seems that you’re going in different directions, consider the pros and cons of diverting your energy toward other connections in the near future.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Hidden enemies may be making themselves known throughout your day. You may have thought that someone was on your side, but when faced with their reaction to an important matter of yours, you could realize that they weren’t rooting for you like you believed they were. This doesn’t mean that they’re a bad person or that you’ll never be closer. Still, at this time, it might be best to focus on those who will cheer you on when you get a win.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Creative risks that you took may be about to pay off! Maybe you’ve stretched outside of your usual style, in your fashion sense, an artistic hobby, or simply by thinking outside of the box to solve an ongoing issue. Others might commend you on your ability to see beyond the obvious or step outside your comfort zone, while others may all but refuse to understand your vision. Either way, keep being someone that you would like to be, regardless of your audience.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Family matters are rising to the top. It doesn’t matter if your family is chosen or genetic — watch out for any imbalances in these connections making themselves known. Positive relationships with loved ones are likely to yield even better results than usual. That said, if you haven’t been spending time with someone or tension is paining you both, try to stay grounded while in conversation with them and avoid fueling any fires. Being sensitive and compassionate is most likely to bring you harmony.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

You might be given an opportunity to express yourself like never before. Perhaps you agreed to do some public speaking, teaching, or performing the other day, and your moment is about to arrive! This is your time to show others that you have done the work — whether you’re entertaining, educational, or both, you have the power to be a bright light in the darkness. Make sure that you know what you’re doing inside and out, then go out there and wow everyone!

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

How secure you feel right now is likely due to your recent decisions. Reckless spending of your money or time might have cost you, while being diligent, hanging out with good friends, and making smart use of your money and time would land you in a better place. You become more like the people that keep you company most frequently, so it’s a good idea to intentionally be around people you want to be like at present. Do what’s right for future you.

Heat’s Jimmy Butler makes preseason statement (with his look, as well) in victory over Hawks

Wed, 10/16/2024 - 19:01

MIAMI — Jimmy Butler came to play.

In the preseason, no less.

Few signs could be more encouraging for the Miami Heat at this time of year.

In 20:55, on a night he was pulled for good early in the third period, Butler was active and aggressive with 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting and three steals in Wednesday night’s 120-111 exhibition victory over the Atlanta Hawks at Kaseya Center.

“Jimmy just wanted to make sure he had a couple of moments tonight,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

That he did.

“Super efficient,” Spoelstra said of Butler’s offense, “activity level defensively, too. Yeah, he’s a super unique player, how he can do both things at such a unique level.”

After missing 22 games last season and then being sidelined for the playoffs with a knee injury, Butler made his fourth appearance of the preseason, his high since joining the Heat in the 2019 offseason.

Not only was the shot on point, including conversions on both of his 3-point attempts, but so was the spirit.

Butler added a bit of levity to the night by mimicking the look of teammate Terry Rozier, including sleeves on his left leg and left arm, wristband on his right wrist, and purple sneakers similar to Rozier’s.

And, yes, Rozier was quite aware of the imitation — and flattery.

“I thought it was cool,” he said. “It was dope. It worked.”

Spoelstra didn’t notice, but said, “As long as he’s not wearing the same stuff the head coach is wearing, I’m cool with it.”

Among the starters, Tyler Herro added 19, five assists and five rebounds.

Five Degrees of Heat from Wednesday night’s exhibition against the Hawks:

1. Back at it: How committed are the Heat to their presumptive opening-night lineup? Even on the second night of the back-to-back set that opened with Tuesday night’s victory over the visiting San Antonio Spurs, the Heat remained with a starting lineup of Butler, Herro, Rozier, Bam Adebayo and Nikola Jovic.

That quintet outscored the Hawks by one during their initial 8:54 stint, by three in their second 7:25 stint, and then by four in their final 4:36 stint.

It was the third time in four exhibitions the Heat opened with those five, the exception being when Herro was unavailable for the preseason opener due to a groin strain, with the other four also starting that game.

Adebayo closed with seven points and seven rebounds in 23:06.

2. Line change: As has been Spoelstra’s approach throughout this preseason, the Heat again went with a five-man line shift, this time with Thomas Bryant, Haywood Highsmith, Alec Burks, Duncan Robinson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. entering together late in the opening period.

Point guard Dru Smith later worked in with that mix, in place of Burks, putting 11 in the first-half rotation. Veteran center Kevin Love joined the primary mix in the third quarter.

“We have a lot of weapons on this team,” Spoelstra said.

3. The Highsmith factor: While the second unit had Jaquez at point guard, the role Smith had been handling with the second unit, it was Highsmith who took the defensive assignment against Trae Young.

With Highsmith also providing 3-pointers, it is becoming increasingly clear that he likely will set up in the role previously held by Caleb Martin, of entering to defend the opposition’s best wing and provide 3-point spacing.

“I say this as such a high compliment,” Spoelstra said, “he’s the utility infielder. You can plug him in a lot of places defensively and he makes your defense better.”

No sooner was Martin lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency then Highsmith was re-signed to a two-year, $10.8 million contract.

Highsmith closed with 16 points in 17:23.

4. No days off: The game was a makeup from last week’s postponement due to Hurricane Milton. That had both teams playing in a back-to-back.

For the Heat, it closed the set that began with Tuesday’s victory over the Spurs. For the Hawks it was the first game of a set that concludes Thursday on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Due in part to that scheduling, the Hawks were without No. 1 overall draft pick Zaccharie Risacher, Bogdan Bogdanović, De’Andre Hunter, Onyeka Okongwu, Dominick Barlow, Seth Lundy and former Heat center Cody Zeller.

Atlanta then lost starting center Clint Capela in the first period due to ankle soreness.

5. And finally: The Heat conclude their five-game preseason, and their stretch of four exhibitions in six days, with a Friday game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum, when the bulk of the rotation is expected to be given the night off.

That will be followed by Saturday’s 5 p.m. waiver deadline to reduce to no more than 18 players for Wednesday night’s season opener against the visiting Orlando Magic. The Heat currently are at the NBA offseason maximum of 21 players.

Today in History: October 16, Black men gather for the Million Man March

Wed, 10/16/2024 - 01:00

Today is Wednesday, Oct. 16, the 290th day of 2024. There are 76 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Oct. 16, 1995, the Million Man March, a gathering of Black men meant to foster unity in the face of economic and social issues affecting African Americans, was held in Washington D.C.

Also on this date:

In 1758, American lexicographer Noah Webster was born in Hartford, Connecticut.

In 1793, during the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, was beheaded.

In 1859, radical abolitionist John Brown led a raid on the U.S. arsenal at Harpers Ferry in what was then a part of western Virginia. (Ten of Brown’s men were killed and five escaped. Brown and six followers were captured; all were executed.)

In 1934, Chinese Communists, under siege by the Nationalists, began their “long march” lasting a year from southeastern to northwestern China.

In 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis began as President John F. Kennedy was informed that reconnaissance photographs had revealed the presence of nuclear missile bases in Cuba.

In 1964, China set off its first atomic bomb, codenamed “596,” on the Lop Nur Test Ground.

In 1968, American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos sparked controversy at the Mexico City Olympics by giving “Black power” salutes during a victory ceremony after they had won gold and bronze medals in the 200-meter race.

In 1978, the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church chose Cardinal Karol Wojtyla (voy-TEE’-wah) to be the new pope; he took the name John Paul II.

In 1984, Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu was named winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his decades of non-violent struggle for racial equality in South Africa.

In 1987, 18-month-old Jessica McClure was pulled from an abandoned well in Midland, Texas, after being stuck there for more than two days. The efforts to rescue “Baby Jessica” captured the attention of the nation.

In 1991, a gunman opened fire at a Luby’s Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas, killing 23 people before taking his own life.

In 2017, Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who had been captured and held by the Taliban for five years after walking away from his post in Afghanistan, pleaded guilty to desertion and endangering his comrades.

Today’s Birthdays:

Actor Fernanda Montenegro is 95.
Actor Barry Corbin is 84.
Musician Bob Weir is 77.
Actor-director Tim Robbins is 66.
Rock musician Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) is 62.
Filmmaker Kenneth Lonergan is 62.
Actor Terri J. Vaughn is 55.
Singer John Mayer is 47.
Former WNBA point guard Sue Bird is 44.
Actor Caterina Scorsone is 43.
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper is 32.
Tennis player Naomi Osaka is 27.

Daily Horoscope for October 16, 2024

Tue, 10/15/2024 - 21:00

General Daily Insight for October 16, 2024

It’s a rare occurrence when there are no aspects in the sky, but that’s today! To add to the slow pace of the day, all of the outer planets — Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, in addition to the asteroid Chiron — are all moving retrograde. Starting anything new might feel like walking through molasses, so be patient. It’s a good time to pause and look back at where we’ve been, analyzing anything we can make better and giving thanks for all that went well.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

You can find solace by focusing on what used to heal you. You may have forgotten about past self-care, go ahead and take a walk down memory lane. This might have been a face mask that you used to use in high school, or a TV show that you once loved as a child. Even a meal that fills you with emotional warmth should fortify you to move past stagnant energy in your life. Don’t let anyone tell you that your healing methods are childish.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

It might be hard to get a hold of your friends today. While you’re longing for some camaraderie, the people that you’d spend time with are possibly otherwise engaged. When did you last try to have fun by yourself? If no activities come to mind, try taking a walk outside and doing some people-watching. While you may not be able to connect with your favorite people today, you can connect simply by being in the world and observing your surroundings. Stop and smell the roses!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

You’re changing how you rest. You may have devoted very little time to recharging before, especially if you believed you had to do nothing in order to regain energy. Thankfully, there are ways to chill out without simply taking a nap. Make an effort to spend quality time away from phones, computers, or other entertainment technology — even an hour or two would be great decompression time. The internet’s waterfall of information can be both awesome and overwhelming. Take a break from the digital noise.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

People in your life could seem unfairly intense, but it may be due to ongoing stressful circumstances. If they can’t separate their issues from their interactions with you, you’d be wise to withdraw and protect your peace. You likely don’t have a dog in this fight, and you shouldn’t try to pick one. It’s their responsibility to work out any tangles they have with others! If they try to control you, that’s even more reason to pull back. Don’t be overwhelmed by their intensity.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Reflection on past goals could inspire you to create even loftier ones. Whether you achieved those aims isn’t the question — unless you want to revive some of them with fresh twists. Make sure that you are only bringing back goals that brought you joy when you were pursuing them, and not goals that you think you “should” do. This is about your intuition! Go ahead and follow it toward your dreams. Don’t get too serious yet — this stage is about imagination.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Deciphering the emotions of others might feel like putting together a puzzle that’s missing multiple pieces. Thankfully, the main piece you need here is patience. They might be closed off or not communicating in clear ways. Do your best to stay calm as you wait for a response — that’s the best way to avoid unnecessary tension. Delays are currently very common, whether you’re chatting with friends, family, or co-workers. Don’t lose your cool over a lack of conversation! Things will eventually pick back up.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

You may be healing your emotional wounds from someone else. A onetime friend potentially hurt you in the past, either by accident or on purpose. Whether or not they’re currently in your life, you probably still feel their presence in your subconscious. They could have been a big part of your life at one point, possibly even influencing certain mindsets or habits. Being kind to yourself while you’re healing is key, because it will be a slow process, but a worthwhile one.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

You’re finding ways to show up consistently. You may realize that you haven’t been there for other people like you thought you’d be — they could be disappointed by this lack of your presence in their life. While you don’t have to please everyone, if you want to keep connections alive, it’s important to make plans and make good on them. Today is a good opportunity to plan how you can make it up to them, though thankfully, you don’t have to act just yet.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

You might be going back to your past for healing. Someone you once knew may enter your mind at any moment, likely spurred by seeing a keepsake that they gave you in the past or a reference to them on social media. It’s unlikely that this person will physically show up in your life again, but it is possible. If you do speak face to face, then try to find closure as needed. Rather than opening up new doors, close the old ones with kindness.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

How have you changed over the years? If possible, take time today to go through old scrapbooks, social media accounts, or journal entries and acknowledge your growth. At the same time, you may be noticing the ways in which you’re the same as you used to be, which might be just as shocking! It’s okay if you still hold some of the same ideas and feelings that you did several years ago. Honor your past, and let this fuel intentional growth for your future.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Cut through the clutter! It’s a great time to reorganize your room, your house, or wherever you’re calling home currently. Tidying your physical space should improve your headspace as well, as it allows you to see what you do and don’t want to carry into the future with you. You might even make some money if you sell some old items in a garage sale or online. While you probably won’t throw together a big sale immediately, you can start pondering which possessions spark joy.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Understanding your own feelings isn’t necessarily easy at the moment. Your heart and your head might be at odds with one another, leaving you to try and detangle your emotions. Be aware that you may struggle with making decisions or knowing how to respond to other people when they ask for your opinion on something — and that’s okay! Take a breath and be patient with yourself while you’re figuring everything out. You have the universe’s permission to take time and think through your responses.

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