South Florida Local News

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Disbarred celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi was convicted Tuesday of embezzling tens of millions of dollars from his clients, including several with severe physical injuries and families of people killed in accidents.

After a 13-day trial and less than a full day of deliberations, the federal jury in Los Angeles found the 85-year-old Girardi guilty of four counts of wire fraud.

Girardi is the estranged husband of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne and appeared on the show himself dozens of times between 2015 and 2020.

He was once among the most prominent lawyers in the nation, often representing victims of major disasters against powerful companies. One lawsuit against California’s Pacific Gas and Electric utility led to a $333 million settlement and was portrayed in the 2000 Julia Roberts film “Erin Brockovich.”

But his law empire collapsed, and he was disbarred in California in 2022 over client thefts.

Former clients who testified against Girardi included an Arizona woman whose husband was killed in a boat accident and victims who were burned in a 2010 gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno, south of San Francisco.

“Tom Girardi built celebrity status and lured in victims by falsely portraying himself as a ‘Champion of Justice,’” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement after the verdict. “In reality, he was a Robin-Hood-in-reverse.”

An email to Girardi’s attorneys seeking comment on the conviction was not immediately answered.

During trial, defense lawyers sought to blame the thefts on his firm’s chief financial officer, Chris Kamon, who is charged separately and has pleaded not guilty. They portrayed Girardi as a mere figurehead in recent years, with a valuable name.

Prosecutors played jurors voicemails in which Girardi gave a litany of false reasons why money that a court had awarded could not be paid, including tax and debt obligations and judge authorizations. He frequently told them, “Don’t be mad at me.”

Girardi’s attorneys also had argued that he was not competent to stand trial because he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Issues with his memory had led another court to put him in a conservatorship under his brother.

But prosecutors contended that Girardi was exaggerating his symptoms, and a judge ruled that he was competent for trial.

Girardi could get as much as 80 years in prison at his sentencing, which is scheduled for December. A judge has allowed him to remain free until then.

Girardi also faces federal wire fraud charges in Chicago, where he is accused of stealing about $3 million from family members of victims of a 2018 Lion Air crash that killed 189 people.

By AAMER MADHANI, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s top Middle East adviser on Tuesday held talks in Doha with senior Qatari leaders on the efforts to complete a cease-fire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas as well as Qatar’s prime minister meeting this week with Iran’s president, according to a U.S. official.

White House senior adviser Brett McGurk’s talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani come after the prime minister’s Monday visit to Tehran to meet with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The talks also come as cease-fire talks aimed at winning at least a pause in the war between Israel and Hamas are shifting to Doha this week after several days of intense negotiations in Cairo. A round of high-level talks ended Sunday without a final agreement. But talks continued at lower levels Monday in an effort to bridge remaining gaps.

Those working-group level talks are now expected to resume Wednesday in Doha. It was not clear why the location of the talks shifted from Cairo or whether this will have an impact on negotiations.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were discussing sensitive cease-fire talks, confirmed an Israeli delegation will head to Doha on Wednesday.

The U.S. official, who was not authorized to discuss the sensitive talks publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that McGurk met with the Qatari officials and the focus of their conversation.

Tensions have been escalating between Israel and Iran, and with groups — Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis — that are backed by Tehran. Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel for last month’s assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh last month in Iran.

Hamas has been designated a terrorist group by the United States, Canada, and European Union.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday expressed openness to renewing negotiations with the United States over his country’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, telling its civilian government there was “no harm” in engaging with its “enemy.” The timing of Khamenei’s remarks came just one day after the newly minted Iranian president’ visit. There have been indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. in recent years mediated by Oman and Qatar, two of the United States’ Middle East interlocutors when it comes to Iran.

Biden earlier in his presidency had pressed Iran to return to compliance with the nuclear deal that was brokered by the Obama administration in 2015 but scrapped in 2018 by former President Donald Trump.

Since the deal’s collapse, Iran has abandoned limits that the agreement put on its program, and is enriching uranium to up to 60% purity — near weapons-grade levels of 90%. After the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by the Iran-backed Hamas, the U.S. administration has put efforts to revive the nuclear agreement on the shelf.

Pezeshkian, 69, who ran as a reformist politician within Iran’s Shiite theocracy, was elected last month to replaced he late President Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line protégé of Khamenei, killed in a helicopter crash in May. The new president is closely aligned with former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who reached Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that saw sanctions lifted in exchange for the atomic program being drastically curtailed.

Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

It has been a while since three nationally ranked Broward powers St. Thomas Aquinas, Chaminade-Madonna and American Heritage all lost their season openers, so they are looking to get back on track. Of course, this season all three teams opened their seasons against teams nationally ranked higher.

St. Thomas Aquinas, the five-time defending state champion, actually moved up two spots in this week’s Max Preps poll to No. 9, while Chaminade-Madonna slipped from No. 9 to No. 11. American Heritage stayed at No. 20.

I went 10-3 last week, missing by one point on the West Boca-Benjamin game, three points in the Milton (Ga.)-Western contest, and seven points in the Chaminade-Madonna-St. John Bosco contest. I finished 151-28 last year after going 144-41 in 2022.

Here is this week’s slate:

Thursday

Deerfield Beach (0-1) at Monarch (1-0) (7 p.m.) Monarch is coming off a thrilling 30-29 win over Peachtree Ridge (Ga.) thanks to sophomore quarterback Jack Spaeder (17-23-2 for 210 yards). Senior Samari Reed, an Ole Miss commit, ran for 122 yards and three TDs, caught four passes for 21 yards and added 25 yards in kick returns to finish with 168 yards. Deerfield failed to get much going in its 23-0 loss to Piper. Monarch 40, Deerfield Beach 14.

Dwyer (0-1) at Boca Raton (1-0) (6:30 p.m.): Dwyer dropped its opener to Jupiter 27-0 last week while the Bobcats picked up a 21-0 victory over Boynton Beach. Boca Raton senior Brody Costolo had eight solo tackles and an assist in the victory. The Panthers could only muster 105 total yards. Boca Raton 17, Dwyer 10.

Lake Worth (0-1) at Wellington (0-1) (6:30 p.m.): Lake Worth fell 49-13 to second year school Dr. Joaquin Garcia and junior quarterback Caleb Butler, who threw for four scores in his debut. He’s a junior transfer from Palm Beach Central. Wellington forced five turnovers on defense in its 26-12 loss to Centennial. Wellington 20, Lake Worth 17.

Palm Beach Lakes (1-0) at Forest Hill (1-0) (6:30 p.m.): Both teams opened with wins — Forest Hill topped John I. Leonard 44-0, and Palm Beach Lakes downed Coral Springs 41-13. Senior Chris Harris ran for 159 yards and a score, while junior QB Quentin Williams threw for 99 yards and two TDs for Palm Beach Lakes. Forest Hill held John. I Leonard to just 79 total yards. Forest Hill 13, Palm Beach Lakes 12.

Friday

No. 11 Chaminade-Madonna (0-1) at Blanche Ely (1-0) (7 p.m.): Blanche Ely, under new coach Terence McFadden, hung 62 points on Boyd Anderson last week. Chaminade-Madonna is coming off a disappointing 34-27 defeat to now No. 3 St. John Bosco in an ESPN game. The Lions have played Blanche Ely twice since 2017 winning both games, 38-0 in 2018 and 44-0 in 2017. Chaminade-Madonna 33, Blanche Ely 17.

No. 9 St. Thomas Aquinas (0-1) at Boyd Anderson (0-1) (Friday 7 p.m.): The Raiders gave the country’s No. 2-ranked squad Bishop Gorman (Nev.) all it could handle in a 29-21 loss at home in another ESPN game. Two late interceptions doomed the Raiders’ rally. Boyd Anderson fell to Blanche Ely 62-31. St. Thomas Aquinas 40, Boyd Anderson 6.

Western (0-1) at  No. 20 American Heritage (0-1) (7 p.m.): Western let a late lead in its game against Alabama power Hoover slip away in the game’s final nine minutes and fell 17-14. Despite 157 passing yards and two touchdowns from junior Texas commit Dia Bell to Miami commit junior Malachi Toney and 177 rushing yards and a score from Byron Louis and a score, the Patriots, ranked No. 20 in the nation, fell to then No. 6  Milton (Ga.) 37-28. American Heritage 24, Western 14.

Everglades at Richmond Hill (1-0) (Georgia) (7:30 p.m.) Everglades’ junior QB Elijah Chollett threw for 207 yards and two scores in a 24-10 victory over Fort Lauderdale. Richmond Hill was led by Caleb Easterling who ran for 146 yards and two scores, along with Joshua Troupe who totaled 137 yards rushing. Richmond Hill 20, Everglades 14.

Miramar (0-1) at Plantation (1-0) at PAL Field (7 p.m.): Miramar came up short, losing 27-0 to then No. 52 Miami Norland, while Plantation hung on for a 27-21 victory over Dillard. Plantation 13, Miramar 12.

Jonesboro (Ga.) (1-1) at Atlantic (1-0) (6:30 p.m.): After winning its opener, Jonesboro fell last week 48-8 to Douglas County and travels to Delray Beach, where it will take on the high flying Atlantic Eagles, who topped Palm Beach Gardens 42-3. Senior QB Lincoln Graf was 14 for 23 for 160 yards and a score and added two scores on the ground. Atlantic 28, Jonesboro 24.  

Tampa Jesuit (0-1) at Benjamin (0-1) (6:30 p.m.) The Tigers are smarting from a 48-34 loss to host Bishop Verot last week. Senior running back Justin Thurman rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns in the loss. Benjamin junior running back Phoenix Donghia ran for two first-half TDs, but the Buccaneers blew a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter. Junior running back and Sun Sentinel Super 11 selection Javian Mallory finished the game with 144 yards and two TDs. Benjamin 23, Tampa Jesuit 17.

King’s Academy (1-0) at Fort Pierce Westwood (Friday 7 p.m.): King’s Academy blanked St. Andrew’s 13-0 in its opener last week. Senior QB Joe Dailey threw two touchdowns, including a 47-yarder to senior fullback Kosuke Kakata. King’s will travel to the Panthers, who are playing their first game of the season. King’s Academy 17, Fort Pierce Westwood 16.

West Broward (1-0) at Camden County (Georgia) (2-0) (7:30 p.m.): West Broward travels out of state after its 57-14 victory over South Broward. Sophomore running back Amos Bradford had 11 carries for 200 yards and two scores, while senior running back Elijah DeWoskin led the way with 13 carries for 88 yards and two scores. Camden County has a knack for scoring, as it put up 51 points and 60 points in the Wildcats’ two victories. Camden County 24, West Broward 20.

Cardinal Newman (1-0) at Carrollwood Day (Friday 7 p.m.): Junior Leslie Mosley excelled on both sides of the ball as he caught a touchdown pass from junior Jyron Hughley and also had an interception in a 46-7 win over host Monsignor Pace. Hughley had 88 yards passing and three passing scores for the game. He also tallied 61 yards on the ground and 2 TDs. Sun Sentinel Super 11 selection senior Jaylen Brown added 145 rushing yards and a score. The Patriots were doubled up 28-14 by Tampa Plant in its opener. Cardinal Newman 42, Carrollwood Day 6.

Glades Central (1-0) at Martin County (0-1) (Friday 7 p.m.): Glades Central earned a hard-fought 34-31 overtime victory over Seminole Ridge as senior Jermyll Ray finished with 203 all-purpose yards, including a kickoff return to tie the game in the final two minutes to force overtime. The Tigers opened the season with a 20-12 loss to Sebring. Glades Central 21, Martin County 20.

Alabama

Last year’s record: 12-2, 8-0 SEC

• Nearly 40 players either transferred or left for the NFL, but quarterback Jalen Milroe’s return was critical after he accounted for 3,365 total yards and 35 scores during his first season as starter.
• The defense returns just five starters after it lost a trio of pass rushers with 26 sacks, led by Dallas Turner, and the SEC leader in passes defended, cornerback Terrion Arnold. Each player was a first-round draft pick.
• Alabama replaced two-time All-American kicker Will Reichard, the all-time NCAA Division I FBS scoring leader, with Miami (Ohio) transfer Graham Nicholson, who was 27 of 28 on field goals in 2023.

Arkansas

Last year’s record: 4-8, 1-7 SEC

• Boise State transfer quarterback Taylen Green, a 6-foot-6, 221-pound junior, replaces record-setter KJ Jefferson, who transferred to UCF after throwing for 7,991 yards, rushing for 1,868 and accounting for a school-record 88 touchdowns.
• Defensive end Landon Jackson, whose 13.5 tackles for loss rank third among SEC returners, anchors a defense that allowed an average of 357.2 yards under new coordinator Travis Williams, down 108 yards per game from 2022.
• New offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino was 34-17 in four seasons as Arkansas head coach, including 11-2 during his final season in 2011.

Auburn

Last year’s record: 6-7, 3-5 SEC

• 5-star freshman receiver Cam Coleman looks to ignite the SEC’s worst passing offense (162.2 ypg) after second-year coach Hugh Freeze stuck with quarterback Payton Thorne, who ranked 13th among 14 SEC starters in passing efficiency.
• New defensive coordinator and former UF assistant DJ Durkin inherits three of the Tigers’ top four tacklers, include edge rusher Jalen McLeod, who had 10.5 for loss.
• Tailback Jarquez Hunter is the leading returning rusher in the SEC, with 909 yards.

Florida

Last year’s record: 5-7, 3-5 SEC

• Quarterback Graham Mertz returns for a sixth season after finishing with an SEC-best 72.9% completion rate, 20 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in his Gators debut.
• Significant defensive improvement is imperative after UF allowed an average of 38.2 points during a season-ending five-game skid, had an SEC-low 3 interceptions and managed just 22 sacks — the program’s fewest since 2013.
• Coach Billy Napier enters Year 3 in Gainesville with four new assistant coaches, three on defense, and an additional special teams analyst after a 5-7 finish.

Georgia 

Last year’s record: 13-2, 8-0 SEC

• Quarterback Carson Beck set a single-season school record with a 72.4% completion rate while his 3,941 passing yards ranked third.
• Georgia led the conference in scoring defense (15.6 ppg) but allowed its most points since 2020 when schools faced an all-SEC schedule.
• Coach Kirby Smart moved Mykel Williams, the team’s most talented front-seven defender, from end to outside linebacker after the Bulldogs tallied their fewest sacks (30) since 2018.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck posted a school record 72.4% completion rate while passing for 3.941 yards and 23 scores. (Brett Davis/AP)

Kentucky

Last year’s record: 7-6, 3-5 SEC

• Georgia transfer quarterback Brock Vandagriff, a 5-star prospect, inherits one of the SEC’s best wideout tandems in Barion Brown and Dane Key (85 catches, 1,175 yards, 10 scores combined in 2023).
• Massive tackle Deone Walker (6-6, 348) is a force who posted 55 tackles, including 7.5 sacks, and now anchors one of the SEC’s top defensive fronts.
• Kentucky’s 5-0 start and 7-6 finish was a bit reminiscent of Mark Stoops’ early years in Lexington; his 2014 squad began 5-1 and 2015 team 4-1 before each finished 5-7.

LSU

Last year’s record: 10-3, 6-2 SEC

• Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, a 22-year-old redshirt junior, replaces Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, who accounted for 4,946 total yards and 50 scores.
• Linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. has a case for the SEC’s best front-seven defender after registering 75 stops, including 13 for loss, and 3 forced fumbles as a sophomore.
• After consecutive 10-win seasons, coach Brian Kelly can ill afford the Tigers missing the expanded 12-team playoff in Year 3.

LSU coach Brian Kelly speaks with his players during a game against Florida State at Camping World Stadium last season. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Mississippi State

Last year’s record: 5-7, 1-7 SEC

• The Bulldogs fired first-year coach Zach Arnett and hired Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby after missing a bowl game for the first time since 2009, Dan Mullen’s debut season in Starkville.
• Seven of the top eight tacklers from 2023 are gone, leaving former UF assistant Coleman Hutzler coordinating a defense with two returning starters.
• Visits to Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and Ole Miss highlight one of the nation’s toughest schedules.

Missouri

Last year’s record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC

• Receiver Luther Burden returns as the SEC’s top playmaker on the perimeter; his 1,212 receiving yards ranked third and he has 17 touchdowns in two seasons.
• To finish 11-2 after consecutive 5-7 seasons, the Tigers won four games by 7 points or fewer, tied with Ole Miss for tops in the SEC.
• Missouri returns just five defensive starters, losing two of its top three tacklers, along with sack leader Darius Robinson and interceptions leader Kris Abrams-Draine.

Oklahoma

Last year’s record: 10-3, 7-2 Big 12

• Sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold takes over an offense with just two returning starters, none on the offensive line.
• Defensive-minded third-year coach Brent Venables was known at Clemson for developing elite defensive linemen akin to 6-foot-2, 320-pound TCU transfer tackle Damonic Williams, who started 27 games the past two seasons.
• The Sooners join the SEC coming off a lull in Big 12 domination — no title game appearances in three seasons — and without an All-American performer since 2019.

Ole Miss

Last year’s record: 11-2, 6-2 SEC

• The Rebels had a plus-11 turnover margin and won four games by 7 points or fewer, trends that are difficult to repeat hoping to build on 11 wins.
• USC transfer quarterback Jaxson Dart thrived under Lane Kiffin, accounting for 31 scores including 23 passing against just 5 interceptions.
• A quartet of defenders ranked among 247Sports’ top-50 transfers — tackle Walter Nolan (Texas A&M), edge rusher Princely Umanmielen (Florida), linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (Arkansas) and cornerback Trey Amos (Alabama) — will spearhead a retooled unit.

South Carolina 

Last year’s record: 5-7, 3-5 SEC

• Coach Shane Beamer enters a pivotal Year 4 after he followed two promising seasons with a 5-7 dud he cannot repeat.
• The Gamecocks must replace their quarterback and receiving corps, but added Arkansas star tailback Rocket Sanders and 5-star tackle Josiah Thompson to an offensive line with four returning starters.
• Linebacker Debo Williams, the SEC’s leading returning tackler (113 stops), will spearhead a defense with seven starters back and 5-star edge rusher Dylan Stewart in the fold.

Tennessee

Last year’s record: 9-4, 4-4 SEC

• Offensive whiz and former UCF coach Josh Heupel believes highly touted quarterback Nico Iamaleava could be the best he’s coached, while returners Bru McCoy and Squirrel White form a formidable receiving duo.
• Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. is among the SEC’s most dominant defenders — 14.5 tackles for loss, including 10 sacks, as a sophomore — but Tennessee lost 10 defensive backs and return no starters on the back end.
• Tennessee’s opponents had a combined 52% win rate in 2023, second lowest in the SEC ahead of only Missouri (44.3%).

Texas

Last year’s record: 12-2, 8-1 Big 12

• Quarterback Quinn Ewers lost receivers Xavier Worthy and AD Mitchell to the NFL, but Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond was among the biggest offseason acquisitions in college football.
• An offense averaging 35.8 points returns four starters in the offensive line along with sophomore tailback Cedric Baxter, a former Edgewater standout.
• Sophomore star linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. looks to shore up a front seven losing Outland Award winner T’Vondre Sweat, fellow tackle and first-round draft pick Byron Murphy and All-Big 12 linebacker Jaylan Ford.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian visits with then-Bama coach Nick Saban prior to the Longhorns’ 34-24 win last season in Tuscaloosa. (Vasha Hunt/AP)

Texas A&M

Last year’s record: 7-6, 4-4 SEC

• Quarterback Conner Weigman is as talented any passer in the SEC, putting a premium on his recovery from a serious ankle injury in September.
• After going 16-9 at Duke, Mike Elko replaced Jimbo Fisher; Elko served as A&M’s defensive coordinator during a 9-1 2020 when the Aggies led the SEC in total defense.
• Purdue transfer end Nic Scourton, who led the Big Ten with 10 sacks, tackle Shemar Turner, who totaled 10.5 tackles for loss in 2023, lead a talented defensive front.

Vanderbilt

Last year’s record: 2-10, 0-8 SEC

• Transfer QB Diego Pavia, the 2023 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, arrives from New Mexico State with coordinator Tim Beck looking to provide stability for coach Clark Lea, who has played multiple quarterbacks in 22 of 36 games.
• The Commodores return just three starters on each side of the football as Lea enters his fourth season searching for answers and assuming the role of defensive play caller.
• Linebacker Langston Patterson (team-high 74 stops) and safety CJ Taylor (55) are solid pieces to build around as is versatile TCU sophomore transfer Randon Fontenette.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Here are the top stories for Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. Get the weather forecast for today here.

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Maintenance meltdown: Students, workers taken to hospitals after gas leaks, air conditioning issues

State park tension continues, despite withdrawal of golf plans at Jonathan Dickinson

Felon helped oversee Palm Beach County investment firm that ran $56 million Ponzi scheme, SEC says

The sad state of primary care in Florida: Frustrated patients want doctors to devote more quality time to their health

Special counsel urges appeals court to reinstate classified documents case against Trump

UF study looks deeper into olive oil’s health benefits

US appeals court clears way for Florida ban on transgender care for minors

Rapper Sean Kingston and mother arraigned on fraud, theft charges

Florida gas prices drop ahead of holiday travel weekend

Miss Manners: She refused to let me wear custom slippers in her home and it caused me pain

More than 11 years after a 4-year-old boy was found dead in a Coral Springs apartment, his mother has been arrested and accused of his murder.

Destene Simmons, 34, was booked Friday into the North Broward Bureau on one count of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated child abuse in her son Antwan Hope Jr.’s death. Port St. Lucie Police Department helped with the arrest, though Coral Springs Police in a news release Monday did not say when she was initially arrested.

Just days after Antwan was found dead on June 10, 2013, Coral Springs Police considered Simmons a person of interest. The police department did not elaborate in its news release on why the arrest came more than a decade later and denied releasing the warrant for Simmons’ arrest, citing an ongoing investigation.

Simmons, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and depression, was having her first unsupervised visit with Antwan at her apartment in Coral Springs since she allegedly attempted to suffocate him in 2011. In three cryptic 911 calls that morning, Simmons asked for help without giving her address and without saying why she was calling.

“I just want someone to come out,” Simmons told a 911 operator. In a later call, Simmons gave her address in the 9000 block of Northwest 28th Drive, saying only, “My baby don’t want to come out,” before hanging up.

The Sun Sentinel reported on June 18, 2013, that Destene Simmons remained a person of interest in the June 10, 2013, death of her 4-year-old son, Antwan Hope Jr. (Newspapers.com)

Officers discovered Antwan’s body on a bed, still in his pajamas, inside the apartment. Police immediately considered the death suspicious, and Simmons was hospitalized and had a psychological evaluation.

The police department has released few details publicly about Antwan’s death and their investigation since, including his cause and manner of death. Court records in the case were not available Monday night.

Antwan’s father, Antwan Hope Sr., filed a negligence lawsuit against the Department of Children and Families and ChildNet, a contractor of the department, on the one-year anniversary of his son’s death, alleging Simmons killed him or that he died “as a result of severe neglect due to her mental incapacity to properly care” for him. He alleged DCF and ChildNet were negligent by allowing Simmons’s visit despite her allegedly attempting to suffocate him.

The lawsuit also alleged Simmons “would regularly take Antwan Hope Jr. from his residence and walk around in the streets with him at 3 a.m. in the morning” and refused others to interact with him. Court records in the lawsuit are no longer accessible.

Former Broward Judge Elizabeth Scherer lambasted the child protection agencies in court a few days after Antwan’s death and said that a court order was violated in allowing Simmons to visit her son unsupervised. Scherer was supposed to review a home study before Simmons could have unsupervised visits, which was not filed until the day after Antwan died.

“The system has failed you, and I’m sorry,” Scherer told Hope Sr. and his relatives in court at the time.

Information from the Sun Sentinel archives was used in this report.

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.

On Aug. 15 in Tampa, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly announced that “we do not have a pro-life majority in Florida.”

Therefore, in order to subvert the will of the people, he further stated that the real work will be in convincing people who support abortion rights that Amendment 4 is too extreme.

They hope to do this through a misleading and fear-mongering “financial impact statement,” which they somehow managed to get attached to the ballot question voters will see as they vote.

Don’t be fooled.

The DeSantis administration has no interest in representing the people of Florida, only the governor’s own far-right political agenda.

Victoria Fowler, Fort Lauderdale

My mind, body and soul

For my mind, no government or political party should tell me what I can read or study in school.

For my body, no government or political party should tell me who I am or what I can do with my own body.

For my soul, no government or political party should tell me who, what or where I can worship.

Since I pay my taxes, at least let me control my own mind, body and soul. The government can have the rest.

Please vote to save your own mind, body and soul.

Donna Volpe, Boca Raton

Everyone must vote

Why do conservative lawmakers feel they have the right to tell women what they can do with their bodies, while men enjoy unlimited access to sexual enhancement drugs?

Under the United States Constitution, we are all supposed to be equal with equal rights.

But sections of the population feel differently. Men can make choices for themselves about their bodies, while women have “choice” forced on them as if we were still living in the dark ages.

The only way we can address this inequality is to get out and vote for Amendment 4 in November for women’s rights. Abolishing women’s contraception is the next step after the reversal of Roe v. Wade, as has been outlined in Project 2025.

More than just women need to vote in November. We also need fathers, brothers, uncles and grandfathers to vote to protect these rights for women. Talk is cheap, but votes count.

Fred Hartmann, Aventura

A change in ideology

It is hard to believe that Kamala Harris has the intelligence or sincerity to run a country.

She’s being directed by members of her party to deliver speeches as a strong moderate-thinking Democrat, rather than the progressive one she is, to grab votes away from the undecideds.

Question: How does a person change ideologies in a span of about five minutes? Answer: To become the next president.

Donald Trump has a big mouth and we all wish he would shut up and continue his campaign minus his ranting and raving. But in the end, he’s an American through and through, and he doesn’t have to change his ideology to prove anything. We know exactly where he stands.

This election is going to be one for the history books. As the old saying goes, may the best man win.

Roberta Chaleff, Tamarac

For the second consecutive season, the Miami Dolphins defense is under new leadership.

Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, who has a different style and philosophy than his predecessor, Vic Fangio, takes over a unit that finished No. 10 in the league in total defense (318.3 yards allowed per game), but No. 22 in points allowed per game (23).

There are already early-season hurdles to clear, ranging from edge rushers Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and Bradley Chubb (knee) recovering from their injuries to making up for the loss of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, one of the defense’s heart-and-soul players last season.

The Dolphins, who should play more man-to-man defense and blitz more frequently this season, did fairly well in free agency. Players such as cornerback Kendall Fuller, linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Anthony Walker Jr., and safeties Jordan Poyer and Marcus Maye are good additions.

But the defensive losses were deep when you also consider familiar faces such as cornerback Xavien Howard, linebacker Jerome Baker, safety Brandon Jones and edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel also departed.

Here’s how the Dolphins’ starting defense is shaping up:  

Edge rusher Chop Robinson

6 foot 3, 254 pounds; rookie season

Normally, Phillips would be the starter. And that could still happen. But we’re taking the cautious approach here. Robinson, the rookie first-round pick from Penn State looked better and better as training camp progressed. He should be a factor even after Phillips returns.

Edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah

6-4, 275; eighth

Normally, Chubb would be the other starter. But Ogbah, the replacement after Shaq Barrett’s sudden retirement, was productive early in training camp and seems an easy choice as a starter. He should be in the rotation when Chubb returns.

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DL Zach Sieler

6-6, 300; seventh

Big things are expected from Sieler, who had a career-best 10 sacks last season. Sieler will get lots of attention with Wilkins gone, but he has the skill set to make the jump from good to borderline Pro Bowl-level.

DL Da’Shawn Hand

6-3, 302; seventh

This is a big opportunity for Hand, who flashed last season with 17 tackles in 198 snaps from scrimmage and 45 snaps on special teams in 16 games. Miami needs a replacement for Wilkins and Hand was good in training camp. The Dolphins will be rotating defensive linemen to make up for the loss of Wilkins, so veteran Calais Campbell should also see plenty of action. 

LB Jordyn Brooks

6-0, 240; fifth

Brooks is a tackling machine who has had more than 100 tackles in three of his four NFL seasons, including recording 111 tackles last season with Seattle. He’ll bring a physical presence to the defense.

LB David Long Jr.

5-11, 225; sixth

Long was last season’s leading tackler with 113. His aggression and physicality set a tone for the defense. He’ll be a heart-and-soul player on the defense this season. By the way, this is the final year of Long’s contract so expect big things.

CB Jalen Ramsey

6-1, 208; ninth

Ramsey, the star of the defense, is a likely Hall of Famer. Weaver wants to use him as a “chess piece,” meaning highlighting Ramsey’s versatility. Ramsey missed the first seven games last season but was still Miami’s best defensive back.

CB Kendall Fuller

5-11, 198; ninth

Fuller, the free agent signee from Washington, steps in at the spot vacated by Howard. Fuller, who had two interceptions and nine passes defended last season, has position versatility, meaning he can play either side or inside, which could be valuable if the Dolphins plan to use Ramsey as a “chess piece.”

Nickel/slot CB Kader Kohou

5-10, 197; third

Kohou, a sensation as an undrafted rookie in 2022, was a target last season as teams stayed away from Ramsey and Howard. Kohou was targeted 83 times in 2023, and quarterbacks completed 81.9% of those passes. By comparison, Fuller was targeted 80 times and quarterbacks completed 68.8% of those passes.

S Jevon Holland

6-1, 205; fourth

Holland only played 12 games last season due to injury, but he was effective with 74 tackles (fourth on the team) and that 99-yard interception that might have won the New York Jets game on Black Friday. By the way, expect big things because it’s the final year of his contract.

S Jordan Poyer

6-0, 191; 12th

A seasoned veteran, Poyer brings experience, skill and maturity. Poyer had 101 tackles in 16 games in 2023, but he failed to record an interception for the first time in seven seasons. Still, this is regarded as a quality signing and that’ll probably end up being true. And with the late offseason addition of veteran safety Marcus Maye, the Dolphins have depth at the position.

More Dolphins Season Preview Content

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Season outlook: With new-look defense and return of top offense, Dolphins hope to reach new heights in 2024

Breaking down the schedule: Dolphins have five prime-time games, including Thanksgiving night

Chris Perkins: Here’s what we learned about Dolphins during training camp (backup QB settled, productive camp overall)

Life looks normal walking along the streets of Tel Aviv. However, strolling through the streets of Southern Israel, I can see evidence of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war — bullet holes and burned-down buildings.

I’m a 20-year-old student at Florida Atlantic University studying journalism. In May, thanks to Taglit Birthright Israel, I traveled to Israel for 10 days. The nonprofit organization funds free trips, valued at around $4,500 per participant, for Jewish young adults ages 18-26.

Jessica Abramsky is a junior majoring in journalism at Florida Atlantic University. (courtesy, Jessica Abramsky)

The comprehensive trip took me all over the country, from Tiberius to Jerusalem and Sderot. Throughout the trip, I experienced togetherness, sadness and joy.

I had wrestled with whether I should go on the trip, and some of my family was nervous too. I realized it might be dangerous, but I felt compelled to visit Israel during this time because of the war. I have felt more connected with my Jewish identity since the war started.

I wanted to bear witness. I needed to talk to civilians, survivors and soldiers. I wanted to know what it was like to be in Israel on Oct. 7. But while I was on the ground in Israel, I felt very safe.

Since Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, leaving 1,200 dead and 250 taken hostage, Israel has launched retaliatory strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza. Through news outlets, the Gazan Health Ministry reported in late July that just under 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war. It’s unclear how many deceased are Hamas terrorists,  but Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said on Aug. 15 that the military has killed over 17,000 Hamas terrorists since the start of the war, the Times of Israel reported.

Because of the war, tourism to the area has shriveled. Our tour guide, Amir, who worked for the tour company Authentic Israel, told me it was very difficult. Virtually all tourism was suspended for months. He was supporting his family by selling fruit.  He said that tourism started to pick up again in May, when colleges ended for the year in the U.S. and tour agencies began sending travelers over the summer.

In Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, people worked, shopped and ate in restaurants with no direct signs of the military battle in Gaza. But in southern cities like Sderot, where some people have returned to homes they fled, and northern cities like Tiberius, where war refugees have relocated because of Lebanon-based Hezbollah attacks, the effects of the war are felt by everyone.

More than 100,000 Israelis remain displaced within Israel, according to HIAS, an Israeli nonprofit organization for refugees.

Under a government-funded program, my hotel in Tiberius housed some of these families alongside more-typical guests. I saw displaced young children eating at the hotel breakfast buffet instead of their kitchen table before they headed off to school.

Soldiers weep at Mount Herzl National Cemetery in Jerusalem

At Mount Herzl National Cemetery, on the west side of Jerusalem, we witnessed multiple funerals for soldiers who had died recently in Gaza. Some of the soldiers attending the service for a fallen comrades looked numb. Others cried. Most had eyes bloodshot from tears. On the graves lay handwritten letters and photos, and on the headstones mourners had placed stones, a Jewish tradition to symbolize the lasting memory of the deceased, as stones are more permanent than flowers and photos.

Israeli soldiers mourn a fallen comrade at the Mount Herzl National Cemetery in Jerusalem. (Jessica Abramsky)

One fallen soldier, Staff Sgt. Aner Elyakim Shapiro, was at the Nova Music Festival near Re’im, Israel, on Oct. 7, less than 10 miles from the Gaza Strip. The story, as told from one of the Birthright staffers accompanying my trip, was that as terrorists threw grenades into the open shelter in which he hid with 30 others, he lobbed them back at his attackers. He tossed seven grenades back before the eighth killed him. A photo of Shapiro in the bomb shelter sat on his grave. Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of Hamas’ current Israeli-American hostages, was taken out of the bomb shelter.

Site of the slayings: 360 small trees mark each festival victim

The same day I went to Sderot, I also visited the site of the Nova Music Festival, which took place in the early morning hours of Oct. 7 in the Negev Desert near Re’im. The festival was an open-air event during the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret.

It was eerie to be there, where Hamas initiated a surprise attack on Israel, killed 360 and took dozens of hostages.

A few of the memorials at the site of the Nova Music Festival, where some 360 concertgoers were killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack. (Jessica Abramsky)

There, black poles with victims’ photos and names spring from the desert ground, which had been a festival dance floor. Red plastic flowers stand at the base of each pole. Spent candles to memorialize the dead line the walls of open-air bomb shelters.

Across the street stand 360 newer small trees — one for each festival victim.

Surveillance footage of the attacks

During my visit to Sderot I not only visited the sites of the attacks but also heard from survivors.

While visiting a community center, I heard from a volunteer paramedic with Magen David Adom, Israel’s national ambulance service, and a volunteer with ZAKA, Israel’s top non-governmental rescue and recovery organization. Walking into the center, there were fallen Hamas rockets on display. Our tour guide, Amir, said they keep them to raise awareness and because so many have fallen since Oct. 7 that they do not know what to do with them.

We also watched surveillance camera footage from the streets of Sderot on the day of the attack. We watched Hamas terrorists murder families and shoot at moving vehicles on the road. We saw Hamas terrorists kill the parents of two young girls as the girls sat in the back seat of their vehicle. But the children were left untouched. The paramedic theorized the terrorists did not kill the girls to “make them suffer.”

Throughout, the paramedic narrating the camera footage showed little emotion, even as he watched and explained the recordings of the murders of people he knew.

At an observation deck atop a small hill facing Gaza, we came within a few miles of the war zone. It was surreal to be standing in a city that was devastated on Oct. 7, looking into the Gaza Strip, where the situation is awful.

Smoke rises from the war zone in the distance, as seen from the city of Sderot, Israel. (Jessica Abramsky)

Palestinians have been forced to live under harsh conditions: little food, shelter or security. The world, Israel and the U.S. included, has sent thousands of humanitarian aid packages to Gaza, including medical supplies, food and water. Aid is incredibly useful, but it breaks my heart to hear reports that Hamas terrorists steal the supplies rather than share them with civilians who need them. They have hijacked aid trucks numerous times.

This just creates a worse environment for everyone who lives there.

In the sky: Dark, gray smoke from explosions

While we were in Sderot, especially close to Gaza, we could hear explosions and see dark, gray smoke floating into the sky, which Amir said was mostly IDF carrying out targeted implosions of buildings known to be terrorist hideouts. Israeli fighter jets roared overhead.

At one point, we wandered over to a destroyed police station. The building was captured by about 10 terrorists on Oct. 7, who stole from the armory and murdered the police officers inside. We learned that the police chief decided to implode the building to kill the terrorists hiding on the roof, instead of sending a SWAT team to its death.

At a playground in a residential part of Sderot near the end of our trip, we sat down to discuss the emotions and sights of the trip. I was mentally and emotionally drained.

We shared personal stories and some people cried, as they have lost friends and family on Oct. 7. Amir then brought our attention to a large green caterpillar-like tunnel structure snaking through the playground.

He asked if we knew what it was; we thought it was a tunnel for the kids to play in. And it was, but it was more than that. It was also a bomb shelter for children.

This is the reality for children in southern Israel — they are taught from a young age to get to the shelter fast and to bring the younger kids with them. It is heart-wrenching that these are the memories Israeli children will hold onto for life.

Jessica Abramsky is a junior majoring in journalism at Florida Atlantic University.

Q: Ira, you continue to list Nikola Jovic as the starting power forward. But what if Erik Spoelstra goes in a different direction? – David.

A:Then it gets interesting for the Heat on multiple levels. First, I’ve been listing Nikola Jovic as the starting four because I’m not sure I see another option on this roster. I still think it would be too soon for Kel’el Ware. Haywood Highsmith would be an undersized stretch. It hardly would be maximizing Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s skill set. And it seems as if the Heat and Erik Spoelstra have moved beyond a pairing of Bam Adebayo and Kevin Love in the first five. But . . . if the Heat do move in such a direction, then I’m not sure where Nikola Jovic might fit as Erik Spoelstra cycles through his rotation, considering the volume of wing options he has at his disposal in smaller-ball pairings. So I almost think you start Nikola at the start of the season to initially get the best read on your roster. Of course, that all could be what camp is about.

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Q: Ira, it’s been a month since summer league and we haven’t seen Heat players working out together. Wouldn’t it be a good idea for the NBA to have mini-camps like the NFL in the offseason? – Len.

A: First, compared to the NFL, there hardly is much of an NBA offseason, when considering camps can start as early as late September and the playoffs can end as late as late June. The NFL, by contrast, has almost six months of offseason free and clear to spot in mini-camps and OTAs that hardly are optional. Still, many teams have players who organize informal get togethers during August and September ahead of camp. But you can’t talk about seasons being too long and complain about players not being available and then expect them to work year-round (even as the rest of us do). For the Heat, the mandate has been clear: Enjoy your offseason, but arrive to camp in shape, as opposed to starting to get in shape at that stage. And, all the while, plenty of players are still working together in groups.

Q: Goran Dragic carried the Heat during difficult times. Heat Nation really appreciated what he did for us. – Jurgis.

A: Which is why it was heartening to see Chris Bosh, Josh Richardson, Chris Quinn, Andy Elisburg, Adam Simon and so many others from the Heat at Goran Dragic’s farewell game in Slovenia. I remain of the belief that No. 7 should be in the rafters at Kaseya Center. But, failing that, I would like to see some sort of Heat shrine or museum to at least honor the next tier of players for contributions such as Goran, a place where those such as Rony Seikaly and Glen Rice could be honored, as well as franchise mainstays such as Ron Rothstein, Keith Askins, Eric Reid, Jose Paneda, etc.

Here are five key players to watch during the Miami Dolphins’ 2024 season:

QB Tua Tagovailoa

It always starts and ends with Tagovailoa. He has done what’s been asked of him the past two seasons since coach Mike McDaniel’s arrival. In 2022, he showed he can play in McDaniel’s system with wide receivers around him.

Last year, he proved capable of staying healthy for a full season for the first time in his career. It all played a role in earning him a four-year, $212.4 million extension this offseason as he heads into his fifth season. Tagovailoa said “heavy is the crown,” now that he has been paid. Now, he must make it a worthwhile investment for the franchise by leading it to a playoff win for the first time in 24 years.

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa talks with wide receiver Braxton Berrios during training camp in Miami Gardens. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) CB Jalen Ramsey

The “ultimate chess piece” is how new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver labeled Ramsey at Weaver’s introductory press conference in February. Expect Ramsey to move around the Dolphins defense more often, instead of being restricted to a variety of zone coverages on one side of the field, like last year’s defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, was doing.

Ramsey is capable of shadowing an opponent’s top receiver wherever he lines up, covering a tight end, blitzing and maybe even play deep safety if Weaver wants to get creative.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel speaks to cornerback Jalen Ramsey during practice at Baptist Health Miami Dolphins training complex in Miami Gardens on Dec. 20, 2023. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel) WR Jaylen Waddle

Sure, Tyreek Hill, too, but let’s focus on Waddle for a second because, like Tagovailoa, he also scored an extension this offseason. We know that Hill is of elite caliber as he vied for the NFL’s first 2,000-yard receiving season last year and finished with 1,799.

Waddle has 1,000 yards in each of his first three NFL campaigns, but can he take another step to get closer to Hill’s category as he approaches his prime. The Dolphins will one day need the younger Waddle to be the No. 1. Is 2024 a season where he takes a giant stride toward becoming that?

Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle speaks at a news conference at Baptist Health Miami Dolphins training complex in Miami Gardens on July 23. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel) DT Zach Sieler

He’s the man now on the defensive line. Christian Wilkins fled to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, and that broke up the Dolphins’ “Salt-and-Pepper” combination at defensive tackle that had been together since 2019. Sieler will assuredly draw more attention from opposing blockers now as he tries to expand on his 10-sack season from a year ago.

He also may be kept fresher if Weaver rotates him out more often. Speaking of rotation, that’s what it should be around him, with the likes of Calais Campbell, Benito Jones, Da’Shawn Hand, Neville Gallimore, Jonathan Harris and Brandon Pili among those who can come in and out on the defensive line.

Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler speaks at a news conference at Baptist Health Miami Dolphins training complex in Miami Gardens on July 23. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel) C Aaron Brewer

The Dolphins got strong center play from Connor Williams the past two seasons, but he was not re-signed in the offseason coming off his ACL tear last December. In comes Brewer, who switched from guard to center, like Williams did in coming to Miami, last year with Tennessee.

His athleticism makes him a scheme fit in coach Mike McDaniel’s wide-zone run-blocking scheme, but he also has to get his snapping chemistry down with Tagovailoa as he looks to anchor a line that also features Terron Armstead at left tackle and Austin Jackson at right tackle.

Dolphins center Aaron Brewer seen practicing on July 29 at the Baptist Health Training Center. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) More Dolphins Season Preview Content

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In the run-up to Palm Beach County’s election of a new public defender on Aug. 20, outgoing State Attorney Dave Aronberg made waves in the legal community by endorsing one of the two candidates in the race. If you’re a lawyer, you were outraged by this as soon as it happened. If you’re not a lawyer, or you did not spend each Wednesday evening of the 1990s devouring the latest episode of “Law & Order,” please allow me to explain why you and everybody else in our community should be upset too.

Adam Farkas is running as an independent candidate in the Nov. election for Palm Beach state attorney. (courtesy, Adam Farkas)

Aronberg’s decision to insert himself in this race was and remains acutely problematic because the state attorney and the public defender are purposely prescribed adversarial roles in our criminal justice system. The state attorney’s job is to prosecute defendants accused of having broken the law. The public defender’s job is to represent those accused by the state attorney if they are unable to afford private counsel. When the accused are forced to rely on a public defender who has been anointed and installed by the same state attorney prosecuting the case against them, our system breaks down. Court proceedings become farcical shams from which the promise of impartial justice — and, with it, public trust in the legitimacy of our criminal justice system — entirely disappears.

Though backlash against Aronberg has been scathing, my view as an attorney is that he has the right to publicly defend himself. What’s more, because Aronberg will remain state attorney until after voters have chosen his successor on Nov. 5, he has the responsibility to do so.

It doesn’t matter that Aronberg’s preferred candidate, former Delray Beach City Commissioner Adam Frankel, lost the primary election. It’s the act that is in question here, not the results. And when it comes to the integrity of the criminal justice system and public trust in its ability to render impartial justice, Aronberg is not entitled to the right to remain silent. Our county’s top prosecutor must present his defense in the court of public opinion, a venue with which he is quite familiar after years of moonlighting as a cable news commentator. The circumstances are no less ironic than they are tawdry and troubling.

“Morning Joe” host Joe Scarborough, left, speaks with Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg. – Original Credit: handout – Original Source: MSNBC screen grab

His defense will likely rely on assertions that he and his candidate of choice in the public defender’s race had known and respected one another for decades throughout parallel careers as officeholders. Aronberg will attempt to convince you, me and the rest of the public that his only infraction was an attempt to do something nice for a friend. If I was the defendant’s lawyer, I would be praying for a plea deal.

Unfortunately for Aronberg, I am not his lawyer. I am, however, the only nonpartisan candidate running to succeed him as state attorney. In this capacity, my recommendation is that we swiftly bring his case to trial in the public square. There will be no plea bargaining because there is no excusing Aronberg’s disrespect for the system by which impartial justice is assured nor his willingness to smash hard-earned public trust in that system. The state attorney’s transgressions against the system and public trust demand nothing less than a public conviction.

Adam Farkas is running as an independent candidate in the November election for Palm Beach state attorney. 

If the Miami Dolphins are to end a 24-year playoff win drought come January, it could behoove them to win the AFC East in the regular season.

That would give the Dolphins a home game in at least the wild-card round of the postseason, avoiding frigid Kansas City, Buffalo or maybe Cincinnati or Baltimore.

The AFC East, last season, came down to the regular-season finale Sunday nighter at Hard Rock Stadium between the Dolphins and Bills. A reminder of the result isn’t needed for Dolphins fans. Miami lost to Buffalo at home to cap the team blowing a three-game division lead with five weeks remaining to give the Bills a fourth consecutive division title and send the Dolphins down into a wild-card spot.

The Dolphins, despite four consecutive winning seasons and back-to-back playoff berths, haven’t earned a division crown since 2008.

It is expected to be only more competitive in 2024, as Miami and Buffalo are both there vying for the top spot, along with an expectation the New York Jets could get thrust into that mix with a healthy Aaron Rodgers at quarterback this year.

Much was made this offseason of the Dolphins’ losses of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, right guard Robert Hunt and others, but the Bills had a more accentuated roster purge develop in March to get salary cap compliant ahead of free agency. That saw them release cornerback Tre’Davious White, safety Jordan Poyer, who now has switched sides in the rivalry with Miami, and center Mitch Morse, among others.

But the biggest offseason loss for Buffalo came in dealing star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans — this as the team also lost fellow wideout Gabe Davis in free agency.

Yes, Diggs was starting to get phased out of the offense in the second half of last year as the Bills turned their season around.

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But the playmakers around quarterback Josh Allen are diminished as he’ll have to depend more on running back James Cook, tight end Dalton Kincaid and Allen’s own legs to keep the offense churning. Out wide, he’ll need rookie Keon Coleman to show promise early while others must step up between Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, Khalil Shakir, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Chase Claypool.

The Buffalo defense also should remain stout, even as former star edge rusher Von Miller is fading at the end of his career. Defensive ends Gregory Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa, defensive tackles Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones and linebackers Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano — who is out indefinitely after tearing his biceps — give Buffalo a stout defensive front. The Bills’ secondary will be in a transition period without White and now breaking up its longtime safety tandem of Poyer and Micah Hyde.

The roster alterations could challenge Bills coach Sean McDermott after he almost lost his team midway through last season.

The Jets seek a resurgence in season buildup similar to last summer before Rodgers only lasted four plays into the 2023 season due to a torn Achilles after his move to New York from Green Bay.

He has young talent around him with budding wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall. The Jets also gave him 6 foot 4 but oft-injured wide receiver Mike Williams and will try to protect his blind side with the addition of left tackle Tyron Smith to a maligned offensive line that was the only unit to go through more starting combinations than the Dolphins in 2023.

The core of the Jets defense returns — behind the likes of cornerback Sauce Gardner, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, defensive end Jermaine Johnson and linebacker C.J. Mosley. New York added touted pass rusher Haason Reddick, who missed all of training camp while holding out for a new deal, in what could be a make-or-break season for coach Robert Saleh.

The Patriots are in rebuilding mode in the first season without Bill Belichick at the helm since 1999.

His former linebacker, Jerod Mayo, leads the way in New England now. It’s the Mayo-Maye era in New England, as the Patriots drafted quarterback Drake Maye with the No. 3 pick. With Rhamondre Stevenson in the backfield and Hunter Henry at tight end, he will look to develop along with a slew of young wide receivers that need to emerge for the Patriots offense.

Their defense has a lot of the parts it needs: Pass rusher Josh Uche, safety Kyle Dugger, cornerback Christian Gonzalez, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux.

It would be a surprise if the Patriots immersed themselves into the competition at the top of the division, but for the Dolphins, they need to move past the Bills while holding off the Jets in the AFC East in 2024.

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Today is Tuesday, Aug. 27, the 240th day of 2024. There are 126 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Aug. 27, 1883, the island volcano Krakatoa erupted with a series of cataclysmic explosions. The explosions (which could be heard 3,000 miles away) and resulting tsunamis in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait claimed some 36,000 lives in Java and Sumatra.

Also on this date:

In 1894, Congress passed the Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act, which contained a provision for a graduated income tax that was later struck down by the Supreme Court.

In 1964, the film “Mary Poppins” had its world premiere in Los Angeles, California.

In 1979, British war hero Lord Louis Mountbatten and three other people, including his 14-year-old grandson Nicholas, were killed off the coast of Ireland in a boat explosion claimed by the Irish Republican Army.

In 1982, Rickey Henderson of the Oakland A’s stole his 119th base of the season, breaking Lou Brock’s single-season stolen base record. (Henderson would finish the season with a still-unmatched 130 stolen bases.)

In 1990, blues musician Stevie Ray Vaughn and four others were killed in a helicopter crash near East Troy, Wisconsin.

In 2001, Israeli helicopters fired a pair of rockets through office windows, killing senior PLO leader Mustafa Zibri.

In 2005, coastal residents jammed freeways and gas stations as they rushed to avoid Hurricane Katrina, which was headed toward New Orleans.

In 2008, Barack Obama was nominated for president by the Democratic National Convention in Denver, becoming the first Black presidential nominee from a major political party.

In 2011, Hurricane Irene made landfall in the United States; the storm would be responsible for 49 total deaths and more than $14 billion in damage.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Author William Least Heat-Moon is 85.
• Actor Tuesday Weld is 81.
• Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, D-Neb., is 81.
• Actor G.W. Bailey is 80.
• Rock musician Alex Lifeson (Rush) is 71.
• Actor Peter Stormare is 71.
• Rock musician Glen Matlock (The Sex Pistols) is 68.
• Golfer Bernhard Langer is 67.
• Gospel singer Yolanda Adams is 63.
• Fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford is 63.
• U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines is 55.
• Actor Chandra Wilson is 55.
• Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Thome is 54.
• Rapper Mase is 49.
• Actor Sarah Chalke is 48.
• Actor Aaron Paul is 45.
• Actor Patrick J. Adams (TV: “Suits”) is 43.
• Singer Mario is 38.
• Actor Alexa PenaVega is 36.
• Singer-songwriter Kim Petras is 32.
• U.S. Olympic and WNBA basketball star Breanna Stewart is 30.
• Rapper/singer-songwriter Rod Wave is 26.

Today is Monday, Aug. 26, the 239th day of 2024. There are 127 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Aug. 26, 1944, French Gen. Charles de Gaulle braved the threat of German snipers as he led a victory march in Paris, which had just been liberated by the Allies from Nazi occupation.

Also on this date:

In 1939, the first televised major league baseball games were shown on experimental station W2XBS: a double-header between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. The Reds won the first game, 5-2, the Dodgers the second, 6-1.

In 1958, Alaskans went to the polls to overwhelmingly vote in favor of statehood.

In 1968, the Democratic National Convention opened in Chicago; the four-day event that resulted in the nomination of Hubert H. Humphrey for president was marked by a bloody police crackdown on antiwar protesters in the streets.

In 1972, the summer Olympics opened in Munich, West Germany.

In 1978, Cardinal Albino Luciani (al-BEE’-noh loo-CHYAH’-nee) of Venice was elected pope following the death of Paul VI. The new pontiff, who took the name Pope John Paul I, died just over a month later.

In 1980, the FBI inadvertently detonated a bomb planted at Harvey’s Resort Hotel in Stateline, Nevada while attempting to disarm it. (The hotel had been evacuated and no injuries were reported.)

In 1985, 13-year-old AIDS patient Ryan White began “attending” classes at Western Middle School in Kokomo, Indiana via a telephone hook-up at his home, as school officials had barred White from attending classes in person due to his illness.

In 2009, kidnapping victim Jaycee Dugard was discovered alive in California after being missing for more than 18 years.

In 2022, an affidavit released by the FBI showed that 14 of the 15 boxes recovered from former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate contained classified documents, many of them top secret, mixed in with miscellaneous newspapers, magazines and personal correspondence.

Today’s Birthdays:

• John Tinniswood, the world’s oldest verified living man, is 112.
• Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is 79.
• R&B singer Valerie Simpson (Ashford & Simpson) is 78.
• Broadcast journalist Bill Whitaker is 73.
• Puzzle creator/editor Will Shortz is 72.
• Jazz musician Branford Marsalis is 64.
• Actor-singer Shirley Manson (Garbage) is 58.
• Actor Melissa McCarthy is 54.
• Latin pop singer Thalia is 53.
• Actor Macaulay Culkin is 44.
• Actor Chris Pine is 44.
• Comedian/actor/writer John Mulaney is 42.
• Country musician Brian Kelley (Florida Georgia Line) is 39.
• NBA guard James Harden is 35.
• Actor Dylan O’Brien is 33.
• Actor Keke Palmer is 31.

General Daily Insight for August 26, 2024

Our current direction might be tested at any moment. As the inspired Gemini Moon delivers a reality check to the relentlessly productive Virgo Sun at 5:26 am EDT, we’ll have to come up for air sooner or later! Our emotional reactions fueled by the Moon may show us what the Sun’s intense focus has been leaving out lately. Although feelings aren’t always facts, they are, at minimum, useful information. When something isn’t quite working, we should step back and re-evaluate instead of doubling down.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Your work ethic is likely at a high point now. Under the circumstances, you could feel guilty for taking a break to chat. That being said, a conversational interlude is probably exactly what you need. Stepping back may give you room to see a fresh perspective on your task. If you’re talking with someone whose skillset is different from yours, you might even cross-pollinate ideas. Although you don’t have to pursue every passing thought, some brainstorms have the potential to develop into meaningful improvements.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

You’re likely to be embracing the pursuit of pleasure at this time. That said, as the anxious Moon in your money zone interrogates the energetic Sun in your indulgent 5th house, you might need to stop and think about your financial picture for a moment. The answer isn’t that you should never do anything fun. Rather, you must ask yourself whether your current activities are cutting into other desirable things you hope to do later. Either way, you can get something you want!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Dealing with recent family issues may consume your attention. As the intimate Moon in your sign pushes back against the blazing Sun in your domestic 4th house, you might have to pin down exactly where you are in all of this. It can be engrossing to get caught up in a big group dynamic and imagine that you’re capable of arranging everyone just so, like pieces on a game board. That’s not necessarily what others need! Simply bring yourself to the table.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

An atmosphere of chatter could surround you with abrupt speed. No matter how much you’re learning from all the conversations you suddenly find yourself involved in, you don’t have to keep at it until you pass your saturation point. With the delicate Moon in your contemplative 12th house reproaching the dynamic Sun in your communication sector, you might want to proactively take some time alone to think through everything you’ve absorbed lately. You can bring your conclusions to your next great discussion.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

You’re potentially making solid progress on money issues today. Unfortunately, the wrong comment from a peer, well-meaning or otherwise, could get you questioning what you’ve achieved so far as the impulsive Moon in your social sector disturbs the steady Sun in your finance zone. It’s potentially true that there are multiple possible roads to your desired destination, but you don’t really need that distraction. You had to start somewhere, so you might as well stay with the path you’re on for now.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Following your bliss can come naturally now. You’re likely doing it because it feels genuine for you, not because you want a reaction from anyone else. Be careful, as once the perceptive Moon in your public 10th house takes note of the passionate Sun in your sign, others might weigh in on what you’re up to. The verdict won’t necessarily be a bad one, so don’t fear the scrutiny too much — your audience could make genuinely valuable suggestions regarding your next steps.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

There’s no shame in thoroughly enjoying your inner world at present. Still, sometimes it’s good to have a reality check on your fantasies. While the inquisitive Moon in your research sector engages with the potent Sun in your 12th House of the Subconscious, you might benefit from reading up on how others have understood experiences similar to yours. You are a unique individual, but you aren’t separate from the vast heritage of humanity — you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Opportunities to socialize widely may be on offer at the moment. On the other hand, as the sensitive Moon in your 8th House of Deep Sharing conflicts with the vibrant Sun in your networking zone, perhaps you’d prefer a more intimate gathering. That sort of thing probably won’t just be handed to you, so you’ll have to speak up and ask for it. Someone else could be interested once you take care of the hard part — the reward might be worth the risk!

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

The needs of a loved one might now seem to put a damper on your ambitions. Even if you’re immensely frustrated, try to hear them out with patience as the clingy Moon in your relationship sector irritates the enterprising Sun in your 10th House of Career. This person may eventually be on your side once their issues are addressed. Make an effort to identify specific ways you wish they would support you, then share those with them as you hash things out together.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

An exciting adventure could currently be stressing you out more than you’d like to admit. Maybe you strongly believe you should go all in on a special experience, especially if you worked hard to make it happen. As the comfort-craving Moon in your 6th House of Daily Routines complains to the enthusiastic Sun in your expansive 9th house, accommodating your basic human needs is still necessary. Sticking to a manageable and predictable schedule can help you get the most out of your big day.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Unrealistic expectations could currently be dragging down a close relationship of yours. Your dynamic might be overly focused on heavy and intense issues, and maybe you believe that’s what defines a connection that really matters. Even so, while the spontaneous Moon in your playful 5th house nudges the illuminating Sun in your 8th House of Intimacy, you don’t need to spend every second that you’re together digging into the darkest depths. Let the clouds lift and just have fun for once!

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Finding the right balance between healthy confrontation and retreat could be a challenge now. Sometimes telling a companion what’s bothering you is useful because it gives them an opportunity to fix the problem. Opposingly, it’s also possible to make some grievances worse by picking at them. While the fretful Moon in your internal 4th house clashes with the candid Sun in your partnership zone, try to identify the frustrations that are really yours to chew on privately. Avoid creating an atmosphere of constant criticism.

MIAMI — Connor Norby homered, doubled and singled, and the Miami Marlins snapped a five-game losing streak with a 7-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.

Jesús Sánchez also went deep and Jonah Bride had two hits for the Marlins, who began Sunday with an NL-worst record of 46-83.

Acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline on July 30, Norby has extra-base hits in his first six games since being called up from Triple-A on Monday.

“I’m just trying to keep it simple now, stick to my plan and approach,” Norby said. “Trust my work that I put in. Try to play team baseball. The more you focus on the team, I think it takes pressure off you individually.”

Marlins starter Adam Oller allowed one run and four hits over 5 2/3 innings. Oller (1-1) retired 11 straight before Cody Bellinger’s one-out walk in the sixth. Called up from Triple-A on Monday, Oller walked two and struck out six.

“It’s just a focus on getting ahead and attacking the zone,” Oller said. “First two innings I was trying to be a little too fine with certain things, which ran the pitch count up. The next three had to be a little quicker and it worked.”

Javier Assad (6-4) limited Miami to three runs and six hits in a season-high seven innings. The right-hander walked one and struck out three.

The Marlins broke it open with a four-run eighth against reliever Julian Merryweather. Bride hit an RBI single and Otto López and Kyle Stowers followed with run-scoring doubles. Derek Hill capped the outburst with an RBI single.

Another run was prevented by Chicago when Sánchez failed to touch first after he was intentionally walked to load the bases. The Cubs successfully appealed after Merryweather threw to first baseman Michael Busch.

“When guys don’t know the rules, that’s on me,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “That’s 100 percent my fault. If a player does not know or understand the rules then I have not delivered it. I’m assuming it won’t happen again now that it was exposed to him.”

Schumaker sent Cristian Pache to pinch run for Sánchez before the out was called.

“I had Pache go out there pretty early,” Schumaker said. “A lot of it is, too, is he saw Pache come out there. He probably thought, ‘I’m out of the game.’ But it’s not on him.”

A day after reaching .500 for the first time since June 5, the Cubs dropped to 65-66.

“It’s a good series, it’s a road win series, but had a chance to make it a great series today and couldn’t finish it,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “But winning series is a good thing and have to keep doing that.”

Homers from Norby and Sánchez in the first put the Marlins ahead 2-0. Norby homered for the second straight game as his leadoff drive cleared the wall in right.

“I was just trying to be aggressive early and that’s just kind of who I am as a hitter,” Norby said. “These guys are too good up here to hang around in at-bats.”

The Cubs narrowed the deficit on Christian Bethancourt’s RBI single in the second.

Miami regained the two-run lead in the third on Sánchez’s RBI groundout.

Chicago’s Patrick Wisdom was ejected by plate umpire James Jean after he argued a called third strike that ended the fourth.

Before the game, Miami Heat star center and two-time U.S. Olympian Bam Adebayo threw the ceremonial first pitch. Adebayo’s toss from the pitching rubber reached the plate and was caught by Marlins’ pitcher Sandy Alcantara.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: LHP Jordan Wicks (oblique) threw 4 2/3 scoreless in his second rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on Sunday. Wicks is scheduled to make another appearance with the minor league club before a possible return in September.

Marlins: INF Xavier Edwards (lower back discomfort) sat out his second consecutive game. … Transferred OF Dane Myers (left ankle fracture) to the 60-day injured list. … Selected the contract of LHP Jonathan Bermudez from Triple-A Jacksonville and optioned Jonathan Ramirez to the same minor league club.

UP NEXT

Cubs: RHP Jameson Taillon (8-8, 3.77) will start the opener of a three-game series at Pittsburgh on Monday.

Marlins: Begin a four-game series Monday at Colorado and RHP Edward Cabrera (2-5, 5.65) will start the opener.

Miami Marlins’ Jesus Sanchez, center, is sprinkled with sunflower seeds after hitting a solo home run during the first inning Sunday against the Chicago Cubs in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The carbon monoxide leak in Cypress Bay High School’s cafeteria, which sent six people to the hospital Friday, has been repaired, school principal Dr. Kassandra Fried said Sunday.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we will continue to monitor the cafeteria and conduct additional testing on Monday morning before students and staff arrive,” Dr. Fried wrote in an email to students and their families. She added that school operations will resume as usual on Monday.

Six people were hospitalized Friday morning and at least nine were affected after a carbon monoxide leak in the high school’s cafeteria in Weston. Rescue crews found high carbon monoxide levels inside and shut off all gas in the high school’s Building One before evacuating everyone. The school dismissed all students at noon Friday, though no students were thought to be affected by the gas.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated Broward County Public Schools staff and first responders for their swift actions and efforts to ensure everyone’s safety,” Fried wrote. “We also appreciate your patience and understanding as we prioritized the health and safety of our students and staff.”

 

The Broward Sheriff’s Office has identified Ammon Watson, 18, as the man who was shot and killed in Oakland Park on Saturday near the 2100 block of NW 28th Street.

The shooting happened at about 11:53 a.m. Watson, the father of a six-month-old boy, was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to investigators, the shooter ran up to Watson and shot him in the driveway of a family home before running away. Watson was arriving home from a store with his grandmother, and he was shot after she walked inside, relatives told WPLG.

The shooter remains at large, according to the sheriff’s office.

Broward detectives are investigating the homicide.

Anyone with information on Watson’s murder should contact BSO Homicide Det. Kevin Nitsch at 954-321-4876. Tipsters can also submit information through the SaferWatch app. If tipsters wish to remain anonymous, they can contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters can also dial **TIPS (8477) from any cellphone in the United States.

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Miami Hurricanes have one running back in their 2025 class, four-star prospect Girard Pringle Jr., but another four-star recruit from closer to home is considering joining UM’s class, as well.

American Heritage standout Byron Louis announced his top four college choices on Friday night. In addition to Miami, he is considering Florida State, Georgia and Wisconsin. He plans to announce his commitment on Sept. 21, shortly after his birthday on Sept. 17.

“They’re the ones that have been showing me the most love since I was in the eighth grade,” Louis said. “So being able to drop the list down to Power 5, Power 4, schools is honestly a blessing. At the end of the day, I’m still going to college, so I’m blessed.”

Louis said he plans to use the final month before his commitment to evaluate his options. He does not plan to visit any of the schools before his commitment, having already taken official visits to those schools in the summer.

All four schools on his list appeal to Louis, a South Florida Sun Sentinel Super 12 selection. He noted that Miami has brought in other South Florida running backs who he knows well, including for American Heritage halfback Mark Fletcher Jr., who Louis is close to.

“Wisconsin, I think that’s RB-U. They’re going to run the ball,” Louis said. “With Georgia, they run almost three running backs a game. They’re going to average that. With Miami, they’re building a stable back there with Jordan Lyle, Mark Fletcher and Chris (Wheatley-Humphrey) and the other Chris (Johnson Jr.). All of those guys are from South Florida, and why not play with the best? And with FSU, they run a lot of 21 personnel and I want to be a part of something where I’m not just carrying the load. … I do want to be somewhere where I know I’ll be able to have that help next to me and I know I can lean on the guy next to me.”

When it comes to the Hurricanes, Louis has been getting to know UM running backs coach Matt Merritt since Miami hired the new assistant from USF in February. Louis said he talks to Merritt weekly, and that the Hurricanes coach wants him to “put on a show.” Louis did that in a loss to current UM commit Luke Nickel’s Milton High on Friday, rushing for over 170 yards in the Patriots’ loss to the Eagles.

“Coach Merritt talks to my dad more than he talks to me. Honestly, I think my dad and him are best friends,” Louis said. “But that’s my guy. I respect coach Merritt. I love his coaching style. He’s very detail-oriented and one of the best coaches.”

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Louis said he has gotten advice from Heritage’s coaches and other Patriots running backs that have come before him, including Fletcher, Sony Michel and Khalil Herbert. He said they advised him to pick the right fit.

“That’s the best part of having alums from American Heritage,” Louis said. “We had great running backs.”

Louis said his primary deciding factor will be whether he can see himself living at one of those schools for the next several years.

“Honestly, it’s just the place that feels like home. Whichever place feels like home,” Louis said. “I’m going there to play football, but I’ve also got to live there, too. That’s a very big factor. I don’t want to get homesick, so whatever choice I make, just know it’ll be good.”

Louis also said he knows the importance of his decision next month, calling it his first “big-boy decision.”

“This is the only time where a high school student is able to make that big decision,” Louis said. “When you go to the NFL, they draft you. When you pick a high school, your parents pick. So this is my first big-boy decision, growing into manhood.”