Home
G.E.T. the real Picture
Serving South Florida's inspection needs.
 
 
 
 
 

South Florida Local News

Syndicate content Sun Sentinel
Sun Sentinel: Your source for South Florida breaking news, sports, business, entertainment, weather and traffic
Updated: 4 hours 23 min ago

Dolphins’ Tua throws touchdown in lone series of preseason win vs. Commanders

Sat, 08/17/2024 - 16:46

MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa got his preseason start, and even without his top three wide receivers, he led a touchdown drive Saturday night.

The Dolphins starter faced fourth-and-1 from the Washington Commanders’ 13-yard line, and with the defense stacking up against the run, Tagovailoa floated a perfect pass on a fade route to the back corner of the end zone to wide receiver River Cracraft for the touchdown.

In leading the 11-play, 61-yard scoring drive, the touchdown pass capped a 5-for-5 series for 51 yards for Tagovailoa in his first preseason action in 2024.

“I was happy that we were able to operate together,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said of the lone series Tagovailoa led. “For the most part, I thought we played to our standard, which I was pumped about.”

Said Tagovailoa: “Jitters will always be there going into the first series, first plays, but other than that, we executed the way we wanted to.”

The Dolphins beat the Commanders, 13-6, in the exhibition at Hard Rock Stadium.

Tagovailoa started quickly, immediately finding Cracraft on a slant for 16 yards. His next completion went to new tight end Jonnu Smith, and after running back Raheem Mostert’s first carry, the Dolphins were swiftly put into their first short-yardage situation, which has been a predicament in coach Mike McDaniel’s first two years at the helm in Miami.

Mostert was stuffed on an initial third-and-1 rush up the middle, but he picked up the necessary yardage on fourth-and-1 to extend the series.

Related Articles

Next time the Miami offense was in a fourth-and-1, McDaniel let Tagovailoa go to the air and find Cracraft for the touchdown.

McDaniel and Tagovailoa then showed the creative ways in which they can get the ball to their new tight end, having him come around the line in the backfield to take a quick forward flip pass to Smith that went for 9 yards.

“I was feeling pretty good about the offensive line. I probably would’ve run the ball the second time,” the Dolphins coach said, “but I kind of figured that it would be Tua’s last play because it was such a long drive.

“I wanted to give him the opportunity to make a play, and I thought that was a good time for him to take control and put the ball where it needed to go.”

“Mike just trusted us that we’d get it done,” Tagovailoa said. “Very proud of River.”

The opening Miami drive also came against a Commanders defense that was sitting out half its starters, specifically in the defensive front, on the line and at linebacker.

The first backup quarterback to come in after Tagovailoa was Skylar Thompson, who also started the preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons last week. Thompson went 8 of 15 for 61 yards before Mike White replaced him in the middle of the third quarter.

Dolphins Deep Dive: Chris Perkins and David Furones break down Tua, Miami’s preseason win over Commanders | VIDEO

Thompson delivered a throw to the end zone to Braxton Berrios in the second quarter that appeared to be barely deflected by Commanders safety Percy Butler, altering the trajectory of the ball as it ricocheted off Berrios’ shoulder pad.

Dolphins rookie first-round pick, edge defender Chop Robinson, made a huge tackle for loss blowing up a handoff immediately as it occurred deep into the second half.

On the same series, fellow edge rusher and fifth-round pick Mohamed Kamara picked up a sack against Commanders backup quarterback Jeff Driskel.

Dolphins second-year cornerback Cam Smith, although not starting as Kendall Fuller and Kader Kohou were the first cornerbacks on the field, then entered in the nickel package.

He was on the boundary and gave up a pair of catches to standout Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin. On one, he missed a tackle after the short completion to give up a 20-yard play.

Smith later redeemed himself in the second quarter, with a pass breakup in deep single coverage against Washington’s Olamide Zaccheaus. Smith exited in the fourth quarter covering a punt, limping off the field and holding the back of his right leg.

Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick of the past draft, was 10 of 12 in two drives, compiling 78 yards. He got into field goal range both times, with Washington kicker Riley Patterson only converting one of those two kicks on a 2-for-4 night.

In the third quarter, second-year running back Chris Brooks exploded for a 59-yard scamper that was opened up by a Jack Driscoll block at the line of scrimmage. Brooks took another carry on the very next play and went down, taking a hard hit as he slipped to the turf. Without any other active running backs after Mostert and Achane called it a night, Je’Quan Burton, the undrafted wide receiver out of FAU, went in at running back.

Deeper into the third period, second-year nose tackle Brandon Pili, who got a start Saturday, picked up a sack. On the preceding play, undrafted rookie cornerback Storm Duck broke up a pass deep over the middle.

Defensive tackle Neville Gallimore also registered a sack deep in the third, after an initial pressure from former St. Thomas Aquinas outside linebacker Wyatt Ray. Linebacker Channing Tindall had a fourth-quarter sack.

Once White was in the game, he delivered a deep pass for 35 yards down the right sideline to Erik Ezukanma. The third-year wide receiver and 2022 fourth-round pick also had a gain of 6 earlier on a play where he started left, broke a tackle behind the line of scrimmage and made something out of nothing flipping fields to the right.

White was stripped on a blindside sack that rookie left tackle Patrick Paul allowed. Washington’s Jamin Davis beat Paul on an outside-in move to force the fumble that the Commanders recovered.

White went 11 of 20 for 116 yards. Ezukanma had five catches for 65 yards to lead Miami.

The Dolphins created a takeaway in the fourth quarter with undrafted rookie safety Jordan Colbert forcing a fumble and sixth-round rookie safety Patrick McMorris recovering it.

Safety Mark Perry had an interception that would’ve completed the exhibition deep in the final period, but instead of going down with the ball, he tried to return it and lost a fumble. The Miami defense then got the final stop on a pass that went through a receiver’s hands at the goal line.

Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders converted field goals of 39 and 33 yards but missed from 49.

After his early touchdown, Cracraft went into the locker room with trainers.

Linebacker David Long Jr. was also injured in the first quarter, appearing to have his left hand/wrist checked out.

Show Caption1 of 18Expand

Severino throws shutout, Mets get homers from Lindor and Alonso in win over Marlins

Sat, 08/17/2024 - 16:08

By CHARLES O’BRIEN

NEW YORK — Luis Severino pitched a four-hitter for his second career shutout, and the New York Mets got home runs from Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso in a 4-0 victory Saturday over the Miami Marlins.

After losing his previous three starts, Severino (8-6) was in complete control against the last-place Marlins on a rainy afternoon at Citi Field. He struck out eight and walked one in the first shutout by a Mets starter since Jacob deGrom blanked Washington in April 2021.

“It was amazing,” Severino said. “That was really fun to go out and compete for this fan base.”

Severino’s only other complete game in the majors was a five-hit shutout for the New York Yankees at Houston in May 2018.

The right-hander plunked Jake Burger with his first pitch of the ninth inning, bringing a visit from manager Carlos Mendoza. But after a discussion on the mound, Mendoza left Severino in the game to loud cheers from the crowd of 34,744.

He retired the next three batters and finished with a flourish, screaming and pumping his fist after striking out Derek Hill to end it with his 113th pitch — most by a member of the Mets this season.

“Special feeling,” Mendoza said. “The crowd was behind him. Special day.”

Mendoza spent five seasons with Severino as a coach for the Yankees and has known the right-hander since he was a teenager.

“I’m proud of him because it hasn’t been easy,” Mendoza said. “I knew he was staring at me, and I know that once he stares at me like that, he wants one more. It was an easy decision for me.”

Severino threw three pitches in the third inning and four in the sixth, becoming the first pitcher in at least 25 years with two innings that lasted four pitches or fewer.

“I feel really good,” he said. “I feel healthy. I haven’t felt like that in a little bit.”

New York won consecutive games for just the second time this month. The Mets began the day a game behind Atlanta for the final National League wild card.

Lindor drove the seventh pitch from Miami starter Max Meyer (3-3) to right-center for his second leadoff homer this year and the 20th of his career. Alonso homered leading off the second and the Mets scored once in each of the first four innings for the first time since May 1995 against San Francisco.

With his 100th home run at Citi Field, Alonso joined Darryl Strawberry and Mike Piazza as the only Mets with 100 or more homers in Queens.

Brandon Nimmo tripled in the third and scored when Jesse Winker delivered a two-out RBI single on his 31st birthday. Lindor walked with two outs in the fourth and scored on Mark Vientos’ double.

Severino was helped when the Marlins ran themselves into an unusual double play in the third.

“They practiced that before BP,” Severino joked about his infielders.

Miami has dropped six of eight.

Meyer allowed four runs and six hits in four innings. He has a 7.99 ERA in 23 1/3 innings since being recalled from the minors on July 27.

“He’s still developing,” Miami manager Skip Schumaker said. “This is really his first full year at this level so he’s still trying to figure some stuff out as well.”

WEB GEM

Nimmo tracked down Kyle Stowers’ sinking liner in the seventh, making a sliding catch in left field. Severino stood with his hands in the air, acknowledging the grab, and remained near the mound until Nimmo reached him so he could say something directly to the outfielder.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: OF Starling Marte (right knee bone bruise) remains on track to be activated from the injured list Sunday. Mendoza said there’s a good chance Marte will be in the lineup. … Rookie RHP Christian Scott (elbow) continues to play catch at 90 feet.

Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcántara (elbow) threw his seventh bullpen as he recovers from 2023 Tommy John surgery. He hopes to progress to throwing batting practice soon.

UP NEXT

Miami RHP Valente Bellozo (2-1, 2.28 ERA) makes his sixth major league start when he faces RHP Paul Blackburn (5-3, 4.43) in the series finale Sunday.

UF practice report: WR Eugene Wilson III brings added speed for Gators’ 2nd scrimmage

Sat, 08/17/2024 - 16:06

GAINESVILLE — Two weeks from Florida’s Aug. 31 opener against Miami, the Gators took the field at the Swamp for their second scrimmage of fall camp.

The Gators’ 14th practice in 18 days provided coaches a final look at players in a game-like setting as they fine-tune their craft, position battles heat up and decisions loom.

Coach Billy Napier said this past week he noticed during last Saturday’s scrimmage the Gators has progressed as a program relative to scrimmages  during his first two fall camps in Gainesville.

“It was just much more intense, much faster, more physical, less loafs, the film’s cleaner,” he said. “We’re just deeper.”

Florida head coach Billy Napier is wrapped up the third week of Gators’ fall camp Aug. 17 in Gainesville. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Napier will meet with reporters Monday to discuss whether the Gators maintained positive trajectory.

More than 200 people, including family, former players and donors of Florida Victorious, spread out in the stadium’s southwest corner and south end zone to watch the scrimmage.

UF provided an 18-minute window for reporters to observe warm-ups and some individual drills.

Top takeaway: Wisconsin transfer receiver Chimere Dike said new teammate Eugene “Tre” Wilson III possesses a gear you don’t see every day — if ever.

Wilson is ready to leave defenders in the dust. The 5-foot-10, 183-pound sophomore has the letters “YAC” — yards after catch — bracketed by exclamation points and written on white tape covering his lumbar pad. Other players sport a Gator head logo on the pad to protect their lower back.

Florida wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (3) catches a touchdown pass as Missouri defensive back Joseph Charleston (28) defends during the Gators’ last-second 33-31 loss Nov. 18, 2023, in Columbia. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

“I’ve been around some special dudes, but when you get a special athlete like Tre, they’re unique,” Dike said Aug. 9. “The thing that I’ve never been around is his ability to accelerate. I’ve never seen that before.

“It’s incredible — honestly.”

Wilson clearly aims to improve on his average of 8.82 yards on 61 receptions in 2023.

Step forward: Florida offensive lineman Bryce Lovett returned to full contact after wearing a black non-contact jersey for several practices. Coaches and teammates are high on the 6-foot-5, 317-pound redshirt freshman who can play every position on the line.

Defensive tackle Joey Slackman returned to the field after missing two practices to rehabilitate a minor injury. 247Sports reported it was a knee ailment, and that he did not scrimmage.

The 6-foot-3 ½, 300-pound Slackman was the 2023 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year at Penn and is a potential starter, but he also has an injury history. This includes a knee injury in 2020.

UF cornerback Devin Moore is expected to be a Gators’ starter but has been limited to 12 games, including seven in 2023, by injuries. (UF’s University Athletic Association Communications/Mallory Peak)

Step back: Florida cornerback Devin Moore was not on the field during the viewing period as defensive backs warmed up.

Moore wore a non-contact jersey Friday, a cause for concern for a likely starter who has appeared in just 12 games. On Aug. 7, Napier said Moore wore a black jersey a day earlier because he had an abscess on a tonsil.

A junior from Naples, Moore appeared poised for a breakout season after a productive offseason. The 6-foot-2 ¾ Moore is listed at 197 pounds and is noticeably thicker.

“He made a significant change in his body,” said senior four-year starting cornerback Jason Marshall Jr..

Wilson has high hopes for Moore.

“I expect him to go first round this year,” said Wilson, whose father was an NFL defensive back for eight seasons. “Every rep I take against him, I look at him as a future NFL player.”

University of Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is pictured during practice on the UF campus in Gainesville on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.(Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Given Moore’s history, his future could hinge on whether he can get on the field.

Trainer’s room: Beside Moore, safety Bryce Thornton continued to wear a black jersey. Joining them was nickel back Aaron Gates and tight end Tony Livingston, though like Thornton each participated in individual drills. Wearing a non-contact jersey, tailback Montrell Johnson Jr. did not participate in drills.

Florida fifth-year senior receiver Ja’Quavion Fraziars was on crutches for the second straight day. 247Sports reported the 6-3 ½, 218-pound Fraziars suffered a non-contact lower-body injury on Wednesday.

A week after suffering a broken ankle during the team’s first scrimmage, defensive tackle Jamari Lyons was in the Swamp on crutches and his left lower leg heavily wrapped.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Severino throws shutout and Mets get homers from Lindor and Alonso in 4-0 win over Marlins

Sat, 08/17/2024 - 16:04

By CHARLES O’BRIEN

NEW YORK (AP) — Luis Severino pitched a four-hitter for his second career shutout, and the New York Mets got home runs from Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso in a 4-0 victory Saturday over the Miami Marlins.

After losing his previous three starts, Severino (8-6) was in complete control against the last-place Marlins on a rainy afternoon at Citi Field. He struck out eight and walked one in the first shutout by a Mets starter since Jacob deGrom blanked Washington in April 2021.

Severino’s only other complete game in the majors was a five-hit shutout for the New York Yankees at Houston in May 2018.

The right-hander plunked Jake Burger with his first pitch of the ninth inning, bringing a visit from manager Carlos Mendoza. But after a discussion on the mound, Mendoza left Severino in the game to loud cheers from the crowd of 34,744.

He retired the next three batters and finished with a flourish, screaming and pumping his fist after striking out Derek Hill to end it with his 113th pitch — most by a member of the Mets this season.

New York won consecutive games for just the second time this month. The Mets began the day a game behind Atlanta for the final National League wild card.

Lindor drove the sixth pitch from Miami starter Max Meyer (3-3) to right-center for his second leadoff homer this year and the 20th of his career. Alonso homered leading off the second and the Mets scored once in each of the first four innings for the first time since May 26, 1995, against San Francisco.

Brandon Nimmo tripled in the third and scored when Jesse Winker delivered a two-out RBI single on his 31st birthday. Lindor walked with two outs in the fourth and scored on Mark Vientos’ double.

Severino was helped when the Marlins ran themselves into an unusual double play in the third. Miami has dropped six of eight.

Meyer allowed four runs and six hits in four innings. He has a 7.99 ERA in 23 1/3 innings since being recalled from the minors on July 27.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Today in History: August 17, Clinton admits to Lewinsky affair

Sat, 08/17/2024 - 01:00

Today is Saturday, Aug. 17, the 230th day of 2024. There are 136 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On August 17, 1998, President Bill Clinton gave grand jury testimony via closed-circuit television from the White House concerning his relationship with Monica Lewinsky; he then delivered a TV address in which he admitted his relationship with Lewinsky was “wrong” but denied previously committing perjury (Clinton was subsequently impeached by the House of Representatives, but acquitted in the Senate).

Also on this date:

In 1807, Robert Fulton’s North River Steamboat made its first voyage, heading up the Hudson River on a successful round trip between New York City and Albany.

In 1863, federal batteries and ships began bombarding Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor during the Civil War, but the Confederates managed to hold on despite several days of shelling.

In 1915, a mob in Cobb County, Georgia, lynched Jewish businessman Leo Frank, 31, whose death sentence for the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan had been commuted to life imprisonment. (Frank, who’d maintained his innocence, was pardoned by the state of Georgia in 1986.)

In 1945, Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta proclaimed independence for Indonesia, setting off the Indonesian National Revolution against Dutch rule.

In 1945, the George Orwell novel “Animal Farm,” an allegorical satire of Soviet Communism, was first published in London by Martin Secker & Warburg.

In 1959, trumpeter Miles Davis released “Kind of Blue,” regarded as one of the most influential jazz albums of all time.

In 1978, the first successful trans-Atlantic balloon flight ended as Maxie Anderson, Ben Abruzzo and Larry Newman landed their Double Eagle II outside Paris.

In 1988, Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq and U.S. Ambassador Arnold Raphel (RAY’-fehl) were killed in a mysterious plane crash.

In 1999, more than 17,000 people were killed when a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Kocaeli Province of Turkey.

Today’s Birthdays:
  • Computer scientist Margaret Hamilton is 88.
  • Actor Robert DeNiro is 81.
  • Businessman Larry Ellison is 80.
  • Film director Martha Coolidge is 78.
  • Filmmaker/author Julian Fellowes is 75.
  • Tennis Hall of Famer Guillermo Vilas is 72.
  • Singer Belinda Carlisle is 66.
  • Author Jonathan Franzen is 65.
  • Actor Sean Penn is 64.
  • Singer/actor Donnie Wahlberg is 55.
  • College Basketball Hall of Famer and retired NBA All-Star Christian Laettner is 55.
  • Rapper Posdnuos (PAHS’-deh-noos) (De La Soul) is 55.
  • Tennis Hall of Famer Jim Courier is 54.
  • Soccer great Thierry Henry is 47.
  • Rock climber Alex Honnold is 39.
  • Actor Austin Butler is 33.
  • Singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers is 30.

Daily Horoscope for August 17, 2024

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 21:00
General Daily Insight for August 17, 2024

We’re currently equipped to find out what works on a practical level, but dealing with all the egos involved might be another story. While the earthy Capricorn Moon trines clever Uranus, we can identify useful opportunities for change lurking right in front of us. Even so, once the Moon shifts into idealistic Aquarius at 5:45 pm EDT, enacting improvements could step on a few toes. As Luna conjoins manipulative Pluto, grievances may not be what they seem. We should avoid getting sucked into unnecessary drama.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Listening to your soul’s wisdom could be key at the moment. You likely have a strong intuitive sense concerning the best way to use the resources available to you. However, you’re better off not talking about this too openly. When the impressionable Moon encounters domineering Pluto in your 11th House of Community, you might be easily swayed by others’ opinions regarding your choices. Whatever you hear may not be objectively wrong, but it’s not necessarily right for you. Don’t open the door to doubt.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Exploring intellectual frontiers could have its challenges at this time. You’re probably totally interested in whatever you’re learning. Still, you might be ahead of the curve in terms of what the people around are ready for. Once the sentimental Moon meets pushy Pluto in your authority zone, you may be tempted to wield emotional arguments as leverage to get others on your side. Unfortunately, this approach is likely to breed resentment. It’s hard to be a pioneer, but maybe you’ll receive your due eventually!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Throwing your curiosity into the hidden side of life could be rewarding now. It also has the potential to be unsettling. As the passionate Moon drifts toward profound Pluto in your 9th House of Beliefs, you might realize that a recent finding of yours contradicts the way you thought the world was supposed to work. Don’t blame the messenger — if an idea you’ve held for a long time simply isn’t true, getting upset with whoever told you that won’t change the outcome.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

The flow of social activity could be especially stimulating for you today. As you put yourself out there beyond your usual circle, you might find someone you’d like to get to know better one-on-one. While the connection-craving Moon unites with intense Pluto in your 8th House of Intimacy, a close emotional encounter is possible (as long as you’re both up for it). Don’t throw caution to the wind entirely — stay in touch with your intuition to make sure you’re comfortable.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Figuring out a sustainable path to a major goal of yours is presently possible. Although your project might have some unusual qualities that tend to grab attention, what you need to deal with now is the boring side. Committing to a schedule, or at least regular deadlines, may be useful. If a charismatic potential collaborator starts spouting off about a quicker and easier way to succeed, they’re probably not the helper you want. Stay grounded in reality, even when it’s not glamorous.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Your beliefs regarding pleasure and duty have the unfortunate potential to increase your anxiety. While the spontaneous Moon in your playful 5th house aligns with rebellious Uranus in your adventure sector, you might genuinely enjoy an opportunity to do something outside your typical routine. Be careful, because once the fun ends, you could wind up all the more worried about your piled-up responsibilities. Some of these tasks may not be as urgent as you think, so try to keep a realistic lens.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

You may currently have an especially keen eye for shaping an arrangement that allows you to share space with others peacefully. As the intuitive Moon in your grounded 4th house supports innovative Uranus in your collaboration zone, you’re equipped to identify what people truly need. You can also think outside the box to help them get it. That said, even the best compromise possible is still a compromise. After you solve all the world’s problems, do something fun that’s just for you!

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Figuring out what you really need in a relationship could be particularly challenging. While the perceptive Moon in your communication zone eggs on independent Uranus in your partnership sector, you might tell the other person what you think they want to hear — of course, you’re totally happy to give them all the freedom they desire! In reality, part of you may crave more security. Instead of attempting to manipulate them into giving it to you, be honest about your potentially conflicting preferences.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Your practical side is sharp in more ways than one today. While the attentive Moon in your 2nd House of Resources complements creative Uranus in your responsible 6th house, you’re capable of accurately assessing your current financial status and figuring out what you need to do to fill any glaring gaps. Still, this isn’t necessarily a fun problem to solve. If you must talk to others about it, make an effort to avoid taking out your resentment on them — that probably won’t help.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Asserting your independence could be tempting today. You probably won’t face a lot of resistance — and that might be a little disconcerting. Perhaps you were secretly hoping for someone to make a critical comment so that you’d be able to blame them for shooting down your idea! Instead, it’s simply between you and your ability to support your ideas. Admitting you’re short of money or time can be disappointing, but at least it will give you a specific goal to work toward.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Coming on strong is likely today. While the tempestuous Moon and transformative Pluto join forces in your sign, you can present a powerful case for any cause dear to your heart. You’d be wise to use this opportunity as intentionally as possible. You wouldn’t want to squander it on a petty frustration that doesn’t really matter to you, which could easily happen if this intense energy doesn’t otherwise have an outlet! Take the time to figure out what’s truly worth fighting for.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

An exciting piece of intel from your social network could be just around the corner! Deciding what to do with it might be the hard part once the intimate Moon shifts into your 12th House of Secrets. There’s clearly something interesting going on, but it may be obvious that you don’t have the whole story yet. Before you rush to compare notes with others, stop and think for a while about why you’re drawn to this. That should let you focus your search.

Mets pile up six runs in fourth inning to vault past Marlins

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 19:20

By JERRY BEACH

NEW YORK (AP) — Brandon Nimmo broke out of his slump with a three-run homer and Jeff McNeil launched a two-run shot, powering the New York Mets to a 7-3 win over the Miami Marlins on Friday night.

McNeil and Nimmo both went deep in a six-run fourth that included an RBI triple by Francisco Lindor. Sean Manaea (9-5) pitched seven effective innings for his third victory in four starts.

Nimmo’s 390-foot line drive into the second deck in right field ended an 0-for-17 skid and was his first home run since July 10. The 31-year-old outfielder, who missed Thursday’s 7-6 loss to Oakland with a stomach virus, hit just .139 (15 for 108) with four extra-base hits and 37 strikeouts between homers.

The shot capped a six-run outburst for the Mets, who began the day two games behind Atlanta for the third NL wild card. McNeil connected for a go-ahead homer and Lindor delivered an RBI triple earlier in the inning against starter Roddery Muñoz (2-7).

Jesse Winker also singled in the fourth for the Mets, who hadn’t hit for the cycle in an inning since July 6, 2023, against Arizona.

“It’s just tough to come back after that six-run fourth,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said.

J.D. Martinez opened the scoring for the Mets on Fireworks Night at Citi Field with a first-inning RBI single.

Manaea, who allowed three runs, has lasted seven innings in three of his last four starts after doing so just twice in his first 20 starts.

Derek Hill had an RBI double for the Marlins, and Jake Burger stayed hot with a fifth-inning homer. Burger has seven homers while hitting .438 during an eight-game hitting streak and has 15 long balls in his past 107 at-bats (a home run every 7.13 at-bats).

“Burger’s on a heater,” Schumaker said. “Just an incredible run that he’s on.”

Muñoz gave up five runs (four earned) in 3 1/3 innings. He allowed just one run over 11 innings in his first two starts against the Mets.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Marlins: C Nick Fortes (right quad) was activated from the 10-day injured list but didn’t play. C Jhonny Perada was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville. … RHP Anthony Bender (shoulder impingement) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Monday. Manager Skip Schumaker said he was hopeful Bender could return as soon as he’s eligible. To replace Bender on the roster, RHP Emmanuel Ramírez was recalled from Jacksonville.

Mets: OF Starling Marte (right knee) went 0 for 3 with a sacrifice fly while playing nine innings for a second straight game at Triple-A Syracuse. Marte is scheduled to return to New York on Saturday and could be activated as soon as Sunday. … RHP Dedniel Núñez (right pronator strain) threw 20 pitches of live batting practice and could begin a rehab assignment early next week.

UP NEXT

The three-game series continues Saturday, when Marlins RHP Max Meyer (3-2, 5.20 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against RHP Luis Severino (7-6, 4.17).

Broward schools safety chief resigns, days after metal detector chaos

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 17:13

Jaime Alberti resigned Friday as chief of safety and security for Broward schools, four days after a troubled rollout of high school metal detectors created chaos on the first day of school.

Alberti, 53, wrote in a letter of resignation to Superintendent Howard Hepburn that his last day will be Nov. 4, although he will use accrued leave time until then, district spokesman John Sullivan told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

“Thank you for the support and opportunities provided to me at Broward County Public Schools and I wish everyone continued success,” Alberti wrote.

Hepburn said in a Friday afternoon email to School Board members that he was assigning district administrator Ernie Lozano to temporarily handle Alberti’s duties.

“A national search will be conducted to fill the position. I thank Chief Alberti for his service to BCPS,” Hepburn wrote.

Lozano, who has served as a principal and a director overseeing behavioral threat assessments for students, was appointed in June to lead a new district professional standards department. The new department was created to replace the employee investigation function of the Broward Schools Police Department, formerly known as the Special Investigative Unit.

Alberti couldn’t be reached for comment Friday night. Sullivan wouldn’t say whether Alberti’s departure was related to the district’s troubled metal detector implementation.

“All I can say is Mr. Alberti submitted his resignation to Dr. Hepburn, and he accepted it,” Sullivan said.

Alberti initially had proposed phasing in metal detectors at different schools over a two-year period, but School Board members decided in the spring they’d prefer the devices be available for all high school students at or near the start of the school year.

The district piloted the devices in two schools over the summer without incident, but on Monday, the first day of school for the fall semester, they created major logjams as students constantly set them off with their binders, water bottles, tablets and eyelash curlers. Many students waited in packed lines for more than an hour, and by 8:30 a.m., 50 minutes after the first bell rang, the district scrapped metal detectors for the day and let everyone in.

Alberti told the Sun Sentinel on Monday afternoon he expected the process to get smoother.

“We’re improving our processes. Look at TSA. It took them almost two years to get the process right,” he said Monday. “We’re going to make some adjustments overnight, and we’ll look to recalibrate.

Related Articles

“This is training for our staff, students and parents. We’re taking the journey together,” Alberti continued. “We’re not looking back. We’re looking forward to make sure every school is as safe as it can be.”

On Tuesday morning, the lines were much shorter, after the district adjusted the sensitivity settings on the devices and placed more security staff on campus to remind students which items to take out of their bags.

But there were more problems reported on Friday, as rainy conditions caused some schools to suspend the use of walk-through detectors.

“At those schools, we are conducting the screening of randomly selected classrooms with metal-detecting devices to continue ensuring the safety and security of everyone on campus,” Sullivan said in an email Friday morning.

Alberti took over as safety and security chief in May 2022, having been recruited by then-Superintendent Vickie Cartwright. He had served the prior six years as a police commander for the Orange County School District, where Cartwright had previously worked as an administrator.

As part of his duties, Alberti supervised the Broward district’s police department, which has faced criticism over the past year. In October, a police detective arrested a longtime volunteer for reasons a consultant said were unwarranted. More recently, three police detectives posed in uniform for photos announcing their union’s endorsement of School Board candidates.

Alberti’s future with the district first looked uncertain in December, when then-Superintendent Peter Licata proposed a major expansion of the district’s police department, with a newly recruited police chief to oversee a 370-member department. Under that model, district police would have replaced the school resource officers that are now supplied by city police departments and the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

The School Board rejected that proposal in January. Then in June, Hepburn shrunk the district’s police department, moving employee investigations into the new professional standards department overseen by Lozano.

Alberti is the latest in a string of high-profile resignations in the district in 2024. Since March, the district has lost its superintendent, its chief strategy and innovation officer, the police chief, the chief facilities officer, the chief information officer, the chief financial officer and the deputy superintendent for operations.

Hepburn, who started in April, addressed the high turnover in a recent interview with the Sun Sentinel.

“I can’t speak for the people that have left, but in any organization when there’s new leadership that comes in, there’s some level of uncertainty that may cause people to make different decisions and take advantage of different opportunities,” he said.

He said the district has lost leaders who “contributed greatly” to the district, but “it’s also an opportunity to bring in better talent, a different type of talent.”

Sasse stepped down. Donors and top officials say he was forced out.

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 16:41

Former UF President Ben Sasse stepped down unexpectedly in July, citing concerns about his wife’s health. But nine current and former administrators and top donors say there was more to the story.

After 17 months on the job, his working relationship with the UF Board of Trustees chairman, Morteza “Mori” Hosseini, became untenable, they say. Hosseini, a strong-willed top political appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis and a developer, has served as head of the school’s board of trustees since 2018.

Out of public view, tensions escalated to a breaking point between Hosseini and Sasse, the former Republican U.S. senator from Nebraska who had started a process to overhaul Florida’s flagship public university.

Specifically, Hosseini sought to impose restrictions on Sasse’s communications and outreach with the governor’s office, Florida’s higher education oversight agency and the Legislature — where Sasse’s popularity was strong and growing. The new rule would require all those communications be routed through Hosseini, said one administrator, describing what Sasse had personally confided to this person.

Sasse also asked Hosseini for latitude to deal with the worsening health condition of his wife, Melissa, and Hosseini said no, because the university’s presidency required his full attention, this administrator said.

The situation was made to look like a voluntary resignation and friendly departure, one former administrator said.

Behind the scenes

One day after the Board of Trustees met by phone July 18 to accept Sasse’s surprise resignation, Sasse publicly announced he was leaving effective July 31 with a note on X, formerly Twitter. He said that Melissa Sasse, who suffered a stroke in 2007, had been diagnosed with epilepsy and was suffering from new memory issues.

The administrators and donors confirmed that Melissa Sasse’s health concerns were genuine and had worsened. Melissa Sasse, who is 55, was deeply involved in homeschooling the couple’s three children, including two who are now college aged, and she was forced to stop with their youngest son, Breck, 13.

All the administrators and donors spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive collision of interests involving the most powerful officials at Florida’s flagship public university. The donors are among those who have given millions to the university and enjoy close relationships and regular briefings with top UF officials.

Hosseini and Sasse, through a university spokesman, Steve Orlando, disputed that personal conflicts led to Sasse’s resignation. In a statement, Orlando said, “those claims are completely unfounded,” and Orlando said any insiders discussing with journalists what happened should do so on the record, by name.

The other 12 trustees have declined to discuss the matter or did not return the Alligator’s messages.

Minutes from the 19-minute board phone call on July 18, which was convened so quickly that no journalist monitored it, showed that Sasse cited his wife’s health as his reason for stepping down, and that Hosseini and other trustees “applauded him for putting his family first and extended prayers to him and his family.” All the trustees were on the call except James W. Heavener, who had an excused absence. The board later said no one recorded the call.

“Gator Nation needs a president who can keep charging hard, Melissa deserves a husband who can pull his weight, and my kids need a dad who can be home many more nights,” Sasse wrote the next evening on social media.

Sensitivity surrounding reasons behind the hasty departure of the university president implicates the search for the next one, if the perception were that a seasoned politician like Sasse was unable to successfully navigate the politics of higher education in Florida. The trustees will be responsible for attracting top-caliber applicants in the next search, which was expected to continue into 2025.

Sasse’s spending scandal

Since Sasse’s resignation, he has since faced bipartisan scrutiny after The Alligator first reported Monday that he had tripled his office’s spending — a majority of which was for lucrative consulting contracts and high-paid, remote positions for GOP allies.

He spent $17.3 million in his first year in office. The figure was far higher than the $5.6 million in spending during the final year of the previous president, Kent Fuchs, who has agreed to return as interim president through 2025.

In a new statement Friday, Sasse disputed reports of any inappropriate spending but acknowledged there have been spending increases by his office.

“Now, it is true that there was substantial funding for a number of important new initiatives,” Sasse wrote. “I am very happy to defend each and every one of these initiatives…”

This week, the DeSantis administration urged the Board of Governors, which oversees Florida’s public universities, to conduct an audit of what the state’s chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, called “reports of UF’s exorbitant spending by Ben Sasse’s office.” Patronis, a member of the governor’s Florida Cabinet, said his agency specializes in investigating fraud, waste and abuse, and would offer support in such an audit.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) who represents the congressional district in Florida’s Panhandle, called it “this widening Ben Sasse scandal” and said DeSantis wants no part of it.

Florida attorney John Morgan, a leading Democratic fundraiser who graduated from UF’s law school, said he gave the university $1 million but would cease donating until he was reassured with the results of an investigation.’

“I won’t give one penny more until an investigation is completed to tell us how this happened and most importantly, is it criminal?” he said on social media. “Makes donors like me feel stupid. Every donor, past and future, need to be interested in this gross grifting.”

The aftermath

Sasse has indicated he intends to become a president emeritus and continue to teach college classes at the Hamilton Center, the university’s new, GOP-mandated civic program devoted to research and teaching about Western civilization and the principles of a free society. Those plans — and the issue of how much of his $1 million base salary he would continue to be paid — are subject to approval by the trustees, including Hosseini.

Sasse had other disagreements with Hosseini during his tenure, the administrators and donors said. Hosseini is sensitive to the university’s national rankings in higher education and believes a prestigious ranking helps attract donors and research grants.

Sasse has openly disdained the importance of rankings, such as those in U.S. News & World Report. He has said each ranking organization’s methodology can change suddenly, affecting a school’s arbitrary score.

Florida fell one position last year to No. 6 among public universities in the U.S. News rankings, even as it climbed one spot to No. 28 in the magazine’s rankings of top public and private universities overall. The Wall Street Journal last year scored UF as the No. 1 public university in the country and No. 15 among all universities. UF touted it by hanging No. 1 banners across campus, despite what Sasse said he felt about rankings.

Sasse also has drawn private criticism from administrators and donors over perceptions that he was insufficiently attentive to seven- and eight-figure donors to the university. At least two multi-million-dollar donors said Sasse did not return their email messages or accept meeting invitations.

Sasse was a controversial selection whose hiring in November 2022 came after a search process shielded from public view under a new state law. He started the job in Gainesville in February 2023 after he resigned from the U.S. Senate. Sasse had been president for four years until 2014 at tiny Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, a far cry from UF’s sprawling statewide footprint, more than 58,000 students and $1 billion in research.

The presidential search happened secretly under a new Florida law intended to encourage applicants who can be considered confidentially until they are finalists for the job. Sasse’s political positions — including his opposition to abortion rights and same-sex marriages — were troubling to some students and faculty on campus in one of Florida’s most progressive cities. He was the only finalist.

Early in his tenure, Sasse commissioned a $4.7 million report from a consulting firm, McKinsey & Company, to help him develop a strategic plan for the university, which included expanding non-traditional teaching that wouldn’t require students to meet regularly inside classrooms in Gainesville, increasing interdisciplinary work across the university’s colleges and eliminating what he described as unproductive professors.

Sasse also spent $2.5 million in other consulting expenses, the Alligator reported. Sasse spent some of the $17.3 million on high-salaried, remote positions for Sasse’s former U.S. Senate staff and Republican officials.

They included James Wegmann, Sasse’s former Senate spokesman, who was paid $432,000 and allowed to continue living in Washington D.C. to become UF’s vice president of communications, and Raymond Sass, Sasse’s former chief of staff, who was paid $396,000 and also allowed to continue living in Maryland for a newly created role, UF’s vice president for innovation and partnerships.

The university has declined to clarify whether all Sasse’s appointees remained working at the university.

Citing what it said were “questionable financial choices and the lack of transparency,” the university’s faculty union this week said it was asking the Board of Trustees for an audit of spending in Sasse’s office.

“Accountability for public money is the very least that Florida students, parents, and citizens should demand from a BoT that was responsible for the coronation of Ben Sasse after a secretive, unilateral, and apparently whimsical and capricious selection process,” the union’s president, Meera Sitharam, said in a statement.

Garrett Shanley contributed to this report. 

This story was produced by the Independent Florida Alligator, a student-led newsroom financially independent from the University of Florida. Vivienne Serret can be reached at vserret@alligator.org. To support the Alligator, you can donate here.

Hurricanes flip defensive lineman Mykah Newton from ACC rival

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 16:09

The Hurricanes flipped a standout defensive end from ACC rival N.C. State on Friday night.

Three-star defensive lineman Mykah Newton flipped from the Wolfpack to the Hurricanes, announcing his decision on social media.

“A dream come true,” Newton wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Newton, a 6-foot-2 and 255-pound defensive end from Newberry, also held offers from UCF and Michigan State, among others. He is listed as the No. 63 defensive end and No. 822 player in the 2025 class in 247Sports’ composite rankings.

Newton, who visited UM at the end of July, had 62 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles in his junior year.

The Hurricanes plan to move Newton from the edge to defensive tackle, a source told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The coaching staff likes his motor, his ability to stop the run, his pass rushing, his academics and his ability to gain size, the source said.

Miami has two other defensive linemen committed in their class: four-star defensive end Herbert Scroggins and three-star interior lineman Donta Simpson.

THE UUUUUUUU!!

Pharmacist blamed for deaths in US meningitis outbreak will plead no contest in Michigan case

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 15:47

By ED WHITE

DETROIT (AP) — A Massachusetts pharmacist charged with murder in the deaths of 11 Michigan residents from a 2012 U.S. meningitis outbreak has agreed to plead no contest to involuntary manslaughter, according to an email sent to families and obtained Friday by The Associated Press.

The deal with Glenn Chin calls for a 7 1/2-year prison sentence, with credit for his current longer sentence for federal crimes, Johanna Delp of the state attorney general’s office said in the email.

She said Chin will appear in Livingston County court next Thursday. A trial planned for November will be scratched.

Michigan is the only state to charge Chin and Barry Cadden, an executive at the New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Massachusetts, for deaths related to the outbreak.

More than 700 people in 20 states were sickened with fungal meningitis or other debilitating illnesses, and dozens died as a result of tainted steroids shipped to pain clinics, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The laboratory’s “clean room,” where steroids were prepared, was rife with mold, insects and cracks, investigators said. Chin supervised production.

He is currently serving a 10 1/2-year federal sentence for racketeering, fraud and other crimes connected to the outbreak, following a 2017 trial in Boston. Because of the credit for his federal sentence, Chin is unlikely to serve additional time in Michigan’s custody.

“I am truly sorry that this ever occurred,” Chin, now 56, said in the Boston court.

A phone message and emails seeking comment from Chin’s attorney weren’t immediately returned Friday.

Cadden, 57, pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter in Michigan earlier this year and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Second-degree murder charges were dropped.

Cadden’s state sentence is running at the same time as his 14 1/2-year federal sentence, and he has been getting credit for time in custody since 2018.

___

Follow Ed White at https://twitter.com/edwritez

Dirt track racer Scott Bloomquist, known for winning and swagger, dies in plane crash

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 15:23

By BEN FINLEY

Scott Bloomquist, a dirt track race car driver who was known for his bravado and for being one of the sport’s best, died Friday in a plane crash on his family’s farm in Mooresburg, Tennessee, friends and local officials said.

Bloomquist, 60, stood out with his long hair and a race car that was emblazoned with the number zero and a skull and crossbones. He was also known for winning.

Jerry Caldwell, president and manager of Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, said Friday that Bloomquist was “arguably the greatest dirt late model racer in the sport’s history.”

In another tribute, fellow racer Tony Stewart said Bloomquist was “probably the smartest guy I’ve ever been around when it comes to dirt racing.”

“What he could do behind the wheel of a racecar was matched by the ingenuity he put into building his racecars,” Stewart wrote on social media. “He was a force on the track and off, with a personality as big as his list of accomplishments.”

The plane that Bloomquist was flying crashed into a barn, and the remains of its sole occupant are believed to be that of Bloomquist, the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. The National Transportation Safety Board said in its own statement that it is coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the crash of the Piper J3C-65.

Reid Millard, a fellow race car driver and a funeral home director in Missouri, stated on Facebook that Bloomquist’s mother asked him to announce the death. “Along with Scott’s daughter Ariel his parents his sister and along with all of you who knew and loved Scott – you are in our hearts and prayers,” Millard wrote.

In dirt-track racing, drivers have to steer right for the car to go left. Going through turns, the front left tire comes off the track and the left rear tire provides traction.

The cars weigh about 2,300 pounds and supply 800-plus horsepower. At Eldora Speedway, the Ohio racetrack owned by Stewart, the cars reach top speeds of about 150 mph.

The vehicles have two-speed transmissions and no windshields, only short plastic shields to protect drivers from rocks. It can be a rough, contact sport.

“Rubbing is racing,” said Gerald Newton, president of the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “It’s door to door. You’re slinging it sideways and slinging dirt.”

Bloomquist was in the 2002 class of the hall of fame. Newton said Bloomquist was like an older brother to him and had known the racer for nearly 40 years. He also designed Bloomquist’s official merchandize as senior vice president at Arizona Sport Shirts.

Bloomquist was born in Iowa and later lived in California, where his father worked as an airline pilot, Newton said. The family wanted to move east and purchased the farm in Tennessee.

Newtown said Bloomquist got into racing through a car that his father bought but soon lost interest in, passing it along to his son.

“He would do work for people, make a little bit of money to buy a tire, go win a race,” Newton said. “He’d take that money, reinvest in the team. The rest is history.”

Besides winning, Bloomquist became known for being cocky and kind of a bad boy, Newton said. His persona was somewhat built around the skull that was painted inside the zero on his race car.

In the year 2000, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote Bloomquist “looks like Tom Cruise, drives like Dale Earnhardt and speaks out like Darrell Waltrip.”

Waltrip was a NASCAR driver who aggravated his competitors by beating them on the track and then running his mouth out of the car.

“He always told me it’s not boasting or bragging if it’s fact and you can back it up,” Newton said of Bloomquist. “And he did.”

Newtown said Bloomquist’s accolades “will never be exceeded.”

“The world has lost a great racer, a great friend, a great dad,” Newton said. “And heaven has gained a great angel.”

Like a lot of drivers in the sport, Bloomquist suffered various injuries over the years. But he was still racing and planned to compete in next month’s World 100 at Eldora Speedway.

“He still felt like he could win a race,” Newton said.

Lies, damn lies and Donald Trump | Editorial

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 15:22

Donald Trump may have set an unenviable world record during his recent Mar-a- Lago news conference. National Public Radio documented 162 untruths, half-truths and distortions during the 64 minutes he spoke.

Among them was his insistence that he had once shared a harrowing helicopter ride with Willie Brown, former House speaker in California. Brown said it never happened. Trump’s actual companion in the 1990 incident was another California politician, Nate Holden, who remembers it well, and who resembles Brown only in that both are Black.

“But, as they say, we all look the same,” Holden remarked sarcastically.

If the question is whether Trump lied deliberately, maybe it’s appropriate to give him some benefit of the doubt. An aging mind can easily conflate memories. Moreover, his public remarks, often nonsensical, increasingly suggest serious cognitive issues.

He’s not all there

The torrent of falsehoods should trouble even Trump’s most devoted admirers. It’s the future of the world as well as of the nation that they would submit to someone who doesn’t seem to be all there.

One important issue Trump failed to mention or misrepresent that day had to with his knowledge of Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s 922-page blueprint for transforming America into a far-right paradise.

Trump has persistently denied knowing how it came to be and posted on social media last month, “Have no idea who is in charge of it.”

The Washington Post has reported on a 45-minute flight Trump took in April 2022 with Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts. The article came with a photograph taken on the flight to a Heritage conference where Trump spoke warmly of Project 2025.

“They’re going to lay the groundwork and detail plans for exactly what our movement will do,” Trump said.

According to the Post, Roberts told the newspaper in April that “I personally have talked to President Trump about Project 2025, because my role in the project has been to make sure that all of the candidates who have responded to our offer for a briefing on Project 2025 get one from me.”

Trump’s campaign denied that he was briefed. But it’s clear that he knows just enough about Project 2025 to recognize its toxicity.

A Trump blueprint

Whether he’s forgotten or chooses not to remember, many of its authors are people who worked for Trump in prominent positions. Others are regulars in the Republican Party’s government-in-waiting. Its prescriptions are meant for a Republican Congress as well as for another Trump presidency. Throughout, they call for restoring Trump administration executive orders and policies that President Joe Biden repealed.

Heritage, bankrolled from the start by personal and corporate fortunes, is what Jane Mayer, the author of “Dark Money,” defined as a think tank-disguised political weapon. Heritage claims that less than 2% of its supporters are corporate, but won’t disclose them.

Project 2025 incorporates virtually every current Republican economic and cultural trope, from mocking climate change, critical race theory and diversity programs to abolishing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to replacing career public servants with political operatives throughout the government.

Although there’s too much in the book for a single serving here, a vivid example is Project 2025’s prescriptions for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“HHS should return to being known as the Department of Life,” states the preface to that chapter, “by explicitly rejecting the notion that abortion is health care.”

Author Roger Severino worked in the HHS under Trump where he distinguished himself by opposing mask and vaccine mandates on health workers.

Project 2025 proposes to eventually withdraw federal approval of the abortion drug mifepristone.

Dismantling Medicaid

“The Secretary,” Severino writes, “should pursue a robust agenda to protect the fundamental right to life, protect conscience rights, and uphold bodily integrity rooted in biological realities, not ideology. From the moment of conception every human being possesses inherent dignity and worth, and our humanity does not depend on our age, stage of development, race or abilities.”

The chapter calls for converting Medicaid, the health insurance program for some 75 million low-income and disabled people, into block grants that would allow state governments to cripple it. It envisions scrapping rules that protect LGBTQ+ citizens because “Families comprised of a married mother, father and their children are the foundation of a well-ordered nation and healthy society.”

Project 2025 is fair warning of what a second Trump administration would do. Voters who cherish a different vision of America know what to do on Nov. 5.

The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Opinion Editor Dan Sweeney, editorial writers Pat Beall and Martin Dyckman and Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson. Editorials are the opinion of the Board and written by one of its members or a designee. To contact us, email at letters@sun-sentinel.com.

Two Broward students face charges of making false threats, BSO says

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 15:05

Two students, both 13, were arrested for allegedly making threats against Broward County schools on Snapchat in the past week, and authorities are investigating two other threats that could lead to arrests, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said.

A 13-year-old Weston boy was arrested before even the first day of school Monday.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation contacted the Sheriff’s Office’s Threat Management Unit investigators on Saturday after receiving a tip that the student posted a photo of himself on Snapchat and included a threat to carry out a mass shooting at Broward County Public Schools offices in Fort Lauderdale. The Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Friday the student was “upset over BCPS’s new student cellphone policy,” which now requires students to put them away from the morning bell until dismissal.

Detectives took the boy into custody at his home, the Sheriff’s Office said.

A 13-year-old girl was arrested Thursday after Sheriff’s Office detectives were again contacted by the FBI about a post on Snapchat. The threat was directed at Cooper City High School; the Sheriff’s Office did not provide additional information.

Broward schools safety chief resigns, days after metal detector chaos

Both teens are facing a charge of written threats to kill, do bodily injury, conduct a mass shooting, or an act of terrorism and a charge of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. Both charges are felonies.

Two other threats against Broward County schools are currently being investigated, but the Sheriff’s Office did not provide additional information.

Sheriff Gregory Tony at a news conference at Boyd H. Anderson High School before the start of the school year reminded parents and students that the false threats will lead to a felony arrest. When the Sheriff’s Office responds to those false threats, by deploying helicopters, investigators and special units, Tony said they could be wasting as much as $60,000 each time.

“It’s unfortunate that this happens more times than not every single year, despite me standing here and saying this,” Tony said at the conference. “But it’s going to continue to happen. So do not allow your children to make a mistake, get a felony arrest on their record that they’re probably not going to be able to get rid of.”

Today in History: August 16, American music loses two legends

Fri, 08/16/2024 - 01:00

Today is Friday, Aug. 16, the 229th day of 2024. There are 137 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Aug. 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 42; forty-one years later, in 2018, singer Aretha Franklin, known as the “Queen of Soul,” died in Detroit at the age of 76.

Also on this date:

In 1777, American forces won the Battle of Bennington in what was considered a turning point of the Revolutionary War.

In 1812, Detroit fell to British and Native American forces in the War of 1812.

In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln issued Proclamation 86, which prohibited the states of the Union from engaging in commercial trade with states that were in rebellion — i.e., the Confederacy.

In 1896, gold was discovered in Canada’s Yukon Territory, sparking the “Klondike Fever” that would draw tens of thousands to the region in search of fortune.

In 1948, baseball legend Babe Ruth died in New York at age 53.

In 1954, the first issue of “Sports Illustrated” was released.

In 1962, the Beatles fired their original drummer, Pete Best, replacing him with Ringo Starr.

In 1978, James Earl Ray, convicted assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., told a Capitol Hill hearing he did not commit the crime, saying he’d been set up by a mysterious man called “Raoul.”

In 1987, people worldwide began a two-day celebration of the “Harmonic Convergence,” which heralded what believers called the start of a new, purer age of humankind.

In 2014, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, where police and protesters repeatedly clashed in the week since a Black 18-year-old, Michael Brown, was shot to death by a white police officer.

In 2020, lightning sparked the August Complex wildfire in California. More than 1,600 square miles—greater than the size of Rhode Island—would burn over the following three months.

Today’s Birthdays:
  • Actor Julie Newmar is 91.
  • Film director Bruce Beresford is 84.
  • Actor Bob Balaban is 79.
  • Ballerina Suzanne Farrell is 79.
  • Actor Lesley Ann Warren is 78.
  • Actor Reginald VelJohnson is 72.
  • Singer/author/TV personality Kathie Lee Gifford is 71.
  • Singer J.T. Taylor (Kool and the Gang) is 71.
  • Movie director James Cameron is 70.
  • Singer/actor Madonna is 66.
  • Actor Angela Bassett is 66.
  • Actor Timothy Hutton is 64.
  • Actor Steve Carell (kuh-REHL’) is 62.
  • Country musician Emily Strayer (The Chicks) is 52.
  • Actor/filmmaker Taika Waititi is 49.
  • Singer Vanessa Carlton is 44.
  • Country singer Dan Smyers (Dan & Shay) is 37.
  • Actor Rumer Willis is 36.
  • U.S. Olympic gold medal swimmer Caeleb Dressel is 28.
  • Tennis player Jannik Sinner is 23.

Daily Horoscope for August 16, 2024

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 21:00
General Daily Insight for August 16, 2024

Reconfiguring our plans may be necessary today. As motivated Mars squares inhibiting Saturn at 1:30 am EDT, our drive to move forward is in danger of getting squelched by a variety of unfavorable circumstances. Nonetheless, as the practical Capricorn Moon goes on to trine abundant Venus, progress is feasible if we stay grounded. Luna then misreads expansive Jupiter, making it hard to focus on one idea without getting sidetracked, but ultimately draws stability from Saturn. Limits can teach us important lessons — if we let them.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Others may be pressuring you to tell them all about an event currently unfolding in your life. However, as demanding Mars in your communication sector challenges reticent Saturn in your 12th House of Secrets, the situation might involve confidential information. Resenting your unwilling place in this tangle would be understandable, but consider — sharing a small amount could give them enough gratification to move on without lingering tension. You can’t go too wrong commenting on the parts of the story that are already public.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Upping your material game might seem particularly urgent. Perhaps you feel like you don’t measure up to your peers, especially in the sense of being well-traveled or cultured enough. Take a moment to measure the likelihood that they’re truly judging you. Whether or not they are, it’s also possible to fall short of your own ideals — maybe you expected better for yourself. You have the right to want what you want and act accordingly, but don’t blame other people for any ensuing guilt.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

An authority figure could currently be holding you back from your preferred path forward. You probably resent the idea that you have to justify yourself to them — keep in mind that if you’re depending on them for some resource crucial to your plan, it kind of makes sense that they’d have a say. You’d be wise to look to your internal sense of security if you want to do what you want without their involvement. They could ultimately find your initiative impressive!

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

You may be conflicted about an opportunity for adventure available to you right now. As frustrated Mars in your 12th House of Inhibitions clashes with duty-bound Saturn in your travel zone, going along with the plan someone else is presenting to you might seem like just one more thing you’re obligated to do regardless of your real preference. Even if they mean well, pressure usually doesn’t feel good! Insist on taking the time you need to make a decision on your own terms.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

You’re potentially interested in meeting new people at the moment. However, as confident Mars in your networking zone stonewalls reserved Saturn in your intimacy sector, you may be guarded in what you tell them about yourself. Maybe you’re worried that the way your life looks on a day-to-day level isn’t impressive enough. If it’s working for you, though, what’s the problem? Even Lions like you feel insecure sometimes, but you can combat that by making an effort to prioritize pals who aren’t needlessly judgy.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Progress toward a major goal of yours is possible now, but you can’t necessarily make a loved one happy about it. No matter how much you may want to accommodate them, maybe there’s simply no specific detail of the process that you can adjust to address their concerns definitively. The bigger issue could be that your relationship dynamic is changing — even an overall positive shift can bring a few significant losses. They might need to sit with their feelings for the time being.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Departing from your normal routine could be tempting today. Unfortunately, as renegade Mars in your adventurous 9th house conflicts with responsible Saturn in your 6th House of Duty, you may struggle to see how you can make that happen. There’s just too much to do! On the other hand, if you relax your standards for what needs to be done at home, your load might lighten. Some tasks are necessary but not urgent — do your best to maintain a sense of perspective.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Someone else could currently be acting entitled to a piece of something that’s yours. While aggressive Mars in your sharing sector challenges structured Saturn in your 5th House of Self-Expression, you’re likely offended by their pushy and demanding approach, making you inclined to shut them down in no time. If they asked for the same basic outcome in a different way, would you be more open to the possibility of at least hearing them out? Consider letting them know if that’s an option.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Sharing space could increase the level of frustration in a close relationship of yours at this time. You’d probably like the authority to make your own choices regarding your possessions by setting things up the precise way you want them. The other person likely wants that too! How do you both get the freedom you need without stepping on one another’s toes? Being as clear as possible about where each individual’s territory begins and ends will reduce the risk of unnecessary conflict.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Your focus could be intense today. While busy Mars in your productive 6th house grumbles at stifling Saturn in your communication zone, perhaps you’d rather keep your head down and devote yourself fully to your tasks than talk to anyone about what you’re doing. It might seem totally obvious to you that you’re preoccupied, but others may have trouble figuring that out by themselves. Try to give the people around you a heads-up before you descend into your own little world.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Impulse purchases can threaten your carefully planned budget at this time. With the spontaneous Moon passing through your 12th House of Self-Undoing, you might want to examine what’s motivating this potential act of sabotage. Perhaps you’re searching for feelings of intimacy and connection. There’s nothing wrong with having those desires, but the quickest way to sate them for a few moments isn’t inevitably what will fulfill you in the long term. Look at the big picture and plot your next moves based on that.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Conflict at home is possible at present. As pugnacious Mars in your domestic zone provokes serious Saturn in your sign, you may be cast as the villain because you told someone else no — and you might even be tempted to agree with that assessment due to the intensity of the emotional fireworks. Of course, the truth is rarely quite that simple. Seeking validation from friends who aren’t directly involved in the situation can be comforting. Sometimes dynamics appear clearer from the outside!

4 arrested in killing of former ‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 17:05

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles police arrested four people on Thursday in the fatal shooting of former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor.

Robert Barceleau, Leonel Gutierrez, and Sergio Estrada, all 18 years old, were booked on arrest warrants for murder. Frank Olano, 22, was booked for being an alleged accessory to the crime.

They all were being held in lieu of $2 million bail, jail records showed. The Associated Press was unable to determine if they had attorneys to speak on their behalf after making calls to the county jail and Los Angeles Police Department seeking information.

Officers conducted search warrants at several locations throughout Los Angeles that led to the arrests Thursday morning, according to a news release from the LAPD. Officers also recovered additional evidence while conducting the searches, police said. No further details have been shared about the arrests or the evidence.

Wactor was shot and killed when he interrupted thieves stealing the catalytic converter from his car in the early morning of May 25. Police said the 37-year-old had left work at a rooftop bar with a coworker when he saw three men who had hoisted his car. Police said one of them fired at him without provocation and killed him.

The men fled in a car and Wactor was taken to a hospital, where he was later declared dead, police said.

Police on Aug. 5 asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspects, releasing surveillance images of them and their getaway car.

Wactor, a South Carolina native, portrayed Brando Corbin on the ABC soap opera “General Hospital” from 2020 to 2022. He also appeared in a variety of films and TV series, including “Station 19,” “NCIS” and “Westworld,” as well as in the video game “Call of Duty: Vanguard.”

His agent, David Shaul, said just after Wactor’s death that he “always kept his chin up and kept striving for the best he could be.”

At a news conference earlier in the week, his mother described the feeling of losing him.

“Grief is my constant companion,” Scarlett Wactor said. “I can’t wish him happy birthday on Aug. 31 — he would have been 38. I can’t ask if he’s coming home for Christmas. I can’t ask how his day went.”

FACT FOCUS: Trump blends falsehoods and exaggerations at rambling NJ press conference

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 17:02

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday gave his second news conference in as many weeks as he adjusts to a newly energized Democratic ticket ahead of next week’s Democratic National Convention.

At his New Jersey golf club, the Republican nominee blended falsehoods about the economy with misleading statements and deeply personal attacks about his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Here’s a closer look at the facts.

Inflation did not take the toll Trump claimed. Growth surged under Biden

TRUMP: “As a result of Kamala’s inflation, price hikes have cost the typical household a total of $28,000. … When I left office, I left Kamala and crooked Joe Biden a surging economy and no inflation. The mortgage rate was around 2%. Gasoline had reached $1.87 a gallon. … Harris and Biden blew it all up.”

THE FACTS: Trump made numerous economic claims that were either exaggerated or misleading. Prices did surge during the Biden-Harris administration, though $28,000 is far higher than independent estimates. Moody’s Analytics calculated last year that price increases over the previous two years were costing the typical U.S. household $709 a month. That would equal $8,500 a year.

Separately, the U.S. economy was growing quickly as it reopened from COVID in 2020, as Trump’s term ended, and it continued to do so after Biden took office. Growth reached 5.8% in 2021, Biden’s first year in the White House, as the rebound continued, faster than any year that Trump was in office. Mortgage rates were low when Trump left because of the pandemic, which caused the Federal Reserve to cut its key rate to nearly zero. Gas prices fell as the economy largely shut down and Americans cut back sharply on their driving.

‘Foreign born’ is not the same as ‘migrants’

TRUMP: “Virtually 100% of the net job creation in the last year has gone to migrants.”

THE FACTS: This is a misinterpretation of government jobs data. The figures do show that the number of foreign-born people with jobs has increased in the past year, while the number of native-born Americans with jobs has declined. But foreign-born is not the same as “migrants” — it would include people who arrived in the U.S. years ago and are now naturalized citizens.

In addition, the data is based on Census research that many economists argue is undercounting both foreign- and native-born workers. According to a report by Wendy Edelberg and Tara Watson at the Brookings Institution released this week, native-born employment rose by 740,000 in 2023, while foreign-born rose by 1.7 million. Much of the disparity reflects the fact that the native-born population is older than the foreign-born, and are more likely to be retired. In addition, the unemployment rate for native-born Americans is 4.5%, lower than the 4.7% for foreign-born.

A thief is not allowed to steal up to $950

TRUMP: “You’re allowed to rob a store as long as it’s not more than $950. … If it’s less than $950 they can rob it and not get charged.”

THE FACTS: Trump was referring to regulations in California that allegedly allow for theft under $950. But his claim is not correct — a 2014 proposition modified, but did not eliminate, sentencing for many nonviolent property and drug crimes.

Proposition 47 raised the minimum dollar amount necessary for theft to be prosecuted as a felony, instead of a misdemeanor, from $400 to $950.

Alex Bastian, then-special adviser to Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, who co-authored Prop 47, told The Associated Press in 2021 that the minimum was raised “to adjust for inflation and cost of living,” but that most shoplifting cases were already prosecuted as misdemeanors any since they didn’t exceed $400.

Prop 47 was enacted to comply with a 2011 U.S. Supreme Court order, which upheld that the state’s overcrowded prisons violated incarcerated individuals’ Eighth Amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment. It instructed California to reduce its state prison population by 33,000 individuals within two years.

Harris has not said in this campaign she wants to defund police

TRUMP, on Harris: “You know, she wants to defund the police.”

THE FACTS: Harris expressed praise for the “defund the police” movement after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, questioning whether money was being effectively spent on public safety. However, she has not said during her current campaign that she is in favor of defunding law enforcement.

The Biden administration tried to overhaul policing, but the legislation stalled on Capitol Hill, and Biden ultimately settled for issuing an executive order. It also pumped more money into local departments.

Trump did not win Pennsylvania in 2020

TRUMP: “I won Pennsylvania and I did much better the second time. I won it in 2016, did much better the second time. I know Pennsylvania very well.”

THE FACTS: False. Trump did win the state in 2016, when he beat Democrat Hillary Clinton to win the presidency. But he lost the state in 2020 to President Joe Biden, a Pennsylvania native. According to the official certified results, Biden and Harris received 3.46 million votes, compared to Trump and Vice President Mike Pence with 3.38 million votes, a margin of about 80,000 votes.

Oil production in U.S. hit record under Biden

Trump says he will bring energy prices down by reversing President Joe Biden’s policy of encouraging renewable energy at the expense of fossil fuels.

TRUMP: “We’re going to drill baby drill, we’re going to get the energy prices down, almost immediately.”

THE FACTS: Oil production in the U.S. hit an all-time high under Biden’s administration.

The U.S. Department of Energy reported in October that U.S. oil production hit 13.2 million barrels per day, passing a previous record set in 2020 by 100,000 barrels. Department statistics also show that the U.S. has produced more crude oil per year than any other nation — for the past six years.

Economy has shown recent signs of strength, not evidence of collapse

TRUMP: “We’re going to have a crash like the 1929 crash if she gets in.”

THE FACTS: The economy has shown recent signs of strength — not evidence that America is on the edge of economic collapse.

On Thursday the S&P 500 jumped 1.6%, its sixth gain in a row. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also increased Thursday, as did the Nasdaq composite.

Recent economic reports show that shoppers increased their retail spending last month and fewer workers sought unemployment benefits.

Fears the economy was slowing emerged last month following a sharp drop in hiring and higher unemployment rates. But those worries were assuaged earlier this month when better-than-expected jobless numbers led to Wall Street’s best rally since 2022.

Harris was not named border ‘czar’

TRUMP: “She was the border czar but she didn’t do anything. She’s the worst border czar in history. … She was the person responsible for the border and she never went there.”

THE FACTS: Biden tapped Harris in 2021 to work with Central American countries to address the root causes of migration and the challenges it creates. Illegal crossings are one aspect of those challenges, but Harris was never assigned to the border or put in charge of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees law enforcement at the border.

Black unemployment is lower under Biden

TRUMP: “The Black population had the best numbers they’ve ever had on jobs, on income, on everything. The Hispanic population had the best numbers.”

THE FACTS: It’s true that Black and Hispanic unemployment fell to then-record lows under Trump, but that was upended by COVID. When Trump left office, Black unemployment had soared to 9.3% and Hispanic unemployment to 8.5%. Under Biden, Black unemployment fell to a new record low of 4.8% in April 2023, while Hispanic unemployment in September 2022 matched the all-time low of 3.9% it had reached under Trump.

GATORS PODCAST: Decisions ahead with Miami season opener on the horizon (Ep. 235)

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 17:00

Florida enters the final days of fall camp with competition at its highest level under Billy Napier. The Gators’ depth has helped them weather top tailback Montrell Johnson’s knee injury. The team’s leading rusher from 2022-23 is on the mend, but will he be ready for Miami? Having more options also requires difficult decisions. Napier calls it a “good problem to have.” In the coming week, he and his staff will have to put together the pieces to position the Gators to beat the ‘Canes. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar try to keep pace during the homestretch of the preseason.

  • On the mend (2:00)
  • Defensive line (11:11)
  • QBs Graham Mertz & DJ Lagway (18:13)
  • Tim Tebow interview (21:00)
  • Offensive line (25:11)
  • Billy Napier on scrimmage (29:47)
  • Steve Spurrier on limiting access (32:39)
  • Biggest curiosities (35:28)
  • Hardest schedule in the country (39:47)
  • Jaden Rashada lawsuit update (42:45)
  • Jeremy Foley’s Corner: Olympic gold (48:20)

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

US colleges revise rules on free speech in hopes of containing anti-war demonstrations

Thu, 08/15/2024 - 16:54

By NICK PERRY, JAKE OFFENHARTZ and JOCELYN GECKER, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — As students return to colleges across the United States, administrators are bracing for a resurgence in activism against the war in Gaza, and some schools are adopting rules to limit the kind of protests that swept campuses last spring.

While the summer break provided a respite in student demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war, it also gave both student protesters and higher education officials a chance to regroup and strategize for the fall semester.

The stakes remain high. At Columbia University, President Minouche Shafik resigned Wednesday after coming under heavy scrutiny for her handling of the demonstrations at the campus in New York City, where the wave of pro-Palestinian tent encampments began last spring.

Some of the new rules imposed by universities include banning encampments, limiting the duration of demonstrations, allowing protests only in designated spaces and restricting campus access to those with university identification. Critics say some of the measures will curtail free speech.

The American Association of University Professors issued a statement Wednesday condemning “overly restrictive policies” that could discourage free expression. Many of the new policies require protesters to register well in advance and strictly limit the locations where gatherings can be held, as well as setting new limits on the use of amplified sound and signage.

“Our colleges and universities should encourage, not suppress, open and vigorous dialogue and debate even on the most deeply held beliefs,” said the statement, adding that many policies were imposed without faculty input.

The University of Pennsylvania has outlined new “temporary guidelines” for student protests that include bans on encampments, overnight demonstrations, and the use of bullhorns and speakers until after 5 p.m. on class days. Penn also requires that posters and banners be removed within two weeks of going up. The university says it remains committed to freedom of speech and lawful assembly.

At Indiana University, protests after 11 p.m. are forbidden under a new “expressive activities policy” that took effect Aug 1. The policy says “camping” and erecting any type of shelter are prohibited on campus, and signs cannot be displayed on university property without prior approval.

The University of South Florida now requires approval for tents, canopies, banners, signs and amplifiers. The school’s “speech, expression and assembly” rules stipulate that no “activity,” including protests or demonstrations, is allowed after 5 p.m. on weekdays or during weekends and not allowed at all during the last two weeks of a semester.

A draft document obtained over the summer by the student newspaper at Harvard University showed the college was considering prohibitions on overnight camping, chalk messages and unapproved signs.

“I think right now we are seeing a resurgence of repression on campuses that we haven’t seen since the late 1960s,” said Risa Lieberwitz, a Cornell University professor of labor and employment law who serves as general counsel for the AAUP.

Universities say they encourage free speech as long as it doesn’t interfere with learning, and they insist they are simply updating existing rules for demonstrations to protect campus safety.

Tensions have run high on college campuses since Oct. 7, when Hamas fighters assaulted southern Israel and killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took about 250 hostages.

Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., Canada, and European Union.

Many student protesters in the U.S. vow to continue their activism, which has been fueled by Gaza’s rising death toll, which surpassed 40,000 on Thursday, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.

About 50 Columbia students still face discipline over last spring’s demonstrations after a mediation process that began earlier in the summer stalled, according to Mahmoud Khalil, a lead negotiator working on behalf of Columbia student protesters. He blamed the impasse on Columbia administrators.

“The university loves to appear that they’re in dialogue with the students. But these are all fake steps meant to assure the donor community and their political class,” said Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs.

The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

The Ivy League school in upper Manhattan was roiled earlier this year by student demonstrations, culminating in scenes of police officers with zip ties and riot shields storming a building occupied by pro-Palestinian protesters.

Similar protests swept college campuses nationwide, with many leading to violent clashes with police and more than 3,000 arrests. Many of the students who were arrested during police crackdowns have had their charges dismissed, but some are still waiting to learn what prosecutors decide. Many have faced fallout in their academic careers, including suspensions, withheld diplomas and other forms of discipline.

Shafik was among the university leaders who were called for questioning before Congress. She was heavily criticized by Republicans who accused her of not doing enough to combat concerns about antisemitism on the Columbia campus.

She announced her resignation in an emailed letter to the university community just weeks before the start of classes on Sept. 3. The university on Monday began restricting campus access to people with Columbia IDs and registered guests, saying it wanted to curb “potential disruptions” as the new semester draws near.

“This period has taken a considerable toll on my family, as it has for others in the community,” Shafik wrote in her letter. “Over the summer, I have been able to reflect and have decided that my moving on at this point would best enable Columbia to traverse the challenges ahead.”

Pro-Palestinian protesters first set up tent encampments on Columbia’s campus during Shafik’s congressional testimony in mid-April, when she denounced antisemitism but faced criticism for how she responded to faculty and students accused of bias.

The school sent in police to clear the tents the following day, only for the students to return and inspire a wave of similar protests at campuses across the country as students called for schools to cut financial ties with Israel and companies supporting the war.

The campus was mostly quiet this summer, but a conservative news outlet in June published images of what it said were text messages exchanged by administrators while attending a May 31 panel discussion titled “Jewish Life on Campus: Past, Present and Future.”

The officials were removed from their posts, with Shafik saying in a July 8 letter to the school community that the messages were unprofessional and “disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes.”

Other prominent Ivy League leaders have stepped down in recent months, in large part due to their response to the volatile protests on campus.

University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned in December after less than two years on the job. She faced pressure from donors and criticism over testimony at a congressional hearing where she was unable to say under repeated questioning that calls on campus for the genocide of Jews would violate the school’s conduct policy.

And in January, Harvard University President Claudine Gay resigned amid plagiarism accusations and similar criticism over her testimony before Congress.

___

Perry reported from Meredith, New Hampshire. Gecker reported from San Francisco.

___

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

$10,000 Honor Guarantee, Backed by InterNACHI

Inspected once, inspected right. ® 

LogoUp.com
Thanks LogoUp.com for the best embroidered apparel!

G.E.T. Home Inspections, LLC is a top Coral Springs, FL home inspector on Inspectopia.com!

 
Admin Login