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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 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.

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!

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.”

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.

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

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.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on Thursday raised the possibility of looking into spending under former University of Florida president Ben Sasse.

“We take the stewardship of state funds very seriously and have already been in discussions with leadership at the university and with the (state university system’s) Board of Governors to look into the matter,” DeSantis spokesman Bryan Griffin said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, Patronis offered support for an audit. “Reports of (the university’s) exorbitant spending by Ben Sasse’s office are concerning,” Patronis posted online. “As my agency can investigate fraud, waste and abuse, @FLDFS (the Florida Department of Financial Services) will reach out to @FLBOG (the university system Board of Governors) to offer auditing support. BOG should investigate this issue to ensure tuition and tax dollars are being properly used.”

On Monday, the Independent Florida Alligator student newspaper reported Sasse more than tripled his office’s spending to $17.3 million when compared to his predecessor.

The costs included hiring several of his former U.S. Senate staffers, including two who were allowed to work remotely from the Washington, D.C., area.

Sasse was a Nebraska senator before getting hired for the UF job.

Travel costs for Sasse’s office also jumped from $28,000 to $633,000 in one year, according to the student newspaper.

Sasse, who had been at UF less than two years, abruptly resigned in July, citing his wife’s health. Former President Kent Fuchs will lead the school on an interim basis.

The Board of Governors did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

TALLAHASSEE — Florida saw increased tourism during the second quarter of 2024, while it continues trying to get the international market back to pre-pandemic levels.

With the totals driven by tourists from other parts of the U.S., Visit Florida on Thursday estimated the state had 34.2 million visitors during the April-through-June period, 1.64% more than during the same period in 2023.

For the first six months of 2024, the state had an estimated 74.8 million visitors, a 1.4% increase from the first half of 2023.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office sent out a news release describing the new totals as the “greatest second-quarter tourism numbers in Florida history.”

Travelers from other parts of the U.S. accounted for 92% of Florida’s second-quarter visitors.

The estimate of 31.5 million domestic travelers was up 1.8% from the second quarter of 2023 and 8.7% higher than in 2019, the last full year before the COVID-19 pandemic slammed into the state.

After a huge drop in tourism early in the pandemic, Florida initially focused on attracting people from other parts of the U.S. before shifting attention to the international market.

Visit Florida, the state’s tourism-marketing agency, on Thursday estimated the state had 2 million travelers from overseas during this year’s second quarter and 739,000 from Canada.

In the second quarter of 2023, the state reported 1.94 million overseas travelers and 767,000 Canadians.

In 2019, overseas travel was at 2.44 million in the second quarter, with another 848,000 Canadians.

“Moving forward, we will continue to leverage our strengths to ensure that Florida remains the top destination for travelers worldwide,” Visit Florida President & CEO Dana Young said in the release from the governor’s office.

Lawmakers included $80 million for Visit Florida in the budget for this fiscal year, which started July 1. Another $5 million was directed to the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association for an in-state tourism marketing campaign.

A study by state economists released in April put the return on investment of Visit Florida around $3.30 for every $1 spent on marketing.

The pandemic knocked the return to 58 cents for every $1 spent, the study said.

Two marked Broward Sheriff’s Office cars were closely “following” a 19-year-old driver in the moments before a violent crash that killed two people Sunday on Sistrunk Boulevard, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Two deputies are now under an internal investigation to determine if they were in pursuit of Gavin Dorvil, of Lauderdale Lakes.

Dorvil was speeding in a 2023 Tesla Model 3 west on Northwest Sixth Street shortly before 4 p.m. Sunday when he T-boned a 2023 Dodge Durango that was heading south on Northwest 27th Avenue, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Based on nearby surveillance videos, Dorvil was estimated to be speeding at more than 85 mph in the 35 mph speed limit zone, the affidavit said.

The impact of Dorvil’s crash into the Dodge, which had three people inside, flung the Dodge into the air and forced it to move southwest before it then crashed into a Chevrolet Trax, the affidavit said. The force of that second crash flipped the Chevrolet upside down.

Dorvil’s Tesla and the Dodge continued southwest, where the cars crashed through a fence around the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Central cemetery, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Lisa Jackson, the driver of the Dodge, and one of her passengers Geraldine Francis were pronounced dead at Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale after the crash. A second passenger, whose name has not been released because she is a minor, was in critical condition.

Driver arrested, deputies reassigned as BSO investigates whether deadly crash was result of chase

The driver of the Chevrolet, Jasmyne Thomas, and Dorvil were also hospitalized, the Sheriff’s Office previously said. The extent of their injuries are unknown.

Before the crash, video showed the two deputies “following closely behind” Dorvil from the area of Northwest 27th Avenue, onto Northwest Sixth Street, then onto Northwest 24th Avenue, according to the affidavit.

Dorvil turned onto Northwest Sixth Court and then onto Northwest 22nd Avenue, where he ran a stop sign, the affidavit said. It was not clear from the affidavit whether the deputies were still following Dorvil by then.

Dorvil then drove back onto Northwest Sixth Street and sped through a red light just before the crash, according to the affidavit. The affidavit did not provide further information about why the deputies were following Dorvil prior to the crash.

Many police departments and law enforcement agencies’ policies on pursuits, including BSO’s, say chases are only allowed when there’s reasonable belief a forcible felony was committed.

Carey Codd, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, said Wednesday that two deputies are now on “restricted administrative assignment” as Internal Affairs investigates to “determine if any BSO units were pursuing the Tesla prior to the crash.”

An AR-15-style pistol and several rounds of ammunition were found outside of the Tesla at the crash scene, the affidavit said. Codd said earlier this week that the gun was believed to have come from the Tesla.

Dorvil was arrested at Broward Health Medical Center on Tuesday night. He faces two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury, the Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday. Other charges may be added. He had not been booked into the jail as of Thursday.

He was previously arrested by Davie Police on July 15 on charges of grand theft of a firearm, carrying a concealed firearm and resisting arrest without violence, court records show.

By MICHAEL R. SISAK and FRANKLIN BRICENO

NEW YORK (AP) — A reputed Peruvian gang leader suspected in nearly two dozen killings in his home country was arrested Wednesday in New York by U.S. immigration authorities.

Gianfranco Torres-Navarro, the leader of “Los Killers” who is wanted for 23 killings in Peru, was arrested in Endicott, New York, about 145 miles (233 kilometers) northwest of New York City, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Thursday. He is being held at a federal detention facility near Buffalo pending an immigration hearing, Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.

Torres-Navarro, 38, entered the U.S. illegally at the Texas-Mexico border on May 16. He was arrested the same day and given a notice to appear for immigration proceedings, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.

The agency, known as ICE, said it moved to arrest Torres-Navarro after receiving information on July 8 that he was wanted in Peru.

“Gianfranco Torres-Navarro poses a significant threat to our communities, and we won’t allow New York to be a safe haven for dangerous noncitizens,” said Thomas Brophy, the director of enforcement removal operations for ICE’s Buffalo field office.

Immigration agents also arrested Torres-Navarro’s girlfriend, Mishelle Sol Ivanna Ortíz Ubillús, described by Peruvian authorities as his right hand. She is being held at a processing center in Pennsylvania, according to ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System.

Online immigration detention records for Torres-Navarro and Ortíz Ubillús did not include information on lawyers who could comment on their behalf.

Peru’s justice system confirmed to The Associated Press that it ordered the location and international capture of Torres-Navarro and his partner Ortiz-Ubilluz on July 3.

According to Peruvian authorities, Torres-Navarro is the leader of a criminal organization known as “Los Killers de Ventanilla y Callao” that has used violence to thwart rivals seeking to cut into its core business of extorting construction companies.

Torres-Navarro allegedly fled Peru after the killing of retired police officer Cesar Quegua Herrera and the shooting of a municipal employee at a restaurant in San Miguel in March, Peruvian media reported.

Six reputed members of “Los Killers,” formed in 2022 in an area along the Pacific coast where Peru’s main port is located, were arrested in a series of raids in June and accused of homicide, contract killing, and extortion, the National Police of Peru said.

Torres-Navarro was previously a member of the Los Malditos de Angamos criminal organization, Peru’s Public Prosecutor’s Office said. He is also known as “Gianfranco 23,” a reference to the number of people he is alleged to have killed.

Torres-Navarro eluded previous attempts to hold him accountable for his alleged crimes.

In 2019, while on the run from authorities, he was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison for illegal weapons possession. He remained at large until 2021, when he was arrested at a toll checkpoint near Peru’s capital city, Lima. But even then, he didn’t stay behind bars for long. After an acquittal in that case, Torres-Navarro was freed last December.

Soon after, Peruvian authorities said, “Los Killers” ramped up its violence, culminating in the shooting in San Miguel.

Gianfranco’s girlfriend, Ortiz Ubillús, has a prominent role in “Los Killers,” Peruvian authorities said. The Public Prosecutor’s Office described her as Torres Navarro’s romantic partner, lieutenant and cashier.

She also has a sizable following on the social media platform TikTok where she showed off their lavish lifestyle, including designer clothes, resort vacations and shooting targets at a gun range.

__

Briceno reported from Lima, Peru. Associated Press reporters Carolyn Thompson and Phil Marcelo contributed to this report.

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Today is Thursday, Aug. 15, the 228th day of 2024. There are 138 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Aug. 15, 1969, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair opened in upstate New York; more than 460,000 people attended the three-day festival, which would become a watershed event in American music and culture.

Also on this date:

In 1057, Macbeth, King of Scots, was killed in battle by Malcolm, the eldest son of King Duncan, whom Macbeth had slain.

In 1914, the Panama Canal officially opened as the SS Ancon crossed the just-completed waterway between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

In 1935, humorist Will Rogers and aviator Wiley Post were killed when their airplane crashed near Point Barrow in the Alaska Territory.

In 1947, India gained independence after nearly 200 years of British rule.

In 1961, as workers began constructing a Berlin Wall made of concrete, East German soldier Conrad Schumann leapt to freedom over a tangle of barbed wire.

In 1989, F.W. de Klerk was sworn in as acting president of South Africa, one day after P.W. Botha resigned as the result of a power struggle within the National Party.

In 1998, 29 people were killed by a car bomb that tore apart the center of Omagh (OH’-mah), Northern Ireland; a splinter group calling itself the Real IRA claimed responsibility.

In 2003, bouncing back from the largest blackout in U.S. history, cities from the Midwest to Manhattan restored power to tens of millions of people.

In 2017, President Donald Trump, who’d faced harsh criticism for initially blaming deadly violence in Charlottesville, Virginia on “many sides,” told reporters that there were “very fine people on both sides” of the confrontation and that groups protesting against the white supremacists were “also very violent.” (In between those statements, at the urging of aides, Trump had offered a more direct condemnation of white supremacists.)

In 2021, the Taliban regained control of the Afghan capital of Kabul after the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Actor Jim Dale is 89.
• Retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is 86.
• U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., is 86.
• Author-journalist Linda Ellerbee is 80.
• Songwriter Jimmy Webb is 78.
• Actor Phyllis Smith is 75.
• Britain’s Princess Anne is 74.
• Actor Tess Harper is 74.
• Actor Zeljko Ivanek (ZEHL’-koh eh-VAHN’-ehk) is 67.
• Celebrity chef Tom Colicchio is 62.
• Film director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (ihn-YAH’-ee-tu) is 61.
• Philanthropist Melinda French Gates is 60.
• Actor Debra Messing is 56.
• Actor Anthony Anderson is 54.
• Actor Ben Affleck is 52.
• Olympic gold medal beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings is 46.
• Rock singer Joe Jonas (The Jonas Brothers) is 35.
• Actor Jennifer Lawrence is 34.

General Daily Insight for August 15, 2024

We’re blazing forward, for better or worse! The passionate Sagittarius Moon harmonizes with both the Sun in Leo and Chiron in Aries, forming a weighty Grand Trine in Fire signs. Luna then squares indefinite Neptune, so we might need to slow down to contemplate any anxieties that arise, no matter how silly they sound. Once the vital Sun trines therapeutic Chiron at 1:12 pm EDT, taking our concerns seriously should help us resolve them. The Moon then shifts into grounded Capricorn, converting our enthusiasm into action.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Following your curiosity could require some courage. You might feel drawn to study a subject that’s a little controversial while simultaneously fearing you’ll be judged harshly for this pursuit. As the fretful Moon in your philosophy zone stumbles over wily Neptune in your 12th House of Self-Undoing, ask yourself if you’re afraid of the wrong things. Society’s standards may have shifted since you were scarred by a significant formative experience, but the practical side of your quest is potentially more complicated than you expect.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Opening up to someone about a personal issue may be necessary at present. That being said, you’ll have to be judicious regarding your approach. While the vulnerable Moon in your intimacy zone conflicts with diffuse Neptune in your social sector, it might seem easiest to catch the individual you need to connect with whenever and wherever you can. However, giving others the opportunity to eavesdrop runs the risk of feeding some drama. Ensure that you’re in a private environment before you divulge anything sensitive.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Making the time to listen to someone you take for granted can deepen your relationship. When you choose to let your connection grow beyond a surface level, you’re accepting a bit of a risk. In speaking honestly, you may learn something disappointing about how your larger social group sees you. Even if it’s not incorrect or cruel, maybe it’s simply not what you wanted to hear. In the end, it’s just information — you must decide for yourself what to do with it.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Doing a job correctly may currently be a high priority for you. However, planning out your workflow in detail before you start probably isn’t the best use of your time. Some parts of the process are potentially hard to work out in your head if you haven’t actually done anything like that before. Begin by committing to something you’re certain is manageable and seeing how that goes. Developing your self-worth and learning to rely on your judgment will be key to a successful outcome.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

The fear that you’ll be judged for not being cultured enough could hold you back from expressing yourself freely today. Remember: no one gets more than 24 hours in a day! Instead of obsessing over certain high-status experiences you haven’t had, look for the positive side of what you’ve done with your time so far. Reading others’ reactions clearly might be a challenge, but you’re probably less isolated than you think. Don’t worry — wondering about the roads not taken is a pretty universal experience.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Getting at the truth behind a confusing relationship dynamic could challenge you today. As the impressionable Moon in your domestic 4th house snaps at spacey Neptune in your partnership sector, perhaps there’s something about the environment where the two of you usually spend time together that’s bringing out the worst in both of you. Changing the venue to a more private place might at least nudge you out of your rut. Greater openness isn’t guaranteed to be easy, but any discomfort may be worth it.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Managing your current social calendar could require you to pay attention to the feelings of a loved one. The anxious Moon in your busy 3rd house is conflicting with nebulous Neptune in your 6th House of Responsibilities, so you might think that you don’t have time to do anything but work. If this has been a longtime pattern, the other person might be growing resentful. They potentially feel like you’ve been stringing them along, so honesty about whatever is really going on should help.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Achieving a goal may be on your mind today. You’re likely motivated by the prospect of receiving money or other material rewards. That said, getting there could be a frustrating process. You might be more than a little resentful about having to do work that’s seemingly beneath you. As the fluctuating Moon in your self-worth sector provokes idealistic Neptune in your expressive 5th house, perhaps it conflicts with how you prefer to see yourself. Once you obtain results, that shouldn’t matter!

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

The prospect of venturing into the unknown could presently provoke internal conflict. Part of you probably wants to go for it! On the other hand, you might worry about causing emotional discomfort to loved ones who want everything to stay the same. This isn’t painful because you totally know they’re wrong — it more likely hurts because part of you suspects they’re right. Acknowledge your mixed feelings, but avoid idealizing the past. Whatever you eventually choose to do must work here and now.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

A longing to be understood could weigh on you at the moment. While the illuminating Sun in your intimacy sector aligns with healing Chiron in your 4th House of Roots, you may think it’s time to open up to someone about the tougher parts of your background. Some of the details of your story might not stand up to scrutiny, though. In that case, feel free to ignore them. Focus on how you felt without getting caught up in tangents that aren’t relevant.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

A companion could encourage you to do something new today. They’ve potentially got your pride on the line as the blazing Sun in your partnership sector engages with touchy Chiron in your communication zone — you might fear they’ll think less of you if you don’t rise to the occasion. Still, the details of the situation won’t necessarily go away just because they’re inconvenient. It’s okay to go out on a limb for the time being, but you may need to do some cleanup later.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Working hard can bolster your sense of self-worth throughout the day. Still, it’ll potentially be difficult to shed the desire for an authority figure to descend from on high and decree that you’re doing the right thing. You might need to be the one who looks at the results you’re getting and decides whether they’re working out. Even though it’s uncomfortable to accept this level of responsibility sometimes, the opportunity to do so could be the most important reward your situation has to offer!

A Lauderhill Police officer was arrested Tuesday in Sunrise and has been placed on administrative leave.

Officer Johnny Alejandro Mateo faces one count of digital voyeurism, police department spokesperson Lt. Antonio Gonzalez said in a news release Wednesday night.

Gonzalez did not provide information about what led to Mateo’s arrest but said Mateo was being investigated by Sunrise Police for an incident that happened while he was off duty. Mateo, who was hired in 2017, was placed on administrative the day of his arrest.

Sunrise Police spokespersons did not return an email or a voicemail Wednesday night seeking information on their investigation.

Mateo was no longer held in the Broward County jail as of Wednesday night. Court records pertaining to the charge were not available.

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

By DAN GELSTON

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber quieted the boo birds with his seventh career grand slam, shaking the Philadelphia Phillies out of their mid-summer malaise and leading them to a 9-5 victory over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.

Trying to fight their way out of a rut, the Phillies got a needed win, a night after they suffered a four-hit shutout loss to one of the worst teams in baseball. Once the winningest team in baseball, the Phillies needed Schwarber’s go-ahead slam to help snap a four-game losing streak and they won for just the eighth time in 24 games since the All-Star break.

Hours after manager Rob Thomson hinted that a team meeting could be on deck, the Phillies delayed the opening of the clubhouse to reporters by 70 minutes ahead of the game. Thomson demurred when asked about the meeting, saying only “what happens in the clubhouse stays in the clubhouse.”

The lineup, though, is very much public and Thomson rattled his high-priced crew of slumping sluggers when he benched All-Star shortstop Trea Turner. Turner, in the second season of a $300 million, 11-year contract, was batting just .168 with 20 strikeouts since the break and had just three hits over his last five games.

“It’s more time in the cage to hone his swing, get him off his feet and just let him breathe for a minute,” Thomson said.

Tyler Phillips, the South Jersey native who grew up rooting for the Phillies before he took the mound for them, gave up a three-run homer to Jonah Bride in the first inning that seemed to set an early tone for another crushing defeat.

The Phillies cut it to 3-2 against Edward Cabrera (2-4) until Jesús Sánchez added a run-scoring single and Bride had a sacrifice fly in the fourth for the three-run cushion.

After two singles and a walk loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth, Schwarber knocked one the other way on a changeup, hitting his 28th homer of the season to left-center for the 6-5 lead.

Phillies fans that had unleashed their pent-up boos over the last two games after the last two wildly successful seasons roared again for the go-ahead shot.

Cabrera gave up six runs in four innings and even tossed a cooler in the dugout after allowing the grand slam.

“I attacked him with my best pitch, and I wouldn’t change anything,” Cabrera said.

José Ruiz (3-1) recorded the last two outs of the fifth to earn the win.

Alec Bohm added an RBI single and J.T. Realmuto busted the game open with two-run double in the seventh for a 9-5 lead.

Since the All-Star break, the Phillies lost two of three to Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Cleveland and Seattle, were swept in a three-game set by the Yankees and are coming off a 4-6 road trip against the Dodgers and Arizona.

NEXT UP

The Marlins head to New York for a four-game set with the Mets.