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

Today in history:

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

Also on this date:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today’s Birthdays:

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

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

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

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

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

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

THURSDAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SATURDAY

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

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

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

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

SUNDAY

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

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

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

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

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

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Lawsuit seeks to invalidate Florida’s abortion rights ballot measure

King tides return to South Florida, enhanced by a supermoon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can You Get Homeowners Insurance Without an Inspection?  Bankrate.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

General Daily Insight for October 17, 2024

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

Aries

March 21 – April 19

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

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

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

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

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

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

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

Leo

July 23 – August 22

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

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

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

Libra

September 23 – October 22

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

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

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

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

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

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

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

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

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

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

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

MIAMI — Jimmy Butler came to play.

In the preseason, no less.

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

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

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

That he did.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Highsmith closed with 16 points in 17:23.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today in history:

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

Also on this date:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today’s Birthdays:

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

General Daily Insight for October 16, 2024

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

Aries

March 21 – April 19

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

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

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

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

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

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

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

Leo

July 23 – August 22

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

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

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

Libra

September 23 – October 22

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

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

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

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

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

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

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

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

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

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

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

By MITCH STACY

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sam Reinhart had a goal and two assists, Anton Lundell had a goal and an assist, Spencer Knight made 35 stops and the Florida Panthers beat Columbus 4-3, spoiling a Blue Jackets’ home opener steeped in tributes to Johnny Gaudreau.

Dmitry Kulikov and Eetu Luostarinen also scored for the Panthers (3-2-0), who won their second straight game

Cole Sillinger had the first short-handed goal of his career, Sean Monahan and James van Riemsdyk also scored and Elvis Merzlikins made 18 saves for Columbus (1-2-0).

Pregame ceremonies were dedicated to Gaudreau’s life and career as members of his family watched from a box. A banner was raised to the rafters in Nationwide Arena in Gaudreau’s memory while his wife, Meredith, and two children stood on the ice among his former teammates to witness it.

The 31-year-old Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed Aug. 29 when police said they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while they were riding their bicycles.

The Blue Jackets were first on the board 41 seconds into the second period, with Sillinger breaking away for a goal he lifted over Knight’s shoulder off a backhand flip pass from Kent Johnson.

Takeaways

Panthers: Knight picked up his first win since Jan. 23, 2023. He had to work for it, too. The Blue Jackets outshot Florida 38-22.

Blue Jackets: They just couldn’t match the Panthers score for score despite taking far more on-target shots. Van Riemsdyk’s first goal as a Blue Jacket late in the game cut the lead to 4-3, but they couldn’t get another one.

Key moment

Florida scored twice and Columbus once in the space of 1:37 in the second period. First Lundell tallied at 10:25 to tie the score at 1. Monahan’s tap-in 57 seconds later gave the Blue Jackets the lead for 37 seconds until Kulikov scored to tie it again.

Key stat

Reinhart has four goals and four assists in his first five games for the Panthers.

Up Next

The Panthers host Vancouver on Thursday night, while the Blue Jackets play Buffalo on Thursday.

MIAMI — At a stage when figuring it out is far more significant than the final score, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler settled into comfort zones Tuesday night with the Miami Heat’s new starting lineup.

While the result, a 120-117 exhibition victory over the San Antonio Spurs at Kaseya Center, didn’t count for anything, the chemistry did.

Chemistry that Adebayo, Butler and Herro seemed to find now working in an opening unit with Terry Rozier and Nikola Jovic.

“I love the intent so far,” coach Erik Spoelstra said of his starting lineup. “They’re intentional in the work, the process, to get this together, to start the season.”

With the starting unit playing 23:21 together, each otherwise watching from the bench, Adebayo closed with 20 points, Herro 14 and Butler 12.

Jovic added seven points and Rozier five.

“I think we’ve been building a great relationship,” Rozier said.

The Heat also got 15 points, six rebounds and five assists from Jaime Jaquez Jr., as well as 10 points from Duncan Robinson.

Five Degrees of Heat from Tuesday night’s exhibition against the Spurs:

1. First five: If there was any doubt about the Heat’s opening-night starting lineups, those questions seemingly have been answered.

The Heat for the second consecutive game opened with Adebayo, Jovic, Butler, Herro and Rozier. All but Herro also started the first of the three exhibitions played to this point, with Herro missing the preseason opener with a groin strain.

The three exhibition appearances by Butler match the three he played up on his Heat arrival in 2019, having appeared in two or fewer each preseason before this past week.

The starters played 15:36 together in the first half, with the Heat outscoring the Spurs by six over that span. They then played the first 7:55 of the second half before checking out for good, closing at +2 for the night.

“I like it,” Spoelstra said of the starting unit. “But who cares what the head coach thinks? They like it.”

That they do.

“Getting reps, I think, is the biggest thing,” Herro said. “It’s buying into the system and trusting each other.”

2. And then: As has been the case this preseason, Spoelstra then went with a five-man second unit with Kevin Love, Alec Burks, Robinson, Jaquez and Dru Smith inserted late in the first quarter.

Burks, who was given the night off for Sunday’s exhibition victory over the Pelicans, this time played in place of Haywood Highsmith.

That second five then were subbed out when the starters returned with 6:45 left in the first half, each of the units +4 to that stage.

Jaquez was key with that second unit.

“That’s part of Jaime’s talent,” Spoelstra said. “He can create something out of nothing.”

As was the case in the first three exhibitions, Thomas Bryant then played with the second unit in the second half in place of Love.

3. Appreciation offered: Having coached him to Olympic gold with Team USA in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich noted the growth in the game of Adebayo, who won Olympic gold this past summer under Steve Kerr in Paris.

“He’s more confident offensively, for sure,” Popovich said. “He feels better about his jump shot. He’s shooting a couple of threes now. That’s the main thing.

“But everything else is steady as hell. He’s going to be a worker. He’s going to rebound. He’s going to move, cut, be a team player. All that’s the same, just offensively, more confident and a little bit more breadth to his game.”

Then, as if on cue, Adebayo drained a corner 3-pointer on his first attempt Tuesday (before airballing a 3-pointer on his second attempt). Later, Adebayo converted a transition 3-pointer in the third quarter to close 2 of 3 from beyond the arc as part of his overall 6-of-10 effort from the field.

“Spacing the floor, that’s probably the only thing people notice. I’m seeing the other parts of his game continuing to grow,” Spoelstra said.

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4. Limited appearance: With Popovich pregame saying the plan was to limit Victor Wembanyama to about 15 minutes, the 2024 Rookie of the Year went 16:44, playing only the first half.

The versatile 7-foot-3 big man closed with eight points, seven rebounds and three assists, draining a 3-pointer.

The moment had Spoelstra again coaching against Wembanyama after coaching against him in August as an Olympic assistant for Team USA in the gold-medal game against France at the Paris Olympics.

“We saw this summer in the Olympics, particularly in France, when there were great expectations for that team, in the biggest moments is when he played the best, including our final game,” Spoelstra said.

5. Up next: Next up for the Heat is a Wednesday night return to Kaseya for the home exhibition finale against the Atlanta Hawks, a game that had been scheduled for last week but then was postponed by Hurricane Milton.

From there, the Heat will close out their preseason Friday on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies, before next Wednesday’s season opener against the visiting Orlando Magic.

By  LARRY NEUMEISTER

NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs asked a New York judge Tuesday to force prosecutors to disclose the names of his accusers in his sex trafficking case.

The lawyers wrote in a letter to a Manhattan federal court judge that the hip-hop music maker needs to know the identities of his alleged victims so he can prepare adequately for trial.

Last week, a May 5 trial date was set for Combs. He has pleaded not guilty.

A spokesperson for prosecutors declined comment.

Combs, 54, remains incarcerated without bail after his Sept. 16 federal sex trafficking arrest. His lawyers have asked a federal appeals court to let him be freed to home detention so he can more easily meet with lawyers and prepare for trial.

So far, judges have concluded he is a danger to the community and cannot be freed.

The request to identify accusers comes a day after six new lawsuits were filed against Combs anonymously to protect the identities of the alleged victims. Two of the accusers were identified as Jane Does while four men were listed in the lawsuits as John Does. The lawsuits claimed he used his fame and promises of boosting their own prospects in the music industry to persuade victims to attend lavish parties or drug-fueled hangouts where he then assaulted them.

The plaintiffs in Monday’s lawsuits are part of what their lawyers say is a group of more than 100 accusers who are in the process of taking legal action against Combs.

In their letter Tuesday to Judge Arun Subramanian, lawyers for Combs said the case against their client is unique in part because of the number of accusers. They attributed the quantity to “his celebrity status, wealth and the publicity of his previously settled lawsuit.”

That reference appeared to cite a November lawsuit filed by his former girlfriend, Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura. Combs settled the lawsuit the next day, but its allegations of sexual and physical abuse have followed him since.

The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Ventura did.

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Combs’ lawyers said the settlement of Cassie’s lawsuit, along with “false inflammatory statements” by federal agents and Combs’ fame have “had a pervasive ripple effect, resulting in a torrent of allegations by unidentified complainants, spanning from the false to outright absurd.”

They said the lawsuits filed Monday, along with other lawsuits, and their “swirling allegations have created a hysterical media circus that, if left unchecked, will irreparably deprive Mr. Combs of a fair trial, if they haven’t already.”

The lawyers wrote that the government should identify alleged victims because Combs has no way of knowing which allegations prosecutors are relying on in their accusations in an indictment.

“To the extent Mr. Combs is forced to mount a defense against criminal allegations that the government does not seek to prove at trial, he is entitled to know that,” the lawyers said.

The indictment alleges Combs coerced and abused women for years, with the help of a network of associates and employees, while using blackmail and violent acts including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings to keep victims from speaking out.

<p><strong>By TARA COPP</strong></p><p>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon announced Tuesday that more than 800 military personnel have seen their service records upgraded to honorable discharges after <a href=”https://apnews.com/article/military-gay-pardon-biden-benefits-b181478e4bfeda52de82a129b7c60857″>previously being kicked out of the military</a> under its former “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.</p><p>It is the latest development over the decades to undo past discrimination against LGBTQ service members.</p><p>The 1951 Uniform Code of Military Justice’s Article 125 had criminalized consensual gay sex. In 1993, former President Bill Clinton modified the military’s policy to “don’t ask, don’t tell,” which allowed LGBTQ troops to serve in the armed forces if they didn’t disclose their sexual orientation.</p><p>That policy was repealed in 2011, when Congress allowed for their open service in the military. The 1951 UCMJ code was modified in 2013 to be limited to nonconsensual gay sex.</p><p>President Joe Biden in June announced <a href=”https://apnews.com/article/biden-lgbtq-pride-pardon-military-pentagon-sodomy-a83b799323380de10aac0ca6fb57595b”>he was issuing pardons</a> to service members convicted under repealed military policies.</p><p>Under “don’t ask, don’t tell,” thousands of service members still saw their military service ended without an honorable discharge, meaning they did not receive the military benefits they would have otherwise, such as education benefits, and it also could have affected their ability to apply for jobs or loans.</p><p>Last year, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin <a href=”https://apnews.com/article/military-lgbtq-dont-ask-dont-tell-571491100b592ab7d86e99e2e2bbf5bb”>ordered a review of cases</a> of former service members who might have been affected by the policy.</p><p>Related Articles

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The Pentagon estimates about 13,500 service members in total were released from military service under “don’t ask, don’t tell.” With the review and upgrades of the more than 800 troops announced Tuesday, the Pentagon said that about 96% of the 13,500 personnel affected by the policy now have received an honorable discharge.</p><p>Not every case of the 13,500 needed review — some of those personnel either did not serve long enough to qualify for benefits, they were released with an honorable discharge at the time, they already had their discharges upgraded through other means, or they did not qualify for an upgrade due to other violations.</p><p>“We will continue to honor the service and the sacrifice of all our troops — including the brave Americans who raised their hands to serve but were turned away because of whom they love. We will continue to strive to do right by every American patriot who has honorably served their country,” Austin said in a statement.</p>

NEW YORK (AP) — Hunter Biden has revived a lawsuit that accuses Fox News of illegally publishing explicit images of him as part of a streaming series.

The president’s son first sued Fox in New York in July over images used in the Fox Nation series “The Trial of Hunter Biden,” a “mock trial” of Hunter Biden on charges he has not faced. He dropped the suit without explanation three weeks later, the same day President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race.

On Tuesday, Hunter Biden filed a largely identical suit in state court in Manhattan, again arguing that the dissemination of intimate images without his consent violates New York’s so-called revenge porn law. The new suit adds one current Fox executive one former executive as named defendants.

Biden’s attorney, Tina Glandian, didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on why the suit was revived.

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In a filing Tuesday, Fox asked that the case be moved to federal court. The company issued a statement describing the second suit as “once again devoid of any merit.”

“The core complaint stems from a 2022 streaming program that Mr. Biden did not complain about until sending a letter in late April 2024,” the statement said. “The program was removed within days of that letter, in an abundance of caution, but Hunter Biden is a public figure who has been the subject of multiple investigations and is now a convicted felon.”

Biden was convicted in July of three felony firearms charges related to the purchase of a revolver in 2018. The six-part Fox Nation series depicted a dramatized court proceeding on different, fictional charges.

THE ACREAGE — Team members with FEMA knocked on Franklin Ashurst’s door, one of their many stops Tuesday as they walked door to door in communities devastated by tornadoes.

Soon, they determined Ashurst hadn’t yet applied for federal aid, so they helped him do so. All around his neighborhood, traces were everywhere of the damage: There were piles of tree branches and personal belongings reduced to shattered debris at the foot of nearly every house.

Ashurst is among those being visited by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The agency’s Disaster Survivor Assistance workers began visiting residents Tuesday, helping ensure those eligible indeed register for federal assistance, FEMA spokesperson Renee Bafalis said.

“We can assist you in several ways with housing assistance and other needs assistance,” Bafalis said. That “would include things like just simple repairs to get you back into your home safely, child care expenses you may have, if you had a vehicle that may have been damaged during the storm and that was your only vehicle to go to and from work, we might be able to help you with that as well.”

The damage to Ashurst’s property might be deceiving to passers-by: While the front of the home and the lawn look almost unscathed, the back is laden with piles of wood, tree branches and debris. Ashurst said the tornado even took out an entire mobile home that used to stand in the backyard.

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The tornado also took out two doors in the home’s master bedroom, leaving Ashurst to put up a mattress in the space, which was still there on Tuesday.

When the tornado came through the usually quiet Acreage neighborhood, Ashurst said he and his niece, who was with him, did “exactly what we were taught to do.”

“We all went in that bathroom in the center of the house and huddled in the bath and prayed to God that we would live through this,” he said. “It seemed like a long time but I’m sure it wasn’t.”

A regional effort

These FEMA teams plan to visit communities across Palm Beach County as well as set up multi-agency resource center. It would be meant to help the hard-hit neighborhoods, including some in Wellington, Loxahatchee Groves, the Acreage, Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter Farms.

The damage resulted from an unusual outbreak of strong tornadoes that tore through parts of Florida last week as Hurricane Milton made landfall on the state’s west coast.

Another one of the Acreage homes visited by a FEMA on Tuesday belongs to William and Kristina Machan, who watched a tornado damage their cars and property in less than two minutes.

Kristina Machan is shown with her damaged vehicle at her home in the Acreage on Tuesday. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Kristina Machan said she’d had a “gut feeling” about Hurricane Milton and had gotten her closet ready just in case, but in the moments before the twister touched down near their dark blue-painted home, she heard something “really loud” and thought her husband, William Machan, had simply increased the TV volume.

“I’m like, ‘Why are you turning up the TV?’ And come to find out it was not the TV,” she said.

Watch as a tornado blows into a Palm Beach County home from Hurricane Milton. (William Machan/Courtesy)

The fence surrounding the Machans’ house was completely overhauled, and while their house remained relatively intact, the back patio was damaged.

Had the tornado lasted any longer than it did, Machan said she thinks they “would have nothing left.”

Kristina Machan passes downed trees on her property as she walks to the front of her house in the Acreage on Tuesday. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Another resident, Amanda Neto, recalled the harrowing, violently loud tornado that barreled toward her family’s home last week, whipping around debris that destroyed their fence and the screen around their pool, broke one of their windows and damaged three of their cars.

“I heard my mom screaming for my dog to come inside, and I was so focused that I didn’t really think anything of it,” Amanda Neto said while standing with her dad, Elcio Neto, outside of their still-shuttered home on Tuesday. “I saw it coming in the distance, so I started running toward my parents’ room. … That’s when one of our windows broke, and I screamed.”

Neto posted a recording of the tornado from the family’s deck camera on TikTok, and the video has since has garnered more than 10 million views. In it, Neto’s parents can be seen desperately trying to corral their two dogs inside, seconds before the tornado screeches across their back deck.

Applying for aid

For people who believe they may qualify for FEMA aid, applications may be done through www.disasterassistance.gov, through a toll-free registration hotline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by downloading the FEMA app.

FEMA cannot duplicate what insurance may cover, Bafalis said, so people should be reaching out to their insurance companies first.

“FEMA’s role is to supplement what the county and the state need, and so we’re here to help in that regard,” she said. “We cannot make you whole again, we can only help you get back on your feet.”

Assessing the damage

County, state and federal officials have been stepping in to help people put the pieces of their lives together after Hurricane Milton.

As of Tuesday afternoon, according to the county’s Planning, Zoning and Building Department, these were among the properties affected, categorized by the extent of damage:

— Five homes in unincorporated parts of Palm Beach County saw “major” damage, meaning they require extensive repairs and won’t be livable for a long time.

— There were 18 homes with “minor” damage, meaning some repairs will be needed on the structure to make them habitable again.

— There were 58 homes listed as “affected,” meaning structures saw minimal damage but are still habitable without repairs.

— Four businesses and one church also were listed as “affected,” with minimal damage.

Chaminade-Madonna not only defeated St. Thomas Aquinas 29-22 at Pitbull Stadium on the FIU campus, but the Lions also leapfrogged the Raiders in the MaxPreps national rankings.

Chaminade-Madonna, which started the year as the highest-ranked South Florida team at No. 8, jumped from 29th last week to No. 17 this week. St. Thomas Aquinas slipped from No. 9 to No. 21, making Chaminade-Madonna  the highest-ranked team in South Florida again.

The last time St. Thomas Aquinas and Chaminade-Madonna faced each other in football, the Raiders blasted the Lions in a 71-7 thrashing in 1981. The teams have combined for 23 state championships with Chaminade-Madonna holding eight, while the Raiders lead the state with 15, including a state-record five consecutive.

Two other nationally ranked teams faced off last week, No. 32 Miami Norland edging No. 43 American Heritage, 32-27. Still, Norland slipped to No. 33, while American Heritage stayed at No. 43.

Weather forced the schedule to be disrupted, as several games were rescheduled due to Hurricane Milton. I went 6-1 for the week, with my lone loss being the Chaminade win over St. Thomas, which upped my record to 97-12 for the year.

Here is the slate of games this week:

Blanche Ely (5-2) at Dillard (4-1) Saturday 7 p.m.: Blanche Ely defeated the Panthers last season 33-28, marking the first time since 2015 and 2016 that Blanche Ely topped Dillard in back-to-back years in the Soul Bowl. Blanche Ely leads the all-time series 27-26-1. Blanche Ely squeaked past Plantation last week 18-16. Blanche Ely 24, Dillard 16.

Atlantic (5-1) at Deerfield Beach (1-4) Thursday 6 p.m.:  This District 14-5A contest features two teams heading in opposite directions. Atlantic is trying to keep pace with Coconut Creek, as both teams are 1-0 in the district and had their game postponed due to Hurricane Milton. Deerfield Beach lost to Coconut Creek two weeks ago, and 70-0 to Blanche Ely the week before. Atlantic 26, Deerfield Beach 13.

West Boca (5-1) at Bishop Verot (4-2) Friday, 6:30 p.m.: West Boca had the week off following a disappointing 28-27 overtime loss on the road to Western. Junior defensive lineman Xavier Reid is averaging 6.5 tackles per game. The previously undefeated Bulls average 396 yards per game, and star running back junior Javian Mallory could be back from injury. Bishop Verot is anxious to play a game following Hurricane Milton skirting the area. Power has been restored to the Fort Myers area. West Boca 30, Bishop Verot 23.

Monarch (4-2) at No. 21 St. Thomas Aquinas (6-2) Friday, 7 p.m.: The Knights visit St. Thomas this week as they try to prepare for the postseason. The five-time defending state champion Raiders will try to recover from its narrow loss against Chaminade-Madonna on Friday night. St. Thomas Aquinas 40, Monarch 17.

Archbishop McCarthy (4-2) at No. 43 American Heritage (3-4) Friday, 7 p.m.: American Heritage junior quarterback and Texas commit Dia Bell has completed 103 out of 144 passes for 1,657 yards and 20 TDs to lead the way. The Mavericks have dropped two in a row after starting the season unbeaten. They will try to play spoiler in the District 14-5A standings. American Heritage 21, Archbishop McCarthy 17.

Avant Garde Academy (1-6) at No. 17 Chaminade-Madonna (6-2) Friday, 7 pm.: The Lions have finished the meat of their schedule, yet could feast on their District 14-1A opponent this week in Hollywood rival Avanti Garde Academy. The two programs have faced off four times in the past two years and Chaminade-Madonna has won the four meetings by a combined score of 242-0. Chaminade-Madonna 66, Avant Garde 0.

Boca Raton (6-0) at Cardinal Gibbons (4-2) Friday, 7 p.m.: This game has the makings of a see-saw battle.  Boca Raton averaging 31.5 points per game, and the host Chiefs are averaging 30.5. Cardinal Gibbons 33, Boca Raton 30.

Plantation (5-2) at Piper (6-0) Friday, 7 p.m.: The visiting Colonels have been stingy on defense this season as they have allowed a total of 98 points this season, most coming in a 35-0 beat down to nationally ranked American Heritage and 18-16 in a loss to Blanche Ely. The Bengals have been a tad better as they opened the season with four straight shutouts and allowed a total of 32 points against Blanche Ely (21-20) and 34-12 against Boyd Anderson. Piper 14, Plantation 13.

Lakeland Christian (4-1) at American Heritage-Delray (7-1) Friday, 6:30 p.m.: The Vikings have been tough to score on, allowing just 55 points in five games. Heritage junior linebacker Jaden Desir has run for 447 yards and three TDs for the Stallions. Lakeland Christian 28, American Heritage 24.

Glades Central (6-0) at Sebring (4-2) Friday, 7:30 p.m.: The Raiders will need to shake the rust off since they haven’t played since Sept. 28. The Blue Streaks are led by senior Keveun Mason (583 rushing yards, 8 TDs). They have won two consecutive games. Glades Central 21, Sebring 17.

Olympic Heights (0-7) at Wellington (3-3) Friday 6:30 p.m.: The host Wolverines have a balanced attack on offense led by junior quarterback Jonathan Paul (604 yards passing, 6 TDs; 31 rushing yards 2 TDs). Olympic Heights will try to shed its 15-game losing streak dating back to last season. The Lions are just 3-24 dating back to 2022. Wellington 17, Olympic Heights 0.

Jupiter (5-1) at Martin County (5-2) Friday, 7 p.m.: Jupiter’s lone loss came against Palm Beach Central on Sept. 27. They rebounded with a win over Suncoast before weather forced the postponement of their game against Wellington. The Tigers topped South Fork 35-25 on Monday for their fifth straight win. Jupiter 13, Martin County 12.

Melbourne Central Catholic (5-1) at Cardinal Newman (6-0) Friday, 7 p.m.: Crusaders junior quarterback Jyron Hughley (745 yards passing, 10 TDs; 398 rushing yards, 5 TDs) paves the way for Cardinal Newman. The visiting Hustlers, winners of three in a row, are led by junior quarterback Brogan McNab (917 passing yards, 12 TDs; 665 rushing yards, 8 TDs). Cardinal Newman is 2-0 against MCC dating back to 2019, outscoring the Hustlers 76-20. Cardinal Newman 28, Melbourne Central Catholic 20.

Palm Beach Central (5-1) at Benjamin (3-3) Friday, 6:30 p.m.: After a slow start, Benjamin has won three consecutive games behind the running of Phoenix Donghia (742 yards rushing, 9 TDs). Palm Beach Central has gotten solid performances from junior QB Chance Routson (1,036 yards, 12 TDs; 221 rushing yards, 4 TDs). Palm Beach Central 28, Benjamin 17.