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RPV home inspections  LAist

Today is Thursday, Nov. 6, the 310th day of 2025. There are 55 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Nov. 6, 1860, former Illinois congressman Abraham Lincoln of the Republican Party was elected president of the United States as he defeated John Breckinridge, John Bell and Stephen Douglas.

Also on this date:

In 1861, an unopposed Jefferson Davis was elected to a six-year term as president of the Confederate States of America, after serving much of the year as its provisional president.

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In 1888, Republican presidential candidate Benjamin Harrison won the electoral vote over incumbent Democrat Grover Cleveland, despite Cleveland gaining 90,000 more total votes; it would be the last time the popular vote winner would lose the election until 2000.

In 1947, “Meet the Press,” the longest-running television show in America, made its debut on NBC; the host was the show’s co-creator, Martha Rountree.

In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower won reelection, defeating Democratic nominee Adlai Stevenson II for the second time.

In 1977, 39 people, mostly students, were killed when the Kelly Barnes Dam in Georgia burst, sending a wall of water through Toccoa Falls College.

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan won reelection by a landslide over former Vice President Walter Mondale. The Democratic challenger won just one state, his native Minnesota.

In 2012, President Barack Obama won reelection, vanquishing Republican former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with 332 electoral votes to Romney’s 206.

In 2022, a passenger plane crashed into Lake Victoria as it approached an airport in Tanzania, killing 19 people aboard.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Actor Sally Field is 79.
• Jazz musician Arturo Sandoval is 76.
• Author Michael Cunningham is 73.
• Journalist-author Maria Shriver is 70.
• Author Colson Whitehead is 56.
• Actor Ethan Hawke is 55.
• Actor Thandiwe (tan-DEE’-way) Newton is 53.
• Model-actor Rebecca Romijn (roh-MAYN’) is 53.
• Actor Taryn Manning is 47.
• Actor Emma Stone is 37.
• Comedian-actor Bowen Yang is 35.
• Olympic swimming gold medalist Bobby Finke is 26.

DENVER – Any debate about the most important player on the Miami Heat roster wound up being decided early in the eighth game of the season.

With Bam Adebayo sidelined with a foot injury in the first quarter, the Heat weren’t able to measure up Wednesday night in what turned into a 122-112 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.

“Obviously it was too much to play through,” Adebayo said, “and then obviously you don’t want to do anything more to cause any more lingering effects.”

He said he expects an MRI on Friday in Miami.

“I felt a pain in my foot so I took it upon myself to check myself out and go see what happened,” he said. “We’ll figure it out. We’ll get more tests tomorrow and see how it goes.”

Already lacking size, the Heat played the majority of the game with the lithe 7-foot presence of Kel’el Ware in the middle and little else to fend off a pummeling on the boards in a loss that evened the record at 4-4.

“Hope it’s nothing bad and he’ll be able to be back,” Ware said of Adebayo.

Against the triple-double bulk of Nikola Jokic, the Heat lost to the Nuggets for the 11th consecutive time.

Jokic closed with 33 points, 16 assists and 15 rebounds, securing his triple-double by the midpoint of the third period.

The Heat got 23 points from Norman Powell, 22 from Andrew Wiggins, 21 from Jaime Jaquez Jr. and 13 points and 13 rebounds from Ware.

Denver also got 24 points from Aaron Gordon, the other factor in a power play that included a final 68-44 margin overall on the boards and 21-5 on offensive rebounds.

“The tale of the game would be those relief points, just crushing us on the glass,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

Five Degrees of Heat from Wednesday night’s game:

1. Game flow: The Nuggets led 36-33 at the end of the opening period and 68-60 at halftime, with their lead 11 late in the second period.

The Nuggets stood with a 36-17 advantage on the boards at halftime, including a 14-1 edge on offensive rebounds.

With Ware opening the second half at center, it quickly got worse from there, with Spoelstra forced into a timeout 1:46 into the third quarter, after Denver moved to an 80-66 lead.

The Nuggets then took a 101-86  lead into the fourth.

“We could have put ourselves in a position to win,” Spoelstra said.

2. Adebayo injured: Adebayo left with 3:48 to play in the opening period and the Heat up 27-24, retreating to the locker room at that stage, his night over after a 1-of-5 start from the field, with two points and one rebound.

Adebayo appeared to hurt his leg when he bumped into the Nuggets’ Cam Johnson.

“A guy hit me in the back of the leg and then I felt the pain in my foot,” said Adebayo, who was limping but not in a walking boot in the locker room.

With two-way player Vlad Goldin on assignment in the G League, it left Ware as the lone center on the roster, eventually requiring the insertion of Keshad Johnson into power the rotation in the second period.

Precious Achiuwa, cut by the Heat on the eve of the season to duck below the luxury tax, has since signed with the Sacramento Kings.

The Heat currently do not have room under the luxury tax to add another player, although Goldin could be recalled from the Sioux Falls Skyforce ahead of their Friday season opener.

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3. Started small: After the Heat lost to the Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals when they were unable to contend with the Nuggets’ size, they nonetheless opened for a second consecutive game with a smallball lineup.

So it again was Adebayo flanked by wings Powell, Wiggins, Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell.

The Heat’s lack of bulk became more apparent with the Nuggets able to replace Jokic’s bulk when he went out with the bulk of Jonas Valanciunas off the bench.

Even before Adebayo went out, the Heat were decidedly undersized.

“It was just tough especially on a team we’ve only got two guys who can play the five on this team,” Powell said of Adebayo and Ware.

4. Powell play: Powell went from Monday night’s victory in his reunion game against the Clippers to 14 points in his first seven minutes Wednesday.

The Nuggets opened in a zone, daring the Heat to beat them over the top. Powell responded by opening 3 of 3 from beyond the arc. Powell also was 5 of 5 from the line in his initial eight minute stint.

Wiggins then took over the Heat scoring from there.

5. Homeward bound: The Heat next play six of their next seven at home, starting with Friday night’s opener of their NBA Cup schedule against the Charlotte Hornets.

If it seems as if the Heat’s schedule has been compact, it has, with the game in Denver completing a run of three games in four nights. When factoring in the Hornets game and a Saturday home game against the Portland Trail Blazers, it means the Heat will have played every day this week other than Tuesday and Thursday, for five games in seven nights.

The Boca Raton Christian girls volleyball team captured its first state title in school history with a 25-20, 27-25, 25-22 victory against St. Edward’s in the Class 1A state championship at Polk State College in Winter Haven on Wednesday night.

Boca Raton Christian, which made its fourth consecutive appearance in the state championship contest, was determined to take home the coveted trophy.

“It feels amazing and I’m so proud of the girls,” Boca Raton Christian coach Len Visser said. “We play like a team, and I had total confidence in them. They all trusted each other. It’s truly one of my closest teams and they lifted each other up.”

Sophomore Hannah Vanzwieten had a team-high 12 kills, junior Mackenzi Vanzwieten and sophomore Caroline Wright both had eight kills and junior Caitlin Crino added seven kills.

“Hannah played amazing on the outside and I knew she would,” Visser said. “Caroline played through an ankle injury and did not want to come off the court. She did an amazing job. Mackenzi and Caitlin both stepped up. We utilized everyone and it was a team win.”

The Blazers were also led by several key performers in their state title run, including sophomore libero Brianna Nahmod, freshman Olivia LaGasse, senior Jenifer Good and eighth-grader Valentina Gonzalez.

Boca Raton Christian fell behind 15-10 in the first set and rallied with four straight points. After trailing 19-17, they responded with a 3-0 run for their first lead of the match after a block by Hannah Vanzwieten. The teams were locked in 20-20 tie before the Blazers scored the final five points of the set. Hannah Vanzwieten stepped up with a kill for the final point of the set.

In the second set, the Blazers jumped out to a 13-7 advantage. The Pirates trailed 19-17 and answered back with three consecutive points to take the lead. The Blazers faced a 24-23 deficit and rallied after Wright recorded a block to tie the score. The Blazers also trailed 25-24 and registered three straight points to close the set.

The Blazers trailed 19-15 in the third set and rallied with six straight points to jump ahead 21-19. Hannah Vanzwieten recorded a kill for the final point of the match.

Boca Raton Christian had defeated Seacrest Country Day in four sets (25-20, 25-21, 24-26, 27-25) in the Class 1A state semifinal. Seacrest Country Day had previously defeated Boca Raton Christian in the state championship match for three consecutive seasons. Hannah Vanzwieten recorded a team-high 22 kills and Wright added 20 kills.

“The win against Seacrest was huge and it felt like a final,” Visser said. “We have been focused the whole season and these girls persevered and got it done.”

Boca Raton Christian (16-11) won seven straight matches to close the season. They swept six of their final seven opponents and dropped just one set.

Pine Crest Reaches Class 3A Final Four

The Pine Crest girls volleyball team fell short in four sets (22-25, 25-20, 21-25, 23-25) against Lake Highland Prep in a Class 3A state semifinal on Nov. 3.

Pine Crest (20-11) had won five consecutive matches leading up to the state semifinal, including a victory in three sets against Gulliver Prep in the regional final. The Panthers reached the state final four for the first time since 2017. Senior Mia Gold had a team-high 22 kills in the loss.

The Panthers were led by several top performers throughout the season. Gold finished as the leader in kills while junior Kaylee Foreman led the squad in digs. Eighth-grader Isabella Collado led the Panthers in assists, junior Gabriella Florian finished second on the team in kills and junior Elizabeth Sauby led the team in blocks.

States eyeing regulations amid rise in waived home inspections  Straight Arrow News

GAINESVILLE — After a breakout game against Georgia, Florida’s Tre Wilson will miss Saturday night’s visit to Kentucky as injuries continue to decimate the Gators’ receiving corps.

Wilson is out with a lower leg injury, according to Wednesday’s SEC availability report. The redshirt sophomore recorded season highs with nine receptions for 121 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown during last weekend’s 24-20 loss to Georgia.

True freshman Dallas Wilson suffered a season-ending foot injury late in the first half against Georgia, while true freshman Vernell Brown III and redshirt sophomore Aidan Mizell sat out. Brown and Mizell are questionable against Kentucky.

The spat of injuries leaves redshirt senior J. Michael Sturdivant as UF’s only receiver to start a game in 2025. With 17 receptions for 235 yards and a score, the UCLA transfer is the Gators’ only receiver with more than six catches or 100 receiving yards.

Redshirt freshman TJ Abrams, who has six receptions for 97 yards, will have an increased role, as will sophomore Tank Hawkins (two catches, 16 yards) and true freshman Naeshaun Montgomery (two for 19 yards).

Brown, who leads UF with 32 receptions for 451 yards, was on the practice field in shoulder pads Wednesday, Gonzales said. But it remains unclear whether the former Orlando Jones standout is able to play.

“He’s been out running around,” Gonzales said. “He’s done a great job catching balls. We just got to make sure at the end of the day, is he ready to go? Is he not ready to go? There’s a big difference between the two once you start getting ready to start banging with the pads on.

“He’s looked really good in practice, so we’ll figure that part out hopefully in the next day or two.”

Tre Wilson’s injury is the latest setback for the 5-foot-10, 193-pound Tampa native.

After totaling 61 receptions for 538 yards and scoring a team-high six touchdowns in 2023, last season he managed just 19 catches for 266 yards and a score in five games before season-ending hip surgery.

Wilson entered the Georgia game with 18 catches for just 118 yards, but two touchdowns.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

 

SRA terminates Fahlman's membership as home inspector  DiscoverWeyburn

By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM, Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah university where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated is expanding its police force and adding security managers after the school received harsh criticism for its lack of key safety measures on the day of the shooting.

Utah Valley University is in the process of hiring eight additional campus police officers and two new safety managers who will help coordinate security for future events on campus, spokesperson Ellen Treanor said Wednesday.

Kirk was fatally shot from a campus rooftop on Sept. 10 while debating students in an outdoor courtyard surrounded by several tall buildings. An Associated Press review found that the Orem campus did not implement several public safety practices that have become standard safeguards for security at events around the country. Police staffing also fell far below recommended margins for a school of its size.

FILE – Crime scene tape surrounds Utah Valley University after Turning Point USA CEO and co-founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed, Sept. 13, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

Campus police did not fly a drone to monitor rooftops or coordinate with local law enforcement to secure the event attended by about 3,000 people. There were no bag checks or metal detectors, and several students who bought tickets told the AP they were never checked.

Chief Jeffrey Long said just after the shooting that only six officers had staffed the event. Kirk also had an eight-person private security detail present.

The university has 23 police officers, or one for every 1,400 on-campus students, according to a 2024 university report. Its planned expansion to just over 30 officers still falls short of police staffing at other large public schools nationwide.

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The average public university in the U.S. has around one officer for every 500 students — the ratio recommended by campus safety advocates — according to a 2024 Department of Justice study. To meet that threshold, Utah Valley would need at least 64 officers for its on-campus student body of about 32,000.

The school has a policing budget of $2.1 million for the new fiscal year that began Oct. 1, down slightly from its $2.2 million operating budget at the time of the shooting, according to public records obtained by the AP.

Treanor did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how the university was funding the planned additions to its police force.

Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder and is awaiting trial.

By STEPHEN GROVES and MATT BROWN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Trump administration officials briefed a small group of congressional leaders Wednesday on the growing military campaign to destroy alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the waters off South America, providing one of the first high-level glimpses into the legal rationale and strategy behind the strikes.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with a bipartisan group of lawmakers who oversee national security issues for roughly an hour in a secure facility in the Capitol.

Republicans emerged either staying silent or expressing confidence in President Donald Trump’s campaign, which has killed at least 66 people in 16 known strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

Democrats said Congress needs more information on how the strikes are conducted and the legal justification for actions that critics say violate international and U.S. law by killing alleged drug smugglers on the high seas.

“What we heard isn’t enough. We need a lot more answers. And I am now asking for an all senators briefing on this issue,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said as he left the meeting.

The briefing occurred the day before senators are expected to vote on a resolution that would require congressional approval for any strikes directly on Venezuela.

The Trump administration has provided a trickle of information to Congress since it began destroying vessels in the Caribbean two months ago, but outside of a few classified briefings, much of the information has come from informal talks with members of Trump’s Cabinet and other officials. Despite Congress’ constitutional responsibility to authorize the use of war powers, the administration has sidestepped lawmakers and declared that members of drug cartels are unlawful combatants that it can kill as terrorists.

At the same time, the U.S. military is building up its naval force off South America, raising the specter of an invasion of Venezuela and the prospect that Trump is trying to depose President Nicolás Maduro, who faces charges of narcoterrorism in the U.S.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, left, talks to staff as he leaves the U.S. Capitol building on day 36th of the government shutdown, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) What lawmakers learned

The classified briefing was open to the top leaders of both parties in the House and Senate, as well as the Republican chair and ranking Democrat for the committees in both chambers that oversee the military, U.S. intelligence and foreign relations. The Trump administration also made available to senators this week the document in which it explains the legal basis for the campaign.

While lawmakers are not allowed to disclose the details of the briefing, they described it in broad terms.

Sen. Jim Risch, the Republican chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said, “The administration has kept me, other members fully advised. (I’m) fully satisfied with what they’re doing. They’ve got good legal justification for what they’re doing. The president really ought to be congratulated for saving the lives of young American people.”

But Democrats ripped into the administration last week when it provided a classified briefing only for Republican senators, saying it was dangerous to inject partisanship when national security and the lives of Americans are put at risk. Following Wednesday’s briefing, Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, who had leveled the harsh criticism, expressed some sympathy to the idea that the U.S. should be more aggressive toward Maduro.

But he added that it is a “huge mistake” to carry out the strikes on the boats “without actually interdicting and demonstrating to the American public that these are carrying drugs and full of bad guys.”

Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said U.S. intelligence assets are being used to confirm that the vessels are carrying cocaine, but added that “lots of mistakes could get made.” He said he wasn’t confident that U.S. forces are using the same “architecture” as with counter-terrorism strikes to make sure innocent people aren’t inadvertently killed.

Himes added that the officials gave no indication that the strikes would be stopping but also indicated they were targeting cocaine traffickers and not overtly intending to overthrow Maduro.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to brief lawmakers on the U.S. military strikes on alleged drug boats ordered by President Donald Trump, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The secret legal opinion for the strikes

Senators have been able to review a secret opinion from the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel that gives a legal rationale for the strikes. It runs 40 pages and includes a thorough explanation, according to Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat.

But Kaine criticized the opinion as having “logical fallacies.”

“There is nothing in there about the rationale for Venezuela strikes, so it’s a very elaborate legal rationale for why you can strike a boat in international waters,” he added. Warner also said the document does not specifically mention Venezuela.

Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said nothing in the opinion or the briefing convinced him that the strikes are legal.

“They made statements and explanations. I still believe, after all of their statements, that the acts are illegal,” he said.

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Will Congress weigh in on Trump’s Venezuela strategy?

The resolution to be voted on Thursday, offered by Kaine and other Democrats, would require congressional approval before Trump makes any strikes directly on Venezuela. Kaine says it’s important for Congress to take back its authority over war powers and have a full debate before deploying U.S. troops to use deadly force.

While similar legislation aimed at the strikes in international waters previously failed on a mostly party line vote, it did show there is some skepticism among Republicans about the president’s campaign. There is also growing friction between congressional Republicans and the Pentagon over a number of recent policy decisions, including a decrease of U.S. troops in Romania and new limitations on how information can be shared with Congress.

Still, a number of GOP senators said this week they were comfortable with taking action directly in Venezuela.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican who was born in Colombia, said he “absolutely” believes the Venezuelan government is a narco-state and said he wanted the administration to pursue a policy of regime change against the Maduro government.

“If he’s hitting drug labs, I think I would certainly be open to that, but I don’t know what he’s got planned,” said Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican.

Democrats, however, called for an open hearing on the administration’s plans. They also expressed worry about what they see as no cohesive strategy at all.

Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, said, “I’m concerned about the lack of clear strategy and policy and paths forward.”

General Daily Insight for November 06, 2025

Small gestures currently carry surprising weight and warmth. Through the morning, animated Mars works smoothly with transformative Pluto, so we can tackle tasks, negotiate terms, or purge clutter. Midday may blur signals as romantic Venus nudges dreamy Neptune somewhat awkwardly, so we should double-check what we feel and what we owe before replying. At 5:39 PM EST, Venus resets the tone with her entry into deep Scorpio. Don’t discount the value of tenderness paired with practicality! Choose patient honesty to develop peace that lasts.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

A private promise now needs room to grow. Your 8th House of Legacies welcomes free-loving Venus, inviting deeper trust, calmer money talks, and gentler vulnerability that strengthens your boundaries. You may start a fairer split on bills, explaining what feels doable this month. It’s fair to want stability without losing your independence. If a power struggle surfaces, breathe and reframe it as teamwork, since truthful kindness can turn tension into care. Lean into transparency as a way of nurturing all bonds, personal or professional.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Partnership rhythms want a kinder, steadier beat. Your 7th House of Links opens its doors as Venus arrives in style! With her in your corner, all relationships could become easier to handle. You know how to ground yourself, so your connections are also more grounded. For professional bonds, recurring check-ins should be a mutual discussion, not an authoritative score. More personal commitments on your mind? Ask questions and listen closely, since small clarifications should prevent bigger misunderstandings. Consistency is the key to showing you care.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Conversations turn into plans once curiosity engages. Collaboration clicks quickly as impetuous Mars activates your partnership sector, while powerful Pluto in your 9th House offers perspective. Their connection guides you to make wise choices and earn genuine trust. You may co-write a pitch, with a shared goal keeping everyone focused. If opinions clash, name the common aim first, then divide and conquer so everyone can do whatever they do best. Choose teamwork in order to multiply your momentum in major ways.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Your heart wants color, play, and laughter at the moment — and that’s what it deserves! It shouldn’t be too difficult to obtain as Venus skips into your sparkling 5th house. Consider setting up a fun activity with your friends. Anything from a craft night to a camping weekend should give room for affection to grow. If you’re worried about judgment, guard your time and pick communities where kindness feels normal. The best way to spend today would be following your soul toward joy.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Today’s so bright, you’d better don some sunglasses! Vivid Mars is fired up within your expressive 5th house to engage with transformative Pluto in your aligned 7th house. This supports trust, helping creative risks land well with partners. Don’t be afraid to pitch a bold idea to a client or team! If feedback surprises you, keep your chin high and adjust the frame so your generous intent stays visible, then invite one small test run. You’ve got all the power you need to build success.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Order returns when your plan meets real life. The sextile between Mars in your domestic quadrant and Pluto in your 6th House of Service supports steady habits that ensure today’s changes stick around. Something as minor as clearing out a closet could do wonders to clear your mind. If doubt nags, test one small improvement and track the result. Gaining concrete evidence should quiet nerves and lift confidence for the future. Favor simple systems, because small wins can still build real momentum.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

A thoughtful note can change the whole day. Diplomacy works wonders as spirited Mars and impassioned Pluto connect across your verbose 3rd house and big-hearted 5th house. You can talk your way out of practically anything! Perhaps you’ll smooth over a neighborhood misunderstanding with a genuine apology, because connection matters more than winning. If chatter turns tense, pause and restate shared goals in plain language so everyone remembers your shared interests. Do your best to lead with honest warmth and appreciation.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Your presence speaks before you say anything. Sensual Venus refreshes your self-image, inviting kinder routines for your body — and perhaps a style tweak that mirrors how deeply you have changed and grown. You may update a profile photo online, because feeling aligned outside supports calm power inside. If someone pushes old buttons, keep steady eye contact and answer simply. Showing this self-respect should do more to reset tired dynamics than any dramatic speech. Your confidence is like a muscle; it grows as you exercise it.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Your optimism craves a real-world outlet ASAP. Bravery is empowered as Mars fuels your initiative, while transformative Pluto in your 3rd house backs your message, so a bold introduction or outreach should land strongly. You may pitch yourself for a project, start a community group, or greet a neighbor first. Social momentum begins with hello! If nerves flutter, walk briskly and speak simply, since movement steadies excitement and keeps your brave spirit focused. Act on courage to open your ideal doors.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Quiet effort will set the stage for visible wins. Preparation matters even more than usual with eager Mars ready to rumble alongside intense Pluto. They’re running about in your 12th House of Preparation and 2nd House of Value, respectively. You can map a budget carefully, because calm structure lets your disciplined nature shine. If a last-minute request appears, protect your timeline by being honest about it. Consistency will build more stable trust than rushing through it would. Invest in basics to craft a reliable foundation.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Your network buzzes with bright, change-friendly ideas. Your 11th House of Friends surges as passionate Mars takes charge, while cosmic detective Pluto in your identity sector adds gravity, so your suggestions can speedily gain momentum. You may rally volunteers for a cause, because collective energy requires a clear path. If dissent pops up, invite one practical test and revisit after, since real outcomes can convince hesitant minds and soothe hidden worries better than speeches. Support community efforts — they should uplift everyone’s outlook.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

A quiet nudge can bring your work into focus. Volatile Mars highlights your 10th House of Recognition, while wise Pluto in your reflective 12th house supports your sense of purpose. Go ahead and request that meeting, refine your portfolio, or volunteer for a clear task. Showing such initiative will imbue your compassion with courage. If you feel overwhelmed, calm yourself by writing out your plan and making the first small move. You don’t have to take big steps as long as you keep walking forward!

By STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — For a day, at least, beleaguered Democrats are hopeful again. But just beneath the party’s relief at securing its first big electoral wins since last November’s drubbing lay unresolved questions about its direction heading into next year’s midterm elections.

The Election Day romp of Republicans stretched from deep-blue New York and California to swing states Georgia, Pennsylvania and Virginia. There were signs that key voting groups, including young people, Black voters and Hispanics who shifted toward President Donald Trump’s Republican Party just a year ago, may be shifting back. And Democratic leaders across the political spectrum coalesced behind a simple message focused on Trump’s failure to address rising costs and everyday kitchen table issues.

The dominant performance sparked a new round of debate among the party’s establishment-minded pragmatists and fiery progressives over which approach led to Tuesday’s victories, and which path to take into the high-stakes 2026 midterm elections and beyond. The lessons Democrats learn from the victories will help determine the party’s leading message and messengers next year — when elections will decide the balance of power in Congress for the second half of Trump’s term — and potentially in the 2028 presidential race, which has already entered its earliest stages.

“Of course, there’s a division within the Democratic Party. There’s no secret,” Sen. Bernie Sanders told reporters at a Capitol Hill press conference about the election results.

Sanders and his chief political strategist pointed to the success of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, as a model for Democrats across the country. But Rep. Suzan Del Bene, who leads the House Democrats’ midterm campaign strategy, avoided saying Mamdani’s name when asked about his success.

This combination of photos taken on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, shows Abigail Spanberger in Richmond, Va., left, Zohran Mamdani in New York, center, and Mikie Sherrill in East Brunswick, N.J. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, Yuki Iwamura and Matt Rourke)

Del Bene instead cheered the moderate approach adopted by Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill in successful races for governor in Virginia and New Jersey as a more viable track for candidates outside of a Democratic stronghold like New York City.

“New York is bright blue … and the path to the majority in the House is going to be through purple districts,” she told The Associated Press. “The people of Arizona, Iowa and Nebraska aren’t focused on the mayor of New York.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a likely Democratic presidential prospect who campaigned alongside Democrats in several states leading up to Tuesday’s elections, noted the candidates hit on a common issue that resonated with voters, regardless of location.

“All of these candidates who won in these different states were focused on peoples’ everyday needs,” Shapiro said. “And you saw voters in every one of those states and cities showing up to send a clear message to Donald Trump that they’re rejecting his chaos.”

Intraparty criticism

Amid Democrats’ celebratory phone calls and news conferences, members of the party’s different wings had some sharp critiques for each other.

While Shapiro cheered the party’s success during a Wednesday interview, he also acknowledged concerns about Mamdani in New York.

Signs welcomes voters on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Del Mar, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Shapiro, one of the nation’s most prominent Jewish elected leaders, said he’s not comfortable with some of Mamdani’s comments on Israel. The New York mayor-elect, a Muslim, has described Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 attacks as “genocide” against the Palestinian people and has been slow to condemn rhetoric linked to anti-Semitism.

“I’ve expressed that to him personally. We’ve had good private communications,” Shapiro said of his concerns. “And I hope, as he did last night in his victory speech, that he’ll be a mayor that protects all New Yorkers and tries to bring people together.”

Meanwhile, Sanders’ political strategist, Faiz Shakir, warned Democrats against embracing “cookie cutter campaigns that say nothing and do nothing” — a reference to centrist Democrats Spanberger and Sherrill.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat who defeated democratic socialist Omar Fateh to win a third term, said at a news conference Wednesday that “we have to love our city more than our ideology.”

“We need to be doing everything possible to push back on authoritarianism and what Donald Trump is doing,” Frey said. “And at the same time, the opposite of Donald Trump extremism is not the opposite extreme.”

Democrats win everywhere

Despite potential cracks in the Democratic coalition, it’s hard to understate the extent of the party’s electoral success.

In Georgia, two Democrats cruised to wins over Republican incumbents in elections to the state Public Service Commission, delivering the largest statewide margins of victory by Democrats in more than 20 years.

In Pennsylvania, Democrats swept not only three state Supreme Court races, but every county seat in presidential swing counties like Bucks and Erie Counties, including sheriffs. Bucks County elected its first Democratic district attorney as Democrats there also won key school board races and county judgeships.

Maine voters defeated a Republican-backed measure that would have mandated showing an ID at the polls. Colorado approved raising taxes on people earning more than $300,000 annually to fund school meal programs and food assistance for low-income state residents. And California voters overwhelmingly backed a charge led by Gov. Gavin Newsom to redraw its congressional map to give Democrats as many as five more House seats in upcoming elections.

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Key groups coming back to Democrats

Trump made inroads with Black and Hispanic voters in 2024. But this week, Democrats scored strong performances with non-white voters in New Jersey and Virginia that offered promise.

About 7 in 10 voters in New Jersey were white, according to the AP Voter Poll. And Sherrill won about half that group. But she made up for her relative weakness with whites with a strong showing among Black, Hispanic and Asian voters.

The vast majority — about 9 in 10 — of Black voters supported Sherrill, as did about 8 in 10 Asian voters.

Hispanic voters in New Jersey were more divided, but about two-thirds supported Sherrill; only about 3 in 10 voted for the Republican nominee, Jack Ciattarelli.

The pattern was similar in Virginia, where Spanberger performed well among Black voters, Hispanic voters and Asian voters, even though she didn’t win a majority of white voters.

Democrats will soon face a choice

The debate over the party’s future is already starting to play out in key midterm elections where Democrats have just begun intra-party primary contests.

The choice is stark in Maine’s high-stakes Senate race, where Democrats will pick from a field that features establishment favorite, Gov. Jan Mills, and Sanders-endorsed populist Graham Platner. A similar dynamic could play out in key contests across Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Michigan.

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who is aligned with the progressive wing of the party, said the people he speaks to are demanding bold action to address their economic concerns.

“Folks are so frustrated by how hard its become to afford a dignified life here in Michigan and across the country,” he said.

“I’m sure the corporate donors don’t want us to push too hard,” El-Sayed continued. “My worry is the very same people who told us we were just fine in 2024 will miss the mandate.”

Associated Press reporter Mike Catalini in Newark and Joey Cappelletti in Washington contributed.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal immigration officers in Los Angeles arrested a U.S. citizen during a raid outside a Home Depot store, then two of them got into his car and drove off with the man’s toddler strapped into a car seat in the back, advocates and family said Wednesday, decrying the action.

A video shot by a member of the Los Angeles Rapid Response Network, an immigrant advocacy coalition, shows the man with his hands behind his back and leaning up against his car before being escorted away as two masked agents with helmets and bulletproof vests get into the car and drive away. The man’s 1-year-old daughter appears in a blurred image strapped in a car seat in the back.

People are seen filming the agents in the car and are heard yelling “there’s a baby in the back!” as the agents drive away.

“It was a dangerous act to have armed men get in a car with that child and remove her from the situation,” said Lindsay Toczylowski, co-founder of Immigrant Defenders Law Center. The firm, which handles immigration cases, was contacted by community members for help reuniting the family, but isn’t representing the man because he is American, she said.

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Toczylowski said the girl’s relatives later picked up the child from federal offices in Los Angeles.

“They should have followed protocols that had the best interest of that child in mind,” she said.

In an email, an agency spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said a U.S. citizen got out of his vehicle wielding a hammer and throwing rocks as Border Patrol agents carried out the raid. Officials said he was arrested for investigation of assault and that a pistol was found in his car that is reported stolen out of the state of New York. Officials did not respond to questions about why agents drove the man’s car away with the child.

Five immigrants were arrested during the operation on suspicion of immigration violations, the spokesperson said.

Ed Obayashi, a special prosecutor in California and an expert on national and state police practices, said local police during DUI operations often find themselves with a parent being arrested and kids left alone in vehicles. In those cases, officers usually call a tow company because they don’t want to be responsible for the car, and they take the children into the patrol vehicle to the station where they can be picked up by family.

But he said federal immigration raids entail a different scenario and with onlookers circling to shoot video, he believes officers probably made the best decision.

“I think they were just trying to get the vehicle and the kid out of there and to safety,” he said.

The man’s mother, Maria, told reporters, the family received a call from an unknown number Tuesday to pick up the girl at U.S. Border Patrol offices in Los Angeles. She said the child is fine but asking for her father, who was born in California and works in the restaurant industry. It was not immediately known where the man was on Wednesday.

Maria said she and the girl are also U.S. citizens. She declined to provide her last name to protect her granddaughter’s identity.

“It’s something very frightening,” she said in Spanish after seeing the video. “You don’t know who those people are.”

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