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Florida Republicans left their national convention more sure than ever that former President Donald Trump will return to the presidency, but uncertain about what the future holds for the state’s two other favorite sons.

The political outlook for the state’s two other most prominent political leaders, Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, was cloudier as Republicans wrapped up their week in Milwaukee than it was when they began arriving.

Trump’s selection of U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio as his pick for vice president was praised by Republicans everywhere, including Florida. But it greatly complicates the political calculus for DeSantis and Rubio, both of whom have had their own presidential ambitions thwarted by Trump before — and possibly again by the Vance choice.

One thing the Vance pick didn’t do is alter the 2024 outlook in Florida. Democratic protestations notwithstanding, there wasn’t any evidence suggesting Trump would have any difficulty winning Florida’s 30 electoral votes before the convention, and no indication of any change coming out of the convention.

DeSantis

DeSantis, who was propelled to the governor’s office in 2018 on the strength of Trump’s endorsement, then unsuccessfully challenged him for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is widely expected to run for the nomination again in 2028.

Vance, especially if he’s the sitting vice president, would be a formidable candidate for the presidential nomination — especially if Republicans see him as heir to Trump and his MAGA movement.

“The thing that we can say with confidence is, should Trump win in November, it will put Senator Vance in a strong position to win the nomination in 2028,” said Kevin Wagner, a political scientist at Florida Atlantic University.

Analysts and political insiders are divided over whether the Vance selection merely complicates the 2028 strategy for DeSantis — or dooms his chances.

“I think Vance was particularly harmful for DeSantis’ ambitions,” said Mac Stipanovich, a longtime high-level Florida Republican strategist, who’s left the party and is now a critic of both DeSantis and Trump.

Stipanovich said Vance is “the better DeSantis. DeSantis takes great pride in his middle class background. Well, the author of ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ (Vance) will see that bet and raise it. DeSantis takes great pride in being a Navy lawyer who did a tour of duty in Iraq. Vance was a Marine in Iraq, not a Navy lawyer … DeSantis is awkward and stilted in public. J.D. Vance is a guy you’d want to go have a beer with.”

“Of all the potential candidates that Trump could have picked, Vance was the worst, in my judgment, in the context of DeSantis’ ambition,” he said.

Sean Foreman, a political scientist at Barry University, said it’s a mistake to write off DeSantis.

“DeSantis lost the primary and he was diminished nationally from his failing presidential campaign. But he’s not politically dead,” he said.

“I don’t think the selection of Vance precludes a future presidential campaign. Vance now wears the MAGA mantle moving forward, and if the Trump ticket wins he’ll be the vice president. He’ll be well-positioned for a 2028 nomination run,” Foreman said. “The initial reaction is that the sitting vice president would be the frontrunner, but that doesn’t make him a shoo-in. It’s a whole new cycle.”

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Richard DeNapoli, a convention delegate who is Broward’s elected state Republican committeeman and a former county GOP chair, also said it would be incorrect to assume Vance dooms DeSantis in 2028.

“It doesn’t mean that (other) people aren’t going to run,” he said. A vice president generally doesn’t glide into the nomination and “we don’t know what kind of a vice president he’s going to be because you’ve seen so many different versions of it in the last 20 years.”

Michael Barnett, a convention delegate and former Palm Beach County Republican Party chair, said he doesn’t think DeSantis would be deterred by a Vice President Vance. Like DeNapoli, he said vice president doesn’t automatically translate into presidential nominee.

“He’ll have a break between 2026 and 2028 where people are expecting that he’ll be on the ballot for president,” Barnett said. “Whatever happens in 2028 it will be a crowded race. I fully expect to see Governor DeSantis and J.D. Vance on the ballot.”

(DeSantis appointed Barnett to fill a vacancy on the Palm Beach County Commission; he’s running for a full term in the job.)

Convention delegate Michele Merrell, who is Broward’s elected state Republican committeewoman, termed the futures of both DeSantis and Rubio as “extraordinarily bright.”

Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, scoffed at the notion that DeSantis has a political future.

“What political aspirations? His political future is over. He has no path,” Fried said during a video news conference on the last day of the Republican convention. “And so now that Trump has given the nod to J.D. that he is going to be MAGA 2.0, I truly don’t know where Ron goes from here, and quite honestly, on behalf of myself as a Floridian, it couldn’t happen to a nicer person.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaking on Tuesday, the second day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Fried — who lost the 2022 Democratic primary for governor to Charlie Crist, who overwhelmingly lost the general election to DeSantis — spent four years criticizing DeSantis when she was state agriculture commissioner during his first term as governor.

The key may be who Trump supports as his successor.

“I don’t think it will forestall a primary, but I think whoever Trump endorses, that will be the biggest factor,” DeNapoli said.

Stipanovich agreed. “As long as Trump draws breath, he’s going to matter in a Republican primary. And I don’t think there’s a chance in hell” that Trump would endorse DeSantis over Vance, he said.

Rubio

The state’s senior senator was one of the finalists Trump considered as vice president. Rubio and Vance were both once fierce Trump critics, but have transformed themselves into Trump champions.

The state’s senior senator was passed over by Trump, even after he repeatedly praised the former president and echoed virtually everything Trump said, often minimizing anything that some people would regard as extreme.

Donald Trump Jr. was widely reported to have strongly favored Vance as his father’s running mate. And son Eric Trump told the Florida delegation that the constitutional question remained a hurdle.

The 12th Amendment to the Constitution prevents electors from casting a state’s electoral votes for a presidential and vice presidential candidate from the same state, setting up a scenario under which Rubio would have had to move from Florida.

Republicans also hope that Vance, an Ohio senator, can help Trump chip away at the Democrats’ “blue wall” of northern industrial states, though political scientists who have analyzed results have concluded that vice presidential picks don’t alter the results. People base their votes on the top of the tickets.

Though Trump and Rubio had a nasty competition for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, the senator became a strong supporter and influential foreign policy adviser once Trump became president.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., arrives to speak on Tuesday, the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Rubio is vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, making him one of the so-called Gang of Eight in Congress who are regularly briefed on highly sensitive information, and a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee. That background has many Floridians hoping Trump would nominate Rubio as secretary of state if he wins the presidency.

“I wanted Marco as vice president. We’ll take him as secretary of state,” Barnett said.

Even if that doesn’t happen, Rubio would be in a position to wield significant influence on world affairs, especially if Republicans win control of the Senate, which many political analysts see as a foregone conclusion.

“It’s clear that Senator Rubio would be on a short list of potential cabinet secretaries, with State being particularly one of the places where he could potentially be a choice,” Wagner said.

Although he’s a “logical candidate,” Foreman cautioned against “getting ahead of ourselves too much” with such speculation.

In the spotlight

Rubio (nine minutes) and DeSantis (eight minutes) both had convention speaking slots in primetime. Their rounds also included subsequent breakfasts of the home-state convention delegation.

Their televised speeches were on Tuesday, the night reserved for multiple Republicans who had sought their party’s nomination — Rubio in 2016 and DeSantis in 2024 — and were vanquished by Trump.

All the former opponents turned acolytes touted Trump, while he watched from his box in the arena, as he basked in the praise. The next night, Rubio got to sit next to Trump and watch some of the proceedings from the nominee’s box at the convention arena.

At least DeSantis got a laugh from Trump, which came when DeSantis referred to President Joe Biden’s time in office as the “Weekend at Bernie’s presidency,” a reference to the movie in which people pass off the corpse of their dead boss as still alive.

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaking on the second day of the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Political moves

Senate appointment: If Rubio becomes secretary of state or another cabinet position, DeSantis would get to appoint a replacement senator.

“The ability to fill a vacant Senate seat is one of the more significant powers that a governor has and can be quite influential on a larger political universe,” Wagner said.

Stipanovich said he doubts the governor would engineer a Senate appointment for himself. It would seem like too much of a shady political maneuver that could leave a negative impression for some voters, he said.

Governor’s race: The convention was a chance for the potential candidates for the 2026 Republican nomination for governor to show themselves off before committed party activists and financial supporters. Term limits prevent DeSantis from running again.

Prospects politicking at the convention included Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds, Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz.

Stipanovich said there’s been thought among some — he categorized it as “happy hour speculation” — “that because of (U.S. Sen.) Rick Scott’s presidential ambitions, he would return to run for governor in 2028 again.” Although Scott has served two terms, totaling eight years, as governor, he’s been out of that office so he legally could run again. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez told NBC News he was thinking of running. And Politico reported from Milwaukee that some Republicans had mused about the idea of Rubio as “a possibility” to run for governor.

Members of the Florida delegation to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July 2024. “The intensity here is something I have never experienced,” said delegate Michele Merrell, who is Broward’s state Republican committeewoman (in white blazer holding sign). “I never thought we could top 2016. However, this week (has been) in the stratosphere.” (Michele Merrell/Courtesy) Optimistic Republicans

Floridians who’ve been delegates before said this year’s convention was more unified and more energized than previous quadrennial gatherings they’d attended.

“The intensity here is something I have never experienced,” said Merrell, the state Republican committeewoman from Broward.  “I never thought we could top 2016. However, this week (has been) in the stratosphere.”

DeNapoli said “everyone’s been in a happy mood. A lot of positive energy. A lot of excitement, confidence.”

Barnett described 2024 as having “more energy and more excitement, and less uncertainty. More unity.”

For Florida delegates, that’s partly seeing the state as solidly Republican after decades as a swing state that could go either way in presidential contests, and partly from optimism that Trump will win the presidency.

“We’re getting ready to win. We’re getting ready to take back this White House, starting with Florida,” Barnett said.

National attention, and the candidates, are less likely to devote time and money to Florida. “Florida is slipping away from the competitive column,” Foreman said.

Democrats, hoping to avoid a collapse of enthusiasm among their voters that could hurt candidates lower down the ballot, insist Florida could produce a surprise.

A state Democratic Party fundraising email blast on Friday asserted that “Donald Trump’s margin in Florida has NARROWED — making it only a 4 point difference.”  Its evidence: A headline from a news site that’s become known largely for clickbait.

Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com and can be found @browardpolitics on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and Mastodon.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. speak during the Republican National Convention on Tuesday in Milwaukee. (Paul Sancya/AP)

Three Democrats want their party’s nomination to be state attorney in Palm Beach County, where Dave Aronberg is stepping down after 12 years.

In our view, Gregg Lerman, a West Palm Beach criminal defense attorney with deep experience, is the most likely change agent among three Democrats. Whoever wins the Aug. 20 primary will face a Republican opponent on Nov. 5. We recommend Lerman as the best choice for Democrats.

The other candidates, Alexcia Cox and Craig Williams, are senior executives in the state attorney’s office, which has 120 prosecutors and 220 supporting employees. They’re squabbling over conviction rates and which of them is more up to the job, and that does not bode well for how either would lead it.

Fortunately, Lerman is a credible alternative. He says his 39 years as a defense attorney give him “unique insight into the causes of crime and what can be done to reduce it … what programs need to be expanded, such as certain diversion programs, drug court, veterans court and drug offender programs.”

It is not unusual for a lawyer to cross over from one side of the courtroom to the other. It’s often a prosecutor leaving to become a defense attorney, having been trained at public expense.

Both sides of the legal table

There’s no reason why a defender should not go the other way. The same discipline applies to both — that of applying logic to the evidence and the law and advocating your side of the case. American justice depends on competent representation for both the public and the defendants.

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Candidates fielded our questionnaires and participated in a joint hour-long interview. During that discussion, we heard no compelling answer why the office’s conviction integrity review unit, one of only five among the state’s 20 judicial circuits, seems dormant.

Cox, who said Aronberg picked her to establish it, said it had reviewed “maybe 120 petitions” when she left it. None was granted, which to Cox meant “we were happy about the fact that we had not determined there was a case in our office that warranted exoneration.”

Similar offices in three other circuits had no trouble finding convictions where justice miscarried. Everything that humans do is susceptible to error.

Lerman, referring to a conversation with the Florida Innocence Project, said it had tried to contact Aronberg’s office about a convicted murderer named Lawrence K. Johnson Jr., and “never got a response.” Johnson was convicted on DNA evidence that his advocates say was faulty. Lerman, who was his defense attorney, agrees.

Lerman’s agenda

Lerman, 64, of Palm Beach Gardens, earned his law degree from Nova Southeastern University School of Law.

“Issues such as elder fraud, drug addiction, mental illness and homelessness must be better dealt with by the system,” Lerman told us. “Finally, the office must be held accountable to the public when law enforcement crosses a line. A badge is not a ‘hall pass’ that puts somebody above the law.”

Cox, 44, the deputy chief assistant state attorney, cites her experience leading the domestic violence unit and as “the only person here who has successfully prosecuted a police officer in Palm Beach County.” That was Nouman Raja, convicted of manslaughter in 2019 for shooting a stranded Black motorist.

Even so, Cox said, she has been endorsed by two police unions because “they know I’m the best person for the job.” She graduated from the Florida State University College of Law.

Williams, 59, the current chief assistant state attorney, is a Nova graduate who has been a prosecutor for 27 years. He supervises 45 felony prosecutors and says he brought the office up from “dead last” in Florida’s conviction rates to number three, with a 95% conviction rate. He promises leadership to keep Palm Beach County from having “a mass exodus of good prosecutors and support staff.”

Most recent campaign reports show receipts of $208,446 for Cox, who also has a PAC that’s raised $36,455, and $97,616 for Lerman, including a $10,000 loan to himself.

Williams reports $257,945, including $75,000 in loans to himself. The state attorney’s salary, set by the state, is $218,939.

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

There comes a time when the kids must take away the car keys from an elderly parent, perhaps after a ticket for running a red light. The parent will protest and insist it won’t happen again. But it does.

President Biden’s two tickets were the debate and a recent news conference. He referred to President Zelenskyy as President Putin, and Vice President Harris as Vice President Trump. Not the signs of a clear, sharp mind. He has visibly deteriorated, physically and mentally, as president.

It is a grueling job. Like many others, I question whether Biden can survive another term. In my opinion, he has two choices: Retire with pride at the end of this term or be pushed out by Trump.

Go home voluntarily, Joe. Sit on the porch. Sip a drink. Reflect on your many years of honorable service to your country. Stepping down from this campaign to enable a stronger candidate to prevent Trump from winning will be your greatest achievement.

Melvin Gerald, Boca Raton

A bully’s behavior

What happens to bullies and liars? Eventually they become victims of their own behavior. Who opposes gun control? Who opposes Roe v. Wade? Who opposes democracy? Bullies lie every way they can to save their own skin and make the other guy look bad.

How many lies has the bully told in one sitting? On violence, anger and hatred? Bullies are dictators. Their behavior speaks for who they are and what they construe as truth.

Angelina Cimmino, Delray Beach

Oh, so many ‘freedoms’

I was so pleased to see that our wonderful governor has modified the “Welcome to Florida” signs to include the phrase “The Free State of Florida.”

I only wish there were room on the signs to list all the “freedoms” DeSantis has brought to our state: Free to have a GOP bureaucrat between you and your doctor; free to read only the books DeSantis approves; free to have our kids taught selective history; free to have our public school tax dollars support private, for-profit schools; free to pay unaffordable insurance rates; free to fight for the right to vote; free to deny the facts of climate change; and free to have your tax dollars pay for DeSantis’ failed presidential run.

There is so much more. It would take a very large sign indeed to list all the “freedoms” DeSantis has brought to our “free” State of Florida.

Frederick Mitchel, Fort Lauderdale

A homeless solution

This is in response to the July 12 letter from Joanne M. Snead (“County must consider stockade as homeless site,” July 12).

It’s one of the best responses I’ve heard to help the homeless. How do we get our commissioners to use the valuable resource, since it’s already costing us to maintain it empty?

Let’s use it. The obvious advantage: Those who want to get off the streets could clean themselves up, to get jobs and work themselves back into society. Let’s contact our commissioners and tell them we want this. It’s good for everyone.

Dennis Lamb, Fort Lauderdale

Remembering Bob Newhart

I am deeply saddened by the death of Bob Newhart.

He was more than a comedian. He was an icon whose wit and charm brought joy to millions. From his groundbreaking stand-up routines to his beloved roles on The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, his unique brand of humor and gentle presence left an incredible mark.

Bob’s impeccable timing and deadpan delivery were unmatched, making him a cherished figure in comedy. His contributions to television and comedy will be celebrated for generations to come. He brought laughter and light to so many lives. His legacy will continue to inspire future comedians and entertainers.

You will be deeply missed, Bob Newhart, and your legacy of laughter will live forever.

Paul Bacon, Hallandale Beach

For the first time in 12 years, Palm Beach County voters will elect a new state attorney this year, starting with the primary on Aug. 20.

That vote is an obligation and an opportunity and is not to be taken lightly.

The power of a state attorney is enormous, and so is the discretion.

Those have rarely been abused so flagrantly as by the former Palm Beach State Attorney Barry Krischer 18 years ago when he let the child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein off with a sentence so light that it could hardly be called punishment.

Krischer used a grand jury as cover for a charging decision he could have made on his own authority.

An experienced prosecutor

We believe that Sam Stern, one of two Republicans running, is qualified to be the kind of well-balanced prosecutor the public deserves — competent, forceful but compassionate, tough on crime but also mindful that some people accused of crimes are innocent. We recommend Stern’s nomination.

“The government always wins as long as we do the right thing,” said Stern, a 44-year-old West Palm Beach resident and native of New Jersey.

He’s currently in private practice, and despite his relative youth, he’s an experienced federal and state prosecutor.

“It’s absolutely inappropriate for the state attorney’s office to dump a case on the grand jury,” he told us. “The proper use is to bring in testimony.” The Epstein grand jury, he said, was used as an excuse to not prosecute Epstein aggressively.

‘A dual mandate’

Stern said he will dig into official corruption, which is too often overlooked in South Florida.

Florida allows prosecutors to charge all but capital crimes on their own authority.

“There is a dual mandate,” Stern told us, “to not just be a processing facility, but to find criminality where it is not obvious or apparent.”

Stern’s rival in the Republican primary, Forrest Scott Freedman, did not participate in a scheduled joint interview. He did submit a questionnaire, which we have posted online with Stern’s and a video of Stern’s interview.

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Freedman’s negligible fundraising ($3,885 in public contributions through June, compared to $95,468 for Stern) puts him at a distinct disadvantage against any of three potential Democratic nominees in a county where the GOP still trails in registration, though the gap has narrowed.

This year, with local resident Donald Trump atop the GOP ticket, a qualified, well-spoken Republican could be competitive in a Palm Beach County race for an office such as state attorney, where partisanship should not matter.

A shifting political landscape

Democrats are in serious disarray nationally over President Joe Biden, and the local Democratic Party is a mess. That creates opportunities for Republicans.

Stern has an impressive résumé and a distinctive family pedigree. His father, Herbert Stern, was a crime-fighting prosecutor in New Jersey and later a federal judge.

The father’s connections to Chris Christie, the departing U.S. attorney who was running for governor, reportedly figured in the younger Stern’s appointment as an assistant U.S. attorney at age 29. He left a year later after a Democratic prosecutor replaced Christie.

Sam Stern, for whom Florida has been a second home, worked in the Palm Beach state attorney’s office after moving here permanently.

A Fordham University law graduate, he began his career as a state prosecutor in Hudson County, N.J., long considered a hub of public corruption.

Stern has taught trial practice at the University of Miami School of Law, the National Trial Advocacy College at the University of Virginia School of Law, and authored a textbook on cross-examination.

In private practice, he specializes in white-collar defense.

Asked how he would deal with high turnover among low-salaried assistants, Stern said in our questionnaire that it would depend on his leadership and on “my mission … to recruit, train and run the finest office anywhere.”

Forrest Freedman is a Republican candidate for Palm Beach County state attorney. (Courtesy Forrest Freedman)

Freedman said in his questionnaire that he would commission an audit to find office funds that could be redirected to salaries. If that’s not sufficient, he would lobby for more money.

Freedman, 53, of Boca Raton, is in private practice. He appears to be running a conventional anti-crime campaign. He says he would improve the state attorney’s office “once I have access to the complete picture and the books that will only occur if I am elected.” He hasn’t done the homework Stern has.

Before moving to Florida in 1991, Freedman was an assistant D.A. in Boston for four years. He’s a graduate of Washington University School of Law.

The state attorney’s salary, set by the state, is $218,939.

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

Q: Hi, Ira, is it premature to be getting excited about the potential of Kel’el Ware? He appears to be a very natural athlete for his size and has excellent basketball instincts, such as his timing when slipping screens. I think this is another case of the Heat getting top-third talent with a middle-round pick. – Ray, Deerfield Beach.

A: And the Heat’s recent history of scoring outside of the top 10 of the draft certainly is impressive, considering Bam Adebayo was taken at No. 14 in 2017, Tyler Herro at No. 13 in 2019, Nikola Jovic at No. 27 in 2022, Jaime Jaquez Jr. at No. 18 in 2023 and now Kel’el Ware at No. 15 last month. But I also would caution about overstating summer league, considering some of the centers Kel’el has gone against these past two weeks likely couldn’t even make it in the G League, So let’s see what happens when he is tenderized by NBA-level size, strength and savvy. I think the preseason will be eye-opening for Kel’el, as will banging with Bam Adebayo, Kevin Love and even Thomas Bryant in camp. That said, the summer has been heartening and Kel’el’s journey certainly has begun with more than a few impressive steps.

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• Miami Heat | Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!

Q: I didn’t get to see Friday night because I’m not paying to stream summer league. But, man, going up 40 in any game isn’t easy. – Allen.

A: While this summer’s Heat roster doesn’t have the star elements as, say, those Heat summer rosters with Caron Butler, Dwyane Wade or even Michael Beasley, I’m not sure the Heat have featured this type of depth of talent in July. Several of the Heat’s summer reserves likely would stand as summer stars on the rosters of other teams. And, remarkably, with a mere three weeks together, those players actually are playing like a team. Summer basketball often can be a difficult watch (just ask Raptors fans about Friday night). But this Heat team in Las Vegas . . . actually looks like a team.

Q: You mentioned Cole Swider not having a contact, but what about Man Man? Alondes Williams looked good again Friday. – Sandy.

A: Yes, he did, albeit without the type of jaw-dropping dunk he offered two days earlier against the Mavericks. One element that still resonates is how Erik Spoelstra during previous summers has mentioned how the Heat summer program not only is about fortifying the Heat roster, but also creating opportunities for players to land elsewhere. To that end, the Heat certainly have offered ample exposure for Alondes and Cole Swider with the runway they have provided this summer. Do the two belong on an NBA roster? Certainly. Will they be with the Heat? That’s where the salary math gets in the way.

Today is Sunday, July 21, the 203rd day of 2024. There are 163 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On July 21, 1925, the so-called “Monkey Trial” ended in Dayton, Tennessee, with John T. Scopes found guilty of violating state law for teaching Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. (The conviction was later overturned.)

Also on this date:

In 1861, during the Civil War, the first Battle of Bull Run was fought at Manassas, Virginia, resulting in a Confederate victory.

In 1944, American forces landed on Guam during World War II, capturing it from the Japanese some three weeks later.

In 1954, the Geneva Conference concluded with accords dividing Vietnam into northern and southern entities.

In 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin blasted off from the moon aboard the ascent stage of the lunar module for docking with the command module.

In 1970, construction of the Aswan High Dam in Egypt was completed.

In 1972, the Irish Republican Army carried out 22 bombings in Belfast, Northern Ireland, killing nine people and injuring 130 in what became known as “Bloody Friday.”

In 2002, Ernie Els won the British Open in the first sudden-death finish in the 142-year history of the tournament.

In 2008, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic (RA’-doh-van KA’-ra-jich), one of the world’s top war crimes fugitives, was arrested in a Belgrade suburb by Serbian security forces. (He was sentenced by a U.N. court in 2019 to life imprisonment after being convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.)

In 2011, the 30-year-old space shuttle program ended as Atlantis landed at Cape Canaveral, Florida, after the 135th shuttle flight.

In 2012, Erden Eruc became the first person to complete a solo, human-powered circumnavigation of the globe.

In 2021, public health officials said U.S. life expectancy fell by a year and a half in 2020, the largest one-year decline since World War II; the drop was due mainly to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, the “Barbenheimer” buzz reached its peak as the films “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” opened in theaters; the critical and public acclaim for both films led to the fourth-largest weekend box office of all time.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Singer Yusuf Islam (also known as Cat Stevens) is 76.
• Cartoonist Garry Trudeau is 76.
• Author Michael Connelly is 68.
• Comedian Jon Lovitz is 67.
• Retired soccer player Brandi Chastain is 56.
• Rock-soul singer Michael Fitzpatrick (Fitz and the Tantrums) is 54.
• Actor/singer Charlotte Gainsbourg is 53.
• Actor Justin Bartha is 46.
• Actor Josh Hartnett is 46.
• Reggae singer Damian Marley is 46.
• Basketball Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings is 45.
• Former MLB All-Star pitcher CC Sabathia (suh-BATH’-ee-uh) is 44.
• Singer Blake Lewis (“American Idol”) is 43.
• Latin singer Romeo Santos is 43.
• Actor Betty Gilpin is 38.
• Actor Juno Temple is 35.
• Actor Rory Culkin is 35.
• Manchester City soccer star Erling Haaland is 24.

By JAMIE STENGLE and LEKAN OYEKANMI

SPRING, Texas (AP) — As the temperature soared in the Houston-area home Janet Jarrett shared with her sister after losing electricity in Hurricane Beryl, she did everything she could to keep her 64-year-old sibling cool.

But on their fourth day without power, she awoke to hear Pamela Jarrett, who used a wheelchair and relied on a feeding tube, gasping for breath. Paramedics were called but she was pronounced dead at the hospital, with the medical examiner saying her death was caused by the heat.

“It’s so hard to know that she’s gone right now because this wasn’t supposed to happen to her,” Janet Jarrett said.

Almost two weeks after Beryl hit, heat-related deaths during the prolonged power outages have pushed the number of storm-related fatalities to at least 23 in Texas.

The combination of searing summer heat and residents unable to power up air conditioning in the days after the Category 1 storm made landfall on July 8 resulted in increasingly dangerous conditions for some in America’s fourth-largest city.

Beryl knocked out electricity to nearly 3 million homes and businesses at the height of the outages, which lasted days or much longer, and hospitals reported a spike in heat-related illnesses.

Power finally was restored to most by last week, after over a week of widespread outages. The slow pace in the Houston area put the region’s electric provider, CenterPoint Energy, under mounting scrutiny over whether it was sufficiently prepared.

While it may be weeks or even years before the full human toll of the storm in Texas is known, understanding that number helps plan for the future, experts say.

What is known about the deaths so far?

Just after the storm hit, bringing high winds and flooding, the deaths included people killed by falling trees and people who drowned when their vehicles became submerged in floodwaters. In the days after the storm passed, deaths included people who fell while cutting limbs on damaged trees and heat-related deaths.

Half of the deaths attributed to the storm in Harris County, where Houston is located, were heat related, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

Jarrett, who has cared for her sister since she was injured in an attack six years ago, said her “sassy” sister had done everything from owning a vintage shop in Harlem, New York, to working as an artist.

“She had a big personality,” Jarrett said, adding that her sister had been in good health before they lost electricity at their Spring home.

When will a complete death toll be known?

With power outages and cleanup efforts still ongoing, the death toll likely will continue to climb.

Officials are still working to determine if some deaths that have already occurred should be considered storm related. But even when those numbers come in, getting a clear picture of the storm’s toll could take much more time.

Lara Anton, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services, which uses death certificate data to identify storm-related deaths, estimated that it may not be until the end of July before they have even a preliminary count.

In the state’s vital statistics system, there is a prompt to indicate if the death was storm related and medical certifiers are asked to send additional information on how the death was related to the storm, Anton said.

Experts say that while a count of storm-related fatalities compiled from death certificates is useful, an analysis of excess deaths that occurred during and after the storm can give a more complete picture of the toll. For that, researchers compare the number of people who died in that period to how many would have been expected to die under normal conditions.

The excess death analysis helps count deaths that might have been overlooked, said Dr. Lynn Goldman, dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.

What do different toll numbers tell us?

Both the approach of counting the death certificates and calculating the excess deaths have their own benefits when it comes to storms, said Gregory Wellenius, director of the Boston University School of Public Health’s Center for Climate and Health.

The excess death analysis gives a better estimate of the total number of people killed, so it’s useful for public health and emergency management planning in addition to assessing the impact of climate change, he said.

But it “doesn’t tell you who,” he said, and understanding the individual circumstances of storm deaths is important in helping to show what puts individual people at risk.

“If I just tell you 200 people died, it doesn’t tell you that story of what went wrong for these people, which teaches us something about what hopefully can we do better to prepare or help people prepare in the future,” Wellenius said. ___

Stengle reported from Dallas. Sean Murphy contributed to this report from Oklahoma City.

FORT LAUDERDALE — Defender Jordi Alba scored two minutes after Chicago pulled even in the second half to rally Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over the Fire on Saturday night.

Rookie Matías Rojas scored for a fourth time this season to give Inter Miami (16-4-5) a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute. Robert Taylor picked up his fourth assist and 20-year-old defender Tomás Avilés snagged his first of the season and the second of his two-year career on the goal. It was the seventh start and 10th appearance of the campaign for Rojas.

Chicago (6-12-7) trailed until defender Rafael Czichos used Gastón Giménez’s third assist of the season in the 75th minute to score his first goal this season and the sixth in his three years in the league.

The tie lasted until Alba scored unassisted with a left-footed shot from the left side of the box in the 77th. It was the fourth goal this season for Alba and his fifth in 22 starts and 27 appearances in his two seasons with the club.

Drake Callender finished with four saves in goal for Inter Miami. Chris Brady stopped seven shots for the Fire. Callender needed to make just one save to keep the Fire off the scoreboard in the first half. Brady had four saves by halftime to keep Chicago close.

Chicago knocked FC Cincinnati out of the top spot in the Supporters’ Shield race with a 1-0 road victory on Wednesday.

Inter Miami is 2-4-1 all time versus the Fire.

As the league goes on a month-long hiatus for the Leagues Cup, Inter Miami leads the league with 53 points at the break in 25 games played, with the Los Angeles Galaxy (49 points in 26 games), FC Cincinnati (48 points in 25) and Los Angeles FC (47 points in 24 games) jockeying for second place in the league.

Inter Miami will host Cincinnati on Aug. 24 when play resumes. The Fire will travel to play New York City FC on Aug. 24.

Inter Miami kept cruising through the MLS season without their superstar, Lionel Messi. Despite Messi having missed more than half the team’s games (13 of 25) with other commitments and injuries, Inter Miami built onto the franchise points record against the Fire, with the 53 continuing to pull away from the former team record of 48, established in 2022.

There are nine regular-season games left.

The One Thing Sellers Should Always Do Before a Home Inspection  MSN

The One Thing Sellers Should Always Do Before a Home Inspection  MSN

General Daily Insight for July 21, 2024

The fruits of our labor are ripening. The Full Moon in Capricorn at 6:17 am EDT illuminates where our energy has been channeled since the New Moon, especially when it comes to determination, boundaries, and self-discipline. Friendly Venus works with expansive Jupiter to enrich our mindsets with abundant opportunities. The confident Sun also collaborates with dreamy Neptune, elevating our intuition and creativity, right before fiery Mars and transformative Pluto team up to put motivation behind this inspiration. Make room for blessings!

Aries

March 21 – April 19

You’re experiencing a boost of luck, inviting you to stand up and say what’s been on your heart. You may have been keeping your opinions a secret, but today’s burst of confidence and inspiration can encourage you to reveal whatever you’ve been keeping inside. It’s important to make sure that you’re speaking from the heart, because trying to say what you think others want to hear is unlikely to have the same results. Don’t try to predict responses — just be genuine.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Educational pursuits are calling your name, Taurus. You may have thought that you wanted a break from learning or that you’d appreciate some time to rest, but the allure of knowledge is highlighting an opportunity that you’re unlikely to be able to say no to. It’ll simply be too exciting to miss. You might even travel in order to seize this chance — just try not to exhaust yourself while chasing this opening. Take care of your body and your mind!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Your partnership with someone else could lead you to uniquely exciting revenue streams. You might not have been able to polish certain aspects of your reputation or an ongoing project without another person supporting you. If you’re not in a partnership, it would be wise to consult a professional or reach out to someone you trust for advice, because your individual inspiration is likely to come through someone else’s words sparking your motivation into a steadier flame. Listen to what others have to say.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

You might be seeing the rewards of setting boundaries. Building healthy mental fences isn’t always easy, especially when you don’t want to disappoint someone. Still, it’s important that you tell others where your line is drawn. This nourishes the connection on both ends, allowing everyone involved to interact with one another without losing their sense of self. While standing your ground may be uncomfortable or awkward if you’re not used to setting boundaries, the peace and respect you’ll feel will be worth it.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

What does the ideal life path look like for you, Leo? You might have been working on your self-discipline by replacing bad habits with good ones and trying to remove negative influences from your life overall. That is valuable, but make sure that you’re leaving room for healthy pleasure and abundance. There are likely people around you who are encouraging you to let your hair down on occasion — you should follow their lead. After all, “all work and no play” simply isn’t perpetually sustainable!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

The motivation to go above and beyond can be yours right now. You may have felt like you had plateaued where you were in your career or general life, which can be a comfortable, albeit stagnant, place to be. Brace yourself for the incoming cosmic surge of energy to do more than you’ve completed in quite some time. You could be given the green light to kickstart fresh projects, fine-tune any side hustles, or make other changes where you work. Don’t be shy!

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Having faith in your dreams is a beautiful way to nourish your soul. You may have felt like you had to abandon optimism or wonder, but currently, life is reminding you that you don’t have to do that at all. You’re allowed to look for the beauty in everything and to prioritize bringing creativity into everything you do. Repressing your natural spirit will feel stifling as it blocks you from sharing your natural light with the world. Let your inner joy shine.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Saying the wrong thing is dangerously easy at the moment. You may have been working on being more self-disciplined in how you speak to others. Perhaps your previous communication methods were too intense, revealing too much anger. Conversely, you may have been too reserved and didn’t say enough to fully express your needs. Do your best to stay level-headed when you’re talking to others. As long as they treat you with the same respect you show them, the rest should work itself out.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

You might be learning more about other people at present. As you’ll probably see friendships blooming alongside opportunities for travel and education, make an effort to participate in any such prospects — don’t just watch them from the sidelines! It’s easy to let the time get away from you at home, so at least consider heading to your local library or another gathering place. When you spend time communicating with others and learning about their culture and lifestyle, you can all enrich each other’s lives.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Wherever your consistency has been, it will make itself known at any moment. You’re seeing the fruits of your labor (or the lack thereof), because past dedication and hard work will be paying off in the present. As such, if you’ve been slacking in certain areas, you may need to buckle up for a bumpy, stressful ride! Don’t be embarrassed to rely on your support system as necessary. Even if you’re already successful, there’s no need to stop your pals from pitching in.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Someone who reminds you of yourself might be motivating you to appreciate your inner creativity. You might have let yourself go a while without creating anything or even journaling, but practically any excuse to get back to it would be a good one. Whenever a friend, new or old, reminds you of a dream you carried in your soul, let that move your pen to paper — or to whatever pursuits spark joy for you. Dust off your sense of creativity and see what happens!

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Community can assist you in taking any steps you’re currently struggling to take alone. Whether you were trapped behind a mental or physical block, reaching out for help can sometimes feel just as nerve-wracking as the original issue. That said, needing support isn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s important to take that risk and see who’s willing to come and lift you over the metaphorical pothole, just as you would for them. When help knocks, don’t be too proud to open the door.

Today is Saturday, July 20, the 202nd day of 2024. There are 164 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On July 20, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon after reaching its surface in their Apollo 11 lunar module.

Also on this date:

In 1917, America’s World War I draft lottery began as Secretary of War Newton Baker, wearing a blindfold, reached into a glass bowl and pulled out a capsule containing the number 258 during a ceremony inside the Senate office building.

In 1944, an attempt by a group of German officials to assassinate Adolf Hitler with a bomb failed as the explosion only wounded the Nazi leader.

In 1951, Jordan’s King Abdullah I was assassinated in Jerusalem by a Palestinian gunman who was shot dead on the spot by security.

In 1976, America’s Viking 1 robot spacecraft made a successful, first-ever landing on Mars.

In 1977, a flash flood hit Johnstown, Pennsylvania, killing more than 80 people and causing $350 million worth of damage.

In 1990, Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, one of the court’s most liberal voices, announced he was stepping down.

In 1993, White House deputy counsel Vincent Foster Jr., 48, was found shot to death in a park near Washington, D.C.; it was ruled a suicide.

In 2006, the Senate voted 98-0 to renew the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act for another quarter-century.

In 2007, President George W. Bush signed an executive order prohibiting cruel and inhuman treatment, including humiliation or denigration of religious beliefs, in the detention and interrogation of terrorism suspects.

In 2010, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to approve Elena Kagan to be the Supreme Court’s fourth female justice.

In 2012, gunman James Holmes opened fire inside a crowded movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, during a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises,” killing 12 people and wounding 70 others. (Holmes was later convicted of murder and attempted murder, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.)

In 2015, the United States and Cuba restored full diplomatic relations after more than five decades of frosty relations rooted in the Cold War.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Former Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., is 88.
• Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Oliva is 86.
• Artist Judy Chicago is 85.
• Country singer T.G. Sheppard is 80.
• Singer Kim Carnes is 79.
• Rock musician Carlos Santana is 77.
• Author and commentator Thomas Friedman is 71.
• Rock musician Paul Cook (Sex Pistols) is 68.
• Actor Frank Whaley is 61.
• Conservationist and TV personality Terri Irwin is 60.
• Rock musician Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam) is 58.
• Actor Josh Holloway (TV: “Lost”) is 55.
• Singer Vitamin C is 55.
• Actor Sandra Oh is 53.
• Hockey Hall of Famer Peter Forsberg is 51.
• Actor Omar Epps is 51.
• Basketball Hall of Famer Ray Allen is 49.
• Hockey Hall of Famer Pavel Datsyuk is 46.
• Supermodel Gisele Bundchen is 44.
• Actor Percy Daggs III is 42.
• Actor John Francis Daley is 39.
• Dancer-singer-actor Julianne Hough is 36.

General Daily Insight for July 20, 2024

Get in motion! Passionate Mars jumps into a team-up with creative Neptune to mix action and ideas, ideal for tackling all sorts of tasks. With the Moon and dedicated Saturn collaborating as well, we’re more grounded and clear-headed. Mars marches from consistent Taurus to changeable Gemini at 4:43 pm EDT, where it will stay until September 4. This transit allows us more freedom and the ability to boldly change as we proclaim our thoughts and communicate with confidence. The fires of motivation are blazing!

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Making things from scratch is an incredibly valuable skill — and it’s one you can learn at this very moment! Consider setting aside some time to research unfamiliar cooking recipes, building techniques, reorganizing methods, or other projects. You might be more focused on what truly fulfills your soul after a time of having skewed priorities. Now that your eyes are on the prize, you’re able to move forward to your next level. Don’t forget to enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

You likely have a lot that you want to do with your life, but you can make it happen. Other people may be naysayers when it comes to doing what you want and making your way in the world, but you’re allowed to ignore unconstructive criticism. Petty concerns would only inhibit your valuable progress. Roads are opening up to you, and whether these are opportunities to learn or to travel, you’re meant to seize them. Don’t let them pass you by!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

You’re letting less be more. You may be downsizing by letting go of some of your material possessions, either through donating or selling. This frees you to chase after whatever it is that you want to pursue with your life. On top of that freedom, you may have a little more money in your pocket from letting go of the things of the past. One way or another, you have an opportunity to reinvent yourself. Don’t be afraid to become the upgraded you!

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Certain projects that have been on your mind for a while are ready to be tackled. You may have struggled to translate these things from dream to reality. At long last, the passion and energy in the air are invigorating you to take action where you were once stagnant. It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day life and avoid doing the things that really bring you joy. Thankfully, once your mind starts whirring, it’ll be almost impossible to stop you!

Leo

July 23 – August 22

You’re putting your actions out there for all to see. You may have been working in the dark for some time on a vital project or career move. It’s finally time for you to show the world what you’ve been cooking up! Before that, though, look inside and ensure that this is really what you want to do. Once you look inside and understand your enthusiasm around your efforts, you’ll know the right level of publicity to aim for. Give it all you’ve got!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

You have a clearer view of where you’re going — and you might not be going alone. Regardless of who exactly is accompanying you, you’re unlikely to be taking a journey on your own at the moment. You’re becoming more grounded and realizing that you don’t need to spend time with everyone trying to make them happy, because this only dilutes your energy. Try instead to focus on one person who understands you. Who knows, a stronger bond may form between you!

Libra

September 23 – October 22

An idea from a long time ago has returned to your life in an evolved form, ready to be put back into practice. This may have been your childhood love of a sport coming back to help you stay active, or it could be your favorite college snack reimagined as something just as tasty but a little more nutritious. It’s a good idea to get your health and routine in order right now, and you can do that by taking inspiration from your past.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Fun isn’t forbidden! In your history, you may have struggled to find people who enjoyed doing the same things as you — maybe they even made fun of your interests. This potentially led you to let go of those pastimes. You deserve a better community, and the universe wants to give you one! Look into local clubs or hobby groups that align with your interests to reawaken those old excited feelings, driving you forward into creativity and inspiration. Let that good energy flow.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

You’re letting your routine become second nature, rather than a chore. You may have struggled to adhere to a schedule in the past, feeling like it was cramping your style, but you’re starting to see the benefits. Sooner or later, you’ll barely have to think about following the patterns you put in place! It could be that you’re finally accessing the automation in your brain for these positive habits. Still, if you need extra motivation, try reflecting on any benefits you’ve noticed recently.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Today is more about your wants than your needs. You may feel like it’s lazy or unfocused to do whatever you feel like doing, but indulging your soul can actually lead you to positive opportunities. You could run into an old friend in the park while enjoying nature, or you might get a great idea when you wake up from a nap. It’s not always a bad thing to let your mind wander! You never know when it will end up somewhere fascinating.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

You’re creating security for more than just yourself. You might be empowering your family or friends to create more security for themselves, whether you’re carpooling to a self-defense class or teaching them a trick you learned for evading financial scams. In turn, they may share their valuable tips and tricks with you. There’s a lot to gain through mutual work and respect, and you’re more likely to find such benefits when you seek them out by asking what you can do for others.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

You don’t have to tell all to everyone, but you also don’t have to keep everything locked up inside. In the past, you might have expressed your feelings in haphazard, uneven ways, unable to get your point across to others through the intensity of your inner storms. You can currently access better tools for allowing yourself to open up with honesty — and without becoming overwhelmed. Stating your needs in an understandable way is nice, but the most important thing is finding peace within.

The regular-season Miami Heat had to make it to the playoffs the hard way, working their way through the play-in bracket.

The summer-league Miami Heat have simply steamrolled their way to the four-team playoff bracket of the Las Vegas NBA Summer League.

In storming past the Toronto Raptors 109-73 Friday night on the UNLV campus, the Heat improved to 4-0 in the event, next to play in the semifinals on Sunday afternoon (ESPN), with a potential appearance in the championship game to follow Monday night.

Pushing to a 13-0 lead at the outset, the Heat never looked back, despite Keshad Johnson sitting out the game due to the ankle sprain sustained in Wednesday’s victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

“This one was really fun, just based on the beginning,” said Heat assistant Dan Bisaccio, who is guiding the team’s summer roster. “We discussed it as a team really coming out with a better disposition to start the game and they really took that challenge. That was something we really wanted to communicate, ‘Hey, let’s get some stops on this end and then do what we do best on offense and execute.’ They really took that challenge and they took it to another level. It was really impressive to see.”

The game featured the third consecutive double-double and fourth in six summer-league appearances by Heat first-round pick Kel’el Ware, with the 7-footer out of Indiana taken at No. 15 closing with 17 points, 10 rebounds and four steals.

Bisaccio said the emphasis with Ware has been on rebounding and will continue to be on rebounding.

“I told him we’re going to continue to challenge him until he retires from basketball, which is hopefully years and years from now,” Bisaccio said. “We’re very excited with his disposition and his energy to start the game, especially.”

While Johnson, the undrafted forward out of Arizona on a two-way contract, was sidelined, the Heat otherwise came out with their summer heavy hitters in the bid to advance to the semifinals.

That had Bisaccio opening with a lineup of Ware, Cole Swider, Josh Christopher, Pelle Larsson and Isaiah Stevens.

The Heat then immediately maximized that lineup, jumping out to their 13-0 lead with the game opening with a Ware alley-oop dunk, followed by a Larsson four-point play, a Christopher 3-pointer, a Swider transition layup and a Ware dunk off the fourth Stevens assist on the Heat’s first five baskets.

The first two reserves off the Heat bench then were Caleb Daniels and Warren Washington, with Alondes Williams and Zyon Pullin following,  Pullin relieving Stevens after Stevens had five assists in his first five minutes. CJ Butler, the son of Heat assistant coach Caron Butler, made it five deep off the bench.

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The Raptors did not reach double digits in points until Ja’Kobe Walter, the first-round pick out of Baylor, converted a 3-pointer with 7:58 left in the second period.

Point differential initially was a concern entering the night when it came to making the event’s four-team playoffs, with five teams entering the night undefeated. A loss by the previously undefeated San Antonio Spurs while the Heat were playing then took point differential out of play for the Heat.

The Heat led 32-7 at the end of the opening period, 61-24 at halftime and 87-49 through three quarters.

Beyond Ware’s contribution, the Heat got 21 points from Swider (4 of 8 on 3-pointers), 17 from Christopher (3 of 5 on 3s), 12 points from Larsson, 11 from Williams and eight assists from Stevens.

Bisaccio said he appreciated Swider’s perseverance in the absence of a contract offer from the Heat for the coming season.

“But I love the fact that he’s kind of limiting the outside noise and he’s just continuing to compete on the basketball side,” Bisaccio said. “Because, look, there is an empathy, there’s a human side to this that you understand. Each and every one of these guys, we want to help them with an opportunity moving forward after this.”

While the game was not competitive, it was contentious at one point, with Raptors second-round pick Jamal Shead ejected in the third quarter for a Flagrant 2 foul after a shot to Swider’s groin as Swider was draining a 3-pointer.

The Heat flirted with the largest-ever victory in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League, a 106-56 Heat victory over the Los Angeles Lakers’ summer roster in 2012.

With the win, the Heat improved to 6-1 in summer play. They opened their summer schedule with a 105-66 loss to the Golden State Warriors’ summer roster.

MIAMI (AP) —

Jake Burger homered and doubled to help the Miami Marlins beat the New York Mets 6-4 on Friday night.

Nick Fortes had two hits and an RBI, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled twice and stole a base for Miami. The Marlins, who began Friday with an NL-worst 33-63 record, overcame Jeff McNeil’s two-homer game for New York.

“I think the compete factor showed up today,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “We didn’t want to just get through the season. We wanted to compete out there.”

Down 5-4, New York threatened with one out against Miami reliever Calvin Faucher in the eighth when José Iglesias walked and McNeil reached on an infield single. A wild pitch from Faucher advanced both runners before Iglesias was tagged out at home while attempting to score on Harrison Bader’s grounder to shortstop Xavier Edwards.

Tanner Scott relieved Faucher and ended New York’s threat by retiring Francisco Lindor on a pop-out to second. Scott, the Marlins’ NL All-Star representative, also worked a perfect ninth for his 15th save.

“Tanner — I’ve said it before — he’s one of the top relievers in the big leagues,” Schumaker said. “I don’t want him out there for five outs. I thought about it but it’s not fair to him.”

Fortes hit an RBI single off reliever Dedniel Nuñez in the eighth to pad the Marlins’ lead.

New York (49-47) is 25-12 since a season-low 11 games under .500 on June 2.

Miami reliever Anthony Bender (4-2) got the final out in the fifth for the victory.

The Mets narrowed a 4-0 deficit on McNeil’s solo homer and J.D Martinez’s sacrifice fly against Edward Cabrera in the fifth.

Cabrera was lifted after issuing his fifth walk with two out in the fifth. The right-hander gave up two runs and five hits.

Burger’s blast to lead off the fifth increased Miami’s lead before McNeil connected again with a two-run shot against reliever Andrew Nardi in the sixth.

It was McNeil’s second career multi-homer game and first game with multiple hits since June 28.

“I feel like I’ve been seeing the ball well for the couple of weeks, hitting some balls are that aren’t getting through,” McNeil said. “So it’s nice to have a little bit of success tonight.”

Burger followed up a 5-for-9 stretch in the final two games before the All-Star break with his multi-hit game against New York.

“The tricky part is you get four days off and you try to maintain that kind of momentum going,” Burger said. “I felt I did a good job over the break, getting to hit a couple of days.

Xavier Edwards’ run-scoring single and Emmanuel Rivera’s sacrifice fly against Mets starter Sean Manaea (6-4) in the second put Miami ahead 2-0.

The Marlins increased their advantage in the third, when Burger hit an RBI double and scored on Josh Bell’s single to centerfield.

Manaea allowed five runs and eight hits over five innings.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: RHP Kodai Senga (shoulder) is scheduled to throw approximately 85 pitches in a rehab outing with Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. Senga’s second appearance with the minor league club is considered the last step before he joins the Mets next week for his season debut. … LHP José Quintana was scratched from his scheduled start in the second game of the series Saturday because of a fever.

Marlins: Placed OF Dane Myers (left ankle fracture) on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to July 15, and activated INF Otto López from the injured list.

UP NEXT

RHP Luis Severino (6-3, 3.78) was set to tart for the Mets on Saturday against RHP Roddery Muñoz (1-4, 5.47).

___

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

Kenyan Drake, who scored the Miami Dolphins’ stunning, winning touchdown against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium in 2018 on a multi-lateral final play that has been termed ‘The Miami Miracle,’ announced his retirement on his social-media accounts on Friday.

Drake, drafted in the third round in 2016, played 54 games with Miami before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals for a conditional draft pick during the Dolphins’ stripping down of their roster in an effort to land the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

On Dec. 9, 2018, the defending AFC champion Patriots, at 9-3, led 33-28 with :07 left and the Dolphins at their 31-yard line. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill took a 10-yard dropback to the 21 and then fired a 26-yard laser to Kenny Stills down the right seam. Stills circled away from Jonathan Jones, finding DeVante Parker to his right and shoveling the ball 5 yards to a suddenly wide-open Parker at the Miami 46.

Parker, with J.C Jackson in pursuit, dished again to his right from the Dolphins’ 49, connecting with Drake at their 48. The halfback maintained his balance at the Patriots’ 43 after a diving tackle attempt from behind by Kyle Van Noy. Drake cut inward to his left at the 39, initially looking for another lateral target. However, he sensed an opening and aggressively cut up the field. An eradicating block by guard Ted Larsen on Patriots defensive back Patrick Chung (which probably would have been flagged under today’s rules) put Drake into the wide open at the New England 32, with only slow-footed start tight end Rob Gronkowski between him and the end zone.

At the 25-yard line, Drake jetted toward the right sideline. A stumbling Gronkowski futilely made a dive attempt at the goal line, but Drake went in basically untouched for a 34-33 upset, setting off a jubilant pandemonium.

The Dolphins moved to 7-6, but it would be the final win of Drake’s Miami career, as the team lost its final three games to finish 7-9. The undermanned 2019 Dolphins then were beaten in their first six games, and that was when Drake was dealt.

The Patriots lost home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs, but still went on to win the Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams.

After the Dolphins had gone 11 consecutive drafts (2005-2015) without selecting a player from Alabama, Drake’s third-round selection in 2016 began a run where five players from the Crimson Tide were taken by Miami in a 39-selection span through the first-round pick of Jaylen Waddle in 2021. In between, Miami also took safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (2018), quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (2020) and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (2020).

A northern Palm Beach County man was arrested Friday after multiple people reported to police threats he allegedly wrote on social media against former President Donald Trump and his newly-announced running mate U.S. Sen. JD Vance.

Jupiter Police began investigating Michael M. Wiseman after receiving multiple tips from people online and others who talked to officers in person about their concerns, the department said in a news release shared Friday on Facebook. The police department did not provide Wiseman’s age.

Wiseman was in custody at the Palm Beach County jail on Friday night, a jail employee confirmed to the Associated Press. The employee said she didn’t have information about whether Wiseman had an attorney to contact for comment on his behalf.

Jupiter is about 20 miles north of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach.

The arrest comes almost a week after a 20-year-old gunman shot at Trump while he was speaking at an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in what authorities have called an attempted assassination. A former fire chief in the crowd was shot and killed, and Trump’s ear was wounded.

Details about the alleged threatening social media posts were not included in the news release other than Wiseman “made multiple threats” against Trump and Vance on his Facebook account, as well as threats “concerning bodily harm” to Trump’s and Vance’s relatives.

Wiseman is facing multiple charges of written threats to kill, a second-degree felony. The police department did not release additional information.

The U.S. Secret Service participated in the investigation, AP reported.

Name: Sam Stern

Date, place of birth: November 12, 1980.  NY, NY

Campaign website: votesamstern.com

Occupation: Attorney

Education:  
Hobart and William Smith Colleges, B.A.
Fordham University School of Law, J.D.

Work history, past 15 years, starting with the most recent.
Stern, Kilcullen & Rufolo LLC
Stern LLC
Kobre & Kim LLP
Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office
United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey

Why are you running for this office, and what makes you the best candidate? 
I am running because I am passionate about keeping our community safe and protecting the rights of victims.  I am the most qualified candidate given my unique background as a state and federal prosecutor, defense attorney, law professor, and a published author.

I have been a prosecutor in the Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.  This prosecutorial background provides unique experience into how different offices function and insight into optimal investigative techniques.

I have also been a defense attorney specializing in white collar cases and this experience provides important perspective and depth in evaluating how prosecutor’s  offices can operate more effectively and appropriately.

My expertise as a trial advocacy teacher, primarily devoted to sharpening the skills of experienced lawyers at the University of Miami School of Law, the National Trial Advocacy College at the University of Virginia School of Law, and authoring The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Cross-Examination (Skyhorse Publishing) is significant because one of the most important functions of leading the State Attorney’s Office is recruiting, retaining, and training high quality attorneys. A highly trained Office leads to better outcomes for the community, even for defendants, and it enhances retention.

Have you ever been arrested, charged or convicted of a crime, received a withheld adjudication or had a matter sealed or expunged? If yes, explain.  
No

Have you been a plaintiff or defendant in a civil action, including bankruptcy or foreclosure or had a restraining order issued against you? If so, explain.  
No

Elected state attorneys in Tampa and Orlando were suspended from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis based on prosecutorial discretion. Do you agree that he has the power to overrule local prosecutors’ discretion? Explain.
The Florida Supreme Court rejected the legal challenges to those suspensions and held that Florida’s Constitution (Art. IV, § 7(a)) allows the Governor to suspend State Attorneys (or any other State Officer not subject to impeachment) upon specific allegations of neglect of duty or incompetence. The Florida Senate would then hold a trial and hear evidence to decide whether to remove or reinstate the suspended State Officer.

But the Florida Supreme Court also held that while the State Attorney does not have the discretion to categorically disregard laws passed by the legislature, they do have the discretion to make individualized assessments of facts and evidence on a case-by-case basis.  The laws passed by the legislature or the voters cannot be ignored, but the facts and the evidence of each case is also critical to State Attorney’s Office’s mandate to do justice.  Appropriately balancing the need to follow the law and to administer case-by-case justice is one of the most critical functions of the State Attorney’s Office.

Salaries for assistant state attorneys remain low despite recent raises and turnover averages 20 percent. How would you address chronic turnover?
The best way to address turnover is by having a hands on leader who sets a high standard of competence.  Upon graduating from law school, I decided against joining one of the most prestigious law firms in the world to become a prosecutor because I wanted to do good, get courtroom experience, have responsibility, and be well trained.  People all over the United States engage in public service even though the pay is less than the private sector because they want the same things that I did.  The State Attorney must ensure that the Office is living up to all those responsibilities.

As State Attorney, my mission will be to recruit, train, and run the finest Office anywhere.  Having taught experienced lawyers at the University of Miami School of Law, the National Trial Advocacy College at the University of Virginia School of Law, and authoring The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Cross-Examination (Skyhorse Publishing), I am the unique candidate who can do the work at a high-level and can teach it at a high-level.  In appropriate cases, I will go to court and personally represent the people of this county. I will regularly visit the courtrooms where Assistant State Attorney’s are appearing. I look forward to training our Assistant State Attorney’’s and developing the skills they desire and need.  I will work to build a tradition to rival the great Offices of our country. Of course, there will be turnover. Great Offices attract the best and the brightest. Talented people must be nurtured and rewarded.  Many of them will eventually leave, but a strong cadre will remain to serve the community and help teach the next inspired group of public servants.

Was the 2020 presidential election conducted freely and fairly? Please elaborate.
I have no expertise in the various election laws throughout the United States, but the courts rejected any challenges which would have changed the outcome of the election.

Name: Forrest Scott Freedman

Date, place of birth: DOB: 7/29/1961 : Boston, Massachusetts

Campaign website: forrestfreedman.com

Occupation: Attorney, Business Owner and Baseball Coach

Education: Brandeis University; Washington University School of Law

Work history, past 15 years, starting with the most recent.
I have been a partner at Law Office of Forrest Freedman P.A and the law offices of Ehrlich and Freedman P.A. since 11/1/1991. I have practiced law in the public and private sector for 38 years and I am the best candidate for the job! I have been also run and or assisted in running several private corporations including a mortgage bank with many employees in various states, and ran them profitably and with low employee turnover.

In good times and bad, I am able to make it work for my employees as well as make a profit.

Why are you running for this office, and what makes you the best candidate? 
I have 38 years of legal experience and almost 5 years as a prosecutor having tried hundreds of bench and jury trials.

Have you ever been arrested, charged or convicted of a crime, received a withheld adjudication or had a matter sealed or expunged? If yes, explain.
No

Have you been a plaintiff or defendant in a civil action, including bankruptcy or foreclosure or had a restraining order issued against you? If so, explain.
No

Elected state attorneys in Tampa and Orlando were suspended from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis based on prosecutorial discretion. Do you agree that he has the power to overrule local prosecutors’ discretion? Explain.
It is not the job of a constitutional officer, such as the Palm Beach County State Attorney, nor is it proper, to comment on how the Chief Executive of the State of Florida, in this case Governor DeSantis, executes his executive function. His public statement reflects that the State Prosecutors were removed for cause for failure to enforce Florida Laws. Each removed prosecutor followed the established judicial process, as was there right, to challenge the executive action in the courts. The courts action was dispositive.

If elected, I will enforce the laws that have been passed by the Florida Legislature.

If I fail to enforce the laws on the books, I would expect the Governor to take appropriate actions. If a law is passed that I cannot enforce in good faith, I would consider resigning from my office as chief prosecutor for Palm Beach County.

Salaries for assistant state attorneys remain low despite recent raises and turnover averages 20 percent. How would you address chronic turnover?
I have worked as a Republican in two large District Attorney’s Offices where Democrats were in the overwhelming majority. I was able to either get elected or appointed to said offices, because I work with well with Democrats, Republicans Independents and those with no party affiliation because everyone knows that I am fair and square and that I chose the person who has the best idea to proceed as opposed to party loyalty.

As such, instead of automatically being against tax increases to address new public needs, I would, instead, state that I am not against any tax increase so long as I can perform an audit of all budgeted monies first.

After Audit and after waste, fraud and unnecessary bureaucratic expenses or jobs were identified and eliminated; invariably money was freed up to address present increased needs

If elected, I will commission an audit of the State Attorney’s Office to see if there is any waste, fraud and/or unnecessary bureaucratic expenses and jobs. Once these unnecessary expenses were addressed, I would use the money that is freed up to add to the salaries of Assistant State Attorneys, Victim Witness Advocates, Secretaries and Detectives whose job it is to serve the people of Palm Beach County.

If deficiencies still existed, as CEO of the State Attorney’s, Office, I would consider lobbying for extra funds to retain qualified employees.

I might add, that many attorneys join the State Attorney and Public Defenders office to gain invaluable experience, which they intent to use later on in their carriers in private practice. I note that most people including state attorney s and qualified support staff will always leave public service once they have gained adequate experience to command higher salaries.

The State Attorney’s office for the most part will never be able to compete with the private sector when it comes to salaries offered. However, one need only look at the “Lifer’s” at both the State Attorney and Public Defenders office to realize that some individuals chose public service and lower salaries because they are committed to the public good.

Note that I am returning to public service not for salary but to wind up my career as a dedicated public servant.

If elected I will put repeat and violent offenders behind bars while showing compassion and discretion in handling first time offenders in the hopes that they will stay out of the criminal justice system permanently.

Was the 2020 presidential election conducted freely and fairly? Please elaborate.
Again, as a constitutional officer, my job is not to comment on issues other than those that affect the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office. I do not have any expert inside knowledge to proffer an informed opinion one way or another.

My job is to make justice attainable for all Palm Beach County Residents. The only group I will not represent are those charged with crimes.

What I can promise is this.

No matter who you are, Biden or Trump, rich or poor, black, white, red. Blue, green or yellow; Christian, Muslim, Jewish or practitioner of any faith, regardless of gender: you will be entitled and will receive one judicial system for ALL.

I will make improvements at the State Attorney’s Office once I have access to the complete picture and the books that will only occur if I am elected.

My office will employ Democrats, Republicans, Independents and those with n party affiliation. We will seek to employ the best people regardless of identity politics who both merit and want to serve the people of Palm Beach County fairly.

Furthermore, if elected, I will enforce the laws on the books including laws that prohibit election fraud if it is alleged to have occurred in Palm Beach County in 2024. We must have unquestioned integrity in our electoral process and as Prosecutor I will enforce the laws against anyone who wants to interfere with our elections in Palm Beach County Florida.

Finally, I believe that it is the Prosecutor’s Job to be tough on crime and tougher on criminals. If elected I will use the resources of my office to aggressively prosecute those who target are most vulnerable amongst, including hate crimes, with specific emphasis on Palm Beach County seniors, rather that devote any of our limited resources to persecute or prosecute a member of any political party…unless of course, they commit a crime in Palm Beach County.

My motto (although others have said it before): Don’t do the crime, unless you are prepared to do the time!

If you want THE BEST PERSON for this job then you will endorse me. I don’t try to advance by throwing others under the bus. Mr. David Aronberg did a good job over the last 12 years and I seek to improve on that record, by keeping the good and eliminating the bad.

DALLAS — Everything is bigger in Texas, even college football these days.

The arrival of the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners into the SEC has elevated two of the sport’s biggest brands and supercharged the nation’s top football conference.

“When you look at the Jordan brand, SEC and the OU logo, it’s amazing,” said Oklahoma star linebacker Danny Stutsman, an alum of Winter Garden’s Foundation Academy. “It all comes together. OU’s OU, but now it’s just gotten one step bigger.”

The SEC staged its Media Days this week in Dallas, the first time the league has ventured west of the Mississippi River since the event began in 1985.

Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman speaks during SEC Media Days July 16 in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

Commissioner Greg Sankey’s bold move to plant a flag in the Lone Star State put the SEC newcomers center stage and drew hundreds of additional media members.

“It’s time to update your expectations for what college athletics can be,” Sankey said during his annual address to kick off Media Days.

The Longhorns and the Sooners arrived in Dallas eager to reap SEC spoils.

“It brings more lights, it brings more cameras, more attention,” said Oklahoma safety Billy Bowman Jr., who joined Stutsman on the preseason All-SEC first team. “By us going to the SEC along with Texas, that’s a lot of exposure right there.”

The conference has dominated college football, producing 11 of the last 15 national champions — six since the four-team College Football Playoff began in 2014.

Oklahoma sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold speaks during SEC Media Days July 16 in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

Alabama, Georgia and LSU are the only SEC schools to reach the playoff, but Oklahoma has four appearances — more than anyone but the Crimson Tide (8), Clemson (6) and Ohio State (5). Meanwhile, Texas qualified in 2023.

“The SEC is all about football,” Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold. “Their fans are all about football — and OU’s are the same way.”

Given the new additions and league’s competitive depth, the expanded 12-team playoff will be a boon for the SEC.

Eight teams or more could land in the preseason Top 25. A season after finishing 10-3, Oklahoma was picked by league-wide media to finish eighth in the expanded SEC, which will no longer feature divisions.

“You think about our league, 12-0, 11-1, 10-2, some argue maybe even 9-3 [will qualify],” Gators’ coach Billy Napier said. “It’s a game changer. We thought our game was popular before. We’re going to engage more people than ever in the history of the game.”

Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. speaks during the SEC Media Days July 17 in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

Sankey welcomed Texas and Oklahoma in July 2021 with the future in mind.

New experiences and challenges await the two programs.

“It’s going to be new faces, new matchups, new venues,” said Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr., the only Longhorns position player voted first-team All-SEC. “Just everything is gonna be able to boost it up because it’s a new experience for everybody.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com