News
Google’s AI model faces European Union scrutiny from privacy watchdog
By KELVIN CHAN
LONDON (AP) — European Union regulators said Thursday they’re looking into one of Google’s artificial intelligence models over concerns about its compliance with the bloc’s strict data privacy rules.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission said it has opened an inquiry into Google’s Pathways Language Model 2, also known as PaLM2. It’s part of wider efforts, including by other national watchdogs across the 27-nation bloc, to scrutinize how AI systems handle personal data.
Google’s European headquarters are based in Dublin, so the Irish watchdog acts as the company’s lead regulator for the bloc’s privacy rulebook, known as the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR.
The commission said its inquiry is examining whether Google has assessed whether PaLM2’s data processing would likely result in a “high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals” in the EU.
Large language models like PaLM2 are vast troves of data that act as building blocks for artificial intelligence systems. Google uses PaLM2 to power a range of generative AI services including email summarizing. The company did not respond to a request for comment.
The Irish watchdog said earlier this month that Elon Musk’s social media platform X has agreed to permanently stop processing user data for its AI chatbot Grok. The platform did so only after the watchdog took it to court the month before, filing an urgent High Court application to get X to “suspend, restrict or prohibit” processing of personal data contained in public posts by its users.
Meta Platforms paused its plans to use content posted by European users to train the latest version of its large language model after apparent pressure from the Irish regulators. The decision “followed intensive engagement” between the two, the watchdog said in June.
Italy’s data privacy regulator last year temporarily banned ChatGPT because of data privacy breaches and demanded the chatbot’s maker OpenAI meet a set of demands to resolve its concerns.
Nine Broward students arrested for online threats since August, deputies say
Nine South Florida children have been arrested since August, accused of posting threats against Broward County schools online.
The threats prompt large, sometimes expensive, responses from law enforcement, breed fear in parents and students and potentially leave lasting effects on the children who allegedly made the posts — often as a joke with no way to actually carry out a violent act.
Online threats against schools have been an ongoing issue in South Florida, and across the country, for years. Police said months after the Feb. 14, 2018, mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that such threats were on the rise. When students returned to in-person classrooms in 2021 after the pandemic, police once again said they were seeing an uptick. And so far, only in the second month of the 2024-25 school year, the online threats and subsequent arrests have continued.
Between Aug. 10 and Tuesday, a total of nine Broward County students ages 11 to 15 have been arrested for making threats against schools, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Wednesday. The threats were often posted on Snapchat, Instagram or TikTok, and after their arrests, the Sheriff’s Office said several students said they intended them as a joke.
It was unclear Wednesday evening whether any students have been arrested on similar charges in Palm Beach County and in Miami-Dade County.
Girl, 14, arrested for making online threats of violence at multiple Broward schools, officials say
Six of the nine Broward students have been arrested since Sept. 4, when two teachers and two students were killed in a shooting at a Georgia high school. Superintendent Howard Hepburn at a news conference Tuesday said he was “in shock that students are making these types of threats” after the latest school shooting.
Sheriff Gregory Tony emphasized just before the start of the school year: “None of this stuff is a joking or laughing matter … We are going to track you down and arrest you.”
School Board member Debbi Hixon told the Sun Sentinel on Sunday that the number of threats are a serious problem.
“Frustrating is not even the right word. It’s disheartening. It’s maddening. It’s disgusting that our students, our staff, our community in general have to live with this anxiety on this constant basis,” said Hixon, whose husband was killed the Parkland school shooting. “How will you ever feel safe and comfortable in your school if [threats] are made every day?”
Recent arrestsThe first arrest came two days before school began. By the end of the first week of school, two 13-year-old students were arrested for posts they allegedly made on Snapchat.
On Sept. 4, an 11-year-old boy in sixth grade was arrested for making a false bomb threat at Somerset Academy Key Middle and High School in Deerfield Beach. Then last Friday, a 14-year-old Blanche Ely High School student was arrested after allegedly writing, “… Im shooting this school up…” on Snapchat, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Three students were arrested over this past weekend — a 14-year-old girl on Saturday and two on Sunday. An 11-year-old boy allegedly posted on Instagram a threat of a school shooting at Central Charter school in Lauderdale Lakes on Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office said, and a 15-year-old boy threatened to shoot one of his classmates at Cooper City High School in a message on WhatsApp.
Most recently, a 12-year-old girl in Lauderhill was arrested late Monday for allegedly making online threats against multiple schools, and on Tuesday, the FBI tipped off the Sheriff’s Office about a threat of a shooting at North Broward Preparatory School that was shared on TikTok. A 13-year-old Parkland girl who “said she did it in response to a dare from friends” was arrested, BSO said.
‘Students aren’t getting the message’ on school threats, superintendent says after another arrest
ConsequencesA charge of making written threats to kill, do bodily injury or conduct a mass shooting is a felony in Florida.
Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor in a statement this week said each case is handled on an individual basis and that a panel of senior prosecutors reviews evidence in each case to decide whether to file charges or refer them to programs for help. Prosecutors review each student’s behavioral history and needs, the statement said.
In a prepared video statement, Judge Elijah Williams, assigned to the Juvenile Delinquency Division, warned students that if they are charged and found guilty, they will be facing a maximum of up to three years in “a lockdown facility.”
South Florida criminal defense attorneys Lawrence Meltzer and Stephan Dobrinsky, of Meltzer & Bell, P.A., routinely represent students who are accused of making written threats. Speaking generally and not about a specific case, they said while law enforcement and school officials should and do treat cases seriously and with sensitivity, oftentimes the lives of young children are being upended over baseless posts, when they had no actual access to weapons and were not truly a danger to others.
“It’s almost like a scarlet letter,” Meltzer said. “When you are accused of this written threat to kill based on a flippant remark, where it’s not serious, and it’s jokingly said … everything gets blown out of proportion. Good kids’ lives are turned upside down.”
Defense attorneys Meltzer and Dobrinsky said children accused of making these threats are generally expelled. Meltzer said sometimes children have to go to alternative schools where their educational needs may not be met. Many end up in diversion programs, Dobrinsky said.
Sun Sentinel staff writer Anthony Man contributed to this report.
Do not to take Harris lightly | Letters to the editor
Donald Trump remains a dominant force. But there are several reasons why he should be wary of Kamala Harris. Here are 10 things that could make Trump nervous.
Harris’ background as a prosecutor and attorney general gives her formidable legal acumen. She’s adept at making compelling arguments and presenting her points clearly. Harris has shown a strong commitment to healthcare, climate change and social justice.
No. 4: Harris’ popularity among progressive and moderate Democrats could unify a crucial segment of the electorate against Trump. As vice president, she has maintained a high public profile. Her experience as a U.S. senator and vice president equips her with a deep understanding of government operations.
No. 7: Her diverse background as African-American and South Asian allows her to connect with a wide range of voters. Her strategies include modern, data-driven approaches and grassroots organizing. During her career, she has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity. Finally, Harris has advocated for transparency and accountability in government.
Kurt Hanson, Pembroke Pines
Hear out the homelessI have a partial solution to homelessness as it relates to the new law forbidding public sleeping. How about asking the homeless what they want?
I know it’s complex, and not everyone is in the same situation. However, a large segment of the homeless population is aware of what’s going on and may have some ideas. They may even be open to ideas that those in charge would never accept. Try chipping away with multiple ideas based on individual needs.
Charles Ternosky, Pompano Beach
A senator for allDebbie Mucarsel-Powell will be a senator for all Floridians.
The cost of living is skyrocketing in Florida. As an immigrant who worked her way through school at minimum-wage jobs, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell understands daily financial struggles. By contrast, Sen. Rick Scott is a billionaire who will cut Social Security and Medicare and give additional tax cuts to the very wealthy.
Mucarsel-Powell knows that the decision to have an abortion must be among a woman, her family and her doctor. She will protect every woman’s right to make that decision. Extremist Rick Scott co-sponsored a national abortion ban and enthusiastically supports Florida’s six-week abortion ban, in which abortion is illegal before most women even know they are pregnant.
As associate dean of FIU’s Medical School, she worked hard to expand health care access to Floridians. In Congress, she sponsored legislation to expand Medicare and reduce the cost of medication. Scott wrote the plan to cut Medicare and recently said he would support repealing the Affordable Care Act, ripping affordable health care away from over 3 million Floridians. He opposed the Inflation Reduction Act, which stops drug companies from jacking up prices for life-saving medications like insulin.
Dennis Raube, Fort Myers
Cheers for ACC footballThere are great reasons to watch ACC football this season. First, the ACC is undeniably the conference of quarterbacks, a title held by the former PAC-12 last year.
Miami is one of four ACC teams ranked in the top 25 in the AP Poll. Six or more ACC teams arguably are in contention for the 12-team playoff. Finally, some of us are sick and tired of the revenue grabs by the SEC and Big Ten. Have they forgotten the SEC nearly got shut out of the 2023 playoffs? I may be biased because I grew up watching Miami in the Big East. But count me in this season.
Adam Silbert, New York, N.Y.
Submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the form below. Letters are limited to less than 150 words and must be signed. You must include your email address, address with city and daytime phone for verification. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length.
[contact-form]Today in History: September 11, al-Qaeda attacks the United States
Today is Wednesday, Sept. 11, the 255th day of 2024. There are 111 days left in the year.
Today in history:On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people were killed as 19 al-Qaida hijackers seized control of four jetliners, sending two of the planes into New York’s World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the fourth into a field in western Pennsylvania. It remains the deadliest terror attack in history.
Also on this date:In 1789, Alexander Hamilton was appointed the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
In 1814, an American fleet scored a decisive victory over the British in the Battle of Lake Champlain in the War of 1812.
In 1936, Boulder Dam — later renamed the Hoover Dam — began operation as President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a button in Washington to signal the startup of the dam’s first hydroelectric generator.
In 1941, groundbreaking took place for the Pentagon.
In 1954, the Miss America pageant made its network TV debut on ABC.
In 1973, Chilean President Salvador Allende (ah-YEN’-day) died during a violent military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet.
In 1985, Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds broke Ty Cobb’s MLB career hits record with his 4,192nd hit.
In 2008, presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama put aside politics as they visited ground zero together on the anniversary of 9/11 to honor its victims.
In 2012, a mob armed with guns and grenades launched a fiery nightlong attack on a U.S. diplomatic outpost and a CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.
In 2023, over 4,000 people died and thousands more were missing after heavy rain from Storm Daniel caused two dams to collapse, flooding the city of Derna, Libya.
Today’s Birthdays:- Composer Arvo Pärt is 89.
- Film director Brian De Palma is 84.
- Singer-actor-dancer Lola Falana is 82.
- Musician Mickey Hart is 81.
- Guitarist Leo Kottke is 78.
- Actor Amy Madigan is 74.
- Rock musician Tommy Shaw (Styx) is 71.
- Sportscaster Lesley Visser is 71.
- Actor Scott Patterson is 66.
- Actor/director Roxann Dawson is 66.
- Actor John Hawkes is 65.
- Actor Virginia Madsen is 63.
- Musician-composer Moby is 59.
- Singer Harry Connick Jr. is 57.
- Actor Taraji (tuh-RAH’-jee) P. Henson is 54.
- Rapper Ludacris is 47.
- Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed is 46.
- Country singer Charles Kelley (Lady A) is 43.
- Actor Elizabeth Henstridge is 37.
- Actor Tyler Hoechlin (HEK’-lihn) is 37.
To pumped-up Democrats, Harris was everything Biden was not in confronting Trump in debate
By CALVIN WOODWARD
WASHINGTON (AP) — To many Democrats, Kamala Harris was everything Joe Biden was not in confronting Donald Trump on the debate stage: forceful, fleet of foot, relentless in going after her opponent.
In a pivot from Biden’s debate meltdown in June, Democrats who gathered in bars, watch parties and other venues Tuesday night found lots to cheer in her drive to rattle the Republican.
In a race for the White House that surveys say is exceptionally close, with both sides looking for an edge, it was the Democrats who came away more exuberant after the nationally televised debate.
“She prosecuted Donald Trump tonight,” said Alina Taylor, 51, a high school special education teacher who joined hundreds of people on a football field of the historically Black Salem Baptist Church of Abington in a suburb of Philadelphia, where people watched on a 33-foot (10 meter) screen.
As for Trump, she said, “I was appalled” by his performance. “People were laughing at him because he wasn’t making very much sense.”
People watch the ABC News presidential debate between Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at a debate watch party at The Abbey on September 10, 2024 in West Hollywood, California. Harris and Trump are facing off in their first presidential debate of the 2024 presidential cycle. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)In Seattle, people gathered at Massive, a queer nightclub where scores watched the debate on a projector set up in front of the club’s large disco ball. The crowd laughed and cheered when Trump branded Harris a Marxist. More cheers when the debate moderator called out Trump’s false claim that some states legalize the killing of babies after birth.
“He’s getting smoked,” one said.
But in Brentwood, Tennessee, Sarah Frances Morris heard nothing at her watch party to shake her support of Trump.
“I think he beat her on the border,” she said. “I think he also beat her on actually having plans and letting the American people know what those are. And I think that Kamala Harris likes to mention that she has plans for things, but she doesn’t actually ever elaborate on what those plans are.”
Morris conceded she was watching history being made, “because we have our first Black woman running for president.” But, she added, “I don’t think she delivered to get her to that place she needed to be.”
Harris supporter Dushant Puri, 19, a UC Berkeley student, said the vice president took command before the first words were spoken — when she crossed the stage to shake Trump’s hand. “I thought that was pretty significant,” Puri said. “It was their first interaction, and I thought Harris was asserting herself.”
At the same watch party, fellow student Angel Aldaco, 21, said that unlike Biden, Harris “came in with a plan and was more concise.”
People watch the presidential debate during a debate watch party at Penn Social on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate Tuesday evening at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)Aldaco was struck by one of the night’s oddest moments, when Trump “went on that rampage about eating pets.” That’s when Trump endorsed a baseless conspiracy theory that immigrants were stealing and eating people’s dogs ands cats. Harris was incredulous. “That was good,” the student said.
It’s questionable how much viewers learned about what Harris would do as president or whether she won over independents or wavering Republicans. But for some Democrats, despondent if not panicked after Biden’s fumbling debate performance, it was enough to see a Democratic candidate getting seriously under Trump’s skin.
“He is pretty incapable when he is riled up,” said Ikenna Amilo, an accountant at a Democratic watch party in a small concert venue in downtown Portland, Maine.
People watch the presidential debate during a debate watch party at Penn Social on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate Tuesday evening at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)“When you poke him, he is really reactive and he doesn’t show the temperament you want in a president, so I think Kamala has shown she’s doing a good job.”
Annetta Clark, 50, a Harris supporter from Vallejo, California, watched at a house party hosted by the Oakland Bay Area chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. To her, the second presidential debate was a mighty relief from the one in June.
“I couldn’t stomach the first one, if I’m being honest,” Clark said. “I tried to watch it and it was a little too much. This one I was able to enjoy.” On Trump’s performance: “It was almost like talking to a child with him.” Harris? “Fabulous job.”
Related Articles- National Politics | Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president
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Democrat Natasha Salas, 63, of Highland, Indiana, saw the debate from an Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority watch party at a bistro in Markham, Illinois, and welcomed Harris’ call to cool the political temperature — even as the vice president denounced Trump at every turn.
“We all want the same things, Democrats and Republicans,” Salas said. “We are more alike than different. I want to see the country move forward and less divisiveness.”
Interest in the debate transcended national borders. From a shelter for migrants in Tijuana, Mexico, where dozens watched a translated version of the debates on a television, Rakan al Muhana, 40, an asylum-seeker from Gaza, became animated when the candidates discussed Israel and Palestine.
“We are running from the war,” he said. “We are running from the Israeli bombs. He (Trump) doesn’t see us as human. My daughter, who is four months — for him, she’s a terrorist.”
Al Muhana has been on a four-month journey from Gaza to this border city, with his wife and four children. They left when both his mother and father were killed in a bombing.
Associated Press journalists Michael Rubinkam in Philadelphia; George Walker in Nashville; Robert Bukaty in Portland, Maine; Lindsey Wasson in Seattle; Godofredo Vasquez in Berkeley, California; and Gregory Bull in Tijuana, Mexico, contributed to this report.
Daily Horoscope for September 11, 2024
General Daily Insight for September 11, 2024
It’s simpler than usual to make productive progress. The day begins with an eye-opening opposition between the Moon in Sagittarius and Jupiter in Gemini, followed by a quincunx between Venus and Saturn. The Moon will then enter capable Capricorn, but the most potent alignment arrives at 11:42 pm EDT, when Mercury in Virgo sextiles Mars in Cancer. We’ll be able to make the most of our energy and use it as wisely as possible, ensuring we don’t get too carried away.
AriesMarch 21 – April 19
Your emotions and your productivity are more aligned than you might realize. There is a beneficial sextile overhead between Mercury in your 6th House of Standards and your ruler Mars in your 4th House of Security, and together they will be giving you all the drive you need to accomplish everything in front of you. While this may play out in a professional setting, you can also turn this energy on to your homestead, and take care of any outstanding chores.
TaurusApril 20 – May 20
All sorts of fun interactions are on offer at present! Mercury in your 5th House of Delight is sextiling Mars in your 3rd House of Interactions, so you likely won’t need to go far to deliver a healthy dose of excitement. There is a very social vibration to this alignment, so there’s no need to shy away from connecting with people. Whether you’re reaching out to old friends or new acquaintances, appreciating your connections is the surest way to make the most of this energy.
GeminiMay 21 – June 20
A current domestic matter could turn out to be a financial one as well. Fortunately, this will likely be a positive development, as your ruler Mercury in your 4th House of Domesticity makes a supportive angle to action planet Mars in your 2nd House of Income. A conversation with a relative could result in a great idea for a money-making venture, or perhaps you’ll finally convert that extra bedroom into a home office. Selling off some old possessions could also prove very lucrative.
CancerJune 21 – July 22
Your energy is at an all-time high! Mercury in your verbose 3rd house is sextiling fiery Mars in your sign, strengthening you to channel your willpower in a manner that is both productive and exciting. This is a great moment to pursue your goals, whatever they might be. Since the 3rd house is a very communicative sector, try voicing your ambitions and talking to others about them as you progress forward. You never know who could turn out to be your next big supporter.
LeoJuly 23 – August 22
Sometimes it’s best to work behind the scenes. This is one of those times, as Mercury in your productive 2nd house sextiles Mars in your hidden 12th house, encouraging you to keep your projects under wraps and temporarily hold off on any big reveals. This supports the detail work required by most ideas — you’ll also be able to troubleshoot any problems that might require your attention. Don’t worry about outward effort. Instead, keep your agenda to yourself for the time being.
VirgoAugust 23 – September 22
Everyone wants a piece of you today. There is a fabulous alignment between Mercury in your focused sign and Mars in your 11th House of Friendship, making you one of the most popular signs of the zodiac. Even if you normally prefer your own company, this is not the time to play the wallflower. Go round up the crew for a day of whatever-you-like! You can use this to simply pursue fun or to achieve an impressive feat you couldn’t manage alone.
LibraSeptember 23 – October 22
Epiphanies and magical thinking abound! Mercury in your 12th House of the Subconscious is collaborating with motivator Mars in your 10th House of Career, so the best way forward is by letting your mind coast until it reaches the finish line. Such a roundabout method may sound ineffective, but it’s an ideal way to connect with your intuition. The planets are encouraging you to use your imagination and jump into the pool of ideas. The less you push, the more progress you can make.
ScorpioOctober 23 – November 21
Working together is a terrific way to expand your horizons. Thanks to a special sextile between Mercury in your group-oriented 11th house and Mars in your daring 9th house, there’s a planetary emphasis on going further together. This could be as simple as you and some buddies deciding to take a trip together, but it could also be more official. Maybe you’ll join an organization or a program with far-reaching scope that will totally change your worldview. Be open to the possibilities.
SagittariusNovember 22 – December 21
Conversations can lead to major windfalls. Mercury in your career sector is zoning in on what you want and what you must do in order to achieve it. You can back that up with even more impressive firepower when Mercury boosts Mars in your 8th House of Major Finances. Seemingly typical talks could result in a big payout. That being said, it will likely be a one-time deal, like a bonus or prize. Still, projects begun under this alignment should prove especially lucrative.
CapricornDecember 22 – January 19
One specific person can help you see the world in a whole new fashion. Messenger Mercury is flying through your 9th House of Development, where it is sextiling action planet Mars in your 7th House of Partnerships. A loved one may act as a catalyst for you getting out into the world. Whether you leap at the chance to travel, decide to return to school, or even explore a unique spiritual practice, it’s clear that you’ll enjoy the process more with another person.
AquariusJanuary 20 – February 18
Today may be a little intense, but that doesn’t mean it will be difficult. A positive angle between Mercury in your 8th House of Power and Mars in your 6th House of Determination is offering you extra fuel for your inner flame. This is the kind of ammunition you can use to your advantage when it comes to finalizing some impressive achievements. Get to work first thing — you just might wow everyone with how much you’re able to check off your list.
PiscesFebruary 19 – March 20
Open communication can lead to a truly lovely day. You’re potentially in the mood to partner up while energetic Mercury dances through your relationship sector. The good vibes keep coming when Mercury syncs up with Mars in your fun-loving 5th house! The urge to pursue your pleasures will be all but impossible to ignore, so feel free to leave less exciting nonurgent tasks for another time. Keep in mind that you’ll enjoy yourself even more if you double up, so avoid flying solo.
Taylor Swift endorses Kamala Harris for president
WASHINGTON (AP) — Taylor Swift, one of the music industry’s biggest stars, endorsed Kamala Harris for president shortly after the debate ended on Tuesday night.
“I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift wrote in an Instagram post, which included a link to a voter registration website.
Swift has a dedicated following among young women, a key demographic in the November election, and her latest tour has generated more than $1 billion in ticket sales. In a half hour, the post received more than 2.3 million likes.
She included a picture of herself holding her cat Benjamin Button, and she signed the message “Childless Cat Lady.” The remark is a reference to three-year-old comments made by JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, about women without children not having an equal stake in the country’s future.
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- National Politics | PHOTOS: Harris and Trump meet in presidential debate
- National Politics | What to know about the rules for the Harris-Trump debate
Swift wrote that her endorsement was partially prompted by Trump’s decision to post AI-generated pictures suggesting that she had endorsed him. One showed Swift dressed as Uncle Sam, and the text said “Taylor wants YOU to VOTE for DONALD TRUMP.”
Trump’s posts “brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter,” Swift wrote. She added that “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice.”
The Trump campaign dismissed Swift’s endorsement.
“This is further evidence that the Democrat Party has unfortunately become a party of the wealthy elites,” said spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
“There’s many Swifties for Trump out there in America,” she said, herself included.
Swift’s endorsement was not exactly a surprise. In 2020, she supported President Joe Biden, and she cheered for Harris in her debate against then-Vice President Mike Pence. She also was openly critical of Trump, saying he had stoked “the fires of white supremacy and racism.”
Swift is a popular figure nationwide, but especially among Democrats. An October 2023 Fox News poll found that 55% of voters overall, including 68% of Democrats, said they had a favorable view of Swift. Republicans were divided, with 43% having a favorable opinion and 45% an unfavorable one.
AP VoteCast suggests that a partisan divide on Swift was apparent as early as 2018. That’s the year Swift made her first political endorsement, supporting Tennessee Democrat Phil Bredesen for Senate over Republican Marsha Blackburn.
VoteCast found that among Tennessee voters that year, 55% of Democrats and just 19% of Republicans said they had a favorable opinion of Swift. Blackburn won by a comfortable margin in the deep red state.
Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Philadelphia contributed to this report.
Key takeaways from a debate that featured tense clashes and closed with a Taylor Swift endorsement
By STEVE PEOPLES, JONATHAN J. COOPER and NICHOLAS RICCARDI
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced each other on the debate stage Tuesday night for the first — and possibly the last — time.
The Democratic vice president opened the faceoff with a power move, marching across the stage to Trump’s lectern to shake his hand.
“Kamala Harris,” she said, introducing herself as the pair met for the first time ever. “Let’s have a good debate.”
“Nice to see you. Have fun,” the former Republican president responded.
The exchange set the tone for the 90-minute debate to come: Harris controlled the conversation at times, baiting Trump with jabs at his economic policy, his refusal to concede his 2020 election loss and even his performance at his rallies.
Trump, while measured early on, grew more annoyed as the night went on. And one significant moment played out after the two candidates left the stage, when megastar Taylor Swift said she’ll vote for Harris.
Some takeaways on a historic debate:
From the opening handshake, Harris took the fight to Trump in a way that Biden could notIn her first answer, the former prosecutor said Trump’s tariffs would effectively create a sales tax on the middle class. She soon accused Trump of presiding over the worst attack on American democracy since the Civil War — the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. She charged him with telling women what they could do with their bodies. And she mocked Trump’s praise of dictators “who would eat you for lunch.”
Harris effectively controlled much of the conversation with such attacks and baited Trump into responses that were at times vents, and at others, reminders of his wild rhetoric and fixation on the past.
“You did in fact lose that election,” Harris said of the 2020 race that Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden but still insists he won. “Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people,” she said, referring to Biden’s winning vote total.
Show Caption1 of 13ExpandBut Harris may have got under her opponent’s skin the most when she went after his performance at his rallies, noting that people often leave early.
Growing visibly irritated, Trump insisted that his rallies were larger than hers.
A smiling Harris frequently shifted her message from Trump back to the American people.
“You will not hear him talk about your needs, your dreams and your needs and your desires,” Harris said. “And I’ll tell you, I believe you deserve a president who actually puts you first.”
Trump had a label for Harris: ‘She is Biden’Trump was often on defense, but he did drive the core message of his campaign: inflation and immigration are hammering Americans.
Immigrants, Trump said, have “destroyed the fabric of our country.”
He repeatedly tied Harris to Biden.
“She is Biden,” he said.
“The worst inflation we’ve ever had,” Trump added. “A horrible economy because inflation has made it so bad. And she can’t get away with that.”
Harris responded: “Clearly, I am not Joe Biden and I am certainly not Donald Trump. And what I do offer is a new generation of leadership for our country.”
Trump also went after Harris for moving away from some of the progressive positions she took in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, urging voters not to believe the more moderate tone she’s striking in this campaign.
“She’s going to my philosophy now. In fact, I was going to send her a MAGA hat,” he said, referring to the red “Make America Great Again” baseball caps that many of his supporters wear. “But if she ever got elected, she’d change it.”
Swift gets off the sidelineOne of the most consequential moments came in a post on one of the most-followed accounts on Instagram moments after the debate ended.
Swift has a loyal following among young women, a demographic that Harris needs to turn out in big numbers. She called Harris a “gifted leader,” telling her fans to do their research and make their own decisions, but “I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice.”
Trump on race and Harris on the attackABC moderator David Muir asked Trump point blank about his allegation last month that Harris had belatedly “ turned Black.” Harris is Black and South Asian and a graduate of Howard University a historically Black school in Washington.
Trump tried to play down the matter. “I don’t care what she is, you make a big deal out of something, I couldn’t care less,” Trump said.
Harris, however, had her opening and she rattled off a long list of Trump’s racial controversies: his legal settlement for discrimination against prospective Black tenants at his New York apartment buildings in the 1970s; his ad calling for the execution of Black and Latino teenagers — who were wrongly arrested — in the Central Park jogger case in the 1980s; and his false claims that former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States.
“I think the American people want something better than that, want better than this,” Harris said.
Trump accused Harris of trying to “divide” people and dismissed her claims as dated and irrelevant.
“This is a person that has to stretch back 40, 50 years ago because there’s nothing now,” he said.
Harris and Trump dug in on abortion positionsHarris came out swinging in defense of abortion rights, perhaps the strongest issue for Democrats since Trump’s nominees created a Supreme Court majority to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion. Her sharp arguments provided a vivid contrast to President Joe Biden’s rambling comments on the issue during his June debate with Trump.
“The government, and Donald Trump, certainly should not be telling a woman what to do with her body,” Harris said. She painted a vivid picture of women facing medical complications, gut-wrenching decisions and having travel out of state for an abortion.
Trump was just as fierce in defense, saying he returned the issue to the states, an outcome he said many Americans wanted. He struggled with accuracy, however, repeating the false claim that Democrats support abortion even after babies are born. He stuck to that even after he was corrected by moderator Lynsey Davis.
“I did a great service in doing that. It took courage to do it,” Trump said of the overturning of Roe v. Wade and its constitutional protections for abortion. “And the Supreme Court had great courage in doing it. And I give tremendous credit to those six justices.”
Polls has shown significant opposition to overturning Roe and voters have punished Republicans in recent elections for it.
Who’s talking now?Trump took a Harris talking point and directed it right back at her. It happened when he objected after Harris interrupted him.
“Wait a minute, I’m talking now,” Trump said. “Sound familiar?”
He was putting his own spin on a line Harris used famously against Mike Pence in the 2020 vice presidential debate when she rebuked Pence for interrupting, saying: “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking.”
A message to the middleIn a divided nation, the election will ultimately be decided by a small slice of swing voters in only a handful of states. And in a nod toward that fact, Harris made an explicit appeal to voters across the political spectrum — including Republicans.
She noted that she is a gun owner. She cited the “late, great John McCain,” a reference to the Arizona Republican senator and war hero whom Trump criticized for being captured by enemy soldiers. And she listed the many Republicans who formerly served in the Trump administration who have now endorsed her campaign.
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Trump, meanwhile, offered little outreach to voters in the middle, ignoring the calls for unity that framed his summertime convention speech.
Harris seized on the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol to make another explicit appeal to undecided voters.
“It’s time to turn the page,” she said. “And if that was a bridge too far for you, well, there is a place in our campaign for you.”
A restrained Trump — except when he wasn’tDemocrats hoped and Republicans feared that Trump would lose his cool on stage. At first he didn’t, but as Harris increasingly got under his skin, he went to some dark places.
Trump amplified false rumors that Haitian immigrants in Ohio are eating pets — ABC’s Muir noted that local officials say that is not happening — as he argued that the Biden-Harris administration was admitting dangerous immigrants.
When Harris pressed him on the array of criminal and civil cases against him, Trump similarly fumed. He accused Harris and Biden of planting all the cases.
“I probably took a bullet to the head because of the things they said about me,” Trump said, referencing the assassination attempt in July by a gunman whose motives are unknown.
When pressed on whether he had any responsibility for Capitol riot, Trump raised his voice, blaming both Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, who was the House speaker at the time, and the Democratic mayor of Washington. He said the rioters have “been treated so badly” and once again denied he lost the 2020 election.
Harris replied: “Donald Trump was fired by 81 million people, let’s be clear about that, and clearly he’s having a very difficult time processing that.”
An early skirmish on the economyThe debate opened with an unexpectedly wonky exchange on the economy: Harris took on Trump for his plan to put in place sweeping tariffs and for the trade deficit he ran as president; Trump slammed Harris for inflation that he incorrectly said was the worst in the country’s history.
Trump said people look back on his presidency’s economy fondly. “I created one of the greatest economies in the history of our country,” he said. Harris flatly told viewers: “Donald Trump has no plan for you.”
Americans are slightly more likely to trust Trump over Harris when it comes to handling the economy, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs poll from August.
Gender an afterthoughtHarris would be the nation’s first female president. But her gender was an afterthought during the debate.
She made no references to the historic nature of her candidacy. Neither did Trump.
And there were no performative moments in which gender was an issue. Who could forget Trump’s decision to stand behind his last female opponent, Hillary Clinton, during a 2016 debate? He also called Clinton a “nasty woman.” Afterward, Clinton said she was creeped out.
But on Tuesday night, both candidates stayed behind their podiums as instructed and there were no explicit jabs regarding gender.
Riccardi reported from Denver.
Trump falsely accuses immigrants in Ohio of abducting and eating pets
By MIKE CATALINI, JULIE CARR SMYTH and BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday amplified false rumors that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were abducting and eating pets, repeating during a televised debate the type of inflammatory and anti-immigrant rhetoric he has promoted throughout his campaigns.
There is no evidence that Haitian immigrants in an Ohio community are doing that, officials say. But during the debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump specifically mentioned Springfield, Ohio, the town at the center of the claims, saying that immigrants were taking over the city.
“They’re eating the dogs. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there,” he said.
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Harris called Trump “extreme” and laughed after his comment. Debate moderators pointed out that city officials have said the claims are not true.
Trump’s comments echoed claims made by his campaign, including his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, and other Republicans. The claims attracted attention this week when Vance posted on social media that his office has “received many inquiries” about Haitian migrants abducting pets. Vance acknowledged Tuesday it was possible “all of these rumors will turn out to be false.”
Officials have said there have been no credible or detailed reports about the claims, even as Trump and his allies use them to amplify racist stereotypes about Black and brown immigrants.
While president, Trump questioned why the U.S. would accept people from “s—-hole” countries such as Haiti and some in Africa. His 2024 campaign has focused heavily on illegal immigration, often referencing in his speeches crimes committed by migrants. He argues immigrants are responsible for driving up crime and drug abuse in the United States and taking resources from American citizens.
Here’s a closer look at how the false claims have spread.
How did this get started?On Sept. 6, a post surfaced on X that shared what looked like a screengrab of a social media post apparently out of Springfield. The retweeted post talked about the person’s “neighbor’s daughter’s friend” seeing a cat hanging from a tree to be butchered and eaten, claiming without evidence that Haitians lived at the house. The accompanying photo showed a Black man carrying what appeared to be a Canada goose by its feet. That post continued to get shared on social media.
On Monday, Vance posted on X. “Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn’t be in this country. Where is our border czar?” he said. The next day, Vance posted again on X about Springfield, saying his office had received inquires from residents who said “their neighbors’ pets or local wildlife were abducted by Haitian migrants. It’s possible, of course, that all of these rumors will turn out to be false.”
Other Republicans shared similar posts. Among them was Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who posted a photo of kittens with a caption that said to vote for Trump “So Haitian immigrants don’t eat us.”
Hours before Trump’s debate with Harris, he posted two related photos on his social media site. One Truth Social post was a photo of Trump surrounded by cats and geese. Another featured armed cats wearing MAGA hats.
What do officials in Ohio say?The office of the Springfield city manager, Bryan Heck, issued a statement knocking down the rumors.
“In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community,” Heck’s office said in an emailed statement.
Springfield police on Monday told the Springfield News-Sun that they had received no reports of stolen or eaten pets.
Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, held a news conference Tuesday to address the influx of Haitian immigrants to Springfield. He said he will send state troopers to Springfield to help local law enforcement deal with traffic issues and is earmarking $2.5 million over two years to provide more primary health care to immigrant families.
DeWine declined to address the allegations, deferring comment to local officials. But he repeatedly spoke in support of the people of Haiti, where his family has long operated a charity.
What do we know about a separate case 175 miles (281 km) away?An entirely unrelated incident that occurred last month in Canton, Ohio, quickly and erroneously conflated into the discussion.
On Aug. 26, Canton police charged a 27-year-old woman with animal cruelty and disorderly conduct after she “did torture, kill, and eat a cat in a residential area in front (of) multiple people,” according to a police report.
But Allexis Ferrell is not Haitian. She was born in Ohio and graduated from Canton’s McKinley High School in 2015, according to public records and newspaper reports. Court records show she has been in and out of trouble with the law since at least 2017. Messages seeking comment were not returned by several attorneys who have represented her.
She is being held in Stark County jail pending a competency hearing next month, according to the prosecutor’s office.
What do advocates for Haitian immigrants say?The posts create a false narrative and could be dangerous for Haitians in the United States, according to Guerline Jozef, founder and executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, a group that supports and advocates for immigrants of African descent
“We are always at the receiving end of all kind of barbaric, inhumane narratives and treatments, specifically when it comes to immigration,” Jozef said in a phone interview.
Her comments echoed White House national security spokesman John Kirby.
“There will be people that believe it, no matter how ludicrous and stupid it is,” Kirby said. “And they might act on that kind of information, and act on it in a way where somebody could get hurt. So it needs to stop.”
What is the broader context of Haitians in Ohio and the United States?Springfield, a city of roughly 60,000, has seen its Haitian population grow in recent years. It’s impossible to give an exact number, according to the city, but it estimates Springfield’s entire county has an overall immigrant population of 15,000.
The city also says that the Haitian immigrants are in the country legally under a federal program that allows for them to remain in the country temporarily. Last month the Biden administration granted eligibility for temporary legal status to about 300,000 Haitians already in the United States because conditions in Haiti are considered unsafe for them to return. Haiti’s government has extended a state of emergency to the entire country due to endemic gang violence.
Another matter cropping up and raised by Trump in an email Monday is the August 2023 death of an 11-year-old boy after a vehicle driven by an immigrant from Haiti hit the boy’s school bus. After that, residents demanding answers about the immigrant community spoke out at city council meetings.
Catalini reported from Trenton, New Jersey, and Shipkowski from Toms River, New Jersey.
Andrew McCutchen reaches 20-homer plateau for 10th time as Pirates beat Marlins
By WILL GRAVES
PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen hit a three-run blast to reach the 20-homer plateau for the 10th time in his career and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Miami Marlins 6-4 on Tuesday night.
The 37-year-old designated hitter turned on a fastball from Miami’s Adam Oller (1-3) with two on and two out in the fifth inning and sent it into the first row of bleachers in left field to give Pittsburgh a five-run lead.
McCutchen has had eight of his 20-homer seasons with Pittsburgh, the second-most in franchise history behind Hall of Famer Willie Stargell.
Still, McCutchen can’t help but think where he might rank on some of the franchise charts if the team hadn’t traded him to San Francisco in early 2018, sending him on a five-year odyssey that ended with a return to the Pirates before the 2023 season.
“It’s nice to be able to be with those guys and those greats, it’s amazing, but it would be cool if I was here my whole career and then see where I would be at,” McCutchen said.
Isaiah Kiner-Falefa and Bryan Reynolds had two hits apiece for the Pirates, who have won three straight. Joey Wentz (1-2) earned the victory after allowing one run in 2 2/3 innings. Aroldis Chapman survived a rocky ninth to earn his eighth save on a night the Pirates used six relievers behind opener Carmen Mlodzinski.
Jhonny Pereda had three hits for Miami. Kyle Stowers added a pair of doubles for the Marlins.
A year after clinching a surprising wild-card spot at PNC Park, the Marlins are on pace for their first 100-loss season since 2019.
The 29-year-old Oller, one of a major league-record-tying 69 players Miami has used this season, gave up a pair of runs in the first and four more in the fifth when Reynolds laced an RBI single and McCutchen followed two batters later with the 319th homer of his career.
McCutchen has hit 235 of his homers for Pittsburgh, fourth-most in team history and five behind Pirates icon Roberto Clemente. McCutchen plans to keep playing in 2025, most likely in a place the Florida native considers home.
“Hopefully I can just continue to finish strong in the season and be able to showcase that I can be capable and able to do it next year,” he said.
MARLINS MOVES
Miami claimed RHP Michael Petersen off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Petersen, who played for Britain during the World Baseball Classic, went 3-0 with a 6.43 ERA in 11 appearances with Los Angeles. To make room for Petersen, the Marlins designated RHP Brett de Geus for assignment.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Marlins: Scratched infielder Connor Norby from the lineup due to left foot soreness. Norby fouled a pitch from Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes on Monday night. Jake Burger filled in for Norby at third.
Pirates: The team isn’t ready to rule 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes out for the season with back soreness, but time is running out. Hayes, who last played on Aug. 17, is not doing any baseball activities.
UP NEXT
The series wraps up with a matinee on Wednesday. Bailey Falter (7-7, 4.45 ERA) gets the start for Pittsburgh. The Marlins have yet to name a starter.
PHOTOS: Harris and Trump meet in presidential debate
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump met for the first time face-to-face Tuesday night for perhaps their only debate before November’s presidential election, a high-pressure opportunity to showcase their starkly different visions for the country after a tumultuous campaign summer.
The matchup offeed Americans their most detailed look at a campaign that’s dramatically changed since the last debate in June. In rapid fashion, President Joe Biden bowed out of the race after his disastrous performance, Trump survived an assassination attempt and bothsides chose their running mates.
Here’s a look at the debate through photos:
Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris debate for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After earning the Democratic Party nomination following President Joe Biden’s decision to leave the race, Harris faced off with Trump in what may be the only debate of the 2024 race for the White House. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) AFP/GettyUS Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump attend a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris (R) shakes hands with former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, debates Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. president Donald Trump, for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Jim Rassol / Sun SentinelRepublican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, debates Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Jim Rassol / Sun SentinelRepublican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris debate for the first time during the presidential election campaign at The National Constitution Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Journalists and members of the media watch from the spin room as US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump participate in a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. (Photo by MATTHEW HATCHER/AFP via Getty Images) People watch the ABC News presidential debate between Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at a debate watch party at The Abbey on September 10, 2024 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) People watch the presidential debate during a debate watch party at Penn Social on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate Tuesday evening at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) People watch the presidential debate during a debate watch party at Penn Social on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate Tuesday evening at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) People watch the presidential debate during a debate watch party at Penn Social on September 10, 2024 in Washington, DC. Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump face off in their first debate Tuesday evening at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Republican National Committee Co-Chair Lara Trump is interviewed in the media center at the Pennsylvania Convention Center before the first presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) California Governor Gavin Newsom talks to journalists in the media center at the Pennsylvania Convention Center before the first presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Vivek Ramaswamy talks to journalists in the media center at the Pennsylvania Convention Center before the first presidential debate between Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) The Democratic National Committee displays signage in support of Vice President Kamala Harris during the Presidential Debate outside of The National Constitutional Center on September 10, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for DNC) A supporter of former US president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump sits outside of the National Constitution Center, ahead of the presidential debate between US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Trump in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. (Photo by ANDREW THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills: Who has the edge in division rivalry game on Thursday night?
Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills match up in six key areas ahead of Thursday night’s Week 2 game (8:15 p.m., CBS4, Amazon Prime Video):
When the Dolphins run: Miami had a modest ground game in its opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and now the Dolphins’ top two running backs are banged up. Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane are dealing with chest and ankle injuries, respectively. The rushing attack went for 81 yards on 25 attempts Sunday, a 3.2 average, in the first game of the Robert Jones-Aaron Brewer-Liam Eichenberg interior offensive line combination in 2024.
A bright spot was found late in veteran Jeff Wilson Jr., who had an efficient 26 yards on five carries. Rookie Jaylen Wright, who was a healthy inactive Sunday, could make his NFL regular-season debut if one or both of Mostert or Achane can’t play Thursday night against Buffalo.
The Bills surrendered 5 yards per carry in their opener against the Arizona Cardinals, but that number was inflated by 57 yards allowed to scrambling quarterback Kyler Murray. Buffalo returns the defensive tackle combination of Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones with solid young middle linebacker Terrel Bernard, but remember this unit was vulnerable against the run in 2023. The Miami ground game, though, appears hampered. Edge: Bills
When the Bills run: When Buffalo reeled off a six-game winning streak from the end of the regular season through the wild-card round of the playoffs last season, it leaned on its running game. The Bills stuck to that formula in Sunday’s win over the Cardinals, keeping quarterback Josh Allen to 23 pass attempts while running the ball 33 times as a team.
Running back James Cook, the former Miami Central High product, saw the bulk of that workload, getting 19 carries and going for 71 yards. Allen, always a threat with his legs, rushed for two touchdowns. The Bills no longer have Mitch Morse to anchor the offensive line in the middle, but now have Connor McGovern at center.
The Dolphins didn’t have a great debut against the run, allowing 4.9 yards per carry to the Jaguars, letting Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne both reel off big chunk plays. They did make the game-changing play in run defense, though, albeit while nearly allowing Etienne to run for his second touchdown, when safety Jevon Holland forced the key fumble that shifted momentum. Miami has the personnel to be better at stopping the run, between Sieler, Calais Campbell and linebackers David Long Jr. and Jordyn Brooks. Edge: Even
When the Dolphins pass: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa came away from Week 1 like he did the 2023 season, leading the NFL in passing yards. His 338 yards were enough to lead the league in the opening week. He hit some big plays down the field to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, including the 80-yard touchdown to Hill after the fumble recovery. He still was shaky at times in the opener and could find more consistency, when targeting others not named Hill, Waddle or Achane out of the backfield, who had seven catches for 76 yards.
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The Bills secondary seems vulnerable this year after overhauling on the back end. Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp are the starting safeties after Buffalo cut ties with its longtime combination of Jordan Poyer (now with the Dolphins) and Micah Hyde. The Bills also released cornerback Tre’Davious White, and nickel cornerback Taron Johnson is out for Thursday’s game, creating a huge hole for Buffalo. The Dolphins’ speedy playmakers should get their opportunities against this secondary.
That said, they did hold Arizona in check through the air in the opener. The pass rush was a big reason. Former University of Miami standout Greg Rousseau sacked Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray three times. Veteran, former star pass-rusher Von Miller had a sack, and they also have A.J. Epenesa on the edge. Tackles Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson will have their hands full, but Tagovailoa gets the ball out quick, regardless. Edge: Dolphins
When the Bills pass: Allen, who has historically torched Miami, was an efficient 18 of 23 for 232 yards and two passing touchdowns to go with his two rushing scores in the opener against Arizona. He is turnover-prone, and did lose a fumble, while not throwing an interception Sunday. The Dolphins know what it’s like to face him, but he also lost a lot in his receiving corps this offseason.
Buffalo no longer has star wide receiver Stefon Diggs or No. 2 option Gabe Davis. Rookie Keon Coleman led the Bills with 51 receiving yards in Week 1. Khalil Shakir had one touchdown, and Mack Hollins had the other. He has strong second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid and can throw to Cook out of the backfield. Playing four days after his 2024 debut on a bad hamstring, the hope is Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is running more comfortably in his second game after giving up a pair of big plays Sunday.
But he and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips surpassed their projected snap counts, as Phillips played his first game coming off the torn Achilles of last November. He had a sack, as did Campbell and Emmanuel Ogbah. Miami will need to apply that pressure against Allen against tackles Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown, while containing the dual-threat quarterback in the pocket so he can’t devastate you with this legs. Edge: Even
Special teams: Buffalo is always solid in the third phase of the game. Dolphins special teams coordinator Danny Crossman knows this, having been there previously and falling victim to a crucial punt return touchdown in last year’s regular-season finale.
But Deonte Harty, who scored that backbreaker the last time the teams squared off, is no longer with the Bills. Former Buffalo gunner and special teams ace Siran Neal is now actually with Miami — and exceptional at downing punts. Miami punter Jake Bailey had a strong season debut, flipping the field consistently on Jacksonville while the Dolphins trailed. And, of course, kicker Jason Sanders kicked a game-winner from 52 yards Sunday, bouncing back from an earlier miss. Edge: Even
Intangibles: The Bills have devastated the Dolphins in recent years, winning 11 of the past 12 pairings. That’s got to create a mental edge. But there has been a lot of turnover on that roster. Many of those players aren’t even there, Allen notwithstanding, of course. The Bills coming back from three games down with five weeks remaining last season feels like the tipping point that starts shifting this rivalry Miami’s way. The Dolphins don’t get the early afternoon sun advantage this trip to Miami Gardens for the Bills, but it’s still going to be plenty hot and humid and the western New Yorkers will be sweating profusely. Plus, visiting teams have an even harder time on the road when playing on a short week. Edge: Dolphins
PREDICTION: Dolphins 27, Bills 23
Dolphins Deep Dive: Prediction time — will Miami win Thursday night vs. Josh Allen, Bills? | VIDEO
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