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Currently, Isaias is churning in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The storm is forecast to move in a northeast direction, with possible landfall coming along the Florida Panhandle, the southern coasts of Alabama or Mississippi, or the eastern coast of Louisiana.

On Thursday, hurricane hunters are expected to take to the skies and fly into the heart of the storm.

They will be flying in one of the most famous hurricane hunter aircrafts in the world, nicknamed “Miss Piggy.”

The plane, which is celebrating its 50th year in service, also flew through Hurricane Andrew.

These flights are crucial for measuring the strength of the storm and determining potential future forecast tracks.

The mother was diagnosed with breast cancer after also undergoing an ultrasound and a biopsy in Broward County.

“You either let it lay you down, or you fight through it,” Marchant said. “I have four kids, I am a wife, I work, I am busy, I don’t have time to have cancer.”

Dr. Shannon Keating, who is treating Marchant at Broward Health Medical Center, said Marchant is among the 85% of breast cancer patients who do not have a known family history.

“A woman with family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, they should discuss that with their physician, as they will likely need to start undergoing screenings sooner,” Keating said.

Marchant underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and a lumpectomy, surgery to remove breast tissue. She has been undergoing immunotherapy infusions.

Keating said Marchant’s prognosis is excellent.

“Some days you don’t feel like getting out of the bed ... Some days you don’t feel like cleaning the house. You can’t do it. You don’t feel like cooking,” Marchant said. “The motivation is definitely within your kids. Looking at your kids and just knowing, ‘I have to keep on going.’”

Marchant said she had a life-saving message for other busy working mothers like her in South Florida.

“Take the time to put that much energy into yourself and go get the mammogram,” Marchant said.

Related fundraiser: Support Amanda through breast cancer

Related reports

• Proactively Pink: Retired nurse says negative mammogram didn’t explain pain; it was lobular breast cancer
• Proactively Pink: Special Local 10 campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

La policía de Miramar identificó al sospechoso en un informe de arresto como Javondre Antonio Jackson.

Según el informe, los agentes respondieron el martes a una denuncia de crueldad animal en una vivienda ubicada en la cuadra 11400 de Southwest 26th Street.

Durante la investigación, los agentes obtuvieron varios videos que presuntamente mostraban a Jackson agarrando a su perro por el cuello, estrangulándolo y lanzándolo contra una pared.

La policía indicó que las imágenes fueron grabadas el sábado pasado y que Jackson había enviado los videos a otra persona con la intención de provocarla.

Los investigadores determinaron que los videos mostraban a Jackson infligiendo intencionalmente dolor y sufrimiento excesivos e innecesarios al animal, según el informe.

La policía también obtuvo declaraciones juradas y grabadas que identificaban a Jackson como la persona que aparecía maltratando al perro.

Según el informe de arresto, Jackson envió mensajes de texto el martes a una persona, amenazando con matar a otras personas y luego quitarse la vida.

Después de ser colocado en el asiento trasero de una patrulla policial la noche del martes, Jackson utilizó sus pies para dañar la mampara de protección del vehículo y amenazó con matar a los agentes y quitarse la vida, informaron las autoridades.

Los registros de la cárcel en línea muestran que Jackson fue ingresado en la cárcel principal del condado Broward la mañana del miércoles por cargos de crueldad animal agravada, un delito grave de tercer grado, y daños a la propiedad.

Aunque el informe no identifica a la persona a la que Jackson presuntamente envió los mensajes de texto y el video, un juez del tribunal de fianzas del condado Broward ordenó que Jackson no tuviera contacto con ningún testigo del caso, incluida su ex novia.

Hasta la tarde del jueves, permanecía detenido con una fianza de $15,500 USD.

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Levine Cava and Anthony Rodriguez, the chair of the county commission, sent notice of the “record” $1.2 billion budget allocation for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, which “exceeds” Cordero-Stutz’s $1 billion request by about $186.3 million.

“We approved the largest Sheriff’s Office budget in Miami-Dade history,” Levine Cava said in a statement.

The budget, approved by commissioners on Sept. 18, also included about $11.37 million for the MDSO’s general law enforcement personnel services and adjustments for the Florida Retirement System, according to their notice.

Cordero-Stutz was able to appeal to the Florida Cabinet, which includes Gov. Ron DeSantis, the chairman; Attorney General James Uthmeier; Blaise Ingoglia, the chief financial officer; and Wilton Simpson, the commissioner of agriculture.

The disagreement comes as voters face a decision on Nov. 3 on Amendment 3, which could provide property tax relief while also prompting budget shortages for municipalities, which provide law enforcement and fire rescue services.

“Voters should not be led to believe that saving money on their property taxes must mean fewer deputies or weaker public safety,” Cordero-Stutz wrote in a statement on Sept. 22. “Tax relief and public safety are not competing priorities.”

Levine Cava opposes Amendment 3, which provides that new residents receive a smaller exemption until they’ve lived in the state for five years.

“If communities are forced to raise taxes or fees to make up that lost revenue, renters and small businesses would likely end up paying more, even though they never received the tax break in the first place,” Levine Cava wrote in an editorial published on Oct. 5.

Cordero-Stutz did not publicly respond to the letter by Levine Cava and Rodriguez.

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Levine Cava y Anthony Rodriguez, presidente de la comisión del condado, notificaron la asignación presupuestaria récord de 1.200 millones de dólares para la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade, que supera la solicitud de 1.000 millones de dólares de Cordero-Stutz en aproximadamente 186,3 millones de dólares.

“Hemos aprobado el mayor presupuesto para la Oficina del Sheriff en la historia de Miami-Dade”, dijo Levine Cava en un comunicado .

El presupuesto, aprobado por los comisionados el 18 de septiembre , también incluía aproximadamente 11,37 millones de dólares para los servicios generales de personal policial del MDSO y ajustes para el Sistema de Jubilación de Florida, según su aviso.

Cordero-Stutz logró apelar al Gabinete de Florida , que incluye al gobernador Ron DeSantis, presidente; al fiscal general James Uthmeier; a Blaise Ingoglia, director financiero; y a Wilton Simpson, comisionado de agricultura.

El desacuerdo surge cuando los votantes se enfrentan a una decisión el 3 de noviembre sobre la Enmienda 3, que podría proporcionar alivio en el impuesto a la propiedad, pero que también podría provocar déficits presupuestarios para los municipios, que brindan servicios policiales y de rescate de bomberos.

“No se debe hacer creer a los votantes que ahorrar dinero en sus impuestos sobre la propiedad implica necesariamente menos agentes o una menor seguridad pública”, escribió Cordero-Stutz en un comunicado el 22 de septiembre . “La reducción de impuestos y la seguridad pública no son prioridades contrapuestas”.

Levine Cava se opone a la Enmienda 3, que establece que los nuevos residentes reciban una exención menor hasta que hayan vivido en el estado durante cinco años.

“Si las comunidades se ven obligadas a aumentar los impuestos o las tasas para compensar esa pérdida de ingresos, es probable que los inquilinos y las pequeñas empresas terminen pagando más, aunque nunca hayan recibido la exención fiscal en primer lugar”, escribió Levine Cava en un editorial publicado el 5 de octubre .

Cordero-Stutz no respondió públicamente a la carta de Levine Cava y Rodríguez.

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“Where is James Talarico?” he called out Wednesday during a rally with President Donald Trump in San Antonio.

But that night, while flying back to Washington on Air Force One, Trump seemed to inadvertently throw Talarico a lifeline. The president said on social media that Talarico — who has the flu, according to his campaign — "should immediately report to a Debate Stage” to face off with Paxton.

It was exactly what Talarico wanted to hear, since he had long been badgering Paxton for a debate.

“President Trump just said Ken Paxton should debate. I agree,” Talarico posted on Thursday morning. “Ball's in your court @KenPaxtonTX.”

No debate has been scheduled so far. Paxton has not publicly responded to Trump's debate demand.

Some Republicans, worried Paxton may become the first Republican in nearly four decades to lose a Senate race in Texas, have also urged him to debate to help gain ground in an unusually competitive campaign in the Republican-leaning state.

Talarico publicly challenged Paxton in July to three televised debates. Last month, he invited Paxton to debate him on Fox News, and he posted a video of himself calling Paxton with the invitation.

“Hey Ken, it's James," Talarico said while leaving a voicemail. “Texans start voting in less than a month and they deserve to hear from both of us before they do.”

“So, if Fox News is where you'll be most comfortable, I'll be there,” he added.

So far, the campaign has played out almost entirely on the airwaves. The candidates' campaigns and more than a dozen outside groups have spent more than $247 million on advertising, according to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact. The candidates have yet to appear jointly before voters.

Paxton's campaign said in July that he would debate his opponent, but later objected to some proposed moderators. Later that month, it suggested an agreement with a news outlet was imminent, though none was announced.

Without a debate, Paxton has focused on Talarico's absence, even demanding video proof that he was alive.

"Low-T Jimmy appears to be having a full-blown mental Tala-freak-out on the national stage. We have a simple request: proof of life,” said Madison Cercy, campaign spokeswoman.

Talarico is expected to resume campaigning this weekend through the Nov. 3 election, aides said.

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Miramar police identified the suspect in an arrest report as Javondre Antonio Jackson.

According to the report, officers responded to an animal cruelty complaint Tuesday at a home in the 11400 block of Southwest 26th Street.

During their investigation, officers obtained multiple videos that allegedly showed Jackson grabbing his dog by the neck, strangling it and throwing it against a wall.

Police said the footage was recorded last Saturday and that Jackson had sent the videos to another person in an attempt to antagonize them.

Investigators determined the videos showed Jackson intentionally inflicting excessive and unnecessary pain and suffering on the animal, according to the report.

An animal should’ve never been in his possession," police said.

Police also obtained sworn, recorded statements identifying Jackson as the person seen abusing the dog.

According to the arrest report, Jackson sent text messages Tuesday to someone, threatening to kill people and then himself.

After being placed into the backseat of a police car Tuesday night, Jackson used his feet to damage the vehicle’s protective partition and threatened to kill officers and himself, authorities said.

Online jail records show Jackson was booked into the Broward County Main Jail Wednesday morning on charges of aggravated animal cruelty -- a third-degree felony -- and criminal mischief.

While the report does not name the person Jackson allegedly sent the text messages and video to, a Broward County bond court judge ordered Jackson to not have contact with any witnesses in the case, including his ex-girlfriend.

As of Thursday afternoon, he remained jailed on a $15,500 bond.

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The lawsuit also names Jason Robins, DraftKings’s chief executive officer, who co-founded the Boston-based sportsbook in 2012, and GUS III LLC, a subsidiary that does business as DraftKings Predictions since 2025.

“DraftKings is operating an illegal sports betting business in Florida in violation of state law and the terms of the 2021 Gaming Compact between the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe,” Gary Bitner, a spokesman for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, wrote in a statement.

In the 72-page lawsuit, the tribe accused DraftKings executives of “secretly” funding litigation seeking to invalidate the tribe’s exclusivity agreement in Florida and of running an unlicensed “Super App.”

DraftKings’s reach expanded after the Supreme Court allowed states to legalize sports betting in 2018.

Gov. Ron DeSantis legalized online sports betting, but restricted it to a single operator, the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In 2021, Florida entered a tribal-state gaming compact. The tribe launched the Hard Rock Sportsbook, but had to suspend it until 2023.

After brick-and-mortar casinos filed suit, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich ruled in 2021 that bets placed off-reservation violated federal regulation enacted in 1988 to create a framework for gambling on tribal lands.

In 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit reversed Friedrich’s decision and reinstated the Seminole-Florida gaming compact. A three-judge panel ruled that “whether it is otherwise lawful for a patron to place bets from non-tribal land within Florida may be a subject for that State’s courts.” The Supreme Court decided not to put the D.C. Circuit’s decision on hold.

DraftKings released a statement in response to the lawsuit saying DraftKings does not offer sports contracts on the Seminole’s tribal land, it is not the only company that offers a “prediction market platform” in Florida, and Congress affirms that fantasy sports contests are “legal” games of skill.

“DraftKings’ prediction markets offering operates in accordance with applicable law and the federal regulatory framework established under the Commodity Exchange Act,” Stephen Miraglia, a spokesman for DraftKings, wrote in the statement. “Furthermore, DraftKings Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy sports variant centered on a simple ‘more or less’ mechanic tied to individual athlete performance metrics and is not sports betting. While the company has deep respect for Seminole Tribe’s sovereignty, we remain confident in our legal position.”

La demanda también menciona a Jason Robins, director ejecutivo de DraftKings, quien cofundó la plataforma de apuestas deportivas con sede en Boston en 2012, y a GUS III LLC, una subsidiaria que opera bajo el nombre de DraftKings Predictions desde 2025.

“DraftKings está operando un negocio ilegal de apuestas deportivas en Florida, en violación de la ley estatal y de los términos del Acuerdo de Juegos de Azar de 2021 entre el estado de Florida y la Tribu Seminole”, escribió Gary Bitner, portavoz de la Tribu Seminole de Florida, en un comunicado.

En la demanda de 72 páginas, la tribu acusó a los ejecutivos de DraftKings de financiar “en secreto” litigios destinados a invalidar el acuerdo de exclusividad de la tribu en Florida y de operar una “superaplicación” sin licencia.

El alcance de DraftKings se amplió después de que la Corte Suprema permitiera a los estados legalizar las apuestas deportivas en 2018.

El gobernador Ron DeSantis legalizó las apuestas deportivas en línea, pero las restringió a un solo operador, la Tribu Seminole de Florida. En 2021, Florida firmó un acuerdo de juegos de azar entre el estado y la tribu. La tribu lanzó Hard Rock Sportsbook, pero tuvo que suspender sus operaciones hasta 2023.

Después de que los casinos físicos presentaran una demanda, la jueza federal de distrito Dabney Friedrich dictaminó en 2021 que las apuestas realizadas fuera de las reservas tribales violaban una regulación federal promulgada en 1988 para establecer un marco legal para los juegos de azar en tierras tribales.

En 2023, el Tribunal Federal de Apelaciones del Circuito del Distrito de Columbia revocó la decisión de Friedrich y restableció el acuerdo de juegos de azar entre la Tribu Seminole y Florida. Un panel de tres jueces dictaminó que “si es legal, por otros motivos, que un cliente realice apuestas desde terrenos no tribales dentro de Florida puede ser un asunto que corresponda a los tribunales de ese estado”. La Corte Suprema decidió no suspender la decisión del Circuito del Distrito de Columbia.

DraftKings emitió un comunicado en respuesta a la demanda, en el que afirmó que no ofrece contratos de apuestas deportivas en tierras tribales de los Seminole, que no es la única empresa que ofrece una “plataforma de mercados de predicción” en Florida y que el Congreso reconoce que los concursos de deportes de fantasía son juegos de habilidad “legales”.

“La oferta de mercados de predicción de DraftKings opera de conformidad con la legislación aplicable y el marco regulatorio federal establecido bajo la Ley de Intercambio de Productos Básicos”, escribió Stephen Miraglia, portavoz de DraftKings, en el comunicado. “Además, DraftKings Pick6 es una variante de deportes de fantasía entre participantes, centrada en un mecanismo sencillo de ‘más o menos’ vinculado a las estadísticas de rendimiento individual de los atletas, y no constituye apuestas deportivas. Aunque la empresa tiene un profundo respeto por la soberanía de la Tribu Seminole, seguimos confiando en nuestra posición legal”.

Es un entorno idílico en la región de Inner Banks, en Carolina del Norte, donde los campos de algodón, soya y maíz se extienden por kilómetros, los caminos rurales serpentean entre pinares, y miles de observadores de aves acuden para presenciar la migración primaveral.

Pero es lo que se encuentra bajo tierra lo que ha atraído a científicos e inversores a esta extensión de 60 kilómetros cuadrados (23 millas cuadradas): una turba densa y esponjosa de hasta 5 metros (15 pies) de profundidad.

Y ellos están aquí para salvarla.

Ochenta kilómetros (50 millas) de zanjas, excavadas hace décadas para un proyecto agrícola abandonado, drenaron gran parte del agua de una turba acumulada durante miles de años, lo que dejó al sitio vulnerable a las sequías y los incendios forestales, alteró sus hábitats nativos y causó que emita 130.000 toneladas anuales de dióxido de carbono, un gas que contribuye al calentamiento global.

“Nuestro objetivo es conservar estas tierras a perpetuidad para que no se conviertan en campos de extracción de petróleo y gas, para que no sean explotadas con el fin de obtener fósforo, o transformadas en estacionamientos y centros comerciales”, declaró Tripp Wall, director general de la empresa Pantheon Regeneration, que tiene su sede en Colorado. “Son sistemas sencillamente increíbles que yo creo que no se valoran lo suficiente aquí en Estados Unidos, (y que) durante (un periodo de entre) 10.000 a 15.000 años han sido resistentes climatológicamente, hasta que nosotros los arruinamos”.

Las turberas son una paradoja climática. Aunque ocupan apenas el 3% de la superficie terrestre mundial, almacenan un tercio del dióxido de carbono de la Tierra, más que todos los bosques del planeta combinados. Pero al degradarse —lo cual ocurre principalmente cuando los agricultores reducen el nivel freático para cultivar—, o cuando se destruyen o queman, se convierten en parte del problema porque liberan enormes volúmenes de gases de efecto invernadero, actualmente cerca del 6% del total anual global proveniente de todas las fuentes.

Además, el tipo de turberas que existen en Carolina del Norte, y a lo largo de cientos de kilómetros de la costa este de Estados Unidos, figura entre los más amenazados del mundo.

Pantheon planea revertir el daño al bloquear zanjas con el fin de controlar el nivel freático y reducir significativamente las emisiones de dióxido de carbono. Posteriormente eliminará especies invasoras y replantará pastos, flores y otras plantas nativas.

La restauración se basa en otros proyectos llevados a cabo por organizaciones sin fines de lucro y agencias gubernamentales, incluido el adyacente Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Pocosin Lakes —que abarca 453 kilómetros cuadrados (175 millas cuadradas) y constituye uno de los proyectos de restauración de turberas más extensos en Estados Unidos—, el cual es hábitat de especies amenazadas y en peligro de extinción, tales como el lobo rojo, la planta carnívora amarilla y el cedro blanco del Atlántico. Además, se ha convertido en una importante escala para aves migratorias como el cisne de la tundra.

Pero lo que distingue al proyecto de Pantheon es su plan de vender créditos de carbono a empresas tecnológicas y otras corporaciones que deseen compensar sus emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, y utilizar el dinero para restaurar y preservar 4.047 kilómetros cuadrados (1.562 millas cuadradas, o 1 millón de acres) de turberas, desde Virginia hasta el norte de Florida, durante la próxima década.

Cada propiedad será conservada de forma permanente y sometida a un proceso de renaturalización. “Grandes corredores, grandes hábitats para aves y grandes puntos críticos de biodiversidad que tienen un impacto enorme en el clima”, expuso Wall.

Ecosistemas ancestrales bajo amenaza

Neal Flanagan empuja un tubo metálico a través de las raíces y esquiva troncos enterrados hasta que se hunde cerca de un metro (3 pies). Cuando lo extrae, el tubo está lleno de tierra negra.

Cerca de la superficie, la tierra está seca y repleta de fibras muertas de plantas como helechos Dryopteris, arándano y Lyonia. La parte central es quebradiza, húmeda e inodora, con fragmentos de carbón vegetal procedentes de incendios ocurridos hace mucho tiempo. Pero la saturada capa inferior —que contiene un 50% de carbono— tiene una consistencia similar a la grasa espesa para ejes.

“Esto es el oro negro”, expresó Curtis Richardson, colega de Flanagan y ecólogo de la Universidad de Duke, mientras la turba milenaria rezumaba de su puño cerrado. Su “magnitud e importancia no pueden ser subestimadas”, añadió.

Cuando las turberas están intactas, los gases generados por la descomposición de las plantas quedan atrapados en un entorno anegado y sin oxígeno, al tiempo que la vegetación de la superficie absorbe dióxido de carbono de la atmósfera, explican los científicos.

Eso convierte a las turberas antiguas e intactas en enormes depósitos de carbono que, en algunas partes del mundo, alcanzan hasta 15 metros (50 pies) de profundidad. Además, almacenan cerca del 10% del agua dulce del planeta, ayudan a controlar las inundaciones y pueden contribuir a frenar los incendios forestales.

No obstante, dos tercios de las turberas de zonas templadas —localizadas principalmente en Europa y Estados Unidos— han sido drenadas, y aproximadamente el 45% de las turberas tropicales han sufrido alteraciones similares, según un estudio de 2025 publicado por The Society for Conservation Biology, un organismo sin fines de lucro dedicado a la conservación.

Las turberas boreales —las que se sitúan en climas más fríos, como en Canadá y Rusia— se conservan intactas en un 90% aproximadamente, pero enfrentan una presión creciente debido al deshielo del permafrost y a los incendios intensos, ambos fenómenos vinculados al cambio climático, así como a la minería y a la exploración para detectar minerales cruciales.

A la vez, sólo el 17% de las turberas del mundo cuenta con protección oficial, según el estudio.

En Estados Unidos también hay cantidades significativas de turba en Alaska, Florida, partes del noreste y la región norte de los Grandes Lagos, aunque el tipo de turberas abovedadas presentes en Carolina del Norte sólo existe a lo largo de la costa estadounidense en el Atlántico. Llamadas “turberas pocosin”, se formaron a partir de bosques de pinos costeros y arbustos de hoja perenne que se descompusieron a lo largo de milenios.

Tan sólo en Carolina del Norte existen 17.702 kilómetros (11.000 millas) de canales que drenan las turberas antes de que el agua desemboque en los estuarios costeros, apuntó Richardson.

Esto, sumado al cambio climático, las hace vulnerables a la mayor amenaza que enfrentan las turberas a nivel mundial: los incendios catastróficos.

Los incendios en turberas pueden arder durante meses

Troncos de árboles ennegrecidos se elevan por encima de arbustos y hierbas secas, el único vestigio de un incendio que arrasó casi 809 hectáreas (2.000 acres) en este lugar hace cuatro años y causó que el suelo se hundiera casi 0,5 metros (1,5 pies) en algunas zonas.

Podría haber sido peor, pero el Servicio Forestal de Carolina del Norte y otros organismos lograron extinguirlo con relativa rapidez —en aproximadamente tres semanas— al bombear agua de los lagos cercanos con el fin de evitar que se propagara hacia el refugio de vida silvestre que limita la propiedad de Pantheon por tres lados.

Un incendio ocurrido en 2008, que comenzó durante una sequía, ardió en la superficie durante tres meses y continuó bajo tierra durante otros cuatro años, lo que dañó más de una cuarta parte del refugio y hundió el nivel del suelo algunos metros en ciertas áreas, explicó Sarah Toner, guardabosques y gerente de atención al visitante del Complejo de Refugios Nacionales de Vida Silvestre de la Costa de Carolina del Norte. Pero en las zonas donde ya se había iniciado la restauración del nivel del agua, el incendio penetró con menos profundidad.

Las turberas saturadas de agua son prácticamente a prueba de fuego: sólo se queman la vegetación superficial y unos pocos centímetros de turba, lo cual libera nutrientes, regenera los bancos de semillas y genera carbón vegetal beneficioso. Pero cuando están secas, el fuego puede arder bajo tierra durante semanas o meses —y seca y devasta incluso las capas saturadas—, lo que emite enormes volúmenes de dióxido de carbono y destruye miles de años de acumulación.

“Perderemos entre 5 y 6 pies (1,5 y 1,8 metros) de turba en cuestión de semanas, lo cual equivale a la pérdida de millones de toneladas de carbono... carbono antiguo que simplemente no podremos recuperar en el transcurso de varias vidas humanas", explicó Richardson.

Es por eso que Pantheon actúa con rapidez para restaurar el sitio en Carolina del Norte, destacó Wall. Aunque la empresa espera adquirir también turberas intactas, su prioridad inmediata son los terrenos drenados.

“Existe esta urgencia de empezar por lo que está degradado ahora”, agregó Wall, “antes de que desaparezca”.

El proyecto procura restaurar la biodiversidad nativa

Steve Apfelbaum conduce su camioneta deportiva por caminos cubiertos de hierba y llenos de baches, y de pronto baja del vehículo para escuchar con atención y mira ocasionalmente a través de sus binoculares. Sonríe al oír a la reinita galana, un ave cuya población está disminuyendo.

“Escuchamos a cientos de ellas hoy”, destacó Apfelbaum, ecólogo especializado en flora y fauna, quien realiza censos de aves reproductoras y migratorias en el lugar. “Lo que eso me dice es que este ecosistema es verdaderamente importante” para la migración de la especie.

Y también oye a las reinitas de Nashville que cantan en las copas de los árboles, pero que anidan en cavidades en la turba.

Las turberas son clave para ayudar a preservar las poblaciones de aves, que disminuyen en todos los hábitats, agregó Apfelbaum. “Todo tipo de aves geniales volverán”, manifestó.

A su vez regresarán los reptiles, las plantas, los peces y los insectos nativos, señaló Vlad Roosevelt, director de operaciones de Pantheon y responsable de supervisar la restauración. La empresa liberó a una pareja de lobos rojos hace un par de años y ya tuvieron crías.

Los créditos de carbono, a veces controversiales, son fundamentales para el proyecto

Los créditos de carbono funcionan así: las empresas, los gobiernos o los particulares que desean compensar sus emisiones de carbono invierten en proyectos —tales como la restauración de turberas— que capturan carbono. No obstante, su eficacia ha sido cuestionada, ya que a lo largo de los años se ha descubierto que algunos programas han exagerado la cantidad de carbono que capturan o simplemente eran fraudulentos.

Pantheon dice que es consciente de esas preocupaciones y garantiza créditos de alta calidad y verificados científicamente, con base en décadas de datos de Richardson sobre la pérdida de carbono en el lugar, mediciones continuas de los niveles de agua subterránea y el uso de equipos de monitoreo sofisticados —incluida una torre que mide la cantidad de gas que se absorbe y se libera del sitio—, así como en modelos informáticos y el análisis de muestras de suelo. Dichos resultados serán verificados por un tercero independiente.

Inversores —incluido Microsoft— proporcionan a Pantheon el capital inicial para adquirir turberas, narró Wall. Los ingresos derivados de los créditos de carbono —cada crédito equivale a una tonelada métrica— ayudarán a financiar futuras compras de terrenos.

Los cambios serán apasionantes, expresó Apfelbaum. Pero todo se reduce, en primer lugar, a rehumedecer y restaurar la turba, una solución climática natural que a menudo queda eclipsada por otras iniciativas, incluida la reforestación... la cual es importante, añadió, pero no tan eficaz.

“Todos nos hemos dejado cautivar y distraer por los árboles”, dijo Apfelbaum, “cuando en realidad son el suelo y la turba los que almacenan la mayor cantidad de carbono”.

——-

La cobertura climática y ambiental de The Associated Press recibe el apoyo económico de varias fundaciones privadas. La AP es la única responsable de todo el contenido. Encuentre los estándares de la AP para trabajar con organizaciones filantrópicas, una lista de patrocinadores y las áreas de cobertura financiadas en AP.org.

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Jimmy Bertram Alexis was arrested Tuesday on a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a disabled person in connection with the June 30, 2023, death of Jason Similien, according to police and court records.

Alexis was employed at Genuine Love and Care Group Home in Fort Lauderdale, where Similien was a patient, authorities said.

As Alexis left the Broward County jail Thursday, he declined to discuss the charges.

“Do you have anything to say about the charges filed against you?” Local 10’s Roy Ramos asked.

“No,” Alexis said.

Ramos then asked, “Did you choke him?”

“No,” Alexis replied.

During a court hearing, a prosecutor described the allegations against Alexis.

“Your honor, the allegations are that he asphyxiated a patient with mental health issues at a group home,” the prosecutor said.

According to police, emergency crews were called to the facility after Similien was found unresponsive. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

A Broward County medical examiner ruled Similien’s death a homicide in November 2023, Alexis’ arrest report states.

Police said investigators spoke with Alexis after the incident. The report states Alexis told investigators he had to “restrain him, not choke him” in reference to Similien.

Investigators said they also spoke with another employee who was working at the facility that night. They said the employee was visibly shaken and later asked to speak with officers away from the facility.

According to police, the employee told investigators Alexis choked Similien until he became unconscious, and that it happened twice during the night.

The employee also told police she made an audio recording during the second incident after previously telling Alexis not to choke Similien. Investigators said the recording captured Similien moaning.

The family has since filed a lawsuit alleging the facility and Alexis were negligent.

Attorney Adam Finkel, who represents Similien’s family, described him as a kind and loving young man.

“Jason was (a) wonderful, sweet, kind, caring young man. (I) love being around his family,” he said.

Finkel said the family alleges Similien woke up during the night looking for cookies.

“Rather than giving him cookies or doing anything other than becoming overtly violent, that’s what Jimmy Alexis chose to do,” he said. “He strangled him to death.”

Finkel also said there were warning signs about Alexis’ behavior, including concerns raised by another employee.

When asked why a co-worker would tell police Alexis choked Similien, Alexis responded, “because she was scared just like I was.”

Ramos then asked, “Why would you be scared?”

“Because no one has ever passed away with me on a shift before,” Alexis said.

Police records also indicate investigators conducted a controlled phone call between Alexis and the employee. During the call, police said Alexis discussed what he planned to tell investigators and advised the employee to give a similar account.

Alexis also allegedly told the employee not to mention certain details that could prompt additional questions from police, according to his arrest report.

Alexis was released from jail Thursday after posting a bond of $25,000.

Before leaving, Ramos asked Alexis if he had anything to say to Similien’s family.

“He did lose his life,” Ramos said.

“I apologize about that and my condolences,” Alexis replied.

The facility has been contacted multiple times for comment. No response had been received.

Alexis is expected back in court next week.

Jimmy Bertram Alexis fue arrestado el martes por un cargo de homicidio involuntario agravado de una persona con discapacidad en relación con la muerte de Jason Similien, ocurrida el 30 de junio de 2023, según la policía y los registros judiciales.

Alexis trabajaba en Genuine Love and Care Group Home, en Fort Lauderdale, donde Similien era paciente, indicaron las autoridades.

Cuando Alexis salió de la cárcel del condado Broward el jueves, se negó a hablar sobre los cargos.

“¿Tiene algo que decir sobre los cargos presentados en su contra?”, preguntó Roy Ramos, de Local 10.

“No”, respondió Alexis.

Ramos preguntó entonces: “¿Lo estranguló?”.

“No”, respondió Alexis.

Durante una audiencia judicial, un fiscal describió las acusaciones contra Alexis.

“Su señoría, las acusaciones son que él asfixió a un paciente con problemas de salud mental en un hogar grupal”, dijo el fiscal.

Según la policía, los equipos de emergencia fueron llamados al centro después de que Similien fuera encontrado inconsciente. Fue trasladado a un hospital, donde posteriormente murió.

Un médico forense del condado Broward determinó en noviembre de 2023 que la muerte de Similien fue un homicidio, según el informe de arresto de Alexis.

La policía indicó que los investigadores hablaron con Alexis después del incidente. El informe señala que Alexis dijo a los investigadores que tuvo que “sujetarlo, no estrangularlo”, en referencia a Similien.

Los investigadores indicaron que también hablaron con otra empleada que trabajaba en el centro aquella noche. Señalaron que la empleada estaba visiblemente conmocionada y posteriormente pidió hablar con los agentes fuera del establecimiento.

Según la policía, la empleada dijo a los investigadores que Alexis estranguló a Similien hasta dejarlo inconsciente y que esto ocurrió dos veces durante la noche.

La empleada también dijo a la policía que realizó una grabación de audio durante el segundo incidente, después de haberle dicho anteriormente a Alexis que no estrangulara a Similien. Los investigadores indicaron que la grabación captó los gemidos de Similien.

Desde entonces, la familia presentó una demanda en la que alega que el centro y Alexis actuaron con negligencia.

El abogado Adam Finkel, quien representa a la familia de Similien, lo describió como un joven amable y cariñoso.

“Jason era un joven maravilloso, dulce, amable y cariñoso. Me encantaba estar con su familia”, dijo.

Finkel indicó que la familia alega que Similien se despertó durante la noche buscando galletas.

“En lugar de darle galletas o hacer cualquier otra cosa que no fuera actuar de manera abiertamente violenta, eso fue lo que Jimmy Alexis decidió hacer”, dijo. “Lo estranguló hasta matarlo”.

Finkel también señaló que había señales de advertencia sobre el comportamiento de Alexis, incluidas preocupaciones expresadas por otra empleada.

Cuando le preguntaron por qué una compañera de trabajo le diría a la policía que Alexis estranguló a Similien, Alexis respondió: “Porque ella tenía miedo, al igual que yo”.

Ramos preguntó entonces: “¿Por qué tendría miedo?”.

“Porque nunca antes había muerto nadie durante uno de mis turnos”, dijo Alexis.

Los registros policiales también indican que los investigadores realizaron una llamada telefónica controlada entre Alexis y la empleada. Durante la llamada, según la policía, Alexis habló sobre lo que planeaba decir a los investigadores y aconsejó a la empleada que diera una versión similar.

Alexis también le habría dicho a la empleada que no mencionara ciertos detalles que pudieran provocar preguntas adicionales de la policía, según su informe de arresto.

Alexis fue liberado de la cárcel el jueves después de pagar una fianza de $25,000 USD.

Antes de que se marchara, Ramos le preguntó a Alexis si tenía algo que decirle a la familia de Similien.

“Él perdió la vida”, dijo Ramos.

“Pido disculpas por eso y les doy mis condolencias”, respondió Alexis.

Se ha contactado al centro en múltiples ocasiones para solicitar comentarios. No se ha recibido ninguna respuesta.

Se espera que Alexis comparezca nuevamente ante el tribunal la próxima semana.

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Near the Miami International Airport, at the state’s headquarters of the Greater Miami Expressway Agency, which runs electronic tolls at some expressways in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, DeSantis said he wants those who leaked the report prosecuted.

“I think you need to hold the people accountable who disclose this because I think it has been very serious, and it was political,” DeSantis said during a news conference.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who is campaigning for the Nov. 3 election and served as DeSantis’s chief of staff, was also at the news conference.

“If somebody shows a violation, no matter where it is, I pursue it,” said Uthmeier, who was sworn in on Feb. 17, 2025, after DeSantis’s appointment.

First Lady Casey DeSantis founded Hope Florida as a welfare assistance program on Sept. 9, 2021, and the Hope Florida Foundation started on Aug. 25, 2023.

The $67 million Medicaid settlement between Centene, a health insurer accused of overbilling, and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration was on Sept. 27, 2024. Florida Rep. Alex Andrade held public hearings into Hope Florida in 2025.

“The donation had nothing to do with anything involving Medicaid or Medicare money,” DeSantis said about the $10 million Centene gave the Hope Florida Foundation.

After Leon County State Attorney Jack Campbell led the investigation into Hope Florida, the court filed the grand jury’s report under seal on Jan. 28. The grand jury’s report leaked to Miami-Dade-based journalists in August.

“You had people that were named, went in front of a trial judge in Leon County, probably one of the most hostile judges to our administration ... and even that judge ... redacted 95% of the report that ended up leaking,” DeSantis said about Leon County Circuit Judge James Lee Marsh, who was appointed in 2018 by then Gov. Rick Scott, a U.S. Senator since 2019.

The Leon County grand jury found that Uthmeier was “in a position of authority” over those involved in the settlement, and was aware that Hope Florida “transferred” funds “to other organizations for political purposes.”

Last week, The Florida Trident reported that Andrade, who took office in 2018, filed a claim with the Internal Revenue Service about the tax-exempt status of Hope Florida, which transferred the settlement funds to nonprofits that then funded Keep Florida Clean, a political action committee that Uthmeier chaired and opposed the legalization of marijuana.

On Wednesday, in the Florida First District Court of Appeal’s majority opinion to keep the Leon County grand jury report hidden, First DCA Judge Lance E. Neff — who DeSantis appointed on March 2 — wrote that the grand jury “may not condemn people by name without indicting them.”

Nikki Fried, the Florida Democratic Party chair, said the “ruling doesn’t change what happened in the Hope Florida scandal: $10 million from a Medicaid settlement was routed through a charity tied to the governor’s wife and ultimately used to fund a political campaign.”

On Thursday, DeSantis said the request to the IRS was “fake” and the First DCA’s ruling, “the biggest judicial smackdown,” then “fully” debunked the Leon County grand jury report and “vindicates” him and his administration.

“This fully debunks this idea of any type of misappropriation; there was no misappropriation,” DeSantis said. That’s a lie. That’s a hoax. That’s a partisan exercise that people who are abusing this process tried to perpetrate.”

Watch the news conference

Cerca del Aeropuerto Internacional de Miami, en la sede estatal de la Agencia de Autopistas del Gran Miami, que administra los peajes electrónicos en algunas autopistas de los condados Miami-Dade y Monroe, DeSantis dijo que quiere que quienes filtraron el informe sean procesados judicialmente.

“Creo que es necesario responsabilizar a las personas que divulgaron esto porque considero que ha sido muy grave y tuvo motivaciones políticas”, dijo DeSantis durante una conferencia de prensa.

El fiscal general de Florida, James Uthmeier, quien está haciendo campaña para las elecciones del 3 de noviembre y se desempeñó como jefe de gabinete de DeSantis, también estuvo presente en la conferencia de prensa.

“Si alguien demuestra que hubo una violación, sin importar dónde ocurra, la investigo”, dijo Uthmeier, quien prestó juramento el 17 de febrero de 2025, después de ser nombrado por DeSantis.

La primera dama Casey DeSantis fundó Hope Florida como un programa de asistencia social el 9 de septiembre de 2021, y la Fundación Hope Florida comenzó a operar el 25 de agosto de 2023.

El acuerdo de Medicaid por $67 millones USD entre Centene, una aseguradora de salud acusada de cobrar en exceso, y la Agencia de Administración de Atención Médica de Florida se concretó el 27 de septiembre de 2024. El representante estatal de Florida Alex Andrade celebró audiencias públicas sobre Hope Florida en 2025.

“La donación no tuvo nada que ver con ningún asunto relacionado con fondos de Medicaid o Medicare”, dijo DeSantis sobre los $10 millones USD que Centene entregó a la Fundación Hope Florida.

Después de que el fiscal estatal del condado Leon, Jack Campbell, encabezara la investigación sobre Hope Florida, el tribunal presentó el informe del gran jurado bajo sello judicial el 28 de enero. El informe del gran jurado fue filtrado a periodistas con sede en Miami-Dade en agosto.

“Había personas mencionadas que comparecieron ante un juez de primera instancia en el condado Leon, probablemente uno de los jueces más hostiles hacia nuestra administración, y hasta ese juez eliminó el 95% del informe que terminó filtrándose”, dijo DeSantis sobre el juez del Tribunal de Circuito del condado Leon, James Lee Marsh, quien fue nombrado en 2018 por el entonces gobernador Rick Scott, senador federal desde 2019.

El gran jurado del condado Leon determinó que Uthmeier ocupaba “una posición de autoridad” sobre quienes participaron en el acuerdo y sabía que Hope Florida había “transferido” fondos “a otras organizaciones con fines políticos”.

La semana pasada, The Florida Trident informó que Andrade, quien asumió el cargo en 2018, presentó una reclamación ante el Servicio de Impuestos Internos (IRS) sobre la condición de exención de impuestos de Hope Florida, que transfirió los fondos del acuerdo a organizaciones sin fines de lucro que posteriormente financiaron Keep Florida Clean, un comité de acción política presidido por Uthmeier que se oponía a la legalización de la marihuana.

El miércoles, en la opinión mayoritaria del Tribunal de Apelaciones del Primer Distrito de Florida para mantener oculto el informe del gran jurado del condado Leon, el juez Lance E. Neff, nombrado por DeSantis el 2 de marzo, escribió que el gran jurado “no puede condenar a personas por su nombre sin presentar cargos formales contra ellas”.

El jueves, DeSantis dijo que la solicitud al IRS era “falsa” y que el fallo del Tribunal de Apelaciones del Primer Distrito, “el mayor revés judicial”, desacreditó entonces “por completo” el informe del gran jurado del condado Leon y lo “reivindica” a él y a su administración.

“Esto desacredita por completo la idea de cualquier tipo de malversación; no hubo ninguna malversación”, dijo DeSantis. “Eso es mentira. Eso es un engaño. Es una maniobra partidista que personas que están abusando de este proceso intentaron perpetrar”.

Vea la conferencia de prensa.

Tras un mes de audiencias, la Fiscalía del estado de Baja California y la defensa de tres de los detenidos por el caso presentarán el jueves los alegatos finales en un juicio que atrajo la atención de los medios locales e internacionales. Para el viernes está previsto que el juez del caso anuncie el veredicto.

Durante la penúltima audiencia se espera que comparezcan Martin y Debra Robinson, padres de los hermanos australianos Callum y Jake Robinson quienes fueron asesinados junto a su amigo estadounidense Jack Carter Rhoad.

Los hermanos Robinson y Carter Rhoad viajaron en abril de 2024 a Baja California para surfear, pero poco después de llegar al poblado de Punta San José, a unos 80 kilómetros de la ciudad costera de Ensenada, fueron reportados como desaparecidos. Sus cuerpos fueron localizados el 3 de mayo dentro de un pozo en las cercanías de Punta San José.

Martin y Debra Robinson se trasladaron desde Australia a Ensenada para presenciar el juicio por el crimen de sus hijos. “Sé que ellos querrían que estuviéramos aquí; ellos harían lo mismo por nosotros”, expresó el padre al inicio del proceso que comenzó el 7 de septiembre.

Por el caso fueron detenidos en 2024 Jesús Gerardo García, alias “el Kekas”, quien es señalado como presunto autor material de los asesinatos, su expareja Ary Gisell Silva Raya, y dos de sus supuestos colaboradores Irineo Francisco “N” y Ángel Jesús “N”.

Silva Raya, a quien las autoridades le incautaron un teléfono de una de las víctimas, fue sentenciada en noviembre pasado a 20 años de cárcel, luego de declararse culpable de los delitos de “robo calificado con violencia” y “robo de vehículo con violencia” en un procedimiento abreviado. Pero García y sus dos presuntos colaboradores decidieron ir a juicio.

Durante el proceso se dieron a conocer escalofriantes detalles del brutal asesinato de los tres extranjeros. Ante el juez y en presencia de los padres de los hermanos Robinson, Silva Raya contó el mes pasado que García le confesó que llegó con una pistola 9 milímetros a la casa de campaña donde estaban los extranjeros, quienes al verlo comenzaron a lanzarle sus pertenencias para evitar que los agrediera, y que uno de ellos le suplicó por su vida, lo que el presunto agresor no atendió.

De acuerdo con el informe de la fiscalía estatal, Silva Raya llegó a Punta San José el 27 de abril de 2024, donde tuvo contacto con los tres extranjeros, e “instigó a uno de sus acompañantes a despojarlos de sus bienes”, lo que se concretó un día después.

La fiscal estatal María Elena Andrade Ramírez dijo a la prensa que “el Kekas” —palabra que en la jerga local significa quesadillas o tortillas de queso-– trató de apoderarse de las llantas y otras partes de una camioneta en la que viajaban los extranjeros, pero que al resistirse éstos al robo, presuntamente los asesinó y luego ocultó los cuerpos en un pozo.

Jeff Derderian, de Local 10 News, viajó hasta Pensacola Beach, donde se ha registrado un aumento considerable en el tamaño de las olas que continúan golpeando la costa.

Los residentes viven con la inminente realidad de una gran tormenta que, lenta pero seguramente, avanza en su dirección.

Es una sensación familiar para muchos residentes de Florida que han tenido que lidiar con los preparativos para una tormenta y la preocupación por un futuro incierto después de su impacto.

Isaias pasó de tormenta tropical a huracán y se espera que mantenga su intensidad de huracán cuando finalmente toque tierra.

Algunas personas en el área intentaban aprovechar los últimos momentos de sol antes de que la tormenta se acercara.

“Creo que está precioso aquí en este momento”, dijo Heather Drennan, quien está de visita desde Mississippi. “Estoy un poco nerviosa por esta tarde, pero estoy disfrutando de mis vacaciones”.

Los residentes de la zona han estado ocupados preparándose para el impacto de la tormenta, llenando sacos de arena y abasteciéndose de suministros para huracanes.

Varias personas que se hospedaban en un parque de vehículos recreativos estaban empacando y marchándose el jueves, ya que no querían correr el riesgo de quedar atrapadas durante la tormenta.

“Sí, es una lástima”, dijo Amanda Willis, quien está de visita desde Alabama. “No es la primera vez. Surgió bastante rápido, pero sabíamos toda la semana que iba a llover y todo eso, pero no que habría un huracán”.

“Si esto es real, mañana por la noche, con la llegada de la tormenta, esto no es algo que se deba tomar a la ligera”, agregó Jeff Willis. “Hemos estado aquí cuando el agua corría por las calles y tuvimos que ayudar a personas a sacar sus automóviles de la calle empujándolos. Ya hemos sufrido inundaciones aquí, así que simplemente estamos haciendo lo más seguro”.

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Detectives say Hood stole two gold chains worth about $110,000 from a man she met at Booby Trap on the River in August.

Miami police call it “robbery by seduction.”

Weeks later, investigators say Hood was back at the Booby Trap and went home with another man to keep the party going. Police say the man woke up and discovered he had been robbed.

According to police, the stolen jewelry, apparel and U.S. currency totaled $25,400.

A look into Hood’s background found she was arrested by deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office last year after agreeing to accept $120 in exchange for sex acts from an undercover detective.

Hood is also connected to a story Local 10 reported in May. She was accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars in jewelry and a $14,000 Rolex from a man at the Candlewood Suites in Miami. Prosecutors said she may have drugged that victim.

Investigators also say that days later, she stole $60,000 worth of valuables from another man in Brickell.

Hood turned herself in to Miami police with the help of her lawyer.

She was ordered by a judge to stay away from the Booby Trap on the River at 1651 Southwest 13th Avenue in Miami.

Hood was on bond when police say she committed these crimes. She is now being held on a second-degree grand theft charge.

As of Thursday evening, she was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where her bond was listed as “to be set.”

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Local 10 News’ Jeff Derderian traveled up to Pensacola Beach, which has seen a considerable increase in the size of the waves that continue crashing onto the coast.

Locals are living with the looming reality of a major storm, slowly but surely moving in their direction.

It’s a familiar feeling for many Florida residents who have had to deal with the preparation for a storm and the concern of an unknown future after it hits.

Isaias was upgraded to a hurricane from a tropical storm and is expected to remain at hurricane strength when it eventually makes landfall.

Local resident Steve Nord lives just a couple blocks from the ocean.

He’s been in the area since 1965 and has seen a few storms roll in over the years.

On Thursday, he was pulling the straps extra tight on his boat.

“We are just getting the lightweight boats out, because if the (storm) surge gets up this high, tying them to the bushes won’t really help,” said Nord.

Officials said they have around 50 ambulances on standby from six states to help with extra 911 calls or to transport people when emergency crews are needed.

“Some of the healthcare facilities may be inundated, so we are ready to evacuate those facilities pre landfall and post landfall,” said Pafford Medical Services COO Clay Hobbs.

Some people in the area were trying to soak in whatever sun was left before the looming storm moved closer.

“I think its gorgeous out here right now,” said Heather Drennan, who is visiting from Mississippi. “I’m a little nervous for this afternoon, but enjoying my vacation.”

Locals who live in the area have been busy preparing for the storm’s impact by filling sand bags and loading up on hurricane supplies.

Several folks staying at an RV park were packing up and heading out on Thursday, not wanting to take any chances of getting stuck during a storm.

“Yeah, it’s a bummer,” said Amanda Willis, who is visiting from Alabama. “It’s not the first time. It came up kind of quick, but we knew all week that there was going to be rain and stuff, but not a hurricane.”

“If this is real, tomorrow night with the storm coming in, this isn’t anything to play with,” added Jeff Willis. “We’ve been here when water was rolling across the street and we’ve had to help people push their cars out of the street. We’ve been flooded here, so we’re just doing the safe thing.”

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Surveillance video showed Dhaunte Richardson during thefts in South Miami and Hialeah that he confessed to on Wednesday, according to two police arrest reports.

Richardson confessed to stealing a ring valued at $5,000 shortly before 11:20 a.m. on Oct. 3 from Macy’s at Westland Mall, at 1777 West 49 St., in Hialeah, according to police.

Richardson, who fled the mall in a silver Jaguar, gave a “full confession and admitted to his involvement in the grand theft,” a police officer wrote, according to the report.

Richardson, who was born in New York and lives in the Ives Estates neighborhood, also confessed to a car burglary recorded on surveillance video on Tuesday at 5958 South Dixie Highway in South Miami, according to police.

On Wednesday night, a Hialeah detective who was investigating a burglary conducted a traffic stop at Northwest 87th Avenue and 170th Street in Miami-Dade’s Medley area, near Hialeah Gardens, according to a police report.

In a medium-sized zippered bag that Richardson had on the passenger seat, the Hialeah detective found six Florida identifications, four credit cards, and four checks that didn’t have his name, according to police.

“The four recovered checks had a combined face value of $6,519.94,” the detective wrote, adding that one was from Chase and three were from TD Bank, according to the report.

The detective detained Richardson and took him to the Hialeah Police Department’s headquarters, at 5555 East Eighth Ave., for questioning, records show.

“Richardson stated that he didn’t know any of the individuals whose identification documents were recovered ... further stated that he found a bag in Miami Beach in March,” a detective wrote, according to the arrest report.

The detective arrested Richardson, and Miami-Dade corrections booked him shortly after 5:25 p.m. on Wednesday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, according to inmate records.

Richardson faced four charges in the three new cases that prosecutors filed on Thursday, according to Miami-Dade County court records.

For the South Miami case, Richardson faced one count of third-degree grand theft and one count of burglary of an occupied conveyance.

For the Hialeah case, Richardson faced one count of third-degree grand theft.

For the Medley case, Richardson faced one count of fraudulent use, creation, or unauthorized possession of personal identification information.

Richardson appeared in bond court on Thursday. Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Laura Maria Gonzalez-Marques was set to preside over the three cases. His bond was $15,000.

Un video de vigilancia mostró a Dhaunte Richardson durante robos en South Miami y Hialeah que confesó haber cometido el miércoles, según dos informes de arresto de la policía.

Richardson confesó haber robado un anillo valorado en $5,000 USD poco antes de las 11:20 a.m. del 3 de octubre de Macy’s en Westland Mall, ubicado en 1777 West 49 St., en Hialeah, según la policía.

Richardson, quien huyó del centro comercial en un Jaguar plateado, hizo una “confesión completa y admitió su participación en el robo mayor”, escribió un agente de policía, según el informe.

Richardson, quien nació en Nueva York y vive en el vecindario de Ives Estates, también confesó haber cometido un robo en un automóvil captado por cámaras de vigilancia el martes en 5958 South Dixie Highway, en South Miami, según la policía.

La noche del miércoles, un detective de Hialeah que investigaba un robo realizó una parada de tráfico en Northwest 87th Avenue y 170th Street, en el área de Medley de Miami-Dade, cerca de Hialeah Gardens, según un informe policial.

En un bolso mediano con cremallera que Richardson tenía en el asiento del pasajero, el detective de Hialeah encontró seis documentos de identificación de Florida, cuatro tarjetas de crédito y cuatro cheques que no estaban a su nombre, según la policía.

“Los cuatro cheques recuperados tenían un valor nominal combinado de $6,519.94 USD”, escribió el detective, quien agregó que uno era de Chase y tres eran de TD Bank, según el informe.

El detective detuvo a Richardson y lo trasladó a la sede del Departamento de Policía de Hialeah, ubicada en 5555 East Eighth Ave., para interrogarlo, según los registros.

“Richardson declaró que no conocía a ninguna de las personas cuyos documentos de identificación fueron recuperados, además afirmó que encontró un bolso en Miami Beach en marzo”, escribió un detective, según el informe de arresto.

El detective arrestó a Richardson y el Departamento de Correcciones de Miami-Dade lo ingresó poco después de las 5:25 p.m. del miércoles en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight, según los registros de reclusos.

Richardson enfrentaba cuatro cargos en los tres nuevos casos presentados por los fiscales el jueves, según los registros judiciales del condado Miami-Dade.

Por el caso de South Miami, Richardson enfrentaba un cargo de robo mayor en tercer grado y otro de robo en un vehículo ocupado.

Por el caso de Hialeah, Richardson enfrentaba un cargo de robo mayor en tercer grado.

Por el caso de Medley, Richardson enfrentaba un cargo de uso fraudulento, creación o posesión no autorizada de información de identificación personal.

Richardson compareció ante el tribunal de fianzas el jueves. La jueza del Tribunal de Circuito del condado Miami-Dade, Laura Maria Gonzalez-Marques, estaba designada para presidir los tres casos. Su fianza fue fijada en $15,000 USD.

Los detectives indican que Hood robó dos cadenas de oro valoradas en aproximadamente $110,000 USD a un hombre que conoció en Booby Trap on the River en agosto.

La policía de Miami lo llama “robo mediante seducción”.

Semanas después, los investigadores indican que Hood regresó a Booby Trap y se fue a casa con otro hombre para continuar la fiesta. La policía señala que el hombre despertó y descubrió que le habían robado.

Según la policía, las joyas, prendas de vestir y dinero en efectivo robados sumaban un total de $25,400 USD.

Una revisión de los antecedentes de Hood reveló que fue arrestada el año pasado por agentes de la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade después de aceptar recibir $120 USD a cambio de actos sexuales con un detective encubierto.

Hood también está vinculada a una noticia que Local 10 reportó en mayo. Fue acusada de robar decenas de miles de dólares en joyas y un reloj Rolex de $14,000 USD a un hombre en el hotel Candlewood Suites de Miami. Los fiscales indicaron que posiblemente drogó a esa víctima.

Los investigadores también señalan que, días después, robó objetos de valor por $60,000 USD a otro hombre en Brickell.

Hood se entregó a la policía de Miami con la ayuda de su abogado.

Un juez le ordenó mantenerse alejada de Booby Trap on the River, ubicado en 1651 Southwest 13th Avenue en Miami.

Hood se encontraba en libertad bajo fianza cuando, según la policía, cometió estos delitos. Actualmente está detenida por un cargo de robo mayor en segundo grado.

Hasta la noche del jueves, permanecía detenida en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight, donde su fianza figuraba como “pendiente de establecer”.

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance said “I don’t love” the idea of a U.S. official asking another person to pay off debts in exchange for access to other government officials, but declined to comment further until he knew all the details.

“Of course, I don’t like anybody selling access to another government official, certainly a high-level government official,” Vance told reporters in Washington later Thursday. “I assume you’re talking about a specific case, and I can’t say with confidence that the case you’re talking about is actually reflective of the way you’re describing it.”

During his trip to Greece, Rubio told reporters that he would not discuss the allegations contained in a Wall Street Journal story that said Guilfoyle had asked a donor and supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump to pay a $100,000 credit card bill just before her confirmation hearing, promising him access to administration officials if he did.

He spoke before leaving Greece, where he delivered a speech calling for European countries to return to what he described as their civilizational roots.

Rubio said he was aware of The Wall Street Journal’s report, which was published late Wednesday, but had no idea if it was true and he would not address it.

“You guys walk around thinking that because some source told you something and you reported it, it’s the gospel. It’s not the gospel. It’s not the gospel for me. That’s not the way we do things,” he said at the foot of his plane as Guilfoyle, who was there to see him depart Greece, looked on.

At a joint news conference with the Greek foreign minister on Wednesday, Rubio said he would not address the allegations while visiting a foreign country, but added: “Suffice it to say our embassy here is doing a great job. Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here.”

The top two Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees have called for an investigation into Guilfoyle, but Rubio would not say if he was prepared to open one.

Congressional Democrats already were looking into claims reported last month by the Wall Street Journal that Guilfoyle acted improperly while serving as the top U.S. envoy to Greece.

The Journal reported that Guilfoyle told guests at a reception that the U.S. could undermine the Greek government if it chose to, promoted the business interests of one particular Greek construction and energy company, and allowed its lobbyist into private diplomatic meetings.

Guilfoyle, a former Fox News Channel host and California prosecutor who was once engaged to Trump’s son Donald Jr., has denied any wrongdoing and Rubio has defended her before.

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Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim contributed to this report from Washington. This version corrects the day of the news conference to Wednesday.

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The crash occurred at about 12:48 a.m. near Southwest Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street, police said. The victim was identified as Elias Schaber, according to investigators.

Investigators believe the vehicle involved was a dark-colored 2020 to 2025 Toyota Corolla that was last seen traveling toward the Little Havana area.

Police said the car is expected to have extensive windshield damage and possible damage to the front passenger side.

Authorities are asking anyone who recognizes a car matching the description — including one belonging to a neighbor or co-worker or one that appears at a body shop — to contact the Miami Police Department at 305-579-6111.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.

El accidente ocurrió alrededor de las 12:48 a.m. cerca de Southwest Seventh Avenue y Seventh Street, indicó la policía. La víctima fue identificada como Elias Schaber, según los investigadores.

Los investigadores creen que el vehículo involucrado era un Toyota Corolla de color oscuro, modelo entre 2020 y 2025, que fue visto por última vez circulando hacia el área de La Pequeña Habana.

La policía indicó que se espera que el automóvil presente daños considerables en el parabrisas y posibles daños en la parte delantera del lado del pasajero.

Las autoridades piden a cualquier persona que reconozca un automóvil que coincida con la descripción, incluido uno perteneciente a un vecino o compañero de trabajo, o uno que aparezca en un taller de carrocería, que se comunique con el Departamento de Policía de Miami al 305-579-6111.

También se puede proporcionar información de manera anónima a Crime Stoppers de Miami-Dade al 305-471-8477.

El accidente, que involucró a un solo vehículo, ocurrió cerca de la intersección de Oakland Park Boulevard y Northwest 94th Avenue, según la policía de Sunrise.

La policía indicó que el conductor fue rescatado del lago y trasladado a un hospital por equipos de bomberos y rescate.

Sky 10 sobrevoló la escena alrededor de la 1:31 p.m., donde el camión se encontraba completamente sumergido en el agua después de aparentemente atravesar un muro. También había buzos en el lugar, que estaba rodeado por cinta de seguridad policial.

El sexo, la edad, la identidad y el estado de salud del conductor, así como las circunstancias del accidente, no fueron divulgados de inmediato.

Loggerhead moms do the bulk of the work here, of course. But they get oversight and protection from a team of hundreds of volunteers and professionals who fan out on beaches from Cumberland to Tybee nearly every day from May through August. The effort is even more intense on Wassaw Island where rotating groups of ecotourists stay up all night to document the turtles that nest at this national wildlife refuge.

A crew from The Current GA set out to document this labor of love, spending the night on Wassaw, babysitting Tybee nests that stubbornly resisted hatching, and walking the Tybee beach at sunrise.

Dawn patrol

Job number one is find the nests at dawn after turtles have laid them overnight. Alli Caldwell, programs director at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, patrols the beach frequently. The science center oversees the Tybee Island Sea Turtle Project, which like all the Georgia sea turtle monitoring, is run under the direction of the Department of Natural Resources’ loggerhead guru Mark Dodd.

On July 2, Caldwell surveyed the southern half of Tybee beach, setting off before dawn and scanning the sand for the telltale sign that a loggerhead mama had lugged itself up the beach to lay its eggs and then returned to the sea: a looping track that resembles a single heavily treaded tire.

It was the height of the summer season and by 6:30 a.m. a couple dozen tourists lounged on the beach near the pier. Still no tracks in sight, Caldwell doublechecked an already recorded nest marked by caution tape, a printed sign and screening atop the sand to discourage predators and overly curious beachgoers.

All good. She noted ghost crab tracks on several nests and a hole from a ghost crab at one, but no serious predation. With 41 nests recorded by July 2, Tybee had already shattered its previous record of 35 nests set four years ago. The loggerheads were so prolific that the science center had to order more nest-marking supplies, ending the season with 59 sea turtle nests.

And beachgoers are more informed than ever. On Tybee, one young woman noted Caldwell’s sea turtle volunteer shirt and congratulated her on the record number of nests.

As Caldwell scouted the southern end of Tybee, Science Center board member Tim Mescon and his wife Lauren scoured the northern half of the island this day, also on foot, leaving no part of the 5-mile beach unscrutinized.

Loggerheads take a long time to grow up, only beginning to nest when they’re about 25-30 years old. So the turtles nesting this year owe their existence to protections begun before the turn of the century. That includes the introduction of turtle excluder devices that prevent turtles from drowning in shrimp nets as well as this extensive beach monitoring, a program in place coastwide since 1989.

Night vigil

On Wassaw Island, the action begins after sunset, when sea turtles nest. Savannah-based Caretta Research Project recruits volunteers, each of whom pays to stay at the island’s rustic cabin for a week of working the night shift.

“It’s stifling heat, vicious bugs, and the humidity is awful,” sums up Caretta’s project director Kris Williams Carroll. “There’s no privacy, but the turtles are awesome.”

The project, named for the loggerhead’s Latin designation, Caretta caretta, is the longest continuously running saturation tagging program in the U.S. It’s in its 54th year. At about 8 p.m. on a sweltering night in July, Carroll hopped in her Kawasaki mule to scour the beach for nesting turtles. She sent her deputies and volunteers in the other direction, all the better to cover the island’s seven miles of pristine beach.

Carroll headed first to a nest that hatched three days prior, the first hatch of the season. It’s a process repeated up and down the coast for every nest that emerges.

“Oh my gosh, they were right up on top,” Carroll said as she removed the screening and brushed away sand to reveal three wriggling hatchlings that failed to emerge with their siblings.

Setting the stragglers aside temporarily, Carroll counted the unhatched eggs, eggshells and live hatchlings to determine nest success. She also snipped off a sliver of tissue from the front flipper of several dead hatchlings for genetic testing at the University of Georgia. Research scientist Brian Shamblin’s lab there has been testing loggerhead eggs for maternal DNA since the mid-2000s and has created a robust database of the adult female loggerhead population. Now he’s begun tracking males, too, using both DNA from the dead hatchlings as well as DNA from one egg from each nest.

Like the dawn patrollers, Carroll looks for tracks, but because it’s nighttime she’s also watching for female sea turtles making their way across the beach.

Less than an hour into patrols, one team spots a meterlong loggerhead digging her nest at the southern tip of the island. The turtle has wedged against a foot-high cliff of sand. She digs alternating left and right back flipper throwing sand outwards as she does. Laying eggs puts her in a trancelike state.

Caretta’s lead biologist Jadyn Sethna removes one egg, still slick with mucus, for genetic testing. A scan of the turtle’s flippers reveal a PIT tag – like the kind used to identify pets. The internal tag along with a metal flipper tag reveal her to be a turtle named Mia (after the daughter of a friend of Carroll).

Once Mia starts laying it goes quickly. Since she’s already laid nests this season on Wassaw – loggerheads typically lay three or four nests per nesting season every two to three years – there’s less work to do on her. Mia camouflages her nest by scattering sand with her flippers, paying little mind to the people gathered around her.

Sethna rubs a hand against Mia’s shell to brush off sand before she measures the turtle’s length and width. As she does, algae on the shell glows with bioluminescence.

When Mia’s finished laying she makes her way to the surf, rocking side to side on flippers made for swimming but pressed into more awkward service on the beach.

The second nester of the night lands further north. What looks like a shark bite on the back of her shell has healed and doesn’t seem to bother her. She’s a thinner shape than Mia, but about the same length.

She has no tag, so the team gets to work injecting a PIT tag. They then clamp a metal tag to her front left flipper and record the tag numbers. They also take skin samples from her shoulder area for DNA analysis. This turtle, too, donates an egg to the ongoing DNA analysis.

Welcome, hatchling

On some parts of the Georgia coast, including Tybee Island, volunteers and professionals babysit turtle nests that are about to hatch.

That’s what put Tyler Hood, an aquarist with the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, at nest #26 about 50 days after it was laid on June 8. A bowl-shaped depression on the top of the nest indicated movement below and an impending hatch.

When she arrived near sunset at the nest south of Gullick Street, Hood found a dead hatchling poking out of the nest. It had emerged in daylight, a fatal mistake, and its front flipper got entangled in tiny plant roots from a nearby dune, leaving it exposed to the hot sun.

Hood popped it into her shirt pocket for later genetic testing.

Minutes later, she saw another hatchling, this one very much alive.

“That’s a head. That’s a little baby sea turtle head,” she said. “It just hatched.”

The tiny turtle struggled through a maze of grasses, flopping over, righting itself and eventually making his way to open beach and the water.

It turned out to be the only hatchling to make it out of the nest as Hood watched. Rain drove her and the other onlookers inside. That means Hood missed the “boil” which is when the majority of the more than 100 hatchlings in a typical nest scramble out of the nest in quick succession.

So did a team from The Current GA, which tried that night and three others to witness a nest boil, staring at the sand atop a ready-to-hatch nest for hours to no avail.

That’s not surprising, said Dodd, the state’s sea turtle program coordinator. The hatchlings typically boil out at nighttime when no one is on the beach, even a popular one like Tybee.

“If you get to see it you’ve seen a really rare thing,” he said.

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This story was originally published by The Current and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

Hegseth, speaking to the conservative TV outlet Real America’s Voice News on Wednesday, said the execution of Hasan will take place at Fort Hood on Dec. 3. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 others in a shooting at the military base in 2009.

“We’ll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it’s public,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth spoke to the outlet aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier while visiting the long-deployed crew, who supported the Iran war, before their arrival at their home port in San Diego.

When asked if Hasan had made any final requests or reached out to the Trump administration, Hegseth simply replied: “Don’t care. We’ll see him on December 3rd.”

Officials in the Pentagon clarified Thursday that the execution will be livestreamed and that more details would follow.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell had said Monday that President Donald Trump had approved the execution of Hasan.

Trump has previously been critical of public executions in Iran, at times using the possibility of protesters being killed by the Iranian government as a possible rationale for military action. Those warnings preceded his ultimate choice to attack Iran at the end of February over its ballistic missiles and the risk of it developing nuclear weapons.

“We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping,” Trump told reporters on Jan. 14 of this year. “It’s stopping and there’s no plan for executions.”

He repeated that claim on Jan. 20 at a White House press briefing, saying: “We let them know that if that happens, that will be a very bad day for them. And they decided not to do it. They didn’t hang the people.”

Slightly more than a month later in his State of the Union address, Trump said, “We stopped them from hanging a lot of them with the threat of serious violence.”

The White House on Thursday immediately referred questions about the plans for the livestreamed execution to the Pentagon.

However, experts on military law said Hasan could choose to resist execution and file a habeas petition in civilian court, which could significantly delay the execution.

“It frankly might outlast the current administration, and who knows if the next one will have the same penchant for executions,” Eugene R. Fidell, a visiting lecturer at Yale Law School specializing in military law.

Hasan, an Army psychiatrist who held the rank of major, walked into a medical building where soldiers were were waiting in long lines to receive immunizations and medical clearance for deployment. He shouted “Allahu akbar” — Arabic for “God is great!” — and opened fire with a laser-sighted handgun.

During the trial it was revealed that Hasan spent weeks planning the deadly attack, and his preparation included videotaping a sales clerk showing him how to change the magazine on the pistol that he purchased. He would later go to a gun range outside Austin and ask for advice on how to reload with speed and precision from an instructor.

Soldiers later testified that Hasan’s rapid reloading made it all but impossible to stop the shooting. Investigators recovered 146 shell casings inside the building and dozens more outside, where Hasan shot at the backs of soldiers fleeing toward the parking lot.

Hasan said it was an effort to stop them from going to Afghanistan and killing his fellow Muslims. A military judge barred him from presenting that as a defense during his trial. Hasan made almost no effort to defend himself in court, telling jurors when he acted as his own counsel that evidence would show he was the shooter and describing himself as a soldier who had “switched sides.”

Hegseth said the military hasn’t executed a servicemember by firing squad since World War II. The last military execution took place on April 13, 1961, when Army Pvt. John Bennett was executed by hanging.

Bolsonaro, a 42-year-old former lawmaker who lives in Texas and is a green card holder, was sentenced for lobbying to impose sanctions against members of the Brazilian government and implement higher tariffs on the country’s exports during the trial of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, for a coup attempt. The U.S. and Brazil have had an extradition agreement since 1961, but it wasn't immediately clear whether the terms would apply.

His lawyer didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. Members of the Trump administration have never made comments about Eduardo Bolsonaro's conviction.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes' decision came less than three weeks before a runoff for the country’s presidency between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, who won the most votes in the first round on Sunday. Eduardo Bolsonaro has been a key link between his brother and the Trump administration.

De Moraes, who the Bolsonaro family regards as a political enemy, also canceled Eduardo Bolsonaro's Brazilian passport. The judge chaired the investigation that led to Jair Bolsonaro being sentenced last year to 27 years in prison for a coup attempt, but has since been involved in corruption accusations.

The justice said in his ruling that Eduardo Bolsonaro should start serving his sentence immediately and warned the country's federal police that he should be arrested if he returns to Brazil.

“The defendant cannot benefit from his own wrongdoing by fleeing the national territory to an unknown location for the purpose of thwarting the application of criminal law,” the judge said.

Eduardo Bolsonaro has lived in the U.S. since 2025, which has caused him to lose his seat in the Brazilian National Congress and his job as a federal police investigator because of his long absence.

The Trump administration would have to approve an extradition request for Bolsonaro, which is unlikely, said Raphael Vieira da Fonseca Rocha, a law professor at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora.

Due to the unlikeliness of an extradition being granted, “requesting it through the existing diplomatic channels of international legal cooperation would weaken the Supreme Court,” Fonseca Rocha said.

He said the Supreme Court probably won’t even try and instead appeared to be applying pressure by cancelling his passport.

The former lawmaker gave his brother's presidential bid a boost on May 26 by taking him to the White House to meet Trump. At the time, Flávio Bolsonaro was under fire for his confessed links to a disgraced banker, which analysts believed could derail his candidacy.

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AP journalist Eléonore Hughes contributed to this report from Rio de Janeiro.

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Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

At issue is an $80 million redevelopment plan that supporters say will transform the waterfront but opponents warn could come at a cost to Biscayne Bay.

David Filler, senior vice president of development for Suntex Marinas, laid out plans for an $80 million makeover of the Rickenbacker Marina and the five-parcel, 27-acre property surrounding the Miami Marine Stadium basin.

“You’re going to see an open-to-the-public baywalk connecting the rowing club and Marine Stadium all the way to the Rusty Pelican,” Filler said.

“This whole area will be open, so you can kayak along this area. You can walk. You can run. You can rollerblade. You can bike. You’ll be able to eat at shops and restaurants,” he said. “It’s going to transform this from a private, basically, facility to a public one on public lands.”

But whether Filler’s vision becomes reality is up to City of Miami voters. Referendum 3 asks them to approve a long-term lease for the private redevelopment of the publicly owned waterfront property.

“It’s all privately funded at no cost to taxpayers,” Filler said.

Opponents question the potential cost to the environment. Friends of Biscayne Bay and the Sierra Club strongly oppose the project, warning it could further damage the bay’s already fragile ecosystem.

“We’re at the tipping point, and the more you shade over seagrass or dredge and silt over seagrass, the more issues we have for manatees, for fish, and for our water quality,” said Laura Reynolds, policy advisor for Friends of Biscayne Bay.

Filler pushed back, saying the redevelopment will actually improve environmental conditions at the site.

“This marina is currently operating as an environmental hazard. It has complete stormwater runoff with toxins going into the bay,” he said.

Ron Schults, CEO of Edgewater Group and the engineer and environmental consultant for the project, said the team has found violations at the marina.

“We’ve actually identified 69 DERM violations over the last 32 years, and the first step will be to fix those things and bring it up to code,” Schults said.

He pointed out what he said were examples of runoff and dirty stormwater at the marina.

“So this is a stormwater pipe that was recently installed. You can see it sheet-drains the whole parking lot, so all the solvents that come off of cars, tire dust, oils, gases, solvents, etc., go directly into the bay,” Schults said.

We checked with DERM, which now says the majority of the violations on that list have been resolved or closed.

DERM said the marina’s pump station is currently under a temporary moratorium, but the facility has not been issued a notice and is operating under its permit conditions.

The marina’s current operator also said every item on the list provided by developers was closed out through DERM’s normal inspection process.

“We just got our marina operator permit with DERM renewed. If we had any open violations or any citations, we would not have renewed our marina operator’s permit from DERM, which we just over a week ago got renewed. We’re in constant contact with every agency, and no one has cited us,” said Aabad Melwani, president of Rickenbacker Marina.

The proposed marina would have up to 202 wet slips, roughly the same number that exists today. But project renderings show slips accommodating much larger vessels. For perspective, the docks are 80 feet long, yet some of the yachts depicted extend well beyond that and are larger than any vessel currently at the marina. Still, Filler said the number of large yachts will be limited.

“The four to five boats that it could possibly handle that are 100 feet are all the way at the very end of the marina,” Filler said.

The renderings in the RFP depict more than four or five large yachts. And the larger the vessel, the deeper its draft, or the amount of hull below the waterline. A 100-foot motor yacht can draw six feet or more. The problem: the waters surrounding Virginia Key are notoriously shallow.

“What that means is increased dredging,” Reynolds said.

Asked whether there will be dredging, Filler said: “The only dredging that would occur, if it’s even necessary, would be what’s called maintenance dredging, where it’s areas of previously dredged areas where you’re cleaning it up.”

But the developers’ own proposal acknowledges a phase two that may require maintenance dredging, with the RFP allowing depths of eight to nine feet. The marina today averages four to five feet.

“It’s a problem for having to dredge deeper. More silt is going to go over top of seagrass,” Reynolds said.

Exactly how much dredging would ultimately be needed, and its potential impact on the bay, would have to be determined by the permitting process. But first, the redevelopment needs voter approval, so City of Miami voters will get the final say.

The ballot question asks whether the city should be authorized to lease about 27.5 acres on Virginia Key for the proposed redevelopment.

If you want the new plan to move forward, you vote yes. If not, you vote no.

Correction: An earlier version of this article erroneously stated that the five-parcel property surrounding the Miami Marine Stadium basin is 75 acres when it is, in fact, 27 acres. The article has since been corrected.

Besides becoming the first player to three-peat, Wilson also won the award in 2020 and 2022.

The 30-year-old Wilson once again led the league in scoring (26.2) while shooting nearly 53% from the field. She also averaged 9.4 rebounds, a career-best 3.2 assists and 1.9 blocks.

Wilson has the defending champion Aces back in the WNBA semifinals for the eighth consecutive season although Las Vegas is down 2-0 in the best-of-five series against Golden State.

Wilson received 65 first-place votes and nine second-place votes (total 713 points) from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Minnesota’s Olivia Miles received six first-place votes and 40 second-place votes (442 points), while Indiana guards Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark followed with 287 and 212 points, respectively.

No WNBA player besides Wilson has more than three MVPs, with Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson each having a trio of them. On the NBA side, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had six and Michael Jordan and Bill Russell each had five.

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See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

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Alicia Vaccaro was cross-examined for about 90 minutes as attorneys continued presenting evidence in the case. Keeta Vaccaro is seeking damages, alleging that Hill physically and emotionally abused her over several years. Hill has adamantly denied the allegations.

A key piece of evidence discussed in court Thursday was a baby monitor video that the judge did not allow the media to record.

Jurors heard audio from the video, in which Keeta Vaccaro and Hill can be heard yelling profanities as loud banging is heard in the background. Prosecutors say their newborn baby was sleeping during the confrontation.

At one point, Hill said he wanted a divorce and indicated he was going to get the baby. Alicia Vaccaro testified that she intervened because she was concerned for the child’s safety.

“I walked outside the door, and he was pressed up against her. I went toward them. He pushed me back,” Alicia Vaccaro said. “He was screaming, hollering, saying bad words, and then he was gonna go and get the baby. My first instinct was to protect the baby.”

She said she and Keeta then went into the room with the baby and asked Hill not to hurt the child.

Alicia Vaccaro acknowledged during cross-examination that she did not personally see Hill strike her daughter. But she testified that what she witnessed and heard contributed to her view that the relationship was volatile.

Her testimony followed several days of allegations from Keeta Vaccaro, who has described multiple encounters in which she says Hill physically assaulted her or behaved aggressively toward her.

On Wednesday, Vaccaro testified about a confrontation in which she said Hill pushed her onto a bed, threw items around the room and wrestled with her. She also described an incident in which she said Hill tried to remove her wedding ring and told her he wanted a divorce.

Jurors were also shown photographs from a hotel room following a confrontation Vaccaro attributed to Hill.

On Thursday, Vaccaro’s legal team called another expert witness to testify about the psychological impact she says the relationship had on their client.

Joining the Miami courtroom by Zoom was Dr. Sheila Rapa, a forensic psychologist who evaluated Vaccaro and testified about her impressions following that evaluation.

Rapa testified that she diagnosed Vaccaro with post-traumatic stress disorder.

She described symptoms she said were consistent with trauma, including Vaccaro feeling as though she was not fully present in her life and what she characterized as dissociation.

Rapa also discussed what she described as Vaccaro’s heightened awareness of Hill’s mood.

“I would wait to see what kind of mood he was in,” Rapa testified, describing that as an example of dissociation.

Vaccaro’s attorneys have alleged that within a month of marrying Hill in 2023, Hill began insisting that she sign a postnuptial agreement after being advised to do so by his advisors. They say Hill became increasingly frustrated when Vaccaro declined and that his behavior was at times explosive, violent and aggressive.

Vaccaro’s lawsuit asks the jury to find Hill liable for intentionally inflicting emotional distress and several counts of battery, with Vaccaro seeking monetary damages.

During her testimony, Rapa also addressed the dynamics of abusive relationships, including why someone may remain in what they describe as a toxic relationship.

She was asked whether women can become attached to the highs of an unhealthy relationship.

Rapa testified that Vaccaro described Hill as having “mean energy” at times and said she believed Vaccaro became attached to the highs of the relationship.

Rapa was also asked whether money and the lifestyle associated with the relationship could be a factor.

“Yes, I think that comes with the lifestyle,” Rapa testified.

But the defense used its cross-examination to challenge Rapa’s qualifications and the reliability of her opinion.

Attorneys representing Hill emphasized that Rapa was a hired expert rather than a treating physician and questioned her professional experience with PTSD.

“You got paid almost $6,000 to get involved in this case,” Hill’s attorney asked.

“That is correct,” Rapa responded.

The defense also established that Rapa was not Vaccaro’s treating physician.

The jury also heard from Dr. Jennifer Wilson, a therapist who later treated Vaccaro and testified virtually. Wilson said Keeta Vaccaro arrived for treatment with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Wilson said Keeta Vaccaro was experiencing difficulty sleeping, racing thoughts and trouble concentrating. She also described Vaccaro as having difficulty trusting others and frequently scanning her surroundings for potential threats.

Vaccaro’s brother, Kevin Vaccaro, also testified about changes he said he noticed in his sister’s personality.

He described one phone call in which Vaccaro told him that Hill had thrown ash or part of a blunt into her eye.

Kevin Vaccaro said he became particularly concerned when he heard his sister screaming while Hill could be heard in the background.

“She screams because Tyreek was in the background. I couldn’t tell you what the words were, but he was yelling,” he testified. “And then the line went dead, and then that’s when we really got worried about her.”

Hill’s attorney indicated that Hill could take the witness stand as soon as Thursday to give his account of the events.

Hamilton died Sept. 30 at a hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, her daughter, Lauren Hamilton, told The Associated Press on Thursday. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said on the social platform X that her work helped make humanity’s first journeys to the moon possible.

“To say Margaret Hamilton was a pioneer — to say she was ahead of her time — would be a dramatic understatement,” Olivier de Weck, the Apollo program professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and interim head of its aeronautics and astronautics department, told MIT News, a publication of the university's communications office.

“She was a software engineer at a time when that field was in its infancy,” de Weck continued, “and she not only developed advanced code herself but also led a team in using that nascent technology to develop one of the most complex systems humanity had ever achieved.”

In recent years, a photo circulated online showing a smiling Hamilton, in her early 30s, standing next to a towering stack of pages containing codes her team used during the Apollo project. A Lego set celebrating the women of NASA that was unveiled in 2017 included a figure of Hamilton. And the marking in 2019 of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing also brought attention, her daughter said.

“She definitely went from nobody knowing who she was to suddenly everyone knowing who she was, especially in her field,” Lauren Hamilton said. “And I think she was really happy to be acknowledged for what she did. But she was kind of a reserved person so the spotlight wasn’t necessarily a natural thing for her.”

Hamilton graduated with a degree in mathematics from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, in 1958 and went to work for MIT in 1959. Her early focus there included working with a meteorology professor on weather prediction software, according to the MIT News article. In the mid-1960s, she started at MIT's Instrumentation Lab, which had a NASA contract for Apollo.

After first working on software for uncrewed missions, she later led the team developing the onboard flight software for the crewed missions, and by 1968 she was assistant director in charge of the command and service module team, according to MIT News.

“We took our work seriously, many of us beginning this journey while still in our 20s,” Hamilton told MIT News in 2009. “Coming up with solutions and new ideas was an adventure.”

“Because software was a mystery, a black box, upper management gave us total freedom and trust,” she continued. “We had to find a way, and we did. Looking back, we were the luckiest people in the world; there was no choice but to be pioneers.”

She worked at the Instrumentation Lab into the 1970s and then founded two software companies, according to MIT News.

Lauren Hamilton said her mother’s biggest interest was in the abstract. “She was very much a mathematician and into the abstraction of how to turn thought, I guess, into software,” she said.

She said her mother was also “a really eccentric and fun character” who loved collecting vintage clothing and had “a very mischievous sense of humor.”

“She encountered a lot of sexism in her field but she didn’t come back aggressively,” Lauren Hamilton said. “She would disarm people with her sense of humor or … just kind of dominate quietly.”

Born on Aug. 17, 1936, in Indiana, Hamilton grew up mostly in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, her daughter said, and she lived in Cambridge from when she was in her early 20s until her death.

Hamilton received many awards and accolades, including being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in 2016 by President Barack Obama.

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Sunrise Fire-Rescue said crews responded to the crash on the west side of the facility, where the truck entered the north-south canal next to the property.

Sky 10 flew over the scene at about 1:31 p.m., where the blue Ford F-150 FX4 was fully submerged in the water after apparently crashing through a wall. Divers were also at the scene, which was surrounded by crime scene tape.

Before the city’s dive team arrived, the SFR battalion chief and an operations battalion chief entered the water without dive gear to reach the submerged vehicle, authorities said.

They said two firefighters broke a window of the sinking truck and pulled the elderly man from the vehicle.

The man was unconscious and not breathing when rescuers reached him. He was taken to Broward General Medical Center, where firefighters were able to restore a pulse and obtain a measurable blood pressure during the transport, fire rescue officials said.

They said he remained in critical condition Thursday afternoon.

Authorities said a Sunrise Police Department drone operator also responded to the scene and launched a drone within minutes of the initial dispatch. The truck has seen been towed from the scene.

Klitschko had filed the urgent petition last week, saying that pieces of Panettiere's property were being taken by federal law enforcement agents investigating her death and by an unnamed nonfamily member looking to sell them, with no one in a position to try to recover them for her daughter.

Klitschko, a Ukrainian former world champion boxer, has had full custody of the girl, Kaya, for most of her life, and she has lived with him in Ukraine. The father and daughter appeared in Los Angeles County court remotely via videoconference. They spoke only to introduce themselves at the brief hearing with only Kaya visible on camera, sitting at a table in front of curtains.

Judge Stephanie Santoro granted Klitschko the status of temporary guardian of Kaya's estate until a long-term administrator can be appointed.

Santoro asked Klitschko's lawyer, Diane Park, why the matter was urgent. Park said they believed a person described only as a nonrelative had taken items after Panettiere's death and had tried to sell some of her jewelry at a pawn shop. And she said assets were in danger of going unaccounted for during the death investigation. Court documents said authority was needed to deal with both the pawnshop owner and police agencies. Panettiere’s taxes also need to be filed this month, the lawyer said. Santoro, satisfied with the explanation, approved the move.

Panettiere, the former star of the TV series “Heroes” and “Nashville,” was pronounced dead in an apartment in Greenville, South Carolina, on Aug. 16 at age 36 after paramedics found her unresponsive. A coroner’s report obtained by The Associated Press said her death was from an accidental overdose of several drugs, including fentanyl. She had been in rehab just weeks before. Her on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were at the home.

Park told Santoro that the property, the pawnshop and the nonfamily member were in Los Angeles County, where the judge's ruling held authority. Park declined to comment outside the courtroom.

Klitschko's Sept. 24 petition emphasized that his intention is solely to protect his daughter’s future assets until a permanent administrator can be put in place.

“There is a high probability that property belonging to Hayden’s Estate may be lost, damaged or dissipated," the document said.

The filing says that before her death, Panettiere and Klitschko hired security to protect her home because an unnamed person had gained unauthorized access, and it's expected the same person would continue to try to “misappropriate” her property.

Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, filed a document saying she consented to Klitschko being appointed.

Klitschko, 50, an Olympic gold medalist, held several heavyweight titles between 2000 and 2015. He and Panettiere began dating in 2009 and got engaged in 2013.

His older brother Vitali, also a former champion boxer, is mayor of Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. The two brothers, sons of a Soviet major general, have been prominent public figures in Ukraine during its war with Russia.

In her memoir released earlier this year, Panettiere acknowledged being addicted to alcohol and having postpartum depression after her daughter's birth in 2014. Kaya went to live with Klitschko full-time when she was 2. Panettiere's father told investigators that when she died she had plans to visit her daughter in Ukraine days later.

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George Harper was last seen wearing a gray shirt and black Nike pants at about 6 p.m. on Sept. 28, according to the Hallandale Beach Police Department.

Harper, who is known to frequent the Hollywood area, was heading to Ingalls Park, at 735 SW First St., according to police.

Detective Dolabiaille asked anyone with information about George’s whereabouts to call 954-457-1425 or 954-457-1400.

Detectives asked anyone with information about this or other cases who wants to remain anonymous to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.

George Harper fue visto por última vez alrededor de las 6 p.m. del 28 de septiembre, vistiendo una camiseta gris y pantalones Nike negros, según el Departamento de Policía de Hallandale Beach.

Harper, quien suele frecuentar el área de Hollywood, se dirigía a Ingalls Park, ubicado en 735 SW First St., según la policía.

El detective Dolabiaille pidió a cualquier persona que tenga información sobre el paradero de George que llame al 954-457-1425 o al 954-457-1400.

Los detectives pidieron a cualquier persona que tenga información sobre este u otros casos y desee permanecer en el anonimato que llame a Crime Stoppers del condado Broward al 954-493-8477.

Rolled out earlier this year, the Trump Accounts program allows parents to claim special investment accounts for children who are 18 years old or younger. And some babies are eligible to receive a one-time $1,000 contribution from the government.

Now, because of automatic enrollment highlighted Wednesday by President Donald Trump, the Treasury Department says every eligible child with a valid Social Security number has a Trump Account. But parents and legal guardians would still need to formally activate the accounts if they haven't already.

Here’s what we know.

How Trump Accounts work

The accounts are a savings tool that invests money in the stock market on a child’s behalf. The child can’t access the money until they turn 18 and can use it only for specific purposes, such as paying tuition, starting a business or making a down payment on a home. Families can activate an account through the program’s trumpaccounts.gov website or its mobile phone app.

The government will make a $1,000 contribution for some babies after the account is claimed. To qualify for the $1,000 seed money, a baby must be a U.S. citizen, have a Social Security number and be born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028 — covering Trump's current term.

Any parent — regardless of their immigration status — can open an account for a qualifying child. Parents of older children also are encouraged to open accounts. Even though they aren't eligible for the government's $1,000 contribution, some older children are eligible for seed money of $250 drawn from separate investments from wealthy donors.

Otherwise, family contributions will need to come out of pocket. Parents can contribute up to $2,500 annually in pretax income, much like retirement accounts. Employers, relatives, friends, local governments and philanthropic groups can also pitch in. Yearly contributions are capped at $5,000, although contributions from governments and charities don’t count toward that total.

Private banks and brokerages will manage the money. When the accounts were originally conceived, investments were restricted to broader index funds. But with updated rules from the Treasury Department late last month, eligible wealthy investors can now also donate stock from individual companies.

Automatic enrollments — but not activation of accounts

With automatic enrollment, Trump said 70 million children will now have the accounts, up from 8 million created since their launch in July.

Researchers from the Brown School's Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis advocated for the automatic enrollment. And Jin Huang, co-director of the center, called the administration's move “a big step."

“Automatic enrollment is the most important policy design feature for early wealth building programs, in order to ensure full inclusion of all eligible children," said Huang, citing research from his team.

Still, he says, more work needs to be done. Parents and legal guardians need to formally claim the accounts to activate them — as well as elect the $1,000 seed money if they're eligible — and Huang says “each of these steps will lower the participation,” with particular barriers facing low-income families who may not already have access to similar investments.

Wealthy investors can now donate individual stocks

When Trump Accounts were first rolled out, investments were initially restricted to broad index funds — in theory to decrease risk while still yielding incremental growth. But among additional updates to the program, eligible wealthy investors can now also donate stock from individual companies.

“It’s a way to encourage participation in the program,” explained Nathan C. Goldman, a professor of accounting at North Carolina State University. He said many of the world’s wealthiest people don’t have “a whole lot of liquid cash sitting around” and might instead turn to shares.

Still, he notes, individual stocks are more volatile than indexes. And families wouldn’t get a say about which companies might donate to their children’s portfolios.

Once a child turns 18, they can access the money

It’s important to note that the child won’t be able to access the money until they turn 18, except in rare circumstances. So the money can’t help with immediate expenses.

But once a beneficiary of a Trump Account turns 18, they can choose to use the money from it however they want. Trump account beneficiaries can also choose to roll the investment over to a Roth IRA account.

“You’re extending the life of this thing beyond the 18 years; you’re going all the way out into the child’s potential retirement,” said Myranda Fabian, a certified financial planner with Plante Moran Financial Advisors.

Moving the earnings from a Trump Account to a Roth IRA will be subject to taxation. Roth IRA accounts allow earnings to grow and to be withdrawn free of taxation when an adult reaches retirement age.

Comparing Trump Accounts with 529s and custodial brokerages

The 529 accounts are meant to invest for qualified educational expenses, such as college tuition, trade school and student loans, among other expenses. They grow tax-free, while investment earnings from Trump accounts will be taxed when withdrawn, and 529 account funds can be transferred to eligible family members.

Still, they're specifically limited to spending on education. In contrast, there are more options to park money from Trump Accounts after a child turns 18.

Custodial brokerage accounts, on the other hand, are taxable investments with no contribution or withdrawal limits, unlike Trump Accounts. But similar to Trump Accounts, beneficiaries of custodial brokerage accounts have full control of the account once the child turns 18, and there are no rules on how they can spend the money.

Choosing an investment account that is better suited for a child’s future depends on each parent’s goals, said Kate Ashford, lead wealth writer at NerdWallet.

“The account that you’re using for savings is really going to depend on why you’re saving money,” Ashford said.

If parents are looking to focus on funding the education of their children, she added, 529 accounts continue to be the most beneficial.

Lingering concerns about inequity

Backers of Trump Accounts say they want to introduce more people to the stock market and give even children born into poverty a chance to benefit from it.

But critics say the accounts also fail to offset the cuts the Trump administration and congressional Republicans have made to other programs that benefit young people and the adults in their lives, including food assistance and Medicaid. And even with government contributions, some warn that the Trump Accounts could widen the wealth gap.

Goldman sees Trump Accounts as a tool to diversify — and notes that at the end of the day, they're another option families can consider when making investments for their children, with solid tax advantages.

Still, affluent families will be more likely to afford the full scope of additional, out-of-pocket investments, Goldman said. A total contribution of $5,000 each year, for instance, would add up to $90,000 for one child over 18 years — and even with starting seed money for some children, or options to make smaller investments, inequities remain.

“It’s designed — especially with this $1,000 seed money — to be ‘an account for everybody,’" Goldman said. “But only some people are gonna be able to take advantage of this. Only some people are going to have that ability to do that."

___

AP Writer Moriah Balingit contributed. Grantham-Philips reported from Chicago.

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The warrant identifies 25-year-old Braveone Jones as the suspected gunman in the Sept. 15 shooting at Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen, located at 316 NW 24th St.

Jones was arrested Tuesday evening at Trippie Redd’s Southwest Ranches home, where multiple law enforcement agencies served a warrant around 6 p.m.

According to Miami police, the operation involved Davie police, Fort Lauderdale police, Sunrise police, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Plantation Police Department’s SWAT team.

Jones faces two counts of attempted second-degree murder with a deadly weapon.

Surveillance video captures fight, shooting

According to the arrest warrant, Miami police responded to the restaurant shortly after midnight Sept. 15 following reports that two men had been shot.

Officers began providing first aid to the victims, who were later taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.

Miami Fire Rescue officials previously said the victims were 18 and 23 years old and said both were transported to a hospital in stable condition.

Investigators said surveillance video showed Jones entering the restaurant with four other men.

The footage then captured a confrontation involving Trippie Redd, whose legal name is Michael Lamar White, and one of the shooting victims, according to the warrant.

Police said the rapper pushed the man, sparking a fight between two groups.

As the confrontation continued and the men fell to the ground, investigators said Jones, who was dressed in black and carrying a white crossbody bag, reached inside the bag and pulled out a gun.

According to the warrant, Jones shot one victim in the back before apparently firing approximately three additional rounds, striking the second victim in the neck.

Police said Jones, Trippie Redd and the other men immediately left the restaurant.

Detectives recovered a shell casing near a bench in the restaurant’s patio area, according to the warrant.

Victims describe chaotic moments

One victim told investigators he was at the restaurant with his cousin and another individual known as “1900 Rugrat” when a confrontation broke out.

He said he saw someone bump into the restaurant’s owner before two groups began fighting.

The victim told police he heard gunfire and tried to escape by jumping over tables. He said he did not see anyone holding a gun.

During a subsequent interview, the victim said Trippie Redd had shoved his cousin and that he tried to break up the fight before two unidentified men attacked him.

He told detectives he climbed onto a chair and felt a bullet strike his neck.

According to the warrant, the victim said he ran away holding his neck before attempting to help his wounded cousin, who appeared to be losing consciousness.

The second victim told investigators he had been leaving the restaurant when Trippie Redd approached and pushed him.

He said the two began fighting and that he was shot in the buttocks as they fell to the ground.

The victim told police he did not see who fired the gun because he was shot from behind.

Investigators said the man also described a disagreement with Jones about six months earlier over who had started a group known as “YOP.” The victim said the two had not spoken since that argument.

According to the warrant, a witness told detectives she heard gunfire during the fight and saw a man dressed in black shooting.

After reviewing surveillance footage with investigators, the witness identified Trippie Redd as the person who initiated the confrontation.

“That’s Trippie, he started that shit,” she told investigators, according to the warrant.

Investigators trace getaway vehicle to Doral

Police said surveillance footage showed Jones, Trippie Redd and several other men leaving the restaurant in a dark-colored Kia.

Investigators used surveillance cameras and license plate readers to track the vehicle from Wynwood toward Doral.

According to the warrant, the Kia was eventually seen entering the Sanctuary Doral apartment complex at 9400 NW 41st St.

Surveillance footage from the complex showed the group entering a parking garage and walking toward an apartment, police said.

Investigators identified two other men accompanying the group as Trumane White and Darrell Kinsey.

According to the warrant, electronic access records showed the apartment’s deadbolt was unlocked shortly after the group arrived.

Police said the men were later seen leaving the apartment, but Jones was no longer carrying the white crossbody bag he had been wearing during the shooting.

Coast Guard encounter helps identify suspect

The warrant also details how investigators connected Jones to Trippie Redd before the shooting.

A U.S. Coast Guard petty officer told detectives he had encountered both men during an inspection of a large boat anchored south of the Rickenbacker Causeway in Biscayne Bay on the evening of Sept. 14, just hours before the shooting.

According to the warrant, Jones identified himself as “YOP” and was wearing a distinctive diamond bat necklace with the same letters.

The Coast Guard officer also recognized Trippie Redd and confirmed his identity during the encounter.

Investigators later showed the officer a photograph of Jones, and he identified him as the man he had encountered aboard the boat.

Police also said a Pembroke Pines detective recognized Jones from a separate robbery investigation in which Jones had been identified as a suspect.

Arrest at rapper’s Southwest Ranches home

Jones was taken into custody Tuesday after authorities served the warrant at Trippie Redd’s Southwest Ranches home.

As of Thursday afternoon, Jones was no longer appearing in the online jail database.

The arrest warrant, signed Sept. 23, lists two counts of attempted second-degree murder with a deadly weapon and a total bond amount of $30,000.

Although the warrant identifies Trippie Redd as a participant in the fight preceding the shooting, it does not list criminal charges against the rapper in connection with the incident.

The investigation remains ongoing, according to police.

La orden identifica a Braveone Jones, de 25 años, como el presunto responsable de la balacera del 15 de septiembre en Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen, ubicado en 316 NW 24th St.

Jones fue arrestado la noche del martes en la vivienda de Trippie Redd en Southwest Ranches, donde varias agencias policiales ejecutaron una orden de arresto alrededor de las 6 p.m.

Según la policía de Miami, el operativo involucró a la policía de Davie, la policía de Fort Lauderdale, la policía de Sunrise, la Oficina del Sheriff de Broward, la Oficina de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (ATF) y el equipo SWAT del Departamento de Policía de Plantation.

Jones enfrenta dos cargos de intento de asesinato en segundo grado con un arma mortal.

Video de vigilancia capta pelea y balacera

Según la orden de arresto, la policía de Miami acudió al restaurante poco después de la medianoche del 15 de septiembre tras recibir reportes de que dos hombres habían sido baleados.

Los agentes comenzaron a brindar primeros auxilios a las víctimas, quienes posteriormente fueron trasladadas al Centro de Trauma Ryder del Hospital Jackson Memorial.

Funcionarios de los Bomberos de Miami habían indicado anteriormente que las víctimas tenían 18 y 23 años y que ambas fueron trasladadas a un hospital en condición estable.

Los investigadores indicaron que un video de vigilancia mostró a Jones ingresando al restaurante con otros cuatro hombres.

Las imágenes captaron posteriormente un enfrentamiento que involucró a Trippie Redd, cuyo nombre legal es Michael Lamar White, y una de las víctimas de la balacera, según la orden.

La policía indicó que el rapero empujó al hombre, lo que provocó una pelea entre dos grupos.

Mientras el enfrentamiento continuaba y los hombres caían al suelo, los investigadores indicaron que Jones, quien vestía de negro y llevaba un bolso cruzado blanco, metió la mano en el bolso y sacó un arma.

Según la orden, Jones disparó a una víctima por la espalda antes de aparentemente realizar aproximadamente otros tres disparos, alcanzando a la segunda víctima en el cuello.

La policía indicó que Jones, Trippie Redd y los otros hombres abandonaron inmediatamente el restaurante.

Los detectives recuperaron un casquillo de bala cerca de un banco en el área del patio del restaurante, según la orden.

Víctimas describen momentos de caos

Una de las víctimas dijo a los investigadores que se encontraba en el restaurante con su primo y otra persona conocida como “1900 Rugrat” cuando comenzó un enfrentamiento.

Dijo que vio a alguien chocar contra el propietario del restaurante antes de que dos grupos comenzaran a pelear.

La víctima dijo a la policía que escuchó disparos e intentó escapar saltando sobre las mesas. Afirmó que no vio a nadie sosteniendo un arma.

Durante una entrevista posterior, la víctima indicó que Trippie Redd había empujado a su primo y que intentó separar a los involucrados en la pelea antes de que dos hombres no identificados lo atacaran.

Dijo a los detectives que se subió a una silla y sintió que una bala le impactó en el cuello.

Según la orden, la víctima indicó que huyó sujetándose el cuello antes de intentar ayudar a su primo herido, quien parecía estar perdiendo el conocimiento.

La segunda víctima dijo a los investigadores que estaba saliendo del restaurante cuando Trippie Redd se le acercó y lo empujó.

Afirmó que ambos comenzaron a pelear y que recibió un disparo en los glúteos mientras caían al suelo.

La víctima dijo a la policía que no vio quién disparó el arma porque recibió el disparo por detrás.

Los investigadores indicaron que el hombre también describió un desacuerdo con Jones ocurrido unos seis meses antes sobre quién había fundado un grupo conocido como “YOP”. La víctima afirmó que ambos no habían vuelto a hablar desde aquella discusión.

Según la orden, una testigo dijo a los detectives que escuchó disparos durante la pelea y vio a un hombre vestido de negro disparando.

Después de revisar las imágenes de vigilancia con los investigadores, la testigo identificó a Trippie Redd como la persona que inició el enfrentamiento.

“Ese es Trippie, él comenzó toda esa mierda”, dijo a los investigadores, según la orden.

Investigadores rastrean vehículo utilizado en la huida hasta Doral

La policía indicó que las imágenes de vigilancia mostraron a Jones, Trippie Redd y varios otros hombres abandonando el restaurante en un Kia de color oscuro.

Los investigadores utilizaron cámaras de vigilancia y lectores de matrículas para rastrear el vehículo desde Wynwood hacia Doral.

Según la orden, el Kia fue visto posteriormente ingresando al complejo de apartamentos Sanctuary Doral, ubicado en 9400 NW 41st St.

Las imágenes de vigilancia del complejo mostraron al grupo ingresando a un estacionamiento y caminando hacia un apartamento, indicó la policía.

Los investigadores identificaron a otros dos hombres que acompañaban al grupo como Trumane White y Darrell Kinsey.

Según la orden, los registros electrónicos de acceso mostraron que la cerradura de seguridad del apartamento fue desbloqueada poco después de que llegara el grupo.

La policía indicó que posteriormente se observó a los hombres saliendo del apartamento, pero Jones ya no llevaba el bolso cruzado blanco que había utilizado durante la balacera.

Encuentro con la Guardia Costera ayuda a identificar al sospechoso

La orden también detalla cómo los investigadores vincularon a Jones con Trippie Redd antes de la balacera.

Un suboficial de la Guardia Costera de Estados Unidos dijo a los detectives que había tenido contacto con ambos hombres durante una inspección de una embarcación grande anclada al sur de Rickenbacker Causeway, en Biscayne Bay, la noche del 14 de septiembre, apenas unas horas antes de la balacera.

Según la orden, Jones se identificó como “YOP” y llevaba un distintivo collar de diamantes con forma de murciélago que tenía las mismas letras.

El agente de la Guardia Costera también reconoció a Trippie Redd y confirmó su identidad durante el encuentro.

Posteriormente, los investigadores mostraron al agente una fotografía de Jones y este lo identificó como el hombre con el que había tenido contacto a bordo de la embarcación.

La policía también indicó que un detective de Pembroke Pines reconoció a Jones de una investigación separada por robo, en la que Jones había sido identificado como sospechoso.

Arrestan a sospechoso en vivienda del rapero en Southwest Ranches

Jones fue arrestado el martes después de que las autoridades ejecutaran la orden en la vivienda de Trippie Redd en Southwest Ranches.

Hasta la tarde del jueves, Jones ya no aparecía en la base de datos de la cárcel en línea.

La orden de arresto, firmada el 23 de septiembre, incluye dos cargos de intento de asesinato en segundo grado con un arma mortal y una fianza total de $30,000 USD.

Aunque la orden identifica a Trippie Redd como participante en la pelea que precedió a la balacera, no incluye cargos criminales contra el rapero en relación con el incidente.

La investigación continúa en curso, según la policía.

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Officers with the Hialeah Police Department said they took Yelier Alderete into custody on Wednesday.

According to police, the victim’s mother reported to the HPD’s main headquarters located at 5555 E Eighth Ave. on Tuesday night.

Police said the victim’s mother found a video on Alderete’s cellphone that she has since turned over to authorities.

The video showed Alderete appearing to set up his phone inside a bathroom, after which the victim, who is a 13-year-old girl, is seen on the video doing her hair and using the toilet before leaving the restroom, police said.

Alderete is then seen in the video collecting the phone and ending the recording, which was approximately four minutes long, per his arrest form.

Investigators said Alderete invoked his right to remain silent after he was taken to the police station for an interview.

Local 10 News is not identifying the relationship between the suspect and victim in an effort to protect her identity.

Jail records show he is facing one count of digital voyeurism on a victim under the age of 16.

As of Thursday afternoon, Alderete was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $15,000 bond.

Agentes del Departamento de Policía de Hialeah indicaron que arrestaron a Yelier Alderete el miércoles.

Según la policía, la madre de la víctima acudió a la sede principal del Departamento de Policía de Hialeah, ubicada en 5555 E Eighth Ave., la noche del martes.

La policía indicó que la madre de la víctima encontró un video en el teléfono celular de Alderete, el cual posteriormente entregó a las autoridades.

El video mostraba a Alderete aparentemente colocando su teléfono dentro de un baño, después de lo cual se observa a la víctima, una niña de 13 años, arreglándose el cabello y utilizando el inodoro antes de salir del baño, indicó la policía.

Posteriormente, se observa a Alderete en el video recogiendo el teléfono y finalizando la grabación, que duró aproximadamente cuatro minutos, según su informe de arresto.

Los investigadores indicaron que Alderete invocó su derecho a permanecer en silencio después de ser trasladado a la estación de policía para ser interrogado.

Local 10 News no revela la relación entre el sospechoso y la víctima con el fin de proteger la identidad de la menor.

Los registros de la cárcel muestran que enfrenta un cargo de voyeurismo digital contra una víctima menor de 16 años.

Hasta la tarde del jueves, Alderete permanecía detenido en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight con una fianza de $15,000 USD.

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Records show Leslie Howard Roberts, 62, was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman to 46 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and was remanded into custody.

The court ordered that Roberts be designated to a federal facility in Florida capable of addressing his medical needs. A restitution hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2027, records show.

The sentencing follows a federal investigation into Roberts’ Miami Fine Art Gallery in Coconut Grove. Federal agents raided the gallery at 3180 Commodore Plaza in October 2025 and seized multiple paintings.

Prosecutors had accused Roberts of selling counterfeit Warhol paintings and falsely telling customers that he had obtained the artwork directly from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. He also provided what prosecutors described as “fraudulent invoices” to authenticate the works.

Carlos Miguel Rodriguez Melendez, 37, of Sunny Isles Beach, was also charged in connection with the scheme, according to authorities.

Prosecutors said Rodriguez Melendez falsely claimed to work for a New York-based auction company and used that identity to help authenticate the artwork and conceal that it was fake.

They also alleged that Roberts moved proceeds from the sales through fraudulent money-laundering transactions, including transfers of $150,000, $40,000 and $50,000 from the gallery’s bank account to a personal account.

The case was not Roberts’ first federal criminal matter involving fraud.

Records show Roberts pleaded guilty to mail fraud in 2015 in a case involving the sale of fake paintings. He also was convicted in the late 1980s of defrauding his uncle of millions of dollars in a stock scheme and served federal prison sentences in both cases.

Roberts also has faced civil lawsuits alleging the sale of counterfeit Warhol works. Those cases have been reported by the New York Times and the Coconut Grove Spotlight.

At Friday’s sentencing hearing, prosecutors dismissed the remaining counts against Roberts, records show. He was also ordered to surrender his passport to his attorney.

Los registros muestran que Leslie Howard Roberts, de 62 años, fue sentenciado el viernes por el juez federal de distrito Roy K. Altman a 46 meses de prisión federal, seguidos de tres años de libertad supervisada. También se le ordenó pagar una tarifa especial de $100 USD y quedó bajo custodia.

El tribunal ordenó que Roberts fuera asignado a una instalación federal en Florida capaz de atender sus necesidades médicas. Una audiencia de restitución está programada para el 20 de enero de 2027, según los registros.

La sentencia se produce tras una investigación federal sobre Miami Fine Art Gallery, la galería de Roberts en Coconut Grove. Agentes federales realizaron una redada en la galería, ubicada en 3180 Commodore Plaza, en octubre de 2025 y confiscaron varias pinturas.

Los fiscales habían acusado a Roberts de vender pinturas falsificadas de Warhol y de decir falsamente a los clientes que había obtenido las obras de arte directamente de la Fundación Andy Warhol para las Artes Visuales. También proporcionó lo que los fiscales describieron como “facturas fraudulentas” para autenticar las obras.

Carlos Miguel Rodriguez Melendez, de 37 años y residente de Sunny Isles Beach, también fue acusado en relación con el esquema, según las autoridades.

Los fiscales indicaron que Rodriguez Melendez afirmó falsamente trabajar para una compañía de subastas con sede en Nueva York y utilizó esa identidad para ayudar a autenticar las obras de arte y ocultar que eran falsas.

También alegaron que Roberts transfirió las ganancias de las ventas mediante transacciones fraudulentas de lavado de dinero, incluidas transferencias de $150,000 USD, $40,000 USD y $50,000 USD desde la cuenta bancaria de la galería a una cuenta personal.

El caso no fue el primer proceso penal federal de Roberts relacionado con fraude.

Los registros muestran que Roberts se declaró culpable de fraude postal en 2015 en un caso relacionado con la venta de pinturas falsas. También fue condenado a finales de la década de 1980 por defraudar a su tío por millones de dólares mediante un esquema de acciones y cumplió sentencias de prisión federal en ambos casos.

Roberts también ha enfrentado demandas civiles que alegan la venta de obras falsificadas de Warhol. Esos casos han sido reportados por el New York Times y Coconut Grove Spotlight.

Durante la audiencia de sentencia del viernes, los fiscales retiraron los cargos restantes contra Roberts, según los registros. También se le ordenó entregar su pasaporte a su abogado.

In 2014, I wrote a book with that title.

Today, the social challenges facing Cuba are even greater.

When we speak of creating a democratic government in Cuba’s future, there are three variables that must be taken into consideration.

1) The history of the country

2) The culture of the country

3) The personal experiences of the population

That is why it’s very difficult to apply a transition of another country to Cuba or any other country that has lived under a totalitarian regime for so long.

Today, Cuba’s population is about 8.3 million. Many have left seeking a better future. Some factors that are often forgotten is the fact that about 60% of the island is Black or Mulato, while in exile, that percentage is about 5%. Today, Cuba has the lowest birth rate in all of Latin America and, at the same time, one of the oldest population in Latin America.

As we have seen from recent statistics, about 1 million Cubans left last year, seeking a better life. I suspect if and when there is a change in Cuba’s regime, the young generation will not stay on the island to help rebuild their country. They will go elsewhere, seeking better opportunities.

The last challenge is how to change people’s minds to support a democracy when it has been years, even before the Revolution of 1959, that there was a democracy in Cuba.

The ideology of the Cuban Revolution is gone. However, there is a lack of any clear ideology that Cubans believe in, which makes it more difficult when trying to develop a civil society in the future that can support a democratic government.

Oct. 6: Cuba prepares for possible U.S. intervention as talks stall

Cuba’s Chargé d’Affaires in Washington, D.C., Lianys Torres Rivera, gave an interview to Reuters and said that, given the lack of progress in conversations with the U.S., the Cuban military has begun preparations for a possible U.S. intervention.

Cuba fully understands that, if such an intervention were to come, it would not be an invasion as many expect, but rather an aerial drone and missile attack. According to military experts and sources at the Pentagon, such an attack could take less than forty-eight hours to neutralize Cuba’s military.

The U.S. military has also incorporated preparations and contingency plans to deal with Cuban drones if any were launched against the U.S. mainland. My own personal belief is that Cuba would first target the U.S. base at Guantánamo Bay, which is located very close to one of Cuba’s main military installations near Santiago de Cuba.

Oct. 5: Cuba will not negotiate regime change with U.S.

Over the weekend, Cuba’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, made it very clear that Cuba will not negotiate regime change with the U.S. In an interview with Fox News, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Cuban government that if they don’t change their regime, the consequences would be worse.

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This leaves the U.S. with limited options moving forward. 1) Wait until Raul Castro dies and see what happens. 2) Strengthen the opposition inside the island. 3)Take military action against the island nation.

None of these options lead to a clear and quick path to a quick change in their system of government. A military invasion of Cuba by the U.S. could lead to a prolonged stay on the island until some form of government can be established from within the island and with the support from the Cuban exile community. However, there are some in the exile opposition that consider themselves possible leaders in a free Cuba, which could further complicate things.

Lastly, the extended war with Iran and the mid-term election results in the U.S. could also complicate what the U.S. does with Cuba.

Oct. 2: Who is driving U.S. foreign policy towards Cuba?

In the last several months, we have witnessed Secretary of State Marco Rubio continuing to sanction top officials of the Cuban government and their organizations, trying to force them to change or come to the table and negotiate with the U.S.

On the other hand, we just learned that the White House authorized a sale of 3.2 million barrels of oil to Cuba supposedly going to Cuba’s private sector. Are you kidding?

When dealing with Venezuela and Cuba, Trump has clearly shown that making money is more important than regime change in these two countries.

Oct. 1: Robberies and delinquencies increase in Cuba

According to Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez (14yMedio), this past Monday a bank was robbed in Lawton, Cuba in the middle of a major power failure.

The robbers got away with the money that was to be paid the next day to people who had retired. At the same time, many solar panels that have been installed around Cuba to help with the growing electrical shortages are being stolen at night by robbers.

The Cuban government is concerned that as socio-economic conditions continue to get worse on the island nation, these practices will increase. So far, no one has been caught.

The eighth-seeded Liberty trail 2-0 after falling 101-98 in overtime to the Dream on Wednesday night. They now must win three games in a row to reach the WNBA Finals. No team has ever rallied from a 2-0 deficit in league history. Game 3 is Friday night in New York.

“We’re not focused on winning three games straight right now,” Liberty star Breanna Stewart said. “We’re focused on winning one game, and that’s Friday, and then we go from there. This group has experience. I’ve been part of some crazy series and I have a lot of confidence in our group.”

The confusion came in the final seconds of OT when New York trailed and Angel Reese was at the foul line. Stewart asked the officials whether the team had their reset timeout remaining. Stewart said the official answered no. In a postgame pool report, the head official contradicted that, saying New York did have their timeout.

Without the timeout, where New York could have advanced the ball to midcourt, Stewart missed a desperation shot at the buzzer. The Liberty have made an official inquiry with the WNBA although its not clear what would even come from that.

Atlanta is now one victory away from reaching the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013. The Dream have looked dominant throughout the playoffs led by Reese and Jordin Canada. Reese scored six of her team’s 13 points in overtime. She made two free throws with 4.3 seconds left after Sabrina Ionescu overthrew a pass with her team down one.

That's when the Liberty weren't sure if they had a timeout or not and Stewart asked the official. Usually it's the responsibility of a coach on the bench to keep track of timeouts, not referees.

Canada had 23 points and eight assists in the Game 2 victory and was disruptive on the defensive end. Reese and Canada have helped the team win all four of the Dream’s playoff games, leading a swarming defense. Atlanta forced New York into 35 turnovers combined in the first two games. The 16 turnovers on Wednesday led to 28 Dream points.

The Dream won Game 2 without star Allisha Gray, who was sidelined with a finger injury from the first game. She is day-to-day. A win by Atlanta on Friday would give her a week to recover before Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, which is schedule for a week from Saturday.

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See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

Pike, 50, has regained consciousness and is speaking a week after Tennessee gave her two lethal doses of pentobarbital. Outgoing Republican Gov. Bill Lee has ordered a review into what went wrong and the state has not said whether they will again try executing her, which experts say could wade into uncharted legal waters.

Pike, who was sentenced to die for torturing and killing 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in 1995, is one of at least eight condemned inmates in the U.S. who left their state's execution chamber still alive because of problems carrying out the punishment, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Pike is the only one who was actually administered lethal drugs before the process was halted, according to the organization.

Not all have faced execution a second time. Three of the inmates would die years later in prison, two remain alive and two were executed after another attempt.

Lethal injection failures in Ohio

Ohio unsuccessfully tried to put Romell Broom to death by lethal injection in September 2009. The execution was called off after two hours when technicians could not find a suitable vein, and Broom cried in pain while receiving 18 needle sticks.

Broom died in December 2020 of possible complications of COVID-19 while on Ohio’s death row.

Ohio also failed to execute another inmate, Alva Campbell, in November 2017 by lethal injection. The execution was halted after executioners couldn't find a usable vein.

Campbell was found unresponsive in his death row cell in March 2018. It was determined that he died from natural causes.

Alabama executed inmates a second time after failed attempts

Alabama called off the execution of Doyle Lee Hamm in February 2018 because of problems getting the intravenous line connected. A doctor hired by Hamm's legal team later wrote in a report, filed in court, that Hamm had to be carried back to his cell by correctional officers after the execution was called off because he was in so much pain.

Hamm died of natural causes on death row in November 2021.

In September 2022, Alabama unsuccessfully executed Alan Eugene Miller by lethal injection when executioners spent more than an hour trying and failing to properly insert the catheter, repeatedly puncturing Miller with needles trying to find a vein. At one point, they left him hanging vertically on a gurney before state officials made the decision to call off the execution, according to news coverage at the time.

Miller had originally asked for nitrogen gas, but the Alabama Department of Corrections told a federal district court that they could not complete the execution that way.

The state successfully executed him two years later in September 2024 with nitrogen gas.

Almost two months after failing to execute Miller, Alabama had a second failed execution, when executioners did not have enough time to get a second IV line in before the death warrant expired at midnight for Kenneth Eugene Smith.

Smith was the first person to die by nitrogen gas as an execution method in January 2024.

Idaho prisoner remains alive

Idaho halted the execution of Thomas Eugene Creech in February 2024 after medical team members repeatedly failed to find a vein to carry out the lethal injection. In some cases, they couldn’t access the vein, and in others they could but had concerns about vein quality. They attempted sites in his arms, legs, hands and feet. At one point, a medical team member left to gather more supplies.

After eight attempts, the prison warden told them to give up. Creech remains alive and on death row.

Pike was the 2nd failed execution in Tennessee this year

Four months before Pike's execution went awry, Tennessee officials called off the lethal injection of Tony Carruthers in May after his executioners tried and failed for over an hour to establish an intravenous line.

Lee announced soon afterward that the state would not try to execute Carruthers again for at least a year. Tennessee prison officials have said medical personnel had quickly established a primary IV line but were unable to find a suitable vein for a backup line as required by the state’s execution protocol. Efforts to insert a central line also failed.

Carruthers remains alive and on death row.

The NFL filed a brief Thursday in support of New Jersey's request for a high court decision on the governing authority for prediction markets, which provide an opportunity to trade — or wager — on the result of future events.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has maintained it has exclusive jurisdiction, while states have argued that the array of typically yes-or-no questions is akin to gambling and falls under their purview.

“Absent the clarity that only this Court can provide, (prediction market) operators will continue exploiting the gap between state and federal regulation, endangering consumers and the integrity of sports events across the country,” lawyers for the NFL wrote.

According to the NFL's brief, on the first Sunday of this season, more than half of the trading volume on prediction markets — $1.8 billion out of $3.3 billion total — was connected to the league.

"Any delay from the Court will result in increasing consumer harm and risk to game integrity,” the NFL wrote in its brief.

Kalshi spokeswoman Elisabeth Diana said its top priority is market integrity, and she pointed to its partnerships with the NHL, Major League Baseball and other sports organizations as evidence.

“Contrary to the NFL’s statements, the CFTC is actively policing sports-related markets, which are now listed on nearly every U.S. commodities exchange,” Diana said. "The CFTC’s ongoing rulemaking addresses many of the NFL’s supposed concerns. And those rules sit atop the same comprehensive system of federal enforcement that protects trillions of dollars of transactions in U.S. markets.”

A Polymarket spokesperson said the operator “shares the NFL’s commitment to preserving the integrity of the game,” and it is working on "a harmonized federal framework that delivers a stronger, more consistent form of integrity compared to a patchwork of disconnected state laws built for a bygone era.”

Ohio filed a brief on Wednesday urging the high court to side with New Jersey and preserve the power of all states to regulate prediction markets, as they do casino gambling and sports betting. The filing was backed by 38 states, including Republican and Democratic attorneys general from states including Arkansas, California, Illinois, Missouri, New York, South Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Roughly 20 states are involved in litigation over prediction markets, and a split has formed between appeals courts, making it more likely that the Supreme Court will take up the issue. The 6th and 9th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals have ruled in favor of states seeking to regulate prediction markets, while the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with Kalshi in a ruling earlier this year.

“As between the two approaches, the NFL believes the Sixth and Ninth Circuits got it right, given the current landscape,” lawyers for the league wrote in their brief.

The NFL also is questioning the CFTC's enforcement capabilities. While some states like Nevada and Pennsylvania have hundreds of employees overseeing their gambling industries, according to the NFL filing, the commission has 543 employees, and their responsibilities include a range of derivatives beyond event contracts.

“Without adequate staff engaged in oversight and enforcement, even the best regulations cannot meaningfully ensure game integrity and consumer protection,” lawyers wrote in the NFL brief.

CFTC spokeswoman Brooke Nethercott said the commission has engaged with the league regarding the agency’s rulemaking agenda and policy priorities.

"It’s unfortunate the NFL declined to sign (a memorandum of understanding) with the CFTC which would’ve provided the league the ability to better discuss, cooperate, and exchange information with us to promote the integrity and resilience of prediction markets,” Nethercott said.

The NFL also has urged the CFTC and prediction markets to adopt a list of prohibited wagers that it feels pose the greatest threats to game integrity, according to the brief, but they have declined thus far. It also has asked the commission to adopt an age limit of 21 for trading on prediction markets, up from the current 18.

Diana said Kalshi has tried to collaborate with the NFL on market integrity, but it has received no response.

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Associated Press writer Marc Levy contributed.

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See AP’s full sports coverage here

Thongxay Nilakout, 49, had been willing to return to Laos before the U.S. deported him to South Sudan, attorney Tin Nguyen said. A Lao consular officer had told his family that a travel document had already been issued.

Nilakout left South Sudan on Thursday afternoon for Vientiane, the capital of Laos, Nguyen said. He had been detained in Juba, South Sudan’s capital, since July 2025.

South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday that it had coordinated his repatriation with the government of Laos, which provided assurances against torture or other ill-treatment upon his return.

“Thongxay’s deportation to Laos is not just a relief for his family, it is proof of what we argued from day one. He should have been sent to Laos,” Nguyen said in a statement.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it was preparing a response to questions about Nilakout’s case and requested more time to comment.

Nilakout and seven other men were sent to Africa in May 2025, rerouted first to a U.S. military base in Djibouti after a federal judge blocked their deportation to South Sudan midflight. They arrived in Juba aboard a military aircraft after a Supreme Court ruling allowed their removal.

The eight were held in a gated house under armed guard. All had criminal convictions in the U.S. but had served their prison sentences before being taken into immigration custody.

Hundreds have been deported from the U.S. to African countries that aren’t their home nations, according to advocacy groups Human Rights First and Refugees International, which have been monitoring the deportations.

Around a dozen African countries have accepted third-country deportees from the U.S., some in exchange for millions of dollars in payments, though details of the South Sudan deal remain murky.

The choice of South Sudan was particularly controversial given its poor human rights record and political instability. Armed conflict displaced more than half a million people there in 2025, according to the United Nations.

Nilakout resettled in the U.S. as a child in 1980 after his family fled Laos, spending time first in a refugee camp in Thailand, his attorney said.

In 1995, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole for his role in the murder of a German tourist during an armed robbery in southern California. He was 17 at the time of the crime.

His attorney said he became eligible for parole after a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling found mandatory life sentences without parole for juvenile offenders unconstitutional. He was released in 2023 and was working as a restaurant cook when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement took him into custody in March 2025.

Four of the original eight deportees remain in South Sudan, including two Burmese nationals and two Cuban nationals. A Congolese national deported separately has since joined them, bringing the total to five, Nguyen said.

South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that five third-country deportees remain in South Sudan and said it was working with the governments concerned and international partners to facilitate their safe and humane repatriation.

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Falzetta reported from Nairobi, Kenya.

Alicia Vaccaro fue sometida a un contrainterrogatorio durante aproximadamente 90 minutos mientras los abogados continuaban presentando pruebas en el caso. Keeta Vaccaro busca una indemnización por daños y perjuicios, alegando que Hill abusó física y emocionalmente de ella durante varios años. Hill ha negado rotundamente las acusaciones.

Una prueba clave discutida en el tribunal el jueves fue un video de un monitor para bebés que el juez no permitió que los medios de comunicación grabaran.

Los miembros del jurado escucharon el audio del video, en el que se puede oír a Keeta Vaccaro y Hill gritando palabras obscenas mientras se escuchan fuertes golpes de fondo. Los fiscales afirman que su bebé recién nacido estaba durmiendo durante el enfrentamiento.

En un momento dado, Hill dijo que quería divorciarse e indicó que iba a buscar al bebé. Alicia Vaccaro testificó que intervino porque estaba preocupada por la seguridad del menor.

“Salí por la puerta y él estaba presionado contra ella. Me acerqué a ellos. Él me empujó hacia atrás”, dijo Alicia Vaccaro. “Estaba gritando, vociferando, diciendo malas palabras, y luego iba a buscar al bebé. Mi primer instinto fue proteger al bebé”.

Dijo que ella y Keeta entraron entonces a la habitación donde estaba el bebé y le pidieron a Hill que no lastimara al menor.

Alicia Vaccaro reconoció durante el contrainterrogatorio que no vio personalmente a Hill golpear a su hija. Sin embargo, testificó que lo que presenció y escuchó contribuyó a su percepción de que la relación era conflictiva.

Su testimonio se produjo después de varios días de acusaciones por parte de Keeta Vaccaro, quien ha descrito múltiples encuentros en los que afirma que Hill la agredió físicamente o se comportó de manera agresiva hacia ella.

El miércoles, Vaccaro testificó sobre un enfrentamiento en el que dijo que Hill la empujó sobre una cama, arrojó objetos por la habitación y forcejeó con ella. También describió un incidente en el que afirmó que Hill intentó quitarle su anillo de matrimonio y le dijo que quería divorciarse.

A los miembros del jurado también se les mostraron fotografías de una habitación de hotel después de un enfrentamiento que Vaccaro atribuyó a Hill.

El jurado también escuchó el testimonio de la doctora Jennifer Wilson, una terapeuta que posteriormente trató a Vaccaro y testificó de manera virtual. Wilson indicó que Keeta Vaccaro llegó para recibir tratamiento con un diagnóstico de trastorno de estrés postraumático.

Wilson dijo que Keeta Vaccaro experimentaba dificultades para dormir, pensamientos acelerados y problemas de concentración. También describió que Vaccaro tenía dificultades para confiar en los demás y que examinaba constantemente su entorno en busca de posibles amenazas.

El hermano de Vaccaro, Kevin Vaccaro, también testificó sobre cambios que dijo haber notado en la personalidad de su hermana.

Describió una llamada telefónica en la que Vaccaro le dijo que Hill le había arrojado ceniza o parte de un cigarro de marihuana en el ojo.

Kevin Vaccaro indicó que se preocupó especialmente cuando escuchó a su hermana gritar mientras se podía oír a Hill de fondo.

“Ella grita porque Tyreek estaba de fondo. No podría decirles cuáles eran las palabras, pero él estaba gritando”, testificó. “Y luego la llamada se cortó, y fue entonces cuando realmente comenzamos a preocuparnos por ella”.

El abogado de Hill indicó que Hill podría subir al estrado de los testigos tan pronto como el jueves para dar su versión de los hechos.

The seizure of the tools, announced Wednesday by the FBI and Justice Department, represents the latest law enforcement effort in recent years to go after a broad-based hacking campaign known to the private sector as Flax Typhoon.

The tools at issue, called “Microscan” and “FishHub,” were used by the hackers to scan, phish and hack targets that included U.S. and foreign critical infrastructure. The tools were used to target, among other entities, an unnamed power company in the U.S., Japanese and Polish airports, Taiwanese universities, a multinational, nongovernmental organization and Taiwanese critical infrastructure companies.

The latest operation has rendered the tools inoperable in what FBI and Justice Department officials said was a blow to the hacking operation.

“We aim to remove the capability from the threat actors. We target their infrastructure, their money, and their tools,” FBI Cyber Division Deputy Assistant Director Jason Bilnoski told The Associated Press, calling the hacking operation “indiscriminate and reckless.”

The tools were operated by a Chinese-based information security company called Integrity Technology Group, which the FBI has said is closely associated with the Chinese government and is the actual identity of Flax Typhoon.

In September 2024, the FBI announced that it had disrupted a botnet associated with Flax Typhoon that installed malicious software on more than 200,000 consumer devices, including cameras, video recorders and home and office routers, to create a massive botnet — a network of infected computers. The botnet was used to facilitate cyber crimes, such as the theft of sensitive information from victims’ networks.

FBI San Diego Supervisory Special Agent Brett Lally said that the department would continue to monitor for ways that the company might rebuild its infrastructure.

“It’ll be interesting to see what this round of disruption actions have in terms of their ability to operate as a company in China,” Lally said.

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Tucker reported from Washington.

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Anna Corina Albanese, 44, was arrested by the Coral Springs Police Department and is facing two counts of battery and one count of disorderly intoxication, according to jail records.

Police said officers responded to the T-Mobile store at 9473 W. Atlantic Blvd. after employees called mall security and reported that Albanese had battered both of them before leaving the store.

One employee told police that Albanese entered the store, sat in a chair and said she needed a new phone. When employees asked to see her identification, Albanese threw it on a table and became rude and belligerent, according to the arrest report.

The report states that the employee told police that Albanese called her a “c--t,” which led her to ask her manager for assistance.

Albanese then became irate after the manager offered to help and not the original employee, police said.

They said as the manager of the store tried to help Albanese, she shoulder-checked her as she walked toward the exit and then spit on the manager, which landed on her left arm and midsection. She then shoulder-checked the manager again before heading to the food court, the report states.

Police said Albanese left a bottle of vodka behind in the T-Mobile store before exiting and was eventually detained.

“It was very obvious by her behavior, speech, overall demeanor, and the smell of an alcoholic beverage on her breath, that Albanese was very intoxicated,” police wrote in the report.

Jail records show she is facing two counts of battery and one count of disorderly intoxication.

As of Thursday afternoon, she was being held at the North Broward Bureau, where her bond wasn’t immediately set.

Anna Corina Albanese, de 44 años, fue arrestada por el Departamento de Policía de Coral Springs y enfrenta dos cargos de agresión física y uno de intoxicación y alteración del orden público, según los registros de la cárcel.

La policía indicó que los agentes acudieron a la tienda T-Mobile ubicada en 9473 W. Atlantic Blvd. después de que los empleados llamaran a la seguridad del centro comercial y reportaran que Albanese había agredido a ambos antes de abandonar el establecimiento.

Una empleada le dijo a la policía que Albanese ingresó a la tienda, se sentó en una silla y dijo que necesitaba un teléfono nuevo. Cuando los empleados le pidieron su identificación, Albanese la arrojó sobre una mesa y comenzó a comportarse de manera grosera y agresiva, según el informe de arresto.

El informe señala que la empleada le dijo a la policía que Albanese la llamó “zorra”, lo que la llevó a pedir ayuda a su gerente.

Albanese se enfureció cuando la gerente se ofreció a ayudarla en lugar de la empleada original, indicó la policía.

Según las autoridades, mientras la gerente de la tienda intentaba ayudar a Albanese, esta la golpeó con el hombro mientras caminaba hacia la salida y luego le escupió, alcanzándola en el brazo izquierdo y la parte media del cuerpo. Posteriormente, volvió a golpear a la gerente con el hombro antes de dirigirse al área de comidas, según el informe.

La policía indicó que Albanese dejó una botella de vodka dentro de la tienda T-Mobile antes de salir y finalmente fue detenida.

“Era muy evidente por su comportamiento, forma de hablar, actitud general y el olor a bebida alcohólica en su aliento que Albanese estaba muy intoxicada”, escribió la policía en el informe.

Los registros de la cárcel muestran que enfrenta dos cargos de agresión física y uno de intoxicación y alteración del orden público.

Hasta la tarde del jueves, permanecía detenida en el North Broward Bureau, donde su fianza aún no había sido establecida.

India recortó casi 11 teravatios-hora de generación solar en los últimos 15 meses hasta el 1 de septiembre —suficiente electricidad para abastecer a unos 10 millones de hogares—, según datos del gobierno e investigaciones del centro de estudios energéticos Ember. Esa energía solar no se utilizó, incluso cuando el calor extremo y menos lluvias monzónicas a lo esperado elevaron la demanda de electricidad en el país asiático para refrigeración y para bombear agua subterránea destinada a la agricultura.

India, el país más poblado del mundo y uno de los mayores emisores de gases que contaminan el clima, está incorporando rápidamente energía limpia, especialmente solar, a su sistema de generación eléctrica. Sin embargo, no puede aprovechar toda la energía limpia que podría generar debido a la insuficiente capacidad de transmisión y almacenamiento, y a la dificultad técnica de alternar entre la energía fósil y las renovables.

Expertos en energía señalan que esa contradicción apunta al próximo gran desafío de la transición energética de India. Ya no basta con construir parques solares y eólicos. El país también necesita más líneas de transmisión para trasladar electricidad por todo su territorio, baterías para almacenar la energía renovable hasta que sea requerida y un sistema eléctrico más flexible que pueda ajustarse con rapidez cuando la producción eólica y solar suba o baje.

“Estamos en una etapa en la que algunos de los mayores obstáculos de las renovables empiezan a afectarnos”, manifestó Neshwin Rodrigues, analista de energía en Ember.

La energía limpia es desconectada pese a una demanda récord

India cuenta con más de 300 gigavatios de capacidad de generación de energía limpia, más de la mitad de su capacidad eléctrica total instalada. Pero se sigue usando carbón para producir la mayor parte de la electricidad del país.

Algunos expertos señalan que la principal razón de esto es el recorte: cuando una planta eólica o solar podría producir electricidad, pero se le ordena reducir o detener la generación porque la red no puede absorber esa energía.

Rodrigues explicó que, cuando la generación solar se dispara por la tarde, a las unidades a base de carbón les resulta difícil reducir su producción porque son relativamente inflexibles y no pueden disminuir su producción rápidamente sin comprometer la eficiencia, aumentar los costos o arriesgarse a padecer problemas operativos.

Intentar que las centrales térmicas sean flexibles y se adapten al aumento del suministro de fuentes de energía limpia “es como pedirle a un elefante que baile”, comentó Vinay Pabba, director general de la empresa de energía renovable Vibrant Energy, con sede en Hyderabad.

Pabba señaló que el recorte se traduce en pérdidas para los desarrolladores de energía limpia. “Sólo nos pagan por lo que inyectamos a la red”, explicó.

La alta concentración de generación renovable en el oeste de India también ha hecho que las líneas de transmisión en esa parte del país se congestionen rápidamente. Los estados occidentales de Gujarat y Rajasthan representan casi el 50% de la capacidad de generación de energía solar del país.

“Cuando la solar alcanza su pico, por lo general por la tarde, hay un conducto limitado para evacuarla”, agregó Pabba.

Otro riesgo de no desarrollar capacidad de almacenamiento con rapidez es que se utilicen más combustibles sucios. “Sin suficiente almacenamiento, India corre el riesgo de mantener en funcionamiento las plantas a base de carbón incluso cuando hay energía renovable barata disponible”, advirtió Vibhuti Garg, directora para el sur de Asia del Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, un centro de investigación.

Mientras que un parque solar o eólico a veces puede completarse en dos años, construir nuevas líneas eléctricas puede tardar un mínimo de tres años, señalan expertos en energía.

Investigaciones de Ember hallaron que India sólo ha alcanzado aproximadamente el 80% de sus objetivos anuales de construcción de transmisión en los últimos cinco años.

Distribuir más el desarrollo renovable en otras partes del país, al tiempo que se añaden más energía eólica y proyectos solares locales más pequeños, podría reducir la presión sobre los corredores de transmisión saturados y hacer que el suministro eléctrico esté más equilibrado a lo largo del día, señaló Disha Agarwal, analista de energía del Council on Energy, Environment and Water, un centro de investigación sobre política climática con sede en Nueva Delhi.

Agarwal indicó que es probable que el reto se vuelva más difícil a medida que la capacidad renovable siga aumentando.

India aspira a alcanzar 500 gigavatios de capacidad de electricidad limpia para 2030. Además, los responsables de políticas en el país prevén que casi el 70% de su capacidad eléctrica instalada provenga de fuentes no fósiles para 2036.

Las baterías podrían ayudar a guardar energía para cuando se necesite

Un estudio publicado recientemente por el India Energy and Climate Center de la Universidad de California, campus de Berkeley, concluyó que la energía renovable respaldada por baterías puede suministrar electricidad con una confiabilidad cercana a la de las centrales convencionales, a un precio que, según los investigadores, es inferior al de la electricidad procedente de nuevas plantas a base de carbón.

Las baterías permiten almacenar electricidad solar cuando abunda por la tarde y descargarla después del atardecer, un momento en que la demanda sigue siendo alta.

Pero el sector de almacenamiento de India sigue siendo mucho más pequeño de lo que, según los planificadores, se requerirá a la larga.

“Si intentamos aumentar las instalaciones solares sin resolver el almacenamiento de energía, eso sólo va a conducir a recortes”, expresó Ankit Mittal, director general de Ingro Energy, una empresa de almacenamiento en baterías.

Mittal señaló que India intenta transformar simultáneamente varias partes de su sistema eléctrico a medida que aumenta la demanda de energía. “Cosas que se suponía que debían ocurrir a lo largo de décadas” ahora están ocurriendo todas a la vez, sostuvo.

El gobierno informó en julio que contaba con unos 3 gigavatios de almacenamiento en baterías y 7,4 gigavatios de capacidad operativa de almacenamiento por bombeo. Prevé que las necesidades de almacenamiento de India alcancen aproximadamente 74 gigavatios para 2032.

“Si no se construyen proyectos de almacenamiento de energía de alta calidad, podríamos estar añadiendo una capa adicional de riesgo a las operaciones de la red, al tiempo que desaceleramos la capacidad de nuestra nación para alcanzar los objetivos de transición energética”, señaló Avinash Rao, director general de Mahindra Susten, una empresa líder de energía renovable en India.

Rodrigues, el analista de energía, señaló que las baterías pueden construirse mucho más rápido que la infraestructura de gran envergadura para transmisión, lo que las convierte en una de las opciones más rápidas para aliviar algunas limitaciones inmediatas.

Actores del sector indicaron que pocos, si es que alguno, previeron el increíble aumento de la demanda que se está produciendo a medida que se electrifican el transporte del país y otros sectores importantes y se construyen centros de datos.

“Ninguno de nosotros lo vio venir. Si lo hubiéramos visto venir, probablemente habríamos planificado para sortearlo”, dijo Pabba, de Vibrant Energy.

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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

In the spring of 2024, the Thai singer and rapper was photographed with a strange little plush monster hanging from her handbag, grinning with serrated teeth. That was all it took for the Labubu craze to be born.

“I’m sorry!” Lisa says. “But I can’t help it. It’s really cute. We’re kids!”

It’s the morning after the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of “Always Lalisa,” a Sony Music Vision documentary opening for a limited engagement in theaters Oct. 12 before streaming on YouTube Premium.

Director Sue Kim follows Lisa, whose real name is Lalisa Manobal, through a pivotal year as she launches her first solo album, 2025’s “Alter Ego,” forms her own management company, plays Coachella, sings at the Oscars and makes her acting debut in “The White Lotus.”

The film also portrays a surreal evolution for Lisa, who was already in her mid-20s and one of the most famous faces in the world as the film begins. After years of strict management of her image under the South Korean label YG Entertainment that governed everything from her driving to her dating, it shows Lisa relishing a newfound independence.

“I learned so much on my own. I tried things that I never had a chance to try. It was challenging, but I’m just so proud of myself,” says Lisa, now 29. “Finding my voice, yes, and finding confidence. I’ve been with Blackpink for almost 10 years. Then I wanted to do my own solo project, but I wasn’t confident and I didn’t know where to start.”

Lisa seems typically bubbly and bright during an AP interview — “I have my chips and my matcha latte. I’m good” — but she's still shaking off some of the nerves of debuting the documentary. It’s easily the most intimate look yet into her life — her parents appear in it — and the full-life exposure is new for her. “It’s embarrassing when I see the footage when I was little and dancing,” she says, laughing and shaking her head.

After a K-pop upbringing, a ‘delayed coming of age’

Kim, a veteran documentarian and Detroit native raised by Korean immigrants, has spent enough time in the K-pop world to understand it. She produced the Apple TV series “K-pop Idols,” which documented the rigorous training of K-pop hopefuls. But Kim, who also directed 2024’s “The Last of the Sea Women,” has an outsider’s perspective on some of K-pop's unique pressures.

“For us, it’s sort of inconceivable that you’d be mad at an entertainer for having a romantic relationship or driving,” Kim says. “Don’t you want them to get places?”

Filming Lisa, she thought, would be a chance to show “a delayed coming of age.”

“I knew that we’d see her testing her boundaries, figuring out who she is, figuring out where she wants to take her life and her career, and also kind of figuring out what works for her as a human,” says Kim. “I loved the idea that we would be able to witness that with her as she was experiencing it.”

At just 13, Lisa became the first non-Korean trainee at YG, beating out thousands of hopefuls. She spent her next years singing, dancing and learning Korean while abiding by the restrictions: No dating, no drinking, no driver’s license. Since Blackpink's debut in 2016, the girl group quartet has accounted for more than 20 million records sold worldwide and more than 40 billion streams.

“I’m grateful for everything. I trained for five years. It’s like a boarding school. You go into school, sleep in a dorm with girls who have the same dream as you, and it’s fun,” Lisa says.

“Always Lalisa” chronicles some of Lisa’s growing pains. Uncertain how to present herself as a solo artist, she decides to showcase numerous identities on “Alter Ego,” to mixed reviews. Pitchfork called it “the generic embodiment of a pop star.” Global fame has also meant intense security: When Lisa wore a black-lace bodysuit to the 2025 Met Gala, online critics claimed incorrectly that Rosa Parks’ face was on her tights.

But in person, Lisa tends to win people over. Her Coachella set was mostly celebrated, as was her performance last month at the MTV VMAs. As a solo act, she’s thrived.

“If I want to do something, I just do it,” she says. “I don’t have to ask for permission or anything. If I have an idea, we make it happen. It’s fun to do whatever you want to do. Like, no limits.”

In acting, ‘White Lotus’ is only the start

That’s also increasingly meant acting. For the Thailand-set third season of Mike White's HBO series “The White Lotus,” Lisa played Mook, the resort staffer whose flirty scenes with a security guard (Tayme Thapthimthong) reverberate across the plot and themes.

“I’ve been dancing and singing since I was little. But I feel like acting is something new to me,” Lisa says. “It’s just crazy that I got the role. I have to thank Mike White that he saw something in me. I’m so blessed to be in that show.”

White, the series creator, was likewise skeptical at first. In the documentary, he says he initially rejected the idea of a K-pop star as stunt casting. But then he met her.

“Mike White and I had the same takeaway,” Kim says. “She is so improbably this pure, sweet person that exists in this rarefied world that can be so harsh and scary to be yourself. There’s something so innocent about her, and it’s who she really is. I know so many fans of her feel so protective of her: ‘Protect Lisa at all costs!’ I kind of get it. I feel that way about her, too.”

Lisa stars next in a “Notting Hill”-inspired romantic comedy for Netflix, penned by Katie Silberman (“Set it Up”). Also for Netflix, she co-stars in the upcoming South Korean action thriller “Tygo,” by director Lee Sang-yong. “I’m super open to everything,” she says.

“I love ‘Notting Hill,' I love,” Lisa adds. “I’m not that picky. I can watch animation. I love a Disney movie. Horror movies, I’m not a big fan of. Because I’m a kid.”

Ashton and Zachary Smith from Philadelphia are guests in Croatia this week after the couple accidentally celebrated their wedding in June with a crowd of joyful Croatian soccer fans during the FIFA World Cup in the United States.

The Smiths had just gotten married and came out of Philadelphia City Hall to take photos when hundreds of Croats in red-and-white chequered jerseys joined in. Photos and videos of the couple kissing among the fans became popular on social networks and paved the way for a new friendship.

“It was so crazy, we just finished our ceremony, we went outside to take some pictures in front of City Hall,” Ashton Smith recalled. “We were warned that the road was taken over but we’re like, oh, let’s just try it anyway.”

It was “the best decision that we ever could have made” despite the initial shock, she said.

“Everyone stormed us," Ashton Smith added. "At first we were like, oh my gosh I hope everyone is with us. But everyone was there, everyone was celebrating with us and it was just amazing how welcoming they were to complete strangers.”

Months later, the couple received an equally warm welcome in the Croatian town of Split, located on the Adriatic Sea coast. The Croatian National Tourist Board and the Mi Hrvati, or We Croats, fan group invited the Smiths over for a “second honeymoon.”

“I feel amazing,” Ashton said in an interview earlier this week. “We learned a lot of history about Croatia and now the vibes are immaculate.”

Ashton and Zachary joined the fans' march along the city’s waterfront ahead of Croatia’s UEFA Nations League match against Spain on Tuesday. A band played, the fans sang and the couple quickly fitted in. Later in the evening, they also attended the match.

“The fans are so energetic," Ashton said. "They brought the same energy that they did in Philly.”

Daniel Pedisic of the Mi Hrvati association said the spontaneous way Croatian fans reacted to the wedding in Philadelphia showed “the kind of people we are, warm, hospitable people.”

“We were with them that day and now we brought them to Croatia,” Pedisic added, whose association follows the team worldwide and is known for carrying a 100-meter Croatian flag.

The trip also took the Smiths to the coastal town of Sibenik and included a sailing trip and a tour of the stunning Krka National Park. On Friday, the couple will travel to the famous medieval walled city of Dubrovnik in the southern Adriatic, before ending their trip in the capital, Zagreb.

“Technically, this is our second honeymoon because we had a pre-planned one before the wedding," Ashton said. “The first one was laid back and relaxing, and this one is kind of go, go, go, and we absolutely love it.”

Zachary Smith said he had never expected to visit Croatia, which is located in southeastern Europe.

“I knew all about Croatia, where it was, the country obviously," he said. “But (I) never really thought that I would ever make it here, so it’s amazing."

Owners also proposed adding nine additional days off to the current postseason format, extending it to a maximum 42 days in a move that would give top starting pitchers potential to appear more often.

MLB would allow higher-seeded teams in the first two rounds of the postseason to pick their opponents beginning next year and would make most regular-season Mondays a day off for the vast majority of teams starting in 2029 except for those in up to two nationally broadcast games.

Cutting regular-season games would reduce the opportunity for players to set season and career records.

“Returning to a 154-game schedule would allow us to introduce a weekly off day, which is good for player health, while also creating a new national broadcast window to showcase our most exciting teams and players," MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said in a statement.

The players' association said it will review the plan and will respond at the bargaining table.

Baseball's five-year labor contract expires Dec. 1, and management is expected to lock out players in a confrontation that could delay or wipe out the 2027 season. MLB proposed a salary cap, which the union has vowed to never accept, along with limits on contract values and length.

“Unfortunately, the league once again made clear that all of its proposals are contingent on players’ agreement to a salary cap, a system that guts player rights and compensation, as well as its other anti-player proposals,” the union said in a statement.

MLB's regular season currently schedules 162 games over 187 days, and the new format would play the 154 games over 180 in most years.

MLB would keep the Wild Card Series at best-of-three at the ballpark of the higher-seeded team, add an extra day off between Games 1 and 2 and stagger series starts. There would be only two games scheduled on each of the first three days rather than the current format of up to four games per day.

No. 3 seeds could select after the regular season whether to host No. 5 or No. 6 in the Wild Card Series, and the No. 1 seeds could pick which wild-card winner to play in the Division Series.

Each best-of-seven series would be played over 11 days instead of nine, adding off days before Games 5 and 7 in addition to the travel days before Games 3 and 6. MLB would stop scheduling early round postseason games in afternoons after some teams have struggled to fill stadiums in those slots.

Management made a “pick your opponent” proposal in 2022 bargaining as part of a 14-team playoff plan players didn't agree to.

“A shorter regular season unlocks making October even better for our fans — with fewer weekday afternoon games, a longer Division Series and more opportunities to see the game’s best pitchers on the biggest stage," Caplin said. "And allowing the top seeds to select their opponents in the first two rounds would create compelling storylines, intensify existing rivalries and create new ones.”

As part of the proposal, each team would be scheduled for four day-night doubleheaders, one against each division rival.

Minor league schedules have included days off on Mondays since 2021.

Big league clubs would be scheduled for Monday games on national holidays, when many typically draw large crowds. Teams that play Mondays would be scheduled to have Thursday off.

MLB said player salaries would not be adjusted to reflect fewer games and bonus provision thresholds — like those that pay players for games played — would be adjusted to reflect the shortened schedule.

The National and American Leagues adopted 154-game schedules in 1904 that had every team in each eight-team circuit playing all opponents 22 times.

The AL switched to a 162-game schedule when it expanded to 10 teams for 1961 and the National League followed suit the next year.

The LCS started in 1969 and were best-of-five through 1984, then expanded to best-of-seven.

Division Series have been best-of-five since their inception for annual use in 1995. Wild card games started with the expansion of the playoffs from eight to 10 teams in 2012 and became best-of-three Wild Card Series when the postseason increased to 12 clubs in 2022.

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See AP’s full MLB coverage here

It so happens five of the six leaders he honored are immigrants.

Before the ceremony that recognized Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Vice President JD Vance announced at a news conference that the tech company was being suspended from a program that allows companies to apply for green cards for skilled foreign workers with H-1B visas.

The crackdown on Microsoft revealed the tension between the companies that power U.S. economic growth and the administration's efforts to reduce immigration. Trump's team insists it's possible to spot the superstar immigrants who could lead groundbreaking companies and says hiring unexceptional foreigners has hurt U.S. workers.

“Our message to Microsoft is: You’re a great American company, but you’ve got to hire great American workers,” Vance told a news conference. He said the company had abused the visa system. “You cannot lay off American workers and then replace them with foreign indentured servants.”

Vance said Microsoft last year fired 6,000 U.S. workers but also obtained 6,300 H-1B visas and almost 3,000 green cards.

The tech company, based in Redmond, Washington, has 223,000 employees worldwide. It said in a statement that the majority of its H-1B visa applications last fiscal year were “to extend or change the status of existing Microsoft employees.”

In presenting the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Microsoft's CEO, Trump took a more flattering approach and made no statements about the company's hiring of foreign workers.

“For more than three decades, Satya Nadella has been a key figure in the transformation of Microsoft, revolutionizing the company and empowering businesses, students and consumers from all over the world with some of the most capable software ever built,” Trump said.

When Vance was asked about the seeming contradiction, he said, “We’re going to continue to support Microsoft and have a great relationship with Microsoft.”

Of the six tech leaders who received an award for scientific and technological achievement from the president, five came from abroad.

The president gave the National Medal of Science to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and Lisa Su, CEO of the semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices. Each of them was born overseas — South Africa for Musk, Russia for Brin and Taiwan for Huang and Su.

In addition to Nadella, Trump also gave the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell, who has sponsored the government’s special investment accounts for children known as Trump Accounts. Dell was born in Texas, while Nadella immigrated from India.

On social media, Nadella thanked Trump.

“I’m humbled to stand alongside so many giants of American innovation and looking forward for what we can continue to do together to advance technology and drive American prosperity,” he posted.

They're praised as ‘national treasures’

Trump called the group of billionaires “national treasures,” comparing them to his uncle, John Trump, an electrical engineer and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who received the National Medal of Science in 1983.

“Such a big day in the world of science and the world of technology — this is the biggest day there is,” Trump said. “You’re going to go down in the annals of history as being great.”

The honors — part of a summit celebrating a new “golden age” of science — build on Trump’s already lavish praise toward the entrepreneurs for their work accelerating the development of artificial intelligence technology, which he refers to as super intelligence. He has increasingly counted on the technology to deliver on his economic agenda and pushed for the U.S. to lead its development while resisting calls for guardrails that he worries will stifle growth.

“We have an extremely high IQ audience, for a change,” Trump joked to the event's attendees.

Past winners of the National Medal of Science, which was established in 1959, have mainly been academics and research scientists rather than business leaders. The ceremony honoring the business leaders overlaps with the awarding this week, separately, of Nobel Prizes.

The tech leaders have been frequent visitors to the White House in recent weeks. Musk, Huang and Su sat at the head table with Trump at the lavish state dinner for China’s leader, Xi Jinping. Also attending were Brin, Nadella and Dell, who on Wednesday was in the Oval Office to talk about Trump Accounts.

Last week, Huang and Musk were among the tech leaders at the White House to sign a voluntary agreement on developing AI after recent models raised national security and safety concerns.

With November's midterm elections less than a month away, Trump has also sought to drive home to voters how investment in AI data centers and related computer equipment has helped to boost a record-high stock market, swelling the net worth of wealthier Americans. But the message hasn't always landed. Polls show bipartisan concerns about AI developing too quickly, and high costs for everyday items like gas and groceries are dampening the economic outlook for many Americans.

Vance also said that several universities including Stanford and MIT should be investigated for visa fraud. Huang and Brin have degrees from Stanford and Su has multiple degrees from MIT.

The White House praised the contributions of Thursday's honorees.

“These recipients are helping ensure America keeps leading the world in innovation,” said Liz Huston, a White House spokesperson.

The Army report — completed in May and released publicly Thursday after months of pressure from the victims' families — identified failures involving air traffic control, helicopter routes, training and safety practices. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the report hours before it was released.

The deadliest plane crash on U.S. soil in over two decades happened when the helicopter collided with the descending airliner as it approached the runway, sending both plummeting into the icy Potomac River and killing 67.

The Army report highlighted how the air traffic controller at Reagan could have prevented the crash, but it also acknowledged the military’s own failings and other contributing factors.

Families demand answers from the Army

Tim Lilley, a former Army Black Hawk pilot whose son Sam Lilley was the airliner's first officer, said the report leaves important questions unanswered. Parts were redacted, and responsibility for the Army's failures was assigned broadly rather than to individuals.

“The Army owes the families and the American public a full accounting of how these risks were allowed to persist, who was responsible for the decisions that allowed them to persist and what will be done to make sure this never happens again,” said Lilley, now a commercial jet captain.

The Army acknowledged that in a statement Thursday.

“We recognize the families’ need for answers and remain committed to transparency regarding the Army’s review,” it said.

Report identifies key factors in the crash

While the report largely reinforces the National Transportation Safety Board's conclusions, the civilian investigation was broader and emphasized years of missed warnings by the Federal Aviation Administration along with a weak military safety culture.

The Army faulted the air traffic controller for not giving the helicopter crew more precise information about the approaching jet and for not warning the jet’s pilot about the helicopter. After the crash, the FAA prohibited controllers from relying on pilots to maintain visual separation in busy airspace.

The report recommended looking beyond Washington to examine military helicopter operations in other major cities for similar risks. An Army official said the review of helicopter flights in other cities, including Los Angeles and the Seattle-Tacoma region, is ongoing. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation publicly.

The lieutenant general who authored the report cited “breakdowns across all layers of conflict management” but singled out two failed radio transmissions that contributed to the helicopter crew not identifying the jet. The military pilots' night-vision goggles also restricted their view and made it hard to spot the plane amid the city lights.

The poorly designed helicopter route allowed a scant 75 feet (23 meters) of vertical separation between a helicopter and a plane landing on the airport's secondary runway, assuming helicopters stayed near the riverbank, which the route didn't require. This did not allow enough separation to account for the accepted level of error in a Black Hawk’s altimeter, and the NTSB found the helicopter was flying nearly 100 feet (30 meters) higher than its instruments read.

NTSB says the Army is making safety changes

The NTSB said in a letter to the Army last week that it was pleased with the Army's progress on seven of its eight safety recommendations. That contrasts with the FAA’s failure to implement roughly a third of the recommendations aimed at the agency.

The Army said it has strengthened helicopter crew training, and has inspected and reconfigured 3,585 helicopters after discovering the crashed Black Hawk's ADS-B Out system, which broadcasts its location, hadn't been working for some time.

The military is also improving its monitoring of safety risks and working with the FAA to share information about close calls.

Victims' families push Congress for safety reforms

Families of the crash victims said the Army's findings strengthen their case for legislation requiring aircraft to have technology that helps pilots detect nearby traffic.

“It’s a simple concept anyone can understand: aircraft should be able to see each other in the sky. The technology is proven. All that’s required is the political will to do the right thing,” the Families of Flight 5342 group said in a statement Thursday.

“We have waited long enough. We waited for the NTSB. We waited for the Army. Both investigations are complete, and both make clear that collision avoidance technology must be part of the solution. There is nothing left for Congress to wait for,” they said.

The House and Senate have passed separate aviation safety bills but have yet to agree on a final version.

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Associated Press writer Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed.

Edmonton and Vancouver played 6-5 and 9-7 games. Pittsburgh routed Philadelphia 7-0. Colorado beat Los Angeles 8-4.

“There’s a lot of goals being scored, which tells you that there’s some loose hockey still being played,” New York Islanders coach Peter DeBoer said Thursday.

The hockey has been sloppy, scoring is up slightly and goaltenders are stopping the puck less than last season. But with the first 100 or so games in the books following shorter training camps and less exhibition action, there's little evidence to suggest that it has drastically altered the play on the ice compared to previous starts that come with gaps in fundamentals and the occasional blowout.

“I think it’s been like that for the last 100 years, so I was not expecting this year to be any different,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said.

What the numbers say about the first week-plus

The first 110 games have featured 344 goals — led by Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard with six. Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin even has one from shooting and scoring into an empty net.

That's an average of 6.26, up a tick from the 6.1 over the first 112 games a year ago. Power plays are clicking at a 20.9% success rate, compared to 19.8%, led by Tourigny's Mammoth at 61.5%.

“Maybe less time to practice special teams,” said Utah's Dylan Guenther, who leads the league with six power play points. “We had a pretty big emphasis on that in camp because we did a lot of special teams, so it’s good that a little bit of that is paying off.”

The average save percentage so far is .890. Netminders combining for an .896 last season was the lowest in the NHL since 1994, and it's not getting any easier for hockey's masked men.

There are a similar amount of giveaways, more than 16 a game, and plenty of odd-man rushes to be found.

“Teams can score, like there’s so much skill,” New Jersey defenseman Brenden Dillon said. “Teams have so much skill, so on the defensive side, all it takes is one stick being in the wrong spot or one guy being out of position and teams are going to make you pay.”

What changes from a shorter camp

It is an annual debate every fall how to get the most out of camp, Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said, which leads to plenty of teaching early in the regular season.

"Do we roll out everything and then introduce it, but then you don’t get good at anything?" Keefe said. “Or do you just roll out a few things at a time and try to really grasp onto that and then you build out from there? You have to do that even more so in the shortened camp. You’ve got to kind of prioritize a few key areas you focus on, and then you just keep kind of building it out as you go.”

Player fitness is not a concern in this day and age when summer skates are commonplace. It may take several more weeks to determine if fewer preseason games contributed to any sort of increase in injuries.

More games are slipping away from teams with big deficits, though. There have been 22 decided by three or more goals, a little more than usual.

“Everybody’s pretty sharp pretty early,” Islanders captain Bo Horvat said. "You get the odd game here and there where it gets a little sloppy. But I think obviously play will pick up, and things will get a little bit crispier as the season goes on."

Teammate Kyle Palmieri said the Islanders discussed taking advantage of some of the sloppiness around the league, hoping that being more disciplined in the fall can pay dividends. Dillon understands coaches probably would have liked another week or two to iron some things out, but there isn't much clamoring to go back to the old ways.

“It’s nice having a shorter camp,” Guenther said. “I’m not going to complain about that.”

Good thing, then, because this is the NHL's new normal. As part of that, everyone seems to acknowledge this is how early-season fall hockey goes — a long way from playoff races in the spring and the lockdown, tight-checking intensity chasing the Stanley Cup.

“I think there’s a lot of clean up to do from everybody,” Tourigny said. “At this point, I don’t think there’s any team who’s perfectly perfect on anything.”

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See AP’s full NHL coverage here

It is the first time in the 65-year history of Cuba’s National Baseball Series that a team has taken the field with a sponsor.

Players and coaching staff from the Havana-based team recently wore their traditional white-and-blue jerseys displaying the logo of “A Granel,” a privately owned Cuban company specializing in fuel distribution.

In addition, the same advertisement now appears on the outfield wall at Estadio Latinoamericano, the team’s home stadium in Havana.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Industriales manager Guillermo Carmona told The Associated Press. “New measures are being taken, and there is a shift in many policies across the country. I believe this is something that will help.”

The shift away from amateurism

For years, Cuba championed amateurism in sports, arguing that professionalism commodified the game and exploited athletes’ talent. However, restrictions have begun to loosen over the last decade, and some players have been allowed to compete abroad or join lucrative leagues.

Last Friday, Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo, president of the National Baseball Federation, said private sponsorship is allowed under new regulations for Cuba’s sports system, which were approved last year.

Why it matters

Both Carmona and Pérez Pardo said the sponsorship — which supports the entire team rather than an individual athlete — will help improve conditions. The expected benefits range from essential equipment such as bats and uniforms to logistics, including fuel for transportation and player meals, as well as improvements to playing fields.

Details of the contract signed between Industriales and A Granel have not been disclosed.

Cuba is struggling with a severe economic crisis now in its fifth year. It worsened after an energy and financial blockade imposed by the United States began in January, bringing the island close to a standstill and heavily affecting daily life — including sports.

Sports authorities acknowledged that, due to the country’s economic hardships, the current season of the 16-team series will be split into two zones, East and West, to reduce travel and fuel use amid the energy crisis. The tournament runs from October to December.

The worsening economic crisis has also pushed many athletes to leave Cuba to join major teams abroad.

“It is important that this step was taken,” Luisa Álvarez, a 55-year-old Industriales fan, told the AP. “We are aware of the situation the country is going through.”

___

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

Flowers' family confirmed that he died Wednesday at his home in Mississippi, attorney Rob McDuff told The Associated Press Thursday.

No cause of death was given, said McDuff, who was part of Flowers' legal team.

Flowers was 26 when he was arrested several months after the July 1996 shooting deaths of four people inside a Winona, Mississippi, furniture store.

At the time, prosecutors described him as a disgruntled former employee who sought revenge against the store’s owner because she fired him and withheld most of his pay to cover the cost of merchandise he damaged. Nearly $300 was found missing after the killings.

Flowers was tried in the killings six times. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the high court's 7-2 decision in 2019 that the removal of Black prospective jurors deprived Flowers of a fair trial.

During the sixth trial in 2010, Flowers was sentenced to death. There were 11 white jurors and one Black juror who considered the case after District Attorney Doug Evans struck five Black prospective jurors.

Flowers remained in prison for six months after the Supreme Court ruling because he was still under indictment. He finally was released in December 2019 after a judge set bond.

Mississippi dropped charges against Flowers in September 2020.

“Today, I am finally free from the injustice that left me locked in a box for nearly twenty three years,” Flowers said in a statement. “I’ve been asked if I ever thought this day would come. I have been blessed with a family that never gave up on me and with them by my side, I knew it would.”

The legal team that represented Flowers for more than two decades said Thursday in a statement that each member feels “privileged to have called him a client.”

“Later, in the years after his release and exoneration, we felt equally honored to call him a friend,” the legal team said. “No matter where he was — on death row, at home on his parents’ porch with his feet up, singing in church, or fishing in a local pond — Curtis shared his light.”

The trials stretched back more than 20 years. The records showed Evans’ “relentless, determined effort to rid the jury of black individuals,” with the goal of an all-white jury, Kavanaugh wrote.

In the earlier trials, three convictions were tossed out, including one when the prosecutor improperly excluded African Americans from the jury. In the second trial, the judge chided Evans for striking a juror based on race. Two other trials ended when jurors couldn’t reach unanimous verdicts.

Kavanaugh noted that Evans had removed 41 of the 42 prospective Black jurors over the six trials.

Flowers filed a lawsuit in 2021 against Evans and three investigators who worked with the district attorney. The suit claimed Evans and the investigators engaged in misconduct, including “pressuring witnesses to fabricate claims about seeing Mr. Flowers in particular locations on the day of the murders” and ignoring other possible suspects.

Earlier that year, a judge ordered the state of Mississippi to pay Flowers $500,000 for wrongful imprisonment — the maximum under a state law that allows up to $50,000 a year for 10 years.

Evans retired in 2023 after more than 30 years as district attorney. His jury selection tactics had been scrutinized for years.

Flowers' name is “etched into U.S. Supreme Court jurisprudence — about what it means to fight for a fair trial free from racial bias in the selection of jurors,” Flowers' legal team said. “And also for that, but for so many other reasons, his name is etched into our memories, too — professional and personal. We will miss him.”

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Williams is a member of AP's Race & Ethnicity team. He reported from Detroit.

If a Waffle House stays open in town, even in a limited capacity, neighbors are reassured that the coming storm is unlikely to cause devastation. A closed location of the dependable diner chain has come to indicate impending disaster. The metric is known as the Waffle House Index.

What might sound like silly logic has become one of the most reliable ways for Southerners — and even federal officials — to gauge a storm’s severity and identify communities most in need of immediate aid.

What is the Waffle House Index?

The South’s favorite disaster authority provides an informal measure of how significantly a storm will affect or has affected a community.

A map of the chain’s over 1,900 locations, concentrated in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic, helps residents of storm-prone states assess whether they’re likely to lose power, experience severe flooding or endure other extreme conditions that might cause a resilient restaurant to close its doors. For some, it’s a telltale sign of whether they need to evacuate.

Waffle House is known not just for serving breakfast 24/7, 365 days a year, but also for its disaster preparedness. For decades, people across the South have noticed that the local Waffle House seemed to be the only business still open during a storm or the first to reopen after it passed.

The restaurant chain’s reputation for remaining open when people desperately needed a place to warm up, charge devices and grab a hot meal became a fairly reliable — albeit amusing — resource to help track recovery efforts. The company even operates its own storm center.

How does the index work?

Waffle House’s social media shares color-coded maps of its restaurant locations in certain regions that will soon be hit or are recovering from storm damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also offers some live tracking.

Green means the location is serving a full menu, indicating minimal damage in the surrounding area. The lights are on and the syrup is flowing.

Yellow means the restaurant is serving a limited menu, a signal that it’s pulling power from a generator and might have a low food supply. The area might not have running water or electricity, but there’s enough gas to fry up bacon for hungry customers.

Red means the location is closed, a sign of unsafe operating conditions and severe destruction to the restaurant or nearby communities.

How did the index start?

Former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate has said he thought up the Waffle House Index while leading Florida’s emergency management efforts in 2004. He had been searching for something to eat while surveying the devastation left by Hurricane Charley and was only able to find a Waffle House serving a limited menu.

His team began to notice other open Waffle Houses in communities without power or running water. The restaurants eventually became a key feature on a color-coded map that his team provided to help the public and local officials identify where storm damage was most severe.

Fugate continued to use his color-coded map when he joined FEMA under President Barack Obama. He was the agency’s administrator in 2011 when a deadly tornado tore through the town of Joplin, Missouri. Both of the town’s Waffle Houses reportedly stayed open.

The restaurant chain’s disaster readiness is no coincidence. Seven locations were destroyed and 100 more shut down in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina, but company executives saw business skyrocket at restaurants that reopened quickly.

They soon embraced a business strategy centered around keeping their restaurants operable during and after a disaster, according to the company’s website. The chain said it has invested in portable generators, bought a mobile command center and trained employees on what they can still serve if they lose electricity.

Actualmente, Isaias se agita en las cálidas aguas del Golfo de México.

Se pronostica que la tormenta se desplace en dirección noreste, con la posibilidad de tocar tierra en el noroeste de Florida, las costas del sur de Alabama o Mississippi, o la costa este de Louisiana.

El jueves, se espera que los cazadores de huracanes despeguen y vuelen hacia el corazón de la tormenta.

Volarán en uno de los aviones cazahuracanes más famosos del mundo, apodado “Miss Piggy”.

El avión, que celebra su 50 aniversario de servicio, también voló a través del huracán Andrew.

Estos vuelos son fundamentales para medir la intensidad de la tormenta y determinar sus posibles trayectorias futuras.

Una portavoz de la ciudad indicó que los toboganes cerrados se encuentran en Shenandoah Park, Children’s Park, Southside Park y Fern Isle Park. Agregó que todos los demás equipos de las áreas de juegos infantiles permanecen abiertos.

La medida se produce casi dos semanas después de un extraño accidente que involucró a Olvin Cabrera Valladares en Shenandoah Park, ubicado en 1800 SW 21st Ave.

La madre de Olvin le dijo a Liane Morejon, de Local 10 News, que su hijo debía estar en la escuela la mañana del 25 de septiembre, pero en lugar de eso fue en su patinete al parque, ubicado a unas 2 millas de distancia.

La mujer indicó que se enteró de lo que ocurrió después por un hombre que llegó al parque más tarde ese día con sus hijos y descubrió a Olvin atrapado dentro del tobogán.

“Me dijo que tiró de él, pero estaba atrapado en un tornillo”, dijo. “Volvió a tirar y mi hijo cayó. Tenía el brazo dentro de su camiseta y el cuello de la camiseta estaba apretado alrededor de su cuello”.

Un equipo de Local 10 News visitó el parque y observó que el tobogán tiene tornillos a lo largo de su estructura.

Los tornillos que Local 10 pudo observar con su cámara eran planos, pero el testigo le dijo a la madre de Olvin que el adolescente estaba colgando en medio del tubo por el cuello de su camiseta, que quedó atrapado en un tornillo y lo asfixió.

Después de ser trasladado de urgencia al hospital, Olvin fue conectado a un sistema de soporte vital.

Una semana después, fue declarado con muerte cerebral.

El día en que Olvin fue encontrado, la ciudad de Miami cerró el parque para realizar lo que describió como una “investigación no criminal”.

El martes, la ciudad emitió una declaración actualizada a Local 10, en la que señaló: “Nuestras más sinceras condolencias están con la familia y los seres queridos del menor. Este asunto se encuentra bajo investigación activa y la ciudad está trabajando diligentemente para reunir todos los hechos y brindar respuestas a la familia. Para proteger la integridad de ese proceso, no podemos hacer más comentarios en este momento”.

Se ha creado una página de GoFundMe para ayudar a la madre de Olvin a pagar los gastos de su funeral.

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A city spokeswoman said the enclosed slides are located at Shenandoah Park, Children’s Park, Southside Park and Fern Isle Park. She said all other playground equipment remains open.

The move comes nearly two weeks after a freak accident involving Olvin Cabrera Valladares at Shenandoah Park, located at 1800 SW 21st Ave.

Olvin’s mother told Local 10 News’ Liane Morejon that her son was supposed to be at school on the morning of Sept. 25, but instead rode his scooter to the park about 2 miles away.

She says she learned what happened next from a man who came to the park later that day with his kids and discovered Olvin stuck inside the slide.

“He told me he pulled on him, but he was caught on a screw,” she said. “He pulled again, and my son fell out. His arm was inside of his shirt, and his collar was tight around his neck.”

A Local 10 News crew visited the park and saw that the slide is lined with screws.

The ones Local 10 could observe with our camera were flat, but the witness told Olvin’s mother he was hanging in the middle of the tube by his T-shirt collar, which became caught on a screw and choked him.

After being rushed to the hospital, Olvin was placed on life support.

One week later, he was declared brain dead.

The day Olvin was found, the city of Miami closed the park for what it called a “non-criminal investigation.”

On Tuesday, the city released an updated statement to Local 10, saying “Our deepest condolences are with the child’s family and loved ones. This matter is under active investigation, and the City is working diligently to gather all the facts and bring closure to the family. To protect the integrity of that process, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

A GoFundMe page has been created to help Olvin’s mother pay for his funeral expenses.

The hearing was the latest development in the escalating drama between the Trump administration and the news media, which has raged in various arenas during his second term as president. At its core, though, are multiple free-speech questions. The dispute has produced sanctions and restrictions on White House and Pentagon reporters and led to several lawsuits that are progressing through the federal court system.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly said he intended to rule by Tuesday, possibly sooner, on whether to extend his earlier order restoring White House access for journalists from MS NOW, CNN and Politico. Granting the news outlets' request for a preliminary injunction would preserve the status quo — access — until the litigation is resolved.

Kelly, nominated to the bench by Republican President Donald Trump, didn't say how he intends to rule but described key government arguments as an “uphill climb” and a “tough lift." The judge also challenged a government attorney to specify the national security concerns that the administration claims are at stake.

“We've always been clear that it's not just national security,” Justice Department attorney Michael Velchik said, arguing that false reporting can impact policy and adversely affect national security.

“He doesn’t mind negative press stories if he deserves them. He has problems with trafficking verifiable falsehoods,” Velchik said of Trump.

Theodore J. Boutrous, an attorney for the media plaintiffs, said the government was continuing to discriminate against viewpoints and reporting it doesn’t like.

“He doesn’t like scrutiny of his policies, he doesn’t like the reporting, he wants more good press,” Boutrous said in court. That’s a content-based restriction on speech and a clear violation of the First Amendment, he said.

Velchik said some of the issues the White House has with the banned news organizations’ reporting include “quotations that are not actually said,” the use of anonymous sources and splicing interviews to insert different questions than what the interviewee was actually asked. “I do think that we’ve identified specific allegations for each individual outlet,” he said.

The hearing was made available to media and the public via a public access number, but the audio was often so faint as to be unintelligible.

Three-week saga continues

The case has been going on since last month, shortly after Trump banned the outlets from the White House grounds, saying he objected to their reporting.

The news organizations want longer-term relief until the entire case is resolved, and a temporary restraining order was due to expire on Thursday. But the judge extended it until Tuesday and said he intends to rule by then on whether to issue the preliminary injunction.

The hearing before Kelly came nearly three weeks after CNN, MS NOW and Politico were abruptly banished from White House grounds, with the president decrying their “fake news.” A spokesperson for CNN said the network had been allowed to fulfill its pool duties on Tuesday, and is next scheduled for Sunday.

Although the journalists were allowed back in by Kelly’s order, the administration continued to selectively exclude CNN from its duties in the White House broadcast pool. A spokesperson for CNN said the network had been allowed to fulfill its pool duties on Tuesday, and is next scheduled for Sunday.

Kelly had granted a two-week temporary restraining order against the ban, but it expires Thursday. The outlets have asked the court to halt the ban until the case is resolved, saying the administration has “persisted in unpredictably and inconsistently implementing its ban” despite the restraining order — including selectively keeping CNN from participating in White House pool duties.

“The White House’s words and actions leave little doubt that it will immediately reinstitute a complete ban of CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO if allowed the opportunity,” lawyers for the networks wrote in a filing on Sept. 28.

At issue is whether the president, or anyone, can punish news outlets for the content of their reports. The news organizations say that doing so is “viewpoint discrimination" forbidden by the First Amendment's free-speech protections.

Trump insists that he doesn't have to let news outlets whose reports he dislikes onto White House grounds. “When it comes to the White House, it is the people’s house,” Attorney General Todd Blanche said on ABC recently, invoking an argument the administration has made since the beginning. “It is a privilege, and not a right, to be there.”

The news organizations say that approach violates the Constitution's amendments protecting free speech and due process.

___

Noveck reported from New York and Boone from Boise, Idaho. Laurie Kellman in London contributed.

El equipo Florida Task Force One (FL-TF1), integrado por 88 miembros, fue activado como un recurso Tipo I del estado de Florida en preparación para la llegada del huracán a tierra.

Según los Bomberos de Miami-Dade, el equipo partió de sus instalaciones en Homestead alrededor de las 6 a.m. del jueves, con planes de establecerse en Tallahassee antes de responder a las áreas afectadas por la tormenta.

El despliegue incluye cuatro equipos caninos, junto con personal capacitado en rescates en aguas rápidas e inundaciones.

Una vez desplegados, los miembros del equipo estarán preparados para buscar sobrevivientes en áreas dañadas, ayudar con las labores de recuperación tras el desastre y evaluar los daños relacionados con la tormenta.

El equipo especializado está capacitado en 19 áreas de respuesta a emergencias, incluidas evaluaciones estructurales, atención médica avanzada, mitigación de materiales peligrosos, comunicaciones y logística.

Además de buscar en edificios dañados o colapsados, los equipos pueden brindar asistencia médica a víctimas atrapadas, evaluar estructuras potencialmente peligrosas y ayudar a estabilizar edificios que hayan sufrido daños.

El equipo también cuenta con sistemas de comunicación satelital para ayudar a los equipos de emergencia que trabajan en zonas de desastre.

Funcionarios de los Bomberos de Miami-Dade indicaron que los miembros del equipo estaban preparando y asegurando sus equipos antes de la partida del jueves para garantizar que pudieran responder a las necesidades de los residentes y otras agencias de emergencia.

Florida Task Force One tiene un historial de respuesta a grandes desastres en Estados Unidos y a nivel internacional.

Entre sus despliegues anteriores se encuentran el atentado de Oklahoma City, el colapso del World Trade Center, el huracán Katrina y el derrumbe del edificio de Surfside.

El equipo también ha colaborado en las labores de respuesta a terremotos en Colombia, Turquía, Haití y Venezuela.

Funcionarios de los Bomberos de Miami-Dade indicaron que la misión del equipo incluye operaciones de búsqueda y rescate, asistencia médica, evaluaciones de daños, comunicaciones de emergencia y coordinación de suministros de ayuda.

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para obtener las últimas actualizaciones sobre el huracán Isaias de la Autoridad del Tiempo de Local 10.

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The 88-member Florida Task Force One (FL-TF1) team was activated as a Type I State of Florida asset in preparation for the storm’s landfall.

“Many disasters are similar, but they are different,” FL-TF1 program manager Brandon Webb said. “Each one has its own problems and we utilize a very large box of techniques and tools to mitigate things as they come up.”

According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the team departed from its facility in Homestead around 6 a.m. Thursday, with plans to stage in Tallahassee before responding to areas impacted by the storm.

“It’s everything that we are. We want to help, and whenever they send us to help, we look forward to it. It’s what we all look forward to,” task force member Michelle Steele said.

The deployment includes four canine teams, along with crews trained in swift-water and flood rescues.

Once deployed, team members will be prepared to search damaged areas for survivors, assist with disaster recovery and evaluate storm-related damage.

One of the team members is Orestes Gonzalez, who has been part of the task force for about 15 years, so he is no stranger to the obstacles that could lie ahead.

“Making sure I follow all the training, that I’m not part of the problem -- I’m part of the solution,” Gonzalez said.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Captain and State Rep. Omar Blanco has also served with the task force for over a decade.

“These are people who care about helping others,” he said. “It’s just a privilege to do it, to represent Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and working in collaboration with other teams around the state is a privilege.”

The specialized team is trained in 19 areas of emergency response, including structural assessments, advanced medical care, hazardous materials mitigation, communications and logistics.

In addition to searching damaged or collapsed buildings, crews can provide medical assistance to trapped victims, assess potentially dangerous structures and help stabilize buildings that have sustained damage.

The team is also equipped with satellite communications systems to assist emergency responders working in disaster zones.

Florida Task Force One has a history of responding to major disasters in the U.S. and internationally.

Its previous deployments include the Oklahoma City bombing, the World Trade Center collapse, Hurricane Katrina and the Surfside building collapse.

The team has also assisted with earthquake response efforts in Colombia, Turkey, Haiti and Venezuela.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said the team’s mission includes search and rescue operations, medical assistance, damage assessments, emergency communications and coordination of relief supplies.

The task force is expected to be in the Panhandle for at least a week.

CLICK HERE for the latest updates on Hurricane Isaias from the Local 10 Weather Authority.

Trump, while stumping for Republicans this week, has hinted that he was confident that an endgame to the war could come in the days before or after the election, while also hinting that he remained open to resuming full-scale military operations against Iran.

For weeks, Trump has been threatening that a post-midterm election escalation in the seven-month-old war remains a viable option, despite his initial promises to Americans of a military campaign that would last a matter of weeks.

But Trump in a social media post on Thursday said the U.S. “will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd.”

Trump added that his team has been “having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

The U.S. and Iran signed a short-lived interim agreement in June, intended to establish a 60-day ceasefire and framework for a permanent peace deal.

The deal signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian collapsed within weeks amid renewed military actions and disputes over control of the Strait of Hormuz, the critical water which one-fifth world's oil flowed through before the war.

Negotiations had appeared at a standstill since Trump late last month publicly rejectedIran’s proposal to reopen the strait within seven days if the U.S. met certain conditions.

Iran, however, said last week they had received a U.S. counterproposal. And Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier on Thursday said he expected Tehran would offer a formal reply within days.

Trump on Wednesday during a campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas, said that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has continued indirect negotiations with Iranian officials.

But at the same time, Trump suggested he had mixed feelings about ending the war at this point.

“I think the deal isn’t really something that I want to do, but they’re willing to offer us anything to stop,” Trump said.

Trump believes that the U.S. is gaining leverage as the U.S. military is having greater success in helping oil tankers traverse the Strait of Hormuz and get Gulf allies’ oil to market, while a Navy blockade is shutting down Iran’s own oil exports.

Iran has lost its near chokehold over oil flows through the vital waterway with U.S. Central Command shepherding oil tankers through the strait at night with their location systems turned off.

That with the help of Gulf pipelines that skirt the strait, has allowed Gulf countries to export oil at nearly prewar levels.

But Iran has ramped up attacks on tankers passing through the strait in recent days. And overall, ship traffic remains well below prewar levels, as are shipments of liquid natural gas and fuel products.

Tanker operators willing to risk running the gauntlet under Central Command’s protection are in some cases charging rates of $1 million a day or more, shipping analysts say.

The situation has become further complicated as Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s government have launched a military campaign aimed at driving Iran-backed Houthi rebels from the Bab el-Mandeb strait, another critical Mideast trade route for oil and other goods. The Houthis, in turn, are targeting Saudi airports and key infrastructure in the kingdom with drone and missile strikes.

Trump's post comes as the military has dispatched more resources to the region. U.S. officials have said a third aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, and thousands of troops aboard it and accompanying ships could arrive as early as the end of October.

Trump’s announcement was made the same day the USS Abraham Lincoln was due to arrive to its home port in San Diego after a record-long deployment in support of the Iran war. There have been reports of crew stress and poor mental health, as well as supply shortages, including food and hygiene products.

The USS George Washington, which is usually based in Asia, relieved the Lincoln in August. The other aircraft carrier in the Middle East, the USS George H.W. Bush, has been deployed for about six months, but it pulled into Phuket, Thailand, for a port visit several days ago.

Instead, his comments further angered some Jewish critics who consider his strong opposition to Israel antisemitic, and pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted a Wednesday night vigil for victims of Hamas' attack to confront the mayor and cast him as a traitor to their cause.

Mamdani, a Democrat and the city's first Muslim mayor, has long been a fierce defender of Palestinian human rights and is one of the country's most prominent political critics of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. His stance has drawn scrutiny in a city with the largest Jewish population outside Israel, while at times some on the far-left have bashed him for not doing enough to hold Israel to account.

On Thursday, Mamdani appeared to take the protest in stride, telling reporters: “I am the mayor of New York City and this is what I signed up for.”

A parsed statement

The maelstrom began when Mamdani commemorated the victims of Hamas' surprise attack on Israel with a statement that began with a solemn recognition of the “unthinkable loss” suffered by Israelis but then focused on castigating Israel's military response.

“The suffering did not begin nor end that day,” the statement read. “It instead continued through the Israeli government’s devastating, ongoing genocide in Gaza, in which it has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians — including more than 21,000 children.”

The statement reignited criticism that Mamdani harbors antisemitic views — a claim he has vehemently denied — and was blaming Israel for the attack.

“This is a reprehensible statement on the anniversary of the horrific terrorist attack by a Palestinian terrorist organization against innocent Israelis,” U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman, a Jewish Democrat in New York, wrote on X. “In the guise of ‘grieving’ with those mourning that day, Mayor Mamdani asserts as fact hotly disputed allegations that he knows full well will offend and further upset those same people he pretends to grieve with.”

Ofir Akunis, consul general of Israel in New York, called the mayor's statement a “disgrace, shame, and insult to the memory of those who were murdered on October 7.”

Asked Thursday whether he would change his statement if given the chance, Mamdani said: “It is critically important to be able to mourn for all of those who were killed and have been killed since, especially given that we know this is ongoing, as opposed to something simply that was three years ago.”

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, who met with the mayor earlier this year over his rhetoric, said Mamdani had “doubled down” by signaling he would not temper his language around Israel.

“It seems like there's an opportunity for him to, you know, make an adjustment. I don't think anybody asked him to stop being who he is,” Jacobs said in an interview. “But he has failed to see how his deeply held beliefs endanger New Yorkers.”

Simmering tensions

Mamdani, who took office in January, has moved to assuage concerns that his criticism of Israel’s government is antisemitic, courting high-profile Jewish political allies and late last month debuting a sweeping plan to address antisemitism and hate crimes in the city.

At the same time, he has continued to employ, and defend, heated rhetoric toward Israel, which includes calling for the arrest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he calls a “war criminal” and “the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people.”

Netanyahu, in an address at the United Nations General Assembly last month, called Mamdani “the antisemitic mayor of New York” and charged that “many Jews no longer feel safe in New York.”

Mamdani also marked the anniversary by attending a candlelight vigil at Union Square in Manhattan organized by Israelis For Peace, which describes itself as a group of Israeli anti-occupation activists. The vigil was disrupted by protesters who waved Palestinian flags and chanted.

Mamdani, who did not speak at the vigil, appeared somber while protesters booed and yelled: “Zohran, your hands are red!”

At one point, Brad Lander, a Jewish politician who struck up an alliance with Mamdani when they were both running for mayor last year, denounced the violence overseas, saying “no matter what country or nationality or religion, every mother, every mother gives birth to her children and wants the best for them, wants life for them.” Protesters jeered.

“We refused to compromise on anyone’s humanity. No amount of shouting stopped us,” Lander, the Democratic nominee for a House seat in Manhattan and Brooklyn, later wrote on X with a photo taken at the vigil. “May their memory be for a blessing.”

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A previously scheduled operation to install a steel reinforcement structure for a bridge support over the Dolphin Expressway (State Road 836) has been rescheduled for Saturday through Sunday, weather permitting.

The work will require the complete closure of eastbound lanes on the Dolphin Expressway at Northwest 17th Avenue, along with a separate overnight closure affecting westbound Interstate 395.

Eastbound Dolphin Expressway closure

Two eastbound lanes between Northwest 17th Avenue and Interstate 95 will close at 10 p.m. Saturday, followed by a complete shutdown of all eastbound lanes at Northwest 17th Avenue beginning at 11 p.m.

The highway is scheduled to reopen at 10 a.m. Sunday.

During the closure, drivers traveling eastbound on SR 836 will be directed to exit at Northwest 17th Avenue and continue south across Northwest Seventh Street.

Drivers should then turn left onto Southwest First Street, travel east and turn right onto South Miami Avenue to access the ramps to northbound or southbound I-95.

Drivers heading toward Biscayne Boulevard or the MacArthur Causeway can continue east on Southwest First Street before turning left onto Biscayne Boulevard. From there, they can access the MacArthur Causeway entrance ramp at Northeast 11th Terrace.

Drivers traveling on Northwest 12th Avenue who need to reach eastbound SR 836, I-95, Biscayne Boulevard or the MacArthur Causeway can head south on Northwest 12th Avenue, turn left onto Southwest First Street and follow the designated detours.

Westbound I-395 closure

Another overnight closure will affect drivers traveling westbound on I-395 toward the Dolphin Expressway.

All westbound I-395 lanes continuing onto westbound SR 836 will be closed at I-95 beginning at 11:59 p.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Sunday.

The ramps connecting I-395 to northbound and southbound I-95 will remain open.

Drivers who need to reach westbound SR 836 can take the southbound I-95 ramp, exit at Southwest Seventh Street/Brickell Avenue using Exit 1B, and turn left onto Southwest Eighth Street.

From there, drivers can enter northbound I-95 and take the exit for westbound SR 836.

Temporary changes to Miami River drawbridge operations

The construction will also affect the operating schedules of two drawbridges over the Miami River.

On Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., the Southwest First Street and West Flagler Street bridges will open on the hour and half-hour.

Outside those hours, both bridges will follow their regular operating schedules.

Exceptions will be made for U.S. public vessels, tugboats, tugboats with tows and vessels in distress, which will be permitted to pass at any time.

The U.S. Coast Guard will notify boaters of the temporary changes.

The closures are part of the ongoing I-395/SR 836/I-95 Design-Build Project, which is intended to increase roadway capacity, improve traffic flow and safety, and provide better access along the three major highways.

Una operación previamente programada para instalar una estructura de refuerzo de acero para el soporte de un puente sobre la autopista Dolphin (State Road 836) fue reprogramada para realizarse entre el sábado y el domingo, si las condiciones meteorológicas lo permiten.

Los trabajos requerirán el cierre completo de los carriles en dirección este de la autopista Dolphin a la altura de Northwest 17th Avenue, además de un cierre nocturno separado que afectará la Interestatal 395 en dirección oeste.

Cierre de la autopista Dolphin en dirección este

Dos carriles en dirección este entre Northwest 17th Avenue y la Interestatal 95 cerrarán a las 10 p.m. del sábado, seguidos por el cierre completo de todos los carriles en dirección este a la altura de Northwest 17th Avenue a partir de las 11 p.m.

Está previsto que la autopista reabra a las 10 a.m. del domingo.

Durante el cierre, los conductores que viajen en dirección este por la SR 836 deberán tomar la salida de Northwest 17th Avenue y continuar hacia el sur, cruzando Northwest Seventh Street.

Luego, los conductores deberán girar a la izquierda en Southwest First Street, continuar hacia el este y girar a la derecha en South Miami Avenue para acceder a las rampas de entrada a la I-95 en dirección norte o sur.

Los conductores que se dirijan hacia Biscayne Boulevard o MacArthur Causeway pueden continuar hacia el este por Southwest First Street antes de girar a la izquierda en Biscayne Boulevard. Desde allí, podrán acceder a la rampa de entrada a MacArthur Causeway en Northeast 11th Terrace.

Los conductores que circulen por Northwest 12th Avenue y necesiten llegar a la SR 836 en dirección este, la I-95, Biscayne Boulevard o MacArthur Causeway pueden dirigirse hacia el sur por Northwest 12th Avenue, girar a la izquierda en Southwest First Street y seguir los desvíos designados.

Cierre de la I-395 en dirección oeste

Otro cierre nocturno afectará a los conductores que viajen en dirección oeste por la I-395 hacia la autopista Dolphin.

Todos los carriles de la I-395 en dirección oeste que continúan hacia la SR 836 en dirección oeste estarán cerrados a la altura de la I-95 desde las 11:59 p.m. del sábado hasta las 7 a.m. del domingo.

Las rampas que conectan la I-395 con la I-95 en dirección norte y sur permanecerán abiertas.

Los conductores que necesiten llegar a la SR 836 en dirección oeste pueden tomar la rampa hacia la I-95 en dirección sur, salir en Southwest Seventh Street/Brickell Avenue utilizando la salida 1B y girar a la izquierda en Southwest Eighth Street.

Desde allí, los conductores pueden ingresar a la I-95 en dirección norte y tomar la salida hacia la SR 836 en dirección oeste.

Cambios temporales en las operaciones de los puentes levadizos del río Miami

La construcción también afectará los horarios de operación de dos puentes levadizos sobre el río Miami.

El domingo, de 6 a.m. a 10 a.m., los puentes de Southwest First Street y West Flagler Street se abrirán cada hora en punto y cada media hora.

Fuera de ese horario, ambos puentes seguirán sus horarios habituales de operación.

Se harán excepciones para embarcaciones públicas de Estados Unidos, remolcadores, remolcadores con embarcaciones a remolque y embarcaciones en peligro, a las que se permitirá el paso en cualquier momento.

La Guardia Costera de Estados Unidos notificará a los navegantes sobre los cambios temporales.

Los cierres forman parte del proyecto de diseño y construcción de la I-395/SR 836/I-95, cuyo objetivo es aumentar la capacidad de las carreteras, mejorar el flujo del tráfico y la seguridad, y proporcionar un mejor acceso a lo largo de las tres principales autopistas.

The music industry lost one of its most powerful figures in June, when Davis — the titan who launched or resurrected the careers of such superstars as Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana and Alicia Keys — died in his Manhattan apartment, weeks after being hospitalized for an upper respiratory issue. He was 94.

Davis is always top of mind in the music business, but especially so during the Grammy Awards season, where his annual pre-Grammy gala, held the Saturday night before the Sunday award show every year since 1975, has widely been considered one of the week's most exclusive and popular events. There, giants across genre and generation come together for unique performances and celebrations.

According to the Recording Academy, the first Clive Davis gala since his passing will take place Feb. 6 next year, the night before the 2027 Grammy Awards.

Additional details about the gala are forthcoming.

“Clive built this gala into something the entire music community looked forward to for five decades. He never did it for applause or recognition. He did it because he loved this community, believed in the power of music, and understood what it meant to bring us all together to celebrate it,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. wrote in a statement.

“I was lucky to call Clive a friend and mentor, and working with him taught me so much," Mason added. "That’s exactly the spirit he brought to the Pre-Grammy Gala and I know he’d want nothing more than for the show to go on this year. It’s our honor to celebrate the legacy he left behind.”

Performers at the 2026 gala included Clipse and John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Dan + Shay, the trio HUNTR/X doing “Golden” from “Kpop Demon Hunters” and others.

“Clive’s talent has always been seeing and hearing what other people don’t,” former President Barack Obama said in a video message played at the event, where attendees included Joni Mitchell, Nancy Pelosi, Berry Gordy, Jeff Goldblum, Gladys Knight, Cameron Crowe, Lana Del Rey, Brandi Carlile and many more.

The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbed to 7.40% from 7.28% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the average rate was 6.30%.

The average rate is now the highest it’s been since Nov. 16, 2023, when it was at 7.44%.

The housing market has been stuck in a rut this year in large part because of rising mortgage rates, which can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, limiting homebuyers’ purchasing power and prompting many to put off buying a home.

Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, often sought by borrowers refinancing a home loan, also rose this week. That average rate increased to 6.73% from 6.60% last week. A year ago, it was at 5.53%.

Mortgage rates have been climbing in the months since the start of the U.S. war with Iran in late February. The recent run-up in rates also reflects heightened bond market volatility as surging oil prices due to the war fuel inflation worries.

Rates on home loans are influenced by inflation, Federal Reserve policy and bond-market investors’ expectations for the economy, among other factors. They generally follow the trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans.

The 10-year Treasury yield has risen to its highest level since 2002 because of worries about high inflation, big government debt loads and other factors.

The yield was at 5.29% at midday Thursday on the bond market. That's well above its 3.97% level from before the war with Iran began.

In late February, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage briefly dipped to 5.98%, its lowest level going back to late 2022. The 1.42 percentage point increase in the rate since then translates roughly into an additional monthly cost of $376 for a borrower financing a $400,000 home loan at the current average rate.

Depending on a borrower’s income, credit and other factors, they may qualify for a rate on a 30-year mortgage that is below or above the current average.

The U.S. housing market has been in a slump since 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes were essentially flat last year, stuck at a 30-year low.

Last month, the National Association of Realtors said that existing home sales fell 2% in August from July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million units. That was their slowest annual pace in more than a year.

The sharp rise in mortgage rates has many would-be homebuyers putting their home shopping plans on hold.

Mortgage applications, which include loans to buy a home or refinance an existing mortgage, fell for the fifth week in a row last week as mortgage rates kept climbing, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Higher rates are also keeping many homeowners from refinancing their existing mortgage. Home loan refinance applications fell last week to their lowest level since January 2025 and were less than half last year’s pace, according to the MBA.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

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Both teams enter the matchup with 1-0 preseason records, giving the game an early test of two rosters looking to build chemistry before the regular season begins.

Miami’s revamped roster has offered an early glimpse of its potential. Antetokounmpo has averaged 7 assists per game, giving the Heat another dynamic playmaking option, while forward Tim Hardaway Jr. is averaging 14 points per game and forward Andrew Wiggins is averaging 12.

Center Bam Adebayo has averaged 10 ppg and 6 rebounds per game, while Nick Richards has provided a physical presence inside with 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.

The biggest question for Miami may be which players are available. Dru Smith and Keshad Johnson remain sidelined by injuries, while Pelle Larsson and Wiggins could also sit after missing recent practices and the team’s charity scrimmage.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is expected to follow a similar approach to Miami’s preseason opener, giving many of the team’s regular players extended minutes during the first half before turning the game over to the rest of the roster after halftime.

New Orleans also brings a collection of players capable of making an impact. Bennedict Mathurin is averaging 13.0 points per game, while Jeremiah Fears has added 12.0. Dejounte Murray is averaging 6.0 assists, and Derik Queen has been active on the glass with 9.0 rebounds per game while also averaging 3.0 steals.

Forward Zion Williamson remains the Pelicans’ biggest matchup challenge when he is on the floor and playing aggressively. It is not clear if he will play in Thursday night’s game.

For Miami, however, the spotlight will be on Antetokounmpo. His expected Kaseya Center debut as a member of the Heat gives fans their first opportunity to see the blockbuster addition in a home game, while Spoelstra continues evaluating how his new-look roster fits together.

And don’t forget, you can also watch the majority of the Miami Heat’s regular season games, at least 68, on Local 10 next season as WPLG Local 10 and the Heat announced a newly expanded media rights agreement, making Local 10 the home of HEAT basketball across South Florida! CLICK HERE for more information on how to watch!

El inicio del partido está programado para las 7:30 p.m., hora del este.

Ambos equipos llegan al encuentro con récords de 1-0 en la pretemporada, lo que convierte al partido en una prueba temprana para dos plantillas que buscan desarrollar química antes del inicio de la temporada regular.

La renovada plantilla de Miami ha ofrecido un primer vistazo de su potencial. Antetokounmpo ha promediado 7 asistencias por partido, brindándole al Heat otra opción dinámica para crear jugadas, mientras que el alero Tim Hardaway Jr. promedia 14 puntos por partido y el alero Andrew Wiggins registra un promedio de 12.

El pívot Bam Adebayo ha promediado 10 puntos y 6 rebotes por partido, mientras que Nick Richards ha aportado presencia física bajo el aro con 7 rebotes y 2 bloqueos.

La mayor interrogante para Miami podría ser qué jugadores estarán disponibles. Dru Smith y Keshad Johnson continúan fuera de acción debido a lesiones, mientras que Pelle Larsson y Wiggins también podrían ausentarse después de perderse prácticas recientes y el partido de exhibición benéfico del equipo.

Se espera que el entrenador del Heat, Erik Spoelstra, siga un enfoque similar al del primer partido de pretemporada de Miami, dando a muchos de los jugadores habituales del equipo más minutos durante la primera mitad antes de dar paso al resto de la plantilla después del descanso.

New Orleans también cuenta con un grupo de jugadores capaces de marcar la diferencia. Bennedict Mathurin promedia 13.0 puntos por partido, mientras que Jeremiah Fears ha aportado 12.0. Dejounte Murray promedia 6.0 asistencias y Derik Queen ha estado activo en los rebotes con 9.0 por partido, además de promediar 3.0 robos de balón.

El alero Zion Williamson sigue siendo el mayor desafío que presentan los Pelicans cuando está en la cancha y juega de manera agresiva. No está claro si participará en el partido de la noche del jueves.

Sin embargo, para Miami, la atención estará centrada en Antetokounmpo. Su esperado debut en el Kaseya Center como miembro del Heat brinda a los aficionados su primera oportunidad de ver a la gran incorporación del equipo en un partido en casa, mientras Spoelstra continúa evaluando cómo encajan las piezas de su renovada plantilla.

Y no olvide que también podrá ver la mayoría de los partidos de la temporada regular del Miami Heat, al menos 68, por Local 10 la próxima temporada, después de que WPLG Local 10 y el Heat anunciaran un nuevo acuerdo ampliado de derechos de transmisión, convirtiendo a Local 10 en la casa del baloncesto del HEAT en todo el sur de Florida. ¡HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para obtener más información sobre cómo ver los partidos!

The “Steadfast Noon” exercise starts on Tuesday and will run for 10 days. It will be hosted by Italy and could involve dozens of aircraft from 17 NATO countries. The exercise has been held at roughly the same time each year for over a decade.

NATO’s Head of Nuclear Policy, Nassima Barrows, stressed that the exercise poses no threat to Russia or any other country.

“Our exercise Steadfast Noon is routine. We have been doing this every year and we have not postponed,” Barrows told reporters. "There is no need to worry. This is predictable."

NATO officers and officials would not say what kind of scenarios or military equipment will be used to test the 32-nation alliance's nuclear readiness. They insisted that it is not in any way related to current international events.

Bomber aircraft and fighter jets that can carry nuclear warheads have taken part in the past, along with ground troops. No nuclear warheads or live munitions are used. The bulk of the exercise is being held near Italy, far from Russia.

Late last month, Russia warned NATO allies against trying to cut off its Kaliningrad exclave. The warning was sent to NATO headquarters but also published on the websites of several Russian embassies in Europe.

The Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad lies between NATO members Poland and Lithuania. It is home to Russia’s main Baltic navy base and other military assets. Nuclear-capable Iskander missiles are deployed there.

Western military officers have said that key military installations in Kaliningrad would be a likely first target should Russia ever launch an attack on any NATO ally.

“There should be no mistake – Russia would be ready to use all its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory if NATO countries try to isolate the Kaliningrad region from the rest of the country,” a statement from Russia’s embassy in Ireland said.

Barrows acknowledged that Russia’s nuclear rhetoric is on the rise, but said NATO has not seen any worrying developments on the ground.

“We monitor Russia very closely. We have not observed any big changes to its posture that would cause us alarm,” she said.

The man in his 40s tried to fire his gun but failed and then pulled out a knife at around 9:30 a.m., said Don Aaron, spokesperson for Metro Nashville Police.

“The security individual fired on the armed individual,” Aaron said, adding that the man was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The man was from out of state. Investigators didn't immediately know why he was at the courthouse, and a search of his car found “nothing threatening,” Aaron said.

Courthouse visitors must go through a security checkpoint, which is common at all federal courts. The entrances are typically staffed by armed former police officers contracted by the U.S. Marshals Service.

“That’s the entrance that most people in this courthouse use," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob McGuire told reporters outside.

The library next door was closed as a result, and officers with dogs were circling the perimeter while workers in nearby buildings gathered to watch.

McGuire noted that the local U.S. Attorney's Office is inside the courthouse, as are the offices of Tennessee's U.S. senators.

There have been “security instances where a person acts up or acts inappropriately and has to be removed from the premises, but nothing even approaching this kind of situation,” he said.

Reports of the shooting immediately stirred anxiety and concern.

“People are calling their families to let them know they're OK,” McGuire said. “I called my wife, called my son, called people that I knew were wanting to know if I was OK. We're all doing that.”

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White reported from Detroit.

SpaceX brought the U.S., French and Russian flyers back with a splashdown in the Pacific off the coast of Los Angeles.

NASA’s Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, France’s Sophie Adenot and Russia’s Andrey Fedyaev departed the orbiting lab on Wednesday, eager to reunite with their families after a lengthy separation. Their replacements arrived three weeks late because of capsule repairs, stalling this crew’s homecoming.

They couldn’t wait to feel the breeze on their faces, hit the shower and, for Adenot at least, plunge back into water sports. Her 237 days in orbit set an endurance record for the European Space Agency.

“We are so excited to be back on Planet Earth after an incredible mission on the International Space Station,” Meir radioed moments after splashing down. While still in orbit, she said the crew had “a lot of mixed, swirling emotions” and would miss the “extraordinary views of our home planet.”

All four were out of their capsule within an hour, waving and pumping their fists in the air aboard SpaceX's recovery ship. After a helicopter ride to shore, they were going to head for Houston.

Meir and her crew left the planet in February to replace four station occupants who were sent home early after one of them — NASA's Mike Fincke, now retired — fell ill. It was NASA's first medical evacuation in 65 years of human spaceflight.

The new foursome watched with pride two months later as the Artemis II astronauts flew around the moon. They also celebrated the United States’ 250th birthday up there, with Meir joining the Boston Pops with her piccolo for a Fourth of July concert.

Meir took part in four spacewalks, while Adenot ventured outside three times for maintenance and upgrades to the 28-year-old outpost.

In the middle of all the work, the astronauts found time for fun, throwing a dance party last month and holding regular cooking demonstrations complete with aprons and a chef's toque.

Meir presented a how-to video for curly-haired spacewomen like herself, while Hathaway kept his bushy mustache — a space rarity — groomed to perfection. He grew the naval aviator-style mustache before rocketing into orbit as a way to honor his Navy ties, and found it no harder to maintain in weightlessness than on Earth. Some ground controllers grew mustaches in solidarity.

Will his mustache disappear now that his mission is over?

“It’s kind of become a little bit of my brand up here,” Hathaway said in August, “so I don’t know if it’ll go away right away or I’ll end up keeping it for a while.”

Seven astronauts remain aboard the space station, representing the U.S., Russia and Canada. The outpost has welcomed 298 visitors from 26 countries since the doors swung open in 2000, by NASA's count.

SpaceX is now gearing up for a space station supply run next week. Elon Musk's company will launch more than 6,000 pounds (2,700 kilograms) of cargo, including the last of a series of solar panel additions, toilet pump, spacewalking suit, and fresh fruit and other goodies.

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The PGA Tour's lone stop in Asia features its strongest field of the FedEx Cup Fall, with 13 of the 24 players who competed in the Presidents Cup two weeks ago at Medinah in the Chicago suburbs.

Bridgeman made his debut at Medinah, and his par putt to defeat Min Woo Lee on the 18th green was the clinching point for the 11th straight American victory. He was right back at it on the Yokohama Country Club course with a bogey-free round.

Only one of his eight birdies, an 18-footer on his fourth hole of the round at No. 13, was outside the 10-foot range.

“I felt a little rusty to be honest, but I was able to score the ball well and I felt like I put the ball in positions where when I made a little mistake, it was pretty easy to recover,” Bridgeman said.

Smith, who advanced to the PGA Tour postseason in his first year after earning a card through the European tour, also played bogey-free for his 64.

He spent nine years on the European tour and is adept at travel and learning new courses. Even so, his first time playing a full PGA Tour schedule was new in so many ways. He felt pleased to get to the postseason to guarantee a card for next year, and the next step is getting into the bigger events.

“I’m very, very happy,” Smith said of his year. "Obviously it’s tough for us guys coming over here. I mean, I’ve had 10 seasons on the DP World Tour, so it was all very familiar to me. Coming over to the PGA Tour, everything’s very, very new, new faces, new places, new golf courses.

“To adapt that quickly, I’m very happy with that. But I’ve enjoyed it a lot. It's been good fun.”

Max Homa was among four players another shot behind. Japan's biggest golf star, Hideki Matsuyama, was at 67 along with Ryo Hisatsune and Collin Morikawa.

Bridgeman didn't get much practice in since the Presidents Cup. He chose to rest, went to Maine for his sister's wedding and took the long charter flight to Las Vegas before getting in a little practice. It worked out for him on Thursday.

Jordan Spieth, making his first start since he failed to advance to the second round of the FedEx Cup playoffs, had a mixture of birdies and bogeys, along with one double bogey, for a 72.

Key for players like Smith and Homa are trying to finish the year in the top 60 on the FedEx Cup to become eligible for two of the early signature events at Pebble Beach and Riviera. Players like Billy Horschel and Tony Finau, who each opened with a 71, are trying to finish among the top 100 to secure a full card for 2027.

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El presunto miembro del Clan del Golfo abatido, que no fue identificado, murió durante el operativo realizado la víspera por esa fuerza colombiana en la zona rural de Riosucio, en el departamento colombiano de Chocó, mientras que tres personas fueron capturadas luego de que efectivos militares ingresaran por una zona selvática hasta un campamento improvisado que pertenecería al mayor cártel activo en Colombia.

En el lugar cubierto con plásticos negros fueron incautadas armas, municiones, cartillas alusivas al Clan del Golfo, material de dotación militar, equipos de comunicaciones y explosivos improvisados, agregó el reporte.

La central ilegal de comunicaciones habría sido empleada para informar sobre movimientos de las autoridades en la zona y “coordinar acciones terroristas en contra de la población civil”, explicó el ejército en un comunicado.

En paralelo, el Servicio Nacional de Fronteras (Senafront) de Panamá llevó a cabo un operativo en la Loma de las Banderas, ubicada en territorio panameño y parte de la frontera que era usada como ruta de migrantes que cruzaban por la selva del Tapón del Darién.

Tras recibir información de inteligencia de Colombia, las autoridades panameñas hallaron una explotación ilícita de oro y capturaron a 13 personas, incluidos tres menores de edad. Los detenidos responderán ante las autoridades panameñas, indicó Colombia.

Héctor de Sedas, subdirector general de Senafront, aseguró en un video divulgado a la prensa sobre el caso de uno de los menores de edad, de 14 años, que “deja en evidencia las violaciones de derechos de los menores por parte de esta organización delictiva transnacional”.

Los operativos se dieron en el marco de la cooperación de las autoridades de Colombia y Panamá, congregadas para la sexta edición de la “Reunión de Mandos Regionales de Frontera”, que se realiza en Medellín, en el noroeste de Colombia.

El Clan del Golfo es señalado por las autoridades colombianas de estar involucrado en delitos como el narcotráfico, el tráfico de migrantes y la minería ilegal. Las autoridades calculan que el cártel tiene más de 10.200 miembros armados, siendo el grupo ilegal más numeroso del país.

El gobierno estadounidense designó al Clan del Golfo como una “organización terrorista”, al considerar que es “violenta y poderosa", tiene "miles de miembros” y obtiene su principal fuente de ingresos del tráfico de drogas.

El presidente de Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella, de signo conservador, dio por terminada la negociación sociojurídica que pretendía el sometimiento del Clan del Golfo —abierta por su predecesor Gustavo Petro (2022-2026)— dentro de los cambios realizados a la política de seguridad, con la que promete “mano de hierro” contra los grupos ilegales.

Al cumplir dos meses en el poder, De la Espriella aseguró que durante su mandato —que comenzó el 7 de agosto— la fuerza pública ha capturado a más de 32.000 personas e incautado 135.515 kilos de estupefacientes y 3.414 armas de fuego.

Gobierno defiende el “estatuto antiterrorista”

El ministro del Interior, Rodrigo Lara, defendió el jueves la propuesta de crear el “estatuto antiterrorista”, consistente en un listado de las organizaciones ilegales que se consideren “terroristas”, lo que acarrearía a esos grupos consecuencias jurídicas y financieras. La iniciativa aún no ha sido formalmente presentada al Congreso para su debate.

Lara indicó que un texto al respecto que ha sido divulgado por la prensa local es preliminar. Agregó que se han recibido comentarios del Departamento de Estado estadounidense y de la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas contra la Droga y el Delito.

“Los únicos que deben temerlo son las organizaciones terroristas. Ningún expresidente, ningún partido y mucho menos quien ejerza la oposición o un derecho político tiene nada que temer", aseguró Lara en X.

La versión preliminar de la propuesta ha generado preocupación entre sectores de la oposición que consideran que podría ser usada para limitar derechos a los ciudadanos.

“Crea el delito político, legaliza la tortura y las operaciones de inteligencia criminal, anula el poder judicial y el derecho a un debido proceso”, advirtió el jueves Iván Cepeda, senador opositor y excandidato presidencial.

Drinkwitz announced on X on Thursday morning that the surgery Wednesday went well and that Jones was recovering.

“We are incredibly grateful for the medical team who cared for DJ and for the donor and donor family whose extraordinary gift made this possible,” Drinkwitz wrote.

Drinkwitz said at a news conference Tuesday that Jones was hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was awaiting the transplant.

Missouri staff first found an issue with Jones’ heart over the summer during freshman intake testing, Drinkwitz said earlier this week.

The team’s medical staff sought a second opinion with the Mayo Clinic when they weren’t getting a resolution or answers after two weeks of observation.

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic detected a much more serious heart problem, Drinkwitz said. The coaching staff was told last week that Jones needed the transplant.

The 18-year-old Jones graduated from Venice High School on Florida’s Gulf Coast and signed with Missouri as a four-star recruit.

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Police took Deglis Antoni Jarquin into custody on Wednesday at his home in Miami-Dade’s Tamiami neighborhood following an investigation that lasted several months.

According to the Miami Gardens Police Department, the incident took place in the early morning hours of July 16 after the victim got off work.

Police said the victim worked at a cafeteria in Sweetwater and that when she finished working around 12:30 a.m., she walked out of the business and saw Jarquin, who she said she had previously met a few times before.

According to an arrest report, Jarquin offered to give the victim a ride home and they began traveling north on the Palmetto Expressway. During the drive, the victim said Jarquin put his hand in her lap and she “immediately removed his hand and pushed it away,” with the report also stating, “she did not verbally confront him but stated she began feeling uncomfortable because of his behavior.”

Police said Jarquin then drove to “a dark area within the 16900 block of Northwest 37th Avenue instead of taking her directly home” and started to kiss the victim without her consent while telling her he was attracted to her and wanted to be in a relationship, which frightened the victim.

The victim then got out of the car by saying she had to use the bathroom, but according to police, Jarquin followed her outside and told her to get in the backseat, which she did out of fear of not believing she could get away from him.

Once in the back seat, where there was a child seat behind the driver’s seat, police said Jarquin grabbed the victim by the neck “with significant force, causing her difficulty breathing,” adding that “she never verbally told the suspect to stop because she was scared and was focused on trying to escape.”

Eventually, police said the victim was able to reach the passenger door handle and jumped from the vehicle, scraping both her knees after falling on the road, but that didn’t stop Jarquin, who “jumped on top of her and repeatedly struck her in the face” and as she attempted to protect herself, he “slammed the back of her head against the concrete several times” and “bit her on the stomach during the assault,” according to an arrest report.

The victim continued to resist and scream for help, leading Jarquin to flee the area, leaving one of her car doors open as he drove off, police said.

Investigators spoke to the victim after the incident, and they noted that she had visible injuries to her face, knees and stomach consistent with her account.

Two weeks later, detectives presented the victim with a photo lineup, and she positively identified Jarquin as the suspect who attacked her.

Investigators then worked to obtain cell site records from Jarquin’s mobile phone, which police said showed his location coming from the victim’s business and traveling to the area of the kidnapping.

Officers took Jarquin into custody Wednesday after surveilling him at his Miami home and brought him to MGPD headquarters without further incident, police said.

Following his arrest, Jarquin agreed to speak with detectives, but his statement was retracted from his arrest report.

He is facing a felony charge of kidnapping, which is punishable by life in prison, and a misdemeanor charge of battery.

As of Thursday morning, Jarquin was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with bond listed as “to be set” on the kidnapping charge, but the Nicaraguan national is also facing an immigration hold.

La policía arrestó a Deglis Antoni Jarquin el miércoles en su vivienda en el vecindario de Tamiami, en Miami-Dade, tras una investigación que duró varios meses.

Según el Departamento de Policía de Miami Gardens, el incidente ocurrió durante las primeras horas de la madrugada del 16 de julio, después de que la víctima saliera del trabajo.

La policía indicó que la víctima trabajaba en una cafetería en Sweetwater y que, cuando terminó su jornada laboral alrededor de las 12:30 a.m., salió del establecimiento y vio a Jarquin, a quien, según dijo, había conocido anteriormente en algunas ocasiones.

Según un informe de arresto, Jarquin se ofreció a llevar a la víctima a su casa y comenzaron a viajar hacia el norte por la autopista Palmetto. Durante el trayecto, la víctima indicó que Jarquin puso su mano sobre su regazo y ella “inmediatamente le quitó la mano y la apartó”. El informe también señala que “ella no lo confrontó verbalmente, pero afirmó que comenzó a sentirse incómoda debido a su comportamiento”.

La policía indicó que Jarquin condujo entonces hacia “una zona oscura en la cuadra 16900 de Northwest 37th Avenue en lugar de llevarla directamente a su casa” y comenzó a besar a la víctima sin su consentimiento, mientras le decía que se sentía atraído por ella y que quería tener una relación, lo que asustó a la mujer.

La víctima salió entonces del automóvil diciendo que necesitaba ir al baño, pero, según la policía, Jarquin la siguió y le ordenó que se sentara en el asiento trasero, lo cual hizo por miedo, ya que no creía que pudiera escapar de él.

Una vez en el asiento trasero, donde había un asiento infantil detrás del asiento del conductor, la policía indicó que Jarquin agarró a la víctima por el cuello “con una fuerza considerable, provocándole dificultades para respirar”, y agregó que “ella nunca le dijo verbalmente al sospechoso que se detuviera porque estaba asustada y concentrada en intentar escapar”.

Finalmente, la policía indicó que la víctima logró alcanzar la manija de la puerta del pasajero y saltó del vehículo, raspándose ambas rodillas al caer sobre la carretera, pero eso no detuvo a Jarquin, quien “saltó sobre ella y la golpeó repetidamente en el rostro”. Mientras intentaba protegerse, él “golpeó la parte posterior de su cabeza contra el concreto varias veces” y “la mordió en el estómago durante la agresión”, según el informe de arresto.

La víctima continuó resistiéndose y gritando para pedir ayuda, lo que provocó que Jarquin huyera del área, dejando una de las puertas de su automóvil abierta mientras se alejaba, indicó la policía.

Los investigadores hablaron con la víctima después del incidente y observaron que presentaba lesiones visibles en el rostro, las rodillas y el estómago, compatibles con su relato.

Dos semanas después, los detectives presentaron a la víctima una serie de fotografías y ella identificó positivamente a Jarquin como el sospechoso que la atacó.

Posteriormente, los investigadores trabajaron para obtener registros de las antenas de telefonía celular correspondientes al teléfono móvil de Jarquin, los cuales, según la policía, mostraron su ubicación desde el establecimiento donde trabajaba la víctima hasta el área donde ocurrió el secuestro.

Los agentes arrestaron a Jarquin el miércoles después de realizar labores de vigilancia en su vivienda en Miami y lo trasladaron a la sede del Departamento de Policía de Miami Gardens sin más incidentes, indicó la policía.

Tras su arresto, Jarquin aceptó hablar con los detectives, pero su declaración fue censurada en el informe de arresto.

Enfrenta un cargo grave de secuestro, que puede castigarse con cadena perpetua, y un cargo menor de agresión física.

Hasta la mañana del jueves, Jarquin permanecía detenido en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight, con una fianza que figuraba como “pendiente de establecer” por el cargo de secuestro. Sin embargo, el ciudadano nicaragüense también enfrenta una orden de retención migratoria.

The fields brimming with green near the Pacific Coast have produced nearly twice the amount of organic strawberries this year as other plots thanks to steam, he said. The bountiful plots were treated with steam before Koda planted his organic strawberries as part of a project aimed at finding an alternative to chemical fumigants used to kill soil-borne diseases and weeds.

“It's a very noticeable difference,” Koda said.

Steam has been used for decades in greenhouses, and researchers in California have been working to adapt the technology to the fields where strawberries, one of the state's key crops, are grown near the Pacific Coast. It’s part of a broader push to help organic farmers become more productive and reduce the use of chemicals that environmental advocates say pose a health risk to farmworkers and those who live near the fields.

Rick Tomlinson, president of the California Strawberry Commission, said researchers have been working on steam for more than a decade and are tinkering with the technology so it can be applied to fields faster. The industry has also been working on other alternatives to chemical fumigants including cutting off oxygen to kill soil disease and developing more resistant plants, he said.

“Fundamentally, there’s this disease in the soil and if you don’t have some solution, you’re just rolling the dice and one of the years you’re going to end up bankrupt,” Tomlinson said, “because it can wipe out the entire field.”

Nine out of 10 strawberries grown in the United States come from California. The berry, which is grown on 35,000 acres (14,000 hectares), was one of the state's top 10 commodities in 2025.

Strawberry growers have long relied on chemical fumigants because the fruit is grown close to the ground and is soft and fleshy, making it susceptible to disease, farm experts said. Using a machine to inject steam into the soil before planting can kill key soil-borne diseases and weeds and improve crop productivity, said Jenny Broome, a University of California, Santa Cruz researcher working on the project.

Four growers in California participated in the trials last fall, Broome said. On Koda's farm, the steam-treated plots produced more berries and also suffered less damage from fusarium wilt, a fungal disease, she said.

Steam might also work on fields used for lettuce, carrots and other high-yield crops, she said. A challenge is making steam cost-effective for farmers, and proponents of the technology are trying to speed up the machines used in the process so they can cover more terrain faster.

“We’re going back to the future, where we're looking back at an older technology but we're finding more ways to engineer more efficiently and use it,” Broome said.

David Andrews, chief science officer for the Environmental Working Group, welcomed the push for an alternative to traditional fumigants, noting farmworkers in the fields and their families are the ones who have been exposed to the chemicals. He said the technology has improved while concerns about the impact of fumigants have risen.

“The economics are shifting,” Andrews said.

The Zambian government also said that the deal does not contain any clauses linked to the country’s abundant mineral resources, which will be negotiated separately.

Zambia is Africa’s second-largest copper producer and there were concerns that the U.S. would try linking its health pact with the country to its natural minerals.

The U.S. State Department said the deal is worth a total of $2.49 billion, with the U.S. contributing $1.52 billion and Zambia investing $975 million into its health system over the next five years.

The amount is somewhat less than the $3.6 billion mooted by Zambian officials earlier this week.

The deal is part of the Trump administration’s America First Global Health Strategy after it dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development, once the world’s largest humanitarian donor.

The new agreements aim to commit African nations to gradually increase spending on health services while the U.S. gradually phases out its assistance.

Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, Mich Coker, said the partnership was also about shared security and prosperity.

“Infectious diseases know no borders. A strong Zambian health system serves as a first line of defense for both our nations and for the broader region. By helping Zambia detect and respond to outbreaks quickly, we are protecting Americans as well as Zambians,” he said.

Zambian Minister of Health Roma Chilengi said the agreement would support the recruitment of 40,000 healthcare workers over the next five years, and that the deal did not contain any clauses that would compromise Zambia’s security through data sharing.

“The Government will not be sharing any specimens with the United States because we removed all those aspects that raised concerns,” he said.

Chilengi also dismissed suggestions that the deal was tied to the country’s mineral wealth, particularly critical minerals.

He said no such clause existed, even in the original draft.

“As Ministry of Health, we never ever saw any MoU that speaks to minerals. There was no mention at all of any other MoU,” he said.

“We did hear of those conversations in the public, but the contentious matters that were there were about specimen sharing and data protection.”

In 2025, the United States announced that it was withdrawing $50 million in annual aid to Zambia’s health sector over what it described as “systemic theft” of donated medicines and medical supplies.

Last week, the government fired all 150 workers at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency, which is responsible for the distribution of medicines and medical supplies across the country.

The U.S. has signed health data and specimen-sharing agreements with at least nine African nations, committing them to send data and specimens within five days of a request, according to agreements published by the U.S. State Department.

The U.S. says it can then give the health data and specimens to up to 10 American “non-government entities” to develop diagnostics and medical treatments.

Some African countries, including Zimbabwe, Ghana and Namibia, have rejected the proposed health deals with the U.S

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The suspect was identified by MDSO as Sergio Ruiz-Osorio, 54, of Lehigh Acres. Jail records show he is facing one count each of animal cruelty and animal fighting, baiting or breeding.

According to an arrest report, MDSO detectives returned to the 10-acre property at 12300 SW 51st St. on Wednesday as part of the investigation. They discovered a section of the property displaying a sign that read “Los Laureles, Venta de Animals,” the report states.

After entering the property, detectives and Miami-Dade Animal Services investigators found about 125 game fowl roosters, an enclosed cockfighting training ring and rooster-related paraphernalia, including vitamins, syringes, medication and a rooster agitator, according to the report.

Investigators said they also found 16 dogs, three cats, numerous goats, turtles and various birds that appeared to be in “a visibly dire state of neglect,” the report states.

The animals appeared to have no food or drinking water, according to the report. Investigators said they also found turtles housed in two holding areas with very limited water that appeared to be visibly distressed.

The report states that MDSO allowed animal caregivers escorted access to the property to provide care for the animals.

Detectives then called the telephone number listed on the sign outside the property. Ruiz-Osorio answered and told investigators he was the owner of the animals, according to the report.

Ruiz-Osorio told detectives he was in Naples but later returned to the property, the report states.

According to the report, Ruiz-Osorio made a statement to investigators that was redacted from his publicly released arrest report.

Ruiz-Osorio was then taken into custody without incident, according to the report.

Authorities said Miami-Dade Animal Services removed all of the animals from the property.

The investigation began Saturday, when FBI agents executing a search warrant at the property notified MDSO that they had discovered a possible cockfighting operation.

An MDSO detective who responded to the property conducted a walkthrough and “observed several thousand game fowl roosters,” along with “numerous” enclosed cockfighting training rings and rooster paraphernalia, the report states.

During a search on Sunday, deputies encountered two men who they said had breached a secured perimeter. Both men ran and jumped a fence, but deputies located one of them, Carlos Rafael Lezcano, 52, at a nearby nursery.

Records show Lezcano was arrested on charges including animal cruelty, evidence tampering, animal fighting and resisting without violence.

As of Thursday morning, Ruiz-Osorio was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond was listed at $7,500, while Lezcano was no longer listed as an inmate in Miami-Dade jail records after posting bond his $10,500 bond.

Stephanie Rodriguez, 29, was scheduled to get married in February when her 80-year-old father, Jaime, was critically injured in a Sept. 7 crash in Coral Springs.

“He always told me how beautiful I would look on my wedding day, and how excited he was to share that first dance with me,” Rodriguez said.

Jaime was rushed to Broward North Hospital and taken to the trauma intensive care unit. Knowing her father’s time was limited, Rodriguez decided to make his wish come true.

On Sept. 9, Rodriguez got married in her father’s hospital room.

“By the power vested in me by the state of Florida, I pronounce you husband and wife,” the officiant said.

Rodriguez said her father was able to move his fingers slightly, which told her he was there and listening.

Video from the wedding shows Rodriguez leaning down and talking to her father. He could not speak, but she said she knew he felt the joy of the moment.

Jaime died two days later, on Sept. 11.

Rodriguez said she recently found a drawing of an altar her father had planned to build for her wedding.

“He was holding on as much as he could, but think about the gift he was given,” Rodriguez said. “His last memories on the earth, this love, joy, hope, and his only daughter married.”

“Even in heartbreak there can be light, and I know he’s proud,” she said. “I know he’s there with me. I know he’s here with me and every step that I take, he’s gonna be with me.”

The wedding took place in the intensive care unit, where getting family members and a wedding cake into the room was a challenge.

Jaime was the sole provider for the family.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help Rodriguez and her mother.

La MDSO identificó al sospechoso como Sergio Ruiz-Osorio, de 54 años y residente de Lehigh Acres. Los registros de la cárcel muestran que enfrenta un cargo de crueldad animal y otro de peleas, provocación o cría de animales para peleas.

Según un informe de arresto, detectives de la MDSO regresaron el miércoles a la propiedad de 10 acres, ubicada en 12300 SW 51st St., como parte de la investigación. Descubrieron una sección de la propiedad con un letrero que decía “Los Laureles, Venta de Animals”, según el informe.

Después de ingresar a la propiedad, los detectives e investigadores de Servicios para Animales de Miami-Dade encontraron unos 125 gallos de pelea, un ring cerrado de entrenamiento para peleas de gallos y artículos relacionados con estas aves, incluidas vitaminas, jeringas, medicamentos y un dispositivo para provocar a los gallos, según el informe.

Los investigadores indicaron que también encontraron 16 perros, tres gatos, numerosas cabras, tortugas y varias aves que parecían estar en “un estado visiblemente grave de abandono”, según el informe.

Los animales aparentemente no tenían comida ni agua potable, según el informe. Los investigadores indicaron que también encontraron tortugas alojadas en dos áreas de confinamiento con muy poca agua y que parecían estar visiblemente angustiadas.

El informe señala que la MDSO permitió el acceso escoltado de cuidadores de animales a la propiedad para brindarles atención.

Posteriormente, los detectives llamaron al número de teléfono que aparecía en el letrero afuera de la propiedad. Ruiz-Osorio respondió y les dijo a los investigadores que era el dueño de los animales, según el informe.

Ruiz-Osorio les dijo a los detectives que se encontraba en Naples, pero posteriormente regresó a la propiedad, según el informe.

De acuerdo con el informe, Ruiz-Osorio hizo una declaración a los investigadores que fue censurada en el informe de arresto divulgado públicamente.

Ruiz-Osorio fue detenido sin incidentes, según el informe.

Las autoridades indicaron que Servicios para Animales de Miami-Dade retiró a todos los animales de la propiedad.

La investigación comenzó el sábado, cuando agentes del FBI que ejecutaban una orden de registro en la propiedad notificaron a la MDSO que habían descubierto una posible operación de peleas de gallos.

Un detective de la MDSO que acudió a la propiedad realizó una inspección y “observó varios miles de gallos de pelea”, junto con “numerosos” rings cerrados de entrenamiento para peleas de gallos y artículos relacionados con estas aves, según el informe.

Durante un registro realizado el domingo, los agentes encontraron a dos hombres que, según indicaron, habían ingresado a un perímetro asegurado. Ambos hombres corrieron y saltaron una cerca, pero los agentes localizaron a uno de ellos, Carlos Rafael Lezcano, de 52 años, en un vivero cercano.

Los registros muestran que Lezcano fue arrestado por cargos que incluyen crueldad animal, manipulación de pruebas, peleas de animales y resistencia sin violencia.

Hasta la mañana del jueves, Ruiz-Osorio permanecía detenido en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight, donde su fianza estaba fijada en $7,500 USD, mientras que Lezcano ya no figuraba como recluso en los registros de las cárceles de Miami-Dade después de pagar su fianza de $10,500 USD.

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Isaias breaks a 342-day drought between Atlantic basin hurricanes – with Melissa on October 31^st last year being the last active hurricane – and is the latest first-forming hurricane in the reliable record (back to 1950), eclipsing the previous record for latest forming first hurricane (set on September 11^th by both Gustav in 2002 and Humberto in 2013) by nearly a month.

Hurricane Watches for the northern Gulf – from coastal Mississippi through the Florida Panhandle, just east of Panama City Beach – were upgraded to Hurricane Warnings late Wednesday for the expectation of hurricane conditions (winds of 74 mph or stronger) across parts of the warned areas by later on Friday.

The official forecast peaks Isaias just shy of a major Category 3 hurricane late Thursday into the early morning hours Friday before weakening on approach to the western Florida Panhandle or South Alabama Friday evening.

The exact timing of the weakening is still unclear and NHC continues to emphasize Isaias is expected to remain a significant and dangerous hurricane through landfall late Friday or early Saturday.

Gusty, damaging winds will extend well inland across Alabama, Mississippi, North Georgia, and the southern Appalachians during the day Saturday as the storm grows in size and accelerates through the southeast U.S. This could lead to downed trees and widespread power outages this weekend.

Isaias is forecast to bring up to 7 feet of dangerous and life-threatening storm surge flooding to areas near and east of where it comes ashore. A storm surge warning is in effect for much of the north-central Gulf from coastal Louisiana to the Florida Big Bend, though the greatest threat for significant and life-threatening flooding will generally be from Mobile to the western Florida Panhandle.

Additionally, heavy rainfall of 10 inches or more locally could lead to flash flooding across the central Gulf Coast, with bands of locally heavy rainfall extending well inland this weekend through the lower Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians.

Isaias will also bring the threat of supercell tornados to southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, especially by Friday night as the hurricane nears the coast. Nighttime tornadoes are especially dangerous so those in the path should have a way to receive warnings.

Conventional models cave to the AI camp

The conventional, physics-based forecast models have largely swung east and are in better alignment with the newer AI models like Google DeepMind, which have consistently advertised a stronger, eastward-landing hurricane.

As of early Thursday, Google DeepMind’s 1,000-member ensemble system continued to suggest highest strike odds from Mobile to Destin and centered on the Pensacola area. The ensembles gave an 85% chance that Isaias peaks as a major Category 3 hurricane before weakening on approach to landfall.

The spread in our reliable models is low, suggesting increasing confidence in a direct strike east of Louisiana.

As a reminder, however, the impacts from Isaias will be felt hundreds of miles away from where the center comes ashore, especially to the east of its track, as increasingly strong upper-level winds from the west smear its heavy rain shield and expand its wind field inland.

Isaias rompe una sequía de 342 días entre huracanes en la cuenca del Atlántico —siendo Melissa, el 31 de octubre ^del año pasado, el último huracán activo— y es el huracán de formación más tardía registrado en los datos fiables (que se remontan a 1950), superando el récord anterior del huracán de formación más tardía (establecido el 11 de septiembre ^por Gustav en 2002 y Humberto en 2013) por casi un mes.

Las alertas de huracán para el norte del Golfo, desde la costa de Mississippi hasta el noroeste de Florida, justo al este de Panama City Beach, se elevaron a avisos de huracán a última hora del miércoles ante la previsión de condiciones de huracán (vientos de 119 km/h o más) en partes de las zonas afectadas para el viernes por la tarde.

Según el pronóstico oficial, Isaias alcanzará su máxima intensidad, rozando la categoría 3 de huracán, entre la noche del jueves y la madrugada del viernes, antes de debilitarse al acercarse al oeste del Panhandle de Florida o al sur de Alabama el viernes por la noche.

Aún no está claro el momento exacto en que se producirá el debilitamiento, y el Centro Nacional de Huracanes (NHC) sigue haciendo hincapié en que se espera que Isaias siga siendo un huracán importante y peligroso hasta que toque tierra a última hora del viernes o a primera hora del sábado.

Los fuertes vientos, que pueden causar daños, se extenderán tierra adentro a través de Alabama, Misisipi, el norte de Georgia y los Apalaches del sur durante el sábado, a medida que la tormenta aumente de tamaño y se acelere por el sureste de Estados Unidos. Esto podría provocar la caída de árboles y cortes de energía generalizados este fin de semana.

Se pronostica que Isaias provocará marejadas ciclónicas peligrosas de hasta 2 metros de altura en las zonas cercanas y al este de su llegada a tierra. Se ha emitido una alerta por marejada ciclónica para gran parte del centro-norte del Golfo de México, desde la costa de Luisiana hasta la Gran Curva de Florida, aunque la mayor amenaza de inundaciones significativas y potencialmente mortales se concentrará generalmente desde Mobile hasta el oeste del Panhandle de Florida.

Además, las fuertes lluvias, de 25 centímetros o más en algunas zonas, podrían provocar inundaciones repentinas en la costa central del Golfo de México, con bandas de lluvias intensas que se extenderían tierra adentro este fin de semana a través del valle inferior del Tennessee y los Apalaches del sur.

Isaias también traerá consigo la amenaza de tornados supercelulares al sur de Alabama y al noroeste de Florida, especialmente el viernes por la noche, a medida que el huracán se acerque a la costa. Los tornados nocturnos son particularmente peligrosos, por lo que quienes se encuentren en su trayectoria deben contar con un medio para recibir alertas.

Los modelos convencionales ceden ante la IA.

Los modelos de pronóstico convencionales, basados ​​en la física, se han desplazado mayoritariamente hacia el este y están mejor alineados con los modelos de IA más recientes, como Google DeepMind, que han anunciado sistemáticamente un huracán más fuerte que tocará tierra hacia el este.

A primera hora del jueves, el sistema de predicción por conjuntos de 1000 miembros de Google DeepMind seguía indicando que la mayor probabilidad de impacto se concentraba entre Mobile y Destin, con centro en la zona de Pensacola. Los modelos otorgaban un 85 % de probabilidad de que Isaias alcanzara su máxima intensidad como huracán de categoría 3 antes de debilitarse al acercarse a tierra.

La dispersión en nuestros modelos fiables es baja, lo que sugiere una creciente confianza en un ataque directo al este de Luisiana.

Sin embargo, cabe recordar que los efectos de Isaias se sentirán a cientos de kilómetros de distancia del punto donde toque tierra el centro, especialmente al este de su trayectoria, a medida que los vientos cada vez más fuertes en las capas altas de la atmósfera, procedentes del oeste, difuminan su escudo de fuertes lluvias y expanden su campo de vientos tierra adentro.

The announcement by Vice President JD Vance marks the latest swing from the Trump administration at employers and universities that welcome foreign students and workers into the country.

Such programs have frequently been targeted by some Trump supporters who argue they undercut American students and workers. Supporters say they allow the U.S. to attract the best talent from around the world and fill important hiring gaps.

Supporters of the Republican president have long argued that various programs like H-1B visas — which Vance accused Microsoft of abusing — essentially empower American companies to recruit foreign workers for jobs that end up undercutting Americans. In the wide-ranging announcement, Vance and other top administration officials also called out universities over their use of J-1 visas for international students and information technology outsourcing firms.

The announcement came hours before Trump awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, part of an event at which he granted some of the nation’s most prestigious science and technology awards to his tech billionaire allies.

Vance says US workers are replaced with ‘foreign indentured servants’

Vance said the program from which Microsoft is being suspended requires companies to advertise jobs in America before applying to the Department of Labor to show they need to give a foreign worker a green card because of a lack of American workers.

“They’ll put an advertisement in a small-town newspaper. They’ll go out there and say that ‘We have advertised for a position with our company, and nobody is responding to it.’ And they will use that lack of response to then go and replace American workers with what is effectively foreign indentured servants," Vance said. “There has been no company in the United States, unfortunately, that has used this system more than Microsoft."

Microsoft is No. 5 among U.S. employers when it comes to using H-1B visas, according data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Amazon is No. 1.

Vance said Microsoft last year laid off 6,000 American workers but also obtained 6,300 H-1B visas and almost 3,000 green cards.

“If you do the math, for every worker that Microsoft laid off, they replaced that worker with one and a half foreign indentured servants,” Vance said in a White House news conference announcing the decision. “Our message to Microsoft is: You’re a great American company, but you’ve got to hire great American workers.”

Vance said H-1B workers are effectively foreign indentured servants because if they lose their jobs, they have to leave the country, and they earn less than Americans in the same position.

Microsoft, which is based in Redmond, Washington, said of the approximately 6,000 H-1B visa applications it submitted in the last fiscal year, 80% were “to extend or change the status of existing Microsoft employees.”

“These were not to hire new people,” Microsoft said in a statement. “The remaining filings for new employees were for individuals already legally in the United States who decided to come work for us, and they equal only 1% of our U.S. workforce. They are not new arrivals to our country.”

The company added that it only files H-1B petitions for “those who meet the rigorous standards of this visa category.”

Doug Rand, a former senior adviser at USCIS during the Biden administration, called Vance's announcement “incoherent.”

“If the Trump administration were truly concerned that H-1B workers are ‘indentured servants,’ then the last thing they would do is block companies from helping their own H-1B workers get green cards,” he said. "Once you have a green card, you’re no longer dependent on your employer for your immigration status — you’re a permanent resident who can change jobs and negotiate higher wages without fear.”

H-1B program has been scrutinized

The H-1B program has long been a target of Trump supporters who say that the program undercuts American workers and is rife with abuse.

H-1B visas are meant for high-skilled jobs that are difficult to find American workers to fill. Technology companies are the biggest users, with nearly three-quarters of approvals going to workers from India.

Trump last year attempted to ratchet up the fee for H-1B work visas to $100,000, saying it would protect American workers from losing their jobs to lower-paid foreigners, but a federal judge struck that down in June.

The administration has since tried a different tack, announcing plans in August for a $103,265 fee. The proposed regulation described the new fee as a “dedicated revenue mechanism to help recover a portion of the federal government’s costs of administering the lawful immigration system.” The rule isn’t yet final and is expected to face a legal challenge, like the one before it.

Ron Hira, a Howard University political science professor and longtime critic of the H-1B program, called the move against Microsoft “very significant.’’ Hira noted the White House last month issued a little-noticed executive order directing government agencies to “implement appropriate measures to protect American workers from abuse of the H-1B program and ensure that the program serves the national interest.’’

“There are supposed to be protections for U.S. workers that say: If you hire an H-1B, you are promising that you are not adversely affecting similarly employed U.S. workers,’’ Hira said. “That’s never been enforced.’’

Besides Microsoft, Vance said the government was similarly suspending Adobe and tech consulting firms Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL and Capgemini. The companies did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Trump also has targeted international students

The Vance announcement came a day after Trump's administration launched another broadside against international students and their ability to work in the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday proposed a $70,000 fee for international students seeking to work in the United States. The proposed rule would require schools to pay the fee for every student who participates in the Optional Practical Training program, which allows students to work in jobs related to their major during or after their time in school.

Vance also called out universities, suggesting that they were abusing a program to allow international students to come to the U.S. These temporary visas, called J-1 visas, allow international visitors to temporarily come to the U.S. for work and study exchange programs.

Vance singled out nine universities that he said merited further investigation for J-1 visa fraud, saying they used the program in greater proportions than their counterparts.

The universities were Harvard; Yale; Stanford; Brown; the University of Pittsburgh; the University of California, Davis; the California Institute of Technology; Arizona State; and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Stanford said it would cooperate with the investigation.

MIT and Brown said they had received and were reviewing subpoenas from the government related to programs for foreign workers.

“Of note, each J-1 visa holder at MIT has been vetted and authorized to come here by the U.S. government, and we take seriously our obligations to follow U.S. law,” MIT spokesperson Kimberly Allen said in a written statement. ___

Associated Press writers Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas, Kelvin Chan in London and Paul Wiseman, Annie Ma and Collin Binkley in Washington contributed. Ortutay reported from Oakland, Calif.

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The Coral Gables Police Department identified the suspect in an arrest report as Eneyda Leticia Silva-Saballos.

According to the arrest report, the crash happened Sept. 5 at approximately 2:09 p.m. near the intersection of Valencia Street and Segovia Street.

Investigators said Silva-Saballos, 41, of Miami, was driving a gray Audi Q5 westbound on Valencia Street with two minors inside the SUV when she approached the intersection.

Surveillance video showed the Audi running a red light and crashing into another vehicle, according to police.

Following the collision, Silva-Saballos allegedly got out of the SUV and fled on foot with the two children, leaving the vehicle behind.

Police said investigators used surveillance footage, witness statements, cellphone-related records and evidence recovered from the vehicle to identify Silva-Saballos as the driver of the Audi.

Among the evidence was a pawn shop receipt left inside the SUV, which investigators said helped them locate her address. Police later confirmed the information through investigative databases, the report stated.

Victim continues to recover from injuries

According to the arrest report, the driver of the other vehicle suffered multiple injuries, including damage to her knee ligaments and spine.

During a follow-up conversation with investigators on Wednesday, the victim said she was still experiencing pain from her knee injuries and a dislocated or herniated spinal disc.

Police said the woman reported undergoing multiple medical appointments and procedures to manage her injuries, with additional treatment expected as doctors determine a long-term plan.

Suspect arrested more than a month later

At approximately 7:56 a.m. Wednesday, Coral Gables detectives conducting surveillance near Silva-Saballos’ home spotted her leaving her apartment and entering a silver Toyota Corolla, according to the report.

Investigators approached the vehicle and made contact with her.

Police said Silva-Saballos verbally identified herself, and officers also confirmed her identity using mail she had just retrieved bearing her full name.

She was arrested at the scene and taken to Coral Gables Police Department headquarters for questioning.

According to the report, Silva-Saballos was advised of her Miranda rights and requested an attorney.

She was subsequently transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center where she was booked on a charge of leaving the scene of a crash resulting in serious bodily injury.

As of Thursday morning, the Nicaraguan national remained at TGK on the charge as well as on an immigration hold.

The suspicious death last week of a worker at a research lab in Siberia that has fueled global concerns about suspected pneumonic plague is just the latest example of how leaders in Moscow manage the official narrative that often covers up the truth for years.

Russia’s public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, has told the World Health Organization that no case of plague has been registered in the Irkutsk region of southeastern Siberia. In tersely worded statements, the Russian agency said the lab worker contracted pneumonia of “unknown” origin and that tests found no evidence her illness was caused by any of the pathogens she worked with at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East.

The WHO urged Russia to share more information to clarify the cause of the severe pneumonia, the pathogen that prompted the public health measures and media reports that a second employee had pneumonia of undetermined cause.

Scarce official information about the worker's death, which unconfirmed reports in Russia blamed on pneumonic plague, follows the Soviet-era patterns of secrecy in dealing with outbreaks of infectious diseases, accidents and other emergencies.

Here are other examples of Moscow censoring public health information:

The 1959-60 smallpox outbreak

In the final days of December 1959, leading Soviet graphic artist Alexei Kokorekin fell ill and died shortly after returning from a trip to India.

Doctors initially struggled to identify the cause of death as smallpox, which was considered eradicated decades earlier. Once it became clear, authorities launched a massive effort to contain the outbreak.

The KGB meticulously tracked down Kokorekin’s contacts, and thousands of people were put in isolation. An Aeroflot flight carrying one of his contacts was contacted before it landed in Paris and ordered to return to Moscow.

Authorities halted all travel to and from Moscow and launched an unprecedented effort in which thousands of vaccination teams distributed shots to millions of residents of the capital and the surrounding region. International news outlets reported the massive campaign, but Soviet state media kept silent about it.

The outbreak led to 46 confirmed cases and three deaths in Moscow before it was contained in 44 days. A novel and movie based on the outbreak appeared later, but the true details of what happened were hidden from the public until the waning years of the Soviet Union.

The 1971 Aral Sea smallpox outbreak

During tests of a smallpox bioweapon on a tightly guarded range on Vozrozhdeniya Island in the Aral Sea in August 1971, a research ship accidentally sailed too close to the aerosolized plume of microbes.

A marine biologist on the ship contracted smallpox and spread it to several others in the town of Aralsk in what is now part of Kazakhstan, resulting in 10 infections and three deaths. The town was quarantined and more than 40,000 people were vaccinated against smallpox within days, but the public remained unaware of what happened.

The incident only became widely known in 2002 when U.S. researchers publicized old Soviet archives.

The 1979 anthrax leak

On April 2, 1979, anthrax spores were accidentally released from a secret biological weapons lab in Sverdlovsk, the Ural Mountains city that is now called Yekaterinburg.

The accident was caused by a worker failing to replace a faulty ventilation filter, resulting in the release of the deadly spores into the air. At least 68 people died in the resulting anthrax outbreak.

Soviet authorities officially blamed the deaths on contaminated meat from a street market and the KGB made sure to keep details of the accident under wraps, confiscating medical records.

It wasn’t until after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union that the truth about the outbreak became known under Russian President Boris Yeltsin, a former Communist Party boss in Sverdlovsk.

The 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster

When the reactor No. 4 exploded at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the then-Soviet republic of Ukraine on April 26, 1986, it spewed a radioactive cloud across Europe.

Authorities were slow to report the incident and warn the public about the radioactive threat. When Sweden detected the radiation, Moscow initially denied that any accident had occurred.

Soviet officials waited for 36 hours before ordering the evacuation of the town of Pripyat near the plant. Five days later, tens of thousands of people were exposed to radioactive fallout as they marched through the streets of Kyiv during the May Day parade.

Despite Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's policy of “glasnost,” or greater openness, authorities heavily censored medical data and casualty figures as part of their efforts to conceal the true scale of the disaster. Immediately after the accident, 30 plant workers and firefighters died from acute radiation sickness, and thousands of people later died from radiation-related illnesses.

The COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some independent Russian news outlets and international media reports claimed the country’s coronavirus death toll could be much higher than government officials said. The reports cited a spike in total mortality rates.

Russian authorities angrily rejected the claims as part of a Western disinformation campaign against Moscow.

Officials in Moscow explained the relatively low death toll by crediting a swift ban on travel from China early in the pandemic, a speedy introduction of restrictions and a broad testing effort that allowed authorities to spot infections quickly and prevent patients from developing life-threatening complications.

Authorities denied claims of widespread shortages of personal protective equipment and questionable infection control procedures at dozens of hospitals. Some medical workers said they were threatened with dismissal or even prosecution for complaining about the situation.

In 2020, Russia criminalized “false information” about threats to public safety, and human rights groups documented that dozens of people were prosecuted for making purportedly fake claims. But at the end of that year, officials effectively conceded the death toll was several times higher than previously reported.

In early 2022, Russian authorities reported a total of over 13.5 million confirmed COVID-19 and 338,091 deaths — by far the highest death toll in Europe at the time. Russia’s state statistics agency Rosstat, which uses broader counting criteria, said there were 681,100 virus-linked deaths between April 2020 and December 2021.

“The system can silence, but it’s not competent enough to coordinate, so it produces contradiction instead of a unified false account,” Judy Twigg, professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, said in written comments this week.

___

Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed.

El Departamento de Policía de Coral Gables identificó a la sospechosa en un informe de arresto como Eneyda Leticia Silva-Saballos.

Según el informe de arresto, el accidente ocurrió el 5 de septiembre aproximadamente a las 2:09 p.m. cerca de la intersección de Valencia Street y Segovia Street.

Los investigadores indicaron que Silva-Saballos, de 41 años y residente de Miami, conducía un Audi Q5 gris en dirección oeste por Valencia Street con dos menores dentro de la camioneta cuando se aproximó a la intersección.

Las imágenes de vigilancia mostraron que el Audi se pasó un semáforo en rojo y chocó contra otro vehículo, según la policía.

Tras la colisión, Silva-Saballos presuntamente salió de la camioneta y huyó a pie con los dos menores, dejando el vehículo abandonado.

La policía indicó que los investigadores utilizaron imágenes de vigilancia, declaraciones de testigos, registros relacionados con teléfonos celulares y pruebas recuperadas del vehículo para identificar a Silva-Saballos como la conductora del Audi.

Entre las pruebas se encontraba un recibo de una casa de empeño que quedó dentro de la camioneta, el cual, según los investigadores, les ayudó a localizar su dirección. Posteriormente, la policía confirmó la información mediante bases de datos de investigación, según el informe.

Víctima continúa recuperándose de sus lesiones

Según el informe de arresto, la conductora del otro vehículo sufrió múltiples lesiones, incluidos daños en los ligamentos de la rodilla y la columna vertebral.

Durante una conversación de seguimiento con los investigadores el miércoles, la víctima indicó que todavía experimentaba dolor debido a las lesiones en la rodilla y a un disco de la columna vertebral dislocado o herniado.

La policía señaló que la mujer informó que se había sometido a múltiples consultas y procedimientos médicos para tratar sus lesiones, y que se esperaba que recibiera tratamiento adicional mientras los médicos determinan un plan a largo plazo.

Arrestan a sospechosa más de un mes después

Aproximadamente a las 7:56 a.m. del miércoles, detectives de Coral Gables que realizaban labores de vigilancia cerca de la vivienda de Silva-Saballos la observaron salir de su apartamento y entrar en un Toyota Corolla plateado, según el informe.

Los investigadores se acercaron al vehículo y establecieron contacto con ella.

La policía indicó que Silva-Saballos se identificó verbalmente y que los agentes también confirmaron su identidad mediante correspondencia que acababa de recoger y que llevaba su nombre completo.

Fue arrestada en el lugar y trasladada a la sede del Departamento de Policía de Coral Gables para ser interrogada.

Según el informe, Silva-Saballos fue informada de sus derechos Miranda y solicitó un abogado.

Posteriormente, fue trasladada al Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight, donde fue fichada por un cargo de abandonar la escena de un accidente que provocó lesiones corporales graves.

Hasta la mañana del jueves, la ciudadana nicaragüense permanecía detenida en TGK por ese cargo, así como por una orden de retención migratoria.

For Rogers, a former congressman who was unchallenged in the Aug. 4 primary, the evening debate in Grand Rapids will be his first since facing off two years ago against then-U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin in a Senate race that the Democrat won by just under 20,000 votes.

El-Sayed, a progressive who is a former public health official, participated in multiple primary debates against U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens before capturing the nomination by less than a percentage point and advancing to the Nov. 3 general election.

Thursday's debate begins at 7 p.m. ET and is streamed locally on WOOD TV8, an NBC affiliate station, and nationally on NewsNation.

The meeting between the two candidates comes after an increasingly combative stretch in the campaign.

President Donald Trump assailed El-Sayed in a social media post late Wednesday, referring to him as “Mohammed” and saying he “goes back to the days of the Jihad.”

“He is a RADICAL Extremist, Terrorist Sympathizer,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

El-Sayed, who was born in the U.S. to Egyptian immigrant parents, responded by pointing out that the president knows his name: “He says it every day.”

“He’s not just attacking me. He’s attacking all of us,” El-Sayed wrote. “He thinks he can use my name and my faith to distract us from the suffering his policies are inflicting on us.”

El-Sayed, trailing significantly in ad spending, has crisscrossed the state for events while also sitting for interviews ranging from Fox News to The New York Times’ Ezra Klein. He has often used those appearances to go after Rogers.

“We are running to win the race. He’s running not to lose the race,” El-Sayed said of Rogers during a Tuesday interview with The Associated Press.

Rogers has held fewer public events while outside groups have spent heavily on ads.

Rogers' campaign did not make him available for an interview before the debate. He is scheduled to appear Friday in Oakland County with Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.

Rogers has broken with Trump on two major issues in recent weeks. In September, Rogers said the war with Iran needed to “end quickly.” On Wednesday, he released an ad criticizing Trump’s tariffs on Canada, saying “we know that Canada is not our enemy” and “we need to end this tariff war now.”

El-Sayed is working to reunite a Democratic coalition that splintered during the primary and he is trying to appeal to independents and voters who previously backed Trump. He appeared Thursday with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, their first appearance since she endorsed Stevens in the primary.

Rogers faces a different balancing act as he works to turn out Republicans without Trump on the ballot and competes for moderates.

Duterte, 81, denies the charges. His trial is scheduled to open on Nov. 30. The ex-leader is accused of murder and attempted murder for his alleged involvement in dozens of killings as part of the war on drugs. He faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted.

The court’s Sept. 28 ruling that he is fit to face justice came after an independent panel of experts said that Duterte “has the capacity to understand the charges” and follow the proceedings including the implications of entering a plea — which he will be asked to do when the trial opens, the court said in a statement.

He also is mentally fit to understand evidence and discuss his defense with his lawyers, the panel of experts said. His legal team had previously attempted to get the case thrown out on medical grounds, but judges rejected it and denied a request for him to be released from custody.

Duterte was arrested in the Philippines in March 2025 and sent to the ICC’s headquarters in The Hague following a lengthy ICC investigation into mass killings in crackdowns overseen by Duterte, first when he served as mayor of the southern Philippine city of Davao and later as president.

Duterte, who was among the most feared leaders in Asia while in power, became the first ex-leader from the region to be arrested by the global court.

Estimates of the death toll in the crackdown on drugs during Duterte’s presidential term vary, from the more than 6,000 reported by the national police to up to 30,000 claimed by human rights groups.

Prosecutors say that police and government hit squads carried out dozens of killings at Duterte’s orders, motivated by the promise of money or to avoid becoming targets themselves.

At the time of Duterte's arrest, relatives of victims hailed the move.

“We hope that top police officials and the hundreds of police officers who were involved in the illegal killings should also be placed in custody and punished,” said Randy delos Santos, whose teenage nephew was gunned down by police in a dark riverside alley during an anti-drug operation in suburban Caloocan city in August 2017.

Según un informe de arresto del Departamento de Policía de Hialeah, el novio de la agente Marcia Sangronis les hizo señas a unos policías el martes por la mañana. Quería denunciar que había sido agredido físicamente.

El informe de la policía de Hialeah indica que la víctima contó que Sangronis, de 38 años, se pone “furiosa y violenta” cada vez que hablan de “su falta de motivación para hacer carrera en la policía”.

Según el informe, él había pasado la noche en casa de ella. Sangronis sacó el tema la noche anterior al incidente y volvió a sacarlo al despertarse al día siguiente.

El informe señala que alrededor de las 11 a.m. él decidió irse y le dijo que quería terminar la relación. Entonces ella “se molestó y se paró frente a la puerta para impedirle salir de la casa”. Cuando él intentó alcanzar la manija, ella le dijo: “No puedes irte”.

“La víctima intentó otra vez alcanzar la manija para salir y (Sangronis) empezó a atacarlo. La víctima dijo que ella lo arañó varias veces en los brazos, la cara y la espalda”, señala el informe. “La víctima dijo que también lo mordió varias veces en el antebrazo izquierdo. Dijo que logró zafarse de (Sangronis) y salir de la casa. También dijo que (ella) lo ha maltratado física y emocionalmente durante los dos años que llevan juntos”.

La policía dijo que documentó varias lesiones en “el cuerpo, los brazos y la cara” del hombre.

La declaración que Sangronis dio a la policía fue tachada del informe.

Inicialmente fue arrestada por agresión agravada con lesiones corporales graves, un delito grave de segundo grado. Pero el miércoles, en el tribunal, un juez encontró causa probable solo para agresión simple, un delito menor, y le fijó una fianza de $1,000.

También se le ordenó mantenerse alejada de la víctima.

Según los registros, permanecía detenida en el Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

Según publicaciones en redes sociales, lleva alrededor de un año en el Departamento de Policía de North Bay Village.

El departamento emitió un comunicado sobre el arresto el miércoles por la tarde. En parte, dice que Sangronis “fue relevada de sus funciones con goce de sueldo, según los protocolos de nuestra agencia”.

El comunicado añade que el departamento “exige a todo su personal los más altos estándares de conducta y lo hace plenamente responsable de sus actos, dentro y fuera de servicio”.

Local 10 News también contactó a su abogado para pedirle comentarios.

Según el Departamento de Policía de Fort Lauderdale, los hechos ocurrieron alrededor de las 11 a.m. en la cuadra 1700 de Northwest 13th Court, en el barrio Lauderdale Manors.

La policía dijo que los paramédicos llevaron a la víctima al Broward Health Medical Center con heridas que ponen en riesgo su vida.

La policía describió el caso como una “investigación en curso”. No indicó de inmediato si ha identificado a algún sospechoso ni el posible motivo.

Según la policía de Fort Lauderdale, los agentes acudieron a la cuadra 700 de Northeast 17th Court tras recibir llamadas sobre el conductor. Más tarde fue identificado como Eliezer Valcourt, de 32 años y residente del noroeste de Miami-Dade.

Una de las agentes que respondió al llamado dijo que Valcourt estuvo a punto de chocarla al doblar una esquina con su camión del Servicio Postal de EE.UU. Otro agente logró detenerlo y “observó posibles señales de que estaba bajo los efectos del alcohol”, según la policía. Por eso, comenzó una investigación por manejar bajo la influencia (DUI).

Según un informe de arresto, Valcourt falló las pruebas de sobriedad en el lugar. Les dijo a los agentes que estaba trabajando y que ese día no había tomado nada.

También les dijo que “ya casi terminaba” y que “solo le faltaban tres calles”, según el formulario de arresto.

Enfrenta cargos de DUI y de DUI con un nivel de alcohol en la sangre de 0.15% o más.

Hasta la tarde del miércoles, Valcourt seguía detenido en la cárcel principal de Broward con una fianza de $1,000.