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Today is Thursday, Nov. 20, the 324th day of 2025. There are 41 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Nov. 20, 1945, 22 former Nazi officials went on trial before an international war crimes tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany. (Almost a year later, the International Military Tribune sentenced 12 of the defendants to death; seven received prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life; three were acquitted.)

Also on this date:

In 1910, Francisco Madero led a revolt against Mexican President Porfirio Díaz, marking the beginning of the decade-long Mexican Revolution.

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1947, Britain’s future queen, Princess Elizabeth, married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey.

In 1969, Native American activists began an occupation of Alcatraz Island that would last 19 months before they were forcibly removed by federal authorities.

In 1982, the University of California, Berkeley, football team defeated Stanford University by scoring a touchdown on a lateral-filled kickoff return on the last play of the game, despite the Stanford marching band entering the field of play, thinking Stanford had already won. In college football lore, the bizarre finish is often referred to simply as “The Play.”

In 1992, fire seriously damaged Windsor Castle, the favorite weekend home of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.

In 2003, music producer Phil Spector was charged with murder in the shooting of actor Lana Clarkson at his California home. (After a first trial ended with a hung jury in 2007, Spector was convicted of second-degree murder in 2009 and sentenced to 19 years to life; he died in prison at age 81 on Jan. 16, 2021.)

Today’s Birthdays:

• Actor Estelle Parsons is 98.
• Author Don DeLillo is 89.
• Comedian Dick Smothers is 87.
• Former President Joe Biden is 83.
• Broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff is 79.
• Musician Joe Walsh is 78.
• Actor Bo Derek is 69.
• Actor Ming-Na Wen is 62.
• Rapper Michael “Mike D” Diamond (Beastie Boys) is 60.
• Actor-comedian Joel McHale is 54.
• Country singer Dierks Bentley is 50.
• Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Dominique Dawes is 49.
• Rapper Future is 42.

Q: When we bought our house almost 20 years ago, it had a concrete partition wall running along the property line between our house and our neighbors. We’re getting ready to move, and our neighbor told us that the fence is actually a foot onto his property, and we needed to move it before we sold the house. Is this something I need to be concerned about? — Charles

A: Things like fences, driveways, or landscaping that run along the property lines often lead to disputes between neighbors.

In your situation, the concrete fence has been there for decades without incident. Selling your home is already stressful enough, without this added complication.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to get through this dispute.

First, you need to verify the accuracy of your neighbor’s claim.

Property lines are usually established by a survey, which is a legal document that defines the features and boundaries of your land. If you don’t already have a copy of the survey from when you bought the house, you might need to hire a licensed surveyor to perform a new one.

This will help determine whether the fence is truly encroaching on your neighbor’s property.

Keep in mind that surveys are considered the most reliable evidence in boundary disputes, so having one is essential.

You should still get a survey of your own, even if your neighbor has one that seems to justify his complaint, as in my experience, I have seen different surveyors yield different results.

If the survey confirms that the fence is on your neighbor’s property, you will need to decide how to proceed.

It might make sense to come to an agreement without moving the wall.

If you and your neighbor cannot reach an agreement, it might make sense to take a pragmatic approach to your next step, factoring in the cost and time required to address the issue before selling your home.

If you decide it is worth the fight, consult a lawyer to see whether the fence’s placement has been legally “grandfathered” in. In some jurisdictions, if a structure has been in place for a certain number of years without objection, it may be protected under adverse possession or similar laws.

If you live in a community association, you will also want to check with the property manager to see whether your community’s documents address this issue.

Even if things quiet down with your neighbor, you should disclose the issue to potential buyers.

Transparency is key in real estate transactions, and failing to disclose a known boundary dispute could lead to legal trouble down the road.

Work with your real estate agent to determine the best way to address the situation in your listing and during the sale process.

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

Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan’s op-ed essay as we approached America Recycles Day was excellent (“A winning game plan for Broward’s waste future,” Nov. 12).

Individuals need to recycle more, but there are two steps you can take first.

One, reduce the amount of stuff you buy. This is especially relevant this holiday season. Our emphasis on new things often overshadows creating moments that cost little and will be remembered long after the holidays are over.

Second, reuse what you have or give it to a charity to resell it. Your “trash” may be someone’s perfect holiday gift.

Monica Elliott, Southwest Ranches

Broward’s waste crisis

I appreciate the Sun Sentinel’s support for recycling in its full-page graphic in the Nov. 16 issue.

Unfortunately, many are confused about what to recycle or not, and many who originally were enthusiastic about recycling have become cynical, asking: “Is that fill-in-the-blank item actually recyclable? I hear it isn’t.”

In Broward, different cities have different rules that contradict each other.

There’s no denying that Broward has a waste crisis. We produce millions of tons of trash a year with fewer places to put it.

We all need to reduce the amount of waste we create, and Broward needs one unified recycling program with simple, clear recycling instructions countywide.

We have the potential to do this with the county Solid Waste Authority, a very unsexy, unheralded but critically important development. The county and most cities have worked hard to create this new authority and a master plan, and it’s important that all Broward cities join.

It can lead to a day when we reduce the literal mountains of trash we produce by reducing the amount of waste we create and effectively recycling much of the rest.

Bonnie Gross, Fort Lauderdale

‘Grim reaper’ DeSantis

I’m not complaining about the existence of the death penalty, which is the victim’s family’s final form of retribution to compensate for its loss.

Some wrongly claim that the death penalty deters violent crime. But it is highly unlikely that a mentally or emotionally damaged person is thinking about the ultimate penalty when he or she pulls the trigger, strangles or rapes.

Gov. Ron DeSantis seems to silently delight in signing death warrants while refusing to commute a death sentence to life without parole. One can’t help believe he’s in a contest with the malignant Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for unofficial title of America’s 21st Century “grim reaper.”

If this is DeSantis trying to prove he’s a law-and-order presidential candidate, it’s just another of his many misjudgments.

Maid Joy Kahn, Boca Raton 

‘Lauderdale County’? No way

It is so sad that state Rep. Chip LaMarca has no better ideas to put forward then to change the name of Broward County.

During these times with so many people struggling, the fact that this is the only thing he can come up with shows the lack of care and how out of touch the Republican Party is with the citizens of Broward and the state of Florida.

Could a proposal to change the name of Broward County to Lauderdale County succeed? (Staff illustration)

It would be difficult enough for everyone and every company to change the name of the county everywhere.

And to think that Major William Lauderdale (for whom Fort Lauderdale is named) was involved in removing Seminole Indians from their native lands (in the Second Seminole War, 1835-1842).

It’s a no in my book — a big fat NO!

Diane Miller, Plantation

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Here are the top stories for Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. Get the weather forecast for today here.

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American Heritage junior Sohan Patel and Dwyer senior Hampton Beebe both captured boys individual titles while the Dwyer and Benjamin boys and American Heritage girls each won team titles at the FHSAA golf state championship at Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey-in-the-Hills.

The state championship featured a two-day, 36-hole format. The Class 3A championship was held Nov. 11-12, the Class 1A championship from Nov. 14-15 and the Class 2A competition from Nov 18-19.

Patel (70-69) captured his second consecutive Class 2A individual state title. He recorded a 139 total and won by one stroke.

“I have been really working hard on my game, which has led to a lot of good results this season,” Patel said. “It is always an honor to compete for a state title and I am proud to have gotten it done again.”

The Dwyer boys golf team (Courtesy, Dwyer Athletics)

Beebe (72-68) earned the Class 3A individual state title. He shot 4-under for a two-day total of 140. He trailed by one stroke after the first round and won the state title by two.

“Winning a state title has been on my list of things I wanted to accomplish before finishing high school,” Beebe said. “I finished fifth as an individual the last two years. Winning the individual and team title is something I will always have, and I am excited to also have pulled it off on the day I signed my commitment letter to play golf at Auburn University.”

Tsar, Woods Lift Benjamin to 1A Title

The Benjamin boys won the Class 1A state title with a 572 total (288-284). The Bucs won their fifth boys golf state championship and earned their second state title in the last three seasons.

Benjamin junior Andrew Tsar (68-71) finished as the Class 1A individual state runner-up as he stepped up with a 139 total.

“I am very proud of the way that I played to help the team win another state championship,” Tsar said. “We wanted to win the state championship very badly for us and our coaches. It was very rewarding to finish second to another great player. I am proud of my teammates and the season ending with this great win.”

The Benjamin boys golf team. (Courtesy/Benjamin Athletics)

Benjamin junior Charlie Woods (74-68) finished tied for fourth. He also finished tied for the lowest individual round on the final day. The Bucs were also led by junior Brooks Colton (72-72), who finished tied for ninth.  Freshman Clint Lewis (74-73) stepped up and finished tied for 17th. T

The Bucs finished with a 12-under rally on the back nine during the first day of competition to trail by just one stroke. They were able to set a record with a 4-under final round total of 284. The Bucs also previously won the district and regional title.

“I’m very proud of the season,” Benjamin coach Toby Harbeck said. “This team played with amazing confidence, poise and desire. They showed their true character on the last day at the state championship. Everyone was a star at some point during this season, but they always played as a team.”

Oxbridge Academy junior Joey Iaciofano (71-71) tied for fourth, senior AJ Colonna (74-72) tied for 14th and junior Ajax Lanasa (77-73) tied for 27th.

Dwyer Boys Capture 3A Title

The Dwyer boys finished with a 587 total (299-288) to earn the Class 3A state title for the first time in school history behind an impressive performance from Beebe. Dwyer senior Wylie Inman (75-72) tied for fourth, junior Tankhun Ritthisorn (76-73) tied for seventh) and sophomore William Cui (76-75) tied for 14th.

“Winning the state championship this year was a milestone,” Dwyer coach Eric Fasone said. “Not just for this team, but for the entire Dwyer golf program. We’re building something special here, a culture of excellence, and long-term success that will carry on beyond just this season.”

Boca Raton senior Henry Crowe (74-75) tied for seventh at the Class 3A state championship.

American Heritage Girls Earn 2A Title

The American Heritage girls won by 19 strokes at the Class 2A state championship. They led by one stroke after the first round and delivered an impressive second round for a 601 total (304-297). Sophomore Nicole Wu (73-74) placed eighth, senior Lilly Riegger (77-72) tied for ninth, junior Aryanah Ahmad (75-75) tied for 13th and sophomore Laura Monsalve (79-76) placed 21st.

“We overcame a lot of adversity this season with our kids injured and being sick,” American Heritage coach Mike Carlin said. “We needed to get our team back at full strength. We were building all season and learning from each tournament We put it together at the right time and everyone contributed.”

American Heritage girls golf team (Courtesy/American Heritage Athletics) FAU High’s Guertin Reaches Sudden Playoff

FAU High senior Valentina Guertin (69-68) finished tied for second with a 137 total at the Class 1A girls state championship. Guertin was among five players who reached the sudden playoff.

FAU High placed second at the state championship. Senior Kayla Bryant (70-69) placed seventh and sophomore Alexandra Phung (76-65) tied for ninth. Phung registered the lowest score during the final round of the tournament.

Benjamin freshman Reese McMillan (69-74) finished tied for 12th at the state tournament.

Dwyer’s Gram, West Boca’s Andino Lead 3A Girls

Dwyer sophomore Leah Gram and West Boca junior Catherine Andino both tied for fourth at the Class 3A girls state championship. Gram (75-70) and Andino (74-71) both finished with a 145 total.

The other top performers included Coral Glades senior Bianca Gibbs (74-73), who finished tied for eighth. Spanish River senior Gaelle Summers (75-75) and senior Jayden Loyacona (77-73) both tied for 16th.

Dr. Joaquin Garcia’s Baker and Mena Shine in 2A

Dr. Joaquin Garcia sophomore Jaime Baker (72-69) finished as the state runner-up with a 141 total at the Class 2A girls championship. Dr. Joaquin Garcia senior Daniel Mena (71-74) tied for fourth at the Class 2A boys championship.

Pompano Beach junior Liam Johnston (78-72) tied for 10th while Coral Springs Charter teammates Hudson Fee (76-77) and Bento Assis (72-81) both tied for 12th for the boys. Archbishop McCarthy’s Abigail Lee (79-73) tied for 17th for the girls.

By DAVID FISCHER

STARKE, Fla. (AP) — A man convicted of raping and fatally beating his former manager at a Florida convenience store in 1988 is scheduled to be executed Thursday evening.

Richard Barry Randolph, 63, is set to receive a lethal injection starting at 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke. Randolph was convicted of murder, armed robbery, sexual battery and grand theft and sentenced to death in 1989.

It would be Florida’s 17th death sentence carried out in 2025, further extending the state record for total executions in a single year.

According to court records, Randolph attempted to break into the safe at the Handy-Way convenience store in Palatka, where he had previously worked, in August 1988. Randolph was spotted by the manager, Minnie Ruth McCollum, and the two began to struggle.

Randolph then beat, strangled, stabbed and raped McCollum before leaving the store and taking the woman’s car, the records show.

Three women witnessed Randolph leaving the store and called the sheriff’s office after seeing through the window that the store was in disarray. A deputy responded and found McCollum still alive. She was taken to a hospital in a coma and died six days later of severe brain injuries, according to doctors.

Randolph was arrested shortly after the attack at a Jacksonville grocery store while trying to borrow money and cash in lottery tickets stolen from the convenience store, according to deputies. Investigators said Randolph admitted to the attack and directed them to bloody clothing that he had discarded.

The Florida Supreme Court denied Randolph’s appeals last week. He had argued that a lower court had abused its discretion in denying him access to public records and that his own defense lawyers had acted without his consent. A final appeal was still pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

A total of 43 men have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S., and more than a dozen other people are scheduled to be put to death during the remainder of 2025 and next year.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court restored the death penalty in 1976, the highest previous annual total of Florida executions was eight in 2014. Florida has executed more people than any other state this year, followed by Alabama, South Carolina and Texas with five each. Two more executions are planned for next month in Florida under death warrants signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Mark Allen Geralds, 58, is scheduled for Florida’s 18th execution on Dec. 9. He was convicted of fatally stabbing a woman during home invasion robbery.

Frank Athen Walls, 58, is set for Florida’s 19th execution on Dec. 18. He was convicted of fatally shooting a man and woman during home invasion robbery, and he later confessed to three other killings.

Florida’s lethal injections are carried out with a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the state Department of Corrections.

___

Follow David Fischer on the social platform Bluesky: ‪@dwfischer.bsky.social‬

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 110-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors:

– Yes, what was left of the Warriors fought the good fight for longer than could have been expected.

– Far longer.

– So, yes, there was an NBA level of competition on Wednesday night at Kaseya Center.

– But in the personality-driven NBA, fans come for more.

– They come for Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green.

– They got none of that.

– Yes, rest matters.

– Yes, three games in four nights for an older roster is challenging.

– But the NBA knew Curry was unable to play in Miami last season, and still scheduled the Warriors for the second night of a back-to-back in Miami this time around.

– It is one thing with an Eastern Conference opponent, where there typically is a second time around to see an absent star.

– New York already visited twice, with the Kaseya Center able to see Jalen Brunson at least once.

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– Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley sat last Wednesday at Kaseya Center for the Cavaliers, but at least were on display with the Cavaliers two nights earlier in the building.

– That’s not the case with a Western Conference opponent.

– Those teams visit only once.

– So in 2025-26 at Kaseya Center . . .

– No chance to marvel at Steph.

– No opportunity to jeer Jimmy.

– No time to taunt Draymond.

– That part of the NBA experience lost for another season.

– Increasingly, the NBA has become a television league, a streaming league.

– Seemingly aware of what was coming, ESPN pulled the plug on Heat-Warriors a week in advance.

– But it’s not as if fans at Kaseya Center had the opportunity to change the channel from what the Warriors offered Wednesday night.

– Again, the effort was laudable.

– But the NBA allowing such a star-less moment nonetheless lamentable.

– With Bam Adebayo back after a six-game absence, the Heat opened with a lineup of Adebayo, Pelle Larsson, Andrew Wiggins, Noman Powell and Davion Mitchell.

– Before the game, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, “we’ll monitor it,” when it comes to Adebayo’s playing time as he returns.

– The hope was Adebayo picking up where he left off.

– “He just continues to evolve and improve every year, and that’s a credit to him being open minded, and then also his work ethic,” Spoelstra said.

– With Spoelstra of the belief the Heat’s rapid-movement system plays to Adebayo’s strengths.

– “This allows him to get to different parts of the menu, as a playmaker, as a scorer, as an attacker, as a facilitator, depending on what the possession calls for,” Spoelstra said.

– Nikola Jovic was an active scratch.

– Inactive were Tyler Herro (ankle), Terry Rozier (not with team), Kasparas Jakucionis (G League) and Myron Gardner (G League).

– With the Warriors giving the night off to Curry, Butler, Green, Al Horford and others, Golden State opened with the eclectic lineup of  Brandin Podziemski, Will Richard, Moses Moody, Gui Santos and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

– Jaime Jaquez Jr. again was first off the Heat bench.

– Kel’el Ware, Simone Fontecchio and Dru Smith followed together.

– This time without the emergency need for Keshad Johnson.

– Former Heat center Joel Anthony was among the faces in the crowd.

– Fontecchio made it six consecutive games with multiple 3-pointers, one game off the longest such streak of his career.

MIAMI — A week ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers returned to Kaseya Center risking that they could win while giving Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley the night off.

They did, the Heat losing by 14.

Wednesday night, the Golden State Warriors took the notion of opposing rest to a higher level, going without Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and others on the second night of  their back-to-back set.

The expectations of victory might not have been there, but the fight was, arguably more than expected.

Until the Heat said enough was enough.

Trailing at the start of the final period after leading by 16 earlier, the Heat pushed to a 110-96 victory, lifting their home record to 7-1.

“I think it’s human nature,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of somewhat playing down to the competition. “We jumped out to an early lead and I think it creeps in that it’s going to be an easy game.”

With Bam Adebayo back in the mix, Spoelstra somewhat reshuffled the mix while mindful of Adebayo’s minutes after a six-game absence with a toe strain.

Adebayo closed with 20 points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes.

“I felt good, just trying to find a rhythm, let the game come to me, and it did at some point,” Adebayo said.

The Heat also got 25 points from Norman Powell, 17 from former Warriors Andrew Wiggins and seven points and 16 rebounds from Kel’el Ware, who shifted back to a reserve role.

“In the end,” Spoelstra said, “I thought we wore on them.”

Five Degrees of Heat from Wednesday  night’s game:

1. Game flow: The Heat moved to an early 16-point lead amid an 0-for-12 start from the field by the Warriors, before settling in for a 29-20 lead at the end of the opening period. The play remained ragged from there, with the Heat going into the intermission up 49-45.

The Warriors then took their first lead of the game at 60-59 in the third period, up 74-72 going into the fourth.

The Heat pushed back to a 90-78 lead with 5:17 to play after Powell and Adebayo were inserted.

“In the second half I thought our efforts were much better,” Spoelstra said.

But back came the Warriors, closing within 91-85 with 4:16 to play.

Three baskets by Adebayo then quelled the Warriors rally, with Powell and Adebayo combining for 26 of the Heat’s final 29 points.

“Down the stretch he was just really good,” Spoelstra said of Powell. “We put the ball in his hands and ran the pick and roll basically with him and Bam.”

Powell scored 17 in the fourth quarter.

“You saw a more energized group to close out the game,” Powell said. “Tonight, in the fourth quarter I was a recipient.”

2. Adebayo back: Adebayo’s return moved Ware back to the second unit, with Spoelstra otherwise staying with Powell, Wiggins, Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larsson as his starters.

It was the fourth time Ware played off the bench in his 15 appearances this season.

“Kel’el was really good tonight,” Spoelstra said. “I mentioned that to the team, that it’s not easy to be starting, playing really well, and then come off the bench and have an impact.

“But it was more about the mindset.”

Adebayo essentially picked up where he left off when he converted a 3-pointer early in the first quarter, another in the third and then one in the fourth.

Adebayo had converted at least one 3-pointer in a career-high 19 consecutive games, dating to last season, before he was limited by his toe sprain to just the opening 8:12 on Nov. 5 in Denver.

“We definitely missed him and glad to have him back,” Powell said.

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3. Jovic out: Even with Adebayo back, Spoelstra was able to stay with his base rotation, with Nikola Jovic sidelined by a hip impingement.

That essentially had Ware cast in the role that had been held by Jovic.

“It started hurting yesterday in the morning before practice,” Jovic said of Tuesday’s practice. “I went through the practice and it was kind of getting worse and worse. I finished the practice and played some extra, just to go through the reps and I thought it was going to be better. But during the day it got a little worse.

“And today, I felt good. I got some shots up to see how it felt and it did not feel good.”

Jovic said the expectation is just a one-game absence, with the Heat next playing Friday in Chicago.

“Probably just one game, hopefully,” he said.

4. The Golden State who?: With Curry, Butler and Green out, the Warriors also were without Jonathan Kuminga and De’Anthony Melton due to ongoing knee injuries, with Al Horford given off the second night of the back-to-back set.

That had Golden State opening with a lineup of Brandin Podziemski, Will Richard, Moses Moody, Gui Santos and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

The Warriors later cycled through the likes of Quinten Post and Pat Spencer.

Podziemski led Golden State with 20 points,

“I’m really proud of the guys, of the effort, of the fight,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

5. On the road again: Next up is an NBA Cup game on Friday night in Chicago, with a loss eliminating the Heat from the opportunity to advance to the knockout round.

The two-game trip then concludes Sunday in Philadelphia.

Paul Rubelt stood staring at the blank whiteboard, pen in hand, and immediately knew he was in trouble.

As a freshman offensive lineman, Rubelt was asked by his UCF coaches to diagram the differences between an even and odd front. For someone born and raised in Germany, who didn’t grow up playing American football until his teens, it was all new to him.

“I was standing there thinking: I’m not going to last a year. I don’t know the simplest thing about football,” Rubelt said recently to the Sentinel.

Nearly six seasons later, Rubelt is one of 25 seniors to be honored as part of UCF’s Senior Day on Saturday before the Knights host Oklahoma State at Acrisure Bounce House Stadium in the home finale.

“I knew I wasn’t going to quit,” Rubelt recalled of those early days. “When I start a thing, I’m going to end it, but I did think I might get kicked off the team.”

Rubelt, 25, has gone from being a virtual unknown knocked on his backside in his first practice in 2020 to being a multi-year starter at tackle for the Knights. In an age when a player’s commitment to a school is more like a summer romance, Rubelt has been a cornerstone of the program, having played through three coaching changes and a move to a Power 4 conference.

Knightro may be UCF’s mascot, but Rubelt has been the face of the program throughout much of this season with a happy-go-lucky smile despite the hard times.

UCF offensive tackle Paul Rubelt poses for a photograph with his father, Andreas. Rubelt will be honored before Saturday's game against Oklahoma State as part of Senior Day. His parents and a dozen friends and family will be on hand to help him celebrate. (Photo courtesy of Paul Rubelt)

“He’s been a great anchor for us. He’s like an ambassador for UCF,” said coach Scott Frost. “I know the passion he has for UCF. He’s loved his time here, like most of the guys have, and we’ll be sad to see him go, but I think he has bright things ahead.”

“In the short time that I’ve known him, he’s almost like a brother to me,” said senior running back Myles Montgomery.

It’s hard to miss Rubelt.

At 6-foot-10, he typically stands a head taller than the rest of the UCF players on the practice field, and at 310 pounds, Rubelt is an imposing figure. Yet his cheery disposition and sense of humor also help him stand out.

When asked what fans will most remember him for, Rubelt said, “I’m tall,” followed by a bellowing laugh.

But he quickly gets serious.

“I don’t know what people will remember. Everybody’s different, but what I want people to remember me for is that I’m loyal to the program,” Rubelt said. “That I stand for my word and am a man of my word and I hope everybody thinks I’m a great guy.”

Rubelt’s athletic career began in his hometown of Frankfurt-Oder, where he joined a local swimming club. Eventually, he traded in the pool for the green grass of a football field, playing for the Red Cocks American football club.

He came to America and played his first tackle football at Hiawatha High School near Rockford, Illinois, before eventually earning an offer from former UCF coach Josh Heupel.

It was Heupel, who coached the Knights from 2018-20, who helped out Rubelt in those early days.

“He would give me confidence when I would talk to him,” Rubelt said.

A few years later, it would be head coach Gus Malzahn and offensive line coach Herb Hand who would trust him enough to make him a starter. Rubelt credits Hand’s tutelage for the player he is today.

On Saturday, Rubelt will celebrate his final home game with his parents and about a dozen family and friends who made the trip from Germany.

Rubelt’s father, Andreas, has been in Orlando over the past couple of weeks. He arrived in time to watch Rubelt play in UCF’s Space Game against Houston on Nov. 7. Since then, the 71-year-old musician has been taking in his son’s daily schedule, including watching practice and even enjoying a meal with the offensive line.

UCF offensive tackle Paul Rubelt poses for a photograph with his mother, Kerstin. Rubelt will be honored before Saturday's game against Oklahoma State as part of Senior Day. His parents and several family and friends will be on hand to celebrate the occasion. (Photo courtesy of Paul Rubelt)

“My dad’s not really big into smartphones and stuff like that,” said Rubelt. “I’ve sent him a couple of YouTube clips of game highlights that he can watch. Other than that, he can’t comprehend the game, but he wants to understand. He’s asking the right questions, but it’s hard.”

Still, Andreas remains a proud father.

“Am I the dad? Is this my son?” Andreas said with Rubelt translating. “I knew he was always athletic because he swam and had a pretty good time doing it. I was always with him when he had competitions and I noticed early on that he liked team sports.

“When he started playing football, you could see him starting to embrace it and it fit like a glove.”

Andreas, 71, participated in track and field before eventually choosing a musical career. He picked up a trumpet at 9 years old and has been playing ever since in a variety of bands.

“Because I know about embracing the grind, that’s how he knows I’m his son,” Rubelt added.

Rubelt’s mother, Kerstin, aims to arrive on Friday from Germany along with a group of nearly a dozen friends and family. She’ll be seeing her son play football for the first time, even though she previously attended the 2023 Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa against Georgia Tech; Rubelt didn’t play in that game.

“My mom knows [football] a little bit and my uncle is trying to get into it,” said Rubelt.

It’s been tough for his family and friends back home to watch his games. They can occasionally catch them on a streaming service, but it can be difficult given the 6-hour time difference between the East Coast and Germany.

Rubelt admits he’ll have goosebumps before kickoff on Saturday, especially when taking the field with his parents during the Senior Day celebration.

“For me, football is the greatest thing in the world,” said Rubelt. “People from Germany, not everybody knows about football like that, but I know that when they see it, they’ll think this is just awesome. Everybody’s told me afterward that this is amazing. So let’s hope that’s the case this Saturday.”

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

By SEUNG MIN KIM, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed legislation Wednesday that compels his administration to release files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, bowing to political pressure from his own party after initially resisting those efforts.

Trump could have chosen to release many of the files on his own months ago.

“Democrats have used the ‘Epstein’ issue, which affects them far more than the Republican Party, in order to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories,” Trump said in a social media post as he announced he had signed the bill.

• Gary Rush, College Park, MD, holds a sign before a news conference on the Epstein files in front of the Capitol, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
• Sky Roberts, brother of prominent Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, speaks as his wife Amanda holds her photograph during a news conference as the House prepares to vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., listen at right. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
• Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., leaves the U.S. Capitol after voting in favor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
• Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., speaks to reporters on the steps of the U.S. Capitol after voting in favor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
• FILE – In this July 30, 2008, file photo, Jeffrey Epstein, center, appears in court in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Uma Sanghvi/The Palm Beach Post via AP, File)

Show Caption1 of 5Gary Rush, College Park, MD, holds a sign before a news conference on the Epstein files in front of the Capitol, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Expand

Now, the bill requires the Justice Department to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his death in a federal prison in 2019, within 30 days. It allows for redactions about Epstein’s victims for ongoing federal investigations, but DOJ cannot withhold information due to “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.”

It was a remarkable turn of events for what was once a farfetched effort to force the disclosure of case files from an odd congressional coalition of Democrats, one GOP antagonist of the president, and a handful of erstwhile Trump loyalists. As recently as last week, the Trump administration even summoned one Republican proponent of releasing the files, Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, to the Situation Room to discuss the matter, although she did not change her mind.

But over the weekend, Trump did a sharp U-turn on the files once it became clear that congressional action was inevitable. He insisted the Epstein matter had become a distraction to the GOP agenda and indicated he wanted to move on.

“I just don’t want Republicans to take their eyes off all of the Victories that we’ve had,” Trump said in a social media post Tuesday afternoon, explaining the rationale for his abrupt about-face.

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The House passed the legislation on a 427-1 vote, with Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., being the sole dissenter. He argued that the bill’s language could lead to the release of information on innocent people mentioned in the federal investigation. The Senate later approved it unanimously, skipping a formal vote.

It’s long been established that Trump had been friends with Epstein, the disgraced financier who was close to the world’s elite. But the president has consistently said he did not know of Epstein’s crimes and had cut ties with him long ago.

Before Trump returned to the White House for a second term, some of his closest political allies helped fuel conspiracy theories about the government’s handling of the Epstein case, asserting a cover-up of potentially incriminating information in those files.

Dear Eric: I’ve got a family party in a few weeks that I look forward to every year, but I am dreading this one.

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Until recently my brother was extremely overweight due to eating far too much and taking no exercise. He was also a very heavy drinker. He’s turned that around now, which is great, although he still has a lot of weight to lose.

The trouble is he’s been criticizing what others eat and drink. Just the smallest comments occasionally about the calorie content of what you eat and what drinking does to you. He even occasionally comments on my size, telling me I have big hips, or I look fat in what I’m wearing.

He has a toxic personality and has always been jealous of everything I’ve done. He doesn’t say these things to be helpful; he says them to be hurtful (if he wasn’t criticizing what I eat and drink, it would be something else).

Obviously, a party has a lot of food and drink, things that you don’t have every day, and people indulge because it’s a rare thing. I intend to enjoy myself at this party and forget about it, just for one night.

I am dreading the comments he is going to make. I am self-conscious about my weight.

If I tell him to stop it the family will turn on me. It’s happened before, as he is the golden child for some reason. It will be made to look like I’m picking on him.

How should I deal with the inevitable comments without causing a scene?

– Wants to Party

Dear Party: It sounds like your brother has a long history of working out insecurity. Unfortunately, he chooses to work it out on others, particularly on you. This isn’t healthy and it won’t help him. But that’s a problem that’s on his side of the street.

In order to enjoy yourself, insulate yourself as much as possible. First, through self-coaching. Remind yourself that his words aren’t coming from a place of care or of truth. Every word is his own lack of self-confidence talking. Reframing the comments internally may lessen their impact slightly.

Second, bring backup. Bring a friend, brief them on your concerns and never leave their side. This may not stop your brother from making his comments, but they may feel different when you’ve got someone right next to you who supports and affirms you.

Dear Eric: My sister Olivia died unexpectedly about a year ago. I received the call. I in turn called my brother and other sister.

Of my family, only Olivia and I were close. My brother bullied us mentally and physically during our childhood.

She has an adult son, who decided to let the state take care of things, as they were both transient. There was no service.

I worked through a tremendous amount of grief and sadness, as well as guilt.

Almost a year later, my brother dropped this bomb that my other sister and I could purchase an urn and that he would make arrangements for a Mass and burial for Olivia. It was more of an order than a request. The bully rose again.

I did not want to do this. I had grieved my sister already and did not want to go through it again.

He went ahead with it. I was floored. Olivia had not been practicing in the faith for years.

My sister texted me asking for pictures for the Mass. I am so angry they are guilting me into this.

I decided to provide a picture display, attend the Mass and quietly leave. I will not attend the gravesite event. I couldn’t handle it.

Am I wrong about this decision?

– Grieving Sister

Dear Sister: We each grieve in our own ways. Often, especially in families, there’s an expectation that the expression of grief will be shared. People often want us to grieve in the ways that they’re grieving so that they feel validated or less alone.

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Communal commemoration can be very healing. But if it’s not what you need right now, it doesn’t make sense for you to force yourself to go through it for your brother’s benefit.

Your brother and sister may be feeling guilt over not being more present in Olivia’s life. That’s understandable. And it’s kind of you to help them by providing photos. But your relationship to her in life, and in death, is unique. You’re not doing her a disservice by declining to attend the gravesite event.

You have and will continue to grieve her in your own way. Don’t let yourself be pressured into something that’s going to cause pain. If your brother and sister won’t take no for an answer, that’s on them. It’s not between you and Olivia.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My sister-in-law’s father died three weeks ago after a long illness, and I’ve been invited to a celebration of life at my brother and sister-in-law’s house. It starts at 7 p.m. on a weekday.

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She texted a detailed itinerary that includes a potluck dinner until 9, followed by eulogies and speeches. They’re doing this themselves instead of having a traditional funeral.

Usually, aren’t speeches or services held before a meal, so everyone isn’t forced to stay for hours? I work early the next morning; is there any way I can respectfully leave early?

GENTLE READER: Leaving early will require you to excuse yourself, which means a conversation with either your brother or your sister-in-law. While this could happen at the event, it would be more considerate to clear it beforehand.

Picture this conversation in your mind, using the image of your brother’s face as a guide to whether you can respectfully leave early.

Miss Manners is not suggesting this as a devious way of telling you to stay — she is not that subtle. Rather, she is asking you to use your judgment in a delicate family matter.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I work at a nonprofit that prides itself on being all-volunteer, with no boss. Decisions are made at monthly meetings.

Having worked 35 years at a job with bosses, I understand that dynamic better. With this volunteer group, it seems everyone is in charge, and personal feelings are expressed frequently.

When a decision is made outside of a monthly meeting, I will either abide by it or note that we need to bring it up at the next meeting.

Any advice for dealing with emotional co-workers when you don’t want to proceed as they have told you to, and there is no boss to ask? I believe the understanding is that we are all friends. While I consider some of the volunteers friends, others I do not.

Can you clear up my thinking?

GENTLE READER: Your thinking appears to Miss Manners to be clear, except, perhaps, in holding out hope of any decisions coming out of such an organizational arrangement.

Once you have done your best to accommodate or defer decisions-by-fiat of individual co-workers, the only remaining question is how to deal with the emotional outbursts. As providing counseling is presumably not a requirement for volunteering at your nonprofit, Miss Manners recommends a triage approach based on your own astute observation that these are co-workers, not friends.

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The first class of outburst — which we will name “Can I call you an ambulance?” — is for outbursts in which you would be required to intervene if they happened with a stranger at a bus stop.

The second class — “I’m so happy/sorry/interested to hear that. Now, what do you think we should do about this aspect of the project?” — is for everything else, as you attempt to steer things back towards work.

The final class — “Excuse me, I think Sophie needs some help over there with the label making” — is for fleeing when all attempts to get things back on topic have failed.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Q: Hasn’t Bam Adebayo’s injury been very beneficial to Kel’el Ware’s development? Previously Kel’el would be pulled during rough first quarters or wouldn’t play at the end of close games. With Bam out, Kel’el had to stay in the game and grind it out. – Peter, Opa-locka.

A: It would be hard to disagree, based on how Erik Spoelstra has handled the Bam Adebayo-Kel’el Ware situation when both have been available. So it will be particularly interesting to see what follows, now that Kel’el has lifted his recent play. Considering that Bam is averaging 30 minutes a game, it could be back to around 18 for Kel’el. A mitigating factor could be the ongoing struggles of Nikola Jovic, which could perhaps coax Spoelstra to play Ware and Adebayo together at times. But, yes, as you inferred, if Bam was available on Monday night, it likely would have been him, and not Kel’el, getting those minutes down the stretch.

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Q: Norman Powell is averaging 26 points per game as the Heat’s leading man. Davion Mitchell is a great defender who is also in the Top 11 in the NBA in assists. Shouldn’t Tyler Herro return as a sixth man instead of upsetting the chemistry of the Heat’s starting backcourt? – Neal, Lauderhill.

A: You certainly could make a case for such a role with Tyler Herro’s streak scoring – but it also is not happening. Tyler has earned a starting role and soon it will be up to Erik Spoelstra to make that work, just as he will have to make the Adebayo-Ware minutes work.

Q: It’s looking more and more like they made a mistake giving Nikola Jovic that extension. Jaime Jaquez Jr. deserves it more. – Ralph.

A: One does not preclude the other. This preseason was an extension window for Nikola Jovic but only a team-option window for Jaime Jaquez Jr., both based on rookie-scale timing. Jaime certainly is playing himself into something lucrative. And, to be fair, so was Nikola, seemingly, when his window opened. But, yes, so far there has been regression.

I’ve been reading all these news articles regarding the sick, narcissistic Jeffrey Epstein.

All of us have had best friends in our lifetime. Anyone from any walk of life who thinks that two best friends didn’t try to duplicate what each other did is more than gullible — it’s stupid, too.

It’s long past due to impeach President Trump for a third time, remove him from office and save America. We all should be on board with this move, as we all are for America and against abusing young women — at least I would hope so.

Jim Tiffin, Coral Springs

A broken Congress Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., makes a statement to reporters without taking questions following a vote in the Senate to move forward with a stopgap funding bill to reopen the government through Jan. 30, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The government is no longer shut down, but Congress is still shut down.

Let’s look at the facts.

The No. 1 issue facing Congress should be finishing the 2025-2026 federal budget.

The last time Congress passed all 12 regular appropriation bills by the Oct. 1 deadline was for fiscal year 1997.

Instead of starting work on the 2026-2027 budget, Congress is still haggling over the current numbers. We have a dysfunctional Congress whose top priority is whether to release the Epstein files. It’s a task without meaningful purpose.

Congress should investigate why it takes almost two years to build a nuclear sub when we need at least 10, or why we can’t build ships or airplanes to meet our military needs.

Congress should ask why replacing Air Force One, begun under Obama, will not be complete until Trump is out of office, possibly in 2029.

This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. This is a systemic government problem. We should just vote them all out of office and start over.

Doug Cohen, Boynton Beach

Calling all Democrats

Democrats need to get back in the game.

Tribune photo by Nancy StoneWhite House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, left, and senior advisers David Axelrod, center, and Valerie Jarrett, right, listen as President Barack Obama holds a prime-time press conference in the East Room of the White House, marking his 100th day in office.

Let Pete Buttigieg carry the ball, and back him up with David Axelrod, James Carville and David Plouffe.

Raise lots and lots of money and choose young, high-quality candidates for the 2026 midterm election. Give them a left-centered platform that includes housing affordability, women’s rights, the restoration of the Affordable Care Act and SNAP benefits, protecting the Constitution, due process and above all, the truth.

All the things that Trump and Republicans have denied or voted against.

This “New Democratic Party” should embrace thoughts of independents and patriotic Republicans, and Barack and Michele Obama should take an active role as well.

This new campaign can operate on two fronts — calling out Trump and Republican lies and cruelty, and the message of a bright future carried by Democrats and independents.

Mark Lippman, Boca Raton

Truth as a novelty

It has become mandatory: MAGA Republicans have sworn not to believe that the truth is honest, reliable, correct, factual, accurate, frank or sincere.

Their only opinion of the truth is that it is strictly a novelty and should be used very sparingly, if at all.

Donald Kogan, Boca Raton

Please submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the online form below. Letters may be up to 200 words and must be signed with your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification. Letters will be edited for clarity and length. 

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Today is Wednesday, Nov. 19, the 323rd day of 2025. There are 42 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Nov. 19, 1959, Ford Motor Co. announced it was halting production of the unpopular Edsel.

Also on this date:

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of a national cemetery at the site of the Civil War battlefield of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania.

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In 1969, Apollo 12 astronauts Charles Conrad and Alan Bean made the second crewed landing on the moon.

In 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat became the first Arab leader to visit Israel.

In 1985, President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev met for the first time as they began their summit in Geneva.

In 1998, Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr testified before the House Judiciary Committee during impeachment hearings against President Bill Clinton.(The full House approved two articles of impeachment against Clinton that December; Clinton was later acquitted in a Senate trial).

In 2017, Charles Manson, the cult leader behind the murders of actress Sharon Tate and six others in Los Angeles in 1969, died in a California hospital at the age of 83 after nearly a half-century in prison.

In 2022, five people were killed and 25 injured when a shooter opened fire at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Talk show host Dick Cavett is 89.
• Media mogul and philanthropist Ted Turner is 87.
• Fashion designer Calvin Klein is 83.
• Poet Sharon Olds is 83.
• Sportscaster and former NFL wide receiver Ahmad Rashad is 76.
• Broadcast journalist Ann Curry is 69.
• Former NASA astronaut Eileen Collins is 69.
• Writer-filmmaker Charlie Kaufman is 67.
• Actor Allison Janney is 66.
• Actor Meg Ryan is 64.
• Actor-filmmaker Jodie Foster is 63.
• Olympic gold medal-winning sprinter Gail Devers is 59.
• Entrepreneur Jack Dorsey is 49.
• Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Kerri Strug is 48.
• Actor Reid Scott is 48.
• Film director Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”) is 46.
• Actor Adam Driver is 42.
• NHL forward Patrick Kane is 37.

Here are the top stories for Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. Get the weather forecast for today here.

SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get our free Morning Update email. Sign up here.

Broward schools reverse course on controversial schedule change

Broward is keeping its name: Lawmaker withdraws bill on ‘Lauderdale County’ referendum

New passport rule sends blunt and sweeping message to transgender Americans

DeSantis signs death warrant for killer convicted in 1987 murders of two people

New Delray cafe turns fried chicken, pizza, ice cream into plant-based delights

Florida House aims again to change law restricting gun-buying age

The costs of cronyism at Florida universities | Scott Maxwell

Outgoing Broward mayor defends county government against state criticism

Palm Beach County last year paid for diversity study. But it’s shelved amid removal of DEI policies.

Miss Manners: She posted online that I stole her socks. Should I post a denial?

Let’s get right to the controversial call: It was correct. The Miami Hurricanes aren’t getting hosed. They’re actually getting helped.

They’re getting all benefit of the doubt from the latest College Football Playoff rankings by moving up two spots this week to No. 13. That means they’re right on the edge of qualifying for the 12-team playoffs, maybe, sort of, depending on how their troublesome ACC situation plays out.

Maybe you want to put them in no matter what. Maybe you believe since Miami beat Notre Dame it should be ranked above Notre Dame despite what’s played out beyond that game.

Maybe, too, I could be more of a homer and blindly bang the Hurricanes’ cause because it would be good fun for everyone around town if they made the 12-team college playoff.

But, sorry, Miami’s two losses against unranked Louisville and Southern Methodist can’t be swept under the turf. One loss was forgivable. Everyone can have an off day. But that second bad day against a middling team?

Miami can’t make that SMU loss go away by arguing, politicking, underlining that opening win against Notre Dame, showing its good television appeal or humming loudly when the facts are laid out before it.

It does help Miami’s cause that the first question posed on the ESPN show announcing Tuesday’s rankings was comparing them and Notre Dame. It means they’re the hot-button team and the committee was reminded of it.

“Miami has lost to two, unranked teams,” Committee chair Hunter Yurachek said. “Notre Dame has lost to two teams in our top 13.”

That’s the right answer. After losing to Miami by three points in the opener, Notre Dame lost by one point to undefeated and third-ranked Texas A&M. End of discussion, especially in a program where coach Mario Cristobal is constantly saying, “We always talk the truth.”

The truth is Miami dug this hole for itself. It should be thankful the committee made it the highest-ranked ACC team despite being tied for fourth place in the conference.

How is Miami ranked ahead of 9-1 Georgia Tech? What’s the logic there? That Miami has the better roster on paper? That it shouldn’t have lost those two games it actually, you know, lost? That no one should even think that, as of today, Miami won’t qualifying for the ACC championship Game — much less have a chance to win it?

Let’s make this as simple as possible: Miami needs help from here. A lot of help, too. It wasn’t the Hurricanes fault they’ve played a cushy schedule with Florida and Florida State having down years and their ACC schedule not having the best teams on it.

It’s their fault for not taking full advantage of that schedule with those two losses. It obviously needs to win the two, remaining games at Virginia Tech on Saturday and at Pittsburgh the following weekend.

It also needs a tangled web of help to get into the ACC Championship game, because the winner is guaranteed a playoff spot. The starting point toward for Miami would be Georgia Tech losing at Pittsburgh and SMU losing one of its final two games against Louisville and Cal.

The real shame is Miami, at its best, looks like it can play with anyone. You saw that team against Notre Dame and for a half against both Florida and Florida State. You then saw it again for a full game last Saturday in the 41-7 win against North Carolina State.

You just haven’t seen it enough this season. Maybe that’s to be expected with so many players coming in through the transfer portal and a new defense that’s started to show how dominant it can be.

Can Miami close the season that way to give themselves a chance to be helped? Probably. Virginia Tech is 3-7. Pitt just lost to Notre Dame by 22 points.

Can Miami get some help by getting in the ACC championship game or having enough teams lose in front of them in the rankings? That’s trickier.

There are some hard questions for the committee starting with the SEC getting five teams in the playoffs as things now stand. But Miami moving up two spots this week to 13th and still on the outside looking in on the playoffs isn’t an issue, though. It’s the right call.

The Miami Hurricanes had one of their best performances of the season in their win over N.C. State on Saturday, and it helped them further inch up the College Football Playoff rankings.

Miami moved up from No. 15 last week to No. 13 on Tuesday, moving UM closer to its first-ever berth in the College Football Playoff after a week of lobbying from the ACC.

Similar to the previous rankings, the Hurricanes are the top-ranked ACC team, which means the projected bracket puts Miami in the playoff. But that projection assumes the Hurricanes will be the ACC champion, and Miami is unlikely to reach the conference championship due to its ACC record.

In the current projected bracket, Miami would be the No. 11 seed and travel to play No. 6 Ole Miss in the first round.

The Hurricanes’ most likely path to the playoffs is as an at-large bid, which could put Miami’s resume against fellow likely non-conference champions. That group could include No. 9 Notre Dame, No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 14 Vanderbilt, No. 12 Utah and others.

“I think when you look, Rece (Davis), at Notre Dame and Miami, we really compare the losses of those two teams,” new selection committee chair Hunter Yurachek said on the ESPN broadcast. “Miami has lost to two unranked teams. Notre Dame has lost to two teams that are ranked in our top 13. So we really haven’t compared those two teams. They haven’t been in similar comparative pools, to date, but Miami is creeping up into that range where they will be compared to Notre Dame if something happens above them.”

Miami and Notre Dame are often being compared with each other in public conversation because they have the same record and the Hurricanes won their season-opening matchup. But Yurachek said the committee is not directly comparing the two teams.

“Well, I think there’s some other factors … where you have Utah, BYU and Alabama in between Notre Dame and Miami,” Yurachek said. “And as we set up the pools to do our selection process, Miami and Notre Dame have not been grouped in the same pools to have that direct head-to-head comparison where you would really use that metric to separate one team from the next.”

Of course, to even be in consideration, Miami will have to win its road game against Virginia Tech this Saturday and a road game against Pittsburgh to close out the regular season. Yurachek said the Hurricanes would have to do that and have teams ahead of them lose.

“Well, first and foremost, Miami needs to continue to win the football games that they have in front of them, and then things will happen,” Yurachek said. “There’s still a lot of football to be played with two more weeks in the regular season and the championship week. And so you look at the teams that are between Notre Dame and Miami right now, you’ve got Alabama that’s got a game against Auburn coming up and in potentially in the SEC championship game. BYU has a couple of games remaining and then potentially a Big 12 championship game. And they’ve got Utah with a couple of games. And so I would say Miami needs to continue to win and then hope for some things ahead of them fall their way.”

Miami is also a spot behind Utah, which lost to No. 11 BYU in a close game and to No. 5 Texas Tech in a blowout. The Utes have a win over No. 25 Arizona State

“So when you talk about two teams that are both 8-2 and you really don’t have a common opponent or a head-to-head matchup, you really look at the losses that Utah has compared to the losses that Miami has,” Yurachek said. “And Utah is … second in the country in their margin of victory in each of their games. They have played really good football moving forward. And so, obviously, there’s a 12 versus 13, they’re one spot apart. But I think the differentiator is the losses that Utah has versus the losses that Miami has.”

If the Hurricanes win their games and other teams ahead of them lose, UM and Notre Dame could be competing for one of the last spots in the bracket. Then the Hurricanes could have multiple data points the committee could use to compare the teams, including the head-to-head win and performances against the teams’ four common opponents.

“I think you look at what happened this week when we compared Alabama and Oklahoma in a similar spot where 8, 9, and 10, we were comparing those teams,” Yurachek said on the broadcast. “Oklahoma obviously got the nod with their two-point win at (Alabama). So if Miami and Notre Dame are in a comparable tier, a comparable range, the head-to-head will be a significant data point that we will use.”

Here is this week’s College Football Playoff ranking:

1. Ohio State

2. Indiana

3. Texas A&M

4. Georgia

5. Texas Tech

6. Ole Miss

7. Oregon

8. Oklahoma

9. Notre Dame

10. Alabama

11. BYU

12. Utah

13. Miami

14. Vanderbilt

15. USC

16. Georgia Tech

17. Texas

18. Michigan

19. Virginia

20. Tennessee

21. Illinois

22. Missouri

23. Houston

24. Tulane

25. Arizona State

A controversial plan to make major changes to Broward middle and high school student schedules was quashed by the School Board on Tuesday.

The proposed $35 million cost-cutting measure ended the same way it began a few weeks ago  —behind closed doors.

The proposal would have ended traditional block scheduling as well as personalization periods, or study halls, in secondary schools. It also would have limited the ability of teachers to make extra money by teaching classes beyond their normal load.

The idea was rolled out a few weeks ago during a closed session and first shared with union stewards in early November. It prompted fierce opposition from teachers, students and parents. School Board members were flooded with emails, and thousands signed petitions opposing the changes.

“After careful consideration, the School Board and I have decided to maintain the current high school … block schedule with personalization/study hall period, and with middle schools maintaining their current schedules,” Superintendent Howard Hepburn announced at the end of a nearly three-hour closed-door session Tuesday.

Sarah Leonardi, a former teacher who was elected Tuesday as the new School Board chairwoman, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel she personally had never been comfortable with the proposal, since it resulted in teachers making less money.

“I believe the board reversed course after hearing overwhelmingly from parents, students and teachers that the negative impacts of this outweighed the cost savings,” Leonardi said. “We’re going to have to find cost savings elsewhere. This was just not the place to do it.”

The School Board also has been discussing closing schools, selling property and laying off employees to deal with budget shortfalls attributed to declining enrollment.

During the meeting, Hepburn instructed schools to discontinue any work they were doing to change their schedules.

Earlier this month, the school district had directed affected schools to discuss the proposed changes at “emergency” School Advisory Council meetings. The changes were also to be voted on by teachers. A Sun Sentinel reporter and photographer arrived for a committee meeting scheduled Tuesday afternoon at West Broward High in Pembroke Pines but were told 10 minutes before the scheduled start time that it had been postponed until after Thanksgiving.

About that same time, Hepburn announced the decision at the board meeting to drop the proposal.

Several students who are members of a leadership club called DECA at South Plantation High attended Tuesday’s meeting earlier in the day and asked board members to reconsider dropping study hall.

“Study hall isn’t a break for us,” Rebeca Esquenazi, a junior who is president of South Plantation’s DECA club, said Tuesday. “It’s where we finish assignments, study for tests, continue working on DECA projects and manage the heavy workload that comes with being high-achieving students. Without study hall, many of us would struggle to balance our commitments.”

Anna Fusco, president of Broward Teachers Union, also attended Tuesday’s meeting and criticized not only the proposed changes but the School Board’s decision to discuss the matter behind closed doors.

“You should really consider exactly what goes in closed-door meetings and what really should be out in the public, considering your hostile takeover of our high school and middle school block scheduling and personalization courses,” she said. “You guys must have had it in a closed-door session, because I went through all of the videos of workshops and board meetings, and I saw nothing mentioned.”

School district officials said the discussions were behind closed doors because they involved proposed changes to the collective bargaining contract with the Broward Teachers Union. State law allows strategies for collective bargaining to be held in closed session.

“Matters directly tied to collective bargaining negotiations are discussed in a closed-door session to ensure the integrity of the process,” district spokesman John Sullivan told the Sun Sentinel.

The proposed changes could have had a major impact on some teachers’ pay.

The changes would have meant less planning time for secondary teachers or a sizeable pay cut. Teachers now get two class periods for planning. If they teach during one of their planning periods, they can earn $6,000, or $12,000 if they teach during two. Under the proposed change, teachers would have been required to teach six out of seven classes per day and would only be eligible for one $6,000 stipend if they taught all seven classes with no planning period.

Some School Board members had said that middle and high school teachers had opportunities to earn extra money that is not available to elementary school teachers, who generally stay with the same students for most of the school day. They said they hoped to use the $35 million in savings to provide pay increases for teachers of all levels.

Fusco sent out a note to members Tuesday afternoon urging them not to participate in any votes.

“I am at the School Board meeting right now as your BTU President, working to shut down this scheduling issue with the district,” she wrote to members.

She told members not to complete “any survey, form, vote, or input request about changing schedules, and do not succumb to pressure from your administration to do so. Just continue with your current schedule.”

After the announcement was made, Fusco said in a Facebook Live video, “The School Board members heard you, and this was a huge win.”

By COLLEEN BARRY

MILAN (AP) — Venice has been charmed by a recent visitor: An acrobatic, wild dolphin. The feeling appears to be mutual — he so far refuses to leave — but proximity to humans has put him in danger.

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The dolphin nicknamed Mimmo has been delighting tourists and Venetians for months with his acrobatic flips. Experts are now eager to move him into open water, especially after verifying wounds indicating that the dolphin had been likely hit by a boat propeller.

Multiple agencies used low-intensity acoustic devices to nudge Mimmo away from the heavily trafficked St. Mark’s Basin on Saturday — and it worked briefly. But the dolphin came back within an hour, as experts feared he would.

“It’s very worrying because it’s a hot spot with lots of boat traffic,’’ said Guido Pietroluongo, a veterinarian at the University of Padua’s emergency response team for stranded dolphins, whales and porpoises, known by the acronym CERT.

St. Mark’s Basin, the shallow expanse of water in front of St. Mark’s Square connecting to both the Giudecca and Grand Canals, is heavily trafficked by ferries, vaporetti buses, water taxis, and private boats.

During the failed operation, experts confirmed Mimmo had suffered superficial lesions, likely from a boat propeller, Pietroluongo said. It was the first time they had noted injuries to the dolphin, and his wounds are expected to fully heal. But experts are worried about his continued safety in such proximity to human activity.

They don’t plan any immediate action, and are hoping that colder seasonal temperatures will lure him, and his fish prey, out of the lagoon toward warmer waters, Pietroluongo said.

Mimmo’s arrival in the Venetian lagoon was registered on July 23, and experts say the coastal creature likely followed a school of fish into the brackish waters separated from the open sea by barrier islands. He was nicknamed for the sailing instructor who first spotted him off the Venetian lagoon fishing town of Chioggia.

Mimmo follows the pattern of a so-called social loner, typically a young male dolphin that breaks away from the pod for food or for social reasons and then comes into contact with the human world, said Sandro Mazzariol, a CERT veterinarian.

“Around 100 cases have been documented around the world in which these animals are absolutely at ease and remain healthy despite not interacting with their peers,’’ Mazzariol said in a Facebook video post.

Dolphins sightings in Venice are rare but not unheard of, Mazzariol said.

The most recent incident involved a pair of striped dolphins spotted in February 2021 that were quickly guided back to the open sea with acoustic devices. They never returned.

Mimmo has been closely monitored during his lagoon sojourn, and has been reported in good health and nutrition as he feasts on a diet befitting any Venetian tourist: mullet, sea bass and sea bream. His behavior also has been deemed normal, including his playful aerial flips.

The University of Padua team has been going out weekly to check on the animal, and they get regular updates from citizens who share sightings, including photos and videos.

Authorities are warning citizens and boaters not to feed or interact with the dolphin, which is a criminal offense. Dolphins are protected under Italian, EU and international law. But the fact that Mimmo’s fame is spreading is part of the problem.

“The dolphin has become an attraction. Boats stopping to watch him can stress the animal,’’ Pietroluongo said.