News

Dolphins hiring defensive backs coach who was under Hafley in Green Bay

South Florida Local News - Mon, 01/26/2026 - 20:08

The Miami Dolphins don’t yet have their defensive coordinator in place, but a position coach who was under new coach Jeff Hafley in Green Bay will now be joining the staff.

The Dolphins are hiring Ryan Downard as defensive backs coach, according to a league source Monday night. He held the same position with the Packers while Hafley was defensive coordinator with them.

Downard had been with Green Bay since 2018, so new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was there his whole tenure with the Packers and Hafley the past two years.

He was defensive backs coach the past three seasons, safeties coach in 2022, assistant defensive backs coach from 2019 through 2021 and a defensive quality control coach in 2018.

Downard, 37, was also director of football operations for Bowling Green in 2016 and 2017, and an assistant coach with the Cleveland Browns in 2014 and 2015.

Veteran Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas, who had an exceptional 2025 season in Miami, was in Green Bay with Downard coaching in the secondary in the 2021, 2022 and part of the 2023 seasons.

Hafley and the Dolphins have interviewed Philadelphia Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt, a former Miami Hurricanes player and assistant coach, for defensive coordinator but have not made a hire.

Hafley has his offensive coordinator (Bobby Slowik), special teams coordinator (Chris Tabor) and wide receivers coach (Tyke Tolbert) to go with Downard on staff.

Confessed Hollywood cop killer seeks to vacate guilty plea, saying attorneys ‘coerced’ him

South Florida Local News - Mon, 01/26/2026 - 18:10

Weeks after a jury rejected the death penalty for Jason Banegas in the murder of Hollywood Police Officer Yandy Chirino, the 23-year-old is asking a judge to vacate his guilty plea on the grounds that he was “coerced” into doing so by his trial attorneys.

Banegas, 23, pleaded guilty to shooting Chirino, 28, in the city’s Emerald Hills neighborhood on Oct. 18, 2021, as the two struggled over a gun. Banegas told investigators he was trying to shoot himself when he shot Chirino in the face.

Banegas filed a motion to vacate his guilty plea on Wednesday, asserting that he would not have confessed if he weren’t misled and pressured by his trial attorneys with the Office of Regional Counsel.

In the motion filed by attorneys Mitchell Polay and H. Dohn Williams, who did not previously represent him, Banegas argued his attorneys told him “the State would target (his) family for deportation” if he maintained he was innocent and that he would be put to death quickly given Florida’s increasing pace in executions.

Jury rejects death penalty for confessed Hollywood cop killer

The guilty plea was entered in October without any agreement on a sentence from the state, which still sought the death penalty, and meant Banegas was forgoing any argument of justifiable homicide. In December, the jury rejected the death penalty, choosing instead a life sentence.

The motion also asserts that Banegas expressed to his attorneys wanting to vacate his plea before the penalty phase began on Dec. 9 and that Banegas’s sister also asked his attorneys about the possibility of withdrawing the plea but “was told that it was too late.”

Polay told the South Florida Sun Sentinel he and co-counsel Williams were brought into the case solely to represent Banegas on the motion to vacate the plea because it alleges ineffective counsel by Banegas’s current legal team.

“They would have a conflict of interest representing him for that purpose, so we were appointed as conflict-free counsel,” he said.

Joseph Kimok, one of Banegas’s trial attorneys, could not be reached for comment Monday evening.

A hearing on the motion is scheduled for March 6.

At a hearing on Monday, Banegas’s trial attorneys asked to withdraw from representing him, which the judge denied, State Attorney’s Office spokesperson Paula McMahon said in an email to the Sun Sentinel. The judge also denied a motion Banegas filed himself claiming those attorneys were ineffective.

Broward Circuit Judge Ernest Kollra has given Banegas until next week to decide if he will keep his same trial attorneys for sentencing, represent himself or if he will hire an attorney at his own expense, McMahon said.

Banegas’s sentencing hearing that was initially scheduled for February has been moved to April.

Vaccine exemption for conflict with parents’ ‘conscience’ advances in Florida Senate

South Florida Local News - Mon, 01/26/2026 - 17:43

TALLAHASSEE — A Senate committee Monday narrowly approved a bill that would create a new path for parents who don’t want their schoolchildren vaccinated, with the proposal’s sponsor saying parents should be in the “driver’s seat” — but opponents warning of public-health consequences.

The bill (SB 1756), sponsored by Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, includes creating an exemption to vaccination requirements for parents who say the shots conflict with their “conscience.” It would add to an already-existing exemption for parents who cite conflicts with religious beliefs.

“The main thrust of this bill is that parents be in charge of the decisions of their children’s health care,” Yarborough said, adding it was similar to other moves by the state in recent years to expand parental rights in areas such as health care and education.

But opponents, including physician groups, warned that creating another exemption could lead to the spread of diseases that would harm children and affect other people, such as cancer patients, who have compromised immune systems.

“We are about to go down a road that’s going to create a major problem for children, but also for seniors and those who cannot be vaccinated,” Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, said. “I had a conversation with my primary-care doctor I’ve had (as) a good friend for many, many years, and she said, ‘Gayle, I don’t want to go back to medical school to learn how to treat polio.’ And that’s where we are going.”

The Senate Health Policy Committee voted 6-4 to approve the bill, which comes amid widespread debates in Florida and nationally about vaccines. Part of that debate has been fueled by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine skeptic, with physicians and health groups pushing back.

Yarborough’s bill also would make other changes, including requiring that health-care providers give information to parents “on the risks, benefits, safety and efficacy of each vaccine being administered” before children get shots. The health-care providers would use materials developed by the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine.

In addition, the bill would allow the sale of the drug ivermectin without prescriptions. Ivermectin, which is designed to treat parasitic conditions, drew heavy attention — and controversy — during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some people contending it helped treat the virus. Under the bill, ivermectin would be treated as what is known as a “behind the counter” medication that pharmacists could provide without prescriptions.

State law requires children entering school to be vaccinated against polio, measles, mumps and rubella and diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is frequently called “MMR,” while the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine is frequently called “DTaP.”

In addition to the requirements in law, the Florida Department of Health has vaccination requirements for hepatitis B; varicella, commonly known as chickenpox; Haemophilus influenza type b, or Hib, which can cause meningitis; and pneumococcal conjugate, which can cause pneumonia and meningitis.

But with state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo a vaccine critic, the Department of Health in December held a workshop about eliminating those four vaccination requirements. A Senate staff analysis said the department has not formally published a rule to move forward with the elimination.

Yarborough’s bill, which is titled “Medical Freedom,” would need approval from two more committees before it could go to the full Senate. Rep. Jeff Holcomb, R-Spring Hill, has filed a similar bill (HB 917) in the House.

Officer fatally shoots an aggressive raccoon on a New York boardwalk

South Florida Local News - Mon, 01/26/2026 - 17:14

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York police officer who fatally shot a raccoon that aggressively charged toward people has been placed on modified duty while the matter is reviewed.

The shooting occurred around 7:45 a.m. Thursday in Rockaway Beach, shortly after someone called 911 to report a vicious animal, a police department spokesperson said in an emailed statement Monday.

Officers were trying to usher the racoon from a boardwalk to a safe location when the animal suddenly charged. An officer fired his weapon, striking the animal. No people were injured, police said.

The officer’s name has not been released. The department’s Force Investigation Division, which reviews incidents when an officer discharges their weapon, is leading the department’s probe.

It wasn’t clear Monday if officials planned to test the raccoon for rabies.

Heat’s Kel’el Ware to appear in Rising Stars at NBA All-Star Weekend

South Florida Local News - Mon, 01/26/2026 - 17:02

MIAMI — A year after failing to make the cut as a rookie, Miami Heat 2024 first-round pick Kel’el Ware has been selected to appear in the Rising Stars competition for first- and second-year players during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.

The No. 15 pick in 2024 out of Indiana, Ware currently is dealing with a hamstring strain that sidelined him for the final four games of the Heat’s just completed five-game western swing.

The Rising Stars competition is scheduled for Feb. 13 at the Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers. That event will come two days after the Heat play on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Ware, a second-team NBA All-Rookie selection last season, becomes the 13th player over the Heat’s 38 seasons selected for the Rising Stars competition following Khalid Reeves (1995), Kurt Thomas (1996), Caron Butler (2003), Dwyane Wade (2004), Udonis Haslem (2004), Wade (2005), Haslem (2005), Michael Beasley (2009), Beasley (2010), Norris Cole (2012), Kendrick Nunn (2020), Tyler Herro (2020), Precious Achiuwa (2021), Herro (2021), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (2024) and Alondes Williams (2024).

Ware has appeared in 43 games this season, including 27 starts, averaging 11.6 points, a team-high 9.8 rebounds and a team-best 1.12 blocks in 23.8 minutes per game, shooting a team-best 54% from the field, .415 on 3-pointers and .815 from the foul line. He has scored in double-figures 24 times, including seven 20-point games, and has grabbed double-figure rebounds on 19 times, posting 14 double-doubles.

On Dec. 21 against the New York Knicks, he scored a career-high 28 points, grabbed a game-high 19 rebounds and connected on a team-high five 3-pointers, becoming the first Heat player to record each of those totals in a game and just the eighth player in NBA history to do so.

Earlier this season, Ware grabbed multiple offensive rebounds in a career-best 18-straight games, blocked a shot in a career-best 11 consecutive games and registered a career-best 20 rebounds vs. Cleveland on Nov. 10.

Additionally, Ware has connected on 51 3-pointers this season, the second-most by a 7-footer in team history, three shy from tying the franchise record of 53 by Meyers Leonard.

The Rising Stars features 21 NBA first- and second-year players, as well as seven G League players, to be divided into four teams.

Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady will serve as honorary coaches for the Rising Stars mini-tournament, while Austin Rivers will coach the G League Rising Stars team.

As for the Feb. 15 All-Star Game itself, the Heat’s leading candidate is guard Norman Powell, with selections of All-Star reserves to be announced Sunday, with those selections made by conference coaches.

The Heat did not have an All-Star starter selected in the combined fan/player/media balloting, with those selections announced last week.

The Heat are in the midst of a two-day break, with their schedule resuming Wednesday against the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center.

Senior Bowl player interviews big for Dolphins, other teams during draft process

South Florida Local News - Mon, 01/26/2026 - 16:57

MOBILE, Ala. — The focus of this week’s Senior Bowl will be the practices that start Tuesday, four days ahead of Saturday’s game. But don’t discount the value of in-person interviews NFL teams will conduct this week. These interviews could be difference-makers.

Miami Dolphins left tackle Patrick Paul thought he left a bad initial impression on offensive line coach Butch Barry two years ago during his in-person interview at the NFL scouting combine. Paul thought he came across as arrogant, an account that Barry didn’t dispute.

Fortunately, Paul won over former general manager Chris Grier during his interview at the Senior Bowl.

“Chris Grier, he loved me from the Senior Bowl,” Paul said last season. “(Former coach) Mike McDaniel, he loved me. … (Barry) had to get to know me a little bit. And then he started liking me.”

As it turned out, Barry and Paul ended up getting along so well that they did pilates classes together last offseason.

Score one for Paul and his magnetic personality.

So, yes, building the trenches will be a priority for the Dolphins, according to new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. And that process will continue in earnest at the Senior Bowl.

Still, the interview process can’t be understated.

“I can say this — information is power in this profession,” said Joel Thomas, the New Orleans Saints’ running backs coach who is coaching the American team at the Senior Bowl.

“We’re always trying to get together information so it might be the second, the third, the fifth interview where all of a sudden something pops and it might be the thing like you talked about that takes him over the edge and we’re like, ‘That’s our guy.’ Where we’re sitting right now, I’d say it’s the first leg, it’s the first gate so to speak.”

Players can make lasting impressions by interviewing well with teams this week. And they’re aware of that fact.

“I’m looking forward to some of those meetings, just having fun being myself,” Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia said. “But I want them to know whatever organization I go to, they’re going to get all I’ve got and more. Whoever takes a chance on me, we’re going to win.”

Pavia, who is listed at 5 foot 9, 198 pounds, thinks he can win hearts and minds with good interviews and good play.

“My size has been doubted my whole life,” he said. “I feel like the only thing the NFL cares about is can you win.”

Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, a projected first-round pick in April’s NFL draft, said he looks forward chopping it up with team officials.

“It’s definitely more of a conversation and guys just talking about football,” he said.

Rodriguez, a former quarterback, said he’ll definitely ask questions of the teams.

“Everything’s a relationship so asking them kind of where they see me fitting on the defensive side of the ball, and also where I fit on special teams and anything they’d expect from me I’d like to know,” he said.

The Dolphins will undoubtedly do their due diligence this year under they new regime as they have in previous years.

Last year New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, the first-round pick who was a finalist for Rookie of the Year honors, refused to disclose whether he interviewed with the Dolphins at the Senior Bowl.

“I’m gonna keep that in between our meetings,” he said with a slight smile. “I appreciate the question. I’m sorry.”

Cleveland quarterback Dillon Gabriel was a draft prospect from Oregon a year ago when he interviewed with the Dolphins at the Senior Bowl.

“(We had) great conversations,” said Gabriel, a third-round pick by the Browns. “They learned a lot about me, but I also learned a lot about them so it was really good.”

The interview process can work to a player’s advantage if he has the right personality and knowledge. It can also possibly right a wrong or two.

Texas safety Michael Taaffe wants to enhance his image during the team interviews at this week.

“I think there’s a lot of stereotypes around me as a player,” said Taaffe, who is White. “I hope a lot of them are good. But I want to show more than just those stereotypes. I want to, first of all, be real. I think GMs, I think scouts, I think coaches can see through the fake.”

Taaffe said he can play nickel/slot, safety and cornerback.

“I can do it all,” he said.

He hopes that includes nailing his in-person interviews with NFL teams.

Hurtt hasn’t heard from Dolphins

Clint Hurrt, the Philadelphia Eagles defensive line coach who is coaching the National Team, interviewed with the Dolphins to become their defensive coordinator Saturday.

Hurrt, the former Miami Hurricanes player and defensive line coach who served as the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive coordinator for two seasons, said he hasn’t yet heard back from the Dolphins.

The Dolphins most recently hired wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert from the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

The shootings in Minneapolis are upending the politics of immigration in Congress

South Florida Local News - Mon, 01/26/2026 - 16:35

By LISA MASCARO, JOEY CAPPELLETTI and MARY CLARE JALONICK

WASHINGTON (AP) — The shooting deaths of two American citizens during the Trump administration’s deportation operations in Minneapolis have upended the politics of immigration in Congress, plunging the country toward another government shutdown.

Democrats have awakened to what they see as a moral moment for the country, refusing funds for the Department of Homeland Security’s military-style immigration enforcement operations unless there are new restraints. Two former presidents, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, have broken from retirement to speak out.

At the same time, Republicans who have championed President Donald Trump’s tough approach to immigration are signaling second thoughts. A growing number of Republicans want a full investigation into the shooting death of Alex Pretti and congressional hearings about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

“Americans are horrified & don’t want their tax dollars funding this brutality,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., wrote on social media. “Not another dime to this lawless operation.”

The result is a rapidly changing political environment as the nation considers the reach of the Trump administration’s well-funded immigration enforcement machinery and Congress spirals toward a partial federal shutdown if no resolution is reached by midnight Friday.

“The tragic death of Alex Pretti has refocused attention on the Homeland Security bill, and I recognize and share the concerns,” said Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the GOP chair of the Appropriations Committee, in brief remarks Monday.

Still, she urged colleagues to stick to the funding deal and avoid a “detrimental shutdown.”

Searching for a way out of a crisis

As Congress seeks to defuse a crisis, the next steps are uncertain.

The White House has indicated its own shifting strategy, sending Trump’s border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to take over for hard-charging Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, which many Republicans see as a potential turning point to calm operations.

“This is a positive development — one that I hope leads to turning down the temperature and restoring order in Minnesota,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune posted about Homan.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Behind the scenes, the White House is reaching out to congressional leaders, and even individual Democratic senators, in search of a way out of another government shutdown.

At stake is a six-bill government funding package, not just for Homeland Security but for Defense, Health and other departments, making up more than 70% of federal operations.

Even though Homeland Security has billions from Trump’s big tax break bill, Democrats are coalescing around changes to ICE operations. “We can still have some legitimate restriction on how these people are conducting themselves,” said Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.

But it appears doubtful the Trump administration would readily agree to Democrats’ demands to rein in immigration operations. Proposals for unmasking federal agents or limiting their reach into schools, hospitals or churches would be difficult to quickly approve in Congress.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that while conversations are underway, Trump wants to see the bipartisan spending package approved to avoid the possibility of a government shutdown.

“We absolutely do not want to see that funding lapse,” Leavitt said.

Politics reflect changing attitudes on Trump’s immigration agenda

The political climate is a turnaround from just a year ago, when Congress easily passed the Laken Riley Act, the first bill Trump signed into law in his second term.

At the time, dozens of Democrats joined the GOP majority in passing the bill named after a Georgia nursing student who was killed by a Venezuelan man who had entered the country illegally.

Many Democrats had worried about the Biden administration’s record of having allowed untold immigrants into the country. The party was increasingly seen as soft on crime following the “defund the police” protests and the aftermath of the death of George Floyd at the the hands of law enforcement.

But the Trump administrations tactics changed all that.

Just 38% of U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handling immigration, down from 49% in March, according to an AP-NORC poll conducted in January, shortly after the death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by a ICE officer in Minnesota.

Last week, almost all House Democrats voted against the Homeland Security bill, as the package was sent the Senate.

Then there was the shooting death of Pretti over the weekend in Minneapolis.

Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York, who was among the seven Democrats who had voted to approve the Homeland Security funds, reversed course Monday in a Facebook post.

“I hear the anger from my constituents, and I take responsibility for that,” Suozzi wrote.

He said he “failed to view the DHS funding vote as a referendum on the illegal and immoral conduct of ICE in Minneapolis.”

Voting ahead as shutdown risk grows

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday the responsibility for averting another shutdown falls to Republicans, who have majority control, to break apart the six-bill package, removing the homeland funds while allowing the others to go forward.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks during the Senate Democrat policy luncheon news conference at the Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

“We can pass them right away,” Schumer said.

But the White House panned that approach and House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has blamed Democrats for last year’s shutdown, the longest in history, has been mum. The GOP speaker would need to recall lawmakers to Washington to vote.

Republicans believe they will be able to portray Democrats as radical if the government shuts down over Homeland Security funds, and certain centrist Democrats have warned the party against strong anti-ICE language.

A memo from centrist Democratic group Third Way had earlier warned lawmakers against proposals to “abolish” ICE as “emotionally satisfying, politically lethal.” In a new memo Monday it proposed “Overhauling ICE” with top-to-bottom changes, including removing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from her job.

GOP faces a divide on deportations

But Republicans also risk being sideways with public opinion over Trump’s immigration and deportation agenda.

Republicans prefer to keep the focus on Trump’s ability to secure the U.S.-Mexico border, with illegal crossings at all-time lows, instead of the military-style deportation agenda. They are particularly sensitive to concerns from gun owners’ groups that Pretti, who was apparently licensed to carry a firearm, is being criticized for having a gun with him before he was killed.

GOP Sen. Rand Paul, the chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Oversight Committee, demanded that acting ICE director Todd Lyons appear for a hearing — joining a similar demand from House Republicans over the weekend.

At the same time, many GOP lawmakers continue to embrace the Trump administration’s deportation strategy.

“I want to be very clear,” said Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., in a post. “I will not support any efforts to strip DHS of its funding.”

And pressure from their own right flank was bearing down on Republicans.

The Heritage Foundation chastised those Republicans who were “jubilant” at the prospect of slowing down ICE operations. “Deport every illegal alien,” it said in a post. “Nothing less.”

Florida’s visit to Florida State moved to Friday to accommodate ACC

South Florida Local News - Mon, 01/26/2026 - 16:35

GAINESVILLE — Florida will visit Florida State on Friday for the second time in the Gators’ past three visits to Tallahassee to accommodate ACC television scheduling.

Instead of playing Nov. 28, the game will take place the Friday after Thanksgiving. Time and TV designation for the game will be announced at a later date.

The 2022 game at Doak Campbell Stadium, a 45-38 Florida loss, also was played on a Friday night. The move caused consternation because of the conflict with high school football playoff games.

The Gators’ last visit to Tallahassee ended in a 31-11 Florida win as the Seminoles finished 2-10 after going 13-1 in 2023. The Gators routed the Seminoles 40-21 behind 266 rushing yards by Jadan Baugh on Nov. 29 in the Swamp. One of only four Florida wins in 2025 left FSU 5-7 and out of contention for a bowl game.

The Gators’ struggles led the school to fire Billy Napier Oct. 19, and eventually hire Tulane’s Jon Sumrall Nov. 30. Despite calls outside the program for a change, FSU ultimately decided to keep Mike Norvell for another season, his seventh with the Seminoles.

The two longtime rivals have split their past four meetings after the Gators had won three straight games in a series dating to 1958. The schools did not play in 2020 because the COVID-19 pandemic led the SEC to play a 10-game regular-season schedule within the conference.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Death toll from US strikes on alleged drug boats reaches 126 people

South Florida Local News - Mon, 01/26/2026 - 16:21

By BEN FINLEY and KONSTANTIN TOROPIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The death toll from the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug boats is up to 126 people, with the inclusion of those presumed dead after being lost at sea, the U.S. military confirmed Monday.

The figure includes 116 people who were killed immediately in at least 36 attacks carried out since early September in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, U.S. Southern Command said. Ten others are believed dead because searchers did not locate them following a strike.

Eight of the presumed dead had jumped off boats when American forces attacked a trio of vessels accused of trafficking drugs on Dec. 30, the military said. The number was not released previously, though the military said when announcing those strikes that the U.S. Coast Guard had searched for survivors. The two other people presumed dead were on boats that were attacked on Oct. 27 and last Friday.

President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing “narcoterrorists.”

Critics have questioned the overall legality of the strikes as well as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the U.S. overland from Mexico, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.

The campaign also drew intense criticism following the revelation that the military killed survivors of the very first boat attack with a follow-up strike. The Trump administration and many Republican lawmakers said it was legal and necessary, while Democratic lawmakers and legal experts said the killings were murder, if not a war crime.

The boat strikes began amid one of the largest buildups of U.S. military might in Latin America in generations, in a pressure campaign that culminated with the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He was brought to the U.S. to face drug trafficking charges after the Jan. 3 raid by American forces.

There has been one boat strike since then, although the U.S. has been more focused on seizing oil tankers connected with Venezuela as part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to take control of the South American country’s oil.

Republicans in Congress have defeated Democratic-led efforts to rein in Trump’s ability to conduct further attacks in Venezuela.

Los Angeles homeless services CEO charged with defrauding taxpayers to pay for luxury lifestyle

South Florida Local News - Mon, 01/26/2026 - 16:11

By CHRISTOPHER WEBER

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The CEO of a Los Angeles homeless services charity faces federal and state fraud charges after prosecutors said he lived a luxury lifestyle that included lavish vacations and designer clothes paid for with $23 million in public money meant to keep people off the streets.

Alexander Soofer, 42, was arrested Friday at his $7 million home that investigators believe he afforded using funds that were supposed to support his nonprofit Abundant Blessings, said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.

The charitable group was contracted with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, a county agency, to use taxpayer money to find shelter and provide three meals a day for more than 600 homeless residents.

Instead, prosecutors said Soofer bought a $125,000 Range Rover, a $2,450 Hermes jacket, a vacation home in Greece and a trip to Hawaii, where he stayed at the Four Seasons hotel that was famously the setting for the HBO TV show “The White Lotus.”

“He was living the high life while the people suffering, the homeless, lived on the streets with no shelter, no food,” Essayli said during a Friday news conference with Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

If convicted as charged, Soofer could receive a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, Essayli said. An email was sent Monday seeking comment from Soofer’s attorney, Hilary Potashner.

According to the indictment, Soofer falsified invoices to claim he was serving fresh meals and renting out rooms while homeless people were instead fed canned beans and bulk packs of microwavable ramen noodles.

Investigators found Soofer falsified records to cover up the fact that he paid himself to “rent” properties for homeless people that he already owned, the indictment said.

“Mr. Soofer called his company Abundant Blessings, but the only abundant blessings were the blessings he gave himself,” Hochman said.

During the news conference, the prosecutors pointed to concerns that billions spent to combat homelessness haven’t brought enough people off the streets. The number of homeless residents across Los Angeles County dropped 4% last year, according to the annual count released last July. The tally estimated that some 72,000 people were living in shelters or in sidewalk encampments countywide.

Los Angeles County officials last March moved to take control of hundreds of millions of dollars in spending, citing two scathing audits that found that the homeless services authority spent it recklessly and without transparency.

FILE – A tarp covers a portion of a homeless person’s tent on a bridge overlooking the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles, Feb. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Between 2018 and 2025, Soofer received more than $23 million in homeless housing funding. Of that, more than $5 million came directly from the county homeless services authority and more than $17 million came through a Los Angeles-based nonprofit called Special Service for Groups Inc., the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. None of the money came directly from the state.

Soofer is charged federally with wire fraud and the state charges include 11 felony counts of conflict of interest, two felony counts of offering false evidence and five felony counts of forgery.

Soofer appeared in court Friday but did not enter a plea. He was released on $1.5 million bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court on Feb. 26. His arraignment on state charges was not yet scheduled.

The arrests became fodder for the ongoing war of words between President Donald Trump’s administration and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. After a conservative commentator placed blame for the fraud on Newsom, the Democratic governor’s press office pushed back.

“This case was uncovered by local investigators working with law enforcement — exactly the kind of accountability and oversight the state has pushed for,” Newsom’s office said.

That prompted a response by Essayli, who again blamed Newsom.

“You and the California legislature facilitated this fraud by handing out billions in tax dollars to these nonprofits with zero vetting and zero state oversight,” Essayli said Friday on social media.

Winderman’s view: Hitting glass puts a shine on Heat close to trip

South Florida Local News - Sun, 01/25/2026 - 20:39

PHOENIX — Observations and other notes of interest from Sunday night’s 111-102 victory over the Phoenix Suns:

– Granted, this was different than Saturday night in Utah.

–With enough missed shots on both ends to create ample opportunities for offensive rebounds.

– But for the Heat this remained about more than that.

– It remained a commitment to hit the offensive glass.

– For years, the Heat’s priority was to defend the backcourt.

– Rarely did more than two attack the offensive glass.

– Now the boards are being prioritized on both ends.

– On Saturday, it was 26 offensive rebounds against the Jazz.

– This time the Heat were up to 10 by halftime, closing with an impressive 18.

– “We want to make the efforts to go to the glass,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said between the games. “You can stand and watch, you can stand and kind of shuffle back, or you can make an effort.”

– He added, “We’ve been shooting more threes, so those are good opportunities to crash on the glass.”

– So, yes, hunt offensive rebounds.

– “I’m fine with them going,” Spoelstra said. “Yeah, we want them making efforts. I’d rather them do that than stand and watch.”

– Suns coach Jordan Ott took note before Sunday night’s game.

– “They’re not playing with two traditional bigs, and they’re still getting there,” Ott said, with the Heat without 7-foot Kel’el Ware for a fifth consecutive game. “So that’s something different that they’re doing.”

– With Davion Mitchell missing his fifth game with a shoulder contusion, the Heat opened for the third consecutive game with a lineup of Bam Adebayo, Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Pelle Larsson and Kasparas Jakucionis.

– Early in the day, only Adebayo of that first five was not on the Heat injury report.

– That lineup entered 2-1.

– It was Larsson’s 24th start.

– With Devin Booker and Jalen Green out for Phoenix, the Suns opened with a lineup of Collin Gillespie, Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks, Royce O’Neale and Mark Williams.

– They entered 1-3 when starting those five.

– Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic entered together first off the Heat bench.

– Myron Garner then was moved up to third off the Heat bench.

– And then Dru Smith for nine deep.

– With Simone Fontecchio rounding out the 10-man rotation.

– The Heat team flight from Salt Lake City to Phoenix was delayed by more than three hours Saturday night/Sunday morning.

– According to FlightAware, the team did not arrive until 4:30 a.m. local time with the game scheduled for 6 p.m. Phoenix time.

– Spoelstra was quick to downplay the inconvenience.

– “I mean, we were fortunate to save a little bit of time,” he said pregame with a smile. “They just dropped us off in parachutes like Navy SEALs. We’re ready to go.”

– Of Mitchell missing his fifth game overall and third in a row with a shoulder sprain, Spoelstra said, “He’s definitely making progress, but we need to go through some kind of workout where he takes contact and then see how he responds to that. But everything else is trending in a really good way.”

– Mitchell went through a non-contact workout 45 minutes prior to the game.

– Spoelstra was asked if he approached the stretch of five games in seven nights with a blueprint, with Sunday ending the run.

– “It’s tough to plan too far ahead based on things that happen during the course of the current game,” he said.

– Playing with one of the highest switch rates in the league, Spoelstra offered pregame insight in the absolute trust in Adebayo . . . and therefore perhaps some of the lack of trust in Ware.

– “You have to have versatile defenders,” Spoelstra said of the defensive switching. “But if you don’t have a five that can play multiple coverages, then you’ll be pretty much stuck to one coverage. Bam has proven over the course of his career that I think he’s the most versatile defender in the league because he has shown exceptional ability to defend in any coverage, whether you want to go drop, whether you want to go catch, whether you want to go trap somebody or switch. So it’s the end of the discussion.”

– Spoelstra added, “If your center can’t switch, then you’re only switching one through four. But in addition to that, yeah, you have to have a group of guys that can either handle the switch when they roll down or guard on the perimeter.”

– Spoelstra also spoke pregame of Adebayo turning in recent high-volume games with his 3-point shooting.

– “He’s a very good shooter,” Spoelstra said. “I’ve noticed that this year, when we’ve done shooting games, he’ll win games against our best 3-point shooters. So he’s earned that right to launch them.”

– Spoelstra added, “We all like it. It helps our offense when he’s spacing the floor. He’s finding a good balance right now, spacing out there and also attacking and being the rugged guy at the rim.”

– With Sunday night’s game, the Heat are done for the season with their schedule west of the Central time zone. Sunday was the Heat’s final game in the Mountain time zone this season, with Thursday night’s game in Portland their last in the Pacific time zone.

Weary and shorthanded, Heat end winning trip on high note with 111-102 victory in Phoenix

South Florida Local News - Sun, 01/25/2026 - 20:38

PHOENIX — Salvage mission complete.

Moving past bad losses to the Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers that could have made this a road to ruin, the Miami Heat followed up Saturday night’s blowout victory over the Utah Jazz with a 111-102 victory Sunday night over the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center.

With the victory, the Heat closed out the five-game trip at 3-2 to improve to 25-22.

Shorthanded and sleep-deprived, the Heat found a way, with Jaime Jaquez Jr. settling things in the fourth quarter.

“To come out 3-2 is good. We’ll take that,” guard Norman Powell said. “And being above .500 on this road trip, I think it sets us up good for going home.”

Both teams were significantly shorthanded.

For the Heat, it was Tyler Herro (ribs) and Kel’el Ware (hamstring) already back in South Florida and Davion Mitchell (shoulder) missing the final three games of the trip.

For the Suns, it was Devin Booker (ankle) and Jalen Green (hamstring) sidelined.

In addition, the Heat did not arrive in Phoenix until 4:30 a.m. Sunday, after a late-arriving plane in Salt Lake City.

Of that turn-and-burn scenario, coach Erik Spoelstra said before the game, “They just dropped us off in parachutes like Navy SEALs. We’re ready to go.”

His team then soldiered through.

“This was a tough turnaround, and I’m not making an excuse for it,” Spoelstra said afterward. “I’m just saying when we got to bed at 6 and have two games in less than 22 hours, it’s fun. It’s fun to try to rally around the challenge.

“This oftentimes could be a scheduled loss, and everybody just absolutely rallied around the opportunity. And you have a moment like this. Hopefully it can lead to more momentum because it’s a tougher type scenario.”

The Heat got 22 points from Bam Adebayo, 20 from Jaquez, 16 from Powell and 10 points and 10 rebounds from Andrew Wiggins.

Five Degrees of Heat from Sunday night’s game:

1. Game flow: The Heat led 32-21 after the first period, 58-48 at halftime and 82-77 going into the fourth.

The Heat consistently built double-digit leads through each of the first three quarters, only to see the Suns consistently close the gap.

The Heat then matched their largest lead to that point when they went up 89-77 with 10:09 to play.

The difference then was the Heat reverted to a formula that had been so successful early this season, a Jaquez takeover, with the Heat giving the ball to their sixth man and getting out of the way, a payoff that included a 3-pointer that gave the Heat a 101-83 lead.

Jaquez scored 11 in the fourth quarter, also with three assists in the period.

“We knew how important this win was,” Jaquez said. “We know how important this next stretch of games is for us going into All-Star break. So we’re just taking that to heart and we’re done talking about it. We need to just go do it. And that’s kind of our message going into that game.”

2. Miss or miss: The Heat opened 1 of 13 on 3-pointers, with the lone conversion coming from Adebayo. The Suns weren’t much better at the outset, opening 2 of 12 on 3-pointers.

The Heat’s second 3-point conversion did not come until Nikola Jovic converted from the left corner. Powell followed with a 3-pointer on the Heat’s next possession.

The Suns stood 2 of 19 on 3-pointers at the half, the Heat 3 of 17. In that first half, Royce O’Neale was 0 for 6 on 3-pointers for the Suns, Powell 1 of 6 for the Heat.

The Heat closed 9 of 36 on 3-pointers, on a night they had to find another way. The Suns finished 7 of 35 on 3-pointers.

“More than anything,” Spoelstra said, “it was just the mentality, the collective spirit to try to accomplish something a little bit unique in a long NBA season.”

3. Powell persists: For weeks now, Powell has been a constant on the Heat injury report with back soreness.

The fact that he perseveres has been laudable, but the struggles have been real, as he stands now less than a week from finding out Sunday if he makes his first All-Star Game, when conference reserves are named.

“Yeah, he was pretty banged-up these last couple games,” Spoelstra said. “This one was in question because it was such a quick turnaround, and the only rest we really had was on the airplane. So, he wanted to give it a go. He passed all the tests to make himself available. And he contributed in other ways. He had ten rebounds. And he’s always a threat.”

It wasn’t just the need for a high volume of shots to get to his scoring total in this one, it was coming off a pair of games when he closed a combined 0 for 11 from behind the arc.

This time he closed 5 of 21 from the field, 2 of 11 on 3-pointers.

“There’s leading, there’s giving yourself up,” said Powell, who closed with 10 rebounds. “I’ve done that this whole week with playing hurt with my back spasm and everything like that. But tonight I wanted to make an emphasis on getting rebounds and securing the ball so we can get out in transition, and I was able to do that.”

4. Pesky presence: If Spoelstra was looking to inject energy into his team on the second night of the back-to-back, then he picked the right man in playing two-way player Myron Gardner as this third player off the bench.

In one first-quarter sequence, Gardner was part of a video review that ruled his hard foul on Oso Ighodaro was not a flagrant foul, then saw a video review go in his favor when a defensive goaltending call against him was ruled not to be goaltending, followed up by being called for a double-foul with the Suns’ Collin Gillespie, when push came to shove between the two away from the ball.

“Myron is continuing to build trust with everybody,” Spoelstra said. “You feel his energy right away.”

After that brief Gardner jolt, Dru Smith then took over in the second half, with arguably one of his best stretches in weeks. Smith closed with 11 points.

“I just go into the games just trying to stay ready,” Smith said. “And whatever minutes come my way then, I just try to make the most of them. So not really thinking too much about that, just while I’m out there trying to impact the game.”

5. Now, (brief) rest: After the five road games in seven days, the Heat now get their lone two-day break of January, with Monday and Tuesday off.

But then it’s back to the grind, with four games in five nights to follow, the product of the rescheduled game in Chicago from the Jan. 8 postponement there due to condensation on the court at the United Center.

That has the Heat hosting the Magic on Wednesday night, in Chicago on Thursday, and then home against the Bulls on Saturday and Sunday.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Powell said of the break. “I definitely need the rest. And hopefully with these two days I can get everything to calm down and be ready to go.”

Patriots weather Broncos, Seahawks beat Rams to set Super Bowl matchup

South Florida Local News - Sun, 01/25/2026 - 20:09

By The Associated Press

DENVER (AP) — Drake Maye ran for 68 yards and threw for 86 in sloppy, snowy conditions and scored New England’s only touchdown on a 6-yard keeper, propelling the Patriots to their 12th Super Bowl with a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Christian Gonzalez intercepted Jarrett Stidham, starting in place of an injured Bo Nix, at New England’s 36 with 2:11 remaining and the Patriots (17-3) iced their first playoff win in Denver when Maye ran for 7 yards on third-and-5 from his 41.

New England became the third team in the Super Bowl era to win a conference championship with 10 points or less. Buffalo beat Denver 10-7 in the 1991 AFC title game, and the Los Angeles beat Tampa Bay 9-0 in the 1979 NFC championship game.

The Broncos (15-4) finished one step shy of fulfilling Sean Payton’s preseason prediction of a trip to Super Bowl 60.

Both kickers missed two field goals in the frigid conditions with Denver’s Wil Lutz and New England’s Andy Borregales wide on long tries just before the snow came in at halftime.

SEAHAWKS 31, RAMS 27

Sam Darnold threw for three touchdowns, the Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense came up with a critical fourth-down stop, and Seattle advanced to the Super Bowl, beating Los Angeles in an electrifying NFC championship game on Sunday.

Led by second-year coach Mike Macdonald and Darnold — an eight-year veteran playing for his fifth team — the Seahawks (16-3) reached the fourth Super Bowl in franchise history and first in 11 years. Seattle lost that most recent appearance to New England, its opponent in two weeks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

With Los Angeles (14-6) facing fourth-and-4 at the Seattle 6, coach Sean McVay elected to go for it and Matthew Stafford’s pass was broken up in the end zone by Devon Witherspoon. The Rams didn’t get the ball back until there were 25 seconds left, and Puka Nacua was tackled inbounds near midfield on the final play.

Stafford threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns, but the Rams were undone by critical errors, including a muffed punt by Xavier Smith in the third quarter. On the next play, Darnold connected with Jake Bobo for a 17-yard touchdown.

Darnold, who flopped in his playoff debut last season with the Minnesota Vikings, played through an oblique injury and completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards with no turnovers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 153 yards receiving and a touchdown on 10 catches.

Panthers score four in third to rout Blackhawks, extend road win streak to four

South Florida Local News - Sun, 01/25/2026 - 20:07

By MATT CARLSON

CHICAGO (AP) — Defenseman Tobias Bjornfot scored his first two goals this season — giving him just three over seven NHL seasons and 139 career games — and the Florida Panthers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1 on Sunday night for their third straight win.

Mackie Samoskevich and Carter Verhaeghe connected 2:04 apart early in the third period and Sam Reinhart added an empty-netter as the Panthers won for the sixth time in eight. Daniil Tarasov made 19 saves and the two-time defending Stanley Cup Panthers moved eight games over .500 for the first time this season.

Tyler Bertuzzi scored his team-leading 25th goal for the Blackhawks. Spencer Knight, who started his career with Florida, made 20 saves and fell to 0-2 against his former team.

The teams generated only a handful of chances through the first and second periods and neither pressured with a territorial edge.

Bjornfot’s fluke goal opened the scoring with 4:27 left in the second. From a faceoff in the Chicago zone, he circled the net and jammed in the puck through Knight’s pads from the right side.

It was the journeyman’s first goal in five games this season. His previous score came in May 2021 with Los Angeles during the COVID-19 altered season.

Bertuzzi tied it 1-all with 29.3 seconds left. At the edge of the crease, he took Ilya Mikheyev’s feed and shoveled a high shot past Tarasov’s stick side.

The Panthers responded with a four-goal third period, despite playing at Minnesota on Saturday and winning 4-3 in overtime.

Samoskevich put Florida back ahead at 5:20 of the final frame when his shot from the slot slipped under Knight’s arm and trickled over the goal line.

Verhaeghe upped it to 3-1 just over two minutes later, firing a one-timer from the slot.

Reinhart scored into an empty net with 1:49 left. With Knight back in goal, Bjornfot connected with 22 seconds left after he cruised into the slot and fired in Verhaeghe’s feed.

Up next

Panthers: Host Utah on Tuesday.

Daily Horoscope for January 26, 2026

South Florida Local News - Sun, 01/25/2026 - 17:00

General Daily Insight for January 26, 2026

We’re ready to move forward. Early on, the emotional Moon squares romantic Venus, and misunderstandings about care or timing could impact our plans for the day. Then, at 12:37 PM EST, dreamy Neptune shifts into Aries, fueling our dreams with fiery ambition and energetic action. Still, Neptune’s influence reminds us to slow down and check our expectations while listening for signals that help us bridge differences and reframe choices with care. Take smaller steps, because softer pacing keeps progress steady in the long run.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Renewed inspiration is showering over your soul throughout the day. Spiritual Neptune begins shaping your identity, softening your approach and inspiring kinder self-talk as you greet strangers and loved ones alike. You may notice that bold choices work better when gentleness guides them, like suggesting an idea without pushing or letting changes unfold slowly. If a friend questions your direction, listen before pushing back, because your courage strengthens when you welcome feedback. Move with heart, because love is what fuels your fire.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Take your time making up your mind. Elusive Neptune is gliding into your 12th House of Reflection, inviting quiet time and self-care in a gentler way as you process old stories. Just as you can literally close a tab to free up computer space, you can metaphorically close a tab by releasing past aches to gain mental clarity. If someone pushes for instant answers, know that you don’t owe them an immediate response. Protect quiet moments, because peace strengthens your practical confidence.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Your network is growing exponentially. Imaginative Neptune meanders into your 11th House of Social Causes, encouraging kinder connections — the sort of relationships that further creative endeavors and amp up hopefulness. You may text a neighbor to reconnect or float an idea at work, because your mind thrives when options multiply. Plans may shift without warning, but you can treat it as an opening rather than a problem. This adaptivity helps you pivot fast and earn support. Let your friends inspire new ideas!

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Your inner compass knows the way, even if your logical mind hasn’t quite laid out just yet. With Neptune flowing into your goal-centric 10th house, your spirit is drawing you toward fulfilling ways to spend your time. You can choose a project that truly matters or frame an everyday meeting with empathy. If a supervisor or relative seems vague, ask for examples or instructions as needed — especially if they assigned you this task. Consistent effort will help you find your purpose.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Confidence has a chance to blossom today. Wondrous Neptune is soaring into your 9th House of Investigations, prodding you out of your comfort zone. Make an effort to explore somewhere you’ve never been — even if it’s just a local restaurant you’ve passed a hundred times without entering. Your expressive spirit lights up when you tell stories that bridge differences, because curiosity turns strangers into guides. If travel is unrealistic, reading is the best way to stretch your heart and nourish your courage. Follow wonder!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

When dreams collide with walls, craft a clear plan. Slippery Neptune moves into your intimidating 8th house, touching upon boundaries with money, secrets, and other vulnerable topics. Don’t rush through any accounting today, especially if it involves shared resources. Practical analysis should reduce stress and support emotional conversations. If a loved one avoids a delicate issue, make sure it’s urgent before pressing them any further. Still, if it does need to be handled today, tell them that — honesty is sometimes better than comfort.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Your job today is bridge-builder! Fanciful Neptune saunters into your partner-focused 7th house, inviting compassion across connections, whether this involves a friend, lover, business collaborator, or blood relative. You may need to soften your tone, particularly if you have a tough topic to bring up. Thankfully, your sign’s characteristic sense of justice should help you keep negotiations kind when opinions differ. If someone stalls, allow space by offering a few different options for continuation. Practice patience, because steady kindness benefits every shared decision.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Your capacity to focus grows as today progresses. Neptune is making its way into your 6th House of Service, offering inspiration regarding the things you do every single day. Your routines should work for you — you shouldn’t work for them. You might want to reorganize your desk or bedside table, especially if you’re having trouble concentrating at work or falling asleep at night. Setting things up in advance helps you deliver results without burning out. Care for your systems to sustain steady progress.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Having fun isn’t a crime! With Neptune skipping into your affectionate 5th house, you’re about to enjoy a period of delightful inspiration on all creative projects. The downside is that following instructions or tutorials may feel unusually constricting. Still, the rewards of Neptune’s thoughtful presence should be worth it! Say yes to a side project that invites play and curiosity. Banish doubt by seeking whimsy and joy as much as possible. Enjoying yourself will make it easier to craft something worthy of pride.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Security deepens as roots receive new care. Your household is important — it’s where your heart lives. As nebulous Neptune wanders into the sector of your chart presiding over such things, you could be ready to make some major upgrades. Whether you live alone or share your domicile, steady care is the best way to make sure your foundations are secure. Though real estate stuff can be complicated, with enough time, you’re capable of making it work. Investing in comfort would be wise.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

When intuition whispers, the universe is turning up the volume. Neptune enters your 3rd House of Messages, encouraging sensitive listening, kinder words, and thoughtful choices about news, neighbors, and everyday errands. You could pause before hitting send, take the scenic route, or frame a chat with empathy. Whatever you’re doing, the way you phrase things matters. When someone shares a worry, mirror their words to show you’re really listening. They may need a listening ear and a hug more than they need specific advice!

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Tenderness supports more practicality than you might think. You understand the value of gentleness better than most signs. Neptune entering your money zone gives you an opportunity to set budgets that reflect those values, so your finances can reflect what truly matters to your heart. You may compare prices for necessities or put back an impulse buy, knowing patience saves resources. If money talks feel stressful, try having them over a calming cup of tea. Value yourself — self-respect guides smarter choices.

Dolphins hiring wide receivers coach as offensive staff takes shape

South Florida Local News - Sun, 01/25/2026 - 14:06

The Miami Dolphins, under new coach Jeff Hafley, continued to rapidly build the coaching staff through his first weekend on the job.

After promoting Bobby Slowik from within as offensive coordinator on Saturday, Hafley is bringing in the first position coach on his staff. The Dolphins are hiring Tyke Tolbert as wide receivers coach, according to a league source.

Tolbert is an experienced receivers coach, teaching the position in the NFL since 2003. He spent the past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans and has also had stints with the Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals.

With the 2015 Broncos, Tolbert was a Super Bowl-winning assistant coach who had Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders in his position group. He has also coached the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., Anquan Boldin, Steve Smith, Eric Moulds and Lee Evans.

Before Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine had just 11 catches for 89 yards without a touchdown this past season in Miami, he had 32 receptions for 497 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024 under Tolbert’s tutelage in Tennessee.

The addition of Tolbert means Robert Prince, the longtime NFL receivers coach who led the position for the Dolphins on former coach Mike McDaniel’s staff last season, is looking elsewhere for a job next season.

According to NFL Network on Sunday morning, Prince interviewed for the Giants’ vacant offensive coordinator position.

Aside from Slowik and Tolbert, Hafley has also hired Chris Tabor as special teams coordinator since his official introduction Thursday.

For the open defensive coordinator role, Hafley interviewed former Miami Hurricanes assistant coach and player Clint Hurtt, who is Philadelphia Eagles defensive line coach and has been defensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks.

Somerset Academy grabs runner-up at dual wrestling state championship

South Florida Local News - Sun, 01/25/2026 - 12:42

The Somerset Academy boys wrestling team finished as the 2A runner-up at the FHSAA Dual State Championship at Osceola High School in Kissimmee from Jan. 23-24.

Somerset Academy crushed Dillard 70-6 in the first round and they defeated Mater Academy 46-21 in the second round. The Panthers cruised past Jensen Beach 49-24 in the third round and they rolled past Pace 50-19 in the state semifinal.

Lake Gibson defeated Somerset 39-16 in the 2A state final. In the state championship, Somerset’s Carlos Sainz (132 pounds) won by major decision (11-3), Darion Shannon (150) picked up a victory by decision (7-1), Tristan Sainz (157) earned a win by major decision (14-3), Eli Diaz (175) stepped up with a victory by decision (9-6) and Mateo Martinez (190) earned a win by decision (10-
6).

In the state semifinal, Somerset Academy individual winners included Avner Ayzerov (106) by decision (10-5), Carlos Sainz (132) by fall (6-1), Dylan Fernandez (138) by technical fall (16-1), Marlo Jimenez (144) by major decision (13-2), Shannon (150) by fall (8-3), Tristan Sainz (157) by fall (11-0), Sidney Katz (165) by fall (7-3), Diaz (175) by decision (17-11), Martinez (190) by fall (6-1) and Sage Suarez (215) by technical fall (16-0).

“We knew it was going to be close and we competed against a deeper team with a solid lineup,” Somerset Academy coach Joe Blasucci said. “We fought well against them. We were not perfect and we could have wrestled better. We have a young team and it’s something to build on. We have a tough and challenging schedule to help prepare our kids for March. We had lost this tournament last year and then won the IBT state championship so we are hoping to perform well in the end this year.”

South Plantation, Wellington fall short in 3A

The South Plantation boys wrestling team fell to powerhouse South Dade 53-24 in the 3A state quarterfinal.

South Dade captured the 3A championship with a 49-21 victory against Freedom. South Plantation’s individual winners against South Dade included Michiah Gillins Jr. (106 pounds) by fall (11-2), Naidreck Saint-Fleur (120) by fall (3-0), Maverick Lorminey
(190) by fall (4-3) and Jonathan Rogers (285) by fall (3-0).

South Plantation previously earned victories against Stoneman Douglas and Coral Springs to reach the third round.

The Wellington boys wrestling squad dropped a 44-23 decision to Freedom in the 3A state quarterfinal.

Wellington’s individual winners against Freedom consisted of Tyler Swinson (106 pounds) by major decision (15-4), Shawnley Clervoyant (113) by major decision (14-5), Nikolas Gray (157) by decision (7-1), Tyler Gray (165) by fall (6-3) and Mac Andrews
(190) by fall (3-1).

Wellington cruised to a victory against Dwyer in the opening round and the Wolverines also defeated Olympic Heights in the second round.

Cardinal Gibbons falls in 1A

The Cardinal Gibbons boys wrestling fell 54-21 to Mater Lakes during the second round in 1A. Cardinal Gibbons previously had a 59-22 victory against King’s Academy in the opening round. Mater Lakes captured the 1A championship with a 44-18 win against
Cocoa Beach.

Why Aaron Philo? Florida’s Jon Sumrall explains Gators’ QB decision

South Florida Local News - Sun, 01/25/2026 - 12:40

GAINESVILLE — Florida transfer quarterback Aaron Philo became a package deal when incoming head coach Jon Sumrall hired Buster Faulkner away from Georgia Tech to become offensive coordinator.

The Gators had to wait a month for delivery. But upon Faulkner’s early December arrival, he placed Philo on the layaway plan after his two seasons as the Yellow Jackets’ backup.

“Buster had extreme confidence in him,” Sumrall told reporters Saturday. “As I did my homework, think the place he was at, they didn’t want him to leave. There’s a lot of people there that felt like he was ready to be the starter there, and I trust our offensive coordinator to make the call.”

Two-year starter DJ Lagway’s decision to transfer from Florida further cleared the path for Philo, who signed with the Gators Jan. 6, four days after the transfer portal opened.

Philo has quickly adapted to his new surroundings.

Philo attended Florida’s 76-67 loss to Auburn Saturday at the O’Connell Center, where cameras showed him and running back Jadan Baugh on the video scoreboard doing the Gator Chomp — to the delight of a sold-out crowd of 11,004.

Philo still have much to prove. He started just one game during two seasons behind Haynes King at Georgia Tech, where Philo threw two touchdowns and three interceptions after a record-setting career at Prince Avenue Christian in Athens, Georgia.

Georgia Tech transfer quarterback Aaron Philo will join new Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner in Gainesville, where the two aim to revive the Gators' attack. Philo is pictured warming up before an NCAA college football game on Aug. 29, 2025, in Boulder, Colorado. (David Zalubowski/The Associated Press)

For comparison, Sumrall recalled Darian Mensah’s breakout freshman seasons at Tulane. Mensah threw 22 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 65.9% of his passes and averaging 9.5 yards per attempt before he transferred to Duke prior to the Green Wave’s 2024 loss to Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl.

“He’d never taken a collegiate snap,” Sumrall said. “I get it. That’s American Conference, not the SEC, so a little bit different. But if you got the right guy, sometimes I think experience can be oversold. There’s a lot of guys who are experienced that aren’t very good.

“So I believe in what he’s about because Buster feels comfortable with him and has confidence in what he’s going to be.”

If Philo can produce like Mensah, who had 34 touchdowns in 2025 at Duke, the Gators will have made a massive upgrade at the most critical position in football. Lagway followed an injury-plagued offseason with a sophomore slump featuring a SEC-high 14 interceptions after an offseason filled with accolades, NIL deals and even Heisman hype.

He’ll play his junior season at Baylor.

When spring practice opens March 3, the 6-foot-1 ¾, 220-pound Philo will begin a quarterback competition with redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr., himself a player with vast potential after a decorated high school player from Jacksonville Mandarin.

“Tramell, I’m excited about,” Sumrall said. “I like our quarterback room. Is there maybe a known, proven starter in that room? No. Is there guys that think can help us win football games here? Yeah. Now we got a lot of work to do to figure out what that looks like and who’s the starter.

“Long way from making that decision, but they’ll make it for us. The quarterback competition, they decide who starts on me, by how they practice and how they play.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Who’s to blame for latest ICE shooting in Minnesota? Florida leaders differ

South Florida Local News - Sun, 01/25/2026 - 12:25

Florida Democrats called for investigations and removal of federal immigration agents from Minnesota. Republicans blamed protesters for trying to obstruct the agents and prevent them from doing their jobs.

Florida’s political leaders reacted along partisan lines to Saturday’s shooting death of Minnesota protester Alex Pretti, 37, by federal immigration agents.

It was the second such death by authorities in the state in 17 days, following the deadly shooting of Renee Good on Jan. 7.

Posting on X, Republicans largely reiterated views expressed by members of the Trump administration, with some saying that Pretti was killed because he tried to obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from their jobs deporting unauthorized immigrants from Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Democrats, including several in Broward and Palm Beach counties, said the shooting was unjustified and called for investigations into the actions that led to Pretti’s death. Some called for cutting off ICE’s funding.

Notable exceptions included Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Rick Scott, both Republicans, who so far have not addressed the incident on their X or Facebook accounts. Spokespersons for the two did not immediately respond to requests for comment by the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

But many Florida-based congressional leaders had plenty to say on their social media accounts.

Rep. Lois Frankel, a Democrat whose Palm Beach County district stretches from West Palm Beach to Delray Beach, said, “What ICE is doing on the streets of America is an abomination.” She called for “a thorough, independent investigation — free from interference and with real accountability.”

Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, whose district covers southern Broward County, on Saturday noted that “We’ve been warned that Trump’s failure to impose consequences for excessive use of force would cost lives.” She called for ICE agents to be “held accountable to the fullest extent of the law to protect Americans from harm.”

On Sunday, she called ICE agents “undisciplined, masked agents who show no respect for our rights and use lethal force against Americans.”

Wasserman Schultz also called for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who said that Pretti committed domestic terrorism.

Sen. Ashley Moody, a Republican who took over Marco Rubio’s Senate seat a year ago, did not directly address the shooting, but on Saturday posted a statement accusing Democrats with being “so busy trying to win a partisan narrative that they are jeopardizing people’s safety with their rhetoric against federal law enforcement officers.” She urged passage of “my HALO Act, which gives a 25-foot safety zone for officers while they are doing their jobs.”

After the Pretti shooting on Saturday, Rep. Randy Fine posted, “An armed seditionist attacked federal law enforcement today as they were rounding up foreign invaders in Minneapolis The insurrectionist was put down. Well done. I stand with ICE as they fight these foreign invaders and their treasonous allies.”

Fine, a Republican representing a swath of the northeast coastal region, later responded to a tweet by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, that said, “Minnesota has had it. This is sickening.” Walz urged Trump to end this operation and “pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.”

Fine retweeted the Walz post and said, “You’re sickening. And when we are done, you’ll be in jail.”

On Sunday, Fine posted that he has “zero sympathy to those who interfere with ICE as they are rounding up illegal immigrants” and pledged, “We will not stop working until every single immigrant is rounded up and deported. Every single one.”

Democratic Rep. Darren Soto, whose district covers the southern Orlando region, posted that “ICE criminals killed another American citizen.” He added, “Meanwhile, the House approved a $64.4 BILLION DHS budget this week. This is unacceptable and reckless. The Trump Administration must be held accountable.”

Prior to reporting that he was assaulted at the Sundance Festival on Saturday night, Orlando-area Democratic Rep. Maxwell Frost said the shooting “is what happens when cruelty is normalized and accountability is absent.” He followed up by stating, “ICE is lawless and should not exist.”

Rep. Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat whose district includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, posted a Washington Post story about the shooting and said it was why she refused to support the DHS funding bill. “Federal agents should not operate in ways that instill fear among the public, killing innocent people,” she said. “Law enforcement must be guided by proper training, clearly defined rules of engagement, and meaningful oversight.”

Rep. Frederica Wilson, a Democrat representing southern Broward and eastern Miami-Dade counties, pointed out that she voted no to increasing funding for ICE. “ICE is unchecked and out of control,” she wrote, “and I won’t write them another blank check without real oversight, transparency, and due process for our community.”

Straddling the partisan line was Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican whose district in Miami-Dade County sites directly below Wilson’s. On Saturday, Salazar posted, “Washington’s failure on immigration is hitting our streets.” She continued, “Minnesota is the result of Washington refusing to fix a broken immigration system and continuing to enforce outdated laws.”

She called for Congress to enact the Dignity Act, a bill she introduced in 2022 with Texas Democratic Rep. Veronica Escobar. If enacted, the bill “revamps our immigration system, including ICE enforcement policy, so they don’t need to be out in large-scale operations in our communities,” Salazar wrote.

Dolphins building new foundation by scouting players and coaches at Senior Bowl

South Florida Local News - Sun, 01/25/2026 - 11:06

It’s an open secret that the Senior Bowl is part scouting operation and part job fair, and you can be certain that the Miami Dolphins, under their new regime of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, will take advantage of both functions this week in Mobile, Al.

After all, the Dolphins emphasized they’ll have a draft and develop philosophy, so both actions — finding quality players to draft, and finding quality coaches to aid their development — will be under the microscope as Miami establishes its new ways of doing business.

The Dolphins’ work at the Senior Bowl will including keeping an eye on college prospects at key positions of need such as quarterback, cornerback, defensive tackle, outside linebacker/edge rusher, guard and backup offensive tackle, to name a few.

The Dolphins have eight picks in the April 23-25 draft, including five in the top 90.

Miami has one pick in the first round (No. 11), one in the second (No. 43), three in the third (Nos. 75, 87 and 90), and one each in the fourth, fifth and seventh rounds.

While eyeing draft prospects the Dolphins will also keep an eye on Clint Hurtt, the National Team coach at the Senior Bowl. Hurtt is Philadelphia’s senior defensive assistant/defensive line coach and interviewed to serve as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator. The 47-year-old Hurtt, who won a Super Bowl with the Eagles last season in his second year with the team, played college football at the University of Miami from 1997-2000.

Hurtt spent seven seasons with Seattle, including serving as the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator (2002-23) for two seasons before joining the Eagles.

Miami might also use the Senior Bowl to fill positions on its coaching staff. The Dolphins have already promoted Bobby Slowik, last season’s senior pass game coordinator, to offensive coordinator and hired Chris Tabor as special teams coordinator.

But there’s another advantage of the Senior Bowl, and that’s player interviews.

This is key because Sullivan mentioned culture as being a key to success at last week’s introductory news conference.

“We’re intentional about the caliber of player and then what they bring to the locker room,” Sullivan said. “You can’t have good culture if you’ve got guys that aren’t bought in and wired right for what you’re trying to build. That’s what I would say is we’re going to build through the draft and we’ll be very selective and deliberate in free agency.”

Dolphins left tackle Patrick Paul thought he left a bad initial impression on Dolphins offensive line coach Butch Barry two years ago during his Senior Bowl interview. Paul thought he came across as arrogant, an account that Barry didn’t dispute.

It turned out not to be a problem. Barry and Paul ended up getting along so well that they did pilates classes together last offseason.

The highest-profile quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl are LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier (6 foot 1, 205 pounds) and Villanova’s Diego Pavia (6-0, 200) although he isn’t expected to be drafted. Nussmeier is regarded as a third- or fourth-round pick and could interest the Dolphins despite his less-than-ideal size.

Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green (6-5, 224) is regarded as a fifth- or sixth rounder. North Dakota State’s Cole Payton (6-3, 233) is regarded as a fifth- or sixth-round pick.

The highest-profile player at the Senior Bowl is Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey, a projected top 5 pick.

Leading the way among Senior Bowl talents that might interest the Dolphins in the first round of the draft is Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks, although he’s projected in the lower part of the first round.

Among those that could interest the Dolphins in the first three rounds are Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood, Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker, University of Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor, Oregon center-guard Emmanuel Pregnon, San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson, Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter, Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt and Illinois defensive lineman Gabe Jacas.

Practices begin Tuesday at the University of South Alabama, and the game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Among UM players scheduled to play are Mesidor, center James Brockermeyer, safety Jakobe Thomas, cornerback Keionte Scott, and offensive lineman Markel Bell. All are playing for the American team.

Among Florida Gators are Banks, offensive lineman Austin Barber, defensive lineman Tyreak Sapp, and offensive lineman Jake Slaughter. All except Sapp are playing for the American team.

Interestingly, there are no Florida State, FAU, FIU, UCF or South Florida players listed on the rosters.

The Senior Bowl has numerous benefits that don’t happen at other postseason events, mainly actual football — that’ll also happen at Tuesday’s East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Tx., which will feature Hurricanes linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, offensive linemen David Blay and Anez Cooper.

The “actual football” means coaches get to observe players doing 1-on-1 drills along with unit drills (offensive line vs. defensive line, 7-on-7 passing, etc…) and 11 on 11, which doesn’t happen at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in late February.

Also, and possibly of particular concern to a certain segment of Dolphins fans, Senior Bowl practices are often conducted in colder weather. This week’s temperatures are expected to be in the mid 40s and low 50s.

The Senior Bowl annually attracts more than 900 NFL personnel, which makes it an ideal location for teams such as the Dolphins who are trying to complete coaching staffs. The nighttime scene in Mobile features lots of networking.

But talent is the real attraction.

The 2024 Senior Bowl featured Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, a pair of first-round picks who have excelled in the NFL, while the 2025 Senior Bowl featured New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (second round/Louisville) and Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II, guard Jonah Savaiinaea and safety Dante Trader Jr.

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