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By DANA GAURUDER

DETROIT (AP) — Matthew Tkachuk had his sixth career hat trick and the Florida Panthers beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-1 on Friday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

Eight points behind Boston for the final wild-card spot in the East, two-time defending champion Florida is in danger of becoming the first Cup-winning team to miss the playoffs the following season since Los Angeles in 2014-15.

Tkachuk had his first hat trick since Jan. 9, 2024, against St. Louis. He has eight goals in 16 games this season. He made his season debut Jan. 19 after recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 27 saves after the Panthers chose not to deal the 37-year-old goalie before the deadline Friday.

Alex DeBrincat scored his team-high 33rd goal for Detroit. John Gibson made 20 saves.

Detroit captain Dylan Larkin suffered an apparent leg injury when he fell awkwardly in the Florida zone midway through the third period. He skated slowly back to the boards and went immediately into the locker room.

Tkachuk scored 35 seconds into the third period on a power play to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead. Parked near the left goalpost, he redirected Sam Reinhart’s shot from the left circle past Gibson.

Tkachuk added an empty-netter from his own zone with 1:52 left.

Observations and other notes of interest from Friday night’s 128-120 victory over the Charlotte Hornets:

– No, the Hornets’ youth was not lost on Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

– Not with what Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller and Charlotte’s other recent lottery picks have delivered amid this Hornets revival.

– But Spoelstra also used his pregame platform to note what the Heat have done with their youth.

– With options otherwise limited on this night, with Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins and Simone Fontecchio among those out for the Heat.

– So, like many other coaches who have faced the Hornets in recent games, Spoelstra was asked pregame about the emergence of the Hornets.

– “It’s hard not to have noticed the level of basketball they’ve been playing,” he said. “They’ve been one of the bigger topics in the league, and rightly so. They’ve been on a heck of a run the last six weeks.”

– He added, “Last time we played them, the rosters were slightly different. Miller didn’t play in those games, but they’ve also fortified their bench. So they’re doing it on both ends.”

– Spoelstra said he appreciates what it takes for a young team like Charlotte to come of age.

– “I think probably the thing that’s unique that stands out with them is the fact that they’re winning right now with a lot of young players,” he said. “Typically, that takes some time. And it has with them. The second half of the season, you can see their young players have gotten very familiar to how they want to play and then what impacts winning.”

– Spoelstra likened that somewhat to the Heat’s process and progress this season.

– “The two teams are somewhat similar in that regard, because we’re playing some young players in our rotation, more so than we have in the past. And it’s taken some time,” Spoelstra said.

– He added, “But we really think we’re playing some winning basketball right now in the second half of the season.”

– And with that, with veteran options limited, Spoelstra again rolled with the youthful likes of Kel’el Ware, Pelle Larsson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionus and even Myron Gardner.

– Before the game, Spoelstra also addressed the knee tendinitis that had Wiggins out.

– “He’s dealt with it for the last handful of days, and it didn’t loosen up enough today to be available,” Spoelstra said, “but hopefully we can treat him and hopefully make sure it’s a short-term thing.”

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– The Heat next face the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night at Kaseya Center.

– With the Heat idle on Saturday and the Pistons playing in Brooklyn on Saturday night.

– With Powell (groin) still out and Wiggins now out, the Heat opened with Larsson, Gardner, Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro and  Bam Adebayo.

– The Hornets opened with a lineup of Miles Bridges, LaMelo Ball, Moussa Diabaté, Miller and Knueppel.

– It was Jaquez and Ware first together off the Heat bench.

– Followed by Jakucionis.

– With Dru Smith making it nine deep.

– At that stage, the only other players available for the Heat were two-way players Vlad Goldin and Trevor Keels.

– Smith then was forced to the bench with three fouls in his first five minutes.

– Smith is now one appearance from 100 for his career.

– It was the 200th regular-season appearance for Jaquez.

A former Davie Fire Rescue lieutenant who was accused of battering his wife hours before she was found dead in Coral Springs last year will not be charged with any crime stemming from that day.

Jeffrey Evans, 43, of Coral Springs, was arrested on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge after an argument with his wife became physical, according to a probable cause affidavit. Their fight on the morning of Aug. 25 about 11:30 a.m. was recorded on Ring surveillance video, which showed Evans punching Jessica Lloyd, 38, and grabbing her by her hair as he tried to take his laptop from her, according to a State Attorney’s Office memo dated Feb. 23.

Just before 9 p.m. that night in August, Evans called police and said his wife was having a “mental break” and needed help, the affidavit said. Minutes later, another person called to report hearing a woman scream, “My husband is trying to kill me!”

Evans told police when they arrived that Lloyd ran from their home, screaming that he was trying to kill her, and that he saw her fall on a sidewalk, according to an investigator’s report from the Medical Examiner’s Office. While Evans spoke to police, he and the officers “heard a splash in the canal” behind the home on Northwest 15th Court.

Lloyd was found facedown, partially submerged in 17 inches of water. She was pronounced dead at Broward Health Coral Springs.

Lloyd had multiple blunt force injuries and bruises to her head, neck, torso, arms and legs that were healed at different levels, including fractures in her ribs and left upper jaw, an autopsy report said. Toxicology tests showed positive for cocaine and some prescription antidepressant medications.

The associate medical examiner who performed Lloyd’s autopsy determined that she died as a result of drowning, and her manner of death was undetermined.

Prosecutors declined to file the misdemeanor battery charge stemming from the fight earlier that day because there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction.

“Because the victim is now deceased, the State has no evidence or witnesses to rebut this account by the defendant,” the State Attorney’s Office’s memo declining the charge said.

Prosecutors move forward with cases, even when victims cannot cooperate, when they have independent evidence to prove the charges, Assistant State Attorney Stefanie Newman, the prosecutor in charge of the Domestic Violence Unit, said in a statement shared with the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

The State Attorney’s Office was never formally presented a homicide case, Paula McMahon, spokesperson for the State Attorney’s Office, said in an email Friday.

“If the investigators at the police department believed they had probable cause to make an arrest or file a charge related to the death of Jessica Lloyd, they would have formally presented it to our office for review,” McMahon said. “No homicide case has been formally presented to our office at this time. There is no statute of limitations for any unresolved homicide. We remain ready, willing and able to formally review any evidence that detectives want to present now or in the future.”

Coral Springs Police in an email sent to the Sun Sentinel on Friday night said their investigation of Lloyd’s death is closed.

“The Coral Springs Police Department conducted a long and thorough investigation, as we do with all cases,” the statement said. “Detectives did meet with the State Attorney’s Office, but we did not recommend murder charges.”

Evans’ defense attorney did not respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.

Evans was terminated from Davie Fire Rescue in March 2025, a letter of separation shows. He had been unable to perform his job since November 2023 due to prolonged medical issues.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A Bangladeshi man accused of using social media to trick teenage girls into sending him sexually explicit images — and then threatening to share them with their friends and family if they didn’t send more — has been transported to Alaska to face federal charges of child sexual exploitation.

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Zobaidul Amin, 28, pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance in Anchorage on Thursday after the FBI took custody of him in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he had been studying medicine and facing related charges, U.S. prosecutors wrote in a detention memorandum.

“Amin delighted in sexually abusing hundreds of minor victims over social media,” the document said. “He bragged about causing victims to become suicidal and engage in self-harm. He shared hundreds of nude images and videos of minor victims all over the internet and encouraged other perpetrators to do the same.”

A federal grand jury indicted Amin in 2022 on charges including child pornography, cyberstalking and wire fraud. He adopted false identities, often posing as a teenager, to trick victims into sending him explicit images.

The investigation began when a 14-year-old Alaska girl reported her abuse to law enforcement, saying that after she had stopped communicating with him, he followed through on his threats by sending pornographic images of her to her friends and followers.

In executing dozens of search warrants and subpoenas, investigators eventually learned his identity and realized he had done similar things to hundreds of minor victims, prosecutors wrote. The only way to get him to stop demanding more images, Amin told the girls, was to recruit other victims, the document said.

“Because he was in Malaysia and his victims were primarily in the U.S., Amin viewed himself as untouchable by law enforcement,” prosecutors wrote. “In one conversation, he told a minor victim that the ‘cops won’t do anything,’ and the ‘cops won’t track me down because I live no where near u.’”

Efforts to extradite Amin to face charges failed, but with the assistance of the FBI, Malaysian authorities brought charges, the Justice Department said. He was released on bail during the proceedings, and eventually the U.S. succeeded in having him expelled from Malaysia. The FBI took him into custody and flew him to Alaska.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle Reardon on Thursday ordered that Amin remain in custody while his case proceeds.

By MATT O’BRIEN

A top Pentagon official said Anthropic’s dispute with the government over the use of its artificial intelligence technology in fully autonomous weapons came after a debate over how AI could be used in President Donald Trump’s future Golden Dome missile defense program, which aims to put U.S. weapons in space.

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U.S. Defense Undersecretary Emil Michael, the Pentagon’s chief technology officer, said he came to view the AI company’s ethical restrictions on the use of its chatbot Claude as an irrational obstacle as the U.S. military pursues giving greater autonomy to swarms of armed drones, underwater vehicles and other machines to compete with rivals like China that could do the same.

“I need a reliable, steady partner that gives me something, that’ll work with me on autonomous, because someday it’ll be real and we’re starting to see earlier versions of that,” Michael said in a podcast aired Friday. “I need someone who’s not going to wig out in the middle.”

The comments came after the Pentagon formally designated S an Francisco-based Anthropic a supply chain risk, cutting off its defense work using a rule designed to prevent foreign adversaries from harming national security systems.

Anthropic has vowed to sue over the designation, which affects its business partnerships with other military contractors.

Trump has also ordered federal agencies to immediately stop using Claude, though the Republican president gave the Pentagon six months to phase out a product that’s deeply embedded in classified military systems, including those used in the Iran war.

Anthropic said it only sought to restrict its technology from being used for two high-level usages: mass surveillance of Americans or fully autonomous weapons.

Michael, a former Uber executive, revealed his side of months-long talks with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei in a lengthy conversation with Silicon Valley venture capitalists Jason Calacanis, David Friedberg and Chamath Palihapitiya, co-hosts of the “All-In” podcast.

A fourth co-host, former PayPal executive David Sacks, is now Trump’s AI czar and was not present for the episode but has been a vocal critic of Anthropic, including for its hiring of former Biden administration officials shortly after Trump returned to the White House last year.

As talks hit an impasse last week, Michael lashed out at Amodei on social media, saying he “has a God-complex” and “wants nothing more than to try to personally control” the military. In the podcast, however, he positioned the dispute as part of a broader military shift toward using AI.

Michael said the military is developing procedures for enabling different levels of autonomy in warfare depending on the risk posed.

“This is part of the debate I had with Anthropic, which is we need AI for things like Golden Dome,” Michael said, sharing a hypothetical scenario of the U.S. having only 90 seconds to respond to a Chinese hypersonic missile.

A human anti-missile operator “may not be able to discriminate with their own eyes what they’re going after,” but an autonomous counterattack would be a low risk “because it’s in space and you’re just trying to hit something that’s trying to get you.”

In another scenario, he said, “who could oppose if you have a military base, you have a bunch of soldiers sleeping, that you have a laser that can take down drones autonomously?”

In response to the podcast comments, Anthropic pointed to an earlier Amodei statement saying “Anthropic understands that the Department of War, not private companies, makes military decisions. We have never raised objections to particular military operations nor attempted to limit use of our technology in an ad hoc manner.”

Michael, the defense undersecretary for research and engineering, was sworn in last May and said he took over the military’s “AI portfolio” in August. That’s when he said he began scrutinizing Anthropic’s contracts — some of which dated from President Joe Biden’s Democratic administration. Michael said he questioned Anthropic over terms of use that he deemed too restrictive.

“I need to have the terms of service be rational relative to our mission set,” he said. “So we started these negotiations. It took three months and I had to sort of give them scenarios, like this Chinese hypersonic missile example. They’re like, ‘OK, we’ll give you an exception for that.’ Well, how about this drone swarm? ‘We’ll give an exception for that.’ And I was like, exceptions doesn’t work. I can’t predict for the next 20 years what (are) all the things we might use AI for.”

That’s when the Pentagon began insisting Anthropic and other AI companies allow for “all lawful use” of their technology, Michael said.

Anthropic resisted that change, while its competitors — Google, OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI — agreed to them, though some still have to get their infrastructure prepared for classified military work, Michael said. The other sticking point for Anthropic was not allowing any mass surveillance of Americans.

“They didn’t want us to bulk-collect public information on people using their AI system,” Michael said, describing the negotiations as “interminable.”

Anthropic has disputed parts of Michael’s version of the talks and emphasized that the protections it sought were narrow and not based on any existing uses of Claude. The next stage of the dispute will likely happen in court.

General Daily Insight for March 07, 2026

Connection can’t blossom in a vacuum — we must reach out to each other. While the luminous Sun conjoins chatty Mercury early, conversations could reveal truths we missed. Slow down and listen for nuance. At 6:27 am EST, Venus conjoins dreamy Neptune, blending tenderness with imagination as we reimagine what feels worthy and adjust promises to match. When we speak from our hearts, pressure eases. We’d also be wise to leave plenty of space for quiet reflection. Let softness guide choices that matter.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

The steel of courage is being tempered by love into something even stronger. Loving Venus conjoins spiritual Neptune in your sign, blending warmth with imagination so you can present yourself with heart and creativity. You may update your profile or pitch an idea, while your tone helps others feel safe and open to your plan. That said, be wary of making lofty promises — name only what you can realistically do right now. That way, sincerity and follow-through can carry your message.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Quiet time can restore your grace, in terms of both physical agility and emotional graciousness. Your 12th House of Peace stirs as the Love Goddess Venus conjoins nebulous Neptune, inviting the kind of deep rest that’s necessary for true forgiveness. You’d benefit from meditating, napping, or journaling. The “when” doesn’t matter as much as the “where” — look for somewhere serene. Let your thoughts drift through you, trusting insight to arrive in its own time. As stress recedes, you could literally feel your muscles relax.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

This morning supports smart moves and polished poise. Career conversations ask for calm leadership as the vibrant Sun embraces clever Mercury in your 10th House of Respect, invigorating you with ambitious potential. You might guide a meeting with a supervisor, while your curious mind keeps details tidy without losing the bigger picture. If someone challenges your plan, acknowledge their point, then restate the goal and the next step. Progress is easier when everyone feels included. Aim for results you can deliver with skill.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

What public role feels most true now? Sensual Venus conjoins imaginative Neptune near your 10th House of Prestige. This blend of visionary potential and Venusian kindness can guide you to take charge in almost any circumstances. You could share credit with a co-worker, while your updated bio highlights how you lead with care in plain language. If a public request tugs at private feelings, pause to check your boundaries, then accept only what supports family rhythms and true priorities. Your results should speak for themselves!

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Your intuition reads the room with ease. Your 8th House of Shared Resources is under the spotlight of today’s Mercury-Sun conjunction, prompting talks around mutual investments or joint productions. Secrecy has potentially slowed progress, so honesty will probably be necessary. You might renegotiate a shared subscription or clarify who pays which bill — look for real answers, not just somewhere to place blame. If someone resists, invite them to investigate the truth alongside you. Ask plainly, then honor any agreements you make.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Being honest doesn’t mean being unkind. That’s vital to remember as your bonds are empowered by the Sun-Mercury embrace in your partnership-oriented 7th house. You’re allowed to set ground rules for all connections — even friendships. For instance, if someone isn’t a fan of your newest style idea, you can tell them you don’t want to hear complaints about what you do with your own body. The catch? This also applies to comments you might want to make about their aesthetic decisions! Just be respectful.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

You know the social rules, and today, you may need to explain them to others. Right now, charming Venus aligns with fanciful Neptune in your 7th House of Links, blending empathy with imagination so you can name your needs without ignoring anyone else. However your connections look, a small promise about time or attention can reset trust after a recent misunderstanding. If feelings blur facts, do your best to find a time when everyone involved can share what would help. Empathy is bolstered by structure.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

What story do you want to tell? Your 5th House of Discovery brightens as mischievous Mercury conjoins the life-giving Sun. Look back at your most recent project — it might express aspects of your personal philosophies that you didn’t realize you were saying while creating it. Feedback from friends could also offer helpful insights. In the end, these may or may not be ideas you want to continue emphasizing. Either way, you can move forward with a more informed perspective on your own work.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Creative sparks land in real, joyful ways. Compassionate Venus and conceptual Neptune combine to bless your 5th House of Amusement with extra inspiration. An off-the-cuff idea could be your next favorite project! Spending time with friends is also a great way to spend today, especially if you team up for an artistic project (or get together to work side-by-side on your own endeavours). Don’t get caught up in making it “good” — just enjoy yourselves! Play sincerely, and let joy lead your craft.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Morning conversations deserve patience — even if you’re still half-asleep. Messenger Mercury conjoins the almighty Sun in your 3rd House of Chatter, encouraging steady pacing as you gather facts and decide what needs to be shared and when. You may run a team huddle at work, or discuss local construction with neighbors at home. If a delay appears, treat it like a checkpoint to avoid frustration. That’s your time to refine your messages and double-check the vital details. Diligence keeps everything moving without strain.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

When kindness meets imagination, conversations blossom. Everyday exchanges feel softer as romantic Venus kisses elusive Neptune in your 3rd House of Contact, which nudges you to speak from the heart. Just don’t get overwhelmed by any powerful emotions! It would be wise to reread any drafted messages before clicking send. In-person conversations shouldn’t be rushed, either. If someone misreads your tone, slow down, then summarize your intention and ask what they heard, so both sides feel safe. Empathy ought to be your guiding star.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Pisces, your presence shapes the room differently. Your identity is the center of the Sun and Mercury’s caring trine, allowing you to sparkle with all their cosmic power. You may introduce yourself to a neighbor or ask loved ones for aid on a project that supports your well-being. If you feel sensitive, slow the tempo, then choose a single priority and give it your attention. This generosity towards yourself could inspire others to give themselves the same courtesy. Happiness shared is happiness doubled!

By JENNIFER PELTZ

NEW YORK (AP) — A Pakistani business owner who tried to hire hit men to kill a U.S. politician was convicted Friday in a trial that showcased allegations of Iran-backed plotting on American soil.

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As the Iran war unfolded in the Mideast, Asif Merchant acknowledged in a U.S. court that he sought to put an assassination in motion during the 2024 presidential campaign — a plot that was quickly disrupted by American investigators before it had a chance to proceed.

A jury in Brooklyn convicted Merchant on terrorism and murder for hire charges.

The verdict after only a couple hours of deliberations followed a weeklong trial that included remarkable testimony from Merchant himself.

Merchant told the jury he was carrying out instructions from a contact in the Islamic Republic’s powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. According to Merchant, the handler never specified a target but broached names including then-candidate Donald Trump, then-President Joe Biden and Nikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador who was also in the race for a time.

The Iranian government has denied trying to kill U.S. officials.

The nascent plot fell apart after Merchant showed an acquaintance what he had in mind by using objects on a napkin to depict a shooting at a rally. He asked the man to help him hire assassins. Instead, he was introduced to undercover FBI agents who were secretly recording him, as had the acquaintance.

Merchant told the supposed hit men he needed services that could include killing “some political person” and paid them $5,000 in cash in a parked car in Manhattan.

“This man landed on American soil hoping to kill President Trump — instead, he was met with the might of American law enforcement,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement released after the conviction.

FILE – This image provided by the Justice Department, contained in the complaint supporting the arrest warrant, shows Asif Merchant. (Justice Department via AP, File)

Merchant’s attorney, Avraham Moskowitz, didn’t immediately reply to a message seeking comment.

Merchant, 47, worked for Pakistani banks for decades before going into clothing and other businesses. He has two families, in Pakistan and Iran, and he sometimes visited the U.S. for his garment business.

Merchant testified that he met a Revolutionary Guard intelligence operative about three years ago. The contact gave him countersurveillance training and assignments including the assassination scheme, Merchant said.

He maintained that he had to do his handler’s bidding to protect loved ones in Iran. The defendant said he reluctantly went through the motions but thought he’d be arrested and explain his situation to authorities before anyone was killed.

“I was going along with it,” he said, speaking in Urdu through a court interpreter.

Prosecutors emphasized that Merchant admitted taking steps to enact the plan on behalf of the Revolutionary Guard, which the U.S. considers a foreign terrorist organization, and he didn’t proactively go to authorities.

Instead, he was packing for a flight to Pakistan when he was arrested on July 12, 2024, a day before an unrelated attempt on Trump’s life in Butler, Pennsylvania. Officials said it appeared the Butler gunman acted alone but that they had been tracking a threat on Trump’s life from Iran, a claim that the Islamic Republic called “unsubstantiated and malicious.”

When Merchant subsequently spoke to FBI agents to explore the possibility of a cooperation agreement, he didn’t say he had acted out of fear for his family.

Prosecutors argued that he didn’t back up a defense of acting under duress. Merchant sought to persuade jurors he simply didn’t think the agents would believe him because they seemed to “think that I am some type of super-spy,” which he said he was “absolutely not.”

By JEFF AMY

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Republicans are pushing for more restrictions on local prosecutors, saying their investigation into Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis proves the moves are needed.

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Willis in August 2023 obtained an indictment against Trump and 18 others, accusing them of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to illegally try to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. That case was dismissed in November after courts barred Willis and her office from pursuing it because of an “appearance of impropriety” stemming from a romantic relationship she had with a prosecutor she had hired to lead the case.

Several of the state senators who backed a measure that passed the chamber on Friday are running for statewide office, with primaries set for May 19. The fate of legislation concerning local prosecutors is unclear in the House, which is less rawly partisan than the Senate, although still under GOP control.

The measure that passed the Senate adds more reasons that local prosecutors can be disciplined or removed by a commission created in 2024 to provide oversight to elected district attorneys in Georgia, as well as elected solicitors general who prosecute lower-level crimes in some counties.

The measure lets the commission discipline prosecutors for violating bar rules, for failing to notify crime victims of prosecutor actions, failing to comply with public records requests, or showing “undue bias or prejudice” against the person being prosecuted.

“There was quite a bit of evidence presented to us, and testimony about conduct of prosecutors and really the lack of public faith in the independence and the impartiality of the prosecuting attorneys in the state,” said state Sen. Bill Cowsert, an Athens Republican running for attorney general.

Cowsert denied the measure was targeted at Willis, but Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who has been endorsed by Trump in his run for governor, saw it differently.

“But Fani Willis’ lawfare of President Trump and his allies has highlighted why oversight by the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission is vital,” Jones said in a statement. “This bill gives the PAQC the ability to go after DAs who refuse to be transparent, who engage in unprofessional attorney conduct, and who don’t take seriously their duties to victims of crimes.”

Of 140 complaints filed with the commission in 2025, only three related complaints about the same solicitor general in a rural county, were not dismissed. Washington County Solicitor General Michael Howard resigned in July while under investigation, agreeing to never run for a prosecutor post again.

Earlier in the session, senators passed a bill to enhance the commission’s investigatory power. But it’s a relatively meager outcome for the investigation, including an appearance by Willis herself in Decemnber when she engaged in a combative back-and-forth with Republican Sen. Greg Dolezal, who is running for lieutenant governor.

A second measure Friday was defeated that would have made district attorneys and some other county officials be elected on a nonpartisan basis in five Democratic-dominated metro Atlanta counties. That would have included Willis, a Democrat. Sen. Ed Setzler, a Republican from Acworth, argued that nonpartisan officials would be more effective and efficient. But the measure failed after eight Republicans voted against it.

A third measure originally would have allowed Georgia’s attorney general to intervene in serious criminal cases without the district attorney’s consent, but Democrats supported the measure after Cowsert watered it down to allow district attorneys to request assistance.

The state Senate, created the Special Committee on Investigations in January 2024 to examine allegations of misconduct against Willis, an elected Democrat, with regard to her prosecution of Trump.

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO

NEW YORK (AP) — The parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus is closing more department stores as it focuses on its most profitable businesses and trims debt during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring.

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Saks Global Inc. said Friday it will close 12 more Saks Fifth Avenue stores and three more Neiman Marcus stores. The shuttered Saks stores include sites in Chevy, Chase, Maryland, Chicago and San Antonio, Texas. The stores will remain open until the end of May, a company spokesperson said.

The closures come on top of the eight Saks Fifth Avenue stores and one Neiman Marcus store it said it would close last month. The stores targeted for the first round of closing are expected to remain open until the end of April.

With plans to close a total of 24 department stores by spring, that would leave the parent company with 13 Saks Fifth Avenue stores — including its flagship store on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue — as well as 32 Neiman Marcus locations and Bergdorf Goodman in New York City.

Saks also said 500 brands have resumed shipping, releasing close to $1.3 billion in retail receipts. That accounts for more than 80% of the inventory the company expects to receive from February through April, with momentum expected to continue, the company said.

The parent company is also in talks or has reached repayment agreements with about 175 suppliers.

Saks Global has been shrinking its business since it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January. Last month, it said it will wind down 14 standalone Fifth Avenue Club personal styling suites, keeping three.

It also shuttered home goods retailer Horchow.com, a business that Neiman Marcus acquired in the late 1980s. As of Feb. 19, shoppers have been redirected to the home category on NeimanMarcus.com.

It’s also closing down all but 12 of its Saks Off Fifth locations The remaining outlets will serve primarily as a selling channel for residual inventory from Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

By MATTHEW PERRONE

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration’s embattled vaccine chief, Dr. Vinay Prasad, is once again leaving the agency — the second time in less than a year that he’s departed after controversial decisions involving the review of vaccinations and specialty drugs for rare diseases.

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FDA Commissioner Marty Makary announced the news to FDA staff in an email late Friday, saying Prasad would depart at the end of April. Makary said Prasad would return to his academic job at the University of California, San Francisco.

Prasad’s latest ouster follows a string of high-profile controversies involving the FDA’s review of vaccines, gene therapies and biotech drugs in which companies have criticized the agency for reversing itself, in some cases calling for new trials of products previously greenlighted by regulators.

In July, Prasad was briefly forced from his job after running afoul of biotech executives, patient groups and conservative allies of President Donald Trump. He was reinstated less than two weeks later with the backing of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Makary.

FILE – In this undated photo provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Vinay Prasad smiles for a portrait. (U.S. FDA via AP)

A longtime academic and critic of the FDA’s standards for drug reviews, Prasad has taken a seemingly contradictory approach to regulation since arriving at the FDA last May. On repeated occasions, Prasad has joined Makary in announcing steps to make FDA drug reviews faster and easier for companies. But he also has imposed new warnings and study requirements for some biotech drugs and vaccines, particularly COVID shots that have long been a target for Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist before joining the Trump administration.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Thursday night’s 126-110 victory over the Brooklyn Nets:

– With the Heat now past the quarter pole of their remaining games, coach Erik Spoelstra was asked pregame about the balance of getting his players on the court while also being mindful of not having nagging injuries linger.

– “We’re going for it,” Spoelstra said, as if reiterating his team’s every-game-matters mantra.

– He added, “I know at this time of year, everybody’s kind of dealing with something.”

– As is the case for the Heat at the moment, with Norman Powell (groin), Nikola Jovic (back) and Simone Fontecchio (groin) all out Thursday night.

– “We have some competitive, tough-minded guys in the locker room,” Spoelstra said of his players attempting to shorten timelines for absences. “We do want to be responsible. That was the case with Norm and Timo (Fontecchio).”

– So Spoelstra said a measured, proactive approach with rehab.

– “Hopefully, if you get to things early and you really attack it with the rehab, it can be shorter term,” he said of the two groin strains,

– But no, not necessarily monitoring minutes amid this stretch when every game matters for the Heat.

– “There’s going to be other cases that we just have to go for it and play bigger minutes for our main guys,” he said. “I’ve been starting to do that, anyway.”

– “It gives an opportunity for other guys to step up,” Spoelstra said of the current absences. “Hopefully, a seamless thing that won’t be long-term.”

– Spoelstra warned not to overstate 3-point shooters such as Powell and Fontecchio being out.

– “Our game isn’t solely built on the three-point ball,” he said. “We’re a paint-attacking team.”

– With Powell still out, the Heat for the third consecutive game opened with Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Pelle Larsson, Andrew Wiggins and Bam Adebayo.

– The Nets opened with Nolan Traore, Terance Mann, Michael Porter Jr. , Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton.

–Kel’el Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr. entered first off the Heat bench.

–Followed by Kasparas Jakucionis and then Dru Smith.

–With Smith returning to the rotation with Fontecchio out.

– In the wake of his team being blown out Tuesday by the Heat, Nets coach Jordi Fernandez was asked pregame what he would like to see differently Thursday.

– “I want to see more winning plays defensively,” he said. “Obviously our ball pressure has to be better.”

– Fernandez had high praise for the work assistant coach Juwan Howard, the former Heat player and assistant coach, has put in with the Nets’ big men.

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– “They have that voice right there that helps them every day,” Fernandez said of Howard. “But the most important thing, it holds them accountable and it challenges them every day.”

– The Nets again were without first-round pick Egor Demin.

– “He’s struggled with plantar fasciitis,” Fernandez said, “and the soreness has increased lately. So we’re being cautious and trying to figure out what’s the best way for him moving forward.”

– After these consecutive games against the Nets at Kaseya Center, the Heat have a pair of such consecutive games remaining against the same opponent, on March 25 and March 27 in Cleveland, and on April 7 and April 9 in Toronto.

– The game opened the 15th of the Heat’s NBA-high 17 back-to-back sets, with a Friday night game in Charlotte to follow.

The Heat go into Charlotte 10-4 on the second nights of such pairings, up 2-0 on the Hornets in the four-game season series that concludes March 17 in Charlotte.

MIAMI — On many other nights, the Miami Heat might have reached the point of peril.

Against the Brooklyn Nets, adversity merely proved to be an inconvenience Thursday night for Erik Spoelstra’s team.

So even with Bam Adebayo in foul trouble, with Norman Powell sidelined, and with an unexpected deficit in the third period, ultimately a 126-110 victory over the tanking Nets, the Heat’s sixth victory in their last eight games.

With Adebayo mostly a second-half spectator, the Heat got more than enough from replacement big man Kel’el Ware to make the fourth quarter largely ceremonial.

In backing up Tuesday’s home rout of the Nets, the Heat got 16 points, 11 rebounds, a career-high seven blocked shots and five steals from Ware, as well as 25 points from Tyler Herro, 21 from Adebayo and 18 from Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Ware’s effort had Spoelstra exiting with a smile on his face.

“He was jumping, getting off the ground. Head coach didn’t even have to tell him,” Spoelstra quipped.

“He was super active tonight.”

So up to 34-29 for Heat and down to 15-47 for the lottery-leaning Nets.

The competition now stiffens, with a Friday night road game against the sizzling Charlotte Hornets and then a Sunday home game against the East-leading Detroit Pistons.

Five Degrees of Heat from Thursday night’s game:

1. Game flow: Despite the Nets committing eight first-quarter turnovers, the Heat were limited to a 31-26 lead entering the second period. The Heat then pushed their lead to 14 in the second period, before the Nets closed within 60-56 at halftime.

The Heat then fell behind by four in the third period, before recovering to take a 95-83 lead into the fourth.

The Nets closed within nine early in the fourth, before the Heat pushed their lead into the 20s with 8:38 to play,  Spoelstra nonetheless reinserting Herro and Adebayo with 4:43 to play and the Heat up 118-103.

“We wanted to be able to get this, back-to-back set versus the same team,” Spoelstra said. “We haven’t been able to do that this year.”

2. Fast fouls: It was going quite well for Adebayo in the early stages of the third period, at that stage up to 19 points and seven rebounds.

But with 7:08 left in the third period, the Heat captain was called for his fourth foul, on a shot attempt by the Nets’ Noah Clowney, with Spoelstra opting to leave him in at the stage.

Then, on the very next possession, Adebayo was called for an offensive foul 12 seconds later, forcing him to the bench with his fifth foul.

He closed 7 of 15 from the field, 7 of 8 from the line.

“Everything’s not going to be perfect, and being able to trust one another and obviously get this win, it shows growth for this team,” Adebayo said.

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3. So then Herro: While the 3-point shot remained a work in progress, Herro stepped up with his offense when Adebayo went out.

Herro closed 9 of 16 from the field, 2 of 7 on 3-pointers, and 5 of 5 from the line, with five assists and four rebounds.

Herro has scored at least 22 points in each of the past three games.

“We just professionally came out and we all handled business,” Herro said. “I thought it was a great team effort, you know, on both sides of the floor.”

4. Still a couple: Spoelstra again made a point of getting to the Adebayo-Ware pairing early, with Adebayo checking out with 6:25 to play in the opening period, only to return 2:27 later to work alongside Ware.

“If something’s working right now,” Spoelstra said, “we’re going to lean into it.”

While Adebayo had 13 points in the first half, he also was forced to the bench with 1:46 left in the second period with his third foul.

For his part, Ware recorded five blocked shots in the first half, eclipsing by that point his previous season high of four.

He closed 7 of 9 from the field, the frequent recipient of alley-oop passes.

It was the first time a Heat player closed with at least 10 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks shots and five steals, the first time ever in the NBA by reserve.

“I feel like it was more of a vice-versa moment,” Ware said of the role reversal with Adebayo, “like last game when I was in foul trouble, he had to play most of the minutes. I feel like it’s just knowing you got to step up and provide that role of being the center out there.”

5. Smith back: With Simone Fontecchio out with a groin strain, Dru Smith was back in the Heat mix after being held out of two of the previous three games.

While Smith has fallen behind rookie first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis, the two this time play side-by-side when starting point guard Davion Mitchell went out.

Jakucionis closed with 11 points, with Smith scoring nine.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Jet Greaves made 26 saves, Mathieu Olivier scored twice and the Columbus Blue Jackets dealt another blow to Florida’s playoff hopes with a 4-2 victory over the Panthers on Thursday night.

Two-time defending champion Florida is in danger of becoming the first Cup-winning team to miss the playoffs the following season since Los Angeles in 2014-15. The Panthers have lost the first four games of a trip that ends Friday night in Detroit.

Defenseman Ivan Provorov had a goal and two assists and Boone Jenner also scored to help Columbus, fighting for a wild-card spot in the East, win its third straight. The Blue Jackets were coming off a back-to-back sweep, beating the Rangers 5-4 in overtime in New York on Monday night and Nashville on Tuesday night to open a four-game homestand.

Defenseman Niko Mikkola and Sam Bennett scored for Florida in a 5:36 span of the third period.

Gustav Forsling appeared to tie it with 2:55 to go, but Columbus successfully challenged for goaltender interference. Olivier then put it away with an empty-netter with 1:42 left.

Provorov scored on a power play at 5:08 of the first, firing in a wrist shot from the blue line. Olivier struck on a tip with 9:10 left in the second, and Jenner beat goalie Daniil Tarasov from close range at 1:41 of the third. Jenner returned after missing a game because of a lower-body injury.

Mikkola scored on a tip at 9:08 of the third, and Bennett pulled the Panthers within one on a power play with 5:16 left.

Tarasov stopped 23 shots.

A day ahead of the NHL trade deadline, the Panthers sent 38-year-old defenseman Jeff Petry to Minnesota for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2026.

Up next

Panthers: At Detroit on Friday night.

Blue Jackets: Host Utah on Saturday night.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhla

With demolition slated to begin in days and construction slated to start in six months, designers for Orlando’s long-sought memorial to the victims of the 2016 Pulse shooting revealed partial images for the first time Thursday at City Hall.

The renderings largely reflected the conceptual design crafted by an advisory board in 2024 — though with a few notable changes, including about half the original number of columns supporting a metallic, arcing shade structure.

Designers said that modification worked better for the size of the property and also allows more space for reflection and grieving at the column representing each victim.

“The spatial distance between that was no longer intimate, it felt cramped, it felt confined and it wasn’t a quality we wanted to press forward,” said Dan-Michael Trbovich, the project manager for the firm Borrelli and Partners. “It opened the space up and then provides seating … so you have this private area for individuals to come to their angel, to reflect and have that personal space and connection.”

The memorial is planned for the site of the former nightclub at 1912 S. Orange Avenue, where 49 people were killed and 53 were wounded in what was then the nation’s deadliest mass shooting.

The design includes a reflection pool with a rainbow ripple design in the center, alongside an “angel ellipse” curving shade structure featuring tributes to each victim. The north side of the site has a water wall that will also have each victim’s name, along with the quote “For all those who just wanted to dance” etched in English and Spanish.

The LGBTQ nightclub was hosting a Latin Night event the night of the shooting, and more than 90% of the victims were Hispanic.

• Jorge Borrelli speaks in front of a rendering during a meeting by the City of Orlando to provide an update on the design of the permanent Pulse memorial as the project has reached the 30 percent design benchmark. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Dan-Michael Trbovich speaks in front of a rendering during a meeting by the City of Orlando to provide an update on the design of the permanent Pulse memorial as the project has reached the 30 percent design benchmark. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Renderings released of the Pulse memorial at the 30% design update meeting on March 5, 2026. Pictured is the private gathering area. (City of Orlando)
• Renderings released of the Pulse memorial at the 30% design update meeting on March 5, 2026. Pictured is the Angel Ellipse. (City of Orlando)
• Renderings released of the Pulse memorial at the 30% design update meeting on March 5, 2026. (City of Orlando)
• Renderings released of the Pulse memorial at the 30% design update meeting on March 5, 2026. Pictured is the Survivor’s Wall and Survivor’s Common. (City of Orlando)
• Renderings released of the Pulse memorial at the 30% design update meeting on March 5, 2026. Pictured is the obelisk, fountain wall and reflecting pool at night. (City of Orlando)
• Renderings released of the Pulse memorial at the 30% design update meeting on March 5, 2026. Pictured is the obelisk, fountain wall and reflecting pool. (City of Orlando)
• Renderings released of the Pulse memorial at the 30% design update meeting on March 5, 2026. Pictured is the visitor pavilion. (City of Orlando)
• Renderings released of the Pulse memorial at the 30% design update meeting on March 5, 2026. Pictured is the visitor pavilion. (City of Orlando)
• Renderings released of the Pulse memorial at the 30% design update meeting on March 5, 2026. Pictured is the Prism Plaza. (City of Orlando)
• Jay Hood speaks in front of a projected rendering during a meeting by the City of Orlando to provide an update on the design of the permanent Pulse memorial as the project has reached the 30 percent design benchmark. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Donna Wyche speaks during a meeting by the City of Orlando to provide an update on the design of the permanent Pulse memorial as the project has reached the 30 percent design benchmark. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Attendees listen during a meeting by the City of Orlando to provide an update on the design of the permanent Pulse memorial as the project has reached the 30 percent design benchmark. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Jorge Borrelli speaks during a meeting by the City of Orlando to provide an update on the design of the permanent Pulse memorial as the project has reached the 30 percent design benchmark. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Jorge Borrelli walks among renderings during a meeting by the City of Orlando to provide an update on the design of the permanent Pulse memorial as the project has reached the 30 percent design benchmark. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)
• Christine Hanadan spoke out in strong opposition during a meeting by the City of Orlando to provide an update on the design of the permanent Pulse memorial as the project has reached the 30 percent design benchmark. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

Show Caption1 of 17Jorge Borrelli speaks in front of a rendering during a meeting by the City of Orlando to provide an update on the design of the permanent Pulse memorial as the project has reached the 30 percent design benchmark. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel) Expand

The memorial will also include a 3,500-square-foot visitor’s center, which will have items connected with the nightclub on display. Designers also pitched the idea of a “survivor’s tree” planted at the site – potentially an olive tree, which is both physically resilient and also has represented peace and unity throughout history.

“Honestly, I think they’ve done a really, really fair job,” said Nancy Rosado, who served on the committee and provided mental health services after the shooting. “This has been unfinished business for 10 years and this is finally moving that forward and helping people to move forward.”

But both of the people who spoke during public comment were critical of the design and the process that led to the drawing. Christine Hanavan contended the city ignored victims and families who disagreed with them and said elements reusing portions of the nightclub in the memorial were insensitive.

“I’m especially concerned with the wood floor and outside patio tiles on the so-called artifact list, and that you’re going to use the unpermitted dance floor as part of the reflecting pool. Dozens of people died on those floors, another person died on that patio,” she said. “All of this is absolutely abhorrent. It shows zero empathy and consideration for the survivors and victims.”

The memorial was delayed for years after the onePulse Foundation, originally tasked to create it, collapsed amid recriminations and excessive ambition that produced a plan for a $100 million memorial and museum it had no ability to fund. The demise of the foundation left a trail of broken trust throughout the region, particularly among survivors and families.

The city ultimately purchased the Pulse property last year for $2 million, as well as a neighboring property for $1 million.

Next Tuesday, crews are expected to begin dismantling the Pulse sign outside of the nightclub. On March 18, the demolition of the nightclub building is expected to begin ahead of the planned start of construction of the memorial in September.

Its planned completion date is September 2027.

By MATT O’BRIEN and KONSTANTIN TOROPIN

The Trump administration is following through with its threat to designate artificial intelligence company Anthropic as a supply chain risk in an unprecedented move that could force other government contractors to stop using the AI chatbot Claude.

The Pentagon said in a statement Thursday that it has “officially informed Anthropic leadership the company and its products are deemed a supply chain risk, effective immediately.”

The decision appeared to shut down the opportunity for further negotiation with Anthropic, nearly a week after President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused the company of endangering national security.

FILE – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stands outside the Pentagon during a welcome ceremony for the Japanese defense minister at the Pentagon in Washington, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File)

Trump and Hegseth announced a series of threatened punishments last Friday, on the eve of the Iran war, after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei refused to back down over concerns the company’s products could be used for mass surveillance of Americans or autonomous weapons.

The San Francisco-based company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. It has previously vowed to sue if the Pentagon pursued what the company described as a “legally unsound” action “never before publicly applied to an American company.”

The Pentagon didn’t reply to questions in time for publication.

Some military contractors were already cutting ties with Anthropic, a rising star in the tech industry that sells Claude to a variety of businesses and government agencies. Lockheed Martin said it will “follow the President’s and the Department of War’s direction” and look to other providers of large language models.

“We expect minimal impacts as Lockheed Martin is not dependent on any single LLM vendor for any portion of our work,” the company said. It’s not yet clear if the designation aims to block Anthropic’s use by all federal government contractors or just those that partner with the military.

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The Pentagon’s decision to apply a rule designed to address supply threats posed by foreign adversaries was quickly met with criticism from both opponents and some supporters of Trump’s Republican administration. Federal codes have defined supply chain risk as a “risk that an adversary may sabotage, maliciously introduce unwanted function, or otherwise subvert” a system in order to disrupt, degrade or spy on it.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Intelligence Committee, called it “a dangerous misuse of a tool meant to address adversary-controlled technology.”

“This reckless action is shortsighted, self-destructive, and a gift to our adversaries,” she said in a written statement Thursday.

Neil Chilson, a Republican former chief technologist for the Federal Trade Commission who now leads AI policy at the Abundance Institute, said the decision looks like “massive overreach that would hurt both the U.S. AI sector and the military’s ability to acquire the best technology for the U.S. warfighter.”

Earlier in the day, a group of former defense and national security officials sent a letter to U.S. lawmakers expressing “serious concern” about the designation.

“The use of this authority against a domestic American company is a profound departure from its intended purpose and sets a dangerous precedent,” said the letter from former officials and policy experts, including former CIA director Michael Hayden and retired Air Force, Army and Navy leaders.

They added that such a designation is meant to “protect the United States from infiltration by foreign adversaries — from companies beholden to Beijing or Moscow, not from American innovators operating transparently under the rule of law. Applying this tool to penalize a U.S. firm for declining to remove safeguards against mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons is a category error with consequences that extend far beyond this dispute.”

ARCHIVO – Dario Amodei, CEO y cofundador de Anthropic, asiste a la reunión anual del Foro Económico Mundial en Davos, Suiza, el 23 de enero de 2025. (AP Foto/Markus Schreiber, Archivo)

While losing its big partnerships with defense contractors, Anthropic experienced a surge of consumer downloads over the past week due to people siding with its moral stance. Anthropic has boasted of more than a million people signing up for Claude each day this week, lifting it past OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini as the top AI app in more than 20 countries in Apple’s app store.

The dispute with the Pentagon has also further deepened Anthropic’s bitter rivalry with OpenAI, which it announced a Friday deal with the Pentagon to effectively replace Anthropic with ChatGPT in classified environments.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman later said he’s saying he shouldn’t have rushed a deal that “looked opportunistic and sloppy.”

By JACK DURA

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Highway Patrol’s newest recruit has floppy ears, four legs and an amazing knack for finding people.

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Beau, a 12-week-old puppy, is joining a band of bloodhounds who are in demand for difficult cases across the upper Midwest.

They trail missing children, people with dementia and criminal suspects. The agency uses drones and aircraft to aid searches, but bloodhounds remain an age-old, low-tech solution.

“These dogs are just specifically bred to search for people,” said Trooper Steven Mayer, who handles Bleu, one of the dogs.

The nose knows

Bloodhounds are used from Maine to Florida to Texas to Arizona to California, said Danny Jones, executive director of the U.S. Police Canine Association. Drones and helicopters can work ahead of a dog, but the bloodhound is hard to beat.

“To actually get a direction and start moving in a direction, you’re going to need a dog on the ground to start that trail, and that’s the difference between the technology and actually having a dog such as a bloodhound on the ground,” Jones said.

Bloodhounds have about 300 million scent receptors in their nose, vastly more than humans and more than other dogs, Mayer said.

Their big, floppy ears and folds of skin help gather odor for the dog to trail people, sometimes after a week or more, he said. The dogs have scented from a wall someone touched, the dirt a person stumbled in and vomit on a car door.

North Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper Steven Mayer and Bleu, a bloodhound, stand for a photo, Feb. 11, 2026, near the state Capitol in Bismarck, N.D. (AP Photo/Jack Dura) Busy schedules

Highway Patrol began using bloodhounds about 14 years ago, moving away from dual-purpose dogs to singular-purpose drug dogs and trailing dogs. The state force receives about 70 calls a year for their services, including one to Montana last year to help find a man suspected in the killing of four people at an Anaconda bar.

Two pairs of handlers and dogs drove 10 hours to help. They got fairly close to the suspect, who was in the location where the dogs were indicating on, Mayer said. Other requests have come from South Dakota and Utah.

A North Dakota Highway Patrol bloodhound named Beau sits for a photo Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, outside the Highway Patrol office in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Jack Dura)

Beau was born in Texas but has since moved to North Dakota’s largest city of Fargo. His early training is mostly potty and kennel training and basic commands, as well as socializing him to different places, people and environments, said Trooper Dustin Pattengale, Beau’s handler. He won’t be ready for a full or certified trail until he is about 9 months old.

“The basic training is just introducing him to scent articles and then ramping up the training to where he goes further and further and encompasses different trails, different types of environment,” Pattengale said.

Bloodhounds are high-drive, loving and caring but can be stubborn, slobbery and naughty, and they’re not a dog for an apartment, Mayer said.

His partner, Bleu, is a big, friendly dog with one eye, having lost the other following an injury playing with another bloodhound. His trailing abilities are not hindered, Mayer said.

North Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper Steven Mayer watches as Bleu, a bloodhound, sniffs the air, Feb. 11, 2026, near the state Capitol in Bismarck, N.D. (AP Photo/Jack Dura)

Beau is a growing puppy, his long ears wet from dragging on the ground as he explored a blanket of snow, sniffing constantly. He likes his beef liver treats.

“He is a very energetic young pup. He’s pretty relaxed for the most part, most days, but he is eager. He likes to work. He likes to sniff,” Pattengale said.

New tool in Omaha

In addition to searches, North Dakota has helped agencies in other ways. Last year, Mayer went to Omaha, Nebraska, for a week to help the city police department train its first bloodhound, Willow.

Omaha used to call in the closest bloodhounds, from the Chicago area, for searches, Omaha Police Sgt. Scott Warner said. The value was clear and Willow arrived early last year.

He hopes Willow becomes an asset for the region. Omaha plans to have multiple dogs and handlers someday, he said.

Willow has trailed missing people, including an elderly man on Christmas Eve, through falling darkness, steep hills, mud and water.

Finding mentors for training is crucial, Warner said. Much of the bloodhound community is word-of-mouth, he said.

“I had no idea that North Dakota had a bloodhound program. There’s not a directory that I can look at that tells me where dogs are,” Warner said.

Handlers drop everything to go

Mayer and his wife have traveled the world to help train dogs, making trips to Hungary, Italy, South Africa and Wales, with plans later this year to go to Slovenia and Austria. They charge nothing.

Beau, a bloodhound puppy, licks the face of his handler, North Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper Dustin Pattengale, on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, outside the Highway Patrol office in Fargo, N.D. (AP Photo/Jack Dura)

Handlers are a special breed of people, Mayer said.

“They drop everything at the drop of a hat and they’ll leave their family, their friends, they’ll leave Easter dinner to go find a stranger that they’ve never met before,” he said.

North Dakota’s dogs are something of a social media sensation for the Highway Patrol. Beau’s name was picked in a Facebook vote. Recent videos depict him chewing a toy bear and another bloodhound, Lorace, gallivanting in new boots.

“Everybody loves a dog, I mean, especially these little babies, these floppy-eared ones,” said Mayer, who hopes the dogs’ visibility yields earlier calls for their assistance.

“The more word we can get out about the program and the faster we get calls on it, the easier we can get out and be available to help people,” he said.

By LAURA UNGAR

Last year, President Donald Trump told pregnant women not to take Tylenol as he promoted unproven ties between the fever reducer and autism and touted an old generic drug as a treatment for the developmental condition.

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For nearly three months after that, new research found, Tylenol orders for pregnant women showing up in emergency rooms dropped and prescriptions of the generic drug for children rose. This happened despite sharp criticism of the president’s message from doctor groups saying that the drug, leucovorin, shouldn’t be broadly used for autism and Tylenol is safe during pregnancy.

“It just shows that in our country right now, health care has been politicized in a way that political messages are driving and impacting care — and not always for good,” said Dr. Susan Sirota, a pediatrician in Highland Park, Illinois, who wasn’t involved with the research.

Doctors, who published their work Thursday in The Lancet, looked at changes in drug ordering or prescribing compared with projected trends, or what might have happened if things had continued on the same path as before the White House briefing.

They found that orders for Tylenol – also known by the generic names acetaminophen and paracetamol – were 10% lower than predicted for pregnant emergency department patients aged 15 to 44. And outpatient prescriptions of leucovorin for children aged 5 to 17 were 71% higher than expected during the same study period, late September to early December.

Researchers observed no similar shifts in comparable medications, suggesting the changes were directly tied to the briefing.

The research had limitations. For example, it didn’t capture all Tylenol use by pregnant women because most people buy the painkiller over the counter outside of a hospital setting.

Still, it reflected how an unconventional news conference by a political leader could change not just patient behavior but prescribing as well, said co-author Dr. Michael Barnett.

In past administrations, “there are lots of layers of approval and expert consensus” before officials make big announcements about medical topics, said Barnett, who is with Brown University School of Public Health.

Pregnant women generally take Tylenol for pain or fever. Untreated fevers in pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, increase the risk for miscarriages, preterm birth and other problems, according to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Some studies have raised the possibility that taking Tylenol in pregnancy might be associated with a risk of autism, but many others haven’t found a connection.

Leucovorin is a derivative of folic acid used for, among other things, reducing the toxic side effects of certain chemotherapy drugs and treating a rare blood disorder. It has also been studied for a neurological condition known as cerebral folate deficiency and for a subset of autistic children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The pediatrics group doesn’t recommend routine use of the drug for autistic children. Early, small-scale studies have explored its use, “and some findings suggest potential benefit in carefully selected cases,” the group said.

But evidence remains limited, the pediatrician group said. And in late January, the European Journal of Pediatrics retracted a study evaluating leucovorin as an autism treatment.

Still, after the federal announcement about the drug, Sirota said some families in her practice asked about getting it for their autistic children. She educated them about the evidence, told them about the potential for side effects and didn’t prescribe it. Potential side effects include irritability, nausea and vomiting and skin issues like dermatitis.

Sirota said it has been hard to deal with the repercussions of government pronouncements like the ones on autism.

“It feels like a pattern with our government, right? They keep building on these houses of cards that just fall down,” she said. “This politicizing of medicine just in general, and moving away from science, has been so challenging.”

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

General Daily Insight for March 06, 2026

Fresh courage stirs as the day begins. While romantic Venus waltzes into Aries at 5:45 am EST, we’re nudged to prioritize warmth, openness, and choices that honor our values. Once the tender Moon opposes sensitive Chiron, we can meet in the middle by naming tender spots calmly. That way, even if things are tense, we’ll be able to respect one another’s limits. As the night approaches, things should settle down. The universe is giving us space to integrate new desires without losing compassion for others.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

You set the tone with brave kindness. As desire-driven Venus lands in your sign, your sense of initiative gets a dose of Venusian charm, filling you with cosmic confidence. Even if you don’t feel that energy at the beginning of the day, you can “fake it till you make it” — act boldly to earn boldness! Go ahead and speak up in a group setting, propose plans that excite you, or introduce yourself to someone fascinating. Just remember to pace yourself to avoid burnout.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Yes, Taurus, you can hit the snooze button a few extra times today. That’s thanks to Venus slipping into your thoughtful 12th house, which is the perfect placement for you to indulge in quiet recharge and creature comforts. If you’re exhausted by life, you’re allowed to cancel plans — even fun ones — to restore your energy. Let some quiet music gently soothe your senses while worries drift away. Small retreats like this are like galactic gas stations, allowing you to refuel for future adventures.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Conversations can spur practical movements. As harmonizing Venus moves into your 11th House of Shared Dreams, friendly alliances flourish. Your quick questions can help teams coordinate projects without confusion. You might revive a group chat by proposing a shared calendar or regular meeting cadence, because both personal and professional projects can benefit from such structures. Be generous with praise for everyone’s efforts — you might just inspire the next great idea! The best way to invite collaboration is to keep the tone lighthearted.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Pride isn’t necessarily a bad thing at the moment. You’re allowed to be satisfied when you do good work, especially with Venus cantering into your 10th House of Respectability. Genuine courtesy strengthens your reputation across all spheres. You may polish a presentation and send a thank-you after an interview; personally, you could volunteer to spearhead a community project. If leadership duties feel heavy, though, you might need to ask a seasoned guide for feedback. Be willing to listen to criticism. You’ve got this!

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Ahoy, Leo — knowledge, dead ahead! As beauty-focused Venus sails into your 9th House of Expansion, your spirit craves knowledge of what’s around the riverbend. Focus on learning things that excite you to keep the process joyful. You could also look into alternative learning methods. For instance, if a textbook bores you, try watching a documentary! If a concept just doesn’t make sense, try explaining it out loud to a friend. Stretching your perspective builds a reliable path to an enlightened future.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Progress builds through careful, consistent choices. Venus is swanning into your intense 8th house, empowering you to speak about topics that require extra diplomacy, like inheritances or other financial situations that involve multiple people. Don’t let anyone stop you from asking questions, but do pay attention to the answers. You might suggest a budget review, because systems like that protect everyone’s shared interests. Some discussions may get a little heated, but sticking to the facts should cool them off before anyone gets burned.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

You find balance by naming your needs. This also benefits your closest bonds, as you’ll all be able to find happiness together. With connected Venus stepping into your 7th House of Companions, you’re being encouraged to ask kindly and listen closely. This is a time of giving and getting support, because practical care reduces friction. When disagreements arise, acknowledge everyone’s different points of view before jumping to defend your ideas. Share appreciation out loud when you notice something working well. Aim for grace!

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Today must be handled one thing at a time. You may not be particularly busy, but whatever you have to do will benefit from being your central focus. Even small acts of service are highlighted by Venus entering your devoted 6th house. Your concentrated effort is a great way to support the systems that help everyone contribute. You may offer a patient check-in to a stressed co-worker or do a chore that’s normally someone else’s responsibility. Quiet support builds steady trust over time.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Where will your curiosity lead your play? As pleasure-seeking Venus alights within your 5th House of Self-Expression, fun projects sparkle, and your spirited humor invites others to join a playful challenge. You might dust off an instrument and try a new melody — even if you can’t hit all the notes, what matters is that you had fun trying. Invite friends to share their recent creative ideas with you to revel in mutual inspiration. Do your best to keep the stakes low to encourage experimentation.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

You’re gaining ground through at-home effort. Sweet Venus begins blessing your foundation zone today, reminding you of all the thoughtful tweaks that could make your space feel calmer and more welcoming. You might reorganize a shelf that keeps snagging your attention or change your sheets — anything to refresh your space a bit. Set clear windows for work and rest at home, and protect them. A chat with family or roommates may be necessary to align home expectations. Protect domestic rhythms to nurture your soul.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

New ideas connect friends in surprisingly useful ways. As connection-building Venus activates your 3rd House of Communication, your inventive approach smooths discussions. People around you should respond well to honesty and appreciation. You’ll potentially be in charge of organizing shared documentation or contacting physically distant peers — either way, you’re bringing people together. Stay open to unusual solutions, and let warmth carry the message so it actually lands. Ask open questions, and reflect answers back to confirm understanding. Spartan statements move shared work forward.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

What would help your body feel safe now? Money-minded Venus acts as an anchor to your 2nd House of Materials, boosting your ability to ground yourself in practical choices. You’ll potentially be comparing prices at different grocery stores or online retailers — remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Respect yourself by choosing quality items over the cheapest possible options, then treat those purchases with care. Prioritize lasting value, and you’ll make steady progress toward stability.

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Thursday released additional Jeffrey Epstein files involving uncorroborated accusations made by a woman against President Donald Trump that the department said had been mistakenly withheld during an earlier review.

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The department said last week that it was working to determine if any records were improperly withheld after several news organizations reported that the massive tranche of records that had been made public didn’t include some files documenting a series of interviews conducted in 2019 with a woman who made an allegation against Trump.

The accuser was interviewed by the FBI four times as it sought to assess her account but a summary of only one of those interviews had been included in the publicly released files.

On Thursday, the department said those files had been “incorrectly coded as duplicative,” and therefore were inadvertently not published along with other investigative documents related to the disgraced financier, who killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019.

“As we have consistently done, if any member of the public reported concerns with information in the library, the Department would review, make any corrections, and republish online,” the department said in a post on X.

Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. The department noted in January that some of the documents contain “untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi listens as she testifies before a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

The new disclosures come as Attorney General Pam Bondi faces continued turmoil over the department’s handling of the files released under a law passed by Congress after months of public and political pressure. Five Republicans on the House Oversight Committee joined Democrats in voting Wednesday to subpoena Bondi, demanding that she answer questions under oath in a sign of mounting frustration among members of the president’s own party.

The Trump administration has faced constant political headaches since the rollout of the files began in December, with critics accusing the department of hiding certain documents or over-redacting files, or in some cases, not redacting enough. In some cases, the department inadvertently released nude photos showing the faces of potential victims as well as names, email addresses and other identifying information that was either unredacted or not fully obscured.

Department officials have defended their handling of the files, saying they took pains to release the files as quickly as possible under the law while also protecting victims. Department officials have said errors were inevitable given the volume of the materials, the number of lawyers viewing the files and the speed at which the department had to release them. The department has said it’s entitled to withhold records that exposed potential abuse victims, were duplicates or protected by legal privileges, or related to an ongoing criminal investigation.

Some of the new records published Thursday pertained to a woman who contacted the FBI shortly after Epstein’s 2019 arrest and claimed that a man named “Jeff” living in Hilton Head, South Carolina, had raped her there in the 1980s when she was around 13 years old. The woman told the agents she didn’t know the man’s identity at the time, but decades later concluded he was Jeffrey Epstein when a friend texted her his photo from a news story.

In a follow-up interview a month later, the woman added a host of other claims, including that Epstein had schemed to have her mother sent to prison, beaten her, arranged sexual encounters with other men and once flew her to either New Jersey or New York, where she claimed to have bitten Donald Trump after he tried to sexually assault her.

Agents spoke with the woman two more times, at one point asking her to provide more detail on her supposed interactions with Trump, but reported that she declined to answer additional questions and broke off contact. There’s no indication that Epstein ever lived in South Carolina and it was unclear whether Trump and Epstein knew each other during the time period involved.

The woman’s report was one of a number of uncorroborated, sometimes fantastical, reports that federal agents received from members of the public alleging misconduct by Trump and other famous people in the months and years after Epstein’s arrest.

By REGINA GARCIA CANO and MEGAN JANETSKY, Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The United States and Venezuela agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations in a major shift in a historically adversarial relationship, the State Department said on Thursday.

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The move comes after rounds of Trump administration officials have visited the South American nation following a U.S. military operation that deposed former President Nicolás Maduro in January. Since then, the Trump administration has been stepping up pressure on Maduro loyalists now in power to accept its vision for the oil-rich nation.

Relations between the two countries were cut off in 2019, during the first Trump administration, in a decision by Maduro. They closed their embassies mutually after U.S. President Donald Trump gave public support to Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Juan Guaidó, who claimed to be the nation’s interim president in January that year. That prompted U.S. diplomatic staff to move to neighboring Colombia.

The State Department in a statement on Thursday said that talks between the countries were “focused on helping the Venezuelan people move forward through a phased process that creates the conditions for a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government.”

The announcement was made at the end of a two-day visit by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to Venezuela. The visit largely focused on the country’s mining sector. It followed a February visit by Energy Secretary Chris Wright that centered on Venezuela’s oil potential. Both secretaries are aiming to shore up foreign investment to advance the administration’s phased plan to turn around the crisis-wracked nation.

A demonstrator holds a Venezuelan flag during a student-led march calling for the release of people whose relatives and human rights groups consider political prisoners on National Youth Day in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, formerly Maduro’s vice president, said on state televisions that such steps “will strengthen relations between our two countries.”

Rodríguez’s government in a statement later expressed confidence that reestablishing diplomatic relations “will contribute to strengthening understanding and opening opportunities for a positive and mutually beneficial relationship.”

“These relations ought to result in the social and economic happiness of the Venezuelan people,” she said.

Since the unprecedented U.S. offensive in Venezuela, the Trump administration has pushed the government to make sweeping changes, including opening its oil sector to foreign companies. Rodríguez’s government also approved an amnesty law that has enabled the release of politicians, activists, lawyers and many others, effectively acknowledging that the government has held hundreds of people in prison for political motivations.

Trump stunned Venezuelans in and outside their home country with his decision to work with Rodríguez, instead of the political opposition, following Maduro’s ouster. On Sunday, Venezuela’s top opposition leader and winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize María Corina Machado said that she will return to Venezuela in the coming weeks and that elections will be held in Venezuela.

Such seismic shifts would have been unthinkable just months before in the South American nation. Venezuela’s main political current, known as Chavismo, has been able to dodge curve balls thrown at it for years, from U.S. sanctions to spiraling economic crisis.

Janetsky reported from Mexico City.