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Today is Tuesday, Aug. 26, the 238th day of 2025. There are 127 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Aug. 26, 1985, 13-year-old AIDS patient Ryan White began “attending” classes at Western Middle School in Kokomo, Indiana via a telephone hook-up at his home, as school officials had barred White from attending classes in person due to his illness.

Also on this date:

In 1939, the first televised major league baseball games were broadcast on experimental station W2XBS: a doubleheader between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. The Reds won the first game, 5-2, and the Dodgers the second, 6-1.

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In 1944, French Gen. Charles de Gaulle braved the threat of German snipers as he led a victory march in Paris, which had just been liberated by the Allies from Nazi occupation.

In 1958, Alaskans went to the polls to overwhelmingly vote in favor of statehood.

In 1968, the Democratic National Convention opened in Chicago; the four-day event that resulted in the nomination of Hubert H. Humphrey for president was marked by a bloody police crackdown on antiwar protesters in the streets.

In 1972, the summer Olympics opened in Munich, West Germany.

In 1978, Cardinal Albino Luciani (al-BEE’-noh loo-CHYAH’-nee) of Venice was elected pope following the death of Paul VI. The new pontiff, who took the name Pope John Paul I, died just over a month later.

In 1980, the FBI inadvertently detonated a bomb planted at Harvey’s Resort Hotel in Stateline, Nevada, while attempting to disarm it. (The hotel had been evacuated and no injuries were reported but the blast caused significant damage.)

In 2009, kidnapping victim Jaycee Dugard was discovered alive in California after being missing for more than 18 years.

In 2022, an affidavit released by the FBI showed that 14 of the 15 boxes recovered from former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate contained classified documents, many of them top secret, mixed in with miscellaneous newspapers, magazines and personal correspondence.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is 80.
• R&B singer Valerie Simpson (Ashford & Simpson) is 79.
• Broadcast journalist Bill Whitaker is 74.
• Puzzle creator/editor Will Shortz is 73.
• Jazz musician Branford Marsalis is 65.
• Actor-singer Shirley Manson (Garbage) is 59.
• Actor Melissa McCarthy is 55.
• Latin pop singer Thalia is 54.
• Actor Macaulay Culkin is 45.
• Actor Chris Pine is 45.
• Comedian/actor/writer John Mulaney is 43.
• Country musician Brian Kelley (Florida Georgia Line) is 40.
• NBA guard James Harden is 36.
• Actor Dylan O’Brien is 34. Actor Keke Palmer is 32.

MIAMI — Edward Cabrera struck out 10 in seven scoreless innings, and the Miami Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 2-1 on Monday night.

Troy Johnston hit an RBI double and Máximo Acosta homered for the Marlins, who matched their win total from last year with their 62nd victory.

Cabrera (7-7) allowed one hit and walked two. The right-hander lost his previous two starts, yielding nine earned runs and 18 hits in 9 2/3 innings.

Rookie Drake Baldwin hit his 14th homer for Atlanta with two down in the ninth. But Calvin Faucher earned his 12th save when Ozzie Albies grounded out to third.

Miami jumped in front in the fifth against Spencer Strider (5-12). Otto López drew a leadoff walk and stole second before Johnston hit a drive that bounced off the warning track in right-center field.

Strider surrendered three hits in seven innings. He struck out three and walked two.

Acosta went deep in the eighth against Pierce Johnson, sending a 404-foot drive to center for his third homer.

Miami’s Tyler Zuber got two outs in the eighth before Jurickson Profar doubled. Josh Simpson relieved and hit Matt Olson but retired Ronald Acuña Jr. to end the threat.

Key moment

With one out in the sixth, Cabrera walked Profar, who then stole second. But Cabrera struck out Olson and retired Acuña on a forceout.

Key stat

Strider picked up his 600th career strikeout when he fanned Acosta to lead off the sixth.

Up next

Right-hander Hurston Waldrep (4-0, 0.73 ERA) will start for the Braves on Tuesday against Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (7-11, 6.04 ERA).

By CHRIS RUGABER and WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday night that he’s firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, an unprecedented move that would constitute a sharp escalation in his battle to exert greater control over what has long been considered an institution independent from day-to-day politics.

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Trump said in a letter posted on his Truth Social platform that he is removing Cook effective immediately because of allegations that she committed mortgage fraud. Bill Pulte, a Trump appointee to the agency that regulates mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, made the accusations last week.

Cook said Monday night that she would not step down. “President Trump purported to fire me ‘for cause’ when no cause exists under the law, and he has no authority to do so,” she said in an emailed statement. “I will not resign.”

Pulte alleged that Cook had claimed two primary residences — in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Atlanta — in 2021 to get better mortgage terms. Mortgage rates are often higher on second homes or those purchased to rent.

Trump’s move is likely to touch off an extensive legal battle that will probably go to the Supreme Court and could disrupt financial markets, potentially pushing interest rates higher. Stock futures declined slightly late Monday, as did the dollar against other major currencies.

If Trump succeeds in removing Cook from the board, it could erode the Fed’s political independence, which is considered critical to its ability to fight inflation because it enables it to take unpopular steps like raising interest rates. If bond investors start to lose faith that the Fed will be able to control inflation, they will demand higher rates to own bonds, pushing up borrowing costs for mortgages, car loans and business loans.

Cook has retained Abbe Lowell, a prominent Washington attorney. Lowell said Trump’s “reflex to bully is flawed and his demands lack any proper process, basis or legal authority,” adding, “We will take whatever actions are needed to prevent his attempted illegal action.”

Cook was appointed to the Fed’s board by then-President Joe Biden in 2022 and is the first Black woman to serve as a governor. She was a Marshall Scholar and received degrees from Oxford University and Spelman College, and she has taught at Michigan State University and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Her nomination was opposed by most Senate Republicans, and she was approved on a 50-50 vote with the tie broken by then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Questions about ‘for cause’ firing

The law allows a president to fire a Fed governor “for cause,” which typically means for some kind of wrongdoing or dereliction of duty. The president cannot fire a governor simply because of differences over interest rate policy.

Establishing a for-cause removal typically requires some type of proceeding that would allow Cook to answer the charges and present evidence, legal experts say, which hasn’t happened in this case.

“This is a procedurally invalid removal under the statute,” said Lev Menand, a law professor at Columbia law school and author of “The Fed Unbound,” a book about the Fed’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Menand also said for-cause firings are typically related to misconduct while in office, rather than based on private misconduct from before an official’s appointment.

“This is not someone convicted of a crime,” Menand said. “This is not someone who is not carrying out their duties.”

Fed governors vote on the central bank’s interest rate decisions and on issues of financial regulation. While they are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, they are not like cabinet secretaries, who serve at the pleasure of the president. They serve 14-year terms that are staggered in an effort to insulate the Fed from political influence.

No presidential precedent

While some presidents have pushed out Fed chairs before, no president has sought to fire a Fed governor. In recent decades, presidents of both parties have largely respected Fed independence, though Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson put heavy pressure on the Fed during their presidencies — mostly behind closed doors. Still, that behind-the-scenes pressure to keep interest rates low, the same goal sought by Trump, has widely been blamed for touching off rampant inflation in the late 1960s and ’70s.

President Harry Truman pushed Thomas McCabe to step down from his position as Fed chair in 1951, though that occurred behind the scenes.

The Supreme Court signaled in a recent decision that Fed officials have greater legal protections from firing than other independent agencies, but it’s not clear if that extends to this case.

Menand noted that the Court’s conservative majority has taken a very expansive view of presidential power, saying, “We’re in uncharted waters in a sense that it’s very difficult to predict that if Lisa Cook goes to court what will happen.”

Sarah Binder, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said the president’s use of the “for cause” provision is likely an effort to mask his true intent. “It seems like a fig leaf to get what we wants, which is muscling someone on the board to lower rates,” she said.

FILE – Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Lisa Cook, right, talks with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell before an open meeting of the Board of Governors at the Federal Reserve, June 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) A fight over interest rates

Trump has said he would only appoint Fed officials who would support lower borrowing costs. He recently named Stephen Miran, a top White House economic adviser, to replace another governor, Adriana Kugler, who stepped down about five months before her term officially ended Aug. 1.

Trump appointed two governors in his first term, Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, so replacing Cook would give Trump appointees a 4-3 majority on the Fed’s board.

“The American people must have the full confidence in the honesty of the members entrusted with setting policy and overseeing the Federal Reserve,” Trump wrote in a letter addressed to Cook, a copy of which he posted online. “In light of your deceitful and potentially criminal conduct in a financial matter, they cannot and I do not have such confidence in your integrity.”

Trump argued that firing Cook was constitutional. “I have determined that faithfully enacting the law requires your immediate removal from office,” the president wrote.

Cook will have to fight the legal battle herself, as the injured party, rather than the Fed.

Trump’s announcement drew swift rebuke from advocates and former Fed officials.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., called Trump’s attempt to fire Cook illegal, “the latest example of a desperate President searching for a scapegoat to cover for his own failure to lower costs for Americans. It’s an authoritarian power grab that blatantly violates the Federal Reserve Act, and must be overturned in court.”

Trump has repeatedly attacked the Fed’s chair, Jerome Powell, for not cutting its short-term interest rate, and even threatened to fire him.

Forcing Cook off the Fed’s governing board would provide Trump an opportunity to appoint a loyalist. Trump has said he would only appoint officials who would support cutting rates.

Powell signaled last week that the Fed may cut rates soon even as inflation risks remain moderate. Meanwhile, Trump will be able to replace Powell in May 2026, when Powell’s term expires. However, 12 members of the Fed’s interest-rate setting committee have a vote on whether to raise or lower interest rates, so even replacing the chair might not guarantee that Fed policy will shift the way Trump wants.

Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein contributed.

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and WILL WEISSERT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday night that he’s firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, an unprecedented move that would constitute a sharp escalation in his battle to exert greater control over what has long been considered an institution independent from day-to-day politics.

Trump said in a letter posted on his Truth Social platform that he is removing Cook effective immediately because of allegations that she committed mortgage fraud. Bill Pulte, a Trump appointee to the agency that regulates mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, made the accusations last week.

Pulte alleged that Cook had claimed two primary residences — in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Atlanta — in 2021 to get better mortgage terms. Mortgage rates are often higher on second homes or those purchased to rent.

Trump’s move is likely to touch off an extensive legal battle that will probably go to the Supreme Court and could disrupt financial markets, potentially pushing interest rates higher. Stock futures declined slightly late Monday, as did the dollar against other major currencies.

The independence of the Fed is considered critical to its ability to fight inflation because it enables it to take unpopular steps like raising interest rates. If bond investors start to lose faith that the Fed will be able to control inflation, they will demand higher rates to own bonds, pushing up borrowing costs for mortgages, car loans and business loans.

Cook was appointed to the Fed’s board by then-President Joe Biden in 2022 and is the first Black woman to serve as a governor. She was a Marshall Scholar and received degrees from Oxford University and Spelman College, and she has taught at Michigan State University and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Her nomination was opposed by most Senate Republicans, and she was approved on a 50-50 vote with the tie broken by then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Questions about ‘for cause’ firing

The law allows a president to fire a Fed governor “for cause,” which typically means for some kind of wrongdoing or dereliction of duty. The president cannot fire a governor simply because of differences over interest rate policy.

Establishing a for-cause removal typically requires some type of proceeding that would allow Cook to answer the charges and present evidence, legal experts say, which hasn’t happened in this case.

“This is a procedurally invalid removal under the statute,” said Lev Menand, a law professor at Columbia law school and author of “The Fed Unbound,” a book about the Fed’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Menand also said for-cause firings are typically related to misconduct while in office, rather than based on private misconduct from before an official’s appointment.

“This is not someone convicted of a crime,” Menand said. “This is not someone who is not carrying out their duties.”

Fed governors vote on the central bank’s interest rate decisions and on issues of financial regulation. While they are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, they are not like cabinet secretaries, who serve at the pleasure of the president. They serve 14-year terms that are staggered in an effort to insulate the Fed from political influence.

No presidential precedent

While some presidents have pushed out Fed chairs before, no president has sought to fire a Fed governor. In recent decades, presidents of both parties have largely respected Fed independence, though Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson put heavy pressure on the Fed during their presidencies — mostly behind closed doors. Still, that behind-the-scenes pressure to keep interest rates low, the same goal sought by Trump, has widely been blamed for touching off rampant inflation in the late 1960s and ’70s.

President Harry Truman pushed Thomas McCabe to step down from his position as Fed chair in 1951, though that occurred behind the scenes.

Trump’s letter came days after Cook said she wouldn’t leave despite the president’s call for her to resign. “I have no intention of being bullied to step down from my position because of some questions raised in a tweet,” Cook said.

The Supreme Court signaled in a recent decision that the chair of the Fed is largely protected from removal by the president, but it’s unclear if that would apply to a governor.

Menand noted that the Court’s conservative majority has taken a very expansive view of presidential power, saying, “We’re in uncharted waters in a sense that it’s very difficult to predict that if Lisa Cook goes to court what will happen.”

Sarah Binder, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said the president’s use of the “for cause” provision is likely an effort to mask his true intent. “It seems like a fig leaf to get what we wants, which is muscling someone on the board to lower rates,” she said.

A fight over interest rates

Trump has said he would only appoint Fed officials who would support lower borrowing costs. He recently named Stephen Miran, a top White House economic adviser, to replace another governor, Adriana Kugler, who stepped down about five months before her term officially ended Aug. 1.

Trump appointed two governors in his first term, Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, so replacing Cook would give Trump appointees a 4-3 majority on the Fed’s board.

“The American people must have the full confidence in the honesty of the members entrusted with setting policy and overseeing the Federal Reserve,” Trump wrote in a letter addressed to Cook, a copy of which he posted online. “In light of your deceitful and potentially criminal conduct in a financial matter, they cannot and I do not have such confidence in your integrity.”

Trump argued that firing Cook was constitutional. “I have determined that faithfully enacting the law requires your immediate removal from office,” the president wrote.

Among the unresolved legal questions are if Cook could be allowed to remain in her seat while the case plays out. She may have to fight the legal battle herself, as the injured party, rather than the Fed.

In the meantime, Trump’s announcement drew swift rebuke from advocates and former Fed officials.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., called Trump’s attempt to fire Cook illegal, “the latest example of a desperate President searching for a scapegoat to cover for his own failure to lower costs for Americans. It’s an authoritarian power grab that blatantly violates the Federal Reserve Act, and must be overturned in court.”

Trump has repeatedly attacked the Fed’s chair, Jerome Powell, for not cutting its short-term interest rate, and even threatened to fire him.

Forcing Cook off the Fed’s governing board would provide Trump an opportunity to appoint a loyalist. Trump has said he would only appoint officials who would support cutting rates.

Powell signaled last week that the Fed may cut rates soon even as inflation risks remain moderate. Meanwhile, Trump will be able to replace Powell in May 2026, when Powell’s term expires. However, 12 members of the Fed’s interest-rate setting committee have a vote on whether to raise or lower interest rates, so even replacing the chair might not guarantee that Fed policy will shift the way Trump wants.

__

Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein contributed.

General Daily Insight for August 26, 2025

Our creativity and idealism are supercharged at the moment. Artistic Venus sextiles innovative Uranus, guiding us to see where we can try something new. When Venus goes on to trine dreamy Neptune at 6:18 pm EDT, we may feel as though we’ve totally transcended this world. That said, it’s possible to go too far. As the appeasing Libra Moon struggles with expansive Jupiter, saying no to anything might be hard, but it’s sometimes necessary to ensure we have the energy for our top priorities!

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Getting the people around you excited about some grand idea is now possible. In the process of appealing Venus in your 5th House of Self-Expression collaborating with shocking Uranus in your communication sector, you might really enjoy being the center of attention. Who will be held responsible if whatever course of action you’re proposing doesn’t go well, though? Perhaps you’re not as eager to fill that role! Sometimes a story is better off staying just a story — consider that option out loud.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Knowing what you want at home today can give you the resolve to make it happen. While abundant Venus in your domestic sector aligns with brilliant Uranus in your finance zone, a creative approach to money could definitely work in your favor. You’ll also have to thoughtfully dialogue with your fantasies. Releasing a particular idea that doesn’t seem to be workable might allow you to get most of the rest of what you want. When you find a good deal, feel free to accept it!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Finding a nice way to let your social network know what’s up with you could be necessary. You’ve potentially been going through some changes that are a little rough! While harmonious Venus in your communication zone connects with fuzzy Neptune in your 11th House of Community, your best bet might involve being vague about any especially messy details. You won’t be able to control what people assume from there, but they’re probably less imaginative than you think — the basics should satisfy their curiosity!

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Going for an exceptionally big goal is an option at this time. As fortunate Venus in your money sector synchronizes with fantastical Neptune in your ambitious 10th house, you may have more resources than you think to throw toward this endeavor. At some point, getting the support of the larger world might be necessary, but you probably aren’t there yet — that’s okay. For now, focus on making your vision as clear as possible. If you build it, your audience should eventually come.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Looking good can serve you well today. As attractive Venus in your sign aligns with shape-shifting Neptune in your exotic 9th house, you might be able to nudge your appearance in a different direction, such as making yourself look more like some person or group you hold in high esteem. The way your peers react to this change may surprise you. It’ll potentially jolt you out of a stubborn relationship rut — even if you don’t stick with your new style forever!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Secrecy and mystery might presently make a particular activity especially appealing to you. If you can get beyond the drama of the moment, though, you may find that your pursuit is showing you a budding long-term goal. You don’t have to go public with this inspiration right away. While peaceful Venus in your 12th House of Contemplation supports intuitive Neptune in your mysterious 8th house, let things unfold at their natural pace. You’ll know what to do when the time is right.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Meeting people who share your intellectual interests can be invigorating at present. Still, as friendly Venus in your social 11th house engages with hazy Neptune in your partnership zone, you might not see each other in the most realistic way. It’s important to remember that your new companions probably have more going on in their lives than the passion that brings you together. You’re allowed to enjoy their company, but don’t take it too hard if they turn out to be complex human beings!

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

You may currently be frustrated with the chaos of a group effort you’re involved in. However, the outside world might not see any of the turbulence. As far as your audience is concerned, you probably appear to be part of something good! Could knowing that you’re making a positive difference change how you feel about the situation? Your comfort in each moment matters, but sometimes an important outcome is worth a bit of sacrifice. Weigh all the pros and cons accordingly.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Studying a new subject could be more rewarding than usual. You’re better off if you don’t go into your inquiry with specific expectations for what you’ll get out of it. Just letting things play out will potentially bring you a better outcome than anything you would have planned. As helpful Venus in your 9th House of Higher Education collaborates with unpredictable Uranus in your relationship sector, maybe you’ll meet someone more informed who can serve as a guide. Stay open to their expertise!

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Sharing something vulnerable may be a relief today. You’re likely to find a supportive audience. Although you’re potentially most concerned about the emotional side of the issue, it might be important for your confidant to know how your news will affect any practical matters they have to handle with you. As caring Venus in your collaboration zone reassures clever Uranus in your 6th House of Responsibilities, those tasks could actually become easier. At least you’ll have that to look forward to!

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Building a significant relationship could currently require you to open up about your past. As engaging Venus in your 7th House of Partnerships looks to vague Neptune in your communication realm, the facts and figures probably aren’t the most important part of the story of some formative event in your life. What your companion really needs to know is how the incident changed you. Even though many others have potentially had similar experiences, your way of finding meaning in whatever happened is your own!

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Accurately seeing the financial side of a project you’re now involved in could be difficult. While sensual Venus in your 6th House of Daily Routines conspires with impractical Neptune in your money realm, perhaps what looks attractive or feels comfortable has taken precedence over what’s most cost-effective. Configuring your priorities in that way isn’t necessarily wrong, but you should make an effort to stay aware of it if you’ve done so. No matter how you ultimately decide to proceed, you have options!

By WILL WEISSERT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday marked the fourth anniversary of the suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members during the chaotic withdrawal at the end of the Afghanistan War by signing a proclamation honoring the fallen.

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Surrounded by about 35 family members of those killed, including one wearing a “Make America Great Again” cap, Trump used the somber occasion to decry his predecessor, Democratic President Joe Biden, for allowing the attack to happen.

Tuesday is the anniversary of the bombing that also killed more than 100 Afghans at Abbey Gate outside the Kabul airport on Aug. 26, 2021. Trump called it “one of the dumbest days in the history of our country by the previous administration.”

“That was a terrible day,” Trump said. “And I think it was the worst day, and in many ways the most embarrassing day, in the history of our country.”

Biden’s White House was following a withdrawal commitment and timeline that the Trump administration had negotiated with the Taliban in 2020. A 2022 review by a government-appointed special investigator concluded decisions made by both Trump and Biden were the key factors leading to the rapid collapse of Afghanistan’s military and the Taliban takeover.

Trump made the suicide bombing and Biden’s handling of it a frequent topic as he campaigned for president. The relatives of some of the U.S. service members killed also appeared on stage at the Republican National Convention in July 2024.

On the third anniversary of the attack, Trump was invited by family members of some suicide bombing victims to Arlington National Cemetery’s Section 60, a hallowed section where U.S. forces killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are buried.

That became a flashpoint after a staffer from Trump’s campaign reportedly shoved a cemetery employee who was trying to prevent the photographing of a ceremony honoring the service members killed in the Afghanistan War withdrawal. Federal law prohibits campaign or election-related activities within Army national military cemeteries.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, speaks alongside family members of soldiers killed in Afghanistan at the attack at Abbey Gate, during an event where President Donald Trump signs a proclamation honoring the fourth anniversary of the attack, in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

In a statement marking the third anniversary of the attack, Biden called the 13 Americans who died “patriots in the highest sense” who “embodied the very best of who we are as a nation: brave, committed, selfless.”

“Ever since I became Vice President, I carried a card with me every day that listed the exact number of American service members who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan — including Taylor, Johanny, Nicole, Hunter, Daegan, Humberto, David, Jared, Rylee, Dylan, Kareem, Maxton, and Ryan,” Biden said in a statement in August 2024.

Also on hand for Monday’s proclamation signing were Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, who told victims’ relatives that Trump’s action was “a rectification of a wrong” because Biden “lost your loved ones through incompetence” and his government “never actually put pen to paper to say we’re grateful for your sacrifice.”

Trump has ordered a new Defense Department review of what occurred during the withdrawal of U.S. forces, and Hegseth said he expected that to be complete by the middle of next year.

“The military needs to answer for what happened in Afghanistan,” Hegseth said.

By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Adm. Daryl Caudle took over as the Navy’s highest-ranking officer Monday, ending a six-month vacancy created by the Trump administration’s firing of his predecessor.

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Caudle became chief of naval operations as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ousted a growing list of military leaders with little or no explanation. Remarks at a swearing-in ceremony at Washington Navy Yard offered several nods to the admiral being in close alignment with the Trump administration leaders above him.

In February, Hegseth fired Caudle’s predecessor, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, without explanation. Neither Caudle nor Navy Secretary John Phelan addressed the ouster at the ceremony Monday, though Franchetti was among several former chiefs of naval operations in attendance.

Franchetti had been the second woman ever to be promoted to four-star admiral and is among several female military leaders fired by the Trump administration. She was ousted the same day as Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Phelan, the Navy’s civilian leader, described the sea service as rife with issues like “decaying shipyards, inadequate maintenance, enormous cost overruns (and) delayed delivery and repair rates” and unspecified traditions that were stifling innovation.

“Admiral Caudle, together we must rebuild, reform and refocus on what matters — readiness, accountability and results — in order to execute President Trump’s mandate of peace through strength,” Phelan said.

Caudle was unequivocal in his agreement with the often-repeated Trump administration phrase, saying, “Peace through strength works.”

The admiral, who until the promotion was commanding U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said he wanted to be “judged by the results we achieved.”

Specifically, he cited the number of ships delivered and repaired on time, the number of ships that are fully manned, and ordinance production as meeting the Navy’s demands.

Phelan said Caudle’s success “is inextricably linked to my success as secretary of the Navy and vice versa.”

By PATRICK WHITTLE

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A network of clinics in Maine will not resume getting Medicaid funds to treat thousands of low-income patients during its lawsuit over Trump administration cuts to abortion providers, a judge ruled Monday.

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The decision against Maine Family Planning came despite a ruling last month by another federal judge, who said Planned Parenthood clinics around the country must continue to be reimbursed for Medicaid funding as the provider wrangles with the Trump administration over efforts to defund it. That legal fight continues.

Without Medicaid, the much smaller provider in Maine says it will have to stop serving hundreds of primary care patients by the end of October. The organization says abortions are a relatively small percentage of its overall services, which include cervical cancer screenings, contraception and primary care to low-income residents in one of the poorest and most rural states in the Northeast.

President Donald Trump’s policy and tax bill, known as the “ big beautiful bill,” blocked Medicaid money from flowing to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider. The parameters in the bill also stopped funding from reaching Maine Family Planning, and it is the only other organization that has come forward publicly to say its funding is at risk.

Maine Family Planning says Medicaid dollars are not used for its abortion services, and it’s unfair to cut off funding for the clinics “solely because Congress wanted to defund Planned Parenthood,” an attorney for the organization told the judge earlier this month.

However, Judge Lance Walker said in his ruling Monday that the payments will not resume during the ongoing lawsuit by the provider seeking to restore the funds. He wrote that Congress can “withhold federal funds and otherwise disassociate from conduct that is not enshrined” as a constitutional right.

Walker, a 2018 Trump appointee, also wrote that it would be “a special kind of judicial hubris” to undermine the big bill, which he described as the end result of democratic processes.

The network of 18 clinics said in a statement Monday that Walker’s ruling will destabilize the state’s entire health infrastructure by potentially turning low-income patients away from their doctors. The group said about 8,000 people receive family planning and primary care from its clinics.

“Mainers’ health should never be jeopardized by political decisions, and we will continue to fight for them,” said George Hill, president and chief executive officer of Maine Family Planning.

When asked if the organization is considering appealing the decision, the group issued a statement that said the network is “considering all options to ensure that Maine’s Medicaid patients can continue to receive the health care they need and deserve.”

Attorneys representing the Trump administration did not immediately comment. Emily Hall, an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, told the judge in court earlier this month that Congress has a right not to contract with abortion providers.

“The rational basis is not simply to reduce the number of abortions, it’s to ensure the federal government is not paying out money to organizations that provide abortions,” Hall said.

While advocates of cutting Medicaid for abortion providers focused on Planned Parenthood, the bill did not mention it by name. Instead, it cut off reimbursements for organizations that are primarily engaged in family planning services — which generally include items such as contraception, abortion and pregnancy tests — and received more than $800,000 from Medicaid in 2023.

The U.S. Senate’s parliamentarian rejected a 2017 effort to defund Planned Parenthood because it was written to exclude all other providers by barring payments only to groups that received more than $350 million a year in Medicaid funds. Maine Family Planning asserts in its legal challenge that the threshold was lowered to $800,000 this time around to make sure Planned Parenthood would not be the only entity affected.

By DEE-ANN DURBIN

Cracker Barrel is sticking with its new logo but apologizing to fans who were angered when the change was announced last week.

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“If the last few days have shown us anything, it’s how deeply people care about Cracker Barrel. We’re truly grateful for your heartfelt voices,” the company said Monday in a statement on its website. “You’ve also shown us that we could have done a better job sharing who we are and who we’ll always be.”

Cracker Barrel took heat last week when it announced a simplified logo featuring only the chain’s name. Gone was the picture of an older man in overalls leaning against a barrel. The words “Old Country Store” were also removed.

The change was part of a wider rebrand, which has seen Cracker Barrel update its cluttered, antique-filled restaurants with lighter paint and modern furniture.

FILE – The Cracker Barrel Old Country Store logo in Pearl, Miss., is photographed, Sept. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Many on social media, including Donald Trump Jr., criticized the new logo, with some threatening to boycott unless it was changed back. Sensing an opening, the rival chain Steak n’ Shake called the new logo “a cheap effort to gain the approval of trend seekers.”

“Heritage is what got Cracker Barrel this far, and now the CEO wants to just scrape it all away,” Steak n’ Shake said in a statement on X.

Cracker Barrel shares have dropped more than 10% since the new logo was introduced on Aug. 18.

On Monday, the Lebanon, Tennessee-based company emphasized that many things about Cracker Barrel won’t change, including the rocking chairs on its front porches and vintage Americana and antiques scattered throughout its restaurants.

Cracker Barrel also said it will continue to honor Uncle Herschel — the older man in the former logo, who represents the uncle of Cracker Barrel’s founder — on its menu and on items sold in its stores.

The new Cracker Barrel logo is displayed on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Wyatte Grantham-Philips)

But Cracker Barrel said it also wants to make sure that the business stays fresh and attracts a new generation of customers.

“That means showing up on new platforms and in new ways, but always with our heritage at the heart,” the company said in a statement.

The company said it will also keep testing, learning and listening to its employees and customers.

Cracker Barrel shares fell less than 1% to close at $54.26 per share Monday.

By DASHA LITVINOVA and HILLEL ITALIE

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Monday condemned Woody Allen for speaking virtually at a Russian film festival over the weekend, calling his participation in the event “a disgrace and an insult” to the victims of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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According to Russian media, Allen spoke Sunday at the Moscow International Film Week via video conference. The appearance put him at odds with the Hollywood establishment, which has embraced the Ukraine cause during Russia’s 3 1/2-year war, with prominent actors signing on to the United24 crowdfunding initiative and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy making virtual appearances at past Golden Globes and Grammys ceremonies.

Footage aired by Russian state TV showed the filmmaker addressing a tightly packed movie theater from a massive screen, with pro-Kremlin film director Fyodor Bondarchuk moderating the session. Russian media reports quoted Allen as saying that he has always liked Russian cinema, recounting his past trips to Russia and the Soviet Union, and talking about what he would do if he were to receive a proposal to direct a movie in the country.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry in an online statement on Monday said that it “strongly condemns” Allen’s participation in the festival, which “brings together supporters and mouthpieces of Putin.” The ministry called it “a disgrace and an insult to the victims among Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who have been killed or wounded by Russian war criminals,” adding that Allen “is deliberately turning a blind eye to the atrocities that Russia has been committing in Ukraine.”

In a statement to The Associated Press on Monday, Allen criticized Putin and denounced the invasion but called for cultural exchange to continue.

“When it comes to the conflict in Ukraine, I believe strongly that Vladimir Putin is totally in the wrong. The war he has caused is appalling,” Allen said. “But, whatever politicians have done, I don’t feel cutting off artistic conversations is ever a good way to help.”

The website of the festival, which runs through Wednesday, billed Allen as one of its headliners, along with Serbian film director Emir Kusturica and American actor Mark Dacascos. Moscow International Film Week is a relatively new festival, first held in the Russian capital in August 2024. It is separate from the decades-old Moscow International Film Festival, which in 2022 was stripped of its International Federation of Film Producers Associations accreditation following the invasion of Ukraine.

Kusturica has been open about his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, including after the invasion. He received an award from Putin and attended a military parade in Moscow earlier this year.

Allen has long had an affinity for Russian literature and history. His 1975 comedy “Love and Death” spoofs the fiction of Tolstoy and other 19th century Russian novelists. The title of his 1989 release, “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” echoes Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” and also broods over the themes of wrongdoing, justice and guilt.

In the 1972 essay, “A Brief Guide to Civil Disobedience,” Allen jokes about the Russian Revolution, writing that the serfs rebelled when they “finally realized that the Czar and the Tsar were the same person.”

Associated Press journalist Illia Novikov contributed to this report from Kyiv.

General Daily Insight for August 25, 2025

Finding balance is something we can presently handle. The impressionable Moon passes into levelheaded Libra, encouraging us to read the room and reflect before we act. Pleasure planet Venus then enters flamboyant Leo at 12:27 pm EDT, bringing our passions close to the surface. However, Venus goes on to trine disciplined Saturn, keeping any party from getting too wild. We shouldn’t have to choose between feeling good and making progress toward our goals — it’s possible to have some of both under current conditions!

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Showing the world your serious face could seem necessary at present. However, that’s not all there is to you! As sensual Venus enters your playful 5th house, you probably like to have fun too! It’s normal for different people in your life to bring out different sides of you, but try to avoid blaming anyone else for “making” you goof off. The desire is definitely yours, so you might as well accept that you can work hard and also play hard.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

You may currently face the prospect of spending time alone under circumstances you didn’t choose. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean you’re required to be miserable every minute of this situation. As artistic Venus slips into your domestic sector, you have an opportunity to throw yourself into adding beauty to your home environment. When you make your personal space as comfortable and attractive as possible, you’re less likely to feel trapped in it. This sort of effort isn’t frivolous — it’s very good for you!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Expressing appreciation for the friends you count on could be especially rewarding for everyone involved at this time. With graceful Venus gliding into your 3rd House of Communication, you’re in an ideal position to put warm sentiments into words. Take any opportunity to let your companions know in no uncertain terms that they’ve made a positive impact on your life. Whether or not anyone reciprocates with a similar comment about you, you can’t go wrong putting positivity like this into the world!

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Your disciplined approach to achieving a goal may be about to pay off. As money planet Venus powers into your 2nd House of Resources, you might see at least a preliminary financial reward that lets you know you’re on the right track. This should assuage any anxieties about the wisdom of your course of action. If you notice other emotions coming up once that basic concern is addressed, be sure to hear them out — they can guide your next steps.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Finding your place in the world could seem challenging at the moment. Maybe you’re not the most well-traveled or highly educated person in your social milieu — and maybe that’s not a bad thing! If you’re secure in who you are and what you know, that confidence is probably appealing to others than you imagine (especially with attractive Venus sashaying into your sign). Just make an effort to be aware of any genuine limits to your expertise, and don’t try to hide them.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

There’s potentially something you must keep to yourself regarding a current relationship of yours. As enticing Venus enters your 12th House of Secrets, perhaps a little privacy makes whatever you’re doing more enjoyable. That said, it’s worth your time to get clear on whether you’re living in line with your values. Thoughtful discernment concerning what you reveal to the world is fine, but hiding because you feel bad about your activities may be a sign that you need to correct your course.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Meeting new people could go well for you now. As novelty-seeking Venus in your 11th House of Community aligns with stable Saturn in your relationship zone, someone you’ve known for a long time may introduce you to others in their network. Instead of trying to figure out what these individuals want to hear so you can tell them that, go for a candid and genuine approach. If you end up not aligning with each other, it’s better to know sooner than later!

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

The hard work you’ve been putting in could be recognized at this time. As favorable Venus ascends to your 10th House of Reputation, receiving positive attention from others might motivate you to keep going with tasks that are often tedious or frustrating in the moment. Remember that what you think about the whole situation matters too. Try to identify any parts of your duties that you secretly enjoy. The spotlight won’t always be on you, so you must have your own reasons to continue.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Identifying what would make you feel good might be a challenge today. Perhaps you’re simply in a serious and somber mood. With fortunate Venus sneaking into your 9th House of Higher Learning, a subject you start reading up on could eventually capture your interest, even if it doesn’t seem that compelling initially. Maybe you’ll have to apply extra intellectual effort to understand the basic idea. Don’t push too hard for a quick connection — let genuine enjoyment sneak up on you over time.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

An insecurity developed in your formative years may now come up for review. While healing Venus in your intimacy zone supports anxious Saturn in your 4th House of Roots, opening up to someone currently in your life about this fear might provide the perspective you need. Times have potentially changed since a distressing or intense event that shaped you took place. Whoever was in charge at that point probably isn’t running things today — take the opportunity to chart your own course!

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Allowing a conversation to unfold at its own pace could be crucial today. As amiable Venus in your relationship sector engages with shy Saturn in your 3rd House of Communication, you might worry that you’re not saying enough to keep things moving. Trying to plan the whole discussion out in advance probably won’t bring you the best possible results, though. Your companion may be coming from a totally different perspective — give them a chance to share their point of view.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Seeing what you’re capable of doing all by yourself may surprise you today. While helpful Venus in your practical 6th house collaborates with nervous Saturn in your finance zone, your initial motivation for sharpening your skills instead of hiring a professional might be a desire to save money. Once you throw yourself into your task, though, the greater benefit could be having the opportunity to make the result look just the way you want it (and have fun in the process). Trust your instincts!

Mario Chalmers collected another championship moment and made former Miami Heat teammate Michael Beasley a champion in the process in sparking Miami 305 to the Big3 championship Sunday in Orlando.

Off an assist from Beasley, Chalmers drained the game-winning 3-pointer to decide the 52-48 victory over the Chicago Triplets in the title game of the halfcourt three-on-three league.

For Chalmers, a member of the Heat’s championship teams in 2012 and ’13 alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, it gave him a championship on five different levels.

Heat legend Mario Chalmers clutches up for Miami 305

A  Florida Department of Transportation crew early Sunday painted the Pulse crosswalk back to black and white for a second time as supporters continued to try to restore the rainbow-colored crossing. Now, police agencies are monitoring the site.

Spectrum News 13, the Orlando Sentinel’s news partner, reported that the DOT repainted the crosswalk on Esther Street at South Orange Avenue after colored paint was used on the crossing on Saturday. Previously, supporters had been using chalk to draw back the rainbow colors, but rain washed that away.

A squad of Florida Highway Patrol and Orlando Police Department officers surveilled the dozen people who were using chalk on the rainbow crosswalk on Sunday. Advocates said it was an intimidation tactic.

Last week saw hundreds gather to repaint the rainbow crosswalk in chalk after state transportation officials removed it in the middle of the night without warning. The crosswalk was part of the state’s most significant sites for the LGBTQ community after the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting that killed 49. Despite pointed rhetoric about “political” rainbow crosswalks from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as a state ban on rainbow lights on bridges earlier this year, the Florida Department of Transportation said it was purely procedural.

Demonstrators began around 9 a.m. Sunday, through sprinkles of rain that washed away the chalk, to color the crosswalk and cover the sidewalk in drawings and phrases like “FHP go away”. By Sunday afternoon roughly four FHP trooper vehicles and three OPD cars were parked at the Dunkin Donuts next to the crosswalk. OPD told the group they could not impede traffic or they would risk arrest. Despite the threat, the group continued to use chalk on the crosswalk while FHP and OPD vehicles drove in and out keeping watch.

“It’s silly,” said State Rep. Anna Eskamani, who was at the crosswalk in support. “The amount of money and time being spent by the state on a crosswalk when there’s so many better uses for it to fix potholes for example.”

Eskamani said she wasn’t intimidated and argued the state was making it political. She has received dozens of boxes of chalk in the mail from around the world in support and people on vacation from other states have stopped by to help, she said.

“You’re creating controversy over a sidewalk,” Eskamani said. “No one cared about it before you made it a deal.”

For 34-year-old Robby Dodd this was personal. Dodd lost many friends during the 2016 shooting at Pulse. On Sunday he was at the site around 9 a.m. with a $25 box of 160 rainbow colored chalk from Amazon. He said FHP and OPD’s presence is “ridiculous”.

“It feels weird because there could be anything else they could be doing right now other than watching us color,” Dodd said. “I mean it’s chalk, it’ll wash away and we understand that too but meanwhile taxpayer dollars are putting state troopers and OPD out here.”

Dodd said he will keep coming back to repaint the crosswalk for the memory of his friends.

“This was kind of our second home in a way,” Dodd said “There’s no reason to take that crosswalk away, it was part of the memorial, other than political reasons.”

Orlando isn’t the only target in the state. On Friday the state ordered Fort Lauderdale to remove the section of a street near the beach painted in the colors of the LGBTQ+ progress pride flag, a location near what is widely known as the unofficial LGBTQ+ section of Fort Lauderdale beach.

Eskamani said the community will fight back and she hopes local leaders and local businesses will too.

“I want to see our local governments fight back,” Eskamani said. “I think that there’s plenty of opportunities to challenge some of these actions coming out of the state in court.”

By JONATHAN J. COOPER, LEAH ASKARINAM and KONSTANTIN TOROPIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Some National Guard units patrolling the nation’s capital at the direction of President Donald Trump have started carrying firearms, an escalation of his military deployment that makes good on a directive issued late last week by his defense secretary.

A Defense Department official who was not authorized to speak publicly said some units on certain missions would be armed — some with handguns and others with rifles. The spokesperson said that all units with firearms have been trained and are operating under strict rules for use of force.

An Associated Press photographer on Sunday saw members of the South Carolina National Guard outside Union Station with holstered handguns.

A statement from the joint task force that has taken over policing in the nation’s capital said units began carrying their service weapons on Sunday and that the military’s rules say force should be used “only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm.” It said the force is committed to protecting “the safety and wellbeing” of Washington’s residents.

The defense official who spoke to The Associated Press said only troops on certain missions would carry guns, and that would include those patrolling to establish a law enforcement presence throughout the capital. Those working in transportation or administration would likely remain unarmed.

Thousands of National Guard and federal law enforcement officers are now patrolling the district’s streets, drawing sporadic protests from local residents.

The development in Trump’s extraordinary effort to override the law enforcement authority of state and local governments comes as he is considering expanding the deployments to other Democratic-led cities, including Baltimore, Chicago and New York.

Earlier Sunday, the president responded to an offer by Maryland’s governor to join him in a tour of Baltimore by saying he might instead “send in the ‘troops.’”

Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, has criticized Trump’s unprecedented flex of federal power aimed at combatting crime and homelessness in Washington. Moore last week invited Trump to visit his state to discuss public safety and walk the streets.

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said Moore asked “in a rather nasty and provocative tone,” and then raised the specter of repeating the National Guard deployment he made in Los Angeles over the objections of California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom.

“Wes Moore’s record on Crime is a very bad one, unless he fudges his figures on crime like many of the other ‘Blue States’ are doing,” Trump wrote, as he cited a pejorative nickname he uses frequently for the California governor. “But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the ‘troops,’ which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime.”

Moore said he invited Trump to Maryland “because he seems to enjoy living in this blissful ignorance” about improving crime rates in Baltimore. After a spike during the pandemic that matched nationwide trends, Baltimore’s violent crime rate has fallen. The 200 homicides reported last year were down 24% from the prior year and 42% since 2021, according to city data. Between 2023 and 2024, overall violent crime was down nearly 8% and property crimes down 20%.

“The president is spending all of his time talking about me,” Moore said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “I’m spending my time talking about the people I serve.”

Trump is “spouting off a bunch of lies about public safety in Maryland,” Moore said in a fundraising email.

In Washington, where Trump has surged National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officers, a patchwork of protests popped up throughout the city over the weekend, while some normally bustling corners were noticeably quiet. In some of the most populated areas, residents walked by small groups of national guardsmen, often talking among themselves. Videos of arrests and detainments circulated on social media.

Trump has said Chicago and New York are most likely his next targets, eliciting strong pushback from Democratic leaders in both states. The Washington Post reported Saturday that the Pentagon has spent weeks preparing for an operation in Chicago that would include National Guard troops and potentially active-duty forces.

Asked about the Post report, the White House pointed to Trump’s earlier comments discussing his desire to expand his use of military forces to target local crime.

“I think Chicago will be our next,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday, adding, “And then we’ll help with New York.”

Trump has repeatedly described some of the nation’s largest cities — run by Democrats, with Black mayors and majority-minority populations — as dangerous and filthy. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is Black, as is Moore. The District of Columbia and New York also have Black mayors.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, speaking during a religious event Sunday at Howard University in Washington, said the Guard’s presence in the nation’s capital was not about crime: “This is about profiling us.”

“This is laced with bigotry and racism,” he later elaborated to reporters. “Not one white mayor has been designated. And I think this is a civil rights issue, a race issue, and an issue of D.C. statehood.”

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, said there is no emergency warranting the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago.

“Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he’s causing families,” Pritzker wrote on X. “We’ll continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect Illinoisans.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city doesn’t need “a military occupation” and would sue to block one. He said there has been no communication from the White House about a possible military deployment.

“We’re not going to surrender our humanity to this tyrant,” Johnson said Sunday on MSNBC. “I can tell you this, the city of Chicago has a long history of standing up against tyranny, resisting those who wish to undermine the interests of working people.”

___

Cooper reported from Phoenix.

MIAMI GARDENS — Training camp and preseason games are finished for the Miami Dolphins. The next key date is Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline to cut the roster from 90 players to 53 players. And then comes the Sept. 7 season opener at Indianapolis.

Between the time training camp opened on July 22 and now, we learned a lot about this team, which has an over/under win total of 8.5 according to many Las Vegas oddsmakers.

There were injuries, good performances, bad performances, uneven performances, challenges to the Dolphins’ toughness and philosophy.

Here’s a wrap up of what we learned about the Dolphins during training camp.

Top performers of camp: Left tackle Patrick Paul might have been training camp’s Most Outstanding Player, meaning the best performer, as opposed to Most Valuable Player, meaning, for this purpose, the most key/needed performer. Among other top performers were inside linebacker Willie Gay Jr., wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, edge rushers Chop Robinson and Derrick McLendon, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receiver Malik Washington and center Aaron Brewer.

Defensive front seven are monsters: Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has done such a good job with the front seven that they could be a top five crew in the league. They’re playmakers against the run and pass. They make life easier for the offense and the secondary, and it’s tough to say which is the biggest benefactor.

The top players on the front seven are tackles Zach Sieler, Benito Jones and Kenneth Grant, the rookie first-round pick, edge rushers Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Chop Robinson, and inside linebackers Gay, Jordyn Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, and K.J. Britt.

These guys are difference-makers. General manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel also get credit here.

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Coaching/front office are in question: McDaniel and Grier enter their fourth season as a duo with a frustrated but optimistic fanbase. The biggest changes to the roster — Grier famously said they’d “invest” in the offensive line and McDaniel said backup quarterback Zach Wilson was a “direct, calculated target” — are still leaving fans wanting. 

The starting offensive line of center Brewer, left guard Jonah Savaiianea, right guard James Daniels, left tackle Paul and right tackle Austin Jackson seems solid. The backup offensive line is talent deficient.

The backup quarterback position is about the same as the backup offensive line from the standpoint that the starter, Tagovailoa, is good, but the reserves, Wilson and No. 3 Quinn Ewers are, well, less than good.

These were the pet projects of Grier and McDaniel in the offseason. The reserves at offensive line and backup quarterback, keys to the Dolphins’ mediocre performances of the past few years, might not be significantly improved.

Dolphins Deep Dive: Breaking down Miami’s victory in final preseason game

New strategy/philosophy will take time: The Dolphins are flipping their roster as they go from “win now,” which featured a reliance on numerous 30-somethings, to trying to win with youth and draftees, which features a reliance on younger players. This won’t be a one-year fix, which brings into question whether Grier and McDaniel, who have a two-year regular season record of 28-23 (.549), and an 0-2 playoff record, can survive the turnaround.

Special teams are better: Special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman, in his first season with the Dolphins, tightened up this unit to the point where they were noticeably improved during training camp. It doesn’t matter whether it was kickoff, kickoff return, punt, punt return, field goals or extra points, these guys were on the job. 

Injuries remain a major concern: This hits both starters and reserves. Training camp saw injuries eliminate or slow key players such as slot/nickel cornerback Kader Kohou (knee), wide receiver Tyreek Hill (right wrist surgery and oblique), right tackle Jackson (left foot/leg), running back De’Von Achane (calf), backup center-guard Liam Eichenberg (leg), backup center Andrew Meyer (unknown) and a few others.   

Aggression/toughness are better but not good: The Dolphins, who relied on speed and finesse in previous years, are a tougher team but no one would consider them a tough team, if that makes sense. This is a process. The Dolphins are taking steps toward having tougher, more aggressive players and playing a tougher, more aggressive style. But such as it is with flipping the roster to younger players, this isn’t a one-year fix. More is needed.

Dolphins Deep Dive: Cutdown-day surprises? | VIDEO

How the Dolphins will win: Most likely the Dolphins will again rely on a high-scoring offense led by a deep passing game that’s fueled by the trio of Tagovailoa, Hill and Waddle. The defensive front seven should play a larger role in winning than in past seasons under McDaniel.

Cornerback is the No. 1 weakness of the team however, and it could cause them to lose games. It’s unclear whether the Dolphins will have a physical run game.

At this point it appears speed and finesse will again be the dominant traits of this team although perhaps not as much as in previous years of the McDaniel era.

By HILLEL ITALIE

NEW YORK (AP) — A posthumous and “unsparing” memoir by one of Jeffrey Epstein’s most prominent accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, will be published this fall, publishing house Alfred A. Knopf said Sunday.

“Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice” is scheduled for release Oct. 21, the publisher confirmed to The Associated Press. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at age 41, had been working on “Nobody’s Girl” with author-journalist Amy Wallace and had completed the manuscript for the 400-page book, according to Knopf. The publisher’s statement includes an email from Giuffre to Wallace a few weeks before her death, saying that it was her “heartfelt wish” the memoir be released “regardless” of her circumstances.

“The content of this book is crucial, as it aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allow the trafficking of vulnerable individuals across borders,” the email reads. “It is imperative that the truth is understood and that the issues surrounding this topic are addressed, both for the sake of justice and awareness.”

Giuffre had been hospitalized following a serious accident March 24, Knopf said, and sent the email April 1. She died April 25.

“In the event of my passing, I would like to ensure that NOBODY’S GIRL is still released. I believe it has the potential to impact many lives and foster necessary discussions about these grave injustices,” she wrote to Wallace.

In 2023, the New York Post had reported that Giuffre had reached a deal “believed to be worth millions” with an undisclosed publisher. Knopf spokesperson Todd Doughty said that she initially agreed to a seven-figure contract with Penguin Press, but moved with acquiring editor Emily Cunningham after Knopf hired Cunningham as executive editor last year.

Giuffre had stated often that, in the early 2000s, when she was a teenager, she was caught up in Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring and exploited by Britain’s Prince Andrew and other influential men. Epstein was found dead in a New York City jail cell in 2019 in what investigators described as a suicide. His former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted in late 2021 on sex trafficking and other charges.

Andrew had denied Giuffre’s allegations. In 2022, Giuffre and Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement after she had sued him for sexual assault. A representative for Andrew did not immediately return the AP’s request for comment.

“Nobody’s Girl” is distinct from Giuffre’s unpublished memoir, “The Billionaire’s Playboy Club,” referenced in previous court filings and initially unsealed in 2019. Through Doughty, Wallace says she began working with Giuffre on a new memoir in spring 2021.

Giuffre’s name has continued to appear in headlines, even after her death. In July, President Donald Trump told reporters that Epstein had “stolen” Giuffre from Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Florida where she once worked. She had alleged being approached by Maxwell and hired as a masseuse for Epstein. Maxwell has denied Giuffre’s allegations.

Doughty declined to provide details about the Epstein associates featured in “Nobody’s Girl,” but confirmed that Giuffre made “no allegations of abuse against Trump,” who continues to face questions about Epstein, the disgraced financier and his former friend.

Knopf’s statement says the book contains “intimate, disturbing, and heartbreaking new details about her time with Epstein, Maxwell and their many well-known friends, including Prince Andrew, about whom she speaks publicly for the first time since their out-of-court settlement in 2022.” Knopf Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Jordan Pavlin, in a statement, called “Nobody’s Girl” a “raw and shocking” journey and “the story of a fierce spirit struggling to break free.”

Giuffre’s time with Epstein is well documented, although her accounts have been challenged. She had acknowledged getting details wrong, errors she attributed to trying to recall events from years ago. In 2022, she dropped allegations against Alan Dershowitz, saying in a statement at the time that she may “have made a mistake in identifying” the famed attorney as an abuser.

“’Nobody’s Girl’ was both vigorously fact-checked and legally vetted,” a Knopf statement reads.

Giuffre’s co-author on her memoir, Wallace, is an award-winning magazine and newspaper reporter whose work has appeared in The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, among other publications. She has also collaborated on two previous books, Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull’s “Creativity, Inc.” and former General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt’s “Hot Seat.”

A Rottweiler bit and “mauled” a 2-year-old girl in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday night, city fire rescue officials said.

Fire Rescue officials responded to the 1700 block of SW 24th Street about 8:15 p.m., spokesperson Frank Guzman told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Two people brought the child to rescue personnel. She had sustained “numerous injuries” from the dog attack, according to a press statement.

The toddler was rushed to the trauma center at Broward Health Medical Center, where her current condition is unknown, Guzman said.

Animal Care investigators say the girl’s bite injuries were so severe that the dog “required confiscation” by the shelter, meaning the owner must give up total ownership of the dog, likely for euthanasia, the spokesperson said. The owner turned over the Rottweiler for that investigation but “did not wish to surrender the dog,” the spokesperson added.

The Pam Rock Act, which passed the Florida Legislature’s 2025 session and took effect July 1, mandates euthanasia for dogs that kill humans or cause severe injuries. Dog owners can file an appeal to stop the euthanasia while the investigation is ongoing.

Phillip Valys can be reached at pvalys@sunsentinel.com or X/Twitter @philvalys

MIAMI GARDENS — One of the many things Ollie Gordon II learned during his first NFL preseason came in the immediate aftermath of Saturday night’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Miami Dolphins rookie had spent weeks digesting what rookies must every year, from the game’s accelerated speed to the increased physicality to …

“Picking up blitzers,” the sixth-round running back said.

He stepped up nicely to twice block Jacksonville blitzers in Miami’s final preseason game and allowed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to complete passes.

“That’s something I focused on,” he said.

But the learning never stops for a rookie as he realized coming off the field and walking down the Hard Rock Stadium tunnel with teammates celebrating the night’s win. He turned left down a hallway and …

“Hey,” a few teammates called.

Gordon turned.

“We go this way,” he was told, the teammates pointing to another hallway.

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Everything is new for these rookies. That’s the annual part. It’s also the hopeful part this August for a rookie class being heavily counted on.

The class dressed together behind a concrete pillar tucked in the back corner of the Dolphins locker room Saturday night, two to a locker in the annual statement of their time and place. Not that they cared.

“Just happy to be here,” seventh-round rookie defensive tackle Zeek Biggers said.

If you’re a Dolphins fan desperate for some hopeful news against a swirling backdrop of nagging questions about this season, here it is:

They’re going with the kids.

That’s become obvious as summer progressed. As many as four rookies could start in the opener depending on final decisions. Seven will be counted on to contribute with roles on opening day, either due to their summer development or this roster’s desperation. Maybe both.

Dolphins Deep Dive: Breaking down Miami’s victory in final preseason game

So, they might be mediocre again this season, but at least they aren’t dead-end old when you look down this rookie’s row. First-round defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, who missed Saturday night with day-to-day injury, and second-round guard Jonah Savaiinaea were handed the job from Day One.

Fifth-rounder Jason Marshall Jr., looks to be the starting slot cornerback after injury and the continuing mystery of veteran Mike Hilton not playing or practicing much. Talk about on-the-job training. Marshall never played the position in college at Florida.

“I’ll play wherever they want me,” Marshall said.

Gordon worked with the first team Saturday night in part because De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright are hurt. The other part is Gordon looks to be earning his part by producing more than Wright with 26 carries for 126 yards this preseason.

Seventh-round quarterback Quinn Ewers has made people want to see more, which is always the trick for a low-round draft pick. Biggers has done the same in coming on at defensive tackle.

“I’ve got to keep going, keep learning,” Biggers said.

Call it Dolphins 101. Class is always in session for these rookies. What have they learned on the edge of the regular season?

“I learned the need to stack good days on top of each other and the shape I want to be in with this heat,” Savaiinaea said. “I came in at 325 (pounds), but feel better at 320. That’s where I’m going to play.”

What have they learned?

“How to be a pro,” defensive lineman Jordan Phillips, Miami’s sixth-round pick said. “You listen to (teammates) Zach Sieler or Bradley Chubb or Jordyn Brooks and you learn how to work and treat your body. Like hot and cold tubs.

“We had them in college. But here, in the league, tubs are taken way more seriously. We use them all the time, after games, practices, recovery days. It’s all about keeping your body right.”

What have they learned?

“Technique was big for me,” Biggers said. “Getting inside hands and your feet right is what’s going to keep you play, a live. Square base. That’s the position. You can’t get away with bad technique like you did in college.”

What have they learned?

“Every play is physical and you’d better bring it,” Gordon said. “I learned that from going up against our linebackers in practice. You’ve got to be a punisher.”

This begins as the biggest contributing class in years. Some of the previous void was due to traded draft picks in 2022 and 2023 for veterans like Tyreek Hill, Chubb and Jalen Ramsey.

Some of it was because they forfeited draft picks in 2023 and 2024 thanks to Tankgate. Some of it was just draft picks that didn’t work out.

Will they all work out? The odds say no. But a season needing some hope and a team needing some good news is looking at this class to provide some this year.

MIAMI — Jakob Marsee hit a bases-loaded triple and Eury Pérez pitched three-hit ball into the seventh inning to lead the Miami Marlins past the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 on Sunday.

Eric Wagaman homered and scored twice for Miami, and Agustín Ramírez had an RBI single. Pérez (6-3) was charged with two runs in six-plus innings. He walked one and struck out four.

Lake Bachar inherited two runners from Pérez in the seventh and allowed Daulton Varsho’s three-run homer that pulled the AL East-leading Blue Jays to 4-3. Varsho, who struck out twice in two at-bats against Pérez, sent a 424-foot drive over the center-field wall for his 15th homer.

Ramírez’s run-scoring single against reliever Yariel Rodríguez in the bottom half made it 5-3.

The Blue Jays threatened in the eighth when Bachar issued two-out walks to Nathan Lukes and Bo Bichette. Ronny Henriquez relieved and retired pinch-hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a popup in the slugger’s first appearance of the series. Guerrero missed the previous four games because of hamstring inflammation.

Tyler Phillips pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.

Wagaman gave the Marlins their first lead of the series with his solo homer in the third. Marsee’s triple in the fifth extended it to 4-0.

Toronto starter Kevin Gausman (8-10) allowed four runs and seven hits while striking out seven in six innings.

Key moment

Before the game, retired second baseman Luis Castillo was inducted into the Marlins’ Hall of Fame. Castillo played 10 seasons for the Marlins and was a member of the club’s two World Series championship teams in 1997 and 2003.

Key stat

Marsee also doubled and scored a run. The rookie has 17 extra-base hits and 23 RBIs in 23 games since being called up from Triple-A on Aug. 1.

Up next

RHP Max Scherzer (4-2, 3.60 ERA) starts the opener of Toronto’s three-game home series against Minnesota on Monday. RHP Joe Ryan (12-6, 2.77) goes for the Twins.

RHP Edward Cabrera (6-7, 3.52 ERA) gets the ball when the Marlins begin a three-game home series against Atlanta on Monday. The Braves had not announced a scheduled starter.

Former Florida Marlins second baseman, Luis Castillo, poses with his ex-teammates after he was inducted into the Marlins Legends Hall of Fame on Sunday in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

By Madyson Fitzgerald, Stateline.org

Self-driving vehicle technology continues to advance, prompting a wave of liability and safety regulations from state lawmakers.

This year, lawmakers in Arizona, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada and the District of Columbia enacted legislation to regulate driverless vehicles, according to a database from the National Conference of State Legislatures.

While much of the legislation aims to update existing law to include new definitions for autonomous vehicles, other measures put rules in place regarding insurance, permitting, licensing and road testing.

In total, lawmakers in 25 states introduced 67 bills related to autonomous vehicles, according to the database. California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania currently have bills under consideration. Alaska, Delaware and Washington have bills that will be carried over into the next legislative session.

Governors vetoed two measures this year. Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis shot down a measure that would have required a driver to be present in any commercial vehicle being operated by an automated driving system.

Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a measure that would have put rules in place for “high-risk artificial intelligence systems,” but would have excluded “autonomous vehicle technology” from that category.

As of now, there are no vehicles that have achieved full autonomy, according to the Society of Automotive Engineers’ criteria. But several car companies have introduced automated driving features, allowing drivers to take their hands off the wheel.

Tesla is rolling out its Full Self-Driving feature, a system under which a vehicle can drive itself almost anywhere with minimal intervention from the driver. Tesla Autopilot, which the company made available to the public in late 2024, also helps with basic vehicle maneuvering.

And Waymo, the country’s first autonomous ride-hailing service, is currently operating in Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Los Angeles; Phoenix and San Francisco. The robo-taxi company plans to expand to Miami and Washington, D.C., next.

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vehicle safety is the main benefit of driverless cars. With higher levels of automation, there is less room for human error or driver distractions. The new technology also could improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, according to the agency.

But driverless cars have been involved in hundreds of accidents over the past few years. Between 2021 and 2024, there were 696 accidents reported that involved a Waymo vehicle, according to an analysis by California-based law firm DiMarco — Araujo — Montevideo.

And last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system after multiple reports of crashes that occurred in low-visibility conditions.

©2025 States Newsroom. Visit at stateline.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.