South Florida Local News

COCONUT CREEK — Sophomore quarterback Pedro Martinez threw for a career-best 346 yards and three TDs and added a scoring run for good measure as visiting Atlantic remained undefeated and clinched the District 14-5A title with a 33-30 come-from-behind win over Coconut Creek on Friday night.

Facing a halftime deficit for the first time this season, and with leading rusher Omari St. Fort sidelined most of the second half with leg cramps, Atlantic (7-0, 2-0) rallied behind Martinez and his talented wideouts – seniors James Jones and Mark Hanniford. St. Fort gave Atlantic a 7-0 lead with a 9-yard scoring run before exiting in the second quarter and finished the game with six carries for 70 yards.

“Today was a game we had to overcome adversity,” said Martinez, who threw four TDs in a win over Treasure Coast last week. “Every second matters, and we had to keep on pushing, and it came out good. The offense was just trying to stay calm and keep scoring.”

Jones caught five passes for 151 yards, including an electrifying 63-yard catch and run for a TD, while Hanniford caught three for 54 yards and two touchdowns. It was needed as the Eagles had to overcome 14 penalties for 124 yards, including five pass interference calls against the defense.

“There’s ballplayers everywhere,” beamed Martinez, who also ran six times for 51 yards, including a game-sealing 55-yard run late in the contest. “We’ve never been down before at halftime, and we needed this for the playoffs. This is playoff football, and we showed we could do it.

“We were on another level today,” Martinez added. “It’s never been this good of a connection. They couldn’t cover us. We kept taking our shots, and it paid off. We are just getting better every week.”

Coconut Creek (6-2, 1-1) got the ball back with 37 seconds remaining on their own 33 and drove to the Eagles’ 32 with two seconds remaining. Coconut Creek opted for a possible game-tying 49-yard field goal by Jonathan Hernandez, but his attempt was wide and short.

“This (game) just shows that we are there,” said Coconut Creek first-year coach Christopher Yeargin. “Games like this, you just can’t have mistakes. You have to be able to capitalize on their mistakes, and right now, we didn’t do that. We are a very young team, but when we move into the playoffs, we’ll be ready for it.

“This shows me that my guys are tough and they are locked in,” Yeargin added. “This is one of the number one teams in the state, and it shows us exactly where we are.”

Yeargin said there were no second thoughts on trying a long field goal to tie the game, despite missing a PAT kick earlier in the game.

“I believe in my guys,” he said. “We work these things, and we work the two-minute drill. We’ll bounce back.”

Atlantic scored on its opening drive following a 50-yard kickoff return. St. Fort capped the nine-play drive with a 9-yard scoring run at 8:57 left in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.

The host Cougars scored 23 points in the second quarter to grab a 23-14 advantage. Coconut Creek tied the game at 7-7 on a 2-yard plunge by Jordan Thompson with 11:40 remaining in the half.

Atlantic took the ensuing kickoff and went 85 yards in six plays, capped by a 27-yard TD pass from Martinez to Hanniford to seize a 14-7 advantage at the 9:13 mark.

Coconut Creek scored on its next two possessions as Josiah Sanchious found Isaiah Calixte from 16 yards out and then tossed an 8-yard TD pass to Everett Butler with 1:27 left in the half to take a 23-14 lead as the Cougars converted on both 2-point conversion plays on runs by Thompson.

The Eagles then drove 73 yards in 9 plays and scored on the final play of the half as Martinez scored on a keeper. The TD was set up by a 42-yard pass from Martinez to Jones that gave the Eagles the ball on the 1-yard line with 6 seconds to go.

Atlantic coach Jamelle Murray said getting the score at the end of the half was crucial.

“That did a lot for us scoring that touchdown right before halftime,” Murray said. “We got the big play from Pedro to James (Jones) to get us to the one, and then Pedro went in to make it a one-score game. That was huge for us.”

Coconut Creek extended the lead to 30-20 on an 8-yard TD pass from Sanchious to Cayden Delions, but the Eagles scored 13 unanswered points to grab a 33-30 lead on a 63-yard scoring toss from Martinez to Jones and an 18-yard TD pass from Martinez to Hanniford, his second of the night.

The 30 points allowed by Atlantic were the most allowed in any of its games this season, surpassing the 20 points allowed in a 26-20 overtime win against Jonesboro (Ga.) and a 43-20 victory over Miami Norland. Their defense stiffened when it was needed as they held the Cougars on their final four possessions of the game.

Coconut Creek quarterback Josiah Sanchious (7) throws a pass to wide receiver Dillon Givens (18) during the fourth quarter of the game against Atlantic. Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 (Jim Rassol/Contributor).

“We’ve been trying to focus and clean up the penalties,” Murray said. “We are going to work on it this week and eliminate those penalties. We are trying to be dedicated and disciplined and focus on the details. Until we do that, we’ll have trouble if we are penalized for that many yards.

“I am happy about the win and it builds character,” Murray continued. “They have to believe in one another, and we have a chance. It’s a blessing to have the kids we have on offense as a group, and Pedro is still young and learning. He just turned 16. It’s hard to stop us when we are on track. The resilience was there, and I love it.”

Coconut Creek had allowed just 56 points all season. The most scored against the Cougars previously this season was 16 in a 28-16 win over Western. They closed out last season, allowing more than 30 points in back-to-back losses to Atlantic and Blanche Ely.

Atlantic James Jones (6) catches a pass for a 59-yrad gain as Coconut Creek defensive back Tatetreon Isom (12) follows on the play in the fourth quarter. Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 (Jim Rassol/Contributor).

ROYAL PALM BEACH — West Boca Raton junior quarterback Trey Moran accounted for three touchdowns as the Bulls cruised past host Royal Palm Beach 31-0 in a District 12-6A contest on Friday night.

West Boca (6-1) scored touchdowns on their first three possessions of the contest. The Bulls jumped out to a 19-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and had a 25-0 advantage at halftime.

“We made plays when we needed to and got a district win right here,” West Boca coach Dylan Potts said. “I thought we came out and were executing our game plan. We just came out in the second half and just were not finishing the drives. We rely on being efficient offensively, and I didn’t think we were that efficient in the pass game in the second half.”

West Boca registered its third consecutive shutout on defense and fourth overall this season. The Bulls have allowed 34 points through seven games.

“Defense came out and played lights out,” Potts said. “They were flying around. We hang our hat on that unit. We believe it’s the best unit in the state.”

University of Miami head football coach Mario Cristobal was in attendance and on the sideline during the first half. West Boca junior defensive tackle Jamar Thompson and junior safety Damari Jerry both delivered strong performances to help lead the Bulls defense. The two players both have previously received offers from the Hurricanes. West Boca senior running back Javian Mallory, a Miami commit, was held out of the game due to an ankle injury.

The Bulls scored on just five plays on the opening possession of the contest. On fourth-and-1, Moran rushed for a 53-yard gain. On the next play, Moran rushed up the middle for a 6-yard touchdown to make it 6-0 with 9:13 left in the first quarter.

“It was my longest run of the season,” Moran said. “I should have had the touchdown. It was amazing and felt good to score on the next play.”

Moran fired a 21-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Billy Clancy III in the right corner of the end zone to extend the lead to 12-0 with 4:53 remaining in the first.

Junior running back Anderson Gracilien had a 51-yard touchdown run on third down to push the lead to 19-0 with 30 seconds left in the first.

Royal Palm Beach senior Raoul Brown recorded an interception in the second quarter for the Wildcats.

The game was stopped with 7:19 left in the second quarter due to a lightning delay for nearly 70 minutes.

Junior running back Quinton Miller Jr. rushed for a 62-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 25-0 later in the second.

West Boca junior Amari Ford recorded an interception late in the first half for the Bulls.

Royal Palm Beach senior running back Tyree Pearson stepped up with a long run deep into Bulls territory on the opening possession of the second half. On fourth-and-goal at the 6, the Wildcats (5-2) failed to convert after an incomplete pass.

Royal Palm Beach junior Demetrice Rolle had an interception in the fourth quarter, but the Bulls defense stepped up with a fumble recovery.

Moran connected with junior running back Jayden Lockhart on a 9-yard scoring pass with 5:30 left in the fourth to extend the lead to 31-0.

West Boca junior Delorean Airall Jr. recorded an interception in the end zone with 4:14 remaining.

West Boca will play on the road at Cardinal Newman next Friday.

“Cardinal Newman is a good team,” Moran said. “We know we have to go into this week and practice hard.”

General Daily Insight for October 11, 2025

We can only control ourselves. Perfectionist Venus conflicts with realistic Saturn at 7:11 am EDT, making it difficult to accept flaws and mistakes, and insisting that we work extra hard for what we desire. The sensitive Moon trines the confident Sun, resetting our senses of internal alignment to better match our souls. That said, the Moon does challenge balanced Venus, creating obstacles to our stability, connections, and inner peace with erratic or overwhelming emotions. Put in that extra effort to create peace.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Confusion can complicate dedication right now. You might be trying to make something work, but things like a lack of understanding regarding the next steps or a struggle with a missing step can make it difficult to feel motivated. Instead of giving up, buckle down and do the research required to figure out the ideal path ahead. Someone probably has the basics already laid out! Everyone has to start somewhere, but you have to find that next step that works for you.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Obstacles may presently block your ambitions. You might have felt as though you’ve been blocked indefinitely by an immovable issue. What if you didn’t have to move it? The time is ripe to look for ways around this mountain instead of attempting to destroy. Your friends, loved ones, and professional peers could all have excellent guidance to offer. Being hesitant after so long percolating is natural, but there’s a difference between simmering and stagnating. Get back on the horse and try again!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Your comfort zone might be smothering you. You may be wondering why you’re not growing into the person that you want to become, but it could be partially due to the constraints of your safe haven. The answer may be information that you’ve been aware of! Make sure there’s nothing that you’re avoiding accepting as the truth because you know that it would require you to leave your comfort zone. Growth can happen at any moment, but it won’t unless you put in the effort.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Finding the right words could be harder than usual. Use care when commenting on recent or ongoing delicate situations. Others may have questions, but it would be wiser to say less than to say a lot that you can’t back up. If you don’t know the answer, it’s okay to say that you don’t know at this time rather than promise something that you’re unsure of or unable to do. Be honest, and don’t feel the need to talk too much.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Protection can be stifling. There might be something that you’ve worked on for quite some time. Even once you finish this project, you may not want to show it to the world, for fear that they will judge it. Holding a long-term effort close to your heart is valid, but this sentimentality could be holding you back. You will never know how beloved your creation could be unless you share it with others! Try starting with a smaller audience of trusted friends.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

What you want may be at odds with what someone else wants. When these clashing desires come from someone whose opinion you care about — whether they’re an authority figure or a loved one — you’ll probably want to build a proper compromise. If they are unwilling to make any concessions, just do your best to fight for what you want to take place, make concrete arguments, and show your passion without being demanding. It’s anyone’s game, so stand up for what you want.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Burning the candle at both ends is even more dangerous than normal. You might have already been told recently that what you are or were working toward is unsustainable, because it requires so much time, energy, and sacrifice from you. This will catch up with you sooner than later! When you feel particularly exhausted, notice excess mistakes, or keep doubting yourself when you should be replenishing yourself, pause. Instead of continuing down an unsustainable path, build a balance before you burn out.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Wanting to protect peace can clash with your desire to be real. Watch out for ongoing arguments where those involved want you to choose sides. Think carefully before making any alliances! Picking one person’s point of view risks causing more drama in the long run and leading you into the crossfire between the two of them. Instead of becoming a part of it, do your best to let those involved know that you care about them both and don’t want to take sides.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Your current best doesn’t have to be perfect. You might be critical of yourself right now over unsatisfying results. Even when you give something your all, it won’t necessarily turn out the way that you had hoped. That’s normal! Instead of becoming discouraged by this, remind yourself that this is just another building block in your life education — and remember that no one is perfect. Try again, and keep trying, and you’re sure to get closer to the results you want.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

A negative or positive mindset can make all the difference. You might be talking yourself out of opportunities that would be great for your future, as leading with pessimism can, slowly but surely, draw you away from the success that you’re seeking. It’s paradoxical to want your life to result in satisfaction and fulfillment, but refuse to admit that you deserve even the opportunity to achieve those things. Go after what you want, even if you’re not sure you’ll get it!

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Your need for security is valid. You may have been trying to be alone more, or maybe have felt overly distracted by the people around you — you potentially only feel secure when you’re doing things for yourself. In particular, vital tasks are likely difficult to share when there’s always a chance someone else could let you down. Even so, the weight of the world shouldn’t be on your shoulders alone. Give your loved ones a chance to be worthy of your trust.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Not everyone deserves your full generosity at the moment. They might have told you that they would return the favor, and they’re probably delighted with your assistance. Still, when it’s time for them to show up in your corner, you may find that they’re not in attendance. Make an effort to be aware of who will and won’t be there for you, because you could be wasting your time supporting people who don’t truly appreciate your efforts. Pay attention to how they move forward.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — At a massive military parade attended by foreign leaders, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un rolled out his nuclear-armed military’s most powerful weapons, including a new intercontinental ballistic missile he may be preparing to test in coming weeks.

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The parade, which began Friday night and marked the 80th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers’ Party, highlighted Kim’s growing diplomatic footing and his relentless drive to build an arsenal that could viably target the continental United States and his rivals in Asia.

North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said the parade featured a new, yet-to-be-tested intercontinental ballistic missile called the Hwasong-20, which it described as the “most powerful nuclear strategic weapons system.”

Other weapons on display included shorter range ballistic, cruise and supersonic missiles, which the North previously described as capable of delivering nuclear strikes against targets in rival South Korea.

In a speech at the parade, Kim said his military “must continue to evolve into an invincible force that eliminates all threats,” but made no direct mention of Washington or Seoul, according to comments published by KCNA.

Friday

Atlantic 33, Coconut Creek 30

American Heritage 42, Norland 21

Cardinal Gibbons 45, Deerfield Beach 7

Dillard 38, Dr. Joaquin Garcia 24

West Broward 54, Miami Beach 0

Miami Central 59, Stranahan 6

Olympic Heights 56, Palm Beach Christian 0

West Boca Raton 31, Royal Palm Beach 0

Western 14, Goleman 7

South Plantation 42, South Broward 38

Westminster Academy 21, Indian Rocks Christian 7

Palm Beach Central 45, Palm Beach Lakes 6

Somerset Academy 55. Pompano Beach 7

St. Andrew’s 59, Somerset Academy Key 12

American Heritage-Delray 47, St. John Paul II 6

Cardinal Newman 43, Melbourne Central Catholic 6

Cambridge Christian 45, Boca Raton Christian 35

Nova 21, Cooper City 7

 

Thursday

Coral Glades 35, Boca Raton 26

Calvary Christian Academy 28, North Broward Prep 7

Lake Worth 41, John I. Leonard 0

Somerset Academy Canyons 22, King’s Academy 7

Pahokee 40, Forest Hill 0

 

Wednesday

St. Thomas Aquinas 41, NFL Academy 38

Saturday

Coral Springs at Monarch

McArthur at Boyd Anderson

By WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — AstraZeneca on Friday became the second major pharmaceutical manufacturer to announce it had agreed to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Medicaid under a deal struck with the Trump administration that avoided its threats of steep tariffs.

President Donald Trump made the announcement in the Oval Office with AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot, who said that during tough negotiations to reach a deal, Trump and his team of officials had “really kept me up at night.”

Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will charge most-favored-nation pricing to Medicaid, while guaranteeing such pricing on newly launched drugs, Trump said. That involves matching the lowest price offered in other developed nations.

“For many years, Americans have paid the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs, by far,” Trump said, adding that the new deal may cut prices to “the lowest price anywhere in the world. That’s what we get.”

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AstraZeneca’s deal follows a similar agreement Pfizer announced late last month. Advocates have generally praised the administration’s efforts to cut drug prices, though some have expressed concerns that too much onus is being placed on the manufacturers to lower costs without implementing U.S. policy safeguards to ensure such outcomes.

Both agreements, however, build on an executive order Trump signed in May that set a deadline for drugmakers to electively lower prices or face new limits on what the government will pay. Trump had suggested that a series of deals with drug companies would subsequently be coming.

“The tariffs were a big reason he came here,” Trump said of Soriot.

Cambridge, United Kingdom-based AstraZeneca makes a range of cancer treatments. Its products include the lung cancer drug Tagrisso; Lynparza, an oral treatment for ovarian cancer, and Calquence, which treats chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Those drugs brought in a total of more than $7.5 billion in U.S. sales last year.

AstraZeneca announced Thursday that it would spend $4.5 billion on a new manufacturing plant near Charlottesville, Virginia, and its Republican governor, Glenn Youngkin, spoke during Friday’s Oval Office announcement to cheer groundbreaking on the new facility.

The drugmaker said that project was the centerpiece of $50 billion in investments the company plans to make in the U.S. by 2030.

AstraZeneca said it plans to reach $80 billion in total revenue by then, half of which will be generated in the United States.

Trump predicted the investment’s could lead to 3,600 jobs domestically “just to begin with.”

One of the AstraZeneca drugs was already subject to price reductions due to a Medicare negotiating strategy implemented under President Biden. Still, Trump insisted that Democrats shouldn’t “get credit” and suggested the party’s key leaders may try.

The announcements came months after AstraZeneca said it was scrapping plans to expand a vaccine manufacturing plant in its home country. The company blamed several factors, including reduced government financial support.

The Trump administration has put up a landing page for its new website, TrumpRX.gov, where people will be able to buy drugs directly from manufacturers, according to officials. Both Pfizer and AstraZeneca will offer medications through the site, according to the administration.

The website’s landing page features two very large pictures of Trump and a promise that the site is “Coming Soon” in January 2026.

It says at the bottom of the page that the site was “Designed in DC by The National Design Studio,” the new government website design hub that Trump created by executive order in August, which is being led by Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia.

Associated Press writers Tom Murphy and Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.

By CLAIRE RUSH, Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A U.S. citizen in Portland, Oregon, was detained by plainclothes officers and held at the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building for hours before being released, according to his attorney.

Francisco Miranda was outside his place of work early on Oct. 2 when multiple agents wearing masks, who did not identify themselves, approached him and told him he was “on an overstay,” his attorney Michael Fuller said. In a video that Miranda took of his detention, he can be heard saying, “What do you mean, overstay? I don’t know what that is.”

He told the officers that he was born in California. After objecting to being taken into custody and saying he hadn’t done anything wrong, an officer can be heard on the video saying, “We’re gonna put you in cuffs or you’re gonna get the dog.”

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Miranda was then struck from behind, handcuffed and put into an unmarked vehicle that took him to Portland’s ICE building, Fuller said. He was held there for several hours before being driven back to his place of work.

ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

Willamette Week, a local news outlet, first reported the incident.

Fuller said it was the first detention of a U.S. citizen on the pretext of being in the country illegally that he was aware of in Oregon. Such detentions have occurred elsewhere in the country, including in Alabama, Florida and Southern California.

Aggressive immigration enforcement has been central to President Donald Trump’s agenda.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum said she was “infuriated” by what happened to her constituent. “Masked federal agents aren’t welcome in our state and they can’t keep kidnapping Americans,” she said in a statement.

Fuller, who said he has a copy of Miranda’s California birth certificate, sent a tort claim notice to the Department of Homeland Security and a letter to its leader Kristi Noem, requesting the documents and information used to justify the detention. DHS oversees ICE.

“I hope that ICE and the senior officials will just provide us the documentation,” Fuller said. “If it truly was an honest mistake that couldn’t have been avoided, then we won’t go to court. Right now, we’ve just been given no answers. And so that’s all we’re asking for at this point, it’s just answers.”

By MICHAEL CASEY, Associated Press

A federal judge ruled Friday that the Trump administration cannot put conditions on grants that fund efforts to combat domestic violence, including barring groups from promoting diversity, equity and inclusion or providing abortion resources.

U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose in Providence, Rhode Island, granted a motion by 17 statewide anti-domestic and sexual violence coalitions for a preliminary injunction, which blocks the Trump administration from enforcing its conditions while the lawsuit plays out.

“Without preliminary relief, the Plaintiffs will face irreparable harm that will disrupt vital services to victims of homelessness and domestic and sexual violence,” DuBose wrote in her ruling. “On the contrary, if preliminary relief is granted, the Defendants will merely need to revert back to considering grant applications and awarding funds as they normally would.”

DuBose, however, went further in the scope of her ruling. She ruled that the decision preventing these grant conditions went beyond plaintiffs and will apply to anyone applying for money doled out by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“Organizations serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, LGBTQ+ youth, and people experiencing homelessness should not be forced to abandon their work, erase the identities of those they serve, or compromise their values just to keep their doors open,” Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, which was one of the groups representing plaintiffs, said in a statement. “This unlawful and harmful policy puts extreme schemes ahead of people’s dignity and safety by restricting essential federal support.”

Emily Martin, chief program officer at the National Women’s Law Center, one of five organizations representing the coalitions, also welcomed the ruling.

“When this administration claims to be targeting ‘illegal DEI’ and ‘gender ideology,’ what it is really trying to do is strip life-saving services from survivors of sexual violence and domestic violence, LGBTQ+ youth, and people without homes,” Martin said. “Today’s order makes clear that these federal grants exist to serve people in need, not to advance a regressive political agenda.”

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Neither HUD nor HHS responded to a request for comment.

In their July lawsuit, the groups said the Trump administration was putting them in a difficult position.

If they don’t apply for federal money allocated under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, they might not be able to provide rape crisis centers, battered women’s shelters and other programs to support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. But if the groups do apply, they said they would be forced to “fundamentally change their programming, abandon outreach methods and programs designed to best serve their communities, and risk exposing themselves to ruinous liability.”

The groups suing, including organizations combating domestic violence from California to Rhode Island, argue the conditions violate the First Amendment. They also argue that the conditions violate the Administrative Procedure Act by exceeding defendants’ authority by “in some cases outright conflicting with governing law or failing to follow required procedure.”

The government argues that the matter has to do with payments to these groups and, as such, should be handled by the Court of Federal Claims.

Even if the jurisdiction argument fails, the government argues federal agencies may impose conditions on funding that “further certain policies and priorities consistent with the authority provided by grant program statutes.”

“Both agencies have long required compliance with federal antidiscrimination law as a condition of receiving a federal grant,” the government wrote in court documents.

Another Rhode Island judge granted a preliminary injunction in August involving some of the same groups in a lawsuit against the Justice Department.

MIAMI GARDENS — It’s Year 2 for Sun Sentinel Dolphins columnist Chris Perkins and Dolphins writer David Furones picking prop bets, which they’ll do for all 17 regular-season games.

Prior to each game, Furones and Perkins will select a “Best Bet” and a “Longshot.” The “Best Bet” selection is a near 50-50 proposition while the “Longshot” is at least +300 or a 3-to-1 probability.

They don’t place dollar amounts on their bets (neither wants to go broke), but you’re welcome to wager as much as you can afford.

Furones is 4-1 on his “Best Bets” while Perk is 1-4. On the “Longshot,” Furones is 2-3 while Perk is 0-5.

Perkins and Furones use the Hard Rock Bet app for odds. Be sure to check the South Florida Sun-Sentinel game predictions for Thursday’s outlook

Perk’s Best Bet: Hassan Haskins 40+ yards rushing (+100)

This isn’t crazy. Granted, Haskins is a relative no-name as a RB who has just five carries for 13 yards this season and 64 carries for 195 yards in two-plus seasons. But it’s open season on the Dolphins’ run defense and the Chargers will try to take advantage.

Furones’ Best Bet: Darren Waller over 38.5 yards receiving (-115)

When the Dolphins target Darren Waller, it works. They stopped targeting him in the second half last game against the Panthers, and they paid the price. He’s a focal point again, and I especially like that he should see another uptick in snaps after going from 16 in his Dolphins debut to 32 against the Panthers. I like Waller hitting this number again.

Furones won last week when Malik Washington had more than 3.5 receptions (four) and is now on a four-game winning streak. Perk got his first taste of victory last week when Tua Tagovailoa rushed for more than 1.5 yards (ending with 5 yards).

Perk’s Longshot: Oronde Gadsden II 40+ yards receiving (+400)

I’m sending good vibes toward the Gadsden family through the youngster. I covered Oronde Gadsden when he was with the Dolphins, so this is also wishful thinking. But OG II, a quality player at Syracuse, has eight receptions for 76 yards with a 17-yard reception being his longest. I’m thinking with all the attention going to WRs Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey, there’s an opportunity here.

Furones’ Longshot: Dolphins defense or special teams TD (+525)

Justin Herbert is under constant pressure without his two starting tackles, so I’m looking for Dolphins edge rushers to get after him. Miami has five takeaways in the past two games, and with Herbert under duress, I could see a turnover on the horizon, possibly leading directly to points. Plus, Malik Washington can always give me a special teams touchdown.

Perk lost last week when Jaylen Waddle didn’t have a first-quarter touchdown and Furones lost when Nick Westbrook-Ikhine didn’t have a touchdown.

 

By SARAH RAZA, Associated Press

Michael Guidotti will have his driver’s license on him when he runs the Chicago Marathon, just as he did during every training run since summer.

After the Trump administration escalated its immigration crackdown in the city, runners like Guidotti, 31, are worried they could become a target during Sunday’s race.

“Just knowing that I do come from a Hispanic background and also that I am somewhat darker, and that these individuals do seem to be targeting people of that demographic as well,” Guidotti said. “So it’s just an extra precaution that I’m taking that I have my driver’s license with me at all times.”

Questions have been swirling for weeks over whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents might target the marathon, which draws thousands of runners from around the world each year. Reflecting the unease, event organizers sent an email to participants Wednesday that referred to an immigration “Know Your Rights” page on the city’s website.

An ICE spokeswoman, Tanya Roman, said rumors that agents will be at the race are false.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous to ascertain that ICE would conduct immigration enforcement to intentionally disrupt the Chicago marathon,” she said in a statement. “These are the kind of rumors that fan the flames of dissent and result in unwarranted and dangerous riots like those in Portland, Chicago and Los Angeles.”

When asked whether its officers might target the marathon, Customs and Border Protection, which has also been highly active during the immigration crackdown, was noncommittal, saying that people in the country legally need not worry.

Such assurances might not calm the fears of some participants, though.

Asked last week by a podcaster whether there would be “ICE enforcement” at the Super Bowl in February in California, Kristi Noem, who runs ICE’s and CBP’s parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, said immigration officers would be “all over” the event.

DHS always heads the security effort at the Super Bowl, which is a bigger event. But Chicago has become a top target of the Trump administration, which has escalated immigration enforcement in the city through aggressive raids and tactics. Protesters at immigration facilities have been arrested, and President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard there to protect federal property and federal law enforcement, including ICE agents.

The Chicago Marathon is a major tourism draw for the city and one of the biggest races in the U.S., with 52,150 finishers last year. There were 15,000-plus international participants in 2024, according to race organizers, who didn’t respond to requests for comment. Among foreign countries, Mexico was best represented, with 3,790 participants. It was followed by the U.K. (2,814), Canada (2,442) and Brazil (1,811).

The course winds through 29 neighborhoods, and more than a million people line the streets to support the runners.

Pilsen, a predominantly Latino neighborhood, is known for the energy that locals bring, with loud cheering and mariachi music blasting. But Enrique Rivera, who leads the neighborhood’s Venados Running Club and will be watching this year’s race, isn’t expecting the same energy.

“I’m absolutely sure that people are going to stay home,” he said. “There’s street vendors that aren’t out on the street doing their sales that impact their life. I’m sure they’re also going to be able to cut off recreational activities like cheering on runners.”

Rivera said his club is encouraging runners to stay informed, keep a list of important contacts on hand, and run in groups. Some club members have discussed what documentation they should bring.

“There is something in the air that says, ‘No, it doesn’t feel right,’” he said.

Critics say the immigration crackdown, which has swept up people who are legally living in the country, including U.S. citizens, is a sweeping government overreach, and that ICE engages in racial profiling.

Participant Amar Shah, 31, said that even though he was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, he’s worried that his Indian heritage could make him vulnerable.

“I shouldn’t have any concerns from a legality standpoint, but I am a brown man. I have a beard,” he said. “I could be seen as someone who fits the stereotype of folks who are being targeted right now.”

Michael Rodriguez, the alderman for Chicago’s 22nd ward, which is home to a large Latino community, said businesses are “hurting” amid concerns about ICE, and this year’s race may bring less economic activity to the city than usual.

“I’m worried about those hundreds, maybe thousands of individuals from out of town, who come from internationally and throughout the nation to run,” Rodriguez said. “The hotel rooms they stay in, the restaurants they dine in, the money they spend in our city is going to be negatively impacted.”

“Some people might not come, others may choose not to spend their money,” he said.

Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed confidence this week that the marathon would go off without a hitch, noting that roughly 3,000 runners from Mexico have signed up, “and I want them all to come.”

“I feel strongly about our ability to be able to hold large-scale events, and the strategic security measures that we’re putting in place are to ensure we continue to hold a reputation of hosting large-scale events,” the mayor said.

Associated Press reporters Jay Cohen in Chicago and Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, contributed to this report.

SUNRISE — Brad Marchand broke a tie at 2:19 of the third period and the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers beat Philadelphia 2-1 on Thursday night to spoil Rick Tocchet’s Flyers coaching debut.

Marchand fired a wrist shot from the left boards past goalie Dan Vladar and into the top right corner to help the Panthers win their second straight at home to open the season. Marchand missed a chance to pad the lead with 6 1/2 minutes left, sending a wrister over the crossbar on a breakaway.

Tocchet rejoined the Flyers during the offseason. The former Philadelphia player won Stanley Cups as an assistant in Pittsburgh and was a head coach in Tampa Bay, Arizona and, most recently, Vancouver.

Anton Lundell also scored for injury-depleted Florida, and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 19 shots. Florida captain Aleksander Barkov is expected to miss the entire regular season because of two torn knee ligaments, and Matthew Tkachuk is probably out until December at least while he recovers from a groin injury.

Noah Cates scored for Philadelphia. Vladar made 32 saves.

Lundell opened the scoring on a power play at 5:29 of the second period, beating Vladar with a wrist shot off a break. Cates tied it with 2:12 left in the period, chipping a loose puck over Bobrovsky.

Florida opened Tuesday night with a 3-2 victory over Chicago.

Up next

Flyers: At Carolina on Saturday night.

Panthers: Host Ottawa on Saturday night.

___

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

By SEAN MURPHY

When Ann Walter looked outside her rural West Texas home, she didn’t know what to make of the bulky object slowly drifting across the sky.

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She was even more surprised to see what actually landed in her neighbor’s wheat field: a boxy piece of scientific equipment about the size of a sport-utility vehicle, attached to a massive parachute, adorned with NASA stickers. She called the local sheriff’s office and learned that NASA, indeed, was looking for a piece of equipment that had gone lost.

“It’s crazy, because when you’re standing on the ground and see something in the air, you don’t realize how big it is,” she said. “It was probably a 30-foot parachute. It was huge.”

Walter said she soon got a call from NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility, which launches large unmanned, high altitude research balloons more than 20 miles into the atmosphere to conduct scientific experiments.

Officials at NASA, which is impacted by the ongoing government shutdown, did not return messages Thursday. A message left with the balloon facility also was not immediately returned.

In this photo provided by Ann Walter, labels are seen on a piece of NASA research equipment that Ann Walter says fell from the sky near her home in Edmonson, Texas, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (Ann Walter via AP)

A launch schedule on the balloon facility’s website shows a series of launches from Fort Sumner, New Mexico, about 140 miles west of where the equipment landed.

Hale County Sheriff David Cochran confirmed that NASA officials called his office last week in search of the equipment.

Walter said she ultimately spoke with someone at the balloon facility who told her it had been launched a day earlier from Fort Sumner, and uses telescopes to gather information about stars, galaxies and black holes.

In this photo provided by Ann Walter, Ann Walter stands in front of a piece of NASA research equipment attached to a parachute that fell from the sky near her home in Edmonson, Texas, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (Ann Walter via AP)

“The researchers came out with a truck and trailer they used to pick it up,” she said.

But not before Walter and her family, who live in Edmonson, Texas, were able to capture some photos and videos.

“It’s kind of surreal that it happened to us and that I was part of it,” she said. “It was a very cool experience.”

General Daily Insight for October 10, 2025

Going with the flow gets us further than fighting the current. The expressive Moon slides into inquisitive Gemini at 1:12 am EDT, giving a playful and curious energy to how we approach our day. The Moon then conjoins rebellious Uranus, so expect the unexpected, as there may be emotions that come on strong out of the blue. Finally, Luna aligns with intense Pluto, guiding us as we adapt to uncertain circumstances and plan our next steps. Be flexible and watch life open up.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Mindset updates, like computer updates, are bound to happen sooner or later. Maybe you used to put other people before yourself, but you’ve recently understood that you have to fill your own cup before you’re able to fill the cups of others. You’re not only finding ways to ensure that you’re properly nourished, you’re brainstorming how to still show up for your loved ones, and maybe even finding better ways of doing so. Change doesn’t mean that you have to give up your passions.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

How do you define abundance? In your history, you might have believed that you had to be career-driven or show off luxurious purchases, but you know better now. Sure, some amount of money is necessary, but there are also precious moments money can’t buy and people in your life who might not always be there. It’s important to seek a balance between your ambitions and your time for connecting with your loved ones. It may not happen today, but you can build that happy medium.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Your self-image might be in for an overhaul! You likely see yourself in a certain light, possibly because of challenging experiences that have stuck with you, but you are currently capable of updating your view to a much more accurate — and flattering — light. It could be due to a solo revelation, though someone else might have additionally inspired you. You’re so much more than the labels that anyone tries to trap you within. Acknowledge your strength and step into a sunny future.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

You can learn to let go. There might be grudges that you have been holding for a long time that are burdening you more than they’re hurting the object of your ire. On the other hand, watch out for clutter in your house that you’re avoiding going through and putting away. Some things need to be handled for you to build a comfortable mental and physical environment. The sooner you do it, the sooner you can move on, free of that weight. Set yourself free.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Close pals might be acting out of character. For instance, your friends or family could seem drawn to impulsive or strange situations. It can be frustrating to try and navigate any surprising turns of character, but sometimes such shifts add valuable spice to life. Those involved may realize later that there were circumstances influencing them to act this way, and they will likely share that revelation with you. Be open to hearing them out and letting this become a funny story.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Responsibilities are fluid at present. You might have imagined yourself in a certain place at this point in your life, but your duties have taken you somewhere unexpected. There’s a chance that these tasks have begun to work in your favor, allowing you to use the skills and experience that you’ve gained to aim once more at your original ambitions. Instead of worrying that you don’t have enough specific experience, remind yourself how hard you’ve had to work to get here. You’ve got the power!

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Your learning style is under review. Whatever you studied in the past, you probably have a pretty good grasp on it — but there’s always more to learn. Perhaps you’re simply ready to dive deeper, though you could have forgotten old lessons, or maybe fresh discoveries have been made that caused the old information to become outdated. Don’t be afraid to return to the drawing board and relearn what you once knew by heart. You’re on your way to becoming an expert.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

The past is behind you — leave it there. An experience in your past could have been replaying in your head for quite some time, but it’s slowly becoming less vivid. When you’ve already learned its lessons, you’re naturally less interested in focusing on it. This is positive, because it means that time is beginning to heal this inner wound. You are always growing stronger, able to have new experiences and let this become merely a memory. It’s time for the present.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Someone new could enter your life just as someone else leaves it. Ponder people who have cut ties with you, or maybe someone who has moved away, but isn’t on bad terms with you. Whatever happened may have left a hole in your life. While no one can be exactly who they were, it does suggest that someone is possibly entering your current life who can have a similar presence. Remember the past fondly, but don’t let it prevent you from experiencing the present.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

There’s nothing routine about your day ahead. The morning may have dawned like any other, but obstacles are more likely to pop up and prevent you from carrying out your routine in the way that you expected to. It’s okay to take the scenic route or spend a few extra hours window shopping or hanging out with friends, because you’re unlikely to be able to complete your regular to-do list anyway. Sometimes you have to take a little break from the norm.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Reevaluating your passions is normal at this time. Even if something used to have you practically leaping out of bed to get started, it’s okay if it no longer strikes the same spark. While it’s still important to finish the projects that you’ve already started rather than abandoning them, once you finish them, you don’t have to keep going on one track just because it’s the track you’ve been on for a long time. If something new is sparking your soul, follow the fire.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Your home could be about to surprise you. A maintenance issue may rear its head at any moment — the kind of thing you’ll have to deal with as soon as possible. However, there should be people who can help you with this, so ask around and see who could have the expertise. Online tutorials could also teach you so that you can better deal with such projects in the future. See it as a learning experience that’s making you more capable.

By MATTHEW BROWN and MATTHEW DALY

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Republicans have voted to roll back restrictions on mining, drilling and other development in three Western states, advancing President Donald Trump’s ambitions to expand energy production from public lands.

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Senators voted 50-46 Thursday to repeal a land management plan for a large swath of Alaska that was adopted in the final weeks of Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration. Lawmakers voted to roll back similar plans for land in Montana and North Dakota earlier this week.

The timing of Biden’s actions made the plans vulnerable to the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to terminate rules that are finalized near the end of a president’s term. The resolutions require a simple majority in each chamber and take effect upon the president’s signature.

The House approved the repeals last month in votes largely along party lines. Trump is expected to sign the measures, which will boost a proposed 211-mile road through an Alaska wilderness to allow mining of copper, cobalt, gold and other minerals.

Trump ordered approval of the Ambler Road project earlier this week, saying it will unlock access to copper, cobalt and other critical minerals that the United States needs to compete with China on artificial intelligence and other resource development. Copper is used in the production of cars, electronics and even renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines.

The road was approved in Trump’s first term, but was later blocked by Biden after an analysis determined the project would threaten caribou and other wildlife and harm Alaska Native tribes that rely on hunting and fishing.

(AP Graphic)

The Biden-era restrictions also included a block on new mining leases in the nation’s most productive coal-producing region, the Powder River Basin in Montana and Wyoming. On Monday, the Trump administration held the biggest coal sale in that area in more than a decade, drawing a single bid of $186,000 for 167.5 million tons of coal, or about a tenth of a penny per ton.

Trump has largely cast aside Biden’s goal to reduce climate-warming emissions from the burning of coal and other fossil fuels extracted from federal land. Instead, he and congressional Republicans have moved to open more taxpayer-owned land to fossil fuel development, hoping to create more jobs and revenue. The Republican administration also has pushed to develop critical minerals, including copper, cobalt, gold and zinc.

A decision on whether to accept the recent bid from the Navajo Transitional Energy Co. is pending, and the lease cannot be issued until the Montana land plan is altered. The dirt-cheap value reflects dampened industry interest in coal despite Trump’s efforts. Many utilities have switched to cheaper natural gas or renewables such as wind and solar power.

Administration officials expressed disappointment that they did not receive “stronger participation” in the Montana sale. In a statement, Interior Department spokesperson Aubrie Spady blamed a “decades long war on coal” by Biden and former Democratic President Barack Obama.

Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy of Montana said the repeal of the land-management plan in his state was “putting an end to disastrous Biden-era regulations that put our resource economy on life support.”

Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska called the Biden-era plan for 13 million acres in the central Yukon region “a clear case of federal overreach that locks up Alaska’s lands, ignores Alaska Native voices … and blocks access to critical energy, gravel & mineral resources.”

The GOP legislation “restores balance, strengthens U.S. energy & mineral security and upholds the law,” Sullivan said in a statement.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum points to a map of Alaska as he speaks before President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Democrats urged rejection of the repeals, arguing that Trump’s fossil fuel-friendly agenda is driving up energy prices because renewable sources are being sidelined even as the tech industry’s power demands soar for data centers and other projects.

“We are seeing dramatic increases in the price of energy for American consumers and businesses and the slashing of American jobs, so that Donald Trump can give an easy pass to the fossil fuel industry,” Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said Wednesday on the Senate floor.

Last week, the administration canceled almost $8 billion in grants for clean energy projects in 16 states that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris won in the 2024 election.

Ashley Nunes, public lands specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group, said Republicans were unleashing “a wholesale assault on America’s public lands.” Using the Congressional Review Act to erase land management plans “will sow chaos across the country and turn our most cherished places into playgrounds for coal barons and industry polluters,” she said.

Brown reported from Billings, Montana.

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI

DENVER (AP) — Voting equipment company Dominion Voting Systems, a target of false conspiracy theories from President Donald Trump and his supporters since the 2020 election, has been bought by a firm run by a former Republican elections official, the new company announced Thursday.

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The newly formed company, Liberty Vote, also vowed to follow the executive order Trump signed last spring seeking sweeping changes to election policies that multiple judges have put on hold for violating the Constitution.

KNOWiNK, a St. Louis-based provider of electronic poll books that allow election officials to confirm voter information, announced the deal and the name change. In a possible nod to a groundless conspiracy theory that linked Dominion to the late Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, the release highlighted that the company would become “100% American-owned.”

The announcement also quotes KNOWiNK’s owner, former St. Louis elections director Scott Leiendecker, as vowing to provide “election technology that prioritizes paper-based transparency,” one of the longtime demands of election conspiracy theorists. Almost all U.S. voting equipment already leaves a paper trail.

Dominion’s former CEO confirmed the sale in a single-sentence statement on Thursday: “Liberty Vote has acquired Dominion Voting Systems,” John Poulos said.

The release from the new company vows to reintroduce “hand-marked paper ballots” and adjust company policies to follow Trump’s executive order on voting procedures, which is not in effect because judges have ruled that Trump doesn’t have the power to mandate them. Part of the president’s order sought to prohibit voting equipment that produces a paper record with “a barcode or quick-response code” — equipment that is currently in use in hundreds of counties across 19 states.

Denver-based Dominion was at the heart of some of the most fevered conspiracy theories about Trump’s loss to Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Those false allegations sparked a number of defamation lawsuits against conservative-leaning media and the president’s allies, including a settlement in 2023 in which Fox News agreed to pay Dominion $787 million and one this year that Newsmax settled for $67 million.

The announcement from the new company does not disclose the cost of the transaction, but a spokesman said all the money was put up by Leiendecker. Both companies involved are privately held.

The false allegations against Dominion made its brand toxic in many Republican-leaning states and counties. But voting machine companies are usually careful about making overt political statements, given that the market for their equipment is split between places under Republican and Democratic control.

The statements by Liberty Vote saying it will align with Trump’s executive order, which has been challenged by Democratic state attorneys general, the Democratic National Committee and an array of voting and civil rights groups, could lead to concerns in blue states that currently use Dominion equipment.

But some election officials said Thursday that KNOWiNK had seemed to steer clear of 2020 conspiracy theories and acted like a typical, nonpartisan firm.

“They have a good reputation in the field,” Stephen Richer, a Republican who was targeted by Trump and his allies when he served as the top elections official in Arizona’s Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix.

Despite years of detailed debunking of the Dominion conspiracy theories, Trump has continued to repeat them even as recently as a few weeks ago, when he vowed to get rid of voting machines. The president doesn’t have the power to do that because the Constitution gives states and Congress the authority to set election and voting rules.

By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and MICHELLE L. PRICE

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is sending about 200 troops to Israel to help support and monitor the ceasefire deal in Gaza as part of a team that includes partner nations, nongovernmental organizations and private-sector players, U.S. officials said Thursday.

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The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details that were not authorized for release, said U.S. Central Command is going to establish a “civil-military coordination center” in Israel that will help facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid as well as logistical and security assistance into the territory wracked by two years of war.

The remarks provide some of the first details on how the ceasefire deal would be monitored and that the U.S. military would have a role in that effort. After Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a Trump administration plan to halt the fighting, a litany of questions remain on next steps, including Hamas disarmament, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a future government in the territory.

One of the officials said the new team will help monitor implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the transition to a civilian government in Gaza.

The coordination center will be staffed by about 200 U.S. service members who have expertise in transportation, planning, security, logistics and engineering, said the official, who noted that no American troops will be sent into Gaza.

A second official said the troops would come from U.S. Central Command as well as other parts of the globe. That official added that the troops already have begun arriving and will continue to travel to the region over the weekend to begin planning and efforts to establish the center.

Two other senior U.S. officials who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss internal deliberations offered more details about forces from other countries and what U.S. troops would be doing.

Members of the armed forces of Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are expected to be embedded with the team of 200 U.S. troops, according to one of the officials. The American service members will integrate the multinational force and coordinate with Israeli defense forces, the official said.

The exact location of where U.S. troops will be positioned is something they will be working to determine Friday, the other official said.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, highlighted Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday, saying he had worked alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“Cooper — I hear he’s been fantastic,” Trump said.

Cooper joined the U.S. side of the talks in Egypt this week, according to one of the U.S. officials, and he helped reassure the Arab countries at the negotiating table that the U.S. would put a strong guarantee behind its commitments — a reassurance the Arab countries then passed along to Hamas.

In a show of readiness, Cooper told them he could have a command post up and running in the next two and a half weeks.

A breakthrough deal to pause the war in Gaza was reached Wednesday after the United States and mediators in the region pressured both Israel and Hamas to end the fighting that has devastated the Gaza Strip, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, sparked other conflicts and isolated Israel.

That push sealed an agreement on a first phase that would free the remaining living Israeli hostages within days in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

One person died after a home caught fire Thursday afternoon in Margate, according to a North Lauderdale city official.

Multiple fire engines and rescue trucks from Margate Fire Rescue and North Lauderdale Fire Rescue arrived at the home in the 5500 block of Southwest Sixth Street shortly after 4:30 p.m., said Mike Sargis, North Lauderdale City Manager.

Sargis said the fire chief confirmed one person died. He said he did not have further information.

WSVN-Ch. 7 reported that the deceased person was between ages 12 and 15. A dog was also found dead, the station said.

A 5-year-old child reportedly was still inside the home after the fire erupted, according to first responders’ radio communications archived by the site Broadcastify.

At least one 911 caller told first responders that someone was still inside the home and that someone broke windows trying to free the person who remained inside, according to the radio communications.

Spokespeople for Margate Police and Fire Rescue did not have further information to provide as of Thursday night.

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.

By THOMAS BEAUMONT and LAURA UNGAR

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Thursday reasserted the unproven link between the pain reliever Tylenol and autism, and suggested people who opposed the theory were motivated by hatred for President Donald Trump.

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During a meeting with Trump and the Cabinet, Kennedy reiterated the connection, even while noting there was no medical proof to substantiate the claim. He also mistakenly described a pregnant woman’s anatomy and linked autism to circumcision.

“Anybody who takes the stuff during pregnancy unless they have to is, is irresponsible,” Kennedy told Trump and fellow Cabinet members. “It is not proof. We’re doing the studies to make the proof.”

Kennedy has long espoused unconventional beliefs about public health, which have prompted concern among medical experts that, as health secretary, he could upend the country’s evidence-based health policies.

Kennedy noted during the meeting that he had seen a TikTok video on Thursday, which he said featured a pregnant woman “gobbling Tylenol” and cursing Trump. “The level of Trump derangement syndrome has now left the political landscape and now in the realm of pathology,” he said. Kennedy also said the woman was taking Tylenol “with a baby in her placenta.”

A fetus develops in the uterus, not the placenta. The placenta is a temporary organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy and provides oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to the growing fetus.

Kennedy’s statement came two weeks after he stood with Trump in the White House as the president used his office to promote unproven and, in some cases, discredited ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism.

Tylenol pain-relief pills are shown in La Habra, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Kennedy also said Thursday that infant boys who are circumcised have double the rate of autism because they are given Tylenol after the procedure.

This claim seems to refer to a study in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine from 2015, which looked at ritual circumcision and the risk of autism spectrum disorder in boys under the age of 10 in Denmark.

It found that those who had undergone the procedure, which involves the removal of the foreskin from the penis, were more likely to develop autism than other boys in the study. Researchers suggested a potential link might be due to the pain of the procedure. Researchers noted that they had no data on painkillers or anesthetics used, and thus couldn’t address whether Tylenol was linked to autism.

Other researchers pointed out that the Denmark study looked at correlation, not causation. They also point to other studies that found no evidence to support a link between circumcision and autism.

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.

By JONEL ALECCIA

A California company has recalled nearly 245,000 pounds of pre-cooked pasta linked to a deadly listeria outbreak and potential contamination of dozens of products sold at grocery stores nationwide.

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Nate’s Fine Foods of Roseville, California, recalled thousands of cases of linguine, fettucine, penne and other pastas sold to large producers of heat-and-eat meals and pasta salads on Sept. 25, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration notice posted Thursday.

The move came after tests showed that pasta made by Nate’s Fine Foods contained the same strain of listeria found in chicken fettucine Alfredo and meatball linguine products linked to an outbreak that has killed four people and sickened 20 since August 2024. The most recent illness reported occurred on Sept. 11.

FreshRealm, the San Clemente, California, company that produced those meals, used genetic sequencing to confirm the link to the outbreak.

Several grocery stores have recalled products made with pasta from Nate’s Fine Foods. The FDA and the U.S. Agriculture Department have warned consumers not to eat the foods and to discard them or return them to stores for refund.

Here are the recalls to date:

1. Sprouts Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad sold from the deli service counter or Grab & Go section with best-by dates from Oct. 10 to Oct. 29. 2. Giant Eagle smoked mozzarella pasta salad — expiration dates Sept. 30 through Oct. 7. 3. Kroger stores recalled deli bowtie and penne pasta salads — sold Aug. 29 through Oct. 2. 4. Scott & Jon’s Shrimp Scampi with Linguini Bowls 9.6-oz — best if used by dates of March 12 and 13 and March 17 and 21 2027. 5. Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettucine Alfredo 16-oz plastic tray packages with “best if used by” dates Sept. 20, Sept. 24, Sept. 27, Sept. 28, Oct. 1, Oct. 3, Oct. 5, Oct. 8 and Oct. 10. 6. Albertsons stores recalled store-made deli pasta salads — sell thru dates from Sept. 8 to Oct. 4. 7. Marketside Linguine with Beef Meatballs & Marinara Sauce 12-oz. — best-by dates of Sept. 22, Sept. 24, and 25 and Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. 8. Marketside Grilled Chicken Alfredo with Fettuccine 12.3-oz – best-by date of June 26, 2025, or prior; and 32.8-oz — best-by date of June 27, 2025, or prior. 9. Home Chef Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo 12.5-oz — best-by date of June 19 or prior.

By EDITH M. LEDERER and FARNOUSH AMIRI

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations said Thursday that 170,000 metric tons of food, medicine and other humanitarian aid is ready to enter Gaza and that it is seeking a green light from Israel to massively increase help for more than 2 million Palestinians following a deal to pause the war.

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In the last several months, the U.N. and its humanitarian partners have only been able to deliver 20% of the aid needed to address the dire situation in the Gaza Strip, U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said. Following the announcement Wednesday of a ceasefire deal, he said all entry points to Gaza must be opened to deliver aid at “a much, much greater scale.”

“Given the level of needs, the level of starvation, the level of misery and despair, will require a massive collective effort, and that’s what we’re mobilized for,” Fletcher said. “We are absolutely ready to roll and deliver at scale.”

The deal announced Wednesday by President Donald Trump marks the first time in months that U.N. officials have been hopeful about their ability to scale up deliveries after two years of war, expanding Israeli offensives and restrictions on humanitarian aid have triggered a hunger crisis, including famine in parts of the territory.

The conflict sparked by the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people has devastated Gaza, left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead, sparked other conflicts in the region and isolated Israel on the world stage, including at the U.N.

UN hopes to bring more aid to Gaza soon

Speaking to U.N. reporters virtually from Saudi Arabia’s capital of Riyadh, he said the U.N. has been “asking, demanding, imploring for the access, which we hope that in the coming days we will now have.”

Israel accused Hamas of siphoning off aid — without providing evidence of widespread diversion — and blamed U.N. agencies for failing to deliver food it has allowed into Gaza. It replaced the U.N. aid operation in Gaza in May with an Israeli- and U.S.-backed contractor, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, as the primary food supplier.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Thursday that he was not aware of any role for GHF during the ceasefire.

Fletcher said the U.N. is being guided by the 20-point ceasefire plan put forward by the United States, which stresses “the importance of the U.N. role at the heart of the humanitarian response.”

These are the UN’s priorities during the ceasefire

In the first 60 days of the ceasefire, Fletcher said, the U.N. would aim to increase the number of trucks with aid entering Gaza to between 500 and 600 daily as well as scale up food deliveries to 2.1 million people and 500,000 who need nutritional supplements.

“Famine must be reversed in areas where it has taken hold and prevented in others,” he said, adding that special rations for those facing acute hunger would be distributed, and bakeries and community kitchens would be supported.

Fletcher said the U.N. aims to deliver medicine and supplies to restore Gaza’s decimated health system; to scale up emergency and primary health care, including mental health and rehabilitation services; to support medical referrals and medical evacuations; and to deploy more emergency teams.

The U.N. also aims to restore Gaza’s water grid and improve sanitation by installing latrines in households, repairing sewage leaks and pumping stations, and moving solid waste from residential areas, he said.

Ahead of winter and with most housing destroyed, Fletcher said, the United Nations also is planning to bring in thousands of tents every week in addition to heavy-duty waterproof tarpaulins.

As for education, he said, the U.N. plans to reopen temporary learning spaces for 700,000 school-age children and “provide them with learning materials and school supplies.”

Fletcher said the U.N. can deliver this plan as it has done before, but it needs to ensure protection for civilians, especially women and girls who have been victims of sexual violence, and to identify where unexploded ordnance is to reduce the risk of deaths and injuries.

It also needs Israel to allow the entry of the U.N.’s partners from humanitarian and other organizations, and it needs money — lots of it.

Fletcher warned that the 170,000 tons of aid ready to enter Gaza is just the tip of the iceberg for what is needed, and he called on developed countries to scale up contributions to the aid effort.

“Every government, every state, every individual who has been watching this crisis unfold and wondering, ‘What can we do? If only there is something we can do.’ Now is the time to make that generosity count,” he said.