South Florida Local News

Today is Tuesday, Jan. 20, the 20th day of 2026. There are 345 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Jan. 20, 2011, authorities orchestrated one of the biggest Mafia takedowns in FBI history, charging 127 suspected mobsters and associates in the Northeast with murders, extortion and other crimes spanning decades.

Also on this date:

In 1841, the island of Hong Kong was ceded by China to Great Britain. It returned to Chinese control in July 1997.

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In 1936, Britain’s King George V died after his physician injected the mortally ill monarch with morphine and cocaine to hasten his death. The king was succeeded by his eldest son, Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne 11 months later to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was sworn in for his second of four terms as president, becoming the first chief executive to be inaugurated on Jan. 20; prior to the adoption of the 20th Amendment in 1933, presidential terms began on March 4.

In 1961, in his inaugural address, President John F. Kennedy urged Americans, “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

In 1986, the United States observed the first federal holiday in honor of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1981, Iran released 52 Americans it had held hostage for 444 days, minutes after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president of the United States, succeeding Jimmy Carter.

In 2009, Democrat Barack Obama was sworn in as the first Black president of the United States.

In 2017, Republican Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States as protesters clashed with police blocks from the inaugural parade.

Today’s birthdays:

• Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin is 96.
• Olympic figure skating gold medalist Carol Heiss Jenkins is 86.
• Rock musician Paul Stanley (KISS) is 74.
• Comedian Bill Maher is 70.
• Olympic swimming gold medalist John Naber is 70.
• Country singer John Michael Montgomery is 61.
• Actor Rainn Wilson is 60. Actor Skeet Ulrich is 56.
• Musician Questlove (The Roots) is 55.
• Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and ex-governor of South Carolina, is 54.
• Country singer Brantley Gilbert is 41.
• Actor and singer Joshua Colley is 24.
• Singer-songwriter Glaive is 21.

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Hurricanes nearly came back from three separate 10-point deficits in the College Football Playoff title game Monday, but their hopes of completing the comeback fell short when quarterback Carson Beck’s downfield pass was intercepted by Indiana cornerback Jamari Sharpe.

Sharpe blanketed Miami wide receiver Keelan Marion, Beck underthrew it, Marion never turned around and Sharpe came down with the interception to seal the 27-21 win for the Hoosiers over UM Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium.

“The guy made a really good play. They were in Cover 2, and he sunk with no flat threat and made a really good play on the ball,” Beck said. “You can sit back and think of every if, and, or but situation after, but that’s what happened. And it sucks, but it’s going to sting for a while.”

Marion took ownership on his end.

“It probably was just a miscommunication. I didn’t even know he threw the ball,” said Marion, with tears in his eyes. “I got to look for the ball and make that play for him. It was all on me.”

Hurricanes coaches felt Beck made a fine decision on the first-and-10 pass from the Indiana 41-yard line with under a minute to play, but the execution on the throw was lacking.

“It’s the right place to go with the ball,” Cristobal said. “Just got to be a little bit further and a little bit farther outside. We didn’t connect on it, and turnover.”

“I really don’t mind where the ball went, really. I mean, probably needs to be out there a little more,” UM offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. “Keelan needs to look for the ball, and it was a little bit underthrown. It was just one of those deals.”

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The interception was Beck’s lone costly mistake. He finished 19 of 32 for 232 yards and an earlier touchdown pass, which went to wide receiver Malachi Toney coming around to him in the backfield on a jet sweep.

Marion finished with one catch for 6 yards, while he was targeted six times. Toney led Miami with 10 receptions for 122 yards and the touchdown, while fellow UM wideout CJ Daniels made four catches for 62 yards.

The Hurricanes took over with 1:42 remaining from their own 25-yard line, trailing by 6 points, to start the final drive.

“We were confident that we were going to go down and score a touchdown like how we did against Ole Miss the game before,” Miami center James Brockermeyer said, “but obviously didn’t go our way this time. But we fought our tails off the entire game, and our guys never folded, never quit. So I’m just. I’m really proud of everyone, how we fought and how we competed, and I just love my guys out there.”

Beck had his clutch moments during Miami’s magical run to the national championship, like his scramble to the end zone in the semifinal against Mississippi, but in UM’s two previous losses — against Louisville and SMU — he had a combined six interceptions, including costly ones late in each defeat. He threw four interceptions against Louisville.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was not the only one making big plays for the opponent back in his hometown Monday night, as Sharpe hails from Miami Northwestern High. Sharpe, incidentally, is the nephew of Glenn Sharpe, the former Miami cornerback was flagged for the controversial pass interference penalty the previous the Hurricanes were in a championship game, against Ohio State after the 2002 season.

Fellow Hoosiers cornerback D’Angelo Ponds is also a Miami native and played high school football at Chaminade-Madonna. He had five tackles and three pass breakups Monday night.

Aside from the game-sealing interception, the key miscues that will stick in the craw of the Hurricanes came on special teams.

UM punter Dylan Joyce had a punt blocked in the third quarter where tight end Alex Bauman missed a block, and it was recovered in the end zone by the Hoosiers’ Isaiah Jones.

Miami kicker Carter Davis had a 50-yard field goal attempt miss off the upright late in the first half. UM’s second-half touchdowns all would’ve tied the game instead of getting the team within 3 each time, and the Hurricanes could’ve played for a tying field goal on the final drive had they had those points.

Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 135-112 loss to the Golden State Warriors:

– No matter where you stand on Jimmy Butler, no one wants to see that, the former Heat forward being helped off the court midway through the third quarter.

– After having several statement moments early against his former team.

– With Bam Adebayo getting the initial defensive assignment.

– But such also is the risk with older players.

– No, not random injuries such as Butler’s in this one, but rather the potential recovery time.

– Which does make it different from the rib issue the Heat are dealing with at the moment with Tyler Herro.

– No sooner was Butler dealt from the Heat last February than he signed a two-year, $111 million extension with the Warriors.

– As in $54 million this season and $56.9 million next season.

– With the Heat, by contrast, holding off with Herro, as he deals with his own injury issues.

– Availability as ability still matters.

– As the Heat continue to learn with Herro.

– As the Warriors likely are about to learn with Butler.

– Which is why you have to spend wisely.

– With Davion Mitchell and Jaime Jaime Jr. back but Herro out, Erik Spoelstra opened with a lineup of Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Pelle Larsson, Norman Powell and Mitchell.

– That lineup entered 2-1.

– The Warriors, in the void of Draymond Green, who was out with an ankle issue, opened with a lineup of Butler, Will Richard, Quintin Post, Moses Moody and Stephen Curry.

– It was the first time those five Warriors played together.

– Unlike the Heat, the Warriors had moved to a degree of stability with their starting lineup, opening with the same five now in 12 of their previous (Curry, Moody, Post, Green and Butler).

– Jaquez was back to being first off the Heat bench.

– Simone Fontecchio followed, with continued faith from Spoelstra.

– Solid in this one with his rebounding.

– Kasparas Jakucionis and Ware then entered together.

– Dru Smith made it 10 deep when he entered early in the second period.

– Leaving Nikola Jovic on the outside of the rotation.

– Mitchell and Jaquez were back for the Heat after missing the end of the just-concluded homestand.

– Said Jaquez of his road back from his knee sprain, “A lot of rehab, work in the pool, just everything I can to make sure my legs are strong.”

–  Said Mitchell of his path back from his shoulder contusion, “It’s a lot of work in the weight room trying to get that range of motion back. Plus, the first couple of days, I couldn’t really raise my arm. So I always had to get that strengthening back and that feeling back. But I feel a lot better.”

– For the Heat, this is a particularly challenging trip, opening with a back-to-back set (with a Tuesday night game against the Sacramento Kings) and then concluding with another back-to-back set (Saturday at the Utah Jazz, Sunday at the Phoenix Suns).

– “We’ve proven we can beat anybody. We can win anywhere,” Spoelstra said. “We have to be more consistent to our identity, but that’s everything. Ultimately, it gets a little bit gnarly on the road, and we just have to collectively figure it out and do enough things consistently to give ourselves a chance to win the game.”

– Of the trip, Adebayo said, “We understand it’s going to be a little hectic. But road trips are like this. And when the team really bonds together, really gels together, we start seeing what we can become.”

– Still, the change of time zones matters.

– “It’s kind of crazy because I woke up at like four in the morning,” Mitchell said, “because I’m thinking it’s supposed to be seven in Miami.”

– Of Adebayo on Monday being named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Spoelstra said pregame, “He was a force of will, a force of nature. And as our captain, we turn to him when we have these kind of moments where we feel like we have to do whatever’s necessary to try to do things.”

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– For Wiggins, it meant his first game back at Chase Center since being dealt last season from the Warriors in the Butler trade.

– “It’s really great to see him have that smile on his face,” Spoelstra said at the morning shootaround. “He feels very comfortable. A lot of, I’m sure, a ton of cool memories here.”

– Spoelstra also said of Wiggins, “He’s doing so much for us. It’s probably a similar role that he had during that playoff run, when they won the championship — guard all the best wings and scorers in the league.”

– It was, to say the least, a warm embrace, with Warriors coach Steve Kerr saying pregame,  “He’s just a really good player. He was a good player before we got him and obviously helped us win a championship in ‘22. He’s a guy who is not afraid of the moment and he will rise up and shoot it anytime.”

– Of dealing Wiggins 11 months ago, Kerr said pregame, “He was just a joy to coach every single day. When you get a guy like that on your team and you go through a lot together, both on and off the court, then you make a trade, it’s just like that. It’s just crazy, this league, how this business operates. You have to just deal with it but it is sad when your relationships like that are all of a sudden . . . I mean you still have a relationship but you don’t see each other. So we’ll say hi out there, it’s different.”

The runway was there for the Miami Heat to take flight in the first game of their five-game western swing, with Draymond Green out, Jimmy Butler injured and Stephen Curry in foul trouble for the Golden State Warriors.

But on a night Bam Adebayo could not regain his newfound offensive confidence, there wasn’t enough for Erik Spoelstra’s team, with the Heat falling 135-112 Monday night at Chase Center.

“Our decision-making was not great tonight, and they made us pay for that,” Spoelstra said.

Even with Green sitting out with an ankle injury, Butler lost early in the third quarter with a knee injury and Curry forced to the bench early in the fourth with his fifth foul, the Warriors thrived with what they have done during their best of times — death by 3-pointers, closing 24 of 51 from beyond the arc.

It was Golden State’s fourth consecutive game with at least 20 3-pointers, tying the NBA record set by the Boston Celtics in 2023-24 and tied by the Cleveland Cavaliers last season.

“It was one of our poor defensive games in a long time,” Spoelstra said.

Curry closed with 19 points, comfortably sitting after that fifth foul, with Golden State’s greatest concern being Butler’s right knee.

The Heat got 21 points from Norman Powell and 18 from Andrew Wiggins, but only four from Adebayo, who closed 1 of 13 from the field.

“They had more energy than us,” Wiggins said. “We can be better, for sure.”

Both teams were shorthanded, with Tyler Herro remaining behind in Miami due to a rib injury.

The game opened a five-game western swing for the Heat that continues Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings, before the Heat move on for games at the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz at Phoenix Suns.

“This is a disappointing loss. That’s what it is,” Spoelstra said. “But we don’t have time to dwell on it as much as we would like to go over all the different things that we could have done better.  We’ve got to get on the Sac and get ready for a battle.”

And, so, onward.

“It’ll be a quick turnaround,”: forward Simone Fontecchio said, “but we’re going to be ready.”

Five Degrees of Heat from Monday night’s game:

1. Game flow: The Warriors led 36-34 at the end of the opening period, 70-66 at halftime and 104-93 going into the fourth, after earlier pushing to a 15-point lead in the third period.

With Green sidelined and Butler out, the game then took a turn when Curry was forced to the Warriors’ bench with his fifth foul with 9:04 to play and Golden State up 112-102.

With Curry out, the Warriors extended their lead to 119-113, forcing a Heat timeout, with Golden State after moving to a 127-103 lead, forcing another Heat timeout.

Shortly thereafter, Spoelstra pulled his starters.

“You’re playing with fire if you let the team see the ball going with ease,” Spoelstra said.

2. Two back: The Heat had Davion Mitchell and Jaime Jaquez Jr. back, after Mitchell missed two games with a shoulder contusion and Jaquez two with a knee sprain.

“These guys are tough guys that love to be out on the floor,” Spoelstra said. “But they just had to have that time to get their bodies right. And they put in all the work. They passed all the protocols.”

Mitchell was back in the starting lineup and Jaquez back to playing as sixth man.

What didn’t change was Pelle Larsson getting the starting call over Kel’el Ware.

It was Larsson’s 22nd start and Ware’s sixth consecutive game off the bench.

The opening lineup beyond Mitchell and Larsson was rounded out with Wiggins, Powell and Adebayo.

Mitchell closed 1 of 7 from the field for seven points. Jaquez had 10 points and nine rebounds.

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3. Return engagement: The game was the first back at Chase Center for Wiggins since being dealt last February in the trade that sent Butler to the Warriors.

The Warriors played an extended pregame video tribute for Wiggins, which was followed by a standing ovation.

Wiggins then went out and scored 18 points in the first half.

Of the return, Wiggins said, “Just excitement. It’s fun to be back.”

He closed 6 of 14 from the field.

4. The other side: And then there was Butler, who wound up with an abbreviated night after injuring his right knee while attempting to catch a pass with 7:41 left in the third period and Golden State up two.

Butler immediately was helped off the court by teammates, heading to the locker room.

After scoring 15 in the first half, Butler wound up limited to 21 minutes, closing with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, three rebounds and three assists.

““We’re all concerned, but until the MRI, obviously, we don’t, don’t know anything,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

It was Butler’s second appearance against the Heat since last season’s trade. He sat out the Heat’s Nov. 18 victory over the Warriors at Kaseya Center for rest.

His previous appearance against the Heat after the trade came last March in a 112-86 loss at Kaseya Center, when he closed 5 of 12 from the field for 12 points.

“Usually expect him to get up,” Curry said of the Butler scene. “He was still cracking jokes over there while he was on the ground, true Jimmy fashion.”

5. Bam bust: After three breakout scoring performances, with 29, 22 and 30 points in his previous three games, Adebayo this time was 0 for 8 from the field in a two-point first half.

He later fell to 0 for 11 before converting his first basket on a follow-up attempt 61 seconds into the third period.

Adebayo stood 1 of 13 through three quarters, with Ware picking up some of the slack with a 7-of-8 start from the field, including five dunks. He finished 7 of 10 for 15 points, with four rebounds.

The struggles came hours after Adebayo earlier in the day was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

Of being named Player of the Week, Adebayo said, “I don’t get it without my teammates. Obviously, they give a lot of life into me when I’m down.”

MIAMI GARDENS — By the time Fernando Mendoza ran across the line on fourth down, then bulled over a couple of Hurricanes defenders and stretched the ball over the goal line, the national championship game had more than its defining play.

Indiana had the crystallized moment to say it rightfully earned the national title, just as it kept doing all the way to the interception of Miami quarterback Carson Beck in the final minute to seal its 27-21 win in the College Football Playoff title game.

For once, you see, the magic was on the other side. That’s what happened to Miami. All this past month of college playoffs, Miami had been the team intercepting a pass in the end zone at the end to beat Texas A&M or the one where Beck ran into the end zone to beat Mississippi.

Now, it was Indiana having the moment to hang a national title on. Mendoza stood in the confetti-covered field afterward and looked at his bruised right forearm, the one that cracked against Miami defenders en route to that touchdown that proved the winning points.

“It’s worth the bruises,’’ he said.

That bruising started, as everything at Indiana did, with coach Curt Cignetti making the kind of situational decision many coaches wouldn’t. Here was the situation: fourth-and-4 at Miami’s 12-yard line. Indiana led, 17-14, in the fourth quarter.

“We ran on the field-goal team, and that didn’t feel right so we took a timeout,’’ Cignetti said.

After a slow start Miami’s offense was beginning to have its way with Indiana’s defense. Cignetti didn’t trust his lead. He already had gone for it on fourth down on this drive with Mendoza showing his Heisman Trophy form with a 17-yard completion for that first down.

Now, he made a second call befitting a national champion. He went for this fourth-and-4, and Mendoza showed his talent another way.

“You put the ball in your best player’s hands,’’ Cignetti said.

Mendoza took the shotgun snap and ran up the middle, the Miami kid making his biggest moment back home against the team that twice didn’t want him. That’s not to question Miami. No major team wanted Mendoza out of high school until Cal-Berkley lost a quarterback and signed him.

“The best thing that could’ve happened,’’ he said.

When you win the Heisman, when you’re the upcoming No. 1 pick in the NFL draft and when you help turn a classic loser into a national champion, everything worked out just fine. His parents, celebrating after his TD run, was sports at their best.

“Just a quarterback draw,’’ Cignetti said of that play. “He ran a linebacker over. He wasn’t going to be denied.”

Miami didn’t play the perfect game it needed to win. Indiana, in fact, dominated the first half by any number you pulled: 169 total yards to Miami’s 69; 11 first downs to Miami’s three; 4-for-7 in converting third downs to Miami’s 0-for-4.

Indiana looked physical, disciplined, tight-knit but Midwestern-ly modest enough in managing to control the pride of the Hurricanes — their offensive line. Miami had 12 rushes for just 20 yards in the first half. As if that weren’t enough, Miami’s sole scoring chance, a 50-yard field-goal attempt, went wide just before halftime.

It felt close to being over then. But the score said it couldn’t possibly be over. Indiana only led 10-0.

“We knew we just had to come out and play our game,’’ Miami coach Mario Cristobal said.

But could it find that game? The answer came in the opening minutes of the second half. Miami’s Rueben Bain sacked Mendoza to force an Indiana punt. Then, on Miami’s second play, running back Mark Fletcher Jr. sprinted around right end and kept going for a 57-yard touchdown.

Suddenly, Miami was Miami again. Suddenly, the national championship was up for grabs. Indiana struck back, blocking a punt and falling on it in the end zone for a touchdown late in the third quarter to go back up, 17-7.

Give Miami credit. It kept coming. Its 81-yard drive cut it to 17-14. All told, Miami had three separete 10-point deficits this game and responded by cutting each to three points. The final one was after Mendoza’s touchdown when its eight-play, 91-yard drive made it 24-21.

Those two drives — the 81-yarder and 91-yarder — explain why Cignetti kept going for it on fourth down. They also explain why when Indiana only got a field goal to go up six points with a couple of minutes left, Miami had its chance.

That chance ended with Beck throwing the interception and Indiana throwing a party at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami walked off with the kind of season to be proud of. They just didn’t get the title. Sometimes, in sports, the magic is on the other side.

MIAMI GARDENS — The Hurricanes came close to summitting the college football mountain for the first time since the 2001 season. But ultimately, Miami did not have enough.

Indiana, the top seed in the College Football Playoff, kept Miami at arm’s length for long enough and held onto a 27-21 victory in the national title game at Hard Rock Stadium. It is the Hoosiers’ first-ever national title.

Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, scored a 12-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-4 that put the Hoosiers ahead by 10 points in the fourth quarter. It was too much for Miami to overcome, even with a fourth-quarter touchdown catch by star freshman Malachi Toney that cut the deficit to three points. Indiana was able to run down the clock and kick a field goal to make it a six-point game,

Miami was moving the ball on a potential game-winning drive, but quarterback Carson Beck threw a game-ending interception that was picked off by Jamari Sharpe.

“To even have that opportunity to have a chance to win the game at the end says a lot about this team and about us,” Beck said. “Just super proud of these guys and super thankful for them. And it really hurts and it’s hard, the way that it ended.”

Indiana took a first-quarter lead and never trailed, but after falling behind 10-0, the Hurricanes battled to stay in the game.

Miami and Indiana traded punts on the first drive, but Indiana struck first on its second drive of the game. The Hoosiers went 55 yards, and cornerback OJ Frederique Jr. broke up a pass in the end zone to force Indiana to kick a 34-yard field goal.

The Hoosiers shut down the Hurricanes’ offense throughout the first half. Indiana took a 10-0 lead midway on a 14-play, 85-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard run by tight end Riley Nowakowski.

Miami’s best drive of the first half came in the waning moments before halftime, but the Hurricanes opted to try for a 50-yard field goal, which Davis missed.

The Hurricanes needed a stop on Indiana’s second-half opening drive, and appeared poised to get it. Miami pushed IU back to third-and-17 after Akheem Mesdor sacked Fernando Mendoza, but an Armondo Blount facemask penalty on a third-down run continued the drive. The penalty did not come back to bite the Hurricanes, as Rueben Bain got a third-down sack on the next set of downs to force a punt.

Miami finally got on the board on its first drive when running back Mark Fletcher Jr. took an outside run 57 yards to the end zone, cutting Indiana’s lead to 10-7.

Indiana defensive lineman Mikail Kamara put Indiana back ahead by 10, blocking a Dylan Joyce punt inside the UM 10-yard line. Isaiah Jones recovered the loose ball in the end zone for the score.

Miami fought its way back into the game, going 81 yards on 10 plays and ending the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run by Fletcher.

UM forced IU into a fourth-and-5 on the Hurricanes’ 37-yard line, and Mendoza connected with Charlie Becker for a crucial first down. Mendoza completed the drive with his touchdown run.

“They did exactly what we expected and we talked about,” defensive end Akheem Mesidor said. “It was just miscommunication.”

The Hurricanes were not done yet. Toney scored on a 22-yard pop pass to get Miami back within three points and kept its hopes alive. But the Hoosiers picked up key first downs to keep the clock moving and limit the Hurricanes’ time for a game-winning drive. When Miami got the ball back, it had to push the ball down field quickly, setting up the game-ending interception.

Five takeaways 1. Hoosiers out-Miami Miami

Miami made its living during the playoffs by dominating other teams on the line of scrimmage. Indiana did that to UM on Monday.

The Hoosiers’ first two scoring drives were 12 and 14 plays long, which is precisely what the Hurricanes try to do to opposing teams.

Indiana had more time of possession and picked up crucial third downs like Miami had throughout the postseason.

“Good players, good scheme,” Cristobal said. “They’re mature, they’re older. They understand how to leverage the ball, communicate really well. They certainly had a really good first half against us. A lot of credit to them.”

2. UM defensive line gets after Mendoza

The Hurricanes’ pass rush has come up big throughout the season, and it put the Heisman winner under pressure throughout the game.

However, UM did not have a sack in the first half.

The Hurricanes came out firing in the second half, getting two sacks on Indiana’s first drive of the second half and a third on the subsequent drive.  Mesidor had two sacks, and Bain had one.

But Mendoza got the last laugh, scoring the game-winning touchdown by running through UM’s defense.

3. Special team woes

The Hoosiers had a 10-point swing thanks to poor special-teams play from the Hurricanes. Miami missed a field goal to end the first half, and then Indiana blocked a UM punt and scored on the play.

The blocked punt for a touchdown proved to be a decisive play.

4. Fletcher caps stellar playoffs

The playoffs were where Fletcher became a star.

Fletcher notched 112 yards and a pair of scores, becoming the first running back to rush for more than 100 yards against the Hoosiers this season.

5. A season to remember

Although the Hurricanes’ season ended in disappointment, it was still the best UM season in more than two decades. With playoff victories over Texas A&M, Ohio State and Ole Miss, Miami showed that it is relevant on the national stage again.

The Hurricanes will have plenty to pitch new players (both in the high school ranks and in the portal), as UM has now shown it is competitive. It will also show that it can develop players, with two or three players likely to go in the first round of April’s NFL draft.

Miami fans surely hoped they would spend the week celebrating. But the Hurricanes are once again a team people around the nation must take seriously.

“It’s not the result we wanted,” Cristobal said. “Credit to Indiana; they’re a great football team. But to these guys right here, I couldn’t be more proud to be associated with them. I love them. They’re absolutely incredible human beings, competitors, resilient, and I want to thank them and the rest of their teammates. It’s a tough one. Tough one to have to eat, but we will. That’s it.”

MIAMI GARDENS — Halftime of the College Football Playoff national title game involved a coach interview atypical of what’s usually heard going into the locker room for intermission.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti used his air time with ESPN’s Holly Rowe to rip the officials for the hits the Miami Hurricanes defense was getting on Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

“There’s three personal fouls on the quarterback on one drive that were not called. They need to be called because they’re obvious personal fouls,” an impassioned Cignetti said.

“I’m all for letting them play, but when you cross the line, you got to call it. They were black-and-white calls.”

One noticeable big hit on Mendoza in the first half came when Hurricanes safety Jakobe Thomas drilled him after he handed the ball off and faked like he was running with the ball. There was contact from Thomas’ helmet to Mendoza’s chin under his facemask and Mendoza’s lip was bloodied.

Aside from that, there were multiple instances where Mendoza was hit as he threw or just after releasing the football. Officially, Miami was been credited with three quarterback hurries in the first half — one each by defensive ends Akheem Mesidor and Marquise Lightfoot and another from linebacker Mohamed Toure.

Cignetti was irate over the officiating despite Indiana leading, 10-0, at intermission.

SUNRISE — Will Smith scored in his second consecutive game after missing a month because of injury, and the San Jose Sharks spoiled Matthew Tkachuk’s season debut by beating the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers 4-1 on Monday night in a game highlighted by a rare goalie fight.

Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky beelined out of his crease and all the way down the ice to take on San Jose’s Alex Nedeljkovic, who had inserted himself into a scrum in the corner with 14 minutes left. Fans chanted, “Bobby! Bobby!” and cheered the netminder nicknamed “Bob” who has backstopped the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.

The second meeting between the teams this season, and first since Nov. 8, got increasingly chippy with pushing and shoving after whistles and more than a few punches thrown.

Between the whistles, the Sharks also got goals from defensemen Vincent Desharnais and Mario Ferraro and 36 saves from Nedeljkovic. Barclay Goodrow sealed it with an empty-netter, and San Jose won hours after general manager Mike Grier signaled his team is going for it this season following a lengthy rebuild by acquiring winger Kiefer Sherwood in a trade with Vancouver.

Tkachuk skated just under 21 minutes and had three shots on goal in his first game since helping Florida repeat and hoisting the Cup in June. The 28-year-old winger, who was picked to play for the U.S. at the Olympics next month in Milan, underwent surgery last summer to deal with a sports hernia and torn adductor muscle.

Eetu Luostarinen scored the Panthers’ goal. Bobrovsky allowed three on 27 shots, giving up several juicy rebounds that San Jose capitalized on.

Puck drop was moved up an hour to a 6 p.m. EST start after the Miami Hurricanes made the college football national title game, which was being played in their nearby home stadium.

Up next

Panthers: Open a three-game trip Thursday night at Winnipeg.

By JON GAMBRELL

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Hackers disrupted Iranian state television satellite transmissions to air footage supporting the country’s exiled crown prince and calling on security forces to not “point your weapons at the people,” online video showed early Monday, the latest disruption to follow nationwide protests in the country.

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The hacking comes as the death toll in a crackdown by authorities that smothered the demonstrations reached at least 4,029 people, activists said. They fear the number will grow far higher as information leaks out of a country still gripped by the government’s decision to shut down the internet. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had his invitation to speak at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, withdrawn over the killings.

Meanwhile, tensions remain high between the United States and Iran over the crackdown after President Donald Trump drew two red lines for the Islamic Republic — the killing of peaceful protesters and Tehran conducting mass executions in the wake of the demonstrations. A U.S. aircraft carrier, which days earlier had been in the South China Sea, passed Singapore overnight to enter the Strait of Malacca — putting it on a route that could bring it to the Middle East.

State TV disrupted

The footage aired Sunday night across multiple channels broadcast by satellite from Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the country’s state broadcaster. The video aired two clips of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, then included footage of security forces and others in what appeared to be Iranian police uniforms. It claimed without offering evidence others had “laid down their weapons and swore an oath of allegiance to the people.”

“This is a message to the army and security forces,” one graphic read. “Don’t point your weapons at the people. Join the nation for the freedom of Iran.”

The semiofficial Fars news agency, believed to be close to the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, quoted a statement from the state broadcaster acknowledging that the signal in “some areas of the country was momentarily disrupted by an unknown source.” It did not discuss what had been aired.

A statement from Pahlavi’s office acknowledged the disruption that showed the crown prince. It did not respond to questions from The Associated Press about the hack. How much support Pahlavi has inside of Iran remains an open question, though there have been pro-shah cries at the demonstrations and at night since the crackdown.

Sunday’s hack isn’t the first to see Iranian airwaves disrupted. In 1986, The Washington Post reported that the CIA supplied the prince’s allies “a miniaturized television transmitter for an 11-minute clandestine broadcast” to Iran by Pahlavi that pirated the signal of two stations in the Islamic Republic.

In 2022, multiple channels aired footage showing leaders from the exiled opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq and a graphic calling for the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

US aircraft carrier possibly on path to Mideast

As tensions remain high between Tehran and Washington, ship-tracking data analyzed by the AP on Monday showed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, as well as other American military vessels, in the Strait of Malacca after passing Singapore on a route that could take them to the Middle East.

The Lincoln had been in the South China Sea with its strike group as a deterrent to China over tensions with Taiwan. Tracking data showed that the USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., the USS Michael Murphy and the USS Spruance, all Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers, were traveling with the Lincoln through the strait.

Multiple U.S. media reports quoting anonymous officials have said the Lincoln, which has its homeport in San Diego, was on its way to the Mideast. It likely would still need several days of travel before its aircraft would be in range of the region. The Mideast has been without an aircraft carrier group or an amphibious ready group, likely complicating any discussion of a military operation targeting Iran given Gulf Arab states’ broad opposition to such an attack.

Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum withdrew its invitation for Araghchi to speak at Davos.

“Although he was invited last fall, the tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks means that it is not right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos this year,” the forum said.

Iran’s ambassador to Switzerland, Mahmoud Barimani, called the decision an “unreasonable act which was no doubt under the pressure and influence of anti-Iranian currents and radical American-Zionists.”

The Munich Security Conference separately withdrew invitation for Iranian government officials over the crackdown.

Death toll from crackdown rises

The death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding the 1979 revolution. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency put the death toll Tuesday to at least 4,029, warning it likely would go higher.

It said of the dead, 3,786 were demonstrators, 180 were security forces, 28 were children and 35 were people not demonstrating.

The agency has been accurate throughout the years of demonstrations and unrest in Iran, relying on a network of activists inside the country that confirms all reported fatalities. The AP has been unable to independently confirm the toll.

Iranian officials have not given a clear death toll, although on Saturday, Khamenei said the protests had left “several thousand” people dead and blamed the United States for the deaths. It was the first indication from an Iranian leader of the extent of the casualties from the wave of protests that began Dec. 28 over Iran’s ailing economy.

The agency also reported over 26,000 people had been arrested. Comments from officials have led to fears of some of those detained being put to death in Iran, one of the world’s top executioners.

“While the killers and seditious terrorists will be punished, Islamic mercy and leniency will be applied to those who were deceived and did not have (effective) roles in the terrorist event,” a statement Monday from Iran’s president, its judiciary chief and parliament speaker said.

Associated Press writer Elena Becatoros contributed to this report.

By HUIZHONG WU

BANGKOK (AP) — How do you persuade a population to have more babies after generations of limiting families to just one?

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A decade after ending China’s longtime one-child policy, the country’s authorities are pushing a range of ideas and policies to try to encourage more births — tactics that range from cash subsidies to taxing condoms to eliminating a tax on matchmakers and day care centers.

The efforts haven’t paid off yet. At least, that’s what population figures released Monday show for what is now the world’s second-most populous nation. China’s population of 1.4 billion continued to shrink, marking the fourth straight year of decrease, new government statistics show. The total population in 2025 stood at 1.404 billion, which was 3 million less than the previous year.

Measured another way, the birth rate in 2025 — 5.63 per 1,000 people — is the lowest on record since 1949, the year that Mao Zedong’s Communists overthrew the Nationalists and began running China. Figures before that, under the previous Nationalist government, were not available.

China was long the world’s most populous nation until 2023, when it was surpassed by regional neighbor and sometime rival India. Monday’s statistics illustrate the stark demographic pressures faced by the country as it tries to pivot from a problem it is working hard to overcome: status as a nation with a growing but transitional economy that, as is often said, is “getting old before it gets rich.”

Is a snake involved?

The number of new babies born was just 7.92 million in 2025, a decline of 1.62 million, or 17%, from the previous year. The latest birth numbers show that the slight tick upward in 2024 was not a lasting trend. Births declined for seven years in a row through 2023.

People catch a sight of the snow-covered Forbidden City from a pavilion with lantern decorations at the Jingshan Park a day after the snow fall, in Beijing, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Most families cite the costs and pressure of raising a child in a highly competitive society as significant hurdles that now loom larger in the face of an economic downturn that has impacted households struggling to meet their living costs.

Across the region, “it’s these big structural issues which are much harder to tackle, whether it’s housing, and work and getting a job and getting started in life and expectations around education…,” said Stuart Gietel-Basten, director of the Center for Aging Science at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. “It’s gonna be difficult to make a major change in those number of births until those are addressed.”

Another potential factor in the numbers, at least for 2025: Last year in China was the year of the snake, considered one of the least favored years for having a child under the Chinese zodiac. The government’s official Xinhua News Agency, however, did say early last year — perhaps optimistically — that the snake “is shaking off its negative connotations.”

Like many other countries in Asia, China has faced a declining fertility rate, or the average number of babies a woman is expected to have in her lifetime. While the government does not regularly publish a fertility rate, last saying it was 1.3 in 2020, experts have estimated it is now around 1. Both figures are far below the 2.1 rate that would maintain the size of China’s population.

For decades, the Chinese government barred people from having more than one baby and often sanctioned those who did — a policy that produced more than two generations of only children. In 2015, the government raised the permitted amount of offspring to two and then, facing demographic pressure, further revised the limit to three in 2021.

Economics are behind the decision

The push for more births is about the economy. China now has 323 million people over 60, or 23% of the entire population. That number has continued to rise, while the working-age population is shrinking, meaning there are fewer workers to support the older population.

A visitor uses a smartphone to film the snow-covered Forbidden City from a pavilion at the Jingshan Park a day after the snow fall, in Beijing, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

This demographic shift is happening while China is in the process of trying to transition away from labor-intensive industries like farming and manufacturing into a consumer-driven economy built with high-tech manufacturing.

While China’s rapid development in manufacturing with high-tech and robotics can reduce the impact of a shrinking labor force, “the bigger concern is whether economic growth can stay afloat with a shrinking population,” said Gary Ng, senior economist for Asia Pacific at French investment bank Natixis.

China reported a 5% annual economic growth for 2025 on Monday, based on official data. But some analysts expect growth to slow over the next few years.

To cope with these massive changes, China will eventually need to reform its pension system, Ng said, as well as broaden the tax base to cope with the higher government expenditure.

People catch a sight of the snow-covered Forbidden City from a pavilion with lantern decorations at the Jingshan Park a day after the snow fall, in Beijing, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Officials have had limited success with policy changes to incentivize families to have more children. In July, the government announced cash subsidies of 3,600 yuan ($500) per child to families.

Coupling incentives with other attempts to mold behavior, the government also has started taxing condoms. China removed contraceptives, including condoms, from a value-added tax exemption list in 2025, meaning condoms are now being hit with a 13% tax that kicked into effect Jan. 1.

To further promote child-rearing, kindergartens and daycares have been added to the tax-exemption list, along with matchmaking services.

Researchers like Gietel-Basten say that young women want policies, especially in the workplace, that ensure they are not penalized for taking time off to have children, and that this is up to private companies to change. “It shouldn’t be this massive penalty,” he said.

Shihuan Chen in Beijing, Chan Ho-him in Hong Kong and Fu Ting in Washington contributed to this report.

A high-speed train derailed and smashed into another high-speed train in southern Spain on Sunday, killing at least 21 people and injuring at least 73 others in the country’s deadliest train accident since at least 2013, authorities said.

The regional emergency services agency said 24 of the injured people were in serious condition. Juanma Moreno, president of the Andalusia government, said the death toll was expected to rise.

The trains collided at around 7:45 p.m. in Adamuz, near the city of Córdoba, along the main high-speed rail line connecting southern Spain with Madrid, the country’s landlocked capital.

The rear cars of the first train left the tracks and spilled onto the opposite track where another train was passing, causing the front two cars of the second train to also derail, Transport Minister Óscar Puente said.

The cause of the initial derailment was not immediately clear. Puente said the first train was just a few years old and that the section of track where the accident occurred had recently been renovated.

“The accident is extremely strange,” he said. “It happened on a straightaway. All the experts we have consulted are extremely baffled.”

The first train, operated by the private company Iryo, was traveling to Madrid from Málaga, on the country’s southern coast. The second train, operated by Spain’s national rail company, Renfe, had departed from Madrid and was bound for the southern city of Huelva, west of Seville.

Iryo said about 300 passengers were on board the first train at the time of the accident. Renfe has not said how many passengers the second train was carrying.

Spain ranks second worldwide in high-speed rail network length, behind China, according to the International Union of Railways.

Here’s what else to know:

— Rail suspensions: Rail traffic between Madrid and several major cities in southern Andalusia — including Córdoba, Seville, Málaga and Huelva — will be suspended Monday, Spain’s state-owned rail infrastructure agency said in a statement.

— The victims: The Andalusia government set up an advanced medical post at the crash site to treat victims, and the Córdoba city government issued an urgent appeal for doctors to help treat the injured.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

General Daily Insight for January 19, 2026

Fresh air moves through our connections tonight. Early on, Mercury trines Uranus, which helps us test smaller changes or unique solutions. The headlining act for the day is the Sun swanning into Aquarius at 8:44 PM EST, turning our attention toward building teamwork and preparing for the future. We’re a social species, and we know it! Plus, once caring Venus conjoins transformative Pluto, we’ll be better equipped to discuss those ideal futures. We can begin building our dreams as a team.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Leap first, look later! Sometimes that attitude can get you in trouble, but with the Sun stepping into your 11th House of Hope, optimism can carry you far. Support from Mercury and Uranus could inspire you to pitch a unique solution to a complicated problem. When you plan ahead and stay willing to adapt along the way, you can do amazing things. While you’re moving quickly, though, try not to bowl over anyone who can’t keep up! Keep moving forward in your fast lane.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Recognition grows when you keep promises. Your 10th House of Honor opens its doors to receive the impactful Sun, kicking off a phase where you’ll potentially have to take a leadership position or manage a family duty. Someone in charge may demand details, but as long as you stay calm, you should be able to set more realistic expectations and deliver polished results without strain. Don’t hesitate to take breaks as needed to maintain your energy and keep making consistent progress.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Analyzing the big picture will be essential. With the enthusiastic Sun loping into your 9th House of Mental Expansion, curiosity is about to become your best guide. You might sign up for a class, yet the deeper win could come from more casual explorations of thoughtful ideas. Make a point of looking at things from fresh angles. Share a story with a trusted peer, allowing your minds to wander together in a way that strengthens your bond. Let questions lead you down satisfying paths.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

One conversation could change everything. Witty Mercury and unconventional Uranus initially empower your efforts to speak with those you care about on lighter topics. Then, the Sun entering your intense 8th house gifts you the strength to bring up something deeper — whether it’s an issue you have with this person or something you want their input on. Do your best to read the room before bringing up controversial subjects, especially if you’re talking in public. You can tell the truth without being unkind.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Leo, share your spotlight with care. Your 7th House of Connections opens as the life-giving Sun begins a fresh cycle there, asking you to balance bold expression with generous listening. A heartfelt conversation invites you to state needs clearly and honor theirs with matching warmth. You shine brightest when you make room for someone else to shine, because shared recognition strengthens bonds and smooths small power struggles right now. Choose generosity, stay curious, and let kindness lead, since partnerships truly flourish with steady warmth.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Quiet focus can unlock amazingly efficient rhythms. Your 6th House of Health gets a cosmic refresh as the Sun settles in, steering you toward habits that make many other tasks less tough to handle. You may reorganize some clutter, adjust your wake-up routine, or tailor your daily look to be more functional. Others may attempt to impose upon your time, but you’re allowed to refuse their demands. There’s no need to feel guilty about setting up your life in the way that works for you.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Intense feelings won’t capsize your boat today — though they may rock it. With Venus, Pluto, and the Sun all active in your charming 5th house, expressing yourself will be key to handling powerful emotions. Create something heartfelt! You could also work on an ongoing passion project. Your end goal should reflect your real taste, no matter what others think of it. That said, it might be fun to invite nonjudgmental pals to work alongside you on their own undertakings. Invite playful closeness without pressure.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Home feels safer as plans align. The sparkling Sun turns on the lights in your 4th House of Nesting, inviting you to fortify your base with practical moves. If you’ve got the time, look for a room that could use a little rearranging. Too busy for much? Try something small, like putting on a clean pillowcase or setting out your breakfast prep before bed. Even minor efforts can increase comfort and reduce friction in the home. Stabilize your private world before tackling public goals.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Morning news carries curious sparks forward. The majestic Sun parades into your 3rd House of Messages, inspiring friendly outreach that connects you with people who can brighten your day. A compliment from a stranger can drastically lift your mood — and, in turn, you can bring joy to others by complimenting them. People should appreciate others noticing things they’ve actively chosen, so praising someone’s vibrant accessories will probably have more meaning than praising their eye color. Radiate the kind of energy you want to receive!

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Capricorn, step forward with fresh confidence. The Sun is trotting into your 2nd House of Manifestation — this is your phase to prepare for next month, when the Sun will enter your sign. Make plans to tackle your goals, keeping a careful eye on anything that needs preparation in advance. For example, if a major purchase is nearing, start saving extra ASAP. You’re the agent of change in your life, and the Sun is just here to deliver the energy to incite those changes.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

New light warms your personal sky. The Sun is marching into your sign, beginning Aquarius Season with the unique verve your sign is known for. This boosts your introductions, allowing you to step into rooms with fresh purpose. Set bold intentions, then follow through with vigor. When others see your sincerity, you attract supportive allies. You can ask for what you need without apology, then return the favor to others in need. Your example uplifts everyone right now, so take the wheel!

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Something is tugging at your conscience today. Tender closure beckons as the Sun leaves your sign, instead empowering your intimate 12th house. This invites compassion for stories that tug at your heart. A private ritual, such as journaling, should help you release pressure. You can breathe easier as forgiveness grows and clarity returns in waves. Because your empathy runs strong, you may want to avoid people who drain you. Rest without guilt so your dreams are better able to restore your energy. Give yourself space.

MIAMI — As the Miami Heat took flight Sunday for Monday night’s start of their five-game western swing against the Golden State Warriors, the most intriguing aspect might have been what was under lock and key.

Because no sooner did the Heat shock the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 122-120 Saturday night at Kaseya Center, than guard Norman Powell noted a super-secret stat that he said provided the motivation to bounce back from Thursday night’s discouraging home loss to the Boston Celtics from 19 up.

“We have a goal in mind,” Powell said, “Coach gave us a stat from last year, and we want to reach that. Definitely felt a little let down after the Boston game. But the way we came together in between the games and talked about it, watched film, I thought we came out and set the right tone and played to our identity.”

And that stat from Erik Spoelstra was?

“That’s between us,” Powell said. “That’s internal, something that we want to reach for.”

A logical place would be the possession game. The Heat closed Saturday night’s victory over the defending-champion Thunder with 111 shots from the field to 77 for the Thunder, a statistic built on committing only four turnovers while forcing 15 and a 33-9 edge on second-chance points, with 21 offensive rebounds to the Thunder’s five.

“We were able to sustain our identity offensively, defensively, throughout the course of the game,” Powell said, perhaps offering his own hint.

It is an approach that works only when the buy-in is complete.

“We’ve got to be a team that’s collectively making plays to help win us the game,” Powell said. “Some nights it’s not going to be yours and some nights it is. But as long as we’re pulling in the right direction, pouring encouragement and confidence into everybody that’s coming in the game and everybody is making winning plays and sacrifice plays, that’s what it’s about.

“And I think we found a blueprint, and we know the blueprint, and it’s on us to sustain it.”

So far, little has been sustained on the road, with the Heat in the midst of a season-worst three-game road losing streak, at 7-13 away from Kaseya Center.

With Saturday night’s victory, the Heat have now defeated the leaders in both the East (Detroit Pistons) and West (Thunder) this season, while also losing to the worst in the East (Indiana Pacers) and second-worst in the West (Sacramento Kings, a team the Heat face on Tuesday night on the second night of the trip).

“The thing about this team,” Powell said, “is we can beat anybody and we can lose anybody. It’s all about our mentality and our approach and being collective.”

The victory over the Thunder concluded a three-game homestand that opened with a victory over the resurgent Phoenix Suns, featured that competitive game against the Celtics, and then Saturday’s stunner.

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With the Heat at 22-20, Spoelstra is not overstating where his team stands. But he is optimistic.

“All three of these games,” Spoelstra said of the homestand, “you see a Miami Heat competitive collective will out there. And that for sure, we’ll build on. It’s a great opportunity in front of us. We have a whole second half of the season to go. This should set up to be a lot of fun.”

Center and team captain Bam Adebayo said no matter the stats being preached by Spoelstra, it’s just as much about a matter of will.

“He’s a maniac,” he playfully said of Spoelstra’s drive. “He’s not going to stop. He’s going to keep saying it until, like, everybody buys in. And you want a coach like that. He cares about the small details. He cares about the way our offense looks. He cares about how we give effort on defense.

“And when you buy in, you get gratifying wins like this. This is not because we played a certain game. It’s really because we bought into what he was preaching.”

Herro stays back

Guard Tyler Herro, who missed Saturday’s game with a rib contusion, did not travel with the team Sunday.

Asked about Herro having already missed 31 games this season, Spoelstra said Saturday, “There’s going to be daily stuff that happens with everybody. We can’t necessarily look at because you missed the first part of the year that you’re not going to have your normal things that happen in an NBA season. This shouldn’t be long-term. We’ll just continue to treat him and see how he responds.”

Davion Mitchell (shoulder) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. appear tracking toward a Monday return, with both upgraded to probable for Monday.

It’s hard to say what’s stranger: The University of Miami actually plays in Monday night’s national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium or it has forfeited any rights of being a good and surprising story to the Indiana Cinderellas.

All national odes are to Indiana coach Curt Cignetti for his good work. All praise is for a Hoosier team with no five-star recruits and only two, four-star recruits among its starters. Indiana, true to its sad-sack history, was a 100-to-1 betting longshot at season’s start to reach this championship game.

“No one gave us a chance but us,” Cignetti said.

Excuse me, can we stop right there?

Cinderella is a neat and dandy storyline for Indiana, as everyone keeps repeating. But Cinderella also is an overbearing, 7 1/2-point favorite to win this game.

That’s the second-largest spread in the 12-year history of the College Football Playoff championship. It’s more than a touchdown. It’s the kind of spread that says Vegas expects Indiana to win in a borderline rout, and so should you if you want to cash in.

Can the glass slipper really fit Goliath?

Because the only thing crazier than the cheapest ticket to the game being $3,708.90 on Ticketmaster as of Sunday afternoon is this notion that the Hurricanes don’t have every right to feel just as warm and fuzzy about their season, too.

Did anyone expect Miami to reach this night?

Anyone at all?

Miami is doing this with: quarterback Carson Beck, who Georgia dumped after a debilitating elbow injury last season; a freshman sensation in Malachi Toney, who was 17 at season’s start; and with a star edge rusher in Rueben Bain Jr., who keeps being told his arms by are too short.

“This again?” he said Saturday when his arms were mentioned.

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Texas A&M said it before Miami’s playoff win. Ohio State repeated it before Miami’s playoff win. And now here it is a topic of media conversation before Monday so …

“I was told I was too light my whole career,” said Jason Taylor, Bain’s defensive line coach and Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer. “How’d that work out?”

There are heartwarming tomes written about the rise of Cignetti and his staff from Podunk U. to college football’s biggest stage. But how about Miami coach Mario Cristobal’s first head coaching job being at Florida International University — where he was fired?

“Best thing that could’ve happened to me,” Cristobal said.

Miami’s defensive coordinator, Corey Hetherman, has a background that’s a tour of small-college football: Fitchburg State (Mass.), Kings (Pa.), Springfield (Ga.), Northeastern, Western New England, Old Dominion Pace, Maine …

“You learn every step of the way,” he said.

At Maine and later at James Madison, Hetherman coached under Cignetti and became best friends with Bryant Haines, the current Indiana defensive coordinator. Haines was best man in Hetherman’s wedding.

“I learned a lot of football from him — he’s incredibly smart,” Hetherman said.

Miami has the history of five national championships so long ago. But Indiana has been a wagon this season in going undefeated. Miami lost two games to unranked teams. Indiana won the Big Ten, beating defending national champion Ohio State in the conference championship game.

Miami didn’t even make the ACC championship game thanks to its second loss of the season, against SMU.

“I think you really find out everything you’re about and what your people are all about in those moments,” Cristobal said. “As you look across the country, several teams, after a loss or two, pack their bags and that’s it, it was over.

“Let’s call it what it is; everyone was throwing dirt on our grave already and buried us, and that’s good. It’s good for the soul. It’s good for you from a mentality standpoint so you understand and recognize more than ever that all that matters are the people inside the building.”

Sure, Miami sounds like a good, football story more than a classic underdog story. It will never out warm and fuzzy Indiana anyway in this game. But it was a 35-to-1 long shot at season’s start to be in this title game.

Cinderella goes to the ball Monday night as an 7.5-point favorite. It’s fit for the glass slip no matter what happens. And that’s fine with Miami.

“We’re not a fairy tale kind of team,” as one Miami official said.

Give Indiana the glass slipper. Miami wants the crown.

By Tony Capaccio, Margi Murphy and Jeff Stone, Bloomberg News

The U.S. is taking steps to vastly increase the number of law enforcement agents and potentially send military personnel to Minneapolis, where immigration agents have tangled with residents protesting their tactics.

The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 U.S. troops based in Alaska to prepare to deploy to Minnesota as a precautionary measure in case the administration decides to send them, a U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The unit of the 11th Airborne Division is a cold-weather unit nicknamed “The Arctic Angels.”

At the same time, the FBI is sending messages to its agents nationwide seeking volunteers to temporarily transfer to Minneapolis. It wasn’t immediately clear what the FBI would ask agents who volunteered to travel to Minneapolis to do. FBI agents have traditionally focused on national security-related tasks such as counter-terrorism, organized crime and high-profile violent offenses, not street patrols or immigration-related enforcement.

These actions come as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz mobilized the state’s National Guard to support local law enforcement and emergency management agencies. Minneapolis has become a focal point of anti-ICE protests since an officer shot and killed Renee Good on Jan. 7 while she was in her car.

“They are not deployed to city streets at this time, but are ready to help support public safety, including protection of life, preservation of property and supporting the rights of all who assemble peacefully,” the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said in a post on X regarding the mobilization.

Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have denounced the crackdown by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, accusing the Trump administration of sowing chaos and violence through the operations and demanding that the federal personnel leave.

The Washington Post first reported the Pentagon’s preparations for possible troop deployment.

FBI involvement

FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Friday visited the city, according to a post shared on Patel’s X account. Patel said in the post that the FBI was “cracking down on violent rioters and investigating the funding networks supporting the criminal actors with multiple arrests already.”

Roughly one-quarter of agents within the bureau were assigned to work on immigration-related duties, according to data that Senator Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, shared with media outlets in October.

President Donald Trump last week threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy military troops on U.S. soil, though he backed away from that move a day later. The 1807 act permits the president to assume control of a state’s National Guard — as he did in California and elsewhere last year — or deploy active-duty troops to quell a rebellion.

The last time the power was invoked was when President George H.W. Bush deployed troops to quell the looting and burning of Los Angeles during violent protests against police brutality in 1992 following the verdict in the Rodney King case.

“We have to send more officers and agents just to protect our officers to carry out their mission,” ICE Director Todd Lyons said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.” “The majority of those are there to protect the men and women who are already there. Now we need 10-15 officers per arrest to protect each other” against protesters.

Social media is filled with residents’ recordings of ICE agents using extraordinary force against people yelling at them, including arresting them, spraying chemical agents, or pushing them to the ground.

Blanche, speaking on Fox News Sunday, denied that agents were acting with undue harshness. “These blatant accusations that they’re violating the First Amendment or somehow committing crimes are not only completely false, but they’re doing real damage to our law enforcement officers around the country.”

U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez last week ordered ICE agents not to retaliate against peaceful protesters and banned the use of pepper spray or other “crowd dispersal tools,” as well as ordering federal agents not to stop protesters in vehicles, like Good, who were not directly interfering with their immigration work.

Minneapolis Mayor Frey insisted that any increase in law enforcement in the city was unnecessary, and called the possible use of the Insurrection Act, a “shocking step.”

Noting that crime is down across the city, Frey said the unrest is caused by the presence of “thousands of ICE agents and border control and apparently military, even, potentially on our streets.”

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(With assistance from María Paula Mijares Torres.)

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©2026 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

National championship: No. 10 Miami vs. No. 1 Indiana

When: Monday, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens

TV: ESPN

Coaches: Mario Cristobal 35-18 at UM, (97-78 overall); Curt Cignetti 26-2 at Indiana (145-37 overall)

Line: Indiana is favored by 7.5 points

Weather: 62 degrees, 0 percent chance of precipitation

Quick slant: Neither of these teams were likely national champions at the start of the season, and they took different paths to get to this game. UM overcame two midseason losses and had to beat two top SEC teams and the reigning national champions to reach the title game. Indiana, which entered the season as the losingest Division I program in the nation, has gone undefeated en route to Monday’s title game.

About No. 10 Miami (13-2): The Hurricanes snuck past Ole Miss in the semifinals, scoring a last-minute touchdown and surviving a desperate drive from the Rebels. UM has won five national championships, but has not played in a title game since the 2002 season.

About No. 1 Indiana (15-0): The Hoosiers have not seen much success in the program’s 139-year history. Indiana won its third Big 10 championship by beating Ohio State, and the Hoosiers routed Alabama and Oregon in the playoffs before facing UM.

Three things to watch

1. The Hurricanes will have to slow down Hoosiers Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Miami native has thrown more touchdown passes (eight) than incompletions (five) in the playoffs. Miami will have to find a way to contain him even though it is short on cornerbacks: Xavier Lucas will miss the first half of the game after being called for targeting penalty against Ole Miss, Damari Brown has missed every playoff game due to a foot injury and is questionable for Monday, and OJ Frederique Jr. has been banged up, playing just five snaps against Ole Miss.

2. Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck will have to avoid turnovers against the Hoosiers. Indiana has 18 interceptions this season, including D’Angelo Ponds‘ game-opening pick-six against Oregon. Indiana is the No. 1 team in the nation in turnover margin (21 more takeaways than giveaways), so UM will need to be careful with the ball.

3. Miami will have to play mistake-free football against Indiana. The Hoosiers capitalize on other teams’ mistakes, and UM has been prone to errors this season. The Hurricanes are 85th nationally with 57.1 penalty yards per game. After having only four penalties for 30 yards in its first two playoff games, Miami had 10 penalties for 74 yards against Ole Miss in the semifinals.

MIAMI — Miami Hurricanes special teams analyst Ferras Isa is the guardian of the unit’s secret weapon.

One of his tasks is to prepare small shots of Cuban-style espresso for the staff and for the special teams players, who do a quick shot of cafecito before each game.

“Ferras makes the best coffee on the staff,” said UM coach and Miami native Mario Cristobal. “It’s part of his obligations and duties as an assistant coach. And he does, he makes the best one. In terms of the other ones, I don’t want to get into a competitive warfare in Miami as to who makes the best coffee, but it’s certainly an offseason project that I look forward to delving into.”

The Hurricanes’ special teams players have been caught on camera, drinking Isa’s coffee as they get ready for each game.

“He likes to call himself the Cafecito Coordinator,” UM special teams coach Danny Kalter told The Athletic.

Miami things

The Canes took shots of cafecito before the semis

MIAMI BEACH — The play continued, but Carson Beck knew he was done.

A Texas defender strip-sacked Beck, who was the Georgia starting quarterback in the SEC title game, and Beck landed in a heap on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium field.

“Obviously, I felt my arm. I felt everything,” Beck said. “It was one of the lowest moments of my life.”

Beck returned for one final play — to hand the ball off on the game-winning touchdown replacement Gunner Stockton had to come off the field — but his Bulldogs career was over, too.

Fast forward a year, and Beck is now the starting quarterback for the Miami Hurricanes as they get ready to play Indiana on Monday in the program’s first national title game since 2003. Beck got Miami to this point, running in the game-winning touchdown against Ole Miss in the playoff semifinal.

“Running into the end zone at Ole Miss, that was one of the highest moments of my life, one of the better memories that I’ll always hold onto and cherish,” Beck said. “Obviously, it’s been a crazy year of ups and downs, but to be able to get back to this point, it’s really awesome.”

Beck’s season-long tenure at Miami has come with its own ups and downs. He started off on a high, helping lead the Hurricanes to an upset victory over Notre Dame in the season-opener. But the lows came soon after. Beck threw four interceptions in a loss to Louisville.

“This is when I knew that, really, we were going to be fine because I went up to the office the next day, and he was extremely positive,” offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. “I was probably more down than he was. But he was very positive, very move-on type approach.”

Beck did throw two more interceptions in a second loss to SMU (though one bounced off a receiver’s hands), but as the Hurricanes surged into the playoffs in the season’s final month, Beck was a major reason why. In UM’s last seven wins — including the program’s first three playoff victories — Beck has completed 74.4 percent of his passes for 1,634 yards. Most importantly, he had 15 touchdown passes and just two interceptions.

“His superpower is understanding football,” Dawson said. “He dissects the game very quickly in the run and pass game. In the run game, he does things that are next level, as far as getting people moved around and targeted up. Our run-game system has grown over time, and it takes a guy to understand where the fits are, especially with receivers and how their safeties are fitting or who the extra fitter is. So he’s really elite at that. And in the pass game, he takes care of the football.”

UM coach Mario Cristobal, who recruited Beck to Miami, has called Beck “misunderstood.” He said Beck is locked in on winning and helping people around him.

“His experience, both good and bad, has allowed him to come in and establish himself very quickly as a leader and one that has helped groom leadership within the team itself,” Cristobal said. “It starts with the fact that he’s an unselfish person. Tons of gratitude to him. He wants to win and he wants to see people around him do really, really well. He has absolutely zero interest in personal accolades and all that attention. He wants to do right by people.”

Beck’s Miami and college career will end in either celebration or dejection on Monday night. Beck won a pair of national titles as a backup at Georgia, but now he will try to win one as the starting quarterback.

“Obviously, it feels awesome,” Beck said. “To finally be the guy and the quarterback, a part of a team that has done this and gone through a season and eventually earned the opportunity to play in a national championship, obviously it’s a dream of mine.”

MIAMI BEACH — When D’Angelo Ponds left South Florida, he was a fringe prospect listed as the No. 1,966 recruit in the 2023 class. He was headed to James Madison University, a Sun Belt team one year removed from playing in the FCS division.

Ponds, a Chaminade-Madonna alum, is back in South Florida now, looking to beat his hometown team, the Miami Hurricanes, and win a championship with Indiana at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night.

“It’s definitely a full circle moment for me,” Ponds said. “Just going to a stadium that I drove past every day — I live probably like five minutes away from the stadium — it’s just definitely a full-circle moment. Just watching the teams play in that stadium as well, and being my hometown, it’s definitely a blessing.”

Ponds was not expected to become a star player. Ponds, who was a South Florida Sun Sentinel All-County second-team pick as a senior, is 5 foot 9, which is considered short for a cornerback. But then-James Madison coach Curt Cignetti did not care about that.

“He was a guy who didn’t look at the size. He looked at the film,” Ponds said. “He was a guy who actually watched the film and (saw) how it affects the game instead of looking at size and letting that dictate me as a player. He was a guy who is going to play the best player on the field no matter how old you are or anything like that.”

Ponds rewarded Cignetti’s faith immediately.

“You saw it in camp right away,” Cignetti said. “First week of camp, he’s out there, he was holding a little bit, but he cleaned that up and became a starter. When he became my starter my last year at JMU, I think it was down at Troy … they had won the Sun Belt the year before, and we beat them at Troy. He started and he made plays right off the bat, first series that impacted the game, and he’s been a great player ever since.”

Ponds ended his first season with 51 tackles, 13 pass breakups and two interceptions. Pro Football Focus gave him an 89.6 defensive grade, which was eighth in the nation. He was named a Sun Belt All-Conference second-team selection and an FWAA Freshman All-American.

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“He’s been a great player,” said UM wide receiver Jojo Trader, who was teammates with Ponds in high school. “He’s been doubted his whole life because he’s small and stuff like that. But he’s got grit and he’s just hungry.”

When Cignetti left for Indiana after the 2023 season, Ponds deliberated on his future. After going through spring football at James Madison, Ponds opted to follow Cignetti to Indiana.

“He might be the best player I’ve ever coached that was with me throughout his entire career, in terms of consistency, production,” Cignetti said.

Ponds’ play has not slipped since he arrived in the Big 10. In 2024, he was a second-team All-American. He had another strong season in 2025, making 56 tackles with two interceptions — one of which was a game-opening pick-six against Oregon in the playoff semifinals.

“It’s been a blessing, honestly, … taking advantage of all my opportunities that I’ve gotten, not letting any doubters or naysayers affect me at all, and just to keep going and see how far I came,” Ponds said. “It’s just a blessing just to honestly prove everybody wrong and let the smaller guys know that they can do it, too, as well. I feel like a lot of those guys, they look up to me, and I feel like I’m just letting them know that they can do it.

Although the hometown Hurricanes overlooked him in his recruitment, Ponds said there are no hard feelings. He just wants to win on Monday.

“It’s just another game to me, honestly,” Ponds said. “It’s a national championship, an important one, but we’re just here to win a game.”

MIAMI — On one side of Monday’s national title game is the ultimate Cinderella story: Indiana was the losingest program in Division I history until this season. The Hoosiers are now one win away from an undefeated season en route to the program’s first championship.

On the other side, a Cinderella story in its own right: a Miami team that has not won a championship in nearly a quarter of a century. UM needed to sneak into the playoffs with two losses and beat two top SEC teams as well as last year’s national champions to get to Monday’s title bout, which is being played in their home stadium.

So what would it mean for these teams to hoist the championship trophy?

“It would mean we’re the national champion,” Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti said at the coaches’ press conference on Sunday morning.

Cristobal nodded. “It would mean we’re the national champions,” he said.

Neither coach is interested in narratives or outside noise, even if everybody else is. Both coaches are locked in on preparing their respective teams to kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium.

“I don’t think the external stuff has ever been a motivator for our team,” Cristobal said. “I think it’s always been internal. I think our guys always want to prove themselves right. And I think the confidence and the trust in each other was something that just continued to build momentum throughout the course of the season. It was a matter of just finally just looking at each other, looking in the mirror and making a commitment to work out the details to allow us to win in the margins.”

Cristobal has been asked frequently about Miami teams in the past and whether the Hurricanes are finally “back.” He never dwells on the question. He will compliment those teams, but he says this year’s UM team is different from the championship teams of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He does not want to go “back.”

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• Chaminade alum, Indiana star D’Angelo Ponds returns home for ‘full circle’ title game

“It’s nostalgia theater in this country,” Cristobal said on The Kevin Clark Show in September. “Everyone wants to go back, back, back. Well, we don’t want to go back. We want to go forward and take the principles of that brand of football and we want to take it forward.”

Cristobal reiterated Sunday that the Hurricanes are not getting caught up in sentimentality as they prepare for Monday’s game.

“Everyone is uniquely special and different and has brought something different to the lives of all the people around them,” Cristobal said. “But I don’t see us getting caught up in any nostalgic moments or whatnot. I just really sense that our team was really focused, that they were really intent on carrying out the rest of the day’s processes, knowing the tremendous opportunity that we have.”

Indiana has never played on this type of stage before, and the Hoosiers are the heavy favorites. But Indiana coach Curt Cignetti is demanding his team be locked in for the game on Monday, too. He said he saw an ESPN report that his team’s players were hugging each other and exchanging kind words after practice on Friday, and while that is nice, the time for that has passed.

“I think leading up to this game there’s been a lot of pro-Indiana hype, a lot of rat poison out there,” Cignetti said. “I happened to see Holly Rowe’s thing on social media this morning about our guys hugging each other at the end of practice. It is a close team, and I witnessed quite a bit of sentimentalism throughout the week from some of our seniors who we’ve been with quite a long time.

“I think it’s time to sharpen the saw now, throw those warm fuzzies out the door, that sentimentalism. It’s time to go play a game against a great opponent. We’ve got to have a sharp edge going into this game, and you don’t go to war with warm milk and cookies.”