South Florida Local News

Today is Thursday, Oct. 3, the 277th day of 2024. There are 89 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Oct. 3, 1995, the jury in the O.J. Simpson murder trial in Los Angeles found the former football star not guilty of the 1994 slayings of his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Goldman.

Also on this date:

In 1944, during World War II, U.S. Army troops cracked the Siegfried Line north of Aachen, Germany.

In 1951, the New York Giants captured the National League pennant by a score of 5-4 as Bobby Thomson hit a three-run homer off Ralph Branca of the Brooklyn Dodgers, which became known as the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World.”

In 1974, Frank Robinson was named the American League’s first Black manager after he was hired by the Cleveland Indians.

In 1990, West Germany and East Germany ended 45 years of postwar division, declaring the creation of a reunified country.

In 1993, 18 U.S. service members and hundreds of Somalis were killed in the Battle of Mogadishu — the deadliest battle for U.S. troops since the Vietnam War, and inspired the film “Black Hawk Down.”

In 2008, O.J. Simpson was found guilty of robbing two sports-memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas hotel room. (Simpson was later sentenced to nine to 33 years in prison; he was granted parole in July 2017 and released from prison in October of that year.)

In 2011, an Italian appeals court freed Amanda Knox of Seattle after four years in prison, tossing murder convictions against Knox and an ex-boyfriend in the stabbing of their British roommate, Meredith Kercher.

In 2013, a smugglers’ ship packed with African migrants sank off the coast of a southern Italian island, killing more than 365 people.

In 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy — the first time in U.S. history a Speaker had been ousted from the position.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Composer Steve Reich is 88.
• Rock and roll star Chubby Checker is 83.
• Musician Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) is 75.
• Blues musician Keb’ Mo’ is 73.
• Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield is 73.
• Baseball Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is 70.
• Golf Hall of Famer Fred Couples is 65.
• Rock drummer Tommy Lee is 62.
• Actor Clive Owen is 60.
• Film director Denis Villeneuve is 57.
• Singer-TV personality Gwen Stefani is 55.
• Pop singer Kevin Richardson (Backstreet Boys) is 53.
• Actor Neve Campbell is 51.
• Actor Lena Headey is 51.
• Singer India.Arie is 49.
• Rapper Talib Kweli is 49.
• Actor Seann William Scott is 48.
• Soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimović is 43.
• Actor Tessa Thompson is 41.
• Actor-singer Ashlee Simpson is 40.
• Actor Alicia Vikander is 36.
• Rapper A$AP Rocky is 36.
• Actor Ayo Edebiri is 29.
• Actor Noah Schnapp (TV: “Stranger Things”) is 20.

General Daily Insight for October 03, 2024

Emotions are running hot. The sensitive Moon squares fiery Mars at 3:00 am EDT, which can take us to a frustrating point, right on the edge of an emotional eruption. Later on, the Moon trines joyful Jupiter, putting a balm of good energy on the metaphorical burns from our earlier blazes of feelings. Finally, when the Moon faces off with wounded healer Chiron, we might feel almost wholly resistant to making amends with others or letting ourselves heal. We can be passionate without burning anyone.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Two people that are close to you may not see eye to eye. The way that they communicate with each other might not be the way that you would communicate with either of them. Due to this mismatch, you could find yourself in the middle of their drama, trying to uncover any common ground. Ultimately, you’re not responsible for helping them to find an agreement — it may not be something that’s even possible for you to do. If so, let it go.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

It’s important to watch your words today. Because of a clash with someone in your life — possibly exacerbated by their treatment of you, intentional or otherwise — it could be difficult to hold your tongue the moment an argument begins. While they might be trying to drag you down to their level, you don’t have to sink down there! In fact, it’s vital that you don’t allow them to pull you out of your character. Know yourself, and stand up for that self accordingly.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

The frustration of any current uncertainty increases the risk that you’ll make an impulsive decision. You might want to jump into this situation rashly because you can’t stand the lack of information you have about it, so you just want to get everything over with. However, this rush to get it finished might leave you with more problems than when you started! Keep in mind that a momentary decision could incite long-lasting consequences. Think things through instead of letting anger rule you.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

You might find yourself at odds with a family member. This person could be a relative or a close friend of yours. Either way, it’s likely that they’re older than you or have another social advantage. This could embolden them to be critical of you or push you in a direction that you dislike. The universe wants you to stand up for yourself, but there’s no need to hurl hurtful insults, especially if they aren’t relevant. You can be firm without being cruel.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

An emotional build-up that you weren’t aware of could explode without warning. You might not have realized that you were suppressing so much! Any little event could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, leading you to unleash the beast on the next person who adds to your stress. This volatile self-expression can be hurtful to others, so make an effort to channel this furious passion into other places. Exercising your mind or body (or both!) should be great catharsis. Tame that wildfire!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

You might find your present goals are slightly out of reach. Even when you give it your all, there could be obstacles that you can’t yet overcome. It could be something that you wanted to finish quickly, but now you have to wait until things settle down. Whether it’s because of procrastination, the actions of others, or just bad luck causing your goals to slip through your grasp, try not to be discouraged. There will be more time to find your way to success.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

You’re taking the reins! You may be forced into a leadership position, one that demands you make decisions for other people. Being a stern boss may not be a position that you naturally enjoy taking. Delegation can be stressful to navigate, especially when the tasks are not enjoyable for the people that you’re giving them to. You might want to make everyone happy, but sometimes the best you can do is be fair as you divide tasks and work with them.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Information that you’re about to learn may incense you. Perhaps your careful plans must be canceled, or maybe you have to do some tedious task that you weren’t previously warned about. Regardless, it’ll be tough to catch up or update your plans on the fly. Whenever your to-do list gets overwhelming, take it one step at a time and know that you only have to do your best. No one should be disappointed in your efforts to roll with the punches.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Your dreams may feel stuck in a rut, unable to lift off. Every corner could seem like a dead end, whether an opportunity didn’t pay off or a mistake hampered your progress. This can be discouraging and irritating at the same time, but it’s important for you to get back on the metaphorical horse and start making new plans. Your ambitions shouldn’t be shot down by one difficult day, so keep trying to find better ways to build them in reality.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Someone else’s feelings may explode in a way that you weren’t expecting. They could have been holding everything inside, trying to protect their image or others from their turmoil, but simply weren’t able to stop themselves from boiling over. If this person simply confesses how they’re struggling to you, that’s fine, but you don’t have to tolerate the brunt of an angrier outburst in silence. Once the way that they’re seeking catharsis begins to affect you negatively, make sure to tell them.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

A hidden enemy may make themselves known at any moment. They could have been putting on a friendly act to prevent you from seeing their true colors, since once you see behind the curtain, there will potentially be no way for them to hide how they’re truly feeling about you. Even if you want to make amends or suggest similarities that you can connect on, the other person is unlikely to be interested in that. Don’t chase what isn’t for you.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Reckless actions made in the heat of the moment will have consequences. You may be feeling more impulsive, making it easier to succumb to the influence of others, procrastination, bad habits, or leaping to conclusions in general. You might not even realize how impulsive you are feeling until after you’ve already jumped in with both feet. Do your best to stay aware of how you’re spending your time and how you’re utilizing your patience. There’s no need to rush yourself through the day!

Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins (1-3) and New England Patriots (1-3) match up in six key areas ahead of Sunday’s Week 5 game at Gillette Stadium (1 p.m., FOX):

When the Dolphins run: It feels like Miami has been leaving much on the table in the run game, especially when this team could stand to benefit from being effective on the ground while it plays without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins averaged 3.5 yards per carry in Monday night’s loss to the Tennessee Titans, with De’Von Achane getting just 1.5 yards per attempt with 15 yards on 10 carries.

Rookie Jaylen Wright saw a new high in attempts with nine carries for 32 yards, and the Dolphins could get a boost to their 24th-ranked rushing offense if veteran Raheem Mostert returns. As Tyler “Snoop” Huntley gets another start at quarterback, his mobility could bring another dimension to the Dolphins offense while Tagovailoa is out, as he looks to expand on the team-high 40 rushing yards he had Monday.

Like with Mostert, another boost could come in a potential return for left tackle Terron Armstead at left tackle, although rookie Patrick Paul had fine flashes in his first NFL start — with some understandable down moments. The interior of the offensive line still needs to provide more, especially to give confidence in going up the middle in short-yardage situations against a Patriots defense that ranks ninth. New England, though, has surrendered 281 rushing yards over the past two games. The Patriots are also without linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (IR) and defensive tackle Christian Barmore (NFI). Edge: Even

When the Patriots run: New England power runner Rhamondre Stevenson is averaging 4.1 yards per carry, but his best rushing performance was in the Patriots’ lone win in their opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. He has struggled to get anything going in their two recent losses to the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers. The combination of him and the shiftier Antonio Gibson has New England ranked 12th in rushing, going against Miami’s 16th-ranked run defense, which has given up big plays like the 41-yard scamper to Tennessee’s Tony Pollard on Monday night that set up the Titans’ first touchdown.

If Dolphins linebacker David Long Jr. can return against the Patriots, that helps a lot in run defense, which needs to be more consistent but has strong pieces between him, fellow inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks and defensive tackles Zach Sieler and Calais Campbell. One problem for Miami has been rookie edge defender Chop Robinson setting the edge when he’s in the game, and now the Dolphins know they won’t have Jaelan Phillips the rest of the year due to a partial ACL tear in his right knee.

They go against a Patriots offensive line that has big right tackle Mike Onwenu but remains without guard Cole Strange, who’s on PUP list, and has center David Andrews trying to work back from a shoulder injury. Edge: Even

When the Dolphins pass: Coach Mike McDaniel believes the orchestration of the offense for Huntley will be better in his second start and third week with the team. The hometown kid will have to take it to the road in Gillette Stadium after it was a struggle to run the offense in a home debut with the team. Huntley failed to surpass 100 passing yards, going for 96 on 14-of-22 passing against the Titans, without a touchdown or interception but running for a score.

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The Dolphins offense has to find ways to get the ball to wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, a duo which only combined for 59 receiving yards against Tennessee. Huntley missed chances to find them, but Hill also dropped a backward pass that resulted in a turnover and Waddle had a costly drop of his own downfield. It’s possible Miami gets the addition of Odell Beckham Jr. off PUP list this week, and tight end Jonnu Smith also needs to get incorporated into the offense. A struggling New England secondary, which ranks 28th against the pass, had safeties Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers missing practice early in the week.

The Patriots no longer have Matthew Judon rushing the passer off the edge. He was traded to the Atlanta Falcons this preseason. Keion White, a 2023 second-round pick, already has four sacks. Under normal circumstances, it’s evident that there are holes in Patriots pass defense to take advantage of, but the Dolphins have to prove they can execute without Tagovailoa. Edge: Patriots

When the Patriots pass: New England has the league’s worst passing offense, and coach Jerod Mayo is sticking with Jacoby Brissett over rookie Drake Maye behind center. Brissett, a Dwyer High product and former Dolphins backup quarterback in 2021, is completing 60.4 percent of passes for 536 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in four games.

Tight end Hunter Henry is the only Patriots pass-catcher to surpass 100 receiving yards total in four games. They simply don’t have many go-to options in a receiving corps of Demario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, former Miami Hurricane K.J. Osborn and South Florida product Tyquan Thornton. This could be an opportunity for cornerback Jalen Ramsey to roam in the secondary and bait Brissett into a bad decision. Plus, fellow cornerback Kendall Fuller could come back from concussion protocol this week, but Miami may need to turn to Marcus Maye over Jordan Poyer as he deals with a shin injury.

Miami’s fifth-ranked pass defense could have a huge advantage in this category that potentially changes the course of the game. The Dolphins have also led the league in third-down defense. They’re dealt the devastating blow of losing Phillips, but they need Emmanuel Ogbah and Robinson to be among those stepping up in rushing the passer before Bradley Chubb returns off PUP list from last season’s knee injury. It’s a good time for Robinson to earn his first career sack. Edge: Dolphins

Special teams: New England’s special teams unit isn’t as scary without perennial Pro Bowl gunner Matthew Slater. It’s still a decent group, though, with kicker Joey Slye 8 of 9 on field goals and punter Bryce Baringer averaging 45.5 net yards per punt with 13 inside the 20 and only one touchback.

Braxton Berrios has given the Dolphins some big returns in each of the past two outings, and Jake Bailey, a former Patriot, has been strong on his punts. The Dolphins unit, though, has been penalized too much in this phase of the game, and the group was fortunate not to have an ugly turnover Monday night when Duke Riley nearly touched a partially blocked punt that went beyond the line of scrimmage before an opposing player did. Edge: Patriots

Intangibles: The Dolphins are facing as much adversity as they have in the McDaniel era, but the Patriots also haven’t presented much reason to believe they’re going anywhere. Miami has too much talent and too many leaders on its team to fold off a 1-3 start, and this squad enters Gillette Stadium with an urgency to get on track before the bye week. Edge: Dolphins

PREDICTION: Dolphins 13, Patriots 12

Dolphins Deep Dive: Prediction time — how will Miami perform vs. Patriots on Sunday? | VIDEO

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have another trophy, along with home-field advantage throughout the Major League Soccer playoffs.

Messi scored twice in the final minutes of the first half, goalie Drake Callender stopped a penalty kick in the 84th minute and Inter Miami beat the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew 3-2 on Wednesday night, wrapping up the Supporters Shield — given annually to the team with the best regular-season record.

It was Messi’s 46th major trophy won for club or country, extending his record for the most by any men’s soccer player in history. And it becomes the second he has won with Inter Miami, this Supporters Shield being added to the Leagues Cup trophy the Herons claimed shortly after Messi joined the club in 2023.

Luis Suarez also scored for Inter Miami, which will open the playoffs at home in the final weekend of October to start a best-of-three first round series. If the team wins that series, it would have the right to host every match it plays the rest of the season — an Eastern Conference semifinal (scheduled for Nov. 23 or 24), the East final (Nov. 30 or Dec. 1) and the MLS Cup final on Dec. 7.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Bank of America’s mobile applications were apparently knocked offline Wednesday.

Many BofA account holders took to social media platforms to say they either couldn’t access their online accounts or saw zero balances when they did log in.

The Charlotte, North Carolina-based bank said in a statement that some clients “are experiencing an issue accessing their accounts and balance information today.”

“These issues are being addressed and have largely been resolved,” the statement continued. “We apologize for any inconvenience.”

One X user drolly posted that their money was gone, “but conveniently my debt is still there.” A screenshot of their mobile app showed zero balances for all BofA accounts except one Visa card.

DownDetector, an online tracker of technical outages, reported between 5,000 to 20,000 BofA users reported an outage starting at 9 a.m. and peaking by 11 a.m. The detector said online, mobile and ATM users were affected.

Jasmene Bowdry, a user on Meta’s social platform Threads, said all of her BofA accounts showed $0.

“That’s all the warning I need,” she wrote. “Putting all my ish (sic) under the mattress and a Crisco can.”

Other Thread users chimed in with:

“Did Bank of America hire Bernie Madoff or something?”

“First, (a) Verizon outage … then the ports closing … now Bank of America is having issues…”

“Didn’t have “Die Hard” on my bingo card this year.”

Others reported reaching customer service at the bank, which told them it was a “glitch” they were working on.

Earlier this week, thousands of Verizon users across the U.S. reported little or no cellphone service in major cities, including in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, New York and Phoenix.

 

A quarter-century ago, we were in the midst of a Y2K panic and wondering if the worldwide power grid and economy were about to collapse.

The year was 1999 when the adults were watching sitcoms such as Friends on TV and renting movies from Blockbuster while the kids were listening to the Backstreet Boys and trading Pokemon cards.

In real life, President Bill Clinton tried to convince us that “I did not have sexual relations with that woman” while Tony Soprano was making his debut on HBO and telling us, “I’m not a murderer. I’m a soldier.”

Gators coach Billy Napier has yet to have a winning season and he might not make it out of his third in Gainesville if he loses to UCF this weekend. (Gary McCullough/AP)

A majority of the Americans weren’t on the Internet yet, and those who were used screeching dial-up modems. The bulky, clunky Nokia 3210 was the most popular cell phone of the day.

And, in sports, the Florida Gators were a national power while the UCF Knights were an irrelevant afterthought.

So much has changed since that September night 25 years ago when Florida first played UCF in football and coach Steve Spurrier’s Gators routed coach Mike Kruczek’s Knights 58-27 at the Swamp. Even though the fourth-ranked Gators won their NCAA-high 29th straight home game, Spurrier wasn’t happy that his defense allowed Vic Penn to throw for 379 yards just a week before opening the SEC schedule against third-ranked Tennessee.

“Shoot, you can just throw out these first two games.,” Spurrier said of UF’s two early-season tuneups against Western Michigan and UCF.

Added Gators linebacker Teddy Sims at the time: “It’s good to have this one out of the way. It’s time for the real season to kick off.”

UF’s two-QB attack overcomes another defensive flop: ‘Maybe we need to adjust who plays and who doesn’t play’

In other words, UCF wasn’t even considered a legitimate opponent for UF; a reflection of the gaping chasm between an established SEC power and a neophyte program still searching for relevance.

Now let’s fast forward to Saturday when UCF is coming into the Swamp again as an ascending program with dreams of competing for a Big 12 championship while the Gators find themselves in a state of decline and at yet another coaching crossroads. The narrative isn’t about UF’s supremacy; it’s about whether a Knights victory could be the death knell for embattled coach Billy Napier’s short tenure in Gainesville.

I’ll admit it, I never envisioned 25 years ago that UCF could ever be on equal footing with Florida, Florida State and Miami. I never imagined that the state’s traditional “Big 3” would now be the “Big 4.”

In 1999, Florida, Florida State and Miami were dominant on the national landscape while UCF played in the shadow of these college football behemoths. The Knights were still struggling to make the transition from Division I-AA to Division I-A (now FBS) just three years earlier. They had no conference, no TV revenue and were forced to take their obligatory beatings on the road against teams such as Florida just so they could pay the bills.

But UCF kept investing, building, believing, rising. The Big 3 got fat and happy while assuming their dominance would last forever.  Miami hasn’t won a conference championship since it joined the ACC 20 years ago. Florida hasn’t won an SEC championship in 15 years. Florida State has won just one ACC championship in the last nine seasons.

Meanwhile, the Knights have taken advantage of the decline of the Big Three by landing recruits who might have once been locks to sign with Florida, Florida State or Miami. Now, with the Knights in the Big 12, some of those prospects look at UCF as a legitimate path to the College Football Playoff and the NFL.

If the Knights could win on Saturday, it would certainly validate their rise, but for the Gators the stakes are even higher. Their self-esteem is at stake. The loss to UCF in the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl could be explained away as the hangover effect of coach Dan Mullen being fired, replaced by interim coach Greg Knox and numerous players opting out of the bowl game.

But a loss to UCF at the Swamp on Saturday would be entirely different. There could be no excuses. It would undoubtedly be a crushing blow to the Gator ego and deepen the chaos and negativity surrounding the program.

For UCF, it’s a chance to finally step out of the once-immense shadow of the state’s flagship university.

For Florida, it’s a moment of truth for a program fighting to regain its relevance.

What a difference 25 years make.

Email me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on X (formerly Twitter) @BianchiWrites and listen to my Open Mike radio show every weekday from 6 to 9:30 a.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com/listen

By MELISSA GOLDIN

Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have recently claimed that hundreds of thousands of migrant children who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border unaccompanied are missing, then criticized the border policies of the Biden administration and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris.

Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, repeated the claim during Tuesday night’s debate.

“We have 320,000 children that the Department of Homeland Security has effectively lost,” he said as he met Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in what is likely the last debate of the 2024 presidential campaign.

But immigration experts say the claims regarding missing migrant children lack significant context.

Here’s a closer look at the facts.

CLAIM: The Biden administration has lost more than 300,000 unaccompanied migrant children.

THE FACTS: This claim misrepresents information in an August report published by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General, which faulted Immigration and Customs Enforcement for failing to consistently “monitor the location and status of unaccompanied migrant children” once they are released from federal government custody.

The report noted that more than 291,000 unaccompanied migrant children had not, as of May 2024, received a notice to appear in court. Additionally, more than 32,000 unaccompanied migrant children got a notice to appear but then failed to show up for immigration court hearings. Those figures came from ICE and covered a period from October 2018 to September 2023. During that period there were a total of 448,820 unaccompanied children released by ICE to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement.

But experts say it is a stretch to refer to roughly 300,000 children as “lost” or “missing.”

“This is not a ‘missing kids’ problem; it’s a ‘missing paperwork’ problem,” Jonathan Beier, associate director of research and evaluation for the Acacia Center for Justice’s Unaccompanied Children Program, wrote in an email.

Plus, President Joe Biden only entered the White House partway through this period. It includes approximately 15 months when Trump was president and does not specify how many children arrived in the U.S. under each president.

Experts say there are many reasons why the children might not have appeared for hearings or received a notice to appear in the first place. For example, they only get a notice to appear when removal proceedings against them have begun, and if ICE hasn’t started that removal process, they wouldn’t have gotten a notice in the first place.

A lack of communication between government agencies could mean a notice is sent to the wrong address if it has been updated with one agency and not another. A child’s guardian may be unable to take them to court, perhaps because they live on the other side of the state.

The report does not provide any explanations.

“All of these factors can explain some of the deficiencies and a conclusion that the children are missing could be very, very premature,” said Raul Pinto, deputy legal director for transparency at the American Immigration Council.

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Carmen Hills, an ICE spokesperson, said the agency agreed with the inspector general’s recommendations to improve information sharing within ICE and externally with HHS, but disagreed with the suggestion that the children are missing.

“We are concerned that the report’s findings are misleading and may be misconstrued because they fail to acknowledge key facts,” she said.

Hills said ICE does not generally issue court notices to unaccompanied children “until after they have been placed with sponsors who have been vetted by HHS” so that they can get settled and seek legal help.

Representatives for HHS and Vance did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

An unaccompanied migrant child is defined by the U.S. government as someone who is under 18, lacks lawful immigration status and has no parent or guardian in the country to take custody of them. When they’re apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security, they’re transferred to the HHS’s Office of Refugee Resettlement.

They are then placed “in the least restrictive setting that is in the best interests of the child,” according to the resettlement office. That can mean shelters, foster care or residential treatment centers, among other options. If possible, children are released to sponsors, often family members, who can care for them.

Removal proceedings may be initiated by ICE and the Department of Justice. Some children are able to stay in the U.S. legally if they qualify for asylum, special visas for victims of abuse, trafficking and other crimes, or other types of immigration relief. In those cases, removal proceedings may never start.

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Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck.

By JOE REEDY

Diamond Sports Group, the largest owner of regional sports networks, could be down to broadcasting only one Major League Baseball team’s games next season.

During a hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston on Wednesday, the operator of the Bally Sports regional sports networks indicated it will cut loose the seven teams it has under contract for the 2025 season.

As part of its reorganization plan, Diamond plans to void the contracts of the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays and to attempt to rework the deals of the five franchises that are partial owners of their regional sports networks — the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers have contracts that expired at the end of the regular season.

That would leave the Atlanta Braves as the only franchise whose contract would be unchanged.

Attorneys for Diamond said during the hearing that the company has delivered proposals to the 11 teams that are out of contract, rejected deals or are joint ventures.

Diamond Sports has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the Southern District of Texas since it filed for protection in March 2023. The company said in a financial filing last year that it had debt of $8.67 billion.

“Today marks an important step forward for Diamond with the filing of a baseline plan to enable us to emerge from bankruptcy as a viable, go-forward business before year-end,” Diamond Sports said in a statement. “We firmly believe that through our linear and digital offerings we have created the best economic and fan-friendly engine for all of our team partners.”

Diamond attorney Andrew Goldman said during the 30-minute hearing that talks remain ongoing with all teams.

MLB attorney James Bromley said he was surprised about the reorganization plan and said they were “sandbagged” since they only learned about it less than two hours before the start of the hearing.

“We have no information about what is being done,” Bromley said. “We’ve had no opportunity to review and now we’re in front of the court and being asked to make our comments.”

Over the past two seasons, Major League Baseball has had to take over the broadcasts of the San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies after agreements could not be reached.

Goldman also said during the hearing that Diamond is “on a path to getting a new naming rights partner, which is a big development for the company as well as a commercial agreement with one or more streaming partners with respect to the digital rights that the company will possess.”

Diamond also has the rights to 13 NBA and eight NHL teams.

Judge Christopher Lopez has scheduled a follow-up session for Oct. 9 with a final hearing on the reorganization plan scheduled for Nov. 14.

Diamond Sports Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group bought the regional sports networks from The Walt Disney Co. for nearly $10 billion in 2019. Disney was required by the Department of Justice to sell the networks for its acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s film and television assets to be approved.

MIAMI GARDENS — I still have playoff hopes for the 2024 Miami Dolphins.

Honestly.

Obviously, my playoff hopes are slimmer than a few weeks ago.

But my playoff hopes for the 2024 Dolphins (1-3) still exist.

Players still have a good attitude. Players are still playing hard.

I frequently talk to players in the locker room off the record. 

I talked to quite a few players after the game Monday, and then in the locker room Wednesday.

I don’t get the sense coach Mike McDaniel has lost the locker room.

I don’t get the sense this team has quit, or is about to quit.

I do get the sense frustration is simmering here and there.

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But that’s normal when losses mount and disappointment builds.

Regardless, I think this team answers the call starting this week at New England Patriots (1-3).

There’s too much talent on this roster for this team to drop to 1-4.

There’s too much talent on this roster for this team to fall out of the playoff picture before December. With or without Tua.

Period.

I’ll say this, too: this is another one of those times that someone needs to pull wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the side and have a chat with him, make sure everything is OK, and that he’s pointed in the right direction.

Hill was clearly frustrated during the game.

Hill’s frustration was apparent when he kicked at the loose ball in the end zone after quarterback Tyler “Snoop” Huntley overthrew him when he was open on a deep route.

“Man, we were close,” Huntley said about nearly making that completion.

Hill’s frustration was also captured by TV cameras when he was shouting on the sideline, possibly within earshot of McDaniel and wide receivers coach Wes Welker.

Hill tried to play the latter off as motivational speaking.

“I’m in a good spot in my life, and I wouldn’t refer to it as shouting,” he said of the sideline incident. “That’s just me motivating my teammates. I was simply telling 2-5 (rookie running back Jaylen Wright) that we need more of that because he had a great run there towards the end of the game. I was like, ‘I need more of that. I need more of that 2-5.’ ”

That’s not what I saw.

Moving on, you can’t have Hill drop a low pass, which turned out to be a lateral, and not chase after the ball in that situation. The Titans got to the loose ball. It resulted in a turnover.

That’s unacceptable.

McDaniel said turnovers are addressed in a team meeting and that Hill took accountability for this one.

So there’s that.

But back to the team and its playoff hopes …

I’ve always said that I like this team’s fighting spirit. I’ve said that since McDaniel took over, and that’s still true today.

And I’ve said I like this team’s depth, and that depth is what’s allowed this team to make the playoffs each of the past two seasons. If you doubt that, consider the numerous injury problems the Dolphins have had both years.

This team will battle.

I think that happens again.

Yes, I’ve been pointedly critical of McDaniel. It’s not personal. I like and respect McDaniel. He’s fun. He’s creative. He’s an original. He’s unapologetically himself.

My criticism is due to McDaniel’s strategy and philosophy. His teams have underachieved. I wish he’d change. I wish he’d be more flexible.

I’ve also been critical of general manager Chris Grier and the way McDaniel and Grier constructed this roster.

But I remain optimistic about the players, the talent, the depth and this team’s fighting spirit.

This isn’t some desperate attempt to earn favor from the Dolphins (that ship has sailed) or Dolphins fans. And it’s not hypocrisy.

NFL players and coaches always talk about the 24-hour rule, meaning you let go of the game, win or lose, after 24 hours and look ahead.

That’s what I’m doing with last week’s (OK, it was Monday) Tennessee loss.

Appropriately enough, I’m on to New England.

I think the Dolphins are, too. 

I’ll add this …

This Dolphins team has been through a lot.

A few of them were here in 2021 when they started 1-7 and then surged to finish 9-8, barely missing the playoffs.

A few more were here in 2022 when they started 8-3, endured a five-game losing streak and finished 9-8, barely making the playoffs.

Lots were here in 2023 when they started 9-3 and finished by losing four of their last six games, earning the privilege to face Super Bowl champion Kansas City in one of the coldest games in NFL history.

And practically everyone has been here this season for Hill’s pregame police detainment before the opener against Jacksonville, Tua’s concussion the following week against Buffalo, the breakdown of the offense at Seattle, the search for a new starting backup quarterback, and the current three-game losing streak.

This team is always full of drama.

But it fights to the finish.

I expect these players to keep battling, and, quite honestly, I expect the Dolphins to win at New England.

I have no problem with these players.

And, at this point, these players have no major problem with their coach.

By MIKE STOBBE

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates dipped last year and the proportion of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data posted Tuesday.

The share of kids exempted from vaccine requirements rose to 3.3%, up from 3% the year before. Meanwhile, 92.7% of kindergartners got their required shots, which is a little lower than the previous two years. Before the COVID-19 pandemic the vaccination rate was 95%, the coverage level that makes it unlikely that a single infection will spark a disease cluster or outbreak.

The changes may seem slight but are significant, translating to about 80,000 kids not getting vaccinated, health officials say.

The rates help explain a worrisome creep in cases of whooping cough, measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, said Dr. Raynard Washington, chair of the Big Cities Health Coalition, which represents 35 large metropolitan public health departments.

“We all have been challenged with emerging outbreaks … across the country,” said Washington, the director of the health department serving Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show that coverage with MMR, DTaP, polio and chickenpox vaccines decreased in more than 30 states among kindergartners for the 2023-2024 school year, Washington noted.

Public health officials focus on vaccination rates for kindergartners because schools can be cauldrons for germs and launching pads for community outbreaks.

For years, those rates were high, thanks largely to school attendance mandates that required key vaccinations. All U.S. states and territories require that children attending child care centers and schools be vaccinated against a number of diseases, including, measles, mumps, polio, tetanus, whooping cough and chickenpox.

All states allow exemptions for children with medical conditions that prevent them from receiving certain vaccines. And most also permit exemptions for religious or other nonmedical reasons.

In the last decade, the percentage of kindergartners with medical exemptions has held steady, at about 0.2%. But the percentage with nonmedical exemptions has inched up, lifting the overall exemption rate from 1.6% in the 2011-2012 school year to more than twice that last year.

The rates can be influenced by state laws or policies that make it harder or easier to obtain exemptions, and by local attitudes among families and doctors about the need to get children vaccinated. For example, according to the CDC data, 14.3% of kindergartners had an exemption to one or more vaccines in Idaho. But fewer than 1% did in Connecticut and Mississippi.

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Within states, clustering of unvaccinated kids can be even more concentrated in particular communities or schools, said Noel Brewer, a University of North Carolina professor of health behavior.

“People who are skeptical (about vaccinees) tend to live close to one another and create the conditions for a breakthrough of measles and other diseases,” he said.

The slide in vaccination rates was not unexpected. Online misinformation and the political schism that emerged around COVID-19 vaccines have led more parents to question the routine childhood vaccinations that they used to automatically accept, experts say.

A decrease has already been reported in Louisville, Kentucky — a city that has been celebrated as a vaccination success story. And a CDC report last week noted a decline in vaccination rates for 2-year-olds.

Measles and whooping cough cases are at their highest levels since 2019, and there are still three months left in the year. And 200 flu-associated pediatric deaths were reported in the 2023-2024 season, the most since 2009.

Charlotte’s Mecklenburg County this year saw North Carolina’s first measles case since 2018. Mecklenburg also saw 19 whooping cough infections and three people with mumps earlier this year, said Washington, who noted the county usually sees none.

Increases in international travel and people moving to the Charlotte area from other countries raises the risk of introduction of vaccine-preventable diseases, “so it’s concerning when you start to lose coverage of vaccines among your population,” Washington said.

Today is Wednesday, Oct. 2, the 276th day of 2024. There are 90 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Oct. 2, 1967, Thurgood Marshall joined the U.S. Supreme Court at its first African American justice; he would serve on the bench for 24 years until his retirement in 1991.

Also on this date:

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson had a serious stroke at the White House that left him paralyzed on his left side.

In 1944, German troops crushed the 2-month-old Warsaw Uprising, during which a quarter of a million people were killed.

In 1970, one of two chartered twin-engine planes flying the Wichita State University football team to Utah crashed into a mountain near Silver Plume, Colorado, killing 31 of the 40 people on board.

In 2006, an armed milk truck driver took a group of girls hostage in an Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, killing five of them and wounding five others before taking his own life.

In 2016, Hall of Fame baseball broadcaster Vin Scully signed off for the last time, ending 67 years behind the mic for the Dodgers as he called a 7-1 loss to the Giants in San Francisco.

In 2018, journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed by Saudi Arabian officials at the Saudi Embassy in Istanbul, Turkey.

In 2020, stricken by COVID-19, President Donald Trump was injected with an experimental drug combination at the White House before being flown to a military hospital, where he was given Remdesivir, an antiviral drug.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Film critic Rex Reed is 86.
• Singer-songwriter Don McLean is 79.
• Fashion designer Donna Karan (KA’-ruhn) is 76.
• Actor Avery Brooks is 76.
• Photographer Annie Leibovitz is 75.
• Singer-actor Sting is 73.
• Actor Lorraine Bracco is 70.
• R&B singer Freddie Jackson is 68.
• Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa is 61.
• Singer-songwriter Gillian Welch is 57.
• Actor-talk show host Kelly Ripa is 54.
• Actor Efren Ramirez is 51.
• Musician Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes) is 36.

The Associated Press

The vice presidential candidates, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, on Tuesday engaged in a fast-moving, largely civil debate on a wide range of issues. Here’s a look at some false and misleading claims from the debate.

___

Iran has not received $100 billion in unfrozen assets under the Biden-Harris administration

VANCE: “Iran, which launched this attack, has received over $100 billion in unfrozen assets thanks to the Kamala Harris administration. What do they use that money for? They use it to buy weapons that they’re now launching against our allies.”

THE FACTS: The Biden administration agreed last year to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian assets as part of a deal to free five U.S. citizens being held by Iran. But administration officials say not a dollar of that has yet been given to Iran. It was part of a deal negotiated by the Obama administration, before Biden and Harris took office, that could have allowed Iran to access frozen assets in exchange for accepting limits on its nuclear program.

In 2016, Iran said it had received access to more than $100 billion worth of frozen overseas assets following the implementation of a landmark nuclear deal with world powers. The money had been held in banks in China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey since international sanctions were tightened in 2012 over Tehran’s nuclear program. Then-Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew told Congress that only about $50 billion of the frozen assets would actually be accessible by Iran.

Walz overstates the cost of insulin before cap

WALZ: “They were charging $800 before this law went into effect.”

THE FACTS: Walz overstated how much Americans were paying for insulin before a new law capped prices at $35 per month for millions of older Americans on Medicare. A December 2022 study found that people who were on Medicare or enrolled in private insurance paid $452 yearly on average before the new law took effect.

Vance links unaffordable housing to immigrants who have come into the country illegally

VANCE: “You’ve got housing that is totally unaffordable because we brought in millions of illegal immigrants to compete with Americans for scarce homes.”

THE FACTS: Most economists blame a long-term decline in the housing supply for the steady increase in home prices. The number of new homes under construction plunged from an annual pace of 1.4 million in April 2006 to barely above 400,000 in August 2011, and didn’t recover to 2006 levels until 2021.

Vance said at least one prominent economic analysis from the Federal Reserve supports his claims that immigrants are pushing up housing costs, but he didn’t provide details. He was likely citing a May 2024 blog post by Neel Kashkari, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Kashkari says immigration’s long-run effect on inflation is “unclear,” but immigrants need a place to live and their arrival has overlapped with higher prices.

There might be upward pressure on home prices in some markets because of immigrants arriving, but most economists say the issue is a lack of supply of homes on the market. Homebuilders say they need the immigrants to build the homes. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said at a September news conference that high mortgage rates mean people aren’t listing their homes for sale and there has not been enough supply.

Walz wrongly claims Project 2025 creates pregnancy registry

WALZ: “Their Project 2025 is going to have a registry of pregnancies.”

THE FACTS: That’s not true. The conservative initiative calls for the collection of “accurate and reliable statistical data about abortion, abortion survivors, and abortion-related maternal deaths,” but not a record of every pregnancy that occurs.

More specifically, Project 2025 proposes that the Department of Health and Human Services require all states to report detailed information about abortions that are performed within their borders, including the total number of abortions, the age and state of residence of the mother, the gestational age of the fetus, the reason for the abortion and the method used to perform the abortion. It suggests that this data be separated into categories such as spontaneous miscarriages, intentional abortions, stillbirths and other medical treatments that result in the death of the fetus, like chemotherapy.

Vance overstates immigration numbers

VANCE: “We’ve got 20, 25 million illegal aliens who are here in the country.”

THE FACTS: That figure is highly inflated. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports more than 10 million arrests for illegal crossings from Mexico from January 2021 through September 2024.

That’s arrests, not people. Under pandemic-era asylum restrictions, many people crossed more than once until they succeeded because there were no legal consequences for getting turned back to Mexico. So the number of people is lower than the number of arrests.

According to the Department of Homeland Security’s latest available estimate, there were approximately 11 million people living illegally in the U.S. as of January 2022, 79% of whom entered prior to January 2010.

Vance distorts Minnesota abortion law

VANCE: “It says that a doctor who presides over an abortion where the baby survives, the doctor is under no obligation to provide lifesaving care to a baby who survives a botched late-term abortion.”

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THE FACTS: This claim misrepresents a bill Walz signed into law in 2023, updating language about the care of newborns.

The new language uses the phrase “an infant who is born alive” instead of “a born alive infant as a result of an abortion.” It states that medical personnel are required to “care for the infant who is born alive” rather than “preserve the life and health of the born alive infant.”

Both the current version of the law and the 2015 version that was amended state that “an infant who is born alive shall be fully recognized as a human person, and accorded immediate protection under the law.”

Infanticide is criminalized in every state, including Minnesota, and the bill does not change that.

Vance on Trump and Jan. 6, 2021

VANCE: “Remember he said that on January the 6th, the protesters ought to protest peacefully.”

THE FACTS: It’s true that Trump told the crowd gathered near the White House, “I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.”

But Vance ignored the incendiary language Trump used throughout his speech, during which he urged the crowd to march to the Capitol, where Congress was meeting to certify President Joe Biden’s victory. Trump told the crowd: “If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.” That’s after his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, declared: “Let’s have trial by combat.”

Associated Press writers Melissa Goldin in New York, and Amanda Seitz, David Klepper, Chris Rugaber, Ellen Knickmeyer and Josh Boak in Washington contributed.

By MATT BROWN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The first and only vice presidential debate between Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz featured an often orderly, policy-focused and even civil dialogue between the two men seeking to serve as the next president’s second in command.

One of the sharpest comments came from a debate moderator. Here are some of the most notable quotes from the debate:

“Gentlemen, the audience can’t hear you because the mics are cut.”

— CBS News moderator Margaret Brennan, who intervened after a tense back and forth between the candidates over immigration. Vance protested a clarification by a moderator about the legal status of Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. “Since you’re fact checking me, I think it’s important to say what’s actually going on,” Vance said before both he and Walz’s exchanges were muted.

“I actually agree with that.”

— Walz, agreeing with Vance that some regulations limit the construction of new housing units. Both candidates throughout the debate expressed agreement on some points before driving home their own messages.

“I’m sorry about that. Christ have mercy.”

— Vance, after Walz noted his son had witnessed gun violence. “I appreciate that,” Walz replied.

“I’m a knucklehead at times…I misspoke on this.”

— Walz, when discussing discrepancies in his travel history to Hong Kong in 1989 that have been reported by multiple news organizations.

“Kamala Harris is not running as a newcomer to politics.”

— Vance, arguing Harris could have acted as vice president to make housing more affordable. “If Kamala Harris has such great plans for how to address middle class problems, she ought to do them now,” Vance also said during the debate.

“There’s consequences for this.”

— Walz, when discussing Vance’s unfounded claims about immigrant communities in Springfield, Ohio. Walz said Vance “will create stories to bring attention to this that vilified a large number of people who were here legally in the community of Springfield. The Republican governor said, it’s not true. Don’t do it.”

• Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), and Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, greet each other ahead of a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center on October 1, 2024 in New York City. This is expected to be the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 general election. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

• US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance (C) and Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz (R) participate in the Vice Presidential debate hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

• Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), and Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, participate in a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center on October 1, 2024 in New York City. This is expected to be the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 general election. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

• US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance (L) and Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz participate in the Vice Presidential debate hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

• CBS News anchors Norah O’Donnell (L) and Margaret Brennan moderate the debate between Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) and Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at the CBS Broadcast Center on October 1, 2024 in New York City. in a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center on October 1, 2024 in New York City. This is expected to be the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 general election. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

• US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance speaks during the Vice Presidential debate with Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

• Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz speaks during the Vice Presidential debate with US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

• US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance (L) and Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz participate in the Vice Presidential debate hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

• People watch as Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz appear together during the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate on October 01, 2024 in Kendall, Florida. The Miami-Dade Hispanic Caucus VP Debate Watch Party was held at the Sports Grill Kendall restaurant. The two candidates are meeting Tuesday for the first and likely only vice presidential debate before the general election. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• A screen displays the CBS vice presidential debate between US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance and Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz in Times Square in New York on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

Show Caption1 of 10

Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), and Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, greet each other ahead of a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center on October 1, 2024 in New York City. This is expected to be the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 general election. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Expand “Sometimes it just is the guns. It’s just the guns.”

— Walz, discussing the high rate of gun violence in the United States compared to other rich nations. Walz cautioned against using mental illness as a “scapegoat” for the country’s high levels of gun violence rather than “find solutions on this that protect the Second Amendment, protect our children, that settlement.”

“My shotgun was in my car so I could pheasant hunt after football practice.”

– Walz, noting that he is a longtime gunowner and the need to address firearm deaths by suicide and violent crime.

“I want us as a Republican Party to be pro-family in the fullest sense of the word.”

— Vance, responding to how Republicans should navigate potentially unpopular and dangerous realities that face women surrounding pregnancy. Vance, who opposes abortion, said Republicans “have got to do so much better of a job at earning the American people’s trust back on this issue, where they, frankly, just don’t trust us.”

“Donald Trump put this all into motion.”

— Walz, criticizing Trump’s record on abortion. Walz said Trump “bragged” about appointing three Supreme Court justices who would go on to join a majority ruling that overturned the abortion protections in Roe v. Wade. “52 years of personal autonomy and then he tells us ‘Oh, send it to the states,’” Walz said of Trump.

“A president’s words matter.”

— Walz, discussing the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Walz said Trump’s rhetoric and refusal to concede defeat in the 2020 presidential election led to the riot at the U.S. Capitol and deep ensuing divisions across politics. “All of us say there’s no place for this,” Walz said.

“My own belief is that we should fight about those issues, debate those issues peacefully in the public square.”

— Vance, when asked whether Trump won the 2020 presidential election and if he would support efforts to contest the election which Trump carried out that have since been deemed illegal or unconstitutional. “First of all, I think that we’re focused on the future,” Vance said. “But what President Trump has said is that there were problems in 2020, and my own belief is that we should fight about those issues, debate those issues peacefully in the public square.”

General Daily Insight for October 02, 2024

We’re finding a happy medium. With the peaceful New Moon in Libra at 2:49 pm EDT, we’re seeking balance in our lives by increasing friendship and love in our circles. As the Moon joins with communicative Mercury, we have opportunities to communicate our feelings, expressing ourselves in ways that we might have been holding back before. When the Moon struggles with serious Saturn, it could be difficult to take criticism or stay disciplined. Don’t let egos stand in the way of a fresh start.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

The people that enter your life now could be here to stay. You might feel like you’re standing on solid ground when you’re speaking with them, as opposed to others who make you feel like you’re lost at sea. Not everyone has the sensitivity needed to have an emotional discussion, but be aware that there may be a surprise suggestion or constructive criticism that you weren’t expecting, even from trusted peers. Try not to take it personally, as it’s likely coming from a good place.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Routines might provide you with the balance that you’ve potentially been looking for. Whether you’re just starting out with a completely overhauled routine or you’ve been keeping one going for a bit of time by now, it’s important to look back and analyze your efforts. What have you been doing right and where could you use more discipline? It’s easy to slip into the mindlessness of your phone or the TV when you get home, so try not to let distraction tempt you.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Fiery energy is arcing through the air! Regardless of your expectations for the day, someone might catch your eye or spark a great deal of passion in you. They may also be someone who inspires you for a specific creative activity, not just general enthusiasm. This could be a good time to invest in working on your hobby or practicing to make a creative career a realistic avenue for yourself. That said, make sure that you want this for yourself before you say yes.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

The world might have to come to you today. The case may be that you’re stuck inside, or perhaps you simply don’t feel like going out! Either way, the universe is reminding you of the benefits of hanging out at home. You might be inclined to avoid socializing altogether, even if doing so would benefit you. For this reason, it’s important to at least consider getting out of your shell rather than hiding and waiting for things to blow over. Take charge!

Leo

July 23 – August 22

New friends can boost your work on building the life that you want to have. You may already have the mindset that you need to succeed, but you might not yet have all the information or the support that you need, so stay open. Collaboration can be highly successful at the moment, but be aware that you could receive some criticism that you weren’t expecting. No matter how constructive it’s meant to be, it can cause you to obsess. Let it roll off your back.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

You might find that someone is working hard to be your rock. This person probably wants to express their care for you, but doing so may not come easily to them. They may struggle to express their feelings or what makes them feel secure. Once you are able to talk through some lighter things and establish healthy communication lines, they could feel safe enough to let their guard down and connect with you. Listen to them — you’ll both be thankful you did.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

This day is about recognizing yourself and what is on your mind. It’s important to express what you’ve been holding back and avoid attempting to conform to the status quo, because this could be dimming your natural light. It can be difficult for you to stay regimented and ensure that you focus on yourself. Still, know that you are worth it! If you don’t highlight yourself, you may not have the awareness or energy you need to support others. Take care of yourself first.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Presently, internal balance will be more felt than seen. This could be rough if you normally rely on more tangible goals and ways of measuring your progress, but these may not have been supporting your ongoing emotions. You might be unintentionally letting these physical goals take over aspects of your life, without allowing for development of your spiritual or creative mind. Get in tune with your soul and start giving it the same level of importance that you give your brain.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

A recent community could offer you a chance to express yourself more fully than ever before. Previously, you may have struggled to find a place where you felt you truly belonged, but this group is capable of supporting your genuine needs, as well as providing you with feedback and support. Make sure that you are aware of the energy you’re bringing to the group. Make a point of being open to the idea of working in tandem with others to find your success.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

An opening to say what’s on your mind in the workplace might be just around the corner. You could have strong feelings about a nonprofit that you’ve worked with, a job that you’ve been at for some time, or someone in your life that you want to experience more recognition. These desires could prompt you to speak up where you might not have normally. Honor your experience and opinions by letting them support you to speak up both for yourself and for others.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

You might be stepping outside your comfort zone. Maybe you’re no stranger to coming up with innovative ways of doing things, but your usual routine could need to adjust in a way that you haven’t handled before. While that’s exhilarating, it can also be daunting. Remind yourself of who you are and all that you’ve already conquered in your life! The more that you’re able to stay disciplined in this endeavor, the more success that you should be able to gain later on.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Look out below! You’re diving into a subject that interests you today. You might go down a rabbit hole of information that you had never seen before, and what you learn may be fascinating and something that you want to share with your family and friends. However, when sharing later on, others may make it obvious that they don’t think it’s as fascinating as you do. Do your best to avoid taking their lack of interest personally, as they’ll likely come around in time.

By BILL BARROW, ZEKE MILLER and NICHOLAS RICCARDI

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice presidential hopefuls Tim Walz and JD Vance focused their criticism on the top of the ticket on Tuesday as they engaged in a policy-heavy discussion that may be the last debate of the 2024 presidential campaign.

It was the first encounter between Minnesota’s Democratic governor and Ohio’s Republican senator, following last month’s debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. It comes just five weeks before Election Day and as millions of voters are now able to cast early ballots.

Tuesday’s confrontation played out as the stakes of the contest rose again after Iran fired missiles into Israel, while a devastating hurricane and potentially debilitating port strike roiled the country at home. Over and again, Walz and Vance outlined the policy and character differences between their running-mates, while trying to introduce themselves to the country.

• Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), and Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, greet each other ahead of a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center on October 1, 2024 in New York City. This is expected to be the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 general election. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

• (L-R) US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance and his wife Usha Vance greet Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz at the end of the Vice Presidential debate hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

• US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance (C) and Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz (R) participate in the Vice Presidential debate hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

• Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), and Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, participate in a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center on October 1, 2024 in New York City. This is expected to be the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 general election. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

• US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance (L) and Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz participate in the Vice Presidential debate hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

• CBS News anchors Norah O’Donnell (L) and Margaret Brennan moderate the debate between Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) and Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at the CBS Broadcast Center on October 1, 2024 in New York City. in a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center on October 1, 2024 in New York City. This is expected to be the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 general election. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

• US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance speaks during the Vice Presidential debate with Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

• Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz speaks during the Vice Presidential debate with US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

• US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance (L) and Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz participate in the Vice Presidential debate hosted by CBS News at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City on October 1, 2024. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

• People watch as Republican vice presidential candidate U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz appear together during the CBS News Vice Presidential Debate on October 01, 2024 in Kendall, Florida. The Miami-Dade Hispanic Caucus VP Debate Watch Party was held at the Sports Grill Kendall restaurant. The two candidates are meeting Tuesday for the first and likely only vice presidential debate before the general election. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• A screen displays the CBS vice presidential debate between US Senator and Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance and Minnesota Governor and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz in Times Square in New York on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Kena Betancur / AFP) (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

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Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), and Democratic vice presidential candidate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, greet each other ahead of a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center on October 1, 2024 in New York City. This is expected to be the only vice presidential debate of the 2024 general election. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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Here are some takeaways from Tuesday’s debate.

With Mideast in turmoil, Walz promises ‘steady leadership” and Vance offers ’peace through strength’

Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel on Tuesday elicited a contrast between the Democratic and Republican tickets on foreign policy: Walz promised “steady leadership” under Harris while Vance pledged a return to “peace through strength” if Trump is returned to the White House.

The differing visions of what American leadership should look like overshadowed the sharp policy differences between the two tickets.

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The Iranian threat to the region and U.S. interests around the world opened the debate, with Walz pivoting the topic to criticism of Trump.

“What’s fundamental here is that steady leadership is going to matter,” Walz said, then referenced the “nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump talking about crowd sizes” and responding to global crises by tweet.

Vance, for his part, promised a return to “effective deterrence” under Trump against Iran, brushing back on Walz’s criticism of Trump by attacking Harris and her role in the Biden administration.

“Who has been the vice president for the last three and a half years and the answer is your running mate, not mine,” he said. He pointedly noted that the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, happened “during the administration of Kamala Harris.”

Vance and Walz punch up rather than at each other

Vance and Walz trained the bulk of their attacks not on their on-stage rivals, but on the running mates who weren’t in the room.

Both vice presidential nominees sought to convey a genial men as they lobbed criticism at Harris and Trump, respectively.

It was a reflection of the fact that most voters don’t cast a ballot based on the vice president, and on a vice presidential nominee’s historic role in serving as the attack dog for their running mates.

Walz pointedly attacked Trump for failing to meet his pledge of building a physical barrier across the entire U.S.-Mexico border at the country’s southern neighbor’s expense.

“Less than 2% of that wall got built and Mexico didn’t pay a dime,” Walz said.

Underscoring the focus on the top of the ticket, during a back-and-forth about immigration, Vance said to his opponent: “I think that you want to solve this problem, but I don’t think that Kamala Harris does.”

It was a wonky policy debate, with talk of risk pools, housing regulations and energy policy

In an age of world-class disses optimized for social media, Tuesday’s debate was a detour into substance. Both candidates took a low-key approach and both enthusiastically delved into the minutiae.

Walz dug into the drafting of the Affordable Care Act when he was in the House in 2009, and pushed Vance on the senator’s claim that Trump, who tried to eliminate the law, actually helped preserve it. Vance, defending his claim that illegal immigration pushes up housing prices, cited a Federal Reserve study to back himself up. Walz talked about how Minneapolis tinkered with local regulations to boost the housing supply. Both men talked about the overlap between energy policy, trade and climate change.

It was a very different style than often seen in presidential debates over the past several election cycles.

Vance stays on the defensive on abortion

Walz pounced on Vance repeatedly over abortion access and reproductive rights as the Ohio senator tried to argue that a state-by-state matrix of abortion laws is the ideal approach for the United States. Walz countered that a “basic right” for a woman should not be determined “by geography.”

“This is a very simple proposition: These are women’s decisions,” Walz said. “We trust women. We trust doctors.”

Walz sought to personalize the issue by referencing the death of Amber Thurman, who waited more than 20 hours at the hospital for a routine medical procedure known as a D&C to clear out remaining tissue after taking abortion pills. She developed sepsis and died.

Rather than sidestep the reference, Vance at one point agreed with Walz that “Amber Thurman should still be alive.”

Vance steered the conversation to the GOP ticket’s proposals he said would help women and children economically, thus avoiding the need for terminating pregnancies. But Walz retorted that such policies — tax credits, expanded childcare aid, a more even economy — can be pursued while still allowing women to make their own decisions about abortion.

Both candidates put a domestic spin on climate change

In the wake of the devastation of Hurricane Helene, Vance took a question about climate change and gave an answer about jobs and manufacturing, taking a detour around Trump’s past claims that global warming is a “hoax.”

Vance contended that the best way to fight climate change was to move more manufacturing to the United States, because the country has the world’s cleanest energy economy. It was a distinctly domestic spin on a global crisis, especially after Trump pulled the U.S. out of the international Paris climate accords during his administration.

Walz also kept the climate change focus domestic, touting the Biden administration’s renewable energy investments as well as record levels of oil and natural gas production. “You can see us becoming an energy superpower in the future,” Walz said.

It was a decidedly optimistic take on a pervasive and grim global problem.

Walz, Vance each blame opposing presidential candidate for immigration stalemate

The two running mates agreed that the number of migrants in the U.S. illegally is a problem. But each laid the blame on the opposing presidential nominee.

Vance echoed Trump by repeatedly calling Harris the “border czar” and suggested that she, as vice president, single-handedly rolled back the immigration restrictions Trump had imposed as president. The result, in Vance’s telling, is an unchecked flow of fentanyl, strain on state and local resources and increased housing prices around the country.

Harris was never asked to be the “border czar” and she was never specifically given the responsibility for security on the border. She was tasked by Biden in March 2021 with tackling the “root causes” of migration from the Central American countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador and pushing leaders there and in Mexico to enforce immigration laws. Harris was not empowered to set U.S. immigration policy — only the president can sign executive orders and Harris was not empowered as Biden’s proxy in negotiations with Congress on immigration law.

Walz advanced Democrats’ arguments that Trump single-handedly killed a bipartisan Senate deal to tighten border security and boost the processing system for immigrants and asylum seekers. Republicans backed off the deal, Walz noted, only after Trump said it wasn’t good enough.

Both candidates leaned on tried-and-true debate tactics — including not answering tough questions

Asked directly whether Trump’s promise to deport millions of illegal immigrants would remove parents of U.S.-born children, Vance never answered the question. Instead, the senator tried to put his best spin on Trump’s plan to use the military to help with deportations and pivot to attacking Harris for a porous border. Asked to respond to Trump’s having called climate change a “hoax,” Vance also avoided a response.

The debate kicked off with Walz being asked if he’d support a preemptive strike by Israel against Iran. Walz praised Harris’ foreign policy leadership but never answered that question, either.

And at the end of the debate, Vance would not answer Walz’s direct question of whether Trump indeed lost the 2020 election.

Walz has stumbles and lands punches in uneven night

Walz had several verbal stumbles on a night in which he admitted to “misspeaking” often. In the debate’s opening moments, he confused Iran and Israel when discussing the Middle East.

At one point he said he had “become friends with school shooters,” and he stumbled through an explanation of inaccurate remarks about whether he was in Hong Kong during the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. ( He was not.)

But the governor noticeably put Vance on the defensive over abortion and, near the end of the debate, with a pointed question about whether Trump won the 2020 election.

Vance stays on a limb on Jan. 6 insurrection

The candidates went out of their way to be polite to each other until the very end, when Vance refused to back down from his statements that he wouldn’t have certified Trump’s 2020 election loss.

Vance tried to turn the issue to claims that the “much bigger threat to democracy” was Democrats trying to censor people on social media. But Walz wouldn’t let go.

“This one is troubling to me,” said Walz, noting that he’d just been praising some of Vance’s answers. He rattled off the ways Trump tried to overturn his 2020 loss and noted that the candidate still insists he won that contest. Then Walz asked Vance if Trump actually lost the election.

Vance responded by asking if Harris censored people.

“That is a damning non-answer,” said Walz, noting that Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, wasn’t on the debate stage because he stood up to Trump on Jan. 6, 2021, and presided over Congress’ certification of the former president’s loss.

“America,” Walz concluded, “I think you’ve got a really clear choice on this election of who’s going to honor that democracy and who’s going to honor Donald Trump.”

A federal appeals court next week will hear arguments about a 2023 Florida law aimed at preventing children from attending drag shows.

A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments Oct. 9 in Jacksonville.

The state last year appealed a ruling by U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell that blocked enforcement of the law. Presnell said the law, which was challenged by Hamburger Mary’s, an Orlando restaurant and bar, violated First Amendment rights.

Presnell ruled that the law is not “sufficiently narrowly tailored” to meet First Amendment standards and issued a preliminary injunction against it.

The law, dubbed by sponsors as the “Protection of Children Act,” would prevent venues from admitting children to adult live performances.

It defines adult live performances as “any show, exhibition, or other presentation in front of a live audience, which, in whole or in part, depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement or specific sexual activities, … lewd conduct, or the lewd exposure of prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts.”

By JULIA FRANKEL

JERUSALEM (AP) — Iran launched at least 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday evening, causing scattered damage and fires from falling shrapnel, but Israeli authorities said there were no injuries. An Israeli security official said most of the missiles were intercepted, though some managed to land.

Israeli officials said Iran would pay a price for the strike.

The missile attack came after Israel said ground troops crossed into Lebanon in what the military described as a limited operation to root out Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, said it saw no sign of Israeli forces and that its troops were ready to confront them.

Israel said its incursion would be focused on the narrow strip of land just across the border. But it also issued evacuation warnings covering a wider swath of Lebanon, raising fears that a large-scale ground invasion was soon to come.

• A damaged building is seen at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburb, Lebanon, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

• Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburb, Lebanon, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

• Israeli army tanks manoeuvre in a staging area in northern Israel near the Israel-Lebanon border, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner)

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A damaged building is seen at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburb, Lebanon, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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In recent days, a wave of Israeli airstrikes has killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and several of his top commanders, while driving hundreds of thousands of Lebanese from their homes. Israel says a ground operation is now necessary to return tens of thousands of displaced Israelis to their homes in the north, pummeled by continuous rocket fire from Hezbollah since Oct. 8.

Here’s what we know:

Why did Iran launch missiles toward Israel?

Israel’s military said it identified 180 missiles launched from Iran shortly after 7:30 p.m. Sirens blared across the country, and Israelis were ordered to stay in protected areas. An Israeli security official said that in cooperation with the United States, the Israeli Air Force intercepted many of the missiles, though there some direct hits damaging buildings and igniting some fires.

U.S. and British officials later said approximately 200 missiles had been launched by Iran.

Iran said the missiles were in response to the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Revolutionary Guard Gen. Abbas Nilforushan, both killed in an Israeli airstrike last week in Beirut. It also mentioned Ismail Haniyeh, a top leader in Hamas who was assassinated in Tehran in a suspected Israeli attack in July. It warned this attack represented only a “first wave,” without elaborating.

In April, Iran launched more than 300 drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at Israel. Most were intercepted outside of Israel. One girl was injured from falling shrapnel.

Israel vowed to respond, pushing the two archenemies closer toward direct confrontation and the region closer toward a broader war.

Did Israeli troops enter Lebanon?

The military says that Israeli troops entered Lebanon late Monday, though it was not clear whether they remained inside or were moving in and out of the country.

In a surprise announcement, Israel said Tuesday that its ground forces have been operating covertly in Lebanon for the last year, carrying out dozens of small ground operations. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the army’s spokesman, said the current raid is an expansion of these activities.

The Lebanese army and UNIFIL, a U.N. peacekeeping force stationed in southern Lebanon, have not confirmed that Israeli troops crossed the border, although UNIFIL said it was notified that they were going to.

How far into Lebanon are Israeli ground troops?

A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity under briefing guidelines, said Israeli ground troops were “within walking distance” of the border, targeting the small Lebanese villages hundreds of meters (yards) from Israeli territory.

The military says Hezbollah militants remain in the area, despite heavy Israeli bombardment over the past few weeks. It says they are using the areas to launch attacks on Israel and to store weapons.

Have there been clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli troops?

There were no signs of ground combat in southern Lebanon, and the Israeli official said there had been no clashes with Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, cross-border fire continued. Hezbollah said it had targeted groups of soldiers in several Israeli border areas with artillery shelling and rockets. Israel said no soldiers were injured. At the same time, Israeli artillery units pummeled targets in southern Lebanon and the sounds of airstrikes were heard throughout Beirut.

Hezbollah fired a rare volley of rockets toward central Israel on Tuesday, injuring one man, Israeli paramedics said.

How extensive is the planned operation?

Israel has not given a timetable for how long the incursion will last and has declined to specify how far troops will go.

The military official said that marching to Beirut, as Israel did in its 1982 invasion of Lebanon, is “not on the table.” At the time, the Israeli invasion was also pitched as a limited incursion to push the Palestine Liberation Organization back.

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He added that the operation in its current stages does not mirror Israel’s ground incursions in Gaza, where the military entered cities with heavy manpower, artillery and tanks.

That could change, depending on whether Israel’s government decides to launch a more extensive ground operation. Large numbers of forces, including scores of tanks, have massed along the border in recent days.

Troops that entered Lebanon are from the 98th division, the military said. The division is responsible for some of the heaviest fighting inside Gaza and includes elite units specializing in attacks behind enemy lines.

Meanwhile, Israel is expanding its evacuation warnings in southern Lebanon, sending hundreds of thousands of Lebanese fleeing from the south.

On Tuesday, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson asked residents living in villages north of a U.N.-declared buffer zone to flee. Under a U.N. resolution that ended the 2006 war, the zone was supposed to be controlled by a U.N. peacekeeping force and the Lebanese military.

AP writer Melanie Lidman contributed from Jerusalem.

MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins fans could usually count on home wins in September. Instead, they’ve experienced a dismal offense that has given them reason to rain jeers and boos down to the Hard Rock Stadium field through a 1-3 start in 2024.

The loudest and most profound boos were felt Monday night, as the Dolphins dropped an embarrassing 31-12 decision to the previously winless Tennessee Titans as Miami only put together 184 yards of total offense.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel was asked Tuesday to relay a message to fans, many of whom are frustrated with the team’s production and possibly even calling for major changes.

“I guess it didn’t hit me with surprise,” McDaniel said of fan frustration. “I think people invest and have to go and believe in a team that has, bottom line, the droughts that this organization has incurred. I don’t take that lightly. I would be dishonest if I told you that I didn’t expect that.

“I can relate where weeks are ruined with losses, and the worst part about it is that (fans) don’t have any control. So, that’s not a fun place to be in. I know, sporting events when I’m rooting for a team and I’m not coaching in it, I get much more angry when there’s failure than when I’m coaching and I can actually problem-solve something.

“It’s to be expected. This is the big leagues. To feel entitled to blind support, that’s not my cup of team. I think you have to go to work, problem solve and try to fix things as best you can. And I don’t think we’re necessarily owed anything. I think people believe when you give them reason to believe, and if people jump off the bandwagon, I’m not really villainizing the people who are jumping off the bandwagon. It’s more we gave them reason to.

“I don’t think people pay what they pay to go to Hard Rock Stadium to watch us lose.”

So, yes, McDaniel understands.

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And he also understands that corrections need to be made to an offense that ranks dead last in the NFL in scoring and just posted its lowest offensive output in total yards since Nov. 1, 2020, when Miami had 145 yards against the Los Angeles Rams in a win.

“The answers aren’t somewhere in a different orbit,” McDaniel said. “The answers are in-house, in terms of there’s some very concrete, direct conversations that need to be had.”

McDaniel is keeping those specific conversations within team facilities, but one thing that is known is he will turn back to Tyler “Snoop” Huntley at quarterback for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots (1-3).

Tua Tagovailoa still has to miss at least the next two games while on injured reserve, and Skylar Thompson’s ailing ribs are still not to the point where he can return for a full week of preparation.

“Across the board, from coaching to execution of plays, the bottom line is we have to play winning football,” McDaniel said. “It’s not as easy as ‘do something different,’ but you do have to do some things different. Because, clearly, there’s a gap in preparation and game-day execution.”

The question becomes: Is McDaniel putting Huntley in a position to succeed as a different, more-athletic quarterback than others he has had in his system?

“It just feels like an offense that’s not good enough generally, and whether that’s coaching or playing, we’re all in it together,” he said. “It’s a bottom-line business. I think there’s strengths and weaknesses that everybody provides, but realistically from my history within the offense my entire coaching career; there’s tools and mechanisms that allow it to adjust.”

The Miami offense, which led the league last year in yards and was second in scoring, in addition to being last in points per game this year, is 26th in total offense, 25th in third-down success rate, 24th in rushing offense and 23rd in passing offense.

While Tagovailoa must miss Sunday’s game in New England and the Oct. 20 game in Indianapolis after the bye week, reinforcements could come in the form of a return to the lineup for running back Raheem Mostert, who has missed the past three games with a chest injury or a team debut for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who has started the season on the physically-unble-to-perform list.

MIAMI GARDENS — Make no mistake, this was a disaster.

There were bright spots in the Miami Dolphins’ 31-12 loss to the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night.

But all things considered, this was a disaster. 

The Dolphins fell to 1-3 on the season as their offense wheezed and sputtered under the direction of quarterback Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, who has only been with the team for about two weeks.

The defense allowed its fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing game.

Special teams continued collecting penalties.

And there didn’t seem to be any significant coaching adjustments for the second consecutive game.

Oh, and did we mention the Titans won handily with their backup quarterback?

Predictably, this will be a rough report card. 

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Run game: D

The Dolphins rushed for 106 yards, which is respectable. But they only averaged 3.5 yards per carry, which is so-so, and Huntley (eight carries, 40 yards) was the leading rusher, aided by a 20-yard carry. Running backs De’Von Achane (10 carries, 15 yards) and Jaylen Wright (nine carries, 32 yards) were largely ineffective. The Dolphins, who constantly run against so-called “light” boxes, haven’t been able to exploit this strategy, and that enables teams to keep two deep safeties to prevent long passes to wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Pass game: F

This is on the game plan. This isn’t on Huntley (14 of 22, 96 yards, 73.3 passer rating), who was decent under the circumstances. Hill (seven targets, four receptions, 23 yards) and Waddle (six targets, four receptions, 36 yards) couldn’t get their hands on the ball. The tight ends combined for three targets. The Dolphins only surrendered two sacks and five quarterback hits, which isn’t bad. But it was tough to figure out how the game plan adjusted, if at all, so that it combined Huntley’s unique skills with the team’s desire to get the ball in the hands of Hill and Waddle. 

Defending the run: C-

The Titans rushed for 142 yards on 40 carries (3.6 ypc). The problem was the 41-yard gain by running back Tony Pollard (22 carries, 88 yards), and the clock-draining 40 carries. Other than that, while the Dolphins weren’t good, they weren’t that bad. Keep an eye on defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand, who continues to flash as a playmaker. 

Defending the pass: B+

The Dolphins had an interception — edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah caught the ball, bobbled it, and finally squeezed it between his knees  and generally did well in coverage. Titans wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins (two receptions, 31 yards), Tyler Boyd (two receptions, 31 yards) and Calvin Ridley (one reception, five yards) were harmless. Credit rookie cornerback Storm Duck, along with fellow cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Kader Kohou, and safeties Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer (shin injury) and Marcus Maye. They did a nice job. Of course, they largely faced backup quarterback Mason Rudolph (9 of 17, 85 yards, 67.0 passer rating) after Will Levis (3 of 4, 25 yards, one interception, 51.0 passer rating) went out with a shoulder injury.

Special teams: C

There was a mental error on a punt return and a penalty on an onside kick/punt. Special teams have been sloppy after having a nice debut against Jacksonville. Kicker Jason Sanders was good with two field goals, from 44 and 56 yards. Punter Jake Bailey (five punts, 47.6 yards per punt) continued his strong season. But the penalties and sloppy play is inexcusable.

Coaching: F

Coach Mike McDaniel didn’t have a good game plan, and he didn’t have his team prepared. Losing at home to previously winless Tennessee is embarrassing. The defense did OK, but the offense was terrible and special teams were suspect.

Stock up: CB Storm Duck, LT Patrick Paul

The rookies had decent showings. That’s evidenced because we don’t remember any bad plays, and the overall statistics for their units are good. Duck, undrafted from Louisville, did a nice job in pass defense against a physical set of wide receivers. Paul, the second-round pick from Houston, did a nice job protecting Huntley’s blind side. Both rookies made their first NFL start.

Stock down: Mike McDaniel

McDaniel has to find answers soon. Fans are becoming antsy, and you get the sense that players, while still firmly on McDaniel’s side, might start getting antsy if they don’t get a victory soon. This is why McDaniel gets the big bucks (that’s especially after that recent contract extension). He’s got to earn that money.

Mia Taylor | (TNS) TravelPulse

Globetrotters may soon be able to store their U.S. passport in a Google Wallet.

The tech giant has announced that it’s rolling out a variety of new Google Wallet updates aimed at travelers and commuters.

As part of that plan, Google is beta testing the ability to create a digital ID from a U.S. passport, according to a news release from Google. Once uploaded to a Wallet, the digital U.S. Passport ID could be used at select TSA checkpoints by those traveling within the United States.

Google expects that being able to store passports digitally in your Wallet will save “time and stress at the airport when traveling domestically.”

When the new digital passport feature becomes available to the public, users will be able to create their digital ID by selecting the “create an ID pass with your U.S. passport” function in the Google Wallet app.

After that, users will be required to scan the security chip located on the back of passports. The process also involves taking a selfie that will be used to verify identity.

From start-to-finish, creating a digital ID from a passport should take just a few minutes, per Google. The digitized version of one’s passport however, should not replace carrying your actual passport. Google has worked to stress this point.

The company has also underscored that your passport information will be safe when stored in a Wallet.

“ID passes are stored encrypted, meaning you must authenticate using your fingerprint, PIN or passcode before the ID pass is viewable or shareable,” Google said in a statement. “You’re in control of the information shared: before using your digital ID for identity verification, you can review what information is being requested.”

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The passport news is just a small part of Google’s plans when it comes to digitized identification. Last year, the tech company introduced the ability to save select state-issued digital IDs to Wallet.

Now, Google is in talks with partners to make digital IDs acceptable for a variety of additional travel uses, including when renting a car.

“While ID passes are accepted at select TSA checkpoints today, we’re working with partners so you can use digital IDs in even more situations — for example, in the future we believe you should be able to use digital ID for things like account recovery, identity verification and even car rentals,” the company said in a statement.

In the future, the Google wallet will automatically import transit tickets from Gmail booking confirmations. With this upcoming function, users will be able to view live train status updates from the ticket in the Google app.

And yet another feature in the works would provide Google Wallet users with notifications if there’s a change to an assigned seat associated with a boarding pass.

Since launching two years ago, people in more than 90 countries and territories have begun using Google Wallet to save and access everything from payment cards to train and event tickets.

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