South Florida Local News

By STEPHEN GROVES, LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Senate is headed towards a vote Wednesday on President Donald Trump’s decision to embark on a war against Iran, an extraordinary test in Congress for a conflict that has rapidly spread across the Middle East with no clear U.S. exit strategy.

The legislation, known as a war powers resolution, gives lawmakers an opportunity to demand congressional approval before any further attacks are carried out. The Senate resolution and a similar bill being voted on in the House later this week face unlikely paths through the Republican-controlled Congress and would almost certainly be vetoed by Trump even if they were to pass.

Nonetheless, the votes marked a weighty moment for lawmakers. Their decisions on the five-day-old war — which Trump entered without congressional approval — could determine the fates of U.S. military members, countless other lives and the future of the region.

“Wars without clear objectives do not remain small. They get bigger, bloodier, longer and more expensive,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer at a news conference Tuesday. “This is not a necessary war. It’s a war of choice.”

Trump administration scrambles for congressional support

After launching a surprise attack against Iran on Saturday, Trump has scrambled to win support for a conflict that Americans of all political persuasions were already wary of entering. Trump administration officials have been a frequent presence on Capitol Hill this week as they try to reassure lawmakers that they have the situation under control.

“We are not going to put American troops in harm’s way,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in a raucous news conference at the Capitol Tuesday.

But six U.S. military members were killed over the weekend in a drone strike in Kuwait.

Trump has also not ruled out deploying U.S. ground troops. He has said he is hoping to end the bombing campaign within a few weeks, but his goals for the war have shifted from regime change to stopping Iran from developing nuclear capabilities to crippling its navy and missile programs.

“I think they are achieving great success with what they’ve done so far,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday, adding that what happens next in the country will be “largely up to the Iranian people.”

Almost all Republican senators were readying to vote Wednesday against the war powers resolution to halt military action, but a number still expressed hesitation at the idea of deploying troops on the ground in Iran.

“I don’t think the American people want to see troops on the ground,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., as he exited a classified briefing Tuesday. He added that Trump administration officials “left open that possibility,” but it wasn’t an option they were emphasizing.

Lawmakers to go on record

The votes in Congress this week represented potentially consequential markers of just where lawmakers stand on the war as they look ahead to midterm elections and the consequences of the conflict.

“Nobody gets to hide and give the president an easy pass or an end-run around the Constitution,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, the Virginia Democrat leading the war powers resolution. “Everybody’s got to declare whether they’re for this war or against it.”

Republican leaders have successfully, though narrowly, defeated a series of war powers resolutions pertaining to several other conflicts that Trump has entered or threatened to enter. This one, however, is different.

Unlike Trump’s military campaigns against alleged drug boats or even Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, the attack on Iran represents an open-ended conflict that is already ricocheting across the region. For Republicans who are used to operating in a political party dominated by Trump and his promises of keeping the U.S. out of foreign entanglements, the moment represented a bit of whiplash.

“War is ugly, it always has been ugly, but we’re taking out a regime that has been trying to attack us for quite some time,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican.

Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who has long pushed Trump to engage overseas, argued that the widening conflict represented an opportunity for Arab and European countries to join in the fight against Iran and the militant groups it supports.

“I don’t mind people being on record as to whether or not they think this is a good idea,” he told reporters, but also argued that too much power over the military was ceded to Congress in the War Powers Act, which mandates that presidents must withdraw troops from a conflict within 90 days if there is no congressional authorization.

House vote looms

On the other side of the Capitol, House leaders were also readying for an intense debate over the war followed by a vote Thursday.

“I do believe we have the votes to defeat it, I certainly hope we do,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said after an all-member briefing on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said he expected a strong showing from Democrats in favor of the war powers resolution.

As lawmakers emerged from a closed-door briefing Tuesday night, Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, implored the Trump administration to “come to Congress” and speak directly to the American people about the rationale for the war.

His voice filled with emotion as he said, “Our young men and women’s lives are on the line.”

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Tuesday night’s 124-98 victory over the Brooklyn Nets:

– For the Heat, as in recent games against tanking teams Utah (a loss) and Memphis (a win), coach Erik Spoelstra said the emphasis had to be about their own game.

– “We have some experience with it. We know what’s at stake,” Spoelstra said, with the Heat also hosting the Nets on Thursday night.

– As in the Nets who want to lose.

– As in the lottery-chasing Nets who need to lose.

– What time in the NBA, when only one of the two teams shows up wanting to win.

– “Each night is a different challenge,” Spoelstra said. “This is what the league is. You don’t necessarily know who’s going to play, what they’re playing for, whatever.”

– He added, “It doesn’t, it really doesn’t matter at this point.”

– Spoelstra said the motivation has to come from within.

– “We’re trying to compete at a high level, to get as close as we can to our best version and keep on improving that,” he said.

– So, Spoelstra said, against a contender or a team prioritizing the lottery, the touchstones remain the same.

– “You can’t look past anyone, and that’s our focus right now,” he said. “It’s just to try to get to our identity, and the names will change. The prep will be the same. But we got to have a disposition that’s consistent, and we can bank on night in, night out.”

– With Davion Mitchell pushing through his shoulder contusion and Norman Powell (groin) still out, the Heat for the second consecutive game opened with Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Pelle Larsson, Andrew Wiggins and Bam Adebayo.

– Wiggins had been on the injury report earlier in the day with knee tendinitis.

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

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

– With Kasparas Jakucionis and Simone Fontecchio in next.

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– During that substitution, Adebayo returned to play alongside Ware.

– That initial rotation had Dru Smith out of the mix.

–  Herro in the second period was called for a technical foul for the second second game for yapping. This time it was with Clowney, after his Saturday words with the Rockets’ Kevin Durant.

– Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said the goal for his lottery-prioritizing team coming into such a game is, to be, “ready to fight.”

– Fernandez called the Heat “a team that is very physical, that they use their hands very well, that you’re going to have to handle their physicality. And I think that’s good for us. It’s going to help us. It’s going to make us bring the best of ourselves.”

– Fernandez said he had no concerns of potential South Beach flu, with the Nets in Miami for four consecutive days.

– “Work and have fun, and if you have fun together, it’s even better,” he said. “So I think that brings them together. That team chemistry is important. When you travel and you’re on the road is when you spend time together. So I always encourage the guys that if they have to go to dinner, whatever they want to do, I think those things build relationships and chemistry.”

– Former Heat guard Goran Dragic was among those in attendance.

MIAMI — The subset of the standings has begun for the Miami Heat — also known as the fighting chance provided by the NBA.

Over these final six weeks of the season, as the Heat fight to avoid the play-in round for a fourth consecutive season, Erik Spoelstra’s team has been provided with two games against the Brooklyn Nets and three against the Washington Wizards, as in a Nets team now 15-46 and a Wizards team now 16-45.

Step 1 came Tuesday night at Kaseya Center with a 124-98 victory over the Nets, with the teams to meet again Thursday on the Heat’s court.

In no position for a misstep, the Heat took advantage, with a challenging closing schedule that otherwise includes two games remaining apiece against the Cavaliers and Raptors, with all four of those on the road, as well as remaining home games against the Pistons, Lakers, Spurs and Celtics, and then a road rematch in Houston.

“Just to see the approach,” Spoelstra said, “I was pleased with the prep, I was pleased with the practice yesterday, and pretty consistent effort and focus throughout the course of the game.”

All that was required in this one was 23 points from Bam Adebayo, 22 from Tyler Herro and 20 from Jaime Jaquez Jr. against a largely undistinguished opposing cast.

“It was a professional win,” Herro said. “Coach always talks about being professionals coming in and take care of business. We’ve dropped a couple games that we feel like we were supposed to win, not just this year, but the last couple years. So it’s one of those games where we wanna come in and be professional.”

Five Degrees of Heat from Tuesday night’s game:

1. Game flow: Again playing in the injury absence of Norman Powell (groin), the Heat led 34-28 at the end of the opening period and 69-54 at halftime.

The Heat then went up 18 in the third period, saw that lead trimmed to 11, before closing the quarter ahead 91-75, at a stage the Nets were 4 of 21 on 3-pointers.

The Nets trimmed their deficit to 13 90 seconds into the fourth quarter, with the Heat’s lead in the 20s less than 90 seconds later, effectively ending it.

“It’s the second half of the season. We need these wins,” Adebayo said. “We can’t have any more slip-ups. We had enough in the first half of the season.”

Spoelstra credited Herro with providing the spark.

“I think he’s making all of this look a whole lot easier than it actually is,” he said of Herro’s recent return from being out over a month with a rib injury. “He hasn’t played extended time. This is just really a short period of time that he’s been back, but I think each game it’ll get better.”

2. Rebound record: With his fifth defensive rebound, which came early in the third period, Adebayo moved past Udonis Haslem for the Heat’s all-time lead. Haslem’s record was 4,176.

Haslem still retains the Heat all-time lead in total rebounds and offensive rebounds, with Adebayo second on the overall rebound list and fourth on the offensive-rebound list behind Haslem, Alonzo Mourning and Rony Seikaly.

“I’m on the way, man, He knows it,” Adebayo said of the chase of Haslem’s overall rebounding record. “That gap is getting closer and closer.

“At some point it’s going to happen.”

Earlier, he extended his streak of games with at least one 3-pointer to 10, nine games off his career-best streak, competed earlier this season.

Adebayo closed with nine rebounds as well as six steals, but was just 1 of 7 on 3-pointers as part of his 11-of-24 night from the field.

“He wants to get the full rebound record,” Spoelstra said, “but it’s a testament to his consistency. We’d love to see it. That’s what records are there for, to be broken, especially when it’s quality people that are breaking records. Bam is a quality human being, and UD will eventually love it when Bam does eventually pass him.”

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3. More double big: Spoelstra initially prioritized again getting big men Adebayo and Kel’el Ware on the court together.

That had Adebayo’s initial break leaving him off the court for less than three minutes before he returned.

Unlike Saturday, when the Heat almost solely played zone with the two on the court, this time Ware was allowed to work more often in man-to-man defense.

Ware then was forced to the bench with his third foul with 7:25 remaining in the second period, after picking up those three fouls in a 22-second span.

Ware closed with 11 points, 13 rebounds and a career-high five steals.

4. Jaquez from deep: When Jaquez converted his second 3-pointer of the night with 8:45 to play in the second period, it was the first time Jaquez had made multiple 3-pointers in a game since Jan. 19 and only the third time this season. The two at that stage tied his season high.

Jaquez entered 2 of 16 on 3s in his previous six games and .257 on 3-pointers for the season.

He closed 2 of 3 on 3-pointers Tuesday night.

“He works at it all the time,” Spoelstra said of Jaquez’s 3-point shot. “I don’t think that necessarily will affect our offense one way or another. I think we score in bunches when he’s on the court. The most important thing is he is our downhill guy. He’ll be able to keep defenses honest if he knocks down a couple of threes. But by this point, teams play him how they play him.”

5. And another one: This is the fourth of six times the Heat face the same opponent in consecutive games, also hosting the Nets on Thursday night.

The Heat’s two remaining such sets are both on the road, on March 25 and March 27 in Cleveland, and April 7 and April 9 in Toronto.

The Heat exited the victory a half-game out of sixth place in the Eastern Conference, the final direct seed into the best-of-seven opening round of the playoffs.

“I know we have a lot of competitors in our locker room, and I’m banking on that, bringing out a better version of ourselves,” Spoelstra said.

By STEPHEN WHYNO

NEWARK, N.J. — U.S. Olympic golden goal-scorer Jack Hughes extended his points streak to four games since returning from Milan, and the New Jersey Devils dealt the Florida Panthers’ playoff hopes another blow by beating the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions 5-1 on Tuesday night.

Hughes’ shot that went wide banked right to Dougie Hamilton for his goal. Hughes has four assists — one in each game — since the NHL season resumed.

Hamilton, whose name has been involved in trade buzz for several months, also had an assist. It’s unclear if the Devils will be able to move the defenseman before the deadline Friday, given that Hamilton has two years remaining on his contract beyond this season at a $9 million salary cap hit and is owed a $7.4 million roster bonus on July 1.

If New Jersey, which looks out of the race, sells elsewhere, depth forward Cody Glass may have boosted his value by scoring his 14th goal of the season. Arseny Gritsyuk also scored, looking off Hughes on a 2 on 1 before beating Sergei Bobrovsky, who was excellent early and finished with 28 saves on 31 shots.

Florida is in danger of becoming the first Cup-winning team to miss the playoffs the following season since the Los Angeles Kings in 2014-15. The Panthers have lost three of four games since the Olympics ended, all of those coming in regulation.

Combined with Boston’s victory against Pittsburgh, Florida is 10 points back of the second and final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with just 21 games left to play. Coach Paul Maurice said captain Aleksander Barkov, who’s recovering from tearing the ACL and medial collateral ligament in his right knee during training camp, is not expected back until at least late March.

Up next

Panthers: At Columbus on Thursday night.

Nobody said getting to the NCAA Tournament would be easy.

UCF is finding that out the hard way as the Knights dropped a heartbreaker to Oklahoma State in overtime, 111-104, on Tuesday night. It was the second consecutive loss for the Knights, who still remain in the hunt for an elusive berth in the NCAA Tournament.

On Saturday, UCF rallied from 15 points before eventually losing to Baylor on a controversial foul in the final seconds, 87-86.

Themus Fulks scored a team-high 20 points as UCF (20-9, 9-8 Big 12) fell to 13-5 at Addition Financial Arena this season.

“It’s two tough losses, but if we just buy into more on practice, it would really help us … benefit us,” said guard Riley Kugel.

It was especially disappointing considering it was Senior Night, as Jamichael Stillwell, Poopha Warakulnukroh, Devan Cambridge, George Beale Jr., Kugel and Fulks were honored before the game.

Oklahoma State (18-12, 6-11 Big 12) won for the second time in the past three games.

Senior guard Anthony Roy led the Cowboys with 26 points, including 3 for 7 from 3-point range.

“They’re a good offensive team and they have a lot of firepower,” said coach Johnny Dawkins. “We did a good job of building the lead and we got out of character. I thought we took a couple ill-advised shots.”

It was also UCF’s annual Space Game celebration with the Knights’ players proudly wearing their Canaveral Blue uniforms. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to carry the team to a win.

UCF blasted off from the first tip, connecting on six of its first eight field goals, sprinting out to a 13-7 advantage over Oklahoma State. The Knights were hitting on all cylinders, fueled by seven early points by center John Bol.

Everyone was getting into the scoring act for UCF.

Redshirt junior center Elijah Hulsewe, playing in place of an injured Jeremy Foumena, scored six points in a row while grabbing a pair of early rebounds as the Knights built a double-digit lead with 13:54 left in the first half. Hulsewe finished with 9 points and 4 rebounds in 9 minutes.

Oklahoma State, meanwhile, went nearly three minutes without a point before scoring 16 of the next 21 points, cutting the lead to 28-26 with 7:57 in the first half. The Cowboys tied the game at 31 on a 3-pointer by Jaylen Curry at the 5:39 mark before a layup and a 3-pointer by Kugel, which helped the Knights retake the lead.

But a 35-17 run by Oklahoma State over the final 12 minutes helped the Cowboys take a 45-40 lead into halftime.

It was a back-and-forth affair to start the second half, with both teams trading mini-runs as OSU continued to hold a slight advantage.

UCF took its first lead since the 3:24 mark in the first half when Kugel connected on a 3-pointer from the top of the key to make it 56-54.

Oklahoma State retook the lead after back-to-back shooting fouls were called on the Knights. The second foul drew the ire of Dawkins, who was assessed a technical foul after stepping on the court to argue with officials.

“I’m just making sure I’m fighting for my guys,” said Dawkins. “I’ve got to fight for my team and that’s what I was doing out there. The passion may have just gotten a little too high, and I got teed up.”

There were a combined 52 fouls called in the game, with both teams combining for 85 free-throw attempts.

UCF rallied from 5 points down with 58 seconds left to tie the game at 94 thanks to Chris Johnson’s 3-pointer at the top of the key with 11 seconds remaining.

Oklahoma State had a chance to win the game, but Jaylen Curry’s floater rolled off the basket and Anthony Roy’s shot at the buzzer was partially blocked by Bol, sending the game into overtime.

The Knights tied the game again at 100 with 2:31 left in overtime, but failed to get any closer as Oklahoma State would run away with the win.

UCF wraps up the regular season with a road contest at West Virginia on Friday (8 p.m., CBSSN). The Big 12 Tournament begins on March 10 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

By JEFF AMY

ATLANTA (AP) — More and more states are examining plans to cut property taxes during what’s an election year for governors and legislators in most states. But some states’ tax-cutting zeal is hitting political resistance to slashing local government and public school funding.

National experts say it’s a property tax revolt — comparing it to earlier backlashes, including the one that led to California’s Proposition 13, a 1978 initiative that limited property tax rates and how much local governments could increase property valuations on homes for tax purposes. Like then, rising home values have driven higher property tax bills.

“The overwhelming trend across the states is relief for residential property owners,” said Manish Bhatt of the Tax Foundation, a Washington, D.C., group that studies taxes.

New proposals have been debated in recent weeks to cut taxes in Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In some of those states, the debate is likely to play out for months.

While political pressure from angry homeowners is likely to keep some legislatures on track to cut property taxes, efforts to eliminate property taxes on a homeowner’s primary residence face a difficult path.

Elimination may not be realistic

In Georgia on Tuesday, a state constitutional amendment that could have cut property taxes for homeowners by 75% or more failed when all but one Democrat voted against it. Because such amendments in Georgia require a two-thirds vote by legislators, the plan backed by Republican state House Speaker Jon Burns needed at least 21 Democratic votes.

The Georgia bill could be revived, but House Republicans said they would also begin looking at more limited ways to provide property tax relief that wouldn’t require a constitutional amendment.

In Florida, House lawmakers passed a proposed state constitutional amendment to phase out property taxes for nonschool purposes over 10 years. The proposal, which would cost an estimated $13 billion in forgone revenue, awaits Senate action. But a key state senator has signaled that his chamber is unlikely to agree, instead saying senators favor something less generous and more tailored to the needs of individual counties. Lawmakers have said it may take a special session to reach a deal.

Thomas Brosy, a senior research associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, said eliminating property taxes is “very unlikely to happen.”

“Completely slashing them is really unrealistic, since it really is the largest source of on revenues for most local governments in the United States,” Brosy said.

Georgia falls back from total elimination

Even the plan rejected Tuesday in Georgia was a step back from the original plan to phase out homeowner property taxes by 2032. Tuesday’s version would have cut, but not necessarily eliminated, property taxes on a primary residence, while encouraging local governments and schools to instead rely on sales taxes to fund operations. It would also have raised taxes on sales of computers to data centers to offset some revenue losses.

State House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Shaw Blackmon said the measure would have provided “dramatic savings for homeowners.”

“We’ve all received emails from constituents worried their skyrocketing property tax will force them from their homes,” he said in a debate on Tuesday.

But state House Democratic Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley called the bill an election-year “exercise in cold, hard politics.” She and other Democrats said that in many cases, local governments wouldn’t be legally able to raise sales taxes enough to offset the billions in property taxes that would be lost.

“The math’s just not math-ing. It just does not add up,” Hugley said. “And this is not a responsible thing to do.”

Sales tax shifts

Other states are looking at shifting from property taxes to sales taxes as well. South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden proposes letting counties impose a half-percent sales tax and devoting the proceeds to property tax credits for homeowners. Last week, Rhoden, a Republican, launched a website estimating how much homeowners would save annually on property taxes, ranging from $428 to $1,227. However, it doesn’t count how much people would pay from increased sales taxes.

In Michigan, Republican state House Speaker Matt Hall last week proposed raising taxes on currently untaxed services and using the money to erase the state’s share of property taxes, the state real estate transfer tax and Michigan’s personal property tax. Any agreement may not come until lawmakers finalize the state budget in the fall.

One issue with a shift to sales taxes is that it may shift the tax burden from richer to poorer people, Brosy with the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center said.

“They try to get it to the next best thing or the next available thing, which is the sales tax, which in itself is a lot more regressive and tends to fall a lot more on lower-income families compared to the property tax,” he said.

Another issue with shifting to sales taxes is that some local governments have few sources of retail sales to tax.

“Not all locations have the same opportunities to replace that revenue,” Bhatt of the Tax Foundation said. “And that often is missed in the discussions.”

A bill that would expand vaccine exemptions for public K-12 schools is headed to the Senate floor.

The bill (SB 1756) would create a new “conscience” category for parents to opt their children out of immunizations typically required for students to attend public K-12 schools.

It passed through the Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday despite opposition from two Republicans.

Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, the bill’s sponsor, said he wants to give more opportunities for non-religious individuals to object to vaccinations and have the opportunity to exempt their children as well.

“The legislation is about the values we hold in high regard,” Yarborough said. “Fundamentally, it’s about parents being able to make the best decisions for their children.”

The bill has been a flashpoint between parents’ rights advocates and health care practitioners, who warn the expansion of vaccine exemptions will lead to widespread illness from preventable diseases.

It’s also caused a rift among Senate Republicans. Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, said she would not vote for the bill, especially as the state is currently battling a measles outbreak.

Florida has the third-most measles cases in the country with more than 100 cases.
Sen, Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland, also voted no, arguing the bill doesn’t respect the choices of all parents, including those who want to send their children to a school that requires vaccines.

Burton filed an amendment that would have allowed private schools to implement their own vaccine requirements and refuse admission to students based on their vaccination status but it was voted down.

The bill also requires health care practitioners who administer vaccines to offer parents an alternative vaccine schedule and provide the most recently issued Vaccine Information Statement published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for each vaccine administered. A parent would also have to sign a document acknowledging receipt of the information.

As for parents who choose not to vaccinate, the downloadable exemption form would include materials “relating to the role of immunizations in communicable disease prevention,” and the webpage will link to the CDC’s vaccine information statement.

Yarborough assured senators that the information provided to families, regardless of vaccination choice, would be the same.

Another provision of the bill allows pharmacists to provide ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug often prescribed for animals, over-the-counter for adults without a prescription.

The drug is seen by some as helpful against COVID-19, but medical professionals have warned against its use to combat the virus. Pharmacists would be given immunity from liability for any ill effects caused by ivermectin under the bill.

Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, questioned why the ivermectin was included in the bill.

“There is no reason we in the state of Florida should be treating it any differently than the federal government treats it now,” said Berman.

The House version of the bill (HB 917), which would require doctors to accept all patients regardless of vaccination status, hasn’t been considered in that chamber this year. That measure has been pushed by first lady Casey DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo.

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fearful that an election quirk could result in heavily Democratic California installing a Republican as its next governor, a top Democrat on Tuesday sent his party’s lagging candidates a blunt message: Get out of the race.

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California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks warned in a statement that for all the state’s liberal bona fides it was possible that a large Democratic field could carve up the party’s primary vote into small fractions and allow only two Republican candidates to advance to the November election. The all-GOP general election is possible under California’s unusual top-two primary system, which puts all candidates on one ballot and only the top two vote-getters advance to November, regardless of party.

Though a longshot, such an outcome could have major fallout beyond losing the governorship for the first time in 16 years, Hicks said. A Democratic vacancy at the top of the ticket in November could depress turnout at a time when the party is trying to regain control of the U.S. House to blunt President Donald Trump’s agenda in Washington.

“I recognize my suggestions are hard for many to contemplate and may be even viewed as overly harsh,” Hicks wrote. The letter did not name names but it appeared to be targeting a handful of candidates who have hovered in the single digits in polling, including several non-white candidates.

The response from trailing candidates was swift. State schools superintendent Tony Thurmond, who is Black, said the party is “essentially telling every candidate of color … to drop out.” He vowed to stay in the race.

“Aren’t we supposed to be the party who embraces democracy?” he said in a video posted to the social platform X.

California gubernatorial candidate Betty Yee speaks at the 2026 California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Another candidate, former state controller Betty Yee, a daughter of Chinese immigrant parents, didn’t mention Hicks’ statement in an announcement that she would be filing paperwork Tuesday to officially set her candidacy in motion. The campaign of San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, another Democrat in the race, said “voters choose the next governor, not political gatekeepers.”

A wide-open field

Hicks’ unusual intervention in the contest comes after weeks of growing Democratic anxiety about the possibility of seeing two Republicans on the top of the ballot in November. The leading GOP candidates are Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton, both supporters of Trump.

This election marks the first time since voters approved the state’s “ top two ” primary system more than a decade ago that there’s been a governor’s race with no clear frontrunner, luring a flood of Democrats into the contest.

That list includes current and former members of Congress, Katie Porter, Rep. Eric Swalwell and Xavier Becerra, who later served as the Biden administration’s top health official; billionaire Tom Steyer; former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; Ian Calderon, a former majority leader in the state Assembly, along with Thurmond, Yee and Mahan.

California gubernatorial candidate Matt Mahan speaks while being interviewed at the 2026 California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Recent polling by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found the field had split into two distinct groups, with Hilton, Porter, Bianco, Swalwell and Steyer breaking into double digits, and other candidates lagging in lower single digits.

Gov. Newsom, who has not made an endorsement in the race, echoed Hicks’ concern for a potential Democratic disaster. Newsom said of Hicks’ letter, “I’ll be candid with you. My first reaction is: I get why he sent it. There is some concern.”

It also prompted Democratic infighting. Villaraigosa’s campaign issued a statement calling on Becerra to drop out, saying it would reduce the chances of a GOP sweep. Both are Latinos and rivals for support in that community.

Some Democrats agree

Hicks won a nod of support from Democratic strategist Drexel Heard II, former executive director of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, who said in a text that “any party’s role and mission has always been to shepherd the best candidates and then win the race.”

A GOP upset in California would reverberate across the nation’s political landscape. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-to-1 statewide. Democrats also dominate the legislature, where Republicans have been reduced to powerless spectators.

Alarm for Democrats increased further after Silicon Valley entrepreneur and Republican Jon Slavet withdrew from the race. That will allow conservative support to further consolidate behind the two leading candidates, Bianco and Hilton.

Hicks argued that if Democratic candidates do not see a “viable path” to November, they should drop out.

Democratic strategist Paul Mitchell has been using available polling data to run simulations to assess the likelihood of a twin GOP breakthrough in the June 2 primary. With Slavet out of the race, the chance of an all-GOP ticket in November has reached 25%, he said.

In a primary, the Democrats are expected to divide roughly 60% of the vote, Republicans, 40%.

While the Democratic vote will be scattered in a large field, “Republicans are consolidating their vote behind two candidates,” Mitchell said. Slavet’s withdrawal “just helps clarify the concern Democrats have.”

EL PASO, Texas (AP) — A large immigration detention camp in Texas has been closed to visitors and attorneys due to a measles outbreak, a lawmaker said Tuesday.

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There are 14 active measles cases at the detention center on the Fort Bliss Army base and 112 people are being isolated, said U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, an El Paso Democrat whose district includes the facility, known as Camp East Montana. It will remain closed to visitors and attorneys until March 19 or March 20.

“While on one hand, it is a good thing that the measles outbreak is being taken seriously, on the other hand, I am alarmed that a preventable crisis has created conditions where detainees can only access their lawyers virtually,” Escobar said in a statement.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The camp opened last year after the Trump administration awarded a contract worth up to $1.3 billion to Acquisition Logistics LLC, a Virginia contractor that had previously not operated an ICE facility. Detainees have described a camp where an average of about 3,000 people per day live in loud and unsanitary quarters, diseases spread easily and sleep is a luxury.

General Daily Insight for March 04, 2026

When we add kindness to bravery, we gain opportunities to support each other and ourselves. With confident Venus sextiling innovative Uranus at 11:40 am EST, we can refresh both our routines and our possessions without breaking the bank. That may involve taking some risks! Any consequences shouldn’t be too painful, though, not once the Moon enters Libra to balance things out. We don’t need to overhaul everything, because little shifts can ripple helpfully through our day and steady our mood as we do what’s doable.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

A quiet pause reveals what truly matters. The alignment of Venus (currently in your subtle 12th house) and Uranus (in your motivated 2nd house) encourages you to think about each choice, even minor ones. For example, you don’t have to stress about today’s breakfast or outfit options, but there’s nothing wrong with giving such things a few more seconds of thought than usual. You could discover your new favorite snack or discover some clothes you’d like to donate. In any case, you’ve learned something valuable.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Who truly supports your progress right now? With precarious Uranus in your sign and Venus in your 11th House of Associations, their sextile emphasizes the way identity shifts affect your allies. You’ll probably need to explain the motivations behind any recent changes before getting much else done. The right people should appreciate your candor. While sharing major life updates in a group setting requires more tact, it’s also easier than seeking out every acquaintance to share individual messages. Let your community amplify your voice.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Self-knowledge grows as you try new things. The Love Goddess, Venus, highlights your 10th House of Incentives with her sextile to awakened Uranus, currently in your 12th House of Transcendence. You’re ready to look beyond this present moment to present your ideas for the future. This may involve having to set aside past ambitions, but it’s all in service of moving forward. Though doubt may creep in, keep reminding yourself that any effort spent on those goals wasn’t wasted. You’re learning what brings real satisfaction!

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

This morning invites a wider point of view. Your 9th House of Learning and your 11th House of Groups are uplifted by today’s Venus-Uranus sextile. This stirs up extra curiosity, particularly related to group projects or outings. Consider inviting some friends over to watch a documentary. You could also enjoy simply asking your pals if they’ve learned anything interesting lately. In turn, sharing something you’ve learned recently should be immensely rewarding. Ask questions, and let the road to the answer inspire you.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Generosity is crucial. A supportive sextile between Venus and Uranus empowers your intimate 8th house and your hyped-up 10th house. Shifting expectations can’t keep you down! Give others the benefit of the doubt, and they should do the same for you. For instance, someone may owe you money or an apology — they probably just forgot, and aren’t trying to undercut you. You can politely remind them (and potentially set up some sort of payment plan). Turn tough topics into teamwork opportunities!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Thoughtful chats forge strong foundations. With independent Venus guiding your 7th House of Partnership and Uranus blessing your 9th House of Exploration, their sextile creates the ideal environment for favorable agreements. When making travel plans, be sure to honor the preferences of everyone sharing the journey as much as possible. Even if you’re stuck at home, you can expand your horizons through genuine discussions with your peers (whether you’re chatting online or in person). The stars are calling you to listen, learn, and share.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

“Blunt” is the best word for the universe’s attitude today — it’s telling it like it is, even if that causes some drama. The Venus-Uranus sextile strikes your sensible 6th house and your delicate 8th house, so be wary of sensitive topics. There’s no need to avoid them entirely, but be aware that they could impact your to-do list. In particular, documentation of a shared resource or reimbursement may shift, so you might have to triple-check some ownership records. If you aren’t sure, check again!

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Play can currently nourish surprising progress on real goals. Creative confidence enjoys a tailwind as loving Venus hones your 5th House of Inspiration, so your talent shines without forcing the moment. With unconventional Uranus highlighting your 7th House of Connections, though, someone close may react differently. Fortunately, that contrast can help you refine your ideas. Share a draft with someone who cheers on honest effort. Your courage to try publicly can spark momentum and goodwill. Keep it fun, and show the heart of it!

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

You deserve a happy home, now as much as always. Comfort grows as sensual Venus softens your 4th House of Family, and its sextile with Venus in your health-focused 6th house supports simple fixes that restore a smoother base. Look into new ways of doing old chores — this may involve some updated technology or more modern devices. Something as small as changing your laundry detergent could refresh your whole vibe! Comfort at home fuels success in all other parts of life.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

You’re making yourself heard, one way or another! A playful twist could make your messages much more memorable. With Venus in your chatty 3rd house sextiling quirky Uranus in your inventive 5th house, there’s no doubt of that. Today may ask you to contact someone over neighborhood situations or investigate other local goings-on. Ask a precise question to confirm understanding before moving ahead. Calm pacing helps tense topics lose their sharp, stubborn edges. Be clear, and let consistency build your reputation.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Values don’t usually change quickly, but today may challenge that. This doesn’t have to be a scary process — not when it’s prompted by an inspirational sextile between Venus in your analytical 2nd house and Uranus in your homeward-bound 4th house. Any updates will probably be due to a renewed sense of inner steadiness and grounded self-worth. You’ve learned what works for you and what doesn’t, and are ready to set aside routines that don’t serve your purposes. Calm steps protect your progress and peace.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Pisces, you set the tone with grace. With Venus, planet of love and money, supporting you through her sextile with Uranus, you’ve got cosmic permission to treat yourself extra kindly. As rebellious Uranus energizes conversations in your 3rd House of Communication, you can share a new introduction or update a bio. Don’t let people treat you like a doormat, even if you want them to like you. Setting kind boundaries protects your energy for what matters and invites supportive replies from good friends.

Today is Tuesday, March 3, the 62nd day of 2026. There are 303 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On March 3, 2005, millionaire adventurer Steve Fossett became the first person to fly a plane around the world solo without stopping or refueling, landing in Salina, Kansas, where he took off 67 hours earlier.

Also on this date:

In 1845, Florida became a U.S. state.

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• Gunman who opened fire on crowded Texas bar was not on FBI radar before attack, authorities say

In 1849, Congress established the U.S. Department of the Interior.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the act creating the National Academy of Sciences.

In 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a bill making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the national anthem of the United States.

In 1943, in London’s East End, 173 people died in a crush of bodies at the Bethnal Green Tube station, which was being used as a wartime air raid shelter.

In 1945, Allied troops fully secured the Philippine capital of Manila from Japanese forces during World War II after a monthlong battle that destroyed much of the city.

In 1969, Apollo 9 blasted off from Cape Kennedy on a mission to test NASA’s lunar module.

In 1991, motorist Rodney King was severely beaten by Los Angeles police officers after a high-speed chase in a scene captured on amateur video that sparked public outrage. (The subsequent acquittal of four officers of felony assault and other charges in April 1992 triggered days of rioting and dozens of deaths in Los Angeles.)

In 2022, OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma reached a nationwide settlement over its role in the opioid crisis, with the Sackler family members who own the company boosting their cash contribution to as much as $6 billion in a deal intended to stanch a flood of lawsuits.

Today’s birthdays:

• Filmmaker George Miller is 81.
• Singer Jennifer Warnes is 79.
• Author Ron Chernow is 77.
• Football Hall of Famer Randy Gradishar is 74.
• Musician Robyn Hitchcock is 73.
• Actor Miranda Richardson is 68.
• Radio personality Ira Glass is 67.
• Olympic track and field gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee is 64.
• Rapper-actor Tone Loc is 60.
• Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Leetch is 58.
• Actor Julie Bowen is 56.
• Actor David Faustino is 52.
• Actor Jessica Biel is 44.
• Singer Camila Cabello is 29.
• NBA forward Jayson Tatum is 28.