South Florida Local News

Today is Monday, Feb. 23, the 54th day of 2026. There are 311 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Feb. 23, 1980, American Eric Heiden completed his sweep of the five men’s speed skating events at the Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York, by winning the men’s 10,000-meter race in world record time; Heiden was the first athlete to win five gold medals in a single Winter Olympics.

Also on this date:

In 1836, the siege of the Alamo by Mexican troops began in San Antonio, Texas. Almost all of the nearly 200 heavily outnumbered Texas defenders, including American frontiersman and politician Davy Crockett, were killed in the 13-day assault.

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In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed an agreement with Cuba to lease land around Guantanamo Bay to the United States. No date was set for termination of the lease and Naval Station Guantanamo Bay continues at the site, along with a high-security detention complex for suspected terrorists.

In 1942, the first shelling of the U.S. mainland during World War II occurred as a Japanese submarine fired on an oil refinery near Santa Barbara, California.

In 1945, during World War II, U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima captured Mount Suribachi, where they raised two American flags. (The second flag-raising was captured in an iconic photograph by Joe Rosenthal of The Associated Press.)

In 2011, in a major policy reversal, President Barack Obama’s administration said it would no longer defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law banning recognition of same-sex marriage.

In 2020, a 25-year-old Black man, Ahmaud Arbery, was fatally shot while running in a coastal Georgia neighborhood after a white father and son armed themselves and pursued him. (Greg and Travis McMichael and neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan subsequently drew life sentences for murder convictions and later were convicted of federal hate crimes.)

In 2021, golfer Tiger Woods was seriously injured when he crashed his SUV into a median and rolled over several times on a steep downhill road in suburban Los Angeles.

In 2023, a federal judge handed singer R. Kelly a 20-year prison sentence for his convictions that include producing child sexual abuse materials and federal sex trafficking charges., but said he would serve nearly all of the sentence simultaneously with a 30-year sentence imposed a year earlier on racketeering charges.

Today’s birthdays:

• Football Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff is 83.
• Actor Patricia Richardson is 75.
• Singer Howard Jones is 71.
• Japanese Emperor Naruhito is 66.
• Actor Kristin Davis is 61.
• Business executive Michael Dell is 61.
• TV personality-business executive Daymond John is 57.
• Actor Niecy Nash is 56.
• Democratic Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland is 55.
• Country singer Steve Holy is 54.
• Actor Kelly Macdonald is 50.
• Rapper Residente, born René Juan Pérez Joglar, is 48.
• Actor Josh Gad is 45.
• Actor Emily Blunt is 43.
• Actor Aziz Ansari is 43.
• Actor Dakota Fanning is 32.
• Star guard Jamal Murray of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets is 29.
• Actor Emilia Jones is 24.

Here are the top stories for Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Get the weather forecast for today here.

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By JOSH BOAK and MICHELLE L. PRICE

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump ‘s State of the Union address on Tuesday is likely to be a test run of the message that Republicans will give to voters in November’s elections for control of the House and Senate.

The president and his party appear vulnerable, with polls showing that much of America distrusts how Trump has managed the government in his first year back in office. In addition, the Supreme Court last week struck down one of the chief levers of his economic and foreign policy by ruling that he lacked the power to impose many of his sweeping tariffs.

Though Trump is expected to focus on domestic issues, his intensifying threats that he may launch military strikes on Iran over its nuclear program are casting a shadow over the address.

Here are a few things to watch as Trump tries to make his case:

The economy and immigration are no longer strengths for Trump

Trump swept back into the White House on promises to bring down prices and restore order to immigration in America. But on both issues, public sentiment has turned against him.

Only 39% of U.S. adults approve of his economic leadership and just 38% support him on immigration, according to the latest AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs survey. Those low numbers show the country is still fretting about the costs of groceries, housing and utilities, a problem compounded by Trump’s whipsawing use of tariffs. They also show how the public was disturbed by videos of violent clashes with protesters, including two U.S. citizens killed by federal agents.

Since his party passed a massive tax cut bill last year, Trump has yet to unveil major new policy ideas on the economy. In recent speeches, he has largely offered the public reruns about his tax cuts, plans to reduce mortgage rates and a new government website for buying prescription drugs.

The Supreme Court ruling against many of Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs on Friday and the president vowing to use other means to forge ahead with import taxes will only prolong the economic turmoil over trade and prices.

“I think it makes it even more important that the speech really focus on the economy,” said Alex Conant, a Republican strategist.

Conant said between the tariff ruling and a Commerce Department report on Friday that showed U.S. economic growth slowed in the final three months of last year, “the president needs to bolster his economic message.”

Blame everything on Joe Biden

The administration is trying to make the case that despite Trump’s rewiring of global trade and tax cuts, the economy is still struggling because of choices made in 2021 and 2022 by his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden. But Trump is also seeking to take credit for positive signs in the current economy, such as recent stock market gains.

“Watch the State of the Union. We’re going to be talking about the economy. We inherited a mess,” Trump said at the White House on Wednesday.

Of course, Trump made the same kind of argument in his address to a joint session of Congress last year, invoking the name “Biden” 13 times.

Trump’s focus on foreign policy has yet to resonate politically

Despite the president’s America First credo, his aggressive approach abroad over the past year has sparked concerns among some of his supporters about whether he should spend more time focusing on voters at home.

Trump, who has made it clear he covets a Nobel Peace Prize, is likely to use the speech to remind Americans of his attempts to try to broker peace accords in global conflicts.

But in many respects, the president hasn’t been extending olive branches. Within the past year, his administration has launched strikes in Yemen, Nigeria and Iran, along with an ongoing campaign of lethal military strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels near South America. Trump also shocked the world in January with a surprise raid to capture Venezuela’s then-leader, Nicolás Maduro, and floated the idea of using force to seize Greenland.

In recent weeks, as he pressures Iran, Trump has bolstered the U.S. military’s presence in the Middle East. But he has yet to make a clear case to voters about what his actions overseas mean for their lives.

He might even minimize foreign policy in his State of the Union despite his belief that it’s been a major success.

“For as much as foreign policy has dominated his last year in office, this speech will mostly focus on the economy,” Conant predicted.

Vice President JD Vance offered a similar prediction, saying in an interview Saturday on Fox News Channel that in the speech, “you’re going to hear a lot about the importance of bringing jobs back into our country, of reshoring manufacturing, of all these great factories that are being built.”

He said Trump would also speak about lowering energy costs.

Trump has made the State of the Union his own

The State of the Union used to be about recapping accomplishments and seeking to unite the country, but it increasingly reflects divisions in society.

“What you’re going to expect is some version of a campaign speech in which the Democrats are the villains, the Republicans he likes are the heroes, and he is the savior not only of the nation but of the globe,” said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a communications professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

Trump supporters might cherish the moment in 2020 when the president mid-speech reunited a military family. He also bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Rush Limbaugh, the conservative radio host and author who died in 2021 due to complications from lung cancer. But that moment turned off Democrats who saw Limbaugh as a destructive figure in political media.

The reaction in the room could matter as much as Trump’s words

Trump is delivering the speech, but his audience sitting in the House chamber has a big role, too. When Trump delivered his 2020 State of the Union, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi theatrically ripped up a copy of the speech afterward, overshadowing much of what Trump said.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York has said in a letter to colleagues that “it is important to have a strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber,” indicating that some members might choose not to attend in protest to Trump. But there is also the possibility of Democrats razzing Trump as Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, did in 2025, leading him to be removed from the chamber.

If Trump in his speech lays out a fuller case for why he is using other mechanisms in federal law to continue his tariffs, Conant said it will be interesting to see the reaction from lawmakers.

“I think that any House Republicans that don’t applaud his tariffs are going to be featured prominently on the telecast,” he said.

State of the Unions have short shelf lives

While some presidential phrases endure, much of the rhetoric in State of the Unions is forgettable. And with Trump — who is known for veering off-script — there’s a good chance that a stray comment or a social media post could step on his message.

Matt Latimer, a former Republican speechwriter for then-President George W. Bush, noted in an email that people hear the president talk all of the time, so the State of the Union has lost much of its luster.

A State of the Union “only matters in moments when the country is undergoing a great trauma — a war, an attack, a global crisis — and a president and Congress want to speak in a (mostly) united voice to the country,” he said. “That’s not what we are experiencing now.”

By MEGAN JANETSKY and FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — School was canceled in several Mexican states and local and foreign governments alike warned their citizens to stay inside, as widespread violence erupted following the army’s killing of the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho” was the boss of one of the fastest-growing criminal networks in Mexico, notorious for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine to the United States and staging brazen attacks against government officials who challenged it.

He was killed during a shoot-out in his home state of Jalisco as the Mexican military attempted to capture him. Cartel members responded with violence across the country, blocking roads and setting fire to vehicles.

President Claudia Sheinbaum urged calm and authorities announced late Sunday they had cleared most of the more than 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states. The White House confirmed that the U.S. provided intelligence support to the operation to capture the cartel leader and applauded Mexico’s army for taking down a man who was one of the most wanted criminals in both countries.

Mexico hoped the death of the world’s biggest fentanyl traffickers would ease Trump administration pressure to do more against the cartels, but many remained hunkered down and on edge as they waited to see the powerful cartel’s reaction.

Many fear more violence

Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state and Mexico’s second-largest city, was almost completely shut down on Sunday as fearful residents stayed home.

Passengers arriving to the city’s international airport Sunday night were told it was operating with limited personnel because of the burst of violence.

Jacinta Murcia, a 64-year-old nutrition products vendor, was among those nervously walking late Sunday night through the airport, where earlier in the day travelers sprinted and ducked behind chairs fearing violence. Most flights into the city were suspended on Sunday.

Murcia anxiously scrolled through news stories on social media showing the face of “El Mencho” and sent messages to her children, who were tracking her location as she tried to travel across the city to her house after dark.

“My plan today leaving the airport is to see if there are any taxis, but I’m scared of everything. That there are blockades, that there’s a curfew, that something could happen,” she said. “I’m all alone.”

Authorities in Jalisco, Michoacan and Guanajuato reported at least 14 other people killed Sunday, including seven National Guard troops.

Videos circulating on social media showed tourists in Puerto Vallarta walking on the beach with smoke rising in the distance.

In another part of the airport a group of elderly Mexicans gathered, discussing how to get home.

“We better all go together,” one said. “Go with God.”

A blow against a cartel could be a diplomatic coup

David Mora, Mexico analyst for International Crisis Group, said the capture and outburst of violence marks a point of inflection in Sheinbaum’s push to crack down on cartels and relieve U.S. pressures.

U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded Mexico do more to fight the smuggling of the often-deadly drug fentanyl, threatening to impose more tariffs or take unilateral military action if the country does not show results.

There were early signs that Mexico’s efforts were well received by the United States.

U.S. Amb. Ron Johnson recognized the success of the Mexican armed forces and their sacrifice in a statement late Sunday. He added that “under the leadership of President Trump and President Sheinbaum, bilateral cooperation has reached unprecedented levels.”

But it may also pave the way for more violence as rival criminal groups take advantage of the blow dealt to the CJNG, Mora said.

“This might be a moment in which those other groups see that the cartel is weakened and want to seize the opportunity for them to expand control and to gain control over Cartel Jalisco in those states,” he said.

“Ever since President Sheinbaum has been in power, the army has been way more confrontational, combative against criminal groups in Mexico,” Mora said. “This is signaling to the U.S. that if we keep cooperating, sharing intelligence, Mexico can do it, we don’t need U.S. troops on Mexican soil.”

‘El Mencho’ was a major target

Oseguera Cervantes, who was wounded in the operation to capture him Sunday in Tapalpa, Jalisco, about a two-hour drive southwest of Guadalajara, died while being flown to Mexico City, the Defense Department said in a statement.

During the operation, troops came under fire and killed four people at the location. Three more people, including Oseguera Cervantes, were wounded and later died, the statement said.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said via X that the U.S. government provided intelligence support for the operation. “‘El Mencho’ was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland,” she wrote. She commended Mexico’s military for its work.

The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest of El Mencho. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel is one of the most powerful and fastest growing criminal organizations in Mexico and began operating around 2009.

In February 2025, the Trump administration designated the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.

Sheinbaum has criticized the “kingpin” strategy of previous administrations that took out cartel leaders, only to trigger explosions of violence as cartels fractured. While she has remained popular in Mexico, security is a persistent concern and since U.S. President Donald Trump took office a year ago, she has been under tremendous pressure to show results against drug trafficking.

The Jalisco cartel has been one of the most aggressive cartels in its attacks on the military — including on helicopters — and is a pioneer in launching explosives from drones and installing mines. In 2020, it carried out a spectacular assassination attempt with grenades and high-powered rifles in the heart of Mexico City against the then head of the capital’s police force and now federal security secretary.

___

Sánchez reported from Mexico City. Associated Press writer María Verza contributed to this report.

General Daily Insight for February 23, 2026

We can step up to handle uncertain schedules. As the Moon conjoins unanticipated Uranus in unshakable Taurus, we’re braced to renegotiate matters involving money and comfort. Bending may be necessary to avoid breaking. When others prove unreliable, it won’t knock us down for long. We’ll take breaks as needed, then make adjustments to increase collaboration and decrease conflict. Thankfully, at 9:28 pm EST, the emotional Moon enters curious Gemini, and conversation becomes a bridge as questions open options and humor eases leftover tension.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Your words set an energizing tone. Conversations speed up as the Moon slides into your 3rd House of Signals, allowing you to find more success when you talk things out. Go ahead and make that call, invite that friend over, or initiate that conversation. Action is the best way to banish anxiety. If a neighbor or an acquaintance misses a meet-up, give them the benefit of the doubt, but don’t let them delay your entire day. You can move on without condemning accidental timing mistakes.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Stay on your toes, Taurus! The temperamental Moon and radical Uranus are embracing in your loyal sign, inviting you to dance to your own tune. You don’t have to make any drastic changes (unless you feel called to do so), but you shouldn’t feel bound to tradition. Make a point of tweaking something small to wake up your system. Little changes are a great way to refresh your soul. Plus, if something outside of your control shifts, you’ll be readier to take on any surprises.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

This evening feels clearer than the afternoon. The emotional Moon enters your sign, so your voice gains volume (metaphorically — there’s no need to yell) as you gather ideas and ask questions. Start with a light task, something that should be an easy win. Early successes bolster you to put in more effort going forward. The main danger is overcomplication, so do your best to make a simple, sensible plan. Then all you’ll have to do is share it with your teammates!

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Gentle changes ripple through your circles. The nurturing Moon in your 11th House of Charity uplifts rebellious Uranus, potentially sparking surprising invites or plan shifts. Your protective heart may brace for discomfort, but don’t fret! Instead of spiraling, send a text message to a loved one — it could be anything, from a get-together invitation to a funny meme. If a friend cancels or a team changes venues, respond with alternate options rather than vague guilt. Connection thrives when everyone tries to meet halfway.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Unpredictable events could actually have a positive impact. Public plans may shift when the Moon supports Uranus in your 10th House of Recognition. You might need to adapt to some sudden timing changes, but doing so gives you a chance to reach even greater heights of success. As long as you prepare in advance, you can stand against mighty storms. Just repeat what you’re certain of, confirm with your allies, then keep moving forward. Your steady confidence should earn lasting trust.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Virgo, your calm leadership steadies big goals. Your 10th House of Bold Moves gains focus as the intuitive Moon enters, ensuring your practical mind spots the next improvement that makes work run smoothly. Start by clarifying a deliverable and confirming who needs it, because clear expectations reduce busywork and help everyone focus. Shifting deadlines or overly long debates can’t keep you down! You’re setting aside unnecessary complications in favor of a genuinely doable plan. Simplify steps ASAP to construct reliable, satisfying progress.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

The horizon holds even more enticing mysteries than usual. With Luna flying into your ever-curious 9th house, you’re being energized to look beyond what you already know. Step back from the exact issue at hand, then let that wider viewpoint shape your next steps. You could also find wisdom by making thoughtful inquiries with knowledgeable peers or mentors. Even if things don’t go exactly as planned, you’re braced to make any necessary adjustments without faltering. Perspective expands your choices and strengthens your soul.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Intensity relaxes as agreements take shape. The unconscious Moon is in your 7th House of Bonding alongside unconventional Uranus, and their conjunction could signal upcoming shifts in schedules, needs, or expectations. If you’re at all worried about uncertain ground, talk about it today. Whatever your relationship status, clarity about shared hopes or dreams would be valuable. Ask what the other person truly needs, then say what you’re capable of offering in turn. Name your needs without fear to deepen healthy trust.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Constructive conversations can reshape your essential partnerships. Your connected 7th house welcomes in the Moon, which turns your attention to the agreements and care between you and the people who matter most. In any close bond, clear words help both sides understand needs and reduce defensive guesses, especially when choices feel time-sensitive. Watch out for anyone who presses too hard for speedy answers — even if they mean well, that’s no way to forge alliances. Don’t rush into anything! Your relationships are your business.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

This is a safe day to play! Impish courage abounds as the Moon dances with Uranus in your 5th House of Leisure, pouring inspiration into your mind. You might listen to your favorite music and draw something inspired by it, or go and see a play with friends who’ll happily discuss it afterwards. If a child or collaborator changes the plan, keep it light, name what you want to get out of the experience, then let it flow naturally. Set loose guardrails for sustainable joy.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Home may not be particularly peaceful at the moment. With the Moon-Uranus conjunction in your 4th House of the Hearth, though, you may be the source of that chaos! Fortunately, it should be the fun kind of busy. Your sign’s characteristic inventiveness thrives here, so you might be inspired to start DIY projects or rearrange your cupboards. If someone else at home feels rattled, hear them out — their critiques could make your ideas even better. Working together should quickly settle any concerns.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Peace is most possible within your own four walls at present. As Luna meanders into your cozy 4th house, you’ll probably start craving some quiet time at home. When sharing your space, spending some time doing chill activities with your housemates would be a good idea. Live alone? You can recharge with a warm beverage (or whatever suits your fancy). Though painful memories could intrude, you’ll set yourself up for success by ensuring you have a safe space to sit with them.

For Pat Riley, it was Showtime again on Sunday in Los Angeles. This time his own showtime, with his statue unveiled in front of the Lakers’ Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

On an afternoon of celebrity that included actor Michael Douglas and singer Michael McDonald among those in attendance, Riley not only had those who were part of his Lakers’ 1980s championship coaching tenure in attendance, but also several from his Heat era, including Heat championship guard Dwyane Wade and Heat owner Micky Arison.

Riley intertwined several elements of his Hall of Fame coaching career into his speech, at one point thanking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but then also referencing how the lessons learned from his coaching tenure helped in guiding others, including Wade.

“To Dwyane Wade, not of the Lakers, but I put the DNA of the Lakers in him,” Riley said in his comments. “You know, it just sort of comes with the program. And he came in as a rookie. He was raw. He was great. He was gifted. He was talented. He was cocky. He was true of himself. And I never saw a young man work harder than Dwyane Wade to become one of the greatest players ever.”

Riley also spoke of how the trappings of that coaching start near Hollywood impacted who he has become and what he has become decades later.

“We’ve been fast friends for a long time,” he said of Douglas. “When he did invite me and (wife) Chris to come to Monaco and then also to Nice when he was shooting that movie, he had a rap party up in Venice and Kathleen Turner happened to be the actress in that movie. And he was playing along with Danny DeVito in that movie. And so during the rap party, I went over and I sat down in front of Danny DeVito and Mike, just to chat and have some fun.”

And of McDonald, Riley said, “I regularly go back and I can recall each championship in the one moment, the one play, the one shot, the one anything. I just remember that. And usually when I listen to the music, you know, of that time, Michael McDonald is here today. He married Chris and I again. He renewed our vows in Hawaii.”

Congrats, Pat!!!

The Lake Worth Beach Street Painting Festival returned for its 32nd year, transforming the asphalt of Lake and Lucerne Avenues into a massive outdoor gallery. The 2026 event featured more than 800 artists, including a record 55 featured professionals from across the country alongside hundreds of local students and organizations. This photo gallery captures the intricate chalk masterpieces and the crowds that gathered in downtown Lake Worth Beach for the final day of the two-day celebration of art and music.

As the Miami Dolphins’ new regime of general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley will be building their roster through the draft, that process comes to the forefront in the next week.

The team takes to Indianapolis for the NFL scouting combine, Sullivan and Hafley’s opportunity to evaluate draft prospects through drills, testing and interviews in one centralized location.

All the while, some solid answers on how this duo will operate in its first offseason leading Miami may come to light.

Both Sullivan and Hafley are scheduled to field questions in the news conference setting for the first time since they were introduced as the Dolphins’ new power tandem Jan. 22.

What resolution will they find with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his behemoth of a contract?

Do they see players like running back De’Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks as foundational building blocks worthy of contract extensions?

After wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and offensive guard James Daniels were already released and Bradley Chubb has been informed he’ll be released, are other veterans either on the trade block or bound to be cut?

What are the qualities they look for in members of their first draft class, who will be instrumental in establishing a new culture?

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Sullivan steered clear of answering specifically on roster matters, such as the Tagovailoa question, during his introduction last month.

The widespread belief is the Dolphins will seek a trade partner for Tagovailoa, likely taking on a large chunk of the $54 million he is guaranteed in 2026. Cutting the former franchise quarterback under former GM Chris Grier and ex-coach Mike McDaniel would cost Miami a record-breaking $99.2 million dead cap hit, which can be spread over two seasons if he’s designated a post-June 1 release.

After the week at the combine, there’s another week on the NFL calendar before free agency begins March 9 at 12 p.m., ahead of the official start of the new league year March 11 at 4 p.m.

With the Dolphins a team in need of a quarterback, the duo of Sullivan and Hafley also has previous ties to the biggest free agent at the position, Malik Willis of the Green Bay Packers. Will Sullivan tip his hand on a potential plan of pursuit for Willis, Jordan Love’s backup for the Packers who is expected to carry an expensive price tag for a team looking for its next starter?

They are not expected to be aggressive for high-priced veteran free agents while building through the draft in the early years of their tenure together.

Sullivan and Hafley inherit rising second-year quarterback Quinn Ewers, who started the final three games of the 2025 season after Tagovailoa was benched. Miami’s new GM may share an opinion on him this week, as it’s known one thing he does want at the quarterback position is competition for the job. It helps Ewers that Hafley, who has a defensive coaching background, wants to keep the same offensive system that was in place under McDaniel and not only retained Bobby Slowik from the previous coaching staff but promoted him to offensive coordinator.

When it comes to the coming late April draft and scouting prospects this week at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium and Indiana Convention Center, a Miami team in the midst of a roster overhaul practically has needs at all positions.

As Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, widely viewed as the draft’s second-best quarterback behind Miami product and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, will throw at the combine, the Dolphins will likely do their due diligence in scouting him.

That doesn’t mean they need to or should be married to the idea of drafting a quarterback in the first round. They could go the route of building a roster so, when the long-term solution behind center presents itself, the team is ready to facilitate the game for the player. And maybe competition for Ewers comes in finding another passer in the mid-to-late rounds, or a bridge veteran.

The Dolphins will need to bring in young talent at other premium positions like cornerback, edge rusher and wide receiver. What type of players Hafley and new defensive coordinator Sean Duggan want on the edge is to be determined. They used many four-man defensive fronts in Green Bay, so they may need an infusion of 4-3 defensive ends and outside linebackers instead of players that fit the 3-4 formation.

The trenches on both sides of the ball will surely be important to new management. The previous regime had invested its first two picks of the past two drafts to either offensive lineman (second-round tackle Patrick Paul in 2024 and second-round guard Jonah Savaiinaea in 2025) or the defensive front (first-round picks for defensive tackle Kenneth Grant and outside linebacker Chop Robinson in 2025 and 2024, respectively). Sullivan will likely look for more to supplement them and two other defensive tackles the Dolphins had as rookies last season — Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers.

Tight ends, safeties and possibly running backs, if Sullivan and Hafley don’t wish to spend to keep Achane around as he goes into the final year of his rookie contract, are also in play.

This new Dolphins front office, coaching staff, and scouting department will have no shortage of prospects to evaluate over the coming week at the combine.

BRADENTON — Just as Florida’s theme parks make fictional stories come to life, the Florida Man Games create competitions based on the stranger-than-fiction headlines generated by wild and whacky shenanigans in the Sunshine State.

For year three, the event moved from St. Augustine to the Freedom Factory, a Bradenton-area racetrack owned by YouTube content creator and stock-car racer Cleetus McFarland. The contest included fan-favorites like the evading police obstacle course and hurricane supplies grocery aisle brawl, as well as new games involving cattle prods, bullwhips and fake deer urine.

Twelve teams from across the state, including ones from Orlando and Lake County, faced off on Saturday under the sweltering Florida sun.

“It is definitely the redneck Olympics,” said Annie Polen, who has attended the event since the beginning to cheer on the Clearwater Red Eyed Gator Huggers. “As soon as the tickets were out, I bought them. I was so excited. This is my jam.”

Pete Melfi, the event’s founder, dreamt up the games in 2023 and has seen the competition take on a life of its own. He said around 5,000 people attended his year’s event.

“This venue holds a lot more people. Our attendance is up since last year and it’s been up every year,” he said. “It’s pretty incredible, the growth of this thing. I am beyond happy and excited that Freedom Factory has fully embraced it.”

Florida Man Games founder Pete Melfi and social media star Josh Wicks Robinson offer commentary during the Florida Man Games at the Freedom Factory in Bradenton on Feb. 21, 2026. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

A full day of competition started in earnest with the “naked rampage.” Clothed competitors with pool noodles between their legs attempted to knock over as many plastic flamingos as possible. Next, the “bullwhips and bad decisions” event had pairs of competitors in the octagon attempting to unholster beer cans from their opponent’s belt with a whip.

Team Hanky Spanky, the St. Augustine-based reigning champions from the 2024 and 2025 events, placed highly in the first two events, making the team hopeful of a hat trick at this year’s event.

“There’s different stuff this year, but we adapt,” said team member Larry Donnelly. “We’re hoping for another win.”

Larry Donnelly of team Hanky Spanky holds his previous champion belt during the Florida Man Games at the Freedom Factory in Bradenton on Feb. 21, 2026. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Spectators watching from around the racetrack were clad in beer costumes, drinking helmets with straws, Burger King hats, pit viper-style sunglasses with plenty of American and Florida-centric attire.

Under the high noon sun, two representatives from each team faced off in the “deer dong beer bong” event. In this new offering, one teammate put water balloons filled with yellow liquid into a beer bong funnel at the top of a decoy deer’s head, sending the fluids down below where another teammate was waiting with a cup in their mouth to catch the liquid.

Spectators clad in America and Florida-centric gear watch the festivities during the Florida Man Games at the Freedom Factory in Bradenton on Feb. 21, 2026. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

The Orlando team, which brought an energetic showing to the “beer bong” event, was represented by a team of five anchored by professional wrestler Matt Riddle.

“It’s more energy than actual skill. I think when you bring the energy and the family, good things happen,” said team member Jordan Marshall.

Throughout the day, spectators enjoyed commentary by Florida-based social media star Josh Wicks Robinson (OmgItsWicks) and “Super Troopers” actors Steve Lemme and Kevin Heffernan.

Teams face off in a “taser tag” event with cattle prods during the Florida Man Games at the Freedom Factory in Bradenton on Feb. 21, 2026. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

While blindfolded “taser tag” using cattle prods proved an interesting and shocking spectacle, the biggest events came toward the end of the day. Heading into the final two contests, the Freedom Factory’s own team led by two points with Hanky Spanky in second place.

The return of the grocery aisle brawl, which happened shortly after the mullet contest, brought out the most aggressive tendencies of each team with pairs of competitors filling their shopping carts and disrupting the other team.

Mullet contest competitors line up during the Florida Man Games at the Freedom Factory in Bradenton on Feb. 21, 2026. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

A matchup between the Tampa Trash Pandas and Hanky Spanky turned into a scrappy and heated wrestling match that left Hanky Spanky’s Justin Carter fuming. Manatee County sheriff’s deputies lingered in case the post-game dispute got physical.

During another round, a third member of the Freedom Factory team entered the game area to tip the cart of the Lake County Zombies, prompting accusations of cheating from the crowd.

Teams brawl over hurricane supplies in one event of the Florida Man Games at the Freedom Factory in Bradenton on Feb. 21, 2026. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

The final event of the day had the fastest member of each team attempting to navigate an obstacle course, then steal a catalytic converter from underneath a vehicle and outrun a member of the Manatee County Sheriff Office SWAT team. While some competitors got away, others were tackle to the ground or tagged out.

In the end, team Hanky Spanky ended up in second place while the Freedom Factory emerged victorious. While each team showed its brawn and determination, it was home turf advantage that helped grant the event’s hosts a decisive victory after a hard-fought day of Florida Man-inspired contests.

A competitor runs from a member of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team during the Florida Man Games at the Freedom Factory in Bradenton on Feb. 21, 2026. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.

By FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexican army killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, “El Mencho,” on Sunday, decapitating what had become Mexico’s most powerful drug cartel and thrusting swaths of the nation into chaos.

The drug lord was the Mexican government’s biggest prize yet to show the Trump administration in its efforts to crack down on the cartels, and his death was met with a forceful reaction from the cartel, known by its Spanish initials CJNG.

Cars burned out by cartel members blocked roads at more than 250 points in 20 Mexican states, authorities said, and left smoke billowing into the air. Jalisco’s capital, Guadalajara, was turned into a ghost town Sunday night as civilians hunkered down. School was canceled Monday in several states. Authorities in Jalisco, Michoacan and Guanajuato reported at least 14 dead, including seven National Guard troops.

Oseguera Cervantes was wounded in an operation to capture him Sunday in Tapalpa, Jalisco, about a two-hour drive southwest of Guadalajara and he died while being flown to Mexico City, the Defense Department said in a statement. The state is the base of the cartel known for trafficking huge quantities of fentanyl and other drugs to the United States.

Cartel a major fentanyl trafficker

During the operation, troops came under fire and killed four people at the location. Three more people, including Oseguera Cervantes, were wounded and later died, the statement said. Two others were arrested and armored vehicles, rocket launchers and other arms were seized. Three members of the armed forces were wounded and receiving medical treatment.

A Jalisco state official who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly said a member of the National Guard died in Tapalpa during the operation, six other National Guard members died in Zapopan beside Guadalajara, a jail guard was killed at a lockup in Puerto Vallarta when prisoners rioted, and an agent from the Jalisco state prosecutor’s office was killed in Guadalajara. Details were not immediately available.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said via X that the U.S. government provided intelligence support for the operation. “‘El Mencho’ was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland,” she wrote. She commended Mexico’s military for its work.

“Ever since President (Claudia) Sheinbaum has been in power, the army has been way more confrontational, combative against criminal groups in Mexico,” said David Mora, analyst for International Crisis Group in Mexico. “This is signaling to the U.S. that if we keep cooperating, sharing intelligence, Mexico can do it, we don’t need U.S. troops on Mexican soil.”

Roadblocks and burning vehicles

The killing of the drug lord set off several hours of roadblocks with burning vehicles, tactics commonly used by the cartels to block military operations. Videos circulating on social media showed smoke billowing over the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, and people sprinting through the airport of the state’s capital in panic.

Air Canada announced it was suspending flights to Puerto Vallarta “due to an ongoing security situation” and advised customers not to go to their airport. A number of Mexican and international airlines also canceled flights.

In Guadalajara, burning vehicles blocked roads and businesses shuttered just months before Mexico’s second-largest city is scheduled to host matches during this summer’s soccer World Cup.

The U.S. State Department warned U.S. citizens in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon states to remain in safe places due to the security operations. Canada’s embassy in Mexico warned its citizens in Puerto Vallarta to shelter in place and generally to keep a low profile in Jalisco.

Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus told residents to stay at home, suspended public transportation and said that the state was “living through critical hours.”

US had offered up to $15 million for his capture

The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest of El Mencho. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel is one of the most powerful and fastest growing criminal organizations in Mexico and began operating around 2009.

In February 2025, the Trump administration designated the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.

Sheinbaum has criticized the “kingpin” strategy of previous administrations that took out cartel leaders only to trigger explosions of violence as cartels fractured. While she has remained popular in Mexico, security is a persistent concern and since U.S. President Donald Trump took office a year ago, she has been under tremendous pressure to show results against drug trafficking.

On Sunday, Sheinbaum applauded Mexican security forces and called for calm in a post on X.

Known as an aggressive cartel

The Jalisco cartel has been one of the most aggressive cartels in its attacks on the military — including on helicopters — and is a pioneer in launching explosives from drones and installing mines. In 2020, it carried out a spectacular assassination attempt with grenades and high-powered rifles in the heart of Mexico City against the then head of the capital’s police force and now federal security secretary.

The DEA considers the cartel to be as powerful as the Sinaloa cartel, one of Mexico’s most infamous criminal groups, with a presence in all 50 U.S. states. It is one of the main suppliers of cocaine to the U.S. market and, like the Sinaloa cartel, earns billions from the production of fentanyl and methamphetamines. Sinaloa, however, has been weakened by infighting after the loss of its leaders Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, both in U.S. custody.

Oseguera Cervantes, 59, was originally from Aguililla in the neighboring state of Michoacan. He had been significantly involved in drug trafficking activities since the 1990s. When he was younger, he migrated to the U.S. where he was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in 1994 and served nearly three years in prison.

Following his release from custody, Oseguera Cervantes returned to Mexico and reengaged in drug trafficking activity with drug lord Ignacio Coronel Villarreal, alias “Nacho Coronel.” After Villarreal’s death, Oseguera Cervantes and Erik Valencia Salazar, alias “El 85,” created the Jalisco New Generation Cartel around 2007.

Initially, they worked for the Sinaloa Cartel, but eventually split and for years the two cartels have battled for territory across Mexico.

Indicted several times in the United States

Since 2017, Oseguera Cervantes has been indicted several times in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

The most recent superseding indictment, filed on April 5, 2022, charges Oseguera Cervantes with conspiracy and distribution of controlled substances (methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl) for the purpose of illegal importation into the United States and use of firearms during and in connection with drug trafficking offenses. Oseguera Cervantes is also charged under the Drug Kingpin Enforcement Act for directing a continuing criminal enterprise.

Last year, people searching for missing relatives founds piles of shoes and other clothing, as well as bone fragments at what authorities later said was a Jalisco cartel recruitment and training site.

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Associated Press writers María Verza and Megan Janetsky contributed to this report.