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Updated: 2 hours 27 min ago

ASK IRA: Is Heat’s defensive answer at point guard that there is no answer?

Thu, 01/30/2025 - 02:35

Q: Do you think we’ll get to see Isaiah Stevens at some point soon? A true point guard is such a glaring need. It seems like it would be worth a look at Stevens. It’s too bad Dru Smith is out; his role would have continued to grow. – Mike, Southwest Ranches.

A: You sort of answered your own question. While the Heat certainly could use a true point guard as playmaker, with all due respect to Bam Adebayo picking up more responsibility in that area with Kel’el Ware moving into the starting lineup, it is the defensive end where the Heat could use something more at the point. Dru Smith was that. Isaiah Stevens, at least at this stage, certainly is not. It is why De’Aaon Fox is such an intriguing name on the trade market, even if an unlikely addition. If ever a need for better backcourt defense was evident, it was with Donovan Mitchell working his way to his 34 points on Wednesday night, with all due respect to Haywood Highsmith’s effort. Cleveland’s wings simply had their way at Kaseya Center.

Q: Ira, it feels like we are in a cooling-off period and that makes this five-game suspension a smart move by the Heat. Now the Heat don’t have to rush into something, but also don’t have to deal with Jimmy Butler distractions during these important games. Smart move by the front office. – Terry.

A: And awfully convenient, too, considering the timing is concurrent with at least the remaining games before the Feb. 6 NBA trading deadline. In that regard, it’s as if no matter what Jimmy Butler did, it was going to result in at least a five-game suspension. But it is what the front office and the team both needed, and perhaps even Jimmy, considering he was never going to go quietly into the night as a non-starter. All of that said, getting something done by the trading deadline still is essential, because there may not be the opportunity for suspensions of convenience going forward. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Miami Heat | Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!

Q: How does the Miami Heat feel that Kevin Love has been using social media to stoke the flames of an already bad situation with his obvious support of Jimmy Butler? Kevin was gifted with an $8 million contract through next season. Perhaps silence would be more appropriate? – Joey, Lake Worth.

A: Nah. The Heat, as an organization, are well aware of the value of social media, and also, as evidenced by their own social media, appreciate the snark of the medium. Kevin Love’s posts have been lighthearted and whimsical. That hasn’t always been the case with others on the roster who have taken more-pointed approaches with their social posts.

Today in History: January 30, Gandhi assassinated in New Delhi

Thu, 01/30/2025 - 02:00

Today is Thursday, Jan. 30, the 30th day of 2025. There are 335 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Jan. 30, 1948, Indian political and spiritual leader Mohandas K. Gandhi, 78, was shot and killed in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse (neh-too-RAHM’ gahd-SAY’), a Hindu extremist.

Also on this date:

In 1649, England’s King Charles I was executed for high treason.

In 1933, Adolf Hitler was named chancellor of Germany.

In 1945, during World War II, a Soviet submarine torpedoed the German ship MV Wilhelm Gustloff in the Baltic Sea, killing over 9,000, most of them war refugees; roughly 1,000 people survived.

In 1968, the Tet Offensive began during the Vietnam War as Communist forces launched surprise attacks against South Vietnamese towns and cities.

In 1969, The Beatles staged an unannounced concert atop Apple headquarters in London that would be their last public performance.

In 1972, 13 Catholic civil rights marchers were shot and killed by British soldiers in Northern Ireland on what became known as “Bloody Sunday.”

In 2017, President Donald Trump fired Acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates after she publicly questioned the constitutionality of his controversial refugee and immigration ban and refused to defend it in court.

In 2020, health officials reported the first known case in which the new coronavirus was spread from one person to another in the United States.

Today’s birthdays:

Actor Gene Hackman is 95.
Actor Vanessa Redgrave is 88.
Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney is 84.
Musician Phil Collins is 74.
Actor Charles S. Dutton (“Roc”) is 74.
Golf Hall of Famer Curtis Strange is 70.
Actor Ann Dowd (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) is 69.
Comedian Brett Butler (″Grace Under Fire”) is 67.
Singer Jody Watley is 66.
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson is 53.
Actor Christian Bale is 51.
Actor Olivia Colman is 51.
Actor Wilmer Valderrama (“That ’70s Show”) is 45.
Rapper-musician Kid Cudi is 41.

FSU and QB Thomas Castellanos are a perfect pairing, with both wanting a fresh start

Wed, 01/29/2025 - 20:43

By Bob Ferrante

Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State coach Mike Norvell saw enough in two games against quarterback Thomas Castellanos that he knew what to expect from the Boston College transfer.

At least on the field.

“I’ve had to defend him here the last couple years, and I think he added a bunch of these gray hairs,” Norvell joked. “He’s an absolute talent and a wonderful young man. I think he’s one of the more dynamic players in all of college football.”

Castellanos, who accounted for 5 touchdowns the last two years against FSU, signed with the Seminoles in mid-December and held his first news conference Tuesday.

Thomas Castellanos transferred from UCF, where he was the first recruit to commit to Gus Malzahn in his first season in 2022, soon after the spring game in ’23 for Boston College. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)

“I would say 2023 and 2024 helped me prove that I can play quarterback and play quarterback here,” said Castellanos, who initially played at UCF before transferring after one season under then-coach Gus Malzahn. “It all worked out the way I wanted it to work out. I’m super excited to be here now.”

Castellanos and the Seminoles seem to be a perfect pairing — both looking for fresh starts after disappointing seasons.

Castellanos abruptly left Boston College in mid-November after losing his starting job to Grayson James. He lost the starting job to John Rhys Plumlee at UCF, leading to his move to BC.

“I would just say unfortunately things didn’t happen the way I wanted them to happen,” Castellanos said. “Unfortunately, a lot of the things that were out there are not true. But that’s past me now.

“I’m here now. I’m a part of something special.”

The Seminoles, meanwhile, finished 2-10 last season — their worst record in 50 years — and have undergone significant changes on both sides of the ball. Norvell replaced both coordinators, four more assistants and hit the transfer portal hard signing 16 in hopes of improving his roster.

Castellanos could be the most important one. He grew up about three hours northeast of Tallahassee in Waycross, Ga., and called Florida State his “dream school.” His move includes a reunion with Malzahn, who resigned after his second consecutive losing season at UCF to become offensive coordinator under Norvell.

Castellanos played sparingly for Malzahn in 2022, throwing 16 passes in five games before jumping to Boston College for a chance to start. In two up-and-down seasons with the Eagles, he showed flashes — first as a runner and then as a passer.

In 2023, Castellanos had nearly as many interceptions (14) as touchdown passes (15) while running for 1,113 yards. A year later, with Bill O’Brien as his head coach, Castellanos developed into a pocket passer and ran for just 194 yards while improving his completion percentage by four points. He accounted for 18 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions in eight games.

Three of those TDs came in a victory against the Seminoles in September.

Castellanos is viewed as an ideal fit for Malzahn’s offense. He has fond memories of working with the coach.

“A great leader, great coach,” Castellanos said. “We had a great bond when I was there. I’m excited to be back with him. … It’s an offense that is going to be explosive, going to be high tempo.”

Castellanos also insisted he had no doubts about joining — and potentially leading — FSU’s rebuild.

“I know what kind of excitement this fan base and this community brings just by even playing here or watching,” Castellanos said. “This is an exciting place that loves football and really cares about their guys and their players.

“I just wanted to be a part of that. I just wanted to come back, down south, closer to home and be a part of something special.”

Live video: Scene of plane crash near Washington’s Reagan Airport

Wed, 01/29/2025 - 20:34

A jet with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard collided Wednesday with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River.

Here’s what we know so far:

What caused the collision? That’s unclear. The Federal Aviation Administration said the midair collision occurred around 9 p.m. EST when a regional jet that had departed from Wichita, Kansas, collided with a military Blackhawk helicopter while on approach to an airport runway. The helicopter was on a training flight, an official told the Associated Press.
Are there casualties? There were multiple fatalities, according to a person familiar with the matter, but the precise number of victims was unclear as rescue crews hunt for survivors. American Airlines says 60 passengers and 4 crew members were on the plane. Three soldiers were onboard the helicopter, an Army official said.
What’s the latest on the search efforts? All takeoffs and landings from the airport are halted while helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region fly over the scene. Inflatable rescue boats were launched into the Potomac River, and first responders set up light towers from the shore to illuminate the area.

The Associated Press is providing live video of the scene of the plane crash near Washington’s Reagan Airport:

Fort Lauderdale officer shoots man at marina after disturbance call, police say

Wed, 01/29/2025 - 20:27

A Fort Lauderdale Police officer shot a man Wednesday evening after the property manager of a marina and RV park called about the man causing a disturbance, the police department said.

The officer arrived in the 2300 block of State Road 84 just before 6:30 p.m. and found the man who the property manager said was causing a disturbance, department spokesperson Casey Liening said in an email late Wednesday. Yacht Haven Park & Marina is at that address.

Liening said the officer “at some point” shot the man after asking for other officers to come as back up. He was taken to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Liening did not provide the man’s condition or name or identify the officer.

The officer will be on paid administrative leave as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates, as is customary.

Wednesday’s shooting is at least the third so far in 2025 involving Fort Lauderdale officers. On Jan. 19, an officer shot and killed a man who got out of his car at a gas station “with what appeared to be a firearm” after fleeing from an earlier traffic stop, the department previously said. On Jan. 9, Fort Lauderdale officers shot and killed a man who was throwing “incendiary devices” after receiving a call about a fire.

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

Woman killed in Oakland Park hit-and-run crash, deputies say

Wed, 01/29/2025 - 20:02

A woman was killed Wednesday night in a hit-and-run crash in Oakland Park, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said.

Oakland Park Fire Rescue and deputies found the woman shortly before 8 p.m. in the area of Northwest 38th Street and Powerline Road. She was pronounced dead there, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The Sheriff’s Office did not provide further information.

The south lanes of Powerline Road between Northwest 38th Avenue and Prospect Road remained closed as of 10 p.m.

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

Winderman’s view: In wake of loss to Cavaliers, Heat’s Herro now awaits All-Star fate

Wed, 01/29/2025 - 19:52

MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 126-106 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers:

– Tyler or no Tyler?

– That will become known by 7 p.m. Thursday, when Eastern Conference reserves are named for the All-Star Game.

– For Heat guard Tyler Herro, it figures to be a close call.

– No more than six guards from the East can make it, based on roster rules.

– Already in as Eastern Conference backcourt starters are Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson.

– Both highly deserving.

– As Mitchell certainly showed in this one on Wednesday night.

– From there, logic says that three of the four remaining East backcourt spots likely go to Damian Lillard, Cade Cunningham and Darius Garland, if only because of Cleveland’s dominance this season.

– So Herro . . . or Trae Young, Tyrese Maxey, LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, or someone else?

– Herro’s path could otherwise be as an injury replacement, similar to when Goran Dragic made it for the first time with the Heat.

– The argument is that a better record would have significantly boosted Herro’s chances.

– Instead, back to .500 after this loss.

– As it is, Herro on Wednesday night extended his franchise record to 79 consecutive games with at least one 3-pointer.

– It was Herro’s 71st consecutive regular-season game scoring in double figures. As a means of comparison, Jimmy Butler’s longest such Heat streak is 63 consecutive games. The franchise record is 294 by LeBron James.

– For a third consecutive game the Heat again opened with a lineup of Herro, Kel’el Ware, Bam Adebayo, Haywood Highsmith and Duncan Robinson.

– It was Ware’s fifth consecutive start.

– While the Heat were without Butler, the Cavaliers also were shorthanded, with Garland given the night off for rest.

– The Cavaliers were limited in that option, with a nationally televised game Thursday against the Hawks and the league discouraging rest in such games.

– Also out for the Cavaliers were Sam Merrill (illness), Isaac Okoro (shoulder), Dean Wade (knee), and Caris LeVert (wrist).

– Highsmith opened defensively on Mitchell.

– Terry Rozier and Nikola Jovic entered together as the Heat’s first two substitutes.

– With Jaime Jaquez Jr. following at the start of the second period.

– Pelle Larsson later made it 10 deep.

– Energizing as usual.

– With Okoro and Wade out, former Heat forward Max Strus has emerged as Cleveland’s de facto perimeter stopper.
– “It fits his personality. It fits who he is. Done it before. Done it well. Did it in Miami,” Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. “We’re lucky we have another one who is capable of doing that.”

– Strus and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and Strus shared a pregame embrace.

– Strus then was introduced last among the Cavaliers starters to a warm ovation.

– Jovic extended his career-best streak to 12 consecutive games with a 3-pointer.

Cavaliers return to exact revenge, punish Heat 126-106 behind Mitchell’s 34

Wed, 01/29/2025 - 19:50

MIAMI — An argument could be made that this one was over on Dec. 8, when the Miami Heat dared defeat the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers.

With the Cavaliers back at Kaseya Center on Wednesday night, Cleveland made clear which team stands dominant atop the Eastern Conference … and which team doesn’t.

In that regard, order was restored in the 126-106 loss that dropped Erik Spoelstra’s team back to .500, at 23-23, while the Cavaliers exited at 38-9.

“It’s not easy,” Heat guard Terry Rozier said of trying to compete with the Cavs. “But it lets you know the difference from the number-one team in the league.”

Ahead from start to finish, the Cavaliers punished the Heat on both ends even with giving point guard Darius Garland, an All-Star candidate, the night off for rest.

Such is the luxury of the double-double power-play tandem of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen and the scoring of Donovan Mitchell.

Mobley closed with 22 points and 15 rebounds, Allen with 12 points and 10 rebounds, with Mitchell scoring 34.

“We got introduced to the team that is first in the East for a reason,” Spoelstra said.

From the Heat, it was mostly a night of the middling beyond 22 points apiece from Tyler Herro and Rozier. Against the size of Mobley and Allen, Bam Adebayo closed with 21 points and nine rebounds, but Kel’el Ware with five points and four rebounds.

“We’re still working through things, trying to figure out how we can get better,” Adebayo said of his pairing with Ware that was exposed Wednesday night.

Five Degrees of Heat from Wednesday night’s game:

1. Game flow: The Cavaliers led 31-21 after the first quarter and 59-41 at halftime.

“We just got to get off to better starts,” Herro said.

The Heat then went down 19 early in the third, before closing back to 94-84 by the end of the third period.

The Heat got within eight early in the fourth quarter, but that was it, with Cleveland quickly pushing their advantage to 17 shortly thereafter.

“When you give a team like that any kind of room, it’s going to be tough to battle back,” Rozier said.

Cleveland’s lead peaked at 22, as the Heat continue to play in the suspension absence of Jimmy Butler.

“‘If we made any kind of poor decisions it turned into a six-, eight–point run immediately,” Spoelstra said of the game flow.

“There were a lot of things where we would have had to check those boxes to give ourselves a better chance.”

2. Uneven night: A night before All-Star reserves are to be named, Herro struggled early, defended frequently by former Heat forward Max Strus, closing 9 of 20 from the field, 4 of 10 on 3-pointers.

“I just came out a little slow on the offensive end,” Herro said. “A little slow start, for sure.”

Herro’s frustrations boiled over with 69 seconds to play in the third quarter, when he was called for a technical foul for complaining to referee Che Flores. Herro then channeled his anger to score 10 points in the final 40.5 seconds of the period.

The game could have been a showdown of All-Star candidates, with Garland also in the running for a spot as an Eastern Conference reserve (albeit with the All-Star voting by conference coaches completed earlier this week).

3. Out of nowhere: After scoring just two points in the first half, Heat forward Highsmith scored 10 points in the opening 2:49 of the third quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers.

As a matter of perspective, Highsmith had totalled 11 points in his previous five appearances, with no more than 15 points in any game since he scored 19 in a Nov. 6 road loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Even with that burst, the Heat still were down 14 after Highsmith scored the 10th of those points in that 2:49 run.

That 10-point burst also closed out Highsmith’s scoring.

4. In the paint: For all the fascination with the Heat’s pairing of Adebayo and Ware in the power rotation, the Cavaliers set the tone from the start with paint attacks against the Heat’s wings, leaving them with an initial 26-4 edge in paint points and a 36-18 such advantage at halftime.

“It’s not just because we’ve got two bigs out there that you think you’re going to fix a problem,” Adebayo said.

Cleveland stood at 20 of 28 on 2-point shots in the first half.

Ultimately, it ended with the Cavaliers outscoring the Heat 68-38 in the paint.

“We have to shore that up,” Spoelstra said.

“This needs to be corrected. There’s no excuses. We need to be more physical and purposeful on the glass.”

5. On the road again: The Heat now have only one home game until Feb. 26.

Up next is a four-game trip, on Saturday to San Antonio, Tuesday to Chicago, Wednesday to Philadelphia and Feb. 7, the day after the NBA trading deadline, to Brooklyn.

Then, after a Feb. 10 home game against the Celtics, the Heat go out for games at Oklahoma City and Dallas before the All-Star break, with games to follow after the break at Toronto, Milwaukee and Atlanta.

Beyond that Feb. 10 game against the Celtics, the Heat do not play at home again until a Feb. 26 game against the Hawks.

Tkachuk has goal and 2 assists, Bobrovsky stops 30 shots as Panthers beat Kings 3-0

Wed, 01/29/2025 - 19:46

By ALANIS THAMES

SUNRISE — Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and two assists, Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 30 shots for his second shutout of the season, and the Florida Panthers beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Aleksander Barkov and Sam Bennett also scored for the Panthers, who entered the game a point back of Toronto for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Bobrovsky got his 46th career shutout.

It was the second time in eight days the teams played each other. The Kings beat the Panthers 2-1 in Los Angeles last Wednesday.

Darcy Kuemper made 36 saves for the Kings, who have lost three straight and seven of their last 10 games. Eight of those games have been played on the road.

Takeaways

Panthers: Tkachuk recorded his seventh multi-assist game of the season. He’s up to 31 assists on the season.

Key moment

Barkov doubled Florida’s lead during a 5-on-3 power play 4:43 into the third. That was his 16th point on the man-advantage this season.

Key stat

Kulikov’s assist in the first period came during his 1,000th career game. He’s the 13th Panthers player and 402nd skater in NHL history to hit that mark.

Up Next

The Panthers host Chicago on Saturday.

The coziest white puffer jackets for ultimate cold-weather comfort

Wed, 01/29/2025 - 02:38

Which white puffer jackets are best?

Puffer jackets are an effective and stylish way to keep warm in cold weather. They might look big and bulky, but they are relatively lightweight. The jacket’s bulky look comes from its insulation, designed to trap and retain heat.

White puffer jackets are not as common as dark-colored versions, but several high-quality puffer jackets come in white. The Tommy Hilfiger Puffer Jacket is the top choice for white puffer jackets.

What to know before you buy a white puffer jacket Fill material

The fill material is one of the important factors when choosing a puffer jacket. You can choose a puffer jacket filled with down or one with synthetic filler.

High-quality down offers an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, making it an ideal filler material for puffer jackets. The two most common types of fill are duck and goose down, with goose down the more expensive.

If you don’t want to buy a jacket sourced from animals, you can choose a jacket with synthetic filler. Just know that it might not keep you as warm as jackets with down.

Fill weight

The fill weight of a puffer jacket is typically between 500 and 800 grams, or about 17 to 28 ounces. This is the amount of down or synthetic filler stuffed inside the jacket. You would expect a heavier puffer jacket to be warmer but that is not always the case. Fill power is more important than fill weight. This means that a high-quality jacket that uses premium down might be lighter in weight and offer better warmth than heavier versions.

Length

Puffer jackets come in different lengths, ranging from the full-length that covers the entire body to a cropped length, designed to fit around the waist. A cropped white puffer jacket would look sportier, but with less coverage, it won’t provide the same level of warmth as longer versions.

What to look for in a quality white puffer jacket Shell material

Lightweight nylon is one of the most common materials used in the outer shell of puffer jackets. If you are looking for extra durability, consider a jacket with a polyester outer shell. An outer shell with water-resistant properties will keep the down or synthetic filler dry for maximum warmth.

Adjustability

Some puffer jackets are adjustable so they can fit perfectly and offer users flexibility for different weather conditions. A puffer jacket should not be too tight so it does not restrict your range of motion or feel uncomfortable. It should also not be too loose — otherwise, it won’t be as effective in keeping you warm.

Extra features

The extra features offered in some puffer jackets include special linings such as fleece or shearling for extra warmth, a removable hood, and elastic cuffs. Some puffer jackets also offer different types of pockets, including hidden pockets for security.

How much you can expect to spend on a white puffer jacket

The price range depends on several factors, including the brand of the jacket. You can pay anywhere between $50-$500 for a good-quality white puffer jacket.

Puffer jacket FAQ What is the best way to clean a puffer jacket?

A. Several puffer jackets on the market are machine washable. When washing a puffer jacket in a machine, make sure you choose a delicate or gentle setting to avoid damage. If you want to be extra careful, it is better to simply hand-wash it.

Will the puffer jacket lose its warmth over time?

A. A high-quality puffer jacket that is cared for will last you a lifetime, providing the same level of warmth. However, most puffer jackets will eventually start losing their thickness as the down becomes flatter. As the jacket loses its thickness, it will not provide the same level of warmth.

What are the best white puffer jackets to buy? Top white puffer jacket

Tommy Hilfiger Puffer Jacket

What you need to know: This jacket offers a nylon outer shell, fleece-lined stand collar, and rib-knit storm cuffs for extra warmth.

What you’ll love: This puffer jacket offers two large side pockets for extra storage and is wind-resistant. It also features an interior pocket and is machine washable. It has a variety of colors available.

What you should consider: It can be a bit tricky to access the inner pocket due to the awkward design of the zipper.

Worth checking out

Guess Midweight Puffer Jacket

What you need to know: This jacket’s weather-resistant outer shell, removable hood, and lightweight construction make it worth checking out.

What you’ll love: The jacket has a high-quality zipper that works smoothly. The inner lining is made from polyester for maximum durability and a comfortable fit.

What you should consider: The jacket might be expensive for price-sensitive buyers, but it’s often on sale.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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Today in History: January 29, Cleveland announces controversial logo’s removal from baseball uniforms

Wed, 01/29/2025 - 02:00

Today is Wednesday, Jan. 29, the 29th day of 2025. There are 336 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Jan. 29, 2018, the Cleveland Indians announced that they would remove the Chief Wahoo logo from their uniforms in the coming baseball season, after decades of protests and complaints that the grinning, red-faced caricature was racist. (The team changed its name to the Cleveland Guardians starting in the 2022 season.)

Also on this date:

In 1891, following the death of her brother Kalākaua, Lili‘uokalani was sworn in as the first and only queen of the Hawaiian Kingdom. (Her reign would end two years later when the Hawaiian monarchy was abolished following a U.S. military-supported coup d’état.)

In 1936, the first five inductees of baseball’s Hall of Fame — Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, and Walter Johnson — were named in Cooperstown, New York.

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter formally welcomed Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping (dung shah-oh-ping) to the White House, following the establishment of diplomatic relations.

In 1995, the San Francisco 49ers became the first team in NFL history to win five Super Bowl titles, beating the San Diego Chargers, 49-26, in Super Bowl XXIX.

In 1998, a bomb rocked an abortion clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, killing security guard Robert Sanderson and critically injuring nurse Emily Lyons. (The bomber, Eric Rudolph, was captured in May 2003 and is serving a life sentence.)

In 2002, in his first State of the Union address, President George W. Bush said terrorists were still threatening America — and warned of “an axis of evil” consisting of North Korea, Iran and Iraq.

In 2013, the Justice Department ended its criminal probe of the Deepwater Horizon disaster and Gulf of Mexico oil spill, with a U.S. judge agreeing to let London-based oil giant BP PLC plead guilty to manslaughter charges for the deaths of 11 rig workers and pay a record $4 billion in penalties.

In 2017, six people were killed in a shooting at a Quebec City mosque during evening prayers. (Alexandre Bissonnette, who was arrested nearby, pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder charges and was sentenced to life in prison.)

Today’s birthdays:

Feminist author Germaine Greer is 86.
Actor Katharine Ross is 85.
Actor Tom Selleck is 80.
R&B singer Charlie Wilson is 72.
TV host and media mogul Oprah Winfrey is 71.
Olympic diving gold medalist Greg Louganis is 65.
Actor Nicholas Turturro is 63.
Football Hall of Famer Andre Reed is 61.
Hockey Hall of Famer Dominik Hašek is 60.
Actor-director Edward Burns is 57.
Actor Heather Graham is 55.
Actor Sara Gilbert is 50.
Pop-rock singer Adam Lambert is 43.

Daily Horoscope for January 29, 2025

Tue, 01/28/2025 - 22:00

General Daily Insight for January 29, 2025

Luck can emerge in the midst of this cosmic rebirth. Thoughtful Mercury conjoins transformative Pluto to crowd our communications with chaos. Things could get intense, whether we mean them to or not. The New Moon rises in innovative Aquarius at 7:36 am EST, leading us to turn over a new leaf and start fresh in a grounded way. Finally, the Moon trines magnanimous Jupiter to usher in refreshed abundance, most noticeably in our connections with others. Seize the opportunities you can reach without losing your balance.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Abundant friendships and supercharged travels could be on the horizon. The many interactions with the people you meet today can feel like you’re being swept up into a tornado of communication, with each whirlwind conversation blowing you to your next destination. Many different people might be vying for your attention, but don’t let yourself get lost in pretty words and neglect those who really have your back. Let the people who stand with you through good times and bad keep you grounded.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

You might be tempted to spread yourself thin. While you probably have the best intentions behind your promises, it could backfire if you announce a project before it’s finished or strive to be everything for everyone. Your generous ambitions are admirable, but make sure that your workload is leaving room for you to shine. There’s a right amount for you to try to accomplish at present. Finding a happy medium is key to feeling fulfilled and developing security for yourself without overpromising.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Too much information can lead to an overload. You might be trying to retain all sorts of minutiae, while too much hurry or excitement around it risks you forgetting pieces of what you’ve learned. It’s too difficult to cram everything in your brain at once, so do what you can to remain on one track of focus. Studying a single subject at a time or practicing one skill on its own will yield the best results. Learn only what you can reasonably absorb.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

The game’s afoot, Cancer — but be wary of the ways this personal obsession is potentially stealing your focus. While you research a topic that’s been on your mind, it’ll be a struggle to pull yourself away. This could even be a person who has you wondering what their intentions or interests are. Don’t get carried away and forget about yourself, as self-care and rest are necessary for successful investigations. Eventually, you’ll have to redirect your magnifying glass toward your own life.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Deep talks with someone might spark startling results. You may have a heart-to-heart with someone in your life, one that inspires you both to see each other with fresh eyes and develop a deeper appreciation for the other. You’re able to express yourself in ways that you might not normally, which should give you a path to get on the same wavelength with conversational companions. Don’t shy away from efforts to understand their point of view nor from allowing them to return the favor.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Your daily routine currently deserves some TLC. You could be making changes that benefit you in a big way, and being the leader in your own life will invigorate your efforts. The things that you do to impress people that you don’t even like are likely to fall to the wayside, while the activities that actually speak to you should start coming up as opportunities more often. You have a chance to shed what’s not for you, so good riddance to stagnation!

Libra

September 23 – October 22

You’re refusing to box yourself in — good! Your passion is meant to be expressed. If your energy is more irate than exuberant, it may be due to someone else trying to dim your light. Instead of allowing them to push you into the background or silence your voice, make sure that you’re pushing back and speaking up. Trust in your sense of style and creativity to lead you in the right direction. Those who don’t match your vibe might be left behind.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Check your emotional temperature. Whether your heart is frozen or fevered, your living space may be the cause. Reassess your domestic environment — from rowdy roommates to cobwebbed corners. If your home doesn’t fill you with peace, or if the people that surround you tend to make you feel alone, some changes need to take place. Beginning a personal evolution from the inside out could have you living out a much happier story faster than you’d expect. Your intuition knows the way.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Say what you’ve been feeling inside. Who needs to hear hear a few words from you, ASAP? Perhaps you need to get something off of your chest, they require advice about an outside situation, or they crave clarity about your thoughts. While the conversation may be awkward at first, you could end up discovering that they fully agree with you! Even if your opinions differ, you can have incredibly valuable discussions with the right person. They won’t just hear you, they’ll listen to you.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Pay attention to what you want. You could find that the investment of your focus is paying you back with interest, or the people and projects where you’ve been putting your care and attention are growing better and better. Your consistent effort can turn unsteady ground into a solid foundation — you just need to make sure that you keep your mind attuned to your ambitions. Amazing progress is possible with effort. You’ll see growth wherever your attention is turned, for better or worse.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Tune your radio to channel Aquarius, because your true self is on air right now. The planets are turning up the volume on your inner voice and muting those who don’t understand your ability to forge into the future, unbound by tradition. You’re no stranger to marching to the beat of your own drum, lest you feel boxed in and trapped by the stuffy demands of others. Don’t follow the path that they carved for you! It’s your turn to choose the destination.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Let go of the idea of perfection. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to better yourself and be the best you that you can be, but no one is perfect. Attempting to never make a mistake is a mission destined to fail! We’re all humans, after all. You may find that when you stop holding yourself to impossible standards (that you might not even be holding others to), you start to relax and enjoy the present moment. You don’t have to be perfect — just be.

UCF can’t hold second-half lead in rematch with No. 11 Kansas

Tue, 01/28/2025 - 21:33

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Zeke Mayo scored 24 points, including a pair of clinching free throws with 3.1 seconds left, and No. 11 Kansas rallied to beat UCF 91-87 on Tuesday night to avoid its first back-to-back losses in Allen Fieldhouse in 36 years.

Hunter Dickinson added 24 points and Flory Bidunga had 10 points and 11 boards for the Jayhawks (15-5, 6-3 Big 12), who were coming off a double-overtime loss to sixth-ranked Houston.

UCF center Moustapha Thiam, who provided an offensive spark Tuesday with 17 points, reaches for a rebound against Kansas. (Charlie Riede/APl)

The Knights (13-7, 4-5), who got 34 points from Keyshawn Hall and 19 from Darius Johnson, led by nine early in the second half before the Jayhawks used a 12-2 run to take their first lead since midway through the first half.

The Jayhawks were clinging to an 87-86 lead when KJ Adams, back after missing three games to a shoulder injury, made a pair of free throws with 4.6 seconds left. Kansas fouled Johnson at the other end and he made one of two foul shots, and Mayo went to the line for the clinching free throws.

Kansas has not lost consecutive games at the Phog since dropping four straight under Roy Williams in 1989.

Takeaways

UCF lost to the Jayhawks by 51 points at home a couple of weeks ago. So the fact that the Knights were able to take Kansas to the wire in Allen Fieldhouse speaks volumes about their resiliency.

Kansas played without Dajuan Harris Jr., who hurt his ankle in practice. The Jayhawks could have used his experience, especially when their guards got into foul trouble. He’s played in 159 games and had started the last 98 of them.

Key moment

Adams only scored 12 points, but his free throws in the final seconds were crucial.

Key stat

Kansas got 29 points from its bench. UCF got 2.

Up next …

UCF vs. BYU

When: 4, Saturday, Addition Financial Arena

TV: ESPN+

Will landfill grow taller and wider? Broward now aims for a decision next month

Tue, 01/28/2025 - 17:17

After hourslong debate about whether to finally to grant Waste Management permission to expand a landfill, Broward County commissioners decided late Tuesday to wait longer to decide its fate.

They committed to making a final decision Feb. 25 on whether the Monarch Hill landfill will be allowed to grow.

The landfill now is 210 feet and is currently permitted to go to 225 feet. The landfill is constructed like a pyramid, where it is built as a slope. The request would allow it to get wider at its base on 24 acres — land that was a former waste-to-energy incinerator — so it can peak at 325 feet.

(Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)The Broward County Commission listens to speakers address the landfill expansion on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

“We cannot vote today, we need additional information,” said County Commissioner Steve Geller.

The debate about the landfill’s future has been delayed and argued for five years.

The landfill is at the Monarch Hill Renewable Energy Park, in an unincorporated part of northern Broward, bordering various cities. The landfill, whose western boundary is right by Florida’s Turnpike, is east of Coconut Creek. The landfill also is just south of a section of Deerfield Beach, and it’s north of a portion of Pompano Beach.

“Waste Management is telling us this is necessary,” warned Broward County Mayor Beam Furr. He said the landfill has just six years of life remaining and the corporate giant “cannot guarantee it can be used in emergency situation.”

“Let that sink in for a minute,” he warned.

As the County Commission aimed to make a decision on the matter, a separate panel, the Solid Waste Authority of Broward County Executive Committee, previously voted to urge the county to delay the issue yet again.

Furr, who is that waste authority group’s vice chair, said he was the lone vote against that, saying the landfill was an “asset that our community absolutely depends on.”

“We will always need a landfill and we need to maintain capacity,” he said. “There’s a lot at stake and time is of the essence.”

But Sunrise Mayor Michael J. Ryan, who serves as the chair of the Solid Waste Authority of Broward County Executive Committee, said a master plan for solid waste and recycling is in the works, and more time is needed before a decision about the landfill is made.

“We understand the crisis,” he said.

That’s ultimately why the County Commission agreed to hold off, and said it would be their final delay and enough time for the committee to come back with a plan.

“Legally we shouldn’t drag this out too much longer,” County Attorney Andrew “Drew” Meyers warned them.

Still, Furr said, the authority’s consultants have said Broward will still need future landfill capacity.

Growing concerns

Lenny Vialpando, Broward’s chief innovation officer and director, said there is a portion of landfill that is not lined, and there is seepage now, but it does not exceed federal standards.

County Commissioner Mark Bogen said that was a concern. “What is the rush?” he asked other commissioners. “There is seepage coming out of that landfill. … Are we talking about health and humans or are we talking about money?”

But before the County Commission even began its debate, some representatives from the cities near the landfill pleaded with county commissioners to be heard.

“There is no assurance at all this will be the last request, the last expansion,” said Deerfield Beach City Manager Rodney Brimlow. He said his residents were “fearful” and “feel forgotten.”

Deerfield Beach Commissioner Michael Hudak said the expansion would hurt nearby cities. “The only entity that benefits from this decision is Waste Management,” he said. “Why the rush to decide?”

Added Deerfield Beach Commissioner Todd Drosky: “This comes down to dollars versus residents.”

Former Coconut Creek Commissioner Lisa Aronson asked for the landfill to be capped, not expanded, and to “think of the animals, the birds and the butterflies.”

Said Hillsboro Beach Mayor Dawn Miller: “If our groundwater is contaminated you can’t undo it.” She said a 10-story addition was “quite significant.”

The landfill was the site of the iconic “Hollywood” sign shot in the Tom Cruise film “Rock of Ages,” so Coconut Creek Vice Mayor Jackie Railey quipped if it gets 100 feet higher it could be one day be depicted in cinema as Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa.

She urged county commissioners to consider themselves “like parents” to “protect safety and well-being” of their residents.

Waste Management’s reasoning

Waste Management lawyer Bill Laystrom said the expansion is needed to “gain capacity that has just about ended” in what Waste Management refers to as the “last cell” of space that’s available. “We’re running out of existing space,” he said.

Said Waste Management spokesperson Chris Carey: “We don’t have the capacity to wait anymore. We don’t have the time to wait anymore.”

About 5,000 of tons of trash keep coming in daily, he said, and it needs a place to go.

Among what Waste Management offered the county in exchange: No household garbage after October 2027 in favor of construction debris; spend $2.3 million on recycling education.

Waste Management has argued by cutting out household waste, such as diapers and food, eliminated would be the smell that neighbors say affects them.

There was also a lingering warning by the company’s attorney: Refusing to allow the landfill to expand would mean trucking the materials elsewhere in Florida — and it would be residents and business owners who would bear the cost.

Still, even if the county were to approve the expansion in February through a land-use plan amendment, the process wouldn’t be over. More approvals, including zoning, are required before the expansion could actually begin.

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on X, formerly Twitter, @LisaHuriash

Sadly, there are no winners in investigation of Gators basketball coach Todd Golden | Commentary

Tue, 01/28/2025 - 17:00

When it comes right down to it, we all know that sports are all about winning and losing. Every game we talk about and nearly every issue we debate are based upon the basic premise of who was the winner and who was the loser.

It’s a very simple process: All we have to do is look up at the scoreboard at the end of game to declare a winner and loser.

But this is not a game we’re talking about now; it’s lives and careers and families and reputations. It’s a saga involving one of the hottest young coaches in college basketball — the University of Florida’s Todd Golden — and an investigation into a series of anonymous allegations of stalking, sexual harassment and other lascivious charges.

Earlier this week, the university closed its four-month Title IX probe into the allegations against Golden, essentially clearing him of any wrongdoing in the case. The university says the investigation, conducted by an independent outside firm, found “no evidence” that Golden was guilty of any of the accusations leveled against him.

Still, Todd Golden loses. His image has been badly tarnished and his reputation besmirched. He has been called a “pervert” and a “creep” and a “stalker” and a “Peeping Todd” by opposing fans and Internet assassins.

And the stigma will linger.

UF coach Todd Golden celebrates with associate head coach Carlin Hartman after defeating South Carolina 70-69 last week. (Scott Kinser/AP)

As for his accusers? They lose, too. They are now being portrayed as deceitful and vindictive. And, if you believe Golden’s attorney William Shepherd, they have tried to cook up a scheme and leak information in a presumed attempt to smear the coach of the fifth-ranked basketball team in the country.

“Coach Golden and I have respected the process throughout while actively engaging with the university, However, there were many who did not respect the investigative process,” Shepherd fumed in a statement. “Instead, they sought to target Coach Golden and drive their agenda and this investigation for their own self-interest. Some leaked confidential material to the media; falsely posed as a UF lawyer in an effort to intimidate; harassed UF students and parents to try to generate a false narrative; and harassed my client, his family, and his friends.”

Who are we supposed to believe in this bizarre case of he-said, she-said? We all know that there has to be apparatus in place to protect women from men in powerful positions who sometimes do bad things. We also know that there have been high-profile instances of false accusations against men, including the infamous Duke Lacrosse Scandal and the more recent case of Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza, who lost his job after he was wrongly accused of sexual assault.

And, of course, we have seen disgraceful examples in the past where big-time universities have tried to bury allegations against their star athletes or coaches (see FSU’s initial response to the sexual assault accusations against Jameis Winston, Baylor attempting to sweep its rape scandal under the rug and Penn State’s reaction to the Jerry Sandusky debacle).

One could argue that such institutional shenanigans are nearly impossible in today’s social media-driven world where nothing is private. And given the increased legal oversight and the prevalence of lawsuits aimed at holding universities accountable, the University of Florida would be foolish to conduct a sham investigation.

I actually believe UF officials who say they conducted a thorough, above-board investigation and essentially came up with nothing. Which is one reason this case seems so confusing and conflicting.

The original Title IX complaint accused Golden of a variety of sordid charges, including allegations that the coach sent photos and videos of his genitalia, made unwanted sexual advances on Instagram and requested sexual favors. There also were alleged stalking incidents in which Golden was accused of taking photos of women while walking or driving and sending those pictures to the subjects involved or showing up to locations where he knew the women would be.

Yet UF says there is no evidence to corroborate the charges. Not even a single text message or screen grab or digital footprint.

The original complaint also said Golden’s alleged transgressions involved multiple UF students, but there apparently is no corroboration of those charges either. The only two complainants who have been identified (but not named) thus far were included in a recent ESPN.com story. One of those was a student at another college while the other was not a student at all and said she knew Golden socially.

So who and what are we supposed to believe?

He said.

She said.

Is he guilty of aberrant behavior or is she fabricating a story that could ruin a career? Is he a predator or a target? Is she a victim or a liar?

False accusations are rare, but they do happen. At the same time, sexual transgressions against women are underreported, and victims often struggle to prove their cases. This dichotomy creates a perfect storm where both sides can claim injustice, and the truth is left adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

The media, too, is complicit. We rush to report allegations without full context, framing the narrative before all the facts are known. This can lead to trial by media, where the court of public opinion renders a verdict long before the investigation is complete.

There are no champions in this battle of perceptions.

Only casualties.

There are no winners in this case.

Only losers.

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

Senior Bowl offers Dolphins many attractive options at safety, but none in first round

Tue, 01/28/2025 - 16:28

MOBILE, Al. — There’s a decent chance the Miami Dolphins can find some quality starting-caliber safety solutions this week at the Senior Bowl.

Granted, the top-level safety talent such as Georgia’s Malaki Starks, South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori and Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts isn’t in Mobile for this week’s practices at South Alabama and Saturday’s game.

But there are good starting-caliber options here for the April 24 NFL draft.

Before going further, however, a quick reminder …

One play in 2024 defined the Dolphins’ needs at safety heading into this offseason, and it defined those needs on a few levels.

On the defining play, San Francisco wide receiver Deebo Samuel caught a pass from quarterback Brock Purdy and ran over Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer around the 7-yard line and through a would-be tackle by fellow safety Jevon Holland at the 5-yard line before running in for the touchdown. The play featured leaky coverage, poor tackling technique, and a lack of physicality from a pair of safeties who are both potential free agents and don’t seem likely to return.

The Dolphins’ options at the Senior Bowl include Iowa’s Sebastian Castro, the No. 3 safety prospect by Pro Football Focus and No. 7 cornerback prospect by ESPN, Virginia’s Jonas Sanker, the No. 7 safety prospect by CBSSports.com and its 126th prospect overall (late third, early fourth round), and Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman Jr., the No. 8 safety prospect by CBSSports.com and its 139th prospect overall (fourth round).

The Dolphins need toughness, good technique/fundamentals and sure tackling at strong and free safety, which they use interchangeably. They could also use someone who can cover tight ends.

Castro showed good ball skills and aggression during Tuesday’s practice.

But Castro (5 foot 11, 200 pounds) is a 24-year-old, six-year college player who got a lot of snaps at nickel/slot and in the box as opposed to deep safety. He’s aggressive, which the Dolphins need, however his third-round draft status might not project to a Day One starter.

Still, he’s got potential and special teams experience.

“I’ll say I’m just a smart player,” said Castro, who totaled 57 tackles, one interception and two forced fumbles last season.

“I like to put myself in the right places to make my job easier. I’m a physical player, which helps me in the pass game as well as in the run game.”

Sanker (6-1, 210) is mostly an in-box safety, but he’s a good tackler and a two-time All-ACC performer. He projects to a third or fourth-round pick.

Sanker, who said his Monday night conversation with the Dolphins went well, excels in aggression, ball skills and covering tight ends.

Sanker had 98 tackles, one interception and two recovered fumbles last season while playing nickel/slot, in the box, and high safety. He lived up to that billing in Tuesday’s practice.

Mock drafts have Dolphins with consensus first-round pick; UM players, locals have good day at Senior Bowl

“The best thing about my game is my motor, which is how violent I’m able to play,” he said. “Whether it’s attacking the ball, punching the ball out, getting off blocks, it’s how violent I play.”

Bowman (5-10, 200) is smallish but he’s smart, aggressive and isn’t afraid to tackle. He’s a projected third- or fourth-round pick and specializes in being a deep safety. However, he has the intangibles the Dolphins need badly.

“First and foremost, I bring leadership,” said Bowman, who amassed 54 tackles, two interceptions and two recovered fumbles last season. “I bring accountability, make sure everybody is on the same page.

“And secondly, I’m a playmaker. So I’m trying to get that ball back to the offense at all costs.”

If Holland and Poyer do depart, the Dolphins are potentially in trouble.

Safety Elijah Campbell, also a potential free agent, seems likely to return but it’s not known whether he’s a starting-caliber safety. Safety Patrick McMorris, a 2024 sixth-round pick who shows potential, but perhaps not as a starter, also returns.

Castro might be the most advanced safety at the Senior Bowl, but Sanker and Bowman bring the attitude and physicality the Dolphins require.

If there needs to be a tie breaker, perhaps the Dolphins will think back to tight ends such as Arizona’s Trey McBride (nine receptions, 124 yards vs. Miami), San Francisco’s George Kittle (eight receptions, 106 yards) or Las Vegas Brock Bowers (13 receptions, 126 yards, one touchdown) or Green Bay’s Tyler Kraft (six receptions, 78 yards) and think about Bowman’s words.

“I love guarding tight ends because they want to be physical, so I want to be physical right back with you,” he said. “You’ve just got to move your feet a little bit, get that contact going. I love guarding tight ends. That’s one thing I do love to do.”

U.S. Education Department investigating Denver Public Schools over all-gender bathroom

Tue, 01/28/2025 - 16:22

By JESSE BEDAYN, Associated Press

DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Education Department said it is investigating Denver Public Schools for alleged discrimination after the district converted a girl’s restroom on the second floor of East High School into an all-gender restroom while leaving the other bathroom exclusively for male students.

The department’s accusation that the move may violate of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, appears to be unprecedented, and it marks a sharp departure from the department’s investigations under former President Joe Biden.

The Democrat’s administration interpreted Title IX to include LGBTQ+ protections, though the policy was later overturned by a federal judge.

“Let me be clear: it is a new day in America, and under President Trump, (the Office for Civil Rights) will not tolerate discrimination of any kind,” said Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights, in a news release.

Denver Public Schools said in a statement that it has not received a formal notice of the investigation and will wait to provide comment.

Brett Sokolow, the president of the Association of Title IX Administrators, said that these questions have not yet been tested.

“They are arguing that an all-gender restroom isn’t comparable to a single-gender restroom,” Sokolow said. “You’d have to establish that somehow you have a right to a single-sex bathroom, and while the Trump administration may believe that, I don’t know if that will be upheld by the courts.”

The Department of Education investigates thousands of Title IX complaints every year, mostly dealing with athletics. Nearly all cases have been resolved through voluntary resolutions with schools and colleges, though the agency has authority to terminate federal funding for institutions that violate civil rights laws.

In a 2024 case, the department’s Office of Civil Rights investigated an undisclosed school district after a transgender middle schooler allegedly faced repeated harassment, including being told she was in the wrong bathroom. The district reached an agreement to end the case, adding staff training and inviting the student to join an LGBTQ outreach committee.

Associated Press reporter Collin Binkley in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.

Bedayn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

What Trump’s funding freeze could mean for universities, nonprofits and more

Tue, 01/28/2025 - 16:10

By DAVID A. LIEB, Associated Press

A White House directive to pause federal grants and loans raised uncertainty and fears among many who depend on federal aid before a judge intervened Tuesday to temporarily block it from taking effect.

President Donald Trump’s administration said the freeze would not affect federal assistance to individuals, such as Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, student loans and scholarships. But it said a pause is necessary to ensure funding for other programs complies with Trump’s executive orders, which aim to reverse progressive policies on transgender rights, environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion.

A federal judge blocked the directive just minutes before it was to kick in Tuesday. The order placed it on hold until next Monday while legal wrangling continues.

States on the edge

States on average receive about 30% of their revenues from the federal government, according to Federal Funds Information for States, a nonprofit that analyzes the affect of federal actions on states. Although the federal government has rescinded unspent funds in the past, it hasn’t normally halted grants on the front-end, said Marcia Howard, executive director of Federal Funds Information for States.

The grant pause is perhaps most similar to a federal government shutdown, when a congressional impasse on spending legislation delays federal payments for some state and local services. In most of those circumstances, a couple weeks delay “isn’t hugely disruptive,” Howard said.

But some state officials are nonetheless anxious.

“If the federal government coughs, Maryland catches pneumonia,” state Senate President Bill Ferguson said Tuesday, while discussing how the grant freeze could affect the state.

Higher education faces uncertainty

Universities around the country are scrambling to determine how a funding freeze could affect their research programs, students and faculty.

University of North Carolina administrators sent a campus email urging patience until decisions can be confirmed directly from federal agencies.

“The messaging is, ‘Try not to panic, and sit tight,’” said psychology professor Keely Muscatell. “But I also think it’s a lot easier said than done.”

A University of Florida memo obtained by the Associated Press indicates that the university is advising faculty to continue grant-related activities unless they have been specially told that the research has been suspended.

But at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., researchers said they were told to stop work on grant-funded projects. If the funding freeze goes forward, scientists may miss deadlines to present and share their work, said researcher Lorna Quandt, who has a grant application pending to fund interpreters to accompany deaf students to an upcoming conference.

The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities said a freeze would “sideline world-leading American scientists who are working toward cures for cancer, developing breakthroughs in AI and quantum computing, driving progress in advanced manufacturing, and supporting American farmers.”

Road funding may keep rolling

For many highway projects that are partially funded by federal grants, states pay the contractors directly then seek reimbursement from the federal government. There initially was widespread concern among state transportation leaders that states “would be left holding the bag,” but further clarification from the White House calmed some nerves, said Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Although some grants, particularly those awarded at the discretion of the federal government, could still be at risk, Tymon said he is now confident the Trump administration isn’t targeting the formula-based grants that states use to set their own transportation priorities and pay for roads.

“We’re not as panicked as maybe we had been,” he said.

Early childhood providers raise fears

Some operators of federally funded Head Start centers, which work with 800,000 kids and low-income families nationwide, initially were concerned that the freeze could mean closing their doors as soon Wednesday. Operators logged on to a website where they typically draw down their federal grants and discovered they no longer had access to the money, which they need to pay their employees and vendors.

“Is it a short-term thing? Is this a glitch? Is it a long-term thing? All of those things, we just really don’t know at this point,” said Tommy Sheridan, deputy director of the National Head Start Association. “That’s really adding to the fear and the concern.”

Nonprofit groups launch a challenge

A coalition of nonprofit groups filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the funding freeze. The nonprofit Democracy Forward, a public interest litigation group, wrote that the White House’s memo fails to explain its legal authority “to gut every grant program in the federal government.”

The National Science Foundation postponed this week’s grant review panels and is pausing the distribution of new or existing awards.

The National Crime Victim Law Institute described the Trump administration action as a “devastating blow” to nonprofits such as the institute.

“These grants are the backbone of critical programs for those in need across this country,” executive director Meg Garvin said. “Without this funding, nonprofits face the heartbreaking reality of scaling back services, cutting essential programs, and, in some cases, closing their doors entirely.”

Tribal groups could be affected

Tribal nations, “more so than almost any other community, will be negatively impacted” by a freeze on federal funding, said John Echohawk, executive director of the Native American Rights Fund. He said tribal nations rely on federal funding for public safety, healthcare, education, infrastructure “and the basic needs of our most vulnerable citizens.”

“The United States must fulfill its trust obligation to protect Tribal treaty rights, lands, assets, and resources,” he said.

Other services could see delays

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said on X he is “concerned that freezing federal funding will hurt North Carolinians, especially those recovering” from Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. Stein, a Democrat, said he is seeking clarity from federal officials and working to ensure people in the storm-affected areas get the support they need.

The federal government also supports state programs that fund billions of dollars in drinking water and sewage infrastructure. Money the federal government already sent out could probably be used, but the pause calls into question new spending, said Alan Roberson, executive director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators.

The Biden administration had stipulated that some of those funds go to disadvantaged communities, a term tied to its environmental justice efforts that the Trump administration has targeted for elimination. The fate of that effort “is to be determined, and we recognize that,” Roberson said.

Associated Press writers Moriah Balingit in Washington, D.C.; Thalia Beaty in New York; Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska; Fernando Figueroa in Austin, Texas; Stephanie Matat in West Palm Beach, Florida; Jeff McMurray in Chicago; Cheyanne Mumphrey in Phoenix; Michael Phillis in St. Louis; Adithi Ramakrishnan in New York; Gary D. Robertson and Makiya Seminera in Raleigh, North Carolina; Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee; and Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland.

Trump offers all federal workers a buyout with 7 months’ pay in effort to shrink size of government

Tue, 01/28/2025 - 15:59

By MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Tuesday began offering buyouts worth seven months of salary to all federal employees who opt to leave their jobs by Feb. 6 — part of President Donald Trump’s unprecedented overhaul of the U.S. government.

A memo from the Office of Personnel Management, the government’s human resources agency, lists four directives that it says Trump is mandating for the federal workforce, including that most workers return to their offices full-time.

It includes a “deferred resignation letter” for federal employees wishing to participate.

“If you choose not to continue in your current role in the federal workforce, we thank you for your service to your country and you will be provided with a dignified, fair departure from the federal government utilizing a deferred resignation program,” the email reads. “This program begins effective January 28 and is available to all federal employees until February 6.”

It adds, “If you resign under this program, you will retain all pay and benefits regardless of your daily workload and will be exempted from all applicable in-person work requirements until September 30.”

Boca Raton dentist accused in $157,000 insurance fraud involving major carriers

Tue, 01/28/2025 - 15:48

BOCA RATON (CBS12) — A Boca Raton dentist faces multiple felonies after being accused of orchestrating a scheme to defraud three major insurance carriers out of over $150,000.

Dr. Steven London, 57, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on Monday for theft and insurance fraud, following an investigation by the Department of Financial Services, Criminal Investigations Division.

The DFS detective in the case said London is accused of orchestrating a scheme to defraud three insurance carriers — MetLife, Delta Dental, and Aetna Insurance — by submitting fraudulent claims to obtain $157,000 in premium benefits from his dental office.

According to the investigation, London, along with his office manager, fabricated claims and manipulated treatment dates and dental records. Bank records revealed that the proceeds from the scheme were deposited into London’s Bank of America account. Records placed London outside Florida on dates when treatments were allegedly provided.

Dental audit records showed manipulation, including backdating and deleting entries, to disguise the fraudulent claims, according to the arrest affidavit. Patient interviews also confirmed that the claims were fraudulent and that the treatments never occurred.

The detective said the evidence, including bank records, patient interviews, expert forensic reports, and a recorded statement from London’s office manager, provided probable cause for the arrest.

WPEC-CBS12 is a news partner of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

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