South Florida Local News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A UPS cargo plane crashed Tuesday at a Louisville, Kentucky airport where the company operates its largest package delivery hub.

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UPS calls the giant center Worldport.

Here’s what to know about its enormous scale:

Processes 2 million packages per day

The facility at Muhammad Ali International Airport sprawls across an area the size of 90 football fields.

It processes 2 million packages per day, but has the ability to handle even more. It has the capacity to process 416,000 packages and documents per hour if needed.

The Louisville airport ranks third among U.S. airports for cargo as measured by weight, after Memphis, Tennessee, and Anchorage, Alaska, according to Airports Council International World.

A UPS town

Some 20,000 people work at the center, making UPS the largest employer in the Louisville area, the company said on its website.

Louisville Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe said everyone in town knows someone who works at UPS.

“My heart goes out to everybody at UPS because this is a UPS town,” Ruhe said. “My cousin’s a UPS pilot. My aide’s tennis partner is a UPS pilot. The intern in my office works overnight at UPS to pay for college.”

Hundreds of flights per day

More than 300 flights take off and land from the facility each day..

A time-lapse video UPS posted on YouTube shows planes taxiing to and from special cargo gates. Workers unload containers packed with cardboard boxes. Other employees load the boxes onto a conveyor belt, which delivers packages to workers who load them into other containers.

The center has room for 125 aircraft to park.

Louisville’s location in Kentucky puts it within four hours of flight time to 95% of the U.S. population. It serves 200 countries around the world.

UPS flies six different types of planes in the U.S.

It has 27 MD-11s, which is the model that crashed on Tuesday. It also flies the Airbus A300-600 and four different types of Boeing jets: the 757-200, 767-300, 747-400 and 747-8.

Expansions in Louisville

UPS made Louisville an air cargo hub starting in the 1980s. It opened the package sorting center it calls Worldport in 2002. The public media outlet Marketplace reported UPS picked the city because it doesn’t get a lot of extreme heat or snow and because it’s centrally located.

The hub has steadily grown over the decades. Last year, UPS opened a new $220 million aircraft hangar in Louisville large enough to park two 747 planes side by side. The investment tripled the company’s maintenance footprint for the plane at the airport.

In 2022 it announced plans to add eight new flight simulators.

UPS Healthcare, which provides shipments for clinical trials, shipments to medical care patients and other services, was due to get two new buildings in the expansion.

UPS gets permission to fly its own planes in 1988

UPS got its start in Seattle in 1907, when two teenagers started American Messenger Co. The name United Parcel Service debuted in 1919.

The company won Federal Aviation Administration approval to operate its own aircraft in 1988.

Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS today employs about 490,000 people worldwide.

This story has been corrected to show that the facility is equivalent in size to 90 football fields, not 10.

By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced yet another deadly strike on a boat accused of ferrying drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, coming the same day an aircraft carrier began heading to the region in a new expansion of military firepower.

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The attack Tuesday killed two people aboard the vessel, Hegseth said, bringing the death toll from the Trump administration’s campaign in South American waters up to at least 66 people in at least 16 strikes.

President Donald Trump has justified the strikes by saying the United States is in “armed conflict” with drug cartels and claiming the boats are operated by foreign terror organizations. The administration has not provided evidence or more details.

“We will find and terminate EVERY vessel with the intention of trafficking drugs to America to poison our citizens,” Hegseth posted while on a trip to Asia.

Lawmakers from both parties have pressed the Trump administration for more information on who is being targeted and the legal justification for the strikes given that Congress has not authorized military action. United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk last week called for the U.S. to halt the attacks and “prevent the extrajudicial killing of people aboard these boats.”

The latest strike comes as the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier has left the Mediterranean Sea on its way to the Caribbean after Hegseth ordered it to the region more than a week ago. It will join an already robust buildup of American planes, ships and thousands of troops in Latin America.

A defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ship movements, confirmed that the Ford and the destroyer USS Bainbridge crossed through the Straits of Gibraltar and into the Atlantic on Tuesday.

The Ford originally deployed with five destroyers, but it’s not clear if all of them will go to the Caribbean. Two of the other destroyers in the Ford’s strike group, the USS Winston Churchill and the USS Mahan, are in the Mediterranean now, with the Mahan in port at Rota, Spain.

The other two destroyers, the USS Forrest Sherman and the USS Mitchener, are in the Red Sea, the official said.

With the strikes and military assets in the region expanding, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has been charged with narcoterrorism in the United States, has said the U.S. government is “fabricating” a war against him.

During a interview that aired Sunday on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” Trump was asked if the U.S. was going to war with Venezuela. He responded: “I doubt it. I don’t think so. But they’ve been treating us very badly, not only on drugs.”

Norah O’Donnell, in the interview conducted Friday, also asked Trump if Maduro’s days were numbered.

“I would say yeah. I think so, yeah,” the president said. Trump would not say whether or not he would order land strikes in Venezuela.

In the latest strike, a video Hegseth posted to social media has a gray box obscuring a boat that appears in the water before it’s blown up. The footage then cuts to the vessel engulfed by flames.

If the season ended today, the Miami Hurricanes would miss the College Football Playoff.

Fortunately for Miami, the season does not end today. But UM currently ranks 18th in the first College Football Playoff rankings, which were released Tuesday night.

Mack Rhoades, the Chair of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, said the committee “felt strongly” about where it put UM.

“And I think we all believe Miami’s got a talented team when you look at their roster, their roster composition,” Rhoades said “Certainly think they’re really good defensively. I think if they can maybe correct some of the woes that they’ve had just in terms of turnovers and certainly, on the offensive side of the ball that they can certainly have an opportunity to win games. I think for Miami — I’m just going to say it — for Miami it’s about consistency and their lack of consistency, and we just need to see more consistency out of Miami headed down the stretch.”

The Hurricanes, who are No. 18 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll this week, also trail No. 10 Notre Dame, which could be a key competitor for an at-large bid even though Miami beat the Fighting Irish in the first week of the season.

“Head to head really matters when the teams are comparable at the margins,” Rhoades said.

“We look at that really, really closely. And again, I think back to Notre Dame, the committee felt strongly that that is a team that when you look at Week 1 to now, a team that has improved, has gotten better. Particularly when we think about defensively. We talked about the running game, and what I didn’t talk about is, you know, the quarterback play of (C.J.) Carr. As a freshman, he’s just been really, really good. Throws a great deep ball and has been really consistent for them at that spot. Again to the point of that team is getting better — Notre Dame (has) six straight wins.”

Rhoades said that Miami’s struggles on offense in losses against Louisville and SMU dinged the Hurricanes in the eyes of the committee.

Miami, which ended last season ranked 13th and missed the playoffs, needs to win the remainder of its games to have any chance of making the playoffs. The Hurricanes face Syracuse at home on Saturday, then N.C. State at home before traveling to Virginia Tech and No. 24 Pittsburgh to end the season.

UM’s chances of making the tournament are slim. The Athletic’s playoff model currently gives the Hurricanes a 15 percent chance to make it, and ESPN’s FPI model gives Miami slightly more than a 14 percent chance.

Here is the complete CFP top 25:

1. Ohio State

2. Indiana

3. Texas A&M

4. Alabama

5. Georgia

6. Ole Miss

7. BYU

8. Texas Tech

9. Oregon

10. Notre Dame

11. Texas

12. Oklahoma

13. Utah

14. Virginia

15. Louisville

16. Vanderbilt

17. Georgia Tech

18. Miami

19. USC

20. Iowa

21. Michigan

22. Missouri

23. Washington

24. Pittsburgh

25. Tennessee

By JOHN HANNA

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House’s top Republican on Tuesday dropped efforts to force a redraw of U.S. House districts that would have thrust the state into a widening national battle for partisan advantage in the 2026 elections.

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The announcement by House Speaker Dan Hawkins ended a weekslong push by GOP lawmakers to circumvent Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and call themselves into a special session on redistricting, which would have convened Friday.

A session would have targeted four-term U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the only Democrat in the state’s four-person House delegation.

Republicans still could draw a map designed to oust her after the GOP-supermajority Legislature convenes its next regular annual session in January. Indeed, state Senate President Ty Masterson promised immediately after Hawkins’ announcement that redistricting would be “a top priority” early next year.

Kansas Republicans were trying to answer President Donald Trump’s call for states to redraw their maps to give the GOP more winnable seats ahead of the 2026 midterms so the party stands a better chance of keeping its slim House majority.

The Kansas constitution allowed Republicans to bypass Kelly’s refusal to call a special session by having two-thirds of the members of both chambers sign a petition. The GOP has the necessary supermajorities in both chambers, and enough GOP senators were on board, but a few House Republicans would not sign.

Some GOP critics opposed a mid-decade redistricting, while others feared that changes could make the three other Republican-held districts more competitive for Democrats.

“Planning a Special Session is always going to be an uphill battle with multiple agendas, scheduling conflicts and many unseen factors at play,” Hawkins said in a statement.

Davids conceded that the fight over a new Kansas map isn’t over.

“We’ve won the first round in this fight against gerrymandering,” she said in a statement.

Kansas lawmakers haven’t done a mid-decade congressional redistricting since 1965, following federal court rulings requiring congressional and legislative districts to be as nearly equal in population as possible as a matter of fairness to all voters.

Most of Davids’ district is in the Kansas City area, dominated by Johnson County, the state’s most populous county. It is highly likely that Republicans would have to split Johnson County between at least two districts to hurt Davids enough for her to lose in 2026 — and that could alienate voters there.

Laurel Burchfield, advocacy director for the Mainstream Coalition, which opposes a mid-decade redistricting, said Kansas residents want GOP lawmakers to focus on economic issues and lowering costs for families.

“Changing the maps mid-decade to rig the system in their favor is wrong,” Burchfield said in a statement texted to The Associated Press.

GOP lawmakers in Texas,Missouri and North Carolina have heeded the president’s call for new maps, creating seven additional Republican seats among them. California countered with an initiative on Tuesday’s ballot to pick up five Democratic seats there.

In Maryland, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore announced Tuesday that he has formed a commission to consider mid-cycle redistricting despite the state Senate president saying last week that his chamber would not move forward with redistricting. Democrats hold seven of eight House seats there.

In Kansas, it would have been only the second time in the state’s 164-year history that lawmakers bypassed the governor for a special session. The only previous time was in 2021, when Republicans sought to challenge federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates. GOP leaders circulated this year’s petition for weeks.

Hawkins’ statement was titled, “Countdown to January 12th,” the date lawmakers open their next annual session. Hawkins said in his statement that most Republicans “wish to have a conversation about redistricting.”

GOP lawmakers would still have time to get a new map into law. The state’s candidate filing deadline isn’t until June 1, and the primary election is Aug. 4.

Davids has said she expects to challenge a new congressional map in court. She also is considering a run for the U.S. Senate next year against incumbent Republican Roger Marshall if her district is redrawn.

“Every option is on the table, including a statewide race,” Davids said during a recent Zoom news conference.

Associated Press journalist Brian Witte contributed reporting from Annapolis, Maryland.

By JOSH BOAK, LINLEY SANDERS and AMELIA THOMSON-DEVEAUX, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Economic worries were the dominant concern as voters cast ballots for Tuesday’s elections, according to preliminary findings from the AP Voter Poll.

The results of the expansive survey of more than 17,000 voters in New Jersey, Virginia, California and New York City suggested the public was troubled by an economy that seems trapped by higher prices and fewer job opportunities.

And a year after President Donald Trump was brought back to the White House on the promise that he could tame inflation and unleash growth, economic worries were still at the top of voters’ minds. Despite a rising stock market, inflation remains elevated, and hiring has slowed sharply. Since October, a federal government shutdown has only compounded the sense of uncertainty.

While Trump has tried to highlight his efforts to deport immigrants in the country illegally and send federal officers and National Guard troops into cities to fight crime, few voters saw these issues as the top concern for the places they live.

These broader economic anxieties were accompanied by high discontent in some of the off-year elections. More than half of voters in New Jersey and Virginia said they were “angry” or “dissatisfied” with how things were going in the country.

The economic challenges have played out in different ways at the local level. Most New Jersey voters said property taxes were a “major problem,” while most New York City voters said this about the cost of housing. Most Virginia voters said they’ve felt at least some impact from the recent federal government cuts.

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Most voters said they aren’t getting ahead financially

Voters mostly said their own finances were stable, but the poll results suggested that many feel they cannot get ahead in the current economy. That leaves them feeling stuck in place, instead of moving up the financial ladder.

About 6 in 10 voters in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City said their family’s finances were “holding steady,” but relatively few felt they were “getting ahead,” and about one-quarter said they were “falling behind.”

About half of Virginia voters, who were deciding between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears for governor, said the economy was the most important issue facing their state. Just 2 in 10 pointed to health care, about 1 in 10 named education or immigration, and fewer than that said crime was the top issue facing the commonwealth.

Most New Jersey voters, who were choosing between Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill for governor, said either taxes or the economy were the top issue in their state. About one-third of voters named each of these issues, compared to about 2 in 10 who said this about health care. Less than 1 in 10 identified immigration or crime as top issues.

Just over half of New York City voters said the cost of living was the most important issue in the city — as the expense of rent and level of income inequality has climbed in America’s most populated city. Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani is running against Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. About one-quarter said crime was their major concern. Another 1 in 10 said this of immigration, and less than 1 in 10 pointed to health care or transportation as the top issue.

Dissatisfaction with direction of the country

The polling found a high level of discontent about America’s direction as a country in several states, a sign that few voters have felt reassured so far by Trump’s return to the White House.

Democratic-led California asked its residents to vote Tuesday on a plan to redraw the lines of its congressional districts, after Trump has pushed Republican states such as Texas to amend their district boundaries in hopes of helping GOP candidates in next year’s midterm elections.

About half of California voters described themselves as “angry” about the direction of the country, with another 2 in 10 saying they were “dissatisfied.”

About 6 in 10 voters in Virginia and New Jersey said they are “angry” or “dissatisfied” with the way things are going in the country today. Just one-third said they are “enthusiastic” or “satisfied.”

Federal cuts hit Virginia voters, while New Jersey voters worry about taxes

People are stressed about affordability, but that’s manifesting itself in different ways.

In Virginia, federal government layoffs and funding cuts initiated by the Trump administration seemed to be taking a toll. Roughly 6 in 10 voters said federal government cuts this year affected their family’s finances “a lot” or “a little.” Those economic woes could compound if the ongoing government shutdown persists and federal employees and contractors are forced to go without paychecks.

In New Jersey, property taxes and electricity costs were raising alarms. About 7 in 10 New Jersey voters called property tax rates where they live a “major problem” and about 6 in 10 said that about their utility bills. Sherrill, the Democrat, seized on cost-of-living issues to attack Trump, whereas Ciattarelli has suggested that tax cuts would help to provide relief on inflation.

In New York City, about 7 in 10 voters said the cost of housing where they live was “a major problem,” with renters being especially likely to point to this as an issue. Fewer voters called crime “a major problem” in the city.

The 2025 AP Voter Poll, conducted by SSRS from Oct. 22 – Nov. 4, includes representative samples of registered voters in California (4,490), New Jersey (4,244), New York City (4,304) and Virginia (4,215). The AP Voter Poll combines data collected from validated registered voters online and by telephone, with data collected in-person from election day voters at approximately 30 precincts per state or city, excluding California. Respondents can complete the poll in English or Spanish. The overall margin of sampling error for voters, accounting for design effect, is plus or minus 2.0 percentage points in California, 2.1 percentage points in New Jersey, 2.2 percentage points in New York City, and 2.1 percentage points in Virginia.

Two-time space traveler and billionaire Jared Isaacman had been on the cusp of becoming NASA’s next administrator last May when President Donald Trump yanked his nomination.

Trump has changed his mind.

“Jared’s passion for Space, astronaut experience, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of exploration, unlocking the mysteries of the universe, and advancing the new Space economy, make him ideally suited to lead NASA into a bold new Era,” Trump wrote Tuesday on a post on Truth Social announcing he was putting Isaacman back in a position to lead the agency.

Isaacman had sat through the Senate confirmation hearings in the spring and signs pointed to a bipartisan approval of his nomination to become the 15th administrator taking over the role vacated by Bill Nelson who left the position at the end of the Biden administration.

But Trump had a falling out with Elon Musk, with whom Isaacman has had a close business relationship having flown with SpaceX twice on private orbital missions.

At the time Trump cited Isaacman’s past donations to Democratic politicians as the reason why, but that he has since had his teams put Isaacman through a “thorough review of prior associations.”

After Biden left office, Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro took on the role of acting administrator, then handing that off to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Isaacman made his fortune with Shift4, a credit card processing company, and also founded Lakeland-based Draken International, which trains fighter pilots. He funded two missions to space flying on SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft leading the Inspiration4 flight in 2021 and last year’s Polaris Dawn flight.

Isaacman took to X to thank the president for the opportunity.

Thank you, Mr. President @POTUS, for this opportunity. It will be an honor to serve my country under your leadership. I am also very grateful to @SecDuffy, who skillfully oversees @NASA alongside his many other responsibilities.

The support from the space-loving community has… pic.twitter.com/CUpyTXfB14

— Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) November 4, 2025

“It will be an honor to serve my country under your leadership. I am also very grateful to @SecDuffy, who skillfully oversees @NASA alongside his many other responsibilities,” he wrote. “The support from the space-loving community has been overwhelming. I am not sure how I earned the trust of so many, but I will do everything I can to live up to those expectations.

“To the innovators building the orbital economy, to the scientists pursuing breakthrough discoveries and to dreamers across the world eager for a return to the Moon and the grand journey beyond–these are the most exciting times since the dawn of the space age — and I truly believe the future we have all been waiting for will soon become reality.

“And to the best and brightest at NASA, and to all the commercial and international partners, we have an extraordinary responsibility — but the clock is running. The journey is never easy, but it is time to inspire the world once again to achieve the near-impossible — to undertake and accomplish big, bold endeavors in space…and when we do, we will make life better here at home and challenge the next generation to go even further. NASA will never be a caretaker of history — but will forever make history.

“Godspeed, President Donald J. Trump, and Godspeed NASA, as America leads the greatest adventure in human history,” he wrote.

General Daily Insight for November 05, 2025

Small choices can set off major ripples. As the emotional Moon faces the willful Sun for the Full Moon at 8:19 AM EST, we must balance comfort with brave change. Through morning tasks, we may compare realistic needs with lofty promises. Look for common ground amidst contrasting desires! Later, conversations feel clearer while feelings settle, so we can close loops with someone or decide how we will use fresh resources and space. Progress doesn’t have to come quickly — it just needs steady effort.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Your confidence now needs a useful outlet. The instinctive Moon empowers your 2nd House of Self-Worth, facing the incandescent Sun across your 8th House of Shared Resources. Money talk may come up around split checks. Go ahead and state numbers clearly while listening for a fair compromise that should last. If a potential partner hesitates, you can propose a trial plan that respects privacy, goals, and future timing well. Aim for clarity to nourish trust in the present and the future.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

You can be seen and heard with clarity at this time. Being yourself feels easier, and you may name needs without fuss while the Full Moon highlights self-definition and first impressions. Even as this lunation energizes your 7th House of Partnerships, a teammate could require input. Practice balance between solo choices and shared plans. An introduction at work should land well when you greet others kindly and stand tall, since steady eye contact builds trust. Say what you mean and mean what you say!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Quiet moments help your mind catch up. Your 12th House of Solitude stirs as Luna heightens your emotions, so quiet writing should help you sift facts from worries. The Sun is showering you with productive energy, but you can’t do everything! Draw a line in the sand to keep your calendar from overfilling. If a teammate is nonstop nagging, try moving to a different area or muting your notifications. You can return once everyone involved is a bit calmer. Leave space for contemplation.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Friends show you a mirror with kindness. Teamwork involves interpersonal expectations, even more than normal during the completionist Full Moon. What projects have you been working on lately, and how have your friends contributed? Maybe they directly assisted, or perhaps they showed up with pizza for a milestone celebration. Simple emotional support is also amazingly valuable. Give your friends the same consideration they’re giving you! You might plan a community event and still make time for a cozy dinner with loved ones.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

People are more likely to notice your work than usual. The temperamental Moon climbs across your 10th House of Authority for a sparkling Full Moon, hyping you up to a larger audience. That said, this visibility might invoke more feedback (positive, negative, or anywhere in between) than you expected. Summon your courage to respond graciously, not defensively. If home responsibilities tug, you can communicate limits early and protect your peace without dimming your generous spirit. Every struggle is another step forward on your life path.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

A bigger horizon calls for practical steps. This Full Moon electrifies your 9th House of Adventure, stirring up your curiosity around fresh topics. With the willful Sun activating your 3rd House of Talk, someone nearby could be seeking your attention. Make an effort to engage with them genuinely. You might book a class after comparing prices and asking at least one practical question, which should satisfy your organized side and keep up your momentum. Let today’s conversations form the groundwork for tomorrow’s success.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Deep feelings ask for steady, simple choices at present. Vulnerability is always brave, but it especially stands out with a Full Moon crossing your 8th House of Intimacy with your 2nd House of Checks and Balances. You’re being invited to reveal your truth and ask for transparency in return. Budgets require trust from everyone involved. You might discuss a shared account arrangement with family or a professional partner — either way, try to stay diplomatic throughout. Ask openly to achieve the balanced outcome you deserve.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Partnership-adjacent conversations feel charged, yet promising. You can thank — or blame! — the instinctive Full Moon for this, as it lights up both your connected 7th house and your expressive 1st house. Instead of being wounded by pointed words, let them point directly to the heart of the current topic. A loved one may ask where things stand. To answer them properly, you’ll have to pay attention to the ongoing subtext. If tempers rise, pause for a break before returning to the drawing board.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Your schedule needs space for real reflection. Workflows want simplification because the intuitive Moon energizes your 6th House of Habits, encouraging healthier pacing and tidy systems that don’t inhibit your curiosity. Since the Full Moon adds your 12th House of Rest to the mix, you may crave quiet breaks. Try to release a task that can wait. You might reschedule a meeting, then step outside for a thoughtful walk, which turns scattered thoughts into one clear next step. Taking a break isn’t frivolous; it’s necessary.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Play can bring messages regarding your recent goals. Your 5th House of Jubilation comes alive under the blissful Full Moon, making fun feel useful to your disciplined momentum. The elated Sun is calling from your 11th House of Community, tugging you toward a group request that’s risky, but could be immensely rewarding. You might skip one call and finish a creative draft, then return to the team with renewed focus and patience. Giving personal joy room to blossom will strengthen the entirety of your work.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Home feels louder than the outside world. The internal and external duties of life could tug you in and out of the door underneath today’s Full Moon. Pay attention to where you spend most of your time to ensure the balance works for you. An unexpected home need might collide with a meeting — thankfully, you’re capable of creating a workaround. It probably won’t be perfect, but it doesn’t have to be! Ease societal and domestic pressures by taking charge with clear kindness.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

A chat can open doors in your mind. Your 3rd House of Multi-Tasking buzzes as the fired-up Full Moon pushes words out, so a message may land more honestly than usual. This lunation also shines over your educated 9th house, showing you how to connect the dots in a compassionate way. You might write a brave email or ask a teacher one sincere query, then listen quietly and let your intuitive side absorb what helps. Don’t be afraid to ask basic questions.

By PETER SMITH

The top leader of the Anglican Church in North America — a conservative denomination that broke away from the more liberal Episcopal Church about 15 years ago — has taken a leave of absence after facing allegations of sexual and other misconduct, which he denies.

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Archbishop Stephen Wood announced the leave Monday while he awaits the outcome of a church disciplinary process triggered by a formal complaint, called a presentment, of alleged misconduct against him.

The presentment has not yet been made public, but an investigative report by The Washington Post said it alleged Wood tried to kiss a former children’s ministry director at his parish in 2024, shortly before he was elected archbishop. The presentment alleged Wood made other comments and acted in ways that made her uncomfortable since 2021, and made thousands of dollars in payments to her from church funds, the Post said. The presentment also includes allegations that he bullied staffers and plagiarized sermons, the Post reported.

Wood, 62, a married father of four, has denied the allegations.

“I believe the charges against me lack merit, and I categorically and emphatically deny the particular accusation of attempted physical contact made against me by a former St. Andrew’s employee,” Wood said in a statement announcing his leave, during which he will still be paid.

Wood also took leave as bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas and retired as rector of his parish, St. Andrew’s in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina — roles he had been serving in addition to being archbishop.

The accusations against Wood center on alleged actions while he was bishop but before he also became archbishop, according to the ACNA.

Under the denomination’s rules, when someone submits a presentment, a board of inquiry is appointed to determine whether to send the matter to an ecclesiastical trial. No decision on that has been announced yet. The process typically takes from a few weeks to about three months, the denomination says.

The case is the most high-profile yet for the small denomination, which has had ongoing leadership turmoil in recent years.

Another bishop, Stewart Ruch III of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest, has just undergone a church trial on charges that include alleged abuse of ecclesiastical power, according to the ACNA website. A verdict is pending in the case, which stemmed from scrutiny over how the diocese handled the case of a lay teacher convicted of child sexual abuse. The trial itself saw delays and controversies over procedures and the resignations of two church prosecutors.

A bishop heading the denomination’s military chaplains recently broke with the church after it pursued disciplinary proceedings against him over complaints of alleged “abuse of ecclesiastical power,” the ACNA said.

Last year, a former bishop overseeing a Canadian missionary district was removed from ministry for alleged abuse of power and inappropriate relationships and interactions, the ACNA announced.

In 2020, a bishop of Pittsburgh resigned after his diocese’s governing committee faulted his handling of a case in which a clergy member was accused of sexual misconduct. The ACNA also reported in 2020 it had removed yet another bishop from ministry after it said he admitted to long-term use of pornography.

Wood was installed last year as the third archbishop to lead the ACNA. The denomination was formed in 2009 by conservatives who split from the Episcopal Church in the U.S. and the Anglican Church of Canada. The long-building schism came in the wake of the Episcopal Church’s election of an openly gay bishop in 2003 and others since then. It is part of a wider, ongoing controversy in the global Anglican Communion, which is rooted in the Church of England.

The ACNA reports that it has about 130,000 members in about 1,000 congregations.

Wood recused himself from appointing the board in his own case, delegating it to the dean of the denomination, Bishop Ray Sutton, according to an ACNA statement. Sutton has also been named to assume Wood’s duties as archbishop during his leave.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

By BRUCE SCHREINER, HALLIE GOLDEN and DYLAN LOVAN, Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded in a massive fireball Tuesday while taking off from the company’s global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky, killing at least seven people and injuring 11, authorities said.

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The plane crashed about 5:15 p.m. as it was departing for Honolulu from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

Video showed flames on the plane’s left wing and a trail of smoke. The plane then lifted slightly off the ground before crashing and exploding in a huge fireball. Video also revealed portions of a building’s shredded roof next to the end of the runway.

The death toll had risen to at least seven Tuesday night, and four of those killed were not on the plane, officials said.

Among the 11 who were hurt, some had “very significant” injuries, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.

“Anybody who has seen the images, the video, knows how violent this crash is,” he said.

Beshear said he didn’t know the status of the three crew members aboard the plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 made in 1991.

UPS’s largest package handling facility is in Louisville. The hub employs thousands of workers, has 300 daily flights and sorts more than 400,000 packages an hour.

“We all know somebody who works at UPS,” Louisville Metro Council member Betsy Ruhe said. “And they’re all texting their friends, their family, trying to make sure everyone is safe. Sadly, some of those texts are probably going to go unanswered. My heart goes out to those families and those friends.”

UPS acknowledged the crash in a brief statement and said the National Transportation Safety Board would handle the investigation.

The airport, meanwhile, was shut down and wasn’t expected to resume operations until Wednesday morning.

“We don’t know how long it’s going to take to render that scene safe,” said Louisville Police Chief Paul Humphrey.

The governor said a business, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, appeared to be “hit pretty directly,” and a nearby auto parts operation was also affected.

• This photo provided by Brad Harvey shows thick, black smoke rising after reports of a plane crash near Louisville International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (Brad Harvey via AP)
• LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – NOVEMBER 04: Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 04, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. The fully fueled plane crashed shortly after takeoff with a shelter-in-place order issued for within 5 miles of the airport. (Photo by Stephen Cohen/Getty Images)
• LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – NOVEMBER 04: Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 04, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. The fully fueled plane crashed shortly after takeoff with a shelter-in-place order issued for within 5 miles of the airport. (Photo by Stephen Cohen/Getty Images)
• Smoke rises from the site of a UPS cargo plane crash near the UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 4, 2025. A UPS cargo plane crashed on the evening of November 11 near the Louisville International Airport shortly after takeoff, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said, as local media in the Kentucky city aired video of a large plume of smoke rising above the facility. “UPS Flight 2976 crashed around 5:15 p.m. local time,” the FAA said, identifying the aircraft as a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 headed to Hawaii. (Photo by LEANDRO LOZADA / AFP) / ALTERNATE CROP (Photo by LEANDRO LOZADA/AFP via Getty Images)
• Members of law enforcement wear respirators near the area of the reported plane crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
• Plumes of smoke rise from the area of a plane crash at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

Show Caption1 of 6This photo provided by Brad Harvey shows thick, black smoke rising after reports of a plane crash near Louisville International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (Brad Harvey via AP) Expand

A video taken by Leirim Rodríguez shows several massive balls of flames exploding into the sky in a row, followed by large billowing clouds of black smoke. Rodriguez told the AP she and her husband just happened to be in the area at the time of the explosion.

Tom Brooks Jr., who runs a metal recycling business down the street, said the unbelievable magnitude of the crash “just rocked the whole place.”

“This was massive. I mean, it literally looked like a war zone,” he said.

Destyn Mitchell said she was working as a host at an Outback restaurant, about a 15-minute drive from the crash, when she heard a loud boom. About 20 people were in the restaurant.

“The mood in the restaurant was very shaken up,” Mitchell said. “Everyone is really concerned. People who just sat down to eat got up and left in under 30 minutes and packed up their food because they wanted to hurry up and get home.”

Pablo Rojas, an aviation attorney, said that based on the videos it looked like the aircraft was struggling to gain altitude as a fire blazed on its left side around one of its engines. Given the large amount of fuel it was carrying, once the fire started in that area, it would’ve been only a matter of time before there was an explosion or the fire grew rapidly.

“Really the plane itself is almost acting like a bomb because of the amount of fuel,” he said.

The Louisville airport is only a 10-minute drive from the city’s downtown, which sits on the Ohio River bordering the Indiana state line. There are residential areas, a water park and museums in the area.

Golden reported from Seattle. AP reporters Ed White in Detroit, John Raby in Cross Lanes, West Virginia, and Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, contributed to this report.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Two years ago, a friend and I met for lunch and to celebrate our birthdays.

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She presented me with a card that featured a stylized drawing of a breed of dog that we both are fond of. As she gave me the card, she noted that she had to really debate whether she wanted to give it to me, as she liked it so much.

I allowed that it was a nice card, but if she really wanted it, she could keep it. She refused the offer, so I kept the card safe, thinking that I would frame it for her and she could have it back.

When we met for our next birthday lunch, I reminded her of the card and how she had been reticent to give it to me. I said that I had kept it safe, then presented her with the picture. Initially, she was pleased, but by the end of the meal she was complaining that she had no place to put it on a table at her home. I pointed out that she could hang it up, and she grumbled there was no free wall space, but she did take the picture with her.

Fast-forward to this year, when I received a package from her and inside was that same framed picture as a birthday present. I found it irksome. If she had not wanted it, she could have just given it to a charity.

GENTLE READER: Unfortunate as this is for your friendship, it is fascinating to Miss Manners as an illustration of etiquette’s subtext.

On the surface, your behavior was reasonable and considerate. Your friend admitted to wanting the card, so you tried to give it back to her. Twice.

But presents (unless they are merely plucked from the recipient’s wish list) are loaded with symbolic meaning: “I know you, I understand you, and I want to please you.”

To return a present to its donor is therefore to respond with, “Well, you failed.” (Therefore, discretion is required in disposing of what is unwanted — which is fine to do, as long as the giver doesn’t know.)

You should undo that unintended message by telling her how much you value the card and didn’t really want to let it go, except that you value the friendship more. And send her a different birthday present reflecting another interest of hers.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the etiquette for who cooks the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner?

We have family members who requested that our daughter cook and bring the turkey — after she makes a 12-hour drive with two toddlers and her husband.

GENTLE READER: Whoops, etiquette does not have a rule designating the turkey cook.

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Should it be the person who is closest to the oven? The one who does it best? The one who didn’t do it last year? The one who actually volunteers?

Miss Manners can think of exceptions that should be made to any of these. So it is fortunate that the matter can be settled by manners principles, of which there are a good supply.

For example, consideration of others. A smidgeon of that might suggest that an all-day drive in a crowded car with toddlers isn’t good for a turkey, let alone the passengers.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Today is Tuesday, Nov. 4, the 308th day of 2025. There are 57 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Nov. 4, 2008, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois was elected the first Black president of the United States, defeating the Republican candidate, Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

Also on this date:

In 1922, the entrance to King Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered in Egypt.

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In 1979, the Iran hostage crisis began as militant students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seizing its occupants; 52 of the hostages were held for 444 days and were released on Jan. 20, 1981.

In 1980, Republican Ronald Reagan won election to the White House for the first time as he trounced Democratic President Jimmy Carter.

In 1991, Ronald Reagan opened his presidential library in Simi Valley, California; attending were President George H.W. Bush and former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald R. Ford and Richard Nixon — the first-ever gathering of five past and present U.S. chief executives.

In 1995, Yitzhak Rabin, prime minister of Israel, was assassinated by a right-wing Israeli minutes after attending a peace rally.

In 2007, King Tutankhamen’s face was unveiled for the first time to the public more than 3,000 years after the pharaoh was buried in his Egyptian tomb.

In 2016, the Paris climate accord, reached the previous year, took effect; the first global pact to fight climate change called on the world to collectively cut and then eliminate greenhouse gas pollution but imposed no sanctions on countries that didn’t.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Blues musician Delbert McClinton is 86.
• Former first lady Laura Bush is 79.
• Author Charles Frazier is 75.
• Actor Ralph Macchio is 64.
• “Survivor” host Jeff Probst is 64.
• Actor Matthew McConaughey is 56.
• TV personality and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel is 55.
• Jazz musician Gregory Porter is 54.
• Football Hall of Famer Orlando Pace is 50.
• Football Hall of Hamer Devin Hester is 43.

By STEVE PEOPLES and WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tuesday marks the nation’s first major Election Day since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, and his leadership and policies dominated the debate in almost every race — even though the Republican was absent from the campaign trail.

The biggest contests are in Virginia and New Jersey, the only states electing governors this year. Trump lost both last fall, but voters in each have a history of electing Republicans for statewide office. The GOP candidates have closely aligned themselves with the president, betting that his big win last year can still provide a path to victory this time, even if the party occupying the White House typically suffers in off-year elections.

Strong Democratic showings, meanwhile, could provide the party a pathway back to national relevance — even if its top candidates have taken very different approaches, from adhering to a moderate line to wholeheartedly embracing government spending to improve voters’ lives.

In New York City, a self-described democratic socialist who already has been a target of Trump’s criticism could emerge as a national star if elected mayor. And California voters will decide whether to redraw the state’s House map, as Democrats look to counter a push by Trump to reshape the balance of congressional power.

Here’s what to watch:

A referendum on Trump

The president did not set foot in either Virginia or New Jersey to campaign with Republican gubernatorial candidates Winsome Earle-Sears or Jack Ciattarelli, but both contests will likely be viewed as a referendum on Trump’s job so far.

Over the last year, his tariffs rocked the global economy, his “big, beautiful” budget bill threatened rural hospitals and health insurance coverage for millions, he enacted massive cuts to the federal workforce and he sent the National Guard to multiple American cities.

This combination photo shows candidates for governor of New Jersey Republican Jack Ciattarelli, left, and Democrat Mikie Sherrill during the final debate in governors race, Oct. 8, 2025, in New Brunswick, N.J. (AP Photos/Heather Khalifa)

The president endorsed Ciattarelli in New Jersey’s governor’s race, but held only a pair of tele-town halls on his behalf, including one Monday night. Trump also did an Election Night eve tele-town hall for Virginia Republican candidates, but he did not mention Earle-Sears, speaking mostly in favor of the GOP candidate for attorney general. Earlier in the campaign, Trump gave Earle-Sears only a half-hearted endorsement, saying he supported the GOP candidate for governor though he did not use her name. Earle-Sears was nonetheless a fierce defender of Trump and his policies, just as Ciattarelli was in New Jersey.

Despite Trump’s distance, a good night for Republicans would almost certainly be viewed as a political victory for Trump and his “Make America Great Again” policies. A bad night for the GOP would give Democrats a strong — though perhaps fleeting — start heading into midterms that are still a year away.

A new Democratic playbook?

Tuesday offers a test of two very different Democratic philosophies on display from candidates: toeing a moderate line or fully embracing far-left progressivism. But it also presents a scenario where both, or neither, could be successful — making drawing conclusions going forward more difficult.

The party’s candidates for governor, New Jersey Rep. Mikie Sherrill and former Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, have focused largely on the economy, public safety and health care, distancing themselves from some of the Democratic Party’s far-left policies.

A growing collection of Democratic leaders believe the moderate approach holds the key to the party’s revival after the GOP won the White House and both congressional chambers last year. Tuesday could be a key indicator of whether they’re right.

Both Sherrill and Spanberger have downplayed their support for progressive priorities, including LGBTQ rights and resistance against Trump’s attack on American institutions. Spanberger rarely even mentions Trump’s name on the campaign trail.

Both also have resumes that might appeal to the middle.

Sherrill spent a decade as an active-duty helicopter pilot for the Navy before entering Congress, while Spanberger is a former CIA case officer who spent years abroad working undercover. They have played up their public safety backgrounds as a direct response to the GOP’s attack that Democrats are soft on crime.

Above all, the Democrats have focused on rising costs such as groceries, energy and health care, which Trump has struggled to control.

A new star for Democrats (and Republicans) in New York City

That approach is far different from New York City’s mayoral race, where progressives are energized by Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Muslim state legislator who identifies as a democratic socialist and backs radical changes to address economic inequality.

FILE – New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during a rally, Oct. 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa, File)

His bold agenda and inspirational approach have attracted thousands of volunteers in New York and brought the likes of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to campaign on his behalf. It has also spooked some business leaders and voices in the Jewish community, who otherwise support Democrats but oppose some of Mamdani’s past statements about personal wealth accumulation and Israel.

Mamdani has been locked in a caustic race against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani. Republican Curtis Sliwa is looking for a huge upset.

And while many progressives are thrilled, some Republicans in Washington are also quietly rooting for a Mamdani victory. Republican campaign committees have already launched attack ads against more than a dozen vulnerable House Democrats in New York and New Jersey linking them to Mamdani and his far-left politics.

New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks to a crowd of reporters and pedestrians while campaigning in New York, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Trump endorsed Cuomo, posting online Monday evening: “Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!”

That’s after Trump derided Mamdani nearly every day. GOP operatives are also giddy about the opportunity to use him to attack many more Democrats closer to next year’s midterm elections — just as they have done with progressive Democrats such as House “squad” members like Ocasio-Cortez and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar.

The shutdown effect

Election Day comes in the midst of a federal government shutdown that has already spanned more than a month. Both parties in Congress blame each other, and there is no end in sight.

Will it matter?

Virginia is home to more than 134,000 federal workers, many of whom have been furloughed or are being forced to work without pay. New Jersey has nearly 21,000 federal employees, according to the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, out of a total of more than 2 million such government employees nationwide.

Either number is more than enough to swing a close election.

At the same time, millions of people may be losing critical food assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, offering voters another urgent reason to express their displeasure.

Polling shows that Republicans, who control Congress and the White House, are getting slightly more blame than Democrats — though there is plenty of frustration aimed at both sides.

Trump has taken the extraordinary step of calling on the Senate to scrap filibuster rules requiring a 60-vote minimum on major legislation to try and force the government to reopen — even though his party’s leadership considers that a nonstarter.

A test for the Trump realignment

While Trump lost Virginia and New Jersey last fall, there were significant shifts to the right in both states. In New Jersey, Trump’s 16-point loss in 2020 shrunk to less than 6 points in 2024.

Those shifts were fueled by Trump’s increasing popularity among traditional Democratic loyalists: labor union members, Black men, Hispanic voters and younger people. Democrats are particularly vulnerable in New Jersey, which has among the largest percentage of labor union households in the nation.

If those pro-Trump trends continue this week, Democrats could be in trouble.

But Trump is not on the ballot, of course. And the Trump coalition — especially lower-propensity voters — has not typically shown up in the same numbers in non-presidential years.

Democrats are cautiously optimistic given that Trump did not campaign aggressively in either state, a move driven both by the president’s weak standing and his allies’ concerns about the Republican candidates’ viability — especially in Virginia.

At the same time, the biggest star in Democratic politics, former President Barack Obama, rallied voters in New Jersey and Virginia over the weekend.

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Pennsylvania and California and the future of elections

Pennsylvania voters will decide whether three state Supreme Court justices supported by Democrats will serve another term.

The outcome may shape the seven-member high court in the nation’s most populous swing state, and may have implications for key cases involving redistricting and balloting for midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race.

The incumbents aren’t listed by party affiliation. The ballot merely asks voters to cast a yes-or-no vote. But spending on the race is likely to exceed $15 million, indicating how important it is to Democrats and Republicans in Pennsylvania and beyond.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom, frequently mentioned as a 2028 presidential hopeful, is leading a charge to redraw congressional maps to give Democrats as many as five more House seats in upcoming elections.

The push is the centerpiece of a Democratic effort to counter new Republican maps in Texas and elsewhere that were drawn to boost the GOP’s chances in next year’s fight to control Congress. In order for the new maps to count in 2026, however, voters will first have to approve a yes-or-no ballot question known as Proposition 50.

By ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE and JILL COLVIN, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s voters are deciding the outcome of a generational and ideological divide that will resonate across the country Tuesday as they choose the next mayor to run the nation’s largest city.

Zohran Mamdani, who won the Democratic primary earlier this year, faces former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and perennial Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, who is trying to land a massive upset.

A victory for Mamdani would give the city its first Muslim mayor and its youngest leader in generations, while elevating the democratic socialist to political stardom and giving his brand of economic populism one of the most visible political perches in America.

If Cuomo comes out on top, he will have staged a remarkable political comeback four years after resigning as governor over a barrage of sexual harassment allegations.

For Sliwa — the creator of the Guardian Angels crime patrol group and a longtime New York tabloid fixture — a win would put a Republican in charge of the nation’s largest city at a time when many New Yorkers are seeking a leader who can keep President Donald Trump at bay.

The race has made Mamdani a national figure as he has drawn the ire of Trump and other Republicans, who have tried to cast him as the face of a new, more radical Democratic Party. Trump has also threatened to take over the city if Mamdani wins, as well as arrest and deport the state assemblymember, who was born in Uganda but is a U.S. citizen.

Trump reluctantly endorsed Cuomo on the eve of the election, saying Mamdani would bring “disaster” to the city and encouraging Sliwa backers to vote for the former governor instead.

A rematch with key differences

Mamdani, a 34-year-old state lawmaker, already defeated Cuomo once in the Democratic primary, energizing progressives to score a surprise victory over the once-powerful former governor with a campaign that focused on lowering the cost of living in one of the country’s most expensive cities.

This time, Cuomo is counting on support from moderates and Republicans to win. And he’s hoping incumbent Mayor Eric Adams’ late exit from the race and eventual endorsement will give him a boost among their overlapping bases of centrists, Black voters and ultra-Orthodox Jews. He’s also received the endorsement of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire who donated $1.5 million to a super PAC supporting Cuomo in the final days of the contest.

Mamdani has generated national buzz and won endorsements from big-name progressives, including U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He has promised to raise taxes on the richest New Yorkers and use the money to make city buses free and provide free, universal child care. He has also promised to freeze rent for people living in about 1 million rent-regulated apartments.

• New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani tries to talk to pedestrians while surrounded by reporters in New York, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
• New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo leaves a campaign stop in New York, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
• New York mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa rallies with supporters at one of his campaign offices, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Show Caption1 of 3New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani tries to talk to pedestrians while surrounded by reporters in New York, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Expand

At the same time, Mamdani’s past criticism of the city’s police department and the Israeli government’s military actions in Gaza — which he has called genocidal — have unnerved some centrists who see him as a potential setback in their effort to broaden the party’s national appeal. Some Jewish leaders have also seized on his refusal to support Israel as a Jewish state, calling him a danger to Jews.

While Mamdani has distanced himself from some of his past rhetoric, some top New York Democrats remain concerned and have either been slow to endorse him or outright refused to.

Tuesday’s general election is being conducted as a traditional one, meaning the candidate who gets the most votes wins. The city’s party primaries were determined using ranked-choice voting, which allowed voters to rank candidates in order of preference.

Sliwa’s path to victory is narrow in the overwhelmingly Democratic city, resting on his ability to secure the GOP vote with his tough-on-crime message and Noo Yawk attitude, while picking up moderates who don’t want to elevate Mamdani or return Cuomo to power.

Sliwa, 71, has ignored pressure from within his own party to suspend his campaign and create a one-on-one race between Cuomo and Mamdani. Trump himself dismissed Sliwa as “not exactly prime time.” In the race’s final weeks, Cuomo appealed to Sliwa’s supporters, arguing that a vote for the Republican was a vote for Mamdani.

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Cuomo runs on his record, but is dogged by his past

Trump and other Republicans have eagerly painted a dire picture of New York under Mamdani’s potential leadership.

Cuomo, 67, has carried a similar message. Running on an independent party line, he has positioned himself as a seasoned executive capable of managing the city’s vast bureaucracy, drawing a contrast with Mamdani’s relative inexperience.

Cuomo’s experience as governor is perhaps also his biggest vulnerability.

He resigned in 2021 following a report from the attorney general that concluded that Cuomo had sexually harassed at least 11 women. Some of the women complained about unwanted touches, flirting, kisses and suggestive comments. One aide filed a police report accusing him of groping her breast, though a district attorney declined to prosecute.

Cuomo initially apologized for some of his behavior, saying he had fallen out of step with what is considered appropriate workplace conduct. However, in recent months, he has been defiant — calling his accusers liars and blaming his downfall on political adversaries.

LOS ANGELES – Observations and other notes of interest from Monday night’s 120-119 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers:

– The fascination with the Heat offense is fine.

– Offense is fun.

– But if there isn’t a corresponding component, what does it all mean?

– A night after surrendering 77 first-half points in a loss to the Lakers, the Heat this time yielded 71 to the Clippers in the first half.

– As a matter of perspective, the Clippers scored 79 in a loss last week to the Warriors.

– With the Clippers’ 41 points in Monday night’s second quarter, a season high.

– To their credit, that also is when the Heat on Monday night said enough was enough.

– Getting back to their feisty selves in a lockdown second half.

– Which has to be the flip side of offensive free-for-all.

– Prior to the loss to the Lakers, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was asked about the Heat potentially losing their way defensively with so much focus on their offense.

– “You know who my boss is, right?” Spoelstra said of Heat President Pat Riley. “We better have that mentality to defend. You put on that Miami Heat jersey, you understand that’s the expectation. Our guys understand that as well.”

– Spoelstra added, “The new players, they were well aware of that kind of standard. It’s not easy. This league is a tough league. There’s so much skill now. It’s so much different than it was 10 years ago. The three-point line, the pace, and just the things that players can do with the ball now make it tough. You can come up with any scheme but really it’s more of a mentality. You just have to commit to doing very difficult things collectively night in, night out. We’re trying to build that habit.”

– For six quarters in Los Angeles, it was a defensive foundation that was lacking.

– And then something closer to Heat normalcy in Monday night’s third quarter.

– When needed.

– Match Monday night’s second-half defensive feistiness with this season’s overall offense and you have something very special possible.

– A night after nominal playing time for Kel’el Ware in his start against the Lakers, Ware this time was out of the starting lineup for the second time this season.

– Having also previously played off the bench in the season-opening loss in Orlando.

– Instead, with Norman Powell back after a three-game absence with a groin strain, Spoelstra opened with a lineup of Powell, Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Pelle Larsson and Bam Adebayo.

– Inactive for the Heat were Tyler Herro (ankle), Kasparas Jakucionis (groin), Vlad Goldin (G League), Myron Garnder (two-way) and Terry Rozier (not with team).

– Interestingly, before the game, and before the announcement of the lineup change, Spoelstra said, “We’re still learning about our team. But there are some good things that are trending.”

– Of Powell returning in the game against his former team, Spoelstra said, “He’s fit in very well to our way of viewing competition, our way of viewing work.”

– Asked pregame about Powell, Clippers coach Ty Lue said, “Norm’s a big part of what we did last year. Without his play, we wouldn’t have had the success we had last year.”

– The Clippers opened with a lineup of James Harden, Bradley Beal, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac and former Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr.

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

– With Ware entering for Adebayo.

– Simone Fontecchio was third off the Heat bench.

– With Dru Smith and Nikola Jovic following together for nine deep.

– That again left Keshad Johnson as the lone available player on a standard contract out of the Heat rotation mix.

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– The game was the 200th regular-season appearance of Fontecchio’s NBA career.

– Jaquez’s second basket was the 200th of his career.

– Adebayo extended his career-best streak of games with at least one 3-pointer to 19, dating to last season.

– The Clippers became the last of the league’s other 29 teams that Adebayo has converted a 3-pointer against.

– Asked pregame how Herro will fit on his return, which is roughly two weeks out, Spoelstra said, “That’s easy to figure out. He’s doing well. And his skill level, I mean, come on, he’s one of the most skilled guys in the league. It’s going to fit, it’s going to add. We miss him dearly.”

– Spoelstra added, “That offensive talent, playmaking, scoring, he can play fast, all of that, he fits well.”

LOS ANGELES – The failure to finish defined the first two games of this four-game Miami Heat western swing, first an inability Thursday night against the San Antonio Spurs, then something similar Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.

This time, Erik Spoelstra’s team stepped up to the challenge, even when challenged to the finish, holding off the Los Angeles Clippers 120-119 Monday night at the Intuit Dome, when Clippers guard Kawhi Leonard was off with a 26-foot 3-point pull-up jumper with 2.1 seconds to play.

“Man, just to scrap and get a win like that, those are the most gratifying wins,” said center Bam Adebayo, who led the Heat with 25 points and 10 rebounds.

With Norman Powell back in the mix, the Heat were able to withstand a miserable defensive first half by getting scrappy when needed, as they next head off to conclude the week–plus away from Miami with a Wednesday night game against the Denver Nuggets.

“There was a great karma for our team in the second half. Guys were really competing for each other,” Spoelstra said. “The bottom line is you just figure out how to get the win.”

In addition to Adebayo’s numbers, the Heat got 21 points from Powell against his former  team, 17 from Andrew Wiggins and 16 from Kel’el Ware in his shift to the bench.

For the Clippers, there were 29 points from James Harden and 27 from Leonard.

Five Degrees of Heat from Monday night’s game:

1. Closing time: The Heat led 32-30 after the first quarter, despite 15 points from Leonard. The Clippers then moved to a 71-66 lead at half, before the Heat responded for a 103-95 lead going into the fourth.

But just as the Heat rallied in the third, so did the Clippers at the start of the fourth, leaving it tied midway through the final period.

Later, with the score tied 113-113, Wiggins converted a 3-pointer with 2:23 to play for a 116-113 Heat lead, only to see Harden tie it 116-116 with a 3-pointer of his own.

That’s when Adebayo stepped up, first with a go-ahead jumper, then stopping Harden, with a pair of Adebayo free throws putting the Heat up 120-116 with 57.4 seconds to play.

“I’ve been watching somebody in the summer do that a lot. So I took some pointers,” Adebayo said in an homage to WNBA star and girlfriend A’ja Wilson.

Still, it wasn’t over, with Harden converting a 3-pointer to draw the Clippers within 120-119 with 19.5 seconds to play, after Adebayo was off with a jumper.

From there, Powell was trapped into a jumpball that the Clippers won with 16.5 seconds to play.

The Clippers then played for the win, with Leonard off with his jumper.

“It was a little bit uneven in the fourth quarter,” Spoelstra said.

2. Downsizing: With Powell back in the mix, the Heat not only remixed the starting lineup, but downsized, with 7-foot Ware the one replaced from the lineup that opened the three games Powell missed with his groin strain.

To a degree, it was a factor of matching up with a Clippers lineup that started lithe former Heat wing Derrick Jones Jr. at power forward.

“I know probably people are going to Kel’el and it’s a demotion. It’s not,” Spoelstra said. “I know there will be some teams where it probably makes more sense to play big. We have a team it makes more sense to use our versatility and sometimes changing the starting lineup.”

The Heat’s realignment had 6-7 Wiggins playing as the de facto Heat starting power forward, with Pelle Larsson starting for the fourth consecutive game.

While he didn’t necessarily fill the box score, Larsson’s energy was infectious during the Heat’s third-quarter comeback.

“Pelle really sparked everything in that third quarter just with his passion, his energy,” Spoelstra said.

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3. Then Ware: Ware entered for the first time with 4:56 to play in the opening period.

He quickly moved to 12 points in his first 11 minutes, draining both of his opening 3-point attempts, while also providing defensive deterrence at the rim.

The constant with Ware was an either/or approach with Ware and Adebayo.

Ware was the choice at the start of the fourth quarter, draining a 3-pointer for the Heat’s first points of the period. Adebayo then returned with 9:55 to play.

“Kel’el gave us great minutes, great minutes,” Spoelstra said. “It was really great to see him respond.”

4. Attack mode: Adebayo scored nine of the Heat’s first 14 points, including a 3-pointer that extended his career-high streak of games with at least one conversion to 19 games dating to last season.

He was up to 21 points through three periods, at seven rebounds at that stage, before his decisive closing kick.

“Bam continues just to be out leader,” Spoelstra said.

5. Solid, then out: Powell scored seven quick points in his return against the Lakers, but then was forced to the bench with his second foul with 4:56 left in the opening period.

As he did before his groin injury Powell worked his way to the foul line, closing at 7 of 7 on free throws.

The Heat went 1-2 in Powell’s absence, winning at home against the Charlotte Hornets and then losing at the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers.

“He was on somewhat of a minutes restriction,” Spoelstra said. “But yeah you can see how he changes the dynamic of our team, offensively.”

Powell acknowledged it was an emotional night.

“I just told myself to lean into it, not shy away,” he said, “continue to be present, no matter what was going  on. Whether I had a good start, a bad start whatever, stay the course, stay even keeled and work the game, and we were able to get the win.”

There was bound to be a learning curve when you’re dealing with a roster that featured 13 newcomers.

UCF found that out the hard way as the Knights seemed out of sorts at times throughout the night before finally putting away a pesky Hofstra team, 82-78, in the season opener on Monday night at Addition Financial Arena.

The Knights are 9-1 in season openers under coach Johnny Dawkins.

Hofstra found itself in foul trouble throughout much of the game and it caught up with the Pride as UCF went to the free-throw line 36 times, connecting on 22 shots before pulling away late.

Riley Kugel led the Knights with 19 points, while Jordan Burks had 17 and Themus Fulks had 16 — 13 in the second half.

UCF grabbed an early 5-2 lead to open the game, but Hofstra responded with a 14-1 run over a five-minute stretch that caused unease among the home crowd.

Kugel would step up considerably, sinking the first 3-pointer of the game to cut the lead to 16-10 halfway through the first half. He followed it up with a fast-break pass to Burks for a dunk, and then a few plays later, the senior guard was fouled while connecting on a 30-foot shot that tied the game at 18 and sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Burks’ layup with 7:15 gave the Knights their first lead since the 17:32 mark.

After being sporadic offensively throughout much of the first half, UCF found its footing, connecting on six of its next seven shots. Hofstra, on the other hand, missed on three of its next four shots.

The Knights built up a 9-point lead before the Pride cut it to 36-32 at the half.

Hofstra retook the lead at 53-51 with 12:59 left in the second half after Preston Edmead was fouled on a 3-point attempt.

Burks hit a 3-pointer to give UCF the lead back at 54-53.

The Pride had four players in double-figures, led by David Cruz’s 17 points.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

In their season opener on Monday at Addition Financial Arena, UCF’s women’s basketball team showcased a relentless defense against Bethune-Cookman, restricting the Wildcats to just two field goals in the first quarter as the Knights built a comfortable double-digit lead while cruising to a convincing 75-36 victory.

UCF scored 38 of its points off 26 forced turnovers by B-CU.

“That’s how we’re going to have to score until we get our chemistry down and become a better half-court offensive team, points off of turnovers,” said coach Sytia Messer. “I feel our player did a good job. If we can continue to do that, that’s going to help us reach our goal this season.”

The Knights had 11 players score in the game, led by Leah Harmon, who had 14 points and Khyala Ngodu, Jacorri Bracey and Savannah Scott with 10 points apiece.

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

CORAL GABLES — The Jai Lucas era of Hurricanes basketball is off to a good start.

Miami began the season with an 86-69 win over overmatched Jacksonville at the Watsco Center, earning the first career win for UM’s new coach.

After the game, Lucas’ wife, Kori, surprised him with the game ball in the locker room.

“It was big because, one, I’ve never seen my wife that fired up,” Lucas said. “So it was exciting to see her like that. And she’s been the biggest part of my journey with this, though. So just sharing this moment with me means the world. She is part of the reason, planting this seed in my head and why I’m sitting in this seat (is) because of her and everything she sacrificed for me. So without her, I wouldn’t be able to sit here and be here.”

Former Miami coach Jim Larrañaga was also in attendance on Monday night, passing the torch to Lucas.

“For Coach L and his wife to be here is huge,” Lucas said. “Like I’ve always said — and I’ll say it because it is true — but this is the program that he built, and all the success you look up (and see) in the banners come from him. So he’s welcomed me with open arms ever since I got here. And to see him at the first game, him and his wife, was just a blessing to me.”

Lucas’ debut started out closer than expected. Jacksonville took a brief lead early in the first half after the Dolphins sank a series of three-pointers, and Jacksonville, coached by Lucas’ close friend Jordan Mincy, came out in a 1-3-1 zone defense that it hadn’t played in three years.

“After the first two possessions, I look over there and he’s smiling,” Lucas said.

Said Mincy: “I don’t think they were prepared for that. They probably thought we were going to play man. And so we kind of threw a curveball at the very beginning of the game.”

But Miami seized the lead again less than halfway through the first period and never looked back. The Hurricanes took a six-point lead into halftime and made adjustments to counter the Dolphins’ zone defense. UM built up its lead throughout the second half, drawing fouls and going to the line 37 times (and shooting 78.4 percent on free throws).

“We have good resilience, and the one thing that carried over was our rebound and our physicality and our ability to get to the free-throw line,” Lucas said. “We’ve done that in our scrimmages and it carried over in this game.”

Forward Malik Reneau led Miami with 20 points, and guard Tre Donaldson (11), forward Shelton Henderson (15) and guard Tru Washington (12) all finished in double figures. Center Ernest Udeh Jr., in his first game as a Hurricane, notched a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

With one win under their belt, the Hurricanes face Bethune-Cookman on Thursday. The Wildcats took No. 20 Auburn to overtime before losing.

“It was super special for everybody, not just me,” Reneau said. “Coach got his first win, (Udeh) got a double-double. So there’s a lot of good play from us. We just got to keep going every day and then practice hard every single day, and then it’s going to show when you get out on the court.”

By W.G. RAMIREZ

LAS VEGAS Freshman Koa Peat scored 30 points to lead No. 13 Arizona to a 93-87 win over third-ranked and defending national champion Florida in the Hall of Fame Series on Monday night.

Peat was impressive in his college debut, shooting 11 of 18 from the floor and adding seven rebounds and five assists. He was fouled making a defensive rebound with 14.2 seconds left and hit his two ensuing free throws to seal the victory in both teams’ season opener.

But, it was consecutive dunks by Peat late in the second half that sent the crowd at T-Mobile Arena into a frenzy and punctuated his first colelge game.

Jaden Bradley was also impressive, scoring 27 points, including 11 of Arizona’s final 18 points, to help seal the win.

Ivan Kharchenkov shook off an injury late in the first half that sent him to the locker room and finished with 12 points for the Wildcats.

Thomas Haugh led Florida with 27 points, Xaivian Lee scored 14 and Alex Condon and Micah Handlogten each had 11.

The Wildcats shot 49.2% (30 of 61) from the field, while Florida’s poor second-half shooting (14 of 38, 36.8%) sealed its fate.

The Gators opened the game strong, pushing their lead to 12 points after hitting 11 of their first 16 shots.

The Wildcats clamped down on defense and held Florida to 5-for-16 shooting the rest of the half while going on a 32-16 run by hitting 11 of 18 shots down the stretch.

Arizona, which shot 50% from the floor in the first half, led 50-46 at halftime.

Up next

Florida: Hosts North Florida on Thursday.

By DEE-ANN DURBIN

Denny’s said Monday that it’s being acquired by a group on investors in a deal that will take the breakfast chain private.

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Denny’s board unanimously approved the deal, which values Denny’s at $620 million including debt. Denny’s will be purchased by private equity investment company TriArtisan Capital Advisors, investment firm Treville Capital and Yadav Enterprises, which is one of Denny’s largest franchisees.

Under the agreement, Denny’s shareholders will receive $6.25 per share in cash for each share of Denny’s common stock they own, or a total of $322 million. That represents a 52% premium to Denny’s closing stock price Monday.

Denny’s shares jumped 47% in after-hours trading Monday.

Denny’s was founded in 1953 in Lakewood, California, as Danny’s Donuts. The name was changed to Denny’s Coffee Shops in 1959 to avoid confusion with another chain. Denny’s began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in 1969.

Like many casual chains, Denny’s saw its sales plummet during the COVID pandemic. Once the pandemic eased, it found itself dealing with changing customer dining patterns, including a heavier reliance on delivery. Denny’s has also struggled as newer chains like First Watch promoted healthier breakfast options.

Last fall, Denny’s said it planned to close 150 of its lowest-performing locations. At the end of the second quarter, Denny’s had 1,558 restaurants worldwide, including 1,422 Denny’s restaurants and 74 Keke’s restaurants. Denny’s acquired the Keke’s brand in 2022.

Denny’s CEO Kelli Valade said the company reached out to more than 40 potential buyers and received multiple offers. Valade said Denny’s board believed the deal announced Monday was in the best interest of shareholders and the best path forward for the company.

TriArtisan Co-Founder and Managing Director Rhohit Manocha called Denny’s “an iconic piece of the American dream” with a strong franchise base and loyal customers.

“We look forward to working with Kelli and the rest of the Denny’s team and franchisees to provide resources and support the Company’s long-term strategic growth plans,” Manocha said in a statement.

If it’s accepted by Denny’s shareholders, the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.