South Florida Local News

Q: Ira, Tankathon shows the Heat with the seventh-easiest remaining strength of schedule and third easiest in the East. So why are you so down on them getting out of the play-in? – Eddie.

A: The eye test. Remember, this is a team that already has lost to the Jazz, Pacers and Kings, so nothing should be taken as a given. And while there also have been victories over some top teams, such as Detroit, New York, Oklahoma City and Denver, there has been staggering little consistency, including consecutive wins only once since Jan. 1. So, yes, while there are three games remaining against the Wizards and two against the Nets, the first step has to be consecutive wins against anybody. In fact, the games back from this eight-day All-Star break could be particularly telling, with the Heat returning on Friday at Atlanta and then Saturday against the Grizzlies. Win those and then we can talk.

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• Submit your “Ask Ira” question here!

Q: Very happy for Keshad Johnson. Seems like a great kid. He brought a lot of fun and excitement to the dunk competition and represented the Miami Heat, the 305 and his West Coast roots extremely well. – Klif.

Q: And the charisma is genuine. Before every interview, Keshad Johnson first shakes hands and then answers as animatedly and as candidly as he did during those moments after winning the dunk contest on All-Star Saturday. He is a worthy representative of the team, which is why you could see the true joy from so many within the organization when he won.

Q: So we’re not getting our draft pick back? – Allan.

A: The NBA is very good at brushing such matters out of view, as if hoping they will go away. So, no, at the moment no sign from the NBA of any Heat relief for the 2027 or ’28 first-round pick due to the Hornets from the trade for Terry Rozier, even in the wake of his banishment in the FBI gambling probe.

Dear Eric: I have spent a year helping my elderly parents sell their house and pay off tremendous debt, mostly due to my mother’s spending and hoarding.

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My father is unable to handle anything due to health issues. I have had help from my family so I’m not alone in this. I am still very involved with helping them with finances and doctors. They are in a small rental now with no maintenance or yard duties.

My issue is the bad feelings I have toward my mother after all we went through packing her house, moving them, dealing with the movers, dumpsters, estate and house sales.

She makes comments often about us taking her things away and taking her money (not true, but it is in safekeeping because of her very poor handling of money).

She also makes backhanded thank-yous attached to criticisms about the way we did everything. I have a hard time being around her anymore.

Our relationship was not great to begin with. I have started therapy and understand I can’t change her or really have expectations of her as she is just incapable, but I still have so much resentment and bad feelings toward her. I’m not sure how to move on.

– Resented Helping Hand

Dear Helping Hand: I’m glad you’ve started therapy. This is a long journey, but you’ve taken the right first step.

Your therapist can help you sort through what’s yours to own and what feelings or sentiments you can release. Your therapist can also help you set up good boundaries with your mother, because it sounds like that’s going to be necessary.

A boundary won’t stop her from making remarks, but it can give you options for what to do and say and how to remove yourself from situations that are harmful to your emotional state.

It’s also helpful to right-size your mother’s response. Her hoarding and her financial mismanagement were likely caused by trauma, perhaps trauma that happened early in her life. That trauma hasn’t been addressed and so she’s still suffering, but without the same coping mechanisms. She’s also grieving the loss of her possessions. So, it may help you to remember that some of this is your mother’s pain talking.

You can’t take that away, but you can help guide her toward tools for addressing it. If she’s open to seeing a therapist, that would be wonderful.

You might also talk to a financial adviser about other options for keeping her money safe. It sounds like it’s not healthy for her to have unfettered access to it, but there may be ways for her to feel more empowered and for you to feel less responsibility for keeping her away from her worst impulses.

Dear Eric: What do you think about a person who asks to come to your house for dinner, then asks for leftovers to take home?

I was taken aback by this. This is a relative of ours.

– Home Cook

Dear Cook: I think it’s a sign that the meal was good enough to want to enjoy it a second time. I’d take it as a compliment. And if you don’t want to part with the leftovers, you can say “no.”

Dear Eric: I would like to expand on your answer to “Heirlooms and More” regarding where collectors can go to gather information on the value of their antiques and other items.

Certified appraisers are the best source for appraisals of valuable possessions. These individuals have specialties in different collecting areas and can provide up-to-date valuations under different scenarios such as replacement, auction and retail shop value.

Collectors can research appraisers online by visiting the websites of the Appraisers Association of America, American Society of Appraisers and the International Society of Appraisers. Appraisers should not charge a percentage of the items’ value nor offer to purchase any items since both these activities can affect the valuation provided.

Major auction houses periodically offer free appraisal days. Finally, there are various price guides (Kovels, for example) that can be consulted which report values of different objects sold at auctions, shows, flea markets and shops.

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Local antique dealers are usually not helpful unless the dealers are specialists in the collecting area of the items’ owners.

In general, collectors should have an appraisal completed by a certified appraiser before approaching any prospective buyers of their objects. Knowledge is the best tool to ensure the items are sold at prices commensurate with their value.

– Fair Appraisal

Dear Appraisal: Thank you for this very thorough insight. Other readers also suggested that the letter writer reach out to a professional downsizer, who might be able to help them get organized and connect the family with an appraiser. There are many good options. I appreciate your comment.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram @oureric and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I realize it’s an unpleasant world with unpleasant people who are going to say unpleasant things. But sometimes, you have to get down on their level in order for them to get the message.

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For instance, in cases where a stranger calls someone fat, that person could give an equally rude response, such as: “Yeah? Well, you’re majorly ugly, and at least I can diet.”

Not exactly taking the high road, but sometimes it feels good to get down in the gutter.

GENTLE READER: Thank you for your attempt at helping in the noble cause of mannerliness, but Miss Manners is afraid that your suggestion represents the problem, not the solution. In pursuing the laudable goal of lessening the amount of unpleasantness in the world, you are proposing adding to it.

That low road is extremely crowded. If you want to help, please stay off of it.

Perhaps it would help you to know that retaliatory rudeness never works. Do you really believe that the person you call ugly will reflect on having provoked you with a similar insult?

Besides, why are you even engaging with rude strangers? The ultimate insult is refusing to acknowledge another person’s existence. Better yet, ignoring the person passes the etiquette test. (Detractors condemn such responses as passive-aggressive, but Miss Manners much prefers them to aggressive-aggressive.)

DEAR MISS MANNERS: What are the two main subjects you should not discuss?

GENTLE READER: There are three: politics, religion and sex (including gender). If you think this restriction is outdated, you haven’t tried launching these topics lately.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was taught that at formal dinner parties, bread plates are not used, and that they are not considered part of a formal place setting for multicourse meals. Now, I am given to understand that formal dinner place settings include bread plates, placed to the left of the charger, and a small bread-and-butter knife.

I was also taught that the correct order was for a salad to be served after the main course, not before, so the salad fork and knife were “inside” of the main course fork and knife.

Are these two rules obsolete?

GENTLE READER: You were taught correct social manners. But how many social seated dinner parties in other people’s homes have you attended in recent years?

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What has happened is that purely social get-togethers over meals now mostly take place in restaurants, and the procedures of expensive restaurants have come to be considered correct formal practices.

Miss Manners is not deriding restaurants here; she understands that they have different requirements.

In a household, the meal is ready to be served when the guests are called to the table. Fine restaurants must wait for customers’ orders before preparing the food. And those customers are hungry, so the restaurants give them bread and salad to keep them from chewing the napkins.

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.

Here are the top stories for Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. Get the weather forecast for today here.

SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get our free Morning Update email. Sign up here.

Rapper turned civic leader Luther Campbell challenges Cherfilus-McCormick in congressional primary

A new boon for Boca Raton? Community is built next to Tri-Rail station

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Today is Monday, Feb. 16, the 47th day of 2026. There are 318 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Feb. 16, 1923, the burial chamber of King Tutankhamen’s recently unearthed tomb was unsealed in Egypt by English archaeologist Howard Carter.

Also on this date:

In 1862, the Civil War Battle of Fort Donelson in Tennessee ended with the surrender of some 12,000 Confederate soldiers; Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s victory earned him the moniker “Unconditional Surrender Grant.”

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In 1959, Fidel Castro was sworn in as premier of Cuba, six weeks after dictator Fulgencio Batista was overthrown and fled the country into exile. Castro’s rise to power marked the start of Cuba’s transformation into a communist nation.

In 1960, the nuclear submarine USS Triton departed New London, Connecticut, on the first submerged circumnavigation of the globe by a vessel.

In 1996, 11 people were killed in a fiery collision between an Amtrak passenger train and a Maryland commuter train in Silver Spring, Maryland.

In 2018, special counsel Robert Mueller indicted 13 Russians and three Russian companies on charges of staging an elaborate plot to disrupt the 2016 U.S. presidential election via a social media trolling campaign, aimed in part at helping Donald Trump win the presidency.

In 2024, Russia’s prison agency announced that Alexei Navalny, activist and Russian opposition leader, had died in the Arctic penal colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism; Navalny’s death brought outrage and criticism from world leaders toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Today’s birthdays:

• Businessman Carl Icahn is 90.
• Author Eckhart Tolle is 78.
• Actor William Katt is 75.
• Actor LeVar Burton is 69.
• Actor-rapper Ice-T is 68.
• Tennis Hall of Famer John McEnroe is 67.
• Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis is 54.
• Olympic track and field gold medalist Cathy Freeman is 53.
• Actor Mahershala Ali is 52.
• Rapper Lupe Fiasco is 44.
• Democratic Sen. John Ossoff of Georgia is 39.
• Actor Elizabeth Olsen is 37.
• Singer-actor The Weeknd is 36.
• Actor Chloe East is 25.

By MATTHEW LEE and JUSTIN SPIKE

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in the Hungarian capital on Monday for meetings with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his government during which they plan to sign a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement heralded by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump has been outspoken in his support for the nationalist Orbán in the Hungarian leader’s bid for reelection in two months. Orbán and his Fidesz party are facing their most serious challenge in the April 12 vote since he retook power in 2010.

The stop in Hungary’s capital follows Rubio’s visit to Slovakia on Sunday, after he previously attended the Munich Security Conference in Germany.

Led by euroskeptic populists who oppose support for Ukraine and vocally back Trump, Slovakia and Hungary represent friendly territory for Rubio as he pushes to shore up energy agreements with both Central European countries.

Widely considered Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most reliable advocate in the European Union, Orbán has maintained warm relations with the Kremlin despite its war against Ukraine while currying favor with Trump and his MAGA — short for the 2016 Trump campaign slogan “Make America Great Again” — movement.

Many in MAGA and the broader conservative world view Hungary as a shining example of successful conservative nationalism, despite the erosion of its democratic institutions and its status as one of the EU’s poorest countries.

In a post on his Truth Social site earlier this month, Trump endorsed Orbán for the coming elections and called him a “truly strong and powerful Leader” and “a true friend, fighter, and WINNER.”

Trump has praised Orbán’s firm opposition to immigration, exemplified by a fence his government erected on Hungary’s southern border in 2015 as hundreds of thousands of refugees fled Syria and other countries in the Middle East and Africa.

Other U.S. conservatives admire Orbán’s hostility to LGBTQ+ rights. His government last year banned the popular Budapest Pride celebration and allowed facial recognition technology to be used to identify anyone participating despite the ban. It has also effectively banned same-sex adoption and same-sex marriage, and disallowed transgender individuals from changing their sex in official documents.

Orbán has remained firmly committed to purchasing Russian energy despite efforts by the EU to wean off such supplies, and received an exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy after a November meeting in the White House with Trump.

Apparently trusting that his political and personal affinity with the U.S. leader could pay even greater dividends, Orbán and his government have sought to woo Trump to Hungary before the pivotal April 12 elections — hoping such a high-profile visit and endorsement would push Orbán, who is trailing in most polls, over the finish line.

Budapest has hosted several annual iterations of the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, and another was hastily rescheduled this year to fall in March, just before Hungary’s elections.

Details of the civilian nuclear deal were not known ahead of Monday’s signing in Budapest.

During his White House visit in November, Orbán had agreed to U.S.-Hungary cooperation in the civil nuclear industry, including the purchase of compact nuclear reactors — known as small modular reactors or SMRs — and spent fuel storage.

Hungary signaled it was ready to support construction of up to 10 SMRs with a potential value of up to $20 billion. Orbán also said Hungary would enter a nuclear fuel deal with U.S.-based Westinghouse to supply nuclear fuel for Hungary’s Russian-built Paks I nuclear plant.

Norman Powell’s first appearance at the NBA All-Star Game afforded the Miami Heat forward the opportunity to play in two All-Star Games, under the World vs. USA format adopted for Sunday’s round-robin event at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.

Ultimately, it left the Miami Heat forward at a double loss, with his Team World falling in a pair of games against domestic talent.

Although born in San Diego, Powell played for the World team because of his time with the Jamaican national team, the country of his father’s heritage.

Scores aside, Powell said it was a memorable experience.

“The experience was amazing, no complaints,” he said. “Being able to participate in a full weekend for the first time, the 3-point contest and the All-Star game, just enjoying and creating memories with all the guys that I’ve gone up against and competed with and looked up to before I even made it to the NBA. So it’s an A-plus weekend for me.”

Playing off the bench in a pair of 12-minute games, Powell first went scoreless on 0-for-3 shooting in 6:55 in his team’s first game, a 37-35 loss to Team Stars, a game that went to overtime and was won on a 3-pointer by Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes.

In his team’s second game, Powell closed with five points on 2-of-4 shooting in 6:45, helping tie it late before Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, playing in his home arena, gave Team Stripes a 48-45 victory with a decisive 3-pointer.

In his 11th season, Powell, 32, was selected as an All-Star reserve by Eastern Conference coaches.

Making the experience all the more meaningful was a surprise party thrown in his honor by friends and family, as he made his South California return.

“The most memorable moment,” he said, “would be the surprise party that was put on for me. Walking in and seeing everybody that has helped me along this journey of making it to the NBA and having an 11-year career, since elementary school, you know, all the way up until the NBA, it’s just a moment that you can’t even put into words – seeing everybody that’s encouraged you, helped you in your toughest and darkest times, to stay motivated, stay focused, and stay setting out to achieve the expectations and goals that I had out for myself.”

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The appearance came a week after the birth of Powell’s first child, a daughter.

“I think she’ll be really proud of me and hopefully just looking at my career will motivate her one day to go after something that she wants, as well,” he said. “And hopefully I’ll get some brownie points for being a cool dad amongst her friends.”

Team USA Stars won the round-robin competition, with that roster’s Anthony Edwards named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, winning the Kobe Bryant Award.

Sunday’s appearance for Powell came after he finished fifth in the 3-point contest on All-Star Saturday a day earlier. Powell remained after that contest to root on Heat teammate Keshad Johnson, who then won the All-Star dunk contest.

Sunday, Heat two-way player Jahmir Young played in the G League All-Star game, where his team was eliminated in the opening round of that four-team tournament, with Young scoring six points on 2-of-4 shooting in 7:08 of action.

The Heat are in the midst of an eight-day All-Star break, to resume their schedule Friday against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena.

General Daily Insight for February 16, 2026

Keeping an open mind could be crucial today. When the energetic Sun clashes with unpredictable Uranus, plans are likely to wobble, pushing us to adapt expectations and stretch comfort zones. Perhaps we’re being given space for better ideas to come in. At 4:31 pm EST, messenger Mercury harmonizes with auspicious Jupiter, turning conversations into gateways. Acknowledging rattled feelings might be necessary at first, but our moods will probably lift as our curiosity goes on to help us brilliantly connect seemingly unrelated threads!

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Aries, your spark wants a clear path. Private insights can give you direction as clever Mercury in your 12th House of Secrets trines lucky Jupiter in your 4th House of Home. Perhaps you’ll recall a dream or memory during breakfast, guiding a tender talk with someone at home. Although your sign is known for quick action, pause long enough to listen this time. Your companion may not entirely agree with you, but any resistance they provide might help clarify your thinking!

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Staying steady through surprises might be necessary now. The dynamic Sun in your 10th House of Career and Status squares rebellious Uranus in your 1st House of Identity, stirring shifts in your visibility. A boss may change a deadline, or your role could expand without warning. Even if you generally handle pressure well, things like this can rattle your calm! Clarify what success looks like, and ask for specific priorities. With your careful focus, the show is likely to go on.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Putting some thought into getting ahead can pay off now. While verbal Mercury in your ambitious 10th house harmonizes with confident Jupiter in your 2nd House of Resources and Self-Worth, you’re in a strong position to nail a pitch or ace an interview. A skill or experience you rarely discuss might be just what a potential boss or client is looking for, so don’t let your preconceived notions regarding the job hold you back. Speak with heart so doors open naturally.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Your confidence can grow as you take inventory of what’s gone right lately. Articulate Mercury in your 9th House of Travel and Learning aligns with optimistic Jupiter in your 1st House of Identity, supporting clear, encouraging self-expression. You might share a story that helps a neighbor understand you better, or write a short bio that honors how far you’ve come. Lean into a caring tone, because your longing to protect your loved ones gives you great strength. Let your sincerity attract support.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

When change hurts your pride, choose patience. Public shake-ups are possible as the vibrant Sun in your 7th House of Partnership challenges individualistic Uranus in your 10th House of Career. A collaborator might push for visibility while you prefer creative control, or a manager may alter deadlines after agreement. Although things like this can feel unfair, protect your dignity and progress by choosing patience over heat. Measured courage protects your reputation and lets your generous spirit shine through your work.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Your devotion to your collaborators won’t go unnoticed today. As intellectual Mercury in your relationship sector supports joyous Jupiter in your 11th House of Community, it’s clear that you care for the people you work with on a personal level — and perhaps that has held you back from pointing out a few things that haven’t been running smoothly. No one benefits when key tasks fall through, though. Be honest about what you see, and embrace a collaborative process for finding solutions.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Your desire to finish your work and go have fun could be a good motivation to set priorities at this time. As observant Mercury in your 6th House of Responsibilities engages with authoritative Jupiter in your goal-oriented 10th house, you probably have an accurate radar concerning which tasks are truly critical to your mission. It’s possible that some won’t agree with what gets left off the list. Give any complaints a fair hearing, but know the difference between a power struggle and a real problem.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Truth could land and clear the emotional air today. The radiant Sun warms your 4th House of Home, but it squares disruptive Uranus in your partnership sector, pressing you to address a broken agreement. A partner could dodge chores, or someone may resist a boundary. Although you might have your suspicions concerning their motives, you ultimately don’t know for a fact what’s going on in another person’s head. However, you definitely have the right to describe the impact their actions have on you!

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Hope rises as home matters feel lighter. As thoughtful Mercury in your domestic 4th house aligns with abundant Jupiter in your 8th House of Shared Resources, perhaps you have reason to believe there’s enough to go around. With that in mind, certain frustrations about chores and responsibilities could wane in importance. You’ll still need to figure out a plan to reliably get things done. That said, when you know you’ll basically be okay, you can maintain a sense of perspective!

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Asking for more freedom in a key relationship can go well at this time. Perhaps the other person is ready for a shift like this too. Intellectual Mercury energizes your 3rd House of Communication, forming a trine with auspicious Jupiter in your 7th House of Partnership, so you’re likely to come to agreement regarding shared goals. Keep an eye out for any legitimate potential problems, especially those involving money, but there’s no need to assume harmful intentions. Just be proactive in looking for solutions!

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Your sense of yourself could need to stretch a bit today. The willful Sun in your sign conflicts with unpredictable Uranus in your 4th House of Home, pitting your individual priorities against family rhythms. Even if a frustrating change of plans isn’t really anyone’s fault, you might be tempted to take it as a personal slight. Beyond the blow to your ego, however, your new path forward is likely to have its practical and logistical advantages. Try to stay focused on those.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Clear words can move you forward today. As messenger Mercury in your sign activates your 1st House of Identity, trining joyous Jupiter in your artistic 5th house, you might take the opportunity to update a profile while your creativity is flowing. You’re likely to share a playful idea that makes someone smile! Stay mindful of the environment you’re in, of course, but bring your human touch. Your authentic perspective may cut through the muck of a problem that has become unnecessarily convoluted.

DAYTONA BEACH — Tyler Reddick needed a game-winner at the buzzer to win the Daytona 500 Sunday and deliver team owner Michael Jordan another championship.

Reddick led a single lap on Sunday at Daytona International Speedway, and it wasn’t for long.

With leader Chase Elliott seemingly in command coming off Turn 4, Reddick made a move reminiscent of his boss. Reddick dove to the inside and bumped Elliott to pass him, earning a career-defining victory two days shy of the NBA great’s 63rd birthday.

“Just incredible how it all played out,” Reddick said. “Just true Daytona madness.”

Jordan met Reddick and his team in Victory Lane and helped him lift the Harley J. Early trophy.

“I can’t believe it,” Jordan said. “You never know how these races are going to end. You’re just trying to survive. We just hung in there all day.

“I’m just ecstatic.”

Jordan, like everyone in the sellout crowd, was stunned to see Reddick’s No. 45 Toyota take the checkered flag.

Tyler Reddick, driver No. 45 Toyota, celebrates after winning the 2026 Daytona 500 on Sunday at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Teammate Bubba Wallace, the original member of Jordan’s 23XI Racing co-owned with NASCAR star Denny Hamlin, lead a race-high 39 laps in his bid to become the first Black Daytona 500 winner. But the two-time runner-up (2018, 2022) in the sport’s biggest race lost ground during a Lap 181 pit stop and finished 10th.

“I don’t want my emotions to take away from the monumental day they just accomplished — Happy birthday, MJ,” Wallace said. “That’s a massive birthday present.

“I thought this was our week, the best 500 I’ve ever had, and come up short, sucks. But couldn’t be more proud of the team.”

Unlike Wallace, Reddick hadn’t factored at the front of the 68th running of the Great American Race. The 200-lap affair featured 66 lead changes among a record 26 drivers in the 41-car field.

Elliott moved to the front of the pack after a restart on Lap 197. The Cup Series Most Popular Driver the past eight years, the 30-year-old would have been a celebrated winner.

Instead, Reddick spoiled Elliott’s best chance during 11 attempts.

“At that point you’re on defense. That’s a very tough place to be,” Elliott said. “If I had thrown a double-block on the No. 45, it would have just crashed us. It really sucks to be that close … and not finish it off.”

Reddick, who turned 30 Jan. 11, entered the day an afterthought following a winless 2025 ended a string of three consecutive seasons with at least two victories.

“Last year was really hard for all of us, hard for me,” Reddick said. “When you’re a Cup driver and you get to this level and drive for Michael Jordan, it’s expected you win every single year.”

Daytona 500 winner Tyler Reddick pulls away to a win as Joey Logano (No. 22), Chase Elliott (No. 9) and Riley Herbst (No. 35) lose control of their cars at the end of the race, run Sunday at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Reddick’s improbable ninth career victory came on a warm and breezy day at the iconic 2.5-mile oval.

Sustained winds in the teens, with gusts over 30 mph made Turn 4 trickier than usual.

The elements, coupled with aggression and risk-taking on the track, led to compelling racing. At the 200-lap race’s midpoint, the lead had changed hands 27 times, the third most in the Daytona 500 history.

The approach also led to chaos.

Multi-car crashes, including an 18-car melee on Lap 125, ended the hopes of top contenders, along with the field’s youngest competitor — 19-year-old Cup Series rookie Connor Zilisch.

Zilisch, former Daytona 500 winners Austin Cindric (2022) and Austin Dillon (2018) and Chase Briscoe, who started on the front row for the second straight, finished the race,  but were multiple laps behind — 63 in Dillon’s case.

Hamlin’s push to become the third four-time champion was wishful thinking after 23-year Truck Series phenom Corey Heim, a development driver for 23XI racing, bumped the rear of Hamlin’s car to cause a crash.

Christopher Bell, a four-time Cup Series winner in 2025, got the worst of it, slamming into the outside wall. Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota limped to a 31st-place finish, two laps back.

But with Reddick, Wallace and Riley Herbst still in the mix, Hamlin still had skin in the game. When the dust settled, the 45-year-old felt like a big winner when Herbst recorded a Jordan-like assist.

“I don’t win that race without Riley Herbst,” Reddick said.

The second-year 23XI driver drafted behind Reddick until Herbst’s No. 35 Toyota was caught up in a crash with Elliott and others as Reddick pulled away.

“I know the odds of winning here are really, really small,” Hamlin said. “After I got crashed at the end, I looked at the scoreboard — how many horses have I got left in this race? It was great to see Tyler making all the right moves, and Riley giving him a push at the end.

“It certainly soothes the sting of the day for the 11 car.”

The Daytona 500 had stung Reddick time and again.

A runner-up finish in 2025 to William Byron followed six runs outside the top-25, dating to Reddick’s 2019 debut. Prior to Sunday’s race, his oldest son, Beau, put his father on notice.

Reddick responded when it mattered.

“I didn’t know if I’d ever win this race,” he said. “Honestly, the best part is my son asked before this race. Are you finally going to win this race? Something about today just felt right.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com.

An armed man who approached police while they were investigating a disturbance in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday was shot and killed by officers, the city’s police chief said.

Police responded to a disturbance in the 900 Block of Chateau Park Drive, the police department said in a statement.

“While on scene, officers were approached by an armed adult male who was not involved in the initial disturbance,” Chief Bill Schultz told reporters later Saturday afternoon at the site of the incident.

Schultz said an “initial review” had been conducted. “We know the suspect fired his weapon during the encounter with the officers. Three FLPD officers discharged their department-issued firearms at that time, striking the suspect.”

He said officers “performed life-saving efforts” until Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue arrived and took the man to Broward Health Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Police hadn’t released his name or other details as of Sunday afternoon.

Schultz said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement would investigate the shooting, which he said is the standard process after an officer-involved shooting.

Also, under the department’s policy, the agency said, the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave with pay while the case is under review.