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Today in History: October 9, Che Guevara executed

South Florida Local News - Thu, 10/09/2025 - 01:00

Today is Thursday, Oct. 9, the 282nd day of 2025. There are 83 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Oct. 9, 1967, Marxist revolutionary guerrilla leader Che Guevara, 39, was executed by the Bolivian army a day after his capture.

Also on this date:

In 1910, a coal dust explosion at the Starkville Mine in Colorado left 56 miners dead.

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In 1962, Uganda won independence from British rule.

In 1963, a mega-tsunami triggered by a landside at Vajont Dam in northern Italy destroyed villages and caused approximately 2,000 deaths.

In 1985, Strawberry Fields in New York’s Central Park, a memorial to former Beatle John Lennon, was dedicated.

In 1992, the highly visible Peekskill Meteorite streaked through Earth’s atmosphere for hundreds of miles over the U.S. Northeast before a small chunk of it crashed into the trunk of a parked car in Peekskill, New York. The car, a bright red 1980 Chevrolet Malibu, later went on exhibition at several museums worldwide.

In 2009, President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for what the Norwegian Nobel Committee called “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”

In 2010, a drill broke through into an underground chamber where 33 Chilean miners had been trapped for more than two months.

In 2012, former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, to 30 to 60 years in prison following his conviction on 45 counts of sexual abuse of boys.

Today’s Birthdays:
  • Musician Nona Hendryx is 81.
  • Musician Jackson Browne is 77.
  • Actor Robert Wuhl is 74.
  • TV personality Sharon Osbourne is 73.
  • Actor Tony Shalhoub is 72.
  • Actor Scott Bakula is 71.
  • Actor-TV host John O’Hurley is 71.
  • Football Hall of Famer Mike Singletary is 67.
  • Jazz musician Kenny Garrett is 65.
  • Film director Guillermo del Toro is 61.
  • Singer PJ Harvey is 56.
  • Film director Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”) is 56.
  • Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam is 55.
  • Musician Sean Lennon is 50.
  • Actor Brandon Routh is 46.
  • Author-TV presenter Marie Kondo is 41.
  • Comedian Melissa Villasenor is 38.
  • Actor Tyler James Williams is 33.
  • NFL tight end George Kittle is 32.
  • Country singer Scotty McCreery (TV: “American Idol”) is 32.
  • Model Bella Hadid is 29.
  • Actor Jharrel Jerome is 28.
  • Tennis player Ben Shelton is 23.

Kel’el Ware, Heat youth step forward in preseason loss to Spurs

South Florida Local News - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 19:03

MIAMI – It’s a bit early to determine if this will be a developmental season for the Miami Heat.

Unless, of course, you listened to coach Erik Spoelstra immediately prior to Wednesday night’s 112-107 preseason loss to the San Antonio Spurs at Kaseya Center.

“Just to be clear,” Spoelstra said, “everybody on our roster, it’s a developmental year. We would hope to improve everybody.”

With more next-gen talent to develop than in recent seasons, the Heat offered a taste of the possibilities, particularly with 2025 first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis making his preseason debut, and with 2024 second-round pick Pelle Larsson also getting his first run of the preseason.

Combined with a bounceback effort from 2024 first-round pick Kel’el Ware and a return to aggression by 2023 first-rounder Jaime Jaquez Jr., this was a night about compelling future thought, even as the Heat fell to 0-3 in the preseason.

While the play of veterans Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins likely will carry ultimate sway regarding the success of the season, the kid stuff provided a night of promise.

“We didn’t get the win, but the second unit played winning basketball,” Spoelstra said.

A game after being called out again by Spoelstra for uneven play, Ware closed with 29 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 3 of 6 on 3-pointers.

“Kel’el, he put a lot of it together tonight,” Spoelstra said. “That’s definitely progress.”

In his Heat debut, Jakucionis had four assists in his first four minutes, closing with eight points and 10 assists.

“You see his tenaciousness and just his approach to everything is full speed,” Spoelstra said. “It was great to have him out there.”

Cast more as an attacking wing role than the role at point guard he played in the first two exhibitions, Jaquez played with productive aggression, scoring 19.

“Offensively, he’s such a downhill force,” Spoelstra said of Jaquez. “We need him to be aggressive.”

And even in the absence of noteworthy statistics, Larsson’s energy energized, just as it did in summer league, just as it did for Sweden’s national team at EuroBasket.

“Pelle in his minutes was really good,” Spoelstra said.

Five Degrees of Heat from Wednesday night’s exhibition:

1. Another twist: While Ware again remained out of the starting lineup, there was a changeup this time, with Dru Smith inserted into the starting five, opening alongside Nikola Jovic, Adebayo, Powell and Wiggins.

With Larsson (quadriceps) and Jakucionis (wrist) available for the first time after dealing with ailments during camp, it afforded Spoelstra greater depth in the backcourt.

Jaquez had been the de facto starting point guard by default in the first two exhibitions, with the expectation that Davion Mitchell will be the opening-night starter in that spot, as Herro continues to recover from last month’s ankle surgery.

The Heat still were four players down, with Herro (ankle), Mitchell (calf), Terry Rozier (hamstring) and Simone Fontecchio (leg) again out.

Smith played only the first half, closing with six points on 2-of-2 on 3-pointers, as he works back from December’s Achilles tear. That had Jaquez back at point guard to start the third quarter.

“You’ve got to be able to play different roles,” Jaquez said of his preseason.

2. Waiting game: It again proved to be a case of either/or with Ware and Adebayo.

After the two closed last season together in the starting lineup, Ware this time entered for the first time when Adebayo went to the bench with 3:35 left in the opening period. Adebayo later entered for Ware midway through the second period.

Ware entered fourth off the Heat bench, after Jaquez, Keshad Johnson and Larsson.

Ware then had his moments early in the second period, first draining a pair of 3-pointers and then blocking a shot of 7-foot-5 Spurs center Victor Wembanyama. He exited with 14 points and seven rebounds in his initial nine-minute stint.

It also was Ware-in, Adebayo-out in the second half, the two yet to play alongside through the first three of the Heat’s six exhibitions.

Of Spoelstra’s prodding, Ware said, “I always take anything Coach says as motivation.”

3. Preseason debuts: Larsson and Jakucionis wound up playing together in the backcourt, just as they had during summer league.

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Each immediately offered a hustle play, with Larsson drawing a foul while fighting over a screen, and Jakucionis coming up with a steal that led to an assist for a Johnson transition dunk.

Jakucionis followed up with an assist for a driving Jaquez dunk, with Larsson stepping up on the next possession with a corner 3-pointer.

“I’m just trying to play fast,” Jakucionis said of his effort. “I tried to do my job.”

Larsson struggled with his shot, an ongoing concern, closing with four points on 1-of-6 shooting in 16 minutes.

4. Powell play: A game after scoring 18 points in 16 minutes in Monday night’s loss to the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, Powell this time scored 18 in 26.

Powell remained on the floor with the second unit in the third quarter, perhaps an indication that a reserve role might not be out of the question.

Powell closed 6 of 13 from the field and 5 of 5 from the line.

“He’s a scorer,” Spoelstra said. “You could see in the second unit where that could work.”

5. Still a struggle: After shooting 0 for 5 in Saturday’s preseason-opening loss to the Orlando Magic in Puerto Rico and then 1 of 3 in Monday night’s loss to the Bucks, Adebayo this time shot 3 of 10, including a 1-of-8 start.

He closed with nine points and four rebounds in 22 minutes.

“Tonight was a little better,” Spoelstra said. “The shots just didn’t go down.”

The Heat captain said the priorities in the preseason extend beyond statistics.

“We have a job to do, which is somewhat play a little bit and then coach these young guys,” he said of the Heat’s veterans.

Dolphins’ Jack Jones speaks out on late flag vs. Panthers, how WR-DB matchups are officiated

South Florida Local News - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 17:26

MIAMI GARDENS — When Miami Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones was called for the pass interference that sealed the team’s fate late in last Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Panthers, Fox broadcast cameras captured him arguing vehemently with officials.

Upon reflection and watching the play, in coverage against Panthers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, Jones acknowledges it had the appearance of pass interference, but he didn’t view himself as ultimately culpable.

“With all honesty, that last call, when I watched it on film, it looks like a PI because he stops, he flares,” Jones said. “On that play, I didn’t grab Hunter or restrict Hunter from running his route. I just placed my hands there for placement, just to make sure I’m in a good spot, but I didn’t slow him down.”

Jones “absolutely” viewed it as a sell job by Renfrow that got Carolina the clinching first down to run the clock out in the 27-24 decision. Miami was vying for one final stop with under a minute left to get the ball back for the offense.

“That’s a good job by Renfrow,” Jones said. “If it vice-versa — they were on defense, we were on offense and it was a sell — then, congratulations! We’re happy about it.

“I’m not knocking Hunter Renfrow. He did what he was supposed to do, but I personally feel like the refs have to be better with the calls and making it more of a ‘let them play’ instead of ‘I’m only going to call it when it looks this bad.’

“Hunter Renfrow is a pro. He’s a vet. He’s been in the league for (six) years. I know Hunter, too. That’s not a guy I’m taking a shot at. That’s one of my boys. I mess with, I rock with Hunter.”

Along with the late pass interference penalty, Jones was called twice for defensive holding and arguably got away with another penalty Sunday. The fourth-year pro in his first season with Miami had no issue with the defensive holding called against him on Panthers rookie Tetairoa McMillan earlier in the fourth quarter.

“That was legit,” said Jones, who has genuinely spoken his mind while with the Dolphins, going back to saying Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown “cooked” him in an August joint practice. “I held him, but I had to. … Once he threw me by, he clearly grabs the back of my shoulder pad and throws me by, and when I’m getting thrown by, I have to grab.”

Jones said he asked an official what he was supposed to do against McMillan’s actions, and according to him, the official just kept repeating, “You can’t do that.”

Six days prior to the loss to Carolina, Jones got an offensive pass interference call in his favor while defending New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson in the end zone on “Monday Night Football.”

Jones took exception to Wilson saying, in the interview setting, that he watches football and that penalty doesn’t get called. He responded to Wilson’s statement.

“That’s one in a million,” Jones said. “What are the chances of me getting OPI in that situation against Garrett Wilson? He said it to the media. He put it on the internet: ‘You guys don’t make that call.’

“From that statement there, you guys (the league) should’ve done something about that. Like, we need to do something. ‘The refs are not making this call?’ OK, well, we’re going to get the refs that do make this call and make the right call.”

Jones takes issue overall with the way defenders are officiated in pass coverage.

“At the end of the day, this s— not fair, bro,” Jones said. “It’s an offensive advantage, and it’s like, at the end of the day, I signed up for this s—. I’m the one who goes out there, plays DB, chose to play DB and all that. And I understand that.

“But at the end of the day, there should be no advantages on either side. Offense got the advantage, bro. The receivers get to create contact down the field, past 5 yards, and it’s not a penalty. … But then, when the DB does that, it’s a spot foul. Say, hypothetically, it is offensive PI. It’s only 10 yards. You throw a fade down the field 50 yards, and that’s a spot foul, 50 yards. At the same time, receivers, they get to push off, they get to chicken-wing, none of that stuff gets called. But when the DB tries to put himself in position to counteract that stuff, which is, you have to grab, you have to pull, you have to fight pressure with pressure, and if you do that, then it’s going to be a PI and a call against the defense.”

Jones feels sometimes he gets called for penalties when the receiver initiates all the contact.

“Another good example I got that they don’t call is: I could be sitting off at 10 yards. If a receiver runs straight into me, it’s supposed to be PI. That is the rule,” Jones said. “But, in the game time, when a receiver runs straight into a DB, it’s going to be defensive PI because the defender was supposed to move or the defender grabbed. But it’s like, the dude just ran into me and pushed me off. How am I not supposed to grab? I’m supposed to sit here, let him catch it and hope you call it?”

Ultimately, Jones understands it’s what he’s up against in the NFL.

“It’s tough on us, but I got to figure that s— out,” he said.

Daily Horoscope for October 09, 2025

South Florida Local News - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 17:00
General Daily Insight for October 09, 2025

The limit is what we make it. With the responsive Moon supporting enthusiastic Jupiter, there’s a joy in the air that encourages us to be more generous, more adventurous, and ready for anything. The Moon then strengthens compassionate Venus at 5:12 pm EDT, allowing us to create stability with our emotional lives and our connections with others. Later on, the Moon collaborates with disciplined Saturn to show us that with a little commitment, the world is our oyster. Let’s show ourselves what we’re capable of.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

You might be finding new streams of revenue that you once overlooked. In the past, you may not have sought out the more serious opportunities that really spoke to you. It’s also possible that you continually played small, not applying for jobs that you thought had too high of a salary or too long of a list of requirements to hire you. Don’t let imposter syndrome prevent you from stepping into one of the most abundant and fulfilling times of your life.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

You’re having fun, no excuses! You may have avoided letting a group of people take you somewhere you haven’t been before, but that they keep telling you is so fun. You potentially even avoided this place because of the number of people it would require you to meet. Instead of pulling yourself out of the game for fear that you won’t enjoy it, just try it and see how enjoyable it could be. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to do it again.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

You have the power to protect yourself. Even if you’ve frequently felt too vulnerable or unable to learn ways of protecting yourself, you’re stronger than you think. Pay attention to unique ways of invigorating your spirit and becoming more secure. Whether this means taking a self-defense class or practicing building up your confidence so that you can speak up for yourself, don’t throw your hands up and quit at the first sign of feeling uncertain. Be the powerful person you are.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

You’re finding those who understand you. You could have settled for past peers who didn’t truly get you, and who may not have treated you with the most respect. Because of this, you may feel as though this is something that you are doomed to experience in your social life. While there will always be people who don’t understand you, spend less time with them! Spend today looking for folks who click with you. Your people are out there — you just have to look.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

Leaders and Lions both need to practice before they take charge. Even if you don’t want to be an authority figure, you may find more success by tuning in to your inner leader — and when you’re honest with yourself about what you think should take place. Before going with what everybody else says, it’s okay to point out the benefits of your ideas. Make sure you’ve checked and double-checked that you’re right, but then speak up and fight for your pitch. Don’t doubt yourself.

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Ready to learn something new about yourself? Yes or no, that “eureka” moment is dead ahead. You may see yourself in a different light at any moment, whether you’re just looking in the mirror or someone else mentions something that you’ve never noticed before. This may lead you to feel more confident, more secure, and more willing to learn and grow your skill set. You’re capable of so much more than you realize, so don’t hold yourself back. Learn what you’re truly capable of.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

Emotions can say a lot without words at this time. When you’re distracted by a multitude of outside influences, though, it becomes tough to understand why you feel the way that you’re feeling. Make an effort to spend extra time with yourself throughout the day. Get in touch with your soul by enjoying your time alone — whatever that means for you. Music, dessert, scented candles, everything’s on the table! Don’t neglect the way you feel, because your heart is trying to tell you something.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

You’re showing someone else how much they mean to you. There might be someone in your life who has shown up for you more times than you can count. Even those so near and dear to your heart may not recognize how much they mean to you. Take today and make it a special one for that person, whether that means calling them, sending them a card, or reminding them of something you used to do together. Make this connection even more special.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Consistency is key. The dedication that has eluded you is beginning to crystallize into true clarity. Whether you’ve been looking to see this focus from someone else in your life, or you’ve been needing to devote more power to a person or project in your life, just keep moving forward. You’re developing your mental powers every time you set aside past distractions and negative influences. No more getting bogged down by what doesn’t really matter! You have your eye on the prize. Keep going!

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

You’re reconnecting with your inner child. Stories that you outgrew could have fresh appeal as an adult, or perhaps you’re simply approaching every aspect of your day with renewed wonder and joy. Even if you’re tired, let yourself get silly with it! Others might comment on how lighthearted you appear to be today, which could take you by surprise if you’re not aware of the mood shift that is taking place for you. Be open to seeing the world with childlike eyes.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Building a safe haven is worth the effort. You might be working on making your home more comfortable or doing repairs to ensure every inhabitant’s safety, or maybe you’re making memories with your family or roommates and strengthening your emotional bonds. You can consciously create the environment that you wish to live in, while carefully growing your relationships with the people you want to keep in your life. The more present you are today, the closer to your goals you’ll end up.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

You’re strengthening your mental connections with the people around you. Reach out — there’s potentially a deeper foundation than you even know! Perhaps your presences at past events overlapped without knowing it, you’re both fans of the same books or movies, or you have similar hobbies. If you have time to use on a chat with them, go for it! Expect conversations that make you laugh, think, and feel. Stay willing to have a conversation with the people around you to build refreshing, deeper connections.

Trump to undergo physical exam Friday as health questions linger

South Florida Local News - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 16:58

By Lauren Dezenski, Bloomberg News

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will undergo a physical exam on Friday following mounting questions about his health prompted by noticeable bruising and swelling in recent months.

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“On Friday morning, President Trump will visit Walter Reed Medical Center for a planned meeting and remarks with the troops. While there, President Trump will stop by for his routine yearly check up,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Wednesday. “President Trump is considering going to the Middle East shortly thereafter.”

While the White House described the visit as his regular yearly physical, the 79-year-old president had an annual exam just six months ago, on April 11.

Since then, Trump has been spotted with swollen ankles and a persistent bruise on his right hand. The White House said in July that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, but physicians had otherwise found the president to be in “excellent health.”

Trump’s ankle swelling, his doctor said, is related to the vein disease, which occurs when damaged valves inside the veins struggle to keep blood flowing from the legs back to the heart. Leavitt previously called it a “common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.” The disorder affects about one in 20 adults, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

A subsequent memo from White House physician Sean Barbabella said doctors found “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease” and that “no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness were identified.”

The White House also said the bruising on Trump’s hand, which has remained visible for months, was “minor soft tissue irritation from frequent hand-shaking” and a side effect of aspirin therapy, which the president takes as part of a cardiovascular prevention routine.

Trump in January was the oldest president ever sworn into office. He himself has boasted of being in good health, telling Newsmax in a Monday interview: “I feel the same or better than I did 30 years ago.”

His predecessor, former President Joe Biden, dropped out of the 2024 election amid questions about his acuity, and Trump in his first term was reticent to disclose when he underwent medical evaluations.

©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Meme stock resurgence prompts return of central meme investment fund

South Florida Local News - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 15:55

By DAMIAN J. TROISE

NEW YORK (AP) — A resurgence of meme stock interest has prompted the return of a one-stop fund for the volatile and quirky investments.

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Roundhill Investments is launching a meme ETF, which is an exchange-traded fund consisting solely of meme stocks. Several of those stocks have ridden a wave of meme investment sentiment this year. The move comes two years after the provider of ETFs closed the fund because of slumping interest. The new fund trades under the “MEME” symbol.

Investors have been sporadically turning to meme stocks throughout 2025 in an effort to find bargains amid a very pricey stock market. The S&P 500 has had a busy year setting records. That has made it more difficult for investors to find stocks at lower prices that have potential for growth.

“Meme stocks started as a rebellion but have grown into a revolution,” said Dave Mazza, CEO of Roundhill Investments. “With MEME, we offer investors a tool to capture that power through an actively managed ETF that can rotate quickly into the stocks dominating the conversation today.”

The biggest weight in the ETF is Opendoor Technologies, which has had a volatile year. The real estate company’s stock was trading below $1 per share through early July, then surged above $3 that month as hedge fund manager Eric Jackson touted the stock on X. It fell back a bit, then gained more steam and closed above $9 on Tuesday.

Other heavyweights in the index include Plug Power, which focuses on hydrogen fuel cell technology, and data center company Applied Digital.

Meme stocks include companies with financial prospects that appear dim, but then gain ground for no seemingly fundamental reason. The stock gains are often fueled by online forums.

The stocks are often the target of “short sellers,” or investors betting against the stock. That sometimes prompts other investors to start buying the stock in an effort to get the people betting against the stock to do the same in order to cushion their own losses. This starts a cycle that further boosts the stock price.

It’s a risky strategy and the gains can evaporate as quickly as they came.

FILE – An assortment of Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Decatur, Ala., are displayed on Jan. 19, 2016. (John Godbey/The Decatur Daily via AP, File)

Some of the more well-known meme stocks making big moves earlier this year included doughnut maker Krispy Kreme, camera maker GoPro and plant-based meat maker Beyond Meat.

FILE – Pedestrians pass a GameStop store on 14th Street at Union Square, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in the Manhattan borough of New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

The original meme stock is GameStop. In 2021, the company was struggling to survive and major investors were betting against the video game retailer. Investor Keith Gill, better known as “Roaring Kitty,” rallied other investors to join him in buying up thousands of GameStop shares, changing the trajectory of the stock.

New bill seeks to lower Florida’s gun-buying age, undoing law passed after Parkland massacre

South Florida Local News - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 15:46

Amid a U.S. Supreme Court case on the issue, House Majority Leader Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, on Wednesday filed a proposal that would lower the minimum age to purchase rifles and other long guns in Florida from 21 to 18.

Sirois filed the bill (HB 133) for consideration during the 2026 legislative session, which will start in January.

The House passed similar bills in recent years, but the Senate has not gone along.

The Legislature and then-Gov. Rick Scott increased the minimum age for long-gun purchases to 21 after the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 people.

The National Rifle Association filed a lawsuit alleging the restriction violated Second Amendment rights.

Federal district and appeals courts have upheld the law, but the NRA this spring appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the case is pending.

While the law bars people under 21 from buying rifles and long guns, they can receive them, for example, as gifts from family members.

Federal law has long prevented people under 21 from buying handguns.

Things to watch for: Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday

South Florida Local News - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 15:27

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins (1-4) enter Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) badly needing a victory, similar to last week. The difference now is the the Dolphins are at home, where they’re 19-8 (.704) in the coach Mike McDaniel era.

Both teams have concerning offensive line problems. The Chargers are dealing with injuries to tackles Joe Alt (ankle) and Rashawn Slater (knee) and guard Mekhi Becton (hand) although Alt and Becton could play. The Dolphins have been dealing with injuries to right guard James Daniels (pectoral) and right tackle Austin Jackson (toe) all season.

The Chargers are 1-1 on the road, winning at Las Vegas (20-9), but losing at the New York Giants (21-18).

By the way, weather might not be much of a factor in the Dolphins’ favor as the forecast calls for 83 degrees at kickoff with a “feels-like” temperature of a comfortable 82 degrees. Perhaps the Dolphins benefit from the West-to-East travel advantage that essentially makes this a 10 a.m. kickoff for the Chargers.

Here are five things to watch for in Sunday’s game: 

Tua vs. Herbert

The debate will continue regarding the Dolphins drafting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 5 pick, one ahead of Chargers QB Justin Herbert who was the No. 6 pick. Tagovailoa is 0-1 in the playoffs while Herbert is 0-2. But for their careers Herbert is 44-40 (.524) in the regular season while Tagovailoa is 39-28 (.582).

Keep an eye on mobility, arm strength and ability to take hits in this game. Herbert is thought to be better on those traits than Tagovailoa, and all of those could be factors considering both teams are dealing with offensive line injuries. 

Run defense

The Dolphins are the league’s worst run defense at 174.2 yards per game, allowing more than 100 yards to each opponent and more than 200 yards to their past two opponents. Of course, it should be noted the Dolphins have faced the league’s No. 1 rusher (Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor) and No. 2 rusher (Buffalo’s James Cook). Taylor only rushed for 71 yards against the Dolphins while Cook rushed for 108 yards.

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The Chargers are without running backs Omarion Hampton (ankle) and Najee Harris (Achilles), but Carolina was without their starter last week, too. The Dolphins’ front seven, led by defensive tackle Zach Sieler and linebacker Jordyn Brooks, must lead the charge.  

Darren Waller

Waller, who retired after the 2024 season, has been a success story through two games. Well, kind of. Waller, who had two touchdowns in his debut against the New York Jets, was shut down in the second half of last week’s Carolina game after totaling five receptions for 78 yards in the first half. The Panthers reportedly shut down the middle of the field by using bracket coverage against Waller, and that could serve as a template for the Chargers for the entire game.

Perhaps a focus on Waller opens the pass game up for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (six receptions, 110 yards, one touchdown vs. Carolina) or running back De’Von Achane (six receptions, 30 yards, one touchdown). But the Dolphins can’t allow Waller to be completely shut down again.

Grant and Savaiinaea

The rookies have been struggling. Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, the Dolphins’ first-round pick, and left guard Jonah Savaiinaea, the Dolphins’ second-round pick, are among the worst in the league at their respective positions according to ratings by Pro Football Focus. Grant, a run-stuffing specialist, has been moved off his spot regularly by double teams. His rate of success hasn’t been much better when dealing with 1-on-1 blocks.

Savaiinaea, valued for his size (6 foot 5, 326 pounds), hasn’t been effective as a run blocker or pass blocker. There’s concern both rookies might lose their confidence. And at some point the Dolphins could be forced to bench one or both. 

Pass protection, pass rush

The Dolphins’ pass protection package has been porous, allowing 11 sacks, which is tied for 18th-fewest in the league. What’s more promising is the Chargers have allowed 17 sacks, which is tied for third-most in the league. If the Dolphins, who rank 30th in rushing at 82.2 yards per game, can give Tagovailoa time to pass to Waller, Waddle, Achane or his other receivers it gives them a viable way to consistently move the ball despite the Chargers being No. 4 in pass defense (172.2 ypg allowed).

Conversely, if the Dolphins can get their pass rush going, led by Sieler and outside linebackers Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Chop Robinson, they give their secondary some much-needed help. 

Dolphins Deep Dive: Prediction time — Can Miami regroup and win vs. Chargers? | VIDEO

How Gen Z protesters brought down Madagascar’s government and now want the president out

South Florida Local News - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 14:52

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — Youth-led protests in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar are continuing for a third week in the most significant unrest in the country in years.

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The protests led by a group calling itself “Gen Z Madagascar” began Sept. 25 over electricity and water outages but have snowballed into larger dissatisfaction with the government and the leadership of President Andry Rajoelina.

Civic groups and trade unions have joined the protests, which have resulted in nighttime curfews being enforced in the capital, Antananarivo, and other major cities. The United Nations said at least 22 people have been killed.

Rajoelina fired his government and appointed a new prime minister in response to the uprising, but protesters have not relented and gave Rajoelina an ultimatum to resign this week. They say they have rejected his offer of talks, which were set for Wednesday.

Here’s what to know about the protests inspired by young, social media-savvy Madagascans that mirror Gen Z anti-government demonstrations in Kenya, Nepal, Morocco and elsewhere.

Thousands on the streets

Thousands have taken to the streets, initially over chronic problems with the electricity and water supply. Protesters have since brought up a range of issues, including poverty and the cost of living, access to tertiary education, and alleged corruption and embezzlement of public funds by government officials and their families and associates.

Demonstrators protesting against chronic electricity and water cuts confront riot police in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mamyrael)

The U.N. human rights office said that at least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the first few furious days of protests and accused Madagascar security forces of a violent response to what started as peaceful protests. The Madagascar government rejected that death toll but authorities haven’t given their own count of deaths or injuries.

The protests have continued almost daily and the Gen Z Madagascar group has called for a major strike and stayaway on Thursday.

Rejecting Rajoelina

Rajoelina, 51, was elected president in 2018 and reelected in 2023, when the vote was boycotted by opposition parties.

President of Madagascar Andry Nirina Rajoelina addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

But he first came to prominence in 2009 as the mayor of Antananarivo when he led protests against the government that resulted in a military-backed coup and the ouster of President Marc Ravalomanana. A military council took power before handing it to Rajoelina as transitional leader.

Madagascar, a large island of around 31 million people off the east coast of Africa, has seen several leaders forced out in uprisings since it gained independence from France in 1960 and has a history of political crises. It struggles with severe poverty, which affects around 80% of the population, according to the World Bank.

Rajoelina has attempted to appease the Gen Z protesters by meeting some of their demands and firing government officials and Prime Minister Christian Ntsay last week. But he appointed an army general as the new prime minister in a move seen by the protesters as an attempt to clamp down on them. He also prioritized the appointment of new ministers for the armed forces, public security and the gendarmerie law enforcement force, saying their mission is to “restore peace so that everyone can resume their daily lives.”

Rajoelina has referred to the protests as an attempted coup.

Demonstrators protesting against chronic electricity and water cuts confront riot police in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mamyrael)

Responding to Rajoelina’s offer for talks, the Gen Z Madagascar group said in a statement: “We do not reach out to a regime that every day crushes those who stand up for justice. This government talks about dialogue but rules with weapons.”

Inspired by other Gen Z protests

One of the most prominent symbols carried and worn by Madagascar’s generally black-clothed protesters is an image of a pirate skull and crossbones that was seen in the Gen Z-led uprising in Nepal last month and other protests across the world.

A medical student holds a flag bearing the logo of the popular Japanese manga One Piece, a symbol adopted by Gen Z protest movements worldwide, in front of Malagasy security forces during a demonstration demanding better healthcare conditions and constitutional reforms in Antananarivo, on October 7, 2025. President Andry Rajoelina’s appointment of an army general as new prime minister was met with little enthusiasm in Madagascar Tuesday and dismissed by the youth-led movement behind two weeks of protests as a diversion. Rajoelina named Major General Ruphin Fortunat Dimbisoa Zafisambo as head of government late Monday in a bid to quell anti-government unrest that has claimed 22 lives, according to a toll from the United Nations that is disputed by local authorities. (Photo by Luis TATO / AFP) (Photo by LUIS TATO/AFP via Getty Images)

The image is from the Japanese comic series “One Piece” — which follows the adventures of a young pirate and his crew living in a world run by an authoritarian government — and has come to symbolize Gen Z movements. The Madagascar protesters have made the logo their own by redesigning it with a traditional Malagasy hat on the skull.

Gen Z Madagascar have their own website, Facebook page and other social media channels and have a GoFundMe page to raise money. They have mobilized over the internet and say they were inspired by other protests that toppled governments in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

They describe themselves as generally under the age of 30 and one of their slogans, which they’ve repeated in protests, is: “We’re tired of just surviving, we want to live.”

AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

Chris Perkins: Dolphins’ Tua was shown the money, but hasn’t shown much magic

South Florida Local News - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 14:51

MIAMI GARDENS — This is the other side of “Show me the money!” for Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. This is “Show me why you got the contract extension!” and it’s not going well.

Where’s the magic? Where’s the spark? 

This is my major problem with Tua. He hasn’t shown anything special in a couple of years. To drill down further, Tua hasn’t been magical since midway through 2023.

Let’s be clear here: this isn’t about the money or Tua’s lack of mobility, and this isn’t personal. This is about being a top-notch NFL quarterback. It’s about meeting expectations regardless of your salary, where you were drafted or your physical skills. This is about making magic happen.

Tua, as is usually the case, is fairly level-headed on the topic.

“I’ve got to do my job,” he said Wednesday, “and my job is to play well enough to help our team win games.”

There’s the rub. You know the stat I always cite: in the 2023-24 seasons, Tua was 2-10 vs. playoff teams with 15 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and an 84.8 passer rating.

By comparison, over that same span Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen is 10-6 with 27 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 99.1 passer rating.

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I don’t blame Tua solely for those stats. I still maintain you can win a Super Bowl with Tua. But as the quarterback of a Dolphins team with playoff expectations I hold him largely responsible for those stats.

Something must change here, and it won’t be the expectations despite injuries to Tua, his offensive line or his injured star wide receiver, Tyreek Hill.

“If you’re uncomfortable with the stakes of the game, it’s not a game for you,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “You’re not going to change the stakes.”

After Tua was awarded a four-year, $212 million contract extension in 2024, an extension I didn’t support, he took the microphone before a training camp practice and playfully yelled to the fans, “Show me the money!” parroting the line from the movie “Jerry Maguire”.

Everyone laughed and applauded. No one is laughing anymore, and few are applauding. The Dolphins are struggling at 1-4, and Tua, with his late-game interceptions against New England and Buffalo, is struggling just as badly as the rest of the team.

Dolphins-Chargers presents another installment of Tua Tagovailoa vs. Justin Herbert

Tua, who was 6-5 as a starter last season, hasn’t shown much magic since 2022 when he led the Dolphins to that amazing 42-38 come-from-behind victory at Baltimore. He followed that by leading the Dolphins to a 21-14 victory over Buffalo the next week despite possibly being concussed during the game.

You could argue Tua has the misfortune of being in the AFC at the same time as four possible/probable future Hall of Fame quarterbacks — Allen, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow. Since 2022, when McDaniel came in and revived Tua’s career, Tua has a 2-11 record against those quarterbacks.

Again, where’s Tua’s magic?

We’ve seen magic from Mahomes, Jackson, Allen and Burrow.

Mahomes is among the best of all time with his three Super Bowl titles and five Super Bowl appearances. Burrow has been to a Super Bowl. Allen and Jackson have been named MVP (Jackson twice).

Tua? He has a Pro Bowl appearance and back-to-back playoff appearances. 

That’s not good enough considering the expectations of the Dolphins in the McDaniel era.

For the record, Tua doesn’t compare himself to those other quarterbacks.

“The only perspective you have is what you can do to help your team win every week,” he said.

Regardless, Tua must put this Dolphins team on his back the way Allen carries the Bills. That’s the expectation when you’re an NFL quarterback on a team that has, or had, playoff aspirations.

Tua hasn’t consistently delivered at a high level. We expect to see Tua work late-game magic based on the Tua-friendly McDaniel offense, the back-to-back playoff appearances, having the league’s No. 1 offense in 2023, the Pro Bowl berth, and what his AFC counterparts have accomplished. 

No, Tua can’t carry the Dolphins in the same physical fashion Allen does with the Bills, by plowing over defenders.

But Tua can carry the Dolphins by making clutch late-game plays such as Allen. We saw it firsthand in 2022 when Allen led the Bills to a remarkable 32-29 win over the Dolphins, outdueling Tua, who played well, down the stretch.

Yes, the Dolphins have failed Tua greatly by not recognizing his limitations and providing him more help in the way of a strong running game (don’t give me that mess about the overrated 2023 run game), a better offensive line or a game-changing/game-winning defense.

Tua has been a victim, in a sense. But no excuses.

Tua has to overcome that and make plays, make magic happen, especially in late-game situations. We have not see that often enough.

Miss Manners: Should I pretend I haven’t seen the news about their misdeed?

South Florida Local News - Wed, 10/08/2025 - 01:31

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have seen a close relative in the news for something nefarious.

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I know they must be upset by the reports, and I sincerely feel bad for them, as I know this action was out of character.

Should I acknowledge the incident and comfort them, or just ignore the whole thing? I want to let them know things will be OK but don’t want to embarrass them.

GENTLE READER: Miss Manners notes that the action was not, however, so out of character that you appear to have any doubt about the facts.

The approach to take is to ask how they are doing. You will not need — or want — to mention the incident directly, or even add any special inflection when you ask how they are. Most people are well-informed about their own lives, so they will make the connection and you can then follow that lead.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband died unexpectedly three months ago. It was a shock and I am not OK.

But sometimes I have to go grocery shopping. As I start to move around in the world again, people stop me frequently and ask how I’m doing.

This is difficult to answer, and I understand they are trying to be kind. But then they often go on to share with me painful stories of the spouse, sibling, child or dear friend they lost, and how hard it was for them.

I think this is an effort to show solidarity or demonstrate that I’m not alone in my grief. But it ends up with me shouldering the burden of gathering heartbreaking, sometimes traumatic, stories as I go through my day.

This near-constant reminder of how unhappy people are inside is not making things easier; it’s making me want to go back to hibernating.

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When someone, maybe with good intent, starts oversharing, how do I politely get them to just … not?

I’m sure their pain is real and that they also need support, but I am not the person to give it right now.

GENTLE READER: “Thank you so much for asking. I’m still at that stage where everything reminds me of my loss, which is why I am not going out. I would love to see you again and talk more when I’m able to. Excuse me.” The difficult — but critical — next step is then to walk away.

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.

 
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