<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[WJXT News4JAX]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com</link><atom:link href="https://www.news4jax.com/arc/outboundfeeds/google-news-feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><description><![CDATA[WJXT News4JAX News Feed]]></description><lastBuildDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:39:55 +0000</lastBuildDate><language>en</language><ttl>1</ttl><sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod><sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency><item><title><![CDATA[Low Pressure System Moving Northeastward Along The Middle Texas
Coast]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/weather/hurricane/2026/06/16/very-heavy-rainfall-and-dangerous-flash-flooding-expected-from-potential-tropical-cyclone-one/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/weather/hurricane/2026/06/16/very-heavy-rainfall-and-dangerous-flash-flooding-expected-from-potential-tropical-cyclone-one/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[National Hurricane Center]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[At 700 AM CDT (1200 UTC), the disturbance was centered near latitude 28.3 North, longitude 96.2 West. The system is moving toward the northeast near 7 mph (11 km/h), and an increase in forward speed...]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:56:50 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
</p><table><thead><tr><th>
</th><th>
</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>
    Location
   </td><td>
    15 miles ESE of Port Oconnor Texas
   </td></tr><tr><td>
    Wind
   </td><td>
    30 mph
   </td></tr><tr><td>
    Heading
   </td><td>
    NE at 7 mph
   </td></tr><tr><td>
    Pressure
   </td><td>
    29.59
   </td></tr><tr><td>
    Coordinates
   </td><td>
    96.2W, 28.3N
   </td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>
</p><h4>Discussion</h4><p>At 700 AM CDT (1200 UTC), the disturbance was centered near latitude 28.3 North, longitude 96.2 West. The system is moving toward the northeast near 7 mph (11 km/h), and an increase in forward speed is expected today. On the forecast track, the low pressure area should move northeastward along the Texas coast today and then move inland over southwestern Louisiana by tonight.</p><p>Surface observations indicate the maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph (45 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast, and the disturbance could become a tropical storm today. Weakening is anticipated once the low moves inland, and it could dissipate by tonight or early Thursday. * Formation chance through 48 hours, medium, 60 percent. * Formation chance through 7 days, medium, 60 percent.</p><p>The minimum central pressure based on surface observations is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><figure><img src="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/5MxJWparCfrlGq_YmMrRU603PJo=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/IZIJX5TIWBC7LD6FPMVVILNGVU.jpg" alt="Tropics Satellite at 8:36 Wednesday Morning, June 17th" height="410" width="728"/><figcaption>Tropics Satellite at 8:36 Wednesday Morning, June 17th</figcaption></figure><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><h4>Watches and Warnings</h4><p>CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:</p><p>None.</p><p>SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:</p><p>A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for, * Sabine Pass to Morgan City</p><p>A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for, * Sargent to Sabine Pass</p><p>A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area, in this case within 12 to 24 hours.</p><p>A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 12 hours.</p><p>For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><figure><img src="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/kwIvu3LU67xoJy22pz1pMO04WZI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6X37N4JRTJF33LZ3ZKSQFVFBEQ.jpg" alt="Tropics Models at 8:35 Wednesday Morning, June 17th" height="410" width="728"/><figcaption>Tropics Models at 8:35 Wednesday Morning, June 17th</figcaption></figure><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><h4>Land Hazards</h4><p>Key messages for Potential Tropical Cyclone One can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT1 and WMO header WTNT41 KNHC.</p><p>RAINFALL: Potential Tropical Cyclone One is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated higher totals near 20 inches, through early Friday from the Mid and Upper Texas coast east-northeast into southern and central portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, along with western portions of Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. This could generate dangerous to life-threatening flash flooding.</p><p>For a complete depiction of forecast rainfall associated with Potential Tropical Cyclone One, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?rainqpf and the Flash Flood Risk graphic at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?ero.</p><p>For a list of rainfall observations (and wind reports) associated this potential tropical cyclone, see the companion storm summary at WBCSCCNS1 with the WMO header ACUS44 KWBC or at the following link: www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/nfdscc1.html.</p><p>WIND: Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area and expected within the warning area later today.</p><p>STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide, </p><p>Port Bolivar, TX to Morgan City, LA, 2-4 ft</p><p>The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the east of the landfall location, where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.</p><p>For a complete depiction of areas at risk of storm surge inundation, please see the National Weather Service Peak Storm Surge Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?peakSurge.</p><p>SURF: Swells generated by the Potential Tropical Cyclone are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the northwestern Gulf Coast for the next couple of days. Please consult products from your local weather office.</p><p>A depiction of rip current risk for the United States can be found at: hurricanes.gov/graphics_at1.shtml?ripCurrents</p><p>TORNADO: A couple of tornadoes are possible through Thursday from the Upper Texas Coast into southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle.</p><p>
</p><p>
</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/0B5o0bZzU6E41tVhV9t4_e4gULc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/OFUBBZJ3ZNGIBET4AZPXFWGXYM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="410" width="728"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Tropics Forecast Cone at 8:35 Wednesday Morning, June 17th]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trump's pick to lead the nation's embattled disaster relief agency faces questions from senators]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/trumps-pick-to-lead-the-nations-embattled-disaster-relief-agency-faces-questions-from-senators/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/trumps-pick-to-lead-the-nations-embattled-disaster-relief-agency-faces-questions-from-senators/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Cameron Hamilton is President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and he's facing questions from senators as he seeks to run an agency roiled by the administration’s threats to dismantle it.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:30:31 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Cameron Hamilton, President Donald Trump's <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fema-cameron-hamilton-trump-disasters-navy-seals-e1ef0f6c81f6ea992a2213714f6743b1">nominee to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency</a>, is facing questions from senators Wednesday as he seeks to run an agency roiled by the administration's threats to dismantle it.</p><p>Hamilton led FEMA briefly last year until he was fired after defending its existence. His nomination comes as the Republican administration has increasingly signaled it is backing away from <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fema-hurricane-season-trump-eliminate-state-funding-25fb7714414e17fa51156be7e91a4474">promises to dismantle</a> an agency that has been heavily criticized by the president. </p><p>Hamilton was named temporary head in January 2025, just days before the president floated <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-first-trip-california-north-carolina-nevada-b906880254ce7bf249c3dcefa45bf846">the idea of “getting rid” of</a> FEMA. Hamilton had never been a state or local emergency management director and had himself publicly criticized FEMA in the past.</p><p>Once on the job, he said he was concerned about threats to abolish the agency. At a House hearing last year, he said he did not “believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate” FEMA. He was fired the next day.</p><p>If confirmed, Hamilton would be the principal adviser to Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on emergency management. FEMA is part of the Department of Homeland Security.</p><p>He would be FEMA’s first permanent administrator in Trump’s second term. The agency has gone through <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fema-david-richardson-noem-trump-disasters-047504801b1b8872732583ab7adf39da">four temporary leaders</a>, including Hamilton’s brief tenure from in 2025 from January to May.</p><p>Hamilton would take over an agency still reeling from <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-homeland-security-noem-mullin-38c583b3cef97b4ef60d84b8f8b5961a">Kristi Noem’s turbulent leadership</a> at DHS. FEMA’s workforce has been worn down by mass staff departures, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-fema-mullin-moem-8b03d9240b267422d6fadf3f7d12f0eb">policies that hamstrung</a> operations and a protracted DHS shutdown.</p><p>Hamilton will need to ensure that FEMA is prepared for summer disaster season, while answering to Trump, who is likely to expect major changes after a council he appointed <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fema-review-council-markwayne-mullin-disasters-22540cc138b3e55762c44306a3e97d8e">recommended sweeping moves</a> at the agency.</p><p>Among the other Trump nominees being considered at the hearing Wednesday is David Cummins for the Transportation Security Administration.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/eq87TXWKQXLeW_motZGdenAEXjM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/IEKLUSA3HVBCJBVAW3CHVZ3N4Y.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3710" width="5565"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - People work at the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Julia Demaree Nikhinson</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Law enforcement flood Green Cove Springs neighborhood to serve search warrant for child sex abuse material: police]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/heavy-law-enforcement-presence-in-green-cove-springs-neighborhood/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/heavy-law-enforcement-presence-in-green-cove-springs-neighborhood/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrea Snody]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The Green Cove Springs Police Department said officers were serving a search warrant at a home on Wednesday after tips about someone in the home downloading child sexual abuse material.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:31:30 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Green Cove Springs Police Department issued an alert Wednesday morning about a heavy law enforcement presence in a neighborhood off Idlewild Avenue.</p><p>Police said the area of Elsie Street and Oakridge Avenue was blocked off and asked people to avoid the area.</p><p>The department later said officers were serving a search warrant at a home in the area after tips about someone in the home downloading child sexual abuse material.</p><p>Someone at the home was detained and interviewed, but no arrests have been made.</p><p>The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was also on the scene. </p><p>Green Cove Springs police initially said they would hold a media briefing about the incident, but they later opted not to.</p><p>Investigators have not said what, if anything, was found in the home.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/4rHtHTHyZVFUFTL8fB0xfUHsUGE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EMPSBRPB75DZNITY63T5MAIM5Q.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="994" width="1767"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Green Cove Springs incident]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Clay County sheriff issues public safety alert after woman walking dog fights off attacker in Jennings State Forest]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/clay-county-sheriffs-issues-public-safety-alert-after-woman-fights-off-attacker-in-jennings-forest/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/clay-county-sheriffs-issues-public-safety-alert-after-woman-fights-off-attacker-in-jennings-forest/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kendra Mazeke]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[A woman escaped an attempted attack in Jennings Forest early Tuesday morning after fighting off a man who grabbed her, prompting Clay County Sheriff Melissa Cook to issue a public safety alert.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:40:38 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After a woman said she fought off a man who grabbed her while she was walking her dog early Tuesday in Jennings State Forest, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook issued a public safety alert.</p><p>The woman said that around 7:30 a.m., she was walking her dog through Jennings State Forest in northwest Clay County when a man she did not know approached her and forcefully grabbed her arm, according to the Sheriff’s Office.</p><p>The woman said she fought back, and her dog helped scare off the suspect. She was not hurt.</p><p>Deputies returned to the area to search for the man, but only recovered the woman’s backpack. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said it was working with the woman to create a composite sketch of the man.</p><p>He is described as a white male in his late 40s, about 6 feet tall, with a salt-and-pepper beard with little to no mustache, scruffy hair, yellow teeth and a strong musty odor. He was last seen wearing a dark long-sleeved shirt, dark jeans and hiking boots.</p><p>“This is pretty scary, and I wanted to make sure our community is aware of what happened this morning,” Cook said during a Facebook Live on Tuesday.</p><p>Cook urged residents to remain vigilant. Anyone who was in the area and saw something suspicious is asked to contact the CCSO at 904-264-6512 or submit a tip through the SaferWatch app.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Same ride, different price: Consumer Reports investigation discovers how Uber, Lyft use AI to set what you pay]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/money/2026/06/16/same-ride-different-price-consumer-reports-investigation-discovers-how-uber-lyft-use-ai-to-set-what-you-pay/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/money/2026/06/16/same-ride-different-price-consumer-reports-investigation-discovers-how-uber-lyft-use-ai-to-set-what-you-pay/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Consumer Reports]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[A new Consumer Reports investigation found that someone standing right next to you, requesting the same ride at the same time, could be shown a very different price—and most riders would never know.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:37:40 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ever order an Uber or a Lyft and wonder how the app landed on your price?</p><p>A new Consumer Reports investigation found that someone standing right next to you, requesting the same ride at the same time, could be shown a very different price—and most riders would never know.</p><p>Consumer Reports spent months testing Uber and Lyft prices nationwide. The investigation used riders who requested a trip from the same starting point to the same destination at almost the same time—generally within a few minutes of one another and, in many cases, within the same minute.</p><p>The result? Many riders saw very different prices.</p><p><b>CONSUMER REPORTS: </b><a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/uber-lyft-different-prices-for-same-ride-and-fake-discounts-a1093538909/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/uber-lyft-different-prices-for-same-ride-and-fake-discounts-a1093538909/"><b>Different Prices for the Same Ride: How Uber and Lyft Use AI to Get More Money Out of You</b></a></p><p>“We had about 175 people from across the country look at different prices for the same ride at the same time,” said Derek Kravitz, Consumer Reports investigative reporter. “People do get different prices for essentially the same ride.”</p><p>In one test near Florida’s Gulf Coast, two riders looked up the same ride between two towns at the same time. One was quoted nearly $95. The other would have paid about $66 for the same trip, at the same time, on the same app—a difference of almost $30.</p><p>The investigation also raised concerns about discounts and crossed-out prices. Consumer Reports found that in some cases, the higher “original” price did not appear to be a real starting price, meaning riders may think they’re getting a deal when they’re not.</p><p>“Where you might see a ride discounted from $80 down to $60—that’s not a real discount,” Kravitz said. “That’s fictitious pricing.”</p><p>Uber and Lyft strongly dispute Consumer Reports’ findings and deny setting prices based on who a rider is. The companies say fare differences reflect a live marketplace influenced by supply, demand, traffic, weather, and other factors that can change by the second. Both companies also deny offering discounts that weren’t real.</p><p>Consumer Reports also found that the companies may be keeping a larger share of each fare, between 43% and nearly 50%. Drivers interviewed by CR said they feel squeezed by the growing gap.</p><p>“They know they can manipulate us, and they basically take advantage of that,” said Portland, Oregon, Lyft driver Mario Antunez.</p><p>So what can riders do? Consumer Reports says there are limited options, but recommends comparing prices between Uber and Lyft before booking, being skeptical of crossed-out “discount” prices, and considering taxis, public transit, or other transportation options when available.</p><p>Uber says some crossed-out prices are “historical” comparisons rather than discounts. Both Uber and Lyft maintain that the share of fares they keep is significantly lower than Consumer Reports found.</p><p>Meanwhile, some states are beginning to address concerns about pricing practices. Maryland and Connecticut have enacted restrictions on surveillance pricing, while California, Pennsylvania, and New York are considering broader bans on the practice.</p><p>Consumer Reports says that until there is more transparency around ride-share pricing, comparison shopping may be one of the best tools riders have to avoid paying more than necessary.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Starting smarter: What you need to know about dating after 50]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/morning-show/2026/06/17/starting-smarter-what-you-need-to-know-about-dating-after-50/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/morning-show/2026/06/17/starting-smarter-what-you-need-to-know-about-dating-after-50/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ivanhoe Newswire]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Surveys show 1 in 3 adults between 50 and 80 feel socially isolated, and more than a third say they lack companionship.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:21:16 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>More than 37 million Americans over 50 are single, and many are still open to finding love. </p><p>But here’s the twist, experts say dating later in life isn’t about starting over, it’s about starting smarter.</p><p>Surveys show 1 in 3 adults between 50 and 80 feel socially isolated, and more than a third say they lack companionship.</p><p>If you’re looking for love, apps may be the first stop. Sites like OurTime, DateMyAge, and SeniorMatch are designed for people who want more than just a swipe. </p><p>But experts say some of the strongest connections happen offline. Think book clubs, volunteering or even letting friends play matchmaker.</p><p>When you meet someone of interest, do be your authentic self and explain what you’re looking for in a relationship. But don’t rush into anything. </p><p>You don’t want to settle for a subpar connection. </p><p>Do watch for red flags like controlling behavior, dishonesty, jealousy, aggression, substance abuse issues, and emotional manipulation. And don’t get stuck on just one type. Let yourself think outside the box. You might be surprised. </p><p>Do look for someone who shares your future goals and values. And lastly: don’t write someone off too quickly. Attraction can grow especially when values line up.</p><p>And while dating after 50 can feel different, experts say it can also be more meaningful. Because you know who you are, what you want and what you won’t settle for. </p><p>When making a dating profile, experts say use a recent, natural-looking photo. Also write a profile description that accurately reflects your personality and interests. </p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and can sell oil freely under deal with the US, officials say]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/iran-will-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-and-can-sell-oil-freely-under-deal-with-us-according-to-leaks/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/iran-will-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-and-can-sell-oil-freely-under-deal-with-us-according-to-leaks/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon Gambrell, Zeke Miller, Michelle L. Price And Samy Magdy, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Iran will immediately take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once a tentative deal with the U.S. to end the war is signed and will be allowed to sell its oil without restrictions.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:13:34 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Iran will immediately take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once a tentative deal with the U.S. <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">to end the war</a> is signed and will be allowed to sell its oil without restrictions, according to leaked copies of an interim agreement that officials say broadly matches the document. </p><p>The accord, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-ceasefire-deal-e0a9e4e1152ea8da10ea066ad174a23a">due to be signed</a> in Switzerland on Friday, also envisions Iran receiving at least $300 billion to rebuild after the war and says the U.S. would work to end all American and United Nations sanctions imposed on Tehran — if a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-war-nuclear-talks-d8e5c8ada80c35446d4194201d9a7502">final agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear program</a> is reached.</p><p>The U.S. and Israel <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-explosion-tehran-c2f11247d8a66e36929266f2c557a54c">went to war</a> on Feb. 28 in part to prevent Iran from ever getting a nuclear weapon — although U.S. President Donald Trump's goals in the conflict have repeatedly shifted. The interim deal stops the war before that aim is secured — instead opening a two-month period for nuclear negotiations — and appears to offer Iran several benefits up front while extracting little in return. </p><p>The U.S. agreement to immediately allow Iran to sell its oil freely and the offer to eventually lift all sanctions, for instance, represent major concessions that outstrip the terms of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-us-war-timeline-c9cf4cae2651d343a9f2eda4132de215">Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal</a> with world powers that Trump withdrew America from in his first term, declaring it the “worst deal ever.” </p><p>The accord likely will draw <a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-powers-resolution-senate-iran-war-f50dcbe654c1e02292c0d3541f8e2ab2">intense criticism in Washington</a> — and appears to be a major setback for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is coming under <a href="https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-israel-iran-deal-trump-580112432fa563e6eb299640453e3ba9">intense criticism at home</a> as the details emerge.</p><p>The deal will stop the fighting and start more negotiations </p><p>Much of the agreement would restore the status quo before the war, including ending hostilities, restarting negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program, and reopening the strait, which is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/the-worlds-most-important-21-miles-0000019d2fbfd29daffdefffc72e0000">a crucial passage</a> for the world’s oil and natural gas and whose closure created a historic energy crisis.</p><p>The deal includes an end to the fighting <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lebanon">in Lebanon</a> between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah. That is one of the most delicate parts of the agreement because Israel has maintained it will continue to defend itself and to occupy vast swaths of Lebanon. Iran has said <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-israel-lebanon-oil-june-16-2026-d79458506c46e3f4a78aef0f9d8b9250">Israel must withdraw under the deal</a>, although the leaked versions make no mention of withdrawal.</p><p>A person who was briefed on the memorandum of understanding after it was signed and another who viewed a copy beforehand said it largely matched the text of what was published by the Saudi-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya, which reported details of the deal Tuesday. The two people spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions.</p><p>Another two officials in the Mideast, who spoke on condition of anonymity for the same reason, also said the versions published by Al Arabiya and Bloomberg broadly matched the final agreement.</p><p>The White House and other American officials have not published the terms and did not immediately respond to questions. However, White House communications director Steven Cheung wrote online Wednesday after CNN published a leaked version of the deal that it “does not reflect the language of the actual" agreement, without elaborating. </p><p>Iran also has not published an official version of the deal. Iran's semiofficial Tasnim news agency, close to its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, claimed Wednesday that Bloomberg's version had missing portions, without offering a full accounting. </p><p>Trump has cited various goals for the war, including at times vowing it would end Iran’s nuclear and missile programs and its support for Hezbollah and other proxy groups in the region. He also suggested it could lead to toppling the Iranian government. </p><p>The interim deal falls short of all of these goals, but Trump hailed it Wednesday.</p><p>“Nobody knows what it is but it’s very strong,” Trump said in France, where he is attending a Group of Seven summit.</p><p>But he also opened the door to abandoning it: “It’s a memorandum of understanding and if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs.”</p><p>The deal provides major concessions to Iran</p><p>Some concessions to Iran — including the full lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen assets — would happen gradually and be linked to progress in the nuclear talks, according to officials from Pakistan, a key mediator. They outlined some of the deal’s major points on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.</p><p>But in the meantime, the U.S. will issue waivers to sanctions that allow Iran to sell oil freely. Iran’s main buyer of oil, China, is believed to have bought at below-market prices because of its willingness to ignore the sanctions.</p><p>Granting oil waivers at the start of the 60-day talks strips the U.S. of a major point of leverage. Only at the conclusion of the overall deal in 2015 were sanctions on Iran's oil lifted.</p><p>The interim deal also opens the door to ending all sanctions Iran faces from the U.S. and at the U.N. — though it says the schedule for that will be worked out later. Still, that is far beyond the 2015 deal, which only lifted some sanctions in exchange for Iran drastically reducing its enrichment and stockpile of uranium.</p><p>The accord would also provide Iran with at least $300 billion to rebuild after an intense U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign — an extraordinary figure and another major benefit for Iran. That also appears dependent on the progress of further negotiations. </p><p>U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said Gulf Arab nations would invest that amount. Trump reiterated Wednesday that the U.S. would not contribute and said it was up to other countries if they wanted to invest.</p><p>The deal would provide relief to the global economy</p><p>The deal provides a major win for the global economy — the reopening of the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/hormuz-france-iran-trump-macron-energy-shipping-80c149a4367dd31c6e85e9b25daa4129">Strait of Hormuz</a>, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil and natural gas traded once passed before the war began. Since then, Iranian attacks on shipping and the threat to vessels effectively shut the strait. </p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/strait-of-hormuz-oil-prices-iran-war-8304cc39c6ebe6f863f6f39ee6ce9768">The strait's closure</a> drove up energy prices around the world and made many basics, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-fertilizer-exports-farming-3b7c92d58dba0817c3aa8f1db47464b7">including food</a>, more expensive. Iran let out some vessels that paid tolls, something never done before in the strait, which has long has been considered an international waterway. The U.S. later provided military support to get other tankers out, but traffic was nowhere near levels before the war. </p><p>The deal also says the U.S. will lift a blockade imposed on Iranian ports and that the strait will return to its prewar traffic levels in 30 days, while acknowledging Iranian mines may need to be destroyed.</p><p>The deal leaves much more to be resolved in future negotiations</p><p>The interim deal sets a 60-day window, which can be extended, to negotiate over limiting <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-war-nuclear-talks-d8e5c8ada80c35446d4194201d9a7502">Iran's nuclear program,</a> which has been discussed at multiple rounds of talks during Trump's second administration without success. The U.S. promises not to make threats of military action under the current deal after two rounds of talks were interrupted by attacks.</p><p>Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, though it has enough highly enriched uranium to build multiple atomic bombs, should it choose to do so, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. </p><p>In the interim deal, Iran reiterates that it will never build a nuclear weapon — a promise it also made in the 2015 nuclear accord.</p><p>___</p><p>Miller and Price reported from Washington, and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Evian-les-Bains, France, Darlene Superville in Geneva and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this story.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/9MtohOJ6euleDGZ_mzyxU1F9Gp4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TS3IZ6FZZRDO7L3TT55X7MZMXI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5760" width="8640"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A woman waves an Iranian flag during a pro-government campaign as a portrait of the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, is displayed at right, in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Vahid Salemi</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/dHml0H2Ds6M3U_RItQ5CMoP3fok=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/VUR4X4W22NE5PAN6ZLQGEQWB3I.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4265" width="6397"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[People walk along Tajrish square in northern Tehran, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Vahid Salemi</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/2bKE6947IiIyYqjB-5aq9j21pJo=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/QRVLQBIZOJEIRH4FKCMNND6WH4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A man who returns to his village following the announcement of an initial ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, flashes victory sign as he stands on the rubble of his destroyed house in Nabatiyeh town, southern Lebanon, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hussein Malla</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/OUlkq5QTlZOjyVA_CdwOIAscDw4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/C4KQLHLOWBFNRH7YXU6A3UMCQI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5760" width="8640"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Rescue workers inspect a damaged ambulance belonging to Hezbollah's health unit that was hit in a previous Israeli airstrike in the southern village of Souaneh, Lebanon, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mohammed Zaatari</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Latest: G7 summit focuses on contentious future of AI and US dominance of the industry]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/the-latest-g7-summit-focuses-on-contentious-future-of-ai-and-us-dominance-of-the-industry/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/the-latest-g7-summit-focuses-on-contentious-future-of-ai-and-us-dominance-of-the-industry/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Leaders at the Group of Seven summit wrap up talks Wednesday with discussions on the future of artificial intelligence and U.S. dominance in the industry.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:30:21 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/g7-summit">Group of Seven</a> wraps up three days of talks in the French Alps on Wednesday with discussions on the contentious future of <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence</a> and U.S. dominance of the industry.</p><p>Executives of leading AI companies including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei are attending discussions as U.S. President <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> and other leaders close formal talks of the leading industrial nations in the lakeside resort of Evian-les-Bains with a session on the future of <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence</a> and another on fostering economic growth. </p><p>Trump plans to stop outside Paris for a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-g7-summit-macron-versailles-france-meeting-861a196252ddd5c19ee74a91e607709a">glitzy dinner at the Palace of Versailles</a> before jetting back to Washington on Wednesday.</p><p>The G7 leaders spent the bulk of the meetings Tuesday discussing the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war between Russia and Ukraine</a> and a tentative deal to end <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">the Iran war</a>. Trump did not reveal details of the agreement expected to be signed by the United States and Iran on Friday in Switzerland, saying “nobody knows what it is but it’s very strong."</p><p>The G7 includes France, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Guest nations at this summit include Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya, South Korea, Qatar, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates.</p><p>Here is the latest:</p><p>As G7 leaders meet AI titans, their spouses discuss dangers of the technology</p><p>Brigitte Macron took some G7 leaders’ spouses to an event called “Protecting Children in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” as their partners met with AI titans.</p><p>Macron led Kenya’s Rachel Kimetto, Germany’s Charlotte Merz, Canada’s Diana Fox Carney, South Korea’s Kim Hye-kyung, France’s Brigitte Macron, Britain’s Victoria Starmer, Brazil’s Janja Lula da Silva and Heiko von der Leyen, husband of the EU executive, to La Buvette Cachat, an ornate wood and glass pavilion built in 1832 in Art Nouveau style on the south shore of Lake Geneva.</p><p>Trump says US won’t spend 10 cents to help Iran rebuild</p><p>The tentative agreement would provide Iran with at least $300 billion to rebuild after the intense U.S. and Israeli-led bombing campaign, according to leaked copies of the document.</p><p>But Trump insists the U.S. won’t aid the effort.</p><p>“We’re not putting up ten cents,” Trump said while meeting with Egypt’s president. “People can decide to do that, but that’s up to them. We are not investing in it, and we do not have a fund.”</p><p>Trump said he’s not asking Gulf countries to contribute. He said other countries are free to do so if they choose.</p><p>Merz says ‘no personal disturbances’ as allies met Trump</p><p>The German leader says the G7 leaders spoke “very openly” and “very constructively” about the issues on the summit agenda.</p><p>Merz got off to a good start with Trump last year, but their relationship cooled after Merz said earlier this year that the U.S. was being “humiliated” by Iran and criticized Washington for going into the war without a strategy.</p><p>Merz said when asked about his relationship with Trump Wednesday that he “experienced this G7 summit as very constructive and really carried by a joint spirit, and at no point were there any personal disturbances.”</p><p>Germany pledges support on Iran deal but sees no ‘time pressure’</p><p>Merz is reiterating Berlin’s intention to help support a peace deal in the Middle East. That could include a military mission in the Strait of Hormuz if there is a ceasefire.</p><p>But Merz said there is “a series of preconditions that are not yet fulfilled, so there is no immediate hurry.”</p><p>Germany’s government would need to secure a parliamentary mandate for any military mission.</p><p>Merz noted that there are still two weeks of parliamentary sessions before the legislature’s summer break starts in July and said that “there is no time pressure at the moment.”</p><p>Trump says agreement with Iran still hasn’t been finalized</p><p>“It’s a memorandum of understanding and if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs,” Trump said.</p><p>Trump also repeated his claim that his negotiating prowess and willingness to use military action pushed the Iranians to make a deal.</p><p>“Nobody could have made this deal,” he said.</p><p>Egypt’s leader touts US efforts to settle Cairo’s dispute with Ethiopia</p><p>During a news conference with Trump on the sidelines of the summit, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said that his government “values the U.S. support to Egypt,” as well as efforts to solve the Ethiopian dam issue.</p><p>El-Sissi has forged close ties with Trump since the American leader’s first term in the White House.</p><p>Egypt fears that Ethiopia’s controversial dam could slash its share of Nile water, and it has called for a legally binding agreement on the dam’s operation.</p><p>German leader highlights G7 support for Ukraine</p><p>German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the outcome of the summit shows that the group’s support for Ukraine is “as strong as seldom before.”</p><p>He said it also sends a clear signal to Moscow that all G7 members will step up pressure on Russia, including through sanctions.</p><p>“That sets a new tone, including in trans-Atlantic unity and determination,” Merz said, adding that it could be a “decisive step” toward peace negotiations.</p><p>G7 AI lunch is one of the first times OpenAI and Anthropic CEOs are appearing together</p><p>The G7’s AI lunch will be one of the first times that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei will be appearing together since they made an <a href="https://apnews.com/article/altman-amodei-india-ai-summit-photo-9067be4a101fcc710b09e297f4879c01">awkward appearance</a> at an AI summit in India earlier this year.</p><p>At that meeting, the two rivals were part of a group of 13 tech leaders on stage when the summit host beckoned them to lift up their hands in a chain, like at the end of a theater show.</p><p>But Altman and Amodei avoided hand contact, and both eventually put up their fists instead, in a moment that went viral on social media.</p><p>The two have longstanding differences over approaches to AI safety. Amodei worked at OpenAI before he and a group quit to form Anthropic in 2021.</p><p>Trump says the emerging Iran deal is a good one, even though details remain secret</p><p>“Nobody knows what it is but it’s very strong,” Trump said of the deal that is expected to be formally signed by U.S. and Iranian officials on Friday.</p><p>Trump added that a surging stock market is validating the deal.</p><p>“There’s nothing so smart as the market, and the market loves it, Trump said.</p><p>Nvidia boss Huang and Amazon founder Bezos among those not at G7 AI lunch</p><p>Among those not expected at the G7 lunch was Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who opened a new factory in Dallas on Tuesday and gave an exclusive interview to The Associated Press. Huang, whose company’s advanced chips are seen as essential for the AI boom, said he thought new social norms are needed when it comes to AI.</p><p>Another tech figure who was in France but not at the G7 was Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who appeared at a tech conference in Paris. Bezos told the crowd his new AI startup, Prometheus, would be different from current AI large language models because it would be the basis for a series of engineering tools.</p><p>He also said disagreed with the view that AI will eliminate jobs, saying the technology “is going to create a labor shortage because it’s going to make it possible for people to identify more problems” to solve with AI.</p><p>Trump offers a round of applause for Macron</p><p>Trump offered a round of applause for Macron at the beginning of the G7 session on global economic imbalances, saying the French president is “doing great” and paying tribute to the Evian summit’s organisation, a diplomat informed of the talks said.</p><p>An AP reporter close to the meeting’s room was able to hear the applause.</p><p>A senior French diplomatic official later described the Evian gathering as “the best G7” in years, citing the quality of informal exchanges among leaders. The official said those discussions helped secure endorsement from all G7 members, including Trump, of a joint statement on key geopolitical issues, including the Middle East and Ukraine.</p><p>Officials would not speak publicly about the leader’s talks that were behind closed doors.</p><p>AI bosses attend lunch with leaders to talk about safe deployment of the technology</p><p>High-profile AI industry figures will take part in a rare huddle with political leaders on the meeting’s final day.</p><p>The leaders of three of the world’s most powerful AI companies — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei — were due to attend a working lunch on the theme of “Ensuring a safe, rapid and effective deployment of artificial intelligence.”</p><p>European AI labs were represented by Arthur Mensch, CEO of France’s Mistral AI; Robin Rombach, CEO of Germany’s Black Forest Labs, Victor Riperbelli of U.K.-based Synthesia and Uljan Sharma, CEO of Italy’s Domyn.</p><p>Other AI founders joining the lunch include Aidan Gomez, CEO of Canada’s Cohere, Ren Ito, the founder of Japan’s Sakana AI, Vivek Raghavan of India’s Sarvam AI. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff was also taking part.</p><p>Trump told other G7 leaders ″I’m the boss’’</p><p>That was his opening phrase as he walked in — late — to the first session of the day at the G7 summit.</p><p>The room laughed, and Trump grinned. After exchanging niceties with the U.S. president, Macron then got the meeting underway.</p><p>G7 leaders focus on China trade surges and consequences for industry and jobs</p><p>G7 leaders were to discuss concerns that <a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-trade-exports-tariffs-trump-germany-edd7a75a090afca912b4650bcceb562d">China is flooding export markets</a> with subsidized products, unfairly out-competing their own industries and destroying jobs. They gathered for a session focusing on “promoting balanced, shared and sustainable economic growth” alongside partners including leaders of India, South Korea, Kenya and Brazil.</p><p>Talks come as China is redirecting its products away from the U.S. tariff wall and toward more open markets in Europe and elsewhere in Asia.</p><p>The shift in Chinese trade risks creating a European sequel to the China Shock that wiped out hundreds of thousands of factory jobs in the American heartland in the 2000s. Despite U.S. sanctions, China notched a record global trade surplus last year.</p><p>Informal talks begin</p><p>Leaders of France, the UK, Italy, Germany and Canada have gathered for informal talks ahead of a G7 session on global economic imbalances, French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said.</p><p>They then joined the meeting involving partners including India, South Korea, Kenya and India.</p><p>Starmer says he discussed Russia oil sanctions with Trump</p><p>Keir Starmer says he isn’t sure whether Trump has made a decision about whether to reimpose sanctions on Russian oil.</p><p>The British leader says he talked to Trump about the temporary U.S. sanctions waiver.</p><p>Starmer told British broadcaster ITV he and Trump had “a very constructive discussion about Ukraine,” but “I don’t know that a decision has been made yet.”</p><p>He said G7 leaders shared “a real determination to stand with Ukraine,” including through more sanctions on Russia.</p><p>Trump delays Jay Clayton’s nomination for intel director to try to push Congress on voting bill</p><p>Trump said on Wednesday that he’s delaying Jay Clayton’s nomination to lead the U.S. intelligence community in a bid to force Congress to act on a voter ID bill that currently lacks enough support for passage.</p><p>Trump said in a lengthy post on his social media site that he will keep Bill Pulte, a top U.S. housing official, as acting director of national intelligence. Lawmakers in both parties had opposed Trump’s nomination of Pulte, citing his apparent lack of experience in the intelligence field, which essentially forced Trump to turn to Clayton.</p><p>Clayton had been set to appear on Wednesday for a Senate confirmation hearing that was fast-tracked because of the lapse of a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fisa-702-spy-powers-surveillance-congress-terrorism-063e0f03ca366eaa339f9c51755d943a">crucial surveillance program</a> due to bipartisan anger over Trump’s pick of Pulte.</p><p>No Bilateral Meeting for Carney and Trump at G7 as Trade Pact Renewal Looms</p><p>Carney did not get a bilateral meeting with Trump at the summit, despite the free trade agreement between the countries being up for renewal on July 1.</p><p>Carney says he had seven or eight discussions with Trump and he expects to have more Wednesday.</p><p>He says they discussed a wide range of subjects, from the economy, relations, his birthday, artificial intelligence, Ukraine and Iran.</p><p>Canadian prime ministers usually get a bilateral meeting with an American president at G7 summits. And it is a crucial time for talks to potentially renew the free-trade agreement between the two countries and Mexico. Trump said last week that he may not renew the deal.</p><p>Macron is the only G7 leader to get a bilateral meeting thus far. Trump met with the leaders of non-G7 countries of Qatar, UAE, Egypt and India.</p><p>Trump to close final day in France at Palace of Versailles</p><p>The expansive palace is where he’ll have dinner with Macron before the flight back to Washington.</p><p>At the final day of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, Trump is set to participate in working sessions with his counterparts from France, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan, alongside leaders from some developing nations and tech CEOs.</p><p>In between sessions, he’ll hold one-on-one talks with Egypt’s president and India’s prime minister.</p><p>Trump is also holding a news conference before the trip to Versailles.</p><p>Leaders pledge Ukraine support including air defense technology</p><p>G7 leaders said in a joint statement overnight they would increase military support for Ukraine after recent “progress on the battlefield.”</p><p>They also plan to levy harsher sanctions on Russia’s energy sector in the wake of the recent deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.</p><p>They plan to give more air defense technology including interceptors and grant military production licenses to Ukraine.</p><p>Kyiv has sought the permits to construct their own Patriot missiles.</p><p>Carney says Iran deal could be a global game changer</p><p>Carney says a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-ceasefire-deal-e0a9e4e1152ea8da10ea066ad174a23a">tentative deal</a> to end the Iran war could be a game changer in the world.</p><p>The Canadian prime minister, speaking on the final day of the summit, said the agreement could have positive effects including the ability to provide additional defensive support in Ukraine.</p><p>Carney said here has been a change in tone concerning Ukraine, which was discussed in detail at the summit on Tuesday.</p><p>Many countries are vested in making the Iran deal work, he said.</p><p>G7 leaders call for safe and toll-free shipping in Strait of Hormuz</p><p>Leaders gathered at the G7 summit issued a joint statement overnight Tuesday on the agreement reached between the U.S. and Iran focused on securing safe passage without tolls in the Persian Gulf.</p><p>“We reaffirm that the right of transit passage without restrictions or tolls is the bedrock of international trade,” said the statement of leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.</p><p>Iran floated a similar idea in April to fund reconstruction of areas in the country damaged by war.</p><p>The closure of the strait has driven up fuel and fertilizer costs and rattled economies worldwide.</p><p>The statement also offered support to a French and British-led naval mission to the Persian Gulf to safeguard ships and remove mines from one of the crucial choke-points in the world’s energy supply chain.</p><p>Carney gives birthday gift to Trump</p><p>Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney gave U.S. President Donald Trump a present for his 80th birthday, but said it’s “not gold.”</p><p>Trump was “very pleased,” Carney said, adding that he “likes it a lot.”</p><p>Carney didn’t specify what the gift was and a spokesperson for the prime minister didn’t immediately know.</p><p>Trump is known for his love of gold. An Oval Office makeover at the start of his term included large amounts of fresh gold trim.</p><p>Trump and Carney have a positive relationship despite Trump’s previous comments about making Canada the 51st state of the United States.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/nSYGGomMwrE8Wt3Ql37f1IdymU8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/5DHX7WLT3BBPXFGQXXN6NYUPEQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4073" width="6109"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[U.S. President Donald Trump walks after posing for a family photo photograph during a gala dinner as part of the G7 summit, in Evian-les-Bains, France, Tuesday June 16, 2026. (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Ludovic Marin</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/tlyVbxYJ-x48CdtBqgfk4JfNgpU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RU5YFJTJMJHW7PKQS2LPAP6TQI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1961" width="2941"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to attend a musical interlude before a gala dinner as part of the G7 summit, in Evian-les-Bains, France, Tuesday June 16, 2026. (Ludovic MARIN/Pool Photo via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Ludovic Marin</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/6GYutk2ROtb4BbZvt-0QxPPwXf0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TUZMYBCFYRCE5JBMFRND2MBMZI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5433" width="8150"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[President Donald Trump helps France's first lady Brigitte Macron up a step as she arrives for a group photo with leaders and their spouses at the G7 summit, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Julia Demaree Nikhinson</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/FyvhLqfp3urT2XmbUDf0Pucx7to=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/QXD2QCTDKNGXHG4JZY6CQKRF2I.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4489" width="6733"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[European Council President Antonio Costa, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and others gather for a group photo at the G7 summit, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Julia Demaree Nikhinson</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/54zuIJz6UrfTm8NLPVmH2XVV7EE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YJ7HCAPM6NFRRBOH5H6XYUUGZU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4648" width="6972"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, second from left, and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, second from right, arrive for a group photo at the G7 summit, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Julia Demaree Nikhinson</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[DC voters face a new political era without Eleanor Holmes Norton, after her 18 terms in Congress]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/after-18-terms-in-congress-dc-voters-face-a-new-political-era-without-eleanor-holmes-norton/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/after-18-terms-in-congress-dc-voters-face-a-new-political-era-without-eleanor-holmes-norton/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gary Fields, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[For the first time in a generation, Washingtonians are waking up to a general election lineup that doesn't include Eleanor Holmes Norton as delegate.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:53:26 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For the first time in a generation, Washingtonians woke up to a general election lineup that <a href="https://apnews.com/article/eleanor-holmes-norton-delegate-congress-district-columbia-b7f1a6348659d9a5bc2d21f1834aef4d">doesn't include Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton</a>.</p><p>Norton, who served 18 terms as <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/district-of-columbia">the District of Columbia’s</a> nonvoting representative in Congress, chose not to run for reelection after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-washington-eleanor-holmes-norton-federal-intervention-8dc90cfb34e8692db2d7ff4f609ebb68">mounting concerns</a> that, at 89 years old, she was no longer capable of forcefully combating a Republican-led Congress and presidential administration constantly overriding the heavily Democratic city's leadership. Voters choose their local leaders, but Congress has final say on the laws the city passes and its budget.</p><p>Council member Robert White Jr. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-dc-primaries-bowser-norton-trump-8d4aa81d46e089de5c2c83c718d7fe07">won the Democratic primary</a> to replace Norton and is expected to win the general election in November. He will face Republican Denise Rosado, an immigration attorney who ran unopposed.</p><p>A D.C. native and lifelong resident, White is a lawyer and worked as Norton's legislative counsel for five years, as well as serving at the attorney general's office for the District of Columbia before winning the special election in 2016 for an at-large seat on the D.C. Council.</p><p>“Our turn will never come unless we demand it. Eleanor Holmes Norton understood that. The generations before us understood that. And before this night is over, I hope every Washingtonian understands it, too: We will not yield,” White told a cheering crowd of supporters after polls closed Tuesday.</p><p>A new era for DC politics</p><p>The D.C. delegate position is a nonvoting one, but it grants the nearly 700,000 people of the district, who have no other representation in Congress, a voice through speechmaking on the House floor and bill introduction.</p><p>In Congress, Norton championed education, including securing a grant program that provided up to $10,000 annually to D.C. high school graduates to assist with out-of-state tuition. She also pushed for federal legislation that helped save the city from financial ruin.</p><p>Calls for her to step aside grew in the aftermath of a surge of federal law enforcement officers and National Guard troops into the city last year by President Donald Trump. Critics, including her former chief of staff, argued that she was diminished and no longer capable of providing the energy and presence the moment called for against Trump. </p><p>The pressure on Norton to drop out came as <a href="https://apnews.com/article/young-democrats-incumbents-veterans-election-midterms-9d56be522bea570f586037a6895ff82a">questions of generational change</a> gripped the Democratic Party after President Joe Biden, also in his 80s, tried to run for reelection despite concerns about his age. He eventually dropped out and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor, but she lost to Trump, sparking <a href="https://apnews.com/article/democratic-national-committee-autopsy-2024-ken-martin-a4f67256b4c56ba076aece23c22728ad">ongoing recriminations</a>.</p><p>Before running for office, Norton was a fixture of the Civil Rights Movement. In 1963, she split her time between Yale Law School and Mississippi, where she volunteered for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. One day during <a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-chicago-race-and-ethnicity-lifestyle-mississippi-eb07f06301a249138f02f35e45db86cf">the Freedom Summer</a>, civil rights activist Medgar Evers picked her up at the Jackson airport. He was assassinated that night. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/martin-luther-king-dream-speech-civil-rights-6d64ab03e51826a977c1434092c46a92">Norton also helped organize</a> and attended the 1963 <a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-washington-1963-martin-luther-king-6e4aa7bb8cdbcafd09218557cc0ea842">March on Washington</a>.</p><p>Norton went on to become the first woman to lead the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which helps enforce anti-discrimination laws in the workplace.</p><p>Political historian Matt Dallek said her credentials bring a certain gravitas and moral standing that “I think a lot of residents in the district could respond to and did respond to. It resonated with them.”</p><p>“That kind of generational moral clarity and moral gravitas that she and others brought to the political arena is being lost. That’s not to say that others can’t pick up that mantle” he said, but White will have different concerns and experiences in a city changing demographically.</p><p>Different challenges and priorities for a changing city</p><p>White would become only the third Washington delegate to Congress since 1971, when Walter Fauntroy Jr. was elected as the nonvoting delegate. The position was created in 1970 under the District of Columbia Delegate Act.</p><p>George Derek Musgrove, associate professor of history at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, said no candidates seeking the office have the national stature of their predecessors, “which is, for me, one of the biggest changes in the city.” Both Fauntroy and Norton, Musgrove said, “leveraged their national political contacts to do the work of the delegate.”</p><p>White made D.C. statehood and pushing back on federal interference in local affairs priorities in the campaign.</p><p>He will need to build relationships quickly, said Amanda Huron, a professor at the University of the District of Columbia who teaches courses on D.C. history and politics. It is especially critical with a Congress that intervenes in local affairs.</p><p>“One of the real challenges of governing D.C. locally is that you’ve got these people in Congress who we don’t elect so these decisions are being made at a congressional level where we don't even have any representation effectively,” Huron said.</p><p>Maurice Jackson, a historian at Georgetown University, said Norton is also a brilliant constitutional lawyer along with being a civil rights legend and EEOC trailblazer. That said, he added, change is not always a bad thing.</p><p>The question, he said, is whether White will fight for the rights of all the city’s residents and work to stop the Black population from leaving a city that is changing demographically.</p><p>When Martin Luther King Jr. died “everybody knew there would never be another King,” he said. "So there's no need to worry about whether there'll be another Norton. There are people who can step forward.”</p><p>___</p><p>Follow the AP's coverage of the District of Columbia at <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/district-of-columbia">https://apnews.com/hub/district-of-columbia</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/7AIdRbBSN-tgPnmy5oQqKUDBioQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3VLQUCL45NACVIHJWI3PYKBGY4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4667" width="7000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., reflects on her time as a young civil rights activist during the 1963 March on Washington, during an Associated Press interview in her office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Aug. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">J. Scott Applewhite</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/1b9HxE_taBSaktLsA4ieelk3zS4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DLOVYREA3JA5JPOOBPT3AV4CMI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2263" width="3395"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., listens to speakers during a House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee hearing at the Capitol in Washington, Dec. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amanda Andrade-Rhoades</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/cLhLuu3rnSxagz0Cs7ecd9itylQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/566K27VZ5NAA5D7V3SNDYMF2PA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[D.C. Council member Robert White Jr., accompanied by his wife Christy, waves to supporters after casting his vote during the D.C. primary election at Shepard Park Elementary, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jose Luis Magana</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/QR_0Lr9KsgzJ_LgkzsJiM1bzVAo=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KCVZKWMRPJGEDNW64LXY57MSNQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2655" width="3983"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., speaks during a hearing of the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Capitol Hill, Dec. 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mark Schiefelbein</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wall Street steadies and oil trades below $80 with focus on end to Iran conflict]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/17/shares-are-mixed-and-oil-trades-below-80-on-optimism-over-interim-us-iran-war-deal/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/17/shares-are-mixed-and-oil-trades-below-80-on-optimism-over-interim-us-iran-war-deal/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chan Ho-Him, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Wall Street pointed toward modest gains in premarket trading and oil was trading below $80 a barrel on optimism that Iran will quickly open the Strait of Hormuz once a tentative deal with the U.S. to end the war is signed on Friday.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:10:17 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Wall Street pointed toward modest gains in premarket trading Wednesday and oil traded below $80 a barrel on optimism that Iran will quickly open the Strait of Hormuz if a tentative deal with the U.S. <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">to end the war</a> is signed Friday.</p><p>Futures for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average were unchanged before the opening bell. Nasdaq futures rose 0.4%.</p><p>Details of the interim U.S.-Iran deal, which is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-ceasefire-deal-e0a9e4e1152ea8da10ea066ad174a23a">due to be formally signed</a> in a ceremony in Switzerland on Friday, were leaked on Tuesday. </p><p>According to the document, the U.S. would secure at least $300 billion to rebuild Iran after the war and work to end all American and United Nations sanctions imposed on Tehran if a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-war-nuclear-talks-d8e5c8ada80c35446d4194201d9a7502">final agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear program</a> is reached.</p><p>The U.S. agreement to immediately allow Iran to sell its oil freely and the offer to eventually lift all sanctions represent major concessions that outstrip the terms of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-us-war-timeline-c9cf4cae2651d343a9f2eda4132de215">Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal</a> with world powers. U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from that accord in his first term, declaring it the “worst deal ever.” </p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-trump-deal-oil-supply-strait-of-hormuz-42bdd71d5afa6fb5ac5d0c3e7857de6c">Oil prices</a> steadied as Brent crude, the international standard, edged less than 1% higher to $79.43 per barrel after falling more than 5% on Tuesday. It remains above its roughly $70 a barrel level in late February, before the war started.</p><p>Benchmark U.S. crude inched up 60 cents to $76.65 a barrel.</p><p>“Normalizing (oil) flows will take time,” economists at HSBC wrote in a note this week. “Hurdles include mine clearance, insurance reinstatement, emptying excess Gulf oil storage, repositioning ships, and restarting idled production fields.”</p><p>Later in the day the Federal Reserve will wrap up a two-day policy meeting, the first under its <a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-kevin-warsh-jerome-powell-interest-rates-95ccceb935f5c6ebc3b6a4528fd3cbcb">new chair Kevin Warsh</a>. It is widely expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged despite pressure from Trump to cut rates. </p><p>Worries over higher prices due to the Iran war may lead the Fed to stand pat, since lower rates could fuel higher inflation.</p><p>“With weak wage growth and rent growth, underlying forces are pointing to inflation falling sharply once the energy price shock recedes. We don’t expect the Fed to hike rates in 2026,” Preston Caldwell, chief U.S. economist at Morningstar wrote in a commentary. “We expect the Fed to resume cutting in 2027.”</p><p>In equities trading, chip companies saw their shares return to gains after widespread losses a day earlier.</p><p>Micron rose 3.5% overnight after losing more than 6% on Tuesday, while Intel jumped 3.1%, taking back some of its 8.5% drop the day before.</p><p>La-Z-Boy soared more than 16% after the cushioned furniture maker blew past Wall Street's profit targets.</p><p>In early European trading, Britain's FTSE 100 was unchanged following official data that showed U.K. inflation was steady in May at 2.8% even as fuel prices increased. Germany's DAX was also flat, while France's CAC 40 rose 0.2%.</p><p>Asian stocks were mostly higher with markets in Japan and South Korea setting new records. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gained 0.7% to 69,902.25, after reaching an intraday high of 70,125.75 following news that Japan’s exports <a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-trade-oil-iran-ai-7ecad04964f22f90e1f679a1dcf05f69">jumped 17% in May</a> from a year earlier, helped in part by strong demand for high-tech products.</p><p>South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.6% to 8,864.24, also closing at another all-time high, with big technology stocks climbing despite a sell-off of artificial intelligence-related shares on Wall Street. Samsung Electronics, the country’s most valuable company, was up 1%. Chipmaker SK Hynix jumped 5.8%.</p><p>Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 0.7% to 24,312.16, while the Shanghai Composite index rose 0.4% to 4,108.08.</p><p>Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.5% to 8,966.30.</p><p>Taiwan’s Taiex added 0.2% and India’s Sensex rose 0.3%.</p><p>___</p><p>AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed to this report.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/jYLm22dr80Sip3C2RXpUZzDm6pI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4UG4I7ZWZRCNDLXU2LYXYYHOYU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2825" width="4237"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Options trader Joseph D'Arrigo works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Richard Drew</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/VwGv9YYjA50dTtRf_XSQII45ewA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CGB7LXF4QVBMXCXKDVPXW2UKMA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4170" width="6255"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Currency traders work near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Ahn Young-Joon</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Gov. DeSantis signs 14 more bills. Here’s the list of what’s new to Florida law]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/gov-desantis-signs-14-more-bills-heres-the-list-of-whats-new-to-florida-law/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/gov-desantis-signs-14-more-bills-heres-the-list-of-whats-new-to-florida-law/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Francine Frazier]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Gov. Ron DeSantis signed another 14 bills into law that deal with everything from trust funds and property insurance to crime and how law enforcement interacts with those on the Autism Spectrum.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:49:01 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On the same day that he <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/live-desantis-holds-press-conference-with-ag-uthmeier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/live-desantis-holds-press-conference-with-ag-uthmeier/">touted the signing of five bills related to law enforcement</a>, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed another 14 bills into state law.</p><p>The laws deal with everything from trust funds and property insurance to crime and how law enforcement interacts with those on the Autism Spectrum.</p><p>Unless otherwise noted, these laws take effect <b>in just two weeks, on July 1.</b></p><p>Here’s the list:</p><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/418" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/418"><b>SB 418 – Law Enforcement Officer Interactions with Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder</b></a><b> </b></h3><p>The bill creates the <b>“Blue Envelope and Blue Card Program” </b>within the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) to improve communication between individuals with autism spectrum disorder and law enforcement officers during motor vehicle-related interactions.</p><p>The blue envelope is intended to hold a copy of the individual’s important information such as a driver license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. The exterior of the blue envelope will identify the individual as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the envelopes will include communication guidelines for officers during interactions with drivers with ASD. The blue card may be digital or a durable wallet sized card and will include communication guidelines for officers during interactions with individuals with ASD. Blue envelopes and blue cards will be available by request from the HSMV or local tax collector beginning January 1, 2027.</p><p>The bill creates training for officers relating to individuals with ASD by the Criminal Justice Training Commission to include:</p><ul><li><a href="" target="_blank" rel="">The nature and manifestation of ASD,</a></li><li>Techniques for interviewing or interrogating an individual with ASD including legality of statements and protection of rights,</li><li>Techniques for locating an individual with ASD who has run away and is in danger and for returning that individual while causing as little stress as possible to the individual,</li><li>Techniques for recognizing the agency of an individual with ASD while identifying potential abusive or coercive situations,</li><li>De-escalation strategies,</li><li>Techniques for differentiating ASD behaviors from belligerence,</li><li>Impact of officer interactions on ASD individuals, and</li><li>Information on the Blue Envelope and Blue Card Program and “SAFE” designation.</li></ul><p>The bill requires that each basic skills course required for law enforcement officers to obtain initial certification include online required training by July 1, 2028. By July 1, 2030, each law enforcement officer must successfully complete such training as part of basic recruit or continued training or education.</p><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/177" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/177"><b>CS/CS/HB 177 – Offices of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel</b></a></h3><p>The bill provides that if an Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel is unable to represent an indigent defendant in a death penalty case, the court may appoint a different regional office, in lieu of private counsel, to represent the defendant.</p><p>Before the appointment may occur, the original office must notify the court that it has a conflict of interest or that it can no longer represent the defendant. Upon receiving the notice, the court may appoint a different regional office to represent the defendant if the office does not have a conflict of interest and the regional counsel is willing to accept the appointment. If a regional office cannot be appointed to represent the defendant, the court must appoint private counsel.</p><p>For clarification, this process does not transfer venue of the case from one circuit to another. Rather, it simply authorizes a different regional office to handle the case.</p><p>If a regional office accepts an appointment, and subject to legislative appropriation, all due process costs and services must be paid from funds designated for this purpose and administered by the Justice Administrative Commission. In order to receive payment or reimbursement, the regional counsel, or his or her designee, must certify that the due process costs and services are case related and must submit the appropriate documentation of the expenses.</p><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/397" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/397"><b>CS/CS/HB 397 – Violations of Pretrial Release Conditions for Violent Crimes (“Victim Safety in Pretrial Release Act”)</b></a></h3><p>The bill creates a first degree misdemeanor criminal offense when a person willfully violates a no contact order issued as a condition of pretrial release, if the original arrest was for one of the following offenses:</p><ul><li>Murder;</li><li>Manslaughter;</li><li>Assault;</li><li>Aggravated assault;</li><li>Battery;</li><li>Aggravated battery;</li><li>Aggravated stalking;</li><li>Kidnapping;</li><li>False imprisonment;</li><li>Sexual battery;</li><li>Lewd or lascivious offenses committed on or in the presence of persons less than 16;</li><li>Robbery;</li><li>Written or electronic threats to kill or do bodily injury; or</li><li>Any other felony that involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against any individual.</li></ul><p>A second or subsequent violation is punishable as a third degree felony. The bill also authorizes a law enforcement officer to arrest a person without a warrant when there is probable cause to believe the person has committed this new crime.</p><p>A person who is arrested for this new offense or is on pretrial release for committing one of the above listed offenses and is arrested for a new law violation must be held in custody until his or her first appearance hearing. At such hearing, the court must review the alleged violation and determine whether to order pretrial detention or to grant pretrial release with appropriate conditions. The court must prioritize the safety of the victim and the public, and consider the following factors:</p><ul><li>The nature and severity of the original offense.</li><li>The person’s history of compliance with court orders.</li><li>Any evidence of intent to intimidate, harass, or harm any person.</li></ul><p>A law enforcement officer may not be held liable in any civil action for an arrest based on probable cause that the person violated a specified condition of pretrial release.</p><p>These provisions take effect on<b> Oct. 1, 2026.</b></p><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/477" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/477"><b>CS/HB 477 – Drug Paraphernalia</b></a></h3><p>The bill amends the definition of “drug paraphernalia,” to exclude narcotic drug testing products that are used to determine whether a controlled substance contains dangerous fentanyl or fentanyl analogues, or xylazine.</p><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/1525" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/1525"><b>CS/CS/HB 1525 – Lewd or Lascivious Acts</b></a></h3><p>The bill creates a third-degree felony offense of indecent exposure of sexual organs while observing a child. A person commits this offense if that person, while observing a child under 16 years of age for the purpose of his or her own sexual arousal or gratification:</p><ul><li>Intentionally exposes his or her sexual organs in a lewd or lascivious manner; or</li><li>Intentionally performs any sexual act that does not involve actual physical or sexual contact with the child, including, but not limited to, sadomasochistic abuse, sexual bestiality, masturbation, or the simulation of any act involving sexual activity.</li></ul><p>It is not a requirement that the person being observed be aware of any specific conduct on the part of the offender or see the offender’s sexual organs.</p><p>The bill provides an exception for a mother breastfeeding her baby, and an individual who is merely nude in a place provided or set apart for that purpose.</p><p>Additionally, the bill repeals s. 800.02, F.S., relating to unnatural lascivious acts.</p><p>These provisions take effect on <b>Oct. 1, 2026.</b></p><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/1019" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/1019"><b>CS/CS/HB 1019 – Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Joe Casello Act) </b></a></h3><p>The bill provides that, effective July 1, 2026, aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may not be used for any nonemergency instruction, training, or testing, and all entities in possession of AFFF must report inventories to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Effective July 1, 2027, the bill prohibits the sale, purchase, or distribution of AFFF and requires entities with remaining inventories to submit a disposal plan to DEP.</p><p>Effective July 1, 2029, the bill prohibits the possession and use of AFFF. The bill creates exceptions for (1) airports; (2) military applications where alternatives do not exist; (3) emergency firefighting situations where alternative firefighting foam is not available; and</p><p>(4) AFFF retrofit projects submitted under an application with state or local firefighting authorities.</p><p>A person who violates these provisions is subject to civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation per day and additional penalties for failure to report inventories or submit disposal plans. The bill authorizes DEP to seek injunctive relief to enforce compliance.</p><p>The bill directs DEP to adopt rules governing the containment, collection, and disposal of AFFF; maintain a registry of firefighting foam alternatives that do not contain PFAS; and provide technical assistance and grants to support the transition to PFAS-free products. The bill also authorizes DEP to administer grants or cost-share programs to assist local fire departments and airports with this transition.</p><p>The bill also requires public entities that dispose of domestic wastewater biosolids and treated effluent that have a designed average daily flow of 25,000 gallons or more to conduct quarterly sampling for PFAS and submit the results to DEP. Such sampling and reporting are for informational purposes only until national water quality standards are established for PFAS.</p><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/5401" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/5401"><b>HB 5401 – Trust Funds of the State Court System</b></a></h3><p>This bill terminates the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund within the State Courts System and provides that all current balances and revenues of the fund be transferred to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund.</p><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/168" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/168"><b>SB 168 – Public Nuisances</b></a></h3><p>The bill authorizes any place or premises that has been used as a gambling house on more than two occasions within a 12-month period to be declared as a public nuisance.</p><p>Additionally, the bill revises what an abatement ordinance can include by allowing:</p><ul><li>An increase of daily fines up to $500 if the nuisance activity is not abated within a year with the consideration of the gravity of the public nuisance and any actions taken by the owner when determining the fine amount.</li><li>The removal of the $15,000 cap on fines.</li><li>The nuisance abatement board to award attorney fees, if requested, to include fees for the time and labor of any legal assistants who contributed nonclerical, meaningful legal support to the matter.</li><li>The nuisance abatement board to retain jurisdiction over a place or premises for renewing periods of one year until the public nuisance is abated.</li><li>An appropriate entity to foreclose on a lien if the lien remains unpaid three months after filing, and mandate the foreclosure if the public nuisance activity is unabated after two years.</li></ul><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/394" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/394"><b>SB 394 – Reinsurance Intermediary Managers</b></a></h3><p>SB 394 exempts from reinsurance intermediary manager licensing requirements an underwriting manager who manages assumed facultative risks for a reinsurer, if the facultative reinsurance business managed by the underwriting manager is less than 10 percent of the assumed annual gross written premium of the reinsurer. Facultative reinsurance is a type of reinsurance in which each individual risk, such as a specific vehicle or home, is separately negotiated and covered.</p><p>The bill does not impact state expenditures or revenues.</p><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/1028" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/1028"><b>CS/CS/SB 1028 – Citizens Property Insurance Corporation</b></a></h3><p>The bill requires Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens) to establish clearinghouses to facilitate the diversion of applicants for commercial lines coverage and existing commercial lines policyholders away from Citizens and towards authorized insurers or, if there is no offer from an authorized insurer, surplus lines insurers.</p><p>These provisions take effect <b>upon becoming law.</b></p><p>Click here for a full summary of the requirements for Citizens established by <a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/1028" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/1028"><b>SB 1028</b></a><b>.</b></p><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/7004" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/7004"><b>SB 7004 – A Review under the Open Government Sunset Review Act</b></a></h3><p>The bill saves from repeal the public records exemption for information and materials generated by a conviction integrity unit while it is reinvestigating cases of previously convicted persons to review plausible claims of actual innocence.</p><p>The exemption is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will repeal Oct. 2, 2026, unless saved from repeal by the Legislature. The bill removes the scheduled repeal, thereby maintaining the exempt status of information and materials generated by a conviction integrity unit while it is reinvestigating a case.</p><p>These provisions take effect <b>upon becoming law.</b></p><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/7014" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2026/html/7014"><b>CS/SB 7014 – A Review under the Open Government Sunset Review Act</b></a></h3><p>The bill delays the repeal dates from October 2, 2026, to October 2, 2031, for two public record exemptions related to investigations into social media platforms. The public record exemptions make confidential and exempt from public inspection and copying requirements information received by the Department of Legal Affairs (DLA) or a law enforcement agency into whether a social media platform has committed an antitrust violation or failed to meet certain transparency and notification requirements.</p><p>All information received by the DLA pursuant to an investigation by the DLA or a law enforcement agency is confidential and exempt from public record requirements, until such time as the investigation is completed or ceases to be active. During an active investigation, confidential information may be disclosed by the DLA in the performance of its official duties and responsibilities or to another governmental entity in performance of its duties and responsibilities. Once an investigation is complete or once an investigation ceases to be active, the following information received by the DLA remains confidential and exempt from public record requirements:</p><ul><li>All information to which another public records exemption applies.</li><li>Personal identifying information.</li><li>A computer forensic report.</li><li>Information that would otherwise reveal weaknesses in a business’ data security.</li><li>Proprietary business information.</li></ul><p>The bill saves the exemptions from repeal by delaying the scheduled repeal dates, thereby maintaining the confidential and exempt status of the information until October 2, 2031.</p><p>These provisions take effect<b> upon becoming law.</b></p><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/4061" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/4061"><b>CS/HB 4061 – Hillsborough County</b></a></h3><p>Local bill that <b>took effect on June 16, 2026,</b> that creates a Land Reserve Stewardship District; establishes compliance with minimum requirements for creation of independent special district; establishes legal boundaries of district; provides for jurisdiction &amp; charter &amp; governing board; provides method for transition of board from landowner control to control by resident electors of district; provides for district manager, district employees, district treasurer, selection of public depository, &amp; district budgets &amp; financial reports; provides general powers of district; provides special powers of district to plan, finance, &amp; provide community infrastructure &amp; services within district; provides for bonds, borrowing, trust agreements, future ad valorem taxation, special assessments, issuance of certificates of indebtedness &amp; tax liens; provides requirements for termination, contraction, or expansion of district; authorizes mergers; provides for required notices to purchasers of residential units within district; provides for referendum.</p><h3><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/4091" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/4091"><b>CS/CS/HB 4091 – Sarasota and Manatee Counties</b></a></h3><p>Local bill that <b>took effect on June 16, 2026</b>, that creates the University Town Center Improvement District, independent special taxing district, in Sarasota &amp; Manatee Counties; provides purposes of district; establishes boundaries of district; provides powers of district; creates Board of Supervisors; provides for organization, powers, duties, terms of office, &amp; compensation of board; provides for landowners’ meetings &amp; election of supervisors; provides non-ad valorem assessments; provides for issuance of bonds; provides minimum charter requirements; provides boundary changes; requires that certain requirements be set forth under special circumstance.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/xMKt5v_nQShiRnuUViduxJpjnaI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/63X4E6ZEA5FQDA3JZOCFAIY2KA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="720" width="1280"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Gov. Ron DeSantis holds news conference in Pasco County]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Canada's Carney isn't having a bilateral meeting with Trump at G7 but says it's not a snub]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/17/canadas-carney-isnt-having-a-bilateral-meeting-with-trump-at-g7-but-says-its-not-a-snub/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/17/canadas-carney-isnt-having-a-bilateral-meeting-with-trump-at-g7-but-says-its-not-a-snub/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Rob Gillies, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will leave the G7 summit without a formal meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump as the free trade agreement between the countries faces an uncertain future.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:46:45 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will leave the G7 summit on Wednesday without a formal meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump as the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/carney-trump-us-free-trade-economic-club-new-york-ac5c8d9fa2d1171e9e408a4c6224d285">free-trade agreement</a> between their countries faces an uncertain future.</p><p>Canadian leaders typically get a bilateral meeting with American presidents at summits of the world's leading industrialized democracies, but Carney dismissed any notion of a snub.</p><p>“I wouldn’t take a big message from that,” Carney said. “I had seven or eight discussions with President Trump over the course of last 36 hours. I’ll have more today, a wide range of subjects from the economy, relations, his birthday, artificial intelligence, Ukraine, obviously Iran.”</p><p>Carney’s <a href="https://apnews.com/article/carney-trump-canada-trade-davos-bessent-tariffs-8e83cdd9443f6f4a523b6e05fd63843a">speech at the World Economic Forum</a> in Davos, Switzerland, in January helped make him an international political star, when he declared the global rules-based order over and condemned coercion by great powers on smaller countries. The prime minister received widespread praise and attention <a href="https://apnews.com/article/carney-canada-davos-trump-eee151f749f35c8b30a9ff4a9525d0be">for his remarks</a> and upstaged Trump at the gathering.</p><p>Talks on the latest iteration of the North American free-trade pact have reached a crucial moment. The agreement, which has intertwined the economies of Canada, the United States and Mexico since the early 1990s, is up for renewal on July 1. Trump said last week he may not renew the deal.</p><p>Preserving the accord is critical for Canada, which sends about 75% of its exports to the U.S.</p><p>Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister responsible for trade with the U.S., and Janice Charette, Canada’s chief negotiator, met with U.S. Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer at the summit. LeBlanc said they made progress.</p><p>LeBlanc has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-us-trade-minister-trump-510b229da16a7796482f456d87e2671a">previously said</a> he believes the U.S. might want to have the trade agreement subject to annual reviews, and that the Trump administration might seek to cause uncertainty about its permanence.</p><p>French President Emmanuel Macron, the summit host, is the only G7 leader to get a bilateral meeting thus far. Trump also met one on one with the leaders of non-G7 countries of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and India.</p><p>Carney noted the host country always meets with the American president.</p><p>Carney used humor to engage with Trump in at least one of their interactions about trade. In a lighter moment, a microphone <a href="https://apnews.com/article/g7-trump-macron-meloni-microphones-87d3a7edd4ad8371d434abbd7fe66f6a">caught Carney and Trump</a> joking about stealing Macron’s watch.</p><p>Carney then moved to a serious exchange about allowing Chinese electric vehicles into Canada. A microphone recorded Carney telling Trump about how less than 3% of Canada’s market, 49,000 cars, will be allowed to enter from China after he made a deal with Beijing.</p><p>“It’s a cap, we capped, a hard line,” Carney said. “I thought you’d actually like that.”</p><p>“That’s good, I like it,” Trump responded.</p><p>Breaking with the United States, Canada agreed to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-canada-carney-xi-beijing-b71c1b67d3489a8b4058c650152b0cb9">cut its 100% tariff</a> on Chinese electric cars earlier this year in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products. Carney said he spoke to Trump about it twice. </p><p>“I’m not surprised that the president of the United States doesn’t follow every detail of every agreement that Canada has, and he likes the structure. Actually, we had a follow-up conversation about it as well,” Carney said.</p><p>Peter Boehm, a member of the Canadian Senate who led a number of G7 summits for Canada, said Carney would have had a lot of time for conversations with Trump.</p><p>“I wouldn’t see it as a snub,” he said. “It’s amazing how much time leaders can actually have to have conversations.”</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Y_g_YfbTg5k6VFXxKrj-m6_VjCE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3NX5EK7IINA3NA3J5SZHQXT4BI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3543" width="5315"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[U.S. President Donald Trump, left, speaks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney prior to a group photo of G7 leaders and invited nations during the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Dominique Jacovides, Pool Photo via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Dominique Jacovides</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/KN14fbSqN4g_cq8qP3mc8I2NnSA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BAGTIRTIEZB3PEKBURNL64WMNM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4976" width="7464"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[From left, U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a working session at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Thibault Camus</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Jcnne-lvIhinoaubcJO0XYbBg9s=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HHWULDZOEBC6FFYZF4GPZZ5BZE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3667" width="5500"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[U.S. President Donald Trump, left, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, center, and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney arrive for a group photo at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Tuesday June 16, 2026. (Isabel Infantes/Pool Photo via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Isabel Infantes</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/pKO0pjlOOrPcuq42jqepIEu3KYg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7DVPIUY2BZBTVKWQTLKMYXZAJA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3269" width="4904"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[From right, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a working session at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Thibault Camus</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/THLZsq8lcJoD5A2FyBeku0Wqhno=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/VUTEEN5SIJANTEFXV3HD3CCWV4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5760" width="8640"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[From left, South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el Sissi, U.S. President Donald Trump, Kenya's President William Ruto, French President Emmanuel Macron Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, India's Prime Minister Narenda Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a group photo of G7 leaders and invited nations during the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Thibault Camus</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Zelenskyy says G7 leaders pledge more vital help for Ukraine against Russia]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/zelenskyy-says-g7-leaders-pledge-more-vital-help-for-ukraine-against-russia/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/zelenskyy-says-g7-leaders-pledge-more-vital-help-for-ukraine-against-russia/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Hanna Arhirova, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine has secured key support from world leaders at the Group of Seven summit in France.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:08:17 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ukraine has won key pledges of further support for its fight against Russia from world leaders attending the <a href="https://apnews.com/live/g7-summit-updates-06-17-2026">Group of Seven summit</a> in France, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday.</p><p>The leaders of the world’s leading industrial economies promised to strengthen <a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-banks-air-defense-drones-059287f382482fdd3dc4b3ddd3c6ceb6">Ukraine’s air defenses</a> and ensure its <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-economy-war-ebrd-electricity-838255aa27f76046a296dfe029e2d0a9">energy supply</a>, as well as step up international economic pressure on Moscow, as Kyiv’s fight against <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia’s all-out invasion</a> stretches into its fifth year with no end in sight.</p><p>“The G7 Summit in France delivered important results for Ukraine. Most importantly, we agreed on additional strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense,” Zelenskyy, who attended the gathering, said on X. </p><p>“Our partners will ensure support for our defense and energy resilience,” he said, adding they will also introduce new sanctions on Russia.</p><p>The Ukrainian leader has spent a lot of time since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 trying to secure international support for his country and diplomatically isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin.</p><p>Zelenskyy was expected to attend a European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday. Ukraine on Monday officially started <a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-membership-accession-ukraine-moldova-negotiations-c58f079d0c2c5b3cc32eaa1df7f3db2d">EU membership negotiations</a>, launching a process that could take years even as it fights Russia.</p><p>The <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">Iran war</a> has distracted Washington from its largely fruitless <a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-summit-drone-attack-dcd076caeda4cf67f5592274beed6364">yearlong effort</a> to stop the fighting in Ukraine, and Zelenskyy sought to engage with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G7 gathering where key European leaders were also present.</p><p>Putin has tried to cut out Europe and Kyiv and negotiate Ukraine’s future directly with Washington.</p><p>G7 leaders applaud Ukraine's recent battlefield performance</p><p>The leaders of Japan, the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Canada and the U.S. threw their support behind Ukraine in a joint statement published overnight.</p><p>“We commend Ukraine for its resilience and progress on the battlefield in recent months and emphasize there is now a new momentum” in Kyiv’s resistance, it said.</p><p>Ukraine’s battlefield performance against Russia’s bigger army has markedly improved in recent months, Western officials and analysts say.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/war-russia-ukraine-drones-innovation-interceptor-shahed-e9de7db6437d3cbb428a6bacac326fb3">High-tech Ukrainian drones</a> are pinning down Russian troops on the front line, choking Russian supply lines in occupied regions of Ukraine and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-oil-drones-9d946af5acdb3a32f977c791a79144b2">disrupting oil production</a> deep inside Russia that provides vital revenue for Moscow. That has made the war, which Moscow refers to as a “special military operation,” more visible to Russians and increased pressure on Putin.</p><p>But Ukraine is short of American-made Patriot air defense missiles, in part because of U.S. stocks being depleted by the Middle East conflict, leaving it vulnerable to the ballistic missiles that Russia uses in its strategic bombing campaign.</p><p>The G7 statement promised Ukraine more air defense capabilities, without specifying what type of weapons.</p><p>The leaders also said they would consider granting Ukraine licenses for it to manufacture Western weapons. Kyiv has asked for permits to make Patriot missiles itself.</p><p>The summit outcome shows that G7 backing for Ukraine is “as strong as seldom before” and sends a clear signal to Moscow, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.</p><p>Ukraine says a Russian drone kills horses at a school</p><p>In attacks reported Wednesday, a Russian drone struck an equestrian sports school for children in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, hitting a stable and killing horses, a regional official said.</p><p>Staff at the school were not hurt in the nighttime attack, according to preliminary information, said Oleh Hryhorov of the Sumy regional military administration.</p><p>Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said that air defenses downed 157 Ukrainian drones from late Tuesday until early Wednesday.</p><p>___</p><p>AP reporters Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Ukraine, and Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, contributed to this story.</p><p>___</p><p>Follow the AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/AmESt6AXqvwJRoRZec4NfnDNlGk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YLUGDVMZ3FAYNKKD6WKMDVE4MQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4027" width="6040"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Vadim Ghirda</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/ixKKA6lZZyBQboUgeoWiqEc-CsI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3UV7I3RVWVFQXCEGASDD4KG3XI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="847" width="1270"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[In this photo provided by the Zaporizhzhia Regional Administration on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, a building burns after a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. (Zaporizhzhia Regional Administration via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Turkish state broadcaster drops veteran World Cup commentator over Iran-New Zealand mix-up]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/weird-news/2026/06/17/turkish-state-broadcaster-drops-veteran-world-cup-commentator-over-iran-new-zealand-mix-up/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/weird-news/2026/06/17/turkish-state-broadcaster-drops-veteran-world-cup-commentator-over-iran-new-zealand-mix-up/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Turkish state broadcaster TRT has removed a commentator from its World Cup roster after he mixed up the Iran and New Zealand teams.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:25:49 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Turkish state broadcaster TRT has removed a commentator from its <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">World Cup</a> roster after he mixed up Iran and New Zealand teams.</p><p>TRT said in a statement late on Tuesday that the commentator, identified by Turkish media as Murat Ekrem Çimen, had been withdrawn from the World Cup broadcast team in the U.S. pending investigation. It added that he would not continue to comment on matches during the tournament.</p><p>According to reports in Turkish media, Cimen referred to Iran’s attacks as New Zealand’s and described New Zealand’s moves as Iran’s during the opening minutes of the broadcast. The teams <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-iran-new-zealand-score-314655749d94fe577bb2b52ebd6b32c4">shared a 2-2 draw</a> on Monday night in Group G.</p><p>TRT said the mistake was “unacceptable” under its broadcasting standards.</p><p>“We apologize to our viewers and the public for this error,” it said. “It is unacceptable for TRT that someone with over 30 years of experience in sports broadcasting would make such a mistake.”</p><p>___</p><p>AP World Cup: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/8n2R-6Z3lJM0Vmeznh_Y7zc-R0w=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/K5GYLKJ5IJBBBCLER55UASQAXY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3125" width="4688"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Iran's Ali Alipour (11) battles for the ball with New Zealand's Ryan Thomas (23) during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Andre Penner</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/uGbIBVkBZxtZr6AL3uIApz3u13A=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SSKH45UAEFAYDK757UPESOECEQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2390" width="3585"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[New Zealand's Callan Elliot (24) challenges for the ball with Iran's Milad Mohammadi (5) during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mark J. Terrill</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trial dates expected to be set today for accused gunman in Jared Bridegan murder ]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/trial-dates-expected-to-be-set-today-for-accused-gunman-in-jared-bridegan-murder/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/trial-dates-expected-to-be-set-today-for-accused-gunman-in-jared-bridegan-murder/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Francine Frazier]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The man accused of fatally shooting Jared Bridegan in what prosecutors describe as a murder-for-hire plot should learn Wednesday when his trial will begin.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:20:45 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The man accused of fatally shooting Jared Bridegan in what prosecutors describe as a murder-for-hire plot should learn Wednesday when his trial will begin.</p><p>Henry Tenon initially pleaded guilty on March 16, 2023, to second‑degree murder with a weapon in the shooting death of the 33-year-old St. Johns County father of four.</p><p>So for nearly three years, no trial was planned for Tenon, who prosecutors say was hired to kill Bridegan by Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and her second husband, Mario Fernandez.</p><p>But when Tenon withdrew his guilty plea on Feb. 17, 2026, the state suddenly had a third trial on its hands in the case, which has garnered national attention.</p><p>During a recent hearing, both sides agreed that Tenon’s trial date would be set at his next pre-trial hearing, which is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.</p><p>Currently, potential trial dates would be in late March, early April or mid May of 2027.</p><p>That would be more than six months after his accused co-conspirators are set to go to trial.</p><p>Fernandez and Gardner are also charged with the killing of Bridegan, who was gunned down in an ambush while driving home with his toddler daughter. They have pleaded not guilty.</p><p><b>RELATED: </b><a href="https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/04/09/will-shanna-gardner-mario-fernandez-be-tried-separately-in-jared-bridegan-murder-for-hire-case/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/04/09/will-shanna-gardner-mario-fernandez-be-tried-separately-in-jared-bridegan-murder-for-hire-case/"><b>Timeline of the Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire case</b></a></p><p>Jury selection for Fernandez is slated for Aug. 10-14, with a pool of 250 potential jurors. His trial is then scheduled for Aug. 17-28.</p><p>Gardner’s jury selection will run from Aug. 31-Sept. 4 with a pool of 500 jurors. Her trial will then run from Sept. 8-25.</p><p>Tenon’s original plea deal had required him to testify against Gardner and Fernandez, but he said when he changed his plea to not guilty that he no longer agreed to testify for the state in the case.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Bf5S2eSMrFD4foGCo5GEpVStAdU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ROBRBTA2IBHQFJTVHEYWZYJMNE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="720" width="1280"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Henry Tenon appears in court]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[A New York House primary has become an AI industry family feud with millions in corporate spending]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/a-new-york-house-primary-has-become-an-ai-industry-family-feud-with-millions-in-corporate-spending/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/a-new-york-house-primary-has-become-an-ai-industry-family-feud-with-millions-in-corporate-spending/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Matt Brown, Anthony Izaguirre And Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[New York Democratic Assemblyman Alex Bores is running for Congress, and the tech industry is deeply involved.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:21:54 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When New York Assemblyman Alex Bores decided to seek a promotion to Congress, the technology industry leapt into his way.</p><p>Angered by Bores' legislation regulating <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence</a>, a political group underwritten by investors in OpenAI spent more than $7 million on ads designed to crush the former computer engineer, who's running in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-new-york-bores-lasher-schlossberg-conway-b694e13e8f8b3a7e99c7bb143a53df2b">the ultracompetitive June 23 Democratic primary</a> for a Manhattan-based U.S. House district. That group, Leading the Future, counts titans of Silicon Valley, major venture capitalists and alumni of President Donald Trump's Republican administration among its donors.</p><p>Bores complained about the spending, warning that it would deter other state lawmakers and members of Congress from <a href="https://apnews.com/article/artificial-intelligence-trump-national-standard-states-rights-93367902d4569bb1b1260d48744b1578">trying to rein in the fast-growing industry</a>. He swiftly became a nationally recognized cautionary tale of an underdog politician battling against an overwhelming tide of tech money.</p><p>But then another wing of Silicon Valley rode to Bores' rescue. Political groups partly funded by Anthropic, the maker of the chatbot Claude, have spent more than $10 million boosting Bores' campaign. Crypto billionaire Chris Larsen, an Anthropic investor, has pledged another $3.5 million.</p><p>Bores' race is now a proxy battle for two competing visions of how government should treat the technology industry and artificial intelligence. Adding to the tension is Bores' past working for Palantir, which he quit during Trump's first term over what he said were concerns about the tech company's work on immigration enforcement. </p><p>“The lines are being drawn, and this primary is very much an expression of that,” said Morten Bay, a research fellow at the Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California. “The core divide is regulation — whether you're for or against it.”</p><p>Tech industry is at odds over regulation</p><p>The schism mirrors a similar one running through Silicon Valley. Some tech titans, like Elon Musk, have embraced Trump and his movement, as well as the idea of limiting or eliminating most government regulations. But a large chunk of the industry remains traditionally Democratic, in favor of some government safeguards. </p><p>Leading the Future — funded by major Trump donors like OpenAI President Greg Brockman, venture capitalist Marc Andreesen and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale — has spent $7.6 million through a subsidiary against Bores.</p><p>The political action committee, formed last year as the artificial intelligence industry's main political muscle, says that it supports AI regulation but that Congress should take the lead. The group contends that Bores is the only candidate who is bought and paid for.</p><p>“As we have said from day one, Anthropic, its investors and the dark-money groups it funds would spend millions to send Alex Bores to Congress, and that is exactly what has happened,” said Josh Vlasto, a co-lead of Leading the Future.</p><p>Bores points to his own record crafting AI safety legislation for how he'd tackle the issue at the federal level. The regulation he spearheaded, known as the RAISE Act, is considered among the most sweeping attempts by a state to control the new technology. It requires major AI companies to file reports about safeguards against “catastrophic” risks that could injure more than 50 people, like the previously only-in-science-fiction scenario of AI melting down nuclear power plants or engineering new viruses.</p><p>Leading the Future opposed Bores' original proposal but acceded to a modified version that was signed into law. But the PAC has made clear it hasn't forgiven Bores and describes his views as extreme. </p><p>Bores pushed strict rules in New York</p><p>The RAISE Act is the sort of regulation that would be nullified by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-donald-trump-artificial-intelligence-479eb3d0a50fe7237678a9bfb146ac7a">Trump's proposed AI framework</a>, which would bar states from <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-artificial-intelligence-chatbots-ai-23a0e44ab05402ddfe9cdfd0bffa0ade">enacting their own AI rules</a> so Congress could create a national standard. However, there's been little movement in Washington to do that, which has left the industry essentially unregulated at the federal level.</p><p>Leading the Future's refrain that Bores is a tool of OpenAI's business competitor has been taken up by Bores' many rivals in the race to succeed <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jerry-nadler-congress-new-york-779e361dc5d13a007cd96ab6a3bb1f27">retiring Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler</a>. His 12th Congressional District stretches across upper and midtown Manhattan and is one of the wealthiest and most Democratic districts in the country. At recent debates, Bores' opponents have claimed he's simply a pawn in a corporate battle.</p><p>“You’re in the middle of a civil war between OpenAI and Anthropic. It has nothing to do with standing up to Trump’s mega donors," said Jack Schlossberg, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/schlossberg-kennedy-love-story-congress-nyc-4c17161df4684cfc83c402bb370ba489">the Kennedy family heir</a> and social media personality also running for the seat.</p><p>Bores and his allies contend his opponents are simply trying to confuse voters.</p><p>“This race started with AI megadonors pledging $10 million to stop me because they were afraid after I passed the strongest AI safety law in the country," Bores said in a statement. "Since then, everyone who supports AI regulation and safety — from teachers to tech workers, from AI safety advocates to progressive activists — has united to take the other side. This isn’t one company versus another, this is one ideology versus another: regulate the powerful and protect people, or don’t.”</p><p>Some tech groups are backing Bores</p><p>Brad Carson, a former Democratic congressman from Oklahoma, runs the political action committee Public First, which has spent more than $6 million to back Bores through a subsidiary. The committee was created explicitly to counter Leading the Future and was an outgrowth of a nonprofit Carson helped fund to push for AI regulation. </p><p>In an interview, Carson bristled at the suggestion that the enterprise was simply an Anthropic tool and said it had raised $30 million from nongovernmental organizations before Anthropic made a $20 million contribution. “It's not like two billionaires fighting it out,” Carson said. “It's two philosophical movements fighting it out. All of them have wealthy supporters.”</p><p>Chris Larsen, a cryptocurrency billionaire who's pledged about $3.5 million on Bores' behalf, said in a statement that his decision to get involved "resulted directly from OpenAI’s threats to make examples of candidates who seek common-sense regulation.”</p><p>Bay, the research fellow, noted that the district is an odd one for the more Trump-friendly groups to invest in because it's so liberal. Indeed, Bores' main rival for the nomination, Assemblyman Micah Lasher, supported Bores' RAISE Act. Carson said his group wants Bores to win but is comfortable with Lasher.</p><p>“He's very good on AI issues too,” Carson said. “We win either way.”</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/qI8_cpGWNrgNLDwyFi22koyYLZs=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KWELHBYGPJHDNJWI24XJQZHU5Q.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2767" width="4150"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Alex Bores, democratic candidate in New York's 12th Congressional District, speaks during "NY-12 for Congress: Candidate Forum" at 92NY, April 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Yuki Iwamura</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/hC-GL_DqFcgeEQPThWR-x8aMpcM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/IA7FWEKFXFASBJVG2WY34R6IUM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5727" width="8591"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - From left, Alex Bores, George Conway, Micah Lasher, and Jack Schlossberg, democratic candidates in New York's 12th Congressional District, and Errol Louis attend "NY-12 for Congress: Candidate Forum" at 92NY, on April 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Yuki Iwamura</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/qFbI_d2_4MB0D2oBfMkQ-vhqQcs=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3LXMERQLOJD4NPQEJXU6VNC6LE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1108" width="1662"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, arrives at the U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif., April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vsquez, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Godofredo A. Vásquez</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/m5c2XzegCohPWNDVSvm_P54vp8A=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/Y2WRDTPPTVDRFFF5GIGCCTZL3I.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2000" width="3000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Dario Amodei, CEO & Co-Founder of Anthropic, speaks on a panel at the convening of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes at the Golden Gate Club at the Presidio in San Francisco, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jeff Chiu</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Save on gas with these five Edmunds-recommended used plug-in hybrid vehicles]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/17/save-on-gas-with-these-five-edmunds-recommended-used-plug-in-hybrid-vehicles/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/17/save-on-gas-with-these-five-edmunds-recommended-used-plug-in-hybrid-vehicles/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Christian Wardlaw Of Edmunds, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Plug-in hybrids may come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: They’re a great way to dip your toes into the electric vehicle pool without completely giving up the convenience of gasoline.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:13:34 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Are you looking to buy a vehicle that will help you avoid today’s high gas prices? A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle might be the answer. These are hybrid vehicles that drive like a regular hybrid but have a rechargeable battery that lets you drive a short distance on all-electric power. Frequently charging the battery at home can significantly reduce your gasoline use. The issue many shoppers encounter, however, is price. A new plug-in hybrid is typically a lot more expensive than a regular hybrid. That’s where buying a used plug-in hybrid comes into play.</p><p>To help people considering a used plug-in hybrid, the car experts at Edmunds have identified five models across different vehicle categories that are among the best used plug-in hybrids you can buy. They’re all less than 8 years old, and many will have less than 50,000 miles. Pricing will vary depending on vehicle condition, but we’ve estimated what you can expect to pay at nationwide retailers such as CarMax and Carvana.</p><p>Small car: <a href="https://www.edmunds.com/used-toyota-prius-prime/">2023-2024 Toyota Prius Prime</a></p><p>Toyota redesigned the Prius for the 2023 model year, giving the thrifty little hatchback a stylish design, improved performance and fresh technology. The Prius Prime is the plug-in hybrid version of the car, capable of traveling up to an EPA-estimated 45 miles on electricity before the gas engine fires up and provides up to 52 mpg for the rest of the trip. Available in SE, XSE and XSE Premium trim levels, the Prius Prime offers 220 horsepower for zippy acceleration. Add its hatchback design, which provides more cargo space than a sedan, and a used 2023-2024 Prius Prime is an excellent daily commuter and weekend errand-runner.</p><p>2023 Prius Prime estimated price: $30,000</p><p>Compact SUV: <a href="https://www.edmunds.com/used-hyundai-tucson-plug-in-hybrid/">2022-2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid</a></p><p>Choosing a plug-in hybrid SUV gives you more interior room than a Prius for passengers and cargo, but it comes at the cost of driving range and efficiency. Nevertheless, a 2022-2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid provides up to an EPA-estimated 33 miles of electric range while offering 35 mpg in combined city and highway driving. All-wheel drive is standard, and the turbocharged powertrain supplies a robust 261 horsepower for quick acceleration. Cargo space is generous at 66.3 cubic feet, and the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid offers impressive infotainment, safety and convenience technologies.</p><p>Average 2022 Tucson Plug-in Hybrid estimated price: $29,000</p><p>Three-row SUV: <a href="https://www.edmunds.com/used-kia-sorento-plug-in-hybrid/">2022-2025 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid</a></p><p>Sometimes, you need a third-row seat. If that requirement crops up infrequently and you want a plug-in hybrid SUV, consider the 2022-2025 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. It’s not as big as a typical family-size three-row SUV, but its small third-row seat accommodates kids and shorter adults for quick trips when necessary. Leave it folded down, and a Sorento Plug-in offers up to 45 cubic feet of cargo space. Its turbocharged 261-horsepower powertrain gets up to an EPA-estimated 32 miles of electric range and up to 34 mpg when driven as a hybrid. If your budget allows, get a 2025 model for its updated styling, interior and technology.</p><p>2022 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid estimated price: $30,000</p><p>Luxury SUV: <a href="https://www.edmunds.com/used-bmw-x5/">2021-2025 BMW X5</a></p><p>Most used X5s have a regular gas engine, but BMW also sells a plug-in hybrid version. Notably, steep depreciation puts a BMW X5 within budget range for many shoppers looking for a used plug-in hybrid. The 2021-2023 X5 plug-in hybrid’s powertrain provides an EPA-estimated 31 miles of electric range and 20 mpg in hybrid mode. BMW updated the powertrain for the 2024 and 2025 X5s to get 39 miles of range and 22 mpg. All X5s have roomy seating for up to five people in a practical and luxurious midsize package.</p><p>2021 X5 plug-in hybrid estimated price: $35,000</p><p>Performance car: <a href="https://www.edmunds.com/used-porsche-panamera/">2018-2020 Porsche Panamera </a></p><p>When you think of Porsche, you probably think of its iconic 911 sports car. But strange as it sounds, you can also get a plug-in hybrid. The Panamera is the brand’s flagship luxury sedan and its available 4 E-Hybrid trim level has a plug-in powertrain. These cars are a rare find, but it’s possible to get one for less than $50,000. The 4 E-Hybrid clocks a Porsche-estimated 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.4 seconds. At an estimated 14-16 miles, the electric range isn’t impressive, but it can return up to 23 mpg while providing a more thrilling driving experience than most other plug-in hybrids.</p><p>2018 Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid estimated price: $44,000</p><p>Edmunds says</p><p>Plug-in hybrids may come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: They’re a great way to dip your toes into the electric vehicle pool without completely giving up the convenience of gasoline. Charge them each night when energy rates are low, and they will undoubtedly reduce your fueling bills over time.</p><p>____________</p><p>This story was provided to <a href="https://apnews.com/">The Associated Press</a> by the automotive website <a href="http://www.edmunds.com/">Edmunds</a>.</p><p>Christian Wardlaw is a contributor at Edmunds. </p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/7sGfmkapUWC9i-3R-4rw2C5Wr_s=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/VBFQM23NC5FHBK45WREBRCECD4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1260" width="1890"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This photo provided by Toyota shows a 2024 Prius Prime. The Prius Prime is sleek and stylish, but even more exciting are its 50-plus miles of all-electric range and high fuel economy. (Courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/NZb4sfxe9vyy1mBiRb7bf8WfyIs=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AVMUKERHHRAY5F2U4MOP3TL6IM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2333" width="3500"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This photo provided by Hyundai shows a 2024 Tucson Plug-in Hybrid. The Tucson Plug-in Hybrid is just like a regular Tucson but with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that can drive more than 30 miles on all-electric power. (Courtesy of Hyundai Motor America via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/LkLK7TnVAIVBxnbuodsMc3TFh74=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YHYMKEH3IJGLVANVGDAB3ES474.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1996" width="2994"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This photo provided by Kia shows a 2024 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid. The Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid is a comfortable and versatile three-row SUV that gets great mpg thanks to its 30-plus miles of electric range. (Courtesy of Kia America via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/YHUU-lPog9I8ddHl13WpJ0Sigls=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KQSNFM7PWVG3VO4MQBZNYJBD3I.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2333" width="3500"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This photo provided by BMW shows a 2021 X5. The plug-in hybrid version of the X5 is ideal for those who want a luxury SUV that can go 30-plus miles on all-electric power. (Courtesy of BMW of North America via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/RQgNIHbAIK7l4cDcb9l_XoF6pWM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TC4PZOOQKFADJENG64YLKHPWYI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1400" width="2100"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This photo provided by Porsche shows a 2020 Panamera. A plug-in hybrid version of a Panamera has less than 20 miles of all-electric range but fully delivers all of the refinement you expect of a premium luxury sedan. (Courtesy of Porsche Cars North America via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[G7 leaders back Trump's plan to end Iran war that faces skepticism at home]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/trump-to-wrap-g7-summit-facing-skepticism-at-home-and-jitters-overseas-over-his-plan-to-end-iran-war/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/trump-to-wrap-g7-summit-facing-skepticism-at-home-and-jitters-overseas-over-his-plan-to-end-iran-war/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Darlene Superville, Aamer Madhani And Sylvie Corbet, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Leaders at the Group of Seven summit have backed U.S. President Donald Trump's tentative agreement with Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and extend a ceasefire.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:02:38 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Leaders at the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/g7-summit">Group of Seven summit</a> on Wednesday threw their support behind U.S. President Donald Trump's <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-us-pakistan-ceasefire-what-to-know-949710df39e3f1033cbb6beda3955814">tentative agreement</a> with Iran to open the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/the-worlds-most-important-21-miles-0000019d2fbfd29daffdefffc72e0000">Strait of Hormuz</a> and further extend a shaky ceasefire — even though he's offered scant specificity about how that would be implemented.</p><p>In a declaration issued overnight, the leaders called the deal a “historic opportunity to prevent Iran from acquiring any nuclear weapon and tackling the threats related to its regional and ballistic activities.” The leaders said that they were “ready to contribute to its implementation,” although neither the White House nor Iran has released the text of the agreement.</p><p>According to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-war-oil-deal-june-17-2026-19652f4611b704c0a991bf1f5bc9a4b9?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">leaked copies</a> of an interim agreement, Iran will immediately take steps to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once the deal is signed and will be allowed to sell its oil without restrictions. Officials say the leaked text broadly matches the document.</p><p>The accord, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-ceasefire-deal-e0a9e4e1152ea8da10ea066ad174a23a">due to be formally signed</a> in a ceremony in Switzerland on Friday, lays out that the U.S. would work to end all American and United Nations sanctions imposed on Tehran if a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-war-nuclear-talks-d8e5c8ada80c35446d4194201d9a7502">final agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear program</a> is reached.</p><p>Trump, however, said the deal is still under wraps. He was speaking at a one-to-one meeting with Egyptian President <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abdel-fattah-el-sissi">Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi</a>.</p><p>“Nobody knows what it is but it’s very strong,” he told reporters. He added: “It’s a memorandum of understanding and if I don’t like it, we’ll go back to shooting at them, dropping bombs.”</p><p>The final day of summit talks started late with Trump, the last to arrive, saying “I’m the boss” as he entered the room and sat next to host French President <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emmanuel-macron">Emmanuel Macron</a>. The assembled leaders laughed, and Trump grinned.</p><p>The G7 leaders were closing the formal talks of the leading industrial democracies at a lakeside resort in the French Alps on Wednesday with sessions on the future of <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence</a> and fostering economic growth.</p><p>They discussed concerns that <a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-trade-exports-tariffs-trump-germany-edd7a75a090afca912b4650bcceb562d">China is flooding export markets</a> with subsidized products, unfairly out-competing their own industries and destroying jobs. Leaders of India, South Korea, Kenya and Brazil also joined the meeting.</p><p>The U.S. leader later plans to make a stop for a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-g7-summit-macron-versailles-france-meeting-861a196252ddd5c19ee74a91e607709a">glitzy dinner at the Palace of Versailles</a> outside of Paris before he jets back to Washington.</p><p>What's in the deal</p><p>While G7 leaders gave it their backing, Trump still has to sell the deal to some members of his own party who doubt it will defang Iran’s nuclear program. At the same time, he faces an anxious international community looking for him to follow through on his promise that the deal will reopen the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/strait-of-hormuz">Strait of Hormuz</a> to oil tanker traffic, and keep it open.</p><p>The leaders said that an international maritime mission led by France and the U.K. “can play an important role to facilitate the resumption of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz by protecting merchant vessels, reassuring commercial shipping operators, and supporting verification that all mines are removed.”</p><p>Before the Iran war, a fifth of all oil and natural gas traded passed through the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime chokepoint that Iran has effectively shuttered since the first days of the conflict that began on Feb. 28.</p><p>The deal also calls for an immediate end to all <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lebanon">fighting in Lebanon</a> between Israel and the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah. That is one of the most delicate parts of the agreement because Israel has maintained it will continue to defend itself and to occupy vast swaths of Lebanon. Iran has said <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-israel-lebanon-oil-june-16-2026-d79458506c46e3f4a78aef0f9d8b9250">Israel must withdraw under the deal</a>, although the leaked versions make no mention of withdrawal.</p><p>In their declaration, G7 leaders said they supported “through an immediate robust ceasefire” Lebanese efforts to disarm Hezbollah, and protect Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. </p><p>Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed nearly 4,000 people, including hundreds of civilians, and displaced more than 1 million since fighting there began on March 2. “Israel’s fighting Hezbollah too long, and too many people are being killed,” Trump said.</p><p>Leaders vow to support Ukraine, tackle global drug gangs and migrant smugglers </p><p>In a flurry of declarations issued in the early hours of Wednesday, the G7 leaders stressed their support for Ukraine as it <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">battles Russia's invasion</a> and agreed to increase deliveries of air defense systems. They also said they would bolster sanctions on Moscow, including on Russia's oil and gas industries.</p><p>Leaders also pledged to step up the fight against the multibillion dollar international drug trade. The statement comes as Trump has been waging his own battle against drug traffickers.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-drug-cartels-military-timeline-91e242e5c56eec39b6b7d72bf55dbd2d">United States military strikes</a> on alleged drug-carrying boats transiting in Latin America have killed more than 200 people since September, when the Trump administration began an operation it has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">justified as necessary</a> to stem the flow of drugs.</p><p>Critics have questioned the legality of the strikes.</p><p>In a separate declaration, the G7 leaders reaffirmed their efforts to halt migrant smuggling and human trafficking, which they said “constitute serious transnational crimes that erode the sovereign right of States to control their borders and expose smuggled and trafficked persons to life-threatening risks.”</p><p>___</p><p>Superville reported from Geneva. AP writers John Leicester in Evian-les-Bains, Jamey Keaten in Geneva, Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, and Collin Binkley in Washington contributed reporting.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/SMcxI6cZ_xAA6zAyppCVv7dEQc8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EXBRMQMGTNFN5CLIDJBF3MZLIM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5371" width="8057"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for a working session at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Thibault Camus</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/8G8yodxdloxU1HIUe6J-2aLXnAc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/PJVQHBG3QJG2FETENV3OEYJO3E.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3483" width="5225"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[From left, U.S. President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a working session at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Thibault Camus</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/oU0-GgR3yUVy1--YKh2CybcQ4FI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JOA2LISW4ZFJFPZ2PCHNP3VDTA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3269" width="4904"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[From right, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a working session at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Thibault Camus</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/PgRHCKL5tFYJ7avRI5RFvYNpkB0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HBFWGYOM2BHPLHBUGDLBYHMGD4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5498" width="8247"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A man looks through a slightly open door prior to a working session at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Thibault Camus</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/P82hZE38uPvjH1XWqHDL9QGICkA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/27FKDUC2GBH3ZHHAPHVW76T7XQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3952" width="5928"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with France's President Emmanuel Macron as they attend a working session at the G7 summit, in Evian-les-Bains, France, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (Mandel Ngan/Pool Photo via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mandel Ngan</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Police rescue more than 400 cats from being eaten in Vietnam in a bust of a major animal theft ring]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/police-rescue-hundreds-of-cats-from-being-eaten-in-vietnam-with-bust-of-major-animal-theft-ring/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/police-rescue-hundreds-of-cats-from-being-eaten-in-vietnam-with-bust-of-major-animal-theft-ring/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Hau Dinh And Anton L. Delgado, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Police in Vietnam have seized more than 400 cats in a major bust of an animal theft ring last week.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:57:04 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Police in <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vietnam">Vietnam</a> rescued more than 400 cats in a major bust of a cat meat crime ring last week in Ho Chi Minh City, and at least 40 of them have been reunited with their owners. </p><p>However, following the dayslong police operation, several of the cats died because of the harsh conditions they were found in, animal welfare groups said. They didn't elaborate or provide an exact number on the cats who didn't make it.</p><p>Since the operation, veterinarians and volunteers have flocked to care for the cats at a temporary rescue center set up at a facility run by the Ho Chi Minh City Criminal Police Division.</p><p>“People who lost their cats can come to the police station to identify their pets and help the police with the investigation,” police official Nguyên Thê Bâo told local media.</p><p>This operation is “a sobering reminder of the enormous scale of Viet Nam’s cat meat trade,” according to Karanvir Kukreja, who leads a campaign against dog and cat meat consumption for the international nonprofit Humane World for Animals.</p><p>Local media also reported that the Ho Chi Minh City police investigation into a spate of pet thefts resulted in the arrest of nine people</p><p>During the operation, police raided a yard and uncovered 45 cages containing around 400 live cats and four ice-filled foam containers holding approximately 80 dead cats. About 20 live cats were also recovered at a separate location, according to police, who said a kilogram of cat meat sold for around 70,000 Vietnamese dong (around $2.70).</p><p>The operation, with a total of more than 500 cats seized, was one of Vietnam's largest cat welfare cases in recent years, media reports also said.</p><p>The suspects admitted to trapping and collecting cats across south Vietnam over the past three years — in Ho Chi Minh City, the country's largest city, as well as in the cities of Tay Ninh and An Giang, police said.</p><p>“The sad truth about this trade is that thousands of cats every month are being stolen, trafficked and slaughtered for meat across the country,” said Phuong Pham, the country director of the Humane World for Animals in Vietnam. “Thankfully, these survivors escaped.”</p><p>Several of the rescued cats were pregnant, leading to kittens being born in police custody this week, she said.</p><p>Chris Gindelhumer with the nonprofit Vietnam Cat Welfare, who is helping care for the rescued animals, said he “saw quite a lot of tears in the last few days.”</p><p>“It’s really beautiful to see how many Vietnamese families are coming, looking for their cats,” he said. “But it’s also heartbreaking because many families were looking for their cats and didn’t find them.”</p><p>Many veterinarians and volunteers are working around the clock for the cats, Gindelhumer said.</p><p>Consumption of dog and cat meat is legal in Vietnam. Vendors must have permits to validate the animals' origins. But certain cities like Hoi An in central Vietnam are working with global animal welfare groups to stop dog and cat meat consumption in the city.</p><p>Not long after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-dog-meat-ban-1d813e734739c3938f28220b8d949648">South Korea's 2024 ban on dog meat</a>, Vietnamese officials said the government plans to rebuild parts of the legal system to better protect pets and the rights of their owners.</p><p>“This event surprised a lot of people and has raised awareness among many to stop consuming cat meat,” said An Pham, a master's degree student and avid cat lover in Ho Chi Minh City.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/zFLNcI3G8_qR9Tn0oQ97pwt0z9w=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JJ6XNLZUCRDH3AL4OLUZRRTEFQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1800" width="3200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This photo released by Vietnam Cat Welfare shows rescued cats getting treatment in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (Vietnam Cat Welfare via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/yQKmnhCZkrhghAACbhfn984y9OI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7J4DOISA3NCLPJAQIBN4OKV6ZI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2252" width="4000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This photo released by Humane World for Animals Viet Nam shows cats in cages that were seized by the police in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on June 15, 2026. (Phuong Pham/Humane World for Animals Viet Nam)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Phuong Pham</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/8yDPWfGaU-SmCWebKEuq6H9CpkA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/IWVTONSPHBHJ5DZSE6U7NL3INI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1800" width="3200"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This photo released by Vietnam Cat Welfare shows a rescued cat with a neck brace in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (Vietnam Cat Welfare via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/QC2BAymZeuhp9Dbqeoh-so3OGSU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/MJ546AON3VFYVHS624VYPNA2IM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2252" width="4000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This photo released by Humane World for Animals Viet Nam shows cats that were seized by the police in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on June 15, 2026. (Phuong Pham/Humane World for Animals Viet Nam)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Phuong Pham</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/L1ejQWPe0hgohc5mTcpcb1Tbt04=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/GSM35ZWKANHO5H2NXKWE2SH22M.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2252" width="4000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This photo released by Humane World for Animals Viet Nam shows cats in cages that were seized by the police in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on June 15, 2026. (Phuong Pham/Humane World for Animals Viet Nam)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Phuong Pham</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trump delays Clayton's nomination for intelligence director to try to push Congress on voter ID bill]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/trump-delays-jay-claytons-nomination-for-intel-director-to-try-to-push-congress-on-voting-bill/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/trump-delays-jay-claytons-nomination-for-intel-director-to-try-to-push-congress-on-voting-bill/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[President Donald Trump says he’s delaying federal prosecutor Jay Clayton’s nomination to lead the U.S. intelligence community in a bid to force Congress to act on a voter ID bill that currently lacks enough support for passage.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:21:03 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>President <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> said Wednesday that he was delaying federal prosecutor <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jay-clayton-pulte-trump-national-intelligence-director-b9a89bd3f1cb9c70fcca79de4c42cc99">Jay Clayton’s</a> nomination to lead the U.S. intelligence community in a bid to force Congress to act on a voter ID bill that currently lacks enough support for passage. </p><p>The Republican president said in a social media post just hours before Clayton's scheduled confirmation hearing that he will keep Bill Pulte, a top U.S. housing official, as acting director of national intelligence. Democratic and Republican lawmakers had opposed Trump’s selection of Pulte, citing his lack of known experience in intelligence and his <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-bill-pulte-lisa-cook-federal-reserve-00d9bf828f824eceda7b30f704d1de71">use of his current administration perch</a> to target perceived adversaries of the president — resistance that last week forced Trump to turn to Clayton.</p><p>The abrupt announcement creates instant uncertainty over the long-term leadership of the 18-agency intelligence community and dashes hopes for a swift renewal of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fisa-702-spy-powers-surveillance-congress-terrorism-063e0f03ca366eaa339f9c51755d943a">a crucial surveillance program</a> that expired in Congress last week due to bipartisan anger over Trump’s pick of Pulte.</p><p>That tool, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, permits spy agencies to collect without a warrant the communications of targeted foreigners located outside the United States. National security officials across both major political parties have for years described Section 702 as vital for gathering intelligence that can disrupt terror attacks and espionage operations, though some lawmakers and civil liberties advocates have raised concerns over <a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-fbi-surveillance-75c466a64e838ab12eaef96f6335f3cd">the government's use of information about Americans</a> that is incidentally collected through the program.</p><p>Clayton had been set to appear on Wednesday for a Senate confirmation hearing that was fast-tracked because of the program's lapse. Democrats had said they would not renew the expired surveillance programs until Trump withdrew the selection of Pulte.</p><p>Trump's post suggests that debate to revive Section 702 could be indefinitely postponed. Lawmakers have sounded the alarm about the government operating without congressional authorization of the powerful spy tool. </p><p>A court order from last March certified that the program could continue for another 12 months, though it's possible that communications companies could challenge the government's authority to force them to cooperate and share data.</p><p>In his social media post, Trump accused Democrats of breaking a deal to renew the program after he nominated Clayton. Trump also said he does not want to remove Clayton from his current position as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York before his replacement, James McDonald, is approved. McDonald was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mcdonald-sdny-clayton-odni-0ee978580b026147c3c00925737096f2">named to the Justice Department post</a> on Saturday.</p><p>And Trump added another condition: linking his approval of the surveillance program to the passage of a bill requiring people to show ID to vote.</p><p>“Therefore, to add a slight bit of intrigue but, for the Good of the Nation, and the People of our Country, I will not approve FISA without THE SAVE AMERICA ACT going along with it,” Trump said, using the acronym for the surveillance program and his name for the voter ID bill.</p><p>The Republican-controlled Congress has not acted on the voting bill because it does not have enough support in either chamber, particularly from Democrats.</p><p>Trump made the announcement in Evian-les-Bains, France, where he was participating in the final day of the Group of Seven summit of leading industrial economies.</p><p>The intelligence director position became available after Tulsi Gabbard, who had held the job, announced last month that <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tulsi-gabbard-director-national-intelligence-iran-788f1f14259d72bd7936fa2e83149efa">she was resigning</a> to spend time with her husband as he fights cancer.</p><p>Clayton, a chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump’s first term, has spent the last 14 months as the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, one of the Justice Department’s premier posts.</p><p>His office during that time facilitated <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-victims-court-hearing-883e1bf23b913d43337dc6dacb46393c">the unsealing of thousands of pages of court records</a> from the prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, documents that were made public as part of the Justice Department’s release of records related to the late sex offender and his longtime confidant.</p><p>Clayton has also overseen <a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e">the prosecution of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro</a> and Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, on drug trafficking charges.</p><p>Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell was convicted of luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein but insists she's innocent. Maduro and his wife have protested their capture and said they're not guilty.</p><p>___ </p><p>Superville reported from Geneva. Tucker and Jalonick reported from Washington.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/gSS8xAYAP0U37jYLTNJNyi37peg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4LZP3WL2BZEXDNOAROZ77VVVKQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5198" width="7797"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, listens during a news conference in New York, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Seth Wenig</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Chigdu8jj44p4xpI5klDHWrXs7w=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/VFZPAUYUPJGGVPV7PAWZXFXHCA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1961" width="2941"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to attend a musical interlude before a gala dinner as part of the G7 summit, in Evian-les-Bains, France, Tuesday June 16, 2026. (Ludovic MARIN/Pool Photo via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Ludovic Marin</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/-87iNwM6w4xFs4V5HhfPcX02RxU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JJNXCQ65MNCULIEUCFJUEX3SEE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1296" width="1944"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Bill Pulte, speaks to reporters at the White House, July 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Julia Demaree Nikhinson</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/B0XUjtevLEMoTJNEAZmHYLI_hgI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BQQUMIK75NBVNANAEXOCBKNR2M.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3679" width="5519"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard listens during the Senate Committee on Intelligence hearings on Capitol Hill, March 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jose Luis Magana</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Georgia Primary Runoff 2026: Here are the results]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/vote-2026/2026/06/16/georgia-primary-runoff-2026-here-are-the-results/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/vote-2026/2026/06/16/georgia-primary-runoff-2026-here-are-the-results/</guid><description><![CDATA[The polls are now closed across Georgia in the runoff election to finish up the state’s 2026 primaries. Any race in the May 19 primary in which no candidate got more than 50 percent of the vote required a runoff.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:43:27 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Polls are now closed across Georgia in the runoff election to finish up the state’s 2026 primaries. Any race in the May 19 primary in which no candidate got more than 50 percent of the vote required a runoff.</p><p>Republicans faced choices in two high-profile races, to pick the party’s nominees for U.S. Senate and Governor. In addition to those races, voters across the state saw several other state Cabinet races on their ballot. Several U.S. House primaries continued to runoffs, including the Democratic primary in southeast Georgia’s District 1.</p><p>Locally, a pair of races in Brantley County required runoffs.</p><p><i>Scroll down to see the results as they come in throughout the night.</i></p><p><iframe class="ap-embed" loading="lazy" title="Live election results via the Associated Press" src="https://interactives.apelections.org/election-results/customers/layouts/organization-layouts/published/71046/29892.html" width="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0"></iframe><script defer src="https://interactives.apelections.org/election-results/assets/microsite/resizeClient.js"></script></p><p><iframe class="ap-embed" loading="lazy" title="Live election results via the Associated Press" src="https://interactives.apelections.org/election-results/customers/layouts/organization-layouts/published/71046/29893.html" width="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0"></iframe><script defer src="https://interactives.apelections.org/election-results/assets/microsite/resizeClient.js"></script></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/HN_mOiWwMQGWqRn9GqDse42J4Ao=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SN6R33E4OJFFHIRYWARYILSWCI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2508" width="3750"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A Fulton County staff member works as people vote in a runoff election, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mike Stewart</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Archaeologists find musket balls and fort linked to the Battle of Bunker Hill]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/national/2026/06/17/archaeologists-find-musket-balls-and-fort-linked-to-the-battle-of-bunker-hill/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/national/2026/06/17/archaeologists-find-musket-balls-and-fort-linked-to-the-battle-of-bunker-hill/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Michael Casey, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[An archaeological dig at the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill has revealed ammunition used in the fight along with the outlines of an earthen fort built to protect the patriots fighting the British.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:21:08 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Generations of Boston families played and picnicked on the grassy, sloping lawns of the Bunker Hill Monument.</p><p>Musket balls and other artifacts from one of the American Revolution’s most consequential battles were buried just below their feet the whole time.</p><p>Inspired by a centuries-old map, archaeologists have been digging in the park that sits on the site where American patriots hastily constructed an earthen fort to slow advancing British forces at what became known as the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/battle-bunker-hill-250th-anniversary-1775-857e3d748620703f287c82224ee520be">Battle of Bunker Hill</a>.</p><p>Ground-penetrating radar identified potential locations for the fort in Boston's Charlestown section. Soon after digging the first trench, the team led by Joe Bagley, the city of Boston's archaeologist, found definitive signs of a ditch constructed hours before the battle on June 17, 1775, one of the first of the American Revolution.</p><p>“The part that’s really crazy to me is that we get to stand in the same ditch,” said Bagley, standing over one of the two dig sites, where soil is removed about 4 inches (10 centimeters) at a time, put in buckets and filtered through screens. Any items found are bagged up and identified.</p><p>Tea cups and wig curlers</p><p>So far, the dig has uncovered musket balls and parts of a musket from the battle. They also found objects likely left behind by British troops who occupied the area after the battle — including tea cups, tobacco pipes, sleeve buttons and a wig curler. There were nearly 150 combatants who died there but no human remains have been found, though a forensic archaeologist is on site to identify any bones.</p><p>“Everything about the ditch is from 1775. You’ve got musket balls, gun flints. It’s what you would expect to see,” Bagley said. “It’s pretty powerful because these things are being dropped in the middle of the battle.”</p><p>The start of the American Revolution is often associated with the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lexington-black-patriots-american-revolution-70a4a423a0ba52813db469c69b0e44f5">Battle of Lexington and Concord</a>, skirmishes fought on April 19, 1775. But many scholars cite Bunker Hill and June 17 as the war's first significant battle.</p><p>Historic battle</p><p>Rebels intended to hold off a possible British attack by fortifying Bunker Hill, a 110-foot-high (34-meter-high) slope in Charlestown across the Charles River from British-occupied Boston. But for reasons still unclear, they instead took a position on a smaller and more vulnerable ridge known as Breed’s Hill, where most of the fighting took place.</p><p>The battle ended with the rebels in retreat, but not before the British had sustained more than 1,000 casualties. Bunker Hill is often portrayed as an American victory, since the British failed to win decisively and it served to galvanize the colonies against the British.</p><p>Today, a 221-foot (67-meter) white obelisk atop Breed's Hill memorializes the battle.</p><p>Musket balls tell stories</p><p>At the dig site, Joel Bohy, a battlefield archaeologist who specializes in identifying American Revolution weaponry, marveled at what had been pulled from the dirt. One volunteer held in her hand two jagged stones — the gray one was an English gun flint while a beige one was a French gun flint. When the trigger on the musket was pulled, flint struck the steel, producing sparks that ignited the gunpowder.</p><p>They also found eight marbled-sized musket balls from both sides in the battle. The markings and shape of some bullets showed they had been fired from a distance but didn't hit anyone. If they had, the balls would have been deformed.</p><p>“You can see the ramrod mark from when the soldier rammed it down. You can the little ring on the top where it was pushed down,” Bohy said, adding that “marks on the edge of the ball” show that it had been fired.</p><p>Where was the fort?</p><p>Using pick axes and shovels, more than 1,000 provincials and residents dug through the night to construct a ditch that was 3 feet (1 meter) deep and over 6 feet (2 meters) wide. They shoveled the soil in front of the ditch to make a 6-foot-high wall or parapet that reached 150 feet (46 meters) long on each of the four sides. </p><p>A map drawn by Henry Pelham two months after the battle showed a square redoubt on Breed's Hill. But it wasn't until the dig that anyone had confirmed the shape in the map was accurate. Previous digs in the 1990s had found items related to the battle and some evidence of the ditches.</p><p>“If you come to the site, we have the monument, we have a lot of maps on display, and the landscape is beautiful. But you can’t really see the fort, the fortifications that were built,” Bagley said. “Very little of what’s here visibly is from 1775. So, this trench is the reason why all of this is here.”</p><p>History comes alive</p><p>Beyond locating the fort, the dig also provides visitors a chance to hold “a piece of the battle in their hand,” Bohy said. “In a way, it makes the history more dimensional when you look at these objects from the battle itself.”</p><p>Several tourists from Colorado stopped by to watch the dig. One visitor, Greg Nockleby, who had spent a week in Boston learning about American history, said watching the archaeologists at work was a “wonderful surprise.”</p><p>“A live dig happening right now to uncover our nation’s history is amazing,” he said. “To see that there has been people here who have died for our freedom and our nation is very immersive.”</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/CD8nRomzJuE53d1QmHo1xAhc_0s=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/QWZO5PHOGFDNPOVEE56BKRJAAU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2265" width="3397"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Calla Ruff, an intern from Carleton College, holds a musket ball that was removed from an archaeological dig at the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charles Krupa</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/fQBofnqITXoV8AtvG3U_abPkd2A=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BJQKSNXMDRAVNMKXPD33TKTEHY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4209" width="6313"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Calla Ruff, an intern from Carleton College, sifts dirt removed from an archaeological dig at the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charles Krupa</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/pbhgPM4EXVdOpqoiC0FejZBk7y8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CUVD47F3JRGN3ERE67USKKTZFU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3407" width="5111"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Joe Bagley, right, the City of Boston Archeologist, talks with with Sarah Kiley Schoff, a forensic anthropologist, during an archaeological dig at the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charles Krupa</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Zni68hdyWyKwLfbtt6HMo_ol4pI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4TLEFHIESZATZIOPPDXZGRRLLQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4141" width="6212"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Joe Bagley, the City of Boston Archeologist, holds a portion of a bottle that was unearthed during an archaeological dig at the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charles Krupa</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/YESAGLuV0aJzQDir5yN4VqvtNP0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4TGLTTVAXVC5BBE6JPZUSDZY64.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3778" width="5502"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Joe Bagley, the City of Boston Archeologist, left, chats with visitor Owen MacDonald, of Los Angeles, who was visiting Boston with his father John, during an archaeological dig at the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charles Krupa</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tale of the ticker tape: The quirky history behind the Knicks' first NYC parade]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/tale-of-the-ticker-tape-the-quirky-history-behind-the-knicks-first-nyc-parade/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/tale-of-the-ticker-tape-the-quirky-history-behind-the-knicks-first-nyc-parade/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The New York Knicks' ticker-tape parade will be a first.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:05:58 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>New York Knicks fans have waited forever for this.</p><p>Thursday's ticker-tape parade for the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-finals-game-5-spurs-knicks-372c259a94837166818ca7386e678852">new NBA champions</a> will be a first. When the team won the title before, in 1970 and ‘73, they weren't honored with New York's signature procession.</p><p>Why not? There's no one definitive explanation. But there is some informative context: The '70s wins came at a time when then-Mayor John Lindsay had reined in the confetti-tossing spectacles. He celebrated the Knicks at the mayoral mansion and then City Hall — august settings, for sure, but not the fabled trip through lower Broadway’s “Canyon of Heroes.” </p><p>If there's pent-up demand for a Knicks parade, current Mayor Zohran Mamdani seems determined to meet it. He has predicted that Thursday’s celebration might be “the largest parade in New York City history.” </p><p>“There will be performances, there will be New Yorkers, there will be the team and there will be history,” the mayor, a Democrat, said Monday while visiting a city facility that prepared temporary “Champions Way” signs for the parade route. The event is set to start at 10 a.m. Thursday near Battery Park and end at City Hall. </p><p>New York's ticker-tape tradition began in the late 19th century, when brokerage firm workers watched parades from office windows and — apparently to add decoration — flung out the narrow paper used by telegraph-era “stock ticker” machines, according to the Downtown Alliance, a lower Manhattan advocacy group. It joined with the private Museum of the City of New York to <a href="https://downtownny.com/ticker-tape-parades/">research and list the parades</a>.</p><p>The organizations say the ticker-tape tradition began with an 1886 event honoring the dedication of the Statue of Liberty and became city-organized in 1919 to welcome returning World War I soldiers. The first ticker-tape celebration of athletes was a tribute to the 1924 U.S. Olympic team. </p><p>The parades proliferated, celebrating various feats in aviation, war, sports, music, space travel and more, according to the museum and the Downtown Alliance. </p><p>Processions honored historical anniversaries, firefighters, the Red Cross, ship rescues, an attempted ship rescue and even a ship replica (the Mayflower II, in 1957). There were a handful of parades for U.S. presidents and dozens for visiting foreign leaders, some notorious. For example, French Marshal <a href="https://apnews.com/b2cea59b115c43e5860d780a45de49fe">Henri Petain</a> was showered with ticker tape in 1931 and later convicted of treason for heading the Vichy government that collaborated with the Nazis during World War II.</p><p>By the time Lindsay took office in 1966, not everyone loved a parade. </p><p>Lower Manhattan businesses resented the frequent disruptions, and some New Yorkers saw the celebrations as rote and manufactured. Lindsay and his public events commissioner — former Knicks captain and jump-shot ace John “Bud” Palmer — eschewed ticker-tape extravaganzas for visiting dignitaries, instead favoring more personal and inexpensive gatherings, according to news stories by The Associated Press and other outlets at the time. </p><p>By 1970, the nation was in a recession. The city events budget had been cut, and Palmer — whose salary was a symbolic $1 — was peeved about the rejection of a $372 bill (about $3,300 today) for some materials for a 1969 ticker-tape parade celebrating the New York Mets' World Series win, according to memos unearthed by the city Department of Records & Information Services. </p><p>There was no ticker-tape bash for the New York Jets' 1970 Super Bowl win, which came days after such a parade honored the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-artemis-moon-astronauts-earthset-5ca505933a4c22e6859f15cc100858b6">Apollo 8 astronauts</a> ' historic orbit around the moon. </p><p>The Knicks topped the Los Angeles Lakers to win the NBA championship later that year. Lindsay, a liberal Republican, sent a congratulatory telegram and hosted the Knicks for a reception at the official mayoral residence, according to news coverage at the time.</p><p>When the Knicks bested the Lakers again to win the 1973 title, Lindsay scheduled a celebration in front of City Hall and urged “every New Yorker who can to come.” </p><p>Officials apparently were startled when more than 2,000 mostly young fans did just that. Police struggled to keep the speakers' stand clear, according to a New York Times article from the day. </p><p>But the ceremony went ahead as planned, and Lindsay bestowed the team with a distinctly municipal honor: medals commemorating the 75th anniversary of the unification of New York's five boroughs into one city. </p><p>Parades for championship sports teams picked up in subsequent decades. The city's most recent ticker-tape festivities <a href="https://apnews.com/b98206d252c2aea7238675fdc4415901">honored the WNBA's New York Liberty</a> in 2024.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/HAjI1sukkgpHywQA10tOqiLubj4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/A23EANFGL5H45JG7PX3E4HS27M.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2866" width="4299"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, hugs center Mitchell Robinson after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) CORRECTION: corrects ID to Mitchell Robinson instead Og Anunoby]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Darren Abate</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/qkVw9oTgMPY2JASD3MC3yZdDxDw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7FRNVM5SNZFZNHX6ZYZSS33KVU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2007" width="3000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - New York Mayor John Lindsay, right, congratulates Red Holzman, coach of the New York Knicks, after presenting the city's diamond jubilee medals to Holzman and other members of the Knicks team on the steps of City Hall on May 15, 1973. Shown with the mayor are Irving Felt, board chairman of Madison Square Garden, second from left, and Willis Reed, team captain, next to Lindsay. (AP Photo/Anthony Camerano, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Anthony Camerano</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/z8pIdtVeQEnL1JqPT_lIjrtWzJk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AYFIW6UXA5DWZDPINZMNCGHHVU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2832" width="4248"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[New York Knicks fans celebrate their victory after a watch party for Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the San Antonio Spurs, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Andres Kudacki</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/2oUwIuplY7TyOCQlccMgXBqF2Lg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7OUHPRYYCFDZJCYG2HH4U5WW3E.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2750" width="4125"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A New York Knicks fan celebrates after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Darren Abate</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/eK1lVWLqb-G5gmHk7oPWQDPwUKs=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/VUESYVVRYNFTDDYPARA3ZYOXUQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4944" width="7424"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu holds up the WNBA basketball championship trophy while riding down Broadway during a parade celebrating the team's season championship, Oct. 24, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Yuki Iwamura</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Breezy start with another round of wet weather moving in]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/weather/2026/06/17/jacksonville-faces-early-rain-and-thunderstorms-katie-garners-full-forecast/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/weather/2026/06/17/jacksonville-faces-early-rain-and-thunderstorms-katie-garners-full-forecast/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Katie Garner]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Meteorologist Katie Garner from News4JAX details increased rain chances, current temperatures, and safety tips for Jacksonville after a night of strong storms. Find out what’s expected today and how to stay prepared.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:35:22 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Whether you’re sending kids out to summer camp or starting your workday, keep an umbrella handy and plan a little extra time just in case, as we’re watching another round of wet weather moving in a little earlier today.</p><p>Most areas are starting off dry, but scattered showers are expected to keep moving through beginning around 9 a.m., with breaks in between.</p><p>Looking at our Exact Track 4D radar this morning, showers have already started popping up—especially from Waycross down toward Fargo, and over Live Oak. There’s also some early activity showing just south of Palatka. </p><p>For folks near Jacksonville and along the coast, things are currently quiet, but a quick shower could swing in from the Atlantic, especially near South Ponte Vedra Beach and Nocatee.</p><p>If you’re up in Georgia near Waycross, Hoboken, or Nahunta—or further south in Lake Como and Pomona Park—be on the lookout: these spots are likely to see on-and-off showers as well.</p><h3><b>Current temperatures, wind</b></h3><p>As you’re getting out the door, temperatures are sitting right in the mid-70s. To be specific, JAX airport is at 75 degrees, St. Augustine is at 74 degrees, and Mayport is also at 74 degrees. </p><p>Winds are breezy, with gusts reaching into the teens and low 20s.</p><p>At this hour, most places are dry, but the radar shows several small, quick-moving showers, especially to the west and south. </p><p>We’ll continue to update you as conditions change throughout the morning. Don’t forget, you can share your weather photos and videos with us through SnapJAX at <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/snapjax/">news4jax.com/snapjax</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ann Patchett’s next accolade: A peace prize rooted in the Dayton Accords legacy]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/17/ann-patchetts-next-accolade-a-peace-prize-rooted-in-the-dayton-accords-legacy/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/17/ann-patchetts-next-accolade-a-peace-prize-rooted-in-the-dayton-accords-legacy/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Hillel Italie, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Ann Patchett has received the Ambassador Richard C.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:00:33 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/ann-patchett-whistler-new-book-interview-585b69bf6832161343326c96214655f5">Ann Patchett's</a> latest honor has an international scope.</p><p>The Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation announced Wednesday that Patchett is this year's recipient of the Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award for “a writer whose body of work reflects the Prize’s mission of fostering peace, social justice, and global understanding.”</p><p>The award is named for the late diplomat who served under <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">President Bill Clinton</a> among others and is credited with helping to broker the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords that <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-defense-budget-dayton-peace-accords-2ddfdc037f6f81cd33fe3cce6fde1504">ended the war in Bosnia</a>. Previous winners include former <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-carter-dies-18c198c20352c835bca3eec276020dd7">President Jimmy Carter,</a><a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-ec012439a9aa4873a24d2b4e2328174e">Elie Wiesel</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/margaret-atwood-interview-memoir-f6fc117b1b19c411c6970c5477b881ee">Margaret Atwood. </a></p><p>Patchett, 62, is known for such novels as “Bel Canto,” “The Dutch House” and “State of Wonder.” She also owns the Nashville-based bookstore Parnassus and advocates often for fellow writers, her efforts leading <a href="https://apnews.com/article/pen-america-gala-ann-patchett-4c99bb0b016638e3173d75caeef71dfc">PEN America</a> to present her its PEN/Audible Literary Service Award at a gala last month in Manhattan. </p><p>In a statement issued Wednesday through the Dayton foundation, Patchett advised setting realistic goals for how to make meaningful contributions. </p><p>“If you wait to find a way to bring peace to the world there’s a good chance that nothing will be accomplished,” she said. “Instead, I recommend bringing about peace in any small way that is available to you. Live as peacefully and as generously as possible. Invite others to stand with you or, better yet, go and stand with them.”</p><p>The foundation also announced that <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/amanda-knox">Amanda Knox’s</a> memoir “Free: My Search for Meaning” is among the 12 finalists for Dayton Literary Peace Prize awards for fiction and nonfiction from 2025 that demonstrate “the power of the written word to foster peace.” Knox's book recounts her life after being imprisoned in Italy on murder charges and eventually being exonerated.</p><p>Nonfiction contenders besides “Free” include Danielle Leavitt's Ukraine chronicle “By the Second Spring,” Jack Fairweather's “The Prosecutor: One Man's Battle to Bring Nazis to Justice” and Eve L. Ewing's “Original Sins: The (Mis)education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism.” Gish Jen's “Bad Bad Girl,” Karen Russell's “The Antidote” and Sam Wachman's “The Sunflower Boys” are among the fiction finalists.</p><p>Winners, to be announced in September, each receive $10,000.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/hiUrRvz5tAHXGHeJMeypwiHTuDU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/77BZXSJMZFHPJAPOBYXCWJQH4Q.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3810" width="5715"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Author Ann Patchett poses for a portrait at her bookstore in Nashville, Tenn., on April 22, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">George Walker Iv</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/h-96eoJn4pUlEImCqGlnKLIz_68=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6NPSFCMZUFB7HOU5U5DMEPNAEA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3672" width="5509"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Author Ann Patchett poses for a portrait at her bookstore in Nashville, Tenn., on April 22, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">George Walker Iv</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Jacksonville 18-year-old vanishes during bicycle trip to Florida Keys, deputies are now asking for your help]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/jacksonville-18-year-old-vanishes-during-bicycle-trip-to-florida-keys-deputies-are-now-asking-for-your-help/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/jacksonville-18-year-old-vanishes-during-bicycle-trip-to-florida-keys-deputies-are-now-asking-for-your-help/</guid><description><![CDATA[The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing Jacksonville 18-year-old who was last seen in Fort Pierce.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:58:20 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing Jacksonville 18-year-old who was last seen in Fort Pierce.</p><p>Jasper Frohock was reported missing June 15. According to family members, Frohock left his Jacksonville home on a solo bicycle trip to the Florida Keys, traveling several miles each day and camping overnight in a tent, often at local parks along the route.</p><p>The last known location associated with Frohock was in the 1900 block of Crestview Drive in Fort Pierce. The exact date and time of that location update are unknown.</p><p>Frohock is described as a white male, 18 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall and approximately 150 pounds, with red hair and brown eyes.</p><p>Anyone who has seen Frohock or has information about his whereabouts is asked to contact St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Detective Corporal Alba at 772-462-7300, or email <a href="mailto:CrimeInfo@stluciesheriff.com" target="_blank" rel="">CrimeInfo@stluciesheriff.com</a>. Anyone who sees Frohock and believes he may be in immediate danger should call 911.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/4GxRryRXUUURygq1nOF1CMwOe-0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/2AVBRIUXHNFMFO6FF23J453E7A.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="710" width="870"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Jasper Frohock]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[DeSantis signs bills to strengthen penalties, curb youth-targeted drugs, protect law enforcement]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/live-desantis-holds-press-conference-with-ag-uthmeier/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/live-desantis-holds-press-conference-with-ag-uthmeier/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathan Lundy]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a package of public safety bills aimed at strengthening penalties for violent and repeat offenders, curbing emerging drug threats and updating gang and offender-registration laws.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:09:10 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a package of public safety bills aimed at strengthening penalties for violent and repeat offenders, curbing emerging drug threats and updating gang and offender-registration laws.</p><p>“We have increased our statewide prosecutions by over 50%. We’ve secured 30% more convictions than the year before. Over 40% more human trafficking convictions. We’ve arrested a record more than 1,700 child predators, and we are putting bad guys away like never before,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said.</p><p>DeSantis said the measures put “the criminal on the defensive” and give law enforcement new tools to protect communities. </p><p>“If you attack a law enforcement officer in the state of Florida, prepare to be held accountable,” he said.</p><p>Among the measures signed:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/432" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/432"><b>Senate Bill 432</b></a><b>:</b> Expands trafficking penalties and targets retailers that package or market dangerous substances to appeal to young people. The bill also includes provisions known as “Meg’s Law,” named for a young Florida woman officials said died after struggling with nitrous oxide addiction. The measure makes it a felony for gas stations, convenience stores and vape shops to sell nitrous oxide to minors.</li><li><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1332" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1332"><b>Senate Bill 1332</b></a><b>:</b> Strengthens the Career Offender Registration Act by requiring designated career offenders to register in person with local sheriff’s offices, provide more identifying information, report changes in residence, employment, vehicles and phone numbers, and complete annual in-person registration.</li><li><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/429" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/429"><b>House Bill 429</b></a><b>:</b> Modernizes Florida’s criminal gang statutes to allow prosecutors to use online admissions of gang affiliation, gang-related social media activity and other contemporary indicators to establish gang involvement.</li><li><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/156" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/156"><b>Senate Bill 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act</b></a><b>:</b> Increases protections and penalties for crimes against law enforcement, clarifying that force cannot be used to resist officers acting in good faith and enhancing penalties for battery on officers and manslaughter of officers.</li><li><a href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/436" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/436"><b>Senate Bill 436</b></a><b>:</b> Broadens circumstances under which a second battery offense can be elevated to a felony by adding a prior conviction for resisting an officer with violence to the list of qualifying prior offenses.</li></ul><p>State officials and law enforcement leaders at the event praised the bills as necessary updates to keep communities safe and to address new forms of criminal behavior. Law enforcement leaders urged parents to monitor social media activity that can signal gang involvement.</p><p>DeSantis said Florida’s approach contrasts with policies in some other states that he said release offenders early. He recounted a case he described in which a man released pre-sentencing later murdered a 5-year-old, using the example to argue for tougher enforcement and sentencing.</p><p>The bills take effect July 1 unless otherwise noted. Supporters at the signing included legislators, law enforcement officials and family members of victims and fallen officers.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Man dies after being struck by vehicle while crossing Philips Highway]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/jso-responding-to-deadly-crash-on-philips-highway/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/jso-responding-to-deadly-crash-on-philips-highway/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Erin Seaton]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The Sheriff's Office says the accident happened on Philips Highway near the Walmart, while it was raining heavily Tuesday evening.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:51:06 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says a man has died after he was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road at Philips Highway, just north of Reba Avenue.</p><p>This is in the area of the Walmart Supercenter.</p><p>Police say the accident happened around 9:40 Tuesday evening. A driver in a Buick SUV was driving southbound and hit the man in his 60s as he crossed the road.</p><p>Jacksonville Fire and Rescue performed life-saving measures on the man and transported him to a hospital, where he died. Police say next of kin hasn’t been notified at this time.</p><p>JSO says the driver of the SUV stopped and is cooperating. The driver told investigators he did not see the cross beacon lit and that it was raining heavily at the time of the accident.</p><p>This is the 92nd traffic fatality in Duval County this year and the 25th involving a pedestrian.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/rMfTomvuOO6B17SHmLHIIOf6Jmk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WTBH57MHEFAJFNQRTUUAJJLQ74.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="720" width="1280"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[JSO file photo]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Jacksonville man charged with DUI while driving with 3 young children in vehicle, deputies say ]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/jacksonville-man-arrested-for-dui-with-three-young-children-in-vehicle-deputies-say/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/jacksonville-man-arrested-for-dui-with-three-young-children-in-vehicle-deputies-say/</guid><description><![CDATA[A Jacksonville man is facing multiple charges after Nassau County deputies say he was driving recklessly and under the influence with three young children in his vehicle.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:15:16 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A Jacksonville man is facing multiple charges after Nassau County deputies say he was driving recklessly and under the influence with three young children in his vehicle.</p><p>On June 12, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported domestic incident in Callahan. The victim reported being assaulted by 37-year-old Travis Lewis. Deputies say they later located Lewis driving at high speeds in a reckless manner and conducted a traffic stop.</p><p>When deputies stopped Lewis, they discovered three young children inside the vehicle — two 2-year-olds and a 3-month-old infant.</p><p>Lewis was transported to the Nassau County Jail &amp; Detention Center, where investigators say he provided breath samples more than 50% above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08.</p><p>Lewis was charged with DUI, three counts of DUI with a person under 18 years of age in the vehicle, and reckless driving.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/LlLHg-8AYXx9R7eyyVeek6KTwJA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UOAGBB7PZZCJLAQ5KI7EHVBVDE.png" type="image/png" height="1080" width="1920"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Nassau County Sheriff's Office Logo]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">WJXT</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Most Americans see freedoms under threat but core to nation's identity, AP-NORC poll finds]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/most-americans-see-freedoms-under-threat-but-core-to-nations-identity-ap-norc-poll-finds/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/most-americans-see-freedoms-under-threat-but-core-to-nations-identity-ap-norc-poll-finds/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Matt Brown And Linley Sanders, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[A new AP-NORC poll has found that most Americans believe civil liberties like the right to vote are under threat.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:02:18 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Most Americans believe civil liberties like the right to vote are under threat, according to a new AP-NORC poll, while also continuing to agree that the rights expressed in the nation’s founding documents are still core to American identity.</p><p>The survey from <a href="https://apnorc.org/projects/ap-norc-america-250-poll/">The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</a> finds that most Americans across demographics believe the right to vote, the right to free speech and freedom of religion are integral to the country. But they were more divided on the importance of the right to bear arms, and few — about one-third or less — saw those rights as safe from threats.</p><p>The survey, which was conducted April 16-20 — before the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that winnowed a section of the Voting Rights Act — highlights an enduring consensus among Americans that personal freedoms are vital to the country's national identity. But it also reveals deep anxieties about the nation’s trajectory on the cusp of a summer filled with celebrations of the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/america-250">country's semi-quincentennial birthday</a>.</p><p>“Our idea of rights has been very consistent in this country until the last few years,” said Louise Rochon, 85, of Connecticut. “Now, they’re all under threat. Every single last one of them.”</p><p>Americans see rights as vital, but threatened</p><p>About 9 in 10 Americans say the right to vote is “extremely” or “very” important to the United States’ identity, the poll found. About the same proportion of Americans consider freedom of speech to be highly important to the country’s identity. Meanwhile, about 8 in 10 Americans consider freedom of religion to be core to the national identity, while about 6 in 10 Americans consider the right to keep or bear arms as highly important to the nation’s identity.</p><p>But many in the country see those same principles as imperiled today. About two-thirds of Americans view the right to vote as under some threat, with about one-third saying voting rights are under “major threat” while about 3 in 10 said they faced a “minor threat.” Only about one-third of Americans said voting rights faced “no threat at all.” </p><p>Additionally, nearly half of Americans say freedom of speech is under major threat, followed by about 3 in 10 who said the same about gun rights and religious freedom.</p><p>The country is going “down the drain,” said Tracy Gonzales, an independent from San Antonio, Texas. Americans of all stripes, she said, have “thrown religion to the side at the moment” and allowed for other civil liberties to be eroded amid fierce debates over immigration and the economy.</p><p>“Given everything going on with our president, you really don’t have time to think of anything else,” said Gonzales, 37, of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdowns. “There are so many other crimes that are being committed and people that actually need help, and you’re focused on the ones that are trying to get it together.”</p><p>Vast majority of Black Americans see threat to voting rights</p><p>The poll's results also surfaced complicated opinions about democracy and identity among Black Americans. Those are likely rooted, at least in part, in the country's history of denying voting rights and full citizenship to people of African descent for centuries.</p><p>Black Americans are less likely than white Americans to say the right to vote is “extremely” or “very important” to American identity, with about three-quarters agreeing with the sentiment compared to about 9 in 10 white Americans. </p><p>But about 4 in 10 Black Americans say that the right to vote is facing a “major” threat in the country today, higher than any other racial group.</p><p>“You cannot feel like you are a total and full part of the American experiment unless you have the right to vote,” said Antonio Williams, a school administrator in Dallas, Texas, who is Black. “And African Americans didn’t fully get to enjoy the right to vote until about 60 years ago, and I feel like it’s under threat right now."</p><p>Younger adults see the right to vote as less important</p><p>Independents and younger adults are less likely than Americans overall to say voting and freedom of speech are central to American identity. </p><p>“My age group has grown up a lot more with social media as part of their existence in life and the microcosms that that creates in politics,” said Julian Goodwin-Ferris, 28, a professional dancer from New Jersey.</p><p>“I think we feel more like our voice doesn’t matter as much because it feels like we’ve grown up with our rights sort of being more ignored,” said Goodwin-Ferris.</p><p>Democrats and Republicans are divided on magnitude of threat</p><p>Americans at times diverged along partisan lines in their view of the threats to rights, with Democrats seeing a greater threat to freedom of speech, while Republicans were more worried about the right to keep and bear arms. </p><p>While Democrats and Republicans are similarly likely to say freedom of speech is at least “very important" to the nation's identity, about 6 in 10 Democrats say freedom of speech is facing a “major threat” compared to about 4 in 10 independents and roughly one-third of Republicans. </p><p>Similarly, while most Americans believe the right to bear arms is at least “very” important to the nation's identity, about 8 in 10 Republicans agree with that sentiment, compared to only about 4 in 10 Democrats. About half of independents shared that view. And about 4 in 10 Republicans found that the right to bear firearms was under threat, an increase from October 2025 not reflected among either Democrats or independents.</p><p>"We have the Bill of Rights for a reason," said Nuri Simmons, a warehouse worker in New York and a registered Democrat. Simmons, 31, said that threats to different rights “bleed into each other” and that while he was most concerned about threats to voting rights today, he understood that others may feel differently.</p><p>“Like when people try to bring some gun control into it, I think some people look at that as an attack on their rights. I guess that all depends on your politics," he said.</p><p>___</p><p>The AP-NORC poll of 2,596 adults was conducted April 16-20 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/FfN6zXthvtzko3oIuaNE6VZ9dqc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HR3XE5VGTFCB5KXT7YK2NUFBH4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3201" width="4762"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The U.S. Capitol and National Mall are seen as the set up for the America 250 celebration, in Washington, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Rahmat Gul</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/_BJAeVzY1REX618FElgmfYm_ZVk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DEKTPWNCZJDLBJCUEM3E2YCRTU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[People cast their vote during D.C. primary election at Shepard Park Elementary, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jose Luis Magana</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/idTpHM3jwiemTnbqA2pjU5o8wy0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/V6YPMPNSIFEILO4XG2WG7EO5D4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2476" width="3703"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Supreme Court is seen in Washington, Monday, May 18, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">J. Scott Applewhite</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Pereira fumes over 'illegal shots' after Gane's interim UFC heavyweight title win]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/pereira-fumes-over-illegal-shots-after-ganes-interim-ufc-heavyweight-title-win/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/pereira-fumes-over-illegal-shots-after-ganes-interim-ufc-heavyweight-title-win/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Brazilian MMA star Alex Pereira has accused Frenchman Cyril Gane of landing multiple “illegal shots” during their fight for the interim UFC heavyweight title at the White House.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:30:56 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mixed martial arts star <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ufc-320-magomed-ankalaev-alex-pereira-c11c07b954dc07a0850c877497572cbf">Alex Pereira</a> of Brazil has accused Frenchman <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mma-ufc-321-tom-aspinall-ciryl-gane-685ea8ac520bf8a7e4ff485070e0b292">Cyril Gane</a> of landing multiple “illegal shots” during their fight for the interim UFC heavyweight title at <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-80th-ufc-white-house-724c875d7a7cbfed087e179e8f689ec0">the White House</a>.</p><p>Gane finished off Pereira in the second round to win the title on Sunday after sending him stumbling with a right jab followed by a hammer fist. The referee then stopped the fight 1:27 into the round after a left to the chin.</p><p>After hitting Pereira with a jab, Gane launched a brutal floor sequence that included elbows to the back of the head.</p><p>Pereira said on his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWNHOnYc4Fc">social media</a> it was difficult for him to recover from those “illegal shots.”</p><p>“I believe that if it wasn’t for those shots I'd be in that situation, and I could have possibly recovered," he said. “Maybe not, but they were very hard shots, and illegal.”</p><p>Pereira criticized referee Herb Dean, saying he should not have been picked for their fight. Dean explained his decisions <a href="https://x.com/HappyPunch/status/2067023578910843150">in a video</a>, saying “the rule we’re talking about is the back of the head, and that's confusing because it's different in boxing."</p><p>Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday and the nation’s <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/america-250">250th anniversary</a> with an unusual <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-80th-birthday-ufc-biden-e14d1bbccc1cbaaad42fd541b1fe833d">UFC show</a> featuring seven fights within <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ufc-octagon-white-house-trump-america-250-4fa60d8e0cd34448b55f34f41b18c116">an eight-sided, wire-mesh cage</a> on the White House South Lawn.</p><p>___</p><p>AP MMA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mixed-martial-arts">https://apnews.com/hub/mixed-martial-arts</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/YyRs3Y3nf8fHlmDQt2UA9T6qSrc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/D7VSSJMYYRFCDM4XLGYKE6YRHY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3870" width="5804"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Alex Pereira, right, fights Ciryl Gane during their interim heavyweight title bout at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Alex Brandon</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/e_HxdzAkInsoKittBB8EsX1qR74=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/LQK34QTSWRDCHMJGHR7ENIBZMY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4993" width="3329"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Alex Pereira fights Ciryl Gane, top, during their interim heavyweight title bout at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Alex Brandon</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/wwyPpiXSLr_pvpNp7QAoD1kgEog=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/OQOKCKUIDFCSJGGA7DCIKYVUGU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2720" width="4080"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[President Donald Trump, left, congratulates Ciryl Gane following his win in a heavyweight interim title bout against Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mark Schiefelbein</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/w2yBbmcF7_VLwI9BWX96VJ_ITyA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZTAH7Z7VKFE5XMAFZ7HGVCAOFE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2495" width="3743"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Alex Pereira, far right, is attended to, as Ciryl Gane lays in the center of the ring during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Alex Brandon</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[AI executives gather at G7 as Europeans seek checks on American dominance]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/17/ai-executives-gather-at-g7-as-europeans-seek-checks-on-american-dominance/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/17/ai-executives-gather-at-g7-as-europeans-seek-checks-on-american-dominance/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kelvin Chan, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Artificial intelligence takes center stage Wednesday at the G7 meeting in France.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:47:10 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Top artificial intelligence executives are gathering Wednesday in France against a backdrop of growing calls for tech sovereignty in Europe, fueled by concerns about American dominance in the industry.</p><p>The wars in Iran and Ukraine have dominated discussions at the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/g7-summit">Group of Seven summit</a> of major industrialized nations this week but AI will have its moment on the meeting's final day.</p><p>In a rare huddle of AI industry figures, leaders of three of the most powerful AI companies — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei — are due to attend a working lunch on the theme of “Ensuring a safe, rapid and effective deployment of artificial intelligence.”</p><p>Also attending are the heads of smaller AI labs, including Canada’s Cohere AI, France’s Mistral, Germany’s Black Forest Labs, Italy’s Domyn, Sakana AI of Japan and U.K.-based Synthesia. </p><p>In Europe the distrust of American companies dominating AI and other tech ecosystems has shown up at the European Commission, which unveiled a tech sovereignty <a href="https://apnews.com/article/european-union-brussels-technology-chips-ai-cloud-b16729f7758120260c7005bfba0774c3">package</a> this month with plans to boost homegrown AI, and the Vatican, where <a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-ai-tech-trump-vatican-anthropic-d92d0108730d146baa46da041b8523da">the pope</a> last month called for robust regulation of artificial intelligence. </p><p>Many outside the United States also took notice last week when <a href="https://apnews.com/article/anthropic-artificial-intelligence-trump-fable-mythos-d9cc7df5c02e93837d0f0bfb24d5cfd2">Anthropic</a> took down its most advanced AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, to comply with a Trump administration order citing an unspecified national security concern. The U.S government barred any non-Americans, either inside or outside the United States, from accessing the models, which forced the company to suspend access to all customers.</p><p>The episode highlighted how Europe, Canada or other countries “can be put in an extremely vulnerable position” if they get cut off from advanced AI models, said Zach Meyers, director of research at CERRE, a Brussels-based think tank.</p><p>“There is a general anxiety about the state of Europe, the fact that we’re relying on other countries for quite important strategic infrastructure and a desire to do something about it, whatever that is,” Meyers said.</p><p>Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney touched on the Anthropic development on his way to the G7 meeting, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/carney-artificial-intelligence-g7-summit-anthropic-mythos-cb081633bb4fca6ac97dcdaea0354de7">telling reporters</a> during a stop in Ireland that it highlights a need to “build out and diversify.” </p><p>Sovereignty requires “unhindered access to AI,” he said in a speech in Dublin. </p><p>Earlier this month, Canada announced <a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-carney-artificial-intelligence-d8dfba818b84ccf5947f941731829254">a plan</a> to help middle powers or like-minded countries develop an alternative to the big AI players. A few days earlier, Trump signed an <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ai-executive-order-e41af74f7b0865482f07d10fe7a50fe3">executive order</a> sketching out a framework for oversight of advanced AI systems. </p><p>The G7 is a chance for business and political leaders to engage with each other on the risks and benefits of AI, as countries seek to harness the technology to boost their economies and advance their geopolitical aims. </p><p>Digital sovereignty has been a longtime cause for the G7 meeting's host, French President Emmanuel Macron. His government has even started requiring civil servants to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-digital-sovereignty-big-tech-9f5388b68a0648514cebc8d92f682060">ditch Zoom</a> and Microsoft Teams for a homegrown video conference system. </p><p>Aidan Gomez, CEO of Cohere, which bought German AI startup Aleph Alpha earlier this year, said the company's focus at the G7 was “to expand our sovereign AI ecosystem partnerships beyond Canada and Germany to include all G7 nations — and companies — establishing a global standard that guarantees ownership of models, data, and local compute.” </p><p>The G7 comprises France, the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. Brazil, India, Kenya and South Korea were among guest nations invited to participate in some discussions.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/IcGI7BgJauda2QPsyrsWv31ZFtY=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WG4RXG33HRBO7FWQRT6FLAYD4I.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3563" width="4869"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[French President Emmanuel Macron greets President Donald Trump, right, during the official arrivals ceremony for the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Monday, June 15, 2026. (Isabel Infantes, Pool Photo via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Isabel Infantes</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[1 killed when small plane crashes on Texas highway. People leave vehicles to try to help]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/national/2026/06/17/1-killed-when-small-plane-crashes-on-texas-highway-people-leave-vehicles-to-try-to-help/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/national/2026/06/17/1-killed-when-small-plane-crashes-on-texas-highway-people-leave-vehicles-to-try-to-help/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Hallie Golden, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[One person was killed when a business jet crashed on a highway in Laredo, Texas, and caught fire.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:05:51 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A business jet with six people on board crashed on a highway in Laredo, Texas, and caught fire Tuesday night, authorities said, killing one person and causing chaos as people left their vehicles to frantically try to smash the cockpit window and free those inside.</p><p>Drivers who came upon the burning plane, which was nearly sheared in half and tipped on its side, captured dramatic rescue scenes on video or rushed toward the aircraft on foot to help. Two people came running with a sledgehammer and shovel, which they used to strike the cockpit glass and try propping open the plane's door.</p><p>The plane crashed on the Loop 20 highway near the Texas-Mexico border shortly after 10 p.m., said Jose Baeza, an investigator with the Laredo Police Department. It was unclear if the person who died was on the plane or the ground.</p><p>Dashcam footage posted on social media showed the aircraft careening down the highway, taking out a light post before coming to a stop. It came to a rest not far from the Laredo International Airport. </p><p>“It looked like part of a movie. I was in shock,” said Zayra Garza, an esthetician who was driving her co-workers home when she came upon the crash. </p><p>No injuries on the ground were immediately reported, though five officers were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. </p><p>The plane was a Cessna Citation Latitude twin jet, according to information from FlightAware, an aviation tracking and data company. It departed from Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico at 6:19 p.m. </p><p>It's not clear what caused the crash as it reached Laredo, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) southwest of San Antonio. Laredo International Airport Director Gilberto Sanchez told KGNS TV in Laredo that the plane experienced a mechanical failure. He provided no details.</p><p>Video posted to social media showed the plane on its side, smashed into a highway barrier. The tail was ripped from the fuselage and laying mostly intact on a lower-level road beneath where the rescue was taking place. </p><p>Garza began shooting video as she approached the scene and then stopped her vehicle across from the crippled jet, which was on fire. </p><p>She saw someone inside the plane trying to break the cockpit window to escape. Soon, people got out of their vehicles to try to smash the window from the outside as the fire on the fuselage continues to burn. </p><p>Garza’s husband jumped out of their vehicle to help and Garza then saw the door of the plane open. She said three people who looked to be teenagers rushed out, followed by someone who appeared to be a pilot. Another member of the crew tried to pull out a person who seemed to be unconscious.</p><p>As smoke billowed from the plane, a firefighter used a small ladder to climb into the aircraft to rescue the remaining passenger, while others shot water out of a hose at the wreckage. Rescuers can be heard calling for a rope as others use rods to hold up the plane door.</p><p>Several times, officers helping prop open the door dart away from the plane and double over in coughing fits because of the intense smoke.</p><p>“What was worrying me was the fire,” she said. “I was concerned that it could have just exploded at any time.”</p><p>This was the third significant aviation accident in as many days. A <a href="https://apnews.com/article/b52-stratofortress-crash-california-2cf849e75640a2e0b98ab94cc4a14430">B-52 crashed</a> Monday during a test flight at Edwards Air Force Base in California and killed all eight people aboard, while on Sunday, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/plane-crash-deaths-skydiving-butler-missouri-325dcef3a99218ea86be3fbb0dac4f0d">12 people were killed</a> when a plane on a skydiving outing in Missouri crashed.</p><p>NetJets said in a statement that the crash involved one of its aircraft and it is working with authorities. NetJets is owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and allows people to buy part ownership in private jets.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/rNPYjfmKSuAZO5CnunCT2pJdCnk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NHPWLP2JAVHZJDW2UBBD2FHXAI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="682" width="1023"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A passenger, top, jumps out of a plane after it crashed on a highway as other people help Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Laredo, Texas. (Zayra Garza via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Zayra Garza</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/ycKPbZk7F49GuCdTN2uH_ngZ_hU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4D7V6GW7DND7XKYHMUYQF75GIU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="685" width="1027"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[People attempt to pull passengers out of a plane after it crashed on a highway Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Laredo, Texas. (Zayra Garza via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Zayra Garza</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/W0heCutXD9DyezgRfHQ9siqNN-c=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/J4O6VSQTDNFOXNNORF75LCSBUU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1488" width="992"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[People attempt to pull passengers out of a plane after it crashed on a highway Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Laredo, Texas. (Zayra Garza via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Zayra Garza</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Erling Haaland scores twice in World Cup debut as Norway tops Iraq 4-1]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/erling-haaland-scores-twice-adds-assist-in-world-cup-debut-as-norway-tops-iraq-4-1-in-group-i/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/erling-haaland-scores-twice-adds-assist-in-world-cup-debut-as-norway-tops-iraq-4-1-in-group-i/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Kyle Hightower, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Erling Haaland scored his first two World Cup goals, including one off a defensive blunder, to propel Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Group I.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:16:35 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Norway will go as far in this <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">World Cup</a> as Erling Haaland takes it.</p><p>In his tournament debut, he showed he’s more than up for that challenge.</p><p>Haaland scored two goals, including one <a href="https://x.com/FOXSports/status/2067016028031234067">off a defensive blunder,</a> on Tuesday to propel Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Group I.</p><p>The Manchester City striker's 56th and 57th international goals came in Norway’s first appearance in the tournament since reaching the knockout round at the 1998 World Cup in France — two years before Haaland was born.</p><p>Haaland said he will do his best to meet the expectations he created with this performance. </p><p>“Of course I will try,” Haaland said. “It’s about continuing and don’t think too much. It’s difficult at this stage. But I’ll focus on (the) next (game) and of course be happy. But also stay calm.” </p><p>Norway coach Stale Solbakken said he had a feeling Haaland was ready after watching how loose he was in the team's last training session before the match.</p><p>“You could see that he lived up to the occasion,” Solbakken said. “The occasion wasn’t too big for him.” </p><p>Leo Ostigard scored in the 76th minute off a corner kick from Martin Odegaard. An own-goal by Iraq forward Aymen Hussein just before the final whistle completed Norway's scoring.</p><p>Hussein also scored for his team, an equalizer just nine minutes after Haaland’s first strike.</p><p>Haaland put the Norwegians in front for good just before halftime when he sneaked in front of a poor back pass to Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan. Haaland beat Hassan to the ball, preempting his attempted clearance, and then used his shin to put the ball in the back of the net.</p><p>“It's one of those things. It happened,” Iraq coach Graham Arnold said. “It is what is and we have to learn from it.”</p><p>Haaland’s first goal, which came in the 29th minute, followed a cross into the box from David Moller Wolfe. Haaland slid and used his right heel to finish it off. It ignited waves of cheers from the Norway supporters, who dominated the stands clad in red as they broke out in synchronized <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-norway-viking-photo-ffe65155eeb34d5e4f108494ab20a004">Viking row</a> chants.</p><p>Iraq, playing in the World Cup for just the second time after debuting in 1986, held its own with a sizable contingent of supporters that was mostly concentrated behind one of the goals.</p><p>That energy helped Iraq briefly get back into the game.</p><p>In the 38th minute, Amir Alammari corralled a ball on the baseline halfway between the left corner and the goal and fired a cross in front of the net. It eluded Norway’s defenders, allowing Hussein to get a clean header that bounced under the hand of diving goalkeeper Orjan Nyland to even the score at 1-1.</p><p>It was Hussein’s 34th international goal. That includes his winning goal against Bolivia in Iraq’s final World Cup qualifying match in April that gave the country the last spot in the 48-team tournament field.</p><p>“It’s a proud moment to be back in the World Cup after 40 years. To lose 4-1, it hurts,” Iraq's Hussein Ali said.</p><p>___</p><p>AP World Cup: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/eyCX-F-YPNQb-qveN5-DiNNUKOo=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/Q3BZQ6NWXNCS5DFOLEPZWEFTB4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1434" width="2151"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Martin Meissner</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/KdqiFmxgkw2VYJj4EoObdhS-C-Y=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZYCC3XGG7VHUTLC3R3WNS2OJEU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1883" width="2825"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Norway's Erling Haaland (9) celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charles Krupa</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/SuuFiPAb5PBlbdSMaZA4JUz9UeI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NCSAEAR4QZFDZN7TIY6SN2HPV4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1622" width="2433"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Norway's Erling Haaland (9), center, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charles Krupa</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/CAybsi77764okdljMVrNbhHaB8c=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EWHVWVUTX5FBRP7DYRAH56YY54.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4827" width="7241"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Iraq's Aymen Hussein celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Martin Meissner</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/TM_HFSwFIzib7KZ6rE5ZD-HavG4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RZLN5KC5NVAQFAMCBP4VRVK7V4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4203" width="6304"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Norway's Erling Haaland (9) reacts during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charles Krupa</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trump goes after Netanyahu as he pursues deal with Iran, putting their friendship to the test]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/trump-goes-after-netanyahu-as-he-pursues-deal-with-iran-putting-their-friendship-to-the-test/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/trump-goes-after-netanyahu-as-he-pursues-deal-with-iran-putting-their-friendship-to-the-test/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Catalini And Thomas Beaumont, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[President Donald Trump seems to be testing their friendship as he pressures Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to sink the agreement with Iran to end the war.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:51:31 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Donald Trump <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-israel-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-egypt-6347e7da64f6c97b95109558096c0b6c">last year</a> that he was the “greatest friend Israel ever had in the White House." </p><p>Now, as Trump tries to finalize a deal to end the war with Iran, he's unloading on Netanyahu with rhetoric that no other American leader has dared to use publicly.</p><p>He claimed credit for Israel's existence — “without me, there would be no Israel” — and cursed his judgment in interviews. He even described him as <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-hezbollah-israel-tyre-khaldeh-beirut-b8e36e6248adcb00bc979f2b95514f97">“crazy.” </a></p><p>Netanyahu’s tenure as prime minister spans four U.S. presidents, and he's frustrated all of them at one point or another. But none has voiced that as openly as Trump, who started the conflict <a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-netanyahu-us-trump-iran-war-2230178d2cd4aa6b96e3e022b734d498">in tandem with Netanyahu.</a></p><p>The tension comes as Trump criticizes recent Israeli attacks in Lebanon, which threatened to jeopardize negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Trump has been pushing for a deal as he faces political blowback at home, where the war is unpopular and has driven up gasoline prices.</p><p>“If Netanyahu gets in between something Trump really wants, and that’s out of this war, he’s prepared to use the leverage that he has,” said Aaron David Miller, who served as an adviser on Middle East issues to Democratic and Republican administrations over two decades.</p><p>An agreement is scheduled to be signed on Friday in the Burgenstock resort near the city of Luzern. Speaking on Tuesday at the annual G7 summit in France, Trump said he told Netanyahu that he's been unhappy with his recent moves. </p><p>“Without the U.S., there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel because no other president was willing to do what I did,” Trump said. “I have had a great relationship with Bibi. Now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon.”</p><p>There has long been a bipartisan consensus around supporting Israel in Washington, but that has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-gallup-americans-israel-palestinians-democrats-republicans-2614e22b0ddabe514424680b71e1802f">frayed in recent years.</a> Liberals have been increasingly outraged by Israel's treatment of Palestinians, especially during the war in Gaza, and conservatives have questioned the importance of longstanding American support for Israel. There are <a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-kent-iran-war-antisemitism-republicans-carlson-7db226dd6d6e4ec6fe538d17e705f0d1">concerns about antisemitism</a> on the left and the right. </p><p>Trump’s latest comments drew swift criticism from left-leaning groups.</p><p>“He is framing Israel’s mere existence as contingent on him,” said Halie Soifer, who leads the Jewish Democratic Council of America. “It’s deeply offensive to the vast majority of Jews who care about Israel’s future.”</p><p>President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris often disagreed with Netanyahu during the war in Gaza, and sometimes they criticized him publicly. But they were more circumspect to avoid facing accusations of being anti-Israel. </p><p>Conservative, pro-Israel groups were divided on the seriousness of Trump’s public condemnation of Netanyahu.</p><p>Republican Jewish Coalition President Matt Brooks described Trump’s criticism as little more than the inevitable disagreement among family members.</p><p>Brooks dismissed that any muted criticism of Trump’s comments from his party represented a political mixed message because Trump has been reliably supportive of Israel as president.</p><p>“If Biden or Harris said something critical, it came from the position of someone who was hostile toward or didn’t have the same level of support for Israel that President Trump has,” Brooks said.</p><p>He noted the first Trump administration’s role in moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and the return of Israeli hostages from Gaza during the president’s second term, among other acts.</p><p>Biden had criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza, though Trump’s criticism of Netanyahu comes with a “tremendous reservoir of goodwill on this issue that neither Biden nor Harris ever had.”</p><p>Pro-Israel advocate Mort Klein said Trump should have kept the comments private, especially in light of his public praise over the years of authoritarian leaders in Turkey, North Korea and China.</p><p>Klein, president of the conservative Zionist Organization of America, said he worried that Trump was making the comments in public to appeal to Israel critics “because he sees that Americans have become more hostile toward Israel than they’ve ever been.”</p><p>“That worries me,” Klein said.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/pjQg6AZPzSG6wGVbiIHY77ukU-M=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CKKGOPP5ORBRHKRAQYEHJSSSKA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1706" width="2558"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - President Donald Trump poses for a photo with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before he boards Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport, Oct. 13, 2025, near Tel Aviv, as Israel's President Isaac Herzog watches at left. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Evan Vucci</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Lionel Messi ties men's World Cup goals record with a hat trick as Argentina tops Algeria]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/lionel-messi-becomes-2nd-player-to-score-in-5-world-cups-striking-early-for-argentina-vs-algeria/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/lionel-messi-becomes-2nd-player-to-score-in-5-world-cups-striking-early-for-argentina-vs-algeria/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dave Skretta, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Lionel Messi delivered his first World Cup hat trick and matched Miroslav Klose's career scoring record before thousands of Argentina fans packed into Arrowhead Stadium for a match against Algeria on Tuesday night.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 01:37:10 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Lionel Messi used the front of his white-and-blue, sweat-soaked jersey to wipe the tears from his eyes, a flood of emotions cracking his usually calm, confident demeanor after he gave Argentina an early lead in <a href="https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup">its World Cup opener</a> against Algeria.</p><p>Then he scored again. And again.</p><p>Suddenly, any questions about Messi's hamstring injury, or whether he could help Argentina become the third team to win consecutive World Cups — even as his 39th birthday approaches next week — had been answered. With <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-argentina-algeria-score-messi-8fdb91580a49aa61407a419f7b5207f2">a brilliant hat trick in a 3-0 win</a> over Les Fennecs, Messi moved into a tie with Germany's Miroslav Klose for the career scoring record at the men's World Cup.</p><p>“My tears after the first goal? I’ve had some tough days. It wasn’t related to football. And those feelings were because of that,” Messi said afterward, without elaborating. “I thank my teammates, the coaching staff and the delegation for helping me.”</p><p>Messi <a href="https://x.com/FOXSports/status/2067055224791965959">scored that emotional first goal</a> in the opening minutes on a nifty feed from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, <a href="https://x.com/FOXSports/status/2067070975309431012">the second</a> off an opportunistic rebound early in the second half, and <a href="https://x.com/FOXSports/status/2067074983470289137">the third</a> on a crisp strike moments before subbing out to a standing ovation from a crowd of 69,045 tilted heavily toward the three-time World Cup champions.</p><p>“At a loss for words about Leo. What can I say?” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “He’s incredible.”</p><p>Messi has starred in the World Cup for two decades</p><p>His incredible trio of goals came 20 years to the day that Messi made his <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">World Cup</a> debut in a match against Serbia and Montenegro — he scored in that one, too — and made the pride of Rosario only the second player to score in five editions of the men's tournament.</p><p>Messi has 16 goals in his record six World Cup appearances overall, and it seems inevitable that Klose's record will fall in the coming weeks. The hat trick was the 61st of Messi's career, his 11th while playing in his national team colors and his first in the World Cup.</p><p>It also was the fifth straight World Cup game in which Messi has scored.</p><p>“It makes me very happy to have lived through everything that came my way. What I’m living though now is the cherry on top,” Messi said. “I’m very happy an grateful for this wonderful group. I enjoy it so much.”</p><p>Messi upstaged two of soccer's other stars — Kylian Mbappé of France and Erling Haaland of Norway — who had big games of their own on Tuesday. Mbappé <a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-senegal-score-world-cup-4e7efa9c28339e91437c08334978add9">scored twice in France’s 3-1 win</a> over Senegal to move into a tie for fourth on the men's World Cup goals list with 14, while Haaland scored twice for Norway in its 4-1 victory over Iraq.</p><p>“Messi is a madman,” Haaland said in a post on Snapchat during Argentina's game.</p><p>Shaking off injury, Messi remains Argentina's engine</p><p>Messi had been dealing with a minor hamstring injury with Inter Miami that slowed him in the lead-up to the World Cup. But the eight-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, which honors global soccer's best player, had no problems in a tuneup last week with Iceland, scoring on a penalty kick while playing 20 minutes in a sharp performance.</p><p>“This is my sixth World Cup, and I still feel like I’m in good shape,” Messi said. “Fortunately, I’m doing well, and today we managed to win a tough match. It’s important to start the tournament with a victory in the first game, as that’s never easy in a World Cup.”</p><p>Messi's appearance against Algeria was the 200th of his international career, which began in 2005 at age of 18. The only players with more are Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, who will play his 229th on Wednesday, and Bader al-Mutawa, who played in 202 for Kuwait.</p><p>Messi and Ronaldo are the only men to have scored in five World Cups.</p><p>“Class is permanent,” Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic said. “He's fortunate to have the privilege that the entire Argentina team works for him, and supports him, and for a number of years now — decades — he's done incredible things.”</p><p>Fans flock to Kansas City for a glimpse of the GOAT</p><p>Argentina is among four national teams making their base camps in the Kansas City metro. And much as it has the rest of the world, Messi-mania has swept through the area ever since La Albiceleste's arrival in the Heartland about two weeks ago.</p><p>On match day, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/argentina-fans-world-cup-messi-03a93354bd16abae45bfb588ee8b77a1">thousands of fans</a> wearing his No. 10 jersey trekked into the home of the NFL’s Chiefs on the outskirts of Kansas City, singing odes to their hero. Meanwhile, during a watch party at the downtown Power & Light District, a goat accompanied by former NFL quarterback-turned Fox broadcaster Jameis Winston came on stage wearing an Argentina jersey.</p><p>The humorous moment seemed to have foreshadowed a big night for Messi when he scored an hour later, and the argument that he's soccer’s GOAT — the greatest of all time — is becoming no argument at all with every match he plays.</p><p>“It’s an advantage to have Leo because of how he handles the group and pushes it forward. Because of who he is,” De Paul said. “He doesn’t care about individual records. He prioritizes the group, and for us it’s incredible.”</p><p>___</p><p>AP World Cup: <a href="https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup">https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/6jbJF68bFD6YULtU97f4cFrq0Hg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RRXVPWDSJZDCZCRA4BO6YDTWL4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2942" width="4413"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring his second goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Ed Zurga</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/yKzq4fwjT2ivaP8O8ICIHCjrrEE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/U62462ILNBF2RHKVLVU3OKZCTQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1520" width="2280"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after scoring his third goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charlie Riedel</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/eTMf41D_KDw9fdS1xfD5BUR_DDA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7RY4OVA3VRFALAFMPF6PX2F3GA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3316" width="4974"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) shoots and scores their third goal against Algeria's Riyad Mahrez (7) and Nabil Bentaleb (19) during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Reed Hoffmann</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/idRZYg9ilmzJPLeWGomH2anbA6w=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/XJURQ5U5QBGCTJOLRWNQE3MQYU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4227" width="6341"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Ed Zurga</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/GFzqYndsvWqTYHIAd4Bu9yWgD9w=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JFWO2C3FEZCYDCAHEN5GYBHNUE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4267" width="6401"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Ed Zurga</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Georgia Republicans choose Collins for Senate and Jackson for governor, a mixed result for Trump]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/georgia-republicans-are-under-trumps-shadow-as-they-choose-senate-and-governor-nominees/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/georgia-republicans-are-under-trumps-shadow-as-they-choose-senate-and-governor-nominees/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bill Barrow, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Georgia Republicans delivered a split decision for Donald Trump in Tuesday runoffs.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:55:47 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Georgia Republicans delivered a split decision for Donald Trump in Tuesday runoffs, opting for the president’s preferred U.S. Senate candidate but rejecting his choice for governor in favor of a billionaire first-time candidate who spent freely from his personal fortune to win the nomination.</p><p>In the Senate race, Rep. Mike Collins, 58, topped former football coach Derek Dooley and advanced to face Sen. Jon Ossoff, the only Senate Democrat running for reelection in a state that Trump won two years ago. The outcome will help determine control of Capitol Hill for the final years of Trump’s second presidency.</p><p>For governor, healthcare tycoon Rick Jackson, 71, outpaced Lt. Gov. Burt Jones after spending about $100 million of his own money on the campaign. That investment ultimately outweighed Jones' backing from the president. Jackson will face Democratic nominee and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in November.</p><p>Trump, who endorsed Jones nearly a year ago and Collins two days before the runoff, is poised to be a fault line in both general election contests. The president was notably absent in Republicans’ remarks on Tuesday, however, a shift from other primary nights where candidates paid homage to their party's leader despite his sagging approval ratings.</p><p>Collins, a second-term congressman, is a self-described “MAGA warrior” and echoes Trump’s false claims that his 2020 election loss in Georgia was rigged. Yet when celebrating in his hometown, Collins thanked his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, friends, supporters and staffers — but never the president. He even touted his bipartisanship and pitched himself as a sound conservative who can achieve progress by “building coalitions and finding common ground.” And he promised to campaign in “every ZIP code and every community” of this closely divided state.</p><p>Ossoff, first elected during the 2020 cycle, has made Trump a focal point, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ossoff-georgia-senate-dooley-collins-trump-309d9a9756b9cbccc8055ad05319b10e">blasting him as a “national embarrassment”</a> who is using the presidency to enrich himself and his family. The 39-year-old faces tremendous pressure to hold his seat as Democrats try to gain a net of four seats to claim a Senate majority.</p><p>In the governor's race, Jackson spent months comparing himself — the tremendously wealthy political newcomer — to Trump and his unusual path to the presidency. He didn't do that as directly Tuesday night. </p><p>“I’m the only candidate who doesn’t owe a thing to the political establishment,” he said, later adding, “We proved the people of Georgia are in charge.”</p><p>Trump congratulated Jackson on social media, saying he “very successfully campaigned on being ‘TRUMP,’ and won.” </p><p>“He will be your next Governor of Georgia," the president added. "Can’t wait!”</p><p>Republicans face an immediate task to unify and raise money </p><p>Both parties in Georgia are trying to buck trends. Republicans haven't won a Senate race here since 2016, the year of Trump's first election. Democrats haven't won a governor's race since 1998. </p><p>But Democrats are bullish after they drew about 160,000 more voters than Republicans in the May primary, the first time since their victorious 1998 year that they led primary turnout. Republican runoff turnout also was lower Tuesday than in recent election cycles. </p><p>Collins said he had “good conversations” with Dooley and Gov. Brian Kemp, who had supported Dooley, and that Republicans “stand united around one mission” — defeating Ossoff in November. </p><p>Dooley offered a similar message to his more subdued crowd in metro Atlanta. “We have a lot of disagreements but the one thing that hasn’t changed is my opinion of Jon Ossoff,” Dooley said.</p><p>There were bitter attacks in both Republican runoffs — some of which Democrats are promising to recirculate in the general election.</p><p>Dooley repeatedly hammered Collins for a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-congress-ethics-mike-collins-brandon-phillips-631e2b411ce4dec504ad081b789f0b02">House ethics complaint</a> that accuses him of abusing taxpayer funds by paying the girlfriend of his former top adviser for congressional job duties she allegedly did not fulfill. After an initial investigation, a federal panel forwarded the matter to the House Ethics Committee. Kemp told voters for months that they should nominate Dooley as a “political outsider” who could relentlessly attack Ossoff without having to defend a record of his own. </p><p>Jones lambasted Jackson as a faux conservative who has employed immigrants in the country illegally and whose wife has donated to Democratic candidates. </p><p>State Republican Chairman Josh McKoon said he's confident about corralling the party base and appealing to swing voters.</p><p>“This election is going to be won by the side that is able to become the party of common sense,” he said.</p><p>Collins also begins the general election campaign at a financial disadvantage. He raised about $4.9 million through the end of May, and reported having less than $1.2 million remaining. Through late April, the last time Ossoff had to file before his primary, the incumbent had raised $60.4 million and had $32.5 million on hand.</p><p>Republican candidates will need to navigate Trump ties</p><p>Despite his ties to Trump, Collins has argued that he has broad appeal, and he plans to use immigration as a contrast with Ossoff. </p><p>In the House, Collins <a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-laken-riley-act-trump-immigration-2667d626139ddf5a16d1533516eab18f">sponsored the Laken Riley Act</a>, a 2025 law that requires immigrants accused of certain crimes to be detained. It is named for a Georgia nursing student killed in 2021 by a Venezuelan man who was in the U.S. illegally. Ossoff voted against a version of the legislation before backing the final proposal after Trump’s return to power.</p><p>He leaned heavily on his decades building his trucking company, based in the same community where he was raised. </p><p>“You see, I know what it’s like to have employees and their families count on you to make the right decisions every day. Jon Ossoff doesn’t,” he said. </p><p>Trump's mixed results in Georgia come after most of his preferred candidates have prevailed in primaries this spring. But Jackson's seemingly bottomless personal coffers were a new variable. </p><p>Jackson blanketed television and online platforms with ads. He's pledged that immigrants in Georgia illegally will be “deported or departed.” He promises a slew of tax cuts. And previewing a potential general election argument, he played up his biography as a product of the state foster care system and featured his grandchildren advising him on how to make friendlier ads.</p><p>Jones, 47, comes from a wealthy family but his personal spending measured in the single millions. And despite Trump's endorsement, the president did not travel to Georgia to campaign with Jones. </p><p>Runoffs for elections chief could shape 2028 </p><p>Georgia's secretary of state race was open for the first time since Trump’s attempts to subvert the 2020 election, famously pressuring outgoing Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find 11,780 votes” to overtake Biden. Raffensberger refused.</p><p>For his potential successor, Republicans were left to choose between an outright election denier, Vernon Jones, and a state lawmaker, Tim Fleming, who avoids explicitly disputing the president’s 2020 election lies. They went with Fleming, who won the nomination on Tuesday.</p><p>Jones, a perennial candidate who was once a Democrat, embraced Trump’s “stop the steal” movement and said he stood “with those who believe there was election fraud.” Fleming, who once served as deputy secretary of state, has said there were “irregularities” in 2020, a word choice that has become code for Republicans who want neither to ratify nor call out Trump’s errant claims.</p><p>Democrats voted for Penny Brown Reynolds — a former state judge in Fulton County who also served in the Biden administration as deputy assistant secretary for civil rights for the Department of Agriculture — over Dana Barrett, a Fulton County commissioner.</p><p>—-</p><p>Associated Press reporters Kate Brumback in Jackson, Tom Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa, and Matt Brown in Washington contributed.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/S77zYw7jjB2W2h3gJ9gOCPN8gsg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/QDFN5WIPQNARPFLQPDIOCHSBSU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2894" width="4341"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins celebrates during an election-night watch party after winning the Republican nomination, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Jackson, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Colin Hubbard</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/yMoZbuyaiGJ1j2xb8kXMN2NkFwQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/MZPFGFFIDZERHJ7L6QEKG3WLNQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3787" width="5681"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Catherine Harrison, left, and Margaret Williamson view election results during a runoff election night watch party for Republican gubernatorial candidate Burt Jones, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Jackson, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mike Stewart</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/LogBfGsbo5CtK5m5aJlpd7x2ZO8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6MZXIVFOGNDSLAPEENKEHD5N3Q.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Georgia gubernatorial candidate Burt Jones speaks during a primary election night watch party, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Jackson, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mike Stewart</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Africa's Ebola outbreaks complicated by victims who prefer traditional healers over hospitals]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/africas-ebola-outbreaks-complicated-by-victims-who-prefer-traditional-healers-over-hospitals/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/africas-ebola-outbreaks-complicated-by-victims-who-prefer-traditional-healers-over-hospitals/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Rodney Muhumuza, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Whenever Ebola comes, some of those stricken choose the road to the nearest hospital.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:22:06 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Whenever <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ebola-virus">Ebola</a> comes, some of the afflicted choose the road to the nearest hospital. Others take the path to the shrine of a traditional healer, often with devastating consequences. </p><p>Many view the onset of hemorrhagic fever as a spiritual affliction and seek out herbs and prayers instead of going to the hospital. This is the case now in Congo, which is suffering <a href="https://apnews.com/article/congo-ebola-outbreak-bundibugyo-virus-392dced7e0da091699eeb980a4b54147">its seventeenth outbreak</a> of Ebola since 1976, when the virus was first identified in the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mummified-monkeys-boston-airport-bushmeat-ee8ad474fd9b6462d661cc993675f3bc">rich Congo Basin ecosystem</a>. </p><p>Five decades later, the virus continues to mystify many of the sick in Africa while turning religious leaders into first responders in a deadly emergency. The current outbreak’s victims include health workers without protective gear as well as pastors and worshippers who gathered while Ebola was spreading, according to humanitarian workers and others who spoke to The Associated Press.</p><p>Ebola spreads through close contact with sick or deceased patients’ bodily fluids. The current outbreak is particularly worrisome in a region where many are distrustful of health workers and refuse to seek medical care. </p><p>In Bunia, a town in Ituri province that is the outbreak's epicenter, misinformation about Ebola has made it harder for health workers to respond to the outbreak that has so far <a href="https://apnews.com/article/congo-ebola-bundibugyo-07dafc2505db3ce207166784709c72be">killed at least 181 people</a>. One rumor suggests that Ebola is spread by malicious people who drop magical charms tied to dollar bills down pit latrines.</p><p>“Some people still describe Ebola as something mysterious, spiritual, or brought by outsiders, rather than a disease that needs medical care,” said Onesphore Bangenza of the aid group Mercy Corps, speaking from Bunia. “When people do not trust the health system, they often go first to traditional healers, faith leaders, or people they already know. The danger is that many only reach the hospital when they are already very sick.”</p><p>Uncommon type of Ebola causing the outbreak</p><p>The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ebola-bundibugyo-virus-outbreak-congo-baf5f9861a896ca027a9e40524d42e74">a rare type of Ebola</a> that has no approved medicines or vaccines to combat it. It is occurring in a remote area of Congo that also faces armed violence by rebel groups as well as displacement. Ebola intensifies the suffering, with its terrifying symptoms that evoke a modern-day plague.</p><p>The outbreak was confirmed on May 15. Some experts believe infections may have been occurring in February, but health officials initially tested for a different kind of virus that causes Ebola disease.</p><p>The World Health Organization quickly declared the event a public health emergency of international concern. The U.S. government has imposed a temporary ban on the entry of people without U.S. passports who have recently visited Congo, Uganda or South Sudan.</p><p>With so many people in afflicted communities seeking spiritual answers to the outbreak, humanitarian workers are urging religious leaders to get involved in combating Ebola.</p><p>In a video widely shared among people in Ituri, a catechist leader recently cured of the disease in the Ebola hot spot of Mongbwalu spoke candidly of the mistake that could have cost him his life. </p><p>“I don’t usually rush to the hospital, so I decided to go to the fields,” Deogratias Kasereka said, before explaining how his children compelled him to seek medical treatment.</p><p>His symptoms had included muscle weakness and headaches, and he “felt very hot.” Ebola in later stages also can bring about internal and external bleeding.</p><p>The symptoms are so disturbing — and sometimes shameful — that some victims prefer the privacy of a traditional healer’s shrine, said Vincent Isimbwa, an elder among Seventh-day Adventists in a remote community of Ugandans that faced the first-ever outbreak of Bundibugyo in 2007.</p><p>“They faced it so rough,” said Isimbwa. “The challenge with Ebola is that it is so bad that some people can believe that there are supernatural powers behind it.”</p><p>That outbreak of Ebola killed at least 36 people and left the community terribly scarred. Many here also regret that the Bundibugyo virus is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/uganda-ebola-bundibugyo-virus-outbreak-type-name-ed1d6b595f3c91800b5614d6bec5831d">named for their district</a>, the mountainous homeland of roughly 200,000 people mostly living as farmers.</p><p>Mistrust and medical limitations drive sick people to healers</p><p>In Bundibugyo two decades later, the Ugandan nurse whose sample of blood confirmed the 2007 outbreak said his symptoms confused those who examined him in the early days of the outbreak. Some thought Samuel Kuule had a case of food poisoning. While others afflicted may have gone to see healers, described pejoratively as witch doctors, he was nursed in a narrow hospital room by caregivers including his pregnant wife, who was never infected.</p><p>Kuule recalled that his symptoms — peeling skin, bloodshot eyes and severe headache — terrified him without shaking his Seventh-day Adventist faith, unlike some others who may have felt they were being bewitched.</p><p>“For those who are weak in faith, they may (think) that they are being bewitched,” he said. “Maybe they can believe it.”</p><p>Some locals recalled that an early victim of the 2007 outbreak was a woman stretchered down the mountains and into the shrine of a traditional healer, an older man who survived but lost three sons to Ebola. Speaking through his presumptive heir, Amon Balinda, the healer said he switched his service from benediction and prayer to the prescription of herbs after he was told Ebola was spreading.</p><p>“For us in African traditional societies, in most cases when you fall sick and you go to the hospitals and they give you some injections and there is no improvement, there and then you switch to your neighbor, or anybody, and say maybe he is the one bewitching you,” he said. “Then you decide to go to the witch doctor.”</p><p>In fact, Ebola outbreaks are believed to start with the virus spilling over into humans from an infected animal such as a fruit bat. These cross-species infections often happen when people handle and eat wild meat, experts say. </p><p>The WHO is urging early testing for Ebola, in addition to isolating contacts in the current outbreak.</p><p>That's challenging in communities with deep religious faith, Christian but especially traditional. People insist on burying the dead according to established custom, because to do otherwise may deprive the dead of an afterlife. Pastors who stake their authority on the ability to heal the sick are expected to perform. Traditional healers face similar hopes. </p><p>This is why Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni rebuked religious leaders in a recent televised speech, saying there was no need to touch the sick in the time of Ebola. He said that Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO chief, told him while visiting Uganda that many victims in Congo are religious people. </p><p>“The pastors, the pastors, the pastors,” Museveni said, squinting in apparent disappointment. “The people of God — they are the ones who touch patients. … God is not deaf. You can pray without touching.”</p><p>___</p><p>Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s <a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a> with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/ufrkK9R1V7E6vXTR3o1L0GW142U=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/PCT5EXKNMJCJLH42VLYAAU2MOQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3648" width="5472"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Samuel Kuule, a nurse and survivor of the first Ebola Bundibugyo strain in 2007, stands at Kikyo Health Centre IV in Kikyo Trading village, Bundibugyo District, Uganda, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hajarah Nalwadda</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/g3YD1xLhOuxy34Cz0bvP3XhxVQo=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CI7GMDPEC5DDZBXK7X6KU54CIU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2688" width="4032"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A traditional healer displays herbal medicines used for healing in Kikyo Trading village, Bundibugyo District, Uganda, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hajarah Nalwadda</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Y_Lih1ULbORyV_TxToXdgtD4K1o=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ANLBIVLR2VAYBJW3N5JVQLP2AY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3648" width="5472"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A woman sits beside a caged grave of a person who died from the first outbreak of Bundibugyo virus, a particular strain of Ebola, in Kikyo Trading village, Bundibugyo District, Uganda, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hajarah Nalwadda</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/ofgtHqnq3OYM5Imu8v1RKETqtdQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/42VWFBGPYZAJ5FWFH4LUD4VCZI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3648" width="5472"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[People wash their hands before entering Kikyo Health Centre IV in Kikyo Trading village, Bundibugyo District, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hajarah Nalwadda</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/gLdKjJI_k29WMvzW5WeQgelqs04=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UXG5FJXMRNBD7PMHZOPGTKIQ6Y.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3648" width="5472"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A laboratory technician works with a patient at Kikyo Health Centre IV in Kikyo Trading village, Bundibugyo District, Uganda, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hajarah Nalwadda</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[The cost to overcome a Trump endorsement? $100 million. Plus more takeaways from Tuesday's primaries]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/can-100-million-overcome-a-trump-endorsement-what-to-watch-in-tuesdays-elections/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/can-100-million-overcome-a-trump-endorsement-what-to-watch-in-tuesdays-elections/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathan J. Cooper And Jesse Bedayn, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[An endorsement from President Donald Trump is worth a lot in Republican primaries.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 04:01:27 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>An endorsement from President <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> is worth a lot in Republican primaries. But it's not foolproof, especially when there's a lot of money involved.</p><p>Rick Jackson's campaign spent more than $100 million, largely out of his own pocket, to defeat Trump-endorsed Burt Jones in the Republican runoff for Georgia governor. It was another rare example of the president's choice falling short in a primary battle. </p><p>Trump's efforts were more successful elsewhere. His candidate for U.S. Senate won a runoff in Alabama, and his pick for Oklahoma governor advanced to another runoff there. </p><p>Four states and the District of Columbia held primaries Tuesday. Among Democrats, the contests hinged on longstanding divides between progressives and moderates as the party tries to chart the best path forward to November.</p><p>Here are some takeaways as votes come in from Alabama, California, the District of Columbia, Georgia and Oklahoma. </p><p>Trump's endorsement can be overcome — for a price</p><p>Nothing is certain in politics, but a “complete and total endorsement” from Trump is about the surest path possible to winning a Republican primary.</p><p>Jackson found another path to the Republican nomination for Georgia governor, but it was pricy. The billionaire healthcare tycoon personally supplied most of the $100 million-plus that his campaign has spent to persuade Republican primary voters to overlook Trump’s advice. </p><p>Trump <a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-governor-burt-jones-trump-endorsement-4f0bdac8c602fa6f2b5a0fa98f75ef1f">endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones</a> more than a year ago and reiterated his support last week, praising Jones’ “Courage and Wisdom” in a social media post. </p><p>Before Tuesday’s runoff, Jackson came in second behind Jones in the May 19 primary, though nearly a third of voters backed other candidates. </p><p>Jackson will face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor, in November to lead one of the nation’s preeminent battleground states.</p><p>Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s Republican primary for governor tested Trump’s endorsement in a different way. There, the president weighed in late, throwing his support two weeks ago to former state Sen. Mike Mazzei among a crowded field without a clear front-runner. Mazzei secured a spot in a runoff on Aug. 25, finishing nearly even with Attorney General Gentner Drummond. </p><p>Trump is used to getting his way, but earlier this month his choice for governor of Iowa, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lahn-feenstra-trump-iowa-maha-kennedy-ea3de424608b7379791da0608a431169">lost to Zach Lahn</a> in the state’s primary. </p><p>MAGA becomes the insider movement and faces an outsider</p><p>Trump rose to power as an outsider, the head of a “Make America Great Again” movement keen to bulldoze the old political order. </p><p>But now the onetime insurgent sits atop a sprawling establishment. What happens when he endorses an insider candidate?</p><p>In Alabama, it worked out for Trump. He successfully backed U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, a three-term congressman who has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-election-2026-senate-governor-fdd3d5bfe3dd5a1135076070549984db">promised to be</a> “a warrior for President Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda" if elected to the Senate. </p><p>Moore defeated former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, who presented himself as a Washington outsider and tried to harness the anti-establishment fervor that propelled Trump to power to defeat Trump’s preferred candidate. </p><p>Alabama is a Republican stronghold, so the GOP primary victor will be heavily favored to prevail in November.</p><p>The seat is being vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican nominee in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-tommy-tuberville-governor-election-1e8c7a714021474ce3ebd58e7e0415f1">the race for Alabama governor.</a></p><p>DC mayor’s race features a democratic socialist and a new voting system</p><p>One of the leading Democratic contenders in the District of Columbia mayor's race, Janeese Lewis George, describes herself as a democratic socialist, a political denomination that became more prominent with Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaigns.</p><p>Lewis George’s bid for the party’s nomination is not so far removed from <a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-zohran-mamdani-mayor-policies-background-81760b3d0fcf5c0cd556ab8de5a0335e">democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani's</a> upset victory for New York City mayor last year. The race has drawn national attention, including the president's.</p><p>Trump indicated days before the mayoral primary election that he might take over the city if Lewis George wins, saying “we won’t put up with it.” Lewis George called Trump’s threat “an attack on democracy itself.” </p><p>The overwhelmingly Democratic city's <a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-dc-primary-elections-bowser-norton-trump-ab71ebd644fa92fa8a9e1c906e8227bc">relationship to the president</a> is a focal point of the campaign as Trump has exercised broad power over Washington, D.C. That’s included an open-ended deployment of National Guard troops in the streets and his culling of the federal workforce, a chunk of the city’s jobs.</p><p>Some residents were frustrated that the mayor, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/muriel-bowser-washington-dc-trump-0e9f3cfc668fd70faa9820c8bfb4e7a3">Muriel Bowser</a>, didn’t push back enough on the administration. Part of Lewis George’s platform on her website, which heavily focuses on affordability, is to “protect Home Rule” with “leaders that stand up and fight back, not shrink in the face of injustice.” </p><p>The race was too early to call on Tuesday night, and it could be decided by D.C.’s <a href="https://apnews.com/projects/ranked-choice-voting-explained/">new ranked choice voting system</a>.</p><p>Like a handful of other places, D.C. voters ranked the candidates on a ballot, and if no one crosses 50% of the popular vote, then residents' second choices come into play. That <a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-maine-governor-house-of-representatives-b45f3a07e354d0b66fb64ac02ab928a0">happened in Maine</a>, where election officials started counting ranked choice votes for governor and a key House race three days after election night. </p><p>In D.C., election officials have warned the new system could delay results by days.</p><p>Georgia Republicans opt for candidate less skeptical of the 2020 election </p><p>State Rep. Tim Fleming won the Republican nomination for Georgia secretary of state Tuesday night, defeating opponent <a href="https://apnews.com/article/vernon-jones-secretary-of-state-georgia-election-bef36a4ba59a84a02a7a7be20e377f2f">Vernon Jones</a>, who leaned more into conspiracies over Trump's loss to Joe Biden.</p><p>The two were competing in an election to replace Secretary of State <a href="https://apnews.com/article/raffensperger-republican-governor-georgia-trump-jones-jackson-bb19d7bc9e36153577895511a095fd5f">Brad Raffensperger</a>, who resisted Trump's unfounded claims of election fraud and the president's request to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-raffensperger-phone-call-georgia-d503c8b4e58f7cd648fbf9a746131ec9">“find 11,780 votes"</a> six years ago.</p><p>Those claims hovered over Tuesday's race.</p><p>Jones had said he believes there were “irregularities” and “violations” in 2020 and he stands “with those who believe there was election fraud.” Of four key points on Jones’ campaign platform, three had to do with election management, including stronger voter identification rules.</p><p>Fleming tiptoed around the topic, saying there were “irregularities” in 2020 but adding he’s “not running on conspiracy theories.” Of the seven platform points on his campaign website, however, four were focused on election management and one said the state should “make it impossible for the Left to cheat in our elections.”</p><p>Fleming will face Democrat Penny Brown Reynolds, who won her party's nomination Tuesday.</p><p>More progressive candidate advances in California race to serve out Swalwell's term</p><p>Democrat Eric Swalwell resigned from the U.S. House and dropped his bid for California governor in April after a woman alleged he had sexually assaulted her twice, saying she was too intoxicated to consent to sex in both cases.</p><p>A special primary election was held Tuesday to finish Swalwell's term, and Democratic state Sen. Aisha Wahab advanced to the special general election on Aug. 18. It remained too early to determine who would fill the second slot.</p><p>Whoever wins will serve in the U.S. House through January. Wahab was favored along with Melissa Hernandez, a Bay Area Rapid Transit director.</p><p>Wahab, who's established in California politics, represents a more progressive wing of the party, while Hernandez is a local politician who sits closer to the political center. To lower costs, Wahab takes aim at “corporate profiteering” and argues for an expansion to social safety nets. Hernandez focuses on local job growth and supporting small businesses.</p><p>Both candidates also ran in the regular primary election for Swalwell’s seat and will face off in the general election in November. Whoever wins that race will take over next year.</p><p>___</p><p>This story has been corrected to show Trump wanted to find 11,780, not 11,800, votes.</p><p>___</p><p>Cooper reported from Phoenix, and Bedayn from Austin, Texas.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/38y0aVu98qyRXn90Zs_do8u3ZKU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7N4E3EQWJNHHFBNVTH7XWLW5GI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3597" width="5396"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson is hugged by a supporter after speaking during a primary election night party on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Brynn Anderson</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Bwv7AVJLZFMaB97weiyJtHBLxDI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/OACH72GM6REFDDZ22AOI6PGF6I.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2477" width="3709"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives for a faith town hall with Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Oct. 23, 2024, in Zebulon, Ga. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Alex Brandon</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/gJgNrnDHGpkjrIxqnQXigKmLSIc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6BC7JLHQXFD7FLNIYG2KXWB2Y4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1797" width="2695"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[District of Columbia mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George walks down a street while canvassing in a Washington, neighborhood, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Brown)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Matt Brown</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Robert White Jr. wins Democratic primary for the District of Columbia’s delegate to Congress]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/washington-dc-voters-cast-ballots-in-crucial-primaries-as-trump-reshapes-the-capital/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/washington-dc-voters-cast-ballots-in-crucial-primaries-as-trump-reshapes-the-capital/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Gary Fields, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Robert White Jr. has won the Democratic primary for the District of Columbia’s delegate seat in Congress.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 04:08:25 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Washington, D.C. Council member Robert White Jr. won the <a href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/district-of-columbia-primary-results-mayor/#Dem">Democratic primary</a> for the district’s delegate to Congress on Tuesday, ushering in generational change for a position long held by the same candidate as the nation’s capital faces mounting pressures on its autonomy.</p><p>White’s win in the heavily Democratic city sets him up to take the top spot in November’s general elections, when he could replace 18-term delegate <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-washington-eleanor-holmes-norton-federal-intervention-8dc90cfb34e8692db2d7ff4f609ebb68">Eleanor Holmes Norton</a>. Norton, 89 and a fixture of the Civil Rights movement, decided not to run again after facing growing concerns over her ability to forcefully push back against the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-reflecting-pool-golf-course-washington-renovations-e708a36ef05a5a3f96d74e53d41c2109">Trump administration’s federal intervention into the city’s affairs</a>.</p><p>White had campaigned on promises to fight for the city’s autonomy, which has been squeezed under President Donald Trump, who <a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-surge-washington-dc-trump-7db1c795056a51c9fdc2d9c7f4c2147c">deployed the National Guard</a> on an ongoing, open-ended mission meant to fight crime and rattled the capital’s economy by downsizing the federal workforce.</p><p>“My election means we’re going to keep our independence and we’re going to get statehood. People know I’m not going to lay down. I’m going to fight,” White told The Associated Press after his win was declared. </p><p>The D.C. delegate position is a nonvoting one, but it grants the nearly 700,000 people of the district, who have no other representation in Congress, a voice through speechmaking on the House floor and bill introduction.</p><p>The primary marked the first time in a generation that D.C. residents voted for a new mayor and delegate in the same election. And in an overwhelmingly Democratic city, that party’s winner is expected to come out on top in both races in November. The AP has not yet called a winner in the race for mayor.</p><p>Current Mayor <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-bowser-dc-home-rule-national-democrats-8e262a15267bdae66049201a4cc4a6a8">Muriel Bowser</a>, who was first elected in 2014, decided not to seek a fourth term. Democratic front-runners Janeese Lewis George and Kenyan McDuffie are hoping to replace her. The primary includes <a href="https://apnews.com/projects/ranked-choice-voting-explained/">ranked choice voting</a> for the first time, which the district's election officials have warned could delay results.</p><p>Trump looms large over the vote</p><p>Central to all the campaigns has been the city's <a href="https://apnews.com/article/washington-dc-primary-elections-bowser-norton-trump-ab71ebd644fa92fa8a9e1c906e8227bc">fraught relationship with the Trump administration</a> and the federal government. The city has limited autonomy and federal leaders retain significant control over local affairs, including approval of the budget and laws passed by the D.C. Council.</p><p>That autonomy has been further squeezed under Trump, who launched a federal law enforcement surge last summer and sent in the National Guard. Trump's efforts to downsize the federal government also roiled the capital region, costing thousands of people their jobs. He has also been reshaping the city by removing or renovating storied landmarks and putting his name or image on buildings. </p><p>Bowser found herself walking a fine line between staying in Trump’s good graces and responding to the concerns of constituents, many of whom said she didn’t push back hard enough on Trump’s actions.</p><p>Trump last week threatened a new federal takeover of Washington when asked about his response to a potential victory by Lewis George, a democratic socialist.</p><p>“Maybe we’d take back Washington, run it on the federal basis,” he said. </p><p>Lewis George, who has pledged to protect the city's autonomy, stood that ground at her post-election event where pop music blared and a crowd danced with the candidate on stage.</p><p>“If there was any doubt, right now we lay it to rest," she said to cheering supporters. "It is the people of D.C. who elect the mayor.”</p><p>McDuffie, closing out the day at an event with supporters, echoed that sentiment. </p><p>“It is under threat right now, but Donald Trump does not run Washington, D.C. We do. The people of D.C. run Washington, D.C.," McDuffie told the crowd. "And we will fight for D.C.’s autonomy every single day of the week.” </p><p>Neither candidate declared victory as preliminary results rolled in.</p><p>Federal intervention, affordability among candidates' top priorities</p><p>Washington resident Fran Tatu, 69, said the National Guard deployment was a concern for her.</p><p>“What’s at stake — many young lives with the surge of federal officers by Trump and all of the troops that are here,” she said, adding that she was voting for Lewis George and White.</p><p>White said he plans to call for Washington residents and other actors to mobilize as much as possible and head to battleground states to help the campaigns of candidates who will be friendlier to the city's needs.</p><p>“We cannot have a Congress that is in complete opposition to D.C. come January,” he said.</p><p>Candidates have also made affordability a priority, which Lewis George has blamed on the Trump administration. Public safety has also emerged as a top concern even as the Trump administration has touted its federal law enforcement intervention as a successful crime fighting initiative.</p><p>Other candidates for mayor include former council member Vincent Orange and Hope Solomon, a former federal contractor who lost her job because of cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency.</p><p>___</p><p>A previous version of this story misspelled D.C. congressional delegate candidate Kinney Zalesne's first name. It is Kinney, not Kenney. </p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/HYnByDFeEMKw9Ie_uFjdppQkFhY=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/XI2CA4VAN5BVRK2RC4DLAYWQ5A.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[D.C. Council member Robert White Jr., accompanied by his wife Christy, waves to supporters after casting his vote during the D.C. primary election at Shepard Park Elementary, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jose Luis Magana</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/u0CLRfqlcnpEgrMmUiV3WQL10Ak=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DF2YXR63YVHGJOONYWTWKTPJ5Y.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[D.C. Council members Brooke Pinto speaks with Robert White Jr. during the D.C. Council hearing on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget at the Wilson Building, City Hall, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jose Luis Magana</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/g9Opb86fh39gQr797gj9nsgT4LU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DDCGKBW6DRAMFH3XDA7LKDJ4ZY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[People arrive to their polling station during the D.C., primary election at Shepard Park Elementary, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jose Luis Magana</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/0krmN_1kN-qsrn3QT2-JslviEaw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/J6HZ3C7WPVGK7KYLU5SWA3AKMQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[D.C. Council member Janeese Lewis George speaks to the crowd after winning D.C. Mayor primary election during an election night party at the Howard Theatre Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jose Luis Magana</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/7Wc0LiQ9J0lB1KQ7MwFRZCjDQsA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ULRBG3EIGZEMDPWP2YR5SQ3TQU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2284" width="3426"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[District of Columbia mayoral candidate Kenyan McDuffie fills out his ranked choice ballot during the D.C. primary election, Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Gary Fields)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Gary Fields</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sudan’s young women return to international soccer as war and taboos linger]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/sudans-young-women-return-to-international-soccer-as-war-and-taboos-linger/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/sudans-young-women-return-to-international-soccer-as-war-and-taboos-linger/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Akram Oubachir, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Sudan's under-17 women's national soccer team has made its first international appearance since civil war erupted in the country.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:05:33 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Their red jerseys stood out against the green pitch. Most were teenage girls. Some had fled war. Others had never played in an organized soccer league or set foot in a major stadium before.</p><p>Yet when they took the field at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, they marked <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sudan">Sudan’s</a> first appearance in international women’s soccer since <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sudan-deaths-2026-88f883750a3846c237fa3a62add55d7f">a civil war</a> erupted in a country where women’s participation in sports has long been controversial.</p><p>“My goal is to lift up soccer in my country,” Nura Mohamed, the 17-year-old team captain, told The Associated Press.</p><p>“It’s a beautiful, unique feeling because, at the end of the day, I just love playing.”</p><p>Sudan’s under-17 women’s national team traveled to Morocco last week for qualifying matches on the road to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/la28-olympics-volunteers-19df44dcf8cdb55b9c098aff83bb7909">2028 Los Angeles Olympics</a>. The inexperienced squad suffered heavy defeats against Comoros, conceding 30 goals in two matches. Many of the players broke down in tears after the final whistle in front of a dozen cheering fans.</p><p>They faced an older, fitter, and more experienced opponent. Unable to assemble a senior women’s squad in time, Sudan’s soccer federation entered a younger team to avoid forfeiting its place in the qualifiers. They only started training weeks ago.</p><p>“The difference between us and the others is huge. We cannot yet compete at the highest level," Burhan Tia, a veteran Sudanese soccer coach who oversees all of Sudan’s women’s national teams, said after the first match, a 17–0 defeat. </p><p>“Comoros has many players competing in Europe, our team is mainly made up of schoolgirls."</p><p>This team represents hope for Sudan's future</p><p>Sudan’s women’s soccer collapsed when <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sudan-civil-war-rsf-military-numbers-31a80dceeb090fba33584e0d5e284d55">civil war erupted in 2023</a>. For federation officials, debuting this young squad in <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/casablanca">Casablanca</a> after years of conflict marks an important step in keeping women's soccer alive in Sudan.</p><p>“Some traveled long distances just to attend training. Many are separated from their families, yet they continue to work hard and pursue their dream," Manal Ali Bushra, a businesswoman who heads the women’s soccer committee, told the AP.</p><p>To support that vision, Ali Bushra said the federation is working on infrastructure projects, including a planned sports city and the renovation of key stadiums in safer parts of the country. She declined to answer questions about the women’s program budget and funds.</p><p>Tia knew the magnitude of the challenge when he accepted the job of rebuilding a shattered team.</p><p>“First, I had to find girls who played soccer. Then, once I found girls who played, I had to make sure they were the right age,” he said. “Then I needed to convince their parents to let them miss classes for training.”</p><p>With the league suspended, his scouting trips took him to schools across Sudan and to neighboring Egypt, where many families had fled the war. He recruited 10 players from teams and academies in Cairo, with the rest drawn from Sudanese cities.</p><p>Tia would have liked to recruit from conflict-hit areas like <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sudan-famine-rsf-kordofan-darfur-war-hunger-9b16a0419f8d7cc67c7e95939a8a954d">Darfur</a> or <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sudan-drones-kordofan-aid-kadugli-rsf-military-4e140876e5c2fe489655ad78089f9440">Kordofan</a>, a region known for producing Sudan’s top athletes. But many girls had lost their identification documents, making it impossible to verify their ages under international regulations. The war has also shattered transportation, turning journeys between cities that once took hours into perilous trips lasting days.</p><p>On the field, the players’ lack of experience was evident. Several struggled with basic positioning, failing to hold the offside line or maintain tactical discipline. Throughout the matches, they repeatedly looked to the sidelines for instructions from the coach and his assistant.</p><p>Facing war, fatwas and conservatism</p><p>The United Nations has described the war in Sudan as the world’s <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sudan-war-missing-people-graves-25fb50d331eb03a52a8d8309cf761922">worst humanitarian crisis</a>. It began in 2023 when a power struggle between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted into fighting marked by mass killings, rape and ethnic violence. More than 40,000 people have been killed, according to U.N. figures, and over 14 million have been displaced, with famine and disease spreading across parts of the country.</p><p>The war halted every sports activity, including the women’s soccer league, which was officially established after the 2019 progressive revolution that ousted <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sudan-war-al-bashir-darfur-military-rsf-3486ebe1f9c563ae46d7fc38ca204bb9">President Omar al-Bashir</a>. His three-decade Islamist rule was marked by Public Order Laws that rights groups said restricted women’s freedoms. Even after the revolution, prominent Sudanese preacher Abdulhay Yousif said the establishment of a women’s football league was aimed at undermining religion.</p><p>“The idea of women running, jumping, sweating, and even something as simple as their bodies being visible in motion, was seen by Bashir’s Islamist regime as producing fitna, which in a Sudanese context was understood as sexual or moral chaos,” Liv Tønnessen, a political scientist researching gender politics in Sudan, told the AP.</p><p>“So when women step onto a soccer pitch, they are directly confronting that entire logic. They are not just present in a male-dominated sports arena, they are moving freely in it, on their own terms,” Tønnessen, a former guest researcher in a women-only university in Sudan, added.</p><p>Beyond institutional hurdles, players also faced a wave of sexist abuse online. On the national team’s social media accounts, many commenters mocked them for big defeats. Others posted the phrase “go back to the kitchen,” in multiple languages.</p><p>A team caught in politics</p><p>While Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s military government has allowed international soccer trips for teenage girls, the U.N. has documented <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sudan-sexual-assault-war-ransom-bfdf039c7fa67bc429adcdb649ee32ac">sexual and gender-based violence</a> by the Sudanese Armed Forces, which he commands.</p><p>Tønnessen sees the state backing as a calculated effort by the military to project legitimacy. By sponsoring the team, she said, the army attempts to signal that the state is functioning normally and to align itself with the spirit of the 2019 revolution.</p><p>Hala Al-Karib, a prominent Sudanese women’s rights activist, dismissed critics who say the team is being used to portray a more progressive image on women’s rights.</p><p>“The main challenge for me is a reform of the federation,” she told the AP, citing a lack of investment in and support for women’s soccer in Sudan.</p><p>Back on the field in Casablanca, the politics, war and debate faded away, leaving only a group of teenagers chasing a ball.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/y1pE4ZxXZE0e7pyfsh30K5EVtWk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JLNBENFZ2BFXFOS55H7PZTSK4M.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3643" width="5464"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Sudan's U-17 women's national team warms up before a soccer match against Comoros, during qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, in Casablanca, Morocco, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Str</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/3M7vIcFbYY2IuUVjtHwu_8opJ7E=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HHPSPKWAN5FJXDQNOICKXX6Q5Q.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2816" width="4224"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Sudan's U-17 women's national team players, in red, defend the ball during a soccer match against Comoros, during qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, in Casablanca, Morocco, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Str</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/jbNRHdxoS9MvOwpiUoYrjXsv1vQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WQQYSDZBVFHPPEOZEIMRSSHTPY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3017" width="4644"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Sudan's U-17 women's national team, in red, plays a soccer match against Comoros, during qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, in Casablanca, Morocco, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Str</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Cp2NRhVtGMS4Hv94dKgpPr3QIkY=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RLCFNP3IPVDEFM6KAJEXYOBAS4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3367" width="5284"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Sudan's U-17 women's national team players sing the national anthem before a soccer match against Comoros, during qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, in Casablanca, Morocco, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Str</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/76MDBFxfjyHu3jvV1FHPOPOuizk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/Q6DJG7IL4JETZMWG77OR76Y5CY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4397" width="6595"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Sudan's U-17 women's national team, left, shakes hand with Comorros women's national team, ahead of their soccer match during qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, in Casablanca, Morocco, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Str</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[A chilling Romanian exhibition replays videotaped secret police interrogations from 1989]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/a-chilling-romanian-exhibition-replays-videotaped-secret-police-interrogations-from-1989/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/a-chilling-romanian-exhibition-replays-videotaped-secret-police-interrogations-from-1989/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephen Mcgrath And Andreea Alexandru, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[An exhibition in Romania’s capital highlights the harsh reality of interrogations by the country's communist-era secret police.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:02:06 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A new exhibition in <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/romania">Romania’s</a> capital spotlights the harsh reality of interrogations carried out by the country’s notorious communist-era secret police.</p><p>Held at the National History Museum of Romania in Bucharest, the exhibition is called “A.REST 1989.” The Securitate Video Archive uses video footage to reconstruct how detentions and interrogations worked under the Securitate, the <a href="https://apnews.com/travel-arts-and-entertainment-0c0e4d0ea62b4821859a060bb4566a76">sprawling network of spies</a> that enforced Nicolae Ceausescu’s rule, until he was overthrown and executed in December 1989.</p><p>The exhibition features original videotaped recordings of interrogations of four detainees investigated by the secret police, shown on grainy, wall-mounted monitors in the museum’s central hall. All were recorded in 1989 by the Criminal Investigations Directorate of the Securitate.</p><p>In the middle of the exhibition space is a reconstructed cell furnished with a small bed, an empty metal bowl and cup, which evokes the isolation that detainees might have felt. It also highlights the Securitate’s extensive reach and power under communism and the investigation techniques they used on suspects.</p><p>Many of the recordings reveal coercive questioning and intimidation tactics that often drift into the absurd, as detainees are ground down or left bewildered. During one such back-and-forth, a woman whose husband had allegedly defected tells her questioner: “I no longer have the strength to fight. I need logical arguments, not this nonsense.”</p><p>A memorial to the victims</p><p>“In the world of Securitate ‘justice,’ detainees or those under arrest were merely prisoners, captives in the operational labyrinth of manufactured guilt,” the organizers say, adding that the exhibition can serve as a belated “memorial plaque” to victims. “The victims, thus, gain a voice and a place."</p><p>The exhibition runs until mid-September and is a collaboration between the National History Museum, Romania’s National Council for Studying the Securitate Archives, or CNSAS, and the Ministry of Culture.</p><p>The organizers said the 26 videotapes held by CNSAS are “a remnant, the accidental result of the disorderly and violent end” of socialist Romania, recorded by the criminal investigations technical department in 1989. </p><p>Oana Demetriade, a historian at CNSAS and exhibition curator, told The Associated Press that she initially wanted to use the videotapes to make a documentary for students and school kids, but decided to pursue an exhibition instead.</p><p>“The project grew organically through the discussions I had with architects and designers,” she said. “From the very beginning, the first discussions I had with my husband who works at CNSAS and everything I found in these tapes made me go ‘wow!’ … They were being watched in cells non-stop.”</p><p>“That’s what this whole archive brings new,” she added. “How it gets here and how people, those who are arrested, in the end, are repeatedly threatened, yelled at, threatened with beatings, threatened with the family suffering, and so on.”</p><p>The power of words</p><p>Also exhibited are artifacts such as a printing press that belonged to journalist Petre Mihai Bacanu, which was confiscated by the secret police in early 1989. Bacanu and several associates used the press to print an anti-Ceausescu and anti-government newspaper.</p><p>“How could we, after 45 years of socialism, still be afraid of people’s opinions, even of their thoughts?” Bacanu says during an interrogation in February 1989.</p><p>Another item exhibited is a pair of glasses that were used to stop detainees from “seeing where they were going or identifying” other persons.</p><p>The detention facility had spaces for two different types of detention, says Mihai Demetriade, also a historian at CNSAS and an exhibition curator along with his wife.</p><p>While “preventative detention” was used in political cases alleging crimes against the state, “operational detention” units were used to lock people up in what he described as a form of kidnapping — to imprison and silence potential dissenters during sensitive moments like a congress or visiting foreign dignitary.</p><p>“We are not talking about the testimonies of victims after the fall of communism, nor about documents, nor about books, nor about manuscripts,” he said. “We have something not open to manipulation … a live recording of events that occur in interrogation rooms or cells. It’s hard to fight against something like that as a denialist.”</p><p>“This space is important because it proves how rapacious, tough, aggressive the communist dictatorship remained even in the last moments of the communist system," he added.</p><p>Communist nostalgia</p><p>In recent years, as <a href="https://apnews.com/article/romania-election-rerun-president-d2519fb215d3df6deffe465759514d74">nationalism has risen in Romania</a>, so too has a nostalgia for life under communism during the Ceausescu years, especially among young people who typically have limited or no memories of life in the country before 1989.</p><p>Cornel Constantin Ilie, manager of the National History Museum of Romania, says the new exhibition can help expose the realities of that period in Romania’s history and “reach the minds and, why not, the souls” of visitors.</p><p>“It is an exhibition that puts you in front of facts that cannot be ignored,” he said. “It’s very important because we must not forget and we must not repeat. … What we see in this exhibition is an ugly face of history, it is a story in which human freedom, human dignity were suppressed.”</p><p>___</p><p>McGrath reported from Leamington Spa, England.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/VoNiPrTGJTqbR5LpWj98-btK_lk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6CN6FX2RKBFRHCETHN7LXOIT6Y.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4667" width="7000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A video from the Communist era secret police surveillance archives, seen through a pinhole, shows Anton Uncu sitting on a metal bed, a day before the opening of the "A.REST 1989  The Securitate Video Archive" exhibition, at the National History Museum of Romania, in Bucharest, Romania, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Andreea Alexandru</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/xQrDt84naShV7h4qyizfGYDJBRs=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KE7MNAUH65AIVG2F5UFXLB43DA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4667" width="7000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A man copies transcripts from Communist era surveillance tapes during the opening of the "A.REST 1989  The Securitate Video Archive" exhibition, at the National History Museum of Romania, in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Andreea Alexandru</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/L1nsXzvdMZNCiCPZ-1Sj97OeiQc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/PYWXNBDVU5GBLH72SUE7CPJ7BE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4667" width="7000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Oana Demetriade, historian at the National Council for Studying the Securitate Archives (CNSAS), puts the final touches in a replica of a Securitate prison cell, a day before the opening of the "A.REST 1989  The Securitate Video Archive" exhibition, at the National History Museum of Romania, in Bucharest, Romania, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Andreea Alexandru</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/oYrphZhhX87WkVbhC8IqHzYtR0c=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ESSAVCQRRBB3BCU7XID4TWQ4XU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4667" width="7000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Cornel Constantin Ilie, manager of the National History Museum of Romania looks at a display during the opening of the "A.REST 1989  The Securitate Video Archive" exhibition, at the National History Museum of Romania, in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Andreea Alexandru</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/JrCWegjFpJx74SyEIie0KB40mlc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/QCTOGD7CINHLHCJVAZXUCBDY4A.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4667" width="7000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Journalist Petre Mihai Bacanu stands next to a clandestine printing press, belonging to him that was confiscated by the secret police in early 1989, during the opening of the "A.REST 1989  The Securitate Video Archive" exhibition, at the National History Museum of Romania, in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Andreea Alexandru</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[African and Commonwealth nations in Kenya urge quick execution of a key treaty protecting oceans]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/16/african-and-commonwealth-nations-in-kenya-urge-quick-execution-of-a-key-treaty-protecting-oceans/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/16/african-and-commonwealth-nations-in-kenya-urge-quick-execution-of-a-key-treaty-protecting-oceans/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Allan Olingo, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[African and Commonwealth nations have called for a swift implementation of a landmark treaty protecting the high seas.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:12:41 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>African and Commonwealth nations called Tuesday for a swift implementation of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/high-seas-treaty-oceans-overfishing-mining-climate-change-052f310eadaacf0bc1c48b8956e6eacb">a landmark treaty</a> protecting the high seas, warning that despite record commitments to marine conservation, much of the world’s ocean protection still exists only on paper.</p><p>The call to action was issued at the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, the first time an African nation has hosted the major annual event, which focuses on addressing critical ocean issues, including climate change, biodiversity and pollution. </p><p>Hundreds of delegates from Africa, the United States, the European Union, and climate-vulnerable Caribbean and Pacific island nations are taking part in the conference, where leaders have sought to position Africa as a driving force in global ocean governance. </p><p>Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in his opening remarks at the Commonwealth Ocean Ministers’ Roundtable that the High Seas Treaty, which came into effect in January <a href="https://apnews.com/article/high-seas-treaty-marine-diversity-15061c0624d8e472603401b479870904">after ratification by 60 countries</a>, marked a historic turning point by creating, for the first time, a legal mechanism to establish protected areas in international waters.</p><p>But he warned that progress remained too slow.</p><p>“We have 10% of the ocean under protection this year,” Kerry said. “That is worth marking. But only 3% is highly or fully protected, and the rest of the protections are, unfortunately, just lines on a map.”</p><p>Kerry said that industrial fishing fleets continue to exploit the oceans, with some vessels operating thousands of miles from home and using massive nets that indiscriminately catch marine life.</p><p>“Ratify it if you haven’t, and move immediately to implementation,” he urged countries, noting that key decisions on the future of the treaty will be taken next year.</p><p>The treaty, formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, aims to help countries achieve a global target of protecting 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030.</p><p>The Kenyan Cabinet secretary of maritime affairs, Hassan Joho, said that governments must now shift from promises to tangible action.</p><p>“The purpose of this roundtable is not to restate ambition, but to convert such pledges into measurable results for our communities, our economies and our oceans,” Joho said.</p><p>Joho noted that since 2014, the One Ocean Conference has generated more than 2,900 pledges worth more than $169 billion. The challenge, he said, is to turn them into effective management of marine ecosystems.</p><p>The Commonwealth’s 56 member states collectively account for 36% of the world’s ocean jurisdiction and nearly half of its coral reefs, giving the bloc a unique responsibility in protecting marine resources.</p><p>Africa, meanwhile, is increasingly setting itself as a leader in ocean conservation.</p><p>Kerry praised African countries for championing transboundary marine protection and pointed to commitments by eight Gulf of Guinea nations to sustainably manage all of their waters by 2030.</p><p>“A region long described as a victim of ocean exploitation is now choosing to lead instead,” he said.</p><p>The East African nation has adopted integrated coastal management plans, expanded marine protected areas and stepped up efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Its 640-kilometer (400-mile) coastline and vast exclusive economic zone support fisheries, tourism and other sectors that sustain millions of livelihoods.</p><p>As negotiations continue in Mombasa, delegates say the coming months will be critical in determining whether the new treaty becomes a transformative tool for ocean conservation or another set of international promises that fail to materialize.</p><p>___</p><p>The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s <a href="https://www.ap.org/about/standards-for-working-with-outside-groups/">standards</a> for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at <a href="https://www.ap.org/discover/Supporting-AP">AP.org</a>. ___</p><p>This story has corrected the dateline to Mombasa, not Nairobi.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/yAWlOPbLCwXfeIMYSJGGW3mCl1M=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3PRADFDFBFBKPJYPO77TCFRLNU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2667" width="4000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Fish swim near coral on the ocean bed near Shimoni, Kenya, June 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Brian Inganga</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Latest: Trump-backed candidates secure GOP Senate nominations in Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/the-latest-primary-elections-in-alabama-oklahoma-and-georgia-further-test-trumps-influence/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/the-latest-primary-elections-in-alabama-oklahoma-and-georgia-further-test-trumps-influence/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[President Donald Trump’s preferred candidates are having mixed results in Tuesday’s primaries, securing the Republican nominations for U.S. Senate in Alabama, Georgia and Oklahoma but not for Georgia governor.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:48:24 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>President <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> 's preferred candidates were having mixed results in Tuesday's primaries, securing the Republican nominations for U.S. Senate in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-senate-primary-moore-hudson-tuberville-ca2f49f1bb35afb20eab4f673e56ac99">Alabama</a>, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-runoff-senate-governor-trump-collins-jones-a24587d1fcdba58dfd036aa83f0a4d12">Georgia</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-primary-election-senate-097714b0e2cec2d5beaeff86feff8baa">Oklahoma</a>, though not for Georgia governor.</p><p>Trump has been at the center of this year’s <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elections">midterm campaigns</a>, and his influence was being tested in different ways as four states and the District of Columbia held primaries.</p><p>Among Democrats, the primaries hinge on longstanding divides between progressives and moderates as the party tries to chart the best path forward to November.</p><p>Here's the latest:</p><p>Robert White Jr. wins Democratic primary for DC’s delegate to Congress</p><p>He becomes the favorite to replace 18-term delegate <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-washington-eleanor-holmes-norton-federal-intervention-8dc90cfb34e8692db2d7ff4f609ebb68">Eleanor Holmes Norton</a>, who decided to not seek reelection in the heavily Democratic city.</p><p>White, an at-large member of the D.C. Council, would become the third delegate in the district’s history, following Norton and Walter Fauntroy Jr., both politicians with national standing in the civil rights era.</p><p>Norton faced heavy pressure to step down from critics who argued she didn’t challenge the Trump administration strongly enough when it deployed the National Guard to the city, among other contentious actions.</p><p>DC mayoral candidate says Trump’s attacks on her energized voters</p><p>Trump last week threatened a federal takeover of Washington if Janeese Lewis George becomes the city’s next mayor. Lewis George, a self-described democratic socialist, said she believed that threat prompted people to go out and vote.</p><p>“Some people who weren’t paying attention to this race until the very end, when Trump made those comments, people were (like) ‘Wait a minute I need to pay attention,’” she told reporters.</p><p>Robert White addresses supporters as he seeks to become DC delegate</p><p>White, a former city councilman, is running to succeed Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the district’s outgoing congressional representative and his former boss.</p><p>He thanked his supporters and spoke about the capital’s history as a refuge for Black Americans during the Great Migration, its crisis and reconstruction after riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the city’s tensions with the current president.</p><p>White said that he was often “counted out as a kid” but that the district’s community “never gave up on me and I will never give on you.” He said the district’s community was proud and undaunted by threats to its autonomy.</p><p>“Because our turn will never come unless we demand it. Eleanor Holmes Norton understood that. The generations before us understood that. And before this night is over, I hope every Washingtonian understands it, too: We will not yield,” White told a cheering crowd.</p><p>Democrat Aisha Wahab advances in California special election to replace Swalwell</p><p>Wahab, a state senator, moves on to the Aug. 18 special general election, which will determine who will fill the remainder of Swalwell’s term through January. At that time, the winner of November’s election for California’s 14th District will be sworn in for a full two-year term.</p><p>Wahab also is competing in the November election.</p><p>Swalwell’s seat was vacated when he resigned from Congress amid allegations of sexual assault.</p><p>DC mayoral candidate Janeese Lewis George gives upbeat speech to supporters</p><p>“Tonight we are making history by showing America that the dream of America is alive in its capital city,” Lewis George told a crowd at her election viewing party.</p><p>With results still rolling in, Lewis George expressed confidence in her chances.</p><p>“The early results have come in, and it is looking good for us,” she said as she thanked the coalition of volunteers and workers that came out to support her.</p><p>Everett Wess wins the Democratic primary runoff for US Senate in Alabama</p><p>The attorney defeated businessman Dakarai Larriett and moves on to the November general election.</p><p>Wess is seeking the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor.</p><p>Wess is the managing partner of The Wess Law Firm, a former municipal judge, city prosecutor and public defender. His legal practice is primarily focused on estate planning and criminal defense. Wess has emphasized his legal experience and experience working within the Democratic Party.</p><p>“Families throughout Alabama are struggling with inflation, housing costs, high gas bills, high utility bills and these everyday expenses,” he said during an online candidate forum hosted by Birmingham Indivisible.</p><p>Republicans dominate Alabama politics, currently holding all statewide offices. But Democrats believe that frustration about inflation and other issues could give them an opening to sway some voters.</p><p>Moore says GOP primary and runoff were ‘brutal’</p><p>Alabama’s Republican nominee for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat told supporters he was humbled as they stood by him through a “brutal” campaign.</p><p>His runoff win Tuesday is another chapter in his political survivor story.</p><p>Moore was first elected to the state’s 2nd District in 2020. But after the district was redrawn to favor a Democrat in 2024, he challenged the sitting GOP incumbent in the 1st District and won. In the Senate primary, he defeated Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and newcomer Jared Hudson.</p><p>Moore said he was grateful for the endorsement the president, whom Moore called the “greatest president of my lifetime.” He supported Trump as far back as 2015 after he announced his first run for president.</p><p>“For him to come out early for us, and get in the fight for us, that was a full-circle moment for our family,” Moore said.</p><p>Polls have closed in California</p><p>In-person Election Day voting concluded in <a href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/california-special-general-results-us-house-district-14/">California’s 14th Congressional District</a> at 11 p.m. ET. Comparable past elections can <a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-primary-special-congressional-election-ca14-swalwell-321ae06b41163e38fabb9bce636f60ea">offer clues</a> about when to expect the first vote results and how long the vote count might take.</p><p>In the statewide special election for Proposition 50 on Nov. 4, 2025, the AP first reported results from Alameda County, home to the 14th District, at 11:14 p.m. ET, or 14 minutes after polls closed. The last vote update of the night was at 1:33 a.m. ET, with about 57% of total votes counted. The county completed about 99% of the vote county by Nov. 10.</p><p>Voters were still casting ballots hours after most DC polls closed</p><p>Election board spokesperson Sarah Graham said six centers remained open around 10:30 p.m. ET. She said it was unclear whether the cause of the delay was long lines.</p><p>Guidance for the Board said the voting centers would remain open for anyone who was still in line at 8 p.m. when polls closed. D.C. has 75 such centers and residents are allowed to vote at any of them.</p><p>Tuesday’s primary marked the first time that D.C. has ever had ranked choice voting. There are a number of races on the ballot, including several D.C. Council seats as well as primary elections for mayor and delegate to Congress.</p><p>Alabama city could be well represented in Congress</p><p>If Moore prevails in November, both of Alabama’s U.S. senators will be from the same hometown.</p><p>He and Republican Sen. Katie Britt grew up in Enterprise, a city of about 31,000 in southeastern Alabama. They also graduated from Enterprise High School — Moore in 1984 and Britt in 2000.</p><p>Moore had his election night watch party at Rawls Restaurant, an Italian restaurant in Enterprise, where he still lives. A large crowd gathered in the private event room decorated with campaign signs. Britt now lives in Montgomery.</p><p>Enterprise is in a region of the state called the Wiregrass, which refers to a type of native grass that dots the region. It’s best known for peanut farming and Fort Rucker, an Army base where helicopter pilots are trained — but could soon be known as the hometown of senators.</p><p>Burt Jones laments his loss in Georgia governor’s race</p><p>Jones kept his remarks short, expressing his disappointment and thanking his supporters.</p><p>“Looks like we’re going to come up a little short here tonight and that’s unfortunate,” he said. “We had a great Election Day. We just didn’t have enough runway to get it all the way there.”</p><p>He thanked Jackson and congratulated him on his win.</p><p>“We were outspent probably seven or eight to one, and it was a very competitive race, and we felt like we had a chance to win tonight and just came up a little short,” Jones said.</p><p>After his remarks, Jones circulated among his supporters, posing for photos and thanking them for being there.</p><p>US Rep. Barry Moore wins GOP nomination for US Senate in Alabama</p><p>Moore benefited from Trump’s endorsement in the solidly Republican state. He defeated political newcomer Jared Hudson in the Republican primary runoff.</p><p>Moore is a three-term congressman and a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. In endorsing him, Trump said Alabama deserved a “Trump conservative” in the Senate</p><p>Hudson, a former Navy SEAL, had forced Moore into a competitive runoff after the state’s May primary by running as a political outsider and attacking Moore over his ties to Washington.</p><p>The seat is being vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor in November.</p><p>Mike Mazzei, Gentner Drummond advance to Oklahoma GOP runoff for governor</p><p>Mazzei, a former state senator, didn’t receive Trump’s endorsement until the final weeks of a race that featured several prominent Oklahoma Republicans.</p><p>In the runoff he’ll face Drummond, who has served as Oklahoma’s top law enforcement official since 2023 and has loaned his campaign millions of dollars in a bid to become the state’s first new governor in eight years.</p><p>The eventual GOP nominee will be a heavy favorite to succeed outgoing Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who cannot run again because of term limits.</p><p>The runoff will take place Aug. 25.</p><p>DC mayoral candidate Kenyan McDuffie addresses supporters</p><p>McDuffie told those gathered that it’s “going to be a while before we know the results of this election.” He urged voters to “respect the process.”</p><p>McDuffie thanked his supporters and said that Washington residents had “showed up in this election like I have never seen before.”</p><p>He defended the city’s autonomy against threats of a federal takeover by the Trump administration.</p><p>“Washington, D.C., has a right to govern itself. It is under threat right now, but Donald Trump does not run Washington, D.C. We do,” McDuffie told the crowd. “And we will fight for D.C.’s autonomy every single day of the week.”</p><p>Jackson says his early life experiences gave him empathy</p><p>He said he feels the pain of Georgians.</p><p>“I know what it’s like to feel like nobody sees you,” he told supporters after the Republican gubernatorial runoff.</p><p>“I had seven different stepfathers and a mother who battled alcoholism,” he said. “I lived with five different foster families and attended 13 different schools.”</p><p>“But with God’s help, I built a business, created thousands of jobs and lived the American dream.”</p><p>Rick Jackson tells supporters “I can’t be bought”</p><p>Jackson sounded jubilant after the Georgia Republican gubernatorial runoff.</p><p>“The SEC championship is over — on to the national championship,” he said to a cheering audience. “Thank you, Georgia.”</p><p>The billionaire noted his outsider status as a strength.</p><p>“I’m the only candidate who doesn’t owe a thing to the political establishment,” he said. “I can’t be bought and I won’t back down.”</p><p>Jackson, whose opponent Burt Jones was endorsed by Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp, said: “We proved the people of Georgia are in charge.”</p><p>Billionaire Rick Jackson wins Georgia’s GOP nomination for governor</p><p>Jackson, who gave his campaign more than $93 million of his own money, defeated Burt Jones, the lieutenant governor who carried Trump’s endorsement after being part of the president’s effort to overturn his 2020 election defeat.</p><p>Jackson said he was the most Trump-like figure in the race as an outsider businessman. His personal investment puts him among the biggest self-funded candidates in U.S. history.</p><p>He’ll face Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms in the general election. Bottoms was just the second Black woman to serve as Atlanta mayor and she’s vying to become the first Black woman elected governor of a U.S. state.</p><p>Derek Dooley concedes to Collins in Georgia and attacks Ossoff</p><p>The former college football coach said he had been “humbled” by the grueling Senate campaign. He thanked his political ally, Gov. Brian Kemp, for endorsing his Senate bid, as well as his family and campaign staff for their support.</p><p>“I will be forever indebted to you, and I will help you any way I can,” Dooley told his staff.</p><p>“Congratulations to Congressman Collins. He ran a tough campaign, he got out early and we just never could catch him. We have a lot of disagreements but the one thing that hasn’t changed is my opinion of Jon Ossoff,” Dooley said.</p><p>Collins says the mission is to defeat Ossoff</p><p>“Y’all know what the mission? It’s to put a Republican in that seat and to get rid of that Jon Ossoff,” Collins told supporters after winning the Georgia Republican Senate runoff.</p><p>“We can put forward an agenda that puts Georgians first. One that builds on a vision where the forgotten man is forgotten no more,” he said.</p><p>“It stands in stark contrast to what Jon Ossoff has done,” Collins said, calling the Democrat “the deciding vote for Joe Biden’s massive spending bill.”</p><p>Collins thanks family but not Trump in victory speech</p><p>Collins is thanking supporters after winning the Georgia Republican runoff for U.S. Senate.</p><p>Amid waving signs of “I like Mike” and “Delivering wins,” the U.S. House member first thanked his wife of 37 years, Leanne, before mentioning others.</p><p>“She is the rock of our family,” he said. “And has always had my back.”</p><p>Collins did not mention Trump, who endorsed him in the runoff.</p><p>Senate super PACs ready for major showdown in Georgia after Collins wins GOP runoff</p><p>Senate Leadership Fund, the top Senate Republican super PAC, congratulated Collins on his win. It then then immediately pivoted to attacking his general election Democratic opponent, incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff,” as a “rubber stamp” for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.</p><p>In a statement, the PAC said Ossoff “is wildly out of step with Georgia voters, spending the last six years advancing radical liberal priorities at the expense of working families.”</p><p>Meanwhile, Senate Majority PAC, the top Democratic super PAC in Senate campaigns, swiftly lambasted Collins.</p><p>“Mike Collins is an opposition researcher’s dream,” Lauren French, a spokesperson for Senate Majority PAC, said in a statement. “He treats Congress like a money-making scheme for his family business, an ethics-free zone, and a conspiracy theory clearinghouse — sometimes all in the same week. This unelectable nepo baby doesn’t have what it takes to beat Jon Ossoff.”</p><p>Janeese Lewis George’s watch party gets started in DC</p><p>The crowd has started filtering into the mayoral candidate’s party inside the historic Howard Theatre, where some of the biggest names in Black music and entertainment history have played, including Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and James Brown.</p><p>Frazier O’Leary, a former member of the D.C. Board of Education got there early to support Lewis George. He met her in 2018 during his first campaign.</p><p>“She helped me in my campaign,” he said. They supported one another’s campaigns until 2024, when he lost his reelection bid.</p><p>“I’ve always been impressed by her commitment to the city and to the things I care about,” he said. “It’s been wonderful watching her grow as a person.”</p><p>Trump-backed Rep. Kevin Hern wins GOP Senate nomination in Oklahoma</p><p>Hern is seeking the Senate seat once held by Homeland Security Secretary <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mullin-immigration-homeland-security-tsa-344f83e9142ac2d5dbfbd2176defb353">Markwayne Mullin.</a></p><p>His victory is the latest <a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-ken-paxton-republicans-john-cornyn-efab00e2b0b3fde889bcc281fe1bdbc2">demonstration of the power</a> of Trump’s endorsements within the GOP.</p><p>The four-term congressman received more than 50% of the vote in a five-person field to avoid an August runoff after Trump’s support kept his most serious potential rivals out of the race.</p><p>The endorsement arrived even before the Senate confirmed Mullin as a replacement for fired Homeland Security Secretary <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kristi-noem">Kristi Noem</a>.</p><p>Hern will be favored to win the seat in November. Democrats haven’t won a U.S. Senate race in Oklahoma since 1990.</p><p>Mike Collins wins Georgia’s Republican Senate nomination</p><p>Collins, a second-term congressman, defeated Derek Dooley. He advances to face Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff for a seat that will help determine control of the Senate for the final years of Trump’s second presidency.</p><p>The president endorsed Collins on Sunday. The congressman has identified closely with Trump since he first won his House seat in 2022.</p><p>A trucking company owner and son of a congressman, Collins campaigned as a self-described “MAGA warrior.”</p><p>Trump will be a key fault line in the general election matchup. Ossoff was first elected in 2020 and blasts Trump as a “national embarrassment.”</p><p>___</p><p>Correction: This post has been corrected to show that Trump endorsed Collins.</p><p>Voter sees Jared Hudson’s military service as a plus in bid for US Senate seat in Alabama</p><p>Julian Metheny, who voted for Hudson in Shelby County, said he liked the Republican candidate’s service as a Navy SEAL, his Christian messaging and that he is not part of the political system.</p><p>“I like the fact that he was willing to put his life on the line for our country,” said Metheny, 70, who is from a family with multiple veterans.</p><p>“He’s not playing the game of politics. He’s an outsider,” he said.</p><p>Supporters of US Rep. Barry Moore for US Senate in Alabama like his experience</p><p>Trump’s endorsement helped Moore with certain voters, but some said it wasn’t the only factor in deciding to cast their ballot for him.</p><p>Moore voters at a Methodist church in Pike Road, a rural-feeling suburb near Montgomery, cited his political experience in Washington and the state capital.</p><p>“He’s the best qualified, I can tell you that — no question,” said Bob Marshall, 91.</p><p>Jim and Sandy Cowen said they also thought Moore’s years in office were a benefit.</p><p>“I like the way Moore presents himself. I don’t know Jared,” Jim Cowen said, referring to Moore’s opponent in the GOP primary, former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson.</p><p>Polls have closed in Alabama, Oklahoma and Washington, DC</p><p>In-person Election Day voting concluded in <a href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/alabama-primary-runoff-results/">Alabama</a>, <a href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/oklahoma-primary-results/">Oklahoma</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/district-of-columbia-primary-results/">Washington, D.C.</a> at 8 p.m. ET. Comparable past elections can offer clues about when to expect the first vote results and how long the vote count might take.</p><p>In Alabama’s GOP U.S. Senate primary on May 19, the AP first reported results at 8:28 p.m. ET, or 28 minutes after polls closed. The last vote update of the night was at 12:54 a.m. ET, with more than 99.9% of total votes counted.</p><p>In the 2022 Oklahoma state primary, the AP first reported results at 8:10 p.m. ET, or 10 minutes after polls closed. By 10:30 p.m. ET, more than 90% of the votes had been counted. The last vote update of the night was at 12:33 a.m. ET, with about 99.9% of total votes counted.</p><p>In the 2022 primary election in Washington, D.C., the AP first reported results at 8:30 p.m. ET, or 30 minutes after polls closed. The last vote update of the night was at 11:59 p.m. ET, with about 69% of total votes counted. The District’s new ranked choice voting system will extend the timeline for any races that advance to ranked choice tabulation.</p><p>Polls have closed in Georgia</p><p>In-person Election Day voting concluded in Georgia at 7 p.m. ET.</p><p>Comparable past elections can offer clues about when to expect the first vote results and how long the vote count might take.</p><p>In the May 19 Republican primary for governor, the AP first reported results at 7:13 p.m. ET, or 13 minutes after polls closed. The last vote update of the night was at 3:13 a.m. ET, with more than 99.9% of total votes counted.</p><p>Personal relationships with candidates color Georgia voters’ choices</p><p>At a polling place in Griffin, some Republican voters relied on their personal knowledge of candidates when making their selections.</p><p>Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who’s running for governor, and U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, who’s running for U.S. Senate, both grew up in Jackson, about 20 miles away.</p><p>Joann Colwell-Kinard, 82, said she voted for both Jones and Collins, having known their families for more than 50 years and believing them to be “good, honest people.”</p><p>“I just think he’s a very honest person and I think he’ll do a good job,” she said of Jones.</p><p>Stephen Tobias, 63, said he voted for former football coach Derek Dooley for Senate, saying he didn’t like Collins. He also backed Rick Jackson over Burt Jones for governor because he doesn’t like data centers.</p><p>“They’re putting a data center right in my backyard, so I’m not really a happy camper,” Tobias said.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/BylFw7Q7o5o-ymylcjAY7xCbbxY=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RRQKTTC5XZEULHUZIJUXMWDKSQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3468" width="5202"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins speaks during an election-night watch party after winning the Republican nomination, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Jackson, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Colin Hubbard</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/3iKgPKCqr9G3jEVAUOzqDCK0bPo=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ODODOAHYN5EYNGHLM6GZPE7KTM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3391" width="5086"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Barry Moore speaks to supporters at his election night watch party at the Rawls Hotel, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Enterprise, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Butch Dill</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/4KdfzuKzSgf7vNK76i9xk5ZszAU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/XI2S6FW6VVEJNFSDFJB2PDK3OE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4032" width="6048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A voter leaves a polling location at St. Luke's Methodist Church, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Nate Billings</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/PaLbyksn-eqgWeg3BPHodNIRq4w=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4LU7EQ5BPVACJKJU525BBR3YNI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3094" width="4640"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A basket holds stickers for voters at a polling location inside St. Luke's Methodist Church, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Nate Billings</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/sZzzaTClvLawW7TwhwsMy-Owf5Q=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/2YGKQ6WNL5FB3KID6LX5R73DLQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[People cast their vote during D.C. primary election at Shepard Park Elementary, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jose Luis Magana</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[In Georgia’s Capitol, Republicans' redistricting session to begin without maps]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/in-georgias-capitol-republicans-redistricting-session-to-begin-without-maps/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/in-georgias-capitol-republicans-redistricting-session-to-begin-without-maps/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bill Barrow, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Georgia is the next Southern state where Republicans are convening to redraw political districts in ways that could diminish the political power of Black and other nonwhite voters.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:20:58 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Georgia is the next Southern state where Republicans are convening to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/redistricting-congress-voting-rights-trump-6c8fbbc250f45a91412f63fc78608cee">redraw voting districts</a> in ways that could diminish the political power of Black and other nonwhite voters after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-voting-rights-congressional-redistricting-louisiana-aa5d7dbde7c13654f341d152c2ad5229">the U.S. Supreme Court gutted</a> Voting Rights Act provisions that helped shape existing boundaries <a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-louisiana-alabama-4e3225083caccda5ec73a98533a79add">in racially diverse states</a>. </p><p>The General Assembly convenes Wednesday in a special session called by outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp in response to the court's Louisiana v. Callais decision, which struck down Louisiana’s congressional map as an illegal racial gerrymander.</p><p>Kemp, who is in the final months of his second term, deviated from other governors who fast-tracked new congressional maps for the November midterms partly in response to President Donald Trump's pleas to shore up the party's chances at maintaining control of Congress. Kemp instead wants Georgia lawmakers to draw districts for the 2028 elections. Yet the governor moved ahead of his Southern counterparts by asking the Republican-controlled Assembly to redraw its own boundaries, as well. </p><p>That would make Georgia the first state to apply Callais to its legislature and demonstrate the cascading effect of the high court's decision across Southern states that have the nation's highest proportion of Black voters and Black lawmakers.</p><p>The issue is especially salient in Georgia, where the Capitol complex includes a statue of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and sits blocks from where the slain civil rights icon lived, preached and led the movement that yielded the Voting Rights Act in 1965. </p><p>Still, neither Kemp nor Republican legislative leaders had unveiled proposed changes as of late Tuesday, frustrating Democrats and activists who plan daily demonstrations throughout the session.</p><p>“They have not been transparent,” said state Rep. Tanya Miller, a Black legislator from Atlanta who is the Democratic nominee for attorney general. “Something as fundamental as voters getting to choose their leaders ought not to be done in the dark, ought not happen in back rooms.”</p><p>The governor told The Associated Press he wasn't ready to discuss details. </p><p>“I’ll talk about redistricting on Wednesday,” Kemp said as he campaigned for fellow Republicans ahead of Georgia’s primary runoffs that were held Tuesday. </p><p>House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, a veteran of earlier redistricting efforts, said the outcome “will be a legislative prerogative” — a notion Kemp aides confirmed. But Jones said that even as a top-ranking Republican on the committee that would consider new maps, she hasn't “been in any room creating maps.”</p><p>Asked directly who is drawing new districts, she replied: “I don't know.”</p><p>Conservative justices gave the green light</p><p>Before Callais, Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act was understood to require maps — for Congress, state legislatures and local legislative bodies — that gave historically marginalized minorities a reasonable chance to select candidates of their choice. Nationally and in Georgia, those so-called “opportunity districts” have disproportionately elected Black and other nonwhite representatives.</p><p>For example, about a third of Georgia's 180 state representatives are Black. Latino, Asian and other minorities bring the total nonwhite share to about 40% — roughly reflecting the state's overall population. Georgia's U.S. House delegation has five districts out of 14 total where the electorate is majority or plurality nonwhite. All elected Black Democrats in 2024.</p><p>With the Callais ruling, issued earlier this spring, a conservative majority of justices concluded that jurisdictions drawn with racial makeup in mind are discriminatory and violate the U.S. Constitution's equal protection clause. The justices declared that apportionment should be “race neutral.”</p><p>Their stated reasoning did not hinge on party interests, and federal courts have said partisan gerrymandering is constitutionally permissible. But in Southern states, especially, party loyalty dovetails considerably with race and ethnicity. So the decision has allowed Republicans — a party dominated by white people — to redraw maps to goose likely GOP districts by redistributing nonwhite voters who tend to support Democrats. </p><p>That, many civil rights activists and experts argue, makes it impossible for Southern legislatures to be genuinely “race neutral” when drawing boundaries. </p><p>Emory University professor Carol Anderson compared Callais and the resulting redistricting push to poll taxes and literacy tests imposed by white Southern conservatives — and blessed by the Supreme Court — during the Jim Crow era. </p><p>“They used racially neutral language for policies that were clearly racially targeted,” said Anderson, who is also a board member of Fair Fight Action, a group organizing against the Georgia redistricting. </p><p>There are risks for Kemp and Republicans</p><p>It's not guaranteed that Georgia Republicans can get what they want from new maps. </p><p>Partisan gerrymandering involves redistributing voters — packing certain citizens into fewer districts or dividing them across more districts. Around metro Atlanta, spreading nonwhite, Democratic-leaning voters across more districts could make more seats seem to lean Republican. The risk, however, is that more battleground districts emerge because white metropolitan voters are trending less conservative, which could give Democratic candidates of any race or ethnicity more chances to win. </p><p>That's perhaps not a major factor in the Georgia state Senate, which already is considered gerrymandered for Republicans. But it could be a consideration when drawing state House and U.S. House maps. </p><p>Kemp is effectively asking Republicans, especially in metro Atlanta, to redraw their own boundaries and take on new, unfamiliar territory. </p><p>Trump started the fight before the Supreme Court decision</p><p>Nationally, a partisan redistricting battle started last year when Trump urged Republican-controlled states to redraw congressional boundaries to shore up the GOP's narrow House majority in Washington this November. Texas answered the call first.</p><p>California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democrats in Sacramento answered with their own gerrymander that voters later approved. A succession of states followed. The outcome would have been close to even had the Virginia Supreme Court, controlled by conservatives, not struck down new Democratic-drawn maps approved by the state’s voters. All told, Republicans think they could gain as many as 16 seats from their <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/redistricting">redistricting efforts</a> while Democrats think they could gain six seats from new districts in California and Utah. </p><p>That still may not be enough for the GOP to hold a congressional majority, given Trump's lagging approval ratings. But it could mitigate Democratic gains and set Republicans up well for 2028 and beyond. </p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Frj9AHaaHeFl-H-rv_naoNjP5Bs=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7QROPODEZ5C6DH5HZOM6GOV5U4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3744" width="5616"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Gov. Brian Kemp speaks during the State of the State, Jan. 15, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Brynn Anderson</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Messi has his first World Cup hat trick as defending champion Argentina beats Algeria 3-0 in opener]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/messi-has-his-first-world-cup-hat-trick-as-defending-champion-argentina-beats-algeria-3-0-in-opener/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/messi-has-his-first-world-cup-hat-trick-as-defending-champion-argentina-beats-algeria-3-0-in-opener/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dave Skretta, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Lionel Messi registered his first World Cup hat trick and moved into a tie for first on the tournament's career scoring list in a brilliant performance against Algeria on Tuesday night.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 03:07:13 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Lionel Messi registered his <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-argentina-lionel-messi-6bdb86e04ed24187b4321cdeed542d4c">first World Cup hat trick</a> while moving into a tie for first on the tournament's career scoring list Tuesday night, sending defending champion Argentina to a dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria in its group-stage opener.</p><p>Messi scored his first goal in the opening minutes on a nice feed from Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, the second on a rebound early in the second half. Shortly after <a href="https://x.com/FOXSports/status/2067074983470289137">he got his third</a> on a strike from the top of the penalty box, he subbed out to a standing ovation from a heavily pro-Argentina crowd.</p><p>The trio of goals gave him 16 for his career, putting him in a tie with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the career record. They also allowed him to join Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players to have scored in five World Cups.</p><p>“The first matches at the World Cup are always tough,” Messi said after playing in the tournament for a record-setting sixth time, “and we’re seeing that nobody’s giving anything away.”</p><p>Well, almost nothing. Algeria made some crucial mistakes on the first two of Messi's goals, which came 20 years to the day that he made his World Cup debut for Argentina in a match against Serbia and Montenegro — he scored in that one, too.</p><p>“We're not talking about any old footballer,” Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic said. “Unfortunately we also afford him the opportunity with the first and second goal, and we actually made it easier for him. But Messi, with his clear thinking in crucial stages of the game, is able to do things that much more easily.”</p><p>Messi's brilliant hat trick helped Argentina get off to a much better start than its last World Cup. Four years ago, La Albiceleste were beaten by Saudi Arabia in their opening match in Qatar, only to rally from there to win their third world title.</p><p>“The first match is always tricky,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “We had stumbled in the last World Cup and we needed to have a good debut today.”</p><p>Messi, who turns 39 next week, nearly had two other goals against Algeria, never once looking like the mild hamstring injury that worried fans in the run-up to the tournament was a problem. One found the back of the net but was called back because he was ever-so-slightly offside, and another strike in the second half just cleared the crossbar.</p><p>He was a pest on defense, too, helping Argentina lock down the overmatched Les Fennecs. </p><p>“Argentina have a special player who can change a game on his own,” Algeria star Riyad Mahrez said.</p><p>Algeria's best chance came in the opening minutes, when Fares Chaibi's would-be goal was taken away by a VAR review that showed he was offside. Messi scored moments later, and the rest of the night belonged to him and Argentina.</p><p>“I like playing soccer. It’s been my passion since I was little,” Messi said. “When I’m in good shape, I give it my all.”</p><p>The game played at Arrowhead Stadium fulfilled the longtime <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-soccer-lamar-hunt-chiefs-usa-america-4c0c5deae5a1741cdb5345202f8581a4">dream of the late Lamar Hunt,</a> who not only founded the NFL franchise that calls it home, but who was instrumental in the growth of soccer in the U.S. from the 1960s through the early 2000s.</p><p>Hunt played a big role in the U.S. hosting the 1994 World Cup. His sons, Clark and Dan, are doing likewise with this edition.</p><p>Among those in the crowd on a picture-perfect night in the Heartland were Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who traded in his usual red-and-yellow football uniform for a blue sweatsuit and white shirt, and his wife, Brittany. </p><p>Argentina will continue its pursuit of back-to-back titles in Arlington, Texas, when it plays Austria on Monday and Jordan on June 27. Algeria plays Jordan on Monday in Santa Clara, California, before facing Austria in its Group J finale on June 27 in Kansas City.</p><p>“The goal,” De Paul said, “is always to arrive on the first day and leave on the last.”</p><p>___</p><p>AP World Cup: <a href="https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup">https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/cUI1QoPTlAS3zJgIs6DNeDJn1lQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/N7M6VWIOUFA7JCTBYDLAOBGUBI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3316" width="4974"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) shoots and scores their third goal against Algeria's Riyad Mahrez (7) and Nabil Bentaleb (19) during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Reed Hoffmann</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/tWVgBImMwVSB8GAKki3J40qUCG8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DOAPDFDNYFGZTIC6UBSQDMYPNM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2104" width="3157"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after scoring his third goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charlie Riedel</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/7dEfcArR2kpb3OfWqwC0aVQ8B_c=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AVLGH4XOZFE3JD6AZBIC3BTUMY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4081" width="6121"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after scoring his third goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charlie Riedel</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/4gBlcnyuOvZq_HFh2rbpfi8Dff4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6HYSUET4QZFLRERXNYE6LMRWM4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5439" width="8159"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[General view during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Reed Hoffmann</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/fD0FPGCuOR7l2tXTtUn3mRwMmd0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HQJTURGW4VFMDDAYSUBLEMUO2U.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2658" width="3987"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring their second goal during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Reed Hoffmann</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tunisia’s Hervé Renard embraces challenge against Japan in World Cup debut]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/tunisias-herve-renard-embraces-challenge-against-japan-in-world-cup-debut/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/tunisias-herve-renard-embraces-challenge-against-japan-in-world-cup-debut/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Maya Koluder-Ramirez And Ethan Wilcox, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Hervé Renard has taken over as Tunisia's head coach, replacing Sabri Lamouchi after a heavy loss to Sweden.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:06:33 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>New Tunisia head coach Hervé Renard held his first practice with the squad on Tuesday, shortly after replacing Sabri Lamouchi, who was fired after the team’s 5-1 thumping to Sweden.</p><p>The 57-year-old Frenchman had four days to get the team prepared for its second Group F game against Japan on Saturday.</p><p>“At the moment we need to be focused on ourselves,” Renard told reporters at the team’s training ground just hours after flying into Monterrey. “We still have a few days to be ready.”</p><p>Renard led Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the Green Falcons earned a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-soccer-sports-argentina-middle-east-d7ec4b74a8fe68d9fec292f5db7726d5">shocking 2-1 victory</a> over favorite and eventual champion Argentina. In the 2018 tournament, his Moroccan side earned a draw against Spain but failed to reach the knockout stage.</p><p>Renard said he was eager to experience the trill of the tournament again.</p><p>“It’s a World Cup,” he said. “I know the passion around this event. That’s what motivated me to come and it’s a challenge which isn’t easy.”</p><p>It’s not the first time Renard has replaced Lamouchi. The two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner succeeded his French counterpart in 2014 as head coach of Ivory Coast following its group stage exit at the World Cup.</p><p>It would be a tough ask for Renard to guide Tunisia out of the group stage for the first time in seven World Cup appearances. After their loss to Sweden on Sunday, the Eagles of Carthage need results against Japan and group favorites Netherlands if they are to advance.</p><p>“I’ve told them they have to keep their heads up, you’re here to represent your country,” Renard said.</p><p>___</p><p>Maya Koluder-Ramirez and Ethan Wilcox are students in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute. </p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/u4ia4GLX_y_5agjaaKLnbqS7bbs=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/THXZS6W7AJCOFKAEB6KD7Z2TG4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3726" width="5590"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Herv Renard speaks during a news conference, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Santiago Nuevo Leon, near Monterrey, Mexico, after being named the new coach for Tunisia's World Cup soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Dolores Ochoa</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/DAKZntsKKVA0E9mR81tT4xeuMI8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FMWB5I5GWVBSHMMDADQPOYDQEI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2747" width="4120"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Tunisia's new head coach Herv Renard watches his players during a World Cup soccer training session, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Santiago Nuevo Leon, near Monterrey, Mexico. (AP Photo/Sofia Yaker)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Sofia Yaker</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/H44bCS2j_Z0_KMUrO_JanMcpNnI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/LK4YJFZLD5EKLBXNQV2VCQ566Y.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3804" width="5705"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Herv Renard speaks during a news conference, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Santiago, near Monterrey, Mexico, after being named the new coach for Tunisia's World Cup soccer team. (AP Photo/Sofia Yaker)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Sofia Yaker</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/rzSeW7RTm0DLdkd7tZqNUxbivT8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/I4GJXR2N4NCQJG7QT2SLWS2L4M.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5109" width="7664"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Herv Renard arrives for a news conference, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Santiago Nuevo Leon, near Monterrey, Mexico, after being named the new coach for Tunisia's World Cup soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)(AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Dolores Ochoa</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[A look at presidential libraries as the Obama Presidential Center opens to the public June 19]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/17/a-look-at-presidential-libraries-as-the-obama-presidential-center-opens-to-the-public-june-19/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/17/a-look-at-presidential-libraries-as-the-obama-presidential-center-opens-to-the-public-june-19/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Hillel Italie, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Franklin Roosevelt helped launch the modern system of presidential libraries in the late 1930s.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:06:21 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Whenever historian Geoffrey Ward visits the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/franklin-delano-roosevelt/">Franklin D. Roosevelt</a> Presidential Library and Museum to do research, he finds himself caught up in the spirit of FDR himself, the sense of landed contentment and cheerful disarray that helped define his public image.</p><p>"It feels like you're stepping back into his world," Ward said of the grounds in Hyde Park, New York, that once were home to the Roosevelt family. “The library and home collections reflect all his many interests — stamps, coins, birds he shot and had stuffed as a boy, model ships, children’s books, books about naval history, the pony-drawn sleigh he rode in as a child, and on and on.”</p><p>Since FDR helped launch the modern system of presidential sites in the late 1930s, a network of museums and research facilities has grown nationwide, overseen in part by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) but otherwise as varied as the men they honor. They are set everywhere from the scenic <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ronald-reagan">Ronald Reagan</a> Presidential Library & Museum in California's Simi Valley to the small-town setting of the Herbert Hoover Library and Museum in West Branch, Iowa, to the vast <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/barack-obama">Obama</a> Presidential Center that opens to the public on June 19, Juneteenth, in Chicago. </p><p>Historian Douglas Brinkley, who says he has visited all of the post-FDR libraries, calls them vital hubs for lectures, research, school tours and tourists.</p><p>“Each of the libraries have their own aura," Brinkley says. “Roosevelt came up with a perfect idea by gifting his home in Hyde Park to the people of America, instead of having his papers stored in a warehouse in Virginia or Maryland. He started a tradition of having them go where the president lived.”</p><p>A little presidential spin</p><p>Libraries carry with them a given president's personality and legacy. Brinkley and others note that while the library archives are managed by NARA, the museum is funded by private donors who are likely to prefer a given president's more favorable moments be emphasized or less favorable ones softened. </p><p>On the Hoover website, a page dedicated to the Great Depression emphasizes that some of the policies enacted by Roosevelt, who easily defeated Hoover for reelection, were first proposed by Hoover. The <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/richard-nixon">Richard Nixon</a> library was for years at the heart of a battle between museum administrators and the former president and his supporters over everything from control of his archives to how much space should be dedicated to the Watergate scandal that helped lead to Nixon's resignation.</p><p>Max Boot, author of a 2024 biography of Reagan, contrasted his access to the Reagan archives with the museum itself. The late president's records were “administered by federal employees in an entirely professional and apolitical fashion. There is no attempt to hide anything.” The museum “naturally focuses on Reagan’s achievements and shortchanges his failures.”</p><p>“It’s designed to present a positive portrait. Thus, volumes critical of Reagan are not sold in the library bookstore,” Boot said.</p><p>Historian Ted Widmer, a former speechwriter for President <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-clinton">Bill Clinton,</a> said, “While it’s inevitable that the presidential libraries will present the highlights of a presidency, there has been some progress toward transparency in recent years.” </p><p>He praised the Lyndon Johnson library, located in Austin, Texas, for its willingness to take on LBJ's widely criticized handling of the Vietnam War. In 2023, the library helped revive interest in one of Johnson's most notorious campaigns — the 1948 Senate campaign now widely believed to have been stolen — by posting recordings on its website of interviews by Associated Press reporter James W. Mangan with a former Texas election judge who acknowledged certifying false votes that helped LBJ win.</p><p>“It is hard to know if future libraries will continue that trend, in an era in which history is increasingly politicized and polarized,” Widmer says. "But it’s healthy for our democracy to encourage the study of history as it really happened — not a sanitized version.”</p><p>The Obama experience</p><p>Obama officials have faced criticism for the center's size and aesthetic — “The building has an ominous presence, its mostly windowless heft recalling a menacing sci-fi headquarters,” wrote The Guardian's Oliver Wainwright — and for their decision not to have a NARA facility on site. A substantial amount of the former president's records are digital, a trend Brinkley expects to continue with future libraries.</p><p>As many as 1 million people are expected to visit the center's 20-acre campus each year, with highlights including a public library branch, an NBA-grade basketball court, a fruit and vegetable garden and a playground. Former President Barack Obama tested out one of the high metal slides in May.</p><p>“That was fantastic,” he said after zipping down, according to a video posted to the Obama Foundation’s social media. “I was a little tall for it.”</p><p>Obama also decided many of the center's details and features, from textured stone on the museum’s 225-foot tower to a pair of high-backed reading chairs inside the library. Among his favorite items, though, are charcoal grills that will be available for public use. He floated the idea to the public at a 2017 community meeting, and was met with warm laughs from the hometown crowd. </p><p>“We don’t have any folks who grill here?” Obama said at the time. “I thought this was the South Side of Chicago.”</p><p>___</p><p>Associated Press writer Sophia Tareen in Chicago contributed to this report.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/GtjmHFg0mqF7ZIpt1vaMSapeYhc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SHH2WAROYZA4ZLJF6M4MMPJE2E.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1635" width="2400"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - The bust of President Franklin D. Roosevelt stands in front of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, N.Y., on Nov. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Craig Ruttle</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Interim US-Iran deal leaves the thorniest issue still to be negotiated: Tehran's nuclear program]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/interim-us-iran-deal-leaves-the-thorniest-issue-still-to-be-negotiated-tehrans-nuclear-program/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/17/interim-us-iran-deal-leaves-the-thorniest-issue-still-to-be-negotiated-tehrans-nuclear-program/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Matthew Lee, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The interim deal between the U.S. and Iran is supposed to usher in a two-month period that would address the most divisive issue between the longtime adversaries — Tehran’s nuclear program.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:01:10 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-israel-lebanon-oil-june-16-2026-d79458506c46e3f4a78aef0f9d8b9250">interim deal between the U.S. and Iran</a> is supposed to usher in a two-month period that would address the most divisive issue between the longtime adversaries — Tehran's nuclear program.</p><p>Preventing Iran from attaining a nuclear bomb is a key reason that President Donald Trump said he launched the war alongside Israel in February, but <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-trump-agreement-talking-points-4166975ec5cf58ef4acaa370171f623f">the tentative agreement he has trumpeted</a> leaves little runway to negotiate the long-running sticking point. The previous nuclear pact between Iran and world powers, which <a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-iran-cead755353a1455bbef08ef289448994">Trump pulled the U.S. from</a> in his first term, took many months to negotiate.</p><p>Few details have been publicly released about <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-oil-june-15-2026-77406473da38c6c126818610a219dc20">the initial deal</a>, set to be officially signed Friday in Switzerland, but it generally calls for <a href="https://apnews.com/article/strait-of-hormuz-oil-prices-iran-war-8304cc39c6ebe6f863f6f39ee6ce9768">reopening the Strait of Hormuz</a> to global oil shipments, financial incentives for Iran if it meets certain benchmarks, and a 60-day period for talks on ending the country's nuclear program.</p><p>There is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-senate-iran-trump-deal-graham-vance-00181f6ba851ad06d1f378946302379b">deep skepticism among both Republican</a> and Democratic lawmakers, pro-Israel advocates and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-israel-iran-deal-trump-580112432fa563e6eb299640453e3ba9">Israel itself</a> that the deal is realistic, workable or would have any effect on <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-us-war-timeline-c9cf4cae2651d343a9f2eda4132de215">nuclear talks</a>. </p><p>“My skepticism is Iran itself. What would a good deal look like? No enrichment. And we’ll see if we can get there,” Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a close Trump ally and longtime Iran hawk, said Tuesday. “But whether or not we can get phase two, I don’t know.” </p><p>A nuclear deal takes commitment to the details</p><p>David Schenker, director of the Arab Politics Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that “this administration has proven that it has a hard time keeping its attention on these issues.”</p><p>Schenker, who served as assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs in the first Trump administration, questioned whether the current administration would have the wherewithal to reach a nuclear deal even if the agreement is signed Friday.</p><p>“This is the kind of thing that requires dogged attention, attention to detail and numerous technical experts involved,” he said. “Trump loses his attention, moves on, and so does the administration. It’s like they don’t understand Iran’s strategy. They didn’t get it the first time, or the second.”</p><p>The Trump administration has maintained its confidence. Vice President JD Vance said much of the technical detail must be negotiated but that the U.S. must see action for <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-us-pakistan-ceasefire-what-to-know-949710df39e3f1033cbb6beda3955814">Iran to receive incentives like sanctions relief</a>.</p><p>“Our plan under this deal is, again, the Iranians are getting a lot of benefits so long as they dismantle that nuclear weapons program," Vance told Megyn Kelly on her podcast Tuesday. </p><p>“People always ask me, ‘Why do you believe it this time?’ I don’t believe them,” he added. “I don’t trust anything that anybody says. I trust what people do. And the way this deal is structured is that as they do more, they receive more. As they do less, they receive less.”</p><p>Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is peaceful.</p><p>It took over a year and a half to get the previous nuclear deal</p><p>The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, took more than 18 months to negotiate, starting with secret talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Oman at the end of then-President Barack Obama’s first term.</p><p>They required dozens of direct high-level interventions from Secretary of State John Kerry and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, not to mention a team of dozens of technical experts traveling to Europe and elsewhere before the conclusion of the negotiations in Vienna, Austria.</p><p>Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 before most of its more contentious concessions had come into effect, and there is no indication now that Iran is willing to offer much more.</p><p>The JCPOA relied on very technical language and understandings, including limits on uranium enrichment, advanced centrifuges and heavy water production. In exchange, Iran was granted significant sanctions relief, amounting to billions of dollars. </p><p>As unhappy as critics were about the JCPOA — Trump called it the “worst deal ever negotiated,” while all Republicans and a number of prominent Democrats voted against it — all sides acknowledge it took more than 18 months to get to an even imperfect agreement. </p><p>Republicans say Congress must approve any deal</p><p>Republicans say any nuclear deal with Iran should be brought to Congress, as required by law. GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said he “would certainly anticipate that” the Senate will get the final say.</p><p>GOP Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said he had little confidence Iran would abide by any agreement.</p><p>But Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., one of a handful of senators who has spoken to Vance about the agreement, said the shortened timeline could be an advantage.</p><p>“Iran’s modus operandi is to negotiate for the purpose of delaying, so they can rearm themselves,” Marshall said. “I think the president has to give them some type of a finite amount of time, or there’s going to be consequences. So I think it can be done.”</p><p>Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., noted that what could help Trump’s negotiators to hammer out a nuclear agreement in such a truncated timeline is that there is “a base" to work from following the Obama-era talks.</p><p>Still, the JCPOA "took years to put together. You had allies and even adversaries — China and Russia — around the table, you had the IAEA at the table, the Obama chief negotiator had a Nobel Prize in physics, Ernie Moniz,” Kaine said. “I don’t know that either Jared Kushner or Steve Witkoff have a Nobel Prize. So it’s going to be hard.”</p><p>Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner, neither of whom had any prior experience in nuclear negotiations, made numerous but ultimately unsuccessful attempts to reach an agreement under Omani mediation during the first months of Trump’s second term.</p><p>Those tapered off after the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025 — after which Pakistan emerged as the main facilitator.</p><p>There also is uncertainty about other issues besides nuclear that have been of concern to Arab countries, Israel, Europe and the United States.</p><p>It is not clear that any of those issues, including Iran’s ballistic missile program, its support for militant proxies in the region or repression of its own people, will be addressed by either the interim or potential longer-term agreements.</p><p>Without significant capitulations by Trump up-front, it is hard to imagine that nuclear negotiations with Iran will take only several months.</p><p>“A deal is better than more fighting, but the war America and Israel prosecuted against Iran has fallen short of achieving its stated objectives,” said Brian Katulis, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute. “This agreement is mostly about cleaning up an unnecessary mess and putting the best face on it.”</p><p>___</p><p>Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim and Nathan Ellgren contributed to this report.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/CBEMYCUVWNJjlGhWaPQMH4SgS0w=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CKR6AA46NFGRFOG33RFAA4A4TA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4200" width="6300"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Vice President JD Vance appears on "Hannity" on Monday, June 15, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charles Sykes</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Warsh to face spotlight as Federal Reserve likely to leave interest rates unchanged]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/warsh-to-face-spotlight-as-federal-reserve-likely-to-leave-interest-rates-unchanged/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/warsh-to-face-spotlight-as-federal-reserve-likely-to-leave-interest-rates-unchanged/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The Federal Reserve will enter the Kevin Warsh era Wednesday, as President Trump’s pick to lead the central bank oversees his first policy meeting and holds his first news conference.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:47:39 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Federal Reserve will enter the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-reserve-kevin-warsh-jerome-powell-interest-rates-95ccceb935f5c6ebc3b6a4528fd3cbcb">Kevin Warsh</a> era Wednesday, as President Trump's pick to lead the central bank oversees his first policy meeting and holds his first news conference. </p><p>Yet Warsh isn't expected to immediately usher in significant policy changes. The Fed is likely to keep its key rate unchanged Wednesday at about 3.6% for the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/powell-warsh-trump-federal-reserve-inflation-4e09e4cdb25856635c94abe0021fc1d3">fourth straight meeting</a>, economists say. Fed policymakers could change their post-meeting statement so that it no longer signals the central bank's next move will be to reduce interest rates. Such a change would suggest it could keep rates unchanged for an extended period — or even raise them if inflation <a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-war-gas-878f6759c93fcb078aeefffe19d4dfa5">stays elevated</a>. </p><p>Wednesday's highlight is likely to be the press conference Warsh will hold in the afternoon, which Wall Street investors, economists, and quite likely the White House will closely watch to see how Warsh conducts himself. Warsh was previously an investment banker, a member of the Fed's board of governors from 2006-2011, and a visiting fellow at the conservative Hoover Institution. </p><p>Fed-watchers will look for clues to the answers to some key questions: What, if anything, will he signal about where interest rates will head next? How does he think the Fed should address the elevated inflation stemming from the Iran war and its boost to gas prices? Will he change the Fed's communication practices, and how? </p><p>It's possible, for example, that Warsh could cut the number of press conferences each year from eight — one after each meeting — to four, or one after every other meeting, which was the approach taken by former chair Ben Bernanke when he inaugurated the post-meeting press conference. Warsh has said he would like the Fed to lower its public profile and reduce its commentary on the economy, which he thinks can lock in Fed officials to supporting specific policies for too long, simply because they've expressed their support publicly. </p><p>Yet reduced communication — whether through fewer press conferences or other means — risks alienating the public and financial markets, which have grown used to clear guidance on where the Fed is headed. </p><p>Warsh also faces a sharply different economic environment than when he appeared to campaign for the job of Fed chair last year. Back then, he was outspoken in favor of lower interest rates, as Trump has demanded. He pointed to the development of AI as a technology that could vastly expand the economy's ability to produce goods and services cheaply, which would over time bring down inflation. </p><p>Even then, many economists were <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-warsh-federal-reserve-productivity-inflation-economy-fdd43a1dd672021b2c9706432620da9f">skeptical of his claim</a>. At least in the short run, analysts note that soaring investment in semiconductors and computing equipment is contributing to higher inflation. </p><p>Indeed, since the Iran war began Feb. 28, inflation has accelerated to a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-war-gas-878f6759c93fcb078aeefffe19d4dfa5">three-year high of 4.2%,</a> lifted mostly by costlier gas stemming from the Iran war. The Fed typically fights higher inflation by raising its key interest rate to cool spending and growth. </p><p>Trump has announced an <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-israel-lebanon-oil-june-16-2026-d79458506c46e3f4a78aef0f9d8b9250">initial peace agreement</a> that could bring the three-month conflict to an end, but it's not clear if peace will hold. And even if oil flows freely out of the Middle East again, it could take months for prices of gas, groceries, and items such as airline fares, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-prices-gasoline-groceries-flights-9c413bc111efcfa9bac53b20e9057738">to cool</a>. Already, inflation according to the Fed's preferred measure has topped its 2% target for more than five years.</p><p>At the same time, hiring has picked up in recent months, removing a key rationale for cutting rates. In January, the Fed forecast that it would reduce rates twice this year, as part of its quarterly economic projections. A big reason for those potential cuts is that employers were shedding jobs and policymakers worried that the unemployment rate would rise. The central bank typically cuts its key rate to spur economic growth and hiring. </p><p>But earlier this month a government report showed that <a href="https://apnews.com/article/employment-economy-jobs-layoffs-iran-94068a0f4e441024b05e72eb370b3a15">hiring jumped in May</a>, when employers added 172,000 jobs, the third straight month of solid job gains. </p><p>Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has repeatedly demanded that the Fed cut its key rate. Yet in recent weeks as inflation has picked up, he has said he wants “Kevin” to be independent and make his own decisions. But he also said earlier this month that the Fed shouldn't raise rates, despite higher inflation. </p><p>Trump repeatedly attacked Warsh's predecessor, Jerome Powell, for not cutting rates deeply enough. In January, the Department of Justice even launched an unprecedented investigation into Powell over brief testimony he gave last July about a building renovation. A federal judge threw out the DOJ's subpoenas in the case and the government dropped the investigation. </p><p>The move largely backfired, as Powell <a href="https://apnews.com/article/powell-warsh-trump-federal-reserve-inflation-4e09e4cdb25856635c94abe0021fc1d3">decided to stay</a> on the Fed's board of governors even after his term as chair ended May 15. He can serve a separate term as governor until January 2028. By staying on, he has denied the Trump administration an opportunity to fill an additional seat on the seven-member board. Powell is expected to vote on the Fed's rate decision Wednesday. </p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/h6yw5N09tUuNF3q7zYz7qf2ahgw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/E33TBKAGEJDFTEJQ6SY6RZ2RJI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4629" width="6943"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh speaks during his swearing-in in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Alex Brandon</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/26fOzOnUODjB6Bkzk4hBc63HQbk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WHJ2T3F3R5AABO2T4M2PIE2VWU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2956" width="4434"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh attends his swearing-in in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Alex Brandon</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/ezWagmzcWnUb96T6tTbY-scldng=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UYIQZMWXRBDA5FT4YNL5IIJSXE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3078" width="4617"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Kevin Warsh arrives at his swearing-in ceremony for Chairman of the Federal Reserve in the East Room of the White House, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Alex Brandon</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[B-52 was in the air a very short time before crashing and killing all 8 on board]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/national/2026/06/16/b-52-on-test-flight-plunged-at-nearly-a-mile-a-minute-before-crashing-killing-8/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/national/2026/06/16/b-52-on-test-flight-plunged-at-nearly-a-mile-a-minute-before-crashing-killing-8/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Christopher Weber And Josh Funk, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[A B-52 that crashed during a test flight at Edwards Air Force Base in California was in the air a very short time before slamming into the ground about halfway down the runway.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:56:48 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/b52-crash-california-edwards-air-force-base-ea237a6eec587adbbf9e7a578014ca93">B-52 that crashed</a> during a test flight at <a href="https://apnews.com/article/edwards-air-force-base-history-military-crash-99ba8ecd107faaa643df27c92f195841">Edwards Air Force Base in California</a> was in the air a very short time before slamming into the ground about halfway down the runway.</p><p>All eight people aboard were killed in Monday’s fiery crash of the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/boeing-co">Boeing</a> B-52 Stratofortress, which was taking part in a test mission as part of a program to keep the oldest aircraft in the U.S. fleet flying for decades to come.</p><p>No cause has been determined. Officials at the base said it could take six months to complete the investigation.</p><p>The bomber took off shortly before noon on a clear day, heading southwest into the prevailing winds. It flew straight and crashed on the same 15,000-foot (4,572-meter) runway. The compact wreckage indicates the plane dropped sharply.</p><p>Officials have not yet released the names of the crash victims.</p><p>Lauren Smith told Eyewitness News KBAK-CBS and FOX58 that her husband, Jeromy Smith, was among the victims. He was a flight test engineer for the U.S. Department of Defense and died doing what he loved, she said.</p><p>“It is such a horrible hurt, and I’m still processing everything that happened,” she said.</p><p>The airfield remained closed Tuesday. Crews were making the crash site safe for search and recovery teams to enter, after fires flared up overnight, said Mike Paoli, a spokesperson for the 412 Test Wing at Edwards.</p><p>The aircraft was supporting a “radar modernization program,” Col. James Hayes, the deputy commander for the 412 Test Wing, said Monday. In 2025, Boeing sent a B-52 to Edwards with a modernized radar system that is key to keeping the bomber in the air through at least 2050, nearly a century after it first entered service.</p><p>A test team planned to conduct ground and flight test activities on the aircraft throughout 2026 to feed a production decision, the Air Force said in a 2025 news release. The modern Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system replaced the aircraft’s antiquated radar. It was unclear if that was the same aircraft involved in Monday’s crash.</p><p>AESA replaced 1960s radar technology and offers improved navigation and targeting capabilities, according to a 2023 news release from Raytheon, which designed the new system for the Air Force’s entire B-52 fleet.</p><p>B-52 began flying in the 1950s</p><p>The B-52, a long-range bomber that entered service in 1955, is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons. It has been <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-top-news-north-korea-vietnam-war-vietnam-donald-trump-d27a1567e2334168a740631fdb7ed0c6">used in conflicts involving the U.S. military from Vietnam</a> to Iran. </p><p>Along with a new radar, the fleet of 76 B-52s are scheduled to receive additional upgrades, including new engines, crew compartments, conventional and nuclear communication systems, avionics and weapons. The military said the goal is to make the B-52 a complement to the Air Force’s newest strategic bomber, the <a href="https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/2682973/b-21-raider/">B-21 Raider</a>. </p><p>Aerial footage showed virtually nothing left of the aircraft that went down at the base in the Mojave Desert about 100 miles (161 km) northeast of Los Angeles. Officials determined no one could have survived after reviewing footage of the crash, Hayes said at a news conference. </p><p>Those on the B-52 included government contractors, Boeing employees and uniformed military. </p><p>Edwards is home to the 412th Test Wing, which conducts regular developmental testing of all Air Force aircraft, weapons systems, software and components before purchase by the service as well as throughout their life span. Test missions take place at Edwards daily, Hayes said. </p><p>The base is where <a href="https://apnews.com/article/chuch-yeager-dies-at-97-air-force-f027e8960916cbd8094ab9f05ec2cbf2">Air Force test pilot Chuck Yeager</a> reached a speed of Mach 1.05 and broke the sound barrier in 1947.</p><p>Investigators will closely examine the flight controls and engines</p><p>Aviation safety experts have said their first thoughts about what might have caused the crash were about a malfunction in the flight controls or engines, but it is way too early to know. And investigators will consider a myriad of factors, including the age and maintenance of the plane. </p><p>J. Joseph, a retired Marine Corps colonel and airline pilot. said that even in a B-52 with eight engines, a malfunction can make the plane difficult to control if the pilot loses the outboard engines, and the forces pushing the plane get out of balance in a condition Joseph called asymmetric thrust. Although if there is time, the pilots can adjust the other throttles to rebalance the forces.</p><p>Heather Penney, a former F-16 combat pilot and aviation expert, said she knew one of the people who died aboard the B-52 personally — reinforcing how tragic this crash is for the close-knit community of military aviators. She declined to name the person before officials do. </p><p>She said it is unlikely that pilot error caused this crash given the expert training and experience of the test pilots on this flight. The age of the B-52 also opens up the possibility of problems with the structure of the plane.</p><p>“The youngest B- 52 was delivered to the Air Force in 1962. That was before the Cuban missile crisis, before the first man walked on the moon, before we had personal computers,” said Penney, who is director of Studies and Research at The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. “These are old airplanes. They’re structurally robust, but they are old aircraft. So structural failure can’t be ruled out.”</p><p>All the modernization efforts and upgrades that have been made to the B-52s over the decades have extended the life of these planes. At some point, these bombers will have to be replaced, but for now they continue to play a crucial role for the Air Force.</p><p>“The B-52 fleet that we have today, is the backbone of America’s bomber force. It’s over 50% of our bomber force, and it can go further, have larger payload, and stay airborne longer without refueling than any of our other bombers,” Penney said. “There’s no other bomber in our force has the attributes of the B-52. It’s been a workhorse. It’s going to continue to be a workhorse.”</p><p>___</p><p>This story has been updated to correct details of the bomber’s flight based on data analysis by AirNav Systems. AirNav now says the plane took off toward the southwest, not the northeast flew straight and crashed almost immediately, and was not airborne for 3 minutes and did not make a turn. It flew straight and crashed almost immediately.</p><p>___</p><p>Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press journalist Konstantin Toropin contributed from Washington, D.C.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Em0mPfag60OrreqI6t18lWQGL54=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DIUGWOBWJFBR3NOBWSLC3P5P4Q.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1148" width="1530"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Smoke plumes rise from a B-52 bomber that crashed shortly after takeoff at a U.S. Air Force base in Southern California, Monday, June 15, 2026. (Debbie Reyes Katz via AP Photo)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/b5H2BD5KtmLVoJp5Lxd2c3kGS_0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7246NQV2JRAE5PKEPL2BAPUXNY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1149" width="1532"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Smoke plumes rise from a B-52 bomber that crashed shortly after takeoff at a U.S. Air Force base in Southern California, Monday, June 15, 2026. (Debbie Reyes Katz via AP Photo)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/YLJT0PlHq9wXB7lu7e-AqElPJZE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/QSRA3PU63RCBRATSW362DKZZSA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1150" width="1533"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Smoke plumes rise from a B-52 bomber that crashed shortly after takeoff at a U.S. Air Force base in Southern California, Monday, June 15, 2026. (Debbie Reyes Katz via AP Photo)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[World Cup what to know: Ronaldo looks to make history by scoring in 6th World Cup]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/2026/06/16/world-cup-what-to-know-ronaldo-looks-to-make-history-by-scoring-in-6th-world-cup/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/2026/06/16/world-cup-what-to-know-ronaldo-looks-to-make-history-by-scoring-in-6th-world-cup/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Steve Reed, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Cristiano Ronaldo looks to make history by becoming the first player to score a goal in six World Cups when Portugal meets Congo on Wednesday.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 23:04:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Cristiano Ronaldo, your turn.</p><p>The 41-year-old is set to enter the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">World Cup</a> on Wednesday when Portugal meets Congo after impressive performances by the tournament’s other top stars.</p><p>France’s <a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-senegal-score-world-cup-4e7efa9c28339e91437c08334978add9">Kylian Mbappé</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-norway-score-world-cup-000164c7c16cf67dfadbfa812eae3979">Erling Haaland</a> of Norway each had two goals as they opened their World Cup campaigns on Tuesday, while Lionel Messi <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-argentina-lionel-messi-6bdb86e04ed24187b4321cdeed542d4c">scored a hat trick</a> for Argentina. That gave Messi 16 career goals in the World Cup, tying him with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the all-time record.</p><p>Ronaldo is also looking to make history by becoming the first player to score in six World Cups. Messi, too, is playing in his sixth World Cup but failed to find the net in 2010.</p><p>“Well, I wish him the best — I hope that he scores but not against us," Congo coach Sébastien Desabre said of the Portugal forward.</p><p>Ronaldo's focus has been on his team's success.</p><p>“We go match by match, but not with the expectations of winning it all,” Ronaldo told reporters in Portugal last week before the team’s departure. “It has to be step by step. A good start is the most important thing,”</p><p>Some Portugal supporters question whether the aging star <a href="https://13071b435662d40190053b9c41ea003a">will be a help or a detriment to the team</a>.</p><p>After scoring just once in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo was upset after he subbed off against South Korea and benched for the club's first knockout-stage match against Switzerland. He also failed to score in the 2024 European Championship — the first time that has happened at a major international tournament.</p><p>But Ronaldo has also shown signs of his old productivity.</p><p>He scored eight goals during Portugal’s 2025 UEFA Nations League title, including an equalizer in the final against Spain. And, he recently won his first Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr, scoring a club-high 28 goals.</p><p>What to watch on June 17</p><p>— Portugal vs. Congo, 1 p.m. EDT in Houston (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)</p><p>— England vs. Croatia, 4 p.m. EDT in Arlington, Texas (FS1/Telemundo/Peacock)</p><p>— Ghana vs. Panama, 7 p.m. EDT in Toronto (FS1/Telemundo/Peacock)</p><p>— Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, 10 p.m. EDT in Mexico City (FS1/Telemundo/Peacock)</p><p>Kane, England seek strong World Cup start vs. Croatia</p><p>Harry Kane, one of the world’s dominant goal scorers, leads England into its first match against Croatia with the Three Lions seeking their first World Cup title since 1966, when they won on home soil.</p><p>Kane has been a force over the past year with 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich across all competitions. The 32-year-old striker has eight goals in two previous World Cups and won the Golden Boot in 2018 by scoring six times in Russia.</p><p>But he didn’t score in England’s semifinal loss to Croatia in 2018. In 2022, he <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-england-harry-kane-tottenham-hotspur-fc-a12191b74c082cb2eb9a5d9f506bbbae">missed a penalty</a> late against France in a 2-1 semifinal loss in Qatar when he sent the ball over the crossbar.</p><p>Kane’s eight World Cup goals are two shy of Gary Lineker's England record.</p><p>Ghana to be without Partey for opener after appeal denied</p><p>Ghana will play its opening match against Panama without midfielder Thomas Partey after a Canadian judge on Tuesday <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ghana-partey-canada-appeal-world-cup-5a1d2b2c0d6b571f235f2161900b35c7">rejected a bid to allow him into the country</a> as he awaits trial on rape charges.</p><p>Partey's visa application was denied last week.</p><p>He will remain in the United States while his teammates play in Toronto on Wednesday. He will be eligible to play in Ghana’s next two matches — both in the U.S.</p><p>Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-ghana-canada-partey-rape-charges-4e88dd3e87dc2a20279e84934762acf2">criticized the visa denial,</a> calling it a “high-handed and extremely unfair decision.” Its appeal was heard by the court earlier Tuesday.</p><p>Partay is awaiting trial in Britain while facing allegations from several women dating to his time playing for Arsenal from 2020-25. He has pleaded not guilty.</p><p>England's Livramento will miss tournament with injury</p><p>England fullback Tino Livramento <a href="https://apnews.com/article/england-world-cup-livramento-chalobah-cccb15f47dca611c28f801af1555e0fc">was ruled out</a> of the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">World Cup</a> on Tuesday because of a calf injury, forcing coach Thomas Tuchel into a late squad change ahead of his team’s opener against Croatia.</p><p>Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah was called up as a replacement and due to head to the England training camp in Kansas City. Livramento was injured during training on Sunday.</p><p>“A subsequent scan and medical assessment on Monday unfortunately confirmed he could play no further part in England’s tournament,” it said in a statement.</p><p>Uzbekistan ready to make World Cup debut</p><p>Uzbekistan will mark the biggest moment in the country's soccer history on Wednesday when it participates in its first World Cup, facing Colombia.</p><p>Coached by Fabio Cannavaro, Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain and a former Ballon d’Or winner, Uzbekistan finished second in Asian qualifying to earn its way into the expanded 48-team field.</p><p>Colombia is back in the World Cup after failing to qualify in 2022.</p><p>More World Cup news</p><p>— <a href="https://apnews.com/article/kylian-mbappe-world-cup-goal-57b8e6072095930cdb6973ed7da6198d">France striker Kylian Mbappé scores 13th and 14th World Cup goals, moving into tie for 3rd all time</a></p><p>— <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-world-cup-complaint-visas-8be2c56639a8ab0c464145710e912a09">US official says Iran knew team would have to leave shortly after match</a></p><p>— <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-new-zealand-tim-payne-paraguay-4f42baffb456a23526794e873dd8de73">Social media star Tim Payne leaves New Zealand for Paraguay’s Olimpia</a></p><p>— <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-tunisia-lamouchi-renard-78cf03da816d9094c348008c06b7ed74">Tunisia fires coach Sabri Lamouchi after 1 match at the World Cup and appoints Herve Renard</a></p><p>— <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-new-zealand-tim-payne-paraguay-4f42baffb456a23526794e873dd8de73">US forward Christian Pulisic practices on his own in calf injury rehab, team says he is ‘day to day’</a></p><p>— <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lagerbielke-sweden-baron-cb155c77a9c885e0a2bd17a0c94e2042">This Sweden defender at the World Cup isn’t your typical soccer player: He’s a baron!</a></p><p>— <a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/world-cup-soccer-9cf6abc6732df1769f2cf2699ed2b339">Highlights from Day 6 in photos</a></p><p>Stats of the day</p><p>England has struggled against European opposition at the global showcase, losing six of its last eight matches. Its overall record versus UEFA teams at the World Cup includes 14 wins, 12 losses and 13 ties.</p><p>___</p><p>AP Sports Writers Jim Vertuno and Kristie Rieken contributed to this report.</p><p>___</p><p>AP World Cup coverage: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/7biCtX1THbN_d6hkcw17EI1xGeg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/QM6PYHOKBFGVRCJOF6M74HSDOI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3200" width="4799"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo warms up during the men's national soccer team training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup soccer tournament Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Marta Lavandier</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/EFsfSbYNn1xyqli2pb-6w2FcpMA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AYPGTG4DQZEU3CMEIDV5H7E6FM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2926" width="4389"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo runs drills during the men's national soccer team training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup soccer tournament Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Marta Lavandier</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/mYriLpBiPEx2r4DfY3Tmdh-64f0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZH7C4JJPFNCLZE4Y375XNYCP6E.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3459" width="2306"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo warms up during the men's national soccer team training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup soccer tournament Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Marta Lavandier</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Argentina is defending its World Cup title, and its fans are more obsessed than ever]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/argentina-is-defending-its-world-cup-title-and-its-fans-are-more-obsessed-than-ever/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/17/argentina-is-defending-its-world-cup-title-and-its-fans-are-more-obsessed-than-ever/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Heather Hollingsworth, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Some Argentina fans shelled out tens of thousands of dollars to follow the World Cup defending champions around the U.S. One group made a 20-hour drive to Tuesday’s opening match in Kansas City against Algeria, living on sandwiches, to save money.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 01:42:20 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-argentina-lionel-messi-3144322aefb0b8b7c9bd012474a8e441">reigning champions Argentina returned</a> to the World Cup stage Tuesday, there was no drive too long and no ticket too pricey for its most fervent fans.</p><p>Three fans bicycled nearly 11,000 miles (17,700 kilometers) from South America to Kansas City, Missouri — without tickets in hand. One group drove 20 hours, living off sandwiches to save money. Daniel Otero, a 73-year-old attending his seventh tournament, is shelling out around $100,000 so he and his two sons can watch the team play over the coming weeks.</p><p>“We are crazy for Argentina,” he said. “That’s why we spend so much money to see our country, our national team.”</p><p>The obsession was rewarded in Kansas City as the team made <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-schedule-results-news-865b72c535d2b5f87f5cb2dc0c098637">opened its World Cup defense,</a> defeating Algeria 3-0. Scoring all three of those goals was the legendary Lionel Messi who, turning 39 next week, could be playing in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lionel-messi-argentina-world-cup-2026-d7c1a56bb0e779a8c59ccd2f878b58ae">his last World Cup.</a></p><p>“Argentina now is like the Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan,” said Juan Martin, 43, of Buenos Aires, Argentina, before the match. “In his prime, he had fans around the world. Argentina has fans around the world with Messi.”</p><p>Martin plans to spend the next month following the team with his girlfriend, 31-year-old Agostina Gomez Uvia, a quest that he estimates will cost them $20,000 each. Similarly Otero is spending $40,000 on tickets alone. </p><p>Otero and his son, Franco Otero, 27, marveled that U.S. families also were wearing Argentina jerseys, emblazoned with Messi’s name. </p><p>“I can't remember an Argentinian team without Messi,” Franco Otero said.</p><p>“He changed the game,” agreed Manuel Valdes, a 29-year-old engineer from Corrientes, Argentina, who traveled to the match with his father and younger brother. “There’s a before and after in football.”</p><p>In the parking lot outside the stadium, 11-year-old Andre Cornuz, of Miami, joined his father as he set up a flag atop a van before the game. In front, members of the band Los Sin Entradas (translation: Those Without Tickets) lined up drums. Passersby stopped to pose for photos in front of the display, which included a giant banner that read, “Lio Te Quiero” — “I love you, Lio” — and a photo of Messi.</p><p>“I have been raised with Messi,” said Andre, whose father is from Argentina and who often travels back to visit his family. “I am very connected to the land.”</p><p>The band's next stop is Dallas, where Argentina is playing next, and then “wherever it takes us,” Andre said.</p><p>Pam Kramer, the chief executive of the Kansas City organizing committee, has marveled over the past week at the lengths that Argentina fans have gone to support the three-time World Cup champions, including the trio that cycled their way <a href="https://apnews.com/article/argentina-national-team-world-cup-kansas-city-8fc256bb4677ac7c95f402ad5e3da81b">to Kansas City</a> in time for the opening match.</p><p>“We had those three Argentine cyclists come here, and they came here without tickets. And the people in Johnson County (Kansas) were like, ‘You know what? We’re fans too. We’re going to make sure you get to a match,’” Kramer said, “and that’s genuine. Nobody is doing it for show. We want people to see what we see, that this place is pretty special.”</p><p>Three hours before kickoff, fans already were lining up to get into the stadium. Jorgelina Skorput, 34, of New York City, waited with her friends as police officers on horseback patrolled the crowd. They drove two days to get here, munching on sandwiches and staying at an Airbnb an hour out of town because it was cheaper. </p><p>All told, she figures the trip cost her $2,000, including the $800 game ticket.</p><p>“I felt like this is the only time, the only opportunity I’m going to get to see the World Cup,” said Skorput, who was born in Rosario, Argentina, and moved to the U.S. when she was 9. “We’re the last champions.”</p><p>___</p><p>AP Sports Writer David Skretta contributed to this report. </p><p>___</p><p>AP World Cup coverage: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/StGSYGPJozl-7yhQrdXKo87rG7Q=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6VUJMQH74ZFFZOS74FI6E4QU5Q.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3535" width="5303"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentinian fans react ahead of the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charlie Riedel</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/6QHxgctkZxr_RTjLUQs0iPOi9Ic=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/Y2P3RXQAZZC33HTGS65UIXA3DU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3870" width="5806"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentinian fans react ahead of the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charlie Riedel</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/aIDT0CndWfl0F36j8UJKacC8iWw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CG4UNBWWHRD5XG27776GRNAOFU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4626" width="6939"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentinian fans react ahead of the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charlie Riedel</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/xW8zStshrKwWeH8A6uivAgNsoKA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/B4YXXL3BH5GCXMT5CEWURR7UFY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3225" width="4837"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentinian fans react ahead of the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charlie Riedel</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Hxb4ydQotUiY2zKPqRsph-znRkc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FXHYOBE5ZZCIHFXMHSMWXDZP6Q.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3272" width="4908"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures ahead of the World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Charlie Riedel</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[France striker Kylian Mbappé scores his 13th and 14th World Cup goals]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/france-striker-kylian-mbappe-scores-his-13th-world-cup-goal-breaking-a-tie-with-pele/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/france-striker-kylian-mbappe-scores-his-13th-world-cup-goal-breaking-a-tie-with-pele/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephen Whyno, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[France striker Kylian Mbappé has scored the 13 and 14th World Cup goals of his career, tied for the fourth most in tournament history.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:43:46 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/mbappe-real-madrid-injury-650e7ceca7f25c1211024022a897278b">Kylian Mbappé</a> passed Pelé on the World Cup goal-scoring list and moved into first in the record books for France's national team.</p><p>Mbappé scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals on Tuesday in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/france-senegal-score-world-cup-4e7efa9c28339e91437c08334978add9">France's 3-1 tournament-opening victory</a> against Senegal. Those were his 57th and 58th playing internationally, tying and passing Oliver Giroud for the most in the country's rich history.</p><p>“I play to make history with my country and help my team win the World Cup,” Mbappé said in French, adding that he was thinking of his family, friends and loved ones when he scored.</p><p>Mbappé first scored in the 66th minute after having several quality scoring chances denied by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, including earlier in the second half. He scored again from long range in the sixth minute of stoppage time, mere seconds after Senegal got its first goal.</p><p>“It was crazy,” France defender William Saliba said. “We just conceded the first goal for Senegal, and just one minute after, we score a banger. I was so happy. Yeah, a crazy goal.”</p><p>Mbappé's second goal broke a tie with Pelé. He celebrated by mimicking playing a flute, after comedian James Corden suggested that on his Fox show.</p><p>After scoring his second of the afternoon to pass countryman Just Fontaine, the 27-year-old playing in his third World Cup is now tied with Germany’s Gerd Müller for the fourth most in tournament history. Mbappé is one behind Brazil's Ronaldo and two away from the record of 16 held by Miroslav Klose of Germany and Lionel Messi, who <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-argentina-lionel-messi-6bdb86e04ed24187b4321cdeed542d4c">had a hat trick for Argentina</a> hours later to match that mark.</p><p>“Of course I think he has everything to beat the World Cup (record),” Saliba said. “I hope he is going to do it in this tournament because for sure he has everything, and I’m sure that he will do it.”</p><p>France coach Didier Deschamps liked what he saw from Mbappé even before putting the ball in the net.</p><p>“Before he scored the first two goals today, as a captain and outside of the field he does a lot for the group,” Deschamps said through an interpreter. “He’s got a global aura due to his real talent. He’s a very decisive player at all times.”</p><p>Deschamps called Mbappé an iconic player, while acknowledging there will always be criticism. That does not seem to be a problem for a player coming off scoring 25 goals this past season for Real Madrid.</p><p>“The critics? It’s not about revenge,” Mbappé said. “If I started playing for all the people who criticize me just to silence them, I’d have to play until I was 80.”</p><p>Mbappé helped France win the World Cup title in 2018 and reach the final in 2022, when he was awarded the Silver Ball as the second-best player. Joined up front by Désiré Doué and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, France went into this year’s tournament as the co-favorite along with Spain.</p><p>Mbappé had little trouble finding room between Senegal defenders several times in the first 14 or so minutes. But he was sloppy with the ball for much of the rest of the first half before he and his teammates started to mesh.</p><p>Then the goals materialized, a good sign for France given the lofty expectations. Mbappé will be counted on to keep scoring to contend to win the World Cup.</p><p>“For him, it’s a good thing to achieve this thing to be the best scorer of the French national team,” teammate Adrien Rabiot said. “Great achievement. We are happy for him. And I hope he will continue like this for the tournament.”</p><p>___</p><p>AP Sports Writer Eric Nunez contributed to this report.</p><p>___</p><p>AP World Cup: <a href="https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup">https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/XXlB2c0e-xFU_Zyxk_lfkhj7mgU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JIACCEDUMBF5RHQN6LYMS3QZ64.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1732" width="2598"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring thrid goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Adam Hunger</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/9Gpm1MgiKcuO8EGvb3bxNPzInqI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3XIW7DIVTFAUDNXNLUHL5CLFFY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2319" width="3479"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[France's Kylian Mbappe applauds the fans at the end of during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Yuki Iwamura</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/BKg-aDJ40sq6S7JGD6XM6notrHg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HV3ISDPL2FAC7PJQWONFN3UO4U.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2156" width="3234"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[France's Kylian Mbappe reacts during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Adam Hunger</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/SFkk3zM3CXm5_viT1s8Gkou8Q-U=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AQ675GCPTVGMRM6WVCKNEV3CTE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2291" width="3437"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[France's Kylian Mbappe scores during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Adam Hunger</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/AKjET8TPZh6ELvDhR33D30GBPww=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/C3HRPC2XYNDNBEZLRR6C2UY75I.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2152" width="3228"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[France head coach Didier Deschamps and Kylian Mbappe celebrate after the third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Adam Hunger</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Man, 63, accused of stealing Jacksonville Beach Police K-9 truck from secured lot with dog, weapons inside]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/man-63-accused-of-stealing-jacksonville-beach-police-k-9-truck-from-secured-lot-with-dog-weapons-inside/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/man-63-accused-of-stealing-jacksonville-beach-police-k-9-truck-from-secured-lot-with-dog-weapons-inside/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathan Lundy, Chris Will]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[A 63-year-old Ponte Vedra Beach man was arrested Friday after police said he drove off in a marked Jacksonville Beach Police Department K-9 patrol truck that had been parked in the department’s secured back lot.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:05:51 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A 63-year-old man from Ponte Vedra Beach was arrested Friday after Jacksonville Beach police said he stole a marked Jacksonville Beach Police Department K-9 patrol truck from the department’s secured lot with the police dog still inside.</p><p>According to an arrest report, surveillance video showed the man arrive at the police department around 8:06 p.m., enter the secured rear lot through an open gate and get into a marked 2021 Ford F-150 K-9 patrol truck.</p><p>Police said the video showed him leave the rear lot, return to the department’s front parking area and park for about 13 minutes before driving away.</p><p>Officers located the truck and conducted a traffic stop around 8:32 p.m. near 9th Street South, taking the man into custody without incident, the report said.</p><p>Newly released dashcam video shows the moment police pulled the suspect over. It shows an officer go to the driver side window with their gun drawn before pulling the man out of the driver seat.</p><p>Police said department-issued firearms were in the truck when it was taken.</p><p>The department’s K-9, Furyk — a Belgian Malinois valued at about $15,000 — was recovered, along with the patrol truck, which police estimated at about $40,000, according to the report.</p><p>Police noted signs of possible impairment in the report and said the man’s family had recently raised concerns about a decline in his mental condition.</p><p>He was booked into the Duval County jail on charges including burglary of a conveyance while armed, theft of a motor vehicle, grand theft and trespassing on posted law-enforcement property, according to police.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Kylian Mbappé sparks France with 2 goals in 3-1 win over Senegal at the World Cup]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/kylian-mbappe-sparks-france-with-two-goals-in-3-1-win-over-senegal-at-the-world-cup/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/kylian-mbappe-sparks-france-with-two-goals-in-3-1-win-over-senegal-at-the-world-cup/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ronald Blum, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Kylian Mbappé scored twice to move past Pelé with 14 World Cup goals, Bradley Barcola added another and France rebounded from a surprisingly poor first half to beat Senegal 3-1.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:13:51 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After a flat first half, Kylian Mbappé got France back in tune.</p><p>Mbappé scored twice to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/kylian-mbappe-world-cup-goal-57b8e6072095930cdb6973ed7da6198d">move past Pelé</a> with 14 World Cup goals, celebrating by mimicking a flutist as he had promised, and Les Bleus beat Senegal 3-1 Tuesday in their World Cup opener.</p><p>“He could have scored four or five goals, OK, theoretically, but we’re happy with two goals,” France coach Didier Deschamps said.</p><p>Mbappé had 14 touches in the scoreless first half, the fewest of any player, then put France ahead in the 66th minute. He burst past Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, turned onto a diagonal pass from Michael Olise and slid the ball past goalkeeper Édouard Mendy from just outside the 6-yard box.</p><p>In a segment with Mbappé taped May 20 and aired Friday by U.S. broadcaster Fox, award-winning actor and television host James Corden suggested the 27-year-old star striker celebrate his next World Cup goal by imitating a flute player. Mbappé practiced the instrument for a year or two as a child at the behest of his parents.</p><p>“I’ll do it for you first game,” Mbappé said.</p><p>Mbappé ran toward a corner, brought both hands to his lips and air-tooted for a few seconds.</p><p>“If he wants to miss the first half again and score two goals in the second half in another match, that’s OK with me,” Deschamps said.</p><p>Bradley Barcola doubled the lead in the 82nd, two minutes after entering, and Ibrahim Mbaye cut the deficit in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Mbappé scored just 68 seconds later on a spectacular right-footed shot from 30 yards. The ball dipped perfectly between Mendy's outstretched left arm and the crossbar.</p><p>“A crazy goal,” French defender William Saliba said.</p><p>Mbappé, who led the 2022 tournament with eight goals, moved one ahead of Lionel Messi and fellow Frenchman Just Fontaine on the World Cup career scoring list before <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-argentina-lionel-messi-6bdb86e04ed24187b4321cdeed542d4c">Messi scored his 14th, 15th and 16th</a> for Argentina later Tuesday. Mbappé is tied with Germany’s Gerd Müller, trailing Messi, Germany's Miroslav Klose (16) and Brazil's Ronaldo (15).</p><p>“I’m sure that he will do it,” Saliba said of Mbappé setting the record.</p><p>Mbappé also became France's career scoring leader with 58 goals, one more than Olivier Giroud.</p><p>“He can from time to time miss a game or two but on one action he really is able to tip the scales and bring his team to victory,” Deschamps said. “People say he doesn’t defend enough. Well, he’s not here to defend.”</p><p>Mbappé brushed off critics.</p><p>“It’s not about revenge,” he said. “If I started playing for all the people who criticize me just to silence them, I’d have to play until I was 80.”</p><p>Trying to reach its third straight World Cup final, France plays Iraq on Monday in Philadelphia, then closes Group I on June 26 against Norway at Foxborough, Massachusetts. Senegal meets Norway on Monday at MetLife Stadium and finishes the first round against Iraq at Toronto.</p><p>With fans in Senegal <a href="https://apnews.com/article/senegal-ivory-coast-fans-travel-ban-world-cup-55b17623936b444fd93af60edafa825c">denied visas by the U.S. government</a>, supporters of the Lions of Teranga appeared limited to a few sections in MetLife's southwest corner on a sunny 77-degree Fahrenheit (25-degree Celsius) afternoon.</p><p>While most of the stadium was filled with a just-under sellout crowed of 80,545, there were empty seats in a mezzanine club level, which has air-conditioned suites behind the outdoor chairs.</p><p>Two hours before kickoff, tickets dropped to as low as $69 on FIFA’s resale site. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fifa-world-cup-soccer-cd8933c06016cccf9d870ee77a21ca05">FIFA sold tickets at $220-$620 in December</a>.</p><p>France was outshot 5-1 in the first half. Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson’s 25th-minute shot hit a post, rebounded off the heel of goalkeeper Mike Maignan and bounced into touch.</p><p>Les Bleus then outshot their opponents 10-1 in the second half, when Olise shifted centrally from the right flank.</p><p>“If we had been more efficient, by halftime, we would have been able to lead 1- or 2-nil,” Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said.</p><p>___</p><p>AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.</p><p>___</p><p>AP World Cup: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/jEr7v3lzUTF_NRAdlVu20JGBTrI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WGETWY4VR5CMJMJCQXYMFIXOVU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2695" width="4043"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal of his team during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Frank Franklin Ii</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/6f3Xt1_si3gJOvdrl6Qplu1922Y=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/55Y5CIF3XJE5XC5ZF7X2OAL7R4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2594" width="3891"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Frank Franklin Ii</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/CVsGPPgvMWJrA41xe5MY-ZCDpzg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AOO2HQSW3BHTFN57FSE5IKRSVM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2639" width="3958"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[France's Kylian Mbappe scores their opening goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Adam Hunger</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/XQrjPWFhB2E56GgScmyIezieLuM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FM55O7OI2VH2BKW22YKDVDWBIU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3224" width="4835"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal of his team during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Frank Franklin Ii</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/DMXdZJwQR0ohhhWMgU8IVvMtgz4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3766CLSJBBHUTGK4ZHX4HKXTIY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3912" width="5868"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[France's Kylian Mbappe (10) shoots and scores their throw goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Steve Luciano</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Brewers shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt called up ahead of series with Guardians]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/brewers-shortstop-prospect-cooper-pratt-called-up-ahead-of-series-with-guardians/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/brewers-shortstop-prospect-cooper-pratt-called-up-ahead-of-series-with-guardians/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Steve Megargee, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Cooper Pratt has reached the major leagues 2 ½ months after the Milwaukee Brewers signed the shortstop prospect to an eight-year, $50.75 million contract.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:54:32 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Cooper Pratt has reached the major leagues 2 ½ months after the Milwaukee Brewers signed the shortstop prospect to an <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-brewers-cooper-pratt-edf06e086a55f7b7624133b7599660d5">eight-year, $50.75 million contract.</a></p><p>Pratt made his major league debut and went 0 for 3 in a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/guardians-brewers-score-c7ab19c6802614958038a6ca5d83542f">2-1 victory</a> over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night after getting called up from Triple-A Nashville. The Brewers made room for Pratt by designating third baseman Luis Rengifo for assignment.</p><p>“This is a kid we’ve signed for the long term,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said before Tuesday's game. “We feel confident he will be our shortstop of the future. He’s going to play.”</p><p>Pratt, 21, found out he was going to the big leagues when Nashville manager Rick Sweet notified him during the Sounds' game on Sunday.</p><p>“It was magical, man,” Pratt said. “It didn’t quite feel real.”</p><p>The news came at an ideal time for Pratt because the Brewers were off Monday, enabling his family to make it to Milwaukee for his first MLB game. Pratt's father, Russell Pratt, doesn't travel by airplane.</p><p>That meant a 700-mile drive from the Pratt's family home in Oxford, Mississippi. Those long-distance drives were common during Pratt's road to the big leagues.</p><p>“We drove in travel ball for like 20 hours sometimes, from like Mississippi to Arizona,” Pratt said. “Arizona to Texas. We drove all over.”</p><p>Pratt signed an <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-brewers-cooper-pratt-c12719aaef9ad3459be7fa9fd5d4c53b">eight-year deal</a> on April 3 that includes club options for 2034 and 2035. The $50.75 million contract <a href="https://apnews.com/article/cooper-pratt-brewers-contract-a0abe96ecb50fa4219867b9f30d8c265">includes escalators</a> that could raise the value by $10 million if he repeatedly finishes high in MVP voting and the team exercises those two options.</p><p>In the weeks after agreeing to that deal, Pratt felt pressure to live up to that contract. His batting average in Nashville didn't climb above .200 for good until April 26.</p><p>He has performed better lately. He was hitting .241 with a .349 on-base percentage, six homers, 32 RBIs and 17 steals in 58 games with Nashville at the time of his promotion.</p><p>Pratt's defense is ahead of his offense at this point in his development. He won a Gold Glove as the top shortstop in the minor leagues in 2024.</p><p>“Now we’re well aware of a guy making his first trip to the big leagues, it could go many different ways,” Murphy said. “When are they ready? When is it a perfect time? Right now, in my opinion, it doesn’t really matter. It matters he gets comfortable in the big leagues, understands it, starts to make his adjustments he needs to make, and then we roll from there.”</p><p>Murphy has a connection to Pratt's family. Pratt is the nephew of BYU coach Trent Pratt, who played for Murphy at Arizona State from 1999-2000.</p><p>The Brewers can afford to be patient with Pratt’s bat as long as he fields the way he did in the minor leagues.</p><p>Milwaukee has received little offensive production from the left side of its infield all season, yet the Brewers still entered Tuesday leading the NL Central by 4 ½ games over St. Louis as they chase their fourth straight division title. The versatile David Hamilton had been splitting time with Joey Ortiz at shortstop and with Rengifo at third base.</p><p>Hamilton entered Tuesday battting .231 with a .316 on-base percentage, .320 slugging percentage, three homers, 11 RBIs and 14 steals in 58 games. Ortiz was hitting .207 with a .299 on-base percentage, .262 slugging percentage, one homer, 14 RBIs and five steals in 60 games.</p><p>Rengifo was hitting .205 with a .280 on-base percentage, .254 slugging percentage, no homers, 19 RBIs and three steals in 57 games.</p><p>Murphy mentioned that he now might have Hamilton and Ortiz splitting time at third base, with Hamilton primarily starting against right-handers and Ortiz getting the call against lefties. Ortiz was Milwaukee's starting third baseman in 2024.</p><p>“I've had many meetings with Joey, and he totally understands what's happening," Murphy said. “Six weeks ago, I sat with Joey and said, ‘Joey, this has happened. They signed this guy. Do you understand that? ... But it doesn’t mean you can't have an incredible career in the big leagues, including playing shortstop for us at times.' ” </p><p>Pratt was one of two Brewers prospects to sign a lucrative long-term deal this year while still in the minors. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-brewers-luis-lara-fa79c7a3bb43b321e6f541784d00ebb7">Luis Lara,</a> a 21-year-old outfielder playing for Nashville, signed a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-brewers-luis-lara-contract-7af39be764201675d317a76d3f4b259a">seven-year deal</a> worth $31 million last week.</p><p>___</p><p>AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/MLB">https://apnews.com/hub/MLB</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/WJ4MpfJMC6BvVisNrl3lVtlnspo=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/A76YHBPVKFD27OPBEUC25UONNY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3986" width="5979"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Milwaukee Brewers' Cooper Pratt warms up before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Aaron Gash</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/qhh9CtnfP2-hUrgMfbpHSybE71U=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/72Y74IT2PZDQLNURTR5OSW7SB4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2539" width="3809"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Milwaukee Brewers' Cooper Pratt bats during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Aaron Gash</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/5sRq_ZXP_JcQFEtGEvcuVkZDSNw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TGJV4BX4SRG6ZBQPXSOTRWZNA4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1933" width="2899"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Milwaukee Brewers' Cooper Pratt fields a ground ball during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Aaron Gash</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/hTvExVivkNaP579wosSZthGZxuw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/2QS5YLCDUZCVTKFGIR6MAKR4UI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2817" width="4226"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Milwaukee Brewers' Cooper Pratt tosses the ball to second base to start a double play during the second inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Aaron Gash</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/p2AUyN-Uwdw6M6nLCoUbS5LCQ3U=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZKOFWH4QWFGPLNL73H4PYHO5FM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3512" width="5269"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Milwaukee Brewers' Cooper Pratt jogs to the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Aaron Gash</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Georgia primary runoff: Camden County voters speak out on why they returned to the polls]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/georgia/2026/06/17/georgia-primary-runoff-voters-speak-out-on-why-they-showed-up/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/georgia/2026/06/17/georgia-primary-runoff-voters-speak-out-on-why-they-showed-up/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ariel Schiller]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Polls closed at 7 p.m. in Georgia’s primary runoff election, where voters helped decide who would appear on the November ballot in several key races — including the governor’s race, the U.S. Senate race, and the 1st Congressional District seat left vacant by Congressman Buddy Carter.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:19:44 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Polls closed at 7 p.m. in Georgia’s primary runoff election, where voters helped decide who would appear on the November ballot in several key races — including the governor’s race, the U.S. Senate race, and the 1st Congressional District seat left vacant by Congressman Buddy Carter.</p><p>Turnout was lower than the original primary, but the voters who did show up were exactly who you’d expect in a runoff: the diehards.</p><p>News4JAX spoke with voters in Camden County as election day came to a close. Several of them were repeat faces — people who had also spoken with during last month’s primary.</p><p>Among them were Howard and Kathleen Schultz, who said returning for the runoff was a matter of principle.</p><p>“I guess just to reassert what we picked — the people we picked last time, are they still on there? So yes, they are. Let’s pick them again so they get to the final,” Howard Schultz said. “It’s part of the job of being a citizen.”</p><p>His wife, Kathleen, said her commitment to voting has grown over time.</p><p>“I just feel it’s my duty now, where before I wasn’t interested, but now I’m more interested the older I got,” she said.</p><p>Evelyn Taylor has been casting ballots for more than 40 years and said the message is simple: if you don’t vote, you lose your voice.</p><p>“You learn without voting, you don’t have a voice. That’s the only voice you have in America is to vote, and I encourage everyone to go out and vote because if you vote, you have a voice,” Taylor said.</p><p>Kevin Collins echoed that sentiment, framing it as the only real path to change.</p><p>“If you want to change what’s going on in the country and you don’t like it, you have to vote,” Collins said.</p><p>Howard Schultz had a pointed message for anyone who skipped the runoff.</p><p>“Don’t be mad if somebody gets in there that you don’t like how they want to run things,” he said.</p><p>Results from the Georgia primary runoff are expected as vote counts are tallied.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Study shows that Florida and Georgia rank among top states where people search for financial help]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/study-shows-that-florida-and-georgia-rank-among-top-states-where-people-search-for-financial-help/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/study-shows-that-florida-and-georgia-rank-among-top-states-where-people-search-for-financial-help/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Joy Purdy]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Are you financially stressed? A new study by Coinfully.com, which analyzed Google searches tied to money worries, found Florida and Georgia rank among the top states where people are searching for help.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:46:11 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Are you financially stressed? A new study by <a href="https://coinfully.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://coinfully.com/">Coinfully.com</a>, which analyzed Google searches tied to money worries, found Florida and Georgia rank among the top states where people are searching for help.</p><p>The study tracked more than 150 financial-stress-related terms people look up online—phrases like “debt help,” “cheap car insurance,” “rent help,” “cash advance,” and “how to get out of debt.” The states with the highest search activity included Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.</p><p>Florida ranked third, averaging 424,507 searches per month, which comes out to about 1,877 searches per 100,000 residents. Georgia ranked fourth with 201,088 average monthly searches, or about 1,823<b> </b>searches per 100,000 residents.</p><p>To see how those findings resonate locally, we spoke with people in our area. One parent told us they have searched for financial help “because I have been very broke.” </p><p>A college student said keeping up with rent is a constant struggle with only a part-time, minimum-wage job. Another person said they’ve changed spending habits—like choosing the lowest-priced items whenever possible—just to stay ahead.</p><p>For people feeling that financial pressure, local organizations may be able to help. <a href="https://www.ccbjax.org/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.ccbjax.org/">Catholic Charities says it assists with essentials</a> like food, rent support, and even help for people behind on their JEA bill. </p><p>The group said requests have increased significantly, including from people who have never needed assistance before. And while housing costs were a major driver a year or two ago, they say the need has broadened—more people are struggling with groceries, gas, and other everyday expenses.</p><p>Hear more of what Regional Director Eileen Seuter says Catholic Charities can provide for people needing emergency help.</p><p><b>Top Local Resources in Jacksonville</b></p><ul><li><b>Downtown Emergency Services (DESC):</b>&nbsp;Located downtown in the First Presbyterian Church basement, this organization offers <a href="https://descjax.org/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://descjax.org/">direct emergency financial assistance</a>, case management, and a food pantry.</li><li><b>City of Jacksonville Emergency Financial Assistance:</b>&nbsp;The city’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services department offers the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/social-services/emergency-financial-assistance-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/social-services/emergency-financial-assistance-program">Emergency Financial Assistance Program</a>. You can call their social services line for help with rent, utilities, and other urgent needs.</li><li><b>JEA Hardship Programs:</b>&nbsp;If you are behind on your electric or water bill, JEA can connect you with local&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jea.com/residential_customers/community_resources/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="https://www.jea.com/residential_customers/community_resources/">Community Resources</a>&nbsp;to assist with utilities, food, and housing.</li><li><b>Catholic Charities Bureau:</b>&nbsp;Offers free assistance to people in need, regardless of faith, including help with unpaid rent and utility bills. You can reach out via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ccbjax/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="https://www.instagram.com/ccbjax/">Catholic Charities Instagram</a>&nbsp;page.</li></ul><p><b>County &amp; State-Wide Programs</b></p><ul><li><b>Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA):</b>&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/public-assistance/temporary-cash-assistance" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/public-assistance/temporary-cash-assistance">Florida Department of Children and Families</a>&nbsp;offers cash assistance to families with children under the age of 18 (or 19 if in high school).</li><li><b>211 United Way:</b>&nbsp;Calling 2-1-1 or visiting the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.211.org/get-help/i-need-help-paying-my-bills" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="https://www.211.org/get-help/i-need-help-paying-my-bills">United Way 211</a>&nbsp;site connects you to a local specialist who has real-time data on bill-paying resources in Duval County.</li></ul><p><b>Mental Health Support</b></p><p>Financial stress takes a heavy toll on mental well-being. <a href="https://www.namijax.org/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.namijax.org/">NAMI Jacksonville</a> provides free support groups, education, and outreach programs to help individuals and families. You can reach out to them via their local helpline at (904) 323-4723 or by dialing 9-8-8 for immediate crisis care.</p><p>For a broader, searchable directory of other localized charities and government programs, you can filter by zip code on <a href="https://www.findhelp.org/money/financial-assistance--jacksonville-fl" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.findhelp.org/money/financial-assistance--jacksonville-fl">FindHelp.org</a>.</p><p>If you are located in or moving your focus to Southeast Georgia,<b> </b>extensive regional networks offer free financial counseling, emergency bill assistance, and crisis relief.</p><p><b>Region-Wide Crisis Resolution</b></p><ul><li><b>Georgia 211 Helpline</b>: Dial&nbsp;211&nbsp;from any phone to reach the&nbsp;<a href="https://unitedwayga.org/ga211/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="https://unitedwayga.org/ga211/">United Ways of Georgia 211 Service</a>. Specialists connect callers in the Coastal Empire and Southern regions to local food, housing, and utility funds.</li></ul><p><b>Local Community Action Agencies</b></p><p>These organizations handle the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), emergency rental assistance, and financial literacy programs. Reach the agency managing your specific county:</p><ul><li><b>Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority</b>: Serves Glynn, Camden, McIntosh, and surrounding coastal counties. Contact the main office in Brunswick at&nbsp;(912) 264-3281&nbsp;or explore services through the&nbsp;<a href="https://southgeorgiacoordinatedentry.org/caa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="https://southgeorgiacoordinatedentry.org/caa/">Coastal Georgia Area CAA Portal</a>.</li><li><b>Action Pact</b>: Serves inland Southeast Georgia counties (including Ware, Pierce, and Brantley). Reach the Waycross headquarters at&nbsp;(912) 285-6083&nbsp;or look up local clinic sites on Action Pact Online.</li></ul><p><b>State and Utility Support Programs</b></p><ul><li><b>Georgia Gateway</b>: This centralized portal allows you to <a href="https://georgia.gov/how-guides/assistance-and-benefits-programs" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://georgia.gov/how-guides/assistance-and-benefits-programs">check eligibility and apply for state cash assistance</a> (TANF), SNAP food benefits, and medical aid. Submit applications directly via the Georgia Gateway Platform.</li><li><b>Georgia Power Community Assistance</b>: If you are a customer, you can use the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.georgiapower.com/residential/assistance.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="https://www.georgiapower.com/residential/assistance.html">Georgia Power Assistance Resources Locator</a>&nbsp;to map out localized income-qualified bill discounts and home weatherization options.</li></ul>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[JEA survey results are in. Here’s what employees reported]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/jea-survey-results-are-in-heres-what-employees-reported/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/jea-survey-results-are-in-heres-what-employees-reported/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Will]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[JEA released results from its employee engagement survey, with 59% participation, as City Hall investigates workplace culture concerns. The survey includes ratings on communication, leadership confidence, manager support, and job satisfaction.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 02:00:13 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Jacksonville’s city-owned utility JEA has released results from its latest employee engagement survey, as <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/08/jea-special-investigative-committee-to-hear-from-cao-former-legal-counsel-as-probe-into-city-owned-utility-continues/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/08/jea-special-investigative-committee-to-hear-from-cao-former-legal-counsel-as-probe-into-city-owned-utility-continues/">City Hall continues an investigation into concerns about workplace culture at the agency</a>.</p><p>JEA says 59% of employees participated in the survey. The utility says its overall results are benchmarked against “comparable electric and water utility companies.”</p><h3>Three results that stand out</h3><ul><li>47%&nbsp;of employees surveyed said they&nbsp;feel well-informed about important decisions&nbsp;at JEA.</li><li><ul><li>18% below comparable utilities.</li></ul></li><li>49%&nbsp;said they&nbsp;have confidence in JEA’s chiefs.</li><li><ul><li>23% below comparable utilities.</li></ul></li><li>46%&nbsp;said&nbsp;directors, VPs and chiefs understand what is really happening at JEA.</li><li><ul><li>19% below comparable utilities.</li></ul></li></ul><p><i>View the survey below:</i></p><p><iframe src="https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/28268219-all-jea-and-chief-results-june-2026/?embed=1" width="612" height="792" style="border: 1px solid #d8dee2; border-radius: 0.5rem; width: 100%; height: 100%; aspect-ratio: 612 / 792" allow="fullscreen"></iframe></p><p>Those results come as City Hall investigates workplace culture issues raised about the utility. </p><p>Council President Kevin Carrico formed a special investigative committee to look into <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/04/27/jea-hr-chief-faces-questions-on-employee-complaints-in-ongoing-workplace-culture-investigation/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/04/27/jea-hr-chief-faces-questions-on-employee-complaints-in-ongoing-workplace-culture-investigation/">culture complaints</a> and <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/03/10/jacksonville-oig-launches-investigation-into-jea-over-millions-in-potential-unpaid-capacity-fees/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/03/10/jacksonville-oig-launches-investigation-into-jea-over-millions-in-potential-unpaid-capacity-fees/">capacity fee concerns</a>.</p><h3>Three other results</h3><p>The survey also included several higher-scoring measures related to employees’ direct supervisors and overall satisfaction (each nearly on par with similar utilities):</p><ul><li>83%&nbsp;said&nbsp;their manager cares about their concerns.</li><li>80%&nbsp;said they are&nbsp;very satisfied with their job.</li><li>77%&nbsp;said they would&nbsp;recommend working at JEA.</li></ul><h3>What JEA says happens next</h3><p>In a statement released with the results, JEA said it is analyzing the survey and that senior leadership is developing action plans to address key employee concerns.</p><p>JEA also noted it has received three USA TODAY Culture Excellence Awards in the categories of Work-Life Flexibility, Professional Development, and Compensation and Benefits.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/LN8s0F0iJuO3-6GsSQEhJzNDGE4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CBSDYAKIABFK7LHVD5O5QQEYVU.png" type="image/png" height="347" width="620"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[JEA sign]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trump ramps up Education Department's dismantling with changes on special education and civil rights]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/trump-moves-oversight-of-special-education-and-civil-rights-from-the-education-department/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/trump-moves-oversight-of-special-education-and-civil-rights-from-the-education-department/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Annie Ma, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[President Donald Trump’s administration is further dismantling the Department of Education, moving oversight of special education and civil rights to other agencies.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:15:08 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>President Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday accelerated its <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-dismantle-close-b0ae8b677a63273a9b06c2b4005dee4d">dismantling of the Education Department</a>, delegating much of its work to protect the nation's at-risk students. </p><p>The Department of Justice will take on enforcement of civil rights in education, while the Department of Health and Human Services will oversee special education, administration officials announced. With those moves, the Education Department has now carved away the vast majority of its functions for <a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-debt-education-treasury-department-014f9b51100226048335d053cc21e9f1">other agencies</a> to handle.</p><p>The two Education Department offices involved — the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Office for Civil Rights — <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-restructuring-civil-rights-sped-043d48432bfd182cdce3743a397ce633">defend the rights</a> of children with disabilities and those who experience discrimination based on race, sex or religion. Advocates worry the change could mean lapses in communication for families and school officials who need help.</p><p>Trump, a Republican, campaigned on shutting down the Education Department, saying he would “move education back to the states where it belongs.” While only Congress can close the department, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/linda-mcmahon-trump-education-secretary-wwe-613016d0c164b89765af761404cbb123">Trump’s education secretary</a>, Linda McMahon, a billionaire and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, has formed agreements with other federal agencies to handle much of her department’s work.</p><p>McMahon said the agreements align federal responsibilities with the agencies best positioned to support them.</p><p>“The Trump Administration has been clear: as we scale back federal micromanagement when it hinders success, we are equally committed to bolstering the efficacy of federal oversight where it is essential,” McMahon said in a written statement.</p><p>Critics warn of impacts to student services</p><p>Advocates said the changes would create uncertainty around services relied upon by millions of students and families.</p><p>“As is too often the case, traditionally underserved students — including students with disabilities, Black and Latino students, multilingual learners, students from low-income backgrounds, and students in rural communities — will bear the greatest burden created by this reckless decision, to which the disability and civil rights communities have already been vehemently opposed,” said a written statement from EdTrust, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that advocates for educational equity.</p><p>The Education Department already has offloaded some of its programs through 10 <a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-department-trump-state-hhs-e82a5ea582f1b730a9591bc4f767621e">earlier internal agreements</a>, but the offices affected by Tuesday’s announcement were among the most closely watched.</p><p>The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services manages billions of dollars in grants and oversees state compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Office for Civil Rights, which has been thinned by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-education-department-layoffs-civil-rights-8cbf463cce765f497c10d688ab4d51e1">mass layoffs</a>, investigates complaints of discrimination at the nation’s schools and universities.</p><p>The Department of Justice also will take over work protecting student privacy and will provide some training and advisory help to schools.</p><p>While Justice and Health and Human Services will handle over most day-to-day duties of the assigned offices, the Education Department will continue to perform some tasks, such as responding to audits and issuing final determinations in civil rights cases, which it is explicitly required to do by law.</p><p>Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, said the announcement Tuesday was a political one intended to fulfill the president's campaign promise. The changes, he said, will likely widen inequities for students of color and students with disabilities.</p><p>The agreements are scattering education programs to agencies that do not have the expertise to manage them, said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.</p><p>“Instead of helping kids get a great education, this administration is spending its time, energy, and taxpayer resources fixated on where employees sit and illegally trying to shutter the Department of Education,” Murray said in a written statement.</p><p>Rachel Gittleman, president of the union that represents department employees, said the moves will create chaos for families, students and schools.</p><p>“This will leave our most vulnerable students and families who have been shut out of our education system without the services they need and without protection when they face discrimination,” Gittleman said in a written statement.</p><p>Families of students with disabilities opposed the decision</p><p>The transfer of special education to Health and Human Services most alarmed disability advocates, who say oversight of whether schools are adequately serving children with disabilities is best handled by education experts — not medical experts.</p><p>“The IDEA is intended to equip students as they learn alongside their peers, not cure them — the HHS is not prepared to oversee and administer the IDEA program effectively. Health and education systems speak in entirely different languages, including variations in terminology, training and disciplines," said Jennifer Coco, interim executive director of the Center for Learner Equity. </p><p>The Education Department said McMahon spent over six months in listening sessions with families, advocates and educators to better understand concerns around how the department's dismantling could affect special education. Many families raised concerns about obstacles to obtaining proper services for their children, but Coco said participants in those sessions were united in their opposition to moving special education oversight out of the Education Department.</p><p>“I think we agree on the problem,” Coco said. “We have stark disagreement on the solution and these transfers today don’t feel like a solution to that problem.”</p><p>___</p><p>The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find the AP’s <a href="https://www.ap.org/about/news-values-and-principles/">standards</a> for working with philanthropies, <a href="https://www.ap.org/about/supporting-ap/">a list</a> of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Bq60NoXRQAoCpgaSl89rJulIdYU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/P2SYKA33UNHK7CUHIAOYNNSTMM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - The U.S. Department of Education building is seen in Washington, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jose Luis Magana</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/1klfDxK01uMDrAmIOm9h4QGJTNc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7FU6GI24LNDKRPDKZ3Y7J6XJAI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3744" width="5616"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, attends a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jacquelyn Martin</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rapper Mystikal sentenced to 20 years in Louisiana rape case]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/17/rapper-mystikal-sentenced-to-20-years-in-louisiana-rape-case/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/17/rapper-mystikal-sentenced-to-20-years-in-louisiana-rape-case/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The rapper Mystikal will serve 20 years in prison for raping a woman at his Louisiana home in 2022.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 01:42:12 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The rapper <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mystikal">Mystikal</a>, who received multiple Grammy nominations in the early 2000s, will serve 20 years in prison for raping a woman at his Louisiana home in 2022.</p><p>Mystikal, whose given name is Michael Lawrence Tyler, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mystikal-rapper-rape-louisiana-pleads-guilty-e6a13ae4a819e9b4a9bd4800429d7077">pleaded guilty</a> to third-degree rape in March with a sentencing cap of 20 years, five years less than the maximum punishment for the crime. His plea deal reduced the charge from first-degree rape, which carries an automatic life sentence.</p><p>Days before his Tuesday sentencing hearing, he asked a judge to withdraw his guilty plea, saying he “did not have sufficient opportunity to fully consider the consequences," according to ABC affiliate <a href="https://www.wbrz.com/news/louisiana-rapper-mystikal-sentenced-to-20-years-in-2022-rape-case">WBRZ</a>.</p><p>The victim spoke in court before sentencing and asked the judge to give Mystikal the maximum sentence, WBRZ reported. She reportedly said the rapper had punched her, choked her, pulled out her braids and forcibly raped her at his home in Prairieville, about 18 miles (29 kilometers) from Baton Rouge.</p><p>“If I did that to you, I deserve the max sentence,” he said in response, according to the local TV station.</p><p>A lawyer for the rapper did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p><p>Mystikal has been held without bond at the Ascension Parish Jail since his <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-music-louisiana-baton-rouge-b87489cf7f5f31ced4fa5b43c55b7a08">arrest in 2022</a>.</p><p>The Louisiana rapper rose to national recognition in the 1990s and is known for his 2000 hit “Shake Ya A(asterisk)(asterisk),” which was nominated for a Grammy in the best rap solo performance category.</p><p>In 2003, he pleaded guilty to sexual battery and was sentenced to six years in prison. That same year he was a Grammy nominee in two categories: best rap album for “Tarantula” and best male rap solo performance for his single “Bouncin’ Back (Bumpin’ Me Against The Wall).”</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/hP-XQPD12X9YfBrIpiqOUBWJ5KE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/OLFGXTDIRNHM3CTXL4GMDORPMU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3648" width="5472"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Rapper Mystikal poses for a portrait in Baton Rouge, La., Jan. 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Rusty Costanza</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[AP Exclusive: Nvidia's Jensen Huang says society needs 'new social norms' in the age of AI]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/ap-exclusive-nvidias-jensen-huang-says-society-needs-new-social-norms-in-the-age-of-ai/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/ap-exclusive-nvidias-jensen-huang-says-society-needs-new-social-norms-in-the-age-of-ai/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Josh Boak, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang — whose work helped propel artificial intelligence — is stressing in an Associated Press interview that society has no choice but to change in the advent of AI.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:06:08 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-artificial-intelligence-infrastructure-9bf560fa2365e4d6b57804438cda579e">Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang</a> — whose work helped propel artificial intelligence — stressed in an Associated Press interview Tuesday that society needs to change with the advent of AI, arguing that a fuller embrace of the technology would improve people's lives.</p><p>Huang has been optimistic about AI’s potential to rapidly transform society, creating faster economic growth and more scientific breakthroughs. But as the head of a computer chip company now developing AI systems, he and others are confronting a public increasingly concerned about the potential harm the technology might bring. Huang has felt obligated to respond to critics who warn of job losses and threats to humanity itself.</p><p>“We need to create new social norms,” Huang said in an interview. “I would advocate that everybody use AI. Just go engage it.”</p><p>Huang made his case as AI has emerged as a political flashpoint, with objections to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-data-centers-environment-climate-footprint-a792f184a9f2833b5388dbae8b41ca95">plans to build more data centers</a> and fears that the speed with which it’s being adopted could spur the layoffs of workers who might not have a safety net. Such questions have threatened public support of the technology at a time when a race has kicked off with China, a contest Huang believes can best be won by a U.S. that is open to competing globally in AI.</p><p>His close relationship with President Donald Trump also has been a source of criticism among Democrats, even as he emphasized that the computing power created by AI is vital to adding the factory jobs that have been promised for decades without much enduring success. It was an argument delivered by a 63-year-old man who has watched the technology develop and described himself as “boring” because his own life revolves mainly around work and his family.</p><p>Huang disclosed during the interview some personal details, saying his favorite movie is “Kingdom of Heaven,” the 2005 epic about the 12th century Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. He said he had watched the movie “Project Hail Mary" three or four times and “I think we might watch it again this weekend.”</p><p>Huang said the ability of AI to design a website, analyze complex documents, guide advanced research or even plan a kitchen remodeling has helped to close the technological divide in America. People can now do advanced work on computers without having to know how to program or write software, he added.</p><p>Huang contended that there is a need for some government regulation and safety standards for AI, emphasizing that national security also needed to be a priority for the technology that has been powering stock market gains and U.S. economic growth in recent years.</p><p>Huang said society will adapt to AI just as it did to automobiles. He said cars were once portrayed as killing children, but the world changed its norms by having sidewalks and crosswalks and stopping kids from playing in the streets.</p><p>Huang skeptical of what government ownership of AI companies would achieve</p><p>With a market capitalization of roughly $5 trillion, Nvidia has soared in valuation in recent years to become the world’s most valuable company. AI modeling companies OpenAI and Anthropic are potentially set to also clear the $1 trillion mark once their stocks are publicly traded.</p><p>That explosive surge in wealth concentrated in AI companies has prompted renewed worries about economic inequality. Trump has tried to defuse those concerns, recently musing about the prospect that the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-altman-ai-bernie-sanders-trump-public-ownership-772224f9cd138eb79d3ef3336858a5d5">U.S. government could own some shares</a> in AI firms, so any windfalls would be more broadly shared with the public. That idea has also been advanced by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.</p><p>Huang expressed skepticism about the idea, saying he expects the country will already benefit broadly from AI advancements.</p><p>“I’m not exactly sure what they’re trying to achieve,” he said regarding government ownership. “I haven’t had a dialogue with them about that. But just remember that these are American companies. Their success benefits the stock price, of which many Americans are investors in. It generates taxes, which helps many Americans. It creates a lot of jobs.”</p><p>He noted that AI companies could also lead to higher profits for energy, construction and hardware technology firms.</p><p>“Americans have a stake in American companies already, naturally, in a whole lot of different ways,” Huang said.</p><p>Huang says national security needs to be a priority on AI</p><p>The Trump administration has recently reversed course from using a light touch on regulating AI to taking a heavier hand.</p><p>It placed <a href="https://apnews.com/article/anthropic-artificial-intelligence-trump-fable-mythos-d9cc7df5c02e93837d0f0bfb24d5cfd2">export controls on the AI company Anthropic’s latest models</a>, leading the company on Friday to shutter all public access to those models over security concerns. Trump, a Republican, also signed an order to have new AI models <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ai-executive-order-e41af74f7b0865482f07d10fe7a50fe3">voluntarily screened by the government</a> before their release.</p><p>Huang said the government was properly focused on national security issues, but it was important to provide clear guidance.</p><p>“National security should always be the top concern of all technologies,” Huang said. “But having said that, you know, you have to be very specific about the risk that you’re concerned about, before setting up policies for export controls.”</p><p>During the Biden administration, Nvidia pushed back against export controls that were designed to restrict its ability to sell chips to China, rejecting the administration’s premise that a ban would preserve an American edge on AI. Huang had warned that the export controls might limit America’s ability to develop the world’s AI ecosystem, as China would respond with its own advanced chips.</p><p>Huang says energy is key problem for America’s AI development</p><p>Huang stressed that the U.S. is vulnerable because of its deficient energy supply. The data centers performing the computations used in AI are creating a huge demand for electricity, which could be a strain on the power grid.</p><p>Some data centers will be constructed with their own electricity sources, but Huang said the U.S. is starting from a disadvantage on energy. And without more energy, it can be harder to play to American strengths in its AI infrastructure, models and computer chip development.</p><p>“The United States is woefully behind in energy production,” Huang said. “We just suffocated energy production for too long.”</p><p>Huang complimented Trump on his approach to generating more energy in the U.S.. The president has aggressively supported the use of oil, coal and natural gas, but he has scorned the use of solar and wind power.</p><p>The Nvidia CEO was not commenting on Trump's opposition to climate-friendlier energy sources. But the gap he identified goes to some of the fears that U.S. households have about AI increasing their utility bills. </p><p>Huang was speaking Tuesday in Sherman, Texas, at an expansion of the Coherent factory to develop a laser for transmitting data among chips, which could cut power use by AI systems by up to 50%.</p><p>Trump’s fondness for Huang started at a Mar-a-Lago dinner</p><p>Trump, not known for technological expertise, quickly developed a friendship with Huang. The president has called him “smart" and “amazing," insisting that Huang accompany him on foreign trips. Most recently, Trump had Air Force One pick up the leather-jacketed CEO in Alaska while en route to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-musk-apple-iran-boeing-fbc2bb27b6f77146dce1954502f9aeb8">his state visit to China</a>.</p><p>Their relationship started last year with an invitation to dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s home and private club in Florida. Huang was in the area to receive the Edison Achievement Award for his AI work.</p><p>“He says drop by for dinner, and so I did,” Huang said. He went with his wife, Lori.</p><p>“He was incredibly engaging, incredibly charismatic, conversational, asked a lot of questions,” Huang recalled. “From the moment that I met him, the only thing that he’s ever talked to me about is creating more jobs, reindustrializing the United States, protecting national security, winning.” He added that Trump "calls me in the middle of the night and wants to talk about one of these topics.”</p><p>But his proximity to Trump has also led to criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., objected to Huang not testifying before a Senate committee even as “he has time to attend a $1 million-a-head dinner at Mar-a-Lago."</p><p>Huang said he wants the U.S. president and other officials — regardless of party — to succeed. “We could differ with politics, but we should want him to succeed," he said. "Because when President Trump succeeds, our country succeeds.” </p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Uf4hrixLtu-OD7I9cfI_ARRIrP0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/M5U4AW6YQFG77CKPCOELB7BHMA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5760" width="8640"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Jensen Huang, president and CEO of Nvidia, listens during an interview before a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion of Coherent's manufacturing facility on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Sherman, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jeffrey Mcwhorter</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/RK8xlyjpM7zuUGvug_uJ-92LUqw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/Y47WSIFKSFDEZKJMVXSXVZO65M.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5741" width="8611"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Jensen Huang, president and CEO of Nvidia, listens during an interview before a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion of Coherent's manufacturing facility on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Sherman, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jeffrey Mcwhorter</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/JyjGyRCFG3QmiwDvklZ7nxPmuRw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/D2QGDRPQSJFINK3445PFYITDOY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5217" width="8191"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Jensen Huang, president and CEO of Nvidia, laughs during an interview before a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion of Coherent's manufacturing facility on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Sherman, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jeffrey Mcwhorter</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/r2y8IezCnNFyM1BVEBwgqa5ovQc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UZV6IDICUVDJBNQUCPN4TGDZHI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4341" width="6511"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Jensen Huang, right, president and CEO of Nvidia, talks with Jim Anderson, CEO of Coherent, before a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion of Coherent's manufacturing facility on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Sherman, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jeffrey Mcwhorter</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/3OFxXvz8hD2f2DogV7FRiLcSF48=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/COZZIBL6XBGELI6X25HUQI3PJA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4922" width="7383"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Jensen Huang, left, president and CEO of Nvidia, and Jim Anderson, CEO of Coherent, sign a ceremonial construction beam before a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion of Coherent's manufacturing facility on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Sherman, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jeffrey Mcwhorter</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[UN chief visits Haiti, where a new international force will be deployed to help fight gangs]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/16/un-secretary-general-visits-haiti-as-gang-violence-soars/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/16/un-secretary-general-visits-haiti-as-gang-violence-soars/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dánica Coto, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has visited Haiti, where surging gang violence has left more than 1 in 10 people homeless.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:04:49 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres visited <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/haiti">Haiti</a> on Tuesday, where surging gang violence has left more than 1 in 10 people homeless.</p><p>New statistics released by the U.N. reveal that 2,300 people have been killed across Haiti so far this year, with another 100 kidnapped, while 1.5 million have been displaced. Among those abducted is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-kidnapping-boyard-gangs-police-b00950bd26fdddbb047a157526c12b02">James Boyard</a>, cabinet director of the Defense Ministry, who was kidnapped last week in one of the few relatively safe areas of the capital.</p><p>Guterres’ one-day visit to <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/port-au-prince">Port-au-Prince</a> comes after more than 30 people were killed, injured or missing last weekend in Cité Soleil, a seaside slum, according to Cooperative for Peace and Development, a local human rights organization.</p><p>His convoy sped past a neighborhood once fully controlled by gangs that left in their wake decimated car dealerships, abandoned homes and dozens of concrete buildings pockmarked with bullet holes. A colorful bus known as a tap-tap rumbled past, its windshield peppered with bullet holes. </p><p>Graffiti scrawled on a crumbling concrete wall read: “Down with Viv Ansanm, long live the police.” Viv Ansanm is a powerful gang federation that the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-us-gangs-terrorist-organization-f41c363bd04466af9536b9fd323d8dcb">U.S. government designated a foreign terrorist organization</a>. It is estimated to control 70% of Port-au-Prince.</p><p>Guterres traveled past dozens of Haitians who fled the clashes and now live in makeshift homes under large pieces of canvas strung up with frayed rope.</p><p>They are among the more than 300,000 people displaced by gang violence across Port-au-Prince — a record. Among them are more than 18,000 people who fled the Cité Soleil slum in May, according to the U.N. International Organization for Migration.</p><p>“Haiti’s displacement crisis is entering an even more alarming phase,” Gregoire Goodstein, IOM chief of mission in Haiti, said in a recent statement. </p><p>Guterres’s first stop was the headquarters of the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-un-suppression-force-gangs-violence-f4235742f68e85ac2deaa2f9eae13c4d">new gang-suppression force</a>, which the U.N. Security Council approved in September. It replaces a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police that aimed to help Haiti’s National Police fight gangs but remained underfunded and understaffed. So far, Jamaica, Chad, El Salvador and Guatemala have deployed troops that number less than 1,000 to form part of the growing force, which is due to start operations in the coming weeks.</p><p>They are expected to work with Haiti’s National Police and its growing Armed Forces, with hundreds of Haitian men and a couple of women lining up on a dusty road hoping to interview to join.</p><p>Guterres then met behind closed doors with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-presidential-council-steps-down-us-prime-minister-ab6bc808fc31833038638a76a667d7ed">Prime Minister Alix Didier-Fils-Aimé</a>, who is under pressure to hold elections in the country of nearly 12 million people that hasn’t had a president since Jovenel Moïse <a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-president-jovenel-moise-killed-b56a0f8fec0832028bdc51e8d59c6af2">was killed at his private residence</a> in July 2021.</p><p>“We had a frank conversation about what’s happening in Haiti, the vision the government has for the future,” Fils-Aimé told The Associated Press after the meeting.</p><p>He said security is a priority so the transitional government can hold elections and “get back to republican rule.” Fils-Aimé added that Guterres can help with that effort by ensuring that the countries backing the gang-suppression force “live up to their engagement.”</p><p>Forced to flee to makeshift shelters</p><p>Guterres also stopped by a makeshift shelter in a former school where dozens of the people living there crowded around him.</p><p>Forced to flee their homes after gangs shot up their community and set fire to it, some had been living there for up to four years.</p><p>“Solino is not ready,” 31-year-old Clifford Lala said of going back to his community. It was one of the last holdouts in Port-au-Prince until gangs overran it.</p><p>Guterres ducked into a hot classroom and met privately with a group of six women who decried the lack of privacy at the shelter, even to shower or use the bathroom, and said they worried about their young children.</p><p>"It’s skin-to-skin and mouth-to-mouth,” said one woman.</p><p>The shelter houses more than 1,200 people who sleep side by side, and only one meal a day is guaranteed.</p><p>“We’re going to do our best,” Guterres told the women.</p><p>Outside, a man began to slap the building’s metal siding and bellowed, “We want to go back home!” His voice grew louder and angrier as security walked into the room and whisked Guterres away.</p><p>Wendy Cejour, 26, told the AP that he and his family have been living at the school for a year and a half.</p><p>“As long as we’re alive we have hope, but … things are difficult,” he said. “We ask ... to return to our neighborhood to live better, because we don’t have a life here.”</p><p>A day before Guterres’s visit, Human Rights Watch published a letter urging him to protect the population and target the root causes of violence and human rights abuses. Guterres said he was deeply impacted by what he saw.</p><p>“What I saw will not leave me,” he said. “Each day is a fight to survive. ... The women and the children pay the highest price.”</p><p>___</p><p>Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america">https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/-kLZwXnWLyv492Lf2pb4PZk4GJY=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/A5MDDIDOFJGVZESQ4MS5DDKTBQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2835" width="4253"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aim, front center, walks with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as Guterres arrives to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Danica Coto)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Danica Coto</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/XJa8XrHLC_i5rACi5yt_q5neOsI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4TNAUY33QZHTVFHLA3XYGD4GJY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3768" width="5652"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres greets soldiers from Chad at a base in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Danica Coto)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Danica Coto</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[‘He was our everything’: Family of man killed in Mixon Town industrial accident launches GoFundMe]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/he-was-our-everything-family-of-man-killed-in-mixon-town-industrial-accident-launches-gofundme/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/17/he-was-our-everything-family-of-man-killed-in-mixon-town-industrial-accident-launches-gofundme/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ariel Schiller]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[A beloved husband, father, and longtime car hauler was killed in a tragic industrial accident at a Mixon Town repair shop, leaving his grieving family seeking community support as they face life without him.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 01:21:02 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A beloved husband, father, and longtime car hauler was killed in a tragic<a href="https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/09/person-killed-after-industrial-accident-in-mixon-town-jso/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/09/person-killed-after-industrial-accident-in-mixon-town-jso/"> industrial accident at a Mixon Town repair shop</a>, leaving his grieving family seeking community support as they face life without him.</p><p>Jason Ferrera was a man known for his willingness to help anyone, a GoFundMe said.</p><p>Ferrera was killed on June 9 after he became trapped between a semi-cab truck and a power lift system at the Absolute Truck Repair building on 10 Stockton Street.</p><p>Jacksonville police said Ferrera was working on a semi-cab truck, which was being placed onto a power lift system. At some point, the semi-cab truck shifted, causing it to fall and trap the man between the lift system and the semi-cab.</p><p>Though his wife, Staci Ferrera, and her children were not ready to speak, she issued the following statement about her late husband: </p><p>“He was our everything, our whole world. Jason lived his life to the fullest every day, viewing each person he met as a friend from that moment on. He was willing to go to the ends of the earth to provide the best for his children, managing to be both strict and their best friend at the same time. If you ever needed someone to help you find your laughter again amidst life’s curveballs, Jason was your go-to guy. He was among the kindest, most hardworking, and fun-loving individuals you could ever meet, with an insatiable desire to learn and help others in any way possible. He had a unique ability to find the bright side of things, even when it seemed there wasn’t one. Jason started each day before the sun rose and often ended his day well after it had set.</p><p>“His family has a hard road ahead of them navigating life without him by their sides. Please help in any way you can, thoughts, prayers, small donations if possible,” the GoFundMe said.</p><p>If you would like to donate to the fundraiser to help the family reach its $14,000 goal, <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-jason-ferreras-family" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-jason-ferreras-family">click here</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/D34fr0lrS7EswBihYhIdb498lpM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WGV4GGYTERCU7JIUMFFOFNJ3YM.png" type="image/png" height="1080" width="1920"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Family of man killed in industrial accident mourns his loss, asks for community support]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Author Amy Griffin sues woman who alleged she stole her stories of sexual abuse in memoir 'The Tell']]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/16/author-amy-griffin-sues-woman-who-alleged-she-stole-her-stories-of-sexual-abuse-in-memoir-the-tell/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/16/author-amy-griffin-sues-woman-who-alleged-she-stole-her-stories-of-sexual-abuse-in-memoir-the-tell/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Dalton, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Author Amy Griffin has sued a former classmate for defamation.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 04:16:39 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Author <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tell-lawsuit-amy-griffin-oprah-3016bbff52637b2200de68714f1e8e86">Amy Griffin</a> sued a former classmate for defamation on Monday, saying the woman's statements in a New York Times story and a subsequent lawsuit alleging Griffin appropriated her stories of sexual abuse for her bestselling 2025 memoir “The Tell” are false in “every element.”</p><p>Griffin’s lawsuit, filed in federal court in Nevada, says that in 2025 her former middle school classmate “told The New York Times — and through it, the world — that Amy Griffin is a fraud and a thief.”</p><p>The lawsuit says that in the woman's telling, “Mrs. Griffin stole the rape of another woman and built a bestseller on it.”</p><p>A Times spokesperson said the lawsuit misrepresents <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/nyregion/amy-griffin-memoir-psychedelic-drugs.html">its story</a> and reporting. The former classmate said her account will prove true in court. </p><p>In <a href="https://apnews.com/article/oprah-winfrey-amy-griffin-book-club-27eb9db696dc836aae4b69cde748b34e">“The Tell,”</a> a hit that became an <a href="https://apnews.com/article/douglas-stuart-oprah-winfrey-book-club-7f68359d7a35423bdfb858f3d51557a7">Oprah's Book Club</a> selection, Griffin, a venture capitalist and memoirist, recounts being sexually abused as a child by a teacher at her middle school in Amarillo, Texas, and writes that years later she recovered memories of the experience by undergoing therapy using the psychedelic drug MDMA. </p><p>The Times story published six months after the book included stories from a classmate who said some of Griffin's experiences were eerily similar to her own. Then in March the woman filed a lawsuit in California state court, which Griffin is fighting and seeking to have dismissed. </p><p>The Associated Press doesn’t typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly or otherwise consent. The woman who sued Griffin filed her lawsuit as Jane Doe, and her name did not appear in the Times story.</p><p>Griffin says documentation backs her in every aspect</p><p>Griffin's lawsuit says the most essential fact is that she put her account of her abuse in writing in 2020, and in 2021 she provided another detailed and documented account in an interview with the Amarillo Police Department. Both accounts match up with the book, and both came before Griffin is alleged to have extracted the woman's abuse story by having someone posing as a talent agent call her in 2022, according to the lawsuit. The statute of limitations prevented the criminal investigation from moving forward. </p><p>Griffin's lawsuit says the woman falsely claimed to be another middle school classmate who appears in “The Tell” under the pseudonym “Claudia,” whose meeting with the author is recounted in the book. The lawsuit Griffin had not talked to the woman in more than 35 years, had never been part of the same church youth group as alleged, and was demonstrably not in the Palm Springs area in 2019 — or the years before or after — when the woman claims the two of them met for coffee. </p><p>Griffin's lawsuit says the coffee shop conversation with “Claudia” took place thousands of miles away in the presence of a collaborator, and that the woman in the Times story had been unable to produce any evidence the meeting with her had taken place.</p><p>“Amy Griffin’s accuser has had every opportunity to set the record straight," Griffin's lawyer Tom Clare said in a statement to the AP on Tuesday. "This lawsuit’s purpose is to make the truth known. The New York Times knowingly promoted her false allegations and must also be held accountable.”</p><p>Accuser says this is an attempt to silence her</p><p>In an email to The Associated Press sent through her lawyers, the woman said the shame and humiliation from her sexual assault were unimaginable and she was “violated all over again after reading about my own experiences in Amy’s book.”</p><p>“Despite trying to remain anonymous, Amy has now chosen to use her immense wealth and influence to try and silence me,” the email said. “She has had her lawyers identify me publicly as well as sue me. I am shocked and disappointed that she would choose to take this route, especially since she herself knows the truth." </p><p>Griffin's attorneys said in filings that the woman's attorneys gave them her name — which they have used unredacted in exhibits that they've shared — and have not proceeded with the case anonymously under California law.</p><p>Griffin's lawsuit seeks a declaration that the allegations that she stole the woman's abuse stories are false, along with financial damages to be determined at trial. </p><p>New York Times stands by its reporting and story</p><p>Griffin's lawsuit, while not naming the Times as a defendant, is harshly critical of the paper, saying it "deemed the story too good to scrutinize” despite Griffin's lawyers making it clear the woman's account was “demonstrably false.” </p><p>Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoades Ha said in an email to the AP that the lawsuit and related filings “repeatedly misrepresent The New York Times story and its reporting,” and that the article “is markedly different in key aspects put forth” in both women's lawsuits. </p><p>Rhoades points out that many of the allegations Griffin is pushing back against did not appear in the Times' story, including that the woman they spoke to was “Claudia,” or that a person posing as a talent agent on Griffin's behalf called to get her stories of abuse. </p><p>And Rhoades said the Times story did not say Griffin “misappropriated” the woman's story, and she said claims that the reporters did not vet their story are false, and that they “engaged extensively with Ms. Griffin’s legal representatives prior to publication including meticulous fact checking.” </p><p>“Our <a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2025%2F09%2F24%2Fnyregion%2Famy-griffin-memoir-psychedelic-drugs.html&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cadalton%40ap.org%7C0332eedc457c4286e5b908decb4a222f%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C639171716459805392%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=wyGXdko%2Fin0kzzwJhSyYKUoGopnMNLCLt0O3VXJpPV0%3D&amp;reserved=0">story</a> was about a publishing phenomenon, the reliability of memories recovered while under the influence of MDMA and the impact of a bestselling memoir on the author’s hometown,” Rhoades said. “Our reporters’ only agenda was to pursue the facts, including corroboration of accounts from all sources.”</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/UMlXIqg2wKpGtoIf8f4p6SqJrTw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FTABOVNEUNFWNBVH7KPEI2CHC4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2474" width="3500"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - G9 Ventures founder Amy Griffin attends the Time100 Gala in New York, April 24, 2025. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Evan Agostini</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[We could have our 1st named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season by Wednesday]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/weather/2026/06/16/we-could-have-our-1st-named-storm-of-the-atlantic-hurricane-season-by-wednesday/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/weather/2026/06/16/we-could-have-our-1st-named-storm-of-the-atlantic-hurricane-season-by-wednesday/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Holtzman, Richard Nunn]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[We continue to monitor an area of low pressure across Texas. As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center has designated this disturbance as Potential Tropical Cyclone 1. ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:14:37 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We continue to monitor an area of low pressure across Texas. </p><p>As of 8 p.m., the National Hurricane Center has designated this disturbance as Potential Tropical Cyclone 1. What exactly is a potential tropical cyclone, and will this system impact our area?</p><p>A potential tropical cyclone is a system that is not yet a tropical cyclone, but which poses a threat of bringing tropical storm or hurricane conditions to land areas within 48 hours.</p><p>Once a system has this designation, the National Hurricane Center can issue advisory packages. They include a public advisory, forecast/advisory, discussion, wind speed probability product, along with the forecast cone.</p><figure><img src="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/ap8cpxx4RRN8B-0Kf0ipmbevdAY=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/STEFSFAFERAC3IUVLSF3D26UXY.png" alt="Potential Tropical Cyclone 1." height="886" width="1676"/><figcaption>Potential Tropical Cyclone 1.</figcaption></figure><p>As of early Tuesday afternoon, Potential Tropical Cyclone 1 was located around 25 miles southwest of Corpus Christi, Texas or roughly 300 miles southwest of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The system is moving northeast near 6 mph. </p><figure><img src="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/DGx-C_MUqJKBrNBdWhMetF7CUPc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NVTO6HHPKVFABMWXAOMBBPCDQM.png" alt="Tropical alerts." height="885" width="1656"/><figcaption>Tropical alerts.</figcaption></figure><p>A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Sabine Pass to Morgan City. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Sargent to Sabine Pass.</p><p> A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within 24 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area within 12-24 hours.</p><figure><img src="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Lch6Qb8UPxObjroXIvosyykoQ7I=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/XUEUHKHMTJAUNOTXZXSUI6Q7TY.png" alt="The latest forecast cone." height="886" width="1706"/><figcaption>The latest forecast cone.</figcaption></figure><p>The system is forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm on Wednesday. If this occurs, it would be designated as Arthur, which is the first name on the Atlantic hurricane list this season.</p><p>The system will eventually weaken and become post-tropical on Thursday. </p><p>Regardless if this has a name or not at that point, impacts across the Gulf will be the same (heavy rain and gusty wind).</p><figure><img src="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/7kLRtQHaJfKcbmxo6wXOIDm2EUA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7AUTYSQI2FHO7DCO42N7333CQ4.png" alt="Rainfall foescast over the next week." height="857" width="1611"/><figcaption>Rainfall foescast over the next week.</figcaption></figure><p>Additional rainfall totals over 5″ are likely for a large part of the Gulf thanks to the system. This will lead to additional instances of flash flooding. </p><figure><img src="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/K3jjDOb2WAcUFJdMWEimvjkCbX0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/PRBECX4WLJHEFIAYIQMKKXDGVM.png" alt="Tomorrow's flash flood risk." height="819" width="1658"/><figcaption>Tomorrow's flash flood risk.</figcaption></figure><p>The flash flood risk is elevated from Texas into Louisiana on Wednesday. The higher risk will shift east on Thursday.</p><figure><img src="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/fFmQR7ZEi5UyunNRkc8-h3Wc_Vg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/2BJOA7BDR5H2ZJLOWEW3A5XMTM.png" alt="Thursday's flash flood risk." height="922" width="1639"/><figcaption>Thursday's flash flood risk.</figcaption></figure><p>The higher risk will be from Louisiana into Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. </p><p>Through the end of the week into the weekend, we can expect to see higher rain and storm coverage across Florida and Georgia as the moisture from the system passes by to our north. </p><p>While it won’t be a tropical system at that point, widespread showers and storms are possible. </p><p>The rainfall will be very beneficial for our area due to the widespread drought. </p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/hlf7NGRfKEyGaInjtc_Tx_gfyCM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7DOSQ4NZ75CVZO3BM2IQETJW7Q.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1080" width="1920"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[PTC #1]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Authorities say they disrupted planned drone, gun attack on White House UFC cage-fighting show]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/multiple-arrests-as-fbi-disrupts-planned-attacks-targeting-white-house-ufc-show-director-says/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/multiple-arrests-as-fbi-disrupts-planned-attacks-targeting-white-house-ufc-show-director-says/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Court papers say law enforcement officials disrupted a planned attack targeting the UFC cage-fighting show staged at the White House this past weekend.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:00:46 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Law enforcement officials disrupted a planned attack targeting President Donald Trump's <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-80th-birthday-ufc-biden-e14d1bbccc1cbaaad42fd541b1fe833d">UFC cage-fighting show</a> at the White House this past weekend, according to court papers unsealed Tuesday that say plotters who harbored fringe conspiracy theories spoke of flying explosives-laden drones and shooting panicked crowd members as they fled.</p><p>Investigators recovered high-powered firearms from several of the suspects and reviewed encrypted text messages between roughly 20 participants who shared detailed maps and aerial photographs of the area and discussed the need for a “safe house” and escape routes after the intended attack, the documents show. </p><p>But it's unclear from the court records how close the would-be attackers could have come to being able to carry out the plan had it not been thwarted. </p><p>Several suspects or co-conspirators who were questioned by the authorities said they did not intend themselves to carry out violence but planned to instead observe others. One said he would have traveled to the UFC event as a protester but had to return home after his vehicle malfunctioned. And though the participants spoke of using drones rigged with explosives, charging documents suggest they were still looking to acquire such equipment when the plot was interrupted.</p><p>“It didn't even get close to the point of execution,” Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday evening on Fox News Channel, describing the planning as “not that advanced.”</p><p>“They weren’t in town. They had not really done that much planning,” he said.</p><p>United by conspiracy theories and anger over the country's direction</p><p>Law enforcement officials learned about the possible threat on June 10, four days before <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ufc-white-house-cage-match-mma-41816a1c6fd732447217ba479f74e897">the mixed martial arts extravaganza</a> on the White House’s South Lawn, “and thanks to the rapid action of the FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” Director Kash Patel said in a post on X on Tuesday.</p><p>Five people from states including Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska and California were arrested on federal charges, the Justice Department said.</p><p>Asked about the arrests Tuesday, Vance said there was “more violent rhetoric coming from the left than the right these days.” But the charging documents paint a more muddled view of their views, depicting them as espousing a tangled web of anti-government sentiment, antisemitic grievances, fury over the Trump administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and conspiracy theories about a powerful elite that sacrifices and consumes children.</p><p>Both Trump and Vance said they had not been briefed in advance of the plot. A top Secret Service official suggested Tuesday the investigation was continuing and an announcement might have been premature.</p><p>“Anyone that believes that case was worked in a bubble is naive,” Deputy Secret Service Director Matthew Quinn told reporters at an unrelated news conference. “I'll tell you the Secret Service led that investigation from the beginning. I'll tell you that it's ongoing. In order to maintain the integrity of the investigation and the security plan, we chose not to leak it.”</p><p>Communications took place on TikTok and Signal</p><p>Among those arrested was Tycen Proper, a 19-year-old Ohio man whose mother contacted law enforcement last week with concerns about his firearms purchases and online communications, according to an FBI affidavit filed in the case. </p><p>Proper told officials he participated in the planning of an attack, according to the affidavit, which says some members of the group began communicating with each other last March through a TikTok group called “Vanguard of the Old.”</p><p>“The members of the group stated that they wanted to protect the United States, which they believed was headed in the wrong direction,” the affidavit says. “Members of the group believed that the United States needed to be torn down so that it could be rebuilt. Some expressed a desire that people who were involved with <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">Jeffrey Epstein</a> should not govern the country.”</p><p>Trump, who celebrated his 80th birthday at the UFC event on Sunday, was friends with Epstein many years ago but has said he ended their relationship before the disgraced financier’s crimes became known. Epstein killed himself in a New York jail cell in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.</p><p>A lawyer for Proper, who is charged with firearms offenses and crimes including attempted murder of an officer or employee of the United States, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.</p><p>The logistics were discussed via Signal, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/signal-app-atlantic-war-plans-32699da142c5209b845e57f690df4925">an app that uses end-to-end encryption</a> for its messaging and calling services, through a primary chat of “approximately 19 individuals" and smaller side chats, authorities said. Messages obtained from Proper's phone show he identified by name several Republican lawmakers he said should be targeted because they apparently received donations from causes supportive of Israel, the affidavit said.</p><p>Proper told law enforcement officials that he had been planning to drive with weapons and body armor to a meet-up spot in Fredericksburg, Virginia, court papers say. He said though he did not intend to shoot people at the White House, others in the group did, the affidavit said.</p><p>The plan called for the use of drones that would be detonated over the north side of the White House, prompting an evacuation into the line of fire of waiting snipers in an attack Proper said was designed to “jumpstart” a revolution, authorities said.</p><p>Investigators who examined Proper's phone and TikTok account identified additional suspects.</p><p>Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California, told officials he viewed himself as “the planner and advisor for the group, and while he was not willing to take action himself, wanted to guide and instruct others on how to carry out attacks" designed to overthrow the government, an FBI agent said in an affidavit. </p><p>The agent said Thomas believed the U.S. government was “run by an elite group of individuals who sacrifice and consume infants who also were deeply involved" with Epstein and are now protected by Trump.</p><p>Another suspect, Bryan Omar Roa, also of California, told the FBI he had planned to attend the event as a “protester” but he had to return home because his car was broken, an agent said. </p><p>It was not immediately clear who their lawyers were.</p><p>Two other suspects were identified as Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri, who officials say said in a group chat that a target of the attack should be “big and someone a majority of the country knows,” and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, an Omaha, Nebraska, man who the FBI said posted detailed plans with the co-conspirators. </p><p>A lawyer for Alvarez declined to comment and a lawyer for Eskridge did not immediately return a message seeking comment.</p><p>___</p><p>Associated Press writers Darlene Superville in Évian-les-Bains, France, and Michael Kunzelman in Washington contributed to this report.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/0-t_OeRuR25ya6vwdoAXWppkIkw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/5BLQHWQHMBEHZH7EBGATTF73FE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3431" width="5147"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Security at the White House looks through a pair of binoculars during the UFC Fan Fest on the White House Ellipse ahead of Sunday's fight on the South Lawn, June 13, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Allison Robbert</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/G__Ctn1M5mDdnJcR6RKCi8DJHBM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EX7C65HJRNGSVAK2FKGQTD6PZE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5528" width="7740"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Diego Lopes celebrates during a featherweight bout against Steve Garcia during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mark Schiefelbein</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/28YHSWSot9zQvCjUQQQWg3Q1KHY=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/MQTMCAYMHFF5TLJLIZHY4T3PA4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4437" width="6656"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FBI director Kash Patel watches with Alexis Wilkins at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Alex Brandon</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/veYlqo_Gr5E38cuhze5pvJ8uICk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/N77IFOMU7RDTNFFQZWODTJNTUM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3333" width="5000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, UFC President and CEO Dana White and other guests pose inside the octagon after UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Washington. (Evan Vucci/Pool Photo via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Evan Vucci</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/-lOuIaHAPI-Ef1wfKPhGtm0xPZE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EYNTH5UVI5BA5FWPMW3IY4B66Q.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2320" width="3480"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[President Donald Trump attends UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Alex Brandon</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Scattered showers and thunderstorms, Heat Advisories possible this week]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/weather/2026/06/16/heat-advisories-possible-as-temperatures-rise-later-this-week/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/weather/2026/06/16/heat-advisories-possible-as-temperatures-rise-later-this-week/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Nunn]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Thunderstorms bring downpours, gusty wind and lightning to the region]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:05:45 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Update: Soaking rainfall continues across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia as the last of our thunderstorms moves offshore. Isolated storms will be possible as the showers and light rain end late tonight. Showers will be possible overnight.</p><p>Scattered showers with thunderstorms are moving across the area, carried by the southwesterly winds.</p><p>Hit-and-miss showers and thunderstorms have left puddles in some neighborhoods, while others remain dry under cloudy skies. Much like yesterday, scattered showers with isolated storms will leave a trace to an inch and change of rain. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible through sunset, with a few lingering through 10-11 p.m.</p><p>Partly cloudy skies and patchy fog will start our Wednesday, with near-seasonal highs and thunderstorms developing in the afternoon and evening. Locally heavy downpours, gusty winds, and frequent lightning will be the main hazards with these storms.</p><p>The heat returns Thursday and Friday, with possible heat advisories. The unsettled pattern continues through Saturday. Seasonal temperatures are expected this weekend. The first day of summer and Father’s Day will be a little drier. Late-day storms will be possible, but with much less coverage than previous days.</p><p>Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms through around 10-11 p.m.</p><p>Wednesday: Scattered showers with thunderstorms will develop along the southwest breeze. Strong to isolated severe storms will be possible. Lows in the 70s, with highs in the 80s and 90s. Rain chance 40-70 percent, mainly from around noon through 10 p.m. Wind: SW 10-15 mph.</p><p>Thursday: Possible heat advisories. Showers with afternoon thunderstorms, 40-60 percent. Lows in the 70s. Highs in the 80s to low 90s. Wind: SW 10-15 mph. Feels like temperatures 100-107 degrees.</p><figure><img src="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/gKpGgnpNBEUCwplV4lrzv381eNU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/IPW2KAQDXZFNTAF5RBLS3TGROA.png" alt="." height="995" width="1854"/><figcaption>.</figcaption></figure><p>Looking ahead: Scattered showers with storms expected Saturday, with drier weather expected on Sunday.</p><p>Tropics: Potential Tropical Cyclone One has formed. https://www.news4jax.com/weather/2026/06/16/we-could-have-our-1st-named-storm-of-the-atlantic-hurricane-season-by-wednesday/</p><p>Sunrise: 6:24 p.m.</p><p>Sunset: 8:31 p.m.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/nxTe6P5bwZR0WgUD546jUn3YMDE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/X7MZJFORABER7ETFBIWCWXJ2K4.png" type="image/png" height="1059" width="1909"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[.]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[US strike on an alleged drug boat kills 1, leaves 2 survivors in the eastern Pacific Ocean]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/us-strike-on-an-alleged-drug-boat-kills-1-leaves-2-survivors-in-the-eastern-pacific-ocean/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/17/us-strike-on-an-alleged-drug-boat-kills-1-leaves-2-survivors-in-the-eastern-pacific-ocean/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The U.S. military has attacked a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one man and leaving two survivors.]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:53:41 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The U.S. military attacked a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, killing one man and leaving two survivors, as the Trump administration continues its <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-drug-cartels-military-timeline-91e242e5c56eec39b6b7d72bf55dbd2d">monthslong campaign</a> against alleged traffickers in Latin America.</p><p>The latest attack brings the number of people who have been killed in boat strikes by the U.S. military to at least 208 since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls “narcoterrorists” in early September. </p><p>As with most of the military’s statements on strikes in the eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, U.S. Southern Command said it targeted the alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes. The military did not provide evidence that the vessel was ferrying drugs. A video posted on X showed a boat traveling in the water before being hit by the strike and bursting into flames.</p><p>Southern Command said it "immediately notified U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivors."</p><p>President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-drugs-venezuela-911-hegseth-3db3aafed492556bb9ca7de855c4849e">justified the attacks</a> as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and fatal overdoses claiming American lives. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing “narcoterrorists.”</p><p>Critics <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-drugs-25000-lives-c6e4c750b0dc6f15d397d598c9bd169f">have questioned the overall legality</a> of the boat strikes as well as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the U.S. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-drug-smuggling-cocaine-coast-guard-caribbean-e10930a4c7e48eeb23816867e7987bcc">over land from Mexico</a>, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.</p><p>The strikes have <a href="https://apnews.com/article/pete-hegseth-boat-strike-admiral-congress-521606d39c04dcc040ea232dc9cfeeda">drawn intense scrutiny</a> from some Democratic lawmakers and military legal scholars. The U.S. military’s first strike in early September drew particular concern from some lawmakers and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-survivors-hegseth-72b0a498ca08615b2589c772a1d9e642">those who study military law</a>. </p><p>Two men on the boat initially survived the attack that killed nine others, and they were clinging to the wreckage when the vessel was struck again, killing them. The White House confirmed <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-hegseth-maduro-512c66b99b2a13e9d1a3ed2699e78228">the follow-up strike</a>, insisting it was done “in self-defense” to ensure the boat was destroyed and in accordance with the laws of armed conflict. </p><p>But some legal scholars said a second strike killing survivors would have been illegal under any circumstance, armed conflict or not.</p><p>The Pentagon’s watchdog said in May that it plans to look into whether the U.S. military followed an <a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strike-pentagon-inspector-general-evaluation-targeting-72e9006c57aa2c695744402934e4ca66">established targeting framework</a> when carrying out the strikes.</p><p>However, the evaluation is focused specifically on what’s known as the six-phase Joint Targeting Cycle and not on the legality of the strikes, the inspector general’s office said. </p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/FeznoQlrpLm-FSBf5Es2UFwQp6k=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EZO432P3PBFVXMP666VTRZEOKA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5760" width="8640"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Washington, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, looks on. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jacquelyn Martin</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[A 6.7 magnitude earthquake shakes part of Indonesia, killing at least 1, causing damage and injuries]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/16/67-magnitude-earthquake-shakes-part-of-indonesia-causing-scattered-damage/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/16/67-magnitude-earthquake-shakes-part-of-indonesia-causing-scattered-damage/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mohammad Taufan, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[A 6.7 magnitude earthquake has shaken central Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, killing at least one resident and injuring dozens of people.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 03:50:58 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook part of central <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/indonesia">Indonesia</a> ’s Sulawesi island Tuesday, killing at least one resident, injuring dozens of people, damaging homes and infrastructure and rattling residents of a city devastated by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/e87a48958177401d9b36a5c9c45ba545">a quake and tsunami</a> eight years ago, officials said.</p><p>The initial quake was centered inland about 43 kilometers (27 miles) east-southeast of Palu, and the U.S. Geological Survey said it was about 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep. </p><p>The strong shaking sent people fleeing into open areas in and around Palu, a city of about 400,000 people and the capital of Central Sulawesi province. Several hospitals evacuated patients, some with IV drips, outdoors as a safety measure. </p><p>Four regencies close to the epicenter — with a combined population of 1.3 million — have yet to be fully assessed. A preliminary report said at least 312 people have been displaced by the powerful earthquake. Also, one person died, 38 others were reported injured and rushed to a nearby hospital, including 13 with serious injuries in the hardest hit Sigi regency, according to Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Management Agency's spokesperson.</p><p>He said the earthquake also caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure, including 67 houses, six places of worship, four public facilities, two bridges, two government office buildings and three business sites. A section of a provincial road linking Palu city and its neighboring regencies of Sigi and Poso was cut.</p><p>Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency also recorded that at least 71 aftershocks continued throughout the day, raising concerns among residents shaken by memories of a devastating 2018 earthquake and tsunami in the region. The aftershocks prompted residents to flee buildings and gather in open areas.</p><p>People also moved away from coastal areas as a precaution in case the quake set off a tsunami. The agency said there was no danger of a tsunami but warned aftershocks could continue.</p><p>“The earthquake shaking was extremely strong,” Palu resident Muhtar Ahmad said. “We are still traumatized by the previous earthquake, so we chose to remain outside because we are afraid that aftershocks may continue.”</p><p>Images from the area showed heavily damaged structures with partially collapsed roofs, shattered walls and debris scattered across the streets. </p><p>“We have evacuated all guests from the hotel, including several guests who remained in their rooms,” said Effendi Natali, a general manager of a four-star hotel in Palu. </p><p>“They all panicked, which is a natural reaction during an earthquake, but everyone is safe,” Natali said, adding that the hotel sustained only minor damage.</p><p>Many Sulawesi residents are haunted by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/d04c31bf62ff46c5a3fc19d7ec020373">the magnitude 7.5 earthquake</a> that devastated Palu in 2018, setting off a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-ap-top-news-earthquakes-international-news-tsunamis-fdf79f0b6cb5438a9d7e1639cd9cd28d">3-meter (10-foot) high tsunami</a> and a phenomenon called liquefaction in which soil collapses into itself. More than 4,000 people were killed, including many who were buried when whole neighborhoods were swallowed in the falling ground.</p><p>In January 2021, a magnitude <a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-indonesia-coronavirus-pandemic-local-governments-asia-pacific-047c950d338b83dc8d57272a63d19de2">6.2 earthquake near the city of Mamuju</a> on Sulawesi island left at least 100 people dead, with thousands sleeping outdoors for days out of fear of aftershocks.</p><p>Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity because of its location on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.</p><p>___</p><p>Associated Press journalists Niniek Karmini and Edna Tarigan in Jakarta contributed to this report.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/0EhVW9z4PNxFIdRwFyko5UVEJms=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6YRMPUTV5NH7XK2AWOROUBQVFU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2242" width="3365"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A man talks on his mobile phone near a building damaged in an earthquake in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Josua Marunduh)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Josua Marunduh</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/fDTZno1_PhNgS6vAWnCH5yQNhq0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AIBN2IQAZRH4DJ6XHATS2EWFIE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2022" width="3035"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Patients are evacuated outside a local hospital following an earthquake in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Taufan Bustan)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Taufan Bustan</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/hd5EUBU4Xp8SLaPOF1cT8PzgO8o=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/PGW7JLDDMRGRHCY7OCVIHT3ASQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2115" width="3175"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Patients who were evacuated are seen outside of a local hospital following an earthquake in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Taufan Bustan)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Taufan Bustan</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Protesters rally outside DHS recruiting expo in Jacksonville as job seekers pursue federal careers]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/jacksonville-advocacy-groups-plan-peaceful-protest-outside-dhs-career-expo-at-prime-osborne-center/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/jacksonville-advocacy-groups-plan-peaceful-protest-outside-dhs-career-expo-at-prime-osborne-center/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Tiffany Salameh]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[A coalition of local advocacy groups plans a peaceful protest Tuesday and Wednesday outside a Department of Homeland Security recruiting expo at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, organizers said.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:50:41 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A coalition of local advocacy groups gathered Tuesday outside a Department of Homeland Security recruiting expo at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, urging job seekers not to pursue careers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.</p><p>The demonstration, organized by Indivisible JAX Riverside and joined by groups including Beaches Activist Movement, Indivisible Mandarin, Indivisible St. Johns County, JaxNOW, Take Em Down, the Democratic Women’s Information Network and 50501 Vets, coincided with the first day of a two-day DHS career fair.</p><p>Organizers said the protest was a response to what they described as an aggressive nationwide recruitment effort and the expansion of federal immigration enforcement.</p><p>“We’re out here today to protest DHS, Department of Homeland Security, having a job fair in our city to increase ICE agents and increase the abuse that’s happening right now,” protester Montessa Bryant said.</p><p>Protesters voiced concerns about immigration detention and enforcement practices.</p><p>“We’ve seen all of the abuses of ICE,” Bryant said.</p><p>Gloria Einstein, another protester, said she felt compelled to speak out against current immigration policies.</p><p>“We’re imprisoning people who committed no crimes and making them subject to these awful conditions,” Einstein said. “It’s just intolerable and I feel the need to protest it any way I can.”</p><p>The coalition said it opposes what it views as the militarization of interior enforcement, accelerated training models and a lack of accountability within federal agencies. Organizers also raised concerns about alleged racial and language profiling by federal agents and cited reports from advocacy organizations regarding shootings and deaths in ICE custody.</p><p>Inside the expo, however, attendees expressed a different perspective.</p><p>Many job seekers said they were focused on finding stable employment and opportunities to serve the public.</p><p>“We’re just here to better ourselves and hopefully get the career we want,” said Gesco Camile, who attended the event.</p><p>Camile said a desire to serve motivated his interest in DHS careers.</p><p>“I have a deep sense of justice and integrity, so I want to serve people,” he said. “And the Department of Homeland Security, they serve America, so what a better place to work for.”</p><p>Chester Wilson, another attendee, said employment opportunities were his primary concern.</p><p>“I think the most important thing is that we could all continue to be employed, all continue to support the country and give all that we can give,” Wilson said.</p><p>According to a DHS flyer, the recruiting event includes opportunities with several agencies, including Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration.</p><p>DHA Spokesperson Daniel Velez said there’s a big focus on hiring TSA agents with another concourse opening soon at the Jacksonville International Airport.</p><p>“Anytime an airport grows or we get more security screening lanes or a bigger footprint at an airport, we’re definitely going to look to bring in officers,” Velez said. </p><p>The flyer states DHS’s mission includes enforcing immigration laws, securing U.S. borders, safeguarding cyber infrastructure, protecting national leaders and countering terrorism.</p><figure><img src="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/4cZ9toWgHm3lo46lBgZiIl5sR7c=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FIRH5FHSERFJVGZZTKXQULSR5U.jpeg" alt="Department of Homeland Security job fair at Prime Osborne III Convention Center." height="1143" width="1143"/><figcaption>Department of Homeland Security job fair at Prime Osborne III Convention Center.</figcaption></figure><p>“Our priority is securing the homeland and keeping the American people safe,” the flyer says, adding that DHS operates “by air, land, sea, and cyberspace.”</p><p>The flyer invites veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses, students and experienced professionals to attend and explore career opportunities across areas such as law enforcement, cybersecurity, immigration services and logistics.</p><p>The DHS career expo continues Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center. Protest organizers said they plan to return Wednesday morning.</p><p>For more information on job opportunities, <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-careers/expo" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-careers/expo">click here. </a></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Jacksonville food truck is feeding kids for free this summer. Here’s how you can help]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/community/2026/06/16/a-jacksonville-food-truck-is-feeding-kids-for-free-this-summer-heres-how-you-can-help/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/community/2026/06/16/a-jacksonville-food-truck-is-feeding-kids-for-free-this-summer-heres-how-you-can-help/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Aleesia Hatcher, Victor Rodriguez]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[According to Feeding Northeast Florida, 1 in 5 children in Northeast Florida goes to bed hungry. And the struggle only grows in the summer months when children who rely on eating breakfast and lunch at school must find those meals elsewhere. But one Jacksonville business wants to make things easier.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:02:26 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It can be easy to forget that the joys of summer vacation also bring uncertainty for many children about when they might get their next meal.</p><p>According to Feeding Northeast Florida, 1 in 5 children in Northeast Florida goes to bed hungry. That’s more than 93,000 children who do not have enough food at home.</p><p>And the struggle only grows in the summer months when children who rely on eating breakfast and lunch at school must find those meals elsewhere.</p><p>But one Jacksonville business wants to make things easier.</p><p>Tyrica Moore, owner of The Food Doctor food truck, said she created the “Summer on the Block” program to help fill the gap when children lose access to regular school meals.</p><p>Moore chose North Myrtle Avenue because it’s a highly visible, easily accessible location in a neighborhood she says is underserved and considered a food desert.</p><p>“I know that this area does need that type of assistance, and I’m honored to be the one being a provider,” Moore said.</p><p>The Food Doctor’s Summer Lunch Program, funded by donations and sponsorships, currently provides free lunches to an average of 60 children Tuesday through Friday. </p><p>But Moore says the need is even greater.</p><p>She said some children show up every day right at noon, even before the truck opens, which she says shows families are depending on the program.</p><p>More than 200 meals have been served so far, with daily totals ranging from about 40 to nearly 80 meals. Children 16 and younger can pick from six different meal options and leave with lunch in hand.</p><figure><img src="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/PQZQva2cpbe06ZI8lKm8BKsakGk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/S46W6FZMOZBHPBALXSBL7G26ZA.jpg" alt="The Food Doctor food truck offers free meals for kids during the summer" height="1080" width="1920"/><figcaption>The Food Doctor food truck offers free meals for kids during the summer</figcaption></figure><p>Among the current options are:</p><ul><li>Shrimp and fries</li><li>Hamburgers and fries</li><li>Hot dogs and fries</li><li>Chicken tenders and fries</li></ul><p>Families are certainly grateful for Moore’s program.</p><p>“Getting the free lunches for the children helps provide a meal for them and gives us less stress, knowing that they have something to eat,” local mom Sheree Andrews said.</p><p>Moore credits community donations for making the program possible, calling it proof that “unity can happen” and that neighbors can come together to support one another.</p><p>One customer recently bought $500 worth of meals for kids, and encouraged others to chip in what they can to pay it forward for the children.</p><iframe width="191" height="340" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0jeH0AvXl-c?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen title="Buying $500 worth of meals for kids at a local food truck."></iframe><p>To continue the program throughout the summer, Moore is asking for help from the community.</p><p>She wants to expand the free meals for kids to Mondays, and she wants to feed more than 75 kids a day, which means she needs to increase her staff for the program.</p><p>The ultimate goal is to feed every child who comes to the truck throughout the entire summer. But the estimated cost to operate the program is about $1,200 per day, including food and staffing expenses</p><p>The Food Doctor <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-our-summer-lunch-program-for-kids" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-our-summer-lunch-program-for-kids">has a GoFundMe account</a> where you can donate to the project. You can also head down to the food truck and tell them you want to sponsor meals for kids.</p><p>“Every donation, sponsorship, and meal purchased helps us continue serving local families and making sure no child goes hungry this summer,” Moore wrote on GoFundMe. “Together, we can feed our kids and strengthen our community one meal at a time.”</p><p>Moore also emphasized that support isn’t only financial. She said sharing information about the program, praying for the effort, and spreading awareness can also help.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Iran says the initial deal to end the war with the US requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanon]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/16/iranian-official-says-end-of-war-includes-end-of-israels-occupation-of-lebanon-state-tv-reports/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/16/iranian-official-says-end-of-war-includes-end-of-israels-occupation-of-lebanon-state-tv-reports/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Iran’s top diplomat says the tentative deal to end the war with the United States would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon — a condition Israel has already rejected and that could sink the agreement.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 07:43:19 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Iran’s top diplomat said Tuesday that the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-us-pakistan-ceasefire-what-to-know-949710df39e3f1033cbb6beda3955814">tentative deal to end the war</a> with the United States would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon — a condition Israel has already rejected and that could sink the agreement, leading to the resumption of all-out war.</p><p>The deal, which is between the U.S. and Iran, has not been made public, and officials have sometimes <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-trump-agreement-talking-points-4166975ec5cf58ef4acaa370171f623f">offered contradictory interpretations</a> of what is in it. While Israel is not party to the agreement, it is part of the war after joining the U.S. in <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">launching strikes on Iran</a> on Feb. 28. Israel also has fought the Iran-backed <a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hezbollah-conflict-timeline-a2f7978dee7f29af1d50f690d032e4d3">Hezbollah militant group</a> in Lebanon and seized large swaths of that country.</p><p>Iranian Foreign Minister <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-war-trump-oil-hormuz-5a1d5142470e0de7349c409e2d566fce">Abbas Araghchi</a> said Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanon would violate the deal.</p><p>“Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end,” Araghchi said.</p><p>A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss outlines of the agreement, has said the deal does not call for an Israeli withdrawal. And Israeli Prime Minister <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/benjamin-netanyahu">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> said Monday that Israel would remain in Lebanon “as long as necessary.”</p><p>The negotiations to end the war have been plagued by such disagreements before, leading to a prolonged but uneasy ceasefire that has failed to develop into a permanent end to hostilities and has left the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/the-worlds-most-important-21-miles-0000019d2fbfd29daffdefffc72e0000">Strait of Hormuz</a>, a crucial waterway for the world’s energy supplies, effectively shut.</p><p>Switzerland’s foreign ministry said the signing ceremony for the deal will take place Friday at the Bürgenstock resort near the city of Luzern.</p><p>Iran's call for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon complicates any deal</p><p>Pakistan has said the deal called for an end to military operations, including in Lebanon, as Iran long insisted. But Araghchi’s call for an Israeli withdrawal adds a new wrinkle.</p><p>It puts Israel into a dilemma as it tries to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities without undermining an agreement championed by its most important ally, the United States. Israel invaded southern Lebanon after Hezbollah fired missiles across the border during the first week of the war. Since then, it has expanded its military footprint to levels unseen in decades and struck targets deep inside Beirut.</p><p>Though Hezbollah has been weakened, it retains the ability to strike Israel, leaving open questions about the effectiveness of Israel’s campaign.</p><p>As of Tuesday evening, Netanyahu had not seen the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran, said a person familiar with the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss closed-door details. Another person, who also spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations between Israel and the U.S., said Israeli officials have not asked U.S. negotiators for the memorandum.</p><p>Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The White House declined to comment on whether Netanyahu or Israeli officials have reviewed the agreement.</p><p>The Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, told NPR that while Israel does not know the details of the deal, the apparent inclusion of Lebanon is “unnecessary and unhelpful.”</p><p>The extent of Israel’s strikes has at times opened a public fracture between its leaders. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday that he was “not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon and with Hezbollah.”</p><p>“It just goes on forever,” he said of Israel’s strategy. Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed nearly 4,000 people, including hundreds of civilians, and displaced more than 1 million. </p><p>“Israel’s fighting Hezbollah too long, and too many people are being killed,” Trump said.</p><p>Lebanese government welcomes prospects for a ceasefire </p><p>Israel and the Lebanese government have entered their own <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-us-war-hezbollah-negotiations-28b207b800de1804d8c2ab5242237542">U.S.-mediated direct negotiations</a>, of which Hezbollah was not part. Those talks have yielded <a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-ceasefire-fighting-75695f2e611c8dd9851075f1fcd6ac47">several announced ceasefires</a> that were never implemented on the ground.</p><p>Lebanese officials initially tried to keep Lebanon separate from the U.S.-Iran negotiations, not wanting to be seen as beholden to Iran, but they have since welcomed the announcement that the deal to end the U.S.-Iran war would include a ceasefire in Lebanon.</p><p>Araghchi’s latest comments appear to match the understanding of two regional officials with direct knowledge of the interim deal. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations, said it would require Israel to leave nearly all the territory it occupies in Lebanon, minus a few hilltop points along the border seized earlier.</p><p>The officials say Iran insisted the accord include Lebanon in the last days of the negotiations.</p><p>The U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon known as UNIFIL reported that Israel and Hezbollah are still exchanging fire but at a “significantly reduced level,” U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday.</p><p>Many questions loom ahead of ceremonial signing </p><p>Other major questions hang over the planned ceremonial signing.</p><p>The agreement is meant to provide a meaningful truce in a monthslong war that has killed thousands across the Middle East and raised the prices of fuel, food and other basic goods far beyond the region.</p><p>The agreement provides for the “immediate” opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the American naval blockade of Iranian ports, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke to reporters Monday on condition of anonymity to discuss outlines of the agreement.</p><p>At least two oil tankers left Iran on Tuesday and crossed the U.S. military blockade without being stopped, ship tracking websites show. They represented Iran’s first crude oil exports in two months, merchant shipping tracking website TankerTrackers.com said.</p><p>The site said it corroborated the departure of the Iranian-flagged tankers Diona and Hero II with satellite imagery and that they were carrying a combined total of 3.8 million barrels of Iranian crude oil. U.S. Central Command said it had no comment.</p><p>Next, the U.S. and Iran will begin 60 days of negotiations over <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-us-war-timeline-c9cf4cae2651d343a9f2eda4132de215">Iran’s nuclear program</a> and the potential lifting of sanctions, Pakistani officials who helped broker the interim deal said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the unpublished text.</p><p>The pact also includes the possibility of releasing Iran’s frozen funds and a $300 billion fund to help rebuild Iran if Tehran meets certain benchmarks, senior U.S. officials told reporters Monday. Trump later said the United States would not “invest” funds in Iran.</p><p>U.S. officials have not yet explained how they see the agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear program, including who will be in charge of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-material-access-resolution-vote-iaea-b8050494bc01a2e596a3a59952bfc8eb">verifying that Iran is in compliance</a> and who will destroy or remove highly enriched uranium believed to be buried under <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-nuclear-attack-uranium-enrichment-radiation-5ded3c224531adf510668c5860801882">nuclear sites that were badly damaged</a> by U.S. strikes last summer.</p><p>Iran has agreed to discuss ways to possibly “dilute or remove” the uranium, the regional officials said. However, it remains unclear whether Tehran would agree to that, particularly with hard-liners opposed.</p><p>Trump said he’s open to sending the emerging agreement to the U.S. Congress for review. Republicans on Capitol Hill say they want Trump to provide more information about the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-us-pakistan-ceasefire-what-to-know-949710df39e3f1033cbb6beda3955814">agreement</a>, with some expressing skepticism that the deal can deter Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon.</p><p>___</p><p>Metz reported from Ramallah, West Bank, and Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press writers Julia Frankel and Koral Saeed in Jerusalem, Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Michelle L. Price and Konstantin Toropin in Washington, Aamer Madhani in Geneva, Darlene Superville in Evian-les-Bains, France, and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/KjbUfdOnK_jsCRPAiHEcrQCUv_8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/VGM6SNTE3BABFDBF6LDXIGD2AY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4265" width="6397"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[People walk along Tajrish square in northern Tehran, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Vahid Salemi</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/ofPGcXk4pa0W3-N6WyZNzb0LUoc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TGUQSKLLJNCXLJCRRVT7DEWEFA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A man who returns to his village following the announcement of an initial ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, flashes victory sign as he stands on the rubble of his destroyed house in Nabatiyeh town, southern Lebanon, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hussein Malla</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/PqtmTeq4OYT27GixSiMdUGQSkbs=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/5PCTKQUS2VEVFHL6EKJANF6MHU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Tankers and cargo vessels are seen in the Gulf of Oman, along shipping routes linking the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/jlrPQDMD19-wRIEcS7EPbYjJNL8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6YWQJEWT3RHWZGVHYND7LB7C4A.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Tankers and cargo vessels are seen in the Gulf of Oman, along shipping routes linking the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Sea, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/-5IDEuIPv8uKC3FFbcs1qW0QW9E=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/LBLJSS3JEBEPPA3LFI55LXA6XY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5760" width="8640"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A woman waves an Iranian flag during a pro-government campaign as a portrait of the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, is displayed at right, in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Vahid Salemi</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Noah Lyles runs a world-best 14.67 seconds to win the 150 meters at Golden Spike meet]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/noah-lyles-runs-a-world-best-1467-seconds-to-win-the-150-meters-at-golden-spike-meet/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/noah-lyles-runs-a-world-best-1467-seconds-to-win-the-150-meters-at-golden-spike-meet/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles has set the world best time in the rarely contested 150 meters at the Golden Spike meet.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:27:05 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Olympic gold medalist <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-olympics-100m-lyles-thompson-ccf37184afc2f3318271d4c495d2a16b">Noah Lyles</a> set the world best time in the rarely contested 150 meters at the Golden Spike meet on Tuesday.</p><p>The U.S. sprinter clocked 14.67 seconds to beat a field of runners including Australia’s teenage sprint sensation <a href="https://apnews.com/article/gout-australia-world-juniors-track-0946488e813c27732cf7bbbe933c3f0e">Gout Gout</a>.</p><p>Lyles, who won the 100 at the Paris Olympics and is four-time world champion in the 200, capitalized on a fast start before using his speed to cruise to the finish line.</p><p>He beat the previous best set by Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson at 14.92 in April at Miramar, Florida.</p><p>Sinesipho Dambile of South Africa placed second in 14.78 and 18-year-old Gout was third in 14.96.</p><p>Gout set the under-20 world record in the 200 — a time <a href="https://apnews.com/article/gout-worlds-track-lyles-bolt-4cc9ea632a5f9fe2232c6fd842ee1afc">faster than Usain Bolt’s best</a> at that age — in winning the open Australian title in 19.67 seconds in April.</p><p>The young Australian has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/gout-australia-track-sprint-4690070ed7e5028104f3e1f5068886e6">spent time training with Lyles</a> and had earmarked the rarely-raced 150 as a chance to go head-to-head with the champion American.</p><p>___</p><p>AP sports: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sports">https://apnews.com/hub/sports</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/p3RJKkAOkK3Tmt09z6PJjRFoX68=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/XHQ2BPN265BWHH37GK6S3W6QEA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2289" width="3434"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Noah Lyles of United States celebrates after winning the men's 150 meters event at the Golden Spike athletics meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lukas Kabon)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Lukas Kabon</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/f_QkoFinh6e9uzKxLWZk-jFGIFE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JPFAHCAGSNGLBHFSLFG5BQTVXI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3085" width="4628"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Noah Lyles of United States, left, Gout Gout of Australia and Sinesipho Dambile of South Africa, right, compete during the men's 150 meters event at the Golden Spike athletics meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lukas Kabon)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Lukas Kabon</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/AEeiKYyw04_Lv6v7k8fxn01TI3g=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CQMC3SQBGVHNRLFADJMO7SQNWQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1898" width="2848"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Noah Lyles of United States celebrates with Gout Gout of Australia after winning the men's 150 meters event at the Golden Spike athletics meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lukas Kabon)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Lukas Kabon</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/vb4nxgiwbwU6Arntm0glYASz_fk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/34GZ3MTKRJGYVIJ7EAK7CZDQEY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3110" width="4665"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Noah Lyles of United States celebrates after winning the men's 150 meters event at the Golden Spike athletics meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lukas Kabon)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Lukas Kabon</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/JoKtFc4cCcD9kz8vNFqA_3walfk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EKDG67XCTBF6ZBBVO6PRWMV2XU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2626" width="3939"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Noah Lyles of United States celebrates after winning the men's 150 meters event at the Golden Spike athletics meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Lukas Kabon)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Lukas Kabon</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trump administration uses hydrogen peroxide and tiny bubbles against algae in Reflecting Pool]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/trump-administration-uses-hydrogen-peroxide-and-tiny-bubbles-against-algae-in-reflecting-pool/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/trump-administration-uses-hydrogen-peroxide-and-tiny-bubbles-against-algae-in-reflecting-pool/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Katie Vogel And Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[President Donald Trump's remodeled Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has turned chartreuse from an algal bloom.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 23:19:22 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>President Donald Trump's remodeled Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool with its “American flag blue” bottom has turned chartreuse from an algal bloom that park service workers struggled to address Tuesday just days after its more than $14 million renovation.</p><p>The Washington Monument is once again visible in the refilled pool, but Trump's vision of an azure expanse between the D.C. landmarks has been complicated by the harsh realities of chemistry and biology known to any backyard pool owner. The work has been confounded by the unique challenges posed by the scale of the structure, bigger than 10 Olympic-sized pools — which Trump has called a lake — and the source of its water: the often-fetid Tidal Basin.</p><p>Algae has plagued the site since it opened more than 100 years ago, but Trump set his sights on addressing it as part of his aggressive push to beautify Washington as the country approaches its 250th anniversary. Contracts worth at least $14.8 million <a href="https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_140P2026C0031_1443_-NONE-_-NONE-">have been awarded</a> for the project, announced in April by Trump, who said he was inspired by complaints from a friend visiting from Germany who called the pool dark and disgusting. </p><p>Teams of National Park Service employees and contractors deployed chemicals and ozone nanobubbles Tuesday in a bid to keep the algae in check, not dissimilar from efforts to clean the pool before Trump's renovation kicked off.</p><p>“What do you expect?” asked Cochise Wanzer II, president of the Pool Service Company in Arlington, Virginia. “You’re basically taking natural, untreated river water, pumping it in and expecting it to do something different from what it would do out in the open.” </p><p>And the new coat of paint on the bottom of the pool has added an additional twist to ensuring the cleanliness of one of Washington's most memorable destinations: “Now that the bottom is nice and dark, it elevates the temperature and the algae grows better,” said Wanzer. </p><p>The chemicals and ozone nanobubbles — a water purification treatment used to avoid some harsh chemicals — were one part of the effort underway to clean the Reflecting Pool. Workers used a swimming pool-type vacuum cleaner to suck up algae from the bottom, leaving behind clean patches of American Flag Blue paint adjacent to enormous swaths of green algae in a pattern familiar to anyone who has ever vacuumed a carpet before.</p><p>The park service said in a statement it is also using hydrogen peroxide, a milder treatment than chlorine and one used in spas and natural swimming pools. “There are no harmful side effects to marine life or to the environment,” it said.</p><p>As the mitigation work continued, a contractor took off his socks and shoes and rolled up his pants to his knees and proceeded to wade into the pool to place an ozone nanobubble tube as tourists and locals milled about on a sunny morning. </p><p>Rick and Ariana Pettit, a couple from Las Vegas who are road tripping in their RV across the United States, posed for photos at the iconic site of protests and marches as cleaning continued. Dressed in American flag-themed leggings and a Make America Great Again leotard, Pettit remarked to her husband, attired in an “Veteran for Trump” American flag button-up: “Look, it’s already looking more blue.”</p><p>Wanzer was blunt in his assessment of what it would take to maintain the pool as an algae-free space: “They may want to drain it, hose it all down, and start from the beginning with fresh water and treat it as the water comes in.”</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Tpm5rjHFLhi73IdXPZnnspkPLpw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CQ37NXWGRBDZLJEYPVEEQI7MQU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2632" width="3936"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The reflecting pool is cleaned of algae, utilizing "ozone nano bubbles," by National Park Service employees and contractors, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jacquelyn Martin</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/nivmR0qxFXjfJuexJpBmW2t988Y=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RKM5I3BQNNB4LEPE66RWYXDCLQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2264" width="3385"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Rick and Ariana Pettit of Las Vegas, walk past the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as it is cleaned of algae by Park Service employees and contractors, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jacquelyn Martin</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/CXv5uABtSPxA3O_lBt38KLSHFHA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/MFNCIG3SPJB5BNLLACJNY74KWY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2543" width="3802"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Water is pumped out of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as it is cleaned of algae, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jacquelyn Martin</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/-sPXbSfbTQzrsoWf7BzysJf8AOM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SRWRJGK4NREDFHZMN45QVIYCNI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2056" width="3075"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Members of the National Park Service and contractors place a tube into the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, as the pool is cleaned of algae, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jacquelyn Martin</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/H96QRGTrM-d8sTkwpPAC_h_rDF4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CTAF33XFONHKHNDHBYF5WXAHKU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2632" width="3936"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Members of the National Park Service clean algae from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jacquelyn Martin</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Canada court denies Ghana bid to get Partey, who faces rape charges, into country for World Cup game]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/ghana-appeals-canadas-denial-of-world-cup-visa-for-partey-who-faces-rape-charges/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/ghana-appeals-canadas-denial-of-world-cup-visa-for-partey-who-faces-rape-charges/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[A Canadian federal judge has rejected Ghana’s bid to get Thomas Partey into the country for the team’s first World Cup match while the midfielder awaits trial on rape charges.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:42:19 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A Canadian federal judge on Tuesday rejected Ghana's bid to get Thomas Partey into the country for the team’s first <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">World Cup</a> match while the midfielder awaits trial on rape charges.</p><p>The ruling means Partey, whose visa application was denied last week, will remain in the United States while his teammates face Panama in Toronto on Wednesday. He will be eligible to play in Ghana's next two matches — both in the U.S.</p><p>Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-ghana-canada-partey-rape-charges-4e88dd3e87dc2a20279e84934762acf2">criticized the visa denial</a> for Partey, who awaits trial in Britain, as a “high-handed and extremely unfair decision.” Its appeal was heard by the court earlier Tuesday.</p><p>Partey faces allegations in Britain from several women dating to his time playing for Arsenal from 2020-25. Partey, who played in Spain for Villarreal this past season, has pleaded not guilty.</p><p>In March, a lawyer for Partey said the player <a href="https://apnews.com/article/thomas-partey-rape-charges-arsenal-faecfa9b3493062876fae70ed5582859">intends to plead not guilty to two new charges of rape</a> after a woman alleged Partey twice raped her on the same day in December 2020. Partey had separately been awaiting trial on five counts of rape related to two other women and one count of sexual assault involving another woman, and the new allegations arose after the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/thomas-partey-rape-charge-5224ee50ddb8290bf5609adf317bc29b">first set of charges were publicized.</a></p><p>Partey’s lawyer, Mackeda Bramwell, told the court Tuesday that as a World Cup host nation, Canada had a “public interest” in allowing the “orderly participation of accredited national team athletes.”</p><p>In a statement submitted to the court, Partey had said he would remain under constant supervision of team officials, and will leave Canada when the team does.</p><p>Millions of his countrymen are hoping the team advances to the knockout round, he said.</p><p>“I have not been convicted of any offense. I have pleaded not guilty, and I remain presumed innocent,” Partey said.</p><p>Canada officials have said immigration decisions are made on a case-by-case basis regardless of the World Cup.</p><p>“He's a tremendous player, everyone knows his ability, and it’s an unfortunate situation,” Ghana forward Brandon Thomas-Asante said Tuesday. “I think we just, as players, we have to adapt.”</p><p>Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said earlier Tuesday before the ruling that the team would be ready but declined to comment on the appeal.</p><p>Ghana's base camp for the World Cup is in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Partey remains eligible to play June 23 when Ghana faces England in Massachusetts. Ghana concludes group play June 27 against Croatia in Philadelphia.</p><p>“As a team, as a family, we are going to give everything for him to be happy and be proud of us,” midfielder Kwasi Sibo said.</p><p>___</p><p>AP World Cup: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/ijteMRd-fe5KDOSVjPTUiAY5SvA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AIDX4RZHVJGPZMUO64BO3QGBCA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Villarreal's Thomas Partey sits on the bench during the Champions League soccer match between Tottenham and Villarreal in London, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Walton, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Ian Walton</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[In boost to Musk, Justice Department seeks to dismiss air pollution lawsuit against xAI data center]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/16/in-boost-to-musk-justice-department-seeks-to-dismiss-air-pollution-lawsuit-against-xai-data-center/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/16/in-boost-to-musk-justice-department-seeks-to-dismiss-air-pollution-lawsuit-against-xai-data-center/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Matthew Daly And Bernard Condon, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The Trump administration is helping one of Elon Musk’s companies fight a civil rights lawsuit that alleges it is illegally running dozens of natural gas turbines to power a $20 billion data center in Mississippi.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:04:48 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Trump administration is helping one of Elon Musk's companies fight a civil rights lawsuit that alleges it is illegally running dozens of natural gas turbines to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/xai-musk-data-center-mississippi-memphis-433691ace945708a04762b4791602f3d">power a $20 billion AI data center</a> in Mississippi.</p><p>The NAACP and other groups say Musk's xAI subsidiary failed to get a permit for its power plant — which is located near homes, schools and churches — <a href="https://apnews.com/article/memphis-xai-elon-musk-pollution-naacp-571c16950259b382f9eae61bd59260ef">creating health risks for families</a> in North Mississippi and nearby Memphis and violating the federal Clean Air Act.</p><p>The Justice Department, <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1446141/dl?inline=&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery">in a motion late Monday,</a> sought to intervene in the case and dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the plant is needed to power an artificial intelligence data center that is “critical to the economy” and the U.S. military.</p><p>The state of Mississippi — not the federal government — is responsible for any permits for the power plant and “decided no permit was required," the Justice Department said in a statement.</p><p>“Ultimate responsibility for enforcing federal law belongs to the Executive Branch, not private interest groups,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, who is No. 3 at the Justice Department. The motion to intervene in the case is intended to protect national security and promote American energy and innovation, he added.</p><p>Trump wants to assert American leadership in AI</p><p>The Trump administration has made <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ai-executive-order-e41af74f7b0865482f07d10fe7a50fe3">AI a top national and economic security priority.</a> It has also upended policies meant to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-climate-change-epa-clean-air-act-c149d5ea6ec71c862e6c4b578adf92cd">address climate change</a> and has worked to undo environmental regulations on business.</p><p>President Donald Trump also has had close ties to Musk, who led his federal government cost-saving initiative, known as the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, early last year. Crowned the world’s first trillionaire Friday when SpaceX went public, Musk financed Trump’s presidential campaign more than any other donor and is pouring money into midterms.</p><p>The Justice Department action comes just days after SpaceX, Musk's rocket company and the parent of defendant xAI, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/musk-spacex-tesla-ipo-trillionaire-billionaire-worth-rockets-7723f82b6063a9a17c194e25982cd66d">pulled off the biggest initial offering of stock ever,</a> partly due to the Trump administration's help supplying it with billions of dollars in federal contracts. SpaceX has a total value of more than $2 trillion, making it bigger than Exxon Mobil, Bank of America and Coca-Cola combined.</p><p>The NAACP lawsuit, filed in April, accuses xAI of running dozens of portable natural gas turbines without proper controls to limit emissions and without the permitting required by the Clean Air Act., which requires industrial polluters to obtain air permits before construction or operation.</p><p>The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday referred questions on the case to the Justice Department, saying it is not a party in the dispute.</p><p>The Justice Department action was not about national security, but instead was a “desperate attempt to protect wealthy tech companies from obeying the laws meant to protect people from pollution,” said Laura Thoms, director of enforcement for Earthjustice, an environmental law firm that represents the NAACP with co-counsel Southern Environmental Law Center.</p><p>“Trump’s Justice Department wants to shield Elon Musk’s data center company, xAI, from being held accountable for its illegal pollution — and it’s attempting to grab power from impacted communities, the courts and Congress to do so,'' Thoms said.</p><p>AI data centers are turning communities into ‘sacrifice zones,’ critics say</p><p>The data center and its pollution are “turning our communities into sacrifice zones,” Thoms added.</p><p>Abre’ Conner, the NAACP's director of environmental and climate justice, said the Clean Air Act was designed to hold polluters accountable for decisions that cause harm to communities. "This should not be up for debate, and the NAACP will continue to stand up for democracy and against federal bullying and authoritarianism,” Conner said.</p><p>The NAACP brought the complaint under a provision of the Clean Air Act that allows groups or individuals to sue in “citizen suits” to compel enforcement of the law -- a power that the Trump administration now is saying it can undo.</p><p>“This is particularly audacious because it is supposedly grounded in constitutional powers,” said Ann Carlson, a professor at the UCLA School of Law. The Justice Department is saying it “can step in and dismiss a lawsuit on any ground and all grounds.”</p><p>Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, said xAI is building a “self-generating power facility” to ensure area residents don't face rate increases from surging demand, an action he said conforms to Trump's <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ai-data-centers-electricity-costs-9a3fbe8a9e68197dd470c7c02d92d7ab">Ratepayer Protection Pledge</a>. Tech giants including xAI, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, OpenAI and Amazon signed the pledge in March as a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/data-center-artificial-intelligence-electricity-costs-rise-a6cdf9aa09d1cd3dbf82750430c15373">backlash grew against data centers</a> over fears about rising electricity prices and concerns about pollution and water consumption. </p><p>The NAACP lawsuit seeks to “materially slow or outright stop the largest private investment in Mississippi's history,” Reeves said in a letter included in the Justice Department filing. The overall project has created thousands of construction jobs and will create hundreds of permanent jobs once it is completed, Reeves said.</p><p>The Justice Department, in a statement Tuesday, said the Pentagon is one of many federal agencies that use AI. </p><p>"Overly burdensome regulation, including private lawsuits that seek to implement their own environmental enforcement, can threaten technological growth, American energy independence and national security,'' the statement said.</p><p>SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment. It has previously said that it is in full compliance with the law and takes its environmental responsibilities seriously.</p><p>___</p><p>Condon reported from New York.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/KuPvpPkL38w21vPAtCcU8XEgGeU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WW62SUELY5EXXHBD6HUNHXFHWI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5194" width="7791"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - The xAI data center is seen, May 7, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">George Walker Iv</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[US official says Iran knew team would have to leave the country shortly after World Cup match]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/us-official-says-iran-knew-team-would-have-to-leave-the-country-shortly-after-world-cup-match/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/us-official-says-iran-knew-team-would-have-to-leave-the-country-shortly-after-world-cup-match/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jim Vertuno And Seung Min Kim, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The Trump administration is pushing back on complaints from Iran’s national team that it was forced to leave the U.S. immediately after its first World Cup match instead of having a day to recover in a hotel, saying that was the plan for the team all along.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:37:29 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The U.S. is pushing back on <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-iran-new-zealand-score-314655749d94fe577bb2b52ebd6b32c4">complaints from Iran's national team</a> that it was forced to leave the country immediately after its first <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">World Cup</a> match instead of having a day to recover in a hotel, saying that was the plan for the team all along.</p><p>“We were clear this was the process,” Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, told The Associated Press on Tuesday.</p><p>Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said after Monday's night's 2-2 draw with New Zealand that the team had been ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours later. Ghalenoei said the team had expected to spend the night in California to maximize the normal recovery process after its opening game.</p><p>Iran winger Mehdi Torabi's entry visa had also expired after the first game. Team officials confirmed Tuesday afternoon that they had secured Torabi a new, multiple-entry visa after he visited the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana.</p><p>“This issue has been resolved,” the State Department said Tuesday. “As soon as we became aware of the issue, we worked to ensure that the player can participate in every game.”</p><p>Giuliani said during an interview broadcast Monday night on CBS News that some of the Iranian team’s support staff and team officials were denied entry into the U.S. But he said that all the players and coaches had received visas. He also outlined the conditions by which the Iranian team would be able to come into the U.S. for their games.</p><p>“The team will be allowed to come in, match day minus one, so the day before the match. They’ll be asked to leave the day that the match wraps up, so the evening of the match. And they’ll be able to do that again in Los Angeles. They’ll be able to do it again in Seattle,” Giuliani said. The team's next match is Sunday, in LA.</p><p>When asked about why some support staff and team officials had been denied entry, Giuliani wouldn’t go into details but referred to previous comments made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio about denying entry to people with direct ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.</p><p>“Secretary Rubio said very clearly: Anybody with direct ties to the IRGC is not coming into the United States of America, and they’re not going to let the World Cup be the reason why they can come in,” Giuliani said. “So I think it’s very clear why.”</p><p>Iran's federation said in a statement Tuesday evening that it had asked FIFA to follow up on the cases of those who hadn't received visas, noting that “the team’s media duties were being handled by one of the analysts, which is neither professional nor an appropriate arrangement.”</p><p>“Like the other 47 participating teams, the Iranian delegation is expected to have its full operational staff in place, including a team manager, a media officer, and an administrative manager,” the federation said. “Their absence creates obvious challenges for the team’s daily operations and is not consistent with standard tournament procedures.”</p><p>The Iranians’ World Cup cycle has been in upheaval since the U.S. and Israel <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-oil-june-15-2026-77406473da38c6c126818610a219dc20">began a war against Iran</a> on Feb. 28. Iran ultimately decided to compete even after FIFA rejected its request to move its three group-stage matches out of the U.S.</p><p>Iran captain Mehdi Taremi said the team endured five hours of travel and security checks during what’s normally a very short trip from Tijuana to the Los Angeles area on Sunday. </p><p>“I think FIFA have to help us more than this,” Taremi said. </p><p>___</p><p>Vertuno reported from Austin, Texas. AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee in Washington and journalist Gabriela Aoun Angueira in San Diego contributed reporting.</p><p>___</p><p>AP World Cup coverage: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/4ymFgXaVw_5dtBdeJDHIwVTtTd8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SILRO4FQR5FVDFFU3ZKDWW63GE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4514" width="6771"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei walks off the field after a draw during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mark J. Terrill</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/8KH07TGvn3FVTGhyRSiUh8zFxQo=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EY4OBRAGCFA7VEMMDOJSLFEAJ4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1665" width="2498"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Iran's Mohammad Mohebbi (8) celebrates after scoring his side's second goal alongside Mehdi Ghayedi (10) during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mark J. Terrill</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/GAJzg5VZO-ysneWj1a5TuwwsfvQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YD4OLXBYHVFKPNJ65NI6NBOU3I.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House FIFA World Cup task force, speaks at a news briefing about World Cup security, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Rebecca Blackwell</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[A person is in custody in a Chicago cross burning investigation, police say]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/national/2026/06/16/a-person-is-in-custody-in-a-chicago-cross-burning-investigation-police-say/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/national/2026/06/16/a-person-is-in-custody-in-a-chicago-cross-burning-investigation-police-say/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Police in Chicago say a person is in custody in an investigation of a large cross set on fire in a well-known park.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:41:44 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A person is in custody in an investigation of a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/cross-burning-chicago-fire-department-e61c932c3633516f55e32da3fd294dec">large cross set on fire</a> in a well-known Chicago park, police said Tuesday.</p><p>The burning cross was discovered June 9 in Grant Park, where Barack Obama delivered his acceptance speech when he was elected the nation’s first Black president in 2008.</p><p>A man identifying himself as a 21-year-old college student <a href="https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/person-of-interest-in-grant-park-cross-burning-incident-in-custody-police-say/3949302/">told WMAQ-TV</a> that he was the shirtless person in an image distributed by police when they were looking for a suspect. But police did not immediately say Tuesday if he's the person in custody. The man said he was protesting President Donald Trump and not making a racist statement.</p><p>“I did know about this historical relevance beforehand. But I didn’t know the severity, how racially motivated it may seem from what I did,” the man told the TV station. “Cause my protest has nothing to do with race, nothing to do with gender.”</p><p>Cross burnings in the U.S. have historically been seen as symbols of hate and intimidation against Black people and have often been connected to the Ku Klux Klan. </p><p>The Chicago Police Department's communications office confirmed that a person was in custody in connection with the case, but no other details were released. An email seeking comment from the prosecutor's office was sent Tuesday.</p><p>“I can’t speak to anyone’s motives. We can only speak to the impact. And the impact was devastating," Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is Black, said when asked about the cross and the man’s remarks to WMAQ.</p><p>The man interviewed by the TV station said he was protesting the “ruling class” and Christian nationalists who support Trump. He said he put a red hat on the cross to signify a MAGA hat worn by the president's allies.</p><p>The man said he doesn't consider what he did a hate crime.</p><p>“I understand why it was interpreted that way, and I apologize for that, but no, the intent was not there,” he said.</p><p>Gina Miranda Samuels, faculty director of the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture at the University of Chicago, said the man seemed sincere that he was not trying to send a hateful message to Black people.</p><p>Nonetheless, she added, “it says a lot about how uninformed people can be” about certain symbols, “and that it would be acceptable to use a symbol of hatred and terror in this way.”</p><p>The Rev. Michael Pfleger, senior pastor with the local Catholic church The Faith Community of Saint Sabina, said he doesn't buy that the man went to the trouble of making the cross but didn't know it was a symbol of hate.</p><p>“Your Lawyer Schooled you well,” he said in a post on Facebook.</p><p>Officials from the church had posted on social media a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the cross burning. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the man interviewed by WMAQ-TV said the hat on the cross was red, signifying a MAGA hat. It was not an actual MAGA hat.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/HjXRom_it-4iae3pHmXOXfXs9MA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/MNS2UURXGJGZPKEPMM2ZQFRGM4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1080" width="1920"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This framegrab from a video taken by motorist Keinika Carlton shows a wooden cross engulfed in bright orange flames as it leans against a tree in Grant Park in Chicago on Tuesday, July 9, 2026. (Keinika Carlton via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Keinika Carlton</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Golf star Miles Russell paired with major winners for U.S. Open]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/golf-star-miles-russell-paired-with-major-winners-for-us-open/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/golf-star-miles-russell-paired-with-major-winners-for-us-open/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Barney]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The countdown is on for golfing phenom Miles Russell.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 23:51:41 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The countdown is on for golfing phenom Miles Russell.</p><p>The 17-year-old Jax Beach resident was grouped with three-time major championship winner Padraig Harrington and 2022 Players Championship and Open Championship major winner Cameron Smith for the first two rounds of this week’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. </p><p>Russell will tee off on the 1st hole at 7:19 a.m. on Thursday and then at 1:14 p.m. on the 10th hole on Friday. </p><p>Russell, a Florida State University commit, has been a golf prodigy for years. He survived in grueling sectional qualifying last week at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, making it in through a playoff. Sectionals for the U.S. Open, regarded as Golf’s Longest Day, saw Russell earn one of the 43 spots for the major championship. More than 10,000 entered local qualifiers for the U.S. Open, and the final 713 advanced to the final qualifying stage. </p><p>Ponte Vedra Beach residents Billy Horschel and Ludvig Åberg and St. Simons Island resident J.T. Poston are also in the U.S. Open. Former Jacksonville resident Bud Cauley won at the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday to earn a spot in the U.S. Open.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/83_bxJkJnHhF7mpkv2pexCO0Kgg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RVC46IZYRJAZBJQCBFLXMAXPAY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5604" width="8406"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Miles Russell smiles after his tee shot on the 10th hole during the first round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament at Detroit Country Club, June 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Paul Sancya</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Photo gallery: Scenes from final Jaguars OTA of the offseason]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/photo-gallery-scenes-from-final-jaguars-ota-of-the-offseason/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/photo-gallery-scenes-from-final-jaguars-ota-of-the-offseason/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Amber Milton]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15. News4JAX had photographer Amber Milton capture the day in this photo gallery. ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 23:37:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15. News4JAX had photographer Amber Milton capture the day in this photo gallery. </p><p>Click through the images above to check out action from the day. </p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/znBIgCZLhKd_3DnlXMZGOQSpKr4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3GSXCNQXVBD37KTQZXX4QN4SUQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1536" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/CfZM7kfWxrsQQ65-J021BY0XslI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FAJGOIY6URFZPL4IWADD3UVCMA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/qMomomhmvP_ikfGqb7x-sGMc1dc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/2IDA5BG2XVF5FO2VBJ3Q6C4XKE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/nvWO741CSue6s3VCliZl6vAtgho=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ODIS5JPMIJA7XCPSUFPZQF6JSY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/5VCQH6hjHjVvz7Ge06JNX7oChyk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/LGMG4RRU4FEGBAUMDGV22GNPPU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/0XvkuF7z2f3HdnW9ikwHKaJQ1_c=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/GFLDM5XXNNCXPIDURURXUIWOQI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/DmlRmBJKuDoqHyl67C0nhySclT4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/OBJWZBZJBFETZG5DUCEINLEML4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/MLZF0BFX5CX1C4Yug50LjI9fV_o=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KCFJPOQ5C5A27IVQTXIDX6VIRQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/qpgJ2ByFINcXN7eokqNh-XZFIl0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FGNXB2GFW5E5XM2GPS4Z4TXWPA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1536" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/f9B0XqW7QRib8tDZEKk624-ogJQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/N2HEUDKQ5RFNHHG2FUYYSQ3JVM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/GkWm4fwPoGg1xFBDL6m1VRc_1cQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AUVQSJJQQFAKPDCIT7746IOMPI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/JYZEu_KsrQEFJkURb1Sl1ILb1aU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/Y7WGDEJHKJBFNJW75NENUGP3ZI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/KryTTJuH1cba6SWGXZs5BAbFC_M=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TELN7ARBDJGTVLILDDB5ZBY2OY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1535" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/ddUVYmD8rlih7o_os7VfNkSc6hk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/63DGMJL5QJE6DGUBVBGIHXLUHA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/vFSZ8rEJPkX28ZMsh2ZJh5ia7Rc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AIGMX6QANRFO7NBNRDHY2PJQPQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/xwAkXjNHm23GN8NBRYHjgDY8tH4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AS6DPSVT6VC7THY3SO5ZUZWV6M.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/xVI74Xc4Mx0rD7X8hecCIXCk66M=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TPGKQ2SXQJFW3CYHG6RKCHUOHA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/rY4p4uq5MUIWePv44sqrBCP5NyY=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AMMRFD5625EDJHLCTR4XBGRZ7A.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1192" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content 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url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/buEjNEssiPwj74MM3TMLY-IQUKs=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SLMVZ5HAGND2JND7FIJKUDPWH4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1536" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/7ERs3Hmu9-WQOUT88Q4yN74ANYM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/VY4S4OVGIZEMTLNZAMF2FZBPSE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/fSrSakRmXqb-Bc1RRF1b6fjSD7g=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RR3MOEXS7NF75PWDG4ZQUBJUEI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1536" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/hI4IqCjpyJJCuZjj6iHw2_2NpDI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TMJJCFK3FNAXJEH35W7W6FMU5Y.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/YzPjfP2Ny9QtcrRHisbwvKjfzMM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/V5C5RS3VLRB2NNVSLCUK6MN5IQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1536" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/EDr2NcfGF5dgFINMDJF_Eqf9BGc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KAKQLS733ZFI7JPASRCJEBP3I4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1535" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/DYDUory8fDAMEZWD8b7MbXf7gSc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/GQ43SORUKNARFFZV2ZQ7RJMWCQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/7LXPRi54GKaAfBnPpdyUEXkZzBc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EIHVRQIXMFHH7C34LYWJYQDS4M.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/enxRRnKxGDff0IbZXz5wAvW7g4E=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/LADPX4CXUZC4HE4FOE5S4YPXN4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1536" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/yR5mLtSZx8wmJthqEOoullwor6Q=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TN3RB3JPZBALVCA42B4SNWQ7XA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1768" width="1326"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/2nwK3KwSa2NTM9_rIhLdW9sE9YM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/45I2TL3CIBAUBGG7T5MHKNWKRI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/-VE2fY1YAxYUkdD3stYJkU39QPI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HBRDDSF26ZD5TA27HV5GUPV6RY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Oy2pmh915E9pbcumzbtXyunnS6s=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WR2A4EG5MFG4HF7FVYZDHT24W4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/aodrX7rQIvwCgWxZtDWGfyTBHVs=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EWMKDBPKKVF73ETDNP3WOIZ4NU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1536" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/pOSQ-ID8A1GMlnmbRa9W98hLiAE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/P6V2FMMP3ZHIJBWTEYBDA6OZKM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1861" width="1396"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/BZS0VH94HBsu5YJIrH1vDNDOaE8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4NR3LALIJFAIFD3FADYWROTF5U.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/RVxLrtiHlwCuDkHvUVxsCA3DnuE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YOWRY2JMFFG7XE57XAY4WCWM24.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2003" width="1502"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/3yTJ1rELxcDQ6IGGwBH8PXMn-R0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/5WEW6QKNDNDCHN7Q5QTPVONHLU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1535" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/8_-cFQcheJGK7uYc9E8TH4hSxAY=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/663X5A3O7RGHJG46IRUE7BNFBI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/O3I86PPBK3--d2vx-VG4QYV507Y=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SZJFIREO7JESDOEZ2GDY3SPZJQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/wL4afGAONdpnEFni-L9axD-Q1E0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YYTVZHGG4JAX3APVTWZQUVMHHE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/ncC8P6aTv4G7x1-qwI4D4N3hsOA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/W53QRPKR4JHW3OCEZV3LDLBH2I.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/muykt6LsHQWWSIqoFr6NNhAsAT4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/H4FOY52HMJGM7EJHOYEVISZRP4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/T7Ss7nUuBC_lGckUdWFnls8B94k=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BV6K442NNVEM3HAWY2N2QVMOVE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1727" width="1295"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/I14_oEw_K3s9tZqFrhEUHxHcDK0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AEMY7LL7MRHN3LVDY7Z6Z4DPEE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/RrntPEImLIqOEU-ddCJvovPeSqc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4LNT537ZVFG53DHM7EWF3AZ5WU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1536" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Nmh8icXAzj2Nz1kxFkW4W6-K3vc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NDJU4FP2OZEXFLTIWPQ3YAP6DA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/tevU3u5Vdgts5Be8ymjDoHK3Now=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/5AVKBH2I5BAS5FCMSF7CA3O5F4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/-1mwMsnxHy4N2x0JxwnUkS-rAds=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/KX3K2PYRLVGBHN2HH4CREPB7CY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Jkeua35R3NY15jDqSJ9cJVUAtL8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UOLFINWDWNEFLKEKL5E3ENP6TQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/FhOI18IQ3Md0FUy1Az0QKTLGjzg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/SP22ACBA6JAF7HFYWFJUMB777Y.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/RuIIkLra_BizeYbb8zB_RnQFtac=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/67XSN3VYHFFEHADOLBQ6TZ5CPE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/v5Zg2eZyjCT0TkcjorDLQVVEGHU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/OMSKFI7S4VBRLIWKTYUUUWO73I.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/G7UEGi3T5fTLvRuibPWKPC90SkE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/IJU4BVN3WVHXXBCHEJR2TOX3AA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1309" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/6BAVbMApuKZObuwdJHmY7GKVQnc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/IODR34R4XNBZBHVNMWJTACQNGM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/KkdbOvyqYu_N8PRTfuC74NfPXTA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YYDHXE2RZJFSLEIJKRPGCFSX5M.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/0FWd-eINQqXaTsTYO96zkoitqDQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/K4ZZ6T5BUFDSLLZ7NVCHVESHYE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/q9rV4mp1kQyNB-W-fMDhfuaRssc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/H43C7QMWXRHXDHL5KEVLGIKBCA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/t3SpYTjjHPYhPQNAMRiDMyCGiOA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/2MLDNLABHNBTVASQM6G5BBESPU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/GWlKMUvE0EXl8qup-c0iY0x2Hc0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WPCE4KHVNBBEXJSXCTFH5VT4WU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/XMAP-oOpzguwSk1qaaviijRek5w=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/D25IBMIG5ZBJDMRAMGA7BQLDPA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1536" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/lqbieMYGyHmksElXETTN8orKqk8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BHJ2RZEPZFGNDELUASS2HYFCOI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/wtLSUa-AYfaj8nzdD4FOJr9YfUE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/RAOCSDKYYRFKTPINWQHH2YP5JQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/YQBqVWvncH5GUNHqYYYP8RnEo44=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HKBMJMGENJFQJIQGK5C5SPSVD4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/lsW48aEJHuTE0syNeRChC_UI1Js=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/2SV66R36E5BGZKY7VOXDDNLHGI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/c3vjLKjRBWUuFllQihnyF4fBhYk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/C6SMTUGOO5FC5MDVOPIPGJVNRY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/qP2LAJjh3_SKFKtgHnd_BU8laa0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/5GMRJ6BNIFE63FRGKDCT7MYJK4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1535" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/D1euZPpNQrtEFd6rboXXrv38PM0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UU43EKGG4VH6TL6AJ3NBEIP4B4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Y9FaX5ZyGTQu8d84zw8fR7V8Ekw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/2POCLCCVIBBC7KC4YUC4TDEOAY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1536"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/I7bleXr1xRZ75UoWbT4QGvjkvaA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/P3UN4E6MVZBMJDV5O5MJYM27AE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2048" width="1535"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/nBeWzz5dFcl8qDAw7ewwRhe-vQI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YEHVB5O4CFEMPGU3FOSBXLG35Y.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="799" width="2048"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The Jaguars held their final organized team activity practice of the offseason program on Monday, June 15.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amber Milton</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA['Task' master Brad Ingelsby put Ruffalo's redemption at center of HBO series from the start]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/16/task-master-brad-inglesby-put-ruffalos-redemption-at-center-of-hbo-series-from-the-start/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/16/task-master-brad-inglesby-put-ruffalos-redemption-at-center-of-hbo-series-from-the-start/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Dalton, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The HBO show “Task” features tense standoffs and dramatic moments, but its most powerful scene may be Mark Ruffalo reading a victim impact statement in court.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:04:42 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>“Task” has tense standoffs between not-too-different cops and criminals. It has gunfights in the woods and heists that turn into bloodbaths that turn into kidnappings. Yet the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/hbo-max-streaming-television-rebrand-a074b2bc8c6e988550c978003f6092bd">HBO</a> show’s most dramatic and essential moment may be a guy reading from a piece of paper.</p><p>It helps that the guy doing the reading — a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/matthew-perry-jasveen-sangha-sentence-ketamine-queen-c7b577c45b47314fe1191392adac7b06">victim impact statement</a> in court — is Mark Ruffalo, who is very likely to get an <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emmy-awards">Emmy</a> nomination next month for playing a former priest-turned-FBI agent seeking some kind of redemption for himself and his son who's about to be sentenced for killing his mother, Ruffalo's wife. </p><p>“I think that stuff was some of the earliest we wrote,” “Task” creator and showrunner Brad Ingelsby told The Associated Press in an interview. “It was like, 'OK, now, so that’s the emotional journey of the show and then we've got to figure out what the plot is.'” </p><p>Ingelsby, who previously took <a href="https://apnews.com/article/kate-winslet-lee-miller-movie-c6d2e40e443b25f943ef8877d7a3df60">Kate Winslet</a> on a similar journey in similar Pennsylvania terrain in 2021's <a href="https://apnews.com/article/julianne-nicholson-kate-winslet-pennsylvania-jean-smart-guy-pearce-2e8d80b4ffae49e1ecc683d993a1747e">“Mare of Easttown,”</a> said the idea was “a man of faith and lost his faith in the face of this tragedy that sort of would have to have to find his way back to some belief.” The title “Task” refers both to the police team Ruffalo leads the religious responsibilities that linger in him. </p><p>For the court statement, Ingelsby read about experiences of real-life parents of children whose mental disabilities have brought domestic difficulties. </p><p>“I specifically remember reading a parent saying, ‘I hate Fridays. I hate going to school and seeing the parents pick up their kids because they’re going off to have a weekend. And for me, that’s the worst day because now I’m home with my child for two days on my own.’”</p><p>Ingelsby has been writing films for 15 years, but really hit his professional stride with “Mare of Easttown,” his first foray into television, which won Winslet and her “Delco” or Delaware County, Pennsylvania accent (think “water” as “wooder”) an acting Emmy. </p><p>The screenwriter was born and raised in the area outside Philadelphia where urban and rural intertwine both physically and culturally. He moved back around the time of “Mare,” set “Task” there and spoke to the AP from his production office there. </p><p>That means he’s been walking around in the place, and among the people, he’s writing about.</p><p>“I feel the burden of it when I’m writing things all the time. I feel like if anything, it makes me very vigilant about getting the details right,” he said. “There’s always somebody who says ‘they would never listen to that song or they would ever wear that T-shirt or they wouldn’t drink that beer.’”</p><p>He adds, “It’s important to me. I want to do right by them. Even if they don’t like the characters or the decisions of the characters, I want them to feel like we got the place right.” </p><p>“Task” was intended as a limited series like “Mare,” but in November HBO announced a second season. </p><p>That means that for the forthcoming Emmys, in a move made in recent years by <a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-lotus-cannes-afed6ec38c824a7fce51826e34bfdba9">“The White Lotus”</a> and “Shogun,” it shifted from the limited categories to drama. </p><p>Along with Ruffalo, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-laura-linney-tom-pelphrey-jason-bateman-c4c349ecc8aff77b6c6094f6c8eee062">Tom Pelphrey</a>, who played the lost-soul criminal at the center of the story, is likely to get a nomination, and “Task” could easily get a raft of others. </p><p>Ingelsby has never done a Season 2 of anything before. </p><p>“It’s still weird to me that we’re doing another season, because in my head, in many ways, the story had a clear end,” he said. </p><p>The idea came from HBO. Ingelsby entertained it simply because the collective cast and crew were such a good hang. </p><p>“It really started with just an openness to come back and just work on the show, and that really stemmed from, you know, really loving all of just the time we got to spend together,” he said.</p><p>The Season 2 cast includes <a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-domestic-news-domestic-news-movies-88716efe44354285b897f92873851bc6">two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali</a> as a DEA agent. <a href="https://apnews.com/martha-plimpton-i-dont-want-to-be-just-famous-cb97d65888ff45449d3e86ffe8de3b0b">Martha Plimpton</a>, who played against type but felt perfect as Ruffalo’s FBI supervisor, will be among the few returning.</p><p>“She was such a find because I just felt like we really need to have some humor in the show,” Ingelsby said, “and Martha’s able to find the humor always.”</p><p>___</p><p>This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Ingelsby. </p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/i7SKBeV5c4D4IwFK26NiTfBPXt8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/H3VAS6DFPRCZ3NGTMUSUP7CCZI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1190" width="1785"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This image released by HBO shows Mark Ruffalo in a scene from "Task." (HBO via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/cshCjNL750G_uZl91DjO5Jo5Zj8=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/2J235ASZVJHXXA7ZNROF6XJWEM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1280" width="1920"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This image released by HBO shows Mark Ruffalo, foreground, and Tom Pelphrey in a scene from "Task." (HBO via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to enter the mane event: Jaguars giving away Trevor Lawrence’s wig]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/how-to-enter-the-mane-event-jaguars-giving-away-trevor-lawrences-wig/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/how-to-enter-the-mane-event-jaguars-giving-away-trevor-lawrences-wig/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Barney]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The Jaguars are giving away Trevor Lawrence’s hair. Well, not the quarterback’s real hair. ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 23:31:51 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Jaguars are giving away Trevor Lawrence’s hair. </p><p>Well, not the quarterback’s real hair. </p><p>The Jaguars are <a href="https://web.witcontests.com/jaguars/sweepstakes/win/trevor-lawrence-win-the-wig-260624" target="_blank" rel="">holding a Win the Wig giveaway</a> for the hairdo worn by Lawrence during the team’s viral schedule release video last month. Entries are open until 5 p.m. on Friday. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You only get one wig! Amaze your friends ✨: <a href="https://t.co/kmL5WtT6pM">https://t.co/kmL5WtT6pM</a> <a href="https://t.co/siR8ZFT40K">pic.twitter.com/siR8ZFT40K</a></p>&mdash; Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) <a href="https://x.com/Jaguars/status/2066627002921021518?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2026</a></blockquote><p>To tease the team’s 2026 schedule, the Jaguars put a long-haired blond wig on Lawrence and had a barber cut it short. The result was Lawrence with short hair for the first team in his college or professional career. Trevor’s wife, Marissa, even teased the shorter look on Instagram a night before the schedule release. Arik Armstead went on the show, GMFB, and said the haircut was real. </p><p>The schedule release video went viral and had fans and non-fans alike asking the same questions. Did No. 16 shear his trademark blond locks for a new look ahead of the 2026 season? </p><p>The Jaguars kept the suspense surrounding <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/05/15/did-he-cut-his-hair-trevor-lawrence-stars-in-jaguars-2026-schedule-release-video/" target="_blank" rel="">Lawrence’s hair play out for a day before announcing the truth</a>. Yes, it was a wig. The stunt worked beautifully. </p><p>Front Office Sports posted that Jacksonville’s schedule release drew more than 4.3 million views, a total that ranked tied for fourth with the Jets. The Chargers had 13 million views, followed by the Jets (6.7 million) and Raiders (5.3 million).</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/O-6r9xqZeIQbRwynh2Zp59bMGCM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/NGQWLCZG2FHXBKLGX7RYMCMIXE.png" type="image/png" height="1080" width="1920"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Trevor Lawrence appears to have cut his hair in a Jaguars release schedule release video]]></media:description></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cape Verde's Vozinha becomes an Instagram sensation thanks to his saves and a streamer's push]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/16/cape-verdes-vozinha-becomes-an-instagram-sensation-thanks-to-his-saves-and-a-streamers-push/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/16/cape-verdes-vozinha-becomes-an-instagram-sensation-thanks-to-his-saves-and-a-streamers-push/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Tales Azzoni, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Vozinha gasped and laughed in shock when shown the number of new Instagram followers he had gained after helping tiny Cape Verde hold off powerhouse Spain in his team’s World Cup debut.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 23:12:31 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When shown the number of Instagram followers he had gained after helping tiny Cape Verde hold off powerhouse Spain in his team's World Cup debut, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/vozinha-cape-verde-goalkeeper-spain-world-cup-8fe54343a12053e75b17f94213bb21bd">40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha</a> gasped and laughed, in shock. </p><p>He was speaking shortly after Monday's <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-spain-cape-verde-score-6aaf0fe892fd2c02fc068e3f9d84c53f">stunning 0-0 draw</a> in Atlanta against the European champions, when he had gone from about 50,000 followers to more than 1 million. Less than 24 hours after the game, Vozinha already had nearly 10 million <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vozinha1/?hl=en">Instagram followers</a> — more than NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama (6.2 million) and NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes (6.4 million). </p><p>“Crazy, that's crazy,” Vozinha told Brazilian YouTube channel CazéTV after the match that turned him into the biggest new name of the World Cup so far. It was CazéTV, the only channel in Brazil with the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-streamers-new-audiences-08feed47be7b423bafcfe9ae941bed1b">rights to all 104 World Cup games,</a> that was taking credit for the huge surge in followers.</p><p>CazéTV is anchored by the popular Brazilian streamer Casimiro Miguel, known as Cazé. The channel has more than 31 million subscribers on YouTube and is known for sports broadcasts marked by a more informal and conversational approach, with a focus on community-based fan engagement. While watching Vozinha's performance during the broadcast, Cazé realized that the goalkeeper did not have many Instagram followers and began asking his audience to start following him.</p><p>Spain, one of the World Cup favorites, was widely expected to cruise past <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-2026-qualifying-teams-3c0b626a4d7fb394ad5888dca9b1a376">the tournament debutants</a>. But La Roja could not find a way past Vozinha and a stubborn defense that had an answer to everything Spain’s superstars threw at them.</p><p>“Normally we ask for subscribers,” Cazé said. “We are not going to ask for subscribers today, we are going to ask for followers. For Vozinha. He is stopping Spain. He is shocking the world. He is the standout player of the first half. Why not show him some love?” </p><p>His followers increased by a few hundred thousand shortly after that, and kept growing and growing throughout the day. Vozinha, who only began playing professionally at 25, is one of the few players 40 or older in the tournament. He made several crucial saves against Spain's powerful attack and was named the man of the match.</p><p>The result <a href="https://apnews.com/article/cape-verde-world-cup-spain-vozinha-6841c1e342a9ca4705cbba83f58b33f5">sparked celebrations</a> in Cape Verde, the group of islands off Africa’s west coast that is home to about half a million people. Cape Verde is the third-smallest nation by population to ever qualify for the World Cup.</p><p>Working on mom’s visa</p><p>Vozinha said after the game that his mom was not able to make it to the United States to watch him play because of difficulties getting a visa.</p><p>In Washington, the U.S. State Department said it had no record of her ever applying for a visa, but that it was working on resolving the situation with Cape Verde authorities. The department said it had notified all players from World Cup countries affected by the $15,000 visa bond requirement that they and their families would be exempt from posting the bond.</p><p>“All relatives of players are eligible for visa bond waivers, and the department is actively reaching out to this player’s family to assist with visa services,” the department said.</p><p>A person familiar with the situation said that the State Department believes that Vozinha's mother did not apply for a visa because she did not hold a valid Cape Verde passport, but that she is now in the process of getting one.</p><p>The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential visa deliberations. A request for comment was sent to the team Tuesday afternoon. The team's next match is Sunday.</p><p>Payne's similar case</p><p>A similar case to Vozinha's virality happened last month, with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-zealand-world-cup-payne-social-media-b4ec821a8b02d90ead4b7a600b88f3ee">New Zealand defender Tim Payne</a>, after an Argentine influencer called on his followers to make the little-known player a “hero” of the World Cup.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-tim-payne-valen-scarsini-ddead5d85c7effef40c24966051c6d80">El Scarso, a soccer influencer</a> also known as Valen Scarsini, identified the 32-year-old Payne as the least-known player at the World Cup based on his small social media following.</p><p>Payne had around 4,700 followers on Instagram before being singled out by El Scarso. That number quickly rose to more than a million. He had <a href="https://www.instagram.com/timpayne__/?hl=en">nearly 6 million followers</a> on Tuesday. </p><p>Push for new audiences</p><p>FIFA has made a push to engage a new generation of fans by giving younger audiences more options to access soccer’s showcase event. For the 2026 World Cup, it reached what it described as a record number of deals with broadcast partners carrying digital-only platforms, and partnered with TikTok and YouTube to allow users to see parts of matches live.</p><p>Brazil historically has been one of the countries with the most engagement on <a href="https://apnews.com/article/brazil-musk-x-bluesky-moraes-threads-meta-social-media-01d4db0f1311e98f1385e544ea47fa36">social media and digital platforms.</a> FIFA took notice and four years ago did a type of a test run with CazéTV after Cazé's success on Twitch. He broadcast 22 matches during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, leading to a bigger deal for this year's tournament. </p><p>“Thank you,” Vozinha told CazéTV. “The Brazilians have always supported us. We felt it during our campaign to qualify for the World Cup and now we are feeling it again at the biggest stage. We are thankful for it.”</p><p>___</p><p>AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed reporting from Washington.</p><p>___</p><p>AP World Cup coverage: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup">https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/rzX3SzYkSH8q58YtVfRm_DQcBWM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WJZELHUBEZHODOU3HPOCOMGVD4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2526" width="3788"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha celebrates as holds the flag of his country after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mike Stewart</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/nIQlTVewlshq-gp7Af0YDzdjgW4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4O6ZPJUO35CFHMZQCZJ7SPO234.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3334" width="5001"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha celebrates as holds the flag of his country during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mike Stewart</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/hKxmv4tIQJUhdieglwqKHfeK8NQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/XNHWVPXORRCR3IUVX35M3JIGP4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5464" width="8192"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[In this image provided by LiveMode, from left, Barbara Coelho, Brazil soccer star Ronaldo, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, Casimiro Miguel and former Brazil soccer star Romario, greet on the set of CazTV at the Club World Cup soccer final July 13, 2025,, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Venessa Carvalho/LiveMode via AP) CORRECTION: Corrects ID at right to Romario, not Luisinho.]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Venessa Carvalho</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/CMKTpjtTo1vOmn0bw1uavjcgX0w=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/T7FGMVIOYRG7LLBDFYNFF7BAEM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5184" width="7776"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha (1) talks with the media after a tie during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jacob Kupferman</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/8aS1WF04jHbvXsKxg16A7YB4hzY=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WNKTL5XATVDJDIKQUZBVCQULWA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2701" width="4052"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha (1) is congratulated by team staff as he walks off the pitch following a 0-0 draw during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jacob Kupferman</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Federal prosecutors charge 15 people with impeding agents during Minnesota immigration crackdown]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/national/2026/06/16/federal-prosecutors-charge-15-people-it-says-impeded-agents-during-minnesota-immigration-crackdown/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/national/2026/06/16/federal-prosecutors-charge-15-people-it-says-impeded-agents-during-minnesota-immigration-crackdown/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jake Offenhartz, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Federal prosecutors have charged 15 people with impeding federal agents during a massive immigration surge in Minnesota earlier this year.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:44:56 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Federal prosecutors have charged 15 people with impeding the Trump administration’s <a href="https://apnews.com/article/protests-activists-minnesota-immigration-enforcement-ice-f86ce49f26230a1e5ad1592dcac0a5a9">immigration crackdown </a> in Minnesota, accusing them of conspiring against the federal government through a range of actions intended to block arrests and deportations.</p><p>During a news conference Tuesday, Minnesota U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen said the defendants “violently opposed the enforcement of federal law” by setting up blockades around government buildings, throwing chunks of ice at federal vehicles and “stalking” agents as they moved through Minneapolis. </p><p>He said the defendants were part of two groups that he characterized as “antifa,” an umbrella term for a diffuse movement of militant left-wing activists. </p><p>Defense attorney Kevin Riach said his client, Isaac Sant, had no affiliation with antifa, which he called “a boogeyman invented by the far-right.” </p><p>“The purpose is to intimidate people who came out to observe and protest ICE’s numerous violations of the law,” Riach added. “It’s an affront to the First Amendment.”</p><p>President Donald Trump <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-antifa-terrorist-protests-0c6353e2c3da13da1596b3857cb59922">declared</a> last September that he would label “antifa” a domestic terrorist group, urging federal agencies to “investigate, disrupt and dismantle” its members and affiliates.</p><p>In March, eight people accused of having ties to antifa were <a href="https://apnews.com/article/prairieland-detention-center-shooting-antifa-trial-5650d9c3db0592671a1d5b5b27a47d2d">convicted</a> on terrorism charges in a Texas shooting, a first of its kind case that raised concerns among some civil liberties groups. </p><p>Asked about the Justice Department’s definition of “antifa,” Rosen said the question was “beyond the scope” of the indictment, but noted that several defendants had self-identified with the term. </p><p>The 15 people charged Tuesday were part of “Direct Action Minnesota,” a left-wing coalition of protest groups that trains its members in the “surveillance, operational planning and rapid mobilization against law enforcement,” Rosen said. </p><p>The alleged conspiracy began in January, shortly after the Trump administration launched its sweeping immigration crackdown, dubbed Operation Metro Surge, in response to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-fraud-feeding-our-future-medicaid-9911799c0d0149a64a042abed095be57">reports of fraud</a> within Minnesota’s Somali community. </p><p>The operation — described by the Department of Homeland Security as the largest in its history — brought thousands of federal agents, who often wore masks and traveled in unmarked SUVs, into the Twin Cities and surrounding areas.</p><p>Their arrival drew fierce protests from Minnesota residents, who quickly set up a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/protests-activists-minnesota-immigration-enforcement-ice-f86ce49f26230a1e5ad1592dcac0a5a9">sprawling network</a> of anonymous Signal chats to track the movement of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Protesters then used whistles and car horns to draw attention to detentions as they were happening.</p><p>The indictment cites Signal communications between some defendants, who allegedly discussed setting up trailers to block federal vehicles and handing out plastic shields to demonstrators. Rosen declined to say whether any federal agents were injured as a result.</p><p>One of the defendants, Kyle Wagner, 37, was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-officers-minnesota-threats-doxing-385b11ccd93a9805aa31d4e058689c44">previously arrested</a> on charges that he made online threats against ICE officers and their supporters. An attorney listed for Wagner in that case did not respond to a message seeking comment. </p><p>Each of the defendants was charged with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison. Three others faced additional charges, including interstate stalking, assault on a federal officer and destruction of government property. </p><p>Riach said his client and several other defendants made their initial appearance in federal court in St. Paul on Tuesday afternoon and were released without bail. </p><p>Outside the courthouse, dozens of protesters clashed with federal agents, who at one point deployed pepper spray to push the crowd away from the door. </p><p>Federal prosecutors said Operation Metro Surge resulted in more than 4,000 arrests.</p><p>The administration framed the operation as a response to a burgeoning <a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-fraud-feeding-our-future-medicaid-9911799c0d0149a64a042abed095be57">federal investigation into billions of dollars in fraud</a> within Minnesota programs tied to Medicaid. Dozens of Somali immigrants have been convicted or implicated. Trump has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-garbage-somalia-minneapolis-immigrant-omar-03e31bba53519d8a39b419679a3b75d9">called the state’s Somali population “garbage.”</a></p><p>Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey sought to defend the Somali population and condemned Trump for sending federal officers where they weren’t needed or wanted.</p><p>In the months since, federal authorities have sought to prosecute protesters they blame for violence, while state and local Minnesota officials have pursued assault charges against at least two federal officers. The agents who fatally shot two protesters, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-protester-alex-pretti-15ade7de6e19cb0291734e85dac763dc">Alex Pretti</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/renee-good-ice-shooting-minneapolis-f766260ec7cfbb2b158d6b8eb3403607">Renee Good</a>, have not been charged.</p><p>Walz and Ellison did not immediately respond to email messages Tuesday seeking comment on the federal indictment.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/VFNUuyOtGzc-Fk7J7ZvsK9_fopY=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UXWZTWFTIZESHD4VFXR3GTFVTI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2000" width="3000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Protesters stand outside federal court in St. Louis, Minn., on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mark Vancleave</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/dU36pca8lpfpiyBmnY5icncf8Jo=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FLOQNNKIAJDRHF7LHBBT5DTJ6E.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2160" width="3840"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[/// U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy announced charges against fifteen people for conspiring to interfere and injure federal immigration agents during Operation Metro Surge on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mark Vancleave</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/feNd03oMWQQnOx-trLKh86xOrV4=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/M5NIWBYZ5ZG6TES7BVQHAV3RE4.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2160" width="3840"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy announced charges against fifteen people for conspiring to interfere and injure federal immigration agents during Operation Metro Surge on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. (AP Photo/Mark Vancleave)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Mark Vancleave</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/NA3vCp_Up8oeMFQH_YoJ_ouVrkw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/OFL7YJ3LKVCRXIAB4GRWM5DYSI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2578" width="3867"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Federal immigration officers deploy tear gas at protesters after a shooting Jan. 24, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Abbie Parr</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[RFK Jr. overrules experts to keep hantavirus cruise ship passenger in quarantine]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/rfk-jr-overrules-experts-to-keep-hantavirus-cruise-ship-passenger-in-quarantine/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/rfk-jr-overrules-experts-to-keep-hantavirus-cruise-ship-passenger-in-quarantine/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ali Swenson And Mike Stobbe, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has refused to release a cruise ship passenger exposed to hantavirus from the Nebraska quarantine facility where she is being held.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:05:01 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week refused to release a cruise ship passenger <a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-to-know-hantavirus-cruise-ship-366c781ff168656ff47ae9796965daaa">exposed to hantavirus</a> in early May from a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/hantavirus-ship-quarantine-andes-virus-302d45d77aac4d55aa76c43d79f54ec9">quarantine facility</a> in Nebraska, despite a federal medical review that said there's no need to confine her far from her Florida home. </p><p>The order from Kennedy, one of the nation’s most prominent critics of vaccine mandates, lockdowns and other government public health restrictions, spurred outrage from some advocates and legal scholars, who called it illegal and rooted in politics rather than public health. </p><p>Five weeks after she left the cruise ship, the passenger, Angela Perryman, is still symptom-free. She remained in quarantine as of Tuesday. </p><p>“I want to be able to walk outside and put my feet in the grass,” Perryman said in an interview. “I want to be able to feel fresh air on my face when I want to. I want to be able to see people that are not in full PPE. I don’t want to be dehumanized anymore.”</p><p>Courtney Spencer, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said the state of Florida chose not to comply with federal requirements for how tightly to monitor Perryman if she returned home. Perryman needs to be quarantined to protect both herself and her community, Spencer said.</p><p>Because symptoms of hantavirus have taken as long as 42 days to appear in previous outbreaks, the Americans at the Nebraska facility were to be monitored either there or at home for 42 days — a period set to expire at the end of the day on Sunday, June 21.</p><p>Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert who helped shape current federal quarantine regulations, called the decision to keep Perryman in Nebraska “an egregious violation” of a U.S. citizen’s rights.</p><p>“She’s being held, deprived of her liberty,” Gostin said, adding that a broad medical consensus supports allowing her to complete quarantine at home.</p><p>Kennedy's order strays from the CDC official's recommendation</p><p>Kennedy's order keeping Perryman in Nebraska quarantine came Monday. It followed a medical review earlier this month that was overseen by Dr. Michael Bell of the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-hantavirus-cruise-ship-trump-who-2eaf686534d31e8ad67482f05e1ec870">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>, an agency within Kennedy's HHS.</p><p>Bell reviewed testimony from CDC officials and an outside medical expert concerning Perryman’s challenge to an earlier order confining her to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.</p><p>Bell said federal officials insisted that anyone returning home needed daily in-person monitoring and round-the-clock surveillance by local law enforcement or public officials. </p><p>Florida officials refused those conditions — which Gostin called “overkill” and a “waste of resources” — and proposed instead that Perryman simply do once-daily temperature checks and symptom assessments.</p><p>Experts at the meeting agreed that Florida's proposal was reasonable. Bell recommended Perryman be allowed to go home, according to a June 11 report obtained by The Associated Press. Kennedy signed the quarantine order anyway.</p><p>Perryman says prolonged time in the facility is limiting</p><p>Perryman said life in the facility is like being confined in an airport hotel room. Sometimes she can go to its roof for an hour as armed guards watch. Nurses wearing gloves, masks and face shields deliver meals and take her temperature. She said it feels like a “prison.”</p><p>The 47-year-old learned that she would be required to stay in the facility until June 21 when Kennedy’s order was slipped under her door on Monday.</p><p>“I was appalled,” she said. “I was horrified that the secretary, who is not a physician, would override the doctor and violate the law just to keep me locked up.”</p><p>Perryman said she lives primarily in Ecuador but keeps a permanent home with friends in Florida. She said she wants the chance to cook her own food and spend time in more than one room, either in her home or a rental property.</p><p>Her quarantine was voluntary, until the order came</p><p>Perryman was among 18 Americans aboard the cruise ship who were evacuated to the Nebraska quarantine center on May 11. As of Tuesday, eight of the passengers were still there. The others went home earlier this month, after their states agreed to federal officials' monitoring plan. They'll be watched until June 21. </p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/hantavirus-vaccine-treatment-cruise-ship-chile-argentina-363981f63100e1d2229f8b19686a377b">Hantaviruses usually spread</a> when people inhale contaminated residue of rodent droppings. However, the Andes virus at the center of this outbreak, which killed three people, may spread between people in rare cases. </p><p>At first, Perryman said, a CDC official assured her the Nebraska quarantine was voluntary. At his urging, and at the urging of the facility’s medical director, she agreed to stay until May 22 to protect public health because some medical experts say most people who develop symptoms do so within the first three weeks. She was later told she couldn't leave on that date.</p><p>Perryman and one other passenger received orders from U.S. health officials requiring them to quarantine at the facility until May 31. Quarantine orders, which can be enforced with fines and prison time, are a rare legal step that can be taken if someone objects to a public health request. The initial orders were signed by the CDC’s acting director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.</p><p>Perryman said she was told she could leave after May 31 if Florida accepted the federal monitoring requirements. When the state declined, she was ordered to remain in Nebraska.</p><p>At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy questioned universal government-imposed quarantines and argued that the costs of lockdowns should be debated, saying, “quarantines kill people too.”</p><p>Gostin said the recent decision clashes with Kennedy’s broader “medical freedom” message.</p><p>“This seems to me to drip with hypocrisy,” Gostin said.</p><p>____</p><p>AP video journalist Shelby Lum in New York and AP writer Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, contributed to this report.</p><p>____</p><p>The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/rO6qwZzm9kWce3ijuaBpyZjzdJg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4MEMUQ5ZCZFDLNW7OQ3ERD5MAU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1214" width="1619"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This photo provided by Angela Perryman shows her on South Georgia Island in April 2026. (Courtesy Angela Perryman via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Uncredited</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Floyd Mayweather faces felony charges in Las Vegas]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/floyd-mayweather-faces-felony-charges-in-las-vegas/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/floyd-mayweather-faces-felony-charges-in-las-vegas/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jessica Hill, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Boxer Floyd Mayweather faces two felony charges in Las Vegas for theft and the “intent to defraud,” alleging he wrote a bad check to buy a watch at a Las Vegas luxury resale store.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:33:38 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Boxer Floyd Mayweather faces two felony charges in Las Vegas over allegations that he wrote a bad check to purchase a watch from a luxury resale store.</p><p>Mayweather was scheduled for an initial appearance Monday in Las Vegas Justice Court. He was not physically present for the hearing, but an attorney represented him on his behalf, according to the Clark County District Attorney's office. His case is scheduled for a hearing in September.</p><p>Mayweather, 49, was charged in April with theft as well as drawing and passing a check without sufficient funds with the intent to defraud, according to court records. </p><p>Prosecutors in Clark County allege that in December 2024, Mayweather wrote a $200,000 check through Wells Fargo Bank to Las Vegas designer resale store Gold and Beyond, despite having insufficient funds in his account, according to the criminal complaint. </p><p>Mayweather's attorney and representatives did not immediately return requests for comment. </p><p>The felony charges come as Mayweather faces other legal battles. He was sued in New York over his alleged failure to pay rent at a Manhattan apartment earlier this year, and he was in financial disputes with multiple jewelers. He also filed a lawsuit in New York against his former business manager, alleging a yearslong fraud scheme. </p><p>Mayweather, the former five-division world champion, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/floyd-mayweather-returns-316fa64416b69a4d446b124efd0d25c6">announced</a> earlier this year that he was coming out of retirement and returning to competitive boxing this summer. Mayweather was scheduled to be in Athens, Greece, for the “Battle of the Legends” boxing match on June 27, according to an earlier press release. In April, Mayweather confirmed he would be at a match in Athens. </p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/3GHc8jErSrPk4b0Cus6lRvf3Fzw=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4ADX6Y55HNHG3OJNBWZWULPR3A.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2000" width="3000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, March 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Adam Hunger</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Republican Gov. Mike DeWine wants Ohio to abolish the death penalty, saying it is not a deterrent]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/national/2026/06/16/republican-gov-mike-dewine-says-ohio-should-abolish-the-death-penalty-saying-it-is-not-a-deterrent/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/national/2026/06/16/republican-gov-mike-dewine-says-ohio-should-abolish-the-death-penalty-saying-it-is-not-a-deterrent/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Gov. Mike DeWine says he believes Ohio should abolish the death penalty.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:05:56 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who has repeatedly postponed executions over the past seven years, said Tuesday that Ohio should abolish the death penalty, confirming his change of heart on the policy he helped write as a state legislator 45 years ago. </p><p>DeWine, 79, said during a news conference that data indicates the death penalty is not serving as a deterrent to violent crime, which he had always believed was its moral imperative. </p><p>“I do not believe that argument today can be successfully made, nor do I believe that there’s any chance in the future the facts that I’ve cited to support that belief will change,” he said. “Therefore, I believe Ohio should abolish the death penalty.”</p><p>To bolster his case, DeWine brandished charts and graphs detailing the diminishing number of death sentences meted out by courts and showing the exceedingly long wait times that elapse as legal appeals play out for those on death row. He said condemned murderers are increasingly unlikely to ever be executed, sometimes dying by natural causes or by suicide before their execution date arrives. </p><p>“In summary, each decade that the death penalty has been in effect, the chances of a murderer getting executed get more and more and more remote,” DeWine said.</p><p>He also cited years of pain brought to victims’ loved ones by the delays and the toll taken on the mental health of state employees who serve on execution teams.</p><p>DeWine, facing a term limit in December, said he felt compelled to share his observations now, having had 50 years of experience with the issue from the time he was a young county prosecutor, through being a congressman and U.S. senator, then as Ohio's attorney general. But he said his outright opposition has only crystallized over the past year.</p><p>Divided reaction to DeWine’s position</p><p>Headed into the announcement, any chance of a legislative repeal of the death penalty appeared unlikely. Republican House Speaker Matt Huffman has said he would oppose such an effort.</p><p>In repeatedly extending Ohio’s unofficial death penalty moratorium by postponing scheduled executions, DeWine has cited pharmaceutical suppliers’ unwillingness to provide the drugs used in lethal injections. In January 2025, President Donald Trump <a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-executions-trump-d9b15ffc1db366a717f2f605330999e8">ordered</a> then-U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to help states try to resolve that issue. </p><p>Interim Ohio Republican Attorney General Andy Wilson expressed relief that DeWine didn’t choose to use commutations and that his office will continue working to uphold the current law. </p><p>DeWine <a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-ohio-coronavirus-pandemic-mike-dewine-executions-f7f1542613ae6922444d77341d4d3b40">has already said</a> he expects no further executions during his term, but he said the compelling nature of the death penalty data remains the same whether you include the past seven years, when executions have been on hold, or not. </p><p>Kevin Werner, executive director of Ohioans to Stop Executions, said the governor’s decision is in line with “an evolution on the death penalty” across the political spectrum in Ohio.</p><p>“Nobody supports a system that harms victim families, convicts innocent people and wastes millions of dollars without a shred of improved public safety,” Werner said.</p><p>Abraham Bonowitz, executive director of Death Penalty Action, said his group had been anticipating DeWine’s announcement, which he called “well-reasoned.”</p><p>Kent Scheidegger, legal director of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, which supports the death penalty and crime victims’ rights, said DeWine may be right that Ohio’s death penalty isn’t currently serving as a deterrent. </p><p>However, "what is needed is the political will and effective leadership,” Scheidegger said. </p><p>Death penalty's future being debated nationally</p><p>The governor noted that Ohio is far from the only state where such trends exist. Use of and support for the death penalty has been <a href="https://apnews.com/article/capital-punishment-18a24913cdf8ab8bae1cb03e329365e0">on the decline nationally</a> for two decades.</p><p>Currently, 27 states allow the death penalty and 23 do not, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center. Ohio is among four states where executions are paused by executive action. The center reported in 2023 that <a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-penalty-decline-report-executions-capital-punishment-fa998133f3b8b0bbe2b80b21c08534f5">more Americans now believe the death penalty is administered unfairly</a> than fairly, a first.</p><p>Texas <a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-execution-edward-busby-intellectually-disabled-0343470f03de9cf21583b517bfcd07eb">has executed 600 people</a> since it resumed the death penalty in 1982. Republican state Rep. Jeff Leach, who has met with death row inmates and advocated for reforms, led a group of state lawmakers last year who successfully halted the first execution in the U.S. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-execution-shaken-baby-roberson-57401f65e188fa0b3d48291cfb83ebcf">tied to a murder conviction</a> for <a href="https://apnews.com/article/shaken-baby-syndrome-texas-execution-548ce35645c215c22261a3974f6e1c37">shaken baby syndrome</a>.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/illinois-governor-george-ryan-hospice-executions-46a5ec5191e8820dd6905d57c8e3cd8a">Then-Illinois Gov. George Ryan</a>, also a Republican, signed off on the execution of one killer then decided not to carry out any more. In virtually his last act as governor, he emptied death row with pardons and commutations in 2003. Numerous governors have commuted some number of death sentences or granted broad blanket clemency to condemned inmates in the years since to empty portions of their death rows.</p><p>But the nation remains divided.</p><p>Since 2019, Colorado, New Hampshire and Virginia have eliminated the death penalty, while <a href="https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-executions-nitrogen-lethal-injection-lawsuit-b5af12995df677e21e641e142abe816e">five states</a> have approved nitrogen gas executions since 2024 to get around issues with lethal injection protocols. Meanwhile, Trump pushes to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-executions-trump-d9b15ffc1db366a717f2f605330999e8">expand federal executions</a>. During his first term, Trump’s administration carried out <a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-28e44cc5c026dc16472751bbde0ead50">13 federal executions,</a> more than under any president in modern history.</p><p>DeWine’s position has evolved over time</p><p>Pushing back execution dates has left Ohio with 30 <a href="https://drc.ohio.gov/about/capital-punishment/execution-schedule">scheduled</a> over the next four years, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Ohio hasn’t put an inmate to death since <a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-94be9c424e4843338d053ecdc3d59976">July 18, 2018</a>, the year before DeWine took office. </p><p>The state reinstated capital punishment in 1981 under a law co-written by DeWine. Ohio resumed death penalties in 1999, and 56 people have since died by lethal injection in the state.</p><p>DeWine’s support has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-ohio-coronavirus-pandemic-mike-dewine-executions-f7f1542613ae6922444d77341d4d3b40">slowly shifted</a> since his political career began in 1976. As attorney general, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/44df9ef1eaf2490fb3ff615786b95476">DeWine ordered the Ohio prison system</a> to consider alternative lethal injection drugs. A year later, in 2020, he said lawmakers would have to choose a different method before any more inmates could be executed. </p><p>Since then, neither a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-death-penalty-executions-4bf6eb55932278d4fc77cc58ab7e080d">bipartisan push to ban the practice</a> nor a competing <a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-penalty-ohio-attorney-general-c47ea9e0ef7e96c8e0264f50e6c15566">effort to bring nitrogen gas executions</a> to Ohio has gone anywhere. A nitrogen gas execution in Alabama was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/execution-alabama-nitrogen-d5b019f8837f937234bedd341a719354">halted last week</a>, after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to set aside a lower-court ruling that found the method unconstitutionally cruel. </p><p>___</p><p>Associated Press writer John Raby in Charleston, West Virginia, contributed.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/0bQLB7K5t0cFVUuHxwZq-wJrCHU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/O277UMVB3VF73I7LCEH6SXI5HE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1644" width="2465"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine speaks at a news conference on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/iaFJ-gVEMRNpXsNWS5hcVhySfIs=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FW55PI2Q2JCKRJIW44MPIWZS4M.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2102" width="3154"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE  Larry Greene, public information director of the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, demonstrates how a curtain is pulled between the death chamber and witness room at the prison in Lucasville, Ohio, in November 2005. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Kiichiro Sato</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/5MjoDE_aSikeoDWTorTJykam5Vg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YEEDUKAULBDCBFPXKAE4MV7JPI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3326" width="4994"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Kyle Rubin, of Columbus, Ohio, protests against the death penalty in Terre Haute, Ind., July 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Michael Conroy</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/_gLCGA23b8KckZdn3uqAckH-fnI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/H2SULA5LWZF6NBMYIGZLYZSRAM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2581" width="3872"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine speaks at a news conference on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Scheffler is chasing a career Grand Slam at the US Open. It's not what motivates him]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/scheffler-is-chasing-a-career-grand-slam-at-the-us-open-its-not-what-motivates-him/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/06/16/scheffler-is-chasing-a-career-grand-slam-at-the-us-open-its-not-what-motivates-him/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Doug Ferguson, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Scottie Scheffler is on the cusp of a career Grand Slam at the U.S. Open.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:13:29 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/masters-scheffler-augusta-rahm-tiger-59958a267e19b227b95013919e0b2ae6">comparisons with Tiger Woods</a> began a few years ago when Scottie Scheffler started to separate himself by miles over the rest of golf with alarming control of his shots from tee-to-green that resulted in big wins and a No. 1 ranking for more than three straight years.</p><p>The next comparison could come this week.</p><p>Not since Woods has anyone completed the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/rory-mcilroy-masters-grand-slam-137a03f8ed420f6495041917693a1ac3">career Grand Slam</a> in his first attempt, at least not in the modern era that dates to 1960 when it became a thing in professional golf.</p><p>Woods took only 35 days between his epic 15-shot victory in the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and his eight-shot victory in the British Open at St. Andrews.</p><p>Scheffler reached the cusp of the career slam <a href="https://apnews.com/article/british-open-scheffler-royal-portrush-mcilroy-3b81c067f945c4a1512bed5ef971419e">when he overwhelmed yet another field at the British Open at Royal Portrush</a>. Now comes the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-shinnecock-hills-major-38e3031856c31dc52fbf6c390f55b9d0">U.S. Open</a>, the major he has played more than any other, and a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-par-shinnecock-hills-tough-test-98e3fd5fe3c2f4f245ea18e9c089c28a">Shinnecock Hills test</a> that will be new to him.</p><p>Does he want to win? Without question. Does he need to? That goes a little deeper with Scheffler, who cares more about the process than the result.</p><p>“For me, would it be a dream to win the U.S. Open? Of course,” Scheffler said Tuesday. “But at the end of the day, the Grand Slam has never been a motivating factor for me. I always just wanted to be the best version of myself, and that got me this far.”</p><p>It brought him two Masters titles in 2022 and 2024, the PGA Championship and British Open last year, all of them without drama when he walked up to the 18th green.</p><p>“So when it comes to this golf tournament, I'm going to step on the first tee and remind myself I’ve done everything I possibly could in order to play well, and now it’s just a matter of going out there and trying to execute and going back to enjoying the competition versus feeling like you have to win for some reason,” he said.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/scottie-scheffler-british-open-royal-portrush-1ae549fd5b0fd51663ed756784bf2bca">He didn't go as deep as he did at Portrush last year</a>, when he delivered a remarkable soliloquy asking why he wants to win so badly when the joy lasts only a few minutes.</p><p>But it's clear he relishes the challenge, and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-par-shinnecock-hills-tough-test-98e3fd5fe3c2f4f245ea18e9c089c28a">Shinnecock</a> figures to be every bit of that.</p><p>Tuesday brought more wind, this time from a different direction, and there's really no escaping it. Part of the genius of this William Flynn design are three sections of holes that form a triangle, ensuring players face a different wind for each of them.</p><p>The USGA has done its part to make sure it doesn't get out of control, keeping the course as green and hydrated as possible in anticipation of a windy week.</p><p>“I think it’s the best championship test in the country,” said <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mcilroy-us-open-liv-pga-tour-854d7af105bca2f937da6328ecf0b543">Rory McIlroy</a>, who last year at the Masters became only the sixth player to win the career Grand Slam. "I think it tests all aspects of the game — driving, iron play, you need to have your wits about you on the greens. It’s a lot of strategy, thoughtfulness.</p><p>“Look, it’s a golf course where it can turn very quickly. You get a day like yesterday with a lot of wind and dry, clear conditions like this, and I think we’re just going to have to be mindful of that as the week goes on.”</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-open-shinnecock-hills-scheffler-mcilroy-d9dd7def3846b591e2b102436a1ec5a8">McIlroy and Scheffler were at Shinnecock on the same day</a> June 1 for a sneak preview, both noticing wider fairways, even though McIlroy was the only one of them who was in the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock, just not for long. He shot 80 the first day, 70 the next and was on his way home.</p><p>Adam Scott has his own love-hate relationship with Shinnecock. It's among his favorite courses in the world, so much that he plays it often in social settings — he once set the course record of 63 in one such round — but missed the cut in the U.S. Open in 2004 and 2018.</p><p>“I still love the golf course,” Scott said, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/adam-scott-us-open-100-majors-shinnecock-hills-711eff084f663f8b265cbce43b844a0f">who is playing his 100th consecutive major</a> this week. “I think it's as good as any test we have at the U.S. Open.”</p><p>He has played 15 U.S. Open courses during the streak.</p><p>This is the ninth U.S. Open for Scheffler — two of them as an amateur — with his closest call in 2022 at The Country Club, where he finished one shot behind Matt Fitzpatrick.</p><p>But he is the favorite, as is the case at every tournament he plays, even though this year has been one in which he has similar numbers except for the trophies he has accumulated. His only victory was his first start of the year, The American Express in the California desert.</p><p>There were three straight runner-up finishes, including the Masters. He had an astonishing run of 18 consecutive top 10s end at Riviera in February. His worst result was a tie for 24th at Bay Hill.</p><p>But that one win was five months ago.</p><p>“I’d say I feel like I’ve been close most of the year,” Scheffler said. “I feel like I just haven’t been as sharp as I needed to be. I think the margins in this game are so small. For me to be winning a lot of tournaments, you’ve got to just be really, really sharp."</p><p>One week at Shinnecock can change that. And then for Scheffler, it would be on to the next one.</p><p>___</p><p>AP golf: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/golf">https://apnews.com/hub/golf</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/zFTNBQqaI5kiuvllgb8F-aSD1Pk=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EJ2MXSD65RBHLPYJJBJ5MYFO34.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3242" width="4863"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Scottie Scheffler hits from the bunker on the second hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., Tuesday, June 16, 2026.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">David J. Phillip</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/CIMrvj1nCGBto7-5m7RREoLozIU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DDXDKEUMJFDVPLOCJIGTSTJHRU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2579" width="3868"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Scottie Scheffler talks with his caddie Ted Scott on the third hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., Tuesday, June 16, 2026.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">David J. Phillip</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/VmS-aaugfB2-4fLwxPCdVowEk2o=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/5ATRE77SXNCH7IKC5IW62KI6VE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4736" width="7104"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Scottie Scheffler walks to green on the first hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., Tuesday, June 16, 2026.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">David J. Phillip</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/H6iougPXG__rFqUlnczYgqRZEzQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FF2SF2K2CNCCLPQTE42PR4RRMU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5604" width="8405"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, walks to green on the first hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., Tuesday, June 16, 2026.(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">David J. Phillip</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/EfBS9BzWEn0VYzYPp_ni4N1z4mY=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/26U7VKXLUZAU3M2OHTVDY4IKEE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4570" width="6855"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Joaquin Niemann hits from the rough on the third hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., Tuesday, June 16, 2026.(AP Photo/George Walker IV)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">George Walker Iv</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nvidia's Huang pledges AI will boost manufacturing jobs. A test will come in Texas]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/16/nvidias-huang-pledges-ai-will-boost-manufacturing-jobs-a-test-will-come-in-texas/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/16/nvidias-huang-pledges-ai-will-boost-manufacturing-jobs-a-test-will-come-in-texas/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Josh Boak, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Nvidia is betting on artificial intelligence to revive U.S. manufacturing.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:03:55 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Jensen Huang’s <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-microsoft-ai-laptops-jensen-chip-c807f7333b93b9927b62b1240dcf65a1">company Nvidia</a> makes the computer chips that unleashed a revolution in <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence</a>. Now he's wagering that an AI buildout can revive U.S. manufacturing, pushing past limits facing science and society.</p><p>That vision might hinge on a factory groundbreaking an hour north of Dallas.</p><p>Nvidia on Tuesday formally unveilied plans for a major upgrade to its AI infrastructure as part of its $2 billion <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nvidia-ai-artificial-intelligence-tariffs-dcf48112ce98a7b61bfd32157359ce2f">partnership with the factory’s owner, Coherent</a>. The factory will produce the material for a laser to transmit data among computer chips, allowing those chips to work as a single system with more power, speed and efficiency, according to executives who discussed the technology before the public announcement.</p><p>“AI factories are the infrastructure of the new industrial revolution," Huang said in a statement.</p><p>The factory represents a fundamental test of whether, as Huang believes, AI will be a source of job creation instead of a technology that supplants workers as it becomes possible to write software, analyze a spreadsheet, run an assembly line or even drive an automobile without much human effort. </p><p>Huang has led Nvidia as it became the world’s most valuable company, worth roughly $5 trillion, to a point where it's looking beyond chips to developing entire AI systems. The companies expected to rely on those systems to further develop AI models could soon join the elite circle of those with a valuation of more than $1 trillion. Just how that wealth spreads and the consequences of the technology have rapidly evolved into fundamental debates about how America itself is structured.</p><p>AI is powering academic breakthroughs and it creates the promise of rapid economic growth. But even if stocks are buoyed by those possibilities, there are voters who see reasons for concern over its use of electricity, the potential for job losses and the newfound national security risks.</p><p>A shifting approach on AI</p><p>President Donald Trump's administration, which once saw a light regulatory touch as essential for fostering AI’s development, has recently begun to reverse course. It placed <a href="https://apnews.com/article/anthropic-artificial-intelligence-trump-fable-mythos-d9cc7df5c02e93837d0f0bfb24d5cfd2">export controls on the AI company Anthropic’s latest models</a>, leading the company on Friday to shutter all public access to those models over security concerns.</p><p>Trump, a Republican, signed an order to have new AI models <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-ai-executive-order-e41af74f7b0865482f07d10fe7a50fe3">voluntarily vetted by the government</a>. He has also mused about the government <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-altman-ai-bernie-sanders-trump-public-ownership-772224f9cd138eb79d3ef3336858a5d5">owning a stake</a> in the companies that develop AI, so that the public could benefit from the expected windfall even if that would blur the lines between the public and private sectors.</p><p>Still, Trump depends on the AI boom to fuel economic growth, drive future gains in manufacturing and construction, and push the stock market to new heights. He has insisted on Huang accompanying him on foreign trips, most recently having Air Force One pick up the leather-jacketed CEO in Alaska while en route for <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-musk-apple-iran-boeing-fbc2bb27b6f77146dce1954502f9aeb8">the state visit to China</a>.</p><p>Trump has called Huang “smart,” a “friend” and “amazing” — and he’s publicly recounted that he once mused about breaking up Nvidia because of its dominance, only to admit that Huang was someone that he needed as an ally.</p><p>“We are proud to have you in our country,” Trump told the Taiwanese immigrant last year.</p><p>AI buildout creating jobs</p><p>Coherent’s factory in Sherman, Texas — which includes Nvidia as a major customer — relied on bipartisan government support. The Biden administration approved $33 million in backing from the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-semiconductors-chips-act-3592f1ed8b8cd4f2145cfa8a4985046c">CHIPS and Science Act</a> to help fund its buildout, while the Trump administration provided an additional $17 million grant to help ensure a key part of the AI infrastructure would be made in America.</p><p>“The reason the award was expanded, and we announced this today, was because we continue to grow capacity,” Coherent CEO Jim Anderson said in an interview. “We saw the opportunity with the tremendous AI demand to grow capacity even more than we had originally planned.”</p><p>Including construction workers, Coherent estimates that the factory will create 1,000 jobs, with about 550 of them in advanced manufacturing, engineering and technical roles. Anderson said the floorspace of the plant would double and its output would quadruple with the additions being built.</p><p>The factory expansion will increase production of Indium Phosphide, which is used to make a laser that has the optical intensity of the surface of the Sun. Each second, the light pulses a few hundred billion times through a fiberglass straw the width of a human hair. That allows Nvidia’s computer chips to share information and work together as one system in what Huang has dubbed “AI factories.”</p><p>Power consumption would be cut up to 50%, enabling computations to occur faster and at a drastically lower price. The prospect of reducing the cost of tokens — the industry’s term for AI usage — would make it easier for AI to expand its reach and abilities.</p><p>In a paper published this month, the economists Jessica Wachter and Jonathan Wachter noted that the five largest U.S. technology firms invested $380 billion last year as part of the AI buildout and that sum could roughly double this year. Based on that investment, they estimate the possibility of rapid economic growth as AI accounts for more of U.S. gross domestic product. While AI is roughly 3% of the economy now, that figure could grow to a range of 8% to 39%.</p><p>One Nvidia executive, who insisted on speaking on background to describe its industrial strategy, stressed that the company was moving from developing computer chips to providing entire AI systems. That has meant clustering more production in the U.S. with chipmaking increasingly centered in Arizona and the assembly process increasingly located in Texas, so that there is a reliable domestic supply chain.</p><p>The executive said that Nvidia was selling brains and a nervous system to its customers, so that the intelligence generated can then be applied to their businesses in ways that create new products and identify new savings and business lines. That could allow manufacturers that depend on foreign suppliers to restore production in the U.S., taking an AI that so far has largely been accessed on laptops onto factory floors where it can, in their words, “move atoms.”</p><p>The possibility has not been lost on Trump, who sees the industry as essential to American greatness.</p><p>“It’s an amazing industry,” Trump said to reporters last week. “It’s bigger than any industry anyone’s ever seen. We are leading China by a lot. And whoever leads that is going to really lead the world to a large extent, that’s how big it is.” </p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/PjVMffr--7vi7xosuvYRMRChMIQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/T5SGPQQMWNCQHD4ZIJDFOK7UFA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4922" width="7383"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Jensen Huang, left, president and CEO of Nvidia, and Jim Anderson, CEO of Coherent, sign a ceremonial construction beam before a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion of Coherent's manufacturing facility on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Sherman, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jeffrey Mcwhorter</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/S3UucEeXnR0GLh2scN1cw0eTKHU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FQSK5WKEDJC4VMFTVEYGCSPGTU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5239" width="7858"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Jensen Huang, left, president and CEO of Nvidia, talks with Jim Anderson, CEO of Coherent, before a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion of Coherent's manufacturing facility on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Sherman, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jeffrey Mcwhorter</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/qJS-shqulSS3kmqj6gAVw2mm1ZA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/PBWJSZVWJBCVRH63YKSQF5RLMQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5694" width="8468"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A Coherent manufacturing facility, where Nvidia chief executive officer Jensen Huang is scheduled to speak at a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion project, is shown on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Sherman, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jeffrey Mcwhorter</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/AKZF6c_-wRwvlREA6XCNau9nI7I=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6NZYZ2XVGRBPVHUHUA2SQJ745A.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2938" width="4997"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A Coherent manufacturing facility, where Nvidia chief executive officer Jensen Huang is scheduled to speak at a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion project, is shown in an aerial view on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Sherman, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Jeffrey Mcwhorter</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hyland Trail joins developments set to bring over 3,000 new homes to Lake Asbury in Clay County]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/hyland-trail-development-to-bring-over-3000-new-homes-amenity-center-to-clay-county/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/06/16/hyland-trail-development-to-bring-over-3000-new-homes-amenity-center-to-clay-county/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Scott Johnson]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Construction began on the Lodge Amenity Center at Hyland Trail, a recreation-focused community near the newly opened stretch of the First Coast Expressway in Clay County.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:41:51 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Construction began on the Lodge Amenity Center at Hyland Trail, a recreation-focused community near the newly opened stretch of the First Coast Expressway in Clay County.</p><p>Members of the development team, including GreenPointe Holdings, Basham &amp; Lucas Design Group, Jax Utilities Management and Smith McKee Construction, gathered recently at the site for a groundbreaking ceremony.</p><p>“The Lodge Amenity Center will truly be the heart of Hyland Trail,” Mike Taylor, president of Lifestyle Construction for GreenPointe Developers, said. “Designed as a welcoming, family-friendly destination, it will be a place where neighbors come to relax, connect and enjoy life together.”</p><p>The center will include gathering spaces overlooking a beach-entry pool and splash zone, a state-of-the-art exercise facility, and pickleball courts. </p><p>The community will also feature miles of multi-use pathways for walking, biking and jogging, an expansive playground and a resident-only dog park called Barks &amp; Rec. The amenity center is slated for completion in 2026.</p><p>Hyland Trail offers new homes from the $300s. Dream Finders and Pulte are offering one- and two-story single-family homes ranging from about 1,500 to more than 3,500 square feet.</p><p>Jeff Thompson is a longtime Clay resident who sees what’s happening in Lake Asbury and knows everything has changed.</p><p>“It’s kind of strange growing up with what you had when you were younger then seeing everything else develop is kind of crazy,” Thompson said.</p><p>Another Lake Asbury resident asked if the area could handle all the new development.</p><p>“I think they should have done some of the infrastructure before the homes went up,” Carolyn said.</p><p>Edenbrooke at Hyland Trail, by Lennar, is the community’s first active-adult neighborhood and is designed for buyers 55 and older, with low-maintenance, open-concept home designs and exclusive on-site amenities.</p><p>The community is near Clay County schools, shops and restaurants, and borders Ronnie Van Zant Park, which features a disc golf course, sports fields, nature trails, a fishing pond with piers and pickleball courts. Residents will have easy access to Oakleaf Town Center, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Cecil Commerce Center and downtown Jacksonville via the First Coast Expressway.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Georgia voters: What’s on your 2026 ballot?]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/georgia-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/georgia-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/</guid><description><![CDATA[Georgia voters will have a chance to shape the future of their state during this election year, with an open seat for governor highlighting the races on the 2026 ballot, with the first votes to be cast for the May 19 primaries.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:23:35 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Georgia voters will have a chance to shape the future of their state during this election year, with an open seat for governor highlighting the races on the 2026 ballot.</p><p>Republican Governor Brian Kemp is term-limited. Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Democratic primary for governor on May 19, with Rick Jackson and Burt Jones finishing at the top of the Republican primary and advancing to the June 16 runoff. But the race for governor is far from the only statewide race gaining attention: Republicans are lining up for the chance to run for the U.S. Senate in November, and challenge Democrat Jon Ossoff.</p><p><b>RELATED:</b> <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/vote-2026/2026/04/09/mark-your-calendars-deadlines-start-of-early-voting-approaching-for-georgias-primary-election/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.news4jax.com/vote-2026/2026/04/09/mark-your-calendars-deadlines-start-of-early-voting-approaching-for-georgias-primary-election/">Mark your calendars: Deadlines, start of early voting approaching for Georgia’s primary election</a></p><p>While many primaries were decided on May 19, there were some races where no candidate got more than 50% of the vote, forcing a runoff on June 16 between the top two candidates.</p><p><b>Scroll down</b> to read about everyone running for statewide offices and the U.S. House and state legislative seats representing Southeast Georgia. To see what’s on local ballots, go directly to voter’s guides for <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/brantley-county-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/brantley-county-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/">Brantley</a>, <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/camden-county-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/camden-county-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/">Camden</a>, <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/charlton-county-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/charlton-county-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/">Charlton</a>, <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/glynn-county-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/glynn-county-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/">Glynn</a>, <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/pierce-county-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/pierce-county-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/">Pierce</a>, and <a href="https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/ware-county-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2026/04/21/ware-county-voters-whats-on-your-2026-ballot/">Ware</a> counties. (Clinch County does not have any local races in the primary election.)</p><h3>U.S. Senate</h3><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table></p><p>Incumbent <b>Jon Ossoff</b> is the only candidate in the Democratic primary. Joining the Senate after the 2020 elections, Ossoff previously worked as an investigative journalist whose small business produced investigations of corruption and war crimes for international news organization. He grew up in the Atlanta area, studied diplomacy at Georgetown University, and received his Master of Science degree from the London School of Economics. (<a href="https://electjon.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://electjon.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><p>With five candidates on the Republican primary ballot, no candidate earned more than 50% of the vote, forcing a runoff between the top two candidates. The winner of the June 16 runoff will face Ossoff in November.</p><ul><li><b>Mike Collins </b>currently represents Georgia’s 10th District in the U.S. House. Collins, from Jackson, Ga., started his first trucking business at age 25, and grew it to employ more than 100 drivers. He graduated with a business degree from Georgia State University. (<a href="https://mikecollinsga.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://mikecollinsga.com/"><u><b>Campaign website</b></u></a>)</li><li><b>Derek Dooley</b> is the son of legendary University of Georgia football coach and athletic director Vince Dooley. Derek Dooley played football at the University of Virginia and received a law degree at UGA. He practiced law in Atlanta before pivoting to coaching football at the college level and in the NFL. (<a href="https://www.dooleyforgeorgia.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.dooleyforgeorgia.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="gold"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table>
</p><ul><li><b>Allen Buckley</b> has been a Georgia attorney and CPA for approximately 40 years, working in areas of tax, employee benefits, estate planning, and related business law. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia law school and received an LL.M. in Tax from the University of Florida. (<a href="https://allenbuckleyforsenate.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://allenbuckleyforsenate.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Governor</h3><p>Republican incumbent <b>Brian Kemp </b>is leaving office due to term limits. While <b>Keisha Lance Bottoms</b> was able to win the crowded Democratic primary in May, no candidate in the Republican primary got more than 50% of the vote, forcing a June 16 runoff.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Rick Jackson</b> is a businessman who started his career in a sales job, and later went on to buy the company he worked for. According to his campaign website, Jackson grew up in foster care, and because of that, worked with state leaders to help pass legislation that now allows former foster youth in the state to attend college tuition-free. (<a href="https://rickjackson.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://rickjackson.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li><li><b>Burt Jones </b>is a sixth-generation Georgia native who currently serves as the state’s lieutenant governor, having been elected in 2022. He previously served in the State Senate for over a decade. Jones has played a leadership role in his family’s business, Jones Petroleum, and also founded JP Capital &amp; Insurance, Inc.8 (<a href="https://burtjonesforga.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://burtjonesforga.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Keisha Lance Bottoms </b>is a former Atlanta mayor, having been elected in 2017 and choosing to not seek re-election in 2021. Before becoming mayor, she served on the Atlanta City Council, and also previously served as a judge. Under President Joe Biden, she served as a Senior Advisor for Public Engagement. (<a href="" target="_blank" rel="" title=""><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="gold"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Chase Oliver</b> is a Libertarian activist living in Atlanta. He ran as a Libertarian for the U.S. Senate in 2022, and was the party’s nominee for president in 2024. (<a href="https://lpgeorgia.com/candidates/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://lpgeorgia.com/candidates/"><b>Libertarian Party of Georgia website</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Lieutenant Governor</h3><p>The current lieutenant governor, <b>Burt Jones</b>, is running for governor, leaving the seat open. With multiple candidates in both the Democratic and Republican primaries, both races will require a June 16 runoff.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Greg Dolezal </b>- business owner from Forsyth County (<a href="https://gregdolezal.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://gregdolezal.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li><li><b>John Flanders Kennedy </b>- Attorney from Adrian in Monroe County (<a href="https://jfkforgeorgia.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://jfkforgeorgia.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Josh McLaurin </b>- Attorney from Fulton County (<a href="https://www.joshmclaurin.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.joshmclaurin.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li><li><b>Nabilah Parkes</b> - State Senator from Gwinnett County (<a href="https://nabilahparkes.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://nabilahparkes.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Secretary of State</h3><p>The Georgia Secretary of State oversees voting, tracks annual corporate filings, grants professional licenses, and oversees the state’s securities market. As current secretary of state <b>Brad Raffensperger</b> is running for governor, this is an open position. Both the Republican and Democratic primaries will require a June 16 runoff.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Tim Fleming </b>- Small business owner from Newton County (<a href="https://www.flemingforga.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.flemingforga.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li><li><b>Vernon Jones </b>- Consultant from DeKalb County (<a href="https://vernonjonesforga.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://vernonjonesforga.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Dana Barrett</b> - Fulton County commissioner (<a href="https://electdanabarrett.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://electdanabarrett.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li><li><b>Penny Brown Reynolds </b>- Attorney from Fulton County (<a href="https://www.pennyforgeorgia.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.pennyforgeorgia.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Attorney General</h3><p>The Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to the executive branch &amp; prosecutes violent crime across the state. The seat is open in this election because <b>Chris Carr </b>is running for governor. </p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Brian Strickland </b>- Attorney from Henry County (<a href="https://stricklandforgeorgia.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://stricklandforgeorgia.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Tanya Miller </b>- Lawyer from Fulton County (<a href="https://www.tanyaforgeorgia.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.tanyaforgeorgia.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>) </li></ul><h3>Agriculture Commissioner</h3><p>The Georgia Department of Agriculture administers a variety of programs related to the state’s farm industry and the public that consumes its products. The current commissioner, Republican <b>Tyler Harper</b>, is unopposed for his party’s nomination. He will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the general election.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Tyler Harper</b> - Georgia Agriculture Commissioner, from Irwin County (<a href="https://tylerharperga.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://tylerharperga.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Katherine Juhan-Arnold </b>- Farmer / engineering &amp; construction management, from Gwinnett County (<a href="https://katherineforgeorgia.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://katherineforgeorgia.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Labor Commissioner</h3><p>The Georgia Department of Labor provides a wide range of services to individuals and employers. These include administration of Georgia’s unemployment insurance, reemployment services, provision of workforce information to the public and private sectors, and oversight of child labor issues.</p><p>The current Labor Commissioner, Republican <b>Bárbara Rivera Holmes</b>, was appointed to the post in April 2025 by Gov. Brian Kemp. She is now seeking a full term and is unopposed for the Republican nomination. She will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the general election.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Bárbara Rivera Holmes</b> - Georgia Labor Commissioner, from Dougherty County (<a href="https://www.barbaraforga.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.barbaraforga.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>),</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Nikki Porcher </b>- Businesswoman from Fulton County (<a href="https://www.voteporcher4ga.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.voteporcher4ga.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li><li><b>Michelle Sanchez </b>- Self-employed, from Hall County (<a href="https://michi4ga.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://michi4ga.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>State School Superintendent</h3><p>The State School Superintendent leads the Georgia Department of Education, which serves the state’s K-12 public school districts, schools, and students. The current superintendent, Republican <b>Richard Woods</b>, has served in the position since 2015 and is seeking re-election. He does face opposition in the Republican primary, and there are three candidates in the Democratic primary.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table>
</p><ul><li><b>Fred “Bubba” Longgrear </b>- School superintendent from Candler County (<a href="https://bubba4ga.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://bubba4ga.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li><li><b>Richard Woods </b>- State school superintendent from Tift County (<a href="https://www.woodsforsuper.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.woodsforsuper.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Lydia Powell </b>- Educator from Fayette County (<a href="https://drlydiapowell.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://drlydiapowell.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Insurance &amp; Fire Safety Commissioner</h3><p>The mission of the Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner (OCI) is to protect Georgia families by providing access to vital insurance products and safe buildings through fair regulation that creates economic opportunities for all Georgians. The current commissioner, Republican <b>John King</b>, is seeking re-election. He is the only Republican in the race. He will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the general election, as well the Libertarian nominee, <b>Colin McKinney</b>.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>John King </b>- Georgia Insurance Commissioner, from Fulton County (<a href="https://www.votejohnking.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.votejohnking.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>DeAndre Mathis </b>- Insurance agent from Fulton County (<a href="https://deandreforinsurancecommissioner.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://deandreforinsurancecommissioner.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li><li><b>Keisha Sean Waites </b>- Former state legislator from Fulton County (<a href="https://www.keishawaites.org/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.keishawaites.org/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="gold"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table>
</p><ul><li><b>Colin McKinney</b> - Physician from Clarke County (<a href="https://www.mckinney4ga.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.mckinney4ga.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Public Service Commission, District 3</h3><p>The Georgia Public Service Commission regulates utilities such as electricity, telephone, and natural gas. Its five commissioners must live within a designated district, but are elected statewide. They serve staggered six-year terms.</p><p>The District 3 commissioner, Democrat <b>Peter Hubbard</b>, was just elected in a special election in 2025. He is seeking re-election, and is unopposed for the Democratic nomination.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Terrell “Fitz” Johnson, Sr. </b>- Entrepreneur from Fulton County (<a href="https://www.friendsforfitz.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.friendsforfitz.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Peter Hubbard </b>- Public Service Commissioner, from DeKalb County (<a href="https://www.peterforgeorgia.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.peterforgeorgia.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Public Service Commission, District 5</h3><p>The incumbent commissioner, Tricia Pridemore, is not seeking re-election.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Bobby Mehan</b> - Business owner from Haralson County (<a href="https://bobbymehanforgeorgia.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://bobbymehanforgeorgia.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li><li><b>Joshua Tolbert </b>- Professional engineer from Cobb County (<a href="https://www.teamtolbert.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.teamtolbert.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Shelia Edwards</b> - Business owner from Cobb County (<a href="https://www.shelia4psc.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.shelia4psc.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Supreme Court of Georgia</h3><p>Three of the nine seats on the Supreme Court of Georgia are up for election this year in statewide, non-partisan races. One of the three justices, Justice Benjamin Land, was unopposed. Incumbents <b>Charles Bethel</b> and <b>Sarah Warren</b> were re-elected to their seats in the May primary.</p><h3>Judge of the Court of Appeals</h3><p>The Georgia Court of Appeals is made up of 15 judges, and hears cases from across the state. Five of the seats are up for re-election this year in statewide, non-partisan races, though three of the judges are unopposed: Judges Sara Doyle, David Markle, and J. Wade Padgett. The other judges, <b>Trenton Brown </b>and <b>Elizabeth Gobeil</b>, were both re-elected to their seats in the May primary.</p><h3>Georgia’s 1st Congressional District</h3><p>One of Georgia’s 14 congressional districts, this district spans the entire coastline of Georgia, from the border with Florida, up to Savannah. In our area, it includes Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, Pierce, and Ware counties. As Congressman Buddy Carter ran for the U.S. Senate, there is no incumbent in this year’s election. Republican <b>Jim Kingston</b> won the Republican primary in May, but the Democratic primary will require a June 16 runoff.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table>
</p><ul><li><b>Jim Kingston</b> - Insurance broker from Chatham County (<a href="https://www.jimkingston.org/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.jimkingston.org/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Joyce Marie Griggs </b>- Retired military, from Chatham County (<a href="https://www.joycegriggsforcongress.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.joycegriggsforcongress.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li><li><b>Amanda Hollowell</b> - Chief of campaigns, from Chatham County (<a href="https://www.amandaforga.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.amandaforga.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Georgia’s 8th Congressional District</h3><p>Georgia’s 8th District stretches from Valdosta to north of Macon. In southeast Georgia, the district includes Clinch County. The Republican incumbent, <b>Austin Scott</b>, is unopposed in his party’s primary.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Austin Scott </b>- U.S. Representative, from Tift County (<a href="https://www.scottforga.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.scottforga.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES</font></td></tr></table>
</p><ul><li><b>Kelly Esti</b> - Analyst from Fulton County (<a href="https://www.kellyesti4congress.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.kellyesti4congress.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><figure><img src="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/rBOaOy6ml2rsFoIP6ePpUZHQTCc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JPIXVZASXZCYLB5H6PU7ZE22TM.jpg" alt="Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office, Georgia General Assembly" height="563" width="1000"/><figcaption>Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office, Georgia General Assembly</figcaption></figure><h3>Georgia State Senate, District 3</h3><p>Represents Brantley Camden, Charlton, Glynn and part of Ware counties. The incumbent, Republican <b>Michael Hodges</b>, drew no primary challengers, and no Democrats qualified for the election.</p><h3>Georgia State Senate, District 8</h3><p>Includes Clinch, Pierce and part of Ware counties. The incumbent, Republican <b>Russ Goodman</b>, is unopposed for re-election. The race will appear on Republican primary ballots as Goodman had drawn one challenger, Greg Tyre. However, Tyre later withdrew from the race. No Democrats qualified for the election.</p><figure><img src="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/w7vk8dcwcwIMhxZut9-g81eWnWg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DW6CQDKDKVA3XDI7OM5PQUFFHQ.jpg" alt="Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office, Georgia General Assembly" height="563" width="1000"/><figcaption>Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Office, Georgia General Assembly</figcaption></figure><h3>Georgia State House, District 167</h3><p>Represents western Glynn County. Republican incumbent <b>Homer “Buddy” DeLoach</b> is seeking re-election but drew no opposition in his party’s primary.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Homer “Buddy” DeLoach - </b>Business owner, from McIntosh County (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BuddyDeLoachforGA/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.facebook.com/BuddyDeLoachforGA/"><b>Campaign Facebook page</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table></p><ul><li><b>Nathaniel Hicks, Jr.</b> - Pastor from McIntosh County (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/VoteNathanielHicksJr/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.facebook.com/VoteNathanielHicksJr/"><b>Campaign Facebook page</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Georgia State House, District 174</h3><p>Includes Brantley, Charlton, Clinch and part of Ware County. Incumbent Republican <b>John Corbett </b>is seeking re-election.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table>
</p><ul><li><b>John Corbett</b> - Self employed/farmer from Echols County (<a href="https://www.votejohncorbett.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.votejohncorbett.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table>
</p><ul><li><b>David Hall </b>- Substitute teacher from Brantley County (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588590097976" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588590097976"><b>Campaign Facebook page</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Georgia State House, District 176</h3><p>Includes part of Ware County. The incumbent, Republican <b>James Burchett</b>, is seeking re-election.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table>
</p><ul><li><b>James Burchett</b> - Attorney from Ware County (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Burchettforhouse/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.facebook.com/Burchettforhouse/"><b>Campaign Facebook page</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table>
</p><ul><li><b>Marcus Ryan</b> - CDL operator from Lanier County (<a href="https://ryanforgeorgia.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://ryanforgeorgia.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Georgia State House, District 178</h3><p>Includes Pierce County. Republican incumbent <b>Steven Meeks</b> is seeking re-election.</p><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#d9001a"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table>
  </p><ul><li><b>Steven Meeks </b>- Farmer from Wayne County (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/meeksforstatehouse/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.facebook.com/meeksforstatehouse/"><b>Campaign Facebook page</b></a>)</li></ul><p><table width="100%"><tr><td bgcolor="#0018cf"><font size="4" color="white">&nbsp;&nbsp;DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE</font></td></tr></table>
</p><ul><li><b>Barry Dunham</b> - Teacher from Bacon County (<a href="https://electdunhamforhd178.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://electdunhamforhd178.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>)</li></ul><h3>Georgia State House, District 179</h3><p>Includes the city of Brunswick, St. Simons Island and other parts of eastern Glynn County. Republican incumbent <b>Richard Townsend </b>(<a href="https://www.townsendforgeorgia.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.townsendforgeorgia.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>) is seeking re-election and is unopposed in his party’s primary. The only Democratic candidate withdrew after qualifying for the election.</p><h3>Georgia State House, District 180</h3><p>Includes all of Camden County and a strip of southern Glynn County. Incumbent <b>Steven Sainz </b>(<a href="https://stevensainz.com/" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://stevensainz.com/"><b>Campaign website</b></a>) was the only Republican to qualify for the party’s primary. No Democrats qualified for this race.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/bXQOFz-QxOYR8PenMEiPyTlVNAo=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/7PDUYMIJLZGWPE3YSIEMBDMQYE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2596" width="3896"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[People cast their ballots, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Brynn Anderson</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[ICE says relaxed detention standards 'reduce the burden' on contractors running its lockups]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/ice-says-relaxed-detention-standards-reduce-the-burden-on-contractors-running-its-lockups/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/ice-says-relaxed-detention-standards-reduce-the-burden-on-contractors-running-its-lockups/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ryan J. Foley, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Contractors running Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities can rely more heavily on artificial intelligence tools to communicate with detainees and continue refusing to pay wages for detainees’ “voluntary work."]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:16:48 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Contractors running Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities can rely more heavily on artificial intelligence tools to communicate with detainees while continuing to pay people they hold $1 per day for “voluntary work,” under relaxed detention standards released Monday.</p><p>ICE said the standards, which apply to for-profit contractors and jails that hold detainees, were revised with input from partners to “reduce the burden on our detention operators.” Experts said the changes would help contractors limit legal liability, reduce costs and get more operational flexibility while doing little, if anything, to improve conditions for roughly 60,000 people currently detained.</p><p>“100% it’s going to result in deterioration of already problematic conditions of detention,” said Michelle Brane, a former Department of Homeland Security ombudsman who oversaw immigration detention practices during part of the Biden administration. “It’s consistent with their general practice, which is to eliminate accountability and oversight. They are not concerned with people’s basic rights or safety of detainees.”</p><p>The revisions come as ICE detention facilities are <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-suicide-deaths-detention-custody-d902169055292dfd27f5079e609e86ad">reporting deaths in unprecedented numbers</a> and face <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ice-immigration-detention-medical-neglect-dhs-32c3fbeef0c44dfb02fcab890b2c9a96">accusations of medical neglect</a>, inadequate food and other inhumane conditions. They come as ICE is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-funding-trump-congress-republicans-c395a434f47fa41a7131369847091910">flush with cash</a>, receiving more than half of the $70 billion immigration enforcement spending bill signed by President Donald Trump last week.</p><p>Dr. Sanjay Basu, a public health researcher who has studied ICE custody deaths, said the changes include “genuine improvements” to suicide prevention standards and mental health care. But he said the overall trajectory is “toward weaker standards governing a growing share of the detained population.”</p><p>ICE said the changes streamline its rules and move toward more relaxed standards used by the U.S. Marshals Service to hold pretrial federal inmates in jails. The agency said it considered input from operators “alongside operational, legal and policy requirements when making a final decision."</p><p>Dr. Homer Venters, an expert on correctional health care, said the changes could curtail access to language assistance by eliminating mandates that required in-person and telephone interpretation and translation services.</p><p>New standard allows use of AI</p><p>The revised standard says facilities can use artificial intelligence tools such as machine-learning-based translation or generative AI for “noncritical communication” or “informal interactions with detainees.” That communication could include giving and receiving information to or from detainees during intake, having conversations with detainees in housing units and responding to a detainee’s grievance or other concerns, it says.</p><p>Venters called the changes alarming because grievances often include “very urgent or even emergent information such as when a patient has been denied lifesaving care.” He said the rule also leaves unclear whether health assessments, crucial to flagging medical and mental health conditions, could be conducted through AI.</p><p>ICE said the standards ensure contractors provide interpretation and translation services “at no cost to the detainees.”</p><p>Several experts said they were concerned by a change that bars facility operators from refusing to admit any detainee ICE sends them.</p><p>The change means facilities may not be able to immediately refer severely ill or disabled detainees whom they cannot accommodate to hospitals or other settings for care — but it could reduce their liability for subsequent deaths. A related rule change requires facilities to request that ICE transfer detainees they cannot serve elsewhere, but that might not happen for several days after they are admitted.</p><p>A favor to contractors</p><p>New language making clear that detainees who participate in voluntary work programs are not employees and therefore not entitled to wages and benefits “is a favor” to ICE’s for-profit contractors, said Dora Schriro, former director of ICE’s Office of Detention Policy and Planning during the Obama administration.</p><p>For years, advocates for detainees have argued in lawsuits that these programs, in which detainees have received a minimum stipend of $1 per work day, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-private-prison-immigration-detainees-92b01950e11ae13f17d11fddbb196e5e">amount to forced labor</a>. The lawsuits have sought millions of dollars in unpaid wages from ICE contractors like GeoGroup and CoreCivic, and now they could face tougher odds of success by strengthening their legal defenses, Schriro said.</p><p>Another change bars facilities from paying above the longtime $1-per-day minimum stipend, which was allowed under the previous standard and an argument that had been used against contractors in court, said Carmen Iguina Gonzalez, an immigration detention expert at the American Civil Liberties Union. She said the work can include cleaning dormitories, cutting hair and other tasks that keep facilities running.</p><p>Claire Trickler-McNulty, a former DHS and ICE official who is an expert on detention standards, said ICE could use its increased budget to improve conditions instead of “lowering standards across the board.” She recalled that under prior administrations, she pushed ICE facilities to add soccer fields and other recreation and visitation improvements with leftover money.</p><p>“Their goal is to make it easier for the jail operators,” she said. “No longer are they trying to make sure the focus is on the detainees and their care and the experience in custody.”</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/MdlFelgpn02I2QW7p1D0_0roIGQ=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/PLZFKZUE3ZA37EFQLXPL2QLPDI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3762" width="5644"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - The Winn Correctional Center, an ICE detention facility, is seen in this aerial photo in Winnfield, La., April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Gerald Herbert</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Higher prices for gas, groceries and flights will likely outlast the Iran war]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/16/higher-prices-for-gas-groceries-and-flights-will-outlast-the-iran-war-experts-say/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/16/higher-prices-for-gas-groceries-and-flights-will-outlast-the-iran-war-experts-say/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mae Anderson, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Economists and industry analysts say that even after oil starts flowing again from the Middle East, it could take awhile for the Iran war's effects on consumer prices to recede.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 04:07:24 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-us-pakistan-ceasefire-what-to-know-949710df39e3f1033cbb6beda3955814">tentative deal</a> to end the Iran war makes it reasonable to ask how soon prices will drop for gasoline, groceries, airline tickets and other items that got more expensive during the conflict. </p><p>Not so fast, experts say.</p><p>Even after oil starts flowing again from the Middle East, it could take awhile <a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-retail-iran-war-trump-519540133710a6e2309266a64bfb4c04">for consumers</a> to see a difference at local fuel pumps, supermarkets and other places they shop, according to economists and industry analysts.</p><p>Fighting over the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/strait-of-hormuz-oil-prices-iran-war-8304cc39c6ebe6f863f6f39ee6ce9768">Strait of Hormuz</a> disrupted not only supplies of crude and refined fuel but also the supply chains for fertilizer, food and even footwear. Businesses expect higher costs to linger, which means their customers might need to prepare for that too. </p><p>“It is not clear, despite three months of war, that anything has been achieved that makes the American consumer better off,” Brett House, an economist who teaches at Columbia Business School, said. “In fact, by almost any measure, not just the American consumer, but the world, is worse off as a result of this attack.”</p><p>If the deal between the U.S. and Iran holds, here’s how experts see the war's effects receding — or not — in the weeks ahead: </p><p>US motorists can expect some gas price relief </p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-g7-france-iran-ukraine-992fb57188610d04660fb342c53e639e">Following news</a> of the tentative agreement, oil prices fell Monday to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-iran-trump-oil-musk-f2ee51f1b0686688b3e50068b4b71d70">about $80</a> for a barrel of U.S. benchmark crude. That compares to $67 per barrel before the war and the price of over $120 a barrel reached earlier in the conflict. </p><p>Refineries typically pay for crude oil a month or more in advance, so even after oil prices drop, they <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-trump-deal-oil-supply-strait-of-hormuz-42bdd71d5afa6fb5ac5d0c3e7857de6c">won’t immediately</a> be processing cheaper products. </p><p>“The tendency of gasoline prices to fall slowly is partly because the raw material takes weeks to work through the system until it’s delivered to consumers,” said Michael Lynch, a distinguished fellow at the nonpartisan Energy Policy Research Foundation.</p><p>In places without enough refining capacity to meet their needs, such as the West Coast of the U.S., gas prices will take longer to drop, said Mark Barteau, a professor of chemical engineering and chemistry at Texas A&M University.</p><p>In some Asian and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-airlines-iran-hormuz-jet-fuel-80494b249acc4c028d1ebf1ac6634c11">African countries</a> that rely more on oil from the Middle East, the supply shock led to school and government office closures and instructions to work from home, according to the International Energy Agency. </p><p>“The bottom line is that getting back to ‘normal’ will be a lengthy process involving many parties and countries,” Barteau said. “Getting an agreement between the U.S. and Iran to open the strait is just the beginning.”</p><p>Flights won't get cheaper right away</p><p>Industry experts have spent months warning that even if the war ended, travelers should not expect airfares to go down immediately. </p><p>Airlines typically buy fuel in advance, adjust their schedules gradually and price tickets based heavily on demand, meaning lower oil and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jet-fuel-airlines-iran-war-fbcdb0882feaf57045555a586a1a3d8b">jet fuel prices</a> can take weeks or months to get factored into the cost of commercial flights. </p><p>“I think it’s unlikely that we’re going to see a retreat or reduction in the cost of flying at any point this summer,” Columbia's House said. </p><p>Fuel surcharges that <a href="https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-wars-energy-asia-tourism-613dcac3f38a644ff67490d688ad6b4e">some airlines</a> outside the U.S. added are one of the first areas where passengers might get a reprieve, said Gordon Ho, a professor at the University of Southern California’s business school. </p><p>“Consumers are going to say, ‘Wait a minute, why are you still charging me a fuel surcharge?’” Ho said.</p><p>Pressure on grocery prices will likely continue</p><p>Reopening the strait is unlikely to deliver instant relief at the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-food-groceries-war-fuel-f5e442ef60858c96a2fc4b4ee9e18780">grocery store</a>, according to David Ortega, a professor of food economics and policy at Michigan State University. </p><p>Fuel accounts for roughly 15% to 30% of the total cost of food, according to the Independent Grocers Alliance, a grouping of 7,500 global supermarkets.</p><p>But it can take months for an energy shock like the one caused by the Iran war to wind through the food supply chain and raise grocery prices. And once prices go up, it takes them a long time to come back down, especially when the future is unpredictable, Ortega said.</p><p>“We’re likely still looking at inflationary pressure on food in the coming months,” Ortega said. “There’s still a good deal of uncertainty about how the reopening will unfold, and it will take time for fuel, diesel and retail fertilizer prices to come back down.”</p><p>Rabobank, which is based in the Netherlands, said it expected war-related food price inflation to peak sometime next year in Europe. In the U.S., grocery prices are expected to rise 3.2% this year, which compares to a historical average of 2.6%, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.</p><p>Farmers remain strapped for fertilizer</p><p>Reopening the Strait of Hormuz would also be a welcome change for farmers and the production of food globally. Roughly 30% of the world’s fertilizer passed through the waterway before the war began. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fertilizer-shortage-iran-war-alternatives-farming-60523696dadb80bd6fee43ec27d55f08">Prices soared</a> as the supply was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-hormuz-blockade-analysis-4cd10138dcd340d0e710d85cc586e45f">effectively cut off</a>, and shipments probably will take a long time to return to pre-war levels. </p><p>The consequences of the shortage facing farmers now may only intensify down the road, regardless.</p><p>Many farmers around the world are going through planting seasons without the fertilizer they need or paying sky-high prices for both fertilizer and fuel needed to produce and transport their products. The World Food Program of the United Nations expects this to have a “devastating impact” on crop yields — and consequently, food prices and the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-food-hunger-iran-mideast-somalia-afghanistan-ac6e40407199fec6ce12ee0812cd7a87">availability of food</a> — for months to come.</p><p>Retailers don't anticipate a cost reprieve</p><p>U.S. retailers that sell shoes were encouraged to see falling gasoline prices, hoping they would mean Americans have more <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-consumer-economy-retailers-3fb28b7dfc4ba21689e6c7068a32c70e">money to spend</a> on back-to-school shopping, said Andy Polk, senior vice president of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America trade group.</p><p>However, shoe companies anticipate their own costs staying higher for the foreseeable future, Polk said. The group's members keep a two- to three-month inventory of finished products, but their next orders may include suppliers charging more for materials, he said. </p><p>Most of the footwear sold in the U.S. is imported, and Polk said he expects shipping costs to remain higher for the rest of 2026 and 2027.</p><p>U.S. tariffs imposed last year have made it more difficult for shoe sellers to absorb higher costs or pass them on customers, he said. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-war-gas-878f6759c93fcb078aeefffe19d4dfa5">In May</a>, footwear prices were 5.2% higher than the same month a year earlier, according to government figures. </p><p>Shipping industry expects a slow recovery</p><p>Judah Levine, head of research at the freight booking platform Freightos, said the Straight of Hormuz closure has affected about 2% to 3 % of the total volume of container ships that are used for global shipping, but higher oil prices and disruption have impacted the shipping industry more broadly.</p><p>Josh Steinitz, chief strategy officer of the business logistics platform ShipStation Global, said consumers might notice higher shipping costs and more out-of-stock items online until the end of the year.</p><p>“I think fuel surcharges, which then flow into shipping costs, which then get passed along to consumers, are still going to be with us for quite sometime from many of the major carriers,” Steinitz said.</p><p>___ </p><p>Associated Press writers Cathy Bussewitz, Anne D’Innocenzio, and Wyatte Grantham-Philips in New York, Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit and Rio Yamat in Las Vegas contributed to this report.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/QAkWCR-Oyc4kkYVMiS0ozfEaM4w=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/INQ2QKIM5NGHJHRK6S3FEBSVJM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3094" width="4640"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - A employee works at a cash register in a grocery store in Schaumburg, Ill., Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Nam Y. Huh</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/Qcsy2u4Rdyo7xVugWi01km2uODg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/6EN5G2JIZBBPLAWD3MOKPNG6WQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3730" width="5594"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[The American Flag flies next to a One9 Fuel Stop sign displaying gas prices for diesel and unleaded gas in Wilmington, Ohio, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Carolyn Kaster</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/rlTwMUejrniKv5aiZtoF4ZYcfeg=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FVHATPQ25VGQDEO2EG4BRLIGHI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[People paddle along the shoreline as cargo ships are anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Monday, June 1, 2026. (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Amirhosein Khorgooi</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/t9g6WDlaMC3GBEdk6DVv-Q-nYt0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/A6O566CO5BBADOWLNSBEXNWQCE.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2957" width="4435"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Customer checks gas price before she fills up her vehicle's tank at a gas station in Lincolnshire, Ill., Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Nam Y. Huh</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/IaEvA4ufMn8mJhjbA-7Eo80TWXo=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/QYOWGSALYNEGVH5ZGA4RR4ZEOQ.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="5760" width="8640"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Congress party supporters hold placards during a protest against the rising prices of essential commodities, in Jammu, India, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Channi Anand)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Channi Anand</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Few residents return to Lebanon's Nabatiyeh after a US-Iran truce with fighting nearby]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/16/few-residents-return-to-lebanons-nabatiyeh-after-a-us-iran-truce-with-fighting-nearby/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/16/few-residents-return-to-lebanons-nabatiyeh-after-a-us-iran-truce-with-fighting-nearby/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bassem Mroue, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Some residents of the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh have returned to find their homes have been destroyed or damaged by war.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:37:33 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Starting in the early hours of Tuesday, Aida Jleilati and her daughter dug through the pile of rubble that was once their home in the city of Nabatiyeh in southern <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/lebanon">Lebanon</a> picking up some of their belongings that survived a late May airstrike by Israel.</p><p>They were among a trickle of residents who returned to the city to check on their homes after the announcement of a deal between the U.S. and Iran to end their war. Iranian officials have said the deal will also mandate an end to the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon. </p><p>Although the fighting in southern Lebanon has not stopped, the strikes have been more limited since the U.S.-Iran deal was reached, and many people displaced from the area have taken the opportunity to check on their houses.</p><p>Jleilati and her 22-year-old daughter, Sukaina al-Muhtadi, lived on the first floor of a three-story building consisting of six apartments that collapsed as a result of the airstrike. </p><p>City subjected to intense airstrikes and shelling</p><p>Jleilati managed to pull out most of her husband’s scuba diving equipment, as well as some clothes, while her daughter’s main hope was to find a photo album that had pictures taken when she was a little girl.</p><p>“What can I say? All that we have gathered in our life has been wasted,” Jleilati said, adding that they knew that their home was destroyed on May 26, when al-Muhtadi saw the destroyed building on a social media platform.</p><p>Since the early days of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, the ancient city of Nabatiyeh has been subjected to intense airstrikes and shelling that have killed and wounded scores of people.</p><p>The once bustling market of Nabatiyeh suffered wide destruction and on Tuesday, several bulldozers were removing rubble and debris as some people returned following the late Sunday deal reached between the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-war-israel-lebanon-oil-june-16-2026-d79458506c46e3f4a78aef0f9d8b9250">U.S. and Iran</a> to end the conflict.</p><p>Jleilati and other residents in the city are not sure whether the truce will last since previous <a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-hezbollah-ceasefire-fighting-75695f2e611c8dd9851075f1fcd6ac47">ceasefires</a> that first went into effect on April 17 have been fragile with Israel and Hezbollah continuing their attacks.</p><p>Over the past few weeks, Israeli troops have pushed deep into southern Lebanon reaching about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) southeast of the city that has been a trade hub for centuries. It's famous for its Monday market when residents of nearby villages came to sell products in the city.</p><p>The importance of Nabatiyeh through the centuries</p><p>Since the state of Lebanon was created in 1920 after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Nabatiyeh and its surroundings have been a center for religious and cultural activities, with Shiite clerics having strong links with the Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in modern day Iraq.</p><p>Nabatiyeh historically was the capital of the predominantly Shiite Jabal Amel region from where some religious scholars went to Iran in the 16th century and helped its Safavid rulers convert much of Iran’s population to Shiite Islam.</p><p>Nabatiyeh is also a main center in Lebanon where Shiite Muslims mark Ashoura, a solemn day marking the 7th-century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Imam Hussein. The 10-day mourning period that culminates on the 10th of the Muslim month of Muharram, begins on Wednesday. </p><p>Widespread destruction in the city as fighting rages nearby</p><p>At the center of Nabatiyeh, 75-year-old Kamel al-Kamel looked in shock at his giant business consisting of a supermarket and a coffee roastery burned to ashes while the century-old building housing it crumbled.</p><p>Walking with the help of a cane, al-Kamal estimated his losses at $2.5 million. He said that unlike previous wars he has lived through — from the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-beirut-civil-war-anniversary-bus-massacre-6f61e20392b75511aecba1afcf64ca2e">15-year civil</a> war that broke out in 1975 to Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon to various rounds of Israel-Hezbollah wars — the latest one has been the worst.</p><p>“Thank God we are still alive,” he said, adding that he wept as he walked into Nabatiyeh on Thursday.</p><p>Samar Zuraik was happy to find that her house is still standing but damaged and will need some repairs. But she said nothing can compensate her for the loss of her son Ali, 27, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the edge of the city.</p><p>She said that despite the Iran-U.S. agreement, Nabatiyeh is unlivable at the present time, still subjected to shelling and without electricity, telephones or internet.</p><p>“I wish I lost my house and my son stayed alive,” Zuraik said.</p><p>Human losses in the city </p><p>There are three major hospitals in the Nabatiyeh area the oldest of which is the Najdeh El Chaabiyeh Hospital on the edge of the city, where hundreds of people wounded in the latest war were treated.</p><p>The hospital’s medical director, Dr. Shafi Fouani, said the latest Israel-Hezbollah war was similar to the previous war in 2024.</p><p>“It was a very harsh war,” he said about the latest one that broke out on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel two days after the U.S. and Israel launched their attacks against Iran.</p><p>He said that during the current war, the hospital dealt with about 500 deaths and treated nearly 1,200 patients, some of whom who were in critical condition and were referred to medical centers in Beirut or the southern city of Sidon.</p><p>More than 3,800 people have been killed in Lebanon in the latest fighting, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Also, 30 Israeli soldiers and a defense contractor have been killed in or near southern Lebanon, and two civilians have been killed in northern Israel, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.</p><p>On Tuesday, Israeli troops fired artillery shells toward the outskirts of Nabatiyeh while Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli positions near the city. Thuds of the blasts could be clearly heard in Nabatiyeh as Israeli troops have fought for days in an attempt to capture <a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-iran-hezbollah-7423a633aad2c74378e3024110af0a09">the Ali Taher hill</a> that overlooks large parts of the city.</p><p>Lebanese troops closed some roads that lead to areas where Israeli troops are inside Lebanon. </p><p>As Jleilati and al-Muhtadi searched through the rubble of their former home, the young woman found a watch that her mother gave her when she was a child. The women were planning to head back to a Beirut suburb later Tuesday where they have been staying, saying they are waiting to see if the truce will hold in order to come back to Nabatiyeh and rent an apartment until their building is rebuilt.</p><p>“We cannot live outside Nabatiyeh,” al-Muhtadi said. </p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/qzC0AtaCX80eZMjeqC76qMsh2gs=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/UP2QQ3TIRNDN7IK7KSKOWDNSKA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3982" width="5973"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A woman returns to her village following the announcement of an initial ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, walks at her destroyed neighbourhood in Nabatiyeh town, southern Lebanon, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hussein Malla</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/zt-Q4MBIfOJKAiWjBZKEpvX1y-0=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HRPTEQWLLNA33BCA4764FP2YAA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A man who returns to his village following the announcement of an initial ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, flashes victory sign as he stands on the rubble of his destroyed house in Nabatiyeh town, southern Lebanon, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hussein Malla</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/zkXYikjBZVvDXdPHl4ZGlni86SA=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JKQIWEY6SBDEZMZQWCJL6M5OGA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Sukaina al-Muhtadi, left, and her mother Aida who returned to their village following the announcement of an initial ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, search for their belongings between the rubble of their destroyed house in Nabatiyeh town, southern Lebanon, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hussein Malla</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/tjq9nhzERmj7JVxn9jdkmPqqCpM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/34UXK3Z26NB55NMUCLK6GV6WQY.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Kamal al-Kamal, 75, who returned to his village following the announcement of an initial ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, checks his destroyed supermarket in Nabatiyeh town, southern Lebanon, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hussein Malla</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/nSD2r-ONeDA9LCu_LEGmsEa54cM=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/66BKWK33KJBGRGPNPE7QM7D22U.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="4000" width="6000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[A municipality worker uses a skid loader as he cleans a destroyed market shop following the announcement of an initial ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, in Nabatiyeh town, southern Lebanon, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Hussein Malla</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[About Mike DeWine, the Republican Ohio governor who has called for an end to the death penalty]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/who-is-mike-dewine-the-republican-ohio-governor-who-has-called-for-an-end-to-the-death-penalty/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/who-is-mike-dewine-the-republican-ohio-governor-who-has-called-for-an-end-to-the-death-penalty/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Julie Carr Smyth, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is using his bully pulpit to call for an end to the death penalty in his state.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:05:35 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday used his bully pulpit to <a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-penalty-ohio-dewine-6210d7fbcecde9fe88657a76521e90fe">call for an end to the death penalty</a> in Ohio.</p><p>The 79-year-old Republican cited his expertise on the issue as a former county prosecutor, member of both chambers of Congress and Ohio attorney general, as well as his seven years as governor. </p><p>But DeWine’s support for a policy change is far from assured to make waves, even in a state controlled by his own party. That is because DeWine is more moderate than many younger Republicans in the state, whose political aspirations rely on endorsements from President Donald Trump, a staunch death penalty supporter.</p><p>Here's a closer look at DeWine and his place in Ohio's political landscape:</p><p>Fifty years of experience with the death penalty</p><p>DeWine was first elected to public office in 1976, when he became prosecuting attorney in Greene County, where he grew up. He still lives in the historic home there where he and his wife, who had eight children, hosted a summer ice cream social each year to encourage and celebrate GOP candidates and officeholders. The event ended its 50-year run just last weekend. </p><p>When DeWine was elected to the state Senate in 1980, Ohio had no death penalty law. The old one had been declared unconstitutional, and DeWine was instrumental in writing the new one, which cleared both legislative chambers with overwhelming bipartisan majorities. It has been in effect now since 1981.</p><p>He said Tuesday that he always believed the moral justification for the death penalty was its potential to deter violent crime.</p><p>During his four terms in the U.S. House, DeWine supported federal legislation signed by President Ronald Reagan that expanded the number of crimes eligible for the death penalty. As a U.S. senator, he backed a bill signed by President Bill Clinton that attempted to speed up the review of capital cases in federal courts. </p><p>In between those positions, DeWine was lieutenant governor of Ohio under storied Republican Gov. James Rhodes. </p><p>He took a brief break from politics after losing a Senate reelection bid to Democrat Sherrod Brown in 2006, before being elected Ohio attorney general in 2010. In that role, he said Tuesday, he “vigorously” carried out the state's death penalty law. </p><p>Since he became governor in 2019, problems obtaining lethal injection drugs have led to an unofficial moratorium on executions in the state, which last conducted one in 2018.</p><p>Uneven relationship with fellow Republicans</p><p>DeWine may be the titular head of the Ohio Republican Party, but that doesn't mean his party always listens to him. Particularly in the Trump era, he has presided over a party rife with internal divisions.</p><p>Clashes became particularly fierce during the COVID-19 pandemic, when DeWine and then-state Health Director Amy Acton — now the Democratic <a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2026-ohio-governor-covid-acton-ramaswamy-5346840b1a740695fd57c2fb9bb82233">nominee for governor</a> — presided over <a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-us-news-columbus-politics-restaurants-d6d578a180d3518baa906ac57e696798">one of the most rigorous virus responses</a> in the country in early 2020. Within months, a faction of Republicans had mutinied against DeWine's mandates, particularly over business closures, threatening to pass a bill limiting his powers or even <a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-election-2020-oh-state-wire-40cf82eed7e13746cebead5020e0b55f">to impeach him</a>.</p><p>In 2023, after DeWine <a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-health-ohio-minors-veto-c615cafed4fc81d32010d47d8853efaf">struck down a ban</a> on gender-affirming care and transgender athletes participating in girls' sports, the Republican-dominated state Legislature <a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-minors-affirming-care-veto-628fdfafecf59c7a0d489756280e5abd">easily overrode his veto</a>.</p><p>The divisions have also been seen in this year's critical elections. </p><p>DeWine had tried to position popular former Ohio State Buckeyes football coach Jim Tressel as a potential successor, appointing the moderate Republican as lieutenant governor last year. But the state GOP <a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2026-ohio-governor-vivek-ramaswamy-98be2b8f1a94e99f14b370e145e2939c">rushed to back</a> Trump-endorsed biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy in the race in May 2025, before Tressel had even made up his mind whether to run. DeWine endorsed Ramaswamy in January.</p><p>DeWine said Tuesday that he had not shared his decision to call for an end to the death penalty with Ramaswamy, now the GOP gubernatorial nominee. The recent effort by the Trump administration to take on Medicaid fraud has found <a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2026-medicaid-fraud-republicans-ramaswamy-acton-fd924e1639c2a0950e825c11ab46d34f">DeWine defending his administration's work</a> on the issue, even as Ramaswamy, Ohio-born Vice President JD Vance and GOP lawmakers take aim at Ohio's existing fraud-fighting efforts.</p><p>Other Republican voices come to DeWine's side</p><p>Among proponents of DeWine's push to end the death penalty in Ohio were a host of fellow Republicans, including some staunch conservatives.</p><p>“For many years, I was a proponent of the death penalty," former congresswoman and current state Rep. Jean Schmidt said in a statement. "My views changed because of the risks of executing an innocent person, the exorbitant costs, and my belief in the sanctity of life. The death penalty is no longer a policy worth preserving.”</p><p>Former Ohio Auditor and Attorney General Jim Petro cited wrongful convictions among the flaws that make the death penalty no longer tenable.</p><p>Former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, the great-grandson of President William Howard Taft and grandson of “Mr. Republican” Sen. Robert A. Taft Sr., also sided with DeWine. </p><p>DeWine “has been thoughtful and given this issue the careful consideration it needs,” Taft said.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/v6l-vcaLQtYaPuI5z-e9ci709WU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DVQFL26ZEFF23OPCH3DE2ANVFI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3463" width="5194"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, arrives to an event at the National Governors Association Winter Meeting on Feb. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Allison Robbert</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/LotqgPQ2JAXZj_oYFU2EZRaQ89k=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3EG32QIKIZA5TJWSJTPGL3FILI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2581" width="3872"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine speaks at a news conference on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Patrick Aftoora-Orsagos</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/61Xwp9i11QMktdjGfJ5b8NvEO4A=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/5ZLSOOO6BZF7PNMJWA3B7MTSWA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3780" width="5670"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine talks with former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel while standing on the sideline prior to the start of an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Kirk Irwin</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/7A9cBz6drs12Tw2npiYxlrvaA3A=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WQ2MEQNPVRGE3FOICLJCVSBA6I.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2280" width="3407"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, left, debates his challenger Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, on NBC's 'Meet the Press' Oct. 1, 2006, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Kevin Wolf</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/oxIjx6mcSa5gIWi4eTbEe9kBZrs=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/5YCUOLYP6JALND25BDG766CSQU.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="1600" width="2439"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, right, looks on as former National Archives employee Robert Wolfe speaks at a Washington news conference, May 13, 2004. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Susan Walsh</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Senate fails to advance war powers resolution to halt US action against Iran]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/senate-fails-to-advance-war-powers-resolution-to-halt-us-action-against-iran/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/06/16/senate-fails-to-advance-war-powers-resolution-to-halt-us-action-against-iran/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[The Senate has tried again to advance a war powers resolution that would force an end to the U.S. military action against Iran.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:23:13 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Senate tried and failed again Tuesday to advance a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-u8M2WoozQ">war powers resolution</a> that would halt the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran">U.S. military action against Iran</a>, in what has become an almost weekly effort to rein in <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump</a> as the administration <a href="https://apnews.com/live/trump-g7-iran-updates-06-16-2026">floats a new plan</a> to bring an end to the nearly four-month long war.</p><p>Senators of both parties have have been skeptical of the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-senate-iran-trump-deal-graham-vance-00181f6ba851ad06d1f378946302379b">Trump administration's emerging Iran deal</a> and frustrated by the White House's refusal to share details. They are expecting a briefing from the administration, but nothing has been scheduled before Friday's planned deadline for the two sides to sign the agreement. </p><p>The vote was 47-48, with four Republicans joining most Democrats in supporting the war powers resolution. That fell short of the majority needed to advance it. </p><p>“Join me in putting a check on this president’s lawless warmongering,” said <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rev-raphael-warnock">Sen. Raphael Warnock</a>, D-Ga., who proposed the resolution, in a speech before the voting.</p><p>“The time is always right to do what’s right,” he said. </p><p>The measure was the ninth time the senators have tried to advance a resolution to end the war that U.S. and Israel launched against Iran over <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-us-war-timeline-c9cf4cae2651d343a9f2eda4132de215">the nation's nuclear program</a>. Trump launched the war on his own, without congressional approval, but as it drags on lawmakers have grown concerned over the costs, strategy and end game.</p><p>Congress begins to exert influence over the war</p><p>The House for the first time <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-powers-vote-house-9aaadea35f9523c818802286a6553536">approved its own war powers resolution</a> to halt U.S. military action against Iran this month, when a small number of Republicans crossed over to join with the Democrats to pass the measure.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Senate has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-war-senate-bill-cassidy-fe89d2df981a79ac816722d0115d3080">settled into a familiar pattern</a>, one vote short of the tally that would be needed to pass the measure, if all senators are present and voting. </p><p>Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bill-cassidy">Bill Cassidy of Louisiana</a> voted in favor of the war powers resolution. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against.</p><p>Cassidy broke ranks with his party last month, voting for the first time to end the military action against Iran after having <a href="https://apnews.com/article/cassidy-senate-louisiana-trump-loss-63ba36b3a4200c74baa0fdfedbd52412">lost his own primary reelection</a> bid in Louisiana. Trump had endorsed his challenger. </p><p>One Republican to watch, retiring Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, said he supports Trump's actions in Iran, even as he is closely watching the details of the administration's Iran deal.</p><p>“I just don’t think that it’s productive for me to cast a protest vote on something that I fundamentally support.” Tillis said. "I support the engagement in Iran. But I have a discerning eye over what the agreement will say.” </p><p>More votes ahead on Iran war</p><p>Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia has been leading the party's efforts to halt the war in Iran unless Congress has authorized it. He vowed to keep pushing the measures forward on an almost weekly basis.</p><p>Kaine has argued that as negotiations are underway to end the conflict, Congress must work to ensure the U.S. does not resume military strikes in what has been a fragile ceasefire.</p><p>“If we're really in a period of maybe some stability here, let's not just allow it to start up again without Congress being involved in that decision,” Kaine said.</p><p>“If there are deals on the table, I don't know that we want the president to be the sole determinant of whether a deal's a good thing," he said. “He may decide, well that's not a good enough deal, let's go back to war. Well, hold on a second. We might want to weigh in on that.”</p><p>Senators are also beginning to discuss what Congress will do, if anything, to provide oversight of Trump's emerging Iran deal. Some senators have said the Senate must vote on any agreement the Trump administration strikes with Iran over its nuclear program. Others have said a vote in Congress is not necessary.</p><p>Congress in 2015 approved the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, which spells out out requirements for the administration to submit any deal involving Iran's nuclear program for review by Congress.</p><p>__</p><p>Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.</p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/ZJX5TCrL_GAw599Nxz5TjOtmUHI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/EHGF76TVYNHQPIV7MZKE37LZSA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3334" width="5000"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., walks from the chamber to his office at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">J. Scott Applewhite</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[JD Vance went on television to plug a faith memoir. 'The View' had other plans]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/16/jd-vance-went-on-television-to-plug-a-faith-memoir-the-view-had-other-plans/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/2026/06/16/jd-vance-went-on-television-to-plug-a-faith-memoir-the-view-had-other-plans/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Meg Kinnard, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Vice President JD Vance is promoting his new book, but that wasn’t the main focus when he went on ABC’s “The View” to plug his memoir on faith.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:48:37 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Vice President JD Vance, appearing Tuesday on ABC’s “The View” to promote his <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-catholicism-donald-trump-communion-book-7feaef244ef1fb8c8b71fc891c57a127">newly released memoir on faith</a>, was put on the spot from the first question, peppered for nearly an hour on Jeffrey Epstein, the economy, immigration and other issues facing the Trump administration.</p><p>The appearance was notable because it marked a rare foray for a Trump administration official into what they would consider hostile media territory, and it raised eyebrows since the Federal Communications Commission under the Trump administration has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/view-fcc-stephen-colbert-abc-cbs-4fd679462e08de2cdc340071f48a83a9">launched an investigation</a> into the show over possible violations of the requirement that broadcast stations give <a href="https://apnews.com/article/stephen-colbert-james-talarico-equal-time-6cd29992ae2170ab6d10c3ddca92ec98">equal time</a> to political candidates when they appear on-air.</p><p>The long-running morning show, led by veterans Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar, is generally dominated by its liberal hosts. It combines entertainment and political interviews and often features commentary critical of President Donald Trump.</p><p>Vance himself acknowledged the uncomfortable terrain, joking with the hosts at the start of the hour: "This is a show of MAGA Republicans, right? That’s what my media team told me.”</p><p>He did get a few questions about his new book “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith," which he described as “actually way less political than you might think.” The <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-us-pakistan-ceasefire-what-to-know-949710df39e3f1033cbb6beda3955814">tentative deal he has worked on</a> to try to bring about an end to the Iran war did not, however, come up.</p><p>Vance asked to explain Trump's remarks on affordability</p><p>The show's hosts almost immediately began questioning Vance about the country's economic situation, specifically Trump's comments on affordability and inflation. In both circumstances, Vance turned into somewhat of a Trump translator.</p><p>Behar asked about Trump's dismissal of the affordability issue as a “hoax” started by Democrats while instead focusing on projects including <a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-renovation-photo-gallery-ad66a11c12cd17d2a92deb6a312585ac">refurbishing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool</a>, building a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-triumphal-arch-dc-national-park-service-7217464481aac6676b01ebfb7aa02927">triumphal arch</a> across the river from Arlington National Cemetery or refashioning the White House South Lawn into a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ufc-claw-octagon-ufo-white-house-trump-2c008c72bcfd2334a17ba5ba009595ec">UFC arena</a> for Trump's birthday.</p><p>“Why is he doing them when everybody knows that Americans are struggling?" Behar asked. "What is he spending all this money for?”</p><p>Vance rejected Behar's characterization of Trump's comment. “What the president said is, the idea that Republicans caused the affordability problem is a hoax, and I think that’s true,” the vice president said.</p><p>After co-host Ana Navarro interjected with Trump's recent statement, “ <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-love-inflation-democrats-affordability-midterms-603791c93c785221dae8be6df14d807d">I love the inflation</a>,” Vance offered another Trump translation.</p><p>“What he said is that he loves the fact that the inflation is going to come down when this war is over,” Vance said, eliciting cross talk from the table.</p><p>“That's not what he said,” Goldberg responded.</p><p>"Are you his interpreter, or are you his vice president?” Behar added.</p><p>Vance tried to pivot, talking about increases in manufacturing jobs and other economic improvements.</p><p>“My view — I’m sure you guys don’t agree with it — is that we inherited a mess and we’re fixing it, but sometimes it takes a long time to fix a mess,” he said.</p><p>Vance acknowledges he's an Epstein ‘conspiracy theorist’</p><p>Vance was questioned at length about the Epstein files, as well as recent reporting from The New York Times that he had been a major advocate for releasing the materials, including during meetings in the White House Situation Room.</p><p>“I am, frankly, kind of a conspiracy theorist on the Epstein stuff,” Vance admitted, acknowledging he agrees with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles on that point.</p><p>The vice president said he did want to defend his boss on the issue, referring to Navarro and others' assertions that Trump ejected Epstein from membership in his private club because of a business deal gone wrong and not Epstein's nefarious sexual proclivities.</p><p>“He was very frustrated when the Democrats were making this about him,” Vance added of Trump and the fractious political conversation over the files' release and their content. </p><p>Pressed repeatedly by co-host Sunny Hostin over other matters related to the files, including millions that have yet to be released, Vance said there are many duplicates, as well as others over whose release a court would need to rule, but that “we're not holding anything back.” </p><p>After promising Hostin he'd check on some files that remain unreleased, Vance playfully suggested a return to the purported show agenda when Goldberg shifted to another commercial break.</p><p>"Let's talk about the book. I’m here to sell books. ‘Communion!’” he said.</p><p>“Eventually, we will," Goldberg said. "But this is a good opportunity for us to get some clarity.”</p><p>Vance also dove into Trump's signature issue: immigration</p><p>The conversation shifted to Trump's signature issue as Vance explained the evolution of his relationship to the president, whom he once criticized and about whom he now says he — and others, chronicling Trump's political rise — got some things wrong.</p><p>“One of the things I underappreciated about Donald Trump is that so many of the things that people said about him weren’t actually true,” Vance said. “I read stories that said, ‘Donald Trump said that all Mexicans were rapists’ — he never said that."</p><p>After several hosts queried how Vance as both a Christian and father would explain Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and urged him to visit detention centers, Vance acknowledged the need to “strike a balance, of course,” between enforcing laws and treating people appropriately.</p><p>“Law enforcement is always inherently not a very pretty process, especially when you’re dealing sometimes with violent people, with people who are resisting arrest," he allowed.</p><p>As the show began to wrap up, Goldberg aimed to try to tie in the book, asking Vance about rationalizing his Catholic faith with a hard-line stance on immigration.</p><p>“I think it strikes the right balance here,” Vance said of Catholicism, that “you can have borders, you’re allowed to enforce your borders ... but you also have to take certain precautions and certain care.”</p><p>Hosts asked Vance about administration's stance on race</p><p>Some of the most impassioned moments of the show were when the hosts questioned Vance about some of the administration's moves when it comes to race.</p><p>“What did Black people do to this administration that has allowed it to really stigmatize folks of color?” Goldberg asked. Some audience members reacted negatively as Vance asked for more information.</p><p>When Vance responded that the question suggested that "allegedly the administration is holding back the appointments of people based on skin color,” Hostin jumped in with a correction.</p><p>“I’m talking about Black history getting erased from public spaces, Black voter districts are being dismantled, Black leaders are being sidelined from our ranks,” she said. “Where do Americans of color fit in this vision? Because it doesn’t seem like we fit.”</p><p>Saying that “everybody is welcome in our political coalition,” Vance pointed toward the administration’s efforts to increase safety in Washington, D.C., a heavily Black city, adding, “Black history is not erased.”</p><p>___</p><p>Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.</p><p>___</p><p>Meg Kinnard can be reached at <a href="http://x.com/MegKinnardAP">http://x.com/MegKinnardAP</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/N77e47v0_OmoHGWcgcpZb0j4y4g=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/CZI3654VGRFRBO577PQ5RYFXRM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3184" width="4776"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This image released by ABC shows Vice President JD Vance, center, with co-hosts, from left, Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Joy Behar, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin during an appearance on "The View" in New York on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Lou Rocco/ABC via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Lou Rocco</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/8SIeZRJCTKwk6GGOkVpDk7c9L84=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/HFTQOC7UURG5BAWTCJD6YQ3LHM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2972" width="4458"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Vice President JD Vance speaks to reporters during a during a press briefing at the White House, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Manuel Balce Ceneta</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/2kmkOh8Mmsjr8ra8WhvVRQ7YeGU=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JYCPJI74QFAUFAJNNTA754SEOA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2361" width="3541"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This image released by ABC shows Vice President JD Vance, third from left, with co-hosts, from left, Sara Haines, Joy Behar, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin during an appearance on "The View" in New York on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Lou Rocco/ABC via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Lou Rocco</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/qk8h9YPzEtaCN4oLwt9VUhDSEUE=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/TTUTD46ONVFYFP567VMCT6TJUM.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3452" width="2303"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[This image released by ABC shows Vice President JD Vance during an appearance on "The View" in New York on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Lou Rocco/ABC via AP)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Lou Rocco</media:credit></media:content></item><item><title><![CDATA[Brazil's top court convicts son of former President Bolsonaro for coercion]]></title><link>https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/16/brazils-top-court-convicts-son-of-former-president-bolsonaro-for-coercion/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.news4jax.com/news/world/2026/06/16/brazils-top-court-convicts-son-of-former-president-bolsonaro-for-coercion/</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mauricio Savarese, Associated Press]]></dc:creator><description><![CDATA[Brazil’s Supreme Court convicted former lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro on Tuesday for coercion.]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 21:19:06 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Brazil's Supreme Court convicted former lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro on Tuesday for coercion related to the trial that last year sentenced his father and ex- <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jair-bolsonaro-sentence-coup-home-bf37e7ee479349cb9c7a00339e984a83">President Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years</a> in prison for a coup attempt.</p><p>The court sentenced him to four years and two months in prison. All five justices considering the case agreed he illegally interfered by lobbying the U.S. government to threaten Brazilian officials to stop the trial.</p><p>Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who also oversaw the former president's coup attempt case, said Eduardo Bolsonaro's job as a federal lawmaker “is not to lobby overseas against his own country.” De Moraes and his wife were sanctioned by the U.S. government in July last year.</p><p>Lawyers for Eduardo Bolsonaro disputed the verdict, saying there was not enough evidence to convict him. The former lawmaker has lived in Texas since February 2025. </p><p>U.S. President Donald Trump slapped Brazil with a 50% tariff last year in protest of <a href="https://apnews.com/article/brazil-flavio-bolsonaro-presidential-campaign-trump-risk-cfbb9c79cb66242940ef12bf4ba246d8">Jair Bolsonaro</a> 's prosecution for trying to overturn his electoral defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2022. </p><p>Trump’s relations with Lula seem to have improved in early May, when the Brazilian leader visited the White House, but then in June the U.S. government once again proposed 25% tariffs on <a href="https://apnews.com/article/brazil-us-tariffs-coffee-beef-trump-7241778cfdfae17e36ffdd15d8a36652">imports from Brazil</a>, claiming the world’s 10th-biggest economy engages in unreasonable trade practices.</p><p>Lula said that during his visit to Washington in early May, he handed Trump documents showing that the U.S. has a trade surplus with Brazil.</p><p>Eduardo Bolsonaro did not make comments about the Supreme Court's decision. He is campaigning for his brother <a href="https://apnews.com/article/brazil-flavio-bolsonaro-presidential-campaign-trump-risk-cfbb9c79cb66242940ef12bf4ba246d8">Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro</a>, who is expected to challenge Lula in October's elections although his candidacy has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/brazil-flavio-bolsonaro-vorcaro-236f7e6448e10836d1af0ceecc26ddc8">faced a recent scandal related to a payment to a disgraced banker.</a></p><p>Eduardo and Flávio Bolsonaro recently visited U.S. officials in Washington, including Trump.</p><p>___</p><p>Follow AP’s Latin America coverage at <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america">https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america</a></p>]]></content:encoded><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/ukXeeYrITGM1GOpksnjBQKmA-vI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/O3KEBRYONVHSFECQOKWU2FW54E.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="3648" width="5472"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[Justice Flavio Dino attends the trial of former Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro at Brazil's Supreme Court in Brasilia, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Eraldo Peres</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/qpuSbgbS8mVcbUwT7jiwcS9amYI=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/BUEA46N3LVH2LK737CSHOSRDGI.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2475" width="3713"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Eduardo Bolsonaro, a Brazilian lawmaker and son of President Jair Bolsonaro, speaks at a gathering of conservatives, in Mexico City, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Marco Ugarte</media:credit></media:content><media:content url="https://www.news4jax.com/resizer/QC2yT-NT2ij8x55c1v_JLbjotWc=/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/X4MTKFGJZZGD5BEFH57XVDYFKA.jpg" type="image/jpeg" height="2967" width="4450"><media:description type="plain"><![CDATA[FILE - Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro, gestures while giving a speech during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dec. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)]]></media:description><media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">Natacha Pisarenko</media:credit></media:content></item></channel></rss>