Calvert left multiple Nocatee homeowners with unfinished homes and millions of dollars in losses, and some of those homeowners will share the impacts of his fraud during a sentencing hearing before Circuit Judge Christopher Ferebee in St. Johns County.

Under a negotiated plea agreement announced by the Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, Calvert agreed to pay $8,722,659.05 in restitution, including an upfront payment of $1 million at sentencing that will be distributed among victims based on the percentage of their losses.

Calvert, the former owner of Pineapple Corporation, pleaded guilty to:

• Organized scheme to defraud more than $50,000
• Fifteen counts of grand theft of more than $100,000
• One count of grand theft
• One count of misappropriation of construction funds of $100,000 or more
• Twenty-six counts of misappropriation of construction funds between $1,000 and $100,000
• One count of misappropriation of construction funds of less than $1,000

Under the agreement, Calvert faces a sentence ranging from probation to five years in prison.

Any prison sentence would be followed by 30 years of probation, with the possibility of early termination if restitution is paid in full. The court will also establish a minimum monthly restitution payment.

The agreement also requires that proceeds from any remaining lots owned by Calvert or Pineapple Corporation be applied toward restitution.

Calvert also agreed to execute default judgments in related civil lawsuits, allowing victims to seek compensation through Florida’s Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund.

The guilty plea came four months after an earlier plea agreement unraveled in court following emotional objections from victims, who argued the proposed punishment and restitution were inadequate.

That agreement would have included a five-year prison sentence and significantly less upfront restitution of $150,000 before it was rejected and negotiations collapsed.

According to prosecutors, Calvert abandoned multiple custom home projects in Nocatee’s Vista at Twenty Mile neighborhood between 2019 and 2023. The homes were left in varying stages of construction, with some consisting only of foundations and others partially framed or roofed.

Investigators said Calvert misappropriated more than $8.7 million in deposits from 15 cooperating victims.

Authorities said homeowners paid large upfront deposits intended to cover subcontractors and construction costs, but Calvert failed to pay many of those subcontractors. As a result, liens were filed against homeowners’ properties, forcing many victims to pay additional costs while hiring new contractors to finish their homes.

The criminal investigation was conducted jointly by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and investigators with the Seventh Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

Calvert was arrested in 2024.

The case gained national attention after several victims, including reality television star Capt. Sandy Yawn of Bravo’s Below Deck Mediterranean, publicly described the financial and emotional toll of the unfinished construction projects.

After Sandy and Leah Yawn learned of the news, they issued the following statement, calling it a closed chapter.

This has been a long and difficult journey for our family. While nothing can undo what happened, we believe justice has been served, and we are grateful to finally put this chapter behind us.

What began as a devastating experience ultimately revealed a strength and resilience we didn’t know we had. It brought us closer together as a married couple, introduced us to incredible friends, and gave us the opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of advocating for yourself throughout the home-building process.

We are incredibly thankful for the unwavering support of our neighbors and the St. Johns County community. We are proud to call this community home and look forward to moving ahead with gratitude, hope, and a renewed appreciation for the people who stood beside us.

Life is moving forward in exciting ways. Leah is expanding Skin by Leah and launching her new beauty brand, JustMix Beauty, this September. I’m also heading into my 11th season of Below Deck Mediterranean, and together we’re launching our own mocktail line. We refused to let this experience define us. Instead, it challenged us to work harder, become stronger, and discover a resilience we never knew we had.

Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned, but it’s not what happens to you that defines you—it’s how you choose to navigate it. We choose gratitude, growth, and moving forward.

Captain Sandy and Leah Yawn

On the roughly 7-minute recording, Patrick Clancy can be heard speaking with his wife upon finding her badly injured and bleeding in their yard, after she jumped from the home’s second-story window.

“Look at me,” he says. “Say my name.”

He then tells the dispatcher he's going to check on the children. Moments later, he howls and cries after finding them in the basement. The confused dispatcher repeatedly asks what happened.

“She killed the kids!" he yells.

Three years after the killings, the trial has centered on Lindsay Clancy’s mental state. Her lawyers will seek to prove she had postpregnancy psychosis, a rare mental illness linked to the stress, sleep deprivation and hormonal changes that follow childbirth.

Prosecutors say Clancy, a former labor and delivery nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital, acted intentionally and should be held criminally responsible for the deaths of 3-year-old Dawson, 5-year-old Cora, and 8-month-old Callan in January 2023.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org

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Her lawyer said Monday she had bipolar disorder, and that antidepressants prescribed after the birth of her third child worsened her condition. On the day of the killings, Lindsay Clancy said she heard voices telling her, “This is your last chance. Kill the children so you can kill yourself,” according to her lawyer.

If convicted of murder, she faces life in prison without parole. If found not guilty due to a lack of criminal responsibility, she would be committed to a state mental health facility.

Patrick Clancy has said in interviews that he forgives his ex-wife, whom he viewed as ill rather than evil.

Husband recounts the day of the killings

Patrick Clancy testified Wednesday that his last image of Dawson was of the boy sitting on the couch eating chicken nuggets and green beans. Lindsay Clancy had asked her husband to make a quick trip for takeout food and medication for Cora at a pharmacy.

Jurors watched surveillance video from the pharmacy showing Patrick Clancy call his wife with a question about which medicine to get.

“She was pretty quiet. It sounded like she was busy,” he testified Wednesday. “I remember hanging up thinking she was probably in the middle of giving baths or something like that.”

Returning home, the house was unusually quiet.

He called out to his family, then searched until finding blood throughout the main bedroom and a window open. Lindsay Clancy had used multiple methods to try to end her own life and remains paralyzed from the waist down because of the fall.

In the yard, she told her husband that the kids were in the basement, without saying they were dead, he testified. He said he didn’t realize he was still connected to the 911 dispatcher as he ran downstairs to find their bodies. Each had been strangled with exercise bands.

Lindsay Clancy's parents, seated in the front of the courtroom, also cried as the call was played. Patrick had already left court after finishing his testimony.

The trial will hinge on Lindsay Clancy’s mental state

Patrick Clancy testified Monday about his wife's deteriorating mental health in the months before the killings, including describing intrusive thoughts of harming the children and of suicide.

Lindsay Clancy had sought care from experts in postpregnancy mood disorders, was put on multiple psychiatric medications, and when nothing worked, checked in to a psychiatric hospital. She killed the children 19 days after she was discharged.

She had appeared to be doing better as recently as two weeks before the killings, Patrick Clancy testified Monday. He said the day of the killings had seemed to be one of her “best days.”

Postpartum psychosis is estimated to afflict only 1 to 2 per 1,000 women after delivery. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic describe it as a mental health emergency affecting someone’s sense of reality.

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that can also be dangerous but is much more common.

Be Pro Be Proud is bringing its mobile learning lab to Northeast Florida, giving middle- and high-school students a hands-on look at careers they might not have considered.

When field trips, job shadowing and in-person career exploration aren’t always possible, the mobile lab aims to bring the experience directly to kids — letting them try the work, not just hear about it.

During a visit with PAL (Jacksonville’s Police Athletic League) on Monument Road in Arlington, Reggie LaGrone, with Be Pro Be Proud, said the program is focused on reaching students early, before they’ve locked into a single idea of what a “good job” looks like.

“We’re targeting 8th graders, ages 13 on up through high school,” LaGrone said. “Sometimes we get some as low as 6th and 7th grade.”

Students with PAL toured Georgia’s Be Pro Be Proud mobile lab — brought to town for the week — and sampled multiple careers through simulations and interactive stations.

Some of the demos included:

• Plumbing
• Diesel/transportation careers (including driving simulators)
• Virtual reality experiences tied to skilled trades — including bridge demolition and even medical-style simulations
• Career pathways connected to construction and the ongoing housing demand

LaGrone acknowledged that students might not pick a trade career until they understand how essential (and wide-ranging) those careers really are.

“Nobody wants to be a plumber, but everybody needs the service of a plumber,” LaGrone said.

LaGrone said each region’s workforce needs can shape what students gravitate toward.

In South Georgia, for example, agriculture can drive interest in farming-related careers, while other areas might see stronger pull toward construction, transportation or other trades, LaGrone said.

Speaking with the students, LaGrone connected everyday life back to skilled trades, explaining that the goods we wear and eat have to move across the country, so diesel and logistics careers are behind more of our daily routine than they realize.

He also stressed that demand is already there, including in housing with a 30 million home shortage across the country.

His bottom-line message to students: “Where there’s need, there’s an opportunity.”

And those opportunities can mean a steady, often high-paying career.

“You’re always going to do well,” LaGrone said.

Be Pro Be Proud’s Mobile Learning Lab is coming to North Florida shortly after Labor Day with support from WareWorks, a local nonprofit focused on building interest, access and pathways into skilled trades.

Colbert was among the recipients of the 47th annual American Book Awards. They were announced Wednesday by the Before Columbus Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Oakland, California, that champions diversity in U.S. literature and culture.

CBS ended Colbert's program in May, removing a high-profile platform for one of Trump's most prominent critics. The network cited economic reasons for its decision. Colbert and others have questioned that explanation.

The foundation also honored a wide range of literary releases, from Nicholas Boggs' “Baldwin,” a biography of James Baldwin; to John Fugelsang's religious critique “Separation of Church and Hate” to the poetry collection “Variations in Blue,” by Adela Najarro. Novelist-playwright Karen Tei Yamashita received a lifetime achievement prize.

Colbert shares his anti-censorship prize with one of the country's top independent booksellers, Mitchell Kaplan, founder of Books & Books in Coral Gables, Florida. Longtime Grove/Atlantic publisher Morgan Entrekin, as well as Roger Malina, executive editor of the academic journal Leonardo, received editor/publisher awards.

"The American Book Awards were created to provide recognition for outstanding literary achievement from the entire spectrum of America’s diverse literary community," the foundation's announcement reads in part. “The award winners range from well-known and established writers to under-recognized authors and first works. There are no quotas for diversity; the winners list simply reflects it as a natural process.”

The decision, at least for now, shielded Fauci from answering questions that could expose him to accusations of lying under oath. Though he received a pardon in early 2025 from Democratic President Joe Biden, some Republicans pursuing a yearslong campaign for his arrest had suggested he could still face charges for any perjury committed during Wednesday’s hearing.

The scientist, who helped lead the nation’s COVID-19 response, was subpoenaed to testify under oath by Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has long had an antagonistic relationship with Fauci.

In response to angry, sometimes mocking, questions from Republican senators, Fauci declined to answer more than 100 times, injecting new drama into partisan divides that have festered for years about the origins and handling of the pandemic. Fauci himself has become a polarizing figure, even receiving death threats that prompted him to seek security.

In his opening statement, Fauci said Paul has an “obvious obsession with calling for my prosecution.”

“The only conclusion I can reach is that the sole reason he is calling me before this committee is to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, quote, behind bars, unquote.” Fauci said, adding that while it pained him to do so, he was following his attorney’s advice by taking the Fifth.

Republicans accuse Fauci of lying while Democrats say he didn't deserve that

In the combative hearing, Paul and other Republicans accused Fauci of lying in earlier testimony about the origins of the coronavirus, something the longtime National Institutes of Health scientist has forcefully denied. Democrats called the hearing a politically motivated attempt at entrapping Fauci and praised the scientist for his work during the pandemic.

With Fauci declining to answer questions throughout, Paul dominated the approximately three-hour hearing, listing a litany of accusations and detailed questions.

“Today will be the capstone to Anthony Fauci's 40 years of abuse of power at NIH,” Paul said. “History will judge, but the facts as we now know them paint a sordid tale of dishonesty, misjudgment and ultimately the hubris, the likes of which the world has never seen.”

In one heated moment of the hearing, Paul ejected Fauci attorney David Schertler from the room after he tried to speak without being recognized. In a statement, Schertler said the removal was “outrageous and demonstrates the completely biased and baseless nature of this proceeding.” In another statement, he called Paul’s accusations about Fauci “false and disgraceful.”

Democratic senators praised Fauci and said he didn’t deserve the treatment he was getting.

“This hearing is designed to entrap you,” said Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire.

Paul has long argued Fauci should be criminally investigated based on his belief that the scientist was dishonest in previous testimony to Congress.

The senator announced late in the hearing that the committee would vote next week on whether to hold Fauci in contempt for declining to answer questions. He did not say whether he would push for a criminal contempt referral to federal prosecutors or another charge. He also raised questions about whether Fauci's pardon affects his eligibility for Fifth Amendment protections.

Paul released some of Fauci's diary

Leading up to the hearing, Paul released more than 1,000 pages of Fauci’s personal diary covering the pandemic years. Pointing to some notes about early efforts at understanding how the virus emerged, Paul said on social media that what Fauci “wrote privately and what he told the country are two different stories.”

Some of the diary entries – including Fauci’s uncertainty in the pandemic’s earliest days as scientists around the world raced to understand the new virus and how best to curb it before vaccines could be created – already were reflected in a 2024 memoir and in interviews at the time.

But they have nonetheless drawn attention from people who blame Fauci for mask mandates, school closures and other policies they believe infringed on their rights as hundreds of thousands of people were dying.

Earlier Wednesday, President Donald Trump wrote on social media that he stopped relying on Fauci over the course of the pandemic because he felt the scientist made bad decisions on masks, shutdowns and other issues.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist before entering public office, said on social media that his department found the diary entries in government property and gave them to the committee.

Dozens of disease experts defend Fauci

Scientists also scrambled to Fauci’s defense ahead of the unusual hearing — the second time he has been back before Congress to discuss pandemic origins since leaving the government in 2022. While the COVID-19 pandemic introduced him to millions of Americans, he talked the nation through numerous outbreaks over decades, including HIV, Ebola and the 2001 anthrax attacks, while advising seven presidents.

In a public letter, more than 150 infectious-disease experts and other scientists wrote that “no credible evidence has been produced to support these absurd charges” and that they are “urging our elected representatives in Congress stop these witch-hunts.”

Among topics discussed at Wednesday's hearing was whether NIH-funded research in China may have played a role in how the pandemic started.

Many scientists believe the virus most likely emerged in nature and jumped from animals to people, coming to light when it spread at a wildlife market in the Chinese city of Wuhan. There’s no new scientific information supporting that the virus might instead have leaked from a laboratory, a theory Paul champions. A GOP-led subcommittee that studied the question in 2024 did not find any evidence linking Fauci to wrongdoing.

Fauci has long said publicly that he was open to both theories but that there’s more evidence supporting COVID-19’s natural origins.

Republicans also have accused Fauci of lying about whether his agency funded what's known as gain of function research — the practice of enhancing a virus in a lab to study its potential real-world impact — at a lab in Wuhan.

The NIH for years gave grants to a New York nonprofit called EcoHealth Alliance, which used some of the funds to work with a Chinese lab studying coronaviruses commonly carried by bats. But the definition of gain of function covers both general research and especially risky experiments to enhance the ability of potential pandemic viruses to spread or cause severe disease in humans. Fauci has previously stressed he was using the risky experiment definition and that “it would be molecularly impossible” for those bat virus experiments to have turned into the pandemic virus.

Trump, a Republican, last year paused some federally funded gain of function research, and on Tuesday his administration announced new rules to tighten oversight.

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Swenson reported from New York.

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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.

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Follow the AP's coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.

Ukraine’s almost daily long-range drone and missile strikes using domestically developed weapons have battered Russian oil facilities for months. The operation has brought a fuel crisis that is embarrassing the Kremlin more than four years after Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbor.

The overnight attacks started fires at a Lukoil refinery in Russia’s Perm region, more than 1,500 kilometers (900 miles) from Ukraine, and a refinery in Ryazan, about 400 kilometers (180 miles) from the border, Ukraine’s Security Service and General Staff said in separate statements.

The refineries have a combined annual production capacity of around 220 million barrels of oil, according to Ukraine, and make a vital contribution to Russia's military effort and its government revenue.

It was not immediately possible to independently verify the claims. Ryazan Gov. Pavel Malkov said only that six people were taken to a hospital after a drone attack. He said drone debris caused fires at unidentified “industrial sites.”

Russian online retailer Wildberries, a major supplier likened to Amazon that Ukraine has targeted in recent days, said it evacuated employees from a facility in Ryazan but provided no further details.

Russia has sophisticated air defenses but its vast territory is hard to comprehensively cover.

The attacks came hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington on Tuesday for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump to push for more vital American help for Ukraine’s fight against its much bigger enemy.

“Russia must feel that every day of this war will only come at a higher cost for it. We need to weaken the aggressor and keep up the pressure to bring an end to this war closer,” Zelenskyy said on social media.

Ukraine’s recent high-profile successes against Russia have impressed Washington and helped restore U.S. goodwill after Trump’s reluctance at the start of his second term to keep supporting Kyiv. That stance had raised the specter of Ukraine and Europe having to stand up to Russian aggression alone.

Zelenskyy says he had a good meeting with Trump

Zelenskyy said he had a “good meeting” with the American president, and Trump described the meeting as a “Great Honor.” The talks took place behind closed doors.

“Many things were discussed. The meeting went very well!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Zelenskyy said he also had a meeting in Washington with representatives of both parties in the U.S. Senate, with more than 60 senators in attendance, as Ukraine pushes for more sanctions on Russia. He also met with representatives of Lockheed Martin, days after he welcomed a delegation from Raytheon to Kyiv.

The U.S. weapons manufacturers are a crucial source of sophisticated weaponry, such as Patriot air defense systems, that Ukraine hopes to make itself. Trump said earlier this month he would grant Ukraine licenses to manufacture the Patriots it needs to counter Russia’s ballistic missiles.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine is discussing joint production and technology exchange with both Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

Ukraine is ready to share its cutting-edge — and battle-tested — drone technology. Its swift technical innovation has paid dividends as it helps pin down Russia’s bigger army on the front line and denies it supplies by hitting rear areas.

That has impressed countries around the world. Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, said during a visit to Ukraine earlier this week: “From reconnaissance and logistics to precision strikes, Ukraine has shown the world how unmanned systems can give smaller forces a decisive edge.”

US envoys to visit Kyiv but no date set

Prospects for a settlement to stop the fighting appear dim, despite a yearlong diplomatic push by the Trump administration.

But U.S. officials also agreed that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s main envoys, would make a trip to Kyiv sometime in the future, according to a person familiar with the talks who was granted anonymity to discuss the closed-door meeting.

Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi, the new commander-in-chief of Ukraine's military, said in a social media post on Wednesday that he had held his first phone conversation with Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of U.S. European Command.

“I outlined my vision of Ukraine’s victory and the capabilities required to achieve it,” said Drapatyi, who was appointed last week as part of a government reshuffle.

“At this stage of the war, we must strengthen operations across multiple domains, prevent enemy infiltration into our defensive lines, and expand both long-range and medium-range precision strikes against the enemy,” he added.

Ukraine says it hits over 200 Russian vessels in 3 weeks

Ukrainian units also have struck 201 Russian vessels over the past three weeks in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, which border both countries, a senior military official said.

The tally doesn’t include vessels hit by Ukraine’s Security Service and other military groups, a Ukrainian military commander who could be identified only by his call sign Magyar, in keeping with the rules of the Ukrainian military, said late Tuesday.

Ukrainian forces also struck a naval base used by Russia’s Black Sea, according to the General Staff.

It reported other strikes on a radar station in Russia’s Bryansk region on the border and on a drone launch site and a road bridge in the occupied part of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported Wednesday that its air defenses shot down 295 Ukrainian drones overnight above a number of Russian regions and occupied Crimea.

Russian glide bombs struck the northeastern city of Kharkiv and 17 other places in the region of the same name over the previous 24 hours, wounding 11 people, the head of the regional military administration, Oleh Syniehubov, said.

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Hatton reported from Lisbon, Portugal.

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Follow the AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

It's the second time Trump has asked the justices to nix damages awarded by a jury to Carroll, a longtime advice columnist and former TV talk show host. The Supreme Court refused in June to hear his appeal of another verdict, for $5 million, that found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation.

The latest case centers on comments Trump made during his first term as president. The Justice Department wants to invoke the Westfall Act, which shields government employees from being sued for doing their jobs.

“Absent this Court’s intervention, the sitting President is facing nearly a hundred million dollars of personal liability for conduct that was well within the scope of his federal office,” federal attorneys wrote. “That alone deserves this Court’s attention.”

The appeal was filed electronically and is expected to be formally docketed with the court Wednesday.

Trump's lawyers, meanwhile, argued that an appeals court “engaged in procedural contortions” to avoid addressing Trump's claims that presidential immunity protects him from the $83 million award because he made the statements in question in 2019 while he was president.

The lawyers argued that the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled in a manner that “cries out for this Court's review in this unprecedented case" and called the damages “grossly excessive.”

“This is the first case in our nation's history in which a court has imposed damages liability on a president for his conduct in office,” the lawyers wrote.

Carroll's lawyers have declined to comment on the latest Trump filing.

Trump has long argued he cannot be sued over comments he made about Carroll during his first term where he disavowed knowing her and attacked her motivations for going public with her story in a recent memoir. He's also asking the Supreme Court justices to reconsider their rejection of his appeal in the $5 million verdict.

The appeal comes about two years after the Supreme Court granted Trump broad immunity from criminal prosecution as a former president.

Carroll testified twice before New York juries that Trump sexually assaulted her in spring 1996 in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury retailer across the street from Trump Tower. She first went public with the claims in a 2019 memoir.

She sued Trump for defamation after he accused her of making up the allegation to help book sales, adding that he’d never met her and “she’s not my type.” He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

A Manhattan jury awarded her $83 million in damages in January 2024. Lower courts have so far rejected Trump’s appeals to overturn the verdict, though the New York-based appeals court split over the decision and agreed to delay that payout until the Supreme Court weighs in.

In 2023, another jury said Carroll was entitled to $5 million after concluding that Trump had subjected her to sexual abuse in the department store encounter and for defamation for remarks he had made after his first term ended. That judgment has been paid.

The Associated Press does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly, as Carroll has done.

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Neumeister reported from New York.

All seven BTS members — RM, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, Jung Kook and Jin — shared the same note Wednesday.

“We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,” the coordinated message read. “We thank Army and everyone who has always stood by us.”

Wednesday’s announcement came just over a month after the Recording Academy announced five new Grammy categories, which include best Asian pop music performance, meant to celebrate releases across K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and beyond.

Some fans viewed the new category as a racialized barrier for Asian performers.

A representative for BTS offered no additional comment.

BTS has never won a Grammy, though they've been nominated for five: three times in the best pop duo/group performance category as well as album of the year (for their contributions to Coldplay's “Music of the Spheres”) and best music video for “Yet to Come.”

In fact, no K-pop act had ever won a Grammy before this year, when “Golden” from the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” took home the trophy for best song for visual media. It capped a highly visible night for K-pop at the Grammys — an institution where the genre has long been undercelebrated despite its massive international following.

In March, BTS returned after a nearly four-year musical hiatus. “ARIRANG,” the 14-track, critically acclaimed fifth studio album from the septet, served as both a reintroduction to the band after its members completed South Korea's mandatory military service and as a keen reminder of their place atop popular culture conversation.

Representatives for the Recording Academy did not immediately respond to The Associated Press' request for comment.

JSOs says on July 1, a vehicle pulled into a parking space at a church off Philips Highway, dropped a crate containing a dog out of the car and drove off. Three days later, a church employee discovered the animal.

“It was clear the dog had been left without food or water; it was covered in its own feces,” the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.

An animal cruelty exam revealed the dog was extremely malnourished. It is now undergoing extensive recovery.

“There are many options for rehoming dogs, but this is not one of them,” officials said. “We’re actively searching for the person responsible for leaving this dog in this condition.”

Anyone who recognizes the dog, knows who owns the vehicle or has any details that could lead to an arrest is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.

The deaths on Crete brought a fatal new dimension to a wildfire emergency stretching from the Atlantic coast to the eastern Mediterranean. At the peak of the evacuations, a third of a million people were driven from homes and vacation sites in France and Spain.

In France’s Gironde region, the country’s biggest blaze had not spread during a calm night, authorities said. But as temperatures approached 40 C (104 F) Wednesday afternoon and winds strengthened, the reprieve threatened to be short-lived.

The landscape was so combustible that investigators believe routine brush-clearing work near a high-voltage line may have sparked the inferno, even though the work appeared to comply with regulations.

At the command center in Lège, firefighters bent over maps spread across a car hood, tracking three danger zones: northern Cap-Ferret; the wooded corridor around Marcheprime, Cestas and Saint-Jean-d’Illac; and a military site near Martignas, where a major outbreak forced a large deployment.

Both firefighters and residents mobilize against the blaze

More than 2,200 firefighters and over 20 aircraft remained mobilized, backed by crews from across France and European partners.

“We strike quickly and strike hard at any new smoke emissions,” Gironde fire commander Matthieu Jomain said.

Beyond the command center, civilians were trying to hold the line themselves. At Souge, volunteers flooded the edges of dirt tracks while a local digger driver plowed through still-burning soil, trying to keep flames from crossing back when the expected west wind arrived. In Lacanau, residents pumped water from a lake into tanks headed for hot spots and firefighters’ cisterns.

“If one day the fire starts in our neck of the woods, I know very well that all the people here would do the same for us,” said Flavien Dubuch, 33, who drove from Saint-Émilion with his father to help.

Hottest day this week

The advance of major fires in the Landes and Var regions has been halted. That left Gironde as France’s biggest remaining wildfire battle, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said.

The Gironde fire forced 220,000 people to flee at the peak of the crisis. Tens of thousands have since been allowed home, but authorities warned that the danger had not passed.

Extreme heat strips moisture from vegetation and drives down humidity, turning grasses, brush and forest litter into faster-burning fuel.

Investigators believe contractors working near a high-voltage line for power-grid operator Enedis ignited the blaze while using a brush-cutting machine, Bordeaux prosecutor Renaud Gaudeul said.

Météo-France said Wednesday would be the hottest and driest day of the week, with elevated wildfire danger across every region of France. Drought now covers mainland France and Corsica, with soils nearing the record dryness reached in August 2022.

Smoke from the Gironde and Landes fires also pushed particulate pollution higher across both departments, regional air-quality monitors said.

More evacuations ordered in France

Gironde authorities ordered 4,000 more people out of tourist sites along the Atlantic coast on Tuesday, widening what may be France’s largest peacetime evacuation.

“The situation remains complicated. That’s clear. We’re not out of the woods,” said Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas, who also authorized 60,000 evacuees to return to three Bordeaux suburbs untouched by fire.

The opposing movements — thousands ordered out of coastal resorts as others returned with mobile phones on and emergency bags packed — captured how precarious the situation remains.

The disruption was spreading beyond the burn zone into Bordeaux’s peak tourism season.

Edouard le Grix de la Salle, who runs Château du Grand Verdus with his brother, said official appeals to avoid the region threatened its wine-tourism trade. “How did they not think about protecting that sector?” he told The Associated Press.

At one point the Gironde blaze created a black thundercloud, electrified and lit from within, that generated lightning, violent winds and new fires beyond the original front. The pyrocumulonimbus was the first recorded in France.

Fire in Greece turns deadly for firefighters

Two firefighters died Wednesday while battling a wildfire in the Rethymno region of Crete, Greece’s fire department said. They were among about 125 firefighters confronting flames fanned by strong winds, with four helicopters and four water-dropping planes deployed.

The circumstances of their deaths were not immediately clear. The department said they died “in the line of duty to protect the lives and property of citizens and the natural environment.”

Tens of thousands begin returning home in Spain

At the height of the crisis, roughly 330,000 people were driven from homes and vacation sites across France and Spain.

Tens of thousands of people began returning home in central Spain after firefighters made progress around Madrid and Ávila. Evacuation orders were lifted for about 20,000 people in the Madrid region, while stay-at-home restrictions ended for another 14,000.

But 10,000 people remain under evacuation orders in Castellón, where a fire was still out of control as Spain braced for its fourth heat wave of the summer.

More than 1,160 square kilometers (448 square miles) have burned across France this year, according to the Interior Ministry.

Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, warming at more than twice the global average, according to the European Union’s Copernicus climate service. Western Europe recorded its hottest June on record, with extreme heat and widespread dryness contributing to the spread and intensification of fires in France and Spain, Copernicus said.

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Adamson reported from Paris. Elena Becatoros in Athens, Suman Naishadham in Madrid, Alex Turnbull in Souge, France, and John Leicester and Masha Macpherson in Paris contributed.

Scattered showers with thunderstorms will develop ahead of a slow-moving cold front, arriving during the afternoon and lingering late tonight. The heat indices will reach 110 - 117 degrees.

Strong to isolated severe storms will be possible this afternoon and evening.

The main hazards will be damaging wind, possible flooding due to heavy rainfall and frequent lightning.

The unsettled pattern continues Thursday through the weekend. The increasing cloud cover will help return our temperatures to near normal, maybe even a couple of degrees below normal. The rainfall deficit since January 1 is around 8 inches.

Today: Weather Alert Day starts at 12 p.m. Heat Advisory and an Extreme Heat Watch 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop ahead of an approaching cold front. Strong to severe storms will be possible. Lows in the upper 70s to low 80s. Afternoon highs in the mid to upper 90s. Feels Like temperatures 104 - 112 degrees.

Thursday: Not as hot with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly across NE FL, 50-70 percent. Southeast Georgia will see partly cloudy skies with a 20 percent chance of showers. Lows in the 70s to low 80s. Highs in the 90s.

Looking ahead: Rain chances Friday and this weekend. The heat will return to near normal as the waves of showers and storms move through.

Tropics: It’s quiet across the Atlantic basin.

After Graham was eulogized Tuesday in the nation's capital as an indefatigable dealmaker by the president, vice president and others, mourners in Columbia recalled the son of pool hall owners who “was born with a plastic fork in his mouth,” as former Rep. Trey Gowdy put it.

Graham seemed to know every small-town mayor and police chief and the location of every Chick-fil-A across South Carolina. He made sure Republicans had money to run in legislative and local elections across the state.

“Lindsey Graham understood the hopes and dreams and needs of his state and delivered every time,” said Republican Gov, Henry McMaster, who ended his remarks by telling Graham he loved him.

Graham died suddenly on July 11 at his home in Washington, likely of an aortic tear, according to preliminary findings. He had just returned from a whirlwind trip to a NATO summit in Turkey, where he celebrated his 71st birthday, and a visit to Ukraine as he negotiated punishing sanctions against Russia. Senators voted late Tuesday to advance the package as a final gesture for their colleague.

Wednesday's funeral was at First Baptist, the giant downtown church where his predecessor Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond was honored 23 years ago.

One of Graham's many friends in Congress, Gowdy described how Graham rose to power through humor, genuine caring for all people and a relentless work ethic. He joked the governor should change the name of the state capital of Columbia to honor Graham, even though his friend wouldn't want it.

“It wasn't the trapping of office he cared about. It was the work,” Gowdy said.

Graham's body was first brought to the South Carolina Statehouse, where he started his political career in 1993. It paused in front of about a dozen law enforcement officers and four military jets flew over. A horse-drawn caisson then carried his casket to the church, where his family followed military pallbearers carrying it inside. A 130-member choir sang hymns.

Hundreds of movers in South Carolina politics gathered. Both nominees for governor — Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson and Democratic state Rep. Jermaine Johnson — came, along with longtime Republican politicians like former House Speaker and Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins and U.S. Rep. Henry Brown, who served 10 years before leaving in 2011.

Republicans Gov. Henry McMaster, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott and former U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy were expected to speak. Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the only remaining member of the South Carolina delegation there when Graham arrived in Washington in 1995, will read Scripture.

Graham's burial Wednesday near his home in Pickens County was planned as a private ceremony.

On Tuesday, Graham’s flag-draped casket was at the U.S. Capitol, where the Republican spent more than 30 years talking and laughing and badgering his colleagues into action.

President Donald Trump then joined foreign leaders at the Washington National Cathedral, a testament to Graham’s stature on the global stage.

Trump called Graham “a giant of the United States Senate, a true American original who left us much too soon.”

Graham's death has created opportunities for change in South Carolina. Graham had already won the Republican nomination as he ran for a fifth term. McMaster named his younger sister Darline to hold his seat until January. Darline Graham then surprised many by deciding to run for the full six-year term herself.

State law has Republicans holding a special primary in two weeks to decide the new nominee. Eight others are competing, including former Gov. Mark Sanford and U.S. Reps. Ralph Norman and Russell Fry. Three candidates who paid the filing fee were kicked off the ballot because they didn't meet new party requirements for voting in the Republican primary.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said he did not have an update on talks.

“You guys know how we feel about Gibbs,” Campbell said.

A message seeking comment was left with Gibbs' agent, Todd France.

“This is both sides working through something,” Campbell said.

The Lions have signed many of their top players to contract extensions, including linebacker Jack Campbell in May.

Gibbs, who has been a Pro Bowl player in each of his first three NFL seasons, seems to be next in line.

His contract calls for him to make a little more than $1 million in base salary with a $2 million-plus roster bonus this season. The Lions picked up the fifth season of Gibbs' contract in April and he is scheduled to make $14.29 million in 2027.

Since Detroit drafted the former Alabama star at No. 12 overall in 2023, he has run for 3,580 yards with 39 touchdowns and has 181 receptions for 1,449 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Gibbs is the one of four players in league history to gain at least 4,500 yards from scrimmage and score 45-plus touchdowns through three seasons, joining Hall of Famers Earl Campbell, Eric Dickerson and Barry Sanders, a former Lions star.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

GOP Sen. John Cornyn, a crucial swing vote, called off a scheduled Wednesday meeting with Blanche, who has been serving as acting attorney general since Pam Bondi's firing in April. Cornyn told reporters that the Justice Department has not adequately addressed in writing his concerns about the settlement that afforded Trump and members of his family protection from tax audits.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a vote for Thursday to advance Blanche's nomination to the full Senate, but could be delayed if there's no resolution. Another Republican on the committee, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, has backed Cornyn's position, and just one Republican holdout could sink Blanche's prospects.

“They know what they need to do but they simply refuse to do it," Cornyn, who lost the Republican primary in May, said of the Justice Department.

At the center of the fight is the settlement of Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS that included a deal to drop tax claims against the president and a now-scrapped plan to create a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to compensate people who believe they were wronged by the Justice Department. The Justice Department said in June that it was no longer moving forward with the “Anti-Weaponization Fund" amid bipartisan outrage but officials have said the audit immunity agreement remains in place.

Some lawmakers have raised concerns that the fund could be resurrected absent a commitment in writing from the Trump administration that it is dead, especially since Trump has expressed continued support for the idea. Blanche had previously resisted requests for a formal written retraction, though he told senators at his confirmation hearing earlier this month that the administration would be willing to help craft legislation to bar the creation of the fund.

Cornyn has also demanded clarification from the Justice Department on the scope of the tax immunity deal. Blanche has said the deal covers any existing audits but does not protect the president from examination of future tax filings.

“We're been trying to help them get to a conclusion here and they won't let us. It's befuddling to me,” Cornyn said.

A person familiar with the matter said the Justice Department provided Cornyn’s office with a written proposal seeking to address his concerns around the audit immunity agreement and the fund. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk about sensitive discussions surrounding Blanche’s confirmation.

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Associated Press reporter Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington contributed to this report.

At this hospital though, it's not your vitals that will be examined, but your feelings.

The “Hospital of Emotions” is an immersive art experience that explores different facets of being human inside the long-shuttered St. Vincent Medical Center near downtown Los Angeles.

The former hospital was founded in 1856 by the Daughters of Charity religious order to treat poor people before it went bankrupt in 2020 and was bought by private investors. The site will be redeveloped into a homeless shelter and mental health and drug treatment facility, with the first phase opening later this year.

But until the end of September, the hospital rooms are filled with 80 installations by 70 artists. Each artist received around $14,000 to transform four floors of clinical space into explorations of feelings around everything from medical and family trauma to grief over climate change and immigration detention centers.

Sterile hospital spaces are turned into colorful art installations

The project was created in the spirit of Meow Wolf and other for-profit amusement centers that approach art as entertainment.

As in Pixar's “Inside Out,” color-coded creatures sprinkled throughout the show personify a range of emotions from joy and hope to anger and sadness. A fuzzy orange monster winks from behind a nurse’s station, while dueling green giants symbolizing jealousy face off in an otherwise normal exam room, their faces decorated with absurd, clownlike expressions.

IV bags are full of rainbow-colored liquids, overhead exam lights are festooned with a canopy of artificial flowers, and crutches are draped with campy, cartoonish wigs.

Enter the “Resilience Department” and you’ll find a prismatic, glass butterfly that refracts light, accompanied by an unsettling interactive audio piece about an artist’s experience having an epileptic seizure. The sound of grunts and labored breathing in headphones contrasts with screams, recorded and replayed in the room to create a surreal, out-of-body effect.

In the neighboring room, a thousand sunny-side up eggs are splayed all over the bed, walls and floor, which the artist, Melan Allen, said represent the eggs she was forced to eat during her childhood despite hating them. The room especially resonated with Sharon Maxwell, who drove from San Diego to see the show.

“I have lots of egg stories,” she said. “I’m in recovery from an eating disorder, so I’ve been in treatment, I’ve been in hospitals. It’s all very sterile.”

While going to the hospital can be an isolating experience, Maxwell said visiting an art show in one made her feel a renewed sense of connection. There aren't nurses, surgeons or patients here, and everyone is on equal footing as viewers.

“Being the person in the bed, being treated for mental health stuff, you’re kind of like a spectacle,” she said.

A sensitive look at anxiety, fear and trauma

In the “Fear Department,” a virtual character based off a real person gives a vulnerable speech about post-traumatic stress from serving in a combat zone and then reads a suicide note that combines multiple veterans' experiences using AI. The installation is titled “The Ward That Never Closed.”

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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org

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Down the hall, another room is covered floor to ceiling in black-and-white portraits drawn with frenetic lines by an artist who spent 15 months at a U.S. immigration detention center.

“I left Russia in 2022 because of my political views and because I am gay. What I thought would be a search for safety became a prolonged encounter with fear,” Grisha Stepanian said.

His installation examines “how fear settles into the body, how it stays, even when there is no immediate danger. How safety, when it appears, feels temporary, almost unreal.”

The most successful rooms play with the visual language of a medical space without prescribing what to feel.

In another room in the “Fear Department,” artist Dongpu Ling created an eerie installation of transparent figurines — molded from packing tape — to bring a vision of her grandfather's to life. He died years ago in Shanghai, where he described seeing ghosts around his hospital bed just before dying.

Torqued into myriad positions, the blank-faced figures occupy gurneys and disappear into institutional-gray ceiling vents. The work was also informed by Ling's experience as a child spending 10 days in the hospital with a fever.

“I almost died. I couldn't eat,” she said. “I threw up blood three times a night.”

The process of creating the installation was intense, Ling said. When she tried to go to her studio room and accidentally went to the basement, where bodies are typically stored before going to funeral homes, she said she found something chilling: “It was freezing cold and dead silent.”

Recognizing a paradox of emotions

Ondrea Boggs, an ultrasound tech, said the installations reminded her of people’s tenacity and resilience even in the face of death — something she witnessed working in an intensive care unit and emergency room.

“I’m confronted with people struggling every day and getting through and being strong,” she said.

Boggs is moved when she sees a patient or their family able to stay hopeful during a difficult time.

“It’s encouraging for me to remember that that’s possible,” she said. “Even amongst moments of sadness you can still experience joy, it’s not like an isolated experience where you have to get through the sadness to experience joy, right? Both can be shared at the same time and both can be honored.”

For other visitors, the installations also reflected that paradox of emotions.

“There’s solace in someone else seeing our emotion — whether it’s joy and celebration or sorrow and pain. There’s something about the human experience where we need to be seen,” Maxwell said. “This art exhibit really shows that in a profound way. I think it put humanity on display in a really powerful way.”

The heat will turn up soon. Not just the temperatures either.

As the defending champions in the AFC South, the pressure is on head coach Liam Coen and the Jaguars. The team’s out-of-nowhere 13-4 finish in Coen’s first season of a rebuild has up the ante in 2026. Was last year a fluke or was it the birth of something lasting?

“Yeah, we haven’t done anything to rest on our laurels here,” Coen said after the first day of camp. “We’re not in a place to hang out and just kind of chill, right? Everything we’re doing is trying to attack an edge. Last year was about finding an edge and creating an edge. And now we are attacking these edges with a relentless pursuit.”

The growth area for the Jaguars is consistency. Can they maintain it? That’s been the knock on the Jaguars long before Coen arrived in town. Ebbs and flows in the game are natural, but long blocks of time with inconsistent play is what Jacksonville wants to ditch.

The Jaguars have Trevor Lawrence coming off the best season of his career (he was an MVP finalist) and the defense was one of the league’s best. But there are things to work on. The ground game started strong but finished with a bit of a whimper. Second-year back Bhayshul Tuten is the candidate to replace Travis Etienne, and he opened camp with a burst along the right sideline that would have been a touchdown. No defender got a hand on Tuten.

The long ball is another area of growth. Receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is healthy after a disappointing sophomore season, and he is unquestionably Jacksonville’s best at taking the back end off the defense. Lawrence and Thomas looked good during the offseason portion of camp, so building off that is key.

“I feel really good. I didn’t think I had the best day today necessarily, but I feel like this whole offseason and even today, I threw it well and just missed a couple,” Lawrence said. “But I feel really healthy. I feel like I’m in great shape. I think I’m throwing it as good as ever. I think the chemistry with the guys is really, really good. I like where our team’s at. So, I’m excited, really excited for this training camp.”

Lawrence in particular has taken fans on a roller coaster ride throughout his five years in the league. At times, he’s looked elite and like one of the best in the NFL. During others, Lawrence has made baffling mistakes that shouldn’t be made.

But after appearing to turn the corner during the second half of 2025, Lawrence looks and feels different. He no doubt has a better grasp of Coen and Grant Udinski’s offense than he did a year ago. With that learning curve out of the way, this season should be much more focused on refinement and not teaching. Lawrence’s biggest area to improve on is in the turnover department. He threw 12 interceptions last year.

“Yeah, I think 12’s a little more than I’d like still, but yeah, I think that that’s something that has been a huge talking point in my career and rightfully so,” Lawrence said. “You have to take care of the ball, so I think that’s something I’ve worked really hard on my entire career, and I think the last few years. A big one is especially fumbles and taking care of the ball in the pocket and when I’m running because that’s one that you can control every time you have it.”

📒Notebook 📒

Trevor Lawrence: 4 for 10, 1 INT

Nick Mullens: 5 for 10

Carter Bradley: 1 for 2

Joey Aguilar: 2 for 2

Bhayshul Tuten: 5 carries all with Trevor Lawrence

Chris Rodriguez jr: 0 carries in team

LaQuint Allen: 3 carries all with Trevor

Ameer Abdullah: 5 carries all from Nick Mullens

DeeJay Dallas: 3 carries all with Nick Mullens

J’Mari Taylor: 2 carries. 1 from Mullens and 1 from Joey Aguilar.

• Defensive Standout: Eric Murray had the splash play of the day. On the 1st play of 7 on 7, Murray got an interception off Trevor. It was a play that felt very similar to a play Murray made at the start of OTAs. Murray needs to keep making those sorts of veteran plays if he is going to hold off the young guys that he is competing with for a starting job.
• Travis Hunter spent time with the offense and defense both during individual periods and during team. Hunter nearly made the play of the day when he went up and snatched a pass along the sideline, but he lost the ball on the way down. Either way, it was encouraging to see him back on the field and showing off that type of athleticism.
• Jack Kiser was banged up early in practice. He left with the trainers and never returned.
• Chris Rodriguez worked with the running backs during position drills but didn’t participate during the team parts of practice. Chris says he feels good to go and will be ready for week 1.
• Travon Walker had what would have been a sack. He ran through the right tackle and demolished the running back in pass pro for what would have been a really nice play.
• Offensive Play of the Day: Nick Mullens and CJ Williams connected on a beautiful throw and catch. Mullens layered it in between 2 defenders, and Williams made a nice sliding catch.

The S&P 500 fell 1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 878 points, or 1.7%, as of 12:43 p.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 1.2% lower.

The action was even stronger in the oil market, where the price of Brent crude leaped 6.7% to $87.55 per barrel after fighting resumed in the war with Iran and raised worries about the global flow of oil. Iran launched a barrage of missiles at American forces in the Middle East, while the U.S. military partnered with Saudi Arabia to strike Tehran-backed militias in Iraq.

Brent oil’s price had swung as low as $72 early this month and as high as $102 last week on uncertainty about whether the United States and Iran could reach a deal to allow oil tankers to move freely again from the Middle East to customers worldwide.

The swings have raised worries that inflation will reaccelerate, just when it had begun to slow more than economists expected. That in turn has traders uncertain about what the Federal Reserve will announce after its two-day meeting on interest rates concludes later in the day.

Traders are betting on a roughly 34% probability that the Fed will raise its main interest rate, according to data from CME Group, which would be the first increase in three years. Higher rates can keep a lid on inflation, but they can also slow the economy and undercut prices for stocks and other investments.

Higher rates particularly hurt stocks seen as the most expensive, and scrutiny has already been rising on makers of computer chips and other winners of the frenzy around artificial-intelligence technology.

Unlike the dot-com bubble at the turn of the millennium, the recent surges for sellers of computer processors and memory are backed by real revenue and profits. But that exceptional growth won't be sustainable if AI does not produce as much profit and productivity as hoped.

The skepticism has hit South Korea’s stock market in particular because it’s dominated by two tech giants, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Seoul’s Kospi index tumbled 6% Wednesday, a day after it plunged 10.8%, and trimmed its gain for the year so far to 34.4%.

SK Hynix’s stock in Seoul dropped 9.6%. It reported record amounts of revenue and profit for a quarter thanks to strong demand because of AI. But its 257% growth in revenue still wasn’t enough to meet analysts’ expectations.

On Wall Street, Nvidia was the heaviest weight on the S&P 500 after the chip company sank 2.8%. Rival Advanced Micro Devices fell 6.1%, and Micron Technology dropped 6.3%.

KLA Corp., whose products and services help make semiconductors, fell 10% even though it reported stronger-than-forecast profit and revenue for the latest quarter. Expectations were high after its stock surged nearly 150% in this year's first six months.

Helping to limit the U.S. stock market's losses was Apple, which added 0.1%. Analysts say it's almost become an “anti-AI” bet among Big Tech stocks because of its more limited spending on the technology versus rivals.

On Tuesday, gains for stocks outside of AI helped offset weakness for Micron and other tech companies. Analysts have been saying such a rotation in the market from AI to less-loved areas could be healthy, but the majority of U.S. stocks fell with tech on Wednesday.

In stock markets elsewhere around the world, indexes were mixed. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 2%, and Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.5% for two of the bigger moves.

In the bond market, Treasury yields rose with oil prices. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.65% from 4.61% late Tuesday. High yields have already sent long-term U.S. mortgage rates to their highest level in nearly a year.

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AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed to this report.

The recall was initiated July 14 by manufacturer Rohto-Mentholatum (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. The recall covers products distributed nationwide by The Mentholatum Company.

The FDA assigned the action a Class II classification, meaning the products may cause temporary or reversible adverse health consequences, or the probability of serious harm is considered remote.

Why the products were recalled

The reason cited across all eight recalled products is a “lack of assurance of sterility.” Eye drop products are required to be sterile because they are applied directly to the eye.

Which products are affected

Eight distinct Rohto Cooling Eye Drop products are included in the recall, spanning multiple formulations and lot numbers.

Click here to see the list.

What consumers should do

Anyone who has purchased a Rohto Cooling Eye Drop product should check the UPC number and lot number on their package against the FDA’s recall list. Expiration dates on affected lots range from July 2026 through February 2029, meaning many products currently in homes and on store shelves may be impacted.

Consumers should stop using any recalled product immediately. The FDA recommends contacting the recalling firm or a healthcare provider with any questions. Those who have experienced adverse effects after using these products are encouraged to report them through the FDA’s MedWatch program at fda.gov/safety/medwatch or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

Six Iranian advisers were also killed in the U.S.-Saudi strike, two Iraqi militia officials told the Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

The flare-up on multiple fronts, after several days of relative calm, raised the risk of a return to all-out war. It also underscored the difficulty of winding down a five-month conflict that has jolted the world economy and is unpopular among Americans. The fighting was also likely to add to concerns that the U.S. is further drawing down already diminished stockpiles of sophisticated munitions needed to defend its bases and allies.

Meanwhile, a Fox News reporter said in an on-air segment that he spoke with President Donald Trump who, using a series of vulgarities, told him the U.S. will hit back hard in response to the Iranian attacks.

Saudi Arabia had accused the Iraqi militias of firing drones against its oil facilities over the past two days. An umbrella group of Iraqi militias initially denied the allegations, while another Iran-backed group — the Houthi rebels in Yemen — said they had attacked Saudi energy facilities as part of a separate but related conflict.

Before the latest eruption, mediators had expressed optimism about bringing the U.S. and Iran back to the negotiating table. An interim agreement collapsed in recent weeks over renewed fighting in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global energy supplies that Iranian attacks have again effectively closed.

A regional official said mediators are “still trying with both sides” to restore calm and get the ceasefire back on track. He gave no details on whether progress was being made and spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door diplomacy.

The renewed hostilities sent oil prices spiking. Brent crude, the international standard, jumped 3.1% to $84.58 a barrel.

Jordan intercepts missiles and US strikes militias in Iraq

Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it fired ballistic missiles at Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, a key U.S. military hub for the region, in a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency.

Jordan’s military said five Iranian missiles had been intercepted and destroyed. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The U.S. military later announced that American and Saudi fighter aircraft had struck multiple logistics and weapons sites in eastern Iraq in response to the alleged drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Defense Ministry warned that it “does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression.”

The Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of primarily Shiite, Iran-backed armed groups that is officially under the command of the Iraqi military, said at least 20 fighters were killed and 32 others wounded in the overnight strikes.

Those groups joined the fight against the Islamic State group after it seized large sections of Iraq in 2014. The Iraqi government later designated it as an “independent military formation” within the armed forces, but the militias have significant autonomy, and some have attacked U.S. facilities.

The office of Iraqi President Nizar Amidi condemned Wednesday’s U.S.-Saudi airstrikes, calling them “an unacceptable attack and a blatant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty, targeting its official security institutions.”

Iraq’s National Security Council also condemned the strikes, saying in a statement that they had been carried out “while the Iraqi government was in contact with relevant parties to investigate and address all the concerns raised by the Saudi and American sides.” It said “a number of innocent people” had been killed and wounded.

A visit to Saudi Arabia by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi that had been scheduled for Thursday was postponed indefinitely, said two Iraqi government officials on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

Attacks on Saudi oil facilities could worsen global energy crisis

Saudi Arabia is also locked in a renewed conflict with the Houthis. The rebels have declared a blockade of Saudi shipping that could choke off another crucial Middle East trade route, the Bab el-Mandeb strait from the Red Sea into the Gulf of Aden.

On Monday, the Houthis said they had launched drones targeting oil facilities used to transport oil across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea port city of Yanbu, a key bypass for Saudi exports blocked by Iran’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz.

The rebels said their attack was in response to a Saudi drone they said had breached Yemen’s airspace.

Planet Labs satellite imagery from Monday analyzed by The Associated Press showed damage to Saudi Aramco’s Abqaiq oil-processing facility. The massive facility is capable of processing approximately 7 million barrels of crude oil per day.

In 2019, attacks on Abqaiq claimed by the Houthis disrupted production of 5.7 million barrels per day, spiking global oil prices and demonstrating the vulnerability of Saudi oil facilities to missile and drone attacks.

Separately, a regional official said an oil refinery in Jazan, on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, has temporarily shut down due to “relatively significant” damage from a Houthi attack on Saturday. The official, who was not authorized to brief journalists and spoke on condition of anonymity, said it would take several days to be repaired. The refinery produces 400,000 barrels per day.

The Texas-based IIR Energy consultancy said the refinery was tentatively expected to restart on Aug. 15.

Iran rejects Oman proposal for managing Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz has been a major flashpoint in the conflict. Iran's deputy foreign minister said his country rejected a proposal by Oman, which lies on the other side of the strait, to jointly manage ship traffic.

In an interview with Iran’s state-run television, Kazem Gharibabadi said Oman's proposal included dividing the strait into two routes, each allowing the transit of half the shipping through the waterway.

Iran offered a counterproposal with a temporary plan for transit of vessels through its territorial waters, he said, adding that Tehran's policy is for the strait “never to return to its prewar situation,” when ships moved freely.

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Becatoros reported from Athens, Greece. Associated Press writers Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Abby Sewell in Beirut, David McHugh in Frankfurt, Germany, and Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed to this report.

The JTA Board is expected to discuss the future after the recent resignation of chief executive officer Nathaniel Ford, who has accepted the job as president and CEO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

Under Ford’s leadership, the JTA said, the agency reached several milestones that helped raise Jacksonville’s national profile in public transportation, including:

• developing the First Coast Flyer bus rapid transit system, the largest BRT network in the southeastern United States;
• constructing the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, an award-winning multimodal mobility hub;
• winning more than $400 million in federal discretionary grants and supporting a local option gas tax extension that generated $1 billion for regional infrastructure;
• completing JTAMobilityWorks, a 27-project road-building and complete streets initiative, two years ahead of schedule;
• implementing the Route Optimization Initiative, the first complete redesign of JTA’s transit system in 34 years;
• expanding JTA’s regional footprint across Baker, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties, including restoration of the St. Johns River Ferry;
• launching the Ultimate Urban Circulator, the nation’s first deployment of an autonomous vehicle service in public transit; and
• attracting HOLON’s first U.S. autonomous vehicle manufacturing facility, a $200 million investment projected to generate $87 million annually for Florida’s economy.

Mayor Donna Deegan praised Ford’s tenure, saying his leadership helped make the authority a model for innovation and a catalyst for economic growth.

“Nat has been a dedicated partner to the City of Jacksonville, and his vision and collaborative spirit helped move our community forward in meaningful ways,” she said.

Board Chair Aundra Wallace thanked Ford and JTA staff for advancing mobility solutions for Northeast Florida.

“Under the leadership of Nat, JTA has built a national reputation for innovating, particularly in the autonomous vehicle space at the same time the JTA team remains true to the core of what we do best — providing safe, reliable and affordable public transportation to our community,” she said.

The JTA Board’s meeting is at 4 p.m. at their headquarters at 100 LaVilla Center Dr. Wallace said the board plans to discuss next steps for the CEO position at that meeting.

News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote in their own words.

Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE

Dean Black

Occupation: Small business owner and rancher

Age: 60

Family: Married to Kim Black for 28 years, five grown children, 6 grandchildren

Education: Bachelor of Arts

Political Science

University of Mississippi

1988

Political experience: Member of the Florida House of Representatives since 2022

State Committeeman for Duval County, Republican Party of Florida, 2024 to present

Former Chairman, Republican Party of Duval County, 2018-2024

Former Vice Chairman, Republican Party of Duval County, 2018

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

The main issue is affordability. People are getting further and further behind. We can address this by reducing the tax burden, continuing to work to reduce insurance costs, and by reducing regulatory burdens in order to bring housing costs down.

Public Safety is another important issue. We must support our police departments and firefighters. Public safety must always come first!

Growth management is another critical issue, particularly in our area. We must make sure we are developing infrastructure while protecting our critical environment. We must protect woodlands and ensure our waterways and aquifers are clean and our air is pure. We cannot allow growth to destroy the beauty and quality of life that leads people to want to move here in the first place.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

As a small businessman, I know how important customer service is. I know how to help constituents and so does our excellent staff. We are committed to service. With four years as a State Representative, I have learned how to lead, how to navigate Tallahassee when a citizen needs us to help them, and how to advocate for our local needs at the highest levels. As an eighth generation resident of North Florida, I know our area well. I am deeply committed to knowing what we need, and advocating to get those needs met!

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

I would like to be remembered as someone who listened and cared and had vision who was led by Faith. We have accomplished much in the area of Alzheimer’s treatment, Blood Clot awareness and treatment, bringing key appropriations projects to our area, and working to protect our quality of life. My children and grandchildren live here too. I want their safety and quality of life, and everyone else’s, to be our greatest accomplishment.

Campaign website: votedeanblack.com

Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram | X

NO PARTY AFFILIATION CANDIDATE

Chadd Charland

Occupation: Freelance arts and culture writer, podcaster, small business owner

Age: 51

Family: Married, no kids

Education: Journalism degree from Auburn University

Political experience: This is my first time running for office. I felt compelled to give people a choice after learning the incumbent was running unopposed.

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

Preventing large data center construction in Florida. I helped lead an effort in Nassau County to enact a data center moratorium and intend to take the lessons learned there to the state level, increasing regulations and restrictions on large scale data center construction.

Slowing sprawl and overdevelopment. Rural areas in northeast Florida are being crushed by unwanted sprawl. State government has promoted this proliferation and could reel it back through regulation and a return to home rule.

Public education. I support public money for public schools only. Vouchers are welfare for wealthy people. Parents should be able to send their kids to whatever school they want, but public money should be spent only on public schools.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

I will advocate for working class people because I am a working class person. My opponent is a millionaire, heavily supported by corporate political action committees, doing the work of corporate donors, not voters. I will fight for working class interests - affordability, public education, clean air and water - for the people of Nassau and Duval counties, against the powerful and corporations who have bought our state government.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

Stopping the spread of data centers in Florida.

Campaign website: charlandforflorida.com

Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

A write-in candidate, Lloyd Caulker, qualified for the general election. The names of write-in candidates do not appear on the ballot, though there will be a line for a write-in.

News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.

Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES

Audrey Gibson

Occupation: Consultant

Age: (No response)

Family: 3 adult children with families

Education: Bachelor’s- Criminology-Florida State University Master’s -Public Administration University of North Florida

Political experience: The Florida Legislature

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

An increase in senior migration to Florida is already underway we need to be looking now at data and locale destination and how to close the shortage of nurses that currently exists given we have a nursing and healthcare providers shortage. Property insurance rates. My Safe Florida Home could potentially be expanded by changing criteria to make more homeowners eligible thus reducing claims exposure.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

First, I care about the everyday lives of individuals and families and have deep community engagement, doing “field trips” visiting schools, nursing homes, senior centers, workplaces, factories, neighborhood meetings, to go to ‘see about’ needs and concerns and the best manner to address ways to mitigate improvement and outcomes. I have been continually engaged in the needs of community and activism from saving libraries and trees to saving to continues before ever being elected and have continued to due so.

I have strategic processes, including reading bills, analyses, and other methods to bring about new ideas or cure wrongs. I know the appropriation process and how bring home funds for community needs understanding the total combined processes, and engaging with colleagues particularly if they have what I call similarly situated districts.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

All the things mentioned above to include improving health outcomes for the African community whose population most often has higher rates of occurrence of health issues and less early access to address to them. equity and opportunity and connected rail that I believe will help create it. I love Amtrak too for longer trips.

Campaign website: (None given)

Campaign social media: Facebook

Leslie Jean-Bart

Occupation: Attorney

Age: 53

Family: I have been married to Rodney for 26 years. We have a daughter who is 22 years old and enrolled at Florida International University.

Education: 1994 - B.S. in Biology with minor in Chemistry from the University of Miami

1997 - J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law

Political experience: I have not previously held office.

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

1. Affordability and Economic Opportunity

Floridians are working harder than ever, but too many still can’t afford housing, insurance, groceries, childcare, or healthcare. I’ll focus on lowering the cost of living, supporting good-paying jobs, strengthening small businesses, and making sure economic growth benefits working families—not just the well-connected.

2. Healthcare Access and Affordability

Healthcare should never be a luxury. I’ll fight to expand access to affordable healthcare, improve maternal and mental health services, increase access to dental care and preventive care, and make sure working families can get the care they need before small problems become medical emergencies.

3. Education and Preparing Florida’s Future

Every child deserves a quality education regardless of their ZIP code. That starts with early childhood education, continues through strong public schools, supporting teachers, and preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow through workforce development and technology education.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

I have nearly 30 years of experience as a civil rights and personal injury attorney helping everyday people with a crisis they have experienced. I have a track record of finding solutions to problems. I focus on results and how we can improve our communities.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

I hope people remember me as someone focused on positive change in the community. I would like for others to be able to look back and say “District 13 is better as a result of Leslie’s representation.”

Campaign website: www.voteforleslie.com

Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

A write-in candidate, Brice Gaillard, qualified for the general election. The names of write-in candidates do not appear on the ballot, though there will be a line for a write-in.

Speaking during a visit to Ituri province, Carl Skau, acting executive director of the World Food Program, described the outbreak as a “crisis on top of a crisis” that has compounded a catastrophic situation with over five million Congolese already experiencing emergency-level food insecurity.

A long-running conflict in eastern Congo has driven nearly 10 million people into crisis or emergency levels of hunger, with Ituri province — the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak — among the most affected with 1.9 million of them, according to the WFP.

Across some 48 health zones affected with Ebola, more than 2.7 million people face acute food insecurity, including 628,000 in emergency conditions, it added.

“Now with Ebola crisis, this is getting worse. Markets are impacted, supply routes are impacted and so people are struggling even more to have enough to eat,” Skau told the AP.

Ebola is driving up malnutrition in affected localities

The ongoing Ebola outbreak, considered the fastest in history, has recorded 3,360 confirmed cases, including 1,487 deaths since it was declared on May 15.

Measures introduced to slow the spread — including border closures and restriction of movements and large gatherings — have disrupted life and businesses, driving up food and fuel prices, the WFP has said.

The U.N. food agency said it has so far delivered more than 160,000 hot meals to patients, contacts and front line workers in 17 treatment and isolation centers.

In Mongbwalu, a mining town at one of the epicenters of the outbreak, residents said Ebola and the measures introduced to fight it has made it difficult for some families to feed their children.

Kahambu Deborah, a 40-year-old mother of six, said she had been struggling to access her farmland due to rebel violence, and that the restrictions linked to Ebola had made things more challenging.

“Accessing food here is one of the hardest things we’ve had to deal with recently. Sometimes, because of the insecurity, we can’t even go to our fields, and our children are suffering as a result,” she said.

‘Limit the movement of people’

Dr. Richard Lokudu, director-general of the Mongbwalu General Hospital, said health workers are seeing more malnutrition cases in the region compared to before the outbreak, “even at the Ebola treatment center.”

In Mongbwalu, the U.N. agency's food support program has helped to “limit the movement of people seeking the means to survive,” said Tourne Kasereka, a monitoring assistant with the WFP.

The outbreak has been particularly difficult to fight because the Bundibugyo virus responsible for it has no approved vaccines or treatments, unlike most of Congo’s past outbreaks.

Officials have warned that it continues to spread faster than health officials can track despite an expanding response.

A critical aspect of that response is getting food to those in need of it, according to Skau.

“The World Food Program needs resources (and) donors to step up so that we can do more, to alleviate the pressures on the people here in Ituri,” he added.

News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.

Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE

Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson

Occupation: Owner of Rum 138, LLC

Reacreational tourism, fine art gallery, and

Age: 61, at the end of this month

Family: Merrillee is married to Doug Jipson. Her one and only husband. Married since 1999.

They have two adult children, Merrill and Verlyn. Merrillee was born in Milwaukee, WI; lived in Montana; and has lived in Florida since 1976. Merrillee graduated from Coral Springs High School in 1983. Tampa, Sarasota, South Miami Beach, Everglades City, and Fort White. She and her immediate family have lived on the same property here in Fort White since 2002.

We live nestled into a wetland forest next to the highest concentration of freshwater springs on the planet on the Santa Fe River. The youngest child was born here, at home in a waterbirth.

Education: Corla Springs High School, 1983

A.A. University of South Florida, 1985

B.F.A. Ringling Art College, 1991

Political experience: Please review Merrillee.com website for more on background.

Merrillee had run this District 10 seat in 2018, as a NPA. Today in 2026, she is running as a registered Democrat. Merrillee was a registered lobbyist while working for Sierra Club, Florida, as a Red Tide Campaign Organizer working on statewide issues associated with nutrient loading in freshwater natural systems from land use applications.

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

1. Clean and healthy Water, Air, and Land

2. Affordable Healthcare for all

3. Public Education resiliency and representing each living community.

Merrillee’s Platform is on her website.

Addressing these issues requires public outreach to all communities in District 10 and North Florida.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

Merrillee is the only Candidate who has already been attending local government, state agency, and Legislative meetings and hearings for nearly two decades. She relates to and understands political processes and how to get things done within these important Home Rule and statewide legal structures found in Florida Statutes and other products of Florida’s regulatory, licensing, and permitting rules.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

Managing wastewater and freshwater needs for a healthy Florida future, for all.

Campaign website: merrillee.com

Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

Chase Brannan

Occupation: Small business owner in residential real estate and property management.

Age: 32

Family: Eighth-generation Floridian, born and raised in Baker County; son of Chuck Brannan, a former Baker County sheriff’s deputy and Chief of Investigations, and the late Kim Brannan, a longtime educator and principal of Westside Elementary School.

Education: Associate of Arts, magna cum laude, Florida Gateway College; Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication and a minor in Sales and Management in Agribusiness, University of Florida.

Political experience: Former Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Rural Coordination at the Florida Department of Financial Services under CFO Jimmy Patronis; former statewide Political Director for Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis’ 2022 Re-election campaign; former Regional Field Director for Governor Ron DeSantis’ 2022 Re-election campaign; former Federal Affairs Coordinator in the Executive Office of the Governor; former Florida Gubernatorial Fellow under Governor Ron DeSantis at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

The top three issues are addressing the cost of living, protecting North Florida’s way of life, and ensuring our communities have the resources and opportunities they need.

First, I will deliver meaningful property tax relief while ensuring our communities have the resources to stay safe and prosperous, keep taxes low, control government spending, and address rising costs for families, homeowners, and small businesses without shifting the burden to rural counties.

Second, I will protect our farmers, ranchers, timberland owners, private property rights, water, and springs. I support smart growth, not out-of-control development, and will oppose projects such as hyper scale data centers or the discharge of Jacksonville’s treated wastewater into our region when they threaten our natural resources and rural communities.

Third, I will fight for better roads, strong public safety funding, and expanded workforce and technical education. That includes securing much-needed wage increases for correctional officers, improving recruitment and retention, and addressing aging correctional facilities that are deteriorating, becoming increasingly costly, and unsafe. Our students should also have access to training in fields such as welding, health care, HVAC, agriculture, and commercial driving so they can find good-paying jobs and build their futures here at home.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

I offer deep local roots, state government experience, budget expertise, and a record of building relationships that deliver results. I am an eighth-generation Floridian, born and raised in this district. I grew up raising livestock, participating in 4-H and FFA, and learning the importance of agriculture, hard work, and personal responsibility. As someone born profoundly deaf and who relies on the use of cochlear implants, I also understand the importance of perseverance and ensuring every person has the opportunity to succeed.

At the University of Florida, I served on the Student Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, helping review a budget of more than $20 million. In state government, I worked with elected officials, law enforcement, firefighters, businesses, and community leaders throughout Florida. I understand how Tallahassee and state agencies operate, how to build the relationships needed to move issues forward, and how to ensure rural communities receive the attention and resources they deserve.

I am also a small-business owner and remain involved with Florida Farm Bureau, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, the Florida Forestry Association, the NRA, and the Macclenny Lions Club. These experiences keep me connected to the taxpayers, property owners, farmers, and working families I would represent. I will be accessible, return calls, listen to every side, and use common sense rather than political talking points. My goal is to combine local values with the experience needed to deliver results from the first day in office.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

I hope to be remembered for giving North Florida a strong, effective voice in Tallahassee and for delivering real results to the people, cities, and counties of this district. I want to deliver meaningful property tax relief, protect our farmers, ranchers, timberland owners, rural communities, water, and springs, and ensure local governments have the resources they need for roads, public safety, and essential services.

I also want to strengthen our economy by supporting small businesses, creating good-paying jobs, expanding workforce and technical education, cutting unnecessary regulation, and keeping Florida fiscally responsible. Government should live within its means, respect taxpayers, and create an environment where families and businesses can succeed.

Most of all, I hope people remember that I stayed accessible, listened to the district, and never forgot where I came from. I want to be known for building relationships, working with people across the state, and using common sense to solve problems. My goal is to leave North Florida stronger, more affordable, and better prepared for the next generation, while protecting the values and way of life that make this part of Florida special.

Campaign website: chaseforfl.com

Campaign social media: Facebook

Marshall Rawson

Occupation: Full Time -- Florida Citrus Grower

Part Time -- Officer in the Florida Guard

Age: 34

Family: Married to Megan

Father to Marion, Reese, Clayton, Georgiana, Hampton

Education: Jacksonville University, BS in History 18′ / University of Florida, Juris Doctor 23′

Political experience: 15-years of conservative advocacy

Regional Director of the Republican Liberty Caucus

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

Overdevelopment -- (1) Stop the state preemption that has accelerated the loss of vital Agricultural and ecologically important areas. (2) Maximum funding for our Rural and Family Protection Program that will protect our food security and give land use balance to the State of Florida (3) An environmental standard that looks to our aquifer to determine if Florida’s carry capacity can continue to take in 1000 plus new residence everyday. We must keep Florida great for all of those who currently here, we cannot afford to make it Hell for everyone who is here. We must use the police powers vested to us in the U.S. Constitution to do so.

Immigration -- Utilize our 287g program to deputize local law enforcement and The Guard to make arrest on illegal immigrants that our here. We don’t need to wait around to see if those who are here illegally will commit a second and even more egregious crime.

Property Tax Reform -- With 1000+ people moving to Florida daily assessed values on real property continue to climb and local government continues to squeeze local residents through greater taxation to pay for it. Floridians need immediate property tax relief.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

I am not financed by Tallahassee interest which means that my allegiance unlike my competition is not stretched a million ways.

I have been an advocate of 15-years on the tough issues which gives me the unmatched experience and the fortitude to advocate.

My Law Degree from the University of Florida gives me insite which gives me a strong edge when it comes to law making and makes me a more effective advocate.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

Defending Life and Liberty

and for reversing what seemed to be the inevitable decline of ole Florida.

Campaign website: www.marshallrawsoncampaign.com

Campaign social media: Facebook

Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to climb above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday. The heat wave and forecast winds could hamper progress against the blaze that has forced 220,000 people from their homes, authorities for the Gironde region around Bordeaux said.

Two firefighters died Wednesday while battling a wildfire in the Rethymno region of Crete, Greece’s fire department said. They were among about 125 firefighters confronting flames fanned by strong winds, with four helicopters and four water-dropping planes deployed.

In neighboring Spain, people are bracing for the fourth heat wave of the summer, with several blazes still burning out of control.

Across France and Spain, roughly 330,000 people have been driven from homes and vacation sites by huge wildfires.

Here's the latest:

Evacuees in Spain worry about wildfire’s economic impact as they return home to destruction

A wildfire now under control near Spain’s capital, Madrid, was one of the worst the area has ever seen, taking a hit to small businesses in villages and towns in the region.

Evacuees have now been allowed to return to their homes and businesses — some of whom are taking in the destruction left by the blaze.

The Monasterio Camping site — which offered tent sites, static caravans and bungalows for visitors — was severely affected by the wildfires.

“Economically, it’s a disaster, especially during this time, as it’s the peak season,” said manager Esteban Carrasco.

In the village of Pelayos de la Presa, the mayor is worried about the impact the fire will have on tourism. The village near the San Juan reservoir offers a green escape about an hour outside the capital.

Mayor Antonio Sin said he hoped authorities would “make a serious plan, based on a careful study of what we need to do, so that first, we restore it to its former state or make it even more beautiful, and second, to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

‘Apocalypse’ on land, and for businesses

The head of the local chamber of commerce in the Bordeaux region says callers who dialed in to telephone helplines have at times cried over the loss of their homes or appealed for support after losing their businesses.

“It’s a physical apocalypse when you see all these sites where there’s nothing left aside from burnt homes and forests, and then there’s the economic apocalypse,” said Patrick Seguin, his voice choking with emotion in a phone interview.

He particularly lamented the ordeal faced by residents of Le Porge, a village where 183 homes were lost: “It was like a village in Ukraine that has been bombed. There’s nothing left.”

Two firefighters die in wildfire on southern Greek island of Crete

Two firefighters have died in a wildfire that broke out Wednesday on the southern Greek island of Crete, the fire department said.

The two were among more than 150 firefighters battling a wildfire in the region of Rethymno in Crete that broke out Wednesday afternoon.

“They fell heroically in the line of duty to protect the lives and property of citizens and the natural environment,” the department said in a written statement.

The flames were being fanned by strong winds in the area, which was hampering firefighting efforts. Four helicopters and four water-dropping planes were also deployed, the fire department said.

Evacuation orders were issued for several areas near the fire.

The circumstances of the two deaths were not immediately clear.

Local media said initial reports indicated that the two were trapped in their vehicle after becoming disoriented by the smoke.

Greece’s coast guard said two coast guard patrol boats and private vessels were on standby should an evacuation by sea become necessary in the Rethymno fire.

Spanish authorities say Madrid region and Ávila wildfires under control, and lift more evacuation orders

By Wednesday afternoon, firefighters had stabilized forest fires burning in the Madrid region and province of Ávila, Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said.

Authorities lifted all evacuation orders in Ávila and in additional villages affected in the Madrid region.

Together, the two fires burned about 700 square kilometers (270 square miles) — an area slightly larger than Chicago.

Despite the positive development, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged caution as much of the country was baking under a fourth heatwave that began Wednesday.

Firefighters continued to battle a large wildfire in Castellón in eastern Spain.

Hottest day this week in France

Extreme heat strips moisture from vegetation and drives down humidity, turning grasses, brush and forest litter into faster-burning fuel.

Météo-France said Wednesday would be the hottest and driest day of the week, with elevated wildfire danger across every region of France. Drought now covers mainland France and Corsica, with soils nearing the record dryness reached in August 2022.

Smoke from the Gironde and Landes fires also pushed particulate pollution higher across both departments, regional air-quality monitors said.

Gironde authorities ordered 4,000 more people out of tourist sites along the Atlantic coast on Tuesday, widening what may be France’s largest peacetime evacuation.

“The situation remains complicated. That’s clear. We’re not out of the woods,” said Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas, who also authorized 60,000 evacuees to return to three Bordeaux suburbs untouched by fire.

The opposing movements — thousands ordered out of coastal resorts as others returned with mobile phones on and emergency bags packed — captured how precarious the situation remains.

Turkish wildfire triggers evacuation

Turkish authorities have evacuated around 200 residents and a state hospital as a preventive measure, as the wildfire in southwest Turkey continues to rage.

Ahmet Aras, the mayor of Mugla province, says strong winds are hampering efforts to bring the fire under control. Earlier, the blaze forced the closure of a highway in the region.

Firefighters were also tackling wildfires in other parts of the country, including in the neighboring province of Antalya where a number of holiday homes were evacuated as a protective step, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

Belgium sends planes, soldiers and firefighters to France to battle blaze

Belgium is deploying military staff and hardware to fight fires in France, the country’s defense minister said on Wednesday.

“Our military personnel have the expertise and resources necessary to support the fight against forest fires and thus help protect human lives, homes, and precious natural areas,” said Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken, who posted videos online of 2 Panther firetrucks being loaded onto an A400M military cargo plane for transport to France.

As the pair of firetrucks take to the sky, a convoy of 9 water trucks with 10,000-liter tanks will drive to support France’s efforts to battle blazes. A total of 29 military personnel will be deployed to France for at least two weeks of round-the-clock rotational duty.

“When a friendly country faces a crisis of this magnitude, we don’t respond with words, but with actions,” Francken said.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said on social media that “in these difficult times, our French neighbors can count on our solidarity.”

UK authorities declare drought in about half of England

Britain’s Environment Agency said on Wednesday that about half of England is now experiencing a drought as the country entered its fourth heat wave of the year.

Parts of central, eastern, and southern England are facing drought conditions, which came on quickly due to a combination of very low rainfall and high temperatures.

“Rivers are running low, farmers are having to harvest crops early, wildfire risk is increasing, and millions of people are living under restrictions on water use,’’ the agency said in a statement.

This is England’s second drought in a row and the third in the past five years as Britain’s climate changes, the agency said.

England has now entered its fourth heat wave of the year. That, combined with July rainfall that has been 1% of normal in southern England, means that water storage is being depleted and there is “no substantial rain on the way,” the agency said.

Wildfire on Greek island sparks evacuations

In Greece, firefighters were tackling several wildfires around the country, with the most serious being one that broke out Tuesday on the Aegean island of Paros.

Authorities urged people to evacuate from around 10 areas on the island – five on Tuesday and another five during the night, in the early hours of Wednesday.

Reinforcements of firefighting teams specialising in forest fires were sent from Athens, and two water-dropping planes and five helicopters were helping nearly 90 firefighters battling the flames on the ground, the fire department said.

Bordeaux winemaker says mega-fire will be bad for business

The Grand Verdus wine chateau near Bordeaux isn’t in the path of the monster fire, but it is bracing for the economic impact.

Edouard le Grix de la Salle, who runs the family business with his brother, is alarmed that France’s interior minister and other government authorities have urged people to avoid the Bordeaux region because of the blaze west of the historic city. August is a peak period for tourism in southwest France.

“It’s incredible that they’ve said such a thing, especially when wine tourism is becoming more and more important,” Grix de la Salle said in an Associated Press interview. “How did they not think about protecting that sector? And the cultural sector too—there’s so much to visit in Bordeaux. There are so many museums, there are châteaux. It’s unbelievable.”

Wildfire shuts down highway in Turkey

A wildfire in southwest Turkey has forced authorities to temporarily shut down a highway from the popular tourist hub of Fethiye to the city of Antalya.

The blaze began in an agricultural area in Mugla province on Wednesday before spreading into a nearby forest area, driven by strong winds.

Five airplanes, 11 helicopters, 40 fire trucks and hundreds of personnel were dispatched to extinguish the fire, the Mugla governor’s office said.

The statement called on motorists to use alternative routes and not to block emergency lanes.

Thousands of evacuees in Spain set to return home as Castellón blaze challenges firefighters

Tens of thousands of evacuees in central Spain were expected to return home starting Wednesday after firefighters made progress with blazes burning in the Madrid region and Ávila.

Authorities began lifting evacuation orders on several towns in the Madrid region late Tuesday, allowing some 20,000 people to return to their homes, along with 14,000 people who had been under shelter-at-home orders, according to Francisco Martín, the Madrid region’s central government representative.

Some villages in Ávila, which was battling the biggest fire in the history of Spain, were also expected to be allowed to go back to their homes. Authorities were expected to provide more details Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, 10,000 people were still under evacuation orders due to a wildfire in Castellón in eastern Spain that authorities said was still not under control.

Spain braces for another heatwave as it battles fires

Spain’s weather agency AEMET is warning that the risk of wildfires remains very high or extreme across much of the country.

Back-to-back heatwaves have suffocated Spain this summer, with temperatures repeatedly exceeding 40 Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

The fresh heatwave was expected to mainly affect the northeast and parts of central Spain, while temperatures were pushing 40 Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in several inland areas in the normally hot, southern Andalusia region.

As heat wave stretches across Europe, UK health officials warn of risks

Temperatures are expected to reach 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit) in eastern England on Wednesday, pushing parts of the country into its fourth heat wave of the year, according to the UK Met Office.

The U.K. Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat-health advisory for London and southeast England, warning of increased risk to older people and the very young that may strain health and social care providers.

Temperatures are expected to drop on Thursday, with forecast highs around 27 degrees C (81 degrees Fahrenheit), the Met Office said.

This spring was the warmest ever recorded in England, and temperatures remained well above normal in June and July, the Met Office said earlier this month. The average mean temperature in England was 2.4 degrees (4.3 degrees Fahrenheit) above average between June 1 and July 15, the agency said.

French firefighters’ battle plan is “we strike quickly and strike hard”

So says Matthieu Jomain, a commander in the massive effort to contain the mega-blaze in southwest France that’s burned through an area four times the size of Paris.

Speaking Wednesday, Jomain said the blaze burning since last week isn’t growing any more but still isn’t beaten. A heat wave that will further dry out already arid forests and scrubland is heightening the risk of flames flaring again. Fire crews are bracing for forecast temperatures above 40 C (104 F).

“More than 2,200 firefighters are still deployed,” he said. “Almost all of France’s firefighters are there. Our European counterparts have come to lend us a hand on the ground and in the air. We have a fleet of over twenty aircraft.”

“The strategy remains the same. We strike quickly and strike hard at any new smoke emissions.”

How to keep the air inside your home clean during wildfires

Wildfire smoke can settle over cities for days — like the recent blanket over parts of the U.S. from burning fires in Canada, which has created hazardous air for millions of people across multiple states.

Health officials advise people to stay indoors — and to take steps to keep the air in your home clean:

1. If you have central air conditioning, it should clean the air in your home. Make sure filters are replaced on schedule and are of the highest level of filtration your system can handle.

2. If you buy a portable air filter, look for a HEPA air filter or one that says it traps small particles of pollution. Ensure it does not generate ozone, another harmful air pollutant.

3. Whether it’s a towel, some tape, or something else — plug areas where air could enter from outside.

4. Exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to shortness of breath, chest tightness, headaches, and a burning sensation in the nose and eyes. If you’re wheezing, can’t catch your breath or are in distress, get to the emergency room immediately.

Survivors face an uncertain future

For the hundreds of thousands of evacuees, the question is the same: What will they find when they’re finally allowed to go home, or to what’s left of it?

With no word on when she’ll be able to return home, Elvira Menéndez will spend her third night on Sunday at the makeshift shelter set up in a sports complex in Villaviciosa de Odón, a 40-minute drive from the home she was forced to leave as the blaze neared.

On Friday afternoon, two major fires near Madrid merged into a single blaze. It later combined with another that was already burning in Ávila, north of the capital. This forced the government to declare a national fire emergency for the first time. Since then, the flames have also spread to Toledo, a province southwest. In all, the flames have scorched 77,000 hectares in the central part of the country alone.

Menéndez’s anguish was shared by Rocío Domínguez, who fled her house with only the clothes on her back. “All the clothes, all the memories, everything, everything, everything,” were left behind, she told The Associated Press.

French wildfire created a monster cloud, unleashing lightning that ignited more fires

France’s wildfire grew so powerful that its smoke column became a thunderstorm, generating lightning that struck the ground and ignited new fires beyond the original blaze, French officials said.

Put another way, that means the inferno was no longer simply being propelled by the weather. It was making its own. The thundercloud also produced violent, erratic winds capable of driving the flames in new directions.

The phenomenon, called a pyrocumulonimbus, or pyroCb, is rare in Europe and more commonly documented in North America and Australia, where it occurs only over some of the most extreme fires. France’s national firefighters federation said it had never before recorded one in the country.

At about 6:20 p.m. Friday, two days after the fire began, the departmental fire and rescue service said it had generated a pyrocumulonimbus. The cloud weakened overnight as humidity rose, then formed several times again.

Repeatedly, heat and smoke have surged upward into a vast black thundercloud, electrified and lit from within.

A 2:47 a.m. alert, a rabbit and 220,000 evacuees as France’s wildfire rages on

Europe is experiencing one of its biggest evacuations since World War II. Among the more than 220,000 people told to flee are Morgane Bonichot, her 9-year-old daughter and their pets.

Her daughter was in the blaze’s epicenter when it ignited last week, staying with an uncle in the midst of the pine forests, scrub and farmland being consumed by an inferno so virulent that it has morphed at times into a self-feeding firestorm, spitting lightning bolts that have sparked yet more flames.

Among the fire’s first evacuees, the daughter came home Friday. But with the flames spreading closer to her mother’s house west of Bordeaux, the daughter began preparing to flee again.

All told, regional authorities have emptied two dozen towns and villages, some ravaged by fire. Others between the blaze and Bordeaux, including Saint-Jean-d’Illac, were evacuated as a precaution by government officials who say their priority is making sure that no lives are lost.

Wildfires are more extreme in Europe and North America, but global burning is oddly decreasing

As wildfires in Europe and North America grow more extreme, key worldwide burning statistics are at a record low largely because Africa and Asia are controlling fire more.

Experts say these seemingly opposite trends are happening at the same time because of what humanity is doing to the planet.

Spain’s wildfire is that country’s largest on record at more than 193 square miles (500 square kilometers), while wildfires in Europe have burned just a bit under 2025’s all-time high. In Canada and the United States this summer, land burned by wildfires is at least 25% higher than the 10-year average and more than double what it was decades ago, according to national wildfire centers.

And yet the world went into July this year with record low global emissions from burning fires, a key measure of their prevalence, the European climate center Copernicus reported. That is because fires in Africa and Asia are way down due to changing agricultural practices, fire management and where people are moving to, said Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at Copernicus.

A heat wave threatens to reignite France’s mega-fire near Bordeaux

Fire crews battled a mega-fire four times the size of Paris in southwest France while facing tinderbox temperatures forecast to climb above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday.

The heat wave and forecast winds could hamper progress against the blaze that has forced 220,000 people from their homes, authorities for the Gironde region around Bordeaux said.

In a Wednesday morning update on the huge firefighting effort, Gironde authorities said the situation overnight had been “calm” and that the blaze hadn’t spread — although it’s still not contained a week after it started.

The onset of heat-wave temperatures and winds heightened the risk of flames flaring again.

On Tuesday, Gironde authorities ordered 4,000 more people evacuated from tourist sites along the Atlantic coast, widening what may be France’s largest peacetime evacuation.

News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote in their own words.

Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES

Earle Ford

Occupation: US Army Infantry (Airborne) - Veteran

Attorney / Former IRS (Estate and Gift Tax Specialist) - Specialized in the examination of complex trusts and estates of high net worth individuals.

Age: 40

Family: Married to my wife of 7 Years.

Have two children 4 & 2.

Education: B.A. - University of Wyoming

J.D. - Barry Law School

Political experience: N/A

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

1. The Property Insurance Affordability Crisis

We cannot have a sustainable state economy if working families and seniors are being priced out of their homes by skyrocketing insurance premiums. The current administration has handed out bailouts to insurance companies while shifting the burden entirely onto homeowners, and that is unacceptable.

The Plan: My office will treat the Department of Financial Services as a genuine consumer protection agency. We will demand absolute transparency in how insurance rates are justified and approved. If an insurance company wants to operate in Florida, they must pay legitimate claims promptly and fairly. We will aggressively investigate executives who profit while shortchanging policyholders, and we will hold carriers accountable to ensure consumers get the protection they actually paid for.

2. Corporate Fraud and Consumer Exploitation

A fair economy requires a level playing field, but right now, the rules only seem to apply to those who can’t afford lobbyists. From predatory lending practices to utility monopolies hiking rates, consumers are left to fend for themselves against massive corporate power.

The Plan: I will bring a zero-tolerance approach to corporate corruption. We will expand and empower our consumer advocacy divisions to aggressively investigate wage theft, financial scams, and predatory practices that disproportionately target our seniors and marginalized communities. By strictly enforcing the law against bad actors, we not only protect vulnerable Floridians but also support the honest, high-road local businesses that play by the rules.

3. Transparency in State Contracting and Investments

Billions of taxpayer dollars flow through Tallahassee, and the public has a right to know exactly where their money is going. Right now, there is too much darkness in state contracting, which invites cronyism and rewards political favors over public benefit.

The Plan: We will open the books. I will implement strict, accessible transparency measures so every Floridian can see how state funds are being allocated. Furthermore, as a steward of the state’s investments, I will ensure we are investing responsibly—prioritizing projects that build real community resilience, such as sustainable infrastructure to combat climate change, rather than using our financial leverage for political theater or to enrich well-connected insiders.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

What sets me apart is the hard-earned expertise to actually execute this vision. You cannot root out systemic corruption if you do not know how the system is manipulated in the first place.

Following the Money: At the IRS, I handled complex financial cases exceeding $500 million. I know exactly how to audit complex entities and structures in order to find how money has moved and how they exploit loopholes. I have the forensic expertise to track the money—meaning when we take on those who try to beat the system, I already know their playbook.

Enforcing Accountability: As an attorney, I do not rely on high-priced consultants to tell me if an insurance rate hike is legally hollow. I dissect the fine print myself to ensure we have the solid legal foundation needed to hold bad actors fully accountable.

Mission-Driven Leadership: My military service instilled a simple ethos: complete the mission and leave no one behind. I bring a soldier’s discipline to protecting everyday Floridians, and I will not back down when the fights against special interests get tough.

As someone who has been in the workforce for the last two decades with real jobs, insulated from what the political arena has become. Any politician can promise to fight for consumers, but as someone who has lived in reality like so many other Floridians, I have the forensic, legal, and experience to deliver for voters.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

My commitment to public service and to the people of this beautiful State

Campaign website: EarleforCFO.com

Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram | X

Annette Taddeo

Occupation: Small Business Owner.

Age: 59

Family: My immediate family includes my husband, Eric, our daughter, Sofia, my mom Elizabeth and our dogs Snow and Mocha.

Education: University of North Alabama - Bachelor’s Degree.

Dartmouth Tuck School of Business - Executive Education.

Political experience: 2017 Florida Senate District 40.

2018 Florida Senate District 40 (Reelected).

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

The three biggest issues in this race are: Affordability, Accountability, and Anti-Corruption.

Affordability: Florida families are being crushed by rising insurance costs and broader affordability challenges. As CFO, I will hold insurance companies accountable, increase oversight, demand transparency in rate-setting and claims practices, and fight to ensure consumers are treated fairly.

Accountability: Floridians deserve an independent watchdog protecting taxpayers, not a rubber stamp for any administration. I will ask tough questions, scrutinize government spending, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and transparently.

Anti-Corruption: Tallahassee’s culture of pay-to-play politics has eroded public trust. I will crack down on political corruption, enforce transparency laws, audit no-bid contracts as required by law, and put Floridians—not political insiders—first.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

I bring a combination of experience and independent leadership that no one else in this race can match. I served for five years on the Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, where I worked on the policies and oversight that shape Florida’s insurance market. I know this job, I understand where the system is failing consumers, and I know what it will take to make it work for Floridians instead of special interests.

Throughout my career, I’ve never been afraid to stand up to my own party or anyone else when it’s the right thing to do. That’s exactly what’s been missing from the Chief Financial Officer’s office. While Floridians struggle with rising insurance costs and affordability challenges, the current CFO has looked the other way as a billion taxpayer dollars have been spent on Alligator Alcatraz, at a cost roughly twenty times higher than most other detention facilities nationwide. Instead of asking tough questions, he’s enabled waste and political spending. Florida doesn’t need another politician who goes along to get along — we need an independent Chief Financial Officer who will fight for affordability, demand accountability, crack down on corruption, and always put Floridians first.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

I hope people remember that I restored the office to what it was always meant to be: an independent watchdog for the people of Florida. If I leave office having helped lower costs for families by holding insurance companies accountable, protected taxpayer dollars through real oversight, and rooted out corruption instead of looking the other way, I’ll consider my job a success. Above all, I want Floridians to know they had a Chief Financial Officer who always put them first.

Campaign website: annettetaddeo.com

Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

Frank Collige

Occupation: Business owner

Public Adjuster

Age: 45

Family: My wife and kids

Education: Doctor of Buisness Administration

Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Masters in Forensic Psychology

Bachelors in Criminal Justice

Political experience: None

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

The top issue is Florida’s insurance crisis. Families are paying some of the highest premiums in the nation, while too many policyholders face delays, denials, or underpayments when they file legitimate claims. As CFO, I will demand greater transparency in rate filings, require meaningful financial audits when insurers seek rate increases, strengthen fraud investigations regardless of who commits the fraud, and put consumers back at the center of the system.

The second issue is government transparency and accountability. Floridians deserve to know how their government spends taxpayer dollars. I will make financial information more accessible to the public, promote real audits instead of politically driven spending reviews, and ensure the Department of Financial Services operates with openness, integrity, and measurable accountability.

The third issue is restoring public trust. Too many Floridians believe the system is influenced by politics and special interests rather than the people it serves. I will lead independently, refuse contributions from the industries I regulate, enforce the law fairly, and make decisions based on facts, evidence, and the best interests of Florida’s citizens. My campaign has always been about one principle: Accountability. Integrity. Florida First.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

Every candidate brings a different background. Mine is built around the work this office actually performs.

I have investigated regulatory violations for the State of Florida, earned a Doctor of Business Administration, built and operated successful businesses, and spent years working directly with Florida policyholders through some of the most difficult times of their lives. Those experiences have given me a practical understanding of financial oversight, regulation, fraud investigations, and the insurance marketplace that cannot be gained solely from serving in elected office.

Because I have worked on the front lines, I understand how decisions made in Tallahassee affect homeowners, business owners, first responders, and taxpayers. I know where regulations work, where they fall short, and where greater transparency and accountability are needed.

When elected, I will bring that practical experience to the Department of Financial Services. My focus will not be on maintaining the status quo, but on solving problems, enforcing the law fairly, and ensuring the Department serves the people of Florida with professionalism, integrity, and transparency.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

I would hope to be remembered for restoring trust in the Department of Financial Services. If, at the end of my service, Floridians believed their government was more transparent, more accountable, and more responsive than when I took office, I would consider that a success.

I want to leave behind a Department that enforces the law fairly, follows the facts wherever they lead, and places the interests of Florida’s citizens above politics and special interests. I hope to be remembered for improving consumer confidence in our insurance system, strengthening financial oversight, combating fraud without fear or favor, and making government information more accessible so Floridians can hold their own government accountable.

Ultimately, I don’t want my legacy to be a headline or a single policy. I want it to be that the Department became an institution Floridians trusted because it consistently operated with integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Campaign website: www.frankforchange.com

Campaign social media: Facebook

Blaise Ingoglia

Occupation: Florida Chief Financial Officer

Age: 55

Family: Wife: Julie Ingoglia

Children: Jade, Madison and Ayden

Dogs: Miesha, Rousey and Georgie

Education: John Adams High School

Brooklyn College

Queens College

Political experience: Florida House of Representatives, 2014-2022

Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, 2015-2019

Florida Senate, 2022-2025

Florida Chief Financial Officer, 2025-Present

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

My priorities are simple:

1) Expose wasteful spending in this state regardless of political party and return that money in the form of property tax cuts.

2) Hold insurance companies accountable when they fail to live up to their contractual obligations while at the same time pushing for reduced rates to lower policy premiums.

3) Be aggressive on behalf of Floridians to make things more affordable and protect consumers through tax relief, lowering insurance premiums and rooting out corruption.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

One Word: Results

Since taking office in July of 2025, I have redefined the role of the CFO. In one year my office has exposed billions of dollars in wasteful spending by both Democrats and Republicans, returned tens of millions of dollars to Floridians and arrested over 1,000 insurance scammers, child predators and criminals who defrauded innocent Floridians. Many people talk—I deliver results.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

First and foremost, I want to be remembered as a staunch advocate for protecting taxpayers and Floridians. Everyone has lobbyists looking out for their own interests in Tallahassee. I will look out for the taxpayers interests. My role is to hold the line and stand with the taxpayers of this state on every issue. I want to people of Florida to know I am their voice against wasteful spending and overtaxation, not only in Tallahassee, but across this state.

Campaign website: blaiseforflorida.com

Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram

RELATED | St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office sergeant arrested, fired after violating protective injunction: SJCSO

The sheriff’s office said its Special Victims Unit (SVU) started investigating Sgt. Michael Clark, 54, on July 23.

According to the report, on July 24, a temporary injunction for protection against dating violence that a woman filed against Clark was granted with the stipulation he would not have contact with the woman.

The following day, Clark, of the corrections division, violated the injunction and was arrested by the SJSO Special Victims Unit, according to the sheriff’s office.

According to the arrest report, around 12:30 that day, Clark allegedly sent a text message that included a photo of his injured arm to the woman. He told investigators he sent the photo by accident.

The injunction specifically states, “Respondent shall have no contact with Petitioner. Respondent shall not directly or indirectly contact Petitioner in person, by mail, e-mail, fax, telephone, through another person, or in any other manner. Further, Respondent shall not contact or have any third-party contact with anyone connected with Petitioner’s employment or school to inquire about Petitioner or to send any messages to Petitioner.”

The SJSO Special Victims Unit took Clark into custody, and he was booked into the SJSO Detention Center before being transferred to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. Clark has since bonded out with GPS monitoring.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office says it fired Clark following the alleged criminal act.

Clark led the reentry and outreach program at the sheriff’s office.

Clark worked to help people incarcerated in the detention center and provided them with the necessary support to successfully transition back into society.

Clark had worked for the sheriff’s office since 2006 and held several positions within the agency.

The sheriff’s office said no further details will be released, citing the sensitive and active nature of the investigation.

News4JAX contacted the alleged victim in the case, and she declined to comment.

We have also tried to reach the attorney for Clark but did not immediately hear back.

Domestic violence resources:

Free, confidential support is available 24/7 through Hubbard House’s Hotline at 904-354-3114 and Text line at 904-210-3698.

If you or someone you know is or has been a victim of domestic violence or abuse, here’s a list of other resources available:

• The Florida Domestic Violence Hotline, which will direct you to the nearest shelter, is 1-800-500-1119.
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline is open 24 hours a day. The number is 1-800-799-SAFE.
• The Micah’s Place (Nassau County) Domestic Violence Help Hotline is 904-225-9979.
• The Quigley House (Clay County) hotline is 904-284-0061.
• The Betty Griffin Center (St. Johns County) can be reached at 904-824-1555.

These were not Syrian militants attempting to breach Israel's border, but religious Jews who had slipped into Syria and were on their way back.

The episode, first reported last week by Israel's public broadcaster and confirmed to The Associated Press by the Israeli military, has helped raise the profile of a fringe group of Israeli settlers that has staged numerous incursions into Syria, where they hope to establish Jewish settlements.

Israel's military has occupied the area in southern Syria for more than a year, but forays by civilian settler groups into the region have only recently became a regular occurrence.

The groups, with members numbering in the dozens, have attempted to cross from Israel to Syria every few days in recent weeks. The military is tasked with reining them in and, while most Israelis regard them as fringe, the wider settlement movement in Israel has strong backers in the country's far-right government.

The most prominent of the groups behind the incursions in Syria is known as “Pioneers of Bashan.”

Pioneers of Bashan are named after a biblical region

Formed early last year, the Pioneers of Bashan are a group of right-wing Israeli activists aiming to establish Jewish settlements inside Syria. They are named after the biblical region of Bashan, which includes part of modern-day Syria and neighboring Jordan.

They have their sights set on an area of southwestern Syria that includes the provinces of Quneitra, Daraa and Sweida.

Part of this area, including the summit of Mount Hermon, is a “buffer zone” Israel declared in December 2024, soon after the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in an insurgent offensive.

The region was known in Scripture for its fertile land and came to be associated with strength and divine providence. In the Bible, the Israelites under Moses conquered the Bashan from the mythical King Og and it was then handed to some of the Israelite tribes.

Members of the group claim a historical right to these lands and argue that their presence there will help Israel defend the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed — a move not recognized by most of the international community.

Some claim that Israeli settlement of the areas would protect members of the Druze religious minority after violence erupted last year between Druze groups and Sunni Bedouin tribes and Syrian government security forces. Hundreds of civilians — mostly Druze — were killed in sectarian revenge attacks.

Amos Azaria, a Pioneers of Bashan leader, said the group aims to establish a “humanitarian corridor” from Israel to the Druze enclave of Sweida by depopulating adjacent Sunni-majority areas.

“The entire Daraa district ... must be cleared of the enemies seeking our destruction and instead be filled with Jewish settlement,” said Azaria, a computer science professor at Ariel University in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Aim to establish a Jewish outpost inside Syria

The group seeks first to establish a Jewish outpost in southern Syria next to the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Outposts, which settlers often call “young settlements,” describe rustic footholds in territory they desire.

Settlers normally establish outposts in the hope that one day Israel's government will legalize them. That's how many Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank — which rights groups say are major drivers of settler violence and displacement of Palestinians — got their start.

So far their incursions into Syria have been brief. The military has removed the activists before they have been able to build anything.

Videos on the group's X account from July 5 show a group of religious teens seated on the ground with their arms linked together, as soldiers try to pry them apart.

A second video shows soldiers shoving several of the activists and zip tying their hands behind their backs.

A video posted by the group in April shows several dozen activists waving Israeli flags and chanting on the roof of a house said to be on the outskirts of the Syrian village of Hader, in Quneitra, as Israeli soldiers look on.

Israeli military says the group compromises its operations

Israel's military says it takes a firm hand with the border-crossers. It has repeatedly condemned the group for diverting troops' attention from military operations and compromising their security. It says it detains civilians caught crossing the border and hands them over to police, saying it “expects law enforcement authorities to bring those involved to justice.”

Israel’s Channel 12 reported last week that no indictments have been filed so far.

The border-crossers say they have cozy relationships with members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Several government ministers have expressed support for their cause, and the group’s social media platforms document meetings it has held with at least two cabinet ministers, Amihai Eliyahu and Shlomo Karhi.

“We have support from friends in the government and many members of the Knesset,” Azaria said.

Syria and Lebanon are more concerned about military occupation

Syrian officials have not commented publicly on the attempts by Israeli settler groups to enter Syria.

The Syrian government has condemned Israel’s occupation of southern Syria and frequently calls for Israeli forces to withdraw and for the international community to intervene. Israeli troops have carried out incursions and raids in areas of Syria outside the buffer zone, sometimes clashing with local residents, who have increasingly attempted to block roads to keep them out.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, a similar movement has staged occasional marches along the Gaza border calling to reestablish settlements in the Gaza Strip. Israel removed its 21 settlements as part of its 2005 withdrawal from Gaza.

In Lebanon, a fringe Israeli settler group — “Uri Tzafon,” or “Awaken, O North” — has staged incursions into the southern part of the country. Like Syrian officials, the Lebanese government has paid little attention to the group, focusing on calling for withdrawal of the Israeli army from southern Lebanon.

Still, some have warned against entirely discounting the settler groups.

Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri wrote on X of the attempts by the Uri Tzafon group to enter the country, “It is true that they are a small and fringe group and they withdrew under orders from the Israeli army.”

But he pointed out that the movement to settle the West Bank began with an embattled band of right-wing religious activists, known as Gush Emunim, “which in its early days was a small group that faced some obstacles and difficulties.”

——

Sewell reported from Beirut. Frankel reported from Jerusalem. AP videojournalist Alon Bernstein contributed to this report from the Golan Heights.

School threats, online posts and social media activity may seem harmless to a teenager, but the legal consequences can be serious.

So, what are a teen’s rights? What are police required to do? And what should a parent do if law enforcement comes knocking?

Teens have the same rights as adults

Local attorney Millicent Daniels joined The Morning Show to break it all down on our latest “Justice 4 All” segment.

“Teenagers, minors, juveniles — they’re afforded the same constitutional protections that we as adults have,” Daniels said. “So that means that they have the right to remain silent. They have the right to have an attorney present.”

Daniels said the most important thing parents can do is educate their children before a situation arises.

“For kids, I think it’s important for parents to understand that we need to educate our kids to let them know that if law enforcement contacts you or wants to talk to you, call me,” she said.

What police are — and aren’t — required to do

Many parents assume that if their teen is about to be arrested, police must call them first. That assumption, Daniels said, could leave a child unprotected.

“Here in Florida, law enforcement only has to notify parents once a child is in custody,” Daniels explained. “Anything before that, they don’t have to actually notify parents.”

That distinction matters, especially in school settings where fights or incidents can draw law enforcement into conversations with student witnesses — without any parental notification.

“They may talk to your teen about what they did or did not see,” Daniels said. “I think that it’s just very important for parents to understand and educate their teens — before you talk to the cops, give me a call, let me know what’s going on, I’ll get there, we can bring in our lawyer, and we can make sure that you’re protected.”

Once a child is taken into custody, Daniels said, officers are required to make all reasonable efforts to notify a parent and must Mirandize the child before any questioning — informing them of their right to remain silent, just as they would with an adult.

Anything said can — and will — be used against them

Just like adults, anything a teen says during the process of being questioned or arrested can be used against them in court.

Daniels said that is especially true in cases involving written threats or social media posts, where law enforcement may show up at a family’s home while parents are at work.

“Inform your kid: do not answer any questions,” Daniels said. “Exercise your right to remain silent. Call your parent, let your parent know what’s going on, and your parent will go ahead and bring in a lawyer to assist.”

She cautioned that many teens — and even parents — make the mistake of trying to appear cooperative in hopes of demonstrating innocence.

“I see situations all the time where teens will even give over evidence,” Daniels said. “It comes back and harms them because they did not have to, but they wanted to make it appear as if they didn’t have anything to hide.”

Daniels added that parents who open the door and allow their children to speak without legal counsel present can inadvertently damage their child’s case.

“Those actions and those statements can come back and harm the child in juvenile court,” she said.

Knowledge is the best protection

Our conversation was not about helping anyone evade accountability — it was about ensuring families know what protections already exist.

It’s about knowing what your rights are.

Daniels agreed, and her advice to parents boils down to one core message: Have the conversation early, have it often, and make sure your child knows to call you — before saying a single word to law enforcement.

ATC Management told broadcaster RTE Hansard's family was “deeply shocked and heartbroken.”

News of his death brought tributes from fellow musicians including Bruce Springsteen, who said on Instagram he was “heartbroken” at the loss of “a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man.”

Irish police said a man in his 50s died in single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Lucan, on the western outskirts of the Irish capital, before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. The man, who they did not name, was treated at the scene but pronounced dead a short time later.

Hansard combined acting and a musical career. He played a member of a Dublin soul band in the hit 1991 movie “The Commitments” and won an Oscar in 2008 for the song “Falling Slowly,” which he co-wrote for the indie musical “Once" with co-star Markéta Irglová.

“Once,” a love story about two struggling musicians, was later adapted for Broadway, again with songs by Hansard and Irglová. It won eight Tony Awards in 2012, including best musical.

Hansard was long-serving front man for rock band The Frames, half of rock duo The Swell Season with Irglová and released solo albums including “Didn’t He Ramble,” which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2016.

Ireland's President Catherine Connolly said he was one of Ireland’s great singer-songwriters.

“Glen was one of the vital driving influences of the Irish music world, bringing people together in the sharing of live music," Connolly said. "He will be sorely missed by all who knew him or experienced his work.”

Actor-comedian Chris O’Dowd said Hansard’s “energizing melodies and soulful, searching voice made the tough times more manageable, the stagnant times more beautiful, and the joyful times even more memorable.”

Hansard started out as a busker on the streets of Dublin. He became famous for leading the Christmas Eve busk outside Dublin's Gaiety Theatre, where members of the public gathered to see famous Irish musicians perform in aid of a homelessness charity.

Former Irish president Michael D. Higgins said Hansard was a “wonderful musician and performer” who also "placed great emphasis throughout his life to the importance of tackling the problems of society."

At the funeral of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan in 2023, Hansard performed a rousing version of The Pogues' song “Fairytale Of New York” with Irish singer Lisa O’Neill that had the congregation dancing in the aisles of the church.

Hansard is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their 3-year-old son, Christy.

___

A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Hansard was awarded an Oscar in 2007. He received the award in 2008.

Celebrini had one year remaining on his three-year, $2.925 million entry-level contract before signing the deal that keeps him locked up with the Sharks through the 2031-32 season.

The $18.8 million average annual value of the deal that Celebrini reached with general manager Mike Grier and owner Hasso Plattner is the richest in NHL history, topping the $18 million a year Leo Carlsson got when Anaheim matched a five-year offer sheet from Philadelphia.

“I couldn’t be happier to sign an extension today,” Celebrini said in a statement. “The faith and support that Mr. Plattner, Mike Grier and the entire staff have shown me throughout the past two seasons is proof that we are building something special here. My teammates and I are ready to take another step toward the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup to this city and its incredible fans. I can’t wait to get going.”

Celebrini, who turned 20 in June, has established himself as one of the game's top young stars since being picked first overall by San Jose in 2024. His 178 points are the fifth most for a teenager and his 70 career goals are seventh best for a player before turning 20.

Celebrini had 45 goals and 70 assists last season, with his 115 points breaking Joe Thornton’s franchise record of 114 set in 2006-07 and trailing Wayne Gretzky (137 in 1979-80) and Sidney Crosby (120 in 2006-07) for the most in a season for a player before turning 20.

He had the 10th most points ever for a player who missed the playoffs, recording a point on 46.2% of San Jose goals for the second-best rate in the league behind Connor McDavid (48/9%) and the best ever for a teenager.

He also was the leading goal scorer in the Olympics, with five goals to help Canada win the silver medal.

“In just two seasons as a teenager in the National Hockey League and on the international stage, Macklin has established himself as one of the premier players in the world,” Grier said. “We are extremely excited to have him secured and committed as the centerpiece of a core of talented players in San Jose."

Despite Celebrini's exploits, the Sharks still missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season. They improved by 34 points for the 10th best single-season jump in the last 30 years but landed four points out of the playoffs.

Celebrini is part of a strong young core in San Jose alongside fellow promising players like Michael Misa, Will Smith, Igor Chernyshov and Sam Dickinson. The Sharks added even more young talent this offseason with three first-round picks headlined by Swedish left winger Ivar Stenberg at No. 2 overall. They also added North Dakota defenseman Keaton Verhoeff at No. 9 and WHL Vancouver play-making defenseman Ryan Lin at No. 21.

Grier also brought in veteran reinforcements at the start of the offseason, trading for defenseman Darnell Nurse and signing defenseman Jacob Trouba and forward Mason Marchment.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Wildfires that have burned an area four times the size of Paris and driven 220,000 people from homes and some of the region's tourist attractions promise to sting France's already squeezed economy.

“It’s a physical apocalypse when you see all these sites where there’s nothing left aside from burnt homes and forests, and then there’s the economic apocalypse,” said Patrick Seguin, president of the regional chamber of commerce, his voice choking with emotion in a phone interview.

It's “going to be a stab in the back for what remains of our economy.”

Le Grix de la Salle is among entrepreneurs bracing for pain. French government appeals for people to avoid the region are causing consternation.

“It’s incredible that they’ve said such a thing, especially when wine tourism is becoming more and more important,” Le Grix de la Salle said.

Bordeaux’s legendary wine has seen consumption plunge as young people turn to other beverages and competition from vineyards abroad has grown. U.S. President Donald Trump ’s tariffs have given winemakers — and much of the global economy — an added hangover.

“The wine business has been in crisis for several years now and it’s worsening with the geopolitical problems, the now widespread problems of inflation and the fact that wine is falling out of fashion among younger people,” Le Grix de la Salle said.

“Tourism was really the only dynamic part of the business that was still growing, both for us and, more generally, for Bordeaux wines,” he said. “And now this comes along as a brake.”

His family's Grand Verdus wine estate is roughly 35 kilometers (20 miles) from the fires that have raged since last week on the other side of the Garonne River that runs through Bordeaux. Bordeaux's Gironde region is mainland France’s largest by area and the fires have hit only a small percentage of it. But the mark on its reputation is sizable.

“How did they not think about protecting that sector? And the cultural sector, too. There’s so much to visit in Bordeaux. There are so many museums, there are châteaux. It’s unbelievable,” Le Grix de la Salle said.

The region in southwest France is replete with vacation spots for tourists lured by soft-sand beaches, winemaking châteaux, some of France's largest pine forests and the historic city of Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The oyster-rich Arcachon Bay draws foodies. But the fire and evacuations have emptied some prime spots.

The chamber of commerce says 39,000 businesses have been affected in the region that's a hub of defense and aerospace industries, including Airbus, Dassault and Thales.

Even before the fires, the chamber of commerce said rising energy costs were squeezing profits. Some 94% of businesses responding to a poll of regional enterprises in mid-July said they face difficulties.

“We’re getting more and more calls from heads of small- and medium-sized businesses, tiny businesses and craft businesses that are calling for help and saying, ‘What am I going to do tomorrow?’” Seguin said.

Two commercial courts in the cities of Bordeaux and Libourne reported a 37% increase in business liquidations from June 2025 to the same month this year, he noted.

Bordeaux Mayor Thomas Cazenave said some restaurateurs told him that reservations have plummeted. He is pushing back against other officials' pleas that people avoid the region. He repeatedly has noted that the city hasn't been evacuated and isn't closed for business.

“The museums are open, the cafes and restaurants are open,” he said. “Life also goes on in our beautiful city.”

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Keaten reported from Lyon, France, and Leicester reported from Paris.

Investors are closely watching the signals.

Gerson Gibbs, the Senior Managing Partner of Belite Capital, joined us on The Morning Show to discuss the Fed’s moves and the impact on average Americans.

If you’re concerned about your health, AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini promise detailed answers in seconds.

One survey found 17% of adults ask AI chatbots health questions at least once a month.

“There are a lot of reasons you might go to a chatbot for answers,” said Kevin Loria, a health reporter for Consumer Reports. “They can be quite good at generating a lot of information, and they’re very comprehensive and easy to understand.”

CONSUMER REPORTS: Can You Trust AI for Health Questions?

But experts say these chatbots AREN’T always reliable. They can make up facts or mix up important details while confidently presenting their answers as correct information.

It’s really hard to know when there are inaccuracies, and these systems do get things wrong. We know that to be true. Fabrications can be hard to detect.

People tend to over-trust AI-generated medical advice, a recent study found. Many respondents couldn’t tell the difference between an AI-generated answer and one from a real doctor.

And there are privacy concerns, too. AI systems are not bound by the same privacy laws as your doctor’s offices. So whatever information you tell a chatbot could be used, sold, or even stolen in a data breach.

Consumer Reports’ advice is to use AI as a starting point for information, not for diagnosis or treatment; keep your sensitive personal health information private, and always verify what you learn using trusted sources such as MedlinePlus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or a recognized medical organization.

And, of course, if you do have questions that are going to affect how you act on your own health, talk to your doctor. Chatbots should never be used in a medical emergency. Always call 9-1-1 for immediate help.

The program offers monthly lease payments starting at $17.99 for iPhone, $11.99 for Apple Watch, $24.99 for Mac and $11.99 for iPad — though those figures represent starting prices and actual costs will vary depending on the device and lease term selected.

It’s available through the Apple Store online, in the Apple Store app and at U.S. Apple Store locations.

“We’re thrilled that Apple Upgrade offers our customers, both online and in-store, a more flexible way to pay for the products they love, said Karen Rasmussen, Apple’s vice president of the Apple Store online.

How Apple Upgrade works

Apple Upgrade offers 12- and 24-month leasing options for iPhone and Apple Watch, and 24- and 36-month leasing options for Mac and iPad. Customers who trade in a current device through Apple Trade In at enrollment may reduce their monthly payments.

Customers apply online or in-store and receive an approval decision from Klarna. The application uses a soft credit inquiry, which the companies say will not impact an applicant’s credit score. Once approved, in-store customers can leave with their device the same day. Online customers can choose delivery or in-store pickup.

Lease details — including billing schedules and remaining payments — are managed through the Klarna app. At the end of a lease term, customers can upgrade to the latest device, purchase the current device outright or return it and exit the program. An AppleCare subscription can be added to the plan.

What happens at the end of a lease

It is worth noting that leasing, by nature, means customers do not own their device during the lease period. Those who opt to return the device at the end of the term will have made payments without retaining ownership — a key distinction from financing or purchasing outright. Customers considering Apple Upgrade may want to compare total lease costs against other payment options before enrolling.

iPhone Upgrade Program to end

The launch of Apple Upgrade also marks the end of two existing Apple programs in the U.S. — the iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments. Customers currently enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program will, when eligible, be able to lease a new device through Apple Upgrade, finance through Apple Card Monthly Installments, purchase a device outright or choose carrier financing.

President Donald Trump is seeking greater control over mail balloting through an executive order while a change to how the agency processes mail is leading to criticism that it's failing to deliver ballots on time.

Democratic officials have raised concerns over the past week about how quickly the Postal Service will process ballots after tens of thousands of them in California and hundreds in Wisconsin arrived at local election offices too late to be counted in elections earlier this year. The top election offices in Kansas and Michigan are urging voters who want to cast their ballots early to avoid the mail and instead drop them off in person.

The Postal Service replied to those concerns by saying it remains “committed to fulfilling our role in the electoral process.”

“We provide a secure, efficient, and effective way for citizens to participate when policymakers decide to use mail as part of their elections,” it said in a statement Tuesday.

Trump's order puts more focus on mail ballots

The Postal Service faced similar questions about mail delivery in 2024, but the scrutiny this year is heightened because of an executive order Trump issued in March that seeks to create a national voter list to guide the Postal Service in deciding who gets a mail ballot.

The order has sparked multiple lawsuits and federal court orders, leading to a case now before the U.S. Supreme Court in which the administration is asking the justices to allow it to impose its restrictions on mail balloting.

Trump has lied for years about voter fraud to try to explain away his loss to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020, and mail balloting is a favorite target, even though he has used the method himself. During a recent stop in Michigan, he falsely characterized mail balloting as “inherently corrupt” and added, “Hopefully there will be no mail-in ballots."

A 2025 report from the research group Brookings identified about four cases of fraud for every 10 million mail ballots cast.

Despite Trump's attacks, the method remains popular with voters of both major parties. In 2024, nearly 30% of U.S. voters cast their ballots by mail, according to federal data. In Michigan, where competitive U.S. House and Senate races could help determine the balance of power in Congress, the state said it has sent out more than 2 million absentee ballots for the state's Aug. 4 primary.

“We want to keep vote by mail. We want to protect it. We want to expand it,” said Jonathan Smith, president of the 200,000-member American Postal Workers Union, which launched a campaign in April promoting it and is opposed to turning the Postal Service into an election administrator. “Why? Because it works.”

Legal battles intensify over Trump's order

The Postal Service proposed a rule in June in line with Trump's executive order that would create a national list of eligible voters, based on databases kept by other federal agencies. Only those on the list would be eligible to receive mail ballots.

Democratic officials in nearly two dozen states filed a federal lawsuit in Massachusetts. A federal judge there blocked Trump's order last month, and an appeals court upheld that ruling, prompting Trump's appeal to the Supreme Court. But the appeals court for the District of Columbia refused Tuesday to block the order in a separate case, calling a legal challenge premature.

Democratic senators and governors have written to the Postal Service urging it to abandon efforts to implement Trump's order.

“Donald Trump has shown he’ll stop at nothing to meddle in our upcoming elections," Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin said in a statement to The Associated Press. "At best, this new push will exacerbate already severe delays for mail-in voters and at worst, it will stop eligible Americans from casting their ballots.”

In a letter to Democratic senators earlier this month, the heads of the Postal Service said they were abiding by the court rulings that had halted the executive order. But Smith, of the postal workers union, told the AP on Tuesday that USPS information technology staffers who are union members are working on a planned portal for the list of eligible voters “behind the scenes.”

The Postal Service declined to respond to Smith's statements and said it could not comment about whether it's moving forward with work related to Trump's order because of the litigation.

The postal workers' union opposes the plan for a portal, a national list of eligible voters and using that list to determine who can receive a mail ballot. Smith said it shouldn't be postal workers' responsibility “to decide who can vote and who can’t vote.”

A plan to consolidate mail processing centers upsets officials

The Postal Service has been under financial stress for years and has been consolidating mail processing into fewer regional centers. Mail travels an average of 139 miles (224 kilometers) to reach one and sometimes 500 miles (805 kilometers), according to a recent Brookings report.

In January, a group of mostly Democratic senators said it was concerned about a decision to end twice-daily mail dispatches from local post offices to regional processing centers. The result is that mail arriving after the only daily dispatch would go out the next day.

California officials said the change was a factor in the state rejecting more than 148,000 ballots from its June primary, with 63% of them arriving too late despite a seven-day grace period. Officials worried that some ballots were postmarked at processing facilities the day after they were dropped off at a post office, possibly invalidating them. Wisconsin officials also said hundreds of ballots from an election in April arrived late.

The Postal Service said postmarks generally are being applied with automated equipment at processing centers, “in the same manner and to the same extent as before.” It said someone who wants to make sure their ballot envelope gets a timely postmark can get a free one applied by a postal worker.

A report on the 2024 election by the USPS Office of Inspector General said the Postal Service handled more than 59 million pieces of ballot mail from Sept. 1 to Nov. 15 that year and that 97.3% arrived on time.

Some state election officials advise voters to avoid the mail

The Michigan secretary of state’s office is advising voters to hand-deliver ballots to their local clerk’s office or a drop box.

“We’ve seen these issues over a number of election cycles now — they’re always concerning, and that’s why we’ve put out that guidance,” said Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie.

The Postal Service said its Michigan centers are not seeing processing delays.

In Kansas, concerns about late ballot deliveries in the state's 2024 primary election prompted a quip on the social platform X from Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican: “The Pony Express is more efficient at this point.” Asked his view now, spokesperson Whitney Tempel said Schwab still believes “keeping your ballot out of the hands of the federal government is best.”

Jamie Shew, a Democrat elected to oversee elections in Douglas County, home to the main University of Kansas campus, said his office is trying to change voters' perceptions.

“I think voters are used to, you can drop it off on Friday and we’re going to receive it by Election Day," Shew said Tuesday. “That’s just not the reality.”

California's state budget includes $10 million for social media campaigns and other efforts to discourage last-minute ballot mailings.

And the Postal Service said it hasn't changed its own longstanding advice for voters: They should get their ballots in the mail at least a week before their state's deadline for receiving them.

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Associated Press writers Scott Bauer in Madison, Wis., Michael R. Blood in Los Angeles, Michael Casey in Boston, and Jacqueline GaNun in Lansing, Mich., contributed to this report.

The San Jose Neighborhood Association brought five specific conditions to a recent planning commission meeting tied to a proposed rezoning of the shuttered school’s site. The commission moved forward with the rezoning without adding any of the conditions neighbors requested.

“Those five items were met with resistance that was not favorable to the respect of our neighborhood and our community,” said Chrissy Kinne, government affairs officer for the San Jose Neighborhood Association.

Our news partners at The Jacksonville Daily Record reported that the Planning Commission moved forward with a proposed 110-unit development on the site. Duval County Schools is in the process of selling the property to Dream Finders Homes. Kings Trail Elementary closed last year.

What neighbors are asking for

The association’s five conditions include:

• Routing the development’s entrance and exit to Powers Avenue rather than Old Kings Road
• Height restrictions on smaller lots within the development
• An adequate buffer between the existing neighborhood and the new construction
• Written language in the planned unit development (PUD) description confirming the community will be a 55-and-up senior development
• Preservation of 1.44 acres of wetlands on the property

A neighborhood already feeling the pressure

Grady Pope moved to the Old San Jose area from Mandarin about five years ago — specifically because Mandarin had gotten too crowded. He says the same pattern is now playing out in his new neighborhood.

“You’re seeing a massive amount of building, you know, residential homes, town homes, condominiums, single-family homes everywhere. And we’ve experienced that on each end of Old Kings Road,” Pope said.

Pope says residents deserve to be part of the conversation.

“There’s 1,100 neighbors here that are involved in this decision that they’re going to be making,” he said.

Neighbors say they are pushing for a seat at the table as the rezoning process moves forward, and are hopeful the developer will take their concerns seriously.

“We’re just really hopeful that in the end, the things that we’re putting forward for the builder that eventually buys this property will come through with considerations for us that are meaningful,” Pope said.

Responses from officials

News4Jax reached out to Duval County Schools, Councilman Joe Carlucci, and attorneys involved in the rezoning.

Councilman Carlucci, who represents the area, responded Tuesday.

Due to this being a quasi-judicial zoning, I am very limited in what comments I can make. However, I have encouraged the applicant to reach out to the community members and find middle ground wherever possible!

Councilman Joe Carlucci

This story will be updated when the remaining responses become available.

Experts say these seemingly opposite trends are happening at the same time because of what humanity is doing to the planet.

“It does seem like a paradox because we’re talking increases in fires, yet the global numbers have been going down and down. But they’re both true,” said fire scientist Mike Flannigan of Thompson Rivers University in Canada.

Spain's wildfire is that country's largest on record at more than 193 square miles (500 square kilometers) while wildfires in Europe have burned just a bit under 2025's all-time high. In Canada and the United States this summer, land burned by wildfires is at least 25% higher than the 10-year average and more than double what it was decades ago, according to national wildfire centers. Entire chunks of the continent were choked by smoke, causing unhealthy air quality.

Fires are worsening in terms of size, intensity, speed and frequency, especially in the U.S., Canada and Europe, said University of Colorado fire scientist Jennifer Balch.

“Extreme wildfires are on the rise globally in different parts of the world. And that’s the piece that you know has us shaking in our boots,'' Balch said.

Fires decrease in Africa, Asia

And yet the world went into July this year with record low global emissions from burning fires, a key measure of their prevalence, the European climate center Copernicus reported. That is because fires in Africa and Asia are way down due to changing agricultural practices, fire management and where people are moving to, said Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at Copernicus. Copernicus calculated that this year's carbon emissions from burning are the lowest since satellites first measured nearly 25 years ago — about half what they were in the early 2000s.

“Africa dominates the global fire activity,” said UCLA water and fire scientist Park Williams. “So if there’s a trend in Africa, then that’s going to be the trend in the global fire activity. In sub-Saharan Africa, fire activity over the last 25 years has gone down pretty dramatically.”

On average, more than three-quarters of the global emissions from the burning of plant material comes from Africa and Asia, Copernicus statistics show. Less than one-eighth comes from North America and Europe.

Traditionally, huge grassland fires on the African savanna burned each year, compared to more intermittent forest fires in other regions, influencing worldwide fire totals, said John Abatzaglou, a fire scientist at the University of California Merced. But with more land being used for housing and farming, humans are limiting savanna fires, while also creating barriers to prevent fires from spreading, he said.

In Asia and the Amazon fires are often used to clear land for agriculture, experts said. So, Williams said, “it really is all driven by human demographic change.”

Human fingerprints on North American and European fire trends

In North America and Europe there are also “human fingerprints” on the more extreme fires dominating the news, but that is from climate change Abatzaglou said. Climate change from the burning of coal, oil and gas is making it hotter and drier — ideal fire weather — five different experts told The Associated Press.

Hotter temperatures mean humans “have our foot on the gas pedal” for bigger fires, “but we also have lost the brakes on fire” because warmer and drier nights don't give forests — or firefighters — time to recover during darkness like they used to, Balch said.

When it gets hotter, the atmosphere sucks more moisture out of the ground, making it drier and easier to burn, Flannigan said. Climate change also increases the length of the burning season across North America and especially in northern forests where there used to be only a few days when the weather was conducive to wildfires, but now there are a lot more, he said.

And when climate change makes fire more extreme in places with larger populations, it tends to have a greater impact by burning more valuable property, Flannigan said.

Abatzaglou said that North America has long done a good job of fire suppression. But with climate change making fires more intense and frequent, “we're losing our ability to do that,” he said.

El Nino will add to fires

Fire activity is likely to get worse in the coming months because of the developing super strong El Nino. The weather pattern usually triggers more dangerous fires in the tropics, less so in the United States because of more rain, experts said. South American governments are already getting prepared.

“The most predictable outcome of El Nino is going to be more tropical fire, specifically tropical forests,” Williams said.

Williams said El Nino could increase fires in the Amazon region, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific.

While El Nino means more rain and fewer forest fires in the U.S. West, it can also mean more grass growth in deserts that adds fuel for eventual grass fires, Abatzaglou said. Examples of devastating grass fires include Los Angeles in 2025 and Hawaii in 2023.

Regardless of El Nino, scientists said areas in North America and Europe will have to improve planning and adaptation for worsening wildfires, including prescribed burns to thin excess trees and grasses.

“It’s not a question of whether our landscapes are going to burn, it’s the question of when they’re going to burn,” Balch said.

___

The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

For fans, it’s one of the first chances to get up close with the team as it looks to build on last season’s AFC South title and 13-win campaign.

What to expect at camp

Fans attending Wednesday’s session can look forward to autograph signings, photo opportunities, and on-site concessions. Gates open at 7:45 a.m., with the event kicking off at 8:30 a.m.

RELATED | Training camp primer: All you need to know as season ramps up for Jaguars

Training camp runs July 29 through Aug. 26, featuring a total of 10 open practices — each with its own theme.

From Women’s Day to Military Appreciation Day, the Jaguars have built a schedule designed to engage a wide range of fans and give them the chance to see some of the team’s biggest stars in action.

A team on the rise

The Jaguars are riding a wave of momentum heading into the 2026 season.

Coming off a 13-win regular season, an AFC South title and a playoff appearance, expectations are high as the team looks to prove it can compete with the AFC’s elite — including the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens.

The energy and excitement surrounding this year’s camp reflect just how far the organization has come in recent years.

For many fans, Wednesday is more than just a practice — it’s a statement about where this franchise is headed.

Tickets and more information can be found at 2026 Training Camp | Jacksonville Jaguars Account Manager

Stefanski described the injury as a “flare-up” and said he doesn’t anticipate a long absence from the former Dolphins quarterback. He said Tagovailoa will be present at training camp but not yet participating.

The first-year Falcons coach kept the details of Tagovailoa’s injury secret, saying that one of the perks of training camp is not having to divulge every detail.

ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported Wednesday that Tagovailoa is dealing with a tight back.

The Falcons swapped one veteran quarterback for another as a result, releasing veteran Trevor Siemian and adding Cooper Rush. Heading into his ninth year in the league, Rush has appeared in 42 career games and thrown for 3,766 yards, 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Rush was out throwing alongside Michael Penix Jr. and undrafted rookie Jack Strand at the Falcons' first day of training camp on Wednesday morning.

Rush and Strand are expected to split snaps during 11-on-11s. Penix, who started nine games for Atlanta in 2026 before a season-ending ACL tear, will compete in individual and 7-on-7 drills.

Stefanski is encouraged by Penix's recovery, though he doesn't have an exact timetable for the quarterback's return to 11-on-11 drills.

“I don't know the exact date on when that would happen," Stefanski said. "All along, as you guys can imagine, we have put total trust into Mike, the medical team and the doctor who performed his surgery. So I'm very, very comfortable with where we are and the plan that we have.”

Penix had a slightly more definitive timeline, revealing that four weeks was the most recent benchmark he was given. While recovering from his third ACL tear, the third-year quarterback said he's eager to get back, but he's not taking the process lightly.

“Just trusting the process,” Penix said. “It's more seeing how my body is feeling with these practices. I was told like another four weeks, possibly, going into that next stage. At the same time, it could be earlier."

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

“You never want to let go of a player, especially somebody that you’ve been around for a while here and you drafted," Campbell said. “It’s unfortunate, but we made the move we thought was best for us.”

The Lions cut ties with Arnold last month, shortly after a Florida judge set Arnold's bail at $1 million on eight felony charges stemming from allegations he orchestrated the abduction and beating of three men.

A month after the 2025 season ended for the Lions, prosecutors in Florida say Arnold arranged for the men to be pistol-whipped after he wrongly suspected them of stealing $100,000 in cash and luxury goods from him.

In March, Campbell said the team believed Arnold was not involved in the alleged crime based on the information they had at that time.

“I feel like we’re going to be good here,” Campbell told reporters at the NFL's annual league meeting. “I’m going to trust what the kid said.”

Harvey Steinberg, an attorney for the 23-year-old Arnold, argued in court that prosecutors were “not even close” to showing that Arnold knew or directed what his associates would do.

Lions cornerback D.J. Reed said he is still supportive of his former teammate.

“He's a great human being, one of the better men, better teammates that I’ve met in the league,” said Reed, who is entering his ninth NFL season. “It’s an unfortunate situation, but he’s a great dude. A great human being. His energy is always positive. I reached out to him. He’s doing good.”

Detroit drafted Arnold with the No. 24 pick in 2024, when the NFL draft was held in the Motor City and the former Alabama star sported a big smile and a light salmon silk suit. He had two years left on his four-year rookie contract with the Lions.

Arnold had an uneven rookie season, making 15 starts without an interception. He picked off one pass last season while he was limited to eight games because of a concussion and shoulder injury.

Before the Lions released Arnold, the judge did not require him to wear an ankle monitor because it would have prevented him from taking the field for games and training.

The Lions, coming off a season that fell short of expectations, appeared to be preparing to potentially play without Arnold during offseason workouts because he was not on the field with the No. 1 defense.

Campbell insisted he is confident in the caliber of players the team has at cornerback.

Reed and Rock Ya-Sin are projected as starters while Roger McCreary will compete for playing time. The team is also hopeful Ennis Rakestraw can contribute after missing last season because of shoulder surgery and being limited to eight games as a rookie with hamstring and ankle injuries.

“We feel pretty good in that room with the competition between veterans and young guys,” Campbell said.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Come out and show your support for the incredible Top 3 Finalists as they compete one last time for the Jax Idol crown!

Paul Jackson / Carla Mendoza / Jonah Mcintire

These talented artists have worked hard all season, and they would love to have a packed house cheering them on. Your votes, energy, and support can make all the difference!Don’t miss an unforgettable night of amazing performances, celebration, and the crowning of our Season 18 champion.

Saturday, August 1st

Doors open at 4:15 pm, showtime at 5 pm

Jax Restaurant & Grill

FB: Jax Idol / IG: Jax_Idol

The trend is raising questions about what factors are making some crashes more severe and what drivers can do to help prevent deadly outcomes.

So far this year, 108 people have died on Duval County roads, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. That number is slightly higher than this time last year.

At the same time, overall crashes are down by about 1,000 compared to this point last year.

JSO spokesperson Officer Christian Hancock told News4JAX reporter Briana Brownlee and photojournalist Jesse Hanson that the fatal crashes investigators are seeing are not always happening in the areas where crashes happen most often.

“They don’t occur in your typical high-frequency crash areas, because those areas are -- when it’s very trafficky during early morning commutes or late afternoon commutes are when those high-frequency crash areas are more pronounced,” Hancock said. “These traffic homicides are not typically those types of crashes. They happen out in the outskirts and longer stretches, higher speeds, of course.”

Hancock added the time of year can also affect driving patterns. He says during the summer, when school is out, there are generally fewer vehicles on the road. While that can mean fewer crashes overall,

“Less vehicles on the road typically means fewer crashes,” Hancock said. “Unfortunately, on the other hand, less vehicles on the road sometimes equals higher speeds because there’s less traffic.”

JSO says another factor investigators continue to see in fatal crashes is impairment. Hancock said many of the traffic fatalities the agency investigates involve alcohol or drug use.

While investigators continue looking at crash patterns, JSO says it is also working to prevent dangerous driving.

The agency has more than 100 officers dedicated to traffic enforcement efforts across Jacksonville, including officers with the Traffic Unit, Motor Unit and DUI Unit.

Hancock says those officers work crashes, citations and enforcement efforts with the goal of slowing drivers down and reducing crashes on Jacksonville roads. But investigators say drivers also play a major role in preventing deadly crashes.

“We want them to be patient, right? We want them to leave early, give themselves a little more time,” Hancock said. “We want them to drive responsibly, meaning keep the cell phones down.”

JSO is reminding drivers to slow down, stay focused, buckle up and never drive impaired.

The Women's Pro Baseball League is also part of a timeline that goes back to the very beginning of the sport.

“Women have always been part of this game,” said Kat Williams, the chief executive officer of the International Women’s Baseball Center. “We’ve always played, we’ve always umpired, we’ve always coached. And in some of the earliest references in the 17th century, the earliest references to something like a game of baseball, it was women that were playing it.”

Next up is the WPBL, which plays its first game Saturday. The league has four teams — New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco — for its first year, but the 15 regular-season games for each club and the playoffs will be held at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. The ballpark has a seating capacity of 5,200, and Springfield hosted one of the earliest paid women’s games when the Blondes faced the Brunettes on Sept. 11, 1875.

Kelsie Whitmore, Mo’ne Davis and Ayami Sato are among the marquee names expected to play in the league’s first season. Each team will have 15 active players for the seven-inning games.

“It’s amazing. It’s one of those kind of things that we always hoped would happen, but wasn’t sure that we would see it happen anytime soon,” said Leslie Heaphy, the president of the IWBC and the chair of the women in baseball committee for the Society for American Baseball Research. “And it’s fitting, it's needed, and yeah, it's exciting.”

Women's baseball had a breakthrough moment during World War II

While women have been connected to baseball since the beginning of the game, the first professional women's league was the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Immortalized in the film “A League of Their Own,” it ran from 1943-54.

The AAGPBL began during World War II as a softball league before converting to baseball. Jean Faut, Doris Sams and Dottie Kamenshek were among the league's best players. Maybelle Blair, who pitched in the AAGPBL in 1948, is on the WPBL's advisory board.

“It was never intended to last past 1945 when it first started, but the fact that it lasts through 1954 tells you something about the importance, I think,” said Heaphy, an associate professor at Kent State-Stark.

“It tells you about the determination of those involved, and I think it tells you a lot about the interest of the fans.”

Hollywood spurred renewed interest in women's baseball

After the AAGPBL ceased operations, it would be another 40 years — in the wake of the box office success for “A League of Their Own” — before interest in professional women’s baseball resurfaced.

From 1994-97, Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro managed an all-female pro team, the Colorado Silver Bullets, that barnstormed the country facing men’s amateur and semi-pro teams. The Ladies Professional Baseball League played in 1997 and part of 1998 before folding. It was based in the southwestern United States before expanding to New York and New Jersey. Former big league sluggers Bobby Bonds and George Foster were involved in another short-lived league in the mid-1990s in Florida.

The Women’s Baseball World Cup launched in 2004 and will be played for the 11th time in 2027. Japan has won the last eight World Cups after finishing runner-up to the U.S. in the first two.

The AAGPBL and WPBL share a focus on marketing, albeit for different eras

Skirts were part of the uniform for AAGPBL players, and they were required to attend charm school. There was an emphasis on femininity and “ladylike” behavior, according to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The WPBL is all over social media, detailing the background of its players while looking to sell tickets and merchandise.

“We know this was true in the ‘40s and ’50s, that people tended then to follow the team because of the place, and then the players. Now they follow players, right? That’s what people do,” Heaphy said.

“So I think that issue of raising awareness, both leagues recognize that.”

Arthur Meyerhoff, a Chicago advertising executive, played a prominent role in the creation and operation of the AAGPBL.

“He was a marketing guy, and he knew that had to happen,” said Williams, a professor emeritus at Marshall University who is part of a WPBL advisory board with Heaphy. “He knew that there has to be an image, right?

"I mean, that’s typical of any kind of new endeavor. You have to put forth an image. And the image I hope people are seeing with the WPBL is that these are athletes. These are good athletes. They’re strong women. They’re talented and smart. And I think that’s the message.”

One of the biggest legacies of the AAGPBL is connected to what the women accomplished after their playing careers. Several of the women went to graduate school and earned advanced degrees. They took on prominent jobs while crediting the league for opening their eyes as to what was possible.

“The impact, the economic impact on those players and their families, they became doctors and lawyers and airplane pilots and teachers and you know things that they would (have) never had an opportunity to do,” Williams said.

___

AP Sports: https://apnews.com/sports

The assistant public defender assigned to Christian Barrios’ case filed a motion to withdraw, citing a conflict of interest.

The motion did not indicate what the conflict was, but said that the issue had been reviewed by the public defender’s office, which approved the attorney’s request to withdraw.

A judge granted the motion, and Barrios has since been assigned a new attorney from the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel for the Fifth District.

That attorney appeared with him in court Wednesday and asked for more time to look over the case.

The judge rescheduled Barrios’ arraignment for Aug. 31. He still has not entered a plea.

The State Attorney’s Office plans to seek the death penalty for Barrios, who is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Melissa Wood and Jason Chatham on March 14.

According to his arrest warrant, Barrios’ mother drove him to the site of the shooting and told deputies that she heard the moment that gunshots rang off.

Investigators say he called his mother and asked for a ride to the location where he believed his girlfriend, Melissa Wood, and her alleged boyfriend, Jason Chatham, could be found.

The mother told St. Johns County deputies that Barrios rode in the back of her car and “frantically jumped out” upon seeing his girlfriend’s vehicle.

The arrest warrant states that a few seconds later, the mother told deputies that she heard multiple gunshots coming from the direction of Melissa’s car, which prompted her to call 911 and meet with detectives.

During their investigation, deputies said they found an empty handgun holster in the back of the mother’s vehicle. The mother told deputies that the holster did not belong to her.

Previous reports from SJSO, which were redacted, stated that Barrios went to the Walgreens along A1A to confront his girlfriend and a man he believed she was in a relationship with.

Following the incident, Barrios contacted a witness who was his friend, while that person was speaking with law enforcement, the report said.

The arrest documents go on to say that Barrios appeared to be concerned with the well-being of the victims; however, he did not make any admissions.

Barrios also reportedly told the witness that if he met with law enforcement, “they would likely kill him, and he did not want to go back to prison.”

The warrant further detailed how Barrios allegedly stole a BMW and attempted to evade law enforcement before being caught in Nassau County.

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Hurricane season officially began on June 1st, and Northeast Florida residents are already checking off their storm prep lists. While food, water, and flashlights are usually top of mind, your home’s exterior defenses need just as much attention—starting with your fence line.

A high-wind storm can easily turn loose fence panels into dangerous airborne projectiles or leave your yard entirely exposed. To help homeowners protect their property before the winds pick up, Joe with Superior Fence and Rail shared three essential tips to ensure your perimeter is ready for whatever the season brings:

• Check for Loose Boards and Posts: Walk your fence line now while the weather is clear. Look for any leaning posts, loose boards, or rusted hardware. Take the time to secure and reinforce those weak spots immediately; a single loose panel gives the wind a foothold to tear down an entire section of your fence.
• Block Your Gate Closed: Gates are often the most vulnerable part of a fence during a storm because they are designed to move. To prevent a gate from swinging violently and tearing off its hinges, you can drive a sturdy metal pipe or stake deep into the ground on both sides of the gate to lock it firmly in place.
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Don’t wait until a tropical system is spinning in the Atlantic to think about your backyard’s security. Taking a few proactive steps today can save you thousands of dollars in property damage tomorrow.

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The 5th Congressional District was redrawn by the state in 2022 and covers Duval County south and east of the St. Johns River and northern St. Johns County. The state’s 2026 congressional redistricting did not affect District 5.

News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.

Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically by party and are published exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES

Rachel Grage

Occupation: Biomedical Engineer

Age: 55

Family: My family reflects a deep commitment to service, learning, and creativity. I’m married to a physician who previously served as a medical officer in the U.S. Army, grounding their household in both medical expertise and military experience. Together we have four children whose paths span science, innovation, and global engagement: two are currently in medical school, one works as an Imagineer at Walt Disney World, and one is teaching English in Poland as a Fulbright recipient. Our family story highlights a shared dedication to education, curiosity, and contributing meaningfully to the world.

Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, with a minor in dance, from Tulane University.

Political experience: I served as an elected president of my homeowner’s association and spent years researching, tracking, advocating and communicating about legislation impacting the lives of Florida families.

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

I am deeply passionate about tackling the issues that impact our daily lives—starting with affordable housing and skyrocketing insurance costs, which are placing an immense burden on Florida families.

Public education is also a top priority for me. As a state, we rank near the bottom nationally in education funding, and our teachers and students deserve far better. I’m committed to increasing funding for our schools, raising teacher pay, and ensuring that every child in Florida has access to a world-class education.

Economic development that lifts everyone is key to building a prosperous future. We need to create opportunities for small businesses to thrive, while also fighting for equality and justice across all sectors of government.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

What sets me apart is that I’m not approaching this race as a career politician or someone beholden to party insiders — I’m bringing a grassroots, community‑driven perspective shaped by real experience in the issues North Florida families face every day. I’ve spent years listening to parents, teachers, healthcare workers, small‑business owners, and military families, and I understand how disconnected Washington has become from the practical realities of people’s lives. Because I’m not tied to the political establishment, I can focus on common‑sense solutions instead of culture‑war distractions, and I can work across differences to get things done. My background in STEM, my work in community advocacy, and my family’s deep ties to medicine, military service, education, and innovation give me a broad, real‑world understanding of the challenges facing this district. I’m running to bring compassion, problem‑solving, and independence back to Congress — and that’s something voters won’t get from the usual political voices.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

I want to be remembered for restoring something North Florida families haven’t felt in a long time: trust that their government is working for them again. My hope is that when people look back on my time in Congress, they’ll see real progress on the issues that shape their daily lives—lower healthcare and insurance costs, stronger protections for Medicare and Social Security, and a government that is finally transparent and accountable to the people instead of big-money interests.

Campaign website: rachelgrage.com

Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram

Alex Hazen

Occupation: Principal Software Developer for Healthcare Education Simulations (Video Games for BSN nursing students)

Age: 29

Family: I am engaged to Haley, a fourth-generation Jacksonville native, and we plan to start a family here in Jacksonville.

I have one brother who is an ice skating coach and retired parents who live in Wilmington, Delaware.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development from Rochester Institute of Technology

Political experience: I haven’t held elected office, but I’m not new to politics or the political scene. A number of years ago I served as a co-president of an LGBTQIA+ advocacy group.

Within this congressional race we’ve had major successes politically. I testified before the Florida House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting, the campaign qualified for the ballot by collecting 2,890 valid petitions (the most in our race), and earned the most endorsements of any other candidate. We know how to organize, show up, and how to create a strong platform that people can get behind.

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

Affordability: Everyday Floridians can’t keep up with rising costs. I support expanding affordable healthcare access, including lowering the Medicare eligibility age. We deserve affordable healthcare for all. I’ll fight for smart infill housing development that doesn’t fuel Florida’s overdevelopment crisis. And I’ll push for real homeowner’s and auto insurance reform, because families in Florida pay for some of the highest premiums in the country while insurers keep raising rates and denying claims.

Institutional Reform: Our government no longer represents the people it serves. I support uncapping the House of Representatives so districts reflect actual population growth, term limits to end career politicians, and Supreme Court reforms including term limits for justices and stronger ethics enforcement. I’ll fight to get corporate dark money out of politics and rebuild a government that’s accountable to the people, not donors.

Tech Regulation: AI and social media are reshaping our society without real oversight. We need more people who understand technology in Congress. I support stronger worker protections so AI is used as a tool, not a replacement for people. I’ll push for common sense federal reforms banning social media’s addictive, deceptive design practices. And I support real oversight of hyperscale AI data centers straining Florida’s electrical grid and water, including usage disclosure and community input before they’re built.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

I’m a young professional trying to start a family here in this community. My fiancé is a 4th generation Jacksonville native and we plan to start a family together here. We want to raise a 5th generation Jacksonvillian but everyday costs are making that dream, that reality, difficult.

Inflated costs of groceries, housing prices, and medicare costs: they all directly impact us. The issues that everyday Americans face aren’t theoretical. These issues are impacting me and the future I wish to build. I am the only candidate that works, that rents, and that understands the struggles that everyday people are going through.

I also understand technology. I work as a Simulation Developer. Knowledge of technology is important because emerging technology needs regulation (AI, social media, data protections, and flock cameras). We need young people who understand technology in congress.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

The biggest issues I want to tackle for everyday people are common-sense tech regulation and healthcare reform.

For my legislative legacy, I want to be known as a main cosponsor or author of laws that make technology work for people, not against them. I also want to be remembered for proving that being young doesn’t mean you can’t make a real impact in your community and in the institutions that shape it.

Winning this race and serving in office would mean I’d be remembered not just as someone who helped flip a Republican seat, but as someone who brought real, meaningful change to people’s lives here in Northeast Florida through policy.

Campaign website: www.alexhazen.com

Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | TikTok | YouTube

Mark Heggestad

Occupation: I recently worked at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville as an IT project manager supporting rare disease research and clinical operations. In addition to my professional career, I have been a football official for more than forty years, working high school and college games as well as practices and training camps for the local professional team. Officiating has been a long-standing part of my life, and I’ve remained active in the sport through training, mentoring, and game administration.

Age: 61

Family: We live in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville with my wife, Darlene. Our family includes my stepson Michael, my stepdaughter Brianna, and my son Matthew, and we’ve built a close-knit household rooted in the community. I was born and raised in Dawson, Minnesota, where my early years shaped my work ethic and sense of responsibility. About ten years ago, we moved to Jacksonville, and our family has made Northeast Florida our home ever since, becoming deeply connected to the neighborhoods, church, and community life here.

Education: I hold two undergraduate degrees, one in Management Information Systems and one in Business Management. I am also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a certified Scrum Master, credentials that support my work in technology, operations, and team leadership.

Political experience: My professional experience includes many years as an IT project manager, where I’ve led complex initiatives, coordinated multidisciplinary teams, and worked within structured processes that require planning, accountability, and clear communication. I have also spent more than forty years as a football official, working high school and college games as well as practices and training camps for the local professional team. Officiating has required consistent rule interpretation, impartial decision‑making, conflict management, and maintaining order in fast‑moving situations.Together, these experiences have given me a strong foundation in process discipline, fairness, collaboration, and working within established systems — qualities that translate well to public service and the responsibilities of political office.

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

Affordability

Affordability is a major concern for families across Northeast Florida and the country. Many people are working full‑time yet still struggle to cover basic expenses such as housing, utilities, food, transportation, and insurance. One part of this challenge is that wages have not kept pace with rising costs. Raising the minimum wage would help strengthen purchasing power so workers can reliably afford monthly essentials and have the ability to save. At the same time, lowering the cost of everyday necessities is critical to ensuring families aren’t forced to choose between basic needs. Improving affordability means creating conditions where people can live securely, plan for the future, and maintain a reasonable standard of living.

Restoring Trust in Government

Public confidence in government has weakened as people question whether institutions operate transparently, fairly, and within their intended roles. Restoring trust requires clear communication, accountability, and predictable processes. A key part of this involves ensuring that the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. To maintain proper checks and balances so no branch becomes overly dominant. When each branch functions within its constitutional responsibilities, oversight is stronger and decision‑making is more consistent. A balanced system reinforces fairness and helps people feel that government is working as designed.

Healthcare

Healthcare access and reliability remain central to community well‑being. Many individuals face high premiums, gaps in coverage, or the risk of losing insurance when changing jobs. A national healthcare plan that everyone can join would provide a stable, universal option that is not tied to employment. Such a plan could offer essential benefits, preventive care, primary care, mental health services, prescription coverage, and specialized treatment, while ensuring affordability so families can manage healthcare costs without financial strain. Detaching insurance from employers would allow people to switch jobs or pursue new opportunities without fear of losing coverage. Strengthening healthcare access in this way supports long‑term stability, better health outcomes, and greater economic mobility.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

My background combines two disciplines that are rarely found together: decades of experience as a football official and a career in professional project management. As an official for more than forty years, I’ve spent my life studying rules, applying them consistently, and enforcing them impartially in fast‑moving, high‑pressure situations. Officiating requires diplomacy, calm communication, conflict management, and fairness. Skills that translate directly into working within structured systems and making decisions that people can trust.As a project manager, I’ve led diverse teams, defined complex problems, built clear plans, and driven those plans toward successful delivery. This work requires organization, accountability, collaboration, and the ability to bring people with different perspectives together around shared goals.These two experiences, rule‑based decision‑making and structured team leadership which give me a unique combination of skills that can help voters by bringing fairness, clarity, and disciplined problem‑solving to public responsibilities.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

I would hope to be remembered for helping restore trust in government and strengthening the relationship between people and the institutions meant to serve them. Ensuring that government operates transparently, predictably, and with proper checks and balances is essential to rebuilding public confidence.I would also hope to contribute to advancing a national healthcare solution that every American can join, one that is affordable, comprehensive, and provides essential care and more. A system that is not tied to employment would allow people to change jobs or pursue new opportunities without risking their coverage. Creating a healthcare structure that families can rely on, and that people are proud of, would be a meaningful long‑term accomplishment.If my service could help move the country toward greater trust in its institutions and a stronger, more accessible healthcare system, those would be achievements worth being remembered for.

Campaign website: www.heggestadforcongress.com

Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

Mark Kaye

Occupation: Podcaster

Age: 51

Family: Wife and two kids.

Education: (No response)

Political experience: (No response)

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

Term limits are a necessity.

Banning Congressional Stock Trading

Putting America First!

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

The other person running for the office is John Rutherford who has only helped himself.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

Serving the people of North Florida loudly and boldly. Transparency and honesty. Working hard to push conservative, pro-America policies.

Campaign website: markkayeforcongress.com

Campaign social media: Facebook

John Rutherford

Occupation: Congressman representing Florida’s 5th Congressional District; former Jacksonville Sheriff and career law enforcement officer.

Age: 73

Family: Married to my High School sweetheart for 53 years, father, grandfather and member of Assumption Catholic Church

Education: Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Florida State University; Graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Political experience: I served three terms (12 years) as Sheriff of Jacksonville and for nine of those 12 years, served as the Legislative Chairman for the Florida Sheriffs Association Legislative Committee representing all 67 Florida Sheriffs. I was then elected to Congress in 2016. I am currently serving my fifth term representing Northeast Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives, where I serve on the House Appropriations Committee.

What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?

First, securing our southern border and enforcing our immigration laws to keep our communities safe. Second, lowering the cost of living by cutting taxes, reducing government spending, and eliminating burdensome regulations that drive up the cost of everyday goods. Third, protecting Northeast Florida’s economy by supporting our military installations, investing in critical infrastructure, and ensuring veterans receive the care and benefits they have earned. I will continue fighting for these priorities in Congress while delivering real results for the people of our district.

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?

My experience matters. I’ve spent more than 40 years serving this community - as a police officer, Sheriff, and now Congressman. I understand how government works at every level, and I have a proven record of delivering results. Whether it’s helping veterans navigate the VA, bringing federal resources back to Northeast Florida, or passing legislation to make our communities safer, I know how to get things done.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

I hope to be remembered as someone who faithfully served Northeast Florida with integrity, protected our communities, stood up for conservative principles, and always put the people I represented first. If I’ve left our district safer, stronger, and better positioned for future generations, then I’ll consider my service a success.

Campaign website: johnrutherfordforcongress.com

Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram

The $20 billion FIFA subsidiary, bankrolled by the brother of Jared Kushner, was blasted by international soccer organizations. European soccer body UEFA aims to call its 55 member federations to an emergency online meeting, likely on Thursday.

“But having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, UEFA knows there is significant and growing opposition to FIFA’s scheme,” the organization said in a statement.

The effort also marks Infantino's latest effort to align with those in the orbit of U.S. President Donald Trump: by creating the FIFA peace prize, letting Trump intervene in a process that led to United States forward Folarin Balogun playing at the World Cup, and now trying to lock in Joshua Kushner's investment firm to a 12-year ownership deal with the Switzerland-based not-for-profit soccer body.

Infantino set out the “singular and unique funding opportunity” in a letter detailing why he wants to create the $20 billion FIFA subsidiary — 20% owned by private investors — that would run the soccer body’s competitions and events like World Cups and Club World Cups.

“It is my duty and responsibility as FIFA president to present such game-changing opportunities to you, our members,” Infantino wrote in the letter seen by The Associated Press.

The proposal revealed Tuesday and backed by Joshua Kushner's investment firm Thrive Capital was met with immediate fury from Infantino’s former colleagues at UEFA, which said the World Cup “is not FIFA’s to sell.”

One option open to European soccer is threaten a boycott of FIFA competitions — a tactic used in 2021 when UEFA-led opposition helped stop Infantino's plan to play the World Cup every two years instead of four.

FIFA’s private equity plan is the latest ambitious project proposed during Infantino’s 11-year presidency in which he has increasingly seemed to be an executive leader acting without consulting with soccer’s major stakeholders.

Previous plans include creating a FIFA Peace Prize — awarded to Trump in December at the World Cup draw — and trying to push through a secretive $25 billion private equity plan in 2018 to create new and bigger men's competitions. That was resisted by UEFA.

Concerns about the latest and previously secret plan were aired Wednesday by the continental soccer bodies for Asia and the North American region known as CONCACAF.

“We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process,” CONCACAF said in a statement.

The Kuala Lumpur-based Asian Football Confederation said it was “disappointed that a matter of such significance entered the public domain before the AFC family had been afforded the opportunity to examine and discuss it.”

Continental bodies that organize their own international club and national-team competitions — such as the Champions League, European Championship and Copa America — likely will see threats to those events from FIFA wanting to increase revenue and value for investors by playing World Cups and Club World Cups for men and women more often, along with adding more teams.

The influential, 850-member European Football Clubs group — which has a joint venture with UEFA to manage the Champions League — said it “learned about this proposal in the same way as most global football stakeholders — without warning and through the media.”

Inviting in private investors could also, sports governance academic Antoine Duval suggested Wednesday “incentivize FIFA to further commodify the World Cup (think more hydration breaks and dynamic pricing ) in a drive to increase its revenue.”

What's on offer to FIFA member federations

If the FIFA Forward Enterprise subsidiary is approved by a majority of the 211 members, they also each are promised $20 million in funding from the four-year commercial cycle tied to the men’s 2030 World Cup.

That would lead, Infantinto wrote, to “a pool of diverse international investors” joining Joshua Kushner's Thrive as the anchor investor: “This process will be led by J.P. Morgan.”

If Infantino’s plan is rejected, those members will get their previously promised $10 million over the next four years, his letter stated.

The cash difference on offer Wednesday to FIFA members appears to be $86 million over 12 years compared to about $36 million in existing promised funding for rejecting the private equity deal.

The rushed deadline to claim an initial $20 million “says everything you need to know about this plan,” UEFA said. “FIFA cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends.”

Dozens of member federations typically rely on FIFA for funding, have national teams with little realistic chance of qualifying for World Cups, and whose best players rarely, if ever, join clubs playing at the highest level of international competitions.

FIFA's one-member, one-vote democratic system means the most powerful soccer nations on the field easily can be outvoted by those who rarely play top-level games.

Resistance in Britain

FIFA’s plan met quick opposition from British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, whose government is preparing to support hosting the 2035 Women’s World Cup in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. FIFA is set to confirm that lone bid for 2035 at an online meeting in November.

“Football does not belong to investors,” Burnham, a longtime soccer fan, said in a video message on Instagram. “Once you have sold a piece of (the World Cup), you have sold out. Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.”

Resistance by British lawmakers — including threats of legislation by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2021 — previously helped stop the divisive European Super League project that was an existential threat to UEFA's Champions League, and which Infantino had discreetly supported. J.P. Morgan

Infantino's future

Infantino has seemed to be cruising toward being reelected unopposed as FIFA president for a fourth and final term through 2031.

Promising more FIFA funds to member federations was a decisive part of his initial election-day speech in February 2016, and at his unopposed reelections in 2019 and 2023.

Some observers have long suspected Infantino wants a longer-term role running the sport. A CEO or commissioner role at a FIFA subsidiary FFE would fit that bill.

This week, Infantino has ignited frustration with his leadership beyond the usual circles in Europe, which have almost four months to commit to an election challenge.

The candidate entry deadline is Nov. 18 for an election scheduled next March 18 at Rabat in Morocco, which has been a key Infantino ally in recent years and will co-host the 2030 World Cup.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and AP World Cup coverage

RELATED: Weather Alert Day: Severe storms possible today amid extreme heat alert

Air conditioning

• Set thermostats at 78 to 80 degrees, and set them higher when you’re not home. A five-degree shift can save about 6 to 8 percent per degree in the summer.
• Use insulated drapes, blinds or shades and keep them closed during the hottest part of the day. Efficient window shading can save up to 12 percent on the cooling portion of a utility bill.
• Seal leaks in cooling ducts, including around the air handler.
• Weather-strip doors and windows and repair or replace broken or cracked windows. Weather stripping can save up to 8 percent on cooling costs.
• Install a programmable thermostat. It can save 5 to 15 percent on the cooling portion of a utility bill.

Small changes that make a big impact

• Avoid going in and out of the home repeatedly to keep cool air in and hot air out.
• Run the washer with full loads and use cold water.
• Use small appliances — grill outside or use a microwave, Crock-Pot or Instant Pot — instead of the stove or oven to keep the kitchen cooler and use less energy.

Water conservation

• Fix running toilets; leaks are the leading cause of higher water consumption.
• Inspect sprinkler heads; a broken head can waste about 25,000 gallons in six months.
• Aim sprinkler spray at yards, not sidewalks.

Assessments and help

JEA offers free in-home energy and irrigation assessments. Energy auditors do walk-through inspections to identify behavioral changes or equipment upgrades that can reduce energy and water use.

To schedule a free energy or irrigation assessment, call 904-665-6000. For more tips, visit jea.com/save.

Billing and payment options

JEA also offers billing and payment options for residential and business customers, including:

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• Daily usage monitoring through accounts on jea.com or the My JEA app.
• Payment assistance, extensions and referrals to third-party groups that offer utility bill help. See jea.com/assistance for details.

“She's exactly the burst of energy we need,” Anderson said after voting early in the liberal stronghold of Madison.

But 80 miles down the road in Milwaukee, Democratic voter Steve Wiesner said if Hong wins the Aug. 11 primary he will vote Republican for the first time in his life.

“I would never support her or any DSA candidate at this point,” Wiesner said, using the acronym for Democratic Socialists of America. He voted for long-shot candidate Joel Brennan.

Their views demonstrate the dilemma for Democrats in Wisconsin as they hope to win the governor's race against a Republican endorsed by President Donald Trump in a year that should favor Democrats.

But a chaotic primary, and the rise of Hong, has amplified angst among voters and party insiders that Democrats may be squandering their chances to retain control of the governor’s office and flip both chambers of the Legislature to earn full control of Wisconsin state government for the first time since 2010.

Democratic socialist Hong divides early Wisconsin voters

The insurgent Hong has garnered strong support among the most liberal wing of the party. Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who narrowly lost a 2022 U.S. Senate race, is hoping that voters in his hometown of Milwaukee help him overcome Hong, whose base is in Madison. Those two cities hold the largest number of Democratic voters in Wisconsin.

Also in the race is Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who is running with the endorsement of Gov. Tony Evers. Crowley had dropped out of the race on July 8, but got back in on July 17, the day after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out amid a campaign finance scandal.

Anderson, who was among voters who cast in-person early ballots on the first day Tuesday, said he was “very frustrated” by Evers' late endorsement in the race.

“It's the latest example of the Democratic Party meddling,” said Anderson, who works for the state Department of Natural Resources.

Nicole Santos, 45, said Hong was the only primary candidate with the “fortitude” to stand up to Trump.

“To get back on track we need to go a little further left,” she said.

Some Democratic voters make choice based on electability

Crowley voters on Tuesday said they backed him because they believed he had a better shot at beating Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in November. Tiffany, who is running with the backing of Trump in a state Trump won in 2016 and 2024, faces only nominal opposition in the primary.

It would be “tough” for Hong to beat Tiffany, said retired attorney John Hawley, 68, of Madison.

“I’d like to think I’m wrong, but north of Madison and Milwaukee I don’t think she’ll come across that well,” he said in reference to more rural parts of the state.

Erica and Mario Johnson, a married couple who are both Black and from Milwaukee, both voted for Crowley, because they see him as best positioned to beat Tiffany. Crowley and Barnes are each seeking to become the state’s first Black governor. Hong is seeking to become Wisconsin's first female governor and first Asian American governor.

Crowley has the “most executive experience,” said Mario Johnson, 63, who retired from a career in the federal government.

He worries that Hong won’t be able to defeat Tiffany, but if Hong wins the primary, “I’ll bite the bullet and vote for her.”

As of Tuesday, nearly 108,000 ballots had already been returned by mail ahead of the Aug. 11 election.

Democratic c

andidates play nice in only debate before election

The Democratic candidates tried to differentiate themselves Tuesday night in the only debate before the primary, but abstained from going after Hong.

Hong, who has run as an insurgent candidate, tried to cast herself as the one who could bring together Republicans, Democrats, independents and democratic socialists.

“This is a movement moment,” Hong said.

Hong also tried to distance herself from the national democratic socialist movement. Hong said she did not support the entire national DSA platform and backed off her earlier support for defunding the police.

“The governor cannot defund police and I’m not here to govern by slogan," she said.

Crowley, who has the governor's endorsement, and Barnes, who served as Evers' lieutenant governor in his first term, also tried to portray themselves as outsiders.

“I’m not here to protect the establishment,” Crowley said.

And while Barnes said no other candidate had united Democrats like he did in his 2022 Senate race, “I have zero interest in being the establishment candidate.”

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Mayes-Osterman is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. She reported for this story from Milwaukee.

The charges against the Russian-born Durov, who lives abroad, came as authorities have sought to restrict the use of Telegram as part of a widespread crackdown on online freedom that followed Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Federal Security Service, or FSB, said in a statement it had accused Telegram’s administration of failing to remove “numerous channels, chats and bots” allegedly used by "Ukrainian intelligence agencies, terrorist and extremist organizations to prepare and coordinate acts of sabotage and terrorism, mass murder, and cyber fraud" in Russia, which resulted in “numerous human casualties.”

The FSB accused Ukrainian security services of using a popular dating chatbot on Telegram to lure and recruit Russians for “sabotage and terrorist activities,” and said 46 users of the chatbot, from 12 to 22 years old, have been detained in Russia over the past year for assaulting law enforcement officers, arson and other acts.

It also said it was adding the name of the 41-year-old billionaire to international wanted lists.

Durov had said earlier this year that Russian authorities opened a criminal investigation against him, and he accused them of fabricating pretexts to restrict access to Telegram as part of an attempt to “suppress the right to privacy and free speech.”

If convicted, he could face up to life in prison in Russia.

Telegram, which boasts of more than 1 billion users worldwide, did not respond to a request for comment. Its official website links to an account on X that on Wednesday posted am image of Durov raising a middle finger to the camera.

Telegram's website says that the company is based in Dubai and that Durov, who holds dual citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates, lives there, too.

Russia has sought to censor the internet

Under President Vladimir Putin, Russian authorities have engaged in multipronged efforts to rein in the internet, adopting restrictive laws and banning websites and platforms that don’t comply and focused on improving technology to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Popular social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and X, have been banned in Russia; YouTube has been throttled; popular messaging apps, such as Signal and Viber, have been blocked, and the most popular ones — WhatsApp and Telegram — have been restricted.

Russia’s popular Facebook-like social media platform Vkontakte, founded by Durov long before he launched Telegram, had come under the control of Kremlin-friendly companies. Russia tried to block Telegram between 2018-20 but failed.

While it’s still possible to circumvent some of the restrictions by using virtual private network services, many of them are routinely blocked, too.

At the same time, Russia actively promotes what it calls a “national” messaging app known as MAX, which critics say could be used for surveillance. The platform is touted as a one-stop shop for messaging, getting online government services, making payments and other activities. It openly says it will share user data with authorities upon request, and experts also say it doesn’t use end-to-end encryption.

The Telegram restrictions have elicited widespread discontent in Russia, and this year activists in multiple regions tried to organize protests against it, but authorities quashed nearly all their attempts.

Military bloggers also have denounced the crackdown, arguing the app is an indispensable communications tool for Russian troops in Ukraine and for activists running crowdfunding campaigns to help Moscow’s forces.

The government initially promised not to restrict Telegram on the battlefield, but a different message later came from the Kremlin. At a meeting with Putin for International Women’s Day, a servicewoman called Telegram “an adversarial communications tool” and agreed with him when he said that “the use of communications systems that are not ours, not under our control, poses a danger to personnel” in battle.

Despite the restrictions, multiple Russian officials still use Telegram and regularly update their "channels" — its term for blogs — on the platform. The Kremlin's Telegram page had more than 284,000 followers as of Wednesday.

Durov was arrested in France in 2024

In 2024, Durov was arrested in Paris amid allegations that his platform was being used for illicit activity, including drug trafficking and the distribution of images of child sexual abuse. French authorities handed him preliminary charges for allegedly allowing criminal activity on the platform. In March 2025, Durov said he had returned to Dubai after spending “several months” in France.

The Kremlin at the time criticized the French authorities for their move against Durov as selective. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at the time that “yes, indeed, terrorists use Telegram. But terrorists also use cars. Why aren't they arresting the CEO of Renault or Citroen?”

Peskov didn't respond to a request for comment on what made Russian authorities change their position.

The Paris prosecutor's office told The Associated Press that Durov remains under formal investigation, facing an array of potential charges for alleged criminal activities linked to Telegram. French investigators have questioned him repeatedly, most recently this month, the office said in written comments Wednesday.

Russia is accused of using Telegram as a recruitment tool

Russia itself has faced accusations of using Telegram coordinate and recruit people to carry out acts of arson and sabotage in Ukraine and across Europe. In the U.K., a British man was recruited, likely by Russian military intelligence, on the platform to organize a plot in 2024 to set fire to a warehouse in London containing satellite equipment for Ukraine. He was also asked to kidnap a pro-Ukrainian exiled Russian billionaire living in London.

Dutch teenagers were arrested in the Netherlands in September after being contacted by Russian hackers on Telegram who wanted them to map Wi-Fi networks in The Hague. The city is the location of many sensitive organizations, including the International Criminal Court -- which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin -- as well as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and Europol which helps European countries fight international crime.

Moscow has repeatedly denied involvement in acts of sabotage in Europe.

——

Associated Press writer Emma Burrows in London and John Leicester in Paris contributed.

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This story has been corrected to show the potential penalty is life in prison, not 15 years.

The magnitude 7.1 earthquake that hit a day earlier in the Kumamoto area on the southern main island of Kyushu also left at least 62 people injured, six of them seriously, the prefectural government said. The tally has been steadily growing, fanning fears it may continue to rise.

Some of the most serious damage was at the Aeon Mall shopping center in the town of Kashima, which was bustling with thousands of people when the quake happened. The company said some 3,000 customers were evacuated to a parking lot before a gas explosion happened in another part of the mall, where some people were still working.

Fumika Ono was shopping at a mall with her older sister when the ground shook so fiercely she lost her balance and ducked. Children began screaming and goods scattered on the floor.

The 19-year-old was among the crowd of shoppers who managed to escape safely.

The sweltering weather heightened worries about the survivors as rescuers braved the heat. It remained unclear how many people might still be missing.

The mall’s second floor collapsed, trapping people. Witnesses said the explosion shook the area as much as the quake.

Three people remained missing, while four deaths were confirmed at the mall site, according to Aeon President Akio Yoshida.

“We take it seriously that an explosion happened and precious lives were lost,” Yoshida told a news conference in Kumamoto, where he bowed deeply along with two other executives.

Japanese media footage of the mall showed that part of the ceiling had caved in, and metal pieces and other debris were scattered about as helmeted and masked rescue workers searched the area.

Kiyoshi Matsunaga, 74, who lives in the mall's neighborhood and was at a supermarket just a few blocks away, said Tuesday's quake reminded him of a deadly quake 10 years ago that hit Kumamoto and killed 50 people.

He stopped in his tracks when the shaking began while he was pushing his cart toward a cash register. Things scattered from the shelves. He could not move, he recalled.

“I was frightened," he said.

Japan is one of the most quake-prone nations in the world.

In the Nuyamazu district, a pair of temple gates at a 16th-century Buddhist temple collapsed. They had just been repaired five years ago.

Yuki Kiyozumi, deputy chief priest at the temple, recalled how she had to crawl on the floor because the shaking was so violent. She had just returned home from a meeting and was about to feed her cat.

“I don’t even know if or how we can rebuild them again,” she said, while cleaning up damaged ornaments and furniture.

In nearby Yatsushiro, a chimney collapse at a Nippon Paper Industries factory killed five people while seven others were rescued from the debris, according to the Kumamoto prefectural government disaster team.

Four people were still believed to be trapped there, it said.

In the first reported death of a foreign national, a Vietnamese technical intern was killed after a crane fell on him at a factory where he worked, according to the Vietnamese government. He had arrived in Japan in January. Seven other Vietnamese technical interns at the factory evacuated safely

Separately, a Vietnamese woman married to one of the workers was injured when a wall collapsed and was being treated at a hospital.

Nearly 34,900 homes were still without electricity and some 15,000 homes without running water, Kumamoto officials said. More than 8,800 people left their homes to stay in over 400 shelters, where power sources were being added to provide air conditioning.

Aerial police footage showed some homes in residential areas were completely flattened, including a few that crumbled into a nearby river.

Japan's Self Defense Forces joined rescue workers in the search and rescue operations. Hundreds of professionals were helping with the effort, including firefighters from Taiwan.

“There are people who are still waiting to be rescued, and it’s a race against time,” Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said. “We will go all out to find and rescue as many people as we can.”

Takaichi said the government was preparing to deliver food and other necessities to hard-hit areas. She also offered her condolences to the victims and sympathy to their relatives, while urging those affected by the quake to take care of themselves under the hot weather.

Bullet train services remained suspended. Although operations at Aso Kumamoto Airport resumed Wednesday, some airlines canceled flights as a precautionary measure.

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Associated Press writers Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo and Aniruddha Ghosal in Hanoi, Vietnam contributed to this report.

On Friday, the Florida Department of Health issued guidance for psychotropic pharmacotherapy in children 5 to 17, recommending against the use of drugs to treat mental health conditions like depression, anxiety or attention-deficit-related disorders in most cases.

Two months earlier, at a Make America Healthy Again summit in Washington, D.C., Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said the agency would address the overuse of psychiatric medications among children.

Florida’s guidance follows suit.

“As more families seek support for conditions such as anxiety, depression, and attention-deficit disorders, treatment should be guided by a thorough understanding of each child’s unique circumstances and needs,” State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo said in Orange County on Friday. “Parents deserve access to clear information about the benefits, risks, and available alternatives so they can make informed decisions regarding their children’s health.”

It’s the latest instance of Florida channeling Kennedy’s MAHA agenda.

In the last year, First Lady Casey DeSantis and Ladapo have toured the state promoting the Healthy Florida First initiative, which tests for toxins and heavy metals in food.

A more controversial proposal was Ladapo’s call for the Legislature to repeal all vaccine mandates, and DeSantis’ push for pediatricians to accept all patients regardless of vaccination status. Lawmakers didn’t pass either plan in the legislative session earlier this year.

In the state’s new guidance statement, the DOH “cautions” health care providers in prescribing psychotropic medications for anxiety, depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and behavioral disorders.

Instead, the state recommends employing other strategies, including psychotherapy, evidence-based behavior management and deprescribing medications.

“Psychotropic medications can play an important role in treatment when they are clinically appropriate and medically necessary, but they should never be used as a substitute for individual therapy and other psychosocial care options,” said Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Shevaun Harris in a released statement.

In response to HHS in May, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) said the agency’s statement “broadly and imprecisely challenges established psychiatric diagnoses and evidence‑based treatments,” creating risk for children and families.

“AACAP urges policymakers to ensure that decisions affecting access to psychiatric medications and mental health services are grounded in evidence and informed by child and adolescent psychiatrists and other qualified clinicians,” said Dr. John Walkup, AACAP president.

The Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the AACAP could not be reached for comment.

A spokesperson for DOH said the state’s guidelines do not contradict the AACAP’s recommendation and are intended to raise awareness.

“The Department’s guidance emphasizes the importance of comprehensive assessment before psychotropic medications are prescribed, including evaluating underlying risk factors and ensuring appropriate clinical oversight,” said Nathalia Medina, deputy director of communications.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky subpoenaed Fauci to appear before a Senate committee Wednesday. It’s part of Paul’s yearslong accusations that the now-retired infectious disease expert had lied about the pandemic, something Fauci has called “preposterous.”

Meanwhile, roughly six weeks before the first midterm ballots are mailed out, the U.S. Postal Service is emerging as a pivotal player in an election season that will determine control of Congress. President Donald Trump is seeking greater control over mail balloting through an executive order while a change to how the agency processes mail is leading to criticism that it’s failing to deliver ballots on time.

Here's the latest:

Fauci pleading the Fifth, according to prepared remarks

A draft of the 85-year-old’s opening statement shows he won’t be getting into the details Sen. Paul wants to discuss.

Anyone under oath has the right to cite the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment that ensures no person can be compelled to give self-incriminating testimony.

Fauci’s decision diminishes the potential for fireworks between Fauci and the chairman. But it also could give Paul a relatively uninterrupted platform to frame his arguments on the pandemic, its origins and the federal response.

Sen. Paul opens hearing accusing Fauci of covering up COVID-19 origin

The senator is trying to build the case that Fauci and other officials helped produce the COVID-19 pandemic by approving funding of research on virus mutations and then covered up their complicity.

Fauci’s lawyers and his supporters vehemently deny those accusations.

Paul said Fauci should admit that “funding this research in China” was “a mistake” and that he made false statements during the pandemic — including to Congress — that the virus was not conceived in a laboratory.

“Your primary concern was hiding the fact that you had approved funding for this dangerous research,” Paul said.

The senator called Fauci’s “categorical public denials indefensible” and said he has “destroyed trust.”

COVID-19 Senate hearing starts with Rand Paul and Dr. Anthony Fauci

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has opened its hearing with Fauci.

The physician and immunologist who helped lead the U.S government response to the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to face aggressive questioning from Republican members, especially Chairman Rand Paul of Kentucky.

Paul has for years questioned the origins of the COVID virus and federal health officials’ accounts.

The senator already has released reams of Fauci’s diary entries during the pandemic and said that what scientist “wrote privately and what he told the country are two different stories.”

Investigators in Comey seashells case omitted key facts and distorted others, defense lawyers allege

Federal officials involved in the prosecution of James Comey misled judges, submitted false statements and withheld key facts during the course of the investigation, according to new defense filings that seek the dismissal of a case charging the former FBI director with threatening President Trump on social media.

Lawyers for Comey made the allegations of misconduct in motions filed late Tuesday that also call the case a vindictive and selective prosecution, request access to transcripts of grand jury proceedings to expose what they say are “irregularities” in how the indictment was secured, and describe “unlawful” surveillance of Comey by the Secret Service.

Taken together, the new motions, along with an earlier one this week that called Comey’s social media post protected speech and not a threat, represent a multiprong defense effort to dismantle a case defense lawyers say exemplifies a Trump administration retribution campaign targeting one of the president’s most vocal critics.

▶ Read more

Trump’s attacks on mail balloting and concerns over delays turn midterms spotlight on Postal Service

Roughly six weeks before the first midterm ballots are mailed out, the U.S. Postal Service is emerging as a pivotal player in an election season that will determine control of Congress.

President Donald Trump is seeking greater control over mail balloting through an executive order while a change to how the agency processes mail is leading to criticism that it’s failing to deliver ballots on time.

Democratic officials have raised concerns over the past week about how quickly the Postal Service will process ballots after tens of thousands of them in California and hundreds in Wisconsin arrived at local election offices too late to be counted in elections earlier this year. The top election offices in Kansas and Michigan are urging voters who want to cast their ballots early to avoid the mail and instead drop them off in person.

The Postal Service replied to those concerns Tuesday by saying it remains “committed to fulfilling our role in the electoral process.”

▶ Read more

Anthony Fauci again faces questions from Senate Republicans about pandemic origins

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. scientist who helped lead the nation’s COVID-19 pandemic response, is set to face off — again — with a Republican senator probing the origins of the coronavirus.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky subpoenaed Fauci to appear before a Senate committee Wednesday. It’s part of Paul’s yearslong accusations that the now-retired infectious disease expert had lied about the pandemic, something Fauci has called “preposterous.”

Leading up to the hearing, Paul released more than a thousand pages of Fauci’s personal diary covering the pandemic years. Pointing to some notes about early efforts at understanding how the virus emerged, Paul wrote on the social media platform X that what Fauci “wrote privately and what he told the country are two different stories.”

But they’re likely to further inflame a partisan divide that, years after the pandemic, still makes Fauci a target of vitriol from people who blame him for mask mandates and other policies they believe infringed on their rights as hundreds of thousands of people were dying.

▶ Read more

Near Nocatee in northern St. Johns County, more than 4,000 acres sit behind Mickler’s Wharf — land that could soon be developed for housing. It is one of six properties in St. Johns County on the list for agricultural enclave certification under SB 686, which took effect July 1.

“It’s almost like what we call entitlements in the development world — before, if you can imagine an agricultural property, it could do farming, silviculture, but it couldn’t put single family on there. Now they have rights to do so,” Roberson said.

Prior to the law, a development of this scale would typically require changes to zoning or possible amendments to the comprehensive plan — a lengthy process that could include land use and zoning changes. Under the new statute, if a property gets certified, the county cannot reject it based on land use, zoning or even traffic. St. Johns County Growth Management Director Mike Roberson acknowledged the shift.

“This is a less authority. This is a removal of authority,” Roberson said. “I think there’s just been a general trend from the state producing laws that have given, as you say, a little more leeway or more flexibility for developers to maybe get entitlements.”

Once certified, Roberson said the rights are secured.

“Once they achieve those rights or those entitlements, they’ll get them in perpetuity,” Roberson said.

Roberson said county staff has 30 days to review each application before it heads to a public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners for a final decision.

Not everyone is on board. Commissioners Krista Joseph and Ann Taylor are pushing back hard, with Joseph calling for outside legal help to stop the law.

“At the next meeting I’m going to bring up that we need an attorney, an outside attorney, immediately to put in an injunction against this new law,” Joseph said.

Taylor echoed that sentiment.

“I don’t believe that we can be a doormat. We need to fight back,” Taylor said.

Residents are also alarmed. At a recent county commission meeting, one community member urged the board to act, while another pointed to traffic as a top concern.

“When Governor DeSantis comes back to Ponte Vedra Beach and wants to go to his favorite restaurant, he’ll notice that it will take 30 minutes to go four miles. That’s the traffic we have now in the beach. It’s overdeveloped as it is already,” the resident said.

“We’re right in the middle of that review,” Roberson said of the six pending applications. Once complete, they head to a public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners, where the final certification decision will be made.

The measures are likely to test relations with Beijing ahead of a planned U.S. visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in September. China dominates the global market for humanoid robots with an estimated market share of roughly 85%.

The FCC’s ban also includes new imports of quadruped robots, often referred to as four-legged robot dogs. The agency said imports of advanced robots pose cybersecurity and other national security risks. Offshore production of such equipment also leaves U.S. supply chains vulnerable to disruptions.

The ban on power inverters, which are used to convert direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity and are used in renewable energy systems, data centers and household appliances, could have sweeping ramifications.

This is the latest in US restrictions on Chinese imports

FCC chairperson Brendan Carr said Tuesday that the move was to “secure America’s critical supply chains.” He said the bans apply to “new versions” of such imports.

The FCC’s bans follow a slew of U.S. restrictions on imports of Chinese products, including drones, and on exports of U.S. advanced technology to China.

The U.S. is also weighing controls on use of Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models at a time when Chinese AI is rapidly gaining ground.

“It’s a steady drumbeat of potential flashpoints heading into (the) Trump-Xi summit planned for September,” said Samm Sacks, a senior fellow at the New America think tank focused on Chinese technology policies.

China has been rapidly expanding the use of robots, with policies supporting its technology sector. Morgan Stanley analysts forecast its market for humanoids could reach $15 billion by 2030.

“Chinese manufacturers have been scaling production and reducing costs faster than most overseas competitors,” said analyst Kangyuxiao Li at Morningstar.

“Restricting their access to the U.S. removes an important future market and protects U.S. developers from potential price competition,” he said. “However, it will not materially slow China’s overall humanoid development, given the size of its domestic manufacturing base and opportunities in other export markets.”

Of the around 15,000 humanoid robots shipped globally in 2025, Unitree and AGIBOT, two of China’s largest advanced robotics companies, each shipped more than 5,000. Their U.S. counterparts, like Tesla and Figure AI, each shipped a few hundred or less, according to the technology research and advisory group Omdia.

On the restrictions on power inverters, Cheng Wang, another Morningstar analyst, said the pressure on U.S. markets should be limited. The ban appears to not impact the continued use of existing devices nor the selling by Chinese companies of models that were previously approved by the United States.

China says protectionism will only hurt the US

China's Foreign Ministry hit back at the U.S. move, accusing Washington of overstretching the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies.

China will take “all measures necessary” to defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses, it said.

“Protectionism does not make the U.S. more competitive, and it will only hurt the interests of U.S. companies and consumers,” Mao Ning, a ministry spokesperson, told reporters at a regular press conference Wednesday in Beijing.

The new bans could also potentially interfere with collaborations between U.S. and Chinese technology companies, said Lian Jye Su, a chief analyst at Omdia.

Nvidia, for example, in June revealed a humanoid robot reference design which uses the humanoid chassis of China's Unitree.

The Pentagon recently included Unitree and several other major Chinese technology companies on its list of firms that it said have ties to or aid the Chinese military. Beijing has rejected that claim.

Domenicali said a decision won't be made before mid-September.

“For us today, the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are confirmed,” he said in comments published by the Formula One website following last week's Hungarian Grand Prix.

“But of course, if the situation will not be cleared the way that we believe it should be, before the middle of September, we will take the decision,” Domenicali added. “And in that respect, I just want confirm to you that if this will not be possible, that the end of the season would be in Europe.”

Domenicali did not say where exactly the final races planned in November and December would be held if those in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are canceled.

Formula 1 already called off races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia because of safety concerns related to the Iran war. The Bahrain Grand Prix was rescheduled in Malaysia for Oct. 4.

Looking at the 2027 schedule, Domenicali said: “So far, the calendar that will be presented, let’s say in autumn, it would be as a sort of normal plan. But of course, in the case that the situation in the Middle East would be not solved, we have options.”

He added that in any case plans remain to have 24 Grand Prix races next year.

Hungary was the last race before the mid-season break. The next race is the Dutch Grand Prix on Aug. 23.

Kimi Antonelli tops the standings with a 50-point lead over Lewis Hamilton.

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

"I couldn’t stand all the lies on the stations,″ said Berent, arguing that there wasn't enough attention being paid to Palestinian suffering. "I started going to Instagram to get my news.”

Berent is among many progressive-minded Americans who have sworn off legacy media institutions. They're turning to a widening mix of independent podcasts, social media accounts and digital news sites, part of an increasingly influential ecosystem that has boosted this year's wave of anti-establishment, left-leaning candidates who may not have gotten as much attention otherwise.

Liberals remain more likely than conservatives to trust mainstream outlets, but the splintering echoes how conservatives skeptical of their party created a collection of insurgent news sites years ago. The shift has elevated individual commentators with opinions on the news, some of whom have proven influential in driving people’s votes.

Ryan Grim, a co-founder of Drop Site News and a veteran of online political debates, said progressive politicians have sought out his platform to reach voters. In a change from previous election cycles, "they have ways to get covered even if the mainstream just basically ignores them,” he said.

One of those candidates is Abdul El-Sayed, who is running for U.S. Senate in Michigan and faces the more moderate U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in the Aug 4. primary.

“I think in a lot of ways, where traditional media has been gatekeepers, we’re watching that gatekeeping function fall away,” El-Sayed said.

Anti-establishment media has exploded lately

These changes have been on display this year in places like New York City, where a slate of progressive congressional candidates endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani defeated establishment-backed candidates.

Sara Hyler, a policy analyst in East Harlem, originally planned to support incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat in last month's Democratic primary. But then Hyler started learning about progressive outsider Darializa Avila Chevalier through YouTube videos and podcasts, including from the liberal media company MeidasTouch.

“My actual beliefs are to the left of Democrats. I don't want a moderate,” said Hyler, who ultimately voted for Avila Chevalier in hopes she could help nudge Congress toward progressive policies.

The rise of independent media has been part of a digital transformation that transcends politics, as chronically online Americans are turning toward news from social media and content creators. But it's not just the popularity of smartphones driving that change.

“There’s a complete lack of trust in any and all institutions now,” said Mike Nellis, a Democratic consultant who hosts a podcast, writes a Substack and posts political analysis on social media. “That has led people to turn to individuals, and so now you’re picking your flavor of person to listen to.”

Among conservatives, faith in mainstream media and in the more moderate wing of the Republican Party faltered years ago, with the rise of the Tea Party movement paving the way for an alternative right-wing media ecosystem, including sites like the Daily Caller, Breitbart and The Blaze. Trump also tapped into a loose constellation of podcasts, including "The Joe Rogan Experience," for his successful comeback campaign.

Reece Peck, a media culture professor at the College of Staten Island, said the left-wing version of that has happened slowly, beginning with the momentum of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ first presidential run in 2016. At the time, left-wing, anti-establishment YouTube accounts and podcasts like “The Young Turks” and “Chapo Trap House” were gaining attention but didn't reach the majority of Democratic voters.

Now Democrats have realized their faith in institutions didn't prevent Trump's return.

“The ground has been made fertile for an anti-establishment media politics, where it just wasn’t quite there with the voter base in those previous cycles,” Peck said. Even older, moderate liberals, he said, have started to ″throw their hands in the air and look for alternatives.”

YouTube accounts like ”Secular Talk" and “Breaking Points,” streamers like Hasan Piker and new digital journalism organizations like More Perfect Union and The Lever are among those that have seen their audiences multiply.

Grim said Drop Site has amassed 800,000 free and 60,000 paid subscribers since launching two years ago — more than he'd anticipated.

Saul Levin, a Michigan progressive organizer who recently started his own podcast about artificial intelligence data centers, said Trump’s attacks on the existing media landscape are part of the reason for that growth.

“The investigations and raids on numerous different journalists, the appointment of specifically aligned billionaires to lead various major news agencies, is very troubling,” he said. “Creators and new media outlets are stepping in and trying to fill gaps.”

Alternative media is prominent in the Michigan primary

The Michigan primary will be the latest test of the evolving media ecosystem, which El-Sayed, a longtime podcaster himself, has tried to harness. Various progressive outlets, creators and organizers have aggressively promoted his campaign.

El-Sayed said the rise of independent media has let voters compare news across different channels and notice biases, but he doesn't turn down opportunities on legacy media, either.

“I go on Fox News, I go on podcasts, I Twitch stream, we have a YouTube channel,” he said.

Stevens, who received endorsements from outgoing incumbent Sen. Gary Peters, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, has a more traditional approach. She's also backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, and its affiliated groups, which have spent close to $30 million on the race.

Stevens' campaign declined to comment for this story.

Reporting from progressive outlets has influenced how the race has unfolded. For example, Stevens parted ways with a campaign consultant when Drop Site revealed that she had also worked for tech company Palantir, which is controversial in liberal circles because of its government contracts involving immigration enforcement.

Democratic officials said Trump's return to the White House has also revived interest in the party's official channels. The Democratic National Committee's relatively new digital media offering, a rapid-response clipping and messaging account with the handle @FactPostNews, has amassed more than 2 billion impressions on Threads, X, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky in 2026 alone.

“I remember thinking to myself, there’s a chance that this flops and doesn’t get any traction,” said DNC Deputy Chief Mobilization Officer Paulina Mangubat. “It's been really, really successful.”

At times, the mix of new voices on the left has erupted in public tensions.

Grim recently faced criticism for boosting failed Democratic candidate Graham Platner in Maine, and he was accused of trying to undermine the credibility of the sexual assault allegation that torpedoed Platner's campaign. Grim said while he recognized people were angry, his reporting on the allegation was meant to share additional context.

“If we’re going to litigate allegations in the court of public opinion, we can’t pick and choose what details we want to share with the public out of a fear of how they’ll be received,” he said.

More recently, when Drop Site interviewed progressive U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna of California, one of its journalists pressed Khanna on whether Hamas was justified to attack Israeli soldiers on Oct. 7, 2023. Khanna refused to agree.

But Grim said those are the kinds of tough questions independent media are there to ask — and that American voters increasingly want to see their representatives in Congress answer.

“People want to see you being accountable to questions, and if they don't agree with you, sometimes that's fine,” he said. “I think the smarter politicians are starting to recognize that.”

___

This story has been updated to correct Farah Berent's job to physician assistant, not teacher.

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Associated Press writer Joey Cappelletti in Grand Rapids, Mich., contributed to this report.

The seat held by retiring two-term Sen. Joni Ernst is among the tough targeted races for Democrats navigating a narrow path to winning the Senate majority. Turek faces Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Trump won Iowa by double digits in the last presidential election, and it’s been more than a decade since a Democrat represented Iowa in the Senate. Still, Democrats think they have a fighting chance this cycle.

Turek, a state representative, played wheelchair basketball for the United States in four Paralympic Games. In the video, Turek and Obama play a game of I-O-W-A instead of horse.

“I know a little something about winning Iowa,” Obama says, a reference to his 2008 caucus victory that launched the little-known U.S. senator from Illinois to the Democratic presidential nomination. Obama also carried Iowa in both the 2008 and 2012 general elections.

“Of all the things I’ve done in politics, Iowa was my favorite thing,” Obama goes on. “There was just a magic about regular folks showing up.”

With months to go before the midterm elections, Obama is already throwing his weight behind candidates this cycle. He joined U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico at a taco shop in Texas in May.

Known for his love of basketball, Obama had the White House tennis court modified so he could play basketball and had a professional grade basketball court installed at his Presidential Center. He met WNBA players, including Iowa native Caitlin Clark, at that court last week.

Against Turek, Obama says he got “whooped.”

“Now the ball’s in your court, Iowa,” Obama says. “Let’s make sure that we send Josh Turek to the United States Senate.”

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Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2026 election at https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/.

The Mega Millions ticket matched all six numbers in Tuesday night’s drawing, claiming the estimated $800 million prize, or $344.2 million as a lump-sum cash payout.

The winning numbers were 34, 48, 49, 59 and 70, with a Mega Ball of 12.

Lottery officials have not yet identified the winner or the store where the ticket was sold, but we know that it was sold in Florida.

The win is the 10th largest in Mega Millions history, and just the third jackpot won in 2026.

Florida isn’t new to this — the state holds the game’s all-time record jackpot of $1.602 billion, won Aug. 8, 2023. Tuesday’s win is the sixth time Florida has won or shared a Mega Millions jackpot since joining the game in 2013.

Two other tickets also had a big night. A ticket sold in Illinois matched all five white balls and won $5 million. A New York ticket did the same and took home $3 million.

If you missed out on Mega Millions, Powerball offers another shot at life-changing money. No ticket matched all six numbers Monday night, pushing the Powerball jackpot to an estimated $663 million.

The drawing is Wednesday night.

Lawyers for Comey made the allegations of misconduct in motions filed late Tuesday that also call the case a vindictive and selective prosecution, request access to transcripts of grand jury proceedings to expose what they say are “irregularities” in how the indictment was secured, and describe “unlawful” surveillance of Comey by the Secret Service.

Taken together, the new motions, along with an earlier one this week that called Comey's social media post protected speech and not a threat, represent a multiprong defense effort to dismantle a case that defense lawyers say exemplifies a Trump administration retribution campaign targeting one of the president's most vocal critics.

“Ample objective evidence — much of which comes directly from government officials’ own public statements and admissions — establishes that the President’s animus toward Mr. Comey led to this vindictive and selective prosecution,” Comey’s lawyers wrote in one of the filings.

The case centers on a picture of seashells on the beach

Comey was charged in April with threatening Trump through a photo he posted on Instagram a year earlier depicting seashells he said he found on the beach in North Carolina in the numerical arrangement of “86 47.”

The Justice Department has said the photo constituted a threat against Trump, the 47th president. Comey deleted the post shortly after he put it up, saying he did not know that anyone interpreted the numbers as a call to violence. His lawyers have said that the slogan has long meant to “get rid of” or “eject” and has been featured on thousands of items sold online and regularly displayed at protests.

Defense lawyers say investigators who tried to prove that Comey intended a physical threat, or knew that the number “86” suggested violence, repeatedly came up empty but withheld that from federal magistrates as they applied for warrants to search the digital accounts of Comey and his wife.

For instance, the FBI searched an internal database of information about open and closed investigations for any indication of an association between Comey and the term “86” but found inconclusive results. An FBI agent also requested a review of the FBI file for the case against reputed mobster John Gambino, which Comey worked on as a young prosecutor, but found no references to the term “86.”

Investigators also interviewed a key government cooperator in the case, Salvatore Gravano, who said he did not recall ever discussing the term “86” with Comey or hearing it in connection with the trial.

“Evidence obtained during discovery supports at least a substantial preliminary showing that the affidavits submitted in support of two of the search warrants contained intentionally false statements and material omissions, and that those defects vitiate any conceivable showing of probable cause,” Comey's lawyers wrote.

Defense lawyers say the case is rooted in Trump's personal animus

In addition, defense lawyers say the warrant applications distort statements made to investigators by a person who knew Comey but has been now estranged from him for years.

The person, whose name is not revealed in the court filings, is described in the affidavit as saying that they immediately perceived Comey's post to have a violent meaning. But investigators omitted from the affidavit that the person had said their initial impression was that “86” referred to being “out of something on the menu” and only later concluded that it could be understood as a call to violence.

The person said that view was influenced by having listened to an episode of Rudy Giuliani's online show in which the Trump loyalist claimed that Comey had worked on mob cases as a prosecutor in which mafia members used “86” to mean “kill.” But the FBI's own investigation determined Giuliani's claims to be untrue, defense lawyers said.

The seashells case against Comey was the second in months targeting the ex-FBI director, a long-running Trump foe whom the president over the years has called a “corrupt piece of garbage” and other epithets.

An earlier case in Virginia accusing Comey of lying to Congress was dismissed in November after a judge concluded that the prosecutor who charged him and another Trump adversary, New York Attorney General Letitia James, was illegally appointed to the job.

Comey's lawyers describe the prosecutions as rooted in Trump's own personal animus, with the Secret Service closely coordinating with the Justice Department and with Trump, who received frequent updates on Air Force One.

As Comey returned to Washington with his wife to be interviewed by law enforcement about his post, Secret Service agents were directed to conduct “unlawful” electronic surveillance, “including as they stopped to visit the grave of their deceased son," his lawyers said. The surveillance had been requested by a senior Justice Department official.

Comey was the FBI director when Trump took office in 2017, having been appointed by then-President Barack Obama and serving before that as a senior Justice Department official in President George W. Bush’s administration. Trump fired Comey in May 2017 during an FBI investigation into potential ties between Russia and Trump’s presidential campaign. The men have been openly at odds ever since.

The Justice Department will have an opportunity to respond to the defense filings. The department has not elaborated on any evidence of intent the government has. But acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said earlier this year that prosecutors in every case prove intent with “witnesses, with documents, with the defendant himself to the extent it’s appropriate.”

“And that’s how we’ll prove intent in this case,” Blanche said in April, shortly after he was elevated to lead the department after Pam Bondi’s ouster.

Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade tops Edmunds’ midsize three-row rankings. Its quiet, roomy interior gives everyone — even third-row passengers — ample room to spread out. An exceptionally smooth ride makes it ideal both for long highway travel and short local hops on typical city roads. The Palisade’s user-friendly tech, such as wireless smartphone connections and USB ports in all three rows, ensures the driver and passengers stay connected and entertained.

Maximum cargo capacity falls short of some rivals, but clever small-item storage throughout the cabin takes up the slack. Although one of the pricier picks in the class, the Palisade comes with generous features, high-end materials, and an industry-leading warranty. Edmunds also recommends getting the hybrid version if your budget allows. It gets up to an EPA-estimated 34 mpg in combined city/highway driving, and is quicker than the regular Palisade to boot.

2026 Palisade starting price: $41,035; hybrid version: $45,760

Kia Telluride

If the Palisade sounds appealing but you prefer a sportier look, the Kia Telluride makes an excellent alternative. It’s mechanically related to the Palisade and costs nearly the same, but the Kia offers its own compelling flavor. The tall, flat grille, vertical headlights and 20-inch wheels give the Telluride bold trucklike style, and its standard turbocharged engine generates more low-end punch than its base Palisade counterpart.

The Telluride also gets a bit more rear cargo space, excellent second-row legroom, and extra tech such as dual wireless phone chargers. Oddly, the available Telluride hybrid costs more than the hybrid Palisade, but the higher price gets you a few extra standard features, such as ventilated front seats and a more advanced cruise control system.

2027 Telluride starting price: $40,735; hybrid version: $48,035

Toyota Grand Highlander

The Toyota Grand Highlander is a subdued counterpoint to the glitzy Palisade or chunky Telluride. Its styling is more generic-looking, but otherwise the Grand Highlander will win you over with its smooth ride, excellent driver aids and roomy third-row seating. Folding down the second- and third-row seats opens up a massive amount of cargo space, so don’t be surprised when friends ask you to help them move.

Technology is also a strong suit, with features including wireless smartphone integration, abundant USB ports, and a capable web-connected voice assistant. There’s also the even more efficient Grand Highlander Hybrid that gets up to 36 mpg combined. The Grand Highlander is one of the pricier midsize three-row picks, but the premium interior materials and generous space still make it a good deal.

2026 Grand Highlander starting price: $43,855; hybrid version: $47,205

Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer proves that three-row SUVs can also be sporty. The athlete of the class, the Explorer offers agile handling and acceleration. This is especially true of the Explorer ST, which packs a 400-horsepower V6 and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. Tech highlights include a Google-integrated infotainment system with a big 13.2-inch touch screen, wireless smartphone connectivity and Ford’s optional BlueCruise hands-free driving system.

Small cargo space and tight third-row legroom diminish some of the Ford’s utility, and the rear seats aren’t as comfortable as those up front. Also, Ford doesn’t offer a hybrid version of the Explorer. But if you don’t mind trading some practicality for performance, the Explorer is an engaging pick.

2027 Explorer starting price: $40,260

Volkswagen Atlas

A spacious cabin and adult-size seating in all three rows help keep Volkswagen’s biggest SUV high in Edmunds’ rankings. The Atlas’ interior is quiet, and it’s easy to get in and out. Maximum cargo space is also massive, and both back rows fold flat for vanlike utility. The Atlas also rides smoothly over bumps but without the floaty feeling you notice in some rivals.

Impressively, VW has also stuffed a lot of standard features into the Atlas. Even the base trim comes with synthetic leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. There are a few minor drawbacks to the Atlas, such as some distracting-to-use controls and no available hybrid powertrain option, but overall the Atlas gets plenty right.

2026 Atlas starting price: $40,785

Edmunds says

Whether you need a three-row SUV with cavernous cargo space, maximum fuel economy, or simply speed and performance, today’s top midsize picks deliver something for every buyer.

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This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds.

Dan Frio is a contributor at Edmunds.

Meeting in Washington Tuesday and Wednesday, the Fed is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged. Members of the central bank’s rate-setting committee may not be so reluctant to act when they gather again next Sept. 15-16.

Inflation has been stuck above the Fed's 2% target for more than five years. New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh told Congress earlier this month that he had “no tolerance’’ for elevated inflation. Warsh is presiding over his second policy meeting this week.

Fed watchers Joseph Egelhof and Guneet Dhingra at BNP Paribas Securities say it’s possible Warsh’s central bank will “release the kraken’’ with a “shock rate hike’’ this week. More likely, they write, policymakers will hold off, reluctant to risk disrupting financial markets that aren’t expecting a rate increase yet.

Policymakers may also want to see more economic data: On Thursday, the Commerce Department delivers the first look at April-June economic growth and it will also publish the Fed’s preferred inflation measure – the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index – for June.

Overall, only 29% of Wall Street traders predict that the Fed will raise rates this week. But 76% foresee a rate hike in September. A month ago, only 59% of traders expected a September rate increase, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

“Policymakers’ patience with high and persistent inflation is broadly exhausted, meaning there is a significant risk’’ of a rate hike in September, Egelhof and Dhingra wrote.

Casting uncertainty over the Fed’s decision-making is the rising violence in Iran. The price of oil briefly blasted past $100 a barrel last week on intensifying fighting. It’s since settled down on hopes the United States and Iran can find some way to reduce tensions.

Yet early Wednesday, Jordan intercepted missiles launched from Iran early just hours after the U.S. military said it knocked down another Iranian barrage launched against American forces in the Middle East, ending a brief pause in fighting.

After the U.S. and Israel attacks on Feb. 28, Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz – through which a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas pass. That caused the greatest disruption in oil supplies in history and sent energy prices surging. They’ve since bobbed up and down depending on the ever-changing state of the conflict and negotiations to de-escalate it, but the average cost for a barrel is $10 to $15 more today than it was at this point last year.

Now Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen are attacking shipping in the Red Sea, attempting to stop tankers carrying Saudi Arabian oil from passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The uncertainty puts the Fed’s inflation fighters in a bind.

“Sure, it is possible that the latest rise in prices is a transient blip that will reverse in a heartbeat. Then again, it seems equally that the war with Iran will get worse, that the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab will remain blockaded for months or longer, and that energy prices will continue to trend up,’’ wrote Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics.

“Should the (Fed) set monetary conditions on a hope that oil prices will reverse course and stay low ... or should a central bank eschew wishful thinking and do its job of minimizing the probabilities that inflation will exceed target?’’

Inflation has exceeded the Fed’s 2% target since early 2021 when the U.S. economy overheated as it roared back from COVID-19 lockdowns. Inflation peaked at just over 9% in mid-2022 and began to drop in the face of 11 rate hikes by the Fed in 2022 and 2023. But progress has more or less stalled.

Besides the Iran war, other factors adding to inflation pressure are President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign goods and a surge of investment in data centers to power artificial intelligence, which is driving up the cost of computer chips and equipment and electricity.

So-called core inflation – which excludes volatile food and energy prices – cooled in June, partly because apartment rents aren’t rising as fast as they had been. And a temporary drop in gasoline prices last month also helped contain overall inflation.

But several Fed policymakers have been arguing that the Fed will have to raise rates to return inflation to the 2% target.

“Sternly staring at inflation until it melts before our withering gaze is not an option,’’ Christopher Waller, an influential member of the Fed’s governing board, said in a speech this month.

The comedy troupe Broken Lizard, a group of college buddies who began performing together at Colgate University, broke through with 2001's “Super Troopers.” Made for less than $3 million, the movie cast Jay Chandrasekhar (who directed), Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske as a group of juvenile Vermont state troopers. A then-Emmy-less Brian Cox played their cantankerous chief.

The movie became an unlikely cult hit, making many times over what it made in theaters ($23 million) on VHS and DVD. Roger Ebert begrudgingly called it “the kind of movie that makes you want to like it.”

Not all movies look like they were fun to make, but “Super Troopers” did. For Broken Lizard, the difference between the movie and the blooper reel is almost nonexistent. It's like they're living out the dream of every group of funny college pals.

“We talk about that being almost like the special sauce in the movies. You can’t fake 30 years of friendship. Even the best actors can’t do it,” Soter says before his fellow members make him question that declaration.

“OK, maybe Al Pacino could fake it.”

Broken Lizard has kept at it, making half a dozen other movies. In the intervening years, big-screen comedy has grown all but dead, so it hasn't always been easy. They resorted to crowdfunding to help finance 2018's “Super Troopers 2.”

But with “Super Troopers 3,” which Searchlight Pictures will release Aug. 7, they're back again in aviator sunglasses, broad-brimmed hats and, of course, mustaches. Alongside big-budget blockbusters like “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “The Odyssey,” “Super Troopers 3” will try to hold onto its narrow stretch of highway.

“It’s kind of a show-business miracle to be able to make eight or nine movies with your friends from college,” says Chandrasekhar. “We certainly never thought it could get this far.”

A comedy franchise built on speeding tickets

“Super Troopers” wasn't the first movie Broken Lizard made. In 1996, they released “Puddle Cruiser,” a comedy shot entirely on Colgate's campus. It didn't get distribution, so their only real hope for “Super Troopers” was that it play somewhere, anywhere. Around then, the quintet was performing in New York and touring college campuses. Road trips inspired the movie.

“We were getting pulled over a lot. You talk a lot of smack when you see the cops,” Lemme says. “But the second they pull up to the car, you’re immediately in butt-kissing mode. We always wondered what the cops were thinking, if they knew how much power they had over us and how much they could screw with us.”

One of the movie's most famous scenes featured two patrolmen (Lemme and Soter) pulling over a then-little-known Jim Gaffigan. During the course of giving him a ticket, they play a game where one has to say “meow” 10 times in place of “now.” Over the years, they've heard countless stories of everyone from police officers to pilots doing the same.

“My friend is a pilot for United Airlines and he said the aviation radio communication system is just drowning in meows,” Chandrasekhar says.

“Super Troopers,” the group has come to realize, has filtered into culture as much through traffic stops as streaming services. Sometimes, it's been to their benefit.

“I once got pulled over doing 120 miles per hour. The cop looked in the window. He said, ‘Mister, do you have any idea how fast you … Super Troopers?!’” recalls Lemme, laughing. “At the end, he brought over his ticket book and asked me for a photo and an autograph. His hands were trembling. I signed the ticket book, and made sure I didn’t sign on the dotted line. We took selfies by the side of the road.”

Maple syrup and mustaches

The guys of Broken Lizard are all now in their late 50s, but little of their dynamic has changed. In character, they playfully rag on each other — especially Heffernan's loud-mouthed Rodney Farva — but with an affection immediately recognizable to a certain kind of acerbic friend group.

That was true, too, over a recent interview by Zoom. Broken Lizard was in the middle of a cross-country promotional tour. (One stop included interrupting a Limp Bizkit concert, to register a noise complaint.)

“We have families and our own lives and stuff, and when we come together it’s like summer camp,” Heffernan says.

Twenty-five years of “Super Troopers” has meant a lot of months in mustaches. They usually shave them right away but have to grow them back for marketing the release. “The studio,” says Heffernan, “thinks the mustaches are the stars of the movie.”

Living with “Super Troopers” has other, stranger legacies. The first film memorably included a maple syrup chugging race. That, they all agree, they're too old for now.

“We’ve only done it once since,” says Chandrasekhar, shaking his head. “It’s not a good idea. It’s not a healthy choice.”

“We’ll go and do things like interviews or talk shows,” Lemme adds. “You walk in the room and every now and then you see a few bottles of maple syrup and your heart starts to sink.”

Turning a cult hit into a trilogy

In “Super Troopers 3,” times have also changed. The station gets their first electric police car, a development that figures surprisingly centrally to the plot. Capt. John O’Hagen (Cox) is struggling with retirement. Cox is returning to “Super Troopers” — one of his most randomly delightful screen credits — after his acclaimed run on HBO's “Succession.”

“He brings gravitas, and what’s great about that is it makes us more absurd and silly because we’ve got a real actor in the room,” says Soter. “We feel like idiots because we can barely hit our marks, and he’s super professional. It makes us end up being like goofy kids.”

But the main storyline is, for Chandrasekhar's Arcot “Thorny” Ramathorn, a diabolical development: His sister, Sarita (Hannah Simone), falls in love with Farva. As the two begin to plan a wedding, Thorny does whatever he can to sabotage the relationship.

“There’s love all over this movie,” says Lemme. “This is the most loving movie we’ve ever made.”

But it remains endlessly surprising to the Broken Lizard gang that “Super Troopers” has had the kind of life it has.

“George Lucas didn’t conceive of making a trilogy when he made ‘Star Wars,’ but it did very well, as did ‘Super Troopers,’” Lemme says. “So here we are making a trilogy.”

“We’re trying to bring back good old-fashioned R-rated American theatrical comedy. That’s sort of the mission here,” Chandrasekhar says.

Broken Lizard has sometimes mocked Hollywood's sequel baiting. At the end of 2006's “Beerfest,” they teased a fake follow-up, “Potfest,” that fans have continually asked about. Similarly, “Super Troopers 3" ends with a tag for a fourth movie.

“We're kind of kidding, but maybe we're not?” Lemme says.

“‘NYPD Blue’ made 250 episodes of their show, so we can do at least four or five of these little cop shows,” says Chandrasekhar, smiling.

“Yeah, and the ‘One Piece’ manga, they’ve done a thousand episodes,” Lemme says. “We’re going to do a thousand ‘Super Troopers’ movies.”

This tool, known as an epigenetic clock, was developed for the zebra shark (Stegostoma tigrinum) and could soon be expanded to more species, aiding in conservation efforts while also offering new clues about how aging works across the animal kingdom.

“Sharks and rays are a really imperiled group,” said Samantha Bock, who conducted the study as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Georgia and is now an assistant professor at Oklahoma State University. “A critical piece of understanding how a wild population is doing is knowing its age distribution, but we don’t have a reliable way to determine that for most sharks.”

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has estimated that 37% of all shark species are threatened with extinction, and overfishing is among the greatest threats.

Overfished populations tend to have different age structures than sustainably managed ones.

So, monitoring the age distribution of wild shark populations can help wildlife managers assess whether pressure from fisheries in a given region is sustainable.

Unfortunately, the traditional aging methods used for sharks are unreliable.

Using the shark’s size as a proxy is a common tactic, but this only works up to a certain age.

Counting the rings on its vertebrae, just like counting the rings on a tree stump, is potentially more accurate, but this method is imprecise and doesn’t work for all species.

It is also lethal, so scientists are limited to measuring sharks that wash up on shore or are snagged as bycatch.

Instead, scientists are looking toward a noninvasive method: epigenetic clocks.

These models, which predict an animal’s age based on its DNA, have been used across over 185 species of mammals, as well as a few birds, a reptile and several bony fish.

“If you dial it back to a 30,000-foot view, we know that all vertebrate organisms age. And that aging seems to follow similar patterns in different organisms, which suggests that maybe these are actually shared processes that can be detected in the genome,” said Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Epigenetic clocks work by using chemical marks that show up on certain sections of an organism’s DNA.

Chemicals known as methyl groups (a carbon group bonded to three hydrogen atoms) attach to cytosine bases in the DNA strand.

If this happens in just the right way, it can flip some genes on and off, instructing the cells how to behave without changing the underlying DNA.

Organisms typically lose methyl tags across their genome as they age, but some specific regions gain these tags over time.

Sharks remain a missing and critical addition to the development of epigenetic clocks across the animal kingdom.

A previous study on lemon sharks provided evidence of methylation patterns, but in order to calibrate an epigenetic clock, scientists must be able to map the sites onto a reference genome, which the lemon shark lacks.

In this study, scientists sequenced the genome of a zebra shark and identified a group of animals with known ages to develop the model.

Given the drawbacks of existing aging methods, researchers instead relied on aquariums, where resident sharks are often accompanied by a documented birth date and life history.

The zebra shark was both a charismatic and practical choice for the study. While young, these sharks sport black and white stripes, giving them a “zebralike” appearance.

They gain long ridges along their backs as they grow up to 8 to 10 feet in length. In the process, their stripes divide into dark spots speckling their yellow-brown skin, more akin to a leopard.

In the wild, these spots serve as camouflage for adults as they prowl the floor of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, squirming through reefs and sucking up mollusks, small bony fish, sea snakes and other prey hiding in crevices.

Researchers collected blood samples from 51 zebra sharks of varying ages that were born and raised in aquariums. Using a known zebra shark genome as a reference, the scientists aligned the DNA sequences from their samples to see the sites where chemical tags were accumulating on the DNA.

By sampling sharks of different ages, scientists could see how the patterns of chemical tagging increased or decreased over a shark’s lifetime.

Scientists needed the shark’s genome to create the epigenetic clock, but looking for patterns across the zebra shark’s roughly 3.7 billion base pairs would have been cost-prohibitive.

Fortunately, that’s unnecessary, as long as scientists pick a few sites that have reliable patterns of methylation over time.

“We were sequencing the entire genome-wide epigenetic patterns, but that’s pretty expensive,” Bock said. “Accuracy and number of sites have this push-and-pull trade-off. The more sites that you put into the model, the more accurate it is and the more it costs. Our goal was to make this feasible for others to use it.”

Scientists were able to narrow their scope to a subset of less than 100 sites that displayed the strongest trends with aging. From these sites, they developed a model that allows them to plug in a sample of zebra shark DNA and predict its age to an accuracy of within two years.

The model worked across age groups, although it was more accurate for younger animals whose methylation changes tend to be more pronounced.

Ultimately, scientists hope fellow researchers and conservation managers can use the model on wild zebra sharks, but comparing aquarium animals with wildlife does pose a challenge.

An epigenetic clock tells a deeper story than simple chronological time. The model can reveal the underlying biological age, which can be sped up due to stress, disease or environmental pressures.

Two organisms born in the same year might have very different biological ages depending on their lifestyles.

An aquarium animal accustomed to free meals and a lack of predators might display a different age on the cellular level compared with a wild-born shark facing a lack of food, habitat loss or other pressures.

To test the extent to which this might be a problem, the researchers also sequenced DNA from 19 zebra sharks that were born in the wild but live in aquariums today.

Because they don’t know the birth date of these sharks, scientists used size and the number of years since the animal was brought to the aquarium to determine its minimum age.

When using these ages as a comparison, the epigenetic clock was able to predict the shark’s age to an accuracy of three to four years. The model was still effective, but it was not quite as accurate as when looking at aquarium-born animals alone.

“I’m cautiously optimistic we’re able to predict ages of wild individuals,” Bock said. “There are ways that we can improve our model with more research, but overall, this study shows that these animals do display these patterns.”

Now that they’ve found the sites and genetic markers related to aging in zebra sharks, researchers can repeat their study and the resulting patterns with other shark species commonly found in aquariums. If these patterns match up across different species, scientists may eventually uncover a set of “universal markers” that work across all sharks.

“Scientists have already identified sites in mammalian genomes that predict age. These same sites apply to many different species of mammals, whether you’re looking at a mouse, a human or a monkey. The idea is that if you can do that in mammals, you could also do that in other groups,” Bock said.

This research also has scientists looking beyond sharks to a universal understanding of aging in large swaths of life on Earth. Sharks occupy an essential evolutionary position, having diverged from the rest of vertebrates some 400 million years ago. If similar aging patterns exist across all sharks, it would suggest that this way of aging is potentially an ancestral process in all vertebrates.

“This becomes about more than just sharks,” Naylor said. “We are breaking biology down into its simplest parts and putting it back together to understand how it works. If we understand how things work at a basic level, we can start to ask bigger questions.”

Counties are required to offer early voting Aug. 8-15 but can offer additional days before and after that window (see the schedule by county below). Some counties will offer an additional day of early voting on Sunday, Aug. 16.

Voters can also vote by mail, if they request a mail-in ballot by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6.

Florida is a closed primary state, meaning that in most cases, you must already be registered with a specific party to vote in one of that party’s primary contests.

However, the primary also includes numerous races that will be open to all voters, regardless of party affiliation. That includes school board and judicial contests, as well as races for certain local offices.

In addition, in races where all of the candidates are of one party, with no unaffiliated or write-in candidates, the party primary will be open to all voters, since the primary will decide the office-holder.

To find your sample ballot so you can see what races you’re eligible to vote in, go to your county’s supervisor of elections page (linked below).

Eligible voters can vote at any early voting location within their county. You must bring one or two forms of valid and current identification that include your signature and photo.

Acceptable forms of ID include:

• Florida Driver License
• Florida ID Card (issued by DHSMV)
• U.S. Passport
• Debit or Credit Card
• Military ID
• Student ID
• Retirement Center ID
• Neighborhood Association ID
• Public Assistance ID
• Veteran Health ID (issued by the US Department of Veterans Affairs)
• Concealed Weapon License (issued pursuant to F.S. 790.06)
• Employee ID card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.

If you show up without an ID, you can cast a “provisional” ballot, which is then evaluated by a canvassing board that decides if the ballot is eligible.

Each county’s planned early voting dates are listed below. For locations and hours, click the link for each county, or use the map below.

• Alachua County: August 7-15
• Baker County: August 8-15
• Bradford County: August 3-16
• Clay County: August 8-15
• Columbia County: August 8-15
• Duval County: August 7-16
• Flagler County: August 8-15
• Nassau County: August 6-15
• Putnam County: August 3-15
• St. Johns County: August 8-15
• Union County: August 8-15

The couple fled north shortly after the start of the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, in early March. Now, their home in Zawtar al-Gharbieh — one of three zones where Israel agreed to turn over control to the Lebanese army — is among homes so damaged that they're unlivable. But Faqih said they've vowed to stay, settling inside the large grocery shop that they own in the village as they wait to have their home demolished and rebuilt.

“Zawtar is our small homeland, and we are very happy,” Faqih, 58, said. “We will sleep here to tell the Israelis that we will stay in our land and will not leave it, no matter what happens.”

A week after the Lebanese army took control, only about 15 families have returned, according to Mayor Abed Ezzeldine, who says nearly half the village’s 500 homes have been destroyed and many others damaged.

Hezbollah is strongly opposed to the initial deal reached between Israel and Lebanon — which remain technically in a state of war since Israel’s establishment in 1948 — and to the direct talks between the nations, ongoing for nearly three months.

The latest Israel-Hezbollah war began March 2, when the Lebanese militant group fired rockets into Israel two days after Israel and the U.S. launched their war on Iran. Israel has since invaded Lebanon and occupied dozens of villages in the south along its border.

Under the deal, Israeli forces are supposed to withdraw from some occupied areas of southern Lebanon. But the location of the initial pilot zones generated some controversy in Lebanon. Israeli troops weren't present in most of the areas, raising questions about how a withdrawal could happen. In Zawtar al-Gharbieh, it's unclear whether troops were on the ground. But they were in adjacent areas, and the village was under heavy fire, preventing civilian residents and the Lebanese army from entering until last week.

The Israeli military has destroyed 24 centuries-old villages and 15,000 to 20,000 houses in Lebanon, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz told a TV station Tuesday. He said Israeli troops control 700 square kilometers (270 square miles) of southern Lebanon and “are preventing raids on the communities.”

Residents return to damaged or destroyed homes in Zawtar al-Gharbieh

On Tuesday, as Faqih sifted through debris, she was able to recover only nine plates from the kitchen. That room and the main sitting room were knocked out, with the ceiling partially collapsed. On the home's other side, an Israeli strike left a hole in the main bedroom's ceiling.

“We are gathering what remains of what we have collected over 45 years,” Faqih said, noting that she'd already sold $20,000 in jewelry to repair the home from damage in the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah war — something she can no longer afford. She hopes the government will help them rebuild.

Mayor Ezzeldine said Zawtar al-Gharbieh is "disaster-stricken.”

“You can see some homes standing, but they are not suitable for living and cannot be renovated,” he said. The municipality is doing its best to bring water by tanker trucks to residents who return, he said, and he hopes about 100 families will be in the village by week's end.

Lebanese army bulldozers were clearing debris from the village's streets. In the main square, trucks with mounted machine guns were parked near a partially destroyed blue-domed mosque. About 100 meters (109 yards) away, an armored personnel carrier blocked a road leading to the adjacent village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, which is fully occupied by Israeli troops.

During The Associated Press team's visit Tuesday to Zawtar al-Gharbieh, three strong explosions occurred in occupied areas, and brown smoke billowed.

More Lebanon-Israel talks are scheduled next month

In his comments Tuesday to Channel 14, an ultranationalist station in Israel, Defense Minister Katz said that in the 24 villages destroyed in Lebanon, “there were Shiites who acted as enemies on behalf of Hezbollah and threatened our borders, our residents, and constantly carried out provocations.”

“Not house by house, not incrimination — all these villages, their destruction has been completed,” he said.

His comments and the return of some residents to the pilot zone come as technical teams from Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to hold another round of talks in Rome over three days starting Aug. 4.

In Beirut, a Lebanese foreign ministry official said the talks will focus on finding other pilot zones to be handed over by Israel's military to the Lebanese side. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

But in Zawtar al-Gharbieh, mayor Ezzeldine said he wouldn't call the pilot zone successful so far. Israeli troops are still stationed nearby, with drones continuously flying over the village, he said, adding that only the Lebanese army's presence is reassuring residents.

Faqih said that her family does not feel secure and that if Israel expands the pilot zones by a village every couple of months, it will take years “for it to withdraw and for the south to be liberated.”

“We don’t have safety, not even 1%,” she said. “I am not happy with the situation at all.”

______

Associated Press writer Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel, contributed to this report.

The four-time MVP hasn't pitched in a game since July 3 but has continued to play regularly as the designated hitter for Los Angeles.

“My biceps is not 100%,” Ohtani said through a translator Tuesday night while speaking with media for the first time since before the All-Star break. "Just similar issue with the knee. Do we consider pushing this? It is still July. So I think the conversation would be a little different if we’re in August or September.”

Ohtani hit his 10th leadoff home run of the season in a 7-6 loss to the Seattle Mariners. It was his 28th leadoff shot as a Dodger, tying him with the late Davey Lopes for second all-time. Ohtani finished 3 for 4 with a walk, a double, three RBIs and a run.

"I do think that the road trip was exhausting for everyone. I do think that with the day off, he came in fresh and looked more like himself," manager Dave Roberts said. “Certainly the way he swung the bat, the way he’s running, he’s not compromised. Until I hear otherwise, he’s going to be in the lineup.”

Ohtani had a lubricant injection in his knee just before the All-Star break and he skipped the game in Philadelphia to rest.

“I really took the All-Star break as that opportunity to really stay off my knees,” he said. “It’s really something that I have to just deal with over the course of the season.”

Ohtani said in Japanese that the injection wasn't a cure-all and he mentioned “a decision that I'm going to ultimately make after the season's over” without clarifying what he was referring to.

He explained the lingering knee soreness was caused by pitching.

“In terms of running, I’m not exactly at 100% capacity,” he said. "When I know it’s not, then it’s always a little harder to be aggressive on the basepath.”

Ohtani said his knee is getting better, which is a priority.

“I don’t think the team has really come to a place exactly where, do I pitch through it or not?” he said. "That’s still really up in the air.”

If Ohtani's health issues don't improve, Roberts was asked whether it's possible the right-hander wouldn't pitch in the postseason for the two-time defending World Series champions.

“I guess anything’s possible, but for me, it’s highly unlikely,” Roberts said. “Given where we’re at in the calendar, if the knee continues to get better, the arm continues to feel better, I would expect him to pitch. All I know is that we’re trying to, I’m trying to, give him the best opportunity to be as healthy as possible, so he can help us on both ends of the baseball.”

Roberts said when Ohtani is cleared to pitch again, he'll need to go through a buildup process.

“I don’t think anyone can kind of foresee what that looks like,” the manager said.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

A crowd of a few dozen gathered outside Climate Pledge Arena to both support Cunningham and promote statewide Initiatives 638 and 011, which would bar transgender students from participating in girls’ athletics at Washington schools.

Cunningham voiced support for barring transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports in an ESPN article published last week. Cunningham was booed by Storm fans when she checked into Tuesday’s game, as well as when attempting her first free throws of the night.

Media members asked to speak to Cunningham and Clark postgame, but neither player was made available. Kelsey Mitchell and Monique Billings addressed the media instead, alongside head coach Stephanie White.

When White was asked about the rally and Cunningham’s recent comments, a Fever public relations representative intervened with the following statement:

“Neither our organization nor Sophie had any knowledge of this demonstration and no contact with its organizers,” the statement said. “Our only goal as a team, whether at home or away, is to win basketball games and make Fever fans for life, and we are united in that mission.”

Storm head coach Sonia Raman answered a question about the pregame protest following her team’s seventh consecutive loss.

“Seattle and this organization and Climate Pledge, we always want to be an area where people feel welcome coming into this building,” Raman said. “I think we’ve always done a really good job with that. So, I know our organization was working closely with Climate Pledge and the security just to make sure that everybody feels safe and included and welcome when they walk in this door.

“From what I understand, that was successful.”

Heather Weiner, a spokesperson for No Hate in Washington State, a coalition of doctors, nurses, anti-domestic violence groups and other community organizations opposing statewide Initiatives 638 and 011, found it to be a positive experience on the whole outside Climate Pledge Arena.

“Washington State is a very caring, inclusive place,” Weiner said. “We don’t always agree, but we do agree against hate, and we will come together about that.”

___

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

“Evacuate now,” it said.

Suddenly awake, Morgane Bonichot scrambled. She grabbed her 9-year-old daughter, their rabbit and their dog but didn't think to pack underwear.

The 40-year-old childcare worker found herself swept up in one of the biggest evacuations Europe has seen since World War II, forced with more than 220,000 other people to flee a monster wildfire in southwest France that has consumed an area four times the size of Paris and is defying a massive effort, involving a dozen countries, to bring it under control.

In hindsight, Bonichot thinks maybe she should have seen it coming.

Her daughter was in the blaze's epicenter when it ignited last week, staying with an uncle in the midst of the pine forests, scrub and farmland being consumed by an inferno so virulent that it has morphed at times into a self-feeding firestorm, spitting lightning bolts that have sparked yet more flames.

Among the fire's first evacuees, the daughter came home Friday. But with the flames spreading closer to her mother's house west of Bordeaux, the daughter began preparing to flee again.

“She packed a suitcase with a lot of things, telling me, 'Mum, you need to pack your suitcase because we’re going to have to be evacuated,'” Bonichot said.

Just hours later, at 2:47 a.m., she got the evacuation order for their town, Saint-Jean-d’Illac, on her phone.

“Forest fire underway,” it said.

All told, regional authorities have emptied two dozen towns and villages, some ravaged by fire. Others between the blaze and Bordeaux, including Saint-Jean-d’Illac, were evacuated as a precaution by government officials who say their priority is making sure that no lives are lost.

After a pause in evacuations Monday, when the fire's spread stopped, they resumed Tuesday as flames flared again. An additional 4,000 people were moved from camping sites and holiday homes on the blaze's northern edge, increasing the number of people forced to flee: more than 220,000 in the Gironde region alone. In Spain, historic wildfires have also forced tens of thousands of evacuations, bringing the number displaced in southwest Europe to roughly a third of a million.

“We left just like that,” Bonichot said. “My car had broken down, so neighbors had to drive me, along with my little girl and the animals. But one of the neighbors had a cat, and with the smell of the rabbit it became very complicated. So she had to drop me off.”

After a few days staying with Bonichot's mother, they moved again, this time to a huge exhibition center in Bordeaux that city authorities have converted into a temporary shelter. It has camp beds, food, medical and veterinary services, clothes and volunteers doing what they can to make people comfortable.

The rabbit stays in a cage between the mother and daughter’s beds and the dog curls up in a large bowl. After a couple of days in the makeshift conditions, “I’m starting to become really exhausted,” Bonichot said.

But she doesn't want to go home until she's sure they won't be evacuated again.

“I just can’t put my animals through another journey. The only trip they should have to make now is the one back home. Otherwise, for the rabbit, the stress could be fatal.”

“And my dog was dehydrated,” she said. “Here, there’s air conditioning and everything, so for the moment he’s doing a little better.”

Gironde authorities have said evacuees won’t be allowed back until the fire is contained, although on Tuesday they gave the go-ahead for returns to three suburbs of Bordeaux that haven’t had fires. It's unknown when others might be allowed home. Fire trucks are still racing from one flare-up to the next, as aircraft drop water and retardant. Smoke clouds could be seen from kilometers away Tuesday.

Even when this inferno is beaten, the next one may not be far behind. Successive heat waves this year have turned European forests tinder-dry. They have also served as sobering reminders that human-caused climate change makes such extreme events increasingly likely.

“What really drives me crazy is that it makes me very worried about the future, because year after year it’s getting worse,” Bonichot said.

“It’s going to be a catastrophe.”

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Leicester reported from Paris.

Tropical Storm Fausto was expected to pass just north of the Hawaiian islands starting Tuesday night, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Fausto had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was expected to weaken from tropical storm strength early Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Fausto was about 310 miles (500 kilometers) east-northeast of Honolulu and moving west-northwest near 12 mph (19 kph). Forecasters said strong currents from the tropical storm could create dangerous conditions on some Hawaii beaches.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Genevieve strengthened to a Category 4, the hurricane center said. Maximum sustained winds were 130 mph (215 kph) for the major hurricane, which was about 590 miles (950 kilometers) west-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula.

Swells from Genevieve were reaching Baja California and coastal southwestern Mexico. Forecasters warned of life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

On the forecast track, Genevieve was expected to fluctuate in intensity for about a day before consistently weakening.

The former Cy Young Award winner issued walks to six of the nine batters he faced — including three with the bases loaded — before departing after two-thirds of an inning Tuesday night in the Blue Jays' 8-6 loss. In his previous 149 pitching appearances, the 31-year-old right-hander's high for walks was five.

According to Stathead/Baseball Reference, Bieber is the 11th pitcher in major league history to walk at least six while recording two outs or less, and the first to do so since Florida’s Ryan Dempster on Oct. 5, 2001, at Atlanta.

Bieber said he had difficulty gripping the ball and struggled with his command as a result. Bieber didn't walk anyone in his previous start Thursday, when he allowed one run in seven innings against Tampa Bay.

“You have to find a way to get through it, right, and I wasn't able to do that tonight,” Bieber said. “Ultimately, I follow up what was maybe my best start as a Blue Jay with what was definitely my worst.”

Bieber is the first Cy Young winner to have such an outing, although Hall of Famers Bob Feller and Christy Mathewson did, too. Bieber won the AL Cy Young in 2020.

Bieber threw 42 pitches, with only 15 strikes. He is the second player this season to throw that many pitches with so few strikes. Kansas City’s Eric Cerantola threw 14 strikes in a 42-pitch relief outing against Tampa Bay on June 30.

“I have no excuses,” Bieber said. “I have to find a way to get out of that first inning. Dry my hands off and change shirts and eat up innings after that. That's what I was trying to do and unfortunately I wasn't able to. I don't think I've ever had anything like that happen.”

Washington’s James Wood led off the first with a walk, and Luis García Jr. followed with a grounder to second. Dylan Crews then earned a free pass, and CJ Abrams followed with a well-placed infield single.

The typically free-swinging Keibert Ruiz followed with a four-pitch walk that scored the first run, and Daylen Lile drew another walk that pushed in another run. Nasim Nuñez hit a sacrifice fly before Jorbit Vivas loaded the bases again with the inning's fifth walk, prompting a mound visit from Toronto pitching coach Pete Walker.

Jacob Young then took six pitches --- three balls and then two called strikes followed by a slider well outside the zone --- to force in a fourth run. That prompted manager John Schneider to head to the mound and end Bieber’s outing.

It was Bieber's seventh start of the season after missing almost three months with elbow inflammation. He was limited to a combined nine regular-season starts over the previous two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2024.

“Kind of just the last thing we thought was going to happen with him right there,” Schneider said. “When you get up to that pitch count in the first, with him, with his history and everything, just didn't want to push it.”

Reliever Brendon Little got Wood to ground out to end the inning.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Fresh flames erupted later Tuesday near Grand Crohot, a popular Atlantic beach on the Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula, local authorities said. A fleet of 23 planes and helicopters — up from 18 — dropped water and fire retardant as crews fought to keep the renewed flames from spreading.

“The situation remains complicated. That’s clear. We’re not out of the woods,” Gironde prefect Sophie Brocas said.

She said that about 60,000 residents who were evacuated as a precaution from Le Haillan and parts of Mérignac and Eysines outside Bordeaux’s ring road could return on Tuesday. No fires had broken out in the three areas, but residents were told to keep their mobile phones on and emergency bags packed.

The opposing movements — thousands ordered out of coastal resorts while those returning told to be on the alert — underscored how precarious the fire’s hold remained.

Across France and Spain, roughly 330,000 people have been driven from homes and vacation sites by huge wildfires. Spain braced for its fourth heat wave of the summer, with several blazes still burning out of control, including the largest in its recorded history.

Even so, Spanish authorities began lifting evacuation and stay-at-home orders for thousands of people after firefighters made progress overnight.

The Gironde fire has burned an area four times the size of Paris and forced 220,000 people to evacuate. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has said it is “very likely” the largest civilian evacuation operation carried out in the country outside war.

Evacuations don't deter some vacationers

The precautionary evacuation order covered campsites, holiday villages, tourist residences and leisure parks around the resort of Lacanau, Gironde regional authorities said.

“We are at a point of fragility,” Eric Brocardi, spokesperson for France’s national firefighters federation, told the BFMTV broadcast network Tuesday. “We will continue attacking this fire despite the forecast rise in temperatures.”

Even as nearby homes burned and authorities urged tourists to stay away, one family told Le Parisien newspaper it had gone ahead with its trip rather than forfeit a 4,000-euro ($4,558) holiday, while another group debated abandoning a vacation that had cost 650 euros ($741) each.

A fire making its own weather

At its most violent, the Gironde blaze created a gargantuan black thundercloud, electrified and lit from within. It generated lightning, violent winds and new fires beyond the original front. The phenomenon, known as a pyrocumulonimbus cloud, was the first recorded in France.

France’s national weather service placed Gironde under a yellow heat warning beginning at midday Tuesday, forecasting inland temperatures of 33 to 35 C (91 to 95 F).

More than 1,160 square kilometers (448 square miles) have burned across France this year, according to the Interior Ministry.

Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, heating at more than twice the global average, according to the European Union’s Copernicus climate service. Western Europe recorded its hottest June on record, with extreme heat and widespread dryness contributing to the spread and intensification of fires in France and Spain, Copernicus said.

Crews defend homes and cut firebreaks

In Le Porge alone, west of Bordeaux, the municipal government said about 150 homes were destroyed.

Officials warned that smoldering vegetation, rising temperatures and falling humidity could produce fresh outbreaks along the fire's vast perimeter.

Military engineers and forest-fire prevention crews resumed cutting firebreaks early Tuesday. Authorities said crews had completed 103 kilometers (64 miles) of firebreaks.

At least 110 firefighters have been injured, the prefecture said.

Thousands return as second fire stops advancing

In Landes, about 15,000 evacuees — roughly half of those displaced here — were allowed home after a separate wildfire stopped advancing.

“The fire is fixed, which is good news in the Landes,” French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday evening. Regional authorities said that meant its advance had stopped and no new outbreaks had been reported.

Those allowed back included residents of Sanguinet, Parentis-en-Born, Biscarrosse’s aviation village and a large campground. Several other neighborhoods remained inaccessible.

Authorities warned that the Landes fire was not extinguished. Residual hot spots, wind and drought could cause flare-ups, and surveillance and damping-down operations were expected to continue for days or weeks.

Thousands begin returning in Spain

Spanish firefighters made progress Tuesday, and authorities began lifting evacuation orders for at least 20,000 of the 79,000 people forced to flee over the weekend.

Francisco Martín, the central government’s representative in the Madrid region, said orders would be lifted in 10 towns, allowing about 20,000 evacuees to return home and ending stay-at-home orders for another 14,000 people.

Residents of some villages in Ávila were also being allowed home, though authorities did not specify how many. Another 6,000 people could return after a smaller fire near Toledo was brought under control, while several thousand more went home in Castellón.

Hundreds of firefighters backed by military emergency brigades and water-dropping aircraft continued battling several major wildfires.

Smoke from the fires reached Madrid in recent days. Emergency services said residents in central and eastern districts could smell smoke and ash.

Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said Tuesday that nonstop work through the night left him “reasonably positive,” though officials warned that crews had only a brief window before extreme heat returned.

Spain’s national weather service said the country was bracing for its fourth heat wave of the summer, with temperatures expected to exceed 40 C (104 F) in some areas.

The government declared a national emergency over the fires.

At least 13 people have died in wildfires in Spain this year, making 2026 one of the country’s deadliest fire seasons in decades.

“I’ve been living in San Martín de Valdeiglesias for 20 years and I never thought I would see this,” said Estella Costales, an evacuated resident staying at a temporary shelter in Brunete, near Madrid. “It’s unfortunate, but I never thought I would see such destruction.”

Surroundings of Madrid remain at risk

The greatest concern was two large fires that had at times come close to merging into a single blaze in wooded hills about an hour’s drive west of Madrid.

A fire in hilly, rural terrain in Ávila, west of Madrid, has become Spain’s largest on record, scorching more than 500 square kilometers (193 square miles), the government said.

Local weather services in Ávila also shared images Tuesday of what they described as a pyrocumulonimbus cloud over the blaze. Spain has seen these fire-generated thunderstorms form at least twice during wildfires in recent years.

“Look at how the valley is burned. Look at the houses, the people,” said David Gonzalez, a 48-year-old gardener who used his van to deliver supplies to firefighters in Ávila.

“We are feeling a lot of anger and helplessness. It’s something inhuman,” he said.

Fires have burned 1,530 square kilometers (590 square miles) this year in Spain, Ecology Minister Sara Aagesen said.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for a national pact to fight wildfires, saying climate change is making them worse.

___

Adamson reported from Paris. Associated Press journalists Joseph Wilson in Barcelona, Spain, and Iain Sullivan in Brunete, Spain, also contributed to this report.

The sit-down in the Oval Office, which was closed to the media, followed a consequential meeting at the NATO summit earlier this month in Ankara, Turkey, where Trump announced that the U.S. will give Ukraine a license to make Patriot defense systems — a long-running request from Kyiv to counter Russian missile attacks.

Taken together, those meetings underscore how much the U.S. president, once a major skeptic of continued assistance to Kyiv, has warmed to Zelenskyy as Ukraine continues to withstand the Russian barrage more than four years after Moscow's invasion in 2022. The Ukrainian leader, whose relationship with Trump in his second term was marked by a raucous White House visit in which he was denigrated for being ungracious, has worked to court the Republican administration while relying on both likely and unlikely allies in Trump's orbit to exert their influence with the president.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has consumed much of the Trump administration's focus this year, has also become gradually entwined with Ukraine, with Ukraine firing on at least one Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea over the weekend while Zelenskyy asserts that Russia has been offering satellite imagery of U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf to Iran.

In a post on social media after the meeting, Zelenskyy thanked Trump for the “good meeting” and the Republican administration's efforts to aid Kyiv in the long-running war. Officials also agreed that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president's main envoys, would make a trip to Kyiv sometime in the future, according to a person familiar with the talks who was granted anonymity to discuss the closed-door meeting.

“The President and I discussed licenses for Patriot interceptor production and several other ideas that could help,” said Zelenskyy, who also noted that he offered condolences to Trump for the death of Graham, a close ally. “We also spoke about diplomacy — it’s important that the diplomatic process be reinvigorated.”

Trump on Tuesday night weighed in on his meeting with Zelenskyy, calling it a “Great Honor” to meet with him. “Many things were discussed. The meeting went very well!” he wrote on Truth Social.

Zelenskyy wants to bolster Ukraine's defense production

Later during his whirlwind, one-day visit to Washington, Zelenskyy posted that he met with officials from Lockheed Martin for further cooperation in both defense production and exchanging of technologies, saying, “Ukraine has a lot to share with those who help us protect lives.”

Later, in a meeting with senators at the Capitol, Zelensky again made his case for why Ukraine needs Patriot interceptors, as well as a sweeping sanctions bill to impact morale and increase pressure on Russia, according to two people with direct knowledge of the private discussion. They were granted anonymity to disclose details of a closed-door meeting.

While Ukraine remains grateful to Trump for agreeing to issue a license to manufacture the Patriots, Zelenskyy emphasized to senators that that is a longer-term solution. This year, Zelenskyy said, Ukraine will need the U.S. to provide missiles that Kyiv would pay for with European funds, said one of the people with knowledge of the meeting.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who like Zelenskyy was in Washington for Graham's funeral, also spoke to senators, saying Ukraine retains strong support from NATO and the European Union in terms of providing and paying for weaponry, as well as imposing sanctions on Russia.

Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the conservative-leaning Hudson Institute, said expanding production capacity for Patriot interceptors is not only vital for Ukraine, but also for the U.S. and its Gulf allies, particularly as supply runs low during the war in Iran.

“Ukraine has shown that its defense industry is capable, innovative and creative,” Coffey said. “I have no doubt that when they’re granted the license, they will be able to produce these missiles which will hopefully mean there will be more available for the U.S.”

Trump welcomed Zelenskyy to the White House as the Ukrainian leader traveled to Washington to honor Graham, whose final act as a public official was visiting Kyiv and securing an agreement on a package of sanctions that seek to punish countries that purchase Russian oil, gas and other exports.

In a Fox News interview Tuesday, Trump recalled Graham's hawkishness and said the South Carolina senator's support for Ukraine never wavered. Trump said Graham had suggested it was time to make a deal with Iran but had no similar suggestion for the Russia-Ukraine war.

“Ukraine, he's very militant about,” Trump said on “Fox & Friends." "I mean, Lindsey liked war, to be honest with you."

The Trump administration's embrace of Zelenskyy also comes as Laura Loomer, a far-right activist with the U.S. president’s ear had a recent, widely publicized change of heart on Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Ukraine highlights ties between Iran and Russia

Ahead of the meeting, Zelenskyy also warned that Russia has been aiding Iran as the war persists by capturing satellite imagery of U.S. bases in the Gulf region that later appear in Iran. The Ukrainian president also asserted that there was a “clear correlation” between Russia’s images and subsequent Iranian strikes.

Iran is a key ally of Russia in its war against Ukraine and has helped Moscow build up its drone expertise.

But on Monday, Trump downplayed any impact of potential Russian assistance for Iran.

“I don’t think they’ve been doing it, certainly not at a high level,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to Michigan. “And if they have, it has been very un-impactful.”

On the Caspian Sea attack, the foreign ministers of Iran and Ukraine spoke about the matter, according to statements posted on social media Tuesday. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the conversation “frank” and said Ukraine’s focus is “solely at defending our country from Russian aggression" and not on targeting civilians.

Iran has said at least one sailor was killed in the attack. For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is also not seeking escalation but “made clear any attack on our citizens or interests is unacceptable."

Pro-Ukraine backers pushing to advance sanctions bill

Zelenskyy had a busy itinerary during his latest visit to Washington. During his meeting at the Capitol, which was held just before a key vote on the Russia sanctions bill and after Graham's funeral, the Ukrainian leader argued that they have a window to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, according to one of the people with direct knowledge of the meeting.

In a bipartisan 86-12 vote, the Senate took the first steps toward passage of legislation to penalize countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports after more than a year of negotiations.

The bill has dozens of backers from both major political parties and is seen as the main policy tribute to Graham, who died unexpectedly this month from a tear in his aorta. It imposes tariffs on goods from the world’s top five purchasers of Russia oil or natural gas, including China and India.

The legislation also includes sanctions against Putin; senior Russian political and military leaders; and Russian financial institutions and energy projects.

With the ceremony, Fujimori, a four-time presidential candidate and leader of Peru's largest political party, takes office as the country's ninth president in a decade. The 51-year-old is hoping to stabilize Peru's turbulent politics, reduce crime and boost economic growth.

Over the past decade, only three of Peru’s presidents have been elected by popular vote. The rest have come into office after their predecessors resigned or were removed by congress amid protests or corruption scandals.

Fujimori’s Popular Force party and its main ally, Popular Renovation, will hold half the Senate seats once the new legislature is installed, making it harder for opposing legislators to attempt to remove her as president.

An incoming president with a political past and promises for the future

Fujimori centered her campaign around promises to improve security in a nation where extortion rackets have become a significant problem. She has also promised to develop infrastructure by making it easier for government agencies to form partnerships with private investors.

She is the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, who led the country in the 1990s and stabilized its economy while defeating terror groups, but was later imprisoned for human rights abuses committed under his rule by the Peruvian military as his government took an authoritarian turn. He was pardoned in December 2023 and died in September the following year.

During her campaign, Keiko Fujimori pledged to fight crime with an “iron fist,” implementing some policies adopted by Salvadorean President Nayib Bukele, and also build a megaprison modeled after the notorious Cecot penitentiary in El Salvador.

To guarantee judges their safety, she has said she will implement reforms to enable them to hide their identities as they oversee criminal trials.

She also said on Tuesday she would reorganize social services to fight malnutrition in rural communities and announced a 15% increase in the nation's minimum wage.

Fujimori said that the nation's military will “temporarily” lead security operations in crime afflicted areas. And she also said she will focus on preparing the South American nation for the latest onset of El Niño, a weather pattern that warms ocean temperatures and often leads to flooding along Peru's coast.

“My goal is not only to administer the state,” Fujimori said. “My main objective is to narrow the enormous social deficit that affects millions of Peruvians.”

Opposition leaders remember those killed in protests

Opposition leaders have asked Fujimori’s incoming government to reverse a series of laws approved by Peru’s last legislature, which critics say weaken efforts to fight organized crime.

The laws eliminate preventive arrests and stop prosecutors from processing political parties involved in corruption under the same statutes as criminal groups. The laws also make it harder for police to confiscate the goods of criminal groups.

Opposition leaders are also asking the incoming government to create a commission to investigate the deaths of 50 civilians during anti-government protests in late 2022 and early 2023 following the removal of former President Pedro Castillo.

During Fujimori’s swearing-in ceremony, some opposition lawmakers protested outside the parliament in Lima, Peru's capital, holding photos of people killed during the protests. Relatives of the dead have said they do not recognize Fujimori as president and that they are protesting her inauguration.

Fujimori will lead a deeply polarized country

Fujimori was widely backed by voters in Peru’s capital and along the Pacific coast, but voters in the highlands, where there is a larger Indigenous population, overwhelmingly supported left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez, an ally of Castillo.

Sanchez challenged the election results, arguing there were irregularities in how votes were counted at Peruvian consulates abroad, but electoral authorities dismissed his complaints.

Despite the political friction, Peru continues to be one of the most stable economies in Latin America. Its central bank has long kept the benchmark interest rate below 5%, and the government is known for a conservative approach toward public spending.

But critics point out a growing gap in living standards between coastal areas and communities in the Andean highlands.

Fujimori's June election victory, along with those of Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia and José Antonio Kast in Chile, underscored South America's shift toward the conservative wing, a stark contrast from the panorama of a few decades ago when left-wing leaders such as Hugo Chávez in Venezuela or the current Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emerged.

Conservatives have won seven major presidential elections in Latin America in the past few years, most of them since the January 2025 inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, in a winning streak propelled by concerns over crime, immigration and slow economic growth.

India's capital city is in dire need of more charging facilities, EV drivers say, to implement an ambitious plan to phase out gas vehicles in one of the world’s most polluted cities.

“Charging facilities are not up to the mark yet,” said Shyam Singh, a marketing executive who owns a two-wheel electric scooter, adding that it is hard for long-distance drivers to switch to EVs because the current battery range is not enough.

Delhi uses a bold approach to mainstream EVs

Delhi adopted a new policy on July 1 that aims to make the vast majority of newly registered vehicles electric by 2027. While existing gas-powered vehicles won't be banned, their numbers are expected to dwindle in the coming years.

Energy experts say the plan is one of the country’s most ambitious electric-vehicle policies and a significant step toward improving the city's air quality and reducing pollution.

The policy provides EV buyers with subsidies and waivers on registration fees and some road taxes, incentives to scrap gas vehicles, and it offers plans to expand the charging infrastructure. It also targets two- and three-wheelers that make up nearly 70% of vehicles in the city: Starting in 2027, any newly registered three-wheeled vehicles and small trucks must be electric, with two-wheelers the following year.

Currently, only about 5% of the 8.7 million vehicles registered in Delhi are electric. But EV registrations have been increasing, with over 100,000 in the past year, most of them two- and three-wheelers. Registrations for new gas-powered cars and bigger trucks will still be allowed for the time being.

The plan, which is expected to cost the local government 150 billion rupees ($1.5 billion), will offer cash amounts of up to 50,000 rupees ($522) for residents who purchase EVs and up to 100,000 rupees ($1,044) for those who scrap their old gasoline-powered vehicles.

“Delhi’s EV policy is one of the most ambitious policies that I have seen in India,” said Jaideep Saraswat, who leads work on clean power and electric mobility at the Vasudha Foundation. The deadlines, he added, send a signal to automakers and consumers that change is “inevitable.”

While states including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu have offered incentives for electric vehicle owners and manufacturers, cut taxes and pumped money into setting up charging stations, Delhi is the first to phase out gas-powered vehicles.

Going electric can reduce pollution

Severe air pollution in Delhi frequently forces school closures, construction bans and emergency public health measures, especially during the winter months. Vehicles cause about a quarter of air pollution in the National Capital Region surrounding Delhi, and two- and three-wheelers are responsible for nearly half of vehicular pollution in the city.

Ruchita Shah, an energy analyst for the global energy think tank Ember, said the city has long been a clean energy pioneer, including its earlier shift toward compressed natural gas vehicles to cut pollution. She said electric vehicles accounted for about 12.7% of Delhi’s new vehicle sales in the 2026 financial year, compared with 8.3% nationally.

The new policy’s most forward-looking feature, she said, is linking subsidies to tight deadlines after which some internal combustion engine vehicles can no longer be newly registered.

Sunil Dahiya, founder of environmental research organization Envirocatalyst, said cleaner vehicles could significantly reduce public exposure to roadside emissions. Still, he cautioned that the benefits will take time to fully materialize because existing gasoline, diesel, and CNG vehicles will continue to operate for years.

Charging infrastructure is a key hurdle

Some owners of gasoline-powered two-wheelers say this isn't the right time to go electric.

Siddhant Jha, a 22-year-old software engineer and northern Delhi resident, is worried about the longevity of EVs compared with his traditional two-wheeler, and the annual street flooding damaging a vehicle’s electrical components.

“I'd like to wait for a few years for better models and the 150,000 rupees ($1,566) I'll spend (on an EV) will make more sense then.”

Jha is also concerned about EV charging accessibility.

Shah, the energy analyst, said the policy’s success hinges on Delhi building sufficient charging infrastructure and sourcing more supplied power from renewable resources rather than fossil fuel plants. Most vehicle charging now happens at night, when solar power is unavailable, forcing the dependence on thermal power plants to meet demand.

Delhi must also upgrade its electricity grid — especially fast chargers needed by buses, cargo vehicles and cars — to meet the surge in demand and avoid grid failures, said Dahiya, the environmentalist.

Dahiya recommended installing battery storage at charging stations and adopting time-of-day pricing to incentivize charging when renewable power is more abundant.

Delhi's next challenges will be coordinating with surrounding states to decarbonize the electricity grid and public transport electrification, said Saraswat of the Vasudha Foundation.

“As a resident of Delhi, I’m sure each and every one will be extremely thrilled to have this policy. To see that winter where there is no smog, no pollution.”

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Arasu reported from Bengaluru, India, and can be followed on X at @sibi123. Reach him at sarasu@ap.org.

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The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

TOTE Services LLC, which stands for Totem Ocean Trailer Express, was selected by the U.S. Navy and awarded the Landing Ship Medium (LSM) contract. The award covers up to eight Medium Landing Ships and names TOTE Services as the vessel construction manager (VCM). A separate company will handle the physical construction of the ships in Philadelphia.

From Alaska to Jacksonville — and now the Navy

TOTE started in Seattle, Washington and Alaska before expanding its footprint to Jacksonville, Puerto Rico and the military sector. Today, the company also operates TOTE Logistics and TOTE Terminals at JAXPORT.

Beyond the new Navy contract, TOTE already moves 3.6 billion pounds of goods between Puerto Rico and Jacksonville every year — a round-trip operation that keeps supply chains running around the clock.

A ‘pretty exciting week’ seven years in the making

Jeff Dixon, President of TOTE Services LLC and a former U.S. Coast Guard captain, said the back-to-back contract wins were the result of years of preparation.

“Last week was a pretty exciting week,” Dixon said.

Dixon described the company’s culture as a key ingredient in its growth. “I think TOTE is an employer of choice — a company of integrity that genuinely cares about its people,” he said.

A Florida native, Dixon said working in the maritime industry while supporting the military branch he once served gives him a unique sense of purpose.

Jacksonville’s role in a growing U.S. maritime industry

Dixon said the contracts are more than a business milestone — they reflect a broader national trend.

“The U.S. maritime industry is growing leaps and bounds, and that’s an amazing story. Tremendous opportunity,” Dixon said.

Giving back to the Jacksonville community

TOTE’s impact stretches beyond the waterfront. The company supports several local organizations, including Hugs St. Johns, Blessings in a Backpack, Lend a Wing at UNF and school supply drives for students at Pickett Elementary.

The proposal, Ordinance 2026-574, is titled the “Stand for Service Act.” It’s being brought forward by City Council Pres. Nick Howland.

Under the ordinance, companies receiving a Recapture Enhanced Value (REV) Grant incentive would be required to make a “good faith effort” to hire qualified veterans and/or active-duty military spouses for a minimum of 10% of new jobs created, according to the bill.

Howland said the idea is to connect city-backed job growth with Jacksonville’s large military and veteran community.

“We’re a city of about a million and growing and we have over 100 000 veterans here,” Howland said. “So 10% of our workforce should be veterans ... Veterans earn more than non-veterans. Veterans volunteer more than non-veterans and veterans vote more than non-veterans. So if we can grow and better our workforce, we’re growing a community contingent that gives back to the city of Jacksonville.”

Howland described the 10% threshold as a target rather than a strict quota. He said it is meant to be “aspirational,” adding that falling short could affect whether a company receives incentives in the future.

The ordinance also includes a separate economic development provision involving Cecil Airport. The bill updates the city’s policy to acknowledge Cecil Airport as a primary engine for economic and workforce development and says projects benefiting Cecil Airport should receive additional positive consideration when the city evaluates potential public investments.

Howland also defended the bill when asked how it fits into broader debates about hiring practices or DEI, arguing the policy is focused on veterans and military families.

“Veterans are the best candidates,” he said. “They are not DEI hires. Veterans have written blank checks up to and including their lives for our nation, the least we can do is make sure that they have a productive and enjoyable post-service life.”

The bill was introduced Tuesday and will now move through the standard committee and review process before it comes back to the full City Council for a vote.

Haynes died Thursday after being stabbed outside the Leyu Food Store on Kings Road. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested 36-year-old Brittany McLean the following day. McLean faces a charge of murder.

Haynes’ sister, Tonya Anderson, said the conflict allegedly began when McLean asked Haynes to borrow money.

RELATED | Woman arrested, charged with murder after fatally stabbing another woman outside Jacksonville store

“They said that she asked my sister to borrow some money and my sister said no, so she slapped her and that’s how the fight began,” Anderson said. “And that was on the day before — she came back that day and stabbed her in the heart.”

Haynes’ mother, Judy Yawson, said she saw her daughter the morning she was killed.

“I saw her the morning of the day she was killed, and those words would last with me forever,” Yawson said. “She said, ‘Mom, where are you going?’ And that’s the last thing that I heard my daughter say.”

Anderson said the call came just minutes after she last saw her sister walking from their mother’s house.

“I saw her walking from my mom’s house and like 40 minutes later, that’s when I got the phone call,” Anderson said.

Community members who knew Haynes gathered at the vigil, and Anderson said their presence spoke to the kind of person her sister was.

“When I came around here to find out what was going on, everybody talked good about her,” Anderson said. “That explains why she loved to be around here in this environment because they loved her. She loved them.”

Yawson said the outpouring of support from neighbors and church members meant everything to her family.

“It means a lot for the community to come together to support my family at this time,” Yawson said. “A lot of people didn’t know Yolanda, but the people that did know her, they showed up.”

Anderson said one memory from the days before her sister’s death brings her comfort.

“She went to my mom’s house and had a conversation about God that day before, and she went to church that same day on Wednesday,” Anderson said. “So that’s a big step for me to know that she accepted Christ.”

Both her mother and sister remembered Haynes as someone who put others first.

“She was just a loving, giving person,” Anderson said. “And that’s just who she was.”

“She would do anything to help you,” Yawson added. “I will remember her by the kindness that she showed towards me.”

Yawson said she has chosen to forgive McLean, but she will never stop thinking about the day her daughter was killed.

“I truly forgive her because I am a Christian and I can’t hate her,” Yawson said. “But I will always remember the 23rd of July that she took my daughter’s life.”

Anderson echoed that sentiment, saying she plans to be present for every step of the legal process.

“I want the young lady to know that I forgive her, but I will never forget,” Anderson said. “I will be to every court date. The trial. I’ll be to everything. Because she didn’t deserve this. She had a loving family that loves her.”

Yawson said she wishes things had ended differently.

“My thing is, I would have given her the money to keep my daughter alive,” Yawson said. “No amount of money is worth taking someone’s life.”

All Iranian missiles launched against American forces in the Middle East were intercepted, U.S. Central Command said, adding that they “remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness.” In announcing the strikes in Iraq, the U.S. warned that further attacks on American troops or Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure risked additional action.

The United States and Iran had experienced a period of calm, during which neither announced attacks for days following weeks of escalation over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf waterway and narrow chokepoint through which 20% of the world’s traded oil normally flows.

There was no immediate comment from Tehran on the U.S. military statement or the strikes.

The fighting flared at the end of a month packed with multiple pressure points on President Donald Trump. In recent weeks, four U.S. troops died during the fighting, while the Pentagon asked an increasingly skeptical Congress for money to cover the conflict’s ballooning costs.

High gasoline prices tied to the choked-off Strait of Hormuz are contributing to fears that Republicans are vulnerable in November’s midterm elections. The U.S. House narrowly passed a resolution to halt military action in Iran last week, sending another warning to Trump that reflects the war’s unpopularity with many Americans.

Trump has repeatedly retreated from threats to knock out bridges, power plants and other infrastructure but he told Fox News Channel earlier Tuesday that Iran knows he’ll “finish the job” if its leaders don’t make a deal to end the war.

Saudi Arabia and US strike Iran-backed militias in Iraq

Iran launched its ballistic missile attack before American and Saudi forces carried out strikes in Iraq, according to a U.S. official, who stressed that the two attacks were not connected. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military operations.

“U.S. and Saudi fighter aircraft struck multiple terrorist logistics and weapons sites across eastern Iraq in a strong response to over 30 IRGC-directed aerial drone attacks in the last 72 hours,” U.S. Central Command said, using an acronym for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

It said the Revolutionary Guard “and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further U.S. military response.”

The Saudi Defense Ministry acknowledged the strikes in a post on social media, warning that “the Kingdom emphasizes that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces.”

Saudi Arabia said Tuesday that it shot down drones fired by Iran-backed militias in Iraq for a second day, while Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed to have forced a Saudi oil tanker to turn around as part of their self-styled blockade of the kingdom.

The kingdom's Defense Ministry said air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones that had tried to target petroleum facilities in the nation's eastern region.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered security agencies to investigate after the Saudis alleged a similar attack on Monday. The Iraqi military said the country is committed to “preventing Iraqi territory from being used as a route or launching point for any attack targeting brotherly or friendly countries.”

The Iraqi militias have denied any role in the drone attacks. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed groups, called the Saudi claims “fabrications" and implied that Monday's attacks were carried out by the Houthis, who had themselves claimed to have attacked Saudi oil facilities.

A Saudi oil tanker is targeted

The Houthis claimed to have fired missiles at the Saudi oil tanker NCC Ghazal, forcing it to turn back. Last week, they announced a blockade of Saudi shipping, putting another key Middle Eastern waterway — through the Bab el-Mandeb strait leading to the Red Sea — at risk.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center said a tanker reported hearing explosions while traveling in the southern Red Sea. It did not name the tanker but said the crew and vessel were safe.

The rebels fired on at least one Saudi tanker in the Red Sea last week.

Iran and the U.S. had paused their fighting over the weekend, though tensions remained high even as officials said mediators achieved progress in getting the two sides back to negotiations.

Iran said earlier Tuesday that U.S. strikes during an earlier period of escalation destroyed an airport and a marine control tower, and caused damage to 12 bridges and two tunnels, among other infrastructure.

Iran had effectively closed the strait when the war began by firing at freighters and tankers off its coast or threatening them. Following the signing of an interim ceasefire deal in June, a battle for control over the strait erupted.

Iran demanded that ships use a route near its coastline and said it can potentially charge fees. Ships were increasingly navigating a southern route along the coast of Oman under a U.S. overwatch operation when Iran attacked some vessels.

Trump sits down with Netanyahu in Washington

The new strikes came on the same day Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Trump at the White House for the first time since the two launched the war against Iran on Feb. 28. Israel has been notably absent from the recent fighting with the Islamic Republic.

Netanyahu said it was an “excellent” meeting, and Trump called it “very good,” noting that “many important subjects were discussed.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. ability to intercept Iran’s incoming strikes has become an increasingly salient issue as lawmakers, members of the military and experts raise concerns over the nation’s diminishing stockpiles of missile interceptors.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, pushed back on those concerns, saying the military “has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the president’s choosing.”

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Associated Press writers Darlene Superville in Washington and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

This story originally published at GatorsBreakdown.com

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Graham's flag-draped casket arrived for a tribute at the U.S. Capitol, where the Republican served for more than 30 years as an indefatigable dealmaker who talked and laughed and badgered his colleagues into action. Later, President Donald Trump joined foreign leaders for a funeral at Washington National Cathedral, a testament to Graham's stature on the global stage.

Trump called Graham “a giant of the United States Senate, a true American original who left us much too soon.”

In mostly prepared remarks, Trump described his onetime presidential rival turned ally as “the first person to make you laugh and one of the last people that you've really ever wanted to fight.”

Trump told the story of how he had publicly disclosed Graham's cellphone number on the campaign trail, reciting the number in the cathedral, but said the senator had the last laugh because "Lindsey did not stop calling me for the next 10 years.”

Among those gathered were Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, leaders of two countries fighting separate wars, a nod to Graham's role as a foremost believer in the power of the U.S. and its military to intervene in the world's problems. Fox News' Sean Hannity said in his remarks that Graham would have been moved.

Trump Cabinet officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and current and former senators and lawmakers joined in the pews, as did Graham’s sister, now- Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed by the state’s governor to fill the remainder of her brother’s term.

It was the start of two days of services, with burial Wednesday in Graham's home state of South Carolina. Joint Base Charleston will be renamed in his honor, an Air Force official said. Graham died suddenly on July 11 of a likely aortic tear, according to preliminary findings. He had just returned from a whirlwind trip to a NATO summit in Turkey, where he celebrated his birthday, and a visit to Ukraine. He was 71.

Graham had spent his final days negotiating punishing Russia sanctions intended to help Ukraine, and senators worked quickly voting to advance the package late Tuesday evening, a final gesture for their colleague.

A place of honor for a ‘swashbuckling’ senator

During the morning service in the Capitol Rotunda, Vice President JD Vance described Graham as a “swashbuckling” man — "who swashbuckled into the Senate” with his suit jacket open — and was impossible not to like.

“Lindsey was a towering figure,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said, choking back tears during his remarks.

First elected to Congress in the 1994 Republican revolt that swept the GOP to power, Graham was part of a new era of conservatives in the House — and among the first Republicans from his Southern state since Reconstruction.

He quickly rose to prominence as a manager in Democrat Bill Clinton's presidential impeachment, and he was elected to the Senate in 2002. There, he formed an alliance with Sen. John McCain, a Republican from Arizona, and Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut, in what would become the “three amigos,” globe-trotting the world focused on national security issues.

Vance recalled how he argued with Graham over the senator's staunch support for aid to Ukraine, but praised his legacy, saying Kavanaugh “would not be on the Supreme Court” were it not for Graham’s “fierce advocacy.”

For decades, Graham had been at the center of the action — a member of virtually every bipartisan gang in Congress — with a relentless ability to adapt to political realities, particularly when it came to Trump.

One by one, many of Graham’s colleagues said their goodbyes in the Rotunda. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala, placed both hands on his casket and then put her hand on her heart. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., saluted from her wheelchair. Former Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., bowed and delivered a brief kiss and Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., gave a fist bump.

The ‘Trump whisperer’ had one last mission: Russia sanctions

Perhaps nowhere was Graham's political dexterity on display more as when he navigated his on-again, off-again relationship with Trump.

Graham had denounced Trump as “unfit for office” during the 2016 presidential campaign, but over time he had become what colleagues called the “Trump whisperer,” someone even world leaders relied on to understand the president.

Days before his death, Graham had won Trump's support for the long-fought bipartisan proposal to impose sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine, in what would be one of the strongest U.S. efforts to hamper Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ability to prolong the conflict.

Senators said they wanted to move on the sanctions package as a tribute to Graham. After the funeral Zelenskyy, who had met with Trump earlier at the White House, arrived at the Capitol to talk with lawmakers ahead of voting. He then watched the roll call from the visitors' gallery inside the Senate chamber.

Graham's champions and potential successors

At the Washington cathedral, a roster of socially conservative and anti-abortion leaders gave readings, including Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Marjorie Jones Dannenfelser of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and the Reverend William Franklin Graham III.

When Hannity said how important Darline Graham and her family had been to the senator, she put her hand over her heart in response.

Lindsey Graham never married, but the Air Force veteran helped support his younger sister after both of his parents died while he was at college and then starting law school. He became the guardian for Darline, who was then 13.

Darline Graham is now running in a potentially crowded primary field for the fall election. The filing period for the special primary election closes Tuesday, with voting set for Aug. 11.

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Associated Press writers Kevin Freking, Collin Binkley and Michelle L. Price contributed to this story.

The bipartisan 86-12 procedural vote came hours after a funeral for Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, the bill’s chief negotiator. Zelenskyy, who was in Washington to attend the service for Graham, met with senators beforehand and told them Ukraine is making gains in its war with Russia, but still needs more help from the U.S.

Zelenskyy then went to the Senate gallery to watch the vote, waving in support at the senators down below.

At the meeting, Zelenskyy told senators that the sanctions legislation "is important as a moral signal to a country that is weary and tired, though holding its own and then some against Russia," Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana said as he left the meeting.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, “We discussed many issues, first and foremost, anti-ballistic defense.”

“It was an honor to be present as the votes were counted," he said, adding, "This is the first step toward implementing Lindsey’s plans, and certainly a step toward peace.”

Graham and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., announced a deal with the White House on the sanctions legislation on July 10, a day before his sudden death, likely from an aortic tear. Graham had just returned from a trip to Ukraine, where he met with Zelenskyy.

Blumenthal said Graham told him that the deal they had struck was a “big effing deal” in the last conversation they had just before he died.

“It’s a significant part of his legacy,” Blumenthal said.

He said the bill has momentum partly because Ukraine is turning the tide in the war, because the bill was carefully negotiated and “there's feeling about Senator Graham.”

Zelenskyy's presence also helps, Blumenthal said, and “watching his face when he was in the gallery as we were voting was truly a moment of joy.”

Zelenskyy visits the Capitol

In Zelenskyy's latest visit to the Capitol, his message was “positive," Young said, and he talked about how the Ukrainians are making good progress against Russia in different areas of the war.

The bill is a “keystone in that overall effort” to handicap the Russian economy and drive Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, Young said.

Zelenskyy told them that “they are winning the war now," said Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va.

“In the first year it was survival. The next three years was getting your feet under you. But now they are winning,” Justice said.

Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said Zelenskyy told the senators that “Putin would think a little bit more about trying to negotiate a settlement if the sanctions were in place and actually creating more irritation.”

The bill will “send Putin a bipartisan message in a language he understands,” said New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat. “This is our best opportunity to support Ukraine. We are defending not just their country but the rest of Europe from an increasingly aggressive Russia.”

Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump earlier in the day, and the two discussed ways that the U.S. could help in its war with Russia.

A long-sought deal on Russian sanctions

Graham, Blumenthal and other supporters of Ukraine had been working for more than a year to negotiate legislation that would win approval from both the White House and a majority of senators.

The bill allows the president to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russia oil or natural gas — with China and India at the top of that list. It provides exceptions for countries that import less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and are taking steps to reduce those imports.

The legislation also includes sanctions on Putin, senior Russian political and military leaders, Russian financial institutions and Russian energy projects. It would expand U.S. sanctions to target older, reflagged oil tankers that Russia uses to circumvent existing U.S. sanctions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

The negotiated bill also includes waiver authority for the president, allowing the White House to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that the waiver is in the national interest.

Negotiators also added an extension of certain sanctions on Iran after Trump asked the Senate to add Iran to the bill.

Some Democrats are skeptical about tariff authority

While the president's authority was narrowed in the final negotiations, the latest version still met with some skepticism from Democrats who did not want to give Trump additional powers to impose tariffs.

“It is extremely dangerous to give Trump massive new tariff powers, particularly after we’ve seen the disastrous impacts of his corrupt, chaotic, and inflationary tariff spree," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., in a statement with Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass.

Wyden said he plans to offer an amendment to change some of the tariff provisions in the bill as the Senate debates the measure this week.

Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, said before the meeting he was still undecided on his final vote because of the tariff issue. He said he would listen to Zelenskyy's appeal and then make “a game-time decision.”

Hours earlier, the state executed a former police officer convicted of killing a young girl.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has made Florida's death chamber the nation’s busiest at the end of his final term, saying too many families have waited too long to see justice. The lethal injections several hours apart were the first nearly back-to-back executions since Arkansas put two men to death three hours apart in 2017.

DeSantis, who has the authority under Florida law to set execution dates, decided earlier this month to carry out both executions on the same day.

Nationwide, the use of the death penalty had been declining for two decades, but that number has ticked up behind the increased pace in Florida.

Man, 80, apologizes for killing his ex-girlfriend's parents

Dominick Anthony Occhicone, the octogenarian, was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke after a three-drug injection. His execution came nearly five hours after the former police officer, James Aren Duckett, 68, received a lethal dose in the same death chamber.

The chamber's curtain went up promptly at Occhicone's 6 p.m. scheduled execution hour. He lay strapped to a gurney with an IV in his arm, a spiritual adviser near his feet.

Asked if he had any final words, Occhicone said he thanked all of his Christian brothers for visiting him over the years. He also apologized to the family of the victims and to his own family for what he had put them through.

“Sorry for all the hurt I caused,” he said.

“I know it don’t mean much, but I’m sorry,” Occhicone added. “I never meant to do what I did."

The injection began at 6:02 p.m. followed by several minutes of deep breathing. When the breathing slowed, a warden shook him and yelled his name without response.

Occhicone, who was convicted of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend’s parents in June 1986, is the oldest known prisoner executed in Florida since it began modern record-keeping a century ago.

Nationwide, an older inmate, 83-year-old Walter Moody Jr., received a lethal injection in Alabama in 2018 for a wave of mail bombs in 1989 that killed a federal judge and wounded a Black civil rights attorney.

Afterward, the children of victims Raymond and Martha Artzner released a statement saying their family had come to “the end of a long and painful journey.”

“The years since June 10, 1986, have been filled with sleepless nights, empty chairs at family gatherings, and those one-on-one conversations that were lost,” it read in part. “Today does not erase that pain and it does not undo the harm, but it does close a door and end a chapter in our lives that has just lingered on far too long.”

A former police officer was executed in the afternoon

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Duckett became the 11th Florida inmate executed this year. He was convicted of raping and drowning 11-year-old Teresa McAbee while he was working as a police officer in central Florida in 1987.

Duckett declined to make a final statement and showed no response several minutes into the execution when the prison warden shook him and shouted his name. He was pronounced dead at 1:19 p.m.

Afterward, the girl's relatives spoke of decades of suffering.

“I waited nearly 40 years to have him dead,” Dorthy Tula, the victim's mother, said before breaking down.

“This man took advantage of his badge,” said Tracy Mcfall-Buskirk, the girl's cousin.

Record execution numbers for governor’s final two years

Nationwide, a total of 19 executions including Tuesday's have been carried out this year. Florida leads with 12 executions to date in 2026 — more than all other states combined.

DeSantis, who leaves office in January, oversaw a record 19 executions last year, more in a single year than any other Florida governor since the U.S. reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976.

Another execution in Florida is set for August.

Many on Florida's death row have been there decades

DeSantis hasn’t said why he scheduled two executions hours apart. And he's rarely commented on the pace of executions, previously noting some on death row had committed crimes as far back as the 1980s.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. I felt I owed it to them to make sure this ran very smoothly," the governor said last year.

Florida Department of Corrections records show multiple executions on a single day were more common in the past, the last being in 1964.

The U.S. Supreme Court denied last appeals from both men Tuesday.

All Florida executions are by injection of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.

____

Associated Press reporter John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, contributed.

Around 5:15 p.m., a 51-year-old Ocala woman was driving a sedan north on U.S. 41 while the 68-year-old man was on a motorcycle driving behind the sedan in the same lane, according to FHP.

Troopers said that when the sedan slowed down to make a left turn onto SW 25th Place, the motorcyclist failed to stop and ran into the back of the vehicle.

Both drivers were taken to the hospital. The 68-year-old died from his injuries, and the woman suffered serious injuries, the report said.

A video, which claims to show a fielder clicking his fingers to imitate the sound of a bat connecting with the ball before a player is called out, has been viewed millions of times on X.

The person who posted the video described it as “about the worst case of cheating I’ve ever seen in cricket.”

The video of a match involving North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League team Saltburn, has been greeted with outrage online and generated headlines around the world.

TV presenter Piers Morgan weighed in, describing the player involved as the “biggest cheat in cricket history” and wondered how many batsmen’s days “has he ruined?”

Cricket has had its share of scandals, ranging from the so-called “Sandpapergate” ball-tampering episode in 2018 that led to suspensions for three Australian international players, to spot fixing scandals that have led to lengthy bans.

But at the amateur levels of the game, such as this so-called village cricket competition in England, umpires have no access to video replays to make decisions and there's a level of trust required from players when claiming catches.

A cricket umpire could be fooled into calling a player out if they believed they heard the sound of the ball clipping the edge of a bat before being caught.

The league said in a statement on X that it had received a formal complaint regarding a game on Saturday, but did not reveal which teams were involved.

“A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete no further comment will be made,” it said.

There was no immediate response when The Associated Press contacted the league and Saltburn for comment.

___

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

The closed-door meeting lasted nearly an hour and a half and was “positive and productive," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Trump, in a social media posting several hours after the talks, called it a “very good meeting” where “many important subjects were discussed” but offered no further details.

The face-to-face talks come as both leaders face growing pressures at home. Netanyahu is up for reelection and is embattled in part because of his deteriorating relationship with Trump. Trump is under pressure to end an unpopular war that has wreaked economic havoc and driven prices higher ahead of midterm elections this November.

Later on Tuesday, Iran shattered a brief period of calm in the war by launching multiple ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in the Middle East, the U.S. military said, adding that all of the Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted.

An Israeli official briefed on the White House meeting said Netanyahu made it clear to Trump and his Cabinet that if Iran were to attack Israel, they would respond, but that beyond that, they would trust the judgment of the president regarding next steps. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details of a private meeting.

Despite signs of tension between the two before the meeting, Netanyahu was effusive afterward in a post on Instagram, noting that the meeting included Trump's “entire senior team.”

Vice President JD Vance, who has had critical words for Israel and in June warned Israeli officials that Trump was their only friend among world leaders, was among those in the meeting.

“When I say excellent, I don’t mean it in a superficial way,” Netanyahu said in Hebrew. “A conversation with full partnership, with mutual support, with an understanding of the common goal of ensuring that Iran does not have nuclear weapons, and other goals as well.”

Netanyahu later joined Vance and Trump at a funeral for Sen. Lindsey Graham, where the Israeli leader was seen speaking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met with Trump earlier in the day.

Trump expresses some frustration with Netanyahu before sitdown

Trump revealed some tension with Netanyahu ahead of their meeting, complaining about reports that the Israeli leader planned to discuss intelligence on Iranian activities at Pickaxe Mountain, a potential nuclear site that the U.S. president has threatened repeatedly to bomb.

“I know exactly what’s going on at Pickaxe,” Trump told “Fox & Friends.” He insisted that whatever Iran is doing is “not a big problem” and that “Bibi’s telling me that because he wants me to stay involved.”

“Why do you have to announce to the world?” Trump added, flashing his frustrations with his ally.

The Israeli official said that Netanyahu reiterated to Trump during the meeting that Israel will always share its intelligence with the U.S. but that it also understands that Washington has its own timeline and considerations to factor in, including other allied countries in the region that would be affected if Washington were to escalate militarily.

Trump has had a hot-and-cold history with Netanyahu over the years, but upon his return to the White House last year, their alliance seemed stronger than ever. When they started the war together in February, it was with a united front, touting their respective militaries as acting in lockstep to take out Iran’s leadership and pave the way for a government more friendly to the West.

But as Iran fought back — sending drones and missiles slamming into U.S. bases and high-rises in cities in the Gulf, and choking off the Strait of Hormuz — Trump came under immense pressure both at home and by allies in the region to end the conflict.

Netanyahu has been deferential to Trump on next steps with Iran

Since then, Netanyahu, who wanted to continue the fighting in Iran and against its ally, Hezbollah, in Lebanon, has been sidelined as Trump sought a deal with Tehran. Disagreements with Trump and Vance have burst into the open over the war in Iran and more.

“The Americans are making it clear to the Israelis they are the ones who are running the war,” Israeli journalist and political analyst Amit Segal wrote Monday in the daily newspaper Israel Hayom. “It is clear to everyone that Israel has been put in the back seat.”

Of Trump, Netanyahu said Sunday that “many ways, it’s his decision” on how to move forward. “If he can do so without returning to intense military fighting, that’s fine. Why not?”

“But one way or the other, they have to end their nuclear program,” Netanyahu told Maria Bartiromo on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures” about Iran.

The Israeli official said the two leaders also discussed the framework agreement that the U.S. and Israel signed with Lebanon over the Israel-Hezbollah war and the expansion of the Abraham Accords, which have Arab and Muslim-majority nations normalize ties with Israel.

Steps to allow other forces in Gaza and in Lebanon

Netanyahu also needed to persuade Trump that he won’t play spoiler to U.S. diplomatic and reconstruction efforts in Gaza and Lebanon, where the president has previously complained that “too many people are being killed” by Israeli strikes.

In Lebanon, where the Israeli military occupies much of the south, Israel agreed to allow the Lebanese army to deploy to some villages as part of a “pilot program” testing its ability to secure areas where Hezbollah once operated. The U.S. State Department says the next round of talks between Israel and Lebanon will take place next week in Rome with a focus on expanding the program.

On Gaza, Israel’s security cabinet green-lit on Sunday a measure that would, in theory, grant entry to the first members of an international stabilization force outlined last year in a U.S.-backed ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Few countries have pledged troops, however, and Israel would approve their entry into Gaza on a case-by-case basis. The troops — including from Morocco and Uganda — would only be allowed to operate in a small, desolate area in Rafah in the south, where the plan is to vet and house some displaced Palestinians.

The Israeli military continues to carry out strikes it says target militants but that have also killed civilians.

Israel has lost a significant amount of bipartisan support in the United States, particularly over Gaza. An AP-NORC poll published this month found a dramatic erosion of support among American adults for Israel.

Near the White House, a small group of protesters chanted, “Netanyahu, you’re a tyrant” and “Bibi, you’re not welcome here,” referencing the prime minister’s nickname.

___

Cunningham reported from Jerusalem and Amiri reported from New York. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, Darlene Superville and Seung Min Kim in Washington, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report. Cunningham reported from Jerusalem.

After debate, the override vote failed 11-7 — one vote short of the 12 votes (two-thirds) needed to override the veto.

Because the override failed, the mayor’s veto stands, and the ordinance does not take effect.

Mayor Donna Deegan issued a statement after the vote failed.

We thank the City Council members who voted to preserve the separation of powers that underpin our consolidated government. For decades, Jacksonville has operated under a straightforward and transparent appointment structure: the Executive Branch nominates, and the Legislative Branch confirms. That is how checks and balances are supposed to work. They are not obstacles to be overpowered.

This ordinance was another effort to erode the balance of power between co-equal branches of government. Jacksonville deserves a government where each branch respects one another’s roles, where accountability remains clear, and where institutional norms are not discarded simply because a temporary political majority sees advantage in doing so.

Mayor Deegan said in a statement

What the ordinance would have changed

The legislation would have split appointments to the Kids Hope Alliance (KHA) Board and the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees, splitting appointment authority between the mayor and the council president — with all appointments still requiring City Council confirmation.

Currently, the appointments all rest with the mayor and council approval.

If it were to become law:

Kids Hope Alliance Board (7 members)

• 4 members appointed by the mayor, confirmed by City Council
• 3 members appointed by the council president, confirmed by City Council

Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees (12 members)

• The mayor appoints 7 members (one from each of the five at-large groups, plus two at-large seats)
• The council president appoints 5 members (one from each of the five at-large groups)
• All appointments would still be subject to City Council confirmation.

Why it raised questions: separation of powers

Supporters argued the change would formalize council’s role as a co-equal branch of local government and give council leadership more direct input on boards that oversee major public services and budgets.

Opponents countered that the mayor already makes appointments subject to council confirmation, and questioned why council should restructure the process at all.

Council member Ron Salem, who introduced the bill, said the change was not unprecedented and would not disrupt the city’s “strong mayor” system.

“This is nothing new and I want to emphasize that point,” Salem said. “This bill isn’t just for the next year. This bill goes on past that.”

Council member Michael Boylan pushed back, arguing the current system already gives council leverage through confirmations.

“If it ain’t broke why are we trying to fix it,” Boylan said. “This is inside baseball… we have all the power we need to make sure these boards are properly populated.”

In a statement, Council Member Rahman Johnson said he planned to change his prior vote and uphold the mayor’s veto.

Johnson said a deeper review led him to believe the ordinance is “well-intentioned,” but needs more work before becoming law.

“Leadership is not about defending yesterday’s vote. Leadership is about making today’s best decision,” Johnson said.

He added that institutions like Kids Hope Alliance and the library board “deserve thoughtful transitions that protect continuity and public confidence.”

With the override failing, the mayor’s veto remains in place and the appointment structure stays unchanged.

Council members signaled the broader debate over shared governance and board oversight could continue, but any future changes would require new legislation.

Judge Carli Kierny found that the interview is admissible in Duane “Keffe D” Davis' trial, which is scheduled to start Aug. 10.

Davis, 63, is charged with murder in Shakur's 1996 killing and faces life in prison without parole if convicted. Prosecutors allege Davis orchestrated the killing.

Shakur’s death is considered one of the most notorious unsolved murders in the United States. The case went cold until Davis began making public statements about it, including in a book he co-wrote in which he said he was in the Cadillac and provided the weapon used to shoot Shakur.

Defense attorney Michael Sanft argued that a 2008 interview Davis gave law enforcement was supposed to be confidential, and that detectives explicitly told him the interview was not supposed to be used against him.

“I sang because they promised I would not be prosecuted,” Davis wrote in his book “Compton Street Legend.”

Prosecutors argued there was no basis to exclude the interview from the trial, which is expected to take about four weeks. They argued the interview was no longer inadmissible when Davis chose to write his book and speak publicly about what happened.

Davis’ attorney unsuccessfully tried to block the use of the book in the upcoming trial, arguing that it was fictionalized to make a profit and impossible to determine which parts, if any, he wrote. Kierny determined Davis adopted the book as his own, citing an interview in which he described the book as the “real truth.”

The 2008 interview was used in former Los Angeles Police Department Detective Greg Kading’s book “Murder Rap: The Untold Story of the Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations.” Portions of the recording were also played in documentaries, including the recent documentary “Sean Combs: The Reckoning.”

Shakur was killed Sept. 7, 1996, in Las Vegas. He and Death Row Records founder Marion “Suge” Knight were sitting at a red light when a white Cadillac pulled up beside them near the Las Vegas Strip, and gunfire erupted. Shakur was shot multiple times and died six days later. Knight survived with minor injuries.

Three others were with Davis in the Cadillac, including his nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, but Davis is the only person still alive. None of the others faced charges in Shakur's killing before they died.

In his memoir, Davis said he obtained a handgun from an associate and tossed it into the back seat of the Cadillac but did not say who fired the fatal shots.

In the 2008 interview, Davis described how he and his crew saw Shakur that night and pulled up beside them, and said that Anderson “popped them.” Anderson denied involvement in Shakur’s killing at the time. He died two years later in an unrelated gang shooting in Compton, California.

A witness testified to the grand jury that Anderson didn't have a “clear shot,” so Deandrae “Freaky” Smith took the gun and fired.

Davis wrote in his book that investigators were “clearly shocked and surprised” when he began answering questions about Tupac's death.

He also expressed regrets about talking to them.

“It kills me on the inside to know that I told them anything,” he wrote.

The probes will determine whether the Bethel School District, about an hour south of Seattle, and Denver Public Schools violated a federal law that gives parents the right to opt out of school evaluations on topics including sex behavior or attitudes, the department said.

“Parents must be the decision-makers in matters impacting the most intimate parts of their children’s lives,” Frank Miller, director of the Student Privacy Policy Office at the Education Department, said in a statement.

Denver schools spokesman Scott Pribble said in a statement the district put the teacher on administrative leave and completed an investigation after students raised concerns in March 2025. The statement did not specify what prompted students' concerns.

The Board of Education fired the teacher in May, he said.

“The safety, emotional well-being, and dignity of our students are the absolute highest priorities of DPS,” the statement said. “Our actions to date have been wholly consistent with those priorities.”

Bethel School District said in a statement that the vials in a display at Graham-Kapowsin High School in June were not authorized by school administrators and were immediately removed and turned over to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office. Some vials had a “small amount of unknown liquid,” the district said.

Testosterone is prescribed for gender-affirming care. The district added that it will cooperate fully with the Education Department's investigation.

The two districts are in states headed by Democrats. President Donald Trump is a Republican.

The Trump administration has opened dozens of investigations into schools that make accommodations for transgender and LGBTQ+ students, often taking aim at districts that allow students to use bathrooms or locker rooms that align with their gender identities. It accused Denver schools last year of violating Title IX protections against sex-based discrimination over such a bathroom policy.

Trump officials have also pushed against schools accused of keeping information about students’ gender identities confidential from their parents, which the department says is a violation of federal privacy laws.

The Education Department tied the new investigations to National Parents’ Day on Sunday. The agency said it will be announcing “significant actions” involving the enforcement of parental rights laws through the week.

Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Carly Cappetto said Bethel school administrators identified the student who brought the vials to campus. No charges were filed, and the juvenile student was referred to a drug and alcohol diversion program, Adam Faber, a spokesman for the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, said in an email. He said the vials were not tested for testosterone, which is a controlled substance.

The district said in its statement it is reviewing its protocols for overseeing displays to “ensure all school materials strictly align with our educational standards and community expectations.”

“Our primary focus remains on maintaining a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment for all of our students,” it added.

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Associated Press writer Collin Binkley in Washington contributed to this report.

The Fox Cities region, which is home to more than 100,000 people in the cities of Appleton, Menasha and Neenah, was left in shambles by Monday's twister, with homes leveled, cars flipped, and power lines and trees toppled.

Despite widespread damage, the timing of the storm could be why there have been no reported deaths. The tornado arrived in the early afternoon, authorities noted, when most people were awake and after warnings had been issued.

“Everybody was at work. It was the middle of the day,” Menasha Police Chief Matt Albrecht said. “Most people were not at home and at their place of employment.”

Dozens of people were injured, and officers were still going door-to-door a day later in search of possible victims.

David Chew, 55, said a tree smashed through his roof in Menasha, and he still hadn't located an outdoor patio lounger swept away by the storm. But he's better off than a neighbor: A portion of her roof was ripped clean, with furniture and drywall “sucked out.”

“It was just a shocker,” said Chew, who had rushed to the basement with his wife and son.

The tornado touched down around 1 p.m. and remained on the ground for more than 20 minutes, cutting a roughly 12-mile (19.3-kilometer) path of destruction, the National Weather Service reported. The area is about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Milwaukee.

It was classified as an EF3 tornado — the strongest to strike Outagamie and Winnebago counties since an EF4 touched down in April 1984, the weather service said.

“The depth of the tornado and its impact is incredible, devastating. We’re really still at the assessment stage,” Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz said at a news conference Tuesday.

A relatively powerful twister

Gov. Tony Evers declared a state of emergency for the affected areas. Shelters were opened for displaced residents.

As chain saws roared in the background, Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford said a number of neighborhoods were “truly devastated.” Like elsewhere in the region, electricity lines were tangled around broken trees, making power restoration a slow, risky process.

More than 10,000 customers in Winnebago and Outagamie counties were still without power, according to utilities that serve them. It could be several days before power is fully restored.

The twister was spun off by a large storm system that moved through the Great Lakes and was fueled by a buildup of heat and humidity, the weather service said.

“What we are seeing this summer is significant heat leading to significant severe weather,” said Chad Merrill, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather. “We had an EF3 tornado in Wisconsin. People need to take these warnings seriously. It can happen just about anywhere.”

Residents describe terrifying moments

ThedaCare Regional Medical Centers in Appleton and Neenah said it treated 40 people, mostly for minor storm-related injuries. Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton said it saw about 30 patients, all with minor injuries.

Rachel Bernhardt, 56, said she grabbed her dog and dashed to her basement in the village of Fox Crossing after she saw a steel swing spinning in the yard. When the storm passed, her second-floor bedroom was covered in glass and a tree branch was resting on her bed. The carpet was soaked.

“We can’t be in there anymore,” said Bernhardt, who is sleeping on the first floor and using a generator to keep the refrigerator going. “In fact, I’m going to caution-tape that off.”

At Manderfield’s Home Bakery, a decades-old landmark in Menasha, the brick frame around the door still stood, but not much more.

“This can be replaced,” owner Jerry Manderfield told WISN-TV. “We had people in the building that could possibly have died in there.”

Luigi’s Pizza in Menasha set up a food trailer to distribute hygiene packs and free slices after donors kicked in enough money to make at least 125 pizzas Tuesday.

“Sometimes a hot pizza, a taco, and a reminder that your community cares can mean more than words,” said Duncan’s Window & Door, which chipped in for 50 pizzas.

___

Collins reported from Hartford, Connecticut, White reported from Detroit, and Turbay reported from Little Rock, Arkansas; Associated Press reporters Christopher Keller in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, contributed to this story.

The violence erupted when armed, masked protesters at a sit-in opened fire on police and security personnel deployed to secure polling, the regional government and police said. There were unconfirmed reports that several protesters were killed or wounded, but officials did not immediately confirm any civilian casualties.

Voting in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, which is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed in its entirety by both countries, began Monday and is being held in phases through Aug. 10.

The now weeks-old protest encampment has overshadowed the election, with residents reporting low voter turnout in Monday’s first phase, when polling was held for several assembly seats in the city of Mirpur.

At a news conference in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, government spokesman Mohammad Rashid Hanif alleged that the outlawed Joint Awami Action Committee, or JAAC, sought to derail the elections. He said a “significant number” of Fitna al-Khawarij, the term Islamabad uses for members of the Pakistani Taliban, were also among the protesters.

Later on Tuesday at a news conference in Islamabad, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry said the ongoing sit-in was no longer a peaceful protest, alleging that armed militants had joined the demonstrators and posed a threat to public order. They said authorities would soon take action to restore order and ensure conditions for a free, fair and peaceful vote.

The ministers urged residents to stay away from the protest, alleging that some demonstrators were armed with sophisticated weapons and were using them against security forces. They said security forces were responding in self-defense while exercising maximum restraint.

The regional government banned the JAAC recently, citing concerns over public order and security, and arrested dozens of its followers. The group, formed in 2023, demands greater political rights for the people of Kashmir and the abolition of refugee seats in the assembly on the grounds that the refugees have disproportionate influence. It is notorious for violent protests. The dispute escalated in early June after the region’s Supreme Court ruled the refugee seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment.

Hanif, the government spokesman, urged residents to distance themselves from the protesters, alleging that armed militants had infiltrated the demonstrations and were using civilians as shields. He said authorities would continue operations to disperse the protest camps and restore law and order.

Hanif showed what he said was video footage of masked gunmen firing from the roof of a building.

Sitting alongside Hanif, regional deputy Police Chief Irfan Masood Kashfi said armed men involved in the unrest were carrying weapons including Kalashnikov assault rifles and that authorities had received intelligence that snipers were also being used. He said one paramilitary officer was killed and five other security personnel, including a police officer, were wounded. He said security forces exercised restraint and responded only in self-defense.

Kashfi also said authorities arrested an armed suspect in Rawalakot and seized what he described as an assault rifle, alleging the suspect had recently arrived from abroad and received sniper training.

Officials also played video recordings of two detained men who appeared to confess to taking part in the violence. One said he had been paid and instructed to attack troops and police, while the other claimed to belong to an armed faction linked to the JAAC and described firing on security forces with an M-16 rifle.

The group did not immediately respond to the latest allegations.

The Red Sox acquired Mead on Saturday in a trade that sent left-hander Connelly Early to Washington. Mead was injured in his second at-bat with Boston on Monday when he was hit on the wrist by Athletics starter Jack Perkins.

Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said on Monday that X-rays were negative, but further tests on Tuesday showed an injury that will knock Mead out of the lineup.

“Super disappointing. It doesn’t feel real happening in first game," Mead told reporters before the Red Sox faced the A's on Tuesday. “There will be a break in between the next one.”

Mead is hitting .253 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs this season.

The Red Sox recalled infielder Nick Sogard from Triple-A Worcester to fill Mead's roster spot.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch for Duval County from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Weather Alert Day: Severe storms possible Wednesday amid extreme heat alert

Cooling centers open across Jacksonville

When the plan is activated Monday through Saturday, cooling centers will be available at City of Jacksonville facilities during normal hours of operation — regardless of whether activation thresholds are met.

Available locations include:

• 21 COJ Public Libraries: Accessible, air-conditioned spaces throughout the city
• 20 COJ Community Centers: Available across multiple neighborhoods
• 31 COJ Pools and 18 Splash Pads: Offering immediate cooling relief

Free JTA rides to cooling centers

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority will provide free transportation to cooling centers on designated activation days. Riders must tell their bus driver they are traveling to a cooling center to receive the free fare.

Tips for staying safe in the heat

Health officials recommend the following precautions during extreme heat:

Stay cool

• Minimize outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If time outside is unavoidable, seek shade and take frequent breaks in cooler areas.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing made from breathable fabrics such as cotton to help the body stay cool.
• Spend time in air-conditioned places — such as malls, libraries or community centers — to escape the heat.
• Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles. Temperatures inside parked cars can rise to dangerously high — and potentially fatal — levels quickly.

Stay hydrated

• Drink water throughout the day, even without feeling thirsty. Dehydration can occur rapidly in hot weather.
• Limit alcohol and caffeinated beverages, as both can accelerate dehydration. Remind family members and friends to drink water regularly.

Ohio State announced a multiyear sponsorship deal with JPMorgan Chase on Tuesday. Terms were not released, but multiple outlets reported it at $17 million annually.

Also Tuesday, Notre Dame announced a jersey patch deal with financial services company SoFi Technologies worth $18 million to $20 million, according to multiple outlets.

A sprawling $2.8 billion House antitrust settlement approved by a federal judge last month cleared the way for schools to directly pay players through licensing deals — and they're already cashing in.

Notre Dame will feature patches on uniforms for every sport and SoFi will establish an annual $1.4 million fund to support Notre Dame’s “4 for Forever” campaign, funding scholarships in 26 sports and supporting student-athletes through financial education, career development and other opportunities.

"Our ‘4 for Forever’ promise at Notre Dame is paramount to providing the best student-athlete experience in the country,” Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua said in a statement. “SoFi shares in this commitment to developing strong, ambitious leaders who are set up for success at Notre Dame and beyond. Together, our relationship will create lasting value for our student-athletes and their families for generations to come.”

Ohio State jerseys and uniforms will feature a jersey patch of the Chase Bank logo in a deal that spans the department's 36 varsity sports.

“This relationship creates meaningful opportunities for our student-athletes that support the sustained excellence and competitiveness of our athletic programs, while honoring the tradition and values of Ohio State," Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said in a statement.

Multiple other schools have already announced jersey patch sponsorships.

___

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

President Donald Trump vowed to seek a rehearing shortly after the opinion handed him a loss on a signature issue, but by Tuesday the 25-day window had elapsed with no new activity.

A petition would face long odds: The court has not agreed to rehear an argued case in more than 50 years.

The high court’s 6-3 decision in June struck down Trump’s executive order that would have denied automatic citizenship to children born in the United States whose parents are in the U.S. illegally or temporarily.

The Republican president’s restrictions on birthright citizenship had been blocked by several lower courts before reaching the justices, and they did not take effect anywhere in the U.S.

Still, three justices — Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas – would have upheld them. A fourth justice, Brett Kavanaugh, found the Constitution wouldn't block the president's plan, though he found it did violate a federal law.

A week after the decision came down, Trump said in a social media post he would “be asking for a Rehearing by the United States Supreme Court, IMMEDIATELY.”

The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

The last time the Supreme Court granted any petition to change an opinion was in 1965, and the last time it reversed a decision was almost a decade earlier, in a case from 1956, said Aaron-Andrew Bruhl, a law professor at William & Mary Law School.

The bar to grant a petition for rehearing is high. It would require at least one justice who ruled against Trump to change their mind and a majority of the court would have to agree, Bruhl said.

Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and a former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, was confirmed 51-47 along party lines. Republicans had initially hoped to confirm Clayton in June, but Trump delayed his hearing in order to allow his temporary pick for the job, Bill Pulte, to take over for several weeks after former director Tulsi Gabbard resigned.

Senators from both parties have expressed concerns about Pulte, a former housing regulator who had no intelligence experience. Pulte was in charge when Trump delivered a speech from the White House earlier this month doubling down on his false claims about the 2020 election, which he lost, and released classified documents that he said were relevant to his arguments.

Democrats have also expressed concerns about Clayton, who lost bipartisan support after a contentious hearing two weeks ago in which he repeatedly refused to say that former President Joe Biden won the 2020 election.

Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said at the end of the hearing that he was “bitterly disappointed” in Clayton after initially praising his nomination.

Warner said he would oppose Clayton’s nomination but acknowledged that Democrats are “between a rock and a hard place” with Pulte in the job.

Trump praised Clayton after the vote, writing on social media: “Jay is outstanding in every way, and will do a spectacular job as Director!”

Trump revisits false claims about 2020 election

The Democratic pushback on Clayton comes as Trump has made revisiting 2020 a primary focus, repeatedly trying to cast doubt on that election and amplifying debunked theories about Biden’s win. Clayton said repeatedly at the hearing that the election was “certified” for Biden, declining to say outright that the Democrat won.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he thought Clayton’s performance was “abysmal,” and that “makes it much less likely that he will get Democratic votes.”

Hours before the scheduled Senate vote on Clayton, Pulte released intelligence community documents from 2020 that described China’s capacity to interfere in the American political process as well as vulnerabilities in the election system.

The substance of the material was largely recycled and already known, but its disclosure is part of the broader Trump administration effort to raise concerns about the integrity of U.S. elections.

Clayton emphasized his experience

Pulte has also said he has presided over a downsizing of the national intelligence office, which functions as a coordinating hub for the U.S. government’s intelligence agencies. He boasted on social media that with the latest round of job cuts, the office is carrying out about a 30% staff reduction from weeks ago. He has not offered details about those cuts, making it hard to immediately corroborate the extent of any reductions.

Clayton did not mention Pulte in the confirmation hearing. But he emphasized his own government and national security experience, attempting to assuage senators in both parties.

“I saw firsthand how a strong national security apparatus depends on decisive judgment, discipline, integrity, and effective communication and cooperation across different branches of the government,” Clayton said. “If confirmed as Director of National Intelligence, I will commit to upholding these principles every day.”

Clayton also told senators that he had no involvement in Trump's speech about the 2020 election.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who expressed frustration last month when the hearing was delayed, said that Clayton has a reputation for operating with “morality, decency and integrity” in his previous positions.

“Jay Clayton is a highly qualified nominee with a deep experience combating a wide range of national security threats,” Cotton said.

The Defense Casualty Analysis System, or DCAS, has removed the four soldiers killed and dozens of troops wounded in the latest exchange of fire from its official Iran war tally and placed them in a new category called “Overseas Operations.”

The overall total of wounded from the conflict now stands at 642 troops, between the figures listed under Operation Epic Fury and those listed in the new category in the Pentagon’s online system.

A Pentagon official said Tuesday that because Operation Epic Fury has concluded, the military has decided to classify casualties tied to the latest strikes in the new category. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters, would not offer a date for the formal end of the operation.

That characterization raises questions about properly counting the impact to U.S. service members after the U.S. military carried out nearly two weeks of consecutive strikes against Iran in a bid to gain control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by striking neighboring countries in the Middle East that host U.S. forces.

After a few days of paused hostilities and efforts by mediators to get both sides back to negotiations, U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that it intercepted multiple ballistic missiles fired at American troops in the region. The U.S. and Iran had agreed to a tenuous ceasefire in April and signed an interim deal to end the war in mid-June before strikes began again this month when Iran attacked ships in the crucial shipping route.

After the four soldiers who were killed this month were removed from the Iran war death toll in the online system, Pentagon spokespeople said last week on social media that it was not an effort to hide the growing human cost of the conflict but rather the result of “anomalies” and “temporary data disruptions” that were being resolved “imminently.”

On Sunday, those troops appeared by name in the new “Overseas Operations” category. Three soldiers were killed after a base in Jordan was struck July 17 by Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, and one died in Iraq a day later during a controlled detonation of an Iranian drone.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters at a White House briefing in May that the operation had “concluded,” saying that “we achieved the objectives of that operation.”

When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before Congress last week, he didn’t argue that the Iran war had concluded and even offered lawmakers some cost estimates for the conflict that ran through Sept. 30.