Shivering through the night in a blanket-stuffed sleeping bag while wearing a puffy jacket, down booties and a borrowed beanie and gloves wasn’t on my outdoors bingo card for the year. But that’s probably just my California hubris speaking. Living here, it’s easy to take the comfort of year-round outdoor adventures for granted. And when I pictured heading south from the Bay Area to Pinnacles National Park for a weekend jaunt — opting for a two-night stay at the park’s tent cabin... Read More
Month: February 2025
Fort Lauderdale residents get sticker shock from water bills. Everything to know.
Skyrocketing water bills are sending shock waves through Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has warned residents that steep rate increases are needed to pay for a new $1.4 billion water plant expected to open next year. But the issue has triggered enough outrage for the city to send out an email blast in early February explaining why water bills are going up and what residents can do if they suspect a problem. “We understand that higher water bills can be frustrating, and we want to provide... Read More
Where things stand as Congress tries to avoid a partial government shutdown in two weeks
By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — As House members finished voting for the week and left Washington, the lead Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, voiced frustration that Republicans had yet to respond to her latest offer on a full-year spending bill, even though it had been made five days earlier. Meanwhile, her Republican counterpart outright dismissed Democratic efforts to include assurances in the legislation that funding approved by... Read More
Casey DeSantis, appearing with her husband the governor, coy about whether she’ll run
Casey DeSantis declined to say Friday whether she plans to run for governor of Florida next year to succeed her term-limited husband, Gov. Ron DeSantis. Asked directly at a news conference in Miami, she avoided a direct answer. “Well, I would say one thing, to quote the late, great Yogi Berra, ‘When you come to a fork in the road, take it,’” Casey DeSantis said. Gov. DeSantis, stepping back to the microphone after her comment, said “you guys can read into that what you... Read More
Tyler Herro ready to throw hands for the Heat (but in a good way)
MIAMI – In yet another aspect of the evolution of his game, Tyler Herro has been throwing hands this season. No, no fisticuffs involved, but rather aggressive with his rip-through moves to the degree of now successfully drawing fouls when opponents dare reach in while he is playing in attack mode. No, not to the degree of, say, a James Harden, but flailing his arm enough for a healthy whistle. And, coach Erik Spoelstra said, a deserved whistle. “Tyler is just continuing to get better,... Read More
Today in History: February 28, the Waco Siege begins
Today is Friday, Feb. 28, the 59th day of 2025. There are 306 days left in the year. Today in history: On Feb. 28, 1993, a gun battle erupted at a religious compound near Waco, Texas, when Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents tried to arrest Branch Davidian leader David Koresh on weapons charges; four agents and six Davidians were killed as a 51-day standoff began. Also on this date: In 1844, a 12-inch gun aboard the USS Princeton exploded as the ship was sailing on the Potomac... Read More
Palm Beach County rolls in small-school state soccer semifinals
The American Heritage-Delray boys, Somerset Academy-Canyons girls and Benjamin girls all needed come-from-behind victories in the state semifinals and were rewarded with appearances in the state championship games at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium in DeLand this weekend. American Heritage-Delray senior forward Jake Stansbury scored early and late as the Stallions boys (11-4-3) stunned two-time defending state champion Gulliver Prep 3-2 in the Class 3A state semifinal on Tuesday. They advanced... Read More
UCFAA files motion to dismiss lawsuit by former assistant coach Ted Roof
The UCF Athletics Association Inc. filed a motion in the Orange County Courts on Wednesday to dismiss the breach of contract lawsuit brought against it by former defensive coordinator coach Ted Roof. The lawsuit, filed Jan. 24, claims the school adjusted his termination compensation after coach Gus Malzahn resigned. Roof is seeking more than $50,000 in damages. The motion, filed by UCFAA, states that “Coach Roof misread the agreement by failing to give effect to all its provisions. The... Read More
Most American Jews say they rarely or never pray, new poll finds
The proportion of American Jews who pray on any regular basis is down sharply from a decade ago, according to a new poll of American religion by the Pew Research Center. In 2014, 45% of Jewish adults chose “seldom/never” to describe their prayer frequency. When Pew asked the question again in 2023 and 2024, the proportion was 58%. The increase exceeds the polls’ margins of error — 5% for Jews in this year’s study — meaning that it is considered statistically significant. The poll... Read More
Q&A with former Oscars head writer Bruce Vilanch before his book signing at Stonewall Museum
You’ve probably heard Bruce Vilanch’s jokes even if you’ve never seen his standup act. That’s because the two-time Emmy Award winner has punched up the comedy at Oscars, Tony, Grammy and Emmy awards shows as a writer. He’s also scripted the acts of entertainment legends such as Bette Midler, Billy Crystal, Cher, Lily Tomlin, David Letterman, Diana Ross, Whoopi Goldberg, Elizabeth Taylor, Rosie O’Donnell and many more. And now Vilanch is coming to South Florida for a book reading... Read More