By TOQA EZZIDIN and JULIA FRANKEL CAIRO (AP) — Desperate Palestinians at a garbage dump in a Gaza neighborhood dug with their bare hands for plastic items to burn to keep warm in the cold and damp winter in the enclave, battered by two years of the Israel-Hamas war. The scene in the Muwasi area of the city of Khan Younis contrasted starkly with the vision of the territory projected by world leaders gathered in Davos, Switzerland, where they inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board... Read More
Step inside history: Cattle car replica brings Holocaust survivor testimonies to South Florida
History isn’t just a lesson here. It becomes real inside a World War II cattle car replica. The centerpiece of a traveling exhibit by Boca Raton’s Hate Ends Now, the cattle car will be on display at two South Florida locations this month: Coconut Creek and Coral Springs. “While misinformation spreads quickly and historical memory fades fast, our exhibit aims to help connect past events to present-day consequences,” said Todd Cohn, CEO of the nonprofit Hate Ends Now. “It reinforces... Read More
Proposal to require state oversight of insurance affiliate payments clears first hurdle in Legislature
Property insurance companies would face increased scrutiny by state regulators over payments they make to parent and affiliate companies — which critics say can be used to cloud profits and justify rate increases — under a bill unanimously supported by a House insurance committee. Supporters say the measure, if enacted by the full Legislature, will save policyholders money by preventing insurers from paying excessive fees. The bill, sponsored by Pinellas County Republican Kimberly... Read More
Book review: Private detective mystery meets relevant history lesson in ‘The Red Scare Murders’
‘The Red Scare Murders’ by Con Lehane; Soho Crime; 400 pages; $29.95 Award-winning author Con Lehane melds a solid private detective novel with a satisfying historical look at the communist witch hunt during the McCarthy era of the early 1950s in “The Red Scare Murders.” In this launch of a new series, Lehane tackles conspiracy theories, racism, power-mad politicians and how families and careers were ruined through blacklisting, while also depicting the intricacies of New York City... Read More
US applications for jobless benefits inch up last week to a still-low 200,000
By MATT OTT, Associated Press Business Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits inched up last week but U.S. layoffs remain historically low despite signs of a softening labor market. U.S. filings for jobless aid for the week ending Jan. 17 rose by 1,000 to 200,000, up from 199,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s fewer than the 207,000 new applications that analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet were... Read More
There’s the beef: Charm City Burger Co. announces opening date for new Boca Raton restaurant
Better make room for a double cheeseburger, South Florida. Sirloin slingers Evan David and Mike Saperstein definitely have. After more than two years of delays, the owners of the critically beloved Charm City Burger Co. in Deerfield Beach tell the South Florida Sun Sentinel they will debut their first sister restaurant in downtown Boca Raton on Friday, Jan. 23. The long-awaited location will feature a dramatically larger space and menu including cheesesteak subs, chicken tenders, salads, new... Read More
Fort Lauderdale keeps 4 a.m. closing for bars in nightlife districts but bans outdoor alcohol sales
The days of roaming from bar to bar with an alcoholic beverage in hand will soon be ending in Fort Lauderdale. After two separate shootings at night spots on the beach and downtown, Fort Lauderdale plans to ban outdoor alcohol sales and open-container consumption at all five of its special entertainment districts, including Beach Place and Himmarshee Village. Commissioners approved the plan Tuesday night and are expected to take a final vote next month before the arrival of Spring Break. An... Read More
Miss Manners: One rude woman is ruining my grandmother’s get-togethers
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Once a month, my grandmother hosts a group of friends at her house for a chat and an afternoon tea. She loves the company and the catch-up, as they are all older and can’t get out much, especially since COVID. I noticed one guest is very snippety and degrading to the rest of the group, but my grandmother says it isn’t her place to say anything. I noticed the group declining in numbers and coming up with reasons not to come. My grandmother is angry at her friends for... Read More
Take these steps to protect yourself from winter weather dangers
By JUAN A. LOZANO and PATRICK WHITTLE HOUSTON (AP) — Winter weather brings various hazards that people have to contend with to keep warm and safe. These dangers can include carbon monoxide poisoning, hypothermia and frozen pipes that can burst and make homes unlivable. Public safety officials and experts say there are multiple ways people can prepare themselves to avoid these winter weather hazards and keep themselves safe. The hazards are on the radar this week because millions of people... Read More
Conservative group says Los Angeles school policy hurts white students in federal lawsuit
By JAIMIE DING LOS ANGELES (AP) — A conservative group filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday challenging a Los Angeles schools policy meant to address the harms of segregation, alleging that it discriminates against white students. The 1776 Project Foundation, created by the 1776 Project PAC, targeted in its lawsuit a Los Angeles Unified School District policy that provides smaller class sizes and other benefits to schools with predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian or other non-white students.... Read More