Audrey A. Hilton

TALLAHASSEE — In a rare act of defiance, Florida’s Republican legislative leaders pushed back late Monday against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ call for a special session on immigration two weeks from now, calling it “premature” and “irresponsible” and possibly harmful. In a memo to all 160 members of the Legislature released hours after DeSantis’ announcement, Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez took umbrage with what they described as DeSantis’ unilateral call for a special session for Jan.

By CORA LEWIS NEW YORK (AP) — During natural disasters like wildfires and floods, scammers often emerge to prey on victims. Related Articles National News | IRS is sending out automatic stimulus payments. Who is getting them? National News | Prosecutor who investigated Hunter Biden defends probes, denounces president’s remarks in new report National News | Amazon is ending its ‘Try Before You Buy’ option for Prime members National News | Hanging out at Starbucks will cost you as company reverses its open-door policy National News | Company linked to Alex Jones doubles offer to buy Infowars after failed bankruptcy auction People in heightened emotional states in the wake of a catastrophic event should be extra careful of impersonators asking for identifying details, according to Karina Layugan, an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission based in Los Angeles, where firefighters in the region are battling blazes that have already destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people. Scammers sometimes pretend to be from the utility company or the Federal Emergency Management Agency and ask to “verify information.” If someone uses that phrase, ask why the individual needs that information and “always contact the company or agency directly,” she said.

An off-duty Lauderhill Police officer shot and killed two dogs in Tamarac on Monday afternoon, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies were called to the Extended Stay America hotel in the 3800 block of West Commercial Boulevard about noon. The officer’s own dogs had been attacked by the other two, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The Miami Hurricanes secured their first commitment for the 2027 class on Monday evening, and it came from one of the top up-and-coming wide receivers in South Florida. American Heritage receiver Ah’mari Stevens pledged to the Hurricanes, announcing he was  “staying at the crib” on social media Monday evening. Stevens, who is not currently ranked, holds offers from Auburn, Florida State, Mississippi and Penn State, among others. Stevens, who played for St.

Mario Cristobal was looking for someone who was, in his words, adaptable. The Miami Hurricanes defense got worse as the season wore on and injuries piled up. The Hurricanes never made the needed adjustments that could have given them the edge over Georgia Tech or Syracuse and put them in the College Football Playoff.

By ERIC TUCKER and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — The criminal charges against Hunter Biden “were the culmination of thorough, impartial investigations, not partisan politics,” the prosecutor who led the probes said in a report released Monday that sharply criticized President Joe Biden for having maligned the Justice Department when he pardoned his son. Related Articles National News | IRS is sending out automatic stimulus payments.