Comment on Lowell's chronic absentee rates declining

Will kids enjoy it? That’s what is really important about the national tour of “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” now in Fort Lauderdale for its six-day run at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Yes, they will. The musical has just enough theatric pow to keep children — more or less — engaged for 90 minutes without an intermission. There’s Seuss-esque sets, sparkly lighting, paunchy costumes, puppetry, fog machines, super-silly sight gags, sing-along prompts and … just when you think they’re almost done … a real wow special effect (nope, no spoilers here). Now as for you — the adult — that’s a different matter. There are no plot twists or surprises for grown-ups who grew up on this story, which was a 1957 children’s book later made into the classic 1966 animated TV movie.

A man accused of dropping his Bible along with the clothing he wore and the weapon he used at a murder scene in West Park in March 2021 was found guilty Thursday of first-degree murder, guaranteeing a life in prison. Prosecutors told jurors that Mario Williams fled the scene on foot after shooting and killing Joseph Jackson, ditching some of his belongings on the way.

Florida can end 2024 on a four-game winning streak and complete an impressive turnaround in Billy Napier’s third season. The Gators are two-touchdown favorites against a team without its starting quarterback, but Tulane coach Jon Sumrall wants to avoid a season-ending three-game skid to cap a once-promising debut season. Meanwhile, a lack of  activity mining the transfer portal, the possible flip of 5-star wideout Dallas Wilson and the unbeaten men’s basketball team also have Edgar and Mark’s attention during the latest Swamp Things. Gasparilla Bowl appetizer (:00) Backyard game (3:50) Dallas Wilson drama (6:25) Portal handwringing (8:20) Billy earned benefit of the doubt (15:00) Reason for optimism (17:13) Reason for pessimism (22:59) Matchup on offense (25:24) Matchup on defense (27:28) Who has your attention?

MIAMI GARDENS — Is Tyreek Hill the perfect troll, or is Tyreek Hill simply tone deaf to Dolphins fans? I think it’s both, but unfortunately more of the latter. That bothers me a little. What matters more is that it greatly bothers and agitates a large contingent of Dolphins fans. Hill, the Dolphins’ dynamic wide receiver, is the Dolphins’ best player and, most likely, a future Hall of Famer. Typically, I’ve been pro-Tyreek on and off the field. He’s got a good sense of humor.  But he’s gone too far this time.

MIAMI GARDENS — When the Miami Dolphins brought defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver onto the coaching staff this offseason, it was known it could be a one-year rental. Why? He’s too good of a coach to be kept in the coordinator ranks for long. Weaver’s name had already come up in interviews for head coaching vacancies last offseason, and it’s sure to happen again after a season that has three weeks left with the Dolphins facing the San Francisco 49ers in their home finale on Sunday. Miami’s defensive coordinator, who came from coaching the defensive line of the Baltimore Ravens the previous three seasons, the last two of which he also held the assistant head coach title, can command a room.

By THOMAS BEAUMONT, Associated Press In the first major flex of his influence since Donald Trump was elected, Elon Musk brought to a sudden halt a bipartisan budget proposal by posting constantly on his X megaphone and threatening Republicans with primary challenges. The social media warnings from the world’s wealthiest man preceded Trump’s condemnation of a measure negotiated by GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson, which effectively killed the stopgap measure that was designed to prevent a partial shutdown of the federal government. Washington was scrambled a day after Musk’s public pressure campaign.