Comment on America's right to bear fireworks continues to make American Independence Day divisive

Dear Eric: How do you stay friends with someone who puts zero interest in maintaining an adult friendship? My best friend from high school (of more than 20 years) had kids a few years ago. The kids are young but out of the baby stage. My friend constantly asks to hang out but never offers anything that is not totally kid-focused.

Today is Wednesday, Dec. 4, the 339th day of 2024. There are 27 days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 4, 1991, after being abducted and held for nearly seven years as a hostage by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, Associated Press correspondent Terry Anderson was released from captivity. Also on this date: In 1783, Gen.

Here are the top stories for Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Get the weather forecast for today here. SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get our free Morning Update email. Sign up here. A gambling underworld: Illegal casinos thrive in Florida despite raids Go behind the tiki at renovated Mai-Kai, with drone footage and insights from the creative team What’s being built there?

Q: I’m going to say it. The Heat need a reboot. No tweaks. They are not fun to watch. Same old, same old plays. Boring basketball. – Pipsy. A: But when you get down to it, have the Heat truly been a “fun” team since the Big Three years? Instead, it just as often has been boasting about winning in the mud and winning with defense.

Polk County Judge John Flynn’s campaign message included his intention to be tough on criminals. He said, “If someone is found guilty, the punishment should sting enough for the person to learn criminal behavior will not be tolerated.” His statements led the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers to conclude that it would undermine public confidence in the judge’s ability to give a fair hearing.

MIAMI – The Miami Heat do not have a spot in the NBA Cup knockout round but with that preliminary round of the second-annual in-season tournament competed on Tuesday night, they now have a full regular-season schedule. Because of the uncertainty of which eight teams would advance to the NBA Cup quarterfinals, the season schedule that was released in August included only 80 of the 82 games.