Life Stories: Teaching Wasn't Work For Butch Umbarger, Who Considered His Profession 'a Gift From God'

Winners of this year’s elections haven’t all been sworn into office yet, but South Florida political insiders are already sussing out potential candidates for high profile 2026 contests. Among the intriguing possibilities: State Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-Lighthouse Point, challenging U. S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Parkland. Another maybe: Former state Sen. Lauren Book, who just left office this month because of term limits, running to succeed another Democrat, state Sen.

As open enrollment for Affordable Care Act plans continues through Jan. 15, you’re likely seeing fewer social media ads promising monthly cash cards worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars that you can use for groceries, medical bills, rent and other expenses. But don’t worry. You haven’t missed out on any windfalls.

Q: Ira, if the Heat can trade Thomas Bryant on Dec. 15, shouldn’t they be showcasing him? – Naz. A: You are correct, that as with other players signed by the Heat in the offseason, Thomas Bryant becomes eligible to be dealt starting on Dec. 15. In fact, the Heat got Thomas to agree to waive his no-trade clause as a Bird Rights player on a one-year deal in order to at least leave open the possibility of a deal.

By the eighth day — a political speed record  — it was obvious to Donald Trump that there were not enough senators willing to hold their noses and make Matt Gaetz attorney general. Gaetz got the message and withdrew. He said his nomination was “unfairly” distracting from the transition, but there was nothing unfair about it.

Donald Trump has nominated four people to Cabinet-level positions with questionable backgrounds and morality that might severely damage our national security. None has major management experience, yet they might affect the lives of millions of government employees (as might his budget-cutting buddy, Elon Musk). Matt Gaetz, who might have resigned amid an investigation by the House Committee on Ethics, reportedly had sex with a 17-year old and associated with a public official who has been imprisoned for 11 years for sex trafficking and other crimes. Tulsi Gabbard is a Russophile who met with the President of Iraq who has killed thousands of his people.

Today is Saturday, Nov. 23, the 328th day of 2024. There are 38 days left in the year. Today in history: On Nov. 23, 2006, former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko (leet-vee-NYEN’-koh) died in London from radiation poisoning after making a deathbed statement blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin.  Also on this date: In 1963, President Lyndon B.