Washington County Briefs

By MATT BROWN WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s inaugural benediction on the federal holiday that celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. included an homage to the civil rights leader’s legacy. The prayer by a Michigan pastor heavily cited King’s seminal “I Have a Dream” speech alongside the Declaration of Independence, patriotic songs and gospel hymns. In his spirited roughly three-minute invocation on Monday, Rev.

Among the throngs of South Floridians swept up in the Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup Championship run last season was a little cluster of fans who cheered on the team from their rooms at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood. CourtesySasha Barkov and pediatric patient Aniyah admire the Stanley Cup during a visit to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. One of these pediatric patients who held a special affection for the Panthers was a 13-year-old girl named Aniyah, who stayed four months at the hospital waiting for a new heart.

By THOMAS BEAUMONT Getting humans to Mars has long been an obsession for SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. On Monday, that project got a full endorsement from the newly sworn-in president. During his inaugural address, President Donald Trump promised he would “pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts who plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars.” Musk, standing just a few feet away, grinned widely and pumped his fists in the air. The moment sharply illustrated the unusual partnership the billionaire tech titan, who has lucrative contracts with the federal government, has established with the incoming president. The blossoming relationship was on full display throughout the inaugural ceremonies.

By DAVID BAUDER A presidential inauguration is traditionally a symbol of the traditions that bind Americans together. Mainstream media coverage of the event on Monday provided many reminders of what keeps people apart. Related Articles National Politics | Senate passes immigrant detention bill that could be the first measure Trump signs into law National Politics | Senators are preparing to vote on Marco Rubio as secretary of state, a first in Trump’s Cabinet National Politics | Ramaswamy won’t serve on Trump’s government efficiency commission as he mulls run for Ohio governor National Politics | Who is Lorenzo Sewell, the pastor who referenced King’s ‘dream’ speech in inaugural prayer? National Politics | Elon Musk’s prominence during inauguration ceremonies stamps tech titan’s place in Trump’s orbit On the Martin Luther King Day holiday, news organizations offered wall-to-wall coverage of President Donald Trump’s second inaugural, an event held largely indoors in Washington because of frigid temperatures. In many respects, it was a return to normal after Trump did not attend successor Joe Biden’s swearing in four years ago.

By Steve Padilla, Los Angeles Times (TNS) Eagle-eyed watchers of President Trump’s inauguration noticed that he kept his left hand at his side and did not place it on the Bible held by First Lady Melania Trump as he took the oath of office. Did it matter? Constitutionally speaking, no. Though swearing upon a Bible is a tradition, the Constitution does not require it.

Why we wish you were here: Because it’s not just a small world here, after all. True, most everybody going aboard this kid-centric cruise are en famille. But people without children – couples celebrating significant anniversaries, couples escaping their own children back home, couples planning to pop important, life-altering questions – board sans famille as well. Mark GauertQuiet Cove aboard “Disney Magic.” Once there, they make for Quiet Cove, an aft area “reserved for guests 18 and older.” “Adults Only’’ evening stretches, tequila and margarita tastings, Ballads and Bellinis with Justine, couples suites in the spa, a “Swinging Good Time” at the Soul Cat Lounge and more activities than an adult can reasonably keep track of pop up in alerts on the DCL app. They can drink champagne, watch the sunset and dine in one of the best restaurants at sea at Palo on the Deck 10 without a high chair in sight.