Welcome Back, Varied Thrushes

You can expect a “major” year for seaweed, raising the chances that more will wash up on Florida beaches in 2025, experts say. Researchers at the University of South Florida used satellite imagery to determine monthly amounts of sargassum in the Atlantic Basin, and found that December had exceptional amounts of the seaweed. The ongoing research showed that sagrassum amounts in the Gulf of Mexico, western Caribbean Sea, and eastern Caribbean are currently low, which is normal for this time of year. But that was not the case in the Atlantic Ocean.

By SAMY MAGDY and WAFAA SHURAFA, Associated Press CAIRO (AP) — Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, two officials involved in the talks said Tuesday. Mediator Qatar said the negotiations were at the “closest point” yet to sealing a deal. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the proposed agreement, and an Egyptian official and a Hamas official confirmed its authenticity.

Q: Ira, one of my concerns with Jimmy Butler coming back isn’t that he won’t try, but rather that he’ll get his stats to the detriment of winning, like when you have a star player on a bad team. I’m thinking of his last 35-point outing in a loss. It could be the shots he takes  (or chooses not to), how he guards, or the passes he makes that could be suboptimal.

Raging, out-of-control wildfires sadly have scorched tens of thousands of acres in Southern California, while forcing 180,000-plus residents to evacuate. But when the winds die down and the flames are extinguished, affected residents will face their next hurdle: navigating California’s already fragile home-insurance market. South Floridians, take note. While our natural disasters come in the form of hurricanes, our insurance industry also is shaky.

Here are the top stories for Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. Get the weather forecast for today here. SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get our free Morning Update email. Sign up here. Florida legislative leaders call DeSantis’ special session on immigration ‘premature,’ ‘irresponsible’ South Florida Strawberry Festival to bloom in Boca Raton — and there’s a promo code! Parkinson’s tremors disappear with use of machine that sends heat waves to the brain First responder ‘rules of the road’ appear vague on what to do at rail crossings Electric car owners don’t pay gas tax.

Dear Eric: For the past 10 years we have always “been there” for our grandchildren (now 18 and 16) and my son and daughter-in-law. Related Articles Advice | Asking Eric: Our more modest gifts drew a distressing response Advice | Asking Eric: A neighbor sees something dangerous going on next door and wants to report it Advice | Asking Eric: My (now former) bestie is consumed by his bad relationships Advice | Asking Eric: My husband wants to be the center of attention, not the grandpa Advice | Asking Eric: My friend’s wife wanted a kiss on the lips and now I’m uncomfortable around them In the past two years, things have changed. We have sent the grandkids cards, asked them to various events, and sent weekly texts.