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Florida Fall Forecast: Expect Cooler Temperatures This Year, Says Old Farmer’s Almanac

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It’s going to be a warm and dry fall, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac

If you’re expecting to shut off the AC and break out your cozy sweaters once September rolls around, you might want to hold off. The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s forecast for fall 2026 predicts warmer and drier conditions than usual across most of the country. This means the anticipated season of sweaters, scarves, and lattes might take a bit longer to arrive this year.

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However, there are a few fortunate regions that might see an exception. Areas in the eastern United States and along the Pacific Coast are expected to enjoy cooler than average temperatures this fall. The temperature variations are generally slight — typically only one or two degrees above or below normal. Yet, in those warmer areas, that’s just enough to postpone the crisp air usually heralding the start of fall.

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The more consistent trend expected across the U.S. is a dry fall. Most of the country is forecast to receive less autumn rain than usual, so at least you can likely keep your umbrellas and rain boots packed away with your sweaters this year.

Here’s what to expect for each region of the U.S., according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Northeast

New England should be cooler and wetter than usual. Temperatures are expected to remain below normal through September and October, while rainfall should exceed typical levels

Atlantic Corridor

The Atlantic Corridor is expected to cool down, but not have much rain. September and October temperatures should be below normal, and precipitation is also forecast to fall short of average.

Appalachians

The Appalachians should experience a cooler and drier fall. September and October may run approximately 2 degrees below normal. Rainfall is also expected to remain below normal.

Southeast

In the Southeast, both September and October are expected to average about 1 degree below normal. More noticeable is how dry it’s expected to be; parts of the region are forecast to receive as much as 4 inches less rain than a typical autumn. 

Florida

Florida should average cooler than normal during September and October. As for rainfall, northern Florida is expected to be drier than usual, while southern Florida may receive above-average precipitation.

Lower Lakes

The Lower Lakes region should get a more recognizable fall — September is forecast to be cooler than usual before returning to average in October, while rainfall is expected to be average in September before slowing down in October.

Ohio Valley

Cooler temperatures and less rainfall than average are expected in the Ohio Valley. The region could receive around 3 inches less rain than usual this fall.

Deep South

The Deep South will have a warm autumn, but it may take some time to heat up — September is expected to be cooler than normal before temperatures rise above average in October. 

Upper Midwest

People in the Upper Midwest shouldn’t be fooled by a cool September; temperatures are expected to be warmer than average in October. September should have slightly more rain than usual before a wet October.

Heartland

The northern Heartland should experience a warmer than normal fall, while the southern part of the region is expected to be slightly cooler. The whole region should have a dry start to autumn before rainfall increases in October.

Texas and Oklahoma

Texas and Oklahoma are among the major exceptions to the dry fall most of the nation is expected to experience, with rainfall above average — potentially reaching about 4 inches above normal in northern Texas and Oklahoma. Northern Texas and Oklahoma should be cooler than normal, while southern Texas is expected to stay warmer.

High Plains

Summer is sticking around in the High Plains, where both September and October are forecast to run warmer than normal, while precipitation remains below average.

Intermountain

The northern part of this region is expected to be cooler than normal, while southern parts stay warm. Unlike many neighboring regions, precipitation is expected to be above average overall.

Desert Southwest

The Desert Southwest can expect September to be warmer and drier than normal, while October is forecast to be slightly cooler. Rainfall is expected to be below average in Arizona, New Mexico and surrounding desert areas.

Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is expected to have one of the coolest and wettest falls in the country. September and October should both run cooler than normal, and September alone may produce as much as 3 inches more rain than usual.

Pacific Southwest

The Pacific Southwest should experience near-normal temperatures in September, followed by a slightly cooler October. Northern portions of the region, including Northern California, should be wetter than usual, while Southern California and surrounding areas get less rainfall than average.

Alaska

Northern Alaska should be cooler than normal and may even see early snow, while southern Alaska stays warmer than usual. September and October are expected to have less precipitation than normal across the state overall.

Hawaii

Hawaii should experience cooler than normal temperatures across September and October, while rainfall is forecast to exceed normal levels. A mid-September tropical storm is also possible.

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Norwegian Royal Marius Borg Høiby Under House Arrest Awaiting Appeal Decision

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Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, will be placed under house arrest following his rape conviction last month.

On July 14, Høiby will move from custody to a residence near the royal estate at Skaugum. There, he will be subject to electronic monitoring over the next four weeks while appealing his four-year sentence, as reported by Norwegian newspaper VG.

Although Høiby does not hold an official royal title in Norway, he is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and stepson to Crown Prince Haakon.

Guri Varpe, the royal family’s spokesperson, expressed to VG that the Crown Prince and Princess are committed to supporting Høiby through this challenging period.

Efforts to reach the Royal House of Norway for further comments by Oxygen were not immediately successful.

What Was Marius Borg Høiby Convicted of?

Høiby was sentenced to four years in prison in June after being found guilty on numerous charges, including two counts of rape and abusing an ex-girlfriend, according to the BBC.

He was acquitted of two additional counts of rape following the six-week trial, which earned national attention in Norway as prosecutors laid out their case with messages, images and video taken from Høiby’s phone, NPR reported. 

The charges stemmed from allegations made by four women that raped them as they were either asleep or incapacitated between 2018 and 2024, per the outlet.

Høiby has denied the sexual assault allegations.

Høiby’s Defense Attorney Asked for His Release, Citing Mette-Marit’s Health

After the verdict, Høiby’s defense attorney Petar Sekulic asked the court to release the 29-year-old on house arrest, citing Mette-Marit’s recent health problems, according to the outlet.

The Royal House of Norway announced June 17 that the Crown Princess had undergone a successful lung transplant after struggling with a form of pulmonary fibrosis.

 She was released from the hospital July 14, according to an official statement, and is expected to spend the next year recovering from the transplant.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has stood by me throughout this long journey,” Mette Merit said in a statement, “my family, the doctors, surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals, as well as all those who make an invaluable contribution to the Norwegian health service every day.”

Mississippi man detained with gun at Capitol

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(The Hill) – Authorities have detained a man from Mississippi after an incident outside the U.S. Capitol, according to a statement from the U.S. Capitol Police on Monday. The man was reportedly seen with a handgun on his lap at the Capitol’s North Barricade.

The individual in question, 67-year-old Wendell J. Royster from Columbia, Mississippi, has been charged with carrying a pistol without a license and lacking a permit for the firearm, the USCP confirmed.

At around 11:22 a.m., Royster drove a rented gray Ford Bronco to the North Barricade on Constitution Avenue before asking nearby officers for directions to the Supreme Court building. The officer saw the gun in the man’s lap, USCP said, and ordered him to raise his hands.

Several USCP officers surrounded the Ford before officers arrested Royster. Police said the arrest took place within two minutes of Royster pulling up to the barricade, as a large police presence could be seen in the area around the barricade.

A dog was found chained inside the Ford. Officers gave the dog water before animal control officers arrived and took custody of it.

Investigators believe the incident was not connected to Congress, USCP said. The North Barricade was closed off to allow investigators to search the area following the arrest.

The incident took place after lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill after a weeklong recess, as well as the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) from an aortic dissection on Saturday night.

Essential Hulk Insights for Understanding Spider-Man: Brand New Day

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A new day brings a familiar force—Marvel’s green behemoth is set to smash back into theaters this summer. The Incredible Hulk, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, joins “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” on the big screen. Before donning your best purple attire and venturing to the cinema, make sure to watch the video above for essential insights on the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s largest hero—both in size and presence.

The Hulk burst into the comic scene in 1962, thanks to the brilliant minds of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. Introduced in “The Incredible Hulk” #1, Bruce Banner starts as a genius scientist with repressed emotions. An unexpected gamma bomb exposure transforms him into a mighty, rage-driven creature. With transformations sparked by his emotional state, Banner and the Hulk echo the classic tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, reimagined for the atomic age. Since then, the Hulk has become a cultural powerhouse, featuring extensively in comic books, a well-loved 1977 TV series, and a 2003 film by Oscar winner Ang Lee.

As one of the pioneering characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Hulk made his first MCU appearance in 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk,” where Edward Norton played the titular role. Known for his unpredictable nature, he remains an integral, albeit chaotic, part of the Avengers ensemble. With “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” the Hulk marks his twelfth outing in this blockbuster series, and there’s no sign of him slowing down his smashing escapades.

The Hulk keeps transforming

“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” picks up with Peter Parker (Tom Holland) following the dramatic events of 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” As he tries to restore balance after nearly fracturing the multiverse, Spider-Man returns to his roots of humble heroism. Yet, life’s challenges persist—his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) is deceased, and his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) no longer remembers him, leaving him more isolated than ever. If battling foes like the Punisher (Jon Bernthal), Scorpion (Michael Mando), and a cadre of Hand ninjas weren’t enough, Spider-Man faces a mysterious transformation of his powers that threatens his very life.

Enter Bruce Banner. The “Brand New Day” trailer reintroduces the mild-mannered scientist, now teaching at a university and wearing a power-suppressing gauntlet. Peter seeks out Banner for help about his mutating DNA, but he gets more than he bargained for when Banner changes back into his rampaging alter-ego.

“Brand New Day” is just the latest transformation for the Hulk, who has undergone some amazing alterations in his nearly 20 years in the MCU. He has been a scientist, an Avenger, a gladiator on an alien world, a “Smart” amalgamation of Hulk and Banner, and even a cosmically enhanced “Infinity Hulk.” What other transformations are in store for the good doctor? With a brand-new day dawning, watch the video above for an incredible Hulk explainer.

Uncover the Hidden Factors Influencing Soaring Petrol Prices Today

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The ripple effect from another of United States President Donald Trump’s audacious social media proclamations is sending shockwaves across global markets, leaving Australians bracing themselves for the possibility of fuel price hikes in the upcoming weeks.

“So here we go again,” remarked Peter Khoury, the NRMA spokesperson, during a press conference held on Tuesday afternoon.

The comments from Khoury followed soon after Trump took to social media, issuing a threat to impose a 20 per cent fee on ships navigating through the Strait of Hormuz. This comes in the wake of renewed military strikes against Iran, which have already claimed over 25 lives in merely three days.

Trump expressed his desire for the United States to receive “reimbursement” for its efforts in safeguarding what he described as a “very rich portion of the world,” proposing a 20 per cent tax on all shipments passing through this crucial maritime passage.

“There’s no doubt that markets have reacted,” Khoury informed the gathered reporters, highlighting the tangible impacts of these developments on the global economic scene.

“What we know is this: there have been movements in both gas, oil and diesel over the past few weeks.”

The threat of a levy saw wobbles in the Asian market on Tuesday, with crude oil jumping to a one-month high of above US$85 ($122.61) a barrel, though prices remain well below May levels.

The potential for another round of fuel shock comes as the government prepares to end the fuel excise discount, which cuts 16 cents from every litre of petrol. The discount will end on 2 August, after its original June end date was extended.

But experts and peak bodies urge concern rather than alarm about the future of petrol prices in Australia.

Australia holds steady

Despite the global uncertainty, Australian wholesale prices, or terminal gate prices, are not reaching the same heights they did at the start of the conflict.

“Terminal gate prices are the best indicator of what we might see here at the bowser,” Khoury said.

“Diesel’s gone up about five cents this week. Unleaded’s gone up about two cents. So that gives you some idea about what we’re currently seeing.”

At the bowser, averages are below $1.70 for unleaded and $1.95 for diesel.

“Now, if the chaos continues in the Middle East, if we get more bizarre Truth Social posts, then oil prices might go up again,” Khoury warned.

Luke Hartigan, senior lecturer in economics at the University of Sydney, told SBS News that while the prospect of higher fuel prices is a concern, he was unsure at this stage if Trump’s threat would have a “major impact”.

“With Donald Trump, it seems to just change in an instant, so he’s bombing [Iran] now, maybe tomorrow he’ll be inviting them to the World Cup final,” he said.

Hartigan said that the practicalities of Trump enforcing such a toll make it unlikely he’d follow through.

“I don’t think he’d be able to do it … US companies will sue him because it affects their trade, just like with tariffs.”

Australia withstood the worst of the global oil shock that accompanied the war, which began in late February and early March.

Acting energy minister, Jason Clare, told ABC radio on Tuesday that Australia had 41 days of petrol on hand. For diesel and jet fuel, Australia has a supply of 37 days and 33 days, respectively.

This has increased from just 29 days of petrol, and 26 days of diesel in Australia’s reserve at the start of the war.

“We’ve been getting oil from Mexico and the United States, all these places we never usually get them from,” Hartigan said.

“I was so surprised at how resilient the world’s economy has been since March. We’ve had a big pick-up in inflation, but it’s not as bad as what we initially expected.”

Fuel excise discount could be extended

Inflation was partially curbed by the government’s fuel excise cut — which eased petrol prices by 32 cents per litre from April until the end of June, and by 16 cents from July.

The government is still considering whether to extend the fuel excise cut for a second time beyond its latest end date of 2 August.

“I think the Treasurer has been pretty clear that we’ll continue to monitor the situation,” Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain told ABC radio on Tuesday.

“We’ve extended that obviously until the end of this month, and we’ll monitor the situation and see what else needs to be done.”

After the fuel excise discount was halved in July, the average price of unleaded petrol rose by 3.2 cents a litre.

Hartigan said, based on the current economic situation, he suspected the government would not extend the discount.

“It’s a politically positive thing to do, but it’s not an economically smart thing to do,” he said.

The first three months of the fuel excise discount, along with reducing the heavy vehicle road user charge, cost $2.9 billion.

“It’s a large amount of money that could be used to maintain roads or spend in other places. Because we’re not getting that revenue, money has to come from somewhere,” he said.

That would change, however, if the instability continued.

“Unfortunately, the chaos of the last three or four months appears now to be the new norm,” Khoury said.

“We want to make sure we see stability in the Middle East. Until we get a peace deal and until we see that Strait open permanently, there’s going to be volatility.”

— With additional reporting by Reuters.


Arizona Man Arrested for Murder After Social Media Date Leads to Desert Tragedy

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A tragic first date, initiated through social media connections, resulted in a grim discovery in Arizona. Police report that 21-year-old Arianna Bailey Jones was found dead, buried in a shallow grave in the desert. The man accused of this shocking crime, Domonic Rodolico, claims that two mysterious attackers are responsible for her disappearance and death.

The Glendale police made headlines on Monday with the arrest of 24-year-old Rodolico. The breakthrough came after investigators uncovered what they believe to be Jones’ remains in a quiet, desolate area north of Phoenix. Rodolico now faces charges of first-degree premeditated murder, as reported by Fox 10 Phoenix.

In a poignant announcement on Facebook, the Glendale police extended their deepest condolences to the family of Jones. They expressed a heartbreaking sincerity, stating officers had hoped for a different resolution before disclosing the sad news of Rodolico’s arrest.

Undated photo of Arianna Bailey Jones

Undated photograph of Arianna Bailey Jones, the young Arizona woman whose life was cut short following an encounter with a man met through social media. (Glendale Police Department – Arizona Facebook)

Authorities have pieced together that Jones and Rodolico initially met online and later decided to meet face-to-face. Their encounter consisted of a movie date followed by a drive to a remote part of the desert, where detectives suspect this tragic incident unfolded.

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When questioned by detectives, Rodolico denied killing Jones and instead claimed that two unknown men suddenly appeared in the desert and attacked both of them.

“He is saying that the two of them were in this remote area and that two individuals showed up and attacked them,” Glendale Police Department Public Information Officer Jose Santiago said during a news conference. “At some point he made his escape and Ms. Jones stayed behind.”

Investigators, however, said physical evidence, surveillance video and digital evidence gathered during the investigation linked Rodolico to the crime.

Police said detectives developed sufficient evidence to establish probable cause for Rodolico’s arrest. Authorities also said his account changed repeatedly during interviews.

Booking photo of Domonic Rodolico, who faces homicide charges in the death of Arianna Bailey Jones

Domonic Rodolico was arrested by Glendale police and faces a first-degree premeditated murder charge in connection with the death of 21-year-old Arianna Bailey Jones. (Fox 10 Phoenix/Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)

“His story continuously changed,” Santiago said. “The attack became a little bit more dramatic, less dramatic.”

Detectives also found it suspicious that Rodolico never reported the alleged attack to law enforcement or called 911.

“He never reported the incident to us,” Santiago said. “He never made a call to police or to anyone to let anyone know about this attack.”

Santiago added that Rodolico told investigators Jones was “probably not alive” after the alleged attack, despite never contacting authorities to report what he claimed had happened.

Investigators said surveillance video captured Rodolico cleaning out the back seat of his vehicle after Jones disappeared.

Police also said he had wounds consistent with stab injuries, though Rodolico claimed those injuries were inflicted by the alleged attackers.

Authorities credited the department’s Real Time Crime Center, surveillance cameras and cellphone data with helping investigators reconstruct the couple’s movements.

Police said they tracked the pair from Jones’ apartment to a movie theater and then to the remote desert location. A movie theater concession cup recovered at the scene helped investigators connect the burial site to the couple’s date.

Close-up of Arianna Jones' forearm showing her tattoo, used by investigators to help identify her remains.

A close-up image shows Arianna Jones’ distinctive forearm tattoo, which police said was among the identifying features in the homicide investigation. (Glendale Police Department – Arizona Facebook)

Detectives also uncovered evidence showing Rodolico had traveled to the secluded area several times before Jones disappeared, though investigators said they have not determined whether the killing was planned.

“We don’t know if he was planning this or if this was happenstance,” Santiago said.

Jones’ family reported her missing on July 7 after they had not heard from her for several days. Police said her family told investigators the lack of communication was highly unusual because they were normally in frequent contact.

When officers executed a search warrant at Jones’ apartment, they immediately noticed troubling signs.

Police found Jones’ cellphone still inside the apartment and discovered her dog locked inside a crate, where it had apparently been left without food and sitting in its own waste for several days.

“That was enough of an indication that there at least had been some kind of suspicious nature,” Santiago said.

Detectives eventually located what they described as a shallow grave in a remote desert area north of the Valley.

While the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office is still working to determine the official cause and manner of death, investigators said clothing and other physical evidence recovered with the body matched Jones, allowing detectives to identify the remains.

Santiago said the case came together in just four days with help from the department’s Special Investigations Unit, the U.S. Marshals Task Force and advanced investigative technology.

Portrait of Arianna Bailey Jones, the Arizona woman whose disappearance ended in a homicide investigation

Glendale police identified Arianna Bailey Jones as the victim after detectives located what they believe are her remains in a shallow desert grave. (Glendale Police Department – Arizona Facebook)

“We were able to pinpoint him attending her apartment. We were able to pinpoint him attending these different areas, going to the movies,” Santiago said. “We were able to pinpoint their cellphone usage in different areas. All of that combined helped us really solve the case on top of the good detective work from our folks.”

According to police, Rodolico has a prior arrest history involving theft-related offenses and was on probation at the time of his arrest.

He is being held on a $2 million cash bond.

The murder charge comes less than a year after Rodolico was sentenced in a separate criminal case involving the burglary of two Valley QuikTrip gas stations, according to court records obtained by Fox 10 Phoenix.

The outlet reported that Rodolico was arrested in May 2025 after investigators accused him of impersonating an employee at a QuikTrip along Peoria Avenue and stealing about $200 from a cash register before allegedly carrying out a similar theft at another QuikTrip in Phoenix.

Court records show he pleaded guilty to criminal impersonation and was sentenced in November 2025 to two years of supervised probation.

Investigators said they are still awaiting additional forensic testing and the medical examiner’s findings as they continue working to determine a motive.

Bristol Infant Death Trial Commences: Key Details from Day One

SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – The trial commenced Tuesday in Sullivan County for a man facing first-degree murder charges related to the 2021 demise of a baby in Bristol.

Alexander Pender stands accused of causing the death of a 10-month-old child who was discovered unresponsive in September 2021.

Presiding over the proceedings is Judge Rogers. The State’s legal team is composed of Andrew Black, Josh Parsons, and Lauren Williams, while Pender’s defense includes attorneys Johnathan Cave, David Baker, and Christian Jones.

During the state’s presentation on Tuesday morning, the prosecution introduced three witnesses: the infant’s grandmother, the responding police officer who administered CPR, and a paramedic involved in the initial response.

Velda Pender, the defendant’s mother, told prosecutors that she woke up her son at around 1:30 to tell him the baby wasn’t breathing and that she did not see any injuries.

The State then called on Bristol, TN officer John Kistner, who testified that he was the first law enforcement personnel to respond and performed life-saving measures on the child, which were unsuccessful.

Jurors were shown body cam video from the other first responders during his testimony, which showed Kistner and paramedics performing CPR on the child.

The last witness called to the stand was Adam Walden, a Bristol paramedic. Walden also performed CPR on the child and helped transport the child to Bristol Medical Center.

A lunch recess was called until 1 p.m.

News Channel 11 will provide updates to the case as it continues.

Trump-supported bill may make permanent daylight saving time a reality—discover the potential impact on New York

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Let there be light!

A bill supported by former President Trump, which aims to make daylight saving time a year-round fixture, is gaining traction and receiving support from both parties. This change would result in sunsets occurring later during the bleak winter months.

On Tuesday evening, the US House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act. This legislation has the potential to eliminate the long-standing habit of changing the clocks twice a year.

The significant bill overcame a crucial hurdle on Monday when the House Rules Committee sanctioned the rule with a 6-4 vote.

Trump expressed his approval of the legislation, sharing on Truth Social that it could be a “very nice WIN for the Republican Party. Take it!”

What is the Sunshine Protection Act?

The House and Senate versions of the bill both seek to make daylight saving time permanent. This would eliminate the biannual time change in the Spring and Fall — a practice currently followed by every US state except Hawaii and parts of Arizona.

Under the bill, Americans would spring the clocks forward in March and skip “falling back” in November, according to The Hill.

Language from the bill, which Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Florida) introduced, was already included in a broader transportation proposal in May that passed by roll call vote in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Proponents have argued that sparing Americans from the biannual time change would boost outdoor recreation, tourism, and economic activity, and lessen negative impacts on sleep and seasonal depression.

Detractors have said the switch would greatly impact farmers who would have to cope with later sunrises.

Last October, the Senate tried to fast-track a version of the act, but the effort was ultimately thwarted, the outlet reported.

If the measure passes the House on Tuesday, it will head to the Senate before landing on Trump’s desk for approval.

How would the new bill affect New York?

If permanent daylight saving time is enacted, summers would remain the same as they are now, though there would be later sunrises and sunsets.

However, winter sunrises and sunsets would drastically change.

In New York, the latest sunrise when daylight saving time ends in the fall is 7:20 a.m., and the earliest sunset is 4:28 p.m.

But with permanent daylight saving time, the latest sunrise in the Big Apple would be 8:20 a.m., and the earliest sunset would be 5:28 p.m.

The switch would make for a darker early morning commute, but offer more daylight into the evening hours as people leave the office.

Nineteen states — Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming — have already passed legislation to make daylight saving time permanent if Congress passes the Sunshine Protection Act, The Hill reported.

New York Senate Bill 3380 to make daylight saving time permanent year-round — pending federal legislation to allow the switch — was introduced in January 2025 and remains in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Providence Foundation Honoring 150 Years Since Hamburg Massacre

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – In a poignant moment of remembrance, the First Providence Foundation recently held an observance to mark 150 years since the tragic events of the Hamburg Massacre in South Carolina.

The Hamburg Massacre, a somber chapter in the nation’s history, was a violent racial conflict that resulted in the deaths of seven African Americans in what is now known as North Augusta.

Reflecting on the past and hopeful for the future, Cynthia Green, who organized the Hamburg Massacre Commemoration, remarked, “150 years ago, some individuals made poor decisions. Today, descendants of those individuals are working together and attending school together. Now, it is our responsibility to rectify past wrongs by fostering unity within our schools and the nation.”

In a series of commemorative events, the First Providence Foundation initiated the observance with a wreath-laying ceremony and a worship service on Wednesday. The remembrance continued on Saturday with a panel discussion hosted at The First Providence Baptist Church of North Augusta, where speakers delved into both the events that transpired and how such a tragedy might have been avoided.

During the event, South Carolina representative Jim Clyburn addressed the gathering, highlighting the historical inaccuracies and misrepresentations that have clouded the true nature of the events in various publications over the years.

After the panel discussion was over, the church hosted a commemoration concert, which featured 4 local acts: Jeanine Bell, Big Unk, Ms. Meka, and the Brandon Key Band.

Top High School Baseball Star from Illinois Joins Illini Team

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – The Illinois baseball team made a significant move in the transfer portal by landing a new recruit in late June, bringing fresh talent and promise to their roster.

In an exciting development, the Illini secured a commitment from catcher Quinn Schambow, who has transferred from Oklahoma State to join their ranks.

As a freshman at Oklahoma State in 2026, Schambow did not see much action, stepping up to bat only four times during the season. Yet, his high school career in Illinois was nothing short of remarkable.

Schambow honed his skills at Libertyville High School, situated in the Chicago suburbs, where he made a significant mark by helping the Wildcats clinch their first-ever state championship in his senior year. His impressive performance earned him accolades as the 2025 Prep Baseball Illinois Player of the Year, along with a spot on the NHSBCA All-America Second Team.

Schambow’s senior year statistics are a testament to his all-around prowess. He boasted an impressive batting average of .449, skillfully complemented by his abilities on the base paths and in the field. His 27 stolen bases and a 2025 High School Rawlings Gold Glove Award stand as further proof of his excellent defensive skills and speed.

Naturally, the lack of playing time was a change of pace throughout Schambow’s first year of college. However, he made the decision to stay bought in, and commit to getting better each day, rather than being disappointed he didn’t get more starts.

“It was something I needed, I felt like,” Schambow told WCIA. “”It was hard, but switching your mindset to just learning and growing and hey, I’m hitting with Matt Holliday. I’m hitting with Josh Holliday, one of the best coaches in college baseball every day. I have a great catching coach who’s taught me so much. There’s so much there’s so many positives you can take out of it versus just looking at it like, ‘Oh, I’m not playing.’ No, I woke up every day and I was excited to go play… My love for the game kind of exceeded after this year. It just made me realize how bad I want it.”

He comes to Champaign with the belief he can see the field more, after the Illini graduated Will Johannes.

Schambow had his summer baseball cut short, after starting in the Northwoods League, due to a fracture in his left hand.