JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 807

Washington — This week the Republican-controlled House moved to extend and reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a program used to collect foreign intelligence; Congress had approved a short-term extension ahead of an April deadline, and House leaders scheduled procedural votes Tuesday and Wednesday to advance the measure toward a final vote.

Speaker Mike Johnson led efforts to add oversight provisions while stopping short of a warrant requirement critics demanded; the House advanced the bill and one report records a 235-191 vote, but Senate review and the president's signature or another short-term extension remain necessary before the law can be enacted.

Philadelphia. Don Mattingly was named the Philadelphia Phillies' interim manager on Tuesday after the team fired Rob Thomson, taking over on the field and speaking to media near the dugout, following a 9-19 start to the season and his winter hire as bench coach. He worked at first base about 3:45 p.m. assisting pregame infield/outfield practice.

Philadelphia's front office, led by president Dave Dombrowski and with GM Preston Mattingly on staff, named Mattingly to stabilize clubhouse leadership; reporters noted Mattingly's prior managerial roles with the Dodgers and Marlins and his recent retirement from Toronto after the World Series, as the team assesses its managerial future this season.

Washington, United States — President Donald Trump and U.S. officials this week said they were skeptical of Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Pakistani mediators prepared for a second Iranian offer and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth scheduled his testimony before Congress on Wednesday and reported discussions over extending a maritime blockade continued.

Washington and Dubai this week saw President Trump post on Truth Social on Wednesday urging Tehran to 'get smart soon' and reporters citing the Wall Street Journal said aides were preparing options to extend a blockade; a ceasefire had been declared in early April and talks took place in Islamabad on April 11–12, with mediators expecting a revised Iranian proposal in the coming days.

Indianapolis — The National Education Association reported that Indiana ranked 38th in the nation for average teacher pay in the 2024–25 school year, with an average salary of $61,661. The NEA described the figure as a milestone for Hoosier educators, but the ranking shows the state remains below many others despite recent legislative efforts to raise pay.

The Indiana State Teachers Association said the shortfall reflects inflationary pressure, compression of mid-career salaries and limited collective bargaining rights, which it says have constrained pay growth. Lawmakers raised some starting salaries last year, and local districts are entering or negotiating contracts this season amid concerns about recruitment, retention and staffing pressures.

Alexandria, Va. — A federal jury in Virginia on Wednesday convicted Mohammad Sharifullah of conspiring to provide material support to Islamic State Khorasan for his role in the Aug. 26, 2021, suicide bombing near Abbey Gate at Kabul’s airport during the U.S. withdrawal. Sharifullah, extradited from Pakistan in March 2025, did not testify at the weeklong trial and faces a maximum 20-year sentence.

Jurors found him guilty of providing material support but deadlocked on whether the conspiracy directly resulted in the attack’s deaths, a determination that would have carried harsher penalties; prosecutors presented scouting evidence while the defense argued his statements to FBI agents were false. Sentencing and potential further legal steps are scheduled following the jury’s deliberations this week.

Tampa, Fla. — The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning are tied 2-2 in their first-round NHL playoff series as they return to Benchmark International Arena for Game 5 on Wednesday night. Tampa Bay rallied from a two-goal deficit to win Game 4, with Brandon Hagel scoring twice, including the late game-winner.

Wednesday’s game shifts the series momentum to Tampa, with Game 6 scheduled for Friday in Montreal and a potential Game 7 set for Sunday in Tampa. Montreal’s top line has produced primarily on the power play, while reports note goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy’s mixed save percentages and Hagel’s scoring form as key factors shaping each team’s adjustments and immediate strategies.

Indianapolis — On April 11 the Indiana Fever re-signed guard Kelsey Mitchell to a one-year supermax contract after the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement increased the salary cap to $7 million. This week the Fever returned to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for preseason play, where Caitlin Clark made her first home appearance since July and logged minutes in a tune-up game.

The Mitchell signing secures a top scorer and marks one of the first $1 million seasons for a Fever player under the CBA, while the team prepares for its May 9 regular-season opener against the Dallas Wings. Coaches confirmed two players were withheld from the lineup for precautionary reasons, and medical staff said they will monitor availability through the preseason.

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Bobby Witt Jr. hit a three-run home run in the 10th inning to lift the Kansas City Royals to a 4-1 extra-innings victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night. Salvador Perez earlier tied the game with a sixth-inning solo homer, and Witt extended his hitting streak to nine games.

Kansas City's bullpen combined with starter Kris Bubic to limit Oakland to one run; Nick Mears earned the win and Lucas Erceg closed with the final out for his seventh save opportunity conversion. The Royals secured their fourth consecutive victory Tuesday, and the A's left the bases loaded in the 10th.

Washington — The White House warned Congress on Tuesday that funds used to pay Department of Homeland Security personnel, including Transportation Security Administration officers, will be exhausted by May, according to an Office of Management and Budget memo, urging the House to approve a Senate-passed budget resolution that would restore full DHS funding.

Washington lawmakers face immediate pressure after the Senate unanimously passed a DHS funding bill on April 24; Speaker Mike Johnson has described parts as 'problematic' and signaled changes, leaving the House stalled. The OMB memo warned the Trump administration's executive funding will deplete by May, raising prospects of operational strain for TSA and prompting calls for expedited House action this week.

Columbiana: On Tuesday, April 28, Columbiana defeated Leetonia 23-3 as Hunter Devanzo recorded three hits and five RBIs, while Beckett Wilson and Drennen Bosela contributed multiple RBIs; Newton Falls beat Brookfield 7-4 and Hubbard edged South Range 5-4 in the same-day regional high school baseball slate. The reports included pitching lines, stolen-base records and complete-game strikeout totals reported by local outlets.

Whitefish swept a Tuesday doubleheader, winning 15-1 and recording multiple multi-hit performances, while Bedford routed Monroe 85-52 in track and field with several individual winners on April 28; on Wednesday, Dixon topped Oregon 10-8 and other Sauk Valley results were reported, with player statistics and game summaries to be used for team records and season standings.