JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 833

Jacksonville, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars navigated heavy draft-day speculation this week as reports linked them to a possible trade-up into the first round and named wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. as potential trade bait. The first round concluded Thursday without the Jaguars making a selection because they previously traded that pick in last year’s Travis Hunter deal.

On Thursday night the Cleveland Browns used the final pick obtained in the Hunter trade to select Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion at No. 24, while the Jaguars retained pick No. 56 for Day 2. General manager James Gladstone confirmed conversations occurred but said no trade materialized; evaluators noted the Seahawks’ selection of Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price at No. 32.

CINCINNATI — City Manager Sheryl Long dismissed Police Chief Teresa Theetge on Thursday after a months-long investigation into her leadership that followed a suspension in October. Theetge, who served more than 30 years and was the city's first woman police chief, was removed effective immediately and replaced by Interim Chief Adam Hennie.

On Friday Theetge's attorney, Stephen Imm, announced an appeal and plans to sue and released audio from a pre-disciplinary hearing; the city cited insubordination, inefficiency, unsatisfactory performance and dishonesty in its dismissal letter. Fraternal Order of Police leaders expressed concern about department morale, while officials cited the 2025 Summer Safety Plan and October Fountain Square shootings.

Enid, Okla. — A confirmed large tornado struck southeast Enid on Thursday night, April 23, 2026, ripping roofs off homes, damaging structures near Vance Air Force Base, and tossing vehicles; the National Weather Service reported an EF3-rated twister touching down near 8:21 p.m. local time and remaining on the ground for roughly 40 minutes.

Fresno, Calif. — Earlier, on Tuesday, April 21, a separate EF0 tornado was confirmed in Terra Bella in Tulare County with peak winds near 80 mph, marking the fourth tornado that day in the NWS Hanford area and tying a daily record; officials in Oklahoma reported multiple injuries, search-and-rescue operations, and urged residents to avoid Grayridge while crews work to clear roads and restore utilities.

Morgantown, W.Va. city officials announced a fiscal sustainability public work session scheduled for next Tuesday at 6 p.m. Councilman Mark Downs said the meeting will consider a proposed increase to the current three-dollar-per-week municipal service fee as officials respond to several budget adjustments and multi-year flat revenues averaging about $4 million.

Frisco and Arlington-area reporting this week detailed the Dallas Cowboys' activity in the 2026 NFL Draft: on Thursday Dallas traded with Miami to acquire the No. 11 overall pick and selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, then later traded down to No. 23 to pick Malachi Lawrence; executives cited defensive needs after the team allowed 30.1 points per game in 2025 and signaled additional Day 2 and Day 3 roster moves scheduled for Saturday.

Tehran this week released footage showing Iranian commandos boarding the cargo vessels MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas in the Strait of Hormuz, saying both were captured on Wednesday and accusing them of transiting without permits; Vice Speaker Hamidreza Hajibabaei said the first toll revenue from the strait was transferred to Iran's central bank on Thursday.

Washington on Thursday continued to press diplomacy while signaling military capability, with President Donald Trump saying he preferred a long-lasting agreement but would use force if necessary; the White House also hosted Lebanese and Israeli envoys and announced a three-week extension of their ceasefire, as officials warned that public threats and social-media posts have complicated in-person talks.

Lexington, North Carolina. An 18-year-old woman, Angelina Han Hicks, was arrested Wednesday after authorities said she conspired to drive into a congregation at Congregation Beth Israel in Houston on April 21, 2028, aiming to 'kill as many Jews as possible,' according to court documents and local law enforcement statements.

This week federal and local agencies, including the FBI Charlotte Joint Terrorism Task Force and Davidson County investigators, searched her Lexington home, filed state charges for felony conspiracy to commit murder and assault, and held her on $10 million bond; a juvenile has been charged in Harris County and a court date is scheduled for May 12 as the multi-state investigation continues.

Lexington, Ky. — On Thursday the University of Kentucky announced that Mitch Barnhart will not move into the previously announced executive-in-residence post for the UK Sport and Workforce Initiative after his retirement, reversing a plan first disclosed in March and scheduled to begin July 1. The university cited that discussion around the role had become a distraction from institutional priorities.

The decision follows public scrutiny this week, including comments from Gov. Andy Beshear, and university statements from President Eli Capilouto noting the need to refocus on students and the Commonwealth; contract records had shown roughly $950,000 annual pay through August 2030 and Barnhart retires as athletic director on June 30.

Washington. On Tuesday the Department of Justice announced an indictment accusing the Southern Poverty Law Center of funneling funds to extremist actors and improperly using paid informants; the SPLC responded it will contest the charges. On Thursday, Texas Rep. Chip Roy told reporters the administration intends to pursue investigations beyond the SPLC into other organizations it alleges undermine society.

Charlottesville and national legal observers reacted this week: Cville Right Now published a former U.S. attorney’s statement questioning the indictment’s legal framing and noting payment of informants is common practice, while the SPLC described the charges as politically motivated. Officials indicated further probes and potential congressional interest in coming weeks as legal proceedings begin.

Baton Rouge authorities say two groups exchanged gunfire in the Mall of Louisiana food court on Thursday, wounding multiple people and prompting a large police and emergency response. Officers reported that several suspects fled the scene, officials evacuated patrons to safe holding areas, and law enforcement urged witnesses to share any video of the incident.

Thursday afternoon and evening updates said at least six to ten people were taken to hospitals, with some in critical condition and at least two undergoing surgery; numbers varied across early reports. Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill coordinated public messages, federal agents including ATF and FBI were reported on site, and investigations and patient care continued into the evening.

Washington. The Justice Department inspector general announced Thursday that his office will audit the department's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law President Donald Trump signed last November that required the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days, a deadline the department did not meet.

The review will evaluate DOJ processes for identifying, collecting, redacting and releasing responsive material, and will examine guidance given to staff and post‑release handling of publication concerns after survivors and lawmakers raised complaints this week; Court House News Service identified Inspector General William Blier as leading the review, and TribLIVE described the audit as politically significant.