JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 835

The United States has intensified its maritime posture in and around the Strait of Hormuz, with President Donald Trump directing the US Navy to “shoot and kill” any Iranian boats placing mines in the strategic waterway. Iran’s top negotiator said Tehran has begun collecting revenue from tolls imposed on ships transiting the strait, underscoring its bid to leverage control over a key global oil route. The US Defense Department also reported boarding another sanctioned stateless vessel carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean overnight. Oil prices rose again as both sides use the strait’s security as leverage in ongoing, uncertain negotiations.

Destin, Florida — On Wednesday evening, Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputies arrested Christopher Gillum at a hotel on Scenic Highway 98 after locating him via the county's Flock camera system. Authorities reported he was wanted in Orleans Parish for terroristic threats and that deputies recovered a handgun and about 200 rounds of ammunition from his room.

Gillum is being held in the Okaloosa County jail pending extradition to Louisiana, where he faces terroristic-threat charges and anticipated booking by Louisiana State Police. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival begins Thursday; officials noted expected large crowds and said investigators are coordinating with Orleans Parish and federal partners to determine motive and any further threats.

United States. Applied Materials, MACOM and Vericel announced on April 23, 2026 that they will report quarterly financial results and host investor conference calls in early May. Applied Materials set its fiscal second-quarter 2026 call for May 14 at 4:30 p.m. ET, while MACOM and Vericel scheduled calls and result releases for May 7 at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Companies provided webcast links, replay details and participation instructions this week; MACOM said it will issue results before market open on May 7, Vericel provided dial-in numbers and a passcode, and Applied Materials confirmed a same-day replay. Investors and analysts can join live webcasts or access replays to review management commentary and published financial results following those scheduled dates.

Frisco, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys traded during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night, moving up from No. 12 to No. 11 to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and later trading their No. 20 pick to acquire No. 23 and select UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence.

Wednesday’s pre-draft news conference included owner Jerry Jones confirming trade interest, and the moves immediately address Dallas’s league-high defensive points allowed (30.1 per game last season). The transactions involved sending mid-round assets to Miami and Philadelphia; the new rookies will enter offseason programs while the team evaluates depth and remaining draft capital in the coming weeks.

United States regions from the Southeast to the Southwest reported warm, dry conditions Thursday and Friday before model guidance indicated a change. Forecasters documented highs in the mid 70s to low 80s across multiple areas, noted smoke from Georgia wildfires prompting a Code Orange air quality alert in parts of South Carolina, and cautioned about elevated fire danger.

Greenville and other affected localities can expect scattered showers and thunderstorms beginning Saturday as low pressure develops near the coast and a Pacific front moves into Arizona this weekend. Temperatures are forecast to fall into the 60s in some areas over the weekend, officials advised that burn bans and ozone action days may remain in effect while winds increase in high country regions.

TAMPA, Fla. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Miami edge rusher Reuben Bain Jr. with the 15th overall pick on Thursday night, aiming to address the team’s inconsistent pass rush. The pick follows Bain’s role in Miami’s run to the College Football Playoff national championship in January and comes amid local draft-week fan events.

The selection immediately refocuses Tampa Bay’s defensive plans after an 8-9 season; GM Jason Licht said the team vetted Bain and views him as a fit. Reports note Bain was linked to a March 2024 traffic collision that resulted in a passenger’s death and a later-dropped careless-driving citation. Fans can attend Block Party and Beach Bash events April 23–26 during draft coverage.

San Francisco — SpaceX filed an S-1 registration statement reviewed by Reuters on 23rd April 2024 stating it will pursue an IPO this summer and seek roughly $75 billion while targeting an approximate $1.75 trillion valuation. The filing discloses the company intends to maintain 'controlled company status', allowing founders to retain board control.

The S-1 also quantifies market opportunity, estimating a total addressable market of $28.5 trillion with about $26.5 trillion tied to AI and $22.7 trillion to enterprise AI; it requires an independent audit committee but not a majority-independent board. This week, analysts and potential investors will assess the governance structure, valuation assumptions, and fundraising scale ahead of the planned summer offering.

Tampa, Fla. Industry leaders, builders, realtors and elected officials met this week at the Florida Policy Project Summit to address housing affordability, reporting average Florida home prices now between $375,000 and $420,000 — roughly double pre-COVID levels — and noting rising interest rates that have increased monthly mortgage costs for buyers.

Pasco County launched a Better Future Individual Homeowners Program backed by $100 million in federal block grants and set an April 28 deadline for developer proposals; in Peoria, city officials hosted a 'Moving Housing Forward' event Wednesday and signaled potential free land offers to builders, while commentators urged easing regulations to expand supply.

Osage Beach — Southern Boone defeated the School of the Osage 13-0 Tuesday in a Tri-County Conference game, collecting 13 hits in five innings; Rowan Bonnot allowed two hits with five strikeouts. Southern Boone will travel to the River City Festival Friday and Saturday. On Thursday in California, the School of the Osage later defeated California 8-4 in the Turf War Tournament.

O'Fallon — Seckman beat Jefferson City 10-2 Friday, scoring seven runs in the sixth inning; Jefferson City will finish the Fort Zumwalt North Invitational with two remaining games beginning at 9 a.m. Friday. Box scores show key contributions from individual hitters and pitchers, and teams cited walks, hit batters and wild pitches as factors to address ahead of weekend tournament play.

United States. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly challenged House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries this week, inviting Jeffries to campaign across Florida and offering to host him at the governor's mansion; meanwhile, Virginia voters approved a contested congressional map referendum in a Tuesday special election before legal challenges emerged.

Washington. On Wednesday, April 22, Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. ruled the Virginia referendum could not be certified due to procedural concerns, and on Thursday the House Majority PAC outlined a $272 million television and digital advertising reserve for midterm contests; both developments sharpen legal and electoral timelines ahead of November.