JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 848

Washington — The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday heard oral arguments in a dispute over the Federal Communications Commission's imposition of forfeiture orders on Verizon and AT&T after finding they allegedly sold customer location data without adequate safeguards. The companies appealed the multimillion-dollar penalties as unconstitutional, asserting the agency’s in‑house enforcement process denies a jury trial.

During arguments on April 21, most justices appeared skeptical of the carriers’ contention that the FCC’s forfeiture orders violated the right to a jury trial, while the Justice Department defended the agency’s enforcement mechanism; the fines cited by reporters total more than $100 million and the court is expected to issue a decision later this term.

Jacksonville, Florida: Local weather services warned residents this week that gusty east-northeast winds and very dry conditions across parts of Florida and neighboring Georgia have elevated daily fire danger and created hazardous marine conditions. Forecasters reported inland gusts up to about 25 mph, low humidity, and little to no rain for several days beginning early in the week.

Authorities issued Fire Weather Warnings and urged limits on outdoor burning on Wednesday for specified counties (11 a.m.–8 p.m. noted by one outlet), while coastal offices cautioned about life-threatening rip currents and rough surf. Temperatures were forecast in the 70s–80s this week, and meteorologists said an approaching front late Friday into Saturday could bring only limited rain this weekend.

Washington — The House Ethics Committee will hold a public hearing Tuesday at 2 p.m. to determine whether to recommend punishment for Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick after an investigative subcommittee found she committed more than two dozen violations and following a November Justice Department indictment alleging $5 million in misused FEMA funds; the congresswoman has pleaded not guilty.

This week committee members will review the 59-page January report, hear from committee staff and the congresswoman’s legal team, and may recommend sanctions ranging from formal penalties to a referral for expulsion, which would require a full House vote; Republicans have called for expulsion while Cherfilus-McCormick denies wrongdoing and continues her reelection campaign.

Hawaii: On April 21, India's Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi visited the United States Army Pacific headquarters in Honolulu, where he was accorded a formal Guard of Honour at Fort Shafter and held bilateral discussions with USARPAC Commanding General Ronald P. Clark focused on strengthening India–US defence cooperation and regional stability.

During the visit, General Dwivedi also took an aerial tour of Oahu Island and engaged senior US military leaders to discuss interoperability, training exchanges and peace initiatives; the Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information posted details on X the same day, indicating continued diplomatic-military engagement in the Indo-Pacific in coming months.

Washington — President Donald Trump’s job approval held at about 36% this week as national polls found many Americans questioning his temperament amid the Iran war and a public dispute with Pope Leo. The Reuters/Ipsos six-day online poll of 4,557 adults concluded April 20-21 and reported 36% support for U.S. military strikes on Iran.

The AP-NORC poll conducted April 16-20 found economic approval had fallen to 30% from 38% in March, and only 26% described the president as even-tempered, according to reported figures. In recent weeks rising gasoline prices and Strait of Hormuz disruptions accompanied the conflict, prompting increased political scrutiny and continued public polling this month.

Raleigh, N.C. — Jordan Martinook beat Linus Ullmark from the slot at 13:53 of the second overtime on Monday night, giving the Carolina Hurricanes a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators and a 2-0 lead in their first-round NHL playoff series. Martinook had been stopped on a penalty shot in the first OT and earlier had an apparent winner overturned on review.

The Hurricanes celebrated the overtime winner after a replay overturned Mark Jankowski’s initial goal and Martinook persisted to chase a loose rebound before connecting with Nikolaj Ehlers, while Carolina captain Jordan Staal helped screen the goalie. Earlier Monday, the Philadelphia Flyers shut out the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 as Dan Vladar stopped 27 shots and rookie Porter Martone scored, leaving both visiting teams with 2-0 series advantages.

Denver. On Monday night in Game 2 of the NBA first-round series, the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied from a 19-point deficit to defeat the Denver Nuggets 119-114; forward Jaden McDaniels, who scored 14 points and had three assists, said the Nuggets were 'all bad defenders,' naming Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray among those he listed.

Minneapolis. The victory evened the series 1-1 and sends the teams to Minnesota for Game 3 on Thursday; Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 30 points and 10 rebounds, while Denver's Nikola Jokic had 24 points and 15 rebounds and Jamal Murray 30. Denver's late scoring slump and McDaniels' comments frame tactical questions for the upcoming matchup.

Denver. The U.S. government opened an online portal to accept refund requests for more than $160 billion in tariffs collected last year, allowing businesses to declare amounts paid and seek repayment. Local small businesses say the portal addresses a major uncertainty, but they face questions about timing, whether and how refunds will reach them, and who will file claims when they were not the importer of record.

Denver retailer Aktiv, run by Nate Axvig and his wife, imports Scandinavian clothing and said tariffs spiked about 30 percent after the Trump administration's actions, adding roughly $25,000 in extra costs that were passed on to customers. Axvig said he paid tariffs through major shippers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS, which must apply for refunds and are developing their own portals; shippers have told him the process could take 60 to 90 days, and he urged shoppers to support local businesses while they wait.

SALT LAKE CITY — Alan Osmond, the eldest performing member of the Osmond Brothers, died this week; family spokespersons told local outlets his wife, Suzanne, and all eight of their sons were at his bedside in Orem. He rose to national prominence after appearing on The Andy Williams Show in 1962.

The family confirmed his death to multiple Utah outlets on Monday, noting his retirement followed a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in the late 1980s; reports list his birth as June 22, 1949, and say he helped lead the group's 1970s success with Top 40 hits. Media and fans have issued tributes this week, and funeral arrangements were said to be pending.

WASHINGTON, U.S.: Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned on April 20 amid an inspector general investigation into allegations of professional misconduct, according to administration announcements and media reports. White House communications director Steven Cheung said she will leave to take a private-sector position, and Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling will serve as acting secretary.

WASHINGTON: The Labor Department inspector general is reportedly nearing the end of a months-long probe that began after a whistleblower complaint; outlets cite allegations including an alleged affair with a security team member and use of department resources for personal trips. Chavez-DeRemer called her service an honor on X; the administration framed the departure as a personnel change.