JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 866

Baton Rouge. Forecasters reported unseasonably warm conditions across parts of the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and central Appalachia this week, with daytime highs in the upper 80s to low 90s through Friday. High-pressure ridging maintained dry, warm weather, while computer models indicated an approaching cold front late Saturday into Sunday that would bring showers and storms.

Immediate impacts include expected dry, pleasant conditions for Friday evening events — including LSU baseball and softball in Baton Rouge — and elevated fire-weather concerns where dryness persisted. By Saturday afternoon into Saturday night some regions face isolated severe-wind and hail threats, with cooler, drier air settling in by Sunday and early next week.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts reviewed and conceptually approved President Donald Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch at an entrance to the U.S. capital on Thursday and considered related plans to paint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building white and construct an underground visitor screening center; commissioners examined design plans and raised specific change requests during the meeting.

The commission, whose seven members were appointed by the president, approved the design concept for the arch, the repainting, and the underground facility while asking for revisions such as removing statue elements and eagle ornaments; White House spokesperson Davis Ingle described the action as a step toward fulfilling a campaign promise and commissioners said updated designs will return for further review this year.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Jon-Eric Sullivan, the Miami Dolphins' new general manager, announced this week he will use the NFL draft to rebuild the roster, entering his first draft with 11 selections including two first-round picks at Nos. 11 and 30. He brings two decades of talent evaluation experience from the Green Bay Packers.

Miami faces a constrained short-term payroll after cutting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa last month, triggering a $99 million dead-cap hit split over two years and a $54 million payment obligation; the team has moved to start Malik Willis at quarterback. Coaches and local analysts say the front office will prioritize drafting playmakers and managing cap implications this offseason.

Champaign, Illinois — Champaign Central's Will Ciciora threw a complete-game shutout Wednesday to lift the Maroons to a 1-0 Big 12 victory as Ben McDaniel delivered the lone RBI; across April 16–17 multiple high school teams in Wisconsin and college programs in Tennessee recorded notable wins and standout pitching performances.

This week those results changed team records and immediate momentum: Notre Dame rallied for a 14-10 Fox River Classic win on Thursday, Hortonville and De Pere posted key Friday victories, and The Citadel staged an eight-run seventh inning to beat ETSU on April 17; coaches and rosters now prepare for upcoming conference matchups and postseason positioning.

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tina Smith took the Senate floor around 7:40 p.m. Central Time to protest legislation that would remove protections for Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, prompting a rescheduling of a planned vote to Thursday, April 16 and drawing public statements opposing mining near the watershed.

Washington, D.C. — Separately, congressional action has moved to lift a moratorium on mining near the Boundary Waters, with reports of a 50-49 Senate tally sending a repeal measure toward presidential consideration; Twin Metals Minnesota and parent Antofagasta support development while Minnesota senators, tribes and conservation groups warned of contamination risks.

Las Vegas. At CinemaCon on Wednesday, Amazon MGM and filmmakers previewed the long-awaited Spaceballs sequel, unveiling its title 'Spaceballs: The New One' and confirming a theatrical release for April 23, 2027. Director Josh Greenbaum and cast members Bill Pullman, Rick Moranis, Josh Gad and Keke Palmer participated in pre-taped segments and on-stage appearances.

Las Vegas this week: Mel Brooks announced the title in a pre-recorded message, joking about not attending because he was 'seeing Phish at the Sphere,' while a sizzle reel referenced Amazon's acquisition of MGM and opened the vault. Rick Moranis' stage moments were staged gags with interruptions; studios signaled marketing and distribution plans following the announcement.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday rejected two disapproval resolutions brought by Sen. Bernie Sanders to block proposed arms sales to Israel, voting 40-59 against a measure aimed at armored bulldozers and 36-63 against a measure targeting 1,000-pound bombs, thereby preserving the pending transfers this week.

The votes left existing approvals intact and prompted statements from Democrats and Republicans: Republicans opposed the measures en masse, several Democrats joined Sanders to register dissent, and senators including Chris Coons emphasized support for Israel while distinguishing votes on U.S. military action; Democrats said they would continue introducing similar measures in coming weeks to record positions.

United States: Filmmakers unveiled the trailer for As Deep as the Grave at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on April 16, showcasing a generative AI recreation of the late actor Val Kilmer, who had been cast as Father Fintan but was too ill to film before his death in April 2025.

The Voorhees brothers released the CinemaCon footage with stated consent from Kilmer’s estate and daughter Mercedes; the film, written and directed by Coerte Voorhees and produced by John Voorhees, may be released by year-end and has prompted renewed debate about consent, ethics, and labor protections in the entertainment industry.

Los Angeles. Shohei Ohtani pitched six innings and struck out 10, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Mets 8-2 on Wednesday night, April 16, 2026; Dalton Rushing hit a first career grand slam as a designated hitter and Kyle Tucker added a solo home run in the eighth inning.

The win extended the Mets' losing streak to seven games and halted Ohtani's 33-inning scoreless streak with an earned run in the fifth; Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani did not bat because he remained sore after being hit by a pitch earlier in the week, and the teams continue their regular-season schedules this week.

Washington: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met rating agencies, international counterparts and lenders at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings this week, securing a staff-level agreement with the IMF and engaging Fitch, Moody's and Chinese officials while updating on debt repayments and measures to stabilize Pakistan's external finances. He spoke on the sidelines of meetings to reassure investors and outline policy steps.

Washington: Immediate outcomes include Fitch maintaining Pakistan's long-term foreign currency issuer default rating at B- with a stable outlook and the finance ministry announcing completion of a staff-level IMF review, with IMF board approval expected in early May. The minister also discussed Saudi support, Eurobond repayments and regional diplomatic efforts this week, and outlined a medium-term strategy to regain market access.