JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 872

Charlotte, N.C. Dan Morgan, general manager of the Carolina Panthers, said Tuesday the team will take the best player at No. 19 and would not hesitate to draft a wide receiver again; the comments came as the Panthers prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft and after offseason free-agent additions.

Charlotte's offseason included signings of edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and Pro Bowl inside linebacker Devin Lloyd and the additions of Rasheed Walker and Luke Fortner on the offensive line; Morgan said Tuesday his staff has evaluated roughly 600 prospects, will bring top-30 visitors to Bank of America Stadium and could trade the No. 19 pick before the April 23-25 draft.

Washington this week: Changes to federal tax law produced larger refunds for many filers, with average refunds reported near $3,600, a roughly ten percent increase from last year. Financial advisers urged recipients, ahead of Tax Day, to prioritize high-interest debt repayment, expand emergency savings, or invest in energy-efficient home improvements.

Washington Tuesday: Treasury officials said more than 53 million filers claimed at least one new exemption this filing season, including six million claiming no tax on tips, 21 million using overtime deductions and about 30 million older filers taking enhanced deductions. Polling cited by outlets shows 7 in 10 Americans still view taxes as too high.

Ann Arbor — Former Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months' probation after pleading no contest to two misdemeanor charges arising from a Dec. 10 confrontation with his former executive assistant, Paige Shiver, the day he was fired. Judge Cedric Simpson presided over the Washtenaw County 14-A District Court hearing at 2 p.m.

The sentence includes $1,345 in fines and court costs, a prohibition on alcohol and drugs, mandated mental health treatment, and a court-ordered no-contact provision preventing Moore from approaching, contacting, or discussing Shiver; prosecutors had earlier reduced a felony home-invasion charge under a March plea agreement and warned of jail if probation terms are violated.

WASHINGTON. President Donald Trump publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV this week after the pontiff condemned U.S. and Israeli military actions in the Iran war; Trump posted a social-media message and an AI-generated image and spoke to reporters on Monday and Tuesday, accusing the U.S.-born pope of being 'WEAK' on crime and foreign policy.

Washington reaction included clerical rebukes and political concern: Denver Archbishop James R. Golka called Trump's comments unacceptable, Pope Leo reiterated his stance, and analysts warned on Tuesday that the dispute risks alienating religious-right voters ahead of November midterm elections; both sides continued issuing statements and media coverage intensified.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. Federal prosecutors charged 36-year-old Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez on Tuesday with assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon after an April 7 targeted traffic stop in Patterson, Stanislaus County, during which ICE agents fired at him and struck him multiple times, according to reporting and agency statements.

The charge follows dashcam footage circulated last week and DHS assertions that Mendoza tried to hit agents; his attorney Patrick Kolasinski says Mendoza panicked and fled. Mendoza was discharged from the hospital and taken into FBI custody Monday under a warrant, and he is scheduled to appear in federal court this week in Sacramento.

Eugene on Monday beat Prairie Home/Bunceton 17-3, scoring in every inning and drawing 12 walks, with Jeffrey Schulte scoring four runs and Jacob Bittle throwing a complete game with 11 strikeouts; on Tuesday Eugene also defeated Fayette 7-1, with Chase Richard striking out ten in six innings and improving Eugene's record to 8-6.

Russellville on Monday defeated Lincoln 14-3 and on Tuesday beat Harrisburg 10-1, moving to 11-4 overall and 4-0 in Central State 8 play; Battle handed Jefferson City an 11-1 loss Tuesday, and coaches from these programs will prepare for upcoming conference matchups scheduled this week and tournaments.

U.S. officials said Vice‑President J.D. Vance led talks in Islamabad on April 12–13 in which the United States proposed a 20‑year suspension of all Iranian nuclear activity and Iran countered with a proposal for up to a five‑year suspension. Sources familiar with the negotiations said the U.S. position was not a permanent ban on enrichment but a long suspension that would allow Iran to maintain a non‑permanent claim to rights under the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty. No agreement was reached and U.S. officials said further in‑person meetings were being discussed.

Officials and analysts noted other unresolved issues beyond timelines, including restoring free passage in the Strait of Hormuz, verification and dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, and Tehran’s support for proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. A central sticking point is U.S. insistence that Iran remove about 440kg of near‑bomb‑grade uranium; Iran has insisted the fuel remain in the country but has offered to dilute it. Sources also said both sides have engaged in strategic leaking as secrecy around negotiations is preserved.

Annapolis, Maryland. Maryland Democrats declined a mid-deapolitical attempt to redraw the state's congressional map late Monday as the legislative session ended, leaving the proposal in committee; Gov. Wes Moore had supported the effort intended to make a Republican-held U.S. House seat more vulnerable. Washington saw related turmoil as Rep. Eric Swalwell ended his gubernatorial bid and announced his intent to resign from Congress amid public allegations.

The immediate consequences unfolded this week with party officials citing concerns about judicial vulnerability and internal disagreement in Annapolis, while in Washington colleagues publicly distanced themselves from Swalwell and reporters pressed associates for explanations. Sen. Ruben Gallego held a press appearance Tuesday to address his past defense and said he confronted Swalwell when rumors emerged, signaling swift political fallout and continued scrutiny.

Las Vegas — The Golden Knights defeated the Winnipeg Jets 6-2 on Monday night as Jack Eichel recorded one goal and three assists and Mark Stone scored and added two assists, combining for seven points to anchor Vegas's offense; Reilly Smith, Ivan Barbashev and Rasmus Andersson also contributed goals in the victory.

Vegas moves within one win of clinching the Pacific Division and would secure home-ice advantage through at least two playoff rounds with a victory over visiting Seattle in Wednesday's regular-season finale; earlier Monday the Los Angeles Kings beat Seattle, which officially eliminated Winnipeg from playoff contention, while Mark Scheifele reached 101 points despite the Jets' loss.

Los Angeles. Justin Wrobleski pitched two-hit ball over a career-high eight innings and Andy Pages hit a three-run homer as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Mets 4-0 on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Wrobleski retired hitters efficiently across 90 pitches, and the Dodgers limited the Mets to two total hits in the game.

The win improved the Dodgers to 12-4 and extended recent strong play, while New York fell to 7-10 and suffered a sixth straight loss amid a prolonged scoring drought; Juan Soto remained on the injured list, Shohei Ohtani was struck by a pitch but remained in the game, and Edwin Díaz’s limited availability was noted as a bullpen concern.