JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 877

Washington — The US Treasury Department announced Tuesday it will not renew a temporary authorization that allowed the sale and delivery of Iranian crude and other petroleum products already loaded onto ships before March 20, saying the short-term authorization, set to expire in a few days, will not be extended and that Washington is maintaining maximum pressure on Tehran.

The authorization had been issued to relieve war-related supply shocks after the conflict that began February 28 and was due to last through April 19; buyers including India used similar waivers, and Treasury officials warned of possible secondary sanctions on banks holding Iranian funds, while regional tensions and shipping disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved this week.

Greenville, S.C.: More than a month ago, DISH Network removed FOX Carolina and other Gray Media-owned local television stations from its channel lineup, leaving DISH subscribers without those local broadcasts across affected markets, station reports and a Gray Media statement said this week. Gray said it granted multiple extensions during severe weather and national events including the NFL playoffs, Super Bowl and Winter Olympics before talks stalled.

Nashville-based Gray Media chairman and CEO Hilton Howell criticized DISH's demands, saying the provider rejected proposals and added 'outrageous terms'; stations remain accessible via antenna and other subscription services, and DISH customers have been urged to contact the company as negotiators from both sides continue discussions this week. More than a month into the blackout, DISH, which previously dropped over 1,000 channels, has not resolved the dispute.

Pauls Valley, Oklahoma — On April 8, Principal Kirk Moore tackled a 20-year-old former student, Victor Hawkins, in the school's lobby after the suspect entered shortly before 2:20 p.m. Video released this week shows Hawkins pointing a firearm, which investigators say jammed, and Moore rushing from a side door to subdue him before staff secured the weapon.

By 3:15 p.m. that Tuesday the county sheriff said the scene was secure and students were reunited with families; investigators believe Moore and staff prevented further injuries. Moore was shot in the leg during the confrontation and is recovering; authorities continue to investigate how the suspect entered and whether charges will be filed, with video evidence released via records requests.

Chicago — Noah Schultz was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte and started his major-league debut Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays, taking the loss as the Rays won 8-5. The White Sox reinstated Everson Pereira from a rehab assignment and placed right-hander Jonathan Cannon on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to April 13.

Chicago’s pitching prospect allowed four runs (three earned) over 4 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and four walks, while Pereira hit a three-run homer in his return. Shane McClanahan earned his first win since 2023, Munetaka Murakami added a late two-run homer and Bryan Baker recorded the final out as Tampa Bay extended its streak.

Washington: Israeli and Lebanese envoys met at the US State Department on April 14 for direct talks, with Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter describing a two-hour, 'wonderful' exchange and saying both sides are 'on the same side' in opposing Iran-backed Hezbollah; Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh also attended the meeting and the talks were mediated by US officials.

The engagement drew immediate security developments: Hezbollah reportedly fired rockets at northern Israel as the meeting began on Tuesday, and on Apr 15 Israeli officials declined to commit to a ceasefire, stressing protection of civilians; by Apr 16 US officials clarified that any ceasefire was not tied to separate Iran negotiations and described the process as focused on confidence-building measures.

United States — On the inaugural day of a U.S.-Iran blockade, no ships passed through the affected waters, initial reports said today. The reports indicate the blockade entered its first full day of enforcement, but officials did not provide specific details on the geographic scope, the identity of the enforcing parties or the operational rules governing passage. Independent verification of vessel movements and official statements remained pending at the time of reporting.

United States reporters said the immediate operational impact on scheduled commercial sailings and regional maritime services was unclear. Journalists and maritime monitors were seeking further details and confirmations from authorities and from ship-tracking services. Authorities and independent maritime trackers had not yet released consolidated data on vessel departures, transits or delays, leaving the scale of disruption unconfirmed at the time of reporting.

Iowa City. The NCAA announced Tuesday that the University of Iowa football program must vacate four wins from its 2023 season after finding that head coach Kirk Ferentz and assistant Jon Budmayr had impermissible contacts with a student‑athlete in November 2022, before the athlete entered the transfer portal, rendering the player temporarily ineligible.

The ruling includes one year of probation, a $25,000 self‑imposed fine, a two‑week self‑imposed recruiting communications ban for 2026 and the vacating of four 2023 victories; Ferentz and Budmayr previously served a one‑game suspension at the 2024 opener and statements from the program noted cooperation and a focus on moving forward.

Wichita, Kansas — On Tuesday the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that seven Kansas communities will receive $11,018,000 in grants and loans through the USDA Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program to modernize drinking and wastewater systems and install emergency generators and SCADA upgrades.

Corpus Christi officials said this week the downtown Watergarden operates on a recirculating system and has a food-grade solar shield to reduce evaporation despite Stage 3 restrictions; in Robstown, TCEQ issued a March 13 notice after Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District 3 exceeded the total trihalomethanes limit, prompting a customer notification sent April 7.

MIAMI — Javier Mascherano resigned as Inter Miami head coach on Tuesday, April 14, 2025, citing 'personal reasons' in a team release after guiding the club to its first Major League Soccer Cup. Mascherano, appointed in 2024, thanked staff, players and fans and reflected on the club's recent achievements.

The club named sporting director Guillermo Hoyos as interim coach this week while chief soccer officer Alberto Marrero assumed sporting director duties; Inter Miami will manage match preparations and a leadership search amid the transition. The announcement follows the team's record 101-goal campaign and the recent opening of a new stadium near Miami International Airport.