Football Picks: We Pick Ourselves Up, Predict Big Games

Here are the top stories for Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Get the weather forecast for today here. SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get our free Morning Update email. Sign up here. Inaugural El Al service starts in Fort Lauderdale in wake of failed Iranian attack on Israel The Saharan dust coating Europe may actually help weaken hurricanes this season ‘I didn’t want to do it anymore’: Acclaimed Lionfish restaurant in Delray Beach has closed, to be replaced by celebrity-magnet Sugar Factory Teacher raises, charter school dispute: Broward School Board to discuss packed agenda ‘Laws don’t change unless they’re challenged’: Palm Beach County may try to curb hate speech More homeless people in Palm Beach County this year compared to 2023 Shocking twist in carjacking of South Florida woman leads to arrest of deputy Carnival doles out more details on new Bahamas destination Detectives solve 1968 killing of World War II veteran who became milkman, Florida sheriff says Ask Amy: The guy in my wife’s running group is close to crossing the line

It’s not your parents’ marijuana. Regarding Paul Armentano’s op-ed essay on April 11 in support of legalization of recreational marijuana use, consider the source carefully. As noted, he’s deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). It’s his job to campaign for legalization, and he was given ample space for his cause. THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana, works by over-activating cannabinoid receptors in the brain, producing a high while also causing difficulty with thinking, problem-solving and memory. In the 1970’s, marijuana plant material (weed) had a THC content of about 2-3%.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel continues its nine-part series previewing top players in the 2024 NFL draft (April 25-27) with the defensive backs. This collection of defensive backs is solid in the middle but not at the top. There could be five or six cornerbacks selected in the first round, and possibly one safety depending on where Iowa’s Cooper DeJean is projected to play, but perhaps none gets selected until the middle of the first round or so. After that, however, cornerbacks might occupy five of the remaining 15 or 20 picks. Depending on your point of view, the Miami Dolphins could be loaded in the secondary or they could have a lot of proving to do. Either way, Miami could certainly use a safety and, as the Dolphins have demonstrated the past two seasons under coach Mike McDaniel, you can never have too many cornerbacks. All Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey will be a starter on one side, and either newly-signed Kendall Fuller (from Washington), returnee Kader Kohou, last year’s starter in the slot, or Cam Smith, last year’s second-round pick, will start on the other side. The slot could be Kohou or cornerback Nik Needham, who basically missed the 2023 season recovering from an Achilles injury. At safeties the Dolphins have a good set in returnee Jevon Holland, who is on the brink of Pro Bowl status, and newly-signed Jordan Poyer (Buffalo), who is older but still high quality.

You probably weren’t finding many people predicting the Miami Dolphins’ first 2023 draft choice would be a cornerback. Not after acquiring the elite talent of Jalen Ramsey earlier that offseason. They used that first pick, a second-round selection, on South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith. Even as it’s once again unlikely the Dolphins would go defensive back the first time they’re on the clock in 2024, the possibility can never be counted out due to general manager Chris Grier’s propensity to take who he believes is the best player available at a given point in the draft, regardless of position. Miami has what appears to be a set starting secondary before it heads into the draft, which runs April 25-27. Ramsey is back for what could be a first season where he enters healthy for the Dolphins.

As Florida’s wild natural beaches have become more and more scarce, beachside buildings with gravel rooftops have multiplied by the thousands. Shorebirds that nest in the sand have had to adapt. Several species, including black skimmers, least terns, roseate terns and American oystercatchers, have taken to nesting on the plentiful gravel rooftops of buildings near the waterfront. “Building rooftops provide important alternative nesting habitat for shorebirds and seabirds,” said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, adding that most of the species that nest on rooftops are state-designated threatened species.

The former Bru’s Room Bar & Grill location in Coral Springs has been purchased by the owners of an upscale restaurant chain based in South Florida. That chain — Kaluz Restaurants — currently operates in Fort Lauderdale, Plantation and Wellington. And while the site’s former owner, Benedict Fillichio, said in February that a “very good restaurant chain” would open in Bru’s Room’s place, an officer of the company that purchased the site, contacted by text, said they have no plans to open anything on it “as of yet.” Related Articles Business | Bru’s Room closes two longtime locations Business | Crews watch Boca Raton brush fire Friday for possible hot spots to reignite Business | Bru’s Room waitress arrested on fraud charges Alina Demirdjian, identified by the Florida Division of Corporations as manager of Lori Springs LLC, which was formed in early February with Bru’s Room’s former location of 1000 N.