These Nj Counties Saw The Largest Population Drop As Residents Migrate To Other Areas

By BEN NUCKOLS (Associated Press) OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Fifteen months ago, Dev Shah spent a miserable five hours spelling outdoors in chilly, windy, damp conditions at a supersize regional competition in Orlando, Florida, only to fall short of his dream of returning to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. “Despondent is the right word,” Dev said.

By CHRIS MEGERIAN and MATTHEW DALY (Associated Press) WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite weeks of negotiations, the White House and House Republicans were unable to reach a comprehensive agreement to overhaul environmental regulations and streamline federal permitting as part of their debt ceiling deal, instead settling for limited changes that could simplify and expedite some project reviews. The legislation, approved late Wednesday by the House, includes provisions to speed up infrastructure projects under the landmark National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA.

DENVER — The Miami Heat now will have to flip the script. Having won their opening game of their first three series during this underdog run to the NBA Finals, the Heat for the first time this postseason will have to play from behind. Three days after an emotional Game 7 road victory to push past the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals, the Heat had the look of a team short on energy, height and shooting, falling 104-93 Thursday night to Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. “This is a great challenge,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

DENVER – Observations and other notes of interest from Thursday night’s 104-93 NBA Finals loss to the Denver Nuggets: – Against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, the Heat were able to measure up, aided when a back issue took Giannis Antetokounmpo out of 2 1/2 of the five games. – Against the Knicks in the second round, size wasn’t  the expected concern, as they shrunk Mitchell Robinson down to size. – And in the East finals, the Celtics effectively capitulated, moving to a small starting lineup as the series progressed. – That delivered the Heat to these NBA Finals and the upsized challenge of the Nuggets. – A challenge greater than the mountain of man that is Nikola Jokic. – Power forward Aaron Gordon made that clear early, with 12 first-quarter points. – Michael Porter Jr.

U. S. District Judge Mark E. Walker on Thursday disqualified himself from presiding over the court battle between the Walt Disney Company and Gov. Ron DeSantis, but for different reasons than stated in a motion by DeSantis’ legal team which Walker called “nothing more than rank judge-shopping.” Lawyers for the governor filed a motion for Walker’s disqualification last month claiming that in another case, the judge asked questions that suggested bias in favor of Disney.

Forty-two students conclude their high school career by receiving Young Women's Leadership Academy diplomas during commencement at Plaza Theater in Downtown El Paso, Texas, on Thursday, June 1, 2023.