5 BELLEAIR BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Milton rapidly strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane Monday in the Gulf of Mexico on a path toward Florida, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay, leading to evacuation orders and long gas lines, and lending more urgency to the cleanup from Hurricane Helene, which swamped the same stretch of coastline less than two weeks ago.

Bidding begins

Anthony Arriaga, auctioneer at Clinton Livestock Auction, calls out, “Going once,” during a heated bidding session.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States has spent a record of at least $17.9 billion on military aid to Israel since the war in Gaza began and led to escalating conflict around the Middle East, according to a report for Brown University’s Costs of War project, released Monday on the anniversary of Hamas’ attacks on Israel.

Here's your preview of Saturday's paper

- Bilingual forum set for candidates

- Cancer survivor stories requested

- Hill’s kicks off pet contest

- Auxiliary sets holiday fundraiser

- Officers help bring about changes to D.A.R.E. program

Pages