News briefs

Tribune News Service on Aug 11, 2026

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Smear campaign targets Democrat’s sexuality in Florida congressional primary

MIAMI — The LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Florida is condemning a false and illegal text campaign unleashed Tuesday by hidden actors intent on smearing a South Florida congressional candidate over his sexuality.

The texts, which target state Sen. Shevrin Jones in the Democratic primary for Florida’s 24th congressional district, claim to come from Equality Florida and are written to appear as an appeal for sympathy for Jones on the false premise that he was turned away from donating blood to a COVID survivor because he is gay and HIV positive.

But almost none of that is true. Jones does not have HIV, and the text message did not come from Equality Florida.

In a statement, Equality Florida said the fabricated texts prey on HIV and anti-gay stigma. The LGBTQ advocacy group endorsed Jones in the Democratic primary, which will be decided on Aug. 18.

—Miami Herald

More than half of NYC students often bored in class, school survey finds

NEW YORK — Close to half of New York City public schoolchildren do not feel challenged in the classroom, according to this year’s school survey results released Tuesday.

Roughly 41% of students said they feel like they are “challenged academically” or “learn new and hard things” in only some or none of their classes, the results showed. In response to a follow-up question, around 53% reported they “often” or “very often” felt bored during last school year.

The citywide school survey is administered to students, families and teachers every year, and this year’s results express the views of more than 870,000 respondents — a 2% increase from last year. The survey opened on Feb. 9 and closed on April 30.

In a news release, education officials said the data “signals strong alignment” with Chancellor Kamar Samuels’ pledge to make academic rigor one of his top priorities for the public schools.

—New York Daily News

LA County supervisors move to consider creating gender equity office

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday directed county officials to study the prospect of creating an Office of Gender Equity to pursue the goals of eliminating gender-based discrimination and advancing gender equity across county government.

The board approved the motion, which was introduced by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, by a margin of 4-0, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger absent.

“For too long, our gender equity work has been siloed without a central entity responsible for coordinating and advancing this work,” Horvath said during the meeting. “An Office of Gender Equity would help change that,” she added.

The motion directs the county’s Chief Executive Office and Department of Public Health to work with County Counsel on a report due back in 60 days. The report, according to the measure, should include a recommendation for where in county government the gender equity office could live; information about existing programs and resources that could support the office; and a clear timeline for the office’s creation.

—Los Angeles Times

Ukraine stops reporting Russia missile data as defenses struggle

Ukraine has stopped reporting how many missiles Russia fired during attacks, as it continues to appeal to allies to help strengthen its air defenses.

While the Air Defense Forces said 98 of 120 Russian drones were downed overnight, it omitted data on the number of missiles fired. That came days after it ceased reporting interceptions of ballistic missiles, following an attack last week in which Ukraine failed to stop any of 28 projectiles.

The Air Defense Forces has changed its reporting format as a security measure in response to Russian strikes, according to a person familiar with the matter, asking not to be identified because the matter is sensitive.

Ukraine is scrambling to obtain more interceptors from allies as it struggles to defend against intensified Russian air attacks in recent weeks. It’s particularly seeking more supplies for the U.S.-made Patriot system that’s most able to knock out Russian ballistic missiles, amid a surge in global demand sparked by the Middle East conflict.

—Bloomberg News