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ClutchPoints’ 2025 Week 9 SEC Football Power Rankings

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Week 8 of the college football season has concluded. Some SEC teams took major victories, while other big-time teams found themselves on upset alert. Two teams remain undefeated in conference play, but six others have just one loss. This has led to significant changes in the 2025 SEC Football Power Rankings.

### 1. Alabama (-)
Alabama remains at the top of the SEC Power Rankings with six straight wins. Meanwhile, Kalen DeBoer has donned his black hoodie in six consecutive games. Alabama faced Tennessee in Week 8 and dominated early. On the last play of the first half, Alabama intercepted a pass and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown. They led by 16 at halftime and went on to win the game 37-20. This marked their fourth straight win over a ranked opponent. The Crimson Tide are now 4-0 in conference play and 6-1 overall. Alabama will hit the road in Week 9 to face South Carolina.

### 2. Texas A&M (+1)
Texas A&M is the only undefeated team in the conference, standing at 7-0 overall and 4-0 in conference play. This past week, they faced Arkansas in a tight game early on, but the Aggies built a 38-27 lead by the end of the third quarter. Arkansas fought back and scored with nine seconds left to narrow the gap to three points. However, Texas A&M recovered the onside kick and secured a 45-42 victory. The Aggies will travel to take on LSU in Week 9, looking to notch their second win over a ranked opponent this season.

### 3. Georgia (+1)
Georgia moves up one spot in the rankings, improving to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play. The game against Ole Miss was a struggle early, with the Rebels scoring on all three of their first-half drives to lead by one at halftime. Ole Miss continued its strong start with a 75-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the half and scored on its next possession as well, tallying five consecutive touchdown drives. However, Georgia’s defense tightened up, limiting Ole Miss to just 13 yards the rest of the game. The Bulldogs completed a comeback victory, 43-35. Georgia will have the week off in Week 9 before facing Florida in Week 10.

### 4. Ole Miss (-2)
Ole Miss has fallen to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play. The Rebels have been solid all year, balancing good defense with great offense. In their game against Georgia, they scored touchdowns on their first five possessions but could not hold on, falling 43-35 in their first defeat of the year. Ole Miss will visit Oklahoma in Week 9.

### 5. Vanderbilt
After an exciting 2024 season that included an upset over No. 1 Alabama and a 7-6 finish, Vanderbilt’s story is far from over. The Commodores are ranked No. 10 in the AP Poll—their first Top 10 appearance since 1947—and currently stand at 6-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play. Last week, Vanderbilt hosted LSU, leading 17-13 at halftime before scoring touchdowns on both third-quarter possessions to take a ten-point lead. The defense shutdown LSU in the fourth quarter, allowing only three points in a 31-24 victory. Vanderbilt remains home in Week 9, hosting Missouri.

### 6. Missouri (+1)
Missouri jumps one spot after edging Auburn in Week 8. The Tigers improved to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play. It was an ugly win; the offense struggled in the second half and Auburn took the lead in the fourth quarter. Missouri tied the game with a touchdown at 5:07 remaining and drove for the win, but an interception by Beau Pribula sent the game to overtime. After missed field goals by both teams in the first overtime, Pribula redeemed himself with a rushing touchdown in the second overtime. The defense held firm, securing a 23-17 victory. Missouri will travel to Vanderbilt in Week 9.

### 7. Tennessee (-1)
Tennessee drops one spot following their Week 8 loss to Alabama. The Volunteers are now 5-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play. Their only previous loss was an overtime defeat against Georgia. However, they struggled against Alabama, who controlled the first half, including a defensive touchdown. Tennessee was unable to mount a comeback, falling 37-20. They will look to rebound in Week 9 with a visit to Kentucky.

### 8. Oklahoma (+2)
Oklahoma bounced back from its first loss of the season with a road win over South Carolina in Week 8. The Sooners scored on their opening drive and again early in the second quarter, holding a seven-point lead at halftime. Although the offense stalled in the second half—with John Mateer throwing for just 150 yards—the defense stepped up. Oklahoma won decisively, 26-7, improving to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play. They face a tough challenge next week as they host Ole Miss.

### 9. LSU (-4)
LSU experiences a significant drop after their second loss of the season. The Tigers are 5-2 overall and 2-2 in SEC play. Offensively, LSU scored 24 points against Vanderbilt—their highest total against an FBS opponent this year (previous high was 23 vs. Louisiana Tech). However, the defense surrendered 31 points, which is the most points they’ve allowed all season. LSU has only allowed more than ten points twice this year, both of which resulted in losses. The Tigers hope to tighten their defense ahead of a Week 9 home game against Texas A&M.

### 10. Texas (-1)
Texas slips one spot despite moving to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play. In their narrow overtime win against Kentucky, the Longhorns struggled offensively; Arch Manning threw for just 132 yards, and the team managed only 179 yards total. The defense gave up 395 yards but still helped the team to a 16-13 victory in overtime. Texas will visit Mississippi State in Week 9.

### 11. Florida (-)
A Week 8 win was not enough to save Billy Napier, who has been fired as Florida’s head coach. The Gators defeated Mississippi State 23-21, relying on a late defensive stand to seal the victory. Mississippi State had rallied from a nine-point deficit, but an interception by Blake Shapen helped preserve Florida’s win. The Gators now stand at 3-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play. Florida will have the week off in Week 9.

### 12. Mississippi State (-)
Mississippi State, with low preseason expectations, is 4-3 overall but 0-3 in conference play. They had an opportunity to beat Florida but were hampered by questionable play-calling. On second down at Florida’s 29-yard line with 21 seconds left, they opted to pass instead of setting up a likely game-winning field goal, resulting in an interception. Mississippi State will host Texas in Week 9.

### 13. Auburn (-)
Auburn could be the next SEC coach on the hot seat, falling to 3-4 overall and 0-4 in conference play. The Tigers had a chance to secure their first conference win against Missouri but were undone by a turnover and three missed field goals in double overtime. Auburn will host Missouri in Week 10.

### 14. Arkansas (-)
Arkansas’ latest stint under Bobby Petrino got off to a rough 0-2 start in conference play. The Razorbacks fought hard and scored three touchdowns in the second half against Texas A&M but fell short in a 45-42 loss, marking their fifth consecutive defeat. Arkansas will visit Auburn in Week 10.

### 15. Kentucky (+1)
Kentucky nearly pulled off a major upset over Texas in Week 8. The Wildcats outgained the Longhorns by over 200 yards but struggled to convert yards into points. They missed a long field goal at the end of the first half and, in overtime, turned the ball over on downs at the Texas 3-yard line. Texas kicked a field goal to win 16-13. Kentucky will visit Tennessee in Week 10.

### 16. South Carolina (-1)
South Carolina drops one spot heading into Week 9 after their loss to Oklahoma. The Gamecocks will face Alabama at home next week, a daunting challenge as they seek to turn their season around.

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The 2025 SEC Football landscape is shaping up to be highly competitive, with several teams jockeying for position as the season enters its critical stages. Fans can look forward to exciting matchups in the coming weeks as teams strive for conference dominance.
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/clutchpoints-2025-week-9-sec-football-power-rankings

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To hit back at the United States in their trade war, China borrows from the US playbook

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**China’s New Trade Tactics Mirror Long-Standing U.S. Policies**

WASHINGTON — China has often criticized the United States for extending its influence beyond its borders to impose demands on non-American companies. However, when Beijing sought to respond to U.S. actions this month, it adopted a remarkably similar approach.

In expanding export rules on rare earth elements, China announced for the first time that foreign firms must obtain approval from the Chinese government to export magnets containing even trace amounts of rare earth materials originating from China or produced using Chinese technology. This means, for example, a South Korean smartphone maker needs Beijing’s permission to sell devices to Australia if those devices contain rare earth materials sourced from China.

Jamieson Greer, the U.S. Trade Representative, explained, “This rule gives China control over basically the entire global economy in the technology supply chain.”

### Borrowing from U.S. Trade Practices

For those familiar with U.S. trade policy, China’s move is essentially an adoption of a decades-old U.S. approach known as the Foreign Direct Product Rule. This rule extends the reach of U.S. laws to products made outside its borders and has been used regularly to limit China’s access to certain U.S. technologies even when held by foreign companies.

This is the latest indication of Beijing turning to U.S. precedents in its efforts to confront Washington amid what seems to be an extended trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

“China is learning from the best,” said Neil Thomas, a fellow on Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis. “Beijing is copying Washington’s playbook because it saw firsthand how effectively U.S. export controls could constrain its own economic development and political choices.” He added, “Game recognizes game.”

### Origins Trace Back to 2018

China’s urgency to develop retaliatory trade tools grew in 2018, when President Donald Trump launched a trade war against the country. At that time, Beijing began adopting laws and policies it could quickly implement during future trade conflicts — often inspired by Washington’s methods.

For example, China’s Unreliable Entity List, established in 2020 by the Ministry of Commerce, closely resembles the U.S. Commerce Department’s Entity List, which restricts certain foreign companies from engaging in business with the U.S.

In 2021, Beijing introduced its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, allowing agencies such as the Foreign Ministry to deny visas and freeze assets of unwelcome individuals and businesses, similar to powers held by the U.S. State Department and Treasury.

Describing it as a toolkit against foreign sanctions, the state-run China News agency quoted an ancient Chinese teaching, saying Beijing would be, “hitting back with the enemy’s methods.” Chinese scholar Li Qingming noted that the law “has combed through relevant foreign legislation and taken into consideration international law and the basic principles of international relations,” adding that it could deter further escalation.

### Expanding Controls and Reviews

Beyond sanctions and entity lists, Beijing has implemented expanded export controls and foreign investment review mechanisms over the past several years.

Jeremy Daum, a senior research scholar in law and senior fellow at Yale Law School’s Paul Tsai China Center, explained that China often models its laws after foreign examples in non-trade areas. As Beijing seeks the capacity to retaliate in trade and sanctions disputes, its tools frequently mirror those used by the U.S.

Both governments have adopted a broad definition of national security, which they use to justify restrictions on one another, Daum noted.

### Escalation Accelerates in 2024

Following Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year and the revival of his trade war posture, Beijing activated its new toolkit alongside retaliatory tariffs.

In February, reacting to Trump’s initial 10% tariff on China related to allegations that Beijing failed to curb fentanyl precursor chemicals, China’s Commerce Ministry placed PVH Group (owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger) and biotech firm Illumina on its Unreliable Entity List. This barred them from participating in import-export activities in China and restricted new investments.

Beijing also announced export controls on tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium — critical elements in high-tech manufacturing.

In March, after the U.S. imposed an additional 10% fentanyl-related tariff, China blacklisted 10 more U.S. firms and added 15 companies to its export control list, including defense firms like General Dynamics Land Systems and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, citing threats to China’s national security.

April’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs saw Beijing match Trump’s steep tariff increase to 125%, adding more U.S. companies to its blacklist and imposing export controls on additional rare earth minerals. This resulted in halts to shipments of magnets essential for manufacturing smartphones, electric vehicles, jet planes, and missiles.

### Risks of the Escalating Trade Conflict

While China’s new measures give it more leverage against the United States, Daum cautions that these tactics carry risks.

“There are two dangers in such a facially balanced and fair approach,” he said. “One, what one side sees as reciprocity, the other might interpret as escalation. And second, in a race to the bottom, nobody wins.”

As the trade war continues, both nations appear set to keep adapting and countering each other’s strategies — each learning from the other’s playbook in this high-stakes economic rivalry.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/united-states-trade-war-china/

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Shrapnel hit police vehicle during Marine Corps demonstration at SoCal’s Camp Pendleton: department

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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Metal shrapnel from explosive ordnance fired during the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary celebration at Camp Pendleton on Saturday struck a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle, according to an internal agency report.

The celebration included a military exercise using live artillery fire, which led to intermittent closures of a 17-mile stretch of the 5 Freeway in both directions for about four hours, leaving drivers stranded for extended periods.

Around 1:46 p.m., an explosive ordnance fired over the freeway prematurely detonated overhead from White’s Beach, located roughly three-quarters of a mile south of Las Pulgas Road. The shrapnel from the explosion hit and damaged a CHP patrol vehicle as officers were assisting with the traffic closure. Additionally, shrapnel reportedly struck a CHP motorcycle, although it was not damaged.

“This was an unusual and concerning situation,” said CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado. “It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway. As a Marine myself, I have tremendous respect for our military partners, but my foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of the people of California and the officers who protect them.”

No injuries were reported. CHP officers immediately notified the Marine Corps, which subsequently canceled further fire of ordnance over the freeway.

The CHP has filed an internal report on the incident, recommending an additional after-action review focused on the planning, communication, and coordination between federal, state, and local government agencies involved in the event on Saturday, October 18. The goal is to strengthen protocols for future demonstrations and training exercises near public roadways, according to an official CHP statement.

In response, Governor Gavin Newsom posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “We love our Marines and owe a debt of gratitude to Camp Pendleton, but next time, the Vice President and the White House shouldn’t be so reckless with people’s lives for their vanity projects.”

The state was asked on Friday to place signage along the freeway warning, “Overhead fire in progress,” according to a statement from Newsom’s office. Early Saturday morning, the federal government informed the state that live-fire activities were scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

While the Marines indicated they would not need to shut down the freeway during live firing from Navy ships onto land, CHP chose to halt traffic as a precaution. This measure aimed to prevent potential injuries or distractions to drivers caused by the live-fire exercises.

The incident highlights the complexity and risks involved in conducting military demonstrations near active public roadways, underscoring the necessity for improved coordination and safety protocols in future events.
https://abc7news.com/post/shrapnel-hit-chp-vehicle-during-marine-corps-camp-pendleton-live-fire-event-vp-jd-vance-attendance-department-says/18040928/

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Asia-Pacific markets set to climb as investors look toward slate of China economic data

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Asia-Pacific markets were set to open mostly higher on Monday as investors awaited a slew of economic data coming out of China. Analysts polled by Reuters expect China’s economy to have slowed in the third quarter, forecasting gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 4.8% in the July-to-September period compared to a year ago, easing from 5.2% in the previous quarter.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 futures pointed to a stronger open, with the futures contract in Chicago at 48,605, and its counterpart in Osaka at 48,290, compared to the previous close of 47,582.15. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index futures were also higher at 25,863, above the HSI’s Friday close of 25,247.1. Meanwhile, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 started the day 0.1% lower.

Last Friday in the U.S., the three major averages closed higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose as traders digested the U.S.’s softening tone on its trade talks with China and tried to move past credit concerns that sparked a big sell-off in regional banks on Thursday.

The Dow finished 238.37 points, or 0.52%, higher at 46,190.61. The S&P 500 settled up 0.53% at 6,664.01, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.52% to finish at 22,679.98.

CNBC’s Liz Napolitano and Pia Singh contributed to this report.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/20/asia-pacific-markets-nikkei-225-hang-seng-index-china-gdp.html

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Contexto 1128 Answer & Hints (October 20 2025)

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**Contexto 1128 Solution and Hints Guide**

_Contexto_ is another take on the popular word game Wordle. While the premise is somewhat similar to many alternatives, in this game, you are looking for a word within a particular context!

If you’re wondering what the solution is for Contexto 1128, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll provide the answer as well as helpful hints to assist you in solving the puzzle.

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### How to Play Contexto

The gameplay is simple yet challenging:

– Find the secret word.
– You have unlimited guesses.
– The words you guess are sorted by an artificial intelligence algorithm based on how similar they are to the secret word.
– After submitting a guess, you will see the word’s position in terms of similarity—the secret word is ranked number 1.
– The algorithm analyzes thousands of texts and uses the context in which words appear to calculate their similarity.

Each day, Contexto challenges players with a new puzzle. You can try your luck by visiting the official Contexto website after midnight.

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### Contexto 1128 Hints

If you’re trying to solve today’s Contexto puzzle and need some subtle hints that don’t give everything away, here are some clues for Contexto 1128:

– The secret word is 5 letters long.
– Some of the closest related words include:
RESIDENT, DEMOCRATIC, ELECTION, REPRESENTATIVE, CONGRESSMAN, DEPUTY, COUNCILWOMAN, PRESIDENT, CITY, COUNCILMEN.

These hints point toward a political or governmental theme.

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### Contexto 1128 Answer

The answer for Contexto on October 20, 2025, is:

**MAYOR**

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### Tips to Improve Your Contexto Gameplay

Want to get better at Contexto and solve puzzles more easily? Try the following strategies:

– **Start Broad:** Since you have unlimited guesses, begin with a broad range of guesses related to the given context. For example, if the theme is food, try various food-related words, ingredients, or cooking techniques.

– **Pay Attention to Position:** After submitting a word, observe its position relative to the secret word. If it’s closer, continue guessing words in that direction. If it’s further, try words in other directions.

– **Use Synonyms and Related Words:** The algorithm measures word similarity based on context. If you can’t guess the exact word, try synonyms or commonly related terms.

– **Look for Patterns:** Analyze the words that rank close to the secret word for common themes or associations, and focus your guesses accordingly.

– **Keep Trying:** The AI analyzes thousands of texts, so patience is key. Don’t get discouraged and keep experimenting until you find the right word.

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### Need More Answers?

If you want to explore previous solutions or broaden your puzzle-solving skills, check out our other resources:

– [Contexto Answer History Guide](#)
– [Wordle Answers](#)
– [7 Little Word Answers](#)
– [Phrazle Answers](#)

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Enjoy playing Contexto and happy puzzling!
https://tryhardguides.com/contexto-1128-answer/

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2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0 5-Speed

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This 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport rides on 15″ Pro Comp steel wheels wrapped in 33×12.5″ Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires. A spare tire is mounted on the MORryde swing-away tire carrier, reinforced by a MORryde tailgate and tire carrier reinforcement kit. The suspension features Bilstein shock absorbers and a lift kit, complemented by a RockJock Antirock front sway bar kit. Recent maintenance includes replacement of the stabilizer end links, front brake pads, rear wheel cylinders, drums, and shoes.

Finished in Medium Fern Green (PJP), this Wrangler is equipped with a removable tan hardtop featuring a rear wiper, metal half doors with custom tan tops, side steps, front marker light guards, A-pillar mounts, and a receiver hitch. While there are some scratches, dents, and dings, these imperfections can be viewed up close in the accompanying gallery.

Under the hood, the 4.0-liter Power Tech inline-six engine delivers 181 horsepower and 222 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed through a five-speed manual transmission and a Command-Trac dual-range transfer case, allowing for rear- or four-wheel drive. Service performed in 2025 included an oil change and the replacement of the valve cover gasket, rocker arms, and pushrods. Additionally, the fuel tank filler neck, muffler, and exhaust pipes have been replaced, and corrosion protection spray has been applied to the underside.

Inside, the cabin showcases high-back front bucket seats upholstered in Camel cloth, with matching door panels and carpets. Comfort and convenience features include a roll bar, fold-and-tumble rear seat, mini-floor console with cup holder, air conditioning, and a locking glovebox. The audio system comprises a Sony head unit and an aftermarket amplifier, although the amplifier is currently not wired. A leather-wrapped steering wheel frames a 100-mph speedometer, tachometer, and auxiliary gauges monitoring fuel level, voltage, coolant temperature, and oil pressure.

This TJ Wrangler has 76,000 miles on the digital odometer, with approximately 200 miles driven during current ownership. The vehicle was acquired by the seller in 2024 and comes with manufacturer’s literature, a clean Carfax report free of accidents or damage, and a clean New York title in the seller’s name. Previous registration history includes California and North Carolina.

Overall, this well-equipped and maintained 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport offers classic off-road capability paired with thoughtful upgrades and recent service, ready to provide many more miles of adventure.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2000-jeep-wrangler-111/

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Kaiser health care workers end five-day strike

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About 31,000 Kaiser Permanente registered nurses and health care professionals in Hawaii and California, represented by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), ended their five-day strike on Saturday. The workers pledged to continue their push for safe staffing and stronger patient care protections.

The strike began on Tuesday at more than 500 Kaiser hospitals and clinics and garnered widespread support from patients, community members, and elected officials. Union leaders noted that their action coincided with new Joint Commission standards that classify safe staffing as a patient safety requirement—a shift they say strengthens their bargaining position.

“The Joint Commission has finally said what nurses have known all along: unsafe staffing is unsafe care,” UNAC/UHCP President Charmaine S. Morales said in a news release. “Employers like Kaiser can no longer treat staffing like a budget line. It’s now a national patient safety mandate and UNAC/UHCP will make sure it’s enforced.”

Union representatives are scheduled to return to the bargaining table with Kaiser on October 28 and 29, citing renewed momentum and broad public backing.

“We stood strong for five days and made sure the world heard us,” Morales said. “This strike wasn’t just about numbers on a contract—it was about the right to provide safe care to every patient who walks through those doors.”
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/10/19/breaking-news/kaiser-health-care-workers-end-five-day-strike/

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Healthcare exec, husband charged after allegedly leaving sleeping 6-month-old daughter alone at beach

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A healthcare company’s regional president and her husband have been accused of abandoning their 6-month-old daughter in a tent on the beach during her nap time, while the rest of the family went on a long walk along the shore on Friday afternoon.

Sara Sommers Wilks, 37, and her husband, Brian Wilks, 40, were both arrested shortly after police responded to reports of an abandoned baby at Florida’s Miramar Beach around noon on Friday. According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the couple told officers they had “lost track of time” while walking with their three older children.

Authorities noted that the couple was gone for nearly an hour. “It’s right there at that hour time frame, 50 minutes to an hour, way longer than what would be reasonable,” Major Dustin Cosson of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office told ABC 13.

A good Samaritan found the infant and was caring for her inside the nearby Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa when authorities arrived. Meanwhile, the parents were unaware of the situation and were unreachable, having left their cellphones with the baby, the sheriff’s office confirmed.

“We’re thankful for the quick-thinking beachgoer who raised the alarm and for those who stepped in to care for the child with the same kindness and concern they would show their own,” Sheriff Michael Adkinson said.

Authorities reported that the baby’s vitals were normal and she showed no signs of distress. She and her three older siblings were placed into the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families until other family members could pick them up.

The parents were taken into custody soon after and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm, a third-degree felony under Florida law.

Major Cosson expressed his concern over the parents’ disregard for the many ways infants can accidentally harm themselves, even while napping. “That’s all fine and dandy, but you don’t just leave a baby at a house and then leave and go off to the store. The baby could roll over and suffocate itself, or the wind could blow a towel over its face. There’s no telling what could have happened,” he told ABC 13.

Sara and Brian Wilks were both released on a $1,000 bond on Saturday, according to police.

Sara Sommers Wilks has a notable business career and currently serves as the regional president for Southeast Texas at US Heart and Vascular, a company that provides support services for independent cardiovascular practices in Arizona, Alabama, and Texas.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/19/us-news/healthcare-exec-husband-charged-after-allegedly-leaving-sleeping-6-month-old-daughter-alone-at-beach/