The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) issued a warning Monday about an “extremely dangerous” heat wave—the first of the season—which is expected to break temperature records from the Midwest to the East Coast.

“This level of heat risk is known to be rare and/or long-lasting, with little or no overnight relief, and poses a threat to anyone without effective cooling and/or proper hydration,” the NWS stated in a bulletin.

Maximum temperatures are expected to soar above 90°F and even 100°F (32°C to 37°C), breaking numerous records over the coming days.

The heat will impact major urban areas with dense populations, including Columbus (Ohio), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), and Washington, D.C., which the NWS said will face “especially significant heat impacts.”

The health consequences of extreme heat have worsened in recent years. In 2023 alone, there were 2,325 heat-related deaths in the U.S.—marking the fourth consecutive annual record—according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in August.

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In response to the heat emergency, regions such as New York State, and cities like Boston and Philadelphia, have declared states of emergency.

“Excessive heat warnings and precautions remain in effect. Heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in most years,” warned the NWS office in Albany, the capital of New York.

Florida authorities and the U.S. Marshals Service have rescued 60 missing children—presumed victims of human trafficking—in “Operation Dragon’s Eye,” described as one of the largest child recovery operations in U.S. history, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Monday.

The two-week operation took place in the Tampa Bay area in Central Florida and led to the arrest of eight individuals. The suspects face charges including human trafficking, child neglect, drug possession, and narcotics trafficking, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

“If you victimize children, you’re going to prison—end of story,” Uthmeier said at a press conference.

The operation also included providing physical and psychological support to the rescued children, who had been reported missing and ranged in age from 9 to 17, explained U.S. Marshal William Berger. The mission was led by the U.S. Marshals Service with support from nearly 20 state and federal agencies.

“Sixty children rescued—this number sends a clear message that Florida will never be a safe haven for traffickers,” warned FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass.

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The Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Dominican Republic requested on Monday a five-year prison sentence for Major League Baseball player Wander Franco during the trial against him for sexual abuse of a minor, the Prosecutor’s Office reported.

In addition, according to a statement from the Prosecutor’s Office, Franco is also facing a fine and the payment of legal costs.

The trial, held at the Collegiate Court in Puerto Plata (northern region), also involves the minor’s mother, who is charged with sexual exploitation and money laundering. The Public Prosecutor demands a 10-year prison sentence and a fine for her.

Authorities are also requesting the confiscation of seven assets seized from the mother, including a 600-square-meter plot of land, a vehicle, 2.1 million Dominican pesos (around $35,000 USD), and amounts of $68,500 and 800,000 pesos (over $13,000 USD). Additionally, confiscation of mobile phones and all funds in the accused’s frozen accounts is requested, along with payment of legal costs.

During the ongoing trial, where the defense is presenting its arguments and conclusions, the Prosecutor’s Office submitted 165 pieces of evidence, which it considers sufficient to issue a guilty verdict. It stated that the trial established the defendants’ involvement in the case.

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According to the accusation, Franco allegedly lived with the minor for several days and provided her with large sums of money to prevent her from reporting the incident to her mother. The mother allegedly used those funds to acquire vehicles and other assets.

The indictment states that the conduct of Wander Franco and the minor’s mother violates several articles of the Dominican Code for the Protection and Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents, the Dominican Penal Code, the Law on Illicit Trafficking of Migrants and Human Trafficking, and the Law on Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing.

Wander Franco was the starting shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays in Major League Baseball and signed an $182 million contract over 11 years with the team in 2021.