By COLLIN BINKLEY, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Harvard University has become the latest target in the Trump administration’s approach to fight campus antisemitism, with the announcement of a new “comprehensive review” that could jeopardize billions of dollars for the Ivy League college.

A federal antisemitism task force is reviewing more than $255 million in contracts between Harvard and the federal government to make sure the school is following civil rights laws, the administration announced Monday. The government also will examine $8.7 billion in grant commitments to Harvard and its affiliates.

The same task force cut $400 million from Columbia University and threatened to slash billions more if it refused a list of demands from President Donald Trump’s administration. Columbia agreed to many of the changes this month, drawing praise from some Jewish groups and condemnation from free speech groups, who see it as a stunning intrusion by the federal government.

Dozens of other universities have been put on notice by the Trump administration that they could face similar treatment over allegations of antisemitism. The federal government is a major provider of revenue for American universities through grants for scientific research.

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Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Harvard symbolizes the American Dream but has jeopardized its reputation by “promoting divisive ideologies over free inquiry.”

“Harvard can right these wrongs and restore itself to a campus dedicated to academic excellence and truth-seeking, where all students feel safe on its campus,” McMahon said in a statement.

The announcement didn’t say whether the government had made any specific demands of Harvard. The Education Department, the Health and Human Services Department and the U.S. General Services Administration are leading the review.

The review will determine whether orders to halt work should be issued for certain contracts between Harvard and the federal government, the government said. The task force is also ordering Harvard to submit a list of all contracts with the federal government, both directly with the school or through any of its affiliates.

“The Task Force will continue its efforts to root out anti-Semitism and to refocus our institutions of higher learning on the core values that undergird a liberal education,” said Sean Keveney, acting general counsel for Health and Human Services. “We are pleased that Harvard is willing to engage with us on these goals.”

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — After dishing out a contract extension to head coach Kevin O’Connell a couple of months ago, co-owner Mark Wilf made it clear that the Vikings would like to do the same with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

“We have all the faith in Kwesi,” Wilf said on Monday afternoon at NFL Owners Meetings. “We’ve had very, very positive conversations, and that’s something we’re going to continue to work towards.”

Asked last week about the fact that he still does not have a contract extension, Adofo-Mensah downplayed the situation, noting that sometimes it takes time to come to an agreement.

“I don’t think about that very much,” he said. “It’s probably on me that it’s not going quicker because I wake up every morning focused on the things that I need to focus on to get this team where we want to go.”

Though it seems notable that the Vikings prioritized O’Connell this offseason, Wilf said the market partially dictated that part of the equation, adding that it doesn’t mean anything as it pertains to Adofo-Mensah and how they feel about him.

“I think each situation is unique to itself,” Wilf said. “I wouldn’t read anything into it.”

After being hired in January 2022 and February 2022, respectively, Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell have worked together to put the Vikings on a path that they hope ends with them winning the Super Bowl.

The competitive rebuild seems to be nearing its final stages as the Vikings recently went on a $300 million spending spree designed to put unproven quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the best position to succeed.

“We’ve got a great culture in place where can compete on a regular basis,” Wilf said. “The football leadership we have gives us confidence, and it should give our fans confidence that we’re heading in that direction.”

Briefly

The hope from the Vikings is that TCO Performance center will be the host to joint practices with both the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams this summer. Nothing will be set in stone until the NFL approves it.

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Kevin O’Connell pulled up a chair in the courtyard of a swanky hotel adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean.

It marked the first time O’Connell has spoken to local reporters about an offseason that has — for better or for worse — been completely overshadowed by Aaron Rodgers rumors despite the fact the Vikings massively improved their roster via a $300 million spending spree.

Asked about the elephant in the room Monday morning at the NFL Owners Meetings, O’Connell confirmed that he has talked to Rodgers before immediately shifting the focus to the future face of the franchise, whom the Vikings selected with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We’ve had a quarterback plan in place with J.J. McCarthy and we really like where he’s at in that journey,” O’Connell said. “That’s kind of where we left things and very much looking forward to what’s to come.”

The most interesting nugget O’Connell offered up in regards to Rodgers specifically was that the future Hall of Fame quarterback actually reached out to the Vikings about potentially playing for them.

Not the other way around.

It’s also worth noting O’Connell said he kept McCarthy in the loop “almost borderline in real time” about any sort of communication he was having with Rodgers. It was extremely important to O’Connell that he was open and honest with everybody involved.

“We were able to have some conversations on the hunt to always improve our football team,” O’Connell said. “You’re constantly acknowledging and evaluating all of the opportunities that may be out there.”

Ultimately, the Vikings decided to move forward with McCarthy’s progression as the primary focus.

“I feel really, really positive about the path we’re going to take,” O’Connell said. “It’s a responsibility for me as the playcaller to make sure I’m building that rapport in addition to demanding a standard of the position from a very early time here with J.J.”

That process of the Vikings finding out where exactly McCarthy is from a developmental standpoint starts this spring when players return to TCO Performance Center for organized team activities.

That will be a big step for McCarthy, considering he hasn’t practiced with his teammates since last summer when he suffered a torn meniscus during an exhibition game between the Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders.

It should help matters that the Vikings have done everything in their power in free agency to put McCarthy in the best position to succeed by signing Ryan Kelly and Will Fries to fortify the trenches on the offensive end and signing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave to add more disruptors on defense.

It’s not hard to envision McCarthy stepping into the spotlight and immediately having success. That’s a big reason the Vikings decided to table discussions with Rodgers in the present as they set their sights on the future.

“Now we’ve got to go to work and do it,” O’Connell said. “Talking about it in March and April doesn’t do a whole lot.”

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Take a trip on the St. Johns River, whether by boat or by wandering its shores on foot, and it’s possible to imagine a time when saber-toothed cats and mastodons wandered the Florida peninsula or the Timucua people inhabited its banks.

Modern-day explorers can find natural serenity and plenty of places for a full immersion in the wilderness along Florida’s longest river, which stretches for 310 miles as it flows north before meeting with the Atlantic Ocean just outside of Jacksonville.

Central Florida’s portion of the “River of Lakes” leaves many experiences for adventurers to dive into — from springs to waterfront restaurants and scenic boat tours.

Visitors to Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka dive to the spring boil on a hot summer day in this underwater view. At 7,723 acres, Wekiwa Springs is one of the largest state parks in Central Florida, pumping 42 million gallons of 72-degree water into the Wekiva River daily. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Dive Into Springs

There are 148 known springs along the St. Johns River, leaving many places for swimmers and snorkelers to cool off and splash around. In Central Florida, the most popular of these is Blue Spring State Park, a wintertime haven for manatees and a summertime oasis for tourists and locals alike.

Though a little further from the river itself, DeLeon Springs also flows into the St. Johns and offers opportunities for swimming, diving, boat tours and eating pancakes at the Old Sugar Mill Pancake House.

Calm, clear waters add to the scenery at Gemini Springs Park in DeBary. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Gemini Springs and Green Springs both flow into Sanford’s Lake Monroe, one of the larger lakes along the St. Johns River. Though neither allows swimming, the parks make for great places to have a picnic or take a stroll.

The Wekiva River also flows into the St. Johns, which is fed by Wekiwa Springs and Rock Springs. Both of these offer places to swim (or tube at Kelly Park) and relax during a sunny day outdoors.

Ocala National Forest is chock full of springs that flow into the St. Johns River, including Alexander, Juniper, Silver Glen and Salt Springs. Silver Springs also joins the St. Johns by way of the Ocklawaha River.

Jim Romano enjoys a beautiful Central Florida spring afternoon while walking his labradoodle “Brooklyn” down the Sanford Riverwalk Trail along the shoreline of Lake Monroe in Sanford. (Orlando Sentinel file)

Parks and Trails

Plenty of parks and trails offer the chance to get up close to the St. Johns without getting wet. Black Bear Wilderness Area, for example, takes hikers on a 7-mile loop with well-maintained boardwalks right along the river’s edge.

Nearby, the nearly 5-mile Sanford Riverwalk gives cyclists, runners and walkers a chance to enjoy views of Lake Monroe. Other outdoor areas that share a connection with the St. Johns River include Mullet Lake Park, Little Big Econ State Forest, Hontoon Island State Park and Lake Beresford Park.

In the future, DeBary’s 170-acre Alexander Island will allow the public access to the St. Johns River on land right across from the Black Bear Wilderness Area.

The St. Johns Rivership Co. takes tourists across Lake Monroe while returning to Sanford aboard the Barbara-Lee in 2023. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

On the Water

From scenic boat tours to kayaking and sailing, there are no shortage of methods for exploring the St. Johns River by water.

The St. Johns Rivership Co. has multiple cruises a week that depart from Sanford, including dinner and lunch excursions and “Rockin’ on the River” every Friday. A St. Johns River Nature Cruise departs from Blue Spring State Park daily.

Kayaking on Rock Springs Run yields views of Florida wilderness in Apopka. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Airboat tours are available at a number of locations, including Camp Holly in Melbourne, Airboat Rides at Midway in Christmas, the Black Hammock in Oviedo and Twister Airboat Rides at Lone Cabbage Fish Camp in Cocoa.

Boat rentals are available at venues such as Highland Park Fish Camp and Holly Bluff Marina, both in DeLand.

Prime places for kayaking and paddleboarding include the Wekiva River and Econlockhatchee River, both of which flow into the St. Johns.

The Jolly Gator Fish Camp restaurant in Geneva is one venue for waterfront dining along the St. Johns River. (Orlando Sentinel file)

Waterfront Dining

For seafood lovers who also enjoy great views, the St. Johns offers many areas for waterfront dining.

Venues include the Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill in Geneva, Gators Riverside Grille in Sanford, St. Johns River Steak and Seafood in Sanford, Swamp House Riverfront Grill in DeBary and Drifters Waterfront in Astor.

Adopt River-Friendly Practices

St. Johns Riverkeeper, the primary nonprofit that protects and defends the river, encourages visitors to adopt environmentally friendly practices while visiting and urges people to consider environmental stewardship.

310 miles, 8 days on the St. Johns River: An epic kayaking odyssey from source to sea

Boaters should be mindful of loose items to prevent litter and avoid leaking fluids into the water. People who live within the St. Johns River watershed, which includes the Wekiva River and Econlockhatchee River, are encouraged to create a river-friendly yard by using fertilizer responsibly, avoiding pesticides, using organic mulch and selecting native plants.

The St. Johns Riverkeeper’s website has many more tips for those looking to give back and plenty of more places to explore along Florida’s longest river. Visit stjohnsriverkeeper.org or explorethestjohns.com to learn more.

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.