RETIRED BRASS SUPPORT DEAL WITH IRAN

washington» Three dozen retired generals and admirals Tuesday released an open letter supporting the Iran nuclear deal and urging Congress to do the same.

Calling the agreement “the most effective means currently available to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons,” the letter said that gaining international support for military action against Iran, should that ever become necessary, “would only be possible if we have first given the diplomatic path a chance.”

The release followed a similar letter sent last weekend to President Barack Obama by 29 of the nation’s leading scientists, who called the Iran deal “technically sound, stringent and innovative.”

Latest blaze grows in California. A northern

California blaze more than doubled in size overnight despite cooler temperatures and higher humidity.

The fire, which erupted Sunday several miles from the community of Lower Lake, had burned nearly 19 square miles, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

For the second time in as many weeks, residents had to evacuate their homes because of the uncontained fire lighting up rocky hills about 100 miles north of San Francisco.

“Deadliest Catch” captain dies B

sturgis, s.d.» Preliminary autopsy results say a ship captain on the Discovery Channel television program “Deadliest Catch” who died in Sturgis during its famous motorcycle rally had a heart attack.

Meade County Sheriff Ron Merwin says an autopsy was completed Monday, but he’s still waiting on a toxicology report for 50-year-old Tony Lara, a native of Alaska. Lara died early Saturday at a private residence in Sturgis.

Sanders vows to fight racism B

los angeles» Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Tuesday inside a packed arena vowed that he would fight harder than any other presidential candidate to end institutional racism, two days after Black Lives Matter protesters derailed one of his rallies in Seattle.

“There is no president that will fight harder to end institutional racism,” said Sanders, who was answered with a deafening roar and chants of “Bernie” inside the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

Dog beaters leave note B

miami» The beating death of a Pomeranian named Fox may have been eclipsed by the handwritten note left behind: “We beat it 2 death lol HAHAHA!”

Ronald Boisvert, Fox’s owner, said his 13-yearold family pet disappeared Friday afternoon when his girlfriend let him out at their Pembroke Pines condominium. On Saturday morning, Boisvert was awoken by a “frantic knock” from a neighbor who said Fox was lying near Boisvert’s condo with the note on top of his body.

“I was devastated,” Boisvert said. “He was a very friendly dog.”