Miami News
Miami parking-authority plan may be on ballot
Desperate for cash, Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado is pushing to take over the city's parking authority and the millions it rakes in every year.
Suspect charged in ex-Miami police captain's murder
A New Jersey man accused of murdering a retired Miami police captain last year was booked into a Miami-Dade jail Wednesday evening.<p/> Rafael Toirac-Aguilera, 33, who was extradited from New Jersey, is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Traffic cameras coming soon to Miami
Cash-strapped Miami is joining the growing list of South Florida cities with camera-enforced ticketing at traffic lights.<p/> Miami police spokeswoman Kenia Reyes said the city is ``in the process of procuring the traffic infraction detector system.''
Florida GOP sued for donations from Scott Rothstein's law firm
The Republican Party of Florida was sued Wednesday for $237,000 it received from Scott Rothstein's defunct Fort Lauderdale law firm.<p/> Rothstein donated to the party from accounts of his law firm, Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, on more than 10 occasions, states the lawsuit filed in federal bankruptcy court.
Big rush for lobsters during miniseason -- but few reach catch limit
Calm seas and sunny skies may have spurred a heavy turnout for Wednesday's opener of the two-day statewide lobster recreational miniseason in South Florida. But the balmy weather apparently did nothing to enhance diver success, and marine law enforcement officers were obliged to curb the usual crop of lawbreakers.
Possible delays Friday on Interstate 595 in Broward
Broward County drivers may again experience delays during their Friday morning commute due to repair work on ramps connecting U.S. 441 and Interstate 595. One lane of the northbound U.S. 441 ramp to westbound I-595 shut down Thursday so workers could repair a bridge joint, which is part of regular maintenance.
Charter school to open at Coral Gables church
Somerset Gables Academy plans to open a 110-student charter school at University Baptist Church in Coral Gables, not the 675-student K-8 school it had envisioned.
Miami-Dade judge throws out felony charge vs. police officer in K-9 death
A judge on Thursday tossed out a felony charge against a former Miami-Dade police sergeant on trial for allegedly killing his police dog, but allowed a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge to go forward.
Local Audubon group helps birds hurt by oil spill
!!BEGIN TAG!! m4 !!END TAG!! ( Story audubon ) ( Story #22797 )<p/> A chance to see the historic Doc Thomas House in South Miami, have a few drinks and help save Florida birds affected by the Gulf oil spill is on tap Friday.
Judge throws out proposed Florida healthcare amendment
A Legislature-approved proposal crafted in response to the new federal healthcare law was tossed off the November ballot Thursday by a Tallahassee circuit judge who called it ``manifestly misleading.''
Miami Commission approves skyscraper-size billboards
Miami commissioners passed one of the most controversial zoning issues in years Thursday, when they voted to allow developer Mark Siffin to erect a pair of electronic signs almost 500 feet high that will tower over downtown.
LeRoy Collins Jr., veterans' chief, killed in bike accident
Retired Adm. LeRoy Collins Jr., a former U.S. Senate candidate and current director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, was killed Thursday morning when he was hit by an SUV while riding his bicycle, police said. He was 75.
Review | Bargain wines, charming owners make Angelique worth a trip
``The little miracle,'' it says in gold lettering over the bar at Angelique Euro Café, a charming, 4-month-old, wine-centric eatery in Coral Gables. And opening an upscale restaurant in this economy is indeed an act of faith.
Review | Japanese fare soars at pricey Zuma
Sure the name makes it sounds like the latest Latin dance craze or some high-tech video game, but make no mistake, Zuma, the new downtown Japanese restaurant in the Epic Hotel, is no passing fad.
Review | Dishes from 'round the world at Delicias
The popular small-plate concept is a welcome twist in Pinecrest at the months-old Delicias Del Mundo, where an international tapas menu is combined with global entrees in a something-for-everyone approach.
Roundup | A taste of Mexico at these two new restaurants
I'm particular about Mexican food. I like flavors layered on top of flavors, homemade tortillas with a slight char and food that reminds me of the grilled onions and tacos al pastor served on a piece of brown paper at the taqueria in my old neighborhood, Colonia Juarez, in Mexico City.
Ailing Cuban prisoner recovering in Miami
A recently freed Cuban political prisoner arrived in Miami on Wednesday, where he greeted 100 well-wishers who cheered as the paralyzed former boxer called for the overthrow of the Castro government.
Statue of `Mother of Miami' now stands tall near city's port
It's only fitting that the statue honoring the Mother of Miami would stand adjacent to a children's playground, overlooking the world-renowned seaport she envisioned when South Florida was nothing more than a vast swampland with a few patches of orange groves.
Miami Herald launches Public Insight Network
When you read, watch or listen to the news, do you ever feel the reports don't reflect your insight or point of view?<p/> Do you sometimes think that you know more about a subject than the experts who speak in the story?
Hopes rise with sales of downtown Miami condos
Residents and officials longing to see downtown Miami transformed into the nexus of a bustling, 24-hour city are beginning to see a little cooperation from the market.
Trial over Miami-Dade police dog's death pits expert vs. expert
Duke was a young, rambunctious Miami-Dade police K-9 felled by a series of vicious kicks from his frustrated human partner during an ill-fated training session, according to prosecutors.
Wounded boy's family asks for help in Miami Gardens shooting
In May, a gunman fatally shot 18-year-old Eric Pratt Jr. as he and friends played dice in a Miami park.<p/> Two months later, someone shot into a car parked in the Miami Gardens driveway of Pratt's family, gravely wounding a 12-year-old boy.
Florida a finalist in Race to the Top' education grants
Florida is one of 19 finalists in a national competition for federal education dollars, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced Tuesday.<p/> If the Sunshine State is named a winner, it could receive $700 million in education funding. Of that total, about $40 million would go to the Miami-Dade school district. Broward would receive about $35 million.
Homestead selling giant pile of dirt -- but nobody is buying
Homestead taxpayers are now the proud owners of . . . a worthless pile of dirt.<p/> The pile cost the city millions. Now no one wants to buy it.<p/> With home construction at a low point, there's not much demand for the fill.
Sunny Isles' beaches most frequently polluted, report shows
Sunny Isles Beach had above-average levels of dangerous bacteria in its waters more often than any other beach in Miami-Dade or Broward counties in 2009, according to a Natural Resources Defense Council report released Wednesday.
Florida gubernatorial candidates looking at running mates
In the next few weeks, the candidates for governor face a decision fraught with danger: choosing a running mate for the obscure position of lieutenant governor.
Florida GOP sued for donations from Scott Rothstein's law firm
The lawsuit was filed by Berger Singerman, the law firm working on behalf of the trustee in the bankruptcy case for Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler. The trustee sent a demand letter to the party in April, but ``the defendant has failed and refused to make such repayment,'' the lawsuit states.
Will president take a swim during visit to Gulf Coast?
When the first lady visited Florida's Gulf Coast, she got her feet wet. Will the president dive in?<p/> Much may ride on President Barack Obama's fondness for beaches and body surfing as he readies for next month's family vacation in the Sunshine State. The White House hasn't released an itinerary, but media reports have him and his family visiting somewhere on the Florida Gulf.
Alex Sink unveils alternative energy plan
In Alex Sink's view of the future, homeowners could install rooftop solar panels and not pay higher taxes for lowering their electricity bills. Businesses could generate their own electricity. Innovative energy companies would flock to Florida and create jobs. And the state's giant electric companies would thrive as leaders in wind, solar and biomass energy but would not have to control the market.
Florida a finalist in Race to the Top' education grants
Florida is one of 19 finalists in a national competition for federal education dollars, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced Tuesday.<p/> If the Sunshine State is named a winner, it could receive $700 million in education funding. Of that total, about $40 million would go to the Miami-Dade school district. Broward would receive about $35 million.
Swine flu vaccine changes as panic ebbs
Swine flu, which nearly caused a national panic last year before collapsing by year's end, remains very low across the U.S., with no indication it will worsen as the fall flu season nears, federal health officials said Tuesday.
Sender of political attack mailers says he was conned
A 19-year-old Florida State University student says a Republican lobbyist conned him into sending mailers attacking Democratic congressional candidate Joe Garcia.
Florida Legislature rejects pleas for tax breaks
When Florida's legislators quickly gaveled in and gaveled out their special session Tuesday, they also walked away from an opportunity to deliver tax breaks and economic relief to businesses struggling in the oil-ravaged regions of the state.
Florida Legislature rejects oil drilling ban vote, adjourns
Moving with extraordinary speed, the Florida Legislature took just two hours Tuesday to reject Gov. Charlie Crist's proposal to give voters the chance to amend the state Constitution and ban offshore oil drilling.
Public support builds for Florida oil drilling ban
As Gov. Charlie Crist worked the phones Monday seeking legislative support for his proposed constitutional amendment to ban oil drilling, polls showed public favor for it may be rising.
Charlie Crist, not oil drilling, may end up as target of special session
Gov. Charlie Crist is returning to his populist roots, but the Legislature won't follow him down that road.<p/> In fact, many lawmakers would rather run Crist out of town.
Florida GOP leaders may block vote on drilling
Fearing a major victory for Gov, Charlie Crist, Florida Republican leaders are prepared to take drastic action next week -- even blocking a historic vote on a constitutional amendment banning offshore oil drilling.
Florida Legislature session on oil-drilling ban in jeopardy
Gov. Charlie Crist's bid to ask voters to ban oil drilling off Florida is in deep trouble, with the House backing away from a vote and the oil industry already declaring victory.
Florida Senate chief wants special session on oil spill victims
Senate President Jeff Atwater on Thursday called for a second special session to be held next month to streamline the claims process for victims of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Charlie Crist may ask lawmakers for Panhandle relief
Pressure is mounting for legislators to expand the special session next week to revamp Florida's laws to help ailing Panhandle residents recover from the financial hit of the oil disaster.
Experts: Gulf oil unlikely to reach East Coast
Researchers who initially projected that oil from the Gulf of Mexico spill would threaten the East Coast now believe there's little chance it will.
2 teens arrested in shooting outside youth club
Two teenagers have been arrested after shots were fired outside of a St. Petersburg nightclub that had been rented out for a youth dance.
Judge throws out proposed health care amendment
A proposed constitutional amendment that would have blocked the state from starting a health care program similar to President Barack Obama's federal plan was removed from the ballot Thursday by a judge who said its wording would confuse voters.
Remains identified as missing South Fla. woman
Human remains found in the Everglades last month have been identified as a missing South Florida woman.
1 Florida Lotto player wins $2 million jackpot
One ticket matched all six Florida Lotto numbers to take a jackpot of $2 million, lottery officials said Thursday.
3 Fantasy 5 players share $222,000 top prize
Three winners of the "Fantasy 5" game will collect $74,104.98 each, the Florida Lottery said Thursday.
DCF Secretary to testify in D.C. on foster care
The head of the state's child welfare agency will testify in Washington D.C. about how states can use federal funds to keep children out of foster care.
2 men on the run after shooting teen in the face
Two men are on the run in central Florida after police say they shot a 16-year-old boy in the face.
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