Politics

As Rousseff Faces Impeachment In Brazil, The U.S. Follows A New Logic In Latin America

By Tim Padgett • Apr 13, 2016

COMMENTARY

Luis Almagro, the secretary general of the Organization of American States, made a particularly sensible point when I talked to him during his visit to Miami this week.

The recent normalization of U.S.-Cuba relations, Almagro said, is good for the Western Hemisphere because it “has changed the logic of relations between Latin America and the United States.”

Buses Versus Rail: Which Would You Prefer?

By Luis Hernandez • Apr 12, 2016

We recently spoke with Mayor Eugene Flinn of Palmetto Bay and Vice Mayor James McDonald of Pinecrest about the debate between new bus lines versus more rail.

The county has a plan for $115 million to go toward a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the South Dade.

Gov. Rick Scott Signs Death-Benefits Bill For First Responders

By Jim Turner | News Service of Florida • Apr 8, 2016

Gov. Rick Scott signed a measure Friday that will help families of first responders who are enrolled in the Florida Retirement System and get killed in the line of duty.

The death-benefits bill (SB 7012), a priority of Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, was among 17 bills Scott signed into law.

"When people give their lives in the service of our state, the least we can do is make sure we help provide for the families they leave behind," Gardiner said in a prepared statement.

The law covers first responders killed since July 1, 2013.

Federal Judge Closes Books On Florida Gay Marriage Ban

By Dara Kam | News Service of Florida • Mar 31, 2016

More than a year after same-sex marriages began in Florida, a federal judge on Thursday issued a final judgment declaring that Florida's voter-approved prohibition against gay marriage is unconstitutional.

In a harshly worded ruling, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle rejected state officials' arguments that a final order in the Florida case was unnecessary due to a seminal U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that struck down state bans on same-sex marriages nationwide.

Florida Roundup: Obama Visits Havana, Tells Cuban People "Sí Se Puede"

By Julia Duba • Mar 25, 2016

President Obama's visit to Cuba this week drew criticism from Miami and praise from Cubans.

Cubans in Havana watched President Obama speak directly to them on live television, knowing that Cuban president Raul Castro was in the same room listening on.

"I want the Cuban people, especially the young people, to understand why I believe that you should look to the future with hope, not the false promise which insists that things are better than they really are, or the blind optimism that says all your problems can go away tomorrow," said President Obama in a speech in Havana.

Florida Roundup: President Obama's Historic Visit To Cuba

By Julia Duba • Mar 18, 2016

President Obama is going to Cuba this weekend.

WLRN's Tom Hudson and Tim Padgett are there awaiting Obama's visit. What is the mood in Havana ahead of the historic trip? And they're looking at the changes that have occurred since the two nations started talking again.

Donald Trump looks like the Republican nominee in this presidential election, while Florida's Senator Marco Rubio is back in the halls of the senate, now that’s he no longer running for president. But, what do we make of his claim that he won’t return to politics after January?

Gov. Scott Sends A Message

By Luis Hernandez • Mar 18, 2016

The 2016 Florida legislative session was a much more conciliatory affair -- compared to last year's session that ended early and went to extra sessions. On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott signed the $82.3 billion budget. He stuck to his earlier announcement of 256-million-dollars in line-item vetoes.

Why the governor announced so early what he was going to veto.

Rubio Requiem? Why The Tea Turned For Marco – And Why He'll Be Back

By Tim Padgett • Mar 16, 2016

From savior to suspended.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio - whom Time Magazine just a few years ago hailed as the Republican Party's "savior" - suspended his presidential campaign last night after losing his home state’s primary in a devastating landslide to Donald Trump. The political post-mortems on Rubio have begun – and so have the questions about his future.

Late For Early Voting In Hollywood

By Caitlin Granfield • Mar 15, 2016

When people entered the Hollywood Branch Library on Tuesday to vote in the presidential primary, they learned that they were two days too late.

They said Broward’s online voter information page wasn’t clear and that they thought they could vote there through Tuesday.

Nonetheless, people like Christian Bauman, a 29 year-old Hollywood resident, hoped he could squeeze in his vote elsewhere.

He said he’s been a lifelong Democrat.

The Florida Primary: Who Voted and Why

By John Power • Mar 15, 2016

South Florida voters shared their thoughts, voiced their opinions and told us which candidates they voted for in the Florida primary election. Listen to them talk about why.

Edward Hannaway, voted for Bernie Sanders

"If the guy was a street sweeper I'd vote for him."

Linda Lane, voted for Hillary Clinton

"Probably everything that's opposite of what the Republicans stand for."

Elise Marilles, voted for Bernie Sanders

Why Vote? (When You Could Be On Miami Beach)

By rowan moore gerety • Mar 15, 2016

It was 85 degrees and breezy with a spotless sky on Miami Beach Tuesday afternoon—not exactly weather to make you roll up your towel and head for the polls. K’Teyah Dumoy, sprawled in the sand with family visiting from Canada, says she usually votes. But Tuesday? "It’s such a perfect day at the beach, so..."

Navy Veteran Favors Clinton Over Trump

By Caitlin Granfield • Mar 15, 2016

Workers at the Hallandale Beach Cultural Center said there was a steady flow of voters on Tuesday morning, but by noon just a trickle of people could be found there.

Jarrett Edward Fulton, of Liberty City, came there to repair a van in the parking lot. A Navy veteran, and proud grandfather of 22, he recently voted for Hillary Clinton on his absentee ballot.

He thinks the general election will come down to her and Donald Trump. He says the Republican debates were a turnoff. And he says, Trump isn’t fit to run this country.

Rubio Suspends Campaign After Trump Takes Florida

By WLRN Staff • Mar 15, 2016

Republican Marco Rubio of Miami suspended his campaign Tuesday night after losing his home state to Donald Trump.

Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton were victors in the Florida presidential primary.

Florida was do-or-die for Rubio. Florida's 99 Republican delegates are awarded on a winner-take-all basis.

"While this may not have been the year for an optimistic message, I still remain hopeful and optimistic about America," Rubio told his supporters Tuesday evening.

How Rubio Made Florida A Winner-Take-All State

By xuan thai • Mar 13, 2016

Florida’s primary on Tuesday could finally decide who will get both the Republican and Democratic presidential nomination. The Sunshine State's pivotal role in the primary system was no accident, and it may be surprising to find out that the man behind Florida’s winner-take-all primary is Marco Rubio – whose own presidential aspirations may be decided on Tuesday night.

Social Media: Where The Internet Takes Control Of The Election

By Lisann Ramos • Mar 12, 2016

Presidential elections have always sparked conversation around the dinner table and at news stands. Then, with the growth of media, that conversation spread to every screen and speaker imaginable.

Now, the platform for political talk is social media. And it could very well be changing the structure of the campaign as we know it.

On Feb. 9, 26-year-old Carolina Herlle shared this video on her Facebook page:

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