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Latest News: Infected surgical tools found in South Florida clinics
It's Friday, April 26, 2024.
🌡️ Check here for today's weather forecast.
On the WLRN website today:
- Housing: New affordable homes in Palm Beach County help 'build a community' - one family at a time
- Government & Politics: Dispelling disinformation —en Español— in U.S. Hispanic communities
- Development: Fort Lauderdale going after federal grants for tunnel under New River
⬇️ Scroll down for the latest news in South Florida:
Fort Lauderdale pumps the break on plans to remove olive trees on Las Olas
Fort Lauderdale officials are pumping the brakes on a plan to rid Las Olas Boulevard of its black olive tree medians.
After years of discussion, the city eventually landed on a redesign of the iconic thoroughfare that promised wider sidewalks.
But after pushback, Mayor Dean Trantalis told the South Florida Sun Sentinel this week he’s in favor of a more measured approach.
The mayor now suggests keeping the 16 trees and the median, and expand the sidewalk on just Las Olas’ north side. There is still no clear timeline for when any development work would begin.
READ MORE: Fort Lauderdale going after federal grants for tunnel under New River
Miami-Dade Democratic Party will elect a new chair
The Miami-Dade County Democratic Party will elect a new chair tonight.
The election comes during a period of turmoil with the local party. The state chair of the party, Nikki Fried, suspended the previous chair.
Candidates include state Senator Shevrin Jones, Biscayne Gardens Chamber of Commerce President Bernard Jennings and Miami-Dade College Democrats President Manuel Fernandez.
Filmmaker Billy Corben had briefly joined the race, but then dropped out, claiming the party is too dysfunctional.
READ MORE: Fried removed local Dems leaders to 'fight back and protect democracy' ahead of elections
George Wysong selected as new Miami city attorney
City of Miami commissioners have picked a new city attorney after the last one's high-profile removal.
The Miami Herald reports Deputy City Attorney George Wysong was selected for the position in a 4-1 vote.
Wysong's appointment became effective immediately after he was sworn in yesterday.
Earlier this month, commissioners terminated the City Attorney employment contract of Victoria Méndez.
She became the city attorney in 2013, and had been the subject of scrutiny after several high-profile scandals.
READ MORE: 'We need to move on': Victoria Méndez removed as Miami City Attorney
Sunpass users beware. Some people are getting scam text messages, officials say
If you use Sunpass for payments on toll roads, we've got a scam alert for you.
Florida transportation officials say that people have been receiving text messages requesting prompt Sunpass payment to avoid fees.
Those messages are fake. The phishing scam uses them to direct people to a fraudulent website in an attempt to collect personal financial information.
In a statement, SunPass said that it does not use text messages to ask customers for payment or to take immediate action on their accounts.
SunPass said that, to the best of its knowledge, the toll collection system has not been compromised.
The Better Business Bureau urges consumers to avoid clicking on links in suspicious or unsolicited text messages. Instead visit the business' official website or contact its customer service department.
READ MORE: Florida resumes giving back to frequent toll-road drivers with transponders
Man killed in deputy-involved shooting in Lake Worth Beach
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office says a deputy shot and killed a man who was openly carrying long guns in a shopping cart and allegedly pointed them at people on the street.
This happened in Lake Worth Beach yesterday.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports that the Sheriff's office had received several calls from people at an intersection saying the man pointed a rifle at them.
Deputies who arrived at the scene said the man refused their orders to lie down on the ground. They say he put down one long gun but grabbed another and advanced toward a deputy.
That's when he was shot. The man died shortly after at the hospital. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting, which is standard procedure.
READ MORE: Politifact FL: Are 75% of guns used in school shootings found unsecured in homes?
Surgical equipment infected with bacteria found in South Florida clinic
Health officials are raising awareness about surgical equipment infected with bacteria. That’s after at least 15 patients got skin abscesses after cosmetic surgeries at a clinic in South Florida.
Patients went in for procedures like liposuction, butt lifts and breast augmentation and also left with an infection from non-tuberculous myco bacteria called NTM.
Katie Saunders is an officer at the CDC assigned to the Florida Department of Health. She said the infections took several months to treat with antibiotics.
"We definitely want providers to be aware and have this on their list to consider when patients present with skin and soft tissue infections, especially if they’ve just had surgery," Saunders said.
Saunders urges facilities to make sure they process surgical equipment correctly.
She said patients should ask providers about their licensing, and whether facilities are registered with the Florida Department of Health.
READ MORE: CDC reports 93 US deaths after cosmetic surgery in Dominican Republic since 2009
Man faces first-degree murder after fatally beating transgender woman in Miami Beach
A man arrested for allegedly beating a transgender woman to death in Miami Beach earlier this week has been charged with first-degree murder.
The Miami Herald reports that Gregory Fitzgerald Gibert, 53, made his first court appearance yesterday via video from jail. He had his charge upped from second to first degree murder and was denied bond.
A surveillance camera recorded Fitzgerald Gibert beating Andrea Doria Dospassos, 37, with a pipe near the Miami City Ballet building.
Dospassos was homeless and sleeping near the entrance. Police have not determined yet if the beating was a hate crime.
READ MORE: Title IX protections now extend to gender identity and sexuality. Here’s what it means in Florida
In Homestead, outdoor workers will protest state's law preempting heat protections
Hundreds of outdoor workers and activists will gather in Homestead this weekend to protest Florida’s HB 433. That’s the new state law prohibiting local governments from setting heat protections for outdoor workers.
The march will be led by WeCount!, a Homestead-based nonprofit immigrant advocacy group. It had been supportive of Miami-Dade County’s effort to establish the state’s first local heat ordinance.
But county commissioners dropped that proposal shortly after the state legislature passed the bill last month.
Supporters of the new law said local heat ordinances would cripple the construction and agriculture industries. But critics, like WeCount!, say more protections are needed as Florida continues to experience record-breaking heat.
Sunday’s march will call on the federal government to pass emergency heat protections.
READ MORE: Activists want Miami-Dade commissioners to back protections for outdoor workers in extreme heat
Dania Beach adds high-water trucks to its fleet to navigate floodwater
The city of Dania Beach is adding some big additions to its emergency response resources ahead of what could be an especially active hurricane season.
According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, city leaders have approved the purchase of two high-water trucks that will help first responders move through floodwater and rescue stranded residents.
The vehicles are equipped with high water tires and emergency equipment.
The rollout of the new trucks comes a year after storms dropped more than 21 inches of rain in Dania Beach last year, flooding homes and streets.
READ MORE: DeSantis approves a boost for home-hardening grant program
Changes are coming to hurricane forecast modeling and advisories
Meteorologists are reinforcing approaches to forecast modeling and advisories with several major changes.
Early forecasts predict this could be an extremely active, even record-breaking hurricane season.
Historically, U.S. wind and storm surge watches or warnings had to be issued on a full advisory. That limits advisory times to 5 and 11 eastern time, across both morning and evening hours.
“That is changing this year in that we can now issue those watches and warnings on intermediate advisory. So the 2:00 PM 8:00 PM 2:00 AM 8:00 AM advisories eastern time can now include the issuance of U.S. wind and storm surge watches and warnings,"
said National Hurricane Center Warning Coordination Meteorologist Robbie Berg.
And using AI, more weather service text products will be translated into Spanish. That includes tropical cyclone public advisories, tropical weather outlooks, tropical cyclone discussions and key messages.
“We know that there's accessibility issues," Berg said. "We know that. We're truly trying to make our products more accessible to everybody. And part of that has to do with language.”
The public can also expect to see a broader experimental "cone of uncertainty" graphic that will communicate overall wind risks for coastal and inland communities.
READ MORE: A flamingo flock inspires hope. Have the rare birds returned to the Everglades for good?
Rapper 'Uncle Luke' has entered the race for District 20
Rap artist and civic activist Luther Campbell, also known as Uncle Luke, has entered the Democratic race for the 20th Congressional District seat.
According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Campbell filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission this week.
He has until noon tomorrow to qualify for the Aug. 20 primary ballot.
If Campbell qualifies, he’ll run against incumbent Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick – who he has openly criticized.
District 20 covers parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties.
READ MORE: Qualifying period for congressional races begins in Florida
Donald Trump endorses a Republican candidate for Miami-Dade Sheriff
Former President Donald Trump has endorsed a Republican candidate for Miami-Dade County Sheriff.
Trump shared his support for Rosanna “Rosie” Cordero-Stutz on his Truth Social website.
She’s one of thirteen GOP candidates vying for the Sheriff’s role, and one of 17 total candidates.
Cordero-Stutz’s campaign is run by family members of former Miami-Dade mayor and now U.S. Republican Congressman Carlos Gimenez.
READ MORE: Miami-Dade sheriff's race: 17 candidates. A look at disciplinary and use-of-force histories
The hot topic of this hurricane season: rapid intensification
The National Hurricane Center is gearing up for what might be a record-breaking hurricane season. And they’re keeping a close eye on a phenomenon we’re seeing more and more: rapid intensification.
NHC Warning Coordination Meteorologist Robbie Berg said it’s possible the United States could experience a major, rapidly strengthening storm this season.
That happened last year, when Hurricane Otis hit Mexico as a Category 5 hurricane after explosively intensifying from being a tropical storm just 24 hours before.
“What it means is that these really devastating storms that hit the country, may actually be forming close to our doorsteps and they may not give us all that lead time that we really want to get ready …the average time between the storm becoming a hurricane and making landfall in the United States is about 50 hours," Berg said.
Rapid intensification occurs when a storm’s wind speed increases by at least 35 miles per hour over a 24-hour period.
He said that while forecasting abilities have greatly improved, meteorologists are still seeing unexpected rapid intensification.
This line can replace the one about Hurricane Otis: Several significant storms slamming Florida have rapidly intensified including Hurricanes Irma, Ian and Idalia. Even Hurricane Andrew which hit South Florida in 1992 rapidly intensified before making landfall.
READ MORE: Elevating homes can flood neighbors. Will this move by Miami-Dade fix the problem?
South Florida seaports will receive grant money to improve air quality at ports
The federal government is making a huge investment in cleaning up the air pollution generated by seaports.
And three port facilities here in Florida stand to benefit.
The Biden administration has approved more than $10 million for projects to improve air quality at ports in Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
The grants include money needed to replace diesel-powered trucks with electric utility tractor rigs at Port Everglades. That change is expected to reduce truck emissions, idling and traffic congestion.
Federal funds are also going toward a new terminal operating system at Port Miami. The system is expected to reduce truck idling time at the gates by at least 10 minutes.
The funding is part of $148 million in grants aimed at reducing truck emissions going to 16 port projects in 11 states and Puerto Rico.
READ MORE: DeSantis, state environmental regulators greenlight bigger ships at Key West harbor
Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning face off in a friendly bet between cities
The mayors of Fort Lauderdale and Tampa are betting against each other.
Whoever’s local hockey team loses in round one of the National Hockey League playoffs will have to light up their city in the winning team’s color.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis posed the challenge to Tampa Mayor Jane Castor in a video posted to X.
"Our Panthers versus your Lightning — these teams are sparking a renaissance and I think we can both agree, Florida is dominating the hockey scene between our four combined Stanley Cup final visits," Trantalis said. "So, Mayor Castor? Up for a friendly bet?"
Castor is more than ready for the challenge.
"We are gonna light our city up in blue and it's gonna stay that way because the Bolts are gonna kick some butt," she said.
The first team to win four games wins the first round.
The Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning go head-to-head for Game Three tonight at Tampa’s Amalie Arena, starting at 7 p.m.
READ MORE: Panthers take a 2-0 series lead over the Lightning with an overtime win
When it comes to customer satisfaction, Spirit comes in last
South Florida based Spirit Airlines was among the most improved airlines in the past year. But the budget airline remained at the bottom of results for customer satisfaction.
That’s according to a recently released national consumer survey.
Spirit registered more improvement points than any other airline. Though, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports that the low cost carrier finished last in the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index Travel Study.
Travelers graded airlines based on baggage handling, boarding process, staff performance and seat comfort, among other criteria.
READ MORE: Spirit and JetBlue call off merger
Fort Lauderdale residents suggest adding workforce housing to city hall
Some Fort Lauderdale residents are urging local officials to add affordable on-site housing at the new city hall.
The new city hall became necessary after historic floods ravaged the building last year.
According to the Miami Herald, for the past five months, the city’s Infrastructure Task Force Advisory Committee has solicited public feedback on what they envision for the new city hall.
Among the suggestions were adding workforce and affordable housing to the building. But it’s not a done deal.
No plans have been finalized for the proposal —including timeline, design and construction and residents can offer public comment at the next advisory committee hearing May 6 at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport.
READ MORE: State officials applaud Broward's payout plan to charter schools. The final tab: undisclosed
New entertainment production studio coming to Fort Lauderdale
A sprawling entertainment production studio complex is coming to a historically Black neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale.
The property, 61 acres off of Sunrise Boulevard, was once home to a garbage incinerator that left the area contaminated. The site has since been deemed safe by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"This transformation of the former incinerator site exemplifies the responsible urban planning," said
Pamela Beasley Pittman who represents the area on the city commission. "This project breathes a new life and new opportunities in this underutilized area."
The project includes plans for a studio for commercials and music videos, space for eSports conferences and a film school.
The project is expected to bring hundreds of jobs to the area, which commissioners hope will boost the economy of the historically underserved neighborhood.
READ MORE: Lights, camera… action? The decline of Florida's film industry and the effect on job market
Filmmaker Billy Corben drops out of race to lead Miami-Dade Democrats
A well-known filmmaker and outspoken critic of local politicians has dropped out of the race for chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party.
The Miami Herald reports that Billy Corben said he was no longer interested in running the race because he claims the acting chair has endorsed one of the candidates.
He announced he was leaving the race last night at a virtual candidate forum that was closed to both the public and the media.
During the conference, candidates laid out their plans on how to best rehabilitate the Miami-Dade Democratic Party after its former chairman was removed by Florida Democratic leaders last month.
The chairman election is set for Friday evening.
READ MORE: Several candidates for Miami-Dade sheriff live in Broward. Is that okay?
Forecasters monitor low pressure rumbling in the Atlantic
The official start of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season isn’t until June 1, but the environment is already signaling that a system could form well before then.
This afternoon, the National Hurricane Center identified an area of low pressure that they are monitoring in the tropics.
According to Meteorologist Megan Borowski from the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network, there’s an area of low pressure over the eastern Atlantic Ocean, a little under a 1,000 miles northwest of the Cape Verdes, that the NHC has outlined as something to monitor for development.
The chance that it becomes a tropical system is quite low, about a 10% chance over the 5-day period, because the low is slated to enter an environment with hostile winds.
"Even though this shouldn’t become a tropical system, and it is thousands of miles from North America, it serves as a reminder that hurricane season is coming, and that we need to finalize preparations here at home.," Borowski said.
Although the official hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin doesn’t start until June 1, it is possible for storms to form before then. Borowski reminds us to take an inventory of our properties and evaluate the needs of our families should a storm threaten our area. She also encourages us to download the Florida Storms App to remain updated on all things tropical this season.
READ MORE: Researchers predict 23 named storms in an extremely active hurricane season
Miami-Dade is considering three sites for a new trash incinerator
The site of Miami-Dade County’s old trash incinerator plant in Doral would be the quickest — and cheapest — option for its new incinerator.
That’s what a new report by a county consultant says, according to Axios Miami. The waste-to-energy facility was destroyed in a fire last year.
Right now, the county is considering three possible sites for the plant: the existing Doral site, the former Opa-locka Airport West and a privately owned space in Medley near a landfill.
A final report with the recommended site is expected in September.
READ MORE: ‘Getting honest’ about Miami-Dade’s trash dilemma
Miami commissioners slated to pick another city attorney
City of Miami commissioners could select a new city attorney tomorrow after the last one’s high-profile removal.
Earlier this month, commissioners removed City Attorney Victoria Mendez and placed her in an advisory role. That’s after some commissioners said they could no longer trust her legal advice.
The city’s selection committee, made up of lawyers and lobbyists, have made their pick for the position. They recommend longtime City of Miami employee George Wysong.
Commissioners tomorrow could pick Wysong, choose someone else, or defer the decision.
READ MORE: 'We need to move on': Victoria Méndez removed as Miami City Attorney
Man arrested for beating a transgender woman to death in Miami Beach
A man who is accused of beating a transgender woman to death on Miami Beach has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
According to the Miami Herald, surveillance footage shows Gregory Fitzgerald Gibert, 53, beating the woman with a pipe near the Miami City Ballet building.
Andrea Doria Dospassos, 37, was homeless and sleeping near the entrance of the building.
Police said Gibert was on probation at the time. The killing is not being investigated as a hate crime.
READ MORE: Title IX protections now extend to gender identity and sexuality. Here’s what it means in Florida
Two miles added to The Underline, Miami-Dade's urban trail
Two additional miles of a massive pedestrian mobility project called The Underline were officially opened today.
The urban trail project has planted thousands of plants and trees, added playgrounds and expanded walking and bike lanes under the Metrorail, from the Brickell neighborhood of Miami now through Silver Bluff.
The $140 million project was started under former Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez who is now a Republican congressman.
"As we build more and more of this, and we go all the way down to Dadeland, you’re gonna see more and more people use it," said Gimenez who was at the ribbon cutting. "More families use it. You’ll see more amenities being brought to The Underline, hopefully many shops and little places to stop, places to eat. And this will truly become a linear park"
The final phase of the 10-mile project is already under construction, and is scheduled to open late next year.
READ MORE: Palm Beach County’s penny tax is set to lapse - but a new surtax may be coming
The unsuspecting culprit behind a 'strange sinkhole' in Key Largo: iguanas
An unsuspecting culprit was responsible for a “strange sinkhole” that suddenly showed up in a Key Largo neighborhood recently.
An indentation in the road, only about the size of a baseball suddenly appeared near Harry Harris Park.
Officials found evidence of an unlikely offender: invasive iguanas had burrowed near an abandoned culvert where they created a nesting site for their eggs.
This is the first time County Roads and Bridges Administrator Kimberly Dean Kelley has seen this.
“This was filled with dirt and sand or whatnot under the road," Kelley said. "But there was space at the top and it was like what would be a little iguana highway running in and out through under the road where they had like a little palace under there.”
However, it happens in South Florida more often than you'd think.
Dr. William H. Kern Jr. is a retired University of Florida entomology professor who specializes in nuisance invasive Florida species.
He says iguana burrowing habits can pose a serious threat to urban infrastructure.
“Those burrows are subject to erosion and they can cause collapse of seawalls," Kern said. "They can cause erosion in landscapes, especially if you have much of a slope, like if you're next to a canal or a pond or lake.”
Kern says installing protective screens and hiring professionals to remove the invasive species can help mitigate iguana-related infrastructure problems.
READ MORE: Fewer falling iguanas in Florida’s future? Reptile invaders may be adapting to cold
Former Broward schools superintendent could be eligible for a six figure payout
The Broward County school district could be on the hook for a six figure payout to its former superintendent.
This Friday, district officials are scheduled to negotiate the terms of Peter Licata’s exit and his potential severance pay. They’ll draw up a three year contract with his replacement, Superintendent Howard Hepburn.
Last week, Licata announced his plans to retire at the end of the year, citing health issues.
Instead, the school board decided to terminate Licata as superintendent immediately and appoint his deputy to take over.
Licata has said he’ll stay on as advisor during the transition. Now the question remains — for how long?
READ MORE: Broward schools appoint new superintendent as Peter Licata announces surprise retirement
Surfside Mayor Schlomo Danzinger announces candidacy for Miami-Dade mayor
Weeks after losing re-election for Surfside Mayor Shlomo Danzinger is now running to lead Miami-Dade County.
The Miami Herald reports that Republican Danzinger is now one of six candidates looking to unseat Democratic County Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava.
Danzinger won the election for Surfside mayor in 2022 in an upset over the incumbent, Charles Burkett.
Last month, Burkett challenged Danzinger and won back the post.
READ MORE: Surfside commissioners reject censure of Mayor Danzinger
Broward advances plan to expand metal detectors in high schools
All Broward County high schools would be equipped with metal detectors this fall — a year earlier than expected. That’s under a proposal the school board advanced today.
District officials had already voted to launch a pilot project this summer at two high schools with the goal of expanding to eight more campuses in the upcoming school year.
School board chair Lori Alhadeff is the mother of a student who was killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in 2018. She thanked the board for its support.
"I think this is a positive layer of safety protection that we’re adding to all of our high schools,"Alhadeff said. "And I just want to say … you never want to get that call as a parent."
Installing walk-through metal detectors in all high schools this fall will cost the district more than a $1 million and require training additional staff to monitor school entry points.
The board still must take a final vote on the plan.
READ MORE:Those fake active shooter calls to schools? A similar thing happened before
Las Olas could lose its olive trees under controversial plan
One of Fort Lauderdale’s most memorable olive tree-lined streets might be removed and replaced under a new controversial plan.
The re-design of Las Olas Boulevard is expected to cost at least $167 million. The idea to remove the olive trees would widen the sidewalks.
Critics of the plan recently held a "Save the Trees" rally at Tunnel Top Plaza on Las Olas to voice their opposition.
City Commissioner Warren Sturman represents the neighborhood. He expressed his hope to preserve the old olive trees, emphasizing the iconic street defines Fort Lauderdale's identity.
READ MORE: Low- and moderate-income Florida homes could get solar from federal funding
New details of a police-involved shooting at Riviera Beach high school come to light
New details have emerged a day after a police-involved shooting at Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach yesterday morning.
An unauthorized man tried to enter the school's campus on foot. Details from a new Riviera Beach police report found that none of the students or staff were harmed.
The report said that a female officer shot the man twice after he attacked her in the school parking lot.
Authorities say the incident was unprovoked and the code red was lifted afterward.
The police officer and the man were taken to a local hospital for treatment. The officer has already been released and the man remains in stable condition.
READ MORE: State investigators seek suspension of Broward Sheriff's certification over 'broken' public trust
Broward Sheriff's Office warns that scam calls are resurfacing
The Broward Sheriff's Office is warning the community about a scam that has resurfaced in recent days.
BSO says scam callers have been pretending to be agency employees to demand money from people.
The agency says the con artists will call claiming the victim has missed a court date and a warrant has been issued for their arrest. The caller will then insist that the victim pay with cash or through a payment app to avoid arrest.
The scam is not a new one. BSO sent out a similar alert last summer.
The agency said it would never demand personal information, money or payments of any kind. So if you receive this type of call, hang up and report it to law enforcement.
The Broward Sheriff's Office non-emergency number is 954-764-HELP
READ MORE: 'Our faith is shaky': Religious leaders say Broward Sheriff misled them on arrest diversion program
Hialeah waitlist re-opens for Section 8 housing
The Hialeah Housing Authority has re-opened their Section 8 housing waitlist.
Starting this week through April 29th at 11:59pm, waitlist applications will be accepted online.
To be placed on the waiting list, all applicants must meet all U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development income and eligibility requirements.
To apply or for more information on income and eligibility requirements visit Hialeahhousing.org.
READ MORE: Hialeah says it's not the 'wild west,' passes anti-RV rental law
Plantation mayor takes leave of absence for medical treatment
The mayor of the city of Plantation is taking a leave of absence for medical reasons.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports Nick Sortal is taking time off under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. He will undergo a medical treatment, but did not specify what kind.
The City of Plantation doesn't know when Sortal will be able to return to work.
But in the meantime, the council president will take over the duties of Mayor.
Unlike most Broward County cities, Plantation's mayor runs the daily operations of the city — not a city manager.
READ MORE: Fort Lauderdale's outgoing city manager leaves a city in the midst of major projects
Next phase of Miami-Dade's pedestrian friendly 'Underline' opens this week
The next two miles of Miami-Dade County’s Underline Project is officially ready for pedestrians and cyclists. The path, which opens this Wednesday, stretches along and underneath the Metrorail route.
Phase Two of the Underline, called the Hammock Trail, connects Southwest 13th Street to Southwest 19th Avenue.
It features meeting spaces like parks and plazas, as well as thousands of native plants and trees. This is to help provide shade and a home for insects and birds.
There's also a stormwater garden that helps manage runoff.
When it's all done, the Underline will run 10-miles long from Downtown Miami to the Dadeland South Metrorail Station.
The third and final phase of the project is already underway, and is expected to be completed by 2026.
READ MORE: Why 'third places' in West Palm Beach spark community connections
DeSantis approves $1.5B for Everglades restoration and water quality projects
Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Monday that he’s approving another $1.5 billion dollars in next year’s budget for Everglades restoration and water quality projects across Florida.
“It's great that people take annual trips to come to Florida to fish or to go boating or to enjoy our beaches and I want people to do that," DeSantis said. "But we don't want to waste resources. We don't want to rob future generations of that same enjoyment.”
About half, or $850 million, will go toward Everglades projects. That includes a reservoir in farm fields south of Lake Okeechobee and another reservoir in Central Palm Beach County.
About $530 million dollars will go to fighting water pollution. That includes $100 million for septic and sewer projects around the St. Lucie estuary and $45 million for improvements to Biscayne Bay and the Caloosahatchee River.
Everglades spending has reached record levels since voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2014 setting aside real estate taxes for conservation work for 20 years.
State lawmakers initially tried to steer the money to other uses, but a judge ordered them to follow voter wishes.
READ MORE: Florida researchers use data analytics to develop a conservation tool
Sign up for WLRN’s environment newsletter Field Notes to receive our insider’s guide for living in South Florida’s changing landscape. Get original reporting and recaps, with context, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe here.
Florida food bank distributes produce to help food insecure people
A statewide food bank that collects and distributes canned food and produce is trying to help millions of people across the state who are struggling to afford groceries.
Farm Share is based in Homestead, and distributes imperfect produce that might otherwise go to waste.
They have several events coming up in South Florida soon.
Farm Share president and CEO Stephen Shelley said many people who come to distribution events are employed, but still can’t cover their expenses.
"Because of the high cost of living today, they’re not able to pay all their bills. That means that they’ve gotta make a choice: Do they buy food, do they buy medicine? Do they put gas in their car? Do they pay their rent? These are critical decisions that these people have to make month in and month out," Shelley said.
People will need to drive up in a vehicle that has a trunk or cargo bed.
There are distributions happening in Fort Lauderdale today and in Miami on Wednesday. There’s another food distribution event in West Palm Beach on Sat, April, 27.
Next month, Farm Share will have one in Homestead. Find distribution locations and times here.
READ MORE: South Florida families are facing food insecurity at higher rates than the country overall
Nonprofit receives $200,000 from Boynton Beach to tackle homelessness
A West Palm Beach nonprofit serving hundreds of homeless youth has partnered with the city of Boynton Beach to tackle the growing problem.
The nonprofit Vita Nova received a $200,000 grant from the city to launch a housing program to help homeless youth get back on their feet.
The Boynton Beach Safe Haven will help unsheltered youth in abandoned buildings or in their cars find supportive housing and work. It comes on the heels of the county reporting a 15% increase in homelessness across the county.
Vita Nova said housing programs like these aim to serve the more than 600 homeless youth throughout Palm Beach County.
READ MORE: Homelessness survivor builds mission to aid hotel families: 'I wish I did not have to do it'
North Palm Beach County Airport plans to extend its runway
Palm Beach County wants to extend the diagonal runway at the North Palm Beach County Airport.
According to Stet News, the proposed project would extend the runway by 6,000 ft. from 4,300 ft.
Officials said this could help with existing demand from larger planes, among other needs.
The project is expected to cost $25 million and be completed by 2025.
READ MORE: Stalled road work in West Palm Beach is ‘sadly equal opportunity’
Migrants flown to Martha's Vineyard are now eligible for temporary protections
Some of the 49 migrants that were flown to Martha’s Vineyard by the state of Florida back in 2022. They're now eligible for temporary protections and work permits in the United States.
According to the Miami Herald, some of the migrants have been granted U-visas. Those are set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement.
An attorney for the group said they have been considered victims of a potential crime.
Their current status could eventually lead to permanent lawful status in the United States.
READ MORE: Concordia Americas 2024: Migration, climate change top agenda for UM annual conference
South Florida home prices rise in March despite an increase in listings
A lot more homes and condos were for sale in South Florida last month compared to a year ago, but that did not slow down prices.
The median price of an existing home that sold in March was more than $600,000 across the entire region for the first time. That’s according to new data released by the Miami Association of Realtors.
Home prices in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties rose by double digits again last month. Condo prices also were up.
And prices keep climbing even as the number of homes for sale jumped.
More supply can lead to lower prices as sellers cut prices to attract buyers. As the number of homes and condos listed for sale increased, demand from buyers remained strong. And that helped support prices even when mortgage rates remained near 20 year highs.
The number of condos for sale in Broward almost doubled in the past year. There was a 15% increase in the number of homes listed for sale in Miami-Dade.
READ MORE: A 'very difficult market' for good hires: South Florida reports low unemployment
Lockdown lifted after police-involved shooting at a Riviera Beach high school
A shooting this morning on a high school campus in Riviera Beach led to a lockdown.
During the early school hours, Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach was locked down and placed under code red.
That's after a police-involved shooting of an unknown adult male took place in the school’s parking lot. The School District of Palm Beach County and law enforcement issued a joint statement to WLRN. Students and school staff are safe.
Classes continued as planned today and the school is no longer under a code red. The campus is secure as law enforcement agencies carry out a campus-wide investigation.
READ MORE: Support for a new high school in Riviera Beach grows - but some don't see the need
Leave baby deer alone during fawning season, Keys Wildlife officials say
Federal wildlife managers in the Florida Keys are reminding long-time residents and tourists alike that if you see a baby deer all alone, please leave it be.
It's fawning season in the Keys, a time when fawns are bonding with their mothers. And human interaction during that period could disrupt the process.
If you see a fawn alone, don't worry, it hasn't been abandoned. Female deer will purposely leave their fawns alone for long periods of time, sometimes up to 12 hours.
That's to avoid leading predators to their location.
Fawning season will continue to peak into the summer, with some babies born as late as November.
READ MORE: A tiny deer and rising seas: How far should people go to save an endangered species?
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Former Florida governor and senator Bob Graham will lie in state
Bob Graham will lie in state at the Historic Capitol Museum this Friday.
A public viewing for the two-term Florida governor and U.S. Senator will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A private graveside service is expected later in the day.
Graham was 87-years-old when he died last week.
A Democrat, he served as governor from 1979 to 1987. And he spent three terms in the U.S. Senate. He’s considered one of the most-popular figures in Florida politics over the past half-century.
READ MORE: Bob Graham is remembered as 'a friend and a consummate public servant'
More than 22,000 children dropped from Florida's health insurance program
Since January, the state has dropped more than 22,000 children from a subsidized health insurance program called Florida KidCare.
According to the news outlet Florida Politics, the children have been disenrolled because of unpaid premiums, even though new federal protections ban states from doing that.
State data shows 6,780 children were disenrolled on Jan. 1.
That’s when a 12-month eligibility requirement went into effect for children enrolled in Medicaid or Florida KidCare.
Since then, more than 5,000 children have been disenrolled each month. Florida is currently challenging the new federal rules in court.
READ MORE: A health provider in South Florida believes better building design can help patients heal
Headquarters for Spirit Airlines moves to Dania Pointe
Spirit Airlines is moving its headquarters.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports Spirit unveiled its new building yesterday at Dania Pointe, south of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
The building, dubbed Spirit Central, includes office space for more than 1,000 people, a training facility with flight simulators and corporate housing for workers from out-of-town.
The airline's operations had been based in Miramar, but Spirit management says the airline will be vacating in the coming weeks.
READ MORE: Spirit is defiant about merging with JetBlue and optimistic about business
Fort Lauderdale keeps the dream alive for a tunnel under the New River
Fort Lauderdale is going after federal money for a train tunnel under the New River. Meanwhile, Broward County commissioners are still planning to build a bridge.
Fort Lauderdale commissioners still think a tunnel is a feasible option to have commuter rail and Brightline trains cross the New River in Downtown.
This week, a consultant report estimated the total cost of building the tunnel at just under a billion dollars. Now, city staff are going after federal grants to help them pay for the planning.
This is going on as Broward County, which technically owns the project, is working on plans for a bridge for trains to cross.
Ultimately, Fort Lauderdale won’t get much grant money without buy-in from the county.
With grant deadlines approaching, construction costs rising and a looming presidential election, commissioners are rushing to secure funding.
READ MORE: Broward commissioners clash with Fort Lauderdale mayor over New River Crossing
Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo will represent the U.S. in the Paris Olympics
Miami Heat basketball player Bam Adebayo will represent the U.S. in the Paris Olympics.
USA Basketball announced its selection earlier this week to its official U.S. Olympic Men’s Team.
Adebayo is the only other Heat player to participate in multiple Olympics, joining long-time player Dwyane Wade.
The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will be held from July 26 through Aug.11.
READ MORE: Behind the scenes with FAU: How the Owls prepared for the NCAA Tournament
Biden administration sends back 50 Haitians to the country
The Biden administration says it has sent back about 50 Haitians to the Caribbean country, as it continues to struggle with a surge in gang violence.
Thursday's deportation flight was the first since January.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it will continue to enforce laws and immigration policy throughout the Caribbean and at the southern border.
During the first three months of this year, Haitians were arrested 286 times crossing the Mexico border.
READ MORE: U.S. restarts deportation flights to Haiti
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Boca Raton is rolling out more affordable transit options
Starting as soon as next month, the city of Boca Raton will roll out what it’s calling a more affordable transit option.
City officials have approved a contract with Circuit Transit Inc. to provide on-demand rides to and from specific areas in the city. That’s according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
People can request rides through Circuit’s app. For rides that start or end outside of the designated downtown Boca Raton area, it will cost $2 per rider and $1 for each additional rider.
There will be a $5 cap for a one-way trip.
And rides that stay within the downtown area will be completely free.
The service is expected to launch within the next six weeks, first as a year-long pilot program. After that, the city and Circuit will assess if any changes to program need to be made.
READ MORE: Stalled road work in West Palm Beach is ‘sadly equal opportunity’
Bridge work in Palm Beach County will change traffic routes for drivers
If driving through Northern Palm Beach County is part of your daily commute, there is a traffic change you need to know about.
The eastbound lanes on the Donald Ross Road bridge are closed for maintenance until April 27.
And that will create a traffic detour for people traveling between Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens and Juno Beach.
The Palm Beach Post reports that the bridge is getting new electrical controls and new high-pressure cylinders, the parts that move the bridge up and down.
While the eastbound lanes are closed, traffic will be rerouted south on Military Trail, east on PGA Boulevard, and then north on U.S. 1.
The bridge’s westbound lanes will remain open for now. Similar upgrades are coming to the westbound side.
READ MORE: Stalled road work in West Palm Beach is ‘sadly equal opportunity’
Cocaine Cowboys filmmaker joins the race to lead Miami-Dade Democrats
A well-known filmmaker and outspoken critic of local politicians told Herald reporters this week that he wants to lead the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party.
Billy Corben now joins South Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones in the race for the party chair position.
Corben is perhaps best known for his 2006 documentary "Cocaine Cowboys," which chronicles the development of the illegal drug trade in Miami during the 1970s and 1980s.
He says if he's elected, he’ll prioritize a master plan for Miami-Dade Democrats that will focus on fundraising and candidate recruitment.
READ MORE: With abortion ballot question, a ‘path to relevance’ for Democrats in Florida?
Florida Democrats launch candidate recruitment campaign in Miami-Dade
Using billboards and digital ads, the Florida Democratic Party is trying to find candidates for open or uncontested races across the state.
The party announced earlier this week that it launched a candidate recruitment campaign in Polk, Madison, Seminole and Miami-Dade counties.
Florida Democrats are stressing that there are currently 27 uncontested House seats and even more local races with no Democrats running.
READ MORE: Fried removed local Dems leaders to 'fight back and protect democracy' ahead of elections
U.S. Secretary of Transportation makes a visit to Miami
South Florida is expecting a high-profile visit today.
The Miami Herald reports that U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg will headline a campaign stop in Miami for President Joe Biden’s reelection bid.
Buttigieg is a former mayor of South Bend, Indiana and one-time presidential contender.
He is expected to join several mayors of Miami-Dade County cities today.
President Biden is set to make a campaign stop in Tampa on Tuesday.
According to the Biden campaign, Buttigieg will be in Miami today in a personal capacity, and will not be representing the administration.
READ MORE: Stalled road work in West Palm Beach is ‘sadly equal opportunity’
The man who set fire to a Broward rabbi's car has history of mental health issues
Broward prosecutors say a fire that caused significant damage to a Fort Lauderdale synagogue last month was not ruled a hate crime.
According to the state attorney’s office, a man with a history of mental health issues set fire to the Rabbi's car near the Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center back on March 16. It spread quickly, severely damaging the synagogue.
The 50-year-old man had also tried to set fire to a bar next door minutes earlier.
The man was charged with first-degree and second-degree arson. He is in custody on a $102,000 bond.
READ MORE: 'We can't stay silent': In Broward, singer Montana Tucker urges youth to fight antisemitism