Public Safety · Miami-Dade County
South Florida experienced significant king tide flooding Monday and Tuesday, with some residents in Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and the Florida Keys calling it the worst they had ever seen. Seawater breached the seawall near the 4500 Block of Collins Avenue in Miami Beach Wednesday morning. A coastal flood warning is in effect for Miami-Dade and Broward counties through 8 p.m. Wednesday, while the Florida Keys remains under a warning until 5 a.m. Thursday. Scientists at Nova Southeastern University warned that rising sea levels could push future king tides higher, suggesting solutions beyond road-raising and pumps, such as artificial reefs. Residents are urged to plan around two daily tidal peaks and avoid driving through saltwater flooding.
Local Politics · Coral Gables, FL
Coral Gables Commissioner Melissa Castro said in a Tuesday Instagram post that she is consulting legal counsel over alleged paid social media attacks targeting her reelection campaign, accusing Mayor Vince Lago of using political funds to finance them. Castro cited reporting by Political Cortadito linking Lago's PACs to more than $65,000 in spending since September with Big Tuesday Media, a company previously connected to influencer campaigns tied to Referendum 3 on Virginia Key waterfront development. Both Castro and Lago face voters on Nov. 3. Neither responded to New Times' requests for comment.
Community News · Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County commissioners voted unanimously last week to request state and federal reimbursement for local public safety costs tied to the G20 Leaders' Summit scheduled Dec. 14-15 at the Trump National Doral Miami resort, with the Sheriff's Office estimating $11.6 million in personnel expenses. The county recorded its largest labor force ever in September at 1,452,691, with unemployment at a near-record-low 1.9%. Florida gas averaged $4.09 per gallon and diesel reached $6.14, both well above year-ago levels. Eight doctors from Physicians Group South Florida are joining UHealth on Nov. 2, with three gastroenterologists relocating to the UHealth SoLé Mia Medical Center.
