Local Politics · Miami-Dade County
Early voting for the general election runs from Oct. 19 through Nov. 1 in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, and through Oct. 31 in Monroe County. Voters will decide races including governor (Byron Donalds vs. David Jolly), a U.S. Senate special election (Ashley Moody vs. Angie Nixon), and Congressional seats for FL-25 and FL-27. Ballot measures include Amendment 3, which would raise the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, plus school-funding property-tax referendums in Miami-Dade and Broward. City of Miami Referendum 3 proposes leasing 30 acres of Virginia Key for a new marina development.
Education · Broward County
School districts in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties are urging voters to approve a one-mill property tax renewal on the Nov. 3 ballot, warning that rejection would eliminate hundreds of millions in funding for teacher pay, school safety personnel, and mental health services. District leaders fear voter confusion with Amendment 3, a separate measure that would reduce property taxes used for public services. Miami-Dade officials estimate a $500 million loss could drop teacher salaries from $73,030 to $57,814; Broward faces a roughly $358 million annual shortfall affecting about 13,400 teachers receiving supplements; Palm Beach warns approximately 900 choice-program teachers would lose jobs and pay would fall $8,000 annually. The one-mill levy costs homeowners about $418 per year in Broward County. State law requires these referendums every four years, with the current authorization running through mid-2031.
Community News · Broward County
Florida leads the nation in Medicare Advantage plan discontinuations for 2027, with about 81,000 enrollees across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties affected by plans ending or merging. In Broward County, available plans drop from 119 to 106, while Palm Beach County falls from 121 to 111; Aetna PPO plans are being terminated in Palm Beach County, and HealthSpring is exiting all three South Florida counties entirely. Enrollees whose plans end must select a replacement by Dec. 31 or automatically fall into Original Medicare without prescription drug coverage or a Medigap supplement. Insurers including Humana and UnitedHealthcare are shifting from PPOs to HMOs, trimming supplemental benefits like dental, vision and gym memberships, while Special Needs Plans grow to about two-thirds of Florida offerings.
Local Politics · Miami-Dade County
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier will hold a news conference at Florida International University on Monday at 10 a.m. regarding an "arrest warrant" for former Cuban leader Raúl Castro. The event follows Castro's May 20 indictment by the United States on charges including four counts of murder, two counts of destruction of aircraft, and conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals related to the 1996 downing of two planes operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue. Five others were also charged in connection with the alleged shootdown. Specific details about what will be announced at the press conference remain limited.
Social Events · Miami-Dade County
For the first time in six years, NASCAR's Championship Races across all three series return to Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 8, marking the venue's 19th hosting of a championship event. The Cup Series main race will cover 267 laps around the mile-and-a-half track for a 400-mile event, with organizers expecting more than 40,000 fans in attendance. Speedway president Guillermo Santa Cruz said the track's unique design makes it special for drivers, while playoff driver Ryan Preece noted the multiple racing lines and chaotic restarts that make Homestead exciting. A media day was held ahead of race weekend to build excitement.
Crime · North Miami, FL
One person was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run incident outside the Walgreens at 567 NE 125th Street in North Miami on Oct. 18. Police responded at approximately 1:30 p.m., and the injured person was transported to Jackson Memorial Ryder Trauma Center. The North Miami Police Department is actively investigating the incident.
