Public Safety · Sweetwater, FL
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office closed its investigation last week, determining that three Sweetwater Police officers were justified in using deadly force during a fatal shooting in March. The incident occurred when officers responded to a domestic disturbance call involving Frank Diaz, who authorities said was armed with a knife. Newly released body camera footage shows officers ordering Diaz to drop the weapon before opening fire; he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigated the case prior to the State Attorney's decision.
Crime · Miami-Dade County
A woman was critically injured in a shooting at her southwest Miami-Dade home on Thursday after her ex-boyfriend, Ivan Granado, shot her and then himself. Court records reveal the victim had sought to extend a stay-away order weeks earlier, citing threats and fear for her safety, but Judge Michelle Gonzalez-Paulson denied the extension due to lack of evidence of imminent danger. The incident highlights concerns regarding domestic violence protections in the county.
Public Safety
King tides caused significant street flooding across Miami-Dade and Broward counties on Friday morning, affecting areas in Miami, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, and Dania Beach. In Miami, roads near Northeast 79th Street and Northeast 10th Avenue were submerged, disrupting commutes. Broward County businesses along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk prepared for rising waters with sandbags as meteorologists predicted Sunday would be the wettest day. Officials advised residents to drive slowly through flooded areas and park vehicles on higher ground.
Local Politics · Miami, FL
A federal magistrate judge in Miami has ordered President Donald Trump to sit for a deposition by December 11 in his $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC. The ruling rejects Trump's request to postpone testimony until January or bar videotaping, citing his choice to initiate litigation. The case centers on allegations that a BBC documentary misleadingly edited Trump’s January 6 speech to imply he urged supporters to attack the Capitol.
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Crime · Miami-Dade County
Allen Matis, 67, pleaded guilty Thursday to DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide charges stemming from a June 24 crash in the 2900 block of Southwest 57th Avenue. Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office deputies said Matis blew through a stop sign and crashed his car through the wall of 83-year-old Henri Bezy's home, killing him as he slept inside; Matis' blood alcohol level was reportedly more than three times the legal limit. Under the plea agreement, Matis will serve six years in prison followed by two years of house arrest and six years of probation.
Local Politics · Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link is encouraging voters using ExpressVote touchscreen machines to use a provided stylus rather than fingers to avoid accidental selections on the aging equipment. Since early voting began Monday, only two incidents were reported and both were resolved in under a minute by switching to a stylus. New ExpressVote machines will be installed for the March election. Link also warned that recent redistricting affected 640,000 Palm Beach County residents, meaning some voters have new polling locations.
Public Safety · Miami Beach, FL
Three construction workers were hospitalized after reportedly falling approximately 20 feet from a cherry picker at a construction site near West 53rd Street and Collins Avenue in Miami Beach on Friday afternoon. Miami Beach Fire Rescue units responded to the scene, and the workers were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital Ryder Trauma Center. Their conditions remain unknown, and officials have not released details on how the fall occurred.
Local Politics · Miami-Dade County
Indian Creek Village, a small municipality in Miami-Dade County, Florida, trained all six of its police officers under a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287(g) agreement after state pressure following the change in presidential administration. The village, home to residents including Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner, reports making zero arrests under the program, with ICE having not activated the trained officers or issued them formal credentials. Municipal Clerk Roseann Prado confirmed the village received no Department of Homeland Security funding for participation. By comparison, the City of Miami trained only two of its 1,400 officers under a similar agreement. Florida state law prohibits local governments from restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Crime · Miami, FL
Miami Police are investigating a fraud incident where a man allegedly stole shelving units from a woman’s family business in downtown Miami without paying the agreed $250. The suspect, who met the victim on September 18 at a storage facility, promised to send payment via Zelle but never did and subsequently blocked her contact information. Authorities have surveillance footage of the suspect and are urging residents to verify payments before releasing goods during online marketplace transactions.
Community News · Miami Beach, FL
Local performer Eric Swanson raised $26,500 for South Florida Pride celebrations by repurposing rainbow crosswalk bricks removed from Ocean Drive in Miami Beach. The initiative followed a state law banning on-street murals and involved selling 50 auctioned bricks to buyers worldwide. Proceeds will fund live entertainment stages and security services for upcoming Pride events in Key West and Naples.
Community News · Miami Lakes, FL
The Town of Miami Lakes has developed a Student & Educator Opportunities Guide being distributed to local schools, administrators, and educators to raise awareness of available programs. Two application deadlines are approaching: the Miami Lakes Town Foundation Community Mini-Grant Program for educational and community projects closes October 30, and the Paint the Station Art Competition for student artists closes October 31. The guide also highlights year-round offerings including scholarships, student recognition, civic leadership, volunteer opportunities, and recreational enrichment.
Local Politics · Miami-Dade County
U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar held a campaign support event Friday afternoon at the Westchester Regional Library, joined by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and South Florida Congressmen Mario Diaz-Balart and Carlos Gimenez. The rally highlighted backing for Salazar's re-election bid in District 27 and her vote on the "Big Beautiful Bill," which extended individual tax rates, cut federal Medicaid, expanded fossil fuel incentives, and allocated over $100 billion to ICE and border security. Salazar faces former broadcast journalist Eliott Rodriguez, a Democrat, in the contest for District 27.
Community brief · Miami-Dade County
Nick Martinez, a Belen Jesuit Preparatory School alumnus who played shortstop for the Wolverines through middle school and high school, was named the Tampa Bay Rays' starting pitcher for Game 1 of the 2026 World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The game was scheduled for Friday night at 8 p.m., with WSVN Channel 7 coverage beginning at 7 p.m. Martinez is the first Belen Jesuit alumnus to reach the World Series. School president Willie…
Community brief · Miami, FL
The U.S. Postal Service is hosting a walk-in passport fair at the Miami General Mail Facility on northwest 72nd Avenue from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Applicants should bring proof of U.S. citizenship and a valid form of identification, along with photocopies of both documents. Passport photos are available at the event for $15.
Community brief · Miami-Dade County
The National Park Service designated Tuesday, Oct. 27 as a fee-free entrance day at all national parks in honor of Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. South Florida residents can visit Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, and Dry Tortugas in Key West without paying entrance fees on that date. Roosevelt, the 26th president, doubled the number of national parks during his tenure.
