Crime · Miami-Dade County
Twins Oren and Alon Alexander, 39, and their brother Tal, 40, were sentenced Tuesday in New York federal court to 30 years each for orchestrating a sex trafficking conspiracy involving over 70 women who came forward. Two of the brothers still face state sexual battery charges in Miami-Dade criminal court, including allegations stemming from a 2016 New Year's Eve incident at Alon's Miami Beach condo. The brothers, who grew up in Miami and were arrested in December 2024 at their Miami Beach and Bal Harbour homes, also face civil lawsuits filed by women in New York, Florida, and Colorado. Each brother was ordered to pay federal fines totaling $300,000-$350,000 plus a $5,000 special assessment; Oren received an additional $50,000 fine for a child pornography conviction. Their attorneys said they expect to appeal the federal sentences.
Crime · Miami, FL
Twins Oren and Alon Alexander, 39, and their brother Tal, 40, were sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in New York to 30 years each after convictions for orchestrating a sex trafficking conspiracy and nine other federal sex charges, including offenses against minors. Federal prosecutors said more than 70 women came forward during the case. Two of the brothers still face separate sexual battery charges in Miami-Dade criminal court, including allegations stemming from a 2016 New Year's Eve incident at Alon Alexander's Miami Beach condo. The brothers were arrested in December 2024 at their Miami Beach and Bal Harbour homes; they grew up in Miami and graduated from Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School near Aventura. Each was ordered to pay fines totaling $300,000 for the twins and $350,000 for Tal, plus a $5,000 special assessment each. Their attorneys said they expect to appeal.
Public Safety · Miami, FL
The family of Evelyn Valdes, a passenger in a passing car who was struck by a stray bullet and killed during a 2025 Miami Police incident in Wynwood, held a news conference Wednesday after the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office released body-worn camera footage Monday. The video shows an officer firing at suspect Norman Lindo, but gunshots are not audible because the camera was on mute; audio begins only after 14 shots were fired. The family's attorney filed an amended lawsuit against the Miami Police Department, alleging officers did not use de-escalation tactics, while the State Attorney's close-out memo states two officers instructed Lindo to drop his weapon. Miami Police declined to comment due to pending litigation.
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.
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Community News · Doral, FL
Schools in Doral will switch to virtual learning on Monday, Dec. 14, and Tuesday, Dec. 15, as the city hosts the G20 summit at Trump National Doral. The security operation is led by the U.S. Secret Service with assistance from other agencies, with more than 30 countries expected to participate. Roadblocks and other security measures will begin going into place Dec. 10, potentially slowing traffic throughout Doral. Miami-Dade County School Board member Dan Espino said the virtual-learning decision was made with safety and transportation concerns in mind. Local officials are planning community workshops and town halls about expected street closures, detours, and security checkpoints.
Transportation · Miami, FL
The Miami City Commission unanimously approved new micromobility rules on Oct. 22 banning e-bikes and motorized scooters from sidewalks, restricting riders to bike lanes or city roads posted at 30 mph or less. The ordinance sets a 20-mph speed limit, prohibits operators under 16, and carries $100 civil fines per violation. Riders may walk their devices on sidewalks but cannot park there unless a designated location exists. The rules apply to city-controlled roads only, not county or state roads, and are expected to take effect the first week of November.
Crime
Twins Alon and Oren Alexander, 39, and their older brother Tal Alexander, 40, were sentenced Tuesday in Manhattan federal court to 30 years each for sex trafficking and related charges spanning more than a decade. U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni imposed the sentences after a five-week trial concluded with guilty verdicts on all counts in March, rejecting the government's request for life sentences. The brothers, who grew up in Miami and worked as real estate brokers in Miami and New York, were arrested in December 2024 in Miami Beach and Bal Harbour. More than 70 women came forward with allegations of rape or assault across Miami Beach, New York City, the Hamptons, Mexico, and a cruise from Miami to the Bahamas. The twins still face state rape charges in Miami-Dade County, and prosecutors indicated they were prepared to request transfers for trial following the federal sentencing.
Public Safety · Huntington Beach, CA
King tides caused by gravitational alignments of Earth, moon, and sun flooded streets and sent seawater into homes and businesses across California, Florida, and the Carolinas beginning with this week's full moon. In Southern California, officials shut down traffic on a flooded portion of the Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, while record high tides were set in Santa Barbara, San Pedro, San Diego, and La Jolla. Most of Florida's Atlantic coast was under flood warnings through early Friday, and Virginia Key in Miami experienced its highest king tide since records began three decades ago. Street flooding also affected Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with rip currents possible as far north as North Carolina's Outer Banks.
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.
Pet Related · Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Police and the Florida Department of Children and Families conducted a welfare check at 4300 North Michigan Avenue, where they found 19 dogs, including four puppies in a weak and dying state, living in severely unsanitary conditions. Investigators determined that Jorge Morillo, 50, had lived at the home for about five years and was responsible for the animals and an elderly woman residing there. Miami-Dade Animal Services removed all 19 dogs for veterinary evaluation, and officials condemned the home. Morillo was arrested and faces an animal cruelty charge; the elderly woman was transported to a hospital for evaluation.
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.
Local Politics · Miami, FL
The Miami City Commission authorized the city manager on Oct. 22 to establish a philanthropic fund with The Miami Foundation, allowing private donors to contribute to public improvements in District Two, which covers downtown, Coconut Grove and much of Miami's waterfront. District Two Commissioner Damian Pardo sponsored the resolution, citing resident interest in funding street projects, parks, traffic calming, seawalls and flood control without relying solely on taxes and fees. Donations collected through the foundation will be transferred to a city special revenue account called the "District Two Philanthropic Fund," though the resolution leaves the project-selection process undefined.
Community brief · Miami, FL
Friends of The Underline, in partnership with the America250 campaign and the National Endowment for the Arts, is asking Miami residents to vote by Nov. 6 on three finalist sculptures for the inaugural Underline Plinth Project. The finalists are Carlos Betancourt and Alberto Latorre's "A Forest for Many," Morel Doucet's "A Seat at the Table," and Kennedy Yanko's "Tidal." The final selection will be made by The Underline Arts Advisory Council,…
Community brief · Miami Lakes, FL
The Town of Miami Lakes and its Public Safety Committee have extended the submission deadline for the Paint the Station Art Competition to November 30, 2026. Local artists in high school or older may submit original mural designs featuring public safety and the Town of Miami Lakes. The selected artist will paint their design on an 86-inch-wide by 93-inch-high wall at Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Station 64 using their own materials. AI-generated…
Community brief · Miami, FL
Popular New York Thai seafood restaurant Fish Cheeks plans to open its largest location yet in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood, targeting late February 2027. Partners Jennifer Saesue and Chat Suansilphong of 55 Hospitality will bring signature dishes including coconut crab curry and Zabb wings, with the kitchen planning to use locally sourced Florida seafood. Executive chef Dustin Everett will lead the kitchen, and Space NY will design the space…
