Public Safety · Fort Lauderdale, FL
King tide flooding continued in South Florida on Thursday, Oct. 29, after a week-long cycle that peaked Tuesday. Fort Lauderdale officials shut down some roads throughout the week due to water, including an area west of the Las Olas bridge where cars drove through flooded streets. In Miami Beach, southbound lanes of Collins Avenue near 53rd Street flooded after water breached the seawall. A coastal flood advisory for Miami-Dade and Broward counties was extended through Friday evening, while a coastal flood warning remained in place for the Florida Keys through Friday morning.
Crime · Miami Beach, FL
Tamarius Blair Davis, 27, was sentenced by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Laura Stuzin to 50 years in prison followed by 20 years of probation for the Aug. 24, 2021 killing of 21-year-old Colorado tourist Dustin Wakefield at a restaurant on Ocean Drive in South Beach. Davis pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, attempted murder and child-abuse charges after attacking another man minutes before shooting Wakefield, who was dining with his wife and infant son. Davis must serve at least 25 years before eligibility for release. The sentencing followed three days of testimony that included emotional statements from both families.
Local Politics · Miami-Dade County
A New Times roundup previews South Florida races ahead of Election Day Tuesday, including Miami-Dade County's Referendum 3 on a proposed 75-year lease of Virginia Key waterfront including Rickenbacker Marina to a private equity-backed operator. In Broward County, Davie District 3 candidates include Toula Amanna, under investigation by the Broward County Sheriff's Office over a Facebook post, and Jordan Nelson, charged with DUI after allegedly crashing into a guardrail at Hiatus Road and Orange Drive. Statewide contests feature the governor's race with Byron Donalds, Florida Senate between Angie Nixon and Ashley Moody, and Amendment 3 on property tax reductions. Dallas-based Suntex and RCI Group spent over $2 million supporting Referendum 3, with spending linked to Big Tuesday Media and social media influencers.
Local Politics · Miami, FL
Miami-Dade County signed a $3.9 million advertising agreement with Rockstar Games for 'Grand Theft Auto VI' placements, including the existing 'Welcome to Vice City' rooftop display at Kaseya Center. County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced that $975,000 from the rooftop display portion of the deal has been allocated to develop a public park at Dan Paul Plaza behind the arena. The parcel was originally promised as a public park in 1996 when the Miami Heat campaigned for a waterfront arena but remained largely unused for decades despite repeated official commitments. All ad graphics will be subject to county approval.
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Crime · Miami Beach, FL
An 11-year-old girl faces a second-degree felony charge for aggravated battery following an incident at Nautilus Middle School in Miami Beach on Sept. 24. Police report the accused student attacked another student, causing injuries including a concussion to the victim. A juvenile court judge issued a stay-away order during a hearing held on Thursday. The trial is scheduled for Dec. 21.
Public Safety · Miami, FL
The family of Evelyn Valdes, a 28-year-old woman killed by a stray bullet during a June 14, 2025 police crossfire outside a club on Northwest 23rd Street in Miami's Wynwood neighborhood, has filed an amended complaint against the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office. Prosecutors declined to charge the officers involved earlier in October 2026. The family's attorney, Ramon Rasco, alleges excessive force, stating newly obtained body-camera and surveillance footage contradicts the state attorney's account of the incident. Valdes was sitting in her car celebrating her birthday when she was struck during officers' exchange of gunfire with an armed man.
Education · Miami, FL
Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga told attorneys Thursday she is strongly inclined to rule in favor of Florida International University in a First Amendment lawsuit filed by four students suspended or expelled over racist, antisemitic, and violent messages exchanged in private group chats. Speaking after two days of testimony at the federal courthouse in Miami, Altonaga said the university presented strong evidence that the messages frightened students, disrupted campus operations, and interfered with its educational mission regardless of whether the remarks were intended as jokes. The judge stated she would deny the students' motion for preliminary injunction and enter judgment on the merits for the defendant, though she emphasized no final decision has been reached and gave their attorneys another opportunity to argue.
Crime · Miami-Dade County
A man and woman died following a domestic-related murder-suicide inside an apartment on the 17000 block of Northeast 14th Avenue in Northeast Miami-Dade. Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the scene Wednesday night, where both victims were found with gunshot wounds and succumbed to their injuries, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units. Preliminary information indicates the woman had arrived at the apartment to pick up her belongings when the man pulled out a firearm, shot her, then turned the gun on himself. Officials have not yet determined the relationship between the two deceased individuals.
Community News · Miami-Dade County
The Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management is hosting a free Home Chemical Mobile Collection Event on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sunset Kendall Trash and Recycling Center (TRC), in celebration of America Recycles Day. Residents may drop off household hazardous waste, electronics, and used oil, and securely shred up to two boxes of documents at no cost. The event is open to all Miami-Dade County residents presenting a valid Florida driver's license or ID.
Community brief · Miami, FL
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo surpassed Udonis Haslem's franchise career rebounding record during a Wednesday night victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Adebayo reached 5,794 career rebounds with nine on the night, passing Haslem's previous mark of 5,785. The achievement highlights Adebayo's decade-long tenure with the Heat and his consistency on the defensive glass.
Community brief · Miami, FL
Red Bull Flugtag is returning to Miami for the first time in over a decade. Thirty teams will launch homemade flying machines off a 30-foot ramp into Biscayne Bay at Bayfront Park on Halloween. The event features a collaboration between the local podcast "A Day In Miami" and restaurant Sanguich.
