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.
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.
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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.
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, 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…
