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.
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.
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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.
