港澳天下彩

(Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel via AP, Pool)

/

The Associated Press

The Parkland school shooter has signed away the rights to his name.

It's now owned by one of the students he tried to kill during the February 2018 massacre.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that this was part of a negotiated settlement between the gunman and Anthony Borges, who is now 21 years old.

The agreement means the shooter cannot enter into any agreement with documentary film producers or book authors without Borges鈥� permission.

Borges survived multiple gunshot wounds he sustained during the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 people were killed and another 17 injured.

The shooter is now serving 34 consecutive life sentences in prison without parole.

READ MORE: 'That chapter has closed': Parkland shooting building is finally being demolished

Pedro Portal

/

The Miami Herald

Boat patrol officers nationwide are trying to keep recreational waterways "dry" this July Fourth holiday.

Operation Dry Water is a year-round national effort to educate recreational boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 
 
This Fourth of July weekend, Florida boaters can expect see more law enforcement on the water than usual.
 
According to state officials, alcohol use continues to be the leading contributing factor in recreational boater accidents and deaths.
 
In Florida, it is illegal to operate a boat with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, the same as the restrictions for motor vehicles. 

READ MORE: Most Florida boat operators in crashes haven't completed free safety courses, says official

In Copa America news: Venezuela, known as La Vinotinto, continued its Cinderella run in the hemispheric soccer tournament last night, by stunning Mexico 1-to-0 on a penalty shot.
 
Venezuela also blocked a Mexican penalty shot. It now advances to the knockout round.
 
In the night鈥檚 other game, Ecuador beat Jamaica 3-to-1 in Las Vegas.
 
Tonight, the U.S. takes on Panama at 6 p.m. in Atlanta. And Uruguay and Bolivia face off at 9 p.m. in New Jersey.

READ MORE: As Messi seeks another trophy, soccer fears for a future without him

Want more stories about the Americas? Sign up for WLRN鈥檚 Americas Report newsletter and we鈥檒l send a round up of the most important news and stories from the hemisphere, every Thursday morning.

In Miami Beach, getting your towed vehicle back just got pricier. 

The Miami Herald reports non-residents would pay nearly $400 for getting towed under a new measure the city commission signed off on Wednesday without any discussion. 

The increase is a response to a request by tow companies, claiming they need more money to keep up with state regulations and rising insurance costs.

The measure specifically increases the administrative fee from $77 to $110 and eliminates a three-day grace period for imposing the fee once a vehicle is towed.  

The increase will not apply to Miami Beach residents.

READ MORE: Miami's waterfront ferris wheel owes over $1 million in delinquent taxes

Susan Walsh

/

AP

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida 鈥渨ill not comply鈥� with a declaration by the country's top doctor that gun violence is a public health crisis.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued the advisory on Tuesday. He called for the country to take the same approach toward gun violence as we do toward reducing tobacco-related illness and motor vehicle crashes.

"As a doctor, I've seen the consequences of firearm violence up close and the lives of the patients that I cared for over the years," he said.

Murthy said 54% of U.S. adults report that they or a family member have experienced a gun-related incident. He noted that firearm violence is the leading cause of death for American children and teenagers.

Professor Hugh Clark is the chair of the social work department at Florida Gulf Coast University. During an interview with Fort Myers TV news station WINK, Clark said Murthy's declaration makes sense.

In his declaration, Murthy called for universal background checks for gun purchases and a ban on assault weapons, among other suggestions.

"We hear the reports how the U.S. has more firearm deaths than any other industrialized country and so it's time for us to really recognize this as a major problem for our country," Clark said.

But a U.S. Surgeon General has no power to enforce them. A nationwide implementation of those suggestions would need legislation from Congress.

In a post on X, DeSantis accused Murthy of using his position to try to deprive Americans of their rights.

READ MORE: In Florida, teens caught with guns get a second chance to turn their lives around

Miami Herald

The time it takes to restore power after a storm is often at the mercy of wind speeds and flooding.

If winds are above 35 mph, it鈥檚 not safe for workers to be lifted up in buckets to work on power lines.

Florida Power and Light Company spokesperson Jack Eble said after the power goes out, it takes FPL 24 hours to do a full damage assessment. Then, they have to wait for the flooding to recede and keep the roads clear.

"We need to make sure that our crews can come to their work sites and then back safely. It's also something that we like to encourage our customers following a storm," Eble said. "After a storm, that's not the time to survey damage. The more cars that are on the road that's more vehicles and traffic that's between our crews and the jobs they need to get to."

Residents facing fallen power lines or other emergency situations are advised to stay clear of the area and call 911.

READ MORE: Hurricanes aren鈥檛 just a coastal problem. How to gauge your risk level

The Miami-Dade State Attorney鈥檚 Office has set up a hotline to field reports of alleged price gouging. This comes after recent storms that brought widespread damage and flooding to the area.

鈥淧rice gouging鈥� involves overcharging for essential items and services right before or right after a major disaster. Those items can include drinking water and fuel. Price gouging is illegal in the State of Florida.

Florida statutes prohibit price gouging in a state of emergency. Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle prosecutes these cases, and she鈥檚 set up a phone line for people to report offenses.

In the two weeks the hotline has been active, the office said only one person has called as of Wednesday.

Victims of price gouging in Miami-Dade County should call the Miami-Dade State Attorney鈥檚 Office or call the hotline at 305-547-3300.

READ MORE: As Atlantic hurricane season begins, Florida community foundations prepare permanent disaster funds

Pedro Portal

/

The Miami Herald

The operators of the Miami Seaquarium plan to fight the eviction lawsuit Miami-Dade County filed this week.

The lawsuit was filed after the Seaquarium failed to vacate the premises in April when they were served an eviction notice.

At a press conference on Wednesday, officials with The Dolphin Company, which owns and operates the Seaquarium, said they have seen a 40% drop in ticket sales. They also accuse the county of a land-grab.

"We鈥檝e had several conversations with the county. I can tell you one thing, it鈥檚 not about a mutual surrender to this lease. We are not going to surrender this lease over," said Hilton Napoleon, an attorney representing the Seaquarium. "We have not done anything wrong and we鈥檙e not going to let the county strong arm us out of it."

The lawsuit filed by the county cites concerns over animal welfare and structural issues at the park. Under the lawsuit, the Seaquarium has until July 1 to vacate the land.

READ MORE: Miami Seaquarium faces eviction over animal welfare

Sign up for WLRN鈥檚 environment newsletter Field Notes to receive our insider鈥檚 guide for living in South Florida鈥檚 changing landscape. Get original reporting and recaps, with context, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe here.

As of Wednesday, Hialeah officials have 30 days to fill a now vacant city council seat left open by Angelica Pacheco.

That鈥檚 after Pacheco was arrested on federal healthcare fraud charges and was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

According to the Miami Herald, Mayor Esteban Bovo has called for a July 16 special meeting to appoint a new interim council member.

That person will serve until the next scheduled election in November 2025.

The city clerk said there was not enough time to schedule a special election for this year鈥檚 November election. She stated that the city wants to give the public enough time to submit applications to be considered for Pacheco鈥檚 seat.

The meeting to choose an interim council member will take place on July 16 at 5:30 p/m.

READ MORE: The fate of civilian police oversight boards in Florida

NOAA.gov

We're 26 days into the Atlantic Hurricane Season and halfway through national Lightning Safety Awareness Week.

It's a nationwide campaign that aims to reduce lightning-related injuries and deaths to zero.

A crucial aspect of keeping safe involves knowing where to go when a thunderstorm threatens.

"The safest place to be is inside an enclosed, sturdy building away from windows, plugged in appliances and plumbing. If you are caught inside the car during a storm, make sure the windows are closed and don鈥檛 touch metal objects in the car," said Florida Public Radio Emergency Network meteorologist Megan Borowski. "You might want to think about pulling over and waiting out the storm if lightning strikes are excessive. One more thing to think about regarding shelter are pets 鈥� bring them inside if you can and at the very least be sure they aren鈥檛 tethered with metal collars or chains."

Forecasters are reminding us that it doesn鈥檛 have to be raining for lightning to strike: It鈥檚 possible for strikes to occur over 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.

If you can hear thunder, lightning is nearby, and it鈥檚 time to seek shelter indoors.

READ MORE: Hurricanes aren鈥檛 just a coastal problem. How to gauge your risk level

Gerard Albert III

/

港澳天下彩News

The U.S. House Ethics Committee said Tuesday it has expanded an investigation of U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., that began last year.

The committee posted a statement on its website that said the probe was expanded to look at allegations about issues such as whether Cherfilus-McCormick misused official funds for campaign purposes and violated campaign-finance laws in her 2024 re-election campaign.

The committee statement said the 鈥渕ere fact of an investigation into these allegations does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.鈥� The committee said in December that it had voted to establish an investigative subcommittee to look at issues such as whether Cherfilus-McCormick might have violated campaign-finance laws in a 2022 special election or as she ran for re-election later in 2022.

Cherfilus-McCormick won the special election to succeed the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, who died in 2021 after long representing parts of South Florida in Congress.

READ MORE: Cherfilus-McCormick: Haiti aid is 'unsustainable' without intervention

And in Copa America news: Canada picked up its first win of the hemispheric soccer tournament last night defeating Peru 1-0 in Kansas City.

Peru was down a man in the second half after a red card. And defending Copa champ Argentina beat Chile 1-to-0 in New Jersey.

Ecuador takes on Jamaica tonight at 6 p.m. in Las Vegas. And Venezuela, which upset Ecuador last weekend. hopes to keep its Cinderella run alive against Mexico at 9 p.m. in Los Angeles.

READ MORE: Indigenous women in Ecuador invent a new sport: handball in traditional skirts

Want more stories about the Americas? Sign up for WLRN鈥檚 Americas Report newsletter and we鈥檒l send a round up of the most important news and stories from the hemisphere, every Thursday morning.

1 of 2  — HaitianMigrantArrival6-26-2024 .jpg

A sailboat that brought about 120 Haitian migrants to Key West Wednesday morning, June 26, 2024, floats in the water near Higgs Beach.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office

2 of 2  — Haitian Migrants Florida

In this photo provided by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, a group of over 100 migrants from Haiti are shown after they arrived off Key West, Fla., in a sailboat early Wednesday, June, 26, 2024.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office / Monroe County Sheriff's Office

A group of more than 100 migrants from Haiti arrived off Key West in a sailboat early Wednesday morning.

The boat arrived about 100 yards (91 meters) away from a condominium in Key West at 4:00 a.m., and shortly after that law enforcement officers arrived to the scene, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said.

The Miami Herald reports that about 87 males and 30 females, including some children 鈥� were on the boat. The Herald reports one child and one adult were taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Courtesy

/

Monroe County Sheriff's Office

The landing comes as Haiti struggles with that has killed several thousand people in recent years and left hundreds of thousands homeless in the country鈥檚 capital. Gangs have been targeting key public figures as well as hospitals, schools, banks and other critical institutions in Haiti, one of the poorest country in the Americas.

The migrants told authorities that they had been at sea for seven days.

The Florida Immigrant Coalition called on state and federal authorities to "provide humane treatment and support" to migrants.

 "The situation in Haiti is beyond desperate. People are fleeing for their lives, seeking safety and a chance to survive,鈥� said Tessa Petit, the Florida Immigrant Coalition鈥檚 executive director and originally from Haiti. 鈥淲e urge our government to treat these individuals with the compassion and dignity they deserve.

鈥淭he answer is not to criminalize their search for safety but to provide the support and protection they need,鈥� she added. 鈥淲e call on the Biden Administration to uphold , to protect the safety and dignity of all migrants and asylum seekers."

READ MORE: UN-backed police arrive in Haiti as Kenya-led force prepares to face gangs

A team of inspectors will visit the Monroe County Sheriff鈥檚 Office next month to determine if the law enforcement agency can renew their accreditation this year. 
   
The review team is made up of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies, according to a sheriff鈥檚 office spokesperson. 
 
The team is accepting comments from the public to help inform their investigation. 
 
Miami-Dade's Police Department, and Broward and Palm Beach County Sheriff's Offices are also accredited.
 
READ MORE: In Keys visit, DeSantis adds a day to lobster mini season and $5 million for artificial reefs

The National Hurricane Center is watching two different tropical waves.

One in the Caribbean, which has a 20% chance of development over the next seven days.

And the other in the eastern tropical Atlantic, which has a 30% chance of development.

This comes just days after the first named storm of the season, Tropical Storm Alberto, dissipated over Mexico.

READ MORE: NOAA issues its busiest hurricane season forecast yet, warns: 'The big ones are fast'

Developers looking to build a Publix supermarket in Tavernier now have more time to challenge the state鈥檚 rejection of the project.

In May, the Florida Department of Commerce issued a final order rejecting a new zoning overlay district.

The special zoning would have paved the way for a new supermarket and 86 units of workforce housing.

Now, developers have more time to appeal the decision.

According to The Key West Citizen the state department granted the developers, the BlackStone Group, an extension to appeal earlier this month and they now have until Thursday, June 27 to submit a formal appeal.

Homeowners associations and environmental groups have spoken out against the project in community meetings and through a letter sent to the Department of Commerce. 

READ MORE: New Publix in Key Largo promises more food, pharmacy resources in area with limited options

KBI Photo

/

Tony Winton

The Miami Seaquarium鈥檚 ongoing legal fight with Miami-Dade County could be coming to a close.

After nearly 70 years of being on the county鈥檚 land, the Miami Seaquarium is one step closer to getting the boot.

According to the Miami Herald, Miami-Dade filed an eviction lawsuit in county court on Tuesday. They鈥檝e accused the aquatic attraction of subpar facility keep-up and improper animal care.

The lawsuit comes only two months after the county sent an eviction notice to the park鈥檚 parent company, Dolphin Company, which tried to block the action in federal court.

With this new eviction suit filed, a judge will decide whether the park must vacate the 38-acre facility, which would return the land to the county.

READ MORE: Miami Seaquarium faces eviction over animal welfare

Rebecca Blackwell

/

AP

Fresh off of their Stanley Cup win, celebration for the Florida Panthers will continue with a parade and rally this weekend in Fort Lauderdale.

Mayor Dean Trantalis drummed up excitement for the event at a news conference earlier today. He shared his excitement for the event at a press conference today.

"We're gonna make sure the community has an opportunity to be part of this. And I think that being mayor of this wonderful city is a proud moment for everybody as well as myself in seeing that the Stanley Cup has finally arrived at our front door," Trantalis said.

The parade is expected to begin at 11 a.m. Sunday.

The parade will go along the A1A, start near Riomar Street and continue along A1A, ending north of Fort Lauderdale Beach Park near Southeast 5th Street. An on-stage team rally will follow the parade.

READ MORE: 'Unbelievable': Fans celebrate Florida Panthers' first Stanley Cup win after Game 7 nail-biter

Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended a Hialeah councilwoman after she was indicted on healthcare fraud charges.

Angelica Pacheco, who was elected in November 2023, surrendered to the FBI last week.

According to the Miami Herald, Pacheco is accused of falsely billing private insurers millions of dollars for medically unnecessary services at her addiction treatment center in Hialeah.

She owns Pacheco Medical Center with her husband. Pacheco denies the charges and claims the FBI investigation is politically motivated.

READ MORE: Lawmakers seek health care and retirement protections for Steward Health workers

It seems that a bounced check has led to another Miami-Dade County commissioner being automatically re-elected to a second four-year term.
 
Ren茅 Garcia is the District 13 commissioner and represents parts of Hialeah and other surrounding areas. 
 
The Miami Herald reports that Garcia was declared "unopposed" in the August election after his challenger, Ian Anthony Medina, did not replace a $360 check he delivered hours before the filing deadline.
 
The check was returned for insufficient funds. 
 
Garcia is the fourth commissioner this year to win re-election for the lack of an opponent.

READ MORE: Young voters shaped the 2020 election. Can they do it again in 2024?

Colombia won its first match of the Copa America soccer tournament last night, defeating Paraguay 2-to-1 in Houston.
 
In Los Angeles, Costa Rica managed a zero-zero tie with powerhouse Brazil.
 
Tonight, Peru takes on Canada at 6 p.m. in Kansas City, while Chile faces Argentina at 9 p.m. in New Jersey.

READ MORE: Copa Am茅rica: Messi looks to repeat, U.S. hosts and what else to watch for

Want more stories about the Americas? Sign up for WLRN鈥檚 Americas Report newsletter and we鈥檒l send a round up of the most important news and stories from the hemisphere, every Thursday morning.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill creating a state program to help boost security at Jewish day schools and preschools.
 
The measure will ensure regular funding for things like cameras, impact windows and hiring security employees. 
 
A separate bill signed by the Governor yesterday puts a definition of anti-Semitism in state law.

READ MORE: Florida House passes a measure to provide more security for Jewish schools

Brian Inganga

/

AP

The self-described "king" of one of Haiti's most notorious gangs has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for his role in directing a gunrunning scheme.
 
Prosecutors said 31-year-old Joly Germine was involved in a conspiracy that used ransom money paid for the release of American hostages to buy and smuggle firearms into Haiti. 
 
In 2021, Germine's gang claimed responsibility for taking 16 Americans and one Canadian hostage.
 
But his sentence does not address charges of conspiracy to commit hostage taking.

READ MORE: UN-backed police arrive in Haiti as Kenya-led force prepares to face gangs

Want more stories about the Americas? Sign up for WLRN鈥檚 Americas Report newsletter and we鈥檒l send a round up of the most important news and stories from the hemisphere, every Thursday morning.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical wave that formed just north of South America. It's producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

Forecasters said the wave is expected to reach the western Caribbean later this week.

The system has a 20% chance of formation in the next seven days.

READ MORE: Florida TV meteorologists explain need to address climate change in forecasts

InterMiami is flying in a new mascot and it鈥檚 a Heron made completely out of recycled sports equipment.

It鈥檚 the world鈥檚 first upcycled team mascot, according to a report by Axios Miami.

The project was a collaboration between designer Gary Lockwood, also known as Freehand Profit, and the clothing brand reboot. The brand鈥檚 founder is the daughter of one of the owners of InterMiami.

In a promotional video published on Lockwood鈥檚 Instagram, he said he鈥檚 always been inspired by team mascots.

"Over the course of weeks, I cleaned, chopped and harvested jerseys, boots, balls, gloves and various other equipment from InterMiami," Lockwood said. "There鈥檚 no wrong place to put the next piece, but it鈥檚 very clear when I see the right place to put it."

Lockwood said he spent 18 months on this project. InterMiami has yet to officially announce the new mascot.

READ MORE: Miami FIFA World Cup Committee CEO's goal: Make city 'the envy' of all other 2026 host cities

Miami-Dade County has a new hotline number for its four certified domestic violence shelters. 
 
The new hotline number is 305-679-0303 and is available to victims and their dependents at all hours every day of the year. 
According to the county, hotline advocates offer safety planning, information and referrals to victims and crisis intervention. 
 
Support is offered in English, Spanish and Creole with interpreting services available in over 170 languages. TTY services are also offered to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. 
 
If you or someone you know is experiencing fear or distress in a relationship, you may contact the Miami-Dade County SafeSpace Shelters 24-hour hotline at 305-679-0303. 

READ MORE: Florida鈥檚 domestic violence shelters take stock as they face backlog and rebuilding challenges

A new audit has found that the Broward County school district has failed at replacing outdated intercom systems at its high schools with ones more equipped for emergencies.
 
According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, it became a priority after the 2018 Parkland school mass shooting to ensure a school鈥檚 fire alarm system doesn鈥檛 create unwanted evacuations.
 
The school district solicited bids in 2019 for the enhanced emergency communications. But ended up buying a system that was more standard and for non-emergencies. Broward Schools then failed to upgrade it for emergency use without proper authorization.
 
A Broward Schools spokesperson told the Sun Sentinel that all schools have a functioning fire and intercom system and the district is working on upgrades to enhance their capabilities.

READ MORE: Broward mom of transgender athlete says state investigation destroyed daughter's life

Tomorrow city commissioners will consider firing Key West鈥檚 city manager. The special meeting was scheduled as community members continue to voice their concerns over the measure.

Already, over 20 letters of opposition have been publicly sent to Key West city commissioners over the upcoming vote.

Residents are writing that they hope commissioners will not terminate City Manager Albert Childress.

They said the vote feels unfounded and rushed. They also write that they are concerned the potential firing comes without a solid plan to find a successor.

Commissioners Lissette Carey and Billy Wardlow are sponsoring the resolution to fire Childress without cause. If passed, Childress would get a taxpayer-funded severance of no more than a $100,000.

City Mayor Teri Johnston says she fears the vote could quote 鈥渄estabilize鈥� the city.

READ MORE: Iconic Seven Mile Bridge likely to be fully replaced, as officials reject continuous repair

Gas prices in Florida have rebounded after dropping for multiple months.

The state average rose 15 cents last week and declined two pennies over the weekend.
 
According to AAA, on Sunday, the state average was $3.35per gallon. That's 10 cents more than a week ago. The price hike ended a 26-day streak of declines.

The most expensive gas is at $3.53 a gallon in the West Palm Beach and Boca Raton areas. The lowest prices are in Crestview and Fort Walton Beach where gas is at $3.11 a gallon.

READ MORE: Florida restaurants are seeing increased costs, weekend traffic, according to report

Mark Hedden

/

markhedden.com

"Operation Summer Splash" sounds like something happening on South Florida beaches and public pools, but you can actually see it in action on Broward County roadways.
 
It's an annual summer safety initiative by the Broward Sheriff's Office that aims to reduce dangerous driving.
 
BSO said that while school is out, the roadways are bustling with vehicles. And the surge in traffic can lead to poor decision-making behind the wheel. 
 
Today through Aug. 2, BSO said there will be an increased law enforcement presence on county highways and roadways. 

READ MORE: The 100 deadliest days for teen drivers have begun

In Copa America news: Last night the U.S. won its first match against Bolivia, 2-0, in Dallas.
 
That was followed by the first game to be played here in Miami at Hard Rock Stadium, where Uruguay defeated Panama, 3-to-1.
 
Today, Colombia takes on Paraguay at 6 p.m. in Houston. And Brazil faces Costa Rica at 9 p.m. in Los Angeles.

READ MORE: Miami FIFA World Cup Committee CEO's goal: Make city 'the envy' of all other 2026 host cities

*For more Americas news and analysis from Tim Padgett, sign up for our newsletter

Wilfredo Lee

/

AP

Slow-pokes cruising in the left lanes of highways can often make their "speedier" fellow motorists grind their teeth. A bill that Florida lawmakers passed this year would have fined the so-called "left-lane campers." But now, Gov. Ron DeSantis is running it off the road.

Under the bill, drivers could only use the left lane to pass and those who failed to follow that rule could face a $158 fine.

The proposal passed almost unanimously in the Florida House and Senate, with supporters arguing it would increase highway safety. 

But DeSantis vetoed the bill, saying that it could lead to drivers being ticketed even if they're not impeding the flow of traffic. 
 
He added that the measure could actually cause an increase in traffic congestion by pushing more drivers into the right lane, for fear of getting a ticket.

READ MORE: The 100 deadliest days for teen drivers have begun

The town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea will now prohibit digging holes deeper than 18 inches on its beaches. People will also now be required to fill in a hole before leaving the beach.

The town council recently approved the ordinance. The new rules come after the death of a 7-year-old girl earlier this year when she got trapped in a sand hole. She and her brother were digging a deep hole on the beach.

The town is now running a beach safety campaign called 鈥淪andcastles for Sloan,鈥� named after the young girl. It will include new beach signs, flyers and notices, as well as a digital campaign to remind beachgoers about the new rules.

READ MORE: A girl dies after a sand hole on a Lauderdale-by-the-Sea beach collapses

The National Weather Service is adjusting the threshold for heat advisories in Broward County to line up with Miami-Dade.

Beginning July 1, heat warnings will now be issued at a lower temperature to better reflect the risks from heat exposure.

This means a Heat Advisory will be issued when the heat index is 105 degrees or higher for at least two hours. And an Excessive Heat warning will be implemented when the heat index reaches at least 110.

Miami-Dade County adopted these guidelines last year.

READ MORE: A Miami ER doctor on why you should take those 'extreme heat' warnings seriously

A relative of a Miami-Dade firefighter died during a fire that ignited during a training exercise on Friday.

That exercise took place at a vacant building in the Virginia Gardens area.

According to the Miami Herald, Miami-Dade police announced the death, but not the name, of the 28-year-old man Saturday night.

The death remains under investigation by Miami-Dade police homicide detectives, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue arson detectives and the Florida State Fire Marshal鈥檚 office.

READ MORE: A plan to solve cold cases in Florida is underway

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Scientists studying two tracts of coral reef across different parts of the world will soon collaborate. 
 
Researchers in the Florida Keys and the United Arab Emirates are partnering for a learning exchange program.
 
The program will be launched through the United Way of Collier and the Florida Keys as well as the Embassy of the UAE.
 
The partnership will address education and reef-restoration efforts, which began when Hurricane Irma hit in 2017. The local United Way was given $3.5 million from the UAE that year. 

"And for those in the coral restoration world, there are shared challenges 鈥� the challenges that our coral are facing, the opportunities, the best practice 鈥� that sort of thins 鈥� those are global," said United Way President for the Keys, Leah Stockton.

Stockton said the program will send its first reef restoration practitioners from the Keys to the UAE in February next year.

READ MORE: Water temps soar in Florida Keys. Can coral reefs stand another bout of extreme heat?

Sign up for WLRN鈥檚 environment newsletter Field Notes to receive our insider鈥檚 guide for living in South Florida鈥檚 changing landscape. Get original reporting and recaps, with context, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe here.

This National HIV Testing Day, there are multiple options across South Florida for those looking to get tested.

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade will host testing events throughout the week. That includes testing pop-ups tomorrow at several metro rail stations across the county. For more information on testing sites and services, visit .

The DOH in Broward County also offers free at-home tests. The state department of health in Palm Beach County offers confidential HIV testing at several sites Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

If you鈥檙e looking for a more discreet method of testing, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention runs the Together Take Me Home program. It鈥檚 an HIV self-testing program that mails you free HIV tests you can take in the comfort of your home without having to visit a clinic or testing site.

READ MORE: Florida and Arizona diverge on how to expand children鈥檚 health insurance

National HIV testing Day is Thursday.

Positivity rates for HIV, which causes AIDS if untreated, are staggering in South Florida. In Miami, about 1 in every 85 adults are living with the virus.

Doctor Hansel Tookes, a professor of Medicine at the University of Miami Miller School, has serves as the founder and medical director of the IDEA exchange, the first legal needle exchange program in Florida.

Regular testing for HIV, he said, should be an annual routine for anyone.

"The only way that we end the HIV epidemic is for everybody who has HIV to know their status. So diagnosis as well as treatment, because when people are treated, they can no longer transmit HIV," Tookes said.  

Tookes said we now have all the components to end the HIV epidemic. But, testing is a crucial part of reaching that goal.

The IDEA Exchange offers anonymous HIV testing on site, with results usually available in 20 minutes. For more information visit, .

READ MORE: Florida appeals federal judge鈥檚 rule blocking its restrictions on trans treatments

The 48th Copa America. the western hemisphere鈥檚 biggest soccer tournament, is being hosted by the U.S. and will come to Miami this weekend.

It kicked off last night in Atlanta, where Argentina beat Canada 2 to 0.

Argentina, led by legend Lionel Messi, who now plays professionally for our very own Inter Miami. is favored to win the Copa, coming off its World Cup victory two years ago.

The first of three Copa games to be played at Miami鈥檚 Hard Rock Stadium takes place Sunday between Uruguay and Panama at 9 p.m. Hard Rock will be the site of the Copa final on July 14.

READ MORE: Copa Am茅rica: Messi looks to repeat, U.S. hosts and what else to watch for

Two suspected members of the Mexico-based Sinaloa Cartel have been charged in connection with the execution-style shooting of a man in a Miami-Dade hotel in 2022.

The Miami Herald reports that Jimmy Sanchez and Tsvia Kol are accused of killing Julio Gonzalez,46, who was found dead inside a room at the adult-only Aladdin Hotel near Miami International Airport

Federal law enforcement officials said Kol believed Gonzalez stole a package of the drug methamphetamine from her. 

Both Sanchez and Kol face life in prison and 10-million dollars in fines.

READ MORE: Historic Chiquita trials 鈥� and verdict 鈥� bear a big South Florida imprint

Want more stories about the Americas? Sign up for WLRN鈥檚 Americas Report newsletter and we鈥檒l send a round up of the most important news and stories from the hemisphere, every Thursday morning.

Plans for a new government center in South Dade are dead after Miami-Dade county backed out of the $160 million deal. 
 
According to the Miami Herald, the plan would have moved the South Dade offices from their current spot two miles away, opening that space for residential and retail development. 
 
County negotiations with the seller, insurance company Assurant, had been in the works for over a year.

The county did not provide immediate comment on why the deal was killed.

The company told the Miami Herald they鈥檙e re-opening bidding immediately.

READ MORE: A decade after voters approved 'Miami's Eiffel Tower', waterfront property is a wasteland

Wilfredo Lee

/

AP

The city of Fort Lauderdale is helping residents prepare for hurricane season with sand.

Every Saturday throughout the season, they鈥檒l be offering sandbags to residents at Floyd Hull Stadium and Mills Pond Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sandbags are used to safeguard properties from potential flooding during a storm.

Sand will also be available for self serve at both locations daily, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. Proof of residency is required to receive sandbags. There is a five bag limit per vehicle.

For more information, visit FortLauderdale.gov.

READ MORE: Do electric vehicles fare better than gas guzzlers when the water starts rising?

A Missouri tourist is suing Classica, the company that owns cruise line Margaritaville at Sea, after she says she was sexually assaulted last year by a hotel employee.

According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the young woman booked a two-day cruise from West Palm Beach to the Bahamas in August 2023.
Since the woman did not have a cabin on board, the cruise line accommodated her stay at a Bahamas hotel. But her lawyer said the company should've warned her of any previously reported sexual assaults on site.

Classica was sued late last year by another passenger who said she was raped and impregnated by a Margaritaville cruise ship bartender. The bartender pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison.

READ MORE: Lawmakers seek health care and retirement protections for Steward Health workers

Almost 7,600 first-time unemployment claims were filed in Florida last week.

That鈥檚 according to a report released on Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Florida has averaged 7,548 new claims over the past four weeks 鈥� the highest average over a four-week period since October 2022.

The state鈥檚 Department of Commerce is scheduled to release a May unemployment report today.

READ MORE: Florida restaurants are seeing increased costs, weekend traffic, according to report

Wilfredo Lee

/

AP

The Florida Panthers will try to clinch the Stanley Cup Final over the Edmonton Oilers tomorrow night in Game 6.

Right now, the Panthers still lead the series 3 to 1.

To the disappointment of Cats fans, the Panthers lost the previous home game against the Oilers.

Tomorrow they鈥檒l play in Canada at the Oilers home arena in Edmonton, Alberta. Game 6 starts tonight at 8 p.m.

READ MORE: Diehard Panthers fans get a taste of disappointment after Game 5 loss

The Broward Sheriff鈥檚 Office is getting over $1 million in federal funding for its Digital Forensics Unit and Real Time Crime Center.

South Florida representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Jared Moskowitz, both Democrats, presented the funds to Sheriff Gregory Tony in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday.

"Human trafficking is a really terrible scourge right here in South Florida 鈥� we really are a hotbed," Wasserman Schultz said.

She secured $525,000 for the Digital Forensics Unit to better combat human trafficking and child sex abuse materials. Meanwhile, Rep. Moskowitz delivered $963,000 for the department鈥檚 Real Time Crime Center.

"Listen, these are investments that both myself and Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz have helped bring back to Broward because we support public safety," he said.

The Real Time Crime Center supports many city police departments, which sometimes struggle to quickly process evidence.
"These funds are not just about BSO 鈥� this will support the entire law enforcement community," said BSO Sheriff Gregory Tony.

Funding will allow the sheriff鈥檚 office to forensically process cell phones and other devices in a more timely fashion.

READ MORE: Broward Public Defender keeps up drumbeat for better services for mentally ill inmates in jail

The Family Action Network Movement is holding its annual Immigration Summit and Press Conference on Friday at the Little Haiti Cultural Center.

The summit comes at a time when immigration is dominating the 2024 presidential race. It's a top concern for voters, with many saying President Joe Biden hasn't been doing enough to secure the country's borders. Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has made immigration a cornerstone of his campaign by saying he's going to deport people in the country illegally en masse and take other measures to crack down on immigration.

This year's local summit theme: 鈥淧rotection and Immigration Reform: Opportunities and Challenges". Organizers will also hold a press conference, beginning at 11:15 a.m.

FAMN is bringing together immigrant advocates, undocumented immigrants and others to review a host of immigration policies, including the treatment of Haitian and Central American refugees from Haiti, deportations, the root cause of migration, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Among those expected to attend:
Miami-Dade Commissioner Marleine Bastien, District 2
State Rep. Marie P, Woodson, District 105
State Rep. Dotie Joseph, District 108
North Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Joseph
Marie Estime Irvin NHAEON Chair & North Miami Vice Mayor
North Miami City Clerk Vanessa Joseph

The Little Haiti Cultural Center is located at 212 NE 59th Street, Miami, 33137

The National Hurricane Center is currently investigating a disturbance near the Bahamas that is tracking toward the Southeast U.S. coastline.

Meteorologist Leslie Hudson from the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network says that system will bring in some tropical rain and wind whether it organizes or not.

"We should know more about this system after the National Hurricane Center鈥檚 reconnaissance mission. For now, conditions are marginal for some strengthening. But dry air and wind shear could limit its potential. If it moves into a more favorable area, it could become a tropical depression as it approaches the northeastern coast of Florida or Georgia鈥檚 coast early on Friday. Regardless, gusty winds higher than 30 mph, with quick moving downpours are possible. On top of that, rough surf, dangerous rip currents, some coastal flooding, and beach erosion are also possible.

Leslie says dangerous rip current and high surf alerts are in effect for the Atlantic and also the western Panhandle coast today. Conditions are expected to be dangerous through tomorrow. Make sure to check in with a lifeguard before heading into the water.

READ MORE: Aweek of rain in Florida brings out the frogs, finally

After 35 years with the City of Miami Fire Rescue, Captain Ignatius 鈥淚ggy鈥� Carroll is ready to retire.

Starting with the department at just 19 years old, Captain Carroll has worked his way up the ranks.

鈥淚鈥檝e seen so much in this career. I鈥檝e been through a lot, I鈥檝e seen people at their darkest moments, I鈥檝e had my darkest moments as well, and it just shows us how to be resilient," Carroll told WSVN Channel 7 about stepping down. "This community, this city has become another part of my family.鈥�

As he retires, Captain Carroll is turning his attention to his son Emerson. He鈥檚 a recent high school graduate who has shown an interest in becoming a firefighter and serving the community.

The city of Miami is celebrating Iggy鈥檚 35 years of service at the Kaseya Center today.

READ MORE: Justices say peaceful demonstrations are OK under Florida's protest law

After leaving Havana鈥檚 port early this week, Russia has split up its fleet of warships. That means sending its nuclear submarine back north to the Atlantic.

According to the Miami Herald, the rest of its fleet is expected to dock in Venezuela.

U.S. and Canadian warships followed the submarine on Tuesday, as it traveled back up the Florida coast on international waters.

U.S. officials told the Herald that the U.S. Navy continues to closely monitor the Russian warships.

READ MORE: Russian warships reach Cuban waters ahead of military exercises in the Caribbean

Want more stories about the Americas? Sign up for WLRN鈥檚 Americas Report newsletter and we鈥檒l send a round up of the most important news and stories from the hemisphere, every Thursday morning.

A Hialeah councilwoman has surrendered to the FBI for health care fraud charges.

According to the Miami Herald, Angelica Pacheco was in federal custody as of Thursday morning. She鈥檚 expected to make her first appearance this afternoon in Miami federal court.

Pacheco, who鈥檚 a certified nurse, was elected in November 2023. She and her husband have a primary care clinic and substance abuse rehabilitation facility in Hialeah called Pacheco Medical Center.

It鈥檚 unknown if the charges are linked to the couple鈥檚 business.

READ MORE: Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office faces criticism amid ethical misconduct reports

Andrew Ibarra (AP)

/

NOAA

With waters already reaching temperatures normally seen in August in the Florida Keys, scientists say they鈥檙e bracing for another dangerous year for coral.

That could mean temporarily closing three areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to recreational activities to be used to house coral in deeper, cooler water.

"Right now, we're trying to save the genetic material that we have and make sure that we keep all the parts," said the Sanctuary's superintendent Sarah Fangman. "So this is a solution for now that we believe makes sense. Are we going to do this years and years and years from now? I don鈥檛 know."

Fangman said the plan is a short term fix for coral threatened by oceans heated up by climate change. The proposal is now open for public comment.

Coral restoration teams said they鈥檙e already beginning to move some coral to onshore nurseries. A heat wave last summer bleached coral on nearly every reef in the Keys. Waters have already heated to bleaching conditions in some areas twice. A bleach warning is now in effect.

READ MORE: Water temps soar in Florida Keys. Can coral reefs stand another bout of extreme heat?

Sign up for WLRN鈥檚 environment newsletter Field Notes to receive our insider鈥檚 guide for living in South Florida鈥檚 changing landscape. Get original reporting and recaps, with context, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe here.

Mike Stewart

/

AP

The Western Hemisphere's biggest soccer tournament kicks off today.

The Copa America is similar to the FIFA World Cup, but it only involves teams in the Caribbean and North and South America. 

This year's tournament will feature 16 teams, including its host 鈥� the United States. 

This is the second time the U.S. has hosted the Copa America. The first was in 2016.

The final game will be held on July 14 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

The tournament will be played at 14 stadiums around the country, with the opening match tonight 8 p.m. in Atlanta where Argentina will play against Canada.  

READ MORE: As Messi seeks another trophy, soccer fears for a future without him

Want more stories about the Americas? Sign up for WLRN鈥檚 Americas Report newsletter and we鈥檒l send a round up of the most important news and stories from the hemisphere, every Thursday morning.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced more investments into Florida鈥檚 artificial reefs.

At a press conference in Marathon on Wednesday, DeSantis said $5 million will be given through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

"This is all in an effort to support the establishment of a new framework for installing, overseeing and preserving artificial reef habitats in the Florida Keys."

The approved funding will go toward extending the timeframe that Monroe County鈥檚 new artificial reef program can operate.

鈥淲e now have more than 4,300 planned public artificial reefs that have been placed in state and federal waters off Florida鈥檚 coast and we鈥檝e done $26.5 million through the balance of our administration on artificial reefs," he said.

Now, the program may run through 2029 instead of 2028.

READ MORE: Water temps soar in Florida Keys. Can coral reefs stand another bout of extreme heat?

Sign up for WLRN鈥檚 environment newsletter Field Notes to receive our insider鈥檚 guide for living in South Florida鈥檚 changing landscape. Get original reporting and recaps, with context, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe here.

The United States Border Patrol has seized $1M worth of cocaine found floating off the Florida Keys. 
 
The Associated Press reports that recreational boaters found a package containing approximately 21 individually wrapped kilograms of cocaine. 
 
The drugs were found about seven miles off Islamorada over the weekend.

READ MORE: Revamped clinic in Key West aims to withstand major storms

Along with Tropical Storm Alberto, the National Hurricane Center is closely watching a disturbance near the Bahamas that is tracking toward the Southeast coast.
 
Megan Borowski from the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network said: "Although this low won鈥檛 turn into a tropical system, it will cause unsettled weather for the Atlantic coast. Gusty and quick moving downpours will likely be on and off throughout the day today.

"Also, wind gusts in excess of 30 mph are possible. On top of that, rough surf, rip currents, coastal flooding, and beach erosion are expected too."
 
Megan says that high surf and rip current alerts are in effect for the Atlantic 鈥� so it would be a good idea to heed lifeguard flags and stay out of the water until conditions settle down.

READ MORE: Tropical Storm Alberto brings flood risk to Texas as Florida monitors a disturbance

Al Diaz

/

The Miami Herald

Miami-Dade residents and business owners who were affected by last week鈥檚 flooding are being encouraged to fill out a damage assessment survey. 
 
The county鈥檚 Department of Emergency Management launched it Wednesday, and officials say it could potentially bring some aid for those impacted.
 
Erika Benitez, spokesperson for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, said:" Survey responses will also allow the state to expedite recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of affected businesses and residents in our community."
 
However, the county is stressing that the survey is not a way to file insurance claims.

The survey is available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole at .

READ MORE: As flooding recedes in South Florida, affected residents clean up

With neighborhoods still reeling from last week鈥檚 floods, the City of Miami wants to hold private property owners more responsible for stormwater drainage.

The city commission advanced an item that will require owners to maintain and recertify their drainage systems every 10 years. That includes stormwater grates and manhole covers.

At today鈥檚 commission meeting, City Commissioner Damian Pardo explained the need.

"There was probably like seven or eight wells that were not being tended to, that were not being maintained," Pardo said. "The Brickell area was flooding like crazy. People forgot that maintenance was part of their responsibility."

The item passed on first reading, and will go up for a second commission vote later this month.

READ MORE: As flooding recedes in South Florida, affected residents clean up

The Broward school board tackled two major issues at its meeting on Tuesday.

Carl Juste

/

The Miami Herald

The Board voted 7-2 to close at least five schools in the 2025-2026 school year. The agenda item did not name which schools would be closed.

The Broward County School District says the closures are necessary in the face of a severe decline in student enrollment.

According to the Miami Herald, the board also asked the superintendent to come up with programs to add to some schools.

The School Board also agreed to pay $108 million to local charter schools by 2027. The charters successfully argued that they were shortchanged out of money from a voter referendum that passed in 2018.

Last fall, some of the charter schools took the Broward School district to court, arguing that a 2019 state law mandated the district to share the money. The Florida Department of Education interfered in late March and ordered the school district to settle the dispute.

READ MORE: Some Broward students, parents push back against school district鈥檚 proposed changes

Charles Trainor Jr.

/

Miami Herald

Port Everglades has a new director. The Broward County Commission confirmed the appointment of Joseph Morris on Tuesday.
 
Morris is currently the Port Director for the Massachusetts Port Authority. 
 
In his new role, Morris will oversee the port鈥檚 maritime business, which generates more than $26.5 billion in economic activity statewide annually. Port Everglades also supports nearly 11,000 local direct jobs and results in more than $925 million in state and local tax revenue. 
 
He鈥檚 expected to begin at Port Everglades next month.

READ MORE: DeSantis, state environmental regulators greenlight bigger ships at Key West harbor