Coast Guard Intercepts Migrant Boat from Haiti, Miami-Dade Votes to Remove Fluoride
The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a migrant boat carrying 99 people from Haiti about 35 miles north of Cap-Haitien. The migrants were returned to Haiti. On a separate issue, the Miami-Dade County Commission voted to remove fluoride from drinking water, but the mayor may veto the decision. Removing fluoride from water is supported by Florida’s surgeon general and a conservative movement citing health concerns, while major medical groups endorse fluoridation for dental health benefits.
Double murder trial begins with key witness refusing to testify
Anthawn Ragan Jr. was accused of murder in two separate incidents in 2013. He allegedly shot and killed Luis Perez at a motel. Three weeks later, during a robbery at a nail salon, he allegedly killed 10-year-old Aaron Vu. Ragan is facing the death penalty in the Perez murder trial. His co-defendant Terry Nealy refused to testify against him despite a plea deal.
High School Student Dies from Heart Condition after Water Polo Meet
Lucas Osuna, a sophomore student at Belen Jesuit Prep School, died from an unknown heart condition after competing in a water polo meet. The Mayor of Miami, who is close friends with Osuna’s father, stated that Osuna’s aorta malfunctioned while he was in the cool down pool, leading to his tragic death. The school and community are mourning this devastating loss, as Osuna was described as a determined and persevering individual.
Partial roof collapse at UM dorm from heavy rains; Fluoride removal and rabies alert in Miami-Dade
A heavy rainfall caused a roof over an outdoor patio at a University of Miami freshman dormitory complex to partially collapse Sunday evening, with no injuries reported. Miami-Dade County commissioners voted to remove fluoride from the drinking water supply. The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County issued a rabies alert after a horse tested positive for the disease in an unincorporated area off Krome Avenue.
South Florida Hospitality Shakeup: Closures, Evictions, and a New Opening
Salt 7 restaurant in Fort Lauderdale evicted after owing employees thousands in unpaid wages. Finnegan’s Road bar closed after 25 years on Lincoln Road due to strict spring break measures hurting business. Haitian-owned Casa Matilda steakhouse opened on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach.
Ultra Music Festival 2025: Arrests for Scalping, Rain, Marquee Performances
Three men were arrested for selling fraudulent wristbands at Ultra Music Festival. Festivalgoers experienced heavy rain but continued partying despite weather delays. Martin Garrix closed out the festival with special guests joining him on stage. Performances by Zedd, Solomun, Four Tet, and Mau P stood out.
Miami Singer-Songwriter Rachel Goodrich Discusses New Album “Miami Semitrance”
Rachel Goodrich is a Miami singer-songwriter known for her participatory performances. She established herself in the local indie scene with her “shake-a-billy” style, then moved to Los Angeles for a decade, shaping her sound. Her latest album, “Miami Semitrance,” finds her back in Miami, drawing inspiration from the city’s cultural influences and historic architecture. The album showcases a matured sound, embracing vulnerability while retaining her playful energy.
Miami’s Haitian Community Holds Prayers Amid Haiti Crisis and U.S. Immigration Concerns
Haitian community in Miami gathers for prayer services at Notre Dame d’Haiti church. They seek solace amidst escalating violence in Haiti and potential deportation from U.S. after cancellation of humanitarian programs. The church provides spiritual and social support to those facing uncertainty. Many fear losing work permits and inability to support families in Haiti. Despite difficulties, the community finds strength in faith, music and celebration.
2025 Tortuga Music Festival Lineup and Details Announced
Tortuga Music Festival is a major country music event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It will take place from April 4-6, 2025 at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park. Headliners include Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, and Luke Combs, along with other country and non-country acts. The festival features three stages and gates open at noon each day. Parking options are limited, so rideshare services or public transportation are recommended.
Bad Bunny’s Calvin Klein Billboard in Miami Causes Traffic Congestion
Bad Bunny\’s Calvin Klein billboard has gone up in Miami. The billboard shows the Puerto Rican superstar shirtless in Calvin Klein boxer briefs. It is located on the Dolphin Expressway westbound near Shops at Civica building in Allapattah. The billboard has caused traffic issues in the already congested area.
Lady Gaga Announces Three Miami Concerts for Mayhem Ball Tour
Lady Gaga announced The Mayhem Ball Tour supporting her latest album. The tour includes three shows in Miami at Kaseya Center on August 31, September 1, and September 3. Gaga initially didn’t plan to tour this year but changed her mind due to the album’s positive response. The arena tour provides a more intimate and connected experience compared to stadium shows.
Miami Open 2025: Sabalenka and MenÅ¡Ãk Triumph Amid Cultural Festivities
Aryna Sabalenka won the women’s title and Jakub MenÅ¡Ãk won the men’s title at the 2025 Miami Open. The tournament celebrated athleticism, culture, and Miami lifestyle with pop-up events and appearances by stars. Teenage phenoms Joao Fonseca and Alexandra Eala had breakthrough performances. The event showcased a diverse international atmosphere and cross-cultural experiences.
Miami’s April Film Lineup Faces Political Tensions
Miami’s cinema scene faced threats from Miami Beach Mayor over screening documentary related to Israel-Gaza conflict. Major film events happening in April include Miami Film Festival screenings, Cosford Cinema showings of recent films, multi-projector performances by Roger Beebe, centennial celebrations at Coral Gables Art Cinema, and retrospective of actor Gene Hackman’s films after his death. Highlights are classics like Battleship Potemkin, Soviet montage masterpiece that pioneered editing techniques, and Michael Mann’s heist film Heat featuring Pacino and De Niro.
Miami bus driver kills 2 passengers, pair charged for manipulating drug tests
A Miami-Dade bus driver shot and killed two passengers during a disturbance on a bus. An employee of a company providing services for Miami-Dade Drug Court and a man in the treatment program were charged for manipulating urine tests to show clean results. The bus driver was detained for questioning and could face charges. The employee received payments to certify the man’s drug tests as negative despite him using drugs.
Estranged Father Kills Ex-Girlfriend and Three Children in Pembroke Park Shooting
A woman and her three children were shot dead in Pembroke Park. The shooter was the father of two of the children. He later died at a hospital after shooting himself. The mother was planning to leave the shooter. A fourth child survived but was hospitalized. The shooting shocked the community where the family lived.
Former NY Official Arrested at Airport with Child Porn Videos, Others Sentenced for Insider Trading
Ex-New York politician Dan Halloran was arrested at Miami airport with hundreds of child pornography videos on his devices. Federal agents found over 1,300 videos, at least 35 showing sexual abuse of prepubescent children. Halloran previously served prison time for corruption charges. In another case, Gulliver grads Federico Nannini and Alejandro Thermiotis, along with Mauro Nannini, were sentenced to prison for insider trading related to MasTec corporation’s acquisition. They made over $1 million in illicit profits and were ordered to pay restitution.
Top Pilates Studios in Miami for Different Workout Styles and Budgets
Miami has many Pilates studios offering different styles and approaches. Some provide high-intensity, low-impact workouts with reformers, weights, and cardio bursts. Others focus on traditional mat classes in heated rooms. Certain studios cater to beginners with intro sessions, while advanced students can find challenging reformer classes. Membership costs vary but typically start around $200 monthly for unlimited access.
YNW Melly Attends Hearing Before Double Murder Re-Trial
YNW Melly, real name Jamell Demons, attended a hearing ahead of his double murder re-trial. He is accused of shooting Christopher Thomas Jr and Anthony Williams to death in 2018. A motion dealt with prosecutors sharing case information with defense attorneys. His first trial ended in a mistrial in 2023, and he remains jailed awaiting the re-trial scheduled for September 10th, facing potential death penalty if convicted.
Miami Doctor Indicted for Illegally Prescribing Millions of Oxycodone Pills
Miami doctor prescribed millions of Oxycodone pills illegally. Doctor wrote unnecessary prescriptions for elderly patients. Patients filled prescriptions and sold pills to drug distribution ring. Ring was protected by corrupt federal agent involved in Santeria religion. Doctor made $5 million in fees by illegally providing prescriptions over five years.
Heavy rainfall causes flooding, ceiling collapse in South Florida
Heavy rainfall brought flooding and warnings across South Florida on Sunday. At University of Miami, part of a dorm patio ceiling collapsed. Miami-Dade County hopes new stormwater filtration technology will help clean up pollution in Biscayne Bay. The county commission voted to discontinue fluoridating the community water supply.
Miami Seaquarium Owner Files for Bankruptcy Amid County Eviction Proceedings
The owner of the Miami Seaquarium, MS Leisure, filed for federal bankruptcy protection. This move is part of a broader effort by its parent company, Dolphin Company, to reorganize its businesses and overcome financial challenges. Miami-Dade County is awaiting a trial in its eviction proceedings against the Seaquarium, citing critical inspection reports from federal regulators. The bankruptcy filing does not appear to have an immediate impact on the Seaquarium’s operations as it remains open while fighting the county eviction process.
DMV Appointment Scalping Banned in Miami-Dade, Fines Imposed
The County Commission passed legislation making it illegal to sell access to appointments for driver’s license offices or other government agencies. Violators face a $500 fine. This legislation stems from allegations of a “network of appointment scalpers” using the state’s online booking system to lock up appointments and sell them to customers. As the Tax Collector’s Office takes over DMV operations, they found many unused appointments, suggesting driving schools booked appointments they didn’t need. New protocols prevent multiple appointments from the same phone number, reducing appointment hoarding.
Florida Gas Prices Rise, Miami Averages $3.04 per Gallon
Gas prices increased across Florida. Miami average gas price is $3.04 per gallon, up 16.3 cents from last week. Florida average gas price is $3.09 per gallon, up from last week. Gasoline prices are expected to rise further in coming weeks, with peak likely in mid-to-late April.
Miami-Dade Arrests: Robberies, Assaults, and Fraud Incidents
A 71-year-old man was robbed after being lured to a motel by a woman for a sexual encounter. The woman, Johnnika Alexander, was arrested on charges of armed robbery and battery of an elderly person. After the encounter, she allegedly robbed the man of his watch, pepper-sprayed him, and stole his phone and wallet. In another incident, Andrea Assaf was arrested for burglarizing a police officer’s apartment, taking his car without permission, and assaulting him. Carmen Valdez De Miguel was arrested for allegedly defrauding a man out of thousands of dollars during tarot card readings and spiritual cleansings. Patryk Maka and Lauren Budreck were arrested after allegedly assaulting a police officer responding to a domestic violence report outside a Wynwood club.
Pornhub Access Restricted in Florida: VPN Solution Offered
Pornhub has blocked access for users in Florida due to a new law requiring age verification for adult content websites. However, a VPN can mask a user’s IP address, allowing access from a different location. This involves signing up for a VPN service, downloading the app, and connecting to a server outside Florida. The site provides instructions to circumvent the ban using popular VPN providers.
Plantation double murder and attempted suicide of father and toddler
A man called 911 after finding his daughter and grandson dead from stab wounds. The caller’s daughter and 2-year-old grandson were stabbed to death. The caller’s son-in-law allegedly committed the murders and attempted suicide. The man described finding blood throughout the home and a knife in the kitchen. The caller’s 4-month-old grandchild was found unharmed. The son-in-law survived after being given Narcan and hospitalized.
Pop Star Kesha to Host Boiler Room Live Set in Miami
Kesha is hosting a Boiler Room set in Miami on April 3. New York City DJs Ty Sunderland and Flirty800 will accompany her. The event will feature the pop singer performing a live set. Boiler Room is a global online music broadcasting platform.
Dog Leads Troopers on Pursuit Along I-95 in Broward Before Capture
Pup led Florida troopers on chase along I-95 in Broward. Pursuit shut down highway before dog tired out and surrendered. Dog dodged troopers and civilians, appearing to enjoy breaking rules. Eventually caught between civilians and officer, pup entered patrol car. Dog taken to humane society.
Spring Break Chaos in Miami Beach Prompts Measures for Safety and Rebranding
Miami Beach had a chaotic spring break in 2023 with shootings and stampedes. In response, the city implemented curfews, higher parking fees, and increased police presence. These measures led to no shootings or deaths during spring break 2024. Hotel occupancy increased in 2025 due to improved safety. Miami Beach is pivoting away from its past spring break image.
Miami Beach Elevator Flooded, Residents Trapped During Rainstorm
Video shows floodwaters rushing into Miami Beach elevator, trapping residents inside. Heavy rainstorms brought flooding outside Vendome Place Condominiums. Surveillance video captured the moment floodwaters rushed into elevator, trapping residents and children. After the water drained out in 24 hours, it damaged almost all cars in the garage.
Multi-vehicle crash blocks Palmetto Expressway near Doral
Four vehicles were involved in a crash on the Palmetto Expressway near Doral. The crash occurred on the southbound lanes at 25th Street. The express lanes were blocked, and two left regular lanes were shut down. Multiple vehicles sustained heavy damage with deployed airbags and debris on the road.
Children Hospitalized After Dog Attack in Lauderhill
Two children, aged 12 and 8, were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after being attacked by a family dog in Lauderhill. The incident occurred at a home on Northwest 59th Avenue, and the dog was described as a small mixed breed. Neighbors reported prior interactions with the aggressive dog. Broward County Animal Care responded to the scene but was unable to make contact due to no one being home.
Heat’s Playoffs Hopes Clash with Draft Pick Dilemma
The Miami Heat are in the playoff race but unlikely to make a deep run. They owe draft picks to other teams, which will be better if they miss the playoffs. If they make the playoffs, their draft picks owed will be lower. Fans should root for them to miss the playoffs to get better picks.
Man Fatally Shot at Smoke Shop in Pompano Beach
A man was fatally shot inside a smoke shop in Pompano Beach. The shooting occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday. An unknown suspect entered the Fire Up Smoke Shop, approached the counter with a handgun, and shot the 27-year-old victim Sayf Abdelaziz. After the shooting, the suspect fled the scene on foot.
Car Fire on I-95 in Miami-Dade Causes Traffic Delays
A car caught fire on northbound Interstate 95 in Miami-Dade County. The incident occurred near Ives Dairy Road. Flames and smoke were visible on the highway. It caused traffic delays but did not block any lanes.
Teenage Prodigy Jakub Mensik Stuns Novak Djokovic to Win Miami Open
Jakub Mensik, a 19-year-old Czech phenom, defeated Novak Djokovic 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4) to win the Miami Open final. Mensik prevented Djokovic from claiming his 100th career title and seventh Miami Open crown. The match was delayed for over 5.5 hours due to rain and high humidity. Despite obstacles, Mensik overpowered Djokovic with his 130 mph serve and 14 aces, breaking Djokovic only once.
Top Music Acts Performing in Miami This Spring
Many notable musical acts are scheduled to perform in Miami and South Florida this spring. Tortuga Music Festival will take place April 4-6 with headliners like Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, and Luke Combs. Regional Mexican singer Carin León will perform at Amerant Bank Arena on April 11. Pop star Kylie Minogue will bring her Tension Tour to Kaseya Center on April 14. Band Khruangbin will perform at FPL Solar Amphitheater on April 19. Rap artist Lil Baby will stop at Kaseya Center on June 10 as part of his WHAM Tour.
DMV Appointment Scalping Prohibited in Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade County passed an ordinance to prohibit and punish scalping of DMV appointments. The ordinance bans selling or promoting sale of public service appointments without consent. It fines violators up to $500 per violation. This law targets scalpers who hoard appointments using fake accounts and bots, then resell them.
Florida’s “Miami Zombie” Attack Portrayed from Family’s Perspective in “Know Me” Film
In 2012, a Haitian-American man named Rudy Eugene attacked someone on the MacArthur Causeway in Miami, leading to his death by police. Labeled the “Miami Zombie” in media reports, a toxicology report later showed Eugene only had traces of marijuana. Filmmaker Edson Jean’s movie “Know Me” explores this event from Eugene’s family’s perspective, shedding light on mental health issues and the spread of misinformation. Jean worked closely with Eugene’s brother to authentically portray their story, with Jean writing, directing, and acting in the film. The film aims to start a dialogue about mental health awareness within the local Haitian community.
Weekend in Miami: Music Performances and Festivities
Travis Scott performed at LIV nightclub. Artists like Hugel, Sofia Resing performed during Miami Music Week. Miami Heat Family Festival took place at Kaseya Center. Art of Hip Hop exhibition showcased rare photographs from Smithsonian.
South Florida Experiences Patchy Fog Before Hot, Humid Day
South Florida woke up to patchy fog on Tuesday morning. Fog formed due to high humidity and light winds. Visibility reduced in some areas like Homestead, Opa-locka, Pembroke Pines, and Miami. Hot and humid conditions expected for the rest of the day with chances of inland storms.
Florida Man Wins $2 Million from Lottery Scratch-Off Ticket
Kelvin Staggers, 58, from Homestead won $2 million from a Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket. He bought the $10 ticket at a Chevron station. Staggers took his winnings in a lump sum payment of $1.195 million. The gas station received a $4,000 bonus commission.
Swatting Incident Prompts Large Police Response in South Miami Apartment Complex
Officers responded to reports of gunshots at an apartment building in South Miami. Multiple armored SWAT vehicles were deployed. The incident turned out to be a swatting call with no active threat. Police confirmed there were no actual shots fired.
I-95 Express Lanes: Access Points, Poles and Tolling
I-95 has designated entry and exit points for express lanes in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Plastic poles separate the express lanes from general lanes. It is illegal to drive over the poles to enter or exit the express lanes, with a minimum fine of $165. Tolls for using the express lanes are dynamically priced based on traffic, with a minimum of $1.50 for the full stretch.
Miami Commissioner Pushes Anti-Fluoride Agenda to Students
A Miami-Dade County Commissioner visited a middle school class and assigned anti-fluoride materials for students to write speeches on. A slideshow criticized fluoride’s impacts, lacking balance on benefits. Students were invited to present at the April 1st commission meeting voting on ending countywide water fluoridation. The county’s teachers’ union was unaware of the commissioner’s visit.
Miami Events Roundup: Women’s Networking, Jazz Performances, and Drone Show
Hundreds attended Women’s Power Breakfast event for female entrepreneurs to connect and inspire each other. Grammy winner Branford Marsalis performed influential jazz concert. Music band South Hill Experiment played atmospheric sounds at ZeyZey venue. Drone show in Miramar featured drones forming shapes in night sky choreographed to classical music. Dutch DJ duo Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano delivered energetic house music set at Daer Nightclub.
Body found floating in Miami River, police investigating
Body found floating in Miami River. Police investigating discovery of body pulled from water around Southwest 2nd Avenue and 4th Street before 11:30 AM Tuesday. Circumstances under investigation. More details to come.
Explore Unique Dining Experiences: South Florida’s Quirky Restaurants
South Florida has hosted some unique restaurants over the years. Dominique’s had opulent French cuisine and eccentric decor. Famous Restaurant served huge portions of Jewish specialties like knishes. The Ark had a jungle-themed salad bar under thatched roofs. The Caves let diners eat in sculpted, cave-like alcoves. El Cid recreated a medieval castle setting. B.E.D. let patrons dine on beds before it transformed into a nightclub. Jimbo’s Place was a famed fish shack on Virginia Key.
Miami Seaquarium Owner Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Amid Facility Concerns
The company that owns Miami Seaquarium filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A recent report cited conditions at the facility left several dolphins injured due to dangerously low water levels. The bankruptcy aims to restructure the business and address financial challenges while ensuring animal safety and operations. The USDA reported issues with employee training and documentation at the facility, though corrective actions were taken.