Miami Herald

Reporter Heads Back To Gitmo, Where Only Prisoners Outlast Her Tenure

Al Tompkins — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Miami Herald reporter Carol Rosenberg has been covering the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba for twelve years.

“The only people who have been at Gitmo longer than me are the prisoners,” she said in a recent phone interview.

The Final Days Of One Herald Plaza In Pictures

Eric Barton — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:41:14 +0000

Last week, the Miami Herald shuttered its building on the bay.

Located at One Herald Plaza, the beige box on the water is affectionately known as 1HP. Conference room meetings were interrupted by someone spotting dolphins. Water spouts could be seen forming from the cafeteria windows. Depending on the person, the building was either a testament to architecture done without aesthetics in mind, or an ideal place to do journalism.

Saying Goodbye To The Miami Herald Building That Once Housed The Community’s Pulse

Bill Andrews — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:01:44 +0000

On a mostly sun drenched South Florida day, about 900 former Miami Herald employees—myself included-- joined the current staff on Wednesday to reminisce, cry, and mourn the loss of the once proud building by the bay that will soon become a hotel/condo and possible mega casino now planned for the old property.

The Miami Herald isn’t going away. The newspaper operations, along with news partner WLRN, will move out to Doral in April.

The Florida Public Records Act: A Quick-Start Guide To Open Government

Theo Karantsalis — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:01:00 +0000

The Florida Public Records Act, also known as F.S. 119, is straightforward: All state, county and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person. And it is the duty of each agency to provide you with access to public records.

Maps: How Sea Level Rise Could Impact Miami-Dade County

Kelley Mitchell — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:32:52 +0000

Miami-Dade County is grappling with how to repair and replace parts of its aging sewage system, under pressure from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Water and Sewer Department has drawn up a $1.5 billion plan.

However, the clean-water advocacy group Biscayne Bay Waterkeeper says the plan doesn’t take into account the potential for sea level rise at its three coastal treatment plants on Virginia Key and in North Miami and South Miami-Dade.

Historic? Atrocious? Herald's Home Is Divisive

Rick Stone — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:15:38 +0000

The Miami Herald's headquarters on Biscayne Bay has been sold to a developer who wants to tear it down. Historic preservationists are working to stop the demolition, saying the hulking, boxy building is a prime example of Miami Modern architecture from the 50's and 60's. NPR interviewed demolition proponents — including some prominent architects — who say it's a clumsy building with no sense of style and not a "MiMo" design worth saving:

Top Republicans Confess: Voter Suppression Was Goal Of 2011 Florida Election Law

Rick Stone — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:01:00 +0000

The whole idea behind the voting law state legislators passed in 2011 was to discourage Democratic voters.

That's the bottom line in a Palm Beach Post story by Dara Kam and John Lantigua. Although the law was presented as an urgently needed defense against voter fraud, sources including former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist and former state GOP Chairman Jim Greer and some Republican campaign consultants tell the Post a very different story:

Why 2013 Florida Legislature Will Hear No Casino Bills

Gina Jordan — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 11:37:13 +0000

The proposal to build mega-casinos in South Florida never made it to a final vote in the last session of the Florida Legislature. Now it looks like the issue may not be coming up again for at least another year.

Senate President Don Gaetz is setting up a new committee to examine Florida gambling which he says is both over- and under-regulated. But Gaetz is considered an opponent of gambling and he's in no hurry to pass a casino gambling bill.

It's Crazy Out There!

Rick Stone — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 13:22:52 +0000

South Florida shoppers wiped the turkey gravy off their lips and got in line to shop last night as Black Friday morphed backward into Thursday to kick off an ever-earlier Christmas shopping season.

Lines for the early deals began forming before sundown on Thanksgiving and the scenes at the big boxes and malls grew more hectic and even chaotic overnight.

Wilson's Voting Complaint Brings Federal Election Monitors To Miami-Dade

Rick Stone — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 14:07:56 +0000

Election monitors from the U. S. Justice Department are on their way to Miami-Dade County to investigate reports of predatory voting "assistance" being offered by pro-Romney operatives to elderly voters in a north county precinct.

The Miami Herald reported this morning the complaints came from U. S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, whose district includes the polling station at North Miami Public Library:

How To Dance To The Preamble Of The United States Constitution

Jordan Levin — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:30:00 +0000

The endless election season is enough to turn anyone cynical about politics. But for a group of female South Dade migrant workers, the idea of democracy is still a wonder.

They've been exploring it at a dance workshop sponsored by Miami-Dade College and the South Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center. It’s part of the “Are We Democracy” workshop in Cutler Bay. The program was created by the New York dance troupe Urban Bush Women. The idea is to make democracy personal and concrete for everyone.

Preserve It? Or Knock It Down? Future of Miami Herald HQ May Be Decided Today

Rick Stone — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:06:41 +0000

The other big debate today is about the Miami Herald's maybe historic (but maybe not) bay front headquarters and what its new owners, Genting Resorts World, will be allowed to do with it.

500,000 Floridians Have Already Voted

Marva Hinton — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:48:47 +0000

Politics Tuesday: Debates Matter, Especially in Florida

Phil Latzman — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:35:17 +0000

President Obama and Mitt Romney meet in their second presidential debate tonight in Hempstead, NY. Then, Boca Raton becomes the center of the political universe next Monday, October 22 when Lynn University hosts the final encounter between the two candidates before election day.

Miami-Dade Teen's Meningitis Death Triggers Public Health Alert

Rick Stone — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:23:47 +0000

Questions arise after the sudden death of 18-year-old Christopher Valdes. Are there more bacterial meningitis cases in Miami-Dade County? And was this one misdiagnosed? Even after a specific plea to consider meningitis, doctors sent him home with painkillers and nausea pills. A few hours later, he was dead. Christopher's father tells the Miami Herald, "I feel they were negligent."

Days From Death, Killer's Violent Psychosis Complicates Closure For Victims' Families

Rick Stone — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:03:00 +0000

John Errol Ferguson is scheduled for execution on Thursday for a six-victim murder that horrified South Florida more than 35 years ago. At the time, as the Miami Herald's David Ovalle reminds us in this backgrounder, it was the worst mass murder in local history. Is he fit to execute?

Swing State Life: Obama's On His Way To Make A Nightmare Of Miami Traffic

Rick Stone — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:16:48 +0000

President Obama makes an appearance this afternoon at BankUnited Center on the University of Miami's Coral Gables campus. It's a grassroots rally with free admission for those who got advance tickets. Doors open at 1 p. m.

After that, Brickell Avenue will close at Southeast Seventh Street at 4 p. m. as the president makes his way to another event at the J. W. Marriott Marquis Hotel.

He's supposed to arrive at 5. But the Miami Herald warns downtown drivers need to make three and half hours worth of plans:

Third Death Reported In Garage Collapse, Search Continues For Man Still Missing

Rick Stone — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 11:36:43 +0000

A third person has died after yesterday's collapse of an under-construction parking garage at the Doral campus of Miami Dade College.

Miami-Dade police identified the latest victim as 53-year-old Samuel Perez. He was pulled from the rubble early this morning. Also killed in the sudden collapse were Carlos Hurtado Demendoza, 48, and Jose Calderon, 60. Another person is still missing.

Perez was the man whose legs had to be amputated so rescuers could get him to safety. He was hospitalized in critical condition and died today at 4 a. m.

Miami-Dade School System Inducts 14 Into Hall Of Fame

Kelley Mitchell and Howard Cohen — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:39:42 +0000

Fourteen of Miami-Dade Public School System's better-known and accomplished graduates were inducted into the first official Hall of Fame, Monday night at the New World Center in Miami Beach.

Univision And ABC Are Partnering In English

Rick Stone — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:38:23 +0000

Spanish language broadcaster Univision and ABC will open a 24-hour cable channel in the Miami area, the Miami Herald reports today.

Jobs And The Economy

Phil Latzman — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Starz TV Show To Miami: Show Us Your (Real) Boobs!

Kenny Malone — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 12:13:41 +0000

A version of this story first ran in The Miami Herald on April 28, 2012.

When Starz network’s Magic City came to town last year to shoot their 1959 Miami Beach drama, producers were obsessive.

“God is in the details,” said Magic City’s executive producer, writer and Miami Beach native Mitch Glazer. “We were rigorous about everything across the board from music to architecture down to that.”

That meaning breast augmentation.

Inertia And Politics Keep Miami In Constant Financial Crisis

Kathleen McGrory — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:30:06 +0000

Experts say the city of Miami will face ‘a battle every year’ unless its leaders address structural problems with the budget. Hobbled by unimaginative leadership, passive management and petty political gamesmanship , the city careens from one budget shortfall to the next without fixing its fundamental fiscal problems.

Among the city’s chief issues, according to experts: spending beyond its means, ballooning pension costs and failing to generate new revenue. Policy analysts say politics and poor decisions have made matters worse.

Panel Discusses Gov. Scott's Economic Policy

Phil Latzman — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:00:00 +0000

New figures show incomes in the South Florida region have dropped, and Florida's unemployment figure of 8.8% remains unchanged. Has Governor Rick Scott's economic policy made any difference? Meanwhile, Mitt Romney looks to recover from gaffes about the 47% made at a Boca Raton fundraiser. Both he and Barack Obama spoke at Univision forums in Miami to appeal to Hispanic voters. Plus: after testimony by victims' families, will a state task force recommend changes to the Stand Your Ground law?

Chavez Faces Toughest Test In Venezuela Election

Phil Latzman and Jim Wyss — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:20:33 +0000

Forget the US election.

There may be an even more important presidential vote taking place in Venezuela this fall.

Miami Herald South America bureau chief Jim Wyss updates WLRN's Phil Latzman on Hugo Chavez's fight to keep his job against upstart opponent Henrique Capriles. Also discussed: political strife in Colombia and Latin American countries tasting rare Olympic glory during the Summer Games in London.

State Integrity Investigation Day 1: Florida Politics Gets A 'C-'

Kenny Malone — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:46:36 +0000

This story originally appeared in The Miami Herald on March 19, 2012.

The first time Florida Sen. Chris Smith, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat, ran for office, he was just three years out of law school - a 28-year-old who still believed in the power of his lucky navy blue suit. As Smith puts it, he was a "nobody" from Broward County.

And yet, "these people would just show up" as he campaigned around the district. They were lobbyists. "[They'd] pat me on the back and say, 'Hey, I want to support you, ' and then give me a bunch of checks and say: 'Now remember me.' "

Alvin Ailey Dance Director Comes Home To Miami

Jordan Levin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

On an icy night in late December, Miami native Robert Battle, the new artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, saw his past and future come together in the heart of New York City.

After a year and a half of public grooming, of working alongside his towering predecessor, Judith Jamison, Battle was finally at the head of modern dance's most famous company, and in programming the troupe's annual five-week season at City Center Theatre, a major event in the New York dance world, he had made his real debut as director.

Loopholes In Florida Law Mean Little Oversight Of Charter Business Deals

Sarah Gonzalez — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

This story is a collaborative investigation between The Miami Herald and StateImpact Florida. Read the Herald’s story.