'I hate that bill,' governor-elect Byron Donalds told Board of Governors

From having up-front views on a controversial college sports bill to pushing for the economic mobility of students, Florida governor-elect Byron Donalds is making it clear where he stands on issues affecting the state's higher education landscape. He delivered a keynote address at the Florida Board of Governors' Trustee Summit Nov. 12 on Florida International University's campus in Miami, where he focused on what he thinks are the responsibilities of the State University System (SUS). But what he appeared to be most candid about during his remarks were his views on the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) . In a question-and-answer segment of his address, someone asked about his thoughts on how universities should be handling PCSA, which is a federal bill passed by the U.S. Senate that creates a single nationwide rulebook for college athletics. The bill has moved to the House. Speaking frankly, Donalds said, "I hate that bill." "I don't like it, I'm not a fan of it," Donalds said, adding that he believes it puts Florida at a disadvantage. "I think athletes deserve to be compensated for the amount of work that they do." While he said he's made his position on the bill known to

Florida district recommends closing 10 schools. Here's the list

Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn recommended the closures of 10 district schools as it continues to grapple with the loss of tens of thousands of students and the resulting losses in funding. Broward's website states the district has more than 60,000 empty seats — it claims the district has lost more than 48,000 students over the past 10 years, and about $430 million in revenue . The Broward County School Board previously voted to close and consolidate six schools in January of this year. Final board decisions regarding this year's proposed closures will be made in December, according to a presentation attached to the agenda for the Nov. 4 school board workshop. The list of schools recommended by the superintendent, released after workshop, matches the Attendance Boundary Committee's recommendations : Dolphin Bay Elementary in Miramar, Florida. Students would be transitioned into Glades Middle School in Miramar, with the grades at Glades Middle School extended to serve kindergarten through eighth grade. Silver Lakes Elementary in Miramar, Florida. Students would be transitioned into Glades Middle School in Miramar, with the grades at Glades Middle School extended to serve kindergarten through eighth grade. Sheridan Park Elementary in Hollywood, Florida. Its students

More Than 2,000 Booths Pack The Swap Shop In Fort Lauderdale Every Single Weekend

Some weekend plans start with a parking ticket that costs less than a cup of coffee and end with a trunk full of things nobody planned to buy. In Fort Lauderdale, that kind of Saturday has been a local habit for decades. Families who came here as kids in the...

The Secrets to Aging Well

Broward County, Florida, Dandee Donut Fails to Keep Food Safe, Cited For 24 Health Violations

A popular Broward County Dandee Donut Factory in Margate, Florida, was cited for seven high-priority violations during a November 6, 2026 routine inspection that found 24 total violations, resulting in a stop-sale order on food held at unsafe temperatures — and the shop was left with a follow-up inspection required notification.

Broward County to conduct aerial mosquito spraying in seven cities

Broward County officials have announced plans to conduct aerial mosquito spraying across portions of seven cities following an increase in mosquito activity caused by recent rainfall. The county's Mosquito Control Section will carry out the spraying in parts of Coral Springs, Davie, Parkland, Pembroke Pines, Sunrise, Southwest Ranches and Weston...

‘Wait Until They Realize They Make 40% Less Than NYC’: Florida Newcomer Faces Backlash After Saying an Apartment in the State Is Cheaper Than in New York

There are many things that may set off the alarms of some people living in a specific city, yet one that really makes people turn their heads, raise their eyebrows, and even gasp is when someone says something that isn’t entirely true. To give you a quick example, one person on social media claimed that living in Miami, Florida, might be cheaper and more comfortable than in New York. What that person was not expecting was a wave of backlash, as those who live in the city think that it is much worse.

Miami Beach commissioner proposes cuts to work perks to offset Amendment 3 losses

A Miami Beach commissioner is proposing to cut elected officials' stipends and reform their pensions to offset projected millions in Amendment 3 losses, while the mayor says he already opposes such perks and insists city finances remain strong.

Broward County Voters Approve Sales Tax Increase for Healthcare

Broward County voters approved a quarter-percent sales tax increase to fund healthcare services, preventive screenings and medical assistance for eligible residents over the next five years.

Miami-Dade Suspends Entire Metromover Over Power Difficulties

Miami-Dade Transit stopped every Metromover train Thursday after power-related technical difficulties took the automated system out of service across the network. Technicians were already working to bring the cars back, the agency said, and it apologized for the inconvenience. The alert did not name the fault or give riders a restart time.

Florida Bar complaint coming against ex-Bar president, a Coral Gables attorney

The Florida Bar’s 11th Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee has found probable cause for a Bar complaint that accuses Coral Gables attorney and former Florida Bar president Roland Sanchez-Medina of 17 professional conduct violations. A formal Bar complaint should be filed with the state Supreme Court against Sanchez-Medina by Dec. 22, the notice of probable cause said. The 10-member committee, three of whom are not attorneys, found probable cause to believe that Sanchez-Medina committed 10 kinds of trust account rules violations, four kinds of conflict of interest rules violations, two kinds of general misconduct and a failure in exercising independent professional judgment. “As a practicing attorney for 34 years, a member of The Florida Bar’s Board of Governors for 10 years, and a former Bar president (2024-25), I have devoted substantial time and effort to serving our profession and promoting public confidence in our legal system,” Sanchez-Medina said in an email to the Miami Herald. “I take this matter seriously and respect The Florida Bar’s responsibility to investigate concerns about professional conduct. “I also believe it is important to reserve judgment until the disciplinary process has run its course, and I respectfully ask others to do the same.” How this is

Broward County Celebrates 50 Years of Honoring Its Pioneers at Annual Pioneer Day Awards Ceremony

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL — Broward County proudly celebrated a remarkable milestone this past Saturday with its 50th Annual Pioneer Day Awards Ceremony, honoring the individuals whose lives, contributions, and dedication have helped shape the history and communities of Broward County. Honorees in this exceptional class included Westside Gazette publisher...

Patients with 3 health insurance plans lose access to Miami health network

The University of Miami Health System announced it will no longer accept three Medicare Advantage plans next year, requiring patients to find new insurance coverage or doctors to get in-network care. As thousands of people in South Florida review their health insurance plans during open enrollment, UHealth says Aetna, Preferred Care Network and Solis Health Plans are going away. The coverage allowing patients to be treated in-network by UHealth doctors and at the system’s facilities will end after Dec. 31, UHealth said in a statement to the Miami Herald. UHealth patients who are affected either need to sign up with new plans accepted by the system or find new doctors and hospitals. UHealth has added two Medicare Advantage plans — HealthSun and Simply Healthcare Plans — that will join the network Jan. 1, 2027. Both plans will include access to UHealth primary care doctors. “We have notified all of our impacted patients about this change, giving them the opportunity during open enrollment to select an insurance plan that includes UHealth,” the system said in a statement to the Miami Herald, which added that the insurance companies dropped the health system. READ MORE: Should you get original Medicare or an Advantage

The world's economic rules are changing. What's at stake for Miami? | Opinion

At a moment of significant geopolitical and economic realignment, the question facing investors, business leaders and policymakers is no longer simply where capital will flow, but what conditions will allow it to succeed. Shifting trade relationships, geopolitical tensions, technological advances and growing energy demands are reshaping the global investment landscape. Financial returns remain essential, but so do political stability, reliable infrastructure, access to energy, skilled talent and international partnerships. For 15 years, the International Economic Forum of the Americas has chosen Miami as a meeting place for conversations about the forces shaping the global economy. With its deep connections to the United States, Latin America and beyond, Miami offers a setting for international leaders to exchange perspectives, explore shared challenges and identify opportunities. Long recognized as a gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, Miami has evolved into an international destination for finance, real estate, technology, hospitality and major global events, including Formula 1 and the FIFA World Cup. Its growing relationships with investors from the Middle East and other markets reflect the international nature of its economy. But attracting capital and international attention is only part of the equation. The greater challenge is translating that momentum into sustained economic

Broward schools ‘no longer the only game in town’ as enrollment drops

This is the second installment of a three-part series on the impact of private school choice on public school enrollment. When Valerie Wanza started as a teacher in Florida's Broward County Public Schools in 1992, the district was at the beginning of what would be explosive growth in student population over the next decade.

Emaciated dog found on Fort Lauderdale streets begins recovery

A severely emaciated 2-year-old dog found on the streets of Fort Lauderdale is recovering after she was brought to a local shelter and eventually placed in the care of Deer Run Animal Hospital. Tawny was found with her ribs and hip bones protruding. “She was pretty lethargic as well as...

New townhomes are coming to Little Haiti - but owners won't own the land

City and county leaders broke ground on a new townhouse development in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood aimed at giving working-class buyers an affordable path to homeownership. Place Louverture will have 13 townhomes on a corner lot along Northeast 67th Street. The development marks the first Miami-Dade County project for the South Florida Community Land Trust, a Broward-based nonprofit that helps first-time homebuyers and families displaced by South Florida’s soaring housing costs. Under the community land trust model, buyers purchase the home i at a reduced price while the nonprofit retains permanent ownership of the underlying land. The groundbreaking comes as soaring property taxes and living expenses weigh heavy on longtime residents in the historically working-class neighborhood. Sampson Lisca, who bought his Little Haiti home 20 years ago, said escalating expenses are making it increasingly difficult to hold onto his property. “I just paid $5,200 for taxes,” Lisca said. Miami City Commissioner Christine King, who represents the district, said local leaders must make sure that people are not priced out of their neighborhood. “We have to look out for everybody,” King said. While developers say families who qualify for Place Louverture townhomes will be able to pass the properties down for

Neighbors question affordable housing 76-unit Fort Lauderdale project

The city says current approvals cover only the apartment building, and residents say they worry a social services facility could follow.