BOSTON (WSVN) – A playful seal at the New England Aquarium in Boston has become a social media sensation for playing with a rubber duck.
Reggae, a 33-year-old harbor seal loves playing with his rubber ducks, and became a major hit on Instagram for floating on his belly and hugging his rubber duck.
Trainers say that teaching commands like waving keeps the mammals’ minds sharp.
“Enrichment can be essentially anything that enhances the psychological and physical well-being of the animal and can really promote species-appropriate behaviors with them as well,” said Rebekah Miller from the New England Aquarium.
“I think the rubber duckies were really funny because, uh, you never expect a seal to hug a giant rubber ducky,” said Tom Smith, who visited the aquarium.
Aquarium managers said that the seals are easily its most recognizable residents there.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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From the moment Philippe Bien-Aime stepped foot in the United States on July 25, 1995, immigration authorities, say the Haitian native has been living a lie.
The former mayor of North Miami arrived in the U.S. with his photo on someone else’s passport, authorities say in a federal lawsuit seeking to strip Bien-Aime of his citizenship. As part of his naturalization process, they add, Bien-Aime, 60, has lied about who and how many women he’s married and divorced and also about how many children he has had with them.
He used his original name, Jean Philippe Janvier, in a 2000 deportation case in which a U.S. immigration judge ordered his return to Haiti — though he never moved back to his country. Instead, he used a new name, Philippe Bien-Aime, on a naturalization application in 2005 after he married a U.S. citizen. He also used that name when he won the mayoral election in North Miami in 2019, after six years on the city council.
An immigration officer said in an affidavit filed in federal court in Miami this week that as part of the naturalization process, “Bien-Aime was not eligible to receive a visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen because his marriage to the U.S. citizen … was bigamous and invalid” – pointing out that he lied about being divorced from his Haitian wife. “Bien-Aime was not legally free to marry” the U.S. citizen or allowed to attain an immigration benefit through a “bigamous marriage,” the officer said in the affidavit supporting the federal lawsuit.
Two simultaneous weddings
Adding to the intrigue are court documents that say that, under the name Jean Philippe Janvier, he married Sarahjane Ternier, and under the name Philippe Bien-Aime, he married Beatrice Gelin — both on the same date, June 20, 1993, in Port-au-Prince.
A U.S. immigration summary of Haitian government records show that the marriage and divorce certificates for Janvier and Ternier were found to be fraudulent. Meanwhile, the Haitian divorce records for Bien-Aime and Gelin were also found to be fraudulent. The immigration summary, however, states that a marriage certificate for Bien-Aime and Gelin was found in Haiti’s National Archives but does not comment on whether it’s valid or invalid.
Court records show Bien-Aime asserted throughout his applications for a green card and for naturalization that he divorced Gelin on Dec. 30, 1999, and married Marie Rose Chauvet, a U.S. citizen, on May 30, 2001. Bien-Aime attained U.S. citizenship on Sept. 22, 2006.
The federal suit seeking his denaturalization accuses Bien-Aime of falsely telling authorities that “he has not practiced polygamy and has not given any false testimony to obtain immigration benefits.”
The decades of alleged deceptions and misrepresentations are at the heart of the federal government’s efforts to strip Bien-Aime of his American citizenship. The case is part of a larger, aggressive Trump administration campaign to catch immigrants who fraudulently obtain U.S. citizenship. The Department of Justice last year ordered its civil division to prioritize denaturalization, cases that have previously been rarely pursued.
“United States citizenship is a privilege grounded in honesty and allegiance to this country,” Jason A. Reding Quiñones, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, said in a statement. “The fact that he later served as an elected mayor makes the alleged deception even more serious, because public office carries a duty of candor and respect for the rule of law.”
Facing deportation
Should U.S. authorities succeed in revoking his citizenship, Bien-Aime is facing deportation to native Haiti, a country in the throes of violence and instability.
U.S. officials were investigating the fraudulent marriage and divorce documents as early as August 2019, during President Donald Trump’s first term, according to an overseas verification report that also lists both the Bien-Aime and the Janvier monikers. That was two months after Port-au-Prince-born Bien-Aime had been elected mayor of North Miami. Neither the first Trump administration nor the subsequent Biden administration pursued legal action against him.
To back up their allegations, the federal government provides a July 1965 certificate registering the birth of Jean Philippe Janvier; immigration applications where Bien-Aime does not list he had other names or mention one of his purported wives in Haiti and the children she bore him in the United States; a divorce certificate to the other woman in Haiti that they say is fraudulent; and his original deportation order from the early 2000s.
On a phone call Thursday, Bien-Aime declined to comment and referred the Miami Herald to his lawyer. His immigration attorney, Peterson St. Philippe, said he was not in a position to provide detailed comments.
“We believe it is appropriate to address the allegations through the judicial process rather than through public commentary. We trust that any reporting will reflect that the matter remains unresolved and that no findings have been made,” St. Philippe said.
Bien-Aime is no stranger to controversy. In 2018, a former North Miami city administrator filed a lawsuit against Bien-Aime and the city claiming he had sexually harassed her for months and “held her prisoner” in a car while trying “to have sex with her.” The aide said her contract with the city was terminated in retaliation for filing the federal lawsuit against Bien-Aime, a councilman at the time.
What the complaint says
Prosecutors say that U.S. authorities were not aware that the Jean Philippe Janvier whom an immigration judge had ordered deported was the Philippe Bien-Aime granted U.S. citizenship. On a campaign website, Bien-Aime said he was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, before immigrating to Canada in 1991 and arriving in the U.S. in 1993.
U.S. immigration authorities issued an identification number for Bien-Aime in 1994, according to court documents, while Janvier entered the United States in 1995 on the photo-switched passport. Two years later, while Janvier was being served a notice to show up to deportation proceedings, the U.S. Embassy in Port-Au-Prince issued Bien-Aime a tourist visa, according to an affidavit from an immigration official who reviewed his records extensively. Bien-Aime entered the U.S. in June 1997 and kept traveling between the U.S. and Haiti while Janvier’s deportation proceedings were ongoing.
During three years of deportation proceedings, Janvier submitted a birth certificate with his name, testified that he was Jean Philippe Janvier and that he had used a fake passport. He welcomed a daughter with Ternier in 1999.
On July 31, 2000, an immigration judge ordered Janvier and Ternier deported. The couple challenged the decision through the Board of Immigration Appeals. But the next year, Janvier notified the court he was withdrawing his appeal and that he planned on living in Haiti. The board determined that his deportation order was final in July 2001. Janvier had another child with Ternier in 2002. The Department of Homeland Security set his departure date for June 26, 2003.
Instead of going back to Haiti, Bien-Aime married Marie Rose Chauvet, the American spouse, in 2001. Immigration authorities say that Janvier – under the name Bien-Aime – was still then married to another Haitian woman, Beatrice Gelin, who he claimed to have divorced. He applied for a green card as Philippe Bien-Aime through his marriage with Chauvet, in 2002. After he provided his fingerprints and was interviewed by immigration officers, the federal government granted Bien-Aime permanent residency.
In his green card application filed in 2002, he did not mention his deportation order and did not list any children. During his green card interview that same year, he mentioned one daughter he said was born in Haiti in 1999. The complaint says he and Ternier had welcomed a daughter in the United States in August 1999.
Meanwhile, in the application to make his green card permanent he listed one son: Marc Peterson, born August 1988, and no other children, according to the complaint. In his subsequent application to become a U.S. citizen, he listed Marc Peterson again, but with a different birthday, June 1987.
Bien-Aime went on to have a third child with Ternier in 2004. Bien-Aime’s campaign website for an unsuccessful run for Miami-Dade county commissioner in 2022 described as “loving husband to Sara and proud father of Saphi, Philjae, and Terphil.”
He applied for naturalization in 2005, once more using his current name. During the interview process to become a naturalized citizen, Bien-Aime did not disclose other names and claimed to not be married to more than one person at a time. He was approved for citizenship on Sept. 11, 2006 and took the naturalization oath 11 days later.
Nearly 13 years after Bien-Aime became a naturalized citizen, a 2019 report out of U.S. immigration offices in Port-Au-Prince determined his marriage to Ternier and divorces to both Ternier and Gelin were fraudulent. It also linked him to the Jean Philippe Janvier identity. At the time of the investigation, he was North Miami’s mayor.
Seven years later, in February 2026, the U.S. government moved to denaturalize him.
Raisa Habersham is the race and culture reporter for the Miami Herald. She previously covered Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale for the Herald with a focus on housing and affordability. Habersham is a graduate of the University of Georgia. She joined the Herald in 2022.
MIAMI (WSVN) – They’ve been rehearsing for weeks, and on Friday, the curtain went up on the Miami City Ballet’s 40th season. It’s a special occasion for the ballet company, and a special birthday for its founder.
Inside Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center Friday night, a birthday bash for the Miami City Ballet, and its founder, Toby Lerner Ansin.
“Well, it’s like a dream come true,” said Toby.
Ansin founded the Miami City Ballet, and this weekend, celebrates four decades of the ballet company and her 85th birthday.
“As a little girl, I could never have imagined I’d be sitting here and be one of the people responsible for all those dancers and the ballerinas and men on the stage,” said Toby.
Dancers have been rehearsing for weeks ahead of the world premiere of “Into the Magic City,” and Friday’s performance of “Roses from the South – Three Roses for Toby.”
“Well, I mean, it’s a big year, 40 years, you know,” Gonzalo Garcia, Miami City Ballet’s artistic director, said when asked what this night means for Toby.
Garcia is leading the ballet into a new era, but Friday is for Toby.
“We take a moment to breath, and to celebrate Toby, and to celebrate the beautiful dancers and everything that this community has built,” said Garcia.
The Miami City Ballet began at Toby’s kitchen table as an idea that her three children said she made into a reality.
“When she was 40 years younger, she had this dream, and to her credit, she made it come true,” said Andrew Ansin, the CEO of Sunbeam Development and Television.
“It’s wonderful that she was able to get a world-class choreographer, Alex Ratmansky, to create an epic ballet for her, which has the style and grace and energy of my mother,” said James Ansin, the co-president and general manager of Sunbeam Television.
Toby Ansin spent most of her life studying ballet, and after she left the stage, her daughter Stephanie helped her mother turn that passion into this institution.
“I stuffed envelopes for her,” said Stephanie Ansin, who works with the charitable Ansin Foundation. “It’s really nice that my mom is so happy. She’s high on this, she’s already planning her 90th ballet.”
But first, the world premiere of this new creation dedicated to the person who brought Miami City Ballet to life decades ago.
“‘You’re crazy!’ That’s what I would’ve thought. No one could’ve imagined that this is what could’ve happened,” Toby said when asked if she ever imagined she’d be in this moment before all the work she’s done. “It’s like a dream come true.”
This performance premiered on Friday night and runs through Sunday. For information on show times and tickets, click here.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Dr. Carlos Wolf is a partner at Miami Plastic Surgery and is board certified.
Dr. Wolf: I had my eyes done about four weeks ago. I’m feeling some hard spots along the incisions, and my eyelids are still numb. Is this normal, or should I be concerned? Do I need to go back to my doctor?
This is an excellent question—and one I’m glad you asked. Many patients experience these sensations after eyelid surgery, but few think to ask about them.
When I perform upper eyelid surgery, I make a point of explaining what to expect during recovery. Swelling continues to improve gradually over six weeks and, in some cases, up to a year. Numbness of the eyelids is also common and typically lasts six to eight weeks.
The firmness you’re noticing around four weeks is expected. This is when the incision undergoes its maximum contraction as it heals. I routinely see patients at this stage to reassure them and explain these changes. Small, firm areas—sometimes described as little “balls,” especially toward the outer corners of the incision—usually soften and resolve on their own with time.
While some patients look terrific just one week after surgery, most will still have mild residual swelling that can persist for several months—and occasionally up to a year. That’s normal.
Temporary eye dryness is also common for six to eight weeks after surgery and almost always resolves. Artificial tears can be very helpful. I especially notice dryness in patients who spend long hours on computers after surgery. I encourage them to consciously blink more often to keep the eyes lubricated. In nearly all cases, this improves as healing continues, assuming no excessive skin was removed.
Lower eyelid surgery can involve some similar healing changes, although numbness is less common. Occasionally, patients may notice a temporary change in eye shape due to chemosis, which is swelling of the conjunctiva (the inner lining of the eye). This swelling can push the lower lid downward but typically resolves on its own over time.
The key to a smooth recovery from this very popular—and highly gratifying—procedure is simple: listen to your surgeon, ask questions, and be patient. Eyelid surgery has one of the highest satisfaction rates for both patients and surgeons, and most healing concerns resolve naturally with time and proper care.
If something doesn’t feel right, never hesitate to check in with your doctor—but based on what you’ve described, what you’re experiencing sounds entirely normal.
Dr. Carlos Wolf is a partner at Miami Plastic Surgery and is board certified. Email your questions to cwolf@miamiplasticsurgery.com or call 305-595-2969. You can also follow him on Instagram @CarlosWolfMD or visit www.miamiplasticsurgery.com.
A 1-year-old was attacked by a family dog near the 400 block of Southeast Ninth Street in Hallandale Beach on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, police say.
Getty Images | Royalty Free
A 1-year-old child was attacked by a family dog in Hallandale Beach on Friday, according to police.
The child was attacked near the 400 block of Southeast Ninth Street while the mother was changing the baby, police say. The mother was able to pull the child away from the dog.
The child was taken to a hospital by the parents. The severity of the child’s injuries is still unknown, police added.
Broward County Animal Care and Control has been notified.
Milena Malaver covers crime and breaking news for the Miami Herald. She was born and raised in Miami-Dade and is a graduate of Florida International University. She joined the Herald shortly after graduating.
Unidentified driver is out of his vehicle checking on a skateboarder after striking him with his car near the Watsco Center on Thursday, Feb. 19. // Photo via Whitney Shelton.
A male riding a skateboard was struck by a gray Honda Odyssey near the Watsco Center parking lot around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19.
A UM student who witnessed the skateboarder get hit, Whitney Shelton, said that she was keeping her distance from the car before the accident because the driver had “cut [her] off turning into the University and almost hit [her] car.” The accident with the skateboarder occurred shortly after.
Shelton said that the driver turned left into the Watsco parking lot and the skateboarder was on the sidewalk. As the car turned into the parking lot, the skateboarder continued straight along the sidewalk — which went through the parking lot entrance — but the driver did not see him and crashed into him.
“I think he was scraped up and startled. I left before I could truly see all the injuries but it looked bad. The car hit the guy and he fell straight onto the ground and I believe rolled,” Shelton said. “He was very close to being run over because they slammed on [the] brakes after hitting him,” said Shelton.
Shelton said she nearly called 911, but she did not end up reporting the incident to UMPD or the police.
The driver and the passenger have not been identified, but the vehicle had a Florida license plate.
The Hurricane reached out to UM and members of UMPD and has not yet received a response.
Martina Panteleon contributed to the reporting of this article.
Welcome back to Strive 305 Kreyòl Special Edition, where we highlight Haitian entrepreneurs, community leaders, and inspiring stories shaping South Florida.
In this episode, hosts Jasmin Désir and Candice Mondésir sit down with various small business owners, small business community empowerers such as chamber leaders, and even Miami-Dade Mayor Cava.
Together, they share the powerful story behind growing small businesses.
For more shows, visit: cnewstv.com
ABOUT US:
Miami Community Newspapers is your go-to source for Miami community news, offering daily updates, podcasts, and multimedia content. Covering local events, business updates, and lifestyle features across Miami-Dade County, our family-owned media company publishes a variety of neighborhood publications both online and in print. Explore Miami’s culture through our exclusive community podcasts, magazines, and newsletters.
Miami Dade College (MDC) and the Overtown Youth Center (OYC Miami) have entered into a collaborative memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen pathways to education, workforce development and student success for youth and families in Miami-Dade County.
The agreement establishes a framework for joint initiatives, programs and services designed to expand access to higher education, provide academic and career readiness support, and promote long-term student achievement. The partnership reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to deliver innovative educational opportunities, mentorship and experiential learning for OYC Miami participants and the broader community.
“Miami Dade College is proud to partner with the OYC Miami to create meaningful pathways to education and student success for youth in our community,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega. “This agreement reflects our shared commitment to access, innovation, and opportunity, connecting young people to mentorship, academic preparation, and career-focused experiences that will empower them to reach their full potential.”
MDC’s access efforts will include early college awareness activities, readiness workshops, master classes, guest lectures, and college and career exploration opportunities such as campus visits, shadowing and bridge experiences. To support engagement and persistence, MDC students may provide tutoring and mentorship through service-learning initiatives, while student success coaching and transition support will help participants navigate enrollment, financial aid and the transition to college.
The partnership will also support workforce development and career exposure through continuing education opportunities, skills-based workshops and industry-informed programming designed to prepare participants for in-demand careers across South Florida. Dedicated liaisons from both organizations will collaborate to guide students from program participation through college entry and early academic success.
“Education and opportunity are powerful tools for transformation,” said Tina Brown, CEO of the OYC Miami. “This partnership with Miami Dade College expands the possibilities for our young people and families, connecting them to academic pathways, mentorship, and career preparation that support long-term success and economic mobility.”
About the Overtown Youth Center The Overtown Youth Center (OYC Miami), founded in 2003, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering youth and families through education, enrichment, and comprehensive support services. OYC Miami provides academic enrichment, college and career readiness programming, family services, health and wellness initiatives, and leadership development opportunities that help youth and families thrive and reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.OYCMiami.org.
About Miami Dade College Miami Dade College (MDC) is the most diverse institution in the nation, with 167 nations and 63 languages represented in its student body. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer over 300 distinct degree pathways, including associate and baccalaureate degrees, certifications and apprenticeships. MDC is the recipient of many top national awards, including the prestigious Aspen Prize, and has been ranked #5 among Top Public Institutions in the Southern Region by U.S. News & World Report. The College changes lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences. It is home to the Miami Culinary Institute, the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex, the Miami Fashion Institute, The Idea Center, the Cybersecurity Center of the Americas, two AI Centers, the Center for Learning, Innovation and Simulation at the Medical Campus, the Business Innovation & Technology Center, the School for Advanced Studies and New World School of the Arts, among others. MDC has been recognized among the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For” since the program’s inception. The College serves as an economic, cultural and civic leader for the advancement of our diverse global community. MDC alumni and employees contribute more than $5 billion annually to the local economy, and graduates occupy top leadership positions in every major industry. MDC’s renowned rich cultural programming includes the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, the National Historic Landmark Miami Freedom Tower, Koubek Center Mansion and Gardens, Live Arts Miami at MDC, the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives, and the Museum of Art and Design. MDC has admitted more than 2.5 million students and counting, since it opened its doors in 1960. Approximately 125,000 students are currently enrolled. For more information, visit www.mdc.edu.
25,000-square-foot facility will advance world-class animal care while offering guests a rare behind-the-scenes look at veterinary medicine in action
Zoo Miami today celebrated the groundbreaking of a new, state-of-the-art animal hospital, marking a major step forward in its mission to provide exceptional animal care, strengthen conservation efforts, and deepen public engagement through education and transparency.
The new 25,000-square-foot facility will be located within the zoo’s Blue Zone (formerly Asia) and thoughtfully integrated along a public guest pathway—giving visitors an unprecedented opportunity to observe animal care in action. Through carefully designed viewing areas, guests will gain insight into the science, skill, and compassion required to care for more than 2,000 animals representing nearly 400 species.
Purpose-built to meet the complex medical needs of wildlife ranging from small reptiles to large mammals, the hospital will include radiology and CT imaging suites, surgical and treatment rooms, a full laboratory and pharmacy, and secure animal transport areas.
Designed by Miami-based Stantec and constructed by The Camcon Group, the facility was developed in close collaboration with Zoo Miami’s veterinary professionals to ensure both advanced functionality and animal-centered design.
Key features include:
Intensive care and specialized recovery wards designed to promote low-stress healing environments
Dedicated aquatic treatment pools for crocodilians and other aquatic species
Padded induction stalls and smooth-wall pens for the safe handling of hoofstock
Wide public corridors and large viewing windows that allow guests to observe veterinary procedures without disrupting care
The hospital will also support year-round training, internships, and educational partnerships, helping prepare the next generation of wildlife veterinarians, technicians, and conservation scientists.
“This groundbreaking reflects our commitment to world-class animal care at Zoo Miami said Miami-Dade County Mayor, Daniella Levine Cava. “This new facility will strengthen and elevate veterinary services and animal welfare across the zoo.”
The $26 million – project is funded through a public-private partnership, with $18 million provided by Miami-Dade County and $6 million raised by the Zoo Miami Foundation. More than 400 donors contributed to the project, including lead support from the Weeks family, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, The Batchelor Foundation, The Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation, Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, The Tonkinson Foundation, Diane Dickhut, Holloway Family Foundation, The William J. and Isobel G. Clarke Foundation, The Sain-Orr and Royak-Deforest Steadman Foundation, and Florida Power & Light.
“This transformative project reflects how philanthropy and public partnership work hand in hand to advance animal wellness and conservation,” said Jose Romano, President & CEO of Zoo Miami Foundation. “Through the generosity of our donors and community, the Foundation is proud to support Zoo Miami as a leader in animal care with the right resources, innovation, and expertise needed to ensure the highest standards of health and welfare for every animal that calls the zoo home.”
Construction will begin immediately, with completion anticipated in Spring 2027. The new hospital will replace the zoo’s existing 5,600-square-foot facility built in 1983, greatly expanding capacity, technology, and clinical capabilities.
About Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami is the largest and oldest zoological garden in Florida and the only subtropical zoo in the continental United States. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Zoo Miami is home to more than 2,000 animals representing over 400 species and is dedicated to wildlife conservation, education, and providing exceptional animal care.For more information, visit www.zoomiami.org.
About Zoo Miami Foundation
Zoo Miami Foundation is dedicated to fostering a connection between people and wildlife while promoting conservation, research, and education. Founded in 1956, Zoo Miami Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that supports Zoo Miami through robust Learning Experience programs, supports vital conservation initiatives, and supplements key capital projects that bolster animal welfare and guest experiences at Zoo Miami. With one of the largest membership bases in South Florida, Zoo Miami Foundation continues to make a significant impact connecting with and educating the South Florida community to take conservation action! For more information, please visit http://www.zoomiami.org under Support.
Miami athletics delivered a packed week of highs and hard lessons. Margo O’Meara captured ACC gold on the 1-meter springboard, leading a strong showing for Hurricanes diving. On the hardwood, Tre Donaldson poured in 32 points — including Miami’s final 15 — to lift the Canes to a thrilling 67–66 win over Virginia Tech. Women’s basketball, meanwhile, continues to search for answers amid a four-game skid. And on the diamond, baseball secured a steady 6–2 midweek victory over Indiana State to keep momentum rolling. From championship dives to clutch heroics, it was a statement week across Miami sports.
There are some headlines that deserve more than a quick read — they deserve real recognition.
According to the most recent Point-in-Time Census conducted January 22–23, 2026, by the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, Miami Beach now has 93 unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness. That is the lowest number ever recorded in our city’s history.
Let that sink in.
Just one year ago, in January 2025, the number stood at 106. Today’s figure represents a 12% decrease in just 12 months and more importantly, it continues a steady downward trend over the past two years.
While many cities across the country are seeing their homeless populations increase, Miami Beach is quietly proving that a balanced, disciplined approach can work.
The census results were shared in a February 4, 2026 Letter to Commission from City Manager Eric Carpenter to Mayor Steven Meiner and the City Commission. The count reflects collaboration between the Homeless Trust, the City’s Homeless Outreach Services Division within the Department of Housing and Community Services, Miami Beach Police Department Homeless Resource Officers, and community volunteers.
For perspective, the January census reported 1,184 unsheltered individuals countywide. Of that total, 93 were in Miami Beach. These numbers don’t happen by accident.
City leadership has emphasized what they describe as a “services first, compassion always” philosophy — pairing outreach, mental health support, and housing navigation with enforcement of anti-camping laws designed to protect neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces.
That balance matters.
Residents want compassion. They also want clean sidewalks, safe parks, and public spaces that work for everyone. The City’s strategy has aimed to deliver both — helping individuals in crisis while maintaining quality of life for the broader community.
And the results speak for themselves.
Of course, 93 is not zero. There is still work to be done. Every number represents a human being facing serious challenges. But measurable progress is meaningful, especially when many municipalities continue to struggle with rising homelessness and limited solutions.
What we are seeing in Miami Beach is not rhetoric. It is data-backed progress.
A 12% reduction year-over-year. The lowest recorded count in city history. A coordinated effort between outreach teams, police, housing services, and volunteers.
That is what real results look like.
Miami Beach still has challenges ahead, but today, it also has something important: momentum.
And in public policy, momentum matters.
Congratulations to Mayor Meiner and team, keep up the great work.
This week at UM: The Frost Jazz Orchestra earns its first-ever Grammy nomination, Divine Nine members celebrate Black History Month with a halftime performance at a Miami Heat game, and the fashion rental app Tonight’s Dress gains popularity among students. We also cover what UM students should know before studying abroad — from culture shock to personal growth — and spotlight three compelling editorials on LGBTQ+ life in Miami, newsroom layoffs at The Washington Post and student government campaign promises.
Free and open to the public between April 24 – 26, 2026
The Town of Davie, in partnership with The Veterans Coalition of Coral Springs, is proudly hosting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall, a traveling memorial. The Moving Wall will be on display from April 24 – 26, 2026, at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds (4201 Southwest 65th Way, Davie, Florida 33314). Admission is free and open for viewing 24 hours a day beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 24, and concluding at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026.
The Moving Wall is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial “The Wall” in Washington, D.C. First introduced in 1984, it was created to bring the memorial experience to communities across the country. The traveling memorial is half the size of the original wall and tours from April through November, spending about a week at different sites nationwide.
While onsite at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds the Moving Wall will be open for passive viewing as well as special presentations throughout the weekend. A program of events, including guest speakers and special tributes will be released in the coming months.
This replica offers visitors the opportunity to locate a loved one’s name, pay tribute and make a free name rubbing from the etching on the wall.
The Veterans Coalition of Coral Springs will be accepting donations to support the coalition at www.veteranscoalitionofcoralsprings.org/moving-wall or contact Philip Balem, Co-Chair, at 443-572-6400 for more information.
For additional event information, contact the Town of Davie Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department at 954-797-1181.
Miami’s swimming team competing in its season opener against Florida International University at the Whitten Center Pool on Oct. 1. Photo credit: Miami Athletics
The diving stage closed with hardware at the ACC Swim & Dive Championships — and Miami’s swimmers wasted no time stepping onto the championship stage.
On the final day of diving competition at the conference championships inside the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, veteran Mohamed Farouk delivered a steady performance on platform to pace the Hurricanes. After qualifying second in the morning preliminary round, Farouk advanced to the evening final and placed seventh overall with a score of 329.40, securing valuable conference points for Miami.
The platform final marked the conclusion of the diving portion of the meet for the Hurricanes, who leave Atlanta’s boards with sharp momentum.
Leading that charge was Chiara Pellacani. After defending her ACC title in the 3-meter springboard earlier in the meet, Pellacani was named the conference’s Most Valuable Women’s Diver — a recognition that cements her dominance and consistency on the conference stage.
And as diving wrapped, swimming competition surged forward.
Miami’s top 200-yard medley relay team — Leah Treglia, Zofia Sobczak, Isabelle Videment and Ines Mahmoudi — touched in 1:39.18, opening the swimming slate with a competitive showing.
Later, the Hurricanes’ 800-yard freestyle relay quartet of Savannah Barr, Ashlyn Massey, Sarah Sensenbrenner and Brooke Murphy clocked a 7:12.22, adding depth and veteran presence to Miami’s early-on swim results.
With diving complete and swimming fully underway, the Hurricanes now shift focus to stacking points across the remaining days of competition which continue Wednesday in Atlanta — and Miami has already proven it intends to stay in the mix.
HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) – Rescue crews took one person to the hospital after an SUV slammed into a bus stop in Hollywood, shutting down Federal Highway during rush hour.
Hollywood Police and Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the crash along the 900 block of North Federal Highway, just after 6 a.m. on Friday.
Paramedics transported the patient to Memorial Regional Hospital in unknown condition.
An employee at a Circle K located across the street from the bus stop said the victim suffered severe trauma to one of their legs.
Hours later, 7’s Drone Force captured the damaged bus stop and mangled blue SUV, as well as the parking lot of a nearby CVS pharmacy cordoned off with police tape.
Officers closed Federal Highway in both directions between Johnson and Hayes streets while they investigate. They urge officers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this breaking story.
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Where can Florida Blue members get care in South Florida?
While there are a lot of providers that accept the health insurance in Miami-Dade County and the rest of the state, it’s not as easy to get care anymore in Broward County. Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System, the county’s two public hospital systems, are currently out-of-network with Florida Blue due to ongoing contract disputes.
And Cleveland Clinic Weston and its facilities could be out-of-network soon, too, if a deal isn’t finalized.
Florida Blue, which insurers about a third of the state, says there are still plenty of providers in Broward and neighboring counties to care for members.
HCA Florida, for example, told the Miami Herald it accepts Florida Blue at its 14 hospitals across South Florida and its over 65 MD Now Urgent Care locations. All 12 of its freestanding ERs, including the one in Plantation, and its over 100 HCA Florida physician offices also accept the insurance, including Medicare Advantage, HMO and ACA plans associated with Florida Blue.
Baptist Health South Florida, the region’s largest not-for-profit healthcare system, also has physician practices, urgent care centers and outpatient centers across South Florida, including in Broward County. It has 12 hospitals across South Florida, though none are in Broward County. Its first Broward hospital is set to open in Sunrise in 2029.
The fastest way to find a doctor near you is to use Florida Blue’s online doctor search. Patients should always call to double-check that the provider will accept your insurance.
The following list is based on information provided by Florida Blue. Patients should always check with their provider to make sure their insurance is accepted before booking an appointment.
Broward hospitals that accept Florida Blue
HCA Florida’s standalone ER in Plantation also accepts Florida Blue.
Primary care providers
Sanitas Medical Centers, which has a partnership with Florida Blue’s parent company, primarily provides primary and specialty care services to members of Florida Blue and other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Providers are not in the BlueMedicare PPO network or in the BlueMedicare HMO network. To find a location near you, visit mysanitas.com/en/fl#state-locations.
NSU Health provides a variety of medical services. For more information and to find a location, visit nsuhealth.nova.edu.
Holy Cross Medical Group includes more than 160 board-certified physicians across Broward County. Providers are affiliated with Holy Cross Health. To learn more about offered services and to find a doctor, visit holy-cross.com/services/holy-cross-medical-group.
Cleveland Clinic, which has a hospital and other centers in Broward, remains in-network, though that could change pending contract negotiations. If a deal isn’t made, Cleveland Clinic could go out-of-network as early as March 1.
Primary Medical Physicians has Broward offices in Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Davie and Plantation. The group also has a Miami-Dade office in Aventura. To learn more, visit primarymedicalphysicians.com.
Pediatric care
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, part of Memorial Healthcare System, and the Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, part of Broward Health, are out-of-network.
So what choices do Florida Blue members currently have for pediatric hospitals?
In Broward, parents can take their children to HCA Florida’s Northwest Hospital in Margate and University Hospital in Davie.
The other choices include Holtz Children’s Hospital, located on the main Miami campus of Jackson Memorial Hospital, part of Miami-Dade’s public hospital system, or Nicklaus Children’sHospital near South Miami. Nicklaus Children’s doesn’t have a dedicated hospital in Broward County, but it does have primary care and urgent care centers.
Nicklaus Children’s physicians working at Broward Health facilities also remain in-network, according to Broward Health. Still, you should check with your provider beforehand to ensure that the services needed are covered.
For general pediatric care, parents can also turn to NSU HealthPediatric Associates, which has offices across South Florida, and the Children’s Medical Association, which has offices in Plantation, Tamarac, Coral Springs and Miramar.
Cancer, orthopedic, maternity care and OB/GYN services
Here are some of the places where Florida Blue says its members can seek care:
It’s worth noting that other hospitals in Miami-Dade, including the Women’s Hospital at the main Miami campus of Jackson Memorial Hospital, also have labor and delivery units.
Michelle Marchante covers the pulse of healthcare in South Florida and also the City of Coral Gables. Before that, she covered the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes, crime, education, entertainment and other topics in South Florida for the Herald as a breaking news reporter. She recently won first place in the health reporting category in the 2025 Sunshine State Awards for her coverage of Steward Health’s bankruptcy. An investigative series about the abrupt closure of a Miami heart transplant program led Michelle and her colleagues to be recognized as finalists in two 2024 Florida Sunshine State Award categories. She also won second place in the 73rd annual Green Eyeshade Awards for her consumer-focused healthcare stories and was part of the team of reporters who won a 2022 Pulitzer Prize for the Miami Herald’s breaking news coverage of the Surfside building collapse. Michelle graduated with honors from Florida International University and was a 2025 National Press Foundation Covering Workplace Mental Health fellow and a 2020-2021 Poynter-Koch Media & Journalism fellow. Support my work with a digital subscription
Miami center Ra Shaya Kyle warms up pregame ahead of UM’s matchup versus Stanford on Feb. 19 2026 // Photo Courtesy University of Miami Athletics
Unity, culture, love — the words striped across the Miami Hurricanes warm-up shirts in honor of Black Awareness Month. A reminder for all the hardship, prejudice and heartache the black community has suffered, but also battled through to succeed.
And for a team that has struggled to put together wins all season, the UM Women’s Basketball team took those words to heart, putting together a spirited performance to cut down the Stanford Cardinal 66-51 on Thursday night at the Watsco Center.
“To win games and be connected you need all three (unity, culture, love),” said UM junior Amarachi Kimpson postgame. “Knowing that we’re connected allowed us to come out with a win.”
The triumph marked Miami’s first back-to-back win since Jan. 1, where UM took down Virginia Tech in an eventful overtime showdown.
MIami was in the midst of a torrid rough patch before this pair of wins, losing eight of ten from Jan. 4 to Feb. 8.
And while this win over Stanford might’ve been less dramatic than VT, it could prove as a crucial turning point in UM head coach Tricia Cullop’s second season — one using all three components of the pre-game messaging.
Unified.
Coming off only a seven point performance last weekend against Boston College, Miami guard Gal Raviv got to work early, dropping the game’s opening five points.
Stanford would take an 11-10 lead with 1:38 remaining in the first quarter, but it would mark the last time the Cardinal held the lead as Miami would retake the lead and never look back.
The Canes placed all five starters in double figures, as Raviv led the way with 19 points.
“[Raviv] sees the game better than anyone else on the team,” Cullop said. “She did a tremendous job of getting us into the actions we needed to do … leading us to victory.”
Center Ra Shya Kyle secured her fourth double-double in a row with her 11-point, 14-rebound performance, her 17th on the year.
Kimpson, Natalie Wetzel and Ahnay Adams would put up 14,12 and 10 respectively.
The effort from the starting five proved crucial for Miami, sparing the blunders of a zero-point bench performance.
And when the Canes needed it most, the offense took charge, unleashing a 22-point fourth quarter to ice the game.
Miami guard Ahnay Adams goes up for a jumpshot against Stanford on Feb. 19 2026 // Photo Courtesy University of Miami Athletics
Culture.
Despite being wedged in the bottom half of the ACC standings, this Hurricane team simply doesn’t know when to quit.
It’s a tenacious bunch who battle for loose balls and do everything in their power to disrupt an opposing offense.
The Canes caused havoc on the defensive end with their full court press, forcing 17 turnovers and never letting the Cardinal offense get into a rhythm.
“I’m really proud of our defense tonight,” Cullop said. “They paid attention to detail … made it tough for [Stanford] to get into a flow.”
Stanford struggled from the field, shooting only 31.7% and a 14.3% from beyond the arc.
Guard Hailee Swain was one of only two Cardinal on the night in double figures, her 16 points a lone bright spot for Stanford.
Adams in particular was one of the defenders all over the court for Miami, notching three steals alongside her ten points.
The sophomore guard continues to be a leader for Miami, who looks to her energy to jolt the side from start to finish.
Love.
With only three remaining games in the regular season for UM (14-12, 6-9 ACC), the Canes will look to ride some momentum all the way to the ACC Tournament in March.
“We understood how important this game was,” Cullop said. “Probably the best communicating game that we’ve had … the energy they gave each other made the court tremendous.”
The win launched Miami over Stanford (16-12, 5-10 ACC) into 12th in the ACC standings.
Crucial games loom for Miami against Cal, Pitt and Georgia Tech — as Cal and Georgia Tech rest just above Miami in the ACC standings.
“We want the best seed we can when we get there.”
UM will take on Cal this Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Watsco Center with coverage on ACCNX.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) – Authorities in Miami Gardens are asking for the public’s help with any information that could help them track down a suspect wanted for murder.
According to Miami Gardens Police, 45-year-old Yalanski Delon Dawkins is wanted in connection to the shooting death of 41-year-old Antonio Fannin.
Antonio Fannin
Officials say the shooting occurred on Jan. 5, 2025 at approximately 5:55 p.m. in the area of Northwest 161st Street and 26th Avenue.
Authorities believe Dawkins frequents the Orlando and Atlanta areas often.
Dawkins should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Yalanski Dawkins is urged to contact Miami Gardens Police Homicide Detective H. Baez De Jesus at 305-474-1615 (office). If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact the U.S. Marshals tip line at 1-800-869-4589 or Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at: 305-471-TIPS (8477)
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Alumni from the Classes of 1952 and 1956 gathered for a special Miami Senior High School reunion at Duffy’s Sports Grill, celebrating decades of memories, friendships, and school pride.
The event was filled with laughter, storytelling, and heartfelt moments as classmates reconnected and reflected on their time at Miami High. From shared traditions to lifelong bonds, this reunion honored the legacy and lasting impact of one of Miami’s historic schools.
A scooter driver was killed after colliding with a Brightline train in Pompano Beach, the 200th confirmed death tied to the Miami-Orlando rail line. Above, a Brightline train passes the scene of an earlier collision between another Brightline train and a vehicle near the 14100 block of Biscayne Boulevard in North Miami on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025.
Photo by David Santiago
dsantiago@miamiherald.com
A scooter driver was killed after colliding with a Brightline train early Thursday afternoon in Pompano Beach, deputies say. This marks the 200th confirmed death involving the high-speed rail that connects Miami to Orlando.
Around 12:50 p.m., a 911 caller told dispatchers there was a crash involving a Brightline train near East Copans Road and North Dixie Highway, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies learned the train collided with a scooter.
The scooter’s driver, whose name has yet to be released, was taken by Pompano Beach Fire Rescue to a nearby hospital, where he died. The BSO traffic-homicide unit is investigating the circumstances of the crash, which are still unclear.
A Pompano Beach city official told the Miami Herald the passengers on the train are “OK” and uninjured.
Brightline said it could not comment on the crash.
Since beginning test runs in 2017, Brightline trains have struck and killed at least 200 people in Florida, an investigation by the Miami Herald and WLRN found. The vast majority were pedestrians or bike riders.
Of the 200 dead, 173 were in South Florida: 70 in Broward, 69 in Palm Beach County and 34 in Miami-Dade. About 42% of the deaths have been officially ruled suicides.
Pompano Beach, where Thursday’s fatal collision occurred, has seen 19 deaths, the most of any city in Florida. The railroad crossing where the man was hit has seen four fatalities.
Miami Herald Cops and Breaking News Reporter Devoun Cetoute covers a plethora of Florida topics, from breaking news to crime patterns. He was on the breaking news team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2022. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida, born and raised in Miami-Dade. Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.
.jpg "A 1-year-old was attacked by a family dog near the 400 block of Southeast Ninth Street in Hallandale Beach on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, police say.")
