Miami is a fast paced community with a rapid fire news cycle. Our blog keeps you current on the most important issues affecting the tax payers of Miami-Dade county. Read, share, comment, and as always let us know what topics you want us to tackle.
Lionel Messi makes InterMiami debut big party — in Fort Lauderdale
It literally rained on their parade Sunday when InterMiami owners Jorge Mas and David Beckham — and a few thousand fans — officially and publicly welcomed international soccer star Lionel Messi to the team. It’s good to know they could brave the fat raindrops that became streaks on their suit coats.
Number 10 came out on the field at the old Lockhart Stadium to the Lil’ Baby and Tears for Fears ” remake The World Is Yours to Take. Now, isn’t that just a perfect soundtrack for this group?
Miami’s Alex Diaz de la Portilla raises more than $1.2 mil in four months
Miami Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla is still raising money hand over fist for his re-election this November. In the last two months, he’s raised more than $610,000, almost as much as the two months previously, bringing the total since March to more than $1.2 million.
In his campaign’s first month, Diaz de la Portilla raised only $76,603. That’s hard money. He’s better at the soft money, or “indirect” contributions via his political action committee, Proven Leadership For Miami-Dade, which reported getting $124,000 in June and $492,249 in May.
Sabina Covo leads Miami District 2 candidates in campaign fundraising
Miami Commissioner Sabina Covo, who won a special election in February to replace Commissioner Ken Russell, who resigned to run unsuccessfully for Congress, is raising money like a real incumbent.
Between her campaign account ($69,400) and her political action committee, Dream Miami ($238,150), she’s got more than $300K raised so far, according to her latest campaign finance reports, which is a lot for a seemingly clueless newbie. It includes $25,000 from attorney Jay Solowsky, vice president of the Brickell Homeowners Association, $12,500 from Jorge Mas, who is building Miami Freedom Park on the Melreese golf course, and $15,000 from Becker Boards, which does outdoor advertising like on buses, $10,000 from real estate investor Gregory Freedman, co-founder and co CEO of BH3, and $8,000 from Event Entertainment Group.
Pathetic Francis Suarez offers prizes for POTUS campaign contributions
In his desperate attempt to get on the GOP presidential debate map, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is giving away both a free year of college and a front row seat to soccer legend Lionel Messi’s first game at InterMiami.
All one has to do is give $1 to his campaign.
Former state rep, election attorney JC Planas files for 2024 Elections chief
From state representative to attorney to the pols to Elections Supervisor? That’s the track former State Rep. JC Planas, who has become the premier elections attorney in town, hopes to take.
Planas, 52, presented paperwork Friday to run for Supervisor of Elections in 2024. A reformed Republican turned blue after Donald Trump won the White House in 2020, he also blames Trump’s attempt in 2020 to pervert the system for his interest in the position.
Video: Kionne McGhee attacks constituents, calls Redland critics liars
After he won his fake “agritourism” item — which is really a free-for-all at the Redland for food trucks and wedding parties — Miami-Dade Commissioner Kionne McGhee had an impromptu rally at County Hall with his supporters and called other constituents liars and interlopers for opposing his measure.
“Some of the things you heard on the record here, they were not true,” he tells a press room full of people wearing red t-shirts to support his measure, riling them up for a photo op. “They were making up stuff. And I’m sitting there like, ‘Wow, like, you can really make up stuff.’”
Street wars: Judge orders Silver Bluff barricades removed, streets opened
Beba Mann is going to have a cow.
After more than two years and a prolonged legal battle between the county and city of Miami, illegal plastic barricades placed suddenly and without a public process to restrict traffic in Silver Bluff were finally removed Wednesday morning.
Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago continues to throw shade post election
Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago is a sore loser.
Three months after the April election, in which his chosen slate lost to two independent commission candidates, Lago is still being petty and vindictive with the victors. This week, he cropped them out of the photo he posted on Twitter from the Fourth of July celebration at The Biltmore Hotel.
Redland residents worry about move to allow food trucks, parking on farmlands
Change would also allow breweries and “fruit stand” like businesses
Race for State House 118 begins with two Republicans seeking vacant slot
Gov. Ron Desantis hasn’t yet called for a special election to replace State Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin, who he named Miami-Dade Clerk to replace the late, great Harvey Ruvin. But that doesn’t stop the wannabes from chomping at the bit.
Already two Cuban-American Republicans have said they will run for the seat, which stretches from Tamiami through Kendale Lakes, The Crossings and goes al the way to South Miami Heights: Miami Beach firefighter Christian Chavez and personal injury attorney Mike Redondo, who has come out swinging at the “radical left,” positioning himself as an ultra conservative and sounding like an echo of DeSantis.
