STEPHANY MATAT

Kelli Roiter, a condo owner in one of the few residential buildings designed in 1971 by architect Morris Lapidus, looks out her balcony at other waterfront high-rise buildings, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Roiter supports new rules that require condo associations to maintain reserves and make necessary structural repairs. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Florida condo owners look at higher costs as new regulations take effect in the new year
It requires associations to have sufficient reserves to cover major repairs and to conduct a survey of reserves every decade.
December 27, 2024
Alon Alexander, 37, right, and his twin brother, Oren, left, attend their bond hearing at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building after being charged with multiple state and federal crimes, including sex trafficking and rape, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in Miami. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald via AP, Pool)
Federal judge denies Alexander brother bail on sex charges, saying real estate star is a flight risk
A federal judge has ordered that a prominent real estate broker be held without bond on sexual assault and trafficking charges.
December 13, 2024
FILE - Rep. Susan Valdes, D-Tampa, debates on a bill to allow teachers to be armed during session, May 1, 2019, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon, file)
Florida lawmaker’s party switch increases Republican supermajority in the House
Democratic Florida state Rep. Susan Valdés is switching parties, which will extend Republicans’ supermajority in the House. Valdés, a former school board member from Tampa, announced her decision Monday.
December 10, 2024
SUV strikes and kills 2 South Florida motorcycle deputies and injures a 3rd, sheriff says
Officials say an SUV struck and killed two South Florida motorcycle deputies and critically injured a third as they stood with their bikes alongside a busy roadway.
November 21, 2024
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., speaks at a campaign watch party on election night Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Bonita Springs, Fla., as members of his family, including his wife Ann, stand on stage with him/ (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Florida Republican Rick Scott wins a second term in the U.S. Senate
Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott easily won a second term against former Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. Scott now aims to run for Senate leadership to succeed the retiring U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.
November 6, 2024
Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers discusses the medical marijuana company's product and packaging safety standards at an event in support of Amendment 3, a ballot initiative which would legalize the recreational use of pot in Florida for adults 21 years old and older, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at a Trulieve medical cannabis dispensary in Hallendale Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Florida voters reject measures to protect abortion rights and legalize recreational marijuana
Florida voters rejected ballot measures to protect abortion rights and legalize marijuana. Tuesday’s results hand a victory to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who used state resources and campaigned heavily to defeat each issue.
November 6, 2024
FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gestures during a news conference, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, at the Tampa Electric Company offices in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
DeSantis approves changes to election procedures for hurricane affected counties
Florida voters and election supervisors in hurricane affected areas will have extra time and flexibility to ensure they still have the ability to vote in November elections after Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended several election rules and deadlines.
October 17, 2024
FILE - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Florida elections officials seek flexibility on voting rules after hurricanes
Florida elections officials are seeking accommodations from Gov. Ron DeSantis after multiple counties were devastated by Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
October 16, 2024
Tony Brazzale removes part of a tree felled by a tornado from in front of his house in Wellington, Fla., Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Stephany Matat)
Far from where Hurricane Milton’s eye hit, tornadoes wrought unexpected damage
Tony Brazzale expected Hurricane Milton would be a “nonevent” for his family. It was forecast to hit Florida’s west coast and track across the state well to the north of their home in Wellington, near West Palm Beach.
October 12, 2024
Shoppers load cases of water at the Costco at Costco, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in Altamonte Springs, Fla., as residents prepare for the impact of approaching Hurricane Milton. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP)
Ahead of hurricane strike, Floridians should have a plan, a supply kit and heed evacuation advice
Emergency managers say having a plan and an emergency kit before Hurricane Milton strikes is paramount. And for many Floridians, heeding warnings to evacuate could be a life-saving decision.
October 7, 2024
Hurricane Helene victims include young siblings killed by falling tree as they slept
Hurricane Helene killed scores of people when it struck Florida late last week and then plowed through the Southeast as one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history.
October 2, 2024
Ryan Wesley Routh takes part in a rally in central Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, April 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges
A man who authorities say spent 12 hours camped outside Donald Trump’s golf course before Secret Service spotted him with a rifle has pleaded not guilty to federal charges including attempted assassination.
September 30, 2024
Freestyle Digital Media just released the twisted romantic comedy-thriller THE LIFE OF PETER GOTTLIEB, now available to rent/own on all North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms, as well as on DVD, starting on September 24, 2024
US to seek attempted assassination charge against man accused of staking out Trump at golf course
The man accused in the apparent assassination attempt of Donald Trump wrote a note months earlier saying that he intended to kill the former president.
September 23, 2024
FILE - A Burmese python is held during a safe capture demonstration at a media event for the 2022 Florida Python Challenge, June 16, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
Grand prize winner removed 20 Burmese pythons from the wild in Florida challenge
The winner of the Florida Python Challenge removed 20 Burmese pythons from the Everglades. Ronald Kiger was announced as the winner on Tuesday and will take home the $10,000 grand prize.
September 17, 2024
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers remarks and answers questions at a news conference Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida will launch criminal probe into apparent assassination attempt of Trump, governor says
Florida law enforcement officials will launch their own criminal investigation into the apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump that will run parallel to the federal probe. Florida Gov.
September 18, 2024
Law enforcement officials work outside of the Trump International Golf Club after the apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours, records show
The man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting Donald Trump camped outside a Florida golf course with food and a rifle for nearly 12 hours. That’s according to court documents filed Monday.
September 17, 2024
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at Harry Reid International Airport to board a plane after a campaign trip, Saturday, Sept.14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Trump was the subject of an apparent assassination attempt at his Florida golf club, the FBI says
The FBI says Donald Trump was the target of “what appears to be an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. It’s been just nine weeks since the Republican presidential nominee survived another attempt on his life.
September 16, 2024
FILE - Former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell of Florida, center, now a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, center, and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, right, help kick off a national "Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour" by the campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Gov. Tim Walz, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Boynton Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
Democrats claiming Florida Senate seat is in play haven’t put money behind the effort to make it so
Florida Democrats have been boldly proclaiming that Florida is in play for this year’s November elections, but their campaign spending hasn’t matched those claims. In the state’s U.S. Senate race, incumbent Sen.
September 12, 2024
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives to speak during a campaign event at Central Wisconsin Airport, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Mosinee, Wis. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Trump signals support for reclassifying pot as a less dangerous drug, in line with Harris’ position
Donald Trump has signaled support for a potentially historic federal policy shift to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. His opponent in the presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris, has also supported the federal policy change.
September 9, 2024
FILE - Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., speaks during the second day of the Republican National Convention July 16, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Sen. Rick Scott wins Florida GOP primary as he seeks a second term
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott has won Florida’s Republican primary as he seeks a second term in office. He’ll face Democratic former U.S. Rep.
August 21, 2024
Thomas Aycock, a contractor with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, drives along a levy searching for invasive Burmese pythons, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, in the Florida Everglades. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
A hunter’s graveyard shift: grabbing pythons in the Everglades
In the dead of night, hunters go deep into the Florida Everglades, searching for the invasive Burmese pythons that are eating up mice, rabbits and other prey. The only gleam on those dark nights come from a pickup truck’s headlights.
August 18, 2024
FILE - People wait in line to vote outside of an early voting site in Miami Beach, Fla., Oct. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Florida now counts 1 million more registered Republican voters than Democrats
Florida has about 1 million more Republican registered voters than Democrats, further cementing its status as a conservative hotbed.
August 12, 2024
CORRECTS PHOTO CREDIT TO STEPHANY MATAT - Zachary Chejanovski, an interagency python management coordinator with the Florida Wildlife Commission, holds down a nine-foot-long Burmese python during a demonstration of how to safely capture snakes Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, the first day of the Florida Python Challenge, in Everglades Holiday Park in Broward County, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephany Matat)
Snake hunters will wrangle invasive Burmese pythons in Everglades during Florida’s 10-day challenge
The annual Florida Python Challenge this year begins the competition between hunters to capture the most and longest Burmese pythons.
August 10, 2024
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Netanyahu meets with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, offering measured optimism on a Gaza cease-fire
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu worked to mend ties with Donald Trump on Friday and offered measured optimism about progress toward a cease-fire deal for Gaza.
July 27, 2024
A car crosses the flooded road caused by heavy rain on North Bay Rd in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP)
Hurricane season 2024 is here. Here’s how to stay prepared
Hurricane season is upon us, and emergency management officials are urging residents to stay prepared. Unlike previous hurricane seasons, this summer brings record hot temperatures nationwide and an early onset of storms.
July 3, 2024
FILE - Former first lady Melania Trump leaves after voting in the Florida primary election in Palm Beach, Fla., March 19, 2024. Melania Trump is not expected to speak at next week’s Republican National Convention, which will feature speeches by other Trump family members and a long list of GOP officials. The former first lady will attend the convention, but does not appear on a list of headliners and keynote speakers released by convention organizers Saturday, July 13. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
Former first lady Melania Trump stays out of the public eye as Donald Trump runs for president
After Melania Trump missed some key events in her husband’s presidential campaign this year, she told reporters who asked about her thin schedule to “stay tuned.”
June 23, 2024
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures after speaking at his birthday celebration, hosted by Club 47, in West Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, June 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Trump marks his 78th birthday with a towering ‘MAGA’ cake and attacks on his 81-year-old rival’s age
Donald Trump has marked his 78th birthday by addressing a fawning crowd in Florida, promising to crack down hard on the U.S.
June 15, 2024
Shark attack victims are recovering from life-altering injuries in Florida panhandle
A teenager who lost both a leg and one of her hands in a Florida shark attack has this to say of her ordeal: “I made it.” That’s according to Lulu Gribbin’s mother, Ann Blair Gribbin, who wrote about the Friday ordeal in a post on Caringbridge.org.
June 10, 2024
FILE - Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., speaks, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 14, 2024. Scott says his decision to vote against a proposed amendment to legalize marijuana in Florida is deeply personal due to his family's long history of addiction. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, file)
Florida Sen. Rick Scott says he’ll vote against recreational pot after brother’s death
Sen. Rick Scott of Florida says he’ll vote in November against a ballot amendment to legalize recreational marijuana in his state. He says this is a deeply personal decision based on his brother’s long history of addiction.
June 8, 2024
An improvised altar with photos of Evarado Ventura Hernández stands at his relatives' house in Agua Del Sol, Oaxaca, Mexico, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Ventura Hernandez was one of eight farmworkers, all from Mexico, killed in a bus that overturned Tuesday morning in Florida. (AP Photo/Maria Alferez)
Families of Mexican farmworker bus crash victims mourn the loss of their loved ones
Families are mourning the loss of their loved ones from a bus crash in Florida earlier this week. Officials say eight Mexican farmworkers were killed after 41-year-old Bryan Howard sideswiped a bus carrying about 53 farmworkers, where the bus veered off the road and rolled over.
May 17, 2024
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