The Broward Sheriff’s Office is asking the state to force the county to increase spending on law enforcement, accusing county government of misrepresenting how much of its budget is dedicated to the agency. The Sheriff’s Office accounted for $833 million of the $1.8 billion budget passed by the Broward County Commission for the budget year that started Oct. 1. But that number can be considered misleading — the Sheriff’s Office is funded by the portion of the county’s budget funded... Read More
‘They’re gone’: 911 calls describe plane crash, explosion in Coral Springs | Listen
Houses shook, the smell of gas permeated the air and debris from the small plane that crashed and exploded into a lake were flung into the streets of the Windsor Bay neighborhood in Coral Springs, 911 callers told dispatchers. Coral Springs Police were inundated with call after call shortly after 10 a.m. Monday, detailing the minutes after the 1976 Beech B100 aircraft came quickly dropping out of the air into the gated community in the 5000 block of Northwest 57th Way. Alexander Wurm, a... Read More
Top Dolphins-Commanders prop bets from Chris Perkins and David Furones
MIAMI GARDENS — It’s Year 2 for Sun Sentinel Dolphins columnist Chris Perkins and Dolphins writer David Furones picking prop bets, which they’ll do for all 17 regular-season games. Prior to each game, Furones and Perkins will select a “Best Bet” and a “Longshot.” The “Best Bet” selection is a near 50-50 proposition while the “Longshot” is at least +300 or a 3-to-1 probability. They don’t place dollar amounts on their bets, but you’re... Read More
Members sue historic Broward church, accusing pastor of misusing finances
The pastor of one of Broward’s oldest and most prominent Black churches was in court Friday morning trying to put down a revolt that threatens to escalate into a civil war, one that has dozens of longtime members accusing him of improperly using church funds to buy a home in West Palm Beach. Ezra Tillman was appointed senior pastor of First Baptist Church Piney Grove in March 2023. The Lauderdale Lakes church, with a congregation of more than 1,500, is the worship home of numerous past and... Read More
Using detainees and prisoners as photo props has a long history in American politics
By DEEPTI HAJELA, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — The images are as current as now and as old as a century ago: people in custody, sometimes behind bars, at times in shackles, under the watchful eyes of those in charge. Sometimes as backdrops, sometimes in the foreground, always at the decision of someone in authority. They’ve been a visual hallmark of President Donald Trump’s administration, part of his agenda to crack down on immigration and carry out mass deportations. They can be... Read More
South Florida commuter rail project in limbo after latest ruling on Brightline lawsuit
The commuter rail system that Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach county officials have for years been working to create remains in limbo after a judge on Thursday paused the lawsuit that had been standing in its way. Florida East Coast Railway, the company that owns the railroad tracks Brightline trains run on, sued Brightline in August over an alleged breach of contract. FECR argues the private passenger train company violated its agreement with the railway by negotiating a commuter rail... Read More
Epstein emails reveal enduring ties with influential figures even after his sex crime conviction
By JESSE BEDAYN, Associated Press By the time Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl, he had established an enormous network of wealthy and influential friends. Emails made public this week show the crime did little to diminish the desire of that network to stay connected to the billionaire financier. Thousands of documents released by the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday offer a new glimpse into what Epstein’s relationships with... Read More
Proposed referendum to change Broward’s name to Lauderdale draws opposition, suffers setbacks
The idea of changing Broward County’s name to Lauderdale County is still alive — but it’s in big trouble. Opponents came forward Thursday, most significantly from state lawmakers who represent the county, and from county commissioners. They raised multiple objections, including: The cost of making the change. The optics of making the change when some residents are feeling tough times. Whether it makes sense to replace “Broward,” named for someone with controversial racial views,... Read More
Brad Marchand reaches 1,000 career points as Panthers hammer Capitals
SUNRISE — Brad Marchand reached 1,000 career points with two assists, Sam Reinhart scored twice and Florida Panthers beat the Washington Capitals 6-3 on Thursday. Eetu Luostarinen, Seth Jones, Cole Schwindt and Evan Rodrigues also scored for the Panthers, who began a run of 11 of 12 games at home. Marchand assisted on Jones’ goal that put Florida ahead 5-3 late in the third period and Luostarinen’s empty-netter with 1:30 remaining. Marchand has 335 goals and 565 assists in 1,116... Read More
Hurricanes standout Keionte Scott injured leading into N.C. State game
The Hurricanes will be without one of their best players this season when they face N.C. State on Saturday. Nickel back Keionte Scott was listed as out on Miami’s availability report, which was released Thursday night. The Hurricanes will also be without running back Mark Fletcher Jr., wide receiver Tony Johnson for the second straight game and cornerback OJ Frederique Jr. for the third straight game. Defensive tackle David Blay Jr., who suffered an injury against Syracuse, was listed as... Read More