‘Collaboration’ can drive up health costs| Letters to the editor

In a recent column, Shane Strum argues that closer alignment between Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System is necessary to improve access. However, from a public health perspective, structural consolidation is unlikely to solve Broward’s challenges. Research shows that when large hospital systems coordinate or reduce competition, costs rise without meaningful improvements in quality or outcomes. In fact, higher costs untilately reduce access as patients delay, skip medications or... Read More

Today in History: February 20, Thousands attend pro-Nazi rally at Madison Square Garden

Today is Friday, Feb. 20, the 51st day of 2026. There are 314 days left in the year. Today in history: On Feb. 20, 1939, more than 20,000 people attended a rally held by the German American Bund, a pro-Nazi organization, at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Also on this date: In 1792, President George Washington signed an act creating the United States Post Office Department, the predecessor of the U.S. Postal Service. In 1862, William Wallace Lincoln, the 11-year-old son of President... Read More

Eric Dane, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Euphoria’ star, dies at 53

By MARIA SHERMAN NEW YORK (AP) — Eric Dane, the celebrated actor best known for his roles on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria” and who later in life became advocate for ALS awareness, died Thursday. He was 53. His representatives said Dane died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known also as Lou Gehrig’s disease, less than a year after he announced his diagnosis. “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and... Read More

Judge orders takeover of health care operations in Arizona prisons after years of poor care

By JACQUES BILLEAUD PHOENIX (AP) — A federal judge has ordered a takeover of health care operations in Arizona’s prisons and will appoint an official to run the system after years of complaints about poor medical and mental health care. The decision on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver came after her 2022 verdict that concluded Arizona had violated prisoners’ rights by providing inadequate care that led to suffering and preventable deaths. Silver wrote that the state... Read More

Records detail ‘reckless chain of events’ that led to deadly crash during BSO pursuit

Across a span of four miles and in less than 15 minutes, a “violent and reckless chain of events” ended with a 74-year-old man being killed in a crash with a Broward Sheriff’s deputy who was in pursuit of another car, court records say. Ronald Wilson would have celebrated his 75th birthday on Sunday, according to a GoFundMe online fundraiser organized by his family. Three minutes before midnight Monday, Wilson was driving his silver Toyota Tacoma north on Northwest 31st Avenue in... Read More

Gartin Named to CRCA Hall of Fame

Story Links WILMINGTON, Del. – The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) announced the inductees for the 2025 Hall of Fame class. Former Nova Southeastern University head rowing coach John Gartin, who was inducted into the Sharks’ Hall of Fame in 2019, is among the inductees and the recipient of the Trailblazer Award. Per the CRCA, Gartin has made a profound impact on collegiate rowing through program building, competitive success, and national leadership. He founded... Read More

Rodent rub marks, 256 droppings & a roach-smashing employee: 6 South Florida restaurants & 1 food truck shut

A flurry of rodent activity, including hundreds of droppings as well as rub marks along walls and ceilings, forced the state to temporarily shut two South Florida restaurants last week. However, these were among six restaurants and one food truck in Broward and Palm Beach counties that made the emergency closure list, with issues ranging from roaches crawling around kitchens to employees not washing their hands (one after rubbing/smashing a dead roach with their fingers). The South Florida... Read More

South Florida sees worst drought in 25 years. Here’s what to expect next.

South Florida is in for a dry hot spring this year, says the National Weather Service. Their latest predictions say temperatures are likely to be above normal, and rain levels are likely to be below normal through April. The region is currently experiencing the worst drought in 25 years, which came on the heels of a dry 2025. Forecasters said the parched conditions will continue through the spring. “It’s gonna be slow to get rid of this drought,” said AccuWeather meteorologist and... Read More

Early prenatal care, considered best for moms and babies, is on the decline in the US

By LAURA UNGAR, AP Medical Write Early prenatal care improves the chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. But a new federal report shows it’s been on the decline. The share of U.S. births to women who began prenatal care in the first trimester dropped from 78.3% in 2021 to 75.5% in 2024, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday. Meanwhile, starting care later in pregnancy or getting no care at all has been on the rise. Prenatal care... Read More