By PETER SMITH, Associated Press A member of the federal Religious Liberty Commission has been ousted after a hearing this week that featured tense exchanges on the definition of antisemitism. The ousted member, Carrie Prejean Boller, had defended prominent commentator Candace Owens, who routinely shares antisemitic conspiracy theories. Prejean Boller, a model turned conservative activist, denied that Owens had ever said anything antisemitic, quoted a Bible verse that attributed the death of... Read More
Fort Lauderdale double-murder linked to multiple deaths in Sarasota, police say
Investigators say a double homicide discovered during a well-being check in Fort Lauderdale was linked to a shooting rampage hours later in a gated community in Sarasota, which left five more people dead including the suspected shooter. The suspect had a romantic relationship with one of the Fort Lauderdale victims, who was connected to the victims in the second shooting in Sarasota, but Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office detectives released few other details. “The suspect’s motivation... Read More
‘Stand your ground’ hearing ends for 3 Miami cops accused of killing UPS driver in Miramar shootout
A Broward judge is giving lawyers two-and-a-half weeks to submit their “stand your ground” arguments for the three remaining defendants charged with manslaughter in the 2019 death of a UPS driver kidnapped by armed robbers in Miramar. Broward Circuit Judge Ernest Kollra ruled last year that Jose Mateo should not be subject to prosecution because he was acting lawfully in the belief that his use of force was necessary to end a threat caused by two robber-kidnappers who instigated the... Read More
House GOP pushes strict proof-of-citizenship requirement for voters ahead of midterm elections
By LISA MASCARO WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are rushing ahead on Wednesday on legislation that would impose strict new proof-of-citizenship requirements ahead of the midterm elections, a longshot Trump administration priority that faces sharp blowback in the Senate. The bill, called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE America Act, would require Americans to prove they are citizens when they register to vote, mostly through a valid U.S. passport or birth certificate.... Read More
I-595 truck collision injures 2 drivers, likely to keep westbound lanes closed through rush hour
A multiple-vehicle accident involving two trucks on Interstate 595 in Davie left two drivers injured Wednesday, closed the highway’s westbound lanes and caused a fuel spill of nearly 4,000 gallons. As of mid-afternoon, the roadway was still closed to traffic as an emergency crew cleaned up the spill just ahead of the daily rush hour for West Broward residents. The accident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. at Davie Road near the interstate highway’s complex interchange with Florida’s... Read More
Food delivery bots invade Broward: You have robot questions. We have human answers.
On her smartphone map, she watched the tiny dot scurrying toward her Fort Lauderdale address in real time. Then her phone buzzed with an alert: “Your food delivery robot is here!” Karla Joan Nelson-Thatcher raced downstairs to the sidewalk outside her Veneto Las Olas apartment and found, waiting near the front steps, what resembled a 3-foot-tall picnic basket on wheels with glowing Pac-Man eyes. It chirped, as did her phone: She scanned a QR code, the top lid unlocked and she grabbed... Read More
Fort Lauderdale’s street art fight: City is in settlement talks with state
Fort Lauderdale is still fighting to keep its street art — including the pride-themed rainbow painted on Sebastian Street near the beach — and a resolution could be just weeks away. Attorneys representing the city and the state are working on a settlement and have been given a deadline of March 12 by a state administrative law judge. Mayor Dean Trantalis declined to comment Wednesday, citing the ongoing litigation. The statewide crackdown that began in August has led to the removal of... Read More
Carson Beck, Rueben Bain Jr. highlight Hurricanes invited to NFL Combine
Ten Hurricanes received invitations to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, where many of the best prospects in the nation will work out for NFL scouts. Miami quarterback Carson Beck, wide receiver CJ Daniels, offensive lineman Markel Bell, offensive lineman Anez Cooper, offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr., defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, defensive back Keionte Scott and defensive back Jakobe Thomas all received invitations to... Read More
Chloe Kim shows no rust in a no-drama run through Olympic halfpipe qualifying
By EDDIE PELLS, Associated Press National Writer LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Chloe Kim got the drama over early in Olympic halfpipe qualifying Wednesday, nailing her first run on the way to a top finish and a spot in the final where she’ll go for her third straight title. United States’ Chloe Kim competes during the women’s snowboarding halfpipe qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) United States’ Chloe... Read More
Dual tower Ritz-Carlton private residences planned for Fort Lauderdale beach area
Another entry from the Ritz Carlton luxury brand is planned for the Fort Lauderdale beach area in the form of a dual tower private residences project, its backers announced Tuesday. The condo-only Ritz-Carlton Residences, Fort Lauderdale Beach, is envisioned for 551 Bayshore Drive on the Intracoastal Waterway side of the barrier island. Its two 13-story towers would contain 83 private homes on the waterway’s east bank. Sales opened this month with prices starting at $2.5 million, according... Read More