Jury rejects death penalty for convicted killer in Taco Bell murder

Broward Circuit Judge Dennis Bailey read the jury’s verdict, which found that the murder was “especially heinous, atrocious and cruel” and that it was committed during the course of a robbery, but that those facts were not enough to warrant a death sentence. Ritchie, 30, broke into a smile when it became clear his life was being spared. ... Read More

Aston Martin’s high rise in Miami will be the tallest residential building south of New York

Aside from views of Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, much of Miami and points west, the Aston Martin project will include 42,275 square feet of sky amenities encompassing four floors connected by a glass staircase. A long list is highlighted by an infinity pool, sky bar and lounge, grand salon, movie theaters, virtual golf, boxing gum, spinning studio, fitness centers and spas, an art gallery, business center, conference room and kids playroom and teen center. ... Read More

Gov. DeSantis crosses line to appoint conservative judge | Editorial

The month before he took office, the governor he had defeated, Claude Kirk Jr., promoted his friend David McCain from an appeals court to the Supreme Court. He did so despite the Florida Bar’s well-informed warning that McCain was corrupt. McCain went on to prove that and was about to be impeached in 1975 when he resigned. Three other justices who had been elected got into ethical trouble, as well. Two of them resigned. ... Read More

The Bible’s Impact on Human Rights

The ideas of human dignity and respect for all didn’t develop in a vacuum. The Bible begins with the story of creation. God speaks the universe into existence. Within that story is the account of the creation of humankind. According to the Bible, above and beyond everything else God made, humans are special, his crowning achievement! The Book of Genesis records the moment when God decided to create human beings: “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our... Read More

The ‘First-Century Mark’ Saga from Inside the Room

My reflections after eight years of silence. When one of the world’s top Greek scholars at a top university spread “first and second century” New Testament manuscripts on top of his office pool table, my colleague and I about fainted. Surrounded by classical busts, Egyptian funerary masks, and a pile of medieval binder fragments, we stood mesmerized in the office of Dirk Obbink at Christ Church, Oxford. The “First-Century Mark” saga began. It’s still... Read More

PCA Sides With the Nashville Statement Over Revoice’s Approach

Evangelicals in favor of traditional marriage debate the place of LGBT identity in the church. Faced with more proposals addressing LGBT issues than any other topic, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) last night approved measures to affirm the Nashville Statement and launch its own study committee on sexuality. The voting extended past midnight as pastors debated how their denomination could best clarify its positions, provide clergy helpful resources, and offer pastoral care for... Read More

Luxury steakhouse Meat Market coming to Boca in 2020; new seafood restaurant opening in Uncle Tai’s site

Meat Market Boca Raton will feature 6,700 square feet of restaurant space and a pool bar, and will be open for lunch, dinner and happy hour. The Renaissance’s pool deck is undergoing a $1.5 million enhancement, with a new pool, pool bar and cabanas. It will be the site of weekend pool parties and other events, similar to those held at Las Vegas hotels, according to the release. ... Read More

Let the Women’s World Cup Get Political

When athletes become advocates around hot-button issues, Christians need not retreat. All the reasons that we love following sporting events become even more enticing when the game is played at the highest level of competition and on a global scale. This month’s FIFA Women’s World Cup brings the excitement and emotions of tournament play, wrapped up in the paradoxical feeling of watching games in which we act as if everything is at stake for us when in reality, very little truly... Read More

A new top killer emerges in hurricanes, and many blame climate change

Like a giant sponge, a hurricane absorbs water evaporating off the warm surface of the ocean. As the hurricane proceeds on its path, the sponge is constantly absorbing water and wringing itself out, producing rain. In a warmer climate, the sponge is bigger because warm air can hold more water vapor. And since the ocean itself would be warmer, more water would evaporate into the sponge to return to earth as rain. ... Read More