Standout Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa is leaving UM early to enter the NFL draft, he announced Thursday. “(To) the University of Miami, thank you for giving me the best (three) years of my life,” Mauigoa wrote in an Instagram post. “Coach (Mario) Cristobal and coach (Alex) Mirabal, thank you for giving me a once in a lifetime opportunity. The hard work and the culture y’all have instilled in me are something I will carry on for the rest of my life. ‘How you do anything is... Read More
Manager of Broward medical equipment company convicted in $11 million Medicare fraud
A Broward County man was convicted at trial this week of charges that could lead to a maximum federal prison sentence of 125 years for his role in an $11 million Medicare fraud conspiracy. Christian Cruz, 45, of Pompano Beach, was a nursing assistant and the manager and registered agent of a Fort Lauderdale-based company called Brace Yourself MD that supplied durable medical equipment, according to an indictment. His co-defendant Jorge Luis Almansa, who federal prosecutors said remains at... Read More
Spirit Airlines reported to be in acquisition talks with investment firm
Spirit Airlines on Thursday declined to discuss a CNBC report that the South Florida-based carrier is in talks with an investment firm to acquire the company, which is operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The financial news outlet reported that Castlelake of Minneapolis, an alternative investment firm that last year formed an aviation lending arm, is the suitor. Founded in 2005, the firm has $33 billion in assets under management, and maintains three U.S. offices and six... Read More
People in Gaza dig through garbage for things to burn to keep warm — a far cry from Trump’s vision
By TOQA EZZIDIN and JULIA FRANKEL CAIRO (AP) — Desperate Palestinians at a garbage dump in a Gaza neighborhood dug with their bare hands for plastic items to burn to keep warm in the cold and damp winter in the enclave, battered by two years of the Israel-Hamas war. The scene in the Muwasi area of the city of Khan Younis contrasted starkly with the vision of the territory projected by world leaders gathered in Davos, Switzerland, where they inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board... Read More
Step inside history: Cattle car replica brings Holocaust survivor testimonies to South Florida
History isn’t just a lesson here. It becomes real inside a World War II cattle car replica. The centerpiece of a traveling exhibit by Boca Raton’s Hate Ends Now, the cattle car will be on display at two South Florida locations this month: Coconut Creek and Coral Springs. “While misinformation spreads quickly and historical memory fades fast, our exhibit aims to help connect past events to present-day consequences,” said Todd Cohn, CEO of the nonprofit Hate Ends Now. “It reinforces... Read More
Proposal to require state oversight of insurance affiliate payments clears first hurdle in Legislature
Property insurance companies would face increased scrutiny by state regulators over payments they make to parent and affiliate companies — which critics say can be used to cloud profits and justify rate increases — under a bill unanimously supported by a House insurance committee. Supporters say the measure, if enacted by the full Legislature, will save policyholders money by preventing insurers from paying excessive fees. The bill, sponsored by Pinellas County Republican Kimberly... Read More
Book review: Private detective mystery meets relevant history lesson in ‘The Red Scare Murders’
‘The Red Scare Murders’ by Con Lehane; Soho Crime; 400 pages; $29.95 Award-winning author Con Lehane melds a solid private detective novel with a satisfying historical look at the communist witch hunt during the McCarthy era of the early 1950s in “The Red Scare Murders.” In this launch of a new series, Lehane tackles conspiracy theories, racism, power-mad politicians and how families and careers were ruined through blacklisting, while also depicting the intricacies of New York City... Read More
US applications for jobless benefits inch up last week to a still-low 200,000
By MATT OTT, Associated Press Business Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits inched up last week but U.S. layoffs remain historically low despite signs of a softening labor market. U.S. filings for jobless aid for the week ending Jan. 17 rose by 1,000 to 200,000, up from 199,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s fewer than the 207,000 new applications that analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet were... Read More
There’s the beef: Charm City Burger Co. announces opening date for new Boca Raton restaurant
Better make room for a double cheeseburger, South Florida. Sirloin slingers Evan David and Mike Saperstein definitely have. After more than two years of delays, the owners of the critically beloved Charm City Burger Co. in Deerfield Beach tell the South Florida Sun Sentinel they will debut their first sister restaurant in downtown Boca Raton on Friday, Jan. 23. The long-awaited location will feature a dramatically larger space and menu including cheesesteak subs, chicken tenders, salads, new... Read More
Fort Lauderdale keeps 4 a.m. closing for bars in nightlife districts but bans outdoor alcohol sales
The days of roaming from bar to bar with an alcoholic beverage in hand will soon be ending in Fort Lauderdale. After two separate shootings at night spots on the beach and downtown, Fort Lauderdale plans to ban outdoor alcohol sales and open-container consumption at all five of its special entertainment districts, including Beach Place and Himmarshee Village. Commissioners approved the plan Tuesday night and are expected to take a final vote next month before the arrival of Spring Break. An... Read More