Like the ‘LeBron effect,’ businesses look to bring ‘Messi magic’ to Fort Lauderdale

You could call them the Lionel Messi money trains. Late Friday afternoon the first of six Brightline trains over a two-hour span — each carrying up to 230 passengers from Miami and West Palm Beach — were scheduled to pull into the downtown Fort Lauderdale station to offload hardcore soccer fans eager to see the superstar’s first on-field appearance for Inter Miami CF. While “Messi mania” has been well-chronicled since the global soccer icon signed his contract earlier this month,... Read More

YNW Melly murder trial jury reports deadlock but continues deliberations

The jury considering the fate of Jamell “YNW Melly” Demons finished up its first full day of deliberations Friday, continuing to debate his guilt or innocence even after telling the judge that they were deadlocked. Broward Circuit Judge John J. Murphy read the instruction known as an “Allen charge,” which directs jurors to make a concerted effort to reach unanimous agreement to hold off a mistrial. Jurors signaled just after 2 p.m. that they had made up their minds but could not agree... Read More

NY or CA? New Haven or Chicago?: Our guide to 13 pizza styles you’ll taste in South Florida

South Florida is officially a United Nations of pizza, with new styles arriving on our shores every week, from Chicago’s casserole-style deep dish to Detroit’s square pies with red sauce on the cheese. Yes. On. The. Cheese. Owing partly to local ingenuity and the pandemic migration of Californians, Midwesterners and Northeasterners, South Florida today is home to at least 13 regional pizza styles — including Cuban and Haitian, Argentinean and Greek. Just how well do you know your pizza... Read More

Will the heat ever end? Forecasters say probably not anytime soon

The heat is beginning to feel like deja vu, with one advisory after another. The National Weather Service has placed South Florida under yet another heat advisory through Sunday — the latest in a string of similar warnings with no real end in sight. Next week could bring a small amount of relief, forecasters say, but only by a few degrees. Broward County is under an excessive heat warning, the National Weather Service announced Friday afternoon, with heat indices or “feels-like”... Read More

Philadelphia’s American Jewish history museum extends free admission

(JTA) The most prominent American Jewish history museum is extending a free admission program that began when it reopened following the pandemic. Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images A view of the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, March 17, 2020. Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images The elimination of ticket fees through at least the end of 2023 reflects a vote of confidence in Philadelphia’s  Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, which was fighting... Read More