South Florida voters are making their intentions clear about casting their ballots during the coronavirus pandemic. They’re voting by mail — in droves. Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties have each passed the 100,000 mark in mail ballots cast for the Aug. 18 Democratic and Republican primaries and non-partisan elections for various offices including School Board and judgeships. Advertisement What’s remarkable about this year’s numbers is Broward and Palm Beach counties have already well exceeded the total number of vote-by-mail ballots cast in the August elections in both 2016 and...…South Florida voters are making their intentions clear about casting their ballots during the coronavirus pandemic. They’re voting by mail — in droves. Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties have each passed the 100,000 mark in mail ballots cast for the Aug. 18 Democratic and Republican primaries and non-partisan elections for various offices including School Board and judgeships. Advertisement What’s remarkable about this year’s numbers is Broward and Palm Beach counties have already well exceeded the total number of vote-by-mail ballots cast in the August elections in both 2016 and...WW…

Forward Jimmy Butler has been ruled out for a second consecutive game for the Miami Heat, with what the team now is terming right foot soreness, with guard Goran Dragic listed as questionable for Thursday’s 4 p.m. game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Disney World’s Wide World of Sports complex due to a sprained left ankle. The Heat also have ruled rookie forward KZ Okpala out, due to personal reasons. Advertisement Butler missed Tuesday’s 112-106 victory over the Boston Celtics due to what the team initially had termed “right ankle soreness.” It was the 12th game Butler missed this season....…Forward Jimmy Butler has been ruled out for a second consecutive game for the Miami Heat, with what the team now is terming right foot soreness, with guard Goran Dragic listed as questionable for Thursday’s 4 p.m. game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Disney World’s Wide World of Sports complex due to a sprained left ankle. The Heat also have ruled rookie forward KZ Okpala out, due to personal reasons. Advertisement Butler missed Tuesday’s 112-106 victory over the Boston Celtics due to what the team initially had termed “right ankle soreness.” It was the 12th game Butler missed this season....WW…

After months warning that voting by mail is riddled with fraud and would be used to rig the election against him, President Donald Trump suddenly reversed himself on Tuesday — at least as far as Florida is concerned. Trump now says voting by mail in Florida is great. Advertisement “Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True,” he . “[I]n Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail! #MAGA.” Trump’s about-face likely stems from self interest. Florida’s 29 electoral votes, more than a tenth of the 270...…After months warning that voting by mail is riddled with fraud and would be used to rig the election against him, President Donald Trump suddenly reversed himself on Tuesday — at least as far as Florida is concerned. Trump now says voting by mail in Florida is great. Advertisement “Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True,” he . “[I]n Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail! #MAGA.” Trump’s about-face likely stems from self interest. Florida’s 29 electoral votes, more than a tenth of the 270...WW…

The Florida Legislature will be making some tough decisions as the coronavirus pandemic sends the state’s revenues plummeting. Several key races are on the Aug. 18 ballot that will shape who is representing South Florida when the Legislature takes a hard look at funding for education, affordable housing and the environment. Advertisement Republicans are firmly in control in Tallahassee, holding 23 of the 40 Senate seats. In the House, Republicans control 73 of the 120 seats. But South Florida is a bastion of Democratic support. Given the region’s political makeup, several races will likely...…The Florida Legislature will be making some tough decisions as the coronavirus pandemic sends the state’s revenues plummeting. Several key races are on the Aug. 18 ballot that will shape who is representing South Florida when the Legislature takes a hard look at funding for education, affordable housing and the environment. Advertisement Republicans are firmly in control in Tallahassee, holding 23 of the 40 Senate seats. In the House, Republicans control 73 of the 120 seats. But South Florida is a bastion of Democratic support. Given the region’s political makeup, several races will likely...WW…

A Fort Lauderdale man faces charges of threatening to kill the president after he texted that he wanted to open Donald Trump’s skull “like the cantaloupe that it is,” authorities say. Cesar Saiz, 57, could get up to five years in federal prison because of the threats he made over the text message exchange, officials say. Advertisement Saiz sent the messages on the evening of July 18, telling an acquaintance that the only way to fix the country was to assassinate Trump, according to court records. “Take the demon down,” Saiz reportedly texted. “I am ready for civil war.” His acquaintance...…A Fort Lauderdale man faces charges of threatening to kill the president after he texted that he wanted to open Donald Trump’s skull “like the cantaloupe that it is,” authorities say. Cesar Saiz, 57, could get up to five years in federal prison because of the threats he made over the text message exchange, officials say. Advertisement Saiz sent the messages on the evening of July 18, telling an acquaintance that the only way to fix the country was to assassinate Trump, according to court records. “Take the demon down,” Saiz reportedly texted. “I am ready for civil war.” His acquaintance...WW…

A Category 1 Hurricane Isaias gusts reach South Florida, makes landfall in Bahamas as it begins to reorganize. High winds will start lashing South Florida in the middle of the night, working their way up the coast as what’s expected to be Hurricane Isaias makes its long-awaited march up the coast. Northern Palm Beach County may see the worst of it, with forecasts calling for gusts of up to 90 mph. Wind speeds and rain are expected to climb through the night, with Broward County experiencing the worst of it around dawn Sunday and Palm Beach experiencing peak winds through the morning and...…A Category 1 Hurricane Isaias gusts reach South Florida, makes landfall in Bahamas as it begins to reorganize. High winds will start lashing South Florida in the middle of the night, working their way up the coast as what’s expected to be Hurricane Isaias makes its long-awaited march up the coast. Northern Palm Beach County may see the worst of it, with forecasts calling for gusts of up to 90 mph. Wind speeds and rain are expected to climb through the night, with Broward County experiencing the worst of it around dawn Sunday and Palm Beach experiencing peak winds through the morning and...WW…

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra stressed after Friday's practice that the social statements being made with the resumption of the NBA season at Disney World come out of respect. The NBA has re-opened with players taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem, on courts emblazoned with "Black Lives Matter." The Heat plan a similar approach for Saturday's 1 p.m. game against the Denver Nuggets at the Wide World of Sports complex. Advertisement "The unified message in this fight against systemic racism and racial inequality is something that our entire Association is united to fight...…Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra stressed after Friday's practice that the social statements being made with the resumption of the NBA season at Disney World come out of respect. The NBA has re-opened with players taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem, on courts emblazoned with "Black Lives Matter." The Heat plan a similar approach for Saturday's 1 p.m. game against the Denver Nuggets at the Wide World of Sports complex. Advertisement "The unified message in this fight against systemic racism and racial inequality is something that our entire Association is united to fight...WW…

A poll of Florida voters released Thursday gives former Vice President Joe Biden a 4-point edge over President Trump, while also showing U.S. Rep. Val Demings of Orlando with little name recognition in her own state. The survey of 625 registered voters by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy of Jacksonville, conducted between July 20 to 23, shows Biden with 50% voter support to Trump’s 46%, with 4% undecided. Advertisement The result is a much smaller lead for Biden than last week’s Quinnipiac University poll that gave Biden a 13-point lead. But it’s in line with other Florida polls this month,...…A poll of Florida voters released Thursday gives former Vice President Joe Biden a 4-point edge over President Trump, while also showing U.S. Rep. Val Demings of Orlando with little name recognition in her own state. The survey of 625 registered voters by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy of Jacksonville, conducted between July 20 to 23, shows Biden with 50% voter support to Trump’s 46%, with 4% undecided. Advertisement The result is a much smaller lead for Biden than last week’s Quinnipiac University poll that gave Biden a 13-point lead. But it’s in line with other Florida polls this month,...WW…

In less than 100 days, at a time when our nation is at critical crossroads, citizens from all across America will make their choice to elect the next President of the United States. This upcoming election for president isn’t simply about electing a Democrat or a Republican, it’s about a fundamental choice about the kind of society we choose to live in and the future we desire for our families for generations to come. Every man, woman, and child in America has a fundamental right to live in communities that are safe and where men and women in law enforcement are respected for the personal...…In less than 100 days, at a time when our nation is at critical crossroads, citizens from all across America will make their choice to elect the next President of the United States. This upcoming election for president isn’t simply about electing a Democrat or a Republican, it’s about a fundamental choice about the kind of society we choose to live in and the future we desire for our families for generations to come. Every man, woman, and child in America has a fundamental right to live in communities that are safe and where men and women in law enforcement are respected for the personal...WW…

Endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police and the Police Benevolent Association have long been coveted by politicians. After all, what could be a better way for a candidate to show support for first responders and law & order than recommendations from police groups? The answer isn’t as clear in 2020 as it once was. Instead of serving as a badge of honor, recommendations from the FOP and PBA could, for some voters, amount to a scarlet letter. Advertisement Since Memorial Day, when George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by a white police officer who pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for...…Endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police and the Police Benevolent Association have long been coveted by politicians. After all, what could be a better way for a candidate to show support for first responders and law & order than recommendations from police groups? The answer isn’t as clear in 2020 as it once was. Instead of serving as a badge of honor, recommendations from the FOP and PBA could, for some voters, amount to a scarlet letter. Advertisement Since Memorial Day, when George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by a white police officer who pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for...WW…

Amid discussion of the NBA potentially having to play next season in a bubble setting similar to what is ongoing at Disney World, Miami Heat President Eric Woolworth has an optimistically contrasting perspective on 2020-21. "We plan on playing next season in front of fans, and plan on having a sold-out facility, just like we've had since going back to 2009, for all our games," Woolworth said in an interview shown during the broadcast of the team's Tuesday exhibition scrimmage finale. Advertisement "We're going to keep doing all the things we would do in an offseason. And we've been selling...…Amid discussion of the NBA potentially having to play next season in a bubble setting similar to what is ongoing at Disney World, Miami Heat President Eric Woolworth has an optimistically contrasting perspective on 2020-21. "We plan on playing next season in front of fans, and plan on having a sold-out facility, just like we've had since going back to 2009, for all our games," Woolworth said in an interview shown during the broadcast of the team's Tuesday exhibition scrimmage finale. Advertisement "We're going to keep doing all the things we would do in an offseason. And we've been selling...WW…

Four Florida groups that focus on young people, Black and Hispanic citizens, and felons who’ve served their sentences will share more than $2 million in funding to who’ve traditionally been underrepresented at the polls. The money, announced Tuesday, comes from the . Advertisement The grants are aimed at furthering strategies to turn out low-propensity voters, counter practices that make it difficult for some to vote, and help overcome difficulties in organizing and turning out voters during the coronavirus pandemic. Even a relatively small increase in the potential pool of voters can have...…Four Florida groups that focus on young people, Black and Hispanic citizens, and felons who’ve served their sentences will share more than $2 million in funding to who’ve traditionally been underrepresented at the polls. The money, announced Tuesday, comes from the . Advertisement The grants are aimed at furthering strategies to turn out low-propensity voters, counter practices that make it difficult for some to vote, and help overcome difficulties in organizing and turning out voters during the coronavirus pandemic. Even a relatively small increase in the potential pool of voters can have...WW…

Palm Beach County did nothing illegal by making people wear coronavirus marks in public places, a judge said Monday, upholding measures that have sparked a furious debate about public safety and personal freedom. “We do not have a constitutional right to infect others,” Circuit Court Judge John Kastrenakes said in his order, the first in South Florida. Advertisement Kastrenakes said the county was within its rights to require a mask to protect the public during a deadly pandemic, and people who failed to show that their constitutional rights were violated. “The right to be ‘free from...…Palm Beach County did nothing illegal by making people wear coronavirus marks in public places, a judge said Monday, upholding measures that have sparked a furious debate about public safety and personal freedom. “We do not have a constitutional right to infect others,” Circuit Court Judge John Kastrenakes said in his order, the first in South Florida. Advertisement Kastrenakes said the county was within its rights to require a mask to protect the public during a deadly pandemic, and people who failed to show that their constitutional rights were violated. “The right to be ‘free from...WW…

It’s a scary notification to get on your cellphone: “Attention: You may have been exposed to COVID-19.” That ominous warning is part of a new app called CombatCOVID that offers South Floridians a chance to see what has been invisible until now: whether they’ve crossed paths with someone who . Advertisement The app was developed by Shield Group Technologies in Palm Beach County and recently debuted on the Google Play store and is coming to Apple’s App Store. But despite more than a million dollars in government support, the app still faces questions about how widely it will be accepted and...…It’s a scary notification to get on your cellphone: “Attention: You may have been exposed to COVID-19.” That ominous warning is part of a new app called CombatCOVID that offers South Floridians a chance to see what has been invisible until now: whether they’ve crossed paths with someone who . Advertisement The app was developed by Shield Group Technologies in Palm Beach County and recently debuted on the Google Play store and is coming to Apple’s App Store. But despite more than a million dollars in government support, the app still faces questions about how widely it will be accepted and...WW…

Joe Cavaretta / South Florida Sun SentinelServers at Max's Grille at Mizner Park in Boca Raton wear face masks, Tuesday, June 23, 2020. New face mask regulations have gone into effect in Palm Beach County.Servers at Max's Grille at Mizner Park in Boca Raton wear face masks, Tuesday, June 23, 2020. New face mask regulations have gone into effect in Palm Beach County. (Joe Cavaretta / South Florida Sun Sentinel)<b>Chances of dying are ‘practically nil'</b>The perception is that the Florida death rate from COVID-19 is rising substantially in Broward County. But the numbers don’t support...…Joe Cavaretta / South Florida Sun SentinelServers at Max's Grille at Mizner Park in Boca Raton wear face masks, Tuesday, June 23, 2020. New face mask regulations have gone into effect in Palm Beach County.Servers at Max's Grille at Mizner Park in Boca Raton wear face masks, Tuesday, June 23, 2020. New face mask regulations have gone into effect in Palm Beach County. (Joe Cavaretta / South Florida Sun Sentinel)<b>Chances of dying are ‘practically nil'</b>The perception is that the Florida death rate from COVID-19 is rising substantially in Broward County. But the numbers don’t support...WW…

Florida jumped ahead of New York in confirmed cases of COVID-19 according to the CDC’s data, after the Sunshine State reported another 12,199 infections on Saturday. The state says 414,511 people have been diagnosed with the disease, placing it number two in the nation and now in front of New York State and its 411,140 cases. California leads the way with 425,616, based on the from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement The Florida Department of Health also said another 126 people have died from COVID-19 complications, for a total of 5,894 deaths in Florida....…Florida jumped ahead of New York in confirmed cases of COVID-19 according to the CDC’s data, after the Sunshine State reported another 12,199 infections on Saturday. The state says 414,511 people have been diagnosed with the disease, placing it number two in the nation and now in front of New York State and its 411,140 cases. California leads the way with 425,616, based on the from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement The Florida Department of Health also said another 126 people have died from COVID-19 complications, for a total of 5,894 deaths in Florida....WW…

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony discusses an incident from 1993 where he shot and killed an 18-year-old man. Tony was 14 at the time. A clearer picture is emerging of how a decades-old secret in Sheriff Gregory Tony’s past went undetected when he was vetted by Gov. Ron DeSantis over a year ago. Tony, 41, never disclosed on forms that he had shot and killed an 18-year-old man when he was a teenager living in a rough neighborhood in Philadelphia. Tony said in an interview this week he fired in self-defense and was never found guilty of wrongdoing. Advertisement Compounding that was a scramble to...…Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony discusses an incident from 1993 where he shot and killed an 18-year-old man. Tony was 14 at the time. A clearer picture is emerging of how a decades-old secret in Sheriff Gregory Tony’s past went undetected when he was vetted by Gov. Ron DeSantis over a year ago. Tony, 41, never disclosed on forms that he had shot and killed an 18-year-old man when he was a teenager living in a rough neighborhood in Philadelphia. Tony said in an interview this week he fired in self-defense and was never found guilty of wrongdoing. Advertisement Compounding that was a scramble to...WW…

An enduring perception about Broward County is that too many voters are basically clueless. People don’t pay enough attention to local issues or candidates and will fall for a misleading message every time. This is patently not true of most voters. But it might be true enough to make a difference in a crowded race in a low-turnout primary. That’s obviously what some insiders hope, and it’s shameful. Advertisement A highly misleading campaign piece is making the rounds, targeting Black voters in the Aug. 18 primary election. It’s so deceptive that leading elected officials and a respected...…An enduring perception about Broward County is that too many voters are basically clueless. People don’t pay enough attention to local issues or candidates and will fall for a misleading message every time. This is patently not true of most voters. But it might be true enough to make a difference in a crowded race in a low-turnout primary. That’s obviously what some insiders hope, and it’s shameful. Advertisement A highly misleading campaign piece is making the rounds, targeting Black voters in the Aug. 18 primary election. It’s so deceptive that leading elected officials and a respected...WW…

The man who staged a on July 4th and who was last week at a Broward County news conference is back with a new complaint against the county’s latest emergency order, which he says is unconstitutional. Chris Nelson, the Fort Lauderdale resident behind the group ReOpen South Florida, said he intends to file a lawsuit against the county’s order this week. Advertisement His complaint refers to Section 4A of the order, which says that residents of single or multi-family homes must enforce mask mandates on their property, including when they have guests over. “What this is saying is the property...…The man who staged a on July 4th and who was last week at a Broward County news conference is back with a new complaint against the county’s latest emergency order, which he says is unconstitutional. Chris Nelson, the Fort Lauderdale resident behind the group ReOpen South Florida, said he intends to file a lawsuit against the county’s order this week. Advertisement His complaint refers to Section 4A of the order, which says that residents of single or multi-family homes must enforce mask mandates on their property, including when they have guests over. “What this is saying is the property...WW…

Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony discussed his childhood last Oct. 28 at a community forum in Fort Lauderdale sponsored by the Westside Gazette newspaper. The people who did not live in Gregory Tony’s old neighborhood in north Philadelphia tended to avoid it if they could. The Broward County sheriff has spoken before of his tough experience growing up in the Badlands, telling church groups about how his friend was murdered and his mother was once shot. But it wasn’t until the last week that he openly spoke of the ordeal of killing a man in self-defense and being found not guilty. Advertisement...…Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony discussed his childhood last Oct. 28 at a community forum in Fort Lauderdale sponsored by the Westside Gazette newspaper. The people who did not live in Gregory Tony’s old neighborhood in north Philadelphia tended to avoid it if they could. The Broward County sheriff has spoken before of his tough experience growing up in the Badlands, telling church groups about how his friend was murdered and his mother was once shot. But it wasn’t until the last week that he openly spoke of the ordeal of killing a man in self-defense and being found not guilty. Advertisement...WW…

Brenda Forman, who is running for a second term as Broward Clerk of Courts, posted a lengthy quotation inaccurately attributed to Adolf Hitler to her Facebook page. A little more than 24 hours after she posted it, after community members and people in politics took to social media and email Tuesday night to spread word about the post, it was deleted from Forman’s Facebook page — after she had posted responses to critics in which she defended posting the quotation. Advertisement The quote — about how to take control away from people — has been erroneously attributed to Mein Kampf, the Nazi...…Brenda Forman, who is running for a second term as Broward Clerk of Courts, posted a lengthy quotation inaccurately attributed to Adolf Hitler to her Facebook page. A little more than 24 hours after she posted it, after community members and people in politics took to social media and email Tuesday night to spread word about the post, it was deleted from Forman’s Facebook page — after she had posted responses to critics in which she defended posting the quotation. Advertisement The quote — about how to take control away from people — has been erroneously attributed to Mein Kampf, the Nazi...WW…

UPDATE: Following the launch of Locast in South Florida on Tuesday, the company said it was made aware that some users on the Roku streaming platform have been unable to view local channels and are instead receiving a message that they are not inside Locast’s service area. To fix this, the company advises affected users should open a support ticket at and provide their ZIP code and their IP address (which should be displayed on their TV screens with the location error message). Users can also find their IP address at . “Once we have that information, one of our support team can reset their...…UPDATE: Following the launch of Locast in South Florida on Tuesday, the company said it was made aware that some users on the Roku streaming platform have been unable to view local channels and are instead receiving a message that they are not inside Locast’s service area. To fix this, the company advises affected users should open a support ticket at and provide their ZIP code and their IP address (which should be displayed on their TV screens with the location error message). Users can also find their IP address at . “Once we have that information, one of our support team can reset their...WW…

This story was originally published by . As hospitals across the United States brace for a difficult six months — with the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic still raging and concerns about a second wave in the fall — some are acutely short-staffed because of an ill-timed change to immigration policy and its inconsistent implementation. Advertisement A issued by President Donald Trump on June 22, barring the entry of most immigrants on work visas, came right as hospitals were expecting a new class of medical residents. Hundreds of young doctors were unable to start their residencies on...…This story was originally published by . As hospitals across the United States brace for a difficult six months — with the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic still raging and concerns about a second wave in the fall — some are acutely short-staffed because of an ill-timed change to immigration policy and its inconsistent implementation. Advertisement A issued by President Donald Trump on June 22, barring the entry of most immigrants on work visas, came right as hospitals were expecting a new class of medical residents. Hundreds of young doctors were unable to start their residencies on...WW…

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state’s commitment to three of the state’s historically Black colleges and universities with recurring funding in the state’s budget at a news conference at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach on Wednesday. DeSantis, who as a congressman represented Volusia County, had developed a relationship with leaders at Bethune-Cookman, and said he wanted to keep the independent HBCUs - historically Black Colleges and Universities - in the budget recommendations when approaching the new year. Advertisement “Mary McLeod Bethune’s 145th birthday is coming up on...…Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state’s commitment to three of the state’s historically Black colleges and universities with recurring funding in the state’s budget at a news conference at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach on Wednesday. DeSantis, who as a congressman represented Volusia County, had developed a relationship with leaders at Bethune-Cookman, and said he wanted to keep the independent HBCUs - historically Black Colleges and Universities - in the budget recommendations when approaching the new year. Advertisement “Mary McLeod Bethune’s 145th birthday is coming up on...WW…

COVID-19 patients aren’t the only ones struggling to breathe right now. Native Florida snakes have once again fallen victim to Burmese pythons -- more specifically, a freeloading lung parasite the invasive species brought over from Southeast Asia. This parasite is so infectious, native snakes are already spreading it on their own outside of python territory, moving north through Florida and threatening to invade other states. Advertisement Raillietiella orientalis is the creature in question. These worm-looking parasites enter snakes through their prey. Once inside a lung, they leech...…COVID-19 patients aren’t the only ones struggling to breathe right now. Native Florida snakes have once again fallen victim to Burmese pythons -- more specifically, a freeloading lung parasite the invasive species brought over from Southeast Asia. This parasite is so infectious, native snakes are already spreading it on their own outside of python territory, moving north through Florida and threatening to invade other states. Advertisement Raillietiella orientalis is the creature in question. These worm-looking parasites enter snakes through their prey. Once inside a lung, they leech...WW…