Ron DeSantis examined the sparse resume and erroneous assertions of Kyle Lamb and saw attributes lesser executives might have missed. It must have been Lamb’s dazzling combination of inexperience and inexpertise that convinced the governor to hire a sports-blogger-turned-Uber-driver from Columbus, Ohio, to analyze Florida’s pandemic stats (bypassing 700,000 unemployed Floridians, some of whom surely boast a comparable dearth of public-health literacy). Advertisement Uber’s loss was Florida’s gain. Lamb, 40, announced on his Twitter feed Nov. 6 that he has been hired as a “data analyst on...…Ron DeSantis examined the sparse resume and erroneous assertions of Kyle Lamb and saw attributes lesser executives might have missed. It must have been Lamb’s dazzling combination of inexperience and inexpertise that convinced the governor to hire a sports-blogger-turned-Uber-driver from Columbus, Ohio, to analyze Florida’s pandemic stats (bypassing 700,000 unemployed Floridians, some of whom surely boast a comparable dearth of public-health literacy). Advertisement Uber’s loss was Florida’s gain. Lamb, 40, announced on his Twitter feed Nov. 6 that he has been hired as a “data analyst on...WW…

UPDATE: The Wharf announced Sunday that after reopening for two days. It will remain closed until it is able to operate normally again. Original story follows: Advertisement Closed for most of 2020 because of the pandemic, The Wharf Fort Lauderdale reopened Friday night with crowds of mask-less young partygoers dancing, drinking and hanging out with no social distancing. Pandemic? Videos and photos on social media from opening night show hundreds of young people jammed together drinking cocktails under a covered bar area. Almost all are without facemasks. A similar scene occurred Saturday...…UPDATE: The Wharf announced Sunday that after reopening for two days. It will remain closed until it is able to operate normally again. Original story follows: Advertisement Closed for most of 2020 because of the pandemic, The Wharf Fort Lauderdale reopened Friday night with crowds of mask-less young partygoers dancing, drinking and hanging out with no social distancing. Pandemic? Videos and photos on social media from opening night show hundreds of young people jammed together drinking cocktails under a covered bar area. Almost all are without facemasks. A similar scene occurred Saturday...WW…

Our nation, the world’s oldest democracy, stands at the doorway of a dictatorship that seemed unimaginable before Donald J. Trump attained the presidency. In his desperation to retain the office he fairly won four years ago and fairly lost on November 3, Trump has bared the mind and menace of a tyrant. There is no better word for his conduct although the word “traitor” also comes to mind. Advertisement Since the Constitution narrowly defines treason as “levying war” against the United States or in “adhering to their enemies,” Trump’s machinations might not qualify as that crime, which is...…Our nation, the world’s oldest democracy, stands at the doorway of a dictatorship that seemed unimaginable before Donald J. Trump attained the presidency. In his desperation to retain the office he fairly won four years ago and fairly lost on November 3, Trump has bared the mind and menace of a tyrant. There is no better word for his conduct although the word “traitor” also comes to mind. Advertisement Since the Constitution narrowly defines treason as “levying war” against the United States or in “adhering to their enemies,” Trump’s machinations might not qualify as that crime, which is...WW…

As Florida Democrats plot their political comeback, they are facing a tough reality: The Sunshine State is Trump country. Florida Republicans swayed Latino voters, boosted support in the state’s rural heartland and cut into the Democratic advantage in big cities. Advertisement President Donald Trump and tripled his margin of victory from four years ago, carrying the state by more than 370,000 votes. Despite Trump’s loss nationally, Florida Republicans are ecstatic. “I have never been more excited and bullish about where our party is headed,” said Christian Ziegler, vice chair of the...…As Florida Democrats plot their political comeback, they are facing a tough reality: The Sunshine State is Trump country. Florida Republicans swayed Latino voters, boosted support in the state’s rural heartland and cut into the Democratic advantage in big cities. Advertisement President Donald Trump and tripled his margin of victory from four years ago, carrying the state by more than 370,000 votes. Despite Trump’s loss nationally, Florida Republicans are ecstatic. “I have never been more excited and bullish about where our party is headed,” said Christian Ziegler, vice chair of the...WW…

HANALEI, HAWAII — In the last state. On the last island. Down the last road. At the last speck of a no-stoplight town before the United States drops into the Pacific Ocean. This is where sports' reigning hermit possibly lives, protected by friends, geography and a six-foot hedge. Public records say he owns this unassuming, two-story home. But no family member or former teammate will confirm it. No telephone number is available. And there's only a decades-old football photo to measure the man in the front yard against. "Hi, Jake Scott?" I ask. "Jake's up in the house,'' the man says,...…HANALEI, HAWAII — In the last state. On the last island. Down the last road. At the last speck of a no-stoplight town before the United States drops into the Pacific Ocean. This is where sports' reigning hermit possibly lives, protected by friends, geography and a six-foot hedge. Public records say he owns this unassuming, two-story home. But no family member or former teammate will confirm it. No telephone number is available. And there's only a decades-old football photo to measure the man in the front yard against. "Hi, Jake Scott?" I ask. "Jake's up in the house,'' the man says,...WW…

All the talk about Donald Trump going from the White House to cable TV mogul doesn’t mean the president is going to take over Palm Beach County-based Newsmax and turn it into Trump TV. “I would welcome the president’s involvement in the channel,” Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy said Friday in a telephone interview. Advertisement But even for the longtime Trump friend there are limits. "We don’t want to be Trump TV. We want to be Newsmax.” Newsmax, headquartered in Boca Raton, is so pro-Trump that it doesn’t recognize Joe Biden as the president elect, something done by in the country. But...…All the talk about Donald Trump going from the White House to cable TV mogul doesn’t mean the president is going to take over Palm Beach County-based Newsmax and turn it into Trump TV. “I would welcome the president’s involvement in the channel,” Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy said Friday in a telephone interview. Advertisement But even for the longtime Trump friend there are limits. "We don’t want to be Trump TV. We want to be Newsmax.” Newsmax, headquartered in Boca Raton, is so pro-Trump that it doesn’t recognize Joe Biden as the president elect, something done by in the country. But...WW…

Caron Butler spent nearly two decades attempting to make it back to the Miami Heat after he was dealt in 2003 to the Los Angeles Lakers for Shaquille O’Neal. There now, again, is a front-row seat with the Heat for the team’s 2002 first-round pick. Advertisement Butler confirmed Friday to the Sun Sentinel that he has agreed to join Erik Spoelstra’s coaching staff, taking the place of assistant coach Dan Craig, who departed to join the new staff of Tyronn Lue with the Los Angeles Clippers. Butler, 40, joins fellow former Heat players Chris Quinn, Malik Allen and Anthony Carter on Spoelstra’s...…Caron Butler spent nearly two decades attempting to make it back to the Miami Heat after he was dealt in 2003 to the Los Angeles Lakers for Shaquille O’Neal. There now, again, is a front-row seat with the Heat for the team’s 2002 first-round pick. Advertisement Butler confirmed Friday to the Sun Sentinel that he has agreed to join Erik Spoelstra’s coaching staff, taking the place of assistant coach Dan Craig, who departed to join the new staff of Tyronn Lue with the Los Angeles Clippers. Butler, 40, joins fellow former Heat players Chris Quinn, Malik Allen and Anthony Carter on Spoelstra’s...WW…

President Donald Trump, angry at what used to be his most prominent champions in conservative media, is sending his followers to , the conservative website and cable channel based in Palm Beach County. Newsmax is relishing the attention from the president — and the surge in interest. Advertisement Christopher Ruddy, the CEO, a longtime friend of Trump’s and reportedly , appeared on one of the channel’s programs on Thursday to describe a conversation in which the president praised his network and trashed his former favorite, Fox News. Ruddy quoted the president as being “quite critical of...…President Donald Trump, angry at what used to be his most prominent champions in conservative media, is sending his followers to , the conservative website and cable channel based in Palm Beach County. Newsmax is relishing the attention from the president — and the surge in interest. Advertisement Christopher Ruddy, the CEO, a longtime friend of Trump’s and reportedly , appeared on one of the channel’s programs on Thursday to describe a conversation in which the president praised his network and trashed his former favorite, Fox News. Ruddy quoted the president as being “quite critical of...WW…

One of the leaders of the Proud Boys, the far-right group that President Donald Trump told to “stand back and stand by” during a presidential debate, is trying to rebrand the organization as explicitly white supremacist and anti-Semitic. Kyle Chapman, the founder of a “tactical defense arm” of the Proud Boys known for engaging in street violence, claimed in a message on the encrypted chat app Telegram that he has staged a “coup” against the — a Cuban man named Enrique Tarrio. Advertisement “We will confront the Zionist criminals who wish to destroy our civilization,” Chapman wrote after...…One of the leaders of the Proud Boys, the far-right group that President Donald Trump told to “stand back and stand by” during a presidential debate, is trying to rebrand the organization as explicitly white supremacist and anti-Semitic. Kyle Chapman, the founder of a “tactical defense arm” of the Proud Boys known for engaging in street violence, claimed in a message on the encrypted chat app Telegram that he has staged a “coup” against the — a Cuban man named Enrique Tarrio. Advertisement “We will confront the Zionist criminals who wish to destroy our civilization,” Chapman wrote after...WW…

Tropical Storm Eta’s record-breaking deluge may be part of a pattern of more intense rains and higher tides that have turned late fall in South Florida into a season of super floods. A new study from climate researchers at the University of Miami adds to the evidence that humans —and their greenhouse gas emissions — are largely to blame. Advertisement The study looked at the relationship between sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and rainfall in South Florida. It argues that greenhouse gas emissions from humans are the likely source of the hotter sea water and . “The water is...…Tropical Storm Eta’s record-breaking deluge may be part of a pattern of more intense rains and higher tides that have turned late fall in South Florida into a season of super floods. A new study from climate researchers at the University of Miami adds to the evidence that humans —and their greenhouse gas emissions — are largely to blame. Advertisement The study looked at the relationship between sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and rainfall in South Florida. It argues that greenhouse gas emissions from humans are the likely source of the hotter sea water and . “The water is...WW…

William Latson, the disgraced former principal whose comments about the Holocaust caused an international uproar, was officially fired on Tuesday by the Palm Beach County School Board. The board last week had agreed to terminate his employment, for the second time, but issued a final order on Tuesday that rejected several rulings by a state administrative judge who recommended Latson’s reinstatement. Advertisement The board voted unanimously without comment. Latson, who had been principal at Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, can appeal the ruling to the 4th District Court of Appeal....…William Latson, the disgraced former principal whose comments about the Holocaust caused an international uproar, was officially fired on Tuesday by the Palm Beach County School Board. The board last week had agreed to terminate his employment, for the second time, but issued a final order on Tuesday that rejected several rulings by a state administrative judge who recommended Latson’s reinstatement. Advertisement The board voted unanimously without comment. Latson, who had been principal at Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, can appeal the ruling to the 4th District Court of Appeal....WW…

Firing an employee or passing them over for a promotion because of their Afros, cornrows, braids or dreadlocks could become illegal in Broward County. County commissioners agreed Tuesday to put the issue of hairstyles to a public hearing next month. If approved, that are a “trait of race” could become a protected classification under the county’s Human Rights Act, which already protects people from discrimination for their age, gender, sexual orientation and race, among other issues. Advertisement It mimics the CROWN Act, an anti-hair-discrimination law that stands for “Creating a...…Firing an employee or passing them over for a promotion because of their Afros, cornrows, braids or dreadlocks could become illegal in Broward County. County commissioners agreed Tuesday to put the issue of hairstyles to a public hearing next month. If approved, that are a “trait of race” could become a protected classification under the county’s Human Rights Act, which already protects people from discrimination for their age, gender, sexual orientation and race, among other issues. Advertisement It mimics the CROWN Act, an anti-hair-discrimination law that stands for “Creating a...WW…

Former President Barack Obama is returning to South Florida on Monday to rally support for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. The Biden campaign, which limits attendance at events because of the pandemic, has not announced details about the event. Advertisement Obama last in South Florida for his former vice president, . He took shots at President Donald Trump at a drive-in rally, comparing Trump’s behavior in the White House to “Florida man.” “Florida man wouldn’t even do this stuff,” Obama said. “Why we are accepting it from the president of the United States? It’s not normal...…Former President Barack Obama is returning to South Florida on Monday to rally support for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. The Biden campaign, which limits attendance at events because of the pandemic, has not announced details about the event. Advertisement Obama last in South Florida for his former vice president, . He took shots at President Donald Trump at a drive-in rally, comparing Trump’s behavior in the White House to “Florida man.” “Florida man wouldn’t even do this stuff,” Obama said. “Why we are accepting it from the president of the United States? It’s not normal...WW…

Felons across Florida are being allowed to vote, despite a court case that raised questions about their right. In an email Thursday, the state elections office gave local supervisors new directives allowing tens of thousands of felons in Florida to cast ballots. Advertisement Ron Labasky, general counsel of the Florida Supervisors of Elections, instructed that felons registered after Sept. 11 had a right to vote, despite an appellate court ruling that found they need to fulfil all conditions of their sentence, including paying all fines, to be eligible. The instructions Friday were yet...…Felons across Florida are being allowed to vote, despite a court case that raised questions about their right. In an email Thursday, the state elections office gave local supervisors new directives allowing tens of thousands of felons in Florida to cast ballots. Advertisement Ron Labasky, general counsel of the Florida Supervisors of Elections, instructed that felons registered after Sept. 11 had a right to vote, despite an appellate court ruling that found they need to fulfil all conditions of their sentence, including paying all fines, to be eligible. The instructions Friday were yet...WW…

Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Saturday sought to ensure that Black and Latino voters show up by Election Day in the numbers needed to propel Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to victory in Florida, as some Democratic strategists worried turnout in these vital communities may be weak in Miami-Dade County. Harris delivered a shot of enthusiasm at campaign stops near Florida International University, Snyder Park in Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach State College in suburban Lake Worth. Advertisement Barack Obama — the nation’s first Black president — will provide the chaser...…Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Saturday sought to ensure that Black and Latino voters show up by Election Day in the numbers needed to propel Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to victory in Florida, as some Democratic strategists worried turnout in these vital communities may be weak in Miami-Dade County. Harris delivered a shot of enthusiasm at campaign stops near Florida International University, Snyder Park in Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach State College in suburban Lake Worth. Advertisement Barack Obama — the nation’s first Black president — will provide the chaser...WW…

Democrats and Republicans agree on a key strategic question in the final days of the Joe Biden-Donald Trump presidential race: The winner could depend on how many Black voters are energized by Biden. How important are Florida’s African American and Caribbean American voters? Advertisement There’s no doubt the overwhelming majority of Black voters will cast ballots for Biden. Public opinion polls and political strategists figure he’ll get the votes from about nine out of every 10 Black voters. “The vast majority will vote for Biden. I don’t have a doubt about that," said Rudy Jean-Bart, a...…Democrats and Republicans agree on a key strategic question in the final days of the Joe Biden-Donald Trump presidential race: The winner could depend on how many Black voters are energized by Biden. How important are Florida’s African American and Caribbean American voters? Advertisement There’s no doubt the overwhelming majority of Black voters will cast ballots for Biden. Public opinion polls and political strategists figure he’ll get the votes from about nine out of every 10 Black voters. “The vast majority will vote for Biden. I don’t have a doubt about that," said Rudy Jean-Bart, a...WW…

Authorities have uncovered an attempt to register dozens of dead people as Democratic voters in Broward County. Though officials said no mail-in ballots were requested or cast under the falsified voter IDs, the scheme exposes weaknesses in Florida’s voter registration process, which relies partially on the honor system. Advertisement An unknown person in Columbia, S.C., submitted at least 54 new voter applications in July in the same neat handwriting to the Broward elections office, several in each of 19 envelopes. Many of the voters were elderly, and had recently died in the Northeast....…Authorities have uncovered an attempt to register dozens of dead people as Democratic voters in Broward County. Though officials said no mail-in ballots were requested or cast under the falsified voter IDs, the scheme exposes weaknesses in Florida’s voter registration process, which relies partially on the honor system. Advertisement An unknown person in Columbia, S.C., submitted at least 54 new voter applications in July in the same neat handwriting to the Broward elections office, several in each of 19 envelopes. Many of the voters were elderly, and had recently died in the Northeast....WW…

Changing the starting quarterback wasn’t the only major issue discussed by the Miami Dolphins decision-makers during the team’s bye week. Along with handing the , the Dolphins brain trust also discussed whether or not standout cornerback Xavien Howard will be part of the franchise’s future, even though the organization signed him to a five-year deal worth $75.25 million before the 2019 season. Advertisement According a league source, the Dolphins are fielding offers for the Pro Bowl talent, who has pulled down four interceptions in the past four games, and 16 interceptions in the 39 games...…Changing the starting quarterback wasn’t the only major issue discussed by the Miami Dolphins decision-makers during the team’s bye week. Along with handing the , the Dolphins brain trust also discussed whether or not standout cornerback Xavien Howard will be part of the franchise’s future, even though the organization signed him to a five-year deal worth $75.25 million before the 2019 season. Advertisement According a league source, the Dolphins are fielding offers for the Pro Bowl talent, who has pulled down four interceptions in the past four games, and 16 interceptions in the 39 games...WW…

Democrat Joe Biden has the support of 50% of likely Florida voters in a public opinion poll released Tuesday, 2 percentage points ahead of President Donald Trump, who has with 48%. With percentages so close — the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 points — the candidates effectively are tied. Advertisement Other results in the poll indicate that either man could win Florida’s 29 electoral votes. Even after the long campaign, FAU found 2.5% of respondents were undecided and 6% said they could still change their minds. The bottom line is that the race is exceedingly tight in a...…Democrat Joe Biden has the support of 50% of likely Florida voters in a public opinion poll released Tuesday, 2 percentage points ahead of President Donald Trump, who has with 48%. With percentages so close — the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 points — the candidates effectively are tied. Advertisement Other results in the poll indicate that either man could win Florida’s 29 electoral votes. Even after the long campaign, FAU found 2.5% of respondents were undecided and 6% said they could still change their minds. The bottom line is that the race is exceedingly tight in a...WW…

HAINES CITY — A 26-year-old man has been accused of stealing a bulldozer from a Florida construction site, driving it into a neighborhood and knocking down campaign signs for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, according to authorities and homeowners. The man took the bulldozer in Haines City on Saturday and repeatedly destroyed Biden signs in full view of people who live in the neighborhood, witnesses said. James Blight was charged with grand theft auto and trespassing, according to the Haines City Police Department. Advertisement Former Vice Mayor Adam Burgess lives in the central...…HAINES CITY — A 26-year-old man has been accused of stealing a bulldozer from a Florida construction site, driving it into a neighborhood and knocking down campaign signs for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, according to authorities and homeowners. The man took the bulldozer in Haines City on Saturday and repeatedly destroyed Biden signs in full view of people who live in the neighborhood, witnesses said. James Blight was charged with grand theft auto and trespassing, according to the Haines City Police Department. Advertisement Former Vice Mayor Adam Burgess lives in the central...WW…

Democrats are trying to mobilize Puerto Ricans to outmuscle Republican Cubans at the voting booth and help Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in November. They’re pouring effort into registering Puerto Ricans to vote and educating them about the U.S. election system, which differs greatly from the one they’re used to. Advertisement They’re also reminding Puerto Ricans about what they consider Trump’s mistreatment of their island after Hurricane Maria. With Spanish-language ads, digital campaigns and traditional caravans, they’re stressing that Puerto Ricans could be a key for Biden in Florida. But...…Democrats are trying to mobilize Puerto Ricans to outmuscle Republican Cubans at the voting booth and help Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in November. They’re pouring effort into registering Puerto Ricans to vote and educating them about the U.S. election system, which differs greatly from the one they’re used to. Advertisement They’re also reminding Puerto Ricans about what they consider Trump’s mistreatment of their island after Hurricane Maria. With Spanish-language ads, digital campaigns and traditional caravans, they’re stressing that Puerto Ricans could be a key for Biden in Florida. But...WW…

Former President Barack Obama delivered stinging rebuke of his character and performance during a South Florida campaign stop on Saturday, pivoted to praise for Joe Biden, then returned to mocking Donald Trump as weak and thin skinned. Besides offering detailed criticism on critical issues of the coronavirus and the economy and ridiculing Trump’s foibles, Obama said the times are serious — and he implored Floridians to vote. The Miami-Dade County visit, on the first weekend day of early voting in Florida, was only the second Obama campaign swing of the fall campaign — illustrating high...…Former President Barack Obama delivered stinging rebuke of his character and performance during a South Florida campaign stop on Saturday, pivoted to praise for Joe Biden, then returned to mocking Donald Trump as weak and thin skinned. Besides offering detailed criticism on critical issues of the coronavirus and the economy and ridiculing Trump’s foibles, Obama said the times are serious — and he implored Floridians to vote. The Miami-Dade County visit, on the first weekend day of early voting in Florida, was only the second Obama campaign swing of the fall campaign — illustrating high...WW…

More than 100 people marched to an early voting site in Fort Lauderdale to deliver their ballots as part of the Walk The Vote nationwide rally FORT LAUDERDALE — For first-time voter Gary McDonald, casting a ballot in the 2020 general election was a long time coming. The 45-year-old ex-felon, who had his voting rights restored under Florida’s Amendment 4, was among a group of more than 100 people who marched Saturday in Fort Lauderdale as part of the nationwide “Walk the Vote” campaign. Advertisement The rally in Broward County was one of more than 18 being held in swing states across the...…More than 100 people marched to an early voting site in Fort Lauderdale to deliver their ballots as part of the Walk The Vote nationwide rally FORT LAUDERDALE — For first-time voter Gary McDonald, casting a ballot in the 2020 general election was a long time coming. The 45-year-old ex-felon, who had his voting rights restored under Florida’s Amendment 4, was among a group of more than 100 people who marched Saturday in Fort Lauderdale as part of the nationwide “Walk the Vote” campaign. Advertisement The rally in Broward County was one of more than 18 being held in swing states across the...WW…

President Donald Trump is planning to cast his ballot in person for the first time in Palm Beach County this weekend. But some have questioned whether he can legally vote as a Florida man because his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach is taxed as a private club and not as a residential property. Jim Watson, a Boynton Beach resident, filed an elections fraud complaint in June challenging Trump’s ability to vote in Florida, . Advertisement Trump at one of Palm Beach County’s 18 early-voting sites, White House officials said. In the two primary elections earlier this year, he voted by mail. Palm...…President Donald Trump is planning to cast his ballot in person for the first time in Palm Beach County this weekend. But some have questioned whether he can legally vote as a Florida man because his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach is taxed as a private club and not as a residential property. Jim Watson, a Boynton Beach resident, filed an elections fraud complaint in June challenging Trump’s ability to vote in Florida, . Advertisement Trump at one of Palm Beach County’s 18 early-voting sites, White House officials said. In the two primary elections earlier this year, he voted by mail. Palm...WW…

Former President Barack Obama’s first Florida campaign appearance on behalf of Joe Biden will be drive-in rally on Saturday. Obama’s appearance on behalf of his former vice president comes on the . The drive-in car rally is planned for North Miami, but the campaign hasn’t provided additional details and hasn’t said what else the former president is doing during his South Florida campaign swing. Advertisement Biden’s campaign has been using drive-in rallies in battleground states around the country as a way to gather supporters and get attention while keeping people socially distant during...…Former President Barack Obama’s first Florida campaign appearance on behalf of Joe Biden will be drive-in rally on Saturday. Obama’s appearance on behalf of his former vice president comes on the . The drive-in car rally is planned for North Miami, but the campaign hasn’t provided additional details and hasn’t said what else the former president is doing during his South Florida campaign swing. Advertisement Biden’s campaign has been using drive-in rallies in battleground states around the country as a way to gather supporters and get attention while keeping people socially distant during...WW…