Stopping and looking both ways is as important for safety as it is sightseeing in the 305. | Want to see your own picture in this space? Tag either #thenewtropic or @thenewtropic to be featured in our Instagram of the Day. (📸: @coralgablesliving)
🐊 Another day, another odd claim to questionable fame for Florida: According to a new study, the Sunshine State is the third deadliest place for animal attacks in the U.S. The debatable honors of the #1 and #2 spots belong to Texas and California respectively. (Miami New Times)
🤒 The Florida Department of Health issued a new rule circumventing school districts’ efforts to contain COVID-19. Per the emergency measure signed by new state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo yesterday, it is now up to parents to decide whether or not to quarantine their child if they’ve been exposed to the novel coronavirus and are asymptomatic. The new policy is the latest volley in the clash between Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and education officials over the ability of Florida schools to enforce pandemic-related restrictions. (CBS Miami / News Service of Florida)
🛣 DeSantis and his cabinet paved the way for a new highway to be built through the Everglades yesterday. Environmental groups and advocates have pushed back fiercely against the $1 billion Kendall Parkway, arguing that in addition to destroying wetlands, the project would pose a threat to Miami-Dade’s underground drinking water supply. The lone "no" vote came from Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who told the governor “you’re siding with developers in favor of harming Everglades restoration, risking wildlife, agricultural lands and Miami-Dade’s water supply, not really reducing urban sprawl.” (Miami Herald)
➡️ A new bill styled after Texas’ controversial abortion law was filed in the Florida Legislature yesterday. As detailed in a News Service of Florida report, the so-called “Florida Heartbeat Act” would mandate “doctors to test for fetal heartbeats, which can occur six weeks into pregnancy. If heartbeats are detected, doctors ‘may not knowingly perform or induce an abortion’ on pregnant women.” Senate Democrats have vowed to fight the proposal. (WLRN / News Service of Florida)
🎤 Seeing as the once-unthinkable is now routine, it was only a matter of time before the law of averages produced a pleasant surprise: the Fugees are reuniting, and they’re swinging through Miami. The beloved band is hitting the road to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its seminal album The Score and will be stopping by the FTX Arena on Sunday, Nov. 21. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. (Miami New Times)
🎟 Speaking of shows, one of Miami’s major venues is implementing new COVID-19 restrictions. Earlier this week, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts announced that patrons are now required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry. (Miami New Times)
