🌱 5th Brightline Death + Tourist Attacked + Suarez Elected President Of U.S. Mayors

Morning, Miami! It's Thursday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on in Miami today.

First, today's weather:

Periods of sun. High: 78 Low: 66.

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Here are the top five stories in Miami today:

1. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is aiming to restore its former farm village. The estate was originally built to be self-sustaining. Alejandra Serna, director of Vizcaya marketing and communications, shared, "This is a current example of just one of the ways the Village can serve as a gathering place and resource for the community." The project is expected to be done in 4 phases. (Miami Today)

2. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is the new president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Nearly two dozen mayors from across the country came to Miami for Suarez’s swearing in ceremony. Suarez says he will work with mayors across the country to address inflation, homelessness, affordable housing, and climate change. (WPLG Local 10)

3. A Brightline train killed a 5th person in a month after hitting a pedestrian in Boynton Beach on Tuesday morning. In response, Brightline has committed to spending millions on safety initiatives and mental health help. None of the 52 earlier deaths involving Brightline have been blamed on its equipment or crew, according to the Associated Press. (Miami Patch)

4. A man attacked and stabbed a tourist having lunch in Miami Beach near the Chatham hostel on James Avenue. Jason Dyer Mitchell was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and other offenses. Mitchell is currently being held at Miami-Dade County jail. (WSVN)

5. United Arab Emirates is considering adding flights between Miami and South America with flights to Bogota, Colombia planned. Emirates launched a Miami to Dubai route last July and is increasing the route to five times a week starting next week. (The Next Miami)

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Today in Miami:

• Social Experience: Skyline Social Hour at Area 31. (5:00 PM)
• Nick Kroll: Middle-Aged Boy Tour at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater. (7:00 PM)
• Reiki Healing Circle w/ Shakti & Julia at Center for the Higher Self. (7:30 PM)
• Shen Yun Performing Arts at Ziff Ballet Opera House-Adrienne Arsht PAC. (7:30 PM)
• Vinyasa Yoga Flow With Claudia Garcia at Margaret Pace Park. (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Miami Beach is hosting Imagination Playground at Lummus Park on Sunday, January 9th. (Twitter)
• There are 7,305 people in Florida hospitalized with COVID-19, according to the Florida Hospital Association. It represents a 387.7% increase over 14 days and a 114.2% increase over 7 days. (Twitter)
• The president of the University of Florida is resigning amid controversies over academic freedom. (NBC Miami)
• Miami-Dade Department of Transportation & Public Works is reminding riders that face masks remain a federal requirement for those using public transportation. (Twitter)

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Events:

• Coconut Grove Artisanal Market (January 7)
• A SOULfilled Revitalizing Sundays Transformational Retreat and Vision Board Party (January 9)
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You're all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new update!

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.