🌱 Brightline Nov. Revenue Climbs 280 Percent + Soldier Ride Returns

Hello all. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Miami Daily. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally, including...

• A South Florida teacher has been arrested after allegedly slapping a toddler.
• A drag show held in South Florida is now under investigation by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
• The Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride is returning to Aventura is returning Jan. 5.

But first, your local weather:

• Sunny to partly cloudy. High: 76 Low: 73.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Miami who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top stories today in Miami:

1. A South Florida teacher at Brickell Heights Preschool was arrested Tuesday after allegedly slapping a toddler. Odeity Perez-Barrios, 48, was charged with one count of child abuse for the incident on Dec. 19. (NBC Miami)

2. A cold iguana climbed a Christmas tree at a South Florida home in a viral video filmed over the holiday weekend. The video was shared on Facebook by WINK meteorologist Matt Devitt to the public. A woman can be heard in the video saying, "Oh, please no, he’s gonna break the tree." (Miami Patch)

3. Bryan Griffin, a spokesperson for Florida Governor DeSantis, tweeted on Tuesday that "A Drag Queen Christmas" held Dec. 26 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in South Florida is under investigation by the State of Florida. He also tweeted, "The Department is actively investigating this matter, including video footage and photographs from the event. DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) will, like in other cases, take action." (WTSP)

4. The Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride is returning to Aventura on Thursday, Jan. 5 at the Residence Inn by Marriott. No Equipment is necessary to partake and the program provides warriors with access to everything necessary at no cost. Activities include traditional and adaptive road biking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, virtual events, training challenges and skills development camps. (Miami's Community News)

5. High-speed rail company Brightline is reporting that its ticket revenue climbed by 280 percent from the previous year in November 2022. Ticket revenue was also 39 percent higher than pre-pandemic November 2019 numbers. The company shut down services for 20 months in the middle of the pandemic and re-opened in November 2021 and is rapidly expanding. (Subscription: South Florida Business Journal)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Miami Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by Vint, a first-of-its-kind investment platform that makes it possible for investors of all sizes to invest in fine wine and rare spirits.

Why wine? Low correlation with traditional markets, average returns of 8.5% annually over a 121 year study.* There’s a reason the rich have been turning to it for centuries.

Diversify your portfolio — start investing with Vint today.

*The Price of Wine. Journal of Financial Economics.

See vint.co for full investment disclaimer. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Today in Miami:

• Video Game Night at West Flagler Branch. (4:30 p.m.)
• Let's Make Dinner Semester (Ages 10-17) at Taste Buds Kitchen. (5 p.m.)
• Peter London Global Dance Company: Ancestral Ground at Adrienne Arsht Center For The Performing Arts. (7:30 PM)
• Ball & Chain Caramelo Wednesday. (8 p.m.)
• Pam Ann Clipper Club MIAMI - In between Xmas & NYE Show And Party at Hotel Greystone. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Miami Police Department shared: "After 25 years of service, Emergency Dispatcher Supervisor Helene Sparks is retiring. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication throughout the years." (Miami Police Department via Facebook)
• Miami-Dade Fire Rescue shared: "This year, Metro-Dade Firefighters annual toy drive culminated with a Winter Wonderland at the Local 1403 Union Hall in Doral on Tuesday night, complete with Santa Claus on his sleigh, lots of toys and even snow." (Miami-Dade Fire Rescue via Facebook)
• Miami-Dade Public Library System shared: "Dinosaurs, robotics and coding! The kids at the Miami Lakes Branch Library had a blast learning about the fundamentals of robotic design and coding while working together to build dinosaur robopets." (Miami-Dade Public Library System via Facebook)
• Miami-Dade Parks shared: "Join our amazing Zoo Miami team. Apply today at miamidade.gov/jobs" (Miami-Dade Parks via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox soon with your next 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Miami Daily? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com