🌱 Coconut Grove Playhouse Lawsuit + Parkland Shooter Jury Controversy

Hello, Miami! I'm here in your inbox this morning to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on around town. Today you'll read about these stories and more:

• ⚖️ Prosecutors are seeking legal action against a juror who allegedly threatened another juror in the penalty trial for Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz.
• 🚓 Several cars in Miami Beach were vandalized on Thursday night.
• 🎭 The Coconut Grove Playhouse project has hit another snag.

Today is Global Handwashing Day. The day was founded by the Global Handwashing Partnership to develop creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands with soap, a key to blocking the spread of bacteria and diseases.

But first, today's weather:

A stray afternoon t-storm. High: 85 Low: 77.

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Here are the top stories today in Miami:

1. An American Airlines flight headed to Barbados from Miami returned to South Florida and was evacuated after chemical fumes coming from a carry-on suitcase made passengers sick, according to news reports. Passengers were taken back to the airport terminal and offered hotel accommodations and a seat for the flight rescheduled for Thursday morning. It is unclear what caused the fumes at this time. (Miami Patch)

2. Several cars were vandalized in Miami Beach on Thursday night at a public parking lot near 53rd Street and Collins Avenue. Several vehicles had their tires slashed, according to one of the car owners impacted. An investigation by police is underway. (WSVN)

3. Prosecutors in the penalty trial for Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz are asking a judge to allow law enforcement to open an investigation after a juror claimed she was threatened by a fellow juror, according to a CNN report. The jury rejected the death penalty against Cruz and instead recommended life in prison. Gov. Ron DeSantis said he supports an investigation into possible juror misconduct. (Miami Patch, WPLG Local 10)

4. The Coconut Grove Playhouse project has hit another setback after a lawsuit was filed by 14 neighbors to block the development. They allege the county is violating the Florida Constitution by using public funds at the closed playhouse despite what voters authorized. The neighbors are seeking an injunction against the county. (Miami Today)

5. Four species of plants in the Everglades and Florida Keys as well as two types of snakes in the Florida Keys are being proposed for federal protection, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS). USFWS is accepting public comment on the snake and plant decisions received or postmarked on or before Dec. 13. (Florida Politics)

Today in Miami:

• Scott Miller's Palmetto Bay Farmer's Market. (9 a.m.)
• Bird-friendly Gardening Day at Tropical Audubon. (9 a.m.)
• Brickell Farmers Market and Sound Healing Meditation at Little Brittany Gastropub. (9:30 a.m.)
• The Purple Pumpkin Patch. (11 a.m.)
• Doggy Brunch at The Citadel. (noon)

From my notebook:

• FIU has received a five-year Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) worth $1.3 million from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at the National Institutes of Health. The project, led by FIU, will partner with Miami-Dade County Public Schools to work on curriculum for high schoolers that teaches bioinformatics. (Miami's Community News)
• Miami-Dade Parks shared: "Join us for an opportunity to get hired — ON THE SPOT! Our Miami-Dade Parks Career Fair is on Saturday, Oct. 15 at Westwind Lakes Park from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Not able to attend? No worries! Apply online at 👉🏼 miamidade.gov/job..." (Miami-Dade Parks via Facebook)
• City of Miami had donated $2 million to Camillus House shelter as part of a program to reduce homelessness. Rent in South Florida has spiked to record levels during the pandemic, and it is now one of the most unaffordable cities in the United States. (Subscription: Miami Herald, Free: The Real Deal Miami)

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Events:

• Coconut Grove Artisan & Farmers Market (October 16)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (October 17)
• Miami Beach Bandshell Tribute to Norman M. Giller FAIA Features Free Concert (October 20)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (October 21)
• 4th Annual Unicorn Ambition Conference (October 21)
• The Apple Truck is Coming to Miami, FL Nov. 5 — ONE DAY ONLY (November 5)
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Housing:

• Lease Expiring Rent to Own Is a Better Option (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow morning for 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