🌱 Courthouse In Ft. Lauderdale Gets Funding Boost + MetLife Sale

Hey, neighbors! I'm back with your new edition of the Miami Daily. Come along for the most important things going on in town. In today's issue, you'll find news about...

• Political activists in South Florida are targeting the author of the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill.
• MetLife has sold a Pinecrest shopping center for $70.5 million.
• The new federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale is getting an extra $55 million in funds.

But first, today's weather:

Breezy and more humid. High: 79 Low: 73.

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Here are the top stories today in Miami:

1. Political activists from South Florida have set their eyes on former state Rep. Joe Harding, who authored Florida's so-called "Don’t Say Gay" bill and resigned earlier this month after being accused of wire fraud, money laundering and other crimes. Activists are planning a selfie station called "Don’t Say Jail" in protest of the disgraced politician's bill that has been the source of controversy throughout the state. (Miami Patch)

2. Metropolitan Life Insurance (MetLife) has sold a Pinecrest shopping center for $70.5 million, according to The Real Deal. The sale when divided for space comes down to $374 a square foot. MetLife acquired the property in a 1993 auction after foreclosing on the previous owner of the property. (The Real Deal - Miami)

3. The new federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale is getting an extra $55 million in funding in the 2023 appropriations bills, according to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz in a recent announcement. The additional funds will help cover rising construction costs. (Florida Politics)

4. A suspect accused of human trafficking faced a South Florida judge on Thursday morning. Bond was set at $45,000 for the incident. Prosecutors said the suspect has a non-extraditable warrant from Los Angeles along with prior failures to appear in court out of Georgia and Maryland. (WSVN)

5. The suspect accused of placing a phone under a woman's dress at a North Lauderdale Walmart location back in September was sent to jail again on Thursday in another incident. The suspect is already banned for life from the Aventura Mall after a Feb. 2021 voyeurism incident there. (WPLG Local 10)

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Today in Miami:

• Game Night at The Wharf Miami. (4 p.m.)
• Santas Circus at Jungle Island. (4:30 p.m.)
• R&B Thursday On South Beach at Uncut Miami. (8 p.m.)
• Movie Under The Stars at Novotel Miami Brickell. (8 p.m.)
• BeatCamp Miami at Coyo Taco. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• 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 Parks shared: " New Year Oceanside Kayak Adventure - Tues, Jan. 3 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Spend one of the first mornings of the new year on the water with Miami EcoAdventures." (Miami-Dade Parks via Facebook)
• Miami-Dade Public Library System: "Holiday Hours at MDPLS: All library locations will be closed Saturday, Dec. 31 – Monday, Jan.2 in observance of New Year’s." (Miami-Dade Public Library System via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you 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