🌱 Former Miami Firefighter Apologizes For Police Rant + Virginia Key

Good morning everyone! I'm back with another edition of The Miami Daily. Here is a rundown of what's happening locally:

• 🏠 City of Miami is advancing a pilot program for its Virginia Key homeless island plan.
• 🚔 A video of a Miami-Dade Officer allegedly blocking a pregnant woman from going to the emergency room has gone viral.
• 🚒 A former firefighter has apologized for his rant against police after the death of officer Echaverry. The rant cost him his job.

Today is National Sweet Tea Day. Enjoy a cold glass today.

First, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the a.m.. High: 91 Low: 83.

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Here are the top five stories today in Miami:

1. City of Miami Fire Rescue Firefighter Kevin Newcomb, who was recently fired, apologized for his comments about police following the death of Miami-Dade Police Officer Cesar Echaverry. He said, "I sincerely apologize to those closest to officer Echaverry who have been made to feel more pain because of my words. I wish I could take them back." (WSVN)

2. A YouTube video that appears to show a Miami-Dade police officer stopping a pregnant woman from going to the emergency room has gone viral with over 137,000 views. Police said they are aware of the video and have "immediately initiated an Internal Affairs Investigation into the incident. (CBS Miami)

3. The City of North Miami Beach is inviting local developers on August 25 to learn more about a proposed city-owned development site and pitch creative ways to reimagine the space. "The affordable housing crisis in Miami-Dade County is something that we have to solve as a municipality," said North Miami Beach Vice Mayor Mckenzie Fleurimond. (Miami Today)

4. City of Miami commissioners are advancing the Virginia Key homeless island relocation plan with a pilot program despite community and county opposition. The program calls for the construction of 50 to 100 "tiny homes" on Virginia Key. The pilot would only house 100 out of the 27,000 unhoused people estimated to live in South Florida. (WSAV)

5. Three unopposed politicians were elected on Friday to the City of Aventura government. Howard Weinberg won the city mayoralty and Paul Kruss and Michael Stern won seats on the City Commission. (Florida Politics)

Today in Miami:

• Miami-Dade County Elections Early Voting. (8 a.m.)
• Coffee With Carla at Joe & The Juice. (9 a.m.)
• Vizcaya Village Farmers Market at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (9 a.m.)
• Mermaids & Mimosas Sunday Brunch at B Ocean Resort's Wreck Bar. (11 a.m.)
• Samba Sunday Sunset Rooftop Party at Moxy South Beach. (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Virginia Key Outdoor Center celebrated one of its last full moon kayak tours after its lease was terminated by City of Miami. (NBC Miami)
• Firefighters rescued two dogs after a fire in Fort Lauderdale's Harbor Beach area on Saturday night. It happened at 1500 block of South Ocean Drive. (WPLG Local 10)
• Join the Ocean Drive Association on Miami Beach for live music by Rambling String Band tonight at 7 p.m. at Lummus Park between 14th St. and 14th Place. (Twitter)
• Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami are working with Keep Safe Florida, a program by Enterprise Community Partners, to help affordable housing properties retrofit themselves for the coming impact of climate change. (WPLG Local 10)

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• Coconut Grove Artisan & Farmers Market (August 21)
• 2nd year Anniversary Healers Network 28th Holistic Health Wellness & Psychic Fair on Zoom (August 27)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Sunday. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning 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