🌱 Florida Reports Nearly 47K COVID-19 Cases + Hialeah Walmart Closed For Disinfection

Happy Thursday, people of Miami! Let's get this day started. These are the most important things going on today in Miami.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 81 Low: 70.

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Here are the top five stories in Miami today:

1. Florida reported 46,923 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, a pandemic record, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Florida is also among the top states where COVID-19 is spreading the fastest. (Florida Patch)

2. Walmart closed its Hialeah location at 2 p.m. on Wednesday to thoroughly clean and sanitize the store, citing company policies. The store will reopen on Friday, December 31st at 6 a.m. Walmart executives did not confirm whether employees from that specific store have experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases. (WPLG Local 10)

3. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is preparing for her 12th director appointment, this time at PortMiami. Outgoing Director Juan Kuryla is set to join Norwegian Cruises Line Holdings as senior vice president of port development and construction. (Miami Today)

4. New legislation has been filed for the 2022 session in Florida to allow for home kitchens, with chefs allowed to make up to $250,000 annually if passed. The legislation is sponsored by Riverview Democrat Andrew Learned in the Florida House and South Florida Democrat Shevrin Jones in the Florida state Senate. (Bay News 9)

5. The Biscayne Bay virtual reality experience is the latest project from 22-year-old Theo Quenee's nonprofit group, SENDIT4THESEA, that allows you to swim with manatees and tropical fish in South Florida's waters virtually. Quenee hopes to expand the project and partner with Miami-Dade County Public Schools for it to be used one day in schools. (Miami New Times)

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Today in Miami:

• Poster Art At The Bass. (8:00 AM)
• WOW (Wellness on Wheels) Mobile Basic Veterinary Care at Juan Pablo Duarte Park. (8:30 AM)
• Movie Afternoons at Miami-Dade Main Public Library. (2:00 PM)
• Peggy Gou at Space Park Miami. (5:00 PM)
• Winter Elegance at Magic City Innovation District (Oasis). (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The City of Miami Department of Solid Waste Department will conduct its regularly-scheduled garbage, bulky trash and recycling services on New Year’s Eve, Friday, December 31st. (City of Miami)
• The CDC is investigating more than 80 cruise ships for COVID-19 cases, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival and Disney cruises with the CDC saying ships from Port Canaveral are among those affected. (Click Orlando)
• Holiday hours: All Miami-Dade Public Library branches will be open from 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. today, December 30 with the exception of Civic Center (7 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and Sunny Isles Beach (9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.). All branches will be closed Friday, December 31st and Saturday, January 1st in observance of the New Year’s holiday. (Facebook)
• The City of North Miami Beach Mayor & Commission, Mayor Daniela Levin Cava, and MDC Commission will be offering vaccinations and boosters to the community at NMB City Hall on January 5th and January 6th. (Twitter)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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.