🌱 Jingle Ball Canceled Due To COVID-19 + Omicron Drives Long Lines At Testing Sites

Welcome back, Miami! Here's everything you need to know to get this Monday started off right.

First, today's weather:

An afternoon shower in spots. High: 80 Low: 72.

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Here are the top five stories in Miami today:

1. Sunday's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball at FLA Live Arena was cancelled due to the spread of COVID-19. It was originally scheduled for Sunday evening in Sunrise. All ticket holders will receive a refund with 48 hours of the cancellation. (WPLG Local 10)

2. Long lines have returned to South Florida testing sites as concerns grow over the Omicron COVID-19 variant ahead of the holidays. A new University of Florida model suggests the variant will bring in at least 40,000 new cases a day to Florida by February. (WSVN)

3. Former Miami Police Chief Art Acevedo is now a CNN pundit as a law enforcement analyst. The New York Times has called him a "celebrity police chief" in the past. (Miami New Times)

4. The Residence Inn by Marriott Miami Beach Surfside extended-stay hotel has sold for $69.9 million, continuing investor demand for South Florida hotels. The four-story, pet-friendly hotel has two meeting rooms with 930 square feet of meeting space. (The Real Deal)

5. Miami is leading the way as a cryptocurrency hub with Miamicoin generated by CityCoins. It allows people to invest in the city by purchasing tokens. Magic City currently ranks number one for technology job growth, according to a recent study. (Fox Business)

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Today in Miami:

• Futuristic Pop-Up Sculptures at The Bass. (8:00 AM)
• Daily Farmers' Market at Redland Community Farm and Market. (9:00 AM)
• Beaux Arts Winter Camp Session I at University of Miami College Art and Culture. (9:00 AM)
• Miami Beach Art Deco, History, Culture & Scandals Walking Tour at Starbucks South Beach. (10:00 AM)
• Santa Jax Stuff 4 Christmas at Ball & Chain. (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Coral Reef Branch Library is getting into the holiday spirit with decorations all around. (Facebook)
• Retired NFL star Lawrence Taylor was arrested in Broward County on Thursday and is facing felony charges for failing to notify authorities to a change in his address as a registered sex offender. (WPLG Local 10)
• Miami-Dade County Animal Services' pets are in need of presents for the Pet Donation Drive. Donations can be dropped at the Pet Donation and Protection Center in Doral. (Twitter)
• Edible South Florida has a guide up on where to eat on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. (Edible South Florida)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll be 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.