🌱 Little Haiti Cultural Center Endangered + New Progress Pride Flag

Welcome back, Miami. I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town, including news about...

• Miami civic groups are asking a judge to block a redrawn voting map for the upcoming November election.
• South Florida parents are outraged after a day care allegedly had children dress in blackface for a Black History Month celebration.
• Little Haiti Cultural Center has been slapped with unsafe structure violations by the City of Miami, raising concerns the historic location could close.

But first, today's weather:

Increasingly windy. High: 78 Low: 57.

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Here are the top stories today in Miami:

1. South Florida parents are outraged after children at Studio Kids Little River day care allegedly appeared in blackface during a Black History Month celebration. The day care is located at the 8300 block of Northeast First Avenue. The day care has apologized about the "inconvenience." (WSVN)
2. Miami civic groups are joining with the American Civil Liberties Union and law firm Dechert LLP to ask a judge to block City of Miami from using a redrawn voting map in the upcoming November election. City of Miami has been accused of using racially-segregated lines to draw its voting map. (Subscription: Miami Herald)
3. Fort Lauderdale city leaders and residents gathered in South Florida to celebrate a new Progress Pride Flag on Friday now painted on a crosswalk. The permanent display was made ahead of the Pride of the America's, the longest-running LGBTQ celebration in the state of Florida. (WPLG Local 10)
4. Senator Jason Pizzo of Hollywood, Florida, will become the Florida Senate Democratic leader after the 2024 elections. He was elected unanimously to the new role. The current leader is facing term limits. (CBS Miami)
5. Little Haiti Cultural Center has been cited with two unsafe structures violations by the City of Miami, leading to fears the the important cultural center could be shut down by Miami's governent. One violation was actually made by City of Miami to itself for failing to get a 40-year recertification. The news comes after a recent developer acquisition surrounding the center, raising questions about the timing. (WLRN)

Today in Miami:

• Valentine's Day Bazaar at The Tank Brewing Co. (noon)
• The Big Game at Time Out Market Miami. (3:30 p.m.)
• The Big Game at The Wharf Miami. (5 p.m.)
• The Big Game 2023 at The Wynwood Marketplace. (6 p.m.)
• NFL Super Bowl Sunday at Oasis Wynwood. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Miami Police Department shared: "Meet Jeremiah Whitley, the 2020 winner of the Angel Calzadilla Scholarship for Do The Right Thing of Miami, Inc. Applicants between the ages of 18-22 have the opportunity to win a scholarship to the Miami Police Academy." (Miami Police Department via Facebook)
• Miami Film Festival shared: "RIP to Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura. Mr. Saura received our 2018 Precious Gem–Icon Award in recognition of his prolific cinematic achievements." (Miami Film Festival via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, SW 8th St-Coral Way shared: "Hi. I found this dog and it does not have a tag. - If you are the owner or know who is the owner, please call me to 786-614-1953. Hola encontré este perro sin tag llámame si sabes quien es el dueño." (Nextdoor)N

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Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 14)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 15)
• Check Out This Webinar About Mobile Vet Services in South Florida (February 15)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 18)
• The Phoenix Life Project Inaugural Charity Golf Tournament (February 20)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today! 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com