🌱 Miami Beach Smoking Ban Approved + Carbon-Neutral Building Proposal

Hey, everybody! I'm back with your new edition of the Miami Daily. Let's take a quick look at what's happening in town:

• 🚬 Miami Beach has passed a ban on smoking cigarettes in beaches or parks.
• ♻️ A developer wants to build Florida's first carbon-neutral building in Coral Gables.
• ⚖️ An abrupt motion by the defense in court for the penalty phase for Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz Wednesday drew ire from Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer.

It is National Coding Week from September 14 to September 20. It's a time to bring coding and digital literacy to everyone in a fun way.

First, today's weather:

Humid; heavy p.m. t-storms. High: 87 Low: 78.

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Here are the top five stories in Miami today:

1. Miami Beach Commissioners have approved a ban on smoking cigarettes on the beach or in parks. The ban will go into effect on January 1, 2023. Anyone who violates the ban could face a maximum punishment of a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail. (NBC Miami)

2. Miami-Dade County commissioners are working to convince JetBlue airline to add connections between Puerto Rico and other Caribbean and Latin American destinations to Miami International Airport. A document from leaders reads, "not only is this lack of service potentially causing Miami-Dade County to lose revenue, but it also inconveniences the many residents of Miami-Dade County who seek to fly JetBlue to Puerto Rico or other Latin American or Caribbean destination." (Miami Today)

3. A developer has announced plans for a mixed-use building in Coral Gables that will be built with photovoltaic glass. The electricity-generating glass will combine with other features will help to make it the first carbon-neutral building in Florida, according to the developer. (The Next Miami)

4. Brightline's high-speed rail train, which runs between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, accommodating about 100,000 riders a month, does not seem concerned about the current rail strike facing the nation and much of Florida. Most of the impact would hit local grocery stores and home improvement centers. (Patch Florida)

5. The defense team abruptly rested its case in the Parkland school shooter sentencing trial for Nikolas Cruz on Wednesday just as the jury was preparing to enter the room, leading to a sharp response from Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer. "Honestly, I have never experienced a level of unprofessionalism in my career. It's unbelievable," she said. (CBS Miami)

Today in Miami:

• Pastelitos On The Plaza at City Of North Miami Beach. (8:30 a.m.)
• Health Council Of South Florida at West Dade Regional Library. (1 p.m.)
• Movie Afternoons at Miami-Dade Main Public Library. (2 p.m.)
• #MiamiTech Happy Hour! | Sponsored By TriNet at Billy's Pub Too. (5 p.m.)
• RE/TECH MIXER at Red Rooster. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Miami Police Department Chief Manuel Morales confirmed on Tuesday that he fired Police Captain Javier Ortiz. The South Florida Police Benevolent Association is representing Ortiz and disagrees with the termination. (WSVN)
• Join today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Instructional Recruitment Department Virtual Job Fair with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Become a teacher and make a difference in the lives of students. Register online. (Miami-Dade County Public Schools via Facebook)
• Students at South Dade Senior High Buccaneers are gaining real-world experience through the innovative partnership between South Dade's building classes and Target. (Miami-Dade County Public Schools via Facebook)
• Get ready for the ultimate Queen 🎼 experience at the Love-in Music Fest at Greynolds Park on October 16. 👑🤘🏽 Celebrating Queen will headline and will deliver a live performance of the Queen back catalogue. (Miami-Dade Parks via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Scene on the Green at River Market (September 15)
• Coconut Grove Artisanal Market (September 16)
• Pawsome Dog-Friendly Brunch! (September 18)
• Coconut Grove Artisan & Farmers Market (September 18)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new 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