🌱 Miami Business Leaders Attack Tuition Proposal + Little Havana Suit

Hello all. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Miami Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening locally. Today you'll find these stories and more:

• A South Florida landlord has gone viral over controversial videos explaining rent increases to tenants
• A foundation permit has been approved for the Namdar construction site
• Little Havana businesses continue to battle Miami city commissioner Joe Carollo in court

But first, today's weather: Partly sunny. High: 86 Low: 73.

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Here are the top stories in Miami today:

1. Little Havana businesses Ball & Chain and Taquerias el Mexicano have accused Miami city commissioner Joe Carollo of stalling during a seven-hour deposition last month. The businesses complained of extended bathroom breaks and general evasiveness during questioning. The businesses are asking a judge to force Carollo to sit for four hours more and pay their legal fees for wasting their time. (Miami New Times)
2. South Florida landlord Raul Bolufe has gone viral over controversial videos about raising rent. He said he wants people to know not all landlords are "greedy, crazy animals." The videos show the landlord calling tenants about rising costs, which he says they must now pay for. (CBS Miami)
3. The Namdar construction site in downtown Miami is now approved for a foundation permit, according to records. The development of the first tower will feature a 680-unit tower with more planned for the development in the future for a total of 1,394 apartments. (The Next Miami)
4. Miami business leaders are pushing back against a move by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to remove in-state tuition for undocumented migrant dreamers in Florida. Thousands of students will be impacted by the actions of DeSantis. Businesses said removing in-state tuition will hurt the workforce in Florida in addition to a proposed requirement for all Florida companies to use E-Verify in determining employment eligibility to ban undocumented immigrants from working in the state. (Subscription: South Florida Business Journal)
5. New York's Danielle “Dani” Miller has pleaded guilty to $1.5 million in COVID-19 fraud that involves a Miami luxury apartment, according to authorities. The federal government claims Miller defrauded the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program from 2020 to 2021. She was arrested on Jan. 19. (WPLG Local 10)

Today in Miami:

• 2023 Miami Film Festival Screenings at The Cosford Cinema. (all day)
• Women's Health Champion Award Breakfast at Bunche Park. (8:30 a.m.)
• Mobile HIV/Hepatitis C Testing at Miami Beach Regional Library. (10 a.m.)
• Full Moon Beach Sound Healing at Faena Hotel. (7 p.m.)
• Comedy Night at Clevelander South Beach Hotel And Bar. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Wilton Manors Commissioner Chris Caputo is pushing back against a proposal that would ban the LGBTQ Pride flag in Florida, including in South Florida. Florida House Bill 10-11 would limit what flags can fly outside government buildings or government grounds in Florida. (WPLG Local 10)
• Miami-Dade Fire Rescue shared: "This past weekend, firefighters and dispatchers who retired in 2022 were recognized at the annual Retiree Affair, held at Local 1403’s Fire Tower in Doral." (Miami-Dade Fire Rescue via Facebook)
• Miami-Dade County Public Schools shared: "It's National School Breakfast Week! Let's celebrate the importance of a nutritious breakfast by fueling up and enjoying a free delicious meal every morning at Miami-Dade County Public Schools." (Miami-Dade County Public Schools via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! See you all tomorrow for another 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