Miami City Coins Crypto + Dealership Arson + Rep. Bryan Avila Near $1 Million

Morning, Miami! Let's get you all caught up to start this Friday, September 17th off on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know today in Miami.

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First, today's weather:

Rain in the evening. High: 84 Low: 80.

Here are the top stories today in Miami:

1. Zoological Wildlife Foundation in Southwest Miami-Dade, previously featured in "Tiger King", has been hit with two critical citations for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. A USDA inspection report says the zoo allowed a visitor to pet a juvenile lion in a featured social media post in March and that a guest was bitten by a lion cub in October 2020. (WSVN)

2. Broward County posted a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with a GIF of an insensitive dancing taco that drew widespread condemnation and mockery. The post was taken down and replaced with a new post that stated the dates of National Hispanic Heritage Month after a few hours, but the screenshots are still being spread throughout social media. (Miami News Times)

3. Miami police are actively searching for a man they said intentionally set fire to several cars at Magic City Auto dealership on Tuesday. A manager at the car dealership estimates $60,000 in damages from the arson. Surveillance video has helped identify the man. (CBS Miami)

4. Republican Rep. Bryan Avila is closing in on $1 million in for his bid to replace Rebeca Sosa on the Miami-Dade Commission next year in 2022. Most of Avila’s campaign funds have come from corporate donations. (Florida Politics)

5. Miami commissioners have agreed to accept crypto donations made to the city through the crypto mining platform "City Coins." Whenever someone mints a Miami Coin, the software triggers a 30% donation to the city. Commissioners have not yet decided where to allocate the money and City Coins cocreator Patrick Stanley says the software has already generated more than $5 million in donations. (NBC Miami)

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Today in Miami:

• USKETCH - University of Miami College Art and Culture (2:00 PM)
• Planning and Zoning Board Meeting - City of Coral Gables. (4:00 PM)
• Music in the Park at Gulfstream Park Village. (6:00 PM)
• Vinya Grand Opening Celebration - Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center. (6:00 PM)
• Coconut Grove Village Council Meeting. (6:30 PM)

Miami Patch Notebook

• Florida has passed 50,000 deaths from COVID-19.
• Miami-Dade Parks: "Join us SATURDAY (9/18) for the Ocean Conservancy’s 36th annual International Coastal Cleanup - the world’s largest one-day #volunteer effort for our oceans and waterways. Interested? All volunteers have to register on VolunteerClea..." (Facebook)
• Arts & Business Council of Miami: "#CoralGablesArts Join @coralgablesmuseum this Saturday for a celebration of Smithsonian magazine's national Museum Day! As part of the many events that will be taking place at the Museum, artist Carlos Alberto Fernandez will be offering ..." (Facebook)
• Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce: "The GMCC in partnership with the South Florida Progress Foundation proudly introduces The New Leadership Miami®, our professional development program for the next generation of civic engagement leaders learning to identify and address vi..." (Facebook)

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• FemAle Brew Fest (September 18)
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• Greektoberfest! Fort Myers - Friday, Saturday, Sunday! Greek Food, Drink, Music! (October 17)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll see you soon! If you're feeling these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? You can reach me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.