🌱 Miami Stores Open Christmas Eve + 4-Star MIA Airport Hotel + Holiday Travel

Hello, neighbors! Merry Christmas Eve and a festive Nochebuena to all who celebrate. It's me again, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Miami Daily.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. High: 77 Low: 64.

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Here are the top five stories in Miami today:

1. Miami International Airport (MIA) expects an average of 156,000 travelers per day, during the 17-day holiday stretch. MIA ranks 6th in the nation when it comes to the busiest airports on the week of Christmas. (WSVN)

2. A woman arrested for running over diners outside of a Hollywood restaurant in November appeared in court on Wednesday. 45-year-old Shana Soto faces more than a dozen charges, including driving under the influence, causing serious injuries, and reckless driving. (NBC Miami)

3. Miami-Dade County is set to seek 4-star Miami International Airport (MIA) hotel proposals. The three firms on the shortlist are FDR Miami Hotel, Mainsail Development International, and Parmco Airport Hospitality. The county seeks a hotel with at least 350 rooms, a full-service restaurant and bar, 24-hour prepared food and beverages, business center services to travelers, and at least 20,000 square feet of meeting or banquet space. (Miami Today)

4. Several retail stores in Miami will be open on Christmas Eve for your last-minute shopping needs. Miami Patch has a list of stores open with hours. However, note that store hours may vary from location to location. (Miami Patch)

5. Popular Over Under "was shut down" 14 months after opening when an agent with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (ABT) "revealed the business had no liquor license." Operating without a liquor license is both an administration and criminal offense, according to experts. (Miami New Times)

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Today in Miami:

• Cookies & Milk for Santa Class (Ages 2-8 w/ Caregiver) at Taste Buds Kitchen. (10:00 AM)
• Circus Lena Holiday Celebration at Westland Mall. (2:00 PM)
• The LOOP Fort Lauderdale Beach to host Friday Night Sound Waves Christmas Eve Concert. (6:03 PM)
• El Chacal "Noche Buena" at Las Mesa Doral. (7:00 PM)
• The 35th Annual Matzoball® at LIV. (9:00 PM)
• Vibesmas Eve / Pop-up Christmas Eve Fete at Purple Palms Creative. (10:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Florida reported 26,811 new COVID-19 cases to the federal government on Wednesday, a new record. (WPLG Local 10)
• Pubbelly Sushi raised $7,950 from its “Drink Pink” fundraiser. The money benefits Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. (Miami Community News)
• The Miami HEAT signed forward Zylan Cheatham to a 10-day contract on December 22nd using the COVID-Related Hardship Allowance. (Instagram)

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Events:

• Save 15 Percent On FTD’s Christmas Collection (December 25)
• Coconut Grove Artisanal and Farmers Market (December 26)
• Add your event

Loving the Miami Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

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• Send me a news tip or suggestion at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow morning 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.