🌱 North Miami Beach Mayor Anthony DeFillipo Fights Back + Brightline

Hello, everybody! I'm back with your fresh copy of the Miami Daily. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town, including:

• The final track connecting Orlando to Miami for Brightline's upcoming high-speed rail service has been laid down.
• North Miami Beach Mayor Anthony DeFillipo is taking legal action amid a city revolt over allegations that DeFillipo broke the law by moving outside of the city as mayor.
• Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center has finished its $44 million revamp.

But first, today's weather:

Variable cloudiness. High: 79 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories in Miami today:

1. A Delray Beach woman was rescued from a storm drain this week in South Florida. The rescue comes two years after police found her naked and stuck in another storm drain weeks after her boyfriend reported her missing. The woman refused to leave the drain and was removed after firefighters contained her between two sections of pipe, according to authorities. (Miami Patch, WFLA)
2. Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center has finished its $44 million revamp project. It started as the Las Olas Casino Pool in 1928. "What's unique about this sports venue is that it is open to the public. It's a municipal swimming pool," said Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex manager Laura Voet. (CBS Miami)
3. Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is calling on state lawmakers to permanently ban all COVID-19 mandates, including vaccination and masking requirements throughout Florida, including in the Miami area. Florida has one of the least restrictions in the nation for COVID-19 and most restrictions have been relaxed in the last year or are expiring soon. (Miami Patch)
4. The final section of track on Brightline's new corridor connecting Miami to Orlando has now been installed, according to a video by The Roaming Railfan. The new rail will create a path between Cocoa and Orlando International Airport (MCO). The train is expected to launch early this year. (The Next Miami)
5. North Miami Beach Mayor Anthony DeFillipo is asking for emergency injunctive relief. The lawsuit against the city claims it's "required due to the inability of the city to conduct official business." Several commissioners no longer recognize the mayor as the mayor, supporting the city attorney's stance that mayor DeFillipo "automatically vacated" his position by living outside the city against the law. (CBS Miami)

Today in Miami:

• The Gaze Africana: An Exhibit of African Excellence at Scott Galvin Community Center. (noon)
• Gentle Yoga With Grisell at Kendale Lakes Branch Library. (12:30 p.m.)
• Spaces Of Hope Info Session at University Of Miami College Art And Culture. (1 p.m.)
• Synergy Creative Summer Kids Camp at Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce (2 p.m.)
• Mummy Around The World at Miami Beach Regional Library. (2 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Miami-Dade Parks shared: "🚍📚🌳 Enjoy the gorgeous weather while reading a book from Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Bookmobile at a Miami-Dade County park. This Mobile Library gives library card holders free access to borrowing books, DVDs, music and audiobooks." (Miami-Dade Parks via Facebook)
• Miami-Dade County Public Schools shared: "School Board Awards Construction Contract for a GOB Project Valued at $ 11.2 Million: https://news.dadeschools.net/cmnc/new/33619." (Miami-Dade County Public Schools via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, North Miami - 166th shared: "Seen this pup at 4:55 p.m. between 154th/156th St. and 2nd Ave. - Pink collar around her neck. No owners seen nearby" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Center Groves shared: "Dear friends I am very excited to invite you all to my Senior Piano Recital on Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Clarke Recital Hall at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. - Looking forward to seeing you all!!! 🎹❤️" (Nextdoor)

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That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— 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