🌱 NYE Guide + Miami Beach Restaurant Lawsuit + University Of Miami Goes Remote

Morning, Miami! Happy New Year's Eve! Here's everything you need to know to get the last Friday of 2021 started off right.

First, today's weather:

Sunny to partly cloudy. High: 81 Low: 72.

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Here are the top five stories today in Miami:

1. A Miami-Dade judge ruled in favor of 13 restaurant businesses on Wednesday, who sued the city of Miami Beach after they were told to close their sidewalk cafes. Miami Beach officials said they are disappointed and plan to appeal the ruling. (WSVN)

2. A blue car in Aventura was struck by a Brightline train on Thursday morning. The driver drove around the gates, which were down and had flashing lights and bells ringing, “signaling an approaching train," according to a spokesperson for Brightline. Police did not confirm if anyone in the car injured. No injuries were reported onboard the train. (WPLG Local 10)

3. The University of Miami will start the spring semester with remote-only classes amid surging cases of COVID-19 in South Florida, school officials said. In-person classes are expected to resume on Monday, January 31st. (Click Orlando)

4. Miami-Dade County Public Schools has updated its COVID-19 safety protocols as Florida shows record cases of COVID-19, including requiring staff and visitors to wear face masks. Miami-Dade students will be encouraged, not required, to wear masks. (Miami Patch)

5. Officials at Lakeland-based Publix grocery store chain say that they will start offering paid parental leave to employees who are new parents. Eligible full-time and part-time workers will be able to take off the time during the first year of the birth or adoption of a child, starting with the new year. (ABC Action News)

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Today in Miami:

• New Year's Eve Dinner at Lightkeepers. (6:00 PM)
• 6th Annual New Year's Eve Bar Bash! at Blackbird Ordinary. (7:00 PM)
• Ode to Joy: A New Year's Eve Celebration! at Collins Park. (7:00 PM)
• New Year Family Dinner Party at Milanezza. (8:00 PM)
• New Year's Eve 2022 at The Oasis Wynwood in Miami w/ Sam Feldt. (9:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Wondering where to celebrate New Year's Eve today? Miami Patch has you covered with an in-depth local guide. Celebrations are happening at Bayfront Park, The Wharf, Royal Ballrooms Banquet Hall, and Cliff's Restaurant & Lounge, and more. (Miami Patch)
• Florida added 58,013 new COVID-19 cases on December 29th, breaking a record yet again. (WFLA)
• The Broward County School Board is holding an emergency meeting this afternoon to discuss whether to alter its policy regarding face masks as students and staff members get ready to return to campuses Monday. (WPLG Local 10)
• HistoryMiami is closing through January 10th because of COVID-19 concerns. (Twitter)
• The Miami HEAT have signed forward Haywood Highsmith to a 10-day contract as of Thursday using the COVID-Related Hardship Allowance. (Twitter)
• Miami-Dade will be hosting a pop-up vaccination event on Monday, January 3rd and Tuesday, January 4th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at parking lot P106 located at 7515 Collins Avenue. (Twitter)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Ode to Joy: A New Year's Eve Celebration! (December 31)
• Ring In the New Year With 15 Percent Off Beautiful Blooms From FTD! (December 31)
• FREE WEBINAR | “Rome: The Eternal City” Presented by Dr. Rocky Ruggiero (January 4)
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For sale:

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

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! See you 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.