Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Miami’s new mayor and commissioner mean for City Hall’s future

Also check out Intriga Vol. 34 ft Santelises & friends ( Rooftop opening) on the Miami Patch calendar

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Good morning Miami! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Miami’s new mayor and commissioner mean for City Hall’s future
  • How a late-night police chase ended in a Miami-Dade canal
  • How a “perfect” Miami holiday shrub was finally chosen this year

Also on today's calendar: Intriga Vol. 34 ft Santelises & friends ( Rooftop opening) and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Miamifor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Miamifor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 77 and low of 69 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 79, low: 69.
  • Sunday: Cloudy, a couple of t-storms, with a high of 77 and low of 66 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Carollo and Suarez termed out: End of an era for 2 Miami political powerhouse families (nbcmiami.com) — Miami’s political landscape is shifting as Mayor Francis Suarez and Commissioner Joe Carollo leave office, with Carollo resigning just before his term ended. After years of controversy and a costly lawsuit involving Little Havana businesses, the Carollo name lost its electoral pull, and newly elected Mayor Eileen Higgins and Commissioner Rolando Escalona are set to be sworn in within days.
   

2. Man charged with vehicular homicide after 18-year-old found dead in Miami-Dade canal (cbsnews.com) — An 18-year-old woman’s death in a Miami-Dade canal has led to vehicular homicide charges against a 24-year-old man accused of fleeing police on an overloaded motorcycle and crashing near Northwest 72nd Avenue. A Miami-Dade judge set bond at $15,000 and ordered him to surrender travel documents while two other passengers continue recovering from critical injuries.
   

3. Alex Miranda lights up the Deco holiday shrub at Deco International Plaza, signaling the start of the holiday season (wsvn.com) — A quirky holiday tradition with a distinctly Miami twist is back, as Deco Drive lights its famous “holiday shrub” at Deco International Plaza after selecting it at the Boys and Girls Club of Miami-Dade. The tongue‑in‑cheek search focused on Miami flair, a good scent, and a low price, before the shrub finally took its place to kick off South Florida’s festive season.
   

4. South Florida family says 21-year-old detained after immigration appointment is now at "Alligator Alcatraz" (cbsnews.com) — A South Florida family speaking with CBS News Miami says their 21-year-old relative was unexpectedly detained during a routine immigration check-in and moved to a remote Everglades facility nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.” They say he has no criminal record and fear he could soon be asked to sign deportation papers, while an immigration attorney warns similar detentions are becoming more common.
   

5. South Florida teacher helps students sow seeds to preserve rare orchid and find their passion (wsvn.com) — Miami-area students at Jose Marti MAST Academy are helping preserve Florida’s rare ghost orchid by growing seedlings provided through Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Million Orchid Project. Working in their schoolyard and lab, they’re learning hands-on conservation, patience, and sparking potential careers in life sciences while restoring native plants to local urban spaces.
   

📸 Around Miami

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Miami

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★ Featured events ★

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📣 Miami Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Dance in the New Year with Orchestra Miami —Orchestra Miami Read on Patch
  • The Key Biscayne Piano Festival Kicks Off Its Ninth Season with Holiday Show —Paula Bosler Read on Patch
  • Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida Kicks Off 2026 Cookie Season —South Florida Updates Read on Patch
  • Give Yourself the Gift of Ballet This Holiday Season! —Brooke Valenti Read on Patch
  • Get Your 2026 Hooters Calendar Signed December 11 to 14 Across South Florida —Ilona Wolpin Read on Patch
  • Mr. C Hotels and Residences posted a job opening for Hotel Night Auditor/ FO Agent in Miami. Apply here.
  • The Cleaning Authority, LLC posted a job opening for Housekeeper/ House Cleaner in Miami. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Miami here.

Ok Miami! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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