Former Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell is making a bid for the city’s top job, vowing to clean up city hall and put an end to what he calls a culture of “corruption.”

A contentious proposal to allocate $20 million in city funds exclusively for the development of a park at the Miami Freedom Park stadium site passed in a 4-1 vote during a heated Miami City Commission meeting Thursday, drawing backlash from critics who called it a taxpayer-funded giveaway to billionaires.

With a controversial decision looming on whether Miami-Dade County will build the world's largest waste to energy incinerator, a potential move by the city of Miami to completely eliminate recycling could impact how the county manages waste moving forward.

A last-minute agenda item for Thursday’s Miami City Commission meeting is raising concerns over a proposed shift in public benefit funds tied to the controversial Freedom Park development deal.

Controversy continues to heat up surrounding a proposed ordinance the city of Miami is considering that would change the city code on tree removal.

Doral leaders are pushing back on a plan to build a new waste-to-energy facility on the site of the one that burned down in February 2023.

A plan to help public school kids was sidelined, investigators say, when Miami City Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla began secretly taking in tends of thousands of dollars from owners of a controversial private school.

A former Miami city commissioner is warning that taxpayers could end up footing the bill for his ex-colleague’s massive legal judgment.

Municipalities are finding ways to combat climate change, for one they are raising the roads. Does it work?

Police are investigating a crime scene at Miami City Hall after someone allegedly broke into a city commissioner's office and ransacked the place.

The City of Miami is holding a Special Election Monday to elect a new city commissioner.

The City of Miami is holding a Special Election on Feb. 27 to elect a new city commissioner, but starting Thursday, eligible voters are able to participate in early voting.

On the latest episode of This Week in South Florida, host Michael Putney welcomes Rep. Carlos Gimenez, Broward School Board members Sarah Leonardi and Kevin Tynan and Miami Commissioner Ken Russell.

The City of Miami Commission consists of just five members, each with his or her own little fiefdom to rule over.

Commissioner Ken Russell attended what may have been his last public Miami commission meeting on Thursday at City Hall in Coconut Grove, ending his city service after his environmental activism propelled his political career.

State Sen. Annette Taddeo won Tuesday’s Primary against fellow Democrats City of Miami Commissioner Ken Russell and Angel Montalvo.

Polluters be warned, Miami-Dade County is not playing around.

On the latest episode of the This Week in South Florida podcast, hosts Glenna Milberg and Michael Putney welcome Miami-Dade School Board members Marta Perez and Dr. Steve Gallon, Miami Commissioner Ken Russell, professor and political analyst Sean Forman and attorney and legal analyst Gail Levine.

On the latest episode of This Week in South Florida, hosts Glenna Milberg and Michael Putney welcome Miami-Dade School Board members Marta Perez and Dr. Steve Gallon, Miami Commissioner Ken Russell, professor and political analyst Sean Forman and attorney and legal analyst Gail Levine.

City of Miami Commissioner Ken Russell is looking to go to Washington.

Russell made his announcement via a TikTok video.

David Beckham’s dream of building a proper home for his Inter Miami faced the gatekeepers of the public land that he and billionaire Jorge Mas have chosen.

David Beckham’s dream of building a proper home for his Inter Miami faced the gatekeepers of the public land that he and billionaire Jorge Mas have chosen.

Coconut Grove residents speak out their concerns with a new proposal that could split up the district into three instead of one.

Miami building officials decided to pause construction of the city’s “deepest” subterranean parking garage to conduct a holistic engineering evaluation after a series of groundwater breaches and complaints from concerned Brickell residents.

The building of an ultra luxury condo in Brickell has residents of a high rise next door concerned for their safety.

It’s a common sight along the shores of Biscayne Bay, which is causing harm.

Miami commissioners voted 4-1 on Thursday in favor of a resolution to establish the controversial “adopt-a-homeless” program, which is meant to remove people who are camping on public sidewalks and parks

There also may be a pattern from the developer when it comes to clearing out residents.

City of Miami Commissioner Ken Russell and inspectors with Miami-Dade County Environmental Resources Management are working to ensure that sediment-rich water pooling at a luxury condo construction site in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood doesn’t end up in Biscayne Bay.

Miami is test-driving an innovation involving cameras in dumpsters that has helped several Fortune 500 companies save millions while reducing their carbon footprint.

Manatees in Biscayne Bay were recently forced to swim through silt plumes, sediment runoff from the construction site of Miami’s new signature bridge.

Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell said he will run for United States Senate, hoping to take the seat from Republican Marco Rubio.

Rowers and paddlers say that ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Miami Marine Stadium basin has become packed with party boats and water bike riders who don’t always play nice.

A group of homeowners are hoping to save the "Seaside," a home that has significance in Coconut Grove.

The city of Miami is now partnering with the Ocean Conservancy and other research groups to conduct what’s called a “circulatory assessment protocol,” or CAP, which studies how and where the plastics in Biscayne Bay and the Miami River are coming from.

Basic necropsies performed on site showed the fish were healthy and not diseased, but something was definitely off.

Miami Commissioner Ken Russell said a $90 million affordable housing project in Miami’s West Grove neighborhood is making history.

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)MIAMI, Fla. – Restaurant owners all across the City of Miami can breathe a sigh of relief. Commissioner Ken Russell sponsored the bill that will bring some financial relief to hard hit restaurants in the Brickell, Coconut Grove and Midtown areas, where sidewalk cafes are popular. Sidewalk fees can range anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000 annually. Sidewalk cafes have increased in popularity over the last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurant owners, who want to add sidewalk tables, now will be able to do so and will not be charged.

MIAMI – Motorized scooters are officially back on the streets of Miami. News of the re-introduction of motorized scooters in Miami-Dade comes less than two months after the electric scooter pilot program was suspended for the second time. However, during the short period that the scooters had returned, city commissioners were inundated with complaints regarding street clutter, unlawful street use, and underage riders. Commissioner Ken Russell, whose District 2 hosts the scooter program, said it had become clear in recent weeks that the restart was not working. “We’re thrilled to get back to serving Miami residents with safe, sustainable and affordable transportation options,” said Lisette Garcia, Lime’s government relations director in Miami.

WATSON ISLAND, Fla. – There are big plans to transform Jungle Island into a brand new resort and attraction. It is the beginning of a new chapter for Jungle Island, and the second incarnation of Miami-Dade County’s beloved 85-year-old tourist attraction Parrot Jungle. What Jungle Island won’t be anymore is a private zoo. Developers said the evolution of Jungle Island is in tune with a rapidly growing Miami“What we’re doing is not only for now but for future generations to come and transforming Jungle Island into that eco adventure, premier destination,” Crider said. If everything stays on target, Phase 1 of the new Jungle Island is expected to open in the Winter of 2022 and the hotel should be done by 2025.

MIAMI, Fla. – Miami suspended its motorized-scooters-for-rent program on Dec. 30 and it will probably stay that way for awhile. What began in April 2019 was a success, but there were some problems — Miami City Commissioners said that underage people were using them, riders piling on in pairs, and the scooters parked in ways that were causing hazards. After a Christmas night melee at Bayfront Park, there was a mess of scooters left behind. Miami commissioner Ken Russell, a believer in the scooter program, said he wanted to work on his safety proposal before bringing it up before the full commission. “They are currently off the streets as we are fine-tuning the program to be safer and cleaner in the streets.

MIAMI – The City of Miami Commission held a regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, at which time they were expected to discuss amending the city’s code regarding motorized scooters. An ordinance to amend Chapter 8 of the city’s code would “convert the existing motorized scooter pilot program to a permanent program.”There would be increased fees for scooter operators and enhanced penalties for violators of the scooter program. Last month, the city temporarily suspended its scooter program amid numerous concerns and operators were expected to be able to resume operations by this Saturday, Jan. 15. You’re supposed to be 18 years old to ride, and only one person may ride at a time. Lyft’s Miami General Manager told Local 10 “Safety always comes first and we continue to take multiple actions to support riders, our team members, and our city partners.”

MIAMI – The City of Miami is pressing pause on its e-scooter program. The suspension goes into effect at midnight on Wednesday and it comes as thousands of the motorized scooters are being tossed down around the city. At 12:01 a.m. all of the vendors in Miami’s scooter pilot program will have to cease operations. “They buzz by you, I’m surprised more people haven’t been hurt,” said Rebecca Van Walleghem, a Downtown Miami resident. I’ve been the biggest believer in the #scooter program as effective micro mobility.

MIAMI – The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department has approved an emergency road repair contract related to Wednesday’s water main break in Downtown Miami. According to a spokeswoman from the department, Jennifer Messemer-Skold, Biscayne Boulevard remains closed from Southeast Second Street to Biscayne Way, as well as from Southeast Third Avenue to Biscayne Boulevard. The 12-inch water main break occurred Wednesday morning at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way. The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department issued a boil water notice for the impacted buildings due to the break. The four impacted buildings are Met 1 located at 300 S Biscayne Boulevard, Muze at 340 SE 3rd Street, South East Financial at 200 S. Biscayne Boulevard and Citi Group Center at 201 S. Biscayne Boulevard.

MIAMI – A water main break Wednesday morning left a portion of Downtown Miami flooded. The 12-inch water main break was reported at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way. The Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department issued a boil water notice for the impacted buildings due to the break. It just literally cracked like an egg.”The Metromover system was temporarily closed due to the water main break. WATCH: Video shows extensive flooding from water main break in Miami.

MIAMI – City of Miami officials announced that they will distribute more than $8.5 million to businesses and residents who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. The plan is funded by federal money from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. City commissioners decided they will allocate $5 million to small businesses, which can receive a grant of up to $20,000, and $3.4 million to residents, who can receive a $250 grocery gift card. To apply, residents must prove they live within city limits and have suffered financial losses. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and city commissioners held a news conference Wednesday morning to discuss the new relief programs.

MIAMI – South Florida residents and visitors alike can now get a whole new view of Downtown Miami. Local leaders cut the ribbon Wednesday on the city’s brand-new observation wheel. Just like that, the long-awaited Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel celebrated its grand opening. “(It cost) a million dollars to give people, who pay just a few dollars, multi-million dollar views to our city,” said City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. Bringing the wheel to the downtown skyline was a lengthy process because city zoning for a Ferris wheel didn’t exist.

MIAMI – Miami Mayor Francis Suarez held a news conference Tuesday afternoon regarding an incident in which a police officer was photographed wearing a Trump 2020 face mask while in uniform at a polling location. “The City of Miami and the Miami Police Department do not support or endorse any candidate for political party or elected office,” Suarez said. He said Ubeda was wearing the mask, which read, “Trump 2020. Here is @CityofMiami Police Officer Daniel Ubeda, in full uniform with badge and gun wearing his Trump mask inside of the polling location in government center. Miami Commissioner Ken Russell said the incident was unacceptable and the Miami Police Department tweeted that the officer’s actions were a violation of departmental policy.

But the bad news is that the economies for recycling worldwide are upside down, City of Miami Commissioner Ken Russell said. Russell and Miami Solid Waste Director Mario Nunez explain that recycling used to be a revenue stream. Now, for the city of Miami, it costs about $1 million a year. Whereas we used to get paid for our recycling materials, about $20 a ton, now we are paying $90 a ton to have our recycling processed, Russell said. Youll find lots of pizza boxes going into recycling, which Nunez said is a huge no-no.

MIAMI, Fla. Someone anonymously complained to the city about attorney David Winker who has pending cases against the City of Miami. Winker has several pending lawsuits filed against the City of Miami on cases spanning developer setback rules enforcement to a petition to recall Miami City Commissioner Joe Carollo and ongoing court battles. On Friday, Winker said someone posted a notice on his door with four of the six code violations related to working from home. Since March 1, 2020 the City of Miami has issued 24 violations to people running business out of their homes without the required permits. and are working remotely during the pandemic, they do NOT need to worry, stated Miami City Attorney Victoria Mendez.

COCONUT GROVE, Fla. – The economic impact of COVID-19 took center stage during Thursday morning’s City of Miami Commission meeting. Small Business Emergency Loan Program ($600,000)Job retention is a loan criteria with the goal of funding helping small business owners keep their current low- to moderate- income employees during the crisis. Great conversation with @certremblylaw of @TremblyLawFirm about his work helping small business owners #Survive and then plan to 👇 #Recover + #Thrive. Miami DDA launched a Small Business Task Force of local professional volunteers made up of attorneys and CPAs to help downtown business owners navigate the loan process. If you would like the one-on-one support from a member of the Miami DDA Small Business Task Force email LoanAssistance@miamidda.com to request help.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)MIAMI – To help the unemployed during the coronavirus pandemic, Farm Share of Florida is co-hosting two food distribution events on Friday in Miami’s Coconut Grove and Liberty City neighborhoods. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, a survivor of COVID-19, Miami-Dade County Commission Chairwoman Audrey Edmonson and City Commissioner Ken Russell are scheduled to be at both events. The food distribution in Liberty City is from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Second Canaan Missionary Baptist Church at 4343 NW 17 Ave. The food distribution in Coconut Grove is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Armbrister Park at 4000 Grand Ave.

MIAMI – People all over Miami say they felt buildings swaying after a massive earthquake measuring 7.7 magnitude was centered between the island nations of Cuba and Jamaica on Tuesday. The initial tremor was followed by a series of strong aftershocks, including one measured at magnitude 6.1. Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell says those in eight buildings in the Brickell and downtown areas self-evacuated and the building department was onsite. Here is the latest from the @CityofMiami EOC regarding the effects felt in #Miami related to the 7.7 magnitude #earthquake that hit near Cuba and Jamaica. A 7.7 magnitude earthquake is considered a major earthquake that can cause serious damage.

MIAMI - The city of Miami is making history with a first-of-its-kind armored rescue unit built to withstand winds in excess of 35 mph. The Miami Fire Rescue Department purchased the MedCat after Hurricane Irma. Firefighters said they reached out to the Miami Police Department to borrow its armored vehicle, known as a BearCat, which inspired the MedCat. "We've always had high water but not high wind vehicles, and so we really wanted to start looking at what we could do to address that." Zahralban said the MedCat is basically an armored vehicle that can sustain both higher winds and higher water, and is also outfitted for medical use.