Biden announces release of crude oil reserves to help drop gas prices in wake of OPEC+ cut
President Biden took action Wednesday to ease the pain at the pump announcing the release of 15 million barrels of crude oil from the nation’s emergency stockpile to help drop gas prices just three weeks away from mid-term elections.
This Week in South Florida Podcast: July 3, 2022
On the latest episode of the This Week in South Florida podcast, hosts Michael Putney and Glenna Milberg are joined by State Sen. Shevrin Jones, State Rep. Chip LaMarca, Miami-Dade Public Schools Superintendent Jose Dotres and chair of Miami-Dade County’s Independent Civilian Panel Loreal Arscott.
This Week in South Florida Podcast: June 26, 2022
On the latest episode of the This Week in South Florida podcast, hosts Glenna Milberg and Michael Putney are joined by Rep. Mario Diaz Balart, Mayte Canino of Planned Parenthood, Parkland parent and activist Tony Montalto and Miami politician David Rivera.
Democrat supports reopening detention center for unaccompanied migrant minors in Homestead
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – The detention center for undocumented unaccompanied migrant minors in Homestead remains closed and a few protesters who want it to stay that way were standing outside on Monday. One said she was horrified when Rep. Frederica Wilson, a Democrat, asked President Joe Biden’s administration to reopen the facility to house the migrant children. What may complicate the decision for the Biden administration: Then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris visited the site in June 2019, and she criticized the use of private detention facilities. “HHS has not had the capacity to intake the number of unaccompanied children we have been encountering.”HHS is supposed to hold the child for coronavirus testing, shelter, and placing with a sponsor. In the past administration and in the present administration, until we solve the problem at the border,” Salazar said.
Bipartisan virtual summit calls for overhaul of the immigration system
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – The Immigration Partnership & Coalition Fund, a Miami-Dade-based organization that advocates for undocumented immigrants’ rights through bipartisan action, hosted a virtual summit on Thursday. “We have a bipartisan tradition of supporting immigration initiatives to give people a chance to live a life of dignity and a life of purpose,” Bush said. Diaz-Balart said that in order to reform the immigration system everyone had to be willing to accept not getting “every single thing that we want” and support a bipartisan legislative proposal. “For the sake of our food supply and our healthcare system and overall quality of life, we must bring our immigration system into the 21st century,” Lazaro said. AdSenators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio oppose Biden’s immigration bill.
Popular Las Olas restaurant closes after re-opening for only two days
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Photos tell the story of why a popular spot in South Florida reopened on Friday but, by Sunday it closed. Mostly maskless people packed in at The Wharf at 20 West Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale for its reopening. pic.twitter.com/8fUvfOoQ5N — The Wharf Fort Lauderdale (@wharfftl) November 22, 2020“We will reopen when we are able to provide the proper experience for you at our beautiful outdoor venue. Stay safe and stay tuned.”Nightlife in Fort Lauderdale has been heavily scrutinized during the pandemic. On Fort Lauderdale Beach this weekend, the annual air show drew crowds and while signs posted said masks were required some people didn’t follow the direction.
This Week in South Florida: Rep. Mario Diaz Balart
PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. Congressman Mario Diaz Balart usually supports President Trump on most issues, but split with him this week on delaying the 2020 election. South Florida's long republican congressman had a lot of his plate this week, including a roundtable with Vice President Mike Pence. The first Phase 3 clinical trials started for a COVID-19 vaccine in Miami this week. The full video can be found at the top of this page.
Republicans vote against temporary protected status for Venezuelans
Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON - A bill that seeks to protect thousands of Venezuelans currently living in the United States from deportation by granting them Temporary Protected Status failed Tuesday in the House of Representatives. Rep. Mario Diaz Balart, R-Florida, a co-sponsor, said he and others will seek a new vote in regular order to pass the bill. "Granting Venezuelans TPS is one of the most bipartisan immigration acts each of us as member of Congress can take right now," said the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Darren Soto, a Florida Democrat. The Congressional Budget Office estimates 200,000 Venezuelans currently living in the United States could receive TPS. President Donald Trump said in June his administration was considering granting TPS to thousands of Venezuelans who have fled to the U.S. amid ongoing unrest.