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UPI
4 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
Judge halts construction of Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz'
A protester from Chicago shows his point of view with his sign in front of the entrance to Alligator Alcatraz located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport is seen on Wednesday in Ochopee, Florida. A federal judge Thursday issued a temporary restraining order halting construction for 14 days. Photo By Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo Aug. 7 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Thursday blocked further construction on an immigrant detention complex in Florida that has been referred to as "Alligator Alcatraz." U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Mary Williams issued a temporary restraining order after hearing two days of testimony about the potential environmental impacts of the center. The state of Florida and the Trump administration are permitted to continue housing detainees, but further construction is on hold for 14 days. Environmental advocates and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians and the state contend the "Alligator Alcatraz" facility could harm the Everglades ecosystem. The groups contend that construction of the center began without the necessary environmental impact statements. Multiple species reside in the area's habitat, including the Florida Panther, and it is considered spiritually sacred to the Miccosukee Tribe. "We welcome the court's decision to pause construction on this deeply concerning project," Miccosukee Chairman Talbert Cypress said in a statement. "The detention facility threatens land that is not only environmentally sensitive but sacred to our people. While this order is temporary, it is an important step in asserting our rights and protecting our homeland. The Miccosukee Tribe will continue to stand for our culture, our sovereignty, and the Everglades." Williams' temporary restraining order prevents filling, paving, lighting and installing additional infrastructure. The detention center opened in July and is able to house thousand of inmates. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said "Alligator Alcatraz" could serve as a template for state-run immigration-detention facilities in the United States. President Donald Trump announced in May that the United States would reopen the original Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay, but there have been no independent cost analyses of what that would cost or when, or if, it would happen.
UPI
5 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
Judge hears about 'Alligator Alcatraz' environmental concerns
1 of 4 | A protester from Chicago on Wednesday holds a sign in front of the entrance to the so-called "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in Ochopee, Fla. A judge heard evidence in a lawsuit on environmental concerns. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Florida on Wednesday heard arguments from two groups seeking an injunction to halt the operation and further construction of an immigration detention center in the Everglades called "Alligator Alcrataz." District Judge Kathleen Williams conducted a hearing in Miami on a lawsuit by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, claiming the state and federal government bypassed mandatory ecological reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act during construction. They also said the detention facility, which now houses 1,000 detainees with plans for up to 5,000, was built in less than two weeks without public notice or comment, and didn't comply with other statutes, including the Endangered Species Act. The detention center, which is about 75 miles west of Miami and 44 miles southwest of Naple, is amid swampland that includes alligators, pythons, snakes and other predators. Randy Kautz, an expert in Florida wildlife, said 120 to 230 endangered panthers are in the "core area" and increased human activity will harm reproduction. "There has been a stable reproducing population of panthers in this area in this range at least over the last 30 years," he said in court. "Panthers have succeeded and resided here." Panthers were tracked in the 1,000 acres near the detention facility, which was built on a rarely used airstrip off U.S. 41 in Ochopee in Miami-Dade County near Collier County. The so-called Alligator Alley, which is part of Interstate 75, runs 80 miles across the state through the Everglades. Attorneys say the work is exempt from the National Environmental Policy Act because it was initially funded, constructed and managed by the state. But Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani testified the Department of Homeland Security wants the facility. More than 40,000 people opposed the detention center in a petition on the website of the Friends of the Everglades, a nonprofit, which is one of the parties in the lawsuit. "We are very concerned about potential impacts of runoff" and "large, new industrial-style lights that are visible from 15 miles away, even though having a dark sky designation," Eve Samples, the executive director of the group, told the court. "Driving out there myself many times, the increased traffic is visible. I saw two dead gators last time I visited, so definitely a difference in the area." The detention facility neighbors land leased to the Miccosukee Indian Tribe with villages, a school, hunting areas and sacred sites. Civil rights groups filed a second lawsuit alleging that detainees' constitutional rights are being violated. A hearing in that case is scheduled for Aug. 18. WTVJ-TV reported limited access to showers, spoiled food, extreme heat and mosquitoes. They also allege they are being barred from meeting lawyers with some held without any charges. President Donald Trump toured the facility on July 1 with Gov. Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretry Kristi Noem before the opening two days later. The first deportation flights departed from the airstrip on July 25. Legislators in Congress and the state, who initially were denied access, were allowed to visit on July 12 but couldn't speak to the detainees and access to the property was limited. "Rural immigrant detention camps -- 750 people in cages like animals -- is un-American, and it should be shut down," state Sen. Carlo Guillermo Smith said. State and federal officials defend the conditions. "All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers," Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told NBC News last month. "Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority." DeSantis has said the airport site, called the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Facility, won't have any effect on the surrounding environment. DeSantis and Noem have touted the location because it is in a relatively remote area and surrounded by swampland. DeSantis utilized an emergency order in 2023 in response to Cuban and Haitian migrants arriving in the Florida Keys by boat, with the state offering to pay $20 million for the land. Florida will seek reimbursement from the federal government for the $450 million yearly cost of running the facility, a senior Department of Homeland Security official told the Miami Herald. County officials approve the use of the airstrip for immigrants. The airstrip was envisioned to become an airport with construction to begin in 1968. Work was halted in 1970 because of environmental concerns, but not before one runway was finished. The runway was used for training flights. The land later became Big Cyprus National Preserve, which encompasses 1,139 square miles. The preserve is north of Everglades National Park, which covers 2,356 square miles.
UPI
17-07-2025
- Business
- UPI
Couche-Tard withdraws proposal to acquire 7-eleven parent
Canadian retailer Couche-Tard Inc has announced its withdrawal from its buyout proposal to acquire Seven and I Holdings Co for $47 billion on by Gary I Rothstein/UPI... | License Photo July 17 (UPI) -- Canadian retailer Couche-Tard Inc. announced Thursday it has withdrawn its buyout proposal to acquire Seven and I Holdings Co. for $47 billion on Thursday. The two companies had initially signed a nondisclosure agreement that Seven & I would engage "constructively" with Couche-Tard to determine whether the proposal would be agreed on, in April. "Since entering into the NDA, there has been no sincere or constructive engagement from Seven & i that would facilitate the advancement of any proposal, contrary to comments made publicly by Seven & i representatives, including in the July 11, 2025 earnings call in which Seven & i noted it is "seriously" considering our proposal," Couche-Tard said in a letter to the Board of Directors of Seven and & I Holdings Co. "Based on this persistent lack of good faith engagement, we are withdrawing our proposal," Couche-Tard said. Seven & I rejected the statement that it has not engaged in constructive talks, according to a press release. "Our company will continue to implement measures on its own to create value," the company said. In 2024, Seven & I rejected a buyout bid from Couche-Tard for $14.86 per share, in August. Couche-Tard raised the offer in October to 18.19 per share. During a major restructuring at Seven & I Holdings in May, Stephen Dacus became the new President and CEO.
UPI
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Listen: Jonas Brothers release 'I Can't Lose,' song for Stand Up to Cancer
1 of 5 | The Jonas Brothers performs on stage during the Official Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix in 2023. They released a new song Wednesday. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo July 16 (UPI) -- The Jonas Brothers are back with new music. The trio released the song "I Can't Lose" and an accompanying music video Wednesday. The track supports Stand Up to Cancer in partnership with Mastercard. "I Can't Lose" is described as "a song about love, strength and showing up for the people you love," and will appear on the band's upcoming album Greetings From Your Hometown, which is due Aug. 8. "'I Can't Lose' is a song we hope can carry different meanings for everyone who hears it and, for those who need it, a reminder of their own strength," the Jonas Brothers said in a statement. The music video shows the band performing for a group of fans on a rooftop. Greetings From Your Hometown will also include the previously released songs "Love Me to Heaven," "No Time to Talk" and "Slow Motion." The group consists of Joe Jonas, 35, Kevin Jonas, 37, and Nick Jonas, 32. Nick Jonas turns 30: a look back Nick Jonas performs with the Jonas Brothers in concert at the Mizner Park Amphitheater in Boca Raton, Fla., on April 13, 2007. The band released their first album titled "It's About Time" in 2006. Photo by Martin Fried/UPI | License Photo
UPI
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Look: Jonas Brothers switch venues for six upcoming concerts
The Jonas Brothers announced this weekend that they are changing up the venues for six of their upcoming summer concerts. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo June 15 (UPI) -- The Jonas Brothers have announced plans to switch venues for six of the fraternal pop music trio's upcoming concerts. The new Jonas20: Living the Dream Tour shows will take place on the same late summer dates and in the same cities as the original ones were scheduled, but current purchases will be refunded and new tickets need to be bought for the updated venues. Affected shows are to take place in Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; Tinley Park, Ill.; Detroit; Dallas and Los Angeles. "Every decision we make is with you in mind, ensuring the best experience for our incredible fans," the band said in a social media post. "We're making some venue changes, but rest assured, all performances are still happening on the same dates in the same cities," the musicians added. "We're pouring our hearts into making this the best tour we've ever done." The group is also set to perform at the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Special in New York next month.
