Latest news with #MiamiDade
CBS News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Billboards slam Diaz-Balart over Alligator Alcatraz; Congressman calls campaign a "radical left" move
A nonprofit group is accusing U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of staying silent on alleged abuses at the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center. The group has launched a wave of billboards across Miami-Dade that the congressman says are part of a politically motivated campaign by "the radical left." "When you have groups from the left tied to the Democratic party doing billboards against a Republican, it should be no surprise," Diaz-Balart told CBS News Miami. He said the billboards, one of which appears near the Palmetto Expressway and the entrance to Hialeah, are part of a political strategy. "I think it is a little ironic that it's basically a campaign poster, gets coverage without saying who paid for it," Diaz-Balart added. The criticism centers on allegations that Diaz-Balart has remained silent about reported irregularities at the facility and the number of people being detained and deported without criminal records. "The elections (midterm) are more than a year away," said Chris Wills, spokesperson for the nonprofit group Keep Them Honest, which is responsible for the billboards. Wills said the organization is not backing any candidate and described it as a nonpartisan effort to hold elected officials accountable. "So, Keep Them Honest is a nonprofit, not party organization. We are here to hold the elected officials who were entrusted with the vote of this community," Wills said. "Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart—why is he the one up on this board? Because he's the Republican in Congress who has served the most here in Miami-Dade County. And he has been the most silent one." The group said there are six billboards in total and that monthly costs vary by location. "I would say it's a couple thousand dollars (a month)," said Wills. When asked about funding sources, Wills said, "I'll tell you those checks are coming from people across the political spectrum, including people like me who are former Republicans." Keep Them Honest alleges that detainees at Alligator Alcatraz, located in Diaz-Balart's District 26, are being held without due process or access to legal representation, particularly migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti. "I saw the conditions inside, there's a lot of false information… look, it's a detention center. You and I would not want to spend a day at a detention center, but the conditions inside are typical of a detention center," Diaz-Balart said.
CBS News
19 hours ago
- CBS News
Postal worker stabbed in Biscayne Park after verbal altercation, authorities say
A U.S. Postal Service worker was stabbed Monday afternoon during a confrontation in Biscayne Park and transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities. Officers with the Biscayne Park Police Department responded after 2:30 p.m. to reports of a possible stabbing near Northeast 10th Avenue and Northeast 117th Street, police said in a statement. When officers arrived, they located the alleged offender and took the individual into custody without incident. First aid was rendered to the victim, who sustained what appeared to be a stab wound to the torso. The victim was reported to be conscious and alert at the scene. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue treated the postal worker and transported him to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center. Authorities said he is in stable condition and his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the incident began as a verbal altercation between the postal employee and a person on the street. The confrontation then escalated, resulting in the stabbing. Biscayne Park Police are leading the investigation, with assistance from U.S. Postal Inspectors, who responded to the scene. Authorities say the incident is being treated as isolated and the investigation remains ongoing.
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Bond hearing reset for Miami Beach man charged in mother's murder after judge notes missing details
A bond court hearing for a Miami Beach man charged in the murder of his mother, whose body was found in a dumpster at his apartment building over the weekend, was rescheduled after a judge noticed details missing from his arrest report. Anthony Caruso, who has been charged with second-degree, appeared Monday morning before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy Glazer. During the hearing, it was revealed that Caruso was out on probation for three other cases, details of which were not discussed. During a reading of his arrest report, Glazer noted that important details were missing. "Am I missing something?" she asked the prosecutor. Glazer then questioned the reasoning behind the charges, saying there was nothing in the arrest report that indicated he had killed his mother. "Where does it say he killed his mother?" she said. "I agree judge. There's nothing indicating that says he killed his mother," Caruso's attorney replied. The prosecution then tried to call in the officers behind the arrest but couldn't reach them. Glazer then reset the hearing for the afternoon session. "Reset it in the afternoon for a probable cause hearing to see if he is in fact the person who killed his mother," she said. According to police, Caruso's mother, Elizabeth Caruso, arrived in Miami Beach from New Jersey mid-day on Saturday to check on her son, Anthony, who they said has a history of mental health issues. That night, according to police, they received a call from her son-in-law who said he had been unable to reach her for six hours. Officers were then sent to Caruso's apartment building on Washington Avenue to conduct a welfare check. According to the arrest report, when they arrived they found blood on the front door of his apartment and a smear of blood on the hallway floor that led to the trash room directly across from it. "Officers opened the door to the trash room and saw blood on the walls and floor surrounding the trash chute. Officers went to the first floor of the building where the bottom of the trash chute was located," according to the report. The door was locked, so Miami Beach Fire Rescue was called to help breach it. When officers entered the room, they found Elizabeth Caruso's body inside the dumpster, according to the arrest report. Elizabeth Caruso's neck was severely injured "nearly to the point of decapitation" and sustained several bone fractures in her arms, hands, face and head, according to the medical examiner's findings noted in the report. When officers tried to make contact with Caruso at his apartment, no one came to the door, according to police. At this time, Miami Beach police SWAT and Hostage Negotiation Teams were deployed to the apartment building, and a search warrant was obtained, police said. "When our officers tried to make contact with the subject, he barricaded himself," Christopher Best, a public information officer with Miami Beach police, said. While serving the warrant, SWAT officers commanded Caruso several times to surrender to no avail and tried using several tactics to get him to comply. However, they were unsuccessful. After an eight-hour standoff, officers used a K9 and Taser to take him into custody, according to police. Caruso, whose right arm was injured by the K9, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment. Caruso was then taken to the Miami Beach Police Department for questioning. There he invoked his rights and did not provide a statement, according to the arrest report.
CBS News
a day ago
- Climate
- CBS News
How to choose and safely use a generator during hurricane season in South Florida
Preparing for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season means more than just stocking up on supplies, it also means being ready for potential power outages. For many, that includes relying on a generator to keep essential appliances running. But with serious risks like carbon monoxide poisoning, electrical shock and fire hazards, it's just as important to know how to buy, use, and store a generator safely as it is to own one. Here's what you need to know to choose the right generator — and how to avoid dangerous mistakes: Generators convert mechanical energy into electrical power through electromagnetic induction. Most home units run on gasoline, diesel or propane and are designed to keep essential appliances running during a power outage. Standby generators These permanently installed units automatically power your home during an outage, but in Miami-Dade and Broward, they require permits for installation. Portable generators Portable units are more affordable and ideal for powering essentials like refrigerators and fans. They don't require permits unless wired into your home's electrical panel. See the Consumer Reports generator buying guide. Generators are widely available at: During hurricane season, supplies can run low quickly, so consider buying early. Improper generator use can be fatal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that carbon monoxide (CO) — an invisible, odorless gas — kills hundreds of people each year during storm season. Major risks and how to avoid them: Read more safety tips from the CDC. After the storm:
CBS News
a day ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Scorching heat threatens South Florida, "feels like" temps expected to be in triple digits
With "feels like" temperatures expected to be in the triple digits on Monday, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for South Florida. The National Weather Service issues a heat advisory when the heat index, which combines temperatures and the humidity, is expected to reach 105 degrees or higher and last for at least two hours. A heat warning requires even more extreme conditions. Monday's heat index values will hover around 105 degrees for Broward and Miami-Dade counties. While the Florida Keys are not officially under a heat advisory, temperatures will feel like they are up to 102 degrees. The heat advisory is in effect from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The hotter conditions are due to a combination of moisture moving in from the mid-Atlantic and an area of high pressure over the Gulf. The chance of rain on Monday is 20% with afternoon highs in the low 90s. South Florida residents are encouraged to take the necessary precautions to avoid heat exhaustion and heat illness. Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water, stay in the shade or AC during the afternoon hours or take frequent breaks if you need to be outside.
