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Could Dolphins Go for Jaelan Phillips 2.0?

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Could Dolphins Go for Jaelan Phillips 2.0?


Could it be déjà vu all over again for the Miami Dolphins in the 2024 NFL draft?

Could they spend a first-round pick on a star college pass rusher whose career was stopped by medical concerns before it restarted? Whose college career included a stop at UCLA? And lastly who wore number 15 during that stint with the Bruins?

Yeah, the similarities between Jaelan Phillips and Laiatu Latu are pretty fascinating, and it just so happens the Dolphins could use a pass rusher in the 2024 draft — in large part because of Phillips’ current health status, more specifically his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon he sustained last November.

LATU’S COLLEGE JOURNEY

Before he ended up at UCLA, Latu began his collegiate career at the University of Washington, but he sustained a neck injury during fall practices before his sophomore season in 2020 and would miss the next two seasons after UW doctors red-flagged him.

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With Phillips, it was a couple of concussions that led to him quitting football after playing at UCLA and before transferring to the University of Miami.

Latu played the past two seasons at UCLA and in 2023 he was a unanimous All-American selection and won the Ted Hendricks and Lombardi awards. He also was the collegiate Polynesian Football Player of the Year on defense, while the offensive award when to Tua Tagovailoa’s younger brother, Taulia (Tua won that award in 2018 and 2019, along with winning the professional award in 2022 for offense and 2023 overall).

WHY LATU WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE FOR THE DOLPHINS

There is zero question that Latu would be a great fit for the Dolphins, but he would be a great fit for many teams, which is why it’s questionable whether he’ll be available with the 21st overall selection where the Dolphins have their first pick.

The Dolphins not only have to worry about Phillips’ recovery, but also those of fellow edge defenders Bradley Chubb and Cameron Goode from severe knee injuries sustained late in the season.

Latu’s NFL.com draft profile includes a quote from an anonymous AFC executive calling him “easily the most skilled (pass) rusher in the draft,” but perhaps concerns about his neck injury could cause him to slide.

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If he does end up being available at 21, the Dolphins could do worse than going for Jaelan Phillips 2.0.



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Miami International Airport unveils $14 billion investment in major makeover ahead of World Cup

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Miami International Airport unveils  billion investment in major makeover ahead of World Cup



Miami International Airport (MIA) debuted a new logo and “vibe” Friday night, as Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and airport CEO Ralph Cutie showcased improvements underway as part of a multi-billion-dollar investment.

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The two officials, joined by over a dozen people, took an airport tour to highlight changes, including new painting, lighting, moving sidewalks, murals, and an indoor playground. Mayor Cava emphasized the scale of the commitment, stating that the airport is making a “$14 billion investment”.

“This was something I only understood when I became mayor,” she said.

The mayor noted that many of the changes are expected to be completed by 2030. The current effort is a different picture from two and a half years ago, when CBS Miami documented persistent problems with broken escalators and moving sidewalks.

CEO Ralph Cutie credits the difference to hiring a new contractor, adding that the airport now has a “95 percent operational rate”. Upgrades also include renovated elevators and escalators, improvements to restrooms, new lighting, and a central garden center.

Traveler Alex Ginestra, one of the 55 million people who travel through MIA every year, acknowledged the improvements, calling the changes “long overdue,” especially in the international terminals. However, he still feels the airport falls short compared to others globally.

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“I’ve been to other airports around the world, and it’s a wow. This is lackluster,” Ginestra said.



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North Miami man accused of stabbing victim 7 times

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North Miami man accused of stabbing victim 7 times


NORTH MIAMI, Fla. — A North Miami man is facing an attempted murder charge after police say he stabbed another man multiple times at his home, leaving the victim with life-threatening injuries.

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The suspect arrested in the case was identified by North Miami police on Friday as 53-year-old James Mackenzie.

According to an arrest report obtained by Local 10, officers responded around 10:45 a.m. Thursday to the 500 block of Northeast 132nd Terrace in reference to a reported stabbing.

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Police said they located Mackenzie with blood on his hands in the backyard near an efficiency at the back of his home.

Investigators conducted a safety sweep of the home and located the victim who they say was “suffering from multiple stab wounds to the chest.”

The report states that the victim was seated in a walker used as a wheelchair and was having difficulty breathing and speaking after he was stabbed.

Police said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue medics transported the victim to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital for treatment.

Hospital staff later told investigators the victim had been stabbed approximately seven times, with at least one wound piercing his heart, according to the report. Police said the victim, who has not yet been identified, remains in critical condition as of Friday afternoon.

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Investigators said while inside the home, they found large amounts of blood in a bedroom where the victim was discovered.

They also confirmed that a small folding pocketknife with what appeared to be blood on it was also located inside Mackenzie’s home.

The report states other residents heard an argument between Mackenzie and the victim but did not witness the stabbing.

A surveillance camera inside the home captured audio of the victim saying, “I’m bleeding everywhere, please. I need to go to the hospital,” according to the report.

Police said Mackenzie made several statements that were redacted from the publicly released report before invoking his right to an attorney after being read his Miranda rights.

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Jail records show he is facing one count of second-degree attempted murder.

As of Friday afternoon, he was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond was listed as “to be set.”

A motive for the stabbing remains unclear at this time.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.

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Michael Stern’s JDS to bring on partner Jeff Soffer at Mercedes-Benz Miami project, working on $1B loan

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Michael Stern’s JDS to bring on partner Jeff Soffer at Mercedes-Benz Miami project, working on B loan


Michael Stern’s JDS Development Group is nearing a deal to bring on Jeff Soffer’s Fontainebleau Development as a partner and secure an over $1 billion loan for the Mercedes-Benz Miami condo project, The Real Deal has learned. 

The deal, which has not yet closed, will replenish the project’s capital stack and would resolve litigation with the existing lender, allowing the nearly 800-unit branded condo project to resume. Byron Trott and Michael Dell’s firm, BD&T & MSD, is one of the lenders, according to sources. 

The $1.06 billion financing package includes a C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) component, which encourages the use of energy efficient and sustainable materials and design.

JDS and Fontainebleau Development declined to comment. A representative for BD&T & MSD did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

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The project has been tied up in a foreclosure suit with Cottonwood Management. In May, Cottonwood sued the JDS affiliate alleging the developer failed to repay the loan by the January 2025 maturity date. The JDS affiliate countersued, accusing Cottonwood of underhandedly acquiring the note while JDS was in the market for a construction loan. 

Cottonwood took over the loan in late March of this year from Maxim Credit Group, which provided an $86 million refinance in 2022. 

The 791-unit, two-tower development is valued at more than $2 billion once completed, according to a court filing. The 67-story development is planned to have 130,000 square feet of amenities and hospitality space, 200,000 square feet of office, health and wellness space, a 174-key hotel, retail and parking. It will mark the first Mercedes-Benz branded condo development once completed. 

The project, designed by ShOP Architects, launched sales in 2024 with unit prices starting at $500,000. Ryan Serhant’s firm, Serhant, is leading sales and marketing of the project. 

In one of its court filings, the JDS affiliate stated that the foreclosure suit caused “immediate, significant and potentially irreparable damage” to the developer and the project. After the foreclosure was filed, the city of Miami notified the developer that it had defaulted under the public benefits agreement, which requires JDS to build a new fire station for the city. JDS’ approval in 2020 hinged on the developer agreeing to build an $8 million firehouse for the city, and $5 million into public benefits, including a redesign of the adjacent Southside Park. 

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JDS’ other South Florida development is the Dolce & Gabbana-branded condo project planned for 888 Brickell Avenue. One Sotheby’s International Realty, the brokerage firm hired to lead sales and marketing of the project, sued the JDS affiliate behind that tower, seeking more than $500,000 in allegedly unpaid commissions, expense reimbursements, marketing fees and other costs the brokerage has incurred while selling the project, according to a lawsuit in May. 

Fontainebleau Development and its partner Starwood Capital Group recently secured a $104 million refinancing from BDT & MSD for an oceanfront condo project in Tequesta called 1 Homes Jupiter Island. Soffer’s completed condo projects include the luxury condo tower Turnberry Ocean Club in Sunny Isles Beach. His firm’s portfolio includes the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort, where Soffer plans a controversial water park expansion.

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How Jeffrey Soffer turned the Fontainebleau name into a real estate empire

Terra's David Martin with a rendering of 1250 West Avenue in Miami Beach and Michael Stern with a rendering of Mercedes-Benz Places in Miami

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South Florida Dirt: In Brickell, Michael Stern fights foreclosure. In Miami Beach, his proposed tower moves on without him

JDS Development's Michael Stern with street view of 145, 155, 165 and 191 Southwest 12th Street and renderings of the project

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Lender moves to foreclose on JDS affiliate’s Mercedes-Benz Miami project 





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