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Miami, FL
Cam Ward ends 22-year Miami Hurricanes drought with Heisman finalist nod | Sporting News
The Heisman Trophy finalists have been announced, and Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward is among the four players headed to New York. This marks a significant milestone for Miami, as Ward becomes the program’s first Heisman finalist since 2002.
Ward joins Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel in the race for college football’s most prestigious individual honor. The Hurricanes’ signal-caller earned his spot by leading the nation in passing touchdowns (36), ranking second in passing yards (4,123), second in points responsible for (254), and fourth in passing efficiency. Along the way, Ward shattered Miami records, surpassing Bernie Kosar’s single-season passing yards record of 3,642 set in 1984.
The news is out…@Cameron7Ward is a finalist for the @HeismanTrophy 🙌
🔗: https://t.co/cHOvAm5y4G pic.twitter.com/evruYVbm7m
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) December 10, 2024
The last time Miami had Heisman finalists was in 2002 with quarterback Ken Dorsey and running back Willis McGahee. That year, McGahee finished fourth in voting with 101 first-place votes and 660 total points, while Dorsey finished fifth with 122 first-place votes and 643 total points. Ward’s presence in New York ends a 22-year drought for the Hurricanes in the Heisman conversation.
Cam Ward is the first Heisman Finalist from Miami since Ken Dorsey and Willis McGahee 🔥 @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/ZslvSp2VuW
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) December 10, 2024
Despite his historic season, Ward enters the ceremony as a long shot, with his odds at +50000—the lowest among the finalists, according to Rotowire. Hunter leads the pack at -4000, followed by Jeanty (+1100) and Gabriel (+40000). Ward’s odds took a hit after Miami’s late-season losses to Georgia Tech and Syracuse, which derailed their ACC Championship hopes and a potential College Football Playoff berth.
Still, Ward’s inclusion among the finalists is a testament to his outstanding individual season and a bright spot for a Miami program looking to return to national prominence.
Miami, FL
Tokyo-style Neapolitan pizza is coming to Miami, led by legendary pizzaiolo chef Bun
If you’re a diehard pizza fanatic in Miami, you’ll soon be able to check another renowned style off your list without leaving home. Arriving in October 2026, Royale Pizza Napoletana will debut at 1680 Meridian Avenue, introducing South Florida to the exceptionally precise world of Tokyo-style Neapolitan pizza. This highly anticipated opening marks the monumental stateside arrival of legendary Japanese pizzaiolo Chef Bun, the mastermind behind Tokyo’s genre-defining concept, Savoy.
RECOMMENDED: Where to find the best pizza in Miami
The restaurant is the brainchild of banking entrepreneur and restaurateur Jess Varughese, the innovator behind Miami’s ultra-exclusive, members-only hotspot, Haiku. After experiencing Chef Bun’s “perfect pizzas” during a trip to Japan, Varughese envisioned bringing this science-driven culinary movement to sunny South Florida. To ensure absolute authenticity, Varughese assembled an elite culinary team. Alongside Chef Bun, the kitchen features Haiku Executive Chef Albert Diaz and Chef Dalila Sabatino, a rising pizzaiola talent praised by Bun who previously trained at Los Angeles’ acclaimed Pizzeria Sei.
What sets Tokyo-style Neapolitan pizza apart is its rigorous, chemistry-like execution. At Royale, the dough undergoes a meticulous 30+ hour fermentation process. Varughese and his team spent hundreds of hours adjusting the recipe, combining artisan flours with the Autolyse technique and even altering Miami’s water softness to match Japan’s famously soft water. Pizzas are then baked fresh in an 800-degree oven. The resulting crust achieves an ethereal balance of lightness, chewiness, char and crunch. As Varughese notes, having Chef Bun’s 20-plus years of innovation on board elevates the entire culinary game.
Royale will be fast-casual, yet polished, with seating for 65 guests including a large community table at its center. Staying true to an accessible vibe, the restaurant will operate on a first-come, first-served walk-in basis with no reservations, though takeout and delivery will be available. You’ll order at a main counter from a carefully curated menu featuring antipasti, two pastas, two mains and seven distinct pizzas—including four traditional options and three specials. This is a pizza spot that deserves the hype, so stay up to date on their progress at @royalenapoletana ahead of the official October launch.
Miami, FL
Girl, 12, shot while sitting in parked car in northwest Miami-Dade, deputies say
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A 12-year-old girl was shot in the arm after gunfire erupted in a northwest Miami-Dade neighborhood early Tuesday morning, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said they responded just before 1 a.m. to the area of Northwest 64th Street and Northwest 21st Avenue in the county’s Gladeview area, where they found three vehicles struck by gunfire, including a silver Hyundai.
“The car was parked outside of the residence. It was occupied by three juveniles, so it was the girl and her two siblings that were in the vehicle. The mom was outside of the vehicle at the time, so this could have been a very different outcome,” MDSO Detective Samantha Choon said.
Authorities said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue medics transported the girl to a nearby hospital in stable condition.
A family member of the victim told Local 10’s Jackie Pascale that the girl is now home and doing OK.
They said neither her siblings nor their mother was injured in the shooting.
According to investigators, no arrests have been made, and detectives have not released any suspect information at this time.
Neighbor Marie Grimes said she was shaken after hearing multiple gunshots.
“I heard the booms — boom, boom, boom, boom — and I said, ‘Oh my God, what’s happening?’” she said. “Maybe five or six, ’cause look at that right there. I’m just glad the little girl is OK.”
Investigators asked neighbors to check their surveillance or Ring camera footage from around 1 a.m. and contact authorities with any information.
Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477. Anonymous tips are accepted.
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Miami, FL
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