Connect with us

Miami, FL

‘Have a plan’: Arnie Weiss launches campaign for Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections

Published

on

‘Have a plan’: Arnie Weiss launches campaign for Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections


Digital media entrepreneur Arnold “Arnie” Weiss thinks the other three candidates running for Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections (SOE) don’t have the technical know-how to improve the county’s voting processes.

But he does, he said, and that’s why he’s seeking the job.

Weiss, a Democrat whose work developing digital distribution solutions and user experiences saw him work for both government and private organizations, filed to run for SOE late last month.

He officially launched his campaign Friday.

Advertisement

“Voters in this county deserve a Supervisor who will actually have a plan for how they will improve the department along with a track record of delivering results,” Weiss said in a statement.

“Frankly, I did not see where any of the candidates who have entered this race have any of the prerequisite experience necessary to do the work at hand and that is why I have decided to run for Supervisor of Elections in Miami-Dade County in 2024.”

A longtime Miami-Dade resident now living in Miami, Weiss graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, where he studied producing for electronic media. His more than 25-year career included work for movie studios, digital properties, government agencies and several broadcast networks, including ABC, ESPN and CBS.

A press release from Weiss’ campaign said he has “taken on the county” twice about election matters. The first time, he said, was over the use of touch-screen voting in 2004, when system crashes in Miami-Dade resulted in lost electronic records.

More recently, the county notified him that he faced removal from its voter rolls for not voting — an issue the Florida Democratic Party has been sounding the alarm about following the passage of new election laws.

Advertisement

Weiss said that the office of the county’s currently appointed SOE, Christina White, “was very responsive” to his concerns about maintaining his active voter status. But it also took several days and an “exhaustive investigation” by the Department for the issue — which was due to “errors by the Post Office,” he said — to be rectified.

“It is clear we must improve the back-end processes to ensure that the information that the department provides to voters is accurate and that is just one of the jobs of the Supervisor, which neither of my (Primary) opponents are qualified to do,” he said.

Weiss said he’s “already created a detailed technical product and project roadmap” for the Miami-Dade Elections Department to make voting more accessible to everyone legally allowed to vote. It includes:

— Allowing voters to cast ballots at any precinct in the county on Election Day, the same as the county does currently for early voting.

— Eliminating issues that prevent the Department from getting citizens the information necessary to restore their voting rights.

Advertisement

— Updating the Department’s technology to secure precinct-level and mail-in voting, speed up processing time at polling places and retain images of ballots made by tabulators to ensure that the people voting by mail are registered voters.

— Using text and email messaging to contact residents if they’re at risk of being removed from the voter rolls, rather than the current system in which the Department relies solely on the postal system.

Weiss is set to face political consultant Willis Howard and former Rep. Juan Carlos “J.C.” Planas in an Aug. 20 Democratic Primary.

The winner will compete in the Nov. 5 General Election against Miami Rep. Alina García, who now has a clear path in the Republican Primary after two GOP opponents dropped out.

Miami-Dade voters abolished several constitutional officers — including SOE, Tax Collector and Property Appraiser — through the 1957 adoption of the county’s Home Rule Charter, which delegated their power to the Miami-Dade’s top executive official, now the county Mayor, who now appoints people to those positions.

Advertisement

But in 2018, Florida voters — including 58% of Miami-Dade voters — approved a constitutional amendment requiring every county in the state to elect those officers, as well as a Sheriff, by Jan. 7, 2025.

White confirmed last June that she would not seek election to the office she’s held by appointment since 2015.

Post Views: 0



Source link

Advertisement

Miami, FL

Jaquez and Miami take on Golden State in non-conference play

Published

on

Jaquez and Miami take on Golden State in non-conference play


Golden State Warriors (9-7, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. Miami Heat (8-6, seventh in the Eastern Conference)

Miami; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Heat -6.5; over/under is 230.5

Advertisement

BOTTOM LINE: Miami and Golden State face off in non-conference action.

The Heat have gone 6-1 at home. Miami is second in the NBA averaging 124.6 points and is shooting 48.8% from the field.

The Warriors have gone 4-7 away from home. Golden State is 1-0 in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Heat average 14.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.7 more made shots on average than the 12.3 per game the Warriors allow. The Warriors average 16.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.7 more made shots on average than the 14.6 per game the Heat allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jaime Jaquez Jr. is averaging 17.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Heat. Norman Powell is averaging 19.0 points over the last 10 games.

Advertisement

Stephen Curry is averaging 27.9 points, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals for the Warriors. Jimmy Butler III is averaging 33.0 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 62.5% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 5-5, averaging 121.8 points, 42.8 rebounds, 30.5 assists, 8.5 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.8 points per game.

Warriors: 5-5, averaging 113.4 points, 41.7 rebounds, 26.7 assists, 10.2 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.5 points.

INJURIES: Heat: Bam Adebayo: day to day (foot), Tyler Herro: out (ankle).

Warriors: De’Anthony Melton: out (knee), Jonathan Kuminga: day to day (knee).

Advertisement

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.



Source link

Continue Reading

Miami, FL

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office holds memorial service for fallen deputy Devin Jaramillo

Published

on

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office holds memorial service for fallen deputy Devin Jaramillo


The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is honoring the life and service of one of its own – Deputy Devin Jaramillo.

The 27-year-old deputy, who is lovingly remembered as a homegrown hero, partner, brother and son, was fatally shot by a suspect on Nov. 7 near Kendall.

A procession will begin at 6 a.m.on Tuesday, beginning at the Caballero Rivero Woodlawn funeral home, to a private mass. The memorial service for Jaramillo will begin at 10 a.m. at LoanDepot Park, located at 501 Marlins Way. 

How the fatal shooting of Jaramillo unfolded

According to investigators, Jaramillo responded to a minor crash close to the Enterprise Rent-A-Car in the 12000 block of Southwest 128th Street, near Kendall.

Advertisement

A source told CBS News Miami that the crash suspect, identified as 21-year-old Steven Rustrian, hit a vehicle, failed to stop and pulled into a parking space between two other vehicles in an attempt to hide after police were called.

Before Jaramillo arrived, Rustrian allegedly swapped seats with his partner.

Witnesses told Jaramillo about the incident and when he confronted Rustrian about the crash, Rustrian got out of his vehicle and started arguing with Jaramillo.

Surveillance video captured the moment the fight escalated, showing Jaramillo and Rustrian involved in a physical altercation. Video shows during the scuffle, Rustrian got a hold of Jaramillo’s service weapon and shot him several times.

After fatally wounding Jaramillo, Rustrian retreated back to his vehicle and killed himself with the deputy’s gun, officials confirmed.

Advertisement

A community in mourning 

Local, state and federal law enforcement have shared their condolences with Jaramillo’s family since he was killed

“What happened to our deputy was not OK,” Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said. She said she prays that they find a way for incidents like this one to never happen again.

“I want to tell you that behind this uniform, we are human beings,” said Cordero-Stutz. 

South Florida PBA President Steadman Stahl said being a police officer was in Jaramillo’s blood. His father also worked for the department.

“I was at his graduation. I’ve known him before he got into law enforcement,” Stahl said.

Advertisement

“Deputy Jaramillo’s killing is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by every individual who wears the badge and the sacrifices these officers make to protect this community,” Miami-Dade County State’s Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement.”His family is in my prayers.” 

Governor Ron DeSantis posted on X that he and First Lady Casey DeSantis are heartbroken over the deputy’s death. 



Source link

Continue Reading

Miami, FL

Why YouTube star Jack Doherty was arrested in Miami Beach

Published

on

Why YouTube star Jack Doherty was arrested in Miami Beach



The influencer, known for stunt videos, was arrested Nov. 15 after police say he disrupted traffic.

play

A popular YouTuber known for prank and stunt videos was arrested in Miami after he was found disrupting traffic to film content for his social media channel, police said.

Jack Doherty, 22, was taken into custody around 3:12 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, after he intentionally stepped into traffic and blocked the roadway, according to a news release from the Miami Beach Police Department.

“Despite multiple lawful commands to clear the roadway, Doherty refused to comply, responding, ‘Once I’m done with this bet!’” police said in the post.  

Body camera footage obtained by USA TODAY showed officers handcuffing Doherty on a palm-tree-lined street while other young people filmed.

The officers went through Doherty’s pockets and pulled out what they believed was an amphetamine and cannabis.

Advertisement

Jack Doherty facing several charges

Doherty, who has more than 15 million YouTube followers and more than 10 million TikTok followers, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana, and resisting an officer without violence.

According to local reports, Doherty was released on bond the night of his arrest. Speaking to NBC 6, the content creator said, “That was the worst 24 hours ever,” adding that the incident happened because he took too long to cross the street.

“There was no traffic. It was three in the morning,” he told the outlet. “I think they just wanted to lock me up, but fair enough, learned my lesson.”

Advertisement

Doherty posted videos online about his arrest

Doherty posted a video on social media Nov. 16, showing he was released from jail.  

In the video, Doherty poses with people he said he met in jail.

He has also made several follow-up videos poking fun at his arrest, including one where he is standing behind a black railing using the song “Locked Up” by Akon.

An arraignment hearing, or the initial court appearance where Doherty will enter a plea, is scheduled for Jan. 14, 2026.

Advertisement

“MBPD remains committed to maintaining public safety and order throughout the city,” police said in the news release.

“Our officers will continue to take proactive enforcement action against behavior that endangers motorists, residents, or visitors—and will hold all individuals accountable under the law, regardless of their celebrity status.”

USA TODAY reached out to representatives for Doherty on Nov. 16, but did not receive an immediate response.

Karissa Waddick, a reporter on USA TODAY’s Nation Desk, can be reached at kwaddick@usatoday.com.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY’s trending team. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending