MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. (WSVN) – After reviewing the Republican candidates running for Miami-Dade Sheriff, we now turn our attention to the Democrats hoping to secure the county’s top law enforcement position.
Come January, the Miami-Dade Police Department will become the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, allowing voters to have the final say on who gets to be the county’s top cop.
Four Democrats are running to be their party’s nominee.
John Barrow, an 18-year veteran of the Miami-Dade Police Department, was born and raised in Carol City, now Miami Gardens. He joined the force after college, rising to the rank of major. Barrow believes his experience with the department makes him the right candidate for the job.
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He says public safety is his top priority, along with challenging the status quo and making the agency more community-focused.
“I love this community. I also love this department. I know what we can do, I know our capabilities, I know our personnel, and I know where we need to improve. So due to that, I decided to run for sheriff to ensure that this community would be safe and free of crime,” Barrow said. He wants public safety as his top priority, along with challenging the status quo and making the agency more community-focused. “One of my top priorities as sheriff is to make Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office a community-rooted agency because, without the support of the community, we couldn’t do our jobs.”
Susan Khoury grew up in Miami-Dade County but was born in Jerusalem. With two degrees from the University of Miami, Khoury highlights her experience working in federal law enforcement with FEMA as a key qualification. She emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability.
“I feel it’s imperative that the next sheriff is not only honorable and credible but also gives the community what they need,” Khoury stated. “We’ll make sure that all of the funding from the residents of this county is accounted for, and you will know where it’s going and how it’s being spent.”
Rickey Mitchell, who retired from Miami-Dade Police as a lieutenant after 25 years, is the owner of Mitchell Funeral Home. He says he was called by God to enter the race. He aims to keep politics out of the new sheriff’s office.
“I want to get into this race and serve. I know the department, I have the experience, and I want to serve the people of Miami-Dade County,” Mitchell said. “We have to move forward with more concern and compassion for the residents of Miami-Dade County and keep politics out of the police and the sheriff’s department.”
James Reyes, the current Chief of Public Safety in Miami-Dade County, was raised in Miami-Dade after his family fled Cuba in the late ’70s. Reyes cites his years of experience at the Broward Sheriff’s Office as critical preparation for this role. He managed the Broward Sheriff’s Office budget and believes this experience is crucial in the new role of sheriff.
“Retiring from the Broward Sheriff’s Office and now being the Chief of Public Safety under this county government model is a contributing factor to why I’m doing it. I want to make sure it’s someone who has the experience to get us through this transition,” Reyes said. “I’m a true believer that this shouldn’t be a partisan race. Public safety is something that we all have the right to enjoy and experience in our daily lives. We have the right to know that when we go off to work, our family is going to be safe.”
Early voting is underway in Miami-Dade County, and the primary is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 20.
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For more information on early voting locations and hours, visit the Miami-Dade County Elections Department website.
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A Miami‑Dade County man is behind bars after authorities say he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Catholic school for repairs that were never completed.
Nestor Olivares, 50, is charged with grand theft of more than $100,000, organized fraud and operating without a contractor’s license, according to court records. Investigators allege the theft began in 2024 and involved money paid to repair the roof at St. Kevin’s Catholic School.
Court documents show the school paid Olivares more than $220,000 beginning last year for materials and labor to fix the roof. However, prosecutors say no work was ever done.
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During a bond court hearing Monday, Olivares appeared before a judge and spoke through an interpreter.
“He doesn’t have a valid contractor license in the state of Florida or Miami‑Dade County,” Judge Mindy Glazer said during the hearing.
According to investigators, Olivares later tried to negotiate with the school after the work failed to materialize.
Court records state he ultimately promised to issue a full refund by Feb. 26, but the school never received a payment.
After his arrest, Olivares told investigators he was unable to repay the full amount at one time, the documents say.
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Olivares remains in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $30,150 bond. As a condition of his release, he will be required to prove any money used to post bond comes from a legitimate source.
The Miami Dolphins will serve as one of the main characters for the 2026 NFL Draft. Mock drafts across the internet have propositioned countless player combinations for Miami’s seven-pick top-100 haul that is scheduled for the end of the month. I hope you’re ready for another one.
The Miami Dolphins will serve as one of the main characters for the 2026 NFL Draft. Mock drafts across the internet have propositioned countless player combinations for Miami’s seven-pick top-100 haul that is scheduled for the end of the month. I hope you’re ready for another one.
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Here’s my latest 2026 7-round Miami Dolphins mock draft, in which I used the new A to Z Sports NFL mock draft simulator to make my picks.
Miami Dolphins 2026 7-round NFL mock draft secures plug-in starters at several positions
11th overall – SAF Caleb Downs, Ohio State Buckeyes
I’d be willing to bet the Dolphins are eager to do as general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has alluded and build this roster from the inside out. But head coach Jeff Hafley did recently disclose just how important safeties are to how he calls a football game. I’d take 1+1 and accept that it equals two: Downs would have a strong argument for best player on the board and fits a vital position for the Dolphins.
Key players not on the board in this simulation: OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami), EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State), CB Mansoor Delane (LSU)Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker (3) celebrates a tackle against Louisiana State University during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, August 30, 2025. Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
30th overall – EDGE TJ Parker, Clemson Tigers
I have long maintained that this draft will get interesting fast for the Dolphins. If Clemson EDGE TJ Parker is on the board, he’d serve as an excellent option for a pass rush room that needs more snap takers, more physicality, and more competition. Parker makes for an excellent foil in skills opposite Chop Robinson and Joshua Uche. The question isn’t if the Dolphins should draft Parker, but rather if he’ll make it to pick No. 30 overall. He did in this simulation and I gobbled him up.
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (71) blocks the rush during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field.Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
43rd overall – OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M Aggies
The risk Miami is taking from a depth of draft position cannot be underestimated in this draft. There are 10 firm contenders in the offensive line group to hear their names called in the top-40 picks. If that entire group runs off the board, you could be on the outside looking in.
I took the risk at 11th overall because of Downs’ value, then the value at No. 30 because I got a high-volume player to rush the passer. Bisontis does not have offensive tackle flexibility but would likely present an upgrade at offensive guard. Seeing his name on the list of available players list at No. 43 made for a quick decision.
Nov 1, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies wide receiver Skyler Bell (1) reacts after his touchdown against the UAB Blazers in the second quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Miami’s dream scenario in the top-50 still leaves four third-round selections to make and plenty of position groups that need attention. I’ll start with a double-dip at wide receiver to capitalize on the depth of the pass-catcher group in the 2026 NFL Draft with third round picks. Bell is a 2025 breakout player who thrived as a marquee option for the Huskies; he thrived with the ball in his hands and downfield thanks to his speed and explosiveness.
Bell is a little rough around the edges and drops were an issue prior to 2025, which is why he may end up on the board with Miami’s pick here.
Jan 28, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; American Team wide receiver Ted Hurst (7) of Georgia State lines up during American Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium.Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
87th overall – WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State Panthers
As promised, a double dip at wide receiver. There are still going to be major questions about QB Malik Willis’ supporting cast after drafting Bell and now Ted Hurst, but at least there’s youth, explosiveness, downfield ability, and potential for the Dolphins to embrace in a wide open competition for playing time. Hurst is a long-framed receiver who also flashes great open-field ability and vertical receiving as the Dolphins seek to build explosive plays off of their potential running game.
Oct 10, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies cornerback Ephesians Prysock (7) reacts after a play against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
90th overall – CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington Huskies
There’s a certain DNA that many of the corners in Miami’s position room share this offseason. Big, physical, and long. Prysock is all of the above. He’s a legit 6-foot-3, has an 80.5″ wingspan (95th percentile for cornerbacks since 1999) and he offers the profile of a press corner to compete for playing time in Miami along with the other dozen corners the Dolphins have hoarded.
Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham (1) sacks Central Michigan quarterback Joe Labas (2) during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
If you like players who are compared to the Tasmanian Devil, you’re in luck. Barham is an absolutely unhinged player in the best way possible. He’s aggressive, he punches above his weight class, and he could serve as a hybrid linebacker/edge defender player for a little front flexibility for Coach Hafley. His profile as an edge is only scratching the surface of his potential but slotting him into the room with Parker and the veteran group gives Miami a chance to see someone emerge.
Sep 6, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears defensive back Hezekiah Masses (5) during the third quarter against the Texas Southern Tigers at California Memorial Stadium. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
130th overall – CB Hezekiah Masses, California Golden Bears
Masses isn’t big like Prysock. But man, is he a tenacious son of a gun out there on the perimeter. Masses is an “in your face” player at the cornerback position and I love his attitude on film. When Jeff Hafley says ‘put on the tape’ to determine if someone loves football, Masses is the kind of player that comes to mind.
Dec 31, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes tight end Dallen Bentley (88) carries the ball against Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Rex Guthrie in the first half during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
151st overall – TE Dallen Bentley, Utah Utes
Bentley was a breakout player for the Utes offense in 2025. He’s a sure-handed, big-bodied receiving type at tight end who showcases sufficient ability to make plays underneath in the passing game. There’s some surprising “after catch” skills to work with here for Bentley in his bid to win a role in the tight end room.
Michigan tight end Max Bredeson shakes hands with tight ends coach Steve Casula during warmups at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
227th overall – FB Max Bredeson, Michigan Wolverines
Miami does not currently have a fullback on the roster and it is probably safe to assume that they will add one. Bredeson fits the mauler play style that I suspect this team is after amid the talk of the tone and intensity they play the game with.
Nov 30, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) hands the ball off to running back Devin Neal (4) against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium.Chris Jones-Imagn Images
238th overall – QB Jalon Daniels, Kansas Jayhawks
Daniels is my mock draft quarterback of choice to join the quarterback room behind Malik Willis. Getting a signal caller with some similar traits, even if they aren’t the same caliber, should be an objective to allow the identity of the offense to stay the same if injuries arise in 2026.
A Miami woman took a leap of faith on Easter Sunday.
As a teacher in Spain, she learned her students have never had a real school dance — so she decided to change that.
In 10 days, she walked more than 120 miles — all for a beloved group of teens who have never had a school dance.
Roxana Rauseo is a Miami native living in Guardo, a small mountain town in northern Spain, where she works as an English teaching assistant at a local public high school.
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In her classroom, Rauseo teaches American culture alongside conversational English.
She told Local 10 News one topic always seemed to light her students up.
“We go through a lot of American culture,” Rauseo said. “So what do schools look like in the US, right? How does the day to day work? How is it different? What’s good? What’s bad? And one of the themes that kept coming up is prom and homecoming.”
So she decided to do something about it — taking on one of the routes in the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrimage route across Spain, and turning every kilometer into a fundraising opportunity.
On Easter Sunday, Rauseo crossed the finish line at the iconic Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, raising roughly 2,500 euros so far.
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“Although I’m mentally, physically, emotionally exhausted — it really means the world to me and to my students,” she said during her arrival.
And her students? They still don’t know any of this happened.
Rauseo plans to surprise them Tuesday and hopes to throw them a proper end-of-year dance by late June.
You can donate to the cause by clicking here.
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