Miami, FL
Outdoor workers react to federal government’s heat protection proposal which Florida blocked
MIAMI — In South Florida hundreds of workers are exposed to extreme heat, according to WeCount – a worker’s center led by people who work outdoors.
“This is hot, hot… very hot,” said a landscaper who goes by Mr. Knox, referring to working over eight hours a day under the heat advisory weather conditions in South Florida.
“Without the breaks, staying in the sun too much and not hydrating, you pretty much can have a heat stroke,” he added.
Echoing him are agriculture workers, car washers, and roofers – just some of the men working outdoors on the Fourth of July holiday.
“I think every company or employer should provide us with those protections,” Victor Perez said while doing roof work in Homestead.
In Florida, complying with the protections is suggested, but not mandatory. This week, the Biden Administration, through the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) released a proposed rule that would require employers of workers exposed to extreme heat, to provide shade, and water, and establish rest breaks when they face high temperatures.
This is coming after years of WeCount leading our “Que Calor” campaign. The name of the campaign means “How hot!” The organization led a campaign to approve an ordinance in Miami-Dade County providing protection for outdoor workers. In April, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB433, a bill against all those measures which on July 1 became law.
“I hope they can bring back those protections which are more like rights,” Perez said.
“And these are workers who are being exposed to triple-digit temperatures this summer, historic heat,” said Londoño.
CBS News Miami’s Ivan Taylor asked WeCount how workers could benefit from the rule announced by the Federal Government.
“In South Florida, there are more than 300,000 outdoor workers,” replied the Executive Director of WeCount.
The rule by the Biden administration would include people who work indoors but are exposed to heat.
The measure is not final. Now it will have to go through several months of public comments. Organizations like WeCount hope that for the sake of workers, that happens before the end of the year. If the rule is approved, it would apply to 36 million workers outdoors and indoor who are exposed to heat nationwide, according to OSHA.
Three people were hurt after a building caught fire on Lincoln Road on Sunday, according to authorities.
The Miami Beach Fire Department said it was working a fire near 230 Lincoln Road.
The flames had spread from a fire in a manhole that “ignited an FPL vault of an adjacent building,” officials said.
Three people were taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center with minor injuries.
The building was evacuated, and FPL has shut off power to the surrounding area, the fire department said.
Drivers were asked to avoid the area of Collins Avenue between 16th and 17th streets while crews worked the scene.
Miami, FL
“Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” star Tommie Lee among 6 arrested during World Cup match in Miami, sheriff says
Reality television personality Tommie Lee — whose real name is Atasha Jefferson — best known for her appearances on “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta,” was among six people arrested during the England vs. Norway FIFA World Cup match in Miami on Saturday, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said 60,024 fans attended the match. Deputies also reported 19 ejections from the stadium, adding that all incidents were isolated and handled quickly.
Authorities have not yet released the circumstances surrounding Jefferson’s arrest or any charges she may face.
A social media account that regularly reports celebrity news claimed Sunday that Jefferson was arrested July 11 and released July 12 after posting a $1,000 bond. The post also alleged she is facing a felony charge of interference with a sporting or entertainment event and said she later shared a video on Snapchat appearing to be in good spirits after her release.
What we don’t know
CBS News has not independently verified those claims, including the reported charge, bond amount or release information, and Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office has not publicly confirmed those details.
CBS News has also not independently verified what led to the encounter, and the sheriff’s office has not said what prompted deputies to take Jefferson into custody.
CBS News has requested Jefferson’s arrest report, booking information and any charging documents from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. A request for comment has also been sent to Jefferson’s representatives.
Reality TV star’s legal troubles in South Florida amid World Cup festivities
Jefferson rose to national prominence as one of the breakout personalities on “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” before later appearing on several Zeus Network reality series, where she has remained a frequent cast member.
This is not Jefferson’s first legal issue in South Florida. In 2024, she was arrested in Miami Beach on a battery charge following an incident outside LIV Nightclub. Court records from that case alleged she physically confronted another person before officers took her into custody.
Saturday’s arrest comes as Miami continues hosting FIFA World Cup matches that have drawn tens of thousands of fans from around the world. Despite the arrests and ejections, the sheriff’s office said the event proceeded safely and described the incidents as isolated.
This is a developing story. CBS News will update this article as additional information, including the exact circumstances surrounding Jefferson’s arrest and any charges, becomes available.
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