MiamiHerald.com: Today's Top Stories
South Florida families trace lineage to Revolutionary War patriots
George Washington -- founding father, first president, face on the dollar bill, distant cousin? B.B. Gould of Biscayne Park can lay claim to the honor.
Feds' corruption probe looks at top Florida officials
The U.S. Justice Department is investigating corruption allegations made by an indicted Fort Lauderdale insurance executive who, in a bid for a favorable plea deal, has named lawyers, lobbyists and fundraisers he claims plotted with him to thwart a state crackdown on him and his industry.
Miami Dolphins' new CEO is also a longtime Dolfan
The dynamic new chief executive officer of the Dolphins and Land Shark Stadium was always ''a little bit of a Dolphins fan,'' even as a kid growing up in Baltimore.
Lease dispute closes two learning centers in South Miami-Dade
The doors were padlocked when Marta Cruz and her two young daughters arrived at the girls' summer program Thursday. The South Dade educational center was one of two programs for farmworkers' children that were closed due to a spat between the Homestead Housing Authority and the Miami-Dade School Board.
Property-tax plunge creates budget woes in Miami-Dade, Broward
The most severe drop in taxable property value in Miami-Dade County in at least 40 years is actually a little worse than first thought.
U.S. targets Taliban in Afghanistan
The massive Marine assault launched Thursday in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province is intended to recapture an area that's been under Taliban control for the past five years -- a step officials think is critical to showing Afghan civilians that coalition forces can protect them from Islamist militants.
At long last, work begins at site of Florida Marlins stadium
The final piece of the Florida Marlins' 15-year quest for a permanent South Florida home came down to $6.2 million, last-minute political confusion and, finally, a 1 a.m. vote at County Hall.
Child's death highlights debate over pythons, other exotic animals
When exotic animals attack, they reignite the debate about how best to regulate them -- particularly in Florida, where anacondas, pythons and even iguanas have recently come under scrutiny by local and state governments.
Laid-off Broward teachers may have spots to fill
More than 100 Broward teachers will not return to the classroom in the fall because they no longer have certification -- leaving an unknown number of spots for teachers who were laid off to fill.
Five questions for hurricane expert Bryan Norcross
Facebook unveils new privacy features
Hip, hip hooray! Facebook just announced a new series of privacy settings that will give users much more control over who can see what on the social networking website.
Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has long rattled his critics
An eccentric populist to some, a phony, wannabe president-for-life to others, Honduras' exiled President Manuel Zelaya carries a curious pedigree.
Florida Marlins sweep Nationals
Even though the Dominican Republic was wiped out by the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, the tournament wasn't a total waste for Hanley Ramirez. During the event in March, he sought advice from a few of his Dominican teammates on ways to become a better run-producer.
Davie man dies of swine flu
Authorities say a Davie man with a chronic heart problem was killed by swine flu.
Bonds done for Marlins stadium, construction set
At 1:10 a.m. Wednesday, Miami-Dade County commissioners cast the final vote on a set of last-minute changes that cleared the way for the sale of more than $300 million in bonds to pay for construction of a new baseball stadium in Little Havana.
Could slot machines be on their way to Miami International Airport?
Are slot machines a cure for Miami International Airport's financial woes? Miami-Dade County leaders think they could be. On Tuesday, Miami-Dade commissioners voted to allow the county manager to immediately seek a permit that would give the county the ability to apply for a slot machine license from state officials.
What's in a spy suspect's bedroom?
A peek inside the apartment of husband-and-wife spy suspects reveals a shortwave radio, a sailing guide to Cuban waters -- and now a copy of The Spy's Bedside Book, according to new court documents in the case.
Despite economy, South Florida hotels fill up for weekend
Don't let a recession fool you. Hotel reservations this Fourth of July weekend might not be so easy to get. Reduced rates, a Friday holiday, and aggressive efforts by hotels to fill beds with local visitors have combined to make the upcoming weekend busier than dismal unemployment figures and stock tables might suggest.
Deposed Honduran prez accused of drug ties
The regime that ousted Manuel Zelaya in Honduras claimed Tuesday that the deposed president allowed tons of cocaine to be flown into the Central American country on its way to the United States.
Prescription drug overdose deaths soar in Florida
Florida continues to see a rapid rise in fatal overdoses caused by prescription-drug abuse -- a trend fueled by a cottage industry of cash-only pain clinics -- while deaths from illegal drugs wane, according to a report from the state's medical examiners released Tuesday.