The freshman 15: South Florida’s newest lawmakers

TALLAHASSEE -- The youngest is 28, the oldest 66. They are teachers, real estate agents, attorneys, entrepreneurs and farmers. And in their spare time, they fly planes, play guitar, raise sheep, write screenplays and go to their kids’ ball games.These are the faces of the 59 new members of the Florida Legislature (15 from South Florida), which begins its regular session on...

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Modern Family Stars Get Stuck in Crowded Elevator

No good deed goes unpunished. PICS: Candid Celeb Sightings While on their way to a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City on Friday night, three stars of ABC's hit sitcom Modern Family were trapped in a crowded elevator for almost an hour, ABC News reports.Julie Bowen, Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson took pictures together during the ordeal, which Ferguson posted...

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Chad says its troops killed Algeria attack mastermind Belmoktar in Mali, but doubt is cast on claim

REUTERSChadian soldiers hold up their weapons as they cheer next to tanks and army vehicles ahead of their deployment in Mali. The African country said its troops killed Moktar Belmoktar, the terrorist behind the deadly attack on a natural gas plant in Algeria.N'DJAMENA, Chad — Chad's military chief announced late Saturday that his troops deployed in northern...

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When the latest layoff story is about you

It’s an odd feeling reading in the newspaper about losing your job. I didn’t learn about being fired in the newspaper but the story of losing my position was there. Why I lost my job (along with more than a dozen of my colleagues) was the lead story in the business section of The Miami Herald on Feb. 22. It even had a picture of me right next to the paragraph describing how...

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Possible grenade empties Broward sheriff’s building

A Broward sheriff’s office building in Pembroke Park was evacuated at 2 p.m. Friday after a woman walked in with what appeared to be a grenade. Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Dani Moschella said the woman told officers she brought the grenade to the sheriff’s office at 3201 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd. to get rid of it safely.“We don’t know yet if it’s real,” Moschella said. “The...

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Five Fun Facts About 'Jack the Giant Slayer' Star Nicholas Hoult

Nicholas Hoult plays the lead in the new action adventure movie Jack the Giant Slayer and about a month ago debuted his zombie love story Warm Bodies. Here are five things you probably don't know about this rising Hollywood star.1. Born December 7, 1989 in the English town of Wokingham -- his father is a pilot and his mother a piano teacher.PICS: Star Sightings2. Made his professional acting debut...

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Sauce for concern: Pizza poll ranks New York City behind Chicago & Providence

It’s enough to curdle your Mozzarella.A nationwide survey of readers of Travel + Lesiure magazine ranked US cities for best pizzas — and only placed New York third, behind Chicago and even Providence, R.I.Rhode Island pizza?“Whoever did this survey doesn’t know anything about pizza,” said Dan Taormina, general manager of Grimaldi’s, the celebrated pizzeria...

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Florida class-action case takes aim at Citizens’ reinspection program

Thousands of Florida homeowners buffeted by higher windstorm premiums have sued state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to recover potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in “back-door” rate increases driven by “arbitrary” reinspections of their residences.The proposed class-action lawsuit, filed in Broward Circuit Wednesday, aims to halt Citizens’ reinspection program,...

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Florida’s Turnpike shut down in Northwest Miami-Dade due to tractor trailer fire

All lanes of traffic in a section of Florida’s Turnpike in north Miami-Dade has been closed due to a large tractor trailer fire during Thursday’s rush-hour.The fire engulfed the cab of a southbound tractor trailer following a collision with another truck at around 5:30 p.m., the Florida Highway Patrol said No one was injured in the fiery collision. All...

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Hannibal Full Trailer NBC 2013

Every since it was announced last May, NBC's Hannibal has been high atop my must-see list -- and this just-released trailer for Bryan Fuller's latest small screen endeavor does not disappoint! RELATED - TV's Most Devastating DeathsStarring Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale's Le Chiffre), Hugh Dancy, Laurence Fishburne and Caroline Dhavernas, Hannibal looks to be a dark, disturbing and dynamic reimagining...

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'Occupy' group urging straphangers to give away MetroCards in MTA protest

An Occupy Wall Street-affiliated group called “No Fare Hikes” is calling on unlimited ride MetroCard users to give away their swipes when they reach their final destination to protest looming subway fare increases.The plan — which organizers dubbed “Swipe Back” — requires users to offer swipes to straphangers who pay per ride, thus depriving the MTA of...

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Don’t get too personal on LinkedIn

Have you ever received a request to connect on LinkedIn from someone you didn’t know or couldn’t remember?A few weeks ago, Josh Turner encountered this situation. The online request to connect came from a businessman on the opposite coast of the United States. It came with a short introduction that ended with “Let’s go Blues!” a reference to Turner’s favorite hockey team...

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Friday is the deadline for homestead exemption applications

Friday is the deadline to apply for a homestead exemption or other property-tax break with the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser.Two new exemptions are on the books. One aims to cut the tax burden for low-income seniors who have lived in their homes more than 25 years. The other is for the spouses of police and fire-rescue workers who have died in the line of duty. Homeowners...

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My Strange Addiction: Audrey's Stuffed Lamb

27-year-old Audrey shares a "spiritual connection" with her stuffed lamb.The young woman, who carries a pint-sized powder blue plush everywhere she goes, is profiled in Wednesday's My Strange Addiction.Pics: Star Sightings "The lamb is my best friend," she explains of the animal who's been her companion for five years. "He is really just carefree, adventurous and awesome."Audrey's sister, however,...

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Man who shot cop he found in bed with his wife indicted for attempted murder

The Staten Island man accused of shooting an NYPD detective he found in his estranged wife’s home has been indicted in Monmouth County, New Jersey.A grand jury hit Robert Dunbar, 35, with attempted murder charges for allegedly grabbing the off-duty cop’s service weapon and firing of several shots, including one that hit the cop, Louis Pepe, in the back.Dunbar's...

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Friday is the deadline for homestead exemption applications

Friday is the deadline to apply for a homestead exemption or other property-tax break with the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser.Two new exemptions are on the books. One aims to cut the tax burden for low-income seniors who have lived in their homes more than 25 years. The other is for the spouses of police and fire-rescue workers who have died in the line of duty. Homeowners...

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Escaped suspect turns himself in to Hollywood police

A man who escaped from police custody while in handcuffs Tuesday afternoon has turned himself in to authorities.The man, identified as Marc Vega, was placed under arrest for a domestic dispute in front of Pediatric Associates at 4500 Sheridan St. about 2 p.m., said Sgt. Lester Cochenour.The female victim suffered injuries to her face and other areas of her body including...

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Stars Stay Peppy Through Wee Hours of Oscar Night

For those fortunate enough to be invited, Oscar Sunday is an all-day, non-stop event. ET caught up with the stars to get their tips on making it through the madness while maintaining their energy.PICS: Awards Season Fashion "This is just fun," said Academy Award winner Halle Berry. "I see all my friends and peers.""You just gotta enjoy it and then have a good dinner at the Governor's Ball, because...

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Senate confirms Hagel for defense secretary

WASHINGTON — The Senate has voted to confirm Chuck Hagel to be the nation's next defense secretary.The vote Tuesday was 58-41, with four Republicans joining Democrats in backing President Barack Obama's nominee.The vote ended a contentious fight over the president's choice for his second-term national security team.Republicans opposed the former two-term...

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Foreclosure prevention counseling offered

Homeowners struggling to keep their homes can meet with mortgage company officials and housing experts to get personal advice and help at a free workshop this week in Miami.The event will run 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at the James L. Knight Center at 400 SE Second Ave., Miami. U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, from Florida’s 24th Congressional District,...

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Poll: 7 in 10 back FL medical-marijuana plan, could affect governor’s race

As many as seven in 10 Florida voters support a state constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana – more than enough to ensure passage and possibly affect the governor’s race — according to a new poll from a group trying to put the measure on the 2104 ballot. Medical pot’s sky-high approval cuts across party and demographic lines, with Republican support the lowest...

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EXCLUSIVE PICS: Inside Vanity Fair's Oscar Party!

EXCLUSIVE PICS: Inside Vanity Fair's Oscar Party! From Jennifer Aniston to Bradley Cooper to Sandra Bullock, Hollywood A-Listers came out in force for last night's Vanity Fair party following the 85th Academy Awards show. Click through to see our exclusive candid pics from behind the scenes at Hollywood's most...

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Swindler cops to stealing more than $300K from elderly dementia victim

A dapper but cruel swindler admitted today that he stole more than $300,000 as the "personal banker" of a dementia-plagued, 94-year-old Manhattan woman. Edward Lewando, 52, of Holbrook, LI, spent his victim's money on himself at Bergdorf Goodman and Louis Vuitton, prosecutors with the Manhattan DA's Elder Abuse Unit said.Lewando will serve a three to nine...

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Miami medicine goes digital

About 10 years ago, Dr. Fleur Sack quit her practice as a family physician to become a hospital department head. Spurring her decision was the need to switch from paper records to electronic ones to keep her private practice profitable. “At that time, it would have cost about $50,000,” Dr. Sack recalled. “It was too expensive and it was too overwhelming.” But times and technologies...

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Miami security guard wounded in stabbing

A security guard was stabbed Sunday afternoon after an altercation with an unnamed subject.Miami-Dade Police says the stabbing occurred at 5185 NW 29th Ave. The subject is currently in custody and the security guard was transported to Ryder Trauma Center. His condition is unknown. This article will be updated as more information becomes available. ...

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Independent Spirit Award Winners 2013

The 2013 Film Independent Spirits Awards were handed out in Santa Monica, CA today and lots of Oscar frontrunners cemented their status by dominating in their categories once more.Check out all the winners below: Best Feature Beasts of the Southern Wild Bernie Keep the Lights On Moonrise Kingdom Silver Linings Playbook BEST FEMALE LEAD Linda Cardellini, Return Emayatzy Corinealdi, Middle of Nowhere Jennifer...

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Death of ex-Post employee 'suspicious'

The death of a former New York Post employee whose body was found in her Cobble Hill apartment Friday is being investigated as suspicious, sources said. Elizabeth Borst, 55, was found on her kitchen floor after her husband, Gaetano Lisco, called neighbors and asked them to check on the victim because he couldn't reach her.Although Borst's death has not...

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South Beach Wine & Food Festival changes Miami's culinary scene, impacts economy

For Miami restaurateurs, this is Showtime.With dozens of top chefs — Bobby Flay, Todd English, Daniel Boloud and Masaharu Morimoto among the list — in town for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, the pressure is on everywhere, from Michy’s to the new Catch Miami. The goal: Show everyone from around the country that Miami’s food scene has arrived on the national stage.Chef...

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