Residents, officers and community groups gathered at Losner Park Oct. 1 for the Homestead Police Department’s National Night Out, which also marked the final public demonstration of retiring K9 Ace.

The Homestead City Council approved holiday decoration funding, a faster abandoned-vehicle enforcement timeline and a law enforcement information-sharing agreement at its Oct. 6 meeting.

Homestead Senior High School students are building construction skills, exploring cosmetology careers and preparing for theater performances through hands-on programs.

Lasaly Changkachith, a candidate for Palmetto Bay Council Seat 3 in the Nov. 3, 2026 election, answers the South Dade News Leader’s candidate questionnaire.

Rita M. Baez, a candidate for 11th Judicial Circuit, Group 69 in the Nov. 3, 2026 runoff, answers the South Dade News Leader’s candidate questionnaire.

Tana Llinas, a candidate for Palmetto Bay Council Seat 1 in the Nov. 3, 2026 election, answers the South Dade News Leader’s candidate questionnaire.

Miami-Dade County will raise the standard Metrobus and Metrorail fare from $2.25 to $2.75 in January 2027, preserving service on 13 routes that had been cut in the budget process.

Students planning to attend the College of the Florida Keys this spring have until Nov. 1 to apply for scholarships through the CFK Foundation.

As Miami Southridge Senior High celebrates its 50th anniversary, former assistant principal Walter Hall returns as principal, succeeding Humberto J. Miret and pledging to build on the foundation he leaves behind.

The South Florida Youth Symphony will open its 62nd season with a free Veterans Day/America 250 Salute concert Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. at the Seminole Theatre in Downtown Homestead.

U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez presented Mayor Steven Losner with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition at Homestead’s State of the City address Sept. 29; full coverage follows next week.

Nearly a month after the Florida City Commission voted 3-2 to terminate City Manager Dr. James Poag, public records and discussion have added context while several matters remain under review.

The Homestead City Council approved a Seminole Theatre management agreement with Pinnacle Venue Services, a $140,982 Harris Field roof replacement and a $728,000 Children’s Trust grant for family support services.

Mary Ann Mixon, a candidate for Cutler Bay Council Seat 1 in the Nov. 3, 2026 election, answers the South Dade News Leader’s candidate questionnaire.

David Singer, a candidate for Palmetto Bay Mayor in the Nov. 3, 2026 election, answers the South Dade News Leader’s candidate questionnaire.

Carl Crawford, a candidate for Palmetto Bay Council Seat 3 in the Nov. 3, 2026 election, answers the South Dade News Leader’s candidate questionnaire.

Zoo Miami announced the birth of a southern hairy-nosed wombat, the first successful birth of the species in the zoo’s history.

A Caribbean flamingo chick named “Florida” hatched at Zoo Miami on June 6 and is being cared for by the zoo’s Animal Science staff.

Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11 attacks, communities across South Dade are preparing to pause and remember. Observances are planned at Homestead Air Reserve Base, South Dade Senior High School, Butterfly Cooperative School and Miami Dade College's Kendall Campus, in a community shaped by military service and first responders. The anniversary also carries a local connection through Florida Task Force 1, the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue team that deployed to Ground Zero.

The Homestead City Council approved a 6.0567 millage rate for the proposed 2026-27 fiscal year budget on Sept. 8. The rate is above the current 5.9604 mills but below the 6.3945-mill maximum that appeared on Truth in Millage notices, and it helps cover five additional police officers. A second and final public hearing is set for Sept. 23.

Eliott Rodriguez, a Democratic candidate for Florida's 27th Congressional District, points to affordability, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and protecting democratic institutions as the district's top issues. A South Florida journalist for more than four decades, Rodriguez says the job calls for someone who will tell people the truth and work from facts. Election day is Nov. 3, 2026.

Armando "A.C." Castillo, a Democratic candidate for Florida House District 118, names affordability and property insurance, traffic and transportation, and strong public schools as the district's top issues. A longtime union worker who served on Miami-Dade Community Council Area 11 in West Kendall, Castillo says working families need a stronger voice in Tallahassee. Election day is Nov. 3, 2026.

Ricardo De Melo Gomes, a candidate for Mayor of Cutler Bay, names traffic and mobility, responsible growth, and flooding and infrastructure as the Town's priorities. A Florida Certified Building Contractor, he would review the Town's highest-priority flooding areas in his first 90 days and backs a Charter amendment requiring a supermajority of voters for tax increases or long-term bonds. Election day is Nov. 3, 2026.

New report released by The Miami Foundation suggests that the region's nonprofit and community infrastructure has not necessarily kept pace.

The Homestead City Council recently approved a resolution allowing the city manager to begin negotiations with VSGS Facilities over an unsolicited public-private partnership proposal for Harris Field Park.

I will represent Democrats, Republicans, independents and people with no political affiliation. I will work with people from any party, listen with civility and respect and focus on practical solutions and the best interests of the people of Florida

Florida Senate District 38 candidate Alexis Calatayud discusses affordability, housing, environmental resilience, education and the legislative accomplishments she says have benefited South Florida families.

Office sought: Cutler Bay Council Seat 3Election date: Nov. 3, 2026Campaign email: renegomez1984@gmail.com

One mill represents $1 in property tax for every $1,000 of taxable property value. A property owner's final municipal tax bill will depend on the adopted rate, the property's taxable value and any applicable exemptions

“Responsibilities of Leadership.” Her presentation offered a timely message as the association prepared to recognize the women who will help guide the organization forward. Mary Ferrand, a past president of the association,

The open-access journal covers environmental, cultural, economic and social sustainability topics.

Her life carried her from a one-room cabin in rural Tennessee to stages around the world, but she never stopped presenting herself as the same mountain girl who believed hard work, humor and kindness could open almost any door.

In a recent South Dade News Leader opinion piece, Dr. Rose Martin argued that nonprofit organizations are more than charitable service providers.

On Aug. 18, Homestead-Miami Speedway announced that the three NASCAR National Series championships will return to the track in 2027.

The City of Homestead is continuing to work with residents to determine the best possible future for Harris Field Park as officials also evaluate an unsolicited proposal involving the stadium and two soccer fields.

The Homestead City Council is considering several projects involving transportation, water and sewer funding, electrical reliability and the city’s proposed property-tax rates.

The Homestead City Council is considering separate zoning changes addressing express mechanical car washes and small-animal clinics.

South Dade voters helped settle several local races Tuesday while sending others into the Nov. 3 general election.

With the primary election decided, South Dade voters can begin preparing for the next round of choices arriving on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

At Leisure City K-8 Center, school leaders say expanding access to the arts also helped the South Dade school find one of its own.