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Ex-Miami mayor’s aide sentenced to 6 years in federal prison for child pornography case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

A former aide to Miami Mayor Francis Suarez was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison on Monday after he pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography. Rene Pedrosa will have 15 years of supervised release following his sentence. 7News cameras captured him as he left the Miami Federal Courthouse following his sentence, neither he nor his lawyers chose to comment.Pedrosa, 51, apologize to the court and the victim’s family for his actions. He admitted to receiving pornographic materials from a 16-year-old boy in 2019. He entered a guilty plea on May 24, 2023, for his actions. Court documents stated that Pedrosa connected with a male teenager in November 2019 on social media for a potential web design position for Mayor Suarez. The document also stated that on Nov. 25, 2019, Pedrosa admittedly kissed and sexually touched the 16-year-old at Miami City Hall when the victim’s mother dropped him off for a follow-up meeting.Pedrosa confessed he continued communication with the ...

SOFLA FEELING THE HEAT

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Happy Monday, South Florida!Hopefully everyone had a great weekend. South Florida has remained steamy for quite some time now as daily heat alerts have been issued since the beginning of July. This weekend was no different. A tropical wave came close to South Florida but even that was not enough to stop the heat. Showers and thunderstorms remained limited as temperatures continued to climb. South Florida is now wondering when will we finally see significant rainfall so that we can have brief relief from this heat. This morning was no different as we started off under warm conditions with temperatures in the 80s once again. The heat will be on once again today as drier air begins to move into South Florida. A tropical wave will continue to move farther away from our area as a thin layer of Saharan dust brings drier conditions once again. A mix of sun and clouds, together with a warm south wind, will once again help temperatures climb into the mid to upper 90s. Record heat will be pos...

Reward offered by Animal Recovery Mission for stolen and butchered horses in Southwest Ranches

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

The Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) is offering a $25,000 reward in an urgent bid to bring to justice those responsible for the theft and suspected butchering of two horses from a secluded property in Southwest Ranches. The stolen fillies, Canela, 6 months old, and Venus, 2 years old, were taken from their home on Friday, August 11th. ARM was immediately alerted by the horses’ owner following the discovery of their disappearance. The perpetrators are believed to have dismantled a fence at the back of the property, leading the horses away between 2 and 4 am on Friday. This incident has sparked grave concerns that the stolen fillies may have fallen victim to the illicit black-market horse meat trade, an illegal industry that has plagued the state of Florida for years.The private property, located in the tranquil Rolling Oaks area of Southwest Ranches, is situated near the esteemed World Class Equestrian Centre, which is known as a prominent horse-loving community.This event follow...

4 divers who went missing off the coast of North Carolina have been rescued

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

(CNN) — Four divers who went missing Sunday south of Cape Fear, North Carolina, have been rescued by the United States Coast Guard and the US Navy, officials said.The divers were found about 46 miles southeast of the Cape Fear River in North Carolina, USCG Mid-Atlantic said.The four men went diving from a recreational boat about 63 miles east of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, around noon Sunday, a release from the US Coast Guard said.Multiple rescue crews searched for them by boat and aircraft, with an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew, a HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew and several vessels involved in the search, according to the news release.The search took place about 50 miles south of Cape Fear, according to the Coast Guard. Cape Fear is near the southeastern part of North Carolina and is about 70 miles north of Myrtle Beach.

Hawaii’s governor says a review of warning systems will take place. Follow live updates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

By REBECCA BOONE (Associated Press)Follow live updates about wildfires that have devastated parts of Maui in Hawaii this week, destroying a historic town and forcing evacuations. The National Weather Service said Hurricane Dora, which passed south of the island chain, was partly to blame for strong winds that initially drove the flames, knocking out power and grounding firefighting helicopters. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green says the number of people missing after the wildfires on Maui is dropping as people make contact with relatives and friends. But Green said that “we are prepared for many tragic stories.”The governor spoke during a recorded interview that was aired Monday on “CBS Mornings.” He said that search teams “will find 10 to 20 people per day, probably, until they finish.” Green said the efforts are “probably going to take 10 days,” although he cautioned that “it’s impossible to guess.”Green said that a comprehens...

A family of four, a retired fire captain and his dog. These are some of the lives lost in Maui

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

By PAT EATON-ROBB and BEATRICE DUPUY (Associated Press)Wildfires have devastated parts of Maui in Hawaii this week, leaving a trail of destruction and devastation, decimating a historic town. While many wait in agony for news on whether their friends and family are safe, the fires have already claimed the lives of more than 90 people — making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than 100 years. Here are the stories of those who died. —-A FAMILY’S LOSSA family of four — Faaso and Malui Fonua Tone, Salote Takafua, and her son, Tony Takafua — died while attempting to flee from the flames. Their remains were found Thursday in a burned car near their home.“The magnitude of our grief is indescribable,” read a statement from family members.Lylas Kanemoto, who knew the Tone family, confirmed the devastating news Sunday.“At least we have closure for them, but the loss and heartbreak is unbearable for many. We as a community has to just embrac...

What’s the best gas reward credit card? Here’s our list

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Gas prices have been on a shocking upswing, rising 48% over the past year and 21% over the past month, according to AAA. The national average for a gallon of unleaded gas was $4.27 as of March 18, down slightly from the record-high $4.33 set on March 11. In California, it was an obscene $5.80 (an all-time record).The latest catalyst was Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, but gas prices were already high for other reasons, including supply chain imbalances and strong demand as COVID cases receded.Your best bet to save on gas is to use a gas rewards credit card—but it might not be the card you expect.Gas stations’ cobranded cards are lacklusterAn obvious choice would be to sign up for a gas station’s credit card. However, most of these cards aren’t very lucrative. The typical discount is a mere 5 to 10 cents per gallon, according to a recent Bankrate analysis of 22 cards offered by 17 popular gas retailers.These cards are even more forgettable if you ever plan to carry a balance. T...

David Krejci, sublime playmaker, retires from Bruins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

This time, it really is goodbye for David Krejci.Krejci, the Bruins’ cerebral, sublime playmaker who was known for raising his game to match the stakes, announced his retirement on Monday via the team’s social media account at the age of 37.The centerman wrote in his farewell statement that he was retiring from “the best league in the world.” That would seem to leave open the door to playing internationally for his native country of Czechia, which he has hinted at in recent months in interviews with outlets back home. After playing a year in his native Czechia, Krejci returned to play one final season in Boston.But now his days of playing in Boston are done. Coupled with the retirement of Patrice Bergeron, it marks the end of an era in Bruins’ hockey.Since becoming a full-time NHLer with his mid-season promotion in the 2007-08 season, Krejci has been half of the B’s dynamic one-two punch at center with Patrice Bergeron that delivered the club its only Stanley...

Taylor Swift cost breakdown: Thrilled fans to start saving, but say cost of Toronto trip is worth it

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

Canadian fans who managed to score tickets for one of Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated six shows in Toronto have already spent a good chunk of money. Those who live outside the Toronto area are now also budgeting for the cost of travel and accommodation in November 2024.The Canadian Press spoke to several Swifties about how much they’re expecting to spend. WINNING THE GOLDEN TICKETAshley Stewart, 24, saw Taylor Swift during her Fearless tour when it made a stop in her home province of Prince Edward Island back in 2010. This time around, she knew the pop star wouldn’t be stopping anywhere east of Toronto.“Being from the Atlantic provinces, we fully knew that we would have to travel somewhere if we wanted to see her. So, we were expecting that if we wanted to go to the Eras Tour, we would have to pay to travel,” the longtime Swifty said.Stewart said getting the presale code for Swift tickets felt like a scene straight out of a movie.“I feel like we’re in ‘Char...

Chance the Rapper will discuss his career and the impact of hip-hop at an Apple store in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:56 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chance the Rapper will take Apple store customers in Chicago on his hip-hop journey as part of an audio series celebrating the genre’s 50th anniversary.Chance the Rapper will discuss becoming a rap star, the technology company announced Monday, at the Apple Michigan Avenue location in his hometown. He’ll make the appearance at the retail store Wednesday during an event hosted by Today at Apple, which offers free in-store educational sessions for devices and programs.The Grammy winner expects to discuss the impact hip-hop had on his life, including his venture as an independent artist and the 10th anniversary of his critically acclaimed “Acid Rap” mixtape. He will have a conversation with Ebro Darden, global editorial head of hip-hop and R&B at Apple Music.Chance the Rapper said he wants to celebrate a rap culture that “empowered a generation and gave voice to the voiceless.”Throughout August and September, Today at Apple will host several events with artists f...