Thoughts on traffic in Miami Beach?

Swimming

Learn to swim programs grow in Miami-Dade as teams strive for past glories

Miami-Dade’s Learn to Swim programs are thriving as teams race to recapture the glory days of the 1970s and ’80s when local pools spawned Olympians.

Danger ahead! The Fourth of July can be hazardous to your health

As South Florida gets ready for a day of cookouts, boating and fireworks for the Fourth, here’s a simple reminder:

Tell us when a teacher influenced your life

Fourth of July

Key Biscayne family bridges cultures & community at festive Fourth of July parties

If you have lived on Key Biscayne or have friends who do, you probably know about the island’s Fourth of July parade along Crandon Boulevard.

Doral booming on its 10th birthday

Doral, which is celebrating its 10th birthday, has more than doubled its population and attracted businesses because of its proximity to major roads and the airport. But traffic and political growing pains have been part of the price of its rapid growth.

LEGALIZED MARIJUANA

Florida’s coming cannabis conundrum

A petition drive to legalize marijuana, even for medicinal purposes, might seem an extraordinary step in Florida, but polls show support for the measure crosses political party lines.

Little Havana

Festivals & tours spotlight Little Havana’s cultural gems

Walking tours & monthly festivals showcase the gems of Calle Ocho

MIAMI HEAT FANS

Miami Heat fans draw criticism for leaving Game 6 early

Many fans were denied re-entry after leaving in the final minute of regulation Tuesday night. The early exit revived questions about Heat fans’ loyalty.

NBA FINALS | GAME 6: SPURS AT HEAT, 9 P.M. TUESDAY, ABC

Miami Heat fans to use every ritual at their disposal

Heat fans plan to do all they can – pray with a rosary in hand, eat chicken wings or sit in lucky chairs – to assure a win Tuesday night in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

Restaurants

Breaking the curse of unlucky restaurant locations

Across South Florida, numerous locations stick out as cursed addresses for restaurants — places with frequent turnover where nothing ever seems to stick. New owners are trying to turn the tide.

MIAMI-DADE SCHOOLS

Miami-Dade’s gifted student population is booming

Efforts to better identify Miami-Dade’s smartest kids have led to a boom in ‘gifted’ students. But some experts question if this has led to watered down services.

Herald’s newsroom in Doral is built for modern technology

South Florida is the best news region in the country. But how we cover all that news has changed dramatically in the past five years as traditional media and social media blend to bring information to readers the way they want it.

Miami-Dade County

What should Miami-Dade County do with nearly $2 million in leftover Dolphins cash?

The county finds itself with nearly $2 million it wasn’t planning on having. We want to hear your ideas on how the money should be spent.

TEXTING/DRIVING

Rick Scott signs texting-while-driving ban, but does it have teeth?

Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill into law that will allow motorists to be ticketed for texting while driving, but only if they are pulled over for other traffic infractions.

Miami

Pay phones: A thing of the past, or still serving a public purpose?

You may not see them, but they’re still there: pay phones. Most, though, in Miami are old and boring, with small ads for mineral water or a clothing line. Should they stay or should they go?

URBAN BEACH WEEK

Miami Beach residents, businesses, police brace for Memorial Day crush

Past incidents have changed the way the city handles the crush of traffic and crowds of up to a quarter-million strong that pour in during what’s known as Urban Beach Week.

BROWARD

Broward drivers navigate the I-595 nightmare

Drivers navigate closed ramps, exits being changed, and signs warning of changing traffic patterns.

My Quince

South Floridians share their quince tales

Turning 15 years old for many Hispanic young girls invites a coming-of-age celebration. From the lavish ball gown dress to the traditional waltz with Dad, many quinceañeras living in South Florida can dig up photos of this special birthday.

PERSONAL FINANCE

Money lessons from Mom

Studies underscore what families already know: mothers are key players when it comes to financial literacy.

Child Care

Parents look to the Internet for child care

Internet companies that connect parents with babysitters and other child-care professionals are luring millions to their websites each month.

U.S. Senate

Sales tax ahead for online buyers?

Under a bill in the U.S Senate, states could force Internet retailers to collect sales taxes. Now, states can only require stores to collect sales taxes if the store has a physical presence in the state.

Legislature 2013 | SCHOOLS

Scott signs bill revamping schools, universities

Gov. Rick Scott signed a sweeping education bill that will overhaul high school graduation requirements and allow the state’s top universities to create new online programs.

2013 Legislature

Florida House passes bill overhauling alimony, awaits Gov. Rick Scott’s signature

A bill that would put an end to permanent alimony, and encourage judges to split custody evenly between divorced parents, is headed to Gov. Rick Scott.

South Floridians in Boston

South Florida family in Boston: ‘We saw everything’

South Florida finishers in the Boston Marathon recount their experiences from Monday’s terror-stricken race

Local Reaction

Doral expects new wave of Venezuelan immigrants

Doral’s mayor said he has already began holding talks with state and federal officials to prepare for an increase in the Venezuelan population after controversial presidential elections.

INCOME TAX

Harried accountants rush to meet IRS deadline

Tax day came on Monday — too soon for some harried certified public accountants.

MIAMI BEACH GAY PRIDE

The year of equality: South Florida LGBT activists, allies describe why they've got pride in 2013

South Florida’s large gay community is celebrating the fifth annual Miami Beach Gay Pride festival at what might be a pivot point in history.

Supreme Court

Same-sex marriage: the debate

Polls show a slow but steady sea-change in the public’s view of same-sex marriage. A sampling of Herald finds a similar phenomenon.