REDISTRICTING

Before the ink dries on Florida’s redistricting maps, lawsuits fly

Moments after legislators take the final vote in their congressional and legislative maps, the Democratic Party and a coalition of voters groups file lawsuits. 1328850873

Miami Beach

Frontrunners emerge in Miami Beach police chief hunt

Four frontrunners have emerged for the job to lead Miami Beach’s troubled police department

Miami-Dade Schools

Student, 18, charged in Barbara Goleman Senior High stabbing

Frank Oreste Acosta told police that he felt bullied by the other student and didn’t think the small knife he used to stab him was a weapon. 1328836140

2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

House approves $69 billion state budget

Amid complaint from Democrats, the Republican-dominated state House approved a $69 billion budget. Next up: the state Senate. 1328833831

BROWARD BULLDOG

Hallandale Beach newspaper gets ‘forgivable’ loan from the city

Hallandale Beach newspaper that features the mayor as a columnist received loan with hefty forgiveness percentage from the city. 1328843220

Push is on to reward South Florida’s WWII vets who served in France

More than six decades after the fighting in France ended, U.S. veterans of World War II are getting rewarded with the French Legion of Honor.

Miami

Vote on Miami diaper-changing stations gets down and dirty

In the end, the City Commission voted — over police union objections — to install changing stations in the men’s rooms of all city properties. 1328840641

Opa-Locka mayor’s relatives arrested in corruption probe

Miami-Dade prosecutors on Thursday arrested the husband, son and sister of Opa-Locka Mayor Myra Taylor for allegedly conspiring to cover-up more than $6,000 in illegal campaign contributions to her November 2010 election campaign.

Miami Beach

The Big Scramble scavenger hunt returns to South Beach

The Big Scramble is part scavenger hunt, part obstacle course, and all for a good cause.

Miami-Dade County

Group submits ballot proposal for Miami-Dade Commission term limits — as do 2 commissioners

Miami Voice filed proposed wording for a Miami-Dade charter amendment to impose term limits on county commissioners. Separately, two commissioners said they plan to bring forth the same proposal. 1328836622

BROWARD

Judge delays hearing on former Tamarac mayor’s corruption case

Suspended mayor Beth Flansbaum-Talabisco submits a sworn statement that she never received payment and is not guilty of corruption charges.

2012 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

Board of governors at odds over making USF Polytechnic state’s 12th university

Lawmakers are crafting legislation to split the Lakeland campus of the University of South Florida into the state’s 12th university, but the Board of Governors is not happy. 1328839738

Larger Coast Guard cutter prototype debuts in Miami

A 154-foot prototype for the new generation of Florida Straits Coast Guard cutter steamed into Government Cut Thursday, a new white ship with an orange stripe designed to replace the smaller cutters folks on the coast typically see.

Magic 102, Heat 89

Miami Heat struggles in loss to Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard had 25 points and 24 rebounds, and the Magic connected on 17 three-pointers to hold off the Heat.