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.

Teen walking home from school shot in Liberty City

A 17-year-old student was critically wounded Thursday afternoon when a gunman in a moving car opened fire on a group of teens walking home from school.

BROWARD BULLDOG

Sweet deal for owners of Hallandale newspaper that features mayor as columnist

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

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

Frontrunners emerge in Miami Beach police chief hunt

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

Courts

South Fla. battle brews in case of fake cop who duped court

Lebrak Morales Gomez is accused of claiming to be a Miami-Dade detective and securing the release of a man who belonged in jail

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.

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.

Environment

Guantánamo -- the place with the prison camps -- is going green

Better known for its experiment in offshore detention, interrogation and military justice, Guantánamo is also a lab for environmental exploration.

Passengers contract Norovirus on Princess ship for 2nd time

A Princess cruise ship returned to South Florida for a second time after passengers and crew members contracted the Norovirus.

DEATHS

Ronald L. Smith, horn player for K.C. and the Sunshine Band, dies after years of being comatose

Ronnie Smith, a Miami horn player who spent five booty-shaking years with K.C. and the Sunshine Band, then wrote Jimmie “Bo’’ Horne’s 1978 disco smash, Spank, has died at age 59.

Miami

Baby’s corpse decapitated, other tombs disturbed in Miami cemetery

Seven tombs in a Miami cemetery were found desecrated by robbers apparently seeking bones, perhaps for rituals.

BROWARD

Travel show makes day-trip to Hallandale Beach, Hollywood

Knock, knock. Want to win some money? A couple of Hallandale Beach and Hollywood residents had the chance to be on a trivia game show, just by opening the door and answering some questions about Florida.

MIAMI CITY BALLET

Hard feelings, questions emerge after Miami City Ballet director’s abrupt exit

Some board members, major donors and dancers are questioning the earlier-than-expected retirement of Edward Villella, artistic director of the Miami City Ballet.

TOURISM

Key West and Miami Beach ranked among ‘trashiest’ Spring Break destinations

South Florida is getting a bad rap in national media. Jealous, anyone?

Miami police find 10 grenades and a pig in home

Miami police arrested a man and woman for possessing drugs and a weapon Tuesday. The pair could face more charges if the grenades found in the bedroom turn out to be active explosives.

INSURANCE

Citizens boosted home values to raise premiums, suit says

Some homeowners have filed a class-action lawsuit against Citizens Property, charging that it overvalued their homes to raise premiums.

Underground Miami: A voyage to the center of the port tunnel

Port of Miami tunnel-boring contractors took reporters down into a clean, well-lighted section of completed concrete tube below the surface of Watson Island to show that work is progressing smoothly.

Santorum: I won and raised about $250K Tues night

Resurgent Rick Santorum said his sweep of three GOP contests earned his shoestring campaign $250,000 overnight, cash he needs to take his upstart bid for the Republican presidential nomination to Mitt Romney's turf.