Politics

Miami-Dade’s elections department has begun public testing of new ballot scanners, a key step in preparing for upcoming primaries and in addressing voter concerns about election integrity. Officials say the upgraded equipment will speed up counting and strengthen audit trails while preserving the use of paper ballots.

Miami-Dade County has approved new environmental rules that will require cruise ships docking in Biscayne Bay to meet stricter emissions standards, including expanded use of shore power and cleaner fuels. The move responds to resident health concerns and growing pressure to curb pollution from one of the region’s most visible industries.

The Senate Finance Committee has opened an inquiry into whether U.S. companies are importing goods tied to prison labor in Venezuela, sending information requests to major importers with Latin American supply chains. The move follows new human rights reports on coerced work in detention facilities and could lead to tighter trade rules and enforcement.

Miami-Dade commissioners voted Tuesday to toughen penalties on illegal street racing, targeting not only drivers but also organizers and spectators after a surge in late-night road takeovers. Police say the new ordinance, which takes effect next month, will give them more leverage to deter dangerous stunts before they turn deadly.

U.S. defense officials and Venezuelan authorities have firmly denied viral social media claims that American forces bombed Caracas, calling the reports fabricated and unsupported by any operational data. Fact checkers traced the widely shared images to unrelated incidents abroad, highlighting how misused visuals and coordinated posting can quickly fuel panic in an already tense regional climate.

Federal agents in South Florida have arrested a businessman accused of moving millions of dollars for figures tied to Venezuela’s ruling circle, in a case U.S. prosecutors say exposes a sophisticated laundering network. The defendant faces money laundering and sanctions charges after a months-long undercover sting that involved shell companies, real estate and cryptocurrency.

Federal courts are reviewing asylum regulations that have reshaped how Venezuelan migrants are processed at the U.S. border, with new legal briefs filed in key cases this week. The rulings could influence access to protection, the use of rapid deportations and the broader political fight over border policy.

The United States has eased key oil sanctions on Venezuela after President Nicolás Maduro’s government and the opposition agreed to an electoral roadmap ahead of the 2025 vote. The conditional relief could boost Venezuelan crude exports while testing whether targeted incentives can deliver real political openings and economic relief.

Miami-Dade County has enacted a new digital privacy law that mandates transparency in data collection practices. The law aims to empower consumers and protect personal information.