North Miami council members Pierre Frantz Charles, Mary Estime-Irvin, and Kassandra Timothe.
City of North Miami
On Wednesday, a Miami-Dade County judge ruled three North Miami council members violated their own city charter when they asked third parties to pressure their city manager to intervene in the public works director’s termination.
The ruling came two years after a resident, Eileen Bicaba, filed a civil suit against the three council members – Pierre Frantz Charles, Mary Estime-Irvin, and Kassandra Timothe – alleging that they also violated the Sunshine law (the judge found there wasn’t sufficient evidence for that).
Bicaba’s lawsuit has been hailed as a win for residents who’ve long criticized their municipalities for ignoring the city charter at their expense. Read more about the lawsuit and outcome in this week’s newsletter.
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INSIDE THE 305:
‘Costs almost doubled’: Longstanding Black film festival leaves Miami Beach
Love Jones co-stars Nia Long and Larenz Tate share a laugh with journalist and Access Hollywood co-host Scott Evans. The two reminisced with Evans about the film, its legacy and where their characters would be in 2025. Courtesy of American Black Film Festival.
The American Black Film Festival is leaving Miami Beach for Los Angeles, with its co-founder Jeff Friday, citing rising hotel and production costs.
‘A voice that would swallow you up.’ Miami musician Latimore dies at 86
Press photo dated Nov. 9, 1974, of R&B/soul singer Benny Latimore during his time on Miami’s T.K. Records. On his records he just needed one name, Latimore. Mario Algaze Miami Herald file
Miami Herald reporter Howard Cohen wrote about Miami-based crooner Benny Latimore, who died Aug. 23 in Tampa.
North Miami council members violated city charter, judge says. Will they be removed from office?
North Miami council members Pierre Frantz Charles, Mary Estime-Irvin, and Kassandra Timothe. City of North Miami
A judge ruled three North Miami city council members violated the city charter by asking third parties to pressure the city manager to intervene in the public works director’s termination. The ruling came three years after a civil suit filed by a resident.
OUTSIDE THE 305:
Trump Officials Propose Sale of ‘Woke’ Painting by Kehinde Wiley
Former U.S. President Barack Obama greets artist Kehinde Wiley during the unveiling of his portrait at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, U.S., February 12, 2018. REUTERS/Jim Bourg JIM BOURG REUTERS
The State Department wants to sell a painting by the celebrated artist Kehinde Wiley that the director of its Art in Embassies program called “very woke” and “aesthetically terrifying.” It was removed from the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic last week, The New York Times reported.
Trump Is Moving to Restrict Mail Voting Just Months Before the Midterms
Phil Roundtree, a member of 100 Black Men of South Florida, points to the sticker he received after early voting at the North Dade Regional Library on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling that the Trump Administration could move forward with its restrictions on mail voting, Capital B reports on how this could have ramifications for Black voters during key midterm elections.
HIGH CULTURE:
Jacqueline Charles in conversation with author Edwidge Danticat
Edwidge Danticat’s new novel, “Dèy,” was partly inspired by a frightening 2017 false alarm at Aventura Mall, where she thought she was caught in a mass shooting. Danticat will discuss the book with Miami Herald Haiti/Caribbean correspondent Jacqueline Charles on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Coral Gables Congregational Church. (Photo courtesy Penguin Random House)
Miami Herald Haiti correspondent Jacqueline Charles will be in conversation with author Edwidge Danticat on Saturday in Coral Gables. The two will discuss Danticat’s new novel “Dey,” which focus on a Haitian-American woman grappling with the trauma of a shooting. More details about the event can be found at eventbrite.com.