And as 7’s Karen Hensel shows, it’s a way you can score some cheap eats.

Restaurants are everywhere in South Florida, serving up plate after plate of fabulous food. But a lot of it never makes it to the table.

Mohammad Farraj/Talkin’ Tacos: “We estimate anywhere between 2 to 5% of revenues could have been from food waste.”

Mohammad Farraj is one of the owners of Talkin’ Tacos. It opened in 2020 as a food truck and quickly expanded.

Mohammad Farraj: “We’re now all over South Florida and also Jacksonville, Atlanta, with plans to open up more locations across the country.”

And each of those locations ends up with wasted food at the end of the day.

Mohammad Farraj: “You get it all the time. Customers order food, they’ll cancel their orders. But you have food that’s been made already.”

Typically the meal ends up in the garbage. But now, there is a way for you to grab it, without breaking the bank.

Sarah Soteroff: “What we’re looking to do is help people reduce the amount that goes into the landfill and get it into the hands of people who really want to eat it and can still enjoy it because it’s still delicious and still perfectly good to eat.”

And that help comes in an app called “Too Good To Go.” It’s an online service dedicated to helping restaurants and other businesses sell their leftover food, at a steep discount.

Sarah Soteroff: “It’s around one-third, 50% off.”

Too Good To Go launched in South Florida back in February, and has already signed on 160 businesses in Broward and Miami-Dade. And you will find more than just restaurants offering up extra food.

Sarah Soteroff: “Also, things like convenience stores, you have maybe some candy bars left over or some chips, anything like that. We can also do bakeries!”

All you have to do is download the app, choose a business, reserve a bag of food, and pick it up during the time frame listed.

Some bags are complete meals. Others are “surprise bags” full of food for less than $6.

Mohammad Farraj: “We have birria tacos, bang shrimp tacos, we have chicken tacos. You have customers and clients who otherwise would really not be able to get premium food and high-quality food at a price point that they could afford.”

How about some French macarons for the holidays?

“Janette & Co” makes and sells them for wholesale buyers. Often they end up with lots of extra cookies that would normally go in the trash.

Alejandra Barrera/Janette & Co: “Macarons, as you can imagine, very delicate. So sometimes, we did have a surplus and sometimes we just couldn’t sell those macarons just because they weren’t completely 100% perfect.”

With Too Good To Go, you can get a bag full of them for just a few bucks.

Alejandra Barrera: “So we feel great that now we don’t have the food waste and clients can actually enjoy it for a smaller price.”

And since you are helping local businesses and the environment at the same time, it makes the treat all the more sweet.

Karen Hensel, 7News.

Click here for more info on ‘Too Good To Go’.

“Merry Christmas, come on in. Let’s find the hot new toys for the season,” said Jessica Thompson, manager of Learning Express Toys.

Parents can start off with a selection of toys for toddlers as little as 12 months old.

“New for this year, we have the animal adventure train,” Thompson said. “You get to hear all your animal noises and it rolls along with you. This is great for 12 months plus.”

But if baking is more your child’s style.

“Cinnamon rolls, mmm. Perfect for those 3 year olds in their pretend play. Yum, yum, yum, yum,” Thompson said,

And if your child wants to be a future music star, Learning Express Toys has the perfect gift.

“And for the rock and roller in your life, we have a DJ set specially made for those 12 months plus to 2 years,” Thompson said. “He can be his very own DJ. Keep you rockin.”

Now, you can’t dive through this catalogue and leave out the older kids. There’s something special for everyone here.

“Basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, we have light up games for you. Give them a kick and they’ll light up for your fun nighttime play,” Thompson said.

But if doing makeovers is more your child’s style, stores like Learning Express in Pinecrest have you covered.

“It’s spa time with a light up vanity mirror that’s bluetooth accessible and everything you need for your very own spa night,” Thompson said.

And if you’re looking for a pet for the family, you may want to take a look at this forever virtual friend.

“You’ve seen it, you’ve heard about it, it’s Bitzee, the new virtual pet for ages 5 plus boys and girls,” Thompson said. “Enjoy your very own virtual pet by feeding it petting it and taking care of it for hours.”

At eight weeks old, the adorable cub underwent her first physical examination, conducted by dedicated zoo staff.

Born in September, she initially remained secluded in her den with her mother for crucial bonding time. Zookeepers closely monitored her through closed-circuit cameras during this period.

The Sumatran tiger, a critically endangered species with less than 500 believed to remain in the wild, adds to the zoo’s commitment to conservation efforts.

“After they finished eating, they come over to that food off!” shared one shopper.

With a number of items on their shopping lists, ranging from electric toothbrushes to air fryers and TVs, shoppers were united by one common thread—the holiday deals.

“I’m trying to get an electric toothbrush,” said one shopper.

“For spoons. An air fryer. We also bought a TV,” said another shopper.

However, regardless of the items on their lists, the real draw for consumers, according to the National Retail Federation, lies in the unbeatable deals and a sense of tradition.

“It makes me feel fantastic. I know the deals are good, and I look forward to it,” shared a satisfied shopper.

As shoppers readied themselves to spend, expectations loomed for a record-breaking holiday season.

While some left with their sought-after big-ticket items, others took their time to ponder and test products before committing.

Many left with full carts, but above all, full hearts, having spent quality time with family during the Thanksgiving holiday.

The incident occurred Thursday night in the 1700 block of Northwest 183rd Street, leaving two people injured, with one sustaining a gunshot wound.

“Upon the officers’ arrival, they noticed that two gentlemen were suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers at that time provided life-saving measures until fire rescue responded and transported the victims to the area hospitals,” said Miami Gardens Police spokesperson Emmanuel Jeanty.

Details surrounding the circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the crash.

If you have any information on this crime, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

This has been something the club has been doing for more than 20 years.

The Kiwanis Club will provide a traditional Thanksgiving meal and will host activities and live entertainment.

This will be taking place at Smathers Plaza in Miami from 11 a.m until 3 p.m.

The free-ticketed event is a favorite local tradition and is hosted by North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme, the Schultz Foundation and state representatives Dottie Joseph and Marie Paul Woodson.

There will be two locations were food will be served; the Joe Celestin Center in North Miami and Philcol Williams Community Center in Homestead.

Doors opened at 9 a.m.

Before parents head out to shop for Black Friday deals, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is reminding them to keep a few things in mind for toys and kid safety.

“Toys, while fun, are still a risk for kids, about 145,000 trips to the emergency room last year,” said Alexander Hoehn-Saric, Consumer Product Safety Commission chairman. “The number one was actually non-motorized scooters. 35,000 of those, trips to the emergency room.”

The CPSC recommends adding safety gear to your shopping list if you’re looking for scooters or bicycles. Another product they want parents to be careful with are water beads, especially for families with young children.

“We’ve been seeing a lot of issues with water beads recently,” Hoehn-Saric said. “There are these toys that are tiny, tiny, but you put them in water, and they expand to be much bigger. Even for buying for an older child, they’re so easy to get lost and then a curious child, a baby, finds it, swallows it, expands. It’s caused horrendous injuries and even death.”

And because these beads are made up mostly of water, they can be difficult to detect on X-rays, which makes it harder for doctors to tell if someone swallowed one.

One lawmaker in Washington D.C. cited these risks in proposed legislation earlier this November that would ban them nationwide.

These water beads are popular as a sensory toy and for filling up inflatable pools, so the CPSC recommends parents to be vigilant of small toys like these that can pose serious choking risks to small children in their home.

So while you are out this holiday season, shopping for kids, you should be thinking about toys that are safe. Also, keep in mind when shopping online. The same rules apply: Toys that are safe for kids.

Carcamo was safely recovered Thursday and was in good health.

She was last seen on Wednesday.

Turkey costumes were all the rage for the babies in the Neonatal Intensive care unit at Baptist Hospital.

They were made with love by students from Westminster Christian School. Some of whom were also once babies in the NICU.

This is all thanks to a school club they created called NICU Warriors, which is dedicated to delivering acts of kindness to newborns in intensive care.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units arrived in the area of Port Miami, late Wednesday afternoon.

U.S. Coast Guard were also at the scene and were able to pluck the boaters from the water.

7Skyforce hovered over the scene where the boaters sat on a support vessel.

Another vessel had a light pointed towards the water, where the capsized vessel lay.

It is unknown how the vessel sunk.

No injuries were reported.

The Homicide unit requested some support and units arrived at the neighborhood, located at 154th Street and Northwest 19th Street.

7Skyforce hovered over the scene where officers were going inside the home.

According to MDPD, officers returned to the residence to execute a secondary search warrant at the home to gather additional items for their investigation.

Homicide detectives took pictures of everything at the scene, which include inside the home, outside the home, planters and the sidewalk.

They also looked at surveillance video from other homes that were nearby and attempted to make contact with other residents who may have been home at the time of the shooting.

The shooting took place on Monday and two suspects were arrested. They were charged with attempted murder of a police officer.

The officer has since been released from the hospital.

Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

The child was last seen around 4:15 p.m., Wednesday at 8264 NW 48th Terrace in Doral.

7Skyforce hovered over the scene as police canvassed the area.

Miami-Dade Police’s aviation unit assisted Doral Police in the search.

She stands at 5 feet 3 inches and weighs approximately 120 lbs. Jade has brown hair and brown eyes.

Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Jade Silverio’s whereabouts to contact the Miami Police Department at 305-603-6300 or 305-579-6111.

7Skyforce hovered over the scene where the fire broke out earlier, Wednesday afternoon.

Fire crews used foam and were able to knock out the fire quickly.

Luckily, it was contained and did not spread to any nearby homes.

No injuries were reported.

Morris Chaney is being accused of sexually molesting a student, multiple times, while volunteering for the Booker T. Washington High School band.

According to the arrest report, the incident happened in 2017 when the victim was 17 years old.

Back in August, Chaney was arrested and was accused of committing a similar crime against another band student back in 2019.

Police said he also threatened to harm the victim and his family.

Chaney is being held without bond.

On Wednesday afternoon, 7News cameras captured several shoppers at Dolphin Mall taking advantage of those deals.

Millions of people are fueling up and are ready to fan out for the holiday weekend.

“We get a few days off, so I’m going to spend some money,” a shopper said.

Black Friday is still the most popular day to shop, with Cyber Monday coming in second.

“It’s better. To sit at home and being on the internet, it’s not the same kind of vibe,” a shopper said. “I feel like being in person and actually doing it is a lot better.”

According to the National Retail Federation, during Black Friday, the deals are hard to beat and the tradition of shopping the day after Thanksgiving will never go out of style.

“Most retailers are finding that they have to do it all, have a store presence, have an online presence and even meet the consumers at the curb,” said Scott Shalley, CEO of the Florida Retail Federation.

How much are shoppers expected to spend during the holiday season?

“Oh, I don’t know, whatever my bank account allows me to,” a shopper said.

It is estimated that shoppers will spend over $950 billion this year compared to 2022.

“We have different deals for tech this year, and for the entire week, we have up to 50% off on JBL, on beats and also Apple,” said Pilar Bonelli, store director for Target.

“I mean, are we talking about anything besides Barbie right now? said Cherry Evans, Walmart communications senior manager. “Barbie is everywhere and Walmart is included in that. We have Barbie’s Dream House and all kinds of toys to make your child’s Christmas dreams come true.”

Dolphin Mall will be closed for Thanksgiving but will be opened for Black Friday.

Brandsmart will open its doors at 4 p.m. where shoppers can take advantage of those deals.

Law enforcement are also cautioning shoppers to be vigilant when they go to stores and purchase merchandise. They are advising customers to lock their cars and be aware of their wallet or purse.

Miami Fire Rescue responded to the blaze, located at an apartment complex north of Flagler Street and 21st Avenue Tuesday night, which originated on the second floor, leaving a charred mess behind.

Rawad Kemeh was in town from Philadelphia to visit a friend at the apartment directly across from the one that caught on fire.

“We heard the smoke detector, you know, the alarm’s going off and then we opened the door, all you can see is the smoke,” Kemeh said.

Through the smoke, they were able to get everyone safely out. From elderly residents to children and pets.

“I was scared if anybody was there, any kids, any pets. There’s a lot of cats in the building,” he said. We got all the cats out.”

Officials said that fire started in a kitchen.

“As we made our way inside, we found that there was a kitchen that was on fire,” said Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll.

Their preliminary findings were that the fire was likely accidentally.

Fire rescue are now giving out a warning.

“Now this incident that happened in the kitchen could have probably been prevented, but we want people to be mindful of the activities that take place in the kitchen.”

Two units were damaged, displacing a total of 10 people, including 5 children.

No injuries were reported.

The American Red Cross is helping two families.

7 Sky Force hovered over the scene, where a crowd of first responders were seen working to assist the driver.

Authorities said that the driver managed to escape unharmed.

Hallin was last seen at a Publix in Doral, wearing a black long-sleeve shirt, dark pants, a black hat and glasses. According to the MCSO, his family has not had any contact with him since the night of Nov. 14.

His vehicle was reportedly discovered in the 4500 Block of Old US 41 North in Palmetto, about 230 miles away from Doral.

Family members informed authorities that he drove from the Miami area to Manatee County for business on Nov. 14.

Hallin stands at 6 feet, 3 inches, weighs 210 pounds and has blonde hair. There have been no reported sightings or communication between Hallin and his family for over a week.

Detectives from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office are examining Hallin’s business dealings and events leading up to his disappearance.

The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information about Olof Tobias Hallin’s whereabouts to contact them at 941-747-3011.

Airline officials say they are confident they can avoid the kind of massive disruptions that have marred past holiday seasons, such as the meltdown at Southwest Airlines over last Christmas. As of Wednesday evening that appeared to be the case.

U.S. airports reported 59 flight cancellations into, out of or within the U.S. Wednesday and 2,750 flight delays, according to FlightAware, a tracking service. FlightAware said anything less than 300 cancellations and 4,000 delays per day is considered very good.

Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York said it was checking all vehicles arriving at the airport and performing additional security screenings after a car crashed and exploded at a nearby checkpoint on the U.S.-Canada border. But the airport said it remained open and fully operational. All four border crossings in the area were closed, the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission said.

Snow showers could snarl traffic in other parts of the country. The National Weather Service was predicting accumulating snow in northern New England Wednesday, including up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snowfall in northern Maine. Snow was also expected to hit the northern Rocky Mountains on Thanksgiving Day, bringing up to 1 foot of snow to parts of Wyoming by Friday.

Security lines at airports could be long. Delta Air Lines is telling passengers to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight if they are traveling within the United States, three hours early if they’re flying overseas — and maybe earlier on Sunday and Monday.

Jordan Sessions heeded that advice and got to the airport early Wednesday for a flight from Portland, Oregon, to Oakland, California. But the Portland airport wasn’t crowded and the check-in lines were short, so he wound up waiting a bit for his flight.

That wasn’t the case for Brittany Dandridge, who found lines out the door when she arrived for her flight from Dallas to Oakland.

“Luckily I was traveling with my dog and they allowed me to skip the line,” she said.

The Transportation Security Administration said it screened more than 2.6 million passengers Tuesday and it expected another 2.7 million passengers to come through airport security on Wednesday. On Sunday, it expects to screen 2.9 million passengers, which would surpass a previous record set on June 30.

Lines ebbed and flowed all morning Wednesday at Moynihan Train Hall in New York. Some travelers said they opted to travel by train for convenience or lower prices. Others said they just wanted to avoid any chaos at the airport.

Matthew Hudnall and Abby Greenbaum were traveling from Atlanta to New York to Boston to visit family with their 5-year-old daughter. By the time they reach Boston, they will have taken a total of nine trains, they said.

“I think we thought it would be calmer and less stressful than flying. So, far that’s true,” Greenbaum said.

Amtrak said it was expecting 750,000 passengers between Nov. 19 and Nov. 26. The company said travelers could see some boarding delays this weekend because of high passenger volumes.

The holiday will also test the Federal Aviation Administration, which faces shortages of air traffic controllers at key facilities that caused reductions in flights to the New York City area this summer and fall.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said during a news conference Monday that the government prepared for holiday travel by hiring more air traffic controllers, opening new air routes along the East Coast and providing grants to airports for snowplows and deicing equipment.

Airlines have also added tens of thousands of employees in the last couple of years, and Southwest says it bought more winter equipment to keep planes moving even during sub-freezing temperatures.

AAA predicts that 55.4 million people will travel at least 50 miles (80 kilometers) from home between Wednesday and Sunday, the third-highest forecast ever by the auto club. AAA says most of them — 49.1 million — will drive.

Drivers will get a break from last year on gasoline prices. AAA says the nationwide average for gas was down to $3.28 a gallon on Wednesday, compared with $3.63 a year ago.

Charging stations — not gas prices — were on the mind of Guy Maughan as he set out last week in his Tesla on a 13-day Thanksgiving road trip that will take him from his home near Seattle to his brother’s home in Los Angeles and then to his parents in Phoenix.

Maughan said he and his travel companion — a 7-month-old golden doodle named Nala — expect to spend only about $150 to charge the car along the 3,000-mile (4,800-kilometer) route.

“I love driving, I love road trips, and the car takes care of all the heavy lifting,” said Maughan, who is a real estate agent. “I just put in the destinations and it tells me where we’re going to stop. I’m thoroughly enjoying it.”

Air travelers will enjoy lower prices too. Airfares in October were down 13% from last year, according to government figures, and fares around Thanksgiving have been about 14% lower than a year ago, according to the travel site Hopper.

Even so, the high cost of rent, food, health care and other expenses were weighing on people’s travel plans.

Jason McQueary, a 25-year-old social worker and graduate student, said rent and other essentials eat up most of his paycheck and he was grateful for his credit card points, which brought down the cost of his roundtrip flight from Denver to Chicago from $450 to $150.

“I was just like, ‘Man, I’m glad I only come home once a year,’” said McQueary, who was waiting to get picked up Tuesday after arriving to Chicago O’Hare International Airport to spend Thanksgiving with family in his hometown of Byron, Illinois.

Once that chase ended, the suspect, who police identified as 27-year-old Cameron McGirt, of Boynton Beach, abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.

Authorities were able to quickly apprehend McGirt after the foot chase.

The victim, whose car was taken during the incident at a local gas station, was not hurt.

McGirt was arrested and transported to TGK.

The post, which has millions of views, has brought renewed attention to the traveling plight of millions of disabled Americans. According to the Paralyzed Veterans of America nonprofit, more than 31 wheelchairs were damaged, delayed or lost each day by airline workers between 2019 and 2022.

The user who posted the TikTok video, Haeley Dyrdahl, said she recorded the incident Sunday at Miami International Airport “after I saw them do this and laugh with the first two wheelchairs.” She told CNN she also saw a suitcase get the same treatment.

In the video, as the first man lets the wheelchair go, a second baggage handler, who is on the ground at the other end of the chute and wearing an American Airlines vest, steps back. The wheelchair slides down, strikes the barrier and flips over. The handler then loads the wheelchair onto a baggage cart. It’s unclear if the wheelchair was damaged.

For those who use wheelchairs, arriving at an airport only to learn an essential tool for mobility has been damaged can be a real nightmare.

Dyrdahl told CNN she often works with wheelchair users through her job and has had many families “express concerns with how their wheelchair would be handled during travel.”

“After seeing this happen firsthand a couple times in a row, I was very sad to learn just how valid their concerns are,” she said.

American Airlines said in a statement, “We recognize how important it is to support the independence of customers with disabilities by ensuring the proper care of mobility devices throughout their journey with us. This visual is deeply concerning and we are gathering more details so that we can address them with our team. We will continue to work hard to improve our handling of assistive devices across our network.”

The airline said it is working to improve training for employees handling mobility devices and installing wheelchair movers and lifts at airports with high mobility device traffic, which will help lower the risk of damage. It did not provide a timeline.  

In a post on X, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the incident was “totally unacceptable” and the department, which has published a bill of rights for disabled passengers, would investigate.

In August 2023, American Airlines mishandled 226 wheelchairs and scooters – a rate of 2.24 per 100 they handled on planes, according to the most recent available data released by the Department of Transportation. Among 15 major US carriers, it ranked 13th, according to the data.

The data is trending in the wrong direction for the airline. In 2022, American Airlines’ rate of damaging, delaying or losing wheelchairs and scooters was 2.00 per 100, DOT statistics show.

In September, the DOT announced United Airlines would “roll out a flight filter on its booking engine to make it easier for passengers who use wheelchairs to find flights where their wheelchairs can fit and be safely transported” as part of an agreement with the department.

The DOT also said it was laying the groundwork for a potential policy that would give passengers the ability to stay in their wheelchairs on flights.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat who uses a wheelchair, called the video “shocking, but not surprising based on my own travel experiences or those of anyone who relies on a mobility device to live their lives fully.”

“Since I passed a law requiring public disclosure of how often airlines damage mobility devices, data shows that far too many wheelchair users land at their destinations only to find their wheelchairs broken, often irreparably,” Duckworth said in a statement. “It’s completely unacceptable to treat critical medical devices like this.”

In 2018, Duckworth authored the bill that requires the DOT to issue monthly reports on damage to wheelchairs and scooters, and she is continuing to work on federal legislation to improve travel for disabled passengers.

In September, Duckworth and Sen. John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, introduced the Mobility Aids on Board Improve Lives and Empower All (MOBILE) Act to address challenges faced by passengers who use mobility aids.

“Though DOT is currently required to report the number of wheelchairs damaged each month, it does not evaluate data on the frequency or types of damage to manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs or scooters,” the statement from Duckworth and Thune -– both members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committee -– said.

The legislation would require the Secretary of Transportation to notify air carriers of proposed rulemaking that would require them to publish dimensions of cargo holds. It also calls on the agency to study whether it is possible for passengers to use wheelchairs in the main cabin.

It also says, “If in-flight, in-wheelchair seating is determined to be technically feasible, (the secretary should) assess the economic and financial feasibility of accommodating passengers with their wheelchairs in the main cabin during flight.”

Rep. Steve Cohen, a Tennessee Democrat, and Rep. Pete Stauber, a Minnesota Republican, introduced a similar bill in the House.

The morning of Oct. 7 was the moment that life changed forever for the 3,000 people at the Nova Music Festival.

“At 6:30, the music stopped and we realized that there is a massive attack,” said Millet Ben Haim.

Ben Harim, 27, is now able to say that she is a survivor of the attack that killed nearly 1,400 Israelis.

To survive, she hopped in a car with a few friends to try and escape.

‘Hearing the shooting from everywhere, we decide that we have to ditch our cars and run toward the fields,” said Ben Harim.

They were in the middle of big open fields, with few trees and few places to hide.

As bullets flew near them, she finally found a place to hide in a ditch, covering herself with leaves.

In another field, 24-year-old Yarin Levin was in a car driving down a dirt road to escape, when all of a sudden he saw Israelis driving their way.

“I’ll never forget that frightened look in his eyes,” said Levin. “He was terrified, like he saw something I didn’t and he said ‘We’re getting butchered.'”

A minute later, terrorists surrounded them.

“We’re hearing massive gunfire from everywhere,” he said.

As a former member of the Israel Defense Forces, Levin worked to pull himself together and plan his next move. Eventually, he was able to take off running.

“I see a girl in between the lumps in the field and I thought she was holding her head in some kind of a panic attack and I tried picking her up and I couldn’t even really recognize her face from the bullets,” said Levin.

But he had no time to process the horror he just saw, Levin just had to keep moving. Other Israelis started to follow him.

“As we’re guiding around 700 people, at around 9:30 a.m., that was actually the last phone call I made with my ex’s father. He told me ‘Yarin, the situation is a lot worse than you think. I wish you good luck and I hope you stay alive.'”

All the while Ben Harim was still hiding under leaves, listening to the screams and cries of others, waiting until a friend could get her.

“The fight that we are fighting now, it’s good versus evil,” she said. “It’s something bigger than us.”

Once Levin got home, he took a three-hour nap and then immediately went to go back and fight in the reserves for the IDF. He’s taking a break and shared his story along with Ben Harim through the organization Faces of October 7.

They are holding another speaking event on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.

An American Airlines flight 1513 was set to take off for Guyana, when the crew detected the problem.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue met the jet on the tarmac.

American Airlines released a statement, which reads as follows, “American Airlines flight 1513 from Miami (MIA) to Georgetown, Guyana (GEO) returned to the gate prior to departure due to a possible mechanical issue. We never want to disrupt our customers’ travel plans, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Our team is working to get customers to Georgetown as soon as possible.”

The closely-watched runoff contest was centered on the District 1’s Commission seat.

Businessman Miguel Gabela on Tuesday defeated the embattled incumbent, Alex Diaz de la Portilla, by a margin of 54% to 46%.

Diaz de la Portilla was recently charged with money laundering and bribery and was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“We never doubted it,” Meiner said. “I just kept hammering on the message, talking about what our residents care about.”

Out of more 10,000 ballots that were casted, Meiner won with 54% of the vote compared to his opponent, former Commissioner Michael Gongora, who received 46%.

The attorney ran on a law and order platform.

“Protecting our residents, reducing crime, a safer city,” he said.

Meiner also hopes to focus on infrastructure and development.

“Mitigating traffic, responsible development, not over-development,” he said. “Resiliency issues that we need to address.”

The election lead to this Thanksgiving week runoff after the top two candidates didn’t secure enough votes to win the seat earlier in November.

Gongora said some words for his opponent Tuesday night.

“I wish him my heartfelt congratulations and I look forward to continue to work with him, our residents, the Commission for the good of Miami Beach,” Gongora said.

But the race was not without controversy.

Days before this election, the Miami Herald withdrawing it’s endorsement of Meiner after reporting “…at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where Meiner has been an enforcement attorney in the Miami office since 2007, three former female colleagues told the Miami Herald that Meiner made unwanted advances toward them…..”

These were allegations which Meiner denied.

“It’s politics, unfortunately,” he said, ” things get thrown out there and I think our residents are smart enough to weed through the noise, and reflect on the person that I am, the person that I’ve been and the person I’ll continue to be.

Now, his focus is on the city he will serve.

“The first Commission meeting, I wanna hear from our police chief, our transportation director, our sanitation, code compliance,” he said.

Meiner said he has a plan for his first 30 days in office, which starts on day one by meeting with the city’s police chief to outline a public safety plan.

That widow spoke exclusively with 7News.

Alexia Benard’s world is now shattered.

“This man is my everything! My everything,” she said. “Just doesn’t make any sense.”

Her husband, Mike Benard, was murdered on Saturday in Northwest Miami-Dade.

“I have to re-figure out my entire life for me and my kids,” she said.

Days before Thanksgiving, 10-month-old Adrian and 6-year-old Alaia are now without a father.

The loving family man also enjoyed riding and even spoke to 7News about it two years ago.

“I try to ride as safe as possible,” he said.

7News was told that his passion was to fix anything with wheels, whether they be dirt bikes, ATV’s or cars. It was his life’s work as well, and he had his own mechanic business in his backyard. He would help friends fix cars and anybody who needed help with their vehicle.

Before he was shot, Mike was helping a friend fix a tire, not far from the scene where his life was taken.

After changing a tire, Benard and his friend got in their car and began to drive off when, police said, a man walked up and “The defendant immediately pointed the firearm at the driver window and discharged multiple shots into the vehicle.”

Mike was killed and his friend was critically injured.

Soon after, Alexia received a call.

“And I frantically ran out of Winn-Dixie, screaming,” she said,

According to detectives, Lekambrick Hanna shot the men and was then arrested.

They also said that the night earlier, Hanna stole a bus, ditched it in downtown Miami traffic and ran off, uncaught.

“He was on the run?!” Alexi said.

Shockingly, Hanna had also stolen a Miami-Dade Fire truck in May before being caught after a chase into Palm Beach County.

“Why is he out there to have done this to my husband?!” Alexia said,

A grieving wife now wants answers despite the pain she faces and the lives that were changed forever.

“I will always live for my husband. I will live for him and my children,” she said.

Alexia said her husband did not know the shooter and now has to arrange a funeral.

She set up a Gofundme page to help with expenses. If you’d like to donate, click here

Families passed through the Overtown Youth Center for boxes of Thanksgiving goodies that will help them feed their loved ones this holiday.

“Sometimes we don’t have money… It’s a good thing they got this here,” said one attendee.

Several organizations helped raise more than $20,000 dollars that went toward purchasing more than 400 meals this year.

“With the cost of living going up, people being displaced, it’s a struggle for a lot of families now,” said Mourning. So however we can, and when I say ‘we,’ I mean the Mourning Family Foundation and Overtown Youth Center, however, we can provide some relief and support and some hope and encouragement and some love, we do it.”

Volunteers and organizers got up early to pack up the boxes and load them into the truck, preparing for Tuesday afternoon’s event.

“It reminds you of what’s most important and it reminds you of the fact that what we do here is bigger than programming after school. This is about feeding a family, feeding communities, uplifting communities during the holidays,” said Cristal Cole, a volunteer. “This is where I find my joy.”

There were plenty of organizations that brought a lot of joy to families in South Florida on Tuesday.

“This is an awesome collaborative effort with Miami-Dade Corrections, our partners and media network Hot 105. We are here to give out over 800 turkeys,” said Sherea Green.

Some families got up very early for this Miami event with Miami Dade Corrections and High Power Society.

“I arrived this morning at 2 o’clock,” said one woman. “This food that I get from the Farm Share, I share it with other people.”

Many people wanted to guarantee they’d get a meal. And in some cases, some plan to pass it forward.

“It’s always awesome to give back to the community. This is what Thanksgiving is all about,” said Green.

And there are so many grateful hearts this holiday season in South Florida.

“Very helpful because nowadays everything is hard,” said Zuly Fernandez, who participated in the drive.

“I want to thank the center for doing this for us,” said one man.

“It’s very helpful, it’s great, they always provide for all the families,” said Claudia Balare. “It gets bigger and better every year.”

The event went on until 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday for those families who registered.

Broward County also kept up and helped families with Thanksgiving meals on Tuesday.

“We’re looking forward to feeding 1,000 families today, we’ve been doing it for several years,” said Robert Morcos, CEO of Social Mobile.

Social Mobile joined the Mobile School Pantry for their 11th annual Gobble Giveaway, where families received a gift card and all the goods that would complete their holiday meal.

“We shut down the office early and we got the whole team out here to come and help feed these families,” said Morcos.

There was no doubt that plenty of these families for thankful for the generosity of this community and the people who went out of their way for them.

“It helps a lot, especially for the people who don’t get assistance because I am one of those that don’t receive assistance, so it’s even harder for me now,” said Balare.

Most organizations require a pre-registration for the food drive, contact the organization to find out their requirements.

Turner’s family and Drew Rosenhaus lent a helping hand at the Flat Tops Forever Barbershop in Miami Gardens, Tuesday.

Even though he is still at school, Tuner had to make sure to help spice up Thanksgiving for the community that helped raise him.

“Dallas has been a part of our life at this barbershop, he grew up at the barbershop and he’s very familiar with the neighborhood,” said Delon Turner, Dallas’ father. “He plays for the Ravens, so it’s a real special for him to kinda come back and be able to give back to the community as he sees, as he ascending in college and becoming an adult, it’s a part of who he is.”

Jeff Archelus was arrested and faced a judge,” Tuesday.

He’s accused of shooting at a vehicle from his own car in Miami Beach last November.

A driver tried to merge lanes on Sheridan Avenue near 26th Street when a traffic light turned red. Archelus, police said, was in the car behind the victim, fired two shots.

That driver and a passenger weren’t hurt.

Archelus faces multiple charges, including attempted second-degree murder.

His “Day One Foundation” donated $5 million to the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami.

That agency provides shelter for homeless families across South Florida.

“More and more, we’re seeing homeless families come to our doors. These are the most vulnerable of all, our children, and small children, and this grant will go a long way in helping us continue to provide dignity and a home and a roof over their heads,” said Peter Roustis-Arroyo of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami.

Including the Archdiocese of Miami, the foundation awarded $117 million to a total of 38 nonprofits across the U.S. that are working to end homelessness.

Julio Isidro, 19, formerly worked at an after-school camp at Robert King High Park in Miami.

Police said that a 9 year-old boy told them that Isidro touched him inappropriately on more than one occasion.

Isidro was arrested and charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a child.

Gabriel Garcia was convicted of civil disorder and obstruction of an official government proceeding.

He’s a former member of the extremist group the Proud Boys and once sat on the Miami-Dade Republican Executive Committee.

Garcia got into confrontations with police officers during the capitol riots back in 2021 and helped others storm into the building. He also posted a video where he was heard taunting then Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

He’s expected to be sentenced in March and faces up to 25 years in prison and possible financial penalties.

The giveaway took place Monday morning in Miami Gardens, where approximately 2000 turkeys were distributed to ensure a festive holiday for those facing economic challenges.

The association collaborated with various organizations, including Cox Radio, to orchestrate the event.

Police said the incident unfolded around 2:30 a.m., Tuesday, when a customer found the young girl at the Wawa gas station located at 11101 SW 184th Street in Cutler Bay. The concerned customer brought the child inside the gas station and alerted the staff, who then contacted the Miami-Dade Police Department.

Upon MDPD’s arrival, they secured the child and located her mother, identified as Tracy Stark, of Miami, sitting in the driver’s seat of her vehicle with the door open.

According to police, Stark was slow to respond when questioned about the situation. When asked if she was alone, Stark reportedly said she initially forgot her daughter was in the car but later showed a picture of the child to the officers.

Stark was subsequently detained and escorted to the MDPD South District Station, where she was read her Miranda warnings.

Post-Miranda, Stark claimed she fell asleep at the air pumps, and her daughter must have exited the vehicle. Stark admitted to being unaware of the child’s location for approximately 40 minutes, during which she couldn’t provide the necessary care or supervision, the arrest report states.

Stark was charged with felony child neglect for failing to maintain the well-being of her daughter. She was transported to TGK.

Former Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Gongora aims to re-enter local government, while Miami Beach Commissioner Steven Meiner seeks to ascend to the mayoral role.

“I’ve been so focused on residents’ quality of life, law, and order being number one,” Meiner said.

“I wanna re-brand our city as one of arts and culture; I wanna make sure we have the police presence we need,” Gongora said.

The vacancy arose when current mayor Dan Gelber reached his term limit.

In the Nov. 7 election, only 242 votes separated the two candidates, each with multiple endorsements.

Recently, Meiner lost the endorsement of the Miami Herald, withdrawing support due to allegations of unwanted advances reported by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The advancements, according to the Herald, include that he “…allegedly tried to kiss a college-age SEC intern when they went out for dinner,” while another intern claimed, “…while she was at the SEC during law school about a decade ago, Meiner frequently texted her and made comments she saw as inappropriate.”

Meiner, responding to the allegations while campaigning at City Hall on Tuesday, stated, “No. No. No, but I’ve said that publicly, and it’s unfortunate that that’s what we’re dealing with.”

The Miami Herald also withdrew support for Gongora, citing incidents that “paint the picture of someone who seems willing to use his position in ways that harm public trust.”

According to the Herald, Gongora presented official city proclamations at private events, potentially giving the impression of city hall endorsement.

“You know, there are no rules about presenting these types of things,” Gongora said Tuesday. “We thought we were doing a nice thing by honoring businesses and people, but since I have a good record as an elected commissioner, people look for anything they can to try and attack you.”

Despite their differences, both candidates share a common focus on public safety.

“I’m ready to make sure we have more police out in the streets,” said Gongora.

“It’s not only police visibility, which is a big part of it, but it is making sure we prosecute our crimes,” Meiner said.

Polls close at 7 p.m.

The suspects, 19-year-old Travis Arratin Fernandez and 19-year-old Drequan Humes, were booked into Miami-Dade jail Tuesday morning with no bond.

The incident unfolded just after 10:30 a.m. on Monday in the area of NW 154th Street and 19th Avenue, where the officers were investigating another case.

The officer was in an unmarked red pickup truck surveilling the suspects in a group of men with guns outside a home. The officers approached and that’s when the men started shooting.

The bullet, bouncing off the officer’s bullet-proof vest, grazed him in the cheek.

“We’re just grateful he was wearing his vest and it helped protect his life,” said MDPD Director Stephanie Daniels.

Following the incident, the suspects fled the scene, prompting an extensive investigation by law enforcement.

In surveillance footage obtained by 7News, the sound of gunshots could be heard. Moments later, in another video, two men could be seen jumping a neighboring fence with a third man running towards the front door of a home.

Several seconds later, an officer could be seen on video searching for the suspects.

Hours after the search for the suspects began, surveillance video showed four men coming out of a home with their hands in the air after the Miami-Dade Special Response Team arrived at the scene.

At least five people were initially detained, including Fernandez and Humes.

The injured officer, who had been transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital, was discharged Monday night after receiving medical attention.

Humes has also been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Authorities have not disclosed additional details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The officer who was shot was treated at the hospital and was released on Monday.

If you have any information on this crime, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

The busiest days to fly will be Tuesday and Wednesday as well as the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 2.6 million passengers on Tuesday and 2.7 million passengers on Wednesday. Sunday will draw the largest crowds with an estimated 2.9 million passengers, which would narrowly eclipse a record set on June 30.

Meanwhile, AAA forecasts that 55.4 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between next Wednesday and the Sunday after Thanksgiving, with roads likely to be the most clogged on Wednesday.

The weather could snarl air and road traffic. A storm system was expected to move from the southern Plains to the Northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing possible thunderstorms, sleet and snow. Parts of Maine, Vermont and northern New Hampshire are expected to get 3 to 7 inches (7 to 17 centimeters) of snow between Tuesday night and Wednesday.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said during a news conference Monday that the government has tried to better prepare for holiday travel over the last year by hiring more air traffic controllers, opening new air routes along the East Coast and providing grants to airports for snowplows and deicing equipment. But he warned travelers to check road conditions and flight times before leaving home.

“Mother Nature, of course, is the X factor in all of this,” he said.

The good news for travelers by plane and car alike: Prices are coming down.

Airfares are averaging $268 per ticket, down 14% from a year ago, according to the travel site Hopper.

Gasoline prices are down about 45 cents a gallon from this time last year. The national average was $3.30 per gallon on Monday, according to AAA, down from $3.67 a year ago.

A survey of GasBuddy users found that despite cheaper pump prices, the number of people planning to take a long driving trip this Thanksgiving hasn’t changed much from last year. Patrick De Haan, an analyst for the price-tracking service, said inflation has cooled but some things like food are still getting more expensive. Consumers are also charging more on credit cards and saving less.

“Sure, they love the falling gas prices, but a lot of Americans spent in other ways this summer and they may not be ready to open their wallets for Thanksgiving travel just yet,” De Haan said.

Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday travel season, and many still haven’t shaken last December’s nightmare before Christmas, when severe winter storms knocked out thousands of flights and left millions of passengers stranded.

Scott Keyes, founder of the travel site Going, is cautiously optimistic that holiday air travel won’t be the same mess. So far this year, he said, airlines have avoided massive disruptions.

“Everyone understands that airlines can’t control Mother Nature and it’s unsafe to take off or land in the middle of a thunderstorm or snowstorm,” Keyes said. “What really irks people are the controllable cancellations — those widespread disruptions because the airline couldn’t get their act together because their system melted down the way Southwest did over Christmas.”

Indeed, Southwest didn’t recover as quickly as other carriers from last year’s storm when its planes, pilots and flight attendants were trapped out of position and its crew-rescheduling system got bogged down. The airline canceled nearly 17,000 flights before fixing the operation. Federal regulators told Southwest recently that it could be fined for failing to help stranded travelers.

Southwest officials say they have since purchased additional deicing trucks and heating equipment and will add staff at cold-weather airports depending on the forecast. The company said it has also updated its crew-scheduling technology.

U.S. airlines as a whole have been better about stranding passengers. Through October, they canceled 38% fewer flights than during the same period in 2022. From June through August — when thunderstorms can snarl air traffic — the rate of cancellations fell 18% compared to 2022.

Even still, consumer complaints about airline service have soared, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. There have been so many complaints, the agency says, that it has only compiled figures through May.

The airlines, in turn, have heaped blame on the Federal Aviation Administration, which they say can’t keep up with the growing air traffic. In fact, the Transportation Department’s inspector general reported this summer that the FAA has made only “limited efforts” to fix a shortage of air traffic controllers, especially at key facilities in New York, Miami and Jacksonville, Florida.

Meanwhile, staffing levels in other parts of the airline industry have largely recovered since the pandemic. After shedding tens of thousands of workers early on, airlines have been on a hiring spree since late 2020. Passenger airlines have added more than 140,000 workers — an increase of nearly 40% — according to government figures updated last week. The number of people working in the business is the largest since 2001, when there were many more airlines.

Airlines are using their expanded work forces to operate more flights. Southwest is the most aggressive among the big carriers, planning to offer 13% more seats over Thanksgiving than it did during the comparable five-day stretch last year, according to travel data provider Cirium. United and Delta are growing 8% each. American will grow a more modest 5% but still have the largest number of seats.

Embracing the holiday spirit, the Boys and Girls Club of Miami-Dade is continuing its Christmas tree sale at the Hank Kline location along Southwest 32nd Avenue, just off US 1 in Miami, throughout the week.

The organization’s festive initiative, aimed at bringing joy to the community, offers Christmas trees for $65 each. Proceeds from the sale contribute to funding the club’s year-round activities and staff.

“So it’s a good time, and a good time for families to celebrate, get closer, spend time together and we’re all about family that’s what the club is all about. Being able to spend more time with family,” said Alex Rodriguez-Roig, president of the Boys and Girls Club Miami-Dade. “Being able to spend more time with the kids. So that’s what we do and our mission, which is to serve those in our community, and this is another opportunity to do that.”

The Christmas tree sale will continue until the end of the week or until all trees are sold. The club encourages the community to participate in this initiative and support its mission of serving and bringing joy to the local community.

Three African antelopes were born at Zoo Miami over the last two weeks.

After successfully completing their neonatal exams on Monday, the calves were introduced and were allowed to roam in their new habitats with their parents and other members of the herd.

Alison Mateo was last seen Monday in the area of West 12-14th Avenue and West 29-37th Street. She was wearing a black shirt and multi-colored shorts with sandals.

Mateo stands at 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, has dark hair and brown eyes.

Police announced that she was located safely on Tuesday morning.

In Tuesday’s runoff election, former Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Gongora, is ready to re-enter local government, while Miami Beach Commissioner Steven Meiner looks to step up into the role of mayor.

“I’ve been so focused on resident’s quality of life, law and order being number one,” Meiner said. “Limiting over development. Trying to mitigate our traffic.”

“I wanna re-brand out city as one of arts and culture, I wanna make sure we have the police presence we need and we will keep Miami Beach safe,” Gongora said.

The seat opened up after current mayor Dan Gelber reached his term limit.

On Nov. 7 off year election, only 242 votes separated the two candidates who have a number of endorsements each.

But a few days ago, Meiner lost the endorsement of the Miami Herald.

The Herald pulled it’s support after reporting, “at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where Meiner has been an enforcement attorney in the <iami office since 2007, three former female colleagues told the Miami Herald that Meiner made unwanted advances toward them.”

The advancements, according to the Herald, Including that he “…allegedly tried to kiss a college-age SEC intern when they went out for dinner,” while another intern claimed, “…while she was at the SEC during law school about a decade ago, Meiner frequently texted her and made comments she saw as inappropriate.”

Meiner has not commented as members of the community weighed in.

“If we elect Steve Meiner as our mayor, we are indirectly saying we are comfortable with these allegations and this behavior is OK. And it is not,” said Marcella Novella, an activist and Miami Beach resident.

The Miami Herald is also not backing Gongora now either after following a series of reports that stated incidents that, “paint the picture of someone who seems willing to use his position in ways that harm public trust.”

Just one of those incidents, according to the Herald, is that after leaving office, Gongora, “has presented official city proclamations at several private events on behalf of commissioners.” The Herald continues by reporting, ” The proclamations gave Gongora the city’s credibility while he was running for mayor and could give voters the improper impression that he’s backed by city hall.”

Although the candidates are facing scrutiny for their alleged actions, they remain intent on winning that vacant seat in order to focus on citywide progress

“I am hopeful when we introduce the infrastructure changes we need, the insurance industry takes note and reduces these crazy high premiums we see in Miami Beach,” Gongora said.

Meiner, however, has a focus on how that development continues.

“I have a proposal to make it harder to increase height, that it would be harder for our commission to approve increase height and density and I am going to look to get that passed at our first meeting as mayor,” he said.

One issue both candidates agree on is the need for an ever growing police presence on Miami Beach with crime being a major concern.

“As the Miami Beach Police endorsed candidate, I am ready to make sure we have more police out on the streets keeping us safe and that we introduce technology, more use of cameras and a real time crime center,” Gongora said.

“It’s not only the police visibility, which is a big part of it, but it is making sure we prosecute our crimes,” Meiner said.

The polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

The Smith & Wesson firearm was found by TSA officers Monday morning.

According to TSA officials, this marks the 66th firearm intercepted at MIA this year.

According to Miami Springs Police, the incident occurred on Saturday in the 500 block of Plover Avenue.

Alexander Ramos, who also had three active traffic warrants in Miami-Dade County, was taken into custody without incident. The stolen packages were recovered and returned to the victim.

Charges against Ramos include burglary of an unoccupied dwelling.

Amid the excitement for festive gatherings, travelers remain vigilant for potential disruptions.

“The plane was broken. I had to stay in a hotel overnight, me and my wife. Today’s her birthday a matter of fact,” said one traveler. “But we gotta catch this plane.”

The number of people traveling 50 miles or more from home for Thanksgiving is expected to reach 55.4 million this week, a slight increase over last year, according to AAA projections.

“We’re projecting this to be the third highest Thanksgiving forecast that we’ve looked at, and we’ve been looking at holiday travel since 2000,” said AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz.

The majority of travelers, nearly 89%, are opting for road trips, taking advantage of a bit of relief at the pump.

GasBuddy.com reports the national average for a gallon as just under $3.28, marking a significant drop of 39.5 cents from the previous year.

About 4.7 million people are expected to fly during the Thanksgiving travel period, according to AAA. That’s an increase of 6.6% compared to 2022 and the highest number since 2005.

“It’s busier than I expected so as long as we get there safe, it’s fine,” said a traveler named Mike.

Lines moved a bit fast but what would slow them down were travelers who brought items that we’re not allowed, like a loaded gun.

On Monday, TSA confiscated a Smith and Wesson gun, along with 23 rounds of ammo.

Traffic is anticipated to peak on Wednesday, with close to 50,000 flights scheduled.

“So far it’s typical Miami it took us about an hour to get here from home and thank god we found some good parking in the parking garage and everything else seems to be flowing pretty good, so we’re just excited to sit down on the plane and get to our destination,” said a traveler named Jaccardi.

Despite efforts to streamline security processes, the TSA is aware of any and all potential delays.

“We will do our best to screen standard passengers in under 30 minutes and passengers enrolled in TSA pre-check in under 10 minutes,” said TSA Federal Security Director Robert Spinden. “There might be occasions where wait times may be longer.”

Regardless of the mode of travel, millions will have to deal with adverse weather conditions in the coming days.

“If your flight gets canceled or significantly delayed for any reason, I want the traveling public to know that you are entitled to a full cash refund if you choose to take that refund rather than rebook,” said Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is expected to be the busiest with an estimated 2.9 million passengers taking to the skies.

One United Airlines representative recommened travelers to download their app to stay up to date with their flight statuses.

“So let’s say there is a delay, there is a cancellation. One thing we have at United is we’re able to communicate with you automatically so we’ll be able to rebook your flight and you can look in the app to see if that option works for you,” said Katie Carrier from United Airlines.

AAA recommends Wednesday morning and Sunday morning as the optimal times for travel.

MIA just opened a new economy park and ride lot at 1350 NW 45th Avenue. 

There are 460 spaces with a shuttle service to the terminal every 15 minutes for just $12 a day, about half the price of the Dolphin and Flamingo garages. 

The incident occurred just after 10:30 a.m., Monday, in the area of NW 152nd Street and 22nd Avenue.

Officials tell 7News the officer was discharged Monday evening.

According to police, the incident occurred after an altercation between two men escalated, resulting in the officer being grazed in the cheek by a bullet after it bounced of his bullet-proof vest.

7Skyforce hovered over the scene where heavy police presence was visible as well as a large perimeter set up in the vicinity. A red pickup truck could also be seen at the scene of the shooting. It is unclear if the truck was being driven by the officer or suspects involved.

The suspects fled the scene at the time of the incident.

During a news conference on Monday afternoon, Stephanie Daniels, Director of the Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed that five people had been detained.

A spokesperson told 7News that Monday afternoon that the tactical portion of their investigation has ended.

SWAT members could be seen going door-to-door searching for the suspects.

According to a witness, he first heard a single gunshot followed by multiple gunshots in quick succession.

Another witness also heard gunshots.

“I was racking my yard and I just heard something like a firework, and I look up and I didn’t see anything and I keep doing my racking, and the next thing I know, I heard the police, said Adriana Holt, a witness.

The gun used by suspects was marked on the ground by a yellow evidence marker.

The injured officer was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Daniels said the officer is expected to recover and be home in time to be with his family for Thanksgiving.

Director Daniels advised people to avoid the area of NW 154th Street and 19th Avenue due to the ongoing investigation.

As of 4 p.m., SWAT teams remained at the scene.

7Skforce hovered over the scene where an officer threw a flash-bang into a home. A search warrant was executed for the home.

Crime scene personnel remained at several intersections as they continue to investigate. One vehicle with bullet holes had cones on top of it because it was either shot at or was involved in the case.

Back at the hospital, 7News cameras captured several officers at the scene to offer support for the injured officer.

“We’re just grateful he was wearing his vest and it helped protect his life,” Daniels said.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava was also at the hospital

“We know that our officers put themselves in the line of fire on our behalf each and every day, so we stand with them and we pray for them,” she said.

Director Daniels said that no matter their rank in law enforcement, any day a person hears about someone being shot in the line of duty is a difficult one.

“It doesn’t matter what capacity that I’m in, you never want to hear a call that one of your colleagues, whether you work with them directly or indirectly or for even another agency, to be called and said they were involved in a shooting,” she said.

The officer has been on the force for seven years and is expected to make a full recovery.

As of Tuesday morning, at least one arrest has been made. Police have not provided any more details.

Loved ones on Sunday morning greeted the returning first responders with hugs outside a fire station along Pine Tree Drive.

Their family, friends and neighbors rallied arounf their firefighters.

“We want to thank each and every one of you for standing in solidarity with Jewish community and Israel and got being willing to have the courage to save lives and to stand with us,” said Rabbi Gayle Pomerantz with Temple Beth Sholom. “We are so grateful.”

Among the eight firefighters who volunteered to travel overseas was Miami Beach Fire Rescue Capt. Adonis Garcia.

“I would do it again in a minute, anytime they need us,” he said. “I think it’s very important that the people understand how much the Israeli people really need us. They were so thankful.”

The South Florida call to action came as the war began and many of Israel’s firefighters left their posts to serve in the war.

“What was particularly meaningful about this endeavor was, it was largely non-Jewish firefighters who responded to the call,” said Pomerantz.

Garcia said he saw the atrocities of Oct. 7 and thought of his Jewish friends and the community he serves.

“That’s where it all began, and there were people in need. I thought it was horrible what I saw on October 7th, and I just wanted to help in any small way I could,” he said.

The team of eight were split in pairs and spread across Israel.

“I really wanted us to be together, but we were there to help them and whatever their needs were is where we were willing to go,” said Garcia.

The first responders battled fires in the midst of a war.

“We were in an area where you had 30 seconds — 30 seconds — to make it to a shelter,” said Garcia. “We’d be in the truck, and you had an [Israel Defense Forces] with a long rifle in the truck with you, and then they’d get out and watch around just to make sure we were safe, but again, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, and I’m ready to go back.”

The call to act and serve was not without sacrifice

“That was the toughest part, was – that was the toughest part,” said Garcia as he held back tears, “but we’re back, we’re back, and I’m happy to be back.”

The firefighters left the ones they love behind

“Hearing my father, who I’m never heard cry in my whole life — never, never cried — cry to me, telling me that he didn’t want me to go, but he was proud of the fact that I was going, and that inspired me even more,” said Garcia.”

They were inspired to do what they could to help, and in the process gained an appreciation of what they have at home.

“We’re very blessed in this country, and I hope we can bring peace back to Israel very soon, Thank you,” said Garcia as he addressed the crowd that gathered outside the fire station.

Lekambrick Hanna appeared before a judge on Sunday to face charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and tampering with evidence.

But that wasn’t all. Police said he also was the culprit behind a stolen Miami-Dade Transit bus late Friday night, as well as an earlier attempted armed carjacking.

“You’re charged in this case with attempted robbery,” said the presiding judge.

If Hanna looks familiar, that’s because, police said, he pulled a similar stunt in May. He was arrested for taking off with a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue truck in North Miami Beach.

His joyride in that incident ultimately ended dozens of miles north, along the Florida Turnpike in Palm Beach County.

Investigators said Hanna’s latest crime spree began sometime on Friday.

Police said the suspect apparently slipped behind the wheel of the transit bus after the driver has stopped for a break at the Stephen P. Clark Center.

Investigators said he ditched the bus on an Interstate 95 off-ramp located across from the Whole Foods near Southeast Third Avenue and Third Street.

The next day, detectives said, shots were fired in the area of Northwest 143rd Street and 16th Court at around noon.

“It was rapid, just nonstop,” said a witness who asked not to be identified or show her face on camera.

Police said the shots were fired into a Buick, killing one person and critically injuring another.

Investigators said Hanna shot the duo in front of his home, located on that same block.

“It was broad daylight, you know? Like, hearing gunshots, it’s nerve-racking,” said the witness.

Hanna arrest report states, “The defendant walked toward the driver’s door with a firearm … pointed the firearm at the driver window and discharged multiple shots.”

The suspect’s sister apparently gave him up to police. Now the accused carjacker and murderer isn’t going anywhere, at least for now.

“Just imagine what could have happened,” said the witness.

Hanna was out on probation for a charge of resisting arrest from earlier this year. It’s unclear what exactly happened with the charges associated with the theft of the MDFR truck.

Hanna is currently being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the blaze behind a home along the 100 block of Northwest, 14th Street, just before 9:15 a.m., Sunday.

Firefighters were able to put out the flames, but the small trailer sustained extensive damage.

Officials said the injured victim was transported to a nearby trauma center for care. The patient’s condition is unknown.