3 November 13-19, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | MONTH XX–MONTH XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | ▼ MIAMI-DADE CHECK THIS OUT FLORIDA’S OPEN CARRY LAW PUTS PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE CROSSHAIRS. BY ALEX DELUCA O n September 25, after an ap- peals court overturned Flori- da’s longtime ban on openly carrying firearms, the state be- gan allowing open carry for the first time since 1987 — meaning people can now legally tote their guns around in many public places across the state. Owners of private buildings still have the option to prohibit open carry (or, in the case of Publix, openly allow it). But while the new rule carves out exceptions for sensitive loca- tions like schools, police stations, and polling places, there doesn’t appear to be one for public libraries. As a result, many of Miami-Dade’s public libraries are now places where open carry is allowed. Ray Baker, director of the Miami-Dade Public Library System, tells New Times via email that the library system, which includes more than 50 libraries across the county, isn’t “aware of any specific exemption from open carry in public libraries, other than for librar- ies that may fall under a statutory excep- tion such as those provided in section 790.06(12)(a) of the Florida Statutes,” which includes schools, courthouses, police sta- tions, and polling stations. Federal laws also prohibit the carrying of firearms within 1,000 feet of a school. In other words, while a Miami-Dade li- brary located near or inside a school could re- main gun-free, many of the county’s libraries are now open to gun-toting patrons. When asked additional questions about how it plans to handle the state’s new open carry rules or which libraries might be ex- empt under these rules, a spokesperson for the library system offered only a vague email response: “Miami-Dade County consistently works on the application of safety guidelines for all Miami-Dade County facilities and is evaluating if any State or Federal exemptions are applicable to County facilities.” Angel Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, says that unless there are specific restrictions in place — such as those falling under statutory exemptions — the sheriff’s office will not enforce any re- strictions on open carry at public libraries. “As it goes, there are no specific restric- tions for libraries,” Rodriguez says. “As such, we would not be enforcing any open carry prohibitions at libraries.” Rodriguez adds that while deputies will respond to libraries if someone reports suspi- cious behavior or any other type of incident, the department does not plan to increase pa- trols in these locations. “I don’t foresee it looking any different,” he says. The September appeals court ruling has left many people across Florida perplexed about the state’s open carry laws. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd even called the state’s gun laws “a little wonky.” This confusion was evident in previous conversations with employees and managers at Publix, which has controversially allowed open carry inside its Florida stores under the new law. [email protected] | RIPTIDE | The UHealth/ Jackson Station Library kiosk. Photo by Phillip Pessar/Flickr ▼ SEAQUARIUM RIP BOOMER (2015–2025) THE 10-YEAR-OLD BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE SEAQUARIUM IN JUNE. BY NAOMI FEINSTEIN A second bottlenose dolphin has died at the now shuttered Miami Seaquarium in the last three months. On November 4, the Dolphin Company an- nounced the death of Boomer, a 10-year-old bottlenose dolphin who had recently arrived at the facility in June from Dolphin Connection in the Florida Keys for closer supervision. He died on November 2, according to the press release. The Miami Seaquarium operator said that Boomer had a long history of health issues, in- cluding chronic appetite irregularities, recurrent inflammation, and intermittent infections. “In recent weeks, Boomer began experiencing weight loss, at which point the teams kept him un- der daily treatment and provided him supplemen- tal nutrition,” the company said. “These efforts initially appeared to show success as Boomer be- gan to regain weight and behave normally.” Emails obtained by New Times show that an emergency transport request for Boomer was submitted in early June. “Boomer would be a better fit, socially, at the Miami Seaquarium, and Boomer will have better social counterparts at the Miami Seaquarium,” the email reads. Boomer is now the second dolphin to die at the embattled marine park this year. Bimini, a 26-year-old dolphin who suffered from breath- ing problems and broken ribs before her death, died at the facility in September. An October 2023 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) re- port noted that Bimini had in- gested nails and bolts. The contro- versial marine park officially closed on Oc- tober 12, after Miami-Dade County terminated its lease at the publicly owned 38-acre site last year, citing the park operator’s “long and troubling history of violations.” During the eviction proceedings, the Dolphin Company filed for bankruptcy in March 2025. Last month, a federal bankruptcy judge approved developer David Martin’s $22.5 million purchase of the county lease for the property. Martin, CEO of the Terra development firm, plans to transform the property into an entertainment complex with a marina, restaurants, aquarium, and baywalk. Following the news of Boomer’s death, the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treat- ment of Animals (PETA) noted that dolphins typically live 40 years or longer in the wild. “The Miami Seaquarium has shut its doors, stressed animals are still suffering in its crum- bling concrete cells,” PETA President Tracy Rei- man said in a press release. “PETA is pleading for the survivors to be immediately evaluated for possible release to their ocean homes, and to reputable sanctuaries if not right for them, be- fore this decrepit hellhole costs another animal their life, and urges everyone to refuse to sup- port SeaWorld and other amusement parks that keep captive dolphins.” A necropsy will be performed to better un- derstand the circumstances behind Boomer’s death, the Dolphin Company said. “Boomer was a remarkable dolphin who cap- tured the hearts of all who had the privilege of working with him,” the company said. “The team at Miami Seaquarium is heartbroken by Boom- er’s passing despite their best efforts to support him, but the team remains committed to provid- ing the highest level of care to all animals en- trusted to them and to learning from each experience to further advance marine mammal wellbeing.” [email protected] A NECROPSY WILL BE PERFORMED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CIRCUMSTANCES BEHIND BOOMER’S DEATH. ▼ POLICE BLOTTER THE HUG HEARD ROUND THE TOWN MIAMI POLICE CHIEF FACES SCRUTINY FOR CHRISTINE KING CAMPAIGN AD. BY NAOMI FEINSTEIN M iami Police Department (MPD) Chief Manuel Morales is facing questions after he appeared in an advertisement endorsing Commissioner Christine King for reelection, a violation of city and department policy. The depart- ment has not confirmed whether an inter- nal affairs investigation is underway. A newly filed internal affairs complaint alleges that Morales violated four civil City of Miami policies and MPD orders by appearing in full uniform in a political advertisement endorsing a particular candidate. Toward the end of the “Re-Elect Christine King” TV ad, which aired on Channel 10 and was paid for and approved by King, Morales is featured in his full uniform with his arm around the commissioner and waving at the camera. According to the departmental orders and city policies cited in the complaint, sworn and civilian employees cannot “use office influence for political reasons” or take part in political activities while on duty; an employee’s photograph, name, or title may not be used in any testimonial or advertise- ment without the written approval of the police chief. Employees are prohibited from “making any statements, speeches, appear- ances, and endorsements or publishing ma- terials that could reasonably be considered to represent the views or position of the de- partment” without authorization. The clip was captured during a May 2023 City of Miami event, according to a post on King’s Instagram, which features a carousel of photos of King wearing the same red dress while standing next to the police chief. “Today we celebrate the City of Miami staff members @gmscmiami Team who have contributed to the successful deliver- ies of healthy and nutritious meals at our Farm Share distributions,” her post from May 25, 2023, reads. The City of Miami Police Department has not responded to New Times’ ques- tions about whether Morales is aware of the TV advertisement and if he had ap- proved the clip being featured. A spokesperson for King told New Times via text that department approval was not required. “This video is not an endorsement,” they said. “It is a compilation of clips from social media and/or b-roll of events taken over her years in office. The clip with the chief was not during any political activity. They were not making an appearance. It was an award ceremony for police. The commissioner is acting in her official capacity as chair- woman of the City of Miami commission.”
