GAY RIGHTS

Florida gay rights activists ready to fight threat to benefits

Gay rights activists are ready to go to court to defend domestic partnerships they say will be threatened by the new constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

BROWARD CRIME

31-year-old cold case solved, but family laments lack of justice

The family of Jeffrey Walter Klee, killed 31 years ago, said justice has been denied after learning the suspect will not be prosecuted.

TRANSPORTATION

Gas below $2 -- and it's going lower

Believe it or not, gas prices are falling more quickly than the stock market. Experts expect prices to continue falling before heading back up in the spring.

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving holiday travel is likely to be down

Slightly fewer people will travel this Thanksgiving holiday, reflecting the downturn in the economy.

Mukasey returns to work after collapse

With briefcase in hand and a smile on his face, Attorney General Michael Mukasey returned to work Friday after collapsing during a speech the night before and spurring a 14-hour scare about his health.

BROWNSVILLE

Shooting's aftermath leaves Miami-Dade man with a hopeful message

Robert Bozeman, one of Miami-Dade's most recognized anti-violence advocates, has again transformed his life, with an operation to restore part of his skull lost in a shooting three years ago. 1227314214

MIAMI

Artificial heart keeps teen alive for 118 days in Miami

A 14-year-old South Carolina girl, the first pediatric patient to live for 118 days on an artificial-heart machine, left Holtz Children's Hospital on Wednesday with a new heart.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Gov. Charlie Crist backs universities' bid to raise tuition

Gov. Charlie Crist will push for 15 percent tuition increases at state universities, a move that could boost financial aid for the poorest students.

ECONOMY

Dow falls below 8,000 amid Big Three fears

A dismal economic outlook sent stocks falling Wednesday to their lowest levels since 2003.

IMMIGRATION

Deported illegal immigrants who return to U.S. face prison time

U.S. immigration officials said illegal immigrants who have been deported previously will face up to five years in prison if caught again.

Patriots won't see same old Wildcat play from Miami Dolphins

The Patriots have had two months to find a way to stop the Wildcat offense. Just as their defense has evolved, so has the Wildcat package.

BROWARD COUNTY

Broward swimming coach faces child-porn charges

Federal authorities said they found dozens of indecent images of underage boys on the computer of Broward high school swim coach Roberto Caragol.

Miami-Dade School Board OK's $89M in budget cuts

In a strong show of support for Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, the Miami-Dade School Board unanimously approved a plan to slash $89 million from the school system's budget.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Miami Dolphins take their time in contract talks with 5 starters

Even as the Dolphins have made a lightning-fast recovery from last season's 1-15 record and are boldly pushing toward playoff contention, management has decided to move more deliberately, even slowly, in one vital area:

CUBA

Family reveals secret in Cuba hijacking

The relatives of Edmundo Ponce de Leon say he was one of the hijackers of a Miami-Cuba flight in 1958 that crashed and killed 14 aboard.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Obama may tap Elián players for White House roles

President-elect Barack Obama is expected to name two attorneys to his administration who helped return Elián González to Cuba, angering some Miami Republicans.

HOLLYWOOD

Hollywood could give red-light cameras a green light

Hollywood could join a growing list of South Florida cities using cameras to crack down on red-light runners.

HEAT 94, WIZARDS 87

Wade, Miami Heat defeat Wizards again

Dwyane Wade's sprained ankle held up fine. So did Miami's offense for the second time in five days against the Wizards. Wade finished with 19 points and 10 assists -- and had enough strength in his sprained right ankle to lift the Heat to a 94-87 win against Washington at the Verizon Center.

MIAMI GARDENS

'Creepa' goes from gangster to gentleman

Six months ago if you had told Thaddeus Martin -- nickname Creepa -- that he would soon be living the life of Eliza Doolittle, the unpolished street girl-turned-proper lady in My Fair Lady, he would have punched you out. 1227316786