Le Journal

It’s been a tough year for workers across South Florida. Thousands have lost jobs—from tech and media to hospitality and health care—as layoffs continue to hit multiple industries. According to the Florida Department of Commerce, Bureau of Labor Market Statistics, unemployment has risen over the past year, climbing from about 1.6% to around 2.5%, leaving more than 34,000 people currently out of work. But there’s help and hope. The annual Envision ME Conference is stepping in, offering support, strategies and a clear path forward for women navigating career transitions. The three-day event, running from Jan. 23-25, is designed specifically for South Florida women ready to reflect, reset and rebuild after a year of uncertainty. Conference founder Chanae Woods, a South Florida native, says the end of the year is a critical time for career reflection. “A lot of times you feel burnt out, you feel tired, and the work we do is really important,” she said. “To sustain that and keep going, it’s essential to have moments of self-care.” Here’s the best part: women who have lost a job in the past year can register for free. The conference covers professional growth, mindset shifts and practical next steps to help you start 2025 with focus and confidence. For details and free registration, visit the Envision ME Conference website here.

The University of Indiana Hoosiers spoke at a news conference in Miami on Tuesday after their victory over the University of Miami Hurricanes at the CFP National Championship. The news conference started at 9 a.m. at the JW Marriott Marquis in downtown Miami. On Monday night, Hoosiers QB and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza put an exclamation point on a 27-21 win over the Hurricanes that closed out an undefeated season and brought an improbable — maybe impossible? — national championship to a program that had known nothing but losing and indifference for almost 140 years. “Let me tell you: We won the national championship at Indiana University. It can be done,” said coach Curt Cignetti, who took over a program with a nation-leading 713 losses and turned it into the game’s biggest winner in the span of two years. Miami Hurricanes Jan 19 Indiana completes undefeated season and wins first national title, beating Miami 27-21 in CFP final College Football Playoff 9 hours ago ‘A flippin' Cinderella story': Fernando Mendoza celebrates Hoosiers win College Football Playoff 22 hours ago Recap: Indiana beats Miami 27-21 in CFP National Championship game This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.

Carson Beck was part of two national championship runs at Georgia. To him, those seasons weren’t as good as this one was for him at Miami. Beck’s last pass as a college quarterback was an interception, one that essentially sealed Miami’s fate in a 27-21 loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday night. He had to watch the Hoosiers celebrate on what was his home field, watch the turf littered in crimson-and-white confetti. And yet, when he reflected on the end of his journey, he declared this year at Miami the best of his life. “Yeah, it was,” Beck said after a 19-for-32 passing, 232-yard, one-touchdown, one-interception performance in the final. “And not because we made the national championship, not because won a bunch of football games or we made great plays or things of that sort. Man, for me, my whole entire life changed. “You know, 365 days ago, I was in just a really dark place, and I was trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was a really difficult thing. There was just a lot going on, mentally, physically, emotionally, to be able to battle and fight through the roller-coaster that life is.” At this time a year ago, Beck was no longer wanted at Georgia, his elbow had just been surgically rebuilt, every move of his personal life became social-media fodder and he knew the doubters were everywhere. He almost got the last laugh. Beck started all 16 games for Miami, led the Hurricanes to a 13-3 mark and set a school record by completing 72.4% of his passes. The last pass was a bit underthrown, and there seemed to be some sort of miscommunication on the final play. (“Their defense played really well tonight,” Beck said.) But Miami knew long before that play that without Beck, they wouldn’t have gotten anywhere near the CFP title game. “He earned the respect of his teammates, teammates working hard with him,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “We win together, we lose together. Proud of him.” Beck was at Miami for one year. He made clear after his final college game that whatever the future brings, he’ll have the Hurricanes to thank. “I really couldn’t have done it without all these people around me,” Beck said. “This university truly saved me and helped me rebuild into the man that I am today.”

Want a scenic way to commute into Miami Beach without bothering with a car, bus or scooter? Behold, the water taxi is here to stay. More than a year after the pilot program debuted, the City of Miami Beach has launched the water taxi as a permanent, free service starting Tuesday, Jan. 20. Here’s what to know. Where can I take the water taxi? The free water taxi service operates between two points: Maurice Gibb Memorial Park at 1790 Purdy Avenue in the Sunset Harbour neighborhood of Miami Beach Venetian Marina and Yacht Club at 1635 North Bayshore Drive on the Miami side of Biscayne Bay The 40-foot vessels can each hold a maximum of 55 passengers. When can I take the water taxi? Water taxis will run approximately every 60 minutes on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and every 30 minutes on weekdays from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The service will not initially operate on weekends, but the city did not say when it might do so. How long is the ride? The water taxi takes 20 minutes, and will also connect riders to other transit options once they arrive on dry land. How does the water taxi work with other transportation options? “Enjoy seamless connections and stress-free parking with easy access to multiple transportation options on both sides of the bay — hop on the South Beach Trolley or Freebee in Miami Beach or connect at OMNI Station in Miami,” the city says on its website. Additionally, a CitiBike station is available at the northwest corner of Purdy Avenue and 18 Street. Officials say personal bicycles and scooters may be brought on board at the captain’s discretion, provided there is sufficient space.

A man was arrested after he allegedly jumped over a railing at Hard Rock Stadium and started grabbing items off the Miami Hurricanes’ bench during the National Championship game on Monday night, authorities said. Alonzo Christopher McGill, 50, was arrested on a charge of interference with a sports event, an arrest report said. Alonzo Christopher McGill According to the report, McGill, of Miami, was at the game when he unlawfully jumped over the north rail behind the UM bench and gained access to the field. He was spotted taking items from the bench by a person who notified authorities, who responded and took him into custody, the report said. McGill was booked into jail.