🍁 Last week of October!

🌧️ Today's weather: Showers and thunderstorms, with a high of 83 and a low of 74.

🎧 Sounds like: "when the party's over" by Billie Eilish

📱 Your local news, right in your feed. From the latest headlines to things to do around town, stay in the know with us on Instagram.

Today’s newsletter is 1,003 words — a 4-minute read.

Major changes are on the horizon for the Himmarshee entertainment district.

Why it matters: It's earned a reputation for underage drinking, disorderly crowds and violence, which officials say threaten public safety and give the city a bad rap.

Driving the news: The city commission unanimously voted to end the special district status for the area that permits higher sound levels and bars to stay open until 4am.

• If the second reading passes next month, bars would have to stop serving alcohol at 2am Sunday through Thursday and 3am Friday and Saturday.

Catch up quick: The special district was established in 1999 to create a booming nightlife district with venues, retail and restaurants.

• Over the last five years, residents and city officials say the area has gotten out of control.
• Last December, five people were shot outside Dicey Riley's. Last month, a man was shot as police tried to break up a fight around 3:30am. In July, a 43-year-old man died after he was shot in a parking garage.
• And there was the viral video of a violent brawl during spring break last year.

The latest: Earlier this month, the police department announced increased law enforcement in the area alongside Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.

What they're saying: Dozens of people, including board members of the Downtown Development Authority and the Broward Performing Arts Center, urged the commission to decertify the district.

• They said locals avoid the area, especially after dark, and that it doesn't fit in with the thriving cultural institutions nearby.
• "It's a red-light district, that's the way I see it," developer Alan Hooper, who chairs the Performing Arts Center Authority, said. "We have crime, shootings, massive brawls, underage drinking, drugs, and I don't see why we want to preserve this."
• Dev Motwani, leader of the Performing Arts Foundation, added that nothing has changed even after the city banned open containers.
• Joe Cox, president and CEO of the Museum of Discovery and Science, said the city's growth depends on people feeling safe and comfortable coming to downtown.

The other side: Ian Lowe, co-owner of Original Fat Cats, said decertification will "cripple the good actors that are trying to keep the district great."

• Bar owners pointed to the "bad actors," who allow underage drinking, and people — not their patrons — loitering in the streets bringing their own alcohol.

Keep reading

The world's largest in-water boat show returns Wednesday–Sunday with more than 1,300 boats on display.

Why it matters: While you may not be in the market for a superyacht, the annual five-day event is a boon to local businesses and the local economy.

By the numbers: It's expected to generate $1.7 billion in economic impact statewide and draw more than 100,000 attendees, according to organizers.

• More than 50 boats are expected to debut this year.
• A 305-foot superyacht with a dedicated dive center and hyperbaric chamber will be on display.

Zoom in: The show spans six locations: the Broward Convention Center, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Hall of Fame Marina, Pier Sixty-Six Marina, Las Olas Marina and Superyacht Village.

The intrigue: For the first time, attendees can beat the traffic by taking a helicopter from the Fort Lauderdale Airport or Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport directly to Pier Sixty-Six.

• Private 10-minute helicopter tours of Fort Lauderdale will be available for $600.

What to expect: A floating pickleball court at Las Olas Marina, a Best of Show competition, a floating lounge aboard The Vessel Miami catamaran, educational seminars and family-friendly activities.

🛥️ If you go: Tickets must be purchased in advance ($48+). More info on locations and hours.

• The Fort Lauderdale Beach Park parking lot will be closed to the public.
• The convention center will have $40 flat rate parking.
• Water taxi ($15), shuttle and golf services across all six show locations.

Tell a yachtie

🥅 Panthers 6-foot-9 goalie Cooper Black is now the tallest goaltender in NHL history after making his rookie debut against the Penguins. (Axios Charlotte)

🏗️ The eight-tower Live Local Galleria Mall redevelopment received administrative approval, but the developer must meet several requirements before obtaining a building permit. (Sun Sentinel)

🌊 Rain and another round of king tides are expected to bring flooding to Fort Lauderdale. (Miami Herald)

🐬 The Dolphins won their first game of the year yesterday, beating the Jets 28-25. (Miami Herald)

👻 Halloween is creeping up on us, and I'm sure many of you haven't figured out your costume yet.

Driving the news: To avoid a late-night run to Spirit Halloween on Friday, I'm compiling a list of the best costume ideas.

And I'm turning to you — my readers.

Yes, but: I'm not looking for generic costumes. I want them to be Fort Lauderdale-themed. (Think: the Elbo Room Cowboy, the Tkachuk Bros, a sunburned snowbird or the jet-skiing dog.)

• Let your creative juices flow!

What's next: I'll feature your submissions in Wednesday's edition!

📩 Reply to this email with your best ideas!

⭐️ Shoutout to Jesse Scott from the Browardist for putting the Holiday House on my radar.

Why it matters: The house at 798 NE 38th St. in Oakland Park is a must-visit this Halloween season (actually a lot of holidays as a matter of fact).

Zoom in: The home is covered in every Halloween decoration you could possibly imagine: inflatables, massive skeletons and animatronics.

• You can walk through the front yard and interact with the decorations. (At night, there are even more additions).

Here's the Holiday house from every angle:

✈️ Naomi went on an adventure for a story that'll be in your inboxes soon.

This newsletter was edited by Mike Szvetitz.