The village of Bal Harbour is fighting back against a mall expansion project that would exceed local height restrictions by nearly 400% in the name of workforce housing.

Driving the news: The village council voted this week to consider suspending all new development in an effort to stop Bal Harbour Shops from building a new hotel and residential complex at the mall.

• Speaking to a group of angry residents Tuesday night, Mayor Jeffrey Freimark said the fight is headed to court.

Why it matters: The project, which has outraged residents and elected leaders, invokes a 2023 Florida law that allows developers to override local zoning rules if they build income-restricted housing.

• Under the Live Local Act, qualifying residential projects can circumvent city council votes and have their projects administratively approved.

Details: The Bal Harbour Shops project would rise 275 feet tall, about five times higher than the 56 feet currently allowed on the property, and include 600 "high-end" residential units, 70 hotel rooms and 45,000 square feet of additional retail space.

• To qualify under the law, 40% of the residential units would need to meet the state's definition of affordable housing, which means a single renter making up to $87,000 would qualify.

The latest: Matthew Whitman Lazenby, president and CEO of mall owner Whitman Family Development, threatened litigation in a Tuesday letter to Freimark over arguments he says the village has used to stop the project.

What they're saying: Lazenby tells Axios the project complies with the law, would be in scale with surrounding high-rises and benefits local workers priced out of the real estate market.

• "Bal Harbour is a thriving community today, but too many hospitality and service workers, teachers, nurses and first responders are forced to commute long distances into the village because they can't afford to live within its boundaries," he says.

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A bill requiring disclaimers on political ads created with generative AI is moving through the Florida Senate, Axios Tampa Bay's Yacob Reyes reports.

Why it matters: We're heading into the first major election cycle in which generative AI will be widely available — and the rules for its use in politics aren't clearly defined.

Threat level: Conditions are ripe for bad actors to use generative AI to amplify efforts to suppress votes, libel candidates and incite violence, Axios' Ryan Heath reports.

Details: The bill proposed by state Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) requires political ads that contain AI-generated images, video, audio or text to inform viewers of its use.

• The measure also allows people to report alleged violations to the Florida Elections Commission. Failure to include a disclaimer is considered a first-degree misdemeanor.
• State Rep. Alex Rizo (R-Hialeah) filed similar legislation in the House.

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🖊️ Owners of the Ball & Chain nightclub have filed a lawsuit asking that Miami City Commissioner Joe Carollo be removed from office. (Miami Herald)

🥲 Gov. Ron DeSantis' campaign for president suffered from his aloofness, arrogance and other missteps, insiders say. (The Messenger)

💰 The owner of the Fontainebleau resort has been making political donations in an effort to bring a casino to the Miami Beach property. (The Real Deal)

👋 Hi! I'm Sommer, and I'm so excited to begin.

First things first: Despite the spelling, my name is pronounced like the season. Easy!

Flashback: I was born in Miami and lived near The Falls until middle school before moving to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

• I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from American University in Washington, D.C. In between degrees, I freelanced for a few years in Austin, Texas, and I also worked at a few coffee shops.
• I've been reporting on education in Florida since 2019 and, most recently, Miami-Dade County Public Schools and statewide education issues for the Miami Herald.
• I took leave from work this past summer to attend culinary school for two months in Madrid, Spain. Surprisingly, I only have a few scars from the experience.

Zoom in: I live in North Beach, the best neighborhood in Miami (not a debate, but happy to share my runners-up).

• I go "off island" daily, which is what my fellow North Beach friends and I refer to as going over the 79th Street Causeway, and can usually be found at a coffee shop (my current favorite is Surry Hills in Little River), playing soccer or doing pottery at Of Course I Still Love You Ceramics.
• I spend lots of time at the beach, and I frequent the Bandshell and Gramps for shows.
• Other favorites include Legion Park Farmers Market, Paradis Books & Bread, Peel Soft Serve and the burger at Over Under.

The bottom line: I have loved covering education and will continue to do so here. But I'm excited to expand my reporting to include other stories that matter to Miami's residents.

• Send all your tips and story suggestions — or even just your favorite places around town — to [email protected].

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💼 Check out who's hiring on our Job Board.

1. Finance Manager at Adistec.
2. Auditor, Records at AAR Corp.
3. Senior Product Manager at TD Bank.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Use code FIRST50 for $50 off your first job post.

Even Jason Momoa has a side hustle: vodka entrepreneur.

What's happening: The actor, known for turns in "Aquaman" and "Game of Thrones," developed Meili Vodka with business partner Blaine Halvorson, known for success in the clothing biz.

Details: The pair are visiting South Florida liquor stores this week to take photos with fans and sign bottles of Meili.

• Today: ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, 3355 N Federal Hwy., Oakland Park; 1pm–3pm.
• Tomorrow: Total Wine & More, 2750 SW 27th Terrace, #201, Miami; 2pm–4pm.

If you go: Both are free.

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