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Miami Herald
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Trump White House makeover: How does it compare to past presidential renovations?
Over the past six months, President Donald Trump has made a series of sweeping changes to the White House, transforming both its interior spaces and its exterior landscape. He adorned the Oval Office with numerous portraits — including of Presidents George Washington, Andrew Jackson and Ronald Reagan — and installed gilded appliques and embellishments throughout several rooms. More substantive alterations include erecting two towering 100-foot flagpoles on the lawn and paving over the historic Rose Garden. He's also said he plans to construct a large ballroom, modeled after one at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida resort. 'It's gonna cost nothing, I'll spend the whole thing myself,' he said in February 'We'll do a big, beautiful room.' How does Trump's White House makeover compare to those of his predecessors? Are his restylings and renovations unprecedented? McClatchy News has reached out to presidential historians for answers. 'Every president wants to leave their mark on the White House,' Alexis Coe, a presidential historian and fellow at New America, told McClatchy News. Most, though, 'are satisfied with a portrait swap.' Recent predecessors When compared to other recent occupants of the executive mansion, Trump, a former real estate developer, is indeed in a league of his own. 'Trump's proposed changes to the White House are more extensive than those made by his recent predecessors,' Nicole Anslover, a history professor at Florida Atlantic University, told McClatchy News. 'Most changes made by Presidents Biden, Obama and Bush were mainly cosmetic. Think new furnishings and artwork.' For example, Obama added a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. to the Oval Office, and Bush hung several paintings depicting Texas landscapes. Clinton undertook a refurbishing of the West Wing. 'These were updates — some thoughtful, some cosmetic — but nothing intended to dominate the space or erase historical context,' Taylor Stoermer, a history lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, told McClatchy News. 'They abided by the norms and traditions of the office and the place.' 'Trump's changes are different,' Stoermer added. 'They're part of his usual assertion of personal branding.' The Republican president's degree of involvement in the restylings is also somewhat unique. 'In the past, stylistic concerns have largely been the purview of the first lady,' Thomas Balcerski, a presidential historian at Eastern Connecticut State University, told McClatchy News. 'Trump has once again broken with tradition by insisting that cosmetic improvements around the White House be driven by his own personal tastes and preferences.' Earlier presidents That said, Trump's alterations pale in comparison to the lasting structural and design changes made by several earlier presidents, historians said. For example, during the 1880s, President Chester Arthur ordered 'major renovations,' including by installing an elevator and plumbing system. Arthur, a New Yorker like Trump, also undertook changes that evoked 'a Gilded Age fever dream,' Coe said. 'He auctioned off (Ulysses) Grant's old furniture and enlisted Louis Comfort Tiffany to design stained-glass windows.' But, the biggest transformation came during the presidency of Harry Truman, which spanned from 1945 to 1953. When he took office, the aging mansion — with its uneven floors and damaged walls — was deemed unsafe to live in. As a result, 'the entire interior was gutted and reconstructed,' Stoermer said. 'The restoration under Truman was so extensive that he actually lived across the street at Blair House for several years,' Anslover said In fact, it was so all-encompassing that it altered the White House more than the fire of 1814, started by the British during the War of 1812, according to the White House Historical Association. Then, similarly extensive decorative changes came in the early 1960s, during the presidency of John Kennedy, though they were spearheaded by his wife, Jackie Kennedy. 'She launched the White House Historical Association, strong-armed Congress into protecting historical furnishings, and essentially went on a nationwide treasure hunt for authentic pieces,' Stoermer said, noting that 'It was an almost obsessive mission…' She also redesigned the Rose Garden — which is now being converted into a patio — beautifying it with rows of clipped hedges and multi-colored flowers. 'Her televised tour in 1962 was a declaration: this place belongs to everyone. It's a symbol of our collective, messy history,' Stoermer said, 'not a private palace for whoever's currently in charge.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former Vero Beach Mayor Mary Beth McDonald dies at 73 following lengthy illness
VERO BEACH — Mary Beth McDonald, a former City Council member and mayor from 2005-2006, died July 4 after a lengthy illness. She was 73. McDonald was elected to the City Council in 2004 and served until 2006. She was heralded for her leadership during hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Wilma. "Her resolve and hard work were unparalleled during her time on council," said Dr. John W. McDonald, her husband of 48 years. "Though she served only one term, it was an eventful term." John McDonald will remember his wife for her optimism, humor and honesty, he said. After leaving office, McDonald was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees, and served from 2013-2021. Historic hurricanes When hurricanes Frances and Jeanne hit the city in 2004, McDonald's communication skills and optimism shone through. "She was so instrumental in getting the city through what is probably its darkest hour," said former City Clerk Tammy Bursick. "She was so focused and driven. I really admired her for that." The following year, Hurricane Wilma brought immense flooding, seemingly setting the city's recovery back. But not on McDonald's watch. "We couldn't have recovered as quickly as we did without her," said Bursick. "She was so graceful during that time, and her communication skills and leadership were a site to behold." She facilitated rebuilding until the end of her term, said Bursick. "The hurricanes really are the big story of her time on council," said John McDonald. "She hardly got a break during that time because of the storms." Long-time resident McDonald — originally of Chevy Chase, Maryland — arrived in Vero Beach in 1982. She and her husband were establishing a dermatology practice after relocating from Washington, D.C. The two were married in 1977, and had two sons, John Lawrence and Patrick Warren. A graduate of FAU with a degree in communications, McDonald's career spanned more than 25 years. She ascended to the role of communications director for the city, wrote freelance for Florida Parenting News, was a speech and drama teacher at St. Edward's School and opened her own marketing agency, One Source Media and Marketing. Other accomplishment during her term on council were facilitating the opening of Quail Valley Golf Club, Costa d'Este Beach Resort and Spa and renovating the Vero Beach Theater. "She really enjoyed her time on council and serving the city in any way she could," said her husband. "She loved Vero Beach." Education news: New state law means some Treasure Coast high schools likely to continue early start times Larry's take: Vero Beach percentage of county population wanes; major challenges faced | Opinion She also was very active in civic organizations, including the Jasmine Circle Garden Club, Florida Medical Association Ladies Auxiliary and Friends of the Riverside Theater. She is survived by her husband, her sons and two sisters, Susan and Martha Widmayer. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 1 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Lane, Vero Beach. The family requests donations to VNA Hospice House, at Nick Slater is TCPalm's Indian River County Watchdog reporter. You can reach him at and 224-830-2875. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Former Vero Beach Mayor Mary Beth McDonald has passed away at age 73 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Sharks might be spending less time in Florida. That's actually not good.
Fishermen sometimes complain that they munch their catch before they can get it into their boat, and every so often, one might bite a swimmer or surfer. But as far as the health of our oceans go, sharks are vital – and seeing fewer of them, as new research projects, might have 'catastrophic' consequences. 'We've noticed that with ocean warming, sharks are leaving these regions later on in the year because they're very temperature driven,' said Maria Manz, the lead author of a new study that tracked the migratory behavior of six shark species within the Mid-Atlantic Bight, a coastal region stretching from Massachusetts to North Carolina. Manz, a doctoral candidate at Stony Brook University in New York, and colleagues from seven other U.S. institutions used National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data to create a model to project how their observations would play out on a grander scale. If the ocean surface temperature warms by 2.01 degrees Celsius, for example, species like the sandbar shark would arrive in Florida almost a month later than they used to. Under current projections, that could become reality within the next five to 25 years if fossil fuel usage is unabated, the path we're on under current US policies. If that happens, sharks also might not stay as long or not swim as far south as Florida at all. Local coastal waters would turn too hot for them, while the beaches of the Carolinas, for example, might feel just right. Already, Florida Atlantic University documented that Florida's blacktip shark numbers decreased by almost 60 percent between 2011 and 2019, from a peak of 12,128 individuals to 4,955. What could a shift in shark migration of population mean for the marine ecosystem? Mahmood Shivji, director of Nova Southeastern University's Guy Harvey Research Institute and a leader in shark research, cautioned that he was unaware of studies that detailed the exact effect a decline of sharks would have. But he had no doubt that a limited presence of these major predators would have wide-ranging, potentially catastrophic ramifications on the entire foodweb. Sandbar, dusky and blacktip sharks, for example, are among larger shark species whose preferred prey include groupers and snappers, whose numbers might increase. While that might initially sound like good news to fishermen 'it's not just about enabling you to catch more fish so you can take it home,' Shivji said. An excess of larger, predatory fish would decrease the numbers of the smaller fish, crustaceans, and mollusks they eat. If there's few of those smaller fish, others down the food web might thrive — a cascading effect that might be felt all the way to the bottom of the chain. 'The entire normal balance, the way things have been, sort of historically, evolutionarily, all that changes, and what impact that is going to have downstream – of course, nobody really knows,' Shivji said. At the bottom of the food chain, for example, a decline in species that eat blue-green algae could, theoretically, increase the chances of toxic algae blooms, Shivji said. Major blooms in 2019 already prompted Gov. Ron DeSantis to create a task force, sicken around 80,000 Americans a year, and are linked to a range of diseases, including Alzheimer's and liver damage. Removing top predators like shark will have a cascading effect, Shivji said. 'There's no doubt about this.' There's also no doubt that these changes to migratory behavior of sharks, as well as countless other species across the planet, are happening quickly. Ecosystems don't have enough time to adapt, he said. 'These are definitely big changes and when changes happen quickly, they tend to be catastrophic.' This climate report is funded by Florida International University, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the David and Christina Martin Family Foundation in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all content.
Miami Herald
15-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Sharks might be spending less time in Florida. That's actually not good.
Fishermen sometimes complain that they munch their catch before they can get it into their boat, and every so often, one might bite a swimmer or surfer. But as far as the health of our oceans go, sharks are vital – and seeing fewer of them, as new research projects, might have 'catastrophic' consequences. 'We've noticed that with ocean warming, sharks are leaving these regions later on in the year because they're very temperature driven,' said Maria Manz, the lead author of a new study that tracked the migratory behavior of six shark species within the Mid-Atlantic Bight, a coastal region stretching from Massachusetts to North Carolina. Manz, a doctoral candidate at Stony Brook University in New York, and colleagues from seven other U.S. institutions used National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data to create a model to project how their observations would play out on a grander scale. If the ocean surface temperature warms by 2.01 degrees Celsius, for example, species like the sandbar shark would arrive in Florida almost a month later than they used to. Under current projections, that could become reality within the next five to 25 years if fossil fuel usage is unabated, the path we're on under current US policies. If that happens, sharks also might not stay as long or not swim as far south as Florida at all. Local coastal waters would turn too hot for them, while the beaches of the Carolinas, for example, might feel just right. Already, Florida Atlantic University documented that Florida's blacktip shark numbers decreased by almost 60 percent between 2011 and 2019, from a peak of 12,128 individuals to 4,955. What could a shift in shark migration of population mean for the marine ecosystem? Mahmood Shivji, director of Nova Southeastern University's Guy Harvey Research Institute and a leader in shark research, cautioned that he was unaware of studies that detailed the exact effect a decline of sharks would have. But he had no doubt that a limited presence of these major predators would have wide-ranging, potentially catastrophic ramifications on the entire foodweb. Sandbar, dusky and blacktip sharks, for example, are among larger shark species whose preferred prey include groupers and snappers, whose numbers might increase. While that might initially sound like good news to fishermen 'it's not just about enabling you to catch more fish so you can take it home,' Shivji said. An excess of larger, predatory fish would decrease the numbers of the smaller fish, crustaceans, and mollusks they eat. If there's few of those smaller fish, others down the food web might thrive — a cascading effect that might be felt all the way to the bottom of the chain. 'The entire normal balance, the way things have been, sort of historically, evolutionarily, all that changes, and what impact that is going to have downstream – of course, nobody really knows,' Shivji said. At the bottom of the food chain, for example, a decline in species that eat blue-green algae could, theoretically, increase the chances of toxic algae blooms, Shivji said. Major blooms in 2019 already prompted Gov. Ron DeSantis to create a task force, sicken around 80,000 Americans a year, and are linked to a range of diseases, including Alzheimer's and liver damage. Removing top predators like shark will have a cascading effect, Shivji said. 'There's no doubt about this.' There's also no doubt that these changes to migratory behavior of sharks, as well as countless other species across the planet, are happening quickly. Ecosystems don't have enough time to adapt, he said. 'These are definitely big changes and when changes happen quickly, they tend to be catastrophic.' This climate report is funded by Florida International University, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the David and Christina Martin Family Foundation in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all content.
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘This is our Super Bowl': How ‘Love Island USA' became a South Florida phenomenon
After the seventh season of 'Love Island USA' came to its gripping conclusion on Sunday, there was no denying the real winner of the show, which has become a cultural phenomenon, is South Florida. Not only has the show filled its roster with contestants that hail from South Florida, but it has also filled sports bars and restaurants during the slow summer months when the professional teams are between seasons. Fans across South Florida — and the country— flocked to local bars and restaurants that hosted watch parties during the season. This season was the most watched of 'Love Island USA,' the American version of the popular UK series of the same name. In the show, hot, young singles ditch their day jobs to spend a summer in a villa in Fiji where they couple up, break up, make out and fuel six weeks' worth of memes, drama and social media discourse — all while wearing tiny bikinis and high heels. The show is filmed in real-time, which means fans can influence what happens by voting. At Casa Tiki in Little Havana, over 120 fans packed the bar and lounge space, sipping on 'Love Island'-themed cocktails like Hurricane Huda and Soul Ties with rose petals strewn on the bar counter for Sunday's season finale. Casa Tiki was one of the first bars in Miami to jump on the idea as young women posted on social media about wanting bars to host watch parties, said Michael Guerrero, the bar's multimedia manager. 'It's what the girls demanded!' Guerrero said. 'It did give us that feel of people watching something together, and in this case, mainly girls. Girls wanted to feel like guys do watching a sporting event.' The 'Love Island' watch parties, held twice a week, have been a hit. Reservations for seats at the bar's lounge space sold out for every watch party, Guerrero said. During intermissions, the hosts grabbed audience members on stage for flirty games, like 'hottest make-out session' and 'worst date story.' The bar even raffled Labubus, the trendy plush toy popular among Gen Z (and apparently, 'Love Island' fans). 'I love it. For guys, they have their sports. For girls, this is our Super Bowl,' said Carla Lumbi, 31, who wore a shirt with cast member Amaya Espinal's face on it to the watch party at Casa Tiki. When Espinal and accountant Bryan Arenales, a Latino couple, won the show, Lumbi and the rest of the bar jumped out of their seats to cheer. Nic Vansteenberghe, a 24-year-old Jacksonville native who graduated from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, was the only Floridian to make it to the finale. Vansteenberghe and his partner Olandria Carthen, known as 'Nicolandria,' were the runners-up. Vansteenberghe, a registered nurse and model, lived in Miami and then traveled for three months before going on the show, said Vansteenberghe's manager Ron Gerard of NEXT Management Miami. Besides Vansteenberghe, season 7 of Love Island USA's South Floridian cast members included: Austin Shepard, a 26-year-old pool technician who lives in Fort LauderdaleChelley Bissainthe, a 27-year-old Haitian-American day trader born in Miami Yulissa Escobar, a 27-year-old mobile bar owner from MiamiElan Bibas, a 24-year-old technology consultant who lives in MiamiGracyn Blackmore, a 25-year-old who lives in West Palm Beach But the South Florida representation on the show was not without controversy. Escobar was unceremoniously removed from the villa on the second episode after a clip of her saying the N-word on a podcast resurfaced. Vansteenberghe unknowingly became one of the season's main characters, with fans (and even his own family members) hoping that he would finally couple up with Carthen, despite their previous ties to other contestants. Nicolandria also had the support of major brands, NFL teams, the University of Miami and Delray Beach native and tennis superstar Coco Gauff. 'nicolandria stans we upppp #LoveIslandUSA,' Gauff posted on X. But perhaps Vansteenberghe's biggest contribution to the show was a viral conversation he had with fellow islander Huda Mustafa when she revealed to him that she has a daughter back home. Just google 'I'm a mommy' and prepare to go down the rabbit hole. Back at Casa Tiki, 'Love Island' fan Julia Ceresani, 24, said she and friends Brooke Howard and Yami Figueroa were happy to see the South Florida representation on the show. 'I absolutely love it. I think Florida gets such a bad rep normally, although, I don't know how good the show is for that honestly,' Ceresani said, laughing. 'But I love that they're repping Florida in a non-crazy, Florida Man way.' Howard, 30, was pleasantly surprised to learn that Vansteenberghe was a fellow FAU alum, though she was hoping for Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia to win. 'Go Owls!' she said.
