MIAMI (AP) — There was snow. There was fire. And after years of planning, there was hockey on a baseball field in Miami.

The Florida Panthers and New York Rangers dropped the puck Friday night in the 44th outdoor game in NHL history. It was the first for Florida, which has won the last two Stanley Cup titles.

And this Winter Classic wasn’t the warmest outdoor game ever: It was 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17 Celsius) outside when the windows behind what usually is left field began opening at 8:04 p.m., under a calm and clear sky.

That made it the second-warmest outdoor game in league history, 2 degrees cooler than the 65-degree air on Feb. 27, 2016, when Detroit beat Colorado at Denver’s Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. It was 1 degree warmer than the game on Jan. 25, 2014, when Anaheim beat Los Angeles 3-0 at Dodger Stadium.

The game-time temperature was initially announced inside the stadium as 61 degrees, before the NHL later said it was 63.

The Rangers — with a snow effect around their walkway — were called to the ice at 8:13 p.m. The Panthers — as fire shot skyward along their path — came out about a minute later. And that’s about when snowflakes began falling from the top of the stadium, as the roof continued opening.

There was another celebration before faceoff, when Rangers and Panthers players who will be part of the U.S. Olympic hockey team at the Milan Cortina Games next month were introduced. Panthers defenseman Seth Jones made the team earlier Friday, as did injured Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk.

Tkachuk placed an American flag over Jones’ shoulders and the crowd roared.

It was a spectacle, as expected. The Rangers showed up in all-white outfits, as if it was a beach day. The Panthers came with a “Miami Vice” theme, wearing white suits, pastel shirts and even showing up in Ferraris instead of a bus.

“If you would have asked me 25 years ago … this might be the last place that I thought it would take place,” Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said. “So, I just think it speaks volumes for technology and its advancements and the ability to put a sheet of ice down in this type of environment.”

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And they were armed with paintbrushes, not hockey sticks.

The Panthers — a few hours before their Winter Classic outdoor game at the Miami Marlins’ ballpark against the New York Rangers — unveiled a couple dozen panther sculptures, all painted in a unique way and now being auctioned off with hopes of raising $1 million for cancer research.

Gretzky commissioned a sculpture that displays some of his stats, Johnson arranged one depicting a scene from Augusta National, Bublé’s is adorned in rhinestone braille, the NBA’s Heat commissioned a pair of sculptures with some of the team’s themes, artist Romero Britto painted one as well and Navratilova didn’t technically paint hers — she dipped tennis balls into paint and then served them into the panther, creating a polka-dotted splash of various colors.

“To be able to have the privilege to reach out and make those contacts and have those folks say, ‘Of course,’ what a gift that was,” Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito said. “It’s just so neat.”

About $700,000 has been raised already, Zito said. The idea for the fundraiser — “Panthers on the Prowl,” they call it — is loosely built around Chicago’s “Cows on Parade” art project. Zito and his wife Julie co-chair the Panthers’ project; she is a breast cancer survivor, and Zito has lost a number of relatives to the disease.

“It was my wife Julie’s idea,” Zito said. “And we lived in Chicago during ‘Cows on Parade,’ and then Romero Britto said we should auction them. I can’t take credit for any of it.”

Many of the panthers were on display at LoanDepot Park on Friday, where about 35,000 fans attending the Winter Classic would see them.

“There’s a tear and a smile,” Zito said. “And then you think, you know what, there’s a reason that everybody is engaged. There’s a reason that everybody gave their time and their talent. And it’s because it works and it’s right.”

It’s the same ice where the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers will meet on Friday in the 2026 NHL Winter Classic, the league’s famed annual outdoor games.

The game is more associated with snowy locations in historic hockey strongholds like Toronto and Chicago than our beach-friendly winter, but with Broward’s Florida Panthers as the current two-time champions, South Florida became impossible to ignore.

The league is turning to two men, Derek King and Andrew Higgins of the league’s facility and hockey operations team, to defeat the oxymoron that is outdoor hockey in South Florida.

“ I think it’s a pretty bold move by the league. Why not Florida? Florida is an amazing hockey market. So for us to bring the game here, I think it’s pretty exciting,” said King.

“ For us and our crew, it’s just a new challenge. We’ve been in warmer markets before, but really nothing as south or as warm as this.” said Higgins.

The ice is just part of the massive production planned for Friday night’s game. LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, has been completely transformed. The field has been split into two halves, one sunny and the other snowy to highlight the clash between South Florida’s warm weather and the sport’s cold weather origins.

“ Half the field is gonna be Miami Beach, lifeguard stands, umbrellas, cabanas and swimming pools, and the other side is as if a huge snowstorm has hit Miami … We’re gonna have cast members on the field. Half of them will be in parkas, the other will be in bikinis and speedos,” said Steve Mayer, president of NHL events and content.

Mayer hinted at a few other surprises for the fans on game day, especially those on the icy side.

“You may get snowed on…  we like to make it an interactive experience from the time you walk in the building to the time you leave,” he said.

Getting the ice ready

But none of the fanfare can happen without the ice in peak condition.

Two weeks before the puck drops, the rink build begins. King and Higgins’s team marks out the space, stretching end to end across the infield, and lays down a laser-leveled stage deck. Then the crew brings in 253 aluminum pans to cover the surface. Those pans are connected to two truck trailers in centerfield that pump glycol, which removes heat from water, through the pans. About a week before the game, water is misted on top of the pans, allowing it to freeze in layers.

The process is helped by LoanDepot Park’s retractable roof, which allows the team building the rink more control over the conditions before the game. But the plan is to play with the roof and the sliding floor-to-ceiling windows in left field open, which puts the ice at the mercy of the elements.

“ Once you open the roof, all bets are off. I’m looking at the weather just like everybody else,” said Mayer.

There is a difference between ice and professional grade ice — any bumps, bobbles, or soft spots on Friday could ruin the whole affair — but the team can monitor the ice and adjust the coolant coming from the truck trailers on the fly. They’ve also created a sheet that’s between two and two and a half inches — an inch thicker than the ice at Amerant Bank Arena, where the Panthers play, to give themselves more of a buffer.

And to make things even better, there’s a cold front due this week. Temperatures at puck drop could be in the mid to low 60s.

Up next for the NHL events team might be an even greater challenge. Next month, they’ll head to Tampa for the NHL Stadium Series where the Tampa Bay Lighting will play the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium, where there is no roof.

This article was originally published by WLRN Public Media.

In an order filed Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles set a date in his downtown Miami courtroom for the two-week period starting Jan. 26, 2026. He also set a calendar call for Jan. 21.

It was not immediately clear, however, that the defense will be ready to go to court as the congresswoman has yet to formally retain a lawyer. None of the attorneys in the case had formally responded to Judge Gayles’ order by late Tuesday.

On Monday, U.S. Magistrate Lisette Reid agreed during a brief hearing in Miami to postpone the congresswoman’s arraignment until Jan. 20 so Cherfilus-McCormick could arrange representation. Since the congresswoman’s indictment in late November, she has been temporarily represented by Miami attorney David Markus and three other lawyers from the firm of Markus/Moss.

Cherfilus-McCormick appeared before Reid with Markus and co-counsel Melissa Madrigal as her lawyers on Monday.

Reid granted the arraignment delay after hearing no objections from federal prosecutors Yeney Hernandez and John Taddei.

“For her to have the attorney of her choice, we’ll put on the record that it’s a reasonable period of delay,” the judge said, referring to the congresswoman.

The congresswoman was indicted by a federal grand jury and accused of using FEMA money to support her 2021 congressional campaign. Overall, she is charged with 15 federal counts, including theft of government funds, money laundering, straw donor campaign contributions, false tax statements, and conspiracy.

Cherfilus-McCormick’s brother, Edwin; her chief of staff, Nadege Leblanc; and a tax preparer, David Spencer, are also charged in the case. All three co-defendants have lawyers. Edwin Cherfilus is represented by the federal public defender’s office, according to court files.

Markus told Judge Reid his group is working “very hard” to arrange legal representation. He said the arraignment delay “should give us enough time to make arrangements to come in permanently to the case.”

But no reference was made of going to trial within a month’s time.

After the hearing concluded Monday, the congresswoman reiterated to reporters outside a downtown courthouse that she is innocent and looks forward to being cleared.

Week 18: Season finale @ Patriots | The Dolphins (7-9) will end their season at Foxboro Stadium against the AFC East division winner New England Patriots (13-3), then launch into an off season that’s sure to have fireworks. Chris Perkins and David Furones discuss the future of fill-in quarterback Quinn Ewers and whether Mike McDaniel will be given another season to prove his merit. Kickoff is at 4:25 p.m.

Listen below or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or iHeartRadio.

Brad Meltzer’s adult novels are known for fast and furious plots that stay on a breathless course to the end, as does his first thriller in four years, “The Viper: A Zig & Nola Novel.”

Meltzer specializes in meticulous research and attention to obscure historical and government details, carefully woven together organically without missing a beat. While “The Viper” adheres to Meltzer’s trademark intense plotting and unusual characters, his 14th thriller may be his most conventional.

While snatches of history and governmental issues enter “The Viper,” Meltzer has made this novel more about the complicated pasts of his characters. “The Viper,” like many of Meltzer’s novels, is both global and personal in scope.

This is his third outing with Jim “Zig” Zigarowski, a mortician who specializes in handling soldiers, and Nola Brown, a military artist whose precise drawings on battlefields illustrate more than some photographs. The two are wary of each other. Nola, emotionless and prickly, doesn’t really like Zig, who is compassionate. Yet through the years they have been bound to each other, each having saved the other at various times from violence.

In “The Viper,” New Jersey cop Roddy LaPointe, who is Nola’s twin, drafts Zig into helping him investigate the recent murder of Andrew Fechmeier, who had only just returned to his home town after decades. Roddy believes Andrew’s murder is related to the death 26 years ago of his and Nola’s mother when they were 3 years old. Their mother’s death, Roddy believes, led to the subsequent deaths of her and Andrew’s classmates and friends.

Not caring about the past, even her own, Nola wants little to do with this investigation. But Zig and Roddy embark on an accelerated investigation, navigating a labyrinth of family bonds and secrets. Along the way, Meltzer will show secrets of the witness protection program, veterans’ mental health and a peek at Dover Air Force Base, which houses the mortuary that cares for the remains of fallen soldiers. Nola’s job as a military artist is real.

Meltzer’s depiction of these topics is fascinating and authentic. Meltzer is respected for the facts he has gleaned from interviews with high-level government sources, including U.S. presidents, though no top-level secrets are disclosed. For a bit of levity, Meltzer includes references to “The Breakfast Club” and “Mean Girls.”

In addition to his thrillers, the prolific Meltzer, who lives in Broward County, has written a series of children’s books based on the childhoods of famous people, nonfiction books and has been the host of two History Channel series. Hopefully, readers won’t have to wait another four years for Meltzer’s next thriller.

Meet the author

Brad Meltzer will discuss “The Viper: A Zig & Nola Novel” at 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at Coral Gables Congregational Church, 3010 De Soto Blvd., Coral Gables, sponsored by Books & Books. Tickets are required. Each ticket admits two guests into the venue and includes one copy of “The Viper” at $32, plus tax. Books will be handed out upon entry. Additional books will be available for sale at the event. Visit booksandbooks.com for details.

Meltzer also will discuss “The Viper: A Zig & Nola Novel” at noon Jan. 11 at Barnes & Noble at University Commons Shopping Center, 1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561-750-2134.

A strong cold front is forecast to drop temperatures into the 40s on Tuesday night and Wednesday night. The cold front is “originating from up in the Arctic, and it’s just very powerful and working its way down south,” said Will Redman, a meteorologist  with the National Weather Service in Miami.

Daytime temperatures aren’t likely to go past the 70s. “Maximum temperatures during the day will run a good 5-10 degrees lower than temperatures over the past week as the front drops through,” the weather service said.

The plunge in low temps overnight could bring an “excessive cold risk,” the weather service warned. “Just be prepared to bundle up,” Redman said.

After a relatively warm Christmas, the final day of 2025 (New Year's Eve) will have a relatively cold start for South Florida standards. Even colder temperatures are currently forecast for daybreak on New Year's Day.

Pictured: Excessive Cold Risk & Minimum Apparent Temperatures. pic.twitter.com/hC2eKtvg5X

— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) December 28, 2025

Some other parts of Florida could reach the 20s and 30s. “Persistent northerly winds Tuesday night could result in even cooler apparent temperatures overnight, ranging between the upper 20s and lower 30s across portions of the interior, including areas in Glades and Hendry,” the weather service said.

A gradual warming will begin Thursday, with high temperatures rising back to the mid- and upper-70s by the weekend.

The moves come as revenues and ridership showed improvement, according to Brightline monthly financial report for November. But the results are still not good enough to keep pace with the company’s burdensome cash needs to cover debts and day-to-day operations, according to ratings agencies that have downgraded the company’s bonds during the year.

“We think that switching riders from alternate modes, automotive in particular, is more challenging than originally forecast,” S&P Global Ratings said in its most recent note on Brightline’s financial state this month. ”Fares that have been drastically discounted to encourage new riders have proven particularly sticky, and we believe that [the rail line’s] projected growth in ticket revenue into 2026 is unlikely to materialize.”

“Looking ahead, we now project lower growth in ticket revenue of 15% in our base case in 2026, leading us to expect a higher probability of default by January 2027 for [the railroad] as liquidity available would be insufficient to meet debt service obligations,” the agency added.

S&P Global said it cut ratings of the railroad’s guaranteed $2.219 billion senior secured debt to ‘CCC’ from ‘BB-‘, while downgrading $1.1 billion of corporate notes by the parent company, Brightline East, to CCC from CCC+.

“We continue to expect Parent to default in January 2027, about 12 months away,” the agency added.

Brightline did not respond to emailed requests seeking comment this week.

Garage sale

The rail line is also reported to have retained the nationally prominent commercial real estate firm of Jones Lang LaSalle Americas Inc. to market Brightline’s Fort Lauderdale parking garage at 300 NW Second St.,  just steps away from the train station. JLL compiled an optimistic-sounding sales brochure touting the garage, which can house 571 vehicles.

“Today, Brightline operates a 235-mile high-speed rail system linking key Florida destinations and continues to ramp-up to stabilization with profitability expected to significantly increase in the years to come,” the brochure says.

On Dec. 4, Bloomberg reported the asking price was $20 million. According to the brochure, Brightline seeks to lease back the garage for its customers’ use over a 25-year period.

Quest for more cash

The garage initiative aside, Brightline indicated in its November financial report that it seeking support from key lenders who would need to greenlight a new round of debt amounting to $100 million.

In the November report, Brightline management said the net proceeds “would be expected to be used to provide liquidity for the company’s ongoing operating requirements as well as to provide additional liquidity in the event funds are needed to address potential outcomes of certain litigation.”

The report did not specify which litigation might require a payout.

Brightline earlier this year was sued by its rail corridor landlord, the Florida East Coast Railway, in Miami-Dade Circuit Court. The FEC alleges that Brightline violated an operating agreement that allows the passenger line to use the corridor by mapping plans for a new South Florida commuter line with the help of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The suit has been placed on hold pending meetings with an arbitrator.

Brightline kills dozens, but not in Orlando. Why?

Separately, Brightline and its parent, Fortress Investment Group LLC, were named as defendants in a lawsuit filed by a former train conductor in federal court who asserts he suffers from PTSD after witnessing multiple deaths of people killed by Brightline trains over a five-year period along the rail FEC corridor.

Uplifting November

In its November report, management outlined measures designed to improve train capacity for the long-haul trips between South Florida and Orlando, while adjusting the timing and pricing for South Florida commuters traveling among the cities of West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and Miami.

The company said it took delivery of five new passenger cars this month in time for the peak of the holiday season. They were the final round of coaches Brightline had on order this year.

“We believe the change to fixed ‘peak’ and ‘off-peak’ pricing structure is attractive for frequent short distance customers who prefer consistency of pricing,” management wrote in the report to investors. “Long distance pricing will continue to be dynamic based on market demand and days to departure.”

Prices between Miami and Orlando averaged a little more than $80 in November, which lifted revenues on trips between South and Central Florida by 21% against the same month of 2024.

Ridership for the month hit 280,136 passengers, up 14% over November 2024. Three of Brightline’s  “all-time ridership days” also came in November, the company said.

Marketing blitz

Throughout the year, the railroad’s marketing department has expanded its playbook to attract passengers, working up alliances with airlines, cruise lines and purveyors of entertainment, while deploying holiday and seasonal discounts.

It offered gift cards during Christmas and adult winter fares at 25% off between South Florida and Orlando.

Also for the holidays: Lindor chocolates by Lindt Master Chocolatiers, available in Brightline’s upscale premium lounges and coaches for a limited time only.