The Cooler

Everyone is talking about airport screening and I will be to later on this morning. Here's some of the more interesting stuff I found in this morning's news.

A- Herald: Pitiful.

In most NBA cities, the prospect of seeing Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh on the floor together would be enough to have fans captivated by tipoff.

But this is Miami, where socializing and showing up fashionably late is as much a part of the culture as ignoring stop signs. Heat management -- tired of seeing thousands of empty seats at the start of game broadcasts -- recently launched a ``Fan Up'' campaign in an attempt to get fans to be more punctual and spirited.

[...]

A month into this much-ballyhooed season, fans are getting restless with the team's 8-6 record and team executives are calling out some of those very fans for their game-night priorities. Season ticket holders received a notice that read: ``The Heat 2010-11 team has assembled a lineup of monumental proportions.

``But with this newfound power comes a newfound responsibility. That's why we're challenging you to Fan Up.''

What, you ask, does it mean to Fan Up? The memo continues:

``Being in your seat for tipoff and staying there until the final buzzer.''

``Standing up and making some noise.''

``There is nothing fashionable about showing up late.''

``The early bird gets the goodies.'' (Fans who arrive between 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. get discounts at concession stands, and some get free souvenirs).

``It's time to show that HEAT fans do deserve this team.''

B- Herald: Stuck on the Palmetto.

From North Miami Beach to Kendall -- and all points in between -- South Florida families will take to the Palmetto Expressway this holiday season as they travel to see friends and loved ones.

But they may arrive fa-la-la-la-late, according to a ``most congested roads'' report released Tuesday by The Weather Channel. Despite the highway's next-to-nonexistent risk of snow or other severe weather conditions, the Palmetto Expressway still ranked as the nation's 10th-worst holiday commute.

``The stretch that gets particularly backed up during the holidays is from Okeechobee Road to south of the Dolphin Expressway,'' the channel's report states. ``Throw in a few thousand travelers flying into Miami International Airport who then hit the roads to reach their final destination, and you have a travel nightmare.''

C- Herald: Editorial, airport scanning.

Most Americans -- 81 percent -- support using scanners, according to a CBS News poll. No word yet on pat-downs.

We face a determined enemy. No one wants another underwear bomber, let alone 9/11. In a free society, sacrifices sometimes must be made to ensure safety. Flying isn't a right. But the government must do a much better job explaining how these new measures will help, while continuing to look for less intrusive methods.

Get in line and leave your modesty at the curb -- for safety's sake.

D- Sun-Sentinel: Piecemeal.

Body parts that turned up miles apart along waterways in Fort Lauderdale and Dania Beach are those of the same man, authorities said Tuesday.

E- Sun-Sentinel: A new home for the Broward County Fair.

This year, though, the 35-year-old event is pumped for new life with a 12-day schedule of down-home community fun starting Wednesday on 115 acres of prime land next door to Pembroke Pines City Hall, 10300 Pines Blvd.

F- TC Palm: But is it as good as DD?

The Florida Department of Transportation is offering free coffee at the Turnpike service plazas and gas stations from 11 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.

There will also be free coffee from 11 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday.

G- CBS4: Oh no. Does this mean more stupid protests?

People heading to court to testify, get a restraining order, pay a ticket or answer criminal charges could also face a full-body scan at courthouses.

The U.S. Marshals Service, which is in charge of protecting federal judges nationwide, is exploring their use at federal courthouses. And two state courthouses in Douglas and El Paso counties in Colorado have already deployed full-body scanners that use radio waves to detect all objects on a person, including paper.

H- NBC Miami: How many is "too many?"

A passenger on a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Denver was pulled off a plane Tuesday after other passengers said he was taking too many potty breaks, reports 9News.com.

[...]

The U.S. Airways flight was checked by K-9 units when it landed in Denver and the unnamed passenger, reportedly of Middle Eastern descent, was detained momentarily and questioned.

I- WPTV: Life in South Florida.

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. - Wild coyotes roaming Witham Field pose a safety threat to aircraft as they land and take off.

The canine-like predators could also escape from the 725-acre airport and attack pets or small children in nearby neighborhoods, said Acting Martin County Administrator Taryn Kryzda.

Consequently, Martin County has entered a $4,850 contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services to remove the nuisance coyotes from the county-owned airport starting Nov. 29.

[...]

"U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services biologists-technicians will utilize sharpshooting and trapping, as necessary, to remove coyotes at Witham Field, whose presence and activities on and around the airfield are endangering aircraft and passengers," the contract states.

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