Carl Hiaasen
Carl Hiaasen's candor and humor has been a staple of The Miami Herald for more than two decades. Known for his biting commentary on Florida's rapacious development, scandalous business practices and corrupt politicians, Hiaasen's award-winning weekly column is syndicated nationally.
Hiaasen began his journalism career at Cocoa Today (now the Melbourne-based Florida Today). In 1976, he joined the Herald and worked as a general assignment reporter and magazine writer before joining the investigative team. In 1986, Hiaasen began writing a regular column for the Herald's metropolitan section, eventually moving to the Opinion-Editorial page. Two collections of his columns have been published as books, "Kick Ass" and "Paradise Screwed," both edited by Diane Stevenson.
The author of many best-selling novels, Hiaasen has developed an international following for his fiction. His first novel, "Tourist Season," was published in 1986. Those that followed include: "Double Whammy," "Skin Tight," "Native Tongue," "Strip Tease," "Stormy Weather," "Lucky You," "Sick Puppy," "Skinny Dip" and "Nature Girl." "Strip Tease" was released as a feature film in 1997, starring Demi Moore and Burt Reynolds.
Hiaasen is also the author of popular novels for young readers, including "Flush" and "Hoot," which won a Newbery Honor and in 2006 was made into a motion picture starring Luke Wilson. In addition to his books, Hiaasen co-wrote three songs with the late Warren Zevon, including "Seminole Bingo" and "Rottweiller Blues."
The long list of journalism awards to Hiaasen's credit include the Green Eyeshade Award for investigative reporting in 1980 and humorous commentary in 1986, 1987 and 1997 and the first and second place Florida Society of Newspaper Editors Awards in 1989 and 1997, respectively. For his columns he received the Damon Runyon Award from the Denver Press Club for 2003-2004.
Carl Hiaasen Samples
Dream candidate? Only for Democrats
If you're a Democrat, here's what you're thinking as voters go to the polls in Florida's Republican primary: Pinch me. Because Newt Gingrich -- defrocked speaker of the House, original godfather of government gridlock, two-faced philandering impea...
Those big snakes are here to stay
Now that federal regulators have outlawed the importation of humongous, gator-eating pythons, all Floridians can breathe a grateful sigh of relief. Sorry, but no.
Haiti: Not trendy, not chic, just real news
The news of the day is burning with big questions: Who'll be the next head coach of the Miami Dolphins?
Mitt wins Florida ... unless he blows it
Florida is being overrun by pundits and pollsters in advance of the coming Republican presidential primary.
Why some Fla. lawmakers are in panic
An absolutely true news item: Having passed a law allowing gun owners to bring their weapons inside the state Capitol building, the Florida Senate has hastily installed panic buttons on the office phone of every senator and staff member.
Only in Miami: Indicted, but on the payroll
More proof that Miami is the worst-run city in America: Assistant Fire Chief Veldora Arthur was paid more than $120,000 to stay home and do nothing for seven months this year. She wasn't sick. She was under federal indictment for mortgage fraud.
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