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Axios Miami
Miami airport touts autonomous power chairs
Miami-Dade County officials last week introduced "autonomous power chairs" that assist travelers with mobility issues at Miami International Airport.Why it matters: The airport is the nation's first to receive self-driving chairs, designed to make travel between gates easier for those with injuries, those who have difficulty walking long distances and the elderly.How it works: The 10 chairs, designed by Tokyo-based WHILL, are reserved for American Airlines passengers and work only in Concourses D and E.Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines Group that purchased the chairs, receives more than 2,900 wheelchair requests daily, per the Miami Herald.On average, 120 travelers per day use the autonomous chairs, an airport spokesperson said.Between the lines: The airport has faced criticism for its disrepair, including broken elevators and escalators and the grounding of MIA's Skytrain.Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced upgrades in January, including $1.7 billion in maintenance and $7 billion for new projects.No public money has been used for the chairs so far, per the Herald.Caveat: If travelers' bags are too large to fit, or if they have a support pet with them, they aren't able to ride, and will be pushed in a traditional wheelchair by an attendant.
Restaurant closure: Leku Fish & Garden will shut its doors
Another Miami gem bites the dust.Leku, the upscale Spanish restaurant at the Rubell Museum, announced it will be closing this Sunday after four years of service.The Allapattah restaurant, known for its Basque cuisine and lush patio, recently changed its menu and rebranded to Leku Fish & Garden.What they're saying: "This ultimate decision was not easy, but it is one we have made with thoughtful consideration," the Leku team posted on Instagram."We are deeply thankful for the incredible memories we've created together and the trust you have placed in us."Before it's gone: Grab a slice of Leku's famously fluffy Basque cheesecake.
Florida Panthers win first Stanley Cup Championship
The Florida Panthers are NHL champions after beating the Edmonton Oilers in a back-and-forth Stanley Cup Final โ narrowly avoiding a historic collapse in the process.Why it matters: Monday night's nail-biter 2-1 win secured the Panthers' first championship in franchise history.Honorary Floridian: After looking lost in the prior three games, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky bounced back along with the Cats' defense in Game 7.Bobrovsky ended the game with 22 saves, holding strong as the Oilers threw everything they could at him in the waning minutes.On offense, Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe opened scoring four minutes into the game. The Oilers evened the...
Bad Bunny, Adidas launch Gazelle sneaker
Reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny teamed up with Adidas to drop a new shoe inspired by his home of Puerto Rico. Details: The Gazelle San Juan, which launched on Sunday, was "inspired by the colors of the capital's historic cobblestones, the sea and the beach, as well as the Noche de San Juan," per a press release.They are $140.๐๏ธ The intrigue: If someone pairs these with Lionel Messi's all-pink Sambas, they could claim to be the ultimate Miami bro.Both shoes match the Heat's ViceVersa jerseys.
DeSantis cuts $32 million for state arts funding
Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $32 million for arts and cultural initiatives from the 2024-25 state budget โ cuts many in South Florida's arts community call unprecedented and unexpected. Why it matters: This is the first time the governor has cut funding to the arts, a move that jeopardizes many...
Panthers seek first Stanley Cup, flirt with historic collapse in Game 7
No matter what, the Florida Panthers will make history Monday night.Why it matters: A win would mean the franchise's first-ever Stanley Cup.Yes, but: A loss would make Florida the second team ever โย and the first in more than 80 years โย to blow a 3-0 series lead in the final.Catch up quick: After beginning the series against Edmonton with a shutout victory, the Panthers cruised in Game 2 and won a hard-fought Game 3.On the precipice of a championship, they took an 8-1 thrashing by the Oilers on the road in Game 4.The team looked outclassed in the next two games,...
Things to do this weekend: Live music, fruit festival and more
It's the first official weekend of summer, and there's plenty to do to celebrate.๐ถ Listen to live music across the city today for Make Music Miami, part of Make Music Day, a free one-day event that celebrates music around the world.Performances last throughout the day and across the city at venues ranging from The Bandshell to The Underline.๐ Crown the next Miss Wynwood Pride at the annual pageant at R House Friday.Happy hour 4pmโ8pm, pageant begins at 9pm.๐ The Miami Sharks rugby team is playing the last home game of the season Saturday against Old Glory DC in Fort Lauderdale.Tickets start at $30. Game starts at 7:30pm๐ฅญ Get your fruit fix at Miami-Dade County's Summer Fruit Festival.The two-day event will feature more than 500 vendors, local agriculture and tropical fruits, arts and crafts, educational workshops and more.Saturday and Sunday, 10amโ5pm, at Fruit & Spice Park in Homestead.Tickets range from $8โ$15. Free for kids under 5.โฝ Attend a Copa America game at Hard Rock Stadium Sunday.Group 2 Panama and Uruguay face off at 9pm.Tickets start at $75.
Miami newspaper runs anti-Biden ad with the N-word
A profane, pro-Trump political ad in the Miami New Times features several uncensored uses of the N-word and displays a misleading quote from President Biden using the slur in 1985.Why it matters: The full-page "advertorial" does not disclose who bought it, but directs readers to a conspiracy-laden website affiliated with Blacks for Trump, a local fringe political group whose signs often appear prominently at Donald Trump rallies.The ad ran on the back cover of the New Times June 13โ19 print edition. Copies of the issue remained available in news boxes as of Wednesday.What they're saying: Miami New Times publisher Adam...
Meet Margarita, Axios Miami's newest mascot!
It takes a village to name a child โ and our readers have spoken. Our new Axios Miami mascot will be called Margarita! (Margie for short.) Catch up quick: Our OG mascot Manny is now a #GirlDad, as Margarita joins big bro Manny Jr. Now that their house is...
Private jets for dogs coming to South Florida. Tickets are $6,000
Dogs sip from champagne bottles and sprint around a sky-high dog park in a dramatized commercial for Bark Air, a new airline made for pampered pups. The dog-first airline is coming to South Florida this fall after Bark launched last month with flights between New York, Los Angeles and London.
Giant IUD visits Miami as contraception advocates begin Florida tour
The giant IUD that turned heads two weeks ago in Washington, D.C., started its Florida tour on Tuesday at the Miami-Dade County Courthouse. Why it matters: The 20-foot inflatable birth control device is being used to promote awareness and advocacy for protecting access to contraceptives. as conservatives signal their support of limiting people's access.
Miami school board adopted invocation policy crafted by Christian group
Liberty Counsel, an advocacy group that promotes a "historically Christian and biblical" worldview, helped write the Miami-Dade School Board's policy for opening invocations at meetings.Why it matters: Public education advocates say conservative officials are increasingly pushing Christian ideals in Florida schools.Liberty Counsel, which describes itself as a ministry and legal advocacy organization, is classified as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.Driving the news: The Liberty Counsel's role in crafting the policy wasn't publicly disclosed, but it surfaced in emails recently obtained by national progressive watchdog group True North Research.The emails, shared with Axios, show that representatives...
Celebrate Juneteenth in Miami with film screenings, festivals and more
Juneteenth became a federal holiday three years ago, but has long been celebrated as America's second independence day.Organizations across Miami are hosting events this week to celebrate and honor that history.๐ถ North Miami Juneteenth Festival features music, food, an artisan market and public speakers to share insights into the significance of the holiday.The free event is at the Griffing Community Center Tuesday (6pmโ10pm) and Wednesday (12pmโ9pm).๐ก Celebrate at the Historic D.A. Dorsey House in Overtown with a full day of food, live music, book giveaways and author readings.Hosted by the Miami Urban Contemporary Experience. Free, 1pmโ8pm Wednesday.๐ Head to Barry...
Florida Panthers could make history. Where to watch Stanley Cup Game 5
Looking for a spot to watch your Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers? We've got you covered.The Cats โ up 3โ1 in the series โ are one win away from their first Stanley Cup championship. Game 5 is at 8pm on ABC.โญ๏ธ Funky Buddha Brewing: If Broward County is Panther Country, then Funky Buddha might be the capital city.Sip on some Gloves Off IPA and cheer on the team with die-hard fans.โธ๏ธ FTL War Memorial: Skate at Baptist Health IcePlex and join the free Panthers watch party at the War Memorial in Fort Lauderdale.๐ Mike's at Venetia: Cold beer, a giant menu and panoramic views of Biscayne Bay make this one of the best sports bars in Miami.โ The Panthers also list several official bar partners across Broward and Palm Beach counties, including Quarterdeck, Tin Roof and B Square Burgers & Booze.๐คทโโ๏ธ And you can never go wrong with Flannigans, Sports Grill or Twin Peaks.โฒ๏ธ Before you go: Get to your watch party early. We're guessing most places will fill up quickly.
Manatina the manatee? What should we name our new mascot
Thank you for all suggestions on what to name our new Axios Miami mascot.It's time to vote for your favorite!๐คทโโ๏ธ Our thought bubble: We're big fans of Margarita (Margie for short) โ and Sommer's mom agrees. Martin's mom, on the other hand, suggested Olivia.
South Florida can witness hockey history on Tuesday. Panthers one win away from championship
The Florida Panthers remain one win away from winning their first-ever Stanley Cup championship after failing to close out the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.Catch up fast: The Oilers, down 3โ0 in the Stanley Cup Final, avoided elimination by blowing out the Panthers 8โ1 in Game 4.Panthers star goalie Sergei Bobrovsky allowed five goals before he was removed from the game.Stunning stat: Bobrovsky had stopped 95% of Edmonton's shots in the first three games, per the Associated Press.In Game 4, he allowed more goals in 25 minutes than in the previous three games.What they're saying: "We gave up eight goals, and zero of them were the goalie's fault," Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk said, per ESPN."Obviously, we need to bounce back. We need to recover now and think about the next one," team captain Aleksander Barkov said.๐ค What's next: The Cats can win the Stanley Cup tomorrow in front of their home crowd at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. Tickets start at $794.
Six years later, demolition begins at Parkland school shooting site
Six years after the Parkland school shooting, officials on Friday began demolishing the building where a former student murdered 17 students and faculty at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High.The big picture: The 1200 building โย preserved as a crime scene for the shooter's penalty trial โ is scheduled to be fully torn down before students return to campus in August from summer vacation.Family members and former students watched on Friday as a large excavator began to rip the building apart.What they're saying: "It puts a period on the end of the story," former MSD student Dylan Persaud told the Associated Press.Persaud...
Stormy week continues for Miami with flood watch in effect
Just when it seemed that the rain would never relent, Mother Nature gave South Florida a glimmer of hope Thursday as a double rainbow stretched across the evening sky.Residents ventured outside as dark clouds gave way to a beautiful sunset, their photos and videos filling up social media feeds and group chats.Yes, but: A difficult recovery awaits for many after nearly two days of dangerous and damaging flooding.State of play: And the respite many enjoyed Thursday evening may be short lived. Friday's forecast calls for more rain even as some areas of Miami-Dade and Broward County remain inundated.South Florida remains...
Photos: Cars left stranded on South Florida's flooded streets
We were out in the field Thursday documenting the aftermath of this week's flooding.Here's some of what we found: Michelle Barreto. Photo: Martin Vassolo/AxiosNew York tourist Michelle Barreto, 32, spent the latter part of her Miami vacation waiting for a tow truck to fish her rental car out of the flood.Barreto and friend Norah Amer, 29, got caught in the rain Wednesday night as they returned to their Hallandale Beach hotel from dinner and waited until 2am for a tow that never came.To make matters worse, their flight was delayed three times on Thursday."You could not pay me enough to...
Tree huggers save oak from construction project
Residents of Palmetto Bay are claiming victory after the village said it would save a large oak tree at Coral Reef Park, which had been slated for removal to build a new recreation center. Why it matters: Palmetto Bay is a Tree City USA municipality, and residents say the mature...
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