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Axios Miami
Surfside on track to oust mayor, allies in favor of old guard
Out with the new, in with the old?Surfside voters were on track Tuesday night to vote out Mayor Shlomo Danzinger and his allies on the commission to bring back the prior mayor and vice mayor.Why it matters: After a chaotic election cycle that included the arrest of a teenage activist, residents threw their support behind former Mayor Charles Burkett and a slate of candidates that served in his previous administration.Danzinger and his fellow first-term board members, Vice Mayor Jeff Rose and Commissioner Fred Landsman, were on pace to be voted out on Election Day, according to preliminary results.Former Vice Mayor...
Miami City Manager Noriega walks back report
On Monday, Miami City Manager Art Noriega released a report detailing the city's purchases from a furniture company that employs his wife and is owned by his in-laws. On Tuesday, he said the data was "inaccurate," the Miami Herald reported.The outlet pointed out a roughly $211,000 discrepancy between what he released and the figures WLRN reported earlier this year.Catch up quick: In January, WLRN reported that Noriega's office selected his wife and her company to remodel his office with new furniture in early 2023, raising concerns from ethics experts and a potential conflict of interest.The company was awarded more than $440,000 in city contracts for new office furniture and assembly in the less than four years since Noriega had been appointed, records showed.Why it matters: The apparent about-face from Noriega comes as critics have accused him of lacking transparency and accountability.Noriega initially told city commissioners in January he'd present a full report by the end of that month.He failed to do so, prompting City Commissioner Miguel Gabela to call for his resignation last week, WLRN reported.What we're watching: Noriega's office is expected to compile "an updated presentation/report," according to the Herald.Sign up for Axios Miami for free.
Spring break's hottest shot comes with a slap to the face
Spring breakers are lining up to get slapped in the face by a South Florida bartender whose $30 "hurricane" shots have become the hottest ticket in town.Why it matters: Bartender Aiyana Callas has built a business selling her signature slap shots — liquor chased with a wet smack across the face as her alter ego, "Hurricane Aiyana," dumps a pitcher of water on the drinker's head.And business is booming: So far this March, Callas tells Axios she is selling 150–200 hurricane shots a night at Backyard Fort Lauderdale. (At $30 a pop, that's as much as $6,000 a night.)She says...
Spring temperatures in Miami are getting warmer
Data: Climate Central; Chart: Axios VisualsMiami's spring seasons are getting warmer, a trend that reflects human-caused warming, according to a recent analysis by Climate Central.Why it matters: Much of the seasonal climate change discussion is focused on the high and low extremes of summer and winter, but the "between seasons" are affected too, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Alice Feng report.By the numbers: Springtime in Miami warmed by 2.5°F on average between 1970 and 2023, per Climate Central, a climate research and communications nonprofit.That's compared to warming of 2.2°F on average across nearly 230 U.S. cities.Zoom in: In 2022 and 2023,...
Is your favorite team in the NCAA tournament? How to watch Florida schools play
The University of Miami men's basketball team didn't make the NCAA Tournament, but you can still root for a few Florida schools.Zoom out: Tournament play begins today and tomorrow and runs through the first weekend in April.Men's tournament: Live game coverage will air on CBS affiliates and nationally on TNT, TBS and TruTV.Women's tournament: Live game coverage will air nationally on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU.What we're watching: Keep track with all the Florida schools as they open the first round of play this week.On the men's side: No. 7 University of Florida will play the winner of Wednesday's game between Colorado and Boise State. The Gators will play Friday at 4:30pm.No. 8 Florida Atlantic University plays No. 9 Northwestern on Friday at 12:15pm.No. 16 Stetson University plays No. 1 UCONN on Friday at 2:45pm.On the women's side: No. 12 Florida Gulf Coast University plays No. 5 Oklahoma on Saturday at 4pm.No. 9 Florida State plays No. 8 Alabama on Friday at 5:30pm.Sign up for Axios Miami for free.
Floridians might need to get more exercise, study suggests
Data: Brigham and Women's Hospital; Map: Axios VisualsBeen sitting awhile? It could be time to take a walk break.Why it matters: Many adults don't get the recommended minimum of 150 minutes of exercise a week, but they could hit that number with five 30-minute brisk walks a week, Axios' Carly Mallenbaum writes.Driving the news: New data from Apple and Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital indicates many of us in the Sunshine State aren't hitting that minimum.Reality check: That's true even among Floridians who track their fitness data with an Apple Watch — presumably a particularly health-conscious bunch.And the CDC also...
Fix proposed to reduce home insurance premiums
As homeowners face rising insurance costs, two South Florida political leaders have an idea to fix it.Why it matters: A proposal from U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Coral Springs) and Broward County Commissioner Joe Geller would promise to cut the cost of property insurance by 25%, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.The Sentinel reported that the typical Florida home costs about $6,000 to insure — three times the national average, according to the Insurance Information Institute.What's inside: The plan, outlined in a bill Moskowitz filed last May, aims to lower the amount of reinsurance that insurers have to buy.Currently, insurers need enough coverage to be ready for a once-in-a-130-year storm. The legislation would lower that to a once-in-a-50-year storm.If such a storm occurred, the federal government would cover the excess damage and Florida would pay the feds back with a special assessment on homeowners, the Sentinel reports.Geller said since once-in-a-50-year storms are rare, that kind of assessment wouldn't happen often.Reality check: The bill hasn't moved in Congress at all and has no Senate counterpart.Flashback: The Florida Legislature passed reforms in 2022 to make it more expensive to sue insurance companies, a factor in high insurance rates, the Sentinel previously reported.
Arrest of teenage activist divides Surfside ahead of election
The arrest of a teenage activist has plunged the town of Surfside further into political chaos, while the mayor and three commissioners are up for re-election Tuesday.Why it matters: The March 1 arrest of 18-year-old Joshua Epstein, accused of shoving Vice Mayor Jeff Rose at a candidate forum, sparked a protest outside Town Hall and calls for an independent investigation.The election season has also been marked by accusations of antisemitism, dark-money attacks and political feuds.State of play: Rose and his allies on the commission, Mayor Shlomo Danzinger and Commissioner Fred Landsman, are running for re-election against Surfside's old guard.Former two-term...
Chef José Andrés shares his favorite Miami restaurants
Award-winning chef and humanitarian José Andrés — who has been working in Miami since 2012 — has a new cookbook coming out Tuesday inspired by his latest local eatery."Zaytinya: Delicious Mediterranean Dishes From Greece, Turkey and Lebanon" helps readers cook dishes inspired by the recently opened Zaytinya restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton South Beach.We checked in with Andrés about his perfect day in the 305. Here's what he said:📱 Morning activity: Wake up and check WhatsApp to connect with the World Central Kitchen team. We have food fighters all around the world in different time zones, so I catch up on...
Outdoor Voices ditches retail before Miami store could open
Turns out, Outdoor Voices isn't "coming soon" to Miami after all. Why it matters: The athleisure brand, which teased on social media in September that its Coconut Grove storefront would be opening soon, shocked employees and fans this week with the news that all its retail stores are closing. The...
Things to do in Miami this weekend
Somehow it's already St. Patrick's Day weekend. But instead of getting caught up in how quickly 2024 seems to be moving, get outside and visit one or all of these events around town this weekend. 31st annual JohnMartin's St. Patrick's Street Festival: Enjoy live music, entertainment, food and games at...
Miami Beach imposes protest restrictions after pro-Palestine rallies
In response to recent pro-Palestine demonstrations in the city, Miami Beach commissioners passed legislation Wednesday barring protesters from obstructing streets or sidewalks.Why it matters: The unanimous vote followed tense debate and shouting between pro-Israel city leaders and supporters of Palestine who argued the law would silence opposing voices.Mayor Steven Meiner, who sponsored the legislation, said the goal is to keep the public safe after an incident in which he said protesters harassed elderly Jewish residents leaving their synagogue.What's inside: The ordinance makes it a crime for anyone to obstruct a public right of way after being ordered to leave by...
Florida's parental rights movement's power dwindles
Florida's "parental rights" movement was dealt a blow this week when state education officials conceded that a law banning instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity does not bar classroom discussion of LGBTQ+ people, families or issues.Why it matters: The parental rights movement began in the early days of the pandemic — arguing against mask mandates, then critical race theory — and has defined Florida politics since, but its influence shows signs of waning.The policies it backed — including the law watered down this week, which critics call "Don't Say Gay" — thrust the state into the national spotlight for...
Some on Miami-Dade School Board bristle at student engagement push
An effort to boost student engagement in Miami-Dade County School Board meetings is facing pushback from some board members who say the proposal is unnecessary and politically motivated.Why it matters: The measure, proposed by board member Lucia Báez-Geller, was conceived by district students who say engagement had been lacking."The board doesn't promote civic engagement as much as it should," said Artemis Cruz, a student at José Martí MAST 6–12 Academy. "It's a common-sense solution."The board's response shows many members are more interested in "controlling and policing" students, said Cameron Driggers, executive director of Youth Action Fund, which helped organize the...
Miami commissioner owes $63 million, but his house might be saved from auction
Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo is trying to save his home from a $63.5 million legal judgment — and the law might be on his side, according to a legal expert.Why it matters: Carollo, who last June was found liable in a First Amendment lawsuit filed by two Little Havana business owners, is attempting to shield his home from seizure using Florida's homestead protections.The longtime Miami politician, who has a history of scandal, is already forking over 25% of his wages to the business owners, their attorney tells Axios.His Coconut Grove home is estimated to be worth over $3 million, according...
Miami Beach broke up with spring break — and it’s working
South Beach was so empty Friday night that tourists on horseback were free to cruise down Ocean Drive. The New York Post proclaimed that spring break was a "bust" and business owners said customers were scared off by the city's crackdown on party crowds.Why it matters: This is all part of Miami Beach's plan to "break up" with spring break through new restrictions that took effect for the first time this weekend, after years of fatal shootings, stampedes and disorderly crowds during the March vacation season.License plate readers blocked traffic on major causeways into the city, police tossed alcohol bottles...
Here are some of the bills Florida lawmakers just passed
Florida lawmakers passed a flurry of bills this session that ban hemp products, crack down on slow left lane drivers and raise the legal age to become a stripper, among other things.Why it matters: These bills and many more now head to the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis, who can approve or veto them, after Florida's 60-day legislative session ended Friday.📄 What passed🚗 The interstate safety bill would ban drivers from using the left lane on a highway for anything other than passing another vehicle, exiting the highway or obeying traffic commands, USA Today reports.Florida law already says that drivers...
Miami among nation's leaders in workers returning to offices
Miami is outpacing other major cities in returning to the office, a new report from Placer.ai shows.In February, Miami and New York City led the post-COVID return-to-office trend, with in-person office visits down 9.4% and 14.5%, respectively, compared to February 2020.Between the lines: The influx of new tech companies and businesses relocating their headquarters to South Florida could be driving the trend, the report suggests.Yes, but: In some cities, extreme weather and winter storms left many employees stranded at home. Caveat: The study only looked at commercial office building data and buildings with retail on the first floor. It excluded mixed-use buildings.
Things to do in Miami this weekend: Calle Ocho Music Festival, Jazz in the Gardens
You're gonna want to stay away from South Beach this weekend, as the city's spring break restrictions (garage closures, traffic loops and lane closures) take effect through Monday morning.But there are 33 other cities and towns in Miami-Dade County to choose from. (North Beach is in the clear, too!)Celebrate St. Paddy's a week early at the 42nd annual St. Patrick's Day Festival in Kendall with a U2 tribute band, Irish dancing and food and drinks.The free festival is Saturday from noon to 6pm at the German American Social Club, 11919 SW 56th St.On Sunday, head to Hollywood for its St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival.The Calle Ocho Music Festival — billed as the world's largest Latin music festival — returns to Little Havana on Sunday.Music stages, food vendors and entertainment will take up 15 blocks of Calle Ocho.The free event will take place from Southwest 12th Avenue to 27th Avenue from 11am–7pm.Jazz in the Gardens returns to Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday and Sunday with performances from Jazmine Sullivan, Maxwell and more.
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