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Miami airport workers allege wage theft, ask for pay protections

Airport workers rallied Monday for pay protections.

Transit

Cargo workers at Miami International Airport on Monday announced wage-theft complaints against their employer while joining fellow airport workers to demand living wages.The big picture: MIA is one of Florida&#x27;s largest economic engines, generating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$212 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://news.miami-airport.com/mias-economic-impact-reaches-new-record-of-212-billion/" data-vars-content-id="66738e12-76f9-466a-bef5-3707280240dc" data-vars-headline="Miami airport workers allege wage theft, ask for pay protections" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.miami-airport.com/mias-economic-impact-reaches-new-record-of-212-billion/" target="_blank">$212 billion</a> in statewide business revenue. It&#x27;s also the busiest cargo airport in the U.S.

Report: Florida ranks second for school library book removals

Students across the state continue to report some of the country's lowest reading scores.

Education

Florida school districts banned more than 3,000 book titles during the 2025-26 school year, according to PEN America&#x27;s annual &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Index of School Book Bans" data-vars-click-url="https://pen.org/report/book-bans-spotlight-2026/" data-vars-content-id="6f448631-0a35-48fd-8c22-dd8bbac0e387" data-vars-headline="Report: Florida ranks second for school library book removals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pen.org/report/book-bans-spotlight-2026/" target="_blank">Index of School Book Bans</a>.&quot;Why it matters: Florida in recent years has gained national attention for its continued effort to limit classroom discussions and for the number of book challenges across the state&#x27;s school districts.

Miami Heat embrace Grand Theft Auto with "Vice City" jerseys

The Heat are hosting a Grand Theft Auto-themed night during their Nov. 18 game.

Sports

The Miami Heat are going all out for the release of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grand Theft Auto VI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/09/17/grand-theft-auto-miami-vice-controversy-debate" data-vars-content-id="b6a1faa0-651f-42c3-ad98-6e48f62b7e40" data-vars-headline="Miami Heat embrace Grand Theft Auto with &quot;Vice City&quot; jerseys" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/09/17/grand-theft-auto-miami-vice-controversy-debate" target="_self">Grand Theft Auto VI</a>&quot; with a special-edition uniform and GTA-themed night at the Kaseya Center.Why it matters: The highly anticipated video game is set in a fictionalized version of Miami called Vice City — and the Heat are capitalizing on the global attention that will bring.

Where Miami-Dade officials stand on Florida's property tax referendum

Politics

Miami&#x27;s local elected officials are split on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amendment 3" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/14/inside-the-florida-property-tax-amendments-court-ordered-rewrite" data-vars-content-id="45f87014-b9fc-496c-847f-890b0ed52bc3" data-vars-headline="Where Miami-Dade officials stand on Florida&#x27;s property tax referendum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/14/inside-the-florida-property-tax-amendments-court-ordered-rewrite" target="_self">Amendment 3</a>, the ballot measure that would increase the homestead exemption and drastically reduce property taxes across the state.Why it matters: If approved by voters, the measure would bring relief to homeowners&#x27; tax bills — but would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost local governments billions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/voter-guide-what-floridians-should-know-about-amendment-3" data-vars-content-id="45f87014-b9fc-496c-847f-890b0ed52bc3" data-vars-headline="Where Miami-Dade officials stand on Florida&#x27;s property tax referendum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/voter-guide-what-floridians-should-know-about-amendment-3" target="_blank">cost local governments billions</a>.<ul><li>Supporters argue the measure would force local governments to tighten spending, while opponents say it will leave them scrambling to maintain necessary services.</li></ul>

Mapped: Florida's next data centers — and the power they'll need

Today's data centers can consume double the power of their predecessors, and more powerful ones are planned within the next few years.

Business

Florida is expected to have about a dozen large data centers by the end of 2026.<ul><li>The eight planned in future years would increase today&#x27;s 51.2 MW capacity by more than 100 times, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="records" data-vars-click-url="https://cleanview.co/data-centers/us" data-vars-content-id="7d9bf278-4237-4619-bb83-78ea4b620cf9" data-vars-headline="Mapped: Florida&#x27;s next data centers — and the power they&#x27;ll need" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cleanview.co/data-centers/us" target="_blank">records</a> analyzed by market intelligence company Cleanview.</li></ul>

Miami-based Freebee ranked among fastest-growing businesses

Freebee's electric cars are all over South Florida.

Freebee, the Miami-based rideshare company that offers free transportation services across Miami and beyond, is among the fastest-growing private companies in the country.

South Florida businesses feel loss of Haitian TPS workers

About 93,000 Haitian TPS holders were part of Florida's workforce as of January, according to one analysis.

South Florida&#x27;s economy is feeling the loss of Haitian employees whose <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Temporary Protected Status" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/24/florida-miami-tps-haiti" data-vars-content-id="469a9962-eb7d-4ca4-834c-c67151d4afdd" data-vars-headline="South Florida businesses feel loss of Haitian TPS workers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/24/florida-miami-tps-haiti" target="_self">Temporary Protected Status</a> ended in late July.The big picture: The Trump administration&#x27;s decision to end <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TPS" data-vars-click-url="https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status" data-vars-content-id="469a9962-eb7d-4ca4-834c-c67151d4afdd" data-vars-headline="South Florida businesses feel loss of Haitian TPS workers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status" target="_blank">TPS</a> will hurt Florida&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health care" data-vars-click-url="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/07/floridas-nursing-homes-are-bracing-for-life-without-haitian-tps-workers/" data-vars-content-id="469a9962-eb7d-4ca4-834c-c67151d4afdd" data-vars-headline="South Florida businesses feel loss of Haitian TPS workers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/07/floridas-nursing-homes-are-bracing-for-life-without-haitian-tps-workers/" target="_blank">health care</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hospitality and tourism" data-vars-click-url="https://frla.org/news-release/press-release-florida-hospitality-industry-urges-federal-action-to-support-employers-following-tps-decision/" data-vars-content-id="469a9962-eb7d-4ca4-834c-c67151d4afdd" data-vars-headline="South Florida businesses feel loss of Haitian TPS workers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://frla.org/news-release/press-release-florida-hospitality-industry-urges-federal-action-to-support-employers-following-tps-decision/" target="_blank">hospitality and tourism</a> industries, advocates and business leaders have said.<ul><li>TPS had protected Haitians and provided them work authorization since <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2010" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/general-news-b5b989398d08474ab3387249e03bc6be" data-vars-content-id="469a9962-eb7d-4ca4-834c-c67151d4afdd" data-vars-headline="South Florida businesses feel loss of Haitian TPS workers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/general-news-b5b989398d08474ab3387249e03bc6be" target="_blank">2010</a>.</li></ul>

Hillstone closes its Bal Harbour Shops restaurant

It's the latest restaurant to close in Miami.

Food and Drink

Hillstone at Bal Harbour abruptly closed this week after 11 years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multiple outlets reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/restaurants/article316831731.html" data-vars-content-id="a6bd828f-9334-4379-aa68-87ec44c13f4b" data-vars-headline="Hillstone closes its Bal Harbour Shops restaurant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/restaurants/article316831731.html" target="_blank">multiple outlets reported</a>.

World Cup boosted Miami businesses, showcased its  diversity

Some bars and hotels felt a World Cup bump.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/14/free-world-cup-watch-parties-miami" data-vars-content-id="9b31860e-583e-4b9f-8b50-0a421ce12cbd" data-vars-headline="World Cup boosted Miami businesses, showcased its diversity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/14/free-world-cup-watch-parties-miami" target="_self">World Cup</a> is over, but Miami will never be over it.Why it mattered: Locals <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="with roots from all over the world" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/11/world-cup-miami-global-influence" data-vars-content-id="9b31860e-583e-4b9f-8b50-0a421ce12cbd" data-vars-headline="World Cup boosted Miami businesses, showcased its diversity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/11/world-cup-miami-global-influence" target="_self">with roots from all over the world</a> came together to cheer for their home countries, welcome international visitors and drive business to bars and restaurants.

Florida company sells premium hurricane evacuation flights

PriorityEvac promises to get its customers out of Florida before the public evacuates.

The next time a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hurricane" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/21/atlantic-hurricane-season-forecast-2026-noaa-preparation-el-nino" data-vars-content-id="1b99ff57-0a9d-42ed-b8c7-435333889016" data-vars-headline="Florida company sells premium hurricane evacuation flights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/21/atlantic-hurricane-season-forecast-2026-noaa-preparation-el-nino" target="_self">hurricane</a> threatens Florida, most residents will either hunker down at home or evacuate by car. <ul><li>But a select few will be whisked out of the state on private planes.</li></ul>Why it matters: A new Florida company is selling premium evacuation flights for people who can afford it.<ul><li>&quot;Don&#x27;t evacuate, depart,&quot; is the tagline from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PriorityEvac" data-vars-click-url="https://www.priorityevac.com/" data-vars-content-id="1b99ff57-0a9d-42ed-b8c7-435333889016" data-vars-headline="Florida company sells premium hurricane evacuation flights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.priorityevac.com/" target="_blank">PriorityEvac</a>, which is selling $1,250-a-year memberships to residents with primary or secondary homes in Florida.</li></ul>

World Cup side hustle: Miami Gardens residents park cars for extra cash

Locals are capitalizing on the World Cup to make some extra income.

Living next door to Hard Rock Stadium during the World Cup has its disadvantages, like bumper-to-bumper traffic, road closures and noisy crowds.<ul><li>But for Miami Gardens residents like Nick Rice, it also presents a business opportunity.</li></ul>Why it matters: It&#x27;s a Miami tradition for locals to sell parking at their houses for sporting events like Marlins games in Little Havana and Dolphins games at Hard Rock.

World Cup's economic boost varies among Miami businesses

Some local business owners say they've yet to see sales skyrocket.

Nearly two weeks into the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/16/miami-first-world-cup-match" data-vars-content-id="bb0a9ebd-1d43-4f62-9c42-2cf60c1d76f6" data-vars-headline="World Cup&#x27;s economic boost varies among Miami businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/16/miami-first-world-cup-match" target="_self">World Cup</a>, some local business owners say they&#x27;ve yet to see sales skyrocket despite a massive influx of visiting fans.Why it matters: South Florida governments <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shelled out about $53 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/10/31/world-cup-economic-impact-miami" data-vars-content-id="bb0a9ebd-1d43-4f62-9c42-2cf60c1d76f6" data-vars-headline="World Cup&#x27;s economic boost varies among Miami businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/10/31/world-cup-economic-impact-miami" target="_self">shelled out about $53 million</a> to land and organize Miami&#x27;s World Cup matches, expecting the local economy would see a major return on that investment via tourism and job creation.

From Flanigan's to Zey Zey, Miami brands sell unique World Cup merch

Get your hands on a piece of Miami subculture.

Beloved Miami brands are getting in the World Cup spirit with 305-themed soccer merchandise.Why it matters: South Florida businesses are smartly capitalizing on Miami&#x27;s role as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a World Cup host city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/16/miami-first-world-cup-match" data-vars-content-id="2fdd9cdf-4674-42f1-aa10-e20988697776" data-vars-headline="From Flanigan&#x27;s to Zey Zey, Miami brands sell unique World Cup merch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/16/miami-first-world-cup-match" target="_self">a World Cup host city</a> by tempting locals with limited-edition shirts.

Business 🏦

Miami airport workers allege wage theft, ask for pay protections

Mapped: Florida's next data centers — and the power they'll need

Miami-based Freebee ranked among fastest-growing businesses

South Florida businesses feel loss of Haitian TPS workers

Hillstone closes its Bal Harbour Shops restaurant