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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>

FDOT investigating tree 'slaughter' near Miami highway

The removals come as activists are trying to protect Miami's tree canopy.

Environment

Miami&#x27;s tree activists are up in arms about the removal of 10 large trees along I-95 near Wynwood.Why it matters: Local activism around preserving and growing the city&#x27;s tree canopy has ramped up in recent years as residents use <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social media" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/miamicanopywatch/" data-vars-content-id="b817dfdc-188f-44d3-9725-f837e9d8713f" data-vars-headline="FDOT investigating tree &#x27;slaughter&#x27; near Miami highway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/miamicanopywatch/" target="_blank">social media</a>, WhatsApp and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city data" data-vars-click-url="https://miamicanopywatch.com/" data-vars-content-id="b817dfdc-188f-44d3-9725-f837e9d8713f" data-vars-headline="FDOT investigating tree &#x27;slaughter&#x27; near Miami highway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://miamicanopywatch.com/" target="_blank">city data</a> to challenge tree removals.

Data center backlash spreads in Florida. Here's what to know

There are already dozens of small-scale centers across the region.

This month, Village of Palmetto Bay Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer announced he’d be introducing legislation to ban <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/ai-power-data-center-electricity-construction" data-vars-content-id="ff5289e7-cbf9-466b-bc07-74be715d043f" data-vars-headline="Data center backlash spreads in Florida. Here&#x27;s what to know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/ai-power-data-center-electricity-construction" target="_self">data centers</a> in the village.<ul><li>&quot;Palmetto Bay is a village of families, a village of parks and a village of neighborhoods, and we&#x27;re not going to let data centers wreck that,&quot; Merwitzer said in a news release.</li></ul>Why it matters: The move — although from one of the county’s smaller municipalities — highlights the growing tensions between the new data centers being proposed and the residents who live here.

Bill Baggs is Miami's best beach, Axios readers say

News

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is Miami&#x27;s best beach, according to you, our readers.Why it matters: Our beaches are why so many of us live in South Florida — and they bring in gobs of tourism money ever year.

Florida company sells premium hurricane evacuation flights

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

Business

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>

Sargassum season is back in South Florida. Not all beachgoers mind

For some, it's a nuisance. For others, it's part of nature.

On Hollywood Beach Tuesday afternoon, the ocean was full of brown sargassum and the smell of the seaweed wafted along the Broadwalk.Why it matters: The annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sargassum season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/05/06/seaweed-miami-beaches-sargassum-record" data-vars-content-id="4622719a-ff23-4e42-8f98-c0d2469af778" data-vars-headline="Sargassum season is back in South Florida. Not all beachgoers mind" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/05/06/seaweed-miami-beaches-sargassum-record" target="_self">sargassum season</a> may surprise tourists expecting white sand and clear water.

Fisher Island fuel terminal sparks legal battle

The 10-acre parcel provides fuel for cargo and cruise ships at PortMiami.

A marine terminal on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fisher Island" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/12/most-expensive-zip-code" data-vars-content-id="9eaa5105-1238-41e6-8622-6a4a454866d2" data-vars-headline="Fisher Island fuel terminal sparks legal battle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/12/most-expensive-zip-code" target="_self">Fisher Island</a> is at the center of a legal battle between local residents, developers, cruise lines and Miami-Dade County. Why it matters: The terminal has for about a century supplied fuel for cargo and cruise ships at PortMiami and its future could have a significant impact on the local economy, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Wall Street Journal reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/miamis-wealthiest-zip-code-is-fighting-to-evict-its-least-glamorous-neighbor-d97ea2b3" data-vars-content-id="9eaa5105-1238-41e6-8622-6a4a454866d2" data-vars-headline="Fisher Island fuel terminal sparks legal battle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/miamis-wealthiest-zip-code-is-fighting-to-evict-its-least-glamorous-neighbor-d97ea2b3" target="_blank">the Wall Street Journal reported</a>.

Biscayne Bay's health shows little improvement, report says

The bay's health is vital for Miami-Dade County, both economically and environmentally.

The health of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Biscayne Bay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/03/31/north-miami-condo-aquatic-playground-biscayne-bay" data-vars-content-id="d9cdb1ba-1220-4c13-90dc-5342a2581e81" data-vars-headline="Biscayne Bay&#x27;s health shows little improvement, report says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/03/31/north-miami-condo-aquatic-playground-biscayne-bay" target="_self">Biscayne Bay</a>, the shallow estuary that runs along South Florida&#x27;s east coast, remains grim, according to the 2026 Biscayne Bay Report Card, released Tuesday.Why it matters: The bay&#x27;s health is vital for Miami-Dade County, both economically and environmentally, as it&#x27;s home to a host of species and contributes about $64 billion to the county&#x27;s economy.

South Florida wildfires latest in active fire season

It's been an active fire season across Florida amid drought conditions.

Two South Florida blazes that ignited over the weekend are the latest in what has already been an active wildfire season. Why it matters: There&#x27;s been over 2,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Current-Wildfire-Information" data-vars-content-id="dcfe131a-b7e5-4454-be96-30f06bb4a940" data-vars-headline="South Florida wildfires latest in active fire season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Wildland-Fire/Current-Wildfire-Information" target="_blank">wildfires</a> across the state so far this year amid a severe drought that has led to water restrictions and burn bans in some parts of Florida.

Miami launches food scrap composting pilot program

Five drop-off sites will test how much waste Miami can keep out of landfills

Miami residents can help divert biodegradable waste from landfills by composting their food scraps using a new pilot program in the city.Why it matters: Composting turns kitchen waste into nutrient-rich soil that supports the environment.

As manatee deaths rise, experts urge caution in summer months

The manatee is Florida's unofficial mascot.

More than 30 manatees have died this year from collision-related injuries, underscoring concern among experts as the annual death toll in recent years has continued to rise.Why it matters: That number is likely to grow, as the warmer summer months bring more boaters to the shallow coastal areas and rivers that sea cows inhabit, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the New York Times reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/us/florida-manatee-safety-tips.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawRE9A1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe5BtxD7LR14_AeePP82PozJFyK1GIAHhtVx8TUbCImgOrF93tFYvD6AYOyws_aem_F7vF6563OflAaTBs_bdDfQ" data-vars-content-id="7dbcc4fa-d059-4a00-a94e-12fe8d9750fa" data-vars-headline="As manatee deaths rise, experts urge caution in summer months" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/us/florida-manatee-safety-tips.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawRE9A1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe5BtxD7LR14_AeePP82PozJFyK1GIAHhtVx8TUbCImgOrF93tFYvD6AYOyws_aem_F7vF6563OflAaTBs_bdDfQ" target="_blank">the New York Times reported</a>.State of play: Between Jan. 1 and April 3, 251 manatees died, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission" data-vars-click-url="https://myfwc.com/media/g3hfnb3f/preliminary.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7dbcc4fa-d059-4a00-a94e-12fe8d9750fa" data-vars-headline="As manatee deaths rise, experts urge caution in summer months" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://myfwc.com/media/g3hfnb3f/preliminary.pdf" target="_blank">the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission</a>. About 13% of those were from watercraft collisions.<ul><li>Last year, collisions accounted for 25% of Florida&#x27;s 632 manatee deaths. Other factors included colder temperatures and a red tide bloom.</li><li>The more than 600 deaths exceeded the previous two years, which saw 555 and 565 manatee deaths in 2023 and 2024, respectively.</li></ul>The intrigue: Just three deaths have occurred in Miami-Dade this year. One was caused by a water collision, per FWC. The big picture: Manatees are vital to Florida&#x27;s ecosystem, as they graze on native and invasive plants and keep the waterways clear.<ul><li>But as the state&#x27;s population continues to increase, manatee experts told the Times that &quot;sharing the habitat has become a growing problem, or at least a topic that requires increased attention.&quot;</li></ul>Zoom in: Cold temperatures are the leading cause of death so far this year, resulting in 39 manatees dying, the FWC reported.<ul><li>Other causes included watercraft collisions (33), perinatal (19) and natural causes (19). Fifteen were undetermined. Another 115 didn&#x27;t undergo a post-mortem examination.</li></ul>Zoom out: Ahead of the warmer months, experts are cautioning boaters to take precautions like observing slow and no-wake zones and avoiding areas with seagrass, like canals and springs, the Times reported.<ul><li>Polarized sunglasses can also help drivers spot underwater manatees.</li></ul>The bottom line: Manatees are the state&#x27;s unofficial mascot, and it&#x27;s up to us to keep them safe.