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Bidding farewell to North Beach, Miami's best neighborhood

Things to Do

After nearly four years, I&#x27;m no longer living on the beach. Why it matters: As someone who once vowed she&#x27;d never live in Miami as an adult, North Beach welcomed me in and showed me a different side of what 305 living could be.<ul><li>Plus, I made living on the beach part of my mission (both in life and in this newsletter), to make sure folks I knew <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="(and didn&#x27;t" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/09/29/marcs-artisanal-pizzeria-north-beach-miami" data-vars-content-id="3e3cdfbf-4155-4bae-8ac6-7218e9f8f801" data-vars-headline="Bidding farewell to North Beach, Miami&#x27;s best neighborhood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/09/29/marcs-artisanal-pizzeria-north-beach-miami" target="_self">(and didn&#x27;t</a>) agreed it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the best neighborhood in Miami" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2024/08/23/sommers-perfect-miami-day" data-vars-content-id="3e3cdfbf-4155-4bae-8ac6-7218e9f8f801" data-vars-headline="Bidding farewell to North Beach, Miami&#x27;s best neighborhood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2024/08/23/sommers-perfect-miami-day" target="_self">the best neighborhood in Miami</a>.</li></ul>

No, a Waymo did not hit a bicyclist in Miami. It was a human driver, police say

Police debunk Instagram video claiming self-driving car hit a cyclist.

Transit

Miami Beach Police have debunked an Instagram video posted by a popular &quot;citizens journalism&quot; account claiming that a Waymo hit a bicyclist on Tuesday in South Beach.Why it matters: As self-driving taxis expand across Miami, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="videos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/video-waymo-robotaxi-causes-traffic-jam-in-miami-beach-40515279/" data-vars-content-id="cbe9dbaf-3473-475f-8c0e-1f9069941b7c" data-vars-headline="No, a Waymo did not hit a bicyclist in Miami. It was a human driver, police say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/video-waymo-robotaxi-causes-traffic-jam-in-miami-beach-40515279/" target="_blank">videos</a> questioning their driving <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abilities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B2AhTzJj0w" data-vars-content-id="cbe9dbaf-3473-475f-8c0e-1f9069941b7c" data-vars-headline="No, a Waymo did not hit a bicyclist in Miami. It was a human driver, police say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B2AhTzJj0w" target="_blank">abilities</a> have gone viral on social media, though Waymo&#x27;s data suggests its cars are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="safer" data-vars-click-url="https://waymo.com/safety/impact/" data-vars-content-id="cbe9dbaf-3473-475f-8c0e-1f9069941b7c" data-vars-headline="No, a Waymo did not hit a bicyclist in Miami. It was a human driver, police say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://waymo.com/safety/impact/" target="_blank">safer</a> than human drivers.

Florida falls slightly in CNBC business rankings

News

Florida fell five spots to No. 8 in CNBC&#x27;s annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Top States for Business" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/09/americas-top-states-for-business-full-rankings.html" data-vars-content-id="aee5c7aa-53d8-4266-ae8c-d580cc6aa312" data-vars-headline="Florida falls slightly in CNBC business rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/09/americas-top-states-for-business-full-rankings.html" target="_blank">Top States for Business</a> rankings, released last week.The big picture: Florida lost ground in areas like business friendliness, infrastructure, economy and quality of life — slipping from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No. 3" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/10/florida-top-states-for-business-ranking.html" data-vars-content-id="aee5c7aa-53d8-4266-ae8c-d580cc6aa312" data-vars-headline="Florida falls slightly in CNBC business rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/10/florida-top-states-for-business-ranking.html" target="_blank">No. 3</a> last year.<ul><li>CNBC scores all 50 states across 10 weighted categories worth 2,500 points total. Colorado earned 1,459 points.</li></ul>

South Florida Haitians rally for TPS extension as work permits set to expire

Immigration

South Florida&#x27;s Haitian community is pleading for new deportation protections after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to revoke <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Temporary Protected Status" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/25/supreme-court-massachusetts-tps-haiti" data-vars-content-id="54a3bcfd-04ff-4f8d-8b59-ec754abe6fa1" data-vars-headline="South Florida Haitians rally for TPS extension as work permits set to expire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/25/supreme-court-massachusetts-tps-haiti" target="_self">Temporary Protected Status</a> for Haitians.The big picture: Florida is home to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="estimated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fwd.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Haiti-TPS-Fact-Sheet_January-2026.pdf" data-vars-content-id="54a3bcfd-04ff-4f8d-8b59-ec754abe6fa1" data-vars-headline="South Florida Haitians rally for TPS extension as work permits set to expire" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fwd.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Haiti-TPS-Fact-Sheet_January-2026.pdf" target="_blank">estimated</a> 158,000 Haitian TPS holders, including about 93,000 workers at risk of losing their work authorizations.

Transportation takes a hit in Miami-Dade's 2027 proposed budget

The county is facing a nearly $100 million deficit for the 2027 fiscal year.

Money

Miami-Dade County&#x27;s transit system is taking the biggest hit in next year&#x27;s proposed budget, which Mayor Daniella Levine Cava presented on Wednesday.Why it matters: The county is facing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly $100 million deficit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/09/22/miami-dade-2026-budget-what-was-approved" data-vars-content-id="3d905d82-56ca-48aa-a86b-7a2f5abd7ce3" data-vars-headline="Transportation takes a hit in Miami-Dade&#x27;s 2027 proposed budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/09/22/miami-dade-2026-budget-what-was-approved" target="_self">nearly $100 million deficit</a> for the 2027 fiscal year.<ul><li>The proposed budget comes at a time when families are &quot;continuing to feel the pressure&quot; of higher housing, groceries and everyday expenses, &quot;Levine Cava said during a news conference. </li></ul>

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>.

Miami-Dade, Broward residents see $5K tax cut in 2026

Statewide, the average tax cut will be about $5,000.

The average South Florida resident will see a federal tax cut of about $5,100 in 2026 thanks to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;big, beautiful bill,&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/trump-signs-big-beautiful-bill-tax-spending-budget" data-vars-content-id="39bdf87d-0cae-4cb9-aef1-6bb3c957405a" data-vars-headline="Miami-Dade, Broward residents see $5K tax cut in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/04/trump-signs-big-beautiful-bill-tax-spending-budget" target="_self">&quot;big, beautiful bill,&quot;</a> according to an analysis from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tax Foundation" data-vars-click-url="https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/federal/obbba-average-tax-cuts-impact-map/" data-vars-content-id="39bdf87d-0cae-4cb9-aef1-6bb3c957405a" data-vars-headline="Miami-Dade, Broward residents see $5K tax cut in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/federal/obbba-average-tax-cuts-impact-map/" target="_blank">Tax Foundation</a>, a nonpartisan research group that mostly supports lower taxes.Why it matters: That&#x27;s money people can spend on rent, groceries or bills, which may be needed next year as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inflation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bankrate.com/banking/federal-reserve/wage-to-inflation-index/#hotter" data-vars-content-id="39bdf87d-0cae-4cb9-aef1-6bb3c957405a" data-vars-headline="Miami-Dade, Broward residents see $5K tax cut in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bankrate.com/banking/federal-reserve/wage-to-inflation-index/#hotter" target="_blank">inflation</a> outpaces wages, and tariffs threaten to increase costs even further.

Miami-Dade Public Schools predicted a $50 million deficit. It wasn't far off

The school board's budget hearing is Wednesday at 6pm.

Education

Earlier this year, Miami-Dade County Public School officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="braced for a potential shortfall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/04/14/miami-dade-schools-budget-cuts" data-vars-content-id="08eb7606-4560-4c63-bb8f-1a0b7449bb88" data-vars-headline="Miami-Dade Public Schools predicted a $50 million deficit. It wasn&#x27;t far off" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/04/14/miami-dade-schools-budget-cuts" target="_self">braced for a potential shortfall</a> of about $50 million.<ul><li>Ahead of Wednesday evening&#x27;s first budget hearing for the district&#x27;s 2025-26 school year, officials told Axios that the prediction wasn&#x27;t far off.</li></ul>Why it matters: They previously had warned that budget shortfalls could lead to major shifts in the district, including job cuts or hindering the growth of programs, like International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement classes.

"Immediate pain:" Arts and culture community rallies against proposed budget

The proposal would slash 50% from the county's cultural grant funding.

Local arts and culture organizations are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sounding the alarm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMq-FiiRZ98/?img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="57caa52e-4c8c-4ec4-90e7-2ddf34ab274e" data-vars-headline="&quot;Immediate pain:&quot; Arts and culture community rallies against proposed budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMq-FiiRZ98/?img_index=1" target="_blank">sounding the alarm</a> about a proposed 50% cut to the county&#x27;s cultural grant funding, urging residents to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sign a petition" data-vars-click-url="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/protect-the-arts-protect-our-culture-protect-miami-dade?source=direct_link&amp;" data-vars-content-id="57caa52e-4c8c-4ec4-90e7-2ddf34ab274e" data-vars-headline="&quot;Immediate pain:&quot; Arts and culture community rallies against proposed budget" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/protect-the-arts-protect-our-culture-protect-miami-dade?source=direct_link&amp;" target="_blank">sign a petition</a> that&#x27;s already garnered more than 3,000 signatures.Why it matters: Arts and cultural leaders say the $12.8 million in proposed cuts would devastate small organizations and local artists, and threaten programming for the city&#x27;s youth.<ul><li>Moreover, they say the lack of funding will hinder the arts community&#x27;s ability to boost the local economy and it would undermine decades of investment that made Miami a global hub and cultural destination.</li></ul>

How Trump's "big, beautiful bill" could affect Miami

Miami's low-income residents are expected to be the hardest hit.

President Trump&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="big, beautiful bill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/02/big-beautiful-bill-gambling-food-stamps" data-vars-content-id="958f7bcb-6709-440b-b612-fbf247e05a62" data-vars-headline="How Trump&#x27;s &quot;big, beautiful bill&quot; could affect Miami" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/02/big-beautiful-bill-gambling-food-stamps" target="_self">big, beautiful bill</a>&quot; could hurt low-income Miamians who rely on food stamps and government-subsidized health care.The big picture: Trump&#x27;s tax and spending bill will slash federal funding from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article306255236.html" data-vars-content-id="958f7bcb-6709-440b-b612-fbf247e05a62" data-vars-headline="How Trump&#x27;s &quot;big, beautiful bill&quot; could affect Miami" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article306255236.html" target="_blank">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a> (SNAP), which nearly a quarter of Miami-Dade County households rely on for groceries, according to the Miami Herald.

Pat Riley rooting for a Chief's "three-peat"

Riley owns six different trademarks tied to the term "Three-Peat."

Sports

Pat Riley is rooting for a Chiefs &quot;three-peat&quot; this Super Bowl Sunday.<ul><li>If it happens, the president of the NBA&#x27;s Miami Heat will be cashing in.</li></ul>

A choropleth map showing the estimated average U.S. tax cuts per filer in 2026 by county. The average tax cut is projected to be $3,752. About three quarters of counties are estimated see an average tax cut of less than $3,000, 20% will fall between $3,000 to $4,000, and the remainder are above $4,000.