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Before Tartan Army march, Miami Beach police trained in Scotland

Officers learned Scottish traditions and de-escalation tactics before the World Cup.

Public Safety

A festive crowd gathered on South Beach last month, holding beers and playing music. Some even <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climbed onto" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/OfficialJoelF/status/2069496421825351827/video/1" data-vars-content-id="c1a4bd7a-f3c6-40de-9846-a14c73574232" data-vars-headline="Before Tartan Army march, Miami Beach police trained in Scotland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/OfficialJoelF/status/2069496421825351827/video/1" target="_blank">climbed onto</a> a fire rescue ATV.The big picture: This wasn&#x27;t spring break; it was a World Cup parade led by Scottish football fans known as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Tartan Army" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/25/scotland-world-cup-tartan-army-miami" data-vars-content-id="c1a4bd7a-f3c6-40de-9846-a14c73574232" data-vars-headline="Before Tartan Army march, Miami Beach police trained in Scotland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/06/25/scotland-world-cup-tartan-army-miami" target="_self">the Tartan Army</a>.<ul><li>While Miami Beach has historically <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="imposed strict rules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article228090319.html" data-vars-content-id="c1a4bd7a-f3c6-40de-9846-a14c73574232" data-vars-headline="Before Tartan Army march, Miami Beach police trained in Scotland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article228090319.html" target="_blank">imposed strict rules</a> on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spring break party crowds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/02/04/miami-beach-spring-break-restrictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="c1a4bd7a-f3c6-40de-9846-a14c73574232" data-vars-headline="Before Tartan Army march, Miami Beach police trained in Scotland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/02/04/miami-beach-spring-break-restrictions-2026" target="_self">spring break party crowds</a> — due to years of fatal shootings and rowdy behavior — city leaders marched alongside the Scottish supporters.</li></ul>

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>

Why Miami is the perfect final act for LeBron James

Miami is where James won his first NBA championship.

Sports

Sixteen years after &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Decision" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afpgnb_9bA4" data-vars-content-id="857dbdb6-ead6-429b-9f2b-a20a8263f1bb" data-vars-headline="Why Miami is the perfect final act for LeBron James" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afpgnb_9bA4" target="_blank">The Decision</a>&quot; brought <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LeBron James" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/30/lebron-james-los-angeles-lakers" data-vars-content-id="857dbdb6-ead6-429b-9f2b-a20a8263f1bb" data-vars-headline="Why Miami is the perfect final act for LeBron James" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/30/lebron-james-los-angeles-lakers" target="_self">LeBron James</a> to Miami, the world is again waiting to learn where he&#x27;ll take his talents next.State of play: The 41-year-old NBA legend has been linked to a handful of teams as possible destinations, including Golden State, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Miami.

Norway fans will row through South Beach ahead of England match

This is your chance to join the Norwegian Viking row.

News

Norway fans will bring their famous <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Viking row" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncu50EBP-6I" data-vars-content-id="5514e7e4-3a43-4011-ab06-88919944e360" data-vars-headline="Norway fans will row through South Beach ahead of England match" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncu50EBP-6I" target="_blank">Viking row</a> to Miami ahead of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/09/world-cup-miami-gardens-parking-residents" data-vars-content-id="5514e7e4-3a43-4011-ab06-88919944e360" data-vars-headline="Norway fans will row through South Beach ahead of England match" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/09/world-cup-miami-gardens-parking-residents" target="_self">World Cup</a> clash with England this weekend.Why it matters: From the Scots to the Argentinians, some of the world&#x27;s best soccer fans have taken over South Florida following their teams.<ul><li>Norway and England are next.</li></ul>

Report: These 2 cities led Miami-Dade in immigration arrests

Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Springs top immigration arrests

The police departments of Sunny Isles Beach and Miami Springs led all other Miami-Dade cities in immigration-related arrests dating to last August, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Miami Herald" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article315927482.html#storylink=cpy" data-vars-content-id="8cc93d5e-ba75-435d-8f85-8f650eb3e51e" data-vars-headline="Report: These 2 cities led Miami-Dade in immigration arrests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article315927482.html#storylink=cpy" target="_blank">Miami Herald</a>.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Immigration arrests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/04/09/ice-arrests-surge-in-miami-quieter-tactics-287g" data-vars-content-id="8cc93d5e-ba75-435d-8f85-8f650eb3e51e" data-vars-headline="Report: These 2 cities led Miami-Dade in immigration arrests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/04/09/ice-arrests-surge-in-miami-quieter-tactics-287g" target="_self">Immigration arrests</a> in Florida have skyrocketed under President Trump, an increase local advocates attribute to how the state&#x27;s police departments have partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Violent crime rates down in Miami so far this year

Some of the nation's biggest cities posted especially dramatic homicide declines in the first three months of 2026.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Violent crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/violent-crime-homicides-falls-major-cities-trump" data-vars-content-id="b8e0c540-b744-4a4a-bbd9-e29e38fd6943" data-vars-headline="Violent crime rates down in Miami so far this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/11/violent-crime-homicides-falls-major-cities-trump" target="_self">Violent crime</a> fell sharply across the largest U.S. cities in early 2026, extending a nationwide decline that began after the pandemic-era crime spike.Why it matters: Data from 67 major U.S. law enforcement agencies show violent crime fell across major categories during the first quarter compared with the same period in 2025.

City, business leaders agree: Spring break went smoothly on South Beach

This was the third straight spring break without a major incident.

Politics

This spring break, Miami Beach saw fewer arrests, emergency medical calls and noise complaints than in 2025, according to city officials.Why it matters: Apart from being welcome news to city leaders and residents, business owners who in the past criticized the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spring break tactics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/02/04/miami-beach-spring-break-restrictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="4521d9eb-328a-4f29-a6a4-620ec0609b7f" data-vars-headline="City, business leaders agree: Spring break went smoothly on South Beach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/02/04/miami-beach-spring-break-restrictions-2026" target="_self">spring break tactics</a> are celebrating, too.<ul><li>This was the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="third year in a row" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/03/27/spring-break-crowds-south-beach" data-vars-content-id="4521d9eb-328a-4f29-a6a4-620ec0609b7f" data-vars-headline="City, business leaders agree: Spring break went smoothly on South Beach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/03/27/spring-break-crowds-south-beach" target="_self">third year in a row</a> that Miami Beach officials said they contained spring break mayhem, after prior party periods were marred by gun violence, stampedes and curfews.</li></ul>

Spring break arrests down in 2026, Miami Beach official says

For the third year in a row, Miami Beach officials say they've kept a lid on spring break mayhem.

For the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="third year in a row," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/03/27/spring-break-crowds-south-beach" data-vars-content-id="5eba16fb-2367-45ec-bafc-f6a79cc4a584" data-vars-headline="Spring break arrests down in 2026, Miami Beach official says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/03/27/spring-break-crowds-south-beach" target="_self">third year in a row,</a> Miami Beach officials say they&#x27;ve kept a lid on spring break mayhem.Why it matters: South Beach&#x27;s annual college party month has been relatively calm in recent years after violence, disorderly crowds and clashes with police marred past spring break seasons.

State investigates after research monkey ends up at Miami waste facility

An animal welfare group says quarantine rules were violated after a research monkey went missing in Miami.

Environment

Florida wildlife officials are investigating after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="research monkey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/13/cambodia-monkey-export-crackdown-us-pharma" data-vars-content-id="93940f2c-d9fa-4a2d-b0b8-731d3cbbafce" data-vars-headline="State investigates after research monkey ends up at Miami waste facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/13/cambodia-monkey-export-crackdown-us-pharma" target="_self">research monkey</a> imported from an African island wound up in a medical waste treatment facility in Miami, leading to it being euthanized.Why it matters: Animal welfare group <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PETA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/03/peta-lawsuit-massachusetts-wiretapping-law-animal-abuse-recording-consent" data-vars-content-id="93940f2c-d9fa-4a2d-b0b8-731d3cbbafce" data-vars-headline="State investigates after research monkey ends up at Miami waste facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/03/peta-lawsuit-massachusetts-wiretapping-law-animal-abuse-recording-consent" target="_self">PETA</a> says the blunder endangered the monkey and threatened public health because it violated federal animal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quarantine requirements" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/nonhuman-primate.html" data-vars-content-id="93940f2c-d9fa-4a2d-b0b8-731d3cbbafce" data-vars-headline="State investigates after research monkey ends up at Miami waste facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/nonhuman-primate.html" target="_blank">quarantine requirements</a>.

Miami Beach broke up with spring break. Now it's rolling back some restrictions

The city has actively dissuaded spring breakers from coming to South Beach.

Business

After &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="breaking up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz3T20EXDdo" data-vars-content-id="971625a5-23ce-4e7b-94d9-f98e206c92ee" data-vars-headline="Miami Beach broke up with spring break. Now it&#x27;s rolling back some restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz3T20EXDdo" target="_blank">breaking up</a>&quot; with spring break in recent years, Miami Beach seems ready to turn the page.Why it matters: City officials are planning to lift some crowd-control measures used to crack down on rowdy spring breakers following <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shootings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/03/20/miami-beach-curfew-spring-break-shootings" data-vars-content-id="971625a5-23ce-4e7b-94d9-f98e206c92ee" data-vars-headline="Miami Beach broke up with spring break. Now it&#x27;s rolling back some restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/03/20/miami-beach-curfew-spring-break-shootings" target="_self">shootings</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crowd stampedes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article259537909.html" data-vars-content-id="971625a5-23ce-4e7b-94d9-f98e206c92ee" data-vars-headline="Miami Beach broke up with spring break. Now it&#x27;s rolling back some restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article259537909.html" target="_blank">crowd stampedes</a> in South Beach.

Miami Beach mayor flagged Facebook post to chief before police visit, emails show

The Miami Beach mayor previously called the incident a "police matter."

One day before police confronted a Miami Beach resident about her Facebook comment <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="criticizing Mayor Steven Meiner" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/01/13/miami-beach-israel-palestine-police-facebook-post" data-vars-content-id="dca70fd4-ceed-45de-abcf-abb674a0e760" data-vars-headline="Miami Beach mayor flagged Facebook post to chief before police visit, emails show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/01/13/miami-beach-israel-palestine-police-facebook-post" target="_self">criticizing Mayor Steven Meiner</a>, the mayor reported the social media post to the city&#x27;s police chief, newly released emails show.Why it matters: The Jan. 12 incident raised <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="First Amendment concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/01/26/free-speech-florida-miami-beach-meiner" data-vars-content-id="dca70fd4-ceed-45de-abcf-abb674a0e760" data-vars-headline="Miami Beach mayor flagged Facebook post to chief before police visit, emails show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/01/26/free-speech-florida-miami-beach-meiner" target="_self">First Amendment concerns</a> — and questions about Meiner&#x27;s role in prompting the police response.<ul><li>The resident, former political candidate Raquel Pacheco, said she felt targeted by Meiner for her prior criticisms of his leadership.</li></ul>

Free speech advocates say Florida officials are policing criticism

Police in Miami Beach and Largo have questioned residents over critical political commentary.

When police questioned Miami Beach activist Raquel Pacheco earlier this month over a Facebook comment criticizing the mayor, she said it felt like free speech had <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died on her doorstep" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/miami-beach-police-facebook-comment-mayor-investigation/" data-vars-content-id="cb1f1191-645c-4b24-8419-f347fa2181cf" data-vars-headline="Free speech advocates say Florida officials are policing criticism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/miami-beach-police-facebook-comment-mayor-investigation/" target="_blank">died on her doorstep</a>.Why it matters: Pacheco&#x27;s case is the latest in Florida in which governments have responded to political speech with intimidation or retaliation, the ACLU of Florida tells Axios

I tested Waymo's self-driving car ahead of Miami rideshare launch

Waymo is launching to paying customers in 2026.

Transit

<figure><img alt="View from inside a black Jaguar car showing the steering wheel and dashboard screen displaying navigation instructions to wait for the intersection to clear on a tree-lined street." height="450" id="ebfc14d6-8f14-4e9c-9612-dcf5f8e5195c" src="https://images.axios.com/N9wqcxjQmRU5jxExI8Kfb9inGjc=/2026/01/21/1769027978428.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Jesus, take the wheel. Video: Martin Vassolo/Axios</figcaption></figure>As Miami awaits the launch of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/11/18/waymo-self-driving-taxis-miami" data-vars-content-id="7b0ba9c3-706b-45e2-bbf9-09ea49dc1587" data-vars-headline="I tested Waymo&#x27;s self-driving car ahead of Miami rideshare launch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/11/18/waymo-self-driving-taxis-miami" target="_self">Waymo&#x27;s</a> autonomous rideshare service, I tested one of the company&#x27;s self-driving cars Wednesday in Little Havana.Why it matters: Waymo, which currently operates in five U.S. cities, is expanding into five more cities in 2026, including Miami and Orlando.

Axios Latino

A bar chart that shows the largest declines in homicide rates in the first three months of 2026 vs. 2025 across 10 large police departments. Baltimore County, Maryland, fell 83.3%, the steepest drop. Philadelphia had the smallest decline at 54%. All listed cities posted decreases of 54% to 83.3%.