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Threatened Florida bird makes a comeback, wildlife officials say

The Trump administration is calling it a conservation success story.

Environment

Federal wildlife officials are removing protections for a Florida bird no longer considered threatened while agreeing to protect 11 other local plants and animals.Why it matters: The delisting of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wood stork" data-vars-click-url="https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/waterbirds/wood-stork/" data-vars-content-id="7a7be545-c8fa-4eaf-98ee-bea86b7b1a99" data-vars-headline="Threatened Florida bird makes a comeback, wildlife officials say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/waterbirds/wood-stork/" target="_blank">wood stork</a> — decades after it was deemed endangered in 1984 — is being hailed by the Trump administration as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="conservation success" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2026-02/wood-stork-delisted" data-vars-content-id="7a7be545-c8fa-4eaf-98ee-bea86b7b1a99" data-vars-headline="Threatened Florida bird makes a comeback, wildlife officials say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2026-02/wood-stork-delisted" target="_blank">conservation success</a> story.By the numbers: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the wood stork was near extinction in 1984, as its population had declined by more than 75% since the 1930s.<ul><li>That was largely due to habitat loss, especially in South Florida, the agency says.</li><li>In 2014, it was reclassified from endangered to threatened.</li><li>Today, the bird&#x27;s breeding population is estimated at between 10,000 and 14,000 nesting pairs — more than twice the number compared to when the species was listed.</li><li>Their breeding habitat stretches across Florida and other southern states.</li></ul>The other side: The Center for Biological Diversity argues the bird has not met recovery goals in South Florida and that Trump administration policies are threatening its wetland habitat, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Inside Climate News" data-vars-click-url="https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09022026/south-florida-plants-animals-endangered-species-act/" data-vars-content-id="7a7be545-c8fa-4eaf-98ee-bea86b7b1a99" data-vars-headline="Threatened Florida bird makes a comeback, wildlife officials say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09022026/south-florida-plants-animals-endangered-species-act/" target="_blank">Inside Climate News</a>.Meanwhile, following a lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to finalize protections for the 11 other plant and animal species.<ul><li>Those include the Florida Keys mole skink, the Rim Rock crowned snake and the Key ring-necked snake, Inside Climate News reported.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: The delisting of the wood stork will be final on March 9.

What Tallahassee's property tax overhaul could cost South Florida governments

The House and the Senate must agree on a proposal before it goes to the voters.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="South Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/09/24/miami-dade-property-tax-debate-ron-desantis" data-vars-content-id="17837809-399d-48dc-8af3-58fe4802a707" data-vars-headline="What Tallahassee&#x27;s property tax overhaul could cost South Florida governments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/09/24/miami-dade-property-tax-debate-ron-desantis" target="_self">South Florida</a> counties stand to lose hundreds of millions in tax collections if property tax changes advancing in the Legislature become law, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/bill-summary-hjr-201-203-205-207-209-211-and-213?mc_cid=c9718583ff&amp;mc_eid=81b69123db" data-vars-content-id="17837809-399d-48dc-8af3-58fe4802a707" data-vars-headline="What Tallahassee&#x27;s property tax overhaul could cost South Florida governments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/bill-summary-hjr-201-203-205-207-209-211-and-213?mc_cid=c9718583ff&amp;mc_eid=81b69123db" target="_blank">report</a> by the Florida Policy Institute (FPI).Why it matters: Property taxes, collected by cities, counties and school districts, fund critical infrastructure and services, including law enforcement, parks maintenance, social services and schools.

Miami "supertall" developer plans another downtown skyscraper

The city's downtown skyline is getting supersized.

Real Estate

Miami&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downtown skyline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2024/03/07/real-estate-luxury-high-rises-pagani-residences" data-vars-content-id="7763b715-70a3-48cf-b3a8-51e19c1abd83" data-vars-headline="Miami &quot;supertall&quot; developer plans another downtown skyscraper" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2024/03/07/real-estate-luxury-high-rises-pagani-residences" target="_self">downtown skyline</a> is getting supersized.The big picture: With the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami" data-vars-click-url="https://propertymg.com/portfolio/waldorf-astoria-residences-miami" data-vars-content-id="7763b715-70a3-48cf-b3a8-51e19c1abd83" data-vars-headline="Miami &quot;supertall&quot; developer plans another downtown skyscraper" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://propertymg.com/portfolio/waldorf-astoria-residences-miami" target="_blank">Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami</a> slated to become the city&#x27;s tallest building when it opens in 2028, developer Property Markets Group (PMG) announced Thursday that another &quot;supertall&quot; is on its way.

Scoop: WLRN employees criticize leadership amid Miami-Dade Schools lawsuit

The dispute has been brewing since the summer.

Education

Senior employees of Miami-Dade&#x27;s public radio station say they&#x27;ve lost trust in its leadership amid a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="monthslong legal fight" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/09/10/miami-dade-schools-lawsuit-wlrn" data-vars-content-id="28c8bf0f-b5e8-4ee2-bf9a-f035f0898001" data-vars-headline="Scoop: WLRN employees criticize leadership amid Miami-Dade Schools lawsuit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/09/10/miami-dade-schools-lawsuit-wlrn" target="_self">monthslong legal fight</a> with the county&#x27;s school district.

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.

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."

Politics

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.

Self-driving cop car could hit Miami streets soon

The autonomous vehicle will initially be limited to appearances at community events.

Public Safety

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Miami-Dade Sheriff&#x27;s Office" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2024/10/29/miami-dade-sheriff-election" data-vars-content-id="49461676-2bfe-49f6-b60f-914e6f976c5c" data-vars-headline="Self-driving cop car could hit Miami streets soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2024/10/29/miami-dade-sheriff-election" target="_self">Miami-Dade Sheriff&#x27;s Office</a> is testing out a new autonomous police vehicle that is being hailed as the first self-driving patrol vehicle in the U.S.The big picture: The autonomous vehicle, donated to MDSO by the law enforcement nonprofit Policing Lab, will initially be limited to appearances at community events before the agency considers it for broader use, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="press release" data-vars-click-url="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251001711122/en/Miami-Dade-Sheriffs-Office-and-Policing-Lab-Launch-Nations-First-Autonomous-Patrol-Vehicle-Pilot" data-vars-content-id="49461676-2bfe-49f6-b60f-914e6f976c5c" data-vars-headline="Self-driving cop car could hit Miami streets soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251001711122/en/Miami-Dade-Sheriffs-Office-and-Policing-Lab-Launch-Nations-First-Autonomous-Patrol-Vehicle-Pilot" target="_blank">press release</a>.

Miami jail system under fire again after kidnapper accidentally freed

The Miami jail system is facing fallout after an inmate was mistakenly freed.

A convicted kidnapper mistakenly released from a Miami jail due to a &quot;procedural error&quot; was caught this week in Georgia after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three-day manhunt" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/MiamiDade_SO/status/1973150188933095561" data-vars-content-id="04e48c63-f3f3-435b-a029-3ab7d1e0de2b" data-vars-headline="Miami jail system under fire again after kidnapper accidentally freed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/MiamiDade_SO/status/1973150188933095561" target="_blank">three-day manhunt</a>.Why it matters: The accidental release of James Edward Daniels — who had been serving a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="life sentence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/truck-yard-murderers-sentenced-life-prison" data-vars-content-id="04e48c63-f3f3-435b-a029-3ab7d1e0de2b" data-vars-headline="Miami jail system under fire again after kidnapper accidentally freed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/truck-yard-murderers-sentenced-life-prison" target="_blank">life sentence</a> for a 2020 kidnapping that killed two men — is another black eye for Miami-Dade County jails.

Miami-Dade sees sharp drop in homicides

Major crimes are down across Miami-Dade, as national violent crime trends improve.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff&#x27;s Office investigated 39% fewer homicides during the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to preliminary <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2025-and-2024-First-Quarter.pdf" data-vars-content-id="9cb4bd4e-78d5-48a1-a0a7-01082cd5c22c" data-vars-headline="Miami-Dade sees sharp drop in homicides" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2025-and-2024-First-Quarter.pdf" target="_blank">data</a>.Why it matters: Stats compiled by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA)" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/19/homicides-crime-decline-2024" data-vars-content-id="9cb4bd4e-78d5-48a1-a0a7-01082cd5c22c" data-vars-headline="Miami-Dade sees sharp drop in homicides" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/19/homicides-crime-decline-2024" target="_self">Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA)</a> indicate that the nationwide COVID-era crime wave has almost faded away — even as some officials, including President Trump, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="falsely claim" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/08/border-cities-lower-homicide-rates-nation#:~:text=false%20claims%20that%20migrants" data-vars-content-id="9cb4bd4e-78d5-48a1-a0a7-01082cd5c22c" data-vars-headline="Miami-Dade sees sharp drop in homicides" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/08/border-cities-lower-homicide-rates-nation#:~:text=false%20claims%20that%20migrants" target="_self">falsely claim</a> that immigrants are driving increased crime rates.

ADL says Florida is one of nine states "leading" in fight against antisemitism

The state strengthened school protections and passed anti-boycott laws in 2018 and 2019.

Religion

Florida is one of nine states that meet the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Anti-Defamation League&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/14/gaza-adl-teachers-union-nea-vote-jewish-groups" data-vars-content-id="eabbac41-f8fd-4a5a-8a1b-eaed1a9fbda1" data-vars-headline="ADL says Florida is one of nine states &quot;leading&quot; in fight against antisemitism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/14/gaza-adl-teachers-union-nea-vote-jewish-groups" target="_self">Anti-Defamation League&#x27;s</a> standards for combating antisemitism, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.adl.org/resources/press-release/adl-finds-significant-gaps-state-level-efforts-combat-antisemitism" data-vars-content-id="eabbac41-f8fd-4a5a-8a1b-eaed1a9fbda1" data-vars-headline="ADL says Florida is one of nine states &quot;leading&quot; in fight against antisemitism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.adl.org/resources/press-release/adl-finds-significant-gaps-state-level-efforts-combat-antisemitism" target="_blank">report</a> from the group.Zoom in: Florida&#x27;s policy strengths, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.adl.org/jpi/state/fl" data-vars-content-id="eabbac41-f8fd-4a5a-8a1b-eaed1a9fbda1" data-vars-headline="ADL says Florida is one of nine states &quot;leading&quot; in fight against antisemitism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.adl.org/jpi/state/fl" target="_blank">analysis</a>, included 2018 and 2019 laws prohibiting companies that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="boycott Israel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.heritagefl.com/story/2018/03/30/news/gov-scott-signs-anti-bds-bill-at-orlando-torah-academy/9541.html" data-vars-content-id="eabbac41-f8fd-4a5a-8a1b-eaed1a9fbda1" data-vars-headline="ADL says Florida is one of nine states &quot;leading&quot; in fight against antisemitism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.heritagefl.com/story/2018/03/30/news/gov-scott-signs-anti-bds-bill-at-orlando-torah-academy/9541.html" target="_blank">boycott Israel</a> from conducting business with state or local governments and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strengthening religious discrimination" data-vars-click-url="https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2019/governor-ron-desantis-signs-anti-semitism-protections-bill-cscshb-741" data-vars-content-id="eabbac41-f8fd-4a5a-8a1b-eaed1a9fbda1" data-vars-headline="ADL says Florida is one of nine states &quot;leading&quot; in fight against antisemitism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2019/governor-ron-desantis-signs-anti-semitism-protections-bill-cscshb-741" target="_blank">strengthening religious discrimination</a> protections in public schools.