Axios Fort Lauderdale

September 09, 2026
Happy Wednesday!
π§οΈ Today's weather: Showers and thunderstorms likely, with a high of 90 and a low of 81.
π§ Sounds like: "Man I Need" by Olivia Dean
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π Situational awareness: Fort Lauderdale is celebrating the opening of its new police headquarters with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning at 10am.
Today's newsletter is 908 words β a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: βοΈ FLL expansion gets pricier
Fort Lauderdale airport's Terminal 5 project will cost more and take longer than originally estimated.
Why it matters: It's now projected to cost $829 million, doubling in price from 2o23 estimates.
Catch up quick: In partnership with JetBlue, Broward County is building a new terminal east of Terminal 4 to keep up with increasing passenger numbers and airline demands.
- When the county broke ground on the project in 2023, it was estimated to cost $404 million and officials said it would be ready by 2026.
- The 275,000-square-foot terminal will serve 4 to 5 million more passengers a year, officials said.
State of play: After completing the design plans and the bidding process over the last year, the estimated project cost has jumped to $829 million.
- During the county budget workshop last month, Mark Gale, CEO and director of the county aviation department, said inflation, the finished design plans and actual market bids resulted in a higher cost.
- The project is now expected to be completed in 2030.
What they're saying: "None of us like the cost increases, but we definitely need the gates at our airport so we're anxious to get moving on this and get it done as quickly as possible," Gale said.
Between the lines: The project is funded by grants from the state Department of Transportation, airport bonds and passenger facility charges.
By the numbers: Among U.S. airports, FLL ranked 20th in total passenger traffic last year, serving 32 million passengers.
- Despite Spirit shutting down, FLL is averaging more domestic departures than it did at this point last year.
Zoom out: It's not uncommon for airport expansions to cost more than anticipated.
- Miami airport's Concourse K is projected to cost $746 million, nearly $150 million more than its 2025 price tag.
What's next: The County Commission will vote Thursday on the agreement with JetBlue reflecting the new costs, allowing the project to move forward.
2. π¬ Dolphins face low expectations
The NFL season kicks off today, but expectations are low for the Dolphins, my Axios colleague Martin Vassolo reports.
Why it matters: Coming off back-to-back losing seasons, the Dolphins aren't expected to be competitive this year as they rebuild for the future.
Catch up quick: Miami has the league's youngest roster and owes $183 million to players no longer on the team, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
- The Phins β under a new general manager and head coach β cut or traded away many of their star players in the offseason, including receiver Jaylen Waddle and linebacker Bradley Chubb.
By the numbers: The Dolphins are projected as underdogs in all of their games, according to ESPN's matchup predictor.
- The team is projected to win 4.5 games, the lowest in the NFL, per ESPN.
- Analysts are already looking ahead to the 2027 draft, where it's very possible Miami secures the No. 1 overall pick
What they're saying: Coach Jeff Hafley said in a recent interview that success this season won't be measured by wins and losses.
- "I just think this year is so much about developing who we are as a football team, finding the right guys, and then just by the end of the year, saying, 'You know what? We got something really powerful going forward.'"
Names to know: Miami's best offensive player, 24-year-old Pro Bowl running back De'Von Achane, re-signed to a four-year contract and was voted a team captain for the first time in his career.
3. Yacht Rock: π‘ Giannis' new digs
Five employees of an airline cleaning company were killed after an Amazon cargo plane overshot the runway and crashed into their van at MIA. (The Guardian)
- The victims ranged in age from 47 to 75.
The bodies of a man and woman were found inside a unit at a Flagler Village apartment building on Saturday. (Sun Sentinel)
- Fort Lauderdale Police said, "Detectives do not believe there is an immediate threat to the local community."
π New Heat star Giannis Antetokounmpo bought a 12,000-square-foot Pinecrest mansion for $13.5 million. (The Real Deal)
4. π Dolphins fan events
The Dolphins are celebrating the start of the NFL season with fan events and watch parties this week.
Why it matters: Even though Miami is not projected to win many games this season, South Florida still bleeds orange and aqua.
Driving the news: The team will host pop-ups at Publix stores in Doral and Plantation tomorrow from 5pm-8pm.
- T.D. and Dolphins cheerleaders will host co-branded Dolphins and Publix giveaways, a ticket raffle and hand out $150 store gift cards to a few shoppers at each store.
If you go: 5pm-8pm at Publix in Downtown Doral and Publix in Plantation.
π On Sunday, catch the opening game versus the Raiders at Doral Yard and Bokamper's.
- Watch party begins at 3:30pm ahead of the 4:25pm kickoff.
- Each party will feature appearances from Dolphins cheerleaders, giveaways and more.
π Naomi's still laughing at the jokes about FSU's stadium power outage.
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This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.
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