Axios Miami

September 17, 2025
🥴 Welcome to the mid-week slump.
- Get yourself a little treat.
☔ Weather: Thunderstorms likely, but who's to say these days! High 87. Low 79.
🎶 Sounds like: "Volando Bajo La Lluvia" by Coma Pony
Today's newsletter is 990 words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: The state of open carry
The open carry of firearms is now legal in Florida following a recent court decision deeming the state's ban on the practice unconstitutional, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced this week.
Why it matters: His guidance provides a statewide read of the appellate court decision amid differing interpretations by local law enforcement leaders.
Driving the news: "As of last week, open carry is the law of the state," Uthmeier posted on X about the First District Court of Appeal's ruling, issued Wednesday.
- Attached was a memo to Florida law enforcement agencies and state attorney's offices saying they "should refrain from arresting or prosecuting law-abiding citizens carrying a firearm in a manner that is visible to others."
Between the lines: Although the nearly 40-year-old law banning the practice can only be repealed by the Legislature, several agencies indicated prior to Uthmeier's guidance that they would stop enforcing it.
Yes, but: Some sheriffs — including those in Pinellas, Polk, Hernando and Manatee — said that open carry remains illegal until Sept. 25, after the 15-day window during which parties can appeal the court ruling.
- "To be on the safe side, you probably don't want to change your actions until Sept. 25," Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis said Monday in a Facebook Live video.
- Uthmeier refuted that in his memo, citing legal precedent that says the effective date "is the date appearing on the face of the decision."
Zoom in: The sheriff's offices in Miami-Dade and Broward counties — along with Miami Police — did not respond to questions from Axios about their interpretation of the ruling.
The big picture: Both local sheriffs and Uthmeier emphasized that last week's decision doesn't impact where you can bring a gun.
- Private property owners maintain their right to ask those bearing arms to leave.
- Guns remain banned at government buildings and meetings, schools, polling places, college campuses and bars.
The bottom line: "Everyone needs to be respectful of property owner's rights as we will be respectful of Second Amendment rights in public places," Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said.
2. 💃 It's (solo) showtime!
It seems like y'all need to go to more shows alone.
- And as someone who's attended many concerts alone, I have the authority to say that.
State of show: So far this year, only 26% of Floridians have gone to a show on their own, according to data shared with Axios from SeatGeek that tracked single-ticket purchases.
Yes, but: The number has increased in recent years (kudos to you, Sunshine State).
- In 2023, 24% of sales were single-ticket purchases, while just 22% were in 2022.
Why it matters: Going to shows alone is the best. Someone's having a bad time? Not your problem! Someone can't see the stage? Too bad!
- Want to meander to the stage (or the back for some space)? YOU CAN DO THAT! The venue is yours to explore.
- I said what I said, don't @ me!
The other side: My Axios Miami co-author Martin and I are going to the Bandalos Chinos show together tomorrow!
- No, I'm not walking back my pro-solo concert stance. I'm just saying we can appreciate a solo and group show outing. We can have range!
The bottom line: Never miss a show because you don't want to go alone.
Tell a friend (to go to a show alone)
3. Cafecito: Freedom Tower reopens
🎊 The Miami Freedom Tower reopened yesterday after a two-year, $25 million restoration. The landmark, once called the "Ellis Island of the South," turns 100 this year. (NBC Miami)
🎭 The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts announced the 2025-2026 season lineup this week, celebrating the center's 20th year. (Arsht Center)
☕ Books & Books' Coconut Grove location quietly reopened its café this month after a multi-year closure. Customers can buy coffee, boba tea, beer, wine and spirits. (Miami New Times)
4. 😋 Shiso's steller Miami Spice landing
The rooftop view at Shiso in Wynwood is almost as good as the comfort food this Japanese restaurant serves.
State of plate: The four-course Miami Spice menu lets you sample different culinary styles, from hamachi to cornbread ($60 total).
✈️ The vibes: Grab an outdoor table for moonlit views of airplanes landing at MIA.
- The covered rooftop is full of fans and surrounded by greenery, with tunes provided by a DJ the night we went.
- Great service, too.

What we ordered: The sliced hamachi, my top dish of the night, is the perfect summer balm. It comes with coconut vin, lychee relish and smoked herb oil.
- 🥬 The shiso salad (parmesan, furikake, quail ramen egg) is also a great choice for the first course.
- 🍝 For course No. 2, the oxtail udon noodle (braised oxtail, jus, cured egg yolk) is a heavy-hitting comfort food. A generous helping of meat, sauce and flavor-soaked noodles.

- 🥦 After those noodles, I needed more vegetables. The heavily-dressed broccolini comes with black bean vinaigrette and shiso furikake.
- 🍮 For dessert, get the sweet potato cheesecake with passionfruit sorbet. Good blend of sweet and tart.
😭 The damage: Dinner for two — with a couple of $18 cocktails, an $8 cappuccino and a 20% service charge — came out to around $224.
💸 The verdict: Miami Spice seems like a good deal on paper, but the extras add up, so choose your restaurant wisely.
- FYI: Spice ends Sept. 30.
5. 📸 Parting shot
😍 Reader Jerilyn Kobrick snapped this gorgeous sunset in Little River.
- Sommer gasped when she opened her email. Just look how beautiful!
Send your photos to [email protected] and we may feature them in a future newsletter
📕 Martin got a Broward County library card and checked out "Autocorrect" by Etgar Keret.
📗 Sommer is reading "The School For Good Mothers" by Jessamine Chan.
This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner (who's reading "Bad Company" by Megan Greenwell).
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