Axios Miami

May 14, 2026
Happy Thursday!
🌧️ Today's weather: Sunny then chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high of 86 and a low of 79.
Sounds like: "Tikiri" by Chuwi, the Puerto Rican band performing at ZeyZey tomorrow night.
Today's newsletter is 1,037 words — a 4-minute read
1 big thing: Violent crime rates plunge


Violent crime fell sharply across the largest U.S. cities in early 2026, including in Miami, 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.
- The declines show up across every major region, suggesting a systemic, nationwide trend.
- The quarterly reports collected by the Major Cities Chiefs Association have been a good measure of trends that are reflected in the annual FBI crime data released in the fall.
By the numbers: Homicides dropped 17.7%.
- Robberies fell 20.4%.
- Rapes declined 7.2%.
- Aggravated assaults decreased 4.8%.
Zoom in: Homicides in the City of Miami dropped by 50%, followed by rapes (39.9%), robberies (31.5%) and aggravated assaults (9.3%).
Zoom out: Some of the nation's biggest cities posted especially dramatic homicide declines in the first three months of 2026.
- Among those that saw sizable percentage drops: Washington, D.C. (64.7%), Philadelphia (54%) and Memphis (34.4%).
- New York City experienced a 31.7% drop in homicides during Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first months in office.
Between the lines: The new numbers complicate the political narrative around crime heading into the 2026 midterms. President Trump has repeatedly described major Democratic-led cities as gripped by violent crime.
The intrigue: Aurora, Colorado — a city Trump repeatedly and falsely singled out as being overrun by Venezuelan immigrant gangs during the 2024 election — saw a 66.7% drop in homicides.
- In response to early reports that crime was dropping to record lows, the Trump administration has changed its tone and has begun touting the declines while crediting its policies.
Yes, but: Some cities still reported increases in certain violent crime categories, such as a 100% spike in homicides in San Diego, even as overall violence fell.
- Police leaders also caution that crime trends can shift quickly heading into the summer months, when violence historically rises.
The bottom line: America's largest cities are continuing to get safer in 2026, even as crime remains one of the country's most politically potent issues.
2. 💰 Mayoral office salaries soar
In the roughly five months since she was sworn in as Miami mayor, salaries in Eileen Higgins' administration have increased by about 30% compared to the previous administration.
Why it matters: Higgins, who succeeded former Mayor Francis Suarez, campaigned on investigating excessive spending.
- The news of increased salaries, reported by the Coconut Grove Spotlight, also comes as the city commission weighs a proposal for a $450 million bond to fund a new public safety headquarters.
Between the lines: The more than $2 million in annual salaries in the Office of the Mayor does not include Higgins' compensation.
- Higgins' office did not respond to Axios' requests for comment.
The intrigue: The team is structured around a more "senior-heavy leadership model," per the Spotlight, featuring several senior advisers and counselors, and a smaller group of assistants and aides.
By the numbers: Salaries range from $60,000 as an aide to the mayor to $250,000 for the chief of staff, according to records obtained by the outlet.
- Three senior advisers earn $180,000, while one earns $200,000.
- Five assistants to the mayor earn between $80,000 and $115,000.
- The communications coordinator earns $70,000, while aides to the mayor and the executive assistant earn between $60,000 and $70,000.
3. Cafecito: Levine Cava survives recall effort
🗳️ The recall effort against Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has failed. (Miami Herald)
- Former mayoral candidate Alex Otaola announced yesterday that his petition only received 26,000 signatures — a fraction of the 66,000 needed to hold a recall election.
😋 Bachour, the Michelin-recommended bakery in the Gables, was named a top bakery in the country by Tasting Table. (Miami Herald)
🏗️ The Miami Beach Design Review Board is set to vote today on a 28-story South Beach condo project to replace the Bay Garden Manor condos. The building will include up to 106 luxury condos on a nearly two-acre site. (The Real Deal)
🍹 Solei Beach Club, a new beach and poolside venue, is set to open this month at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel in Miami Beach. (South Florida Business Journal)
4. 🙉 Nobody's talking to their neighbors anymore

Americans are spending more time at home, yet many have become strangers to their neighbors — especially young Americans.
Why it matters: Without casual conversations with neighbors — who are often from other races, or have different religions and political ideologies — people risk becoming more isolated and more dependent on superficial, algorithm-driven digital communities.
By the numbers: In 2012, 51% of young Americans regularly engaged with neighbors, according to a new AEI report. Today, that number has plummeted to 25%.
- By contrast, 56% of seniors socialize with neighbors, a seven-point drop since 2012.
- More broadly, 59% of Americans chatted with neighbors a few times per week in 2012. In 2025, that number is 41%.
What they're saying: Daniel Cox, head report researcher and director of the Survey Center on American Life at AEI, tells Axios that technology deserves some of the blame.
- "In the previous generation, if you sat around your apartment long enough, you started to go stir crazy, and that would often compel people to go out," he said.
5. ⚽️ Stunning stat to go


Inter Miami's Lionel Messi is getting a whopping $28.3 million in guaranteed compensation during the 2026 season, according to the Major League Soccer Players Association's latest salary guide.
- That tops the total payroll for all but two of the league's 30 teams.
Follow the money: Messi remains the league's highest-paid player for the third year running — and he got a pay bump this season, per ESPN.
- Messi's total guaranteed compensation this season is $28.3 million compared to about $20.5m in 2025, per the outlet.
Zoom out: Inter Miami was valued this year at an estimated $1.45 billion — making it MLS's most valuable franchise, according to a Sportico analysis.
🐶 Martin loves chatting with his neighbors when he takes Ollie on walks.
🤩 Sommer saw Chuwi open for Bad Bunny at his show in Santo Domingo last fall!
This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.
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