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Coral Gables special election on voting dates divides city

The city could align local voting with federal and state elections.

Election

A proposal to move city elections from April to November has divided <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Coral Gables" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/03/11/coral-gables-city-hall-full-restoration" data-vars-content-id="274cf6db-9926-4fbf-9772-360ff7a6f876" data-vars-headline="Coral Gables special election on voting dates divides city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/03/11/coral-gables-city-hall-full-restoration" target="_self">Coral Gables</a>&#x27; elected officials and residents.Why it matters: If approved, the ballot measure would change the city&#x27;s charter to align local voting with federal and state elections — a move supporters say would boost turnout, while opponents argue it would cause local issues to be overshadowed.

South Florida skywatchers may be able to see NASA's Artemis II blast off to the moon

Here's how to catch the moonshot from Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Aerospace

It&#x27;s almost time for NASA&#x27;s moon flight to lift off — and here in South Florida, you may be able to see it from your backyard.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artemis II" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/31/artemis-ii-is-ready-for-takeoff-weather-permitting" data-vars-content-id="15711561-9c38-4cea-ba05-1adb31e4d0a8" data-vars-headline="South Florida skywatchers may be able to see NASA&#x27;s Artemis II blast off to the moon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/03/31/artemis-ii-is-ready-for-takeoff-weather-permitting" target="_self">Artemis II</a>, set to carry four astronauts around the moon on a 10-day mission, marks the first time humans will travel around the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Trump reveals first look at his downtown Miami presidential library

Trump's presidential library design features statues, planes and golden escalators.

News

President Trump&#x27;s foundation released the first images of his planned downtown Miami presidential library this week, depicting a skyscraper that includes a presidential plane and multiple golden statues of Trump.Why it matters: The renderings offer a look at a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/15/trump-presidential-library-lawsuit-judge-miami" data-vars-content-id="f47ed0d7-3189-46ed-8b19-6b0db752d5ee" data-vars-headline="Trump reveals first look at his downtown Miami presidential library" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/15/trump-presidential-library-lawsuit-judge-miami" target="_self">project</a> that would be Florida&#x27;s first presidential library and a dramatic addition to Miami&#x27;s skyline.

South Florida "flying car" manufacturer debuts latest concept

A South Florida EVTOL manufacturer debuted its latest concept last week.

Doroni Aerospace, the Dania Beach company developing a line of luxury personal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="EVTOL" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/03/19/air-taxi-florida-evtol-miami" data-vars-content-id="2eba763b-bfc7-4531-9b88-7cfb097a2338" data-vars-headline="South Florida &quot;flying car&quot; manufacturer debuts latest concept" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/03/19/air-taxi-florida-evtol-miami" target="_self">EVTOL</a> aircrafts, debuted its newest concept last week at an event attended by local elected officials and an advisor to Gov. DeSantis.

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.

Public Safety

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.

Florida Legislature passes bills on e-bike safety, arming professors and more

The bills await Gov. DeSantis' signature.

Politics

The Florida Legislature has passed a slew of bills slowing down e-bikers, mandating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new voter ID rules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/02/florida-moves-to-pass-its-own-save-america-act" data-vars-content-id="8c526825-ea7b-40c4-8ed5-84b8787c2d6d" data-vars-headline="Florida Legislature passes bills on e-bike safety, arming professors and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/02/florida-moves-to-pass-its-own-save-america-act" target="_self">new voter ID rules</a> and allowing trained college staff to carry guns on campus.The big picture: If signed into law, the bills could impact every corner of South Florida, from the street to the ballot box.

Republicans condemn racist group chat created by Miami GOP official

The group chat involved some Republican campus leaders at Florida International University.

Racist and antisemitic messages leaked from a group chat created by the secretary of Miami-Dade County&#x27;s Republican Party have sparked bipartisan condemnation and efforts by local Republicans to remove the official.The big picture: The group chat, whose contents were reported by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Miami Herald" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article314928484.html" data-vars-content-id="87f99524-543f-43a9-b30b-51fae295865a" data-vars-headline="Republicans condemn racist group chat created by Miami GOP official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article314928484.html" target="_blank">Miami Herald</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Floridian" data-vars-click-url="https://floridianpress.com/2026/03/miami-gop-secretarys-group-chat-pushes-antisemitism-killing-n-ggers/" data-vars-content-id="87f99524-543f-43a9-b30b-51fae295865a" data-vars-headline="Republicans condemn racist group chat created by Miami GOP official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://floridianpress.com/2026/03/miami-gop-secretarys-group-chat-pushes-antisemitism-killing-n-ggers/" target="_blank">The Floridian</a>, is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest example" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/us/politics/young-republicans-texts-backlash-racist-homophobic.html" data-vars-content-id="87f99524-543f-43a9-b30b-51fae295865a" data-vars-headline="Republicans condemn racist group chat created by Miami GOP official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/us/politics/young-republicans-texts-backlash-racist-homophobic.html" target="_blank">latest example</a> of young conservatives <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in Miami" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/turning-point-usa-fiu-chapter-shares-racist-sexist-pepe-memes-10827433/" data-vars-content-id="87f99524-543f-43a9-b30b-51fae295865a" data-vars-headline="Republicans condemn racist group chat created by Miami GOP official" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/turning-point-usa-fiu-chapter-shares-racist-sexist-pepe-memes-10827433/" target="_blank">in Miami</a> and elsewhere using extremist language in private.

Local leaders blast Florida anti-diversity bill

The anti-diversity legislation sparked criticism and confusion among local leaders.

Local leaders from across Florida spoke out Wednesday against legislation that would ban cities and counties from supporting certain community events, training or activities that reference race, gender or sexual orientation.Why it matters: City and county leaders say the legislation is overly broad and may impact government support for cultural events ranging from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LGBTQ Pride" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/25/st-pete-pride-parade-parking-transportation-road-closures" data-vars-content-id="5eba0aba-7027-4263-a554-fd04e1bbb01c" data-vars-headline="Local leaders blast Florida anti-diversity bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/25/st-pete-pride-parade-parking-transportation-road-closures" target="_self">LGBTQ Pride</a> to St. Patrick&#x27;s Day.

Charter proposal to expand Miami commission one step closer to ballot

The proposal would expand the size of the commission from five to nine members.

A political group seeking major reforms in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city of Miami" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/12/10/trump-miami-mayor-election-results" data-vars-content-id="a0a50789-9254-47a3-b8cf-31557db719f7" data-vars-headline="Charter proposal to expand Miami commission one step closer to ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/12/10/trump-miami-mayor-election-results" target="_self">city of Miami</a> government says it has gathered enough signatures to put a proposed charter amendment before Miami voters in November.Why it matters: The ground behind the petition campaign, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Stronger Miami" data-vars-click-url="https://strongermiami.org/" data-vars-content-id="a0a50789-9254-47a3-b8cf-31557db719f7" data-vars-headline="Charter proposal to expand Miami commission one step closer to ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://strongermiami.org/" target="_blank">Stronger Miami</a>, says the proposals would dilute the concentration of power on the City Commission and boost voter turnout.

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.

Utility costs on Florida voters' minds in 2026, report says

That's especially true for South Florida's seniors and those with fixed incomes.

Ahead of this year&#x27;s midterm elections, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new report" data-vars-click-url="https://echocomms.com/the-10-energy-affordability-battlegrounds/" data-vars-content-id="d00061e8-1f52-4da9-81fd-33c928545f3f" data-vars-headline="Utility costs on Florida voters&#x27; minds in 2026, report says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://echocomms.com/the-10-energy-affordability-battlegrounds/" target="_blank">a new report</a> predicts that energy affordability could emerge as a top concern among voters in Florida.Why it matters: Voters in November will elect <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new governor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/08/14/desantis-lieutenant-governor-pick-raises-2026-questions" data-vars-content-id="d00061e8-1f52-4da9-81fd-33c928545f3f" data-vars-headline="Utility costs on Florida voters&#x27; minds in 2026, report says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/08/14/desantis-lieutenant-governor-pick-raises-2026-questions" target="_self">a new governor</a> and decide whether to give GOP Sen. Ashley Moody <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="her first full term" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/ashley-moody-desantis-pick-florida-senate-seat" data-vars-content-id="d00061e8-1f52-4da9-81fd-33c928545f3f" data-vars-headline="Utility costs on Florida voters&#x27; minds in 2026, report says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/ashley-moody-desantis-pick-florida-senate-seat" target="_self">her first full term</a>.<ul><li>They&#x27;ll also decide a slew of federal, state and local races. </li></ul>

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

Facebook post about Miami Beach mayor's support for Israel sparks police visit

A former political candidate was questioned by police after they said she made "concering" comments about the mayor.

A former Miami Beach political candidate says the police visited her home Monday over a Facebook post she made about Mayor Steven Meiner&#x27;s views on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Israel-Palestine conflict" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/07/gaza-board-peace-trump-announce-leaders" data-vars-content-id="371f3e55-f1f9-42c5-95d9-120c4312a535" data-vars-headline="Facebook post about Miami Beach mayor&#x27;s support for Israel sparks police visit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/07/gaza-board-peace-trump-announce-leaders" target="_self">Israel-Palestine conflict</a>.The big picture: Raquel Pacheco — who wrote a post Jan. 7 claiming Meiner had &quot;call[ed] for the death of all Palestinians&quot; — says the incident is an attack on free speech.

Axios Tampa Bay

Florida's legislative session ends with little to show for it

Tampa Bay

A column chart that shows Florida legislative session bills passed annually from 2022 to 2026. Bills passed rose from 285 in 2022 to a peak of 356 in 2023, then fell to 325 in 2024, 269 in 2025 and a low of 237 in 2026.

Politics 🇺🇸

Spring break arrests down in 2026, Miami Beach official says

Florida's legislative session ends with little to show for it

Florida Legislature passes bills on e-bike safety, arming professors and more

Republicans condemn racist group chat created by Miami GOP official

Local leaders blast Florida anti-diversity bill