Miami Today

JOBLESS CLAIMS DIP: First-time unemployment claims in Florida declined after a spike following the Independence Day holiday. The U.S. Department of Labor estimated 6,082 initial unemployment claims were filed the week ended July 18 in Florida, down from 7,334 the week ending July 11.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2026/07/29/fyi-miami-july-30-2026/

RESTORING THE EVERGLADES: A key agreement intended to speed up construction of Everglades restoration projects was finalized last week between the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The agreement puts federal dollars into state hands and focuses on a couple of construction projects needed to complete the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir in 2029: a seepage management pump station and the Blue Shanty Flow Way Project, which is expected to deliver water south across Tamiami Trail into Florida Bay. South Florida Water Management District Executive director Drew Bartlett said the signing builds “on our many previous actions to restore the River of Grass” and “will significantly reduce harmful discharges to the northern estuaries.”

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2026/07/29/fyi-miami-july-30-2026/

CRUISING TO MIAMI: Miami-Dade commissioners last week with smooth sailing approved PortMiami’s first preferential berthing agreement with a new cruise line in seven years, as the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber heads toward a January sailing from its homeport there. The line, founded in 2022, will offer short to mid-length Caribbean cruises in the newly acquired and refurbished ship as its fleet grows to three cruise ships. The five-year agreement anticipates a $23.15 million impact at the seaport using existing terminal space. The preferential berthing will be at Terminal C on specified dates, with about 170 trips to the port over five years. The line will pay a per-passenger fee that will rise 3% each year.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2026/07/29/fyi-miami-july-30-2026/

WASTE FEES UNCHANGED: After Miami-Dade commissioners trashed a proposed 2% increase in solid waste collection fees starting Oct. 1, they approved last week charging the same fees they did this year, leading to a list of waste services cuts to start on that date. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava outlined the cuts in May as she sought an increase in fees that would cost most residents $14 a year more on a bill that now is $702. Waste collection customers are in unincorporated Miami-Dade and in municipalities that rely on the county for waste collection. This is the second consecutive year that commissioners balked at a 2% rate increase, settling last year on 1% and this year on no increase at all. The fee will be included in the annual notice of proposed property tax collections from the appraiser’s office to be issued in August. It affects 354,732 households.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2026/07/29/fyi-miami-july-30-2026/

FYI Miami: July 30, 2026 FYI Miami: July 30, 2026 by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

North Miami Beach adds transit vehicles

The City of North Miami Beach and ProKel Mobility have unveiled modernized transit to transform how residents move throughout the city.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2026/07/29/north-miami-beach-adds-transit-vehicles/

Massive concrete pour cements a Signature Bridge completion downtown

Another major milestone has been achieved as work crews construct the iconic Signature Bridge in downtown Miami, according to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

The agency reports the project team’s completion of the foundation pour for Signature Bridge Arch #6 adjacent to the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2026/07/29/massive-concrete-pour-cements-a-signature-bridge-completion-downtown/

Opinion | Paying county commissioners too little is costing you money

You’ve just gotten a weapon to right a wrong that eats into your wallet. You can vote in November to let an independent review set the pay of 13 Miami-Dade commissioners.

Many people without the facts think commission pay is too high, should be cut, and a salary review will do the trick. I certainly plan to vote for it myself – but not for that reason.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2026/07/29/paying-county-commissioners-too-little-is-costing-you-money/

Miami Vice ’85 in line for $1 million in county incentives

Feature film “Miami Vice ’85” is in line for a $1 million plus incentive for shooting in Miami-Dade, but the incentive got tangled in jurisdictional concerns in last week’s county commission meeting, winding up in a future side meeting between commissioners to unsnarl issues.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2026/07/29/miami-vice-85-in-line-for-1-million-in-county-incentives/

County may junk $72 million in useless electric buses

Miami-Dade is suing the company that contracted to service and provide parts for 75 dysfunctional electric buses, is asking the federal government if it can sell or scrap the buses without paying a penalty, and is seeking guardrails so it doesn’t ever again make such a purchase.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2026/07/29/county-may-junk-72-million-in-useless-electric-buses/

County may junk $72 million in useless electric buses County may junk $72 million in useless electric buses by at MiamiTodayNews.com.

📢BREAKING NEWS: Miami-Dade County OK’s borrowing $2.5 billion for projects

Miami-Dade commissioners last week voted to borrow more than $2.5 billion for an array of projects amid fiscal storm warnings, while the mayor cited 13 credit rating upgrades in the past six years.

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/breaking/miami-dade-county-oks-borrowing-2-5-billion-for-projects/