Miami’s Monday Meltdowns and Masterpieces: Your Morning Briefing

Good Morning, Miami: A City in Motion

It is Monday, February 9, 2026, and Miami is waking up to a day of sharp contrasts. While the weather provides the ultimate South Florida winter experience—clear skies with a comfortable high of 75°F and a crisp evening low of 56°F—the atmosphere in the city is charged with both travel-induced frustration and high-stakes political advocacy. Whether you are navigating the morning commute or planning your week, here is what you need to know to start your day.

The Mood: Resilient Amid the Turbulence

The city’s mood this morning is a mix of logistical anxiety and community-driven resolve. For those traveling through Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL), the vibe is decidedly tense. However, for the rest of the city, the focus remains on the beautiful February weather and a series of local cultural milestones. This balance of modern stressors and local resilience defines the start of our week.

The Big Talking Point: Travel Chaos at FLL

If you or someone you know is flying out of Fort Lauderdale today, be prepared for significant disruptions. The primary headline across South Florida is the operational meltdown of Spirit Airlines. Amid a deepening bankruptcy crisis, the carrier has canceled 14 flights and delayed more than 20 others at FLL this morning alone, accounting for 93% of the airport's total cancellations. With nearly 30% of Spirit’s daily operations at the airport affected, local travelers are facing an infrastructure that feels increasingly fragile as we head toward the busy Presidents' Day weekend.

The Pulse of the People: Advocacy and Identity

In local politics, a major wave of conversation centers on Mayor Eileen Higgins’ public condemnation of recent federal moves to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants. With South Florida serving as home to approximately 100,000 Haitian TPS holders, the Mayor’s stance against the administration’s legal appeals has struck a chord. Many residents are following this development closely, as it touches on the very backbone of the city’s diverse workforce and community stability.

Your Feel-Good Monday: Art and History

For those looking for a positive way to end their Monday, the city offers a creative escape. Tonight, the InterContinental Miami hosts its weekly "Noche de Arte" from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This free event invites the public to watch local artists at work, engage in conversation, and even participate in postcard collage-making. Additionally, there is renewed excitement for the city's cultural future: HistoryMiami Museum in Downtown has been selected as a host for the "Freedom Plane National Tour." This major exhibition will bring original founding-era documents to our city later this year, giving Miamians a rare, front-row seat to the history that shaped the nation.