Aaron Leibowitz
aaronleibowitz.bsky.social
Aaron Leibowitz
@aaronleibowitz.bsky.social
Miami Beach reporter at the Miami Herald. Member of One Herald Guild. Mets fan.
Email: aleibowitz@miamiherald.com
Signal: 305-423-9857
Reposted by Aaron Leibowitz
ICYMI: Miami Beach nightclub Vendôme apologized Sunday for a “deeply offensive and unacceptable” video circulating online, which appears to show a group of popular and controversial influencers partying to Kanye West’s anti-Semitic song, “Heil Hitler.”
Miami Beach’s Vendôme apologizes after influencers seen partying to ‘Heil Hitler’
Influencers including Andrew Tate, Tristan Tate, Nick Fuentes and Clavicular appear to be blasting Kanye West’s song, a video shows.
www.miamiherald.com
January 19, 2026 at 1:25 PM
‘Offensive to the First Amendment’: Free speech group @thefireorg.bsky.social blasts Miami Beach PD for sending cops to resident’s home over Facebook comment she made about the mayor. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
‘Offensive to the First Amendment’: Free speech group blasts Miami Beach PD
The organization FIRE accused the department of “an egregious abuse of power” that “chills the exercise of First Amendment rights.”
www.miamiherald.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:53 PM
In a statement, Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones says he directed visit to resident’s home over Facebook comment due to “serious concerns that her remarks could trigger physical action by others.”

“At no time did the Mayor or any other official direct me to take action.”
January 16, 2026 at 4:39 PM
UPDATE: Can now confirm it was the mayor's office that flagged the resident's Facebook comment to police before officers showed up at her home. t.co/Ej5R2fHDCj
January 14, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Miami Beach resident posted online about the mayor. Police showed up at her door www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
Miami Beach resident posted online about the mayor. Police showed up at her door
Raquel Pacheco, a former candidate for office, called the move an “intimidation tactic” aimed at chilling free speech.
www.miamiherald.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:32 PM
With Nikki Beach's lease in South Beach expiring in May, city boards are preparing to vote on plans for a new venue by Boucher Brothers and Major Food Group. Nikki Beach is continuing to fight, calling the new proposal a "bait and switch." www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
Nikki Beach’s lease with Miami Beach is ending soon. What’s the plan for the site?
The owners of Nikki Beach say the application by Major Food Group and Boucher is a “bait and switch” that strays from an original proposal.
www.miamiherald.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Florida beefs up rail safety rules, but they only apply to new projects, not the existing Brightline corridor.

What it means for America's deadliest major passenger train — and how to make it safer. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/a...
‘They need to do a lot more’: New Florida rules won’t fix Brightline’s deadly tracks
Rules going into effect Jan. 1 about how to design safe rail crossings only apply to future projects.
www.miamiherald.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Developer Russell Galbut says he paid for Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner’s billboard campaign in Times Square inviting New Yorkers to come south after Mamdani’s win. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
Developer says he paid for Miami Beach mayor’s billboards in Times Square
A prominent developer paid for Times Square billboards in which Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner encouraged New Yorkers to come to his city.
www.miamiherald.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
For years, Brightline said it would be entirely privately funded. But the Miami Herald & WLRN identified nearly half a billion tax dollars directed to Brightline-related projects, including for safety, stations and train cars. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/a...
Private train, public cash: How Brightline has been buoyed by taxpayer dollars
The private company that promised to be “financially viable on its own” is losing money — and using government subsidies to grow its business.
www.miamiherald.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:33 PM
For an elected official who isn’t on the ballot, Miami Beach Commissioner David Suarez has gone to unusual lengths to try to thwart Commissioner Laura Dominguez’s reelection campaign.
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
The most polarizing figure in the Miami Beach election isn’t on the ballot
Even a crucial mayor’s race has been partially overshadowed.
www.miamiherald.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:35 PM
NEW: Miami Herald / WLRN investigation reveals 182 people have been struck and killed by Brightline trains. While key safety measures are delayed, Brightline remains the deadliest passenger train in U.S. We compared with other railroads to explain why. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/a...
Brightline death toll surpasses 180, but safeguards are still lacking
Brightline trains have killed 182 people, significantly more than publicly known, an investigation by the Miami Herald and WLRN has found.
www.miamiherald.com
July 15, 2025 at 5:05 PM
How will Miami Beach cover $1B in resiliency projects? Higher water bills may be coming www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c...
How will Miami Beach cover $1B in resiliency projects? Higher water bills may be coming
“We can continue just kicking the can down the road, but at what expense?” Commissioner Joseph Magazine said at a meeting last week.
www.miamiherald.com
February 26, 2025 at 5:24 PM