4 August 28 - september 3, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | MONTH XX–MONTH XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | ▼ MIA OF COURSE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT NAMED WORST IN THE WORLD FOR LOST LUGGAGE. BY ALEX DELUCA Roses are red/It’s been a year since that sad-looking pizza looked like total rubbish/ Miami International Airport was just named the worst in the world for lost luggage. A dding to its seemingly never- ending list of operational woes (see: here, here, and here), a new study has crowned Mi- ami International Airport (MIA) the worst in the entire globe for han- dling baggage. According to an analysis from Arka, a California-based shipping packaging company, the airport loses roughly 306 bags for every million flights, or 5.5 bags per 1,000 passengers. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) came in second on Arka’s list, while Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) placed third, and Denver International Airport (DIA) fourth, according to the analysis. Arka’s study examined passenger volume and online searches for “lost and found ser- vices” and adjusted search data to reflect searches per million passengers to “ensure fair comparisons between airports,” accord- ing to Travel + Leisure. “Losing luggage can quickly turn a trip up- side down, and some airports clearly struggle more than others when it comes to baggage handling,” an Arka spokesperson said. “It’s important for travelers to be aware of where these challenges exist, so they can plan ac- cordingly and take extra precautions.” MIA stands as the top U.S. hub for air travel connecting Latin America and the Ca- ribbean. In 2024, it served a record 56 million passengers — up from 52 million in 2023. In a February press release, Miami-Dade County said that MIA continues to be the “fastest-growing mega airport” in the U.S. since the COVID-19 pandemic, with its air- line seat capacity up 24 percent in 2024 com- pared to 2019. The airport, which is currently undergo- ing a $9 billion makeover that includes termi- nal redesigns, walkway repairs, and a new Concourse K with additional gates, is no stranger to “worst of” lists. It was previously named the worst airport in the country for early-morning flight take- offs and Thanksgiving travel, and among the worst for flight connections. Global Traveler magazine also recently ranked MIA the best airport for layovers — which, of course, absolutely nobody bought, calling the designation a “joke” and MIA a “third-world country airport.” [email protected] | RIPTIDE | GET MORE NEWS & COMMENTARY AT MIAMINEWTIMES.COM/NEWS Construction in progress at Miami International Airport. Photo by Miami-Dade Aviation Department ▼ TALLAHASSEE GENDER BENDER HOW IS IT THAT ONE DRAG SHOW MERITS A STATE INVESTIGATION AND ANOTHER DOESN’T? BY NAOMI FEINSTEIN L ast month, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier opened an investigation into the vice mayor of Vero Beach after she hosted an LGBTQ event at her wine bar. On June 29, Linda Moore, owner of the Kilted Mermaid and Vero Beach vice mayor, held a “Pride Tea Dance” with drag performers at the wine bar for all ages to celebrate LGBTQ history. For over a decade, drag queens have performed at the wine bar that Moore and her husband own. “Originating in the early 20th century and rei- magined by the queer community, tea dances became a joyful way to gather, dance, and con- nect, especially when nightlife wasn’t always ac- cessible or safe,” the wine bar wrote on Facebook in a post announcing the event. “Now? They’re a fabulous part of Pride culture, and we’re giving it the full Kilted Mermaid treat- ment.” Jennifer Pippin, chair of the Indian River County chapter of Moms for Liberty, submitted a formal complaint about the event to the attor- ney general’s office, spurring the ongoing state investigation. Uthmeier claimed that Moore vio- lated Florida law by featuring adult, sexu- alized performances in front of children. “In Florida, we don’t sacrifice the in- nocence of children for the provisions of some demented adults, “ Uthmeier said in a press release about the investigation. “The Office of Statewide Pros- ecution opened an investigation into this sexual- ized performance to determine the extent of the content and exposure to children.” Yet in South Florida, Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo’s Viernes Pequeña Habana (Little Havana Friday) — billed as a family-friendly, District 3-sponsored event — has featured performances by local Cuban drag queen Marytrini since at least January. Neither DeSantis nor his adminis- tration has raised objections, in contrast to their response to the Kilted Mermaid and Linda Moore. The disparity raises questions about who the rules apply to, especially given that one drag show took place at a private business while oth- ers happen monthly at a city-run event. More than three years ago, Gov. Ron DeSantis launched his crusade against the LGBTQ commu- nity, particularly drag shows, under the guise of protecting children from sexually explicit perfor- mances. LGBTQ advocates criticized the efforts, saying it was just another one of DeSantis’ tactics to marginalize the LGBTQ community and un- fairly target drag queens. The DeSantis adminis- tration zeroed in on various venues throughout the state, including R House in Wynwood, for al- legedly hosting drag shows in front of children. “Come enjoy Viernes Pequeña Habana this Friday at Domino Park,” the English translation of an Instagram post for Carollo’s May 30 event reads. “We’re celebrating Mother’s Month with live music and lots of flavor. Free event for the whole family on 8th street!” Since 2018, Carollo has hosted his monthly Viernes Pequeña Habana event for families to gather at Domino Plaza on Calle Ocho to enjoy music, art, and food. “We are waiting for you at our Little Havana Friday with the great flavor of all our Cuban art- ists,” Carollo posted on X in his native Spanish before last month’s event. “A completely free event for the entire Miami community. Come and enjoy the great talent of all our artists.” In an interview with New Times, Carollo de- nies that Marytrini performs at his events. He says that she is merely a master of ceremonies from time to time to introduce the artists and bands who, Carollo needs to point out, “are not transvestites.” “She keeps the crowd entertained with jokes in between the acts,” he adds. “She doesn’t perform.” Uthmeier did not respond to New Times’ re- quest for comment. [email protected] THE DISPARITY RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO THE RULES APPLY TO. ▼ SPORTSBALL FINXIETY IT SEEMS MIAMI DOLPHINS FANS ARE AMONG THE NFL’S MOST ANXIOUS. BY RYAN YOUSEFI Y ou can forgive Miami Dolphins fans for being an anxiety-ridden, pessimistic bunch. Consider those emotions the cost of doing business asso- ciated with supporting a team that hasn’t won a playoff game in the past quarter- century. As the preseason winds down, and the countdown to kickoff of the Fins’ season opener against the Indianapolis Colts on September 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium begins, a new study conducted by the sports bet- ting website PromoGuy discovered that Dolphins fans aren’t alone in their anxiety; they’re just filled with more of it than your average fan. Dolphins Fans: Average at Anxiety The study found that 62 percent of Fins re- ported anxiety surrounding the upcoming season — the 20th most of all fan bases polled. So, for those of you keeping score at home, just like the results on the field, Dolphins fans are not the most anxious, but not the least worried, just consumed with mediocre-to-above-average anxiety. Can we be special at nothing? Can we not have even this? Welcome to being a Dolphins fan. The study, conducted by the research platform Prolific, surveyed over 2,500 NFL fans on July 31 and August 1. Participants specified which NFL team they support, whether they feel nervous about the forth- coming season, and which AFC and >> p7
