🚗 We're driving here

💪 Monday. Back at it.

☂️ Sounds like: "Purple Rain," Prince

⛈️ Today's forecast: 40% chance for thunderstorms. High of 88. Low of 81.

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Miami member Renee Arnold!

• Congrats to reader Lakienya F. for winning last week's news quiz! You'll be hearing from us.

Today's newsletter is 830 words — a 3-minute read.

Driving rates are above pre-pandemic levels in almost every major U.S. metro — including Miami, a new analysis finds.

Why it matters: The COVID-19 pandemic, when driving plummeted as people sought to "stop the spread," was a unique chance for cities to get a lasting handle on transportation-related emissions.

Driving the news: Average daily vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita increased 12.3% across the 100 biggest U.S. metro areas this past spring compared to the same period in 2019.

• That's according to a new report from StreetLight Data, a transportation analytics firm.

Zoom in: VMT per capita is up about 9.2% in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro. It's even higher elsewhere in the state: 24% in Tampa and Jacksonville, nearly 27% in Palm Bay-Melbourne and 37% in Lakeland.

• The biggest increase in Florida: Cape Coral-Fort Myers at nearly 40%.
• Only three metros had bigger jumps: McAllen, Texas (67.6%); Boise City, Idaho (57.8%) and El Paso, Texas (+42%).

The other side: The metros with the biggest reductions in VMT per capita are concentrated in California, like Los Angeles (-16.6%), San Francisco (-13.2%) and San Jose (-12.3%).

Between the lines: While higher VMT tends to mean more vehicle-related emissions, it can also be a sign of changes generally perceived as positive, like more economic activity.

• Lower VMT can be a sign of successful public transit or cycling projects — or an indication that lots of people are still working hybrid or remotely.

Yes, but: "GDP now stands above 2019 levels even in the metros where VMT is still down," per StreetLight's report.

• "This is a signal that GDP growth can be decoupled from VMT growth."

The bottom line: "It's not just that [VMT] is back up, but we're actually seeing a bit of an acceleration compared to the previous couple of years," Emily Adler, director of content at StreetLight, tells Axios.

• "So that suggests that we're not peaking, that whatever efforts we've strived for to keep VMT down, they're not quite working — or they're not working yet."

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👋 Hi there! Holly Moore, executive editor for Axios Local, here.

This week, 115 Axios employees from 30 cities across the U.S. are meeting in Minneapolis for our annual Local team retreat, including your newsletter authors.

Why it matters: Getting together allows us to share best practices, setting the foundation for our continued growth as we aim to prove that our model for local news is sustainable nationwide.

Between the lines: Axios Local launched four years ago, with 13 reporters covering five cities. We don't intend to waste our head start.

• With a newsroom that stretches from Seattle to Miami, in-person time is incredibly valuable.
• This week allows us to peel away from Zoom meetings and other distractions and focus on how our product best serves you.

What's next: Watch for more Axios Local cities in 2025.

The bottom line: Thank you for allowing us the time and space to do this.

• As a subscriber, you are part of the vanguard of our local news revolution, and we couldn't do it without you.

If you have feedback on your newsletter or want to brag on your reporting team, feel free to reach out at any time: Holly.Moore@Axios.com.

✅ County commissioners passed a $12.7 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. (Miami Herald)

• It reinstated much of the reductions Mayor Daniella Levine Cava previously announced, which community organizations said would negatively impact vital programming.

🚗 Miami Beach residents registered in the city's Resident Parking Discount Program will have to pay $2 per hour, up from $1, beginning Oct. 1. (Miami New Times)

• In some areas, street parking will jump from $4 to $6 for non-residents. Some llots will increase from $6 to $8.

🌆 Condo sales in August fell by double digits compared to last year. The deadline for new state laws increasing costs for condo owner associations is approaching. (WLRN)

On average, riders travel nearly nine miles to Brightline stations — extending Brightline's reach far beyond the tracks.

The solution: Brightline and Uber Transit's shared mobility partnership allows riders to request Uber rides for the first-mile/last-mile leg of their journey.

Learn more.

Passport renewal is finally joining the 21st Century and going digital, easing the frustrations of travelers previously stuck in a paper-only process.

Why it matters: Passport processing should be faster than the six- to eight-week wait the State Department currently advertises.

State of play: Renewals are currently being processed in one-third the time they were at this point last summer, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Wednesday.

• Increased staffing and technological advancements have helped reduce delays.
• The prior paper-only renewal system was plagued by delays, frustrating travelers.

Keep reading: Requirements for online renewal

Become an Axios Miami member and fuel our mission to make readers smarter and faster on the news unfolding here.

Why it's important: The generosity of our members supports our newsroom as we work on the daily newsletter.

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Thank you for trusting us.

The Dolphins were dealt another blow in yesterday's 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks when backup quarterback Skylar Thompson was ruled out with a chest injury in the third quarter.

• Thompson's injury comes shortly after quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was diagnosed with the third concussion of his career. Thompson was replaced by Tim Boyle, who couldn't muster much offense.

What's next: The Fins will hope to bounce back in primetime next week when the Tennessee Titans visit Miami for Monday Night Football.

Uber partners with transit agencies to improve access to public transportation, including in Florida.

How it's done: Brightline and Uber Transit began a shared mobility partnership that helps tackle the crucial first-mile/last-mile challenge.

Discover the perks of Vouchers API.

🤗 Sommer is excited to meet her Axios colleagues from around the country at our retreat!

🌴 Martin is lobbying his bosses to hold the next Axios Local retreat in Miami, but not in the summer.

This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.