Axios has taken off in the 954 and veteran journalist Naomi Feinstein (left) is driving it.
Courtesy Naomi Feinstein
There's a new name in Broward's local news scene, and the journalist behind it has some serious South Florida credentials.
Axios Fort Lauderdale and Axios Hollywood launched in late June, with Plantation native Naomi Feinstein serving as reporter for both newsletters and their respective sites. For Feinstein, whose résumé includes four years as a Miami New Times staff writer and a master's degree from Columbia University's journalism school, the assignment is a homecoming of sorts.
Her journalism obsession started early. As an elementary school student, she'd read the Miami Herald's sports section every morning before class. Years later, a college professor encouraged her to pursue writing, and she eventually became managing editor of the University of Miami's student newspaper, The Miami Hurricane.
Her New Times years delivered some unforgettable assignments, including covering Donald Trump's federal classified-documents arraignment and investigating alleged art fraud at a Coconut Grove gallery.
"I find out that they're raiding his gallery in Coconut Grove, and then he was arrested," Feinstein in a chat with Browadist, recalled of the latter investigation. "It was very cool to see I was able to report on something that FBI simultaneously was reporting on unbeknownst to me."
Now, she's bringing that curiosity to Broward through Axios, a national media company with a growing network of local newsrooms. "I want to serve my readers with the essential news that they need to know," she said.
The newsletters are free, with Fort Lauderdale editions arriving Mondays and Wednesdays and Hollywood editions landing Tuesdays and Thursdays. Coverage ranges from city commission decisions and development projects to restaurant openings, events and neighborhood happenings.
"Looking at Hollywood specifically, I think people are so happy to hear that they have their own reporter dedicated to them because it's kind of unheard of now," she said. Development coverage has resonated particularly strongly, including Hollywood's changing beachfront and downtown, as well as government decisions shaping both cities.
Looking ahead, Feinstein hopes to expand readership and engagement, potentially building on Axios' growing South Florida presence.
When she's off deadline, she's a matcha enthusiast who frequents Alma, loves Little Japan in Davie for sushi and still swears by LaSpada's subs, a favorite since childhood.
As for Broward's future?
"I think it's just a really exciting time for Broward," Feinstein said. “I know there's a lot of change and change can be scary sometimes ... but I think there's really cool, unique opportunities that are popping up everywhere.”
