ATLANTA — A federal appeals court panel on Thursday put on hold a lower court judge’s order to wind down operations of the immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.”The three-judge panel in Atlanta decided by a 2-1 vote to stay the federal judge’s order pending the outcome of an appeal, saying […] The post Appeals court allows Alligator Alcatraz to keep running appeared first on Key Biscayne Independent.| Key Biscayne Independent
Miami ranks among the metro areas with the lowest percentage of homeowners in Florida and the nation, according to a new report from the real estate brokerage Redfin. Less than 58% of Miami metro area households are homeowners, the report found. Los Angeles had the lowest percentage at 46.4%, followed by New York (49.4%) and San […] The post Miami ranks among nation’s lowest in homeownership rate, reports Redfin appeared first on Key Biscayne Independent.| Key Biscayne Independent
Driven by a massive outlay of $66 million in capital projects, Key Biscayne Manager Steve Williamson finalized his 2026 budget request Wednesday with a plan that would spend $111 million, setting the stage for complex and costly “Big Dig” stormwater and underground utility construction to start next year. The budget would increase property taxes by […] The post Manager’s budget ask: $111 million with 3.8% tax increase appeared first on Key Biscayne Independent.| Key Biscayne Independent
Key Biscayne doctors reacted with shock and alarm Wednesday to a plan by Gov. Ron DeSantis to phase out all vaccine requirements that would affect millions of school children if adopted. “It’s freedom to spread falsehood and get away with it. Demonized science for personal political gain,” said Dr. Hamid Keshvari Rasti, a board-certified internist […] The post KB doctors slam DeSantis plan to end vaccine requirements for school children appeared first on Key Biscayne Independent.| Key Biscayne Independent
Edwin Muhammad, founder of HEAL Innovators in Miami, expressed that he had no idea what to expect from a networking event at Historic Virginia Beach Park. “I was going to take a business day out to come to this and maybe fall behind,” Muhammad said. “But it turned out to be completely what I needed, […] The post Network on the beach? Miami wants Black businesses to connect appeared first on Key Biscayne Independent.| Key Biscayne Independent
With Labor Day behind us, the unofficial summer vacation season is over — and it was a marked by a continued drop in airline passengers at two of the area’s three airports. While Florida continues experiencing record tourism, some visitor data for South Florida has been slowing after seeing record numbers in the years immediately […] The post Tourism: Is South Florida’s shine dimming? appeared first on Key Biscayne Independent.| Key Biscayne Independent
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — They look, move and even smell like the kind of furry Everglades marsh rabbit a Burmese python would love to eat. But these bunnies are robots meant to lure the giant invasive snakes out of their hiding spots. It’s the latest effort by the South Florida Water Management District to eliminate […] The post Robot rabbits the latest tool in Florida’s battle to control invasive Burmese pythons in Everglades appeared first on Key Biscayne Independent.| Key Biscayne Independent
Share articleAs overcrowding at Florida’s largest immigrant detention center ballooned this year, the emergency calls flooded in. “I got a gentleman here, new arrival detainee, he’s complaining of chest pains.” “We have a detainee having a seizure.” “We got a new arrival detainee here that’s complaining of lightheadedness.” Krome Processing Center’s average daily population has […]| Key Biscayne Independent
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. has carried out a strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug-carrying vessel that departed from Venezuela. The president offered scant details on the operation. “When you leave the room, you’ll see that we just, over the last few minutes, literally, shot a boat — […] The post Trump says US has carried out strike against drug-carrying vessel that departed from Venezuela appeared first on Key Biscayne Independent.| Key Biscayne Independent
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava says she doesn’t foresee any change in plans for big toll increases on the Rickenbacker Causeway — but also says air rescue services won’t be impacted by a budget line shift that has drawn some criticism from fire union officials. Key Biscayne depends on helicopters for emergencies, especially in cases […] The post Mayor defends 200% increase in Rickenbacker tolls; sees no changes to air rescue service appeared first on Key Biscayne Independent.| Key Biscayne Independent
Share articleCORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Miami’s new faces made quick first impressions. At this time last year, Miami quarterback Carson Beck was at Georgia. Wide receiver CJ Daniels — he of the spectacular one-handed grab for a touchdown — was at LSU. Running back Marty Brown was at North Dakota State, game-winning-kicker Carter Davis was at Florida Atlantic […]| Key Biscayne Independent
Surrounded by leaders of many of South Florida’s unions, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said organized labor was the backbone of the South Florida economy, and praised worker groups for being part of a coalition standing up to growing challenges to American democracy. “We need to stand together, even taller, she said. “This is not […]| Key Biscayne Independent
Share articleThe derelict Miami Marine Stadium was on the cover of GQ magazine this month, showing football star Travis Kelce soaring over the water in a jet pack. In the background of the shoot, the graffiti from decades of abandonment looms large. But Marine Stadium might not be abandoned for much longer. The City of […]| Key Biscayne Independent
Share articleZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (AP) — Seen from the air, a Florida freshwater spring is a bit of liquid heaven, luring humans and wildlife to enjoy its aquamarine cool. With at least 1,000 of them — more than any other state — the springs serve as beaches for large swaths of central and northwestern Florida far […]| Key Biscayne Independent
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida could be on the hook for $218 million the state spent to convert a remote training airport in the Everglades into an immigration detention center dubbed “ Alligator Alcatraz.” The center may soon be completely empty as a judge upheld her decision late Wednesday ordering operations to wind down indefinitely. Shutting down the facility for the […]| Key Biscayne Independent
Share articlePresident Trump’s immigration crackdown and its effect on Key Biscayne flared up in a series of emails this summer between Council Member Nancy Stoner and Village Manager Steve Williamson, messages so intense that at one point, Stoner said the manager’s conduct raised a “red flag about transparency.” The issue? Whether Key Biscayne police should […]| Key Biscayne Independent
Share articleThe Village of Key Biscayne has suspended its media policy that prohibited employees from speaking to journalists without prior approval or face disciplinary action. Village spokeswoman Jessica Drouet confirmed Friday the policy had been suspended but declined to elaborate. The suspension came amid the Key Biscayne Independent’s ongoing federal lawsuit challenging the policy on […]| Key Biscayne Independent
Share articleOn Tuesday, we filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Village of Key Biscayne and its manager, Steve Williamson, demanding an end to a new “media policy” directed at contact with journalists. The policy prohibits village employees from “communicat[ing] in any manner with any media entity without the approval of the Village Manager and/or […]| Key Biscayne Independent
