Community News
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 · Key West
Collier County Celebrates Picayune Strand Everglades Completion
A cornerstone Everglades restoration project spanning 55,000 acres in Collier County has reached full completion, restoring natural water flows and revitalizing wetlands. The Picayune Strand Restoration Project marks another victory in Florida's massive Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Officials hailed the milestone as a model of federal-state collaboration.
Florida Bills Slash No-Fault Auto, Shield Homeowners from Roof Hikes
Florida's 2026 insurance reforms repeal the state's no-fault auto system and protect homeowners from coverage denials over old roofs, aiming to curb skyrocketing premiums amid hurricane risks. Effective July 1, new laws mandate fault-based liability for crashes and require human review of AI claim denials. Drivers and residents from Miami to Tampa face a transformed market promising rate relief.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Florida's Heat Wave Eases Slightly Friday After Record-Breaking Thursday
South Florida and Central Florida residents get a brief respite from scorching temperatures Friday, with highs dropping into the upper 80s at the coast and low 90s inland—but forecasters warn the dangerous heat pattern will persist through the weekend. Thursday's near-record temperatures set the stage for what meteorologists are calling one of the hottest stretches of the year so far.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
DeSantis Signs 2026 Farm Bill in Sebring, Boosting Rural Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 290 into law Monday in Sebring, delivering wins for Florida farmers with protections for gas-powered equipment and farmland preservation. The measure bans local bans on gasoline tools, makes the Farmers Feeding Florida program permanent and curbs high-density rural development. Critics decry potential sprawl from related land-use changes.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Monroe County names Neecie Scull to lead housing office
Monroe County names attorney Paunece Scull as director of a new Office of Housing and Real Estate to address workforce housing shortages in the Florida Keys.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Monroe County to Deploy 156 Concrete Reef Modules This Summer
Monroe County deploys 156 concrete reef modules this summer across three Gulf sites, expanding a program that has attracted over 90 marine species to its first completed location.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Key West Asks Residents to Adopt Storm Drains to Reduce Flooding
Key West residents and businesses can now volunteer to monitor and clear storm drains near their homes, helping prevent flooding during the rainy season.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Key West residents volunteer to clear storm drains and reduce flooding
Key West residents can now adopt storm drains in their neighborhoods to help prevent flooding and protect local waterways from pollution during heavy rain.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Key West Unveils 2026-2030 Strategic Plan
Key West presented its 2026-2030 strategic plan Tuesday, mapping priorities for infrastructure, housing, and climate resilience over the next four years.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Key West Asks Residents to Dim Lights During Sea Turtle Nesting Season
Key West residents should dim outdoor lights near beaches through October 31 as sea turtles return to nest. Artificial lighting disorients hatchlings trying to reach the ocean.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Key West Detective Certified to Teach FBI Resiliency Course
Detective Sgt. Jesse Hammers earned FBI certification to teach a resiliency course to Key West Police officers, addressing mental and physical health challenges first responders face.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Key West Opens John Jones Navigation Center
Key West opened the John Jones Navigation Center on College Road, a 150-bed shelter offering services to help unhoused residents reintegrate into the community.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Monroe County Planning Department Updates Comprehensive Plan, Works on Livable CommuniKeys Master Plan
Monroe County's Planning & Environmental Resources Department is updating the Comprehensive Plan and developing the Livable CommuniKeys Master Plan.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Key West Restores 1892 Jail for Museum
Monroe County is restoring Key West's 1892 jail building and converting it into a museum, managed by the Key West Art and Historical Society.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Monroe County Releases 700 Affordable Housing Units Immediately
Monroe County Commissioners released 700 affordable housing units for immediate development, a step toward addressing a persistent shortage across the island chain.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami
Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
DeSantis Rejects Florida Gas Tax Pause Amid $4/Gallon Spike
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot down calls to suspend the state's 25-cent gas tax, warning drivers won't feel relief at pumps hitting $4 a gallon. Despite pleas from Democrats and Palm Beach County leaders, he cited past failures and oil market volatility. As global tensions rise, Florida motorists brace for pain at the pump.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday in Tallahassee, tackling unlicensed drivers, church security and body camera privacy amid rising public safety concerns. Most take effect July 1, joining nearly 60 others passed this year. From stricter traffic penalties to expanded school guardians, the measures aim to bolster security across the Sunshine State.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Florida's Lab-Grown Meat Ban Survives Federal Court Challenge
Nearly two years after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning cultivated meat sales in Florida, a federal appeals court upheld the controversial law as constitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge from California-based Upside Foods, cementing Florida's status as the first state to prohibit lab-grown meat—a move critics say protects the traditional livestock industry rather than consumers.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Florida Launches Mandatory Hurricane Drills Across All 67 Counties
With hurricane season looming just weeks away, Florida's Division of Emergency Management has rolled out mandatory public safety drills statewide to sharpen readiness. The initiative targets all 67 counties, urging residents to stock seven days of supplies and master evacuation protocols. Officials warn that recent storms underscore the need for swift action amid rising threats.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
DeSantis Greenlights UFC, Colleges in Florida's New License Plates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill unleashing eight new specialty license plates, from UFC fighters to South Florida high schools and military academies. Drivers can start pre-ordering Oct. 1, but only if 3,000 vouchers sell in two years. With over 2.3 million special tags already on roads, these could boost scholarships, mental health and more.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026