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kbindependent.org
Key Biscayne Independent
@kbindependent.org
Nonprofit news for Key Biscayne and vicinity, focused on quality hyperlocal journalism. Member INN and Associated Press. Founded 2020.
https://kbindependent.org
A publication of Miami Fourth Estate, Inc.
"Facts are stubborn things" - John Adams
Bad Bunny wins album of the year at the 2025 Latin Grammys, capping an electric night

It should come as a shock to no one: The 2025 Latin Grammy Awards were all about Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican superstar won album of the year for his landmark release “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” After thanking his…
Bad Bunny wins album of the year at the 2025 Latin Grammys, capping an electric night
It should come as a shock to no one: The 2025 Latin Grammy Awards were all about Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican superstar won album of the year for his landmark release “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” After thanking his family and all those who worked on the album, he ended his speech with “Puerto Rico, I love you, thank you.”
kbindependent.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Affordability, transit, corruption: Miami mayoral candidates talk biggest challenges at forum

Affordability, transit woes, flooded streets, and corruption in City Hall. The two remaining candidates for the City of Miami mayoral race traded insights into how they would tackle some of the city’s…
Affordability, transit, corruption: Miami mayoral candidates talk biggest challenges at forum
Affordability, transit woes, flooded streets, and corruption in City Hall. The two remaining candidates for the City of Miami mayoral race traded insights into how they would tackle some of the city’s most pressing problems in a forum organized by the League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade on Wednesday night in Little Havana. Candidate Eileen Higgins took the largest share of votes in the Nov.
kbindependent.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Podcast: Mayor apologizes for Nature Center eviction threat – but still insists on more revenue

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Thursday a controversial letter directing the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center to vacate its Crandon Park facility was "automatically generated"…
Podcast: Mayor apologizes for Nature Center eviction threat – but still insists on more revenue
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Thursday a controversial letter directing the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center to vacate its Crandon Park facility was "automatically generated" amid a budget crisis, and she regrets the threatening language used. Appearing on the "Anti-Social" podcast with Tony Winton and Jan Dillow, Levine Cava sought to calm community outrage over the directive, stating the County is not closing the center and is actively seeking a new contract.
kbindependent.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:16 PM
End of an era: De la Cruz sells waterfront home for $23.5 million

The New York Times in 2005 called it the most sought-after invitation at Art Basel Miami. The location? the Key Biscayne home of Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz – a waterfront mansion that the couple had transformed into a lived-in…
End of an era: De la Cruz sells waterfront home for $23.5 million
The New York Times in 2005 called it the most sought-after invitation at Art Basel Miami. The location? the Key Biscayne home of Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz – a waterfront mansion that the couple had transformed into a lived-in museum. It’s the end of an era as Carlos de la Cruz sold his waterfront home at 5 Harbor Pt.
kbindependent.org
November 13, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Former Brickell Bay condo manager charged in $140K ‘ghost employee” scheme.

A former property manager for The Club at Brickell Bay condominium is facing felony fraud charges after allegedly orchestrating a multi-year “ghost employee” scheme that defrauded the building’s association of more than…
Former Brickell Bay condo manager charged in $140K ‘ghost employee” scheme.
A former property manager for The Club at Brickell Bay condominium is facing felony fraud charges after allegedly orchestrating a multi-year “ghost employee” scheme that defrauded the building’s association of more than $140,000. Yissely Herrouet, 37, served as the property manager between 2016 and 2023 for the condominium at 1200 Brickell Bay Drive in Miami. She worked for FirstService Residential Florida, one of the largest property management companies in the nation.
kbindependent.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:44 PM
President Trump signs funding bill, ending 43-day govt shutdown

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill Wednesday night, ending a record 43-day shutdown that caused financial stress for federal workers who went without paychecks, stranded scores of travelers at…
President Trump signs funding bill, ending 43-day govt shutdown
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill Wednesday night, ending a record 43-day shutdown that caused financial stress for federal workers who went without paychecks, stranded scores of travelers at airports and generated long lines at some food banks. The shutdown magnified partisan divisions in Washington as Trump took unprecedented unilateral actions — including canceling projects and trying to fire federal workers — to pressure Democrats into relenting on their demands.
kbindependent.org
November 13, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Stormwater drama: Key Biscayne manager says he won’t be disrespected by council member

Insults and hurt feelings overshadowed a midday meeting about the Big Dig on Wednesday. Key Biscayne Village Manager Steve Williamson said he would not have his professional reputation impugned by Council Member…
Stormwater drama: Key Biscayne manager says he won’t be disrespected by council member
Insults and hurt feelings overshadowed a midday meeting about the Big Dig on Wednesday. Key Biscayne Village Manager Steve Williamson said he would not have his professional reputation impugned by Council Member Ed London, who said the manager had “hoodwinked” the Council on Big Dig expenditures. The word hoodwink” means “to deceive by false appearance.” “What you just said was very disrespectful,” Williamson said.
kbindependent.org
November 12, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Dolphins look to build on ‘complete’ win against Bills when they face the Commanders

MADRID — The Dolphins arrived in Madrid for their game against the Washington Commanders looking to keep the momentum going from Miami's upset of the Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins (3-7) beat the Bills 30-13 last…
Dolphins look to build on ‘complete’ win against Bills when they face the Commanders
MADRID — The Dolphins arrived in Madrid for their game against the Washington Commanders looking to keep the momentum going from Miami's upset of the Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins (3-7) beat the Bills 30-13 last week in one of their best games during a disappointing season. Coach Mike McDaniel wants more of the same for Sunday's game in the Spanish capital, and sees his players' confidence boosted by the performance last week.
kbindependent.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Frank Carollo dodges lifetime term limit lawsuit, cleared to run for Miami commission

Miami voters are in for another confusing election cycle next month, following a court ruling Wednesday morning. Under a recently passed ballot referendum, Frank Carollo, a former two-term commissioner for the…
Frank Carollo dodges lifetime term limit lawsuit, cleared to run for Miami commission
Miami voters are in for another confusing election cycle next month, following a court ruling Wednesday morning. Under a recently passed ballot referendum, Frank Carollo, a former two-term commissioner for the city's District 3, should not be able to run for office again. The referendum, which passed with outsized voter support, says no elected official who has served two terms as either mayor or commissioner can hold elected office in the city again.
kbindependent.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Epstein email says Trump ‘knew about the girls’

The sex-offending financier Jeffrey Epstein wrote in a 2019 email to a journalist that Donald Trump “knew about the girls," according to communications released Wednesday, but the White House quickly accused Democrats of selectively leaking the…
Epstein email says Trump ‘knew about the girls’
The sex-offending financier Jeffrey Epstein wrote in a 2019 email to a journalist that Donald Trump “knew about the girls," according to communications released Wednesday, but the White House quickly accused Democrats of selectively leaking the emails to smear the president. The emails made public by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee also include one that Epstein wrote in 2011 in which he said Trump had “spent hours” at Epstein’s house with a victim of sex trafficking.
kbindependent.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Death toll from Hurricane Melissa rises to 45 in Jamaica

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The number of confirmed deaths from Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica rose to 45, with 15 other people missing, authorities said Tuesday. The death toll is expected to rise, with officials still trying to reach two towns…
Death toll from Hurricane Melissa rises to 45 in Jamaica
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The number of confirmed deaths from Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica rose to 45, with 15 other people missing, authorities said Tuesday. The death toll is expected to rise, with officials still trying to reach two towns that remain cut off since the catastrophic Category 5 storm made landfall in western Jamaica on Oct. 28. Helicopters have been dropping food and other basic supplies in those two communities, said Alvin Gayle, director general of Jamaica's emergency management office.
kbindependent.org
November 11, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Miami-Dade pauses eviction of Biscayne Nature Center for 45 days. Nonprofit rejects it.

Miami-Dade County paused the eviction of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center from its Crandon Park facility for 45 days, an effort Mayor Daniella Levine Cava says is to negotiate a path forward…
Miami-Dade pauses eviction of Biscayne Nature Center for 45 days. Nonprofit rejects it.
Miami-Dade County paused the eviction of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center from its Crandon Park facility for 45 days, an effort Mayor Daniella Levine Cava says is to negotiate a path forward with the non-profit. But the center’s executive director, Theodora Long, said the County’s offer, made Nov. 7, is not evidence of acting in good faith. “We've been in the park for 40 years.
kbindependent.org
November 11, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Temperature takes huge plunge in Key Biscayne, but warming trend forecast

A few minutes before sunrise, the ‘feels-like’ temperature in Key Biscayne was 35 degrees, and if you were like many, you had a good reason to stay under the covers.  Schools were closed for the Veterans Day holiday, but…
Temperature takes huge plunge in Key Biscayne, but warming trend forecast
A few minutes before sunrise, the ‘feels-like’ temperature in Key Biscayne was 35 degrees, and if you were like many, you had a good reason to stay under the covers.  Schools were closed for the Veterans Day holiday, but those who were outside -- joggers, delivery persons, and dogwalkers, were bundling up with hoodies, jackets, and gloves. The 50.9 degree temperature didn’t set an all-time Miami record, but it’s the lowest in the 32-year record of instruments placed at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School on Virginia Key.
kbindependent.org
November 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The justices, without comment, turned away an appeal from Kim Davis, the former…
Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The justices, without comment, turned away an appeal from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the high court's 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. Davis had been trying to get the court to overturn a lower-court order for her to pay $360,000 in damages and attorney's fees to a couple denied a marriage license.
kbindependent.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Riled in the aisles? Winn-Dixie revamps shelving in Key Biscayne, confusing some – but likely based on science of shopping

Looking for spaghetti at the Winn-Dixie? It’s no longer where it used to be. Neither are the pickles, nuts, or juices, all of which are in very different locations at the Key…
Riled in the aisles? Winn-Dixie revamps shelving in Key Biscayne, confusing some – but likely based on science of shopping
Looking for spaghetti at the Winn-Dixie? It’s no longer where it used to be. Neither are the pickles, nuts, or juices, all of which are in very different locations at the Key Biscayne Winn-Dixie. The sweeping change late last month at the island’s only supermarket has -- temporarily at least -- sent shoppers going backward and forward as they search for staples like ketchup, mayonnaise and salad dressing.
kbindependent.org
November 10, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Upset: Dolphins over Bills, 30-13

Tua Tagovailoa had only beaten Buffalo once in his career before Sunday. Several other Miami Dolphins players had never won a game against the Bills. After the Dolphins beat Buffalo 30-13 to snap a seven-game losing streak against their division rivals, Tagovailoa…
Upset: Dolphins over Bills, 30-13
Tua Tagovailoa had only beaten Buffalo once in his career before Sunday. Several other Miami Dolphins players had never won a game against the Bills. After the Dolphins beat Buffalo 30-13 to snap a seven-game losing streak against their division rivals, Tagovailoa could tell how much the win meant to his team. "Every time you can get a win in the NFL, that's special," he said.
kbindependent.org
November 10, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Great Lakes tragedy: 50th anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald sinking

MARQUETTE, Mich. — Spend enough time along the shores of Lake Superior and it won't be long before there's some reminder of what happened "when the gales of November came early." Monday marks the 50th anniversary of the wreck of…
Great Lakes tragedy: 50th anniversary of Edmund Fitzgerald sinking
MARQUETTE, Mich. — Spend enough time along the shores of Lake Superior and it won't be long before there's some reminder of what happened "when the gales of November came early." Monday marks the 50th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the largest and most famous of the estimated 6,500 ships that have gone down in the Great Lakes.
kbindependent.org
November 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Senate moves toward ending government shutdown

WASHINGTON — The Senate took the first step to end the government shutdown on Sunday after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who say Americans want…
Senate moves toward ending government shutdown
WASHINGTON — The Senate took the first step to end the government shutdown on Sunday after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of health care subsidies, angering many in their caucus who say Americans want them to continue the fight. In a test vote that is the first in a series of required procedural maneuvers, the Senate voted 60-40 to move toward passing compromise legislation to fund the government and hold a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire Jan.
kbindependent.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Carson Beck catches a TD pass, tops 10,000-yard milestone as No. 18 Miami rolls past Syracuse 38-10

Quarterback Carson Beck caught a touchdown pass. Offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa turned a backward pass into a rushing score. And Miami went deep into the depth chart to overcome some injuries.…
Carson Beck catches a TD pass, tops 10,000-yard milestone as No. 18 Miami rolls past Syracuse 38-10
Quarterback Carson Beck caught a touchdown pass. Offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa turned a backward pass into a rushing score. And Miami went deep into the depth chart to overcome some injuries. The first step of getting back into the College Football Playoff chase is complete for the Hurricanes. Beck eclipsed the 10,000-yard passing mark for his college career, Miami's defense recorded six sacks and the 18th-ranked Hurricanes used some tricks to roll to a 38-10 win over Syracuse on Saturday.
kbindependent.org
November 9, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Messi leads Inter Miami to East semifinals with 2-goal, 2-assist showing in 4-0 win over Nashville

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are three wins away from an MLS Cup title. Messi scored a pair of first-half goals and added two assists, leading the way as third-seeded Inter Miami ousted sixth-seeded…
Messi leads Inter Miami to East semifinals with 2-goal, 2-assist showing in 4-0 win over Nashville
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are three wins away from an MLS Cup title. Messi scored a pair of first-half goals and added two assists, leading the way as third-seeded Inter Miami ousted sixth-seeded Nashville SC 4-0 on Saturday night in the decisive Game 3 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. Tadeo Allende scored a pair of goals about three minutes apart — both set up by Messi — in the second half to blow the game open for Inter Miami, which outscored Nashville 8-3 in the series.
kbindependent.org
November 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
PODCAST: Miami media vets urge GOP reps to denounce ICE tactics

Two of Miami’s most recognizable former broadcast journalists are part of a new public awareness campaign demanding local Republican congressional members denounce federal immigration raids, calling the tactics "authoritarian" and…
PODCAST: Miami media vets urge GOP reps to denounce ICE tactics
Two of Miami’s most recognizable former broadcast journalists are part of a new public awareness campaign demanding local Republican congressional members denounce federal immigration raids, calling the tactics "authoritarian" and immoral. Michael Putney, the longtime political reporter for WPLG-Channel 10, and Leticia Callava, a former anchor for Univision, are speaking out in the "Keep Them Honest" campaign. The effort, funded by businessman Mike Fernandez, specifically seeks action on immigration from GOP Reps.
kbindependent.org
November 9, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Heat and Humidity challenge runners at 48th annual Key Biscayne Lighthouse Run

Every weekend since February, Oliver Blanco drove 40 minutes from Hollywood to go running at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. He found out about the Key Biscayne Lighthouse Run and signed up on a whim.  On Saturday,…
Heat and Humidity challenge runners at 48th annual Key Biscayne Lighthouse Run
Every weekend since February, Oliver Blanco drove 40 minutes from Hollywood to go running at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. He found out about the Key Biscayne Lighthouse Run and signed up on a whim.  On Saturday, the 23-year-old found himself on the winner’s podium smiling from ear to ear as organizer Marco Gomez handed him his second-place medal for the 20-24 male age group in the 10K. 
kbindependent.org
November 8, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra grateful for support after fire destroys home

Flanked by his three children, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra spoke publicly Friday for the first time since fire burned down his residence and expressed appreciation for what he described as “absolutely remarkable” support…
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra grateful for support after fire destroys home
Flanked by his three children, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra spoke publicly Friday for the first time since fire burned down his residence and expressed appreciation for what he described as “absolutely remarkable” support in the aftermath. Spoelstra's home was destroyed by a blaze that broke out sometime around 4:30 a.m. Thursday. His children, Santiago, Dante and Ruby were at their mother's home at the time and nobody was injured in the blaze.
kbindependent.org
November 8, 2025 at 7:38 PM
More than 1k runners to trek through Key Biscayne in  Lighthouse Run Saturday

When asked how it feels to shoot the cannon to start the Key Biscayne Lighthouse Run, Melissa White chuckles and says, “Amazing.” White, executive director of the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, is just one force…
More than 1k runners to trek through Key Biscayne in  Lighthouse Run Saturday
When asked how it feels to shoot the cannon to start the Key Biscayne Lighthouse Run, Melissa White chuckles and says, “Amazing.” White, executive director of the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, is just one force behind what many islanders see as a signature event. Race organizer Marco Gomez says making the 5K and 10K runs possible is a small army. This is the 48th year.
kbindependent.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Flight cancellations accelerate as airlines comply with FAA shutdown order

U.S. airlines began canceling hundreds of flights Thursday due to the Federal Aviation Administration's order to reduce traffic at the country's busiest airports starting Friday because of the government shutdown. Close to…
Flight cancellations accelerate as airlines comply with FAA shutdown order
U.S. airlines began canceling hundreds of flights Thursday due to the Federal Aviation Administration's order to reduce traffic at the country's busiest airports starting Friday because of the government shutdown. Close to 500 flights scheduled for Friday were already cut nationwide, and the number of cancellations climbed steadily throughout Thursday afternoon, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions. …
kbindependent.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:35 PM