Good Morning, Key West
Enjoy your morning shot.
Good morning Key West, and welcome to your Morning Bucci!
A semi-irregular morning serving of breaking news, some you might have missed, and articles from around Florida and beyond.
Breaking
Owners of a Flagler Ave. mixed-use building are one step closer to rebuilding after the property sat fallow since burning in September 2022 as Hurricane Ian skirted west of the Island City.
Read more about the Flagler Ave. rebuild »
ICYMI — Budgets & Taxes
The Monroe County School Board approved its $320.65 million 2026 budget, setting the combined millage rate at 2.9470. That translates into a tax increase of $294.70 per $100,000 of assessed property value. The new rate is a 2.9% increase over last year.
View the Monroe County School Board budget details »
As governments continue approving budgets and raising taxes, the threat of losing ad valorem taxes is growing statewide.
Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia has been traveling the state making the case that local governments can afford to lower or eliminate property taxes.
In Focus — Off-duty LEOs
The use of off-duty law enforcement officers for private security is coming into the spotlight, with agencies and policymakers re-examining rules, pay, and oversight. See the latest on off-duty LEO policies »
Around the Web
Cape Cod Bay dead zone: Scientists are tracking oxygen-depleted waters threatening area sealife — similar to the Gulf of Mexico’s long-standing dead zone caused by agricultural runoff. Read about Cape Cod dead zone research »
Florida black bear hunt update: 15 bears spared as the FWC trims hunting tags to 172 after more than 80,000 applications — most from people with no intent to hunt. Read about the FWC bear hunt update »
Hawaiian MPAs under attack: Federal fishing councils and the Trump administration are targeting marine protected areas in Hawaii. Read the story on Hawaiian MPAs »
California airline deal: A California carrier picked up former Silver Airways ATR aircraft at a bargain, but depending on which airframes they received, the deal could quickly turn sour. Read about the airline deal details »