Your Morning Bucci — Thurs., July 30, 2026
Key Deer, Key West Elections, First Day of Mini-Season and More!
CFK Trustees Reject Key Deer ‘Freedom Gate’ proposal after Committing Second Possible Violation in a Year
BIG PINE KEY, Fla. — The College of the Florida Keys Board of Trustees declined Tuesday to authorize a proposed wildlife passage for endangered Key deer after discussing the issue, entertaining a motion and disposing of it before opening the floor to public comment, a sequence that critics say raises serious questions about compliance with Florida’s open government requirements for the second time this year.
Who Is Green Point Group?
KEY WEST, Fla. — The most expensive mayoral race in Key West history is being shaped by a Miami political firm almost nobody on the island has heard of — a company with no listed phone number, a one-page website with dead links, no contact info and no about information but a client list that includes two convicted politicians and the campaign arm of Florida’s Senate Republicans.
THE LAW IS CLEAR: How Florida’s Campaign Coordination Statutes Could Unravel the Henriquez-Niles PAC Connection
KEY WEST, Fla. — When Above the Fold revealed Monday that Mayor Danise Henriquez’s re-election campaign and the shadow PAC controlled by former businessman and avid Conch athletic supporter Jack Niles both paid the same Miami political consulting firm more than $61,000 combined, the story documented a financial relationship that had never been publicly disclosed.
Islands of Islamorada Resort Sells for $38.4M — Nearly Half Its 2024 Price
ISLAMORADA, Fla. — A luxury Upper Keys resort has changed hands for $38.4 million — a little more than half what it fetched two years ago — in a deal that expands Miami developer Mast Capital’s growing Florida Keys hospitality portfolio.
Shadow PAC and Mayor’s Campaign Exposed Paying Same Miami Political Firm; Walsh Hotel Empire Pumps $15,000 Into Niles Operation.
Ed. Note: This content is not affiliated with, authorized by, endorsed by or produced on behalf of any candidate, campaign or political committee in Monroe County.
MIAMI HERALD: Haitian TPS Still in Effect Two Days Past ‘Expiration’ — But End Is Days Away
Judge Ana Reyes’ injunction stands until she receives the Supreme Court’s mandate, which was sent Monday to the D.C. Circuit; the Herald reports work permits have already expired and the formal end is likely this week. Key West immigration attorney Wayne Dapser says employers face no liability for retaining TPS workers until the stay is publicly lifted — a concrete local follow to your TPS coverage.
Mini-Season Day One: Divers Limiting Out Fast; Marathon Shut Its Ramps to Outsiders
The Herald reports anglers limiting out quickly on day one; season ends midnight Thursday, regular season opens Aug. 6.
KEYS WEEKLY
County Redraws Jury Districts to Cut Residents’ Courthouse Drives
BOCC approved shifting Big Pine and No Name Key (Precincts 16-17) into the Middle Keys district — Marathon courthouse, roughly 19 miles instead of 30 to Key West — and Craig Key through Windley Key (Precinct 24) to Plantation Key. County Attorney Bob Shillinger: “These updates simply make more sense for our residents.” Source: Keys Weekly
Key West Raises $30k for Cops Who Lost Home & Pets in Fire
Rick’s & Dirty Harry’s entertainment complex joined forces with Irish Kevin’s, Tiki House, Fogarty’s and the Bull & Whistle to organize a block party fundraiser known as Duval Donates. The group invited the Key West Police Department’s Love Fund to participate as the nonprofit charitable partner that could receive donated funds and pass them directly to Mike and Tiffany Pettee, said Daylin Sparks, general manager of Irish Kevin’s, who was instrumental in the event coordination. Source: Keys Weekly