Your Morning Bucci — Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026
Callate la boca
Well, there is this. This is the nastiest election I can recall, but we will get to that in the next couple days.
Above the Fold — Lead Coverage
Key Deer Safely Relocated from College of the Florida Keys Property
BIG PINE KEY, Fla. — Key deer believed to be the last remaining on a College of the Florida Keys (CFK) property have been safely relocated to nearby open habitat, the college announced this week, completing a monthslong collaborative effort with federal and state wildlife agencies. But at least one wildlife advocacy group is questioning the relocation method used.
FOLLOW THE MONEY: Special Interests Back an Establishment Ballot
Ed. Note: The information in this report is sourced entirely from public records available through the Key West City Clerk’s Campaign Finance Portal and the Florida Department of Elections. Those resources are available at the end of the story. Analysis of down-ballot races is ongoing, and this story will be updated as new data becomes available.
Key West’s establishment ballot and the money behind it: Above the Fold’s investigation traces campaign contributions, PAC spending and business relationships supporting Danise Henriquez, Juan Llera, Mark Rossi and Greg Sullivan. Read the investigation
Henriquez campaign and Niles PAC share Miami consultant: Campaign reports show Henriquez paid Green Point Group $43,747.96, while Families & Friends for the Keys paid the same firm $17,394.86. Read the investigation
Spottswood company gives shadow PAC $15,000: Spottswood Management made the largest single contribution reported by the Jack Niles-controlled Families & Friends for the Keys. Read the report
Florida Keys and Monroe County
Key deer removed from disputed CFK property: The remaining endangered Key deer were safely removed from the College of the Florida Keys’ fenced Big Pine Key property following months of controversy over their confinement and access to surrounding habitat. Keys Weekly
Suspected cocaine and marijuana wash ashore: Mariners recovered a suspected kilogram of cocaine near Mile Marker 34 and suspected marijuana roughly 14 miles off Ramrod Key on Aug. 4. Both packages were turned over to the Border Patrol. Keys Weekly
Missing Keys boater found in the Everglades: A boater reported missing in the Florida Keys was located in the Everglades, according to the Miami Herald’s Keys coverage. Miami Herald
Tax collector closing Searstown driver-license office: The Searstown location closes after Aug. 7. Driver-license services are expected to begin at the renovated Harvey Government Center office at noon Aug. 13. Tax Collector Sam Steele estimates the consolidation will save about $136,000 annually. Keys Weekly
MCSO jail operations reaccredited: The American Correctional Association renewed accreditation for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections following its standards review. Keys Weekly
Waterfront Playhouse announces its 88th season: The Key West theater’s 2026-27 schedule includes “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “Come From Away” and “Dial M for Murder.” Keys Weekly
Womenfest returning Sept. 2-6: This year’s Key West celebration is themed “Lost Women in the Arts” and includes music, gallery events, tours, parties and water activities. Keys Weekly
Floriduh Lost — Statewide Dispatch
Python hunter removes 96 snakes: Tom Rahill won the 2026 Florida Python Challenge and its $10,000 grand prize after removing 96 Burmese pythons. The 907 competitors removed 280 snakes in 10 days; the longest measured 16 feet, 5 inches. The Guardian
Regular spiny-lobster season opens: Florida’s regular recreational and commercial season begins Aug. 6 and continues through March 31, 2027. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
FWC weighs land-use and wildlife issues: The commission’s Aug. 5 meeting included a presentation on incorporating wildlife surveys, habitat considerations and conservation planning into public and private development. FWC meeting materials
Hillsborough moves toward AI data-center moratorium: County commissioners unanimously directed staff to prepare a temporary moratorium while officials develop land-use regulations for power- and water-intensive data centers. Florida Politics
Apalachicola recreational oyster permits open: FWC is accepting applications for permits allowing limited recreational wild-oyster harvest during the October 2026 season. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Wildlife photo contest draws more than 1,000 entries: The Florida Wildlife Federation’s 2026 “Wild Florida’s Legacy” contest has closed; winners remain to be announced. Florida Wildlife Federation
