Key Biscayne Independent

We are a nonprofit, self-sufficient community news organization dedicated to holding the government accountable, protecting the Biscayne Bay environment, and celebrating island life.

Local

English

Online/Digital

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#1910252

United States

#472928

News and Media

#12087

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

Trump's new travel ban leaves many distressed in South Florida's immigrant communities

14 hours ago | kbindependent.org | Sergio Bustos

Haitian and Venezuelan community leaders condemned President Donald Trump’s newly announced travel ban policy that will impact hundreds of thousands of South Florida families with ties to both countries. Trump, in a video message released Wednesday, revived a hallmark policy of his first term, announcing that citizens of 12 countries — including Haiti — would be banned from visiting the United States.
Challenges ahead after a record-breaking year for Miami-Dade tourism

4 days ago | kbindependent.org | Tom Hudson

Last year was another record year for tourism in Miami-Dade County. Over 28 millionpeople visited the county in 2024. That represents one in five tourists to Florida who spent some of their trip in Miami-Dade. The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau announced its annual data on Thursday. Tourists from other states increased 2%. The county hosted 4% more international tourists compared to a year earlier. Colombia was the top origin for foreign tourists to Miami-Dade County.
Rescue the K-8? With enrollment falling, Council looks at solutions before it's too late

5 days ago | kbindependent.org | Tony Winton

With enrollment declining and test scores starting to suffer, the Key Biscayne Village Council is looking to come to the rescue of the K-8 Center – the lone public school on the island – once again. An exodus in grades 6, 7, and 8 to get into dedicated seats for Key Biscayne residents in the Cambridge Program at MAST Academy on Virginia Key has created a vicious spiral — one that that has left the K-8 in a crisis, elected leaders say.
FBI responds to "terror attack" in Boulder, Colo.

6 days ago | kbindependent.org | Tony Winton

BOULDER, Colo. — Several people were injured and some may have been set on fire at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, police said. Police said a man was taken into custody in the attack that the FBI immediately described as a “targeted terror attack.”THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS STORYBoulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn told reporters Sunday evening that it was too early to discuss a motive but that witnesses were being interviewed.
Key Biscayne’s tax base rises to $11.6 billion

1 week ago | kbindependent.org | Tony Winton

Key Biscayne’s taxable value, a key number for local budget planners, rose 5.6% from a year ago to a new record high of $11.6 billion, according to the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser. The increase, however, is less than countywide taxable value, which the office estimated to be $511.8 billion, an 8.5% increase. The final numbers will be released on July 1. The increase is also far less than last year’s 10% increase in the island’s tax base.
Everglades scientist ordered to surrender to serve jail term

1 week ago | kbindependent.org | Jenny Staletovich

An Everglades scientist found guilty of contempt of court will surrender in July to serve a 10-day jail sentence, according to a judge’s order issued Thursday. Tom Van Lent was sentenced to time behind bars after the Everglades Foundation accused him of stealing trade secrets three years ago. Van Lent denied stealing protected documents, but a judge found him guilty of criminal contempt after he disobeyed an order to stop deleting information from his computers.
How Trump's tax proposals could hurt lagging Florida’s film industry

1 week ago | kbindependent.org | Wilkine Brutus

President Donald Trump recently floated a controversial idea: a 100% tariff on ‘“any and all movies coming into our country that are produced in foreign lands.” The proposal was quickly played down by the administration, after swift backlash from labor unions, Hollywood groups, and advisors, who warned such a policy would backfire economically by isolating U.S. film and TV productions.
Prosecutors open investigation related to Hope Florida Foundation

2 weeks ago | kbindependent.org | Billy Jean Louis

TALLAHASSEE — Prosecutors have opened an investigation related to the Hope Florida Foundation, the nonprofit behind the welfare program that has been touted as the signature achievement of first lady Casey DeSantis. A public records custodian in the office of Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney Jack Campbell confirmed the existence of “an open, on-going investigation” Tuesday in response to a records request from The Associated Press.
As first Black-led independent republic celebrates Flag Day, Haitians reminisce over country’s lost resources, beauty

3 weeks ago | kbindependent.org | Billy Jean Louis

Growing up in the 1980s, when the island prospered from exporting natural resources like cocoa, cotton, coffee and mangos, Haiti was a haven for locals like Jude Guillaume. “I cry every morning,” said Guillaume, security officer for the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, as he directed traffic around the complex this week. He said that since gangs took over Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital, and started burning houses and killing people, Haiti is no longer the same.
Group to rally Saturday in 13 Florida cities in opposition to proposed statewide bear hunt

3 weeks ago | kbindependent.org | Billy Jean Louis

A group of advocates for wildlife protection are organizing multiple rallies on Saturday across Florida in opposition to a plan to reinstate a trophy hunt for black bears. “The only justification the FWC [Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission] has given for having the hunt is to offer an opportunity for trophy hunters to bag a bear,” the group Bear Defenders said in a statement announcing the protests. “This decision is not rooted in sound science or necessity,” the group said.