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 Adamshttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mleayfwsku2gFour people convicted of conspiracy in US trial tied to 2021 assassination of Haiti’s president  MIAMI — A Florida jury on Friday convicted four men of conspiracy in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. South Florida served as a central location for planning and financing the… https://kbindependent.org/2026/05/08/four-people-convicted-of-conspiracy-in-us-trial-tied-to-2021-assassination-of-haitis-president/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social08 May 2026 17:29 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mleayfwsku2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mlcah2lyip2hJournalism excellence: WLRN/Miami Herald Brightline series wins IRE award, Pulitzer Prize finalist Investigative Reporters & Editors, the nation’s most prominent investigative journalism organization, announced Wednesday that a joint investigation by WLRN and the Miami Herald into the systemic… https://kbindependent.org/2026/05/07/journalism-excellence-wlrn-miami-herald-brightline-series-wins-ire-award-pulitzer-prize-finalist/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social07 May 2026 22:14 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlcah2lyip2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mlc7v46jms2iNew York Times: Florida officials are in talks to shut down Alligator Alcatraz  The fate of the Everglades immigrant detention center, Alligator Alcatraz, is up in the air. According to the New York Times, Florida officials are in preliminary conversations with the Trump administration to shut… https://kbindependent.org/2026/05/07/new-york-times-florida-officials-are-in-talks-to-shut-down-alligator-alcatraz/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social07 May 2026 22:04 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlc7v46jms2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3ml6lijro3322Inside the cruise ship at the center of a rare hantavirus outbreak  PRAIA, Cape Verde — Footage obtained by The Associated Press of a cruise ship at the center of a rare-virus outbreak shows deserted decks and gathering areas, medical teams in protective gear, and a still landscape ahead as the… https://kbindependent.org/2026/05/06/inside-the-cruise-ship-at-the-center-of-a-rare-hantavirus-outbreak/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social06 May 2026 11:21 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml6lijro3322https://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3ml6krekeer25Trump to host Brazilian president for talks on economy and security, White House official says  WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will host Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Thursday for talks about shared economic and security issues, a White House official said, speaking on… https://kbindependent.org/2026/05/06/trump-to-host-brazilian-president-for-talks-on-economy-and-security-white-house-official-says/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social06 May 2026 11:08 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml6krekeer25https://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mkzqi4g35i2gGuyana and Venezuela return to UN court to settle historic dispute over valuable border region  THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Guyana told the United Nations’ highest court on Monday that 70% of its territory is at stake in a historic border dispute with Venezuela over a swath of jungle that is rich in… https://kbindependent.org/2026/05/04/guyana-and-venezuela-return-to-un-court-to-settle-historic-dispute-over-valuable-border-region/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social04 May 2026 13:07 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkzqi4g35i2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mkukvt5oft25Spirit Airlines says it’s going out of business after 34 years and is ending operations immediately  WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Spirit Airlines, an impish upstart that shook the industry with its irreverent ads and deep discount fares, announced Saturday that it has gone out of business after 34… https://kbindependent.org/2026/05/02/spirit-airlines-says-its-going-out-of-business-after-34-years-and-is-ending-operations-immediately/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social02 May 2026 11:44 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkukvt5oft25https://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mkujhep3o62iUS to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany in next 6-12 months, fulfilling Trump’s threat  WASHINGTON — The United States will withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany in the next six to 12 months, the Pentagon said Friday, fulfilling President Donald Trump's threat as he clashes with the German… https://kbindependent.org/2026/05/02/us-to-withdraw-5000-troops-from-germany-in-next-6-12-months-fulfilling-trumps-threat/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social02 May 2026 11:18 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkujhep3o62ihttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mkslrbdj7m2qFormer Miami Congressman David Rivera convicted in secret Venezuela lobbying case  MIAMI — A former Miami congressman and longtime friend of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was convicted Friday in connection with a secret $50 million lobbying campaign on behalf of Venezuela during the first… https://kbindependent.org/2026/05/01/former-miami-congressman-david-rivera-is-convicted-in-a-secret-venezuela-lobbying-case/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social01 May 2026 16:54 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkslrbdj7m2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mknzaqrar32hFlorida legislature approves new congressional map intended to boost Republicans in midterms  TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Legislature approved a new congressional map intended to maximize Republicans’ advantage in the state as part of the national redistricting battle that President Donald… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/29/florida-legislature-approves-new-congressional-map-intended-to-boost-republicans-in-midterms/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social29 Apr 2026 21:12 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknzaqrar32hhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mkjcn53dnr2iDemocrats denounce new Florida district map WASHINGTON  — If you closed your eyes at the U.S. Capitol, you might think you had suddenly been transported to the state Capitol in Tallahassee.  Democrats on Capitol Hill erupted in anger on Monday as details of a new Congressional district map for… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/27/democrats-denounce-new-florida-district-map/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social28 Apr 2026 00:16 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkjcn53dnr2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mkhxcg7beu2kElderly Cubans left to fend for themselves as crisis deepens HAVANA — On a recent afternoon, a group of elderly residents slipped through the wooden doors of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Old Havana and gathered for a modest meal of ground meat, rice, red beans and crackers topped with… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/27/elderly-cubans-left-to-fend-for-themselves-as-crisis-deepens/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social27 Apr 2026 11:21 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkhxcg7beu2khttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mkhwwqwz3p2bLight pollution threatens unique astronomy site in Peru THE ATACAMA DESERT, Chile — It takes a moment for the eyes to adjust. A faint spark appears in the darkness; then another, brighter one. Soon, stars, planets and entire constellations emerge. Before long, a whole galaxy stretches across the… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/27/light-pollution-threatens-unique-astronomy-site-in-peru/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social27 Apr 2026 11:14 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkhwwqwz3p2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mkhw6z47zf2aSickness, cold killed nearly 30 sloths at a Florida import warehouse Disease and cold temperatures killed nearly 30 sloths at a Florida animal import warehouse in 2024 and 2025, according to a report from state wildlife authorities. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation inspection report from… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/27/sickness-cold-killed-nearly-30-sloths-at-a-florida-import-warehouse/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social27 Apr 2026 11:01 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkhw6z47zf2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mkbg7w77wf2hBacked by a billionaire, charter school expansion is OK’d inside public school buildings The Miami-Dade school board members like to thoroughly review materials before voting on a matter that will have widespread consequences for the district. They said as much at Wednesday's school board meeting,… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/24/backed-by-a-billionaire-charter-school-expansion-is-okd-inside-public-school-buildings/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social24 Apr 2026 20:59 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkbg7w77wf2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mk6v2uoovp2h$8 million later, Key Biscayne faces Big Dig aftermath The Big Dig died Wednesday night, but the end of a mammoth effort to replumb the island in a fight against climate change has left a daunting and costly set of challenges ahead with no clear roadmap as seas continue to rise. The decision means… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/23/8-million-later-key-biscayne-faces-big-dig-aftermath/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social23 Apr 2026 20:47 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6v2uoovp2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mk6bkgxdqp2hTrump likes a naval blockade. But Iran presents big differences from Venezuela and Cuba  WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has turned to naval blockades to pressure the governments of Venezuela, Cuba and now Iran to meet his demands, but his preferred tactic is confronting a very different… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/23/trump-likes-a-naval-blockade-but-iran-presents-big-differences-from-venezuela-and-cuba/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social23 Apr 2026 14:58 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6bkgxdqp2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mk4cujdmsi2fDespite strong GOP opposition, Salazar keeps pressing for ‘Dignity’ She's not giving up.  In the face of sharp attacks by fellow Republicans, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Miami, rallied with supporters of immigration reform Wednesday on Capitol Hill, refusing to back down on her bipartisan drive… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/22/despite-strong-gop-opposition-salazar-keeps-pressing-for-dignity/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social22 Apr 2026 20:16 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk4cujdmsi2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mk3jc2ynpw22Cuban exiles have renewed hope and fears over claims on property seized long ago Deeply ingrained in Raul Valdes-Fauli's family lore is the November 1960 day when an agent of Fidel Castro's revolution showed up at his family's Pedroso Bank in Havana, with a machine gun, and demanded they… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/22/cuban-exiles-have-renewed-hope-and-fears-over-claims-on-property-seized-long-ago/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social22 Apr 2026 12:38 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3jc2ynpw22https://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mk3e4pe6og2hIran fires on 3 ships in Strait of Hormuz, complicating efforts to resume talks  DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran fired on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, underscoring the ongoing threat to global energy supplies and complicating efforts to bring the United States and Iran… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/22/iran-fires-on-3-ships-in-strait-of-hormuz-complicating-efforts-to-resume-talks/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social22 Apr 2026 11:06 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3e4pe6og2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mjywlqtajf2aGecko goof? Some drivers may get license suspended because of GEICO error Some GEICO car insurance policies have mistakenly been reported to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as canceled — even though they are in fact active. Now these drivers may be receiving suspension… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/21/gecko-goof-some-drivers-may-get-license-suspended-because-of-geico-error/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social21 Apr 2026 11:58 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjywlqtajf2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mjytwt2smw2pTim Cook to step down as Apple CEO hands over reins to iPhone maker’s hardware leader  Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down from the job that he inherited from the late Steve Jobs, ending a 15-year reign that saw the company’s market value soar by more than $3.6 trillion during an iPhone-fueled era… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/21/tim-cook-to-step-down-as-apple-ceo-hands-over-reins-to-iphone-makers-hardware-leader/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social21 Apr 2026 11:11 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjytwt2smw2phttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mjxhnqa3ha2bKey Biscayne woman loses $20,000 in bank scam A 71-year-old Key Biscayne woman thought it was an ordinary call from her bank on a Wednesday morning in February. But the man on the other end of the phone, didn’t work for Chase Bank as he claimed. Instead that — identified later by a Chase Bank… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/20/key-biscayne-woman-loses-20000-in-bank-scam/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social20 Apr 2026 21:58 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjxhnqa3ha2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mjwpnlcec52hMan kills 8 children and shoots his wife and another woman in Shreveport, Louisiana  SHREVEPORT, La. — A Louisiana man who fatally shot seven of his children and another child in an attack against his family was in the middle of separating from his wife, who also was shot and wounded, a relative… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/20/man-kills-8-children-and-shoots-his-wife-and-another-woman-in-shreveport-louisiana/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social20 Apr 2026 14:49 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjwpnlcec52hhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mjpyfsraaj2rIran reopens Strait of Hormuz, but Trump says blockade on Iranian ships and ports will stay in force  BEIRUT — Iran said Friday it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels, but President Donald Trump said the American blockade on Iranian ships and ports “will remain in full force”… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/17/iran-reopens-strait-of-hormuz-but-trump-says-blockade-on-iranian-ships-and-ports-will-stay-in-force/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social17 Apr 2026 22:37 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjpyfsraaj2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mjozoh7pne22Big Dig rejected by Village committee. Undergrounding next?  The Big Dig arguably began with a vote cast after advice from  environmental engineer Fernando Vazquez. Four years and millions of dollars later, it could very well end with a very different recommendation from now Council Member… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/17/big-dig-rejected-by-village-committee-undergrounding-next/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social17 Apr 2026 13:27 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjozoh7pne22https://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mjorkzyams2bHouse passes a bill to protect Haitian immigrants, in slap back to the Trump administration  WASHINGTON — In a rare bipartisan moment, the House passed legislation Thursday that would extend temporary protections for Haitian immigrants, a long-shot effort fighting back against President Donald… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/17/house-passes-a-bill-to-protect-haitian-immigrants-in-slap-back-to-the-trump-administration/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social17 Apr 2026 11:02 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjorkzyams2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mjmdbnahu42rMessi sued for skipping match Lionel Messi is being sued by a Miami-based event promoter who says the soccer icon violated terms of a $7 million contract by missing an exhibition match last year. Vid Music Group filed the lawsuit for fraud and breach of contract against Messi and the Argentine… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/16/messi-sued-for-skipping-match/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social16 Apr 2026 11:41 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjmdbnahu42rhttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mjmcwpwdns2kFaith leaders tell pols to focus on low-income residents A cross section of Miami-Dade County and City of Miami leaders gathered together at Corpus Christi Catholic Church this week with a charge from the local faith community: Ccommit to supporting Miami-Dade’s underprivileged and low-income… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/16/faith-leaders-tell-pols-to-focus-on-low-income-residents/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social16 Apr 2026 11:35 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjmcwpwdns2khttps://bsky.app/profile/kbindependent.org/post/3mjmc4pkrrg2oJury finds Ticketmaster and Live Nation had anticompetitive monopoly over concert venues  NEW YORK — A jury found Wednesday that entertainment giant Live Nation, which hosts tens of thousands of concerts a year, and its Ticketmaster subsidiary had a harmful monopoly over big venues. The ruling, in… https://kbindependent.org/2026/04/16/jury-finds-ticketmaster-and-live-nation-had-anticompetitive-monopoly-over-concert-venues/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social16 Apr 2026 11:20 +0000at://did:plc:piw7k5k2p2pxvzbuzurptgg5/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjmc4pkrrg2o