The Key West Post

Key West November Newsfeed: Get brief news updates from local agencies and news sources.

The Future of Key West 2026 Elections: Turnout and Tension-Key West politics reveal a striking contrast between uncontested victories and hard-fought campaigns. Nearly 30% of city leadership entered office without voter input, while other races—like Commissioner Lissette Carey’s—showed how turnout and credibility can decide outcomes. As the 2026 elections approach, Mayor DeeDee Henriquez faces her first real challenge against Commissioner Sam Kaufman, setting up a contest tha

Key West School Violates Parental Rights: Key West parent blasts Horace O’Bryant Middle School for “egregious violation of parental rights” after daughter held during dismissal.

School Board Member Sue Woltanski's Liberal Ideology: After attending the State Board of Education meeting on 11/13/25 near Tallahassee, Woltanski posted a blog article mocking everything they said and voted to approve. Thankfully, the meeting was recorded and people can watch the video and compare it to the liberal twist she puts on what actually happened at the there. She makes a list in her blog of the "troubling moments" at the meeting. Only a liberal like her would ca

Immigration enforcement in the Florida Keys has taken center stage over the past year, blending local politics with national priorities. In November 2025, federal agents staged roadside stops in Key Largo, detaining individuals from cars and buses while a helicopter circled overhead. These visible operations signaled a renewed emphasis on border security in the Upper Keys.

Photo of the Day: Joseph Bum Farto; In 1975, federal authorities launched Operation Conch, a covert investigation targeting corruption within Key West’s municipal government.

Photo of the Day: Key West Fire Department (1900)

Key West Crime Scandals: Founded in 1828, the Key West Police Dept. began as a one-man marshal system in a town of just 421 residents. The first jail was a ship’s brig docked in the harbor, and early law enforcement focused more on maritime salvage disputes than criminal cases—only three felony convictions were recorded in the first 50 years.  By 1900, the department had grown to 13 sworn officers. Its first line-of-duty death occurred in 1904. The 1970's & 1980's brought two

Key West Organizations Help Feed Community: Florida’s economy in November 2025 is still growing faster than the national average, but food insecurity is a major issue due to recent SNAP benefit cuts during the government shutdown. Food pantries across the state are strained, serving more people than usual. Lawfully present immigrants (green card holders, refugees, asylees, etc.) can receive SNAP, though recent federal restrictions narrowed eligibility. Food pantries, which ar

District 4 City Commission Race Heats Up: The "One Human Family" has two distinct communities in Key West, and District 4 in the center of the island is a perfect example of the differences. Key West now has a third candidate running for the District 4 City Commissioner seat. Juan Llera, born in Cuba, and Sarah Compton from Missouri, are two outsiders hoping to lead District 4 residents in Key West. Commissioner Lissette Carey, a Key West native, has yet to announce a re

Remembering Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover

The Big Shark Catch in 1956 in Key West

District 2 City Commission Seat Draws Two Candidates: With Commissioner Sam Kaufman launching a mayoral bid, his District 2 seat will be open in the 2026 election. Two longtime Key West business owners have stepped forward, one with political experience and deep Key West roots, and the other a newcomer to Key West without political experience.

Sue Woltanski has filed for re-election to the Monroe County School Board, District 5. Though school board races are technically nonpartisan, Woltanski has long aligned herself with liberal policies. Just days before announcing her campaign, she published a blog post criticizing conservative leaders and organizations like Moms for Liberty as “far right” and accused them of “taking over” education.

How U.S. Presidents and the Military Defined Key West: While Key West champions "One Human Family" today, its historical motto might have been "One Military Family." The island's deep military connection, dating back to the Navy's 1820s establishment, has shaped its identity. During the Civil War, Key West, the sole Union city in Florida, strategically disrupted Confederate shipping. This vital role continued through two World Wars and Cold War aviation and submarine operatio