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THE 2026 MIDTERMS ARE A LONG WAY OFF, but two Democrats are already vying to take on incumbent Maria Elvira Salazar. Sensing growing disapproval with President Trump on topics like immigration and the economy, businessman Richard Lamondin announced a bid earlier this year. He will face former Key Biscayne Mayor Mike Davey in August. We ask him about his background, the main issues, and how he expects to be viable in a district that has shifted to the GOP. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

President Donald Trump wants to zero out funding to public radio and TV, cuts that would affect the programming you hear and see in South Florida. Measures in Congress would also cut funds for WLRN and WPBT, the stations that provide unique local news and entertainment programming, as well as bringing NPR and PBS programs free of charge to you. Our guest is Sergio Bustos, the vice president of news for WLRN, whose department creates strong local reporting in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

ERIC LANG stepped down as Key Biscyane's fire chief recently, wrapping up three decades of service on the barrier island. A founder of the department, he's helped respond to tragedies large and small. We talk to him about his decision, and the safety issues he think the island faces now and in the future. And we also discuss the new plan from Commissioner Raquel Regalado for the Rickenbacker Causeway. It drew big applause, but faces many obstacles. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

NOT EVERY TOWN of 15,000 can boast a homegrown player who's now a teammate of Lionel Messi. But Key Biscayne can. Our guest is Marcelo Radice, who's worked to build the island's soccer programs for both boys and girls. We ask him about how the program has grown, and the exciting goal of being connected to Major League Soccer. Jan and Tony also talk about some of the biggest local news headlines ranging from e-bikes to condos. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

DAVID JOLLY is a former Republican Congressman from the Tampa Bay area  who is looking at the Florida Governor's mansion -- and in our podcast, says he's planning a run as Democrat. Can he successfully find a winning lane as a political moderate in highly polarized state ? His answers might surprise you. In our second segment, we talk about fluoridation and Immigration issues that  have divided officials in South Florida. With Special Guest host Thom Mozloom -- so brace yourselves. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

EARLIER THIS YEAR, some of Miami's best-known charities agreed that local news in our community is in deep trouble. They joined a national program, PRESS FORWARD, to help make sure local news coverage in Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties survives. Our guest, is NIKISHA WILLIAMS of the Miami Foundation, who talks about why donors are stepping forward, and what the initiative hopes to achieve, and how the community can shape news coverage by taking a reader survey Click HERE to take the surveyIf you believe local news matters, listen and take the survey! Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

SUNSHINE WEEK celebrates both press freedoms and the ability to get public records and know what's going on in your government. Our first guest is STEVE HERMAN, off the air after the Trump administration shuttered Voice of America. We talk about how listeners around the world have lost a key news source. Closer to home, we speak with Bobby Block, head of the Florida First Amendment Foundation about some legislation that could erase even knowing where your lawmakers live - and how you can support nonpartisan efforts to keep information open and public. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

A FULL BLOWN TRADE WAR is now raging, after Donald Trump started slapping tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, China, and now, most of Europe. But what is his theory, and does it have any economic history? OUR GUEST is a JAMES FEIGENBAUM, a professor of economics who formerly worked for the Federal Reserve Bank, who says the president is following a centuries old script -- that most countries abandoned a long time ago. We also talk about another area -- the impact of illegal immigration on the economy, which Feigenbaum has researched and written about. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

NO ONE KNOWS how deep the cuts are, but forecasters at America's weather agency, NOAA, say the quality of forecasts could be jeopardized with layoffs of scientists and other employees. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a wide research mission that Floridians depend on for hurricanes and research into climate change and sea level rise. Our guest is JAMES FRANKLIN, a veteran scientist who has flown dozens of missions into the eyes of hurricanes. We ask him what's at stake. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

A LITTLE BIT OF BOASTING, but Key Biscayne's annual "Rib Off" is set in an idyllic bayside spot where smoke, pork, and community fuse together for one of the nation's best barbecue competitions -- all done for a great charitable causeOur guest is Ron Magill, South Florida's best-known wildlife expert who just also happens to be a baby back rib lover and one of the judge's for this year's competition. BONUS: stay tuned at the end of the show for an interview with one of  Jorge Blanco, captain of the one of the winning teams, Smilin' Swine.Here is a link to the results.  Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping package of immigration laws on Thursday aimed at carrying out President Donald Trump 's mass deportation agenda. Republicans say the laws put Florida — long a haven for immigrants — on the leading edge of conservative-controlled states working to leverage state and local resources for federal immigration enforcement.Our guest is TIFFANY HANKINS, was right in the middle of this big decision Tallahassee - she is the director of policies and politics for the Florida Immigrant Coalition, an organization that assists and advocates for immigrants in Florida with extensive know your rights resourcesAnd, Tony and Jan talk about the state of disarray in Key Biscayne's massive Big Dig project, the Super Bowl -- and the presidential retaliation over the Gulf of Mexico. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

YEARS OF PLANNING was thrown into turmoil this week when the mayor of Key Biscayne reversed position on the Big Dig, aimed at protecting the Miami barrier island from sea level rise. Joe Rasco ran for office on resiliency projects, but his announcement endorsing a pause came in response to public concern about rising costs. Our guest is Thom Mozloom, a marketing and branding expert, joined with senior correspondent John Pacenti. We discuss how the project ran into opposition, and where the Village goes next.In our second segment, the panel discusses the rapid moves by President Trump less than a month into his term. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

KIRSTEN HINES has a master's degree in biology, but it was later in life she learned the lens was the way to get close to the wildlife she loves. An award winning author, she knows Key Biscayne and Miami well. Join us for a fascinating discussion about the amazing beauty that exists even in big urban areas like Miami. You can see her work hereSend us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS called a special session to deal with a financial crisis facing millions of condo residents, but so far, the Legislature is balking. It's all about dealing with expensive repairs to aging buildings in the wake of the deadly collapse of the Champlain Towers building in Surfside in 2021. Combined with property insurance rates, condo ownership is becoming unaffordable. Our guest is Dana Goldman, a former mayor of Sunny Isles Beach and a condo law expert - we ask her about the challenges that policymakers are facing. And, in in our second segment, Tony and Jan talk about how a man with a cigar changed policy in Key Biscayne.Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

DOMINOES is a cultural touchstone in South Florida, but the annual gathering of players on the beach at Key Biscayne has a special purpose - furthering hopes and dreams in Liberty City, an economically-challenged area in Miami. Our Guest for the first episode of season eleven (!) is Toby Rohrer, who with her husband Bill raises money for scholarships helping Liberty City residents. Tune in and learn about this cool program-- and about the passion players have for the game. Details on event Jan. 18 hereSend us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

Layoffs. Billionaires. Hedge Funds. Influencers. Declining ad revenue. Journalism has been hit with one Category-5 storm after another. In our final show for Season 10, Sergio Bustos, a veteran journalist and VP of news for WLRN, joins the discussion. We talk about how news has changed, and how organizations are adapting against economic headwinds even as the public craves more fact-based coverage. In our second segment, we talk about Luigi Mangione, accused of gunning down a health care executive in New York and public reaction. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

ALLISON MCCORMICK just wrapped up eight years as a member of Key Biscayne's Village Council, a term that saw four village managers, a pandemic, and the start of the biggest public works project in the barrier island's history. We talk to her about the challenges of all that - and what is was like to be a public servant at the level closest to the people. And we welcome her as a new board member of Miami Fourth Estate, the parent nonprofit of the Key Biscayne Independent, the Liberty City Independent, and this podcast. This show is on the eve of Giving Tuesday, and we ask our listeners to support the show and the Key Biscyane Independent so we can keep providing you factual information about your town. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

GIVE MIAMI DAY is a tradition in Miami where 1,300 nonprofits work together to fund a variety of worthy causes. We talk to a worker at a nonprofit who works directly on the city's streets to help the neediest -- and also with Nikisha Williams, who talks about how gifts are leveraged many times over. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

DO YOU HATE CLOCK SWITCHING? Twice a year the clocks are changed, and twice a year, there are gripes. But 'Natural Time' activist Jay Pea says momentum is building to move to standard time -- despite a move by Florida to go in the wrong direction. Hey, it's not political -- but it's a surprisingly divided issue. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

IN A DISTRICT that has historically elected Democrats, State Rep. Vicki Lopez is running as a moderate Republican to keep her spot. House District 113, which covers Key Biscayne and coastal Miami. Know for her work on condo issues, she is fending off a challenge from Jackie Gross Kellogg, the leader of Key Biscayne Democrats who says she will restore bipartisan balance after decades of Republican rule in Tallahassee. We talk to both candidates about some of the top issues facing voters and what has been at times a nasty campaign. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

CRITICS are seeking to pause the Big Dig sea level rise protection project in Key Biscayne. It's the biggest public works program in Village history. Critics challenge the science, costs, and the administration by Village Manager Steve Williamson, asking for new studies about whether the antiquated stormwater drainage system can last a few years longerWe have two guests who have the answers about the science, and the Village's plans. Jayantha Obeysekara, the director of the Seal Level Solutions Center at Florida International University, and a former modeler for the South Florida Water Management DistrictSteve Williamson, the village manager of Key Biscayne who is trying to move to the next step of Zone 1 Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

DEBBIE MUCARSEL-POWELL, a former Democratic congresswoman from Miami, is trying to upset Republican Rick Scott for U.S. Senate. Recent polls show the race tightening to within the margin of error. As Hurricane Milton's damage is still being assessed, we talk to her about the government's role in disaster response, environmental policy, and much more. Listen as she makes her case for election.  Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

TWO ACCOMPLISHED leaders are vying for the same spot in Miami's County government - District 7 - which includes the islands of Key Biscayne and Virginia Key, as well as Coral Gables, Pinecrest, and South Miami.CINDY LERNER, the former mayor of Pinecrest,  lost to RAQUEL REGALADO by a narrow margin in 2020 -- now the two are in a rematch. We ask them about the future of the Rickenbacker Causeway, traffic,  and other issues confronting our community.Last day to register — Oct. 7 Last day to request mail ballot — Oct. 24 Early Voting Oct 21 - Nov. 3Election Day - Nov. 5. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

OUR FINAL TWO CANDIDATES for Key Biscayne's Village Council are on the show -- Michael Bracken and Nicholas Lopez-Jenkins. Neither is completely new to public service, with both serving on important committees. Bracken served as a member of the island's Undergrounding task force, while Jenkins served on the Virginia Key advisory board. We ask them about the "Big Dig" that could cost more than $310 million to protect Key Biscayne from sea level rise -- critics say it will cost much more and is overkill. What do they think? ELECTION DATES Mail ballots go out - Sept 26Last day to register — Oct. 7 Last day to request mail ballot — Oct. 24 Early Voting Oct 21 - Nov. 3Election Day - Nov. 5. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

WE CONTINUE our series interviewing the six candidates for Key Biscayne's Village Council. Our guest is CHARLES COLLINS, who supports pausing the "Big Dig" projects. We ask about that -- and why he switched running for mayor to council ALSO, we bring on our reporter Billy Jean Louis to talk about reaction in Little Haiti to Donald Trump's false claim that Haitian immigrants are eating pets in an Ohio town. ELECTION DATES Mail ballots go out - Sept 26Last day to register — Oct. 7 Last day to request mail ballot — Oct. 24 Early Voting Oct 21 - Nov. 3Election Day - Nov. 5. Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

NANCY STONER is one of six vying for three seats on the Key Biscayne Village Council. We get right into it with her views on the $300 million "Big Dig" project that some argue should be paused. Stoner is  a construction and real estate attorney and mediator -- listen and find out more about her. Important Election DatesMail ballots go out - Sept 26Last day to register — Oct. 7 Last day to request mail ballot — Oct. 24 Early Voting Oct 21 - Nov. 3Election Day - Nov. 5. Support the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

WE START OUR 2024 SERIES of candidates for the Key Biscayne Village Council with two well known men on the island. Six  people are vying for three seats in November.We ask about a $350 million stormwater project -- the "Big Dig" -- and other top issues -- and the answers may surprise you. --MARK FRIED, an attorney and service club leader, says he was motivated to run after the death of cyclist Megan Andrews. --FRANK CAPLAN, a former mayor, is now running for reelection to his seat on the Council. Important Election DatesLast day to register — Oct. 7 Last day to request mail ballot — Oct. 24 Early Voting Oct 21 - Nov. 3Election Day - Nov. 5.  Support the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

KAMALA HARRIS and new running mate Tim Walz have upended the presidential election, now leading Donald Trump and drawing large crowds in the days after President Joe Biden stepped out.Is the momentum sustainable? And just as important, what does it mean for state and local races in Florida and Miami? Our guest is top-tier Democratic strategist and pollster FERNAND AMANDI, who shares his insight on "Big Mo" and what kind of coattails the change at the top of the ticket might bring. Support the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

It's less than 100 days to the U.S. presidential election, and if history is any guide, people will vote their pocketbooks. So...how IS the economy doing in the four years since the pandemic? We talk to Mark Hamrick, the Washington bureau chief of Bankrate and one of the nation's sharpest financial journalists, who says that when it comes to reading the economy, there's sometimes a conflict about economic data -- and how people feel about the economy. With special co-host H. Frances ReavesSupport the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

JACKIE GROSS KELLOGG is a longtime Key Biscayne Democratic Party leader, and her first trip to the national convention is coming with the historic change in presidential nominees from Joe Biden to Kamala Harris. She'll be voting in an online roll call August 1st. What is like to be one of 2,000 people making this decision?  And what challenges face Harris and the Democrats in a year of stunning political developments? Plus, we introduce Billy Jean Louis, our newest reporter who is working stories on Key Biscayne and our soon-to-launch publication, the Liberty City Independent. Support the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

MIAMI's 27th DISTRICT is one of the nation's most evenly divided congressional districts, and this year's election is taking place in a time of intense political turmoil and in the wake of an assassination attempt. MIKE DAVEY,  a former Republican, is seeking to reclaim the seat for Democrats. He's best known for two terms as Key Biscayne mayor, where he was popular  he didn't even have an opponent in his second term. But first, he faces a primary election  Aug. 20 against Lucia Baez-Geller, who had early support from many national Democratic groups.  And if he wins, can he defeat GOP incumbent Maria Salazar, who has embraced Trump? This is an interview you can't miss. Important links Register to vote (DEADLINE FOR PRMARY IS JULY 22) Renew your mail ballot (You Must renew for 2024 if you want to vote by mail)Support the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

Every week  it's a different headline in Miami. A verdict against a commissioner. Allegations against the City attorney. Unconstitutional voting districts. And then there is the "cold war" with Miami's neighboring city, Key Biscayne over Virginia Key and ongoing traffic issues. Our guest is Damian Pardo, who won an upset victory and has been part of major changes in the region's biggest municipality. His District 2 includes Virginia Key, the island adjacent to Key Biscayne. We kick off season 10 with the question: is the war over? And we  also welcome guest co-host H. Frances Reaves to the program. Support the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

MIAMI will have a new, powerful elected sheriff in a few months, and  this summer. voters will pick the Democratic and Republican candidates for the job. It's a post with a big budget and responsibilities ranging from traffic to homicide. We talked to six of the of 13 Republican candidates and one of four Democrats. BONUS *****Here are the full interviews with each candidate JAMES REYES - DEM MARIO KNAPP - GOP IGNACIO ALVAREZ - GOPORLY LOPEZ - GOP RUAMEN DELARUA - GOP JASPEN BISHOP - GOP JOSE ARAGU - GOP Support the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

Support the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

Support the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

Support the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

Support the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

Support the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

Support the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

Support the Show.Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

LAST YEAR, ocean temperatures set records. And this year, it's looking even more extreme. What will that mean for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, just two months away? We welcome back meteorologist Brian McNoldy from the University of Miami's Rosenstiel Schoo, who has been blogging about extraordinary ocean temperature changes. Plus, our regular news discussion about social media. Support the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

His name is RETRO BILL  and he goes around the country with a sometimes zany message for kids - and he's passionate about stopping bullying. Retro Bill just wrapped up a series of shows in Key Biscayne -- and he has a message for parents and kids. After you've listened to his show -- check him out here Support the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

CONDO SALES ARE PLUMMETING in Sough Florida, but is it a crisis? Our guest is KEN JOHNSON from Florida Atlantic University, a real estate economist, who talks about the effect of the Surfside condo collapse on the market.  "Condos are the canary in the coal mine." We also discuss the Olea sex abuse case, where a police detective's recorded comments have led to an internal affairs investigation. Olea, a gymnastics coach, faces felony charges and has pleaded not guilty . Support the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

TWO MAJOR  SEX CRIME cases are now top of mind for many Key Biscayne residents, with defendants facing potential life sentences. Our guest is a former state and federal prosecutor who now is one of Miami's top defense lawyers -- David S, Weinstein. We ask hin how these cases are likely to play out and how they will proceed in court, We also discuss the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to take Donald Trump's bid to stop his insurrection prosecution based on claim of "presidential immunity." Support the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

SEX ABUSE ALLEGATIONS and a fatal crash involving an e-bike collision. Idyllic Key Biscayne has been dealing with a series of serious problems that would challenge any town. Our guest is former Anti-Social host THOM MOZLOOM, an expert in crisis communications and marketing. How can a government better communicate with its citizens? We also discuss the new bid by former Key Biscayne Mayor Mike Davey to be the region's new member of Congress. Support the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

A series of sexual misconduct cases have  roiled the "Island Paradise" of Key Biscayne. Our guests are  two reporters from the Miami Herald -- Clara-Sophia Daly and Ana Claudia Chacin whose stories about accusations against gymnastic coach Oscar Olea have led police to consider reopening  an investigation. Some of the accusations  are more than a decade old. Olea has not bee charged. The stories came to light after the July arrest of a  Key Biscayne attorney William McCaughan Jr., on child porn charges.Support the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

WALT DISNEY WORLD is Florida's largest private employer, but few know that it's also a heavily unionized workforce. Contracts at Disney influence the entire state. Our guest is Mike Schneider, an AP correspondent and author of the book "MICKEY AND THE TEAMSTERS: A fight for fair unions at Disney" which looks at a years-long battle involving the "cast members" who play Mickey, Goofy, and other characters. Plus, our regular discussion of upcoming news in the Key Biscayne Independent. Support the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

WITH CONDO COMPLAINTS rising all over Florida, State Rep. Vicky Lopez has filed sweeping legislation that would add new criminal penalties for wayward condo boards. She talks about why the legislation is needed -- and the support she expects to get when the Florida Legislature convenes January 9th. We also discuss the arrest of a Key Biscayne attorney accused of receiving child sex abuse images on his computer, a case that has many residents in shock. Support the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

WE CLOSE 2023 with something every Key Biscayne motorist sees every day -- the big new electronic sign welcoming people to the Island Paradise. But a local group wants to add some cheery messages to the sign to boost spirits and promote the sense of community.Our guest Oscar Sardiñas, a member of the Village Council,  talks about this idea to promote goodwill.  John and Tony also talk about our upcoming end-of-the-year news items, such as the first ever KEY BISCAYNE PERSON of the YEAR and the the top stories list. Plus the usual discussion of things on social media. Peace and Goodwill, everyone. Support the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

$300 Million, $200 Million, $100 Million?  Next month, the Key Biscayne Village Council is expected to revise just how much flood water it needs to pump as sea level rise threatens the barrier island. Our guest is Council Member Oscar Sardiñas, who is serving his first term and will be one of seven making this monumental decision And we have a BIG ANNOUCEMENT about journalism for Miami. We're expanding Support the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

It's not Sundance yet, but Key Biscayne is getting its own film festival. Our guests Isabel Custer and Maite Garrado Thornton talk about the first event in January and how the festival uniquely connects with the Island Paradise. You can learn more about the festival hereSupport the showSubscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today