Local News in Key West

Keys Weekly Published September 23

Salute ‘old-fashioned’ Key West in cocktail form

Key West’s heritage is visible in its many historic sites and landmarks. For example, there’s the Little White House, where President Harry Truman spent nearly six months of his 1945-52 administration; the Civil War-era Fort West Martello, the picturesque home of the Key West…

Keys Weekly Published September 22

Behind the spectacle: The evolution of a Fantasy Fest float from design to Duval Street

Fantasy Fest 2026, with its “Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals” theme, kicks off Oct. 16, but for parade float-building groups like the one organized by Mina Valdez, Zach Matusicky, Jessie Matusicky, Kit Carson Smith, Valerie Smith, and Tim Lorber, the experience starts weeks and…

Keys Weekly Published September 22

Need money for an art project? The Anne McKee Artists Fund can help

The Anne McKee Artists Fund will once again offer grant opportunities to individual visual, performing and literary artists who live in Key West and the Florida Keys. The fund has changed the grant cycle to make applications available on Sept. 28 with a deadline for applications…

City of Key West News Published 20 hours ago

Mayor Kaufman and Monroe County Health Officials Discuss Key Community Health and Safety Issues

Keys Weekly Published 23 hours ago

Officials vote to purse amicable separation with city manager

Key West officials this week voted 4-3 to direct the city attorney to negotiate an “amicable separation agreement” with city manager Brian L. Barroso. Mayor Sam Kaufman and commissioners Donie Lee, Chris Massicotte and Monica Haskell voted in favor of the negotiations.…

Keys Weekly Published September 24

Do your best Dolly Parton: Dive Bar hosts look-alike contest and fundraiser Sept. 25

“Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” — Dolly Parton Well, Dolly, we poured ourselves a cup of ambition and heard you loud and clear. And there’s no better place to do it than Dive Bar, 320 Grinnell St. On Friday, Sept. 25 (9-2-5 — get it?), Dive Bar will host the […]

Keys Weekly Published September 23

Key West philanthropist John Padget dies at 89

It was sometime around 1998 when John Padget spoke at a Key West Chamber of Commerce lunch in the Casa Marina’s grand ballroom. At the time, Padget was a relatively new arrival to Key West, not well known, but clearly passionate about his topic — a little-known scholarship…

Keys Weekly Published September 22

Want to sell your stuff to the undead at Key West’s ZombieFest?

The Key West Art & Historical Society is accepting vendor applications for ZombieLand, the family-friendly party before the annual Zombie Bike Ride, one of the most events of Fantasy Fest. ZombieLand will take place on Sunday, Oct.18, from 2 to 6 p.m., on the parade grounds of…

Keys Weekly Published September 21

Exclusive: Florida artist Brian Butler wins Fantasy Fest poster-design contest

Like Fantasy Fest parade grand marshal Mike Stack and theme contest winner Stephanie Southgate, Miami artist Brian Butler has an extra reason to celebrate at this year’s festivities. Butler joins the ranks of previous artists like Rick Worth, Carie Disrud and Lady Outrageous; his…

Keys Weekly Published September 21

Key West’s Williams Hall launches youth theater program

A new program at Williams Hall will give Key West middle and high school students the opportunity to learn the world of theater from local artists – both onstage and behind the scenes. The Williams Hall Conservatory of Theatre Arts launches its fall semester in early October,…

Lucy Burdette Talks About ‘A Delicious Deception’

The latest in Lucy Burdette's Key West Food Critic series, 'A Delicious Deception' has two big changes for the characters. She tells us why.

Keys Weekly Published September 21

The legendary Warren Haynes catches up with Florida Keys Weekly podcast on his upcoming show in Key West and much more.

Grammy winner and music legend Warren Haynes shares the story behind his latest album, “Dreams & Songs: A Symphonic Journey,” along with Gov’t Mule’s upcoming tour that lands in Key West on Sept. 30 at the Key West Coffee Butler Amphitheater. Haynes reflects on his Asheville,…