Florida Keys

The results of the Nov. 3 election, in which he narrowly beat incumbent Heather Carruthers, have been certified by the supervisor of elections. But Carruthers, a Democrat who held the post since 2008, wants a court to oust Martinez, a Republican, from office.

Florida was once a Democratic stronghold. And in Monroe County, Republicans rarely bothered to even run for office. Now, there are more registered Republicans than Democrats in the Keys, and as of this election, all five county commissioners will be Republicans.

As the numbers of COVID-19 cases rise in the Keys and unmasked crowds fill the downtown on weekends, Key West's mayor proposed a midnight curfew on bars and booze sales. It did not go over well.

The recount in the Monroe County Commissioner District 3 race, just like Tuesday night’s results, came out in favor of the Republican challenger Eddie Martinez over Democrat incumbent Heather Carruthers.

Monroe County is looking at an all-Republican County Commission after Tuesday's vote but that depends on one very close race.

Keys voters favored Republicans Tuesday in almost every local race, with one headed for a mandatory recount.

Key West voters approved measures that would cap the number of people who could disembark from cruise ships each day, the capacity of ships and to prioritize ships by health and environmental safety records.

The Associated Press has called Carlos Gimenez as the winner in the fight for the closely watched battleground Florida's 26th Congressional District.

It's been more than three years since Hurricane Irma destroyed more than 1,000 homes in the Florida Keys. Some people have rebuilt, some have left. Now there's a new alliance planning to replace a trailer park with more substantial (while still affordable) housing.

Much of the economy in South Florida relies on tourism — especially the Florida Keys. And that's another way people have been suffering during the coronavirus. The city of Key West has a recovery plan that focuses on both business and humanitarian needs.

Since the pandemic started, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary staffers have not been allowed to scuba dive. They can't check on the coral reefs, fish and other habitats and animals the sanctuary is there to protect. That's about to change.

Fantasy Fest is the biggest event of the year in the Florida Keys. It was canceled this year because of the pandemic. But die-hard partiers plan on carrying on the costume and scant-clothing tradition, despite concerns from locals.