Local Politics · Miami-Dade County
Early voting for the general election runs Monday through Nov. 1 in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, and until Oct. 31 in Monroe County. Voters will decide races including governor (Byron Donalds vs. David Jolly), a U.S. Senate special election (Ashley Moody vs. Angie Nixon), and Congressional Districts 25 and 27. Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Miami-Dade and Broward counties each have school-funding referendums to renew a property tax for teacher pay, student safety, and mental health services. City of Miami Referendum 3 proposes leasing 30 acres of Virginia Key to a new developer for a marina project.
Local Politics · Miami-Dade County
Early voting for the 2026 midterm elections opened at 7 a.m. Monday in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, and at 8:30 a.m. in Monroe County. Voters will decide races including governor (Byron Donalds vs. David Jolly), U.S. Senate (Ashley Moody vs. Angie Nixon), and competitive congressional districts 25 and 27. Ballot measures include Florida Amendment 3 on homestead exemptions, school funding renewals in Miami-Dade and Broward, and a Virginia Key waterfront lease vote in Miami. Early voting runs through Nov. 1 in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, and through Oct. 31 in Monroe County.
Community News · Broward County
Broward Sheriff's Office deputies are searching for a woman who pepper-sprayed a clerk during a receipt dispute at a Kwik Stop convenience store at 7120 Kimberly Boulevard in North Lauderdale on Oct. 2. Florida gas prices averaged $4.08 per gallon on Monday, with Monroe County and the Florida Keys highest at $4.39; diesel returned above $6 after Hurricane Isaias briefly disrupted Gulf production. The U.S. Coast Guard rescued four people from a capsized 26-foot catamaran about 5 miles south of Boot Key Harbor in Marathon on Sunday, with no injuries reported.
Public Safety · Marathon, FL
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued four people on Sunday after their 26-foot catamaran capsized about 5 miles south of Boot Key Harbor in Marathon, Florida. Officials responded to a mayday call and brought all four aboard the nearly submerged vessel to safety with no injuries or pollution reported. A small craft advisory was in effect at the time. Station Marathon coxswain Petty Officer 3rd Class Jackson Boggs urged boaters to check marine weather forecasts and carry proper safety equipment, including a marine radio.
Local Business · Walton County
More than a week after Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin on Oct. 9, gas prices in the Florida Panhandle remain uneven: Escambia County averaged $3.85 per gallon and Columbia County $3.86, while Walton ($4.02), Washington ($4.10), and Holmes ($4.12) counties showed lingering storm effects. The statewide average was $4.08 on Monday, with Monroe County and the Florida Keys highest at $4.39. Up to 70 percent of Gulf crude oil and natural gas production shut down during Isaias's path, but workers returned quickly after landfall. AAA noted that global oil prices above $100 a barrel could trigger further pump increases, while Florida also saw signs of price-cycling among station operators.
Community News
The average price of unleaded gasoline in Florida was $4.08 per gallon on Monday, Oct. 19, a penny above the prior week, according to AAA. Diesel rose above $6 for the first time in nearly two weeks, reaching $6.04, while oil prices returned above $100 a barrel. AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said the global oil market volatility could trigger another round of pump-price increases this week. South Florida remains the most expensive region in the state, with Monroe County averaging $4.39 per gallon.
