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THE TRAGIC COLLAPSE OF THE CHAMPLAIN TOWERS SOUTH in Surfside two years ago this month had huge impacts on condominiums where millions of Floridians live. New inspections and new costs are coming at a time when insurance rates are skyrocketing and buildings are confronting deferred maintenance.

In Key Biscayne, the largest complex is the news, with multiple legal issues.

Our guest is veteran condominium attorney DANA GOLDMAN, the former mayor of Sunny Isles Beach, who has been holding seminars for owners about coping with these problems. 

What can owners do to protect themselves? 

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FEW VOTERS KNOW that a mammoth change in law enforcement is coming to Miami-Dade County. That's because for the first time in decades, voters will elect a sheriff who will run the nation's sixth-largest police agency.

It means that the job - currently non-political - will become a political office with Republicans and Democrats competing.

The current MDPD director, Freddy Ramirez is the top current contender for the job, which will be arguably the single most important elected position in the County. What are his credentials and viewpoint? What challenges does he see? And for Key Biscayne voters, how would he address continuing safety and traffic problems on the Rickenbacker Causeway? 

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THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED LEGISLATIVE SESSION was one for the books with contentious votes on abortion, immigration, guns, and a fight with Disney. It also brought a million dollars to Key Biscayne -- but the island didn't get everything it wanted.

Our guest is State House Representative Vicki Lopez who talks about her votes, how the system is working -- and a lot more.

We also cover a contentious meeting on Key Biscayne's Vision Plan. 

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A RECENT REPORT CARD gave Biscayne Bay another set of poor ratings for water quality. And despite increased attention and new regulation in recent years, the bay is getting worse, not better. It's at a "tipping point," scientists say

OUR guest is Audrey Siu, the policy director for Miami Waterkeeper, a nonprofit group working to restore health to Miami's most precious resource - the waters that surround it.

We also discuss the impact of the ending session of the Florida Legislature on a top issue in Key Biscayne -- density, with lawmakers wiping out a 16-year old provision that let voters decide on land development regulations. 

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A conversation with U.K artist Luke Jerram about an illuminated globe installed for Earth Day weekend in Key Biscayne. Measuring nearly 23 feet in diameter, this installation is a scale replica of Earth, created using detailed NASA imagery of the planet’s surface.

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AFTER YEARS, a plan meant to meet future challenges for Miami's "Island Paradise" had a raucous final public meeting before coming to a vote. Critics have organized against it, claiming it will promote density. Village leaders pushed back as they defended the lengthy document.

Our guest is former Council Member Luis de la Cruz, a member of the panel who talks about the document's goals -- and the criticism.

Joining Tony to host this week is John Pacenti, the Key Biscayne Independent's new executive editor for a review of his reporting about the killer whale Lolita. 

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THE KEY BISCAYNE Rib Off is a charity event in honor of  abeloved local physician that has expanded to more than 20 teams, drawing an ever growing audience.

Details here

Our guest is York Flik, one of the organizers of the competition who gives the history, some insights on what makes a winning rib, and the impact that the charity has had on on medical education 

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Lolita has been at the Miami Seaquarium for decades, but an unlikely partnership this week announced a plan to return her to her home waters in the Pacific Northwest after five decades in captivity.

Our guest is Charles Vinick, the co-founder of Friends of Lolita, who describes how a plan to privately fund her preparation and transport came about.

We also talk about a new affordable housing bill that many people in Miami thrilled -- but not so much in Key Biscayne

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Major criminal cases are daily work  in America's fourth-biggest prosecutor's office, but Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle says pay is so low, she lost 100 lawyers in the past year.  She's pleading with the Florida Legislature to fund law enforcement offices so criminal cases can go forward as pandemic backlogs are straining resources,

We also talk to her about bills to tighten penalties for mismanaged condo and homeowner associations in the wake of Surfside and other scandals.

Next, we introduce new Key Biscayne Independent Executive Editor John Pacenti and ask him about his new role.

We talk about a brewing controversy over a new workforce housing bill that could mean massive development on Key Biscayne

And finally -- we talk about how likely presidential candidate Ron DeSantis decided to come up with his controversial position on aid Ukraine. 

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It's 20 MONTHS before Election Day, but DANIELLA LEVINE CAVA announced her re-election campaign for the top job in Miami March 1. Why so early? And what is the state of play as the 2024 presidential race gets closer?

Our guest is  Fernand Amandi,  who  is one of Florida's leading  pollsters and analysts, who shares his views of what could one of the biggest municipal races in the U.S.A. 

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