Key West Island News
Key West Island News connects residents and friends of the island; fosters our One Human Family culture; and advances understanding of shared goals for our island community
7 ways to move here
Why would you leave?
North to Miami? Nope

Cuba and the Keys | Wrestling with frustration, failed politics and compassion
Since the early 1960s, about 1.7 million Cubans have emigrated, most of them making their ways to the Keys, Key West and South Florida. Over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday weeks in 2022, at least 600 Cubans came ashore in the Keys and Fort Jefferson, overwhelming local, state and federal resources.
Linda Grist Cunningham is editor and proprietor of Key West Island News. She lives on the island with Ranger Ed and the Cat 5s.
What's up in Key West?
You could spend all day searching for news about Key West and the Florida Keys. Or you can bookmark Key West Island News. Get the latest news, Facebook posts and information from the sources WE trust.
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Things to do


North Roosevelt Boulevard | Key West’s last icon of the old days
Next time you're out on North Roosevelt Boulevard let me know if you see what I see. Nope. Don't turn your peepers toward the idyllic water views with their mangroves, purdy sailboats and quaint, saggy-baggy houseboats. Instead, eyes opposite to the historic land side. Yep. Historic. Because if...

Key West snowbirds | 5 things to get you up to speed
Back before Covid upended the rhythm of our island and turned every month into off-the-charts occupancy rates, I counted the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas as the best of the year. From the day after Thanksgiving to the last twinkling light on Christmas Day, the island slowly stretched...

Key West Thanksgiving | We really are a small town
You knew I couldn't get past Key West Thanksgiving without the obligatory "thanks" list. Around the holidays, every columnist (and, of course, every politician, business and social media poster) runs out of things about which to opine, to sell or over which to spit a bit of outrage. I can see you...
About KWIN
Key West Island News
Who we are: We are a Key West-owned digital news and information company that uses a community-support model to sustain our news, information and connections mission. Our funding comes from our local and off-island subscribers, select advertisers and investors. We are governed by an advisory board comprising residents and journalism and community-building professionals. Editor and publisher Linda Grist Cunningham owns KeyWestWatch Media LLC, which publishes Key West Island News.
What we do: We do original reporting and aggregate information from trusted news sources in Key West, the Keys and the state of Florida. We choose our trusted sources carefully to ensure accuracy and useful information.
Why we do it: We believe Key West needs a comprehensive, trusted source of news and information — a single place where residents and friends of Key West can find what they need to know each day.
What’s important to us: The topics shape our coverage: The Key West mystique; economic development; environmental protection; not-for-profits, arts and entertainment; small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Martha Hubbard
“Key West is an amazing canvas”
Key West chef and photographer Martha Hubbard walks the island each morning. For years she has shared with her social media friends a photo or two to start the day. Now she shares her photographs exclusively with Key West Island News. From pounding waves off the White Street pier to a Royal Poinciana bursting red, Martha’s photos are a stunning reminder that we live in a canvas made new every day.

Shade Ceramics and Shutter Photography
Contemporary artisan ceramics and photographs crafted in Key West | Follow the latest news from our gallery! We love sharing what we’re doing in the White Street gallery — and we welcome you to stop in when you’re in the neighborhood.
If you only do one thing, look at this jaw-dropping photo by Alyson Crean, the city’s PIO. She shares lots of great island shots, but this one from the cemetery made our day.February Cemetery Stroll is slated for Sunday, February 12. During the stroll, visitors in small groups walk with a group leader to the gravesites, where interpreters are stationed to tell a short story about the deceased in brief monologues. The groups are scheduled for departure at 9:30, 9:50, and 10:10 AM. Reservations are necessary and can be made by calling 305-304-1453 or emailing.
Among the gravesites, we plan to visit are Carrie Pierce, William Kerr, Charles Dupont, John Bartlum, the Dade Lodge Plot, and the monument Los Martires De Cuba.
Space is limited for the tours, and pre-registration is required. A donation of $20 is recommended, with all proceeds devoted to cemetery restoration.
The City of Key West and the Historic Florida Keys Foundation sponsor the cemetery strolls. ... See MoreSee Less
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This is always on my top 10 best things to do.Andrew Carson from Seattle will bring these fun sculptures to the Craft Show this weekend. Whitehead and Caroline Streets, Sat & Sun. 10-5 daily. ... See MoreSee Less
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