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Published on: October 6, 2026

With Florida Keys’ Peak Season on the Horizon, Here’s What You Should Know.

Snowbirds from up north tend to head south for the winter, and Floridians, especially those residing in Monroe County, cannot blame them.

When addressing the Key West High School Class of 2026 to award the second annual Dexter Butler College Scholarship, Leesfield Shapiro’ Founder and Managing Partner, Ira Leesfield, gushed about the uniqueness of a city that attracted the likes of Jimmy Buffet and Earnest Hemingway.

“Here’s the story: Key West is special,” Mr. Leesfield said. “Driving down today, it had to be my three-hundredth trip … I realized why I keep coming back and why we are so honored and privileged to give this scholarship every year.”

Published on: June 24, 2026

Here’s Why Forecasters are Warning Floridians to Stay Indoors. What to Know.

By Leesfield Shapiro

A major heat risk is in effect for South Florida Monday, forcing forecasters to warn against outdoor activities; here’s what the rest of the week looks like, according to data from the National Weather Service.

A map of South Florida swathed in hues of orange, yellow, and red, is displayed on the NWS website this week. The colors stand for risky temperatures that range from minor to major. For

Forecasters are urging people to hydrate, use their air conditioning systems, and to stay in cool places. The heat is expected to get especially bad starting in the afternoons. All outdoor activities should be limited from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. due to the risk, NWS officials said.

Published on: June 10, 2026

Lounge Chair Recalled Over Consumer Safety Risk: What to Know

By Leesfield Shapiro

The Florida Keys is canonically associated with margaritas and lounge chairs, but the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is only warning users about the latter.

At least 1500 Giantex outdoor lounge chairs were recalled due to amputation concerns, according to the USCPSC. Those with the blue model number NP10025NY measuring 76-inches long, by 23-inches wide, by 13-inches high are instructed to contact Giantex for a full refund. Consumers may request a prepaid return package or will be asked by the company to destroy the recalled chair and provide photographic evidence of destruction, according to USCPSC officials.

Consumers may destroy their product by detaching the headrest pillow and cutting the fabric. The recall comes after at least one report of a consumer’s finger being amputated while they adjusted the lounge chair.

Published on: June 10, 2026

Florida Keys Community Bands Together to Support ‘One of Our Own.’ What Happened?

By Leesfield Shapiro

Community members throughout the Florida Keys are rallying together to support a house fire relief fund after a tragic fire displaced two law enforcement officers this week, according to a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Facebook re-post.

The incident occurred Thursday, May 7 and involved the home of Mike Pettee and Tiffany Rodda. Pettee is an officer for the Key West Police Department and Rodda is a deputy with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.

“In a matter of moments, everything they worked so hard to build was gone,” community members wrote in an update to the couple’s GoFundMe, an online fundraising platform.

Published on: April 24, 2026

Here’s What the Data Says About Key West Cruise Travel. What You Should Know.

By Leesfield Shapiro

While hotel and air travel numbers to Key West have remained strong thus far in 2026, cruise ship and ferry traffic have declined, according to the Key West Citizen.

The cruise passenger counts and ferry arrivals show declines compared to 2025, which saw 639,412 passenger arrivals — the most since 2019. These numbers come from data collected by the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce. By January of 2026, there was a 15% decrease in passengers at 49,883. In January of 2025, the area recorded 58,993 passengers.

Despite cruise travel declines, hotel and air travel remains strong. Key West International Airport, which has recently upgraded certain areas, is seeing an increase that is expected to continue into 2026. Last year, the airport reported 734,150 arrivals. In 2024, the airport reported 718,597. In 2023, that figure was recorded at 652,473. In January alone, there were an estimated 74,707 arrivals — one of the highest January totals reported in the past decade.

Published on: April 3, 2026

Boat in Deadly Biscayne Bay Hit-And-Run Crash Found, police say

By Leesfield Shapiro

Boater in Deadly Biscayne Bay Hit-And-Run Crash Found, police say

Police say they have found the boat they believe was involved in a hit-and-run boat crash on Biscayne Bay that killed a father and injured his son last week in Miami, according to local media.

Police did not name the owner of the boat or say who was operating the vessel the night of the deadly crash.

Published on: March 24, 2026

Man Who Died in Florida Keys Scuba Diving Incident Identified. What to Know.

By Leesfield Shapiro

An Indian tourist has been identified as the man who died Wednesday, March 16, while scuba diving, according to reporting from The Miami Herald.

Abhinav Lamba, 43, was found in distress by a commercial dive crew on Molasses Reef at around 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 16. The crew brought him onto their boat and performed CPR while taking him to shore. Emergency responders took him to Mariners Hospital in Tavernier where he later died.

An autopsy will be performed to determine a cause and manner of death, however, officials told reporters that they do not suspect foul play.

Published on: March 9, 2026

Vacation in the Florida Keys: What Happens if You’re Injured While Traveling?

By Leesfield Shapiro

Conch fritters, reef-snorkeling excursions, and/or six-toed cats at the Hemingway house are likely the most-searched topics when researching Florida Keys vacations.

As tourists prepare their itineraries, activities for cranky children during drives across the iconic Seven Mile Bridge, and packing lists, the potential for injuries may not come to mind. In fact, it is likely the farthest thing from their minds when they picture sunning by the pool or taking that coveted first bite of Key lime pie. At Leesfield Shapiro, a personal injury law firm in Florida with five decades of experience, our attorneys know just how often a vacation can be soured by an unexpected accident.

Whether it’s a seemingly harmless motorcycle ride that turns deadly or a parasailing excursion gone wrong, our attorneys work tirelessly to ensure they secure the best outcome for every client. We know that the legal system can be daunting and revisiting painful memories can seem like an impossible task, however, it is essential in the path toward justice. For many families affected by preventable injuries, accountability helps acknowledge their pain and can lead to meaningful change aimed at preventing others from suffering the same harm.

Published on: February 23, 2026

Two Dead, One Injured in Multi-Car Crash on Card Sound Road near Monroe County Line. What to Know.

By Leesfield Shapiro

At least two people died and another was injured in a multi-vehicle crash Thursday, shutting down parts of Card Sound Road in Florida City.

The crash happened around 5:15 a.m. Thursday about eight miles south of U.S. 1 and involved at least three vehicles, according to reporting from WSVN. At least two people died at the scene and one other was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

Immediately following the accident, Card Sound Road remained closed while emergency responders worked in the area.

Published on: February 20, 2026

‘One of Our Own:’ Community Bands Together Following Tragic Monroe County Blaze.

By Leesfield Shapiro

A Florida Keys family that narrowly escaped a Jan. 19 fire and lost their home in the blaze is being bolstered by their community.

“We’re just glad we were there and we and all the other neighbors did what anyone would,” one neighbor, also a principal at a local school, told reporters with Keys Weekly.

The neighbor was with two others when they noticed the smoke at around 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 19. Since it was Martin Luther King Jr. Day, many schools and offices were closed for the holiday.