(Press Release) The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) Governing Board named Dave J. Kubicek as its new Executive Director, at a special board meeting on July 24, 2026. Kubicek brings more than 35 years of executive leadership in the passenger rail and public transportation industry. He was selected following a national search that has been overseen during an interim leadership period by Deputy Executive Director Diane Hernandez Del Calvo, who has served as Interim Executive Director since March 2026. Dave Kubicek will begin his role as SFRTA Executive Director on August 31, 2026.

(Press Release) PORT ST. LUCIE, FL (August 7, 2026) – Hundreds of community members gathered on July 29 to celebrate the grand opening of iTHINK Financial’s new Tradition branch in Port St. Lucie. Attendees included local residents, dignitaries, and business leaders. The “We Love Tradition” event marked the opening of the credit union’s second location in St. Lucie County and expanded its personalized financial services to the growing Tradition community.

(Press Release) (Palm Beach County, FL – August 7, 2026) The Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County (LWVPBC) today announced changes to its leadership team after a few members resigned this week due to recent career advancements and personal considerations.
 
In compliance with its bylaws, the Board held an online meeting last night and unanimously voted to elect the following leadership team:
 
President: Janet Elinoff, retired wealth management advisor and chair of the League’s Speakers Bureau
1st Vice President: Open
2nd Vice President: Debbie Oistacher, a retired educator and League member since 2022 and a member of the Speakers Bureau and Membership team
Secretary: Mary Sue Donohue, a retired attorney and League member since 1979 who has served on the Advocacy team
Treasurer: Melissa Gannon, CDFA®, CFP®, Manager Financial Planning & Partner at Castle Wealth Management in West Palm Beach.

(Press Release) LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. (August 6, 2026) – The arts and cultural organizations that make Palm Beach County Florida’s Cultural Capital® continue to sound a consistent alarm: public funding instability is reshaping their ability to serve residents and visitors. In late June, the Governor approved Florida’s 2026-27 budget with $20 million allocated for the Florida Division of Arts & Culture (DAC) grant programs, funding 121 organizations statewide – including just over $1 million for nine organizations in Palm Beach County.

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life
Photos Courtesy of Ron Magill

Ask any Floridian, or tourist, what's the State Bird of Florida?

Chances are, the majority would say "the flamingo." And why not? It's iconic image is ubiquitous on signage, souvenirs, brochures and media throughout the state. Wrong. The correct answer would be the Northern Mockingbird, designated as such in 1927.

Ron Magill, and many others, thinks it's time for change.

Magill, Emmy Award-winning wildlife expert, world-renowned for his wildlife photography and as the face of the  Zoo Miami for over four decades, is helping to spearhead an effort to have the flamingo officially named Florida's State Bird.  Magill talked about why he is such a passionate advocate in an interview:

Q. Why should the flamingo be designated the State Bird of Florida?

Magill: Florida deserves a State Bird that is as unique, iconic, and extraordinary as the state itself.  Today, that distinction belongs to the Northern Mockingbird.  While I have great respect for the mockingbird, I believe that the time has come for Florida to recognize the American flamingo as our State Bird.  

This is not to diminish the mockingbird - it is about celebrating Florida’s unique identity.  The Northern Mockingbird is also the State Bird of Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee,  It’s one of the most widespread birds in North America.  It simply cannot speak to the uniqueness and diversity of Florida’s story.  

The flamingo does!

​Q. How can Florida residents who support making the flamingo the official State Bird support that effort?

Magill: The best way for Florida residents to support making the flamingo the official State Bird is to write to their legislators and express why they feel it is important.  In addition, they can post support of the campaign on their social media platforms alongside interesting facts about these remarkable birds.

For generations, many Floridians grew up believing flamingos were little more than lawn ornaments, hotel logos, or escaped zoo birds.  This misconception persisted for decades until science has proven that they are in fact a native species that existed in Florida long before it became a state.  After a century of being extirpated, flamingos have come home to the only state in the country that can list them as native.  It is time that we recognize them as our own.

(Press Release) West Palm Beach, FL (August 6, 2026) – YWCA Palm Beach County has announced the appointment of Mary Hart as Chief Executive Officer and Tessie Watts as the 2026–2027 President of its Board of Directors. Together with the organization’s current and incoming board, Hart and Watts will guide the YWCA as it builds upon its longstanding mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

(Press Release) Jupiter, Florida (August 4, 2026) Howard Alan Events (HAE), the award-winning, Jupiter, FL based national art and craft festival production company announces its upcoming, 2026/2027 season of Florida east coast art and craft events.  The annual, weekend showcases provide creative careers for thousands of artists, bring millions of dollars in economic impact for hotels, restaurants and businesses while beautifying the homes and lives of tens of thousands of patrons for nearly 40 years.
 
This season, along with their American Craft Endeavors (ACE) counterpart, HAE will produce nearly 80 festivals throughout the state and other destination markets. Along with their weekend events in central Florida and the west coast, HAE’s long-running showcases returning to the southeast include the Las Olas Art Fairs, Downtown Delray Beach Festival of the Arts, ArtFest by the Sea in Juno Beach, Stuart Art and Craft Festivals, Juno Beach Craft Festival, Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts, Boca Fest, and the returns of the Downtown Palm Beach Gardens Art & Craft Festivals and the highly anticipated return of the Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Craft Festival.
 
This season’s lineup includes:

(Press Release) (South Florida – August 4, 2026) Gary Schweikhart, board president of the Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s Theater & Arts Honors, today announced the recipient of the fourth of nine Special Awards that will be presented at the 49th annual Carbonell Awards Ceremony on Monday, November 16, at 7:30 pm at FAU’s University Theatre in Boca Raton 33431.
 
“While we will be honoring specific people and productions in 20 competitive categories from approximately 100 shows presented between September 2025 and August 2026, the Carbonell board of directors has unanimously voted to also bestow this Special Award,” said Schweikhart.

(Press Release) WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 4, 2026) – The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and Palm Beach Symphony will present a special matinee concert on Sunday, November 8 at 3 p.m. celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Golden Globe® winner George Hamilton will serve as host, while Tony Award® winner Brian Stokes Mitchell will appear throughout the concert as narrator and featured vocalist. Under the baton of renowned conductor Gerard Schwarz, Palm Beach Symphony will be joined by members of the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts for a side-by-side performance, creating a memorable celebration of America's history, heritage and the next generation of artistic talent.