Cedar Key

This episode features the fifth annual Cedar Key Shark Swim on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at noon. Michael Pressley Bobbitt, event coordinator and self-proclaimed Clambassador, tells us about the event and offers an update on restoration efforts after the Gulf island endured Hurricane’s Idalia, Debbie and Helene.

A $1.9 million grant from oil spill funds is helping locals restore a once-prolific oyster reef that has all but disappeared during their lifetime.

Bronson, Otter Creek and the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District formed the Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative in 2023 to improve water and wastewater services.

If you asked Florida natives to describe what exactly old Florida is, you may not arrive at a single definition. It's a combination of space, culture and community.

As Cedar Key approaches 19 months since Hurricane Helene, the island is finding its footing again, even as parts of everyday life remain missing.

Since a statewide net ban in 1994, the area of Levy County once known for fishing has transitioned and become Florida’s largest aquaculture town, supporting over 500 of the industry’s jobs.

“It’s a second home to me,” the young fishing enthusiast said. “I love seeing the progress on the place, and I hope the pier will be open soon."

Following the devastation of Hurricanes Idalia, Debby and Helene over just 13 months, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Cedar Key one of 11 of America’s most endangered historic places in 2025.

Cedar Key residents and Americans across the country have criticized FEMA for being wrapped in red tape. They say the agency takes too long to respond, bounces applicants from agent to agent and is too confusing to navigate.