"No fooling," Keyes thought as he reflected on his journey. He had come to Miami in 1979, leaving behind a small suburban Baltimore newspaper for better opportunities, warmer weather, and sunshine. His first day at the Miami Sun was marked by being assigned to the desk next to Skip Wiley, who was known for being tough and demanding in the newsroom.

Keyes' early career involved covering various beats, starting with the police, then courts, and eventually local politics. These assignments laid the groundwork for his reporting career, amidst the lively and often chaotic environment of Miami's newsroom. His experiences set the stage for the stories and challenges that would follow in his journalistic path.