WEATHER ALERT
VIDEO: Coast Guard rescues man, dog adrift off Florida coast during Hurricane Helene
Read full article: VIDEO: Coast Guard rescues man, dog adrift off Florida coast during Hurricane HeleneA man and his dog whose sailboat had begun taking on water during Hurricane Helene were rescued by the U.S Coast Guard about 25 miles off Sanibel Island.
How many people have been killed by alligators in Florida? The number may surprise you
Read full article: How many people have been killed by alligators in Florida? The number may surprise youDespite their cute appearance, these animals are incredibly dangerous. The FWC lists how many people have been killed by gators in Florida since 1948.
Florida is the nation’s ‘Lightning Capital.’ Here’s how many fatal strikes there have been
Read full article: Florida is the nation’s ‘Lightning Capital.’ Here’s how many fatal strikes there have beenThe vast majority of those struck were men — 85% — while women accounted for approximately 15% of those deaths.
How many people have been killed by alligators in Florida? The number may surprise you
Read full article: How many people have been killed by alligators in Florida? The number may surprise youDespite their cute appearance, these animals are incredibly dangerous. The FWC lists how many people have been killed by gators in Florida since 1948.
Sheriff: 2 dead, 2 hurt in shooting at Florida home during domestic disturbance
Read full article: Sheriff: 2 dead, 2 hurt in shooting at Florida home during domestic disturbanceAuthorities say a man wearing a ski mask opened fire at a southwest Florida home during a domestic disturbance, leaving two people dead and the suspect and another person wounded.
Gov. DeSantis talks hurricane recovery, gives $1M from disaster fund to South Florida schools
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis talks hurricane recovery, gives $1M from disaster fund to South Florida schoolsFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday held a news conference at a street corner near Fort Myers, recapping the state’s ongoing recovery efforts in South Florida after Hurricane Ian, previewing some future plans and awarding money to local education foundations.
Truck spills over 1,300 gallons of cooking oil in Lee County, video shows
Read full article: Truck spills over 1,300 gallons of cooking oil in Lee County, video showsA cooking oil truck rolled over in Lee County Thursday morning, spilling over 1,300 gallons of cooking oil and ejecting two men from the truck.
Tax breaks teed up for Florida hurricane damage victims
Read full article: Tax breaks teed up for Florida hurricane damage victimsNearly 50,000 property owners forced from their homes for more than a month by Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole could be eligible for tax relief under a bill that was being prepared Friday for a special legislative session next week.
WATCH: Cape Coral officer jumps into canal to save driver in sinking car
Read full article: WATCH: Cape Coral officer jumps into canal to save driver in sinking carA Cape Coral police officer jumped into action after a driver and her car ended up in a nearby canal, according to the police department.
Gov. DeSantis hands off $1M for first responders, $7.7M for CTE programs at Lee County event
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis hands off $1M for first responders, $7.7M for CTE programs at Lee County eventFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday morning held a news conference at Miceli’s Restaurant, a dockside eatery near Pine Island.
Post-storm housing initiatives, more announced at DeSantis event in Fort Myers Beach
Read full article: Post-storm housing initiatives, more announced at DeSantis event in Fort Myers BeachGov. Ron DeSantis announced new developments in disaster-recovery efforts still underway nearly a month after Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida.
$2M in state disaster funds will go to education foundations in 6 South Florida counties, DeSantis says
Read full article: $2M in state disaster funds will go to education foundations in 6 South Florida counties, DeSantis saysDeSantis announced $2 million from the Florida Disaster Fund would be disbursed to education foundations in six South Florida counties hit hard by Hurricane Ian.
Florida Gov. DeSantis announces special session to deal with property taxes for victims of Hurricane Ian
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis announces special session to deal with property taxes for victims of Hurricane IanFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced an executive order to extend deadlines for property taxes to people whose homes or businesses have been rendered unusable by damage caused by Hurricane Ian.
‘Our lifeline:’ Florida restores Sanibel Causeway, giving residents access to island after Hurricane Ian
Read full article: ‘Our lifeline:’ Florida restores Sanibel Causeway, giving residents access to island after Hurricane IanThe Sanibel Causeway, lifeline to Sanibel Island in southwest Florida, will be reopened after suffering major damages in Hurricane Ian.
Is this your ticket? Winning share of $494M Mega Millions lottery jackpot sold in Fort Myers
Read full article: Is this your ticket? Winning share of $494M Mega Millions lottery jackpot sold in Fort MyersFlorida lottery officials announced that one of two Mega Millions lottery winning tickets was purchased in the Sunshine State from Oct. 14′s drawing.
Recent hires at Cape Coral Police Department accept bonuses at DeSantis news conference
Read full article: Recent hires at Cape Coral Police Department accept bonuses at DeSantis news conferenceFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis officiated while six recent hires of the city’s police department accepted $5,000 bonus checks from the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program.
Gov. DeSantis awards $2M from Florida Disaster Fund to first responder groups
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis awards $2M from Florida Disaster Fund to first responder groupsFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday announced the disbursement of $2 million from the growing Florida Disaster Fund to several groups representing law enforcement and first responders.
Rough times ahead: Hurricane Ian batters SW Florida economy
Read full article: Rough times ahead: Hurricane Ian batters SW Florida economyHurricane Ian has come and gone, but it still could deliver prolonged blows to the local economy — particularly small businesses heavily dependent on tourists and seasonal residents.
‘Massive convoy’ of Florida linemen, first responders use Sanibel Causeway damaged in Hurricane Ian
Read full article: ‘Massive convoy’ of Florida linemen, first responders use Sanibel Causeway damaged in Hurricane IanA “massive convoy” of linemen and first responders used the temporarily repaired Sanibel Causeway that was destroyed during Hurricane Ian, according to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Disasters like Ian pose extra risk for fragile older people
Read full article: Disasters like Ian pose extra risk for fragile older peopleOlder people with limited mobility and those with chronic health conditions requiring the use of electrically powered medical devices were especially vulnerable when Hurricane Ian slammed into Southwest Florida.
Hurricane Ian closes some Florida schools indefinitely
Read full article: Hurricane Ian closes some Florida schools indefinitelyThe devastation from Hurricane Ian has left schools shuttered indefinitely in parts of Florida, leaving storm-weary families anxious for word on when and how children can get back to classrooms.
‘Anything we can do to help:’ Osceola deputies head to Lee County to offer help after Hurricane Ian
Read full article: ‘Anything we can do to help:’ Osceola deputies head to Lee County to offer help after Hurricane IanDeputies with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office are set to deploy Wednesday to Lee County, which is still struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, the sheriff’s office said in a release.
Florida Gov. DeSantis announces 1st Disaster Recovery Center, financial relief programs in wake of Ian
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis announces 1st Disaster Recovery Center, financial relief programs in wake of IanGov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday the activation of the state’s first Disaster Recovery Center in Fort Myers, with more expected to open in the coming weeks, for Floridians impacted by the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Ian.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis talks rescues, restoring power in Hurricane Ian’s wake
Read full article: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis talks rescues, restoring power in Hurricane Ian’s wakeGov. Ron DeSantis said rescue teams deployed in Ian’s aftermath had already performed more than 1,900 rescues across Florida as of Monday, less than a week after the storm made landfall in Florida.
‘Devastating impacts:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis discusses Hurricane Ian’s aftermath in Hardee County
Read full article: ‘Devastating impacts:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis discusses Hurricane Ian’s aftermath in Hardee CountyFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Saturday will hold a news conference at the Hardee County Emergency Management office in Wachula.
See ya later, alligator: Video shows SRO wrangle 7-foot gator at Florida middle school drop-off
Read full article: See ya later, alligator: Video shows SRO wrangle 7-foot gator at Florida middle school drop-offA 7-foot alligator greeted students at a Lee County middle school drop-off, Sheriff Carmine Marceno said in a tweet.
Arizona county had largest white, Black, Hispanic growth
Read full article: Arizona county had largest white, Black, Hispanic growthMetro Phoenix’s Maricopa County had among the biggest growth in white, Black and Hispanic residents last year, as well as the biggest increase overall of any U.S. county.
Florida Gov. DeSantis discusses environmental investments in next state budget
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis discusses environmental investments in next state budgetGov. Ron DeSantis touted more than $1 billion earmarked for Everglades and water resource investments in the upcoming state budget at a news conference in Fort Myers Beach Wednesday morning.
Florida hits boating benchmark with 1M registered vessels, FWC says
Read full article: Florida hits boating benchmark with 1M registered vessels, FWC saysThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Friday that Florida has passed the mark of 1 million registered recreational vessels.
Gov. DeSantis announces $1.1M raised for tornado victims in Lee, Charlotte counties
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis announces $1.1M raised for tornado victims in Lee, Charlotte countiesFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis doubled down on claims he made last month the Biden administration withheld funding for tornado victims in Lee and Charlotte counties because of “politics” and announced $1.1 million was raised for repairs, temporary housing and other forms of relief.
State launches donation portal supporting those impacted in southwest Florida tornadoes
Read full article: State launches donation portal supporting those impacted in southwest Florida tornadoesA new donation portal opened for those impacted by tornadoes that touched down in southwest Florida last month.
DeSantis accuses Biden administration of delaying help for Florida tornado victims
Read full article: DeSantis accuses Biden administration of delaying help for Florida tornado victimsFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis accused the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Biden Administration of delaying help to Floridians impacted by recent tornadoes because of “politics.”
Tornadoes touch down in South Florida as thousands lose power
Read full article: Tornadoes touch down in South Florida as thousands lose powerA winter storm that was expected to blast the southern U.S. with dangerously high winds Sunday did not disappoint, as some South Floridians witnessed and filmed infamous weather events likely uncommon to them: tornadoes.
1M expired COVID tests to be used in Florida after FDA grants new extension, DeSantis says
Read full article: 1M expired COVID tests to be used in Florida after FDA grants new extension, DeSantis saysFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis said 1 million Abbott COVID-19 rapid tests that expired in a warehouse last month are now “going out” to testing sites after their usage date was extended to March 2022 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Caloosahatchee River conditions are looking better this fall
Read full article: Caloosahatchee River conditions are looking better this fallCaloosahatchee River flows are looking good at a time when algae is absent from the entire system, and other health indicators seem promising as the region transitions into the brunt of the dry season.
WATCH LIVE at 11:30 a.m.: Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody to speak in South Florida
Read full article: WATCH LIVE at 11:30 a.m.: Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody to speak in South FloridaGov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news briefing at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in South Florida.
2 Florida teens interested in Columbine massacre plotted to carry out school shooting, deputies say
Read full article: 2 Florida teens interested in Columbine massacre plotted to carry out school shooting, deputies sayTwo Florida teens who “took an interest” in the Columbine High School shooting are accused of plotting to carry out a school shooting, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Florida K-9 helps bring home missing 12-year-old girl during Elsa, deputies say
Read full article: Florida K-9 helps bring home missing 12-year-old girl during Elsa, deputies sayA Florida K-9 helped track down a missing 12-year-old girl during the severe weather then Tropical Storm Elsa brought to the state, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Gov. Ron DeSantis: Florida students will be taught communism is evil
Read full article: Gov. Ron DeSantis: Florida students will be taught communism is evilCivics education will be expanded in Florida, including instruction about communist and totalitarian governments, and state universities will be prevented from quashing conservative ideology under bills Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed.
Child rape suspect found off Florida trying to leave country by boat, police say
Read full article: Child rape suspect found off Florida trying to leave country by boat, police sayAfter a months-long manhunt, a man accused of raping two children in the state of Washington was found and arrested off Florida's coast.
CVS Pharmacy expanding vaccine locations across Florida
Read full article: CVS Pharmacy expanding vaccine locations across FloridaLEE COUNTY, Fla. – CVS Pharmacy will be receiving more COVID-19 vaccine doses and expanding its inoculations across Florida beginning Friday, Gov. Under Florida vaccine eligibility groups: K-12 school employees, law enforcement officers and firefighters, all 50 and older, can also get vaccinated. AdCVS, CVS Pharmacy y más, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Publix, Winn-Dixie and Walmart pharmacies are also offering vaccines in Florida by appointment. I mentioned we are going to probably do another Walgreens would be really, really good,” DeSantis said. Just make an appointment come into your local pharmacy, do it.”Find a list of CVS Pharmacy locations and make an appointment for a vaccine here.
Florida panther struck, killed by vehicle
Read full article: Florida panther struck, killed by vehicleFORT MYERS, Fla. – An endangered Florida panther has died after being struck by a vehicle. It’s the fourth panther death attributed to fatal collisions, out of six total deaths this year, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The remains of the 7-year-old female panther were found Saturday in Lee County on a rural road near Wild Turkey Strand Preserve, wildlife officials said. Florida panthers once roamed the entire Southeast, but now their habitat mostly is confined to a small region of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. Up to 230 Florida panthers remain in the wild.
Florida panther struck and killed by vehicle
Read full article: Florida panther struck and killed by vehicleFORT MYERS, Fla. – An endangered Florida panther has died after being struck by a vehicle. It’s the third panther death attributed to fatal collisions, out of four total deaths this year, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A total of 22 Florida panther deaths were reported in 2020, with 19 killed by vehicles. Florida panthers once roamed the entire Southeast, but now their habitat mostly is confined to a small region of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. Up to 230 Florida panthers remain in the wild.
Deputy Dog: Puppy pulled from mouth of alligator gets new job
Read full article: Deputy Dog: Puppy pulled from mouth of alligator gets new jobLEE COUNTY, Fla. – A Florida dog whose rescue went viral last month has a brand new job. Gunner, a 5-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, is now a “deputy dog” with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. “Do you swear to up hold the constitutional law for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Gunner,” Sheriff Carmine Marceno asked the pup. In a video shared by the Sheriff’s Office Wilbanks retold the story of the wild encounter when he rescued Gunner from the jaws of an alligator. Gunner is fine, I’m fine and so am I,” Wilbanks said.
Puppy pried from gator’s mouth by his human doing just fine
Read full article: Puppy pried from gator’s mouth by his human doing just fineMeredith Budd, regional policy director with Florida Wildlife Federation, said Wilbanks volunteers with an educational program called Sharing the Landscape. It’s a campaign part of the Stop Foundation with a mission to teach about co-existing with wild animals. The nonprofit organization hopes the video will serve as a learning experience for people to maintain their distance from wild animals and make sure to stay safe. “You know, I didn’t even realize that until people started making that comment after they saw the video. Gunner is fine, I’m fine and so am I,” Wilbanks said.
Restaurants scramble to reopen in most of Florida
Read full article: Restaurants scramble to reopen in most of FloridaMIAMI, Fla. – As restaurants in many Florida cities prepare to re-open on Monday under new pandemic rules set by Gov. Restaurants in all but three South Florida counties can reopen inside dining rooms at 25% capacity. In Lee County, for example, officials are allowing restaurants to place tables and seating in areas not previously allowed, such as parking lots. Florida is saying no condos can be rented, but restaurants can be open. The governor’s order said retail and store-front businesses can reopen, but only if the local government allows it.