Nearly 4,000 acres in Collier and Hendry counties are part of a nearly 35,000-acre package of what is labeled as critical conservation land approved for protection Wednesday.Additionally, approval of a permanent agricultural land conservation easement for a nearly 4,000-acre area in Charlotte County will help support Southwest Florida’s water resources.The approval came via Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet through the Florida Forever Program and legislative appropriations, marking a significant step in preserving the state’s natural heritage.

Florida lawmakers say they want to investigate insurance companies. Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis calls for action on property taxes and condos.

They dotted the rural landscape with signs expressing favoritism of cows over condos. They’ve unsuccessfully attempted to unseat a developer-friendly county commissioner with someone more like-minded -- and they’ve attended public hearings en masse imploring decision makers to hit the pause button on drastic eastward expansion of clusters of homes in rural Lee County.Wednesday residents of Olga and North Alva — many opposed to more development in that area — will get to speak their mind again when the Lee County Board of County Commissioners meets to decide on a zoning application.The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the commission chambers in downtown Fort Myers.

Your Florida asked people statewide what issues they want lawmakers to tackle this legislative session. Here's what some folks had to say.

This week is the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's National Consumer Protection Week and comes with a warning about the dangers of imposter scams.Imposters are scammers who work very hard to convince consumers they are a friend or relative, or that they are from a legitimate source, such as a bank or government agency. These fraudsters then take personally identifiable information (PII) and use it to steal victims’ money.

A 2024 Florida law aimed at keeping children off of social-media platforms came under scrutiny Friday, as lawyers for the state told a federal judge the measure is addressing a “mental-health crisis” and attorneys for industry groups argued the restrictions violate First Amendment rights.The law, in part, seeks to prevent children under age 16 from opening social-media accounts on certain platforms — though it would allow parents to give consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts. Children under 14 would be prohibited from having accounts.

Federal layoffs at Everglades National Park hit 12 employees; other local Florida parks have fewer affected employees.

A social media showdown is unfolding in Florida, as a federal judge in Tallahassee considers whether to block a new Florida law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that bans social media for young teens.U.S. District Judge Mark Walker is expected to hear oral arguments Friday in his courtroom from lawyers representing technology companies and the state's attorney general. The sides are battling over a request for a preliminary injunction that would further block the new law from taking effect. It wasn't clear when he might rule.

After announcing his candidacy Tuesday night on Fox News, Florida Congressman Byron Donalds filed paperwork Wednesday to formally enter the 2026 race for governor.Donalds, a Naples Republican, became the first major candidate to enter the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. Donalds made the move after receiving backing last week from President Donald Trump.