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State health officials reported 1,317 new cases of COVID-19, Wednesday, raising the statewide total to 58,764 confirmed cases marking the highest single-day increase in cases April 17.The Florida Department of Health reported 36 new coronavirus-related deaths, Wednesday, for a total of 2,566 fatalities including 1,306 deaths in long-term care facilities.Of the 1,081,825 COVID-19 tests that have been performed in Florida so far, 5.4 percent have been positive for the virus.

Black bears were placed on the state's threatened list in 1974, when there were between 300 and 500 across Florida. At the time, hunting black bears was limited to three counties. In 1994, the hunting season was closed statewide.

Florida Hunters Far Outnumber Bears That Could Be Killed

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be asked next week to set a quota of 320 bears for a controversial hunt in October. The hunt,...

COVID-19 Morning Report

State health officials reported 3,571 new cases of COVID-19, Thursday increasing Florida's total to 637,013 cases.The Florida Department of Health also reported 149 new coronavirus-related deaths, yesterday, bringing the statewide death toll to 11,800 fatalities. The seven-day average for numbers of deaths reported in a day is 112. That number has not dropped below 100 reported deaths a day since July 16.

Abortion rights supporters protested a bill that would prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

Budgets, roads, sewers, abortions: Local governments weighing in on abortion amendment ahead of November election

Governments across Florida are passing non-biding resolutions regarding abortion amendment that are patently false.

COVID-19 Morning Report

State health officials reported 2,673 new COVID-19 cases, Tuesday, increasing the statewide total to 605,502 cases. The Florida Department of Health also reported 183 new coronavirus-related deaths, Aug. 25, bringing the statewide death toll to 10,717 fatalities since the beginning of the pandemic.The downturn in the number of COVID-19 tests being reported in Florida continues, even though public health experts say more testing is crucial to containing the virus.

People who'd stayed at the safe haven at North Fort Myers Recreation Center stretched their legs outside on Thursday morning. Lee County has two safe havens. Collier has opened three of them. Charlotte County has opened two shelters to help people during the effects of Hurricane Helene.

People get shelter from Helene at safe havens

Some counties in Southwest Florida are opening safe havens for homeless people, and those who feel their homes may not be safe during Hurricane Helene. Sixty-three people stayed at two safe havens in Lee County from Wednesday through Thursday morning.

Amendment Two: Medical Marijuana

On November 4, voters will decide whether or not to approve a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize medical marijuana in Florida. This…

Florida Department of Emergency Management director Kevin Gutherie updates the media on efforts to prepare the state as Tropical Storm Debby approached. The storm was expected to intensify to a Category 1 or 2 hurricane by landfall on Monday. Gov. Ron DeSantis also spoke about other state work being done to prepare for trhe storm.

Florida officials urge Big Bend area to get ready for likely Cat 1-2 Hurricane Debby; all-day tornado watches cover SWFL, other areas

“Catastrophic rain” is what Florida officials said Sunday they expect when Tropical Storm Debby comes ashore Monday, likely as a hurricane.Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other state officials held multiple media briefings Sunday as Debby started to move over the warm Gulf of Mexico waters and targeted the Big Bend area of the state.Florida Department of Emergency Management director Kevin Guthrie says the situation coming from Debby will change Monday.

A pond on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University is feet lower due to the lack of rainfall in Southwest Florida last year; firefighters recently gathered to make the public aware of the threat of wildfire the year-long drought has created

Awaiting a spark: Firefighters fear Southwest Florida is ready to burn

A drought unlike any the Sunshine State has seen for more than 20 years has been drying out portions of the state — especially Southwest Florida

Power crews and their trucks staged at JetBlue Park frounds in Fort Myers.

Outages across Southwest Florida climb as Milton nears the coast; crews ready for reconnections

Florida Power & Light and Lee County Electric Cooperative are preparing for widespread outages as Milton comes closer to the west coast.FPL Spokesperson Mike Mazur (Mazer) says that the company is equipped for the large number of outages with a workforce of around 17,000 on standby.

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