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Southwest Florida International Airport turned in a record-setting year for passenger traffic in 2024 with nearly three-quarters of a million more people filing through the Lee County air travel site.That increased passenger traffic was also reflected during December when 1,121,793 passengers traveled through RSW. This was an increase of 2.5 percent compared to December 2023. Year-to-date, passenger traffic was up 9.5 percent.

According to a recent report from PEN America — it’s a century-old nonprofit that works to protect free expression through literature — Florida overtook Texas during the last school year for the number one spot when it comes to the number of books banned in public schools. There’s been a 33% spike in book bans nationally, and Florida now accounts for more than 40% of all documented bans. In response to these trends, PEN America just named its first-ever Florida Director, Katie Blankenship. She’ll be overseeing advocacy in defense of free expression across the state. Her office is being funded by a group of bestselling writers who have come together to fight censorship in Florida.We meet Ms. Blankenship, and learn about the work being done by what’s called The Purple Group to push back against issues like book bans. It’s a nonpartisan group of Lee County residents who believe high quality public schools that welcome all students and their families are the bedrock of our multicultural, multi-ethnic democracy.

Turkey Confidential is The Splendid Table’s annual Thanksgiving show. Francis Lam comes to the rescue of Thanksgiving cooks, kitchen helpers, and dinner guests during the biggest cooking day of the year.

A new robot is laying the foundation for the future of construction in The Sunshine State. The Australian built Hadrian-X has the ability to nearly replace an entire crew and lay a home’s foundation in just one day. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford made her way to Babcock Ranch to get a preview of the machine in action and how it could change the way homes are built in Florida.

A Immokalee-based organization is reporting that United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, aided by Fort Myers Police and the Lee County Sheriff's Office in some areas, were in several locations today across Lee County.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that an S4 (severe) solar radiation storm is in progress. NOAA’s GOES-19 satellite measurements show the ongoing solar radiation storm has intensified to Severe (S4) on the NOAA Space Weather Scales, and it is still increasing.

A funeral service for Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Michael Diego will be held at noon Saturday at First Naples Church with a public viewing beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The popular North Fort Myers-sited live web cam, which has been keeping an eye on this specific nest for the past 13 seasons, has been watching the mated eagle pair preparing earlier than normal for their offspring.

When the lights go out, WGCU Public Media remains committed to bringing you important, up-to-date information no matter what’s happening outside.

Lewis Black’s voice has become synonymous to comedy after 30 years in the business. Before he leaves the stage, shares what fans can expect from his final shows in Florida.