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On September 11, 2001 former WGCU reporter Valerie Alker Cooper went to Sarasota to cover a visit by the President George W. Bush. He was visiting Emma E. Booker Elementary School to meet students and staff and to talk about his plans for education reform — but the event was disrupted by the news of the day.

On Saturday, February 26, the Friends of Cape Coral Wildlife hosted the 20th Anniversary Burrowing Owl Festival. Instead of enjoying educational exhibits and hearing presentations from experts at Rotary Park in Cape Coral, WGCU joined a busload of photographers (and two experts) to go in search of the city bird and other feathered friends.

After more legal wrangling Friday, a feeding tube is removed from Terri Schiavo, a brain-damaged Florida woman. Her husband says that was Schiavo's wish. Her parents and others disagree, saying she could benefit from continued therapy.

After Hurricane Katrina wiped out the city 10 years ago, locals fought hard to preserve their deep-rooted cuisine. But devastation also brought opportunities for more experimental eateries to move in.

Four conservation groups are seeking to help block an effort to remove federal Endangered Species Act protections for the Florida scrub jay, the Earthjustice legal organization announced Tuesday. The Florida Wildlife Federation, American Bird Conservancy, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida filed a request to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the protections.

A new report from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission shows that 407 manatees have died this year in Florida as of last week. Brevard County on the east coast and Lee County on the west have been the hot spots so far this year for manatee deaths, according to FWC figures.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday vetoed a bill aimed at clearing the way for some people to pursue medical-malpractice lawsuits over the deaths of family members. DeSantis, who earlier had indicated he would veto the bill (HB 6017), said during an appearance at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers that the proposal could “open flood gates” for litigation.

Amid ongoing scrutiny of First Lady Casey DeSantis’ signature welfare-assistance program and an affiliated foundation, the executive director of the Hope Florida program is poised to step down from the job.Erik Dellenback, who also serves as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “liaison for faith and community,” is leaving to pursue a post as CEO of Florida Family Voice, a Christian nonprofit affiliated with national groups such as the Family Policy Alliance, Focus on the Family and the Alliance Defending Freedom.

Health News Florida is now part of WUSF Public Media in Tampa, Florida.

Florida wildlife officials are pressing charges against a man for feeding an alligator in the Everglades. The News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla., says the man was giving an Indiana family a tour when he dangled a fish off the boat. An alligator snapped up the fish — and the man's hand.