The Internal Revenue Service has increased the optional standard mileage rate for business use of automobiles for 2026. Optional standard mileage rates are used to calculate the deductible costs of operating vehicles for business, charitable, and medical purposes.

This month a Southwest Florida icon is celebrating its 90th birthday. And it's doing so with its eye on what it hopes will be a bright and bold future. The Everglades Wonder Gardens opened in 1936, and still is a big visitor draw today.

It was a rollercoaster of a ride for the Florida economy in 2025. Governor Ron DeSantis looked to alleviate homeowners’ pocketbooks by proposing to eliminate property taxes for primary residences.

Tesla lost its crown as the world's bestselling electric vehicle maker on Friday as a customer revolt over Elon Musk's right-wing politics, expiring U.S. tax breaks to buyers and stiff overseas competition pushed sales down for a second year in a row. Tesla said that it delivered 1.64 million vehicles in 2025, down 9% from a year ago. Chinese rival BYD, which sold 2.26 million vehicles last year, is now the biggest EV maker. For the fourth quarter, sales totaled 418,227, falling short of the 440,000 that analysts polled by FactSet expected. The sales total may likely have been impacted by the expiration of a $7,500 tax credit that was phased out by the Trump administration at the end of September.

After years of hiatus, Jennifer Rena Bennett, owner of Matlacha's Island Flair, has partnered with the Matlacha Civic Association to resurrect Matlacha's Art Walk. Its resurgence returned to the small island on June 13, 2025. Since then, the event has gained increased attention with an intrinsic goal of rejuvenating and reinvigorating the quaint business community, home to the historic fishing village, during the times of stability prior to the cavalcade of hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton—all of which impacted the low-lying island in different ways.

Economic uncertainty surrounds the US, due to rises in tariffs, a soft job market and the recent government shutdown. Yet that doesn’t seem to be dissuading shoppers this upcoming holiday season.

At least three Matlacha businesses continue to reel following a shoplifting incident on Saturday, Nov. 8. One store owner says the suspect stole nearly $500 in local artwork from her store alone — artwork she and the community say local business owners depend on for a stable income and quality of life. Now, nearly two weeks later, with businesses still waiting for updates, the greater community, home to the historic fishing village, remains dumbfounded by what they call an extraordinary event, feeling for the businesses and artists picking up the pieces.

It’s getting harder to financially get by in the State of Florida. Despite the minimum wage rising this past year to $14, that amount is not enough to get by according to the Florida Policy Institute.

Folks in Immokalee who depended on the community's only supermarket, Winn Dixie, are frustrated and concerned. The store closed about a week ago as part of Aldi's acquisition of Southeastern Grocers.

Some local businesses are being honored as the best in Lee County. The Horizon Council, a group dedicated to business excellence and growth in Lee County, announced its Industry Appreciation Awards for 2025.