Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered more than 250 law enforcement officers and soldiers to the Florida Keys on Wednesday to help stop what he anticipates to be an increase in Haitian migrants fleeing violence in their country.The Republican governor said in a news release he is sending a mix of 39 officers from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 23 officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 48 members of the Florida National Guard, 30 Florida Highway Patrol troopers and up to 133 members of the Florida State Guard.

As Israel’s war with Hamas grinds toward the half-year mark, noted journalist and syndicated columnist J.J. Goldberg shared an overview of the conflict’s historic and geopolitical roots before an overflow local crowd at the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples’ annual Day of Learning.More than 250 attendees filled the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center’s Schiff Hall for the ninth annual event, which explores topical issues through a Jewish lens. The session on Monday, March 11 was co-hosted by the Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council and its Israel and Overseas Committee.

Immokalee farmworkers and others championing causes to end the abuses farmworkers have suffered in the fields carried their message of resistance and hope across the state to Palm Beach this weekend.The first-ever Farmworker Freedom Festival began Friday and continues through Sunday celebrating farmworker culture as well as the gains of the Coalition of Immokalee Farmworkers Fair Food program.

Women across the world will demand equal pay, reproductive rights, education, justice, decision-making jobs and other essential needs during demonstrations marking International Women’s Day on Friday.Officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, International Women’s Day is commemorated in different ways and to varying degrees in places around the world. Protests are often political and, at times, violent, rooted in women’s efforts to improve their rights as workers.Demonstrations are planned from Tokyo to Mexico City, and this year’s global theme is “Inspire Inclusion.”

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office removed the ability to comment on some social media posts last year, something that's well within their right to do, but prompting some to wonder why.Instagram comments ceased on July 28 of last year, but it’s unknown when the same occurred on Facebook. Law enforcement and citizen perspectives varied on the lack of comment availability on the Sheriff's Office's social media sites.

Students, faculty and staff celebrated the start of Black History Month recently on the Campus of Florida Gulf Coast University.

Fort Myers honored Martin Luther King Jr. with a vibrant celebration, fostering unity and equality through engaging community events.

Chabad of Charlotte County and Shalom Babcock hosted the menorah lighting Thursday. The ceremony symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, a message that resonates universally and embodies the essence of the Hanukkah festival. A candle on the menorah will be lit each night for the next eight nights.

A Fort Myers maternity home for teenage mothers is one of 100 recipients nationwide of the Lowe's Hometowns grant. As part of the program, local Lowe's employees volunteered their time to help renovate the nonprofit's new building.

A community celebration of thanks was experienced for the second year Saturday by 650 Harlem Heights residents at the Heights Foundation/Heights Center.