Environment

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The Florida Department of Health in Lee County said that tests completed this week found the previously high level of enterococcus has decreased to an acceptable level, and it has lifted its advisory.

Lake Okeechobee boaters are being alerted to a nearly 10-acre floating island that was blown into the channel Tuesday night near Route 2.The navigation channel is temporarily closed until a team from the U.S. Army Corps team can remove it.

A common mosquito killer is finding its way from land into Gulf waters. Researchers at FGCU's The Water School are determining its impact on fish found on Kimberly's Reef. The underwater classroom and laboratory called Kimberly's Reef is the subject of an upcoming documentary produced by WGCU.

Water experts in Florida agree, as well as take exception, to a new report that says Lake Okeechobee is the dirtiest lake in the United States.The report by Lake.com, a Canadian-based vacation rental platform offering lake houses, cabins and cottages for rent, says Lake O's top issue is visibly murky water due to turbidity levels and lead contamination.The report said that an amount of lead was detected in its most recent samples. There is no safe level of lead, and its presence in lakes is unnatural. Additionally, the report said turbidity here was the second-highest of all evaluated lakes after Utah Lake, giving the impression of rather cloudy water.

The summer months in Florida play host to a constant battle against pesky mosquitoes. To combat these blood suckers, pesticides are sprayed into marshes and coastal areas.

There are renovations that homeowners can make to give their homes an environmental boost. In Sarasota, a program incentivizes projects by offering rebates and assistance in making ecological changes

The highest tides of the year are here for much of the week, and sagging fronts will continue to bring rounds of intense storms. Flash floods are possible.

The Florida Fish Wildlife Conservation Commission is adding to the 2025 panther mortality list with the news that another of the big cats has been killed.The remains of an 11-year-old, female Florida panther (K408) were collected August 29, 2025, next to Jane’s Scenic Memorial Drive in Copeland, Collier County. The suspected cause of death was a vehicle collision.

The battle over “Alligator Alcatraz” came to a head in a Miami-Dade courtroom. Judge Kathleen Williams has granted a temporary restraining order that has stopped any future construction on the site.