Florida Department of Agriculture

A 2,000-plus-acre Southwest Florida ranch has been added to a state program designed to protect rural land.Florida agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the addition of the Syfrett Ranch property in Highlands and Glades counties on Monday through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The approval was part of $19 million approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday to conserve rural land used for cattle, while also expanding a list of agricultural properties the state could help shield from residential or commercial development.

State health officials reported 2,238 new COVID-19 cases, Monday, increasing the statewide total to 602,829 cases.The Florida Department of Health also reported 72 new coronavirus-related deaths, Aug. 24, bringing the statewide death toll to 10,534 fatalities since the start of the pandemic.

During a press conference, state officials said the brush fire that started last week in Collier County has burned more than 8,500 acres and was 50% contained.Commissioner Nikki Fried, who oversees the Florida Forest Service, said brush fires have erupted across the state over the last two weeks.

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With the November 6 general election now less than a week away, we continue WGCU’s series of interviews with the Republican and Democratic nominees for…