WGCU News

In celebration of Black History Month, we bring you a moment in Black History in Southwest Florida.

A social media showdown is unfolding in Florida, as a federal judge in Tallahassee considers whether to block a new Florida law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that bans social media for young teens.U.S. District Judge Mark Walker is expected to hear oral arguments Friday in his courtroom from lawyers representing technology companies and the state's attorney general. The sides are battling over a request for a preliminary injunction that would further block the new law from taking effect. It wasn't clear when he might rule.

The first good night's sleep in years for the daughter of a murdered couple came the night Florida executed her parents' killer earlier this month, she says in a new interview.“There’s a weight that’s been lifted off of us,” said Maranda Malnory, 29, of Cape Coral, in a phone conversation from her home. “We can move forward. We’re never going to move past it, but it’s not looming there all the time.”Malnory, 29, was less than one month away from her 2nd birthday when James Ford murdered her parents, Greg and Kim Malnory, in rural Charlotte County in southwest Florida. Malnory was left to the elements in a car seat in her father’s blue pickup after her parents’ murders, and police found her and her parents’ bodies the next morning.

After announcing his candidacy Tuesday night on Fox News, Florida Congressman Byron Donalds filed paperwork Wednesday to formally enter the 2026 race for governor.Donalds, a Naples Republican, became the first major candidate to enter the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Ron DeSantis. Donalds made the move after receiving backing last week from President Donald Trump.

Florida received a fair coating of rain on Monday with that low-pressure system that dissected the state. Many received around 2 inches, while the Keys flooded. This could put a dent in the drought.

Hurricane Milton cause widespread flooding and destruction five months ago; Deadline for waterway debris removal approaching.

It’s a busy week in Southwest Florida for area theaters, as seven shows open, eight shows close and five others continue their runs.

Three outdoor art festivals take place in Southwest Florida the weekend of March 1 & 2.

“Boca” is on stage at Florida Rep for just a few more shows. Playwright Jessica Provenz was in the audience on Sunday to see the play she wrote four years ago. That’s primarily because she and Director Chris Clavelli made some changes to make the laugh-out-loud comedy even funnier.

The Florida Department of Financial Services, Criminal Investigations Division, is seeking to identify an individual believed to have been on a Lehigh Acres church's property during an arson incident.