WGCU News

Duke is the top overall seed in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, with Arizona, Michigan, and Florida also landing on the No. 1 line. Miami (Ohio), which opened the season 31-0 before a loss early its conference tournament, got in as an 11 seed despite a weak schedule. They play a First Four game on Wednesday against SMU. The tournament begins Tuesday with other play-in games, including Texas versus North Carolina State.

The annual Taste of the Islands brings food and an opportunity to support wildlife care on Sanibel.

Every year, VoLo Foundation’s Climate Correction Conference gets somewhat glitzier, its speakers a bit more prestigious, the event a little better attended. One day of main events has become three. Longer presentations have been tightened to fit everyone onto the schedule. More chairs and more tables are brought out because the conference has grown from 200 people last year to 250 this year. The theme this year centered around the notion that the environment has already engineered answers to the climate challenges facing the planet.

Florida lawmakers approved significant new guardrails Friday for the multibillion-dollar emergency fund that Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration used to construct and operate the sprawling immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.”

Citations are being issued in Punta Gorda for the enforcement of current watering restrictions to help conserve water during the dry season. Once-per-week watering is in effect for established lawns and landscaping through July 1. First-time violations get citations, not a warning.

Millions of shorebirds use Florida's beaches and dune systems during nesting season, with about 20 species along the Gulf from February to August. Watch where you step.

The rehabilitation of a young Florida panther injured in a vehicle collision is being recognized as a powerful example of statewide collaboration among wildlife and veterinary partners working together to protect one of Florida’s most iconic endangered animals. ZooTampa at Lowry Park played a key role in the panther’s survival and has now provided him a permanent home as a conservation ambassador. The panther, named "Loper," will remain at the zoo permanently and serve an important purpose in helping guests understand the threats facing Florida panthers and the need to protect the habitat they depend on.

A day-long celebration on St. Patrick's Day in Bonita Springs benefits Harry Chapin Food Bank.

FGCU’s Wings of Hope program is expanding its reach beyond elementary school students to involve middle schoolers and high schoolers in the use of wildlife cameras.

Rob and Jen Whyte started Fort Myers Brewing Company to get to know their new neighbors — and ended up winning awards every year for their microbrewed beers.