WGCU Public Media

06/12/2026

El Niño conditions have officially developed, setting the stage for shifting weather patterns that could influence conditions across Florida and beyond for the rest of 2026. Read more: https://bit.ly/4eklsec

Since reliable global temperature records began in the 1950s, Earth's warmest years have occurred during El Niño events, while the coolest years have typically coincided with La Niña conditions.

06/12/2026

After years of construction, the new Big Carlos Pass Bridge is set to officially open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony next week. The celebration will also mark the completion of an artificial reef project created from portions of the original bridge.

Lee County is inviting the community to celebrate the completion of the new Big Carlos Pass Bridge and the Big Carlos Bridge artificial reef with a ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 30.

06/11/2026

A Southwest Florida food drive collected more than 20,000 pounds of peanut butter and jelly, helping stock shelves for local families facing food insecurity this summer.

Community Cooperative collects 20,000 pounds of peanut butter and jelly in annual drive

06/11/2026

A major illegal gambling crackdown in Lee and Collier counties led to arrests, cash seizures and hundreds of gaming machines being confiscated. What's next may be even bigger: https://bit.ly/4uuawAG

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier highlighted the results of an operation dubbed Sunset Stakes that targeted illegal gambling practices across Lee and Collier counties, mentioning that a new task force to address the problem is coming to Southwest Florida.

06/11/2026

Immigration arrests in Florida have more than tripled since the start of President Trump's second term, with nearly 39,000 arrests recorded in just over a year as state and local agencies take on a larger role in federal immigration enforcement.

Trump’s immigration crackdown has met with fierce resistance in Democratic-led sanctuary cities, where police are forbidden from assisting and many locals view the masked federal agents as an invading force. That hasn’t been the case in Republican-led Florida, though, where about 350 state and l...

06/11/2026

Hundreds of Lee County teachers lined up before sunrise for a classroom supply giveaway that delivered nearly $200,000 in donated resources.

United Way and Foundation for Lee County Schools hold a joint giveaway of classroom supplies to teachers.

06/10/2026

Florida has extended and strengthened emergency measures aimed at preventing the spread of New World screwworm after additional detections were reported in Mexico.

Increased New World Screwworm exposures in Texas and New Mexico, the Florida department of Agriculture will strengthen current efforts to prevent the reintroduction of the destructive pest into the state by implementing a new emergency rule. Three cases of the New World screwworm were confirmed earl...

06/10/2026

Two Southwest Florida communities and a regional agency will receive a share of more than $90 million in FEMA funding for disaster recovery and hazard mitigation projects across Florida. The funding supports recovery efforts tied to hurricanes including Ian, Helene and Milton.

Two Southwest Florida communities and one regional agency will get a share of more than $90 million in funding from FEMA targeted to support more than 50 recovery and hazard mitigation projects in Florida communities affected by Hurricanes Helene, Milton and other past disasters.

06/10/2026

U.S. inflation rose to 4.2% in May, the highest annual rate in more than three years, as higher gasoline prices drove much of the increase.

Inflation has surged to its highest level in more than three years since the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran, triggering a surge in gasoline prices.

06/09/2026

HENDRY COUNTY: A public hearing Tuesday will determine if an 88-foot flag pole is too tall for LaBelle.

The Olde Florida Motorcoach & RV Resort is seeking a variance to build the pole, which would tower over the area's typical 25 to 35-foot flag poles.

The Hendry County Board of Commissioners will make the final call.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4ofRdd0