FGCU Water School professor helps study harmful algae across the country

We all remember blue-green algae blooms that plagued our waters. Now, there are concerns about harmful algae like this across the country. FGCU Water School professor, Doctor Barry Rosen studies water from all over the country, including the State of Oregon. “Their drinking water supply is very, very tied to those water bodies that have […]

Sarasota researchers get $400,000 grant to study red tide health effects

The Gulf of Mexico is quiet Monday when it comes to red tide. As of last week, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission observed only background concentrations in Southwest Florida. But that doesn’t mean the research stops to learn more about these types of water quality issues in our region. The National Institute of Environmental […]

SWFL nurse anesthetist returns after serving on the front lines in New York

Through the ups… “It definitely improved immensely over the time I was there.” …and downs… “There was just a lot more bad outcomes than I was used to.” Jonathan, a Fort Myers nurse anesthetist is back home after serving on the front lines in Queens, New York. “Someone comes in for surgery to get their […]

Caloosahatchee River

Dry season has potential to harm key plant species in Caloosahatchee

As we’re in the dry season, less rainfall and fresh water means the Caloosahatchee estuary suffers. The Caloosahatchee River and estuary winds from Lake Okeechobee out to the Gulf of Mexico. And vegetation in the Caloosahatchee estuary is vital to wildlife, humans and water quality of Southwest Florida. Local environmental experts explained the importance of […]

Florist and restaurants make it easier to celebrate mom this Mother’s Day

Restaurants around Southwest Florida want to help you celebrate mom. They’ve set up special menus for curbside or take out for Mother’s Day. And when you serve it up, you can bring along that side of flowers, safely. Jean Marie Rakich the general manager of Fort Myers Florist says, “We have a lot more people […]

Sprinklers at a Charlotte County homeowner's backyard. (Credit: WINK News)

Severe drought conditions across SWFL requires vigilance to prevent fires

During the dry season, we’ve seen brush fires pop up across Southwest Florida. Now, the forestry service is warning about human-caused fires, because you don’t have to light a match to start a fire. Towering flames is a sight no one wants to encounter near their home. Already this year, fires caused homes to be […]

Why the Gulf of Mexico is looking picture-perfect

The waters off the Southwest Florida coast these days are picture-perfect, just in time for people heading back to the beaches. “The best time of year to get in the water and dive in Southwest Florida is this time,” said Capt. Bill D’Antuono, owner of Offshore Naples Fishing and Diving Charters. “Every spring is usually […]

Long-awaited EAA Reservoir construction begins as step forward for cleaner water

More water is now headed from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee estuary. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says pulse releases will resume Saturday morning. This comes as work begins on the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir project, which will eventually clean and store water from Lake Okeechobee, hopefully leading to cleaner rivers. Revered as the […]

Drought impacting Southwest Florida citrus farms

Parts of Southwest Florida got some much-needed rain Thursday, as the region has been experiencing extremely dry conditions for months. While the rain is a source of optimism and may help the drought situation, one citrus grove producer said it’s too little, too late. “We feel like the drought has certainly had an effect,” said […]

Oasis High seniors get special send-off

Senior year is not wrapping up the way the Class of 2020 pictured it, which is why one Cape Coral high school is showing some love to its students. It’s far from a traditional senior send-off, but in a show of solidarity and celebration, the principal and teachers of Oasis High School gave their graduates […]