Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill on Thursday that sought to expand lawsuits by some people pursuing medical-malpractice claims involving the deaths of family members.

In response to what Florida officials have referred to as the state’s “most successful conservation efforts,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has begun creating proposals for a potential bear hunt later this year.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is set to speak at the Florida Highway Patrol station in Fort Myers Wednesday morning alongside FHMSV Executive Director Dave Kerner.

A rainy day in Florida resulted in all but one Grapefruit League spring training game being canceled.

Alex Bregman hit a two-run homer in his spring training debut with the Boston Red Sox, launching a drive over the left-field wall in the second inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.

Fresh off his first Cy Young Award, Chris Sale opened spring training with two perfect innings for the Atlanta Braves.

A Senate Republican on Tuesday filed a proposal that would lead to studying the possibility of eliminating property taxes in Florida.

Alex Bregman could receive the final payment of his $120 million, three-year deal with the Boston Red Sox in 2046.

Some areas of Florida were already feeling the impact of Tropical Storm Debby on Sunday as it made its way to the Big Bend area where it’s expected to make landfall.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to speak at 10 a.m. Tuesday at a Home Depot store in Fort Myers.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito will undergo right elbow surgery, potentially ending his first season with the team before it even begins.

A Florida bill to allow people to file wrongful death lawsuits over the death of a fetus is being shelved because of the political fallout from an Alabama Supreme Court decision that frozen embryos are legally protected children.

Planning for a hurricane means high-stakes decisions must be made quickly, especially when you're the person or organization responsible for people's lives and preparedness.

The depression formed Thursday evening.

Another game with excellent pitching, a hallmark during its playoff run, delivered Bishop Kenny a 4-1 win over Tampa Jefferson in the Class 4A state semifinals on Friday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.

The Spartans had used a fast start to beat Westminster Academy 8-3 in the Class 2A state semifinals on Thursday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. St. Johns will face Lakeland Christian on Saturday at 11 a.m. for the championship.

Bishop Kenny, Columbia and Providence are joining St. Johns Country Day in the high school baseball state semifinals in Fort Myers.

A new study says changes in air patterns as the world warms will likely push more and nastier hurricanes up against the United States’ east and Gulf coasts.

Hurricane Ian briefly reached maximum Category 5 status before weakening to a Category 4 storm as it blasted ashore last September in southwest Florida, eventually causing over $112 billion in damage in the U.S. and more than 150 deaths directly or indirectly.

Rules for new Citizens Property Insurance policyholders is part of legislation that was passed during a special session.

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Friday at the Oxbow Bar and Grill in Fort Myers where he talked about the progress of the area’s recovery from devastating Hurricane Ian six months ago.

Boston Red Sox infielder Justin Turner needed 16 stitches after he was hit in the face by a pitch during a spring training game against the Detroit Tigers.

When the new year starts in less than a week, a number of new laws will take effect in Florida.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a sweeping property insurance bill.

The Florida Legislature will meet next week for a special session on property insurance and property tax relief in the wake of damage caused by Hurricane Ian.

Federal officials say U.S. aid to Florida for recovery from Hurricane Ian has topped the $2 billion mark.

It has been a month since Hurricane Ian ravaged southwest Florida.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the reopening of the causeway linking Sanibel Island to the mainland that was washed out by Hurricane Ian.

A winning lottery ticket worth a share of a $494 million Mega Millions jackpot was purchased in a southwest Florida city hammered by Hurricane Ian late last month.

The first of three proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution that the Florida Legislature voted to place on the ballot this November is an effort to help homeowners fight the effects of rising sea levels and climate change.

Lee County deputies arrested seven Osceola County men, accused of looting in Fort Myers after the area and its residents faced Hurricane Ian.

Wednesday marks two weeks since Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida.

Hurricane Ian might have come and gone, but it has done long-term damage to the small businesses of a region heavily dependent on tourists and seasonal residents.

Ten days after the major disaster declaration for Hurricane Ian in Florida, FEMA has approved $150 million in grants to 101,705 households to help them recover.

Ashley Garner had given up on ever seeing her wedding ring again.

The parent of Allegiant Air says it's pushing back the opening of a resort in Florida because of damage from Hurricane Ian.

The Avenues Mall has partnered with One Mission Disaster Response and Jaguar Moving to host a supply drive for Floridian victims of Hurricane Ian.

The wrath of Hurricane Ian left Fort Myers Beach in shambles. More than a week later, search and rescue teams are still searching for and finding bodies.

Hurricane Ian slammed Southwest Florida as a major hurricane, producing winds rarely seen anywhere on Earth.

As Millennium Physician Group continues to collect vital supplies to send to Southwest Florida following Hurricane Ian, staff members now say they’ve gotten more goods than they can imagine.

One of the more heated recent topics on Hurricane Ian was the landfall forecasts and their accuracy.

The full breadth of Hurricane Ian's destruction is still coming into focus a week after it hit southwest Florida.

Supplies are coming in to help the people in Southwest Florida who were impacted by Hurricane Ian.

Throughout a southwest Florida devastated by Hurricane Ian, Jews plan to hold worship services for Yom Kippur starting Tuesday night.

As the water recedes and people continue assessing the damage to their homes in the aftermath of Ian, they may try to move it themselves. But you always want to do it safely so as to avoid serious injuries.

Experts say that Hurricane Ian is shining a spotlight once again on the vulnerability of the nation’s barrier islands and the increasing cost of people living on them.

Dozens of Florida residents have evacuated from their flooded and splintered homes by boat and air as rescuers search for survivors after Hurricane Ian.

Fort Myers Beach is destroyed. The pain, suffering and destruction is indescribable.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on Friday warned people and businesses to beware of charity scams related to Hurricane Ian.

A cellphone video filmed during Hurricane Ian’s assault on southwest Florida on Wednesday showed a shark or other large fish thrashing around an inundated Fort Myers backyard.

Cars are left abandoned where they stalled on the road into Fort Myers Beach when Hurricane Ian's storm surge flooded their engines and their drivers couldn’t continue.

Hurricane Ian’s wind, rain and storm surge has caused at least a dozen deaths, flooded homes, left millions without power and flattened businesses. Now, people who live there are assessing the damage, and preparing to rebuild what Ian destroyed.

The National Hurricane Center said Ian could return at or near hurricane strength on Friday when it enters the Atlantic Ocean toward South Carolina and North Carolina.

Hurricane Ian has regained some strength after exiting Florida and taking aim at South Carolina.

Hurricane Ian is currently hitting the Gulf Coast of Florida after strengthening to a Category 4 storm before making landfall, possibly near Port Charlotte.

A former Florida state prison guard has been sentenced to three years and five months in federal prison for participating in a scheme to smuggle drugs into a facility.

There will only be one day in the year 2100 where nuisance high tide flooding isn’t an issue in the Fort Myers area.

Sheriff's deputies in Florida have arrested a 10-year-old fifth grade student accused of threatening to shoot up a school.

A Florida woman has been convicted for her part in a 2016 Florida nightclub shooting that left two teenagers dead and 14 other people injured.

A 29-year-old man is accused of filming two young girls as they tried on clothes in a fitting room at a southwest Florida Walmart store.

The Boston Red Sox have announced their signing of former Rockies shortstop Trevor Story to make the deal official.

Baseball’s bitter 99-day lockout moved a little further back in the rearview mirror when spring training games began Thursday.

A Florida couple has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $900,000 in COVID-19 relief funds.

A Florida sheriff’s deputy is facing charges that he conspired to arrest an innocent person on drug charges in exchange for sexual favors and a trip to Paris.

Leona Maguire became the first Irish winner in LPGA Tour history Saturday, closing with a 5-under 67 for a three-stroke victory in the LPGA Drive On Championship at Crown Colony.

Leona Maguire and Marina Alex shared the lead Friday in the LPGA Drive On Championship after another windy round at Crown Colony.

At least six tornadoes were reported in Southwest Florida on Sunday as a powerful winter storm system moved through the state.

A former administrative assistant at a southwest Florida charter school has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for stealing more than $87,000, prosecutors said Wednesday.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Sunday issued a Missing Child Alert for a 16-year-old boy from Lee County.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a trio of bills that he said will help Florida become the No. 1 state in the nation in terms of civic literacy.

Orlando’s First Academy ended Bolles’ season with a 2-1 victory in the Class 3A state semifinals at CenturyLink Sports Complex in Fort Myers.

Fleming Island is keeping the best baseball season in program history moving right along.

The Fleming Island baseball team is a pair of victories away from a state championship.

Three area baseball teams started the night still alive in the regional round, but only one moved on to Fort Myers to join Fleming Island and St. Johns Country Day. A look at Wednesday night’s playoff recaps.

The third round of the high school state baseball playoffs are here. A glance at Wednesday’s three third-round games for area teams.

Two area high school baseball teams punched their tickets to the state semifinals.

Major League Baseball has rescinded its decision to have Atlanta host this summer's All-Star Game.

MIAMI – A Florida business owner has been convicted of illegally receiving more than $2 million in coronavirus relief funds. Prosecutors said he claimed the funds would only be used for business-related purposes, such as retaining workers and paying bills. Crowther concealed the scheme by providing false explanations for the expenditures to his bank, prosecutors said. AdThe Paycheck Protection Program represents billions of dollars in forgivable small business loans for Americans struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which became federal law in March.

Hall of Famers taking part include include Anthony Muñoz, in both English and Spanish, Darrell Green, Aeneas Williams, and Drew Pearson. ___Indiana baseball coach Jeff Mercer has tested positive for COVID-19, and the Hoosiers’ home doubleheader against Penn State on Friday has been called off. ___Kansas withdrew from the Big 12 Tournament on Friday after a positive COVID-19 test within the men’s basketball program, sending No. ___The Minnesota Twins are the latest Major League Baseball team to receive government approval for fans to return to their games this season. Only a limited amount of family members of players and staff have been able to attend those games this season.

FILE - Minnesota Twins' Eddie Rosario hits the ball during a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Fort Myers, Fla., in this Monday, March 9, 2020, file photo. The Indians officially signed free agent outfielder Eddie Rosario, adding a quality player who pounded their pitchers in recent years. Rosario passed his physical on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, to finalize a one-year, $8 million contract for 2021. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)CLEVELAND – Free agent outfielder Eddie Rosario has joined the Cleveland Indians, adding a quality player who has haunted their pitchers in recent years. Rosario passed his physical on Thursday and finalized the $8 million, one-year contract he agreed to late last week.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – An endangered Florida panther has died after being struck by a vehicle. It’s the third panther death attributed to fatal collisions, out of four total deaths this year, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A total of 22 Florida panther deaths were reported in 2020, with 19 killed by vehicles. The remains of the 2-year-old male panther were found Thursday in Lee County on a rural road near Wild Turkey Strand Preserve, wildlife officials said. Florida panthers once roamed the entire Southeast, but now their habitat mostly is confined to a small region of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico.

FORT MYERS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Seniors and first responders wait in line to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the Lakes Regional Library on December 30, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. At vaccination sites across the state, seniors formed long lines — some camping out overnight with lawn chairs and blankets — hoping to gain immunity to fight the virus. Seniors in other parts of the state were frustrated by busy phone lines and websites that would no longer issue new vaccination appointments. The Orlando Sentinel reported that state health officials in Orange County on Tuesday closed its online portal after generating 30,000 appointments in about 24 hours. “Despite the state receiving 1,218,300 vaccine doses, only 15% of those have actually been administered,” she said in the letter.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The U.S. Coast Guard says a man went missing after falling into the water from a dinner-cruise ship in the Gulf Coast in Florida. J.P. boat late Friday. The companysays Capt J.P. is a 475-passenger paddlewheel boat that tours the scenic Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida. Coast Guard crews searched for more than 11 hours in the waters before suspending the search. They received help from agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Fort Myers Beach Police, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

The Ponte Vedra volleyball team completed the most dominant run in area history on Saturday, sweeping Jensen Beach to win the Class 5A state championship in Fort Myers and capping a back-to-back quest that is unprecedented in area volleyball history. Mignerey has led Ponte Vedra to three championships, the most by a team in area history. To hang with the Sharks, Jensen Beach needed something to go its way. It found very little rhythm against Ponte Vedra. Ponte Vedra and Christ’s Church won championships in 2017, the first time that area programs had brought home titles in the same season.

When done playing, the flap is closed, revealing “a fully functional face mask,” reports Rob Spicker, a spokesperson for the Lee County School District. Band students in the district’s 49 middle and 15 high school band programs are being provided these type of musician-friendly face masks. The Lee County school district is providing face masks made for musicians in mind to students in its 49 middle and 15 high school band programs. Marching band students from Fort Myers High School wore them during the halftime performance Thursday. Recently, South Fort Myers High School’s marching band showed off the new masks for the people who donated to the cause.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Campaigning Friday in Fort Myers, President Donald Trump pledged to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine to many senior citizens free of charge through a partnership with two major pharmacy chains. The president also has said he would have vaccines available to the public by the Nov. 3 election. And even if vaccines were available, it’s not clear Americans, especially older ones, would get vaccinated. Trump, who also held a rally in Ocala, will likely be unable to win a second term if he loses the state. The news about the vaccine partnership also came as states were required to submit draft plans to the federal government about how they will distribute a coronavirus vaccine when one is approved for public use.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Halsey Beshears, the state’s department of business secretary, said Thursday night that Florida will be rescinding an emergency order directed at bars. On Monday, all bars in the state will be allowed to reopen at 50% occupancy for onsite consumption. Starting Monday, all bars will be reopened at 50% occupancy. Ron DeSantis said he hoped to soon give Floridans the “ability to have some enjoyment in their life” by soon lifting on-site drinking restrictions. The restrictions on bars and breweries have particularly affected establishments that don’t serve food.

Analyzing data released Thursday by the Florida Department of Health again highlights a significant lag in the states reporting of COVID-19 related deaths. From Aug. 22 to Sept. 2, between two and eight newly reported deaths were added each day, the data show. Of the newly reported deaths, 26 were added in Duval County -- a single-day high for additional deaths in Jacksonville -- but its unclear in the data just when those deaths occurred. Most of the newly reported Duval County deaths were first identified as COVID-19 patients by the state in July, and one was first reported in April. Columbia County added four deaths in Thursdays data, Alachua County added three and St. Johns County added one.

Ron DeSantis said Friday that a big reason for the rise positivity rate and the number of new COVID-19 cases in Florida is the community transmission driven younger people in the state. In states like Florida, Texas and Arizona, young people started going out again, many without masks, in what health experts see as irresponsible behavior. DeSantis said young people need to follow guidelines when at home and at house parties, too. DeSantis announced Florida would move to Phase 2 of its reopening on June 5. He said Thursday he has no plans to move the state to Phase 3 during the current surge in cases.

Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers said Feb. 4 it agreed in principle to take over five Lucky’s Market locations in Florida. Southeastern Grocers will open Winn-Dixie supermarkets at closing Lucky’s stores in Gainesville, Melbourne, Fort Myers, Naples and Lake Mary. Lucky’s, which is reorganizing under Chapter 11 bankruptcy laws, initially intended to keep the Melbourne store open. Previously, Aldi agreed to take over six Lucky’s stores, while Publix Super Markets Inc. agreed to take over leases at five properties including the Lucky’s store in Neptune Beach. Lucky’s said Feb. 4 it entered into asset purchase agreements with Southeastern Grocers, Seabra Foods and Hitchcock’s Markets for seven locations in Florida.

The illegal trade of turtles is having a global impact on many turtle species and our ecosystems. We commend our law enforcements work to address the crisis of illegal wildlife trafficking, said FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton. Arresting people engaged in illegal wildlife trafficking supports our environment and legal businesses. The International Fund for Animal Welfare estimates illegal wildlife trade in the US at $19 billion annual income. Evidence indicated turtles sold within one month totaled an estimated $60,000.

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Federal investigators call it the latest scheme targeting consumers on Medicare and it all begins with claims of free screening for cancer. Tammy's mom has heart issues, cancer runs in the family so when the telemarketer pitched free cancer screening, her mom bought in. Cancer screening, a lucrative businessCole Buckley of Fort Myers showed us several flags and fliers he had made for what he thought would be a lucrative DNA cancer screening business. How to protect yourself from falling victim to "free" cancer screening - If a genetic testing kit is mailed to you, don't accept it unless it was ordered by your doctor or return it to the sender. - Be suspicious of anyone who offers you "free" genetic or cancer screening and then requests your Medicare number.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – A former University of Florida football player, Earl Antonio "Tony" Joiner, has been arrested and charged with killing his wife in a case dating to 2016, police said. A former safety at Florida under then-Coach Urban Meyer, Joiner was arrested Saturday on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of wife Heyzel Obando, the Fort Myers Police Department said in a statement. The reports noted that Joiner, as a junior player, led all of UF's defensive backs with 59 tackles. Hernandez was later convicted of murder and killed himself in prison in 2017. During Meyer's six years at Florida, there were 31 arrests of football players, according to an analysis by the New York Times.