Republican U.S. Congressman Connie Mack of Fort Myers held a panel discussion at the Naples Beach Hotel Monday night on the Obama Administration’s policies for the past 18 months.  WGCU’s John Davis was there and has this report.

Democrat U.S. Senate hopeful Kendrick Meek of Miami made a campaign stop in Fort Myers Thursday.  WGCU’s John Davis was there and has this report.

On July 12th 21 brown pelicans and 11 northern gannets were released back into the wild on a Sanibel Island beach. The birds had been rehabbed after being found covered with oil in the Gulf near the Louisiana coast – victims of the deep water horizon well blow out. How did the birds fare? WGCU’s Valerie Alker has this update.

A different take on Naples history was recently published in the form of a memoir titled “The East Side of the River” by Jessie Allen Chesser.  Chesser was born in East Naples in 1935.  She’s descended from pioneers who farmed and fished in Belle Meade, now part of greater Naples.  Her book is dotted with family photos from the turn of the last century, up to the mid 1950’s when Jesse was a popular athlete at Naples High School.  She says despite social divisions, Naples was a fun place to grow up – the kind of place where the girl scout troop camped out on the beach.

Early voting began Monday for Florida’s Primary Election, giving registered voters an opportunity to beat the lines on August 24th.  WGCU’s John Davis has more.

Phosphate mining company, Mosaic, is appealing a court issued injunction against portions of its Hardee County mining operation.  The mine would impact wetlands next to the Peace River.  WGCU’s John Davis has more.

Members of the Florida House are gearing up for a special session next month to get a better handle on the state’s recovery and response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Independent Gubernatorial Candidate Bud Chiles speaks Thursday at the Sarasota Tiger Bay Club. Chiles is the son of former Democratic Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, who served from 1991 to 1998.  WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more.

Mote Marine Laboratory’s initiative to provide real time information on beach conditions is getting a technological boost in Lee County.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

An invasive fish scientists have been tracking in the Atlantic has now turned up in the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers say one way to get rid of the pest is to eat it. WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more.