Colder than average winter temperatures have not put a damper on tourism in Lee County this season. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

Governor Charlie Crist says he wants more money for K-through-12 public education.  He’s proposing a 500-million dollar budget increase.  But, that may depend on lawmakers agreeing to the Seminole gambling pact, and the state winning a federal grant.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.

The National Park Service will celebrate its centennial in 2016.  And as the festivities near, one question lingers on the minds of many park rangers: how to attract more minorities.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports on a group of southwest Florida Latinos who were given the opportunity to see one of Florida’s national preserves for the first time in their lives.

Coastal engineers, tourism officials, politicians and members of the public celebrated the re-opening of Blind Pass between Sanibel & Captiva Friday.  WGCU’s Mike Kiniry reports.

The effort to bring the Chicago Cubs to Naples for Spring Training is gaining momentum. 
WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.

The
fall months typically bring red tide to Florida’s gulf coast. But this
year the harmful algal blooms have so far failed to emerge. WGCU’s
John Davis reports.

Florida's tourist beaches are being held hostage, some say, by a handful of North Florida property owners who complain the state's method of repairing eroded beaches violates their property rights. Next month, the case will go to the U-S Supreme Court. Rick Stone has the story.

The Naples Botanical Garden has won a national award that the folks at the gardens hope will bring more prestige and eventually more guests. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.

Governor
Charley Crist may call a special session of the Florida legislature in
October, and there’s speculation a bill that could lead the way to
drilling for oil off Florida’s Gulf coast will be introduced.  That’s
got interests on both sides of the issue scrambling to be heard. 
WGCU’s Valerie Alker prepared this report.

There
is a growing buzz about the re-opening of the Naples Botanical
Gardens.  The anticipation is reaching across state lines and
international borders.  With the re-opening in November, designers and
gardeners are scrambling to meet the expectations.  One of the areas
getting a lot of attention right now is the Brazilian Garden.  WGCU’s
Luis Hernandez reports on a one-of-a-kind mural that is being prepped
for installation.