Florida’s new director of emergency management Bryan Koon, comes to the state after serving as the head of emergency operations for Wal-Mart’s international operations. Koon said the experience at the world’s largest retailer was good preparation for his new job.  READ MORE

Florida’s 25^th annual Governor’s Hurricane Conference wraps up Friday in Ft. Lauderdale. READ MORE

Florida lawmakers voted to close the Desoto Juvenile Correctional Facility to help balance the state budget, a move that would mean the loss of more than 400 jobs.

The center serves about 130 male and female juvenile offenders, with moderate to serious mental health disorders.

Republican Paige Kreegal represents DeSoto county in the state house. He opposes closing the facility has urged Governor Rick Scott to use his line item veto to strike the measure from the state budget. Kreegel said in addition to lost jobs, children would suffer.  READ MORE

Fires burning in the Big Cypress Preserve have  burned more than 16 thousand acres and led led to air quality advisories as far north Charlotte County.  The problem is expected to persist for several more days.  The smoke commonly causes throat and eye irritation.  People with chronic lung conditions could experience shortness of breath.  And spokeswoman for the Collier County Health Department, Deb Milsap,  she says children are especially sensitive to smoke. Read More...

Love bugs are back. The bi-annual infestation has many drivers busy with hoses and sponges. And Florida Gulf Coast University Entomologist Tim Durham says that’s good. It’s important to get the bugs off your car as soon as possible.

“There was some research done and their bodies if you actually macerated in them kind of pureed them in a blender the body ph is around 6.5 which is not terribly acidic but if you allow it to fester in the sunlight that ph will lower to about 4.5 which is almost on par with lemon juice”

Durham says love bugs are attracted to auto fumes; so many live, breed and die on roadways. They can pose a danger to drivers if they obscure windshields. They should begin dissipate in about two more weeks and reappear again in late August.

The Harry Chapin Food Bank in Ft. Myers is gearing up to provide food to the hungry this summer. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

Legislation that would significantly change the state’s role in growth management has passed in the Florida House – and a similar measure is making its way through the Senate. The bill has drawn sharp criticism from the environmental community. Pro business interests support it. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports. Read More...

Cape Coral police officers are field testing a new piece of technology. It’s a camera system officers can wear on their person. WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more.

Newspaper ads and billboards asking “is your faith being nurtured by the Diocese of Venice?” have recently appeared across SW Florida. They were placed by parishioners who don’t like the policies enacted by Bishop Frank DeWayne the spiritual leader of the regions 250-thousand Catholics. WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more in this report.

Demonstrators lined up outside Bank of America branches across Florida today marking tax day. WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more.