Environment

Water experts in Florida agree, as well as take exception, to a new report that says Lake Okeechobee is the dirtiest lake in the United States.The report by Lake.com, a Canadian-based vacation rental platform offering lake houses, cabins and cottages for rent, says Lake O's top issue is visibly murky water due to turbidity levels and lead contamination.The report said that an amount of lead was detected in its most recent samples. There is no safe level of lead, and its presence in lakes is unnatural. Additionally, the report said turbidity here was the second-highest of all evaluated lakes after Utah Lake, giving the impression of rather cloudy water.

The summer months in Florida play host to a constant battle against pesky mosquitoes. To combat these blood suckers, pesticides are sprayed into marshes and coastal areas.

There are renovations that homeowners can make to give their homes an environmental boost. In Sarasota, a program incentivizes projects by offering rebates and assistance in making ecological changes

The highest tides of the year are here for much of the week, and sagging fronts will continue to bring rounds of intense storms. Flash floods are possible.

The Florida Fish Wildlife Conservation Commission is adding to the 2025 panther mortality list with the news that another of the big cats has been killed.The remains of an 11-year-old, female Florida panther (K408) were collected August 29, 2025, next to Jane’s Scenic Memorial Drive in Copeland, Collier County. The suspected cause of death was a vehicle collision.

The battle over “Alligator Alcatraz” came to a head in a Miami-Dade courtroom. Judge Kathleen Williams has granted a temporary restraining order that has stopped any future construction on the site.

DeSantis assured Alligator Alcatraz would have zero impact on the Everglades. However, light pollution and additional construction on the site has led to multiple lawsuits to shut the facility down.

Moments after a ribbon was cut in a Hendry County field Tuesday, pumps were opened and the first of 55 billion gallons started filling the new C-43 reservoir and filtering of that water began."This is a big deal," Ben Albritton, Florida State Senate president said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony moments before the pumps started up.

The summer’s Tour De Turtles, a race hosted by The Sea Turtle Conservancy, made a stop at Coquina Beach South in Bradenton. Organizers will tag 11 nesting turtles on various Florida beaches and track which turtle travels the farthest distance in three months.

American oystercatchers at-large are making gains. But in Florida, the state-threatened shorebird is struggling to hold onto habitat.