Southwest Florida

Temporary Protected Status is eliminated for Haiti, along with numerous other countries, forcing nationals who were once in the United States legally under the program to lose their status. Florida is home to the largest Haitian population in the U.S., with more than 27,000 living in Southwest Florida alone, mostly in Lee and Collier counties, where there are myriad opportunities for work. Now, however, Haitians who were here under TPS can no longer work to support their families and are at risk of being sent home to unlivable conditions. This reality is unfolding across the country.

The Cape Coral City Council approved $500,000 in Wednesday's meeting to address a sinking roadway in the northwest region of the city. This comes as residents living along the impacted area face U.S. Postal Service delivery delays.

The Collier County School Board may have three races coming up in the 2026 Florida primaries, but only one is contested, District 5. Learn more about who is running against incumbent Tim Moshier, and why.

Some local community members are speaking out ahead of Florida's 2026 primary election cycle, harping on how the divisive and polarizing political rhetoric across the country is causing harm in an area one may not expect it to: Public school systems.

The Fort Myers City Council recently approved a change impacting parking rates at all three of downtown Fort Myers' parking garages. Visitors are now entitled to two free hours followed by a hourly rate.

Local experts say that with an increase in tropical disturbances, and as the area progresses into a new hurricane season every year, mangroves have little time to recover, and therefore, lack strength to guard our coastlines from inclement weather.

Collier County lost an estimated $13 billion in market property value in 2025 compared to the previous year. The roughly 5.78 percent loss stands as a sharp contrast to some years in the past decade. Lee and Charlotte Counties also lost market property value between 2024 and '25.

Farmland and woods are disappearing, but some rural-focused businesses are finding ways to survive, even as more housing and business developments move inland across Southwest Florida.

A Collier County woman is being honored for what she does to help businesses prosper and grow. Melissa Severance founded a consulting firm called Inspire Big Dreams. She won a top award from the group SWFL Inc.

Urgent warnings about wildfires breaking out throughout the north and northeastern portions of Florida Saturday will shift south to the Tampa Bay region Sunday, and into Southwest Florida Monday.