Paul and Joseph Bonasia, founders of Protect Our Wetlands Cape Coral, are leading a campaign to prevent the construction of a condo and hotel on local wetlands, emphasizing the area's importance in safeguarding homes from storm surge and flooding.

What began as an ordinary Monday quickly turned into a nightmare for the Rodriguez family when 79-year-old Edwin Rodriguez disappeared from his home.

There's a lot happening around the Gulf Coast on Saturday, December 6th! More: https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/christmas-holiday-events-family-southwest-florida/69610388

A black bear was spotted in a Florida community just two days before the state's bear hunts begins. More: https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/black-bear-wildblue-statewide-hunt-florida/69645182

Jason Drew went 'Gulfcoasting' at the Coconut Point Mall to preview the holiday celebration and parade happening on Saturday. More: https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/gulfcoasting-holiday-celebration-parade-coconut-point/69644392 

For the first time in each program’s history, Port Charlotte and Riverdale will be competing in the FHSAA Football State Semifinals. Our sports reporters Bailey Smith and Bradley Shimel have got you covered with all the action across the state. Tune in during the 11 PM Newscast for the full recap!

A Florida man was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of firing his gun in his neighbor's lanai after an argument about loud music. More: https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/florida-man-shooting-music-prison-cape-coral/69636424 

Rain chances will remain slim through the weekend for Southwest Florida. 

The Chockley family is grieving the loss of their pets, considered family members, after a fire destroyed their home, leaving only a service dog named Slurpee as a survivor.

The state attorney's office says that in 2022, William John Scott Tulko Jr. was reported to law enforcement in Texas by an online gamer who saw the content the defendant was sharing.

According to the State Attorney's Office's press release, George Washington Whitfield Jr. appeared in court for sentencing in a domestic violence - strangulation conviction. He then told the court “You want to see crazy, I’ll show you crazy.”

Things won't be as cool as we head overnight tonight. Low temperatures will only drop into the 60s by Friday morning. We can't rule out a few clouds, but it'll be mostly clear for the majority of the night.

Thursday night is when we will see the last full moon of 2025, and it also happens to be a supermoon.

Cape Coral, Naples and Punta Gorda ranked #2, #3 and #4, respectively, of the worst places to try to sell a home in 2025 in a new report from Cotality research. More: http://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/florida-housing-market-cools/69623140 

Expect slightly lower humidity Thursday with highs in the 80s. .

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, investigators identified the driver as 18-year-old Jodlin Loussaint, who they say was behind the wheel of a Toyota Corolla with only a learner’s permit.

Three police officers are injured after being shot and a suspect is dead after an incident at a gas station in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

The Pentagon knew there were survivors after a September attack on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea and the U.S. military still carried out a follow-up strike.

At South Seas Resort on Captiva, amidst the rhythm of reconstruction, you'll find Alex Bustamente painting in the style of a seasoned pro.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Philip Walter Heuman, 70, was accused of theft and illegal harvesting of commercial blue crab traps.

Once the reconstruction work begins on the Naples Pier, it is expected to take about 18 months to complete. More: https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/naples-pier-reconstruction-delays/69623498

St. Matthew's House celebrates the first anniversary of its Fort Myers shelter, which has served nearly 500 residents since its opening.

The city said a woman looked inside and found a handgun before she reported it to a city employee. The employee took the bag and handgun, and they notified the Marco Island Police Department.

Residents in Naples expressed frustration over delays in the reconstruction of the Naples Pier, which was damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022.

A new report from Cotality highlights that seven of the 10 "coolest" housing markets in the U.S. are in Florida, with Cape Coral, Naples and Punta Gorda experiencing significant drops in home prices.

Neal Kirby, the lone survivor of a boat crash on the Caloosahatchee River, is recovering from severe injuries while mourning the loss of his friends.

North Fort Myers Fire officials said 14 cats and three of the four dogs inside died, and multiple birds died.

Federal agents have launched immigration enforcement operations in New Orleans and a reported sweep in Minnesota's Twin Cities, focused on undocumented and Somali immigrants.

The Pentagon’s watchdog said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put U.S. personnel at risk by using Signal to share sensitive strike details, according to the Associated Press. It comes as lawmakers investigate airstrikes in the Caribbean Sea.

Thanks to a cold front that pulled through Southwest Florida, conditions will run colder Wednesday night with lows dropping into the 50s. We'll stay dry under mostly clear skies.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office said it's at the scene of a rollover crash involving a truck in North Fort Myers.

A man was killed in a targeted shooting at the food court at MGM National Harbor hotel and casino in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, police said

Lee County deputies are investigating a crash involving a landscaping truck near Bayshore Rd and New Post Rd in North Fort Myers.

A man was arrested after Cape Coral police said he was connected to multiple burglaries in November.

A Punta Gorda man was arrested after being accused of crashing into a school bus while under the influence of narcotics.

Join Gulf Coast News anchors Jen Stacy and Joshua Cole at Mercato in Naples on Wednesday night as they help light Southwest's Florida's largest real Christmas tree. More: https://experiencemercato.com/events/tree-lighting-ceremony-holiday-cirque-experience/ 

Charles Shay, a decorated Native American veteran who was a 19-year-old U.S. Army medic when he landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and helped save lives, died on Wednesday.

The scrutiny over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's leadership at the Pentagon has been a long time coming on Capitol Hill

Jason Drew went 'Gulfcoasting' at Velocity Naples in Mercato. The cycling studio is about to celebrate its seventh anniversary. More: https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/fun-fitness-velocity-naples-gulfcoasting/69619751 

A Naples woman was put behind bars after her dog was found severely neglected and riddled with medical ailments.

Leslie Odom Jr., a Tony and Grammy Award winner, will bring his holiday tour back to Artis-Naples in 2025 following last year's sold-out performances.

"Telescopers" Christian, Kate and Carol commemorate Galileo Galilei's revolutionary scientific contributions made 404 years ago that transformed our understanding of the universe.

FDA warns certain glucose monitors can give incorrect readings linked to at least seven deaths and 700 plus serious injuries

GoldenFest at Hammond Stadium promises a day filled with fun for golden retriever fans, benefiting the Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida.

USCIS paused green card and naturalization decisions for people from 19 listed countries

A raccoon went on a drunken rampage in a Virginia liquor store and passed out on the bathroom floor

Milks faces charges of DUI with serious injury and property damage, and child neglect.

A new headache is emerging for House Speaker Mike Johnson.

On Monday, the Cape Coral Fire Department began its annual "Keep the Wreath Green" fire safety campaign.

According to the City of Fort Myers, the park is set to reopen following extensive renovations.